Chapter 318
Chapter 318
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 318
Chapter Title: Zhao Kingdom Mobilizes
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Zhao Kingdom Imperial Palace.
Jo Yun and Woo Mun-sul sat facing each other.
"Has everyone finished their preparations?"
"Yes. We await only Your Majesty's command."
"The military has held back well all this time. We've diverted so much funding meant for the military to win back the people's hearts."
"They are all men prepared to lay down their lives for Your Majesty. Issue the order to march, and they will charge out with eager spirits."
Jo Yun continued in a resolute tone, his eyes gleaming.
"Qin is just as troubled by the loss of public support as we are, so this time, no matter what, we must cross the Red River and expand our territory all the way south to Guizhou Fortress."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Jo Yun drained his cup and changed the subject.
"What of those fellows?"
"Cha Ryong and Ban Go are stirring up a storm in Yeon Kingdom's martial world under the moniker Twin Swords of Sun and Moon. They've already gathered quite a few followers—seemingly ronin who couldn't find a place in Yeon and those pushed aside by the powers that be."
"Cha Ryong naturally has the talent for it."
Jo Yun was immensely pleased.
Due to the speed of the express couriers, there was inevitably a time lag in the information. Thus, Woo Mun-sul was reporting news from a few days prior.
Jo Yun kept tilting his cup, a satisfied look on his face. Woo Mun-sul, who rarely drank in Jo Yun's presence, emptied his own cup with evident pleasure today.
"Still no word from the Qin side?"
"Yes. Information from there remains completely cut off. But the men we've sent there possess abilities and qualities rivaling Cha Ryong's, so please don't worry too much."
"We can't just sit around waiting indefinitely. Yeon is progressing, so we'll continue there as planned, but we should give the Qin infiltrators a new mission."
"Understood."
"Go on, then."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
* * *
Moments later, Jo Yun looked down upon the warriors filling the training grounds, drawing a quiet breath.
Two thousand in total.
Yet outside the palace walls, an army of one hundred thousand stood ready, awaiting only his command.
Jo Yun's gaze first fell upon a blue-armored general standing among the other commanders.
Unexpectedly, it was Second Prince Yi Tae-ji.
Woo Mun-sul whispered.
"Your Majesty has given him this chance, and his resolve is no ordinary thing."
"It had better be."
At that moment, one general stepped forward, dropping to one knee and placing his right hand over his chest as he bellowed.
"Grand General Gwak Beom and the army of one hundred thousand await Your Majesty's command!"
Loyalty!
The roaring cheers of the two thousand troops echoed thunderously through the palace.
Jo Yun called out softly to the general, his face full of satisfaction.
"March out."
"This servant, Gwak Beom, shall offer the Red River and all lands south to Your Majesty!"
"March!"
"Advance!"
The generals and two thousand troops began filing out of the palace. Bringing up the rear, Yi Tae-ji mounted his warhorse and gave a slight bow toward Jo Yun.
Jo Yun's voice transmission flowed into his ear.
[I trust you will not disappoint me.]
Yi Tae-ji offered a faint smile as he bowed his head, then turned his horse around.
Woo Mun-sul stared at Yi Tae-ji's retreating figure, subtly furrowing his brow.
"If that one goes down there, Qin might send their Third Prince in response. That's what concerns me slightly."
"You worry he'll fall for his brother's schemes?"
"Yes."
"His mother is here. He won't betray us for Qin, so no need for concern."
"......"
Jo Yun gazed beyond the palace walls, where dust clouds rose. There, flags of every color blanketed the earth, rippling like waves.
"Now we begin, step by step. Qin for the moment, but soon Yeon's western borders will bow to us as well."
"The Southern Barbarian Army's strength grows by the day, Your Majesty. That time is not far off."
"Today, I shall inspect their training personally."
"As you command."
Meanwhile, the expressions of the assembled ministers watching Jo Yun were mostly grim.
Many viewed this campaign with concern. The people's hearts, once turned away, had not fully returned.
Jo Yun was well aware of this.
Yet he mobilized the grand army toward the Red River at Guizhou Fortress to sharpen the soldiers' senses through real combat once more.
Lately, Zhao's warriors had been tied up aiding earthquake recovery efforts, unable to engage in proper battles.
This bred growing discontent among the troops, signs of which had reached even the high command.
Judging the public sentiment sufficiently recovered, Jo Yun chose to target Guizhou Fortress—where they had failed before—and the southern regions below it.
One minister, failing to grasp the deeper intent, shook his head with a sigh.
"Rushing like this—if Yeon gets any funny ideas, what then? Sigh..."
"Don't worry too much. Even with Yeon's recent momentum, they won't dare intervene rashly. Besides, this is a localized conflict, not all-out war."
"There's no guarantee Qin Emperor won't ally with Yeon. How can you be so complacent? If those two nations join forces, who do you think Yeon would send?"
"......"
At those words, the ministers' faces hardened as one man came to mind.
"Someone more belligerent than our own liege leads Yeon's grand army. If Qin Emperor reaches out first, Yeon's Emperor will surely dispatch him."
"Hmph! He's not invincible, is he? Our generals are no slouches in might and valor—we can measure swords with him."
"What's the use talking to you? Drop it."
The minister waved a hand and turned away.
Cold eyes watched him. Jo Yun's.
'I thought removing the late emperor's and Jo Gwang's faction would suffice.'
