Chapter 58 : Fall, or Resurrection
Chapter 58: Fall, or Resurrection
Yuwen Yong smiled faintly as he looked at Gao Wei, the captured emperor of Northern Qi.
“Inverted comma: ‘Finally caught this damned bastard. Cough!’”
He must have devoted all his effort to this war—dark circles had formed under his eyes, and his hands trembled slightly.
It was understandable.
At a glance, it looked like a war that had started in October and ended in March—a mere five months.
Considering it brought down a massive country like Northern Qi, the timeframe was short.
But when looking into the details, it was by no means an easy feat. Gao Wei may have been an imbecile, but Northern Qi, which had taken control of the North China Plain, was not weak.
Even Yuwen Yong had faced death once at the hands of Gao Yanzong while attacking Jinyang.
But that grueling time had now come to an end.
Yuwen Yong asked Yang Jian, the Grand Marshal of All Under Heaven and his in-law who had rendered great service in the war,
“Inverted comma: ‘In-law, how did you capture Gao Wei?’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Gao Anagong betrayed him.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Gao Anagong, hahahah!’”
Gao Anagong, along with Mok Jepa, was one of the most trusted sycophants of Gao Wei.
They were notorious for their corruption and filth, yet Gao Wei adored them.
He did so because corruption and filth could be easily cleaned up anytime—they posed no threat.
But what came of it?
Mok Jepa surrendered at Jinyang and spilled all of Northern Qi’s information, while Gao Anagong captured his fleeing lord Gao Wei and delivered him.
How could one not laugh at such a scene?
“Inverted comma: ‘He feared meritorious officials and cherished sycophants, and in the end, died by a sycophant’s hand. Isn’t that even worse than being usurped by a loyalist? Hahaha…’”
Yuwen Yong granted Gao Wei the title “Duke of Warm State” and held a banquet.
“Inverted comma: ‘Duke of Warm State, the mood is dull. Dance for us.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Ah, dancing is something I’m good at!’”
At those words, Gao Wei, as if he had been waiting, sprang up and danced cheerfully.
Seeing that, Yuwen Yong laughed.
“Inverted comma: ‘You really are good. Did you dance every day?’”
“Inverted comma: ‘That was my job.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Hahaha, hahaha! You are indeed a merry man!’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Ah, I hear that a lot!’”
It seemed Gao Wei took that as a compliment.
But Gao Yanzong, who had been captured before Gao Wei and had driven Yuwen Yong to the brink of death at Jinyang, could not do the same.
He hung his head low.
Rather than suffer such humiliation, he wanted to die on the spot. But with others watching, he couldn’t even do that. A fallen imperial family member doesn’t even have the freedom to die.
Still, even with the emperor in such a state, the flame of Northern Qi had not been fully extinguished.
Yuwen Yong said to Yang Jian,
“Inverted comma: ‘There are still remnants left.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Indeed.’”
Just as there had been a revival movement after the fall of Goguryeo, and one after the fall of Baekje, Northern Qi too had its own embers of restoration.
Luo Prefecture, Sak Prefecture, Bing Prefecture, Zhongdan Fortress, You Prefecture…
“Inverted comma: ‘Truly, perhaps because the nation had many people, it also had many loyalists. I wish those people could see Gao Wei dancing here. Phew, there’s still much to do.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Yes.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘…I want to see the Crown Prince and your daughter—my daughter-in-law. I’m sure you feel the same. How old are your sons now?’”
“Inverted comma: ‘I have five sons and four daughters. The eldest, Yang Yong, is ten; the second, Yang Guang, is nine. The rest are…’”
Yuwen Yong nodded.
“Inverted comma: ‘They’re all at the age to start learning martial arts. Teaching martial arts to one’s children is the pride of a warrior. But… I’m sorry. We still have work to do—both you and I… Cough!’”
Suddenly, a mouthful of blood spilled from Yuwen Yong’s lips. Yang Jian quickly shielded him so no one else could see.
“Inverted comma: ‘You should rest a little.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘I can’t rest. The end is right in front of me. Two hundred years ago, Former Qin failed to unify the Central Plains. But now it’s within reach—how could I endure resting now?’”
Yuwen Yong, whose hands trembled, pulled a red elixir from his robe and swallowed it.
“Inverted comma: ‘Laozi said that if one understands the Dao today, one could die tomorrow without regret. Likewise, if I witness a unified Central Plains, I can die today without regret.
Those damned monks cursed me, saying I’d tour the six hells after death for persecuting them, but if I witness a united Central Plains while alive, how could I not laugh even in hell?’”
