Denied Resignation and Royal Scandals
I headed straight to my father's house to get a grasp on the situation. No one was there, so I asked my father and Min Mu-gu what had happened. Fortunately, both had felt burdened by the royal marriage proposal—rejected by Yi Bang-won himself—and had turned the messengers away. What a relief. Min Mu-gu, though... it was almost funny. Even he found it burdensome, so who were these clueless fools who'd come to discuss it?
But apparently, they'd insisted on persuading me before leaving. Was it because Ming envoys were due soon? Even so, this felt excessive. Anyway, we began discussing the incident. My father, his face grave, asked, "Mu-jil, what should we do?"
"It's too late now. Best to go to His Highness first thing tomorrow morning and report it directly. And we should apologize."
Min Mu-gu shot back, "Why should we apologize? What did we do wrong?" Logically, we hadn't. Then Father said, "Mu-jil's right. Mu-gu, regardless of the circumstances, the fact that they came to discuss something His Highness rejected doesn't look good. He'll find out soon enough anyway. If we report it ourselves, he'll end it on a positive note. Besides, it could burden the Queen Consort too, so we should follow Mu-jil's advice."
Min Mu-gu looked dissatisfied but grudgingly agreed when I pleaded with him to trust me just this once. "Then, Mu-jil, stay here tonight. We'll enter the palace together."
"Yes, Father."
I was about to retire in my father's house for the first time in ages when Min Mu-gu called me. "What is it, brother?"
"Mu-jil, honestly, this is so unfair. What the hell did we do wrong?" He was right—it was pure bullshit. Especially for him; he'd been hit out of the blue with no clue what was going on. "I'm sorry, brother. This is all my fault."
"How is it your fault? I just don't get this at all."
Was he about to do something rash? That worried me. "But since you asked and Father wants it too, I'll go along."
Phew, good. The purge trauma was still keeping him in check. "By the way, what do you think about a state marriage with a Ming princess?"
So that's what he really wanted to talk about. "I'm absolutely against it. I don't want to repeat King Chungnyeol's mistakes."
"Fair enough. I thought becoming the Ming emperor's son-in-law would solidify his position as crown prince later. But our clan can protect him anyway."
That judgment was his biggest blunder. Min Mu-gu wasn't in great shape historically, but among the four Min brothers, Crown Prince Yangnyeong bore the most blame for their deaths. If that punk had done his job properly, would all four brothers-in-law really have been killed? If Yangnyeong had been normal, he'd have spared at least one or two. Min Mu-hul at least—he was truly innocent, timid from what I'd seen firsthand. High chance he'd have survived. And Yangnyeong was involved in killing all four. Anyway, he was the root of all evil.
I suggested keeping some distance from him, but Min Mu-gu wouldn't hear it even in death. Min Da-yeon pitied my lack of closeness to Yangnyeong too—blaming the family split. That's why she kept pushing me as his tutor once he became crown prince. Fat chance. I'd resign the second it came up. I just hated the guy. Better to teach the Japanese than him.
Min Mu-gu dropped it and went to bed. I did the same. The next day, Father, Min Mu-gu, and I went to the palace, reported everything straight to Yi Bang-won, and apologized.
I added, "Your Highness, this is all my fault. Punish me. I didn't speak clearly, and now it's spread to Father and my brother."
Preempting like this kept Min Mu-gu from blurting nonsense. Yi Bang-won seemed shocked. "How is this the Inspector General's fault? It's because I didn't inform my subjects. Rise, all of you."
We stood, and Father said, "This humble servant will retire from his post as Chief Scholar of the Hall of Worthies."
"Nonsense, Lord of Yeheung County."
"My health is too poor to remain in court. Please grant my resignation."
"Rest for a year, then. I'll summon you back."
He turned to Min Mu-gu. "I'm truly sorry it came to this, Supreme Army Commander of the Right."
"Not at all, Your Highness."
"I'll appoint you Governor of Chungcheong Province. Go there for now. Right Prime Minister Ha Ryeon is digging the Pammun Canal near Taean—perfect for you. Finish it brilliantly, and I'll make you Supreme Army Commander of the Center. Don't feel slighted."
Governor of Chungcheong wasn't punishment. I'd already told Min Mu-gu about the canal, and he was interested. Plus, promotion afterward? He'd love it. If he built Anmyeon Island well, which he could. As expected, he kowtowed in thanks.
