Volume One: In Turbulent Times, Is There a Path for Humanity? Chapter 35: A Tiger II

Skirting Liaoyang, they arrived at the banks of the Yalu River in five or six days, setting up camp and gathering their forces. For several days, the generals deliberated together, unanimously agreeing that they should cross the river near its mouth, just south of the Yalu. Only a few li eastward lay Uiju, a city of Goryeo. Since the eras of Liao and Jin, this region had suffered repeated warfare; moreover, situated at the frontier and under the pressure of the Mongol Yuan, Goryeo dared not repair its city walls.

It was perfectly suited for Deng She and his newly recruited soldiers, unversed in siege warfare, to gain practical experience.

Wu Henian was intimately familiar with the geography of Liaodong. After the council, Deng She specifically invited him to explain the particulars of Uiju to everyone.

“This city was built during the reign of Goryeo’s Sage King, more than two centuries ago. When the Khan Temujin attacked Jin, the remnant Khitan, Yelü Liuke, seized the opportunity to rebel in Long’an (present-day Nong’an, Jilin), reestablishing the state as Liao. Jin general Puxian Wannu likewise took advantage in Liaoyang, founding his own state, first named Dazhen, then renamed Dongxia.

“At that time, the Mongol general Muhuali was in western Liao, his military might formidable. For several years, Mongols, Khitan, and Jurchen fought in a tangled war. Later, under joint assault from the Mongols and Puxian Wannu, Yelü Liuke fled from Liaodong to Goryeo, frequently active between Uiju and the Western Capital (Pyongyang).

“A few years later, the Mongols, Jurchen, and Goryeo joined forces and eradicated Yelü Liuke. Thereafter, Uiju and neighboring areas fell under Dongxia’s influence; the king of Goryeo sent tribute and performed ceremonies to both Mongolia and Dongxia. Another decade passed, and the Mongols subdued Dongxia. Yet, remnants of Khitan and Dongxia continued unrest, raiding Goryeo for fifty years.

“After Dongxia was pacified, Ogedei launched campaigns against Goryeo, capturing more than forty cities, including Uiju. At that time, Goryeo’s powerful officials were in charge, refusing to submit to the king’s authority…” He spoke fluently, not noticing the phrase “refusing royal authority.” Some generals didn’t grasp its meaning, others ignored it, letting him continue: “The Choi family’s military regime submitted then rebelled again, slaughtered seventy-two Mongol darugha placed in Goryeo, and withdrew the royal clan to Ganghwa Island.

“From then on, the Mongols, for thirty years, launched seven campaigns, ravaging the entire peninsula. Fearing massacres, most Goryeo counties surrendered. The Mongols lacked naval power, yet could not deal with the Goryeo royals entrenched on the island, so decided to install the Mongol hostage prince as king in Goryeo. To avoid marginalization, Goryeo ministers on Ganghwa Island killed Choi, who advocated abandoning the mainland for the island, and surrendered to the Mongols.

“It happened that the Khan Möngke, at Diaoyu Castle, was…” Wu Henian paused here, remembering that Deng She and his men served the Prince Xiaoming, who claimed descent from the Great Song. He respectfully saluted southward, then continued, “The divine might of our Song was invincible; the Mongols were struck by artillery and thus Möngke died.

“Kublai then proclaimed himself Khan, sent the hostage prince back to Goryeo to ascend the throne. For the campaign against Japan, Kublai ordered the new Goryeo king to build a thousand ocean-going ships. Goryeo, worn out by wars, was exhausted. The Mongols, unlike us, regarded Goryeo as mere livestock, pig and dog keepers, and the Goryeo court was deeply dissatisfied.

“After Choi, another powerful figure, Lim, rose in Goryeo. He deposed the new king installed by Kublai, led troops in rebellion, known as the Sambeolcho Uprising.”

“What is the Sambeolcho?” Deng She interrupted, wanting details about Uiju, but Wu Henian had digressed to Goryeo. Deng She let him continue, thinking more knowledge of Goryeo might prove useful for their future plans.

Wu Henian, who had been seated, had just stood to salute southward; now, hearing Deng She’s question, he stood again, hands at his sides: “The Sambeolcho began as a private army Choi established under the pretext of defense, called the Night Guards. As their numbers grew, they were split into Left and Right Guards, joined by the Divine Righteous Army, composed of escaped Mongol captives, collectively known as the Sambeolcho. After Choi, Lim took control.”

Deng She nodded for him to continue. Not only the generals but even He Guangxiu listened with rapt attention. He, being of Korean origin and low status, understood nothing of his country’s history.

