Part 1: Yi Seong-gye's Tragedy Begins
Not only the betrayals of Jo Yeong-mu, Jo On, and Yi Cheon-u, but now even Heungan-gun I Je had become a problem. It was Yi Hwa, the Yi An-gun who had decided to side with Yi Bang-won, who was interfering.
"Yi An-gun, Prince Jeongan has now risen in rebellion!"
"It's not rebellion—it's a fight between brothers, so stay out of it."
"What do you mean? Even after seeing all these soldiers, you say that? I'll take the Gabyeolcho and suppress them all right now."
"Do you think the Gabyeolcho will listen to you and suppress the princes from the Northeast? What does someone not even from the Northeast know about the Gabyeolcho? How dare you talk about using them to take down Northeast princes! Stop talking nonsense and just stay put! Jo Yeong-mu and Jo On didn't surrender for nothing. Besides, how many Gabyeolcho are left that you think you can win? Over there, they've got generals who earned merits in the Tsushima expedition lined up. You can't beat them, so stay still."
"Then please step in yourself, Yi An-gun. You're the princes' uncle and from the Northeast yourself, aren't you? If you and Cheonghae-gun Yi Ji-ran step forward, it's possible!"
"I have no intention of doing so. Cheonghae-gun feels the same."
Yi Ji-ran had also made it clear to Yi Hwa that he wouldn't do anything in this incident, so he was certain of that.
"Yi An-gun!"
"I Je. Just surrender to Prince Jeongan now. If you bow and beg, I'll persuade Bang-won somehow to spare your life."
With those words, Yi Hwa vanished. Only then did I Je realize that Yi Hwa had also joined Yi Bang-won's side.
At that moment, Sunnyeong-gun Yi Ji, who had gone out to assess the situation, returned and reported to Yi Seong-gye.
"I Je. Why are you so late? And where are Jo Yeong-mu, Jo On, and Yi Cheon-u? What's going on with Ji?"
Sunnyeong-gun Yi Ji replied, "Your Highness, Prince Jeongan has seized the capital. There's already an army of over five thousand inside the city walls."
"What? Where did all those troops come from?"
Yi Ji explained that troops brought by Min Mu-jil from Chungcheong Province, soldiers from Chungcheong who had been repairing the capital, central forces commanded by Sin Geuk-rye and others, and more had joined them.
"Then where are Jo Yeong-mu, Jo On, and Yi Cheon-u?"
"They've all joined Prince Jeongan. The Gabyeolcho under their command have sided with him too."
"No. You must have it wrong. For them to betray me and turn their swords on me? Especially Cheon-u—that can't be. My beloved nephew wouldn't do that to me."
Yi Seong-gye was denying reality. Then I Je spoke up.
"Your Highness, Yi An-gun has sided with Prince Jeongan too. Cheonghae-gun seems to be just watching from the sidelines. And what I said is true—they've all really joined him."
I Je relayed what Yi Hwa had said. At those words, Yi Seong-gye staggered.
"Your Highness!"
"Yi Hwa, Yi Ji-ran, Jo Yeong-mu, Jo On, Yi Cheon-u—all betrayed me? Just because Bang-won is by their side?!"
Yi Seong-gye was truly shocked. Everyone except I Je and Yi Ji—his own in-laws and cherished people—had betrayed him.
"What about Sambong? What happened to Sambong?"
"From what I've heard, Prince Jeongan led his forces straight to where Sambong is."
"No way? Sambong too? That bastard—after Poeun, now Sambong?!"
Yi Seong-gye was seething with rage, at a loss for what to do.
"To think I trusted and entrusted them with everything—it's lamentable. The late queen was right; I should have killed that Bang-won bastard! I regret not listening to her so much!"
With that, Yi Seong-gye collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face.
As Yi Seong-gye shed tears like that, Min Mu-jil was heading to the palace front with his sword drawn. By now, everyone should be gathered, right? Come to think of it, it was already morning. We've been at this for quite a while.
Upon arrival, he learned that Yi Bang-won was conversing with Princess Gyeongseun and his brothers. They must have come to beg for I Je's life. Waiting a moment, Min Da-yeon arrived.
"So, Mu-jil, did it go well?"
