The Second Princes' Disturbance Ends in Bloodless Rout
When Yi Bang-won heard from Min Mu-gu about Yi Bang-gwa's movements, his face darkened with considerable distress.
"For Brother Bang-gwa to come at me like this..."
Yi Bang-won had assumed Yi Bang-gwa would back down once the private army reforms were underway. And if he did, Yi Bang-won genuinely intended to let him live a life of luxury as royalty. They were brothers from the same mother, after all.
But for him to plan a surprise attack instead? It was nothing short of disheartening.
Of course, the thought of losing never even crossed his mind. He already controlled the military as the Supreme Commander of the Central Army, and all the key military figures were on his side. Demoting I Geo-i and exiling Jo Yeong-mu hadn't shaken that grip in the slightest—Yi Bang-won had secured total command of the forces.
The only burden weighing on him was the sheer pressure of having to fight his own brother from the same womb.
Then Min Mu-gu revealed another piece of intelligence, and Yi Bang-won resolved to fight decisively. Yi Bang-gwa was planning to target his mansion, after all. And that mansion housed not only his beloved wife Min Da-yeon but also their precious third son, the golden child of the family. The idea that they might be in danger hardened Yi Bang-won's determination to crush him utterly.
To that end, Yi Bang-won summoned Ha Ryeon, Min Mu-jil, Sin Geuk-rye, and Yi Suk-beon. He wanted to discuss with them how to wrap this up with minimal fallout.
Those who arrived heard Min Mu-gu's briefing, and Yi Bang-won asked them how to proceed. And Min Mu-jil, who was there...
In the end, Yi Bang-gwa was stirring up trouble. I'd always thought he was a fool, but damn, he really is an idiot.
Right now, his best move would be to surrender all his private troops and hand everything over to Yi Bang-won. No question—he couldn't win.
With or without private armies, Yi Bang-won had absolute control of the military. He probably thought we'd been weakened by the loss of Ugun Chongjae I Geo-i, but that spot was already filled. Sim Deok-bu's son, Sim In-bong, had taken over as Right Army Supreme Commander without issue. He's one of ours.
His younger brother Sim Jong was the second meritorious official of the Jeongsa rankings, so the family was aligned with us from the start. Thanks to that, Sim Jong's older brother—Sim On, future father-in-law to Prince Chungnyeong—had recently been appointed as a grand general.
And Sim On happens to be close with my younger brother Min Mu-hul. I never expected the connections to link up like this, but anyway.
Yi Bang-won had locked down military command through our Yeheung Min clan, the Cheongsong Sim clan, and others. Yi Bang-gwa had no plays left. Hell, I could handle him alone without Yi Bang-won lifting a finger—the power gap was that stark.
But Yi Bang-won looked a bit pissed off right now. Probably because of the threat to his mansion. Prince Chungnyeong lives there, after all. So he's seeing this as an open declaration of war against Yi Bang-gwa. Makes total sense. The guy's a hardcore doting dad.
Then Ha Ryeon spoke up.
"Lord Jeong-an. I have a stratagem."
"Lord Hojeong, speak freely."
Ha Ryeon stepping forward after all this time?
"In my view, we should leak the fact that we already know. That will force him to fear repercussions and strike first out of desperation. When Lord Hoean—that is, Lord Bang-gwa—attacks, our ambushing troops can encircle him and demand surrender. He'll fold easily."
"Can't we make him back down without a fight?"
Ha Ryeon flatly said no. Personally, I prefer another approach, but given Yi Bang-gwa's stupidity, this isn't bad.
"Hmm. In that case, Left Army Supreme Commander Sin Geuk-rye and my two brothers-in-law will have to put in some work."
"Understood."
And so we began devising the plan. Where to set the ambush, how to execute it.
Then Min Mu-gu chimed in.
"Brother-in-law, don't you think Lord Hoean might reach out to His Highness the Supreme King?"
Min Mu-gu nailed Yi Bang-gwa's thinking. But it wouldn't matter.
No matter how much Yi Seong-gye hated Yi Bang-won, he wouldn't back Yi Bang-gwa. He'd see it as unwinnable. Plus, Yi Bang-gwa was the one who killed Yi Bang-beon—bonus points there. Yi Seong-gye still had a sharp nose for military matters.
I figured he'd blow up at Yi Bang-gwa for handing the throne to Yi Bang-won on a platter.
Yi Bang-won replied,
"Father won't intervene—no need to worry. He lacks the power anyway. It'd be more effective to appeal to His Highness directly. But unless I strike first, he won't help. He'll probably try to save Brother Bang-gwa. And I'll honor that request without issue."
So he doesn't want to kill him. Probably doesn't want to ascend the throne after fratricide with his full brother. He'll just neuter him politically. In actual history, Yi Bang-gwa got off lightly anyway.
After that, we refined the plan and picked two to punish in his stead: Senior General O Yong-gwon and Park Po.
O Yong-gwon would be exiled as an example against private army resistance, and Park Po executed. I considered sparing Park Po, but with Yi Bang-gwa already knowing our plans via him, we couldn't risk it. And with Yi Bang-won's order to spare Yi Bang-gwa, Park Po became the sacrificial lamb.
RIP, Park Po.
Soon after, we put it into action. I pretended to head south to inspect horses for a Ming tributary mission—an obvious bait.
We decided one of us—me or Min Mu-gu—had to be absent to lure Yi Bang-gwa out for sure. I drew the short straw. I'd been to Ming so often that heading south to check tribute horses raised no suspicions.
