Only Two of Three: Min Mu-jil's Military Reforms Pass
I had submitted a memorial on military reforms, and today, all the high ministers of the court gathered in the throne room to debate them.
First up was the Wonangjin formation in my military reform proposal. Virtually everyone—even the Sahyeonbu—showered it with praise. The tactic of combining musketeers, pikemen, archers, and bomb-throwers to offset each unit's weaknesses while maximizing their strengths earned acclaim for harmonizing troop types. Besides, Joseon forces already favored formations of pikemen, archers, and bomb-throwers, so adding musketeers wasn't a huge shift—no need for overly complex tactical overhauls.
Yi Bang-won looked genuinely pleased, though he grumbled that the name "Wonangjin" didn't sit right with him and promised to come up with a better one. Fine by me—I agreed.
Then Park Seok-myeong read out my second proposal: dividing cannons into small, medium, and large calibers, producing them accordingly, and training specialized artillery crews. Criticism poured in, especially over the scale. "Just how much do you plan to inflate military spending?" they demanded.
I countered that expanding salt farms—and fisheries and industry too—would generate revenue to cover it. But the Grand Inspector shot back.
"That's a separate issue. Boosting national finances doesn't mean we can dump it all into the military. That's not reasonable, Minister of War."
"We could expand trade too. Harvest ginseng properly and sell it to Ming and Japan for massive profits, filling the coffers. Or breed minks for fur..."
"Minister of War. Are you suggesting the court go into business? Expanding salt pans for the people's sake is fine, but that's not the point. You should be cutting military hunts, not this..."
Damn it. These guys weren't this stuffy before. Mentioning military hunts? Looked like Yi Bang-won's falconry had twisted their guts.
That's when Yi Bang-won intervened. "Enough, Grand Inspector. A state's top priority is protecting its people. Increasing military spending poses no problem. The Minister of War has even proposed ways to fund the shortfall—why oppose it? In my view, strengthening artillery is Joseon's best path forward. What say the rest of you? Left Prime Minister Kim Sa-hyeong, your thoughts?"
"Your Highness is right. But the scale is too vast. Halve it—that's more appropriate."
Led by Kim Sa-hyeong, they approved specialized artillery training but demanded cuts. Damn, I'd set the minimum already, and it was still too much? A central army needed at least 200 cannons to defend the nation.
Yi Bang-won wasn't thrilled, but with the court's consensus flowing that way, he ordered me to halve it. I accepted the command. The Sahyeonbu and Saganwon grumbled but yielded. I'd have to push unit costs down through tech development and revisit it. Cannons were just too pricey.
Next, Park Seok-myeong, as Geumjeongsa, read my final proposal: building new warships loaded with massed cannons. The reaction exploded.
"Planning to sink the entire national budget into the military?"
What the hell—criticism before he'd even finished?
"Silence! The Geumjeongsa hasn't finished the memorial. Why this uproar? Let him continue."
"Yes, Your Highness."
When it mentioned scale models were ready for review, Yi Bang-won ordered them brought in. They arrived, and everyone scrutinized them intently.
Ha Ryeon spoke up. "Minister of War, could you share the actual dimensions of these ships?"
"Of course, Right Prime Minister."
I gave the specs, and jaws dropped. Far bigger than our current vessels.
The Grand Inspector pressed. "Minister, our ships suffice. Why build new ones? Didn't we crush the Japanese pirates at Tsushima and Ulleungdo with naval battles? Joseon's navy is enough."
"Grand Inspector, sir—I commanded that Ulleungdo battle myself. This is based on my experience. The pirates will scale up their ships too. We must prepare."
Okay, fine on the rest, but questioning the guy who led the Tsushima campaign? Come on.
"Even so, the size is excessive."
"They need to carry cannons—naturally they'll be large."
"Still too big."
Alright, I admitted it was big. But big ships were my conviction. No compromise here.
Yi Suk-beon, studying a model, noted, "This one resembles Ming ship designs."
"Correct, Lord of Anseong."
"May I ask why?"
"Thought it might suit deep-water voyages, so we built a prototype."
Now the Saganwon pounced. Why consider that? Planning overseas expeditions? Shit, foot in mouth.
They smelled blood, tearing in: "Why think of expeditions?" I denied it, but the Sahyeonbu hounded relentlessly. No one in Joseon backed deep-sea campaigns—perfect attack fodder.
I racked my brain. "It's the grain transport ships. Ships sink on coastal routes since Goryeo days. What if we build ocean-going ones for tribute grain? Could double as warships."
The Sahyeonbu and Saganwon flinched—they knew the Jounseon sinkings too.
