Post by ajk on May 29, 2014 1:48:31 GMT -5
As we watch the land deeds burn, narration tells us that this occurred in September 1390 and that the fire didn't go out for several days, there was so much paperwork. The policy was formally implemented the following May, and it "ruined the economic basis of influential families." But something in the scene is odd: Lee Saek and the imprisoned scholars, they're all standing there watching the fire burn. And not in prison clothes either. What happened.
That evening: JD finally arrives home and sees what's now a huge pile of ash. He's unhappy with Jo Jun...and furious with Mongju, who smugly tells him, "I convinced Lee Seonggye." Mongju won this one and JD knows it but says he's not giving up and will go to the vice-chancellor immediately. Which makes Mongju even more smug...because get this: he's the vice-chancellor now! Doink! And Seonggye is the chancellor!
Seonggye's wife and family are challenging him for naming Mongju vice-chancellor...and now we find out why those imprisoned scholars were standing there at the fire. They've been released and called back into service! Geez it's one surprise after another...Seonggye is surprisingly upbeat and carefree about all of this...until Bangwon challenges him about the great cause, and Seonggye threatens to beat him with a piece of wood. And now here comes an angry JD, who can tell Seonggye that things went very well in Ming and that now "The emperor has a good impression of you." Then he really lets Seonggye have it for bailing on land reform. They argue intensely; Seonggye says he was sick of the unseemly politics that were going on and it would have been more honorable to just enforce everything with the military (which, of course, he would never have done). Then, strangely, he adds, "I didn't give up on the cause. I want to achieve the cause with the justification you speak of." JD insists, "I will turn the hearts of the people towards you." But Seonggye isn't looking for it from the people, at least not at first...but he wants it from Mongju! Calls him "The most distinguished person in Goryeo" and tells JD, "You make him bring me the royal seal. That will be our cause now." Seriously? Seems highly, highly doubtful.
King Gongyang tells Mongju, "Goryeo is up to you know." He says he can't let a non-Wang clan take the throne. So apparently he's found some motivation to stay as king. He's worried about what JD might do. Mongju calls JD a traitor and says "I will get rid of him." Gongyang wonders if Mongju really has it in his heart to eliminate JD. Mongju is oddly silent....and the words hit home because as he leaves, he sort of wanders around aimlessly, thinking about their lifelong friendship...but now here's JD standing there in front of him. Congratulates him on becoming the vice-chancellor, and graciously offers "I will cooperate as much as I can. And I'll give up on equal distribution of land. I don't want to treat you like an enemy." But Mongju acts like a jerk; says "I want you to leave the court forever, along with all of your yahoos. " And walks away.
Next morning: officials and soldiers show up at JD's house and say an appeal has been submitted for his impeachment, and he's under house arrest until then.
We learn that the appeal was submitted by a lower-level official named Yu Baeksun. It's a complicated appeal that not only accuses JD of abuse of power but also gets into the army's withdrawal from the northern territory against Choi Yeong's orders. Obviously a low-level official isn't going to submit this; it's pretty clear to everyone that Mongju is behind it. Clear to everyone except Seonggye, who inexplicably tells Bangwon he wants to wait and see what happens.
General Bae and Jo Jun are before the king, defending the army's withdrawal and demanding a full investigation of the appeal. They're interrupted by Mongju arriving and advising the king to punish Yu Baeksun. Huh? "It was a groundless appeal," he says, and JD must not be punished. "I will take responsibility and handle this matter." Fine, Gongyang says. Hmm...why would he pull the rug out from under an appeal he was behind?
We see Yu Baeksun bring flogged. Jo Jun and General Bae are worried that the flogging will kill the guy before they can get to him and find out who put him up to the appeal.
At a council meeting we learn that Yu didn't die but he was exiled. Councilors congratulate Mongju for handling this so well...but JD hasn't been released yet. "We have to discuss the sanctions." Sanctions? Mongju says something about JD failing to meet his "ethical responsibilities" and needing to be made an example of because "His behavior must have been inappropriate." This sounds ridiculously flimsy. Mongju wants to kick him out of the capital for a while. There's a job opening for magistrate of Pyongyang; let's send him there. Nam Eun goes ballistic and has to be dragged out of the room by soldiers. Yun Sojong and Jo Jun walk out on their own. General Bae stays but says this is excessive, and Lee Jiran adds that Seonggye wouldn't want this.
Nam and Jo and Yun go to the king and demand an investigation, but Gongyang doesn't want to get involved. Yun is so insistent, though, that he threatens "political strife" and is disrespectful to the point that the king orders him arrested and beaten up! Nam and Jo later go to Seonggye about this, but incredibly he wants no part of it because he's concerned with saving face for his chosen vice-chancellor Mongju.
