35. [The Heavenly Army]
"What… what is this! How dare someone like Dae In-seon defy me, the Great King of Baekje!"
"At the Yesong River, we were completely outwitted by them. General Sang-ae has lost his wits and keeps babbling nonsense. How shall we deal with him?"
Sang-ae, back in Later Baekje, felt both relief and lingering horror from the inferno at Yesong River. Soldiers of Baekje being turned into minced meat, crushed limbs, corpses strewn across the battlefield—all seen firsthand. That hellish scene was still vivid in his mind. Even conveying Dae In-seon's orders was a struggle for him.
When the court of Later Baekje heard of Goryeo's new weapons, they initially dismissed Sang-ae's account as the ramblings of a defeated general trying to shift blame. Yet, seeing the nearly dead Baekje soldiers packed onto a single ship, and the corpses left behind along the journey, made it impossible to call Sang-ae a liar.
Gyeon Hwon was a warrior rather than a scholar. Skilled in warfare rather than politics, he listened closely to the reports of Goryeo's mysterious weapons.
"So… it truly made thunderous sounds?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. General Sang-ae reports that as soon as we landed and advanced toward Songak, deafening noises erupted from all directions, and our army was cut to pieces."
"Judging by the state of the wounded, it seems so. What on earth did the King of Goryeo do? Could it be that he actually developed new weapons?"
If that were true, it meant a state of full alert for Later Baekje. They were increasing troop numbers and developing arms of their own, but if Goryeo had mastered new weapons, there was simply no way for them to win. Goryeo had both manpower and national strength on its side.
"While it's difficult to verify completely, the truth is that this battle effectively made Silla a vassal state of Goryeo."
"Damn it. Those Silla bastards really shouldn't exist in this world!"
The court of Later Baekje seethed with anger at Silla. Silla had repeatedly provoked Baekje in the past, and now they had pledged full allegiance to Goryeo behind the scenes, receiving the complete backing of a more powerful power.
Baekje was now forced to fight on two fronts. Silla would follow Goryeo's lead with confidence, while ongoing wars would inevitably sap Later Baekje's national fortune. Gyeon Hwon could only feel frustrated.
"We must contend not only with Silla, but with Goryeo itself. Isn't this similar to the era of King Gwanggaeto?"
"So, what does Pajinchan propose?"
"Your Majesty, as you said, it may be best to involve Wa. If we decisively deal with Silla and push Goryeo north of the Yalu River with support from the Central Plains, how could Goryeo dare descend? Then we could also eventually push back Wa."
Requesting Japanese aid was far from ideal, but there was no alternative. Unless Japan struck Silla from behind, Later Baekje could not respond effectively to Goryeo's new weapons. It would be humiliating for Later Baekje—rising to avenge King Uija—if they collapsed so easily.
"Hoh. That could work."
Ultimately, Later Baekje sent envoys to Japan for military alliance and assistance.
Meanwhile, a commotion erupted in Gaegyeong. The Yesong River battle had not only been observed from a distance by the Queen of Silla and her officials, or by Sulryulpyeong, but had also impacted the city directly. Gaegyeong, one of Goryeo's major cities, was crowded, and it was impossible for anyone there to have not seen the battlefield where the cheonja chongtong and firearms wreaked havoc.
The citizens of Gaegyeong had witnessed Baekje's army crushed thoroughly by Goryeo forces, and they all praised King Dae In-seon.
The victory banquet was even more remarkable.
"Long live the Great King of Goryeo! Ten thousand years!""Congratulations on your victory, Your Majesty!""May we even chew the flesh of the Baekje scum!"
The Silla officials scrambling to flatter Dae In-seon reminded him of Korea's pro-Japanese collaborators in the late Joseon period. The added complication was that the Queen herself joined in, praising him.
Dae In-seon pressed his forehead in mild exasperation. Yet, there was no way to scold anyone at a banquet.
"…Everyone, calm down and sit. Now, Your Majesty, what do you think the Queen and Silla officials will say? Do they think I could lose to Baekje?"
"Impossible! Your Majesty's army is nothing less than a heavenly host! How could Baekje possibly withstand Goryeo's forces?"
"Then worry no more. As the eldest brother of the Three Han, I will always protect Silla."
Even as he said this, Dae In-seon felt a certain bitterness. After all, he was aiding Silla, the kingdom that had destroyed Goguryeo. But if he did not, any remaining Silla wealth could fall into Baekje's hands. His strategy was to secure as many pro-Goryeo officials within Silla as possible, ensuring their eventual submission.
Queen Jinsung of Silla, already deeply influenced by Goryeo, was now almost completely loyal. She trusted that Goryeo would protect her and her people. Over time, both the Queen and her officials had become practically subjects of Goryeo.
