Chapter 74 – The Integration of the Tribes
Aguda looked at Wanyan Yinga.
"Is the integration of the joining tribes proceeding smoothly?"
"Not yet in large numbers.
And it is not easy.
We have reorganized them into units of one hundred,
but they are still more accustomed to their old tribal chains of command.
I believe it will improve through actual combat."
"Focus on organizing the newly joining groups.
For those already formed, leave responsibility to their respective commanders."
"Yes, sir!"
"Any other difficulties?"
"Persuasion is difficult.
They still wish to move as tribes."
"If they are not integrated into a military system,
they are no different from the old tribal forces."
"That is correct."
"Integrate them without fail."
"Understood.
Many are gathering after hearing of the victory."
Wanyan Xiyun raised his hand.
"For integration, fair distribution is the most important."
Aguda nodded.
"What is gained must be divided equally.
Ensure that no one raises objection over distribution."
"Understood."
"Once integrated, training must begin immediately.
After verifying equipment, deploy them directly into battle."
"Understood."
Aguda called Sarigal.
"Sarigal!"
"At your command!"
"Send out advance scouts.
Before contact, determine their numbers, equipment, formation,
and even the tendencies of their commanders.
Report in detail."
"At your command!"
Wanyan Sarigal sprang up with a sharp rustling motion and rushed out.
Young-woo was struck by how lively their movements were,
and how freely opinions were expressed.
They unified their views for the sake of the task.
It was completely different from the meetings at Seonchun Ridge,
where men merely talked to win internal political advantage.
Were military councils always like this?
It was entirely different from the Goryeo army,
where men tried to tear each other apart.
These men wanted to fight.
They wanted to win.
So each stepped forward first.
In a Goryeo army,
voices would only rise over who should be sent to die first.
It was a fresh shock.
Those we called barbarians,
those we thought uncivilized—
their cultural capacity was not inferior to ours.
From our perspective, they might appear so.
But living among them,
their ways were entirely reasonable—
even more rational.
Young-woo felt an impulse
to join them.
Before,
the Jurchens had all seemed the same.
As if one personality had been copied hundreds, thousands of times.
Brutes.
Plunderers.
Savages.
They would thank you if given something,
but turn violent if not.
The same clothes,
the same habits.
People with nothing worth examining.
It had been a prejudice
formed without his awareness.
In this council,
the young men of the Wanyan clan revealed distinct traits.
Wanyan Zongwang was a shock vanguard.
Now it was clear why Aguda had chosen him.
Wanyan Zonghan was a strategist.
Sharp-minded, deliberate.
Wanyan Xiyun was a staff officer.
Skilled in both military and administration.
Give him a task—he would produce an answer.
Wanyan Yinga had a gentle presence.
He drew people in, united them.
His faint smile eased hearts.
Wanyan Sarigal was a pure combat officer.
Whatever the objective, he seemed able to achieve it at once.
A force that pushed forward without hesitation.
Behind them sat silent warriors,
each worth a hundred men.
Samyoari, Dolhapsok, Oyeon Porohon, Jeok Janhwi, Daego, Aribo.
Six in all.
From a distance,
they had seemed identical.
But in council,
their individuality became clear.
Understanding came
from standing closer to reality.
With manpower scarce,
Yinga's role became crucial.
Aguda entrusted him with integrating the tribes.
His expectation was great.
If only they would come willingly.
As soon as the council ended,
Yinga rushed out.
He did not group them by tribe.
He divided them—
then reorganized them.
He erased names,
and emphasized function and role.
The tribe disappeared.
The army emerged.
Then came conflict over command.
They accepted becoming an army.
But they resisted fiercely
when their own tribal chiefs were not made commanders.
Convincing them
that they were no longer a tribe but a war army
was difficult.
Why they must be organized in tens and hundreds—
this they could not understand.
He broke apart those who stood with their own kin.
Separated brothers.
Placed former enemies in the same line.
Those skilled with horses to the front,
archers to the rear,
the slow to the center.
For the first time,
formation was built not on people,
but on function.
It was no longer a tribe.
It was a tactical unit.
Commanders were assigned
to these new formations.
They might be tribal chiefs—
or not.
And when they were not,
resistance grew fierce.
The old belief remained—
that tribe and military formation must be the same.
That belief had worked
in wars of plunder.
Now it was war.
Against an empire.
The old ways would not suffice.
Orders were issued
in the name of these new commanders.
Training followed.
Though many gathered,
only five hundred could be formed into units.
Spoils from Ningjiang were distributed equally
to those who had joined after the victory.
Their joy doubled.
Old men and boys protested—
Why not them?
They had to be persuaded.
They were not part of the army.
Many prisoners of war were distributed.
They became slaves.
In harsh land lacking labor,
they were essential.
Horses, tools for farming and hunting,
and slaves—
these three sustained survival.
After inspecting Wugaimai's camp,
Young-woo went to Aguda.
They had worn light armor to scale the walls.
It had been a mistake.
Too many were wounded.
The injuries were severe.
If they could survive,
they could fight far better.
Strong armor was everything.
"You have come."
At Aguda's words,
Young-woo raised his hand out of habit.
"I have a recommendation."
"Speak."
He spoke of what he had seen.
"They must wear layered armor.
The losses were severe."
"Yes.
They wore light armor to climb the walls."
"In the battle at Chulhajeom,
the vanguard must wear two layers."
"Two?
Can they fight like that?"
"I have said this before, and you agreed.
Even if they wear the enemy's armor over their own,
increase survival.
Men matter."
Aguda nodded.
He still believed courage mattered most.
It did—
but it was not enough.
Survival had to come first.
They must not fall to stray arrows.
They must not die to meaningless blades.
Before the charge,
they must be protected.
"I trust your words completely."
"Do not distribute all the spoils evenly.
Prioritize the vanguard.
Especially armor."
"I understand."
Aguda called Xiyun.
"Follow the adjutant's request."
"The other tribes may object."
"There are no tribes.
Only military formations.
Equipment is assigned
according to necessity."
Xiyun bowed deeply.
"Understood."