Part 1: Min Mu-jil Sizes Up the Crisis and Moves to Resolve It
Before they knew it, mid-January 1401 had arrived. But somehow, it felt like every January was spent on a ship. Anyway, by now, Ming was probably in complete chaos. They must have realized that the rumors of contact between the Jianwen Emperor and the regional kings were at least partly bullshit. But that didn't matter. What mattered was that those rumors had given them the perfect excuse to wipe out the regional kings entirely. The Jianwen Emperor's close aides had been waiting for just such an opportunity, so they'd surely seized it and killed them all off. There was a 90% chance it had been disguised as suicides.
That's when Park Eun spoke up. "We've achieved most of our objectives, and there's not even any talk of the plague, so I'd call it a success. We've also managed to adjust the tribute to some extent."
"The plague issue will come up eventually. But we can deal with that when it does. Right now, everyone's heads are too full of our massive victory to think about it."
"Is that so? Well, it could be. The tide of war can shift at any moment, after all."
"Just keep a close eye on our spies in Nanjing. They're our key intelligence sources."
"Don't worry about that."
As they chatted about this and that, they arrived in Hanyang. They headed straight to Gyeongbok Palace and reported to the court on the changes to some of the tribute items and the achievements of this diplomatic mission. Yi Bang-won immediately looked pleased.
"As expected, whenever you, the envoy, go to Ming, there's always a definite result. Well done."
"I am deeply grateful, Your Highness."
Afterward, to commend the diplomatic mission's hard work, Yi Bang-won announced a reward of silver. Min Mu-jil returned home, where Han Yeo-ul—uncharacteristically—didn't throw herself into his arms but greeted him demurely instead. What was this? When he asked, puzzled, she explained she was pregnant. Ah, that explained it. He promptly canceled the rest of his day's schedule and decided to stay by her side. Wasn't that just natural when one's wife was expecting?
Han Yeo-ul hoped this time it would be a son, and he assured her it would be. After spending the day quietly with her, he headed back to work the next morning.
Later, amid various tasks, he found himself alone with Yi Bang-won in the private chambers.
Yi Bang-won suddenly said, "Make sure that Min In-saeng never gets in here."
So it's started—Yi Bang-won getting hounded by Min In-saeng. And from here on, the stalking really begins.
Yi Bang-won settled into a relaxed posture in the chambers and sighed. "Ugh, that Min In-saeng..." He recounted an anecdote: he'd been hosting a banquet with Jo Jun, Yi Geo-i, Ha Ryeon, his father, Min Mu-gu, and Yi Suk-beon when Min In-saeng had shown up uninvited. Yi Suk-beon had mentioned the importance of historiography and advised against punishing him, so they'd let it slide. Yi Suk-beon has that side to him, huh?
"He's utterly exasperating. He follows me even to places he has no business being."
Already a headache? But this is just the beginning.
"Anyway, Mu-jil, the court praised the rest, but this deserves my personal commendation. I heard about your maneuvering. You did exceptionally well."
He lavished extreme praise. Just like Yi Bang-won, who wants Ming to suffer as much as possible.
"No, Your Highness."
"Were you treated well in Ming?"
When Min Mu-jil answered honestly, Yi Bang-won chuckled. "Well done. I'm pleased when the envoys I send receive high honors. It feels like our Joseon is being respected."
Oh, so that's how he sees it.
"But here in Joseon, you don't get that treatment, yet you go wild in Ming. Is it because your wife keeps you on a short leash? No concubines either—that must be it."
"No, it's just that no woman has caught my eye."
"Your standards are too high, as always."
Sure enough, time with him always circles back to women. Amazing.Time for the gift.
"Your Highness, please accept this."
He presented the pu'er tea he'd procured in Ming—a famous variety from his past life, received as a gift from Ming officials.
"It looks similar to Cheon Tae-jeon in color. Thank you. The queen consort will like it too, I bet?"
"I've prepared something separate for her."
Tea wouldn't do for Min Da-yeon.
"You're always so devoted to the queen consort. That's why she keeps calling for you."
What trouble has she caused now? Why me, all of a sudden? A sudden wave of unease hit him.
"Well, you're the only brother-in-law I summon, so it's similar. I like you too. Plus, you speak your mind unexpectedly."
Min Mu-jil didn't always defer blindly to Yi Bang-won. If he saw flaws in his reform policies, he voiced them strongly—like how the complaint system was overly procedural, or that they should prioritize rooting out corruption. Yi Bang-won listened attentively. It wasn't opposition to reforms per se; Yi Bang-won just disliked yes-men.
"Father wants to try your cooking. Visit him sometime."
Another summons. But this time, he might share something good.
Suddenly, someone caused a commotion outside the chambers. Investigating, Min Mu-jil found it was Min In-saeng. You again?
Yi Bang-won confronted him. "Why are you trying to enter?"
Min In-saeng replied that Yi Bang-won had previously allowed historians to attend on either side.
"This is the private chambers, not that. Besides, I'm in private conversation with the meritorious envoy and friend. No need for you."
"How can there be private matters between lord and vassal? I humbly request that historians be allowed in the chambers too, to record Your Highness's wise words."
Well spoken.
Yi Bang-won laughed in exasperation. "You'll be someone I remember for life."
