Ch.156Gigantic Crown (7)

The Gyeongin Rebellion, also known as the Gyeongin Restoration, occurred in Goryeo.

After this event, civil and military officials formed a new government centered on the power of officials through a grand council.

During this process, Goryeo felt the need to change its existing diplomatic stance.

“There is no reason to accept the Jin Dynasty’s request for help.”

“That’s right. They are the ones who plundered us.”

The civil and military officials who took power after the restoration advocated for a war policy to restore Goryeo’s fallen prestige.

The main reason behind this war policy was, naturally, to legitimize the new government.

Although they had indeed imprisoned a king who indulged in luxury and pleasure, from the perspective of the Jin Dynasty or Song Dynasty, this was nothing short of treason.

Therefore, if the Jin Dynasty, Goryeo’s suzerain state, were to conclude its war with the Mongols, they would likely invade under the pretext of restoring the imprisoned king.

Of course, the Jin might not invade Goryeo due to the severe damage they had suffered from war.

However, they would certainly criticize the legitimacy of the joint government of civil and military officials and attempt to interfere in Goryeo’s internal affairs.

This meant Goryeo had to attack the Jin Dynasty unconditionally to maintain the legitimacy of the new coalition government and the restoration regime.

However, there was one problem.

If they attacked the Jin Dynasty, Goryeo might suffer significant damage.

Because of this, Goryeo faced many constraints in turning their talk of attacking the Jin Dynasty, which was in chaos due to the Mongol invasion, into action.

“But we lack proper justification to attack the Jin Dynasty.”

“Moreover, if we attack the Jin Dynasty alone, our country could suffer great damage.”

The civil officials began to voice their opposition.

Yi Uibang, who had been listening carefully to the debate, stepped forward.

“Does no one have any good suggestions?”

Some young civil officials cautiously offered their opinions.

“Perhaps we should focus on internal stability instead, sir.”

“That’s right. Although the government has quickly returned to normal after the restoration, we are still not strong enough for a military expedition.”

“What if we denounce the Jin Dynasty, abolish our vassal relationship, and focus on internal affairs?”

Goryeo’s internal situation was not good.

Therefore, the civil officials proposed unilaterally ending the vassal relationship with the Jin Dynasty and focusing on internal development.

The military officials objected to this proposal.

“If the Mongols don’t completely subdue the Jin Dynasty, the Jin will retaliate against Goryeo.”

“Moreover, they will interfere in our internal affairs by challenging the restoration, and we will be the only ones to suffer if we remain passive.”

“Isn’t the Jin Dynasty’s current chaos a perfect opportunity to expand our territory? We can’t guarantee such an opportunity will come again.”

The military officials were advocating for war while simultaneously hoping for territorial expansion.

“Expanding territory is good, but even if we do expand, the Mongols, who invaded the Jin Dynasty first, might diplomatically pressure Goryeo.”

“The Jin Dynasty is asking our country for help because of the Mongol attack, so we can assume the Mongols are stronger than the Jin. If such a country pressures us, Goryeo will end up like the Jin Dynasty.”

“They are barbarians. If they think their share has been taken away, they will immediately invade Goryeo.”

The civil officials opposed the military officials’ opinions with these arguments.

Even if they attacked the weakened Jin Dynasty and gained territory, the Mongols who were attacking the Jin might come and demand that land.

In fact, the Jin Dynasty had occasionally made such requests to Goryeo before they overthrew the Liao Dynasty.

Therefore, from Goryeo’s perspective, having experienced such terrible situations before, they had to avoid occupying land they couldn’t defend.

“But if we don’t seize the Liaodong territory during this perfect opportunity, the Jurchen people might rise again.”

“This is an opportunity to increase our national power and prevent the rise of barbarians—an opportunity that may never come again.”

The civil and military officials were sharply divided.

The arguments from both sides had merit, making them difficult to dismiss.

As they reached a stalemate, Kim Bo-dang, the Right Minister of the Board of Rites, rose as if he had thought of something.

“I have found a way to prevent Mongol opposition if we attack and occupy Jin territory.”

“What is it?”

“What is this method?”

At Kim Bo-dang’s words, both civil and military officials turned to look at him.

Kim Bo-dang then looked at Yi Uibang.

“General.”

“Speak, Right Minister.”

“I heard that the mid-level commander who is your son-in-law is the son of the Mongol Khagan. Is that correct?”

Belgutei had been recognized for his contributions during the restoration and promoted to the 5th rank of mid-level commander.

This was an unheard-of promotion for a foreigner, but he was able to receive such a high rank regardless of his origin because he was the son-in-law of the imprisoned king.

“Yes… but why suddenly…?”

“I understand that the mid-level commander came to Goryeo to form an alliance.”

“Alliance… Ah!”

Yi Uibang finally understood what Kim Bo-dang was trying to say.

Kim Bo-dang was now trying to use Yi Uibang’s son-in-law, Belgutei, to get involved in the war between the Jin Dynasty and the Mongols.

“But since the Mongols haven’t requested military assistance yet, wouldn’t it be difficult to mobilize troops?”

At Yi Uibang’s question, Kim Bo-dang smiled.

Then he revealed his plan to everyone.

“As I understand it, the Mongols have a custom of giving land to sons-in-law when they marry.”

“Land… you say?”

