Post by ajk on Mar 22, 2013 23:58:57 GMT -5
Deokman's first state council meeting as queen. She names Yongchun her senior advisor (sangdaedeung) and names Seohyeon "commissioner" (he's already been named Chancellor of the Board of Military Affairs, we learn) and "the highest post in the army, that of Lieutenant Commander." And then tells the nobles it's time to put the past behind us and "together open an age of new dreams and aspirations for Shilla."
Later, Deokman--no, wait, guess we have to call her QSD from now on--is meeting with Chunchu, Yushin, Alcheon and Bidam. Yushin wants to know what she meant by that last statement: is it time to try to unify the Three Kingdoms? Yes, QSD says, that's what she wants. But she didn't allocate any military funds for this, as Alcheon points out. She has an explanation: "That is because we must first produce many more farming utensils of high quality." Jinheung, she says, was able to expand and strengthen Shilla only because he had the support of the people; making more people landowners and investing them in the country's future will make them more likely to fight for the kingdom. Chunchu gets it and is explaining it right along with her. "This is where our people's great cause begins," she says. "One day," she adds, "every single one of our people will have a land to protect." Even Bidam smiles at that idea.
Evening: Now QSD tells Yushin that the first thing she wants to do is get the Gayans to buy into the great dream. Yushin is visibly happy to hear that, and encourages her to "consider them your own people." Which she says she'll do; outlaw discrimination against them and get them represented in the government. "However," she says, changing tone, "the restoration movement no longer has any reason to exist. Their very name now signifies treason." She's understandably worried about them, but Yushin tells her that he and Wolya have "an understanding" that the movement will be disbanded and their efforts will go entirely to Shilla now. Which seems to placate her...except she confesses to particular concern about Wolya. She senses he might be a problem. Yushin tells her not to be concerned; he'll make sure Wolya sticks with the program. But she presses on him the need for Wolya (and everybody else) to be unified behind the nation's goals.
Next morning: Yushin tells Wolya what QSD wants to do for the Gayans, and Wolya does agree that the restoration movement is no longer necessary and will be retired. But when Yushin goes on to talk about the goal of uniting the kingdoms, a goal that Wolya seems to be fine with, Wolya also adds something odd, telling Yushin, Shouldn't you also want to "leave behind a glorious legacy for yourself?" As in, what? "Should you join Her Majesty in conjugal ties, and gain the opportunity to lead and protect this nation..." He doesn't get to finish the thought; Yushin angrily cuts him off and walks away. (Wonder what Wolya proposes to do with the wife Yushin has now?)
"You must become my blade." QSD tells Bidam this. Huh? "Able to slice off any corruption and malfeasance, that kind of blade." Silly choice of words...and maybe unfortunate as well, because now Bidam is thinking back to his final meeting with Munno in the woods before Munno's death, in Episode 37. "You are indeed a double-edged blade," Munno tells him; anyone who uses it will only hurt themselves"...That aside, he accepts her assignment, and they go over the specifics: eliminating speculation and usury by the nobles, and controlling the information flow into and out of the country. "Your role is paramount," she tells him. Interestingly, he asks, "But who will be observing my behavior?" I will, QSD answers with a smile.
Wow, look at all of the grain! We see a crowded market street somewhere, filled with farmers hauling stacked-full carts of grain. It's headed for the royal palace. Apparently this is in or near Seorabeol. And don't those farmers look happy. The locals are amazed at what they're seeing--and then they recognize some of the farmers as being the ones from the Angang Fortress area up north. Those are the people Deokman gave land and good tools in Episode 39 (and then executed the head men for not following her instructions). Remember how they were all fearful about being so in debt and facing barren land? These smiling people are them? "Yes!" says one. "I've become a landowner!" Another adds, "Not to mention the fact that land is now fertile." Well how about that--QSD's plan worked.
At the palace, look, it's Ho Jae--he's overseeing the acceptance of the grain payments. QSD and Yongchun arrive to check things out. Looks like all of the accumulated debt has been paid. A farmer named Bonggi, who apparently got the biggest yield, is singled out, and QSD names him "Chief of Farmland Reclamation." Seriously? A government title, just like that? The guy looks at her like she's crazy, and even starts to say so! But she cuts him off and continues before he can get himself in trouble, telling him that she's expanding the land/tools policy to other regions and wants him to teach other farmers in his region how to reclaim fallow land so that the policy can work even better. With that the villagers all erupt in cheers and joyful shouts. Smiles all around.
Now what's this? Three men on horseback come galloping into the yard where the grains were accepted. The villagers have left, but QSD and Yongchun are still there. One of those gallopers is Chunchu! The twerp who wouldn't even stay on a horse? Twerp no more. In fact, he's become such a good rider that he arrived before the official messenger. But what's the message? "It is a triumph," he tells them; "Field Marshal Kim Yushin crushed Baekje General Chilgyeong's army." Okay, so obviously this whole sequence is a bit of a time jump forward. QSD receives congratulations on the triumph.
And now Yushin and Wolya--looking slightly older, so yes some time has passed--enter the capital on horseback to joyous shouts of victory from the citizens. "Your popularity is increasing by the day," Wolya observes. Yushin doesn't like the implication; military glory stays on the battlefield, he answers dismissively. Then Yushin wonders why Seolji (who we learn now has the rank of daedaegam, like a regiment chief) isn't there to meet them. Where is he?
This very, very odd. We're at the "Royal Inspectorate Questioning Office" building. Seolji is sitting in a cell, arms tied up, ranting and screaming! It's like he's gone crazy. There look to be some weapons and implements around him, and a fired-up stove (he could easily get out of those ropes if he wanted to--oops). What's happened to him?
