Ch.326Exam (3)

“It seems I’m still not strong enough to defeat my brother.”

I spoke to Go Yoon in a joking tone.

“In swordsmanship, that’s true. However, Your Highness possesses what I do not, so if you wished, you could take my head at any time.”

“Something Go Yoon doesn’t have? I’d like to hear from your own mouth what that might be.”

Go Yoon sighed as if I was hopeless and answered.

“Your marksmanship is so exceptional you could rightfully be called the best shooter in the Three Kingdoms. Additionally, you mastered the Four Books and Six Classics at age 13, making you comparable to the Director of Education in scholarship. And finally, as one who carries the legitimate bloodline of the Mongols…”

“Enough, enough. I was only joking. Hearing such things from my brother makes me feel embarrassed.”

It was flattering praise.

As he said, I had achieved great success in both scholarship and marksmanship.

All of this was thanks to Go Yoon’s help.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

“I haven’t done anything special, Your Highness.”

I shook my head at this.

“Didn’t you help with troop training and firearms development so I could focus on self-improvement?”

While I was receiving education from the Director of Education, Go Yoon was drilling the soldiers in formation training.

This formation training, based on modern military drills, was essential for deploying gun infantry formations.

This required daily practice, and when I was absent, there was no one to conduct the training.

Yet Go Yoon, despite holding the high position of Magistrate of Hanseong, performed this role in my place.

Thanks to his effort and dedication, I was able to focus on self-development.

“I’m deeply moved that you would say such things.”

Though he spoke these words, a smile formed on Go Yoon’s face.

After spending four years together through thick and thin, it truly felt similar to my previous life.

Like the feeling between Yesugei and Munglig.

“Anyway, apart from that, our preparations must be perfect.”

“Don’t worry.”

Go Yoon said this while pointing behind him.

There stood soldiers standing at rigid attention.

“Considering this is behind the imperial palace, I’d say the Emperor is quite generous.”

I joked as I said this.

This was a mountainous area not far from the imperial palace.

The fact that a force of 500 men trained here daily could be considered a significant security threat.

With 500 men, one could potentially march straight into the palace and threaten the Emperor’s life.

Yet the Emperor knew this and still allowed me to operate.

Of course, he had given me this opportunity based on our previous meeting.

But this level of trust was quite bold.

“Isn’t that all thanks to the protection of Eunuch Jang and Prince Anchang?”

I nodded at Go Yoon’s words.

From the beginning, most of these troops had been drawn from Prince Anchang’s forces.

The reason Prince Anchang was so favorable toward me was simple.

I had convinced the Emperor to create the possibility of him becoming Crown Prince.

When I informed Prince Anchang of this, he stepped forward to support me.

He said he would take full responsibility if anything happened.

“Of course, there are additional agreements as well.”

Beyond Prince Anchang’s goodwill, my position had changed from four years ago.

In my hands lay the decision of whether Prince Anchang would become Crown Prince or not.

Additionally, the future of the Crown Prince’s son was also at stake.

If I were to die at the hands of the wild Jurchens, the Crown Prince’s son’s future would be uncertain.

This was because I had appointed myself as the Crown Prince’s son’s guardian.

In other words, for the Emperor, Prince Anchang, and the Crown Prince’s son to achieve what they wanted, I had to succeed no matter what.

“But do you really think you can subdue the wild Jurchens with just 500 infantry?”

“After teaching formation drills every day, you still don’t believe?”

I questioned Go Yoon.

Reluctantly, Go Yoon nodded.

“I understand the importance of formation drills. But is simply marching in step, advancing forward and retreating backward on command really that important?”

“Then what does Magistrate Go think is important?”

“Obviously, I think tactical training is important. Training them to deploy as many tactics as possible.”

At this, I laughed loudly.

Then I approached Go Yoon, who had somehow become shorter than me, and spoke quietly.

“Are you saying you can remember all tactics?”

“It’s about making the body remember.”

“I’m not criticizing you. As my brother says, it’s important to remember and execute many tactics.”

“Then…”

“However, when battle unfolds, it’s difficult to recall what you’ve memorized with an ordinary mindset.”

Battle was a struggle for life.

When you swing a sword to survive, your mind goes blank.

That was the nature of combat and war.

“That’s why we need to make things simple to remember. Advance forward. Thrust spears forward when the enemy approaches. Give the lead to the gunners when the drum beats. Things like that.”

“Is that why you focused so much on formation drills?”

“That’s right.”

Go Yoon wore a half-doubting expression.

But soon he seemed to convince himself and nodded.

“Sometimes Your Highness makes claims that seem absurd. But I can’t argue against them.”

