Post by ajk on Apr 5, 2013 20:46:51 GMT -5
As QSD walks away from the kneeling Yushin, we hear her thoughts and learn that she still trusts Yushin and won't abandon him.
Now Yushin is sitting in a cell at the Inspectorate, and Bidam comes in to question him. "Did Wolya help you escape?" Silence. "Then, you must be aware of where he is?" Silence. Bidam quickly gets frustrated and bangs his hand on the table; doesn't understand why Yushin would even return if he's not going to cooperate. Then, suddenly, QSD shows up. Goes right into the cell and tells Bidam to leave. As he does, still within earshot, she starts right in. "What Bidam said is right. You acknowledge their crimes, but still wish to protect them. You might support any punishment directed at them, but they will still remain your people." It's a dangerous game, she warns him...and then, also, "Do you even realize how difficult a decision you are forcing upon me with your behavior?" Silence. So she adds, "Are you aspiring to gain the throne?" Yushin reacts with horror, and we can only hope she said this to provoke him and not because she's become dumb enough to actually wonder about it. Either way, he challenges her right back, reminding her that the separatist movement exists because there are plenty of Gayans supporting it--and it's your job to make them accept you as queen. Otherwise "Shilla and those Gaya people have no future together." Wow--brave talk. I don't want the Gayans to suffer, he continues, and I want you to have their respect. But she doesn't like that; she draws a hard line between the Gayan people and the separatist movement, and shouts out to Bidam an order to "Deploy all the inspectorate's troops and capture Wolya and the movement." (Inspectorate's troops? Why not the regular army? I don't get that at all.)
At the separatist camp: Wolya is dumbfounded and angry to hear that Yushin surrendered himself. Tells Seolji to prepare a rescue plan just in case developments at the palace should warrant it.
"What do you plan to do with Yushin?" Chunchu asks QSD and gets the mother of all eye-rolls in return. He reminds her about the danger of tipping things too far Bidam's way if Yushin is treated too harshly. She says she still trusts Yushin, but then brings up something we haven't considered before: her successor. She says she's worried about whoever will end up succeeding her, and that any sort of movement from outside to gain the throne has to be deal with severely, and now. Then she starts talking to Chunchu like he's the successor, warning him that if Bidam or Yushin or anybody else should attempt a coup, "you must subjugate them and wrest the crown away from them." Where did this all come from? And on top of that, she looks at him sternly and adds, "Your leisurely idling away in my crown's shadows has to stop." Ouch! Otherwise you'll never achieve King Jinheung's goal of unifying the Three Kingdoms. Never knew this was so much on her mind.
And now she's gone right to the edge. We're at a state council meeting and she proclaims, "I hereby deprive Chief Marshal Yushin of his post, and condemn him to exile." Even Misaeng looks at her funny, and nearly everyone else is aghast. She says she's sending him to Ulleung Island (off of Shilla's east coast; see new link in info thread). Everyone starts asking her to reconsider, both councilors like Seohyeon and Yongchun and even Jujin, and the younger administrators like Piltan and Wang Yun and Bakui (so apparently they're junior ministers or councilors of some sort, to be here). But her mind is made up and she's not interested in their arguments.
Back at the inspectorate, Alcheon brings the news to Yushin, whose arms are tied now, and his wrists shackled. Tells him that it's not a trust issue; she's angry because all of this is taking away her ability to focus on helping the people.
Now we see Imjong talking with Yushin's four guards from earlier: Godo, Daepoong, Geoksaheun and Yanggil. And all four of them are fuming. Imjong tells them that all of the military officers will be presenting a special appeal to the queen. Which sounds weak and tame to the four, so much so that Godo, Daepoong and Geoksaheun promptly get up to go talk to QSD personally. How do they plan to pull that off?
Wow, here's a sight: QSD leaving her palace, and finding Princess Manmyeong kneeling at the foot of the steps, calling her "heartless" and pleading on her son's behalf. QSD wants no part of her and tells her to leave...but now here come the three soldiers--so they caught her at the right moment. They promptly kneel down next to Manmyeong and make their own appeal, arguing that Yushin "would never betray you." She angrily fires back, "Then are you implying I betrayed him?" Okay, now she's just being bitchy--that's going too far, and Manmyeong's gasp shows it. She does tell them she cares about and respects Yushin as much as anyone...but Yushin should know that, so why isn't he reciprocating? "Why does he refuse to lose a single one of them? Why is he forcing such a difficult decision upon me?" And she does have a point. She angrily turns and walks back inside, fuming mad...
...And then Bidam comes in as she sits there seething. Now he's going to try to be the good guy: "Your Majesty, just leave Yushin in Seorabeol. This is too much affliction for you to bear." Well sure, now that you've screwed him over! But maybe he's being sincere about it...or maybe not, who knows...and now he's reaching out to put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her, which may be sincere...or maybe it's coldly calculated, who knows...but she sees it coming and tells him not to do it. She stands up and tells him to draw up a reshuffling of government personnel in light of the separatist movement's existence and activity. And she leaves him. He does look almost a little sheepish, like he's turned something loose that's done more damage than he intended to do...but we'll see.
Jukbang happens to run into the three former DFers as they walk angrily back from their failed plea to QSD. And surprisingly, they end up trading angry words. Jukbang is being too much of an apologist for the queen's position, they think. And Godo ends up shoving him aside, and the three leave him. Wow, never thought we'd see that.
Bidam is meeting with his cabal. They're beyond happy about the personnel order—it shows the queen's confidence in Bidam--and Misaeng even starts talking about suggesting marriage! Surprisingly, Bidam looks uncomfortable with this; would have thought he'd approve. In any event, Seolwon proposes naming Jujin to replace Seohyeon as head of the military, and naming Alcheon and Piltan as chief marshals. Also suggests somehow rewarding Lord Doyeol of Bisa Fortress and Lord Seongchun of Hando Fortress, who apparently have been allies of theirs. Bidam approves all of this...But then Hajong speaks up and asks for a position for himself! Which makes Misaeng giggle a little, and even Seolwon almost smiles. Bidam almost busts out laughing but keeps his cool. (Careful, you don't want him to start whining at you.)
