393.
The sky over Yangzhou was unnaturally calm.
Even after Chen Youliang's army had withdrawn, the banners of Zhang Shicheng and those of Goryeo fluttered awkwardly across the river, facing one another.
The roads between the two forces remained open, envoys continued to travel back and forth, but the peace existed only on the surface.
In truth, it was a thin alliance, barely held together by a single thread.
Standing atop Yangzhou's walls, Yi In-jung looked down over the city and muttered inwardly,
This peace will not last.
Almost every day, he found himself seated across from envoys sent by Zhang Shicheng.
"Lord Zhang will move soon."
"He has said preparations are needed before mobilizing the main force."
"Once weapons are secured and supplies arranged, he will join us."
Yi In-jung had heard the same explanation dozens of times.
Yet Zhang Shicheng himself had never once stepped forward.
At last, Yi In-jung asked plainly,
"Does Lord Zhang truly intend to honor the alliance and attack from the east as agreed?"
The envoy replied with a courteous expression.
"That intention has not changed."
"He is merely waiting for the right moment."
Yi In-jung smiled inwardly.
In other words, he will watch until one side collapses.
Indeed, within Zhang Shicheng's own stronghold, he was saying much the same to his advisors.
"It is good that both Chen Youliang and Zhu Yuanzhang are still alive."
"When they finish tearing at each other and one falls, I will deal with whoever remains."
His advisor Wei Jin nodded.
"Preserving our strength is paramount."
"We must avoid becoming enemies of both sides by acting too soon."
When news of the defeat at Longwan arrived, Zhang Shicheng's resolve only hardened.
"There is no reason to aid a force already shaking."
Outwardly, he smiled.
Inwardly, his eyes were filled with cold calculation.
All I need to watch is the Goryeo army in Yangzhou.
As reports of the same nature continued to arrive, Yun Dam let out a long breath.
"He has no intention of moving."
Yi In-jung asked,
"Then what should we do?"
"Chen Youliang has been defeated, and our own position grows dangerous."
Yun Dam answered calmly,
"There are still two paths open to us."
"One is to force Zhang Shicheng's hand by overwhelming him with gifts."
"The other is to bring matters to a conclusion ourselves, whether he moves or not."
Yi In-jung frowned.
"A campaign of gifts… would it truly be worth the cost?"
Yun Dam replied without hesitation,
"Zhang Shicheng himself may be a man of righteousness, but those around him are merchants."
"To move them, goodwill must be shown in unmistakable value."
He spread out the map on the table, taking in the entirety of Jiangnan.
"And there is something else we must prepare."
"What is that?"
Yun Dam placed a finger along the river.
"A grand decisive battle."
"A single engagement meant to break Zhu Yuanzhang's spine."
Yi In-jung held his breath for a moment.
"Is that… truly possible?"
Yun Dam nodded slowly.
"Chen Youliang is shaken, Zhang Shicheng is fearful, and Zhu Yuanzhang rides the momentum."
"As time passes, the number of variables in our hands will only diminish."
He lifted his gaze.
"In the end, a single decisive confrontation is unavoidable."
"If this war continues as scattered local engagements, we will be worn down—while Zhu Yuanzhang alone grows stronger."
That night, Yun Dam issued two orders to Yi In-jung.
The first was to begin a massive campaign of gifts toward Zhang Shicheng.
The warehouses of Yangzhou were to be opened—silk, silver ingots, fine horses, weapons, medicinal supplies.
Each of Zhang Shicheng's close associates was to be approached individually, their pride and desires carefully stimulated.
The second was to make contact with Chen Youliang's Han army and prepare for a single, all-or-nothing battle.
Supplies were to be stockpiled discreetly, morale reinforced, and commanders summoned one by one to be mentally prepared for a final confrontation.
After the defeat at Ying Tian, Chen Youliang no longer dismissed Yun Dam's counsel lightly.
He began preparing for what might be his last battle.
A separate envoy was sent to Park Seong-jin as well, requesting that he ready himself as a core force for the decisive engagement.
Yun Dam spoke quietly.
"This war is not a struggle between two powers."
"It is a contest over who may divide the realm into three."
He looked at Yi In-jung.
"We cannot become Zhang Shicheng."
"Nor can we become Zhu Yuanzhang."
"We must move solely for the sake of Goryeo's purpose."
Those words sank deeply into Yi In-jung's chest.