Chapter 10: Zhu Quanchong's Ambition
Meanwhile, Osodo sat in his quarters, clutching his head as he wrestled with a dilemma.
To carry out the crown prince's orders, he had to handle the Khitan without causing any casualties in Balhae.
Even though the Tang Dynasty was on the brink of collapse, how could one possibly influence such a great nation? After all, the empire still considered all under heaven as theirs, and Balhae was only a vassal. To sway the Tang, a legitimate justification would be required.
"According to His Highness the Crown Prince, everything is at his fingertips—even the Central Plains. And he expects me to share in that glorious undertaking. But how in the world could we actually make it happen?"
Unless Balhae were on the verge of extinction, the Tang would never send reinforcements just because Balhae requested aid to defeat the Khitan. It would be like asking a wealthy younger brother to help an elder who has squandered the family fortune just to deal with a petty nuisance.
Osodo had passed the imperial examination, so he knew the Tang's affairs better than anyone. To move the Tang, there had to be a threat to their security. In other words, the Khitan had to pose a credible danger to the Tang.
"The Khitan… there was that time when Li Zhinchong tried to rebel. During King Mu's reign, Balhae defeated the Tang, but only with the help of the Turks. Hmm? Wait a moment!"
A spark of inspiration flashed in Osodo's eyes.
The next day, Osodo promptly arrived at the palace and made his way to the crown prince's residence.
"Your Highness! It is I, Osodo. I have come to carry out your orders!"
"Oh? Already? Tell me, what is your plan?"
"To send me as an envoy to the Tang, Your Highness. I shall boldly deliver a declaration of war!"
Dae Inseon almost couldn't believe his ears. Did he just say he would go to the Tang to declare war?
Not the Khitan—but the Tang itself? He had intended to punish the Khitan, not provoke the Tang. Expanding it into a war with the empire would bring devastating consequences.
It might be more plausible to propose a joint campaign with the Tang against the Khitan.
'Is this man really a graduate of the imperial examination?'
"What nonsense is this all of a sudden?"
"Your Highness, do you recall the reign of King Mu? Back then, Balhae supported the Khitan and the Turks and defeated the Tang in war."
"Yes, I remember."
"We shall recreate that scenario. Balhae will assert itself as the successor of Goguryeo, and with the Khitan at the forefront, we shall proclaim war on the Central Plains!"
Even hearing this, Dae Inseon could already sense what Osodo was scheming. Yet Osodo was far more knowledgeable about the Tang than anyone else. Dae Inseon decided it was worth hearing the plan from Osodo directly, even if their perspectives might slightly differ.
"Ah, I see. And then?"
"The Tang may outwardly seem composed, but they are well aware that Balhae claims the legacy of Goguryeo. With the empire's fortune declining, if Balhae declares war, they will have no choice but to take it seriously."
"Why do you think so?"
"Even the Tang cannot be blind to the decay of their own nation. If Balhae now claims to be Goguryeo reincarnate and declares war, the empire will recognize Balhae as capable of waging it. The Khitan were once subordinate to Goguryeo, so if they lead the charge, it will seem credible. During King Mu's era, Balhae and the Khitan collaborated. When the Tang was strong, the Khitan sided with them, but now, with the Tang in decline, they will surely be wary."
The scheme was ingenious. If Osodo's plan succeeded, the Khitan would confront the Tang's main forces, and even the feared Yalü clan would face ruin. The mere thought brought Dae Inseon a sense of satisfaction.
"So, in that case, the Tang will fight the Khitan, who are acting as Balhae's vanguard."
"Exactly. With their domestic troubles, they cannot advance on Balhae. As Your Highness knows, maintaining supply lines for such a campaign would be impossible with their current capabilities. They will be satisfied to strike only the Khitan, cutting off Balhae's offensive potential."
The logic made sense. With the Tang's current weakened state, they could not muster the vast armies and resources seen under Emperor Taizong or Emperor Gaozong. Balhae, meanwhile, would be secure, having neutralized the Khitan threat.
"You truly are cunning. To weigh Balhae so meticulously… you may be as mad as I am."
"Moreover, even attacking the Khitan will deplete their resources. Heroes vying for the imperial throne will rise across the empire, furthering Balhae's advantage."
Although the Tang's collapse would take time, Osodo's plan promised to accelerate the empire's fragmentation. If the Tang deployed forces against the Khitan, the capital, Chang'an, would be vulnerable. Regional governors could threaten or even assassinate the emperor, just as history suggested.
