Chapter 17 [Great Goryeo]
Dae Inseon returned to the capital in triumph, accompanied by the Sul-yul clan, and was met with the overwhelming cheers of the Balhae people.
He had completely defeated the Khitans, who had caused so much trouble, absorbed their people, and incorporated their territory into Balhae. To the Balhae populace, Dae Inseon appeared as a hero worthy of veneration, and the route to the royal palace was lined with people praising him without pause.
"The Crown Prince has expanded the land! Truly, the era of Balhae has begun!"
"Indeed! This is the dedication of the late king… no, the dedication of King Gwanggaeto himself!"
"Hey! Is the Crown Prince your friend?"
"Long live the Crown Prince! Long, long live!"
"Mind your words! The Ga-dok-bu is here, yet you call out long live to the Crown Prince?"
Having vanquished the remaining Khitans and expanded Balhae's territory, Dae Inseon received a warm welcome from Dae Hyeon-seok and the nobles upon arriving at the palace. His position as Crown Prince had been solidified, and the nobles no longer cared about his previous indiscretions.
Dae Hyeon-seok, in particular, remembered the commotion caused by his son's choice of wife before Dae Inseon left for campaign. As soon as he saw him, he pulled Dae Inseon into the audience hall.
"Good. Crushing the Khitans and ruling the newly established Yeongju-bu is commendable. You have achieved what no previous Ga-dok-bu managed. Focus now on internal governance. …And who is this Khitan child?"
"She is the woman who will become my wife," Dae Inseon declared confidently.
Standing before Dae Hyeon-seok alongside Sul-yul-pyeong, Dae Inseon's announcement left the elder staggered. Dae Wi-hae supported him, yet Dae Hyeon-seok held his head, clearly shaken.
Sul-yul-pago quickly bowed his head, while Sul-yul-pyeong glared fiercely at Dae Inseon.
"…Even with me present, you allowed yourself to receive cheers openly. So, she is Khitan… Hah. You act first and explain later, don't you?"
Hearing that his son had secured land north of Jukryeong, Dae Hyeon-seok nearly lost his composure. The weight of state affairs seemed to be handled far too easily. Whether this son was destined to be a king or a conqueror, a furrow of concern creased Dae Hyeon-seok's brow. Still, his son had accomplished what past Ga-dok-bu could not, an undeniably remarkable feat.
Taking a Khitan woman as his wife might invite opposition from the nobles, yet the Crown Prince's power was now solid, backed by the military might of the six Malgal tribes. While internal governance had yet to be tested, Dae Wi-hae would assist him, and the Sul-yul clan would accept Sul-yul-pyeong as his wife.
After all, Dae Inseon had gained control over northern territories beyond Jukryeong through bold diplomacy that neither his predecessors nor Yeon Gaesomun had managed. Observing his unorthodox methods, Dae Hyeon-seok reasoned that his choice of wife would not be based solely on appearance; it had to be so, for a capable king should not be a mere philanderer.
Three Years Later – 895 AD
Once Yeongju-bu was stabilized, Dae Hyeon-seok passed the throne to the 16-year-old Dae Inseon and retired as the Old King.
On the day of his enthronement, Dae Inseon faced Sul-yul-pyeong, elegantly dressed according to Balhae royal customs. Three years had passed, and Dae Inseon's physique had grown even more imposing.
He had considered shaping his body like a modern-day fitness trainer, but Sul-yul-pyeong had vetoed the idea.
Sul-yul-pyeong herself had matured fully in the past three years, grooming herself to the standards of a Balhae queen. Her appearance mirrored Dae Inseon's former lover in some ways.
"My king, there is much to be done. I pledged to you and have become your noble consort, yet there will be many days I must endure loneliness," she said.
"I have observed your headstrong ways for the past three years. Yet you bear the heavens of Balhae upon your shoulders. How could one woman compare to that? I am now your consort, and I shall dutifully serve you," Sul-yul-pyeong responded calmly, adhering to the etiquette of the royal court while expressing her devotion.
Her formal manners struck Dae Inseon as alien, as they usually interacted without such strict adherence to rank.
