Post by ajk on Jul 19, 2015 16:48:57 GMT -5
Seonjo doesn't disagree with Ryu that all of those private servants would be a big help to the war effort. But he knows how strongly the higher classes will resist. Ryu says he'll try to see what the majority opinion is.
Gwanghae loves the idea of the training agency and selecting people without regard to social status. He knows his father told him to stay out of state affairs...but he really wants to help get this proposal enacted. Looks like he's going to do something about it.
"What would you do if you were a servant?" Seonjo asks his lead eunuch (We still don't know this guy's name!), who tells him without hesitation that he would jump at the chance to become a commoner. And if you were a master?, Seonjo follows up. The eunuch answers, "I would be disappointed with you for wanting me to give up my property." And that sums it up very simply and effectively. Anyway, they're interrupted by a surprising pair: Gwanghae and Consort Kim. They're both there to urge Seonjo to adopt the proposal. They say it will be good for his status to do it. Seonjo realizes that more commoners means more taxpayers, which is good for him and the country...but the unhappiness of the slave-owners? They won't be unhappy, Gwanghae says, if you compensate them for taking their slaves. Hmm, now there's a new angle that nobody's thought of. Gwanghae suggests giving the slave-owners a bump in status or assigning them public slaves. Seonjo likes that idea...but at the same time he's cynical about these two showing up together to pitch it. As though Kim is turning her back on him to support his son. He doesn't come right out and say that, but he does seem to be wondering, and we're seeing that phony smile from him that we know by now isn't genuine. He asks her if she's upset at him for not visiting her lately (which does seem sort of insensitive, what with her son dying) and then asks her about her inviting Song Yingchang and Gwanghae together. Which she says she did to show gratitude to Ming...but Seonjo clearly isn't buying that.
Nighttime: Ryu asked Lee Deokhyeong, Kim Eungnam, and Lee Wonik to gather opinion from among wealthy and important people about the slave proposal. The high classes and royal relatives were very resistant, to put it mildly...but officials and military leaders were at least willing to consider it, because they've been closer to the suffering of the war and they know how bad the situation is. But how to convince them to support it? We learn something odd: There's an official in the palace who has a lot of personal influence with many other officials right now. His title is Sajaegomjeong--he's basically in charge of palace food and housekeeping. Hardly an influential position, but apparently he's impressed a lot of people with this judgment and knowledge, and his opinion has some influence on them. Ryu obviously knows the guy; says he doesn't think the guy is likely to be sympathetic.
And now we meet him. Yun Dusu doesn't like it the proposal at all, and while he's complaining to Lee Hangbok that it's extortion, taking people's private property like that, he walks in and says "The country will be ruined" if it's adopted. Yu Join is his name. Seems sort of smug and arrogant for a guy in his position. The idea "Isn't even worth talking about," he says. "It is a foolish idea" because there will be so many newly elevated commoners that some of them "could become traitors and start a coup." Believes it would lead the country to ruin just as sure as if the Japanese army took it over.
So Yun Dusu takes the guy straight to Seonjo and they make their pitch. Ryu is there too, though, and he and Yu Join get into an intense argument about it. Seonjo listens to them, and to Yun, who says it's okay to use government slaves but not private slaves. From the way Seonjo starts questioning Yun, he seems to be leaning in favor...but now we hear a bunch of other officials calling out in protest against it. They're outside of Seonjo's office, on their knees.
Afterwards, Seonjo tells Ryu he thinks there's just too much opposition. Ryu says that if the proposal is implemented, "I will put my life on the line" and personally take all of the heat for it from everyone who objects.
We see written orders being delivered around the country and a lot of discussion among the officials here in Yeongju. What's going on?
Evening: It's Ryu. He's called a meeting of the National Defense Council. This is a large group of military and civilian leaders; we haven't seen it meeting before but to the group's surprise, Ryu informs them that as of today he's been named Chief Superintendent of the group. Well fine, but why the urgent nighttime meeting that's pulled generals away from far-flung regions? Ryu wants them to weigh in on his proposal. Says that this is the group the king needs to hear from, rather than soliciting individual officials' opinions. Asks for a flat-out yes or no vote. Officials start to speak up in favor, first Ryu's allies--which is no big deal--but then Gwon Yul and Kim Myeongbok--which is a big deal. Pretty soon nearly everyone is on record with a "yes" vote. It makes a compelling statement, especially with some strong words that Ryu adds to punctuate it. Then the king shows up. "Most of them agreed to the solution," Ryu tells him. Seonjo looks around. "I will approve of it." He seems a little wary but he speaks clearly and gives the order confidently. "Allow everyone to take the national exam," he says. "Anyone who passes may train at the military training command." That may be difficult for a lot of slave-class people, though, especially for quick results...so Ryu says that bringing in the heads of Wae soldiers should be another way to become eligible. Very clever! "Do so," Seonjo says without hesitation. We see Yun Dusu closing his eyes and sighing in resignation.
