Part 1 - The Tsushima Conquest Begins
October 23, 1396. The preparations for the Dae Ma-do Conquest were finally complete. A massive expeditionary force had been assembled—13,000 troops and 400 warships, an undertaking of considerable scale.
Kim Sa-hyeong, the Dotongje and Chechi-sa-in of the Five Provinces' Armies and Cavalry, was appointed supreme commander, with Yi Mu as Chechal-sa and Nam Jae as Do-byeongma-sa. Shim In-bong was named Left Army Adjutant, Sin Geuk-rye as Center Army Adjutant, and Yi Cheon-u as Right Army Adjutant.
The fleet would depart from Geoje, regroup there, and set sail for Dae Ma-do on November 5. And so, on this day, October 23, Kim Sa-hyeong led the army out of Dongnae.
Yi Seong-gye emerged with his civil and military officials to see him off.
"I trust you'll conquer both Dae Ma-do and Iki Island and return victorious."
Yi Seong-gye had high expectations for the conquest. The forgery incident remained unresolved, and with his favored consort from the Gang Clan dead, the kingdom's mood was unsettled. A major victory was needed to restore order—and Kim Sa-hyeong knew it well.
"Your Highness, I will bring back news of triumph. Rest assured, I shall meet your expectations."
"Very well. I place my faith in you."
Yi Seong-gye bestowed a battle axe upon Kim Sa-hyeong and bows upon the others. Receiving these, Kim Sa-hyeong and his men departed for Geoje.
As Yi Seong-gye watched them go, his gaze fell on Yi Bang-won. The man's broad smile irritated him, but he soon reasoned it away. After all, Yi Bang-won had welcomed a new son just half a year prior, and Min Da-yeon had recently announced her pregnancy.
Though Yi Bang-won grated on him, the loss of three young sons was tragic enough that Yi Seong-gye resolved to overlook it. He headed straight for the tomb of Queen Consort Gang from the Sin Deok line.
Tending the grave, he then visited the nearby Heungcheon Temple to pray for victory in the expedition and her rebirth in paradise. Midway, he recalled her dying wish—how could she speak of killing her own son?—and dismissed it.
Soon after, Kim Sa-hyeong's expeditionary force arrived at Geoje. He immediately ordered the troops organized and convened his generals for a strategy session. Min Mu-jil attended, seated beside Sin Geuk-rye.
As I'd hoped, I'd been assigned to the Dae Ma-do Conquest and was now observing the strategy meeting beside Sin Geuk-rye. Kim Sa-hyeong spoke up.
"Intelligence reports that pirates from Hokukju have bolstered their numbers on Dae Ma-do and Iki Island—considerable forces. Adjutant, how many?"
"Yes, sir. Around 200 ships on Dae Ma-do and 250 on Iki Island."
Damn, that's a lot. But from the details, it included fishing boats. Smashing them shouldn't be an issue.
He pointed to the map.
"Once we anchor at Dae Ma-do, the wako from Iki will surely maneuver to strike our rear. We must prepare not just for landing but for naval combat."
Nam Jae replied, "So, split the army—one to conquer Dae Ma-do, the other to face the wako from Iki."
"Precisely. Let's discuss."
After lengthy debate, they reached these conclusions:
1. The full force advances to the southern coast of Dae Ma-do.
2. Land on Dae Ma-do, seize it, and rescue the captured Joseon and Ming subjects. The daimyo will flee to the mountains and fortify, so surround but do not assault them yet.
3. Kim Sa-hyeong leads the center army to ambush and rout the wako from Iki, then proceeds to conquer the island and secure the daimyo's surrender.
4. The center army returns to Dae Ma-do to accept its daimyo's surrender.
That was the plan. Clearly, the center army's role was pivotal—after all, Sin Geuk-rye's center army formed Joseon's main strength, packed with hwapo cannons. Mu-jil and I, attached to it, stood to claim major merits.
I couldn't wait to see Jeong Do-jeon's face when this was over. Queen Gang was in her grave, but she'd probably be fuming too.
Nam Jae raised a concern. "The landing on Dae Ma-do is the issue. They'll expect us and fortify the southern beaches. Breaking through is the real challenge."
All nodded. Landings were always toughest, and these men knew it.
"Any ideas?"
Sin Geuk-rye said, "My deputy has a good suggestion. I think it's solid—worth hearing."
"Intriguing. Let's hear it."
Sin Geuk-rye nodded to me. My turn.
I stepped forward. "Dongnae County Magistrate Min Mu-jil, attached to the center army."
"Yes. What's your idea? Be brief."
They all loved brevity. I pointed to the map.
"The daimyo will erect palisades here and tall watchtowers to block our landing. We must neutralize them."
