Post by ajk on Aug 6, 2008 15:02:01 GMT -5
Yun Hwe informs Sejong that a man has requested his audience. It's Pyoung Dojeon. "Why did you request to see me?", the king asks.
Taejong is meeting with ministers. "We have a leak in our information," he says in the wake of the shipyard attack. "There's only one place this leak could be coming from, and that's the Japanese village in Donglae. I want the Japanese village evacuated and every Japanese arrested." Choi Yundeok, Yi Chun and Choi Haesan all speak up, telling the king he's overreacting and pointing out that most of the village's residents are Joseon citizens. Irritated, Taejong tells them, he will not retract the order. Stunningly, Yundeok looks directly at him and says, "We cannot abide. We cannot turn our sword on the people we have chosen to protect." Taejong glares at him and says, "Do you know the consequences of disobedience?" Not even flinching, Yundeok answers, "May we turn in our uniforms and lay our necks on the guillotines?" "I will not retract my order. So do as you wish!" And Taejong walks out.
Outside, Sejong is waiting for his father. They go inside and talk privately. "I too am against forced evacuation of the Japanese village," Sejong says. Annoyed, his father tells him, "How may times must I tell you not to interfere in military affairs?" This isn't a military affair, Sejong argues. And then he says, I've put up with a lot for you, including Shim On's killing, and "I can give up a lot of my governing principles. But I cannot give up the safety of my people." Taejong, irritated, tells him that if there is any chance that the village is protecting the enemy, then we must act. Sejong argues that a better approach is to start trying to learn about the enemy. He points out that Tsushima has the capability to gather intelligence and launch a preemptive attack, but we know very little about them. And he says he won't oppose a war if it's inevitable, "but I will oppose launching an attack without doing any kind of reconnaissance." (This is a nonpartisan forum, folks, so please make your Iraq jokes in private, okay?)
At the archery ground: Taejong is shooting. Jo Malseng says to him, "Concession is advisable this time, your majesty." He points out that Choi Yundeok is revered by the soldiers and that Yi Chun and Choi Haesan are irreplaceable experts. "Conquest is impossible without them." Taejong seems to think he can just command his way out of the situation, but Jo reminds him that "The new king's orders are royal commands as well." This gets Taejong's attention; he stops shooting and turns and glares at Jo. "What are you trying to say?"--that I should turn over military matters to Sejong? Backpedaling like crazy (and maybe knowing that the very same thing got Shim On in hot water), Jo quickly explains that "I was merely trying to remind you," not upset you. Then he advises, "If they harbor any intent to undermine your authority, you will need time to rally your own men and keep them in check" or even "quash them completely." Fine, Taejong says; he likes the advice. And since you know the situation so well, "You're the new minister of military. You're the only one capable of filing the military with good men who will not defy me."
Jo is in a private dining room with Yi Jongmu and others. "Loyalty is the most important virtue of soldiers," he tells them, and I don't have to remind you where your orders come from.
Sejong and his supporters are concerned that Jo is filling military offices with Taejong loyalists.
Sejong congratulates Jo on his new position. Then he plays a little head game: "I think the best decision I made so far as the new king is putting you in the heart of my inner-circle politics. His eminence acknowledges the importance of intelligence gathering thanks to you. I ask you for your continued support, minister Jo." And he walks away, leaving Jo looking back at him suspiciously.
"It gives me no pleasure to have to send you to such a dangerous place." Sejong is bidding farewell to Yun Hwe, who's headed to do reconnaissance on Tsushima Island. He's hoping Yun will bring back valuable information that will enable some sort of negotiation that will avoid a war.
Pyoung Dojeon is before Sejong, who tells him, "I cannot trust you" because you failed to keep classified military information secret. "However, I am deeply grateful to you for turning in your own son to protect the front." Will you spare his life?, Dojeon asks the king.
