Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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"If the Tang are mobilizing their navy, they'll surely assemble it here."
"True enough, it'd be best to deal with them before they even set out to sea. But crossing the ocean won't be easy for them."
"We have to make it happen somehow."
As they exchanged words, Geom Mojam set Go Yeonmu down. At Go Yeonmu's comment that he'd seen everything, Geom Mojam looked around once more. On the surface, the defenses seemed ironclad. The mountainsides encircling the harbor mouth were wrapped in thick walls. Tang warships patrolled the waters in front, making a surprise attack nearly impossible. At night, they probably strung iron chains across the entrance.
'But no defense is ever perfect.'
He was thinking he needed to keep extracting information through the Maemul Merchant Guild on an ongoing basis when Seon Do-hae suddenly chimed in.
"How about stationing a communicator here too?"
"Here?"
"Yes. It's a port, so there's endless chatter coming and going."
He'd been planning to place communicators overseas anyway, so he nodded readily.
"Not a bad idea. We'll discuss it on the way back."
They descended the watchtower, had a simple dinner, and retired to the inn they'd chosen as lodging. Chinese voices and laughter drifted in incessantly from outside.
The next day, they unloaded and reloaded their cargo onto the ship and set out to sea. Sitting on the gunwale as the vessel headed east, he sketched out designs for the ships to use against Tanghang Fortress and Dengzhou. Fortunately, Go Yeonmu was as sharp as Go Jeong-ui, so they were on the same wavelength.
"To get into Tanghang Harbor, blocked by iron chains and wooden barricades, multiple ships won't work. Just one or two at most—and they couldn't take on dozens of enemy vessels."
"We need to build those ironclad ships you mentioned while viewing Tanghang Harbor last time. Put a roof on them and cover it with iron plating to block stones and arrows flying from all sides and avoid fire attacks."
"And mount Goguryeo Fire launchers to shoot in every direction."
"Make small slits in the iron-covered roof, protrude fireproof iron tubes through them, and you can adjust the angle and direction to ignite enemy ships from afar."
"Slant the roof, and mount them there."
"Exactly. But that's not enough."
"Why not?"
"Weapons can break after use or become useless for various reasons."
"With the roof and the need for speed, it might be hard to carry extra crew or weapons."
"I heard you plan to make the hull low last time."
"Yes, to reduce side winds and move faster. Slanting the roof is for that reason too."
"Fire doesn't distinguish friend from foe. If a burning enemy ship rams us directly, our own ship could go up in flames."
It was a problem he hadn't anticipated, and he found himself glancing at Go Yeonmu. Go Yeonmu offered the solution.
"Install Goguryeo Fire on the roof, and place other weapons along the sides to attack approaching enemy ships."
"Any weapon we can handle with a small crew?"
"What about the repeating crossbow?"
"The large crossbow?"
It was a weapon he'd briefly considered while designing the Yeon Clan Cannon. But compared to the Yeon Clan Cannon's ability to hurl Goguryeo Fire, the large crossbow had seemed limited.
"Yes. Mount repeating crossbows on the sides and target the enemy's lower hull as they approach."
"Ah, so drill holes low down to let water in."
"Right. And attach a tube of Goguryeo Fire to the bolt shaft—you can ignite them too."
Listening to Go Yeonmu, it suddenly seemed feasible to use Goguryeo Fire with large crossbows.
"I'll have Ham-a build some when we get back."
"Better hurry, Master."
"Why?"
Go Yeonmu glanced around furtively and lowered his voice.
"Because we don't know when Baekje's Arah will die."
"He'll hold out for a few more years yet—don't worry."
Even the sharpest minds had their limits without foreknowledge, and it hit him anew how powerful a weapon that gave him. Go Yeonmu nodded thoughtfully before adding slyly,
"One more thing to report."
"Out with it."
"The flail that Adokbang uses. No plans to equip our mounted cavalry with them?"
The suggestion immediately brought one term to mind.
"Mounted flail?"
It was the mainstay weapon of late Joseon cavalry and the most memorable from the Muyedobotongji reenactment at Suwon Hwaseong's Royal Pavilion. That's why he'd given it to the strong Adokbang. How had he overlooked using it for cavalry? he wondered inwardly as he asked Go Yeonmu,
"Think it'd work?"
"A flail is easy to wield and can smash shields or helmets effortlessly. Even the weak can use it against foes, and the strong make it deadlier. No reason not to use it widely."
Seeing Go Yeonmu state it so definitively filled him with quiet satisfaction. It was the payoff from having this clever but ignorant man write books on weapons and martial arts.
