Impeaching Jeong Do-jeon
A few days later, Gwon Geun, I, and some of our attendants arrived in Hanyang.
As we headed toward Sungnyemun Gate upon arrival, Yi Bang-won was there waiting along with my family and quite a crowd of others. Gwon Geun's family was there too. We dismounted and exchanged greetings, and that's when my mother spotted me.
"Mu-jil!"
She threw her arms around me and burst into sobs.
"I'm home, Mother."
She could only weep. And it wasn't just her—Father, my brothers, even Min Da-yeon was shedding tears like raindrops.
At that moment, Min Da-yeon said, "Why have you gotten so thin? You were already slender, but now you're skin and bones. How much did you suffer? Did Zhu Yuan Zhang torment you that badly?"
Ah, so that's what this is about? Honestly, it was because Ming food didn't agree with my taste at all. Zhu Yuan Zhang's bullying... well, it wasn't nothing.
Then Han Yeo-ul approached. "My lord... have you returned safely?"
She looked like she might collapse at any moment. "I'm back, my lady. I returned unscathed, so please don't worry yourself."
No sooner had the words left my mouth than she began bawling. Min Da-yeon was comforting her from the side. I'll have to make it up to her properly later.
Glancing over, I saw Gwon Geun's family in a sea of tears too. It seemed our families had been terribly worried.
Then Yi Bang-won took my hand. "Brother-in-law, you truly suffered."
"Yes, brother-in-law. It's been too long."
"Let's talk inside first."
"No, I should pay my respects to His Highness first, then head home."
"Of course. Go see him, then come to your father-in-law's. Everyone's waiting."
"Understood. I'll be off."
With that, our group headed back to the palace.
Upon arriving at Gyeongbok Palace and being granted an audience with Yi Seong-gye, he grasped our hands warmly. "You truly suffered. To be detained in the Ming for so long and return safely—it's a blessing."
We relayed what had happened with Zhu Yuan Zhang, and he ground his teeth. "That bastard Zhu Yuan Zhang."
Well, setting aside my own loathing for Jeong Do-jeon, Zhu Yuan Zhang's arrogance was truly over the top.
"At least the tribute envoy issue is resolved, and you've returned safely. I'll find a way to secure the remaining envoys, so rest easy."
It's not resolved. Not truly—it won't be until Jeong Do-jeon goes to the Ming or Zhu Yuan Zhang dies.
In any case, we offered the gold Zhu Yuan Zhang had given us to Yi Seong-gye, but he refused, saying it was ours to keep.
"I should be rewarding you, not taking what Zhu Yuan Zhang gave. Use it wisely."
Moments like this showed Yi Seong-gye was a decent man at heart. He didn't become the nation's Taijo for nothing. The problem was his choice of successor, which squandered all his virtues in one go.
I'd heard Yi Bang-seok had married Shim Hyo-seong's daughter. He was still into hunting, playing around, and avoiding books, same as ever. But looking at him... Yi Bang-seok bore an eerie resemblance to Crown Prince Yangnyeong. Though Yangnyeong was even more of a disaster. His womanizing was legendary.
Afterward, Gwon Geun and I parted ways to our respective homes—mine being Father's house. Everyone was gathered there, and the moment they saw me, tears flowed again. I told them I was fine and not to cry. It had been ages since we'd all sat down for a family meal.
I recounted my time in the Ming, and they were relieved to hear I'd fared better than expected. Yeah, better than expected. My previous trip had been truly perilous—this time, aside from the detention, it wasn't so bad. That earlier one had me fearing for my life.
Then Father said, "You truly suffered, Mu-jil."
"No, Father."
"Appeasing that vile Zhu Yuan Zhang was no easy task. I'm curious what information you gave him to earn such treatment."
"I'll revise what I wrote slightly and submit it to the Hall of Worthies soon. Please wait a little longer, Father."
"I see. We'll see it then. Were the other matters resolved well?"
"As Ha Ryeon said, it won't end without Jeong Do-jeon going. Zhu Yuan Zhang will surely find some pretext to demand him."
Yi Bang-won nodded. "As expected."
"Husband, enough about Jeong Do-jeon. Mu-jil's finally back—why bring up that man?"
"You're right, my lady."
We chatted about this and that. Talk turned to the son Min Da-yeon had recently borne, and I congratulated them heartily. Of course I did—that was the future King Sejong, the greatest monarch in Korean history. Worlds apart from Yangnyeong.
Afterward, I took Han Yeo-ul and returned home. She clung to me sobbing, and I spent the time soothing her. While there, I also met Jang Yeong-sil and his wife Wol-i and daughter. They were overjoyed to see me again. Wol-i in particular wept with happiness. When I was flustered, Jang Yeong-sil explained that rumors had spread this Ming trip was a path to death, so she was crying from relief at my safe return.
I see. I comforted Wol-i after that, corrected errors in my writings, and enjoyed some peaceful days.
Heading to the Ministry of Military Affairs for work, young officers and officials bowed deeply to me.
"What's that about?"
Choi Yun-deok, beside me, replied, "Isn't it obvious? Plenty have heard about the Ming affair."
"What do you mean?"
He explained that Sin Geuk-rye, who returned ahead of us with Gwon Geun and me, had spread word I'd spoken freely before Zhu Yuan Zhang, and it had become common knowledge. Everyone praised me for standing firm before that monstrous emperor and contributing greatly to resolving the crisis.