On Tsushima Island: An angry-looking Tsushiman named Toto Kumaju, one of the councilors, has a sword to Pyoung Mahngo's throat and is about to execute him when So Shun shows up and stops him. Toto drops the sword and stomps away. Shun tells Mahngo, "Don't take it personally; he's just angry" because your father foiled the sneak attack. Later, by the seashore, some more unhappiness from Mahngo, about a traitor not having anywhere to call home.
Back to Dojeon and Sejong. "I will lay down my life for this conquest," Dojeon says, "so please let me live as a Joseonese if I return triumphant." But Sejong isn't ready to accept that offer. "What I want with Tsushima," he tells Dojeon, "is a peace. And to find a way to achieve that, there can be no more provocation." So how can you help me with that?
Nighttime at the Japanese village, Donglae: A group of Tsushiman agents gather and compare notes on the information they've gathered. Their leader is identified as Yamada. They're talking in Japanese. Suddenly they hear Japanese spoken to them from the side. They turn; it's Dojeon standing brazenly in front of them. They're angry at the sight of him and draw their swords to kill him, but then Joseon soldiers led by Yi Chun appear and surround them. A battle breaks out, but it's a quick one and the Tsushimans are quickly subdued (and it didn't appear that any of them were killed). Dojeon looks for a man named Shimichi among them, but he's not there. All in all, 21 Japanese spies are arrested.
"How did you know my associates would get arrested?" Apparently this is Shimichi we see. Helmeted Tsushiman soldiers are behind him, and someone is standing next to him: It's Yun Hwe! He's pretending to be a Tsushiman. I have a contact on the inside, Yun says, and also makes some comment about looking forward to getting back home. He's earned the man's trust, obviously.
A scroll is brought to Taejong by Sejong. It's a list of the captured spies. "Have them publicly executed immediately," Taejong says without a second thought. But Sejong wants to wait for the intelligence report. If there are Ming or Joseon hostages being held by Tsushima, he reasons, the spies can be used for an exchange.
We see Huang Yun, the Ming envoy, and Haishou in a conference room with Huh Jo, Byun Gaeryang and interpreters. Huang tells the Joseonese that the rescue of the scholar Yehjin (I guess they've switched for good to "Yehjin" from "Yejin") "has to be one of your primary objectives in the conquest." Huh wants to know how he's sure that Yehjin is there; Huang tells him that it makes sense because of his explosives expertise but that he wants Joseon to investigate. "I'm anxious to find out what kind of intelligence capability you have."
Tsushima Island: Yun, Jang Youngsil and Dojeon have reached the island and are gathering information. They spot the captured Ming scholar's ship, and reason that the scholar must be held nearby. Youngsil has scouted the island's military base; he's found no trace of cannons being developed, just swords and the usual stuff. They continue the reconnaissance.
Jo Malseng tells Taejong that he doesn't think holding the spies for a possible hostage exchange is a bad idea. "It will do no harm to hold a few different cards to play" if there is a war. Jo also tells Taejong of "a disturbing movement" in the Hall of Worthies.
Sejong is meeting with the scholars in the Hall of Worthies. The scholars' research has found that food shortages have historically been the reason behind most of the pirate raids from Japan. They conclude that an offer of economic assistance might stave off a war. Just then Park Eun comes in; he's not happy. What you're doing is dangerous, he warns them, and "I cannot let you defy the abdicated king" by considering peace negotiations on your own. But the scholars have done the math; they tell Park that for the cost of a war, they could feed everyone on Tsushima for three years. Moreover, "If we conquer Tsushima, they are Joseonese from day one" and if we neglect them after we conquer them, they'll just turn into pirates again, but this time they'll be OUR pirates. Park is getting peppered with arguments and starts to look like he's seen a ghost. Then Sejong tells him, "I'm inclined to agree with the scholars"; if you disagree, then I'd like you to investigate this more thoroughly.
