Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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“You're just pretending to be useless. You might fool the world, but you can't fool me.”
“Why are you so confident?”
I couldn't bring myself to say it was because I came from the future, so I dodged the question.
“I already know everything.”
Yang Man-chun smirked and replied.
“I heard you need my help to defend Liaodong. But first, you need to answer something.”
“What?”
“Why should my family cooperate with you in defending Liaodong?”
It was a question that cut straight to the heart.
As I fell into thought, Yang Man-chun glanced at his brothers and father.
“We've lived here for generations. Even before Goguryeo came to Liaodong and took this land.”
Listening to Yang Man-chun, I recalled the origins of Ansi Fortress.
There had been Ansi County in Liaodong Commandery, and some said the fortress took its name from there. That would make the Yang family a powerful local clan that ruled the Ansi area.
When I didn't respond, Yang Man-chun added.
“We don't get any special support from the Goguryeo court. We're just living here on our own. So why should we go fight to defend some other fortress?”
I looked at Yang Man-chun, then at his father and brothers. They all seemed to share the same sentiment.
It made sense, given they had existed here before Goguryeo arrived.
This was probably why Yeon Gaesomun had faced opposition when he staged his coup. Goguryeo's sense of identity was relatively loose.
Resting my interlaced hands on my chin, I said.
“You're right. On the surface, there's no reason for Ansi Fortress to help defend other fortresses against the enemy.”
“So, there is a reason?”
“Why do you think the Yang family has been able to rule this place independently?”
Perhaps because it was a sensitive question, Yang Neung-hwan and his two sons fell silent.
I picked up a piece of wild boar meat from the plate and continued.
“Because you're Goguryeo. They can't fully control the provinces, so they let Ansi Fortress be. They don't see it as particularly important.”
It might sound like I was looking down on Ansi Fortress, but Yang Man-chun readily agreed.
“Exactly. If we were Liaodong Fortress or Baegam Fortress, they would've pushed our family out and ruled directly somehow.”
“But the Tang Dynasty eyeing Liaodong is different. They're greedy and try to swallow everything.”
“Even this tiny Ansi Fortress?”
“When the Tang emperor, who dreams of conquering the world, stands before Ansi Fortress...”
I paused briefly before adding.
“He'll have to make a choice.”
“What choice?”
“If you submit, you survive—but you'll lose everything and get chased out of the fortress.”
“And if we resist?”
“If you win, you might keep the fortress. From Goguryeo's perspective, since you've beaten the Tang, they have no pretext to touch you.”
Yang Neung-hwan and Yang Man-chun's brothers nodded at my calm explanation.
Seeing that, Yang Man-chun asked.
“So, if we just defend our fortress well, isn't that enough? No need to help the others, right?”
“The Sui emperor brought a million-strong army to attack Liaodong. The Tang emperor will bring at least five hundred thousand. They may be fewer in number, but they'll have skilled generals and come thoroughly prepared.”
Yang Neung-hwan nodded as he listened.
“Having suffered before, they'll prepare accordingly.”
“Exactly. Even if Ansi Fortress fights well, if the other fortresses around the Taizi River and Liaohu fall...”
To emphasize, I deliberately paused before speaking again.
“Ansi Fortress will be isolated.”
“But we've never fought alongside the other fortresses. They don't like us much either.”
I nodded at Yang Man-chun's words.
“Of course, I'm not asking for that right now. I'll return to Jang'an Fortress, make plans, and come back. Help me out then. In return, I'll provide support.”
“What kind of support?”
“My men are making new cannons and bows. And if needed, I'll send troops, food, weapons.”
Yang Man-chun gave a meaningful smile upon hearing this.
“Only the Great King could do that, right?”
Thanks to his words, an icy silence fell over the table, colder than before.
A maid carrying a fruit plate froze at the atmosphere.
I pondered how to respond, but since it was a confrontation we had to face anyway, I pushed back hard.
“Of course. But the Great King might not intend to.”
“If the Great King doesn't, wouldn't that make you a rebel?”
As Yang Man-chun pressed further, Yang Neung-hwan's face turned pale.
I laughed heartily and countered.
“Then this would be a meeting of traitors.”
Yang Man-chun laughed back.
“No wonder you got Chumo King's spear as a gift.”
As his laughter faded, the chill returned.
Chewing on the wild boar meat, I said.
“The Great King is preparing for war. He's secretly having the Central Administration Bureau get ready. But even if he tries to avoid it, war won't go away.”
“You think the Tang will invade even if the Great King bows his head?”
“It's not what I think—it's fact.”
After the first invasion in 645, they waged a prolonged war for over twenty years.
