I Became a Fallen Noble of Goguryeo

Chapter 32: Father-in-law (2)

‘What kind of situation is this?’

I felt a little dizzy.

Of course, I also knew that ginseng and fertilizers would help Goguryeo, but at best, they only served as reinforcements.

The more grain we produced, the more provisions for the army we’d have, and the population would gradually increase as well.

Meanwhile, any drop in grain prices could be covered with ginseng, which was a cash crop.

But if ginseng came from Pyeongyang, the Domestic Fortress Faction’s influence over the surrounding areas would weaken.

That meant, to prevent it, the Domestic Fortress Faction would have no choice but to employ me.

Taking such matters into a grand strategy, balancing those ratios well—this was what they called ‘political capability’...

Hearing it, I couldn’t help but click my tongue in disbelief.

‘Their mindset is just different.’

Everything was tied to politics—truly Homo Politicus.

The two, who had been talking for quite a while, suddenly turned their heads toward me and clapped their hands sharply.

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations.”

For a moment, I grew uneasy, wondering if my regression would end here. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“From this moment on, you’ve become quite an important man in Goguryeo. In that sense, let me give a word of advice to my royal son-in-law… Those unfamiliar with politics think it’s a clash of schemes, but that’s not it.”

Go Yangseong stroked his beard as he spoke.

“Politics is a battle between people. It’s like a game of chess. The more pieces you have, the better your chances of doing something.”

“…I will bear that in mind.”

“You please me. When I look at you, I regret that I am not King Gwanggaeto. If I were, I would’ve placed you at my side without all this nonsense.”

It seemed I had secured his favor.

Then, perhaps I should press further?

“As you say, Your Majesty cannot become King Gwanggaeto.”

“…Hmmm?”

Go Yangseong’s face stiffened.

Now, for the reversal.

“But, Your Majesty can become King Sosurim.”

In King Sosurim’s time, Goguryeo was as good as ruined.

To the north, the Murong invaded and captured the capital, Domestic Fortress.

To the south, King Geunchogo of Baekje struck up to Pyeongyang and killed King Gogukwon.

It was then that King Sosurim ascended the throne, reviving a collapsing Goguryeo.

He embraced Confucianism, establishing laws.

He officially recognized Buddhism, laying down an ideological foundation.

He founded the Taehak, nurturing talent.

It was practically the creation of a new Goguryeo. That’s why King Sosurim became the dividing line between ‘Early Goguryeo’ and ‘Later Goguryeo.’

And now, Goguryeo was again in turmoil.

Starting with the Rebellion of Chugun and Segun, the central authority had collapsed. In that vacuum, Silla and Baekje struck, and Goguryeo lost all its southern territories.

I pressed that point.

“Without the foundation laid by King Sosurim, would the achievements of King Jangsu and King Gwanggaeto have been possible?

The only words that befit Your Majesty now are ‘revival.’ The great deeds that follow shall belong to Crown Prince Go Daewon.”

I didn’t embellish my words with flowery rhetoric.

Before a political grandmaster like Go Yangseong, such tricks would only seem childish.

Therefore, my trump card was ‘sincerity.’

There was nothing difficult about it. After all, that was truly how things would unfold.

Go Yangseong studied my expression and let out a thoughtful hum.

“…You’ve never met Daewon, have you?”

“I haven’t, but living with the princess, I’ve heard much about him.”

At that, Boknyeo shot me a look as if to say, ‘When did you ever praise my brother?’ But I ignored her.

Go Yangseong chuckled.

“I often wondered if my children were the reincarnations of Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, seeing how Boknyeo and Daewon fought as if to kill each other every day. So he had that side to him as well!”

As expected, nothing pleased parents more than harmony between their children.

Go Yangseong looked at me and asked,

“When do you plan on having children?”

“I was thinking of waiting about two years.”

“That’s good.”

He laughed in satisfaction.

“A woman’s body may seem grown by sixteen, but in truth, it isn’t until twenty that childbirth becomes safe. I worried that your background might rush you, but you truly cherish my daughter.”

“Her Highness is my wife as well. How could I not treasure her?”

“Good words, very good words.”

Go Yangseong then said,

“In that case, you should attend the Taehak in the meantime. Its courses last three to five years. Behind the Taehak lies a large stretch of land—discuss with its scholars and establish proper farming methods there.”

