Chương 132: Sending Tribute with the Reply

Aguda immediately composed a reply and sent it to Goryeo, loaded with spoils of war and specialties of Liaodong. 金國主 完顏阿骨打 謹復書于高麗王 삼가 前書를 받들어 읽고 그 뜻을 깊이 새겼나이다。 먼저 九城을 돌려주신 일은 私情이 아니라 兩國의 安寧을 도모한 大斷이라 사료되오며， 그 恩義가 지극히 무거워 감히 잊지 않겠나이다。 또한 技藝와 軍務에 능한 人員 二百五十人을 보내어 우리를 돕게 하신 일은 實로 至誠의 所致이니， 그 뜻을 받들어 깊이 感謝하나이다。 그 가운데 李英雨는 才氣와 氣槪가 뛰어나 맡은 바를 능히 감당하고 있으니， 그를 보내신 뜻 또한 가볍지 않음을 알겠나이다。 우리 女眞은 오래도록 흩어져 自守에 급급하였으나， 이제 諸部의 마음을 모아 一國을 이루고자 하나이다。 이는 억지로 이루려 함이 아니라 時至而勢成한 바라 여깁니다。

그러나 北方의 形勢가 아직 平穩하지 아니하여 遼가 여전히 威勢를 떨치고 있으니， 그 굴레를 벗어나지 않고서는 스스로를 保全할 수 없을 것이옵니다。 이에 마침내 이를 바로잡고자 하며， 兵을 드는 일이 가볍지 않으나 勢不可已라 판단하였나이다。 이 모든 일에 있어 高麗의 恩과 助가 根本이 되었음을 분명히 아오니， 上國의 恩德을 마음에 새겨 한순간도 잊지 않을 것이며， 그 뜻을 저버리는 일이 없도록 하겠나이다。 또한 그간 邊境과 軍事로 인하여 빚어진 여러 일에 대하여 遺憾의 뜻을 아뢰오니， 時勢의 어지러움으로 생긴 바라 여기며， 이제부터는 서로 해치지 아니하고 信義를 더욱 두텁게 하기를 바라나이다。 이에 微薄하나마 貢物을 함께 보내어 誠意를 표하오니， 그 뜻을 헤아려 주시기를 바라나이다。 머지않아 國基를 세우고 開國之宴을 열고자 하오니， 上國께서 使臣을 보내어 함께하여 주신다면 더없는 榮光이 될 것이옵니다。 삼가 이 글을 올리나이다。 謹此奉書。

金國主 完顏阿骨打 謹復書于高麗王 With reverence, I have received and read your previous letter and have taken its meaning deeply to heart. First, the return of the Nine Fortresses was not an act of private sentiment, but a great decision made for the peace of our two states, and its grace is so weighty that I dare not forget it. Furthermore, the sending of two hundred fifty men skilled in arts and military affairs to aid us is truly the result of utmost sincerity, and I accept this with deep gratitude.

Among them, Lee Yeongu stands out in talent and bearing, fully capable of carrying out his charge, and I understand that your intention in sending him is not a light one. We, the Jurchens, have long been scattered, occupied only with preserving ourselves, but now we seek to gather the hearts of the tribes and form a single state. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

This is not something forced, but the natural result of a time that has ripened and a momentum that has come into being. Yet the situation in the north is not yet settled, and Liao still exerts its power. Without breaking free from that constraint, we cannot preserve ourselves. Thus we have resolved to set this right, and though taking up arms is not a light matter, we judge it to be unavoidable. In all of this, we clearly recognize that the grace and assistance of Goryeo form the foundation.

We will inscribe the benevolence of the superior state in our hearts and not forget it for a single moment, nor will we act against its intent. We also express regret for the various matters that have arisen along the border and in military affairs. We regard them as the result of turbulent times, and from this point forward we seek to harm one another no more and to strengthen trust between us. With this, we send humble tribute to express our sincerity, and we ask that you receive it with understanding.

Before long, we intend to establish the foundations of our state and hold a founding banquet. If the superior state would send envoys to join us, it would be our greatest honor. With respect, I present this letter. Aguda raised his hand and summoned the men. The air within the tent settled at once. Voices ceased, and all eyes gathered in one place. Six men stood before him. Samyoari, Dolhapsok, Oyeon Porohun, Jeokjanhwi, Daego, Aribo. 斜卯阿里、突合速、烏延蒲盧渾、赤盞暉、大㚖、阿离補. Each stepped forward as his name was called.

Their movements were brief, their posture unwavering. Yeongu's gaze passed over them. They were not unfamiliar. Faces he had glimpsed on the battlefield. Through spearpoints and pounding hooves, they had once met his eyes. Then, they had been enemies. Now, they stood in the same place. Aguda spoke.

"From this moment, they stand with us." It was a short statement. Yet it fell with weight. Those introduced before had all been commanders of the Wanyan clan. Bound by blood, men who had fought together for long years. But those now before him were different. Warriors risen from different tribes. Men raised not by blood, but by merit in battle. Samyoari stepped forward. He was the general who had reclaimed two of the Nine Fortresses. He excelled at breaking through the front with cavalry.

He did not yield, and the longer the fight continued, the stronger he became. Dolhapsok followed. He was skilled at organizing formations and binding troops together. He excelled at gathering the scattered and restoring broken lines. A commander whose hand in managing troops was precise. Oyeon Porohun lifted his head. Swift in movement and adept at surprise attacks. He specialized in striking the flanks and sowing confusion. The kind who stood behind the enemy before they realized it. Jeokjanhwi stepped forward.

His mastery of the bow was exceptional. His arrows, loosed from horseback, were precise, his motion unbroken. A warrior who inflicted damage before the enemy could close. Daego exhaled deeply. Large in frame and great in strength. He excelled in breakthroughs and close combat. One who stood at the front in battles of endurance and force. At last, Aribo stepped forward. He was keen in reading terrain. He excelled at finding paths, blocking them, and choosing the ground of battle.

The kind who secured advantage before the fight began. The six stood again in a single line. Different in nature, yet one in flow. Yeongu slowly nodded.

"I have seen these faces before." Aguda smiled.

"Now, they stand with us." The weight of his words had changed. Not enemies passing one another, but men standing in the same direction. Aguda's gaze swept across the six, then returned to Yeongu.

"I trust you." That was all. Men not bound by blood, men of different tribes, stood in one line. They were not forced together. They were bound by battle. At their center stood Aguda.