Part 1 - Min Mu-jil Catches the Hongwu Emperor's Eye
I'd been dragged before the Hongwu Emperor. Left Grand Commandant Seo Hwi-jo had hauled me straight there out of nowhere—while I was sleeping, no less. But since they'd bothered to bring me here instead of killing me outright in broad daylight with the entire Joseon envoy present, it didn't seem like they planned to execute me. Right? Except I couldn't read this guy's intentions at all.
So why the hell had they brought me here? I hadn't done anything wrong. Was it because I'd met with people from Prince Yan's faction? Nah, that wouldn't enrage the emperor. I'd been so paranoid about slipping up that I hadn't even touched a drop of alcohol. What could it be?
Je Tae, the one they should've nabbed, got away scot-free, and now the emperor was throwing a fit. Go figure. I kept my face to the floor, head bowed.
Then, through the interpreter, the emperor spoke.
He went on about us eyeing Liaodong again. Why the fuck was he telling me? But more importantly, I'd heard we'd withdrawn our troops before sending the envoys. Guess Jeong Do-jeon had pulled them back half-assed, planning to restart once the envoys returned. The emperor had sniffed it out and was losing his shit.
I didn't hate Jeong Do-jeon—okay, I did—but even I thought rallying the Jurchens and pulling them to our side was smart policy. Problem was, advertising it so blatantly like this pissed off the emperor. The guy had zero grasp of nuance. If he thought something was right, he'd just bulldoze ahead. Which was why he eventually went down in flames.
But why was he taking it out on me? I was a low-ranking nobody; if he wanted to vent on someone insignificant, fine, but the emperor killed high officials too. He'd offed Kim Gu-yong right when he arrived as envoy. No reason to pick me specifically.
Time to say something. If his eyes started rolling, I was done for.
"Your Majesty, this humble servant is a low-ranking official and knows little of such matters."
Enemies on all sides. Jeong Do-jeon behind me, the Hongwu Emperor in front, and my brother-in-law the killer Yi Bang-won somewhere in the mix. My life sucked.
I mustered my courage.
"The land where this servant dwells has groaned under endless war for years. From the Japanese pirates to the northern barbarians, invasions never ceased. Our territory lies in ruins, and the people die of starvation or battle. The pirates especially came every year like clockwork, plundering and massacring without mercy. Their atrocities are beyond words."
I recounted the pirates slicing open the bellies of two- or three-year-old girls for rituals and burning them alive—tales of their horrors that had made even me puke from historical records. No wonder I hated those bastards. This round, I'd wipe them out for good.
The emperor paused.
"Joseon strives endlessly to prevent such horrors from repeating. How it appears to Your Majesty, I cannot say, but we did it to protect our people. I beg Your Majesty's merciful understanding."
"This servant holds no such position, but even if I did, I couldn't until the pirates are eradicated. Moreover, don't the pirates seize countless people from Great Ming too? As Your Majesty pities them, please pity Joseon as well."
"Yes."
If I fucked up here, Jeong Do-jeon would kill me back home for harming Joseon. Better to die here than give that bastard an excuse. The guy who'd threatened my father with my life? No way I'd help him, even in death. Father had always treated me well; I couldn't bring him the shame of raising a son who'd harmed Joseon.
But fuck, I was scared. I didn't want to die. Any way out?
Moments later, he told me to raise my head. I did, and he stared into my eyes before bursting into laughter.
Was my trembling entertaining him? Asshole.
Then:
I had thoughts on that.
"Glorious as the Tang and Song."
He laughed heartily.
That was Emperor Kangxi's assessment of him, and it clearly hit home. Even after all the bullying he'd heaped on Joseon, I genuinely thought Zhu Yuanzhang was remarkable. Going from beggar monk to unifier of China? No small feat. Ability-wise, he was unmatched in Chinese history. Personality aside. Today alone proved his character was shit.
Anyway, seemed like I'd survive.
"Please let our envoy—"
"Your Majesty, then please grant saltpeter to Joseon."
"Yes. In my view, a massive pirate invasion looms soon; we'll need much gunpowder. Please grant saltpeter to aid Joseon."
He laughed again.
I was released and headed back to the envoy quarters for more sleep. I'd aged ten years. What kind of life was this? But scoring saltpeter—a huge shortage back home—meant it was worth it. Lucky break.