Upon ascending the throne, Jo Yun had planned a massive purge of opposition, but political realities had delayed it until now.
Confirming more ministers than expected fiercely opposing this campaign, he decided no more delays.
"Yeon's young pup has consolidated his regime too, has he?"
"Yes. He purged all his political enemies with Great Prince Yi Hwan at the fore."
"Then we must begin as well."
"Understood."
"Prepare a death list and bring it to me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Woo Mun-sul watched Jo Yun's back as he headed to the throne hall, his gaze steady.
'How fierce a bloodwind will blow...'
* * *
Golden Army Command Headquarters.
Yi Hwan personally checked the express reports pouring in from all quarters.
But not a single report on Ban Go. Nor any on Jang Cheon-jo, pursued by the Namgung and Danri families.
'Returned to Zhao?'
Even then, some trace should have surfaced.
"Deputy General."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Send word to all branches: spread the word to the people as quickly as possible that the Twin Swords of Sun and Moon are Zhao warriors who crossed over with impure motives. That way, the ronin following them will return to their senses."
"Understood."
"Nothing else?"
"No."
As Yi Hwan donned his outer robe to rise, Go Mi entered.
"Intelligence reports an army of one hundred thousand marching south from Zhao's capital."
Yi Hwan sat back down.
Go Mi continued.
"Jo Yun personally saw them off. The signs are ominous."
Yi Hwan furrowed his brow.
"Jo Yun already has the leisure for that?"
"Not fully recovered, but with sweeping measures regaining much public support, they're likely aiming to redeem their past failure by targeting Guizhou Fortress again."
"The Red River."
"Yes."
"We have enough eyes on them?"
"Yes, plenty."
"Report to me the instant updates come in. Relay to our warriors in Qin to head to the Red River as well."
"Understood."
"Deputy General, inform the Southern and Western Legions of this immediately."
"Yes, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan stepped outside at once. Go Mi followed.
"Entering the palace?"
"They might know things Moon Pavilion missed, so I need to see General Gwan."
"I'll accompany you."
"Don't you have business outside?"
"I have matters in the palace."
Moments later, Yi Hwan and Go Mi left headquarters.
* * *
Gwan Ji-baek received Yi Hwan.
"Has His Majesty returned to the throne hall?"
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Word is an army of one hundred thousand is marching south from Zhao's capital. Were you aware?"
"I was just about to report it."
Yi Hwan sat. Gwan Ji-baek took the opposite seat and continued at once.
"Lately, discontent has risen in Zhao's military. Moving troops is likely to quell it, targeting the Red River at Guizhou Fortress—their longtime sore spot."
As expected.
Yi Hwan leaned back slightly, narrowing his brow.
"Qin must be in disarray from the Dark Heaven Cult..."
"Qin is sending a grand army to the Red River too. Led by Won Gae-se."
"You're certain?"
"Yes, solid intelligence."
Yi Hwan's brow furrowed again.
Won Gae-se had been gravely wounded in a Dark Heaven Cult ambush during his army's withdrawal, needing considerable time to recover.
Even after, he was expected unfit for frontline command for a while.
Yet entrusting command to him?
"Who leads Zhao's army? Confirmed?"
"Grand General Gwak Beom, one of Zhao's top aces. More than Won Gae-se can handle."
"Qin's imperial house oblivious to that is the problem."
"Indeed."
Here, Yi Hwan thought of Third Prince Yi Seong-ji.
'No way he's heading to the Red River.'
Since their meeting in Qin's capital, Yi Seong-ji lingered oddly in his mind—a faint pity, perhaps.
"Can we penetrate Qin's palace?"
"Not the inner palace. But why..."
"Nothing."
Yi Hwan rose.
"Leaving already? His Majesty will return soon..."
"Been busy lately. Convey my regards to His Majesty for me, General Gwan."
"Understood. Safe travels, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan headed outside to the Grand Marshal Headquarters—the former Inspectorate, now doubled in size, housing hundreds of resident generals.
Upon his entry, the generals saluted in unison.
Loyalty!
Yi Hwan went straight to the intelligence section.
One general followed.
"Heard the Zhao news?"
"Just discussed it with General Gwan."
"Ah, yes."
Entering the intelligence section, Yi Hwan issued orders at once.
"Dispatch couriers to Northern Yeon: even if Zhao and Qin clash, our border troops must not move rashly."
"Yes!"
A general asked cautiously.
"May I inquire why we're restraining the border forces?"
"Good relations with Qin don't mean we strike first. Unless they reach out in weakness. And even then, no aid without compensation."
"Ah, of course!"
"Enter alert status from today. Report all intel from those two nations to me immediately."
"Understood!"
Finishing, Yi Hwan exited to find Go Mi waiting.
"Business done?"
"Yes."
"Care to share what?"
"Nothing much."
"So don't ask."
"I said nothing much."
They soon left the palace. Yi Hwan headed not to headquarters, but to the Song family inn.
"May I join?"
"You're asking now?"
"......"
"Things will be hectic awhile, so best see a face when time allows. Grab some dongpo pork and a drink—Moon Lord's favorite."
"Yes."
As they rode, a warrior galloped up from ahead.
Go Mi narrowed her eyes.
"One of Moon Pavilion's."
Yi Hwan reined in.
The warrior knelt before him.
"We greet the Great Prince!"
"What is it?"
"Intelligence confirms Second Prince included in Grand General Gwak Beom's army! Destination: the Red River!"