Post by ajk on Aug 23, 2015 20:48:58 GMT -5
Konishi feigns ignorance. Hideyoshi accuses him of plotting with Ming, tells him to take his own life, then decides he'll do it instead. Maeda and Ishida grab him and restrain him before he does, as he screams threats at the Ming envoys and the envoys run out of the room.
Konishi is under house arrest for now. Shen Weijing wishes him well but just wants to get the heck out of Japan; he scurries away to find a boat home. And now its Konishi's turn to have a tantrum and flip over a table.
A pacing Hideyoshi tries to make sense of what's happened. Maeda advises him to take strong action, because of all of the soldiers who fought in Joseon and all of the lords and landowners who helped pay for the war, well, if they don't see any sort of return for their sacrifices, "they won't be happy and it will lead to a rebellion. You have to invade Joseon again, and take possession." But this time, he adds, we have to solve two problems: military rations, which means getting control of the Jeolla "grain belt," and Yi Sunsin. He suggests giving the latter problem to Konishi to try to solve, and letting Konishi live if he can solve it. Says Konishi knows Joseon so well that it would be a mistake to kill him, at least for now.
So Maeda goes to Konishi and tells him. It's a brutally tough assignment and that's how Konishi reacts to it, but his life is in the line so what else can he say but that he'll do it.
Back in Joseon: Word has spread about what happened in Japan and that there may be another invasion. Ryu takes the news calmly. Seonjo does not. The officials, they have differing opinions on what to do. Ryu warns against hasty action and correctly guesses that the enemy will be smarter this time and try to solve the rations and Yi Sunsin problems. Says the priority has to be defending Jeolla by land, because that will largely determine whether or not the enemy can solve both problems.
Yun Dusu secretly summons Won Gyun to the capital. Won assures him that the enemy can be defeated this time, which of course is exactly what Yun wants to hear. "But I'm worried about Yi Sunsin'" he adds; accuses him of waiting too long before fighting, and then asks for command of the naval forces. Yun is a little suspicious, knowing of the friction between Yi and Won. But Won lobbies him hard.
Lee Icheom advises prince Gwanghae NOT to ask the militia leaders for help if there's another invasion. Says they certainly don't want to hear from the government after what it did to Kim Deoknyeong, and says that they'll certainly rise up and defend their home towns with or without the government's asking. Gwanghae nods. Then Lee advises him that he needs to worry more about lining up his political support for the future. The prince takes exception to that; he wants nothing to do with it while enemy forces are occupying the country. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
Ming: Shen Weijing sent the emperor a false report about a happy Hideyoshi. Fortunately Joseon sent a truthful report. Shi Xing is trying to explain why there are two conflicting reports...but now here's the lead envoy, just back from Japan; he confirms Joseon's report. The emperor orders the two of them taken away and imprisoned. And now there's a look of angry determination in his eyes that we haven't seen before. "Toyotomi Hideyoshi wants a fight?"
Japan: Konishi has a plan. An "estrangement strategy," he tells a confused Hideyoshi an Maeda. Says he'll plant a false report that one of the Japanese commanders will be sailing to Joseon on a certain date. Yi Sunsin will be skeptical, he says; he'll know it's a trap and will ignore the report. But the king and court will believe it and want action, and they'll be so angry at Yi that they'll remove him. Konishi says he knows enough Joseon officials well enough by now that he's sure this will work. Hmmm...Hideyoshi thinks...and then laughs hysterically. "You have a long life!" he tells Konishi, sold enough on the idea that he won't kill Konishi for now. But who will be the bait? Well you know Konishi will suggest Kato, and he does. Hideyoshi doesn't like it at first, but then the thrill of the gamble starts to appeal to him. "Kato's life depends on Yi Sunsin!", he says with a big laugh.
Hideyoshi assembles his commanders and announces a second attack on Joseon. The room starts buzzing; he quickly shuts them up. "Is anyone against that?" Silence. He adds, "I'm going to listen to your opinions." Well none of them is dumb enough to offer one, so more silence. It will be an army of 140,000. Ishida announces the leadership assignments; Kato gets to lead the first division. Kato is moved by what he thinks is entirely Hideyoshi's faith in him and loudly reaffirms his loyalty...while nearby Konishi tries not to smile. Then Maeda adds two more things. One, don't just invade; kill everyone you see. And that’s too many heads to try to collect and transport, so just collect noses instead. And two, the one exception to the kill-everyone order is to spare potters, weavers, and anyone else "who has skills that will be useful in Japan." Wow.
