Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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"Because of me?"
The hero Yang Manchun, who had defended Ansi Fortress and saved Goguryeo, was saying it was all because of me. It was so astonishing I couldn't close my mouth.
"Yeah. I figured hanging around with you would lead to all sorts of fun adventures."
"What?"
I asked in shock, and Yang Manchun burst into laughter.
"I'm not leaving right away, though. Got to get married first."
"You're tying the knot?"
"Yeah. Father gave permission to leave Ansi Fortress, but only after the wedding."
The thought of traveling with Yang Manchun made my heart race. But as Yeon Namsaeng, eldest son of Yeon Gaesomun, I had to maintain some dignity.
"Fine, then. I'll let you tag along."
"Oh ho, and you can't even handle a drinking contest."
"Was that a drinking contest? Felt more like a brawl."
As we bantered, laughter erupted from behind us. Yang Manchun glanced back and commented.
"You're on pretty friendly terms with your subordinates."
"Why wouldn't I be? They're helping me out."
"I've seen masters who behead their slaves just for laughing."
"Really?"
"Supposedly keeps discipline or something. After that, the people of Jang'anseong hated and feared them. It was nothing like Ansi Fortress."
"I don't behead people for laughing.".
I glanced at Go Jeong-ui. Sensing my gaze, he pretended not to notice.
Yang Manchun, who had ridden out with us a ways, pulled his reins and stopped. The procession halted naturally, and the sound of wind sweeping across the fields filled the air.
Gazing at the open plain dotted with thatched-roof houses here and there, Yang Manchun said,
"Someday, this field will be crawling with enemies."
"It won't be long."
"Ansi Fortress is everything to me. My family, friends—sure, different statuses, but plenty of them."
"To protect them, we have no choice but to fight and win. I'll help, so don't worry."
"The guy from Jang'anseong worrying about Ansi Fortress—it's touching, brings tears to my eyes."
"Ansi Fortress has to hold for Goguryeo to minimize sacrifices."
We could prepare in many ways, but Tang Taizong's invasion of Goguryeo in 645 seemed inevitable.
That left only one option: victory in the invasion. And not just any victory—it had to be far greater than in actual history to change the course of events afterward.
'That way, Yeon Namsaeng won't go down in history as a traitor.'
Yang Manchun, reining in his horse, bid farewell.
I extended my hand for a shake.
"Enjoy your honeymoon, then come to Jang'anseong and find the Eastern Division Leader's residence."
"Will do. Thanks for the warm welcome."
I chuckled at his words.
"No thought that the real hardship's just beginning?"
"It'll be fun hardship."
We looked at each other and laughed. As I laughed, a weight lifted from my shoulders.
I'd had many worries, but now I knew the clear reason and method to change history.
The road to Guknaeseong was relatively flat. Countless paths had been carved by merchants, soldiers, and officials passing through, and they were well-maintained.
But as we neared Guknaeseong, the terrain grew complex.
"Feels just like Gangwon Province."
I recalled a paper saying the area around Guknaeseong was extremely rugged with no flatlands.
"Early on, blocking enemy invasions was the priority, after all."
In the early days of founding, it wasn't called Goguryeo but Jolbon Buyeo. That showed how strong Buyeo's influence and shadow lingered.
It wasn't until Great Martial God King that they broke free. Even then, struggles continued with minor states and China.
Naturally, they had to settle in terrain favorable for defense.
Beyond the wrinkled mountain ridges, a fortress came into view. Looking that way, Geom Mojam answered.
"That's Hwando Fortress."
"I see."
It had quite a history. It fell to Wanqi Jian of Wei during Eastern King Dongcheonwang's time, and was occupied by Qian Yan during King Gogukwon.
Goguryeo faced countless crises. Their capital fell, queens and royals taken captive.
They suffered massive casualties in defeats. But each time enemies retreated, they dusted themselves off and rose again. That's why I loved Goguryeo.
Lost in sentiment, we came upon tombs.
"The tomb clusters around Guknaeseong."
I'd seen them often via satellite maps, so no big surprise.
As the capital for centuries, tombs were only natural.
Emerging from the winding mountain path flanked by tombs, a river appeared.
"The Yalu River."
Now the border between China and North Korea, in Goguryeo it flowed around the capital.
Reaching the riverbank, houses dotted the area—thatch and tile roofs mixed, roads straightened and maintained.
Vessels large and small plied the Yalu with full sails.
Since leaving Jang'anseong, I'd dressed comfortably and carried only five swords. Still, locals in Guknaeseong made way for our group of over a hundred mounted riders.
