Chapter 62. Lee Youngwoo in the Guest Camp
Park Geunsu came to visit.
After Lee Heesong stepped down, he had taken temporary command of Seonchunryeong Fortress.
He seemed buoyant, expecting to return home soon.
With the decision to withdraw and return the territory, the fortress had lost much of its military significance.
No new lord of the fortress was appointed, and Park Geunsu was placed in charge of the withdrawal.
"Oh—so the lord of the fortress has come?"
"Cut the nonsense. You're a rangjang now, aren't you?"
"How could I compare to you, sir?"
"I am only holding the post temporarily. There is no need to appoint a new general."
"Still, do your best. You might settle into the role of general."
Park Geunsu shook his head.
"It does not suit me. I have seen too much filth. It sets my teeth on edge. I will not climb higher. Even if the post of general were handed to me freely, I would not take it. I would rather grow old and die as a rangjang."
"Still, give it a try. It is not the position that is the problem, but the people, is it not?"
Park Geunsu struck the ground with his command staff.
"They say the position makes the man. The position soils the man. Think about it. Park Cheolgu, Seo Uitaek, Lee Heesong—was there even one among them who was decent?"
Youngwoo clicked his tongue.
"It may only be like this here at Seonchunryeong Fortress."
"It is no different elsewhere. Men like that rise. I begin to think that only such men rise."
Youngwoo said,
"There is such a tendency. But I see it differently. It happens because incompetent men strive to rise. They are all similar, so even those above find it hard to choose. In the end, they select the ones who flatter, offer money, and shout loyalty. Seo Uitaek and Park Cheolgu competed for the post of fortress lord. Park Cheolgu played excessive hands, and Lee Heesong encouraged it and enjoyed it. Like a trader who dangles an offer with no intention of giving it."
"Right. They are merchants. They test the waters without ever intending to give. But how do you know of such traders?"
"Before I joined the army, I worked odd jobs in a merchant guild."
"So you worked in trade."
"I carried goods, delivered documents, and guided routes."
"That explains your sharp sense."
The two sat facing each other and continued talking.
Their conversation grew long, like men who had come out simply to talk.
Baek Eun, who had been beside them, quietly excused himself.
"So, what will you do now?"
Youngwoo tilted his head.
"Working hard alone brings no answer. I had nothing and lacked ability, so I only did what I was told. Others made use of that. Now I will do things differently."
"How?"
Youngwoo tapped his head.
"When I reach a dead end, something comes to mind. If I interpret the affairs of the world through desire, reasons become visible. When Park Cheolgu acted unpredictably, I could not understand him. But when I followed his desires, everything became clear. I saw exactly why he did what he did. It made me see him as even worse—a man faithful to his own petty desires."
Park Geunsu clicked his tongue.
"That much everyone knows. Those men simply took it too far. It should have been done without harming others."
"That is true. Even so, a person must not become a tool."
Park Geunsu asked,
"And what of me?"
"You are yourself, elder brother. We stood together."
"If I rise, I too will have to make choices."
"What choices are there in a withdrawal?"
"For example, whether to spare a man who embezzled money, or cut off his head."
"Guide him well so that he does not do it again."
"Seo Uitaek took a great deal. Those under him took more."
"That has always happened. It does not change the world."
"That is exactly my point."
Their conversation did not end.
They had endured much together.
"But there is a problem."
"What problem?"
"They say it is a measure taken in consideration of you. They ordered that the Fifth Unit remain."
"Ah!"
Youngwoo cried out, his expression stiffening.
His comrades would remain.
It might be good for him, but not for them.
"That cannot be. They all wish to return home."
"I think so as well."
Youngwoo rose to his feet.
Many thoughts flashed through his mind.
If they remained, it would help—but he could not hold them for that reason.
"It cannot be. Even if it brings me honor, I cannot accept that."
"Then how about saying that you refused?"
"They would think it a staged arrangement. Let us do this. Say that only volunteers will remain, and then report that there were none."
"A clever trick. But there are volunteers."
"What?"
"It has become known as a good place."
"They should be returning home. Why would they stay?"
"There is stipend and income from land. If one thinks of it as local living expenses added on, it makes sense. It is twice what they normally receive."
Youngwoo felt his chest grow heavy.
His distant home came to mind.
It felt even farther away.
"They sang of wanting to return home."
"Support has been added. That is part of it."
"I had thought to fight alone and die."
Park Geunsu laughed.
"So you fought alone in the alleys like a child with a bamboo horse."
"I am serious."
"In any case, a small number of Goryeo soldiers will remain. Not only here—at the other nine fortresses as well."
"If it is not because of me, then my mind is at ease."
Park Geunsu continued,
"Ahn Huise will take command."
Youngwoo's face hardened.
"Does it displease you?"
"He is a man who reports well."
"He is not a bad man."
"He will try to step on us to rise."
"You are now a rangjang. The positions have changed."
"He will report every detail. He will bypass us and report upward."
Park Geunsu patted his shoulder.
"There is no malice in him. If there is nothing to hide, then there is no problem. In this matter as well, his role was significant."
"What role?"
"He reported the situation in Gaegyeong accurately. Because of that, judgment could be made correctly."
Youngwoo asked,
"Will you remain as well?"
"It seems I will. I, too, wish to return home."
"Serves you right."
"You will be told to cooperate with the Jurchens."
"Then do so."
Youngwoo asked,
"The war is over. Why is there still a need for an army? Will we simply be stationed here?"
Park Geunsu explained,
"It is because of Liao. That seems to be the difficulty. That is why they requested support from Goryeo."
"Ah!"
"Our task is to help them and establish peace. It is, in a sense, a military advisory corps."
Youngwoo had feared being left alone.
Now, he felt that this outcome was rather fortunate.