Chapter 387
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 387
Chapter Title: Heading Back to Guizhou Fortress
“ Your Highness! The defensive line guarded by General Wi Ji-gwan has been breached!”
“Grand Commander Won Gae-se’s forces are retreating, pushed back by the Southwest Army led by Emperor Jo!”
“The eastern defensive line has collapsed!”
“The troops holding the western defensive line have been annihilated!”
“……!”
At the successive reports of defeat, Yang Mu squeezed his eyes shut tight. His clenched fists trembled violently.
“To think the Southwest Army was this formidable…….”
The appearance of Emperor Jo Yun was a shocking event no one had anticipated. Moreover, the sheer power of the Southwest Army he led went beyond shock—it was outright horrifying.
Their arrival had instantly tipped the balanced battlefield, leading to defeats across every front.
His aides spoke in urgent tones.
“Emperor Jo and the Southwest Army are advancing south toward us! The situation is dire, so it would be best to withdraw to Inhui first! Any delay will leave eternal regrets!”
“You must hurry, Your Highness!”
Crunch!
Yang Mu bit his lip, his eyes twisting in agony. The confidence that he could lead this war to victory had long since vanished.
“Send this to the capital at once.”
“What is this?”
“It’s a letter for Emperor Yeon, but it’ll be faster to deliver it to Great Prince Yi Hwan, who’s said to be in Songja. Take it to the Grand Minister of Works immediately and have him meet with him, Your Highness.”
“Are there any other orders?”
“I’ve written everything inside. Make haste!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
One of the generals rushed out of the tent.
Yang Mu grabbed the liquor bottle from the table and drank it like water.
Gulp, gulp!
Thud!
“I will go to Inhui.”
* * *
A few days later.
The news of the Qin Kingdom’s army retreat reached Yi Hwan, along with the fall of Jeoksu to Zhao.
The Qin defeat was a result Yi Hwan had foreseen.
He just hadn’t expected Jeoksu to fall this quickly. It was all due to the variable of Jo Yun’s personal campaign.
Go Mi continued her report.
“The Qin forces are assembling at Inhui. It’s the gateway straight to their capital, Guizhou, so they seem to be making it their final defensive line.”
“And the Zhao forces?”
“They’re reorganizing at Jeoksu.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently and tilted his teacup.
Go Mi asked.
“How long do you plan to just watch?”
“Until Gwan Yeong comes to see me again. He might already be on his way here.”
“What if the Zhao army advances further south in the meantime?”
“Then Qin will realize all the more how vital our Yeon Kingdom is.”
“Haven’t they already?”
“If they had, they would’ve handed over the iron we agreed on as payment for our cooperation without hesitation. But the moment they put out the immediate fire, they tried to change their tune. That means Qin takes our Yeon Kingdom’s alliance lightly.”
“…….”
Yi Hwan took another sip of tea.
Clink.
“You seem worried.”
“Honestly, yes.”
With the unexpected variable of Jo Yun’s campaign already in play.
If everything went as planned, there’d be no cause for concern, but knowing the world never bends to one’s will made worry inevitable.
“Trust me.”
“Of course I do, but…….”
Just then, Ju Tae entered.
“An envoy from Qin has arrived.”
“Bring him in.”
Moments later, the envoy entered.
Yi Hwan asked in a nonchalant tone.
“Who sent you?”
“The Grand Minister of Works. He said he’d arrive by morning at the latest and sent this lowly one ahead to inform you.”
‘They must’ve been in quite a hurry.’
“Did you send reinforcements to Guizhou Fortress, by any chance?”
“This lowly one doesn’t know about that…….”
“You’ve done well.”
“Yes. Then.”
The envoy departed.
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair with a faint smile.
“They must’ve set out the moment they heard of the retreat. Well, if they lose Guizhou Fortress, Hunan and Guangxi will be within striking range, so of course they’re desperate.”
“Will you move once you get what you want?”
“Of course.”
Yi Hwan pictured Gwan Yeong rushing up here and smiled faintly again.
‘No more tricks, Gwan Yeong. If things go awry, I might just watch until Guizhou falls to Zhao.’
* * *
The next morning, early.
Gwan Yeong entered. His body drenched in sweat gave a clear sense of his frantic state.
“I’ve heard about Jeoksu. My condolences.”
“Emperor Jo has personally led the Southwest Army down! We don’t know when they’ll advance again—please help us, Great Prince!”
“Requesting aid again?”
“Here’s a letter from Crown Prince Yi So.”
Yi Hwan opened the sealed missive Gwan Yeong proffered and unfolded the letter. The contents were as expected.
However, the gold, silver, and warhorses offered as payment for aid had increased dramatically. That showed their desperation.
Yi Hwan stared at Gwan Yeong.
“This won’t be enough to gain His Majesty’s approval.”
“……!”
“Truth be told, His Majesty only recently learned of what happened to me at Jeoksu. His feelings toward Qin are sour now, and he has no desire to help them further.”
“……If the Great Prince steps in, wouldn’t His Majesty change his mind?”
“Why should I go that far?”
“…….”
Yi Hwan leisurely brought the teacup to his lips.
Clink.
He then got to the point.
“If you promise not to claim the mining rights we discussed earlier, I’ll try to persuade His Majesty.”
“That’s…….”
“I say this firmly: there will be no further negotiation on this.”
Gwan Yeong squeezed his eyes shut.
He didn’t know what or how much would come from those mines, but even a modest estimate meant an enormous yield over a few years.
