Post by ajk on Nov 6, 2008 17:22:15 GMT -5
(My apologies for the delay on this one. There were just too many details and subtleties to keep up with; had to get a second look at parts of the episode.)
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January 1433: Yun Hwe and Wang Zhen are meeting in Ming. The emperor, Wang says, was pleased with the ginseng; Yun replies that his king will be pleased to have Ming gunpowder again. "Then this wraps up our deal," Wang says. Yun nods with satisfaction.
An irritated Li Manzhu has been told that Joseon is getting Ming gunpowder again. "We're going to Peking!" But then Haishou enters and tells him, No, rally your tribes together instead. Joseon's gunpowder won't arrive for another month, so just attack before then.
Nighttime: In his tent, we see Tongmingge asleep in bed, next to a woman. He rolls over in his sleep, then wakes up a bit, then wakes up more because he feels something on his hand. Blood! He jumps up and sees the woman covered in blood. Aides run in and tell him he must flee. He runs out...and the aides smile. Huh?
Tongmingge has been dragged by the aides, bound and blindfolded, into a building and thrown down on the floor...right in front of Jo Malseng and Gim Jongsuh! Jo smiles at him and says, "It's been a while, my friend." In a rage, Tongmingge knocks down the aides (who apparently were double agents or at least were bribed) despite his hands being tied. He grabs one of their swords, cuts his bonds and brandishes the sword at Jo's throat. "I called you for a game of chess," Jo says calmly; "Don't get excited and sit down." "Prepare to go to hell!" But Jo says without even flinching, "I'm afraid your son will go ahead of me." His son? "I guess you've forgotten who I am. I'm not like the king. I have no mercy for the Jurchens." Tongmingge demands to know where his son is. Then guards run in and knock him to the floor, subduing him. Jo tells him, "Your son will die the moment you take your troops and join Li Manzhu." And he tells the guards, "Send him back." So, message delivered.
We see Tongguanto (who we now know is Tongmingge's son) in a jail cell. Jo and Gim check on him. Jo confirms that he will indeed kill him if the Odoli join forces with Li.
Back in the headquarters, Jo observes of Gim, "You don't look like you're having much fun. "I'm not excited about these underhanded schemes," Gim replies; "You didn't have to kill an innocent woman." "Oh dear, you have a lot to learn," Jo tells him. A woman enters. It's Tongmingge's companion! So her bloody "death" was faked. "She works for me," Jo explains. "You can have her if you want. It's a welcoming gift to the rough life in the frontier." He laughs and leaves the room. Gim looks at the woman, who raises her eyebrows at him just a tiny bit and smiles. (Dude--penny for your thoughts!)
"Break the alliance? We can't! We all have to make small sacrifices for the greater cause." Linhala is trying to convince an enraged Tongmingge. No chance of that, we can see.
Hwang Hee tells Sejong that Li Manzhu won't be able to move without Tongmingge to cover his back. And the delay will allow the gunpowder to arrive. "Jo Malseng really pulled this off," Sejong observes with a smile.
Liaodong--the regional Dongchang office: "He's placed Jo Malseng in charge of Hamgil province," Wang Zhen observes. "Hand over the military to a man with a treasonous past? King Sejong...he's an enigma." And now, Haishou adds, he has the gunpowder he needs, which will hasten the conquest. But Wang injects a complication: "What makes you think Joseon will win when they attack? Li Manzhu has a brilliant tactician."
Ura Mountain Fort: The Jurchens have decided on a siege defense and are preparing for it. The tactician, named Shenzhananu, explains to Li that siege warfare takes a 10-to-1 advantage for an attacker to overcome. This would require 50,000 Joseonese troops. "This one battle could cause the entire army of Joseon to crack." After which, taking Yeoyeon would be "a piece of cake," they agree--but they still need to monitor Joseon's movements carefully to be safe. Around them as they talk, laborers are moving things and preparing for the siege. One of them, incognito, is Gang Hui!
Sejong is informed of the siege warfare strategy. This makes it very tough to defeat them and destroy their cannons with a straightforward attack. He says, "How about using a more effective weapon?"