But: "That's for the Ministry of Taxation. Not the Ministry of War. Did you consult them, Minister?"
"No."
Then I Je, Minister of Taxation, chimed in. "Sounds viable to me. Pirates have vanished since Tsushima—no need to stick to coastal routes. Worth considering."
Thanks, I Je. Paying off that time Yi Bang-won spared you in the First Prince's Rebellion.
"If sea routes stabilize, why such massive ships? Admit you're eyeing expeditions."
Saganwon hit back instantly. Then my worst fear: my friend Heo Jo stepped up, grilling costs. I detailed them.
"Minister, I get the rest. But this expense? Imagine 100 ships. Per your word, refits every three years—6,000 sok in materials alone. Construction minimum 100,000 sok. Annual upkeep too. Even with full coffers, it's reckless. You push more hunts, now this?"
And: "Where do you source all those rowers? People shun Geukgun duty—what's your plan?"
Heo Jo didn't feel like a friend right now. Nailing the sore spots. No answer for rowers.
Mention Ming-style brigs? They'd slam tech dev costs.
Grand Inspector: "Do you think Joseon's treasury overflows? Pushed more hunts before His Majesty, now these ships. Better refit existing ones."
Yi Bang-won, silent till now: "Enough. Ministers, your views?"
Ha Ryeon and Kim Sa-hyeong: No need for new builds—refit current ships for efficiency. Many agreed. Sahyeonbu, Saganwon... was I alone?
I Ji suggested prototyping one each—shot down. "Waste if useless."
Yi Bang-won: "Silence! You harp on costs—stifling weapons development? It's natural to cost much. I didn't include the Two Agencies to blindly oppose."
They claimed reasoned opposition.
"Have you fought more battles than the Minister? How dare the Two Agencies dismiss his ideas as fanciful? Why oppose everything he proposes?"
Heo Jo: "We acknowledge his talent. But fiscal recklessness harms the state. Like practical, cheap matchlocks before—viable options exist, yet he pushes the opposite."
"So you oppose new ships?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Had to fold. Couldn't counter the rower issue.
"I yield to the Two Agencies—will seek cost cuts. Withdrawing ship construction, Your Highness."
Sahyeonbu and Saganwon looked smug.
Yi Bang-won eyed me pitifully. "Then for these reforms: new formation and artillery training only. Refine the ship plan and resubmit."
"Yes, Your Highness."
More discussion followed; court adjourned.
"Dismissed. Geumjeongsa and Minister of War—with me. We have business."
Heo Jo: "Your Highness, falconry again? A military king hunts too often—poor form."
Yi Bang-won's face soured. Busted?
The Two Agencies praised most policies but frothed over excess hunts and falconry. That's why I took heat—I'd suggested more hunts. Yi Bang-won lapped it up, went wild. I ate the shit.
"Not falconry."
They looked skeptical. Me too—he'd snuck out with guards two days ago.
His falconry obsession was uncontrollable.
"Checking the Crown Prince's studies. Don't interfere. Hence the Minister, his uncle."
Two Agencies backed off. Couldn't argue prince visits.
Court ended. He took Park Seok-myeong and me to Sejasi-gangwon.
"Minister, tough on you—tormented by the Two Agencies."
"Not at all, Your Highness."
"Take leave. Rest, falconry. Park can handle the rest."
Sweet. Hunt with Min Mu-gu?
Why Sejasi-gangwon?
"Queen says you're like the prince as a boy. Check him out."
Min Da-yeon... always complicating my life. What could I say there?
Yi Bang-won inspected; Crown Prince Yangnyeong seemed asleep till he arrived. No proof, but vibes.
Yi Bang-won quizzed studies: 2/10 correct. He gritted teeth.
"Better than last. At least two answers."
To Maeng Sa-seong and Byeong Gye-ryang: "Why so slow?"
Yangnyeong just ignores them.
Byeong Gye-ryang: "He's skilled in calligraphy, training mind and body. Check that?"
Yi Bang-won perked, ordered writing. Yangnyeong wrote; Yi Bang-won beamed.
"Minister, see? Bold and fine."
Impressive for eight. But the kid was a calligraphy tool.
"Big vessel, slow to fill. New tutor works, as Queen said."
Chugging kimchi soup.
To tutors: "Teach him well. High hopes."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Prince, show Mother this. She'll be thrilled. Minister, escort him."
"Yes, Father."
I took Yangnyeong to Min Da-yeon. Yi Bang-won so happy—knows he's a calligraphy hack? Years ahead worried me. Time to flee north or retire.