Post by ajk on Jun 11, 2008 15:11:29 GMT -5
(If you didn't see this one, hang on to something because it's a wild ride.)
(I’m not kidding.)
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"Secure the audience hall within one hour and take Yi Bangwon's head!" We hear a voiceover of orders from Ok Hwan as rebels advance through the palace. A palace building is set on fire--but maybe this is a diversion. The military troops see the building burning, but the Yis tell them (correctly so), "Stay calm!"
Flashback to the previous day: Jo Malseng is telling the king that they've discovered secret passages beneath the palace. (So that's why Taejong is so calm as the rebels approach; he knows exactly what they're going to try.) Flashback ending, we see rebels in the tunnel underneath the throne room...and then they're trapped from both sides in the tunnel by government troops--led by Yangnyeong, of all people.
The queen is sitting silently, with escort Han standing by her. We hear the sounds of swords clanking in the distance. Han begs her to evacuate the palace. But the queen ignores her, and then stuns her by producing a dagger. The queen puts it on the table in front of her--in case she needs to use it.
"The queen's hall?" Hwang Hee is horrified; he's been told that there's another tunnel exit. Apparently they didn't discover it. (Somebody should get fired for that; dumb mistake.)
The king, Jo Malseng and Noh Huibong are still in the throne room, silent and waiting.
Choongnyeong and Gang Sangin reach the walls of the palace complex and see dead bodies all around.
Historical flashback: We see king Taejo's eunuch Gim Sahaeng notating a map of the palace complex with red paint. He appears to be marking access points of the secret tunnel. Then we again see the scene shown in the previous episode, of Gim dying at Yi Bangwon's hands while trying to protect prince Bangseok. Over the two flashbacks we hear the voice of Jeon Ilji, continuing to read the text of the letter that he wrote to Choongnyeong (and started to read aloud in the previous episode). He explains that Gim had the tunnel built for the sole purpose of giving the king an escape route. And he says, "If your father Yi Bangwon had not struck down his loyalty, his escape route would not be used now as an attack route by our revolutionary army." (Comment: It's remarkable that Ilji put all this in a letter beforehand and apparently entrusted that it would not be seen by Choongnyeong (or anyone else) until it was too late. Hmmm...)
Behind a company of government troops, rebels appear on rooftops and throw explosives down into the troops. The troops scatter around in the commotion and the rebels attack in another wave, with great success.
Still the king waits, silently. Finally Noh Huibong can't take it any more. He kneels before the king and says, "Forgive me your majesty. I must borrow your royal gown. The rebels are drawing near. You must save yourself." But Taejong pays him no mind, and continues to wait calmly.... (Never play poker with this guy.)
Rebels led by Muby and Ilji have made it inside the king's building. "Keep it up," Muby encourages them, "we're almost there." They turn to run down a hallway, and are stopped in their tracks at the sight of...Choongnyeong! He stands alone and unarmed. They all take a step back, probably out of disbelief.
Gang Sangin enters the throne room with a squad of guards. "Thank goodness you're all right, your majesty." And still the king stays cool.
Choongnyeong and Ilji stare each other down. They challenge each other, Ilji first: "It appears you don't appreciate being alive." "Neither do you." "Do you think you can stop me? Do you want to die for your father?" No answer from the prince. "Get out of here. It's the last favor I can do for you." The prince doesn't move. Then as Ilji turns away, an unexpected answer: "I'm sorry." Choongnyeong continues: "My father will never say those words even at the verge of death. And yet...and yet I had to come back because he is my father. Won't you take me instead? If there's a crime that you want my father and this country Joseon to pay for, can't I pay instead?" Jeon won't have it: "Get out of here, I said!" Then from off to the side: "Why are you trying to let the enemy get out of here alive?" It's Muby, and he's had enough. He demands of Ilji, "Are you going to let your feelings interfere with your duty?" Ilji answers, "He is unarmed." Muby doesn't care. "Kill him!" Ilji doesn't move. So Muby draws his sword, raises it at Choongnyeong, and strikes--but Ilji jumps in front of the prince and takes the blow! At that moment Gang Sangin and his men turn a corner from behind and discover the rebels. A wild battle ensues in the palace corridors, with combatants fighting wildly in the close quarters and crashing through walls. With Sangin staring him down, Muby orders other rebels, "Leave him to me and get back to master. Take him to safety!" Then Muby and Sangin duel, and it's incredibly intense. Pretty soon Sangin gets knocked to the floor, but with a great move recovers and skewers Muby right through the midsection. And then twists. And then lunges so hard that it pushes Muby back to a wall and the point of the sword goes through the wall. Lights out for Muby. (BIG props to Sangin. Muby is one tough customer with a sword and Sangin whupped him.)