To that, I added,

“There are villagers in Gomchon. Among them are those skilled in fertilizers. If employed well, they could be of great use.”

“Not bad. I’ll have capable ones chosen to take the lead in spreading new methods. The outstanding among them may even receive ranks.”

Goguryeo was not stingy toward craftsmen.

The stonemason Mundal from Hanseong, recognized for his craftsmanship, had once been appointed Junior Official of the Ministry of Works and was entrusted with overseeing the construction of Jang’an Fortress.

There was nothing that the people of Gomchon could not accomplish either.

‘Besides, this is a good thing for me as well.’

They would become my network.

The highest governing body of Goguryeo was the Jeja Council.

Depending on the era, in the early days the Gaero royal clan had directly presided.

In the mid-period, it was led by either two Sangga or a single Guksang appointed by the Grand King.

But in the present, as royal authority weakened once more, it was presided over by the Supreme Chancellor, chosen by the nobles...

Yet what never changed was that the Jeja Council, composed only of the highest-ranking classes, remained the center of Goguryeo politics.

“Let us begin today’s council.”

When the Grand King, wearing his white Baekragwan, called out, the nobles of rank Middle Elder and above, wearing their purple Jara Caps, bowed their heads.

At the forefront stood Supreme Chancellor Wang Godeok, who, as representative of the Jeja Council, reported to the Grand King.

“As for the monk to be dispatched to Northern Qi for the promotion of Buddhism, I believe Monk Uiyeon is most suitable. Though young, he is deeply learned and is called the foremost man of wisdom in Goguryeo.”

Wang Godeok spoke evenly.

Yet despite the mild tone, the meaning was weighty.

The Supreme Chancellor was throwing his support behind Buddhism, which was directly tied to the strengthening of royal authority.

In other words, it could be taken as Wang Godeok’s clear declaration of defeat… though that would only be true if he still intended to cling to politics.

But Wang Godeok no longer had any ambition for central politics. From the start, this was to be his last duty.

He had been an ambitious man, but he did not wish to remain as a disgraceful one.

In that sense, the promotion of Buddhism was a fine legacy. Later history would remember him, at the very least, as one who had fostered Buddhism in Goguryeo.

Go Yangseong spoke.

“Uiyeon, eh? That was the recommendation of the Ulje Envoy Hyeja.”

“Yes, that is so.”

Beside Go Yangseong, the young monk Hyeja bowed his head. He held the third-rank office of Goguryeo, serving as an Ulje official responsible for transmitting the royal orders.

In this era, it was not unusual for monks to hold office. Office? Some even became generals.

The leader of Silla’s military corps, the Hwarang, was a monk, and even in Goguryeo, the monk Dorim once infiltrated Baekje as a spy and destroyed King Gaero.

Hyeja said,

“I have known Uiyeon since he was a child. Though young, he learns faster than anyone. In Confucian studies, in Buddhism, even in martial arts—there is nothing he falls short in.”

“Hoh. If you vouch for him so, then there can be no doubt.”

Go Yangseong turned his gaze toward Wang Godeok and asked,

“Supreme Chancellor Wang Godeok, what must Uiyeon learn in Ye, the capital of Northern Qi?”

“First, he must learn how many years it has been since Sakyamuni entered Nirvana…”

Wang Godeok’s answer went on at length.

“…and lastly, he must learn what auspicious omens related to Buddhism exist there.”

“Indeed. All the more important in times such as these.”

Go Yangseong nodded.

“In the past, King Jangsu built the Palace of the Ahim Sutra, proclaiming far and wide that Goguryeo was the leader of Buddhism among the Three Han. Yet now, Silla dares to claim the title by building some temple called Hwangnyongsa.

Is it not laughable? If not for Goguryeo’s great monk Mokhoja preaching the Dharma, they wouldn’t even know how to shave their heads.”

“That is true.”

“All the more reason that Goguryeo must show the proper example as the head of Eastern Buddhism. Uiyeon must go to Northern Qi and learn the teachings of the Mahayana.”

Wang Godeok carefully wrote all of this down and sent it to Uiyeon. This was the last duty Go Yangseong had entrusted to him.

Afterward, Wang Godeok rose, removed his purple cap, and presented it to the king.

“Now that Samjinnal has passed and spring has come, my duty as Supreme Chancellor ends this day. I am too advanced in age to continue any longer.”

