Post by ajk on May 2, 2014 23:58:54 GMT -5
Gongmin is still lamenting not having Pyeonjo with him. Noguk tells him, well, just send somebody to summon him if you want to see him. But Gongmin is still so haunted by what happened with the Directorate, he doesn't even seem to want to bring Pyeonjo for a visit. Then he abruptly changes subject. Summon Lee In Bok, he says. He's going to proclaim him chancellor...
...which comes as bad news to Yeom Je Shin, who's in a room meeting with other councilors including Lee In Bok. But he figures maybe it's time to bow out anyway, even without the impiety charges. Lee In Bok is too uncomfortable to say anything...
He goes to see the king and is offered the job. But In Bok suggests someone else instead: Hong Eon Bak, who's the king's cousin. Gongmin refuses: "Isn't he someone people like Inspector Kim advocated for?" Not trustworthy, he believes. He's disappointed by In Bok's reluctance, and for advocating someone who his opposition would advocate.
Kim Yong is trying to convince Yeom Je Shin that he's not responsible for the impiety accusations--that it's all the king trying to replace him with his cousin. And Yeom buys it. Of course he does; he buys anything anybody tells him.
Our first look at Hong Eon Bak, just after he's given the job. First we see him paying respects to the queen dowager...
...and then he's talking to some of the councilors. And how about this: he's giving them a scolding! Telling them to stop speaking out against the king. And lectures about how the high officials need to start paying their fair share to support the country's army.
News of this gets back to Gongmin. He's thrilled that Hong is talking sternly to the officials. "I misread his character," he says with relief and laughter.
Gaetae Temple: What is Won Hyeon doing now? Looks like he's trying to rally the refugees into forming a fighting force to help attack Red Turbans. And wow, it's working. Everyone's cheering and grabbing rudimentary weapons. Even the monks.
Lee Seonggye and his troops are entering the main army's camp, to thunderous applause. They've come all the way from the northeast. 30,000 of them! Plus 10,000 civilian troops. He reports to Jung Se Woon, who has a royal order in his hands that names Lee the Military Commander of the Northeast Region. Lee's troops are thrilled. Now get ready to fight, Jung orders. "Do not let a single Red Turban in Gaegyeong survive!" And look at this--now here comes the big group from Gaetae Temple. Wow they must have come a long way. Momentum is building! The solders are very happy to see the enthusiasm and support. I guess Won Hyeon did something very good here.
Gaegyeong: The Red Turbans have taken over the council hall. And their general, Guan Duo, is sitting on Gongmin's throne. They're all in high spirits. But a messenger rushes in with news of "Goryeo troops approaching from every direction!" Guan smiles until he's told it's 200,000 troops! He scoffs; figures that can't be true. But he orders defensive preparations made to the city gate walls: "After spreading ox and horse leather over the fortress walls, pour water on it. Then, the water will start freezing the leather, and the Goryeo troops will never be able to get past our defense."
We see Red Turban soldiers proceed to do that very thing.
Excited councilors shout to Gongmin about the huge army and all of the citizen volunteers. It brings tears to his eyes. "Once again I owe my people an immense debt of gratitude."
Gaegyeong: Wow that was fast: the whole army is gathered and is ready and itching to fight. Jung Se Woon orders the attack, and it's on. A huge, wild assault against the capital gates. Wow, Look at Won Hyeon climbing the wall and doing real well for himself. And Seonggye is a machine, piling up dead bodies!
Kim Rim couldn't get to Yanjing; had to bring that letter back to his uncle. The merchant whose boat he was going to sail in called off the voyage; too dangerous right now. Kim Yong goes ballistic. "Jung Se Woon is out there displaying meritorious service in my place, and you are telling me to just sit here and stare?!" Later he goes to talk to Inspector Kim and they somehow manage to reason that Jung Se Woon defeating the Red Turbans will force them northward and the Yuan will wipe them out and then invade Goryeo! Seriously? Sounds outlandish but of course they're just trying to rationalize their opposition to Jung. And then later, Kim Yong is by himself and says "We shan't let a foolishly negligent ruler ruin Goryeo!" Oh boy that sounds like traitor talk. And he's starting to look psychotic. And he's mumbling about putting a Kim on the throne. (Himself?)
