Chapter 381
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 381
Chapter Title: Deceive Jo Yun (2)
A few days later, in the Zhao Kingdom's imperial palace.
Woo Mun-sul sought out Jo Yun and relayed the intelligence from the spies in the Yeon Kingdom.
"The rumors have all proven true. It is said that the Yeon Emperor publicly declared before his ministers that he would no longer aid the Qin Kingdom."
Thud!
Jo Yun drummed his fingers on the table, his gaze cooling.
Woo Mun-sul cautiously continued.
"Would it not be wise to once again scheme for Jeok-su? If North Yeon and Yeon make no moves, reclaiming Jeok-su should be a simple matter, no?"
"There is something that must be done first."
"What might that be?"
"Yi Hwan—that bastard will disregard past events for his goals and step forward to aid Qin once more."
Yi Hwan had previously faced danger in Jeok-su due to Won Gae-se's schemes but had still helped Qin in exchange for iron. There was no guarantee he wouldn't do the same this time.
"Thus, he won't refuse the hand we extend either."
"What do you plan to do...?"
"I will convey to the Yeon Emperor our intent to recognize the neutral zone in the north, now held by North Yeon, as North Yeon territory. With such a price offered, they should be more than satisfied."
"......!"
At those words, Woo Mun-sul's eyes widened.
A triumphant smile curled at Jo Yun's lips.
"No need for surprise. In any case, we are in no position to reclaim it right now, so we're merely lending it temporarily. When the opportunity arises later, we can seize it back anytime."
"Of course, that is true, but......"
Thud!
"The decision is made. Obey it."
"......Understood. Then I shall assemble the envoy delegation to Yeon immediately."
"It must be done with utmost haste. And have the troops reassemble near Jeok-su at the time the envoys depart. Inform the Crown Prince in advance as well."
"By your command."
Woo Mun-sul could press no further.
He knew better than anyone how deep Jo Yun's enmity toward Yi Hwan ran. He could well imagine the intensity of Jo Yun's desire for Jeok-su if even he was willing to swallow his pride.
* * *
Qin Kingdom imperial palace.
Crown Prince Yang Mu, Grand Commander Won Gae-se, and Grand Minister of Works Gwan Yeong had gathered together.
It had been a long time since the three met in the palace. In the past, they had often caroused together over drinks, where many appointments were decided.
Of course, only within the scope of Yang Mu's authority, but it had significantly influenced Qin's power structure.
But today's meeting was gravely serious from the outset.
With a face full of anger, Yang Mu asked,
"Yeon has violated the neutral zone?"
"According to the reports, they've mobilized a large force and are digging into the land. It seems they've discovered a mine."
"That's not what I asked. I asked if it's true they've violated the neutral zone."
"They haven't crossed into it yet, but judging by their movements, it's as clear as day they will soon. You should view it that way, Your Highness."
Won Gae-se raised his voice at Gwan Yeong's explanation.
"It's certain the Yeon bastards are scheming to seize the neutral zone! We must dispatch troops immediately to block them in advance!"
Gwan Yeong shook his head.
"That won't do. Acting rashly first will only give them justification. We must respond cautiously until the matter is clear."
"Why does the Grand Minister keep saying no!"
"Enough!"
Yang Mu intervened, and the two fell silent. Yang Mu's eyes grew colder than ice.
"The Grand Minister has a point, but we can't just sit idly by until Yeon actually violates the neutral zone, can we?"
Gwan Yeong replied,
"Since even Yeon cannot exclude Zhao, they won't risk military conflict with us. Watch a bit longer, Your Highness."
It was already known in Qin that Zhao had recently mobilized even the troops withdrawn from Guiju Fortress to launch an attack in an attempt to reclaim the land lost to North Yeon.
With Yeon having North Yeon as a vassal state, they couldn't ignore it. Thus, Gwan Yeong predicted Yeon wouldn't easily provoke a dispute with Qin.
"And so?"
"Moreover, we haven't fully recovered from the damages of the war with Zhao. Wouldn't it be best to step back now, negotiate with Yeon, and secure mutual gains peacefully?"
Yang Mu nodded in agreement.
But then, as if suddenly overcome with emotion, he flared up.
"Even if Yeon does whatever it wants, we're in a position where we can't take a hard line because of Zhao......"
"As the Grand Minister says, Yeon can't take a hard line because of Zhao either, so we must come out strong from the start! Otherwise, we'll keep being dragged along by their whims!"
Won Gae-se still refused to yield his hardline stance. But even he had no proper solution.
Yang Mu looked straight at Gwan Yeong and said,
"You'll have to handle the negotiations, Grand Minister. Yi Hwan will undoubtedly step forward from Yeon's side. With your experience negotiating with him, you're the best fit, aren't you?"
"Yes, Your Highness. I shall do so."
Yang Mu called out lowly toward the outside.
"Enter!"
A general opened the door and stepped in.
Yang Mu asked,
"How fares Zhao's army north of Jeok-su?"
"They show no movements yet. And the troops that went north earlier haven't returned."
Yang Mu turned to Won Gae-se and Gwan Yeong as he continued.
"We must keep a close eye on Zhao's movements as well, since with Jo Yun, anything is possible."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Leave the Zhao bastards to this junior!"
"For now, Grand Commander, return to Jeok-su first to prepare for any contingencies. I shall head there myself once Father's condition improves."
"Understood, Your Highness!"
Won Gae-se departed first.
Yang Mu sank deeply into his chair, pressing his temples with both hands.
"I'll summon the royal physician."
"No need. Let's have a drink."
"Understood."
While waiting for the drinks, Yang Mu kept his eyes closed. Gwan Yeong watched him, his own gaze steadying.
