Part 1: Detained in the Ming Dynasty
In March 1397, we finally arrived at the imperial palace in Nanjing. The journey had taken so long because we needed time to escort the Ming subjects we'd rescued from Tsushima and Iki. We brought them along to make a good impression this time. Anyway, once we reached the palace, it was Cheol Hyeon—not Hwang Ja-jing—who guided us, unlike before.
Cheol Hyeon was an outstanding general, one of the finest Zhu Yuanzhang had left to Zhu Yunwen. And remarkably young, still in his early thirties. If Zhu Yunwen had just used him properly and nothing else, Zhu would never have fallen.
Under Cheol Hyeon's guidance, we unpacked at the envoys' quarters. Afterward, Ha Ryeon, Sin Geuk-rye, and I tried to meet Gwon Geun and the other detainees, but we were stopped. The order was that we had to pay respects to Zhu Yuanzhang first.
"What do you think Zhu Yuanzhang will do, my lord?"
"Sangjanggun. I have no idea how he'll react."
Both Ha Ryeon and Sin Geuk-rye looked worried. I was already anxious about what that cunning old fox might pull.
"Still, things should turn out fine. He's targeting Jeong Do-jeon, not us. If we explain everything well to him this time, we'll get a positive outcome."
Theoretically, Ha Ryeon was right. But from my experience, Zhu Yuanzhang would torment us no matter what. He'd probably pressure us for more intelligence on Japan.
We spent the next two days resting and organizing what we'd tell him—detailed and truthful, without a single lie. Zhu Yuanzhang's insight into military affairs was unparalleled. Any deception would be spotted instantly, and the backlash would be unbearable. So we double-checked every detail.
We also prepared a gift for him: the severed head of the Kotō pirate leader. That bastard had killed or kidnapped over a thousand people around Zhejiang, infuriating Zhu Yuanzhang enough to impose a maritime ban along the coast. Surely his head would soothe the emperor's rage a bit.
Three days later, we had our audience with Zhu Yuanzhang. We immediately paid our respects.
"Skip the formalities. Report on the progress of Joseon's Tsushima campaign."
We presented our memorial at once, and he began reading it.
"No fluff, straight to the point—I like it. I'll ask about anything I'm curious about, so answer immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He's judging it himself right here? I thought he'd read it and summon us later, but this was a pressure interview. Zhu Yuanzhang always exceeded expectations.
As he read, he questioned Sin Geuk-rye, who answered well until he got stuck on one point.
"How frustrating. You can't even remember that? You there—answer."
Me? He's calling on me now?
"This humble low-ranking official dares not address Your Majesty directly."
He fixed his gaze on me.
"Last time you used that 'low-ranking' excuse too, but you answered anyway. You spoke well then—why not now? I ordered you to send someone who could give satisfactory answers. That's why I'm meeting you personally like this. If you dodge with 'low-ranking official,' you're deceiving me, and I won't let it slide. I like you, so I'll give you one more chance—answer properly."
Classic leading question. After that, he grilled me, and I answered as best I could with my knowledge.
"Hm, the naval battle with the pirates is intriguing. Disabling their oars with cannon fire to cripple mobility, then flanking with part of the force to annihilate them from the rear—brilliant. Who came up with that?"
"Your Majesty crippled Jin Wu-liang's command structure before shattering their mobility. We believed disrupting enemy command was the quickest path to victory and adapted it accordingly."
Zhu Yuanzhang seemed quite pleased.
"You drew inspiration from my Battle of Poyang Lake, then. That fight is one of my proudest."
The Battle of Poyang Lake—the decisive clash that made him emperor, one of China's few massive naval engagements. No wonder he boasted about it. He looked genuinely delighted.
"You always had a silver tongue. Trying not to use it annoys me greatly. But you answered well, so I'll let it pass."
He went back to Sin Geuk-rye, and soon finished the memorial. I'd always admired how swiftly he handled affairs. It wasn't a short document either. His personality was the problem—his abilities were unmatched.
"Excellent. Joseon successfully conquered Tsushima with minimal losses. But it seems you've strengthened your military beyond mere pirate defense. You once said you'd bolster forces only for that. Why expand beyond necessity? Are you reverting to Goryeo's wicked habit of eyeing Liaodong?"
Here we go again. He always flipped out over our military buildup at every chance.
"Still, I commend your honesty, rescuing our Ming people, and subduing those insolent Kotō pirates. Especially this head—it pleases me greatly. I'll be lenient this time. But abandon any thoughts of further strengthening. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Of course, no one here intended to obey. For Joseon to survive, we needed a strong army and powerful artillery. But saying that to his face would get us all killed, so we just bowed and moved on.
We attended the banquet he hosted, enjoyed it, and returned to quarters. With his permission, we met Gwon Geun and the detained envoys. Gwon Geun was thrilled to see us.
