Post by ajk on May 20, 2014 16:57:35 GMT -5
The ex-king talks his two allies into attempting the assassination. Offers them fame, wealth, and royal-family women to marry.
Seonggye's still drinking, darn it. JD shows up, tells him to knock it off, and then says that Jo Jun found some corruption among Lee Saek’s faction. But he doesn’t sound too enthusiastic about it, which might suggest that what was found isn’t all that significant. And Seonggye has concerns about going this route. "Let's not be like Lee In Im."
We see Lee Sungin, Ha Ryun and Gwon Geum arrested. The charges are generally pretty weak. For instance, that Lee didn't properly mourn for three years after his mom died...which most people don’t do anyway.
Next day's council meeting: Jo Jun is outlining the charges against the three scholars, and says they’ll be formally interrogated. By any measure this is an overreaction. And general Byeon calls Jo out on it: “It sounds like you were investigating ministers who opposed land reform." Seonggye's allies try to defend the charges, and actually it’s all beside the point because the inspector general has authority to keep them imprisoned even if the chancellor doesn't like it. So while Lee Saek certainly does not like it, he’s powerless at the moment. Mongju storms out in anger...
...and later is told by JD that Seonggye’s faction won’t accept the one-field-one-owner proposal. We're going to submit our own revised proposal, he says without specifying the revisions. Tells Mongju to convince Lee Saek and his allies to support it. JD has only the best intentions---he regularly visits the city streets to be inspired by the poor and homeless he sees there (which we see in flashbacks). But is radical land reform the best choice?
Lee Saek tells Mongju he's going to resign if the three scholars aren't released. "Denying private land is the same as denying Goryeo. I will never agree to it." He’s prepared a resignation letter and leaves Mongju to go take it to the king.
Seonggye’s family and allies are pressing him to order the three scholars released. They don’t like this kind of tactic. And it’s even spawning rumors that the whole thing is a pretext for Seonggye to grab the throne for himself. But Seonggye says his hands are tied...odd, he’s being evasive about this, even for him. Then Mongju arrives and he and Seonggye go elsewhere to talk privately. Mongju gets right to the point: "This is something Lee In Im would do." That one hits home and suddenly Seonggye is screaming! "You’re right! I told Sambong to do this--to lock up everyone who was trying to stop the people from having land. They're always talking about the people, but they’re afraid they will lose their own land. I ordered all their heads to be cut off. What's wrong with that?" Wow. Mongju has a very potent argument: this kind of radical change isn’t up to you to make; it’s up to the king. "A servant's duty is to make the king shine." But Seonggye refuses to release the three, so all Mongju can do is leave.
Evening: The first interrogation is over; the three scholars didn’t confess to anything. JD goes to visit them. "I don't want to see you tortured, so just confess." But they’re not about to do that, and they’re bitterly disappointed in him. "You’re beginning to resemble someone. The person you hated so much," says Ha Ryun. JD leaves them...and he looks a bit rattled, like maybe their words hit home a little.
Next day: We meet Gwak Chungbo, who was one of the generals in the northern army that withdrew rather than cross the Amnok River. We meet him because the ex-king’s two allies go and give the ex-king’s dagger to him and ask him to help them kill Seonggye. He listens...and then says he’s in. "I will create an opportunity soon. Wait for me to contact you." Really? Is this a wise choice, you guys? Someone who went into battle with Seonggye? Hmmm.......
General Byeon has had enough. He goes to Jeongbi and the queen mother and tells him not to accept Lee Saek’s resignation, and actually says he’ll eliminate Seonggye and his allies and put the ex-king back on the throne! "We cannot coexist any more." Byeon leaves their palace...but Nam Eun was watching him and goes and tells JD and Seonggye. They think Byeon is worried he’s the next target (which it sounds like he is). But he has lots of military allies...which has pushed Seonggye to a decision. Let the scholars go, he tells JD. "It's making me embarrassed." Reminds JD that this great cause was supposed to be accomplished entirely through politics, not with torture or bloodshed. JD is silent; he can’t really argue with that...but then look who shows up to see Seonggye: Gwak Chungbo.