Nighttime: QSD is on her balcony, overlooking the city. Alcheon is there guarding her. He tells her that Yushin is about to leave for exile. "Do you really plan not to even see him once?" Silence. So he reminds her of their time together during the Amak Fortress battle. That gets her attention. "During your trainee days, you never accepted giving up on anyone, even the wounded." Isn't this the same?, he asks gently. "Chief," she grumbles, "give it a rest." He does, and steps away...but now Jukbang shows up. "I did as you instructed me." Huh? What's this about? Don't know yet. Then he asks her if she's okay, and says he wishes Sohwa were here at a time like this. Which she agrees with, we can see...She says she's glad to have him with her. "Don't ever leave me." The sentiment stuns him, we can see it, and he actually goes silent. (Can we bottle that and keep it?) But then, very gently, he suggests to her, "Why don't you reconsider, and instead marry Lord Yushin?" You half expect her to go ballistic, but she says nothing and only stares into the distance. Undoubtedly reminded about what might have been. (Again, what about Yushin's wife?)
We see Yushin, in prisoner's white, escorted from the palace. Bidam watches from a distance, looking like he's a little ashamed of himself.
Next morning: Bidam brings his written personnel plan to QSD. We learn that it removes all Gayans from the entire royal court. Bidam smiles a little--like maybe he's not so remorseful after all. As she looks it over, Chunchu, Yongchun and Seohyeon enter; she had summoned them. She tells them about the reshuffling, and adds that Chunchu is assigned to be "Yichan," which she says is "the officer in charge of the three royal palaces." Which sounds pretty minor, but subtitling tells us it's the second-highest rank in the country! Oh, Bidam does not like that, we can see. And then goes even further, telling Seohyeon that while he bears some responsibility for Wolya's and Seolji's behavior, this isn't the time to remove him from his post as military commissioner because Baekje is acting suspiciously at their border. You'll remain, she tells him, but the inspectorate "will have to keep an observant eye on you." Seohyeon is floored, and Bidam isn't happy at all. She then tells Bidam to "Find the movement soon, and devote all your energy to uncovering the situation in Baekje and Goguryeo." And then drops the real bomb, telling both Bidam and Seohyeon that from now on they're to report to Yongchun and Chunchu. Wow, a demotion! Explains to Bidam that the Inspectorate's initial task of "maintaining order in the court" has been accomplished, and now she wants them to focus on Baekje and Goguryeo." Not sure why the military wouldn't remain a direct report; that doesn't seem wise at all...but whatever, Bidam looks like he's almost in shock.
He follows her out of the room and into her chambers. "Tell me the reason." He doesn't buy her explanation for the change. "Yushin is responsible, so why should I have to face this treatment? If Yushin is not by your side, should it be the same for me, Your Majesty? Can't you see the fealty and devotion I am showing you?" She says she does--"Just like I see your desire for me, and how much you cherish me." He doesn't deny it. So she challenges him, "Do you really have no intention of gaining power, and this country itself through me?" He says nothing. "You think I have no feelings? Think I would not like to love and be consoled by someone? Think that if those hands of yours touched me, my heart wouldn't throb?" Well THIS is news. At that he steps right up and hugs her! And she starts to hug him back...but then steps away. "It is not possible. For I am no longer a simple woman. All I am is a ruler." She feels the weight of her predecessors and her dead sister, and the responsibility to strengthen the country and unify the Three Kingdoms. "Until that day comes, there shall be no 'me.'" She warns him, "Do not even think of possessing me." He softly answers, "That is what cherishing someone means." Channeling his mother. "I implore you," she answers, clearly struggling with feelings that we had no clue about, "do not force me to choose. Nobody can ever possess me as long as this crown adorns my pate." He leaves in a huff, goes outside and slams his fist on a railing.
Oh boy, is the cabal unhappy about the demotion. Hajong is whining, of course, but Seolwon diagnoses it correctly as this being all about limiting Bidam's influence. And now that the Inspectorate has been assigned to deal with the separatists, well, if they fail, they'll be held responsible..."And in case of success, she will summon Yushin." Back from exile. Wow, that's pretty clever.
Misaeng, Hajong and Yeom Jong leave the inspectorate, wondering if they should do something in response to all this. Misaeng remembers, "When something of this sort happened, with only one word by Mother, Lord Seolwon would deal with it all on his own." He puts his hand on Yeom Jong's shoulder and smiles...as in, why don't you take care of this yourself?
"We will slay Yushin. Arrange for it." Is that how to take care of it? Yeom Jong thinks so; he's just given the order to a subordinate.
This is going to be interesting. QSD goes out onto her balcony and finds Seolwon there; obviously she summoned him. Receives him cordially: "Without your support, inheriting control of state affairs would not have been easy." He's gracious, at least superficially. She adds, "Her Highness had quite the talent at her disposal." But then she asks, "What were Her Highness's final injunctions? Her final words she left you with." He doesn't like the question at all and doesn't answer. "Whatever they might be," she continues, "I strongly advise you against inciting Bidam." Adds that she thinks Mishil would ultimately agree." Seems presumptuous of her to say that.
Yeom Jong and two of his subordinates arrive on Ulleung Island. (In broad daylight? Is that a good idea?) They ask around about Yushin...and wind up in the countryside in front of a pair of simple, humble house buildings, with no troops guarding them. Which seems odd...but Yeom Jong gives the order and the two subordinates load up their blow guns (just like what killed Munno, remember) and run towards the main house. Yeom Jong walks up to the front door and calls out to Yushin, and gets no answer. So the two subordinates open the door and run inside. The place is empty; not only nobody home, but nobody even lives there.
