Post by ajk on Jul 26, 2015 17:17:35 GMT -5
Seonjo and Song Yingchang are talking in the outdoor pavilion. Yun Dusu, Lee Deokhyeong and Lee Hangbok are standing nearby. Seonjo is eager for news from the Ming emperor, and hopes for an order to attack the Japanese army in the south. Song, who knows no such thing is coming, counsels patience. Then Song boldly proposes reviving the dual-government setup and sending the crown prince to oversee the southern provinces. The very suggestion of it shocks the Joseonese. The capital is free again and the enemy has retreated south there's no reason for it, as the three officials immediately insist. And they're furious with Song for trying to meddle in their domestic affairs; he's only supposed to be here for military reasons. But Song knows it would stir them up; he stands his ground and calmly argues that the situation is still dangerous enough for the dual-government system to be a good idea. And he's very insistent about it, enough to leave the four Joseonese totally rattled.
Gwanghae hears about it...and recalls Song telling him, "To be honest, I don't trust his majesty that much" and pitching the same idea to him.
Consort Kim hears about it, and realizes exactly what Song is trying to do.
The three officials fear that Song will agree to a truce with the enemy--and the possible loss of Joseon's southern provinces--if they don't comply with his request. They figure the only way out of this may be to get Song replaced with someone else and get rid of him entirely. But is there any possible way to do that?
They go to Luo Shangzhi and ask for his help. Luo is sympathetic and knows Song has no business meddling in Joseon's domestic affairs. And he's angry to hear about the phony report that Song sent to the emperor. But he's only a subordinate general, hardly a high enough position to be able to help with this kind of a problem. And he has to lay low anyway because Song ordered an investigation to find out who's been helping the Joseon army with its new training setup. Plus, he says that the emperor isn't paying any attention to state affairs lately anyway and that Song has allies in the court who control the information that does or doesn't get to the emperor in the first place. Ugh.
Evening: Yun tries to encourage a pouting, whining Seonjo. When Yun hears that general Luo can't help, he apparently makes up his mind about something and tells Seonjo that "I will put my life on the line to settle this." Hmm...what?
Song knows he has the Joseonese in a tough spot and fully expects Seonjo to comply. And now he tells Shen Weijing that he's arranged for the emperor to issue an order compelling Joseon to reinstitute the dual government and have Gwanghae rule over the south, as Song wants. "I told the court the Joseon king is incapable," he says with a smug smile, and that Yodong and Ming are in danger because of Seonjo. And now just as he expected would happen, here comes an angry prince Gwanghae, arriving at his quarters and furious about his meddling. Gwanghae complains loudly but Song gets right to the heart of the matter and tells him in a calm voice, "We just want you to be the king of Joseon." Gwanghae is horrified and even fears for his life...at first. But Song patiently explains that they think the country would be better off with him on the throne. And Gwanghae knows that's true, as much as he's resisted even the idea of becoming king...so now it seems like he's wavering. Their talk is interrupted by news of Yun Dusu's arrival. Not wanting to be discovered with Gwanghae, Song goes outside to meet Yun...
Yun demands, politely but firmly, that Song withdraw his request. He knows Song is pushing for a truce, and he knows that Song knows he knows. Everybody knows. (Follow that one!) Yun adds, "We won't stop fighting against Wae" and says he's not going to move from the spot he's standing on until Song stops meddling and presses for a victory. And he sits down right there on that spot. Song basically shrugs him off and goes back inside...
...where Gwanghae has heard that whole confrontation. It certainly doesn't calm the prince any, but still he certainly isn't as angry has he was when he first showed up. "We're not telling you to take initiative," Shen says. "We'll handle everything. You just have to wait." And Song tells him, "Joseon needs to be stable for Ming to be peaceful." Which Gwanghae can't argue with, so he doesn't...he doesn't give them an answer, but he's not saying no, is he. Song has him escorted discreetly out through a rear entrance so no one will see him having left after so long...
...but remember, consort Kim's brother is still acting as a servant of Gwanghae's, and he goes right to his sister and tells him what's happening. He thinks it's a done deal and is surprised by her anger about it; he sort of figured she was trying to get closer to the crown prince because she accepted the inevitability of it all. But now. Then he asks her for some silver; says it's to bribe the Ming envoys. "It's all for your future," he says.
Same evening: "What are you thinking about?" Wow that got back to Seonjo in a big hurry. So quickly that he went right outside and intercepted Gwanghae on his way back home and confronts him about where he was and what he was doing. Gwanghae gives him vague answers but says "I only follow your orders" and "I am your hands and feet." Seonjo is unmoved. "If the Ming emperor's order is different from mine, whose will you follow?" Gwanghae hesitates, tellingly, and then looks at him without fear. "Are you afraid that I might have other intentions?" Wow, this is a very bold attitude from him. But he doesn't force the issue. "Don't worry, I will only follow orders that come from you." "I'll remember that," Seonjo answers sternly, and walks away, probably not convinced at all.