Long story short: Gwak sets up Kim Jeo and Jeong Deukhu. Gives them a phony story about how he’s told Seonggye that they want to be in his faction and that he’s agreed to meet with them at his house. Tells them just how and when they can kill him and how to escape...but when they go to meet Seonggye, they’re busted and arrested. Kim Jeo kills himself right there on the spot with the dagger he was going to kill Seonggye with.
And simultaneously, general Byeon is sent a message that the ex-king wants to see him...but when he arrives, the ex-king says he sent no such message. And just then, Seonggye shows up with a big contingent of troops to arrest Byeon. The ex-king is reduced to frustrated laughter. And also an insult to Seonggye--"You're just a country man from a border area"--he’s put under house arrest.
Narration tells us that royal relatives were subsequently executed. Ultimately Lee Saek gave up and resigned his position, and the three imprisoned scholars were exiled. And "the young king lost his support."
The queen mother is with her son; they’re waiting for Seonggye to answer the king’s summons but he isn’t coming. The boy confesses to his mother that he's afraid of the guy. "Just be really sad and cry," his mom instructs him, "and we'll take care of the rest." But Seonggye isn’t coming. He’s at home meeting with his allies, who tell him the king has to go and that Wang Yo (the royal relative recommended by JD the last time) should replace him.
But later, JD and his allies discuss whether or not it's time to finally do the deed--shatter the country once and for all. JD counsels patience. "We didn't even start land reform. The rice isn't fully cooked yet."
But in the outlying villages, children are singing that son-of-wood-will-be-king song again.
The queen mother goes to Mongju and begs him to go see Seonggye on her son’s behalf. So he goes...and boldly warns him not to misbehave. "It will cause you to have a traitorous mind." But just as boldly, Seonggye asks him, so what if I have one? Mongju doesn't believe he's serious about that but warns him to not go too far. He leaves...
...and then JD arrives. He’s changed his mind. And tells Seonggye, “It’s time to achieve the great cause." Doink! "I will leave the throne empty. You should sit on it."
That evening, JD is at home with his wife when Mongju shows up. With an offer: convince Seonggye to leave the king alone, and I’ll support your land reform proposal. JD refuses without hesitation. So Mongju asks him point-blank: "Are you going to seek land reform by making Lee Seonggye the king?" Silence. "Are you planning a dynastic revolution?"
Seonggye's still drinking, darn it. JD shows up, tells him to knock it off, and then says that Jo Jun found some corruption among Lee Saek’s faction. But he doesn’t sound too enthusiastic about it, which might suggest that what was found isn’t all that significant. And Seonggye has concerns about going this route. "Let's not be like Lee In Im."
We see Lee Sungin, Ha Ryun and Gwon Geum arrested. The charges are generally pretty weak. For instance, that Lee didn't properly mourn for three years after his mom died...which most people don’t do anyway.
Next day's council meeting: Jo Jun is outlining the charges against the three scholars, and says they’ll be formally interrogated. By any measure this is an overreaction. And general Byeon calls Jo out on it: “It sounds like you were investigating ministers who opposed land reform." Seonggye's allies try to defend the charges, and actually it’s all beside the point because the inspector general has authority to keep them imprisoned even if the chancellor doesn't like it. So while Lee Saek certainly does not like it, he’s powerless at the moment. Mongju storms out in anger...
...and later is told by JD that Seonggye’s faction won’t accept the one-field-one-owner proposal. We're going to submit our own revised proposal, he says without specifying the revisions. Tells Mongju to convince Lee Saek and his allies to support it. JD has only the best intentions---he regularly visits the city streets to be inspired by the poor and homeless he sees there (which we see in flashbacks). But is radical land reform the best choice?
Lee Saek tells Mongju he's going to resign if the three scholars aren't released. "Denying private land is the same as denying Goryeo. I will never agree to it." He’s prepared a resignation letter and leaves Mongju to go take it to the king.
Seonggye’s family and allies are pressing him to order the three scholars released. They don’t like this kind of tactic. And it’s even spawning rumors that the whole thing is a pretext for Seonggye to grab the throne for himself. But Seonggye says his hands are tied...odd, he’s being evasive about this, even for him. Then Mongju arrives and he and Seonggye go elsewhere to talk privately. Mongju gets right to the point: "This is something Lee In Im would do." That one hits home and suddenly Seonggye is screaming! "You’re right! I told Sambong to do this--to lock up everyone who was trying to stop the people from having land. They're always talking about the people, but they’re afraid they will lose their own land. I ordered all their heads to be cut off. What's wrong with that?" Wow. Mongju has a very potent argument: this kind of radical change isn’t up to you to make; it’s up to the king. "A servant's duty is to make the king shine." But Seonggye refuses to release the three, so all Mongju can do is leave.
