Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Starting My Recovery from Namhansanseong Fortress (2)
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Kim Unhaeng released the first pigeon right after taking down Guseonbok.
Sehwa, who had been hiding out in the Great Maritime Route, received the news and immediately returned to her family home in Cheonan with her father Hong Eok and a few key retainers.
A courier heading to the Three Southern Provinces had no choice but to pass through Cheonan.
The 'Cheonan Crossroads' wasn't some ordinary village intersection. It was the central hub connecting north to Seoul, southwest to Jeolla Province, and southeast to Gyeongsang Province.
No paranoid courier in Joseon would deliberately take the mountain paths teeming with wild beasts and bandits out of fear that rebels might be lurking in Cheonan. All the couriers sent by the king converged there.
Anticipating this, Sehwa had taken the risk and returned to her family home.
And almost simultaneously, Kim Unhaeng's second pigeon arrived, seeking out Yujo.
Hong Eok, having heard his daughter's (fabricated) account of events, grew deeply worried.
"What if the rebels hold a grudge? Won't that put us in grave danger?"
"If the rebels gather troops in the Three Southern Provinces with fake mobilization orders, we're done for anyway. Trust me and my son-in-law and lend us your aid. I won't let a single one of them live."
Hong Eok couldn't fathom how his once kind-hearted daughter had become like this. He should have stopped her when she insisted on choosing a husband based on looks.
Despite Hong Eok's lamentations, Lee Jaeun, who received Sehwa's orders, moved swiftly. After all, he had been dealing with the Namyang Hong clan and Kim Unhaeng for longer than most.
The courier, following Joseon's sophisticated relay system, underwent a full crew change at Cheonan.
The relieved courier carried 'legitimate orders' instead of 'the rebels' schemes.'
With the original clothes and all sorts of official seals intact, no one south of Cheonan could doubt the courier's authenticity.
The official notice announcing the change in Joseon's kingship spread like wildfire to every corner of the Three Southern Provinces. The people of Jiksan and On阳, who had been anxiously awaiting the king's next hot spring visit, were especially overjoyed.
Igeum slammed his fist on the desk in fury.
"Why have the processions from Seoul stopped following us? And why haven't we heard back from the couriers I sent to raise loyalist troops!"
The excuse of packing taking too long had long since expired. Something must have happened in Seoul.
Hong Inhan, the king's favorite minister and loyal retainer who always provided perfect answers, stepped forward.
"This must be Kim Unhaeng conspiring with the Crown Prince to incite rebellion. The Jurchen barbarians may have even swept down to Gyeonggi Province by now."
Hong Gyehui, the Minister of Military Affairs whose heart sank every time Kim Unhaeng's name came up, swallowed his curses inwardly.
But Hong Gyehui was a wise man. He didn't suggest returning to the palace or even sending a military unit to investigate.
Jo Jaeho, the Left State Councillor, had kept pushing that idea until he was outright confined. You don't try logical persuasion on conspiracy theorists; you just get nasty comments or a knife in the back.
Besides, Igeum and Hong Inhan had 'solid' evidence.
Just as snow in winter was proof that global warming was Red propaganda, the halted couriers were clear evidence that the Transparent Jurchens had surrounded Gwangju.
Hong Gyehui might not know modern conspiracy theories, but he knew how to deal with delusions.
Avoid the crazies.
In the king's mind, Kim Unhaeng's crimes—piling up day by day to rival the fame of ancient rebels—had already towered higher than the Su-eo Platform at Namhansanseong.
Even he, a friend of Kim Unhaeng, could face purge with one wrong word someday.
A decision had to be made.
To defend Igeum, the couriers had indeed stopped (though in Hong Gyehui's view, it would have been weirder if the relay system worked properly amid court chaos).
So Hong Gyehui carefully offered counsel.
"With the barbarians invading, we cannot call up northern troops. If we are to gather loyalist forces and provisions, it must be from the Three Southern Provinces. Allow me to go with the Su-eo Agency troops to scout the situation and relay Your Majesty's command to the provincial observers and magistrates."