'Baekje too, if conquered by force, would only breed rebellion. In this small territory, these peoples have fought for centuries. Suppressing them by force will only make them rise again, and you cannot win their hearts.'
Securing Silla in this way was, in fact, not a bad move. Without combat, both economically and militarily, Silla had been subdued, and even its thousand-year royal house now acknowledged the authority of the King.
There was no reason for Dae In-seon to be displeased, yet a nagging unease lingered.
'…Everything is going too smoothly.'
Perhaps it was due to the Queen. Sulryulpyeong, his consort, had traveled to Gaegyeong while pregnant. The facilities in Gaegyeong were adequate, but traveling from Sanggyong and witnessing the war could have endangered her. Dae In-seon fretted, worried that anything might happen to Sulryulpyeong.
'…I hope this worry is unfounded. Baekje's morale will remain low for some time, and Silla is already subdued. Then it must be the Queen…'
No solution came to mind. He could only hope it was a simple worry. Another, more absurd thought crossed his mind: what if the Tang emperor unexpectedly intervened and crossed the Yalu? But that seemed impossible.
'If Emperor Tang remains sane, he would not act irrationally… Yes, let this be just my simple concern.'
Goryeo already possessed sufficient military strength, having destroyed the Goguryeo Great Wall and secured dominance over the Three Han. Once that was complete, the situation would be even better.
With new gunpowder weapons already in play, the Tang's failed attrition tactics were worthless to him. Any unlikely scenario, such as the Uighurs intervening, would be manageable—they longed to join Goryeo's rule anyway.
"Regardless, with modern weapons, it's best to finish quickly. Otherwise, shall we devastate the land and relocate the Han population to Jeolla Province?"
"Your Majesty?"
"Ah, my Queen, what is it?"
"This Gaegyeong climate is very favorable. I wish to give birth here."
Amid laughter and chatter, Sulryulpyeong rubbed her belly and looked at Dae In-seon.
Returning to Sanggyong for childbirth would be dangerous after such a journey, so Dae In-seon resolved to let her give birth safely in Gaegyeong. Yet he wondered why she was certain the child would be a prince.
"Why are you so sure it will be a prince?"
"Your Majesty has triumphed over the remnants of Baekje. I and the child in my womb witnessed it all. Naturally, to resemble his father, he will be born a prince."
Dae In-seon laughed heartily, his previous worries disappearing.
Sulryulpyeong's words always carried weight. She had always worried about him, though he hadn't realized it. Even though he had commanded from the rear this time and had Shin Sung-gyeom execute his plan, her care was endearing.
Considering his Korean age, Dae In-seon was in his late 30s mentally. By this time, having a child or two was expected. While he desired a daughter first, he recognized the importance of a son for succession.
"Your words are pleasing. Since traveling back to Sanggyong is difficult, I will construct a temporary palace here and summon the officials to assist you."
"I am most grateful, Your Majesty."
After the victory banquet and rewarding Shin Sung-gyeom and the Eight Banner Army, Dae In-seon began planning new reforms.
Unlike Joseon, Goryeo had not been fully committed to Neo-Confucianism, allowing Dae In-seon to swiftly implement reform using his strong royal and military authority. The officials recognized the country's prosperity and did not object, even if the king appeared eccentric. This allowed him to push reforms further.
Although ambitious, he still had to manage the influx of refugees—Han, Khitan, and Uighur peoples—into Goryeo. Military strength maintained order, allowing him to accept them safely.
Dae In-seon did not underestimate China. Historically, a unified China sought conflict with the Korean people and neighboring states. Yet China's sheer population made direct domination difficult. His goal was to strengthen Goryeo, not to conquer, but to ensure China remained divided permanently.
This principle guided Dae In-seon: an independent, ethnically Korean empire, preserving power not temporarily but for eternity.
As he drafted reform plans in Gaegyeong, a soldier of the Eight Banner Army called out:
"Your Majesty, Grand Minister Dae In has arrived."
"Uncle has come all the way to Gaegyeong? Bring him in."
"Your Majesty, have you remained well? I heard of your victory and hurried here."
Dae In-seon internally questioned why his uncle had come. Reflecting on past assignments, it made sense: he had been given tough tasks, from overseeing waterworks to supervising Gaegyeong's administration.
"Ha! Were you seeking rest?"
"Not at all, Your Majesty. Please do not misunderstand my intentions."
Dae In-seon noted that his uncle, Dae Wi-hae, showed signs of fatigue, understandable given his responsibilities as head of the Three Departments and the Six Ministries.