Part 1: The Hongwu Emperor's Political Machinations
Zhu Yuanzhang read the map of Kyushu and the information on Japan that Min Mu-jil had presented, thoroughly pleased.
"You've properly organized the relationships between the Japanese king, the shogunate, the shogun, and the daimyo."
Min Mu-jil's writing detailed the intricate relationships between the daimyo and the shogun of the shogunate, completely captivating Zhu Yuanzhang's attention. Though he had a rough idea already, the clear, concise summary that made it all easy to grasp at a glance truly delighted him. Moreover, at the bottom of the text was a prediction about how those relationships would evolve, which proved fascinating. It ultimately forecasted that the shogun would lose power, leading to strife among the daimyo.
Japan's daimyo held positions akin to the jiedushi of late Tang China, so it was only natural that chaos like the jiedushi rebellions of late Tang would erupt, allowing wako pirates to rampage once more. The explanation drew meticulously from historical precedents.
"Quite an intriguing tale. Given the authority these daimyo wield as described here, it's no exaggeration to compare them to jiedushi. And wako proliferating again? Indeed, when Japan split into north and south, the wako were at their worst, so that rings true."
Examining the Kyushu map alongside older ones, he found it far more detailed—though it had borrowed their own techniques, of course. Zhu Yuanzhang soon burst into loud laughter.
"Excellent. More useful than expected. This more than repays the hospitality Min Mu-jil enjoyed here all this time."
In truth, Zhu Yuanzhang had detained Min Mu-jil because of his impressive foresight. When sent to Dongnae to prepare, a massive wako fleet had invaded Dongnae, only to be repelled; then, as if to prove a point, he joined the Tsushima conquest and earned great merit. Just like Yu Qi under his old command. To test what predictions he might make with given information, Zhu Yuanzhang had deliberately kept him confined. The results were highly satisfactory—quite logical projections.
"To counter these wako, Joseon needs powerful cannons, so please permit military strengthening and continued purchases of saltpeter and buffalo horns—this, while feeding me such intelligence. What a clever fellow."
Zhu Yuanzhang could roughly guess why Min Mu-jil had shared this information. He kept nitpicking Joseon's military buildup, so Min Mu-jil was begging for leniency by offering valuable intel. Though he might simply be terrified, Zhu Yuanzhang judged that even so, such thinking showed real acumen.
"Granting this request isn't a bad idea. If Joseon focuses on gunpowder weapons over cavalry, we control the saltpeter supply and can manipulate them with it. But as long as Jeong Do-jeon exists, absolutely not."
Zhu Yuanzhang deeply distrusted Jeong Do-jeon. No matter how he looked at it, Jeong Do-jeon's intentions clearly targeted Liaodong. He kept wooing the Jurchens and spying on Liaodong—undeniable proof, in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind.
"Anyway, we must release them. Send back those two, but what about the rest?"
Zhu Yuanzhang considered freeing only Gwon Geun and Min Mu-jil while detaining the others to pressure Jeong Do-jeon into coming to Ming. Or even beheading them all except those two, threatening war if Jeong Do-jeon didn't show. But that was tricky this time. Even as emperor, he needed some pretext; arbitrary executions would ruin his dignity. So he was hunting for the slimmest excuse.
At that moment, a eunuch entered. "Your Majesty, how shall we conduct this year's ancestral rites?"
Zhu Yuanzhang snapped, "Do you have no brain? Naturally, I shall personally mourn at Empress Ma's tablet—must you even ask?!"
The eunuch bowed his head and withdrew as Zhu Yuanzhang raged.
"Su Ying... I miss you."
Zhu Yuanzhang still longed for his late Empress Ma. She had given everything for him. During his imprisonment, she had smuggled him meals, burning her chest in the process, tending him with utmost devotion. Her gentle nature and sharp mind had always aided him greatly. His love for Empress Ma was genuine, so he personally marked her death anniversary each year.
As thoughts of Empress Ma filled his mind, he pondered the Joseon envoys again. Then, spying mourning clothes for the rite, a scheme dawned.
"Perfect. Sow discord with these mourning garments. If they show up in them then, arrest them all and detain. Decide on execution later."
Thus resolved, when July arrived, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned the Joseon envoys—to announce their release and enact his plot.
The Joseon envoys gathered before him, tense. What new scheme did Zhu Yuanzhang have in mind? Min Mu-jil, anxious, simply prostrated himself.
Why had Zhu Yuanzhang really summoned us? Honestly, every summons from him fills me with dread. What fresh torment is he planning? Prostrated before him, we heard:
"I shall release you all this time."
Really?
"Not just Gwon Geun's poetry, but the intelligence on Japan from Min Mu-jil pleased me greatly. Thus, I return you all to Joseon. Envoys, express your gratitude to those two. Without them, you'd never see Joseon again. Joseon mission, show your thanks to them."