Evening: The first interrogation is over; the three scholars didn’t confess to anything. JD goes to visit them. "I don't want to see you tortured, so just confess." But they’re not about to do that, and they’re bitterly disappointed in him. "You’re beginning to resemble someone. The person you hated so much," says Ha Ryun. JD leaves them...and he looks a bit rattled, like maybe their words hit home a little.
Next day: We meet Gwak Chungbo, who was one of the generals in the northern army that withdrew rather than cross the Amnok River. We meet him because the ex-king’s two allies go and give the ex-king’s dagger to him and ask him to help them kill Seonggye. He listens...and then says he’s in. "I will create an opportunity soon. Wait for me to contact you." Really? Is this a wise choice, you guys? Someone who went into battle with Seonggye? Hmmm.......
General Byeon has had enough. He goes to Jeongbi and the queen mother and tells him not to accept Lee Saek’s resignation, and actually says he’ll eliminate Seonggye and his allies and put the ex-king back on the throne! "We cannot coexist any more." Byeon leaves their palace...but Nam Eun was watching him and goes and tells JD and Seonggye. They think Byeon is worried he’s the next target (which it sounds like he is). But he has lots of military allies...which has pushed Seonggye to a decision. Let the scholars go, he tells JD. "It's making me embarrassed." Reminds JD that this great cause was supposed to be accomplished entirely through politics, not with torture or bloodshed. JD is silent; he can’t really argue with that...but then look who shows up to see Seonggye: Gwak Chungbo.
Long story short: Gwak sets up Kim Jeo and Jeong Deukhu. Gives them a phony story about how he’s told Seonggye that they want to be in his faction and that he’s agreed to meet with them at his house. Tells them just how and when they can kill him and how to escape...but when they go to meet Seonggye, they’re busted and arrested. Kim Jeo kills himself right there on the spot with the dagger he was going to kill Seonggye with.
And simultaneously, general Byeon is sent a message that the ex-king wants to see him...but when he arrives, the ex-king says he sent no such message. And just then, Seonggye shows up with a big contingent of troops to arrest Byeon. The ex-king is reduced to frustrated laughter. And also an insult to Seonggye--"You're just a country man from a border area"--he’s put under house arrest.
Narration tells us that royal relatives were subsequently executed. Ultimately Lee Saek gave up and resigned his position, and the three imprisoned scholars were exiled. And "the young king lost his support."
The queen mother is with her son; they’re waiting for Seonggye to answer the king’s summons but he isn’t coming. The boy confesses to his mother that he's afraid of the guy. "Just be really sad and cry," his mom instructs him, "and we'll take care of the rest." But Seonggye isn’t coming. He’s at home meeting with his allies, who tell him the king has to go and that Wang Yo (the royal relative recommended by JD the last time) should replace him.
But later, JD and his allies discuss whether or not it's time to finally do the deed--shatter the country once and for all. JD counsels patience. "We didn't even start land reform. The rice isn't fully cooked yet."
But in the outlying villages, children are singing that son-of-wood-will-be-king song again.
The queen mother goes to Mongju and begs him to go see Seonggye on her son’s behalf. So he goes...and boldly warns him not to misbehave. "It will cause you to have a traitorous mind." But just as boldly, Seonggye asks him, so what if I have one? Mongju doesn't believe he's serious about that but warns him to not go too far. He leaves...
...and then JD arrives. He’s changed his mind. And tells Seonggye, “It’s time to achieve the great cause." Doink! "I will leave the throne empty. You should sit on it."
That evening, JD is at home with his wife when Mongju shows up. With an offer: convince Seonggye to leave the king alone, and I’ll support your land reform proposal. JD refuses without hesitation. So Mongju asks him point-blank: "Are you going to seek land reform by making Lee Seonggye the king?" Silence. "Are you planning a dynastic revolution?"