Outside the building: Oh no, it can't be--Santak the Annoying Hwarang! Except he doesn't appear to be a Hwarang any more; he's in charge of the Royal Inspectorate Guards. (Who did he annoy into getting THAT job?) He and his men report to Bidam and Yeom Jong, who have arrived on the scene. Next a subordinate arrives, bearing a report on a state visit by a delegation by the "Heukchi" delegation (the Philippine Islands). Wait, that's not just any subordinate--that's Bojong! No longer a Hwarang, obviously. Bidam receives the report, and asks about Lord Sueulbu. In his cell, Bojong tells him.
And look, there's Sueulbu. Not tied up, but sitting there in a dark cell in his official robe. Why? Bidam enters and puts two report books on the table in front of him. Uh-oh...sounds like Sueulbu's been cooking the books at the Board of Public Rewards, which apparently is his agency. Those look to be two different account books, one probably dummied up to conceal things. Sueulbu isn't fazed; says that "Finding the identity of many of our fallen soldiers is rather arduous" so it's understandable that whoever prepared the registers made some mistakes. So his agency's job, or at least part of it, must be to dispense awards to the families of troops killed in battle. Bidam accuses him and his fellow officers of slacking on their investigations and then embezzling the untraceable awards. Sueulbu's eyes widen. "Embezzle?! We never did that." And he does seem sincere. But Bidam warns him that the loyalty of the Shillan soldiers depends on their knowing that rewards for their service will be justly distributed. And adds, "Reforms start from above, and relief must start from the very bottom. Those are Her Majesty's wishes." And then he leans in adds, menacingly, "Is that clear?" Suddenly rattled, Sueulbu can only answer, "Uhh...certainly." (Who does that last Is-that-clear remind us of?)
Now Bidam goes to the Royal Inspectorate offices to meet with Seolwon, Yeom Jong and Bojong. Seolwon reports, that audits are underway at the new temples of Gameun and Bongdeok. These are new construction projects, and Bidam wants the audits done to make sure the construction funds are being spent properly. Then Bidam asks Yeom Jong if "the carrier pigeon from Goguryeo" arrived. It has--obviously from an informant who's sent details of a possible coup in the offing there. And then, what about Seolji? "He still refuses to speak," Bojong replies. Yeom Jong adds something about this all being a tough situation because of a lack of evidence...evidence of what? We don't know yet. Yushin needs to be told about all this, they agree. But when Yeom Jong mentions that Yushin returned today to triumphant shouts of praise for the "Yushin army," well, that doesn't sit well with Bidam--"they are Her Majesty's troops"--or with Seolwon.
So Bidam heads over to go see Yushin, and they run into each other in a courtyard. Bidam walks up and hugs Yushin and congratulates him. Yushin offers congratulations right back--apparently they haven't seen each other in a while--and they trade pleasantries before Yushin heads away. Clearly Bidam is putting on a front, though.
Now Bidam is with QSD. Brought her a report that the Baekje king is ill. She asks for preparations and information on troop deployments to handle any problems on the border that the illness might lead to. Then he mentions the possible embezzling problem with Sueulbu and his associates. "I have their full attention now," he adds, "so they will likely stop." She nods. "Overlook any infractions under one-tenth of their yearly salary. Anything above that, apprehend them immediately." Not sure where she came up with that one--why a tenth?--but he'll do it. Then he hesitantly tries to mention one more thing..."'that' issue. How shall I proceed?"
On a covered balcony, Yushin is enjoying a celebratory meal with four of his men. Wait a minute, we know these guys--it's Godo, and Daepoong and Geoksaheun. The fourth guy, I think that's Yanggil, Alcheon's subordinate. All in combat gear--wow, they must have been promoted big-time. And yeah, we learn that Godo now has the same daedaegam rank that Seolji has. Godo! How about that. And the others are praising him for fending off some rocks that were falling off a cliff on the battlefield and endangering lives. Seems like a bit of a stretch, but whatever the real story, he impressed Yushin enough that Yushin pours him a drink to show his respect. "Regardless of how much time has passed," he says, looking at Godo with an apparent mixture of wonder and pride, "how could someone change so much?" How about that. Good for him. And if that wasn't weird enough, the next moment brings a scene beyond belief. Jukbang enters, wearing a gold-colored government robe and being escorted by Santak the Annoying ex-Hwarang. Daepoong actually addresses him as "Your Eminence"--what bizarre parallel universe have we fallen into?--and offers him a seat. Santak, no offer. Santak complains about it: "How about this Royal Inspectorate officer?" And goes on about it in typically annoying fashion. Jukbang tries to take credit for Godo's transformation, saying it was his idea about Godo swinging the log at the Hwarang trying to detain Deokman (in Episode 45) that started it all. Yushin puts up with all this silliness without complaint...but he does want to know where Wolya is. Daepoong tells him that he went to see Seolji.
"Are you suspicious of Yushin?" QSD is asking Bidam, who coyly responds, "With the exception of Your Majesty, I suspect everyone. Including myself. Is that not my job?" He wants her permission to investigate further. Any evidence to back him up? No, not yet. Then no, she says, I don't consent. But then in the next sentence says he can continue investigating. Huh? (Must be a translation error here.)
Hajong and Misaeng are together. Hajong is drinking, and not lightly. We learn that Misaeng still has his job! Really? As Commissioner at the Board of Rites. You'd think he'd be happy about it, but he says he isn't and is only doing it to support his 100 kids. Then Hajong says today is the anniversary of his father's death. News to us; so Sejong didn't get much of a retirement, did he. Which explains the drinking, and now the crying. But the whining about being old and miserable, that's pure Hajong. Seeing Bojong and Bidam and Yushin younger and having more status now, wah wah wah. Misaeng pours him a drink, if only to shut him up.
