Chapter 91
Chapter 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Forging the Alliance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I spoke to King Mu, who made no effort to hide his displeasure.
"The Tang Emperor said that because Silla's delegation went and pleaded their case. The more precarious Silla's position becomes, the more desperately they'll cling to Tang. And to prove their own value, they'll step forward and offer to help attack Goguryeo."
"A foolish move. When they have us right next door."
I shook my head at King Mu's words.
"You're right, but there's one thing you've overlooked."
"Overlooked something?"
"The possibility that Tang might recognize Silla's value and actually form an alliance with them."
And that's exactly what happened. Having failed to secure an alliance with Goguryeo and Wa, Kim Chun-chu headed to Tang. Tang, fresh from a failed attack on Goguryeo, agreed to accept Silla's help—on the precondition that they first conquer Baekje. King Mu and Crown Prince Uija exchanged uneasy glances. Gwisil Boksin swallowed hard. Crown Prince Uija spoke first.
"Why would Tang accept Silla's request?"
"If it means striking at us, they'd endure that much. When Silla attacks Goguryeo, Baekje will surely strike too—and Tang will tell them not to."
"There's a vast sea between Tang and us."
"Vast, yes, but not impossible to cross. If Silla joins hands with Tang and they attack from east and west, Sabi Fortress will be in grave danger."
I spoke with complete confidence, drawing from the actual course of history. Neither of them had considered this angle before, so they struggled to accept it. Amid the tension, Gwisil Boksin spoke up.
"I think much the same. Tang's repeated demands to halt attacks on Silla might be them building a pretext."
"Building a pretext?"
At King Mu's question, Gwisil Boksin bowed his head.
"When I met the Tang Emperor, Silla's envoys had already come and gone. They must have begged him to stop our attacks. If we keep ignoring an imperial edict issued directly by the Emperor himself, who knows what might happen."
As soon as Gwisil Boksin finished, I added,
"That's why we need to cut off Silla's path to Tang."
King Mu, having heard me out, finally spoke.
"To seize Danghangpo, we'd have to take Danghang Fortress at the same time. But that place is..."
"Extremely rugged. I heard about it on the way here."
And seeing it had sparked a new idea in my mind.
"Is there a way?"
"I plan to deploy the weapons we used to capture Nihaseong. Transported by ship."
"You mean that fire that doesn't go out easily."
"Exactly. We'll crush Silla's navy with it and attack Danghangpo from the sea."
"Meanwhile, we push up to Danghang Fortress."
King Mu's expression finally eased.
"That alone won't be enough. No matter how much of a surprise it is, if Silla catches on, they'll send reinforcements."
"Of course. Losing that place would cut off all contact with Tang."
"That's why we strike simultaneously. Hit them so hard they can't think straight."
"Where?"
Crown Prince Uija, who had been listening intently, asked as I pointed to Daeya Fortress on the map.
"Baekje wants this place, doesn't it?"
"Naturally. We lost Gaya after our defeat at Gwanseon Fortress, and Daeya was built on former Gaya land now held by Silla. But this fortress is..."
Crown Prince Uija glanced cautiously at his father, King Mu, before continuing.
"Even bigger than Amak Fortress, with more defenders."
"Wait. Soon, Kim Chun-chu will replace Daeya's governor with one of his own cronies."
This time, even Gwisil Boksin stared at me in shock. But I knew the future history in advance, and I'd heard it straight from Kim Chun-chu himself on the journey, so I was confident.
"That man won't govern it well. He'll lose the people's hearts, and that's our chance."
"What are you, a fortune-teller? How do you know this?"
"Last time, after meeting the Celestial Maiden in the capital fortress, I received the gift of clairvoyance."
It was a blatant lie I'd made up on the spot, but it seemed to land. Crown Prince Uija then looked to his father, King Mu.
"She did warn me last time she came to beware of men named Im-ja and Eun-go."
"Better safe than sorry."
King Mu gripped his staff tighter and eyed me.
"That's not enough."
"Of course. Men named Geom-il and Mo-cheok will collude with Baekje. Have your forces led by General Yun Chung."
This time, even King Mu was stunned.
"You sound just like a fortune-teller. I heard the Celestial Maiden from the capital fortress serves you, but I didn't expect this level."
"And we must absolutely seize Danghang Fortress to block exchanges between Silla and Tang. Otherwise, those two will join hands and attack Baekje—and after that, it'll be our turn."
As the mood grew heavier, Crown Prince Uija spoke in a lighter tone.
"Feels like we're walking on a knife's edge."
"A turbulent era is coming soon. An age of crisis... and opportunity."
King Mu, who had been listening to our exchange, cut in.
"Will Goguryeo just send its navy to blockade Danghangpo?"