'Must I face that man again?'
Yi Hwan naturally came to mind. He was someone Gwan Yeong never wanted to encounter again.
Yet, on the other hand, it felt like the perfect opportunity.
'If I can achieve the best outcome in negotiations with him, I can rise even higher.'
Clench.
'It can be done! No, whatever it takes, I will succeed!'
* * *
A few days later, Golden Army headquarters.
Go Mi burst into Yi Hwan's office, visibly excited.
"Zhao has conveyed their intent to send an envoy delegation!"
"Confirmed from the palace?"
"Yes. I came running the moment it was verified. Could it be the Great Prince's stratagem worked?"
Yi Hwan leaned back slightly, narrowing his brow faintly. Even he was surprised that Zhao was sending envoys.
"If the Great Prince's stratagem worked, then why would Jo Yun send envoys? If they've accepted the rumor that we won't intervene in the conflict between those two nations as fact, there's no need to send them, is there?"
"If that's why, then they're probably coming to confirm it definitively. To do that, they'd have to offer us something, wouldn't they?"
"What might that be?"
"Who knows. Honestly, even I didn't anticipate this. In any case, if word arrived today, the envoys have likely already crossed the border."
"In normal circumstances, yes."
"Let's wait and see for now. Whatever happens, we lose nothing. By the way, this means delaying the trip down to Songja."
"Isn't there still plenty of time there?"
"Not really. By now, Qin should have heard the news roughly, so it's time for some reaction. The most predictable is that they'll want to negotiate. They have no choice but to absolutely avoid conflict with us."
"Indeed."
"Well, we'll watch there too. No reason for us to lose or act first."
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and changed the subject.
"Send a dispatch to Mu-ok to monitor Zhao's army closely. Report any unusual movements immediately."
"Yes, Great Prince."
Yi Hwan drained the rest of his tea.
Then Yang Chan entered. Having entered his second round of research, his complexion was paler than usual.
Yi Hwan frowned slightly.
"Take care of your health. You'll collapse at this rate."
"Don't worry about me. Those who handle poison are tougher by nature. Anyway, Cha Ryong wants to meet the Great Prince."
"Is that so?"
"My sense is he's undergone a change of heart. Shall I bring him?"
"Do it."
Yang Chan left and returned shortly with Cha Ryong and Ban Go.
In the meantime, Go Mi had prepared tea.
"Sit there."
Cha Ryong and Ban Go sat across from Yi Hwan. Yi Hwan gazed calmly at Cha Ryong and asked,
"Why did you want to see me?"
"......"
Cha Ryong hesitated to speak.
Ban Go poked his side, and Cha Ryong finally opened his mouth.
"Is the only thing you want from us information?"
"If you have more to offer, I'm fully willing to accept."
Cha Ryong hesitated again.
Ban Go poked his side once more.
Clench.
Cha Ryong bit his lip gently.
"If we beg to be accepted, will you take us in?"
"And if I do?"
"If you accept and trust us, we'll serve under the Great Prince and pledge our utmost loyalty."
Go Mi and Yang Chan exchanged glances, their eyes widening. They had somewhat anticipated it from the mood upon entry, but hearing it still left them astonished. Cha Ryong had been the most stubborn of all.
"Trust comes with conditions. That condition for me will be the reason you've decided to turn."
At Yi Hwan's words, Cha Ryong steadied his gaze and answered curtly.
"Betrayal."
"Betrayal, you say......"
"I want to ask him what we truly were to him. And I want to let others know."
"Who, and what do you want to let them know?"
"To my comrades who've shared life and death with me since childhood, I want to reveal what happened to me and this friend, and await their judgment. I trust you understand the meaning."
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
A moment of silence passed. But it didn't last long.
"I'll trust that resolve. However."
Cha Ryong and Ban Go fixed their gazes on Yi Hwan, eyes gleaming. Yi Hwan continued indifferently.
"I must place seals on your bodies. Separate from trusting you, consider it the minimal safeguard against unforeseen circumstances."
"Understood."
Whoosh!
Cha Ryong and Ban Go shot to their feet, stepping back a few paces and prostrating on the floor.
"Cha Ryong pledges loyalty to my lord!"
"Ban Go pledges loyalty to my lord!"
Thud thud!
Go Mi jumped in surprise at how forcefully they kowtowed.
Meanwhile, Yang Chan crossed his arms with a faint smile. In truth, having watched the two all this time, he had grown somewhat fond of them.
'It took time, but this will be more reliable than any poison.'
He looked at Yi Hwan with renewed eyes.
Any resentment toward him had vanished long ago. Instead, he found himself increasingly intrigued by Yi Hwan's new facets each day.
"Yang Chan."
"Yes?"
"I'll leave the seals to you."
"I'll ensure they can't harbor any disloyal thoughts."
A peculiar smile played on Yang Chan's lips as he replied. Its meaning was known only to him and Yi Hwan.
"Then, shall we hear the information you know from now on?"
Ban Go asked,
"Why didn't you ever ask me? I've been ready to tell you everything I know for a long time."
"I didn't want to lose interest in your friend."
"......Pardon?"
"If I'd heard from you first, wouldn't that naturally happen?"
"Ah...... yes."
"And one more thing."
Yi Hwan looked at Cha Ryong as he continued.
"I expected you to convince this friend. Perhaps that's the greater reason."
Grin.
Ban Go bared his teeth in a broad smile.
"I really did my utmost to convince him! Truly!"
Snort.
"Should I say good job?"
"Yes!"
Go Mi, who rarely smiled, let out a chuckle at Ban Go's childlike innocence.
Poke!
Cha Ryong jabbed Ban Go's side.
"From now on, I shall tell you everything I know."