Post by ajk on Jun 22, 2014 22:31:04 GMT -5
"You have the face of a king." That's what Ha Ryun tells Bangwon. We've heard him talk about physiognomy before; he buys into it, we know...but that's not really why he wants to make Bangwon king, is it? Well, he eventually admits that he wants to do for Bangwon what JD did for Bangwon's father. And he tells Bangwon he thinks he can do it. Bangwon is interested but skeptical. Prove yourself, he tells Ha, by getting yourself back on the Supreme Council. Ha acts like that won't be a problem.
We see crown prince Bangseok being tutored by Yun Sojong, while the boy's parents watch approvingly. Then Seonggye gets up and goes to his office. He pulls out a drawing and stares at it; appears to be some sort of map or pictorial representation. Then he gets word that the Buddhist priest Muhak has entered the capital. That's the priest he's visited many times before. Seonggye goes out to greet him; is happy to see him, we can tell. Apparently he wants to make Muhak an official advisor...but later on Jo Jun protests to him about this; tells him that such a thing is a Goryeo custom but it shouldn't be a custom for the new dynasty. But Seonggye sees a lot of talent in Muhak; says something about having an eye for land. Then he shows Jo that drawing from earlier. it's a topographical drawing of a place called Gyeryeongsan. "I'm going to move the capital there." What?! "Gaegyeong is the capital of Goryeo, not the capital of the new country. I'm going to establish a new capital."
Next morning: Lots of public officials led by Nam Eun and Yun Sojong are before the king protesting the decision. Too soon; too expensive; the country is too unstable. All good arguments. Seonggye replies that the Gaegyeong land is "out of energy," describing it with a Buddhist interpretation that Yun waves off as "superstitious fortunetelling" and not consistent with the new country's neo-Confucian principles. But Seonggye thinks the people are still too focused on Goryeo and not the new country, and his mind is made up. Tells them to get to work on it.
"What is he thinking?" Bangwon and his allies are discussing the news. Min figures this may be good for her husband. "There might be hostility between his majesty and the officials." Boy she is a clever one, isn't she...
...But Jo Jun realizes that too, and advises the officials not to make too much trouble over it while JD is in Ming. JD is in Ming?
Yes he is! And we see him before the emperor. First time here; introduces himself and asks him to formally appoint Seonggye to the throne. "It is a country of submission to the stronger," he says of the new dynasty, "so you can trust us." But the emperor doesn't trust them. What are you doing working with Jurchens in the border areas?, he wants to know. Trying to establish order and subdue barbarians, JD answers. You are strengthening fortresses and training soldiers, he adds. "Stop all that." It's only to fight Japanese pirates, JD assures him; nothing more. Doesn't entirely satisfy the emperor. "Once you establish a new country, you will want to make it stronger. I have one piece of advice for you. Don't try to make it stronger. Is that understood?" Understood, JD says.
Seonggye goes to Gyeryeongsan to survey the land himself. He's brought Muhak with him. Wants to know what Muhak thinks of the place, but Muhak is clearly uncomfortable being asked about such an important matter, and while he admits he's "pretty good with topography," simply encourages Seonggye to discuss it with his officials.
Evening: Seonggye is on his way home from the survey site when suddenly an official appears in his path and kneels directly in front of him. Introduces himself as the Gyeonggijwau-do governor. Hey, that's Ha Ryun! Bravely protests the capital's move to Gyeryeongsan...but then says he doesn't oppose the capital's move to somewhere else. Explains that the capital should be in the center of the country; Gyeryeongsan is in the south. And quotes some topography literature that says the positions of its mountains and streams are bad omens. Ugh...but Muhak is impressed and Seonggye even moreso. After they arrive home, Muhak admits that while he didn't want to say anything, Gyeryeongsan is not a good choice. At that, Seonggye says he wants a royal order prepared and released immediately. About what?
