Part 1 - The Goryeosaek Establishment and the Great Purge
Once Yi Bang-won had driven out the senior palace ladies and maids from the queen's residence, effectively confining Min Da-yeon there alone, the court fell into profound dismay. The ministers trembled in anxiety, uncertain where this fire would spread next.
At that moment, Han Sang-hwan, Min Mu-jil's father-in-law, met with his relative Han Yeong-jeong to see his daughter, Han Yeo-ul.
"Father, what brings you here?"
Han Sang-hwan explained the situation. "Yeo-ul, what should we do? It seems we need our son-in-law to step in, but His Highness remains immovable..."
"I think it's best if my husband stays in the north."
Han Yeo-ul had always felt a pang of sorrow whenever Min Mu-jil left for the frontiers, but lately her thoughts had shifted. She had witnessed how the constant strife between Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon was draining the life from him. That was why she hadn't uttered a word of protest when he departed northward this time. She only hoped he could recover his health there. Of course, it saddened her not to see her beloved Min Mu-jil, but his well-being truly worried her most.
Han Sang-hwan felt frustrated at her words. His daughter Yeo-ul was favored by both Yi Bang-won and Min Da-yeon. When she bore a son, Yi Bang-won had even sent lavish gifts separately. He had hoped to persuade Yi Bang-won by having Yeo-ul express her longing for Min Mu-jil, but the very person in question showed no such inclination.
Then Han Yeo-ul spoke. "Father, I think it's best if we do nothing at all."
"What do you mean by that?"
"My husband always tells me never to meddle in matters between His Majesty and the Queen Consort. He says it's truly dangerous. So, Father, it would be wise for you to simply watch and wait as well."
In truth, Min Mu-jil had instructed Han Yeo-ul only to serve as a casual companion to Min Da-yeon, repeatedly emphasizing that she must never intervene in their quarrels. Han Yeo-ul had faithfully adhered to this. Now, she was conveying the same sentiment to her family, hoping they would follow suit.
Listening nearby, Han Yeong-jeong nodded. "It seems your daughter is right. Watching quietly is the best course."
With that, Han Sang-hwan relented and agreed to stay put. They shifted to other topics—talk of the newly born grandson, the late Han Sang-hwan's younger brother Han Sang-jil from last year, and how Han Sang-hwan's nephew Han Gi was observing his three-year mourning period.
Then Han Yeo-ul mentioned her daughter Min Yeong recently. When Han Yeong-jeong noted that her own daughter was the same age, Han Yeo-ul smiled. "Then it would be wonderful if our daughters grew close. As relatives, it would be even better."
"Yes, thank you, Madam."
"What is her name?"
"Han Gye-ryeon. I'll bring her once she's a bit older."
"Please do. I'm delighted that our Yeong-i will have such a fine playmate."
With that, their conversation ended. Afterward, Han Yeong-jeong went separately to meet Ha Ryeon.
Seeing Han Yeong-jeong, Ha Ryeon asked, "Well? What did you find?"
Han Yeong-jeong recounted everything as it happened.
"Just as I thought. Mu-jil must have sensed it to some degree. My judgment was spot on, then."
Ha Ryeon had vaguely anticipated that Yi Bang-won would soon draw his sword against the Min clan. To confirm, he had persuaded Han Sang-hwan via Han Yeong-jeong to sound out Han Yeo-ul. The result validated his suspicions.
After sending Han Yeong-jeong away, Ha Ryeon sighed. "Ah, this is all because the Queen Consort provoked His Highness once again. It had to come to this."
Ha Ryeon had long feared Min Da-yeon's habit of wielding her clan's power in arguments with Yi Bang-won. It was tantamount to threatening him, implying she could seize control like Empress Yeho had in the past. And the Yeheung Min clan possessed more than enough capability for it.
