Part 1 - Min Mu-jil's Busy Days
After returning home, I rested for about two days before diving back into my duties as Dosuengji. In my absence, our "yellow calf" Hwang Hui had diligently handled everything, so there was nothing backed up. That yellow calf really gets the job done well.
A few days into the routine, I came across a report from the Northeast Frontier. It was from Min Mu-gu, and things were progressing remarkably smoothly in subjugating the Jurchens along the Tumen River. There had been hardly any battles; they were surrendering without much resistance. This was partly because Yi Seong-gye's influence still lingered, but more importantly, the Jurchens in that region depended on trade with Joseon for survival. Of course, it was Yi Seong-gye who had drilled that lesson into them, wielding carrot and stick with masterful skill.
As a result, many were eager to submit and become tribute payers. They figured we'd treat them better that way. Min Mu-gu had pointed that out too. The guy's undeniably competent. If only he weren't so damn greedy, arrogant, and clueless.
Of course, as Min Mu-gu noted, we did plan to treat them well once they submitted. I had no intention of slaughtering the Jurchens outright, and neither did Yi Bang-won. If they surrendered and lived under Joseon's banner, there was no need for force. We'd integrate them through generous policies and assimilation. Turn them into proper Joseon people and stabilize the borders. Refuse, and we'd crush them without mercy. I liked that our thinking aligned perfectly.
Things might differ north of the Tumen, though. Even with Yi Seong-gye's sway, those groups mostly offered token tribute while clinging to their independence. But this campaign's goal was only up to the Tumen anyway.
In original history, Yi Bang-won bled fighting the Jurchens because that madman Ju Ji had wrecked the command structure, provoking an over-the-top response. Starting from the Northeast report, I reviewed all the pending issues, organized them, and passed them to Yi Bang-won.
Upon seeing them, he said, "You and Hwang Hui truly organize things in a way that's easy on the eyes."
Praise indeed. He skimmed through and added, "Securing up to the Tumen and stabilizing the border through assimilation policies there sounds right."
"Yes, Your Highness. Then, shall we recall the expeditionary army to the capital?"
"We must. But we'll leave enough behind to hold it as proper Joseon territory. To manage the Jurchens and push assimilation, we need troops stationed."
Smart thinking.
"Send Sangjanggun Min Mu-gu back and dispatch someone else. He's better suited elsewhere."
Min Mu-gu would be disappointed. But it was obvious he wasn't the right man for the job.
"What if I went?"
"You need to stay in the capital. Plenty can handle the Northeast, but we can't spare you from Ming diplomacy."
Fair enough. Yi Bang-won was prioritizing the Ming civil war above all. My words had swayed him toward Zhu Yunwen, and he was even considering military intervention later. Having seen Ju Ji himself, he knew a post-war Ming would rampage externally, which would spell disaster for Joseon. But he had zero plans to meddle while Ju Ji was winning—only to opportunistically join Zhu Yunwen once the tide turned.
Suddenly, Yi Bang-won chuckled. "Why'd you resign as Sangjanggun before if you wanted the Northeast so badly?"
Because I thought he wanted me to step back from military power so he could relax and enjoy life. My mistake, of course. He'd laughed it off as nonsense, clarifying he just meant I should take more concubines and booze like the other merit nobles. Still, he teased me about it every time, finding it amusing.
"Once the bureaucracy's reformed, I'll step down from Sangjanggun. No need for it then. How's the cannon improvements coming?"
"Yes. Choi Hae-san promises something worth seeing in two months."
Choi Hae-san, Choi Museon's son, was someone I'd recently pulled back into the Hwapo Arsenal. Useless as a bureaucrat, but irreplaceable as a cannon tech. I'd sweet-talked him into it. He loved drink and was chronically late, but he delivered what I asked, so I put up with him.
Through him, this cannon upgrade was promising. The cannon itself wouldn't change much, but we'd incorporated a crucial innovation. Once the techs improved, we'd get real hwapo.
Culverins someday, for sure.
Yi Bang-won then said, "Take it slow. Father's been summoning you often enough as it is."
Hmm. Yi Seong-gye had been a real stress lately, calling me in just to hassle. I doubted he actually liked me; it felt like pure torment. Now he wanted me cooking for him too, but I'd been too busy perfecting jjajangmyeon to bother, so I'd been phoning it in.
Once I nailed jjajangmyeon, I'd bring it to him. Hook him on it and maybe he'd ease up.
Speaking of which, on the royal marriage issue, Min Da-yeon hadn't opposed but worried about one thing: a Ming princess acting like the Yuan ones, throwing tantrums on Goryeo's authority. Yi Bang-won had flinched at that, tabling it for later. We'd eventually send a polite refusal.
Only we three knew. Surprisingly, Min Da-yeon hadn't told Father or Mother—probably figuring it'd fizzle out anyway. I was thrilled. If Crown Prince Yangnyeong married into the Ming imperial family, he wouldn't get deposed.
