Apologies again for the delay. October 30 marked five years since I joined AH.com, and given that this is my 1000th post, I decided to post an update. It's almost been a year since my last update, partly because I was busy with other things, but also because I lacked enough motivation. I have no plans to abandon this (yet), although my posts here will probably be very sporadic due to a variety of issues. However, I will try to post 2-3 more updates or so by the end of this year, so you can look forward to reading them.
先義後利/선의후리 [1]
연수/延壽 47-8 (457-8) [2]
The exhausted rebels sluggishly trudged south for several days through hazardous terrain. Many occasionally glanced back for fear of Goryeo troops chasing after them, but after none had been spotted for three days, most resigned themselves to bleakly staring at the uneven ground gradually moving beneath them, although they refused to stay in a specific location for long due to their anxiety. Although the sunlight sporadically illuminated the multicolored landscape as they passed by, it was all for naught, as they had been reduced to the status of vagrant folk. Few of them had the energy to speak, and although snatches of conversation could be discerned among the subordinates while they were eating, mostly reminiscing about what their life had been like before they had been recruited, their superiors spoke in low, hushed tones, as their morale had been destroyed. In particular, Biyu stood out distinctly from the rest of the group, as he continued to sit in silence, and curtly responded to his generals only when he was prompted to do so.
Day turned into night, and night back into day, and although this endless cycle had always remained the same, the reality suddenly seemed very cruel, as the glaring sun baked the soldiers' flesh underneath their thick armor, and the waning moon looked coldly on as the dark night pierced their bones to the core, in addition to downpours occasionally drenching them. They became so wretched that even wild animals began to avoid them, severely reducing the amount of game they barely managed to hunt day after day, and further sapping their already drained will. After what seemed like eternity, the defeated barely managed to straggle back into Ungjin, a forlorn capital that was now unfamiliar to them, and although the few officials that had remained behind now greeted them as warmly as possible, the lingering silence was unbearable, hanging over them like a thick fog. The hidden disappointment could also be barely contained within those present, although they lacked the strength to adequately express their feelings. Although the palace's façade had remained the same for decades, the hasty relocation of the capital to Wirye, along with the sparse inhabitants within, meant that the interior was all but deserted.
Biyu secretly gathered his closest officials for over a month in order to plan out potential defensive strategies. However, their tentative calculations suggested that they could only manage to recruit an additional 10,000 troops from the countryside within a month in an optimal scenario, bringing the total amount available to 15,000, although their training and location would present additional issues, as they would be unable to collectively defend most of Baekje's territory against a determined army of over 100,000 [3] simultaneously invading multiple regions. Even if Baekje could manage to militarily repulse the first few waves, Goryeo would also have the option to cut off the defenders' access to resources by both land and sea, slowly starving them out over time [4]. In the event of a major setback, Biyu had originally expected the alliance to regroup and form a united front against their common enemy. However, Gaya fell into political chaos, while Seorabeol's northern front had collapsed against Goryeo's sudden onslaught, forcing its army to hastily retreat and sever its alliance with Baekje in order to defend its remaining territory with less than 25,000 troops. The alliance's former stability had also been compromised by disastrous natural events during the war, as a combination of hail, frost, and locusts had devastated the countryside of all three states in the summer of 454, which was further exacerbated by strong winds, frost, and hail in the spring of 457 [5]. As a result, after musing for days, Biyu decided to gather the court in order to announce his decision.
***
“For the last several decades, we covertly made numerous preparations with our allies in order to defeat our common foe. After corresponding with the Wei, we then managed to carry out our plans by simultaneously launching major assaults on Goryeo with the ultimate goal of seizing control of the entire peninsula. However, we had not expected a major war to break out within China as well, which not only compelled the Wei to retreat, but also enabled our enemy to regain the offensive, forcing us to retreat after utterly unsustainable losses. The bulk of our army has been lost, our alliance has been broken, and our treasury has been depleted, while natural calamities have severely sapped our will and resources, limiting our ability to sustain this war. As a result, I propose that we flee to Seorabeol in order to join forces before attempting to confront Goryeo once more.”
An official cleared his throat.
“Your highness, I respect your judgement. However, if I may, I would like to humbly propose regathering our scattered forces to mount a final defense before attempting to vacate our capital. Goryeo has been overstretched after recapturing its lost territory, and after we manage to reestablish our alliance, we can hold off any major attacks.”
Biyu softly sighed, then spoke slowly, although his voice was barely audible. “I've rethought that possibility multiple times . . . but we have lost too much in this war. Most of our generals have surrendered, and we have far too few men left to fight with. Our resources have been depleted, and although we could attempt to hold out in the mountains, that will cause our palace to remain unguarded. It's possible that I might end up regretting this decision . . . but for now, we will have to flee to Seorabeol and hope to hold out. [6]”
After a brief silence, another official responded solemnly. “We will respect your decision.”
