Chapter 18 [Bloodless Entry into Pyongyang Fortress]
"Your Majesty, what shall we do about the envoys from Silla and Japan who attended the coronation?"
Envoys had indeed come from Silla and Japan.
As for Tang, no invitation had been extended. Even if they had been, witnessing Balhae transform into Goryeo and the Ga-dok-bu become the Taewang during their stay would have caused them to foam at the mouth in disbelief.
Dae Inseon had anticipated such a future and deliberately withheld notice of his coronation from Tang. Currently, Goryeo maintained only personal relations with Zhu Quanzhong, meaning that as long as Zhu Quanzhong held sway, Tang would not dare meddle with Balhae.
Thus, Dae Inseon finally had the freedom to focus entirely on the Later Three Kingdoms. While Yeongju felt slightly uneasy, it was clear that if Tang ever tried to seize Yeongju, their influence would vanish at the hands of the devout Taewang.
The history of the Later Three Kingdoms was already severely twisted. Silla, citing the return of lands north of Jukryeong, had ceded them to Goryeo. The local nobles, who had once wielded influence over these territories, now fell under Goryeo's sphere and could no longer assert themselves freely, observing events cautiously.
In central Korea, Gung Ye, Yang Gil, and Wang Ryung clashed fiercely. Meanwhile, Gyeon Hwon had established Baekje earlier than in history. Having heard that Balhae claimed Goryeo, Gyeon Hwon did not want to remain a mere bandit leader and therefore declared Baekje sooner.
To avenge King Uija and justify attacks on Silla, Baekje assaulted central Korea while engaging in skirmishes with Silla.
Dae Inseon, eager as he was to strike immediately, held back. The Palgi Army had yet to be fully organized.
"Send envoys separately to Silla and Japan. As for Wang Ryung and Wang Geon, they've grown their influence through trade rather than military power, so leave them be. Yang Gil, however, may be struggling. Disguised as Tang merchants, we should supply him with military provisions."
"Are you suggesting we aid a bandit group operating in our territory?"
Choi Seung-woo could not fathom what Dae Inseon was thinking. Goryeo had been reestablished to unify the Three Hans and prepare for southern expansion. How could they now aid local nobles?
"We act as Tang merchants. While the Yeongju region is stable, we cannot divert troops from Liaodong. This is only until the Palgi Army is complete. Supporting Yang Gil ensures Gung Ye does not fall."
It's nearly time for Wang Geon to submit to Gung Ye, though history is now twisted. At least we must prevent Wang Geon and Wang Ryung from surrendering. Let Yang Gil and Gung Ye fight among themselves—it benefits us. Once the Palgi Army is ready, we can advance south swiftly.
In the Later Three Kingdoms, bloodshed was inevitable. Even without Balhae's intervention, Later Baekje, Silla, and central Korea's Yang Gil and Gung Ye would constantly clash. By supporting the weaker side until ready, Dae Inseon could keep the balance.
Yang Gil had expanded his power from thirty fortresses north of Wonju as Silla collapsed. But after Gung Ye, once a subordinate, became independent, Yang Gil's forces were defeated at the Battle of Bineoseong in 899.
This was the exact period in question. Gung Ye was beginning to solidify his base, and Yang Gil was wary of him.
Yet, unlike history, Dae Inseon's claim of Goryeo and Gyeon Hwon's swift establishment of Later Baekje significantly altered central Korea's balance.
It seemed as if these moves were driven by fear of Dae Inseon's Goryeo. Yang Gil quickly became jealous of Gung Ye, while Gung Ye, now stronger, sought to crush Yang Gil.
At least there was no chance for Gung Ye or Wang Geon's Goryeo to be established—the legitimacy had already been claimed by Dae Inseon.
"Where is O So-do? His absence at the appointment ceremony is quite rude."
"He was sent west. The Central Plains are chaotic; many would want to flee. Any skilled individuals among them were recruited and brought here."
Having sent him there, Dae Inseon secretly instructed O So-do to find talented individuals capable of realizing ideas from the populous Central Plains. While Dae Inseon was no polymath, he sought those who could apply his concepts.
"Isn't this too much to demand of a scholar?"
"Loyal subjects do not hesitate to risk death for their ruler. That is why he was given the role."
"Sometimes, Your Majesty, it is hard to tell if you are a tyrant or a wise king."
Choi Seung-woo raised an eyebrow, pondering Dae Inseon's nature. The king boldly enforced his policies in front of nobles. Normally, friction would have arisen, yet the nobles quietly complied. Rumor had it that Dae Inseon's military strength made resistance futile, though he never resorted to direct force.
Whatever he was, Choi realized one thing: Dae Inseon was a ruler deserving the respect of his people.
Dae Inseon's cunning plan began by mobilizing Balhae merchants.
The head of the Lee family, Balhae's wealthiest merchant clan, loaded military supplies onto ships and sent them down the Yalu River to the peninsula, contacting Yang Gil.
Yang Gil was desperate. Gung Ye's attacks, unlike history, pushed him steadily back.
"Damn Gung Ye! This traitor keeps attacking without gratitude?"
"General, our losses are too great. Should we seek Wang Ryung's help?"
Yang Gil had clashed with Gung Ye near Sakju in Gangwon Province. Initially superior, he suffered after Bok Ji-gyeom and Wang Geon joined Gung Ye's forces. Wang Ryung, strong through maritime trade, also aided Gung Ye, further disadvantaging Yang Gil.
