Post by ajk on Nov 4, 2008 15:59:31 GMT -5
On a country road: A horse is pulling a cart. On the side of the cart we see a bunch of metal gears, turning and meshing. We also see a little figure striking a drum, almost like a mechanized cuckoo-clock variation. What the heck?
Wang Zhen is with Haishou. He asks, "What are the Joseonese up to? Are they in a frenzy preparing for war?" No, Haishou answers; "It seems they're caught up with something else."
At the Hall of Worthies: Sejong asks for a report on the geographical survey.
Shin Hang is in the cart; he seems to be in charge. There's also a driver, and several government workers walking behind the cart. Peasants point and laugh at the contraption; they approach and ask its purpose. It's a distance-measuring vehicle, called a girigocha. Every one-third of a mile, little figures strike a drum and gong. The villagers are dazzled; oooh, they all go (just like Merv Griffin). Then Shin tells him the exact distance from their village to other nearby villages. They love it; they start dancing around and celebrating. (Geez, any excuse for a party.)
The announcer explains to us that in 1432, "The New Gazetteer of the Eight Provinces" was assembled. It was Joseon's first comprehensive directory with detailed geographic, social, cultural, economic and other categories of information.
At the Hall of Worthies, Sejong studies a map showing the results of the geographical survey. He sees an unmarked island, Wusan. It's uninhabited so it wasn't surveyed. But it's Joseon territory, Sejong says, so go survey it and any neighboring islands too.
Wusan (Ullungdo) and Muleng (Dokdo) Islands are surveyed, and afterwards we see their names added to the Hall of Worthies map. (Note: There's been an interminable controversy between Japan and Korea over the ownership of Dokdo Island. If you're not familiar with it, Google "Dokdo Island" and you can read all about it. The inclusion of these scenes in the series is almost certainly not a coincidence.)
"He surveyed a tiny uninhabited island?" Wang has been told by Haishou. Haishou speculates, do we really have to worry about Sejong? "He can't distinguish between what's important and what's not." But Wang remarks, "A tiger focuses all of his attention even hunting the smallest rabbit. This, of all things we've seen, is proof of Sejong's ambition!"
We watch copies of the gazetteer being assembled, and the announcer explains that the book was "a declaration that all territories of Joseon are equally valuable, which was also aimed at reaffirming the boundaries of Joseon...along the Tuman and Anmok Rivers...This was a meaningful feat in the process of actualizing his declaration."
At the Bureau of Weaponry--the Secret Weapons Development Department: This is a new facility we haven't seen before, a type of weapons laboratory. Chemicals and materials of all kinds are being manufactured. Sejong has come for an update on something. "What are the results?", he asks Yi Chun, who answers that a test is being prepared.
Crown prince Hyang and Huh Jo place a book before Hwang Hee. It's an expense report for an unnamed special project. Huh claims that it has "many discrepancies," and the prince asks Hwang, "Where is the money going?"
As the test is prepared, the weapon is identified for us as a Chuwa. It's a long, narrow missile-like projectile that's supposed to fly through the air like a rocket when lit and explode on contact. (So instead of firing a cannonball, which is just a dead weight, this will deliver an explosive shell, which should be much more destructive.)
Yeoyeon fort: Gim Jongsuh has come north, bearing more gifts for the northerners from the king. This is way far north, into the newly confirmed border territory. The northern Joseonese group is there, working hard on a field to clear it for planting. Dami sees Gim and throws a rock at him, which he catches. "I see you're still good at catching rocks," she says (referring to Ep65 when he saved her from getting beaned by a thrown rock). Gim has brought rice for the people who are converting these lands for agriculture and had a tough first harvest.
Li Manzhu is told about the rice. There's enough of it to feed the whole Uliangha tribe for a month. "That rice will be ours!", he proclaims.
