Chapter 8 [The Campaign Against the Heuksu Tribe 2]
The generals gradually became curious about Dae In-seon's strategy. It was only natural; no matter what guesses they made, he would merely shake his head. The longer they waited for answers, the more agitated they became—until finally, Dae In-seon granted them a glimpse of his reasoning.
"In short," he said, "their main stronghold is completely empty at this moment. I've sent 7,000 cavalry there. I also gave strict orders: burn every barracks of the Heuksu Malgal. Those who refuse to surrender will be executed, and those who surrender will be treated as prisoners."
"So, does that mean the 10,000 troops currently fighting the Heuksu Malgal are merely bait?" one general asked.
"Not at all. Our cavalry is the strongest in all of Balhae. Even against the Heuksu Malgal, they will not be overpowered. Besides, most of our infantry are spear-men—they can hold their own against the enemy. I have instructed our forces not to engage aggressively, but to fight defensively for survival. The battle will not be resolved in a single encounter. Those who realize that we are not so easily defeated will most likely return to fortify their stronghold instead of risking everything in open combat."
Hearing this, several generals began to understand the scope of Dae In-seon's strategy—and the endgame it implied. Sweat ran down their faces as they glanced at him once more. For it appeared that Dae In-seon's goal was nothing less than the complete annihilation of the Heuksu Malgal tribe, leaving it unable to continue existing.
"The Heuksu warriors will see nothing but devastation and fire," one general murmured.
"They fight to preserve their identity and protect their people," Dae In-seon said. "Yet in reality, the people they fight for are already gone, and their strongholds burn. What do you think will happen to their morale?"
"It will collapse entirely," the general replied.
For those under attack, war is always a matter of defending one's nation and people. Even though the Heuksu Malgal were a tribe rather than a state, the principle was the same—they fought to protect their own identity and independence from Balhae. But if all their people were killed or dragged off to Balhae, if parents, siblings, children, and spouses disappeared, and their strongholds became ashes, what could the Heuksu warriors do? They could only be struck dumb with despair.
"That is when our 7,000 cavalry, who have already assaulted their stronghold, will join forces with our main army," Dae In-seon continued, "and together we will crush them from front and rear. Even those who surrender will be annihilated, so that every Heuksu prisoner knows the terror of Balhae."
"The villain dared not perceive the depth of His Highness the Prince's plan. Please, execute him!"
The generals all bowed their heads at once. They knew the call for execution was ceremonial, and Dae In-seon merely gave a faint, bitter smile. Yet hearing this strategy, they all felt in their hearts that betraying him, turning against Balhae, would be unthinkable.
Woaaaaaaah!
The battle between Balhae and the Heuksu Malgal unfolded exactly as Dae In-seon had anticipated.
The Heuksu Malgal had 10,000 cavalry, and their chieftain was convinced that he could defeat Balhae's army quickly and secure independence. But the battle dragged on. The Heuksu expected to sweep through Balhae's 3,000 cavalry, yet Balhae's spear-men and shield-men supported the cavalry, preventing a swift victory.
Damn it! These bastards! Are they not even trying to fight properly? They're just defending!
The Heuksu chieftain felt his lips dry with frustration. He had intended to crush Balhae with a single blow, to show the strength of his tribe. But the battle dragged far longer than he had expected.
"Chieftain, what shall we do? If this continues, reinforcements or supplies may arrive for them!"
"Damn it! Retreat to the main camp! There, we will counterattack!"
From this point, the fight became a simple war of attrition. Dae In-seon commanded calmly from far behind, while the Heuksu had no way to strike decisively.
Finally, the Heuksu chieftain did exactly as Dae In-seon had predicted: he retreated to his main camp to confront the Balhae forces. He hoped to strike the exhausted Balhae army from the rear. Yet when they reached their stronghold, what he saw was a nightmare.
"What… what is this? Where is this place?"