Shin Jang is in bed; he appears to be very sick. His pupil the crown prince has come to see him. This was sudden, Shin's son Sukju explains. It's a heart disorder relapse brought on by exhaustion. Shin holds his hand out to Hyang, who kneels and takes it. He tries to talk to him but can't get any words out of this throat. At the same time he seems to be tracing characters into Hyang's palm with his finger. What he's telling Hyang is, "If you govern with the power of your virtue...." but that's all he can convey. His hand goes limp, and he dies. A smart, talented guy; a real loss.
Sejong is stunned to hear the news. "Send over the Ministry of Rites officials," he orders Jachi; "Tell them to send off the late second minister of works Shin Jang with due regard." Just then Hyang barges in. "Stop the military expedition!", he brashly demands. "That's the proper way of honoring my departed mentor." "I know this is a confusing time for you," Sejong starts to say, but his son cuts him off: "What about you, father. Were you merely confused after you drove your lifelong mentor to his death?" That's a hurtful thing to say. "How about Dami, the girl you loved like a daughter. How did you feel about driving her to her death? Is territory expansion that important? Is it worth killing our beloved mentors for? Can't you stop there?" "No," the king answers curtly. Hyang presses, "How many more must die for you to stop?" "I must get past the death of my loved ones and go forward." "I cannot be a king like you, father." "Come to terms with your loss and rise above it! You'll be a better man for it." "I decline that lesson, father." And he leaves the room.
Evening: Hyang tries to go forward with his scheduled royal lesson, even without Shin there to teach him. He tells Jeong Inji and Choi Manli, who are there for the lesson, "My master would not want me to neglect my lessons. I would like to bid my master farewell from here." They get started on the material...Flashback to the young Hyang reading and interpreting Chinese verses with Shin in Ep56...Flashback ending, Hyang can't continue and leaves the room in tears. As Hyang walks outside, another flashback from Ep56, of Shin carrying Hyang on his back as they talk...Flashback ending, "I'm sorry about master Shin." Hyang's brother Jinyang has come. Hyang doesn't respond but instead asks him, "Is father a virtuous king?" Jinyang answers, "Departed master Shin was a deeply virtuous servant. A king without virtue cannot have a virtuous servant." (Not sure I agree with that, but maybe he's just offering comfort.) "Do you want to be like father?", Hyang asks his brother; an odd question. Jinyang's tactful answer: "That's your job."
Sejong is sitting on his throne, sulking. "It's very late," Jachi gingerly tells him. "You must retire and rest." Sejong is burdened. "I don't know how I will deal with the consequences of my decision. They will catch up with me someday."
The next morning: we see royal physicians running into the palace. Sejong is ill.
"A trip to the hot springs?" Escort Han has reported the physicians' diagnosis to the queen: an affliction of the eyes and nervous system brought on by exhaustion. "He requires absolute rest." "I hope he does not refuse," Soheon says, knowing him too well. Han tells her that he's already ordered preparations made for the trip. She's relieved to hear it.
Ministers are meeting. The conquest will have to wait, Hwang says; "We can't push it through when the king is incapacitated." They all agree.
Morning: The king and queen and others emerge from the palace and walk to their waiting palanquins. But the crown princess steps in front of the queen. "What is the meaning of this?", Soheon asks. "I would like to stay behind with the crown prince," the princess says. "Please do not act like a child," Soheon says dismissively; you have a duty to serve your ailing father-in-law." Then we see Sejong talking to Hyang: "It is your job to take care of the people in my absence. I'm counting on you." Hyang swallows hard. Is he up to this? "Let us go," Sejong orders, and the party heads off.
Li Manzhu is told by Shenzhananu of Sejong's trip and the likely delay in military action. "No military campaign?" The crown prince, Shenzhananu says, is handling things for now, and "I'm told the crown prince has a morbid hatred of war." Is this a trick? "That's unlikely, since the crown prince has already begun to make moves." Li gets a far-off look in his eye. What's he thinking?
April 6, Yeoyeon fort: A big quantity of lumber is being delivered; Choi Haesan and Yi Chun are accompanying it. It's to build a watchtower. A watchtower? Poongae is furious and yells, "Aren't we going to attack them?" Choi explains, "His majesty has ordered thorough defense only." From a distance, two Jurchen scouts are watching. They scurry away. Poongae watches them leave; we realize he knew they were there. Then Choi and Yi smile. (A real laugh-out-loud moment; we're tipped off that this is all one big scam and the Jurchens are gonna get played.)
