The journey to Japan was more difficult than I thought.
The ship given to us by Nanjing was much larger than the one we had come on, and the size of the delegation was also substantial. Despite the lengthy preparations, we suffered quite a bit at sea.
It was mainly seasickness, but the sea route was quite rough.
It was fortunate that Balhae's navigators were quite capable. Otherwise, we would have become fish food long ago.
To begin with, we were crossing straight across the East Sea. It would be a lie to say it wasn't difficult.
Even the Joseon Tongsinsa (Korean diplomatic missions to Japan) are said to have had a terrible time passing through the Korea Strait.
"We really need to devour Silla quickly."
If we take Silla, traveling between Balhae and Japan will become easier.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
"I'm dying."
"Ahem. But we'll be there soon."
They've been saying we'll be there soon for a while now. Isn't this a dead-end situation?
Then something suddenly caught my eye.
The ship's flag had "Goryeo" written on it, not "Balhae" or "Jin."
"But when you go to Japan, do you send an envoy in the name of 'Goryeo'?"
"Isn't 'Balhae' originally just a name known domestically and internationally because of the Tang Dynasty? We cannot tolerate such humiliation even from the likes of Wa. As proud descendants of Heaven, we send an envoy in the name of Goryeo."
Even after losing Liaodong, Balhae—a nation that firmly held onto its pride as descendants of heaven—still displayed its will to succeed Goguryeo.
"Ugh!"
But isn't this really going to sink and kill us? Why am I dying here of all places? This is no joke.
The Balhae and Baekje troops escorting the diplomatic mission were also vomiting and in chaos.
"We're almost there now, so stop making those dying sounds."
Only the Malgal people who navigated the sea routes were unharmed.
Later, during the Goryeo Dynasty, it was said that pirates of Jurchen origin were seen, and it seems that this is true.
So those guys are fine.
"Damn, where the hell are we?"
"Phew, let's follow the coastline now. Even with this scale, even the Japanese pirates won't be able to do much."
Daebongye seemed familiar with the Japanese roads. Having originally been dispatched to the Tang Dynasty as an envoy, he would be well-versed in such matters.
Maybe he's been to Japan too.
"Your Highness, are you familiar with the roads of Japan?"
"I was once dispatched to Heian-kyo as a secret envoy."
Daebongye answered my question with a dark expression.
"Were you trying to ally with Japan in the fight against the Khitans?"
"That's right."
But that's unlikely to work out. Japan is across the sea, so even if the Khitan conquer Balhae, the threat to Japan will be relatively small. Rather than attacking Japan, it would be better to first conquer Goryeo.
From Japan's perspective, there's no real gain in increasing the number of enemies. At best, supporting Balhae would only consume its own human resources. Furthermore, Balhae had previously withdrawn from Japan's plans to conquer Silla.
There is no need for Japan to help Balhae.
"I guess things didn't go well."
"That's right. This time, I am going again, and since you are from Baekje, the Gadokbu sent me hoping you would help in the negotiations with Japan."
"Well, I'll give it a try."
It's not like there's no way to manipulate Japan.
There are cases where Goguryeo refugees helped Japan, knowingly or unknowingly.
That's the Goguryeo refugees of Yakgwang. According to records, the Goguryeo refugees of Yakgwang are known to have introduced many things to Japan, like iron technology and the development of Kanto.
You can use it to your advantage.
"If it goes well, the alliance between Baekje and Jin will become stronger."
"That's right. Aren't we brother nations?"
I also desperately need Japan's help.
"Minister Chojeong."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Minister Chojeong, there is something you need to do."
Any help from Japan is desperately needed now.
If that's the case, then we should use everything that can be used.
* * *
As the envoys Geumgang and Daebongye were heading to Japan, news of Geumgang reached Wansanju.
"Hmm. Oh ho ho. I'm very satisfied."
"What happened to Prince Geumgang?"
"Oh, well. Our Geumgang has formed an alliance with Balhae. They can't deploy a large army because of the Khitan, but they're mobilizing the Malgal army to keep Goryeo's borders in check. Isn't that a good thing?"
I didn't know this would happen, but the diplomacy was quite successful.
