By:robster38
- Here me, my royal subjects! - Yes, Your Majesty!
Today I have declared the rebirth of Goguryeo!
General Gom, you may announce my decree.
Yes, Your Majesty!
Officials have been chosen for the new regime
after a survey of your opinion and careful deliberation.
Firstly, I have been granted honor of overseeing
all the affairs of the state as the Supreme Commander.
For the services of protecting the King and the people.
Dae Jungsang!
Your Grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!
For the service in financial administration, Jang Sanhae!
Your Grace is immeasureable, Your Majesty!
For the services in diplomatic relations and rites, On Samun!
Your Grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!
For the services in census assessment, tax and law, Yi Kiwu.
Your grace is immeasurable!
For the services in military affairs, Dae Joyoung!
Gulsabiwu and Heuk Sudol are hereby appointed his left and right generals!
Your Majesty, I will lay down my life for the country!
We will lay down our lives, Your Majesty!
Long live the King! Long live Goguryeo!
I`m just getting stated.
General Gulsabiwu,
pour that whole thing in the bowl.
Come on, you`re going to get drink and cause a scene.
Don`t be such a stiff.
I earned my right to get drunk right, general?
Come to think of it,
this is an even bigger day for the two of you.
Here, let me pour you a drink.
Congratulations on your advancement!
Thank you sir. Watch carefully, Gulsabiwu.
This is how a real general drinks.
Cheers!
We must create active exchangebetween the two state from now on to strengthen our relations.
Military exchange is the most important of all.
Minister of Military Dae Joyoung will oversee that on our end.
General Kim Chan here will be in charge of the matter on our end.
I am Kim Chan.
I`ve heard much about you, General Dae Joyoung.
Shilla`s assistance will give us great strength.
Oh, our help will extend beyond the military. Goguryeo will receive Shilla`s help in all affairs.
All affairs?
Our King has high hopes for Goguryeo.
He will soon issue a royal edict to adjust your administration.
Did you just say"a royal edict"?
Yes, it will come directly from His Majesty.
Goguryeo is autonomous state
Issue an edict to the royal house of an autonomous state?
- That`s unheard of - Look, General Dae!
- That`s unheard of! - Stop!
Gentlemen, stop!
- General... - Stop.
This is neither the time nor the place.
Let`s put these matters aside and celebrate if only for today.
This is a joyous day. Let us drink.
Yes, let`s drink! Raise your glasses!
We`ve been waiting. Let`s go.
We should have a drink by ourselves.
This will be the last time we will drink together as friends.
You`re now a minister in charge of the country`s military affairs.
And Heuk Sudol and I are your right and left subordinate generals.
If we don`t respect your seniority you can`t control the military.
Gulsabiwu is right. Here, let`s drink.
This will be our last drink as buddies.
I don`t think this is the time to drink and celebrate.
Shilla does not consider Goguryeo as an independent state.
Then are you saying they think of us as subject state?
A subject state?Blasted bastards!
Enemies are everywhere.
The only way to get the country back is by fighting for it with our lives.
We have a treacherous road ahead. Death will be staring at us every corner we turn.
Whichever one of us dies first,
those alive must do the dead one`s part too.
On that note,
Why don`t we pledge brotherhood?
Brotherhood?
Become sworn brothers?
What`s wrong with you?
I lost my family when I was 13 and wandered through life lonely as a cloud.
And now I`m going to have not one but two brothers!
We`re with you, brother.
Gods of heaven and earth we pledge to thee
We, Dae Joyoung, Gulsabiwu and Heuk Sudol
will fight to the end for revivel of Goguryeo.
We may have been born at different times, but we have swron to achieve our goal and die together,
so please watch over us.
Shilla is giving us aid to keep Andong Protectorate back.
Meanwhile, we will build our strength and influence under their protection.
This is the real reason why we joined forces with Shilla.
But we can`t allow excessive interference in domestic affairs.
We could easily become Shilla`s puppet.
And to do that we need a strong military.
I appoint Joyoung the task despite opposition because this is a critical task that will decide the fate of the new state.
I will do my best to build a strong army as quickly as possible.
You don`t know how comforting it is to have you here.
We`ve declared a new state, so this is now the heart of the revival movement.
Han Fort is not yet safe.
We must first drive out the Tang forces around us.
Permission to launch military action, sir.
Permission is granted.
No one knows what`s ahead of us.