Ilji is laying unconscious against Choongnyeong, who tries to waken him but finds blood all over Ilji's side. Then Ilji stirs. "Would you...get me up?" The prince sits him up. "Darn it...I still have so much to teach you about the Chinese language." And then, referring to Choongnyeong's comment to him in Ep27: "It's not arrogance. It's foolishness. A fool who considered me as your teacher? No. A friend? Even though you knew I was your enemy." He coughs up blood. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to leave a fool like you behind in this world." His eyes close, and he dies on Choongnyeong's shoulder. Just then Um Jachi and Jeong Ogeun run into the hall and find the prince. "No, don't wake him up," Choongnyeong tells the eunuchs. "A friend is sleeping." They all cry over Ilji's death.
From the distant elevation, Ok Hwan and Auri watch the palace. Ok can see that light still shines from the king's audience hall. "I guess it's time to end the fight," he says.
Ok approaches the palace walls, alone. Seeing Yi Jongmu, he shouts, "Relay my message to Yi Bangwon: the rebel leader requests a meeting." Next, as he stands there among the dead bodies, we see that the king, princes and ministers have come out and are looking at him. Ok begins: "I've come to die. Would you allow me to take my own life among my friends?" Yi Sookbun snarls and wants blood, but Taejong silences him with a hand. Ok smiles: "At least you know how to be a graceful winner." He goes on, patiently and deliberately: "I admit defeat. You are the winner. But you are not a king yet. Dynastic revolution, changing the surname of the king from Wang to Yi--that is all your sword can do. Remember, Goryeo fell twenty years ago not because you were strong but because we were weak and corrupt. But if you replace that corruption and weakness with tyranny and oppression, not only will you not be a true king, but that tyranny and oppression will be the cause of your demise. I ask you for the people of Joseon who were once children of Goryeo: let me be your last enemy." Then he kneels, methodically takes out a dagger, and hara-kiris himself. And falls dead.
The next morning: We see Auri walking outdoors, by herself. "Would you remember us?" Flashback to more of the scene on the elevation, the previous night. Ok says, "Remember me and my comrades not as merciless killers seething with rage against the government, but as revolutionaries who died fighting for a better world." Flashback ending, we can tell she's still trying to come to grips with it all, and she starts crying.
Choongnyeong is before his father. The king asks, "Did you come back to save the king and protect the regime? If so..." But the prince cuts him off: No, "I came back because I couldn't let my father die. My mind has not changed." Taejong's back is turned; the prince bows to his back, turns and leaves the building. Outside, Yangnyeong is standing there among the bodies. "Do you still think you're right?", he asks. (In that context, it's a loaded and interesting question, if you think about it.) Choongnyeong doesn't answer, just continues walking away through the litter of dead bodies.
As he walks, the bodies fade and disappear from the picture. Then we see a final view of Yangnyeong standing alone in the empty plaza; the bodies are gone. Yangnyeong now has facial hair and looks a bit different. This sequence is apparently to indicate the passage of time--a flash-forward. (Credit to member jochicago for the insight. Subsequent scenes make clear that time has passed.)
******************FLASH FORWARD SEVERAL YEARS****************
The king is outside by a beautiful mountain lake. He's fishing. An older man is fishing with him; Noh Huibong stands by and other attendants stand further back. The king calmly says, "I wish to abdicate the throne." The old man, identified to us as Yu Jeonghyun, doesn't believe him. Then he says, "Prolonged emotional weakness has made you physically weak as well." I'll have some medicines prepared, he says, but Taejong interrupts, asking him to be prime minister. He wants him to help stabilize things for the crown prince for when Yangnyeong becomes king. "I want to make sure while I am alive that Joseon is strong enough to last a thousand years. I will never rest in peace otherwise."
