Post by ajk on Aug 19, 2009 11:58:00 GMT -5
(Note: From now on I'll be using "Cheonchu" instead of "Hunae" to refer to the empress dowager. It's time to make that change. Also will substitute "Yunheung" for "Munhwa" to refer to Sungjong's widow.)
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"Your Highness, need I remind you of your unpleasant experiences in Liao? Your carelessness could cause the people of Goryeo to suffer the same adversity." Yelu Dilie says it's not a threat; he simply wants Cheonchu to "reevaluate" Goryeo's declaration of empire. Cheonchu tells him It doesn't matter what we do; Liao will invade us anyway! Ugh; that doesn't help. Dilie threatens an invasion by a million-man army and "indescribable humiliation." So Cheonchu calls for guards, who put swords to his throat, and Dilie is ordered to kneel and beg for forgiveness! He refuses, aghast that she would treat an envoy this way (Darned right!) but at the last moment...he does just what she wants in order to save his life. Then Cheonchu takes the scroll that Dilie had brought, the one from emperor Shengzong; she reads it...and throws it at Dilie's feet. "Rewrite this in a tone of respect befitting an Empire." And Dilie is summarily escorted out of the building. Good grief.
Outside, Dilie runs into some of Dae Dosu's subordinate soldiers, who remember him from Anyoongjin and razz him for their defeating him in battle. That's not gonna help.
Later, back in the throne room, Mokjong tries to caution his mother about provoking Khitan. Don't worry, she says; they're in a sticky situation with Song China right now and couldn't attack us even if they wanted to. Mokjong wonders how Cheonchu knows this, and is chagrined when a vice minister tells him where this foreign intelligence is coming from: Chiyang! That's not Chiyang's job. Mokjong doesn't like this arrangement at all, and storms out in anger....
...And outside, just happens to run into Chiyang. Uh-oh. You shouldn't be in the palace, Mokjong says sternly; your office is not here (which it isn't). I'm answering your mother's summons, Chiyang replies; I must answer it.
Later, the king questions Go Hyun and learns that Chiyang is in the place on a daily basis. Why? Go doesn't know. "Does he stay overnight with her?" Go doesn't know that either, or at least he's not saying (but he looks like he really doesn't know).
At Xiao Zanli's villa: Dokyun and Hyeolmae encounter each other in a courtyard. Dokyun is still steamed about their argument the other day. And suddenly it's on, and it looks like Mortal Kombat. You wonder if they'd really hurt each other if they could, but we don't get to find out because Yelu Dilie appears almost immediately and breaks them up. Dilie goes in to see Zanli and reports his disrespectful treatment at Cheonchu's hands. Zanli still wants to cause internal disruption in the Goryeo court, but they're just not in a position to do anything at the moment.
Yunheung learns that her father was able to go home--they didn't seize his house--and that Jo Sun and Jo Du are caring for him. And she still harbors the desire for revenge against "the king's murderers."
At Wonsoong's home: We learn that Wonsoong's counterfeiting operation is still secure, so Wonsoong thinks he'll be back in the game in no time. Observe the court officials, he instructs Jo Sun and Jo Du, "and find out who can be bought."
Evening: Cheonchu is dining with Chiyang. Chiyang wants to send an envoy to China, but not as a subordinate state but as an equal. It might anger the Khitans, but again, they're too bogged down to act on it for now. They also discuss reinstating the Palguanhwe and Lotus Lantern festivals, which were abolished by Sungjong early in his reign, as a way to gain public favor. Chiyang also suggests building Buddhist temples for the common people, using some of Wonsoong's seized funds. Cheonchu likes his ideas and is impressed by his forethought. They pour each other drinks...
Outside the room, the young king has arrived and is listening. Just enough to know what's going on. He leaves without entering, obviously unhappy by what he's heard. He goes outside...
...suddenly wanting alcohol and looking for a drinking buddy. Go Hyun, he's with the king as usual but says he's not much of a drinker. Then Yi Hyunoon happens by...