Nighttime: "We shall apprehend them all." Bidam, with Yeom Jong at his side, is addressing fifteen men dressed in black uniforms. Mentions something about people who they've been investigating. Not sure what this is about, but now Yeom Jong is passing out what look like little medallions, one to each man.
Okay, so those are official ID badges. Bojong has come with three of the black-uniform guys to a government office where several men are working into the night. He shows one of the men the badge and tells him in so many words that he's under arrest. As they leave, they pass by three obviously higher-ranking officials in red robes. Hey, we know those guys too--Bakui, Piltan and Dukchung, the former elite Hwarang. Obviously they got promoted too. (Are there any Hwarang left?) Apparently this kind of sudden arrest is happening a lot, and Bakui complains about it. "These days those royal inspectors are acting as if they rule this place. Bidam is taking advantage of Her Majesty's favors." But the other two warn him about talking like that, and he agrees he should be careful. Never know who might hear.
Same evening: Now a squad of soldiers is doing a drill in a small walled-in yard. Seems awfully late for a routine drill...whatever. The officers overseeing it, tough to tell in the darkness but the head officer, looks like that's Imjong, and that looks like Dukchung next to him. Obviously they're both in the regular military now. But in the middle of the drill, two of the inspector guys show up, flash the badge and escort one of the soldiers away. It all happens so fast, Imjong can't even protest.
Same evening: Yushin is told by his four lunchmates from the previous day about Seolji being held at the Inspectorate. Nobody knows why yet. Some complaining from the four about the inspectors acting arrogantly and not justifying their actions. Yushin scolds them--"Careful what you say! Are they not under the direct control of Her Majesty? If he is innocent, he will be released"--but since it's Seolji, they think Yushin should at least talk to Bidam about it. A fifth subordinate comes in late--we don't know this person--and is surprised to hear about Seolji's arrest. At least he acts surprised, but it almost seems like he already knows and is hiding it. Weird. But who is this guy and what does it matter what he knows?
It must matter somehow, because now we see him leaving the meeting, alone, and in the next moment he's been snatched by four inspectors!
Next we see all three of the snatched men being taken into the Inspectorate building and put into cells.
"You know Seolji yourself. What on earth did he do to warrant imprisonment?" Yushin has gone and talked to Bidam, who has no desire to explain himself. "You will pardon me, but I lead the Royal Inspectorate. I can only report directly to Her Majesty." He does assure Yushin that justice will be done, and that leads Yushin to apologize for even coming here, not wanting to create the impression that he's using rank to gain favor. They exchange pleasantries and Yushin leaves. But as he leaves, he clearly does not look like he's sorry for coming; he looks very concerned.
Outside, Yushin finds Alcheon waiting for him. Alcheon's dressed in the same military uniform as Yushin. Yushin calls him "Chief" and asks him about his new job. Apparently he's in charge of guarding Seorabeol--he says it's boring, especially with all of the action going on at the Baekje frontier. They laugh together.
Yeom Jong tells Bidam that they've carried out the orders for tonight. What's Bidam working on? He's writing something. Look at those strange written characters--we've seen this stuff before. It's the code language that we encountered way back in Episode 26. Bidam found a message written in the code carried by one of the Bokya, and we learned that it's a code that he and Munno used to use to communicate with each other. It's actually an ancient Chinese script, but the Gayans apparently adopted it for their own use. Bidam is trying to remember it, and from what we can see, he succeeded--the piece of paper he's been working on looks very good. He puts it down, and tells Yeom Jong, "Shall we begin?"
Now Bidam goes into the cell of the soldier who was snatched, and puts the code page down in front of him. "You know Changi, right?" The frightened soldier says nothing. "Since you are spies, you might not be aware. That was written by Changi." No it wasn't--what's Bidam doing? Is this a frame-up of some sort? He expects the soldier to be able to read it. So the soldier must be Gayan.
"Just moments earlier, Jonggeum confessed everything." Now Bidam is in Changi's cell--Changi is the subordinate we saw being snatched after leaving the meeting with Yushin. Now we know his name. Bidam shows him the paper and says that Jonggeum wrote it. Obviously Jonggeum is the soldier's name. Bidam assumes that Changi can read the code too, so Changi must be Gayan. What does the code say, anyway? Bidam reads a snippet of it out loud, if only to intimidate Changi. It says, "Gaya is one."
Same evening: Yushin has gone to visit QSD. She praises his victorious efforts; he admirably credits his subordinates. "You all changed a lot," she tells him, in particular mentioning Godo of all people. Then she asks about Wolya and Seolji, and he tells her that "They are more than ready to lead their own battalion." Recommends promoting them to Chief Marshal. Tells her he trusts them completely. She looks away and suddenly doesn't seem happy, as though she doesn't like his assessment. But she looks back at him and assures him that she trusts him completely.
Now a stranger is tossed into a cell with the government worker, the third guy who was snatched. As he's tossed in, the guards curse him as "rotten Gaya vermin." Which prompts the worker, after the guards leave, to ask, "Are you...?" The stranger shushes him and draws the Gayan national emblem on the floor with his finger. The stranger asks, "Which branch of the restoration movement are you part of?" The worker replies, "The eastern one." Just what is going on here? It seemed like Bidam was orchestrating some sort of frame-up, until now...The stranger says, "We must alert all members who haven't been captured yet. At least one of us must escape from here." So they whisper together and cook up a plan...and then the stranger stands up and announces, "The questioning is over." Guards come and unlock the cell and release him. He was a plant! And now the other guy is in huge trouble...REALLY huge trouble, because Bidam and Yeom Jong were listening nearby. The guy sees Bidam and knows he's in for it now, and falls to his knees whimpering.