But whatever happens, we must never turn against or doubt each other.
All of us have seen what caused Goguryeo`s fall.
I will serve the king and follow your leadership to get the country back.
Smaller forts around Han Fort are getting crushed one after another by Dae Joyoung.
We already got the report.
What do you intend to do about this?
We can`t leave the city and go on another punitive expedition
when anti-Tang forces are cousing havoc everywhere.
Protecting the protectorate is more important right now.
The imperial court of Tang is seriously concerned about Goguryeo.
I cannot stay silent if you continue to delay countermeasures.
If you can`t stay silent what will you do?
I must report the situation to Tang and device a new measure.
You mean have me kicked out and bring in a new protectorate-general?
In the worst case scenario, yes.
You are out of line! Apologize now!
Oh, Hongpei...
It may be you duty to evaluate my perfomance and report it.
But it`s my duty to protect the safty and honor of Andong Protectorate.
What is your point?
If you continue to intefere in my work, I will not be silent either.
Are you threatening me?
Go ahead and write up your report and send it to Tang.
Your head will be enclosed with your report!
I am merely doing my job.
If you fail to take action against the new Goguryeo, I will have no choice.
That little... !
General, Xue Rengui is more than capable of having us killed.
We can`t fight him head on here in Pyongyang Fort.
He`s a crued barbarian with no discretion.
But we have the Tang court behind us.
Li Wen will not be easily defeated by Xue Rengui.
Did you hear that bastard Li Wen? Dae Joyoung is running wild!
Come up with a plan ,a plan!
But sir, we can hardly contend with the anti-Tang groups that are popping around Pyongyang Fort.
This is so frustrating!
How many men can we send to Han Fort right now?
We can`t react to this right now, sir. If Shilla has indeed made an alliance with the new Goguryeo, (LiKaigu)
we could find ourselve in deep waters.
-What the.... -General Li is right.
If we act hastily and fail to defeat Han Fort, the protectorate will be ruined. (Bu Kiwon)
That`s exactly what Li Wen wants.
But I cannot just sit here twiddling my thumbs!
The Khitan Khan has been sent to Shilla as an envoy. We will soon find out (Shin Sung)
if Shilla is indeed helping the new Goguryeo.
Hang in there a little longer, sir. (Sa Bugu)
Dae Joyoung....
I can`t believe I`m in this mess because of that child! This is humiliating!
General!
Did you locate Chulin?
I`ve questioned the prisoners from Liaodong, but no one knows where she is.
-This is just a hunch, but.... -Go on.
-Perhaps she`s in Han Fort. -Han Fort?
That`s where Dae Joyoung is right now.
-She might have followed him to... -Never!
Anything is possible. so if we send someone to Han Fort....
The only reason why Chulin went with Dae Joyoung was to save my life!
If she is in Han Fort that means she`s helping Goguryeo. Do you think that`s possible?
Don`t ever mention this again.
Forgive me, general.
-Khan, welcome back, sir -Where is general Xue?
-He`s inside. -Let`s hurry.
So, what did the King of Shilla have to say?
He said he was helping the new Goguryeo only to control the displaced citizens in Han Fort vicinity.
To control the displace citizens?
There is a huge influx of displaced Goguryeoans in that area. (Sun Wanrong:Li Jinzhong`s brother in law)
He claims he approved the new Goguryeo to stop them from flowing into Shilla unchecked.
But it`s a blatan lie. (Li Jinzhong:A Khitan tribal leader)
-A lie? -According to our investigation.
Shilla`s King issued a royal edict to Go Anseng of the new Goguryeo approvin the founding of the new state.
-What? A royal edict? -That`s not all.
The two countries have establish an alliance.
An alliance?
Then it`s true that Shilla is helping Goguryeo from behine the scenes!
There`s no doubt about it, sir.
The situation has never been worse!
Nothing is working out!
-I appreciate you waiting. -Did the meeting go well?
There`s just no solution...
It may seem that way from here. But if you can see this from Shilla`s perspective, (Shin Hon)
There is a solution.
Go on. What do you suggest?
Tang, Shilla and the new Goguryeo`s in terests are complexly intertwined.
And their strength is so perfectly balanced that it is nearly impossible to destroy any one side.
That is what we will exploit.
-Exploit the balance of power? -Yes.
And once the scale is tipped, everything will crumble.
General, you should rest for the night.
