Chapter 183
Chapter 183
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: To Bisa Fortress
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"To Bisa Fortress. Jang Rang is moving faster than expected."
I was genuinely taken aback. In the original timeline, the Tang army had crossed the Yalu River in early April, besieging Liaodong Fortress, while Jang Rang didn't lead his march toward Pyeongyang and capture Bisa Fortress until May. Yet here it was February, and signs of an attack on Bisa Fortress were already appearing. Of course, with General Sobuson holding the line, I felt somewhat reassured, but considering how it fell to Jeong Myeongjin's night raid in actual history, I couldn't afford to be careless.
Kim Yushin, who had no idea where my impatience stemmed from, spoke cautiously.
"Bisa Fortress is a natural stronghold. Even tens of thousands of troops wouldn't take it easily."
"True, but I'm still worried. If we fumble the first button, it could sour the entire campaign, couldn't it?"
"You're right."
I placed a hand on Kim Yushin's agreeing shoulder.
"I'll have to go to Bisa Fortress myself. Hold down the fort here."
"Me?"
Clearly unexpected, Kim Yushin looked utterly flustered.
"Who else can I trust? I've already sent instructions to each fortress on what to do if the enemy shows up. Handle any surprises as they come."
I then summoned Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeonmu, ordering them to assist Kim Yushin. Go Jeong-ui nodded, but Go Yeonmu had something else to say.
"Take me with you, Master."
"This is a battlefield. It could be dangerous."
"As your strategist, shouldn't I see the front lines? Someone keeps teasing me for never having been to one."
He didn't name names, but Go Jeong-ui, the culprit, caught on immediately. Seeing his embarrassed pretense, I patted Go Yeonmu's head.
"All right. Come with me."
"Thank you. What about the flying chariots?"
"How many are stationed at Seokseong?"
Go Jeong-ui answered my question first.
"Three per launcher."
"And the pilots?"
"Three as well, Master."
"We'll make maximum use of them."
"They're all highly skilled."
I thanked Go Jeong-ui for his efforts and turned to Go Yeonmu.
"We're leaving right away. Get ready and meet me at the main gate."
I gave Geom Mojam a nod. He ordered his men to fetch the horses and hurried over.
"I'll escort you."
"Reliable as ever. Send a messenger to Bisa Fortress to prepare. Especially warn them of a possible night raid from the west gate if the enemy lands."
"Understood."
"And is General Ga Do-han at Seokseong?"
"Yes. He's gathered the warships and fire ships in the waters off Seokseong."
"We'll head there. Let him know ahead of time so they can sortie immediately."
Seeing Geom Mojam summon another subordinate, I entered the golden hall. I grabbed Jumong's spear tip and a few items, then spotted Go Yeonmu outside with his pack. He wore a bear-fur hat.
Feeling my gaze, Go Yeonmu smiled shyly.
"Elder Brother gave it to me. You said the north gets awfully cold."
"It'll keep you warm. Let's go."
At the main gate, Geom Mojam and his men waited with the horses. I stepped into the stirrups, gripped the reins.
The war's come sooner than expected.
Riding slowly, I mulled it over—it didn't seem so bad. Go Yeonmu apparently thought the same and ventured,
"If we play it right, we could defeat them piecemeal. Might actually be a good thing."
"Couldn't be better."
We gradually picked up speed, heading for the waters off Seokseong where General Ga Do-han's fleet waited. En route, we encountered columns of refugees. To prevent their capture or slaughter, we were evacuating civilians from combat zones. Porters, carts, and wheelbarrows groaned under loads as they passed, leaving wishes for the war's swift end so farming could resume.
We pressed on to the seaside at Seokseong. The weather hadn't fully thawed; snow and ice lingered everywhere. Soon, the shoreline came into view. Geom Mojam, leading, called out.
"Seokseong in sight."
A mid-sized fortress with overhanging eaves crowned the cliff overlooking the sea—a backup naval base south of Bisa Fortress. Below, fire ships and warships lay anchored in the harbor. Drumbeats echoed, announcing my arrival.
"To the fortress first?"
I shook my head at Geom Mojam's question.
"Harbor first. That's the priority."
He acknowledged and veered past the fortress toward the harbor. Fire ships bobbed there.
Post the Battle of Danghangpo, the fire ships had seen upgrades. The chronic center-of-gravity issue was fixed, crossbows removed in favor of full Goguryeo fire armament. More oars boosted speed, and the bellows for launching Goguryeo fire were refined for greater range. I'd only heard reports until now. Dismounting at the harbor, Ga Do-han approached, hands clasped behind his back. His relaxed expression belied his awareness of my visit; he reported straightaway.