Everyone is sitting down to a modest feast to celebrate the king's gift. Gim says to Dami, "You guys left a large farm in Gyeongwon. Don't you regret it?" That's in the past, she says. He asks, "Is it because of the minister of military? You went (back) to Gyeongwon with him and now he's gone, so..." But she dismisses that. "We're just here to show the king our support. We hear the nobles are calling this a wasteland and urging the king to push the border back. So we came here to prove the nobles wrong." This can't be easy, Gim says, speaking about their current situation. But Dami replies, "The king kneeling before people like us couldn't have been an easy thing to do either...This is all we can do to help him." (I liked this; it showed how Sejong's dramatic gesture really stuck with people and made a powerful impression on them.)
At Yeoyeon Fort: Gim Jongsuh and Gang Hui are there. We learn that the fort is finished; a nice bit of progress. Gang Hui has sent a report to the king about Li Manzhu building and testing explosive weapons.
The report reaches the capital. Choi Yundeok reads it.
The chuwa is placed into a launching platform for test-firing as Sejong watches. Jang Youngsil stands beneath the weapon and lights it; it stays in place and the propellant catches fire and explodes all over Youngsil, setting him and the grass around him on fire. It's a frightening moment, but the fire is quickly put out and Youngsil is okay. A bit injured, but okay.
Back with Hwang Hee: The crown prince guesses that the money is being used for weapons development. "That's a wild assumption," Hwang says with a poker face, but Huh isn't bluffed: "You can't fool me, minister Hwang. We cannot tolerate any more wasteful spending of the defense budget." But just then Choi walks in and tells them, You may have to put even more money into the defense budget, like it or not. And tells them about the report.
Youngsil tells Sejong that he's not seriously injured. Sejong says, "Our current situation does not allow me the decency to tell you to rest." Be more careful, he urges; you're too valuable to lose.
Outside in a courtyard: Shin Hang, back from his survey, meets his pupil the crown prince, who summoned him. Standing next to the prince is Shin's son, Shin Sukju. Sukju, the prince says, came to him and told him that his father has diabetes and a heart condition and was given medical instruction to rest. So apparently Hyang is concerned about this, because Shin certainly isn't resting. But Shin is angry at his son for spilling the beans. And he tells the prince, I heard you were opposing weapons development, so "I must advise you to avoid hasty action as well." Hyang replies, "Is it bad to want peace? I'm...afraid, master. I want to avoid war if at all possible. I don't want to be the one to decide anyone's death." Shin fires back, "Do you think his majesty enjoys this? You know the answer." And he bows and leaves, coughing and clearly sick as he walks away.
Sejong is meeting with Hwang, Shin, Choi Yundeok and Yun Hwe. It's a grim meeting: the weapon test has failed and a reliable alternate supply of potassium nitrate still hasn't been secured. Ugh. Sejong decides that they must first send reinforcements to Yeoyeon; if it falls, the whole line could fall.
Meanwhile, Li Manzhu's weapons are doing well. He watches the latest test with satisfaction. Everything is ready. "We will attack Yeoyeon," he decides. "Break the spirit of the foolhardy Joseonese king who dreams of territory expansion! We move out tomorrow at dawn!"
Poongae is drawing a thank-you picture for the king, with Dami making suggestions about what to draw. But they can't seem to convey what they need to convey. Gim Jongsuh listens to this with amusement. He tells Dami, "This would be much easier if you had just learned to write when I offered you." This upsets her and she walks out. He follows her outside into the evening. "I am learning to write," she says. So what's the problem? She pulls out a piece of paper. She's written a few individual characters, in a large, clumsy hand. "How can I write a whole letter if I only know three words?" But he's inspired by her effort and encourages her. Teach me more, she says, and next time I'll write a whole letter to the king. They smile at each other.
Nighttime at the Uliangha camp. Li Manzhu asks, "Is the diversion set up?" Yes, it is. Hmmm....
Pyeongan province, northwest Joseon: It's morning. A company of Jurchen soldiers have come to the northern bank of a river. The Joseonese are informed. A new face, Gim Haesyong (sp?), is put in charge; he quickly mounts a horse and heads off to lead Joseonese troops to confront the Jurchens.
