Chapter 38 – Return Report
When he reported his return, Park Geun-su welcomed him warmly.
"Back sooner than I expected."
"Loyalty. Fifth Unit Commander Lee Youngwoo reporting return."
"There's plenty to do anyway."
Park Geun-su's gaze shifted to Adjutant Ahn Hee-se.
"Ahn took on your duties as well. He's had a hard time."
Youngwoo knew that, in truth, the man had mostly gathered things to report upward,
but he still expressed his thanks readily.
"I'm sorry. I must have caused unnecessary trouble."
Ahn Hee-se smiled brightly.
"Someone had to do it."
At moments like this, he seemed like a perfectly decent person.
Perhaps people were incomplete on their own,
and only seemed whole when placed within a role.
Youngwoo thanked him again, and Ahn Hee-se patted his shoulder.
"Anyway, you did well. Let's make something of it. In fact…"
He trailed off and looked at Park Geun-su.
Park continued.
"Take care of the Fifth Unit first. We'll discuss the rest later."
"Is something going on?"
"What happens in an army? War."
"They're coming again?"
"Well… it seems they're begging for their land back."
"What land?"
"This place."
"…What? This is land we reclaimed."
Park clicked his tongue.
"They're saying they won't invade anymore and will send tribute every year.
They're demanding their homeland back."
Youngwoo shook his head.
"And we'd give it back?"
Park's expression turned serious.
"We're having difficulty maintaining these fortifications.
Too many troops are deployed far from home.
It seems the court is considering returning it."
These were the same people who had crossed the border dozens of times every year.
Sushen, Yilou, Mohe, Jurchen—
only the names changed.
No matter how complicated it became, it was the business of those above.
He had no say in it.
Then Park Geun-su spoke again, and a chill ran down Youngwoo's spine.
"That man, Yoon Ji-woong… he's been saying he has ties to Lord Yoon Gwan."
Lord Yoon Gwan—the one who had opened up these lands.
A strategist who broke the old system and built a new army.
A man whose greatest achievement was not battle, but reform.
Among the many ways to describe him,
that was the most meaningful.
"…Ah. Ah… this is unbelievable."
"And right now, the court seems to be wavering under their diplomatic requests.
Supply issues, foreign pressure, internal politics—it's all making things difficult."
"What does that have to do with us?"
"Most importantly, the General believes we should establish relations with them and withdraw."
"And that Yoon Ji-woong bastard—what role does he play in this?"
"He's likely been feeding information from here back to the Chief State Councillor."
"…What is even happening?"
"What happened to you isn't unrelated.
Seo Ui-taek is acting arrogant because he's tied himself to the Chief State Councillor…"
The more he thought about it, the more tangled it became.
Youngwoo's eyes narrowed.
Why was it so complicated?
Wasn't a single, clear heart for the country and the people enough?
They said that as one rose higher, there would be more to consider.
So what was he supposed to do?
"…I don't know. I really don't."
"Even lower officers must understand."
"If we just do what we're told, isn't that enough?"
"That's how you end up becoming a dog for the wrong men."
So… doing as ordered was not enough?
For a soldier?
Youngwoo looked up at Park.
Park clicked his tongue and continued.
"The Chief State Councillor wants to keep this place.
He believes it is the path to lasting peace for Goryeo."
"And?"
"Our General wants to return to Gaegyeong."
Only then did something begin to take shape.
"Oh… and the court?"
"They believe that if we return this land,
the enemy will submit and peace will follow.
Because we gave it back."
Youngwoo shook his head.
"They're too aggressive.
If we return it, they'll gather strength.
In the end, they'll sweep the northeastern plains and march on Gaegyeong."
"True. But they're pleading desperately that they won't."
"…Then shouldn't we just follow orders?"
"Many want to return home.
They want the fortresses returned so peace can settle quickly."
"…Why is this so difficult?"
"That's politics.
Balancing interests and positions.
It's not always something to be seen as bad."
Youngwoo gave a respectful military salute.
"I've learned a lot."
"Right. And so, this time—"
Youngwoo stood up.
"No, not today.
Just hearing a few words is enough to make my head feel like it'll burst."
"I'm your commanding officer—"
"I've returned, but I'm still a patient.
Leave their matters to them. I'll check on the Fifth Unit."
As he turned, Park added one more thing.
"This is not the end of the war."
Youngwoo stopped.
He turned only his upper body.
His abdomen still felt tight.
The wound left a heavy, foreign sensation.
"But you said this would be resolved diplomatically."
"They move beneath the surface to gain advantage.
Each side trying to secure the upper hand."
"…Enough. That's enough. It's too complicated."
"The fighting could grow more intense."
"…Understood. That much I'll handle. Don't worry."
"That's why they attacked so fiercely.
If they could break even one position before negotiating,
they believed it would favor them."
Youngwoo stood there, blank.
The equation of war and politics was too difficult.
"So… there could be another war?"
"Of course.
War disguised as peace is the most intense kind."
"…Alright. I'll prepare.
We just kill them all, right?"
"Don't cause trouble."
Youngwoo left quickly.
Something was moving.
Perhaps he had been too complacent.
He resented himself for being caught up in internal conflicts while an enemy stood outside.
When an external enemy is strong,
people should unite.
Yet they continued to fight among themselves.
Some even used external threats for personal gain.
Even if it meant ruining the country.
On his way to the Fifth Unit, he ran into Ahn Hee-se again.
They had just met earlier,
but he greeted him again.
"Loyalty. Reporting return."
"You report like that?"
"How should I?"
No. This was not the time for such things.
Youngwoo gauged Ahn Hee-se's position.
A man who reported often would know the situation well.
He asked casually.
"They're coming?"
"There's intelligence suggesting they might."
"After taking such losses, why would they come again?"
"Because this is their homeland."
"This place? I heard it was ours."
"Once, they and we were one."
"…Ah. I think I've heard that."
Ahn Hee-se stopped and gave an order.
"They may come again. Prepare."
"Loyalty."