As for the loyalist troops Igeum sought, it was a blessing they weren't coming. The capital's supplies had vanished anyway; gathering them would just lead to another Imo Incident.
The shadow of King Jangmok seemed to mock: 'You idiots who don't even know the game—want to try?'
Su-eosa Sinmin was still 'requisitioning' because he couldn't die, but he was losing motivation for banditry by the day, stalling the effort.
Igeum permitted Hong Gyehui's request.
But he was, after all, a former game champion.
Suspecting Hong Gyehui's ties to Kim Unhaeng might lead to defection, Igeum shrewdly added checks and balances.
That was the problem.
At that moment, the Su-eo Agency troops had been pushed out of the fortress by the Royal Guard and were camped outside.
It wasn't a lack of space in a massive fortress like Namhansanseong. Armies crammed inside only when unavoidable, and even in sieges, the basics of warfare favored coordination between inside and out.
But the Su-eo troops looked ready to smash the jaws of Sun Tzu or Wu Qi if they suggested otherwise.
This was Namhansanseong, the Iron Fortress of King Yongmu. The terrain wasn't forgiving.
Why did so few live in these mountains with good water and air?
Because survival was tough.
Even in early summer, the Su-eo troops—starving, filthy, rain-soaked, diseased, and occasionally mauled by tigers—were on the verge of exploding. A sturdy fortress right before their eyes—what was this nonsense?
Surveying the mood, Hong Gyehui approached Sinmin and said,
"Let me be frank. His Majesty probably ordered you to drag me back if I so much as misstep."
Sinmin hesitated before replying.
"The chaos has made him overly anxious. I'll vouch for you. Stay and rest in camp, my lord."
His non-denial marked Sinmin as no true loyalist to the king.
So Hong Gyehui pressed on instead of resting.
"His Majesty gave me the same order. He complained that the Su-eosa's provisions are insufficient—doesn't that suggest ulterior motives?"
Sinmin couldn't call it a lie. The king was capable of it. He jumped up.
"Pardon? You know it's barley harvest season just ending. With civilians starving alongside the troops, rashly seizing grain would spark rebellions even where none exist!"
"I agree."
Hong Gyehui, masterfully creating an opening, murmured softly.
"No, weren't there no rebels to begin with? Why are we even doing this here?"
Sinmin fell silent at Hong Gyehui's question piercing life's essence.
Hong Gyehui stared at him quietly.
The two nodded in unison without a word.
The entire Su-eo Agency descended the mountain.
Heading 'to relay the king's command' northward, they soon faced Gangnam Daeseong, the largest building south of the Han River—a place expanded to rival a major private academy, now the coup forces' secret joint command post.
Once our army marches out to enshrine Yeongjo as Supreme King and provide social welfare services, the capital will naturally empty.
That raises the chance of villains running amok. We'd leave troops in the capital, of course, but better to clean house thoroughly beforehand.
However, the Crown Prince can't arbitrarily execute people—let alone court officials. He's not rebelling, after all.
So my 'cleanup' went like this.
"U-sang Kim Sangro, dragged out for reckless talk, apparently praised Guseonbok as a capable talent before. He must have harbored divided loyalties long ago, but as it's a prime ministerial matter, Your Highness should decide. For now, imprison him strictly."
"You never know a man's heart! If not for Chunsik, I'd have missed it. Do as reported."
No shame at all. Kim Sangro had indeed praised Guseonbok like that before the king.
We found it while having Park Ji-won's relatives, Park Jeongwon and Park Seongwon—longtime Ye mungwan veterans—comb through the 승정원일기 and draft records to delete anything unfavorable to the Crown Prince.
This isn't framing. It's modern evidence-based personnel management. Won Gyun's recommenders faced no accountability under King Seonjo, but with this 해동의 악비 on the case, it'll be different.
I can't slack on Jurchens while hanging the Yue Fei signboard.
When Pyeongan Governor Min Baek-sang, busy with smuggling busts, sensed something off and came to Seoul to petition directly, I avenged the (smugglers persecuted by him) Gil-sang's side.