"Myeoncheonbeop." Narration tells us that this was the name of the policy and that "It was revolutionary for those times." Surprisingly, we're told that the gentry and landowners did grudgingly go along with it because of the crisis situation in the country, but that "opposition was still fierce." And that lager the ruling class later attacked Ryu for it. Not sure what that refers to yet. For now though, we see Ryu overseeing some combat training of the new recruits. Some of them seem to have good skills already. Others not so much. Ryu makes it clear that people with no fighting skills or potential will not be accepted for training, exam or enemy heads notwithstanding. "This is not just a place to enhance your social status," he tells one disappointed applicant.
We learn that Cheonri is slave class, to our surprise. He'd be a natural for the military training and certainly he's achieved more than enough merit to be eligible. So why is he just laying there on the front steps of a building and doing nothing? Eventually he admits to Shin Yeongcheol that he doesn't want to be reassigned somewhere else and not get to work for Ryu any more. But then Ryu shows up and surprises him with an official's uniform! And assures him that "I want you by my side for a long time" so you don't have to go anywhere. Moves Cheonri to tears.
Gyeongsang Province: Gwak Jaeu is being driven nuts by the Ming army's inaction and is complaining to Kim Su about it. He wants to carry out guerrilla warfare against the enemy units around Busan and keep them off-balance so they can't advance to Jeolla. But Kim doesn't have the authority to approve that, certainly not with negotiations happening right now. Gwak--who's wearing an official's uniform and who we're soon to learn was appointed as a magistrate--fears that Jeolla will fall if nothing is done, and he resigns his post on the spot and says he'll go back to being a militia leader and take action. And warns Kim not to stop him.
Nighttime: Well that was fast. Gwak and his men attack some sort of headquarters building surrounded by 200 or so enemy soldiers. As the fighting ensues, and as Kim Su reads Gwak's resignation letter, narration tells us that Gwak was named to several other government positions to reward his merits but "he had frequent conflicts with officials" and ended up resigning each time to go back to being a militia leader. Still, Gwak is remembered as one of the finest militia leaders, and "he fought without expecting fame."
Jeong Cheol returns form Ming and tells the king it didn't go well, which he saw. Seonjo doesn't blame him; he figures Song Yingchang has allies in the Ming government and they obstructed Jeong's mission. Jeong is terribly discouraged, and we learn that he's not in the best of health any more. He asks Seonjo if he can resign. Seonjo resists...but then Yu Join walks in carrying a tray full of appeals from officials who are angry that Jeong didn't "give his life" to make sure the Ming emperor knew the truth about the enemy not leaving Joseon entirely. Jeong doesn't argue; says he'll resign and go home "and await my punishment."
Afterwards, Yun Dusu tells Jeong that Seonjo won't have him punished. But Jeong seems to have made up his mind. "Take good care of this country and his majesty," he tells Yun. A touching farewell between the two allies. Narration tells us that Jeong was "famous for lyrical literature" and that around 100 of his poems survive to this day. It reminds us about his role in the politically motivated purge of those 1000 scholars, which we saw earlier in the series, but says he was an "upright official."
Song Yingchang and Shen Weijing have heard about the new training agency. They don't like it, because they don't want anybody doing any more fighting. And they notice that the training seems similar to their own army's training. They suspect Joseon is getting some secret assistance and will try to find out who's providing it. And they decide it's time to replace Seonjo with Gwanghae on the throne because Seonjo "Is showing a will to fight."
So Song goes to a suspicious Gwanghae and starts buttering him up. Gwanghae doesn't buy into it and even calls Song out for sending that fake report home to his emperor. Song is unrattled and continues. "I don't trust his majesty that much any more," he tells the prince, and suggests that the dual-government setup be revived so that Gwanghae can rule the three southern provinces. Gwanghae is speechless.
Then Song visits Seonjo, who's hoping Ming emperor rejects the settlement proposal, and now is even hoping that Ming attacks Japan itself! Which is ridiculous, but Song humors him and says it could happen because enemy soldiers "are plundering the people"' in the south and public sentiment is poor. Then he pitches the same dual-government idea to Seonjo, who's stunned at the very suggestion of it.