So I'd fake leaving, wait for Yi Bang-gwa to march with his army, then the others would encircle from all sides. I'd loop back, of course.
Meanwhile, Yi Suk-beon would inform Yi Bang-gwa via Yi Bang-won, delivering a surrender demand. My idea: Yi Bang-won would protect Yi Bang-gwa no matter what, so sending someone to halt the fight was a given. Plus, we'd frame ourselves as obeying royal orders, demoralizing Yi Bang-gwa's troops into surrender without a shot.
No blood, clean end. Perfect.
Anyway, time for me to move. I set off south.
Meanwhile, Yi Bang-gwa learned that Yi Bang-won knew of his secret military drills. He worried at first, but then heard Min Mu-jil had headed south to inspect Ming tribute horses. He rejoiced.
Min Mu-jil was a top-five pillar of the Yi Bang-won regime, no matter how you sliced it. His absence meant opportunity.
Plus, sending him off despite knowing about the drills? Yi Bang-won was underestimating him, which fueled his rage. He seized the moment.
Yi Bang-gwa quickly gathered troops under the guise of a hunt and resolved to strike Yi Bang-won. He also informed his father Yi Seong-gye that Yi Bang-won was out to kill him, justifying his uprising. He told the current king, Yi Bang-gwa, too.
Then, using the hunt as cover, he mobilized, raised his banner, and led several hundred men against Yi Bang-won.
But near Seonji Bridge, over a thousand troops blocked his path—Sin Geuk-rye's Hophwi Division.
Sin Geuk-rye called out, "Lord Hoean, your rebellion is exposed. Lord Jeong-an promises leniency if you surrender now."
"Damn it!"
Then armies appeared on both flanks. Leading them: Senior General Min Mu-gu of the Yongyang Sunwisa and Senior General Min Mu-jil of the Yongwi Sunwisa.
Seeing the Min brothers—especially me—Yi Bang-gwa blurted,
"You... how?"
"Lord Hoean, we've tracked all your movements. Cease resistance and surrender."
I signaled, and archers hidden in nearby homes emerged. Yi Bang-gwa tried to retreat, but Yi Mu and Jo On blocked the rear with more troops.
Only then did he realize they'd woven a net and waited. He'd blundered right in.
As Yi Bang-gwa panicked, I stepped forward.
Caught too perfectly—he's speechless.
This makes grabbing Jeong Do-jeon look hard. But attacking Yi Bang-won with just four hundred? What was he thinking? Surprise assassination fantasy? Utter moron.
Still not surrendering? Time for shock therapy.
"Lord Hoean, His Highness the Supreme King is already displeased with your uprising."
"What nonsense is that?!"
"Bring him here."
At my order, a soldier dragged in a man: Senior General O Yong-gwon, whom Yi Bang-gwa had sent to inform Yi Seong-gye. We'd ambushed and captured him near the Supreme King's residence.
"Hear what he has to say."
O Yong-gwon relayed Yi Seong-gye's words, and Yi Bang-gwa froze solid. I knew them already—straight from O Yong-gwon.
Yi Seong-gye had raged: "You fool, Bang-gwa! Is Bang-won not your brother? Same father, same mother? You stupid ox—what possessed you to pull this crap?!" Something like that.
No wonder he was stunned. Having the messenger relay it spared Yi Bang-gwa's last shred of dignity.
"Lord Hoean, enough. Surrender. Don't get your men hurt needlessly."
"It's you again. You do anything Bang-won orders."
That's what Yi Seong-gye said to me. Of course I do—or what?
"His Highness won't back your revolt either. Surrender, please."
Anyway, Yi Suk-beon should arrive soon.
As we stood in standoff, Yi Suk-beon appeared.
"By His Highness's command! He sends word to Lord Hoean."
Yi Suk-beon read the edict. Rough summary:
"Bang-gwa, plotting against your brother on others' whispers? Have you lost your mind? Still, you're my beloved brother, so this elder will protect you. Disband your army, come to the palace alone, and I'll ensure your life is spared, come what may."
Yi Suk-beon, no tact? Or just doesn't care about dignity? Reading it verbatim.
But it worked. Yi Bang-gwa's troops dropped their weapons en masse. Most were from the Northeast Frontier—Yi Bang-won's stronghold. Plus, we had overwhelming advantage.
Yi Bang-gwa followed suit. We lowered our spears, swords, and bows.
No casualties. Great. Why waste strength fighting ourselves? Save it for the Jurchens.
In the end, the Second Princes' Disturbance concluded far too easily.
"Shall we head to the palace now, Lord Hoean? Lord U Busungji Yi Suk-beon will escort you properly."
"Yes. And His Highness issued another command."
"What might that be?"
"Escort Lord Jeong-an to the palace immediately."
Makes sense.
Sin Geuk-rye added, "We'll handle the aftermath. Take Lord Jeong-an to the palace."
"Understood."
I informed Yi Bang-won that we'd stopped Yi Bang-gwa's revolt.
"Mu-jil, well done. Handled it without bloodshed—perfectly. Excellent work."
"No, sir. And His Highness summons you, brother-in-law."
"Hmm? Alright, let's go."
On the way, Yi Bang-won asked,
"How should we handle him?"
"As I said before, it's a royal matter. For you and His Highness alone. I won't opine—I'll just obey orders."
"You've always stayed out of that topic."
Obviously. An in-law meddling in royal punishments? Instant purge target.
I just want to dive into Ming's civil war fast and subjugate the Jurchens.
Yi Bang-won and I headed to the palace and arrived soon after. He went inside; I waited out front.
Wonder what they'll say?