Temporary Reconciliation and Min Mu-jil's Resolve
The Ming's investiture came with a high envoy, tribute, and personal gifts. In Yi Bang-gwa's time, it had simply been a matter of accepting them. But this time, a full-fledged Ming investiture envoy had arrived. Back in Yi Bang-gwa's era, they'd gotten away with just receiving the robes, but now a proper investiture ceremony was to be held.
Honestly, I hated the idea of bowing toward Nanjing, but Yi Bang-won desperately wanted it. After all, he would be the first king of Joseon to receive formal investiture. Even with the lingering resentment from Zhu Yuan Zhang's outrages, gaining official recognition from the Ming was truly important.
In any case, Ha Ryeon had fulfilled everything Yi Bang-won desired this time. A proper investiture envoy had come, and the robes had been upgraded too—from the four-dragon gonryongpo that Yi Bang-gwa had worn to a five-dragon gonryongpo. Naturally, five dragons outranked four. Ha Ryeon also reported that they'd brought the nine-chapter robes for ancestral rites and all sorts of regalia without omission.
Moreover, the envoy this time was none other than a third-rank Libu Shilang—a high official. It went without saying that this was far more prestigious than sending some lowly eunuch. This was less our demand and more likely the work of Je Tae, Hwang Ja-jing, and Fang Xiaoru. Those men found it offensive for eunuchs to meddle in Ministry of Rites affairs. Especially since an investiture envoy to a tributary state was a position that brought substantial gifts. Handing that to a lowly eunuch would chafe their pride to no end—they'd never allow it.
Anyway, with all demands met, Yi Bang-won would be satisfied with this investiture. He'd be more lenient as a result. And for Min Da-yeon... Well, the investiture included formally enfeoffing her as Joseon's queen consort, complete with the matching dansam—the queen's robes. So she too would be the first queen to receive formal investiture, fulfilling her lifelong wish perfectly. She'd always wanted to crush Gang Clan, and now she truly had. Gang had never received a dansam. Min Da-yeon would be overjoyed at this. With her lifelong dream realized, she'd surely overlook Yi Bang-won's dalliances with palace maids as mere trifles.
Thus, the two could reconcile. I waited for Ha Ryeon and the envoy's return, and the next day, he finally arrived in Hanyang. Upon arrival, Ha Ryeon reported to the court that all missions were complete, and Yi Bang-won visibly beamed with joy.
"Ha Ryeon, you've done splendidly. Now that Joseon has received full Ming investiture, we need worry no more."
His words prompted the surrounding officials to cheer manse in unison. The five-dragon gonryongpo was Joseon's long-cherished goal, after all. Then Ha Ryeon added,
"The investiture envoy arrives in a few days. Preparations must be made, Your Highness."
"Understood. Min Je as Right Prime Minister and Ha Ryeon as Third Inspector shall handle it. See that all is done properly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Messenger. Inform the Queen Consort of this news, and that I shall visit the inner palace shortly."
Yi Bang-won was thinking the same thing. That Min Da-yeon's anger would melt away at once.
I went to her and relayed the news. She responded,
"Is this true?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. You'll wear the dansam that even Gang could not obtain."
Her lips curved upward.
"So, I'll wear what that Gang bitch couldn't?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She broke into a full smile. Just as I'd predicted. She was truly beautiful when she smiled like that. If only her temper weren't so fiery.
"Then, Your Majesty, reconcile with His Highness. He will come here soon."
"His Highness himself?"
"Yes. You know how much effort he put into the investiture? It's all because he cherishes you."
Of course, it was mostly for his own authority, but that's what I said for now. Her lips curved again.
"Very well. If His Highness has given such a gift, as you say, Mu-jil, I can endure it once. How could I not, with a gift like this?"
Easier than expected.
"Mu-jil, it's all thanks to you. You normalized Ming diplomacy amid the strife between Zhu Yuan Zhang and Jeong Do-jeon."
"No, it was mere luck."
"Ever so humble. Then I must prepare to receive His Highness."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She was planning to doll herself up. I stepped out and waited, and soon Yi Bang-won arrived, asking after her mood. I told him truthfully, and he grinned.
"I'll have a long talk with the Queen Consort today, so rest well, Messenger."
Finally, off duty.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"No need. I know well how you've suffered under her."
Couldn't deny that. I returned home but got no rest—Han Yeo-ul clung to me all night, thrilled at my rare early return.
The next day, I headed back to the Office of Special Counsel. Yi Bang-won was still in the inner palace, I heard. An eunuch told me Min Da-yeon had apologized first, he'd accepted and apologized in turn, and they'd spent the night intimately. Dawn had broken on them. Those two had real chemistry. They fought and bickered, but they loved each other deeply. Who knew what the future held, but for now, it was clear.
After this whole affair, one thought dominated my mind: retirement was the answer. This was just a temporary patch. No matter what I did, Yi Bang-won's womanizing wouldn't stop, Min Da-yeon's resentment would build until it exploded. She'd invoke her clan as she had now, souring Yi Bang-won's view of his in-laws. Add the foolish wastrel Crown Prince Yangnyeong being swayed by his maternal kin, and he'd surely turn his blade on our family. Min Mu-gu's swagger would only confirm it.
