THE QUEEN'S MEN

"Haesul Rang?" She called and there the doors opening he walked right inside and bowed his head in front of her.

"How may I help you Your Highness?" Haesul asked.

"Does your father have any books on the Military?" Seungman asked.

"He keeps quite a collection." Haesul Rang replied.

"Procure for me as many as you can." Seungman said.

"Your Highness, I thought you said you'd never wield a sword again." Haesul Rang said.

"War is coming to the country, the very least that we can do is be prepared anytime." Seungman replied.

"Yes Your Highness." Haesul Rang replied as he bowed his head and he walked out while Seungman picked up the book of Yang Guang once again and there he stared at it carefully while she opened it and started reading through its pages.

Queen Seondeok was seated in the throne room with the Courtiers when Kim Chunchu spoke up.

"If I may Your Majesty." He said.

"Please continue." Queen Seondeok said.

"Your Majesty, it had been months since you ascended the throne and I believe that as Tang is the master of the continent we should send a diplomat that should inform them of our new ruler." Kim Chunchu said.

"I believe so to Your Majesty, if there is a future that we must secure then it should be a friendship with the Tang Empire." General Kim Seohyeon said.

"What do you think about this Eulje?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"They are all very right in their claims and now that Your Majesty has settled on the throne I do believe that it is high time we sent someone over to the Tang Court." Sangdaedeung Eulje replied.

"I have considered all that you have said before, following Her Majesty Emperor Suiko of Wa for the Tang Emperor I am the First Female Sovereign of the state." Queen Seondeok said. "Mine is a reign I intend to consider revolutionary so in that case we must send someone that is upright and smart on our behalf." she added.

"Does Your Majesty have anyone in mind?" Sangdaedeung Eulje asked.

"Yes." Queen Seondeok replied, "Thinking about everything I have decided to send over Galmunwang Gukban to Tang." Queen Seondeok replied and Seungman's father turned and looked at her.

"Your Majesty." He said as he bowed his head.

"You are old and soon you should be handing power over to someone else, you are among the oldest people in the Court and you are well versed with the politics of the country, I can not only consider you the best but you are also the only one that I find very fit for this job." Queen Seondeok said.

"Thank you Your Majesty but I hold a very vital role in this country, my concern is that when I am gone Your Majesty who shall handle the Finances of the State?" Galmunwang Gukban asked.

"It isn't a task that is much too complicated and it isn't something that is also out of Her Highness Lady Seungman's capabilities." Queen Seondeok said.

"If you say so Your Majesty." Galmunwang Gukban replied.

"That being put aside you all are required to gather when I lay the foundation stone for the Astronomical observatory which I have decided I shall build with the intention of helping the farmers understand the seasons fot planting and harvesting respectively." Queen Seondeok said, "In unifying the three Kingdoms it is important that first and foremost we are all able to grow enough food to sustain both ourselves and also the military to help transition it into a rather strong force from a weak one.

Repairs shall be made to the Fortresses of Sokham and Dosal which for the past year have withstood violent attacks in order to at least stand strong and guard against the aggression of the two Kingdoms of Paekche and Gorguryeo." Queen Seondeok added.

"Yes Your Majesty." The Courtiers replied as they bowed their heads.

"The Court is hereby dismissed as I urge you all to turn up for the ceremony and Galmunwang Gukban shall prepare to depart for Tang in the next three days." Queen Seondeok ordered.

"Yes Your Majesty." Galmunwang Gukban replied as Queen Seondeok descended from the throne and walked out of the room while the Courtiers followed shortly after.

Queen Seondeok was walking towards her Chambers when she came face to face with Seungman.

"Your Majesty." Seungman said as she bowed her head.

"Seungman?" Queen Seondeok called, "were you on your way here to see me?" She asked.

"Not really Your Majesty, I decided to visit the Royal library." Seungman replied.

"My quarters are on their way there, if you don't mind could you have a stroll with me?" Queen Seondeok requested.