Yushin isn't there, but he is somewhere else; we see him now, still wearing his prisoner's white. Geoksaheun and Yanggil have come to bring him a message from QSD. It's an assignment. "Investigate Baekje's condition south of Pallyangchi." Discreetly. Apparently there's trouble or potential trouble in the area. Godo and Daepoong are already there, they tell him. They also tell him that this isn't a revocation of his exile; once he's done this task, he goes back into exile. Wonder if he'll agree to do it.
Apparently he did, because now Seolji tells Wolya that they've had men trailing Yushin and that he infiltrated Baekje territory.
Oh no, it's Santak the Annoying chief guard! Tells Bidam that he "deployed all their men as a Baekje recon unit" (apparently referring to the former DFers). Bidam tells him to head to the scene with Bojong. Santak leaves, and Yeom Jong comes running in, frantic with news that Yushin isn't at his place of exile and apparently never was there. That catches Bidam entirely by surprise. He wonders if Yushin escaped...and then asks the logical follow-up question: "How did you find out?" Good question. Yeom Jong isn't answering, so now it's like the old days--Bidam grabs him and threatens him. He has to fess up: "I went there." To kill him. Bidam shoves Yeom Jong away, and sits there silently, looking angry...but more confused. He wonders who's responsible for this: Wolya, or the queen?
Three Baekje soldiers are headed somewhere on horseback, under a messenger's white flag. Suddenly arrows fly, and two are killed on the spot. The third, the messenger, is knocked off his horse. Yushin, Geoksaheun and Yanggil have ambushed them. (Killing guys under a white flag?) "Who are you and from which battalion?" Says his name is Doyeol, from the Royal Guard Ministry. Yushin asks him what his pass code is, and gets the answer. Where's he going and what's his message? Before Doyeol can say anything more, one of his fallen comrades who isn't dead yet finds the strength to reach his sword and lunge at him, killing him instantly. Yanggil kills the comrade in return, but too late. The three dead men are searched, but none of them is carrying a written message. Now what?
We see a Baekje military encampment. Can't tell how big it is but it's not small, we can see that much. And look who we're introduced to: Gyebaek, the renowned Baekje general (see link in info thread). Looks a little young right now; clearly not the guy in charge. We meet him because Yushin, Geoksaheun and Yanggil have put on the dead soldiers' uniforms and gone right into the camp. Gyebaek asks for the pass code, gets the right answer, and escorts the three into a tent where a general named Yoon Chung is waiting. We've heard this name before, in Episode 50; Mishil stated that he was stationed just west of Shilla with 20,000 elite troops.) He receives them, but looks at Yushin and doesn't recognize him so he asks who he is. Yushin gives him Doyeol's name and affiliation. "So you are the one who won the last riding contest." Yushin acknowledges this--but is it a trick? Nope, Yoon is satisfied. "So, what are you here to convey?" Yushin replies, "His Majesty wishes for me to report on this operation's plans in detail." Seems to Yoon like an odd request. He asks, "Did General Gwanpyeong from Sangdansan Fortress report to His Majesty?" Now this HAS to be a trick. Yushin thinks...and answers, "I thought General Yeongun was in Sangdansan Fortress." GOOD answer! Yoon chuckles. "Ohh...Right, indeed. Seems like I got confused for a moment." Yeah, sure. "Things are proceeding as planned," he begins, "and we are about to devise our operation's itinerary. We will request reinforcements in accordance with such plans, so you will have to wait a few hours." He tells Gyebaek to arrange for some food and fresh horses for the messengers.
As they're escorted to a rest tent, they see lots of weird activity in the camp. Lots of dirt and rocks piled up--what's all the digging for? Don't know yet. Gyebaek brings them into the tent and tells them to wait there. But this isn't just any rest tent, it's loaded with maps and scrolls. Gyebaek goes and consults one of the maps, and Yushin looks over his shoulder and is horrified to notice what's on the right edge of it: Daeya Fortress! And written at the bottom, along the coast: "Gaemun" (Opening the Gates) and "Heuk" (Black). Gyebaek doesn't like a messenger being so close to the map and flinches when he sees him, so Yushin innocently asks about the dirt and rocks. "We used them for defense purposes," Gyebaek explains, "during the last Doksan Fortress battle." Yushin replies, "The double trident route, you mean?" Not sure what this refers to, but Gyebaek is impressed at how well-informed his messenger is. Yushin says, "I heard it created an instant escape route during a siege. I just thought it was a remarkable feat." Gyebaek says it was his creation. "Then will this be another siege operation?" Asking an awful lot of questions, Yushin...he covers by mentioning the king's high expectations. Of course they're high, Gyebaek says. "Is not Daeya Fortress of crucial strategic importance?" Doink! So Daeya is the target. Of course, Yushin knows all about Daeya and starts talking about it, to get Gyebaek to talk more. It's a difficult conquest, he says: a prolonged conflict that "will need longer supply lines, and transportation will be arduous..." But Gyebaek disagrees. "All it will take is a blitzkrieg." Really? How is that possible against a stout fortress?
"There is much more yield with wheat than sorghum." Hey, it's that guy Bonggi--the Angang farmer who got the government title for growing more grain than anybody else. QSD has come north to see the Amnang villagers' reclaimed land for herself. As the new local Chief of Land Reclamation, he's showing her the locals' progress with their lands and crops. The queen passes along a piece of information that Councilor Dukchung gave her (apparently the former elite Hwarang--same guy): beans are a good crop to restore land. The stakes are high, because as Bonggi tells her, being able to use the same land every year, "that alone will double or triple our yield." Why doesn't she look happier about what she's seeing? Alcheon is with her and asks her exactly that. She says she is happy about it..."Still, I am anxious." Apparently she's distracted by something else. Guess what....