You go ahead.
Dae Joyoung...Dae Joyoung...
There is no way I can sleep with so much on my mind.
You`ll get sick if you keep this up, sir.
It`s your nagging that`s going to get me sick so just go to bed!
-But.. -General,Li Kaigu, sir
Li Kaigu? Come in.
What brings you so late in the evening?
I must have a word with you.
What about?
I have a plan to destroy the new Goguryeo.
You`re singing music to my ears! Destroy the new Goguryeo?How?
There`re two pillars that are holding up Han Fort right now.
One is Gom Mojam and the other is Dae Joyoung.
And?
-There is way to get rid of Dae Joyoung. -Get rid of Dae Joyoung?
Once Dae Joyoung is gone, Gom Mojam will not be much of a threat
since Dae Joyoung is the one who always leads their battles.
But how do we get rid of Dae Joyoung?
We will use Shilla.
-Shilla? -Yes,general.
First we will get rid of Dae Joyoung then destroy the new Goguryeo.
And lastly, when all obstacles are out of the way, arrogant Shilla will be brought down as well.
My man....! What can I do to help?
First send me to Shilla.
You got it. You`re saving my life.
Now tell me. What`s your plan?
Your Majesty, we, Dae joyoung, Gulsabiwu and Heuk Sudol,
have returned after carrying out your command.
Your Majesty, General Dae and his men
have recaptured seven cities around Han Fort.
What`s more,
thousands of young Goguryeoan men followed him in his battle enlisting in our army on their own accord.
Your Majesty, they have cleared the Tang military out over 25 mile from Han Fort in all directions.
This is a commendable achievement.
I couldn`t be more proud.
-Minister Jang -Yes, Your Majesty.
Show General Dae and his soldiers our appreciation with a grand feast.
Your Grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.
Your Grace is immeasurable.
I received your reports after each victory.
You`ve pacified the area in such a short time. Both the ministers and the people
are quite surprised by your feat.
I must give credit to my brothers and Chulin.
-No, we simply followed your orders. -It was a liberating experience.
-Joyoung, -Yes, father.
Andong Protectorate made no moves at all while you were on the expedition.
That concerns me greatly.
They must be reluctant to have a frontal battle with us.
I know Xue Rengui.
He isn`t idle because he is afraid
-Then? -He`s thinking.
Undetected thoughts are sometimes more dangerous than visible action.
Be careful.
Never take your eyes off Andong Protetorate.
I won`t Father.
By the way Jungsang,
isn`t it time Joyoung found a wife and settled down?
He can die a lonely man if he misses the right time.
I think you have to step in, general.
Do you have a woman in mind?
Judging by his silence, it looks like he does.
We are at war now, Father.
I will speak to you once things settle down.
That will be fine.
We can`t hide it forever.
I`m going to tell my father that you and I are engaged.
No, not yet.
Give it some time, and.....
Getting married won`t change what I have to do.
In fact, having you will give me great strength to carry out my duties.
I`m afraid.
What will your father and the others say?
Why?
You don`t even blink at raining arrows.
But here you are saying that you`re afraid...
I don`t know why either.
The happier I feel, the more afraid I become.
I`m not afraid of anything because you`re with me.
There`s so much to do...
What we`ve been through is nothing compared to what`s ahead. Do you understand, Chulin?
General.
Who is that potion for?
-Princess Sukyoung is not well. -Princess Sukyoung?
You`ve accomplished an important task, general. Good work, Chulin.
-Please get well soon. -I`m already better like I said.
I think I might return to Ansi Fort.
What do you mean?
I spend my days busily teaching children (Lady Sukyoung)
and repairing uniforms when I was there.
But there is nothing I can do here in Han Fort.
I am to blame.
It can`t be easy for you to accept Prince Anseung as the King...
King Bojang took care of me like hisown daughter.
It weighs heavily on my heart to live in abundance here.
Forgive me.
I failed to consider your Grace`s feelings.
No, you are a busy man.
I wouldn`t dream of bothering you with trivial things like this.
Talking about this makes me miss His Majesty eve more...
You`re early today.
I`m fascinated by your stories about the world lately.
Did you say you were an official of the court in Goguryeo? (Mimosa)
I mostly monitored tax collection and statue labor.
Then you must be interested in the political situation as well.
Of course I am.