Officials are gathering for an important announcement from the king. Lagging behind them is Yun Hwe; he's back to drinking again and staggers forward. Yi Su grabs him as he stumbles. We learn that Yi Su is now in government service. "Why would you get involved in government," Yun asks with dark amusement, "after the way we sent Choongnyeong off?" Yi answers, "Everybody has their own way of punishing themselves." (Pretty funny exchange, actually.)
The announcement: The king explains that because of his physical condition (apparently he's been sick for some period of time now), he cannot perform his duties as he would like. So he's putting Yu Jeonghyun in charge of personnel affairs of the six ministries. He further announces that the crown prince will attend to all other state affairs except for military and foreign relations.
Ministers are in a lunchroom of some sort, laughing and happy about the announcement, and commenting about the new power structure. Park Eun enters and scolds them: "It is gravely disloyal to take delight in the king's abdication." That's just a rumor, responds Min Muhyul.
Hwang is meeting with minister Yu. Hwang, it turns out, had recommended him to the king for the job. Yu wonders why: "I'm used to working in the regional government. I can't get used to the colorful central politics." Hwang answers, "If you were used to dirty political mud wrestling, his majesty would not have chosen you."
Another scene of ministers talking. This time the crown prince’s supporters start in on Shim On. They comment that the supreme council is getting stronger and the ministries are getting weaker. They wonder why, and they also wonder why the minister of personnel lost his job so suddenly. "I doubt you were slacking off on the job," they tell him; could it be because you were plotting to bring Choongnyeong back? Shim has had enough and leaves.
Outside, the queen sees Gang Sangin. Why are you here, she asks him, and not up north with Choongnyeong? Gang explains that he's home for his mother's 70th birthday. She hesitatingly asks, "Is Choongnyeong all right?" Gang answers, "He suffered a cold over the winter, but otherwise is well." She's relieved at the news, and so is princess Shim, who's with her.
Inside, the women talk: "Such a pitiable fellow," says the queen of her son. "Such a young man, he should be unfazed by the winter cold." The princess says that they can't send him a potion for it because he'd send it back. "He didn't even accept the cotton quilt." They decide that maybe they can find something simple that Gang Sangin can take back with him on his person; maybe the prince will at least accept that.
In a courtyard outside the palace kitchen, we see Yi Sun (who's done a few years' worth of growing) gathering pine needles. She tries unsuccessfully to reach up to a high branch. So she gathers and holds her skirt, and jumps a bit until she can grab the branch and bend it down to pick needles. Then she looks up and sees an annoyed queen Wongyeong in front of her with her retinue. "Why this unseemly behavior?", the queen demands. "Which section do you serve?" She's very displeased at the sight of "a child who makes a playground out of the palace!"
We see Sun being whipped on the back of the calves as punishment. Her legs turn red; it's very painful and she cries hard.
That night, in her quarters: The queen looks almost dazed and empty from unhappiness. She misses her son. "If I can't send fruit I have grown myself, I will at least send my love by packing them." So she goes to the kitchen. Yi Sun is working there alone; she's frightened to see the queen again. Told to explain her presence, she says, "I hear this is going to prince Choongnyeong and I thought they would rot on the way if they weren't packed right." Escort Han starts to yell at her, but the queen silences her and says rhetorically, "Is that why you needed pine needles this afternoon...to use as a preservative." Sun answers, "I heard pine needles keep fruit from turning bad." "Very well," the queen says, with a hint of regret. "I will take care of this, so you may go." But then, seeing the girl's distress and realizing that she punished her unfairly, the queen softens a bit. "Are you upset? Sure. You were misunderstood and whipped, so you must be upset." Sun tells her, "No it's not that. I miss him. I wish I could see him if only just once." Again Escort Han attacks the girl for suggesting that she longs for the prince, but Sun counters her: "Even the queen, the most feared person in the palace, misses her son. And when I think of how I wasn't there for my poor, ailing mother and how she must've wanted so much to see me before she passed...." The expression of empathy touches the queen deeply. "Did you lose your mother?" Yes, Sun says, starting to cry, "In spite of all prince Choongnyeong did to help." Wongyeong cradles the girl's head in her hands. "But I'm sure she went in peace," she tells her, "believing you will do well no matter where you are because she raised you to be kind and smart. We mothers, we worry, but we want to believe everything will be all right. Because if we don't, it feels like our whole world is crumbling down on us." She looks skyward and tries to keep from crying. (This was a beautiful, touching scene, a real highlight. The queen’s sincerity and gentleness, we haven't seen this before.)