"I never expected you'd come. The second son of Lord Samsajwabokya visits Ming often, doesn't he?"
Tell me about it. Afterward, we talked with Gwon Geun, Jeong Chong, and the others. Jeong Chong was Jeong Do-jeon's faction, but still a detained envoy with no personal grudge, so we treated him well.
"Did things go smoothly?"
"No idea. Couldn't tell if he was satisfied or not."
He'd said he'd overlook it, but not that he was pleased, so even we weren't sure of the outcome. If he wasn't satisfied, he could scrap everything on a whim. That was his style.
Chatting with the detainees, Gwon Geun had fared well, even exchanging ideas with Ming scholars. The others were truly imprisoned, though well-fed. Come to think of it, they were all in mourning white. Probably because of the Gang Clan...
I was wearing it too, though I hated to. She was the queen consort, after all—no choice.
After wrapping up, as we rested in quarters, a eunuch came for me, Ha Ryeon, and Sin Geuk-rye. What now? At least it wasn't a midnight abduction like last time.
We were summoned before Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Your subjects pay respects to the Son of Heaven."
"Do you know why I called you?"
"No, Your Majesty."
Just to torment us?
"I've reviewed your memorial and noticed omissions, so I summoned you to ask."
"Please question us, Your Majesty."
"I'm highly satisfied with this delegation's responses and gifts. But the intelligence on Japan is sorely lacking. After a war, you must extract info from prisoners—that's proper. Why is it missing? As ruler of the Ming world, all knowledge belongs to me. Why does Joseon dare withhold it?"
That was the reason? We'd included some intel...
Sin Geuk-rye replied, "I focused on the battles, so I'm not sure."
"I see. You clearly fixated on combat—stuck on non-military questions. But you, Bingjo Chamui, are different."
He turned to me.
"I pride myself on my memory. Last visit, you showed keen interest in intelligence and didn't hide it. Why omit it now? If you claim battle focus, I won't forgive you."
Damn. Now it's pure nitpicking. Why did my life attract so much bullshit?
Say something. "I was summoned as envoy before compiling it fully. Please forgive me mercifully, Your Majesty."
Zhu Yuanzhang's expression softened. "Good news, then."
"Listen well, Ha Ryeon and Sin Geuk-rye!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"This delegation pleases me, as does the Tsushima report. I'll accept Joseon's stance on the credentials issue—no more trouble. For your great merits in the campaign, I'll grant fitting silver rewards to Joseon. Especially for slaying the Kotō pirate leader who ravaged Zhejiang—I'll pay the bounty on his head."
"We are deeply grateful, Your Majesty."
"But only Ha Ryeon and Sin Geuk-rye may return. Min Mu-jil stays to compile the campaign intelligence before departing. Then, Gwon Geun and the other Joseon envoys here will go too."
Wait, I'm the one detained?
"Not detained—I'll treat you with respect. No need to worry. By August, you'll be sent back without fail. I swear on my name."
Five months stuck in Ming, then. What was "not detained" about that? What a life.
We returned to quarters. Ha Ryeon said, "I'm sorry, but with Zhu Yuanzhang so stubborn, we have no choice. He swore on his name—he'll send you back."
Sin Geuk-rye looked apologetic too, saying it was unavoidable. In this era, the absolute emperor's word was law. Defy it, and death followed. Nothing we could do. I'd never meet a bigger bully than him, even in other possessions.
Still, he swore on his name this time—not his usual weaselly dodge. No choice but to trust him. Reality left no alternatives. Plus, books to read in Ming.
In the end, I was detained here for months. Ha Ryeon and Sin Geuk-rye returned to Joseon first with his gifts—and my letters. My parents and Han Yeo-ul would worry, so I wrote separately and asked them to deliver. They agreed readily.
Watching the delegation depart for Joseon left me melancholic. Gwon Geun noticed.
"Don't be so down. The emperor promised to send you back. He'll keep his word."
He would—on his name. Following orders, I compiled the intelligence. I made two copies—one for Joseon. I'm Joseon-born; no intent to benefit only Ming.
I also asked Je Tae to fetch Ming books on Japan for cross-verification. He reported to Zhu Yuanzhang, who approved soon after. He really needed the intel.
Other books were permitted too. Did he genuinely like me? Using cross-checks plus my future knowledge, I organized Japan intel. I even mapped Kyushu—with Gwon Geun's help, since he excelled at that.
No accurate maps of Japan existed yet, so creating one for later use made sense. Just Kyushu—time was short for the whole country. I'd finish the rest back home.
In spare moments, I observed odd devices in the Hanlin Academy—industrial espionage, basically. Detained or not, I needed meaningful time. I'd recreate them later with Jang Yeong-sil.
Thus, I worked diligently in Ming. Three months passed, and I delivered the Japan intel and completed Kyushu map to Zhu Yuanzhang. Hopefully he'd be pleased—and send me home soon.