"Ready to sail."
"The enemy showed up off Bisa Fortress sooner than anticipated."
"I heard. Ordered preparations the moment word came."
"Can we depart immediately?"
"Of course. Though to evade Tang naval eyes and slip into the Jang Mountain Archipelago..."
Ga Do-han trailed off, avoiding any impression of prodding his superior. As I opened my mouth to reply, hoofbeats approached from behind. Yeosilji, Seokseong's eaves commander, galloped up urgently, trailed by young boys. Dismounting, Yeosilji dropped to one knee.
"Seokseong Eaves Commander Yeosilji greets Senior Central Administrator and Grand Commander."
"Rise. Are the flying chariots ready?"
"We inspected the carts and launchers upon hearing you were coming."
He glanced naturally at the boys who'd followed.
"The pilots are prepared too."
Seeing the boys behind Yeosilji tugged at my heart. The chariots' weight required teens in their mid-to-late years, which gnawed at me. The three, undaunted, brimmed with confidence. I approached them.
"Enemy ships off Bisa Fortress. You know what to do?"
"Yes!" they chorused.
I pointed northwest toward Bisa Fortress.
"Fly the chariots along the coast. At the end, you'll see Bisa Fortress. Islands dot the south; to the north, a long isle called Cheolsan Island hugs the shore."
They listened gravely.
"Check the enemy fleet's size and if any approach Cheolsan Island. If impossible, scout for ships in the Jang Mountain Archipelago."
The tallest pilot nodded firmly, then grinned wide. I smiled back and urged caution. The boys headed to Seokseong's launchers with Yeosilji. Watching them, Ga Do-han asked,
"Will they really return?"
"We have to believe."
"I've seen a few flights. Still seems unnatural."
I chuckled at his crossed arms.
"Humans flying? Yeah, it's weird."
"Just hope they come back safe."
"They seemed confident. Let's trust them."
As we spoke, the first flying chariot lifted from Seokseong, soaring along the coast. Soon the second followed, then the third after a brief pause. Riding the wind, all three streaked north and vanished.
Ga Do-han remarked,
"Warm up by the fire while we wait. It'll take time either way."
"Join me. Let the men rest too."
Bonfires crackled around the harbor; soldiers disembarked to huddle by them. I joined Ga Do-han, Geom Mojam, and Go Yeonmu at one. Yet even as we warmed, my mind churned: Why had Jang Rang crossed the sea in March, two months early? Could the chariots succeed? Time dragged until drums sounded from Seokseong. I sprang up, instinctively scanning the sky.
"Over there!"
Go Yeonmu shouted, pointing. Amid gray clouds, a tiny speck appeared.
"It's a flying chariot."
Ga Do-han rose, brushing his hands, bellowing for his men to board. Meanwhile, the chariot veered toward Seokseong—descending alarmingly fast.
"That's dangerous..."
Before I finished muttering, it plummeted, smashing headlong into trees at the mountain's base. The drop was too swift; it practically crashed. I bolted there amid snapping branches. Amid the wreckage lay the tall boy, bloodied. The chariot's snapped wing had pierced his abdomen. Shivering, I told him,
"I'll fetch a physician. You'll be fine."
But vomiting blood, he repeated,
"B-Bisa Fortress waters... packed with Tang warships. S-some nearing Cheolsan Island, a few in Jang Mountain Archipelago."
Late-arriving Ga Do-han overheard and met my eyes.
"We sail now."
Blinking, the boy continued,
"One crashed en route, another veered seaward. I lucked out—wind shifted, let me return."
"Good job. You did well."
Thrilled by my praise, he smiled brightly and closed his eyes. Urged by Ga Do-han, I couldn't stay and rose. I sprinted after him to the fire ship ahead, sails rising. Drums pounded departure. Go Yeonmu leaped aboard as the gangplank retracted; the ship eased forward.
The roofed fire ship was dim despite daylight. Oarsmen packed the sides; above, in lofted tiers, Goguryeo fire launchers gleamed. Long metal tubes with cartwheel grips, flanked by torches for ignition. Forward, a dragon-head launcher linked to more fire projectors. Narrow portholes peered outside. I climbed right-side stairs, gazing ahead. Spray flew from the lead warship. Ga Do-han approached beside me.