Friendly ties with Ming? I'd handle that as envoy later. The excuse of his youth was enough; "discuss when older" would suffice. They just wanted the gesture of proposing marriage talks.
"As Dosuengji knows, His Highness will abdicate this year. Father becomes Supreme King then. We'll need a separate department and overseers for him—keeps pulling in busy folks like this."
Hmm. Who'd he appoint? Whatever.
Yi Bang-gwa's abdication... Now the real tightrope began. Probably right after showcasing the upgraded cannons.
I bowed to Yi Bang-won and headed back to the Hwapo Arsenal. So damn busy...
Thus passed my hectic days. Then, on April 2, 1400, the Arsenal demonstrated the new cannons. Yi Bang-gwa, Yi Bang-won, and all civil and military officials gathered—even Yi Seong-gye showed, despite avoiding spots where he'd see Yi Bang-won. Must've been high hopes for gunpowder weapons.
Arsenal troops wheeled out the hwapo.
"Fire!"
At the command, they lit the fuses. Thunderous roars echoed as they launched, striking near or on targets. Not all hits, but close enough. Struck ones shattered. Everyone marveled at the improved range and power.
Father looked especially pleased—his worries about my spending vanishing. Kim Sa-hyeong chimed in, "Farther and fiercer than at Tsushima. Impressive. The Arsenal Director worked hard."
"Too kind, my lord."
Even the apolitical Yi Bang-gwa seemed satisfied. The guy's a soldier at heart.
Yi Bang-won asked, "The cannons look unchanged—how do shells fly nearly twice as far?"
I pulled out a saboteur tube to explain: cylindrical inserts channeled the powder's force more efficiently into the projectile. We'd refined the barrel accordingly. The concept existed vaguely, but practical use came under Sejong— I'd just accelerated it. Frustrated with cannon progress, I'd ordered saboteur integration; Choi Hae-san led the team. They'd toiled under my command, but I'd paid them well in grain. Nothing worse than passion projects without pay. Give 'em money, they grumble but deliver. Learned that the hard way.
They all marveled at my explanation.
"A wooden tube doubles the range? Astonishing."
"Indeed."
Yi Bang-gwa added, "Father, isn't it magnificent? Keep advancing these, and Joseon's might will soar. I'm thrilled."
He seemed genuinely happy. Yi Bang-won beamed too, eyes alight. Taejong was a firepower nut, clearly—look at Sejong and Munjong.
Yi Seong-gye agreed, "His Highness is right." A faint smile? Pride in his founded realm? Or resignation? Hard to tell. I'd watched him closely for months—no signs of schemes. Baffling. He wasn't one to yield easily.
Turning to me, he said, "Such talent. That food you made before was delicious."
Jjajangmyeon. I'd succeeded recently, and he devoured it most. He'd nag the palace kitchens daily. I'd handed over the recipe, so no issue. Min Da-yeon loved it too—really tasty, she'd said.
At Yi Seong-gye's praise, Yi Bang-won decreed three seom of rice for the techs, eight for officials. Cheers erupted. Money talks.
The demo ended. Felt good to accomplish something.
Days later, the court reorganized. The Dopyeonguisasa— the high council— became the Uijeongbu. Finally, the Joseon bureaucracy I knew. The Munhabu lingered but would soon vanish: high officials to Uijeongbu, critics to Saganwon.
Sungjeongwon evolved too. Yi Bang-won dissolved the Uihung Three Armies, merging functions into Sungjeongwon, renaming it Seungchubu. Positions shifted: Dosuengji and such to Jisinsa, Left/Right Daeeon, etc. Seungchubu's power ballooned with new roles.
I became Head Jisinsa, relinquishing Sangjanggun and Adjutant Governor. Holding those with Seungchubu duties would neuter the War Ministry, per Yi Bang-won. But my real power surged—Seungchubu was his core organ. That's why he'd said he'd strip it post-reform.
I still doubled as Arsenal Director, pushing cannons and powder.
Historically, this came after Taejong's accession, but early stability let it happen now.
As Jisinsa, I advised Yi Bang-won closest. Though often at Yi Bang-gwa's side for approvals.
Once done, Yi Bang-gwa said, "Jisinsa."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"How's life treating you?"
"Manageable."
"Fancy a hunt? Bring the Crown Prince this time."
"I'll ask His Highness."
I relayed to Yi Bang-won, who agreed eagerly. We hunted after ages—great fun.
Afterward, Yi Bang-gwa told him, "Bang-won, the time has come. I'll step down. You be king."
"Your Highness?"
"Didn't I promise? Abdicate by year's end. Reforms done—now."
Yi Bang-won demurred repeatedly but accepted. Mostly theater.
"Understood, Your Highness."
"Good. Do well, Bang-won. That's all I have to say."
He ordered me to prepare the abdication. Back at the palace, I readied Yi Bang-won's accession ceremony.
Now the real ice-skating begins.