Part 1: Min Mu-jil Heads to Jeolla Province

Jeong Do-jeon returned home and began to ponder deeply. He knew exactly what Queen Consort Gang was getting at. Ever since he had served Yi Seong-gye, he had orchestrated many political schemes. He had amplified the Kim Jeo incident to steer the political landscape in favor of Yi Seong-gye's faction, and he had done the same with Yoon I-cho's imprisonment and execution to purge political rivals. Now, she was asking him to become the young crown prince's tutor—to protect the boy from his grown half-brothers.

For the moment, with Yi Seong-gye still alive, there were no issues. But the king was advanced in age, and the crown prince was barely ten. If, heaven forbid, Yi Seong-gye passed away, the sons of the late Lady Han would never stand idly by. Especially not Yi Bang-won, who was quicker to act than anyone.

Jeong Do-jeon had originally favored Yi Bang-gwa as the next crown prince. As the eldest under primogeniture, and with his gentle nature and disinterest in power, Yi Bang-gwa seemed perfectly suited to the chancellor-centered government Jeong Do-jeon envisioned. He had been displeased with Yi Bang-seok's appointment, especially since the boy lacked outstanding qualities in his eyes. He had relented only because Yi Seong-gye had been so insistent. This proposal left him quite perplexed, and he needed time to deliberate.

After days of contemplation, Jeong Do-jeon finally made up his mind. He would support Yi Bang-seok. The boy's shortcomings could be remedied through education. But what truly solidified his resolve was Yi Bang-won. Jeong Do-jeon was grateful that Yi Bang-won had assassinated Jeong Mong-ju to save him. Yet the Yi Bang-won he knew was utterly unlike the king he desired. Though an exceptional Confucian scholar, he was shockingly ruthless—decisive, yes, but lacking virtue, as Yi Seong-gye himself had said.

The ruler Jeong Do-jeon wanted must possess virtue, and Yi Bang-won, without it, could never be king. Moreover, his wife's clan was the mighty Yeheung Min Clan—a noble house par excellence, emblematic of the entrenched elite. For Jeong Do-jeon's vision of the gye-min-su-jeon land reforms, that clan had to be dismantled. He could never coexist with Yi Bang-won, tied to them by marriage. Thus, he resolved to aid Yi Bang-seok, check—and ultimately eliminate—Yi Bang-won and the Min family.

"Yes. From the moment I sought out His Highness at the Hamju barracks, I resolved to soil this body in the muck for the sake of the new dynasty. If this is the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠path to building Joseon and a better realm for the people, then I will gladly plunge not just into filth, but into the pits of fire itself."

With his decision firm, Jeong Do-jeon met Queen Consort Gang and pledged his allegiance. She received the news with great joy. Soon after, she petitioned Yi Seong-gye to appoint Jeong Do-jeon as the crown prince's tutor. The king, who already trusted him deeply, agreed readily. In truth, Yi Seong-gye had long considered Jeong Do-jeon for one of the tutors, given his stature as a preeminent scholar. Thus, Jeong Do-jeon rose as a powerful figure in the Joseon court, holding both the post of Chief Scholar of the Office of Special Counsel and tutor to the crown prince. He wasted no time in acting.

Jeong Do-jeon advised Yi Seong-gye that, with wako pirates potentially raiding, the princes should be dispatched to the frontiers to prepare defenses—especially since they already held concurrent military governorships. Of course, the pirate threat was a genuine concern, but his true intent was different: to push the princes out of the capital and exclude them from politics entirely. Jeong Do-jeon always embedded hidden objectives within necessary tasks, and this was no exception.

With wako sightings already reported in Dongnae and tensions rising, his proposal to station the princes locally was impeccable logic. Yi Seong-gye accepted it, and Yi Bang-won was duly sent to Jeolla Province.

Yi Bang-won suspected the motive: to sideline them from the center. Still, commanding troops as military governor suited him, so he accepted. One worry lingered, however.

"Is Mother truly colluding with Jeong Do-jeon to target me? Or is this just his overreach?"

He still doubted that Queen Consort Gang, who had nurtured him since childhood, truly sought his death. He could believe she might sideline him politically, but not murder. To confirm, he asked Min Da-yeon to investigate her surroundings.

"Of course, my lord. I'll see to it."

"Thank you. Now, I must prepare to depart."

Min Da-yeon interjected.

"My lord, when you go to Jeolla, why not appoint your own men among the military officers?"

"I was planning to, my lady. Anyone you recommend?"

"What if you take Mu-jil? He's recently fought wako, so he'll be useful to you."

"My brother-in-law would be ideal. But isn't he in Dongnae now?"

"If you wish it, my lord, there'll be no issue bringing him."

Yi Bang-won nodded. He needed reliable men close by, and none more trustworthy than family—especially one battle-tested against pirates.

