Chapter 357
Chapter 357
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 357
Chapter Title: Qin Kingdom's Envoy Group
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A few days later, at the Yeon Kingdom Golden Army headquarters.
Yi Hwan and Go Mi sat facing each other.
"We've received word that the Qin Kingdom has sent an envoy group. As you predicted, Great Prince, it seems they intend to request assistance."
"Expected arrival date?"
"No later than three days from now."
"They must be scared out of their wits. They know Zhao Kingdom won't dare escalate further because of us, yet here they are, sending envoys in such a panic."
"What if we use this opportunity to put some pressure on Zhao Kingdom?"
"Is that necessary?"
"Pardon?"
"The moment we intervene, the war between Qin and Zhao will end sooner. No matter who wins, the longer the war drags on, the better it is for us. Our best move is to sit tight."
"Wouldn't there be gains to be had by exploiting the gaps in Zhao's forces created by the war?"
"Jo Yun isn't that foolish. The slightest move from us, and the troops fighting Qin will turn on us instead. We'd just end up fighting Zhao in Qin's place."
"Then what if Zhao doesn't end the war and keeps fighting Qin? What will you do?"
"Watch and see."
"......Pardon?"
Heh.
"Why so surprised?"
"Of course we should help Qin, right?"
"Why?"
"Because......"
Go Mi was at a loss for words. Subconsciously, she had assumed aiding Qin was the right thing, but when pressed for a reason, nothing came to mind.
"Moon Lord."
"Yes, Great Prince."
"Though we've cooperated so far, Qin is still a potential enemy state. And they unhesitatingly threw me into the fire. Don't you think they should pay a price for that?"
"......"
"Let's go get some food."
* * *
Two days later.
The Qin envoy group arrived a day earlier than expected.
They requested an audience with Emperor Yi So, but Gwan Ji-baek refused them at the gate.
The reason was that His Majesty was indisposed.
It might be possible in about three days.
At Gwan Ji-baek's words, the Qin envoys could not hide their disappointment.
What could they do? They couldn't force their way in, so they had no choice but to wait three days.
However, Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok were part of the Qin envoy group. It was unexpected to see such key forces—who could be considered vital assets while the war was still ongoing—accompanying the envoys.
"How about meeting the Great Prince first?"
"That would be discourteous to the Qin Emperor."
"Forget courtesy—what matters is conveying His Majesty's will as soon as possible, even if it's just a day sooner."
"Even so, we must observe proper etiquette."
Danri Mok shook his head at Namgung Jang-cheon's firm stance and emptied his cup.
Thud!
Danri Mok asked again.
"Why do you think His Majesty included us in the envoy group?"
"Don't ask."
"You know?"
"Of course. He must have judged that our friendship with the Great Prince, however slight, could help."
Heh.
"Exactly. So how close does His Majesty think we are to the Great Prince?"
Namgung Jang-cheon silently emptied his cup and refilled it.
Pour.
"Does His Majesty fear that Qin will march all the way to the capital?"
"No way. Would Yeon just sit idle that long? If that were possible, the history of the three kingdoms wouldn't have unfolded as it has."
"Then why send envoys to request aid?"
At those words, Danri Mok tilted his head and said,
"Maybe it's just to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances?"
"He's grown weak."
"......Huh?"
"Another way to look at it: perhaps there is no one left to reassure His Majesty. Neither the Crown Prince in the capital nor the former Grand Commander inspired any confidence. That might be what's truly frightening him."
"Hmm...... Now that you mention it, that could be. In that case, once this crisis ends, the Grand Commander position might change. The top candidate would naturally be Commander Wi Ji-gwan, right?"
At Danri Mok's words, a faint irritation crossed Namgung Jang-cheon's face.
"Commander Wi Ji-gwan is the epitome of a soldier. Even the Crown Prince can't manipulate him like the former Grand Commander. If His Majesty tries to appoint him, the Crown Prince will strongly oppose it."
"It's bleak, so bleak. Everyone knows the problem, but the Crown Prince pretends not to."
"Or maybe he knows but turns a blind eye."
"True. The Grand Commander's influence in the military is immense, so the Crown Prince can't ignore it. That's what makes it so frustrating."
Gulp gulp!
Danri Mok downed a bottle straight.
At that moment, one of the envoy guards entered.
"The Great Prince has just entered the palace."
"The Great Prince? To meet our envoy group?"
"No. He went straight to the throne room."
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok, who had harbored faint hopes, were greatly disappointed.
They weren't fools; they knew Yi So's indisposition was an excuse to deliberately avoid the envoys.
In such a situation, Yi Hwan was the only one they could rely on, leaving them anxious.
The problem was the absurd incident in the capital that made it impossible to gauge how Yi Hwan now viewed Qin.
Most assumed he had left the capital in silence out of fury at Won Gae-se's scheme.
Yet Qin had no choice but to pin their hopes on him.
'I hope his anger has subsided......'
Namgung Jang-cheon let out a quiet sigh and reached for a bowl of cold water.
Then a guard rushed in.
"The Great Prince is coming!"
