Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Triumph and Tactics
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The elderly eunuch I had seen before at Amyeong Palace bellowed in a resounding voice.
"Pay your respects to His Majesty the Great King."
Including myself, all the lined-up generals and soldiers dropped to one knee and bowed our heads. Then, in unison, we shouted.
"Long live His Majesty the Great King!"
Only after calling out three cheers were we allowed to rise. The Great King, wearing a satisfied expression, stood from his seat and approached the front of the dais. The elderly eunuch gave me a gesture to step forward. As I took a few steps ahead, the Great King looked down at me and said.
"I thought you were just a greenhorn, but it turns out you're a young tiger cub."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty. It was nothing more than good fortune."
"On the battlefield, there's no such thing as luck. Do you think I don't know how you devised your strategies and maneuvers?"
His probing words stirred a slight resentment in me. As things stood, the most likely culprits who had leaked information to Silla beforehand were the Great King or Yeon Jeong-du. Seeing him brazenly bring up strategies filled me with deep irritation inside. But I couldn't voice that. I bowed once more.
"What would I know? It was only thanks to the outstanding generals and soldiers that we navigated through crises and hardships."
"I've heard there were hardly any crises at all. They say you handled the troops as easily as pulling an object from your pocket. You've never commanded an army before—how could you manage it so adeptly?"
"It's thanks to General On Samun, General Sobuson, and General An Go. Their seasoned advice at the right moments allowed us to overcome dangers. What would I know?"
As I kept denying it, the Great King grew so furious that his white horsehair hat shook.
"I don't know what schemes you're hiding, but you won't achieve whatever you're after. Understand?"
"All I desire is for Goguryeo to continue its royal line eternally. Is my dream misguided?"
I was subtly striking back at his claim of knowing my intentions. The Great King flew into an even greater rage, but with so many eyes watching, he took no further action. He stepped back a few paces and raised one hand. At that, the eunuch hurried over and presented a jade belt.
"Yeon Namsaeng, eldest son of Yeon Gaesomun, who distinguished himself in the Battle of Niha Fortress. I appoint you to the rank of Deputy Commander along with the position of Chief Armorer in the Central Administration. Additionally, as a reward for your victory, I grant you three hundred slaves."
As the Great King's proclamation ended, the soldiers erupted in cheers. Hearing the voices of my brothers-in-arms who had shared life and death with me brought tears to my eyes. The eunuch approached and roughly fastened the jade belt around my waist. Then another eunuch brought a tray with a celadon pot and cup. The eunuch who had tied the belt declared in a clear voice.
"This is the royal liquor bestowed by His Majesty the Great King. Drink it with deep loyalty."
The eunuch's eyes weren't red. But his demeanor didn't exactly put me at ease. Still, I doubted they'd serve poisoned wine in front of the troops. I lifted the celadon pot, poured a sip into the cup, and bowed my head.
"I sincerely thank Your Majesty the Great King."
Then I quickly pocketed the pot. The flustered eunuch scowled and withdrew. The Great King turned abruptly and entered the royal palace, followed by Crown Prince Hwan-gwon and Chief of Central Administration Yeon Jeong-du. My father, Yeon Gaesomun, who remained, rose with a broad smile.
"Well done. Truly well done."
"No need for such words. But I have a request."
"Speak it."
"I need liquor."
"Liquor?"
"Yes. A tremendous amount."
"Preparing it isn't hard, but I'm curious what for."
"To share with my brothers. The ones waiting by the Paekgang River."
My father, Yeon Gaesomun, let out a hearty laugh upon hearing this.
"Got it. Go to your brothers."
After thanking my father, I tucked the liquor pot under my arm, mounted my horse, and rode out beyond Okyu Bridge. The soldiers waiting by the Paekgang riverside cheered wildly.
Moments later, the liquor my father sent arrived in wooden crates and jars, loaded one after another. Dismounting, I opened the lids of the freshly arrived crates and jars. Then I tilted the Great King's gifted pot, pouring a little into each. After dripping the very last drop, I shouted.
"I've poured a bit of the liquor bestowed by His Majesty the Great King into each. Let's all share it. Thank you for fighting alongside me, brothers."
As soon as I finished, the soldiers swarmed over. Using helmets and hands, they scooped and drank. Watching them, tears welled up again. The soldiers who drank gathered around me. Geom Mojam approached in surprise, but since no one's eyes were red, I said it was fine. We shook hands, embraced, patted backs and shoulders. Living in an era where this alone moved them to tears hit me anew.