Konishi returns to Busan and figures out with Ukita how to spread the news about Kato coming.
They planned well; the news spreads rapidly. Lee Hangbok and Gwon Yul get the news while discussing how to defend Jeolla province...
...and in no time they're before the king, who's also gotten the news. Seonjo knows the information came from Konishi and wonders why Konishi would do such a thing. Hangbok explains about the rivalry between Konishi and Kato and reminds him that Konishi was the one trying to end the war. Seonjo and Gwon agree that if they can sink the advance party before they land, they'll defeat the invasion before it starts. Ryu warns them that it may be a trap to lure and ambush Yi Sunsin. "We can't just trust the information sent by the leader of our enemies," he argues. But Seonjo at least wants his officials to discuss it. And they do, but without agreeing on anything.
Southern naval headquarters: Well everybody there knows it's a trap. They know Konishi would never sell out thousands of Japanese soldiers, even with his rivalry with Kato. Yi knows this is all about Konishi wanting to get him removed from his position.
Busan: Konishi gets word that Kato is on his way. He's sure Yi won't show because Yi knows it would be a trap, and Yi "doesn't go to battle unless he's sure of a victory."
State council meeting: Seonjo receives a spy's report that Kato and 7,000 soldiers are in Tsushima. That's good enough for him. He orders Yi Sunsin to attack them when they approach Joseon.
Yi receives the order. He expected it, clearly.
We see Kato' s fleet leaving Tsushima. Kato, oblivious that he's being used as possible bait, tells his subordinates that this time he'll return home with Seonjo's head. Literally carrying it himself.
After much agonizing thought, Yi decides he won't order his fleet into battle. Obviously he's prepared himself for the consequences.
Kato arrives in Busan and reports to Ukita. He gets a warm welcome and an enthusiastic hug from Konishi. The look on his face is priceless.
Seonjo fumes over the lost opportunity, and with Yun Dusu's fervent prodding , disregards everyone else's requests to investigate what happened and orders Yi arrested.
Konishi is under house arrest for now. Shen Weijing wishes him well but just wants to get the heck out of Japan; he scurries away to find a boat home. And now its Konishi's turn to have a tantrum and flip over a table.
A pacing Hideyoshi tries to make sense of what's happened. Maeda advises him to take strong action, because of all of the soldiers who fought in Joseon and all of the lords and landowners who helped pay for the war, well, if they don't see any sort of return for their sacrifices, "they won't be happy and it will lead to a rebellion. You have to invade Joseon again, and take possession." But this time, he adds, we have to solve two problems: military rations, which means getting control of the Jeolla "grain belt," and Yi Sunsin. He suggests giving the latter problem to Konishi to try to solve, and letting Konishi live if he can solve it. Says Konishi knows Joseon so well that it would be a mistake to kill him, at least for now.
So Maeda goes to Konishi and tells him. It's a brutally tough assignment and that's how Konishi reacts to it, but his life is in the line so what else can he say but that he'll do it.
Back in Joseon: Word has spread about what happened in Japan and that there may be another invasion. Ryu takes the news calmly. Seonjo does not. The officials, they have differing opinions on what to do. Ryu warns against hasty action and correctly guesses that the enemy will be smarter this time and try to solve the rations and Yi Sunsin problems. Says the priority has to be defending Jeolla by land, because that will largely determine whether or not the enemy can solve both problems.
Yun Dusu secretly summons Won Gyun to the capital. Won assures him that the enemy can be defeated this time, which of course is exactly what Yun wants to hear. "But I'm worried about Yi Sunsin'" he adds; accuses him of waiting too long before fighting, and then asks for command of the naval forces. Yun is a little suspicious, knowing of the friction between Yi and Won. But Won lobbies him hard.