Next morning: News goes out that Seonggye won't move the capital to Gyeryeongsan but has established a commission to find a good spot. And appointed Ha Ryun to lead it! Ha shows up at Bangwon's home. "I completed the task you assigned. Are you satisfied?" Bangwon is very impressed; his wry smile shows he thinks he's found a great ally. (So apparently Ha's appointment also comes with a council position.)
Jo Jun is before the king again, trying once more to get him to reconsider. And now, coincidentally, a large group of officials starts a sit-in in the courtyard outside, and starts shouting to the king inside in protest of his decision. They want the council involved in it. Seonggye's patience finally runs out. "Call the officials in here," he says. "I'm going to settle this." Uh-oh...
Meanwhile Nam Eun goes to the queen and the crown prince, who are together, and asks them to go to talk to Seonggye. They both are very concerned at the news; the queen realizes that the king and the officials "must not become distanced." But then word arrives that Seonggye has asked her and Bangseok to stay where they are until the meeting is over. Boy he thinks of everything.
Seonggye is glaring at the officials--at least the ones who are in front of him. The protestors have refused to come in. He orders guards deployed to the courtyard and gives the protestors a half-hour to comply or be arrested. The word arrives outside and now things are getting tense to the point where Jo Jun risks his career by ordering the guards to back off (which they do)...but then, talk about timing: the courtyard gate swings open and JD walks in!
JD heads straight for the king's office; walks inside and at the sight of him Seonggye orders everybody else out of the room. He sighs. "The officials are demonstrating. Did you notice?" JD smiles just a bit. "Yes, it was nice to see." Seonggye chuckles a bit as JD continues. "Ideal politics come from criticizing a king's improper actions." It's a sign that "the country is healthy. You shouldn't be angry about it." Seonggye nods. "I guess you're on their side." He sighs, and starts venting. "They complain about everything I do and oppose everything I want to do." That is the duty of a good servant, JD answers; you don't want yes-men working for you. But then he surprises Seonggye by telling him that it's fair to have a new capital for a new country. The timing, though is another matter; the officials should be involved in that. And he has a new wrinkle in this to tell Seonggye about, something more important than moving the capital. "The Ming emperor has no intention of appointing you to the throne." Not until he feels he can trust you. "He is afraid of you because you never lost in battle and are respected by the Jurchens." For now we have to focus on defense matters, JD advises. "We have to stop begging to a larger country." Postpone the move and consult with the officials about it, and I'll get them to stop protesting. Deal! Amidst all of the stiffness and tension in the court, the comfort and frank exchange between the two friends made this scene wonderful. And everything got worked out, quickly and painlessly.
JD goes outside and helps Yun Sojong to his feet. "Why is it always life or death with you?" A funny moment. Go home, he tells the officials with a smile; it's all been worked out for now. (Really it hasn't, but at least JD bought them some time.) Bangwon and his allies watch from a distance and realize that JD's influence has become very strong.
Evening: JD is at home and has summoned a visitor: Jin, his oldest son. We meet him for the first time. His mother takes him inside, where JD is playing a recorder. Says he's composing new official music for the new country. Anyway, he has a job for Jin. Hands him a stack of papers. "Compile this into a book." He says it will be "a code of law of the basic principles of ruling Joseon. Everything will be based on this." Obviously Jin is talented, to be entrusted with this task. But now his wife runs in with horrible news: Yun Sojong has died!
Wow he was so healthy-looking; who'd have expected this? As JD Nam Eun and Jo Jun visit his body, narration tells us about Yun's life. Grandson of "chanseongsa Yun Taek, and the father of Yun Hoe, a renowned intellectual during Taejong's and Sejong's reigns.
Evening: A meal is served during Yun's mourning. JD and Jo and Nam are eating together. Bangwon joins them, uninvited. JD tries to remind them of their common goals...but then asks JD, "Aren't you being too greedy?" As in, holding too many titles (Bangwon calls him pansamsasa and Head of the Three Armies Headquarters, which must add on to the long list of titles we heard two episodes ago) and having too much power. Bangwon is angry because he and the other princes are about to lose their private armies; those soldiers are all about to become government soldiers. "You speak as if you're the king." JD chuckles. And then he shocks even Jo and Nam by saying, "Joseon isn't a country ruled by the king." Doink! "The king is the father of all the people. He sits above the people...but it is the officials who rule the people." Wow! Bangwon gasps, and JD flashes just a hint of a not-entirely-harmless smile.
