In Dongnae County and its sub-county of Dongpyeong-hyeon, defenses were being feverishly prepared after repelling the waegu. Fishermen living in Dongpyeong-hyeon had spotted the pirates while out fishing and fled back to the village to raise the alarm. They estimated the enemy numbered well over a hundred.
A hundred waegu wasn't an overwhelming force, but Dongpyeong-hyeon was just a sub-county. Fewer than five hundred souls lived there, and able-bodied men were scarce. Over a hundred pirates were more than enough to raze the village. So they fortified their defenses, sent runners to the main county seat at Dongnae for reinforcements, and prepared to hold out.
They blocked the village entrance with obstacles and armed every man who could wield a weapon.
Meanwhile, the waegu disembarked, scouted the surroundings, and muttered among themselves.
"This looks like Goryeo territory."
"Probably is."
"Let's loot here first to resupply. Grab some locals too—we need to figure out where we are."
"Good plan. We lost a lot of supplies in that storm. Need to stock up again. And snag some slaves while we're at it. We lost plenty of those too."
"Yeah."
They had raided the Ming coast and were heading back to Tsushima when a storm blew them here. Their plan was to pillage, get their bearings, and return home.
Leaving a skeleton crew to guard the ships, the waegu fanned out. They soon spotted the village. Their leader barked, "Definitely Goryeo. Everyone, raid that village."
The waegu charged Dongpyeong-hyeon. But the villagers held out longer than expected. This region saw waegu raids constantly, and nearly every resident had lost family to them. The mere sight of pirates filled them with murderous rage.
Still, it was only a matter of time. Ordinary farmers couldn't hold professional killers forever. The defenses crumbled.
The waegu cheered. The fierce resistance suggested a sizable population—and thus rich plunder.
Elated, they surged toward the village. But one pirate shouted, pointing in a direction. "Goryeo troops! Cavalry—all of them!"
The leader whipped around in shock. Dozens of horsemen were thundering toward them—Min Mu-jil and his cavalry.
Terror gripped the pirate chief. They were used to hit-and-run coastal raids against infantry, not prepared for mounted warriors.
Min Mu-jil drew his sword and bellowed the charge. His riders slammed into the waegu like a storm.
The pirates broke and fled in panic. But they couldn't outrun horses. The cavalry overtook and massacred them. Soon, most lay dead or captured.
The waegu incursion into Dongpyeong-hyeon was over.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Phew, good thing I only brought cavalry.
Considering the distance to Dongpyeong-hyeon, I'd figured infantry would arrive too late. I asked the magistrate for mounted troops only—and timed it perfectly. Minimal casualties, total waegu annihilation.
Horses are waegu poison. These weren't the disciplined armies that shook late Goryeo; they were basically pirates, helpless against cavalry.
After securing the prisoners, I conducted interrogations. The magistrate had handed that off to me, granting permission in case of stragglers.
I got brutal. I hate waegu.
But the screams were loud. "Aren't the cries a bit much?"
"No, it's fine, sir."
The magistrate looked thrilled. Most locals trembled with rage at the sight of waegu. For twenty years, these scum had ravaged the land—looting, slaughtering, raping, kidnapping without mercy.
No need for me to say a word; they smashed limbs with gusto. Killing torturers like these wouldn't raise eyebrows. Even the Muromachi shogunate wouldn't complain—they feared waegu too.
Japan wasn't spared; pirates hit home hardest, knowing the terrain.
No backlash. Hell, fewer waegu might earn gratitude.
Only after reducing them to rags did the truth emerge. They'd raided the Ming, were resupplying here en route to Tsushima. Mostly from Kyushu—typical waegu breeding ground.
Bastards. Treating Joseon like a pit stop?
If they'd hit the Ming, they had loot and captives. "Torture them more. Find the ships."
"Yes, sir!" They dove in eagerly.
Locals really despised waegu.
The ships' location spilled out. I led men there. Sure enough: a few guards, twenty Ming slaves.
We wiped out the remnants, seized ample supplies, freed the captives.
Couldn't communicate, confirming Ming origin. Fifteen young women, five men. Storm victims tossed overboard as sacrifices—waegu specialty.
We escorted them back to Dongnae. The magistrate beamed. "As expected of Lord Yeheung Min Clan's head and Ye Mun Chun Chu Gwan Ta Haksa Min Je's son. Defeating waegu in a flash!"
"Just pirate rabble."
