Post by ajk on Jun 10, 2015 1:39:01 GMT -5
Gwak and his men finish the job, killing the Japanese officers who are there. A great night for that militia!
Next morning: Oh but not a very good morning. Gwak leads his men to the Gyeongsang government headquarters. They present two large containers full of Japanese heads, and then not-so-politely ask for weapons for themselves. But the weapons here are for government soldiers, not citizen militia. Gwak delivers a lecture about how everyone fighting should get weapons, no matter who they are, and then proceeds to demean Kim Su and his troops for being too eager to flee and not eager enough to fight. It gets ugly very quickly; Kim calls them thieves and he and his men draw their swords...but Gwak and his men call their bluff, drawing their swords too and then proceeding to help themselves to the weapons they need.
Uiju: Word of this quickly reaches the king. Seonjo is NOT happy. What Gwak did, he says, "is the same as showing contempt to me." But Kim was over the line calling them "thieves" too...so what to do? Most of the officials advise giving militia officers ranks to recognize their merits and having them join forces with the regular troops. But Seonjo has a concern: that after the war those militia could end up turning into private armies of the kinds that were so powerful in past historical periods--at the expense of royal families. So he says that the officers should get low ranks and the militia subsumed into the regular armies to do regular military service. He really likes that idea and thinks it will solve everything. But as Yun points out, the militia didn't want to join the government troops in the first place; there's no reason to think they'll want to do it now. It doesn't sway Seonjo, though; he has strong feelings about this and orders his idea implemented.
Ryu gets word of this...and heads right to Icheon where an angry crown prince is just hearing about it. Gwanghae knows the militia won't follow the order; it's obvious. Ryu tells him that this is really about the king not wanting the crown prince to earn public favor, for fear of losing his throne after the war. Gwanghae doesn't want the throne...but he's in a bind now because if he doesn't relay this stupid order to the country he'll be disobeying a royal order. Relay it by all means, Ryu tells him, because of course the militia won't follow it and then Seonjo will realize it's a bad order.
Well of course Gwak Jaeu goes bonkers when he reads the order. And of course his men all refuse to follow it. Narration tells us that the distrust between the militia and regular military was an ongoing problem to Seonjo. Seonjo is furious at the militia for showing "contempt" for him. Which it really isn't for him...but he calls them "hoodlums" and says they should be arrested!
As the officials discuss later, arresting them isn't even remotely possible and they think Seonjo will calm down about it soon enough. They do worry, though, that he'll end up punishing Gwanghae for it.
But now look at this: Ryu boldly approaches Seonjo and tells him "You know they are not hoodlums." And pitches the other approach. If you are worried about the militias' loyalty, he says, well, you have control over that. Treat them fairly and give them positions. "A general dies for a master who recognizes him." They don't care about merits, so praise them and recognize them as a separate entity. And that will be best for the war effort, which is what really matters. And it actually works; Seonjo agrees to do exactly has Ryu suggests. But wait--Seonjo has to ask if this is what the crown prince wants...and when Ryu tiptoes around the question, Seonjo adds a condition: he wants a stronger defense around him up here in Uiju. He suggests some specific reassignments, but they're really not suggestions, are they.
Gwanghae is totally frustrated by his father's suggestions--they'll be very disruptive--but Gwanghae knows hit would be unwise to make an issue over it so he lets it pass.
"So who is the king? The one taking refuge or the one in his place?" Kato's camp: The letter that Imjae was forced to write? He addressed it to his brother and not to his father. Kato learns this and is befuddled and angry. "Who am I supposed to get to surrender!?" Even the Korean who's advising Kato doesn't know...but he says that public sentiment is with the crown prince. Fine, Kato says; send him the letter.
Left Jeolla naval headquarters: Yi Sunsin and his officers get word of 500 new Japanese ships arriving at Busan. Time to go to battle? Well that's a lot of ships, and it's a relatively difficult trip to get to Busan, and they know the ships will all be hiding in inlets. They've had lots of success with the luring-out tactic to deal with ships in inlets...but have they used it too often? Jeong Un says not to worry; he'll just get closer to them from now on to lure them out. Okay, Yi says. "Prepare for battle." Later, Yi confesses that he's still very worried about the possibility of a land attack against the base; in fact he figures it's inevitable. But good news! Word arrives that the king has granted them the use of those horses of his that are stabled in the area. Must be a lot of horses because Yi thinks it's a total game-changer. He's very pleased.
Gwanghae is shocked to receive a letter from Kato's camp. He reads it...and later has to sit there in pain while the officials discuss the fate of his brothers. But he knows it's not realistically possible to save them. He's losing sleep over it, but as hard as it is for him he knows the right decision for the country is not to try to save them. He blames his father for making him cold...which is going too far, but he's under a lot of stress to say the least so it's understandable.
Yi and his men return from battle. Narration tells us that this was September 1, 1592 and that they managed to sink roughly 100 enemy ships around Busan. A very successful campaign. But not entirely...because Jeong Un got too close. We see them carrying his body. Very sad; he was a brave guy. Yi second-guesses himself, wondering if he held back too long before giving the attack order.
Uiju: A MIng envoy arrives. Seonjo expects an army with him...but no such luck. Just one envoy. And an odd one at that. A guy named Shen Weijing. We see him in flashback sitting down with Shi Xing and asking for the job. There's a big financial reward, we learn, for anybody who can solve their Joseon problem...and obviously Shi gave him a shot because here he is now in front of Seonjo. But no army? "I am an army of a million," Shen says with a laugh. "I will go to Pyongyang and scold them." Huh? What kind of a nut is this guy? Seonjo reacts angrily but Shen acts all high and mighty about him being the emperor's representative and how "you should be begging me to save your country." Seonjo almost passes out on the spot, and Ryu explodes in anger.
