Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Great King Nam-saeng 75
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However, I could guess the reason for that. Swords weren't used as much as one might expect. Cavalrymen primarily wielded spears and bows, while infantry relied on shields and spears. Swords were more like auxiliary weapons, mainly handled by shield bearers. When fighting in tight formations, short swords were simply less practical than spears.
'For now, the priorities are bows and other weapons.'
I decided to focus on distributing weapons like sabers. There was plenty to do already; I couldn't afford to tinker with Hwandu Greatswords too. After organizing my thoughts, I turned back to Godolbal and asked.
"Would it give cavalry an edge in fights against other cavalry?"
"Hard to say in a tangled melee, but definitely for the initial charge. It felt much better striking shields or horses' necks."
Goguryeo forces didn't excel at javelins anyway. Arming the cavalry with sabers seemed like a solid idea. I gave the order to Ham-a.
"Make a few dozen for now and hand them out to the retainer troops. Test them, and if they work well, we'll ramp up production gradually."
"I've already made a few as trials. I'll get more going."
My jaw ached from the nonstop talking. Once we'd covered the essentials, I looked at my subordinates. They came from varied backgrounds, loyal for different reasons, but they were reliable all the same. Geom Mojam, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.
"I have something to report, Master."
"What is it?"
"I'd like to spread Jujutsu more widely."
"Is unarmed combat useful in battle?"
Truth be told, that was the murkiest part, and my enthusiasm had waned since the early days after possession. Geom Mojam shook his head at my response.
"Maybe not directly, but training in martial arts is essential for soldiers."
"If it can't be used in real combat?"
"It keeps them sharp and builds stamina. They can't always wear armor and carry weapons."
His point made sense, and I found myself nodding before I knew it.
"Fine. You'll need a manual to teach it."
"A manual?"
"Yeah, we're not teaching just one or two people—you can't gather everyone individually. Making books to distribute would be faster."
As I spoke, I recalled the Muye Dobo Tongji compiled during King Jeongjo's reign in the Joseon era—a comprehensive manual covering unarmed techniques like kwonbeop, various weapons, and even horsemanship.
'I looked it up once for martial arts in a novel.'
Besides, preparing for the Nihan Fortress battle had driven home the need for systematic weapon distribution. Go Jeong-ui, sensing his workload growing, let out heavy sighs.
"I'll assign it to Go Yeonmu, so don't worry."
"I'll handle it myself."
His tone shifted abruptly, and I chuckled inwardly.
"Keep friends close and enemies closer. If you're going to compete with him anyway, better to have him right there, no?"
"If you tempt me like that, Master, I can't help but fall for it."
"Go fetch him from the National Academy. I'll send someone to his brother Go Yeon-su."
Go Jeong-ui, tense as ever, responded firmly.
"Understood."
My mind was a whirlwind. Since possessing this body and vowing to change history, much had transpired.
'Most went smoothly enough, but the road ahead is the real test.'
Avoiding war with Tang was key, but clashes with the Great King to check the eastern divisions and other leaders were inevitable. That would escalate into open conflict with Yeon Jeong-du, the Great King's right-hand man.
'So far, it's just been verbal sparring, and I've managed.'
I'd talked my way out of a few tight spots, but he was no one to underestimate. The Nihan Fortress battle had exposed Goguryeo's military limits all too clearly.
'This isn't something I can drum up alone.'
And looming larger was the clash with Tang. To thwart my father Yeon Gaesomun's coup, it might not even hit in 645 as in the original history. Worst of all, killing Kim Seo-hyeon, father of Kim Yu-sin, could ripple unpredictably.
'Headache.'
But quitting wasn't an option. Defeat against Tang would unravel everything I'd built.
'Time to get serious.'
So far, I'd fixed the visible flaws; now it was time for the invisible ones. I dismissed everyone except Go Jeong-ui, Yang Man-chun, and Yi Ta-in. Once Geom Mojam closed the door behind him, I stood and spoke.
"You know why I kept just the three of you?"
