Part 1: Appointed Minister of Military Affairs, Endless Hustle
When Yi Bang-won announced my appointment as Minister of Military Affairs, the room fell silent. Honestly, even I was stunned. The authority vested in the current Minister of Military Affairs was beyond imagination.
Under Yi Bang-won's systemic reforms, the sub-agencies under the Ministry had been thoroughly restructured. Just looking at the three most prominent ones:
1. Musinsa: Oversees the military examinations (which began last year and now fall under the Ministry), appointments and recommendations of military officers, palace security, and soldier recruitment.
2. Seungyeosa: Manages horses for the military, reserve force organization, and related duties.
3. Mubisa: Handles rosters for central and provincial armies, martial training, map production, fortress management in border regions, and matters like beacons and military expeditions.
In short, all military administration in Joseon fell under the Minister of Military Affairs. Command authority transferred from the Seungchubu was just icing on the cake.
At that moment, Yi Bang-won continued.
"The provisional Hwatong Dogam is hereby abolished. Its personnel will transfer directly to the Army Ordnance Arsenal. The Arsenal's staff shall triple in size, with greater investment in gunpowder weapon development. Furthermore, Min Mu-jil, Minister of Military Affairs, is appointed as Director of the Army Ordnance Arsenal. As both Minister and Director, enhance the matchlock musket's performance and ramp up production of gunpowder weapons."
This came automatically with the position. Since the days of the Bingjo Jeonseo, the Ministry's head had always concurrently served as Arsenal Director. Still...
Wasn't this piling way too much on my plate?
Suddenly, the silent Sahyeonbu officials spoke up.
"Your Highness, this won't do."
"What won't do?"
"A woman cannot become Minister of Military Affairs."
"Do you doubt Lady Min's capabilities?"
"No, Your Highness. Her abilities are more than sufficient."
"Then we're done here. You've acknowledged her competence— what more is needed? Does anyone among the ministers object?"
Yi Bang-won brushed aside all opposition. The Sahyeonbu had harped on my age, but he coolly ignored them too. He pushed it through, citing my prior service as Left and Right Scribe in the Ministry, making me more familiar with its affairs than anyone.
He trusted me deeply— it was genuinely touching.
Then Kim Sa-hyeong chimed in.
"Lady Min as Minister is no issue. But the position's authority is excessively broad. That's the Sahyeonbu's concern."
Kim Sa-hyeong argued it was improper for the Ministry to command all military forces. Lately, he'd been shouldering these criticisms... It felt like elder abuse.
Yi Bang-won responded to him...
"I've stipulated that command authority requires consensus with the Three Armies Command. No issue there."
Clean dismissal. Kim Sa-hyeong's point wasn't wrong— concentrating military power in one person was risky. But Yi Bang-won had other plans from the start.
Strengthening royal authority via the Six Ministries. Look at the core ones, Personnel and Military— he'd stuffed them with loyalists. Primary goal: total personal control over the military through his inner circle. Later, he'd restructure the command apparatus.
Every measure screamed royal consolidation.
With personnel reforms finalized, I exited the hall when my father-in-law approached.
"Congratulations on becoming Minister."
"No need, Father-in-law."
Not just him— Min Mu-gu and everyone else was celebrating. Fair enough; it was worth celebrating. I'd been hesitant at first, but now it felt good.
For now, until Yi Bang-won fully gripped the military, I'd work hard to stay irreplaceable. That bought time away from tutoring Crown Prince Yangnyeong. Even if I ended up as his tutor later, it'd be after he'd devolved into a total mess— better than failing to fix him from the start.
Though... the Sahyeonbu now had me in their crosshairs. Those old fogeys... I'd have to dodge impeachment. Especially Heo Jo— my friend privately, but publicly ruthless if he sniffed malfeasance. No slacking.
I reported to the Ministry, greeting the staff. Some familiar faces, including my friend Park Eun as Vice Minister, also concurrently serving as something-or-other. Yi Bang-won had slotted him in because the role dealt with border secrets— better under trusted hands.
Park Eun's placement confirmed it: this Six Ministries shuffle aimed to lock down the Ministry.
He'd been Yi Bang-won's closest aide in original history and now.
Then the Ministry Right Scribe greeted me.
"Jo Mal-saeng, newly assigned Right Scribe of the Ministry."
Jo Mal-saeng— King Sejong's infamous workhorse, known to all. I'd recommended him as my scribe. No Hwang Hui, so pheasant or chicken, I'd use Jo. Proven talent.
I dove into Ministry work. Long absent, but prior hands-on experience made it smooth.
Two months flew by as Minister— now October. I'd terrorized the staff, especially whipping the Ordnance Arsenal into shape. Their lax operations explained the Sahyeonbu's obsession; I'd slaved the bureaucrats to fix it.