"No. We'll mobilize troops to strike Chiljung Fortress."
"Chiljung?"
"Yes. And if we have the strength, other places too."
Both were key strongholds in the Han River basin—what Silla called Sacred Province, now known as Bukhansan Province. Losing them would shatter Silla's control over the entire Han River area. Without those two, defending the Seoul region would be impossible.
"Naturally, the new border would run along the Okri River."
Recalling that Okri River was Baekje's name for the Han, I replied to King Mu,
"Yes."
"I wanted to return to Wirye Fortress, but that might be difficult now."
King Mu muttered with regret. Hearing that sparked an idea.
"Isn't there somewhere far better than that?"
"Where?"
"Geumma-ji, where Mireuk Temple is being built. You seem to have your eyes on moving the capital there."
King Mu said nothing and glanced at Crown Prince Uija beside him. The prince hurriedly spoke up.
"No, Father. I said nothing of the sort."
King Mu sighed and looked back at me.
"One shock after another—you're robbing me of my wits. We are thinking of leaving Sabi Fortress for there. How did you know?"
I couldn't say I came from the future, so I gave another answer.
"I realized it when I saw Mireuk Temple. I'd never seen a temple that grand anywhere but the capital. And I hear there's already a secondary palace there."
I'd toured the Mireuk Temple site and the royal palace ruins together. Staring at that lone five-story stone pagoda on the vast grounds had made me think of Baekje's fall. King Mu shook his head slowly at my rapid-fire responses.
"Uija wasn't exaggerating about you. If things go according to your strategy, I'd gladly join hands with Goguryeo."
"Timing is key—striking like a storm while Silla's reeling, achieving our goals before they recover."
Even in the modern era with advanced communications, that was incredibly hard. But right after King Uija ascended as Arah, the attack on Silla hit at the perfect moment, leading to the great victory of capturing Daeya. With Goguryeo joining in, I was certain we'd achieve even more.
"So while Goguryeo cooperates on Danghangpo, hits Chiljung and other fortresses, we seize Danghang Fortress—then, as Silla moves to counterattack, we take Daeya."
Crown Prince Uija summed it up neatly and looked to his father. King Mu, resting his chin on his staff-hand, spoke in a trembling voice.
"For over thirty years, we've attacked Silla relentlessly. But the sacrifices never yielded real gains. This time, though... I see hope."
He looked at his son, then at me.
"Uija said heaven sent him a true friend. Now I understand why."
"You flatter me, Arah."
King Mu bowed his head.
"My days are numbered. I was tormented by worries for the future right down to my bones. Now, at last, I can rest easy. Please, look after the crown prince."
Seeing Baekje's king bow to me, I was startled and dropped to my knees on the floor.
"I will serve Crown Prince Uija well. Please, Arah, you needn't bow to me."
"For now, we'll hold off attacking Silla and build our strength. When Goguryeo's envoys arrive, we'll formalize the alliance."
"Thank you. I'll return to Goguryeo and prepare thoroughly."
"Good. When should we strike?"
King Mu's question caught me off guard. In actual history, Baekje's major offensive against Silla came after his death, once Uija became Arah. But I couldn't say that in front of him. Fortunately, he spoke first.
"Probably after I'm gone."
"Father! Please don't say such things. Where would you go, leaving me behind?"
Crown Prince Uija's voice cracked with tears. King Mu reached out a wrinkled, aged hand and patted his shoulder.
"All men must die. What matters is how we live. I thought I'd failed, having accomplished nothing. But my son is fit to inherit the throne, and he has a dear friend at his side. I have no regrets now."
"Father."
King Mu turned and looked at me. The man who starred in the legend of the dragon's child, who composed the Song of Seodong to marry Silla's Princess Seonhwa—King Mu looked utterly immense.
"In my remaining days, I'll protect the crown prince and prepare for the storm to come."
"I'll do everything I can to help, Arah."
Just as the warm moment was about to close, Crown Prince Uija, holding back tears, interjected.
"There's one mountain we still have to cross."
"What mountain must we overcome, Crown Prince?"
"The Great King. Will he truly approve the agreements we've made?"
I hadn't considered it, but it was a serious issue. It would greatly benefit Goguryeo, true—but there was no guarantee the Great King or the Chief of Central Administration wouldn't interfere. Crown Prince Uija, his face grave, added,
"And if he doesn't trust your word alone and sends envoys who demand absurd terms, they could ruin the negotiations. Right?"
He'd hit the nail on the head. I'd been so focused on convincing King Mu that I'd overlooked it. Unable to respond properly, I fell silent as Crown Prince Uija turned to his father.
"Looks like I may need to leave Mireuk Temple for a while."
"Where to?"
At King Mu's question, Crown Prince Uija looked at me.