Chapter 172: Feedback (1)
With the suppression of the 'Giyu Rebellion' concluded and the punishment of those who participated in the rebellion executed, the court and the military began the aftermath proceedings.
"Though we call it aftermath proceedings... strictly speaking, we should see this as examining and refining the parts that were lacking in the process of suppressing this rebellion."
At the words of the Vice Minister of War who was leading the meeting, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers all nodded their heads.
The Vice Minister of War continued speaking.
"Looking at the evacuation plan written just before the recent palace attack occurred, it was arranged that if the situation unfolded, His Majesty the King and key figures would be immediately escorted to Changdeokgung Palace. Of course, when that most treasonous incident occurred, no one actually set out to evacuate..."
"Hem!"
"Cough!"
At the Vice Minister's pointed remark, Sejong and Hyang coughed awkwardly and turned their gazes elsewhere.
After that day's incident ended, the two had to suffer through Queen Soheon's wrath for quite some time.
* * *
When the coup forces led by Grand Prince Yangnyeong attempted their attack on the palace, the Royal Guards defending the Central Palace attempted to escort Queen Soheon, the concubines, and the princes to Changdeokgung Palace according to plan.
"Has His Majesty already taken shelter?"
Queen Soheon, asking about Sejong's location, shouted at the military officer of the Royal Guards who was trying to take her away upon hearing that Sejong was still holding his ground at Geunjeongjeon Hall.
"You rascal! His Majesty faces mortal danger right now, and you're standing here like this!"
At Queen Soheon's shout, the Royal Guard officer answered with a troubled expression.
"This is already an established plan and procedure..."
"Silence! Lady Jang!"
At Queen Soheon's summons, the court lady standing nearby came running.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Bring my bow immediately!"
"Your Majesty..."
When the court lady hesitated at Queen Soheon's command to 'bring her bow,' Queen Soheon grabbed her skirt hem, went back inside the room, and came out carrying a bow.
"We go to Geunjeongjeon Hall! Soldiers, follow me!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Shut up and follow!"
At the Queen's command, the officer commanding the Central Palace's Royal Guards resigned himself and ordered his subordinates.
"First and Second Units follow me, the rest escort the concubines, princes, and princesses to Changdeokgung Palace. Move!"
"Yes, sir!"
* * *
Queen Soheon, who had led the soldiers to Geunjeongjeon Hall like that, collapsed from tension once the situation was resolved.
Afterward, Sejong and Hyang had to beg Queen Soheon with hands and feet.
"I am sorry."
Sejong, sitting before Queen Soheon who was lying with her head bandaged, spoke words of sincere apology. Hyang, sitting beside him, was the same.
"Mother. Please forgive us."
"Mmm..."
Queen Soheon, rising while making sounds of pain, looked at Sejong and scolded him.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is the one and only supreme ruler of this nation. Yet to remain in such a dangerous place, what were you thinking?"
"Well, there were guards..."
"Your Majesty! No matter how many guards there are, that place—what kind of place was it! It was a perilous location where not just arrows but iron bullets were flying in all directions!"
"I-I'm sorry."
"And the Crown Prince too! The very foundation of the nation who must one day inherit this country, roaming the battlefield! Do you have any sense?"
"I was wrong!"
"Mmm!"
With a groan, Queen Soheon turned her body and lay back down.
"Oh my..."
Sejong, realizing that Queen Soheon was greatly angered, looked at the royal physician sitting beside him. When the physician quietly shook his head, Sejong had to let out a long sigh.
"Haa~."
In the end, Sejong and Hyang had to go to Queen Soheon whenever they had a chance for three days, begging with hands and feet.
* * *
Hearing the sounds of Sejong and Hyang's awkward coughs, the Vice Minister of War continued the meeting.
"After the situation ended, the Joseon Army General Staff Office re-examined the plan. And, as a result of that examination, we concluded that the plan established and executed this time was very incomplete."
"Incomplete?"
When Sejong showed interest, the Vice Minister of War nodded.
"Yes, that is correct. If the scale of the traitors attempting rebellion is large, it is difficult to secure Your Majesty's safety simply by moving between palaces."
