Part 1: Min Mu-jil's Quiet Days in Dongnae
Yi Bang-won, who was getting along well in Dongnae with Min Mu-jil, initially thought he'd misheard when he first learned that Yi Bang-seok had been named crown prince. But no matter how many times he confirmed it, the news remained the same: Yi Bang-seok was the crown prince. And it truly enraged him.
Frankly, Yi Bang-won had immense ambition for the crown prince position. He believed himself the most capable, after all. He could have accepted it if it had gone to his eldest brother, Yi Bang-gwa. Yi Bang-gwa had effectively taken on the role of the eldest son in place of their deposed brother Bang-u, making him the perfect candidate under primogeniture.
But seeing his half-brother—the youngest at just ten years old—named crown prince filled Yi Bang-won with fury. He went straight to Yi Bang-gwa and vented that their father had made a grave mistake.
"That's for Father to decide. I've never had any interest in the crown prince position, Bang-won."
"Brother, you can't think of it that way. Among us full brothers, one of us must become crown prince if we're to honor our late mother's memory properly."
Yi Bang-gwa wavered for a moment at those words but ultimately deferred to their father's decision. Afterward, Yi Bang-won met with various people, but got no real response. Even his father-in-law, Min Je... He clearly seemed dissatisfied with the choice but had no intention of stepping forward.
Frustrated and seething, Yi Bang-won soon received a summons from Yi Seong-gye and entered the palace.
"Did you summon me, Father?"
"Yes. Bang-won, go to the Northeast Frontier and perform the ancestral rites at my great-grandfather's tomb. Erect a posthumous title as well. Among the princes, you're the most versed in Confucian scholarship, so I'm entrusting this to you."
"Thank you, Father."
"If you're thankful, why the long face? Do you have something to say?"
"Why isn't Crown Prince Yeongan-gun?"
At that, Yi Seong-gye snapped. "You're not asking why it's not Bang-gwa—you're questioning why you aren't crown prince. How dare you use Bang-gwa as an excuse?"
"No, Father. I'm genuinely curious."
Of course, Yi Bang-won was deeply dissatisfied at not being named crown prince himself, but his question was sincere. Even if it had gone to Brother Bang-gwa, he could have accepted it, however regrettably.
"I am now a king. Not the kindly father who answers his sons' questions as in our private days, but the sovereign who rules this nation of Joseon! The crown prince is a matter for me and the queen consort to decide—not for you to meddle in. Speak of it no more. Focus on the Northeast Frontier instead. Defy me again as you did with Po-eun, and I won't let it slide."
Yi Bang-won replied, "I'll consult with Father-in-law on the rites and title before departing."
Yi Seong-gye approved. Min Je was a renowned Confucian scholar, after all; seeking his guidance wasn't a bad idea.
Yi Bang-won then went with Min Da-yeon—who had received her formal commission as Jeongnyeong Ongju—to Min Je's residence. He informed them he would depart for the Northeast Frontier immediately. Min Je responded,
"Jeongan-gun, performing ancestral rites in the Northeast is the duty of the family head. Please don't take it poorly."
"Father-in-law, that's how we scholars see it, but Father simply chose me for my knowledge of the classics."
With a sigh, they discussed the posthumous title. Once settled, Yi Bang-won departed for the Northeast, leaving Min Da-yeon in Min Je's care.
"Please take good care of the Ongju."
"Of course, Jeongan-gun. Safe travels."
The next day, after Jeongan-gun's departure, Min Da-yeon spoke with her father, mother, and Min Mu-gu.
"Father, what on earth should we do about this mess?"
Min Da-yeon was livid at the absurdity of naming the youngest, Yi Bang-seok, crown prince over her grown brothers.
"Ongju, what can we do? It's His Highness's decision. Many think this crown prince appointment is a mistake, but there's no reversing it."
Min Je had wanted his son-in-law Yi Bang-won for crown prince too. The prince was well-versed in scholarship, exceptionally capable, and it would greatly benefit the clan. The mood during the selection hadn't been unfavorable; while many backed Yeongan-gun Yi Bang-gwa on primogeniture grounds, plenty supported Yi Bang-won as well—especially key advisors like Jo Jun.
But Yi Seong-gye had stubbornly pushed Yi Bang-seok, even resorting to strong-arm tactics to silence opposition. He was the sort to bulldoze through with his will, never backing down once decided. Min Je saw no way to change it.
Then Min Da-yeon said, "We should summon Mu-jil."
"Ongju, why call for Mu-jil?"
Min Da-yeon recounted how Min Mu-jil had once warned against trusting Gang Clan, predicting she'd elevate her own sons, Bang-beon and Bang-seok.
"So that's what happened."
"Yes, Father. It unfolded just as Mu-jil foresaw, so we should consult him."
"Will you send a letter?"
"A letter first, and if it's not enough, have him return immediately."
At that, Min Mu-gu interjected, "Sister, aren't you being too hasty?"
"Nonsense, Mu-gu. My husband already had substantial support during the selection. Yet the crown prince became the youngest, Yi Bang-seok. Don't you grasp what that means?"
"What does it mean?"