But now that they've left...Yeoyeon fort is vulnerable. And sure enough, the remaining guards are attacked. It's the main body of Jurchens! What little resistance remains around the fort is overcome, as we hear the whooshing of those wicked axe-throws. Jurchens enter the fort and begin ransacking the village inside. Residents flee; some are mown down.
Gim Jongsuh orders the troops called back at once.
Some of the attackers, led by Linhala, head for the rice supply. Then Linhala spots Gim Jongsuh emerging from a building. "That's their leader. Kill him!" The Jurchens attack, but now they face a serious fight. Gang Hui is there, and he's an absolute killing machine. Gim is good with his sword, too. And our familiar group of northern civilians joins the battle, and we've already seen them kick Jurchen butt once before. In the middle of it all, Dami trips Gim just in time to fall below an axe swing. The battle continues...The Jurchens may be lethal with their axes in a more open environment, but in close quarters they're clearly not as good and the action is starting to bear that out.
The puzzled Joseon troops are standing at the river's south bank, watching the motionless Jurchens. Then a messenger reaches them.
Gim is trying to finish off one of the Jurchens, with Dami's help. But Dami takes a slash to the back of her knees...and then a what looks to be a lethal blow to her back. Just then the Joseonese troops scramble back into the fort and their archers down a group of Jurchens surrounding Gim and the northerners. Linhala looks around and realizes that they can't win this time. "Yeoyeon will soon be ours! Retreat!" They retreat, and are pursued by the Joseonese soldiers.
Everyone has gathered around Dami, who's been propped up and is sitting against a stone. "I'm so sorry," Gim tells her. "For not teaching me how to read and write?", she says in a slow, weak voice. "Shoot, talk about bad luck. I really wanted to write a letter." "I'll teach you the best I can," Gim tells her. "Give me a chance." But there will be no such chance, and she knows it. "My brothers will learn instead of me now. Please take care of them when I'm gone." And oh, no, another dose of that horrible music starts up again. "You're not going anywhere!", Poongae tells her. "Hang in there. You can't leave us. Got that?" But she has a distant smile on her face. "Mother...and father...I'm finally going to see my mother and father. Aren't you glad for me?" She touches Poongae's shoulder, but as she does her smile disappears, and she fades out. And dies. (An interesting character, lost too soon, I think. And the moment is utterly ruined by a sappy, almost upbeat pop tune. COMPLETELY inappropriate. Why have the producers gotten into this habit?)
Gim, back in the capital, has brought Dami's practice-letter to Sejong. We can see that it's affected him. "The enemy has taken this child's life and the lives of my precious people." Gim mans up: "I have failed to protect them, your majesty." Sejong tucks the paper into his robe, next to his heart. He tells Gim, softly but with determination, "This is the last time I lose my people to the enemy." We see a tear on his face.
The announcer tells us: "December 1432: The king was infuriated. A Jurchen army led by Li Manzhu of the Uliangha clan had attacked Yeoyeon, brutally killing more than 50 Joseonese and taking over 100 hostages."
Sejong, meeting with his ministers: "I want swift and unmistakable retaliation on enemy headquarters. I've come to this final decision to preserve the safety and welfare of my people, so I command each of you to devote your all!" Everyone bows.
Wang Zhen is speaking to someone seated behind a translucent curtain; obviously it's the emperor. "Jurchens have seized the initiative, so I'd like to break the king's spirit." From the emperor: "Permission granted."
Sejong is at the weapons lab: "You found the problem?" Yi Chun explains, "The propellant casing was the problem. It needed to be stronger." Youngsil adds, "The nozzle needed work as well," and in solving these problems, we also found a way to improve the weapon's range. A prototype is almost ready for testing. Sejong says, "I'm counting on you men."
A Ming envoy has come to Joseon. He's demanding a tribute from Joseon of 10,000 cattle. Yun Hwe speculates that the goal is to restrain Joseon economically with this difficult demand, so that they won't have the resources to conquer the Jurchens.