...and oddly enough, Mokjong brings him into his palace quarters and gives him a drink! Mokjong actually knows Hyunoon a bit, apparently from Hyunoon being around the palace so much. Mokjong is feeling trapped and helpless, and he tells Hyunoon, "You're the only one who might understand how I feel since you know me a little." Hyunoon pours the king a drink, and then cautiously ventures, "Why are you so disheartened?" It's Chiyang; Mokjong wants him gone but feels he can't make it happen. Hyunoon is genuinely surprised by the attitude. "But you are the almighty Emperor. Whatever you say goes." Mokjong fears that the ministers are all his mother's puppets and no one will support him. Hyunoon tells him that Gang Jo, at least, will certainly support Chiyang's removal. Mokjong is skeptical, but Hyunoon assures him of it (and he knows it from his spying). "I'd summon the officials right now and have Chiyang removed if I were you." A very strange exchange between an unlikely pair, but it certainly gave the young king a shot of confidence.
Later that evening: Cheonchu and Chiyang are out of wine and it's getting late; time for Chiyang to leave. They hug and talk about the future; Cheonchu looks forward to their future together but Chiyang says things will never be peaceful enough for that. So why not now?, he asks her. He hugs her again and as an schmaltzy song wells up, they start smooching. And keep smooching. And then we see a candle in the room. And then from outside, the room goes dark. Sa Illa is standing guard outside the room, but she leaves--looking very unhappy--and goes outside to the front door. Hyangbi arrives for her shift on guard and Sa Illa tells her to stand guard outside rather than inside because Chiyang is spending the night.
"He...is in her chambers?" Hyangbi has promptly gone and snitched to Gang Jo (and did she leave her post to do it?). "Let her go now," she begs Jo; "You have to." But then Dae Dosu shows up and interrupts; he and Jo have been summoned to the council hall. At this late hour?
Mokjong has called an impromptu state council meeting. Most of the ministers have managed to arrive in time; Seo Hui is ill and couldn't be there, and Gamchan is apparently tending to him. Mokjong asks them what to do about Chiyang. Choe Hang says it's a personal matter, but Mokjong doesn't like that answer and lets him have it but good. After that, nobody else will even speak up...until finally, Gang Jo does. We can't let the public get wind of such a "vile rumor," Jo says, so remove him from his post and ban him from the palace. Mokjong's spirits lift immediately: "Yes, that's the answer I want from you!" The other ministers either agree or keep quiet. Very well, Mokjong says; Chiyang is removed from his position and banned from the palace. Effective immediately!
The next morning: Soldiers show up at Cheonchu's door to bounce Chiyang.
Another state council meeting; this time Cheonchu is present. "I cannot accept the emperor's decision last night," she announces. It's already been settled, Mokjong tells her. She challenges the decision, telling her son that he cannot make important decisions on his own without consulting her, but he says he didn't make the decision on his own; he consulted the ministers. So she challenges the group: "Who among you concurred?" And to his credit, Gang Jo speaks right up and says he did. Cheonchu wants him to explain his reasons. Gamchan interrupts and says this is an inappropriate discussion for a state meeting and should be held privately. But Cheonchu wants none of that, and forces it all out into the open: "There is nothing to hide. Do not talk behind my back. Secretary Kim Chiyang is indeed my lover. In fact, he spent the night with me just last night. Is there a problem with that?" Yeah, it's too much information, and ministers turn aside and start grumbling quietly to themselves. She continues right on, and challenges the double standard that allows only men to remarry or have concubines. "As long as I am on this seat, men and women will be treated equally in Goryeo. Speak up now if you have objections." No one objects, and a few of the ministers who were quiet last night now cautiously venture support.
