Post by ajk on Feb 14, 2014 22:43:28 GMT -5
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Noguk relaxes and breathes normally. The pain has passed. She wonders--calmly, but she wonders--whether or not she'll be able to survive the agony of childbirth. Choseon is still with her and is about to offer advice...but then everything is interrupted by the queen dowager. Who's just heard about the pregnancy and (outwardly at least) is putting on the happy face.
Lee Je Hyeon is getting the full explanation from Gongmin about the king's plan to return the collaborators' ill-gotten land to the commoners who lost it, and to restore those commoners up from their current slave status. Lee respectfully tries to object, at least a little: "Custom dictates that the estate left over by treacherous subjects shall be distributed to the officials whose meritorious conduct..." Gongmin cuts him off; doesn't want to hear that. The land belonged to the commoners in the first place. And that's final. Lee is horrified to hear that Pyeonjo will head the task of returning the land. "Such matters of national interest shall not be entrusted to a civilian." But Gongmin is not only set on it, he wants Lee's help in smoothing the way for it. He's nice to the old man, but he's firm about it and doesn't care what Lee thinks.
I guess the QD really is happy about the pregnancy. She takes Noguk's hand and almost apologizes for her "cantankerous" behavior. And adds, "Now I can finally breathe," with an heir on the way.
Gongmin wonders why Pyeonjo isn't more grateful for everything he's doing, or at least happier about it. Pyeonjo says he's concerned that "the court officials will relentlessly spite you." Of course they will, Gongmin laughs; didn't you see Lee's face just then? "He wore the woebegone scowl of someone swallowing sticky gnats." (Hmm...must be a cultural idiosyncrasy).
Leaving the queen's palace, Princess Deoknyeong compliments the QD for finally showing some kindness to Noguk. But the QD just can't leave it at that, making a snide comment about how lucky Noguk is to be pregnant just as her former empire is being spurned by Goryeo. As in, this saves her from being drummed out of the palace. Sheesh. And Lee Hyebi, standing there waiting for her employer? "Your fortunes, alas, probably end here. You shall endure it." Geez, lady, she's not a piece of meat! Poor Hyebi.
Her royal guests gone, Noguk is in pain again. Choseon asks for and is given permission to touch Noguk's belly and examine the pregnancy--she seems to know about this stuff, despite being childless--and gets a substantial pain reaction when she does so. Choseon keeps her cool about it, but clearly she knows what's up, and it must be significant...
...but outside, she tells Eunuch An that she wants to ask a good physician she knows about the situation, and come back again. Then, leaving the palace, she finds Pyeonjo standing there and he excitedly tells her about the king's decree and his role in implementing it. She's thrilled. "His Majesty kept his promise!"
Won Hyeon leads a large group of men to Gi Cheol's estate. They're here to seize the place and all of its assets. They've been authorized by Pyeonjo to find all available records of land seizures and hidden assets...
...and as we soon see, they're questioning servants and other workers at the estate about phony records they've already found, and about a half-empty storehouse. Won actually starts beating an old man with a club--VERY classless, shame on him--and stops only when the old man tells him "You should be thankful at least that much is left" because in all the chaos of the insurrection, half of the storehouse was cleaned out...by government officials! Which only makes Won angrier, and now he's beating the old man even harder like it was his fault. Sheesh. And he shoves Gong Cheol aside when Gong tries to calm him. Won is slowly losing his marbles.
Council hall: Some serious grumbling from the officials about Pyeonjo being entrusted with the distribution work and about how they're not getting the assets like they think they should. But now who should speak up but Inspector Kim, and say what we'd never expect him to say: "The people have been just as meritorious in this matter, so His Majesty's wish to distribute the assets among the people is certainly not an improper action." Well how about that. "But ignoring the court and bestowing such a serious matter on a charlatan like Pyeonjo is most definitely a blameworthy decision." Yeah, there's the Kim we know and love. Lots of supportive murmurs for that. But now Jung Se Woon speaks up, and surprises all of them. "We should follow His Majesty's wishes in this matter. Not only did the people aid our effort in sending reinforcements to Yanjing, they showed great merit in helping us eradicate the collaborators." And then Kim Yong jumps in (while Inspector Kim gives him a bemused stare; obviously he knows Kim Yong isn't to be trusted) and reminds them that Pyeonjo was the one who rounded up all of those extra men to help protect the palace and defeat the collaborators. "If His Majesty wishes to pay back such benevolence, it can only be our duty to grant him that wish."