Yang Jian thought to himself.
That quote is from Confucius, not Laozi. And it says, “If I understand the Dao in the morning, I may die in the evening without regret,” not about today and tomorrow.
Yuwen Yong had grown confused to that extent.
It could no longer be reversed.
Seeing this, Yang Jian said,
“Inverted comma: ‘Then let us run to the end. I, Yang Jian, shall run by Your Majesty’s side.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Good. I’ve sent Wei Xiaokuan to deal with the rebel Fu Bok at Zhongdan Fortress.’”
Fu Bok was Northern Qi’s renowned general. In the first war a year ago, Northern Zhou had failed to breach Boru County, which he defended.
Even after the capital was captured in the current war, Fu Bok remained, settling in Zhongdan Fortress and igniting the Northern Qi revival movement.
“Inverted comma: ‘General Wei is a brilliant strategist who captured Guk Ryulgwang with cunning… but isn’t he quite old? He’s nearly seventy.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Yet he remains outstanding.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Well… that is true.’”
Yang Jian nodded.
Yuwen Yong continued.
“Inverted comma: ‘As for the rebellion in Sak Prefecture, I’ll send Bong Sangwon, who surrendered from Northern Qi. He should be able to persuade them.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘A fitting appointment.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘And I intend to personally deal with Du Guoyoung in Luo Prefecture and Ul Sangwon in Bing Prefecture. Will you try to stop me?’”
“Inverted comma: ‘I won’t stop you. But it seems I won’t be able to run alongside you. You’ve likely already reserved my destination.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘I like how quick-witted you are.’”
Yuwen Yong spoke as he pointed to a spot on the unfolded map.
“Inverted comma: ‘Governor of Ying Prefecture, Gao Bonyeong. He’s the one you must deal with. He’s a collateral royal and has now rallied forces around Gao Soyi—the last direct imperial heir of Northern Qi who had been exiled to the T’u-chüeh. Because of that, his rebel force is the strongest among them. But I can entrust him to you.’”
Yang Jian and Yuwen Yong were three years apart.
Yang Jian was the elder by three years.
But that was no significant gap. Before being monarch and vassal, they considered each other friends.
Thus, as a friend, Yang Jian said,
“Inverted comma: ‘How about we make a bet like we did before? See who finishes faster?’”
To that, Yuwen Yong replied with a laugh.
“Inverted comma: ‘No doubt, I’ll be the one to finish first.’”
Historically, the Western Land, the steppe, Goguryeo, and even Baekje, a small corner kingdom of the Korean Peninsula, had once ventured into this region.
Until just recently, the most influential power in Liaoxi had been Northern Qi. But the mighty Northern Qi was now dead. It no longer existed.
Since the reigning champion had fallen, it was time to claim the championship title anew.
The challengers were Northern Zhou and Goguryeo.
Goguryeo held the advantage here.
Unlike Northern Zhou, which had been stuck in the West for nearly 20 years, Goguryeo had long been a player in this power game.
Goguryeo could rightfully say, “Inverted comma: ‘I’ve played this game before!’” That’s how familiar it was with Liaoxi.
And now, would Goguryeo simply back down in fear of Northern Zhou and give up the fight? That would mean more than just forfeiting Liaoxi’s dominance.
Even forces near Liaodong and the Domestic Fortress might begin to murmur, “Inverted comma: ‘Wait, isn’t Goguryeo actually weak?’” Yeon Jayu emphasized this point.
“Inverted comma: ‘If distrust of Goguryeo begins in Liaoxi, it will spread across the entire North in an instant.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘But… what if it leads to all-out war?’”
“Inverted comma: ‘They still have Southern Chen in the south. It's not easy for them to commit fully to Goguryeo. If we want to trip them up, now’s the only chance.’”
Supreme Chancellor Go Heul added with his signature sarcasm,
“Inverted comma: ‘I too have long prepared for war. Like General Isabu who readied his golden coffin, I wish for you all to grant me one war merit instead of throwing burial offerings into my grave, will you not?’”
And then—
It was Go Yangseong, wearing the White Cap, who made the final decision.
“Inverted comma: ‘We will not send troops to Northern Qi. It makes no sense to stand alongside the T’u-chüeh, and there is no reason to sacrifice our elite soldiers in another nation’s war.’”
There would be no expeditionary force.
“Inverted comma: ‘However, Northern Zhou’s strength does concern us. Our support will extend only to weapons and military provisions.’”
Material support, in other words.