"Here is a document from General Seonggyeong and Darugwa Gonggunwang Hong Yeom. Governor of Pyeongan, you've arrested innocent civilians en masse, breeding border unrest. The rebels exploited it as leverage, spreading rumors of barbarians kidnapping His Majesty—this is no small fault!"
"Innocent? They were all moon-crossing scoundrels! Why are you babbling this before me, Chunsik? Out of my way! I'll report to the Crown Prince. Kidnapping? What nonsense?"
"Heh. Didn't I say? Because of you, the royal carriage was taken. The Crown Prince, filial to a fault, is heartbroken. He might behead you on sight without trial. Just tell me."
Three seconds later, Min Baek-sang's dazed expression twisted into rage.
"Kim Unhaeng, you bastard! Now I see your cunning plot. You Jurchen-flattering sycophant! This is all your doing!"
"What are you waiting for? This senile plague has spread to Pyeongan. Escort the old man!"
"Let go! I'm not even fifty—senile? What rotten trick is this!"
Ah, do people of the past not know? Alzheimer's can strike the young, though rarely.
Min Baek-sang wailed as he was dragged away.
"Do you think you'll get away with this? How could such a thug emerge from a Noron noble house!"
Indeed, why provoke the Jurchens who just wanted to import porn quietly?
More importantly, ultra-hardline Noron elements like you, hellbent on exterminating the Soron, even make fellow Noron uncomfortable.
No place for you in future Chunsik Tangpyeong. As they say, better to avoid making one enemy than befriending ten at work.
I glanced at Park Mun-su, Soron's representative present.
Arresting someone of Min Baek-sang's caliber required Park Mun-su's backing. As a Noron, I had to borrow his name.
And Park Mun-su couldn't refuse on principle. How many Soron had Min Baek-sang crushed?
I repaid Park Mun-su, who once lectured me on reading Chunju, with scholarly revenge.
"When one loses propriety toward the king, strike like a hawk snatching a sparrow [見無禮於其君者誅之 如鷹鸇之逐鳥雀也, <Chunqiu Zuozhuan>]. You won't condemn me, will you, Prime Minister?"
Silent amid my scholarliness, Park Mun-su finally spat out,
"What will become of this country...?"
Yeah, true. With guys like Min Baek-sang everywhere, who knows.
But rest easy now, Your Highness. From here on, Joseon has me.
Practicing one Yue Fei a day like showing off my status window, I recalled more about the exemplar Yue Fei.
The Yue Fei I idolize was, as everyone knows, a steadfast minister and supreme general.
He led the Yue Family Army to victory after victory.
His grandson said it, but anyway. Everyone in this field does the filial piety bit—let's move on.
The key is why 'Yue Family Army,' not Imperial Guard or even Yue Army?
Simple: private family troops.
Not just Yue Fei. Han Shizhong, Yu Guangse, and other Song warlords allied against the Jurchens.
Rings a bell? Right—contemporary Goryeo had a similar setup.
Way before 'national army' concepts. Clan heads with large forces responded to the sovereign's call against upheavals; slip-ups birthed Taijos like ours.
But unlike Tajo, Yue Fei wasn't a rebel. A universally acclaimed loyalist, like me.
So why not a Kim Family Army for me?
I've said it many times: I have no interest in fighting.
But fights are nasty—they happen even if only one side thinks it's on.
The probably-rebel clan whose home was wrecked and kin dragged off showed no remorse.
At first, their retainers, heirs, and distant kin petitioned the Crown Prince, Joseon-style.
But when I blocked their insolent pleas, they turned Japanese overnight.
Knife out to stab me.
Why me? Crown Prince ordered it. Scared of his white-blade execution? Cowards.
First ambush, Eoji was on errands; without Jangbok, it'd have been dire.
Didn't even look close, but their estate confiscated as 'national treasury' foiled inheritance—clear grudge.
Yet Kim Seong-eung, coup commander and top grudge-holder, was safe.
Surrounded by troops. So I need guards too.
Raising forces seemed easy.
Problem: funding. Even for me, sustaining an army is tough.
Given the Crown Prince's position, more wooed by grace than arrested like Kim Sangro or Min Baek-sang. Real purges after formal throne handover.
