My father had finally met with Jeong Do-jeon and learned the circumstances behind sending me off to Ming. He told it all to me straight. Of course, it wasn't just me—Min Da-yeon and Min Mu-gu were there too. And the conclusion? Blackmail. If you don't want your son dead, just sit tight and breathe quietly. If not, they'd deploy troops toward Liaodong to provoke Zhu Yuan-zhang and send us all straight to the afterlife. Jeong Do-jeon was going way further than I'd imagined. I knew he was a rotten person from the start, but this...
That's when Father spoke up. "Mu-jil, your father has nothing to say. I'm truly sorry."
"No, Father. This is beyond our control."
Min Da-yeon cut in. "For Jeong Do-jeon to harass our family like this... What crime has our clan committed?"
Exactly. Honestly, I had no regrets about going to Ming. Min Da-yeon had wanted to send me anyway. The real issue was using my life as leverage for the threat. That was the point that pissed her off—and me too.
Anyway, I had to go. Refusing might provoke some other stunt from Jeong Do-jeon. Plus, on second thought, this was a golden chance to test if those strategies I'd only daydreamed about in my head could actually work. Sure, Jeong Do-jeon toying with my life pissed me off, but I'd settle that score later. For now, I had to make the most of it.
"Father, I'll take good care of myself, so don't worry."
"Mu-jil, are you really okay with this? I could speak to U Jeongseung Kim Sa-hyeong and pull some strings."
"No, Father. My brother-in-law is going too—we have to go. Even if it's Jeong Do-jeon's scheme, it doesn't seem so bad."
Min Da-yeon, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "Father."
"Yes?"
"I'd like to speak with Mu-jil alone."
Me? Father pondered for a moment, then nodded. Afterward, Min Da-yeon pulled me aside.
"Mu-jil, you were right before. We really can't trust Gang-ssi."
She was grinding her teeth. "Yes, sister. In my view, Jeong Do-jeon can only pull this level of intimidation because Gang-ssi is backing him."
"Right. But why are you going?"
"Pardon?"
"Ever since Joseon was founded, you've always kept a low profile, staying passive in a way that's not like you. Yet now, even knowing it's a trap, you're volunteering to go. You must have something in mind. Tell me."
She knew me too well. "Sister, can I be honest?"
"That's why I pulled you aside—I want your unfiltered thoughts. Don't worry about holding back; I'll organize them properly and relay to Father and my husband. Speak freely."
Thoughtful of her. Both the original owner of this body and I tended to speak without filters when pissed.
"First off, I can't refuse the situation."
"True, but that's not the whole story."
"I want to go to Ming, show my abilities, and climb to a higher position. And I want to see what Ming is really like."
"Merit, as expected. But see what Ming is like?"
"Relations with Ming will remain crucial even after my brother-in-law achieves his great task."
Crucial indeed—no one could deny that.
"My husband has said as much. You think the same. But abandon any thought of relying on Ming. He said he'll do it with his own strength, without depending on them."
"Of course, sister. Would I ever? Remember what I said before?"
She chuckled softly, recalling how she'd told me to get lost to Ming if I liked it so much.
Anyway, my real reason for wanting to go was to gauge if I could weaken Ming. I'm planning three possessions in Joseon. Fine for this life, but for the others to prosper, China must be fractured. Not just for me—history shows China is most beautiful when divided, and that's our happiness, an iron rule. So, it's a must.
But right now, even with Joseon's full might, splitting Ming is impossible. Zhu Yuan-zhang ruled too well. The best option at this point is to prolong the upcoming Jingnan Rebellion as much as possible, draining Ming's elite northern troops entirely. That would let the Oirats and Northern Yuan remnants rampage, giving Joseon time to build strength, stabilize, and then carve up China bit by bit.
This had stayed mere fantasy until now, but going to Ming lets me test feasibility. If possible, weaken them hard this time; if not, build up for the next round to tear them apart.
Min Da-yeon looked at me. "We'll talk more after you return from Ming."
Chills. She read me like a book.
"Then do we have nothing else to do?"
"We need to drive a wedge between Jeong Do-jeon and the other founding merits. They're all fed up with his overreach already—it won't be hard."
"But Jeong Do-jeon warned he won't stand for any funny business."
"We have Kim Sa-hyeong. He's close to Father, so meeting him is fine. And through him, we approach Jo Jun—Jeong Do-jeon can't target Jo Jun too."
"So, pull Jo Jun to our side?"
"Yes."
Hidden behind Jeong Do-jeon, those two handled most of Joseon's real administration—key figures. Especially Jo Jun, untouchable even by Jeong Do-jeon. If we ally with him, he'll block any schemes. And if Jeong attacks him? Great for us—he'd be digging his own grave. Plus, Jo Jun won't fall; Yi Seong-gye favors Jeong but adores Jo Jun too. We use Jo Jun as a shield and prepare in the meantime.