"Yes Your Majesty." Seungman replied and the both of them started walking through the hallways.

"How were the snacks that I sent over?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"I was pleased Your Majesty, they were all quite helpful to my mind yet you too seem to have noticed that within me there is still a warrior that I have failed to confine." Seungman replied.

"So you read my message?" Queen Seondeok said.

"What other use is the Geography of Shilla for if not to help Your Majesty calculate the geographical military advantage?" Seungman asked.

"How far have you gone so far?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"I am handling the matter effectively Your Majesty." Seungman replied.

"Good." Queen Seondeok replied.

"There is something that is on your mind." Seungman said.

"You still know me after all these months." Queen Seondeok replied.

"It is quite good to do so." Seungman replied.

"I have decided to send your father to Tang as a diplomat." Queen Seondeok replied.

"But Your Majesty appears to be hesitant with the decision." Seungman said.

"I can't help but feel a heavy weight on my shoulders at this very moment." Queen Seondeok replied.

"It hasn't been long since a female Sovereign established a relationship with their court." Seungman said.

"But it ended with Emperor Yang at the time of Sui and Emperor Taizong I have consequently heard that he is a very staunch Confucian as well as a wise ruler with a remarkable political acumen though absolute and autocratic in his nature." Queen Seondeok said.

"Regardless of his desires we can not just bend to whatever he wishes, we can only try and realise for ourselves whether an alliance between both ourselves and his people is feasible." Seungman replied.

That is going to be a very ordurous task." Queen Seondeok remarked.

"If only at one point the mighty Tang could also bend and dance to the whims of a woman that would be favourable as well." Seungman replied.

"Anyway forget it." Queen Seondeok said, "Putting that aside as your father is away I do believe that this is a very favourable time to substitute him." Queen Seondeok added.

"Your Majesty, perhaps the responsibilities that you are giving me are too many at a time." Seungman said.

"I could think of it this way that if you would start by now showing your competent and remarkable political skills, in the near future it would be most useful when trying to aim higher to achieve your dreams." Queen Seondeok said.

"Your Majesty, I understand what it is that you want from me and I don't wish to rebel against it one way or another as it is your will but it could draw the concern of others if I must I should do it rather individually without having to tear you apart from the very people that to you are very loyal." Seungman replied.

"I am only trying to help." Queen Seondeok said.

"I understand Your Majesty that is why I am most grateful to you for everything that you have done." Seungman replied.

"There must be more to this than your fear." Queen Seondeok said.

"I won't lie to Your Majesty but I am only an overly cautious person, many would believe that I am only relying on your favours whereas my intention is to prove them otherwise." Seungman replied.

"By otherwise what do you mean?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Your Majesty, most people would try to turn you against me and if it must be that we start out on the right foot then there's is the intention to turn me into a traitor and a rebel." Seungman replied.

"My benevolence has never been short of any of the people in Shilla but I am afraid that with those Courtiers there should be limits." Queen Seondeok said.

"But Your Majesty, favouring me I fear will only make things too obvious." Seungman replied.

"What do you want me to do?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"I shall fill in for my father but I insist that if it is His duties that I should assume I don't wish to appear in the Royal Court." Seungman replied.

"Yes." Queen Seondeok replied.

"We are preparing for a war outside and before that can come into place following the consequences of Galmunwang Baekban's coup we can not afford to stir another on the inside." Seungman remarked as they halted at the Royal library.

"We are here." Queen Seondeok said.

"I'll take my leave Your Majesty, if there is something that is very urgent then I shall write to you im person." Seungman said.

"I'll look forward to hearing from you." Queen Seondeok said as Seungman opened the doors and walked inside while she continued her own way.

Seungman walked in and found Kim Chunchu seated at the very spot where they had played the chess game the previous time.

"Your Highness." She said as she bowed her head.

"You must have heard the news from Her Majesty yourself." Kim Chunchu said.

"Of courses I did." Seungman replied.

"And what do you think?" Kim Chunchu asked.

