Learning the Crossbow from Yi Seong-gye
So I went to see Yi Bang-won, and the moment he laid eyes on me, he started praising my military actions in the Northeast Frontier or policies like the markets I'd established. Lately, the compliments have been over the top.
"I'll bestow a separate reward on you later."
Another one besides the Merit Subjects' Registry? Well, I suppose I should accept it. Looking too disinterested in rewards doesn't look good. I need to show at least some attachment to those merit titles.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Then Yi Bang-won brought up Min Da-yeon. I caught a glimpse of guilt in his eyes—he still loves her, no doubt about it. Well, according to Min Da-yeon herself, Yi Bang-won had personally fed her the poisoned rice cake.
"Take good care of the queen consort for me."
"Yes, Your Highness. And I have a message to relay."
"What is it?"
So I told him Yi Seong-gye wanted to go hunting, and Yi Bang-won looked eager to join but grew visibly disappointed when I emphasized it was Yi Seong-gye's request.
"Very well. Then you escort him properly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And afterward, I should go too."
I'm curious what excuse he'll come up with this time. Last time, he claimed our family came from warriors and needed to let loose. In actual history, he dragged Sejong along by saying the prince had gotten too fat and needed exercise, so I wonder what it'll be now. Come to think of it, I wonder if Sejong really was that plump. He's still young, so it's hard to tell.
"Oh, speaking of which, I forgot to tell you something important."
"What is it, Your Highness?"
He handed me a letter right then. It was from our spies in Ming, detailing their civil war. Emperor Jianwen had assembled an army of 300,000 and launched simultaneous attacks from three directions. The overall commander was Gwak Yeong, with actual field commanders Seong Yong, Pyeong An, Seo Hwi-jo, and Cheol Hyeon.
Initially, Seo Hwi-jo crushed part of Zhu Di's forces and gained the upper hand, but Zhu Di's ambush forced a temporary retreat, dragging the battle into a second phase. In that second clash, a sandstorm hit Seong Yong's army, disrupting their lines, and Zhu Di exploited the gap with a swift assault, completely shattering Seong Yong's troops. Meanwhile, Pyeong An and Seo Hwi-jo's forces attacked Zhu Di but were blocked by troops under Ju Go-hu, Yo Gwang-hyo, and Ju Neung. However, Cheol Hyeon suddenly struck Beiping, killing 8,000 enemies and preventing a frontline collapse.
That's the spy report on why the war is dragging on.
"Zhu Di's a true master general. If a man like that becomes emperor, he'll be a real headache. But thanks to him, the civil war's dragging out, which works in our favor."
I couldn't agree more. Cheol Hyeon fought impressively, though. Who thinks to raid Beiping in the middle of that? Without him, Jianwen would've suffered a historic defeat. Of course, it's prolonging the chaos, which suits us fine. This time of year, they should've been marching straight on Nanjing, but they're still fighting up north in Hebei.
"While Ming suffers through this civil war, it's time for us to properly overhaul Joseon's systems."
Agreed.
"Rest up for now. I'll make an announcement in court soon."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Return to your post as director of the Firearms Arsenal and focus on weapon development."
Absolutely. I'll have the matchlock musket ready by year's end.
After that, I prepared to escort Yi Seong-gye on the hunt. Once everything was set, we set out—with Yi Bang-gwa along, pointedly excluding Yi Bang-won. Real childish.
Yi Seong-gye borrowed my falcon for falconry. Damn it... I thought he'd use Yi Bang-won's, which is better than mine. Anyway, it wasn't empty flattery—Yi Seong-gye was genuinely skilled at it. A natural-born warrior? Far better than Yi Bang-won, even with an unfamiliar bird.
"It's good to get out hunting. Your falcon's a fine one, indeed."
"Thank you, Grand King."
"Still, I need to shoot my bow."
Oh ho, time to see Yi Seong-gye's archery. He nocked an arrow and hit a deer dead center with one shot. Is this really a 67-year-old man? Astonishing every time. No wonder he's Korea's greatest divine archer.
"Eh, not like the old days. Back then, I could hit a bird's eye."
Didn't sound like empty talk.
"Who could dodge Your Majesty's arrows?"
Yi Bang-gwa chimed in with tales of Yi Seong-gye's past feats—sniping enemy generals' eyes and such. Mind-blowing every time. In my past life, I thought they were exaggerations, but living here, I believe it. Even now, at his age, he nails a deer in one shot—what must his prime have been like?
Then Yi Seong-gye turned to me. "Let me see your skill. Aren't you a warrior too?"
My archery sucks. I can swing a sword, that's it. But he told me to shoot a bird. Way too hard. Looks like tormenting me was the goal. Still, when the Grand King commands, you obey—so I tried and predictably failed.
"So even you have weaknesses? I thought since you wield a sword well, your bow would be too—but you're at Bang-won's level."
Being compared to Yi Bang-won by Yi Seong-gye is an insult, especially on martial prowess.
