After the negotiations with Lady Sangwon, I declared to Gyeon Hwon in Daejeon that I would go to Naju.
He understands my position better than anyone else, and besides, he is my most beloved son he cannot simply refuse my proposal.
"Are you truly leaving this father behind?"
Gyeon Hwon's expression was unusually heavy for his age, brimming with quiet sorrow.
No matter how much he protested, it cannot be helped. I have my own path. One that ensures I do not die.
"Your Majesty, someone must act. Should it not be for the sake of the Great Baekje Empire?"
"What of the national wedding?"
Ah, I wish that matter had been left unspoken.
"I believe the time is still too early."
"That cannot be! What of Japan? A nation bound by the blood of the Baekje royal family, is it not? Their king is no different."
In other words, he wants our families to become one with the Japanese emperor, preserving the faint traces of Baekje blood.
It is not entirely wrong, but… really?
If I set aside the modern anti-Japanese sentiment and think objectively, it would indeed serve national interests. And the emperor himself initiated this arrangement.
However, the situation across the Three Kingdoms is far from stable enough to send a Buyeo royal to Japan as it was in the old Baekje days.
I suppose it must be accepted.
Yet, for now, someone else takes precedence over me.
"Isn't there the new swordsman?"
"He intends to marry him to a daughter of the Naju aristocracy."
"Hm."
That is a good plan as well. If we connect with the Naju chieftains, it is essentially unifying Mahan under our influence.
Later, we might even marry the daughters of Naju's aristocrats to Shingeom, creating a personal harem for him. The thought alone is astonishing.
"What shall I do?"
"I will carry it out. However, the situation is urgent. Would it not be wiser to hold the wedding once Baekje's immediate threat has passed?"
Someone must command the navy and stir things in Liaodong.
Yanggeom and Yonggeom will naturally stick to their older brother, and Shingeom must still unify the Three Kingdoms to ascend the throne.
"I will appoint my son, Buyeo Geumgang, as governor of Naju. Let him build the navy there. Generals Sang-gwi and Sang-ae will assist him."
In front of the civil and military officials, Gyeon Hwon formally appointed me governor of Naju.
This should ease the suspicion from Lady Sangwon, Yanggeom, and Yonggeom.
"""We shall obey Your command!"""
Sang-ae has shown interest in me since the previous Naju affair. But Sang-gwi? He is clearly aligned with Shingeom.
If a man like that stays close, I cannot help but feel a strike to the back of my head is imminent.
Or perhaps there are unforeseen variables. Even if Shingeom aligns with me, should I act favorably, he will weigh the pros and cons but in the end, he will follow.
Naju
"Haha… I doubt I'll ever settle in Wansanju."
"You may have your superior opinion," Choi Seung-woo said, now serving as Sangjwa-pyeong, head of the left councilors.
This appointment stoked a competitive spirit in Neung-Hwan, despite their age difference.
What is it about Choi Seung-woo? He insists on continuing to support me. Not a pretty woman, but an elderly statesman trailing behind it feels… strange.
The prime minister of a nation is following me. It is frustrating beyond measure.
"Though I am Sangjwa-pyeong, my role is to assist Prince Geumgang," he insisted.
No, he should not have come.
"How many sailors do we have now?"
"We have just increased to three thousand."
Three thousand. Not bad.
"And the ships?"
"A pointed-bottom hull, Your Majesty."
"Less safe than a flat-bottom, but more maneuverable."
Even with cannons later, for transport from Naju to Liaodong to aid Balhae, stern ships are essential.
Had I begun as a Goryeo prince, the Yesong River would have sufficed. But in Baekje, this is no simple matter.
The shipwrights worked tirelessly, following the blueprints I provided.
Truly, it is merely a V-shaped hull—so it is not difficult.
We had previously mobilized captured Japanese ships while suppressing pirates, so construction was straightforward.
"Yet these are not battleships."
"Not yet. For now, they serve as transports. Combat ships will be built separately. We also require horses."
"And a landing force?"
Landing in Liaodong… Ah, Yodong! How I long for that name.
"Your Majesty, Baekje's central army is assigned to Liaodong. Your forces are primarily cavalry."
"We must defend not only two fronts but also Balhae's Liaodong. All of Baekje's resources must be mobilized."
Then it is up to them.
Raising troops, securing budgets, building equipment those are the Sangjwa-pyeong's duties.
"Well, I shall try my best."
"Your Majesty, our generals shall aid you as well."
Choi Seung-woo and the generals followed my orders without hesitation.
Now is not the time for Goryeo to move recklessly.
Unlike history, Goryeo was stunned by the desperate assault on Daeya Fortress; it fell almost immediately.
Of course, what can one like me without even a drop of experience do?
What was Wang Geon thinking?
Consideration
At this time, Wang Geon, King Taejo of Goryeo, was troubled by the Malgal forces to the north.