Wang Zhen is the envoy; Haishou is with him. Yun Hwe is meeting with them and handling the negotiations with Meng Sasung. He tells Wang that Joseon would like to offer ginseng as a tribute rather than cattle. "Please speak to the emperor," he asks Wang. "Ginseng has been known as a miracle medicine of all illnesses since the Goryeo dynasty." (What's unsaid here is that Joseon must have plenty of it to offer, without difficulty.) Wang refuses. "You can't refuse," Yun tells him calmly. And then drops the bomb. On the table between them, he places the black Dongchang mask! The one with the rose emblem on it that Yi Su grabbed and held onto all the way home. "We know that Dongchang was involved in the minister of military's death." "Fascinating," Wang says, feigning ignorance, a dumb, phony smile on his face. Yun presses: "Take the ginseng back and take care of the tribute issue quietly. And one more thing--you're going to have to lift the embargo you placed on gunpowder." Wang's smile has evaporated. "Do you really think I will comply?" "You don't have a choice," Yun says coolly. And then he drops an even bigger bomb. "Send her in!" Guards bring in the restaurant woman who poisoned Yi Su! Somehow they found her. Her sleeve is rolled up--and on her arm is a tattoo of the rose emblem! Yun says (and I wasn't entirely sure if he was being serious or sarcastic), "If you're going to send spies to Joseon, you shouldn't mark them." (Even if unintentional, it was hilarious.) Then he seals it: "Shall we go the to emperor? I can show him even bigger proof! (Can't imagine what that might be; maybe he's bluffing.) If the intelligence agency under the emperor's direct control is behind this, that means the order came from the emperor. What do you think the emperor will do to avoid this dishonor?" The question hangs in the air, but Wang, undoubtedly remembering his close brush with the vat of boiling liquid, knows the answer. He doesn't speak, though. (What a great scene. A real wild ride.)
Choi Yundeok tells Sejong, "There is another card we need in order to strike the emperor." "I know exactly what that is," replies the king.
On the shore of a mountain lake: A man dressed in white peasant clothes is fishing. Hwang Hee has come to see him. It's Jo Malseng. Jo looks at Hwang and says with deliberate irony, "It's been a long time." (Jo said the same thing to Hwang in Ep53 when their positions were reversed and Jo came to visit Hwang.) Jo says, "I knew you'd come to see me someday." (Ditto.) Hwang tells him, "The time has come, minister."
"A vow of loyalty?" Tongmingge and his subordinates are kneeling before Li Manzhu. Tongmingge tells Li, "We will never break our alliance again." Li informs him that he's planning a massive attack on Joseon. "Will you cover our back"?" Tongmingge bows.
Jo is told the situation by Hwang, and already guesses the next move: "Are we after Tongmingge?" "You haven't lost your touch," Hwang observes. Jo says, "Would you deliver my message to his majesty for me? Tell him that he will not regret calling me back." Hwang nods. (UGH.)
"Jo Malseng will say yes," Sejong tells Choi. "After all, Joseon is his country, too." And he nods, confidently.
We see Jo, back in uniform, entering a courtyard. Gim Jongsuh sees him. "I will escort you back," he offers. Jo is suspicious: "What do you want?" "I want to learn from you." "You protested to have me killed and now you want to learn from me?" Gim tells him, "I'll learn from the devil if that's what it takes to protect the northern states. I have a reason to protect that land with my life." He won't forget Dami's death, it's clear.
Three prototypes of the improved chuwa weapon are prepared for testing and are put in position as Sejong watches. The atmosphere is tense; an uneasy silence hangs over the testing ground. "Prepare to launch!", Yi Chun shouts. And then, "Launch!" All three weapons are lit. They shoot from their platforms, fly through the air and smash their explosives into a stone wall a good distance away, blowing big chunks of stone out of the wall. Success. Everyone gathered is immediately energized with excitement. We hear Sejong's thoughts: "My people are my heaven, my earth and my universe, and I will not let one of them be lost!"