We see crown prince Bangseok being tutored by Yun Sojong, while the boy's parents watch approvingly. Then Seonggye gets up and goes to his office. He pulls out a drawing and stares at it; appears to be some sort of map or pictorial representation. Then he gets word that the Buddhist priest Muhak has entered the capital. That's the priest he's visited many times before. Seonggye goes out to greet him; is happy to see him, we can tell. Apparently he wants to make Muhak an official advisor...but later on Jo Jun protests to him about this; tells him that such a thing is a Goryeo custom but it shouldn't be a custom for the new dynasty. But Seonggye sees a lot of talent in Muhak; says something about having an eye for land. Then he shows Jo that drawing from earlier. it's a topographical drawing of a place called Gyeryeongsan. "I'm going to move the capital there." What?! "Gaegyeong is the capital of Goryeo, not the capital of the new country. I'm going to establish a new capital."
Next morning: Lots of public officials led by Nam Eun and Yun Sojong are before the king protesting the decision. Too soon; too expensive; the country is too unstable. All good arguments. Seonggye replies that the Gaegyeong land is "out of energy," describing it with a Buddhist interpretation that Yun waves off as "superstitious fortunetelling" and not consistent with the new country's neo-Confucian principles. But Seonggye thinks the people are still too focused on Goryeo and not the new country, and his mind is made up. Tells them to get to work on it.
"What is he thinking?" Bangwon and his allies are discussing the news. Min figures this may be good for her husband. "There might be hostility between his majesty and the officials." Boy she is a clever one, isn't she...
...But Jo Jun realizes that too, and advises the officials not to make too much trouble over it while JD is in Ming. JD is in Ming?
Yes he is! And we see him before the emperor. First time here; introduces himself and asks him to formally appoint Seonggye to the throne. "It is a country of submission to the stronger," he says of the new dynasty, "so you can trust us." But the emperor doesn't trust them. What are you doing working with Jurchens in the border areas?, he wants to know. Trying to establish order and subdue barbarians, JD answers. You are strengthening fortresses and training soldiers, he adds. "Stop all that." It's only to fight Japanese pirates, JD assures him; nothing more. Doesn't entirely satisfy the emperor. "Once you establish a new country, you will want to make it stronger. I have one piece of advice for you. Don't try to make it stronger. Is that understood?" Understood, JD says.
Seonggye goes to Gyeryeongsan to survey the land himself. He's brought Muhak with him. Wants to know what Muhak thinks of the place, but Muhak is clearly uncomfortable being asked about such an important matter, and while he admits he's "pretty good with topography," simply encourages Seonggye to discuss it with his officials.
Evening: Seonggye is on his way home from the survey site when suddenly an official appears in his path and kneels directly in front of him. Introduces himself as the Gyeonggijwau-do governor. Hey, that's Ha Ryun! Bravely protests the capital's move to Gyeryeongsan...but then says he doesn't oppose the capital's move to somewhere else. Explains that the capital should be in the center of the country; Gyeryeongsan is in the south. And quotes some topography literature that says the positions of its mountains and streams are bad omens. Ugh...but Muhak is impressed and Seonggye even moreso. After they arrive home, Muhak admits that while he didn't want to say anything, Gyeryeongsan is not a good choice. At that, Seonggye says he wants a royal order prepared and released immediately. About what?
Next morning: News goes out that Seonggye won't move the capital to Gyeryeongsan but has established a commission to find a good spot. And appointed Ha Ryun to lead it! Ha shows up at Bangwon's home. "I completed the task you assigned. Are you satisfied?" Bangwon is very impressed; his wry smile shows he thinks he's found a great ally. (So apparently Ha's appointment also comes with a council position.)