Tribute surpluses and rebel assets went almost entirely to unifying public sentiment.
Sigh, where to get clothes or guns quick? If only 'Yi Yeon's Speed' skill was 'Yi Yeon's Silver from Manryeokje' instead.
Then Go Bonghwan's secret envoy arrived.
Leading a few Chunsikmen out of the capital, I tearfully grasped Uncle Hong Gyehui's hand.
"How you must have suffered at the hands of the rebels who kidnapped His Majesty!"
My one-liner situation summary before babbling hit home. Uncle must have seasoned his officialdom anally too.
"Lacking virtue and talent, I barely escaped. These Su-eo troops followed out of loyalty to the greater cause. They'll aid your—er, the Crown Prince's—greatly."
"We'll discuss later. After such hardship, rest inside first."
Dismissing him with escorts, I surveyed his 'gift': 800 Su-eo troops.
Then sighed.
Misreading the cue, Su-eosa Sinmin stammered,
"The Ganghwado incident was due to circumstances... please..."
"No, how could I hold petty grudges? You lot. Can't you honor the Su-eosa? Fetch clean clothes and a bottle of liquor quick."
Having sent Sinmin in too, I gazed heavenward with a sigh.
Su-eo Agency wasn't a small unit. On paper: 15,000 combat troops.
For seongjo (fortress defense drills), elite force specialized in Namhansanseong.
In theory.
Reality: military service dodge haven. Ledgers a mess, no training—evade corvee, skip military tax: total sweet deal.
These 800? Not 'some'—the 'total force.' I appreciated Hong Gyehui and Sinmin's sincerity.
But what to do with them?
Kim Family Army? Hard pass. Eoji and Jangbok alone could rout them. Topple five, the rest flee.
'Same as Hullyeong or Jangyongyeong or Su-eo—all Seven Agencies?'
Harsh insult. Even if Joseon army shines only on paper, hierarchies exist.
Why elite Hullyeong? Families in Seoul—hostages to central power. Must defend capital willy-nilly.
Jangyongyeong: no Seoul ties but nowhere else; standing army, not rotational like mistreated provincial likes of Chongyung or Su-eo.
Like Chongyung, mostly Gyeonggi local extras from start.
Troops aren't game units. Shuffling numbers doesn't equal strength. They'll farm anyway...
Aha.
Inspired, I straightened my hat before the troops.
And began my speech.
"Barley ripens now. Escaping spring famine, you can finally set a rough table."
Sounds like plagiarized family newsletter.
Troops, hearing via officers, whispered anxiously. I raised my voice.
"Don't your parents and families back home weigh on you? How did you end up here?"
My middle-school retreat night-candle speech quickly moved the naive soldiers.
They sobbed, lamented war's tragedy and their plight.
Atmosphere ripe, I declared:
"Seeing you surrender to rebels without killing, your loyalty shines. As reward, eternal military exemption. Shed your rifles, swords, helmets, uniforms—go home. Swap weapons for hoes."
Weapons matter even for green troops.
Couldn't overwork Cha Je-gong to outfit Kim Army anyway. Perfect.
Joseon Su-eo Agency disbands today.
Namhansanseong? Worry not. Soon a sanatorium, not fortress. Welfare centers need no army.
Author's Note
1. Brothers Park Jeongwon and Park Seongwon are Park Jiwon's relatives, appearing in Chapter 53's 'A Toast for Us' part.
2. Yue Fei's feats are being reevaluated today. Whether Yue Family Army was truly family private troops (or if such existed as elite force) is uncertain. In-story remarks are Kim Unhaeng's speculation.
3. Su-eo Agency once went 20 years without training. It became utterly nominal, disbanding first among the Five Armies.
The gap between central and provincial Joseon armies was intentional policy. Su-eo and Chongyung's decline ties to it.
Sejong's '重中輕外' (control provinces from capital), Injo's '內重外輕' (heavy center, light periphery), Hyeojong's '强幹弱枝' (strong trunk, weak branches)—Joseon consistently weakened provincial forces pre- and post-wars. Naturally, to prevent rebellions.