Gwanghae goes back home and gets a rude visit from Yu Join, who barges in after Gwanghae tells him to go away! Yu knows what's going on (apparently everybody does). He served with Gwanghae during the dual-government period and encourages him to accept Song's proposal. The prince fires back, "You want me to be an undutiful son?" And sounds like he means it, so obviously he's still on the fence and hasn't decided. "Please think about it," Yu urges, arguing that what's good for Ming is what's good for Joseon and that that's the most important thing.
Ryu is in Hanyang, apparently helping prepare for the government's return. He learns that it's been two days and Yun Dusu is still out there in front of Song's quarters; hasn't even had a drink of water. Decides to head north to Yeongju.
Consort Kim goes to Seonjo and tells him about Gwanghae being at Song's quarters when Yun went there. Seonjo is shocked (Why should he be? Seemed like he knew about it that same night). "The crown prince is willing" to accept Song's offer, she says, because at the meeting she set up for them, "he let his feelings show a bit." Flimsy evidence, to say the least, but Seonjo believes it. But then he asks her why she's telling him this, as though he doubts her loyalty to him. She's shocked that he would question her loyalty. "If you're going to misunderstand like that, just kill me." That ought to be enough from her but it isn't. He asks, "Could you only follow me even if I wasn't the king?" Huh? That was irrelevant and uncalled for...and then shocks her by telling her he's decided to give up the throne! I mean it this time, he says; it's not a test of officials' loyalty. "I have no power if Song Yingchang wants to support the crown prince." But just now Ryu arrives and tells him to stop being weak. "You have to take responsibility and end this war." But can he possibly keep his throne? Ryu says there's a way.
"Lie in bed ill? I'm not ill; why should I?" Ryu goes to Gwanghae and spells it out for him. Gwanghae doesn't deny he's considering the offer; says he did a good job during the dual government and would do this job well too. Ryu agrees with him; says he's the most worthy among all the princes and the best suited to take the throne someday. "But not now. Not like this." The current king and court, he explains, have to be the ones to end this war. "You can succeed the throne after that and you must create a new Joseon." Taking the throne now would make him look illegitimate because of Ming's influence, and he wouldn't be free of Ming's interference. "You can't ruin yourself and this country because of ambition." Be strong, he advises, and wait your turn. "You will become a great ruler. Please be wise about this situation." Gwanghae looks like a bus hit him. He hadn't thought things through anywhere near that thoroughly and he can't argue with anything Ryu has said. All he can do is meekly nod a bit. Wow.
Ryu goes to Song and Shen and presents them with a letter from Gwanghae. Gwanghae writes that he's weak from illness and can't lead the southern provinces right now. Song knows it's a scam; Ryu knows that Song knows, etc. etc. but Song can't challenge it. All he can do is accept. "Tell him I hope he recovers soon." Song goes inside, and Ryu turns to Yun Dusu who's still sitting there. Get up, Ryu tells him, problem solved for now. But Ryu is so weak he passes out.
Now inside, Song vents the anger he didn't vent to Ryu. He knows this was Ryu's interference. "You want a fight, huh?" Narration tells us that this was in August of `1593 and that "the matter was settled by saying that prince Gwanghae was ill" but that Song continued to try to control the Joseon court.
Hanyang: Now Song and Shen are with Li Rusong. They tell Li to prepare to withdraw the army to Yodong! To teach the king a lesson. Then a letter arrives for Li from Yi Sunsin of all people. Li seems to only barely know Yi's name; has no familiarity with him. Reads the letter, which says that the Japanese are staying on land and building fortresses, making it difficult for Yi's forces to attack them. If the Ming army will attack from land, Yi writes, and drive them out to sea, we will destroy them. And Yi adds, maybe not entirely wisely, "If Ming reaches a truce with Wae, we aren't an army with divine help." Song is amazed. "He must be crazy. Didn't he receive my order not to fight?" Shen tells him that Yi is close with Ryu. "We have another headache," Song says, groaning a bit. Tells Shen to head south.
Left Jeolla naval headquarters: Yi Sunsin is surprised to hear of the arrival of a Ming official. Yi receives Shen politely; Shen explains that "The chief administrator told me to check out your camp for military preparedness" since you're so close to the enemy. And surprises Yi by saying that the truce he's heard about is just a ruse to achieve victory.
