898, Shangjing
Through the Songak Prefecture, Da In-seon learned of Baekje's incursion into Silla. He rubbed his forehead with one hand, frowning deeply.
"These Baekje bastards… I try to quietly enjoy some peace, and they come meddling as if summoned by some spirit."
Da In-seon, who had been subtly weakening Later Baekje using scouting ships, felt a surge of irritation. The large-scale waterway projects were still incomplete, and rice transplantation was only beginning to expand nationwide. Despite his ambitious preparations, progress was slow. In this context, Baekje's sudden uprising was far from welcome news.
"Your Majesty! Under your reign, our territory has expanded far beyond the former realm of Great Goguryeo's Grand King! With this momentum, strike at Baekje!"
"Your Majesty, the timing is ideal! Station troops in Silla to block Baekje and proceed to annex Silla!"
"Your Majesty! The waterworks are not yet complete! The effects of rice transplantation have not matured, so war is still premature! Send only enough troops to Silla to stop the Baekje army!"
The officials' opinions were sharply divided. Some urged waiting until current national projects were complete before mobilizing, while others advocated striking Baekje immediately. Both sides had valid points. Attacking now would be strategically advantageous; Da In-seon had previously crushed Wang Geon without hesitation.
'Should I reduce the affected area to Silla? If we stop them there, Baekje cannot advance north. Yet I never expected Geon-hun to react like this… Could the scouting ships have caused this outcome?'
Da In-seon tapped the throne lightly with his fingers, thinking through their arguments.
"…I understand both points. Waging war now due to incomplete waterworks is unwise, but striking Baekje immediately is also justified. Realistically, we cannot fully subjugate Baekje yet. Rice transplantation and waterway projects must be stabilized first. Moreover, Han and Khitan populations are still integrating. Therefore, we will leave Baekje alone for now and focus on defending Silla."
"Do you have a plan for that?"
'Isn't that your job as ministers? Why ask me as if it's obvious?'
When Da In-seon gave direction, the room fell silent, awaiting his strategy. All nobles and officials present adhered solely to his decisions. Having unified Goguryeo and Malgal populations under the Eight Banners army, and personally spearheaded reforms, Da In-seon's authority was unquestioned. His victories in prior wars had been absolute. There was no question of resistance or alternative plans.
In this era of Da In-seon's Balhae, cultural integration between Goguryeo and Malgal peoples was extensive. Many in attendance were of Malgal origin or mixed Goguryeo-Malgal heritage. Their deference to a strong sovereign was natural.
Though inheriting Goguryeo, Da In-seon's Balhae retained the characteristics of a steppe nation.
"Troops cannot be pulled from Gaegyeong or Pyongyang… Hmm. The unit with Yu Geum-pil—is that the Jeong Hong-gi corps?"
"Yes. They have recently been newly assigned. Afterward, Shin Sung-gyeom and Bok Ji-gyeom also joined the Eight Banners army."
In original history, these commanders would serve under Wang Geon; here, they had joined the Eight Banners, pledging loyalty to Goryeo.
Da In-seon considered his options before speaking.
"Then dispatch 4,500 of Jeong Hong-gi's troops swiftly to Silla. Extract as much as necessary from the stationed areas. Are the identification cards being implemented properly?"
"All citizens in Songak Prefecture will possess them within a month."
"How are the waterworks progressing?"
"They will be completed soon, and rice transplantation is gradually spreading among the populace."
The nation's reforms were progressing smoothly. In Shangjing and across prefectures, local offices now managed citizen registrations systematically.
"Sodo."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
O So-do, still referred to as Sodo, was now reinstated in a high position despite his past treason, using prior misunderstandings to restore friendly relations with Tang. That a former traitor now held such authority in Shangjing was remarkable.
"I must say, I really like Shangjing. Even since the days when our land was famed as the 'Eastern Flourishing State,' it's been full of people, hasn't it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"When there are many people, entertainment is necessary. It keeps them engaged and encourages settlement. You understand what I mean?"
"So you mean creating things in Shangjing for the populace to enjoy?"
"Exactly. That's my plan."
Da In-seon had always sketched ideas for public enjoyment, originally from his knowledge of the 21st century. With little else to do in this era beyond governance, he now sought to implement them.
"Do we have the funds? If this continues, Your Majesty may become the Xuanzang of Goryeo."
"Ah, don't worry. It's only a plan for now. Actual implementation will begin next year, once waterworks and rice transplantation are fully established. By then, resources taken from Silla will suffice."
After the unilateral policy discussion led by Da In-seon, most ministers looked upon Sodo with sympathy before returning to their departments.
Once everyone departed, Sodo dared to voice what had long weighed on his mind.
"Your Majesty, why choose to ally again with a declining Tang?"
"Since we've caused their division, we must take responsibility. We need to hold onto their lifeline."
Da In-seon shrugged casually, as if answering an obvious question.
Sodo, both frustrated and intrigued, sensed a subtle expectation. None had ever teased him like this before. Compared to Tang's minor conflicts with Silla, Da In-seon's perspective was on an entirely different scale.
"What do you mean?"