Later, a happy, calm Gongmin has invited his two longtime supporters Jung Se Woon and Kim Yong for a drink. He enjoys hearing about how tense the meeting was.
"You need to stop this at all costs, Your Highness." Look at this; Inspector Kim has gone to Gongmin's mother. Actually suggests that the safety of the royal family depends on the support of the courtiers and officials. Sheesh! And advises her, "You should take this opportunity to seize control of the political impasse." There's a huge power struggle on the horizon in the council, he says, and our clan supports you. (Captioning informs us that the QD's mother and Inspector Kim were "part of the powerful Gwangsan Kim clan," so there's an ancestral connection between them.) And then he doesn't hesitate to remind her of her past humiliations. Which is the right button to push. "I put my trust in you," she decides. Which he's very happy to hear.
Reluctantly, carefully, Lee In Bok tells Gongmin that while he accepts the decision to return the commoners' land, "bringing back the Directorate for Reclassification of Farmland would be wise." (The Directorate is a government office that existed in the previous century.) But Gongmin won't hear of it. "If the court is entrusted this matter, you know they will not act with openness." They'll all just rig the system to help themselves at the people's expense. Lee has to agree that "You do find such obnoxious practices from time to time." But Lee has a much bigger message to deliver, and proceeds to deliver it. "You received Empress Gi's help to reach the throne. How many people in the court do you think are willing to sacrifice their lives for your sake?" Remember Jo Il Shin's revolt, already so soon after your ascension? You need to forget this Pyeonjo business and invade the northern territories first. And the collaborators' land, instead of giving it to the people, you need to use it to fund the invasion and reward our soldiers! Gongmin doesn't like the sound of that. "Are you telling me soldiers shall be rewarded just because they fulfill their duties?" Yes, Lee answers, because the soldiers no longer fight out of idealism or love of country; they're just trying to survive and feed their families. And the government officials, he says, getting back to that...If you frustrate them too much, "they will give their undivided attention to a conspiracy to oust you, and replace you with whomever they wish." So reclaim our territory first, he insists, "to cement your authority...And after that, you can reinstate the Directorate, and take care of the people's grief." It's a passionately delivered appeal, and it does make a lot of sense--enough that Gongmin doesn't argue. But he does ask, "Can you pledge to me this is not merely to stop Pyeonjo?" What you've promised Pyeonjo, Lee answers, "is not something you can fulfill in a day." Take steps forward one at a time, he passionately urges; otherwise "it will bring a cataclysmic change!"
Afterwards, Yeom Je Shin is happy to hear from Lee about what he said to the king. Yeom is totally against the Pyeonjo role, as we saw and heard in the council hall. "I just didn't talk for our sake," Lee mutters. "You should be ashamed of yourself."
Now Gongmin is talking the whole thing over with Noguk. He's still not sold on the idea of attacking the northern territories immediately. He fully intends to do it soon, but doesn't think Goryeo is strong enough at this moment. But Noguk urges him ahead. "If you hesitate, it will only move the Yuan to rush with their own deployment." Strike now, she tells him. She had been waiting outside the office when Lee In Bok was talking to him, and heard it all. "What Lee In Bok said was not completely right," she tells her husband, "but following his advice would be wise."
Yanjing: The empress is getting the bad news: her brother Cheol executed; her brother Ryun missing; their mother missing too. Commissioner Park urges her to send troops and punish Goryeo now. Also tells her of rumors of Goryeo planning to invade the northern territories. "Should that happen, we shall never have any control over Goryeo again." Don't hesitate, he urges her repeatedly...but she's barely hearing him. She's quivering with anger, and at the same time trying to control the overwhelming grief that's flooding over her as tears stream down her face. She couldn't talk if she wanted to.
Park goes outside, where Choi Yu and Prince Deokheung are waiting to hear that an invasion has been approved. No such luck. For now we have to keep waiting, Park tells them.
