Bound for Gyeongsang Amid the Purge
Upon Yi Seong-gye's order, Bae Geuk-ryeom immediately led his troops to surround the palace, while Yi Hwa, Yi Bang-gwa, I Je, and the others promptly met with Jeong Chang-gun. They straightaway reported that Yi Bang-won had slain Jeong Mong-ju.
"What? Is that true?"
Jeong Chang-gun was stunned by the news of Jeong Mong-ju's death. In response, Yi Hwa said, "Yes, it is. Jeong Mong-ju abused his authority as Chief State Councillor to incite the Censorate's inspectors to falsely accuse the ministers of our faction. Out of loyalty, Yi Bang-won rose up and struck him down. You can verify it at Seonji-gyo yourself."
Jeong Chang-gun was dumbfounded that they had openly beheaded Jeong Mong-ju in broad daylight. Moreover, the notion of "loyalty" left him speechless. What kind of loyal subject beats a high minister to death in the middle of the day?
Though Jeong Chang-gun was too flabbergasted to continue, Yi Hwa pressed on regardless. "In response, the Chief State Councillor has ordered the interrogation of those loyal subjects who were falsely accused by the inspectors. We shall begin with Inspector Kim Jin-yang."
It was a one-sided declaration. The Yi Seong-gye faction, having seized control of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was notifying him through it that they would conduct the interrogations—whether he permitted it or not. All he had to do was nod.
"Then, after consulting with the ministers, especially Yi Sok and Sim Deok-bu..."
At that, I Je interjected, "It would be problematic if you still harbor vain hopes. Yi Sok is also subject to interrogation."
Afterward, Yi Bang-gwa added, "I shall serve as the senior commander of the Bureau of Military Affairs and conduct the interrogations. If you refuse to punish Jeong Mong-ju's faction, then I beseech you to punish us instead."
It was blatant blackmail, forcing him to choose: fight them, the very ones who had slain Jeong Mong-ju, or submit and resign himself to everything.
With the palace surrounded by troops and even Jeong Mong-ju dead, Jeong Chang-gun had no power left to wield. He had no choice but to acknowledge the interrogations.
Yi Hwa, Yi Bang-gwa, and the others left with satisfied expressions. Tears streaming down his face, Jeong Chang-gun regretted not heeding Jeong Mong-ju's words and executing Yi Seong-gye's faction members like Jeong Do-jeon and Jo Jun. Now, the foundations of Goryeo truly faced closure.
Afterward, Yi Bang-gwa mercilessly tortured Kim Jin-yang and extracted a confession that Jeong Mong-ju had instigated it. With the admission secured, Jeong Do-jeon, Jo Jun, Nam Eun, Yun So-jong, and others were released from prison and returned to the faction. Yi Seong-gye's opponents were convicted on false charges and exiled en masse. Jeong Mong-ju was branded a traitor and publicly executed by hanging.
Meanwhile, Yi Seong-gye succeeded in winning over Sim Deok-bu. Threatening that he would end up like Jeong Mong-ju if he didn't cooperate, while promising to preserve his status, employ his children in high positions, and make him family if he helped—Sim Deok-bu ultimately yielded and joined Yi Seong-gye's side.
With Jeong Mong-ju's death, the purge of his faction, and Sim Deok-bu's defection, no one in the Goryeo court remained to oppose Yi Seong-gye's group.
Watching all this unfold, Min Mu-jil thought...
In the end, Jeong Mong-ju's faction was purged—brutally so. Even Gwon Geun had fully defected to Yi Seong-gye's side. Yi Seong-gye, quite pleased, acknowledged his father's contributions by appointing him to concurrently serve as the Hanseong Magistrate.
With Sim Deok-bu also turned, there were effectively no military men left around King Gongyang. Moreover, those not purged had either barricaded themselves at home or gone into seclusion upon Jeong Mong-ju's death and the display of his severed head—leaving no loyal subjects to defend Goryeo.
According to his father, no one in the court even recognized Gongyang as king anymore. They would leave before he did once morning assembly ended, simply turning and walking out.
Goryeo's downfall was now imminent. However, public sentiment was abysmal. The people despised Yi Seong-gye for killing the loyal minister Jeong Mong-ju. And they reviled him all the more for cowardly sending his son instead of doing it himself. In truth, it was the opposite—Yi Bang-won had defied Yi Seong-gye's will—but who cared about facts?
At this rate, "Seong-gye soup" or "Seong-gye jerky" might appear any day now.
In any case, today he would finally receive his post and head to Gyeongsang Province. He had volunteered for it himself, as it suffered the most from Japanese pirates.
He'd been given a standard military post. He could have aimed higher via his family's influence, but he had no desire to. Anything higher would involve administrative duties, which he wanted to avoid. Administrative work in this era wasn't particularly difficult, but suddenly excelling at things this body had been inept at could raise suspicions. Better to gradually show improvement.
Life as Min Mu-jil required constant caution—especially from now on. Once Joseon was founded and Yi Bang-seok became crown prince, they would fall under Queen Consort Sin Deok's watchful eye.
Time to depart.
Before leaving, he bid farewell to his parents. They simply told him to come back safe. They didn't seem overly worried—probably because the pirates weren't active now. They'd fret plenty soon enough; the raids would explode next year.
His father said he'd summon him back to the capital in about a year and a half. He planned to return in around four years, coinciding with Kim Sa-hyeong's Tsushima expedition in his memory.
Min Mu-gu also wished him well, and with family farewells complete, as he was about to set off, he spotted Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon.
They had come to see him off. Confirming his thought, they told him to take care.