The gates are opened--THAT didn't take long--and an endless throng of soldiers comes streaming through them...and now there's an incredible battle going on in the plaza--the entire plaza is filled with swords swinging, horses, soldiers, blood, bodies--it's unreal. Jung Se Woon is kicking butt, and so is Won Hyeon, and so is Seonggye...and look at this, even Deokun is waving a spear around pretty effectively.
Goryeans wounded in the battle are brought to the royal temple. We learn the Red Turbans are retreating! That's the good news. But the bad news is they're "slaughtering everyone on their path," as Jihyo tells Master Bou. So Bou goes inside and prays. Hmmm...
On and on the battle ranges in the palace. This group of Red Turbans isn't retreating, if only because they're trapped in the plaza.
The king says he's going back to Gaegyeong! He and Noguk are paying their daily respects to his mother. Apparently he's gotten favorable reports from the battle sites. Of course the QD has to give Noguk the usual instructions: "You must serve His Majesty well, from here on in. What I mean is, don't concern yourself over state affairs, and give birth to a crown prince." Same old same old...but Noguk is so happy at the news she simply smiles and nods.
Kim Yong wants Eunuch An to tell the king he can't return to Gaegyeong yet. Claims that security in the capital isn't strong enough yet, and Kim is responsible for the capital's security (of course it probably isn't true).
Good heavens look at all the bodies in the plaza. It's FILLED with them. What a bloodbath. Unreal. Won Hyeon looks around...throws down his spear in disgust and walks away. But the Goryeans won! An emotional Jung swears that this will never happen to the king again.
Yeah, Kim Yong has gone bonkers. We can see it in his eyes.
Gaetae Temple: Choseon takes Pyeonjo his meal out there in the shed. But he hasn't eaten his last one. He's still in there, but he's not looking so good, from what we can see of him in that darkened space. Choseon tells him from outside about what's been happening. And we learn that "Of the 200,000 Red Turbans who gained control of Gaegyeong, fewer than 10,000 survived and returned home." Wow! Then tells him to come out of there. "Have you not partaken in their sorrow enough?" But of course that's not why he's in there.
Back at the temple, word arrives of retreating Red Turbans in the area. And Choseon out there in the countryside by the shed, all by herself? Yikes! Park Seobang takes a few men and they arm themselves and head out there right away.
Uh-oh, right on cue four Red Turbans emerge from the woods at the sight of an attractive woman out there all by herself next to a tiny shed. They grab her and start tossing her around...now roughing her up...she's trying to fight back but she has no chance...it's ugly and Pyeonjo's inside the shed hearing all of it...finally Park and the men show up and start fighting them. He calls for Pyeonjo to come out and help them. Pyeonjo has been getting more and more worked up and finally starts to jump to his feet..."You fool, Pyeonjo!" Oh no, it's Wolseon's apparition. "Your three-year long hermitage is a pledge to Buddha. Choseon's death or survival is Buddha's wish. Those evil spirits he sent to awaken you prove Buddha's solicitude. Do you understand? He wants you to vanquish the greatest force beclouding your soul." It's frustrating Pyeonjo to tears...but fortunately some monks show up now and the Red Turbans are defeated by being outnumbered. Park starts going bananas, screaming furiously at Pyeonjo inside. But Pyeonjo looks grateful and happy that he passed this test of faith, or whatever you want to call it.
The good news has arrived at Bokju. Cheers and excitement all through the government headquarters and the royal dwellings that it's all over. Gongmin looks proud and confident and more like himself again.
"Have you ever worked at the Royal Secretariat?" Why would Kim Yong ask his nephew that? He did, so Yong tells him to forge the king's handwriting on a scroll. "Write as I tell you!" Rim looks terrified, but complies....
My survival is beclouded by uncertain fate. Jung Se Woon conspired with Prince Deokheung in Yanjing, plotting a treacherous stratagem to oust me from the throne, installing Prince Deokheung in my place. A treacherous stratagem....
The new chancellor tells Gongmin and Noguk to wait a little while before returning. It's farming season and "your passage will become a cumbersome hindrance to our farmers." Noguk says it's a wise idea, simply because the last thing they need is for food production to be interrupted. Hard to believe it would be THAT much of a disruption but apparently they don't want the farmers to stop for even a short time.
