Chương 102: Back to the Yongho Army — Park Geunsu

When he returned to the Yongho Army, the guard at the main gate greeted him warmly.

"Sir! Welcome back."

"I'm late. Where is General Park?"

"He's waiting inside."

"What about my men?" They might act as if they didn't know, but they knew. Only the one who believed they didn't know remained unaware.

"What happened to the men who were with the Geumowi?"

"They were being beaten. We pulled them out and dispersed them."

"That's how soldiers are, heh." One waited, one guided. Yeong-u rode straight into the yard without handing over his reins and dismounted. Park Geunsu stepped out onto the wooden veranda.

"How did it go?"

"They were getting beaten, so I put a stop to it. Got our people out and dispersed them."

"The Geumowi won't let that go."

"Another group showed up, so we slipped into the alleys." Park leaned out, peering beyond the wall as if trying to stretch himself farther. He even lifted his chin to see over.

"Why?"

"If things escalate, it could reach here."

"Is the Geumowi a problem even for the Yongho Army?"

"Well… General Lee Huisong has gone over there." Yeong-u's face hardened.

"I thought he'd fallen from power."

"His family must be well connected. He's been reinstated to a lower post. That's why it bothers me."

"Why do they keep someone like that around?"

"It's not about that. Leave rot in place, and sound men won't endure it. They know that—and still leave it." Yeong-u understood. Those above tended to lump people together. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. They believed the outcome was the same no matter who handled it. They spoke of ability as if it barely differed, and blamed results on chance. But people did not live by ability alone. Similar skill could yield very different outcomes.

Posture and attitude made the difference. Ignore that, and everything looks the same. It wasn't the same. A sword wielded in loyalty was different from one wielded for gain. Given equal skill, the results were worlds apart.

"…Damn." Yeong-u let the word slip. Park looked away. Being in a higher position didn't mean one could set everything right. More often, things could not be set right. There were more moments of asking others to endure what was flawed, unjust, or unbalanced.

"Yeong-u." Yeong-u asked, steady and firm,"Is Seo Uitaek really dead?"

"I don't know."

"And Yun Ji-ung?"

"His body was found."

"And Park Cheolgu—doesn't he show his face behind that building?"

"There are parts that differ from what's known." Yeong-u trembled. Anger surged through him.

"Were you afraid I'd lose myself to revenge? Was sending me to support the Jurchen a way to keep me from getting entangled?"

"No, that's not it…" The answer lacked conviction. Yeong-u rose to his feet.

"If that bastard dies, will you think it was me?"

"That's not what I mean."

"Isn't it? You know men like that don't protect the state."

"The world isn't made of good men alone. We've endured worse." Yeong-u spoke low, almost threatening,"Even if you rise higher, don't become like them."

"Do you think I have a choice? To stand here, you end up the same."

"You say that because you don't know what they've done." Just as his anger began to settle, two officers wearing the insignia of Jungnangjang entered.

"They're waiting in the Council of Generals." Council of Generals: a deliberative body where sixteen top generals of the Two Armies and Six Guards gathered to discuss military affairs. Park replied coldly,"I'll be there shortly." Yeong-u asked,"What is this council?"

"A gathering of the highest-ranking warriors. Sixteen in total."

"Then Lee Huisong will be there too. The Geumowi is part of the Two Armies and Six Guards."

"He's been reinstated as a general, so yes."

"And they restore a man like that and even promote him?" Yeong-u gave a short, dry laugh.

"So the Geumowi's senior generals will be there too."

"They will."

"Good. Then I've walked right into it."

"Don't worry. I'm here." Yeong-u explained what had happened.

"I clashed with the Geumowi and settled it by force."

"That's not the issue right now. Reports up to now have been proven false. His Majesty is furious." Yeong-u asked,"So they've called me to challenge my report?"

"No. Even those who had already left have returned. That tells you how serious this is. We must understand how the Jurchen increased their strength."

"…Right."

"There can be no 'military secrets' here. This is the highest command." Yeong-u suddenly remembered what he had said at Kim Busik's house. He had hidden answers behind the excuse of military secrecy. To conceal Jurchen secrets, he had framed them as if they were Goryeo's own. For a moment, he felt he shouldn't have come. They had done nothing, and now, hearing the news, they rushed into a frenzy. If he hadn't come on leave, what would they have done?

The image of "sunflowers" came to mind— those who turned with the direction of power. He realized, without knowing when it had happened, that he stood on the Jurchen's side.

"So I can't refuse, can I?"

"You're a soldier of Goryeo. It's an order."

"…Understood. If things turn, I'll cut them down."

"They're not that kind of men."

"With Lee Huisong there, it doesn't feel serious. Sounds like a den of schemers."

"No. They're the shield of the state."

"Hah…" Park placed a hand on Yeong-u's shoulder.

"I don't know why I keep having to say this. What have I done wrong?"

"You haven't. Things just… twisted." Park cut him off sharply.

"Enough." In that moment, Yeong-u realized he had been placing all the blame on Park. Park had done nothing wrong. He was just one soldier trying to hold his ground in a broken world. In a long-decayed system, there was little he could do.

"So I have to go, then?"

"If you refuse, I'll handle it."

"I won't put you in that position. I'll go."

"If I don't go with you, you'll be the one in trouble."

"…Alright. Let's go together."