Hey look, it's Emperor Shundi. Haven't seen him in quite a while. He heard about what happened to Empress Gi's family and offers to summon Goryeo's king to Yanjing about it. But she refuses to show any sign of grief or anger and assures him that she's dealing with it herself, and it's not worth his attention. I guess she's trying to keep her son from possibly being dragged into it...but still, it's an odd reaction from her.
"It is an unmitigated truth that everything south of the Amnok River belongs to Goryeo." State council meeting, and Gongmin is formally assigning two generals--who we meet for the first time--to the attempt to retake Goryeo's northern territories. In Dang is named Military Commander of the Western Region; he's to push the Yuan back past the Amnok (today known more familiarly as the Yalu) in the northwest, while Yoo In Woo is named Military Commander of the Eastern Region and will tackle the Ssangseong Commandery.
That evening, outside Gongmin's office: There's going to be a farewell/good-luck celebration for the high ministers and generals--so obviously Gongmin took Lee In Bok's advice and is pushing ahead with the invasion. But for the moment, ministers are kept waiting outside while Gongmin is issuing orders to each general inside. But as we find out, one minister is in there: Lee In Bok, who's been named supreme commander for the whole campaign! He's not a military leader, so this is a surprise. But the officials seem okay with it--all except Kim Yong (who really ought to know better by now and just keep quiet).
Inside, Gongmin is offering encouraging words and a farewell drink to In Dang. Then Lee In Bok explains the situation at the border territory: the Yuan have built eight supply bases around the Amnok River, but the Goryeans aren't exactly sure where they all are. Some of them might be north of the river, but if they are, even if a need arises to burn them down, under no circumstances are the Goryeans to cross the river. Gongmin adds, "Our goal in this campaign is reclaiming our lost territory. I don't plan on invading Yuan territory." Well, In Dang doesn't like that and immediately starts arguing about Liaodong, which is the territory immediately across the Amnok, and how it belonged to Goguryeo in the past...but Lee In Bok cuts him off and tells him in no uncertain terms that it's Yuan territory now and he's not to set foot on it.
In Dang leaves and Yoo In Woo is summoned in next. In Dang is grumbling about taking orders from someone without a military background, and Kim Yong is only too happy to stoke his agitation. This doesn't sound good at all. The guy seems intent on crossing that river if he gets the slightest opportunity. And then he and Kim Yong go off to talk out of earshot of everyone else standing there...which concerns the others, particularly Jung Se Woon.
Back inside, another round of drinks and encouragement from the king, this time for Yoo In Woo. Lee In Bok briefs the general on the situation in Ssangseong. Taking it won't be difficult, particularly with Lee Ja Chun ready to surrender to the Goryeans. The tricky part will be keeping the peace afterwards, because it's not all Goryeans up there; there are Jurchens too. "You shall rule them with benevolence," Lee instructs. But Yoo acts like he doesn't hear him: "We can use brute strength to silence them, and then show our gentler side." That's not what the king wants, and Gongmin makes sure Yoo understands that he's to do what he's ordered to do.
At the same time, the QD is hosting Noguk and Deoknyeong. More of her superficial laughter and annoying comments about the Yuan and what Noguk might think about the military action. And of course, "Give us a sightly young prince!" Noguk is silent but looks like she'd rather be anyplace else.
Now an evening meal and drinks served by Gongmin to the ministers and generals. They're all in fine spirits--the generous supply of wine undoubtedly is helping with that--and looking forward to the campaign.
Outside, Pyeonjo has shown up; he has a scroll to give to Gongmin. But Eunuch Choi explains about the meal and Pyeonjo says he'll come another time. Choi offers to take the scroll to the king. What is it? "It is the list of all the collaborators' assets, the land they stole, and all the commoners degraded to slaves." Wow--what a piece of work! And finished so quickly! Choi is amazed and happily tells Pyeonjo he'll give the list to Gongmin as soon as he can. (I don't know; something so important, I don't think I'd give to an attendant. Hope this doesn't lead to trouble.)
On his way out, Pyeonjo runs into the queen, who's headed home. She looks fatigued and unwell. (Although to be fair, an evening with the QD could do that to just about anybody.) But still she's kind enough to reach out to Pyeonjo and wonder whether or not he felt excluded by not being invited to the celebration. What a good person she is. Then she admits to some deeply mixed emotions about the collaborators being eliminated and the coming military action. "You don't know how ardently I've waited for all this. But why do these tears betray this joyous day?" She's worrying again about her Mongol ethnicity. "I think I'm just becoming a burden to His Majesty." Ugh, more of this. Well, pregnant women can get very emotional so Pyeonjo probably does the right thing and simply offers a few quiet words of encouragement.
