Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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"I'm sending troops from Ansi Fortress and Ogol Fortress to relieve Jian'an Fortress. They're not the main force anyway, so their numbers aren't huge—they won't dare move rashly."
"So you're just planning to pin them down?"
"I told them just to block them from linking up with Liaodong Fortress."
"You're isolating the Emperor's main army, then."
"Exactly. To win a battle, you have to defeat them piecemeal—it's basic strategy."
He was bragging like a know-it-all, but it was only possible because I knew the history that was about to unfold. Luo Shangguan, who had no way of knowing that, could only gape in admiration.
"You must have some kind of foresight. If we just follow your plan, we'll win without breaking a sweat."
"I hope so. I've prepared and pondered this for a long time, but I don't know how spot-on it will be."
Luo Shangguan glanced toward the direction of the divine capital as he responded to my answer.
"We'll know soon enough. I've ordered the men to prepare to march. The moment we know where the enemy is, we'll strike like a storm."
"That's reassuring."
While waiting for Go Jeong-ui, who had flown off in the flying chariot, reports on the Tang army's movements kept coming in. The most concerning news was that the Emperor's main force had entered the marshy Yotak region.
The timeline's a bit jumbled.
The war had started three years early, and the initial developments differed from actual history, so the fine details were off too. Fortunately, the overall progression matched what I knew, so there were no major issues. If anything, the problem arose because I spoke with such confidence and it all panned out. People half-jokingly suggested I could see the future. I had to keep a straight face each time.
The flying chariot that had departed at dawn reappeared around midday, when the sun was high. Bursting through the clouds from the east, it gradually slowed as it circled above Baekam Fortress. It looked just like a massive bird wheeling through the sky in search of prey. Cheoreo Geunji of Baekam Fortress muttered at the sight.
"It looks just like a phoenix. Doesn't it?"
Despite the praise, my heart was filled with unease. Landing wasn't easy. Fortunately, it managed a sliding touchdown in the open field by the river. I rushed out the west gate toward the field, and there was Go Jeong-ui stumbling out of the chariot. I checked his injuries first—nothing but some scrapes on his hands. He brushed off my question about whether he was okay.
"The map! Show me the map!"
No one had brought a map. So Go Jeong-ui drew one on the ground with a stick.
"The wind was good, so I went all the way near the divine capital. The Tang army set fires nearby, but it doesn't look like they've fully surrounded it yet."
"What about the cavalry?"
"They were heading west, so I followed. Some were around Hyeondo Fortress, and others were moving further west toward Gaemo Fortress."
He marked arrows on the makeshift map with the stick. As expected, he was sharp—he'd grasped their paths in one go. Geulgeul Jung-sang, who was listening beside me, asked.
"Did you see any big rocks or lakes?"
"Here, north of Hyeondo Fortress—there's a crescent-shaped pond, and I saw dust clouds rising from the woods beside it. There's a low ridgeline, and a group was gathered there. And west of Gaemo Fortress, there's another low ridgeline like that, with horses and people visible."
Geulgeul Jung-sang snatched the stick from Go Jeong-ui and drew a crescent north of Hyeondo Fortress.
"Banwol Lake. Perfect spot to water the horses. Woods nearby mean they won't be spotted easily. I was wondering where they were hiding—it's here."
"What about around Gaemo?"
"If it's the western ridgeline, it's not a mountain—it's the abandoned fortress."
"The ruined fortress?"
"Built ages ago. On flat ground, made of bricks, so it was abandoned. But they could hole up there for a bit."
"So they planned to set up camp around Gaemo and Hyeondo, wait for reinforcements, then block and intercept."
"Looks that way. And if they take Hyeondo or Gaemo, they'll swarm here."
Listening to Geulgeul Jung-sang, it finally clicked. I bent down to study Go Jeong-ui's map.
"The full Yodong march totals around 60,000. Attacking the divine capital head-on was never feasible. Their goal is to protect the Emperor's main force at Liaodong Fortress from flank attacks. No need to take the divine capital. They'll probe, and if it looks hopeless, pivot to another nearby fortress. Probably Gaemo."
"How do we counter?"
I glanced at Luo Shangguan, who was watching silently, then gave orders to Geom Mojam.
"Send a messenger to General On Sa-mun at the divine capital. Tell him to aggressively attack the Yodong march once the Tujue and Cheolrok cavalry pull away."
"Out from the fortress?"
"I'll give them the blueprints for the combined cannon from Bisa Fortress. Use that. Their main force will go through Hyeondo to Gaemo anyway."
"You mean focus attacks there?"
"Yes. Force them to defend Gaemo instead of attacking it."
"What about the Tujue and Cheolrok?"
