Part 1 - Min Mu-jil Marches to Capture Jeong Do-jeon
Min Mu-jil led his troops northward. At that moment, Yi Bang-won had gathered Ha Ryeon, I Je, Sin Geuk-rye, Min Mu-gu, Yi Suk-beon, Park Po, and others in his own residence for a meeting.
"Brother-in-law. Where's Mu-jil at right now?"
"Yes, brother-in-law. Even if he's delayed, he'll arrive by midnight at the latest."
"Fast. As expected of Jeong Do-jeon—he must have heard about this, so he's coming at full speed. So, what are Jeong Do-jeon's faction up to now?"
Park Po replied to that.
"According to Yi Mu's report, they're all gathered at Nam Eun's concubine house, drinking. But even as they drink, they're discussing the conquest of Liaodong."
"Discussing the conquest of Liaodong over drinks? Ridiculous. By dawn tomorrow, all their heads will roll."
Everyone burst into loud laughter at his words. They were already convinced of the coup's success. Once Min Mu-jil arrived with his army, it would all be over.
It had to be that way. All the key figures had been secured, and they had sufficient forces. Moreover, they'd even won over Yi Hwa, Jo Yeong-mu, and Jo On, who could command the Gabyeolcho. There was nothing to fear.
"Then it's time for us to do our parts. Pingando Byeongma Jeoljesa I Je, Yongwi Wijanggun Sin Geuk-rye—mobilize the troops from the Byeongbu and head straight to the Three Armies Command."
"Yes, Prince Jeongan."
"Lord Ha Ryeon, go immediately and bring the capital repair troops to the rendezvous point."
"Yes, Prince Jeongan."
"Suk-beon, take your men to Sungnye Gate right now and secure it so Mu-jil can enter easily. It shouldn't be too hard."
"Yes, Prince Jeongan."
"Jo Jeon Jeoljesa Park Po, keep a close watch on Jeong Do-jeon's faction."
"Yes, Prince Jeongan."
"Brother-in-law, explain the situation to Cheon-u and have him come to the rendezvous point. He'll be thrilled. He might whine a bit, but it's nothing we can't handle."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
"Alright, everyone move out. I'll join later. I have a prior engagement with my brothers."
With that, they all departed to carry out their tasks. Yi Bang-won then met with Yi Bang-ui, Yi Bang-gwa, and Yi Bang-beon before heading to the palace. He'd received a summons from Yi Seong-gye.
A call for all the brothers to gather. On the way to the palace with his brothers, Yi Bang-won said,
"Brothers. Something's off. Father explicitly forbade me from entering the palace, yet suddenly..."
Yi Bang-ui and Yi Bang-gwa grew suspicious at his words. Yi Seong-gye had indeed banned Yi Bang-won from the palace.
"Then why...?"
At that moment, Yi Bang-won declared,
"This is Jeong Do-jeon's scheme! He's gone beyond oppressing us brothers—he's plotting murder now! Think about it. Why summon us in the dead of night? Jeong Do-jeon plans to kill us all!"
Yi Bang-ui and Yi Bang-gwa were startled but soon nodded in agreement. Jeong Do-jeon had always tormented them; it seemed entirely plausible.
Yi Bang-won continued with an excited expression,
"It's because Jeong Do-jeon manipulates state affairs by propping up that child crown prince. If Brother Bang-gwa had been crown prince, would this have happened?"
"So what do you plan to do?"
"I'll step up, personally behead Jeong Do-jeon, and reinstate Brother Bang-gwa as crown prince! I'll correct all that's gone wrong. Brothers, decide now—will you join me or not?"
Yi Bang-won then turned to Yi Bang-beon.
"Bang-beon. What about you?"
Yi Bang-beon replied,
"Jeong Do-jeon doesn't seem to be targeting me."
"Bang-beon, don't think you're safe just because you're the crown prince's full brother. You're in danger too."
But Yi Bang-beon reacted indifferently and headed back home. Watching him go, Yi Bang-won asked,
"What about you two, brothers?"
Yi Bang-ui said,
"Bang-won, this brother grinds his teeth at the thought of Jeong Do-jeon too. I'm in."
Yi Bang-gwa agreed to join as well. Yi Bang-won nodded.
"Yes. Then we'll meet at the palace gates later."
Yi Bang-ui interjected,
"No. I'll go see Brother Bang-gwa first, explain the situation, and bring him along. Bang-gwa, you come too."
"Good idea, brother."
