Post by ajk on Sept 2, 2009 15:44:19 GMT -5
(Note: I'll be referring to the Khitan empress dowager as Chengtian from now on, since that's what she's now being called in the series.)
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The Goryeans reach the Yalu. The plan is to meet at the Khitans' Naewon fort, which is just across the river. Turns out, the Goryeans have not only brought their own army, they've arranged for Jurchen and Balhaean troops to be on alert not far away, just in case. Scouting reports find that the Khitan army accompanying the Khitan rulers is comparable in size to the Goryeans'.
Chengtian, Shengzong and Prime Minister Han are awaiting the Goryeans. Uh-oh; we learn that Yelu Pennu is headed this way with 100,000 Khitan troops; they'll be here in five days. This is a tricky situation--they're leaving themselves terribly vulnerable to attack from Song China and are counting on the Chinese not find out about this--and Han simply wants to "overwhelm the Goryeans them the sheer size of our army." That is, scare them into rescinding the empire declaration without a fight. They can't afford a war with Goryeo now, as we've learned. Shengzong, his usual rash self, is itching for war and wants to attack. His mother says We'll meet with Cheonchu first and then talk about it. But she's obviously just trying to placate him.
The Goryeans arrive at the fort. Yelu Dilie receives them, but says only three of them will be allowed inside. No guards on either side, he says; only an "intimate meeting." So Cheonchu, Chiyang and Gang Jo go in. The Goryeans don't like the idea of Cheonchu leaving her bodyguards behind, but Cheonchu has a kind of high regard for Chengtian and says she "is not an ignoble woman" who would stoop as low as killing her like this.
So they go inside and meet the three Khitans. Immediate bickering about how to address each other, and Shengzong flies off the handle about it. But Chengtian shushes her son and invites "Empress Dowager Cheonchu" to sit down. Then more angry words, this time over Xiao Zanli's execution. Again Shengzong is steaming mad. But Chengtian shushes him again and tells her that Cheonchu is right! "From Goryeo's perspective, Xiao Zanli had to die, and as a daughter of Great Liao, she died an honorable death." And says the matter is closed. Her son seethes but stays quiet. Then on to the matter of empire declaration. And this one isn't going away. Nobody's backing down and tensions increase rapidly. Chengtian has to shush guess-who for a third time, but not before he shouts out a threat about the 100,000-man army that's on its way. What a boneheaded blunder. At that point Han suggests that maybe the two women should be left alone to talk.
Outside, Hyeolmae and Su No are speaking testily with Sa Illa and Hyangbi. Hyeolmae suspects Dokyun of betraying Liao. Then they all start trash-talking and then pretty soon a fight breaks out. Then troops run in and they're all about to start fighting each other, but at that moment Shengzong emerges from inside and breaks it all up.
Back inside: Chengtian is cordial and friendly on the surface, but tells Cheonchu, "Goryeo is a small state. It cannot contend with Liao." So you'd better rescind the empire declaration. Poker faces, veiled threats, insinuations, posturing.
In another room, Han and Chiyang are talking. Han is also cordial and friendly but wants Chiyang to advise Cheonchu "to avoid an unwinnable fight." And Han has a card to play: You wouldn't want her to learn about your true identity, would you? (We never saw Chiyang tell this to Han, but apparently he did at some point. Continuity error.) Chiyang calmly and coolly says None of that stuff was true, I was just using you to get your backing. I don't really want the throne for myself, what I want is for me and my empress dowager to take all of the old Goguryeo territory back from Liao. Han laughs a bit at that; does he really believe it was all a lie? We don't know, but probably not.
Dokyun is still fighting mad at Sa Gamun for using her against her own country. She's still smacking him around (he's still letting her). But he asks her to marry him! "Let me live the rest of my live making up to you for what I've done."
Goryeo state council meeting: Mokjong announces his desire to reinstate Kim Shimun. Gang Gamchan is horrified, and ministers one after another speak against the idea. But Mokjong he tells them he wants Kim back "Because none of you are ever on my side." (And he's got a good point, the way they've caved in to his mother repeatedly.) Then Choe Wonshin timidly speaks, saying It's just one man, let him have his one man. Han Ingyeong agrees, and no one else speaks. Then it's settled, Mokjong says, and "If you flip on me again when my mother returns, I'll no longer regard you as men." (I don't think that's going to stop them, but dare to dream, pal.)
