Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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The next day, my subordinates and I departed from Liaodong Fortress. Yoksal Mo Gyesu had sent his horse messenger, Gwan Hwapyeong, bearing a gift of a single fine steed.
As we passed through the east gate of the outer wall, throngs of Liaodong's citizens had gathered. I tried to slip by with as blank an expression as possible, but Go Jeong-ui started making a huge fuss.
"Look over there. Right there."
The spot Go Jeong-ui was pointing to was the gate tower above the east gate. Standing there was a shrine maiden clad in a white cloak.
Seeing her, Geom Mojam spoke up.
"It's extremely rare for the Celestial Maiden to step outside her shrine..."
The moment our eyes met, the Celestial Maiden knelt and bowed deeply. At the sight, the people of Liaodong Fortress began to murmur in excitement.
Geom Mojam seemed shocked too—he let out a hiccup.
"For the Celestial Maiden to lower her head means you've received the blessings of the High Gods."
"Does that mean I can become the Great King?"
"To become the Great King, you must first gain recognition from the Celestial Maiden of Gukdong Daehyeol."
"And if she doesn't acknowledge me?"
"It would mean you lack the qualifications for Great King. And..."
Geom Mojam started to say something but then trailed off, hemming and hawing. It was so unlike his usual straightforward nature that I stared at him, only for Go Jeong-ui to butt in.
"The current Great King failed to receive the Celestial Maiden's recognition."
"What?"
I asked in shock, and Go Jeong-ui nodded gravely.
"Everyone hushes it up, but it's true."
It was news even my father had never mentioned, leaving me stunned as I pressed further.
"Why didn't he receive it?"
"No one knows. Oracles and divinations only reveal outcomes—they never explain the reasons."
Everyone nodded in agreement with Go Jeong-ui's answer.
"That's strange. The current Great King once led forces to crush the Sui army under Naheo at Chang'an Fortress in his youth."
"That's why everyone was puzzled when the Celestial Maiden turned away from him. But seeing how he's groveling before the Tang now, they've come to understand her rejection."
It was a perspective different from my father Yeon Gaesomun and the other nobles.
They criticized the Great King for their own self-interests. But the common folk saw it differently.
They had fought hard and won, only for him to squander that victory.
'They thought they'd won, but they hated seeing him bow and scrape instead.'
As we chatted about this and that, we passed Baekam Fortress.
It was called Baekam Fortress because its walls were made of white limestone, and sure enough, it gleamed white from afar.
One side nestled against a hill where the Taeryeong River flowed, limiting access points. Plus, perched atop the hill, it looked easy to defend.
'A place like that surrendered without a fight?'
Yet in 645, during Tang Taizong's invasion, Liaodong Fortress fell with barely a struggle.
Baekam Fortress, right next door, had its gates thrown open by its Yoksal commander Son Dae-eum, leading to its swift capitulation.
Future events, to be sure—but the thought left a bitter taste.
As I kept staring at Baekam Fortress, Geom Mojam asked,
"Shall we stop by Baekam Fortress?"
I thought for a moment, then shook my head.
"No. Ansi Fortress comes first."
Geom Mojam nodded and ordered the men to hurry.
We passed Baekam Fortress, and by sunset, a low hill fortress encircled by modest mountains came into view. I knew it at once.
"Ansi Fortress."
As our procession approached, horns blared from within Ansi Fortress.
Drawing nearer, a massive torch flared to life atop the gate tower.
Soldiers clutching spears emerged from a small outpost below the hill linked to the gate. One stood taller than the rest, his armor far more ornate.
He looked to be in his early thirties. As I approached, he bowed politely.
"Are you the eldest son of Eastern Division Leader Yeon Gaesomun?"
"That's right. I'm Yeon Namsaeng. I'm touring Liaodong and hoped to impose on Ansi Fortress for a short stay."
"It's a humble place, but in Ansi, we don't let guests pass without hospitality."
He grinned warmly and introduced himself.
"Oh, right—I am Yang Hwan-chun, eldest son of Yang Nyeonghwan, the fortress lord and local governor of Ansi."
I knew Jolryeogunji oversaw smaller fortresses than those under the Yoksals.
Ansi Fortress on its hill was smaller than Liaodong or the Baekam Fortress we'd just passed. Its walls were low, some even made of packed earth. The watchtowers and gate structures looked ramshackle too.
Yang Hwan-chun, leading the way, caught my gaze and smiled.
"I heard you came from Liaodong Fortress."
"Yes. Via Baekam Fortress."
"Unlike Liaodong, this isn't a busy hub. Even our fortress lord wasn't appointed by the Great King—he's from our Yang family."
A flicker of curiosity stirred, but I couldn't pry openly, so I just nodded. As Yang Hwan-chun led on, I whispered to Go Jeong-ui,
"What does that mean?"
"Fortresses where the Great King appoints the lord directly get full support. Liaodong and Baekam are like that."
"And Ansi?"
"It's run by the local Yang clan. They submit tribute and hostages, and in return, the Yangs hold the post generation after generation."
"Hereditary, then."
"Exactly."
"Not ideal for the Great King."
