Part 1 - Jeong Mong-ju's Death and Yi Seong-gye's Wrath
"Mu-jil, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Your face is pale as a ghost. I can tell you're worried."
"I'm fine."
In the end, Jeong Mong-ju was dead. I hadn't killed him with my own hands, but I'd taken part in it. Honestly, even during the chase, it hadn't felt real. But seeing his corpse like that... now it hit home. I'd participated in killing Jeong Mong-ju.
Truth be told, my feelings were all jumbled up right now. I'd always figured, he's doomed to die anyway, so what does it matter? His death was just a step in the march of history. But watching him die right in front of me stirred up guilt. History in books was one thing; seeing it unfold was another. If it had been pirates I'd killed, I wouldn't have felt this way. Those bastards deserved it. But Jeong Mong-ju wasn't like that.
"Mu-jil. You might not know this, but the battles after the Wi-hwa Island Retreat were far more gruesome than this. Limbs hacked off, guts spilling out. If you head south and face those Japanese pirates, you'll see even worse. Better get used to it. Or else put down the sword and stick to your books."
"Yes, brother."
"Let's go see Father, then."
"Yes."
And so, I went to inform Father that Jeong Mong-ju was dead—carrying the lingering weight of it all.
Not long after, we arrived home. We went straight to see him.
"Well? How did it go?"
"We killed Jeong Mong-ju."
Father let out a deep sigh.
"So Po-eun met his end after all. That man... I told him we could work together."
He seemed genuinely regretful.
"But it couldn't be helped. For the sake of the clan."
Everything came back to the family with him. Or was that just how it was everywhere?
"Right. Now we must do as Bang-won asked. Mu-gu, fetch Yang-chon for me."
"Yes, Father."
After that, Min Mu-gu went to bring Gwon Geun. Father must be starting with him. Makes sense—Gwon Geun was on friendly terms with us, and he had a following of scholars. Pull him in, and the rest would follow.
Father turned to me.
"Mu-jil, from your face, I can see the guilt weighs heavy."
Like a ghost reading my mind.
"I understand it's hard, butchering a great scholar like Jeong Mong-ju. Even I don't feel at ease. But this Goryeo is done for. We can't build a nation that reveres Neo-Confucianism under it. Buddhism is too deeply rooted in the royal house. To root it out, we must close Goryeo's doors and start anew. And for that... Jeong Mong-ju had to die."
True to his hardcore Neo-Confucian roots, Father despised Buddhism with a passion. So that's where Yi Bang-won's hatred came from—our old man. Me? I didn't hate it that much. Sure, the way monks acted in this era deserved all the scorn. Their land grabs rivaled the nobles', and plenty of them were indistinguishable from street thugs or bandits. But getting obsessed with Neo-Confucianism alone wasn't great either. Later seowon academies were a disgrace, and scholarship needed diversity. I'd have to work on fixing that obsession through my successive possessions.
Still, Father's soothing words helped a lot. Was this the power of a father?
Then Min Mu-gu returned with Gwon Geun.
"It's been too long, my lord."
"Yang-chon, likewise. Come inside."
He led Gwon Geun to the reception hall, and we followed.
Father wasted no time once seated.
"No beating around the bush—Po-eun is dead. Give up your cause and join us."
"What do you mean?"
Father explained how Jeong Mong-ju had died.
"How could a man of your stature take part in such a tragedy?"
"I don't want to face impeachment either. And I believe Goryeo can't be saved anymore."
"My lord!"
"This will take a while. Mu-gu, Mu-jil—out with you."
"Yes, Father."
We stepped out, but Min Mu-gu and I pressed our ears to the door, eavesdropping. We actually got along pretty well like this.
Anyway, Father argued that Goryeo was doomed, that the Wang clan had lost the Mandate of Heaven since the Military Regency. Gwon Geun pushed back at first, but Father's rebuttals wore him down. Honestly, there hadn't been a proper king since the coup. Hard to argue that.
Min Mu-gu whispered, "Mu-jil, we can probably head out now."
"Yeah."
It'd wrap up soon anyway. Gwon Geun would defect to Yi Seong-gye's side after Jeong Mong-ju's death.
As we waited, Min Da-yeon arrived. Why's this scary woman here again?
She spotted us.
"Mu-gu, Mu-jil—good work. So you finally killed Jeong Mong-ju."
"Sister, shouldn't you be with your husband?"
"He said he'd see Father alone first. Where's Father now?"
"Meeting with Lord Gwon Geun."
"I see. Then let's talk for a bit."
Why did her "let's talk" always terrify me?
Just then, Father emerged—talks apparently done. Gwon Geun bowed and left.
"Father, did it go well?"
"He'll come around."
"Really?"
"Yang-chon craves honor; it wasn't too hard. He just asked for a little more time."
Fair enough. Flipping immediately would look suspicious.
Father noticed Min Da-yeon.
"Da-yeon, what brings you?"
"To speak with my brothers."
"Fine. They've worked hard—treat them well."
"Don't worry, Father."
