Post by ajk on May 31, 2015 22:58:48 GMT -5
Fortunately Shin and Cheonri show up and chase away the attackers before Ryu gets any significant injuries. But the attackers and other villagers go right back to raiding the government storehouses and taking military rations away to...well, to where? They're headed somewhere and it isn't home.
Eventually Shin and Cheonri locate the government officials, all hiding in a side building and afraid for their lives. Turns out, when the citizens heard the king left and the Japanese were approaching, they figured they'd have to hide in the mountains for a long time. Which is why they're stocking up on supplies. Seems like a very organized effort, though...and Ryu needs to recover those rations and get them to where they're needed. So Ryu sets up a trap to catch whoever is in charge of all this. The officials stock one of the storehouse rooms with rice bags filled with straw.
It works like a charm! The three guys running the operation are caught easily, and they convince everyone else to give up and come out of hiding. Ryu threatens the leaders with severe flogging and the rest with punishment too...unless they agree to help transport rations to areas where they're needed. "We don't have enough men," Ryu says, and need the help. It's a very pragmatic solution, considering the situation, and everyone readily agrees.
Ryu has been very successful with his work on the rations problem and the crown prince is very happy to hear of it. He even goes along with Ryu's pardoning of those ringleaders in the village we saw and with not telling the king about it. Because really they should be executed for stealing government property like they did.
But when the king, who's left the crown prince behind and is in Uiju by now, is told by Yun Dusu about all this, well, he wants those ringleaders executed. Problem is, he gave temporary authority over national affairs to Gwanghae...so he really can't overrule Gwanghae's decision to accept Ryu's pardon. It leaves him bitter and cynical---kind of silly for him, frankly; he has bigger things to worry about---but now here's some better news: Ming soldiers have arrived here in Uiju! Only 5,000--which narration tells us showed that Ming really didn't understand the magnitude of the threat--but still, it's better than nothing. Seonjo warmly greets their commander Zu Chengxun. Seems like a real good guy. And more good news: the idiot emperor also sent along several chests full of silver! To give Joseon some badly needed financial help. Seonjo offers to prepare a welcome feast for the army but Zu declines, for now. "I'm not thirsty for wine," he says; "I'm thirsty for the heads of Wae soldiers." Wow! He wants to head straight for Pyongyang and retake it.
Later, meeting with his officials, Seonjo wants to use a little bit of that silver to reward everyone who's made the refuge journey with him, even including the servants. Hong Yeosun loudly stats to offer the customary "Thank you, your majesty!"...but when he realizes he's the only one doing it, the words die in his throat. After some cynical glares at him and an awkward silence (VERY funny), the others decline and say the money is better used for the soldiers or sent to the crown prince to help with the work he's doing. Seems like a generous gesture but it only makes Seonjo angry that they won't accept.
Farther south: Ryu gets word that the Ming army will be here soon. Unfortunately Joseon is still short on rations here: Only a few days' worth for an army of 5,000. But then a timely piece of good news: a large tax shipment of rice has arrived from the provinces not yet invaded. Ryu orders it distributed to locations along the route to Pyongyang. Very lucky break.
Now the army arrives and we see Ryu talking to Commander Zu as the soldiers eat their lunch. Ryu explains the rations situation; Zu understands and tells him not to worry, because very soon his army will have its hands on that 100,000 sacks of rations stored in Pyongyang. Ryu cautions him that retaking the city won't be easy, but Zu says his cannons have ten times the range of those Japanese muskets. He seems a little overconfident, doesn't he?