"Wouldn't it be simpler to speak freely, since no one is listening?" he suggested.
"You knew the loneliness would come when you claimed me, yet… just don't die on me recklessly the second time," she added.
"The second time?" Dae Inseon blinked in confusion.
"The enthronement, my king. Show some decorum," Sul-yul-pyeong said, restoring her formal tone.
He tried to argue but found himself silenced by her unwavering demeanor. Soon, the two approached Dae Hyeon-seok and the court officials for the enthronement ceremony.
Dae Hyeon-seok, waiting in the audience hall, conducted the enthronement of Dae Inseon, entrusting him with the heavens of Balhae.
"Born as the son of the 13th Ga-dok-bu, Dae Inseon was appointed Crown Prince five years ago and annexed the Heuksu Malgal and Khitans three years ago. This is an achievement even the late king could not accomplish. How can one not see the future greatness of this ruler? I hereby pass the throne to Crown Prince Dae Inseon, who shall ascend and receive the jade seal, inheriting the mandate of Balhae."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall become the heavens of this nation and bring peace to all subjects of Balhae," Dae Inseon replied.
The crowds shouted in unison:
"Long live Balhae! Long live King Seong! Long live Ga-dok-bu!"
The ceremony passed without objection, as Dae Inseon had already proven his military might and stabilized the Malgal six tribes. Nobles from Malgal and Goguryeo backgrounds, who had previously competed for influence, had no grounds to oppose him.
Policy and Administration
After ascending, Dae Inseon convened his officials to declare his succession of Goguryeo and discuss policies.
"I now ascend the throne. Let us act on pending matters. First, the era name will be changed to Yeongrak, and my royal title shall follow Goguryeo tradition as Taewang," he announced.
"Yes, Your Majesty," officials responded.
He abolished the external king/internal minister system, recognizing the decline of Tang and ignoring its authority. Declaring the Taewang equal to the emperor, he elevated royal titles: queen consorts as empress, heirs as imperial princes.
He then renamed the country from Balhae to Goryeo, proclaiming succession from the Go clan of Goguryeo and Buyeo after 197 years since its fall. Some officials expressed concern about Tang and Silla objections, but Dae Inseon dismissed them. The weakened states posed no threat, and even Silla could no longer belittle them.
Officials quickly aligned with his plan, witnessing his decisive vision and military foundation.
He appointed Dae Wi-hae as Chief Minister, Choi Seung-woo, a naturalized Silla scholar, as Left Chancellor, and O So-do as Right Chancellor. Political participation of royal relatives was prohibited, ensuring governance by merit.
Even the queen and the Sul-yul family, traditionally disengaged from politics, had no objections. Dae Inseon clapped his hands in satisfaction.
Military Reform and Southern Campaign
"Let us expand the army. I will create a new military force from the six Malgal tribes," Dae Inseon declared.
He reorganized the six tribal cavalry units, drafting 6,000 soldiers from each tribe into eight regiments, forming the Manchu Palgi Army, directly under the king. The system would follow a simplified two-arm, six-unit structure.
This reform was inspired by their decisive performance against the Khitan remnants three years prior.
"Once the Palgi Army is ready, I shall personally lead the southern campaign," he added.
"Your Majesty, you are no longer a Crown Prince. You are the supreme ruler of Goryeo. How can you lead the campaign yourself?"
"To unify the Three Hans and gather their hearts, I must show myself. While I am away, my uncle will manage affairs," Dae Inseon explained.
He also outlined economic strategy: sell arms to China, take advantage of Han refugees seeking safety, and use foreign trade to fund future reforms.
Regarding Silla, Dae Inseon aimed to reclaim lands north of Jukryeong and eventually retake Pyongyang, the historic capital of Goguryeo, though he was unaware of its current situation under local lords.
Both Dae Wi-hae and Choi Seung-woo supported his plans, with Choi Seung-woo providing active input and Dae Wi-hae mainly executing commands.
Thus began the formation of the Manchu Palgi Army, which would later become legendary, marking the start of a military-centered governance that foreshadowed Dae Inseon's rise as the ruler of the new Goryeo.