"All right, we'll make cavalry flails as soon as we return."
It reinforced the idea that smart people around you were invaluable. Geom Mojam and Buyeo Seung were practicing jujutsu on deck. Geom Mojam was teaching, and Buyeo Seung was handling it adeptly. As they passed the island they'd glimpsed en route from Baekje to Tang's Dengzhou, he mentally sorted through tasks for their return while gazing at the isle afloat on the sea.
A few days later, in the morning, the Baekje capital ship carrying him arrived at the Paekgang Harbor mouth. Perhaps due to prior notice, the harbor official was there to greet him, along with welcome familiar faces.
"Hey, how's it feel leaving your friend behind?"
Yang Man-chun made a big fuss as Go Jeong-ui greeted him with a tense expression. To tease Go Jeong-ui, he placed a hand on Go Yeonmu's shoulder.
"Looks like I found your successor."
Go Jeong-ui looked ready to faint. Laughing heartily, he replied,
"You're both important to me. So no fighting."
As they laughed and chatted boisterously, a voice called his name from afar. Turning, he saw someone approaching with a group of soldiers. A familiar face, as expected.
"What brings you here?"
Bu-sang, son of the Western Division Leader and Supreme Central Administrator of the Central Administration Bureau, ignored the greeting and spoke.
"Chief of Central Administration orders you to report to the Central Administration Bureau immediately. Follow me."
The mood turned serious, and Go Jeong-ui quickly said,
"They're not giving you time—looking to nitpick."
"Nitpick what?"
To his question, Go Jeong-ui glanced at Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang and murmured,
"Rumor has it you didn't meet anyone while in Baekje."
"What?"
It was so absurd he looked at Prince Uija, who had come in civilian clothes. Prince Uija gave a wry smile.
"They're summoning you right upon arrival to pin blame. No time for countermeasures."
"Not even letting me catch my breath. Seriously."
He'd expected nitpicking, but not this immediate. Go Jeong-ui tugged his sleeve lightly.
"Go as slowly as possible. I'll head to the estate and inform the Division Leader."
"And then?"
"He'll bring retainers to rescue you."
"Opponent's the Central Administration Bureau. They might be counting on that."
"The vibe's too hostile."
"Think they'll drag me off and behead me? They wouldn't have sent Bu-sang if so."
Bu-sang's eyes didn't redden with bloodlust this time. Likely ordered to bring him alive. And to avoid risking a favorite retainer if he resisted.
'The Chief of Central Administration's got some brains.'
Meanwhile, Bu-sang shouted to board the carriage. He replied nonchalantly,
"Ride with me."
He told his men and Prince Uija to follow closely.
As he boarded the cart, Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang followed shortly after, the door shut, and the carriage lurched off. The rattling wheels were deafening. Bu-sang, seated opposite, couldn't hide his discomfort. He addressed him.
"Why send you, out of all his many aides?"
"Shut your mouth! Don't think you can toy with me with that sly tongue."
"Not toying—think about it. Order me dragged in right on arrival, and I'd go quietly? I might've held out at the harbor till our retainers arrived."
"Dare rebel against the Central Administration Bureau?"
"You know my father's temper. When he flares up, he acts first and thinks later."
In truth, nothing could be further—he was ice-cold. He just let people think him mad to instill fear. Unaware, Bu-sang looked slightly alarmed.
"If Father hears, he'll block the roads with retainers or storm the Bureau. What happens if he bullies the Chief then?"
"Stop your nonsense!"
"The Chief will cut off the tail. Ever think that's why he sent you?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Send a disposable underling if trouble brews."
"I'm the Chief's close aide."
Bu-sang bellowed, but he clicked his tongue.
"You don't know the Chief at all. Lowborn origins make him ruthless with underlings who tarnish his image. One of my men, Gido-ryang."
"I know him. Was the Chief's underling once."
"Why serve me now?"
Whether he knew or not, Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang played dumb.
"Lost a bet with me. Discarded a long-time loyalist like trash."
"I've never shamed the Chief like that..."
Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang's face twisted. He recalled losing a game before the Chief. Smirking at the expression,
"Now you get it."
"Don't humiliate me!"
"Not me—the Chief. And this time too, he'll just end up embarrassed. Where do you think the backlash goes?"
"The Chief's fully prepared. You won't slip away easily."
"If I do, grant me one favor."
"What?"
"If you're not confident, pass."
Teasing, he watched Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang glare.
"Gladly."
"Good. I'll think of what to ask slowly."
Having seized control of the conversation, he felt at ease. While he relaxed, Supreme Central Administrator Bu-sang's face hardened.