Taejong is furious with Park and tells him to resign from the Supreme Council: "How could you fall for those children's pathetic arguments?" Park tells Taejong that he thinks they're right. But Taejong doesn't agree with their conclusions. If we give them aid, he says, "Are we going to give them everything they want and let them milk us dry?" And if they're not satisfied, they'll just turn into pirates again. He also disputes the three-years-of-food calculation. "Go back to the Hall of Worthies," he orders Park, "and put the scholars in their place."
On his way back, Park encounters Wongyeong. "Don't take his words lightly and resign from your position," she advises him. "If you fail to suppress the Hall of Worthies, his eminence will use you to destroy them. Indeed power is sweet, but you don't want that on you, do you?" Park doesn't care for the implication: "I have no regrets about my past actions. I made necessary political choices, that's all." But Wongyeong doesn't think very highly of those past actions (since they've resulted in the deaths of family members) and tells him, "Let this be a warning. If you ever attempt to hurt the royal house to protect yourself, I will not be idle." Park bows and leaves her.
Inside his office, Park is alone, thinking.
That evening, Park places an envelope before Sejong. It's his resignation from the Hall of Worthies. "What makes you think I want your resignation?", Sejong asks. "I know it isn't easy for your majesty to keep me close," Park says. Taejong agrees with that. "I'm a human being....it takes a lot of my energy to suppress my anger every time I see you." So why won't you accept the resignation, Park asks with frustration. "Stick around and accept your comeuppance", is that it? So I get what's coming to me? That's the only reason there could be. Taejong responds by asking him for his opinion of the economic assistance idea, as director of the Hall of Worthies. "Is the policy feasible?" "Regretfully," Park tells him, "it is not. Looking at the numbers, at first I thought it was feasible, but there is one factor you did not account for and that is the enemy's disposition." So I have to oppose it. "Now will you accept my resignation?" "I might have," Taejong tells him, "if you hadn't opposed." Stay with us and oppose our thoughts, he says. "Your objections will serve as an important touchstone in forming new policies. Minister Park, won't you keep my side not as my political enemy but as a public servant who wants the best for Joseon? Isn't that the real reason why you became a public servant?" Park is dumbfounded.
Evening: We see the queen outside as the king returns home. She can barely look at him. She's surprised to see him because, she says, "his majesty is scheduled to retire to the ladies' chambers tonight." (I assume that means the concubines?) She's unhappy with him because she found out about Park offering to resign and his rejecting it; why didn't you tell me about this? I wanted to tell you myself, he says; he wants her to try to understand his motives. "Understand the husband who treats my father's killer with high regard? You have many other loyal retainers other than Park Eun to serve you." And she goes inside. Inside, she tries to relieve her pain by inkbrush painting.
Nighttime at the Hall of Worthies: Sejong is working alone (so much for the concubines). Yi Sun brings something to him; it's a group of the queen's inkbrush pictures. "She is trying," she tells him. "I wanted you to know that she is trying very hard in her own way to understand you."
Back on Tsushima: From a distance, Yun Hwe and the others are watching lord So receive a foreigner. Yun recognizes the man as Jeong We, a monk who's been to Joseon as an emissary from Kuju, Japan. He refers to him as a Bakufu (an official of the Japanese shogunate), and realizes that if Tsushima is actually negotiating with Bafuku, "They're much too smart to be regarded as mere pirates."
Donglae city hall: The three have made it back from Tsushima. Yun gives his report to Jang...
...who delivers it to Sejong, who reads it with consternation.
Jo Malseng has reported to the king. Taejong is shocked: "What did you say? How could crude pirates even think about an alliance with the (Japanese) mainland?"
Sejong asks Dojeon, "Which of Sadamori's men might be open to reason?" Dojeon tells him, "If you're trying to bargain, then So Shun is the man."
The Tsushima council is considering Joseon's request to send a special investigator. But the councilors tell lord So, now that they have "massive reinforcements," it's time for war. So seems to agree.
