Chapter 175
Chapter 175
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jin Daedeok's jaw dropped as he saw it.
"Wh-what is this?"
"Why are you so surprised? It's something I prepared for you, Lord."
It was indeed prepared for Jin Daedeok. I'd set up a moving curtain around us to keep him from seeing anything while we rode. Servants holding cloth connected to poles moved in sync with our steps. In short, it blocked out the surroundings completely. Jin Daedeok, who had been out of it, protested in an agitated voice.
"What is the meaning of this, Chief of Central Administration?"
"What do you mean? Don't you know this is all for the Assistant Minister of the Interior?"
When I spoke in a hurt tone, Jin Daedeok's sagging cheeks puffed up with anger, looking ready to burst.
"You block everything from view and call this for my sake?"
I clicked my tongue at his outburst.
"I'm truly disappointed that you don't understand my intentions. Word has spread throughout Goguryeo that an envoy from the Tang has arrived."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"The Tang may have risen after the Sui fell, but the ignorant masses don't know that."
"So?"
"Rumors of envoys from China have people whose families were lost or taken captive in past invasions waiting to exact revenge."
Jin Daedeok's face hardened as he listened. He must have realized he could be killed.
"How dare those uneducated fools seek revenge on the Emperor's envoy."
"Do you think the illiterate care about such things? That's why I've kept you holed up in the guesthouse. And why I came personally to escort you."
I put on a grave expression while the interpreter diligently translated. Jin Daedeok said a few words and glanced at the surrounding curtain.
As the interpreter asked if it was true, a stone suddenly flew toward the curtain. But like a baseball caught in a net, it couldn't pierce through and fell to the ground. I heard Geom Mojam's men shouting who it was and to catch them. Of course, it was all staged. Geom Mojam's men ran toward the hill where the stone came from, but they had no intention of actually catching their own. Jin Daedeok, believing it real, shrank back in fear. I spoke smugly.
"See? That's why I prepared the curtain. Without it, you might have been hit by that stone."
While the interpreter relayed my words, I turned my head and burst into suppressed laughter. Making maps was Jin Daedeok's mission, as recorded in the Samguk Sagi. He'd climb mountains under the pretense of sightseeing to survey Goguryeo's terrain. I didn't know how useful it was, but it infuriated me. Sending a low-ranking official also showed they had no real intent to negotiate with Goguryeo. Killing or expelling the envoy would just give them an excuse, so that wasn't an option.
All that was left was to monitor him and prevent him from wandering. After some thought, I came up with the moving curtain to block his view. Meanwhile, a few subordinates disguised as peasants threw more stones and vanished. Now Jin Daedeok stared straight ahead with a terrified look. I quietly asked the interpreter.
"If you're worried about your safety, tell him he can return to Liaodong Fortress."
Jin Daedeok shook his head immediately upon hearing it. No matter how scared he was, failing to deliver the edict would mean punishment back home. In the end, he had no choice but to move with the curtain. With nothing visible around and only the sky above, surveying the terrain was impossible. I chuckled inwardly watching him fume.
The journey with the curtain ended upon arriving at Jangan Fortress. Supreme Central Administrator Wi Du-daeeum and other Central Administration officials came out to the outer gate to greet us. Handing him over to them wrapped up my task. As we exchanged farewells, Jin Daedeok spoke through the interpreter.
"He asks how many Sui captives remain in Goguryeo."
"Tell him quite a few."
"He wants to meet them."
His second mission was to meet the Sui captives and urge them to return home. Many had gone back then. In an era where population was power, Goguryeo had clearly suffered losses from their repatriation. I'd anticipated this, so I pretended to think it over.
"Tell him there's a village near Jangan Fortress where Sui captives and their children live."
Jin Daedeok's eyes lit up at the interpreter's words.
"He asks where it is."
"Tell him it's called Sui Captive Village to the south. If he wants, I'll provide a guide, so he can go meet them."
Jin Daedeok nodded contentedly and expressed thanks through the interpreter.
I watched his back as he headed to the palace with the Central Administration officials, then returned to my residence. Seon Do-hae, waiting outside the gate, approached as I dismounted.
"I have mountains of reports, Master."
I replied while climbing the steps to the gate.
"Summarize them."
"Kim Yu-sin has defected."
"To where?"
"He's staying near Niha Fortress now."
"Not alone, I assume?"
"He came with his younger brother, family, close aides, and about a thousand subordinates."
"Send a letter welcoming him and ensure he's well cared for without any discomfort."
"That's the plan, but..."
