The court erupted in chaos over Zhu Yuanzhang's edict demanding the dispatch of the eldest or second prince among the princes, along with key personnel involved in military strengthening. Yet no one dared suggest sending a prince. The tone of the edict was harsher than ever before; if they failed to provide a proper explanation, harm could come to the prince. No, given what they knew of Zhu Yuanzhang, he was more than capable of such ruthlessness.
Thus, repeated meetings yielded nothing. They couldn't even broach the most critical issue of the prince, so what use were they? But then, an unexpected figure stepped forward: Queen Consort Gang Clan.
Queen Consort Gang Clan summoned Jeong Do-jeon and pointed out that sending Yi Bang-won would kill two birds with one stone, but Jeong Do-jeon refused.
"Your Majesty, that is a matter for His Highness to decide. It is not for us ministers to debate."
Of course, Jeong Do-jeon knew sending Yi Bang-won wasn't a bad idea, but he saw it as not his place to push. This wasn't mere political exclusion; it was a life-or-death matter, so it fell to Yi Seong-gye to decide. Instead, he thought it better to send Min Je, let him die at Zhu Yuanzhang's hands, and clip Yi Bang-won's wings. No matter how clever Yi Bang-won was, without the Min family, he was nothing.
But Gang Clan believed swiftly removing Yi Bang-won would benefit the crown prince more than indulging Jeong Do-jeon's schemes. Yi Bang-won had always been a thorn in her side. So she soon sought out Yi Seong-gye and urged him to send Yi Bang-won to Ming.
Yi Seong-gye was displeased with the suggestion. He was truly furious at Zhu Yuanzhang's tyranny. But Gang Clan persuaded him with tears, warning that if things continued this way, relations with Ming would shatter, endangering not just the royal family but the crown prince's safety as well.
And then:
"Please recall how Prince Jeongan killed Poeun in the past, Your Highness. If Poeun were alive today, would we even need to agonize over this? With Poeun gone, it is only right that Prince Jeongan, who slew him, goes to resolve it. This would be for the good of the crown prince—and of all Joseon."
Gang Clan struck directly at Yi Seong-gye's sore spot, and he wavered greatly. At that moment, Yi Seong-gye kept thinking how things would be different if Jeong Mong-ju were still alive. In this way, Gang Clan pressed Yi Seong-gye with various arguments until he agreed to send Yi Bang-won to Ming.
Meanwhile, Min Da-yeon received word from her spies in the palace that Gang Clan was convincing Yi Seong-gye to send Yi Bang-won, and she relayed this to him.
Yi Bang-won, seething with extreme rage, exploded.
"How dare that Gang bitch do this! I can understand her checking me a hundred times over—fine, if she sees me as a threat. But isn't she outright wishing for my death right now?!"
Betrayed and trembling with fury, Yi Bang-won was beside himself. He was even willing to go to Ming if Yi Seong-gye ordered it. Solving this would solidify his position. It was dangerous, yes, but a risk worth taking.
But Gang Clan's motives were impure. She was sending him off to die. Moreover, with Min Da-yeon pregnant, her indifference to whether his child grew up safely or not only fueled his wrath further. Yi Bang-won vowed revenge for this.
Min Da-yeon was furious too. She had only just become pregnant, and this scheme to ship her husband off to a distant land enraged her beyond measure.
But they couldn't let it stand.
"My lord, we must see Father. Surely odd rumors have reached the Hall of Scholars too. We need to confirm them."
"Indeed, my lady. If Gang has moved, that worm Jeong Do-jeon must be scheming something in the Hall as well."
With that, Min Da-yeon and Yi Bang-won headed to Min Je's residence. Upon arriving and hearing the situation in the Hall of Scholars, they breathed a little easier. Jeong Do-jeon hadn't uttered a word about the prince issue, only railing against Zhu Yuanzhang.
At that point, Min Je suggested summoning Ha Ryeon and Min Mu-jil for discussion, and Yi Bang-won nodded. Though he had already resolved to go, hearing their views wouldn't hurt. And now, it was time to truly prepare for the future.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇I knew why Father had summoned me as I headed to his house. Zhu Yuanzhang had demanded a prince. His bullying was something else.
Sure enough, Yi Bang-won, Min Da-yeon, and Min Mu-gu were there when I arrived. Ha Ryeon had come too.
"You summoned me, Father?"
"Yes, Mu-jil, good you're here."
That's when I noticed Min Da-yeon's expression—fiercer than I'd ever seen. She's scary enough normally, but this was next level.
Soon, Min Da-yeon explained the situation. Hearing it, I could see why she looked ready to kill. I recalled Yi Bang-won had gone to Ming as envoy around this time, but I'd thought it was at Yi Seong-gye's request. To learn it was Gang Clan's doing? That was too much. Especially with Min Da-yeon pregnant... No wonder Yi Bang-won later retaliated against her so viciously.
At least the Hall of Scholars hadn't stirred much. Surprisingly, Jeong Do-jeon hadn't pushed for it. I'd figured he'd seize the chance to send Father as envoy.
Then Min Da-yeon asked,
"Mu-jil, what do you think? What should we do?"
She sounded urgent.
"Honestly, I don't know. Zhu Yuanzhang is that kind of man. If we don't send a prince, he'll fly into a real rage, and dealing with the fallout could be impossible."
Zhu Yuanzhang was the type to retaliate pettily if his words were ignored.
Yi Bang-won nodded.
"Your brother speaks true. That's Zhu Yuanzhang's nature."
His expression was surprisingly calm, though.
Then Yi Bang-won turned to me. "What do you think of me going to Ming, brother-in-law?"
"Pardon?"