Now it's Alcheon who's with QSD. They watch Yushin depart. Alcheon praises Yushin's leadership, and thinks back to how far Yushin has come since their early battlefield experiences. But QSD doesn't seem interested; she's headed for the Inspectorate to meet Bidam. It's a strange place for a queen to be headed at this time of night, isn't it?
Back at the Inspectorate, Bidam has the same thoughts--tells Yeom Jong that it's time to meet with the queen.
Next day: Yushin is with his parents. They're aware of what's going on with the Inspectorate and how a lot of complaints are being murmured. Seohyeon even wonders if Bidam is only putting Mishil's people to work, "or turning them into his own followers." Yushin assures him that Bidam has no such thoughts. But now who's announced--Godo! What's he doing here? He's come to tell Yushin that Private Changi was arrested. This is just after he returned from the battlefield. Daepoong and Geoksaheun are there too; they protest that this is all going too far: not just military, but "the Board of Rites and Taxation, the Royal Cuisine, the provincial administration; they are not sparing anyone." (The Royal Cuisine?) Seohyeon says he'll check it out himself.
Wolya is quietly told by a subordinate (wearing a robe similar to Jukbang's) about arrests of many people he knows, including Changi and Jonggeum. Apparently all Gayans, and apparently the subordinate is too. "By now," the subordinate asks, "wouldn't they have learned something already?" Wolya tells him to be careful, and they go their separate ways. But in the next moment, Wolya himself is surrounded by six of the inspector guys. And Yeom Jong. Uh-oh.
Now Imjong and Dukchung are with Yushin, strongly protesting the Inspectorate's conduct and what they see as Bidam's abuse of power. You need to talk to the queen about this, they tell him.
So he decides to do it. And on the way there, he stumbles across the scene of Wolya and the inspectors. Wolya is protesting: "I am a high officer of the Board of Military Affairs. If you plan to apprehend me, tell the Commissioner to come here himself." Yushin comes over and interrupts, but Yeom Jong gives him a weasely/passive smile and says he knows nothing, that this is all legal and it would be disloyal to the queen to resist, and that Wolya has nothing to fear if he's innocent. What will Yushin do about this?
Jukbang is telling Chunchu what's been happening. They both assume that this was all done with the queen's consent, but they wonder why the queen would consent to it, especially considering that it's getting close to Yushin now.
Wolya is being taken to the Inspectorate. No sign of Yushin. Suddenly the group's path is blocked: Imjong, Godo, Daepoong, Geoksaheun and several other soldiers demand to know the reason for all of these arrests. Unfortunately for them, this is close enough to the Inspectorate that Yeom Jong shouts for backup and in moments more than a dozen additional inspectors run onto the scene and outnumber the group. Tempers flare and Godo and Yeom Jong start shouting at each other (during which we learn that Yeom Jong is a daedaegam, same rank as Godo.) Then, finally, Yushin shows up. He tells the protesters to leave--"I will discuss with the Commissioner myself"--and they follow his order and leave.
"Don't you know the entire palace angry with you?" Yushin has indeed gone to Bidam. That's just a consequence of this work, an unconcerned Bidam replies. "Are are you asking for special treatment?" That's not what Yushin meant at all. Very much the contrary: "They are troops who just returned from the battlefield. Shouldn't you consider our troops' morale?" Absolutely; a good point. But that pokes some resentment out of Bidam: "Our troops' morale?! Not 'your' troops, that is?" That seems more than a little unfair, and Yushin bristles at the implication. If you're concerned, Bidam says, go talk to the queen.
So he does. He finds QSD is on a balcony overlooking the capital. Alcheon informs her of Yushin's arrival and is instructed to let him in. Yushin politely but firmly asks, why Wolya is arrested. If my subordinates do wrong, he says, "I should be held responsible as well. May you tell me what he's suspected of, and hold me responsible with him." And reminds her that Wolya is a soldier who just returned from the front line. Before he can continue, she cuts him off: "You must abandon Wolya." Really? "No...Gaya. Gaya must be abandoned." He asks what we ask: "What is that supposed to mean?" So she comes clean and tells him. Reminds him of everything she's done for the Gayan people, and then with mounting anger in her voice, asks him, "How could the restoration movement be still active?" Yushin is stunned into silence. "Did you not say it was disbanded, its men integrated into the army?" She has to break it to him that everyone arrested was in the movement and that Wolya was leading it. And she reiterates: "You must abandon Gaya." (Don't get this.)
Seolwon looks like he's enjoying all this. He and Misaeng and Hajong are wondering if Yushin will really be able to turn his back on Gaya. Seolwon doesn't think so, considering how his Gayan support helped him get to where his is now, and "it shall now bring his own downfall."
Hajong gives credit "That Bidam is scary indeed. The restoration movement is a matter of national security, so what he did certainly does not go against principle. And he manages to hit his rival Yushin. He sure resembles someone. Someone we so dearly miss." Seolwon smiles and agrees.
Back on the balcony, Yushin is trying to digest this. Suddenly he drops to his knees and pleads on Wolya's behalf. Admitting that "Wolya is responsible for high treason" if all this is true, he reminds her that of the years of mistreatment of the Gayan people. "That anxiety of his will be the culprit." And nothing else. But this mention of the Gayan people, it sets the queen off like we've never seen her. "Gaya's people?! Where are these "Gaya people" you speak of? They are all Shilla's people, and they are all my people!" And then she calls for Bidam--who happens to be right there with a squad of inspectors. SHe asks him, "How did it go?" He reports that "We found out the movement was planning further action, and that their leader is Wolya. We are eradicating all movement members from the various offices." And then glancing at the kneeling Bidam, offers the queen a suggestion: "it would be wise to investigate Chief Marshal Yushin's connection with him." They both look at her and wait for an answer.
