Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The Scholar's Warning
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“What did you tell Seon Do-hae to do?”
“Worried that you'll lose my favor?”
“It's not that. I'm just curious.”
In his tone and expression, curiosity outweighed jealousy.
“I told him to listen to the gossip from the common folk in the market district and report it back to me. Once every five days, written on a wooden slip.”
“Do you really need to pay attention to what the commoners are saying?”
“Is the imperial palace more important?”
“Watching the Central Administration Bureau and the other ministers is far more crucial.”
“Because they hold the decision-making power.”
“What if the common people were given that power?”
“That would be a disaster.”
Looking at Go Jeong-ui's serious face, I could feel the limitations of the era.
No matter how intelligent and wise he was, he couldn't grasp the very concept of democracy.
“Then let's just call it reading the public sentiment.”
“Do you think it'll be useful someday?”
I gazed at the commoners along the roadside.
Most looked ragged and worn down by life.
In historical dramas or films, kings and nobles were usually the protagonists. Ordinary people were just extras passing by on the street.
But they were the true pillars upholding the nation.
“It'll be useful right away. A ruler is like a ship floating on the sea of public sentiment.”
“Meaning it could sink in a storm? That's a rather cautious thing to say.”
“You said it yourself, and now you're telling me to be careful? That doesn't add up.”
When I chided him, Go Jeong-ui looked sheepish.
“You're the son of the Eastern Division Leader, so you won't be punished for such words. But someone insignificant like me would die for it. And not just die—a miserable death.”
“Do you know what happens when you force people to shut their mouths?”
“What?”
“They fight to open them again. Without the people's hearts, any ruler—or anyone—is always on shaky ground. And that...”
I added, watching the passersby,
“...will be the most important weapon in winning the coming war against the Tang.”
“Not the Yeon Clan Cannon or Goguryeo Fire?”
“Those are just tools.”
I pointed to my chest.
“The real weapon is the heart. The will to fight with one's one and only life on the line.”
Go Jeong-ui nodded without much reaction. Then he suddenly said,
“That sounds fun.”
“What does?”
“The market gossip. That's where all sorts of incidents and accidents happen. How interesting would it be to pick out the best stories and share them?”
I wanted to tell him that in my time, that was exactly what newspapers were, but I held back.
“It would be. And if we can read the public sentiment from it, even better.”
“How do you come up with these ideas?”
“Oh? You think you're the only one who uses his brain?”
“No, I'm really curious. Your speech last time, and now this instruction to Seon Do-hae—things I could never imagine.”
“Got struck by lightning and it messed up my head. Happy now?”
“Not messed up—sharpened.”
“Wow, you can flatter too? You've grown up. All grown up.”
As I chuckled and shrugged, Go Jeong-ui laughed along. Then, sobering up, he said,
“Your heart's already with the master. Go on ahead.”
“Is that okay?”
“You're not going to block arrows flying my way. Quit the insincere talk and hurry. Someone has to let them know I'm coming anyway.”
“Right. I'll go like lightning and let them know.”
Before I finished speaking, Go Jeong-ui spurred his horse faster.
The spot he left behind, kicking up dust, was quickly filled. By the laughter of my wife and younger sister Yeon Suyeong.
They laughed at the roadside flowers and giggled at the clear sky.
I told Geom Mojam to slow down. He nodded and reduced our pace.
I wanted my wife and sister to enjoy the world a bit longer.
“Wow! So grand!”
Last time at Jeongneung Temple, I hadn't had time to look around. Now I noticed the roofs of the main hall and the eight-story wooden pagoda were red-tiled. And the elaborate polychrome paintings caught my eye.
I recalled it was a guardian temple protecting the tomb of Jumong, known as East Sea Holy King.
Passing through the grand gate surrounded by corridors, the octagonal eight-story wooden pagoda came into view.
My wife and Yeon Suyeong, stepping down from the oxcart, stared open-mouthed. I smiled, glad I'd brought them.
As we stood near the pagoda, the temple's abbot appeared. Like the monk at the domestic fortress temple last time, he wore plain clothes, not monastic robes.
I pressed my palms together to the approaching abbot and stated my business.
“I've come to see National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin at the Taehak Hall.”
“His disciple already brought word. He's waiting—please go in.”
I introduced the two women behind me to the polite abbot.
“This is my wife and my younger sister. They wanted to tour Jeongneung Temple, so I brought them along.”
Then I headed straight for the Taehak Hall.
Geom Mojam, leading the way, waved to Go Jeong-ui waiting ahead.
Go Jeong-ui, at the gate, clasped his hands in greeting and opened the door.
“Master is waiting.”
“How's his health?”
“He had a bad cold. Much better now.”