Yun Hwe has received one of the Tsushimans (later indirectly identified as Munetoshi). Yun raises the possibility of economic aid, but the Tsushiman wants none of it. "Turn Gyeongsang province over to us with the Japanese village intact," he says, and we'll consider a negotiation. "We're ready to die fighting. "We are neither pirate nor beggar. We will not kneel before Joseon any more." That abruptly ends the discussion.
At the Hall of Worthies: "Is there no other option?" Sejong and the scholars are silent; they're stumped. Sejong leaves.
Gim Mun (the scholar planted by Jo and Park) asks Park what will happen now. "He never gives up on anything," Park observes, so who knows what he'll do. "Kings can't give up what they want to do as easily as we can." And if we can't talk him out of it?, Gim asks. Park responds, "There will be bloodshed at the Hall of Worthies."
Sejong has gone to talk to prince Kyoungnyeong. "Am I wrong?", he asks him. "Am I an idealist being completely unrealistic trying to find a peaceful resolution to this?" Kyoungnyeong asks him, "Do you still wish to find a peaceful resolution?" "This could be an all-out war between Joseon and Japan." "Are you afraid?" "Yes, I'm afraid," Sejong says, for all of the men I'll have to call to the front and all of the lives that will be lost. Kings cannot be afraid, Kyoungnyeong tells him, but "I'm relieved to see you in fear. Because I believe you will use that fear to protect as many of the people's lives as possible."
Sejong goes to see Taejong, who's expecting to hear more of the same from his son. But Sejong surprises him by telling him, "I want to find a way to win. Command this conquest, father. I will work with you. We will find a way to bring us victory together."
On the southern coast: A massive military ceremony is taking place to start the conquest. We hear Taejong's voice: "On this 18th day of May 1419, I hereby order conquest of Tsushima Island." Taejong and Sejong, seated together, oversee the ceremony as hundreds of soldiers stand at attention and dozens of warships wait on the water's edge. Ceremonial swords are presented to the military leaders. Taejong continues, "The fate of Joseon rests on your shoulders, so fight without retreat and conquer the enemy, and declare the greatness of Joseon to the world!" The soldiers cheer.
Taejong is meeting with ministers. "We have a leak in our information," he says in the wake of the shipyard attack. "There's only one place this leak could be coming from, and that's the Japanese village in Donglae. I want the Japanese village evacuated and every Japanese arrested." Choi Yundeok, Yi Chun and Choi Haesan all speak up, telling the king he's overreacting and pointing out that most of the village's residents are Joseon citizens. Irritated, Taejong tells them, he will not retract the order. Stunningly, Yundeok looks directly at him and says, "We cannot abide. We cannot turn our sword on the people we have chosen to protect." Taejong glares at him and says, "Do you know the consequences of disobedience?" Not even flinching, Yundeok answers, "May we turn in our uniforms and lay our necks on the guillotines?" "I will not retract my order. So do as you wish!" And Taejong walks out.
Outside, Sejong is waiting for his father. They go inside and talk privately. "I too am against forced evacuation of the Japanese village," Sejong says. Annoyed, his father tells him, "How may times must I tell you not to interfere in military affairs?" This isn't a military affair, Sejong argues. And then he says, I've put up with a lot for you, including Shim On's killing, and "I can give up a lot of my governing principles. But I cannot give up the safety of my people." Taejong, irritated, tells him that if there is any chance that the village is protecting the enemy, then we must act. Sejong argues that a better approach is to start trying to learn about the enemy. He points out that Tsushima has the capability to gather intelligence and launch a preemptive attack, but we know very little about them. And he says he won't oppose a war if it's inevitable, "but I will oppose launching an attack without doing any kind of reconnaissance." (This is a nonpartisan forum, folks, so please make your Iraq jokes in private, okay?)