Bidam goes to see the queen. Chunchu and Yongchun are there, but the queen isn't. He turns to leave, but Chunchu has to remind him that whatever he was here to report, he needs to report it to the two of them first anyway. Bidam's face starts twitching with anger...but he turns and tells them about Yushin being missing. Chunchu says he'll report it to the queen when she returns. And then he asks the logical follow-up question: "Why was the inspectorate there, without Her Majesty's orders?" Ha! "What Her Majesty ordered was your ferreting out the movement, if I recall? Are you actively seeking Wolya's whereabouts?" Bidam answers, "Wouldn't Wolya be after Yushin? That is why we were observing his place of exile." Good comeback...but not sure that Chunchu bought it.
The wait's over, and the three phony messengers are brought back to Yoon. Three scrolls are sitting on a table. One black, one red, one blue. "You must report directly to His Majesty," he instructs, gesturing to the scrolls. Yushin picks up the red scroll. Uh-oh, BIG mistake. Messages to the Baekje royal family are always in black scrolls. Busss-ted. Well, Yushin manages to grab a soldier's sword and instant chaos breaks out. The three Shillans manage to fight their way out towards the encampment gate, but come on, they're absurdly outnumbered. And now the archers on the overlooking guard tower see what's going on. They take aim at the three...and then are killed by arrows flying in at them! Shot by other archers wearing black. What the heck--who are these guys? Wait, they're Gayans! LOTS of Gayans. There's Seolji in there, and Wolya too. It's a wild free-for all now, right there in the middle of the camp. And just in time for two other Shillans disguised in Baekje uniforms to show up and witness. Bojong and Santak. Certainly not the sight they expected to see, Yushin and Wolya in Baekje. But now the Baekjeans are starting to get the situation more under control, so it's time to flee. Wolya, Seolji and the three Shillans mount horses and head through the now-opened gate--but not before a great arrow-shot from Gyebaek buries itself into Yushin's back. Ouch, that's gotta hurt...most immediately, it causes him to drop the crucial black scroll that he managed to snatch on his way out of Yoon's tent. It rolls too far away to retrieve easily, and it's time to escape, now or never.
Now we're in the mountains somewhere. Godo and Daepoong are there waiting for Yushin to return. They go into a cave to treat Yushin's wound. Yushin can't help but notice a white dove flying by. A messenger? Inside the cave, the arrow is removed. In the meantime, Yushin has concluded that there's a Baekje spy in Daeya Fortress. That stuff he saw on the map, about opening gates and "Heuk." Some guy named Heuk, he concludes, is the spy. Must be somebody in the military, he thinks, since the guy can open the gates. And realizes this is the key to the blitzkrieg strategy that Gyebaek talked about. "Also, the Baekje army's supply lines...They were by no means sufficient if their destination was Daeya Fortress. Also, today alone I saw two carrier pigeons already. They were all flying towards Shilla." Just for a second, Seolji glances at Wolya, who doesn't react. Hmmmm....Yushin asks how many cauldrons were in the Baekje camp. Godo says he saw two thousand. That means at least 20,000 troops. With those supply lines, Yushin figures they plan on a three-day attack, maximum. "They want to end it all in three days." (Gotta say, this is impressive brainwork for a guy who actually thought he could pull off impersonating an enemy messenger.) Seeing the situation as urgent, he orders his four subordinates back to Seorabeol immediately to report the news. So they leave, two on each horse, in different directions (very wise). And then guess who emerges from the woods: Bojong, Santak and a squad of inspectors. They don't care about the messengers; they want Yushin and Wolya. And they're right there in the cave, easy pickins.
Back inside the cave, Wolya takes the opportunity to challenge Yushin's loyalty. "Make up your mind," he demands: Gaya or Shilla. And Yushin looks right back at him and calmly says, "There is...no Gaya." Give it up, he tells him; you're putting your people's lives at stake for "paltry vagaries of yours." Ouch, that's gotta hurt. Wolya and Seolji accuse him of being power hungry, and being in love with QSD, but Yushin says he's simply being realistic--a Gayan will never rule Shilla so the best we can do is carve out our place in the kingdom and protect our own. And, he says, Gayans must lead the way in unifying the Three Kingdoms. Well, none of this goes over very well, surprise surprise. Seolji is going bonkers and Wolya has tears in his eyes, shattered at what he sees as Yushin's betrayal. "Our alliance," Wolya tells him, "is now over." Without another word he walks out of the cave. Seolji, too angry to even speak, simply shakes his sword at him and likewise leaves.
Wolya and Seolji mount horses and leave the scene. Most of the inspectors run after them (how will they catch them on foot?). Then Yushin emerges and leaves the scene on another horse. He gallops away...and in a nearby wood, is suddenly surrounded by dozens of sword-wielding inspectors who knew just where he was headed (really?). Bojong and Santak, who were standing by the cave when Yushin galloped away, are on the spot instantly (UGH!!!!!). Yushin is captured.
Daeya Fortress: It's nighttime. The fortress gates are closed and the guards leave for the night. But the last two to leave, they turn to each other and nod, and unlatch the lock.
"We're at war with Baekje!" The next day, and an agitated QSD is calling an emergency council meeting. She also orders emergency forces from elsewhere in the kingdom transferred to assist at Daeya. She barely walks through the door of the council hall before she starts telling the councilors that Baekje's army is marching towards Daeya. And she's heard about the spy opening the fortress gates--so obviously at least one of Yushin's four subordinates made it home quickly and relayed the information. But Bidam isn't here--where's Bidam?
He's sitting in his Inspectorate office, with the tied-up and shackled Yushin sitting beside him. They're sitting there glaring at each other.