Why ask me? I racked my brains and gave what I thought was the right answer.
"I'll follow whatever my brother-in-law decides."
Yi Bang-won chuckled softly.
"That's an uncharacteristically timid response from you, brother-in-law. And what say you, Lord Ha Jong?"
Ha Ryeon replied,
"If I may speak boldly, I believe going would be best. Resolve this, and Queen Consort Gang and Jeong Do-jeon won't dare pressure Prince Jeongan so harshly again. Moreover, the ministers in the Hall may be impressed and rally to your side. Surely that's your thinking too, my lord?"
Yi Bang-won agreed.
"Precisely. I shall go."
Min Da-yeon exclaimed,
"My lord! What do you mean?"
She seemed genuinely shocked.
"My lady, this is an opportunity. I will seize it. Solving this will prove to all under heaven that I am the fitter crown prince for Joseon."
That's Yi Bang-won for you. Gang's scheme was one thing; he'd handle his own path. I found myself bowing my head in respect.
Min Da-yeon tried to dissuade him several times, but his resolve seemed ironclad. Then Father spoke.
"Then I shall accompany you. I'll serve as deputy envoy alongside Prince Jeongan."
Yi Bang-won shook his head.
"Father-in-law, stay here and rally those who follow me. When I return, build a force strong enough to defy Gang and Jeong Do-jeon at will."
And then,
"Upon my return from Ming, I will no longer hide. I shall fight openly and boldly. Father-in-law, lay the foundation for that. Only you can. With that strength, we shall pursue the great cause."
He was declaring it outright now. Time to wield real power. The great cause—becoming crown prince.
Min Da-yeon responded,
"Very well, I won't stop you, my lord. Then I'll send my two brothers to protect you."
Sometimes I wonder if I'm Min Da-yeon's brother or her soldier. Maybe both?
"No. Have your two brothers gather men too. Young officers, if possible. We'll pursue the great cause with them."
Gather armsmen?
"Understood, brother-in-law."
I nodded too. Ha Ryeon said he'd win over the Hall ministers, tired of Jeong Do-jeon's growing dominance.
Thus, we each received our tasks.
Afterward, Yi Bang-won went to Yi Seong-gye and volunteered for Ming. Word was Yi Seong-gye wept with worry. Even after Gang's pressure, a son was a son? Or just performance? Having possessed this era, I couldn't fathom Yi Seong-gye. He did good and evil, hypocrisy and virtue without hesitation—who knew what was real?
Anyway, with Yi Bang-won's volunteering, the court began forming the envoy delegation. Notably, Nam Jae volunteered—impressive, since everyone else dreaded it.
I also reached out to officers per Yi Bang-won's orders. Not just officers, but promising talents in various posts, even without military rank. Perks of being a possessor.
Among them, the one I watched closest and bonded with longest was Choi Yun-deok—the Choi Yun-deok who pioneered the Four Armies in the Four Armies Six Garrisons. I'd met his father, Choi Un-hae, during past fights against Japanese pirates, making contact easy. I also befriended Park Sil, an officer.
One more I had my eye on was too young: Kim Jong-seo. He'd be useful later.
Then, one day, thunderbolt news struck me. Promotion to Left Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs.
The promotion itself to such a key post was fine; the problem was my assignment as staff to the envoy delegation.
What the hell is this?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Meanwhile, upon hearing Min Mu-jil had been added to the envoy, Min Je was stunned and immediately sought Jeong Do-jeon.
"Lord Sambong, why include Mu-jil in the delegation? What can a mere Hojo clerk do there?"
"My lord, he's no longer a clerk. He's Left Minister of Military Affairs now. And in that role, he handles military operations—perfectly qualified. Have you forgotten Zhu Yuanzhang's demand for military reform experts? Didn't he contribute ideas for the Yeongjin Garrison system and earn recognition for his merits? So he's qualified. Moreover, he once sought to research Ming captives rescued from Jeolla and Gyeongsang for the Rites Ministry exam. Since we're sending envoys anyway, why not discuss it? Thus, as someone involved in both, your second son is ideal. Is there any flaw in my reasoning?"
Only then did Min Je intuit why Jeong Do-jeon had omitted Yi Bang-won's name but kept his son's. To toss them into Zhu Yuanzhang's maw whenever convenient.
"And Ha Ryeon will be sent as provincial inspector too."
With that, Jeong Do-jeon approached Min Je.
"Do you think I don't know you're gathering forces? I warn you: do nothing until Prince Jeongan returns. If you stir, I'll station more troops at the border."
A threat: any mischief, and he'd provoke Zhu Yuanzhang by massing border forces, dooming the envoy to misfortune.
Furious, Min Je snapped,
"You bastard!"
"You're no match for me, so don't entertain delusions. You may think me cruel, but I once tried to drown my former teacher, Yi Saek, in the river. If you thought I couldn't manage this much, you're mistaken."
Jeong Do-jeon disliked sending Yi Bang-won, but the Hall elders were impressed by his volunteering, and Yi Seong-gye approved, leaving him no choice. So he planned to weaken their faction by sending Min Je too. But Nam Eun's brother Nam Jae volunteered to aid Yi Bang-won, foiling that. Seeing the Min family's mobilization, he bound them by sending Min Mu-jil and threatening.
"Ignore my warning, and you'll regret it deeply."
"Jeong Do-jeon, I'll repay this."
"Try if you can. After Prince Jeongan returns, you won't be able to do a thing."
"What?"
"You'll see then."
After Min Je left, Jeong Do-jeon smirked.
"By then, your greatest strength—your private armies—will be gone. You won't be able to do anything."
Jeong Do-jeon intended to abolish private armies, uprooting their power entirely.
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