Post by ajk on Mar 27, 2015 0:55:52 GMT -5
The question troubles Ryu immensely...mainly because he fears the consequences of a king so power-hungry that he'd deliberately allow 1000 officials and scholars to be killed. So he steels himself and, knowing that he's putting his life on the line, goes and asks Seonjo point-blank! Seonjo is first stunned, then angry, but then, respecting Ryu's bravery for asking, gives him a remarkably candid answer. Those scholars who were killed, they were his teachers and he never would have deliberately killed them. With tears in his eyes he says that he was a foolish person, acknowledges their innocence and says "I'm sorry I got them killed." Takes full responsibility for what happened, pours Ryu a drink as a sign of respect, and thanks him for his courage. "I can be more cautious because I have a servant like you." And adds, "I was admonished by a teacher today. Continue to do that."
Next day: Ryu tells Lee Sanhae what happened and urges him to trust the king now and not be suspicious. But the older, more experienced Lee is still going to be skeptical. "Politicians want what's best for the people," he says. Ryu is more idealistic and the two start to argue a bit, but they know they have to stay united for the good of the country.
July 1590: After a three-month journey, the Joseon envoys reach Kyoto. Narration tells us that the envoys were not greeted with proper state etiquette, which led to some early friction. And then further unrest about not being able to see the actual king...but ultimately they agree that seeing Hideyoshi is much wiser than simply going back home.
Jeong Cheol goes to visit Song Ikpil in jail. Says he'll try to get Song released. But Song wants to protect his fellow Westerners and tells Jeong to do no such thing, that he'll take the rap for what happened. And then tells Jeong to cozy up to the crown prince and "raise him" so that the future king will "drive out the narrow-minded people of the court."
The sleeping King Seonjo has a nightmare: A flashback to a much younger Seonjo being taught by a group of high officials including Lee Sanhae and Yun Dusu. He's not paying attention, though, and when they start to admonish him he stands up in anger and shouts, "I never said I wanted to be king!" And adds that he doesn't trust them. "You want to restrain me so you can protect your power." He stands up to leave but the officials physically block him from leaving...and with that he wakes up in a sweat, panting and frightened. He could use a vacation, frankly, but he tells Consort Kim that he can't leave the palace. "The owner might change while I'm gone."
Prince Gwanghae tells Queen Uiin that he prays for her to get pregnant! To have a clear heir to Seonjo's throne. Says he would never want to be the king himself. She smiles and thanks him for caring...but at least from her expression she seems to have faith in Gwanghae.
Turns out, Uiin has never produced any children, and after 20 years probably won't...and we see Jeong Cheol and Yun Dusu talking about who should be installed as crown prince among the existing princes. Yun argues that Gwanghae is the most suitable...and recalls a disease outbreak last year in which Gwanghae visited an infected village with Yun and Prince Imhae, and actually stayed to help treat infected villagers. He actually caught the disease himself, but survived it. Gwanghae ordered Yun to keep it secret, and the king never found out about it. The whole thing impressed Yun deeply. Jeong agrees on the choice but says it should be discussed with Lee and Ryu as well.
Kyoto: Some time has passed and the envoys still haven't met with Hideyoshi, who's been away dealing with another internal rebellion. They're not happy...but all they can do is wait.
We see Hideyoshi at a military camp near Yamanaka Castle. Kato approaches, tells him that the castle has been taken, and presents him with the rebel leader's head, wrapped in a cloth. (Well good, we wouldn't want it to get a head cold.) Now the only problem remaining is Odawara Castle. Remember that Hideyoshi favored Konishi's strategy of waiting them out...and Konishi now estimates that Odawara only has the resources to hold out for three months maximum. Of course Kato wants action now and trades angry words with Konishi about what message should be sent to the feudal lords around the country--respect Odawara's soldiers, or crush them. But Hideyoshi already committed to Konishi's more patient approach, and after making Konishi fidget a little, smiles and affirms his commitment. "Three months? I'll treat it like a picnic and wait." And says he'll even give rations to the Odawara soldiers if they need them, because the rebellion isn't their fault. But he wants their leaders kneeling in submission in three months or "Nothing will be left breathing in the castle." Just then, word arrives at the camp of the Joseon envoys' arrival. Hideyoshi thinks that they're here to surrender...or at least will be surrendering shortly. Why does he think that?
Next we see the leadership back in Kyoto...but Hideyoshi says he's tired and is going to rest for a few days. Which only annoys the Joseon envoys all the more. They're at the point where they're wondering if they have to bribe someone to see him, but that would be terribly undignified.