"Why is he so afraid? He's the king of a country but he has no guts. I don't like him." Shi Xing is before his emperor, discussing Seonjo's request for asylum. Shi is trying to support Seonjo's side of it...which only gets the emperor wondering why Shi always seems to take Joseon's side. Suddenly he stops, and points, and laughs. Says something about Shi meeting his concubine through a Joseon slave inspector. We don't know the story but the emperor gets a big laugh out of it and it changes his mind--sort of. "Fine, fine, tell him to come." But he'll have to stay in an empty government building in a region dangerously close to the Jurchen territory border. Shi is shocked; that's not much of a safe refuge and "a pretty shabby place" at that. Too bad, the emperor says with a hint of disgust. "A person should feel humiliated and overcome it to become stronger." Wow, suddenly the guy doesn't sound like so much of an idiot.
Back in Uiju, the king is sitting with the queen and consort Kim. He's given each of them a gift of some of that silver. Kim thanks him graciously...but the queen gives her a sideways glare and asks "Will you buy rice for the refugees?" Says she already sent her gift to the crown prince for military expenses. And suggests to her husband that he should be more supportive of his son. Seonjo doesn't like that. "I'm waiting to see how he does. I'm not being indifferent." At that Kim jumps in and apologizes and says she'll use her silver to feed the refugees like the queen suggested. Seonjo sighs. Then news arrives of Lee Deokhyeong's return; Lee had been sent to Ming to present Seonjo's asylum request.
"You must have heard wrong." No, Seonjo, he didn't. Lee has to tell him and the officials of the emperor's decision. Well that's no good--that location is nearly as dangerous a place as they're in now. Seonjo is shocked at Ming's disrespect, but the officials use this as an opportunity to encourage him to stay in the country instead and be brave.
And later, as Seonjo broods, consort Kim pays him a visit and likewise encourages him to stay. Tells him that if he left he could have a hard time getting his royal authority back. Cancel this dual-government arrangement, she advises him, and stay here.
"I won't go to Yodong." Next day Seonjo takes her advice and tells the officials that. They're grateful and relieved, understandably. But then he tells them he'll unite the government again--and they object! (All except Hong Yeosun, who gets stared into submission again.) They argue that it will confuse the people and that it's safer to keep him and the crown prince apart And besides, "You gave him a task. See how he does." They're very sincere about it, but you have to wonder if he's simply lost their faith and trust. Either way, Seonjo reluctantly agrees. "But I will still decide important national affairs."
Japan: Hideyoshi is frustrated about the supply route problems and the failure to occupy the grain-producing regions. But Maeda tells him that Wakizaka will have 70 ships at his disposal now. Maeda doesn't seem too sold on Wazikaka as the choice of commander, but Hideyoshi has absolute faith that "he will bring me Yi Sunsin's head. Wait and see."
Now we see Wakizaka's camp for the first time, as they make their first battle preparations. "Do not retreat or flee," he tells them. "If you retreat from this battle, you won't be killed by Joseon soldiers. I will kill you myself."
Left Jeolla naval headquarters: Another encouraging letter to Yi Sunsin arrives from Ryu. Then a report from the scout in Busan. Yi gathers his officers and tells them about the arrival. A joke about the Japanese being mad about their defeats so far, and then they plan strategy.
Kato's camp: Hey, haven't seen Kato in a while! Oh dear, he's captured some civilians. Let's just say he's not treating them very well. Then bad news/good news arrives, for him at least: Konishi occupied Pyongyang, but the king wasn't there. Kato still fully intends to be the one who captures the king.
Ryu has traveled south now to check in with Gwanghae and the officials who have stayed with Gwanghae. Gwanghae shocks them all by saying that he's not going to go to the place that his father told him to go. It's a border area and he says it would be like taking refuge. Says he needs to be encouraging the soldiers and so he'll go Gangwon and then to Maengsan, a place that's way too close to the enemy-occupied territory for the comfort of the officials. And besides, he'd be defying a royal order! But Gwanghae says that he has control of national affairs now "I don't have to follow his orders." Hmm...you have to admire his courage and resolve, but hmm....
Consort Kim advises Seonjo not to let the dual arrangement go on much longer, and Seonjo agrees. "I can't let the people follow the crown prince more than me."