"Yes. I killed Jeong Do-jeon. The blood on this sword is his."
She smiled quite satisfied.
"It's all over now. You've seized the Three Armies Command, handled Jo Jun and Kim Sa-hyeong, and agreed to come here in the morning."
Jo Jun was probably grilled pretty hard, but since Yi Bang-won permitted it, no issue.
Then Min Da-yeon caressed his cheek.
"You've worked so hard all this time. No need to suffer anymore. Mu-jil, now it's our world."
That's a scary thing to say. Our world? What if Yi Bang-won hears that?
"Let's freely pursue what we couldn't achieve because of Jeong Do-jeon."
"I'll just do as I'm told."
"That's enough."
As they talked with Min Da-yeon, Princess Gyeongseun emerged. He bowed properly in greeting, but she looked terrified. After the courtesy, entering the tent, Yi Bang-won welcomed him warmly.
"So, Mu-jil, did you handle it well?"
"Yes. Here's the proof."
Yi Bang-won took the sword, looking quite pleased. Then Yi Bang-gwa spoke.
"In the end, Sambong is dead. Good riddance to that bastard. But Bang-won, was that true earlier? That if I Je kneels and begs, you'll forgive him?"
"Yes, brother. Isn't Princess Gyeongseun pleading like that? Honestly, he was just following Jeong Do-jeon's orders and isn't a real threat, so I plan to end it with exile."
Indeed, Yi Bang-won had cherished Princess Gyeongseun. Even in the histories, when she died, he and Yi Bang-gwa paid their respects together, and despite his fits over Buddhism, he even donated to her temple. But I Je wouldn't beg, so he'd die, and Princess Gyeongseun would become a nun. Frankly, no one else seems pitiable—it's just deserts—but Princess Gyeongseun is truly tragic. At least, I should ensure no one torments her.
"Bang-won, what now? Bang-ui hyungnim is bringing Bang-gwa hyungnim along."
Apparently, Yi Bang-gwa had been praying for Yi Seong-gye's recovery at Sogeukjeon when the chaos erupted, hid nearby, and was now being brought by Yi Bang-ui. Yi Bang-gwa really is the filial one. For Yi Seong-gye to make Yi Bang-seok crown prince with a son like that... What was he thinking?
Curious what possessed him to name Yi Bang-seok crown prince. Not primogeniture—Yi Seong-gye's Jurchen allies didn't strictly follow that. The Jin founders like Oya-sok, Agolta, Ogel-tai were brothers inheriting sequentially. Nomad "primogeniture" is more equal division among eldest sons first, not strict throne inheritance. They don't split the throne. And nomad succession usually goes to the strongest. So naming Yi Bang-seok wasn't nomad custom—quite the opposite; by that logic, it should be the strongest, Yi Bang-won. It's rootless anywhere in East Asia, even the West. Yi Seong-gye must have overestimated his own power—a massive misjudgment.
"For now, best to seize the palace. With Jo Yeong-mu and Jo On surrendered, no one will resist."
Yeah, seizing the palace makes sense. Then Park Po arrived.
"Prince Jeongan, the Left and Right Prime Ministers have come."
Already? Going out, Jo Jun and Kim Sa-hyeong knelt, kowtowing.
"We pledge ourselves to Prince Jeongan's great cause. Command us."
"First, gather the Court of Offices officials and prepare a joint memorial supporting this cause. I'll visit the Court shortly—see you then."
"Yes, Prince Jeongan."
Thus, even the Court's endorsement was secured.
"Now with the Court's backing, we seize the palace. Mu-jil, let's go."
"Yes."
Afterward, Yi Bang-won assembled all the generals and ordered the palace assault. Min Mu-jil went too, sword in hand, but resistance was minimal. With Jo Yeong-mu and Jo On surrendered, it was pointless, and Yi Hwa had even disarmed them. A few resistors were slain outright—like Park Wi and his handful of guards. Park Wi was killed by Yi Suk-beon.
Then they entered Gyeongbok Palace triumphantly.
"Now, time to see Abamama."
Yi Bang-won pondered, then said, "Wife, two brothers-in-law, Cheon-u, I Mu, and only Mu-jil's private troops—follow me."
