Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Geom Mojam's and Go Jeong-ui's faces broke into smiles at Gido-ryang's unexpectedly high-pitched voice, which lacked any tension.
Come to think of it, there had been a reason he hadn't said a word until now. I stifled a forced laugh myself.
"What do you think war is, my friend?"
"A duel between warriors."
"No. It's a clash between armies. It's true you're a better archer than Geom Mojam. But if enemies were right in front of us, he would have taken down far more than you."
Gido-ryang nodded thoughtfully for a moment.
"I admit it."
"When enemies outnumber our army several times over, we need weapons to match."
"So that's what you meant. The Chief of Central Administration mocked it as child's play."
"I don't care about mockery. As long as we do what's necessary. Tell me the flaws you see in the Yeon Clan Cannon."
"Understood, Master."
"Get up and follow me. We need to head to the estate now."
As Gido-ryang rose, Geom Mojam clapped him on the shoulder in welcome.
We headed straight to the training grounds upon arriving at the estate. The vast space was mainly used for training the guards. In one corner stood the massive Yeon Clan Cannon. Ham-a, who had been inspecting the pulley, ran over and bowed his head.
"You've arrived?"
"Yes. Is everything ready?"
"Just finishing the final check on the pulley."
"Don't rush. Inspect it carefully."
"Yes."
While Ham-a returned to examine the Yeon Clan Cannon, my younger sister Yeon Suyeong and my wife appeared in the distance, holding hands.
Both wore pearl necklaces brought from the southern Tamna region.
I later learned that Yeon Suyeong had comforted and consoled my wife during her hardships.
They looked like sisters now. I gave a nod to the two beaming women before turning to the Yeon Clan Cannon.
About 200 paces away, bundles of straw were piled up like a small mountain.
Ham-a, having finished checking the pulley, gave a signal.
The burly Adokbang pulled on the wheel connected to the lever and ropes. As the wheel turned, the lever gradually tilted to one side.
At the end of the rising lever hung a wooden box filled with large stones serving as counterweights.
On the other side rested a stone the size of a man's head, secured by a thick leather strap. While Adokbang and several guards grunted to turn the pulley, Nam-san and Nam-geon showed up. They greeted from afar and pointed at the Yeon Clan Cannon while chatting.
By then, the wheel had stopped. Adokbang wedged a large wooden rod between the spokes and stepped back. My wife, Yeon Suyeong, Nam-san, Nam-geon, and everyone else watched in silence. At my signal, Adokbang swung his hammer down on the rod fixing the wheel. With a loud thud, the wheel released, unwinding the ropes. The wooden box, unable to withstand the weight, plummeted downward.
The reaction propelled the opposite end of the lever upward, launching the stone bound in leather strap into the air.
"Whoa!"
The stone soared to an astonishing height, grazing the straw pile mountain before flying onward.
It smashed into the colonnade, toppling pillars and railings. As we stood stunned, Go Jeong-ui stammered.
"It flew better than expected."
Cheers soon erupted. They came from Geom Mojam, Adokbang, Ham-a, and the watching guards.
Ham-a rushed over in one bound and knelt.
"Master, success! It's a success."
"Good work. The stone flew farther than I thought."
"It demolished the colonnade. My apologies."
"Apologies? This is something to celebrate."
I couldn't help but laugh. The torsion catapult was a siege weapon, but it was useful for defense too.
It could strike infantry advancing in tight formation from afar.
Load it with fire or iron caltrops, and it could stop cavalry as well. Of course, Goguryeo already had stone-throwers called catapults or stone cannons.
But they all relied on men pulling ropes.
They couldn't hurl stones far and required many men. In contrast, the Yeon Clan Cannon used fewer people to launch stones farther.
"Truly impressive, sir. How do you come up with such ideas?"
I flashed a grin at Go Jeong-ui's blatant flattery. Then I gestured for Ham-a to rise.
"What improvements are needed?"
"We should make the pulley larger. That way, it'll be easier to wind with the wheel."
"Anything else?"
"I'm planning to adjust the wheel's position a bit rearward. That should make the lever move faster."
"Test it with heavier stones. Later, try loading jars with oil-soaked small stones or caltrops and firing those."
"Understood."
"You've worked hard, so rest well today."
"Thank you. I'll inspect the Yeon Clan Cannon a bit more before resting."
