Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Midnight Gambit
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"That would be more than enough."
"That's exactly why Goguryeo wants to join forces with us."
"Even the Tang Dynasty would struggle to stop them, and they can't afford to split their forces to send south. Even if the Tang don't invade, to check Silla, Baekje and Goguryeo need to ally."
"We're already fighting Silla without Goguryeo's help."
"But we've taken heavy losses with little to show for it, thanks to Silla's stubborn resistance."
"Is Goguryeo sending troops to aid us?"
"When we came to Baekje this time, we crossed over land. We passed the Ari River, went through Tang Fortress, and entered Baekje territory. It took less than two days from Goguryeo through Silla to Baekje. If we time our attacks right, we can win."
"We've already been betrayed by Silla. What's to stop Goguryeo from doing the same?"
"Back then, Silla could seize the entire Ari River region by betraying us. But what would Goguryeo gain from betraying Baekje? It would only bring Baekje and Silla closer. Ah! The Tang would love that too. Without Goguryeo, neither Baekje nor Silla would stand a chance."
Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok stared at me silently after my sharp words poured out.
"Interesting points, but they don't answer my question. You're no king or royal advisor—just the eldest son of the Eastern Division Leader. What if we ally based on your word, and your side flips the board?"
He wasn't wrong, and that was likely why Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok had come himself. Considering his political stance, he leaned against the alliance. I closed my eyes briefly, then decided on a direct approach.
"Why ask you to verify that?"
My unexpected response twisted Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok's face.
"Don't you know my role as Grand Minister? I advise and decide on vital state matters alongside King Arah. The court is divided on allying with Goguryeo—more risks than rewards—and King Arah said nothing definitive. So I came to decide when your delegation arrived."
He thumped his staff on the floor and added,
"I dragged my weary body here, and you greet me with rudeness."
Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok coughed dryly, his displeasure clear. Swords being drawn echoed from outside—a signal, no doubt. My breath caught in shock, and my hand instinctively went to the blade of Jumong's spear at my waist. But the blade, which whined at danger, stayed silent. And Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok's eyes didn't turn red.
Just testing me.
I saw through his motive instantly and decided to push harder.
"Whether Goguryeo and Baekje ally is solely for your kings to decide. Even as Grand Minister, how dare a subject presume to dictate?"
I held my expression steady, and he scoffed.
"Forgot this is Baekje, not Goguryeo? Plenty would cheer if your head rolled."
"Of course. But my father would go berserk."
"One Division Leader—what can he do?"
"Father excels at inciting others. He'd tell the leaders: 'The king and his cronies seduced the Baekje Grand Minister to kill my son. Who’s next?'"
Caught off guard, Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok's eyebrow twitched.
"But Father's too calculating for civil war. He'd rally the leaders, then bargain with the king."
"Bargain?"
"Yes, his specialty. 'Execute the king's cronies who killed my son, and we'll call it even.' The king would happily oblige. Then..."
I took a deep breath and met Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok's gaze.
"He'd muster every soldier and march south to crush Baekje. First, ally with Silla. They'd hit from the capital side while we attack from the north. It's only two days from Sukjin Fortress here. After the rout, we'd send envoys demanding the head of my killer. What would King Arah decide then?"
"Absurd. King Arah wouldn't abandon me."
"Of course. But if his advisors suggest cutting off fingers to save the arm, would he just listen?"
"Cutting your head won't cause that."
"The world is full of absurdities, isn't it, Grand Minister?"
As he said, even if my head fell, Father Yeon Gaesomun could do little. But this was Baekje—they wouldn't know Goguryeo's internals. No danger signs helped me press on. After hearing my not-quite-threat, Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok's face hardened. Then he smiled like donning a mask.
"Young man with a sharp tongue. No need to make enemies by touching you. Worry not."
"Then you came here tonight just to joke with me?"
"Actually, to make a proposal."
"Speak."
"Support Prince Gyo-gi."
The surprise made me blurt,
"Pardon?"
"Tomorrow's court assembly at the palace. Announce Goguryeo backs Prince Gyo-gi. That'll suffice."
"King Arah will stand for that?"
"He won't attend. He can't."
"Explain clearly."
"He collapsed yesterday afternoon and lost consciousness."
"What?"
Shocked—it was years before King Mu's death. A sudden collapse was stunning. Reading my face, Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok spoke cautiously.
"He was with Queen Sa-taek—no witnesses, luckily."
"Luckily?"
"He's held the throne thirty years. Elderly but robust; everyone thought years more. But he collapsed unconscious. Physicians say recovery's unlikely."
Stroke?
Events twisted oddly. King Mu's fall now sparked a power struggle. He might last years historically, but if Sa-taek Ji-jeok acted thus, perhaps not.
Is this the butterfly effect of my changed history?
To grasp more, I asked,
"If others don't know, especially Crown Prince Uija at Mireuk Temple."
"We've handled his eyes and ears in the palace. It's sealed tight—not even an ant escapes."
His words revealed the plan.
"Tomorrow, you'll announce King Arah's passing."
Meaning they'd dispose of the unconscious king. Swallowing hard, I added,
"Then install Prince Gyo-gi and eliminate Crown Prince Uija. By forging the king's last words."
"No forgery. He named no successor, so the queen chooses the monarch."
I countered immediately.
"Without a will, it goes to the crown prince. Why a lesser prince?"
"It should have long ago. King Arah's stubbornness blocked deposing the crown prince."
"Is this the Sa-taek clan's view? Or..."
"All Eight Great Families agree. Crown Prince Uija on the throne means endless wars. Madness."
How much to trust? His midnight visit rattled me with wild claims.
"Then proceed without me. Why drag me in?"
"Goguryeo's backing will sway the hesitant."
"That's beyond my mandate."
"Do it, and I'll ensure the Goguryeo alliance. You know Prince Gyo-gi is my nephew?"
"Of course."
If successful, the Sa-taek clan would dominate via Prince Gyo-gi. He hid it not.
"So you'll use me to pull in Goguryeo and cover your flank."
"Sharp as rumored. Do this, and I'll seal the alliance immediately."
Surface-wise, no loss for Goguryeo. One statement resolved thorny diplomacy.
But I won't betray Crown Prince Uija, who trusted me.
Sensing my hesitation, Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok upped the ante.
"Doubt me? Come to the palace with me."
"The palace?"
"I'll show you King Arah myself. Convinced then?"
His words plunged me into confusion. Prince Gyo-gi's ascension seemed smooth—yet he desperately sought my aid, even offering to show the fallen king. I decided to hold out.
"I refuse your proposal, Grand Minister."
"Think that was a proposal?"
"Didn't you say choose?"
I shot back, and he laughed, gripping his staff.
"Don't take me so literally."
He slammed the staff twice. The inn's doors flew open; warriors entered. Adokbang, Go Yeon-mu—none visible, likely subdued or dead. Seon Do-hae's face flashed, and Go Yeon-mu's shaved head from the journey. But I held firm. Ignoring the blades aimed at me, I eyed Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok beyond.
"Think this farce succeeds?"
He chuckled.
"What's to stop it? We have Prince Gyo-gi and the queen."
"No Crown Prince Uija? Easy to remove?"
"One detail: tomorrow, a physician will confess poisoning King Arah on Uija's orders."
"Too sloppy, sir."
"Sloppy or not, it's pretext enough..."
Before Grand Minister Sa-taek Ji-jeok finished, commotion erupted outside. An unexpected figure appeared.