Chương 105: The Council of Generals (Jungbang) — 3

Just as it seemed the discussion had ended, one man stared straight through Yeong-u.

"I have something to say." The old man, who presided over the meeting, nodded lazily.

"Hm… something again from the Geumowi, is it? Go on." The man turned in his seat to face Yeong-u.

"I am the Senior General of the Geumowi."

"Sir!" So it had come. The edges of Yeong-u's vision seemed to burn dark.

"We have something to discuss, don't we?" It was clearly about what had happened that evening.

"I apologize."

"It would be proper for you to explain what happened. Wouldn't you agree?" He could not tell everything.

"While I was reporting at the Yongho Army, I heard that the men who had come with me were detained by the Geumowi. They are comrades who endured hardship with me in a distant land. I could not stand by. I went to the south gate, retrieved them, and dispersed them." The old man smiled, amused. There was always something entertaining about friction between units turning into a fight.

"What happened exactly?" The Geumowi Senior General answered.

"It seems there was a clash with patrol troops at Jeojeon. Our men were beaten and returned, so we mobilized more forces and captured them."

"How many on each side?"

"They had around twenty. We had six or seven at first. During inspection, things escalated. We were overwhelmed."

"So you sent more men for retaliation."

"We sent two hundred and captured twenty." The old man burst into laughter.

"Haha! Men who have fought at the front—one might have shown them some leniency." The Senior General gathered himself.

"There are matters of discipline… and morale."

"And then?" He pointed at Yeong-u.

"That man came alone, subdued our forces, and took all the Seonchunryeong detachment with him." The old man laughed again. Stolen novel; please report. Laughter did not make the matter light. Yeong-u lowered his head. Then the Geumowi Senior General spoke in his defense.

"If he truly stood at the vanguard, it is believable. Those who saw him said he was like Guan Yu reborn. And yet, none were seriously injured. He wrapped cloth around his spear, controlled the force, subdued our men, and withdrew with his own." Yeong-u stepped forward.

"I apologize. When I heard my men were detained, anger overtook me. I will bear all punishment for today's incident. But my men have returned home after years away. Please allow them to go home." He bowed toward the Geumowi Senior General. The old man chuckled.

"That must have bruised your pride."

"Not at all. I saw how strong our front-line troops are. It is because of them that those in the rear live in peace." The words were smooth. Whether they were sincere was another matter. Yeong-u waited.

"I apologize." The old man laughed loudly.

"No. I would have done the same. After fighting hard and coming home on leave, if some patrol rabble harassed me, I wouldn't let it pass." Yeong-u bowed again.

"I will report to the Geumowi tomorrow and accept punishment." A general seated beside them spoke quickly.

"In the course of the fight, some equipment was taken. That should be returned."

"Thank you."

"In any case, you must appear tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." As Yeong-u stepped back, the old man—called the Banju—spoke.

"Do you truly believe the Jurchen will not invade our state?"

"I do. They will not."

"On what grounds?"

"They remember the old Jin Empire. Those who remember their origins do not strike those they see as sharing the same roots."

"We are their brothers?"

"At least, that is how they see us." The Banju continued,"And if we support Liao?" In history, hypotheticals are meaningless. Yet men never stop asking them.

"It seems they do not even consider such a possibility."

"A bold view. And a generous one." It was hard to read his meaning. But one thing was clear— there would be no immediate intervention. Anything further would be excess. The direction was already set. Doing nothing might be the best course. Even diplomacy, when it exploits war, is still a form of war. Then Lee Huisong spoke again.

"There were… questionable matters during the return of Seonchunryeong. Do you know anything of them?" Yeong-u looked down at him. Everyone else was seated; he alone stood.

"Shall I speak? Others are present." In the past, he would have held his tongue. Now he would not. He knew what kind of man Lee was. A man who chased power. There was no reason to fear him.

"Is there something you cannot say?" He spoke as if he were uninvolved.

"Then I will speak. Park Cheolgu is believed dead. During the Jurchen assault, he was pushed into a pit before the Hamma trench. Blades were planted below like a forest. He was wounded in the fall, tried to climb out, but was pushed back down. His body was not confirmed." It was not uncommon for subordinates to push a superior into death in battle.

"I see."

"It was not confirmed. I was not present."

"That is difficult to believe."

"Seo Uitaek is also said to be dead. I did not confirm it personally. He is believed to have lured allied forces into a trap for political purposes. Those responsible are unclear." The name stirred the room. The Seo family was a powerful military house. The implication of death by allied hands carried weight. Yeong-u continued.

"Yun Ji-ung is also dead. Killed by the Jurchen. It is said there was an order to eliminate him on his way home. Those involved have given consistent testimony. Land deeds and gifts were also provided."

"And why do you believe this?"

"The testimonies align."

"Hm… and finally—" Lee cut him off. The next part concerned himself. Yeong-u stepped back slightly.

"The last matter was entrusted to my master. I believe it was to prevent me from acting on personal grievance. I was told that if it obstructed my path in any way, I should speak." The weight of his words settled heavily. A councilor asked,"Who is your master?"

"Baek In-gyeom, who took pity on me in battle, taught me swordsmanship." The name swept through the room. He held no official rank, yet had saved Goryeo in a critical war. The Banju leaned forward, startled.

"Baek In-gyeom is your master?"

"I am unworthy to call him so, but he permitted it."

"He has not taken a disciple in a long time… and his age…" Murmurs spread.

"Is he still alive?"

"Yes."

"The same man from a hundred years past?"

"Yes."

"Unbelievable. That he would take a disciple…" Voices overlapped. Amid them, Lee Huisong's face twisted. Yeong-u spoke once more.

"My master said this— a man who carries resentment in his heart cannot achieve greatness." A disciple of Baek In-gyeom. That alone explained everything.