And now an odd conversation between Konishi and So Yoshitoshi. Turns out, the Japanese are treating the envoys' visit as "entering the court of a higher nation"--but they don't want the envoys to know it(?!). And Konishi says what the envoys had just said, that there might have to be some bribery involved in all this. Then So asks, "The gwanbaek doesn't suspect you?" No, Konishi answers, but "We can't make any mistakes." Konishi has another agenda, clearly....hmm....
And now, finally, the envoys meet Hideyoshi. Speaking their native language, they read a cordial letter to him from their king. But, amazingly, but the translator tells Hideyoshi that the letter asks him to "Lead Joseon with your wisdom and courage." Which understandably puts a smile on Hideyoshi's face. Narration then tells us that Konishi's bribery caused this and led to a misunderstanding between the nations. Then Hideyoshi speaks. "Since you are surrendering like this, I will forgive you. If you hadn't come this time, you would have paid for that." Which the interpreter translates for the envoys as a request for many years of friendly relations! Wow. A formal meal follows, at which Hideyoshi has a few adult beverages and does little signing and fan-waving. (Don't quit your day job, pal.) The envoys aren't quite finished with business yet; they want to talk about the pirate problem, but Hideyoshi pretty much brushes that off for now, to their discomfort. Then Kato does a sword dance that consists of not much more than him running straight at the envoys and scaring the crap out of them.
The envoys leave in a snit, arguing about just what is going on in this country. Are they madmen on the verge of attacking Joseon? Or is this all just a big bluff from a weak nation with nothing to back up the bluster?
Later, Hideyoshi gives So Yoshitoshi an assignment: head to Joseon with a message. "I'm going to attack Ming. Tell them to guide the Japanese army." Yoshitoshi's eyes nearly bug out but then he quickly kneels and accepts.
Meanwhile, back in Joseon, Easterners and Westerners are bickering about how much involvement Jeong Cheol had with Song Ikpil's plot. Jeong and Yun Dusu have invited Lee and Ryu to a gisaeng house for lunch, to discuss the crown prince issue. This was supposed to be a conciliatory meeting, but Ryu is reticent. Wants all of those innocent scholars pardoned posthumously, and wants the Westerners to set factional politics aside and "Employ talented people with skills." Jeong says he'll ask the king about the former, and nods to the latter. Then, just as Jeong starts to breach the subject of choosing a crown prince...the door slides open and someone is standing there. King Seonjo! Disguised in plainclothes. How did he know about the meeting? He doesn't say, only tells them that "High officials shouldn't meet in places like this." But then he joins them, says he'll buy the lunch...but wants something in return. Wants the four of them "to lead this country well." Pours them all drinks and tells them he doesn't want to hear any more about Easterners and Westerners conspiring against each other. And with a calm smile, adds, "Or everyone here will have to pay for it with death."
Next day: Ryu tells Lee Sanhae what happened and urges him to trust the king now and not be suspicious. But the older, more experienced Lee is still going to be skeptical. "Politicians want what's best for the people," he says. Ryu is more idealistic and the two start to argue a bit, but they know they have to stay united for the good of the country.
July 1590: After a three-month journey, the Joseon envoys reach Kyoto. Narration tells us that the envoys were not greeted with proper state etiquette, which led to some early friction. And then further unrest about not being able to see the actual king...but ultimately they agree that seeing Hideyoshi is much wiser than simply going back home.
Jeong Cheol goes to visit Song Ikpil in jail. Says he'll try to get Song released. But Song wants to protect his fellow Westerners and tells Jeong to do no such thing, that he'll take the rap for what happened. And then tells Jeong to cozy up to the crown prince and "raise him" so that the future king will "drive out the narrow-minded people of the court."
The sleeping King Seonjo has a nightmare: A flashback to a much younger Seonjo being taught by a group of high officials including Lee Sanhae and Yun Dusu. He's not paying attention, though, and when they start to admonish him he stands up in anger and shouts, "I never said I wanted to be king!" And adds that he doesn't trust them. "You want to restrain me so you can protect your power." He stands up to leave but the officials physically block him from leaving...and with that he wakes up in a sweat, panting and frightened. He could use a vacation, frankly, but he tells Consort Kim that he can't leave the palace. "The owner might change while I'm gone."
Prince Gwanghae tells Queen Uiin that he prays for her to get pregnant! To have a clear heir to Seonjo's throne. Says he would never want to be the king himself. She smiles and thanks him for caring...but at least from her expression she seems to have faith in Gwanghae.