The next day: A long line of citizens outside Choseon's estate. Information is being gathered about land and commoner-status claims. Kim Yong drifts in, dressed incognito, and asks to see Pyeonjo.
Choseon comes back to check on Noguk, who says she's in constant pain. This time Choseon is more candid with her. "By any chance, whenever you touch your abdomen, do you feel something like a lump?" Yes she does. Choseon explains that she herself suffers from minor episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding, and after seeing many physicians finally found one who understood and diagnosed it as being caused by a mass of some sort in her uterus. "According to this physician, it's of no harm to most people. But if you are pregnant, it will make giving birth very painful, or could even cause death." Yikes...but Noguk accepts the news calmly (maybe with relief, since it sounds like a clear explanation of what's happening to her) and asks Choseon if that physician is still alive. He is....
Kim Yong is visiting Pyeonjo now, and totally slinging it and sucking up. "I shall spare no effort to help you!" What a piece of work. This guy sucks up to everybody.
On his way out, Kim runs into Choseon on her way home. "How are things going, Your Excellency?" Kim is surprised that Choseon knows him. She says, "I saw you at Lord Deokseong's residence, didn't I?" Uh-oh! Kim scurries away, horrified that anybody remembered such a thing. Choseon watches him leave, contempt on her face.
Gaetae Temple: Deokun is just back from Gaegyeong. He's been drinking! Auntie can't even stand near him, he's stinks so bad of alcohol. He goes inside and excitedly tells Master Wolseon about the great things Pyeonjo is doing. Wolseon doesn't even react to him (or to his smell). Odd.
Oh geez--Choseon wasn't being entirely frank after all. She tells Pyeonjo, "With an immediate miscarriage, she'll be able to survive this. But if the child grows in the womb and she ends up giving birth, Her Majesty will perish." Good heavens. Well this explains why Choseon is childless, doesn't it...but that's hardly the main concern right now.
That evening: Noguk is seized by unbearable agony. "Call the physician," she barely manages to whisper to Lady Kim...before she passes out.
Lee Je Hyeon is getting the full explanation from Gongmin about the king's plan to return the collaborators' ill-gotten land to the commoners who lost it, and to restore those commoners up from their current slave status. Lee respectfully tries to object, at least a little: "Custom dictates that the estate left over by treacherous subjects shall be distributed to the officials whose meritorious conduct..." Gongmin cuts him off; doesn't want to hear that. The land belonged to the commoners in the first place. And that's final. Lee is horrified to hear that Pyeonjo will head the task of returning the land. "Such matters of national interest shall not be entrusted to a civilian." But Gongmin is not only set on it, he wants Lee's help in smoothing the way for it. He's nice to the old man, but he's firm about it and doesn't care what Lee thinks.
I guess the QD really is happy about the pregnancy. She takes Noguk's hand and almost apologizes for her "cantankerous" behavior. And adds, "Now I can finally breathe," with an heir on the way.
Gongmin wonders why Pyeonjo isn't more grateful for everything he's doing, or at least happier about it. Pyeonjo says he's concerned that "the court officials will relentlessly spite you." Of course they will, Gongmin laughs; didn't you see Lee's face just then? "He wore the woebegone scowl of someone swallowing sticky gnats." (Hmm...must be a cultural idiosyncrasy).
Leaving the queen's palace, Princess Deoknyeong compliments the QD for finally showing some kindness to Noguk. But the QD just can't leave it at that, making a snide comment about how lucky Noguk is to be pregnant just as her former empire is being spurned by Goryeo. As in, this saves her from being drummed out of the palace. Sheesh. And Lee Hyebi, standing there waiting for her employer? "Your fortunes, alas, probably end here. You shall endure it." Geez, lady, she's not a piece of meat! Poor Hyebi.
Her royal guests gone, Noguk is in pain again. Choseon asks for and is given permission to touch Noguk's belly and examine the pregnancy--she seems to know about this stuff, despite being childless--and gets a substantial pain reaction when she does so. Choseon keeps her cool about it, but clearly she knows what's up, and it must be significant...