Yi Bang-ui and Yi Bang-gwa headed off to find Yi Bang-gwa. Yi Bang-won smiled as he watched them leave.
"Now I have my justification."
It was true that Jeong Do-jeon planned to kill him. Yi Mu had reported that once the Liaodong campaign began, Jeong Do-jeon intended to eliminate threats like Prince Jeongan from the rear. When Ming's civil war erupted, he'd find some pretext to wipe out Yi Bang-won and the entire Min clan. Despite opposition, Jeong Do-jeon was adamant.
To that end, Yi Bang-won had Jo Yeong-mu, Yi Hwa, Jo On, and Yi Mu forge orders summoning him, Yi Bang-ui, Yi Bang-gwa, and Yi Bang-beon—framing it as a trap to slaughter them all.
Since Jeong Do-jeon truly intended to kill him anyway, Yi Bang-won saw no issue. He planned to inform his brothers, justify the coup's righteousness, and enlist their support. And it had gone exactly as planned, so he smiled.
"Bang-beon won't come through after all."
In truth, Yi Bang-won planned to kill Yi Bang-seok regardless, and even Yi Bang-beon. But if Yi Bang-beon joined the uprising, he'd spare him. Turning even his half-brother against their father would be a devastating blow.
Since he refused, Yi Bang-won would have to kill him. Not immediately, but with proper justification. It felt insufficient for this coup alone. Yet watching his actions, Yi Bang-won sensed Yi Bang-beon would soon provide his own pretext—reassuring yet bittersweet. Killing a brother was no small thing, after all.
"This is all Father's doing. His mistake in making Bang-seok crown prince."
With that thought, Yi Bang-won returned home, gathered his escort troops, and headed to the rendezvous point with Min Da-yeon.
Meanwhile, outside Sungnye Gate, Min Mu-jil arrived with his army. He'd come incredibly fast, flying at the thought of killing Jeong Do-jeon. Thanks to coordination with Min Mu-gu, there were no issues.
"What now?"
"No need for a siege."
I approached Sungnye Gate directly, and Yi Suk-beon greeted me.
"Has the Byeongjo Jeongnang arrived?"
Yi Suk-beon had already secured it, timed perfectly for my arrival. Plus, several gate guards were in on it, making it even easier.
"Good. You've handled it already."
"Yes. With insiders, failure would be the real surprise. Come on in."
"Everyone, enter the city!"
With that, I led the troops through Sungnye Gate alongside Park Eun. Inside, only about forty corpses littered the ground—meaning over half had surrendered.
As we advanced, I chatted with Yi Suk-beon, curious about the situation.
"Is Jeong Do-jeon still drinking?"
"Yes. Debating the Liaodong conquest over drinks."
Ridiculous. Jeong Do-jeon must have let his guard down completely. Even with Sungnye Gate breached, he was at it.
Jeong Do-jeon only saw the big picture, blind to details.
We moved the army while inquiring about Jeong Do-jeon's status and more, finally reaching the rendezvous point. Ha Ryeon waited with capital troops, Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon were there too. Min Mu-gu and Yi Cheon-u as well.
Yi Cheon-u? He wasn't in the original plan.
Greetings first.
"Brother-in-law. I've brought the troops as ordered. Fourteen hundred in total."
"You did well. Truly."
Then Yi Cheon-u whined.
"Why'd you leave me out?"
"Sorry. Had to fool Jeong Do-jeon. You're a Gabyeolcho commander, after all—no choice."
Yi Cheon-u was Yi Seong-gye's nephew and one of the Gabyeolcho leaders. Not Jeong Do-jeon's mistake—Yi Seong-gye doted on him too much. Yi Bang-won kept him at arm's length to avoid risk, treating him as a joker card.
"A bit miffed. But glad to join now. Thank you, Prince Jeongan."
"Good."
"I've already told Brother Yang-u to muster the Gabyeolcho loyal to us. We'll surround the palace as you commanded."
Yi Seong-gye would faint. His precious nephew drawing steel without hesitation.
Or maybe the shock of him joining us? All thanks to Jeong Do-jeon.
Not just him. Yi Seong-gye's half-brother Yi Hwa, his handpicked general Jo Yeong-mu, nephew Yi Yang-u, and half-sister's son Jo On—all on our side.
Yi Seong-gye would be devastated. Did Yi Bang-won recruit them deliberately to shock him?
"Good. Thank you. Ha Ryeon, Yi Suk-beon, Park Eun—lead your men with Yang-u and surround the palace."
"Yes, Lord Prince Jeongan."