Who was the "other fellow," though? Not Jeong Do-jeon; he wouldn't have laughed like that about me.
The next day, I told Yi Bang-won and the envoys about the night before. They were shocked, then looked like they'd aged ten years themselves. Yi Bang-won grabbed my hand, praising my ordeal and lauding my "Chiryu Dangsong" line as genius.
Nam Jae and Jo Ban agreed.
"Brother-in-law, you really suffered. Anyway, the emperor..."
Yi Bang-won trailed off—the emperor was probably watching us.
Nam Jae chimed in. "Seems the emperor took a liking to you. Asking for saltpeter as a reward? Brilliant."
"No, my lord."
"Yes, it was. With the emperor's temperament, gold or jewels might've gotten you killed. He despises the greedy."
News to me. The saltpeter idea, sparked by pirate thoughts, had saved my neck.
"From what you say, it went well. He wouldn't promise saltpeter if the envoy issue wasn't settled."
"Then we're good."
"Indeed. Rest easy now, brother-in-law. You earned it."
"Thanks. But never again."
"Of course. Who'd want that? Our business here's done; we wait. Back home, I'll throw a feast for you. Nam Jae, Jo Ban, come too."
"Yes, Lord Jeongan."
We stayed at the envoy quarters, treated lavishly—Yi Bang-won almost like Ming royalty. Even my remaining duties got better treatment.
Soon, the emperor summoned the full envoy. We prostrated, save Yi Bang-won. The emperor declared:
"I have heard your explanations. I will not contest your military buildup henceforth. I permit saltpeter sales to you; purchase at next tribute. This time, I grant four thousand geun separately—use it well against the pirates. Other issues I will ponder and reply later. Now receive my rescript and depart."
It'd gone great. No concessions on Jurchens, though—trouble later, but military reforms and such were sorted for now.
"The Joseon prince and Ministry of War clerk pleased me; I grant silk bolts—one hundred to each prince, fifty to the clerk. Take them."
Personal gifts too. Fifty bolts of silk? Jackpot.
"We are endlessly grateful, Your Majesty."
We ended the audience and prepped to return. With Ming ships, saltpeter, gifts, the rescript—we boarded.
Before departure, Je Tae saw us off, bowing deeply to Yi Bang-won. To me:
"I've learned much from you, Excellency. Stay well."
Pleasing the emperor and bonding with Je Tae? Mission accomplished beyond expectations. Sweet.
Je Tae bowed to Yi Bang-won again; we sailed. Finally, homeward.
As the Joseon envoys departed, the Hongwu Emperor chuckled in the palace.
The emperor had been impressed by Goryeo's Jeong Mong-ju: braving a death-march envoy trip, boldly stating Goryeo's needs, unbowed by threats, eyes teary for his people.
Min Mu-jil amused him differently. No eloquence or heartstrings like Jeong, but those eyes—caring for the people. A low-rank speaking freely, feigning resolve while trembling in fear of death. Hilarious. And requesting saltpeter like Jeong? Funny. He'd never planned to kill anyway; intimidation was the goal. But the fear made him seem harmless, unlike Jeong Do-jeon.
He hated long praises; those four punchy characters nailed his reign perfectly.
The emperor laughed heartily for the first time in ages. Then sobered.
Once the commandant left:
He planned to corner Jeong Do-jeon, bolster Yi Bang-won, sow chaos in Joseon's court. Keep their military just enough for southern pirates—no more ambitions.
November 1394: The Ming envoys finally reached Gyeongseong.
Phew. Joseon soil at last. The voyage was fun, especially boozing with Yi Bang-won. He praised me endlessly for my ordeal. Sure, I'd suffered, but the emperor's generosity felt outsized. Terror had blinded me then, but why intimidate then reward? Something was up. The emperor's paranoia was legendary, even toward foreigners. Despite liking me, he'd surely plot to screw us—Joseon included. I'd deduce from his future moves.
Anyway, massive gains this trip. Diplomatic win; huge for my resume.
Nam Jae said, "Gyeongseong soon, Lord Jeongan."
Right, Gyeongseong. Meet Yi Seong-gye first, then family reunion. We headed to the Suhyang Palace.