Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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“A military is only worthy of the name if it has discipline and maintains its formation. Otherwise, it's no different from bandits armed with swords. When I saw the enemy's ranks scattering, I loosed fire arrows and charged out at once with my men.”
“It turned into street fighting, then.”
I tried to picture the scene in my mind.
In an era when cold weapons like spears and swords were the norm—no gunpowder yet—numbers were the ultimate weapon.
There's no beating a mob.
No matter how much of an ambush or surprise attack it was, five hundred men couldn't easily overcome tens of thousands. And for him, the commander, to lead from the front? That was extraordinary.
Sensing my admiring gaze, the Yeongnyu King's expression brightened.
“When fighting breaks out in the streets, the enemy has no idea how many of us there are. They're unfamiliar with the terrain, too. And there was one decisive factor.”
“What was that, Your Majesty?”
“My suicide squad and I were all wearing Sui army uniforms.”
“You disguised yourselves as Sui soldiers?”
“Exactly. We burst into the streets shouting that enemy troops had appeared, cutting down every foe we saw—of course, in their own language.”
“That must have thrown them into utter chaos.”
“They had no choice. Their formation was broken, then suddenly the enemy appeared—or so they thought—and their own side was attacking them. At the signal, our main force, lying in ambush in the central citadel, moved in as well.”
Listening to the Yeongnyu King's account, my questions began to unravel. The secret behind how Naheo's few hundred suicide squad had repelled the Sui army came into focus.
Of course, a stray thought crossed my mind.
Isn't that a Geneva Convention violation?
“Even after the retreat order, the narrow, winding streets left them lost and disoriented. When they realized the suicide squad was dressed just like them, the panic deepened.”
“They couldn't tell friend from foe.”
“Precisely. Thanks to that, many couldn't retreat—they died or were captured. Even the outer city residents fleeing to the inner citadel joined in capturing them.”
“What if the plan had failed?”
“I intended to form a defensive line in the central citadel first.”
“But you couldn't have held out long, right?”
The Yeongnyu King nodded at my question.
“Probably not.”
He added,
“If the assault had failed, I planned to take my own life. I couldn't face my brother, the Great King, otherwise.”
“Fortunately, victory in the capital allowed us to drive them out.”
“The defeated Sui forces retreated down the Paekgang River and were pinned there. Soon after, our detachment came up from the south, nearly linking up with them—but we barely stopped it.”
Pride shone on the Yeongnyu King's face.
And rightly so—that victory made him a hero of Goguryeo alongside General Eulji Mundeok. His name even endures in Chinese histories.
On the flip side, that very pride might have dulled his vigilance.
Catching my inner thought, the Yeongnyu King gave a cold smile.
“That's why I despise those who bluster about war without knowing it. I loathe those who seek profit from it, too.”
“Yet war can't always be avoided.”
“Why are you so certain it will come?”
“Because if the Tang Emperor resolves to fight and faces no opposition from his court, war will break out.”
“War isn't decided by resolve alone. The Tang Dynasty was founded less than thirty years ago, after the Sui collapsed. They should focus inward—why point swords at us?”
“They've already crushed the Tujue and have their eyes on Gaochang and Tuyuhun.”
The Yeongnyu King had no ready retort to my counter.
History proved it, as did the Tang's actual moves.
“Once they've subdued them all, they won't just leave us be, will they?”
“We're different from them. We've never invaded Tang lands or plundered.”
“True. But to them, we're barbarians to be subjugated—nothing more. The Tang is newly founded, but it hasn't fought major wars for decades. So they inherited the Sui's full strength intact. Or rather...”
I looked at the Great King.
“They aim to conquer Goguryeo—what the Sui couldn't—and reap the rewards.”
“What rewards? Do they lack territory? People? Or must they punish our rebellion?”
“Central Plains dynasties have always sought to control neighbors. Punish the strong with any pretext, prop up the weak—that's their way.”
“So we look strong in their eyes?”
“Yes. Whether we rebel or submit, it doesn't matter. Since they see us as strong, they'll bend us somehow.”
“That's too forced.”
“History shows it plain. That's what worries me.”
“You're no different from a scholar buried in books—how can you be so sure? Does the world reveal itself from your desk?”
The mocking tone made my father, Yeon Gaesomun, narrow his eyes slightly.