Even Ha Ryeon himself was tied to the Yeheung Min clan, and countless others were linked through marriage or scholarly ties. Marriages alone included the prestigious Yeosan Song clan (Min Je's wife's family), the Andong Gwon clan (Min Mu-gu's in-laws and scholarly allies), and the Cheongju Han clan (Min Mu-jil's in-laws and scholarly connections). Scholarly disciples numbered many: Gwon Geun, Han Sang-gyeong (Han Sang-hwan's brother), Yi Won, Yi Cheom, and more. Min Je's students dominated not just the Six Ministries but also the Office of the Inspector General.
In such circumstances, Min Da-yeon's boasts of her clan's might could not be dismissed lightly. Ha Ryeon had foreseen that Yi Bang-won, who craved absolute royal authority, could never ignore this threat and would eventually strike. And now it had come.
"At least it's a relief. Mu-jil has shown he won't be touched. I suppose I must step forward. If anyone else does, blood will spill."
As he resolved this, Yi Bang-won sent an attendant to summon Ha Ryeon. Ha Ryeon breathed a sigh of relief. Yi Bang-won choosing him meant no bloodshed—for now.
Ha Ryeon went to Yi Bang-won. "Your Highness, you summoned me?"
"I intend to establish the Goryeosaek to select new consorts. Prepare the procedures accordingly."
"The Goryeosaek, Your Highness?"
"Indeed. The queen consort's jealousy has grown so severe that she torments the palace servants. I can no longer entrust her with managing the inner palace. Thus, I seek a lady-in-waiting to take her place."
"Understood."
Yi Bang-won noted Ha Ryeon's unexpectedly calm response. "As expected, you grasp my intent, Lord Ha. One more thing: spare Mu-jil's father-in-law and Park Eun."
"That too, I anticipated."
"Jo Yeong-mu and Yi Suk-beon will handle the details upon their return. You need only oversee."
"Please, Your Highness, avoid excessive harshness."
"I intend moderation. It must serve as a lesson to the other merit retainers without sparking outright rebellion. It seems my prior measures fell short."
Ha Ryeon tensed sharply. This purge targeted not just the Min clan but also merit retainers opposing reform policies. If even his own wife's clan faced this, those without such ties would suffer worse—a clear warning to behave.
"Do not worry, Lord Ha. You have no such intentions."
Ha Ryeon vowed never to challenge royal authority in any way.
Thus, Yi Bang-won appointed Ha Ryeon to head the Goryeosaek, and the selection of consorts began. The choice was swift: Gwon Hong's daughter from the Gwon clan. This too was politically calculated. As a daughter of the prestigious Andong Gwon clan and great-grandniece of Yi Jae-hyeon, progenitor of Joseon's Neo-Confucianism, she served to check Min Je. Moreover, Gwon Hong's paternal aunt had been a Yuan crown princess who took her own life upon Yuan's fall; Zhu Yuanzhang had honored her with a state funeral. It was a counter to Min Da-yeon's complaints about excluding their clan from Ming diplomacy, positioning Gwon Hong prominently. To this end, Yi Bang-won had earlier reinstated Poeun Jeong Mong-ju, a direct lineage of Yi Jae-hyeon—though also signaling loyalty to the king.
News spread that Lady Gwon of the Gwon clan would become consort with the title Jungui Palace Consort, entrusted with inner palace administration, receiving obeisance from civil and military officials at the Goryeosaek. It reached the Min clan and Min Da-yeon's ears.
Furious and wronged, Min Da-yeon stormed to Yi Bang-won. "Your Highness, how could you do this to me?"
"Your severe jealousy torments the servants. Moreover, your incessant threats wielding your clan have gone too far."
"Your Highness!"
"Cease your shouting. Provoke me further, and I know not my limits. Persist, and I may take up to nine consorts as per feudal rites."
Stunned, Min Da-yeon hadn't imagined Yi Bang-won would go this far. Retreating to her lonely queen's palace, she wept bitterly, then agonized before summoning a household servant to contact Min Mu-jil. Only her brother could resolve this.