In the end, both Min Mu-jil and Min In-saeng were dismissed. Yi Bang-won said they'd talk later—something urgent and confidential, derailed by Min In-saeng.
Min Mu-jil said to him, "Impressive resolve."
"Merely fulfilling my duty."
"I admire that boldness. Just be careful."
Min In-saeng nodded and left. What a character. Witnessing that famous Records incident firsthand is entertaining.
Visiting Min Da-yeon afterward, she welcomed him warmly. "Did everything go well, Mu-jil? How's Yeo-ul?"
"Yes."
"I hope it's a son this time. You need one."
Always fretting over my heirs.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I brought a gift."
He produced a necklace of red coral—exquisitely expensive. Artificially producible in his past life, but impossible now.
Min Da-yeon's face lit up instantly. As expected. His devotion ensured she listened to him.
"Bringing something so precious—you're the only one who thinks of this sister."
She praised him repeatedly with affectionate eyes.
"Your Majesty, any unusual incidents lately?"
She explained Yi Bang-won had toyed with another palace maid, tormenting her until Min Mu-hul intervened after four days. Decent restraint. Palace maids were inner court matters; four days wasn't a big deal unless she was pregnant, which she wasn't. Better than expected—even if it blew up, it'd be dismissed as Yi Bang-won venting jealousy. Good work, Mu-hul. And those maids weren't ones Yi Bang-won truly favored. The real issue was Lady Kim. But Min Mu-jil doubted deep affection there; records showed Lady Shin as most favored, with ten children. Lady Kim stopped at Prince Gyeongnyeong. Both were Yeheung Min clan servants, known to him. Lady Kim wasn't strikingly beautiful; Lady Shin was pretty, but Han Yeo-ul prettier. Still, the two were enigmas. Logically, Min Da-yeon should resent Lady Shin more, yet stories focused on tormenting Lady Kim. Something I'm missing. Time to investigate—easy as envoy.
Min Da-yeon sighed. "Why does His Highness treat me this way?"
Time to listen to her complaints.
After venting, her expression brightened. "Having you makes it bearable. Mu-gu's too busy to care for this sister."
What's the Right Army Commissioner so busy with? Divvying up spoils?Wait... why the bad feeling?
"Did my brother do something?"
"Nothing major."
"Nothing major" makes it worse. Need to check the Censorate.
After bidding her farewell, he went to the Office of the Inspector General. Checking records revealed the incident: Yi Geo-i, Gwon Geun, Min Mu-gu, and others had impeached Jo Jun; Yi Bang-won investigated and released him. Backlash against Jo Jun's irrigation projects. Yi Geo-i's done for soon. That must've been what Yi Bang-won wanted to discuss. Whether Yi Geo-i flew or not wasn't Min Mu-jil's concern—even reinstating him as Left Prime Minister wouldn't help. But his clan was the problem. The palace stayed quiet, but it explodes elsewhere.
Why impeach Jo Jun when Father refused? Headache. This screamed Father's involvement. Without him, no way Yi Geo-i moved Gwon Geun. All Father's doing.
His head throbbed; he clutched it. Hwang Hui asked, "Is something wrong, sir?"
"No."
"But Yeheung Buwongun (Min Je) has submitted a petition."
Examining it: demand to reinstate the anti-Buddhist policy, with massive signatures—all Father's disciples. How many? It clicked why Father acted: extreme Buddhist hater, furious at Yi Bang-won's cancellation. Prioritizing that over urgent matters irked him. Impeaching Jo Jun was 100% grudge from losing the slave lawsuit, but anti-Buddhism was core grievance.
Pretend to enact it to calm him. Lifetime wish fulfilled, he'll quiet. But this group action... linking to impeachment looks like manipulating Yi Bang-won. Headache.
He'd been back in Joseon one day. One day, and this. Time for a petition to Yi Bang-won.
Presenting it, Yi Bang-won said, "Hm. Envoy, I want to reinstate the anti-Buddhist policy too. You know that."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"But with Father opposing, how? And now my father-in-law does this. I understand his feelings, but..."
His bitter expression worried Min Mu-jil. Could Father be in danger? No, original history spared him—the kids took the fall.
"Your Highness, how about an inspectorate to probe temple slaves? Temples illegally amassed them since Goryeo; use that pretext."
"Good idea. But targeting temples alone is too blatant. Father won't approve."
"Then target the sao-gun."
Sao-gun: Goryeo royal bastards or sons of low concubines, all became monks. Father's reason Buddhism and Goryeo were inseparable: sao-gun guarded the throne. Proposal: pretext of purging Goryeo remnants in Buddhism, reality: abolish temple slaves, turn them free commoners. Sao-gun still existed.
Yi Bang-won got it instantly. "Excellent. Purging remnants excuses it; Father won't object."
Buddhism must be curbed harshly—reclaim land and slaves for self-farming yeomen. Religious land/slave hoarding wasted resources, invited policy meddling. Sever religion-politics utterly for modern state. But burn temples or exile resisters to the Six Garrisons.
Yi Bang-won said, "I'll discuss with Pansamsasa (Ha Ryeon). Other thoughts too."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Rest well. Tough right after returning; take a day off."
"Yes, Your Highness."
He clocked out and headed to see Father. Needed to persuade him. Show no power lust before Yi Bang-won turned on the clan. Father yielding Inspector General post would help. Time to convince him. To survive.