“Yes. As it happens, Goryeo has accepted refugees from the fallen Balhae and thus has rights to Balhae territory.”

Of course, this was entirely Goryeo’s claim.

However, it couldn’t be completely dismissed because it was true that they had accepted Balhae residents.

Therefore, Goryeo had a vague justification regarding Balhae territory.

Although this justification had become practically nominal over time, it wasn’t particularly problematic.

What was important now was that Goryeo could use this justification over Balhae territory to grant a title to Belgutei.

“Therefore, I plan to advise His Majesty to bestow the title of Duke of Buyeo upon mid-level commander Belgutei.”

Buyeo was currently part of Jin Dynasty’s administrative territory.

Goryeo had a claim to it but did not effectively control it.

Giving such land to Belgutei meant one thing:

They intended to attack the Jin Dynasty, which was in the midst of war, with Belgutei at the forefront.

This way, Goryeo could gain several benefits.

The biggest benefit was that they could intervene in the war even though the Mongols hadn’t requested military assistance.

This was because they could claim they were intervening in the war to conquer the land bestowed upon Belgutei, the son of Gurkhan.

Conversely, even if the Jin Dynasty defeated the Mongols and tried to invade Goryeo, it would be difficult for them to oppress Goryeo freely since Belgutei was at the forefront.

If the Jin Dynasty criticized Goryeo’s actions and attacked, they would have to pass through Buyeo to invade Goryeo as long as the mid-level commander governed Buyeo.

This would inevitably force the Jin Dynasty to re-enter war with the Mongols.

For these reasons, if the mid-level commander became the Duke of Buyeo, Goryeo could expand its territory while simultaneously preventing invasions from both the Mongols and the Jin Dynasty.

It was a good strategy from Goryeo’s perspective.

However, from Yi Uibang’s perspective, it was by no means a welcome proposal.

“I cannot send my son-in-law to his death.”

Yi Uibang expressed his refusal with these words.

Kim Bo-dang nodded as if he understood.

“I understand completely. But General, please reconsider just once for the sake of Goryeo.”

“My decision will not change.”

When Yi Uibang responded this way, both civil and military officials showed their displeasure.

Seeing this, Jeong Jung-bu carefully addressed Yi Uibang.

“Still, since this is for the country, wouldn’t it be better to call the mid-level commander and discuss it with him?”

Yi Go also supported Jeong Jung-bu’s suggestion.

“That’s right. The mid-level commander is also receiving a salary from the country, so he should fulfill his minimum duty as a servant of Goryeo.”

With both Jeong Jung-bu and Yi Go saying this, Yi Uibang found it difficult to resist any longer.

He had no choice but to nod in agreement.

* * *

“Me?”

Belgutei looked at Right Minister Kim Bo-dang with a puzzled expression.

The words that Kim Bo-dang, one of the leaders of the civil officials and a de facto leader of the coalition cabinet, directly conveyed to Belgutei were shocking from his perspective.

This was because he had heard that they would appoint him as the Duke of Buyeo, which meant making him a feudal lord.

“Yes, mid-level commander. As the son-in-law of the imprisoned king, you are fully qualified to hold the title of a feudal lord.”

“But isn’t Buyeo… Jin Dynasty territory?”

“That’s correct.”

“You’re saying you’ll give that to me…”

Kim Bo-dang nodded.

Then, with an apologetic expression, he confessed the truth to Belgutei.

“Currently, Goryeo has received a request for help from the Jin Dynasty.”

“Are you planning to help the Jin Dynasty?”

“Of course not. However, since the Jin Dynasty is so desperate that they’re asking for help from Goryeo, which is nominally their vassal state, Goryeo also doesn’t want to miss this opportunity.”

“Ah…!”

Belgutei had also heard about the war between the Ulus and the Jin Dynasty.

He knew that Gurkhan had broken off the tributary relationship with the Jin and had achieved a great victory by attacking Juyong Pass.

Because of this, Belgutei could understand Goryeo’s desire for Jin territory.

Unfortunately, Goryeo had no justification to attack the Jin Dynasty.

Of course, if they broke off the vassal relationship and raised an army to avenge the humiliation they had suffered, there would be no reason to stop them.

However, if they attacked the Jin Dynasty without sufficient justification and faced a counterattack, there would be no one to help them.

Additionally, even if they were lucky enough to occupy Jin territory, the Ulus might claim rights to that land and take away what Goryeo had just acquired.

So for Goryeo, both launching an expedition and defending the land gained through that expedition were problematic.

Therefore, Goryeo wanted to put forward Belgutei, who had connections with the Mongols who were currently driving back the Jin Dynasty.

This way, even if Goryeo occupied that land, the Mongols would not arbitrarily take it away.

And even if the Jin Dynasty survived, they would not invade Goryeo unless they wanted another war with the Mongols.

Of course, in this case, Belgutei would essentially become a scapegoat.

That’s why Kim Bo-dang was telling Belgutei the truth with an apologetic expression.

“I know this is a difficult proposal to accept. However, our country can only survive if the mid-level commander takes that land.”

“Is this something that must be done to such an extent?”

“Yes, it is.”

Kim Bo-dang nodded calmly.

After pondering, Belgutei looked at Kim Bo-dang and spoke.

“I will accept the proposal. However, I have conditions.”