Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The Baekje Crown Prince's Arrival
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A short while later, officials came in, unfolded a folding table, and set down a teapot and cups filled with steaming hot tea. As the aroma of the tea subtly filled the air, Crown Prince Uija picked up a teacup, took a sip, and closed his eyes to savor it.
"The aroma is fine, but the taste is rough. Very Goguryeo."
While Crown Prince Uija spoke, Yeon Jeong-du kept his mouth shut. A moment later, Deputy Supreme Commander Bu-sang brought in an elderly low-ranking official from the Foreign Affairs Bureau. Crown Prince Uija stood and looked at the approaching old official. The man, who had been approaching with his head bowed, glanced up briefly. When his eyes met the crown prince's, he trembled from head to toe as if electrocuted and quickly bowed his head again.
"Your Highness, Crown Prince."
"You were one of the Goguryeo envoys who came to celebrate King Arah's sixtieth birthday. You remember my face?"
"Of course, Your Highness. How could I possibly forget?"
"My humble attire had everyone doubting my identity. That's why I asked to see someone who knows my face."
"I see. I was dragged here without knowing why."
The elderly Foreign Affairs Bureau official answered Crown Prince Uija and then looked at Yeon Jeong-du.
"This must be Baekje's Crown Prince."
Yeon Jeong-du, his face blank, finally managed to speak.
"Understood. You may withdraw."
The elderly official bowed repeatedly as he retreated. Once he had left the annex, Yeon Jeong-du turned to Crown Prince Uija.
"What brings Baekje's Crown Prince to the Central Administration Bureau?"
"To form an alliance with Goguryeo."
The word "alliance" from Crown Prince Uija's lips caused a stir inside the annex. Yeon Jeong-du still wore an expression of utter confusion.
"Why come in person instead of sending a formal letter or envoy?"
To Yeon Jeong-du's question, Crown Prince Uija glanced at me, sitting beside him.
"There hasn't been any progress at all. In Baekje, King Arah handles state affairs, and after him, it's me, the crown prince. But the Goguryeo envoys kept going to the wrong people."
"The wrong people?"
"Those who aren't the real masters of Baekje but act like they are. King Arah ordered me to find out who was directing those envoys to contact such people, so I came myself."
"Even so, for the crown prince to come personally... I'm shocked."
"King Arah is suspicious of Goguryeo's true intentions."
"Intentions? Our top priority is forging an alliance with Baekje."
"Yet the moment our envoys return after completing their mission, you drag them in and interrogate them like criminals."
Yeon Jeong-du broke into a cold sweat and offered an excuse.
"Th-that's a matter for our Central Administration Bureau."
"Didn't you just say allying with us is your top priority? Treating our successful envoys so poorly shows exactly what you think of us."
"Th-that's because we received a report that he failed his mission."
I interjected as I listened to Yeon Jeong-du's excuse.
"Who gave you that report?"
"That's none of your concern."
"I don't care who it is, but they passed on unclear, false information. We need to hold them accountable."
As I pressed on strongly, Yeon Jeong-du glared at me irritably. I shot back without backing down.
"If I hadn't brought the crown prince, the Chief of Central Administration would have punished me. If Baekje learns of that, they'll never reach out to us again. Who is it? I suspect they might be a Silla double agent."
"I'll handle that matter myself. It's not for a junior administrator to meddle in."
"Then at least tell me later. That way, we can avoid more confusion like this."
I backed off just enough, but the furious look on Yeon Jeong-du's face didn't fade easily. He'd been thoroughly humiliated in front of his aides and Baekje's crown prince. To add insult to injury, Crown Prince Uija landed another blow.
"I think the same. Much of what you said seems to have leaked from our own court."
"Th-that's..."
Admitting it would mean acknowledging Goguryeo spies in the Baekje court. Of course, it was probably a transaction, but it still revealed they'd received information King Arah and the crown prince would hate. More precisely, we'd just witnessed it leaking from the Eight Great Families nobles like Sa Taek Ji-jeok or Prince Gyogi's faction. Crown Prince Uija remained expressionless, which seemed to unnerve Yeon Jeong-du even more. Finally regaining his composure, Yeon Jeong-du spoke.
"We apologize for our side's mistakes. Has Your Highness come in person to seal the alliance with us?"
"Yes. King Arah was worried about the lack of progress, so I decided to come myself. Now that I'm here, I see exactly why there's been no headway."
"There may be differences in approach, but our court has no opposition to allying with Baekje to check Silla."
"Then why handle things this way? The junior administrator was the most proactive Goguryeo envoy I've seen."
"It seems I made a judgment based on faulty information."
Finally, the words "I was wrong" came from Chief Yeon Jeong-du's mouth. If Crown Prince Uija met the Great King and complained about him directly, it could spell real trouble. Crown Prince Uija nodded, arms crossed.
