Chapter 92 – Yeongu's Proposal
"Then shall I go to Goryeo?"
Aguda shook his head.
He knew Yeongu's standing in Goryeo.
Among the Jurchens, his character, dedication, and sincerity were respected.
In Goryeo, he was only an unnamed junior officer.
They would not even give him a chance to be heard.
Their order was built on rank, position, and powerful families.
Aguda turned his gaze to Wanyan Eunga.
"We proceed as planned. From now on, focus on securing the submission of Kaewon and Nong'an. The Sukhyeo Jurchens have long maintained contact with us, but they avoid political cooperation. There is long-standing distrust. There has been no stable cooperation between us. Removing that distrust is critical, but there is no clear method.
Second, our foundation is Balhae. Their cooperation will draw in all of Liaodong and bring about the submission of other Jurchen groups. Use our purpose, our resolve, and our future plans to persuade them. Show proper respect and avoid premature judgment.
Do not overlook that they once cooperated with Liao. Those who cooperated with Liao can also cooperate with us. Persuade them."
Wanyan Eunga lowered his head.
"Understood."
"Move with Ogeolmae. I will go if necessary. Make haste."
"Understood."
As he listened, Yeongu considered what he could do.
He was still a newly appointed officer without a name.
He had almost no role in external affairs.
He understood his own limitations.
"Khan, I want to be of help."
"I know how much they value rank. Even if you go, they will not deal with you."
"Even so, I want to go. How they treat me does not matter."
"What do you intend to do."
"I will seek my teacher's help."
"You cannot impose on him."
"I understand."
Yeongu asked carefully.
"If Goryeo moves from behind, what happens."
Wanyan Zonghan answered.
"If we are attacked from both sides, it is the end."
The matter carried weight.
Yeongu stood up.
"I will go."
Aguda shook his head again.
He had courage and sincerity.
That was not enough in the language of politics.
The intent to act was still appreciated.
Yeongu continued.
"I will go while the work in Kaewon and Nong'an is underway."
Aguda refused firmly.
A man's standing changes when he returns to his place of origin.
That place remembers what he was.
In the Jurchen ranks, Yeongu was part of the core force.
In Goryeo, he was one among many junior officers.
Aguda spoke.
"No one can secure a promise of non-aggression. Even if such a promise is made, it will differ from reality.
If we can learn of changes in Goryeo in advance, that alone gives us room to breathe.
As you said, we returned the Nine Fortresses. They will believe we will not betray them.
There will be no change on their side."
As the discussion continued, Aguda summoned a shaman.
Among the Jurchens, a shaman was a priest, a seer, a political adviser, and a figure tied to war rites.
It was not separate from power.
After a short while, the shaman entered.
His clothing was different.
He wore animal skins, the fur still intact.
The fur draped over his shoulders moved slightly.
Around his neck hung bones and teeth.
They made a low sound as they touched.
At his waist were thin leather cords tied in layers.
From them hung feathers, stones, dried plants, and other unidentifiable objects.
His face was marked with black ash and red earth.
Not drawn in lines, but smeared by hand.
His eyes were clear.
They seemed to look beyond people.
His hair was long, either loose or roughly tied.
There was no effort to arrange it.
In his hand, he held a small drum or rattle.
It produced a broken, uneven sound when he moved.
When he stood, the surroundings fell quiet.
Even without words, it felt as though a rite had begun.
His appearance bore the trace of a connection to something beyond.
"Will Goryeo respond to Liao's request."
The shaman stepped forward slowly.
Space opened around him without instruction.
He placed his hand on the ground and picked up a handful of earth.
It slipped through his fingers.
He said nothing.
After a moment, he untied a small pouch at his waist and took out several bone fragments.
He placed them on his palm.
His lips moved slightly.
No sound could be heard.
A gust of air passed.
He opened his eyes.
He cast the bones.
They scattered across the ground with a short sound.
Some lay flat, others tilted.
He did not look immediately.
After a pause, he lowered his gaze.
He stepped forward slowly.
He knelt.
He reached out and adjusted one piece slightly.
He did not turn it over.
He stopped.
He tilted his head.
His gaze lingered on a single point.
It moved to another piece.
It followed as if connecting them.
His hand hovered briefly in the air.
He seemed to look further.
No one spoke.
The fire cracked softly.
He inhaled slowly.
Then he spoke.
"Leave it as it is."
It was brief.
That was all.
Goryeo will not move.
Yeongu, who had been watching, felt a chill.
If there were those who saw the world by a different order,
if they could see what lay behind reality,
and if there existed another order that shaped and moved the world itself.
Aguda asked,
"Will it hold."
"It will hold for now. What comes later can be faced then.
Send a gift to someone you know."
At the word "gift," Yeongu thought of Liao relics.
"I understand."