Mongju is meeting with the scholars about starting the project of writing the Annals of Joseon and using it "to enhance the reputations" of all of us and the court. But Lee Saek wants to discuss something else. Were you behind that appeal?, he asks. Mongju refuses to answer and won't even look at him. "Just remember this," Saek advises. "Stay clean even if you stay in a dirty place. A wise man must remain clean. You can fight, but don't lose yourself. Is that understood?" "But master," Mongju protests, "they are too strong and I am too weak for that." Wow, look at this, Mongju is coming unglued right before our eyes. "I'm going to become a monster to fight monsters." Saek looks at him with almost pity, and the other scholars are stunned.
JD's wife is totally worn down by the nasty politics; Pyongyang is their hometown and she tells JD to give up the bickering and let's just take that job and go back home.
Mongju is eating at an outdoor cafe, with Wu Hyeonbo. This is a place called Danyang; Wu's hometown. He was exiled here. Wu hands Mongju an envelope. What's written inside, Wu says "I hear that from my clan." Whatever it is, it greatly concerns Mongju, we can see that.
Now back in the capital, Mongju gets an unfriendly visit from Bangwon. Leave JD alone, he tells Mongju, or you'll regret it. An implied threat is made; tension rises...and is interrupted only by Jo Jun walking in with a message that JD will accept the Pyongyang job.
Next day: JD's friends and allies are at his home, wishing him farewell. On his way out, JD stops by the prison to check on Yun Sojong. Then he visits Seonggye to tell him he's leaving. Seonggye thinks this will all blow over soon and JD and Mongju will get along again. Who is he kidding? But unfortunately at that moment he receives some bad news. His other wife, in Hwaryeong, is seriously ill.
He has to go there, of course, so we see him leave. Incredibly, the king rushes over to his house and tells him how nervous he'll be with no Seonggye in the capital. He's even ordered a royal physician to Hwaryeong to help her. He assures the king that Mongju can handle things while he's away...and he orders Yun Sojong released.
JD and his allies are concerned because Seonggye's absence could allow Mongju to cause all kinds of trouble. Prepare an appeal, JD instructs them. An appeal requesting the executions of Lee Saek and Yu Hyeonbo! For being behind that lower official's appeal. Odd; certainly JD knows it wasn't them. This is some sort of political maneuver, obviously.
Mongju is meeting with his own allies. Tells them this is their chance to "set Goryeo straight while the chancellor is gone. Prepare an appeal to impeach a traitor." He shocks them by saying it's Jeong Dojeon who must be impeached. Why? "He assumed an official position when born of a servant." He's holding some sort of official document that looks like a birth certificate.
That evening: JD finally arrives home and sees what's now a huge pile of ash. He's unhappy with Jo Jun...and furious with Mongju, who smugly tells him, "I convinced Lee Seonggye." Mongju won this one and JD knows it but says he's not giving up and will go to the vice-chancellor immediately. Which makes Mongju even more smug...because get this: he's the vice-chancellor now! Doink! And Seonggye is the chancellor!
Seonggye's wife and family are challenging him for naming Mongju vice-chancellor...and now we find out why those imprisoned scholars were standing there at the fire. They've been released and called back into service! Geez it's one surprise after another...Seonggye is surprisingly upbeat and carefree about all of this...until Bangwon challenges him about the great cause, and Seonggye threatens to beat him with a piece of wood. And now here comes an angry JD, who can tell Seonggye that things went very well in Ming and that now "The emperor has a good impression of you." Then he really lets Seonggye have it for bailing on land reform. They argue intensely; Seonggye says he was sick of the unseemly politics that were going on and it would have been more honorable to just enforce everything with the military (which, of course, he would never have done). Then, strangely, he adds, "I didn't give up on the cause. I want to achieve the cause with the justification you speak of." JD insists, "I will turn the hearts of the people towards you." But Seonggye isn't looking for it from the people, at least not at first...but he wants it from Mongju! Calls him "The most distinguished person in Goryeo" and tells JD, "You make him bring me the royal seal. That will be our cause now." Seriously? Seems highly, highly doubtful.
King Gongyang tells Mongju, "Goryeo is up to you know." He says he can't let a non-Wang clan take the throne. So apparently he's found some motivation to stay as king. He's worried about what JD might do. Mongju calls JD a traitor and says "I will get rid of him." Gongyang wonders if Mongju really has it in his heart to eliminate JD. Mongju is oddly silent....and the words hit home because as he leaves, he sort of wanders around aimlessly, thinking about their lifelong friendship...but now here's JD standing there in front of him. Congratulates him on becoming the vice-chancellor, and graciously offers "I will cooperate as much as I can. And I'll give up on equal distribution of land. I don't want to treat you like an enemy." But Mongju acts like a jerk; says "I want you to leave the court forever, along with all of your yahoos. " And walks away.