At the archery ground: Taejong is shooting. Jo Malseng says to him, "Concession is advisable this time, your majesty." He points out that Choi Yundeok is revered by the soldiers and that Yi Chun and Choi Haesan are irreplaceable experts. "Conquest is impossible without them." Taejong seems to think he can just command his way out of the situation, but Jo reminds him that "The new king's orders are royal commands as well." This gets Taejong's attention; he stops shooting and turns and glares at Jo. "What are you trying to say?"--that I should turn over military matters to Sejong? Backpedaling like crazy (and maybe knowing that the very same thing got Shim On in hot water), Jo quickly explains that "I was merely trying to remind you," not upset you. Then he advises, "If they harbor any intent to undermine your authority, you will need time to rally your own men and keep them in check" or even "quash them completely." Fine, Taejong says; he likes the advice. And since you know the situation so well, "You're the new minister of military. You're the only one capable of filing the military with good men who will not defy me."
Jo is in a private dining room with Yi Jongmu and others. "Loyalty is the most important virtue of soldiers," he tells them, and I don't have to remind you where your orders come from.
Sejong and his supporters are concerned that Jo is filling military offices with Taejong loyalists.
Sejong congratulates Jo on his new position. Then he plays a little head game: "I think the best decision I made so far as the new king is putting you in the heart of my inner-circle politics. His eminence acknowledges the importance of intelligence gathering thanks to you. I ask you for your continued support, minister Jo." And he walks away, leaving Jo looking back at him suspiciously.
"It gives me no pleasure to have to send you to such a dangerous place." Sejong is bidding farewell to Yun Hwe, who's headed to do reconnaissance on Tsushima Island. He's hoping Yun will bring back valuable information that will enable some sort of negotiation that will avoid a war.
Pyoung Dojeon is before Sejong, who tells him, "I cannot trust you" because you failed to keep classified military information secret. "However, I am deeply grateful to you for turning in your own son to protect the front." Will you spare his life?, Dojeon asks the king.
On Tsushima Island: An angry-looking Tsushiman named Toto Kumaju, one of the councilors, has a sword to Pyoung Mahngo's throat and is about to execute him when So Shun shows up and stops him. Toto drops the sword and stomps away. Shun tells Mahngo, "Don't take it personally; he's just angry" because your father foiled the sneak attack. Later, by the seashore, some more unhappiness from Mahngo, about a traitor not having anywhere to call home.
Back to Dojeon and Sejong. "I will lay down my life for this conquest," Dojeon says, "so please let me live as a Joseonese if I return triumphant." But Sejong isn't ready to accept that offer. "What I want with Tsushima," he tells Dojeon, "is a peace. And to find a way to achieve that, there can be no more provocation." So how can you help me with that?
Nighttime at the Japanese village, Donglae: A group of Tsushiman agents gather and compare notes on the information they've gathered. Their leader is identified as Yamada. They're talking in Japanese. Suddenly they hear Japanese spoken to them from the side. They turn; it's Dojeon standing brazenly in front of them. They're angry at the sight of him and draw their swords to kill him, but then Joseon soldiers led by Yi Chun appear and surround them. A battle breaks out, but it's a quick one and the Tsushimans are quickly subdued (and it didn't appear that any of them were killed). Dojeon looks for a man named Shimichi among them, but he's not there. All in all, 21 Japanese spies are arrested.
"How did you know my associates would get arrested?" Apparently this is Shimichi we see. Helmeted Tsushiman soldiers are behind him, and someone is standing next to him: It's Yun Hwe! He's pretending to be a Tsushiman. I have a contact on the inside, Yun says, and also makes some comment about looking forward to getting back home. He's earned the man's trust, obviously.
A scroll is brought to Taejong by Sejong. It's a list of the captured spies. "Have them publicly executed immediately," Taejong says without a second thought. But Sejong wants to wait for the intelligence report. If there are Ming or Joseon hostages being held by Tsushima, he reasons, the spies can be used for an exchange.
