Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Return and New Flying Chariots
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Whether he'd prepared them in advance or not, the notes were nicely warmed. He scooped a sip of water from the earthenware jar—with its spout flared wide like a trumpet and four handles attached—drank it down, then lay atop the notes. Exhausted, he fell asleep right away.
He'd been deep in slumber for quite some time when he woke to the clamor outside, drums pounding amid the uproar. Even back in modern times, he'd often flipped day and night while writing, but it had been ages since he'd nodded off at dawn.
He went to the window and peered out. Amid the harsh beat of drums, soldiers and refugees were rushing toward the walls. As he stared blankly, the door flew open. It was General Subu-son.
"You're awake, sir?"
"Just woke up. What's going on?"
"The follow-up forces you mentioned have appeared."
"I'll head there right away."
"I'll be at the watchtower by the west gate."
He wanted to rush out immediately but couldn't, so he hurriedly donned his pants and jacket, topped with a topknot wrap. Then, joining Geom Mojam and Go Yeonmu who'd been waiting, he headed for the watchtower beside the west gate. Soldiers were already atop the walls, weapons in hand, while Goguryeo cannons were being loaded right behind them.
Choryo Geunji was already at the watchtower by the west gate. After a quick exchange and greeting, he looked down at the sea. Hundreds of Tang warships blanketed the waters.
'The reinforcements from the New Tang Annals.'
If the numbers were accurate, it was around 27,000 men. Go Yeonmu, standing beside him, roughly counted the ships.
"About 300 vessels. Add in the survivors from last night's night raid, and you're looking at 35,000 to 40,000 troops."
General Subu-son, hearing Go Yeonmu, spoke in a tense voice.
"Still a force we can't ignore. But after the sea battle and night raid that killed Pyongyang March Grand Overseer Jang Rang, Overseer Jeong Myeongjin, and Bang Hyo-tae, their morale must be in the pits."
After hearing General Subu-son out, he issued a few orders.
"Hang Jeong Myeongjin's head at the west gate and stay vigilant against night raids."
"Understood. No matter their numbers, they won't climb up to Bisa Fortress easily."
"We have to pin down the remnants of the Pyongyang March here."
"They can't slip past to the mainland. No need to worry."
"Then I'll leave it to you, General, and head back."
"Please do. If the enemy encircles us, it'll be hard for you to leave anyway."
After bidding farewell to General Subu-son and chatting briefly with Choryo Geunji, he descended the watchtower. Geom Mojam and the retainers had horses waiting in front of the west gate. Mounting up, he glanced at the slowly opening gate. Nearby soldiers and refugees shouted.
"Safe travels!"
"Thank you."
Pride swelled and gratitude bloomed at their words. He raised a hand in thanks and passed through the west gate. Midway down, he veered off at a fork leading east inland, skirting the mountain where Bisa Fortress lay. Go Yeonmu, following close, glanced back.
"Worried?"
"Enemy's at least 30,000, up to 40,000. If you hadn't struck first, a full 70,000 would've ringed Bisa Fortress."
"That's why I did."
"Once Bisa fell, they'd charge straight to Geonan Fortress or sail back along the front to the Paek River by Jang'an Fortress."
"But they can't now."
"Of course. With the grand overseer and overseers dead, command's in chaos. Truly impressive, my lord."
He shot back that Go Yeonmu's flattery was on the rise, then burst into laughter.
A few days later, he returned to the capital fortress. Augmented forces were encamped and drilling on the fields outside, larger than before. Heading to the ruined temple serving as headquarters, he was met by Kim Yushin in full armor.
"Just finished training. Heard about Bisa Fortress."
"Reinforcements arrived—they're probably surrounding it by now."
"Without you, it'd have fallen long ago. Terrain's tough and high, but short on men, you can't hold."
"Biggest hurdle's cleared. General Subu-son will handle it."
"Plenty to report. Tang forces are mobilizing in earnest."
"Liaodong March troops are on the move too, I bet."
Kim Yushin, walking toward the golden hall used as command, nodded.
"Right. They've likely crossed the Yoha by now."
"They'll besiege Shin Fortress, and if that's no good, aim south for Hyeondo and Gaemo Fortresses."
"Then the Tang Emperor's main force heads straight for Liaodong Fortress."
Inside the golden hall, reports from the front and Jang'an Fortress towered like mountains. Aligning the current date with Tang movements on the way back, the Pyongyang March had moved faster than expected. But Lee Se-jeok's Liaodong March and the Tang main army stuck to the timeline he knew.
A massive map from Jang'an Fortress marked Tang positions. Studying it, he admired the Tang Emperor's strategy.
"Using three armies to hit the Liaodong region simultaneously. So they can't aid each other."
