Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Systemic Flaws and Secret Scripts
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“Yeah, even now, there are still powerhouses like us hanging around.”
The figures they called Daein were much like the daimyo of Japan's Warring States era. Even just the Eastern Division under my father Yeon Gaesomun's command boasted over a thousand private soldiers. On top of that, they controlled more than ten thousand slaves. They owned land not only around Chang'an Fortress but scattered across the country, yet they paid hardly any taxes. Above all, if the Daein pooled their strength, even the Great King would struggle to keep them in check.
Not only the court, but a significant number of local officials were directly or indirectly tied to the Daein. In the event of outright confrontation, no one could predict what chaos might ensue. In a way, this was a more dangerous and urgent issue than military reforms.
Yeon Gaesomun's coup is the prime example.
He had used a bloodied blade to dismantle a system that had reached its breaking point. It was something we had to prevent at all costs. As I sank into thought, Yang Manchun spoke up.
“We grew stronger under King Gwanggaeto the Great and King Jangsu the Great, but we couldn't solve the root problems.”
“Then why were we strong back then?”
“Because we kept winning wars. That boosted our prestige and solidified our power. No minister dared defy a Great King who always triumphed in battle.”
Go Jeong-ui picked up the explanation from there.
“But once China's chaos subsided and Baekje allied with Silla, victories became harder to come by. The Great King's authority inevitably waned.”
The result was the civil war between the Three Armies and the Green Army over succession rights. In its aftermath, we lost the Han River basin and the Gangwon region to the Baekje-Silla alliance. Silla then stabbed Baekje in the back, claiming the Han River basin for itself and surging ahead. Ultimately, they joined forces with the Tang Dynasty to bring down Goguryeo.
I need to break that chain of events.
The best way would be to stop Silla from ever begging the Tang for help.
Which means I have to eliminate Kim Chun-chu.
My head grew even more tangled. For now, I decided to tackle the problem at hand.
“No matter what, we won't relinquish control of Ansi Fortress.”
“That's all we've got.”
Yang Manchun replied as if it were obvious, and neither Ita-in nor Go Jeong-ui reacted otherwise. Coming from centralized South Korea, I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. But there was no choice but to accept reality. Next, I turned to Ita-in with questions. Since he lived in the Chaekseong area I'd never visited, I had plenty of curiosities.
“How's it going in Chaekseong?”
“Supreme Central Administrator Goryang is handling the defenses. It's quiet.”
“How are local officials selected?”
“The higher-ups pick them, of course.”
“Regardless of ability?”
“That's not the main concern. First, you have to please your superiors.”
Expecting things to run smoothly under such a system felt like wishful thinking from a thief. But in Goguryeo, without something like a civil service exam, there was no other way to select lower officials. Loyalty to one's superiors was the only path.
Loyalty is to superiors, not the nation.
That's why so many subordinates and officials followed Yeon Namsaeng in surrendering to the Tang. I realized we had to sever that chain—and there was only one answer.
“Civil service exams.”
“Pardon?”
“No, what if we recruited lower officials through exams?”
“Smart people would get picked. But everyone would oppose it.”
“Yeah. No one would be thrilled about taking tests overnight.”
This issue would have to wait too. In the end, all we could do was scout and train talents from each region, then place them where they fit best.
It always looks easy in movies and dramas.
Upon reflection, that was the harder task. In a world of clashing thoughts and interests, sudden change was pure fantasy. Noticing my darkening expression, Go Jeong-ui hurriedly spoke up.
“Rest for now, my lord. I'll meet you tomorrow and give a full report.”
I wanted to say there was still much to do, but a headache was setting in. I agreed and gave my consent. Go Jeong-ui and the others rose cautiously, gauging my mood. Yang Manchun looked at me with concern.
“If it's too much, share the load with me, friend.”
“Thanks. I'll definitely need your help.”
“That's what I like to hear.”
Yang Manchun grinned brightly and stepped out of Binyeon Pavilion. Watching him go, I understood how he'd defended Ansi Fortress. He treated those around him with genuine sincerity, so they laid down their lives for him in turn. That spirit had held back the Tang army under Emperor Taizong right at Ansi's gates.
I decided to rest and rose to my feet.
The next day, I woke late to Geom Mojam's report that Seon Do-hae was waiting. I had him bring Seon Do-hae to Binyeon Pavilion and sent a messenger to Go Yeonsu in the north.
“Convey my wish to entrust work to my youngest brother at the National Academy, Go Yeon-mu.”
“Understood. Shall I summon Go Yeon-mu as well?”
“If Go Yeonsu agrees, send someone to the academy.”
Geom Mojam acknowledged and left. As I stretched, my heavily pregnant wife entered with a basin for washing.