Is there a 100,000-man army coming? Cheonchu, Gang Jo and Chiyang are talking about Shengzong's threat. Maybe it's true, maybe not, but they can't afford to take chances. They discuss what to do, including possibly taking the Khitan rulers hostage. And there's also a comment from Chiyang about the Chinese living up to their agreement. What's that about? What agreement?
Khitan scouts have found the Jurchen and Balhaean troops: 10,000 of each. No match for the 100,000 Khitans. "Then we're set," Shengzong says eagerly. But it's not that simple, because what if the Chinese attack while the Khitan army is engaged? Shengzong says, Then we have to take care of the Goryeans in one quick blow.
Goryeo royal palace: Yi Hyunoon, on watch duty, is caught sleeping on the job. Yu Bang, Kim Hoon and Choe Jil let him have it, verbally and with a few slaps thrown in. But then Go Hyun shows up. He's to bring Hyunoon to see the emperor.
Mokjong wants a drinking buddy; that's why he summoned Hyunoon. To his credit, Hyunoon says he can't drink while on duty, but after seeing the way Mokjong is glaring at him, he backtracks and says Okay, I can have one if it's your order. Mokjong feels a sort of kinship with Hyunoon because he feels alone and feels like he gets kicked around, just as Hyunoon does. And "I like you better than the two-faced high ministers who always put on a righteous act." He tells Hyunoon he'll call him in for a drink every once in a while.
Kim Wonsoong and Lady Yunheung are thrilled to hear of Kim Shimun's exile ending. Mokjong took Yunheung's advice and "It's a sign that he's ready to go against his mother," Wonsoong says. This may drive Mokjong and his mother further apart.
Nighttime: Mokjong exits a building and walks outside. As he passes some ladies-in-waiting, he hesitates. For just a moment he sees some of them with men's faces! But then the vision passes, and he walks away. Behind him, Sunjeong emerges. This is her palace he's just left; she'll be sleeping alone tonight. Again. She looks unhappy. Implication: he once again couldn't deliver the goods, and he's preoccupied with the thought of that dancing female impersonator.
We see a big, nasty-looking army on the march. Sa Illa and a local scout are watching them. Sa Illa rushes back to Cheonchu and confirms that the army is real. And just then, Hyangbi enters and tells them that the Khitans want to resume talks right now.
Back at the negotiating table, staring at each other. "You have competent scouts," Chengtian says, so you must know about our army coming. This is your last chance to rescind the empire declaration. "I'm still fond of you, so yield and kneel before me if you wish to live." And don't think about taking us hostage either; our guards are much better than yours. Wow, she's thought of everything. Suddenly Dilie runs in with an urgent report, which he whispers into Chengtian's ear. She doesn't flinch a bit, but Cheonchu, out loud, guesses that it's bad news for her, that the Song army is advancing north. Good guess! (Obviously there's something going on here that we don't know about yet--something involving that last Goryean envoy that was sent to Song in secret.) Better send those troops back, Cheonchu tells the Khitans smugly. At that the opposing guards draw swords and the whole room is on the verge of a total brawl--with Shengzong egging it on--but Chengtian knows when to fold a hand; she orders a halt to all this and then commands that the army be turned around.
Another state council meeting: Mokjong wants to go on a hunting trip. That's right, a hunting trip. Right now, with the country on alert? Bad, bad timing, and besides, hunting isn't the kind of thing that kings do anyway. Mokjong rationalizes that it "will serve as a training drill for the Imperial Guards as well," but mainly he just wants to get out of the palace. Still, this is very odd.
Out in the woods: Dozens of soldiers are beating on drums and noisemakers, trying to flush out game. They find a boar and drive it right to a clearing where Mokjong is waiting. Mokjong kills it point-blank with one arrow, and smiles, pleased with himself. (Good grief--hunt like a man, you big p#@%&. That is just gutless and cruel.) Afterwards, he tells the troops guarding him to go back to the palace without him! Huh? He has something to do and tells them he'll keep Yi Hyunoon and a few other soldiers with him. The troops object strenuously, but Mokjong angrily orders them to leave and they have to obey. So they leave, and then Hyunoon asks Mokjong where he wants to go. "That woman... I mean, that man," he says. "Do you know where to find him?" Hyunoon remembers the festival performers; they're called Mujari entertainers. So Mokjong wants to see them again. But Hyunoon asks him, Why send your men away? (Good question.)