“Good. He's advanced in years, so send whatever medicines he needs.”
“Thank you. Master's in the pavilion.”
“Lead on.”
Go Jeong-ui quickly guided us to the octagonal pavilion beside the main hall. There sat National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin, wearing a white robe with black lapels.
A pointed black academian's cap sat on his head. He was playing a geomungo.
Placed on his lap, he plucked or pressed the strings with a plectrum, producing clear, resonant tones that swept away my mind's clutter like air conditioner breeze.
I sat on the opposite chair and listened quietly.
The geomungo was made when Wang Sanak improved the seven-stringed qin sent from the Qin dynasty.
Legend says black cranes danced when Wang Sanak played his improved instrument. I glanced around, but no black cranes appeared.
Disappointed, Go Jeong-ui whispered beside me.
“Master's geomungo playing is truly masterful, isn't it?”
“Don't interrupt the music.”
At the unexpected rebuke, Go Jeong-ui snorted.
The geomungo play continued a bit longer before stopping. Lee Mun-jin set it aside and looked at me.
“Your gaze is even fiercer than last year.”
“I've been through a lot. How's your health?”
“Bad cold, but I'm fine now. Seems I still have work left, clinging to this stubborn life.”
“Of course. You're a vital elder for the nation.”
“Thanks for the flattery. I was curious what brought you, hearing you'd come.”
I hesitated, glanced at Go Jeong-ui, and said,
“Entertain my wife and sister for a bit.”
“Me?”
I signaled Go Jeong-ui with my eyes to leave. Quick on the uptake, he said he'd handle it and slipped away.
Hearing the gate close behind Go Jeong-ui, I looked straight at National Academy Scholar Lee Mun-jin.
“I've been touring the Liaodong Fortress area these past months.”
“Word came on the wind. You received the divine relic from the shrine maiden and met the Celestial Maiden too.”
“Yes.”
“Even the Great King hasn't met the Celestial Maiden.”
“I heard that too.”
“Know what it means she met you but not the Great King?”
“A warning to watch my back. The Great King's blade could strike my neck anytime.”
“The stars in the heavens are in turmoil. And human hearts seem even more precarious. In such times, sages and heroes are needed.”
“Some see it as peaceful prosperity.”
“Those unconcerned with the future might. But Goguryeo is a candle in the wind. In some ways, a greater crisis than with Sui.”
“Because of Tang Emperor Li Shimin?”
Lee Mun-jin clicked his tongue at my question.
“That man's mind is fixed on destroying Goguryeo. But the real problem is us. Those who don't see crisis as crisis.”
Lee Mun-jin had accurately foreseen what was to come.
Yeongnyu King offered tribute maps and sent the crown prince to the capital, desperate to avoid war.
But Tang Taizong never intended coexistence with Goguryeo. Even if Yeongnyu went himself, war would come under some pretext.
Yet Yeongnyu King and his close aide Yeon Jeong-du still prioritized peace over war.
“Why do they avoid war?”
“They don't want to relinquish power. Why did we win against Sui?”
“Unity?”
I guessed without full details, but surprisingly, Lee Mun-jin nodded.
“Nobles and Great King reached an agreement before the war.”
“What kind?”
“Great King's brother Geommu defended Jian'an Fortress and the Paekgang River; nobles' choice Eulji Mundeok guarded the Liao and Amnok Rivers.”
“Dividing the front lines.”
“Yes. Fought the enemy without wasting supplies or troops. Otherwise, couldn't have beaten a million-strong army.”
“Impossible now?”
“After Sui war, neither side kept promises.”
“What promises?”
“Great King's side wouldn't interfere in high minister elections or nobles' successors. Nobles would avoid strife, pledge loyalty, and divide spoils and captives fairly.”
“Victory bred greed.”
Lee Mun-jin sighed deeply.
“Too great a win at Salsu. Survived the biggest crisis, so all guarded their own and coveted others'.”
“Hard to unite against Tang invasion like before.”
“Great King must extend hand first, but no sign.”
Only then did I understand Yeongnyu King's push for peace.
He didn't want to compromise with nobles. To protect his power.
Understandable for power's nature, but disappointing nonetheless.
“Prioritizing power over nation.”
“Biggest problem. Tang will soon press the blade to our throat. Too late then.”
His lamenting words sank me into thought. That conflict's end was Yeon Gaesomun's coup.
Thinking of what followed, we had to change course now.
Lost in thought, Lee Mun-jin asked,
“By the way, why did you come to see me?”
His words reminded me of my purpose.
“When I met the Celestial Maiden at the National Eastern Blood Altar, she told me something.”
“What?”
“Return to Jian'an Fortress and meet the scholar, she said. And...”