"But Jo Jun and Jeong Do-jeon are..."
"With Jeong's personality, how long will Jo Jun stay on his side? I doubt it. Besides, Jo Jun supported my brother-in-law from the start."
Jo Jun wasn't a saint, but he had ideals. They split eventually; we just accelerate it.
Min Da-yeon nodded. She saw Jeong's flaws too.
"Anything else?"
"Just confirmation from Ming."
"I see. You've thought it through, Mu-jil. I'll handle the rest. Just come back safe."
She took my hand, asking me to look after Yi Bang-won. Tears welled in her eyes—a subtle sign of worry.
Back with the others, she neatly summarized my thoughts for Father, who finally permitted my departure. Mother wept bitterly. At home, I told Han Yeo-ul about Ming; she was stunned, then burst into tears.
After soothing her, she stopped and said, "I've heard this Ming envoy trip could mean death. How can you go there, my lord?"
Tears flowed again. "It won't come to that. Zhu Yuan-zhang is a bastard, but he won't go that far. Don't let rumors trouble you."
"Really?"
"Yes. No more tears. Mind the house while I'm gone—stay with your parents if it's hard."
She steeled herself. "As lady of this house, I'll hold the fort. Please return safely, my lord."
She had backbone after all. Better than endless fragility.
I prepared meticulously for Ming, and finally departed with Yi Bang-won. This envoy route via Liaodong was notoriously grueling...
Everyone was ready. Numerous ministers and even Yi Seong-gye saw us off.
"Bang-won, come back safe. It's a long road—eat properly. You're already so frail; I worry."
Frail? Yi Bang-won was lean but far from weak. From Yi Seong-gye's massive frame, maybe.
"Father, don't worry. I'll return well."
"Yes. Do it well for this nation of Joseon—and for the crown prince."
Yi Bang-won flinched. Yi Seong-gye too—why add that bit about the crown prince instead of just for himself?
Gang-ssi chimed in. "You're suffering for the crown prince. Come back safe."
Again with the crown prince. No wonder Yi Bang-won humiliated her later—self-inflicted.
After more farewells, we set off. Yi Bang-won turned to Nam Jae. "I'm truly grateful, my lord. Volunteering for this hardship with me."
"With you going, it's a minister's duty. Think nothing of it."
"I'll repay everyone accompanying me one day. And brother-in-law."
"Yes, Jeongan-gun."
"With you along, I feel secure. Keep me company on the road—it's bound to be tiring."
"Understood, Jeongan-gun."
Thus, I became Jeongan-gun's riding companion on the Ming envoy journey. May all go as planned.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Two months later...
"Nanjing, the Ming capital, is just ahead."
"I see. We'll soon meet the Ming Emperor."
Whew. Nanjing was finally in sight. Yi Bang-won seemed moved. The two months via Liaodong, through Liaoyang, Beijing, Kaifeng, Yangzhou—exhausting. Especially in Beijing, where I'd closely observed Prince of Yan Zhu Di.
We rested in barracks before entering Nanjing. As we did, I pondered Zhu Di, future Yongle Emperor. Yi Bang-won had been impressed too, saying he wasn't one to settle for king—spot on. He'd seize the throne in the Jingnan Rebellion.
Though forced by Zhu Di's depositions policy, it was rebellion. But I planned to drag it out. Zhu Di won a massive gamble there. His military talent won battles, but without the bold direct strike on Nanjing at the end, he'd have withered. Zhu Yuan-zhang purged harshly, but kept aces like Xu Hui-jo (son of founding merit Xu Da), Guo Ying, Geng Bing-wen, Sheng Yong, Cheol Hyeon, Ping An.
They nearly crushed Zhu Di—especially Cheol Hyeon and Ping An. Jianwen spared him on mad orders. Without that, Zhu Di would've been beehive bait. Proper intervention could prolong the civil war.
My goal: Make Jianwen win, erase Yongle. Jianwen's incompetence benefits Joseon hugely. Yongle "helped" Joseon? Doubtful—non-interfering Zhengtong might've been best. Yongle revived tribute brides, stripped horses mercilessly. Money given, but crushing Jurchens with those horses suits Joseon better. Plus, moving capital to Beijing? Disaster—land border threat. Must prevent.
No Yongle, no Beijing move—so Jianwen must win. En route, it felt feasible. Bingbu Zuoshi Je Tae—my expected contact, future grand secretary under Jianwen, brain with Hwang Ja-jing. I'll build ties, intervene in Jingnan. By then, Yi Bang-won will hold power, me too—easy access. Ming connections might even shield from purges.
Lost in thought, I slept. Next day, we headed to Nanjing. Wonder what that nasty Zhu Yuan-zhang's lair was like.
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