Chương 112: Yeong-u Speaks of the Current State of the Goryeo Army

"The men beneath such leaders are worse. They exploit their superiors' desires with cunning. Nangjang, byeoljang—those types are desperate to rise, so those above weigh them carefully. They dangle favor here and there, demanding loyalty. Only those who pass are admitted into their circle, and only those inside that circle can be promoted. Everyone else is excluded. The reason is simple—resources are limited. And those resources are already assigned.

So even when told to defend the nation, they do not give their full strength. They act only where their own power is concerned."

"Huh…" Yeong-u glanced at the high command.

"War requires supplies— arms, armor, equipment, food, horses… countless things. Soldiers cannot provide these themselves. So the state must. But how much of that supply do you think actually reaches the common soldier? In seven years, I have never once been fully equipped. Arrows are always lacking. Shields must be repaired by hand. They break after a few blows, yet we still need them. Spears have even been sent made of bamboo. They split on impact and cannot be used. Where did the real spears go?

They operate in a system of shared profit. They keep a portion and pass the rest upward. Those above do not refuse it. Their wealth is built from the soldiers' supplies."

"If supplies fall short, they turn to farming camps. But it is not to build a sustainable army. You must ask—where do those profits go? They go to the commander, then to the powerful in Gaegyeong. At harvest, carts depart daily— This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. not to feed soldiers, but to send goods to the capital. Can starving soldiers fight? Supplies are diverted, and no one feels shame."

"It is rotten."

"It appears sound on the surface, but inside it is decayed. We cannot march even a hundred li from the fortress. It is not because the barbarians are strong. We have better arms, better equipment, better supply— yet we fail. There is always something missing. Because supply is broken."

"My heavens…" The king sighed.

"The enemy rains arrows upon us. We do not return fire. Why? Because we lack supplies. If we expend all our arrows, even if we win, we starve. So we only pretend to shoot. After the battle, we collect the enemy's arrows and hide them."

"Why hide them?"

"Because they will demand them back."

"Why?"

"They are considered spoils of war. And spoils belong to the general. Some even buy them back with army funds and are praised for it."

"Is it all like this?"

"There are exceptions. A few upright officers keep the army alive. When such men are cast out, soldiers weep blood. They are removed because they stand in the way. False charges are placed upon them."

"Why allow such men to remain?" Yeong-u's eyes flashed.

"It is not proven—but I believe it is because they send more upward."

"A conjecture."

"Yes. We at the bottom cannot confirm it. But there is a pattern. Those who should fall instead rise. Look at the promotion lists— you must ask where the money came from, and where it went."

"That is why equipment is lacking. Even if we wish to fight, we cannot. If they must steal, at least leave us the arrows." The king bit his lip. He could not deny it—those same men supported him.

"What must be done?"

"Change the system of appointments. Make it fair. Without that, nothing changes."

"Then why were you rejected?"

"Because I succeeded. Not the man they backed, but me. They believe anyone could succeed, so remove me and the outcome will be the same." Yeong-u shook his head.

"That way of thinking cannot achieve victory."

"Still, might they not have ability?"

"No. They rely on bribery because they lack ability. And soldiers know it. They do not follow such men. That is why officers are killed." The king was startled.

"They kill their commanders?"

"They disguise it as accidents. At the front, such things are common. A bolt meant for the enemy strikes a commander. A helmet is removed during training, then an arrow finds its mark. More than half of officers die by friendly hands."

"Is that true?"

"We call it divine punishment." The king fell silent.

"They avoid narrow paths. They may be killed at any moment. They do not lead from the front. They drive men forward from behind. They test food on subordinates first. They fear poison. Is this a strong army?" The king had no answer. The old banju bowed, hiding his expression.

"Your Majesty, such cases exist, but they cannot represent the whole."

"Perhaps. But today, this young officer speaks. Let him continue." The king said quietly,"Go on."

"There is also imbalance in information. This is treason. There was a general named Seo Ui-taek. He betrayed information to the enemy to eliminate a rival. This truly happened."

"Is he dead?"

"So it is said. But I do not believe it. I did not see it with my own eyes. Men like that… they return." The king was silent for a long moment.

"Is this only a local issue?"

"No. The army rotates postings. Rotten men simply move. Only their methods grow more refined."

"What must be done?"

"Cut them off."

"Whom?"

"That man in the Central Chamber. He does not belong there. He must be removed—now." At that moment, Yi Hee-song stepped forward. The king struck the floor.

"Today, we listen to this officer." Guards entered and took Yi Hee-song away. Yeong-u did not stop.

"What of those allied with him? Both those who give and those who take are guilty." The king shouted,"How did it come to this?"

"Reform appointments. Hold them accountable. Make it just."

"What will you do now?"

"I will return north. I am only on leave."

"They will not let you go."

"They will try."

"And still you go?"

"I will not remain. I will accept nothing." The king clicked his tongue.

"Do you speak so freely because you intend to leave?"

"The world is wide. There is a place for one man." That day, Yeong-u spoke of everything he had seen. His words came from a desire to set things right. Yet at the same time, they laid bare the weakness of the Goryeo army.