“I’m deeply moved that a Magistrate like you would say such things.”

The Magistrate was a high-ranking official of the second rank.

Despite the high position, his authority was limited, so he didn’t have much actual power.

However, it was a position that ambitious officials had to pass through to become high-ranking officials.

That’s why capable young administrators like Go Yoon often served as Magistrates.

In short, Go Yoon was considered a promising talent within Goryeo.

Hearing such words from someone like him made me feel proud.

“Sometimes I think…”

“What thoughts?”

“Perhaps you are an ancestor who has returned to save this troubled world.”

Sharp fellow.

Even Munglig never caught on, even to his death.

“W-what do you mean?”

“Actually, I had a dream.”

Go Yoon began to explain his dream.

“I was climbing a mountain, and on a high peak there was a statue in a unique pose. The statue looked at me and suddenly shouted loudly.”

Go Yoon caught his breath.

Then, opening his eyes wide, he continued.

“The spirit of the steppe has chosen you. I had no descendants and wandered aimlessly. But I sense my brother’s soul near you. I will give you courage, so show this pose. He will recognize you.”

For a moment, I thought, “Could it be? Could it really be?”

As I was thinking this, Go Yoon assumed a familiar pose.

The Burkhan Khaldun pose, or what we would call the front biceps pose.

This pose…

In the past, when Munglig and I went to pay tribute to the Jin Dynasty.

A Georgian sculptor named Liam saw our poses and made statues.

I took the pose of opening the Kurultai, while Munglig took the Burkhan Khaldun pose.

“Munglig…”

“Your Highness?”

As if entranced, I took the pose of opening the Kurultai.

And overwhelmed by emotion, I found myself shedding tears.

Seeing this, Go Yoon, still in the Burkhan Khaldun pose, didn’t know how to react.

Me crying while in the Kurultai-opening pose, and Go Yoon awkwardly looking at me.

The soldiers were watching us with expressions that showed they couldn’t understand what was happening.

* * *

I stood before the Emperor.

Despite four years passing, the Emperor was still in good health.

He rose and spoke to me.

“The promised time has come. Are you ready?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor nodded.

Then General Nurhaci, who was beside him, approached.

In his hands was what appeared to be a map.

After receiving the map, without immediately unfolding it, I spoke to the Emperor.

“You intend to order the subjugation of the wild Jurchens.”

The Emperor raised one corner of his mouth and nodded.

“You’re quite perceptive.”

“I’ve been pondering the conversation we had four years ago.”

“At twelve, you were clever. I wonder what you’re like now.”

“My scholarship is inferior to the Director of Education’s, and my martial skills fall short of the Magistrate of Hanseong’s.”

“If you’re trying to show you’ve learned humility, it’s too late. You must prove your abilities to me.”

The Emperor spoke coldly.

It seemed my words had made it sound like I was afraid of subduing the wild Jurchens.

I shook my head and spoke calmly.

“However, in marksmanship, I’m called the best shooter in the Three Kingdoms, and in military strategy, I’ve mastered the Six Secret Teachings and Three Strategies.”

Claiming to have mastered the Six Secret Teachings was somewhat boastful, but there was no better self-promotion.

So I had no choice but to mention it.

“At sixteen, you claim to have mastered the Six Secret Teachings.”

After saying this, the Emperor gestured to the Dragon Guard Captain.

Im Kkeokjeong, receiving the order, moved to summon Director of Education Yi Hwang, who was waiting.

“Is what Tolui Khan says true?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. He has mastered the Four Books and Six Classics, and his understanding of the Six Secret Teachings is exceptional.”

With even my personal tutor vouching for me, the Emperor’s expression changed.

“I will give you 5,000 troops.”

“A force of 5,000 would be too large and restrict mobility.”

The Emperor looked incredulous.

Honestly, I would like to have all 5,000, but leading such a large force against the wild Jurchens would likely prevent the enemy from properly engaging.

From my experience living as a nomad and as Yesugei, I knew nomads generally don’t engage in direct confrontation when outnumbered.

Instead, they use swarm tactics and hit-and-run strategies to gradually wear down forces, exhausting them mentally and physically.

Therefore, 5,000 untrained soldiers would be more of a burden than an asset.

Moreover, defeating the enemy with a smaller force would create a greater impact.

“Are you sure you won’t regret your words?”

“Instead, I would like to take the Director of Education as my adjutant.”

“The Director of Education?”

At the sudden mention of Yi Hwang, both the Emperor and Yi Hwang looked surprised.

“Yes. The Director of Education is essential for follow-up measures after the battle.”