Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Binyeon Pavilion stood inside the high wall behind the polo field. The vividly blood-red tiles caught the eye first, paired with horn-like roof finials jutting upward. The door was red as well, flanked by large windows.
Slender wooden lattice covered the windows. It resembled a Joseon-era hanok but was distinctly different. The beams and pillars were a striking red too.
The guard at the door stepped aside and opened it for us. As I entered, I was taken aback.
"Whoa!"
The floor had been dug out, making the space taller than expected. Thick pillars supported the roof, which sloped into a diamond shape like those in Goguryeo tombs, beautifully adorned with lotus flowers. It seemed to symbolize the Yeon clan's birth from a lotus pond.
Descending the stairs, I saw a tent-like enclosure formed by pillars and fabric.
'This is just like the spot where the couple sat in the Ssangyeong Tomb murals.'
It felt like a tent pitched inside the room, cozy and intimate. There were backless chairs and low tables within.
Seeing two empty seats, I glanced at my father, Yeon Gaesomun.
"Who are they?"
No sooner had I spoken than the door opposite our entrance swung open.
Two men appeared, dressed in loose blue robes with round collars, belts slung casually around their waists adorned with golden ornaments.
Both in their thirties, they were unmistakably nobles. The difference lay in their builds: one tall and robust, the other short and lean.
They entered side by side and greeted my father. Yeon Gaesomun rose and bowed slightly; I hastily followed suit.
Once they sat in the empty seats, Father pulled a cord beside a pillar. The closed windows slid open.
Women with headscarves and pleated skirts entered carrying trays, placing one on each low table before departing.
As all the windows opened, I recalled our cart conversation and smirked faintly. The tall noble noticed.
"This must be the Great Lord's eldest son. Word of your sharp mind has reached even our household."
The shorter noble beside him chuckled along heartily.
Father lifted a cup from his tray and beamed.
"He's still got a long way to go. I hope you'll both lend him your support."
Turning to me, he continued.
"The one who just praised you is Go Yeonsu, son of the Northern Division Leader. Beside him is Go Hyejin, son of the Southern Division Leader. They'll be great allies to you—get close to them."
'Go Yeonsu and Go Hyejin!'
Names I could never forget. They were the heroes who crushed one hundred fifty thousand Tang troops at Jubilsan in 645 during the Tang invasion.
Of course, the number was likely exaggerated, but Ansi Fortress had nearly fallen.
'I assumed they were Father's inner circle, but here we meet.'
Managing my expression took effort, but I kept it together. Then Go Hyejin spoke up.
"I heard you met the Great King today."
"In Amyeong Hall."
Father replied curtly, taking a sip from his cup.
"How did it go? I heard the Chief of Central Administration went straight to the palace."
"He petitioned to pass his position to my son Namsaeng. But they said it'd be discussed in Great Council."
Yeon Gaesomun's tone carried unmistakable irritation.
Go Hyejin, who had asked, glanced at Go Yeonsu beside him.
"We figured the Great King would respond that way."
Tsking his tongue, Go Hyejin went on, and Go Yeonsu chimed in.
"Designating a successor in Great Council is mere custom. Neither of us received council approval to become heirs."
Father responded to Go Yeonsu.
"Looks like the Great King plans to use this to get what he wants."
"What exactly does he want?"
"He didn't say outright, but I suspect he'll foist the Thousand-Li Great Wall on us."
"Meaning we're to oversee its airspace?"
Yeon Gaesomun nodded at Go Yeonsu's question.
"As you know, a single line of wall is useless against Tang. We lack the troops to defend its entire length."
Go Hyejin agreed emphatically.
"Exactly. It's only good against raiding nomads."
"I see it as Yeon Jeong-du's scheme."
"The Chief of Central Administration?"
"Yes. It lets him dodge accusations of groveling to Tang."
"But manpower and resources are short—it's stalled. Building one fortress takes tens of thousands; a thousand-li wall is impossible."
Go Yeonsu nodded along.
"He's neglecting real priorities for pointless projects. The Baekje issue too."
"Isn't that under your Foreign Affairs Bureau?"
