Part 1: Min Mu-jil's Munterm Gambit
Several days had already passed since leaving Hanyang. They'd reach Hoiryeong soon enough.
As they traveled, Yongyang Sunwi General Park Sil spoke up.
"It's a relief to see the Left Army Commander looking much better."
"Was it that worrying?"
"Yes. To be honest, I was really concerned on the way here, but your complexion has improved so much."
Come to think of it, his color really had improved. Ha. Escaping the battlefield of Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon's marital strife made him feel truly alive again. He was even eating well now, and he'd put on a bit of weight. Still gaunt, of course, but better than his lowest point.
Park Sil had been that worried? He must have looked truly dreadful. Was that why Han Yeo-ul hadn't protested his trip north? Because he kept wasting away in the capital?
"Left Army Commander. Why are we bypassing Gyeongseong and heading covertly to Hoiryeong like this?"
"To catch Dongmyeonggacheopmoga—Munterm."
He'd originally planned to go to Gyeongseong, reorganize the troops, and then head out. But on second thought, it made more sense to take just the cavalry and strike straight for the Six Garrisons to nab Munterm. He'd sent secret orders to Choi Yun-deok in Gyeongseong to come discreetly. And to cover their tracks, Yi Jong-mu—disguised as him—was heading to Gyeongseong.
Yi Jong-mu. The very same from the Dae Ma-do Conquest. When deciding who to bring to Gyeongseong, Yi Jong-mu's name jumped out. He was capable enough. Personally, Min Mu-jil rated Choi Yun-deok higher.
"Let's move fast for now."
"Yes, sir. Everyone, advance."
They pressed on covertly, arriving in Hoiryeong soon after. Choi Yun-deok came out to greet them.
"Left Army Commander. It's been too long."
"Gyeongwon Busasa. Indeed it has."
Choi Yun-deok had rocketed through promotions to Jeong 4th rank already—not because of Min Mu-jil's push, but genuine acclaim. Even the civilian officials who viewed military men through colored lenses praised him lavishly. Combat prowess aside, his administrative skills were top-notch. And unlike some, his character was impeccable. A true exemplar of early Joseon's famed generals.
Under Choi Yun-deok's guidance, they entered the Hoiryeong yamen. There, he received the situation report.
As expected, Ollianghap, Nima-cha, and others showed suspicious movements. Munterm wasn't the only problem. But he was the biggest.
"Where's Yeongseungchu Busasa Jo Yeong-mu?"
"In Gyeongseong, as you ordered, Left Army Commander."
Jo Yeong-mu was Yeongseungchu Busasa, overseeing military authority in Seungchu-bu. Higher in rank than Min Mu-jil, but he'd come with full authority delegated by Yi Bang-won. He could command Jo Yeong-mu, who obeyed without question. Actually, now that he was Left Army Commander, the gap wasn't huge anyway. With Jo Yeong-mu in Gyeongseong, those plotting would be even bolder.
"Gyeongwon Busasa Choi Yun-deok. Yongyang Sunwi General Park Sil. Take your men now and bring me Dongmyeonggacheopmoga. It shouldn't be hard— we have forces in cahoots inside his tribe."
"Yes, sir."
"I'll wait here reviewing documents."
"Understood."
Start with Munterm. You'd waited long enough.
Choi Yun-deok and Park Sil led troops to capture him. It would be easy. As he'd told them, Munterm's tribe had many collaborators. Back when Min Mu-gu pioneered the Six Garrisons, Min Mu-jil had openly ordered close watch on Munterm—and instructed Park Eun the same. They'd monitored him thoroughly, down to household counts.
And it hadn't been hard. Munterm held his seat thanks to Yi Seong-gye's aid. Plenty in the tribe were eager to seize it by aligning with Joseon.
In original history, Munterm's betrayal of Joseon came late probably because suppressing them took time. Min Mu-jil had struck precisely there.
Yet this beneficiary of Yi Seong-gye was already cozying up to Ming? Sure, Joseon's assimilation policies unnerved them, and Yi Seong-gye offered scant help now—but that was their problem. Not his.
Time to vent the pent-up stress from Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon's fights. Stress relief meant longevity.
While they fetched Munterm, he'd review Six Garrisons affairs. Household numbers were pitifully low. Total Joseon settlers might scrape 3,000. Yi Bang-won pushed settlement policies, but few came. Not zero, but far short.
Hence the Jurchen assimilation drive. Small tribes complied eagerly, seeing no survival against larger ones except naturalizing in Joseon.
But small tribes meant few numbers. Settlement policies had to continue. Best bet: free slaves and settle them here.
The next day, Choi Yun-deok and Park Sil returned with soldiers, Jurchens, and Munterm in tow.
Fast work. Bound and resisting as he came?
"Just beat him senseless."
They did as ordered, and he stopped struggling, glaring at Min Mu-jil.
"Who are you?"
"Me? You know Ye-gang-gun Min Mu-gu?"
"Well enough."
"His younger brother, Ye-seong-gun Min Mu-jil. Also Left Army Commander and Dongbuk-myeong Gubang Jeoljesa."
Munterm's face registered shock.
"How?"