Wang Zhen is with Haishou. He asks, "What are the Joseonese up to? Are they in a frenzy preparing for war?" No, Haishou answers; "It seems they're caught up with something else."
At the Hall of Worthies: Sejong asks for a report on the geographical survey.
Shin Hang is in the cart; he seems to be in charge. There's also a driver, and several government workers walking behind the cart. Peasants point and laugh at the contraption; they approach and ask its purpose. It's a distance-measuring vehicle, called a girigocha. Every one-third of a mile, little figures strike a drum and gong. The villagers are dazzled; oooh, they all go (just like Merv Griffin). Then Shin tells him the exact distance from their village to other nearby villages. They love it; they start dancing around and celebrating. (Geez, any excuse for a party.)
The announcer explains to us that in 1432, "The New Gazetteer of the Eight Provinces" was assembled. It was Joseon's first comprehensive directory with detailed geographic, social, cultural, economic and other categories of information.
At the Hall of Worthies, Sejong studies a map showing the results of the geographical survey. He sees an unmarked island, Wusan. It's uninhabited so it wasn't surveyed. But it's Joseon territory, Sejong says, so go survey it and any neighboring islands too.
Wusan (Ullungdo) and Muleng (Dokdo) Islands are surveyed, and afterwards we see their names added to the Hall of Worthies map. (Note: There's been an interminable controversy between Japan and Korea over the ownership of Dokdo Island. If you're not familiar with it, Google "Dokdo Island" and you can read all about it. The inclusion of these scenes in the series is almost certainly not a coincidence.)
"He surveyed a tiny uninhabited island?" Wang has been told by Haishou. Haishou speculates, do we really have to worry about Sejong? "He can't distinguish between what's important and what's not." But Wang remarks, "A tiger focuses all of his attention even hunting the smallest rabbit. This, of all things we've seen, is proof of Sejong's ambition!"
We watch copies of the gazetteer being assembled, and the announcer explains that the book was "a declaration that all territories of Joseon are equally valuable, which was also aimed at reaffirming the boundaries of Joseon...along the Tuman and Anmok Rivers...This was a meaningful feat in the process of actualizing his declaration."
At the Bureau of Weaponry--the Secret Weapons Development Department: This is a new facility we haven't seen before, a type of weapons laboratory. Chemicals and materials of all kinds are being manufactured. Sejong has come for an update on something. "What are the results?", he asks Yi Chun, who answers that a test is being prepared.
Crown prince Hyang and Huh Jo place a book before Hwang Hee. It's an expense report for an unnamed special project. Huh claims that it has "many discrepancies," and the prince asks Hwang, "Where is the money going?"
As the test is prepared, the weapon is identified for us as a Chuwa. It's a long, narrow missile-like projectile that's supposed to fly through the air like a rocket when lit and explode on contact. (So instead of firing a cannonball, which is just a dead weight, this will deliver an explosive shell, which should be much more destructive.)
Yeoyeon fort: Gim Jongsuh has come north, bearing more gifts for the northerners from the king. This is way far north, into the newly confirmed border territory. The northern Joseonese group is there, working hard on a field to clear it for planting. Dami sees Gim and throws a rock at him, which he catches. "I see you're still good at catching rocks," she says (referring to Ep65 when he saved her from getting beaned by a thrown rock). Gim has brought rice for the people who are converting these lands for agriculture and had a tough first harvest.
Li Manzhu is told about the rice. There's enough of it to feed the whole Uliangha tribe for a month. "That rice will be ours!", he proclaims.
