Ming as Predicted, Joseon Off-Script
Just as Min Mu-jil had anticipated, Zhu Yunwen brought up the matter of dispatching Joseon troops, but surprisingly, a decision came quicker than expected. They would simply wait and see the outcome of the Dongchang battle. A resounding victory there would secure Ming's advantage so thoroughly that no Joseon reinforcements would be needed; defeat would make them essential, so they'd discuss it then. With that settled, they wrapped up by merely hosting the envoys lavishly and sending them home.
Afterward, Zhu Yunwen held a welcoming banquet for the Joseon envoys who had arrived in Nanjing. It was meant to flaunt their upper hand in the civil war—and to preemptively celebrate the imminent news of victory from Dongchang.
Meanwhile, Min Mu-jil flashed a knowing smile amid the extravagant welcome. They're putting on this feast outright to say, 'We're winning, so don't get any ideas.' Well, it was a banquet laid on for them, so he might as well enjoy it.
Park Eun sat beside him. "Could the tide of battle really have shifted this dramatically? I never dreamed they'd roll out the red carpet like this."
Hmm. To Min Mu-jil's eyes, it looked more like they were chugging kimchi soup, assuming victory in the Dongchang fight. And of course, they could afford to this time. It was a battle they were meant to win anyway—and now they'd crush it even harder.
But where was Seo Hwi-jo?
Just then, Je Tae spoke up. "Looking for someone?"
Thanks to coming as an official envoy, Min Mu-jil sat relatively close to Je Tae, which was convenient. Though it felt suspiciously deliberate.
"I don't see Weiguo Gong Seo Hwi-jo. I wanted to pay my respects."
"Weiguo Gong's off in Shandong."
Why would Seo Hwi-jo go there? Historically, he'd guarded the passes until the very end of the Jingnan Rebellion.
Je Tae leaned in with a whisper. "I discussed that idea you mentioned before with Weiguo Gong. He called it a brilliant strategy and volunteered to the emperor for Shandong."
Wait—what? Zhu Yunwen trusted Seo Hwi-jo deeply, sure, but this was an uncharacteristically sound judgment from him. What was going on?
"Why the shock?"
"Then who's guarding the passes?"
Je Tae chuckled softly. "With Gyeong Byeong-mun and I Gyeong-ryeong here, no issue."
That was an unforeseen twist. Seo Hwi-jo was a general as capable as Cheol Hyeon—if not more terrifying. His title of Weiguo Gong said it all: eldest son of Xu Da, the top merit among Ming's founding dukes. His influence in the military was immense, and his very existence menaced the Jingnan forces. A staunch loyalist to Zhu Yunwen, too—no hesitation in drawing steel on Zhu Di, despite his wife being Zhu Di's sister. No one in Nanjing doubted it. When Zhu Di's sons Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu were detained here, Seo Hwi-jo had pushed to keep them locked up—and insisted on executing Zhu Gaoxu as a future threat, the brat being insolent even to his father. Considering Zhu Gaoxu's later failed power grab, it was prophetic.
If a man like that headed to Shandong early, Zhu Di would get hammered harder than in the original history. But after a moment's thought, Min Mu-jil saw no real cause for worry. He had a plan. Hanging around Yi Bang-won must've sharpened my scheming skills.
After enjoying the feast, he savored a string of invitations and a blissfully carefree life. Compared to surviving between Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon, this was paradise.
"Now I get why you go as Ming envoy so often without complaint. This is basically a vacation."
"This time's special."
Park Eun said it plainly: the treatment was lavish. Especially the wild ginseng they'd brought—it was a massive hit. Je Tae must've shared what Min Mu-jil gave him widely. So they kept seeking more ginseng, wining and dining the envoys. Park Eun was reaping the benefits, too. He'd hit the top brothels multiple times. Min Mu-jil had, of course.
"Looks like wild ginseng'll join the tribute list next round. Was that why you pushed cultivation?"
"Yeah."
Discussions were already underway. Swap some horses for ginseng in the tribute? Practical talks among officials. Ginseng farms were booming in Gaesong, Ganghwa, and beyond. Six-year roots would take time, but Jurchen trade could fill gaps—they had plenty. The Jurchens were proving invaluable. Most tribute horses came from them anyway. Now ginseng, too. If they kept cooperating without rebelling, perfect.
Joseon's coffers overflowed thanks to tribute trade profits. Yi Bang-won's reforms sailed smoothly on that wealth. Everything needed money, after all.
"You're thorough as ever. Less horse tribute, more ginseng? Music to our ears. Horses are a burden anyway."
True enough. Once the civil war ended, Ming would cut back—they weren't cheap. Desperate times now, but post-war? They'd scramble to reduce. Not that Min Mu-jil would allow it. Ginseng would keep volumes steady.
They lounged in luxury until, days later, news hit: crushing victory for the suppression army at Dongchang. Detailed reports, too.
Gen Yong arrived at Dongchang and, per the pre-laid scheme, secretly summoned O-geol and Pyeong-an, lying in wait for Zhu Di. Zhu Di soon attacked with his main force; Gen Yong feigned retreat, drawing him in. Trap sprung—Pyeong-an, O-geol, and others surged from all sides, encircling. Zhu Di fled after heavy losses, barely breaking free. Nearly 50,000 of his core troops gone—a disaster. Zhu Yunwen's idiotic "don't kill him" order spared them total annihilation.