Later, Deokman--no, wait, guess we have to call her QSD from now on--is meeting with Chunchu, Yushin, Alcheon and Bidam. Yushin wants to know what she meant by that last statement: is it time to try to unify the Three Kingdoms? Yes, QSD says, that's what she wants. But she didn't allocate any military funds for this, as Alcheon points out. She has an explanation: "That is because we must first produce many more farming utensils of high quality." Jinheung, she says, was able to expand and strengthen Shilla only because he had the support of the people; making more people landowners and investing them in the country's future will make them more likely to fight for the kingdom. Chunchu gets it and is explaining it right along with her. "This is where our people's great cause begins," she says. "One day," she adds, "every single one of our people will have a land to protect." Even Bidam smiles at that idea.
Evening: Now QSD tells Yushin that the first thing she wants to do is get the Gayans to buy into the great dream. Yushin is visibly happy to hear that, and encourages her to "consider them your own people." Which she says she'll do; outlaw discrimination against them and get them represented in the government. "However," she says, changing tone, "the restoration movement no longer has any reason to exist. Their very name now signifies treason." She's understandably worried about them, but Yushin tells her that he and Wolya have "an understanding" that the movement will be disbanded and their efforts will go entirely to Shilla now. Which seems to placate her...except she confesses to particular concern about Wolya. She senses he might be a problem. Yushin tells her not to be concerned; he'll make sure Wolya sticks with the program. But she presses on him the need for Wolya (and everybody else) to be unified behind the nation's goals.
Next morning: Yushin tells Wolya what QSD wants to do for the Gayans, and Wolya does agree that the restoration movement is no longer necessary and will be retired. But when Yushin goes on to talk about the goal of uniting the kingdoms, a goal that Wolya seems to be fine with, Wolya also adds something odd, telling Yushin, Shouldn't you also want to "leave behind a glorious legacy for yourself?" As in, what? "Should you join Her Majesty in conjugal ties, and gain the opportunity to lead and protect this nation..." He doesn't get to finish the thought; Yushin angrily cuts him off and walks away. (Wonder what Wolya proposes to do with the wife Yushin has now?)
"You must become my blade." QSD tells Bidam this. Huh? "Able to slice off any corruption and malfeasance, that kind of blade." Silly choice of words...and maybe unfortunate as well, because now Bidam is thinking back to his final meeting with Munno in the woods before Munno's death, in Episode 37. "You are indeed a double-edged blade," Munno tells him; anyone who uses it will only hurt themselves"...That aside, he accepts her assignment, and they go over the specifics: eliminating speculation and usury by the nobles, and controlling the information flow into and out of the country. "Your role is paramount," she tells him. Interestingly, he asks, "But who will be observing my behavior?" I will, QSD answers with a smile.
Wow, look at all of the grain! We see a crowded market street somewhere, filled with farmers hauling stacked-full carts of grain. It's headed for the royal palace. Apparently this is in or near Seorabeol. And don't those farmers look happy. The locals are amazed at what they're seeing--and then they recognize some of the farmers as being the ones from the Angang Fortress area up north. Those are the people Deokman gave land and good tools in Episode 39 (and then executed the head men for not following her instructions). Remember how they were all fearful about being so in debt and facing barren land? These smiling people are them? "Yes!" says one. "I've become a landowner!" Another adds, "Not to mention the fact that land is now fertile." Well how about that--QSD's plan worked.
At the palace, look, it's Ho Jae--he's overseeing the acceptance of the grain payments. QSD and Yongchun arrive to check things out. Looks like all of the accumulated debt has been paid. A farmer named Bonggi, who apparently got the biggest yield, is singled out, and QSD names him "Chief of Farmland Reclamation." Seriously? A government title, just like that? The guy looks at her like she's crazy, and even starts to say so! But she cuts him off and continues before he can get himself in trouble, telling him that she's expanding the land/tools policy to other regions and wants him to teach other farmers in his region how to reclaim fallow land so that the policy can work even better. With that the villagers all erupt in cheers and joyful shouts. Smiles all around.
Now what's this? Three men on horseback come galloping into the yard where the grains were accepted. The villagers have left, but QSD and Yongchun are still there. One of those gallopers is Chunchu! The twerp who wouldn't even stay on a horse? Twerp no more. In fact, he's become such a good rider that he arrived before the official messenger. But what's the message? "It is a triumph," he tells them; "Field Marshal Kim Yushin crushed Baekje General Chilgyeong's army." Okay, so obviously this whole sequence is a bit of a time jump forward. QSD receives congratulations on the triumph.
And now Yushin and Wolya--looking slightly older, so yes some time has passed--enter the capital on horseback to joyous shouts of victory from the citizens. "Your popularity is increasing by the day," Wolya observes. Yushin doesn't like the implication; military glory stays on the battlefield, he answers dismissively. Then Yushin wonders why Seolji (who we learn now has the rank of daedaegam, like a regiment chief) isn't there to meet them. Where is he?
This very, very odd. We're at the "Royal Inspectorate Questioning Office" building. Seolji is sitting in a cell, arms tied up, ranting and screaming! It's like he's gone crazy. There look to be some weapons and implements around him, and a fired-up stove (he could easily get out of those ropes if he wanted to--oops). What's happened to him?