Unlike Gyeon Hwon, who was delighted with his son's achievements, Lady Sangwon frowned.
She said there was no news, but he was still alive.
"No, Balhae? Why are you saying you're going to Balhae and not Japan?"
"We need to cross the seas controlled by Goryeo. Now, with the momentum waning, isn't this the perfect opportunity? Choi Seung-woo, who recently became the new Minister Chojeong, is said to have given such advice."
'Choi Seung-woo, you damned human. You're always bothering me!'
"Where is Geumgang going now?"
"Ah, I hear there are many capable navigators in Balhae, and they're going to Japan via the eastern sea route. They're said to be working with Balhae's royal family, so it seems they've developed a close relationship."
How fortunate it is to be able to go to Japan on a ship with the Balhae Dae clan.
As Gyeon Hwon poured out his praise for Geumgang, the Yanggeom and Yonggeom brothers frowned.
"Even so, isn't this a country on the verge of ruin?"
"Yanggeom-ah."
"Isn't that right? If we continue like this, our Baekje will likely commit the foolish act of sending troops to a fallen nation."
Baekje also knew that Balhae had lost Liaodong and that its country had been torn in half.
If we want to leave our brothers behind and properly look after the interests of the country, it would be advantageous to join hands with the Khitans.
However, the Khitans were a distinct ethnic group. They could betray at any time. Gyeon Hwon trusted Geumgang.
If Balhae can just win, they will have a strong ally.
"That makes sense. Wouldn't it be better for Geumgang to meet with Yelü Abaoji of the Khitan and establish diplomatic relations?"
"Balhae, although it has only a large landmass, will ultimately suffer the same fate as Silla."
It looks like that on the outside.
"Shingeom, you have a point. But wouldn't it be better to be brothers? If we engage with the Khitan, even if we later defeat Goryeo, will the Khitan recognize our unification of the three kingdoms? If the Khitan defeat Balhae, they could use their growing power to target the Three Hans.
But Balhae is different. The Gadokbu Dae In-seon is already struggling to control his own country. How can he possibly target us?"
"Your son's thoughts were short-sighted."
"Your concerns are justified. Anyway, since Balhae is mobilizing even a small portion of the Malgal forces, Goryeo is now trapped between the two of us. From now on, we can safely attack Silla. Who's at Daeya Fortress right now?"
"This is General Aesul."
Aesul. A general who was quite active in several Silla fronts, including Daeya Castle.
If so, it would be reliable for attacking Silla.
"Depending on the situation, we will beat Silla to a pulp. Tell General Aesul to be prepared to advance on Silla at any time."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
If Balhae only acts according to Geumgang's will, it would not be difficult to immediately subdue or subjugate Silla.
At the very least, we must prepare a plan to keep Goryeo in check.
* * *
Heian-kyo
"Is this Heian-kyo?"
"That's right. It's not a place to be ignored just because it's a country of Japanese pirates."
"Isn't this all thanks to the Three Hans? Baekje and Goguryeo transmitted civilization and culture. Isn't that why the Japanese have developed like this?"
"That's right. However, these Japanese forgot the grace and didn't help our country when it was in crisis. Isn't that outrageous?"
Well, after the fall of Goguryeo and Baekje, Japan's role model was the Tang Dynasty, but certainly the technology of the Goguryeo refugees was helpful to Japan.
Before these people get drunk on their own Sinocentrism and look down on the Korean Peninsula, we must subjugate the Japanese under the name of Baekje.
On the way to the Heian-kyo Imperial Palace, quite a few Japanese people gathered.
A delegation from both Balhae and Baekje coming at the same time was a quite impressive large-scale diplomatic mission. It makes sense.
"Buyeo Geumgang, envoy of Baekje, pays respects to His Majesty of Japan."
"Dae Bongye, envoy of Balhae. I pay respects to His Majesty of Japan."
Daebongye and I paid our respects to the Japanese Emperor.
"Buyeo Geumgang? Does the Buyeo clan still remain in the Mahan lands?"
