Part 1: Min Mu-jil's Return to Joseon and the Kingdom's Turmoil
The day after Je Tae departed, the practical negotiations began. Jo Jun took the lead aggressively, as he'd claimed confidence in handling such matters. I just observed. After all, he, as the Left Prime Minister, knew better than I did about how much leeway our kingdom had and whether the tribute demands were feasible.
We conducted the practical talks over several days, and finally, with Zhu Yunwen's final approval, the negotiations wrapped up. The end result: all detained envoys were released to return home, and the "three tributes per year" would start next year. Gold and silver tributes were abolished, replaced by more horses. We'd deliver six hundred horses each tribute season, along with other local products. There was also a clause allowing Ming to purchase extra horses if needed.
It was more than expected, but Jo Jun insisted it was manageable, so they'd settled on that. If Joseon's top administrator said it was fine, who was I to argue? The detained envoys were handed over too, and they were overjoyed at returning to Joseon. Though some from Jeong Do-jeon's faction were mixed in, most were just officials, showering us with endless gratitude for coming to their rescue. Even Jeong Do-jeon's people did the same—perhaps even more profusely. With Jeong Do-jeon dead and their strings cut, it was only natural.
With all negotiations complete, we paid a final courtesy call on Zhu Yunwen before departing. There, he said,
"We're in mourning now, so I can't entertain you lavishly—my regrets. But I'll grant special gifts separately; take them with you."
"Your benevolence is as vast as the sea."
Afterward, we received his personal gifts—quite a substantial amount. This must be payback for the ginseng I'd offered. True class, unlike some. Well, Zhu Yuanzhang had been generous when he gave, too. It was just his constant bullshit that twisted everyone's guts.
As we prepared to leave with the gifts after the audience, Je Tae came out to see us off. When I greeted him, he pulled me aside and whispered,
"Deputy Envoy. I have a feeling you'll return to the capital soon. Can you bring more ginseng like this time? It was truly excellent, as you said."
He'd already tested it, apparently. I nodded in agreement. At least Je Tae was a gentleman. Plenty of others came to Joseon demanding silver outright or wreaked havoc when denied. If things went well, ginseng could soon join the tribute list. Back home, we'd need to ramp up cultivation fast.
Our envoy group boarded the ships, mission accomplished, and set sail for Joseon. Homeward bound at last.
Inside the ship, Jo Jun remarked,
"There really might be a civil war. No—it's certain."
The evidence we'd gathered on this trip was so clear even Jo Jun had to admit it, thanks to a condition they'd imposed in the tribute deal.
"Insisting on sea transport is to prevent us from contacting Prince of Yan. That means they'll eliminate him by any means—a sure sign of civil war."
Exactly. Sea transport saved us money too, but they had demanded it upfront. Why? To block any contact with Prince of Yan. Who knew what tricks he might pull?
"Yes. No denying it now. At minimum, the emperor and Prince of Yan will clash. With 150,000 elite troops—the best in Ming—he won't go down without a fight."
"We'll report the details thoroughly upon return."
"Agreed."
Still, Jo Jun was thrilled at completing every task, from abolishing gold and silver tributes. A civil war was their bloodbath, after all. I was pleased too—not just the tribute fix, but now we had legal grounds to crush the Jurchens along the Tumen River. And this was my countermove against Yi Seong-gye.
To pressure the northeastern Jurchens, we'd naturally bolster forces in the Northeast Frontier. That would prevent the Jo Sa-seo Rebellion. We could replace all personnel and troops there with our people. Even if Yi Seong-gye made it to the Northeast, he'd achieve nothing—commanders swapped out entirely. Any rebellion he sparked would be smaller for it.
At least the minimal insurance was in place. Of course, a rage-blinded Yi Seong-gye might still rebel, so backups were needed. Come to think of it, he'd been king when we left, but by now Yi Bang-gwa probably wore the crown. Yi Seong-gye had practically forced the abdication.
Afterward, Yi Seong-gye manipulated Yi Bang-gwa to block Yi Bang-won at all costs—but futile. He was banking on Yi Bang-gwa's filial piety. Shouldn't have made Yi Bang-gwa crown prince in the first place. Self-inflicted wounds. Anyway, I'd check what schemes Yi Seong-gye was brewing upon return. Plenty to do back home.
Meanwhile, in Joseon at this time, Yi Bang-gwa had become king. Yi Seong-gye had relentlessly pushed the throne on him, and Yi Bang-gwa, unable to defy his father, ascended as Joseon's second king.
Yi Bang-won was shocked at first by Yi Bang-gwa's sudden enthronement but soon realized it was Yi Seong-gye's coercion and didn't worry much. Yi Bang-gwa showed no desire to rule anyway, delegating all state affairs to Yi Bang-won while focusing on polo and hunting. His only act: posthumously honoring his birth mother, Lady Han of the Sinui Shrine, as Queen Sinui.
