Part 1: Taming the Clan Before the Ming Journey
Even as I prepared to head to Ming, trouble cropped up.
Ha Ryeon had submitted a petition requesting permission to build houses up to a hundred paces around the Gang Clan's tomb, Jeongneung, claiming it was inconvenient having it smack in the middle of the capital. It was obviously a ploy for land speculation—everyone in the Joseon court knew about Ha Ryeon's greed for gold.
I could've let it slide since we were on good terms, but houses springing up around Yi Seong-gye's wife's grave? He'd lose it, and who knows what he'd do. So I convinced Yi Bang-won to reject the petition. Fortunately, he went along with it.
Of course, Yi Bang-won planned to properly uproot that tomb later. But that was after Yi Seong-gye kicked the bucket—not my problem.
The meritorious retainers grumbled about missing out on prime real estate, but none dared complain to my face. Yi Seong-gye always compared me to Jeong Do-jeon, but unlike that guy, I didn't make enemies left and right.
And for once, Yi Seong-gye showered me with rare praise. "You're a true hero," he said. But it was just temporary flattery—nothing to get excited about. He'd be raking me over the coals again soon enough.
That said, Min Mu-gu was especially vocal about his disappointment in front of me. He really wanted that land. So I just gave him twenty bolts of the finest silk I'd received from the Ming emperor, and he lit up like a kid, saying I was the only one for him. That guy's gotten pretty money-hungry himself lately. Sometimes I can't tell if he's my older brother or a younger one.
Speaking of money obsession, it reminded me of our father. He'd been furious lately over losing a slave lawsuit to Jo Jun, and I'd spent ages soothing him. Jo Jun's reform policies were already rubbing him the wrong way, and he'd been itching to impeach the guy. I had to talk him down—it was exhausting.
The reason I blocked Jo Jun's impeachment? His reforms were all at Yi Bang-won's direction. If Father pushed it, Yi Bang-won would see it as outright rebellion against his agenda, and the purge axe would swing hard.
Luckily, Father listened and dropped it. Lately, though, it felt like I'd die of frustration before any purge hit.
Ah, but Min Da-yeon had been quiet these days. No, more than that—she was actually defending me. Even now, she looked at me and said I was doing well.
"Yes, you're handling things right, Mu-jil."
"Thank you, Queen Consort."
Min Da-yeon praising me meant I was actively supporting Yi Bang-won's reforms—like helping set up the public complaint office and such. Unexpectedly, she backed his policies too. Probably wanted Crown Prince Yangnyeong to inherit a strong kingdom.
But that kid was a lost cause. He was only five now, no issues yet, but his future was rotten from the start.
Min Da-yeon seemed to see me as his tutor, but the second she appointed me, I'd feign illness and resign. Or maybe just "fall" down some stairs and break a leg. Whatever.
Anyway, whenever something went wrong, she called only me. Min Mu-gu? "If only Mu-gu were half the man Mu-jil is. What a worry." That was her take.
Not wrong, but coming from her? She lacked self-awareness. Still, what could I do? She was my sister.
She nagged and hounded me constantly, but her eyes always brimmed with affection. Must be my love-starved soul, but that gaze made me want to help her out of tough spots.
"Is there anything you need, Queen Consort?"
"Just come back safe. You're getting too thin—it's worrying."
Funny, coming from one of the culprits behind my stress-eating habits. But only my family—and Yi Bang-won—ever fussed over my weight.
"Speaking of which, you've granted His Highness's wish."
Yi Bang-won. He'd held back for months, but now he had an excuse to hunt: comforting the envoys heading to the ancestral rites. Good pretext.
He loved hunting, after all. Impressive he'd endured this long. It was a small outing—just a few military men and the rite envoys.
"I love hunting too, but Your Highness thinking of me is gratitude enough."
"True, you do enjoy it. Your one indulgence is falconry, isn't it?"
"Yes, Queen Consort."
Yeah, my falcon was insanely expensive—a white saker, worth dozens of tiled houses. Probably the second priciest in Joseon after Yi Bang-won's.
And this hunt with him? Falconry. He loved hunting in general, but falconry was his favorite.
"Stop by before heading to the rites."
"Yes, Queen Consort."
I left the queen's palace, then geared up for the hunt shortly after. Seeing Yi Bang-won, my grin stretched ear to ear.
We headed out for falconry and had a blast. It'd been ages, and the built-up stress melted away.
"Thrilling! Watch the falcon strike!"
Yi Bang-won was beaming too.
"Falconry is the best kind of hunt."
"Indeed, Your Highness."
"Hah, it's been so long—feels amazing."
His mood was sky-high after this rare falconry outing. You couldn't block his womanizing or hunting. Amazing he'd lasted months after becoming king.