Of course, the QD barks and complains at the idea. She wants to go back home. But Prince Deoknyeong has a peacemaking suggestion: ask the king to find some better quarters for them now, to keep everybody happier until they can get back to the palace. A wise compromise.
Kim Yong tells his nephew to take the scroll to An Woo, one of the other generals in Gaegyeong. Would a fellow general really take it seriously? "It accuses Jung Se Woon of treason. Would he have the luxury not to believe it?" Not sure that's true. Either way, Rim heads off...but he doesn't look happy.
Gaegyeong: they're shaping up the palace for the king's return. And they're trying to clean up the market streets, which are still a horrible mess. And Choseon's servants are getting her home and her tea business back in shape too.
Gaetae: Choseon gets the news that her place is ready. But she's not leaving yet; tells Park Seobang she'll leave the business to him and will stay with Pyeonjo for now. Park is unhappy to hear it and suggests she stop this. "Because of him, you risked losing your life." She resents the argument: "If I hear such nonsense again, I shall cut all my ties with you." WOW that was as nasty as she's ever been to anyone. He follows her as she walks away and reminds her Pyeonjo did nothing to help her out there, but she doesn't answer.
Gaegyeong, evening: Finally a quiet moment for Jung Se Woon. He sits down to write a letter to the king.
Your Majesty: My most ardent wish is to run to Bokju and meet you. But as rebuilding the remnants of our palace and quenching our people's fervor are of utmost urgency, I am enduring as best as heaven allows me. Your Majesty: The more I think about it, this effrontery you had to go through is the fruit of our foolish behavior. If only we had joined forces with Pyeonjo in giving you support, would Your Majesty have endured all this? In deciding this triumph of ours, our people's support was paramount. Mere sticks and farming tools were their weapons, but seeing our people lead our vanguard undaunted by demise, I felt an engulfing sense of shame. Did the powerful clans ever treat them like human beings? So isn't fealty and devotion to their country what moved them to rise in arms and defend it to their last drop of blood? Your Majesty! May you reinstate the Directorate! Allow freedom to all the innocent commoners fallen into slavery, and give them back their dignity!
Jung had supported Gongmin's reinstating the Directorate as much as anybody in the government...but it wasn't really that much, frankly. So this is a remarkable statement of support. And expressing it brings tears to his eyes.
Evening, Gaegyeong: An Woo has received the fake scroll and is discussing it with Lee Bang Shil and Kim Deuk Bae, the other two generals serving under Jung Se Woon. It's nonsense, he says: "Commander Jung is one of His Majesty's most trusted subjects. How could he ever plot treason against him?" But General Lee says it's Gongmin's handwriting, no doubt. Then they start questioning Jung's motives for sending "two of his majesty's most trusted subjects out: Choi Yeong and Lee Seonggye." Um, because it's their job? But they rationalize that it's to get them away from Gongmin so Gongmin will be vulnerable. There's no royal seal on the scroll, but they decide it's legitimate and that they have no choice but to act. So they head to the palace...
...which is finished! All ready for the king's return. As Jung dispatches his letter, the three generals approach him outside the palace.
Kim Yong implies to Inspector Kim that he's done something to implicate Jung for treason. Inspector Kim is shocked by it; even for those two, this is a dangerous gambit. "Do you have evidence? Jung Se Woon is a meritorious subject who repelled the Red Turbans. If we accuse him of that without clear evidence...."
A beaming Jung shows the other three generals the completed palace. So they go ahead and ruin the moment. "Is it true Your Excellency was plotting treason?!" Jung laughs. "To install Prince Deokheung from Yanjing as the new king." The laughter stops. "Do you think I would be capable of such vile effrontery?" Tells them they're crazy, but now the three draw their swords. "You wretched men. I would run into the flames of dissolution for His Majesty's sake! Who is staining my legacy? Is it Kim Yong?" No, they tell him, it's the king. Jung is so staggered by that, he drops his sword. "His Majesty sent us a confidential edict condemning you!" And they wave the fake scroll in his face. And we hear the final sentence of the scroll, which we didn't hear initially: "Jung Se Woon is scheming treason against me, so slay him with no delay!" Jung drops to his knees in disbelief...and the generals thrust their swords into his back!! Good heavens! A bleeding, dying Jung can only wonder, "Your Majesty...Did you truly wish for my death?!"