Narration explains that Mujari entertainers were menial laborers of uncertain ancestry, who were at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Mokjong and the dozen or so troops still with him are in a village, watching a Mujari performance. Later, inside a hut, Hyunoon brings a man to meet Mokjong. It's Yu Jangan, the dancer Mokjong saw that night.
Back at Naewon Fort: Attack! What's this? Yelu Pennu leads a Khitan attack on the building where Cheonchu is staying. The Goryeans quickly amass and defend the building. Like an idiot, Cheonchu goes outside to see what's happening and nearly gets herself killed. But then Chengtian comes outside from her own building, sees what's going on and angrily orders it to stop. So she didn't know about it?
Whack! Back inside, Chengtian slaps her son across the face. So the attack was his idea. And she REALLY chews him out: "You are impulsive, irascible and belligerent! What makes you different from a child? I told you repeatedly that violence is not the answer to all things." He's practically whimpering and looks so utterly pathetic, you almost feel sorry for him. And yet she just keeps hammering: "If you're going to continue this pathetic behavior, surrender the throne at once! I will not sit by and watch my son destroy this empire. I'd rather put a cow on the throne!" (But she can't--they need the milk.) He apologizes to her, but she tells him, "I am not the one who requires an apology." Oh, you can't be serious....
"I made a mistake." Chengtian has dragged her son in front of Cheonchu and is making him apologize like a little kid. "I almost broke the peace between our two states with my imprudence. I apologize." Cheonchu then bungles the moment--"Does this mean you acknowledge Goryeo as an empire?"--and Chengtian has to explain to her that her son should have the chance to save face. Duh! Then PM Han pipes up with a suggestion for Cheonchu: If that's what you want, then how about a contest for it? He suggests a mini-war between fifty elite troops on each side. And if you refuse, he tells her, then we'll start a real war. (This is dumb on so many levels, I'm not even going to start.)
Jo Du has just come back to Wonsoong's house from a local trading port. A ship carrying tax grains has just come in and it's Chiyang's merchant group that's handling it. Wonsoong, Jo Sun and Jo Du grumble about Chiyang doing what used to be Wonsoong's job. Then Sa Gamun's name comes up. Wonsoong is curious about him.
At a trading warehouse (location unidentified): Merchant Yi is supervising the unloading and storage of grains. They're grains from the tax ship; Sa Gamun has brought them here. Huh? Dokyun sees this and goes to Sa Gamun, and accuses him of embezzling the government's grains. He doesn't deny it but won't tell her why he's doing it. "I want to know," she says, "if I'm going to be your wife." Is that a yes? "I don't have a choice." That's a strange answer (Did he knock her up?) but she presses about the grains. It's to build an army, he tells her, and that's all he wants to tell her for now so he kisses her. She grabs him and aggressively kisses him back.
Evening: Choe Hang is tutoring Prince Daeryang; Apparently he's the boy's master. Gamchan enters as they finish, and the boy leaves. Choe is very impressed with not only the boy's intelligence, but also his kind disposition. "What a shame," Choe says casually; "If only he were on the throne." Immediately he takes the remark back, visibly unsettled that he said such a thing. No, Gamchan sighs, you're right, he'd be better than Mokjong. Choe cautions Gamchan against saying such things, but it looks like they both agree at least with the concept.
Nighttime, back at the royal palace: "Show me that dance again." Outside in a small yard, Mokjong wants to see Yu Hangan dance like he did that night. Hangan is wearing the women's clothes and does the dance as ordered. Mokjong is entranced. From a distance, Mun Inui is watching.
Later, inside, Mokjong gives Hangan wine, which Hangan isn't used to drinking. Sunjeong enters and welcomes her husband back from his hunting trip. Mokjong asks Go Hyun to have Hangan shown out and escorted home. He gives Hangan a goblet to show his thanks and tells him he'll call him from time to time. After he leaves, Sunjeong asks her husband what Hangan was doing here. He's just an entertainer, Mokjong answers; "It doesn't concern you." Why not; what's with the secrecy? Sunjeong is clearly puzzled by this.