Cheonchu goes back to her palace and tells the soldiers to go home; the order is rescinded. But inside, Chiyang is very, very worried about what she just did and how Mokjong must be feeling about it. I'm becoming a burden and I'd best leave, he tells her. She won't have it: "I'd give up the world before I give you up." And then tells him she's going to appoint him Finance Commissioner! That's a state council position and he'll be at state meetings with all of the ministers! "Then they will see you for the amazing man that you are." (This is awfully naive, even for her.) You'll be very good at handling the country's finances, she tells him (which is true, but get real).
In a meeting hall, Seo Hui is scolding the ministers for acting so hastily. We thought removing Chiyang was a good idea, they tell him, but Seo fires back that they should have stuck with their decision if they felt that way instead of waffling and humiliating the emperor like they just did. He's angry and frustrated, and doesn't look in the best of health either.
Word is getting around about mother and son butting heads. Wonsoong tells his daughter all about it. He knows? "I still have my ears and eyes in the palace," he tells her. And he sees an opportunity. Keep them arguing over Chiyang, and Mokjong might turn away from his mother and turn to Yunheung. "If we can win the emperor's favor we still have hope."
Cheonchu is alone with Gang Jo. "I don't feel close to you any more," she tells him, predictably disappointed that he showed an ounce of independent thought. "I thought you'd always support me whatever I do. But I guess people change." He warns her again that Chiyang is dangerous, but he can't put it into specifics. Cheonchu thinks she knows what really is the issue here, "but I won't dare say it. Because I'm afraid things will never be the same between us if I do." She asks him not to give her any more trouble about Chiyang. "He is the man I'll spend my life with once my dream for Goryeo is realized." He leaves and goes outside, seeing finally that whatever it was he might have been hoping for, it's gone. "You were right," he tells Hyangbi; "I was dreaming." He puts his hand on her shoulder (hmmm) and then leaves. She cries), and Sa Illa sees her crying.
Finally we get back to Mokjong. He's as angry as we figured he'd be, drinking and breaking anything he can get his hands on. He even yells at Princess Sun, accusing her of being a spy for his mother. But she manages to calm him down again, at least enough to stop his smashing things. "Run while you can," he tells her tiredly. "You'll be wretchedly miserable if you marry me."
Xiao Zanli goes to visit Yunheung. Escort Jo tries to turn her away at the doorstep but Dokyun puts a stop to that. Zanli proposes their joining together, since they both want revenge against Cheonchu. Yunheung is suspicious about why Zanli would want revenge. "She threw me out of the palace like a common servant," Zanli explains, and it was an insult to my country. But Yunheung still sees the Khitans as barbarians and wants nothing to do with her. So Zanli drops a bomb: your father swore loyalty to us! (Which he did.) Yunheung is outraged at the statement, but Zanli calmly suggests that she think over the proposition. "How will you get revenge when you have nothing? You need me."
Khitan royal palace: "You couldn't stop Goryeo from declaring an empire!?" Shengzong is having his own temper tantrum as Yelu Dilie kneels before him. I did like you said, Dilie explains, and threatened war, but Cheonchu laughed at me. Which only makes Shengzong angrier. Then Yelu Pennu enters to announce the arrival of a Goryean merchant caravan.
Pennu goes outside; Sa Gamun and Dokyun are there. It's their caravan. Turns out, Pennu went outside because Shengzong ordered "the Goryean" killed and Pennu has to do it. (Yes, Sa Gamun is Jurchen; apparently that doesn't matter at the moment.) So the two start to fight, but Dokyun breaks it up. HER orders from the prime minister, she tells Pennu, were to work with Sa Gamun and carry out trading. So she won't let Pennu kill him.
Posters are going up around Goryeo announcing the martial arts tournament. At the palace outskirts, we see men coming from around the country to sign up. Including Yang Kyu, who came from all the way up north. Gamchan spots him, welcomes him to the palace and offers to show him around.
The wedding is tomorrow. But Cheonchu is concerned about Mokjong's state of mind. She's speaking privately with Princess Sun; "Change him back to the bright and gentle boy that he used to be," she asks. "He is refusing to listen to me, so you are my only hope." I'll try, Sun says.