...which comes as bad news to Yeom Je Shin, who's in a room meeting with other councilors including Lee In Bok. But he figures maybe it's time to bow out anyway, even without the impiety charges. Lee In Bok is too uncomfortable to say anything...
He goes to see the king and is offered the job. But In Bok suggests someone else instead: Hong Eon Bak, who's the king's cousin. Gongmin refuses: "Isn't he someone people like Inspector Kim advocated for?" Not trustworthy, he believes. He's disappointed by In Bok's reluctance, and for advocating someone who his opposition would advocate.
Kim Yong is trying to convince Yeom Je Shin that he's not responsible for the impiety accusations--that it's all the king trying to replace him with his cousin. And Yeom buys it. Of course he does; he buys anything anybody tells him.
Our first look at Hong Eon Bak, just after he's given the job. First we see him paying respects to the queen dowager...
...and then he's talking to some of the councilors. And how about this: he's giving them a scolding! Telling them to stop speaking out against the king. And lectures about how the high officials need to start paying their fair share to support the country's army.
News of this gets back to Gongmin. He's thrilled that Hong is talking sternly to the officials. "I misread his character," he says with relief and laughter.
Gaetae Temple: What is Won Hyeon doing now? Looks like he's trying to rally the refugees into forming a fighting force to help attack Red Turbans. And wow, it's working. Everyone's cheering and grabbing rudimentary weapons. Even the monks.
Lee Seonggye and his troops are entering the main army's camp, to thunderous applause. They've come all the way from the northeast. 30,000 of them! Plus 10,000 civilian troops. He reports to Jung Se Woon, who has a royal order in his hands that names Lee the Military Commander of the Northeast Region. Lee's troops are thrilled. Now get ready to fight, Jung orders. "Do not let a single Red Turban in Gaegyeong survive!" And look at this--now here comes the big group from Gaetae Temple. Wow they must have come a long way. Momentum is building! The solders are very happy to see the enthusiasm and support. I guess Won Hyeon did something very good here.
Gaegyeong: The Red Turbans have taken over the council hall. And their general, Guan Duo, is sitting on Gongmin's throne. They're all in high spirits. But a messenger rushes in with news of "Goryeo troops approaching from every direction!" Guan smiles until he's told it's 200,000 troops! He scoffs; figures that can't be true. But he orders defensive preparations made to the city gate walls: "After spreading ox and horse leather over the fortress walls, pour water on it. Then, the water will start freezing the leather, and the Goryeo troops will never be able to get past our defense."
We see Red Turban soldiers proceed to do that very thing.
Excited councilors shout to Gongmin about the huge army and all of the citizen volunteers. It brings tears to his eyes. "Once again I owe my people an immense debt of gratitude."
Gaegyeong: Wow that was fast: the whole army is gathered and is ready and itching to fight. Jung Se Woon orders the attack, and it's on. A huge, wild assault against the capital gates. Wow, Look at Won Hyeon climbing the wall and doing real well for himself. And Seonggye is a machine, piling up dead bodies!
Kim Rim couldn't get to Yanjing; had to bring that letter back to his uncle. The merchant whose boat he was going to sail in called off the voyage; too dangerous right now. Kim Yong goes ballistic. "Jung Se Woon is out there displaying meritorious service in my place, and you are telling me to just sit here and stare?!" Later he goes to talk to Inspector Kim and they somehow manage to reason that Jung Se Woon defeating the Red Turbans will force them northward and the Yuan will wipe them out and then invade Goryeo! Seriously? Sounds outlandish but of course they're just trying to rationalize their opposition to Jung. And then later, Kim Yong is by himself and says "We shan't let a foolishly negligent ruler ruin Goryeo!" Oh boy that sounds like traitor talk. And he's starting to look psychotic. And he's mumbling about putting a Kim on the throne. (Himself?)