...but outside, she tells Eunuch An that she wants to ask a good physician she knows about the situation, and come back again. Then, leaving the palace, she finds Pyeonjo standing there and he excitedly tells her about the king's decree and his role in implementing it. She's thrilled. "His Majesty kept his promise!"
Won Hyeon leads a large group of men to Gi Cheol's estate. They're here to seize the place and all of its assets. They've been authorized by Pyeonjo to find all available records of land seizures and hidden assets...
...and as we soon see, they're questioning servants and other workers at the estate about phony records they've already found, and about a half-empty storehouse. Won actually starts beating an old man with a club--VERY classless, shame on him--and stops only when the old man tells him "You should be thankful at least that much is left" because in all the chaos of the insurrection, half of the storehouse was cleaned out...by government officials! Which only makes Won angrier, and now he's beating the old man even harder like it was his fault. Sheesh. And he shoves Gong Cheol aside when Gong tries to calm him. Won is slowly losing his marbles.
Council hall: Some serious grumbling from the officials about Pyeonjo being entrusted with the distribution work and about how they're not getting the assets like they think they should. But now who should speak up but Inspector Kim, and say what we'd never expect him to say: "The people have been just as meritorious in this matter, so His Majesty's wish to distribute the assets among the people is certainly not an improper action." Well how about that. "But ignoring the court and bestowing such a serious matter on a charlatan like Pyeonjo is most definitely a blameworthy decision." Yeah, there's the Kim we know and love. Lots of supportive murmurs for that. But now Jung Se Woon speaks up, and surprises all of them. "We should follow His Majesty's wishes in this matter. Not only did the people aid our effort in sending reinforcements to Yanjing, they showed great merit in helping us eradicate the collaborators." And then Kim Yong jumps in (while Inspector Kim gives him a bemused stare; obviously he knows Kim Yong isn't to be trusted) and reminds them that Pyeonjo was the one who rounded up all of those extra men to help protect the palace and defeat the collaborators. "If His Majesty wishes to pay back such benevolence, it can only be our duty to grant him that wish."
Later, a happy, calm Gongmin has invited his two longtime supporters Jung Se Woon and Kim Yong for a drink. He enjoys hearing about how tense the meeting was.
"You need to stop this at all costs, Your Highness." Look at this; Inspector Kim has gone to Gongmin's mother. Actually suggests that the safety of the royal family depends on the support of the courtiers and officials. Sheesh! And advises her, "You should take this opportunity to seize control of the political impasse." There's a huge power struggle on the horizon in the council, he says, and our clan supports you. (Captioning informs us that the QD's mother and Inspector Kim were "part of the powerful Gwangsan Kim clan," so there's an ancestral connection between them.) And then he doesn't hesitate to remind her of her past humiliations. Which is the right button to push. "I put my trust in you," she decides. Which he's very happy to hear.
Reluctantly, carefully, Lee In Bok tells Gongmin that while he accepts the decision to return the commoners' land, "bringing back the Directorate for Reclassification of Farmland would be wise." (The Directorate is a government office that existed in the previous century.) But Gongmin won't hear of it. "If the court is entrusted this matter, you know they will not act with openness." They'll all just rig the system to help themselves at the people's expense. Lee has to agree that "You do find such obnoxious practices from time to time." But Lee has a much bigger message to deliver, and proceeds to deliver it. "You received Empress Gi's help to reach the throne. How many people in the court do you think are willing to sacrifice their lives for your sake?" Remember Jo Il Shin's revolt, already so soon after your ascension? You need to forget this Pyeonjo business and invade the northern territories first. And the collaborators' land, instead of giving it to the people, you need to use it to fund the invasion and reward our soldiers! Gongmin doesn't like the sound of that. "Are you telling me soldiers shall be rewarded just because they fulfill their duties?" Yes, Lee answers, because the soldiers no longer fight out of idealism or love of country; they're just trying to survive and feed their families. And the government officials, he says, getting back to that...If you frustrate them too much, "they will give their undivided attention to a conspiracy to oust you, and replace you with whomever they wish." So reclaim our territory first, he insists, "to cement your authority...And after that, you can reinstate the Directorate, and take care of the people's grief." It's a passionately delivered appeal, and it does make a lot of sense--enough that Gongmin doesn't argue. But he does ask, "Can you pledge to me this is not merely to stop Pyeonjo?" What you've promised Pyeonjo, Lee answers, "is not something you can fulfill in a day." Take steps forward one at a time, he passionately urges; otherwise "it will bring a cataclysmic change!"
