Part 1: Zhu Yuanzhang's Death and the Princes' Rebellion Begins
The place I was assigned to was Chungju in Chungcheong Province. In a way, it was laughable—Chungcheong was one of the most important regions, and my friend Park Eun was there too. It felt like someone was scheming to trap us friends there together, but I was actually grateful for it.
Before heading to my new post, I said my goodbyes to the family.
"Alright, Mu-jil. We'll see you later."
"Yes, Father, Mother. Please take good care of my wife."
"Don't worry about that. You don't need to worry about Sae-a at all. We'll look after her well."
Han Yeo-ul was quite sad about parting from me again. I'd have to comfort her properly when I returned. After bidding farewell to my parents and brothers, including Min Mu-gu, I went to see Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon.
"Brother-in-law, I'll contact you. We must meet then. And take down Jeong Do-jeon together."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
It was basically telling me to bring the army up when the time for the Strife of the Princes came.
"Mu-jil, everything rests on your hands now. I hope you do well."
"Don't worry, sister. It's not that difficult."
And it truly wasn't. Jo Yeong-mu, who had wielded military authority in Chungcheong before, and Ha Ryeon, the current inspector, were both on our side. Plus, we had over a few hundred private soldiers stashed away there. On top of that, the provincial troops in Chungcheong were secretly under our control. All I had to do was march them to the capital on orders.
Min Mu-gu and Park Po had far more to handle than I did—especially Mu-gu, who also had to serve as our liaison here.
At my words, Min Da-yeon said,
"You've grown so reliable compared to before—it's a good feeling. Isn't that right, my lord?"
"He's always been reliable, so don't say such things, my lady."
"Understood, my lord."
"Brother-in-law, there might be people in Jeong Do-jeon's faction who harbor grudges against him. If you carefully select and bring them over, it'll be a huge help."
This was referring to I Mu. He would eventually betray Jeong Do-jeon.
"Coming up with strategies right before you leave—thank you, brother-in-law. It's a sound plan. I'll keep it in mind."
With that, I finished my farewells and set off for Chungju. The whole family saw me off, all wearing expressions of injustice and resentment at being forced to send me away under Jeong Do-jeon's persecution. Their acting skills really were improving. Well, Yeo-ul's seemed genuine, not an act.
A few days later, I arrived in Chungju and finally met Park Eun again after so long.
"It's been a while."
"Have you been well?"
"Life's been easier without Jeong Do-jeon's harassment. But I hear he persecuted you quite harshly?"
"The rumors have already reached here?"
"Of course. Now, you're the one Jeong Do-jeon hates most—not me."
"I think that's been the case for a while."
"True. It was clear from the moment you were sent to Ming."
He chuckled, then leaned in close and whispered,
"It'll start soon, right? That's why you're here."
"Nothing's set yet. Prince Jeongan said he'd contact us, so we just prepare."
"I've already prepared, and so have many other military officers. We can mobilize troops easily."
"Good. Let's go see Ha Ryeon first."
We went to find Ha Ryeon, who welcomed us warmly.
"Well come. Especially you, Mu-jil."
"Yes, Inspector Ha."
After that, we began a secret discussion in a private room.
"Preparations are mostly done."
"How do you plan to proceed?"
"You stay here, keep the troops in line, and wait for the moment. I'll linger a bit, then head to the capital. The Chungcheong troops are due for capital repairs this year—I'll keep them at it, then call you under the pretext of rotating personnel when the time comes. You can bring the army without issue."
Oh? A perfect pretext. As expected of Ha Ryeon. This showed where Jeong Do-jeon fell short—in the details of policy. Or maybe he'd spread himself too thin, tangling everything up. If only he'd been more moderate.
"We'll take every precaution, so lie low. Especially you, Mu-jil—hunt and relax. That'll put Jeong Do-jeon at ease."
"No, Inspector."
"What do you mean?"
"If I slack off, it'll raise more suspicion. I'll just quietly do my duties."
I knew Jeong Do-jeon well. Slacking would make him think I was up to something. Plus, he knew Kim Sa-hyeong had promised to promote me to a high post if I worked hard in Chungju. Acting like I trusted only Kim Sa-hyeong was best.
Ha Ryeon nodded.
"Do as you think best, then. I'll work to lower their guard."
"Yes, understood, sir."
And so, I sharpened my blade in secret while tending to my duties, waiting for the moment to strike down Jeong Do-jeon.
While Min Mu-jil hid his dagger and bided his time, Jeong Do-jeon's faction disbanded even the private troops of the military commissioners and began array formation training. But the princes and royal kin commissioners refused to cooperate, so it couldn't be properly implemented. They loathed Jeong Do-jeon that much.
Jeong Do-jeon taking direct command as Pan Wiheung Samgunbusa irked them to no end, leading to their obstruction.
Eventually, Yi Seong-gye stepped in to oversee the training personally. With his involvement, the princes and kin grudgingly joined. But they had always resented the formations and ground their teeth at Jeong Do-jeon, participating half-heartedly.
Jeong Do-jeon's faction, contrary to his expectations, had little interest in the Liaodong campaign and slacked off too. Thus, Jeong Do-jeon punished the perfunctory participants and pushed the training, heightening resentment against him.
At this time, Jeong Do-jeon also completely fell out with Jo Jun and Kim Sa-hyeong. He insulted them—opponents of the Liaodong campaign—as warehouse clerks fit only for tallying stocks, unfit for the premiership.
Especially to Kim Sa-hyeong, he openly snapped about bribing Min Mu-jil with promises of high office. Kim Sa-hyeong was furious, cementing their rift.