By late January, the remaining officials had evacuated from Ungjin, and although the multitude of peasants dotting the streets openly expressed their displeasure in various ways, the procession continued to slowly and silently march across the countryside in order to seek refuge in Seorabeol. For several weeks, the straggling group continued to trudge past isolated villages during the day in a dazed stupor, and stopped by any they managed to encounter after the sun had set. While the isolated folk grudgingly provided the defeated with food and shelter, they also remained depressed, and refrained from providing additional comfort. Very little words were wasted, as no one had the energy to speak.
The weather grew worse as they continued to travel, and a few days after crossing into Seorabeol, the ruler suddenly stopped in his tracks. He firmly gripped his hair, then cried out, “
This cannot be! We were supposed to destroy Goryeo, and victory was within our grasp! How did we manage to lose? If the Wei had managed to hold out longer . . .”
Tears began to stream down the
Eoraha's face, mingling with the rain pouring around him [7], and his voice suddenly grew hoarse. He put his face in his hands. “Is this . . . the end? Have we utterly lost our chance to speak out against Goryeo's suffocating rule? Has Heaven sided with the enemy we had bitterly resented for centuries? When will we be able to recover and proudly govern our people that have looked up to us for countless generations? How will I . . . be able to face all of my venerable ancestors when I die? [8]”
The group collectively gasped, “
Eoraha . . .”
The ruler fell into a deep trance, then resumed his thoughts. He slowly shook his head. “No . . . we will eventually have another chance. We
must return in order to rightly reclaim what has been lost from Goryeo, as our countrymen will remain dear in our hearts, and I will eventually return in order to reclaim the throne. May our will . . . never falter. [9]”
***
After Baekje was overrun, a severe political division tore Gaya apart, as the Guya (구야국/狗邪國) faction decided to send diplomats to Pyongyang in order to surrender and obtain favorable terms, as its resources had been severely depleted, although the officials from the Banpa (반파국/伴跛國) and Alla (안라국/安羅國) factions steadfastly refused to give up, while other minor factions remained neutral. Goryeo responded by agreeing to not interfere in the sub-state's internal politics, although the region that had agreed to surrender would be temporarily occupied by a few thousand soldiers in order to keep the other cities in check. The
Taewang also bestowed a noble title on Jilji (질지왕/銍知王) by assigning an official rank, although he was forced to reside in Yodong as a form of exile [10]. Meanwhile, in February of 458, a devastating earthquake destroyed the southern gate of Geumseong, the capital, leading to major repairs, and rumors began to spread that Nulji was deathly ill, both of which caused apprehension among the masses to intensify [11].
As a result, when word of the surrender gradually reached the Seorabeol court through Gaya officials that had fled in fear of marginalization, a growing number of officials began to actively advocate for capitulation, as they realized the possibility of Goryeo not directly seeking retribution for their prior treacherous actions. However, Biyu, who had been temporarily residing in Geumseong as an honored guest, argued that the events illustrated Georyeon's reluctance to conquer the southern portion of the peninsula, as the troops were exhausted after sudden defensive and offensive maneuvers that had severely exhausted the state's capabilities. As a result, he proposed that the reduced alliance mobilize tens of thousands of troops within the next several years in order to resolutely defend Seorabeol behind the safety of the Sobaek Mountains. Meanwhile, former Baekje and Japanese pirates would harass what had been Baekje and Gaya, along with stirring up resistance from the populace by utilizing guerrillas drawn from sympathizers. Officials who had previously remained silent began to support the proposal, causing an argument to break out among the opposing factions as each argued for the validity of their claims.
The
Maripgan slowly raised his trembling hand, and urged everyone to remain calm. The room fell silent.
“I fully understand your intentions of continuing this war. However, I also realize that this disastrous war has drove us to our breaking point, as countless men have died after bravely sacrificing themselves while morale and resources have run low, all despite the remaining hope that had inspired us until now to continue fighting. As a result, we have ultimately lost much more then we had originally bargained for, causing Goryeo to essentially win this exhaustive war, as it has always strived to retain us as loyal tributaries.”
“Our people are weary from such costly conflicts that have plagued this peninsula for centuries, and while I realize that many still wish to pick up the pieces and resume the conflict, it is not my wish to expose them to death once more [12]. We have more than paid the price for daring to gamble, resulting in unsurmountable losses, and as the enemy has plainly demonstrated that they will not give up any ground, we will be left with nothing if we continue to resist. Therefore, with a heavy heart, I propose that we surrender.”