Next morning: officials and soldiers show up at JD's house and say an appeal has been submitted for his impeachment, and he's under house arrest until then.
We learn that the appeal was submitted by a lower-level official named Yu Baeksun. It's a complicated appeal that not only accuses JD of abuse of power but also gets into the army's withdrawal from the northern territory against Choi Yeong's orders. Obviously a low-level official isn't going to submit this; it's pretty clear to everyone that Mongju is behind it. Clear to everyone except Seonggye, who inexplicably tells Bangwon he wants to wait and see what happens.
General Bae and Jo Jun are before the king, defending the army's withdrawal and demanding a full investigation of the appeal. They're interrupted by Mongju arriving and advising the king to punish Yu Baeksun. Huh? "It was a groundless appeal," he says, and JD must not be punished. "I will take responsibility and handle this matter." Fine, Gongyang says. Hmm...why would he pull the rug out from under an appeal he was behind?
We see Yu Baeksun bring flogged. Jo Jun and General Bae are worried that the flogging will kill the guy before they can get to him and find out who put him up to the appeal.
At a council meeting we learn that Yu didn't die but he was exiled. Councilors congratulate Mongju for handling this so well...but JD hasn't been released yet. "We have to discuss the sanctions." Sanctions? Mongju says something about JD failing to meet his "ethical responsibilities" and needing to be made an example of because "His behavior must have been inappropriate." This sounds ridiculously flimsy. Mongju wants to kick him out of the capital for a while. There's a job opening for magistrate of Pyongyang; let's send him there. Nam Eun goes ballistic and has to be dragged out of the room by soldiers. Yun Sojong and Jo Jun walk out on their own. General Bae stays but says this is excessive, and Lee Jiran adds that Seonggye wouldn't want this.
Nam and Jo and Yun go to the king and demand an investigation, but Gongyang doesn't want to get involved. Yun is so insistent, though, that he threatens "political strife" and is disrespectful to the point that the king orders him arrested and beaten up! Nam and Jo later go to Seonggye about this, but incredibly he wants no part of it because he's concerned with saving face for his chosen vice-chancellor Mongju.
Mongju is meeting with the scholars about starting the project of writing the Annals of Joseon and using it "to enhance the reputations" of all of us and the court. But Lee Saek wants to discuss something else. Were you behind that appeal?, he asks. Mongju refuses to answer and won't even look at him. "Just remember this," Saek advises. "Stay clean even if you stay in a dirty place. A wise man must remain clean. You can fight, but don't lose yourself. Is that understood?" "But master," Mongju protests, "they are too strong and I am too weak for that." Wow, look at this, Mongju is coming unglued right before our eyes. "I'm going to become a monster to fight monsters." Saek looks at him with almost pity, and the other scholars are stunned.
JD's wife is totally worn down by the nasty politics; Pyongyang is their hometown and she tells JD to give up the bickering and let's just take that job and go back home.
Mongju is eating at an outdoor cafe, with Wu Hyeonbo. This is a place called Danyang; Wu's hometown. He was exiled here. Wu hands Mongju an envelope. What's written inside, Wu says "I hear that from my clan." Whatever it is, it greatly concerns Mongju, we can see that.
Now back in the capital, Mongju gets an unfriendly visit from Bangwon. Leave JD alone, he tells Mongju, or you'll regret it. An implied threat is made; tension rises...and is interrupted only by Jo Jun walking in with a message that JD will accept the Pyongyang job.
Next day: JD's friends and allies are at his home, wishing him farewell. On his way out, JD stops by the prison to check on Yun Sojong. Then he visits Seonggye to tell him he's leaving. Seonggye thinks this will all blow over soon and JD and Mongju will get along again. Who is he kidding? But unfortunately at that moment he receives some bad news. His other wife, in Hwaryeong, is seriously ill.
He has to go there, of course, so we see him leave. Incredibly, the king rushes over to his house and tells him how nervous he'll be with no Seonggye in the capital. He's even ordered a royal physician to Hwaryeong to help her. He assures the king that Mongju can handle things while he's away...and he orders Yun Sojong released.
JD and his allies are concerned because Seonggye's absence could allow Mongju to cause all kinds of trouble. Prepare an appeal, JD instructs them. An appeal requesting the executions of Lee Saek and Yu Hyeonbo! For being behind that lower official's appeal. Odd; certainly JD knows it wasn't them. This is some sort of political maneuver, obviously.
Mongju is meeting with his own allies. Tells them this is their chance to "set Goryeo straight while the chancellor is gone. Prepare an appeal to impeach a traitor." He shocks them by saying it's Jeong Dojeon who must be impeached. Why? "He assumed an official position when born of a servant." He's holding some sort of official document that looks like a birth certificate.