The next day, back at the border: A battleground is set up. Chengtian and Cheonchu respectively address their groups of fifty to fire them up. Then the troops charge each other and the battle is on.
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The Goryeans reach the Yalu. The plan is to meet at the Khitans' Naewon fort, which is just across the river. Turns out, the Goryeans have not only brought their own army, they've arranged for Jurchen and Balhaean troops to be on alert not far away, just in case. Scouting reports find that the Khitan army accompanying the Khitan rulers is comparable in size to the Goryeans'.
Chengtian, Shengzong and Prime Minister Han are awaiting the Goryeans. Uh-oh; we learn that Yelu Pennu is headed this way with 100,000 Khitan troops; they'll be here in five days. This is a tricky situation--they're leaving themselves terribly vulnerable to attack from Song China and are counting on the Chinese not find out about this--and Han simply wants to "overwhelm the Goryeans them the sheer size of our army." That is, scare them into rescinding the empire declaration without a fight. They can't afford a war with Goryeo now, as we've learned. Shengzong, his usual rash self, is itching for war and wants to attack. His mother says We'll meet with Cheonchu first and then talk about it. But she's obviously just trying to placate him.
The Goryeans arrive at the fort. Yelu Dilie receives them, but says only three of them will be allowed inside. No guards on either side, he says; only an "intimate meeting." So Cheonchu, Chiyang and Gang Jo go in. The Goryeans don't like the idea of Cheonchu leaving her bodyguards behind, but Cheonchu has a kind of high regard for Chengtian and says she "is not an ignoble woman" who would stoop as low as killing her like this.
So they go inside and meet the three Khitans. Immediate bickering about how to address each other, and Shengzong flies off the handle about it. But Chengtian shushes her son and invites "Empress Dowager Cheonchu" to sit down. Then more angry words, this time over Xiao Zanli's execution. Again Shengzong is steaming mad. But Chengtian shushes him again and tells her that Cheonchu is right! "From Goryeo's perspective, Xiao Zanli had to die, and as a daughter of Great Liao, she died an honorable death." And says the matter is closed. Her son seethes but stays quiet. Then on to the matter of empire declaration. And this one isn't going away. Nobody's backing down and tensions increase rapidly. Chengtian has to shush guess-who for a third time, but not before he shouts out a threat about the 100,000-man army that's on its way. What a boneheaded blunder. At that point Han suggests that maybe the two women should be left alone to talk.
Outside, Hyeolmae and Su No are speaking testily with Sa Illa and Hyangbi. Hyeolmae suspects Dokyun of betraying Liao. Then they all start trash-talking and then pretty soon a fight breaks out. Then troops run in and they're all about to start fighting each other, but at that moment Shengzong emerges from inside and breaks it all up.
Back inside: Chengtian is cordial and friendly on the surface, but tells Cheonchu, "Goryeo is a small state. It cannot contend with Liao." So you'd better rescind the empire declaration. Poker faces, veiled threats, insinuations, posturing.
In another room, Han and Chiyang are talking. Han is also cordial and friendly but wants Chiyang to advise Cheonchu "to avoid an unwinnable fight." And Han has a card to play: You wouldn't want her to learn about your true identity, would you? (We never saw Chiyang tell this to Han, but apparently he did at some point. Continuity error.) Chiyang calmly and coolly says None of that stuff was true, I was just using you to get your backing. I don't really want the throne for myself, what I want is for me and my empress dowager to take all of the old Goguryeo territory back from Liao. Han laughs a bit at that; does he really believe it was all a lie? We don't know, but probably not.
Dokyun is still fighting mad at Sa Gamun for using her against her own country. She's still smacking him around (he's still letting her). But he asks her to marry him! "Let me live the rest of my live making up to you for what I've done."
Goryeo state council meeting: Mokjong announces his desire to reinstate Kim Shimun. Gang Gamchan is horrified, and ministers one after another speak against the idea. But Mokjong he tells them he wants Kim back "Because none of you are ever on my side." (And he's got a good point, the way they've caved in to his mother repeatedly.) Then Choe Wonshin timidly speaks, saying It's just one man, let him have his one man. Han Ingyeong agrees, and no one else speaks. Then it's settled, Mokjong says, and "If you flip on me again when my mother returns, I'll no longer regard you as men." (I don't think that's going to stop them, but dare to dream, pal.)