Wu Henian said, “The Sambeolcho rebellion lasted three or four years. Lim and his faction, whether by illness or capture, died one after another. Thus ended a century of corrupt rule by Goryeo powerholders. The king, seeking to consolidate his authority, petitioned the Mongol Khan for marriage for the crown prince.

“Kublai agreed. The Mongol consort’s status was very high, and Goryeo thereby gained prominence. From then on, every Goryeo king, except those too young, married a Mongol princess. Thus, Goryeo was called the ‘Son-in-law Kingdom’ by the Mongols, linked as uncle and nephew.”

Li Monk interjected, “Protecting the nation with one’s manhood!”

The generals roared with laughter, He Guangxiu chuckled as well.

Wu Henian joined their laughter, then continued, “Another decade passed, and Kublai launched the eastern campaign against Japan, conscripting tens of thousands of Goryeo soldiers and sailors, a thousand ships. Goryeo was made the Mongol Province for the Eastern Campaign, then abolished. During these years, Uiju belonged first to the Mongol Posa Prefecture; during King Chungnyeol’s reign, the Mongols returned it to Goryeo.” He explained, “Chungnyeol was the first Goryeo king to marry a Mongol princess.”

Posa Prefecture was only twenty or thirty li from where they were camped. Chen Hu asked, “When we passed by, I saw Goryeo flags flying.”

Wu Henian replied, “That was three years ago, when Goryeo seized it during the chaos in Liaodong.” Picking up the thread, he continued, “Soon after Goryeo was made the Eastern Campaign Province, one of the Mongol princes, Nayan, a younger brother of Temujin’s line, rebelled. Kublai personally led an expedition and suppressed it. Nayan’s remnants fled into Goryeo, pillaging cities, killing for food, wreaking havoc for several years. That was fifty or sixty years ago.

“The current king of Goryeo is named Wang Qi in Chinese, Bayan Temur in Mongolian. He was originally a Mongol hostage, serving as palace guard. In the eleventh year of Zhizheng, the Mongol emperor made him king, and sent him back to Goryeo to ascend the throne. For eight years now, floods, droughts, and locust plagues have been unending.”

The events of the last sixty years needed no further explanation.

Since Kublai, Goryeo annually sent tribute of women, eunuchs, and more, countless times. Such population plundering, along with tribute and demands for goods, was well known to the generals. When the Red Turban uprising began, Goryeo was ordered to send tens of thousands of troops to assist the Mongols in the Central Plains. The emptiness of their country was obvious.

Deng She stood at the table, surveying the tent; outside, the night watch was being called—it was nearly midnight.

Torches planted on either side flickered, their red flames dancing on the ground, tent, faces, and armor. The generals all rose, standing tall and spirited, waiting quietly for Deng She’s command.

“The situation in Goryeo, as Mr. Wu has explained, is clear. Uiju has changed hands many times in the past century. As I know, within the city are Goryeo people, Han Chinese, and various Liaodong tribes. They are not united in heart or strength. The city is dilapidated, with only a thousand defenders. We, with recent victory and more than ten thousand men, are like thunder striking rotten wood—why worry the city won’t fall?”

The generals responded in unison. As they saluted, their armor clashed, adding a murderous air to this spring night.

“Military morale must be stirred, not squandered. Tomorrow morning, gather the three armies and announce the purpose of this campaign. The night after tomorrow, we cross the river and attack the city.” Deng She took up the command token, ready to issue orders.

A personal guard shouted from outside the tent.

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Military council—serious business. Within a hundred paces of the command tent, none may enter without permission; only urgent military matters may interrupt. Deng She was startled by the report, quickly set down the command token, and summoned the guard in.

“Reporting, General. Outside the camp gate, a scholar in white claims to have a secret plan to save our army.”

Deng She’s face turned cold as frost. “Military law: disturbing the council with trivial matters—what is the penalty?” It was merely someone seeking to join, hardly urgent business. ‘Secret plan to save the army’—Deng She knew it was just a dramatic claim. Still, this person had persuaded the guard, who knew the consequences of breaking orders, yet dared interrupt—his eloquence must be considerable.

Chen Hu stepped forward: “Execution!”

The guard turned ashen, prostrated himself, banging his head repeatedly: “Spare me, General! I dared not relay it, but that wretched scholar was persuasive... He saw that you, General, have eaten only one meal a day for days, sleeping just two hours, exhausting yourself for the army’s sake. He didn’t seem a swindler, spoke reasonably, and I foolishly thought, perhaps he truly can relieve your worries.”

Even at this point, the guard still believed the scholar’s words had merit. Deng She was moved.