Why suddenly praise me and Gwon Geun like this? Well, the info I gave was top-tier. From Japan's power dynamics to straight-up future history. Writing about future wako outbreaks aids Ming somewhat, but it's for creating pretext for our later Kyushu invasion. They'll turn pirate eventually, so strike first. Zhu Yuanzhang acknowledged it—will you, Zhu Yunwen? They'll have to concede.
Plus, Hanlin Academy intel was invaluable for cross-verifying my knowledge. I even tricked some out of Zhu Yuanzhang. Net gain for me. I also hinted at ongoing saltpeter and buffalo horn needs, letting them think they hold the reins. Smoke screen, though. Once I'm high up, I'll counter it. I know saltpeter production; later, guns make it obsolete. Claim I stole the recipe from Ming. You're not the only clever one, Zhu Yuanzhang. I can backstab too.
Then Zhu Yuanzhang barked, "Didn't you hear me? I said express thanks! Do my words amuse you?!"
His tantrum again. Reluctantly, Jeong Chong and others thanked us.
"Good, that's more like it."
Suddenly, he bestowed black garments on us.
"In a few days, I grant you gifts. Upon receiving them, envoys, come pay respects—in these black clothes."
This feels familiar from my past life?
"Yes, Your Majesty."
We returned to quarters and waited. Then Kim Yak-hyang said, "The Bingjo Jeongnang must truly enjoy the emperor's favor."
Slightly mocking tone?
"What information did you give the emperor to earn that?"
"This humble servant will present it to court upon return; you'll see then."
His face soured. He liked me at first, but my reception irked him. No, probably more that a 5th-rank like me got thanks from them under duress. What a bastard Zhu Yuanzhang. Afterward, relations with the other envoys grew icy toward me and Gwon Geun.
One day, Zhu Yuanzhang sent silk. We received it and hastened to audience. Gwon Geun and I wore the black clothes, but the rest donned mourning garb. What madness?
"My lord, why not wear the clothes from His Majesty?"
Jeong Chong replied, "We're in national mourning. Even if the emperor wishes it, we are Joseon's subjects. Mourning our queen outweighs his words; we shan't change."
"Please wear them, my lord. The emperor's barely appeased. Provoke him again, and trouble follows."
Apart from imperial command, a head of state gifted clothes and ordered them worn. Basic courtesy, intentions aside. Though I loathed mourning Gang Clan more.
Why mourn someone who tried to kill me? Kim Yak-hyang snapped, "We need no aid from you. Begone."
Ah, Zhu Yuanzhang's play. He hoped they'd show in mourning garb, provoking them further by forcing thanks to us—his faction. Anti-Jeong Do-jeon side bows to us. They refuse, reject the black clothes, disobey imperial order—off with their heads. Political genius.
"My lord, I see your intent, but imperial wrath could doom us."
"No need for your help."
Jeong Do-jeon lackeys turning like him? Persuasion failed; I got rebuked. Called Ming puppets. Unfair— who plots Ming's downfall harder? Ignore them. Suicidal fools. Back to princes' strife prep. Ming puppet insults twist my gut.
We audienceed. Gwon Geun and I in black. As expected, Zhu Yuanzhang fumed.
"Do my words amuse you? I ordered my gifted clothes—why still in mourning?!"
Some acting, but genuine rage.
"Daring to mock me! Think you have ten heads?! Guards!"
Cheol Hyeon arrived with imperial guards.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Jail them. Show the Great Ming Code's rigor."
They arrested all. But I wore black.
"Wait—spare those two. They obeyed in black."
We were freed.
"But why only you two? Didn't you speak to the others?"
We did; they ignored.
"You two may go. But them? No mercy."
Gwon Geun prostrated, begging mercy. Zhu Yuanzhang eyed him.
"For your plea, I'll spare them—for now. Detain. You two get gold—take it."
Why?
"Reject my grace?"
"No, Your Majesty."
Refuse, and tantrum. We took the gold. Scheme?
"No more words. Depart."
Essentially banished from palace. Gwon Geun, me, and low envoys headed to Joseon. Couldn't change it. Good for us, really.
"Lord Yangchon, this turned messy."
"Indeed... And gold from the emperor? Troubling."
"How so?"
"Only we freed, gold from Zhu Yuanzhang. Rest detained. How will court see? Especially Jeong Do-jeon."
Impeach us for release and gold? Even trash like him wouldn't. Gwon Geun went as proxy? I'm riskier? No, basic humanity. Heard he impeached Gwon Geun solo return once. Dedicate to court. Gwon Geun nodded—good idea.
Thus, Gwon Geun and I boarded ship home.
Meanwhile, Zhu Yuanzhang smirked.
"As planned. No need to kill yet."
He'd intended execution if they wore mourning. But Gwon Geun's plea changed it. Frame as mercy for him now; later, when Jeong Do-jeon sends letters, nitpick flaws as pretext to kill envoys. "Endured this trash, yet you send it—envoys die." Then force Jeong Do-jeon: come or war. Thus, lure him again.