We went into a room with her.
"Sit comfortably today."
So I did. Even sitting casually isn't up to me.
She praised our efforts, then talked about what came next. It'd all be over soon. Yeah, Joseon would be founded by year's end.
As we chatted...
"Sister, won't your husband get in big trouble?"
"Probably. But it won't last long."
"So he'll become crown prince later?"
"High chance."
Zero chance. Yi Bang-seok's the one.
But seriously, what was Yi Seong-gye thinking?
We kept talking.
While the Min siblings conversed at length, Yi Bang-won was on his way to see Yi Seong-gye—to report Jeong Mong-ju's death.
He'd been anxious at the delay, but Jo Yeong-mu's confirmation brought relief. Yet a strange mix of emotions stirred: it was necessary for his father, clan, and himself, but killing a brilliant loyal minister like Jeong Mong-ju brought regret, relief that it was done, and anticipation for the new dynasty.
He first informed his eldest brother Yi Bang-gwa, uncles Yi Hwa and Yi Ji-ran. They all praised his hard work lavishly. Especially Lady Gang, his second stepmother, who boasted he'd saved the family and called him her pride.
She went ahead to tell Yi Seong-gye, while he followed. Her going first was to temper any potential rage.
Soon, Yi Bang-won reached Yi Seong-gye's chambers. Lady Gang emerged and waved him in.
Inside, Yi Seong-gye glared at him, his voice ice-cold.
"Sit."
Yi Bang-won sat.
"Did you order Po-eun's death?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"He'd never join us. It was to save the clan and Father's faction."
"I told you not to touch Po-eun. Why defy your father? Why?!"
"For you, Father. For the clan."
"Beating a kingdom's prime minister to death in broad daylight—for me?"
"Yes, Father."
Yi Seong-gye flew into a rage, hurling a nearby brazier at him.
"Don't give me that crap! Our house is known for loyalty and filial piety, and you kill a minister on your own whim—in the street! Do they think I knew nothing? Everyone will point fingers, saying I ordered my coward son to do it! You, who claim to value Confucian virtues, dare commit such unfilial acts? I want to die!"
"Father, Jeong Mong-ju would have framed us later. How could we sit and wait for ruin? Punishing him is true filial duty."
"I said I wouldn't fall! Po-eun had no military command—how could he topple me? And I needed him!"
Yi Seong-gye truly needed Jeong Mong-ju. His advisors like Jeong Do-jeon, Jo Jun, Nam Jae, and Yun So-jong were many, but none matched Jeong Mong-ju's Ming diplomacy. For a new dynasty, stable Ming ties were essential, and only Jeong Mong-ju could handle Zhu Yuan-zhang's temperament.
Stabilize that, then use Jeong Do-jeon and others to build an ideal Eastern state. Plus, Jeong Mong-ju was revered by the people. Winning him over would let Yi Seong-gye emulate Yao and Shun's sage kingship. He even planned Jeong as tutor for his heir, Yi Bang-seok—whom he'd long decided on. Lady Gang's cherished son was young and moldable into his ideal ruler, unlike his older, set-in-their-ways children. Yi Bang-beon was excluded for his ties to Prince Jeong-chang. With the "Progenitor of the East" teaching Yi Bang-seok, a perfect sage king was guaranteed. That's why he'd spared him—otherwise, he'd have died long ago.
But Yi Bang-won had shattered it all, in the vilest way, tarnishing his name. Hence the fury.
"I told you—if I deemed Po-eun unnecessary, I'd have removed him myself. But you defied me and ruined my plans! Arrogant fool."
As Yi Seong-gye raged on, Yi Bang-won turned to Lady Gang.
"Mother, why say nothing? Why not take my side?"
She replied, "You've always claimed to be a great man—what's this display? It's unbecoming. You should prepare countermeasures, not berate Bang-won. Why torment him over killing Po-eun?"
Yi Seong-gye paused, then...
"From now on, I'll handle it. Bang-won, do nothing. Defy me again, and you're no son of mine. Go home and stay put."
"Yes, Father."
Yi Bang-won left relieved, thanks to Lady Gang—Father hadn't exploded as expected.
Once gone, Yi Seong-gye summoned Bae Geuk-ryeom, Yi Bang-gwa, Yi Hwa, and I Je.
"You called?"
"Yes. General Bae—surround the palace now. No one in or out."
"Yes, my lord."
"Hwa, Bang-gwa, Je—take your armsmen. Meet Prince Jeong-chang. Demand he release all my faction, arrest the slanderous inspectors, and interrogate them. Bang-gwa, you personally as Supreme Commander of the Escort Army—extract confessions. Use any means."
"Yes."
As they departed, Yi Seong-gye thought:
"With Po-eun dead, no reason to hold back. Crush their power, become king. Bang-won ruined my ideal sage-king vision, but I'll be king regardless. Give Bang-seok worthy tutors, mold him into perfection. I'll create an eternal sage king and etch myself as the founding monarch for ages. No matter what!"
Thus Yi Seong-gye resolved, over and over.