"I have no reason to decline." Seungman replied.

"Her Majesty really trusts you very much." Kim Chunchu remarked.

"We have known each other for a while now and we are both women who share a similar dream and ambition." Seungman replied.

"That's not the only reason." Kim Chunchu said.

"It can't be the only one." Seungman replied.

"Because to her you are not a threat?" Kim Chunchu said.

"Maybe because I never let people read too much into my thoughts." Seungman replied.

"What are you going to teach me today?" Kim Chunchu asked.

"I need your answer first before anything." Seungman replied.

"My answer?" Kim Chunchu asked.

"I know that you didn't forget what I asked you to do the last time and I believe that on your side the time that I have you was very sufficient." Seungman replied.

"I can give you my contentment and my support but I am uncertain if it is something that everyone else will agree upon." Kim Chunchu said.

"Where are those that rebelled and told Her Majesty that she wouldn't be Queen?" Seungman asked.

"Dead." Kim Chunchu replied.

"Where are those that betrayed her and cast aside their loyalty?" Seungman asked.

"They are also dead too." Kim Chunchu replied.

"Where is Queen Sungman who tried everything to get rid of her Majesty but it was in vain?" Seungman asked.

"Forgotten and also dead too." Kim Chunchu replied.

"All in all those that said that she wouldn't make it this far are not present to see for themselves that at last a woman has ruled this glorious realm." Seungman said.

"There is nothing that she boasts that you do not posses." Kim Chunchu said.

"We all were given by heaven and only heaven from us can take away." Seungman replied.

"Out of respect to what you are trying to say I can agree with you that perhaps for the both of you there is nothing that is impossible but even at this most critical moment when you should start honing skills why does it only seems to me that you are containing most of your capabilities?" Kim Chunchu asked.

"Everyone is like a sword, it's either single edged or double-edged but all in all the purpose for which you choose to use either one of them is the same." Seungman replied, "The only difference however is that when one is double-edged then the risk of yourself getting hurt while wielding it is a possibility that you can not ignore." She added.

"What's your point?" Kim Chunchu asked.

"Who is your sword?" Seungman asked.

"Geumyang." Kim Chunchu replied.

"I am afraid that you are going to need much more than him." Seungman replied.

"I have realized." Kim Chunchu said.

"While you are doing each and everything that you must do you should remember that time itself has no keeper, there is always a time for everything be it to rebel or ally or to rule or to abdicate and as it is to give birth and to kill." Seungman replied, "If there is something that I most confident about then it is to know my time for everything and that's what helps me determine when I can get what I want." She added.

"So perhaps it isn't your time to wield much power?" Kim Chunchu asked.

"Is it time for you to rule without a solid foundation as you are still waiting for the throne to be passed down to you?" Seungman asked.

"No." Kim Chunchu said.

"When you are confident that you have the support and thr individual strength it takes to turn yourself into a mountain then do so because regardless of nature's economy, the mountains shall never bow to the seas just like the sun can never rule the night." Seungman replied.

"Thank you." Kim Chunchu said as he smiled at her.

"That's far from what I wanted to say." Seungman said.

"You want to make me your sword?" Kim Chunchu asked.

"Finally you've understood what I am trying to say." Seungman replied.

"Before I can give my allegiance I think that it is best I also lay some conditions for a give and take." Kim Chunchu said.

"What are your terms?" Seungman asked.

"Let's make a bet." Kim Chunchu replied.

"Which is?" Seungman asked.

"How much does Her Majesty trust you and if she does trust you so much between myself and you who is much better than the other?" Kim Chunchu asked with a ghastly smile on her face.

"Deal." Seungman replied as she smiled at him as well.

Bidam Rang stood right outside the Royal Investigations Bureau building when Yeomjong walked out of it.

"Your Excellency." He said as he bowed his head.

"Where are they?" Bidam asked.

"This way." Yeomjong replied as he led the way into the room.

Bidam following he halted when he came face to face with about twenty five people.