Turns out, Uiin has never produced any children, and after 20 years probably won't...and we see Jeong Cheol and Yun Dusu talking about who should be installed as crown prince among the existing princes. Yun argues that Gwanghae is the most suitable...and recalls a disease outbreak last year in which Gwanghae visited an infected village with Yun and Prince Imhae, and actually stayed to help treat infected villagers. He actually caught the disease himself, but survived it. Gwanghae ordered Yun to keep it secret, and the king never found out about it. The whole thing impressed Yun deeply. Jeong agrees on the choice but says it should be discussed with Lee and Ryu as well.
Kyoto: Some time has passed and the envoys still haven't met with Hideyoshi, who's been away dealing with another internal rebellion. They're not happy...but all they can do is wait.
We see Hideyoshi at a military camp near Yamanaka Castle. Kato approaches, tells him that the castle has been taken, and presents him with the rebel leader's head, wrapped in a cloth. (Well good, we wouldn't want it to get a head cold.) Now the only problem remaining is Odawara Castle. Remember that Hideyoshi favored Konishi's strategy of waiting them out...and Konishi now estimates that Odawara only has the resources to hold out for three months maximum. Of course Kato wants action now and trades angry words with Konishi about what message should be sent to the feudal lords around the country--respect Odawara's soldiers, or crush them. But Hideyoshi already committed to Konishi's more patient approach, and after making Konishi fidget a little, smiles and affirms his commitment. "Three months? I'll treat it like a picnic and wait." And says he'll even give rations to the Odawara soldiers if they need them, because the rebellion isn't their fault. But he wants their leaders kneeling in submission in three months or "Nothing will be left breathing in the castle." Just then, word arrives at the camp of the Joseon envoys' arrival. Hideyoshi thinks that they're here to surrender...or at least will be surrendering shortly. Why does he think that?
Next we see the leadership back in Kyoto...but Hideyoshi says he's tired and is going to rest for a few days. Which only annoys the Joseon envoys all the more. They're at the point where they're wondering if they have to bribe someone to see him, but that would be terribly undignified.
And now an odd conversation between Konishi and So Yoshitoshi. Turns out, the Japanese are treating the envoys' visit as "entering the court of a higher nation"--but they don't want the envoys to know it(?!). And Konishi says what the envoys had just said, that there might have to be some bribery involved in all this. Then So asks, "The gwanbaek doesn't suspect you?" No, Konishi answers, but "We can't make any mistakes." Konishi has another agenda, clearly....hmm....
And now, finally, the envoys meet Hideyoshi. Speaking their native language, they read a cordial letter to him from their king. But, amazingly, but the translator tells Hideyoshi that the letter asks him to "Lead Joseon with your wisdom and courage." Which understandably puts a smile on Hideyoshi's face. Narration then tells us that Konishi's bribery caused this and led to a misunderstanding between the nations. Then Hideyoshi speaks. "Since you are surrendering like this, I will forgive you. If you hadn't come this time, you would have paid for that." Which the interpreter translates for the envoys as a request for many years of friendly relations! Wow. A formal meal follows, at which Hideyoshi has a few adult beverages and does little signing and fan-waving. (Don't quit your day job, pal.) The envoys aren't quite finished with business yet; they want to talk about the pirate problem, but Hideyoshi pretty much brushes that off for now, to their discomfort. Then Kato does a sword dance that consists of not much more than him running straight at the envoys and scaring the crap out of them.
The envoys leave in a snit, arguing about just what is going on in this country. Are they madmen on the verge of attacking Joseon? Or is this all just a big bluff from a weak nation with nothing to back up the bluster?
Later, Hideyoshi gives So Yoshitoshi an assignment: head to Joseon with a message. "I'm going to attack Ming. Tell them to guide the Japanese army." Yoshitoshi's eyes nearly bug out but then he quickly kneels and accepts.
Meanwhile, back in Joseon, Easterners and Westerners are bickering about how much involvement Jeong Cheol had with Song Ikpil's plot. Jeong and Yun Dusu have invited Lee and Ryu to a gisaeng house for lunch, to discuss the crown prince issue. This was supposed to be a conciliatory meeting, but Ryu is reticent. Wants all of those innocent scholars pardoned posthumously, and wants the Westerners to set factional politics aside and "Employ talented people with skills." Jeong says he'll ask the king about the former, and nods to the latter. Then, just as Jeong starts to breach the subject of choosing a crown prince...the door slides open and someone is standing there. King Seonjo! Disguised in plainclothes. How did he know about the meeting? He doesn't say, only tells them that "High officials shouldn't meet in places like this." But then he joins them, says he'll buy the lunch...but wants something in return. Wants the four of them "to lead this country well." Pours them all drinks and tells them he doesn't want to hear any more about Easterners and Westerners conspiring against each other. And with a calm smile, adds, "Or everyone here will have to pay for it with death."