Gwanghae loves the idea of the training agency and selecting people without regard to social status. He knows his father told him to stay out of state affairs...but he really wants to help get this proposal enacted. Looks like he's going to do something about it.
"What would you do if you were a servant?" Seonjo asks his lead eunuch (We still don't know this guy's name!), who tells him without hesitation that he would jump at the chance to become a commoner. And if you were a master?, Seonjo follows up. The eunuch answers, "I would be disappointed with you for wanting me to give up my property." And that sums it up very simply and effectively. Anyway, they're interrupted by a surprising pair: Gwanghae and Consort Kim. They're both there to urge Seonjo to adopt the proposal. They say it will be good for his status to do it. Seonjo realizes that more commoners means more taxpayers, which is good for him and the country...but the unhappiness of the slave-owners? They won't be unhappy, Gwanghae says, if you compensate them for taking their slaves. Hmm, now there's a new angle that nobody's thought of. Gwanghae suggests giving the slave-owners a bump in status or assigning them public slaves. Seonjo likes that idea...but at the same time he's cynical about these two showing up together to pitch it. As though Kim is turning her back on him to support his son. He doesn't come right out and say that, but he does seem to be wondering, and we're seeing that phony smile from him that we know by now isn't genuine. He asks her if she's upset at him for not visiting her lately (which does seem sort of insensitive, what with her son dying) and then asks her about her inviting Song Yingchang and Gwanghae together. Which she says she did to show gratitude to Ming...but Seonjo clearly isn't buying that.
Nighttime: Ryu asked Lee Deokhyeong, Kim Eungnam, and Lee Wonik to gather opinion from among wealthy and important people about the slave proposal. The high classes and royal relatives were very resistant, to put it mildly...but officials and military leaders were at least willing to consider it, because they've been closer to the suffering of the war and they know how bad the situation is. But how to convince them to support it? We learn something odd: There's an official in the palace who has a lot of personal influence with many other officials right now. His title is Sajaegomjeong--he's basically in charge of palace food and housekeeping. Hardly an influential position, but apparently he's impressed a lot of people with this judgment and knowledge, and his opinion has some influence on them. Ryu obviously knows the guy; says he doesn't think the guy is likely to be sympathetic.
And now we meet him. Yun Dusu doesn't like it the proposal at all, and while he's complaining to Lee Hangbok that it's extortion, taking people's private property like that, he walks in and says "The country will be ruined" if it's adopted. Yu Join is his name. Seems sort of smug and arrogant for a guy in his position. The idea "Isn't even worth talking about," he says. "It is a foolish idea" because there will be so many newly elevated commoners that some of them "could become traitors and start a coup." Believes it would lead the country to ruin just as sure as if the Japanese army took it over.
So Yun Dusu takes the guy straight to Seonjo and they make their pitch. Ryu is there too, though, and he and Yu Join get into an intense argument about it. Seonjo listens to them, and to Yun, who says it's okay to use government slaves but not private slaves. From the way Seonjo starts questioning Yun, he seems to be leaning in favor...but now we hear a bunch of other officials calling out in protest against it. They're outside of Seonjo's office, on their knees.
Afterwards, Seonjo tells Ryu he thinks there's just too much opposition. Ryu says that if the proposal is implemented, "I will put my life on the line" and personally take all of the heat for it from everyone who objects.
We see written orders being delivered around the country and a lot of discussion among the officials here in Yeongju. What's going on?
Evening: It's Ryu. He's called a meeting of the National Defense Council. This is a large group of military and civilian leaders; we haven't seen it meeting before but to the group's surprise, Ryu informs them that as of today he's been named Chief Superintendent of the group. Well fine, but why the urgent nighttime meeting that's pulled generals away from far-flung regions? Ryu wants them to weigh in on his proposal. Says that this is the group the king needs to hear from, rather than soliciting individual officials' opinions. Asks for a flat-out yes or no vote. Officials start to speak up in favor, first Ryu's allies--which is no big deal--but then Gwon Yul and Kim Myeongbok--which is a big deal. Pretty soon nearly everyone is on record with a "yes" vote. It makes a compelling statement, especially with some strong words that Ryu adds to punctuate it. Then the king shows up. "Most of them agreed to the solution," Ryu tells him. Seonjo looks around. "I will approve of it." He seems a little wary but he speaks clearly and gives the order confidently. "Allow everyone to take the national exam," he says. "Anyone who passes may train at the military training command." That may be difficult for a lot of slave-class people, though, especially for quick results...so Ryu says that bringing in the heads of Wae soldiers should be another way to become eligible. Very clever! "Do so," Seonjo says without hesitation. We see Yun Dusu closing his eyes and sighing in resignation.