Outside the building: Oh no, it can't be--Santak the Annoying Hwarang! Except he doesn't appear to be a Hwarang any more; he's in charge of the Royal Inspectorate Guards. (Who did he annoy into getting THAT job?) He and his men report to Bidam and Yeom Jong, who have arrived on the scene. Next a subordinate arrives, bearing a report on a state visit by a delegation by the "Heukchi" delegation (the Philippine Islands). Wait, that's not just any subordinate--that's Bojong! No longer a Hwarang, obviously. Bidam receives the report, and asks about Lord Sueulbu. In his cell, Bojong tells him.
And look, there's Sueulbu. Not tied up, but sitting there in a dark cell in his official robe. Why? Bidam enters and puts two report books on the table in front of him. Uh-oh...sounds like Sueulbu's been cooking the books at the Board of Public Rewards, which apparently is his agency. Those look to be two different account books, one probably dummied up to conceal things. Sueulbu isn't fazed; says that "Finding the identity of many of our fallen soldiers is rather arduous" so it's understandable that whoever prepared the registers made some mistakes. So his agency's job, or at least part of it, must be to dispense awards to the families of troops killed in battle. Bidam accuses him and his fellow officers of slacking on their investigations and then embezzling the untraceable awards. Sueulbu's eyes widen. "Embezzle?! We never did that." And he does seem sincere. But Bidam warns him that the loyalty of the Shillan soldiers depends on their knowing that rewards for their service will be justly distributed. And adds, "Reforms start from above, and relief must start from the very bottom. Those are Her Majesty's wishes." And then he leans in adds, menacingly, "Is that clear?" Suddenly rattled, Sueulbu can only answer, "Uhh...certainly." (Who does that last Is-that-clear remind us of?)
Now Bidam goes to the Royal Inspectorate offices to meet with Seolwon, Yeom Jong and Bojong. Seolwon reports, that audits are underway at the new temples of Gameun and Bongdeok. These are new construction projects, and Bidam wants the audits done to make sure the construction funds are being spent properly. Then Bidam asks Yeom Jong if "the carrier pigeon from Goguryeo" arrived. It has--obviously from an informant who's sent details of a possible coup in the offing there. And then, what about Seolji? "He still refuses to speak," Bojong replies. Yeom Jong adds something about this all being a tough situation because of a lack of evidence...evidence of what? We don't know yet. Yushin needs to be told about all this, they agree. But when Yeom Jong mentions that Yushin returned today to triumphant shouts of praise for the "Yushin army," well, that doesn't sit well with Bidam--"they are Her Majesty's troops"--or with Seolwon.
So Bidam heads over to go see Yushin, and they run into each other in a courtyard. Bidam walks up and hugs Yushin and congratulates him. Yushin offers congratulations right back--apparently they haven't seen each other in a while--and they trade pleasantries before Yushin heads away. Clearly Bidam is putting on a front, though.
Now Bidam is with QSD. Brought her a report that the Baekje king is ill. She asks for preparations and information on troop deployments to handle any problems on the border that the illness might lead to. Then he mentions the possible embezzling problem with Sueulbu and his associates. "I have their full attention now," he adds, "so they will likely stop." She nods. "Overlook any infractions under one-tenth of their yearly salary. Anything above that, apprehend them immediately." Not sure where she came up with that one--why a tenth?--but he'll do it. Then he hesitantly tries to mention one more thing..."'that' issue. How shall I proceed?"
On a covered balcony, Yushin is enjoying a celebratory meal with four of his men. Wait a minute, we know these guys--it's Godo, and Daepoong and Geoksaheun. The fourth guy, I think that's Yanggil, Alcheon's subordinate. All in combat gear--wow, they must have been promoted big-time. And yeah, we learn that Godo now has the same daedaegam rank that Seolji has. Godo! How about that. And the others are praising him for fending off some rocks that were falling off a cliff on the battlefield and endangering lives. Seems like a bit of a stretch, but whatever the real story, he impressed Yushin enough that Yushin pours him a drink to show his respect. "Regardless of how much time has passed," he says, looking at Godo with an apparent mixture of wonder and pride, "how could someone change so much?" How about that. Good for him. And if that wasn't weird enough, the next moment brings a scene beyond belief. Jukbang enters, wearing a gold-colored government robe and being escorted by Santak the Annoying ex-Hwarang. Daepoong actually addresses him as "Your Eminence"--what bizarre parallel universe have we fallen into?--and offers him a seat. Santak, no offer. Santak complains about it: "How about this Royal Inspectorate officer?" And goes on about it in typically annoying fashion. Jukbang tries to take credit for Godo's transformation, saying it was his idea about Godo swinging the log at the Hwarang trying to detain Deokman (in Episode 45) that started it all. Yushin puts up with all this silliness without complaint...but he does want to know where Wolya is. Daepoong tells him that he went to see Seolji.
"Are you suspicious of Yushin?" QSD is asking Bidam, who coyly responds, "With the exception of Your Majesty, I suspect everyone. Including myself. Is that not my job?" He wants her permission to investigate further. Any evidence to back him up? No, not yet. Then no, she says, I don't consent. But then in the next sentence says he can continue investigating. Huh? (Must be a translation error here.)
Hajong and Misaeng are together. Hajong is drinking, and not lightly. We learn that Misaeng still has his job! Really? As Commissioner at the Board of Rites. You'd think he'd be happy about it, but he says he isn't and is only doing it to support his 100 kids. Then Hajong says today is the anniversary of his father's death. News to us; so Sejong didn't get much of a retirement, did he. Which explains the drinking, and now the crying. But the whining about being old and miserable, that's pure Hajong. Seeing Bojong and Bidam and Yushin younger and having more status now, wah wah wah. Misaeng pours him a drink, if only to shut him up.
