Reunion in Jeonju: Cavalry Needs and Crown Prince Shadows
After arriving at Jeonju Castle and resting for a few days, Yi Bang-won returned. I immediately went out to greet him. It wouldn't make sense not to go out when a prince was arriving.
Waiting there for the greeting, Yi Bang-won entered through the castle gates at the head of his troops. He spotted me right away and seemed genuinely delighted.
"Brother-in-law, long time no see."
"Lord Jeongan, it's been too long."
He smiled and said, "Does that kind of formal title make sense between us? Skip the stiff formalities—call me brother-in-law like you used to."
"How could I dare address Lord Jeongan so casually?"
"Hmm. Must be because this is an official occasion. Fine, then. Call me brother-in-law in private settings."
I hesitated for a moment but soon accepted. He'd insisted on it himself, so it should be fine. Would he really purge me just for using "brother-in-law" in private? He wasn't king yet, after all.
After that, Yi Bang-won let his troops rest briefly before heading to his quarters with me. He asked how I'd been faring, and I answered with complete sincerity.
Yi Bang-won nodded. "You've been doing better than I expected. I was worried you might struggle away from home."
"Not at all. I've been just fine."
At this point, Yi Bang-won was genuinely warm toward me—impossible to imagine as the man who'd later purge his in-laws so mercilessly. But I couldn't let my guard down. I had to stay humble and low-key. That was the only way to reduce my chances of ending up on the chopping block.
Then Yi Bang-won said, "In any case, since my wife said you'd be a big help, I'm looking forward to it."
There it is—Min Da-yeon, it was you. I'd half-expected as much.
After exchanging pleasantries, I accompanied Yi Bang-won as his escort, touring all over Jeolla Province. I watched him repair crumbling walls and reorganize defenses—impressive work for someone just twenty-six years old. No wonder so many had recommended him as crown prince for his talents.
In the midst of these inspections, Yi Bang-won suddenly turned to me. "Brother-in-law, it seems Jeolla's defenses have plenty of gaps. What do you think?"
Why ask me? Still, I had to answer.
"Right now, both the land forces and the naval forces rely mostly on rotational conscripts from the beonsang-sukwi system, with the main troops drawn from central armies levied through the military colonies. That leaves woefully few soldiers to defend local outposts."
"We do need more troops for those local strongpoints."
"Especially cavalry. Our primary enemies are the Japanese pirates and the Jurchens—cavalry is essential for countering them."
Being stationed in Dongnae had driven home how short on cavalry the provinces were. Most forces were infantry, with what few horsemen there were often private retainers. Cavalry at key points would allow quick intercepts, ideal for repelling pirate raids. The pirates were sorely lacking in mounted troops themselves—a fact proven even during the Imjin War, when Kato's forces struggled against Joseon's cavalry after overrunning Hamgyong Province. And against the Jurchens, too. To fight Jurchen horsemen, you needed your own cavalry. Tercios were great, but cavalry took priority. Implementing tercios meant developing muskets first, which cost a fortune and was beyond my current capabilities anyway.
Come to think of it, my next possession was likely during the Imjin and Byeongja Wars. Whoever sent me here seemed intent on putting me through the wringer—those eras were perfect for it. Survive this round intact, then prep for the next. Who knew what tricks they'd pull?
Anyway, when I pointed out the cavalry shortage to Yi Bang-won, he nodded thoughtfully. He was sharp; he grasped it immediately.
"Looks like I'll need to petition Father. We should establish garrisons and commanderies at key points, stationing cavalry there to defend and intercept invaders."
"A wise plan, my lord."
"Just as my wife said—dealing with the pirates has given you plenty of experience, brother-in-law. I always knew you were clever."
Lip service from the genius who passed the civil service exams at sixteen.
After that, we continued inspecting Jeolla together, mostly repairing walls and shoring up defenses. We even encountered a band of Japanese pirates who'd raided Ming territory, run into a storm, and washed up on the Jeolla coast—like the ones back in Dongnae—and wiped them out.
Is Joseon a rest stop or something? Why do they keep hitting Ming and stopping here? Of course, this was just Jeolla. By June, pirates were appearing in Yanggwangdo and Gyeongsang Provinces too, but reports said they'd been repelled there. I was relieved Dongnae stayed pirate-free. The real shocker came in August: pirates reaching as far as Hwanghae Province, where Yi Bang-won's eldest brother, Yi Bang-gwa of Yeongan, led troops out and crushed them. I knew Yi Bang-gwa was a capable warrior, so beating pirates wasn't surprising—but Hwanghae? Had they aimed for Ming and drifted off course? Cockroaches, the lot of them.
One night during these defenses, Yi Bang-won summoned me. I found him with a table of drinks and appetizers laid out.
"You called for me?"
"Brother-in-law, shall we have a drink? It's been a while."
A while? We drank together just days ago after hunting. Yi Bang-won really loved hunting—went out to unwind now and then. But he never slacked on work; he was diligent about both.
I enjoyed hunting too. It was a rare privilege in this era—impossible in my previous life. I'd thrown myself into it.