"Cheon-u, Mu-jil, you're with me to capture Jeong Do-jeon."
Look at Yi Cheon-u's face—pure glee. Seeing Jeong Do-jeon's end? Thanks, brother-in-law.
"Brother-in-law. Thank you."
"No need. Let's go. First, eldest brother-in-law."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
"Summon Jo Jun and Kim Sa-hyeong with Park Po right now. Get their endorsement for the coup and secure the Six Ministries."
"Yes, understood."
Then Min Da-yeon spoke.
"Husband. Mu-gu can't handle it alone—I'll help."
"Very well, my lady. With you, I'm sure they'll be persuaded."
Min Da-yeon meeting Jo Jun and Kim Sa-hyeong? Kim Sa-hyeong's fine—father's friend, always good to me. But Jo Jun? Risky. Worried what might happen. Violent persuasion?
Probably fine. Yi Bang-won knows my concerns but sent them anyway. Or maybe violence is acceptable?
"Everyone, move out."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
We proceeded as Yi Bang-won directed. I headed to Nam Eun's concubine house with Yi Bang-won, Yi Cheon-u, and private troops.
Jeong Do-jeon's end. Curious what he'll say.
While Yi Bang-won, Yi Cheon-u, and Min Mu-jil went to capture Jeong Do-jeon, his faction drank and debated the Liaodong conquest.
"Shenyang has a commander, so we'll need a siege."
"True. But many Koryo people live there. They're still crossing the border to us—use them, and we can take it easily."
The discussion was surprisingly serious. Utterly unaware Yi Bang-won, Yi Cheon-u, and Min Mu-jil were coming for them.
Soon, they arrived.
We'd arrived. Time to seize Jeong Do-jeon. Yi Bang-won said,
"Mu-jil, recruiting Jeong Do-jeon's man as you suggested was brilliant. Yi Mu-gong, you'll be my top merit subject."
"Thank you, Lord Prince Jeongan."
Nice pivot. After all he's done, top merit? Well, first-class merits were often bullet shields or honorary for elders—real power went to second-class. History's core players were all second-class.
Yi Mu knocked, announcing himself. The servants knew him and opened the door. I signaled, and armed officers and troops stormed in.
"Behead any ministers on sight! But bring Jeong Do-jeon alive!"
"Yes!"
"Brother-in-law joining too?"
"Together."
We entered. Yi Mu guided us to the drinking party. En route, we saw Jang Ji-hwa and Yi Geun, slain by soldiers. Two down.
Further on, Sim Hyo-saeng.
"Sim Hyo-saeng?"
He spotted us and exclaimed in shock,
"Prince Jeongan, what outrage is this!"
"Cheon-u."
Yi Cheon-u promptly decapitated him.
"Arrogant bastard. Strutting as the crown prince's father-in-law."
Yi Bang-won really hated Sim Hyo-saeng. Despite being exam classmates, that reaction. Well, he was insufferably arrogant.
Then we nabbed Jeong Do-jeon.
"Yi Bang-won. Min Mu-jil..."
He ground his teeth—pure delight. Hey, acknowledge Yi Cheon-u too.
Yi Bang-won said,
"Jeong Do-jeon, talk later. Busy now. We'll chat leisurely once sorted. Plenty to discuss, right?"
He shoved him into a room. True, too much to say. Could talk after cleanup.
We locked Jeong Do-jeon away, hunted the rest, killing all but two: Yi Jeok and Nam Eun. Couldn't find them.
Nam Eun slips away here too?
"What now, brother-in-law?"
"Let Yi Jeok go—he'll beg forgiveness later, and we'll spare him. Ha Ryeon is his cousin-in-law, son of my exam proctor, and close to my father-in-law. Just a worker by Jeong Do-jeon, no great evils."
Connections everywhere. Networks matter.
I like Yi Jeok too. Love his poem A Black Crow.
"Crows are black, don't laugh at White Colt. Black outside doesn't mean black inside. Aren't you the one white outside, black within?"
Memorized it even in my past life. Fits me and Jeong Do-jeon perfectly.
"Mu-jil, why recite Yi Jeok's poem suddenly?"
"It matches Jeong Do-jeon and me. He calls me black-hearted, but isn't he the real black one?"
Yi Bang-won and Yi Cheon-u roared with laughter.
"Spot on. Eerily perfect. Capturing Jeong Do-jeon has you in high spirits, Mu-jil. Reciting poems and all. Nam Eun can wait—let's see Jeong Do-jeon."
"Yes, brother-in-law."
We headed to his room. Looking forward to it.