The Hunt for Jeong Mong-ju
For the time being, I was assigned the role of gathering information. Well, in historical dramas, the Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil brothers often acted as messengers relaying intel around Yi Bang-won. Afterward, I used the clan's connections to dig up information—and uncovered something crucial.
A man named Byeon Jung-ryang had leaked the assassination plot to Jeong Mong-ju himself. And Jeong Mong-ju was heading straight to Yi Seong-gye's house for a sick visit.
So I said, "Brother, I'll go report to my brother-in-law. You keep an eye on Jeong Mong-ju. He'll probably head somewhere else after Yi Seong-gye the Great's place—check that out too."
If my memory served right, Jeong Mong-ju would visit a mourning house around now. Even if not, surveilling him was essential.
"Alright, Mu-jil."
I mounted my horse and rode straight to Yi Bang-won's residence. He greeted me with obvious delight upon my arrival.
"What brings you here?"
"Yes, brother-in-law. A man named Byeon Jung-ryang leaked the plan to Jeong Mong-ju."
"Is that so? And what of Jeong Mong-ju now?"
"He's heading to the Chief State Councillor—Yi Seong-gye— for a sick visit."
"I see. Jeong Mong-ju's scouting our weaknesses. And trying to sway my father one way or another."
Hmm, is that how it goes? It did make sense, though.
"Good work, brother-in-law. We'll have to change the plan."
Originally, Yi Bang-won had intended to kill Jeong Mong-ju outright at the Dodang without mercy. Beating a kingdom's prime minister to death right in the Dodang? It fit Yi Bang-won's infamous reputation perfectly. They'd planned to strike when he was alone there, but with the leak, killing him in the Dodang would be tough—his followers would be swarming the place.
So, time for a new plan. Yi Bang-won summoned his men. As they gathered around him, I recognized all the faces: Yi Hwa, Yi Bang-gwa, Jo Yeong-mu, Jo Yeong-gyu, Go Yeo, I Bu, and more.
Once everyone assembled, Yi Bang-won announced the leak and Jeong Mong-ju's visit to Yi Seong-gye's sickbed.
"It'd be best to kill him on the road. Actually, this works out perfectly. Jeong Mong-ju's come out alone—prime hunting opportunity. It'll make for a better example."
Just beat him to death in broad daylight on the street? This guy was terrifying.
Then Yi Hwa spoke up. "If Jeong Mong-ju's caught on, he might tell your brother. What if he flies into a rage?"
"We can't miss this chance. If Father gets angry, I'll persuade him with the greater good. No need to worry. Arm yourselves. We move fast."
As we grabbed our weapons, Min Mu-gu returned.
"Brother-in-law!"
"What is it?"
"Jeong Mong-ju's on his way back. But he's stopping at the mourning house of the late former Kaesong Governor Yu Won."
Oh? He's really going to the mourning house, just like in the histories.
Yi Bang-won grinned. "Heaven's on our side. Now we can finish him cleanly."
"So, Lord U Bu-daeyeon—Yi Bang-won—how will you kill Jeong Mong-ju?"
Yi Bang-won laid it out. "Brothers-in-law, wait near the mourning house and greet him first. Let him relax seeing you. Then loose an arrow—graze him, nothing fatal. It'll make riding hard. Drive him here."
"Understood, brother-in-law."
Suddenly, I was up for sword work. Not what I'd expected, but refusing now would be ridiculous. No choice—steel myself. I'd braced for this since possessing Min Mu-jil. Blood on my hands was inevitable, countless times over.
"Panjeon Gaeksisasa Jo Yeong-gyu, wait here and join to herd Jeong Mong-ju toward Seonji Bridge. Then General Jo Yeong-mu joins from this alley. I Bu and Go Yeo, position at Seonji Bridge and strike him down there."
Jo Yeong-gyu objected. "Wouldn't it be simpler to just kill him outright? No need to hunt him like game."
"We do it this way. We'll show the capital what happens to those who defy our house—right in the heart of the city."
Yi Bang-won was turning it into a public hunt, spectacle for all Gyeongseong to see. We beat Jeong Mong-ju to death in broad daylight like hunting prey—what can you do about it? A public execution, plain and simple.
"After killing Jeong Mong-ju, brothers-in-law—go to your father-in-law and report, rally any remnants. General Jo Yeong-mu, report to me. I'll tell Father myself."
"Yes, Lord U Bu-daeyeon."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
As we headed out, Yi Bang-won called me back.
"Brother-in-law, what is it?"
"You've both worked hard. I'll reward you for this."
"No need, brother-in-law."
Just spare us the purges...
"Especially you, Mu-jil—you wanted the southern provinces? After this, I'll make it happen. Count on you."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
After farewells, Min Mu-gu and I waited near Yu Won's mourning house, hiding as best we could.
Min Mu-gu asked, "Mu-jil, why the southern provinces?"
Min Mu-gu and I were close. Brothers, sure, but he valued family and clan above all, doting on me especially. He'd nursed me through a real fever—not my blood brother, but he'd act the part, even try to save me in purges.
"I want to rack up some merits too."
"Pirates are rare now. What merits?"