The next day: The wedding begins. Flags and fancy duds all around; it all looks very impressive. Bride and groom ascend the palace steps together; Cheonchu awaits them at the top.
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"Your Highness, need I remind you of your unpleasant experiences in Liao? Your carelessness could cause the people of Goryeo to suffer the same adversity." Yelu Dilie says it's not a threat; he simply wants Cheonchu to "reevaluate" Goryeo's declaration of empire. Cheonchu tells him It doesn't matter what we do; Liao will invade us anyway! Ugh; that doesn't help. Dilie threatens an invasion by a million-man army and "indescribable humiliation." So Cheonchu calls for guards, who put swords to his throat, and Dilie is ordered to kneel and beg for forgiveness! He refuses, aghast that she would treat an envoy this way (Darned right!) but at the last moment...he does just what she wants in order to save his life. Then Cheonchu takes the scroll that Dilie had brought, the one from emperor Shengzong; she reads it...and throws it at Dilie's feet. "Rewrite this in a tone of respect befitting an Empire." And Dilie is summarily escorted out of the building. Good grief.
Outside, Dilie runs into some of Dae Dosu's subordinate soldiers, who remember him from Anyoongjin and razz him for their defeating him in battle. That's not gonna help.
Later, back in the throne room, Mokjong tries to caution his mother about provoking Khitan. Don't worry, she says; they're in a sticky situation with Song China right now and couldn't attack us even if they wanted to. Mokjong wonders how Cheonchu knows this, and is chagrined when a vice minister tells him where this foreign intelligence is coming from: Chiyang! That's not Chiyang's job. Mokjong doesn't like this arrangement at all, and storms out in anger....
...And outside, just happens to run into Chiyang. Uh-oh. You shouldn't be in the palace, Mokjong says sternly; your office is not here (which it isn't). I'm answering your mother's summons, Chiyang replies; I must answer it.
Later, the king questions Go Hyun and learns that Chiyang is in the place on a daily basis. Why? Go doesn't know. "Does he stay overnight with her?" Go doesn't know that either, or at least he's not saying (but he looks like he really doesn't know).
At Xiao Zanli's villa: Dokyun and Hyeolmae encounter each other in a courtyard. Dokyun is still steamed about their argument the other day. And suddenly it's on, and it looks like Mortal Kombat. You wonder if they'd really hurt each other if they could, but we don't get to find out because Yelu Dilie appears almost immediately and breaks them up. Dilie goes in to see Zanli and reports his disrespectful treatment at Cheonchu's hands. Zanli still wants to cause internal disruption in the Goryeo court, but they're just not in a position to do anything at the moment.
Yunheung learns that her father was able to go home--they didn't seize his house--and that Jo Sun and Jo Du are caring for him. And she still harbors the desire for revenge against "the king's murderers."
At Wonsoong's home: We learn that Wonsoong's counterfeiting operation is still secure, so Wonsoong thinks he'll be back in the game in no time. Observe the court officials, he instructs Jo Sun and Jo Du, "and find out who can be bought."
Evening: Cheonchu is dining with Chiyang. Chiyang wants to send an envoy to China, but not as a subordinate state but as an equal. It might anger the Khitans, but again, they're too bogged down to act on it for now. They also discuss reinstating the Palguanhwe and Lotus Lantern festivals, which were abolished by Sungjong early in his reign, as a way to gain public favor. Chiyang also suggests building Buddhist temples for the common people, using some of Wonsoong's seized funds. Cheonchu likes his ideas and is impressed by his forethought. They pour each other drinks...
Outside the room, the young king has arrived and is listening. Just enough to know what's going on. He leaves without entering, obviously unhappy by what he's heard. He goes outside...
...suddenly wanting alcohol and looking for a drinking buddy. Go Hyun, he's with the king as usual but says he's not much of a drinker. Then Yi Hyunoon happens by...