An official suddenly stood up, crying out: “Your majesty! We cannot accept this. How can you manage to tolerate such humiliation in the hands of the enemy? The Goryeo ruler, a cruel tyrant, never intended to embrace us as equals, as he had planned to ensnare us in the bonds of eternal servitude. Why are you making it easier for him to fulfill his goals by unconditionally accepting foreign dominance, as had been the case for decades? Why must we give in to the enemy's unreasonable demands when doing so would cause our families to be eradicated as traitors? We
must fight to the end in order to preserve our identity and demonstrate our willingness to do anything in order to retain our freedom.”
As the official continued to speak, Nulji slowly closed his eyes. After the last word had been uttered, he gradually opened them after taking a deep breath. “We must . . . also consider our people's wishes. No one is willing to serve a callous master who continues to mistreat his servants, but I do not think that this is what our people truly believe. He has already demonstrated mercy to us several times by proposing negotiations, and while these actions may also have been a sign of weakness, I truly believe that deep down inside, he has continuously held our interests in mind. After all, his father decided to leave Baekje alone decades ago, although the latter had continued to stir up tensions.”
“Again, I fully recognize that my ultimate decision may be contrary to your interests. However, understand that although I have always been firmly opposed to surrendering my throne, I must now do so to prevent further sacrifices. We cannot fight forever, as our people are tired and hungry. How much longer must they suffer? Is diversity truly much more important than unity? We decided to fight because we thought that it was right to do so, but now that we have exhausted that option, only one alternative remains. Of course, I might be wrong, and we might all be executed for daring to revolt against Goryeo as traitors . . . but I trust that the
Taewang will ultimately make the right decision.”
“Are there any objections?”
There was a deafening silence.
The
Maripgan let out a deep sigh. “It has been decided, then. Make the necessary preparations as soon as possible so that we can deliver our message in time.”
In the following month, Nulji, Biyu, Gaya's representative, and all of the burdened officials that had held out crossed the Sobaek Mountains reluctantly and began to head to Pyongyang. However, the
Taewang had temporarily relocate to Wirye after the city had fallen in order to strike southward, and their journey coincided with the
Taewang's southern tour of his recently obtained possessions [13]. As a result, the two groups met south of Wirye, which was filled with men who had surrendered to Goryeo months earlier.
The fatigued procession suddenly stopped in front of the emperor's entourage.
“We would like . . . to surrender.” Nulji's glazed expression suggested that his mind was removed from reality.
Georyeon's face was solemn. “I will respect your decision.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” His automated response was entirely devoid of energy.
“Do you have any requests?”
“Why should we have anything else to say? We are traitors who have consistently defied your orders for decades, and should be punished according to the law.”
“Understood. I will decide your fates after I return to the palace.”
After seven years of tumultuous conflicts, the peninsular war finally came to an end, and out of all of the numerous sacrifices that had been made, the biggest involved casting away internal differences for unity. As a result, although it would take over a decade to rebuild, March of 458 marked the beginning of a new era. After countless centuries of conflicts among various groups, a distinct unit of people emerged out of the ashes with a common identity, and would remain as such in the face of numerous challenges
[14].
***
The surrendered carefully placed various precious national relics upon the tray before them as final tributary gifts. Among them included the official seals, crowns, and various items of jewelry. In particular, a jade ring suddenly caught the
Taewang's eye, due to its simplistic design, and after the articles were brought before the throne, the ruler gently lifted it up, then held it before the light. It was plain at first glance, with no engravings, although after rotating it, a dark diagonal streak could be glimpsed within the inside rim.
“What is the significance of this ring?”
“That was the bridal ring that Jumong, your founder, had handed to So-soneo, our national ancestor, and we had preserved it for countless generations as a historical reminder of our nation's foundation. However, given that Baekje is no more, we thought that it was worthwhile to return it, as the ring now symbolizes our collective unity through kinship.”
“Very fitting. I will ensure that it will be honored as a nationally sacred treasure.”
After the retainers had carefully carried the artifacts away from the throne room for storage, the ruler collectively addressed the defeated kneeling before him.
“I realize that although the war embodied your alliance's unyielding will, the three of you ultimately made the difficult decision to surrender after realizing your people's hardships. According to our laws, your acts of stiff resistance would have required those responsible to be eternally branded as traitors and executed. However, given that you have recognized the burden of making the wrong decision, and I am grateful that the war was terminated peacefully, I will grant you the opportunity to decide your own fates.”
The three former rulers shifted nervously, then mumbled among each other in order to come to a final agreement. After clearing his throat, Nulji spoke in a trembling voice.