“You have done much, Wang Godeok.”

Prime Minister Go Heul especially looked at him with envy.

He too was a veteran elder like Wang Godeok and had asked for retirement many times, yet every request had been denied.

And with good reason.

Go Heul was a descendant of General Go Mil, who had been granted noble rank for his merit in the war against Yan. He was also the head of the Hwasong Go Clan, one of Goguryeo’s greatest noble houses, symbolized by the pine tree and the flower.

Moreover, he was one of the few victorious generals in Goguryeo, a nation battered on all sides for the past thirty years, having won battles even against the Turks.

He was practically the last remaining pride of Goguryeo. How could such a man be removed from the Jeja Council?

Go Yangseong deliberately ignored Go Heul’s gaze and addressed Wang Godeok.

“Wang Godeok. Your absence will be sorely felt. Yet since you reside in Pyeongyang, I shall seek you out whenever I long for your insight.”

Thus Wang Godeok stepped down, and the Supreme Chancellor’s seat was left empty. All eyes turned toward it.

“The seat of the Supreme Chancellor is of the utmost importance. Ministers, you must elect one swiftly.”

At Go Yangseong’s words, the first to speak was Yeon Jayu.

“I, Yeon Jayu, believe that the only man who can bear this heavy burden is none other than Prime Minister Go Heul, the general who defeated the Turks and defended Goguryeo.”

Of course, there was no such thing as an anonymous vote. In Goguryeo, a man’s opinion must always be declared openly.

“If it is General Go Heul, he can be trusted.”

“I too support General Go Heul.”

“As do I…”

By the end of the vote, only two had chosen someone other than Go Heul.

It was Go Baeknyeon, the eldest son of Go Heul and the Middle Head of Nobility Council, who had no choice but to be chosen due to the unwritten rule that prohibited recommending oneself or one’s kin.

So, in truth, this was unanimous.

Go Yangseong nodded with satisfaction.

“Supreme Chancellor Go Heul, from now on your role is a grave one.”

Go Heul barely managed to suppress the sigh that wanted to escape. Unlike Wang Godeok, who had just retired, his own retirement seemed still far away.

“And, as the Prime Minister also holds a grave duty, I cannot leave the seat vacant. Therefore, I shall raise Middle Head of Nobility Council Yeon Jayu to Prime Minister.”

This time there was no voting process. The Supreme Chancellor was an elected office, but the Prime Minister was an appointed one.

Thus.

Go Heul had risen from the second-ranked Prime Minister to the first-ranked Supreme Chancellor.

And Yeon Jayu, who had originally been the Middle Head of Nobility Council, was appointed the next Prime Minister.

“Since the Middle Head of Nobility Council has now become the Prime Minister, a new Middle Head of Nobility Council will be needed. In addition, four other departments are vacant.”

It wasn’t only Wang Godeok who had stepped down. Naturally, the seats of the old officials who had followed his faction were also now empty.

“Supreme Chancellor Go Heul, do you have anyone to recommend?”

“I do not.”

Go Heul answered shortly. If it had been about the military, perhaps, but he had no interest in politics whatsoever.

As if he had expected it, Go Yangseong naturally moved the question on to the next in line.

“Then, Prime Minister Yeon Jayu, how about you?”

“With all due respect, I did not know that I would be made Prime Minister on this very day.”

At those words, Go Heul’s expression practically said, ‘What utter nonsense.’ It was a masterpiece. Yeon Jayu ignored it and continued.

“So, if I were to name others here, people might think I have filled the seats with my own men.”

“The Prime Minister is not wrong.”

Go Yangseong spoke.

“Then, for now, let the Chief Envoys act in place of the Middle Head of Nobility Council, and let the Elders below them fill the seats of the Chief Envoys.”

In other words, instead of filling the vacancies anew… he meant to grant everyone concerned a one-rank promotion.

This had two implications.

First, as was usual with such reorganizations, it raised the standing of those who remained by elevating their positions.

Second, since the lower ranks would then be emptied, new officials could be drawn in to fill them.

If one were to shorten this process to six characters?

It was none other than the ‘New Talent Appointment Policy’ that appeared again and again in history books as the first step of royal power strengthening.

It signified that Go Yangseong had, to some extent, restored royal authority that had been in steady decline since King Jangsu, eventually collapsing into the ground.