Is there a 100,000-man army coming? Cheonchu, Gang Jo and Chiyang are talking about Shengzong's threat. Maybe it's true, maybe not, but they can't afford to take chances. They discuss what to do, including possibly taking the Khitan rulers hostage. And there's also a comment from Chiyang about the Chinese living up to their agreement. What's that about? What agreement?
Khitan scouts have found the Jurchen and Balhaean troops: 10,000 of each. No match for the 100,000 Khitans. "Then we're set," Shengzong says eagerly. But it's not that simple, because what if the Chinese attack while the Khitan army is engaged? Shengzong says, Then we have to take care of the Goryeans in one quick blow.
Goryeo royal palace: Yi Hyunoon, on watch duty, is caught sleeping on the job. Yu Bang, Kim Hoon and Choe Jil let him have it, verbally and with a few slaps thrown in. But then Go Hyun shows up. He's to bring Hyunoon to see the emperor.
Mokjong wants a drinking buddy; that's why he summoned Hyunoon. To his credit, Hyunoon says he can't drink while on duty, but after seeing the way Mokjong is glaring at him, he backtracks and says Okay, I can have one if it's your order. Mokjong feels a sort of kinship with Hyunoon because he feels alone and feels like he gets kicked around, just as Hyunoon does. And "I like you better than the two-faced high ministers who always put on a righteous act." He tells Hyunoon he'll call him in for a drink every once in a while.
Kim Wonsoong and Lady Yunheung are thrilled to hear of Kim Shimun's exile ending. Mokjong took Yunheung's advice and "It's a sign that he's ready to go against his mother," Wonsoong says. This may drive Mokjong and his mother further apart.
Nighttime: Mokjong exits a building and walks outside. As he passes some ladies-in-waiting, he hesitates. For just a moment he sees some of them with men's faces! But then the vision passes, and he walks away. Behind him, Sunjeong emerges. This is her palace he's just left; she'll be sleeping alone tonight. Again. She looks unhappy. Implication: he once again couldn't deliver the goods, and he's preoccupied with the thought of that dancing female impersonator.
We see a big, nasty-looking army on the march. Sa Illa and a local scout are watching them. Sa Illa rushes back to Cheonchu and confirms that the army is real. And just then, Hyangbi enters and tells them that the Khitans want to resume talks right now.
Back at the negotiating table, staring at each other. "You have competent scouts," Chengtian says, so you must know about our army coming. This is your last chance to rescind the empire declaration. "I'm still fond of you, so yield and kneel before me if you wish to live." And don't think about taking us hostage either; our guards are much better than yours. Wow, she's thought of everything. Suddenly Dilie runs in with an urgent report, which he whispers into Chengtian's ear. She doesn't flinch a bit, but Cheonchu, out loud, guesses that it's bad news for her, that the Song army is advancing north. Good guess! (Obviously there's something going on here that we don't know about yet--something involving that last Goryean envoy that was sent to Song in secret.) Better send those troops back, Cheonchu tells the Khitans smugly. At that the opposing guards draw swords and the whole room is on the verge of a total brawl--with Shengzong egging it on--but Chengtian knows when to fold a hand; she orders a halt to all this and then commands that the army be turned around.
Another state council meeting: Mokjong wants to go on a hunting trip. That's right, a hunting trip. Right now, with the country on alert? Bad, bad timing, and besides, hunting isn't the kind of thing that kings do anyway. Mokjong rationalizes that it "will serve as a training drill for the Imperial Guards as well," but mainly he just wants to get out of the palace. Still, this is very odd.
Out in the woods: Dozens of soldiers are beating on drums and noisemakers, trying to flush out game. They find a boar and drive it right to a clearing where Mokjong is waiting. Mokjong kills it point-blank with one arrow, and smiles, pleased with himself. (Good grief--hunt like a man, you big p#@%&. That is just gutless and cruel.) Afterwards, he tells the troops guarding him to go back to the palace without him! Huh? He has something to do and tells them he'll keep Yi Hyunoon and a few other soldiers with him. The troops object strenuously, but Mokjong angrily orders them to leave and they have to obey. So they leave, and then Hyunoon asks Mokjong where he wants to go. "That woman... I mean, that man," he says. "Do you know where to find him?" Hyunoon remembers the festival performers; they're called Mujari entertainers. So Mokjong wants to see them again. But Hyunoon asks him, Why send your men away? (Good question.)
