Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: Farewell and Strategy
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During the year of frantic preparations, I became convinced that the Tang invasion would happen in 642. Tang forces were gradually building up at Youzhou, and the Tang emperor's succession issue was growing more complicated. It felt like they were about to name Li Zhi—who had been living quietly in line with original history—as crown prince. But I couldn't just let that slide.
The map from Bin Yeon Pavilion also needed to be moved to Guonei Fortress, where the Marshal's Office would be set up. As I watched it being packed away, I muttered to myself.
"There's just so much we need to gain from this war."
Kim Yushin, standing beside me, asked,
"What makes you so greedy?"
"When war breaks out, countless people will die or get hurt. Homes will burn to ashes, fields trampled underfoot. With damages that massive, we have to come out ahead somehow."
Spending more time together had smoothed out my speech naturally around Kim Yushin, who held the rank of guest general. After hearing me out, he clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the map being wrapped up.
"Not much time left until the date you mentioned."
"Right. Late next spring at the latest. The Tang emperor will probably lead the campaign himself."
"They won't make it easy."
"If the emperor comes, he'll aim to breach Chang'an Fortress and force a surrender."
A wry smile crossed my face at Kim Yushin's words.
"That's why I've spent the last ten years preparing to stop them."
"Soon we'll see just how hard you've worked."
"We will. I'll say goodbye to my family before I go. You?"
"Already done. Thanks for making sure I had no shortages of food or rest. Not many, but the men who followed me will join up at Guonei Fortress."
"Appreciate it. Let's make this work."
After chatting with Kim Yushin, I headed to the mansion's main gate. There stood my wife holding our sons Heonseong and Heonchung, my father Yeon Gaesomun, and my younger brothers lined up side by side. In that short time, more wrinkles had crept around my father's eyes as he gripped my shoulder.
"The fate of the nation and our family's future rests on your shoulders. Win and come back."
"I will, Father. Take good care of Chang'an Fortress."
"Don't worry. The heads of the other houses are on our side, and we've got the Central Administration Bureau locked down."
"Still, don't slack on watching the Great King. Complacency is the enemy."
"Got it."
After speaking with my father, I stepped up to my wife. She soothed the fussing children while holding back tears.
"Don't worry about the kids. I'll take good care of them."
"Even if my body is far, my heart will always be with you. Don't forget that."
"I won't. Stay healthy."
While my wife held back her tears, my younger sister Yeon Suyeong bawled openly.
"Stop crying already. Take good care of Mom and get married soon."
Yeon Suyeong just sobbed without a word, so I moved straight to my two younger brothers. I gave them the formal request to look after the family and shook hands. Their eyes were red, but I paid it no mind. I left a word with Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang at the foot of the steps to watch over the Central Administration Bureau well, then mounted my horse. With Kim Yushin beside me, we headed north. A chilling wind unlike any before swept in.
Upon arriving at Guonei Fortress, Yoksal greeted us. We entered an abandoned temple outside the fortress, designated as the Marshal's Office. There were official quarters and guest houses inside Guonei Fortress, of course, but with our large group, I didn't want to burden Yoksal. Encampments were being set up around Guonei Fortress for the assembled troops. About fifty thousand infantry and cavalry, tasked with delivering the counterpunch at the crucial moment. Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeon-mu, who had arrived first, dismounted and welcomed me.
"Welcome, Master."
"Settling in okay?"
"Not bad. There's something I want to show you."
"Can't you see I'm tired from the road?"
They ignored my protest and dragged me by the arm to the back of the temple. Kim Yushin followed, looking intrigued. Behind the temple's main hall stood a flying chariot. And there was what looked like a slanted ramp shooting up toward the sky.
"What's that?"
"It's a launcher to send the flying chariot into the sky. You put a cart on that ramp and secure the flying chariot on top."
Go Jeong-ui explained, and Go Yeon-mu picked up.
"Pull down the stone weight at the back, and the ropes connected through pulleys move the cart with the flying chariot up. Once there's enough wind, you can launch it."
"Well done. In war, you need to know where the enemy is, and this will be a huge help."
"Just give the word, and we'll make a few more."
"Of course. We need them at Liaodong Fortress and the other fortresses around Yodong."
I hadn't expected much, but even half of half performance would be a big boost. After inspecting the improved flying chariot, I entered the main hall, now set up as a conference room. The massive map from Bin Yeon Pavilion was just being installed. My close aides, including Yang Man-chun, had all been deployed to the front lines, leaving only Go Jeong-ui, Go Yeon-mu, and Kim Yushin by my side. Geom Mojam stood guard at the door, ever like a shadow. Kim Yushin stepped up to the map and scrutinized the projected invasion routes.
"You think the Tang will split their army for the invasion?"