"Myeoncheonbeop." Narration tells us that this was the name of the policy and that "It was revolutionary for those times." Surprisingly, we're told that the gentry and landowners did grudgingly go along with it because of the crisis situation in the country, but that "opposition was still fierce." And that lager the ruling class later attacked Ryu for it. Not sure what that refers to yet. For now though, we see Ryu overseeing some combat training of the new recruits. Some of them seem to have good skills already. Others not so much. Ryu makes it clear that people with no fighting skills or potential will not be accepted for training, exam or enemy heads notwithstanding. "This is not just a place to enhance your social status," he tells one disappointed applicant.
We learn that Cheonri is slave class, to our surprise. He'd be a natural for the military training and certainly he's achieved more than enough merit to be eligible. So why is he just laying there on the front steps of a building and doing nothing? Eventually he admits to Shin Yeongcheol that he doesn't want to be reassigned somewhere else and not get to work for Ryu any more. But then Ryu shows up and surprises him with an official's uniform! And assures him that "I want you by my side for a long time" so you don't have to go anywhere. Moves Cheonri to tears.
Gyeongsang Province: Gwak Jaeu is being driven nuts by the Ming army's inaction and is complaining to Kim Su about it. He wants to carry out guerrilla warfare against the enemy units around Busan and keep them off-balance so they can't advance to Jeolla. But Kim doesn't have the authority to approve that, certainly not with negotiations happening right now. Gwak--who's wearing an official's uniform and who we're soon to learn was appointed as a magistrate--fears that Jeolla will fall if nothing is done, and he resigns his post on the spot and says he'll go back to being a militia leader and take action. And warns Kim not to stop him.
Nighttime: Well that was fast. Gwak and his men attack some sort of headquarters building surrounded by 200 or so enemy soldiers. As the fighting ensues, and as Kim Su reads Gwak's resignation letter, narration tells us that Gwak was named to several other government positions to reward his merits but "he had frequent conflicts with officials" and ended up resigning each time to go back to being a militia leader. Still, Gwak is remembered as one of the finest militia leaders, and "he fought without expecting fame."
Jeong Cheol returns form Ming and tells the king it didn't go well, which he saw. Seonjo doesn't blame him; he figures Song Yingchang has allies in the Ming government and they obstructed Jeong's mission. Jeong is terribly discouraged, and we learn that he's not in the best of health any more. He asks Seonjo if he can resign. Seonjo resists...but then Yu Join walks in carrying a tray full of appeals from officials who are angry that Jeong didn't "give his life" to make sure the Ming emperor knew the truth about the enemy not leaving Joseon entirely. Jeong doesn't argue; says he'll resign and go home "and await my punishment."
Afterwards, Yun Dusu tells Jeong that Seonjo won't have him punished. But Jeong seems to have made up his mind. "Take good care of this country and his majesty," he tells Yun. A touching farewell between the two allies. Narration tells us that Jeong was "famous for lyrical literature" and that around 100 of his poems survive to this day. It reminds us about his role in the politically motivated purge of those 1000 scholars, which we saw earlier in the series, but says he was an "upright official."
Song Yingchang and Shen Weijing have heard about the new training agency. They don't like it, because they don't want anybody doing any more fighting. And they notice that the training seems similar to their own army's training. They suspect Joseon is getting some secret assistance and will try to find out who's providing it. And they decide it's time to replace Seonjo with Gwanghae on the throne because Seonjo "Is showing a will to fight."
So Song goes to a suspicious Gwanghae and starts buttering him up. Gwanghae doesn't buy into it and even calls Song out for sending that fake report home to his emperor. Song is unrattled and continues. "I don't trust his majesty that much any more," he tells the prince, and suggests that the dual-government setup be revived so that Gwanghae can rule the three southern provinces. Gwanghae is speechless.
Then Song visits Seonjo, who's hoping Ming emperor rejects the settlement proposal, and now is even hoping that Ming attacks Japan itself! Which is ridiculous, but Song humors him and says it could happen because enemy soldiers "are plundering the people"' in the south and public sentiment is poor. Then he pitches the same dual-government idea to Seonjo, who's stunned at the very suggestion of it.