Bojong runs into the council meeting with news that the Inspectorate has just arrested Yushin. "We apprehended him in Baekje territory for espionage." The queen explodes: "Espionage?!! What are you talking about!??"
Now Yushin is sitting in a cell at the Inspectorate, and Bidam comes in to question him. "Did Wolya help you escape?" Silence. "Then, you must be aware of where he is?" Silence. Bidam quickly gets frustrated and bangs his hand on the table; doesn't understand why Yushin would even return if he's not going to cooperate. Then, suddenly, QSD shows up. Goes right into the cell and tells Bidam to leave. As he does, still within earshot, she starts right in. "What Bidam said is right. You acknowledge their crimes, but still wish to protect them. You might support any punishment directed at them, but they will still remain your people." It's a dangerous game, she warns him...and then, also, "Do you even realize how difficult a decision you are forcing upon me with your behavior?" Silence. So she adds, "Are you aspiring to gain the throne?" Yushin reacts with horror, and we can only hope she said this to provoke him and not because she's become dumb enough to actually wonder about it. Either way, he challenges her right back, reminding her that the separatist movement exists because there are plenty of Gayans supporting it--and it's your job to make them accept you as queen. Otherwise "Shilla and those Gaya people have no future together." Wow--brave talk. I don't want the Gayans to suffer, he continues, and I want you to have their respect. But she doesn't like that; she draws a hard line between the Gayan people and the separatist movement, and shouts out to Bidam an order to "Deploy all the inspectorate's troops and capture Wolya and the movement." (Inspectorate's troops? Why not the regular army? I don't get that at all.)
At the separatist camp: Wolya is dumbfounded and angry to hear that Yushin surrendered himself. Tells Seolji to prepare a rescue plan just in case developments at the palace should warrant it.
"What do you plan to do with Yushin?" Chunchu asks QSD and gets the mother of all eye-rolls in return. He reminds her about the danger of tipping things too far Bidam's way if Yushin is treated too harshly. She says she still trusts Yushin, but then brings up something we haven't considered before: her successor. She says she's worried about whoever will end up succeeding her, and that any sort of movement from outside to gain the throne has to be deal with severely, and now. Then she starts talking to Chunchu like he's the successor, warning him that if Bidam or Yushin or anybody else should attempt a coup, "you must subjugate them and wrest the crown away from them." Where did this all come from? And on top of that, she looks at him sternly and adds, "Your leisurely idling away in my crown's shadows has to stop." Ouch! Otherwise you'll never achieve King Jinheung's goal of unifying the Three Kingdoms. Never knew this was so much on her mind.
And now she's gone right to the edge. We're at a state council meeting and she proclaims, "I hereby deprive Chief Marshal Yushin of his post, and condemn him to exile." Even Misaeng looks at her funny, and nearly everyone else is aghast. She says she's sending him to Ulleung Island (off of Shilla's east coast; see new link in info thread). Everyone starts asking her to reconsider, both councilors like Seohyeon and Yongchun and even Jujin, and the younger administrators like Piltan and Wang Yun and Bakui (so apparently they're junior ministers or councilors of some sort, to be here). But her mind is made up and she's not interested in their arguments.
Back at the inspectorate, Alcheon brings the news to Yushin, whose arms are tied now, and his wrists shackled. Tells him that it's not a trust issue; she's angry because all of this is taking away her ability to focus on helping the people.
Now we see Imjong talking with Yushin's four guards from earlier: Godo, Daepoong, Geoksaheun and Yanggil. And all four of them are fuming. Imjong tells them that all of the military officers will be presenting a special appeal to the queen. Which sounds weak and tame to the four, so much so that Godo, Daepoong and Geoksaheun promptly get up to go talk to QSD personally. How do they plan to pull that off?
Wow, here's a sight: QSD leaving her palace, and finding Princess Manmyeong kneeling at the foot of the steps, calling her "heartless" and pleading on her son's behalf. QSD wants no part of her and tells her to leave...but now here come the three soldiers--so they caught her at the right moment. They promptly kneel down next to Manmyeong and make their own appeal, arguing that Yushin "would never betray you." She angrily fires back, "Then are you implying I betrayed him?" Okay, now she's just being bitchy--that's going too far, and Manmyeong's gasp shows it. She does tell them she cares about and respects Yushin as much as anyone...but Yushin should know that, so why isn't he reciprocating? "Why does he refuse to lose a single one of them? Why is he forcing such a difficult decision upon me?" And she does have a point. She angrily turns and walks back inside, fuming mad...
...And then Bidam comes in as she sits there seething. Now he's going to try to be the good guy: "Your Majesty, just leave Yushin in Seorabeol. This is too much affliction for you to bear." Well sure, now that you've screwed him over! But maybe he's being sincere about it...or maybe not, who knows...and now he's reaching out to put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her, which may be sincere...or maybe it's coldly calculated, who knows...but she sees it coming and tells him not to do it. She stands up and tells him to draw up a reshuffling of government personnel in light of the separatist movement's existence and activity. And she leaves him. He does look almost a little sheepish, like he's turned something loose that's done more damage than he intended to do...but we'll see.
Jukbang happens to run into the three former DFers as they walk angrily back from their failed plea to QSD. And surprisingly, they end up trading angry words. Jukbang is being too much of an apologist for the queen's position, they think. And Godo ends up shoving him aside, and the three leave him. Wow, never thought we'd see that.
Bidam is meeting with his cabal. They're beyond happy about the personnel order—it shows the queen's confidence in Bidam--and Misaeng even starts talking about suggesting marriage! Surprisingly, Bidam looks uncomfortable with this; would have thought he'd approve. In any event, Seolwon proposes naming Jujin to replace Seohyeon as head of the military, and naming Alcheon and Piltan as chief marshals. Also suggests somehow rewarding Lord Doyeol of Bisa Fortress and Lord Seongchun of Hando Fortress, who apparently have been allies of theirs. Bidam approves all of this...But then Hajong speaks up and asks for a position for himself! Which makes Misaeng giggle a little, and even Seolwon almost smiles. Bidam almost busts out laughing but keeps his cool. (Careful, you don't want him to start whining at you.)
