Part 1: Min Mu-jil, Auditor of the Ministry of Military Affairs

Several days had already passed since I arrived in Dongnae. Upon arrival, I'd prepared suitable quarters for the returning Joseon troops. It wasn't too difficult, given how vast the Dongnae region was to begin with. Moreover, Yi Cheon-u, who'd come with me, insisted on handling it himself so I could focus on the backlog of the Dongnae magistrate's duties—and that's what I'd been doing.

But the people of Dongnae were overjoyed at the news of our successful conquest of Tsushima and Iki. They'd finally been freed from those accursed Japanese pirates. Perhaps because of that, every day felt like a nonstop feast. I'd shown my face at some of them, of course. But mostly, I'd been busy hanging out with the kids. Especially Wol-i—I'd played with her a lot.

In truth, Wol-i was coming with me to Hanyang to live together. She'd thrown a fit about wanting to go, but I liked her too; she felt like the little sister I never had. With a tough older sister like Min Da-yeon already in the family, I'd always wanted a sweet, adorable younger one. And it wasn't just Wol-i—her only remaining family, her mother, was coming too, as a wet nurse. I'd hired Wol-i's mother for that role. She'd served as a wet nurse in a local prominent household anyway, and since we needed one at home, it worked out perfectly. Plus, her cooking really suited my tastes. Ever since reincarnating into this era, my palate had become incredibly picky; someone who could make food I actually liked was essential. I couldn't exactly cook every meal myself.

I'd thought Han Yeo-ul liked me cooking for her, but the truth was, it was hard to find food that matched my tastes, so I ended up doing it myself most of the time. Her being touched was just a bonus.

Come to think of it, it was a shame there was no way to get gochujang. With gochujang, I could whip up bibimbap easily... but sadly, it didn't exist in this era. There was something similar made with Zanthoxylum piperitum, but it just wasn't the same for me. Anyway, all the arrangements to bring Wol-i and her mother were already in place.

And today, I planned to bring along another family.

"Did you need me, my lord?"

"Yes. Come in."

With that, Jang Yeong-sil entered right away. Yes, I was taking him with me—and since he wouldn't go alone, his mother too.

"I called you here about this."

I pulled out the slave documents for Jang Yeong-sil and his mother.

That's right—Jang Yeong-sil and his mother were now my slaves. After I'd crushed the pirates in Dongnae, the court had granted me twenty slaves as a reward. I'd requested those twenty be exchanged for these two instead, and upon our return from the expedition, approval had come down from the capital. Father had handled it. He'd grumbled in his letter about what a bizarre ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠request it was, but he'd seen it through anyway. Probably figured it was far more beneficial to the state to give me these two rather than twenty random slaves. Of course, it was a pretty blatant loophole—but if loopholes exist, you use them. Others were filing lawsuits to create more slaves; this was downright virtuous by comparison. I was practically liberating slaves here. A good loophole.

Anyway, Jang Yeong-sil and his mother were officially my property now. As I explained the situation, his expression turned strange. But this wasn't the end.

"Yeong-sil, I'm going to free you and your mother."

His eyes widened, trembling visibly.

I'd never intended to keep them as slaves. From observing him, I knew Jang Yeong-sil would do anything to escape slave status. More than that, he wanted to create things under his own name. So, I planned to grant him both wishes as a favor, binding him to me completely.

"Is that true?"

"Yes. But there are conditions."

He bowed his head low.

"I'll do anything. Anything."

My instincts hadn't been wrong.

"Come to Hanyang with me. I'll even find you a house. You can create whatever you want, freely. In return, when the time comes, work for this nation of Joseon. That's my condition."

"Pardon?"

He seemed genuinely shocked.

"Because your talents are that precious. I want to put them to good use, so please accept."

His body began to shake.

"May I speak frankly?"

"Of course."

He bowed deeply to me once more.

"My lifelong dream has been for my mother and me to escape being government slaves or entertainers, and to create things under my own name. For you to grant that dream and bestow even greater favors... I have no words."

Tears streamed down his face. I could imagine—if I'd been a slave and suddenly freed, I'd cry too. He mumbled something, his voice choked with sobs; I couldn't make out the words, but the gratitude was clear. Even though I was doing this partly for my own needs, seeing him like that made my nose tingle.

"Though I am of lowly birth, I know a favor must be repaid. I may not know how, but I swear to repay the grace you've shown me in this lifetime."

"So you'll accept?"

"My skills may be lacking, but if it's what you desire, I'll do anything. Whatever you wish."

He bowed repeatedly in thanks. Success—I'd secured Jang Yeong-sil. The odds had been in my favor from the start. And it felt pretty good. I'd just acquired my engineer.

After that, amid various preparations, the Joseon army finally assembled near Dongnae. Soon, we set off for Hanyang. I had to report to Yi Seong-gye, after all. I'd ordered my retainers to bring Wol-i's family and Jang Yeong-sil's a bit later—not now. I'd given them plenty of money and strict instructions to handle it carefully. With that, we headed to Hanyang. I'd see them again soon enough—just stay safe till then.

A few days later, we arrived in Hanyang. Come to think of it, this was my first time here. Where was my house? Han Yeo-ul had said Father had prepared it, and it was quite nice. Father really was loaded. Well, owning four massive estates in the southern provinces made that a given.

As Kim Sa-hyeong and I approached the Hanyang capital gates, there at Heunginjimun stood Yi Seong-gye and a crowd of others.

Whoa—they'd come all the way to Heunginjimun to welcome us? How thrilled must they be? With Queen Gang's death and the cipher document crisis still unresolved, our massive victory must have been a huge relief.