...and what does Ryu think of Gwanghae's decision? Gwanghae asks him point-blank. Does he agree with all of the officials there? No! "I'm very proud of you. Do as you wish."
Eventually Shin and Cheonri locate the government officials, all hiding in a side building and afraid for their lives. Turns out, when the citizens heard the king left and the Japanese were approaching, they figured they'd have to hide in the mountains for a long time. Which is why they're stocking up on supplies. Seems like a very organized effort, though...and Ryu needs to recover those rations and get them to where they're needed. So Ryu sets up a trap to catch whoever is in charge of all this. The officials stock one of the storehouse rooms with rice bags filled with straw.
It works like a charm! The three guys running the operation are caught easily, and they convince everyone else to give up and come out of hiding. Ryu threatens the leaders with severe flogging and the rest with punishment too...unless they agree to help transport rations to areas where they're needed. "We don't have enough men," Ryu says, and need the help. It's a very pragmatic solution, considering the situation, and everyone readily agrees.
Ryu has been very successful with his work on the rations problem and the crown prince is very happy to hear of it. He even goes along with Ryu's pardoning of those ringleaders in the village we saw and with not telling the king about it. Because really they should be executed for stealing government property like they did.
But when the king, who's left the crown prince behind and is in Uiju by now, is told by Yun Dusu about all this, well, he wants those ringleaders executed. Problem is, he gave temporary authority over national affairs to Gwanghae...so he really can't overrule Gwanghae's decision to accept Ryu's pardon. It leaves him bitter and cynical---kind of silly for him, frankly; he has bigger things to worry about---but now here's some better news: Ming soldiers have arrived here in Uiju! Only 5,000--which narration tells us showed that Ming really didn't understand the magnitude of the threat--but still, it's better than nothing. Seonjo warmly greets their commander Zu Chengxun. Seems like a real good guy. And more good news: the idiot emperor also sent along several chests full of silver! To give Joseon some badly needed financial help. Seonjo offers to prepare a welcome feast for the army but Zu declines, for now. "I'm not thirsty for wine," he says; "I'm thirsty for the heads of Wae soldiers." Wow! He wants to head straight for Pyongyang and retake it.
Later, meeting with his officials, Seonjo wants to use a little bit of that silver to reward everyone who's made the refuge journey with him, even including the servants. Hong Yeosun loudly stats to offer the customary "Thank you, your majesty!"...but when he realizes he's the only one doing it, the words die in his throat. After some cynical glares at him and an awkward silence (VERY funny), the others decline and say the money is better used for the soldiers or sent to the crown prince to help with the work he's doing. Seems like a generous gesture but it only makes Seonjo angry that they won't accept.
Farther south: Ryu gets word that the Ming army will be here soon. Unfortunately Joseon is still short on rations here: Only a few days' worth for an army of 5,000. But then a timely piece of good news: a large tax shipment of rice has arrived from the provinces not yet invaded. Ryu orders it distributed to locations along the route to Pyongyang. Very lucky break.
Now the army arrives and we see Ryu talking to Commander Zu as the soldiers eat their lunch. Ryu explains the rations situation; Zu understands and tells him not to worry, because very soon his army will have its hands on that 100,000 sacks of rations stored in Pyongyang. Ryu cautions him that retaking the city won't be easy, but Zu says his cannons have ten times the range of those Japanese muskets. He seems a little overconfident, doesn't he?
"Why is he so afraid? He's the king of a country but he has no guts. I don't like him." Shi Xing is before his emperor, discussing Seonjo's request for asylum. Shi is trying to support Seonjo's side of it...which only gets the emperor wondering why Shi always seems to take Joseon's side. Suddenly he stops, and points, and laughs. Says something about Shi meeting his concubine through a Joseon slave inspector. We don't know the story but the emperor gets a big laugh out of it and it changes his mind--sort of. "Fine, fine, tell him to come." But he'll have to stay in an empty government building in a region dangerously close to the Jurchen territory border. Shi is shocked; that's not much of a safe refuge and "a pretty shabby place" at that. Too bad, the emperor says with a hint of disgust. "A person should feel humiliated and overcome it to become stronger." Wow, suddenly the guy doesn't sound like so much of an idiot.
