Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Sky Lanterns and Flying Chariots
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"I'll make it right away."
While listening to Ham-a's response, another idea came to mind.
"That's it for now. Only Ham-a, Go Jeong-ui, and Go Yeonmu stay behind."
As everyone rose from their chairs, Crown Prince Uija approached me.
"Truly astonishing."
"What surprises you so?"
"I heard there were even lowly folk among them, yet they all mingle freely and offer their opinions without hesitation."
"I don't distinguish people by status. I only separate those who can help me from those who can't."
I pointed to Adokbang, who was holding a bolt, and added,
"Do you know how Adokbang there became my close aide?"
"I heard. He saved you by throwing a cartwheel, right?"
"Since he saved me, he's my close aide and friend. On the flip side, someone like the Chief of Central Administration may have high status, but he offers me no help."
"I see. I envy your broad-mindedness."
"Breaking the mold is hard. But beyond that mold lies a much bigger world."
In this era where the class system is entrenched as social order, these were highly radical words. But they were also the power to change the world. Crown Prince Uija left after saying it was a good idea. I looked at the three remaining men and rose from my chair. Circling the inside of Bin Yeon Pavilion, I spoke.
"It might sound absurd, which is why I asked only you three to stay. Do you know what a sky lantern is?"
Go Jeong-ui answered first.
"I do. You light a fire under a paper lantern and float it into the sky, right?"
"Exactly. Earlier, when we talked about attaching a pouch-like thing to the repeating crossbow and shooting it, that gave me the hint—no, the idea."
This time, Go Yeonmu picked up the brush instead of Go Jeong-ui. Ignoring Go Jeong-ui's frustrated glare, Go Yeonmu said,
"Please continue."
"What if we attach pouches filled with Goguryeo Fire to sky lanterns and float them up?"
My initial thought had been a hot air balloon. But it would be too big and conspicuous, and without a telescope, going high up wouldn't help much. That reminded me of the flying chariot made by Jeong Pyeong-gu in the Joseon era. I'd hesitated since I'd never seen a real one, but then sky lanterns came to mind. As the three men stayed silent, Ham-a spoke first.
"You're thinking of hanging Goguryeo Fire on sky lanterns, sending them over the enemy camp, and dropping it from above?"
"Yes, exactly. The enemy wouldn't have any way to stop it."
"True. They can't shoot arrows at the sky, and even if they hit it, it'd fall right on their own heads."
Go Jeong-ui said excitedly, then quickly grabbed a brush. Ham-a wore a thoughtful expression.
"We'd need to make sure the Goguryeo Fire drops roughly where we want it, even if not precisely."
"We'll use the wind. Since we'll launch many, not just one or two, even a few hits will be fine."
"It'd be effective against fixed targets like fortified cities or enemy camps."
At Go Yeonmu's words, Go Jeong-ui, feeling he'd been scooped again, said urgently,
"We could also scatter caltrops over retreat paths."
Go Yeonmu shook his head at that.
"That seems wasteful."
"In war, what's waste? Victory is all that matters."
As the two bickered, I looked at Ham-a.
"And one more thing—I want to make a flying chariot."
"What's that, Master?"
"A cart that flies through the sky."
Go Jeong-ui and Go Yeonmu, who had been arguing, immediately turned to me.
"Flies through the sky?"
Go Jeong-ui asked with a dubious look. Go Yeonmu couldn't even speak. For the first time, both showed the same expression: their master had finally lost his mind. But Ham-a, surprisingly calm, said,
"Do you have specific ideas in mind?"
"Wind."
"How do you plan to use it?"
"There's always wind at high altitudes. We'll make a frame from lightweight wood, cover it with paper or silk to shape it like a bird's wings."
"Using the wind to make it fly."
"Right. A person can lie prone underneath the wings."
Ham-a closed his eyes, seemingly visualizing the flying chariot. Go Jeong-ui asked urgently,
"How do you control direction? Flying is important, but it has to go where you want."
"We'll attach small vertical and horizontal wings to the tail for control. The vertical one for up and down, the horizontal for left and right turns."
Everything I'd described so far I'd seen or at least knew the principles of. But the flying chariot? I'd never seen a real one—just a museum model. Still, nothing seemed better for scouting enemy positions beforehand.
'Have to trust Ham-a to build it.'
Fortunately, Ham-a kept asking questions, refining the design. Go Yeonmu started sketching first, but Go Jeong-ui grabbed a brush too. Their drawings were similar yet subtly different. Ham-a tilted his head at them. Smiling, I said,
"Build small models from both designs first. Then make the one that flies better."