Ham-a dashed back to the Yeon Clan Cannon and began examining the pulley. Meanwhile, Geom Mojam showed the new recruit Gido-ryang the crossbow bolts and bamboo tubes. Gido-ryang's eyes widened in amazement. The lively atmosphere fell silent at the steward's cry of "The lord approaches!" Everyone froze as Father Yeon Gaesomun appeared, wearing a golden crown and fur-trimmed coat. Several rabbits, likely from his hunt, dangled from his belt.
"Father, were you out hunting?"
"Just went for some fresh air. I heard you tested the Yeon Clan Cannon."
"We just fired it. The result is over there."
I glanced toward the ruined colonnade.
"It flew at least 250 paces. When men pull ropes, it's barely 100."
"It uses heavy stones, pulleys, and elasticity."
"Useful nonetheless."
"We'll run more tests and refine it. Once perfected, we'll send blueprints to the fortresses in the Liaodong region for production."
"Preparing for war?"
"It'll be a big help. We're outnumbered anyway."
"Many mock you for obsessing over such things."
"Even Yeon Jeong-du said something similar today. Thanks to him, I gained Goguryeo's greatest archer."
"Gido-ryang?"
"Your ears are everywhere, Father."
He chuckled at my surprised question.
"Not just ears—eyes too. In this world, you won't survive without staying sharp."
"Once the weather warms, I'd like to head to Liaodong with my men."
"What do you plan to inspect?"
"The people and the fortresses."
"The Chief of Central Administration is already on his way, so leave a few days later."
"He is?"
"Yes, by the Great King's order to inspect the Thousand-Li Wall construction."
Father Yeon Gaesomun's expression soured as he spoke.
Though the Great King emphasized peace with Tang, he wasn't sitting idle.
Hence the Thousand-Li Wall.
It wasn't a continuous wall like the Great Wall but consisted of small forts and stockades.
Enough to hinder large armies and repel small raids.
In essence, passages linking fortresses as a defensive line. Spanning a thousand li, it demanded massive manpower and resources.
"To check construction progress?"
"Some lords openly complained. Too many men and supplies used. He's going to quiet them. Best not to cross paths, eh?"
"Understood, Father."
"Travel safely, and always remember someone might try to harm you."
"I will."
"I wish I could go with you, but duty calls."
"Let's go together when you can."
"Indeed."
After this warm exchange, Father Yeon Gaesomun briefly spoke with Ham-a, the Yeon Clan Cannon's maker, and the new recruit Gido-ryang before departing.
Nam-san and Nam-geon, waiting at the gate, approached, but Father dismissed them curtly and left.
In short, he'd backed me. Their faces darkened noticeably. Fearing I might summon them, they hurried away.
Yeon Suyeong snorted at the sight.
"How petty."
"What did you say to your brothers?"
I said that, but I felt good. Seeing Yeon Suyeong laugh merrily with my wife made me smile too.
I was feeling the family bonds I hadn't known in modern times. As Yeon Suyeong stopped laughing and I approached, she said.
"Sis is upset."
"Why?"
"You've barely been back from Baekje a few months, and now you're leaving again."
"Ah."
My wife's face flushed as she overheard. I went to her and said.
"If you're upset, I'm sorry. But I'm your husband and heir to the Eastern Division Leader. Also, a noble responsible for this country's fate."
"I know."
"We have a few days before departure, so let's spend them together."
Blushing, she bowed her head without replying. But that was answer enough.
After a few days with my wife, I set off north.
This was after learning the Chief of Central Administration Yeon Jeong-du had inspected Liaodong Fortress and headed toward Bisa Fortress. This time, I brought not just Geom Mojam and Go Jeong-ui, but also Ham-a, Adokbang, and Gido-ryang. Gido-ryang cherished the crossbow and bamboo tube Geom Mojam had given him. We prepared an ox cart but chose to ride horses.
The weather was still cold, so I wore a fur coat and hat, and strapped on five hwandu greatswords.
History books described Yeon Gaesomun's ferocity, but reality was different.
"So, one large hwandu greatsword on the left waist, a medium-length one on the right, one at the back, and two on the shoulders."
"Correct."
Geom Mojam handed them to me as he answered. More for show than practicality.
Except for the one on the left waist, the blades were short, with long hilts.
But it held great significance. Only Yeon clan lords or heirs could wear five swords.
Geom Mojam seemed deeply moved.
I found it quite uncomfortable, though. After finishing preparations, I bid farewell to my wife and sister Yeon Suyeong.
As suspected, my two younger brothers had left early for a hunt.
"Saves us the hassle of goodbyes."
I said casually and gave the order to depart. Geom Mojam bellowed.
"Move out!"