Chapter 104. The Council of Generals (Jungbang) — 2
The old general spoke.
"We only wish to understand what caused them to change so suddenly. We must consider whether danger may befall Goryeo. Among countless possibilities, if even one threatens our state, we must stop it."
For a moment, Yeong-u wondered if he could speak honestly to this man.
He dismissed the thought.
A gentle tone did not make someone an ally.
Nor did it make them a good man.
"They prepared for a long time. They armed themselves and raised armored cavalry."
"Oh—heavy cavalry."
"Yes."
"How many?"
"Not many yet. At the Battle of Chulhajeom, about a thousand."
Lee Huisong cut in.
"Are you certain? Do you know how much it costs to arm a thousand cavalry?"
He pressed hard on the number.
Yeong-u did not yield.
"Precisely twelve hundred. Some equipment was incomplete, so I reduced it to a thousand when I spoke."
"Hm… twelve hundred heavy cavalry defeating the Liao army…"
"The Liao force was seven thousand."
"Seven thousand dead or captured?"
"Yes."
"Accurate."
The old general asked again.
"What was the total strength of the Jurchen?"
"Twenty-five hundred at first. Reinforcements arrived just before the battle—three thousand three hundred."
"Of those, twelve hundred were heavy cavalry."
"Yes."
"And the enemy—seven thousand?"
"That is the Jurchen's internal estimate. Some said ten thousand, but the confirmed number was seven thousand."
The old general glanced at Lee.
"That sounds reliable."
Lee answered reluctantly.
He pressed again,
"Besides the twelve hundred heavy cavalry, was there anything else?"
"They seized momentum. After a small victory, various tribes submitted, and more continue to do so. Their numbers are increasing rapidly."
"Numbers alone do not become strength."
"That is correct. They organize those who submit. They form them into units capable of war."
At the word organize, the old general snapped his fingers.
"That is the key."
"They use a decimal system. Units of ten and one hundred. They appoint commanders—not tribal chiefs, but military leaders. They issue weapons and armor and begin training immediately."
"So—organization."
"Yes."
"Leaders of ten, hundred, thousand?"
"Yes. Twenty-five centurions distinguished themselves in this battle."
The old general turned to Lee.
There had been no information up to that point.
The man responsible for Seonchunryeong had known nothing.
It suggested responsibility lay there as well.
And now, he questioned the report instead.
The old general shifted.
"Do they have commanders capable of leading such a structure?"
"Yes. They are prepared—trained, battle-experienced, and familiar with tribal warfare. There is one more thing. They distribute spoils fairly."
"That should be obvious."
"It often is not. It may appear fair, but rarely is. The Jurchen manage it with precision."
"You mean impartial distribution."
"Yes."
A vein stood out on the old general's forehead.
Another general spoke.
"So—they have broken Liao. What comes next?"
The tone was blunt.
Men at this level did not need politeness.
"They intend to found a state."
"Ha."
"Ha ha."
"Ho ho."
Laughter spread through the room.
"They win one battle and speak of founding a state?"
Yeong-u answered carefully.
"They appear to be laying the foundation first."
Several voices overlapped.
The old general raised his hand.
"Have they chosen a name?"
"They call it Jin."
At that, Lee spoke.
"Then their success may be greater than we assumed."
Yeong-u remained silent.
Lee continued,
"They have won a victory through heavy cavalry and organization. Now they speak of founding a state. It will not last. It will become another imitation of the short-lived states that rose in Liaodong after Balhae. There is no need for concern."
The old general asked,
"Do you truly believe that? You see no threat?"
Lee replied,
"They pleaded for the return of Guseong, and we granted it. That decision reflects our judgment. We do not consider them a threat."
Yeong-u wanted to say the Jurchen would not invade Goryeo.
But he had not been given the chance.
He held his silence, wary of stirring needless conflict.
Then the old general asked,
"What do you think? How will they treat us?"
Yeong-u glanced briefly at Lee.
"Speak freely," the old general said. "Different views are why we convene. Discussion is how we find the best course."
The words struck deep.
Finding the optimal path—
this was why he would come to value deliberation later.
"I will speak. The Jurchen will not invade Goryeo. They are deeply grateful for the return of Guseong."
Lee cut in.
"And when that gratitude fades?"
He was interrupting deliberately.
Yeong-u adjusted his approach.
"They also see us as a brother nation of the same origin. They will not invade."
"Then what of their past incursions?"
"They were expressions of discontent. I heard it from them—no one rides two hundred jang out just to loose a few arrows and call it war. They did not commit fully."
The old general looked at Lee.
The thought surfaced—those battles may have been exaggerated in reports.
Inflated threats to secure support.
The pattern was not new.
"Is that so?"
"No. They fought with everything they had. What he says is false."
Yeong-u let out a quiet breath.
It was as he expected.
Judgment bent toward interest.
He had said what was necessary.
There would be no further chance to speak.
He raised his clenched fist to his left shoulder.
"Sir."
The old general's eyes narrowed slightly.
It was rare—
a young man standing here without shrinking.
Even great warriors bowed their heads in this room.
The old general asked,
"At Chulhajeom—where were you positioned?"
Yeong-u did not conceal it.
"At the very front of the twelve hundred heavy cavalry. We broke through the enemy."
"You led the charge?"
"No. Wanyan Zongwang commanded the vanguard. The Goryeo detachment numbered twenty-five. I requested to stand at the front."
"Would that not make it seem as though you broke them yourself?"
"I did only what I could—give everything."
"Why did you ask to take the front?"
"I believed I needed to fulfill a role."
"Were you not afraid of death?"
"I am a soldier of Goryeo. If death comes, I wish it to come on the battlefield."
"Oh…"
The old general rose.
He had already judged that Yeong-u's role in the victory was not small.
"Thank you. That was well spoken."
Yeong-u gave a formal salute once more.
"Thank you."