"Hmm..."
As Sejong stroked his beard with a dubious expression, Hyang spoke up in support.
"I believe it is a reasonable statement. Though the palaces are separated, they are not far apart. If the scale of traitors is large, they could sufficiently launch simultaneous attacks."
"Would another rebellion occur?"
At Sejong's objection, Hyang immediately replied.
"During Father's reign it should not happen again, but who can know for certain? Furthermore, we do not know if similar incidents might occur in future generations."
At Hyang's words, Sejong nodded.
"The Crown Prince's words are correct. Very well. So what is the alternative?"
At Sejong's question, the Vice Minister of War immediately answered.
"To build mountain fortresses in the south and north of Hanseong."
At the Vice Minister of War's words, Heo Jo immediately raised an objection.
"Build fortresses? Is that not excessive?"
"It is not excessive. The purpose of building fortresses is not only to prepare for palace attacks. If there is an invasion by foreign forces, of course, our Joseon Army will block them with the determination to fight to the death and drive them back, but if our capabilities fall short and this capital city becomes endangered, it also includes the purpose of escorting Your Majesty and making a stand."
At the Vice Minister of War's words, Heo Jo objected again.
"Would foreign enemies push all the way to this capital city? Is that even possible?"
At Heo Jo's words, the Vice Minister of War briefly asked in return.
"Have you forgotten the events of the former dynasty?"
"Ah..."
At the Vice Minister of War's question, Heo Jo closed his mouth.
During the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo, remnants of the Red Turbans invaded Goryeo and even captured Gaeseong. At that time, King Gongmin had to flee all the way to Andong.
It wasn't just the Red Turbans.
In the first year of King Gongmin, Japanese pirates invaded, devastated Ganghwa Island, and even threatened Gaegyeong.
At the words pointing out events from just two generations ago, the mouths of the opposition were firmly shut.
Having silenced the opposition, the Vice Minister of War continued speaking.
"The mountain fortresses in the south and north are not merely for His Majesty's evacuation. While reorganizing troops in these mountain fortresses and defending against the enemy, the purpose is to gather Joseon Army forces stationed in other regions and strike the enemy's rear. In the most basic tactic among them, the 'hammer and anvil' tactic, these mountain fortresses become the anvil."
At the Vice Minister of War's explanation, Sejong asked a question.
"What if the invading enemies ignore these mountain fortresses and cross the capital to pass through to the south or north?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang answered in place.
"The enemies will absolutely not be able to pass by these mountain fortresses."
"Why is that... Ah!"
Sejong, about to ask the reason, stopped speaking and nodded his head.
"I see. Since the King of this Joseon is there, they would never simply pass by. That is only natural."
Sejong nodded in understanding, then looked at Hyang.
"Is this your work?"
"I merely added a spoonful."
At Hyang's answer, Sejong chuckled and spoke.
"You, merely? You probably prepared the whole feast. I know what kind of fellow you are."
'Of course! Absolutely!'
'The Crown Prince is one whose belly is crawling with vipers! How many times have we been deceived by that face!'
At Sejong's words, the ministers vigorously nodded their heads, each adding their own internal commentary.
However, for Hyang, this was an unjust matter. Even in the history before Hyang's intervention, Moonjong, who was a renowned military enthusiast, had advocated for the construction of Bukhansanseong Fortress while he was Crown Prince. The problem was that Bukhansanseong Fortress was actually built much later, during King Sukjong's reign.
What Hyang had done was simply add Namhansanseong Fortress alongside Bukhansanseong Fortress.
* * *
"Since the one who set the board in motion, explain in more detail."
"Yes, Father."
At Sejong's command, Hyang rose from his seat. When Hyang stepped forward, the Vice Minister of War quickly handed the pointer to Hyang and returned to his seat.
For him, answering each question thrown by Sejong and the ministers was overwhelming. The reason the Vice Minister of War found it overwhelming was not the difficulty, but the pressure from the 'exalted ones.' Though the Vice Minister of War was also among the 'exalted ones,' those lined up before him were figures far above even him.
When Hyang stood at the front, the ministers began their questions.