The gates are opened--THAT didn't take long--and an endless throng of soldiers comes streaming through them...and now there's an incredible battle going on in the plaza--the entire plaza is filled with swords swinging, horses, soldiers, blood, bodies--it's unreal. Jung Se Woon is kicking butt, and so is Won Hyeon, and so is Seonggye...and look at this, even Deokun is waving a spear around pretty effectively.
Goryeans wounded in the battle are brought to the royal temple. We learn the Red Turbans are retreating! That's the good news. But the bad news is they're "slaughtering everyone on their path," as Jihyo tells Master Bou. So Bou goes inside and prays. Hmmm...
On and on the battle ranges in the palace. This group of Red Turbans isn't retreating, if only because they're trapped in the plaza.
The king says he's going back to Gaegyeong! He and Noguk are paying their daily respects to his mother. Apparently he's gotten favorable reports from the battle sites. Of course the QD has to give Noguk the usual instructions: "You must serve His Majesty well, from here on in. What I mean is, don't concern yourself over state affairs, and give birth to a crown prince." Same old same old...but Noguk is so happy at the news she simply smiles and nods.
Kim Yong wants Eunuch An to tell the king he can't return to Gaegyeong yet. Claims that security in the capital isn't strong enough yet, and Kim is responsible for the capital's security (of course it probably isn't true).
Good heavens look at all the bodies in the plaza. It's FILLED with them. What a bloodbath. Unreal. Won Hyeon looks around...throws down his spear in disgust and walks away. But the Goryeans won! An emotional Jung swears that this will never happen to the king again.
Yeah, Kim Yong has gone bonkers. We can see it in his eyes.
Gaetae Temple: Choseon takes Pyeonjo his meal out there in the shed. But he hasn't eaten his last one. He's still in there, but he's not looking so good, from what we can see of him in that darkened space. Choseon tells him from outside about what's been happening. And we learn that "Of the 200,000 Red Turbans who gained control of Gaegyeong, fewer than 10,000 survived and returned home." Wow! Then tells him to come out of there. "Have you not partaken in their sorrow enough?" But of course that's not why he's in there.
Back at the temple, word arrives of retreating Red Turbans in the area. And Choseon out there in the countryside by the shed, all by herself? Yikes! Park Seobang takes a few men and they arm themselves and head out there right away.
Uh-oh, right on cue four Red Turbans emerge from the woods at the sight of an attractive woman out there all by herself next to a tiny shed. They grab her and start tossing her around...now roughing her up...she's trying to fight back but she has no chance...it's ugly and Pyeonjo's inside the shed hearing all of it...finally Park and the men show up and start fighting them. He calls for Pyeonjo to come out and help them. Pyeonjo has been getting more and more worked up and finally starts to jump to his feet..."You fool, Pyeonjo!" Oh no, it's Wolseon's apparition. "Your three-year long hermitage is a pledge to Buddha. Choseon's death or survival is Buddha's wish. Those evil spirits he sent to awaken you prove Buddha's solicitude. Do you understand? He wants you to vanquish the greatest force beclouding your soul." It's frustrating Pyeonjo to tears...but fortunately some monks show up now and the Red Turbans are defeated by being outnumbered. Park starts going bananas, screaming furiously at Pyeonjo inside. But Pyeonjo looks grateful and happy that he passed this test of faith, or whatever you want to call it.
The good news has arrived at Bokju. Cheers and excitement all through the government headquarters and the royal dwellings that it's all over. Gongmin looks proud and confident and more like himself again.
"Have you ever worked at the Royal Secretariat?" Why would Kim Yong ask his nephew that? He did, so Yong tells him to forge the king's handwriting on a scroll. "Write as I tell you!" Rim looks terrified, but complies....
My survival is beclouded by uncertain fate. Jung Se Woon conspired with Prince Deokheung in Yanjing, plotting a treacherous stratagem to oust me from the throne, installing Prince Deokheung in my place. A treacherous stratagem....
The new chancellor tells Gongmin and Noguk to wait a little while before returning. It's farming season and "your passage will become a cumbersome hindrance to our farmers." Noguk says it's a wise idea, simply because the last thing they need is for food production to be interrupted. Hard to believe it would be THAT much of a disruption but apparently they don't want the farmers to stop for even a short time.
Of course, the QD barks and complains at the idea. She wants to go back home. But Prince Deoknyeong has a peacemaking suggestion: ask the king to find some better quarters for them now, to keep everybody happier until they can get back to the palace. A wise compromise.