Yi Bang-gwa jumped in. "Father, please don't tease him. Not everyone shoots like you, Father. And the Left Army Commander excels with the sword."
"He has to, with Bang-won's sword. Stating the obvious?"
Whatever logic that was...
Yi Seong-gye eyed me. "Hm. Want me to teach you archery?"
"Pardon?"
"Your stance is the problem. Fix that, and you'll improve vastly."
I corrected my posture at once, bowing deeply. "I'd be eternally grateful for your guidance."
"You've got interest in it, eh?"
Of course—who wouldn't jump at lessons from Korea's top archer?
"Fine. Bring that chicken every time."
"Yes, Grand King."
Tuition's fried chicken... Not bad.
And so, I learned archery from Yi Seong-gye whenever we had time. He taught better than expected. At first, I thought it was just bullying, but he was sincerely helpful—guaranteed mockery as a bonus. He said my build suited the crossbow over a strongbow and taught me that instead. I trained diligently. Yi Bang-won approved, figuring Yi Seong-gye wouldn't take a liking if I were trouble.
Today, I showed up with chicken to learn the crossbow again.
Watching Min Mu-jil with the crossbow, Yi Seong-gye tore into a drumstick.
"What a guy. Even with his busy schedule, he keeps coming to me for crossbow lessons."
Yi Seong-gye knew plenty sought Min Mu-jil since his return to the capital—especially Queen Consort Min Da-yeon, who summoned him constantly. Yi Bang-won too, openly tasking him with military reforms. Court officials consulted him first on issues. He was widely respected: never made enemies easily, smooth without rough edges. Though he clashed with merit subjects—more like they got crushed unilaterally. Even that arrogant Yi Suk-beon turned meek around him. That's Min Mu-jil: rarely making foes.
When asked why, he said watching Jeong Do-jeon taught him much—making enemies everywhere is dangerous, so he avoided it. That irked Yi Seong-gye, who took to needling him often.
"The thoughts he has are just like Sam-bong's. Wish he'd stop denying himself."
Yi Seong-gye had teased him as Jeong Do-jeon-like at first, but lately thought their ideas truly overlapped: reformist zeal, military strengthening, crushing local powers for centralization. He differed on the Registry of the People's Livelihood and emphasized commerce, but otherwise matched closely.
"What a peculiar fellow."
Munching drumstick, Yi Seong-gye noted Min Mu-jil's rapid progress. Sure, he'd nagged plenty while teaching—but credited his own instruction fully, basking in his teaching prowess.
Eyeing the gnawed drumstick: "Delicious. Why hasn't he brought new food lately?"
Irked at the lack of novelty, Yi Seong-gye tormented him under guise of teaching. Min Mu-jil took it well and headed home, looking satisfied.
My archery's improved a ton. Yi Seong-gye's "guidance" came with heavy nagging, but his eye was sharp enough to make enduring it worthwhile. He pinpointed every flaw in my form. He nags anyway, so take what you get.
Seems he really loves chicken—said once a month, now every ten days. Chicken's always right.
It's been nearly four months learning the crossbow from him. Meanwhile, Yi Bang-won, having suppressed the merit subjects, rolled out pent-up reforms. First, abolish townships, villages, and slave estates; dispatch officials to all counties gradually. Local posts only for exam passers. High officials recommending them must verify competence rigorously; responsibility falls on recommenders if issues arise. Backlash was fierce, but the recent purge after the Goryeo color scandal crushed opposition.
Other specifics still in debate. Yi Bang-won consults Ha Ryeon, Jo Jun, Gwon Geun, Kim Sa-hyeong, and more—but it's tough. Reforms always are. With my past life's master's in public administration and grad school grind, I know it cold and want to help, but I've got my own task: military reform.
Yi Bang-won's prioritizing local-central restructuring and military overhaul. On the latter: Ha Ryeon, Sin Geuk-rye, Sim In-bong, and me. Ha Ryeon's everywhere. Oh, Min Mu-gu returned to court in recent reshuffles. Yi Bang-won, liking his falconry jaunts, granted him a proper second-rank post and named him matchmaker for Jo Jun's son Jo Dae-rim and Princess Gyeongjeong—ironically tying us to that infamous scandal later. Anyway, Min Mu-gu gets salary again—honorary, no duties. He gifted me a falconry estate in return. No freeloader. I'll nominate him for Ming envoy later; tribute missions are lightwork. Send him to Nanjing's fancy brothels.
Military reform discussions flow my way, thanks to Sin Geuk-rye. We split the Three Armies Command from the Advance Bureau into the Three Armies Bureau; he's Central Army Commander, I'm Left—united front wins.
Heading home, Yi Cheon-u found me.
"What is it?"
"Director, we've developed the compact firearm! No more bursting or bending—it works perfectly!"
"Really?"
"Tested repeatedly. No issues."
The matchlock had barrel explosions or warps before—now solved? Real matchlock at last?
"Let's go. No time to waste."
"Yes, sir."
I rushed to the Firearms Arsenal with Yi Cheon-u. Best news lately.