In the fall of 634, my first war came to an end like that. Over a thousand dead, more than three thousand captives. Many had lost limbs or suffered wounds that would bring lifelong pain. Kim Yusin had lost his father. I wondered how that would alter history.
With such thoughts, I arrived at the estate. At the steps outside, my heavily pregnant wife stood with difficulty, supported by a nursemaid. The moment our eyes met and she smiled, I finally felt like I was home. Dismounting, I slowly climbed the steps and said to her.
"I've returned, my lady."
"It seems the goddess Buyeo has granted my wish."
"Thanks to you, I've come back without a scratch."
"I've prepared a delicious meal. Come inside and eat."
"Thank you."
I took my wife's hand and entered through the gate.
The next day, a messenger from the Central Administration Bureau delivered the official appointment to Chief Armorer, along with the uniform. They also relayed that the Chief of Central Administration would grant a few days' rest before reporting. I sent thanks for the consideration and immediately summoned my close aides.
Father Yeon Gaesomun had kindly arranged for Bin Yeon Pavilion to serve as my private office. Go Jeong-ui entered yawning widely, wooden tablet under his arm. Following him came Geom Mojam, Gido-ryang, Adokbang, Godolbal, Yang Man-chun, and Ham-a one by one. Since I'd arranged separate meetings with the three generals, we could talk freely. Once everyone settled comfortably, I spoke.
"Sorry to call you when you're tired. But the real war starts now."
Yang Man-chun teased playfully upon hearing me.
"Where are we invading next?"
"No, we won the battle, but to win the war, we need analysis."
"What analysis? We won."
"Our victory this time was largely due to Silla's blunders. If they'd played it by the book without mistakes, we wouldn't have won so easily."
"What blunders did they make?"
As Go Jeong-ui asked curiously, Geom Mojam answered instead.
"They knew the master was leading troops and planned to wait outside Niha Fortress to ambush us. Thanks to that, they didn't reinforce Niha or arrive first to block us. If they had..."
Geom Mojam trailed off. Go Jeong-ui didn't press. We all knew too well what might have happened. I crossed my arms and looked at my men.
"The battlefield has many variables, but the least welcome is luck—like this time. So from now on, we need to revise our strategies overall, including ways to avoid it."
As we exchanged glances, Go Jeong-ui spoke first.
"What do we start with?"
"Weapons first. Skip the bi-gon since Adokbang was injured and couldn't use it. How about the bows?"
Gido-ryang's expression turned serious at my question.
"The weapons used this time were the Yeon Clan repeating crossbow, called Yeonssi-no, and an unnamed arrow-firing repeater device. For the Yeonssi-no, we only used it with five or six men targeting one goal. Right, when taking down Niha's lord, Piljip."
"How was it?"
"Extremely effective. With regular bows, we'd have been spotted before closing in."
"Likely."
"But the Yeonssi-no has a small bowstring frame, easy to conceal among people. And at close range, it excelled. Multiple shots in a short burst."
"Did the volume of arrows help?"
"Of course. Drawing a regular bow draws eyes immediately. The enemy dodges or flees. Even at Niha, a standard bow would've alerted Piljip or his men."
"The Yeonssi-no made it possible."
"Yes. At short range, multiple users on one target—definitive results. No need to drawstring hard, so even children, elders, women can handle it."
"Great for defending castles."
"Exactly. Multiplies garrison numbers. Simple to make, no string maintenance like bows. Mass-produce, store, hand to weaklings when enemies come."
True to his archery expertise, he explained effects and uses precisely. Gido-ryang sighed and added.
"On the other hand, the drawbacks are clear."
"What flaws did you see?"
"Weak draw means poor penetration. Even against Niha's lord Piljip, no arrows pierced his torso armor. Only face, neck, arm hits wounded."
"Hard to damage armored foes, then."
"Yes. Plus, lever-reloading scatters aim each shot. Trainable with practice, but otherwise, useless scatter."
"Solution?"
"Routine training. Hunt beasts, shoot targets to build familiarity—solves aim. No time? Fix in place before firing."
"Fix it?"
"Yes. Drill holes in walls to secure poles. Fix the Yeonssi-no that way."
"Does that fix aim scatter?"
"Secured, lever pull doesn't shift sights much. Combine methods for sure results."
"What about penetration?"
"Long-term issue. Change arrowheads? No brilliant ideas yet."
"Wider heads?"
"Discussed with aides: arrows jam coming down tubes. Shifts weight forward, worsens already tricky aim."