Jo Jun is before the king again, trying once more to get him to reconsider. And now, coincidentally, a large group of officials starts a sit-in in the courtyard outside, and starts shouting to the king inside in protest of his decision. They want the council involved in it. Seonggye's patience finally runs out. "Call the officials in here," he says. "I'm going to settle this." Uh-oh...
Meanwhile Nam Eun goes to the queen and the crown prince, who are together, and asks them to go to talk to Seonggye. They both are very concerned at the news; the queen realizes that the king and the officials "must not become distanced." But then word arrives that Seonggye has asked her and Bangseok to stay where they are until the meeting is over. Boy he thinks of everything.
Seonggye is glaring at the officials--at least the ones who are in front of him. The protestors have refused to come in. He orders guards deployed to the courtyard and gives the protestors a half-hour to comply or be arrested. The word arrives outside and now things are getting tense to the point where Jo Jun risks his career by ordering the guards to back off (which they do)...but then, talk about timing: the courtyard gate swings open and JD walks in!
JD heads straight for the king's office; walks inside and at the sight of him Seonggye orders everybody else out of the room. He sighs. "The officials are demonstrating. Did you notice?" JD smiles just a bit. "Yes, it was nice to see." Seonggye chuckles a bit as JD continues. "Ideal politics come from criticizing a king's improper actions." It's a sign that "the country is healthy. You shouldn't be angry about it." Seonggye nods. "I guess you're on their side." He sighs, and starts venting. "They complain about everything I do and oppose everything I want to do." That is the duty of a good servant, JD answers; you don't want yes-men working for you. But then he surprises Seonggye by telling him that it's fair to have a new capital for a new country. The timing, though is another matter; the officials should be involved in that. And he has a new wrinkle in this to tell Seonggye about, something more important than moving the capital. "The Ming emperor has no intention of appointing you to the throne." Not until he feels he can trust you. "He is afraid of you because you never lost in battle and are respected by the Jurchens." For now we have to focus on defense matters, JD advises. "We have to stop begging to a larger country." Postpone the move and consult with the officials about it, and I'll get them to stop protesting. Deal! Amidst all of the stiffness and tension in the court, the comfort and frank exchange between the two friends made this scene wonderful. And everything got worked out, quickly and painlessly.
JD goes outside and helps Yun Sojong to his feet. "Why is it always life or death with you?" A funny moment. Go home, he tells the officials with a smile; it's all been worked out for now. (Really it hasn't, but at least JD bought them some time.) Bangwon and his allies watch from a distance and realize that JD's influence has become very strong.
Evening: JD is at home and has summoned a visitor: Jin, his oldest son. We meet him for the first time. His mother takes him inside, where JD is playing a recorder. Says he's composing new official music for the new country. Anyway, he has a job for Jin. Hands him a stack of papers. "Compile this into a book." He says it will be "a code of law of the basic principles of ruling Joseon. Everything will be based on this." Obviously Jin is talented, to be entrusted with this task. But now his wife runs in with horrible news: Yun Sojong has died!
Wow he was so healthy-looking; who'd have expected this? As JD Nam Eun and Jo Jun visit his body, narration tells us about Yun's life. Grandson of "chanseongsa Yun Taek, and the father of Yun Hoe, a renowned intellectual during Taejong's and Sejong's reigns.
Evening: A meal is served during Yun's mourning. JD and Jo and Nam are eating together. Bangwon joins them, uninvited. JD tries to remind them of their common goals...but then asks JD, "Aren't you being too greedy?" As in, holding too many titles (Bangwon calls him pansamsasa and Head of the Three Armies Headquarters, which must add on to the long list of titles we heard two episodes ago) and having too much power. Bangwon is angry because he and the other princes are about to lose their private armies; those soldiers are all about to become government soldiers. "You speak as if you're the king." JD chuckles. And then he shocks even Jo and Nam by saying, "Joseon isn't a country ruled by the king." Doink! "The king is the father of all the people. He sits above the people...but it is the officials who rule the people." Wow! Bangwon gasps, and JD flashes just a hint of a not-entirely-harmless smile.