"I'd be trembling too hard to speak before Zhu Yuan Zhang."
"I was shaking too."
"But you said what needed saying."
"If I didn't speak, I'd be dead—why hold back?"
He chuckled. To Joseon, Zhu Yuan Zhang was like the great demon king. Returning alive from him earned respect.
"You've resolved Ming issues twice now. Plus merits at Dongnae, Tsushima, and the naval campaign—everyone admires you. While some scramble to hide."
That sounds like a jab at Jeong Do-jeon. Indeed, despite his talents, opinions on Jeong Do-jeon's character were sinking lower over time. Without Yi Seong-gye's protection, he'd have been done for ages ago.
Then the incident exploded. Jeong Do-jeon impeached Gwon Geun and me.
Various reasons, but the key one: while envoys like Jeong Jong hadn't returned, the emperor had rewarded Gwon Geun and me with gold, which was suspicious. He also raised issues about me not submitting to the court the information I'd given Zhu Yuan Zhang.
Yi Seong-gye dismissed it, saying impeachment was absurd when rewards were due. But he did summon me about the unsubmitted information. I explained I was revising errors and would submit soon; he nodded, calling it reasonable, and sent me off. He warned Jeong Do-jeon against such impeachments.
Though covered up, Father and Yi Bang-won were furious. They were at Father's house even now, cursing Jeong Do-jeon.
"That filthy cur. While he hid in the back, those who went to resolve the crisis return, and he impeaches them? My own son!"
I'd never seen Father this enraged.
"Even as a check on the opposition, this exceeds bounds, Father-in-law."
"Father, I can't endure it."
Min Da-yeon's expression was fierce too. Fine for me, but impeaching Gwon Geun—who went in his stead? Shameless.
Yi Bang-won said to her, "My lady, we may need to act."
"Husband, what do you mean?"
"We must impeach Jeong Do-jeon."
Impeach?
"Brother-in-law, what are you saying?"
Father stopped me. "Stay out of this, Mu-jil. We need to crush Jeong Do-jeon's spirit so he never pulls this madness again."
"Father-in-law, use our men in the Ministry of Justice and Office of Inspectors to impeach him."
"Understood, Prince Jeongan."
Would it even stick? Yi Seong-gye would quash it anyway.
Father and Min Mu-gu gathered men to prepare the impeachment. Pondering it, I didn't think impeaching Jeong Do-jeon was bad. The justification was ironclad. Mine against me was pure fabrication—a tactic he often used. Fitting to turn it on him.
To quash it, he'd need Yi Seong-gye's aid, a minus with the yangban. This could also clearly divide our side from his. Time to draw battle lines.
Of course, I'd do my part. Once my Japan materials and maps hit the Six Ministries, the impact would be huge. Information that satisfied Zhu Yuan Zhang himself. The officials would think long and hard. Let's see how Jeong Do-jeon handles it.
Min Je, Ha Ryeon, and others urged the Office of Inspectors officials loyal to them to impeach Jeong Do-jeon, and they eagerly prepared impeachment memorials. Surprisingly, many bureaucrats joined in—nearly all the young inspectors. They'd long resented Jeong Do-jeon monopolizing policy under Yi Seong-gye and the crown prince's backing. Impeaching Gwon Geun and Min Mu-jil, who went in their stead, ignited real fury. How dare he target those who'd faced death for them? They all participated actively.
Dozens of inspectors submitted collective impeachment memorials and began demanding Jeong Do-jeon's punishment before the throne hall.
"Your Highness! Pan Uihung Samgunbusa Jeong Do-jeon impeached those who went as envoys to the Ming in his place on absurd grounds. The charges against Min Mu-jil are false, and he must be punished for the realm to stand right. We beseech you!"
"Your Highness! Pan Uihung Samgunbusa's arbitrary overreach caused this. Strip his office and make an example. We beseech you!"
Countless inspectors demanded Jeong Do-jeon's punishment. The Six Ministries held back, as Jo Jun had soothed them: this was the inspectors' affair; focus on duties.
The officials grumbled but obeyed the Left Prime Minister. But the tide turned when Min Mu-jil's compiled Japan intelligence and maps reached the Hall of Worthies. The ministry officials marveled.
"Such detailed intelligence is unprecedented. The maps especially."
No wonder Min Mu-jil impressed Zhu Yuan Zhang enough to be released—they were awestruck.
This sparked the Six Ministries to join the impeachment. They'd chafed at Jeong Do-jeon but held back for Jo Jun. Now, no need.
They declared a work stoppage until Jeong Do-jeon was punished.
Jo Jun protested, "How can you all do this?"
"We can't work in a court with a petty wretch who impeaches those who risked death to fix his mess. We refuse duties until he's stripped of office."
"He impeached over maps and info given only to the Ming Emperor—but now it's submitted here too. No evidence, just whims. We won't work with such a man."
"We can't serve with a small-minded fool who impeaches talent because it doesn't suit him."
Jo Jun was speechless—rightly so.
"You're correct. But await His Highness's reply and continue duties till then."
Too late; even Jo Jun acknowledged the need. When Kim Sa-hyeong backed the ministries, Jo Jun had no recourse.
Thus, following the inspectors, the Six Ministries joined the impeachment of Jeong Do-jeon.