Straightening up at Luo Shangguan's question, I replied.
"We'll catch them the way they catch us."
"Turn the hunters into the hunted."
"Exactly. Let them taste being the ones chased."
"How?"
"Once they surround Gaemo, their outer Tujue and Cheolrok cavalry will move to cut off reinforcements and communications. They'll intercept any relief from nearby Hyeondo or the divine capital."
In the actual 645 war, Yeon Gaesomun had sent 40,000 from the kingdom capital and divine capital to relieve Liaodong. Tang's Prince Kang, Li Daozong, blocked them with 4,000 cavalry. The cavalry delayed with hit-and-run tactics, buying time until Li Shiji's relief force arrived, forcing the Goguryeo troops to withdraw. That's how they stalled for time to assault fortresses.
Good thing I knew their playbook and had a rough idea of positions—I could counter properly. Looking down at the ground map, I glanced around. Go Dol-bal was there too; he'd been away training the cavalry.
"They think they've surrounded us and seized the initiative. But we'll surround and smash them piecemeal. Go Dol-bal!"
"Yes!"
"Stay here with Asilbul. When the Cheolrok appear, crush their vanguard."
"Understood."
"Their commander will be the famed general Gyepil Harik."
"Gyepil Harik or Seolpil Harik, my spear will pierce his throat."
"Move cautiously. Launch the flying chariot for position checks before engaging."
"Leave it to me."
I smiled warmly at Go Dol-bal, thrilled at the chance, then turned to Go Jeong-ui.
"In a few days, send up the flying chariot to scout enemies heading for Baekam Fortress. Teach someone else to fly it—don't go yourself."
"Got it."
After getting Go Jeong-ui's firm promise, I looked at Luo Shangguan. He spoke first.
"I'll take Hyeondo."
He probably wanted Gaemo more but yielded to me.
"Hit them with a surprise attack, carefully. I'll share some Goguryeo Fire—strike first with that for big results."
"Thanks for the trust."
"Expect Tujue cavalry there. Smash them, then harass the rear of the Yodong march besieging Hyeondo. No deep thrusts—just make them miserable."
"Will do. But that won't break the siege."
"I'm bringing a massive iron hammer to smash it."
"Iron hammer?"
"Kim Yu-sin. The iron hammer."
Luo Shangguan got it instantly and grinned. Kim Yu-sin was meant for Liaodong, but using him here as practice wouldn't hurt. Geulgeul Jung-sang, who hadn't gotten orders yet, looked at me eagerly.
"You're with me to Gaemo. Ready?"
"Of course, Master."
"We leave tomorrow, each to our posts. Send a messenger to the kingdom capital—tell Lord Yu-sin to bring his army to Gaemo."
"Understood."
The next day at dawn, Luo Shangguan's Lost Wolves set off for Hyeondo. Dressed in leather armor, I too departed northeast, with Go Jeong-ui and Go Dol-bal seeing me off. It was close, but avoiding Tang scouts from Cheolrok and Tujue slowed us. Five days later, we reached a spot overlooking distant Gaemo Fortress. Geulgeul Jung-sang atop the ridge peered toward it.
"Already surrounded."
"Numbers?"
"At least 40,000."
"The full Yodong main force, then. They'll have left about 10,000 at the divine capital, scattering the rest around Hyeondo and Gaemo to block relief."
"Layered siege nets."
"Yes. Relief from other fortresses would be blocked and harassed by nomad cavalry. Our infantry-heavy army struggles against that. How's Gaemo holding?"
"Using Goguryeo Fire to hold, but not for long."
"Set up camp here and send scouts. One to the ruined fortress, one south to check on Lord Yu-sin. No fires—can't let them know our position."
"Got it."
Geulgeul Jung-sang ordered camp; Malgal cavalry dismounted. Carts with Goguryeo Fire arrived late—packed in jars wrapped in straw, but still fragile, especially the smaller ones this time. Scouts returned after dark. Geulgeul Jung-sang reported.
"Still camped at the ruined fortress. Without the flying chariot, we'd have wasted days searching."
"Good. South scouts back?"
"Yes. Met Lord Kim Yu-sin's scouts—his force is 100 li out."
"Numbers?"
"30,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry."
"Tell General Kim Yu-sin to advance to 50 li south of Gaemo."
"They'd already pushed to 60 li and planned to send word to Baekam."
"Lord Yu-sin indeed. Best time to night raid the ruined fortress?"
"Tonight. Even hidden, 2,000 horses and men—they'll notice soon."
I pondered Geulgeul Jung-sang's words. Knowing the future didn't make starting a battle easy. But no time to hesitate. I gathered my thoughts and spoke firmly.
"We launch the night raid."