He had only a broad plan for conquering Goryeo; strategically correct, but tactically uncertain due to unfamiliarity with the terrain. Attacking Uiju was the result of careful consideration, yet he still felt something was missing. The generals, like him, knew little about Goryeo; He Guangxiu’s recruited Koreans were all of low status, useful as guides or interpreters, but not for tactics.

He pondered, then asked, “What did the scholar say to you?”

“He said: the General has brought thousands here, surely aiming for Goryeo. Standing at the river, not crossing, must mean you hesitate. He has three plans to offer.”

“What are they?”

“The lowest plan is to cross and seize Uiju. After breaking through, march south to the Western Capital. Roaring at the northern border, you may achieve temporary success. The middle plan is to turn north, emulate Puxian Wannu, seize and pillage Helan Prefecture, controlling north and south, sheltering the east, and establish dominance for a time.”

“And the highest plan?”

“He refuses to say unless he meets the General in person.”

Deng She pondered, and Chen Hu said, “General, I’ve heard locals say Helan Prefecture lies by the sea, northeast of Uiju by more than a hundred li. It’s old Jurchen territory, with many Jurchen tribes. Puxian Wannu was a Jurchen; he could make it his base and dominate Liaodong. For us, I fear it’s impossible.”

Luo Guoqi nodded in agreement: “Not only that. Helan Prefecture is cold, with few cities. Even if we seize it, it’s not much use.”

Li Monk, ever suspicious, asked, “Is this a Goryeo lobbyist? Knowing our army is coming, trying to fool the General with clever words?”

Deng She smiled. He noticed that, since his victory over the Daining forces, Li Monk spoke much more than before. After some thought, he ordered the guard to bring the scholar in: “Just this once. Next time you break orders, you will not be spared.”

The guard thanked him and withdrew. Shortly after, he brought in a man.

The newcomer’s face was powdered, his features delicate. His manner was outstanding, dressed in a worn white robe, yet not shabby. Spring’s chill lingered, and he held a folding fan. Entering the tent, he calmly surveyed the generals, then bowed deeply: “I am Hong Jixun, greetings to the General.” His voice was clear, his tone composed.

Wen Huaguo slammed his water bowl onto the table in anger: “You see our ten-thousand-strong General—why don’t you kneel?”

Hong Jixun laughed heartily, straightening up, neither humble nor arrogant: “I hear generals possess five virtues—wisdom, faith, benevolence, courage, and strictness. If a treasure-bearer comes and you sit high, refusing to meet him, that’s not wise; if you hang a banner seeking talent, yet ignore those who come, that’s unfaithful; ordering three thousand surrendered soldiers executed, that’s not benevolent; wielding the blade against a mere scholar, is that courageous?”

Li Monk leapt forward, drawing half his saber: “Insolence!”

Hong Jixun was unruffled, adding, “If I dare disrespect in the general’s presence, strictness is lost.”

This man was clearly well-versed in Deng She’s exploits in Yongping, arriving well-prepared. Deng She smiled, stood, and said, “Please sit. The tent is humble, no tea to serve. Only plain water—will you accept it, sir?”

He signaled Wen Huaguo to hand over his half-drunk water bowl. Hong Jixun took it, sighed: “What a pity, what a pity.”

“What is pitiful?”

“You suffered defeat at Fengzhou, journeyed a thousand li. In a month, gathered eight hundred into ten thousand, broke strongholds, defeated famous generals. Others see great prestige; yet the hardship, like drinking water, only you know its taste.”

These words struck true, and Deng She was touched. “What is there to pity?”

Hong Jixun raised the bowl, unconcerned that it was Wen Huaguo’s leftovers, and drained it. He sighed again: “The pity is that your fame is empty, ultimately a dream. Tomorrow by the river, I fear it will be your place of death.”

Had he not drunk the water, Deng She would have stuck to his initial judgment, thinking Hong Jixun merely a self-important rhetorician. But with that gesture, his impression changed greatly.

Hong Jixun’s clothes were old but spotless. He had waited outside the tent for some time, yet his hands and face showed not a speck of dust—clearly a man who valued cleanliness. Wen Huaguo, by contrast, was burly and unkempt, sweating and smelling after days of marching; yet Hong Jixun drank his leftover water without a frown.

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Only those with truly grand ambitions could act so.

Deng She was always attentive. Since taking command, he had walked on thin ice, always observing those around him. With time, he could often judge a person’s character instantly from their details.

He smiled slightly: “Why so dire, sir? My guard said you have three plans. I am eager to hear them.”

The guard brought a chair, placing it at the end of the generals’ row. Hong Jixun didn’t even glance at it: “I have a great treasure, but only sell it to those who recognize its worth.”