We see Huang Yun, the Ming envoy, and Haishou in a conference room with Huh Jo, Byun Gaeryang and interpreters. Huang tells the Joseonese that the rescue of the scholar Yehjin (I guess they've switched for good to "Yehjin" from "Yejin") "has to be one of your primary objectives in the conquest." Huh wants to know how he's sure that Yehjin is there; Huang tells him that it makes sense because of his explosives expertise but that he wants Joseon to investigate. "I'm anxious to find out what kind of intelligence capability you have."
Tsushima Island: Yun, Jang Youngsil and Dojeon have reached the island and are gathering information. They spot the captured Ming scholar's ship, and reason that the scholar must be held nearby. Youngsil has scouted the island's military base; he's found no trace of cannons being developed, just swords and the usual stuff. They continue the reconnaissance.
Jo Malseng tells Taejong that he doesn't think holding the spies for a possible hostage exchange is a bad idea. "It will do no harm to hold a few different cards to play" if there is a war. Jo also tells Taejong of "a disturbing movement" in the Hall of Worthies.
Sejong is meeting with the scholars in the Hall of Worthies. The scholars' research has found that food shortages have historically been the reason behind most of the pirate raids from Japan. They conclude that an offer of economic assistance might stave off a war. Just then Park Eun comes in; he's not happy. What you're doing is dangerous, he warns them, and "I cannot let you defy the abdicated king" by considering peace negotiations on your own. But the scholars have done the math; they tell Park that for the cost of a war, they could feed everyone on Tsushima for three years. Moreover, "If we conquer Tsushima, they are Joseonese from day one" and if we neglect them after we conquer them, they'll just turn into pirates again, but this time they'll be OUR pirates. Park is getting peppered with arguments and starts to look like he's seen a ghost. Then Sejong tells him, "I'm inclined to agree with the scholars"; if you disagree, then I'd like you to investigate this more thoroughly.
Taejong is furious with Park and tells him to resign from the Supreme Council: "How could you fall for those children's pathetic arguments?" Park tells Taejong that he thinks they're right. But Taejong doesn't agree with their conclusions. If we give them aid, he says, "Are we going to give them everything they want and let them milk us dry?" And if they're not satisfied, they'll just turn into pirates again. He also disputes the three-years-of-food calculation. "Go back to the Hall of Worthies," he orders Park, "and put the scholars in their place."
On his way back, Park encounters Wongyeong. "Don't take his words lightly and resign from your position," she advises him. "If you fail to suppress the Hall of Worthies, his eminence will use you to destroy them. Indeed power is sweet, but you don't want that on you, do you?" Park doesn't care for the implication: "I have no regrets about my past actions. I made necessary political choices, that's all." But Wongyeong doesn't think very highly of those past actions (since they've resulted in the deaths of family members) and tells him, "Let this be a warning. If you ever attempt to hurt the royal house to protect yourself, I will not be idle." Park bows and leaves her.
Inside his office, Park is alone, thinking.
That evening, Park places an envelope before Sejong. It's his resignation from the Hall of Worthies. "What makes you think I want your resignation?", Sejong asks. "I know it isn't easy for your majesty to keep me close," Park says. Taejong agrees with that. "I'm a human being....it takes a lot of my energy to suppress my anger every time I see you." So why won't you accept the resignation, Park asks with frustration. "Stick around and accept your comeuppance", is that it? So I get what's coming to me? That's the only reason there could be. Taejong responds by asking him for his opinion of the economic assistance idea, as director of the Hall of Worthies. "Is the policy feasible?" "Regretfully," Park tells him, "it is not. Looking at the numbers, at first I thought it was feasible, but there is one factor you did not account for and that is the enemy's disposition." So I have to oppose it. "Now will you accept my resignation?" "I might have," Taejong tells him, "if you hadn't opposed." Stay with us and oppose our thoughts, he says. "Your objections will serve as an important touchstone in forming new policies. Minister Park, won't you keep my side not as my political enemy but as a public servant who wants the best for Joseon? Isn't that the real reason why you became a public servant?" Park is dumbfounded.
