Part 1: Min Mu-jil and Jang Yeong-sil
About two hours after they were surrounded, 300 cavalrymen arrived. A bit later than expected. I greeted them gladly.
But to my surprise, Choi Yun-deok's father, Choi Un-hae, had come in person.
"I never imagined the Adjutant General himself would come."
"When I heard a large force of Japanese pirates had invaded, I had to come myself. But it looks like the situation is already over."
"That's how it turned out, sir."
I explained what had happened, and he nodded.
"Your abilities are remarkable."
"I was just lucky."
"Too much humility can be a problem. Yun-deok wasn't exaggerating when he praised you."
He's right about that. But had Choi Yun-deok praised me to his father? I was grateful.
"Well then, now we should mop up the remaining enemies, right?"
"Of course, sir."
With that, I joined Choi Un-hae in commanding the troops to attack. With the 300 cavalry now added, we launched a relentless assault. The enemies resisted desperately, but they couldn't withstand the arrows from our archers combined with the cavalry and infantry charges, collapsing one by one. The field grew piled with the corpses of the Japanese pirates.
At that moment, one of them shouted, "We'll surrender! Please spare us!"
I debated just killing him, but for the sake of intelligence, I accepted his surrender. Once I did, a few more began to defect. As they surrendered, the rest crumbled even faster, and we annihilated them all. Nothing remained on the field but the bodies of the pirates.
In the end, we had successfully repelled the pirate invasion.
Right on cue, the naval commander reported to Choi Un-hae that all their ships had been burned.
"Everyone, good work. This was a perfect victory. Let's check the battle results."
"Yes, sir."
Afterward, we tallied the results. Including those killed in the siege battle, we had annihilated about 1,900 pirates and captured 79 prisoners. We'd burned most of the 100 ships, seizing 50 seok of rice and various goods as spoils. Our losses, all told, were around 90 men—half of them wounded—so actual casualties were remarkably low. Even if most of the enemy were pirates, fishermen, and farmers, this was an overwhelmingly superior kill ratio.
Now it was time to return to Dongnae.
Back in Dongnae, Choi Un-hae decided to transport all the prisoners for interrogation, and he would report the battle results. Truth be told, I had no particular information I wanted and just wanted to hand off the cleanup so I could rest.
Choi Un-hae withdrew to his camp with the cavalry and prisoners. After that, I wrote a detailed letter to Min Da-yeon describing the battle's progress and the reasons for launching the Dae Ma-do Conquest, then sent it straight to Hanyang. With this much detail, I trusted Min Da-yeon would discuss it with Yi Bang-won and handle it well. I'd even included ways to prevent Jeong Do-jeon from scheming.
Now, all that was left was to tidy up and await the conquest of Tsushima.
Afterward, I hosted a feast for the soldiers to celebrate the victory. Everyone was thrilled with the great win and ate heartily. My estate's grain was all used up, but it was worth it.
The next day, I resumed my duties as county magistrate.
I handled my work, but in my free time, I played with the kids. It wasn't a problem since I finished my tasks first.
"Brother's stories are always so fun!"
"You think so?"
Wol-i was the one who enjoyed my stories the most. From the moment I arrived in Dongnae as magistrate, she'd been overjoyed to see me again. But I'd been too busy to play much—now that the pirates were dealt with, I had time to spare.
Seeing this, Choi Yun-deok joked that maybe I wanted to come to Dongnae just to play with these kids—not entirely wrong.
Then Wol-i said, "Brother! Look at this. Pretty, right?" She showed me a wooden doll, far more intricate and ornate than the one I'd given her before. Impressive craftsmanship.
"Did you make this, Wol-i?"
"I made it, but a friend helped carve it!" She explained how she'd told my stories to this friend, who carved it as payment. But at this level, wasn't it basically the friend's work? A child carved this? Incredible talent.
"But brother, can I bring that kid? They want to hear your stories too. They're a government slave here, but that's okay, right?"
"Of course. Since when do I care about that?"
Government slave, commoner, or yangban—what did it matter? Kids were kids.
"As expected! I'll go get them!"
Wol-i dashed off. Soon she returned with the child, who was trembling.
"It's okay. Brother's a good person."
"Even so, how could a lowly thing like me listen to the magistrate..."
So young, yet already thinking like that. Sad.
"Come here, it's fine."
"See? It's okay!"
Wol-i brought the child before me, but they prostrated themselves, shaking.
"Stand up, it's alright."
They hesitated, then knelt. So cautious. As a government slave, to them I was like the sky itself.
"What's your name?"
"Yeong-sil, sir."
Yeong-sil? No way.
"What's your family name?"
"I have none, but I know my father was from the Jang clan."
The real Jang Yeong-sil? I hadn't expected this. To meet that Jang Yeong-sil here... I'd tell stories for now and investigate properly later. Might not be him.