...and oddly enough, Mokjong brings him into his palace quarters and gives him a drink! Mokjong actually knows Hyunoon a bit, apparently from Hyunoon being around the palace so much. Mokjong is feeling trapped and helpless, and he tells Hyunoon, "You're the only one who might understand how I feel since you know me a little." Hyunoon pours the king a drink, and then cautiously ventures, "Why are you so disheartened?" It's Chiyang; Mokjong wants him gone but feels he can't make it happen. Hyunoon is genuinely surprised by the attitude. "But you are the almighty Emperor. Whatever you say goes." Mokjong fears that the ministers are all his mother's puppets and no one will support him. Hyunoon tells him that Gang Jo, at least, will certainly support Chiyang's removal. Mokjong is skeptical, but Hyunoon assures him of it (and he knows it from his spying). "I'd summon the officials right now and have Chiyang removed if I were you." A very strange exchange between an unlikely pair, but it certainly gave the young king a shot of confidence.
Later that evening: Cheonchu and Chiyang are out of wine and it's getting late; time for Chiyang to leave. They hug and talk about the future; Cheonchu looks forward to their future together but Chiyang says things will never be peaceful enough for that. So why not now?, he asks her. He hugs her again and as an schmaltzy song wells up, they start smooching. And keep smooching. And then we see a candle in the room. And then from outside, the room goes dark. Sa Illa is standing guard outside the room, but she leaves--looking very unhappy--and goes outside to the front door. Hyangbi arrives for her shift on guard and Sa Illa tells her to stand guard outside rather than inside because Chiyang is spending the night.
"He...is in her chambers?" Hyangbi has promptly gone and snitched to Gang Jo (and did she leave her post to do it?). "Let her go now," she begs Jo; "You have to." But then Dae Dosu shows up and interrupts; he and Jo have been summoned to the council hall. At this late hour?
Mokjong has called an impromptu state council meeting. Most of the ministers have managed to arrive in time; Seo Hui is ill and couldn't be there, and Gamchan is apparently tending to him. Mokjong asks them what to do about Chiyang. Choe Hang says it's a personal matter, but Mokjong doesn't like that answer and lets him have it but good. After that, nobody else will even speak up...until finally, Gang Jo does. We can't let the public get wind of such a "vile rumor," Jo says, so remove him from his post and ban him from the palace. Mokjong's spirits lift immediately: "Yes, that's the answer I want from you!" The other ministers either agree or keep quiet. Very well, Mokjong says; Chiyang is removed from his position and banned from the palace. Effective immediately!
The next morning: Soldiers show up at Cheonchu's door to bounce Chiyang.
Another state council meeting; this time Cheonchu is present. "I cannot accept the emperor's decision last night," she announces. It's already been settled, Mokjong tells her. She challenges the decision, telling her son that he cannot make important decisions on his own without consulting her, but he says he didn't make the decision on his own; he consulted the ministers. So she challenges the group: "Who among you concurred?" And to his credit, Gang Jo speaks right up and says he did. Cheonchu wants him to explain his reasons. Gamchan interrupts and says this is an inappropriate discussion for a state meeting and should be held privately. But Cheonchu wants none of that, and forces it all out into the open: "There is nothing to hide. Do not talk behind my back. Secretary Kim Chiyang is indeed my lover. In fact, he spent the night with me just last night. Is there a problem with that?" Yeah, it's too much information, and ministers turn aside and start grumbling quietly to themselves. She continues right on, and challenges the double standard that allows only men to remarry or have concubines. "As long as I am on this seat, men and women will be treated equally in Goryeo. Speak up now if you have objections." No one objects, and a few of the ministers who were quiet last night now cautiously venture support.
Cheonchu goes back to her palace and tells the soldiers to go home; the order is rescinded. But inside, Chiyang is very, very worried about what she just did and how Mokjong must be feeling about it. I'm becoming a burden and I'd best leave, he tells her. She won't have it: "I'd give up the world before I give you up." And then tells him she's going to appoint him Finance Commissioner! That's a state council position and he'll be at state meetings with all of the ministers! "Then they will see you for the amazing man that you are." (This is awfully naive, even for her.) You'll be very good at handling the country's finances, she tells him (which is true, but get real).