Even that was his own doing, after Yi Seong-gye refused and forced the abdication. Thus, Yi Bang-won handled state matters daily, busily. One day, while discussing Joseon's governmental structure with Kim Sa-hyeong, Ha Ryeon, Min Je, and Gwon Geun, Yi Suk-beon reported that Park Po was dissatisfied with the upcoming merit awards.
Perplexed, Yi Bang-won asked why. Yi Suk-beon explained that Park Po, drunk at a gathering, complained Jo Jun and Kim Sa-hyeong did nothing yet ranked as first-class merits, while he was second-class.
"Insolent fool. Even Mu-gu, Mu-jil, and Sin Geuk-rye stay silent—what's his problem?"
Yi Bang-won was dumbfounded by Park Po's gripe. For the Wui-in Jeong-sa, elder statesmen were named first-class merits for political legitimacy. True top contributors like Min Mu-gu, Min Mu-jil, and Sin Geuk-rye accepted it without complaint; a lesser Park Po whining was absurd. Complaining before awards were even issued was laughable, and infuriating amid everyone's hard work reforming the regime—especially with Min Mu-jil toiling nonstop post-Wui-in Jeong-sa, now on a critical Ming mission.
Above all, Yi Bang-won despised meritorious retainers strutting idly. Elevated status demanded service to Joseon. He ordered Park Po exiled to Death Row Prison, preserving his second-class merit out of past contributions. Park Po seethed with resentment.
Not just him—Yi Bang-won's elder brother, Prince Hyean Yi Bang-gan, brimmed with discontent too. His merit title was hollow; Yi Bang-won claimed most glory. The court filling with Yi Bang-won's men irked him. Worst: Yi Bang-won openly eyed the throne after Yi Bang-gwa, who didn't deny it. As elder brother, why should the succession go to Yi Bang-won? He secretly built power for it.
But none resented Yi Bang-won more than Yi Seong-gye, who ground his teeth at the thought. He persuaded Yi Bang-gwa to block Yi Bang-won by any means—even now, urging him to appoint a crown prince. That would bar Yi Bang-won forever. Yet Yi Bang-gwa ignored him.
"Your Majesty truly defies your father?"
"Father. I truly don't want the throne. I'll yield to Bang-won soon."
"Defying me? To become Bang-won's puppet?"
Yi Bang-gwa denied it; Yi Seong-gye bellowed.
"What denial? Think I yielded the throne so you could puppet for him?"
"Father."
"Bang-gwa! Why? What's lacking that you play puppet? Why you!"
"Father, no matter how I think, no one matches Bang-won's kingly qualities for this land. That's why I'll yield—please understand."
"Kingly qualities? Throne-mad beast! He killed Poeun, Sambong, two brothers—slayer of kin!"
"Father, quell your anger. Recognize and forgive Bang-won. It's best."
"Forgive? Without his plea?"
"I'll persuade him. Forgive, Father."
"Fine. Tell him to grovel and self-punish. Then forgiveness."
Yi Bang-gwa sighed. He tried bridging Yi Seong-gye and Yi Bang-won, but no progress—just frustration.
"Out! If defending that wretch, begone!"
Yi Bang-gwa bowed and left, heading straight to Yi Bang-won, who bowed deeply.
"What brings you, Your Highness?"
"Bang-won, a favor."
"Command me."
Yi Bang-gwa relayed Yi Seong-gye's words, stressing the need to soothe their father. Yi Bang-won promised to plead with Ming gifts upon the envoys' return. Yi Bang-gwa relaxed somewhat—Bang-won listened, at least. He returned to polo; Yi Bang-won pondered.
"Father's too harsh on Brother Bang-gwa now."
Yi Bang-won thought Yi Seong-gye's treatment unfair. Once decrying Yi Bang-gwa's inadequacies for crown prince, now questioning his worth as elder? Same man. Refusing to further honor Lady Han as Yi Bang-won's idea, then unilaterally demanding of Yi Bang-gwa—infuriating.
"Still, brother's request—I'll visit."
He'd heed Yi Bang-gwa out of respect. He knew Yi Bang-gan's schemes via Min Mu-gu's surveillance, triggered by suspicions over Yi Bang-beon's solo death. Learning of Yi Bang-gan's power buildup, he stayed wary but strengthened ties with Yi Bang-gwa—no desire to enemy his brother. To show Yi Seong-gye he could lead well, he'd go with envoy gifts on return. Father's wrong—abandon it.
Busy with affairs one day, word came: Ming envoys returning, missions complete, detainees freed. Yi Bang-won rejoiced, gathering all to welcome them. Even Yi Bang-gwa halted polo to join. Yi Seong-gye, hating Yi Bang-won, stayed away—as usual.