Giving it all up was a loss incomparable to handing over iron for previous aid.
But could he sacrifice the present for the future?
Given the situation, Gwan Yeong had no choice but to accept Yi Hwan’s demand.
Crunch!
“As the Great Prince wishes.”
“I warn you in advance: if you pull any tricks like last time, you’ll face me as an enemy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Gwan Yeong bowed his head.
“And one more thing.”
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea before continuing.
“You’ll have to abandon Jeoksu. With all the blood Zhao has shed there and Emperor Jo personally stepping in, they won’t just withdraw. Making unreasonable demands could only worsen things, so if Qin agrees to bear that, I’ll help ensure no further escalation.”
“……!”
Gwan Yeong lifted his head and stared at Yi Hwan. His already large eyes grew even wider.
Yi Hwan pressed on undeterred.
“Surrendering the small to protect the great—isn’t that the best course?”
Crunch!
Gwan Yeong’s lips turned pale.
This was beyond what he could decide alone.
Reporting to Yang Mu and getting approval would take days at least. Who knew what might happen in that time?
‘His Highness will understand.’
“Understood. I’ll convey the Great Prince’s will to Crown Prince Yi So exactly as is.”
* * *
Gwan Yeong departed.
Yi Hwan watched his retreating figure and spoke.
“We’ll need to send an envoy to Jo Yun posthaste…….”
He trailed off, lost in thought.
Go Mi watched him, subtly furrowing her brow.
‘He’s not thinking of going himself, is he?’
Yi Hwan finished his thoughts and spoke.
“I suppose it’s best if I go in person.”
“No!”
The words burst out reflexively.
Yi Hwan chuckled softly again.
“Worried Jo Yun might try to kill me?”
“He’s more than capable of it!”
“Don’t worry. I’ve thought it through, and I won’t go alone. I’ll make it quick, so handle things here as Moon Lord.”
“……!”
That evening, Yi Hwan left Songja, accompanied by Ju Tae, Kim Mu-gwan, and Park Ji-mun.
Go Mi watched his departing figure and sighed. Hwa Ryeong comforted her.
“Don’t worry too much. Even Jo Yun can’t touch the Great Prince. And to pull back the Zhao army, having him step in is really the surest way.”
“…….”
* * *
Jeoksu.
Jo Yun and Crown Prince Jo Gwang faced each other.
Wu Mun-sul sat at the table beside them.
“The retreating Qin forces are assembling at Inhui?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Any reinforcements from their rear?”
“Nothing confirmed yet.”
Wu Mun-sul continued immediately.
“Wouldn’t it be best to strike before they regroup?”
Instead of answering, Jo Yun asked Jo Gwang.
“What do you think, Crown Prince?”
“Our forces have taken heavy losses too. Rather than rushing, I believe reorganizing first and then advancing is best.”
It clashed sharply with Wu Mun-sul’s view.
Jo Yun gave an enigmatic smile and lifted his cup.
Thud.
“We’ll reorganize as the Crown Prince says, then advance. Have the Marshal oversee the army’s preparations personally.”
“……Understood.”
Wu Mun-sul left the tent.
Jo Yun picked up the bottle.
“Let Father pour you a cup.”
“Thank you.”
Pour.
The smile on Jo Yun’s lips didn’t fade.
He was in a fine mood now. More than capturing Jeoksu, it was Jo Gwang’s cool-headedness on the battlefield that satisfied him.
‘I won’t regret the second son’s death anymore.’
That was Jo Yun’s honest sentiment.
“May I ask one thing?”
“Speak.”
“Why hide your abilities until now?”
Jo Gwang fell silent for a moment before carefully replying.
“If my younger brother hadn’t died, I would’ve continued living that way.”
“Then you needn’t worry anymore?”
“I’ve resolved to live for Zhao Kingdom. If I fall short, please rebuke and teach me.”
The smile on Jo Yun’s lips deepened.
He drained two cups in a row.
Thud.
“I’ll trust you. And I’ll help make you master of the realm, so give your all—even for your brother’s share.”
“Yes.”
* * *
Inhui.
Troops who hadn’t made it in time were steadily assembling.
But with Wi Ji-gwan still absent, Yang Mu and the others spent anxious days.
A day later, Wi Ji-gwan passed through Inhui’s gates. He explained to Yang Mu that he’d been delayed tracking the Zhao army’s advance route with a small elite unit.
Yang Mu held a ritual to soothe the souls of the fallen. There, he declared that Inhui would be held at all costs.
* * *
Wi Ji-gwan stood atop the walls, gazing north. His expression was heavy as stone.
Deep in his occasionally trembling pupils mixed anger, shock, and despair.
‘To think the Southwest Army was that strong.’
Having faced them directly, they lived up to their reputation. At first clash, they were like a pack of enraged wolves. By the second, they’d become tigers.
Their might and bravery had crushed allied morale, and despite a determined defense, they couldn’t withstand two assaults and were pushed back.
‘To think our army was this inadequate…….’
What enraged him more than defeat was the Qin army’s caliber.
Especially Won Gae-se’s direct troops—they’d shown incompetence beyond his worst imaginings. If they’d been even slightly better, or braver, they wouldn’t have been routed so pitifully, Wi Ji-gwan thought.
‘His Highness the Crown Prince must realize how dangerous politicized soldiers are.’
Wi Ji-gwan swallowed a rising sigh.
Then a general approached from behind.
“General! The Great Prince of Yeon has arrived!”