Goguryeo held them off well, but suffered massive losses, and ultimately fell when traitors opened Jang'an Fortress's gates.
Even Balhae, which claimed succession, fell, and our people bid farewell to Manchuria forever.
Never mind the aftermath—for now, we had to prevent Goguryeo's fall.
While I was lost in thought, Yang Man-chun asked.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Li Shimin killed his brothers at Xuanwu Gate to claim the throne, then pressured his father into abdicating. He's ambitious but smart. To solidify that forcibly seized throne, what does he need?”
Yang Man-chun answered my question immediately.
“Merits. Ones no one can question.”
“So he subjugated the Tujue. Next is us.”
“We haven't tormented the Tang like the Tujue did.”
I replied right away to Yang Man-chun's question.
“We're right next door. Plus, the Sui failed to conquer us. Beating us would be avenging the Sui.”
“True.”
“So no matter how much the Great King sues for peace, it won't work.”
“They've already planned the invasion?”
I nodded instead of answering.
Yeongnyu King offered maps for peace and even sent his crown prince as hostage. But the Tang methodically prepared their attack.
Yeon Gaesomun's coup was just an excuse. They would've moved once ready, even if Yeongnyu King were still around.
As I mulled this over, I saw Yang Man-chun exchanging glances with his father and brothers.
As the mood softened, the maid brought the fruit plate. It held plump peaches sliced neatly.
As I picked one up to eat, Yang Man-chun said.
“I'll think positively about your proposal.”
“Thanks.”
“So, what now?”
“I'd like to tour the fortress.”
“Inspecting it?”
I answered his playful question.
“That's how I'll know what you need.”
Truth be told, curiosity outweighed practicality.
I wondered why this place—smaller than Liaodong Fortress and lower than Baegam Fortress—defeated the Tang's great army.
Yang Man-chun grinned at my words.
“Then I'll guide you. Want to go hunting while we're at it?”
“Sounds good.”
“Meet at the gate tower later.”
“Got it.”
I almost said "okay" but caught myself.
As I stood to leave, Yang Man-chun called out.
“Wait.”
He strode to the wall and handed me a hat like a wide-brimmed cap.
“Sun's hot. Wear this.”
The brim was leather, the top cloth, with a chin strap—perfect for shade.
Meanwhile, Yang Man-chun donned a conical bamboo hat hanging nearby.
The red hat had pointed front and back, bulging at the top.
I said see you later and headed out.
Yang Man-chun's two brothers followed to see me off.
On the way back to the guesthouse, I spotted Geom Mojam standing in the road.
“I told you to rest. What?”
He replied with a stern face as I smiled.
“Protecting you is my duty, Master.”
“Fine. I agreed to tour the fortress with Yang Man-chun, so come along.”
“Understood.”
Back at the guesthouse with the relieved Geom Mojam, I put on the cap Yang Man-chun gave me and asked Go Jeong-ui.
“How's it look?”
“Like a country bumpkin.”
“Wanna test it out on a bumpkin?”
“Resorting to crude fisticuffs?”
“I'm too ignorant to know better.”
I made a mischievous face, but Go Jeong-ui didn't budge.
“Hanging with Ansi hicks turning you into one?”
“Those hicks will save Goguryeo.”
“I think this place can hold out better than Liaodong Fortress too.”
“Why?”
“The Yang family has ruled here for generations. I heard from the servants at the guesthouse—they've won the people's hearts.”
“Makes sense. Get chased out, and they've nowhere to go.”
“Exactly. A rebellion would be disastrous, so they treat them well. When enemies come, they'll rally around the lord.”
“Out of loyalty?”
“Yeah. Plus, the Yangs have managed the fortress for ages. They know its weak points and how to defend them.”
“That alone won't repel the Tang army.”
“There's one decisive factor.”
“What?”
“The soldiers defending it are all from Ansi Fortress.”
“So they'll fight desperately.”
Go Jeong-ui nodded at my question.
“It's not just defending the fortress—it's protecting their families. And with abundant water, they can withstand a long siege.”
“All conditions are met. But to turn the fight into victory, you need a commander.”
“Yang Neung-hwan, the family head, is a veteran of battles against the Sui. His eldest and second sons are also proven warriors.”
Go Jeong-ui answered confidently, but I knew who would actually defend Ansi Fortress.
“I'm touring with the Yang family's youngest. Wanna come?”
“I'll stay here.”
His cheeky reply made me clench my fist unwittingly.
“Oh? Master's heading out in the blazing sun, and you stay?”
“Need to organize what we've seen. Others can check weapons and defenses anyway.”
He wasn't wrong, so I skipped the knuckle rap.