Nighttime: QSD is on her balcony, overlooking the city. Alcheon is there guarding her. He tells her that Yushin is about to leave for exile. "Do you really plan not to even see him once?" Silence. So he reminds her of their time together during the Amak Fortress battle. That gets her attention. "During your trainee days, you never accepted giving up on anyone, even the wounded." Isn't this the same?, he asks gently. "Chief," she grumbles, "give it a rest." He does, and steps away...but now Jukbang shows up. "I did as you instructed me." Huh? What's this about? Don't know yet. Then he asks her if she's okay, and says he wishes Sohwa were here at a time like this. Which she agrees with, we can see...She says she's glad to have him with her. "Don't ever leave me." The sentiment stuns him, we can see it, and he actually goes silent. (Can we bottle that and keep it?) But then, very gently, he suggests to her, "Why don't you reconsider, and instead marry Lord Yushin?" You half expect her to go ballistic, but she says nothing and only stares into the distance. Undoubtedly reminded about what might have been. (Again, what about Yushin's wife?)
We see Yushin, in prisoner's white, escorted from the palace. Bidam watches from a distance, looking like he's a little ashamed of himself.
Next morning: Bidam brings his written personnel plan to QSD. We learn that it removes all Gayans from the entire royal court. Bidam smiles a little--like maybe he's not so remorseful after all. As she looks it over, Chunchu, Yongchun and Seohyeon enter; she had summoned them. She tells them about the reshuffling, and adds that Chunchu is assigned to be "Yichan," which she says is "the officer in charge of the three royal palaces." Which sounds pretty minor, but subtitling tells us it's the second-highest rank in the country! Oh, Bidam does not like that, we can see. And then goes even further, telling Seohyeon that while he bears some responsibility for Wolya's and Seolji's behavior, this isn't the time to remove him from his post as military commissioner because Baekje is acting suspiciously at their border. You'll remain, she tells him, but the inspectorate "will have to keep an observant eye on you." Seohyeon is floored, and Bidam isn't happy at all. She then tells Bidam to "Find the movement soon, and devote all your energy to uncovering the situation in Baekje and Goguryeo." And then drops the real bomb, telling both Bidam and Seohyeon that from now on they're to report to Yongchun and Chunchu. Wow, a demotion! Explains to Bidam that the Inspectorate's initial task of "maintaining order in the court" has been accomplished, and now she wants them to focus on Baekje and Goguryeo." Not sure why the military wouldn't remain a direct report; that doesn't seem wise at all...but whatever, Bidam looks like he's almost in shock.
He follows her out of the room and into her chambers. "Tell me the reason." He doesn't buy her explanation for the change. "Yushin is responsible, so why should I have to face this treatment? If Yushin is not by your side, should it be the same for me, Your Majesty? Can't you see the fealty and devotion I am showing you?" She says she does--"Just like I see your desire for me, and how much you cherish me." He doesn't deny it. So she challenges him, "Do you really have no intention of gaining power, and this country itself through me?" He says nothing. "You think I have no feelings? Think I would not like to love and be consoled by someone? Think that if those hands of yours touched me, my heart wouldn't throb?" Well THIS is news. At that he steps right up and hugs her! And she starts to hug him back...but then steps away. "It is not possible. For I am no longer a simple woman. All I am is a ruler." She feels the weight of her predecessors and her dead sister, and the responsibility to strengthen the country and unify the Three Kingdoms. "Until that day comes, there shall be no 'me.'" She warns him, "Do not even think of possessing me." He softly answers, "That is what cherishing someone means." Channeling his mother. "I implore you," she answers, clearly struggling with feelings that we had no clue about, "do not force me to choose. Nobody can ever possess me as long as this crown adorns my pate." He leaves in a huff, goes outside and slams his fist on a railing.
Oh boy, is the cabal unhappy about the demotion. Hajong is whining, of course, but Seolwon diagnoses it correctly as this being all about limiting Bidam's influence. And now that the Inspectorate has been assigned to deal with the separatists, well, if they fail, they'll be held responsible..."And in case of success, she will summon Yushin." Back from exile. Wow, that's pretty clever.
Misaeng, Hajong and Yeom Jong leave the inspectorate, wondering if they should do something in response to all this. Misaeng remembers, "When something of this sort happened, with only one word by Mother, Lord Seolwon would deal with it all on his own." He puts his hand on Yeom Jong's shoulder and smiles...as in, why don't you take care of this yourself?
"We will slay Yushin. Arrange for it." Is that how to take care of it? Yeom Jong thinks so; he's just given the order to a subordinate.
This is going to be interesting. QSD goes out onto her balcony and finds Seolwon there; obviously she summoned him. Receives him cordially: "Without your support, inheriting control of state affairs would not have been easy." He's gracious, at least superficially. She adds, "Her Highness had quite the talent at her disposal." But then she asks, "What were Her Highness's final injunctions? Her final words she left you with." He doesn't like the question at all and doesn't answer. "Whatever they might be," she continues, "I strongly advise you against inciting Bidam." Adds that she thinks Mishil would ultimately agree." Seems presumptuous of her to say that.
Yeom Jong and two of his subordinates arrive on Ulleung Island. (In broad daylight? Is that a good idea?) They ask around about Yushin...and wind up in the countryside in front of a pair of simple, humble house buildings, with no troops guarding them. Which seems odd...but Yeom Jong gives the order and the two subordinates load up their blow guns (just like what killed Munno, remember) and run towards the main house. Yeom Jong walks up to the front door and calls out to Yushin, and gets no answer. So the two subordinates open the door and run inside. The place is empty; not only nobody home, but nobody even lives there.