This was the great snowball set in motion by the Princess’s escape, yet Go Yangseong did not stop there.

“Until now, Goguryeo has long been without a Queen, but now I intend to take a new Queen. With this marriage, I hope Goguryeo regains its former glory.”

He had decided to remarry.

June, 572.

I had a new family. Not a child—but a mother-in-law.

“So, His Majesty has decided to remarry?”

“That’s right.”

Boknyeo nodded.

‘Well, in the original history, Go Yangseong had two wives too.’

The first wife, who had passed away about fifteen years ago, was the mother of King Yeongyang Go Daewon and Princess Go Boknyeo….

And the new wife he was taking now would be the mother of Go Daeyang, father of King Yeongryu Go Geonmu and King Bojang.

“The woman he’s marrying this time is the daughter of Southern Division Leader Maeng Jong, who has his base in Western Liaodong Fortress. During the Rebellion of Chugun and Segun, he had supported the Domestic Fortress, so he was pushed away from the center… but Father seems to want to bring them back in now.”

“So, the Domestic Fortress Faction, is he supporting Go San?”

“On the contrary. He’s checking Go San. When you want to balance things, internal pressure works better than external pressure. Just look at Yeon Jayu and Wang Godeok, don’t you think?”

Ah, that made perfect sense.

Just as Go Yangseong had once brought in Yeon Jayu from the East to stir up the Pyeongyang Faction—

Now, he seemed intent on drawing in the Western Division, a minor branch of the Domestic Fortress Faction, to claim part of its influence, while stirring up Go San of the Northern Division.

‘This is an unblockable move.’

The Northern Division could see through Go Yangseong’s scheme perfectly, but they could not prevent the marriage. To oppose it would mean becoming enemies with the Western Division altogether.

“And that’s not all.”

Boknyeo continued.

“The Southern and Eastern Divisions already belonged to the Pyeongyang Faction and were part of the central government. If, after the Northern Division last time, the Western Division is also accepted through this marriage…”

“That would mean Goguryeo is united as one again.”

“Exactly. My father’s long dream is being fulfilled.”

Boknyeo nodded.

“Of course, it can’t truly be called complete, even as a mere formality.”

“It is my role to make it solid then. Boknyeo, what should I do?”

At those words, Boknyeo grinned.

“When the wedding is held, Western Division figures will also come to the Taehak. So, when you go there, build ties with the Western Division and the Southern Division people. Since the Western Division is somewhat sidelined within the Domestic Fortress Faction, and the Southern Division within the Pyeongyang Faction, they will be inclined to pay attention to you. My father must have had this in mind when he hastened the marriage.”

He was gathering the minor factions from each side into the Taehak, throwing them my way to form a new power base.

‘Even marriage is politics, and admission is politics.’

Truly, the entire world was a political stage.

The early Goguryeo council system was the Jeja Council, centered around the influential leaders of the Five Tribes.

At that time, even the royal family of the Gaero Tribe took part, and each leader had their own retainers, making it close to a confederated kingdom. The council only convened a few times a year.

However, with centralization, the council shifted from being led by the local leaders to being led by the central nobles—especially those ranked 1st to 5th (Supreme Chancellor, Prime Minister, Uljeol, Grand Chief Envoy, Middle Head of Nobility Council). Meetings also became more frequent, turning into something akin to a state council.

Thus, in academic terms, it is sometimes divided into Jeja Council (before the 4th century, clan-based) and Ogwan Council (after the 4th century, central nobility-based).

But since “Ogwan Council” is more of an analytical concept than a historical term, it is more common to use “Jeja Council” in a broader sense to refer to Goguryeo’s council system as a whole. That is why in this work, I chose the broader term “Jeja Council.”

Based on records mentioning that those dissatisfied with decisions sometimes resorted to violence, it is likely the Jeja Council did not operate by unanimity like the Hwarang’s Hwabaek Council.

This is natural, since the Hwabaek Council was a kind of family council limited to royal nobles (Jingol), making unanimity possible. But in general, unanimity is a hard system to maintain.

Recommending kin was strongly frowned upon in Eastern societies. Even the Andong Kim clan during the era of sedo politics, or the Yeoheung Min clan which returned to clan-based politics, rarely recommended family members directly. Instead, they did so ‘indirectly’ through others.