"Why is Daejin causing turmoil in our northern territories?"
The Malgal were subordinate to the Great Jin Kingdom (Balhae). Why now do they move south? Plundering under Balhae's orders?
"I have no idea," he admitted.
"Perhaps the Malgal have broken from Daejin. Or it may relate to Baekje sending an envoy recently."
After Naju fell and Daeya Castle was attacked, Goryeo hesitated.
Meanwhile, Baekje swiftly dispatched an envoy to Balhae.
"Baekje instigated Daejin?"
"Seems plausible. They seized Daeya Castle with a desperate strike. Our forces suffered significant losses from Baekje's counterattack."
It appeared as if Baekje had a secure backing.
Though not a total war, the Goryeo army suffered overwhelming defeats.
It is strange: a sudden offensive, then an abrupt pause.
Since the commander was Gyeon Hwon, a counterattack was expected. Perhaps Baekje had faith in some hidden advantage.
"That is why the nobles roll their eyes again."
"King Gyeon Hwon is indeed remarkable. He is a worthy rival for supremacy over the Three Kingdoms."
"King Gyeon Hwon excels in warfare more than I do. Who would have thought he'd emerge from Daeya Fortress like that? Do you know the Baekje envoy to Daejin?"
He must cross Goryeo's seas and the Yalu River basin, occupied by Khitans.
Because Goryeo hesitated against Baekje's advance, Baekje's envoy reached Balhae unchallenged.
"Prince Geumgang of Baekje," they said.
"The most cherished son of King Gyeon Hwon."
Indeed, the envoy carried serious diplomatic weight.
"Daejin and Baekje allied, and Daejin defeated the Malgal."
"Would a woman like Dae In-seon, ruler of a great nation, plant a flag elsewhere while her own land burns?"
Nothing was certain yet.
"What of the Baekje forces at Daeya Fortress?"
"They must not provoke Baekje unnecessarily. Unless Baekje plans to advance to Seorabeol, leave them be. The Malgal in the north are another concern."
Yes. Even in thousands, Malgal cavalry is difficult to confront.
The noble armies were disunited what could be done?
"Naju? Should we retake it? My father-in-law, the Goryeo king, is held hostage by Baekje."
Oda-ryeon alone held little value. The problem was his captivity by Baekje.
Naju Governorship
Time passed since my appointment as governor of Naju.
If all fails, I could still go to Balhae to prevent its destruction.
Seeing the goddess' face contort in fury was… delightful.
But I had underestimated Baekje's capabilities.
Mobilizing 100,000 soldiers in its final days impressive indeed.
"Why do the nobles and soldiers outnumber expectations?"
Even if I cannot fully match them, we will act in thousands.
Could Naju's aristocrats collude with Goryeo and strike Wansanju at any moment? They had indeed built a powerful presence in southern Korea.
Choi Seung-woo, the state's key figure, had expressed anxiety from the start.
I summoned him privately, without Sang-gwi or Sang-ae.
"How is it?"
"We could increase by about 2,000 more."
"Shall the navy also serve as a landing force?"
I wanted elite troops who had fought Goryeo, but plans had shifted.
"A landing force to strike the Khitans from behind?"
"Yes."
Striking their stronghold is not a bad idea.
Balhae had touched Yelu-a Bogi's sore spot first attacking the core.
Indeed, the Khitans initially seized Balhae's lands. Yelu merely sought pretext.
"Once prepared, I will present myself and strike Yoju."
"Yes?"
"And when advancing to Yoju, we shall use Japanese ships."
Ah, speed. Possibly the vanguard, the pointed-bottom ships.
Disguised as Japanese troops, not Baekje Khitan would not expect this.
Even if they knew it was Baekje, what could they do?
Balhae's ruler, Dae In-seon, would be fixated on retaking Liaodong. Yelu-a Bogi would hesitate to venture out to sea.
"I will secure ships from Datara."
"Do so. General Sang-ae shall train the landing cavalry."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Are you aware of the situation at Daeya Castle?"
"Yes. Our main forces are stationed there."
I knew that already. That was not the point.
"Surely you do not intend to attack Silla immediately?"
He asked, voice trembling slightly.
What if Gyeon Hwon and Shingeom attempted to swallow Silla now?
"That would be impossible. Even with Balhae's aid, attacking Silla would trigger all-out war with Goryeo. They might sacrifice northern territories to save Silla."
Once Silla falls, Goryeo is trapped between Balhae and Later Baekje north and south.
Alliance with Balhae provides a strategic advantage.
Wang Geon's Goryeo could never become a Goguryeo of the Go clan, ruling both the Central Plains and Korean Peninsula.
Even in thousands, Malgal advanced south under Dae In-seon's orders.
Baekje waited for opportunities from Daeya Fortress.
Wang Geon's Goryeo could not respond.
How fascinating history flows.