But Yi Bang-won, who had foreseen it precisely, intercepted the letter and buried it. Revealing it risked derailing his plan to shield Min Mu-jil in the purge.
Meanwhile, Min Je's disciples stepped forward to rectify the matter, and Min Je reluctantly agreed. He could not tolerate the inner palace headship stripped from his daughter as an insult.
Led by Jeon Ga-sik, Min Je's disciples submitted memorials criticizing Yi Bang-won's errors at the Goryeosaek and staged a sit-in before the throne hall. Seeing this, Yi Bang-won drew his sword—the awaited opportunity.
Seizing on the insolent content of the memorials, he ordered Yi Suk-beon to arrest Jeon Ga-sik and others. Jo Yeong-mu's interrogation revealed Min Je's approval and involvement of Min-linked merit retainers.
Yi Bang-won used this pretext to demote the entire Min clan and associated retainers. Starting with Yi Mu—former Jeong Do-jeon ally turned too close to Min Mu-gu—he exiled him to a provincial post. He stripped Min Gae, Min Je's brother and reform critic, of office. Min Mu-hul and Min Mu-hoe were reassigned to sinecures. Min Mu-gu's father-in-law Gwon Hyeon and Min Mu-hul's Yi Jik suffered the same. The purge swept broadly.
Spared were only Min Mu-jil's friend Park Eun, his father-in-law Han Sang-hwan, and Yi Cheon-u, who had resigned foreseeing the gravity. It blatantly checked the Min clan save Min Mu-jil.
This was Yi Bang-won's meticulous strike; the Min clan mounted no real resistance—especially without military heavyweight Min Mu-jil.
Ha Ryeon met Min Je, explaining the crisis aimed to prevent Min Da-yeon from raging like future Empress Yeho, to caution outer relatives, and warn merit retainers.
Min Je erupted. "How dare you lead this! After all I've done for you?"
"My lord, do you think I relish this? I intervened so it ends here."
"What? You're no different from Jeong Do-jeon. Aspiring to his role?"
"No, my lord. I seek to save you."
Ha Ryeon carefully persuaded him. Min Je yielded; he knew his daughter's rhetoric had been excessively provocative. With nothing more he could do—and his second son unscathed...
"I'll retire quietly, ignoring court affairs. But cease tormenting the queen consort. She is your first wife. Reconcile."
"Her issue will likely be resolved by your second son."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see."
Convinced, the Min clan raised the white flag. Min Mu-gu resigned citing illness at Min Je's urging. Satisfied, Yi Bang-won halted investigations.
The merit retainers prostrated silently, cowed. If even in-laws faced this, what of them? Sin Geuk-rye even sought resignation from Chunggun Dotongje to retire, but Yi Bang-won refused; he had no designs on him.
Thus, Yi Bang-won succeeded fully save taming Min Da-yeon. The Min clan lost power barring Min Mu-jil; retainers quaked in fear, daring no defiance.
Min Da-yeon could only watch helplessly. Even contacting trusted Min Mu-jil was severed.
Then she recalled his advice: against Yi Bang-won, forgo loud defiance; plead with tears.
Desperate, she sought Yi Bang-won, weeping. "Your Highness, after all our shared hardships, treat me thus? I stood by you through trials—how have you come to forget me?"
But Yi Bang-won saw through it. "Now you heed Mu-jil's counsel."
"Had you listened to him sooner, this wouldn't have happened. Your clan's threats overstepped, birthing this crisis. Reflect more deeply."
As Yi Bang-won turned away, Min Da-yeon reeled in shock. She fasted, lying in her palace weeping—recalling Yi Seong-gye's panic at her own fast, deeming it her final gambit.
It proved highly effective. Yi Bang-won fretted; unable to bear it, Yi Bang-gwa intervened. Unexpectedly, Yi Seong-gye did too.