Yangnyeong is before his father. He's asking for some amount of authority over personnel matters. "I need a few loyal men to serve me," he explains, but the king won't give it to him. "And don't forget to be humble to those who assist you. They are your teachers more than your servants now." Taejong clearly still sees the prince as a work in progress, and Yangnyeong is obviously irritated about it.
Hwang gives minister Yu a scroll; it's Hwang's advice on personnel changes. Yu starts to read through it and is surprised. "What is the purpose of such drastic measures?", he asks. "You're an interesting fellow."
Out in the countryside: A man dressed in official clothes is riding on a cow. Identified to us as Meng Sasung, he's playing a recorder; children are walking with him and laughing. He seems like a lighthearted, slightly eccentric type. Next we see him near the palace; he gives his cow to an attendant of some sort and is met by a new minister who's identified to us as Huh Jo. Huh tells him that he shouldn't have brought a cow here: "You should know that animals belong in the barn." Meng smiles and answers, "You should thank me for not taking him into the conference hall. What's the difference between this place and an animal pen? It's loud, it's filthy...." Huh interrupts him: "Lower your voice. I may not be much, but I don't like having disrespectful subordinates." (So apparently Meng has come to work for Huh.)
Ministers and officials are learning of personnel changes. Meng Sasung to be minister of rites? Shim On to remain minister of personnel? Hwang Hee to become minister of public works? No one can understand any of it. The two Mins and Gim Hanlo go to see Hwang, who's working in a conference room with a group of junior officials. "How can you work at a time like this?", they ask him, shocked that he's being "cut down." Hwang asks the junior officials to leave. Then he tells the three, "The six ministries are divided by the work we do. There's no pecking order." "Don't be naive," Gim tells him, of course there is. Then Muhyul asks Hwang, "What is his majesty's intent? "If it weren't for you, his majesty wouldn't be here today. How could he treat his most loyal subjects this way?" Be patient, Hwang tells him calmly. "I'm sure his majesty has his reasons." (You get the distinct feeling from this scene, and Hwang's previous scene, that he knows more about all this than he's letting on.)
The Mins have introduced Yangnyeong to a man they're recommending: Yi Chun of the bureau of weaponry. Yi has drawn a map of Liaodong and is presenting it. The prince then tells Yi, "This is your last chance to back out. I will use you as an advance guard and drive you [hard]...for the conquest of Liaodong." (OH NO he's still got that idea stuck in his head.) Yi is unafraid; he tells Yangnyeong that the conquest "is not your dream alone" and that he shares it. The prince likes him; he's in.
Sunset, outside at a long table somewhere presumably around the outskirts of the palace land. Yangnyeong is at the head of the table; other men--some of whom we recognize, some of whom we don't--line both sides. They're there to take a "blood oath of alliance." They have bowls in front of them that appear to contain blood (it isn't clear where the blood came from). They take the oath: "With this blood, we vow to serve you to the end. The enemy that threatens you will be our enemy, and we will offer our blood at the altar of sacrifice for your peaceful reign." Then Yangnyeong says, "Offer blood...I don't want anyone to shed blood for me." But, he says, "now that my life is yours and we are one, we will protect each other with our lives." (Not at all clear what the significance of this is; it seems to be the same kind of thing as the secret Sambong society, but much more significant because this group looks more important than a scholar group.)
We see Yangnyeong sitting in a wooden tub of hot water, being given a sponge bath...and it's Auri doing the sponging! (?!? No explanation. Presumably we'll get one, because yow-wee we’re going to need one.)
Yi Chun has traveled to Gyeongsong in Gyeonggi Province. He’s far out into the northern woods. He reaches a modest but fairly large dwelling and calls out, "Is anyone there?" Out comes Um Jachi, carrying a bowl and in the middle of some chore.
In the nearby forest, a dozen or so roughly dressed men are hunting a wild boar. They chase it through the forest and throw long spears, which find their mark and strike the boar dead. The men run up and examine their kill with enthusiasm. One of them turns and we see his face as he retrieves his spear. It's CHOONGNYEONG! The sight is beyond stunning; it's the shock of the series so far.