"In any case, we need to get this done, so I'll take your word for it. King Arah has delegated full authority to me. So, you can negotiate with me."
In truth, we'd already ironed out the details back at the guesthouse in Sabi Fortress. But there was no need to tell Yeon Jeong-du that. Unaware, he looked unsure of what to say next. Seeing this, Crown Prince Uija clicked his tongue.
"Tch. You talk a big game about alliance, but you haven't prepared anything."
"N-no, it's just so sudden."
"That's why I roughly discussed it with the junior administrator. Goguryeo just needs to decide whether to accept or not."
I looked at Crown Prince Uija again, impressed by his smooth maneuvering.
"B-but the junior administrator has no authority to decide."
"We've already decided on our end. Goguryeo just needs to do the same. Dragging it out like this is why negotiations stall."
Despite Crown Prince Uija's mocking tone, Yeon Jeong-du couldn't retort. At last, he said,
"Understood. Tell me the terms of the agreement, and I'll report to the Great King."
"At an opportune time, Baekje and Goguryeo will join forces to strike Silla. We'll divide the land along the Ari River—north to Goguryeo, south to us. We're not interested in Hasla or Bi-yeol-hol, so Goguryeo can have them. The targets for our joint assault..."
Crown Prince Uija, who had been speaking nonstop, turned to me.
"My friend will explain."
Yeon Jeong-du's face twisted at the word "friend." Ignoring it, I spoke up.
"The joint target is Danghang Fortress."
"Danghang Fortress?"
Crown Prince Uija clicked his tongue at Yeon Jeong-du's reaction.
"Tch. You say you'll ally with us, but you didn't even anticipate the attack target?"
"No, it's just that it's too far south."
Yeon Jeong-du protested, but Crown Prince Uija neatly ignored him and looked at me. I savored Yeon Jeong-du's frustrated expression leisurely before speaking.
"Baekje will attack Silla's naval forces at Danghang Port, while Baekje's army takes the fortress. We have to hit both to secure it."
"How do you plan to attack Silla's navy at Danghang Port? That's..."
"Chief, it seems you think we can't win. Right?"
Yeon Jeong-du's face flushed with anger, but he couldn't raise his voice in front of the crown prince and clamped his mouth shut. Crown Prince Uija looked amused.
"We'll leave the timing and scale of the attack—and command of the forces—to the junior administrator. Of course."
"But he's inexperienced."
"Experience doesn't guarantee victory in battle."
Crown Prince Uija cut him off sharply and added,
"This is Baekje's condition for the alliance. Refuse, and we walk away from negotiations."
"Deciding so one-sidedly is... problematic."
"Shall we negotiate then? Every detail and outcome will reach Baekje's traitors, then leak to Silla."
"That's excessive speculation."
I cut in on Yeon Jeong-du's words.
"Not speculation—concern. We were ambushed by assassins crossing Silla territory. Someone who knew I was heading to Baekje via Silla land tipped them off."
It was obvious who, but I feigned ignorance and stared at Yeon Jeong-du. He turned away, avoiding my gaze, and cleared his throat.
"That happened, did it."
"They burst from hiding in the ground for a surprise attack. They knew my route and timing roughly. We need a full investigation of the Central Administration Bureau. The spy is buried deep."
Knowing exactly who had fed the spy the info, Yeon Jeong-du gave a vague response.
"W-we'll look into it."
Crown Prince Uija, who had listened to our exchange, spoke.
"Arrange a meeting with the Great King."
"We'll do so. Stay at the guesthouse, and we'll contact you."
"Who knows if Silla spies are there too? I'll stay at my friend's house."
Humiliated again, Yeon Jeong-du clenched his fists and trembled. Crown Prince Uija glanced at him and snapped,
"Don't like what I'm saying?"
Yeon Jeong-du belatedly unclenched his fists and replied.
"N-no, Your Highness. We'll send word once you're at the Yeon family estate."
"Don't delay. I have much to do back home."
"We'll send it soon."
As Yeon Jeong-du bowed and spoke, Crown Prince Uija said "good work" and stood. I rose with him, but Yeon Jeong-du said quietly,
"You stay a moment. I have questions."
I told Crown Prince Uija I'd see him soon and sat back down. Crown Prince Uija left the annex under Deputy Supreme Commander Bu-sang's guidance. While Yeon Jeong-du wiped his sweat, I took a sip of tea. As I set down the cup, he asked,
"What happened?"
"What do you mean? We came back having sealed the alliance with Baekje."
I replied indifferently, and Yeon Jeong-du slammed his fist on the desk.
"Cut the games and tell me what went down."
"Why? Surprised because it doesn't match what your spy told you?"
"We heard you never left the guesthouse, and no one visited."
"True, I didn't leave. But it's not true no one came."
"Don't tell me the crown prince came to the guesthouse himself?"