Back in Uiju, the king is sitting with the queen and consort Kim. He's given each of them a gift of some of that silver. Kim thanks him graciously...but the queen gives her a sideways glare and asks "Will you buy rice for the refugees?" Says she already sent her gift to the crown prince for military expenses. And suggests to her husband that he should be more supportive of his son. Seonjo doesn't like that. "I'm waiting to see how he does. I'm not being indifferent." At that Kim jumps in and apologizes and says she'll use her silver to feed the refugees like the queen suggested. Seonjo sighs. Then news arrives of Lee Deokhyeong's return; Lee had been sent to Ming to present Seonjo's asylum request.
"You must have heard wrong." No, Seonjo, he didn't. Lee has to tell him and the officials of the emperor's decision. Well that's no good--that location is nearly as dangerous a place as they're in now. Seonjo is shocked at Ming's disrespect, but the officials use this as an opportunity to encourage him to stay in the country instead and be brave.
And later, as Seonjo broods, consort Kim pays him a visit and likewise encourages him to stay. Tells him that if he left he could have a hard time getting his royal authority back. Cancel this dual-government arrangement, she advises him, and stay here.
"I won't go to Yodong." Next day Seonjo takes her advice and tells the officials that. They're grateful and relieved, understandably. But then he tells them he'll unite the government again--and they object! (All except Hong Yeosun, who gets stared into submission again.) They argue that it will confuse the people and that it's safer to keep him and the crown prince apart And besides, "You gave him a task. See how he does." They're very sincere about it, but you have to wonder if he's simply lost their faith and trust. Either way, Seonjo reluctantly agrees. "But I will still decide important national affairs."
Japan: Hideyoshi is frustrated about the supply route problems and the failure to occupy the grain-producing regions. But Maeda tells him that Wakizaka will have 70 ships at his disposal now. Maeda doesn't seem too sold on Wazikaka as the choice of commander, but Hideyoshi has absolute faith that "he will bring me Yi Sunsin's head. Wait and see."
Now we see Wakizaka's camp for the first time, as they make their first battle preparations. "Do not retreat or flee," he tells them. "If you retreat from this battle, you won't be killed by Joseon soldiers. I will kill you myself."
Left Jeolla naval headquarters: Another encouraging letter to Yi Sunsin arrives from Ryu. Then a report from the scout in Busan. Yi gathers his officers and tells them about the arrival. A joke about the Japanese being mad about their defeats so far, and then they plan strategy.
Kato's camp: Hey, haven't seen Kato in a while! Oh dear, he's captured some civilians. Let's just say he's not treating them very well. Then bad news/good news arrives, for him at least: Konishi occupied Pyongyang, but the king wasn't there. Kato still fully intends to be the one who captures the king.
Ryu has traveled south now to check in with Gwanghae and the officials who have stayed with Gwanghae. Gwanghae shocks them all by saying that he's not going to go to the place that his father told him to go. It's a border area and he says it would be like taking refuge. Says he needs to be encouraging the soldiers and so he'll go Gangwon and then to Maengsan, a place that's way too close to the enemy-occupied territory for the comfort of the officials. And besides, he'd be defying a royal order! But Gwanghae says that he has control of national affairs now "I don't have to follow his orders." Hmm...you have to admire his courage and resolve, but hmm....
Consort Kim advises Seonjo not to let the dual arrangement go on much longer, and Seonjo agrees. "I can't let the people follow the crown prince more than me."
...and what does Ryu think of Gwanghae's decision? Gwanghae asks him point-blank. Does he agree with all of the officials there? No! "I'm very proud of you. Do as you wish."
