Father's Resignation and Yi Geo-i's Exile
On my way to my father's house, I found Ha Ryeon already there. What on earth?
"Then, my lord, I'll take my leave."
"At least have a meal before you go."
"No, thank you. Your second son has arrived—please dine with him."
At that moment, Father spoke up.
"I'm truly grateful for your advice."
"It's the least I can do for all the grace you've shown me, my lord."
What on earth had they been discussing?
After Ha Ryeon departed, Father turned to me.
"Mu-jil, you've come. We were just about to have dinner together as a family—join us."
"Yes, Father."
Over dinner, various topics came up. Father was particularly curious about the situation in Ming, so I filled him in.
"If those remnants of the Northern Yuan manage to regroup, the Central Plains will descend into chaos..."
"No need to worry about that. The Northern Yuan remnants are embroiled in their own civil war right now."
The Mongol lands were in the throes of intense internal strife. Assassinations of khans and the like had plunged them into serious turmoil. Things only stabilized somewhat under Bunyashiri's rule, but even then, they were locked in fierce battles with the Oirats. So, for the next six years or so, even if civil wars erupted in Ming, it wouldn't pose much of a problem for us.
Everyone nodded in agreement, visibly relieved. They all wanted Ming to suffer, but no one desired the Mongols reconquering China. A resurgence of the Yuan would be a nightmare.
After the meal, Father gathered all us brothers.
"Listen carefully to what your father has to say. I am resigning from my position as Right Prime Minister."
We were all stunned. I was shocked too. Of course, I'd hoped for this and had come to persuade him, but why so suddenly?
Min Mu-gu protested vehemently, but Father dismissed it, saying his discussion with Ha Ryeon was concluded.
Ha Ryeon. Your doing, huh? Wow, Ha Ryeon was helping our family. In the original history, he'd argued for leniency toward the Min brothers during their purge, only to get an earful from Yi Bang-won. And he shared a deep bond with our father. He'd probably intervened before Father witnessed anything unseemly.
Thanks a lot, Ha Ryeon. I'll bring you a gift.
"What do you think, Mu-jil?"
"I'll follow Father's will."
"Good. I've realized my mistake this time. Even if that wasn't my intent, I must take responsibility."
When Min Mu-gu asked what he meant, Father explained that after submitting the petition to suppress Buddhism, he'd spoken with Ha Ryeon. Ha Ryeon had grown serious and suggested they discuss it at home. He warned that this petition, combined with the prior impeachment of Jo Jun, could be seen as openly opposing Yi Bang-won's policies, leading to dire consequences. He advised stepping down from Right Prime Minister to show moderation.
Father had pondered it and agreed, so he planned to meet the prince and resign.
"Resigning over something so minor doesn't make sense, Father. After all we've done for the prince, won't he overlook this much?"
Min Mu-gu, read the room a bit. Did he dump all his points into military talent? How can he be this oblivious?
Father looked at me.
"And you, Mu-jil?"
"I agree with Father and Lord Ha Ryeon. Yi Geo-i will fall from power soon. Better to step down gracefully now than be dragged down with him."
"You're saying the same as Ha Ryeon. Indeed, if Yi Geo-i falls, it won't leave me unscathed as Right Prime Minister. My reputation would suffer even if I clung on. Retiring early on grounds of age paints a noble picture. The prince will save face for me too. And I'll keep my post as Grand Scholar of the Hall of Worthies, so it's fine."
Father's judgment remained sharp, even if his material desires had grown lately. I'd also proposed a compromise on his anti-Buddhism policy.
"That settles it. The one sticking point was halting the anti-Buddhism measures, but that's resolved. Well done, Mu-jil. Tomorrow, I'll inform the prince of my resignation."
"Yes, Father."
Min Mu-gu finally relented. The younger brothers had no objections anyway.
The next day, Father met Yi Bang-won and conveyed his intent to resign immediately. Yi Bang-won feigned reluctance but accepted.
The day after, Yi Bang-won visited Father's house with Min Da-yeon, addressing him as "master" with full respect, just as in the old days. With the king himself honoring his former teacher in person, Father's face was saved perfectly. It ended on a high note.
Afterward, I took the gold—straight from Zhu Yuanzhang's tribute—and visited Ha Ryeon.
He looked surprised to see me.
"Do you practice divination too?"
"It's just a thank-you gift for helping my father."
"I've received so much grace from your father—what's this? Still, since you went to the trouble, I'll gratefully accept."
Ha Ryeon pocketed the gold without hesitation. As expected, he doesn't turn it down.
"By the way, Inspector General, I have a favor to ask. It's not about pulling strings for an appointment, so hear me out."
I was even willing to grant a personnel favor out of gratitude.
"What is it?"
"There's something I'm pushing for, but I can't do it without your help. When I raise it in court, lend your support."
"What sort of thing?"
Ha Ryeon pulled out a map and pointed to Anheungryang in Chungcheong Province's Taean region.
"Digging a canal here would be ideal."
His explanation made sense. Anheungryang was one of the Four Perils of Joseon—treacherous waters hindering grain ships: Indangsuin between Baengnyeongdo and Daecheongdo in Hwanghae Province, Anheungryang in Chungcheong, Myeongnyang off Jindo, and Sondolmok between Ganghwa and Gimpo. It was a perennial obstacle to the Great Equalization Law. Grain from the southern provinces had to pass through it, so countermeasures there enabled the law's expansion.