* * *
Yi Hwan indifferently gazed at the Qin envoys standing in a line, heads bowed.
His gaze lingered briefly on Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok before turning to the envoy leader.
"His Majesty has entrusted everything to me due to his indisposition. Speak your piece to me."
"Please, sit first, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan took the seat of honor.
The envoy leader sat right below him, while the rest gathered around tables on the lower dais.
The envoy leader swallowed dryly several times before speaking.
"His Majesty of our kingdom......"
Yi Hwan listened with arms crossed. The leader spoke at exhaustive length, but it boiled down to a plea for help in deterring Zhao Kingdom from escalating the war.
Yi Hwan asked coldly.
"Tell me one reason why we should aid Qin."
"......!"
"Anyone can answer in another's stead. Speak."
No one stepped forward.
Yi Hwan stared at Namgung Jang-cheon.
"You. Speak."
Startled, Namgung Jang-cheon bit his lip before opening his mouth.
"First, I beg your forgiveness for the reversal of events."
"Forgiveness from me for what?"
"We heard you faced a grave crisis. Moreover, no proper apology was made. Thus, even now, as a subject and warrior of Qin, I dare to seek your pardon."
Namgung Jang-cheon voiced what everyone knew but none dared mention.
What backlash this would bring to the Qin palace later was unimaginable. The other envoys could only sit uneasily, faces pale with shock.
Yi Hwan fixed his gaze on the envoy leader.
"What do you think of what that fellow said?"
"......We heard there was a mishap in relaying orders, leaving your unit isolated and facing the enemy—a most unfortunate accident. We offer our condolences for your ordeal."
At the leader's words, Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok inwardly sighed and closed their eyes tightly.
'Wrong move.'
It was their shared thought.
Sure enough.
"Yeon has no intention whatsoever of involving itself in another kingdom's war. This is His Majesty's will. You may return."
"......!"
Everyone was thrown into confusion.
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok hung their heads. The envoy leader spoke in a desperate tone.
"......What must we do for you?"
"I want nothing."
With that, Yi Hwan rose.
"You must be tired from the long journey, so rest here today and depart tomorrow."
The envoy leader pleaded again.
"Please, just one audience with His Majesty, Great Prince!"
"Impossible."
Yi Hwan left.
The envoy leader slumped into his chair with a heavy sigh.
"Hah, what now?"
Namgung Jang-cheon said with a somewhat angry glint in his eyes.
"We should have sought forgiveness for our mistake first."
"Shut your mouth! It was merely a minor operational error—such things are commonplace in war. And to think so little, despite your ignorance of politics! We are envoys in His Majesty's stead; for us to bow our heads is no different from Qin bowing to Yeon!"
Namgung Jang-cheon was momentarily speechless. Logically, it wasn't entirely wrong.
"We still have one more card left, so stay out of it. Even as a future Prince Consort, acting rashly won't be overlooked!"
"What card is that?"
"You needn't know."
[Let's go. No point talking more; calm yourself down first.]
At Danri Mok's words, Namgung Jang-cheon bit his lip and stormed out.
Moments later, outside, Namgung Jang-cheon struggled to suppress his rising anger.
"Why did His Majesty appoint such a man as envoy leader?"
"Endure it. He said there's one more card, so let's wait. That said, from the Great Prince's demeanor, it doesn't seem any ordinary card will sway him."
"If there's a card, it should have been played from the start. Testing the waters like this could backfire—why doesn't he see that!"
Namgung Jang-cheon, unable to calm his agitation. It was a side Danri Mok had never seen.
"Shall we go seek out the Great Prince ourselves?"
"And hear what nonsense for our troubles?"
"True. Those types would dump the blame on us if we botch things. Bah!"
* * *
Yi Hwan peered through the window at Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok.
He had heard everything they said.
Go Mi asked,
"What card do you think they've prepared?"
"Who knows."
"If it's to your liking, will you accept their request for aid?"
"Even if I do, not now."
"Pardon?"
"To get something bigger, I need to make them sweat as much as possible."
"Is there something specific you want?"
At Go Mi's question, Yi Hwan countered.
"I've heard there's an iron mine in Sekmun, Honam Province. Do you know of it?"
"Yes. Sekmun's iron mine is the third largest in Qin. Though production ranks third, the quality is said to be exceptional. But why......?"
"I need to secure some iron. As much as possible."
Go Mi's eyes sparkled. Her thoughts naturally turned to the forges they'd recently acquired and Hanjo.
It must be related.
"Doesn't Yeon have plenty of iron mines?"
"Hanjo—that fellow—told me the iron from the Gangdong region in the central plains is the finest. Apparently, his ancestors secretly imported a lot from the central plains."
"Ah......"
It was news to Go Mi.
"Iron is absolutely essential for arming the military, so I'm doubtful the Qin imperial family will agree."
"They'll have no choice but to agree."
"Pardon?"
"The Qin Emperor, who comes begging for aid over losing a mere county. If things worsen further, he'll offer more than just an iron mine. We just wait patiently. Let's head back."
"Yes."
Yi Hwan turned first.
Go Mi followed, smiling faintly.
'As expected, he had a plan all along.'