Chapter 131 — Reception
Though their numbers were not large, when Aguda heard of the quality of the Goryeo force Yeongu had brought, he could not hide his delight.
They possessed exactly what a man needed to found a state.
"Welcome, welcome. You must have endured much hardship."
Aguda received Lee Yeongu with the utmost hospitality.
He observed proper courtesy, and Wanyan Zonghan, who had accompanied him, reported on everything that had transpired.
With each report, Yeongu simply nodded in acknowledgment and agreement, offering no words.
He had been told not to speak too much wherever he went.
To restrain his tendency to ramble, he had tried to focus on speaking only the essentials.
Yet as that proved difficult, he had been advised not to speak at all, and so he kept his words few.
Remaining silent, there were many others who spoke in his stead.
They spoke more clearly, more thoroughly, and without missing the point.
In particular, Wanyan Zonghan laid out the diplomatic process in order and firmly declared that Goryeo would not strike the Jurchens from behind.
"Is that so? Then you refused Liao's request?"
"Goryeo has no reason to heed Liao's demands."
Aguda asked carefully,
"And how did they speak of our past battles?"
"They regarded them as efforts to defend your base, and in recognition of that, they returned Gu-seong."
The subject was omitted, but the meaning was clear.
It was the judgment of the King of Goryeo.
Aguda spoke quickly,
and his words were clearly meant for Yeongu to hear.
"From this point forward, under no circumstances will we invade Goryeo. We will not cross that boundary. We will honor it as a superior state."
The generals gathered before him all voiced their assent.
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
For those who had long been mobilized in wars against Goryeo, it was not an easy command to accept.
Aguda once again addressed Samyoari, who stood as their representative.
"Never treat Goryeo as an enemy. It is a neighbor. We fought after losing our base, but in truth, it began because we crossed their borders first and plundered. We went down each winter because we struggled to survive. There was also the thought that, as neighbors, they would not turn us away. By older ties as well, we are neighbors. It must be set right now."
"Understood."
"Understood."
"Understood."
"Understood."
"Understood."
"Understood."
Yeongu felt the enemy's tension ease.
Next, the specialists who had come with them were introduced.
There were scholars and craftsmen, and those skilled in writing.
With each introduction, Aguda nodded in satisfaction.
He sought to build a state, yet did not know how.
Men of every kind of ability had followed Yeongu.
There were those versed in agriculture, and astronomers who observed the heavens.
They had been carefully selected by the King of Goryeo, with Kim Busik and others paying close attention to the details.
At last, Yeongu delivered the royal letter.
Aguda received it as a sovereign of a brother state.
高麗王 謹致書于金國之主
天時循環하고 地利相應하니 萬物이 各其所에 得其宜하옵니다.
今聞 貴國이 群族을 統合하여 新基를 開創하려 하심은 時勢의 所歸요 天意의 所向이라 사료되옵니다.
이에 本國은 誠意를 다하여 技藝와 軍務에 능한 人員 二百五十人을 擇送하오니,
彼輩로 하여금 貴國의 經略과 制度를 補助케 하여 大業에 微力이나마 보태고자 함이옵니다.
아울러 兩國이 相交함에 있어 刀兵을 멀리하고 信義를 가까이하여,
疆域을 넘는 爭端을 그치고 民生을 편안케 함이 長久之道라 여겨,
今日의 此擧는 但一時之權이 아니라 久遠之和를 圖함이옵니다.
昔日 九城의 返還 또한 私情에 因함이 아니요,
兵禍를 멈추고 邊境의 安寧을 도모하려 한 國家의 斷이라,
兩國이 서로를 해치지 아니하고 各守其分하여 共存之勢를 이루려 함이었음을 밝히는 바옵니다.
更으로 此行을 맡은 李英雨는 本國이 信任하여 보내는 者라,
其志는 直하고 其才는 足히 用할 만하니,
貴國이 이를 禮로 대하고 그 身을 保全함은 곧 兩國의 信義를 保全함과 다르지 아니하옵니다.
또한 함께 파견된 高麗人 二百五十人의 安危를 保證하시어,
其身을 安하게 하고 其業을 完遂케 함이 마땅하옵니다.
信은 國之本이요,義는 交之根이니,
此書를 契로 삼아 兩國이 長久히 和好를 이루기를 바라옵니다.
謹此 奉書
高麗王 謹致書于金國之主
Heavenly timing flows, and earthly advantage responds, so that all things find their proper place.
We hear that your state seeks to unite the tribes and establish a new foundation, and we judge this to be the course of the times and the direction of Heaven's will.
Thus, our state, in sincerity, selects and sends two hundred fifty men skilled in arts and military affairs,
so that they may assist in your governance and institutions, contributing in some small measure to your great undertaking.
Furthermore, in the relations between our two states, we hold that it is the enduring path to distance ourselves from arms and conflict, to draw near in trust and righteousness,
to cease disputes that cross our borders, and to bring peace to the lives of the people.
This act is not a temporary expedient, but a design for lasting harmony.
The return of the Nine Fortresses in the past was not born of private sentiment,
but a decision of state to halt the calamities of war and secure the peace of the frontier.
It was to ensure that our two states would not harm one another, but each keep its place and achieve a condition of coexistence.
Lee Yeongu, who carries out this mission, is one whom our state entrusts.
His will is upright, and his ability is sufficient for use.
To receive him with courtesy and preserve his person is no different from preserving the trust between our two states.
Likewise, you must guarantee the safety of the two hundred fifty Goryeo men sent together with him,
ensuring their well-being and the completion of their tasks.
Trust is the foundation of a state, and righteousness the root of relations.
Let this letter serve as a bond, that our two states may enjoy enduring peace.
With respect, we present this letter.
Though the state had not yet been formally founded, the term "state" was used.
Upon receiving the Goryeo king's letter, Aguda immediately ordered a reply to be prepared.