* * *
If the knowledge in my head is not false, the history of the small Goguryeo in the Kanto lands where Yakgwang settled should be continuing.
"A person named Yakgwang, who is of Goguryeo royal descent, settled there with refugees and cultivated the wasteland. He also transmitted many things that Japan needed."
"Ho ho!"
Daebongye stroked his beard as if he found it interesting.
"I sent Minister Chojeong Choi Seung-woo there. Why would I have sent him? Now, if I've told you this much, can you make use of it?"
Daebongye is someone who uses his wits quite well.
Just knowing this much should be enough. Later, when Choi Seung-woo brings the head of the Koma clan, progress will be made on the military alliance between Balhae and Japan.
Daebongye shed tears and held both my hands.
"I will not forget this grace."
* * *
While Buyeo Geumgang and Daebongye were having an audience with the Emperor in Heian-kyo, Minister Chojeong Choi Seung-woo, following Geumgang's orders, sought out the Koma clan of Musashi County.
"Who are you?"
"I am Choi Seung-woo, Minister Chojeong of the Great Baekje Kingdom. I was sent by Prince Geumgang of the Baekje Kingdom, so I wish to see the head of the Koma clan."
"Wasn't Baekje a fallen nation?"
"Silla has finally exhausted its national fortune and Baekje has been rebuilt, so it can be seen not as fallen but as continued."
At Choi Seung-woo's confident words, the head of the Koma clan showed a relieved expression.
Although he is just a descendant, he is the head of the Koma clan that has maintained Goguryeo identity. It would be false if there was no resentment toward Silla, engraved in their bones to be passed down through generations.
"I am the head. For what reason have you traveled such a long way from Baekje to find me?"
"Do you know of Balhae?"
"How could I not know? Isn't it the great northern state founded by Goguryeo refugees? As a Goguryeo refugee, I have always been proud of Balhae."
Having already settled in Musashi and taken root, they cannot return to the land of Goguryeo, but their hearts have always been directed there.
"Our Baekje has formed an alliance with Balhae, fulfilling the duty of brotherhood. However, now that successor of Goguryeo, Balhae, is in crisis."
"What do you mean?"
"The wicked Khitan, forgetting the grace bestowed by Goguryeo and Balhae, raised an army and invaded Balhae. Liaodong has already fallen to the Khitan bandits, and a member of the royal family has come as an envoy from Balhae to request reinforcements."
Listening to Choi Seung-woo's explanation, the head of the Koma clan's face became heavily distorted.
"Such a thing happened?"
"Japan seems to be immovable, so I hoped you would help. If things go well, Balhae and our Baekje, Balhae's ally, will not forget your merit and will give you sufficient compensation."
"What should we do?"
The head immediately summoned the Goguryeo refugees of the Koma clan.
Well, this matter could come back as a blade against the Koma clan. The head alone cannot make the decision.
"Although hundreds of years have passed, we still have pride as descendants of Goguryeo.
We must immediately go to the capital and persuade the Emperor!"
"We must prevent refugees from coming to Japan with the grudge of a ruined nation like us!"
"If Liaodong is lost, isn't the upper capital right nearby! We must rescue Balhae even if it's just among ourselves!"
Choi Seung-woo felt his chest swell with magnificence and grandeur. His heart welled up.
He is a subject of Baekje, but a subject of Baekje, which is a brother nation to Balhae, which could be called Later Goguryeo. As a subject of an allied and brother nation, it would be false if he had no feelings.
Fortunately, despite hundreds of years having passed, these people were still ultimately of Goguryeo blood.
"This humble one will also go to the capital with you."
"Of course."
* * *
At the time when I had an audience with the Emperor together with Daebongye, after the audience, the Emperor held a meeting with his ministers.
"Your Majesty, what are your thoughts?"
"Hmm. It's not bad, but it's not good either."
"Let's start with Baekje. While it's true that Baekje and our country have a long history, with Baekje giving our nation civilization, we have no reason to create enemies. Prince Geumgang mentioned giving us territory, didn't he?"
"That's right."
"However, I don't believe they truly intend to give us that land."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just to establish an alliance in name. If they simply form an alliance, all they need to do is not request support when war breaks out. What good does an alliance without substance do us?"