Kim Yushin nodded at his words.
"Scouts say they're marching fast with iron discipline. Nothing like the Sui hordes 30 years back."
"It'll be a tough fight. That's why we've gathered so many."
He eyed Kim Yushin with a look saying, you're one of them. Reading it instantly, Kim Yushin let out a deep sigh.
"Left Silla and came here in gloom, but now a new chance."
"As I keep saying, this war's fate hangs on Liaodong Fortress."
In actual history, the Ansi Fortress battle was decisive. Records barely mentioned it, but Goguryeo victories at Shin and Geonan Fortresses forced the Tang retreat. He had no intention of letting it go that far. Preventing Liaodong's fall meant Baekam Fortress would surrender, no push to Ansi.
"You mean annihilate the Tang Emperor's main army."
"Only then will they never invade again."
He couldn't say more, but he believed his reincarnation from modern Yeon Taehwan into Goguryeo's Yeon Namsaeng was for this. As he pondered, Kim Yushin murmured at the map.
"Decisive battle at Liaodong Fortress."
"The Tang Emperor will camp at Masu Mountain west of it to direct the assault."
"You talk like you know the future."
Kim Yushin's half-joking remark made him inwardly flinch, but he played it cool.
"Liaodong March has another goal."
"What?"
"Block relief forces heading to save Liaodong Fortress."
True or not, Lee Se-jeok's Liaodong March grand overseer had held 40,000 Goguryeo troops with 4,000.
"We deal with them first."
"But if Hyeondo and other fortresses north of Liaodong fall, we can't move rashly. Without Liaodong March joining, the Tang Emperor's main won't push south of Liaodong either."
"Key is stopping Liaodong March."
"We've assigned forces, though."
Geolgeol Zhongshang was at Gaemo Fortress—not inside, but joining Nak Sang-gwan to fight from outside. A thought struck him. Staring piercingly at Gaemo on the map, Kim Yushin spoke.
"You need to stay here."
"I should check Gaemo."
"You just got back. Rest."
"Nak Sang-gwan's joining the Gaemo fight."
"I know."
"If he racks up too much功, it's dangerous. You get it."
"Of course."
"So better I go keep him from it."
"What about Liaodong?"
"Plans are set in advance—no big changes early on. Liaodong siege isn't till May, so some leeway."
Kim Yushin shook his head at his confidence. Then Go Jeong-ui burst in from the back yard.
"When did you arrive?"
"Just now."
"Something to show you."
"What?"
"Follow me."
He followed Go Jeong-ui, who'd grabbed his arm without warning, to the back yard. Seeing it, his jaw dropped.
"Wh-what is this?"
Go Jeong-ui beamed proudly at his startled question.
"A new flying chariot, made while you were at Bisa Fortress."
"I'd seen you tinkering with flying chariots, but this is fresh."
"Thank you. Knew you'd like it."
He grabbed shrugging Go Jeong-ui and pinched his cheeks hard. Go Jeong-ui squirmed, annoyed.
"No reward, just this?"
"'Cause I'm grateful."
Turning, he went straight to inspect the new flying chariot.
"Wings were single before—how'd you think of stacking two?"
Go Jeong-ui's new design had wings top and bottom, like World War I biplanes. He'd never considered it, and Go Jeong-ui knew nothing of aerodynamics—yet he'd figured it out. Admiring him, Go Jeong-ui shrugged nonchalantly.
"Single wing buckled or turned poorly in strong winds. So I added another. Test flights were much better."
"Makes sense. Easier to mount stuff between wings too."
"Exactly. Plan to tie Goguryeo Fire on, launch, cut ropes, and drop 'em all at once."
"Incredible."
In history, Go Jeong-ui had urged prolonged war against relief forces led by Go Yeon-su and Go Hye-jin to save Ansi Fortress. Ignoring it, they clashed head-on and lost badly. Had they listened, Jubilsan battle might've differed. That's why he kept those two in Jang'an—no Jubilsan this time, but Go Jeong-ui would help plenty. To the beaming Go Jeong-ui:
"Time's tight, but make several for Liaodong, Shin, Geonan Fortresses. And Gaemo."
"Materials are ready."
"I'll take Gaemo's share myself."
"What? How long since Bisa—you're leaving headquarters again?"
To shocked Go Jeong-ui:
"War is dangerous."
"Sure. Death, starvation, disease—all higher odds."
"So the one who decides must risk it too."
He slapped his knee. Go Jeong-ui looked up, exasperated.
"Ridiculous joke at a time like this?"
"The elite laugh in hard times."
Unable to retort, Go Jeong-ui just fumed. Watching, he laughed heartily for the first time in ages. Go Jeong-ui laughed too, and Kim Yushin watching from the golden hall joined in.