Then Min Da-yeon said, "Husband, I need to speak with my brother. May I borrow him for a moment?"
Why now? Min Mu-jil was genuinely afraid whenever Min Da-yeon sought him out—not from this body's memories, but instinctively. Last time, after Jeong Mong-ju's killing, he'd had a long talk with her and Min Mu-gu, and she'd torn into him.
He didn't know what he'd been thinking, but he'd warned her to beware Queen Consort Gang of Sin Deok—and got utterly flayed. It was true they needed caution, especially since he'd sided with Yi Bang-won when Yi Seong-gye scolded him. But saying it then wasn't the time. Probably the alcohol—one drink too many. He'd often heard he lost his mental filter when drunk, but he hadn't expected it post-possession.
He still regretted it and had sworn off drink since. They'd covered other topics too, but that one had been so impactful it stuck.
Anyway, a scary woman.
Yi Bang-won replied, "Of course, my lady. I have matters to discuss with Father-in-law anyway. You siblings chat intimately."
Intimately, my ass.
She dragged him off. Seating him, Min Da-yeon said, "Alright, Mu-jil. I called you to speak frankly and from the heart."
Frankly? That's even scarier.
"What is it, sister?"
"First, don't throw your weight around in Gyeongsang Province. You're not going with a high post, but sycophants seeking to ride our family's coattails will surely appear. Stay vigilant and focus on your duties."
"Yes, I will, sister."
Solid advice—100%. He had no intention of lording it anyway. If he wanted that, he'd have stayed here instead of heading south.
"And I have three things I'm truly curious about."
"What are they?"
"Why keep delaying your marriage? As Mu-gu says, to secure a better match later, once a new dynasty opens and you leverage the crown prince's maternal clan?"
That rat Min Mu-gu runs his mouth... Spilling everything to Min Da-yeon, and twisting it his way too.
"That's not it."
"Then what is?"
"I simply haven't thought about it yet."
"No one catches your eye?"
"Yes."
"Hm... Mu-jil, I'll respect that. I'll speak to Father. Do as you wish for now—your sister will back you."
What's this? Don't just gawk—seize it.
"Thank you, sister."
"But only if you answer my remaining two questions properly."
As expected...
"What are they, sister?"
"First, why the southern provinces? For military merit, the northeastern Jurchens would be better, no?"
Expected question.
"The northeast is practically my brother-in-law's clan's domain. I didn't think it'd benefit me much. Plus, I expect Japanese pirates could strike the south anytime, so that's why."
The northeast was Yi Seong-gye's turf—what could he accomplish there? It was meaningless now, and pirate raids in the south were factual.
"Both make sense. Then the last: why say not to trust Mother-in-law?"
"That was a slip of the tongue. Nonsense—forget it, sister."
That again. No more drinking, damn it.
She glared. "Don't think I don't know you. Unlike Mu-gu, your slips aren't mood-driven—you speak what's truly in your heart. Drink, and it worsens."
This Min Mu-jil was like me, huh? That's why the possession? Not important now. How to respond?
"I want to hear why you judged that."
"Well..."
"I won't scold you—just answer properly."
She smiled faintly—her smiles scare me more.
"Truly, no scolding—speak."
She'll kill me if I don't. Fine. History showed she cherished her brothers fiercely, and even now she hunted threats like rats but cared deeply. Trusting that...
Plus, she'd never let him leave otherwise.
"It's the succession issue."
"Succession? You think he'll back someone other than my husband?"
"Yes."
"Who? Perhaps the current Judge Advocate (Yi Bang-gwa)? If so, unavoidable."
Yi Bang-gwa had the legitimacy edge. But no.
"Not him. I think it'll be Bang-beon or Bang-seok. He'd prefer his own sons, no?"
She pondered. "Possible. But Father-in-law doesn't seem the type, so likely needless worry. I understand—never speak it aloud again. This is advice and a warning."
"Yes. Thank you, sister. One request?"
"What?"
"Don't tell my brother-in-law."
"No need to worry."
Survived.
She gave various advice after: stay healthy, etc. She was worried about him, clearly.
Truth be told, Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil's immaturity meant Min Da-yeon nagged and reined them in—not from dislike, but deep affection.
Still scary.
After the talk, he departed with the household guards. His parents saw him off.
"Mu-jil, take care."
"Yes, Father, Mother. I'll return safely."
With that, he set course for Gyeongsang Province.
As Min Mu-jil departed for Gyeongsang Province, Min Da-yeon returned home, lost in thought.
"If Mu-jil thinks that, it's not impossible. The boy's exceptionally astute."
Having kept Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil in line her whole life, she knew them better than anyone. Mu-gu's arrogance and self-centeredness were chronic; Mu-jil's issue was blurting heartfelt truths freely. Worse when drunk.
After his fever, he'd improved, raising hopes he'd come to his senses—only for drunken antics to prove otherwise, earning a harsh scolding.
But reflecting on his words later, despite his greed and transparency when inebriated, his mind was the sharpest in the clan. Many insights rang true, so she often summoned and admonished him while hearing him out. He spoke truthfully before her, fearless yet honest.
But distrusting Gang... Yi Bang-won had been raised by her, trusted her like a birth mother. She'd openly backed him during Yi Seong-gye's recent reprimand, sparing him trouble—he was grateful.
Hard to believe she'd push Bang-beon or Bang-seok as crown prince while wary of Yi Bang-won. With five elder brothers grown, bypassing them for mere boys of ten? Unthinkable.
"Time will tell. If Mu-jil's right, we'll talk again. I hope he returns from Gyeongsang more mature."
Thus, Min Da-yeon hoped for a grown Min Mu-jil's return.