Post by ajk on May 14, 2015 16:01:24 GMT -5
Ryu's immediate thank-you sets off all kinds of trouble. First Seonjo accuses Ryu of mocking him. Ryu denies that; says he simply agrees that he should be held accountable for his failings. Seonjo takes even greater offense; gets mad because he thinks Ryu is implying that he's a bad king and that he too, should lose his job. It all gets very ugly and ends up with Seonjo ordering the now-unemployed Ryu out of the room. Then he accepts the officials' appeal and tells Lee Sanhae that he's fired too, and ultimately will be exiled. Wow.
But now the bickering stops because the news arrives that the capital is in Japanese hands now. It fell without a fight because the soldiers who were supposed to put up a defense ran away without even trying. Seonjo panics--the capital is only a day away from here on foot; much less by horse--and immediately orders another refuge journey. That's even though he said he would stay here in Kaesong and defend it. You can see the disappointment on the officials' faces, and maybe even a bit of disgust.
Konishi's army is taking a much needed rest in the capital. Eating quietly, tending to wounds, just sitting quietly and resting. Konishi receives an order sent by Ukita Hideie, who's on his way there already. The order says to advance no further and to "carry out policies so the Joseon people who fled return to the capital. They will be our soldiers and forced laborers." Konishi is fine with that since his army needs the rest anyway. He orders a portion of his ration stores distributed to the locals. And orders posters put up saying that they came to free the citizens from a tyrant king, that they won't hurt anyone and that everyone should come out of hiding. Just then, oh look, it's Kato! Shows up with his army. Konishi glances at him. "You're pretty late." Ouch! A furious Kato accuses Konishi of stealing all of the boats that were on the south side of the river his troops needed to cross. Konishi didn't do any such thing, of course, and tells him that obviously the Joseon army must have done it. You lost the race fair and square, he says. "Don't be embarrassing in front of the subordinates." Well, talk about a ship having sailed...So then Kato says he'll press on ahead to capture the king, but Konishi shows him the order that just arrived. Kato is reduced to screaming maniacally in frustration.
The posters are put up and gradually the hiding citizens come out to accept their food rations from the Japanese, who are treating them cordially. For now.
Gyeongsang military headquarters: Kim Su is stunned to find Sayaka and 3,000 soldiers standing outside his headquarters, asking to surrender! A tense standoff for a few moments...and then the Japanese all lay down their weapons. All of the weapons, even the muskets. Sayaka says they're sick of fighting after the civil war that just ended and they don't want to die here in a foreign country. Kim seems to accept the explanation but says this is too big for him to handle and he has to get instructions from the capital. As Sayaka nods and thanks him, narration tells us that Sayaka gave much assistance to Joseon in the war, and that Seonjo eventually gave him a government rank and a Korean name: Kim Chungseon.
"It's a typical occupation policy." Ryu knows exactly what the Japanese are trying to pull in the capital. Then Lee Deokhyeong arrives; we never did see what he did or didn't accomplish on his journey to meet Konishi (maybe it was cut out of the KBS World version) but he's back safely and he and Ryu discuss the situation.
Now Yun Dusu and other high officials are discussing another refuge. The Japanese army hasn't moved from the capital, so is it really necessary? Yun argues that it could be just a deception to get them to let their guard down and that prudence requires them to keep the king a safe distance away. So he orders immediate preparations for refuge north to Pyongyang. But then Ryu walks in and says there are still 55,000 Joseon soldiers in various places and that they should be gathered here to put up a fight and defend Kaesong. Even implies that another refuge is every bit as cowardly as the flight of those soldiers from the capital without fighting to defend it. That doesn't go over too well with Yun, of course. "It's over if his majesty is captured!" And after he and Yun have quite an argument, Ryu comes right out and says it. "It's cowardly. Very cowardly."
The walls must have ears, because Consort Kim's brother is telling her what Ryu just said. That got around fast. She's not happy about Ryu getting fired; "If his majesty had listened to him, we wouldn't be in such a tragic situation." Says Ryu is "a pain" to the king but "he is necessary in overcoming this crisis."
Seonjo gets word that Ryu opposes another refuge journey and orders him summoned immediately. What does he care? He fired the guy, after all...But Ryu arrives promptly. "Let me ask you one question: Do you really think I'm a cowardly king?" Ryu explains that he'll be perceived that way by historians if he flees again. Yun Dusu is there and explodes at that answer, but Seonjo shushes him and says he agrees with Ryu! But Seonjo has a horrible news report--that the 40,000 soldiers led by Lee Gwang who were supposed to be headed this way have instead turned back--and shocks Ryu and Yun with it. It's impossible to put up a fight here, he says angrily...and he's still sore about the people who looted and torched the palace complex. Prepare for refuge immediately, he orders.
A disconsolate Ryu leaves and finds the crown prince outside. Gwanghae urges him not to lose faith and to please stay by the king's side.
