Chapter 11 – The Fall of Park Cheol-gu
The next day, Lee Hee-song demoted Park Cheol-gu by one rank for his mistake at the South Gate.
Park Geun-su was promoted to take command of its defense.
The order came early in the morning.
Park Cheol-gu returned to his quarters in the administrative barracks and threw himself onto his bedding.
Park Geun-su tried hard to control his expression at the unexpected promotion.
To say he had not wanted it would be a lie.
Every official desired advancement.
Even if the country collapsed around them, they would still climb higher if the seat above opened.
Even if the one appointing them was a fool.
Even if it meant serving a bad man.
Still, they would take the post.
Suppressing the smile threatening to break across his face, Park Geun-su gathered the troops at the South Gate.
The mood was heavy after yesterday's events.
At the morning inspection he lined everyone up.
"I will command the defense of the South Gate from today."
"Let us not discuss the reasons."
"I know well that I lack in many ways. I believe I was given this duty because of what happened yesterday."
"I will need your full cooperation."
From somewhere in the ranks someone muttered,
"Release Yeong-woo and Cheol-ryong."
So that was where the knot had to be untied.
Without it, yesterday's matter would continue to hang over them.
"Understood," Park Geun-su said.
"I will petition for it."
Those who spoke of loyalty had little left to lose.
In a situation like yesterday's, they had been forced to ignore comrades begging for their lives.
If such a thing happened again…
And if he himself were the one abandoned outside the gate…
He did not even want to imagine what might follow.
Park Geun-su began issuing orders for the defense.
"Place two repaired ballistae on each tower!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Open the gate and build chevaux-de-frise in front!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Dig five more spike pits in front of the barricade!"
"Yes, sir!"
The orders continued without pause.
Each one was practical and precise.
Park Geun-su had long worked in field operations.
Now that he held command, the difference was obvious.
The soldiers dragged their heavy bodies off to work.
After sending the scouts to observe enemy movements, Park Geun-su went to see Lee Hee-song.
"What is it?"
"Park Geun-su of the South Gate reporting, sir."
"Speak."
"We have begun reconstructing the defensive works at the South Gate."
"We are building chevaux-de-frise and digging spike pits. If the enemy attacks, we can destroy more of them before they reach the walls."
"Sending our men into open ground without protection is fatal."
"And the walls?"
"We have mounted the ballistae."
"Good. How many?"
"Four large ones, two on each side."
"Add more."
"Yes, sir."
"I have something to report."
"What is it?"
Lee Hee-song's old eyes gleamed yellow.
"The soldiers are asking for something."
The newly promoted officer spoke too much.
Lee Hee-song did not like it.
"If soldiers ask for something, must you give it to them?"
"My apologies. But this matter concerns their morale."
"So you believe your predecessor was wrong?"
"You think the gate should have been opened even if the enemy broke through?"
Park Geun-su immediately backed down.
"My apologies. I will simply do my duty."
Lee Hee-song's gaze lingered.
He disliked talk of morale.
If maintaining morale was their duty, then officers should manage it themselves.
He hated the implication that soldiers needed rewards to fight.
As Park Geun-su tried to withdraw, Lee Hee-song spoke again.
"They are wounded. They cannot fight anyway."
"They will do their best."
Park Geun-su's eyes widened.
He hoped that releasing them from prison would quietly win the soldiers' approval.
Without that support, defending the South Gate would not be easy.
Lee Hee-song called for his aide.
"Go to the prison and release those boys."
"Yes, sir. The order will be carried out."
Then he turned to Park Geun-su.
"Do well."
"Thank you, sir!"
Park Geun-su bowed repeatedly, almost like a guardian thanking someone on the soldiers' behalf.
He hurried out of headquarters.
Give them what they want, and you receive what you need in return.
Or perhaps the opposite was the better way to think about it.
Watching him run off, Lee Hee-song clicked his tongue.
Even after promotion, that man would not amount to much.
Still, by touching the desire for advancement in his heart, one could draw more out of him than his abilities allowed.
If that happened, it was useful.
It was simply how people were managed.
He stopped the aide who was running off.
"On your way, check what Park Cheol-gu is doing."
"Yes, sir."
"If he's lying around doing nothing, put him behind the gate to open and close it."
"He will refuse," the aide said carefully.
The man had no military experience.
He was Lee Hee-song's cousin from his mother's family.
When Lee had taken office in Hoeryong, the man had accompanied him as a retainer.
Much like how civil officials traveled with guards.
"Then cut him down."
"Yes, sir."
If Park Cheol-gu resisted, it would be disobedience of orders.
And that would justify executing him.
The simplest way to remove someone you disliked.
Give them an impossible order.
If they refuse, kill them.
That was how discipline was maintained in an army.