"We understand the need for mountain fortresses. Are there suitable locations?"
"Yes, there are. Attendant, bring the map of Hanseong and nearby areas."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At Hyang's command, an attendant brought a hanging scroll with a map.
As the Gyeongjang reforms progressed, several items were kept permanently at Geunjeongjeon Hall, and maps were among them.
Setting the map up beside him, Hyang pointed to a spot on the map with the pointer.
"For the mountain fortress to be established in the north of Hanseong, we plan to expand Jungheungsanseong Fortress. For the south, we are strongly considering the old Jujangseong Fortress site from the Three Han period here in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province."
"What is the reason for choosing that location as the fortress site?"
"Yes, the location is excellent enough that a fortress has existed there since the Three Han period. Also, the distance from Hanseong is appropriate, allowing for rapid movement. Finally, we can actively utilize Hansu (Han River) as the most important geographical defensive barrier."
At Hyang's words, the ministers nodded.
If attacking from the south, they could use Hansu as a primary defensive line while preparing for resistance at Bukhansanseong Fortress. In the opposite case as well, they could similarly use Hansu as a primary defensive line while making preparations at Namhansanseong Fortress.
Seeing the ministers showing understanding, Hyang pointed to another location.
"To prepare for cases where enemies enter through Hansu from the sea, we will construct a mountain fortress here at Haengju. This location too, is a strategic point where an old Three Han period fortress site exists."
Hyang continued his explanation, connecting these three fortresses.
"The mountain fortresses being built in the north and south do not simply serve as wartime capitals. If these three mountain fortresses are properly linked, the defense of Hanseong is further strengthened."
"Hmm..."
At Hyang's explanation, Sejong and the ministers gauged its utility.
"Not bad..."
At Sejong's words, the ministers nodded. Certainly, if mountain fortresses were built at the locations Hyang mentioned, it would be very advantageous for Hanseong's defense. As old Three Han period fortress sites existed there, they were precisely the necessary locations militarily.
However, there was a problem.
Kim Jeom, who had been quietly organizing his thoughts, spoke up.
"I acknowledge the necessity, but repairing mountain fortresses is not an easy task. I have not visited the southern fortress site, but since the northern fortress site is near Bukhansan and Inwangsan which are visible, one can immediately see how rugged the mountain terrain is. Repairing mountain fortresses in such rugged terrain requires much corvée labor from the people, and the construction costs are also not insignificant."
"You are correct. Building mountain fortresses requires much stone material, but transporting stone material up those high and rugged mountains is no ordinary corvée labor."
Starting with Kim Jeom, the ministers pointed out construction problems due to geographical issues.
At such objections from the ministers, Hyang and the people of the Ministry of War and the military wore knowing smiles. Especially seeing Hyang's smile, the ministers broke into cold sweat.
'What? What is it! What did I miss?'
While the ministers were pondering, Hyang spoke.
"Have you forgotten? We have Cheol-ip-hoeseok (iron-reinforced concrete)."
"Ah..."
At Hyang's words, the ministers wore expressions of having been outmaneuvered.
The reinforced concrete that Hyang first used when laying roads was given the official name 'Cheol-ip-hoeseok.' The ministers were well aware of the utility of this Cheol-ip-hoeseok. If the formwork was properly made, Cheol-ip-hoeseok could construct buildings in shapes that traditional wooden or stone architecture could not even imagine.
"I had forgotten about that."
"Of course, transporting aggregate, iron reinforcement, and cement mixture to the fortress sites is not easy either. However, it requires less corvée labor than quarrying, dressing, and transporting stone."
At Hyang's words, the ministers could do nothing but nod.
In the end, Sejong made his decision.
"I will accept the Ministry of War's proposal. The Ministry of Taxation is to calculate the necessary budget, and the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Personnel are to devise plans for procuring the personnel needed for construction."
"We receive your command!"
Kim Jeom and the ministers of the relevant departments answered with gloomy expressions.
Meanwhile, at Sejong's decision, Hyang and the officials of the Ministry of War and the military officers bowed their heads deeply and cried out loudly.
"We are eternally grateful for your grace!"