No suspicion—he clearly thought Min Mu-jil craved achievements. Pirates had indeed quieted down.
"Pirates could strike anytime. General Park Wi's Tsushima conquest paused them, but it's temporary."
Spot on. They'd surge next year. No wonder Yi Seong-gye launched a second Dae Ma-do Conquest.
"Hmm, possible. But Mu-jil, when's your wedding? You're nineteen—due time."
Wedding. Luckily, Min Mu-jil wasn't married, and I had no plans soon. Too busy surviving.
"After the new dynasty's founded."
"Makes sense. Our clan will have wed a prince by then—better matches await. Smart thinking. Go south, return after. No—after the prince..."
"Brother, best not say more."
"Right, nearly slipped. Just us, though?"
That's why you died—watch your mouth from now on. Great guy otherwise. Yi Seong-gye becoming king was set, but crown prince talk was risky pre-discussion. I'd rein him in. Good brother deserved saving. He was easing my tension anyway.
And he'd spun my wedding dodge positively. Not wrong—I'd dodge then too, excuses ready.
Then Jeong Mong-ju emerged from Yu Won's house.
"Mu-jil, let's go. I'll shoot. You chase."
"Yes, brother."
We rode up. He spotted us.
"Mu-gu and Mu-jil. What brings you?"
Jeong Mong-ju knew us, thanks to Father's acquaintance. Why Yi Bang-won picked us—shock value. Kids of a known ally loosing arrows? Panic. Also, blatant proof Yi Bang-won led it.
Min Mu-gu said, "Out hunting."
"Hunting what?"
Drawing his bow: "Hunting Prime Minister Jeong Mong-ju."
He meant business.
"What?!"
Min Mu-gu shot, grazing his arm—just enough to hinder riding. Jeong Mong-ju clutched the wound.
"Impossible. That bastard Yi Bang-won... Even on his orders, how dare sons of Chief Secretary Miljiksasa Min Je act so lawlessly? Aren't you ashamed before your father's name?!"
We ignored him, drew swords, advanced. Seeing that, Jeong Mong-ju fled, clutching his arm. Instinct told him: die here, Goryeo ends. He'd flee desperately. Indeed, Goryeo folded in under four months after his death—cleanup and Yi Seong-gye's prep.
We herded him toward Seonji Bridge as planned.
Jeong Mong-ju sensed Yi Bang-won's hand the moment Min Mu-gu declared him "hunting" game and loosed the arrow. Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil were Yi Bang-won's brothers-in-law. If those two attacked openly, only Yi Bang-won could be behind it.
My oversight. Never dreamed they'd strike in broad daylight on the street... That wretch Yi Bang-won, daring this with his father's body still warm.
Byeon Jung-ryang's warning had suggested nighttime assassins. But beating a kingdom's prime minister in daylight? Unthinkable barbarity.
I underestimated these traitors stealing the realm.
As Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil drew swords, Jeong Mong-ju squeezed strength from his wounded arm and fled. If he died, his Goryeo loyalists would scatter, devoured by them. He spurred his horse wildly.
Then Jo Yeong-gyu emerged from an alley, swinging his iron mace. Jeong Mong-ju dodged barely, fleeing the unblocked path. Jo Yeong-mu appeared next, slashing down. Jeong Mong-ju evaded.
"What outrage is this?! Yi Seong-gye's orders?!"
Invoking Yi Seong-gye to rattle Jo Yeong-mu failed; he attacked relentlessly. Jeong Mong-ju fled again, Jo Yeong-mu joining the chase. But it was a ploy to drive him to Seonji Bridge. Their strikes were deliberately avoidable—like hunting prey, per Yi Bang-won.
Crowds murmured at the spectacle, but they ignored them, herding Jeong Mong-ju publicly through Gyeongseong.
Jo Yeong-mu, Jo Yeong-gyu, Min Mu-gu, and Min Mu-jil pushed him to Seonji Bridge. There, I Bu and Go Yeo waited. Jeong Mong-ju halted, realizing the beast-hunt trap.
Furious: "Murdering a kingdom's prime minister like this? Unprecedented traitors on these three Han lands!"
Jo Yeong-gyu spurred forward, smashing the horse's head with his mace. It collapsed; Jeong Mong-ju tumbled off. He scrambled up, but I Bu charged, slashing his chest. Blood poured as he fell.
Clutching his gushing wound, Jeong Mong-ju rose to flee again. Go Yeo crushed his skull with his mace. He collapsed without a scream, never rising.
Thus, Jeong Mong-ju died on May 4, 1392, before Seonji Bridge—body drenched in blood.
Min Mu-jil's face was grim, noticed only by Min Mu-gu. Others checked if Jeong Mong-ju was truly dead.
Once confirmed, Jo Yeong-mu said, "It's done. I'll report to Lord U Bu-daeyeon."
Jo Yeong-gyu replied, "I'll hold here with I Bu and Go Yeo. General Jo Yeong-mu, and Min Je the Chief Secretary Miljiksasa's sons—go do your duties."
"Yes, my lord."
Jo Yeong-mu headed to Yi Bang-won; Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil, to Min Je.