Yi gives Shen the grand tour; shows him the entire camp, and includes a demonstration of the new musket unit...which looks very good, Shen is genuinely surprised. Everything is very impressive, undeniably, and clearly it makes a strong impression on Shen. Afterwards they sit down and Yi tries to brief Shen on the military situation. But Shen wants to talk about those rations he saw. There's a big supply of grains in the camp. Yi explains that it may look like a lot, but they're supplying other military camps too and sending some to the court, so actually they don't have any sort of surplus for themselves here. Suddenly Shen turns hostile and asks why the Ming army isn't receiving any of those rations. But they are; in fact, they receive more than anyone else. It's not enough, Shen says; send them all to us. Doink! And holds up a written order from Song demanding just that. The usually stoic Yi stand up and gets angry. "Did you come to paralyze our camp using an inspection as an excuse?"
Gwanghae hears about it...and recalls Song telling him, "To be honest, I don't trust his majesty that much" and pitching the same idea to him.
Consort Kim hears about it, and realizes exactly what Song is trying to do.
The three officials fear that Song will agree to a truce with the enemy--and the possible loss of Joseon's southern provinces--if they don't comply with his request. They figure the only way out of this may be to get Song replaced with someone else and get rid of him entirely. But is there any possible way to do that?
They go to Luo Shangzhi and ask for his help. Luo is sympathetic and knows Song has no business meddling in Joseon's domestic affairs. And he's angry to hear about the phony report that Song sent to the emperor. But he's only a subordinate general, hardly a high enough position to be able to help with this kind of a problem. And he has to lay low anyway because Song ordered an investigation to find out who's been helping the Joseon army with its new training setup. Plus, he says that the emperor isn't paying any attention to state affairs lately anyway and that Song has allies in the court who control the information that does or doesn't get to the emperor in the first place. Ugh.
Evening: Yun tries to encourage a pouting, whining Seonjo. When Yun hears that general Luo can't help, he apparently makes up his mind about something and tells Seonjo that "I will put my life on the line to settle this." Hmm...what?
Song knows he has the Joseonese in a tough spot and fully expects Seonjo to comply. And now he tells Shen Weijing that he's arranged for the emperor to issue an order compelling Joseon to reinstitute the dual government and have Gwanghae rule over the south, as Song wants. "I told the court the Joseon king is incapable," he says with a smug smile, and that Yodong and Ming are in danger because of Seonjo. And now just as he expected would happen, here comes an angry prince Gwanghae, arriving at his quarters and furious about his meddling. Gwanghae complains loudly but Song gets right to the heart of the matter and tells him in a calm voice, "We just want you to be the king of Joseon." Gwanghae is horrified and even fears for his life...at first. But Song patiently explains that they think the country would be better off with him on the throne. And Gwanghae knows that's true, as much as he's resisted even the idea of becoming king...so now it seems like he's wavering. Their talk is interrupted by news of Yun Dusu's arrival. Not wanting to be discovered with Gwanghae, Song goes outside to meet Yun...
Yun demands, politely but firmly, that Song withdraw his request. He knows Song is pushing for a truce, and he knows that Song knows he knows. Everybody knows. (Follow that one!) Yun adds, "We won't stop fighting against Wae" and says he's not going to move from the spot he's standing on until Song stops meddling and presses for a victory. And he sits down right there on that spot. Song basically shrugs him off and goes back inside...
...where Gwanghae has heard that whole confrontation. It certainly doesn't calm the prince any, but still he certainly isn't as angry has he was when he first showed up. "We're not telling you to take initiative," Shen says. "We'll handle everything. You just have to wait." And Song tells him, "Joseon needs to be stable for Ming to be peaceful." Which Gwanghae can't argue with, so he doesn't...he doesn't give them an answer, but he's not saying no, is he. Song has him escorted discreetly out through a rear entrance so no one will see him having left after so long...
...but remember, consort Kim's brother is still acting as a servant of Gwanghae's, and he goes right to his sister and tells him what's happening. He thinks it's a done deal and is surprised by her anger about it; he sort of figured she was trying to get closer to the crown prince because she accepted the inevitability of it all. But now. Then he asks her for some silver; says it's to bribe the Ming envoys. "It's all for your future," he says.
Same evening: "What are you thinking about?" Wow that got back to Seonjo in a big hurry. So quickly that he went right outside and intercepted Gwanghae on his way back home and confronts him about where he was and what he was doing. Gwanghae gives him vague answers but says "I only follow your orders" and "I am your hands and feet." Seonjo is unmoved. "If the Ming emperor's order is different from mine, whose will you follow?" Gwanghae hesitates, tellingly, and then looks at him without fear. "Are you afraid that I might have other intentions?" Wow, this is a very bold attitude from him. But he doesn't force the issue. "Don't worry, I will only follow orders that come from you." "I'll remember that," Seonjo answers sternly, and walks away, probably not convinced at all.
Gwanghae goes back home and gets a rude visit from Yu Join, who barges in after Gwanghae tells him to go away! Yu knows what's going on (apparently everybody does). He served with Gwanghae during the dual-government period and encourages him to accept Song's proposal. The prince fires back, "You want me to be an undutiful son?" And sounds like he means it, so obviously he's still on the fence and hasn't decided. "Please think about it," Yu urges, arguing that what's good for Ming is what's good for Joseon and that that's the most important thing.