I told old tales to Wol-i and Yeong-sil, and they listened intently—especially Yeong-sil.
"Was it fun?"
They both nodded eagerly.
Then to Yeong-sil, "Will you come with me for a bit?"
"I did wrong, sir."
Why so nervous? "No, I like your craftsmanship."
"Really. Brother's super nice—no problem coming along."
"Alright. See you later, Wol-i."
"Yes!"
I brought Yeong-sil to the office and checked his household registry. It matched what I knew: mother a government courtesan, father from Yuan China, and insane manual dexterity. Come to think of it, I'd heard Jang Yeong-sil was from Dongnae. Confirmed. This child was Joseon's greatest inventor under King Sejong.
An invaluable talent. I had no crafting skills myself—total klutz in past and present lives. Great with a sword, but zero invention ability. I'd lamented not being able to realize my future knowledge without a craftsman. Now I'd found one.
Just ten years old, but grown up, he'd create all the inventions I envisioned. History proved it. Even his wooden doll showed it plainly. More valuable than most civil or military officials. Pirates aside, coming to Dongnae was the best decision.
"Yeong-sil."
"Yes, Magistrate."
"Go on home. I'll send good news soon."
He looked puzzled but left. Jang Yeong-sil. I'd free him and take him to Hanyang. No letting him slip away. But his eyes held deep resentment—likely from status discrimination. I'd free his slave status and bring him to Hanyang. For me, no—for Joseon.
Meanwhile, Jang Yeong-sil thought, "Maybe he's nicer than expected? No, he's high-ranking—they're all the same."
He'd heard much about Min Mu-jil: a promising official promoted to 5th-grade magistrate at 23, brother-in-law to a prince, from the prestigious Yeheung Min Clan—one of Joseon's top noble houses. Even met the Ming Emperor. Most shocking: prince's brother-in-law. From his position, impossibly high.
Even the haughty Ho clan trembled before Min Mu-jil, unable to speak. And his overwhelming private soldiers. But Jang Yeong-sil disliked highborns. To them, government slaves weren't people. They'd ignored his sick mother, treated her like discarded trash. Whipped him for tending her. Even "kind" Ho clansmen to tenant farmers were harsh to slaves. So he trusted no nobles.
Wol-i said Min Mu-jil was different, but he didn't believe her—kids don't badmouth favorites. Min Mu-jil seemed kind telling stories, but not for him. Even decent nobles were brutal to slaves.
"Ming might be better? There, slaves can sell under their own name proudly."
He dreamed of selling his creations under his name. Impossible as a slave, so he eyed Ming. Japan? No—enemies in Dongnae.
But he shook his head. No way to Ming. No vain hopes. He went home.
Meanwhile, Min Da-yeon read Min Mu-jil's letter and rejoiced.
"Mu-jil achieved a great feat."
She'd wondered why he endured such expense and hardship—now thrilled at the true merit. No one had repelled so many pirates lately.
Reading on, she saw the proposal for Dae Ma-do Conquest and reasons. She pondered.
"He's right. It makes sense. The perfect opportunity for us."
She showed the letter to Yi Bang-won, who read carefully and smiled.
"Mu-jil not only crushed the pirates but gave us a golden chance."
"You think so too, my lord."
"I see why he sent it so urgently. Before the official report, preempt Jeong Do-jeon faction—plan the conquest now. Excellent justification. With court chaos over the tribute envoy scandal, everyone will support a Tsushima expedition. Even Zhu Yuan-zhang, ever watchful of pirates, will see it smoothing tribute issues. No one opposes. Even Jeong Do-jeon must agree—he trembles at pirates."
"But Ha Ryeon and Gwon Geun are absent. Telling Father might cause issues."
"Recommend Kim Sa-hyeong as commander via Nam Jae. With him leading, we sideline Jeong's faction, place our men, claim major merits. Beneficial for Joseon too—must do it."
Yi Bang-won hated pirates too—from his clerk days, he'd heard their atrocities. Uprooting them suited him. Plus, restore his sidelined allies. Win-win.
"What if Jeong volunteers?"
"Gang is ill; Jeong won't leave Yi Bang-seok for Tsushima. If she dies mid-planning, even less. First time I'm grateful to her—ill at such a time. Truly heavenly punishment, as you said."
Yi Bang-won laughed heartily for the first time in ages. Min Da-yeon too—they despised Gang.
"You're right. Best proceed quickly."
"No. Execute the day the official report arrives. If pre-knowledge leaks, Jeong will make trouble."
Min Da-yeon nodded. "True."
But Yi Bang-won doubted Min Mu-jil's advice to persuade Sin Geuk-rye if Jeong obstructed—why help, as Gang's nephew? He ignored it.
They informed Min Je, asking to notify them immediately upon official report. Then Yi Bang-won awaited it.