“Aigoo, I told you not to.”
“It's still fine.”
After bickering lightly with my wife while washing up, I donned my outer robes, placed my official hat, and headed out. I walked to Binyeon Pavilion with the waiting Geom Mojam. Seon Do-hae, sporting a stiff pheasant-feather official hat, paced with hands behind his back in front. Spotting me, his face lit up.
“Welcome, my lord.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Why not have some tea in the meantime?”
“I was waiting to share it with you.”
I invited the fidgety Seon Do-hae inside and glanced at Geom Mojam, who said he'd prepare tea. Once in Binyeon Pavilion, Seon Do-hae spread out his wooden tablets like a deck of cards with a flourish.
“There are many reports I couldn't deliver while you were on campaign. Shall I read them?”
He seemed ready to talk for half a day, so I raised a hand to stop him.
“No need to read them all. Start with reactions to this battle.”
“That's what I planned to lead with. There's a lot of talk about it being sweet revenge for our crushing defeat at Nambiseong a few years back. And everyone's thrilled about the head of Kim Seo-hyeon, the Nangdang Commander who led the Silla forces then.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
A maidservant brought tea, pausing our talk. As she prepared and left, the anxious Seon Do-hae finally spoke again.
“There's talk that Yeon Namsaeng, the Eastern Division heir who earned merits in this war, should rightfully be the successor.”
“Filter it, so share some bad news too.”
Caught off guard, Seon Do-hae fumbled briefly before grabbing a tablet.
“This is from markets in the west. They say the Eastern Division Lord's son might have a fine reputation, but it's all lies. Some claim he'll turn out like the Green Army scum.”
Seon Do-hae watched me carefully, but I was fine. Living as a novelist in modern times had built my tolerance for hate comments—even pad-lip didn't faze me. I pressed on.
“What's the public sentiment on relations with the Tang?”
“Consistently poor. Especially after we demolished the 경관대탑 they left in the east last time—people are furious about that. It's universal, regardless of region.”
“Do they directly criticize the Great King?”
Seon Do-hae grimaced and shook his head.
“No one dares, not when they could be hauled off to the Central Administration Bureau anytime. They just curse the Tang.”
“Anything else?”
“There was a brutal hailstorm, lightning struck and burned a palace pillar, gambling dens saw bloody brawls, and a calf with three heads was born.”
He shared all sorts of trivial gossip from Chang'an Fortress and environs. Some stories amused me; others seemed utterly pointless. After listening just enough to stay in good spirits, I raised a hand to silence him.
“I heard you out well.”
“There's still more.”
“Leave the tablets, and I'll review them at leisure. From now on, report to me in a different script.”
“A different script?”
Seon Do-hae blinked in shock, like a bolt from the blue. I took a brush from the table and wrote Hangul consonants and vowels on paper. Familiar to me, but he just stared wide-eyed. It was natural to be stunned by something entirely new.
“Wh-what is this, my lord?”
Lowering my voice as if revealing a grave secret, I answered Seon Do-hae's question.
“This is a script handed down through our family for generations. So secret, it doesn't even have a name.”
“I-is that so?”
I wanted to call it Hangul, but unsure of his reaction, I stuck to the fib.
“It's simple, so I'll teach you. Use this for reports from now on. Got it?”
“As a secret script?”
“Yes. What we do draws a lot of attention. Only you and I can read this.”
“Th-then even if someone sees it, they won't understand.”
“Exactly. Don't breathe a word of its existence to anyone outside the family. See how much I favor you?”
“Th-thank you, my lord.”
His tension was audible, like thunder gulping dry saliva. Right there, I taught him Hangul. It was straightforward enough that a bit of instruction made it stick. Squeezing out what I'd learned in elementary school, I explained. Fortunately, Seon Do-hae was sharp and quickly grasped the combinations and principles of consonants and vowels.
Smart people are convenient.
While at it, I taught him Arabic numerals too.
“This is 0—meaning nothing. One is 1, two is 2, three is 3, and so on.”
After 0 through 10, Seon Do-hae asked.
“How do you mark eleven and beyond?”
“Combine digits. Eleven is 1 and 1 together.”
“And you pronounce that as eleven.”
“Right. Use these for numbers in reports.”
“Much easier than classical numerals all around. Did this come down through the family too?”
“Oh, no. Legend says it came from the Western Regions. Give it a try now.”
“I'll master the script and numbers perfectly for my reports.”
“No rush—take it slow. Your reports to me are crucial. You know that?”
“Of course. At first, I felt pointless doing this, but I'll work hard.”
He revealed his ambition as expected. For now, I'd soothe him.