Ryu is in Hanyang, apparently helping prepare for the government's return. He learns that it's been two days and Yun Dusu is still out there in front of Song's quarters; hasn't even had a drink of water. Decides to head north to Yeongju.
Consort Kim goes to Seonjo and tells him about Gwanghae being at Song's quarters when Yun went there. Seonjo is shocked (Why should he be? Seemed like he knew about it that same night). "The crown prince is willing" to accept Song's offer, she says, because at the meeting she set up for them, "he let his feelings show a bit." Flimsy evidence, to say the least, but Seonjo believes it. But then he asks her why she's telling him this, as though he doubts her loyalty to him. She's shocked that he would question her loyalty. "If you're going to misunderstand like that, just kill me." That ought to be enough from her but it isn't. He asks, "Could you only follow me even if I wasn't the king?" Huh? That was irrelevant and uncalled for...and then shocks her by telling her he's decided to give up the throne! I mean it this time, he says; it's not a test of officials' loyalty. "I have no power if Song Yingchang wants to support the crown prince." But just now Ryu arrives and tells him to stop being weak. "You have to take responsibility and end this war." But can he possibly keep his throne? Ryu says there's a way.
"Lie in bed ill? I'm not ill; why should I?" Ryu goes to Gwanghae and spells it out for him. Gwanghae doesn't deny he's considering the offer; says he did a good job during the dual government and would do this job well too. Ryu agrees with him; says he's the most worthy among all the princes and the best suited to take the throne someday. "But not now. Not like this." The current king and court, he explains, have to be the ones to end this war. "You can succeed the throne after that and you must create a new Joseon." Taking the throne now would make him look illegitimate because of Ming's influence, and he wouldn't be free of Ming's interference. "You can't ruin yourself and this country because of ambition." Be strong, he advises, and wait your turn. "You will become a great ruler. Please be wise about this situation." Gwanghae looks like a bus hit him. He hadn't thought things through anywhere near that thoroughly and he can't argue with anything Ryu has said. All he can do is meekly nod a bit. Wow.
Ryu goes to Song and Shen and presents them with a letter from Gwanghae. Gwanghae writes that he's weak from illness and can't lead the southern provinces right now. Song knows it's a scam; Ryu knows that Song knows, etc. etc. but Song can't challenge it. All he can do is accept. "Tell him I hope he recovers soon." Song goes inside, and Ryu turns to Yun Dusu who's still sitting there. Get up, Ryu tells him, problem solved for now. But Ryu is so weak he passes out.
Now inside, Song vents the anger he didn't vent to Ryu. He knows this was Ryu's interference. "You want a fight, huh?" Narration tells us that this was in August of `1593 and that "the matter was settled by saying that prince Gwanghae was ill" but that Song continued to try to control the Joseon court.
Hanyang: Now Song and Shen are with Li Rusong. They tell Li to prepare to withdraw the army to Yodong! To teach the king a lesson. Then a letter arrives for Li from Yi Sunsin of all people. Li seems to only barely know Yi's name; has no familiarity with him. Reads the letter, which says that the Japanese are staying on land and building fortresses, making it difficult for Yi's forces to attack them. If the Ming army will attack from land, Yi writes, and drive them out to sea, we will destroy them. And Yi adds, maybe not entirely wisely, "If Ming reaches a truce with Wae, we aren't an army with divine help." Song is amazed. "He must be crazy. Didn't he receive my order not to fight?" Shen tells him that Yi is close with Ryu. "We have another headache," Song says, groaning a bit. Tells Shen to head south.
Left Jeolla naval headquarters: Yi Sunsin is surprised to hear of the arrival of a Ming official. Yi receives Shen politely; Shen explains that "The chief administrator told me to check out your camp for military preparedness" since you're so close to the enemy. And surprises Yi by saying that the truce he's heard about is just a ruse to achieve victory.
Yi gives Shen the grand tour; shows him the entire camp, and includes a demonstration of the new musket unit...which looks very good, Shen is genuinely surprised. Everything is very impressive, undeniably, and clearly it makes a strong impression on Shen. Afterwards they sit down and Yi tries to brief Shen on the military situation. But Shen wants to talk about those rations he saw. There's a big supply of grains in the camp. Yi explains that it may look like a lot, but they're supplying other military camps too and sending some to the court, so actually they don't have any sort of surplus for themselves here. Suddenly Shen turns hostile and asks why the Ming army isn't receiving any of those rations. But they are; in fact, they receive more than anyone else. It's not enough, Shen says; send them all to us. Doink! And holds up a written order from Song demanding just that. The usually stoic Yi stand up and gets angry. "Did you come to paralyze our camp using an inspection as an excuse?"