Yushin isn't there, but he is somewhere else; we see him now, still wearing his prisoner's white. Geoksaheun and Yanggil have come to bring him a message from QSD. It's an assignment. "Investigate Baekje's condition south of Pallyangchi." Discreetly. Apparently there's trouble or potential trouble in the area. Godo and Daepoong are already there, they tell him. They also tell him that this isn't a revocation of his exile; once he's done this task, he goes back into exile. Wonder if he'll agree to do it.
Apparently he did, because now Seolji tells Wolya that they've had men trailing Yushin and that he infiltrated Baekje territory.
Oh no, it's Santak the Annoying chief guard! Tells Bidam that he "deployed all their men as a Baekje recon unit" (apparently referring to the former DFers). Bidam tells him to head to the scene with Bojong. Santak leaves, and Yeom Jong comes running in, frantic with news that Yushin isn't at his place of exile and apparently never was there. That catches Bidam entirely by surprise. He wonders if Yushin escaped...and then asks the logical follow-up question: "How did you find out?" Good question. Yeom Jong isn't answering, so now it's like the old days--Bidam grabs him and threatens him. He has to fess up: "I went there." To kill him. Bidam shoves Yeom Jong away, and sits there silently, looking angry...but more confused. He wonders who's responsible for this: Wolya, or the queen?
Three Baekje soldiers are headed somewhere on horseback, under a messenger's white flag. Suddenly arrows fly, and two are killed on the spot. The third, the messenger, is knocked off his horse. Yushin, Geoksaheun and Yanggil have ambushed them. (Killing guys under a white flag?) "Who are you and from which battalion?" Says his name is Doyeol, from the Royal Guard Ministry. Yushin asks him what his pass code is, and gets the answer. Where's he going and what's his message? Before Doyeol can say anything more, one of his fallen comrades who isn't dead yet finds the strength to reach his sword and lunge at him, killing him instantly. Yanggil kills the comrade in return, but too late. The three dead men are searched, but none of them is carrying a written message. Now what?
We see a Baekje military encampment. Can't tell how big it is but it's not small, we can see that much. And look who we're introduced to: Gyebaek, the renowned Baekje general (see link in info thread). Looks a little young right now; clearly not the guy in charge. We meet him because Yushin, Geoksaheun and Yanggil have put on the dead soldiers' uniforms and gone right into the camp. Gyebaek asks for the pass code, gets the right answer, and escorts the three into a tent where a general named Yoon Chung is waiting. We've heard this name before, in Episode 50; Mishil stated that he was stationed just west of Shilla with 20,000 elite troops.) He receives them, but looks at Yushin and doesn't recognize him so he asks who he is. Yushin gives him Doyeol's name and affiliation. "So you are the one who won the last riding contest." Yushin acknowledges this--but is it a trick? Nope, Yoon is satisfied. "So, what are you here to convey?" Yushin replies, "His Majesty wishes for me to report on this operation's plans in detail." Seems to Yoon like an odd request. He asks, "Did General Gwanpyeong from Sangdansan Fortress report to His Majesty?" Now this HAS to be a trick. Yushin thinks...and answers, "I thought General Yeongun was in Sangdansan Fortress." GOOD answer! Yoon chuckles. "Ohh...Right, indeed. Seems like I got confused for a moment." Yeah, sure. "Things are proceeding as planned," he begins, "and we are about to devise our operation's itinerary. We will request reinforcements in accordance with such plans, so you will have to wait a few hours." He tells Gyebaek to arrange for some food and fresh horses for the messengers.
As they're escorted to a rest tent, they see lots of weird activity in the camp. Lots of dirt and rocks piled up--what's all the digging for? Don't know yet. Gyebaek brings them into the tent and tells them to wait there. But this isn't just any rest tent, it's loaded with maps and scrolls. Gyebaek goes and consults one of the maps, and Yushin looks over his shoulder and is horrified to notice what's on the right edge of it: Daeya Fortress! And written at the bottom, along the coast: "Gaemun" (Opening the Gates) and "Heuk" (Black). Gyebaek doesn't like a messenger being so close to the map and flinches when he sees him, so Yushin innocently asks about the dirt and rocks. "We used them for defense purposes," Gyebaek explains, "during the last Doksan Fortress battle." Yushin replies, "The double trident route, you mean?" Not sure what this refers to, but Gyebaek is impressed at how well-informed his messenger is. Yushin says, "I heard it created an instant escape route during a siege. I just thought it was a remarkable feat." Gyebaek says it was his creation. "Then will this be another siege operation?" Asking an awful lot of questions, Yushin...he covers by mentioning the king's high expectations. Of course they're high, Gyebaek says. "Is not Daeya Fortress of crucial strategic importance?" Doink! So Daeya is the target. Of course, Yushin knows all about Daeya and starts talking about it, to get Gyebaek to talk more. It's a difficult conquest, he says: a prolonged conflict that "will need longer supply lines, and transportation will be arduous..." But Gyebaek disagrees. "All it will take is a blitzkrieg." Really? How is that possible against a stout fortress?
"There is much more yield with wheat than sorghum." Hey, it's that guy Bonggi--the Angang farmer who got the government title for growing more grain than anybody else. QSD has come north to see the Amnang villagers' reclaimed land for herself. As the new local Chief of Land Reclamation, he's showing her the locals' progress with their lands and crops. The queen passes along a piece of information that Councilor Dukchung gave her (apparently the former elite Hwarang--same guy): beans are a good crop to restore land. The stakes are high, because as Bonggi tells her, being able to use the same land every year, "that alone will double or triple our yield." Why doesn't she look happier about what she's seeing? Alcheon is with her and asks her exactly that. She says she is happy about it..."Still, I am anxious." Apparently she's distracted by something else. Guess what....