Heading east along the river, Guknaeseong came into sight.
"Built on a narrow plain between river and mountains."
Like Liaodong Fortress, it was square-walled but not overly high. Instead, numerous protruding bastions dotted it.
The corner towers were impressively large and grand. The west gate had an encircling barbican.
As Guknaeseong drew nearer, one curious figure came to mind. Glancing back, Go Jeong-ui swiftly rode up.
"You must be looking for me."
"Just surveying the surroundings."
"Then you'd be looking around. Not dipping your head to find me?"
To see the still-young, short Go Jeong-ui, I had to lower my gaze.
Sharp and annoying kid, I muttered inwardly, pointing toward Hwando Fortress.
"A rebellion broke out there once, right?"
I expected a moment's thought, but he answered immediately.
"You mean the Ganjuri Rebellion."
"Yes. Quite a while back?"
"During Yeongyang Great King—about eighty years ago."
"What caused the rebellion?"
"Shall I explain in detail or simply?"
"Worried I'll not understand the details?"
Irked, I snapped, and he nodded.
"It's incredibly complicated. I know you treat people well and are cheerful, but..."
"Explain in detail."
I cut him off before he could ramble.
Sensing the mood, Go Jeong-ui spoke quickly.
"King Gwanggaeto the Great crushed surrounding foes and expanded our lands. King Jangsu moved the capital to Jang'anseong and grew our power. Under his successor King Munja, Goguryeo enjoyed true peace. But the full moon wanes."
Sighing, Go Jeong-ui gazed at Guknaeseong.
"Around the reigns of King Anjang and King Anwon, the nobles' power grew."
"Why was that?"
"King Jangsu suppressed noble factions when moving the capital. It held until King Munja, but then control gradually shifted."
"What caused the loss of control?"
As I pressed, he glanced around cautiously.
"Kings Gwanggaeto and Jangsu built authority through victories. But when Baekje and Silla allied, things went awry."
The Naese Alliance.
No matter how smart Go Jeong-ui was, he wouldn't know that term, I thought.
"The spark started in Guknaeseong. After the capital moved, local nobles grew discontent."
His explanation made perfect sense. Even today, capital relocations were sensitive issues.
"So weakening royal power sparked rebellion?"
"You asked for details."
Grinning, he continued.
"King Anjang, pushing to expand against Baekje, passed away."
Not in Samguk Sagi, but Japan’s Nihon Shoki claimed assassination. Chaos defined the era.
"Then his younger brother, King Anwon, ascended. That's when nobles truly strengthened."
"Nobles rallied around the Daegero."
Unable to appoint the prime minister equivalent, nobles fought with swords, winner approved by the king.
Hearing me, Go Jeong-ui made an impressed yet annoying face.
"You knew. Nobles rampaged after, eroding the Great King's authority."
"How's that tied to Ganjuri?"
"Ah, getting there. King Anwon had no heir from the queen. Concubines bore them: the Chungbuin birthed the crown prince, Sobuin a prince."
"Their houses were Chugun and Segun clans, right?"
"Yes. Surprising."
"Skip the flattery. Keep going."
"Understood. Chugun and Segun clashed massively over succession. Records say thousands died, Anheok Palace a sea of blood."
"Chugun won?"
"Yes. Segun utterly crushed; Sobuin and prince executed."
Again, not in Samguk Sagi but Nihon Shoki. King Anwon reportedly died mid-conflict—natural or Chugun's doing, unknown.
"Depressing."
Goguryeo's golden age ended there. Meanwhile, Silla rose, breaking Naese Alliance to seize the Han River basin.
China unified under Sui amid north-south division. External pressures plus internal chaos.
Hearing my mutter, Go Jeong-ui darkened.
"Ganjuri ties deeply to Chugun-Segun strife."
"How so?"
"Victorious Chugun backed by Pyongyang nobles; defeated Segun by Guknaeseong nobles."
"Adding insult to injury. Lost the capital, then succession fight."
"Exactly. Under Chugun-backed Yeongyang Great King, Guknaeseong faced oppression."
"From his view, rebel region—hard to look kindly."
"Yes. Accumulated grudges sparked Ganjuri."
"Last gasp, then."
"Precisely. Crushed utterly by Jang'anseong's punitive force."
Listening to Go Jeong-ui, I eyed Guknaeseong.
Now shrouded in thick clouds, it looked more ominous than before.
"Once capital, now branded city of defeat and treason."
Instead of words, Go Jeong-ui nodded gravely.