(I’m not kidding.)
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"Secure the audience hall within one hour and take Yi Bangwon's head!" We hear a voiceover of orders from Ok Hwan as rebels advance through the palace. A palace building is set on fire--but maybe this is a diversion. The military troops see the building burning, but the Yis tell them (correctly so), "Stay calm!"
Flashback to the previous day: Jo Malseng is telling the king that they've discovered secret passages beneath the palace. (So that's why Taejong is so calm as the rebels approach; he knows exactly what they're going to try.) Flashback ending, we see rebels in the tunnel underneath the throne room...and then they're trapped from both sides in the tunnel by government troops--led by Yangnyeong, of all people.
The queen is sitting silently, with escort Han standing by her. We hear the sounds of swords clanking in the distance. Han begs her to evacuate the palace. But the queen ignores her, and then stuns her by producing a dagger. The queen puts it on the table in front of her--in case she needs to use it.
"The queen's hall?" Hwang Hee is horrified; he's been told that there's another tunnel exit. Apparently they didn't discover it. (Somebody should get fired for that; dumb mistake.)
The king, Jo Malseng and Noh Huibong are still in the throne room, silent and waiting.
Choongnyeong and Gang Sangin reach the walls of the palace complex and see dead bodies all around.
Historical flashback: We see king Taejo's eunuch Gim Sahaeng notating a map of the palace complex with red paint. He appears to be marking access points of the secret tunnel. Then we again see the scene shown in the previous episode, of Gim dying at Yi Bangwon's hands while trying to protect prince Bangseok. Over the two flashbacks we hear the voice of Jeon Ilji, continuing to read the text of the letter that he wrote to Choongnyeong (and started to read aloud in the previous episode). He explains that Gim had the tunnel built for the sole purpose of giving the king an escape route. And he says, "If your father Yi Bangwon had not struck down his loyalty, his escape route would not be used now as an attack route by our revolutionary army." (Comment: It's remarkable that Ilji put all this in a letter beforehand and apparently entrusted that it would not be seen by Choongnyeong (or anyone else) until it was too late. Hmmm...)
Behind a company of government troops, rebels appear on rooftops and throw explosives down into the troops. The troops scatter around in the commotion and the rebels attack in another wave, with great success.
Still the king waits, silently. Finally Noh Huibong can't take it any more. He kneels before the king and says, "Forgive me your majesty. I must borrow your royal gown. The rebels are drawing near. You must save yourself." But Taejong pays him no mind, and continues to wait calmly.... (Never play poker with this guy.)
Rebels led by Muby and Ilji have made it inside the king's building. "Keep it up," Muby encourages them, "we're almost there." They turn to run down a hallway, and are stopped in their tracks at the sight of...Choongnyeong! He stands alone and unarmed. They all take a step back, probably out of disbelief.
Gang Sangin enters the throne room with a squad of guards. "Thank goodness you're all right, your majesty." And still the king stays cool.
Choongnyeong and Ilji stare each other down. They challenge each other, Ilji first: "It appears you don't appreciate being alive." "Neither do you." "Do you think you can stop me? Do you want to die for your father?" No answer from the prince. "Get out of here. It's the last favor I can do for you." The prince doesn't move. Then as Ilji turns away, an unexpected answer: "I'm sorry." Choongnyeong continues: "My father will never say those words even at the verge of death. And yet...and yet I had to come back because he is my father. Won't you take me instead? If there's a crime that you want my father and this country Joseon to pay for, can't I pay instead?" Jeon won't have it: "Get out of here, I said!" Then from off to the side: "Why are you trying to let the enemy get out of here alive?" It's Muby, and he's had enough. He demands of Ilji, "Are you going to let your feelings interfere with your duty?" Ilji answers, "He is unarmed." Muby doesn't care. "Kill him!" Ilji doesn't move. So Muby draws his sword, raises it at Choongnyeong, and strikes--but Ilji jumps in front of the prince and takes the blow! At that moment Gang Sangin and his men turn a corner from behind and discover the rebels. A wild battle ensues in the palace corridors, with combatants fighting wildly in the close quarters and crashing through walls. With Sangin staring him down, Muby orders other rebels, "Leave him to me and get back to master. Take him to safety!" Then Muby and Sangin duel, and it's incredibly intense. Pretty soon Sangin gets knocked to the floor, but with a great move recovers and skewers Muby right through the midsection. And then twists. And then lunges so hard that it pushes Muby back to a wall and the point of the sword goes through the wall. Lights out for Muby. (BIG props to Sangin. Muby is one tough customer with a sword and Sangin whupped him.)