Meanwhile, Yi Seong-gye held Buddhist services at Heungcheonsa under the pretext of bolstering the crown prince's authority. When he tried to alter unfavorable records via Jo Jun, he lost much support from the scholars.
As Yi Seong-gye and Jeong Do-jeon rampaged, dire news arrived from spies in Ming: Zhu Yuanzhang's death.
The beggar-turned-emperor who unified China's nine provinces was gone. A tragedy for Ming, but joyous for Joseon—especially Yi Seong-gye and Jeong Do-jeon's faction.
Jeong Do-jeon's group erupted in cheers; Yi Seong-gye shed tears of joy and threw a feast.
"Raise your cups, all of you. At last, that Zhu Yuanzhang is dead—the one who oppressed this Joseon!"
Yi Seong-gye reveled in freedom from Zhu's yoke; Jeong Do-jeon in the path now open for Liaodong. The other officials shared the glee—everyone detested Zhu. Even Yi Bang-won's faction felt the same.
After feasting through the night, Yi Seong-gye suddenly collapsed the next day. Alarmed ministers summoned the royal physician, who diagnosed exhaustion from overwork, eased by sudden relief, leading to a cold. A month of rest and medicine would suffice—no great worry. But he must avoid strain and stay abed.
Yi Seong-gye feared dying and leaving his young crown prince if he worsened, so he secluded in the palace for treatment.
Jeong Do-jeon's faction replaced the palace guard commander with Prince Heungan's I Je, then gathered. There, Jeong Do-jeon declared,
"As I said, with Zhu Yuanzhang dead, civil war will erupt in Ming soon."
"As expected of Lord Sambong. Then we must properly start formation training."
"Yes, you've all been too lax. I'll host a three-day feast—forget past grievances, then discuss the true Liaodong campaign. His Highness will recover in a month; we must prepare accordingly."
Jeong Do-jeon had worried at first when Yi Seong-gye fell but relaxed at the physician's words. Now, he sought to soothe his followers with revelry.
"A feast celebrating Zhu Yuanzhang's death."
"Of course. How can we not rejoice that pig is dead? With private troops abolished and Zhu gone, nothing stands in our way!"
Jeong Do-jeon laughed heartily, feeling the chains broken.
"What of Jo Jun and Kim Sa-hyeong?"
"I'll talk to Jo Jun again—Zhu's death might sway him. Kim Sa-hyeong must be impeached. He surely took bribes from Min Mu-jil. Otherwise, why promise him high office? But it lets us impeach both—fortunate."
"Prepare the impeachment at once?"
"Enjoy first. The army's in our hands—what can they do?"
"Yes, my lord!"
Jeong Do-jeon and his partisans drank themselves senseless, toasting Zhu's demise. Yi Bang-won, hearing via Park Po and I Mu, laughed loudly.
"Heaven—or rather, Zhu Yuanzhang—has handed us this chance!"
No better opportunity existed. Zhu's death had slackened their vigilance; Yi Seong-gye's illness gilded it.
"Even in death, Zhu grabs Jeong Do-jeon's ankle. I never want to see that wretched old man again, but I'm grateful this time. I'll send envoys to offer condolences later."
Yi Bang-won offered his first thanks to Zhu. Min Da-yeon smiled.
"My lord, then now...?"
"Yes, it's time to begin, my lady."
"Sugamcheong is ours—the night patrol in the capital—so nighttime's best."
Min Mu-gu and Park Po controlled Sugamcheong. Demoted there to oust from elite posts, it became a boon for Yi Bang-won's faction—they'd seized it.
"Indeed, my lady. Jeong Do-jeon dug his own grave. And with I Mu turned, we know their every move."
I Mu, once Jeong's man, was dismissed for neglecting training. Enraged, and swayed by Yi Bang-won and Min Mu-gu, he became a double agent.
Jeong Do-jeon had indeed buried himself.
"Then summon Ha Ryeon first."
Yi Bang-won called Ha Ryeon at once; he sent word to Min Mu-jil: March to the capital swiftly. The troop rotations for repairs had been ongoing for three months—no one would suspect.
After dispatching the messenger, Yi Bang-won said,
"The highest fall hurts most, Jeong Do-jeon. Look forward to it."
Thus, Yi Bang-won awaited Min Mu-jil's army from Chungcheong.
Meanwhile, Min Mu-jil smiled at Ha Ryeon's message. Zhu's death unfolding events like this—Jeong's faction off-guard in celebration, Yi Seong-gye bedridden from joy. Not fatal, but enough.
Like dead Zhuge Liang capturing live Sima Yi, dead Zhu ensnaring live Jeong Do-jeon. No thanks to Zhu, though—a golden chance unlikely to repeat.
"Park Eun, the time has come. Assemble the troops."
"Got it."
We gathered our 600 hidden privates and 800 from allied officers—1,400 total. Just enough; too many would draw eyes. Sin Geuk-rye and Yi Je's capital forces exceeded 1,000; Yi Suk-beon's added 4,000 minimum. Plus 1,500 Chungcheong troops on repairs—5,500 total. Enough to seize the capital easily. With princes and kin joining, surplus.
Well then—let's begin.
I mounted, drew my sword before the officers and locals, and declared,
"Everyone, you've endured long enough. No long speeches. Prince Jeongan's orders have come. We're marching on the capital—to seize the traitor Jeong Do-jeon!"
Cheers erupted. Yes, they'd waited ages.
"Then let's go. Move as fast as possible!"
We charged toward the capital at utmost speed.
Jeong Do-jeon... enjoy your cup. It'll be your last supper.