"Knives are being thrust at Tang from all directions. Don't you think we should remove those threats?"
"Does this benefit us? You haven't forgotten the bloody wars of the past, have you?"
Sodo understood the long-standing hatred between Tang and Goryeo. From the Sui era, hundreds of thousands perished on Liaodong plains. If Da In-seon recognized his position as Goryeo's king, he would never leave Tang intact. Sodo suspected Da In-seon could, if he wished, topple Tang at will.
"Thus, we must show them mercy. All prior Chinese dynasties coveted Goryeo because we were the only state standing against them. Stabilizing their rear is a bonus. If Tang were to collapse and a new unified dynasty arose, what then?"
"So you intend to preserve Tang while keeping Goryeo safe?"
"Exactly. Why crush it when we can toy with it? Like holding a massive plaything in your hands."
Da In-seon gestured to the distant continent, not with ambition for conquest but with a sardonic amusement.
'I don't understand fully, but this man plans to manipulate Tang, showering them with favors until they can never defy us. He has no intention to conquer the Central Plains—just play with it.'
Sodo's arms trembled in disbelief. The concept was terrifying: a fractured Central Plains, with aspiring emperors rising constantly, now reduced to a plaything in Da In-seon's hands.
'The Yellow Dragon is now a toy for the Three-Legged Crow, and a new sky rises in the north.'
As Sodo staggered out, stunned, Da In-seon exhaled quietly.
'Am I insane, attempting to conquer lands with more people than the Han? The Liao, Jin, and Yuan all ultimately became Sinicized or failed to maintain rule. Only when their population decreases could such conquest succeed.'
Da In-seon's calculations differed from Sodo's. He understood historical failures: non-Han rulers in China inevitably adopted Han culture or succumbed to Han control. Past Khitan, Mongol, and Jurchen conquests had ended similarly.
Most terrifying of all was the Han population. Once driven back, they might be subjugated, but if they rallied, there would be no stopping them. Conquest was possible, but only once internal factors aligned.
Until national projects were completed, Da In-seon needed to manage local skirmishes with Later Baekje. He thus dispatched Yu Geum-pil and the Manchu Eight Banners Jeong Hong-gi Corps.
In Silla, Yu Geum-pil's forces were welcomed directly by the queen.
"General Yu Geum-pil of Goryeo's Manchu Eight Banners Corps greets Her Majesty, Queen of Silla!"
"Welcome. But what is this 'Manchu Eight Banners'?"
Silla had little understanding of the Jurchen (Malgal) origin and the Eight Banners system. They knew only that Da In-seon's army had crushed traitorous nobles and Wang Ryung's men.
"These are eight units composed of Jurchens, each with distinct banners. The Manchu Eight Banners are His Majesty's direct troops."
"Jurchens?"
"Yes. They are the Malgal people. Your Majesty, the Manchu Eight Banners are the direct command of the Grand King. I have led 4,500 soldiers under Jeong Hong-gi here to protect Silla! Rest assured, as long as I command them, the Baekje army cannot breach Daeya Fortress."
Yu Geum-pil's promotion was near parachute-level in speed. To protect Silla, Da In-seon granted him the position of Jungnangjang and gave command of Jeong Hong-gi's corps. While Da In-seon was curious how Yu Geum-pil's historical reputation would transform in this Goryeo, he acted decisively.
"Excellent! Tonight, I shall host a banquet in your honor. Celebrate today, and tomorrow, march forth."
"Your Majesty, with respect, the banquet should be after Baekje is defeated. You have ordered us to strike the unruly Baekje before celebrating."
"Is Your Majesty displeased because Baekje attacked Silla?"
"His Majesty is focused on consolidating our expanded territory. At such a critical moment, Baekje's raids against our ally cannot be tolerated. Once the state is stabilized, His Majesty will personally lead the campaign against Baekje."
Except for Choi Chi-won, Silla's high officials and the queen exhaled in relief. Though Goryeo had supplied provisions repeatedly, Silla had repeatedly repelled Baekje's raids in local skirmishes. Supplies from Goryeo had barely fed Silla's populace. Silla's military was now too weak to fight full-scale war; only local counterattacks could manage Baekje's threat.
The Baekje threat grew stronger daily, and Goryeo's direct involvement was a lifeline for Silla.
"…Does Goryeo have that many troops?"
Choi Chi-won asked sharply. Yu Geum-pil smiled.
"Ha ha! A military secret, but I'll tell you. Remember the Gongye Rebellion? Then, 36,000 Eight Banners troops were mobilized. They are His Majesty's direct forces, deployable at will. Central and local forces exist separately. So total strength may exceed 300,000. With newly acquired territories north of the Jugryeong Mountains, recruiting more soldiers is possible."
Silla officials swallowed hard, astonished. Da In-seon's army alone was formidable; combined with central and reserve forces, the scale was unimaginable.
Choi Chi-won bit his lip.
'Half-Goguryeo allied with Malgal is so strong—what has our thousand-year-old kingdom been doing?'
Even a veteran of the Tang Huang's Rebellion, Choi Chi-won found himself shedding tears quietly.