"That is correct. My father, the Great King, accomplished a great enterprise to avenge the grudge of King Uija and rebuilt Baekje in the Mahan lands, and has proclaimed that he will defeat Silla. Therefore, he has sent this foreign envoy to once again form an alliance with Japan, a long-time blood ally."
"Hmm, I heard that Goryeo has also been rebuilt?"
Where did he hear that from?
"Yes. However, that Goryeo was founded by a Silla local magnate, and befitting its status, it is helping Silla, whose national fortune has declined. My father has proclaimed to the world that he will rightfully punish Goryeo as well."
"Establishing diplomatic relations and an alliance with us. Are you seeking military aid?"
"It is between Baekje and Japan. How could I speak falsely? When needed in the war with Goryeo, if you provide military support, my father will promise Japan the land from the southern coast of Silla to Geumgwan-gyeong."
In a way, it's truly a proposal like a traitor to the nation, but anyway, people are different when they enter and when they leave.
"Do you need it right away?"
"Not yet. I'm just concerned about the future."
"That makes sense. Then did the envoy from Balhae come for the same problem as before?"
"Please consider the friendship that Balhae and Japan have built over the years."
Daebongye bowed his head.
"This is difficult. Both Baekje and Balhae are looking to us. I heard that Balhae's country has been cut in half right now?"
"We're just being pushed back temporarily. If Baekje and Japan help, what would be difficult about defeating the Khitan?"
"Then what can Balhae do for us?"
Daebongye narrowed his brow and swallowed.
Well, you can't shamelessly receive support troops and offer nothing. Then you have to give land or something, but considering the location, wouldn't the land that Japan could receive and manage be the Primorsky region where the Malgal tribes are?
The Malgal people are already not all under control. If we give land to Japan in that situation, it would be like kindling a fire.
"We will increase the amount of luxury goods used in trade with Japan, and propose a royal marriage to form a marriage alliance."
That would be the best option in the end.
How did Balhae, the prosperous state of the East, end up in such a state?
"Hmm."
Isn't this going to reach the point where Balhae pays tribute to Japan if this continues?
"The alliance with Baekje has been ongoing for a long time, so it's not a matter to ponder deeply, but the problem with Balhae is different. For now, envoys, you may withdraw."
Although he tells them to withdraw, the Emperor will ultimately not accept the alliance.
With Baekje, there's no choice because of past ties, but with Balhae, there isn't as much friendship as with Baekje.
More importantly, both Balhae and Japan consider each other as superior states.
Japan, based on the grounds that Goguryeo paid homage, questioned why Balhae didn't pay homage, and Balhae, during King Mun's reign, called itself descendants of heaven and referred to Japan as an uncle-nephew relationship, which enraged the Emperor.
Of course, the claim that Goguryeo paid homage was about Anseung's Little Goguryeo in Silla territory, so the claim that Goguryeo paid homage is bullshit.
Since they didn't see each other as equals and looked down on each other, if the interests of the two countries—wanting to keep Silla in check and have friendly nations—hadn't aligned, the relationship probably wouldn't have been good.
As we came out after the audience with the Emperor, Daebongye spoke to me discreetly.
"Giving away Silla's land. Are you saying that you'll cut off part of the Silla territory you've occupied and give those Japanese their own territory in the Three Hans lands?"
Are you crazy?
"Of course not. How could that be? Just by saying it like that, won't it become easier to form an alliance?"
In other words, it's a tactic to easily form an alliance and gain prestige. If we don't receive military support, that's that.
Balhae, Baekje, Japan. With a tripartite alliance, what could Goryeo dare do? Rather, they won't be able to make reckless provocations, and even if only the Malgal tribes of Sokmal-bu move, Goryeo cannot easily send a large army.
"Now that I see it, Prince Geumgang is also quite a strategist. I don't know what to do. Japan is a safe island nation even from the Khitan threat."
"I think I can help you with that."
You guys are probably going to be grateful to me.
"What do you mean?"
"In Japan, there is a region called Musashi. Goguryeo refugees live there."
"Oh? Is that so?"
At my words, Daebongye's eyes sparkled.
He's a quick-witted person. Rolling his eyes around, he's probably thinking about how to use the bait I'm offering.