"That's why they face quiet discrimination. You saw the roads on the way—terrible condition."
"The fortress itself doesn't look too sturdy either."
Ansi was downright modest compared to majestic Liaodong. Yet while Liaodong fell, Ansi held out to the end.
I wondered what made the difference, and Go Jeong-ui added,
"But rashly meddling could spark big trouble."
"Fair enough. Mess with their rice bowl, and they'll flip the table first."
"Your metaphors are..."
Go Jeong-ui clucked his tongue, and I bristled.
"What's wrong with my metaphors?"
"They're too crude. Running a fortress is incredibly complex and demanding."
"I know that."
"Then mind your words carefully. It'd be a problem if the one who received the sacred relic acted like this."
"You're the one getting on my nerves."
My bickering with Go Jeong-ui ended when Yang Hwan-chun announced we'd reached the gate.
Forcing a smile, I dismounted. The gate creaked open slowly, revealing the interior.
Ansi Fortress was built encircling a peaked mountain at the rear. A sunken plain lay inside, dotted with clustered homes. Tiny compared to Liaodong's outer streets.
"Most are thatched roofs too."
I couldn't fathom how such a place withstood the siege by Li Shimin's massive Tang army.
The realization hit me that I needed to find out.
'That's how I'll prepare.'
The Tang invasion was inevitable.
If history played out unchanged, even victory would come at horrific cost, leading to a prolonged war of attrition that doomed Goguryeo.
Yeon Namsaeng drove in the final nail as a traitor. Possessed or not, to avoid that fate, I had to alter history.
'And the answer lies here.'
With those worries weighing on me, I entered through the gate.
Beyond the arched entrance, torches flickered. Then I spotted an elderly man in a ceremonial crown adorned with golden wing-like ornaments.
Short and stooped, but his eyes burned with uncommon sharpness.
A warrior resembling Yang Hwan-chun supported his arm.
As I approached, the old man shook off the aid and bowed low.
"You've had a long, arduous journey."
His deference caught me off guard; I hurried forward to steady his arm.
"I'm the son of the Eastern Division Leader, true—but barely past thirty myself."
"Nonsense. How could we not show respect to one so noble? Especially after my youngest son's grave discourtesy."
Only then did I grasp why he was bowing so low.
"I've long forgotten that incident. No need to worry."
Still, Ansi's local governor Yang Nyeonghwan kept apologizing profusely.
A young warrior watching from the side finally snapped.
"Father, the blunder was my little brother's—why are you the one apologizing over and over?"
Yang Nyeonghwan shot him a glare.
"An apology continues until the recipient's heart is eased."
I chuckled and intervened in their spat.
"I'm fine now, Governor—so please, no more apologies."
Yang Nyeonghwan sighed in relief and thanked me, then glared at the young warrior beside him.
The warrior dipped his head slightly.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Yang Sin-chun, second son of Ansi's local governor Yang Nyeonghwan."
Now that he mentioned it, he resembled his brother Yang Hwan-chun—and even the younger one, Yang Man-chun. But he struck me as even more hot-blooded than his elder brother.
With the apologies concluded, Yang Nyeonghwan sighed again.
"Your sudden visit had me worried for a moment."
"I swear by the High Gods, I'm not here for revenge. I just wanted to talk."
"What could you possibly need to discuss with Man-chun that brings you all this way?"
To the puzzled Yang Nyeonghwan, I replied cautiously,
"Ways to defend Liaodong from our enemies."
A cold, awkward silence fell. Fearing I'd blundered, I glanced at Go Jeong-ui.
He stood frozen, hands over his mouth. Moments later, everyone around burst into laughter.
Yang Nyeonghwan in particular laughed so hard he nearly toppled, clutching his neck before clearing his throat and replying.
"He's my son, but utterly useless at everything. What business could you have with that boy?"
"Just because he's useless today doesn't mean he will be tomorrow. In that brief clash, I was impressed by your son's spirit and swordsmanship."
I answered gravely, and Yang Nyeonghwan wiped the smile from his face.
"Man-chun's off hunting right now. He'll return by morning—I'll send him to the guesthouse."
With that, he turned away, leaning on his second son's arm.
His eldest, Yang Hwan-chun, approached from behind.
"Allow me to escort you to the guesthouse. This way."
Ansi soldiers bearing torches led ahead.
Unlike the scale-armored troops of Liaodong, they wore crudely tanned leather and single large iron plates for breastplates. Their helmets were leather too.
Their spears were rough and short, and the hwandu greatswords at their waists plain, without ornament.
Only Yang Nyeonghwan and his sons boasted proper gear.
Climbing a gentle slope, we reached a two-story guesthouse. Tiled roof at least, but smaller and shabbier than those in Liaodong or other fortresses.
Yang Hwan-chun, aware of it, looked apologetic.
"It's smaller and more rundown than elsewhere."
"Not at all."
I smiled and moved to enter, but Yang Hwan-chun subtly blocked my path.
Sensing something off, Geom Mojam reached for his sword hilt. I gestured to stop him. Yang Hwan-chun's eyes weren't turning red.
"Do you have something to say?"
After hesitating, Yang Hwan-chun finally spoke.