"Surprised? Came faster than expected? Rushed to chat with you sooner. Let's talk. You stay down there."
"I served His Highness the Supreme King and was appointed Gyeongseong Deungcheo Manho. How dare you treat me thus!"
"And that same man sent a letter begging Ming for a command post?"
Munterm's eyes flickered.
"Search him."
Officers did, pulling out the letter. Min Mu-jil read it: stamped by the Yodong Do Jihwisa, appointing him Jianzhouwei Jihwisa.
"Caught red-handed? Holding Joseon office while chasing Ming's too?"
He burned it on the spot. Everyone gaped; Munterm especially.
"Burning a great nation's letter? You bastard..."
"This? Pretend it never arrived. Raided by local Jurchen villages. Problem solved. Or simpler: someone impersonated you to approach the Yodong Jihwisa."
Ming in civil war wouldn't know. Even if they did, claim Munterm allied with Eohheo-chu to unify Jurchens. They'd swallow it, hating Jurchen unity. If not, deal later.
"And you don't know me well. I'm close with Bingbu Shangshu Je Tae and Hanlin Yuan Daxueshi Bang Hyo-yu. I can cancel that appointment as envoy. What happens to you then? Don't dream of appealing to the Supreme King. He won't lift a finger for a traitor, and I screen all letters to him."
Not certain he'd cancel, but it worked. Yi Seong-gye part was fact.
Munterm bit his lip.
"If you're smart, you know there's a traitor. Question: how'd you get caught so easily? Who betrayed you? Brother? Cousin? Young son? Or all?"
He'd know—his captors were Jurchens. Idiot otherwise.
"What do you want?"
"Dongmyeonggacheopmoga—no, Munterm. Think I called you for a deal? Nah, just using you. Do two things. First, write a letter summoning those plotting with you against Hoiryeong. Invite them here. Second, never betray Joseon again."
"And if I refuse?"
"Don't mistake this for an option. Don't underestimate me. Chop your hand, use the print to summon Ollianghap, Nima-cha, others. I'm giving you a chance. Think I don't know your co-conspirators?"
"How?"
"No need to know. Refuse anyway? Kill your whole clan except Beomchal—your half-brother—and install him as chief to control the tribe."
Not actually Beomchal, but someone else. This way, post-deal, Munterm would kill Beomchal, sparking infighting. He'd kill Munterm eventually anyway—after full exploitation.
"Munterm. Answer."
"Dancing in your palm from the start."
"Good. Now finish."
He bowed his head.
"I'll do it."
Min Mu-jil freed him to write. No tricks—pity, he'd planned heel amputation.
"Stay here. Serve him drink."
They gave Munterm liquor and confined him.
Choi Yun-deok watched.
"Left Army Commander... I've noticed before, but you're ruthless with enemies."
"He deserves it."
"Pardon?"
Some did. Munterm was Hong Taiji's ancestor, after all.
"When to send the letter?"
"Before troops from Gyeongseong arrive. Dispatch a courier there: rest one day on arrival, then Hoiryeong."
"Yes, sir."
He waited for Gyeongseong reinforcements. Glancing at Munterm, who flinched at his gaze. Properly broken.
Confining him controlled the tribe. Any funny business, Munterm died that day.
Days later, Jo Yeong-mu arrived with troops.
"Long time, Jisinsa. Wait—Left Army Commander now."
"Indeed, Yeongseungchu Busasa."
He'd brought 20 fire wagons from Gyeongseong as ordered. Useful against Jurchens.
They caught up; Min Mu-jil briefed him.
"Rebellious tribes lured here for slaughter?"
"Yes. Crush them first, then talk."
"Non-participants?"
"Treat well per conciliation policy."
Jurchens needed divide-and-conquer. Yi Seong-gye said tribes mixed hardliners and moderates; purging hardliners now wasn't bad.
What of Yi Jong-mu?
"Yongmu Sunwi Da Janggun Yi Jong-mu will take longer?"
"About five days."
Plenty. Not essential, but better if he came.
"Time to send the letters."
"Yes."
Min Mu-jil dispatched Munterm's letters via loyalists.
Now wait. He began preparations to catch the Jurchens. How many would bite?
While Min Mu-jil prepared to snare the Jurchens, the messengers with Munterm's letters met each chieftain.
The letter claimed Joseon's dispatched light army was moving all its grain to Hoiryeong, taking time to arrive. Burn it, and they'd lack supplies, retreat soon, letting them expel Joseon from the Six Garrisons.
The chieftains rejoiced. Winter loomed, food scarce—salvation. Plus, enslave Hoiryeong's Joseon settlers, claim their fields. Irresistible.
Some advocating peace with Joseon suggested yielding, but were ignored. Armies mobilized toward Hoiryeong.
Entering, they spotted the granary. Chieftains excitedly ordered looting before burning—food always useful.
But inside: empty husks.
"Nothing here."
"What?"
Ambush. Hills erupted with troops; rear blocked too. Min Mu-jil, Jo Yeong-mu, and Joseon forces.
Min Mu-jil smirked.
"I am Left Army Commander and Dongbuk-myeong Gubang Jeoljesa Min Mu-jil. You all die here."
He blew the horn. Fire wagons rolled out, spewing flames.