Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Heir's Birth and Baekje Preparations
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It was a reasonable counterargument from someone living in this era. And it was my job to persuade him.
"You're right. But isn't a monarch like a small boat floating on the sea of the people?"
It was a highly dangerous statement, but Seon Do-hae accepted it surprisingly easily.
"Of course. Overconfidence can capsize you in an instant."
"I want to read that public sentiment—the sea that can overturn the monarch's little boat in a flash."
"It might not be as effective as you think. Daily life doesn't change as easily as you'd expect."
"What's important is accumulating data—no, records. Eventually, patterns will emerge. For example, rumors of mobilization to some region or rising rice prices could prove invaluable later on."
Seon Do-hae closed his eyes briefly, pondering my words, then spoke.
"That shouldn't be too difficult. But even if we gather the information, relaying it here won't be easy."
"We'll get help from the Maemul Merchant Guild. Have them bring back wooden tablets written in Hangul."
"I hadn't thought of that. Impressive as always."
His praise made my head spin. I could think a step ahead of others, but I had no idea if it would actually work.
'For now, I'll try everything I can.'
I told him to select people I could send to him and teach them Hangul.
"Pick from the prisoners we brought back. Promise to send them home, and they won't refuse."
His words jogged my memory of someone whose name had slipped my mind.
'I'll ask Geom Mojam.'
As I was about to continue, the door to Bin Yeon Pavilion burst open. I grumbled inwardly about knocking, then turned to see Yeon Suyeong panting for breath.
"Brother, hurry!"
She rushed in breathless, with only one thing to say.
"Already? I thought we still had half a month."
"I don't know. She's been saying her stomach hurts since earlier, and it doesn't feel right."
"Ah, got it."
I jumped up and glanced at Seon Do-hae. He smiled and waved me off.
"Congratulations in advance, Master."
I thanked him and dashed out. Crossing the threshold, I muttered to myself.
"Was Yeon Namsaeng's eldest son Yeon Heon-seong? Or Yeon Heon-chung?"
"What are you muttering, Brother?"
Yeon Suyeong, clutching her skirt as she ran, asked. I brushed it off vaguely.
"Nothing."
Yeon Namsaeng's younger brothers were Nam-geon and Nam-san, so after the "Nam" generation for boys, it was the "Heon" generation.
'Ah! Heon-chung was the eldest. Yeon Heon-chung.'
He was the eldest son who later died at the hands of his uncles Nam-geon and Nam-san, sparking the civil war. Now I had another reason to change history.
'I have to protect my beloved wife's eldest son.'
As I ran, I spotted Go Yeonmu talking with Geom Mojam and some retainers. Shirtless, he seemed to be transcribing jujutsu into a book. He turned at the sound of my footsteps and grinned silently. I waved back without a word.
Arriving at my wife's quarters, I heard a baby's cry. Yeon Suyeong looked disappointed.
"Aigoo, we missed it by a hair."
My wife's nursemaid opened the door, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.
"It's a son, young master. A son!"
"Whoa!"
Forget decorum—I flopped to the floor and threw my hands up. Tears welled in my eyes, but they weren't cold. Before possession, in the modern world, marriage and kids were pipe dreams. Here, I could build a family. Yeon Suyeong frowned at my over-the-top joy.
"Brother! Be happy, sure, but mind your dignity."
"Dignity? Who needs it! My son is born—my son!"
"Good grief, you're like a different person after that lightning strike."
The birth of my firstborn eased the tension in our home. My younger brothers Nam-geon and Nam-san, who had been itching to devour me early on, offered congratulations. Even my stern father Yeon Gaesomun beamed, delighted to be a grandfather. Thus, 634 ended with victory in war and great joy in life.
The next spring, I sat in Bin Yeon Pavilion, twirling my neatly groomed mustache. My retainers gathered, eyeing me. I missed On Sa-mun and An-go, who'd returned home, and General So Bu-son. But I didn't crave another war. As my mind wandered, Go Jeong-ui cleared his throat loudly, urging me to get to the point.
"It's time to head to Baekje. As you know, this mission won't be easy."
Last time was just tagging along. This time, I led the delegation. I'd negotiate alliances with strangers like Sa Taek Ji-jeok and Prince Gyo-gi—possibly even adversaries. Lost in thought, a more mature Go Yeonmu, a year older, spoke up.
"Indeed. You're meeting figures opposed to Crown Prince Uija, who's close to you."
"That's one worry. Crown Prince Uija concerns me too."