Kim Yong tells his nephew to take the scroll to An Woo, one of the other generals in Gaegyeong. Would a fellow general really take it seriously? "It accuses Jung Se Woon of treason. Would he have the luxury not to believe it?" Not sure that's true. Either way, Rim heads off...but he doesn't look happy.
Gaegyeong: they're shaping up the palace for the king's return. And they're trying to clean up the market streets, which are still a horrible mess. And Choseon's servants are getting her home and her tea business back in shape too.
Gaetae: Choseon gets the news that her place is ready. But she's not leaving yet; tells Park Seobang she'll leave the business to him and will stay with Pyeonjo for now. Park is unhappy to hear it and suggests she stop this. "Because of him, you risked losing your life." She resents the argument: "If I hear such nonsense again, I shall cut all my ties with you." WOW that was as nasty as she's ever been to anyone. He follows her as she walks away and reminds her Pyeonjo did nothing to help her out there, but she doesn't answer.
Gaegyeong, evening: Finally a quiet moment for Jung Se Woon. He sits down to write a letter to the king.
Your Majesty: My most ardent wish is to run to Bokju and meet you. But as rebuilding the remnants of our palace and quenching our people's fervor are of utmost urgency, I am enduring as best as heaven allows me. Your Majesty: The more I think about it, this effrontery you had to go through is the fruit of our foolish behavior. If only we had joined forces with Pyeonjo in giving you support, would Your Majesty have endured all this? In deciding this triumph of ours, our people's support was paramount. Mere sticks and farming tools were their weapons, but seeing our people lead our vanguard undaunted by demise, I felt an engulfing sense of shame. Did the powerful clans ever treat them like human beings? So isn't fealty and devotion to their country what moved them to rise in arms and defend it to their last drop of blood? Your Majesty! May you reinstate the Directorate! Allow freedom to all the innocent commoners fallen into slavery, and give them back their dignity!
Jung had supported Gongmin's reinstating the Directorate as much as anybody in the government...but it wasn't really that much, frankly. So this is a remarkable statement of support. And expressing it brings tears to his eyes.
Evening, Gaegyeong: An Woo has received the fake scroll and is discussing it with Lee Bang Shil and Kim Deuk Bae, the other two generals serving under Jung Se Woon. It's nonsense, he says: "Commander Jung is one of His Majesty's most trusted subjects. How could he ever plot treason against him?" But General Lee says it's Gongmin's handwriting, no doubt. Then they start questioning Jung's motives for sending "two of his majesty's most trusted subjects out: Choi Yeong and Lee Seonggye." Um, because it's their job? But they rationalize that it's to get them away from Gongmin so Gongmin will be vulnerable. There's no royal seal on the scroll, but they decide it's legitimate and that they have no choice but to act. So they head to the palace...
...which is finished! All ready for the king's return. As Jung dispatches his letter, the three generals approach him outside the palace.
Kim Yong implies to Inspector Kim that he's done something to implicate Jung for treason. Inspector Kim is shocked by it; even for those two, this is a dangerous gambit. "Do you have evidence? Jung Se Woon is a meritorious subject who repelled the Red Turbans. If we accuse him of that without clear evidence...."
A beaming Jung shows the other three generals the completed palace. So they go ahead and ruin the moment. "Is it true Your Excellency was plotting treason?!" Jung laughs. "To install Prince Deokheung from Yanjing as the new king." The laughter stops. "Do you think I would be capable of such vile effrontery?" Tells them they're crazy, but now the three draw their swords. "You wretched men. I would run into the flames of dissolution for His Majesty's sake! Who is staining my legacy? Is it Kim Yong?" No, they tell him, it's the king. Jung is so staggered by that, he drops his sword. "His Majesty sent us a confidential edict condemning you!" And they wave the fake scroll in his face. And we hear the final sentence of the scroll, which we didn't hear initially: "Jung Se Woon is scheming treason against me, so slay him with no delay!" Jung drops to his knees in disbelief...and the generals thrust their swords into his back!! Good heavens! A bleeding, dying Jung can only wonder, "Your Majesty...Did you truly wish for my death?!"