Anyway, drinks. I'd sworn to Min Da-yeon after our blowout that I'd quit booze, but that hadn't lasted. Between my past life's love for it and this body's weakness, the vow crumbled fast. I'd promised myself I'd be a dog if I drank again... well, might as well embrace it.
Of course, drinking with Yi Bang-won meant staying sharp and watching my mouth. One drunken slip could spell disaster later.
As we sat and drank, he remarked, "You've definitely gotten quieter, brother-in-law. You used to talk nonstop once the drinks started flowing."
"Yes. Time to keep my head on straight."
"My wife mentioned it."
As we chatted, there was no mention of watching out for Lady Gang. Min Da-yeon wasn't one to blab like some.
Then Yi Bang-won asked, "Brother-in-law, what do you think of this crown prince selection?"
Straight ball out of nowhere. We'd avoided the topic until now. Was it because Ming had finally enfeoffed Yi Seong-gye? That must have stirred crown prince talk.
Emperor Taizu had recognized Joseon's founding and accepted the name, but the formal investiture came this year. Reasons abounded, but I figured it was the name choice: Joseon or Hwaryeong. Joseon was fine, but Hwaryeong echoed the Yuan's secondary capital Kaifeng (Huilin in Hanja)—or rather, they'd later renamed Hwaryeong Garrison after it. Taizu, seeing Hwaryeong, probably seethed at the Yuan reminder, forced Joseon as the pick, and delayed investiture out of spite. Plus threats of a million-man army if they slipped up. The guy's hair-trigger on words like that.
"We'll head back to court soon, so we won't get chances to talk freely like this. That's why I'm asking."
Ah, got it.
"So speak plainly. Isn't that why we're drinking? Should I go first? Honestly, I'm deeply disappointed."
He vented: Yi Bang-gwa as crown prince, he'd accept—no choice. But Yi Bang-seok? Infuriating. A bit of a stretch, that. Sounded like he'd concede to Yi Bang-gwa but saw Yi Bang-seok as absurd.
"And you? Your thoughts?"
The alcohol cleared from my head instantly. His expression demanded an answer. Dodging would cause problems. Time for a careful response.
"Royal affairs are beyond my station, but yes, it violates the law of primogeniture."
"As a Confucian scholar yourself, you know primogeniture matters. Well said. Anything else?"
"But for our house, survival trumps glory. That's our priority."
"True. History shows no house ever thrived ignoring that."
He nodded. Yi Bang-won was sharp—even vague words, he interpreted perfectly. I'd always prioritized clan survival in my actions, so it fit seamlessly. He'd handle the rest; no need for me to overstep. Too much meddling was dangerous.
Then Yi Bang-won shifted gears. "By the way, when do you plan to hold your wedding?"
Now he's interested in my marriage?
"Not thinking about it anytime soon."
"Hmm. Guess I'll have to play matchmaker. I'll find you a suitable bride next year."
"Pardon?"
My eyes nearly bulged. "Why so surprised? Do I not know you well, brother-in-law? I know your standards are high. Seems no woman measures up yet. I'll find one worthy of your eye."
He reminisced about old talks. Sigh. We really do click—we're both womanizers at heart. He knew me better than I knew myself.
Once we were sufficiently tipsy, Yi Bang-won called it a night, and I headed back to sleep.
Meanwhile, back in his chambers, Yi Bang-won sat reflecting.
"Mu-jil's changed a bit, just as my wife said, but he turns into the same old guy once the drinks flow. Even after months, no different."
After marrying Min Da-yeon, Yi Bang-won had often hung out with his brothers-in-law, Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil. Especially the younger but brainy Min Mu-jil—they clicked often. Min Mu-gu's arrogance grated sometimes, but Min Mu-jil? Conversation flowed. Shared loves: women, booze, hunting. Even his complaints about his scary sister were hilarious.
Months of drinking and carousing confirmed it—no changes. Couldn't hunt lately? He lit up at the idea and tagged along. Booze led to girl talk; mention Min Da-yeon, and he'd visibly flinch. Offer a better matchmaker? Face turned beet red. Textbook.
Of course, changes were there. More cautious around him. Even tonight, guarded—except when women came up. A shame. Yi Bang-won wanted that easy camaraderie back.
Less ambition, too. Though pirate hunts still fired him up—direction shifted, but drive intact.
Biggest shift: clan survival over glory. "Must be Yi Bang-seok's selection hitting hard. Understandable—I felt it too."
Yi Bang-won was deep in thought. With Yi Bang-seok as crown prince, he was in peril. He'd been a contender, but now? Guardhouse arrest at best, death at worst. History proved it.
Yet he wavered for two reasons: Could he really rebel against Father successfully? And would Father—and especially Mother—push him that far?
The second gnawed most. Father wouldn't go all-in against him, but Lady Gang? Uncertain. Even with Jeong Do-jeon and her allied, would they truly kill him? He'd once thought no—now, doubt crept in. Min Da-yeon's reports showed open hostility.
That's why he'd probed Min Mu-jil. The answer? Not his place to say or interfere—Yi Bang-won's call. Unspoken, but clear. And correct, of course.
"I like that he doesn't overstep... but what should I do?"
Yi Bang-won pondered on.