As Father questioned, Go Yeonsu grabbed some dried meat and replied.
"Last year, when we sent the delegation, our bureau opposed focusing on the maternal Satak clan."
"That's what I heard."
"But Central Administration insisted on cozying up to them. Because of that, the delegation met Satak first in Sabi Fortress, earning a scolding from Arah's aides."
"That would irk Arah."
"Worse, Arah suddenly went down to Mireuk Temple, where the crown prince is—we never even met him."
I knew why King Mu had come to see Crown Prince Uija then and listened quietly.
Father spoke.
"We must ally with Baekje to check Silla. But Central Administration's meddling is stalling it."
"If that were all, it'd be fine. But they chewed us out for botching the job upon return."
Go Yeonsu finished with a deep sigh, chewing the dried meat irritably. Go Hyejin, meanwhile, looked more cautious.
Father glanced at me.
"Namsaeng went to Mireuk Temple last year, disguised as a merchant."
Go Yeonsu eyed me while chewing.
"I heard he met the crown prince."
"I met Crown Prince Uija."
"What was he like? Central Administration thinks he won't succeed Arah."
"What's Foreign Affairs' view?"
Go Yeonsu answered, munching dried meat.
"Split down the middle."
"Why only fifty-fifty odds for Crown Prince Uija?"
"He's crown prince and Sea-East Sage with great renown, but his base is too weak."
"Who do you think will be next Arah then?"
"Central Administration backs Prince Gyeogi, Queen Satak's son and the king's half-brother. Many in Foreign Affairs agree."
"From what I saw and heard, Baekje's Arah favors Crown Prince Uija."
"Even though the prince is at Mireuk Temple, not Sabi Fortress?"
"It's a refuge. To protect the prince, whose maternal kin are weak. While I was there, someone tried assassinating him."
"So I heard."
"Arah rushed there upon hearing."
"Which canceled our delegation's meeting."
"Exactly. If Arah didn't cherish him, he wouldn't have come himself."
Go Hyejin pondered my response.
I added as I watched.
"It was likely a signal to the prince's would-be assassins."
"So we should back Uija?"
"Absolutely. He's known for brotherly bonds now, dubbed Sea-East Sage. But once on the throne, he'll draw his blade against rivals."
"Got it. Foreign Affairs will reach out separately."
"He'd be thrilled if you send my regards."
"Will do. Better yet, draft a letter for me."
"Of course. I'll deliver a wooden tablet with greetings."
As our talk wrapped, Go Hyejin spoke, arms tucked into his sleeves.
"With the Great King's intentions clear, we should clarify our stance."
"That's why I called you two. Please convey my will to your fathers, the Northern and Southern Division Leaders."
"Father said: our South and East aren't close, but we must join hands now."
"I agree. If the Great King squeezes the East like this, who's next? To him and the Chief, we're all one gang."
"Once Great Council debates Eastern Division succession, others follow."
"His power grows in the process. Even crown prince investiture should go through council by rule."
"The late king led through harmony with the leaders."
"He ascended with their backing, no?"
"Knowing this, we should've blocked it."
As Go Yeonsu interjected hotly, Father reined him in.
"Spilled water. And blood doesn't share power with sons. It's natural for the Great King to crave it—just the method's flawed."
I marveled silently at Father's deft handling.
He kept tension with other leaders but united when needed, seizing initiative.
'Not just a brute soldier—a sly politician.'
Their talk flowed amid my thoughts. I felt thrust into history's heart, not merely altering its course.
Go Hyejin, conferring with Father, said.
"I have a plan."
"Out with it."
"Great Council allows up to Supreme Central Administrators."
"True."
"Raise your son's rank to that and attend together?"
"The two of us?"
Father leaned forward intrigued. My stomach growled; I eyed the food.
Dried meat for hand-eating, peach-like fruits, honeyed chestnuts. Clear liquor filled the cups beside.
I sipped the liquor first, then nibbled a peach-like fruit.
Meanwhile, Father and Go Hyejin continued.
"Two of you there could sway the mood. Worst case, one extra vote in majority."
"Good idea. Then we need a way to promote his rank."