Post by ajk on Aug 2, 2015 20:23:30 GMT -5
"Do not pass on the throne! Depose me as the crown prince!" As promised, Gwanghae is outside his father's residence, on his knees and shouting for freedom from what for him has become an intolerable burden. And now here comes a big group of officials behind him; they kneel and ask the king to reconsider (not because they dislike Gwanghae, they just don't want the king to abdicate).
"He wants to be deposed? Ugh, what is he thinking?" Seonjo hoped that Gwanghae would figure it all out and stay quiet. Certainly not this. This would only make it worse for Seonjo with Ming; they'll assume he pressured Gwanghae in order to thwart their plans. Which is true...but he also thinks Gwanghae isn't being sincere now, which isn't true.
Song and Shen are angry, of course. Song thinks Gwanghae is being immature, but Shen insightfully realizes that the prince is simply frustrated over the situation he's been stuck in and is frustrated. Tells Song not to worry about it. But Song is still concerned.
And so is Si Xian, the new envoy. "What a pain."
Seonjo decides to send Gwanghae to Si Xian. Figures Si Xian will talk him straight and stop his protesting to be deposed.
"You want to go against the emperor's order?" Gwanghae went and took Ryu with him. He tells Si Xian that he's sick--he's still sticking with that story. Si doesn't seem to buy it any more than Song or Shen did...but at least Ryu convinces Si that Seonjo wouldn't go against an imperial order and isn't trying himself to force Gwanghae away. Fine, Si says...but he can't go back home empty-handed after delivering an imperial order. I'll stay here a while longer, he tells the prince. "Recover and then obey the order."
Ryu and the prince leave; they've bought some time now, until they can find a way to get the order rescinded. Ryu quietly praises Gwanghae for being loyal and agreeing to tolerate all this after everything he's been put through. (Well, actually, as we see in flashback, Ryu had sent the prince a letter advising him exactly what to do and why, so he's happy that the prince followed his advice.) Gwanghae comes clean and says he's no longer loyal to the king (!) and is only going along with all of this "because I don't want to rule a divided nation."
Next day: More kneeling and shouting from Gwanghae and officials. Then, how about this, Seonjo comes outside. "Get up. I will withdraw what I said." So stop asking to be deposed. And apparently that's the end of any talk about giving up the throne. Gwanghae tells him he's sincere and just wants to go to a temple and pray.
Ryu has had people trying to learn more about Si Xian but nobody in his party will talk, not even bribes to loosen their tongues. Then Yun walks in and delivers some incredibly valuable information. Turns out he has a brother "who knows the Ming court well." Told him that Ming's ministry of rites (Si's ministry) strongly dislikes Japan; the war ministry (Song's ministry) favors good relations with Japan; and the two ministries "don't have a good relationship." Ryu gasps, immediately realizing the implications. They immediately go to visit Si.
"What? The Wae army didn't retreat? Song Yingchang deceived the emperor?" Ryu and Yun spill the whole story. Si is so shocked that he wonders if Ryu and Yun are lying to cause trouble. Fortunately, they were prepared for that reaction and have brought a witness: Luo Shangzhi! What a smart move.
What's going on here? Kim Su is leading a delegation to Ming. They're just starting out on their trip. We don't know what the reason is for this delegation. (Maybe was lost when the episode was edited for KBS World.) As with the previous delegation, Shen Weijing intercepts them before they leave the city and orders a thorough search performed. But they don't check the wagon wheels, so the royal letter that obviously must be in the hollowed-out wheel spoke we saw, it's not discovered and the delegation leaves without incident.
Luo has just confirmed everything that Ryu and Yun said. Si realizes that dividing the country is unnecessary and that the whole situation needs to be cleared up. He goes to Seonjo and tells him he'll tell the emperor about all this. However..."A royal order is still a royal order" and so you at least need to establish a military council ("mugunsa") in the south and have the crown prince lead it. Seonjo is reluctant...but come on, it certainly seems reasonable enough as a compromise measure for now. A simple enough thing to do and it won't split the country. So he agrees to it.
