Ch.252The Central Plains (2)

“I offer my sincere apologies.”

“I wish to sincerely apologize for my rudeness.”

As soon as I arrived, Yi Uibang, Kim Bo-dang, and Irin bowed deeply.

They then conveyed their sincere apologies.

I didn’t react to their gesture, just looked at them and murmured quietly.

“I’ll accept your personal apology. But you know what the Ulus wants isn’t just empty words of apology.”

Kim Bo-dang nodded at my words.

“Your words are absolutely correct. Accordingly, Goryeo wishes to support the Song Dynasty campaign with both ground and naval forces as an ally.”

“…Good. Let’s sit down and talk.”

No specific numbers had been mentioned yet.

But since Goryeo had officially stated they would support with both army and navy, I planned to hear about the scale first before making a decision.

Of course, I hadn’t agreed to this conversation just because they promised support.

My main intention was to reconfirm the number of troops Goryeo planned to provide through this meeting.

That way, I could prepare the appropriate force to subdue them if Goryeo harbored other intentions.

It didn’t matter if the numbers were exaggerated.

Most exaggerated figures are still based on actual numbers, so by cross-referencing with information gathered by the Tamma, I could roughly verify the scale.

Anyway, with these thoughts in mind, I moved to take a seat along with Munglig and Elunka.

Kim Bo-dang, Yi Uibang, and Irin followed behind.

As soon as we sat down, Yi Uibang, the highest military authority, got straight to the point.

“If the Song Dynasty campaign begins, Goryeo wishes to support with 300,000 troops.”

When the number 300,000 was mentioned, Elunka’s expression changed.

This was because the Tamma had estimated Goryeo’s military strength at 280,000.

So it was surprising that they were offering to send an additional 20,000 troops beyond the 280,000.

“It hasn’t been long since the eastern expedition ended. Is Goryeo capable of mobilizing 300,000 troops?”

The interpreter immediately translated and relayed Munglig’s question to Irin.

Irin looked at me.

“This requires some explanation. May I dare to explain?”

“I permit it.”

With my permission, Irin explained the current situation of the Goryeo military.

“The 300,000 troops actually represent the combined forces of the Liaodong army and the Goryeo army.”

“I see.”

“Indeed…”

Munglig and Elunka nodded, understanding the reason for Goryeo’s unrealistic troop numbers.

Liaodong was a vassal state of Goryeo.

So it was acceptable to consider Liaodong’s forces as part of Goryeo’s military.

“Then explain specifically how many troops Goryeo will provide.”

“We plan to provide 150,000 ground troops and 50,000 naval forces.”

200,000 troops meant 80,000 fewer than Goryeo’s total force of 280,000.

From Goryeo’s perspective, they needed to keep 80,000 in reserve for post-war recovery and to prepare for possible attacks from the Song Dynasty, especially after the eastern expedition.

This was the best Goryeo could do under the circumstances.

However, accepting this immediately would be unthinkable in a diplomatic setting.

“Is it impossible to mobilize additional troops?”

After hearing the translated question, Irin answered as if this was their best offer.

“We’ve only just completed recovery from the war with the Jin Dynasty. On top of that, we’ve recently participated in the eastern expedition, so discontent is building within Goryeo.”

When war broke out, most of those conscripted were commoners.

When they left, only women and children remained in the country, making it difficult for the nation to function properly.

Moreover, if they died in battle, there would be no one to support their families, naturally leading to national impoverishment.

This could cause people struggling to survive to take up farming tools in resistance, potentially spreading into civil unrest.

“Therefore, we wish to maintain reserve forces for security and recovery.”

“How many do you plan to station?”

Irin showed reluctance at this question.

This was clearly a state secret, making it difficult to answer honestly.

So he naturally had to look toward Yi Uibang.

“I understand it’s difficult to explain in detail.”

“That’s Goryeo’s internal—”

As Elunka was about to press further, I raised my hand to stop him.

Then I addressed Yi Uibang.

“Can you not mobilize more?”

Yi Uibang nodded.

Then he revealed the truth.

“I apologize to the Khagan, but it’s been determined that our country gains too little from the war with the Song Dynasty. Please understand this is necessary not only for national interest but also to unify internal opinions. I’m sorry to mention the previous rudeness again.”

Kim Bo-dang added to this.

“Though it cannot compare to the Ulus’s great army, 200,000 troops is a significant burden for Goryeo. As a result, even our officials are divided on this matter. Please understand this.”

“Hmm…”

“Well…”

Goryeo’s argument had merit.

While the Ulus provided rights of innocent passage, this alone was insufficient justification for mobilizing 200,000 troops for war against the Song Dynasty.