Everyone is sitting down to a modest feast to celebrate the king's gift. Gim says to Dami, "You guys left a large farm in Gyeongwon. Don't you regret it?" That's in the past, she says. He asks, "Is it because of the minister of military? You went (back) to Gyeongwon with him and now he's gone, so..." But she dismisses that. "We're just here to show the king our support. We hear the nobles are calling this a wasteland and urging the king to push the border back. So we came here to prove the nobles wrong." This can't be easy, Gim says, speaking about their current situation. But Dami replies, "The king kneeling before people like us couldn't have been an easy thing to do either...This is all we can do to help him." (I liked this; it showed how Sejong's dramatic gesture really stuck with people and made a powerful impression on them.)
At Yeoyeon Fort: Gim Jongsuh and Gang Hui are there. We learn that the fort is finished; a nice bit of progress. Gang Hui has sent a report to the king about Li Manzhu building and testing explosive weapons.
The report reaches the capital. Choi Yundeok reads it.
The chuwa is placed into a launching platform for test-firing as Sejong watches. Jang Youngsil stands beneath the weapon and lights it; it stays in place and the propellant catches fire and explodes all over Youngsil, setting him and the grass around him on fire. It's a frightening moment, but the fire is quickly put out and Youngsil is okay. A bit injured, but okay.
Back with Hwang Hee: The crown prince guesses that the money is being used for weapons development. "That's a wild assumption," Hwang says with a poker face, but Huh isn't bluffed: "You can't fool me, minister Hwang. We cannot tolerate any more wasteful spending of the defense budget." But just then Choi walks in and tells them, You may have to put even more money into the defense budget, like it or not. And tells them about the report.
Youngsil tells Sejong that he's not seriously injured. Sejong says, "Our current situation does not allow me the decency to tell you to rest." Be more careful, he urges; you're too valuable to lose.
Outside in a courtyard: Shin Hang, back from his survey, meets his pupil the crown prince, who summoned him. Standing next to the prince is Shin's son, Shin Sukju. Sukju, the prince says, came to him and told him that his father has diabetes and a heart condition and was given medical instruction to rest. So apparently Hyang is concerned about this, because Shin certainly isn't resting. But Shin is angry at his son for spilling the beans. And he tells the prince, I heard you were opposing weapons development, so "I must advise you to avoid hasty action as well." Hyang replies, "Is it bad to want peace? I'm...afraid, master. I want to avoid war if at all possible. I don't want to be the one to decide anyone's death." Shin fires back, "Do you think his majesty enjoys this? You know the answer." And he bows and leaves, coughing and clearly sick as he walks away.
Sejong is meeting with Hwang, Shin, Choi Yundeok and Yun Hwe. It's a grim meeting: the weapon test has failed and a reliable alternate supply of potassium nitrate still hasn't been secured. Ugh. Sejong decides that they must first send reinforcements to Yeoyeon; if it falls, the whole line could fall.
Meanwhile, Li Manzhu's weapons are doing well. He watches the latest test with satisfaction. Everything is ready. "We will attack Yeoyeon," he decides. "Break the spirit of the foolhardy Joseonese king who dreams of territory expansion! We move out tomorrow at dawn!"
Poongae is drawing a thank-you picture for the king, with Dami making suggestions about what to draw. But they can't seem to convey what they need to convey. Gim Jongsuh listens to this with amusement. He tells Dami, "This would be much easier if you had just learned to write when I offered you." This upsets her and she walks out. He follows her outside into the evening. "I am learning to write," she says. So what's the problem? She pulls out a piece of paper. She's written a few individual characters, in a large, clumsy hand. "How can I write a whole letter if I only know three words?" But he's inspired by her effort and encourages her. Teach me more, she says, and next time I'll write a whole letter to the king. They smile at each other.
Nighttime at the Uliangha camp. Li Manzhu asks, "Is the diversion set up?" Yes, it is. Hmmm....
Pyeongan province, northwest Joseon: It's morning. A company of Jurchen soldiers have come to the northern bank of a river. The Joseonese are informed. A new face, Gim Haesyong (sp?), is put in charge; he quickly mounts a horse and heads off to lead Joseonese troops to confront the Jurchens.