To witness Yi Seong-gye and Yi Bang-won's meeting directly. They headed to where Yi Seong-gye was. En route, Yi Seong-gye appeared before them. He looked unsteady. They bowed in greeting—etiquette must be observed, rebellion or not.
"I want none of you traitors' greetings!"
As expected. Then Yi Bang-won spoke.
"Abamama, did you rest peacefully through the night?"
"How could I, thanks to you? What did you do to Sambong? What happened to Sambong?!"
"I killed him."
Yi Seong-gye looked shocked.
"Why did you kill him?"
"Jeong Do-jeon wielded power through an unqualified crown prince, even dragging the nation into crisis with his absurd fantasy of conquering Liaodong. He tried to murder me and numerous princes, so I took the lead and killed him first."
"You killed him?"
"Yes."
Pointing at Min Mu-jil, he drew the bloodied sword.
"With this very blade."
Gazing at him,
"Obviously a lie. You're not one to dirty your own hands. It was that dog of yours who does anything you say."
Sharp judgment. But with that judgment, why make Bang-seok crown prince?
Yi Seong-gye glared at Yi Bang-won.
"Skilled at having others do your killing. You killed Poeun that way too, and now Sambong! To kill my founding merit— are you even human?!"
"I am. He tried to kill the princes, didn't I say? So I killed him. I Mu, report it."
I Mu then conveyed how Jeong Do-jeon had truly plotted to kill the princes and the Min clan. Jeong Do-jeon really hated our family.
Yi Seong-gye said, "My fault. When I made Bang-seok crown prince, I should have killed you. As the late queen willed!"
"Wrong. It's Abamama's fault for naming a bastard crown prince over grown legitimate sons. If you'd named Bang-gwa hyungnim or me, this wouldn't have happened."
"Blaming Bang-gwa again. You're power-hungry for the throne, yet you make excuses with Bang-gwa."
"Not nonsense. If Bang-gwa hyungnim were crown prince, how could I rebel? Why would all these people side with me? It's all because Abamama chose the crown prince wrong."
"Enough lies. You've been throne-blind since beating Poeun to death. Even if Bang-gwa were elevated, you'd scheme for it anyway."
"Then why name Yi Bang-seok instead of Bang-gwa hyungnim?"
"That's for me to judge, not you! I founded this country, so my choice is crown prince!"
"Wrong. This land, Joseon, reveres Confucianism. The king must uphold its order, and the crown prince must be appointed accordingly. Your rootless appointment of Bang-seok caused this."
"What? Rootless?!"
"Yes. A baseless crown prince appointment—so everyone rebelled. Not the eldest, not even meritorious. That's why these people support me. Even Sin Sangjanggun, Gang clan's distant nephew, backs me. Even Jeong Do-jeon's ally. Cheon-u here too. And the Gabyeolcho commanders surrendered, endorsing my cause. The Court too. Don't you see what that means? Drop your stubbornness. I'll say it again: Abamama is wrong. Correct this to stabilize the state—Jeongsa."
Strong words, but not wrong. East or West, throne succession prioritizes the eldest son—not the youngest. Meritorious isn't grown sons' excellence either; Yi Bang-seok has no basis, as Yi Bang-won says. He must harbor deep resentment—his words are fierce.
At that, Yi Seong-gye looked at Yi Cheon-u and collapsed. Truly shocked that Cheon-u is with us.
"Eunuchs, attend to Abamama."
As eunuchs supported him,
"I'll see you later, Abamama."
"I never want to see you again."
"You'll see me often. I have backlogged official duties to report diligently. Rest easy; I'll visit when it's done."
They left. On the way, Yi Seong-gye's mad laughter echoed. What did it mean? Despair? Self-mockery? Rage? Unclear—maybe all of it.
Exiting the palace, back at camp, Yi Bang-gwa was there. He looked at Yi Bang-won.
"Bang-won, are you telling me to become crown prince now?"
"Yes, brother."
"I heard the cause. If Jeong Do-jeon did that, it's understandable, but I don't want to join a rising against Abamama, let alone the crown prince seat. I'm unqualified anyway. You do it."
"Everyone, leave us. I'll speak with Bang-gwa hyungnim alone."
They all exited. How will he persuade him?