Anyway, spotting Yi Seong-gye, we all dismounted, knelt, and paid our respects. He responded,

"I am truly overjoyed. To think you've crushed these long-standing pirate foes of our Joseon so decisively. I am immensely grateful to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you all."

With that, he took Kim Sa-hyeong's hand.

"I knew you could do it, Left Prime Minister. Not only subjugating Tsushima and Iki, but driving out the pirates from Gotō Islands and Kyushu too—you are truly my right arm."

"No, my lord. It was the valor of all who fought that brought victory, not my merit alone. Please withdraw such praise."

So humble. Yi Seong-gye seemed to share the sentiment, praising Kim Sa-hyeong's modesty before commending the other commanders. Everyone had worked hard, he said, and they'd receive due rewards.

Then his gaze fell on Min Mu-gu and me.

"The two sons of Samsa Left Deputy Minister Min Je have achieved great feats—commendable indeed. Especially the Dongnae magistrate, whose contributions from Dongnae to Iki fill me with joy. Samsa Left Deputy Minister must be proud to have two such exceptional sons."

Father bowed his head, saying it was mere good fortune. Yi Seong-gye just chuckled.

Afterward, he ordered Yi Hwa, Jeong Do-jeon, and Jo Jun to prepare a grand banquet, directing us all to the palace to join it. We did.

I enjoyed the festivities moderately before slipping out on the pretext of visiting Sopi. Had to watch the drinking—get too drunk, and mistakes happen.

As I wandered away from the banquet hall, I spotted Yi Bang-won and Min Mu-gu emerging.

"Brother-in-law, what are you doing out here?"

"Ah, just getting some air. And you, Prince Jeongan?"

During the banquet, Jeong Do-jeon had composed a song praising Yi Seong-gye's military prowess and virtue, which was performed. Yi Seong-gye then commanded Jeong Do-jeon to dance since he'd written it—and he did, right there.

"Father called him 'the original meritorious subject' and lavished praise. Anyone hearing it would think Jeong Do-jeon led the Tsushima conquest himself. And he accepted it like it was his due. Unbelievable—who actually swung swords and fought out there?"

In short, they were drunk and tired of the sycophancy.

"Anyway, both of you worked hard. No more provincial posts—you can serve comfortably at court now."

"Of course, Prince Jeongan."

"Call me brother-in-law."

"Yes, brother-in-law."

"Rest up a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠few days, then let's discuss our future plans."

"Yes."

After the banquet ended, I went home, reunited with Han Yeo-ul, and greeted my parents and Min Da-yeon. They were thrilled, saying I'd done well. Han Yeo-ul, who'd clearly worried, burst into tears the moment she saw me.

When I mentioned bringing Wol-i's family and Jang Yeong-sil's, she had no objections—said she'd follow my lead.

Spending time with family like that, the rewards for the Tsushima conquest came through. Kim Sa-hyeong and other meritorious officers received slaves and grain, plus increased stipends. I got a hefty amount of grain too.

Some rose in rank, but most notably, Min Mu-gu was appointed Jeong 5th Grade Jungnangjang of the Eungmu Siwisa (Imperial Guard)—one of the Ten Garrisons (reorganized from the pre-capital top ten ranks on Jeong Do-jeon's suggestion). As expected, he didn't make Hogun. Honestly, that would have been overkill.

I got promoted too—unexpectedly high: Jeong 5th Grade Auditor of the Ministry of Military Affairs. Beyond expectations. Min Mu-gu was now an Imperial Guard Jungnangjang, while I oversaw lower martial officials—a position of real authority. I'd thought Jeong Do-jeon might just bump the rank and sideline us, but both Min Mu-gu and I landed posts with actual power.

The family threw a celebration banquet. We'd finally climbed to positions of real influence, a huge boon for future endeavors.

Then, a messenger arrived urgently from the palace. Ha Ryeon had returned with Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang's edict, summoning us all to court. Father was called too—the Six Ministers and key retainers needed to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠deliberate. Events kept popping up non-stop. I'd hoped for some peace.

With Zhu Yuanzhang around, that was a pipe dream. Anyway, with the crisis brewing, we ended the banquet early, and Father hurried to the palace.

What could it be? No doubt some Ming bullying—what kind this time?

Meanwhile, once all the high ministers assembled at court, Yi Seong-gye had Ha Ryeon read the edict. Ha Ryeon did so immediately.

"What say you, ministers?"

Yi Seong-gye was practically dying of headache. The triumph of Tsushima had lifted spirits, only for Zhu Yuanzhang to crush them again. Still, he couldn't ignore the emperor's whims, so he'd gathered the council for countermeasures.

Kim Sa-hyeong spoke up.

"The emperor seems intent on probing whether Joseon had motives beyond pirate defense. Or rather, he already suspects ulterior purposes and seeks pretext to pressure us harder."

All nodded. Everyone knew Zhu Yuanzhang dismissed others' views, fixated on his own.

"We must send an envoy regardless. Without explanation, he'll suspect our intentions even more."

"Left Prime Minister Jo Jun is right. An envoy is essential."

"Agreed. Who shall go?"

Kim Sa-hyeong bowed, volunteering as the expedition's overall commander. But all ministers opposed—too dangerous, with the explicit threat of punishment.

Then Jeong Do-jeon suggested,

"Yongyang Sunwi-sa Sangjanggun Sin Geuk-rye and Eungmu Siwisa Jungnangjang Min Mu-gu would suffice. Both shone in every battle."

But Jo Jun countered,

"In my view, Jungchuwon Busa Yi Cheon-u and Ministry of Military Affairs Auditor Min Mu-jil would be ideal."

Thus, Jo Jun and Jeong Do-jeon's opinions clashed.