The Heuksu chieftain's eyes fell upon complete devastation. Every building in the Heuksu stronghold burned, sending choking smoke skyward. His people—his own people—lay dead all around. Not a single scream echoed; the absence of sound confirmed that there was no life remaining.
"This… cannot be."
The Heuksu command quickly descended into chaos. They had never imagined that Balhae—or its prince—could act with such ruthlessness. Among the Malgal, the Heuksu had been the only tribe to maintain independence. They had believed themselves untouchable, thinking little of Balhae.
But they were wrong. Balhae was strong, and its prince merciless. Dae In-seon was not a man who showed compassion.
Click… click…
It was then. The main force of Balhae cavalry, sent to annihilate the Heuksu camp, charged. The cavalry bypassed surrendered Heuksu warriors, sending them through a side route to the Balhae lines as prisoners. The rest, seeing their comrades slaughtered, lost all will to fight. The cavalry quickly returned to strike those remaining.
With morale shattered, the Heuksu had no choice but to retreat—directly into the path of the main Balhae army led by Prince Dae In-seon.
The battle was over in an instant. Surrounded from front and rear, the Heuksu were slaughtered. Some raised white flags, yet Balhae's soldiers ignored them, killing all enemies.
It may have seemed like the work of demons, but most of the Balhae soldiers were locals who had suffered under the Heuksu.
"Elite soldiers are fine, but none fight as hard as those fueled by deep grudges," Dae In-seon observed.
No orders were necessary. The soldiers systematically wiped out the Heuksu, and civilians who had suffered under the Heuksu joined without hesitation. Though untrained in elite techniques, they wielded spear and sword with relentless determination against the demoralized enemy.
By the end of the day, the battle was concluded. Balhae captured the Heuksu stronghold along with 20,000 horses and countless weapons.
The last Heuksu chieftain, captured and bound, knelt before Dae In-seon. His eyes were cold and defiant, yet powerless. Standing beside Dae In-seon was Eulbu, a former Heuksu who could not conceal his anger at the chieftain's arrogance.
"Why did you defy the Prince's orders?" Dae In-seon asked calmly.
"Our Heuksu do not obey anyone! Why do you do this to us?" the chieftain spat. He would have struck Dae In-seon if he were free.
Dae In-seon's gaze was ice-cold. No anger, no emotion, not even joy—just a calm so deep it was like a still lake.
Ha… I feared they might resist cleverly. But they are fools. And really… do they even bathe?
The chieftain reeked; perhaps he had intentionally dirtied himself to repel Balhae soldiers. Dae In-seon didn't flinch; he simply despised him.
All the soldiers watched. It was time to resolve this decisively and return to Sanggyung, to demonstrate the power of Balhae and the loyalty of its newly integrated Malgal forces.
"Is this why you sought to submit to the Tang during King Mu's reign?" Dae In-seon asked.
"That was long ago!" the chieftain protested.
"Yes. Long ago. But even now, you act as if you are independent. The Tang may fall any day, yet the country before you is Balhae. And still you dare defy us? You have provoked our people, sent troops against them whenever we were weak, and yet you speak this way?"
The Heuksu had consistently obstructed Balhae's foreign policies. Past expeditions to Silla were repeatedly blocked by them. But the Tang's influence had waned, and Balhae could finally act freely.
"Enough," Dae In-seon said. "I have given you two chances to join Balhae, to become Balhae people, to be forgiven for your offenses. Yet you rejected both. I may be young, but I am the Crown Prince. I will not forgive you or your tribe. Your heads will fall, and your fate will serve as an example to others."
"What of our people?" the chieftain asked, biting his lips. "Please, spare our Heuksu."
"Pathetic. You negotiate now? Fine. Your head is a small price to bring the remaining Heuksu under control. But you and your family will die."
The prince ordered the chieftain and his followers executed. Those who survived awaited their fate in Sanggyung.
Dae In-seon left troops to secure the ruined stronghold and planted the Balhae banner. From that moment, the Heuksu, a tribe with roots stretching back to Goguryeo, were fully conquered by Balhae