Ilji is laying unconscious against Choongnyeong, who tries to waken him but finds blood all over Ilji's side. Then Ilji stirs. "Would you...get me up?" The prince sits him up. "Darn it...I still have so much to teach you about the Chinese language." And then, referring to Choongnyeong's comment to him in Ep27: "It's not arrogance. It's foolishness. A fool who considered me as your teacher? No. A friend? Even though you knew I was your enemy." He coughs up blood. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to leave a fool like you behind in this world." His eyes close, and he dies on Choongnyeong's shoulder. Just then Um Jachi and Jeong Ogeun run into the hall and find the prince. "No, don't wake him up," Choongnyeong tells the eunuchs. "A friend is sleeping." They all cry over Ilji's death.
From the distant elevation, Ok Hwan and Auri watch the palace. Ok can see that light still shines from the king's audience hall. "I guess it's time to end the fight," he says.
Ok approaches the palace walls, alone. Seeing Yi Jongmu, he shouts, "Relay my message to Yi Bangwon: the rebel leader requests a meeting." Next, as he stands there among the dead bodies, we see that the king, princes and ministers have come out and are looking at him. Ok begins: "I've come to die. Would you allow me to take my own life among my friends?" Yi Sookbun snarls and wants blood, but Taejong silences him with a hand. Ok smiles: "At least you know how to be a graceful winner." He goes on, patiently and deliberately: "I admit defeat. You are the winner. But you are not a king yet. Dynastic revolution, changing the surname of the king from Wang to Yi--that is all your sword can do. Remember, Goryeo fell twenty years ago not because you were strong but because we were weak and corrupt. But if you replace that corruption and weakness with tyranny and oppression, not only will you not be a true king, but that tyranny and oppression will be the cause of your demise. I ask you for the people of Joseon who were once children of Goryeo: let me be your last enemy." Then he kneels, methodically takes out a dagger, and hara-kiris himself. And falls dead.
The next morning: We see Auri walking outdoors, by herself. "Would you remember us?" Flashback to more of the scene on the elevation, the previous night. Ok says, "Remember me and my comrades not as merciless killers seething with rage against the government, but as revolutionaries who died fighting for a better world." Flashback ending, we can tell she's still trying to come to grips with it all, and she starts crying.
Choongnyeong is before his father. The king asks, "Did you come back to save the king and protect the regime? If so..." But the prince cuts him off: No, "I came back because I couldn't let my father die. My mind has not changed." Taejong's back is turned; the prince bows to his back, turns and leaves the building. Outside, Yangnyeong is standing there among the bodies. "Do you still think you're right?", he asks. (In that context, it's a loaded and interesting question, if you think about it.) Choongnyeong doesn't answer, just continues walking away through the litter of dead bodies.
As he walks, the bodies fade and disappear from the picture. Then we see a final view of Yangnyeong standing alone in the empty plaza; the bodies are gone. Yangnyeong now has facial hair and looks a bit different. This sequence is apparently to indicate the passage of time--a flash-forward. (Credit to member jochicago for the insight. Subsequent scenes make clear that time has passed.)
******************FLASH FORWARD SEVERAL YEARS****************
The king is outside by a beautiful mountain lake. He's fishing. An older man is fishing with him; Noh Huibong stands by and other attendants stand further back. The king calmly says, "I wish to abdicate the throne." The old man, identified to us as Yu Jeonghyun, doesn't believe him. Then he says, "Prolonged emotional weakness has made you physically weak as well." I'll have some medicines prepared, he says, but Taejong interrupts, asking him to be prime minister. He wants him to help stabilize things for the crown prince for when Yangnyeong becomes king. "I want to make sure while I am alive that Joseon is strong enough to last a thousand years. I will never rest in peace otherwise."