"My husband is now the crown prince's enemy. What happens to princes who were in the running once the crown prince ascends? Look to history. Exile at best, death at worst. This is a matter of my husband's life. I can't live without him. I've already lost three sons young; he's all I have left. I cannot lose him too!"
Min Da-yeon sighed deeply.
"It's safe while His Highness lives—he'd never kill his own blood. But he's old, and the queen consort is young. Once he passes and she's alone, will she leave my husband be? Or our clan that aids him? This concerns not just his life, but our family's survival. How can I not hurry? We must mobilize the clan's full strength—Mu-jil must come too."
Min Da-yeon was exceptionally sharp and politically astute. It was why she held sway in the Min clan despite being a woman. Min Mu-jil might be deemed smarter, but his ambitions often clouded his judgment.
Min Je then said, "Your words are all correct, Ongju. But do you think His Highness or the queen consort are blind to that? Especially the queen—she'll watch our clan's every move, seize any pretext, and purge us. Self-restraint is wisest now."
"So we shouldn't call Mu-jil?"
"Yes. A letter should suffice. Praise his recent slaying of a few pirates, inquire after his health—that'll raise no flags."
Min Da-yeon pondered, then nodded. They sent the letter to Min Mu-jil and awaited reply. When it came, it echoed her father's words exactly, with an added hint that things would self-destruct on their own.
"As expected, Mu-jil had anticipated it. His mind is sharp indeed. If only he didn't squander it on needless ambitions."
She also read the accompanying report from the retainer sent to monitor him—lest he drink and cause trouble. Hard to trust him otherwise. It noted he still drank, but caused no issues.
"At least that's a relief. And unexpectedly, he's getting along well with the children."
However, due to his role in Jeong Mong-ju's assassination, he had no dealings with the local scholars. He mostly played with kids, chatted occasionally with farmers, and focused on training otherwise.
"Has Mu-jil finally come to his senses? If so, once confirmed, we should bring him to my husband's side to assist."
Min Da-yeon was pleased at Min Mu-jil's marked maturity after five months.
Meanwhile, Min Mu-jil suddenly felt a chill. Is someone badmouthing me? Just my imagination? Or because of these dreams I've been having lately?
Lately, I've been having terrible nightmares. One where Min Da-yeon drags me back, another where I'm suddenly fighting with a sword in China. No idea why these keep coming. They say dreams are opposites—maybe that's it? The first one's fine as an opposite, but the second? Not China, maybe Japan? Well, Tsushima's Japan, so possible.
Anyway, it's been nearly five months here. Joseon's founded, crown prince is Yi Bang-seok. Both as expected, nothing surprising. Though Min Da-yeon seems pretty shocked. Who'd predict such a reckless move? Yi Seong-gye must be senile, or Gang Clan's lost her senses.
Building a Neo-Confucian state yet ignoring primogeniture for the crown prince? Baffling. If he wanted Yi Bang-seok king so badly, make Yi Bang-gwa crown prince and adopt Bang-seok as his son to position him as grandson/heir. Less outrageous than this direct appointment.
Historically, Yi Bang-won even became Yi Bang-gwa's adopted son to legitimize his claim while honoring primogeniture. Full younger brothers worked; half should be easier. Yi Seong-gye's overconfident in his power.
But does he realize Yi Bang-seok's lacking talent, his faction's overreaches? In the First Princes' Revolt, nearly all kin sided with Yi Bang-won—including Yi Cheon-u, who sulked at not being told.
They'll implode eventually. Just build strength quietly and wait. I'll join the First Princes' Revolt later—our clan would be purge target one if Bang-seok reigns. To survive, must. Until then, hunt pirates here, join Tsushima campaign. Hope they don't drag me to Yi Bang-won. Better have an excuse ready.
Alright, time to head out? Day off—stroll the streets.
Dressed in casual clothes, he walked out. Playing children spotted him and cheered.
"Uncle!"
They swarmed him.
"Tell us a fun story today too?"
"Shall I? Everyone, sit over there."
"Yes!"
He spent time playing with the kids here. He liked children, but mainly because the local scholars despised him. No one else to hang with.
Simple reason: A few down-from-Kaesong scholars knew of his role in Jeong Mong-ju's assassination. They shunned him intentionally, though never confronted him outright. He had no desire to mingle anyway.
So he entertained the kids with fun old tales. They sat rapt as he spun stories, delighted.
One child asked, "But why haven't you come by so often lately?"
"Well, I've got my own busy work."
Recently, small pirate bands—five or six—had appeared. Likely scouts; a big raid soon. Everyone trembled at pirates returning after three years. He ramped up training, asked the county magistrate to bolster patrols. The magistrate obliged readily, knowing he was Jeongnyeong Ongju Min Da-yeon's brother.
After playing, with nothing else, he wandered near the county office. It was bustling. What now? A clerk approached.
"Military officer, the magistrate seeks you."
"What's the matter?"
"Pirates sighted in a neighboring county."
"How many?"
"Over a hundred, they say."
No invasion this year, as I recall? Misremembered? Think later—pirates first.
He hurried to the camp.