Afterwards, Yeom Je Shin is happy to hear from Lee about what he said to the king. Yeom is totally against the Pyeonjo role, as we saw and heard in the council hall. "I just didn't talk for our sake," Lee mutters. "You should be ashamed of yourself."
Now Gongmin is talking the whole thing over with Noguk. He's still not sold on the idea of attacking the northern territories immediately. He fully intends to do it soon, but doesn't think Goryeo is strong enough at this moment. But Noguk urges him ahead. "If you hesitate, it will only move the Yuan to rush with their own deployment." Strike now, she tells him. She had been waiting outside the office when Lee In Bok was talking to him, and heard it all. "What Lee In Bok said was not completely right," she tells her husband, "but following his advice would be wise."
Yanjing: The empress is getting the bad news: her brother Cheol executed; her brother Ryun missing; their mother missing too. Commissioner Park urges her to send troops and punish Goryeo now. Also tells her of rumors of Goryeo planning to invade the northern territories. "Should that happen, we shall never have any control over Goryeo again." Don't hesitate, he urges her repeatedly...but she's barely hearing him. She's quivering with anger, and at the same time trying to control the overwhelming grief that's flooding over her as tears stream down her face. She couldn't talk if she wanted to.
Park goes outside, where Choi Yu and Prince Deokheung are waiting to hear that an invasion has been approved. No such luck. For now we have to keep waiting, Park tells them.
Hey look, it's Emperor Shundi. Haven't seen him in quite a while. He heard about what happened to Empress Gi's family and offers to summon Goryeo's king to Yanjing about it. But she refuses to show any sign of grief or anger and assures him that she's dealing with it herself, and it's not worth his attention. I guess she's trying to keep her son from possibly being dragged into it...but still, it's an odd reaction from her.
"It is an unmitigated truth that everything south of the Amnok River belongs to Goryeo." State council meeting, and Gongmin is formally assigning two generals--who we meet for the first time--to the attempt to retake Goryeo's northern territories. In Dang is named Military Commander of the Western Region; he's to push the Yuan back past the Amnok (today known more familiarly as the Yalu) in the northwest, while Yoo In Woo is named Military Commander of the Eastern Region and will tackle the Ssangseong Commandery.
That evening, outside Gongmin's office: There's going to be a farewell/good-luck celebration for the high ministers and generals--so obviously Gongmin took Lee In Bok's advice and is pushing ahead with the invasion. But for the moment, ministers are kept waiting outside while Gongmin is issuing orders to each general inside. But as we find out, one minister is in there: Lee In Bok, who's been named supreme commander for the whole campaign! He's not a military leader, so this is a surprise. But the officials seem okay with it--all except Kim Yong (who really ought to know better by now and just keep quiet).
Inside, Gongmin is offering encouraging words and a farewell drink to In Dang. Then Lee In Bok explains the situation at the border territory: the Yuan have built eight supply bases around the Amnok River, but the Goryeans aren't exactly sure where they all are. Some of them might be north of the river, but if they are, even if a need arises to burn them down, under no circumstances are the Goryeans to cross the river. Gongmin adds, "Our goal in this campaign is reclaiming our lost territory. I don't plan on invading Yuan territory." Well, In Dang doesn't like that and immediately starts arguing about Liaodong, which is the territory immediately across the Amnok, and how it belonged to Goguryeo in the past...but Lee In Bok cuts him off and tells him in no uncertain terms that it's Yuan territory now and he's not to set foot on it.
In Dang leaves and Yoo In Woo is summoned in next. In Dang is grumbling about taking orders from someone without a military background, and Kim Yong is only too happy to stoke his agitation. This doesn't sound good at all. The guy seems intent on crossing that river if he gets the slightest opportunity. And then he and Kim Yong go off to talk out of earshot of everyone else standing there...which concerns the others, particularly Jung Se Woon.
