Chapter 11: The Situation in Silla
"Your Highness the Crown Prince… did you summon me?"
"You, my uncle, must travel to Silla."
"To Silla?"
Da Wihae could not fathom why he would be sent to Silla on such short notice.
Balhae had neither a particularly friendly nor hostile relationship with Silla.
Originally, Silla had been one of the nations that helped bring down Goguryeo. While Balhae did not engage in war with them, exchanges were kept strictly limited.
Now, however, sending an envoy to Silla was necessary because Baekje was attempting to rise once more under the hands of Gyeon Hwon.
"Silla will be in quite a panic. Baekje has been reestablished. Therefore, you, my uncle, will go to Silla and advance a Balhae–Silla alliance."
"Baekje? Isn't that land now merely occupied by a man named Gyeon Hwon?"
Da Wihae was not entirely ignorant of Silla's affairs.
Gyeon Hwon, now established in Mujinju, claimed kingship internally while outwardly acknowledging Silla as his suzerain. Ambitious, he had secured the support of the people on the former Baekje lands—but would the state he builds truly be Baekje? Da Wihae wanted to know why Dae Inseon considered it Baekje. If history unfolded as Dae Inseon predicted, the establishment of Later Baekje would mark the beginning of the Later Three Kingdoms era, and preparations had to be made.
"That land belongs to the old Mahan and Baekje territories. Whoever rules it would naturally call the state Baekje. Look at the Central Plains. Haven't the same nations risen in the same place many times? Gyeon Hwon already claims kingship internally."
"Why help Silla?"
It was clear Silla was weak—but would it truly collapse so easily? Da Wihae swallowed hard at the thought that a thousand-year-old kingdom could crumble so completely that Balhae would need to intervene. He listened closely as Dae Inseon continued.
"My uncle, I intend to unify all the former Samhan lands under Balhae's banner. The current Silla cannot stand against the Baekje Gyeon Hwon is establishing. Until Balhae is fully prepared, Silla must at least be able to fight Baekje on equal terms."
"Will you be providing troops?"
When the age of the warring states arrived, troops would eventually have to be deployed. While Balhae's strength could handle this, there was no reason to risk lives unnecessarily. Rather, it was more advantageous to reclaim the former Goguryeo lands while Silla and Baekje fought each other.
"Offer five hundred Balhae soldiers to garrison Silla as a condition of the alliance. This is not to subjugate Silla, but to show that if Baekje attacks Silla, we will intervene as well. Ah, and take Bongye along to show him Seorabeol. A thousand-year kingdom ought to be seen before it falls, no?"
"I will obey your command."
Two months passed since Osodo departed Balhae. News reached Dae Inseon through traders who dealt with the Tang—news that brought him great delight.
The Tang had mobilized 200,000 troops to launch a campaign against the Khitan. A military expedition that had no historical precedent was now underway.
Learning that Zhu Quanchong commanded the Khitan campaign, Dae Inseon could not suppress his laughter.
Zhu Quanchong, a cunning figure who would later overthrow the Tang and establish the Later Liang, was capable of doing anything given the chance.
"But can we trust what that Osodo said?"
"Hmph. Truth or deception matters little. If the Khitan are eradicated, my influence will soar, and the people's hearts will come to me. Besides, haven't you heard? Balhae is constructing a fleet. Just as before, they must be striking from Dengzhou. Regardless, we will deal with the Khitan and pressure the emperor to retreat to Luoyang."
Zhu Quanchong's 200,000-strong Tang army marched beyond the Great Wall and struck the Khitan.
At that time, Khitan society was still fragmented, tribes ununited. It was not difficult to manipulate them.
Zhu Quanchong's army quickly annihilated the Khitan forces, wreaking havoc across their lands. Soldiers were slaughtered, wealth and women plundered.
For three days, Zhu Quanchong's army executed indiscriminate massacres. The rivers ran red with blood, and the Khitan could no longer establish any semblance of governance.
Their cruelty stemmed from Osodo's instructions to deal with Yalü Abogi.
"And what of Yalü Abogi?"
"His followers were killed, but we could not find Yalü Abogi himself!"
"Hmph. A gift for the Balhae Crown Prince diminishes. And the Sullyul clan?"
Zhu Quanchong's troops had killed visible Khitan but did not locate the Sullyul clan. Osodo had advised that saving the Sullyul and sending them to Balhae would facilitate negotiations with the Crown Prince.
"They fled recently, it seems they have already departed for Balhae," the informants reported.
"Hmph. Then send some Khitan captives and wealth to the Balhae Crown Prince as gifts."
Though Zhu Quanchong gritted his teeth, it was already done. In the end, it was just an extra request from Osodo. Balhae held the advantage, and Zhu Quanchong was certain the Crown Prince would accept the terms.