"Help from cowards? They barely lift a finger against that monk! Either he dies or I die—one of us!"
"General! A Tang merchant wishes to see you!"
"What could a merchant from fractured Tang want?"
It was either salvation or a trap. A man claiming to be a Tang merchant arrived at Yang Gil's camp, leading his caravan.
Though tempted to execute him, Yang Gil considered that a real Tang merchant could be valuable. He summoned him.
"Greetings, General. I am Tang merchant Lee Jae-chun."
"State your purpose."
Lee appeared wealthy and elegant, exuding the aura of a major merchant. Young but clearly affluent, Yang Gil swallowed nervously.
"We wish to support you, General."
"Why would a Tang merchant involve himself with us?"
"As you know, Tang is fragmented. Merchants can thrive amid chaos. We aim to trade here as well."
Yang Gil suspected no spies—this was not Gung Ye's doing, nor likely Wang Ryung's at this moment. If genuine, this support was a godsend.
"Who threatens you?" Yang Gil asked.
"Wang Ryung. His maritime trade obstructs us, and we might be expelled. Learning that Wang Ryung is allied with Gung Ye, we deemed supporting you more fitting."
"What do you want in return?"
Yang Gil felt as if the heavens had delivered aid.
"Defeat Gung Ye, then eliminate Wang Ryung. Ensure our trade monopoly here. We will supply you with all military provisions needed."
"Very well! It coincidentally displeased me as well. Let us work together!"
Yang Gil formed a partnership with Lee Jae-chun's caravan, which immediately began supplying weapons and provisions. Yang Gil's army, re-equipped and compensated with wealth to gain local nobles' favor, regained strength.
Battles against Gung Ye resumed.
"What is this? Yang Gil's army has been defeated repeatedly, yet they still possess such arms and numbers?"
"Someone is supporting them. A Tang merchant, apparently."
Gung Ye, frustrated by repeated defeats, could not fully capture Sakju. Wang Geon and Bok Ji-gyeom had joined Gung Ye's forces, but Lee Jae-chun's support tipped some battles in Yang Gil's favor.
The prolonged attrition left both sides exhausted. Meanwhile, in Goryeo, the Palgi Army's training and formation concluded.
"The Baekje forces are struggling at Daeya Fortress, Silla holds strong, and Gung Ye and Yang Gil are bleeding each other dry…"
"The Palgi Army is ready. Thirty-six thousand troops await the king's command."
Dae Inseon smirked. Even combined, Yang Gil and Gung Ye's armies numbered barely ten thousand. One-third of the Palgi Army alone. Yang Gil's forces now answered directly to Dae Inseon, leaving Gung Ye alone.
Considering Wang Geon's position as a future unifier of the Three Hans, Dae Inseon felt a tinge of amusement.
"Lee Jae-chun, the Tang merchant supporting Yang Gil?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Any requests?"
"He asks for exclusive trade rights with Silla."
Though Silla was a shadow of its former self, trade with Goryeo sustained it. Lee Jae-chun sought monopoly rights to reap maximum profit.
"Grant his request. Eulbu and Aruji, follow me. We will now reclaim our old lands."
"The commanders will obey, Your Majesty!"
May 896 AD.
The newly formed Palgi Army, led by King Dae Inseon, began advancing south.
Goryeo, Later Baekje, and Silla had been established. Yang Gil and Gung Ye, exhausted from constant skirmishes, remained unaware of the approaching Palgi Army.
Crossing the border, Dae Inseon's forces swiftly neared Pyongyang Fortress.
Once ceded by Silla, the fortress now drew Dae Inseon's ire due to the independence of local nobles. Supplies from Namhaebu ensured readiness.
Pyongyang's nobles, under Wang Ryung's influence, quickly raised the white flag as the Palgi Army surrounded the city.
The Palgi Army disarmed the nobles and forced them to kneel at the local government office.
"Did you truly not know that Goryeo now rules this land?"
"Forgive us, Your Majesty! Had we not followed Wang Ryung of Songak, we would have been crushed!"
"So you fear Wang Ryung but not me, the Taewang of Great Goryeo?"
Dae Inseon wished he could punish these nobles for their defiance. Three years had passed since the land became part of Goryeo, yet they still clung to Wang Ryung. Their claims of fear were mere excuses.
"Spare us, Your Majesty!"
"All lands up to Jukryeong are mine. How dare you seize Pyongyang Fortress to oppose me?"
"Slay us, Your Majesty!"
Though he wanted to execute them, Dae Inseon prioritized stabilizing Pyongyang. Their morale needed breaking, not their lives.
"Pyongyang is sacred to Goryeo. Before I arrived, you should have submitted willingly. You demanded death? Fine. Soldiers, seize these nobles and transport them to the capital!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Eulbu, send a message to Namhaebu and dispatch officials and troops to manage Pyongyang."
Though pleading for mercy, their earlier defiance only deepened Dae Inseon's contempt.
'Pretending to beg for death, yet unwilling to die… how audacious.'
During the Third Goryeo-Tang War, even the Tang-Silla alliance barely captured Pyongyang thanks to internal betrayal. Here, the Palgi Army achieved a bloodless entry.
Dae Inseon felt slightly disappointed—was it too easy after all the effort to form the Palgi Army?
"…Shall we strike directly at Gung Ye's forces now?"