Of course, eliminating the Song Dynasty would benefit Goryeo too, so there was military and diplomatic advantage in joining forces with Mongolia.

However, these were intangible benefits—benefits that couldn’t be seen with the naked eye.

Therefore, it was insufficient as justification to unify Goryeo’s divided internal opinions.

After Yi Uibang and Kim Bo-dang’s explanation, Munglig and Elunka looked awkward.

With Goryeo revealing their difficulties so openly, it became hard to pressure them further.

As Munglig and Elunka hesitated, Kim Bo-dang continued his persuasion.

“We understand that the alliance between our countries stems from mutual benefit and trust. However, it may seem that Goryeo hasn’t shown satisfactory actions to the Ulus. But please understand that Goryeo has always responded to the call of alliance, whether in the war with the Jin Dynasty or the eastern expedition.”

With Kim Bo-dang’s eloquent speech, Elunka and Munglig found it difficult to criticize Goryeo further.

Beyond abstract concepts like trust or friendship, Goryeo had always responded to the Ulus’s requests.

Therefore, even though they were a weaker nation than the Ulus, oppressing them would be improper.

It was true that national interest was paramount in state-to-state relations.

However, showing narrow-mindedness in alliance relationships could cause diplomatic damage that greatly harmed national interests, so it made sense for Mongolia to back down at this point.

“I understand. We failed to comprehend Goryeo’s situation.”

“Not at all. We should have first informed the Khagan about how many troops Goryeo could mobilize for the war with the Song Dynasty. We let our emotions get ahead of us and disrupted this order, causing concern to the Khagan. I believe this is all just a minor issue stemming from misunderstandings on both sides.”

Indeed, as befitting the leader of the civil officials, his words had substance.

The troop issue had become a minor misunderstanding between both sides, making it difficult to mention further.

Of course, it had to be brought up again for negotiation.

However, in that case, the Ulus would have to provide something beyond innocent passage rights.

“Very well. Then let’s discuss the troops again.”

“We are grateful for your broad-mindedness and understanding.”

The meeting returned to square one.

Accordingly, Elunka, Munglig, Kim Bo-dang, Yi Uibang, and Irin began to exchange opinions.

“Could you increase the proportion of ground troops?”

“That would reduce the naval component, allowing the Song Dynasty to pose a threat.”

“With the Mongol Pirates present, it would be impossible for Song naval forces to move.”

“The Song Dynasty is an empire. With its enormous population, productivity, and superior technology, building ships is not difficult.”

As the working-level meeting continued, the outline of the troop scale for the war against the Song Dynasty began to emerge.

“The Song Dynasty can mobilize at least 1 million troops.”

“It would be difficult for them to properly operate a million-strong army.”

“The actual available forces would be around 700,000.”

While the exact scale of Song Dynasty forces was unknown, considering tax records, it reached 1.2 million.

This number was only 60,000 short of the late Song Dynasty’s 1.26 million, so it was fair to say that this period was approaching the Song Dynasty’s military peak.

Of course, this was a peak in terms of scale; when it came to individual combat effectiveness, Song troops were at rock bottom.

Anyway, Goryeo’s forces were set at 200,000, with 170,000 ground troops and 30,000 naval forces.

Additionally, as Goryeo’s vassal state, Liaodong would contribute an additional 100,000 troops.

“The Ulus will commit 300,000 ground troops. We will also deploy the Mongol Pirates.”

When I said this, everyone in the room nodded.

“However, this part needs more coordination, so let’s set it aside and discuss the justification Goryeo needs.”

“Justification… you say?”

Kim Bo-dang looked at me with a disbelieving expression.

I nodded immediately and gestured to the Kheshig.

Understanding my signal, a Kheshig arrived with a map.

As the map encompassing all of East Asia appeared, Kim Bo-dang looked at me with an expression that seemed to ask, “Could it be?”

“After the Song Dynasty campaign, we wish to cede this area to Goryeo.”

“This place…!”

The place my finger pointed to was none other than Yizhou.

Known as Taiwan in modern times, it was an island located at a strategic transportation hub connecting Japan, China, and the Philippines.

Of course, in this era, only the northwestern coastal region was developed.

However, it was clearly a central transportation hub, so if Goryeo took possession of it, they would have no trouble trading with southern powers as they wished.

“With this place, you should have no difficulty conducting the trade you desire.”

Yi Uibang, Kim Bo-dang, and Irin nodded at my words.

Thus, the Ulus acquired potential rights to Song Dynasty territory, and Goryeo secured potential rights to the island of Taiwan.