Officials are gathering for an important announcement from the king. Lagging behind them is Yun Hwe; he's back to drinking again and staggers forward. Yi Su grabs him as he stumbles. We learn that Yi Su is now in government service. "Why would you get involved in government," Yun asks with dark amusement, "after the way we sent Choongnyeong off?" Yi answers, "Everybody has their own way of punishing themselves." (Pretty funny exchange, actually.)
The announcement: The king explains that because of his physical condition (apparently he's been sick for some period of time now), he cannot perform his duties as he would like. So he's putting Yu Jeonghyun in charge of personnel affairs of the six ministries. He further announces that the crown prince will attend to all other state affairs except for military and foreign relations.
Ministers are in a lunchroom of some sort, laughing and happy about the announcement, and commenting about the new power structure. Park Eun enters and scolds them: "It is gravely disloyal to take delight in the king's abdication." That's just a rumor, responds Min Muhyul.
Hwang is meeting with minister Yu. Hwang, it turns out, had recommended him to the king for the job. Yu wonders why: "I'm used to working in the regional government. I can't get used to the colorful central politics." Hwang answers, "If you were used to dirty political mud wrestling, his majesty would not have chosen you."
Another scene of ministers talking. This time the crown prince’s supporters start in on Shim On. They comment that the supreme council is getting stronger and the ministries are getting weaker. They wonder why, and they also wonder why the minister of personnel lost his job so suddenly. "I doubt you were slacking off on the job," they tell him; could it be because you were plotting to bring Choongnyeong back? Shim has had enough and leaves.
Outside, the queen sees Gang Sangin. Why are you here, she asks him, and not up north with Choongnyeong? Gang explains that he's home for his mother's 70th birthday. She hesitatingly asks, "Is Choongnyeong all right?" Gang answers, "He suffered a cold over the winter, but otherwise is well." She's relieved at the news, and so is princess Shim, who's with her.
Inside, the women talk: "Such a pitiable fellow," says the queen of her son. "Such a young man, he should be unfazed by the winter cold." The princess says that they can't send him a potion for it because he'd send it back. "He didn't even accept the cotton quilt." They decide that maybe they can find something simple that Gang Sangin can take back with him on his person; maybe the prince will at least accept that.
In a courtyard outside the palace kitchen, we see Yi Sun (who's done a few years' worth of growing) gathering pine needles. She tries unsuccessfully to reach up to a high branch. So she gathers and holds her skirt, and jumps a bit until she can grab the branch and bend it down to pick needles. Then she looks up and sees an annoyed queen Wongyeong in front of her with her retinue. "Why this unseemly behavior?", the queen demands. "Which section do you serve?" She's very displeased at the sight of "a child who makes a playground out of the palace!"
We see Sun being whipped on the back of the calves as punishment. Her legs turn red; it's very painful and she cries hard.
That night, in her quarters: The queen looks almost dazed and empty from unhappiness. She misses her son. "If I can't send fruit I have grown myself, I will at least send my love by packing them." So she goes to the kitchen. Yi Sun is working there alone; she's frightened to see the queen again. Told to explain her presence, she says, "I hear this is going to prince Choongnyeong and I thought they would rot on the way if they weren't packed right." Escort Han starts to yell at her, but the queen silences her and says rhetorically, "Is that why you needed pine needles this afternoon...to use as a preservative." Sun answers, "I heard pine needles keep fruit from turning bad." "Very well," the queen says, with a hint of regret. "I will take care of this, so you may go." But then, seeing the girl's distress and realizing that she punished her unfairly, the queen softens a bit. "Are you upset? Sure. You were misunderstood and whipped, so you must be upset." Sun tells her, "No it's not that. I miss him. I wish I could see him if only just once." Again Escort Han attacks the girl for suggesting that she longs for the prince, but Sun counters her: "Even the queen, the most feared person in the palace, misses her son. And when I think of how I wasn't there for my poor, ailing mother and how she must've wanted so much to see me before she passed...." The expression of empathy touches the queen deeply. "Did you lose your mother?" Yes, Sun says, starting to cry, "In spite of all prince Choongnyeong did to help." Wongyeong cradles the girl's head in her hands. "But I'm sure she went in peace," she tells her, "believing you will do well no matter where you are because she raised you to be kind and smart. We mothers, we worry, but we want to believe everything will be all right. Because if we don't, it feels like our whole world is crumbling down on us." She looks skyward and tries to keep from crying. (This was a beautiful, touching scene, a real highlight. The queen’s sincerity and gentleness, we haven't seen this before.)