In a meeting hall, Seo Hui is scolding the ministers for acting so hastily. We thought removing Chiyang was a good idea, they tell him, but Seo fires back that they should have stuck with their decision if they felt that way instead of waffling and humiliating the emperor like they just did. He's angry and frustrated, and doesn't look in the best of health either.
Word is getting around about mother and son butting heads. Wonsoong tells his daughter all about it. He knows? "I still have my ears and eyes in the palace," he tells her. And he sees an opportunity. Keep them arguing over Chiyang, and Mokjong might turn away from his mother and turn to Yunheung. "If we can win the emperor's favor we still have hope."
Cheonchu is alone with Gang Jo. "I don't feel close to you any more," she tells him, predictably disappointed that he showed an ounce of independent thought. "I thought you'd always support me whatever I do. But I guess people change." He warns her again that Chiyang is dangerous, but he can't put it into specifics. Cheonchu thinks she knows what really is the issue here, "but I won't dare say it. Because I'm afraid things will never be the same between us if I do." She asks him not to give her any more trouble about Chiyang. "He is the man I'll spend my life with once my dream for Goryeo is realized." He leaves and goes outside, seeing finally that whatever it was he might have been hoping for, it's gone. "You were right," he tells Hyangbi; "I was dreaming." He puts his hand on her shoulder (hmmm) and then leaves. She cries), and Sa Illa sees her crying.
Finally we get back to Mokjong. He's as angry as we figured he'd be, drinking and breaking anything he can get his hands on. He even yells at Princess Sun, accusing her of being a spy for his mother. But she manages to calm him down again, at least enough to stop his smashing things. "Run while you can," he tells her tiredly. "You'll be wretchedly miserable if you marry me."
Xiao Zanli goes to visit Yunheung. Escort Jo tries to turn her away at the doorstep but Dokyun puts a stop to that. Zanli proposes their joining together, since they both want revenge against Cheonchu. Yunheung is suspicious about why Zanli would want revenge. "She threw me out of the palace like a common servant," Zanli explains, and it was an insult to my country. But Yunheung still sees the Khitans as barbarians and wants nothing to do with her. So Zanli drops a bomb: your father swore loyalty to us! (Which he did.) Yunheung is outraged at the statement, but Zanli calmly suggests that she think over the proposition. "How will you get revenge when you have nothing? You need me."
Khitan royal palace: "You couldn't stop Goryeo from declaring an empire!?" Shengzong is having his own temper tantrum as Yelu Dilie kneels before him. I did like you said, Dilie explains, and threatened war, but Cheonchu laughed at me. Which only makes Shengzong angrier. Then Yelu Pennu enters to announce the arrival of a Goryean merchant caravan.
Pennu goes outside; Sa Gamun and Dokyun are there. It's their caravan. Turns out, Pennu went outside because Shengzong ordered "the Goryean" killed and Pennu has to do it. (Yes, Sa Gamun is Jurchen; apparently that doesn't matter at the moment.) So the two start to fight, but Dokyun breaks it up. HER orders from the prime minister, she tells Pennu, were to work with Sa Gamun and carry out trading. So she won't let Pennu kill him.
Posters are going up around Goryeo announcing the martial arts tournament. At the palace outskirts, we see men coming from around the country to sign up. Including Yang Kyu, who came from all the way up north. Gamchan spots him, welcomes him to the palace and offers to show him around.
The wedding is tomorrow. But Cheonchu is concerned about Mokjong's state of mind. She's speaking privately with Princess Sun; "Change him back to the bright and gentle boy that he used to be," she asks. "He is refusing to listen to me, so you are my only hope." I'll try, Sun says.
The next day: The wedding begins. Flags and fancy duds all around; it all looks very impressive. Bride and groom ascend the palace steps together; Cheonchu awaits them at the top.