“Blinded by revenge, we had rejected your gracious offers to peacefully submit. As a result, we have committed a grave sin against our people, so we will gladly accept any punishment you wish to bestow upon us, as our lives are in your hands. After thoroughly considering the situation, I would humbly suggest that we be imprisoned or executed-”
The monarch cried out, “Have you failed to learn
anything from your experiences?”
There was a hushed silence.
“It seems that you still do not understand my overarching goal. My wish is for our people to work together as a whole for the greater good, instead of blindly carrying out revenge in an endless cycle. We must show the world that we can work together as one, instead of endlessly struggling with each other over petty territorial and ideological disputes. In order to accomplish this, we must work together in order to consolidate our unified government, as everyone can loyally serve the central entity, as opposed to bickering among multiple entities and formulating complex alliances in order to restrain each other. What honor can be greater than faithfully serving one's country until the day he [15] dies?”
In an impulse, the
Taewang rose, and approached the three captives. After borrowing a dagger from one of his retainers, the ruler swiftly cut the ropes binding each individual.
Tears flowed down the kneelers' faces. “How . . . how can we ever repay you?”
“Just continue to serve our country. We are all part of a larger family, after all, as Goryeo and Baekje were like father and son, while we are all descended from Dangun Wanggeom, our first and greatest ancestor. As we are close relatives, I must treat all of you with benevolence and warmth, as blood forms a tie that can never be broken. We must live together forever in harmony if we wish to stand strong against the invaders which have devastated our land and people, causing havoc and discord for centuries.”
“After all, if the war had turned out differently, our situations would have been reversed, so I have no qualms about letting you free, as it is my duty to do so. [16]”
“This is not the end. In fact, it is a new beginning.”
After the speech had been concluded, everyone except for the ruler began to file out of the throne room.
The lone individual remained still for a moment, deep in contemplation, then quietly rose up and thoughtfully walked away.
***
Georyeon kneeled in front of his father's tomb [17].
“Father . . . I have accomplished your greatest desire, as I have managed to unify our people and put a decisive end to the strife that had devastated our land for centuries.”
His voice suddenly grew hoarse, and tears began to well up. He quietly wiped them away.
“I just . . . just wish that you had been here . . . t-to view the new world that has sprung to life. I have only heard various tales about what the people had suffered through when you had been born, but I do know that it must have been . . . been impossible to accurately convey in mere words. Mass starvation would have occurred, leading to widespread discontent, and making it difficult for my grandfather to rule effectively. As a result, your grand accomplishments became glorious to the people after such a devastating crisis.”
“But if I may, I would like to ask you a question that has continued to press heavily on my mind. Will this mark the end of our expansion, or should we continue to advance into China in order to take advantage of its disorder, which has raged on for centuries? We might overstretch our capabilities if we adopt an offensive stance, but if the states hold out and are reunified, the risk will be too great, as the new state might invade us with an unsurmountable force if we continue to maintain our position. What should I do? [18]”
A soft breeze blowed across the grass, making slight rustling sounds, but the tomb remained silent.
With a heavy heart, the monarch wearily headed back to the palace. A while after the sun had set, and after he had climbed into bed, Gwanggaeto suddenly appeared vividly in his dream. Only his back, covered in a bright robe that had been embroidered with gold, was visible, and his arms were visibly crossed. However, he was facing a magnificent landscape, which was covered with forests, plains, mountains, rivers, and a yawning sea. As the ruler began to survey the incredible view before him, his father began to speak.
“It is now time . . . for us to spread our light across the world.”
When he began to turn around in order to face his son, the
Taewang suddenly woke up. He rubbed his eyes, and blinked. The red, glowing sun was rising over the horizon.
---
[1] “First justice after benefit.” This expression indicates how morals must be considered before profits. The origin is unknown.
[2] I made a mistake in the last update, as the time period should have been 455-7, not 455-8. I also forgot to mention that while Biyu died in 455 IOTL, it's likely that he had been assassinated due to a mention of a “black dragon” along the Han River in September of 455 (lunar calendar), which can be interpreted as a bad omen symbolizing assassins, along with his death in the same month. As a result, his early death has been butterflied away ITTL, as the war would have forced his men to rally around him.
[3] While almost a third of the invading army would have been composed of those who had surrendered in 457 due to Wirye's fall, which may have tested their loyalty, most of them would also have served under Goryeo for decades before Baekje retook the fortress, and would have been privy to Baekje's plans during its assault on North Pyongyang.