During a lull in the hunt, we chatted idly. Midway through, Yi Bang-won teased:
"Heading to the rites—you hitting that brothel again?"
"No plans. Last time, Je Tae begged me."
"If they beg, you'll go."
He ribbed me about it endlessly.
"Want travel funds if the envoy asks?"
"I'm fine, Your Highness."
"I can cover it. Don't refuse."
Master teaser.
Suddenly, a suspicious figure appeared. This guy?
"Who goes there?"
He flinched—bingo. I ordered him brought over.
"What are you?"
"Historian Min In-saeng, Your Highness."
The famous Min In-saeng? I'd heard he'd tailed Yi Bang-won even on hunts—this was it.
And Min In-saeng? Yeheung Min clan—distant kin of mine. Everything connected.
Yi Bang-won stared in disbelief.
"What's a historian doing here?"
"As recorder of facts, fulfilling my duty, Your Highness."
"What? Disguised, chasing me on a hunt? That's not a historian's job!"
"Recording all Your Highness does is our duty."
"Tracking my hunt isn't! Get lost!"
Min In-saeng didn't budge. Steel nerves.
Yi Bang-won chuckled dryly. "New to the job? Trailing me in disguise isn't good. Withdraw now—I'm wrapping up anyway."
Min In-saeng bowed and scribbled something. Recording even that. Legend.
Yi Bang-won had him dragged off, then turned to me. "Some historian. First one like that. A warning should end it."
Fat chance. He'd stalk like a shadow.
Yi Bang-won was lenient, though. Could've beaten him for it. Trailing the king incognito was lese-majeste, but he just scolded and sent him packing.
Hope that chat doesn't end up in the annals. Nah, not trivial stuff like this—just "caught spying on hunt" or whatever.
We finished and returned to the palace. That Min In-saeng was something. How'd he track the hunt? Spy material. Wrong career? If he gets fired, I'll recommend him for the Royal Guard.
He was about my age—should excel.
After that, I prepped the rite envoys. Took longer this time—big gifts for the investiture reply. Actual presents piled high.
Before leaving, Min Da-yeon slipped me extra funds.
"Thank you, Queen Consort."
"Without you, who'll entertain this sister? Such a worry."
Using me for all sorts of things?
"Chat with my wife?"
"Yes, talking with Yeo-ul would be fun."
Min Da-yeon doted on Han Yeo-ul, and she adored her back—perfect.
"Then I'll be off."
"Safe travels, Mu-jil."
I visited Father next, then summoned Min Mu-hul.
"What is it, brother?"
"Mu-hul, if trouble hits the palace while I'm gone, tell them to do nothing—I'll handle it on return."
"Got it."
Among brothers, I trusted Min Mu-hul most—quiet, perceptive. Unfairly killed in the Min clan purge. Annals say he did zilch—died cleaning up Min Mu-hoe's mess.
I told him because he wouldn't twist my words. Father? Told him too, but not enough. Lately, untrustworthy.
Min Mu-gu? He'd blow "palace issue" into crisis, solve "minor" ones himself—most dangerous.
Min Mu-hoe? Escalates to sister. Too young anyway.
Mother? Sides with eldest.
Min Mu-hul was best.
"I trust you get it."
"Yes, brother. If palace trouble, I'll tell Father you'll fix it together. And sister too."
"You nail it."
Yeah, he's the one. My life—worrying about family screw-ups even en route to Ming? Please, no incidents.
After bidding Yi Bang-won farewell, I led the rite envoys—including Park Eun—toward Nanjing.
Wonder how the war's shifted. By arrival, Dongchang Battle should start. A big win there, and Cha Byeong's head-thoughts vanish. Curious.
As Min Mu-jil set off for Nanjing, Ming's civil war shifted from Jianwen Emperor's one-sided dominance.
The three-month siege of Jinan ended in Cheol Hyeon's total victory. Jianwen's relentless assaults failed against Cheol Hyeon's iron defense; meanwhile, reorganized loyalist forces recaptured Deokju. Fearing his rear cut, Jianwen retreated.
Long-frustrated Zhu Yunwen was elated, summoning Cheol Hyeon for a gold plaque, feast, and hero's honors.
Meanwhile, loyalists prepped a massive counteroffensive, squeezing Jianwen's army from all sides.
Jianwen's second son Zhu Gaohu and Yeo Gwang-hyo, commanding in his stead, smashed Seong's western forces in winter, capturing him.
Seong Yong, seeing this, moved to Dongchang to block Jianwen, summoning Pyeong-an and O-geol, awaiting him—for the planned encirclement annihilation.
At this turning point, Min Mu-jil's rite envoys arrived in Nanjing. Zhu Yunwen, jubilant over Cheol Hyeon's win, ordered lavish welcome.
Then, Zhu Yunwen began deliberating with aides: demand troops from Joseon or not?