Too much praise. I reported the interrogations and presented the Ming folk.
"I'll handle it."
"Please do."
"Don't worry."
His grin stretched ear to ear. Reporting to court meant rewards for him too.
And he wouldn't hog credit—I needed his cooperation for the swift victory.
Afterward, I threw a feast for the troops from my own pocket. Booty goes to the court. Besides, my family had money to spare.
Everyone reveled.
Days later, investigations confirmed: Zhejiang Province natives, en route when captured. Originally forty; half died.
"How will you dispose of them, Magistrate?"
"Court decides. I'll draft the report."
By the book.
He detailed events meticulously and dispatched it to Gyeongseong.
The court will sort it.
I bolstered patrols against more waegu. Next year, they'd come in force. Wished I could stay.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Meanwhile, in Gyeongseong at this time...
Yi Seong-gye reorganized the military. He split his personal guard, the Gabyeolcho, into the Yiheung Guard's Left and Right Wings. Combining them with the existing two armies and six garrisons formed the Ten Wings of the Yiheung Three Armies Bureau.
The core was the Gabyeolcho-based Yiheung Guard, commanded by Yi Bang-gwa as Adjutant General. Having campaigned long with the Gabyeolcho, he was ideal.
Two more adjutants bolstered Crown Prince Yi Bang-seok: his brother-in-law I Je as Right Wing Adjutant, half-brother Yi Bang-beon as Left Wing.
Nominally under Yi Bang-gwa, real control lay with the prince's kin.
Remaining Gabyeolcho went to other princes as adjutants. Notably, Yi Bang-won got five hundred for Jeolla Province Adjutant.
Yi Bang-won felt mixed: pleased, yet bitter.
Min Da-yeon noticed. "Husband, why the long face? Five hundred Gabyeolcho is no small force, and Jeolla Adjutant is fine."
"Father clearly means to sideline me from the center. Jeolla post says 'be content and stay out.'"
"Still, Jeolla Adjutant. Your roots are in Jeonju—could mean entrusting the royal kin."
"Father wouldn't intend that."
"Make it seem so."
"What?"
"Actions matter by perception, not intent. Perceptions harden into fact."
Yi Bang-won smiled. "I see. But Bang-seok as crown prince changes nothing."
From his Northeast Frontier days, he couldn't accept the youngest as heir over himself or elder brother Bang-gwa.
"His Highness will come around if you excel, husband."
Min Da-yeon consoled him.
"Thank you, wife. You're all I have."
"Always on your side."
His mood lifted.
"Speaking of, Mu-jil killed over a hundred waegu. Impressive. Rescued Ming folk too."
"Yes, proud of him."
"Always knew he was sharp. Report shows expert command and cleanup."
The court rejoiced at the report—not just waegu slain, but Ming rescued. Returning them would smooth Ming relations. They ordered the captives to Gyeongseong with the envoy for better diplomacy.
Min Da-yeon smiled. "This aids you greatly, husband."
"Hope so."
Alone in the garden later, she mused, "Husband must resolve soon. Rebelling outright is hard—he's filial."
She believed ousting Yi Bang-seok required force. Key forces like the Yiheung Guard went to his side.
Yi Bang-won wouldn't act rashly; he'd endure until exploding. So she urged loyalty to Yi Seong-gye.
She skipped Gang clan's schemes—Mu-jil was right, but saying it would backfire. Better he experience it.
When desperate, he'd seize power; then she'd mobilize the clan—father Min Je, brother Min Mu-gu already preparing.
"Mu-jil should return soon. I need him."
Min Da-yeon pondered recalling him to Gyeongseong.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Meanwhile, Queen Consort Gang Clan summoned Jeong Do-jeon.
"You sought me, Your Majesty?"
"Pan Samgunbu-sa Gwan Do Pyeong Ui-sa, come in. I have a request."
"Speak."
"Tutor our crown prince."
She'd been thrilled when Yi Seong-gye named her son Bang-seok heir. But she knew grown princes complicated it.
Yi Bang-won was the biggest threat—she knew him from boyhood. His discontent would menace the prince, proven by Jeong Mong-ju's assassination.
To counter, she sought a guardian for Bang-seok: Jeong Do-jeon fit. Yi Seong-gye's political brain, favored retainer, Yi Seol's disciple—brilliant scholar. He could protect politically, scheme, teach.
Jeong Do-jeon requested time. She urged careful thought.
Returning home, he pondered.
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