But now that they've left...Yeoyeon fort is vulnerable. And sure enough, the remaining guards are attacked. It's the main body of Jurchens! What little resistance remains around the fort is overcome, as we hear the whooshing of those wicked axe-throws. Jurchens enter the fort and begin ransacking the village inside. Residents flee; some are mown down.
Gim Jongsuh orders the troops called back at once.
Some of the attackers, led by Linhala, head for the rice supply. Then Linhala spots Gim Jongsuh emerging from a building. "That's their leader. Kill him!" The Jurchens attack, but now they face a serious fight. Gang Hui is there, and he's an absolute killing machine. Gim is good with his sword, too. And our familiar group of northern civilians joins the battle, and we've already seen them kick Jurchen butt once before. In the middle of it all, Dami trips Gim just in time to fall below an axe swing. The battle continues...The Jurchens may be lethal with their axes in a more open environment, but in close quarters they're clearly not as good and the action is starting to bear that out.
The puzzled Joseon troops are standing at the river's south bank, watching the motionless Jurchens. Then a messenger reaches them.
Gim is trying to finish off one of the Jurchens, with Dami's help. But Dami takes a slash to the back of her knees...and then a what looks to be a lethal blow to her back. Just then the Joseonese troops scramble back into the fort and their archers down a group of Jurchens surrounding Gim and the northerners. Linhala looks around and realizes that they can't win this time. "Yeoyeon will soon be ours! Retreat!" They retreat, and are pursued by the Joseonese soldiers.
Everyone has gathered around Dami, who's been propped up and is sitting against a stone. "I'm so sorry," Gim tells her. "For not teaching me how to read and write?", she says in a slow, weak voice. "Shoot, talk about bad luck. I really wanted to write a letter." "I'll teach you the best I can," Gim tells her. "Give me a chance." But there will be no such chance, and she knows it. "My brothers will learn instead of me now. Please take care of them when I'm gone." And oh, no, another dose of that horrible music starts up again. "You're not going anywhere!", Poongae tells her. "Hang in there. You can't leave us. Got that?" But she has a distant smile on her face. "Mother...and father...I'm finally going to see my mother and father. Aren't you glad for me?" She touches Poongae's shoulder, but as she does her smile disappears, and she fades out. And dies. (An interesting character, lost too soon, I think. And the moment is utterly ruined by a sappy, almost upbeat pop tune. COMPLETELY inappropriate. Why have the producers gotten into this habit?)
Gim, back in the capital, has brought Dami's practice-letter to Sejong. We can see that it's affected him. "The enemy has taken this child's life and the lives of my precious people." Gim mans up: "I have failed to protect them, your majesty." Sejong tucks the paper into his robe, next to his heart. He tells Gim, softly but with determination, "This is the last time I lose my people to the enemy." We see a tear on his face.
The announcer tells us: "December 1432: The king was infuriated. A Jurchen army led by Li Manzhu of the Uliangha clan had attacked Yeoyeon, brutally killing more than 50 Joseonese and taking over 100 hostages."
Sejong, meeting with his ministers: "I want swift and unmistakable retaliation on enemy headquarters. I've come to this final decision to preserve the safety and welfare of my people, so I command each of you to devote your all!" Everyone bows.
Wang Zhen is speaking to someone seated behind a translucent curtain; obviously it's the emperor. "Jurchens have seized the initiative, so I'd like to break the king's spirit." From the emperor: "Permission granted."
Sejong is at the weapons lab: "You found the problem?" Yi Chun explains, "The propellant casing was the problem. It needed to be stronger." Youngsil adds, "The nozzle needed work as well," and in solving these problems, we also found a way to improve the weapon's range. A prototype is almost ready for testing. Sejong says, "I'm counting on you men."
A Ming envoy has come to Joseon. He's demanding a tribute from Joseon of 10,000 cattle. Yun Hwe speculates that the goal is to restrain Joseon economically with this difficult demand, so that they won't have the resources to conquer the Jurchens.