"You call those rising men 'heroes'?"
"They divide the Central Plains and create an opportunity for Balhae's revival. By our standards, they are indeed heroes."
"That's true. Ha ha ha! Very well, you shall go as the envoy. Deliver the false declaration of war to the Tang! But before you do…"
Osodo's strategy was brilliant, yet one concern remained. Balhae had profited from trade with the Tang; breaking ties to recreate the Goguryeo era might harm future commerce. Dae Inseon decided to turn this to his advantage.
Osodo treated Dae Inseon as kingly authority; he would obey unquestioningly. Dae Inseon resolved to push him further for Balhae's benefit.
"Is there any additional instruction?"
"Do you plan to become an international conman?"
"…Excuse me?"
On the day Osodo was appointed as envoy to the Tang, he effectively became an international schemer under Balhae's banner.
Dae Inseon ordered the six ministries to begin training the Balhae navy and constructing warships at the Amnok River estuary. Though building hundreds of warships was beyond current capabilities, enough could be assembled to lure the Tang—a colossal fish—into the trap. If Dae Inseon truly intended to attack the Tang, he would have moved from the Changsang Archipelago with full force.
'In reality, the Tang has long been weakened by its military governors. Zhu Quanchong is a traitor, and the Tang will soon descend into chaos. Osodo's plan will hasten their collapse.'
Dae Inseon knew that Zhu Quanchong, who had distinguished himself suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, was already a rogue figure. By 892, the Tang had lost control of its governors. Emperor Zhaozong had even been threatened by military governors like Li Maozhong and would eventually be assassinated by Zhu Quanchong. His heirs would all die by Zhu Quanchong's hand. The timing was perfect for Balhae to make its move.
"Even if ruin comes, do this for Balhae. If so, I shall honor you as one would the Wanli Emperor. Even if the emperor has no real power, let him act as though he does."
"Your Highness, Tang merchant ships have been spotted near the Amnok River estuary," reported Aruji, son of the Baekdolbu chief. Aruji had accompanied Dae Inseon on the recent expedition against the Heuksu Malgal and admired Dae Inseon's strategy deeply. His father had petitioned for his son to become Dae Inseon's retainer. Aruji had been assigned as Osodo's close aide in the envoy mission.
"Osodo, you are quick. Have you already met Emperor Zhaozong?" Dae Inseon smiled at Osodo's efficiency.
Recently, Osodo had endured numerous hardships and been expelled from Chang'an while carrying out Dae Inseon's orders. Yet one person had recognized his composure—Zhu Quanchong. He remained calm when Osodo delivered the declaration of war.
"Osodo, is it true that Balhae seeks revenge against our Tang Empire?"
"Our crown prince is well-informed about the Central Plains. The Tang cannot control its military governors."
Osodo had been amazed at Dae Inseon's detailed knowledge of the Tang. Now, the situation unfolded exactly as predicted: Osodo would provoke Zhu Quanchong, and the strategy worked perfectly.
Zhu Quanchong, sharp-eyed and formidable, refrained from attacking Osodo. Instead, he welcomed him with courtesy.
"So you intend to strike our empire? Balhae alone cannot hope to accomplish this."
"As stated, the Khitan will lead the charge. We understand the Tang cannot handle them."
Of course, the Khitan would never truly attack the Tang. But the Tang had no capacity to monitor external affairs.
"Very well. Your Highness seeks not total conquest but control of Chang'an?"
Negotiations were delegated entirely to Osodo, who tested Zhu Quanchong by acting independently.
"If so, could this envoy negotiate on behalf of the crown prince?"
"I am intrigued. Speak your terms."
"I intend to destroy the Khitan and seize power from the Tang court. But I shall not fight Balhae. I ask only that Balhae's main force join us against the Khitan and not intervene otherwise."
Zhu Quanchong hoped to avoid a full-scale war with Balhae. Since Balhae's goal was vengeance, he believed that meeting their conditions would cause them to withdraw.
Zhu Quanchong's interests aligned with Balhae's. He needed a force not tied to the Tang to ensure his rise to power. Balhae was perfect.
Osodo had discovered the Sullyul clan by chance, noticing a young girl protecting a Balhae sword. She revealed her name as Sullyulpyeong and that the man accompanying her was from the Sullyul clan. Recognizing her as Dae Inseon's confidante, Osodo ensured her and her clan's safety.
Back in Sanggyeong, Dae Inseon instructed Aruji to summon Daewihae to the crown prince's palace.