Tell me everything you know. (King Bojang)
The New Goguryeo is rising on the old Baekje soil of Han Fort.
Gom Mojam is like a tiger with wings ever since he acquire Dae Joyoung.
What do you think?
Do you think Goguryeo can drive Andong Protectorate out and recapture the old territory?
Tang, Shilla and Goguryeo are involved in a complex situation.
Success and failure will depend on who exploits the situation first.
Can you explain?
Tang established Andong Protectorate wiht intent to take the old Baekje territory and eventually absorb Shilla as well.
And the King of Shilla knows this better than anyone.
Sounds like Shilla is helping Goguryeo to nip Tang`s ambition in advance.
That`s right.
Friend and foe may look distinct from the outside, but heir allience is as fragile as crystal glass.
You mean Goguryeo could be in serious danger?
It`s all up to Shilla.
That`s the sorrow of Goguryeo.
Then Shilla is the key.. Shilla....
(Royal Palace of Shilla)
Welcome, Does General Xue fare well?
I`m afraid he does not fare well, Your Majesty.
What might be the reason?
The new Goguryeo is threatening Andong Protectorate.
The new Goguryeo is nothing but a small district where displaced citizens have settled. (King Monmu:30th King of Shilla)
How could it possibly threaten the protectorate?
I beg to differ.
Your Majesty, I must ask that you stop your aid to Goguryeo.
Otherwise, Shilla`s relationship with Tang will suffer serious consequences.
Watch your words!
Gom Mojam was allowed to take Go Anseung to control the displace citizens on Baekje territory.
Tang has no business in this matter, or this is domestic interference!
Then do you deny providing aid to Goguryeo?
Yes, we provided no aid to Goguryeo.
If that is true order Dae Joyoung capture.
-Dae Joyoung? -Yes.
He has taken our prisoners, attacked the protectorate and drove out the Tang army from Han Fort vicinity.
If Goguryeo is not your ally, there is no reason why you wouldn`t order Dae Jouyoung`s capture.
Tang and Shilla have maintained an alliance for many years.
If you let Dae Joyoung come between us, it would be a serious mistake.
Rest assured, general.
There is not a chance that the king will choose Dae Joyoung over Tang.
And once Dae Joyoung is killed off, Shilla`s relationship with Gom Mojam will deteriorate as well.
This will break up Goguryeo and Shilla`s relationship as well, so it severs two ends.
You are a brilliant man indeed, Sir Shin.
we cannot put the country in danger for Dae Joyoung.
But we`ve kept Andong protectorate from taking the old Baekje territory thanks to him.
Yes,but Goguryeo army has become too strong as well.
We could be raising a tiger if we let them be.
Dae Joyoung has always behaved with arrogance with over display of displeasure regarding Your Majesty`s royal edict.
It may not be a nad idea to eliminate him.
Xue Rengui is said to embark on a tour of the west coast.
Old Baekje territory is clearly ours, but Xue Rengui is touring the territory boasting his strength.
What is this but a show to intimidate us?
He`s warning us not to continue friendly relations with Goguryeo.
And it shouldn`t be ignored.
Kill of Dae Joyoung for Tang when Xue Rengui is touring the west coast intimidating us?
Get rid of Tang`s problem for them with our own hands?
In 671 AD,
Protectorate-general of Andong Xue Rengui tours various areas along the western sea.
This was done to create anxiety for Goguryeo and put pressure on King Munmu to expedite their goals.
It is apparent that the newly revived Goguryeo was not a small threat to Tang.
Attack Pyongyang Fort?
Xue Rengui is out on a tour of the western coast.
This is our chance to bring our forces together and take Pyongyang Fort back.
But are not yet completely settled in Han Fort. (Dae Jungsang:Dae joyoung`s Father)
We will never be free of Shilla`s interference here in Han Fort. (Gulsabiwu) (Heuk Sudol)
We can take Pyongysng Fort back and relocate our base.
But I`m inclined to think
-It`s too soon so be on our own. -I agree. (Yi Kiwu) (On Samun)
We might be able to take Pyongyang back right now, but who knows how long we will be able to keep it.
If we recapture Pyongyang Fort, people will flock back to the city.
And we will be able to launch a full-scale restoration movement without help from Shilla.
The fate of the state is at stake.
We must decide quickly, but every scenario must be considered.
General, you are required at the royal hall. Envoys have arrived fromShilla.
Envoys from Shilla?