Back inside, another round of drinks and encouragement from the king, this time for Yoo In Woo. Lee In Bok briefs the general on the situation in Ssangseong. Taking it won't be difficult, particularly with Lee Ja Chun ready to surrender to the Goryeans. The tricky part will be keeping the peace afterwards, because it's not all Goryeans up there; there are Jurchens too. "You shall rule them with benevolence," Lee instructs. But Yoo acts like he doesn't hear him: "We can use brute strength to silence them, and then show our gentler side." That's not what the king wants, and Gongmin makes sure Yoo understands that he's to do what he's ordered to do.
At the same time, the QD is hosting Noguk and Deoknyeong. More of her superficial laughter and annoying comments about the Yuan and what Noguk might think about the military action. And of course, "Give us a sightly young prince!" Noguk is silent but looks like she'd rather be anyplace else.
Now an evening meal and drinks served by Gongmin to the ministers and generals. They're all in fine spirits--the generous supply of wine undoubtedly is helping with that--and looking forward to the campaign.
Outside, Pyeonjo has shown up; he has a scroll to give to Gongmin. But Eunuch Choi explains about the meal and Pyeonjo says he'll come another time. Choi offers to take the scroll to the king. What is it? "It is the list of all the collaborators' assets, the land they stole, and all the commoners degraded to slaves." Wow--what a piece of work! And finished so quickly! Choi is amazed and happily tells Pyeonjo he'll give the list to Gongmin as soon as he can. (I don't know; something so important, I don't think I'd give to an attendant. Hope this doesn't lead to trouble.)
On his way out, Pyeonjo runs into the queen, who's headed home. She looks fatigued and unwell. (Although to be fair, an evening with the QD could do that to just about anybody.) But still she's kind enough to reach out to Pyeonjo and wonder whether or not he felt excluded by not being invited to the celebration. What a good person she is. Then she admits to some deeply mixed emotions about the collaborators being eliminated and the coming military action. "You don't know how ardently I've waited for all this. But why do these tears betray this joyous day?" She's worrying again about her Mongol ethnicity. "I think I'm just becoming a burden to His Majesty." Ugh, more of this. Well, pregnant women can get very emotional so Pyeonjo probably does the right thing and simply offers a few quiet words of encouragement.
The next day: A long line of citizens outside Choseon's estate. Information is being gathered about land and commoner-status claims. Kim Yong drifts in, dressed incognito, and asks to see Pyeonjo.
Choseon comes back to check on Noguk, who says she's in constant pain. This time Choseon is more candid with her. "By any chance, whenever you touch your abdomen, do you feel something like a lump?" Yes she does. Choseon explains that she herself suffers from minor episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding, and after seeing many physicians finally found one who understood and diagnosed it as being caused by a mass of some sort in her uterus. "According to this physician, it's of no harm to most people. But if you are pregnant, it will make giving birth very painful, or could even cause death." Yikes...but Noguk accepts the news calmly (maybe with relief, since it sounds like a clear explanation of what's happening to her) and asks Choseon if that physician is still alive. He is....
Kim Yong is visiting Pyeonjo now, and totally slinging it and sucking up. "I shall spare no effort to help you!" What a piece of work. This guy sucks up to everybody.
On his way out, Kim runs into Choseon on her way home. "How are things going, Your Excellency?" Kim is surprised that Choseon knows him. She says, "I saw you at Lord Deokseong's residence, didn't I?" Uh-oh! Kim scurries away, horrified that anybody remembered such a thing. Choseon watches him leave, contempt on her face.
Gaetae Temple: Deokun is just back from Gaegyeong. He's been drinking! Auntie can't even stand near him, he's stinks so bad of alcohol. He goes inside and excitedly tells Master Wolseon about the great things Pyeonjo is doing. Wolseon doesn't even react to him (or to his smell). Odd.
Oh geez--Choseon wasn't being entirely frank after all. She tells Pyeonjo, "With an immediate miscarriage, she'll be able to survive this. But if the child grows in the womb and she ends up giving birth, Her Majesty will perish." Good heavens. Well this explains why Choseon is childless, doesn't it...but that's hardly the main concern right now.
That evening: Noguk is seized by unbearable agony. "Call the physician," she barely manages to whisper to Lady Kim...before she passes out.