Min Mu-jil knew the details because Zhu Yunwen had it grandly read aloud before the envoys—like advertising their dominance. He lavished praise on Je Tae, the policy's architect, who lapped it up smugly. That's my ploy he used. Fine by him—better than expected, smashing Zhu Di harder than history.
Immediately after, Zhu Yunwen threw a massive banquet, showering the envoys with gifts. He paraded to the ancestral temple for sacrifices, acting the total victor. Perfect. Keep the war dragging.
Resuming practical talks, Ming boldly proposed halving horse tribute. Chugging that kimchi soup hard. Fine by Min Mu-jil—horses were getting burdensome. They agreed to add ginseng instead, wrapping negotiations neatly.
Afterward, Min Mu-jil used Nanjing spies to spread false rumors. Buy time for Seo Hwi-jo's recall, let Zhu Di regroup. Stoke a bloodier civil war. It'll stick. And a gift for Yi Seong-gye—hope he appreciates it. How Yi Seong-gye must've wished Zhu Yuanzhang wept blood from the grave. Min Mu-jil had made it so.
With everything wrapped, he led the envoy back to Joseon. Surely nothing's gone wrong there?
Meanwhile, shortly after the Joseon envoys wrapped up and returned, rumors spread of the detained Prince Fan and kin secretly contacting Prince Yan to rebel from Nanjing. Min Mu-jil's handiwork. Especially Prince Ji Zhu Fu, moved from Jianan to Nanjing, and Prince Wu Zhu Su, bound for Yunnan. Zhu Su, Zhu Di's full brother, fueled suspicions—especially since Zhu Di had once plotted rebellion with Prince Shang Zhu Bai. Zhu Yunwen's aides seized on it.
They knew it was mostly baseless—the detainees couldn't do much. But a chance to uproot Prince Fan's faction? They feigned belief. Insisting on interrogation, Hwang Ja-jing petitioned Zhu Yunwen, who allowed torturing their servants instead. Hwang mobilized the Imperial Guard and eunuchs for brutal sessions, "uncovering" Zhu Fu and Zhu Su's despair. Falsely pinned on Dongchang news.
Reporting to Zhu Yunwen, immediate arrest orders followed. Zhu Su hanged himself in despair; Zhu Fu was poisoned en route to Yunnan exile. Prince Su Zhu Ying tried fleeing to Zhu Di but suicided just before capture. Within three years of Zhu Yuanzhang's death, his sons dropped like flies.
Zhu Yunwen beefed up Nanjing defenses, summoning Seo Hwi-jo back to crack down—giving Zhu Di breathing room amid bloodier war. Prince Chao Zhu Fu, hitherto unscathed, now eyed by Zhu Yunwen's inner circle. Just as Min Mu-jil foresaw.
Meanwhile, Joseon veered off Min Mu-jil's script. Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon had reconciled, but he summoned palace maids to his chambers again, reigniting her fury. Heeding Min Mu-jil's pre-departure warning against big scenes, she switched tactics: tormenting the favored maids as senior court ladies.
She bullied them subtly, unknown to Yi Bang-won. But it lasted under four days. Min Mu-hul, entering the palace, heard from her, recalled his brother Min Mu-jil's words, and intervened. Min Da-yeon stopped instantly, summoning the maids to gag them: spill to Yi Bang-won, and no mercy. They nodded eagerly—never planned to talk. They knew death lurked silent under her hand, and Min Mu-jil would smooth it over. Everyone knew her iron grip on him.
The palace issue fizzled, but court exploded. Yi Geo-i, back from Gyerim Buyun to Left Prime Minister, joined Gwon Geun, Min Mu-gu, and others impeaching Jo Jun. Yi Geo-i saw Jo's land reforms as a ploy against merit nobles' hidden estates. Cited Jo abandoning gisaeng concubine Gukhwa; her vengeful treason accusation met with his self-requested interrogation, confession extracted, drowned in Han River. Slave lawsuits tarnishing premiers' dignity. Past insolent words. Impeached.
Jo Jun pleaded innocence to deaf ears, then Yi Bang-won directly. He sensed merit nobles rebelling against reforms—spotting Min Mu-gu confirmed Min Je's tacit approval. No allies for Jo? Certain. Yi Bang-won ordered probe; post-investigation, "insufficient evidence," released him.
In his private quarters, Yi Bang-won pondered. "No matter how I slice it, time to rein in the merits. Can't steer Joseon my way otherwise."
He resolved to purge them one by one, starting with Yi Geo-i—Yi Seong-gye's son-in-law and his own. Restored to Left Prime Minister, yet defiant? Infuriating. No killing; Yi Bang-won favored elegance over Zhu Yuanzhang's brutality.
Min Je? Watch for now—revered mentor and father-in-law. Reasonable, persuadable.
Yi Bang-won bided time, pushing reforms. Hearing Min Mu-jil returned with the envoys? Greatly pleased. The one man for hashing it all out had arrived.