Chapter 27: “26. Daehyun” – The Coup Takes Shape

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Daehyun attends a secret meeting of officials convened by Deputy Commander Park. Park announces that the coup must occur in one week, on the eighteenth day of the ninth lunar month, because King Yeonsangun will leave the capital for Kaesong that day. Many officials protest, citing insufficient time and the king’s overwhelming military advantage (over forty thousand soldiers in the capital). Daehyun invokes the historical precedent of General Yi Seong-gye’s Ui-hwa-do hwe-gun (turning back the army from Wihwa Island), arguing that a coup sometimes requires instinctual, swift action. Deputy Commander Park outlines a plan to mobilize ten thousand soldiers from existing military resources: four thousand from Suwon (led by JangJeong and Park Yeong Mun), and five thousand from the Royal Stable under a recruited general. Officials remain terrified but begin to ask for the full plan. The chapter ends with one official demanding to know the odds of success.

Key Events

Deputy Commander Park declares the coup date: the eighteenth day of the ninth lunar month.
Officials express shock and fear over the one-week timeline.
Daehyun explains the king’s journey to Kaesong as a rare tactical opportunity.
Park estimates that the king’s departure will leave the capital with only thirty thousand soldiers (of the original forty thousand).
Daehyun cites the 1388 Goryeo precedent Ui-hwa-do hwe-gun to justify fast, instinctual action.
Officials raise objections about building an army quickly and the risk of intercepted letters.
Park reveals specific personnel and units: JangJeong (former governor of Suwon), Park Yeong Mun (Suwon military official), and a general currently stationed at the Royal Stable.
The meeting ends with an official asking for the full battle plan, still skeptical.

Character Development

Daehyun: Shows strategic thinking and historical knowledge. He uses a Goryeo-era coup as a persuasive example, revealing his willingness to take bold, calculated risks. He is not a passive observer but an active contributor to the planning.
Deputy Commander Park: Demonstrates leadership and resourcefulness. He has already identified key allies (JangJeong, Park Yeong Mun, the general) and calculated troop numbers. His calm explanation suggests long preparation.
The officials: Represent the spectrum of fear and caution. Their panic underscores the immense danger of the enterprise. One official’s final question – “What is the plan?” – signals a turning point: they are now ready to listen.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced Here

The weight of history: Daehyun’s reference to Yi Seong-gye’s coup links the present conspiracy to a legendary act of defiance, implying that boldness can rewrite the nation’s fate.
Risk vs. reward: The entire meeting revolves around calculating whether “chances of victory are high enough to outweigh the serious risk of failure.” This calculus drives the conspirators’ hesitation and eventual cautious agreement.
Absence of the king: The king’s planned departure for Kaesong creates a power vacuum that the conspirators intend to exploit, reinforcing a motif of opportunity born from the ruler’s removal from the center.
Secrecy and trust: Officials worry about intercepted letters and the speed required to build an army without the king learning of the plot, underscoring the constant threat of betrayal.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 27 is the pivotal moment where the coup moves from abstract intention to concrete, date-specific planning. It introduces the exact timeline (one week) and the king’s absence as the central tactical advantage. Daehyun’s recitation of the Ui-hwa-do hwe-gun precedent grounds the conspiracy in Korean history, adding moral weight and urgency. The chapter also clarifies the scale of the force the conspirators can realistically raise (ten thousand soldiers) versus the king’s remaining garrison (thirty thousand). The officials’ reluctant shift from fear to inquiry marks the moment the conspiracy gains critical mass. Without this chapter, the later execution of the coup would lack preparation context.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Deputy Commander Park insist on a one-week timeline?
Park believes the king’s departure for Kaesong on the eighteenth day leaves the capital weaker and without its ruler. Waiting longer would risk the king learning of the plot or losing the element of surprise. Daehyun reinforces this by invoking the historical precedent of Yi Seong-gye, who acted instinctively rather than overplanning.

2. What is the conspirators’ primary military strategy for gathering enough soldiers?
They plan to mobilize existing troops rather than recruit anew. JangJeong and Park Yeong Mun will bring four thousand men from Suwon. A general at the Royal Stable will recruit five thousand soldiers who already work there daily, using his influence to gather additional generals. This yields a small but significant force of ten thousand.

3. What does Daehyun’s use of Ui-hwa-do hwe-gun reveal about his character?
It shows that Daehyun is learned in military history and willing to draw parallels between a legendary, morally justified coup and the current situation. He uses the story to persuade frightened officials, demonstrating his rhetorical skill and his conviction that decisive, instinctual action can be the right path even when odds appear unfavorable.