"Is Balhae truly that formidable?"
"Balhae's population and territory cannot rival the Central Plains, but it is renowned as the Maritime Empire. Having their support is not disadvantageous."
Moreover, Balhae's fleet preparations at the Amnok River mouth suggested tens of thousands of troops were ready. Zhu Quanchong resolved to utilize Balhae to consolidate power in the Central Plains.
Little did he know that allying with Dae Inseon would ultimately be a grave mistake.
Zhu Quanchong's campaign accelerated the fragmentation of China, preceding actual historical events.
Meanwhile, Da Wihae arrived in Seorabeol, Silla, by boat.
The Balhae envoy entered the city with grandeur, displaying the three-legged crow banner of Greater Goguryeo—a symbol asserting that contemporary Goguryeo (Balhae) had inherited the legacy of the fallen Goryeo.
Silla was caught off guard and unprepared, yet Da Wihae's audience with the queen was not difficult.
"Welcome, envoy of Balhae."
"I am Da Wihae, envoy of Greater Goguryeo. I pay respects to Her Majesty."
Da Wihae bowed formally to Queen Jinseong of Silla.
Comparing her to previous queens, Seondeok and Jindeok, she was relatively young, with a robust constitution. Rumors in Seorabeol had described her as indulgent and promiscuous, even engaging in incest. Observing her in person, Da Wihae could not entirely dismiss the tales.
He needed to assess whether the queen could be easily influenced by Balhae. If she were truly as indulgent as rumored, controlling her would be simple; if not, different strategies would be required.
Fortune favored him. The queen appeared utterly indifferent to governance, her gaze revealing her character. Even a glance was enough to confirm her hedonistic tendencies.
'They dare crown such a woman… Silla has truly fallen.'
"Greater Goguryeo? Wasn't Goguryeo destroyed two centuries ago?"
"We, Balhae, are the revived Goguryeo. How can we deny our identity? Previously, the Tang's scrutiny prevented us from widely proclaiming our name, but that is no longer the case."
Da Wihae had full authority from Dae Inseon to maintain Balhae's dignity while representing the state. He was instructed to present Balhae as Goguryeo and fly the three-legged crow banner, creating maximum impact in Silla.
"I wish to hear why the envoy of Balhae—or rather, Goguryeo—has come."
"Our Crown Prince stated that the disorder in Silla threatens to divide the Samhan lands. Greater Goguryeo cannot remain idle."
Da Wihae's words made it clear that Balhae, as the suzerain of Silla, would not tolerate unilateral actions. Just as old Goguryeo had pressured neighboring states, Balhae now did the same.
"The envoy of Balhae is outrageously insolent!"
"It is the Crown Prince's words! Do not question them, petty vassals!"
"What! The kingdom founded by the Malgal claims we are mere vassals!"
Choi Chiwon, a Silla official, entered the palace in anger. To him, Balhae's envoy was arrogant, and to his eyes, Balhae was no longer Goguryeo but a barbarian state. Such audacity provoked his pride.
The queen, however, chose pragmatism. Despite her reputation, she was shrewd—Balhae might protect her throne. She restrained Choi Chiwon.
"Chichan, calm yourself. Very well, let us hear what Goguryeo desires."
"I have heard that Gyeon Hwon is growing powerful. Is this not troubling for Silla? Hence, the Crown Prince has proposed an alliance to protect Silla."
"Surely there are conditions for this alliance. Speak them."
The queen nodded slightly, having already anticipated as much. The envoy's large contingent and three-legged crow banner signaled this was no ordinary diplomatic mission.
"You would have us heed the words of barbarians!"
"Chichan, restrain yourself! Let the envoy speak."
"Our Crown Prince orders five hundred Goguryeo soldiers to garrison Silla, preventing Gyeon Hwon from attacking."
At first glance, it seemed like subjugation. How could another nation station troops in Silla?
The queen pondered briefly. She herself had no objection. If this preserved Silla, she would comply with the Crown Prince, even at personal cost. Of course, her interest was self-preservation rather than altruism.
Observing the queen hesitate, Choi Chiwon stepped forward again.
"Do you treat us as vassals?"
"This benefits your nation, no less! Do not insult the envoy who brings aid to a kingdom you have left in ruin!"
Da Wihae struggled to respond as Choi Chiwon continually interrupted, growing increasingly frustrated.
Other officials also frowned or attempted protest, yet given Silla's weakened state, few could argue effectively.
Choi Chiwon's inexplicable competitiveness toward Balhae fueled his actions. Even though Da Wihae knew of him, he had not expected such petty behavior.
'His concern is for the nation, but he fails to see reality. As my eccentric uncle said…'
"Very well. The envoy of Goguryeo shall state our demands."
"We seek lands north of Jukryeong."
Da Wihae's condition silenced the Silla court almost instantly.