Time to share my thoughts.
"I agree in principle with Lord Ha Ryeon. Grain ships suffer massive losses passing Anheungryang. But digging a canal there is practically impossible. Another approach would be better."
The idea dated back to mid-Goryeo; even Yi Seong-gye had tried and failed. That rocky bedrock couldn't be breached without dynamite.
"What method?"
"Two options. First, reroute grain ships farther offshore to bypass Anheungryang entirely."
Early Joseon shunned deep-sea voyages for coastal hugging due to Japanese pirates ravaging the seas in late Goryeo. It became habit, overly reinforced for control, but detrimental. We could shift now before it ossified.
"Not bad. And the other?"
"How about a boardwalk canal here?"
I pointed between Cheonsuman Bay and the Yellow Sea, creating Anmyeondo Island. Kim Yuk's later invention, but preempting it was fine. Anmyeondo offered value: large salt pans on the east, boosted fisheries. It aided not just grain transport but industry.
Ha Ryeon seemed even more taken with this.
"This is perfect. Feasible without massive funds or labor. We can do this first, then tackle Anheungryang."
He wouldn't give up on canals entirely. Stubborn as ever.
"Thank you, Inspector General. Brilliant idea. We make a great team. We'll discuss more soon."
"Yes, thank you."
"If only Jeong-rung wouldn't oppose it."
"I'll help with that later."
He grinned.
"Looking forward to it. Oh, about the Firearms Arsenal."
"Yes, speak freely."
"You're aware of the inspectors' complaints about it?"
All too well. Endless petitions claiming it squandered funds through mismanagement. It did cost a fortune—firearm R&D always does.
"Like the rowboat oars, we need concrete results. Show off another cannon soon."
"No worries. In a few months, I'll unveil something truly astonishing."
"Really? I'll hold you to it."
I was fed up with those petitions too. Accusations of lavish spending, demanding results beyond oars, calling it a mere prestige project. Yi Bang-won ignored them outright, ordering them recycled without a glance. Still, it weighed on me. I had something in development: the fire chariot. Serviceable itself, but a showstopper visually—flames spewing, singijeon rockets flying. Costly, but invaluable in Korea's mountains. King Munjong didn't mass-produce hundreds for nothing.
Soon, super-early gun results would silence the critics. For a strong Joseon, powerful artillery was key—objections would be crushed.
After wrapping up with Ha Ryeon, I continued work at the Victory Bureau and Firearms Arsenal.
Soon after, Yi Geo-i fell completely.
After Father's resignation, Yi Geo-i was promoted to Chief State Councillor (as the Door under the Throne was abolished for the State Council). But it was a powerless post. Enraged, he vented to Jo Yeong-mu that Yi Bang-gwa's era was better and Yi Bang-gwa should have remained king. Jo Yeong-mu reported it to Yi Bang-won, who used it as pretext to strip Yi Geo-i of office and exile him. His sons, Yi Ae and Yi Baek-gyeong, were also dismissed.
His wealth was spared, likely because Yi Ae was Yi Seong-gye's son-in-law and Yi Baek-gyeong Yi Bang-won's own. Enviable. If I were purged, I'd want it to end there.
Yi Bang-won wasn't overly brutal—except with in-laws. Being family was the crime, apparently.
With Yi Geo-i and son gone, the meritorious retainers grew cautious. Even Min Mu-gu seemed chastened, less reckless. Good sign, though I doubted it'd last a year.
With matters resolved, I visited Yi Seong-gye today. I'd come before, but busyness delayed me ten days.
Yi Seong-gye saw me.
"Why so late this time?"
"My apologies, Supreme King. Duties piled up."
"Busy as Sam-bong, eh?"
Can't he drop Jeong Do-jeon?
I offered his favorite braised short ribs; he devoured them.
"Your cooking is superb."
"Thank you, Supreme King."
"How fares the Ming civil war?"
One of his obsessions. He relished Zhu Yuanzhang's sons and grandsons slaughtering each other post-death.
I shared details, with Yi Bang-won's blessing—he wanted Yi Seong-gye distracted by it, even urging entertaining reports.
"Delightful."
Utterly satisfied.
"You might not like this news."
"Speak. I'll judge."
Ming's regional kings were being purged—suiciding or poisoned. Yi Seong-gye roared with laughter.
"That pig Zhu Yuanzhang's spawn getting heavenly retribution! How soon after his death, and so many gone—by their grandsons' hands, no less."
It stung, given our role in Yi Bang-seok's demise, but he seemed thrilled.
"Your handiwork?"
"Pardon?"
"Smells like you. You're good at that sort of thing."
Some compliment.
"Doesn't matter. If it's you or not, Zhu Yuanzhang wailing in the afterlife is what counts. Better if all his sons joined him there."
His hatred for Zhu matched his for Yi Bang-won.
"Thanks to you, Joseon's peaceful. Bang-won lucked out with you as brother-in-law. You mentioned something fun soon?"
"Yes. You'll love it."
"Good. Or else."
Teasing to torment me later?
After Yi Seong-gye, I returned to work. With family issues settled, everything progressed smoothly.