Now, inspecting the Arsenal's armory. Looked decent. Just keep weapons serviceable— peak condition constantly was impossible outside wartime. Too costly, and the Sahyeonbu swarmed over spending.
My rapport with them had soured post-appointment. Was checking the Six Ministries' heads their job? Anyway, they hounded me lately.
"I know it's tough, but keep pushing."
"Yes, my lord."
"Especially you technicians— keep innovating. I'll praise you highly."
Afterward, I gave them cash for drinks post-shift. Wanted to use state funds, but Sahyeonbu tantrums loomed— so personal pocket.
Time to head out. Then Park Eun.
"Off to Her Majesty?"
"Yes, she summoned me."
"Lucky bastard. Beloved by His Majesty, Her Majesty, even Retired King."
"His and Her Majesty, sure— but Retired King?"
"You just don't see it. This is him going easy."
Was it? I headed to the queen's palace.
Min Da-yeon welcomed me warmly.
"There you are, Mu-jil."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Thanks for visiting your sister so often."
"No trouble, Your Majesty."
I dropped by the queen's palace whenever free— at Yi Bang-won's request, and hers. Shared fun anecdotes each time.
"How's Yeo-ul?"
"She's fine now."
Han Yeo-ul was newly pregnant— hence the query. Boy or girl?
Chitchat flowed.
"Those two wenches aren't lording over you, are they?"
"Not at all."
"Some conscience, then. They don't mock their old master."
Half fib. Shin bowed first, I returned politely— but Kim didn't. Probably strutting over birthing the heir. Truth would explode Min Da-yeon, so white lie.
Still, it grated. I got why Mother and she fumed.
"How's the new concubine?"
"Fine."
No plans, but Yeo-ul insisted— target: Wol-i. Avoiding even one sparked jealousy rumors. Wol-i was fine by me; she'd trailed me devotedly, I adored her. Her looks had bloomed lately too. So now, harmonious trio.
"Good. Too many's the issue— none's worse. Well done."
Too many was the sin.
Then Min Da-yeon.
"Wish the Crown Prince studied harder— too hyper."
Yangnyeong indeed. Rotten from youth. Skipping studies for play.
"He's young yet. He'll settle soon. Blood's blood."
Delusion. It'd worsen.
"True, you roamed wild till ten, then buckled down. Similar."
Comparing me to him...?
"Mu-jil, your face."
Offended equivalence soured my expression— she noticed.
"Nothing. Just busy."
No honesty here.
"Ministry grind, plus me and Retired King."
"No— Sahyeonbu."
She chuckled. My clashes with them were infamous.
Satisfied, I took leave.
"Rest well at home, Mu-jil."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Home, dined with Yeo-ul and Wol-i, crashed. Wol-i's massage for my fatigue? Bliss. Tempted to chuck it all, retreat with them— but no. Grind on. For round two.
Next day, first Changdeok Palace visit in ages. Yi Seong-gye had left Soyosan retreat for it.
Yi Bang-won relocated to Hanyang, built new palace pronto— Changdeok. Once ready, Yi Seong-gye claimed it. Obvious: spite-snatch from son.
Childish escalation. Yi Bang-won yielded gladly, joyed at father's Hanyang return.
Meeting Yi Seong-gye.
"Come."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"This palace suits me. Your handiwork pleases."
I'd designed Changdeok's layout for Yi Bang-won's comfort. Techs built it, but mine.
Did he covet it more knowing?
"Last nurungji soup sucked. When's fresh?"
He'd devoured it— now "sucked"?
"Your Highness, swamped. It'll take time."
"Minister now— busy, eh."
Surprise.
"Your problem, not mine."
Classic.
Here to torment more?
"Pity your Sahyeonbu woes— I'll wait. But make it proper."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Sahyeonbu baffles. Military buildup's vital— yet they gripe. You spend big, but necessary for strength. Joseon's reality demands it."
True to his warrior ethos. Post-founding, he'd poured into fleets, cavalry— army far mightier than Goryeo's. I'd verified: Joseon could muster 150,000 max. His legacy.
"Agreed, Your Highness. Peace demands war prep— neglect invites doom. Jurchens, wokou abound; strengthen forces imperative."
"You get it. Hence your weapons."
Yi Seong-gye shared war tales, underscoring military might.
His stories? Entertaining.
"Evolve that matchlock. Prime weapon at a glance."
He lavished praise on it, ranting to Yi Bang-won too: key to Joseon's power.
"Yes, understood."
"And new food— pronto."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Bustling day, but better than before. No Yi Bang-won-Min Da-yeon fights.