Bidam goes to see the queen. Chunchu and Yongchun are there, but the queen isn't. He turns to leave, but Chunchu has to remind him that whatever he was here to report, he needs to report it to the two of them first anyway. Bidam's face starts twitching with anger...but he turns and tells them about Yushin being missing. Chunchu says he'll report it to the queen when she returns. And then he asks the logical follow-up question: "Why was the inspectorate there, without Her Majesty's orders?" Ha! "What Her Majesty ordered was your ferreting out the movement, if I recall? Are you actively seeking Wolya's whereabouts?" Bidam answers, "Wouldn't Wolya be after Yushin? That is why we were observing his place of exile." Good comeback...but not sure that Chunchu bought it.
The wait's over, and the three phony messengers are brought back to Yoon. Three scrolls are sitting on a table. One black, one red, one blue. "You must report directly to His Majesty," he instructs, gesturing to the scrolls. Yushin picks up the red scroll. Uh-oh, BIG mistake. Messages to the Baekje royal family are always in black scrolls. Busss-ted. Well, Yushin manages to grab a soldier's sword and instant chaos breaks out. The three Shillans manage to fight their way out towards the encampment gate, but come on, they're absurdly outnumbered. And now the archers on the overlooking guard tower see what's going on. They take aim at the three...and then are killed by arrows flying in at them! Shot by other archers wearing black. What the heck--who are these guys? Wait, they're Gayans! LOTS of Gayans. There's Seolji in there, and Wolya too. It's a wild free-for all now, right there in the middle of the camp. And just in time for two other Shillans disguised in Baekje uniforms to show up and witness. Bojong and Santak. Certainly not the sight they expected to see, Yushin and Wolya in Baekje. But now the Baekjeans are starting to get the situation more under control, so it's time to flee. Wolya, Seolji and the three Shillans mount horses and head through the now-opened gate--but not before a great arrow-shot from Gyebaek buries itself into Yushin's back. Ouch, that's gotta hurt...most immediately, it causes him to drop the crucial black scroll that he managed to snatch on his way out of Yoon's tent. It rolls too far away to retrieve easily, and it's time to escape, now or never.
Now we're in the mountains somewhere. Godo and Daepoong are there waiting for Yushin to return. They go into a cave to treat Yushin's wound. Yushin can't help but notice a white dove flying by. A messenger? Inside the cave, the arrow is removed. In the meantime, Yushin has concluded that there's a Baekje spy in Daeya Fortress. That stuff he saw on the map, about opening gates and "Heuk." Some guy named Heuk, he concludes, is the spy. Must be somebody in the military, he thinks, since the guy can open the gates. And realizes this is the key to the blitzkrieg strategy that Gyebaek talked about. "Also, the Baekje army's supply lines...They were by no means sufficient if their destination was Daeya Fortress. Also, today alone I saw two carrier pigeons already. They were all flying towards Shilla." Just for a second, Seolji glances at Wolya, who doesn't react. Hmmmm....Yushin asks how many cauldrons were in the Baekje camp. Godo says he saw two thousand. That means at least 20,000 troops. With those supply lines, Yushin figures they plan on a three-day attack, maximum. "They want to end it all in three days." (Gotta say, this is impressive brainwork for a guy who actually thought he could pull off impersonating an enemy messenger.) Seeing the situation as urgent, he orders his four subordinates back to Seorabeol immediately to report the news. So they leave, two on each horse, in different directions (very wise). And then guess who emerges from the woods: Bojong, Santak and a squad of inspectors. They don't care about the messengers; they want Yushin and Wolya. And they're right there in the cave, easy pickins.
Back inside the cave, Wolya takes the opportunity to challenge Yushin's loyalty. "Make up your mind," he demands: Gaya or Shilla. And Yushin looks right back at him and calmly says, "There is...no Gaya." Give it up, he tells him; you're putting your people's lives at stake for "paltry vagaries of yours." Ouch, that's gotta hurt. Wolya and Seolji accuse him of being power hungry, and being in love with QSD, but Yushin says he's simply being realistic--a Gayan will never rule Shilla so the best we can do is carve out our place in the kingdom and protect our own. And, he says, Gayans must lead the way in unifying the Three Kingdoms. Well, none of this goes over very well, surprise surprise. Seolji is going bonkers and Wolya has tears in his eyes, shattered at what he sees as Yushin's betrayal. "Our alliance," Wolya tells him, "is now over." Without another word he walks out of the cave. Seolji, too angry to even speak, simply shakes his sword at him and likewise leaves.
Wolya and Seolji mount horses and leave the scene. Most of the inspectors run after them (how will they catch them on foot?). Then Yushin emerges and leaves the scene on another horse. He gallops away...and in a nearby wood, is suddenly surrounded by dozens of sword-wielding inspectors who knew just where he was headed (really?). Bojong and Santak, who were standing by the cave when Yushin galloped away, are on the spot instantly (UGH!!!!!). Yushin is captured.
Daeya Fortress: It's nighttime. The fortress gates are closed and the guards leave for the night. But the last two to leave, they turn to each other and nod, and unlatch the lock.
"We're at war with Baekje!" The next day, and an agitated QSD is calling an emergency council meeting. She also orders emergency forces from elsewhere in the kingdom transferred to assist at Daeya. She barely walks through the door of the council hall before she starts telling the councilors that Baekje's army is marching towards Daeya. And she's heard about the spy opening the fortress gates--so obviously at least one of Yushin's four subordinates made it home quickly and relayed the information. But Bidam isn't here--where's Bidam?
He's sitting in his Inspectorate office, with the tied-up and shackled Yushin sitting beside him. They're sitting there glaring at each other.
Bojong runs into the council meeting with news that the Inspectorate has just arrested Yushin. "We apprehended him in Baekje territory for espionage." The queen explodes: "Espionage?!! What are you talking about!??"