Not intentional, but I'd pitted them against each other again. Eyes blazing, they drew furiously. Watching them, I told them to head back—I wanted to return to my wife and son as soon as possible.
The next morning, Father Yeon Gaesomun and I visited the hall where Crown Prince Uija was staying. Father seemed thrilled that Baekje's crown prince was here, saying something uncharacteristically whimsical.
"Last night, I dreamed of a phoenix flying in. I never expected such a noble guest."
Crown Prince Uija replied humbly,
"I'm but a fledgling phoenix that can't yet fly."
"The Great King commanded me to escort Your Highness into the palace."
Surprised that Father would escort him personally, he asked,
"Not going with Namsaeng?"
"The Great King ordered me alone to bring Your Highness."
The quick-witted Crown Prince Uija grasped the situation. Changing the subject by asking when they'd leave, Father Yeon Gaesomun replied softly,
"This afternoon. I'll have a carriage ready."
As Crown Prince Uija nodded, Father said he'd return soon to escort him, then signaled me with his eyes as he stood. I wished the prince a safe trip and followed. Outside, Father Yeon Gaesomun said to me,
"You went south and brought back a phoenix."
"Not a phoenix—a friend."
"Impressive. Baekje's crown prince coming personally for an alliance."
"Didn't you say just recently he was only crown prince in name?"
"Yesterday, Baekje's delegation to fetch the crown prince arrived at the Paekgang River port."
"King Mu is really pushing for this."
"King Mu has made his move so clearly there's no confusion left."
"The officials who'd backed Prince Gyogi will look foolish now."
"Exactly. Yeon Jeong-du will take some heat for this."
Father Yeon Gaesomun crossed his arms, grinning with satisfaction. The initial tension was gone; we felt like any ordinary father and son.
"How's the grandson growing?"
"Hunchung? He's strong like me."
"Good. When you were born, I dreamed of a dragon ascending to heaven from the pond. Now I have no regrets. I want to name you heir and retire immediately."
I thought thank goodness inwardly. He probably wouldn't stage a coup to wipe out Yeongnyu King and the ministers. But he quickly showed it was too soon to relax.
"If the Great King refuses, I won't let it stand."
"Father, I'm still in my twenties. No need to rush. Even if he denies it, that doesn't make me any less your son."
"True. I've been too hasty."
"The more impatient we are, the more openings we give them."
"Understood. You've been doing so well lately, I thought it was time to hand over."
"I still lack experience and maturity. I need your help more."
"Fine."
Fortunately, I kept steering Father's thoughts from the worst paths. Sighing, I moved to the next issue.
"With Baekje settled, it's time to halt the Thousand-Li Wall construction."
Father Yeon Gaesomun shook his head at my words.
"The Great King won't budge easily."
I asked the frustrated father,
"Why's that?"
"Pride. Even beggars on the streets don't point fingers at him."
"They say he's selling out the country?"
"Didn't you hear it yourself? He won't yield his stubbornness. He thinks yielding means defeat."
I knew the Thousand-Li Wall had been useless in the war with Tang, so I wanted to stop it. Plus, knowing Father Yeon Gaesomun had revolted while heading to oversee it made it even more urgent.
"Then we delay the work as much as possible."
"That much we can do. Truth is, the Great King isn't fully serious about it."
Thankfully, Father didn't seem ready to act rashly. As I caught my breath, he asked,
"By the way, what secret pact did you make with Baekje's crown prince? Keeping secrets from me too?"
"I'll tell you when the time comes."
"Fine. Ask for anything you need."
"We need ships. Very unique ones."
"Ships?"
"Yes. I'll ask the Maemul Merchant Guild, but we'll have to pay them."
I roughly described the ships, and Father burst out laughing.
"You really mean to set the world ablaze?"
I couldn't say it was too timid for that. I had no intention of slapping on a steel face like a movie hero and sacrificing subordinates. No grand world conquest either. I just wanted to keep Yeon Namsaeng's name from history as a traitor. And change the fates of those dying or suffering to protect Goguryeo.
Geom Mojam had died leading a revival movement. I didn't want to see such a good, diligent man die before his time. As I pondered, the door opened. Turning, I saw Crown Prince Uija emerge in a silver robe with gold ornaments on both sides of his formal hat. Father Yeon Gaesomun bowed his head.
"We've been waiting."
"I'll have to impose on the Eastern Division Leader."
"An honor, Your Highness."