Yangnyeong is before his father. He's asking for some amount of authority over personnel matters. "I need a few loyal men to serve me," he explains, but the king won't give it to him. "And don't forget to be humble to those who assist you. They are your teachers more than your servants now." Taejong clearly still sees the prince as a work in progress, and Yangnyeong is obviously irritated about it.
Hwang gives minister Yu a scroll; it's Hwang's advice on personnel changes. Yu starts to read through it and is surprised. "What is the purpose of such drastic measures?", he asks. "You're an interesting fellow."
Out in the countryside: A man dressed in official clothes is riding on a cow. Identified to us as Meng Sasung, he's playing a recorder; children are walking with him and laughing. He seems like a lighthearted, slightly eccentric type. Next we see him near the palace; he gives his cow to an attendant of some sort and is met by a new minister who's identified to us as Huh Jo. Huh tells him that he shouldn't have brought a cow here: "You should know that animals belong in the barn." Meng smiles and answers, "You should thank me for not taking him into the conference hall. What's the difference between this place and an animal pen? It's loud, it's filthy...." Huh interrupts him: "Lower your voice. I may not be much, but I don't like having disrespectful subordinates." (So apparently Meng has come to work for Huh.)
Ministers and officials are learning of personnel changes. Meng Sasung to be minister of rites? Shim On to remain minister of personnel? Hwang Hee to become minister of public works? No one can understand any of it. The two Mins and Gim Hanlo go to see Hwang, who's working in a conference room with a group of junior officials. "How can you work at a time like this?", they ask him, shocked that he's being "cut down." Hwang asks the junior officials to leave. Then he tells the three, "The six ministries are divided by the work we do. There's no pecking order." "Don't be naive," Gim tells him, of course there is. Then Muhyul asks Hwang, "What is his majesty's intent? "If it weren't for you, his majesty wouldn't be here today. How could he treat his most loyal subjects this way?" Be patient, Hwang tells him calmly. "I'm sure his majesty has his reasons." (You get the distinct feeling from this scene, and Hwang's previous scene, that he knows more about all this than he's letting on.)
The Mins have introduced Yangnyeong to a man they're recommending: Yi Chun of the bureau of weaponry. Yi has drawn a map of Liaodong and is presenting it. The prince then tells Yi, "This is your last chance to back out. I will use you as an advance guard and drive you [hard]...for the conquest of Liaodong." (OH NO he's still got that idea stuck in his head.) Yi is unafraid; he tells Yangnyeong that the conquest "is not your dream alone" and that he shares it. The prince likes him; he's in.
Sunset, outside at a long table somewhere presumably around the outskirts of the palace land. Yangnyeong is at the head of the table; other men--some of whom we recognize, some of whom we don't--line both sides. They're there to take a "blood oath of alliance." They have bowls in front of them that appear to contain blood (it isn't clear where the blood came from). They take the oath: "With this blood, we vow to serve you to the end. The enemy that threatens you will be our enemy, and we will offer our blood at the altar of sacrifice for your peaceful reign." Then Yangnyeong says, "Offer blood...I don't want anyone to shed blood for me." But, he says, "now that my life is yours and we are one, we will protect each other with our lives." (Not at all clear what the significance of this is; it seems to be the same kind of thing as the secret Sambong society, but much more significant because this group looks more important than a scholar group.)
We see Yangnyeong sitting in a wooden tub of hot water, being given a sponge bath...and it's Auri doing the sponging! (?!? No explanation. Presumably we'll get one, because yow-wee we’re going to need one.)
Yi Chun has traveled to Gyeongsong in Gyeonggi Province. He’s far out into the northern woods. He reaches a modest but fairly large dwelling and calls out, "Is anyone there?" Out comes Um Jachi, carrying a bowl and in the middle of some chore.
In the nearby forest, a dozen or so roughly dressed men are hunting a wild boar. They chase it through the forest and throw long spears, which find their mark and strike the boar dead. The men run up and examine their kill with enthusiasm. One of them turns and we see his face as he retrieves his spear. It's CHOONGNYEONG! The sight is beyond stunning; it's the shock of the series so far.