Thus, once the Ming civil war wrapped up, I'd volunteer for a provincial post, feign illness, resign, and retire to the countryside. Looking at things now, I might get stress-sick before then? Anyway, considering our past ties, Yi Bang-won wouldn't purge me if I retired gracefully. Why kill someone who's done so much? I'd try to save Min Mu-gu too, but it wouldn't be easy.
Taking Min Mu-hul and Min Mu-hoe with me would convince him our clan posed no threat, earning mercy. After Prince Chungnyeong ascends? Hard to say, but at least no execution. Retirement wouldn't mean idleness—I'd invent things I'd always wanted to make. Lounging might doom my next possession to hardship, so best to stay productive. Crafting and selling essentials for Joseon seemed ideal. Agriculture mattered, but industry needed boosting too. Commerce could follow once goods existed.
If Prince Chungnyeong summoned me later? His call. But I'd prefer he didn't—something told me I'd end up as Hwang Hui. Yi Bang-won purged in-laws with iron fists; Sejong would do it with overwork. Especially since Yi Bang-won wished for more like me and Hwang Hui. Ominous. Anyway, that's how I'd play this round. Best option.
With resolve firm, I handled messenger duties. By midday, Yi Bang-won, elated at reconciling with Min Da-yeon, summoned and praised me lavishly.
"Messenger, you work too hard."
"Not at all, Your Highness."
"Even if the Queen Consort gets jealous, I must be magnanimous. In a way, it shows how much she loves me."
Jealousy... its standards were vague. No jealousy meant no love; too much made the husband look weak. Ambiguous line. But Yi Bang-won had a point. Their spat was over.
Days later, the Ming envoy arrived, and the investiture ceremony proceeded. Everyone's faces lit up—especially reading the edict, full of praise and fine words. How could moods not soar? When was the last normal diplomat? Naturally uplifting.
Afterward, Yi Bang-won hosted a grand banquet for the envoy. The Libu Shilang attended with utmost courtesy.
"Your Highness's warm welcome humbles me."
"It's the least for one who's traveled far. We've prepared gifts—please accept them."
The Shilang smiled and expressed deep gratitude. Amid chit-chat, he greeted me. I returned it, and he said he'd heard much of me from Je Tae—lavishing praise. Must be thanks to the intel I'd passed on before. Otherwise, Je Tae wouldn't hype me so to an envoy. Boosted my standing; other ministers eyed me enviously.
We wined and dined the envoy lavishly; sated with gifts, he returned to the Ming. Thereafter, Yi Bang-won threw himself into governance, pausing his womanizing—whatever Min Da-yeon had said to him.
Amid this, he took Min Da-yeon, me, and Seong Seok-rin to see Yi Seong-gye at Soyosan. Upon our arrival,
"Why are you here?"
"To pay respects, Father."
"Not respects—boasting. That you've gotten proper investiture."
Spot on. Why else bring Min Da-yeon, decked in her Ming dansam? Then Yi Bang-won said,
"It was a pity Father wasn't there."
"I want nothing to do with Ming envoys. Especially not you."
Yi Seong-gye still despised Yi Bang-won—and Ming envoys, thanks to Zhu Yuan Zhang-era arrogance. Spotting me,
"Why no new foods, boy?"
"My regrets, Supreme King. Duties kept me busy."
"Hmph. You're capable like Three Fengs, so that bastard works you ragged."
Comparing me to Jeong Do-jeon again... On purpose? Yi Bang-won interjected,
"He's beyond Jeong Do-jeon."
"Your opinion. Anyway, get out—I tire of you."
Yi Bang-won offered sundry comforts, but Yi Seong-gye spat they were needless and shooed us. We returned to Hanyang.
Back home, Yi Bang-won launched reforms in earnest. He reorganized the State Council posts, made the Office of Censors independent, renamed the Escort Command to Royal Guard Command, and split policing into a perfect king-direct secret police. He revised myriad offices and shuffled personnel.
First, Yi Cheon-u and Yi Suk-beon to Royal Guard. Min Mu-gu, for merits, rose to Mid-Army Commander. I stayed Messenger while adding Artillery and Cavalry Command—both of us now second-rank. Father's house erupted in celebration. Two young sons at high second-rank posts! I'd wielded greater power before as nominal third-rank, so it felt meh—but others saw it differently.
Soon came time for the birthday envoy; I was named chief envoy, Park Eun deputy—Yi Bang-won's picks. He summoned us.
"Any special orders, Your Highness?"
"Why do you think the Ming went all-out on this investiture?"
"To stabilize their rear, naturally?"
"Messenger, I think they want a cha-byeong. To end the civil war swiftly."
Hm, possible. Fine by me—though I opposed a quick end. Better they tear each other apart; let me coast easy.
"So scout the truth in the Ming. That's why I'm sending you two."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I trust only you both."
"Yes, Your Highness."
I prepared as chief envoy. Yeah, this beats watching that powder keg couple.