Post by ajk on Sept 4, 2022 5:16:13 GMT -5
■ Misfortune continued for Wang Guhn following the crushing defeat at Mt. Gong. Kyun-hwon’s army pressed on, annexing Sungju and Chilgok and killing Koryo general Seksang, while his sons attacked Kangju, killing general Kim Sang. Koryo’s naval force retreated from the south coast of Bekjae, as their objective of forcing Kyun-hwon out of Surabul was achieved. They also lacked the means to fight a prolonged war. Soon afterward, Kyun-hwon sends a provoking letter to Wang Guhn that claims himself as the master of the Three Kingdoms. Though the record of the Later Three Kingdoms is insufficient as a whole, the details of this letter are explicitly preserved. A brief summary is as follows:The past attempt to lure you to Surabul by Shlila’s Chief Minister Kim Ungkyum is not unlike a small turtle following the call of a large turtle. Shilla was being led to ruin. Hence I entered their capital with my whip, and the villainous officials ran and the king was killed. I saved the tottering kingdom from doom, but you ignored my charity and my warnings and continued to covet Surabul with artifice. What was the result? You did not get a glimpse of me and lost your high generals Shin Seungkyum and Kim Lak. You have witnessed my mighty power. Now I will hang my bow at the gate of Pyongyang, and let my horse drink from Daedong River. I advise you to humble yourself and take no action that would lead to regrets.
OK now that right there is how you trash-talk somebody. Seeing WG and his people getting all hot and bothered by it, great fun.
WG “How could I not compare you to the villain Dongtak of China?” Anybody got anything on that? Could not find any info on anybody named Dongtak. Probably there’s some other romanization that will turn something up, but darned if I know it.
“They said it was written by Geon Choi Jiwon.” Dammit, 0 for 2. Apparently he was a monk—that reference to him “living in hermitage”—and apparently a well-known guy. The mention of his name stunned everyone into silence momentarily, and WG said “it would shock the world” if he were working for Koryo. But Google gave me nothing in English.
KH actually praised Shin-geum! How about that.
“What are you so proud of? The Koryo army retreated on its own!” Oops, spoke too soon. Wow he really does have a bug up his rear about that whole succession issue. The glare again!
You can understand his reluctance about Shin-geum, but geez he’d have been around 60 years old in this episode—time to at least have a plan. I’m surprised Choi Seung Woo didn’t hit him up with lots of examples of trouble that happened when a proper line of succession wasn’t established.
But that quiet scene between the two of them, after the loud meeting, that was terrific. Choi got KH to open up and we finally heard him admit to the obvious. Excellent piece of writing and acting.
WG: “How could I stay behind after the humiliation I have suffered? I will go to this battle as I have vowed to do.” Oh good heavens did he not learn anything from what JUST happened?
Doyoung: “How frustrating this is. Anxiety is making me ill.” So why don’t you go wherever they sent Buyong and send her back! She ought to be feeling much better by now.
“Fear not. They (the local lords) will soon respond to my supplication. What’s more, I know that region like the back of my hand…He (Choi Ung) is overly worried because of my recent defeats.” Geez it’s like WG is turning into Shin-geum. I joked about that a while back but this is stunning, how he's supposed to be so smart but he just does not get it.
Shin-geum: “I can wipe away all my past shame…and finally prove myself to my father.” The champ strikes back! Now Shin-geum is disobeying his father’s explicit instructions…this is shaping up to be the first battle in history that both sides will lose! But it sure is an entertaining story--you don’t expect this from the title character of a series as you approach the end of the series. It may not end in some sort of glorious all-or-nothing battle between WG and KH but give it big points for unpredictability.