They weren't dressed that noble as some appeared to be in their mid thirties and forties and the others were rather young in their mid twenties.

As his eyes studied them all he seemed to try to read through each and Everyone's Expression.

"Is this all you could find?" Bidam asked.

"Yes." Yeomjong replied, "Are you less interested in any of them?" He asked.

"They seem to be quite unprepared." Bidam remarked.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Yeomjong asked.

"Well perhaps there is much that I have to teach them and I don't think that Her Majesty shall find them quite suspicious as such." Bidam replied as he walked over into their midst while a few looked down afraid yo let his gaze meet theirs.

"Must you be afraid?" Bidam asked.

They kept quiet.

"Perhaps the person that is in front of you is displeasing?" Bidam asked once again.

There was still a silence that prevailed in the whole room.

"Yeomjong?" Bidam called.

"Yes Your Excellency?" Yeomjong replied.

"Get rid of all of them." Bidam ordered.

"What?" Yeomjong asked.

"You heard me." Bidam replied.

"Your Excellency?" Yeomjong called.

"Do you mean to defy my order?" Bidam asked, "Or perhaps you are willing to make your way out with these dregs as well?" He added.

"No Your Excellency." Yeomjong replied.

"What is it that you want from us?" Someone suddenly asked, "Were the very people that you and Her Majesty slay not enough you come against us their children and their siblings?" He added.

Bidam listening to those words he turned around and looked at the person who had spoken.

He was about the same age as he was and he had a very good appearance, he had a pair of dark eyes and his jaw bone was narrow and ending in a flat chin while his forehead was wide.

He heard a set of fairly prominent cheekbones and he looked fierce and unfriendly all in all.

"Do you care about justice for the dead?" Bidam asked.

"As far as I remember were you not the one involved in that massacre as well?" The man asked.

"I was." Bidam replied, "What are you going to do to me?" He added.

The man looked at him.

"The moment that you assassinate me it isn't that hard for anyone else to find out the whereabouts of your families and take all their lives even to the newest born baby in my place.

Additionally if you were to make an attempt on me, by now you wouldn't even be talking because I can realize your intentions and bury you in one move." Bidam said.

"What do you want?" The man asked.

"Not to redeem myself but I too was a follower of the fallen and I deserted a sinking ship, to survive I had to follow orders and it isn't that I willed it but sometimes a sacrifice is inevitable if you wish to rise to prominence." Bidam replied.

The man along with the others appeared to be listening.

"I understand the pain of loss and what is most significant about it is the fact that you always want to get even with all those that brought such a burden upon your shoulders." Bidam said. "I too lost friends in that strife and I too lost friends some of which perhaps I could have forgotten others that are still fresh in my memories and my mind." He added.

"For you to avenge firstly you must live, for you to live you must firstly have identities and one could perhaps say that I am giving you identities, vengeance, wealth and prosperity in return for your unwavering devotion and loyalty." Bidam said.

"If it is our vengeance shouldn't we begin by exerting it on you?" The man asked.

"Then would you go as far as Ilsan and Wolseong Palace, even if you succeeded who would take care of your families, would you reach their unharmed, one way of Her Majesty loses Lady Seungman will profit and you know more than anyone that there is nothing as hurtful as losing everything that you worked for and once possessed before dying." Bidam replied.

"I have given you more than three good reasons why you need me and perhaps another could be that I can not fail to do without you while you on the other hand, what more can you do without me?" Bidam asked as he smiled confidently.

They all kept quiet and they looked at him.

"I do not intend on coercing each and everyone of you that is here so you have a decision to make and as soon as possible before the end of this week, is there justice for those of your people that perished in the revolt and if you wish to ensure that it is served then you must designate where you are going to place your loyalty." Bidam said as he turned around and walked out of the room while Yeomjong followed.

"Your Excellency." He said, "why did you have to be so direct with them?" He asked.

"It's my business." Bidam replied.

"Don't you trust me?" Yeomjong Asked.

"You haven't fulfilled the condition that I gave you." Bidam replied.