Evening: We see the queen outside as the king returns home. She can barely look at him. She's surprised to see him because, she says, "his majesty is scheduled to retire to the ladies' chambers tonight." (I assume that means the concubines?) She's unhappy with him because she found out about Park offering to resign and his rejecting it; why didn't you tell me about this? I wanted to tell you myself, he says; he wants her to try to understand his motives. "Understand the husband who treats my father's killer with high regard? You have many other loyal retainers other than Park Eun to serve you." And she goes inside. Inside, she tries to relieve her pain by inkbrush painting.
Nighttime at the Hall of Worthies: Sejong is working alone (so much for the concubines). Yi Sun brings something to him; it's a group of the queen's inkbrush pictures. "She is trying," she tells him. "I wanted you to know that she is trying very hard in her own way to understand you."
Back on Tsushima: From a distance, Yun Hwe and the others are watching lord So receive a foreigner. Yun recognizes the man as Jeong We, a monk who's been to Joseon as an emissary from Kuju, Japan. He refers to him as a Bakufu (an official of the Japanese shogunate), and realizes that if Tsushima is actually negotiating with Bafuku, "They're much too smart to be regarded as mere pirates."
Donglae city hall: The three have made it back from Tsushima. Yun gives his report to Jang...
...who delivers it to Sejong, who reads it with consternation.
Jo Malseng has reported to the king. Taejong is shocked: "What did you say? How could crude pirates even think about an alliance with the (Japanese) mainland?"
Sejong asks Dojeon, "Which of Sadamori's men might be open to reason?" Dojeon tells him, "If you're trying to bargain, then So Shun is the man."
The Tsushima council is considering Joseon's request to send a special investigator. But the councilors tell lord So, now that they have "massive reinforcements," it's time for war. So seems to agree.
Yun Hwe has received one of the Tsushimans (later indirectly identified as Munetoshi). Yun raises the possibility of economic aid, but the Tsushiman wants none of it. "Turn Gyeongsang province over to us with the Japanese village intact," he says, and we'll consider a negotiation. "We're ready to die fighting. "We are neither pirate nor beggar. We will not kneel before Joseon any more." That abruptly ends the discussion.
At the Hall of Worthies: "Is there no other option?" Sejong and the scholars are silent; they're stumped. Sejong leaves.
Gim Mun (the scholar planted by Jo and Park) asks Park what will happen now. "He never gives up on anything," Park observes, so who knows what he'll do. "Kings can't give up what they want to do as easily as we can." And if we can't talk him out of it?, Gim asks. Park responds, "There will be bloodshed at the Hall of Worthies."
Sejong has gone to talk to prince Kyoungnyeong. "Am I wrong?", he asks him. "Am I an idealist being completely unrealistic trying to find a peaceful resolution to this?" Kyoungnyeong asks him, "Do you still wish to find a peaceful resolution?" "This could be an all-out war between Joseon and Japan." "Are you afraid?" "Yes, I'm afraid," Sejong says, for all of the men I'll have to call to the front and all of the lives that will be lost. Kings cannot be afraid, Kyoungnyeong tells him, but "I'm relieved to see you in fear. Because I believe you will use that fear to protect as many of the people's lives as possible."
Sejong goes to see Taejong, who's expecting to hear more of the same from his son. But Sejong surprises him by telling him, "I want to find a way to win. Command this conquest, father. I will work with you. We will find a way to bring us victory together."
On the southern coast: A massive military ceremony is taking place to start the conquest. We hear Taejong's voice: "On this 18th day of May 1419, I hereby order conquest of Tsushima Island." Taejong and Sejong, seated together, oversee the ceremony as hundreds of soldiers stand at attention and dozens of warships wait on the water's edge. Ceremonial swords are presented to the military leaders. Taejong continues, "The fate of Joseon rests on your shoulders, so fight without retreat and conquer the enemy, and declare the greatness of Joseon to the world!" The soldiers cheer.