But I paid it no mind.
“It's said the world is conquered on horseback, but governed from the desk. I know nothing of war. Even if I don't, and Your Majesty does...”
I paused, meeting the Yeongnyu King's eyes. Only then did I realize they weren't turning red.
Impressive self-control.
He outdid even Senior Central Administrator Yeon Jeong-du. That only heightened my fear. But I had to speak.
“No one can say for sure if war will come.”
“True. Yet some insist unilaterally that it will.”
“If it's uncertain, we must prepare as if it will.”
“Because of your dream?”
The Yeongnyu King spoke with sarcasm. But my mind brimmed with the countless sources I'd studied to write about this era.
“Endless concessions to avoid war with the Tang would enslave us to them.”
“How? Will they march in and seize the capital? Set up commanderies?”
“No need. Subjugate our surrounding powers one by one, cut off trade—that's enough. Then...”
I recalled papers I'd read.
“Flatterers of the Tang will worm into Your Majesty's circle. Just days ago, the Central Administration Bureau tried demolishing the Eastern Border Pagoda. Do you know what happened?”
“I heard. A minor disturbance?”
“Far from minor. Outraged masses nearly clashed with bureau officials.”
“Who dares resist Central Administration officials?”
“Wound their pride, inflict pain, and they'll defy even higher powers. Countless dynasties fell that way.”
The Yeongnyu King's face hardened. I sensed I was treading a razor's edge. Still, I pressed on carefully.
“That widens the gap between the people and Your Majesty, letting sycophants fill the void. Goguryeo weakens.”
“Are you saying I can't distinguish loyal from treacherous? That your father is loyal, the Senior Central Administrator treacherous?”
“Can one who gives Your Majesty bad counsel be loyal?”
“The Senior Central Administrator has never misguided me.”
“As I said, we can judge the present by the past—but not predict the future. Early on, the Tang faced Tujue pressure and needed stability, so they offered peace. But now? They've crushed the Tujue, absorbed parts of the Khitan and Mohe.”
“I know that. But we're not Tujue or Khitan.”
“Precisely why they oppress us—to weaken us.”
“Oppress us to attack?”
Modern historians see this as the Tang perfecting its tributary and investiture system. That's why they hounded Goguryeo so relentlessly.
“Are you saying we'll grow weaker?”
“As we weaken, they grow stronger. The more we bow, the wider the gap—and the Tang will exploit it.”
I paused a beat, then pressed.
“We'll bow even lower. That's the 'peace' the Tang Emperor dreams of—the world he'll bequeath his sons.”
The Yeongnyu King fell silent, gazing at the Goguryeo in the pond.
“The Senior Central Administrator said you've completely changed. Seems true.”
“I've spoken boldly, but all from loyalty to Your Majesty.”
“They all act like they'd give their livers for me here. But in this seat, you learn to tell true from false. You wouldn't give yours for me, I wager.”
He grinned.
Oof.
But his eyes reddened, belying deep disappointment—and hatred enough to kill me. It recalled the tale Seon Do-hae told Kim Chun-chu here in Goguryeo: the rabbit and the turtle.
“I won't lie like the rabbit.”
“You know the fable, too.”
Anyone interested in Goguryeo would. I'd already calculated how to handle such a situation.
“Indeed. We must never misjudge their intentions.”
“Your words hide intentions of their own. The Tang struck the Tujue because they were a threat. We've traded steadily with them, even returned Sui captives. War comes regardless of intent?”
“The Tang Emperor slew his brothers at Xuanwu Gate, oppressed his father. He's no better than a barbarian. To hide his sins, he'll chase flashy merits. Moreover...”
Another pause. Papers and sources from my past life flooded my mind.
I gathered my thoughts and continued.
“He witnessed the Sui crumble in its second generation. He'll solidify his dynasty on bedrock, pass it to his sons.”
It hadn't fully erupted yet, but Tang Taizong Li Shimin would soon grapple deeply with succession.
Originally, his favorite was third son, Prince Wu Li Ke—said to resemble him.
When crown prince Li Chengqian and younger brother Li Tai caused issues, Li Ke naturally rose as a candidate.
But his mother was Emperor Wen's daughter, sparking fierce opposition—especially from Empress's brother and confidant, Zhangsun Wuji.