Later Ryu prepares a message and asks Shin Yeongcheol and Cheonri to deliver it to Lee Gwang in Jeolla province. "There are enemies everywhere," he warns them, and apologizes for asking them to do this. "Be sure to return alive."
Japan: Hideyoshi eagerly awaits news from Joseon and wonders who won the race to the capital. He's angry to hear that the king might have fled; "A king dies fighting," he says...but Maeda has to explain to him that "customs are different in Joseon." Then he tells Ishida to go to Joseon, oversee their occupation policies there and prepare to attack Ming! Ishida pleads for more time: time to rest the soldiers, gather more troops from within the Joseon people, and build up supplies. But that will take around a year, and oh boy Hideyoshi does not like the sound of that at all. "Are you going to ruin my grand dream!?" This is an ideal time to strike at Ming he insists--and he's not wrong--and he has no interest in any delay for any reason. And delivers a scary threat to Ishida lest there be any thought of delay.
Nene tries to order Yodo to take contraceptive medicine. Says this isn't the time for Hideyoshi to have another child, he's so busy, and that loyalty demands it. But of course she's looking out for her own interests, not his...and when Hideyoshi just happens by at that moment and sees what's going on, he scolds his wife and throws the medicine in her face. He wants a son and tells her so in no uncertain terms.
Ming: It's about a month after the invasion, and Shi Xing the defense minister gets word of it. Uh-oh, time to go see the idiot emperor. The emperor is with one of his consorts, and wow you can see why he'd not want to be disturbed...but from outside the room Shi shouts the news of the invasion. The emperor comes outside and accuses Joseon of colluding with Japan! Still that business about the envoys, ugh...He wants to send an army "to annihilate both countries" but they don't have the forces to do that, not with that big rebellion going on. So he accepts Shi's suggestion that they at least send someone to Joseon to get a first-hand assessment.
We see the refuge party line up and depart from Kaesong. The now-jobless Lee and Ryu are at the very end of it. Actually Ryu gets delayed a bit; notices in a side building that Lee Jangson has been so engrossed in working on his time-bomb project that he's late in preparing to leave and still hasn't packed up. So Ryu helps him pack up and they carry the precious research materials on their backs as they catch up to the others.
Nighttime: We see the refuge party headed farther north through the countryside and eventually stop to rest. Lee Sanhae brings Seonjo some tea and they talk calmly. Lee has accepted his fate but has one final request: "Please don't abandon Ryu Seongyrong." He's the only one who's trying to be practical and not overly wrapped up in political struggles, Lee says. Quite a gesture from Ryu's now-former rival.
Left Jeolla Naval Headquarters: A debate among the officers about whether or not they should leave their designated defense area to attack the Japanese in neighboring areas. We get our first look at Yi Sunsin, who tells everyone that they're to defend "the Joseon ocean" and will go wherever they need to.
But now the bickering stops because the news arrives that the capital is in Japanese hands now. It fell without a fight because the soldiers who were supposed to put up a defense ran away without even trying. Seonjo panics--the capital is only a day away from here on foot; much less by horse--and immediately orders another refuge journey. That's even though he said he would stay here in Kaesong and defend it. You can see the disappointment on the officials' faces, and maybe even a bit of disgust.
Konishi's army is taking a much needed rest in the capital. Eating quietly, tending to wounds, just sitting quietly and resting. Konishi receives an order sent by Ukita Hideie, who's on his way there already. The order says to advance no further and to "carry out policies so the Joseon people who fled return to the capital. They will be our soldiers and forced laborers." Konishi is fine with that since his army needs the rest anyway. He orders a portion of his ration stores distributed to the locals. And orders posters put up saying that they came to free the citizens from a tyrant king, that they won't hurt anyone and that everyone should come out of hiding. Just then, oh look, it's Kato! Shows up with his army. Konishi glances at him. "You're pretty late." Ouch! A furious Kato accuses Konishi of stealing all of the boats that were on the south side of the river his troops needed to cross. Konishi didn't do any such thing, of course, and tells him that obviously the Joseon army must have done it. You lost the race fair and square, he says. "Don't be embarrassing in front of the subordinates." Well, talk about a ship having sailed...So then Kato says he'll press on ahead to capture the king, but Konishi shows him the order that just arrived. Kato is reduced to screaming maniacally in frustration.
The posters are put up and gradually the hiding citizens come out to accept their food rations from the Japanese, who are treating them cordially. For now.
Gyeongsang military headquarters: Kim Su is stunned to find Sayaka and 3,000 soldiers standing outside his headquarters, asking to surrender! A tense standoff for a few moments...and then the Japanese all lay down their weapons. All of the weapons, even the muskets. Sayaka says they're sick of fighting after the civil war that just ended and they don't want to die here in a foreign country. Kim seems to accept the explanation but says this is too big for him to handle and he has to get instructions from the capital. As Sayaka nods and thanks him, narration tells us that Sayaka gave much assistance to Joseon in the war, and that Seonjo eventually gave him a government rank and a Korean name: Kim Chungseon.