The Emperor's statement was not wrong.
After all, even if an alliance is formed, if they don't actually request anything, the alliance is meaningless.
But isn't it good to form such an alliance?
"But wouldn't it be good to form an alliance?"
"How so?"
"Forming a tripartite alliance between Balhae, Baekje, and our nation would check Goryeo and benefit us, wouldn't it?"
"Hmm. That's true."
The ministers' opinions were divided.
However, there is no need to form an alliance with Balhae.
Balhae is facing Khitan and is being pushed back. Is there a need for Japan to step into the chaos of the continent?
"Let's not be hasty. First, let's accept Baekje's proposal to form an alliance, and for Balhae, let's postpone it for now."
"Your Majesty is wise."
* * *
Japan agreed to form an alliance with Baekje.
However, there's no particular benefit.
"Your Highness, it went well."
"But they didn't form an alliance with Balhae."
"That's to be expected. Balhae being what it is right now."
"Well, it doesn't matter."
What matters is Choi Seung-woo.
"Is Choi Seung-woo doing well?"
"He should be doing well."
"I hope so."
* * *
Musashi
Choi Seung-woo and the Koma clan went up to the capital.
"We request an audience with His Majesty!"
"Who are you?"
"We are the Koma clan of Musashi. We have urgent matters to report to His Majesty, so please allow us an audience!"
"Wait a moment."
The Koma clan waited. And finally, they were granted an audience.
"Your Majesty, we beseech you!"
"What is the matter?"
"Balhae, the successor state of Goguryeo, is in crisis due to the Khitan. Although we are but humble subjects, we ask that you help Balhae!"
"You are asking us to help Balhae?"
"That is correct!"
The Emperor stroked his beard.
"What relationship do you have with Balhae?"
"Although hundreds of years have passed, we are still descendants of Goguryeo. The blood of Goguryeo still flows in us, and Balhae is the successor state of Goguryeo. How can we just watch Balhae fall?"
The Emperor nodded.
"I understand your feelings. However, do you know what it means to help Balhae?"
"We know."
"It means making enemies with the Khitan. Are you saying we should make enemies with the Khitan for the sake of Balhae?"
"Your Majesty, the Khitan will eventually threaten our nation as well. If we help Balhae now, we can keep the Khitan in check."
The Emperor pondered for a moment.
"Let me think about it."
"Your Majesty!"
"I said let me think about it. You may withdraw."
The Koma clan withdrew.
* * *
Heian-kyo
"Your Highness, what do you think?"
"They have passion."
"But passion alone cannot help Balhae."
"That's true."
However, I thought the Koma clan would work harder than I expected.
"Let's wait and see."
* * *
A few days later, the Koma clan came again.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
"..."
The Emperor was troubled.
The Koma clan's sincerity was conveyed.
However, helping Balhae means going against the Khitan.
Is there a need to make enemies with the Khitan for the sake of Balhae?
"I will not help Balhae."
"Your Majesty!"
"However, I will allow you to go help Balhae on your own."
"Your Majesty!"
"That is all I can do."
The Koma clan bowed deeply.
"We are grateful for Your Majesty's grace."
* * *
The Koma clan returned to Musashi and gathered their forces.
"We will go help Balhae!"
"His Majesty has permitted it!"
"Let us save Balhae!"
The Koma clan gathered volunteers.
Although not many, several dozen people gathered.
"This should be enough."
The head of the Koma clan looked at those gathered.
"We will depart for Balhae!"
"Yes!"
* * *
When news that the Koma clan was going to help Balhae reached us, Daebongye shed tears.
"This is truly... I cannot express my gratitude in words."
"I'm glad things worked out well."
"This is all thanks to Prince Geumgang."
"It's nothing."
Actually, I didn't do much.
I just utilized what I knew.
"With this, the tripartite alliance is almost complete."
"Tripartite alliance?"
"Balhae, Baekje, and Japan. Although it's not a complete alliance, at least there is a connection."
"That's true."
With the Koma clan helping Balhae, Japan and Balhae have also formed a connection.
Although it's not an official alliance, it's still better than nothing.
"Now we should return."
"Yes."