"Regardless of the circumstances, you know that even I have my own reasons." Yeomjong said.

"I also have mine." Bidam replied.

"But I assure you that with time you'll know." Yeomjong said.

"Same for me." Bidam replied.

The people gathered at the site that had been designated and at that moment the Queen's Palanquin arrived while being led by a Procession of Buddhist monks and also some Royal guards.

It halted in a distance and a path was paved for Queen Seondeok who walking out of it she was led by the priests while she approached the one square mile that was flat upon which the foundation was to be laid.

At that moment, she halted in front and an altar had been set, there right next to it was a foundation that was soon to be dug by a couple of builders.

Queen Seondeok stared at the clear skies above before she along with the priests went nearer to the altar.

Handing her a couple of incense sticks, she took them and prayed before she bowed her head and placed them in the pot on the altar.

She then withdrew and she knelt down while the people that were already gathered there following her example knelt down as well.

Three times they bowed their heads before they knelt upright and the priests chanted.

Queen Seondeok then gazed at the altar while a series of thoughts appeared to be going through her head at that time before the chant was concluded.

"It is done." The Priests said and Queen Seondeok stood up and she faced the people.

"My dear people whom I love and cherish, from this day onwards we shall behold a new glory for Shilla, you won't have to struggle to sow your seeds without knowing because in this very place I shall erect your guidance, I shall lead all your fields to bountiful harvests and you shall not starve and neither shall your homes and houses become abodes for hunger, famine and starvation.

On this very day I shall give you all the exemption of heavy taxes and I shall lower them so that you can sustain both yourselves and your families, for my deepest desire is to turn this our Heavenly Kingdom into a paradise for our children and one which our future generations shall learn to admire and with time appreciate and be most grateful to us all." Princess Deokman said.

The people quickly applauded her and in an instant she with beauty had won over their hearts the more.

Galmunwang Gukban was being escorted by his family members towards the main exit of Ganglyeoghan Palace when at that moment Queen Seondeok appeared through the gates and she revealed herself to them all.

"Your Majesty." Galmunwang Gukban said as he bowed his head while Queen Seondeok who was approaching him halted.

"At ease." She said and Galmunwang Gukban complied.

"It's been a while Your Majesty, you needn't have bothered to see me off like this." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"You are my uncle and you are going to the Tang Court within my name." Queen Seondeok replied.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"I understand that the Tang Emperor isn't someone that is negotiable with, nevertheless if you must then for both your health and for my sake don't make the matter more pressing." Queen Seondeok said.

"Your Majesty, I shall try my very best." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"I know that you can." Queen Seondeok said, "As you do consider those of us who are waiting for you here." Queen Seondeok said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Galmunwang Gukban replied.

The Queen stepped aside while her uncle walked out and Seungman having noticed that perhaps Her Majesty wanted to have a word with her she chose to stay behind.

"Please come inside." She said as she led the Queen to the nearby study which was just as spacious as her own back in Wolseong.

The maids poured for them some tea and on Seungman's orders she sent them all out while the two were left all alone inside.

"Your Majesty, could you have a taste of this?" Seungman asked.

"Thank you." Queen Seondeok replied as she smiled while she took the small cup within her hands and sipped at it.

Slowly her face was more illuminated as her smile gradually enlarged before she placed the cup down.

"Such a fine taste, it's like none that I have ever felt in my entire life." Queen Seondeok said.

"Cinnamon." Seungman replied, "I added a few more spices and I made it myself." she added.

"I thought that you must be quite busy, I didn't think that you'd have enough time to make tea." Queen Seondeok said.

"I thought that perhaps with the sword practice I could ease my mind before, now that I realised there are more peaceful ways with which I can give some calmness to my body and do away with fatigue." Seungman replied.

"Nevertheless I trust that you handle your responsibilities very well." Queen Seondeok remarked.

"Confucius teaches us that we can only cultivate our best talents when our body is in a sound condition." Seungman replied.