Afterwards, Yun suggests to Ryu that since a military council will be established in the south, Joseon should also attack the enemy and defeat them now! Too soon, Ryu counters; we're not strong enough yet. Ryu angrily disagrees.
Uiju: "What? Si Xian knows everything?!" Song and Shen are headed back home, but the bad news overtakes them. Song has a fit. They're screwed and they know it. And then later they happen to meet Si in a public street as he heads home as well. Si minces no words; flat-out accuses them of deceiving the emperor. "Just wait for a summons," he tells them, and heads away.
Ming: Hey, idiot emperor! Sits on his throne for the first time in six months. "Time sure flies," he says with a laugh. Kim Su is in front of him. We learn that his delegation is supposed to be simply for expression of gratitude for Ming's help. Shi Xing, the defense minister, is there and actually tries to do all the talking, but Kim Su manages to get the truth out: that the enemy didn't retreat from Joseon after all. And with perfect timing, Si Xian returns home, walks into the throne room and confirms everything. The emperor can't believe it. "A truce?" His smile vanishes and he glares at Shi, who's been trying to explain it all away as a misunderstanding. "Just because I don't oversee national affairs, do you think I'm a fool?" He orders Song summoned immediately. Kim Su breathes a sigh of relief and Shi can only grimace.
Narration then tells us that the whole thing unraveled in December 1593; Song lost his position and Shen was briefly imprisoned. As the narrator speaks we see Song and Shen kneeling before the emperor, and wow is the emperor letting them have it with both barrels. Pacing, pointing, screaming, yikes. Amazing that those two left with their heads on. And that (good news) a new administrator was assigned to replace Song but that (bad news) he stayed in Yodong and showed no more inclination to drive the enemy out of Joseon than Song did.
Busan: "You never do anything right." Word has arrived there now. For once it's Kato's chance to have the last word and berate Konishi. Makes the little slashing motion with his hand, like, Hideyoshi's gonna chop your head off. "You poor thing." Very funny. But So Yoshitoshi is still in Yodong waiting to see the Ming emperor, and that part of Konishi's scheme is still unexposed--the part with the phony surrender offer--and Konishi tells Ukita they still may get what they want. Especially with the new administrator showing the same reluctance to fight that Song showed. Ukita agrees and decides to wait and see what happens with the envoys.
Gwanghae doesn't want to lead the mugunsa council; tells his father he's "exhausted." Seonjo doesn't want to send him--and he means it--but he tells his son he has no choice.
The high officials are meeting to make final plans for establishment of the mugunsa council. It turns into a big, nasty argument about whether or not Joseon should fight the enemy now, without waiting for Ming's help. Yun is pushing for action; he gets Lee Hangbok to agree with him but no one else. Undeterred, Yun wants to ask the generals in the south what they think.
Afterwards Lee Deokhyeong tries to change Lee Hangbok's mind, but Hangbok is firm. And adds, "many generals want to fight."
"I'm sure the generals want to fight," Ryu tells Lee Deokhyeong later. But we can't let our emotions get the better of us. Lee is worried that Ryu and Lee Hangbok and the generals will try to submit an appeal.
"We have a chance of winning?" Yun and Lee Hangbok are pitching their case to a surprised Seonjo.
Nighttime: Seonjo is in bed with Consort Kim. She does him a big favor. (I mean, besides the obvious one.) Points out to him that if Joseon attacks the enemy now and should be lucky enough to defeat them...with Gwanghae in charge of the military council...well, "You won't be the one to overcome this crisis. It will be the crown prince." You can see the light bulb go on in Seonjo's head.
Next day: Seonjo summons Ryu and tells him he doesn't think it's the right time to attack yet. Ryu shocks him by calling him on his reason for deciding it: "I'm sure it would be a burden for you if mugunsa led by the crown prince became so powerful." But before the angry glare Seonjo shoots him turns into anything more, Ryu advises explicitly limiting the mugunsa activities to recruiting and training. And send Yun Dusu and Lee Hangbok to the south to ensure that. Seonjo answers, "You want me to kick them off the court?"