"Then I'll bring my brother-in-law. I'll request it from the Three Armies Command."

"Yes, my lord."

Min Da-yeon breathed a sigh of relief. Her aim had been to place Min Mu-jil at Yi Bang-won's side from the start.

Yi Bang-won petitioned the Three Armies Command to transfer Min Mu-jil to Jeolla with him, and they approved. Come the new year, he set out with his vanguard for Jeolla.

Meanwhile, around this time, Min Mu-jil was out on patrol.

"Take a short break."

He paused with his soldiers to rest and gather his thoughts. Man, it's been a while since I possessed into this world. New year already.

He had reported the wako suppression ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and the Ming envoy's rescue to the court, earning high praise and a silver reward. His family had sent word too, commending him. From their tone, it seemed they hoped returning the Ming man would score diplomatic points. It might give a slight boost, but with Zhu Yuanzhang's prickly nature—especially his wariness of Yi Seong-gye and his Jurchen influence—it was doubtful.

Refreshed, he resumed patrol. Spotting villagers drying fish, he noted how winter was perfect for it. One called out.

"My lord, on patrol again today?"

"Yes."

"Care for some of this?"

She offered dried fish.

"Boil it up, and it's delicious."

Fish stew? Fine by him.

"Thanks. If it's good, I'll buy more later."

"Oh no, my lord. You work so hard for us."

"It's no hardship."

He had grown close to the locals. They had been wary at first—likely due to corrupt officials extorting them under the guise of pirate defense—but now treated him warmly. Even when he insisted on paying, they refused, seeing it as gratitude. Even the yangban scholars seemed less hostile, thanks to the wako victories.

"You must tire chasing pirates constantly."

"It's my duty, not a burden. Farewell, then. I'll enjoy this."

"Yes, my lord."

Patrols continued daily. New year meant potential major wako raids; they had to be eradicated.

One day, the county magistrate summoned him to the yamen.

"What is it?"

"Ah, Military Officer Min. An order from the court. Here."

Shit... He had chosen Gyeongsang to distance himself from Yi Bang-won, and now this? Leaving would weaken defenses here.

Asking about that, the magistrate explained the court was sending Pan Jungchuwonsa Nam Eun and Chamchan Munhabusa Yi Ji-ran for Gyeongsang's defense. Serious reinforcements—Yi Ji-ran was a wako expert, far more seasoned than him. No worries there.

But escorting Yi Bang-won? Definitely Min Da-yeon's doing. Her letter had hinted at placing him nearby. Half his dream realized—though he'd prefer she left him alone.

Court order was court order; defiance meant trouble. He had to go.

"Then I'll prepare for Jeolla."

"Indeed. You've worked hard, Officer Min. Hope we meet again."

"Same here, Magistrate."

True enough—the man was decent, aside from his occasional deference.

He mustered his troops, announcing the move. They were sorry to leave—their time here had been good—but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠orders were orders. Preparations began.

Stepping out to buy supplies, a voice called.

"Brother!"

Wol-i?

The girl who adored him, calling ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him "brother" unlike others' "uncle." She always joined his kids' story sessions—adorable, and he doted on her.

"Brother, you're leaving? Is it true?"

"Yeah, circumstances led to it."

Tears welled up.

"Can't you stay?"

"Court's command—unavoidable. But I'll come back."

She sniffled.

"Really?"

"Promise. I like Dongnae."

True. The magistrate was fair, locals welcoming—especially the kids. Yi Bang-won wouldn't stay in Jeolla forever; a few months, then back. Retirement here afterward sounded ideal.

"Then promise."

"I do."

Wol-i handed him something.

"What's this?"

"A wooden doll I made. So you come back!"

Such a good kid. He patted her head.

"I'll treasure it."

"Promise!"

She skipped off. He finished packing and departed with his men. Some kids followed, waving farewell. He waved back and hit the road.

His retainer asked.

"Straight to Jeonju Castle, young master?"

Jeonju was the destination—Yi Bang-won's base.

"Yes. Hurry; can't be late."

Stuck with him anyway, better impress. Tardiness could bite later—or earn Min Da-yeon's wrath.

They pressed on, noting Jeolla's vast farmlands—Joseon's granary, teeming with farmers. Natural, as Honam supplied most taxes under Goryeo or Joseon.

Jeonju Castle, Jeolla's heart and the Yi clan's ancestral seat, was vital.

They entered and reported to Jeonju Military Governor Jeon Seo.

"You're Grand Scholar Ye Mun-chun-chu-gwan Taehaksa's second son, eh? Welcome."

"Yes, Governor. Where is Lord Jeongan-gun?"

"Inspecting southern forts. Back in days—rest and recover here."

"Thank you."

He settled with his men, awaiting Yi Bang-won.