"It's a typical occupation policy." Ryu knows exactly what the Japanese are trying to pull in the capital. Then Lee Deokhyeong arrives; we never did see what he did or didn't accomplish on his journey to meet Konishi (maybe it was cut out of the KBS World version) but he's back safely and he and Ryu discuss the situation.
Now Yun Dusu and other high officials are discussing another refuge. The Japanese army hasn't moved from the capital, so is it really necessary? Yun argues that it could be just a deception to get them to let their guard down and that prudence requires them to keep the king a safe distance away. So he orders immediate preparations for refuge north to Pyongyang. But then Ryu walks in and says there are still 55,000 Joseon soldiers in various places and that they should be gathered here to put up a fight and defend Kaesong. Even implies that another refuge is every bit as cowardly as the flight of those soldiers from the capital without fighting to defend it. That doesn't go over too well with Yun, of course. "It's over if his majesty is captured!" And after he and Yun have quite an argument, Ryu comes right out and says it. "It's cowardly. Very cowardly."
The walls must have ears, because Consort Kim's brother is telling her what Ryu just said. That got around fast. She's not happy about Ryu getting fired; "If his majesty had listened to him, we wouldn't be in such a tragic situation." Says Ryu is "a pain" to the king but "he is necessary in overcoming this crisis."
Seonjo gets word that Ryu opposes another refuge journey and orders him summoned immediately. What does he care? He fired the guy, after all...But Ryu arrives promptly. "Let me ask you one question: Do you really think I'm a cowardly king?" Ryu explains that he'll be perceived that way by historians if he flees again. Yun Dusu is there and explodes at that answer, but Seonjo shushes him and says he agrees with Ryu! But Seonjo has a horrible news report--that the 40,000 soldiers led by Lee Gwang who were supposed to be headed this way have instead turned back--and shocks Ryu and Yun with it. It's impossible to put up a fight here, he says angrily...and he's still sore about the people who looted and torched the palace complex. Prepare for refuge immediately, he orders.
A disconsolate Ryu leaves and finds the crown prince outside. Gwanghae urges him not to lose faith and to please stay by the king's side.
Later Ryu prepares a message and asks Shin Yeongcheol and Cheonri to deliver it to Lee Gwang in Jeolla province. "There are enemies everywhere," he warns them, and apologizes for asking them to do this. "Be sure to return alive."
Japan: Hideyoshi eagerly awaits news from Joseon and wonders who won the race to the capital. He's angry to hear that the king might have fled; "A king dies fighting," he says...but Maeda has to explain to him that "customs are different in Joseon." Then he tells Ishida to go to Joseon, oversee their occupation policies there and prepare to attack Ming! Ishida pleads for more time: time to rest the soldiers, gather more troops from within the Joseon people, and build up supplies. But that will take around a year, and oh boy Hideyoshi does not like the sound of that at all. "Are you going to ruin my grand dream!?" This is an ideal time to strike at Ming he insists--and he's not wrong--and he has no interest in any delay for any reason. And delivers a scary threat to Ishida lest there be any thought of delay.
Nene tries to order Yodo to take contraceptive medicine. Says this isn't the time for Hideyoshi to have another child, he's so busy, and that loyalty demands it. But of course she's looking out for her own interests, not his...and when Hideyoshi just happens by at that moment and sees what's going on, he scolds his wife and throws the medicine in her face. He wants a son and tells her so in no uncertain terms.
Ming: It's about a month after the invasion, and Shi Xing the defense minister gets word of it. Uh-oh, time to go see the idiot emperor. The emperor is with one of his consorts, and wow you can see why he'd not want to be disturbed...but from outside the room Shi shouts the news of the invasion. The emperor comes outside and accuses Joseon of colluding with Japan! Still that business about the envoys, ugh...He wants to send an army "to annihilate both countries" but they don't have the forces to do that, not with that big rebellion going on. So he accepts Shi's suggestion that they at least send someone to Joseon to get a first-hand assessment.
We see the refuge party line up and depart from Kaesong. The now-jobless Lee and Ryu are at the very end of it. Actually Ryu gets delayed a bit; notices in a side building that Lee Jangson has been so engrossed in working on his time-bomb project that he's late in preparing to leave and still hasn't packed up. So Ryu helps him pack up and they carry the precious research materials on their backs as they catch up to the others.
Nighttime: We see the refuge party headed farther north through the countryside and eventually stop to rest. Lee Sanhae brings Seonjo some tea and they talk calmly. Lee has accepted his fate but has one final request: "Please don't abandon Ryu Seongyrong." He's the only one who's trying to be practical and not overly wrapped up in political struggles, Lee says. Quite a gesture from Ryu's now-former rival.
Left Jeolla Naval Headquarters: A debate among the officers about whether or not they should leave their designated defense area to attack the Japanese in neighboring areas. We get our first look at Yi Sunsin, who tells everyone that they're to defend "the Joseon ocean" and will go wherever they need to.