Nighttime: "We shall apprehend them all." Bidam, with Yeom Jong at his side, is addressing fifteen men dressed in black uniforms. Mentions something about people who they've been investigating. Not sure what this is about, but now Yeom Jong is passing out what look like little medallions, one to each man.
Okay, so those are official ID badges. Bojong has come with three of the black-uniform guys to a government office where several men are working into the night. He shows one of the men the badge and tells him in so many words that he's under arrest. As they leave, they pass by three obviously higher-ranking officials in red robes. Hey, we know those guys too--Bakui, Piltan and Dukchung, the former elite Hwarang. Obviously they got promoted too. (Are there any Hwarang left?) Apparently this kind of sudden arrest is happening a lot, and Bakui complains about it. "These days those royal inspectors are acting as if they rule this place. Bidam is taking advantage of Her Majesty's favors." But the other two warn him about talking like that, and he agrees he should be careful. Never know who might hear.
Same evening: Now a squad of soldiers is doing a drill in a small walled-in yard. Seems awfully late for a routine drill...whatever. The officers overseeing it, tough to tell in the darkness but the head officer, looks like that's Imjong, and that looks like Dukchung next to him. Obviously they're both in the regular military now. But in the middle of the drill, two of the inspector guys show up, flash the badge and escort one of the soldiers away. It all happens so fast, Imjong can't even protest.
Same evening: Yushin is told by his four lunchmates from the previous day about Seolji being held at the Inspectorate. Nobody knows why yet. Some complaining from the four about the inspectors acting arrogantly and not justifying their actions. Yushin scolds them--"Careful what you say! Are they not under the direct control of Her Majesty? If he is innocent, he will be released"--but since it's Seolji, they think Yushin should at least talk to Bidam about it. A fifth subordinate comes in late--we don't know this person--and is surprised to hear about Seolji's arrest. At least he acts surprised, but it almost seems like he already knows and is hiding it. Weird. But who is this guy and what does it matter what he knows?
It must matter somehow, because now we see him leaving the meeting, alone, and in the next moment he's been snatched by four inspectors!
Next we see all three of the snatched men being taken into the Inspectorate building and put into cells.
"You know Seolji yourself. What on earth did he do to warrant imprisonment?" Yushin has gone and talked to Bidam, who has no desire to explain himself. "You will pardon me, but I lead the Royal Inspectorate. I can only report directly to Her Majesty." He does assure Yushin that justice will be done, and that leads Yushin to apologize for even coming here, not wanting to create the impression that he's using rank to gain favor. They exchange pleasantries and Yushin leaves. But as he leaves, he clearly does not look like he's sorry for coming; he looks very concerned.
Outside, Yushin finds Alcheon waiting for him. Alcheon's dressed in the same military uniform as Yushin. Yushin calls him "Chief" and asks him about his new job. Apparently he's in charge of guarding Seorabeol--he says it's boring, especially with all of the action going on at the Baekje frontier. They laugh together.
Yeom Jong tells Bidam that they've carried out the orders for tonight. What's Bidam working on? He's writing something. Look at those strange written characters--we've seen this stuff before. It's the code language that we encountered way back in Episode 26. Bidam found a message written in the code carried by one of the Bokya, and we learned that it's a code that he and Munno used to use to communicate with each other. It's actually an ancient Chinese script, but the Gayans apparently adopted it for their own use. Bidam is trying to remember it, and from what we can see, he succeeded--the piece of paper he's been working on looks very good. He puts it down, and tells Yeom Jong, "Shall we begin?"
Now Bidam goes into the cell of the soldier who was snatched, and puts the code page down in front of him. "You know Changi, right?" The frightened soldier says nothing. "Since you are spies, you might not be aware. That was written by Changi." No it wasn't--what's Bidam doing? Is this a frame-up of some sort? He expects the soldier to be able to read it. So the soldier must be Gayan.
"Just moments earlier, Jonggeum confessed everything." Now Bidam is in Changi's cell--Changi is the subordinate we saw being snatched after leaving the meeting with Yushin. Now we know his name. Bidam shows him the paper and says that Jonggeum wrote it. Obviously Jonggeum is the soldier's name. Bidam assumes that Changi can read the code too, so Changi must be Gayan. What does the code say, anyway? Bidam reads a snippet of it out loud, if only to intimidate Changi. It says, "Gaya is one."
Same evening: Yushin has gone to visit QSD. She praises his victorious efforts; he admirably credits his subordinates. "You all changed a lot," she tells him, in particular mentioning Godo of all people. Then she asks about Wolya and Seolji, and he tells her that "They are more than ready to lead their own battalion." Recommends promoting them to Chief Marshal. Tells her he trusts them completely. She looks away and suddenly doesn't seem happy, as though she doesn't like his assessment. But she looks back at him and assures him that she trusts him completely.
Now a stranger is tossed into a cell with the government worker, the third guy who was snatched. As he's tossed in, the guards curse him as "rotten Gaya vermin." Which prompts the worker, after the guards leave, to ask, "Are you...?" The stranger shushes him and draws the Gayan national emblem on the floor with his finger. The stranger asks, "Which branch of the restoration movement are you part of?" The worker replies, "The eastern one." Just what is going on here? It seemed like Bidam was orchestrating some sort of frame-up, until now...The stranger says, "We must alert all members who haven't been captured yet. At least one of us must escape from here." So they whisper together and cook up a plan...and then the stranger stands up and announces, "The questioning is over." Guards come and unlock the cell and release him. He was a plant! And now the other guy is in huge trouble...REALLY huge trouble, because Bidam and Yeom Jong were listening nearby. The guy sees Bidam and knows he's in for it now, and falls to his knees whimpering.