"Inspector General, stay and talk."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Once Father and Min Mu-gu left, Yi Bang-won eyed me. "Mu-jil, I've noticed before—trouble never leaves you alone. Even unrelated to your intentions."
That was my line. "My sins are great. Grant my resignation, Your Highness."
"Don't talk nonsense."
"Pardon?"
"Why resign? To match Mu-gu, just step down from Cavalry Commander. Keep Inspector General and Hwatong Dogam Director. You cannot resign."
That's why you live righteously. Cavalry Commander was nominal anyway—no real work. Hwatong Dogam Director was junior rank 2 now, matching it. But "cannot resign" unnerved me.
"I kept you because I have news from Ming and the north."
He handed me letters. Ming's civil war diverged: Jianwen won at He'an, but his army attacking supply depots at Baixian was ambushed by Seo Hwi-jo, nearly wiped out. Their general killed, heavy losses. Jianwen was at a huge disadvantage for Nanjing now. Dongchang bigger defeat, He'an partial annihilation. With Seo Hwi-jo, they'd get crushed. Butterfly effect was terrifying.
Yi Bang-won said, "Jianwen has no chance. The north confirms it."
The northern report baffled me: Yi Seong-gye's old subordinate, Eo Ha-chu, fled north of Tumen River with his clan to Liaodong. Approached the Liaodong Commandery, offered youngest daughter to Zhu Yunwen for loyalty. Accepted, mobilized Jurchens, routed Jianwen's forces there. Sent Eo Ha-chu's daughter to Zhu Yunwen.
What the hell? Stunned, Yi Bang-won explained, "Our strong assimilation in the Six Garrisons threatened them, so they fled to Ming. Contributing to the civil war for status."
Our Six Garrisons expansion causing this. Who was Eo Ha-chu? Yi Seong-gye's man, but details fuzzy. Not Munduemu's descendant. Shady guy—needed to investigate his family. Never trust Jurchens. Yi Seong-gye's subordinate fled to Ming.
Jianwen's win chance: zero. Zhu Yunwen's 50,000 freed from Liaodong—some to Beiping. Jianwen splits forces again? Impossible. Siege and grind wins. Or overextend and get wrecked? With his incompetence, likely.
"Ming envoys come soon. Unknown who, but I need you—no leaving the capital."
"Yes, Your Highness."
He chuckled. "Plus, without you, what of Father? You're why he's tolerable. Gone..."
Yi Seong-gye unwittingly extended my capital stay. Grateful? Unclear. Jurchen issue—perfect timing. "Your Highness, a request."
"What?"
"When Ming's war ends, send me to the Six Garrisons."
"Why?"
"Eo Ha-chu to Liaodong proves Jurchens escaping control. I want to suppress them."
"You aid me here. Others suffice."
Denied again. Needed another way. Must get provincial post, fake illness, retire.
After bidding farewell, I visited Min Da-yeon. She'd heard from Father and Min Mu-gu, worried sick. Relieved I wasn't leaving, thrilled. "Without you, what fun would I have? Want north after war? His Highness refused?"
"Yes, Queen Consort."
"You say odd things sometimes."
What? "Still, relief it didn't escalate. I feared the worst."
Yeah, what was Yi Bang-won thinking? Finished with her, prepared for Ming envoys.
They arrived soon, enjoyed banquets silently. But bought horses separately. Bribed a Jurchen retainer: Zhu Yunwen strengthening offense against Jianwen. Idiot. Perfect intervention point. 2,000 horses demanded, cash upfront—huge sum. Court hesitated, but goods swayed all. Money conquers.
Handed horses, got massive goods. Envoys satisfied, left—with 10 geun of ginseng extra. Envoys profit big. No grudge; my Ming gifts dwarfed theirs.
Sent them off; Min Mu-gu to Chungcheong, thrilled. Sweet gig.
Whew, storm passed—peace now? Hoped so, working at Seungchu-bu.
Shattered fast. Yi Bang-won's woman trouble: Kim, our house servant now in palace. She seduced him aggressively for status and palace life. He, abstaining lately, fell—summoned her last night. Learned today.
Fuck... Thought he'd just fool around, not her hunting him. Blame Min In-saeng? Caught chronicling behind screen, exiled, stressing him. Temptation hit—done.
Why Min Da-yeon tormented Kims, our clan? Distracted by state marriage, Ming—boom.
Her rage worried me; rushed over. Had to stop her flipping out. Massive issue: led to court ladies scandal, dethronement talks. Good Min Mu-gu in Chungcheong—not capital, disaster otherwise...