Yi Seonggye’s son Yi Gyeong had followed his father to various battlefronts and fought at his side during the latter days of the declining Goryeo Dynasty.

The king’s first wife, who gave birth to six of the king's sons including Yi Gyeong, had died before King Taejo was crowned.

Taejo had gotten two sons by his second wife; he favors his youngest son.

Prime Minister Jeong Dojeon also backs him as the heir apparent, to the great disappointment of the other princes.

In 1398, King Taejo's fifth son, Yi Bangwon, had led a coup staffed by several military officers and killed the queen, her two sons, Prime Minister Jeong, and many of his adherents.

Yi Bangwon, at pains not to be thought of as a usurper, had promoted Yi Gyeong, who is at this point the eldest son, as crown prince.

King Taejo, understandably upset, abdicates in disgust, and Yi Gyeong becomes King Jeongjong in 1399.

The same year, …