"I'm certain."
"Care to explain why?"
I took a few steps to stand before the map and pointed to the lines marked in red thread.
"There are roughly three paths from Youzhou into Goguryeo. The northernmost is the north route via Yeon-gun Fortress through Tongjeong Ford. It passes Shinseong, Hyeonto Fortress, and Gaemo Fortress. The vanguard, Yodong Corps led by Li Shiji, will probably advance there."
"How do you know even that?"
"Li Shiji's always been at the vanguard of Tang armies. He'll be this time too. Probably feint another route before coming north."
"The other paths?"
"The central route from Yeon-gun Fortress via Hoehoe Ford to Liaodong Fortress. The main army under the Tang emperor will come that way."
"I know there's a swamp called Yotak there. Would the emperor cross it himself?"
"He'll even burn the pontoon bridges after crossing. Back as Prince of Jin, he was called the Heavenly Strategy General, a brilliant commander. After becoming emperor, he subdued the northern nomads to earn the title Heaven's Crowned Khan. He sees himself as a hero, so he'll take the risk."
"So the main army's target?"
"Liaodong Fortress, connected to the central route. He'll take it with his own hands to show it's different from Sui times."
"South of the Yoha?"
"Governor-General Zhang Jian will push in with nomads out front. Target's Geonan Fortress."
"A strategy to hit the Yoha fortresses all at once."
"Exactly. And the navy under Vice Minister of State Zhang Liang's Pyongyang Corps will sail from Naesu to attack Bisa Fortress."
"Not straight to Chang'an Fortress?"
"Sui tried that and got wiped out by Geommu's army."
"I've heard. Lured them inside and crushed them, right?"
"Yes. A naval force alone can't breach Chang'an Fortress. They'll use Bisa as a base and move in sync with the Yodong Corps and main army. Geonan Fortress next, probably."
Kim Yushin looked back at the map after my explanation.
"Once they crumble the Yoha fortresses with three prongs, Ogol Fortress is next."
"Right. They'll merge and push down. After Ogol falls, they'll ford the Amnok River."
"How do you plan to fight back?"
"Concentrate forces at Liaodong and Baekam Fortresses, Shinseong and Geonan, Gaemo and Hyeonto, and Bisa to hold them. Goguryeo Fire and equipment are being deployed too."
"Crisis will still come."
"That's when we move the fifty thousand at Guonei. Plug the gaps, blunt their momentum."
"That battle will be the war's turning point."
"You'll command it."
"Really?"
"More experience than me."
"Plenty of opposition inside and out."
"It's orders from the Chief of Central Administration and Grand Commander. No one will object. At least not to my face. The rest, you prove."
"By winning?"
"Exactly. I won't let them invade south of the Yoha."
"You sound confident."
"Of course."
He'd be shocked if he knew why. But I couldn't say, so I just smiled. I glanced at Geom Mojam and whispered,
"One favor."
"Name it."
"If you head out, take Geom Mojam with you."
"Isn't he your bodyguard retainer?"
"Too valuable for just that. Keep him close, teach him how to command and fight."
"You really see him as general material?"
"Naturally."
I knew his real history well enough to have written a novel about him. So yeah, I knew too much. He seemed to catch on that we were talking about him and looked over. I gave a light smile and added to Kim Yushin,
"He'll be an outstanding general. Far more important than guarding me."
I'd nearly died once, but now I knew how to handle it. With King Jumong's spearhead too, I could protect myself. Kim Yushin, listening, turned to the map and spoke.
"A war for Goguryeo's fate."
"One we absolutely won't lose."
"No arrogance. The foe is Tang. If the emperor leads, his generals and soldiers will fight desperately for glory."
"We'll fight desperately for our families and homes. The more desperate side that exploits weaknesses better wins."
"Then we win."
"Yes."
My short, firm reply made Kim Yushin clasp his hands behind his back and study the map again.
"Somewhere along the Yoha, a battle deciding our and our families' fate."
"Our fate."
I planned a massive counteroffensive like the Battle of Jupilsan near Ansi Fortress in real history. High risk, but it could annihilate the Tang main force in one go. Victory in open field over defense would boost my authority. From there, I could open the path to a new era. Seeing me lost in thought, Kim Yushin said,
"You're already fighting in your head."
"Defeat's off the table. I'll prove it."
Confident, I beckoned Geom Mojam. He hurried over in one stride, and I gave the order.
"Relay to Yang Man-chun at Liaodong Fortress. Soon, Tang scouts approaching from Nam-san side. About a hundred or so."
"How do you want them handled?"
"Capture them, no matter the cost."
"Understood, Master."
Geom Mojam stepped out to pass it on to his men. Kim Yushin beside me asked,
"What for, capturing scouts?"