[4] IOTL, Jangsu attacked Wirye and seized the Han River Valley in 475, while Gwanggaeto did the same in 395 ITTL. While Baekje continued to remain intact as a state in both cases after retreating, its strategy mostly focused on the defense of its capital, enabling it to recoup from its losses. This will not be the case here, however, as most of its resources would have been spent in the main assaults on Wirye and Pyongyang, respectively, along with a later defense at Wirye, all within the span of four years (453-7).
[5] These natural disasters were recorded in Baekje and Silla's records compiled by the Samguk Sagi. IOTL, Goguryeo also raided the northern borders of Silla and Baekje in 454 and 455, respectively, and considering the timing of the events, the northern state may have sought to take advantage of the brief weaknesses of its southern counterparts.
[6] IOTL, during the Battle of Hwangsanbeol in 660, Baekje repelled Silla four times before it was overwhelmed in a fifth skirmish, despite being outnumbered by 10:1 (50,000 against 5,000), indicating the defenders' confidence against a larger poorly trained and unmotivated army. This was mostly due to the fact that Silla had been in disarray from 642-659, as it had lost a significant amount of its territory due to sustained invasions from Baekje and Goguryeo, simultaneously threatening Geumseong (Gyeongju), its capital, and the Bukhansan region (centered around what is now Seoul), respectively. While Silla's eventual conquest of Baekje was heavily contingent on the Tang's participation, Goguryeo had trained a well-prepared army since its foundation, as it was forced to raid its neighbors for resources. As a result, Baekje ITTL would have been forced to surrender after the Wei withdrew, along with losing Wirye, as it would have been outmatched against a resurgent Goguryeo (Goryeo ITTL for reasons expressed in earlier updates).
[7] Due to the climate, it rarely snows in winter within the southernmost regions of the peninsula.
[8] Tensions between Goguryeo and Baekje had remained heated at least since the early/mid-4th century, when they fought for control over former Chinese possessions within the peninsula. Specifically, the Gwanggaeto Stele continuously refers to Baekje as “Yijan” (이잔/伊殘) and “Baekjan” (백잔/百殘), of which the character “jan” has a variety of derogatory meanings, including “cruel” and “savage,” and Baekje also might have had its own negative terms for “Goguryeo” as well. Also see Footnote 1 in this earlier update.
[9] The repercussions of this will be expressed in future updates.
[10] IOTL, tensions had been present within the Gaya confederacy since Gwanggaeto invaded it in 400, as various regional factions sought to wrest control from the dominant Garak (Guya) faction, which had continously remained in power for over four centuries. These factors would have been exacerbated ITTL due to the recently concluded war.
[11] This earthquake was also recorded in the Samguk Sagi, while Nulji passed away in August of 458 (lunar calendar) IOTL.
[12] Silla had frequently been at war with Baekje and Gaya for centuries, which began long before any of them had become consolidated, and had also been systematically raided by the wokou (waegu). Later, Goguryeo eventually seized territory in the north under Gwanggaeto in order to establish indirect control over its southern neighbor as a tributary.
[13] Goguryeo's court frequently shifted among multiple capitals IOTL, especially during wartime.
[14] IOTL, unification was never fulfilled, as Gojoseon never directly controlled the peninsula, while Goguryeo failed to push further south after conquering Baekje's capital in 475, despite innumerable conflicts with its southern counterparts for three centuries. Afterwards, neither Silla nor Balhae was able to emerge victorious over the other, as the former fell to Goryeo (unrelated to “Goryeo” ITTL), while its northern neighbor was destroyed by the Khitan Liao in the aftermath of a catastrophic eruption on Baekdu Mountain.
[15] Language note: Or she, although “he” was generally used to denote both males and females in English until about a century ago. Korean does not have this issue, as general pronouns are rarely used formally due to an extensive system of honorifics, as the social status of the speakers must be determined, and titles are usually denoted instead.
[16] This obliquely refers to Buddhism, as individuals are encouraged to treat others as they would like others to treat them, as do other major religions (and philosophies). In this sense, determinism may be eliminated, as nirvana essentially requires breaking the seemingly endless cycle of reincarnation in order to ascend to a higher plane of existence.
[17] This was located near Guknae Fortress (modern-day Ji'an, Jilin), which was the capital from AD 3 to 427 IOTL.
[18] As stated earlier, Goguryeo's location in relatively inhospitable territory had forced it to build up a highly trained army, while its navy also later became prominent due to its proximity to the sea. Its gradual expansions for centuries also meant that it was forced to simultaneously deal with multiple fronts, mainly to the west, south, and north. As a result, had the state managed to unify the peninsula while China continued to be in a state of turmoil, significant expansions westward would not have been out of the question.
but too slow for my liking 