Go Jeong-ui seized the opening.
"He might misunderstand you allying with his rivals."
"What should we do?"
Go Yeonmu jumped in first this time.
"Send someone ahead to explain everything."
The others chuckled silently at their back-and-forth. Amused, I asked,
"Who should we send?"
"Send me, please."
Go Jeong-ui declared without missing a beat. Geom Mojam covered his mouth, laughing.
"Didn't you say seasickness prevents you?"
"Alone, I'm fine."
I waved off the indignant Go Jeong-ui.
"Can't make my valued retainer suffer again. Geom Mojam, you've met Crown Prince Uija and his close aide Buyeo Seung, right?"
"Of course. And I don't get seasick."
The retainers burst into laughter.
"Then Geom Mojam, go explain the situation. Mention I might visit Sabi Fortress first, then head to Mireuk Temple."
"Understood."
Chatting with him, I realized I needed a dedicated intelligence aide. Geom Mojam, I Tain, Go Dol-bal, Adokbang, and Gi Do-ryang were warriors; Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeonmu were strategists; Ham-a was the engineer. Yang Man-chun was too playful. Father's spy networks under Do Su-ryu and Geum Ryu weren't mine to command. For now, Seon Do-hae was the reluctant choice, though not fully trusted.
'Adding more retainers might make them unmanageable.'
I shifted to a topic they all cared about.
"For the Baekje delegation with me: Seon Do-hae, Go Yeonmu, Gi Do-ryang, Adokbang, and Go Dol-bal. Geom Mojam, go to Mireuk Temple first for Crown Prince Uija, then join at Sabi Fortress."
"Understood. How many escort retainers?"
"Too many would draw eyes—five or so."
"Isn't that too few?"
"You bring five and link up at Sabi Fortress."
"Got it."
"Isn't this an official delegation?"
Go Jeong-ui, sidelined this time, asked weakly.
"Yes, but official would attract too much attention. Keeping it minimal."
"Did the Chief of Central Administration approve? Surprising."
"He's hedging in case it succeeds. If I pull it off, then they'll send an official one."
"As expected..."
Go Jeong-ui looked knowing. Beside him, excited Go Yeonmu said,
"In Baekje, we should compile their weapons and techniques into books."
"Might cause suspicion—memorize mentally, write later."
"Will do."
As Go Yeonmu replied, Go Jeong-ui chided him not to overstep. Go Yeonmu shrugged it off. Watching their bickering was entertaining.
"That's it for today. Once the date's set, we'll detail preparations."
They rose with affirmations. I signaled Geom Mojam to stay. He sat slyly, his instincts sharpened. As Ham-a closed the creaking door last, I asked,
"Any word from Kim So-un?"
"A Maemul Merchant Guild trader went and brought back a reply."
"What'd he say?"
"Kim Yu-sin says: enemies who can't share the sky, but you've shown grace, so he'll help this once."
I'd half-expected it, but hearing it lifted my spirits.
"Good. We'll disguise as Maemul traders, cross Silla land as planned."
"Can we trust them? From his view, you're the enemy who killed his father."
"He's pragmatic enough to endure."
"Still worried, Master."
"Can't go by sea, so we leave it to fate."
"Understood. Sea's risky anyway—land route's safer."
"And hand off Kim So-un matters to Seon Do-hae."
"To him?"
"He's already doing similar work."
Geom Mojam cautioned gravely.
"He's close to your brothers."
"I know. But he's my retainer now."
"Understood. I'll tell the Maemul traders to relay to Seon Do-hae henceforth."
"I'm bringing him, so I'll judge in person."
"Wise."
Geom Mojam rose cautiously and left. The door clicked shut, bringing familiar loneliness.
'Can't even remember them anymore.'
Modern life faded—estranged family, scorned publisher colleagues, mocking friends—all faces blurred.
'Much to do, but life here's not bad.'
Departure set for February; preparations progressed smoothly. No formal authorization came, as expected—annoying, but anticipated. Fortunately, I attended my son Yeon Heon-chung's hundred-day celebration before leaving. Another perilous Silla sea crossing loomed, so we overprepared. Couldn't hide the official delegation's start, so we departed ostentatiously. From the Paekgang River, we sailed south, slipping off alone at Hyeolgu Island. Skirting Tanghang Fortress, we crossed into Baekje. Disembarking from the Maemul ship, we watched it vanish past Hyeolgu Island. Sea travel was preferable, seasickness aside. But the omens were clear—couldn't ignore them.