It was termed as “support,” but of course, it didn’t mean it would be given away for free. It meant they would sell it—for profit.
In short, they would “watch the ritual and eat the rice cake.”
“Inverted comma: ‘Also, since northern tensions are rising, I assign half the palace troops to Supreme Chancellor Go Heul. Lead this force northward to monitor the situation and oversee the supply of goods.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘I accept Your Majesty’s command.’”
“Inverted comma: ‘And if Northern Zhou takes offense and invades us, I will personally lead half the Royal Army to the North.’”
At those words, the court officials were thrown into shock.
“Inverted comma: ‘A royal campaign?!’”
“Inverted comma: ‘Have you forgotten the fates of King Gogukwon, King Daeso of Buyeo, and King Seong of Baekje? Their deaths nearly shook their nations to collapse!’”
But Go Yangseong remained calm.
“Inverted comma: ‘The reason Yuwen Yong could defeat Northern Qi, which had twice his population, was because he personally led the army. If I’m to face someone like Yuwen Yong, how could I not lead personally?’”
It was both a strategy to block the opposition’s objections and a reflection of Go Yangseong’s own ambition.
‘This will determine whether the past 20 years of my life were in vain or not.’
He recalled the years past.
Because of the Rebellion of Chugun and Segun, and the division between the Domestic Fortress Faction and Pyeongyang Faction, Goguryeo had been split in half.
As a result, they were severely beaten by Silla and Baekje from all sides.
Go Yangseong had devoted his entire life to restoring such a shattered Goguryeo.
So, to him, this was a test.
If he failed here and lost Liaoxi’s hegemony, those 20 years would be for nothing, and the revival of Goguryeo would become an empty boast.
But if he succeeded, Goguryeo would once again burn like a fierce flame.
Was it to be ruin, or resurrection?
Go Yangseong wanted to see it for himself.
Goguryeo—
No, every nation of this era was always preparing for war.
But such preparations were only for a “someday war.”
Now, Goguryeo was different.
The signs of war were vivid and unmistakable.
“Inverted comma: ‘General Go Heul himself goes to aid Northern Qi, and if actual war breaks out, His Majesty will personally campaign…’”
Go San’s expression was grim.
And understandably so.
The Domestic Fortress Faction had always prioritized stability.
Perhaps it was because they lived in the barren north.
It’s commonly assumed that harsh environments breed savagery, but those who live in such places often desire peace more.
For someone like Go San, the thought of war in his region was infuriating.
Ideally, war wouldn’t break out at all. But he couldn’t exactly say, “Inverted comma: ‘Let’s not help Northern Qi.’”
Because dominance over Liaoxi was just as important to the Domestic Fortress Faction. Losing that would be catastrophic.
‘If that happens, both Khitan and Malgal will come to devour Goguryeo.’
This wasn’t just a problem for the western front near Liaoxi.
Recent refugee inflows through the western front had already plunged the entire north into chaos. Liaoxi’s problem was the entire northern region’s problem. That’s why the west belonged to the Domestic Fortress Faction.
To Go San, this had to be stopped. But here’s the dilemma:
– Didn’t the Domestic Fortress Faction advocate peace during Goguryeo’s late period?
That’s true. But the situation now was different.
Back then, they had already suffered multiple defeats at the hands of Sui and Tang.
At that point, it wasn’t about hegemony; it was about preventing their homeland from turning to ash.
But now, things had changed. The last time the North had been wrecked by a foreign force was 300 years ago—by the Murong.
Thus, for the present Domestic Fortress Faction, losing northern dominance was more fatal to their peace than war itself.
If Go San were to say, “Inverted comma: ‘Let’s not help Northern Qi and just hand the northern dominance over to Northern Zhou,’” his influence would be halved in an instant.
And there was another issue—wars create war heroes.
The Domestic Fortress Faction's legitimacy came from being descendants of such heroes. They didn’t want new ones appearing to challenge that.
But since war couldn’t be stopped, the best outcome was for Go San and other faction members to become the victorious generals themselves. And with the northern front being the main battlefield, it was a real possibility.
However, now came the royal campaign declaration. What did that mean?
‘All merit would go to the Grand King.’
Once the king personally leads, how well a general fights matters little. How many people remember Napoleon’s or Alexander’s deputies?
When the king leads, generals become mere attendants. All glory belongs to the monarch. Even Go San couldn’t escape that tide.
‘Except me.’
Because I… am the Royal Son-in-law.
In this era, family is one in mind and body. This war would be my true moment of recognition as Royal Son-in-law.