Yi Mu snapped, "We know that. Get to the point."
This guy... Just like Jeong Do-jeon's friend. Steady.
"Form a line with the warships and blast the towers and palisades with hwapo. They won't expect coastal bombardment— it'll break their spirit for a clean landing."
Suppressing defenses with artillery before landing was textbook.
Kim Sa-hyeong nodded. "Like Song versus Yuan. Good thinking, but we'll tweak it."
Tweak how?
"We must conserve powder for the Iki naval battle. Start with your line formation and fire. Sow chaos, then close in with incendiary arrows. Land the paddlers under archer cover and engage."
Smart—factoring in the wako fight, and hwapo here were more for intimidation than kills. For real slaughter, incendiaries were needed. His reputation for military prowess was well-earned.
"Thanks for the insight. You'll make this landing easy."
"My honor, Commander."
They wrapped up details, ending the meeting. Kim Sa-hyeong concluded, "Assemble at dusk on November 5 and sail for Dae Ma-do. Train your men well until then."
"Yes, Commander."
We exited the tent. Mu-jil and I followed Sin Geuk-rye.
"I count on you two. Prince Jeong-an praised you highly, and I've seen why. Great things expected."
"Yes, Adjutant."
Sin Geuk-rye had warmed to us since meeting—same faction now, naturally. He pitied my treatment by Jeong Do-jeon; apparently, it showed. The Ming fiasco had been blatant. Thinking back still chilled me.
Yi Cheon-u greeted us warmly. We'd always been close—he was Min Da-kyeong's husband, our brother-in-law like Yi Bang-won.
Curiously, his stepmother was Mun Ik-jeom's daughter. Never expected that name to resurface.
"Brothers-in-law, it's been ages. Well?"
"Brother-in-law, truly too long. My apologies for the delay."
"Nonsense. You've been swamped with wako hunts, then organizing here. Mu-jil, really been a while."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
"You've endured much. Shocked by the Ming tale, and congrats on the merits."
"No, brother-in-law—you crushed the Gangwon wako. Well done."
"Not comparable. Let's eat and talk. Center Adjutant, may I borrow them?"
"Family? Of course."
With his blessing, we followed Yi Cheon-u. In his tent, we chatted—mostly family. As he said, we were kin. Min Da-yeon was pregnant; that child was surely Joseon's hope, King Sejong. I admired him greatly and yearned to bond, but it would sharpen purge eyes. Patience.
Jeong Do-jeon came up mid-talk; Yi Cheon-u despised him too. He'd protested not being informed early of the princes' revolt. Hardcore hater. So many loathed Jeong—restrained only by Yi Seong-gye. He was surrounded by enemies.
Yet assessments were consistent: stellar ability, rotten character. Poster child for talent-personality inverse.
Yi Cheon-u subtly dissed Queen Gang too. Perfect fit for us. The original owner liked him; his slight frivolity was refreshing. Maybe why he wasn't in the initial princes' revolt crew?
Starting with Yi Cheon-u, Mu-jil and I caught up with allies while drilling our troops. Dusk on November 5, we boarded for Dae Ma-do.
Min Mu-gu beside me said, "Mu-jil, let's claim big merits this time."
"Of course, brother—that's why I devised the ploy."
"Heard from sister. Mind-blowing every time. Always knew you were sharp, but that move? Got us center army despite Jeong. Brilliant."
Endless praise. He went to his duties. I cleaned weapons, checked hwapo, prepared for battle.
The Dae Ma-do Conquest. Exciting—Joseon's first overseas campaign.
We sailed toward it.
Meanwhile, at dawn on November 6, Tsushima islanders fished amid drought's desperation—no other survival without it. Raids on Joseon had grown too risky from their defenses.
Fishing boats out, they spotted sails afar.
"Ming raiders returning?"
"Who raids now? No one sails with Joseon rumors."
Hence dawn fishing—daytime banned with war looming.
"True. Then what are those?"
"Fog's thick."
Fog cleared: vast armada. Fishermen gaped, recognized Joseon ships.
"Joseon army! Joseon!"
"How many? Endless."
They fled, alerting all: Joseon had come.
The daimyo, expecting them, reeled at the scale—over 400 ships? Unthinkable. He requested Iki aid and manned coastal defenses: towers and palisades ready. Landings were vulnerable; strike then.
"Against 400-plus, this is best."
As he fortified, the Joseon fleet arrived—immense.
"They're serious. Battle stations! Rain arrows on landing."
"Yes, Daimyo!"
From his tower, he commanded, awaiting the landing. But the Joseon ships didn't—they formed a line. Baffled, then flames erupted: hwapo barrage.