As expected, Go Jeong-ui answered first.
"You want to discuss the issues from this war—beyond weapons."
"Sharp as ever. Bigger battles lie ahead, incomparable to this one. For small-scale fights, good weapons or tactics can win the day. But when tens of thousands clash, that's not enough."
Yi Ta-in, face grave, asked.
"What do we need, then?"
"A system."
"System" felt too modern for 7th-century Goguryeans, so I stuck with the native term.
"Could you elaborate?"
"We wasted too much time besieging Nihan Fortress—time the Silla army could have used against us. Luck was on our side this time; they had other goals. A straight-up assault might've been trouble."
All three nodded in agreement.
"The biggest issue is mobilizing forces. Here, the east threw everything at us because of me. But in other cases? It's complicated."
It smacked of Goguryeo's systemic limits. The army split into central forces under the Great King's direct control from Jang'an Fortress and regional ones. The latter included loyal warlords like the Yoksal or Cheolryeongeunji, and semi-autonomous fiefs like Ansi Fortress. Complex chains of command led to hesitation without clear strategic goals. Ironically, Nihan needed a straightforward objective: glory for the Eastern Division Leader's eldest son. Even then, seizing one fortress cost heavy lives, and loot or captives weren't divided fairly. Without rewards matching the sacrifices, regional troops held back. Central forces avoided heavy losses to please the Great King. Only total wars like against Sui mobilized everyone fully.
'That's why late-period Goguryeo armies faltered against Silla.'
With my father and leaders opposing the Great King and his inner circle, regional lords played it safe. Silla conflicts got deprioritized.
'Given Silla's role in Goguryeo's fall, we have to sort this out.'
I could hope for Prince Uija—future King Arah—rising in a few years. But alliances shift; history was already diverging, no guarantees.
'Clear Silla before Tang war.'
Silla cozied up to Tang after Queen Seondeok's ascension, when Baekje and Goguryeo allied. Kim Chun-chu failed with Goguryeo and Wa, then succeeded with Tang by offering joint attack.
'Sever that link somewhere to derail history.'
First, fix Goguryeo's internals. Then block Silla-Tang ties. Finally, crush Tang decisively.
'Even after our 645 win, Tang kept hammering us.'
Attrition warfare: Tang threw tens of thousands repeatedly at our vast borders without modern recon. Their records claim most victories, wearing us down for invasion. Tang Taizong's death gave respite. We needed a bigger win to deter forever.
"Aigoo, what a headache."
I grimaced unwittingly, and Go Jeong-ui replied.
"Headaches won't solve it."
"Then give me a solution."
"I need to know what you see as the problem."
"Same as you: central and regional forces don't mesh, no enthusiasm."
"No rewards, centrals hog everything. Win, no prize; lose, get punished—who'd fight hard?"
"Who can change that?"
"The Great King, if he changes his mind."
Her bluntness killed any hope of systemic overhaul. Tampering without his buy-in risked suspicion. That's what she meant.
"Start with what we can touch."
"Upgrade weapons for sieges. Even the Great King won't object."
"And next?"
"Secure command authority."
"Think he'll hand it over? He wants no war—and no heroes."
"Split like against Sui: he commands capital and environs; grant us authority over Liaodong forces."
"Will he?"
"Make him."
She stated it like fact. No other way.
"Guess we'll be getting friendly. Think it'll fly?"
"Hope the Great King takes your 'keep enemies closer' advice."
Go Jeong-ui shrugged, throwing my words back. We tabled the system for now and turned to Yang Man-chun.
"Ansi Fortress doesn't care much about capital drama, right?"
"Not really—whoever's Great King, leave us be."
"Sending weapons?"
"Clear no strings, and what's to hate? It's our job anyway."
"Deploying to aid other fortresses?"
"We'd consider requests. But no guarantees—losing men hurts us."
Yang Man-chun's frankness deepened my frown. Seeing it, he added.
"Goguryeo's a union of tribes like the Gaeru and others. Tribal voices were always strong from the start."