Wang Zhen is the envoy; Haishou is with him. Yun Hwe is meeting with them and handling the negotiations with Meng Sasung. He tells Wang that Joseon would like to offer ginseng as a tribute rather than cattle. "Please speak to the emperor," he asks Wang. "Ginseng has been known as a miracle medicine of all illnesses since the Goryeo dynasty." (What's unsaid here is that Joseon must have plenty of it to offer, without difficulty.) Wang refuses. "You can't refuse," Yun tells him calmly. And then drops the bomb. On the table between them, he places the black Dongchang mask! The one with the rose emblem on it that Yi Su grabbed and held onto all the way home. "We know that Dongchang was involved in the minister of military's death." "Fascinating," Wang says, feigning ignorance, a dumb, phony smile on his face. Yun presses: "Take the ginseng back and take care of the tribute issue quietly. And one more thing--you're going to have to lift the embargo you placed on gunpowder." Wang's smile has evaporated. "Do you really think I will comply?" "You don't have a choice," Yun says coolly. And then he drops an even bigger bomb. "Send her in!" Guards bring in the restaurant woman who poisoned Yi Su! Somehow they found her. Her sleeve is rolled up--and on her arm is a tattoo of the rose emblem! Yun says (and I wasn't entirely sure if he was being serious or sarcastic), "If you're going to send spies to Joseon, you shouldn't mark them." (Even if unintentional, it was hilarious.) Then he seals it: "Shall we go the to emperor? I can show him even bigger proof! (Can't imagine what that might be; maybe he's bluffing.) If the intelligence agency under the emperor's direct control is behind this, that means the order came from the emperor. What do you think the emperor will do to avoid this dishonor?" The question hangs in the air, but Wang, undoubtedly remembering his close brush with the vat of boiling liquid, knows the answer. He doesn't speak, though. (What a great scene. A real wild ride.)
Choi Yundeok tells Sejong, "There is another card we need in order to strike the emperor." "I know exactly what that is," replies the king.
On the shore of a mountain lake: A man dressed in white peasant clothes is fishing. Hwang Hee has come to see him. It's Jo Malseng. Jo looks at Hwang and says with deliberate irony, "It's been a long time." (Jo said the same thing to Hwang in Ep53 when their positions were reversed and Jo came to visit Hwang.) Jo says, "I knew you'd come to see me someday." (Ditto.) Hwang tells him, "The time has come, minister."
"A vow of loyalty?" Tongmingge and his subordinates are kneeling before Li Manzhu. Tongmingge tells Li, "We will never break our alliance again." Li informs him that he's planning a massive attack on Joseon. "Will you cover our back"?" Tongmingge bows.
Jo is told the situation by Hwang, and already guesses the next move: "Are we after Tongmingge?" "You haven't lost your touch," Hwang observes. Jo says, "Would you deliver my message to his majesty for me? Tell him that he will not regret calling me back." Hwang nods. (UGH.)
"Jo Malseng will say yes," Sejong tells Choi. "After all, Joseon is his country, too." And he nods, confidently.
We see Jo, back in uniform, entering a courtyard. Gim Jongsuh sees him. "I will escort you back," he offers. Jo is suspicious: "What do you want?" "I want to learn from you." "You protested to have me killed and now you want to learn from me?" Gim tells him, "I'll learn from the devil if that's what it takes to protect the northern states. I have a reason to protect that land with my life." He won't forget Dami's death, it's clear.
Three prototypes of the improved chuwa weapon are prepared for testing and are put in position as Sejong watches. The atmosphere is tense; an uneasy silence hangs over the testing ground. "Prepare to launch!", Yi Chun shouts. And then, "Launch!" All three weapons are lit. They shoot from their platforms, fly through the air and smash their explosives into a stone wall a good distance away, blowing big chunks of stone out of the wall. Success. Everyone gathered is immediately energized with excitement. We hear Sejong's thoughts: "My people are my heaven, my earth and my universe, and I will not let one of them be lost!"