He refused to speak. Deng She asked, “Sir, you said the lowest plan is to seize Uiju for temporary dominance. Please elaborate.” Deng She knew Hong Jixun wanted him to invite him to a higher seat, dismiss the generals, and hear him in private. Deng She feigned ignorance; though he judged the man ambitious, he still needed to test his abilities.

Hong Jixun caught on, as expected. He opened his folding fan, fanned himself twice: “Uiju’s city is dilapidated, its troops weak. The General’s elite, fresh from victory, can take it effortlessly. Pressing south to the border, the Western Capital and Pyongyang, Goryeo will be caught off guard and can be swiftly taken.

“But, does the General know—

“Goryeo’s fertile lands lie in the south, that’s first. Second, Goryeo has suffered Japanese raids along the coast for years; its elite troops are not on the northern border, but in the southern regions. Third, Goryeo’s population—only one or two tenths in the north, the majority south of the royal capital (Hanseong). The General has only ten thousand men, a lone force deep in a foreign land, with inadequate supplies, unable to recruit, no support behind, dangers ahead. Suppose the Goryeo king gives up everything north of the Western Capital, waits until things stabilize, then mobilizes the entire country, gathering the people of the eastern sea—hundred thousand elite, million militia—how will the General withstand that?

“So, conquering Uiju brings only fleeting glory.”

Deng She pondered deeply. Hong Jixun’s words were somewhat exaggerated, but the possibility existed. He said, “Sir, your words are sound. But your middle plan, Helan Prefecture, is full of Jurchen tribes. As a Han, even if I go, I may not match Puxian Wannu.”

“When Puxian Wannu rose, the Mongol Yuan was in its prime, with elite troops, so he failed against them. Now, the Yuan is in decline, Liaodong is full of competing warlords. Yuan holds only a few cities, barely defending them, let alone more. Compared to Puxian Wannu, the General enjoys the advantage of timing.

“Puxian Wannu was a Jurchen; the General is Han. Some may say you lack their unity—this is a grave error.

“The Yuan has been cruel, Helan Prefecture produces gold, and the Yuan forbade the Jurchen from mining it. Jurchen live by water and grass, hunting; later, even their bows and arrows were banned. Helan and Shuidada are famed for their sea eagles. Sea eagles are magnificent birds, coming from overseas, fierce enough to tackle lions and tigers. Capturing one costs dozens or hundreds of lives. Yet the Yuan demands them annually, increasing the quota.

“The Jurchen have suffered for decades! Rebellions have erupted repeatedly. In the third and sixth year of Zhizheng, the people of the sea eagle lands rebelled; the Yuan repeatedly suppressed them, and only managed to quell the unrest by the fifteenth year. In the eighth year, a Jurchen leader, Suo Huonu, rebelled, and in that year alone, there were three or four uprisings. To this day, remnants remain active in Shuidada and Helan Prefecture. They lack a leader of sufficient prestige, so the unrest remains small scale.

“If the General raises a great banner, calls for justice, promises rewards and land, with the prestige of the Great Song’s northern expedition, breaking through Liaoxi strongholds and defeating renowned generals, I dare say those small bands will flock to you. The Jurchen are born and bred for war; with them, you will be unstoppable.

“So, the General has unity as well.”

Wen Huaguo saw he had stopped and shouted, “What about terrain?”

Hong Jixun took a scroll from his sleeve, placing it before Deng She. Unrolling it, the mountains and cities were plainly marked. At the top: Map of All Goryeo. Hong Jixun pointed to the upper right: “The geography of Helan Prefecture is all here.”

Heaven’s aid! Deng She was overjoyed, sprang up: “Generals, please withdraw.” He personally moved around the table, placed a chair at his side, and said, “Sir, sit.”

—

1. Goryeo royal marriage.

The Goryeo royal family originally practiced consanguineous marriage.

For generations, they intermarried within the royal clan, always marrying those of the same surname and not other families, to maintain their exclusive status; foreign marriages were unheard of in history. Kublai asked: “Why do your princes marry within the same surname?”

2. Yuan princesses, princes, consorts.

China’s dynasties often took Korean women as concubines, but there was no precedent of princesses marrying Goryeo. Only in Yuan did this happen. However, most princesses given to Goryeo kings were not daughters of the emperor, but of royal relatives.

In the Yuan system, all royal daughters were called princesses, all sons princes. The heir apparent was called crown prince.

The Goryeo crown prince married Kublai’s youngest daughter, entered Kaegyeong, and “the elders of Goryeo rejoiced: after a century of war, they could finally see a day of peace.”

In Mongol custom, consorts held high status; only meritorious nobles and rulers of vassal states could marry princesses; their treatment was equal to members of the Golden Family, and they could attend the Quriltai.

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