General Dae, You must join him.
The envoys want to see you as well.
As you already know,
Xue Rengui is going around threatening various areas along the west coast, Which is all the more reason
why Shilla and Goguryeo must keep pur relationship solid.
That is exactly why we are here.
It is our King`s wish to establish a military alliance with Goguryeo.
Military alliance? (Jang Sanhae)
We`re talking about stationing Shilla troops here in Han Fort.
Minister of military will need to come to Shilla to seal this matter.
But of course.
There is no reason to refuse a meeting with the King of Shilla. Right, General Dae Joyoung?
Yes,Your Majesty.
But the new Goguryeo is under constant threat of Tang.
Regrettable situations could arise if the miniter of military is sent away
when we are still laying the foundation of the state.
Then do you suggest our King come here instead?
Safety and welfare of the state is concerned. I will abide by Your Majesty`s wishes and go to Shilla.
Good
There is no time for delays.
We shall leave for Shilla tomorrow.
I don`t have a very good feeling about this.
What do you mean?
The protectorate`s movements, this sudden offer for military alliance...
It doesn`t feel right.
This will be an opportinity to strengthen our force of arms.
It is clearly to our benefit.
But depending on who gets the right of command, we could end up having to answer to Shilla.
I`ll make sure that doesn`t happen.
Still, something isn`t right. Why are they so rushed?
We made our decision.
We`re coming with you.
What do you mean? What about Han Fort?
There is no chance Andong Protectorate will attack Han Fort right now.
We swore to live and die together.
We don`t trust Shilla even if it is our ally. We can`t let you go alone.
We`re already packed. You should go and get ready.
I am coming too.
We made a promise, remember?
General!
Dae Joyoung has left Han Fort!
What? Dae Joyoung has left Han Fort?
Yes, General! That`s the word from our informant.
Li Kaigu has done it! (Xue Rengui)
Dae Joyoung is dead man now!
Yes, general. Everything is going your way, sir. (Hongpei)
-General Sa Bugu, -Yes, sir!
We will go to Shilla as well. Prepare for departure!
As you eish,sir! (Sa Bugu)
Dae Joyoung will die at last! I feel like an aching tooth just fell out!
It makes me happy to see you happy.
Yes, I am happy! I`m happy indeed!
(Seorabol, Shilla)
Look! isn`t that Lady Chulin?
Does this mean Chulin was with Dae Joyoung all this time in Han Fort?
General, Dae Joyoung just arrived.
Now we just sit back and watch Shilla deal with Dae Joyoung.
And General Xue?
He should be on his way to Shilla now.
We will take Dae Joyoung back with us when General Xue arrives.
Yes, you cannot trust Shilla with Dae Joyoung`s head. (Shin Hong)
He has to know where Chulin is.
He will pay for all the humiliation he has made me suffer and die the most horrific death.
Um,I...
There`s something else, sir.
What is it?
Lady Chulin is here with Dae Joyoung.
What did you say?
Did you say Chulin is here with Dae Joyoung?
Yes, General.
Chulin`s been with Dae Joyung all long.
Silence! That`s not possible.
Chulin would never betray us and help Goguryeo!
-Surrender your weapons. -What?
What are you waiting for?
When will I meet the King?
Just stay quietly in the rear guest quarters!
-Take them! -Yes, sir!
-What`s the meaning of this! -Blasted Bastards.
We`re diplomatic envoys! You can`t treat us this way!
-What the heck? -This is ridiculous!
-Take them away! -Yes, sir!
General Xue Rengui is on his way here as we speak.
You must make a decision.
The Tang envoys want to take the prisoners back to the protectorate.
Let Tang have them.
-Is it Dae Joyoung? -Yes Your Majesty. (King Munmu)
Bring him to me.
-Your Majesty? -Bring him to me now!
We`ve been tricked! Tang used Shilla to get to us!
I knew something wasn`t right. Blasted bastards tricked us!
Grand Dae Joyoung!
-What the... -Wait!
Resist and all of you will be killed! Hurry!
What the.... Those bastards!
What are you waiting for? Kneel to the King at once!
How dare you! Break this man`s legs at once!
Stop!
Are you Dae Joyoung?
I have heard much about you.
I wish to see the King of Shilla.
What?
The man before you is His Majesty the King!
I see no one before me. I want to meet the ruler of Shilla!
The true sovereign King!
By:robster38