Now it's Alcheon who's with QSD. They watch Yushin depart. Alcheon praises Yushin's leadership, and thinks back to how far Yushin has come since their early battlefield experiences. But QSD doesn't seem interested; she's headed for the Inspectorate to meet Bidam. It's a strange place for a queen to be headed at this time of night, isn't it?
Back at the Inspectorate, Bidam has the same thoughts--tells Yeom Jong that it's time to meet with the queen.
Next day: Yushin is with his parents. They're aware of what's going on with the Inspectorate and how a lot of complaints are being murmured. Seohyeon even wonders if Bidam is only putting Mishil's people to work, "or turning them into his own followers." Yushin assures him that Bidam has no such thoughts. But now who's announced--Godo! What's he doing here? He's come to tell Yushin that Private Changi was arrested. This is just after he returned from the battlefield. Daepoong and Geoksaheun are there too; they protest that this is all going too far: not just military, but "the Board of Rites and Taxation, the Royal Cuisine, the provincial administration; they are not sparing anyone." (The Royal Cuisine?) Seohyeon says he'll check it out himself.
Wolya is quietly told by a subordinate (wearing a robe similar to Jukbang's) about arrests of many people he knows, including Changi and Jonggeum. Apparently all Gayans, and apparently the subordinate is too. "By now," the subordinate asks, "wouldn't they have learned something already?" Wolya tells him to be careful, and they go their separate ways. But in the next moment, Wolya himself is surrounded by six of the inspector guys. And Yeom Jong. Uh-oh.
Now Imjong and Dukchung are with Yushin, strongly protesting the Inspectorate's conduct and what they see as Bidam's abuse of power. You need to talk to the queen about this, they tell him.
So he decides to do it. And on the way there, he stumbles across the scene of Wolya and the inspectors. Wolya is protesting: "I am a high officer of the Board of Military Affairs. If you plan to apprehend me, tell the Commissioner to come here himself." Yushin comes over and interrupts, but Yeom Jong gives him a weasely/passive smile and says he knows nothing, that this is all legal and it would be disloyal to the queen to resist, and that Wolya has nothing to fear if he's innocent. What will Yushin do about this?
Jukbang is telling Chunchu what's been happening. They both assume that this was all done with the queen's consent, but they wonder why the queen would consent to it, especially considering that it's getting close to Yushin now.
Wolya is being taken to the Inspectorate. No sign of Yushin. Suddenly the group's path is blocked: Imjong, Godo, Daepoong, Geoksaheun and several other soldiers demand to know the reason for all of these arrests. Unfortunately for them, this is close enough to the Inspectorate that Yeom Jong shouts for backup and in moments more than a dozen additional inspectors run onto the scene and outnumber the group. Tempers flare and Godo and Yeom Jong start shouting at each other (during which we learn that Yeom Jong is a daedaegam, same rank as Godo.) Then, finally, Yushin shows up. He tells the protesters to leave--"I will discuss with the Commissioner myself"--and they follow his order and leave.
"Don't you know the entire palace angry with you?" Yushin has indeed gone to Bidam. That's just a consequence of this work, an unconcerned Bidam replies. "Are are you asking for special treatment?" That's not what Yushin meant at all. Very much the contrary: "They are troops who just returned from the battlefield. Shouldn't you consider our troops' morale?" Absolutely; a good point. But that pokes some resentment out of Bidam: "Our troops' morale?! Not 'your' troops, that is?" That seems more than a little unfair, and Yushin bristles at the implication. If you're concerned, Bidam says, go talk to the queen.
So he does. He finds QSD is on a balcony overlooking the capital. Alcheon informs her of Yushin's arrival and is instructed to let him in. Yushin politely but firmly asks, why Wolya is arrested. If my subordinates do wrong, he says, "I should be held responsible as well. May you tell me what he's suspected of, and hold me responsible with him." And reminds her that Wolya is a soldier who just returned from the front line. Before he can continue, she cuts him off: "You must abandon Wolya." Really? "No...Gaya. Gaya must be abandoned." He asks what we ask: "What is that supposed to mean?" So she comes clean and tells him. Reminds him of everything she's done for the Gayan people, and then with mounting anger in her voice, asks him, "How could the restoration movement be still active?" Yushin is stunned into silence. "Did you not say it was disbanded, its men integrated into the army?" She has to break it to him that everyone arrested was in the movement and that Wolya was leading it. And she reiterates: "You must abandon Gaya." (Don't get this.)
Seolwon looks like he's enjoying all this. He and Misaeng and Hajong are wondering if Yushin will really be able to turn his back on Gaya. Seolwon doesn't think so, considering how his Gayan support helped him get to where his is now, and "it shall now bring his own downfall."
Hajong gives credit "That Bidam is scary indeed. The restoration movement is a matter of national security, so what he did certainly does not go against principle. And he manages to hit his rival Yushin. He sure resembles someone. Someone we so dearly miss." Seolwon smiles and agrees.
Back on the balcony, Yushin is trying to digest this. Suddenly he drops to his knees and pleads on Wolya's behalf. Admitting that "Wolya is responsible for high treason" if all this is true, he reminds her that of the years of mistreatment of the Gayan people. "That anxiety of his will be the culprit." And nothing else. But this mention of the Gayan people, it sets the queen off like we've never seen her. "Gaya's people?! Where are these "Gaya people" you speak of? They are all Shilla's people, and they are all my people!" And then she calls for Bidam--who happens to be right there with a squad of inspectors. SHe asks him, "How did it go?" He reports that "We found out the movement was planning further action, and that their leader is Wolya. We are eradicating all movement members from the various offices." And then glancing at the kneeling Bidam, offers the queen a suggestion: "it would be wise to investigate Chief Marshal Yushin's connection with him." They both look at her and wait for an answer.