"Tell me, what have you discovered?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"The country is too peaceful and the army is a little bit relaxed, I believe that this time around everyone could say that the genesis of your reign is one that is calmer than usual ones." Seungman replied.

"Then something is going on." Queen Seondeok said.

"There are preparations I heard in the Paekche army, it's training about four times harder than usual and there has been a quick reshuffling in it's administration." Seungman replied.

"You and I were right a war is inevitable." Queen Seondeok said.

"Nevertheless, there us great recruitment in their numbers and contrary to your Majesty they seem to have relaxed when it comes to their agricultural sectors most of their land is idle." Seungman said.

"That means even if they would cultivate a very strong army to sustain it would be much more difficult." Queen Seondeok Said.

"If they must take the chance then once they attack they intend to also raid food supplies similarly." Seungman replied.

"I see." Queen Seondeok said.

"However that should be the very least of our worries." Seungman replied.

"Anything else that I should know?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"I have heard quite frequently that there us a ferocious General that has risen to prominence and his name is Gyebaek, I recall him from a serious fight not so long ago that took place at Sokham Fortress." Seungman replied.

"Shouldn't you be confident that you once defeated him?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Perhaps but he posseses rather unique knowledge when it comes to war and I have cultivated my brain to fit the Confucian virtues and principles and additionally help myself identify enemies and counter them my sense to scheme has only been empowered while my sense of resistance in combat I haven't nurtured in a while." Seungman replied.

"What is your solution?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Scatter." Seungman replied.

"Elaborate more." Queen Seondeok replied.

"You lowering the taxes at this time of transition when the people are reconsidering sowing and harvesting is a good thing however the Royal treasury is the most important resource of the nation that can't be depleted.

If it is your intent to construct temples that are going to help unite people in a common faith so that you can cultivate peace amongst them instead of resistance then that wealth is something that we have to maintain.

Areas that lie beyond the Takla Makhan desert are deficient of food and if we can grow just as much then we can supply them as well as storing some for emergency and the army.

The state Granaries are all in well known places and we lack any secret food reserves which is something that we can not afford to do.

Save on national expenses and also set up a lot more smaller granaries across that country so that in case of damage or loss only a small proportion is sacrificed rather than a big one.

If there is a full scale war we can't drag ours beyond one month because while being attacked from both directions if we can Master our own balance in the country then it is good enough to prepare to fight another day.

Where we can no longer protect knowing that it will cost us so much then we shall have to automatically abandon and with limited reserves against a very great sense of morale, how long do you think the enemy will last on our land?" Seungman asked.

"Not long enough." Queen Seondeok replied.

"Either way we'll be in the best position to take back all that has been lost and a lot more because at that point in time I trust Paekche or Gorguryeo shall have both started to settle in crisis." Seungman said.

"I knew that I could lean on you." Queen Seondeok said.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Seungman replied.

"I trust that I'm your father's absence you can now handle the state Finances adequately." Queen Seondeok said as she stood up and she walked out of the room.

A short while later, Haesul Rang walked in with a pile of books in his possession.

"Your Highness." He said as he bowed his head.

"It took you long enough." Seungman said.

"For you I had to pick out the best." Haesul Rang replied.

"Bring them here." Seungman replied.

"Yes Your Highness." Haesul Rang replied as he placed them onto the table.

"Can you do for me something?" Seungman asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Haesul Rang replied.

"I want you to procure for me all the documents concerning the state expenditures over the past ten years." Seungman replied.

"Your Highness, those are way too many records." Haesul Rang said.

"I know that but there is something that I need to follow up." Seungman replied.

"Yes Your Highness." Haesul Rang replied.

"One more thing." Seungman said.

"What is it?" Haesul Rang asked.

"I need you to help me track down all the surviving relatives from those who were linked with the Chilsuk and Seokpum Rang's rebellion." Seungman replied.

"May I ask why Your Highness?" Haesul Rang replied.

"You can think of it as a way of promoting Law and order." Seungman replied with a smile on her face.