Lee Icheom advises prince Gwanghae NOT to ask the militia leaders for help if there's another invasion. Says they certainly don't want to hear from the government after what it did to Kim Deoknyeong, and says that they'll certainly rise up and defend their home towns with or without the government's asking. Gwanghae nods. Then Lee advises him that he needs to worry more about lining up his political support for the future. The prince takes exception to that; he wants nothing to do with it while enemy forces are occupying the country. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
Ming: Shen Weijing sent the emperor a false report about a happy Hideyoshi. Fortunately Joseon sent a truthful report. Shi Xing is trying to explain why there are two conflicting reports...but now here's the lead envoy, just back from Japan; he confirms Joseon's report. The emperor orders the two of them taken away and imprisoned. And now there's a look of angry determination in his eyes that we haven't seen before. "Toyotomi Hideyoshi wants a fight?"
Japan: Konishi has a plan. An "estrangement strategy," he tells a confused Hideyoshi an Maeda. Says he'll plant a false report that one of the Japanese commanders will be sailing to Joseon on a certain date. Yi Sunsin will be skeptical, he says; he'll know it's a trap and will ignore the report. But the king and court will believe it and want action, and they'll be so angry at Yi that they'll remove him. Konishi says he knows enough Joseon officials well enough by now that he's sure this will work. Hmmm...Hideyoshi thinks...and then laughs hysterically. "You have a long life!" he tells Konishi, sold enough on the idea that he won't kill Konishi for now. But who will be the bait? Well you know Konishi will suggest Kato, and he does. Hideyoshi doesn't like it at first, but then the thrill of the gamble starts to appeal to him. "Kato's life depends on Yi Sunsin!", he says with a big laugh.
Hideyoshi assembles his commanders and announces a second attack on Joseon. The room starts buzzing; he quickly shuts them up. "Is anyone against that?" Silence. He adds, "I'm going to listen to your opinions." Well none of them is dumb enough to offer one, so more silence. It will be an army of 140,000. Ishida announces the leadership assignments; Kato gets to lead the first division. Kato is moved by what he thinks is entirely Hideyoshi's faith in him and loudly reaffirms his loyalty...while nearby Konishi tries not to smile. Then Maeda adds two more things. One, don't just invade; kill everyone you see. And that’s too many heads to try to collect and transport, so just collect noses instead. And two, the one exception to the kill-everyone order is to spare potters, weavers, and anyone else "who has skills that will be useful in Japan." Wow.
Konishi returns to Busan and figures out with Ukita how to spread the news about Kato coming.
They planned well; the news spreads rapidly. Lee Hangbok and Gwon Yul get the news while discussing how to defend Jeolla province...
...and in no time they're before the king, who's also gotten the news. Seonjo knows the information came from Konishi and wonders why Konishi would do such a thing. Hangbok explains about the rivalry between Konishi and Kato and reminds him that Konishi was the one trying to end the war. Seonjo and Gwon agree that if they can sink the advance party before they land, they'll defeat the invasion before it starts. Ryu warns them that it may be a trap to lure and ambush Yi Sunsin. "We can't just trust the information sent by the leader of our enemies," he argues. But Seonjo at least wants his officials to discuss it. And they do, but without agreeing on anything.
Southern naval headquarters: Well everybody there knows it's a trap. They know Konishi would never sell out thousands of Japanese soldiers, even with his rivalry with Kato. Yi knows this is all about Konishi wanting to get him removed from his position.
Busan: Konishi gets word that Kato is on his way. He's sure Yi won't show because Yi knows it would be a trap, and Yi "doesn't go to battle unless he's sure of a victory."
State council meeting: Seonjo receives a spy's report that Kato and 7,000 soldiers are in Tsushima. That's good enough for him. He orders Yi Sunsin to attack them when they approach Joseon.
Yi receives the order. He expected it, clearly.
We see Kato' s fleet leaving Tsushima. Kato, oblivious that he's being used as possible bait, tells his subordinates that this time he'll return home with Seonjo's head. Literally carrying it himself.
After much agonizing thought, Yi decides he won't order his fleet into battle. Obviously he's prepared himself for the consequences.
Kato arrives in Busan and reports to Ukita. He gets a warm welcome and an enthusiastic hug from Konishi. The look on his face is priceless.
Seonjo fumes over the lost opportunity, and with Yun Dusu's fervent prodding , disregards everyone else's requests to investigate what happened and orders Yi arrested.