As we entered the gate, my wife waited with our son. I gestured that I'd be there soon and continued to Binyeon Pavilion, talking with Seon Do-hae.
"What's the problem?"
"Local officials are uneasy."
"About what?"
"An enemy until yesterday, now with a thousand men nearby—naturally."
"Kim Yu-sin is brave but no fool. Having thrown his lot with us, why would he stir trouble?"
"Even so, suggestions are coming in to disperse his men and him."
"That would make Kim Yu-sin uneasy."
"There's also the practical issue of feeding over a thousand people."
"Contact the Maemul Merchant Guild for help. And summon Kim Yu-sin here."
"Here?"
"I'd go myself, but I'm swamped. He's essential for the war against Tang."
Seon Do-hae nodded readily.
"Hard to find a general of his caliber in Goguryeo."
"Now's the time to ease suspicions and build cooperation. Comfort him, and impress upon Niha's officials to do the same."
"Understood."
We arrived at Binyeon Pavilion mid-conversation. Subordinates who'd accompanied me and those who'd stayed were all waiting. After exchanging nods, I sat and immediately looked to Ham-a.
"In a few days, the Tang envoy will visit Sui Captive Village."
"For what purpose?"
"Probably to tempt them back to the Tang, successors to the Sui."
Ham-a smirked at that.
"They've been settled here for decades. Where would they go now?"
"They'll still try sweet-talking them."
"Don't worry. Our villagers swore loyalty to you long ago."
"I'll go down myself—been a while since seeing fellow countrymen."
"Got it. I'll warn them firmly not to fall for the Tang envoy's tricks."
After finishing with Ham-a, I turned to my subordinates. Though it was our usual meeting, they sensed the different atmosphere and tensed up.
"The Tang envoy just arrived at Jangan Fortress."
I added,
"War with the Tang is right around the corner."
We'd discussed it often, so no one was shocked, but hearing it was imminent was new. Historically, there were about five years left, but things had accelerated.
'With Yeon Gaesomun's coup variable gone.'
The Tang would likely advance their plans too. Go Yeonmu asked me, lost in thought.
"When do you think the war will break out?"
"Within about two years."
"Lots to prepare."
"Enough time if we focus, not if we don't."
Go Jeong-ui chimed in.
"We should inspect the defensive lines around Liaodong."
"Right. Who's the garrison commander at Baekam Fortress?"
Yang Man-chun answered my long-planned question promptly.
"Probably Son Dae-eum."
"Is it hereditary like Ansi Fortress?"
"No, appointed by the court."
"Good."
"Why?"
"I'm replacing him immediately."
Yang Man-chun nodded at my words.
"His reputation isn't great anyway."
During the 645 war, Son Dae-eum had surrendered Baekam Fortress without a fight when things turned sour, worsening our position. And while at it, one more matter.
"There are likely Tang spies in Bisa Fortress. I'd like you to investigate."
Yang Man-chun, familiar with Liaodong, asked,
"Bisa Fortress?"
"Yes."
After a moment's thought, Yang Man-chun spoke.
"Guess I'll have to go myself."
"I'd appreciate that. Check their readiness too."
"You've already planned the strategy, right?"
I tapped my temple at Yang Man-chun's question.
"Of course."
I knew how the 645 Goguryeo-Tang war ended. But there were likely unrecorded battles. Anyway, victory wasn't the goal in the coming war.
"We need to hit the Tang so hard they never dare invade again."
I knew what that required, though it wouldn't be easy. Gi Do-ryang said he'd go with Yang Man-chun.
"Thanks. On the way, meet Nak Sang-gwan."
"The leader of the Lost Wolves?"
I nodded at Gi Do-ryang's question.
"Tell him to start expanding the forces. And where's Geokgeok Jung-sang now?"
"Probably back at Buyeo Fortress."
"Summon him to Jangan Fortress too. I have a task for him."
"Understood."
Finally, I looked to Seon Do-hae.
"Kim Yu-sin is your responsibility. Let him stay at Niha Fortress and ensure he's well provided for."
Go Dol-bal interjected.
"Will he fight in the Tang war too?"
"Side by side with us."
Go Dol-bal, who'd fought Kim Yu-sin before, and the others looked conflicted.
"Enemies yesterday, allies today. I hope you can let bygones be bygones."
Gi Do-ryang replied for them.
"Understood. Kim Yu-sin's heart must be more conflicted than ours."
"Thanks for understanding."
"I've never seen you this tense, Master."
At Gi Do-ryang's words, I glanced at my subordinates. Then I brought up what I'd been holding back.