"He wants to be deposed? Ugh, what is he thinking?" Seonjo hoped that Gwanghae would figure it all out and stay quiet. Certainly not this. This would only make it worse for Seonjo with Ming; they'll assume he pressured Gwanghae in order to thwart their plans. Which is true...but he also thinks Gwanghae isn't being sincere now, which isn't true.
Song and Shen are angry, of course. Song thinks Gwanghae is being immature, but Shen insightfully realizes that the prince is simply frustrated over the situation he's been stuck in and is frustrated. Tells Song not to worry about it. But Song is still concerned.
And so is Si Xian, the new envoy. "What a pain."
Seonjo decides to send Gwanghae to Si Xian. Figures Si Xian will talk him straight and stop his protesting to be deposed.
"You want to go against the emperor's order?" Gwanghae went and took Ryu with him. He tells Si Xian that he's sick--he's still sticking with that story. Si doesn't seem to buy it any more than Song or Shen did...but at least Ryu convinces Si that Seonjo wouldn't go against an imperial order and isn't trying himself to force Gwanghae away. Fine, Si says...but he can't go back home empty-handed after delivering an imperial order. I'll stay here a while longer, he tells the prince. "Recover and then obey the order."
Ryu and the prince leave; they've bought some time now, until they can find a way to get the order rescinded. Ryu quietly praises Gwanghae for being loyal and agreeing to tolerate all this after everything he's been put through. (Well, actually, as we see in flashback, Ryu had sent the prince a letter advising him exactly what to do and why, so he's happy that the prince followed his advice.) Gwanghae comes clean and says he's no longer loyal to the king (!) and is only going along with all of this "because I don't want to rule a divided nation."
Next day: More kneeling and shouting from Gwanghae and officials. Then, how about this, Seonjo comes outside. "Get up. I will withdraw what I said." So stop asking to be deposed. And apparently that's the end of any talk about giving up the throne. Gwanghae tells him he's sincere and just wants to go to a temple and pray.
Ryu has had people trying to learn more about Si Xian but nobody in his party will talk, not even bribes to loosen their tongues. Then Yun walks in and delivers some incredibly valuable information. Turns out he has a brother "who knows the Ming court well." Told him that Ming's ministry of rites (Si's ministry) strongly dislikes Japan; the war ministry (Song's ministry) favors good relations with Japan; and the two ministries "don't have a good relationship." Ryu gasps, immediately realizing the implications. They immediately go to visit Si.
"What? The Wae army didn't retreat? Song Yingchang deceived the emperor?" Ryu and Yun spill the whole story. Si is so shocked that he wonders if Ryu and Yun are lying to cause trouble. Fortunately, they were prepared for that reaction and have brought a witness: Luo Shangzhi! What a smart move.
What's going on here? Kim Su is leading a delegation to Ming. They're just starting out on their trip. We don't know what the reason is for this delegation. (Maybe was lost when the episode was edited for KBS World.) As with the previous delegation, Shen Weijing intercepts them before they leave the city and orders a thorough search performed. But they don't check the wagon wheels, so the royal letter that obviously must be in the hollowed-out wheel spoke we saw, it's not discovered and the delegation leaves without incident.
Luo has just confirmed everything that Ryu and Yun said. Si realizes that dividing the country is unnecessary and that the whole situation needs to be cleared up. He goes to Seonjo and tells him he'll tell the emperor about all this. However..."A royal order is still a royal order" and so you at least need to establish a military council ("mugunsa") in the south and have the crown prince lead it. Seonjo is reluctant...but come on, it certainly seems reasonable enough as a compromise measure for now. A simple enough thing to do and it won't split the country. So he agrees to it.
Afterwards, Yun suggests to Ryu that since a military council will be established in the south, Joseon should also attack the enemy and defeat them now! Too soon, Ryu counters; we're not strong enough yet. Ryu angrily disagrees.