Next morning: Oh but not a very good morning. Gwak leads his men to the Gyeongsang government headquarters. They present two large containers full of Japanese heads, and then not-so-politely ask for weapons for themselves. But the weapons here are for government soldiers, not citizen militia. Gwak delivers a lecture about how everyone fighting should get weapons, no matter who they are, and then proceeds to demean Kim Su and his troops for being too eager to flee and not eager enough to fight. It gets ugly very quickly; Kim calls them thieves and he and his men draw their swords...but Gwak and his men call their bluff, drawing their swords too and then proceeding to help themselves to the weapons they need.
Uiju: Word of this quickly reaches the king. Seonjo is NOT happy. What Gwak did, he says, "is the same as showing contempt to me." But Kim was over the line calling them "thieves" too...so what to do? Most of the officials advise giving militia officers ranks to recognize their merits and having them join forces with the regular troops. But Seonjo has a concern: that after the war those militia could end up turning into private armies of the kinds that were so powerful in past historical periods--at the expense of royal families. So he says that the officers should get low ranks and the militia subsumed into the regular armies to do regular military service. He really likes that idea and thinks it will solve everything. But as Yun points out, the militia didn't want to join the government troops in the first place; there's no reason to think they'll want to do it now. It doesn't sway Seonjo, though; he has strong feelings about this and orders his idea implemented.
Ryu gets word of this...and heads right to Icheon where an angry crown prince is just hearing about it. Gwanghae knows the militia won't follow the order; it's obvious. Ryu tells him that this is really about the king not wanting the crown prince to earn public favor, for fear of losing his throne after the war. Gwanghae doesn't want the throne...but he's in a bind now because if he doesn't relay this stupid order to the country he'll be disobeying a royal order. Relay it by all means, Ryu tells him, because of course the militia won't follow it and then Seonjo will realize it's a bad order.
Well of course Gwak Jaeu goes bonkers when he reads the order. And of course his men all refuse to follow it. Narration tells us that the distrust between the militia and regular military was an ongoing problem to Seonjo. Seonjo is furious at the militia for showing "contempt" for him. Which it really isn't for him...but he calls them "hoodlums" and says they should be arrested!
As the officials discuss later, arresting them isn't even remotely possible and they think Seonjo will calm down about it soon enough. They do worry, though, that he'll end up punishing Gwanghae for it.
But now look at this: Ryu boldly approaches Seonjo and tells him "You know they are not hoodlums." And pitches the other approach. If you are worried about the militias' loyalty, he says, well, you have control over that. Treat them fairly and give them positions. "A general dies for a master who recognizes him." They don't care about merits, so praise them and recognize them as a separate entity. And that will be best for the war effort, which is what really matters. And it actually works; Seonjo agrees to do exactly has Ryu suggests. But wait--Seonjo has to ask if this is what the crown prince wants...and when Ryu tiptoes around the question, Seonjo adds a condition: he wants a stronger defense around him up here in Uiju. He suggests some specific reassignments, but they're really not suggestions, are they.
Gwanghae is totally frustrated by his father's suggestions--they'll be very disruptive--but Gwanghae knows hit would be unwise to make an issue over it so he lets it pass.
"So who is the king? The one taking refuge or the one in his place?" Kato's camp: The letter that Imjae was forced to write? He addressed it to his brother and not to his father. Kato learns this and is befuddled and angry. "Who am I supposed to get to surrender!?" Even the Korean who's advising Kato doesn't know...but he says that public sentiment is with the crown prince. Fine, Kato says; send him the letter.
Left Jeolla naval headquarters: Yi Sunsin and his officers get word of 500 new Japanese ships arriving at Busan. Time to go to battle? Well that's a lot of ships, and it's a relatively difficult trip to get to Busan, and they know the ships will all be hiding in inlets. They've had lots of success with the luring-out tactic to deal with ships in inlets...but have they used it too often? Jeong Un says not to worry; he'll just get closer to them from now on to lure them out. Okay, Yi says. "Prepare for battle." Later, Yi confesses that he's still very worried about the possibility of a land attack against the base; in fact he figures it's inevitable. But good news! Word arrives that the king has granted them the use of those horses of his that are stabled in the area. Must be a lot of horses because Yi thinks it's a total game-changer. He's very pleased.
Gwanghae is shocked to receive a letter from Kato's camp. He reads it...and later has to sit there in pain while the officials discuss the fate of his brothers. But he knows it's not realistically possible to save them. He's losing sleep over it, but as hard as it is for him he knows the right decision for the country is not to try to save them. He blames his father for making him cold...which is going too far, but he's under a lot of stress to say the least so it's understandable.
Yi and his men return from battle. Narration tells us that this was September 1, 1592 and that they managed to sink roughly 100 enemy ships around Busan. A very successful campaign. But not entirely...because Jeong Un got too close. We see them carrying his body. Very sad; he was a brave guy. Yi second-guesses himself, wondering if he held back too long before giving the attack order.
Uiju: A MIng envoy arrives. Seonjo expects an army with him...but no such luck. Just one envoy. And an odd one at that. A guy named Shen Weijing. We see him in flashback sitting down with Shi Xing and asking for the job. There's a big financial reward, we learn, for anybody who can solve their Joseon problem...and obviously Shi gave him a shot because here he is now in front of Seonjo. But no army? "I am an army of a million," Shen says with a laugh. "I will go to Pyongyang and scold them." Huh? What kind of a nut is this guy? Seonjo reacts angrily but Shen acts all high and mighty about him being the emperor's representative and how "you should be begging me to save your country." Seonjo almost passes out on the spot, and Ryu explodes in anger.