Narration explains that Mujari entertainers were menial laborers of uncertain ancestry, who were at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Mokjong and the dozen or so troops still with him are in a village, watching a Mujari performance. Later, inside a hut, Hyunoon brings a man to meet Mokjong. It's Yu Jangan, the dancer Mokjong saw that night.
Back at Naewon Fort: Attack! What's this? Yelu Pennu leads a Khitan attack on the building where Cheonchu is staying. The Goryeans quickly amass and defend the building. Like an idiot, Cheonchu goes outside to see what's happening and nearly gets herself killed. But then Chengtian comes outside from her own building, sees what's going on and angrily orders it to stop. So she didn't know about it?
Whack! Back inside, Chengtian slaps her son across the face. So the attack was his idea. And she REALLY chews him out: "You are impulsive, irascible and belligerent! What makes you different from a child? I told you repeatedly that violence is not the answer to all things." He's practically whimpering and looks so utterly pathetic, you almost feel sorry for him. And yet she just keeps hammering: "If you're going to continue this pathetic behavior, surrender the throne at once! I will not sit by and watch my son destroy this empire. I'd rather put a cow on the throne!" (But she can't--they need the milk.) He apologizes to her, but she tells him, "I am not the one who requires an apology." Oh, you can't be serious....
"I made a mistake." Chengtian has dragged her son in front of Cheonchu and is making him apologize like a little kid. "I almost broke the peace between our two states with my imprudence. I apologize." Cheonchu then bungles the moment--"Does this mean you acknowledge Goryeo as an empire?"--and Chengtian has to explain to her that her son should have the chance to save face. Duh! Then PM Han pipes up with a suggestion for Cheonchu: If that's what you want, then how about a contest for it? He suggests a mini-war between fifty elite troops on each side. And if you refuse, he tells her, then we'll start a real war. (This is dumb on so many levels, I'm not even going to start.)
Jo Du has just come back to Wonsoong's house from a local trading port. A ship carrying tax grains has just come in and it's Chiyang's merchant group that's handling it. Wonsoong, Jo Sun and Jo Du grumble about Chiyang doing what used to be Wonsoong's job. Then Sa Gamun's name comes up. Wonsoong is curious about him.
At a trading warehouse (location unidentified): Merchant Yi is supervising the unloading and storage of grains. They're grains from the tax ship; Sa Gamun has brought them here. Huh? Dokyun sees this and goes to Sa Gamun, and accuses him of embezzling the government's grains. He doesn't deny it but won't tell her why he's doing it. "I want to know," she says, "if I'm going to be your wife." Is that a yes? "I don't have a choice." That's a strange answer (Did he knock her up?) but she presses about the grains. It's to build an army, he tells her, and that's all he wants to tell her for now so he kisses her. She grabs him and aggressively kisses him back.
Evening: Choe Hang is tutoring Prince Daeryang; Apparently he's the boy's master. Gamchan enters as they finish, and the boy leaves. Choe is very impressed with not only the boy's intelligence, but also his kind disposition. "What a shame," Choe says casually; "If only he were on the throne." Immediately he takes the remark back, visibly unsettled that he said such a thing. No, Gamchan sighs, you're right, he'd be better than Mokjong. Choe cautions Gamchan against saying such things, but it looks like they both agree at least with the concept.
Nighttime, back at the royal palace: "Show me that dance again." Outside in a small yard, Mokjong wants to see Yu Hangan dance like he did that night. Hangan is wearing the women's clothes and does the dance as ordered. Mokjong is entranced. From a distance, Mun Inui is watching.
Later, inside, Mokjong gives Hangan wine, which Hangan isn't used to drinking. Sunjeong enters and welcomes her husband back from his hunting trip. Mokjong asks Go Hyun to have Hangan shown out and escorted home. He gives Hangan a goblet to show his thanks and tells him he'll call him from time to time. After he leaves, Sunjeong asks her husband what Hangan was doing here. He's just an entertainer, Mokjong answers; "It doesn't concern you." Why not; what's with the secrecy? Sunjeong is clearly puzzled by this.
The next day, back at the border: A battleground is set up. Chengtian and Cheonchu respectively address their groups of fifty to fire them up. Then the troops charge each other and the battle is on.