Uiju: "What? Si Xian knows everything?!" Song and Shen are headed back home, but the bad news overtakes them. Song has a fit. They're screwed and they know it. And then later they happen to meet Si in a public street as he heads home as well. Si minces no words; flat-out accuses them of deceiving the emperor. "Just wait for a summons," he tells them, and heads away.
Ming: Hey, idiot emperor! Sits on his throne for the first time in six months. "Time sure flies," he says with a laugh. Kim Su is in front of him. We learn that his delegation is supposed to be simply for expression of gratitude for Ming's help. Shi Xing, the defense minister, is there and actually tries to do all the talking, but Kim Su manages to get the truth out: that the enemy didn't retreat from Joseon after all. And with perfect timing, Si Xian returns home, walks into the throne room and confirms everything. The emperor can't believe it. "A truce?" His smile vanishes and he glares at Shi, who's been trying to explain it all away as a misunderstanding. "Just because I don't oversee national affairs, do you think I'm a fool?" He orders Song summoned immediately. Kim Su breathes a sigh of relief and Shi can only grimace.
Narration then tells us that the whole thing unraveled in December 1593; Song lost his position and Shen was briefly imprisoned. As the narrator speaks we see Song and Shen kneeling before the emperor, and wow is the emperor letting them have it with both barrels. Pacing, pointing, screaming, yikes. Amazing that those two left with their heads on. And that (good news) a new administrator was assigned to replace Song but that (bad news) he stayed in Yodong and showed no more inclination to drive the enemy out of Joseon than Song did.
Busan: "You never do anything right." Word has arrived there now. For once it's Kato's chance to have the last word and berate Konishi. Makes the little slashing motion with his hand, like, Hideyoshi's gonna chop your head off. "You poor thing." Very funny. But So Yoshitoshi is still in Yodong waiting to see the Ming emperor, and that part of Konishi's scheme is still unexposed--the part with the phony surrender offer--and Konishi tells Ukita they still may get what they want. Especially with the new administrator showing the same reluctance to fight that Song showed. Ukita agrees and decides to wait and see what happens with the envoys.
Gwanghae doesn't want to lead the mugunsa council; tells his father he's "exhausted." Seonjo doesn't want to send him--and he means it--but he tells his son he has no choice.
The high officials are meeting to make final plans for establishment of the mugunsa council. It turns into a big, nasty argument about whether or not Joseon should fight the enemy now, without waiting for Ming's help. Yun is pushing for action; he gets Lee Hangbok to agree with him but no one else. Undeterred, Yun wants to ask the generals in the south what they think.
Afterwards Lee Deokhyeong tries to change Lee Hangbok's mind, but Hangbok is firm. And adds, "many generals want to fight."
"I'm sure the generals want to fight," Ryu tells Lee Deokhyeong later. But we can't let our emotions get the better of us. Lee is worried that Ryu and Lee Hangbok and the generals will try to submit an appeal.
"We have a chance of winning?" Yun and Lee Hangbok are pitching their case to a surprised Seonjo.
Nighttime: Seonjo is in bed with Consort Kim. She does him a big favor. (I mean, besides the obvious one.) Points out to him that if Joseon attacks the enemy now and should be lucky enough to defeat them...with Gwanghae in charge of the military council...well, "You won't be the one to overcome this crisis. It will be the crown prince." You can see the light bulb go on in Seonjo's head.
Next day: Seonjo summons Ryu and tells him he doesn't think it's the right time to attack yet. Ryu shocks him by calling him on his reason for deciding it: "I'm sure it would be a burden for you if mugunsa led by the crown prince became so powerful." But before the angry glare Seonjo shoots him turns into anything more, Ryu advises explicitly limiting the mugunsa activities to recruiting and training. And send Yun Dusu and Lee Hangbok to the south to ensure that. Seonjo answers, "You want me to kick them off the court?"