"We don't need to be stuck in this mountain fortress any longer," Shenzhananu tells Li. "Let us act first before the king recovers and resumes his conquest."
Onyang Palace, by the hot springs: We see the king, from behind, and the queen facing him. They're sitting quietly together on a covered porch, the king enjoying tea.
The Jurchens leave their fort. Poongae and Shigaro watch them go.
We see a single enclosed carriage being driven through the woods. Out from the side curtain peeks Sejong! What's going on? So who was that with the queen?
Back at Onyang Palace, we now see from the front that it's prince Anpyeong in Sejong's robe! The queen asks Jachi, "I take it access is being strictly forbidden?" "Of course, your highness." She smiles.
Nighttime, apparently at northern regional headquarters: Sejong is welcomed by a waiting Hwang Hee. "I heard the stratagem worked," the king says.
"A stratagem?" Back in the capital, Hyang has been informed by Jang Youngsil. "Are you saying this is all an act? He's exploiting my mentor's death." No, Youngsil explains; "Indeed his majesty is ill. Iit would be odd if he weren't, with the schedule he's had to keep up. But yes, he would exploit Shin Jang's death if he needed to." Hyang asks, "What if this military strategy doesn't work?" "His majesty's life could be in danger." Then Youngsil places a metal instrument before the prince. He explains that it's a "day-night clock" and it will be used during the expedition. It also "will bring you and the king closer together."...Flashback to a previously unseen scene of Youngsil presenting the clock to Sejong. The king gives Sejong a message for Youngsil to relay to his son: "The king's time belongs to the people, so fate dictates that we divide our time into tiny fragments and live our lives. Suffering sighs of the people pile layer upon layer even in the moments the king spends carefree. Tell him that a true king is one who puts his own pains behind and strives with all his might to provide his people with such simple things as laughter, safety and freedom from hunger in that endless stream of time that passes through the vast universe." It's a rambling message; he looks and sounds worn down as he delivers it.
Sejong is told that the enemy has abandoned their fort and gone back to their headquarters. "What's our next move?", he asks. Yi Gak steps up to a map and explains that the Joseon central army is on its way north, all of the soldiers in disguise, and that weapons are being transported disguised as tributary goods.
On the Amnok River border: We see a thick, tall fence being built on the shoreline. It looks like a defense fortification, but it's actually a floating bridge! Just release the pieces so they fall into the river, and hitch them together.
At the Uliangha clan's supply base: "Check out the enemy line again very carefully," Li instructs. "And check for new reports from Ming as well."
Back at the northern headquarters complex: Nighttime. A man is nosing around the stable. It's Yanguo, the Dongchang knife-throwing guy, in disguise. He comes upon a carriage, pulls back the curtain and sees a luxurious interior. He recognizes it as something the king would travel in, and is shocked.
Sejong tells Hwang Hee and Yun Hwe that Ming needs to be notified of the impending action. "If we cross the border without notice, we could have a diplomatic problem." Hwang advises, "Then we should report this to them on the day our troops cross the border." He tells Yun Hwe to leave right away so he'll be in Ming by the time everything starts. But Sejong surprises them both by saying, "No, I thought I might send someone else as an envoy this time."
Jo encounters Choi Manli: "It's been a while." We learn that it's Choi who's been chosen to be the envoy. (Seems like a bad choice for this mission, but I guess we'll see.) Jo says, "I hear you were strongly against the military expedition." Choi tells him that he still is. So Jo digs in: "Then I guess it's your turn now. 'Develop a persuasive argument to support the majority decision regardless of one's personal opinion.' Didn't you say that was real politics? (Yes he did.) Let's see your talent." Choi responds that someone as corrupt as you are would never have been brought back "if it weren't for this reckless military expedition...I won't be pleased if you try to pull another cheap trick." "Then get the job done in Ming so I won't have to, boy!" He walks away, letting loose an evil laugh.
Choi is before the king, who tells him, "Your mission is critical." "As long as the decision has been made by the royal court, I will do my very best for the benefit of the state." "You have my trust, Choi Manli." Choi bows.
Crown prince Hyang is with Youngsil again. "Would you deliver my message to the king? To be honest, I don't know if this military expedition is right or wrong. But this time I have been given this duty to protect the people from behind the lines. I will be faithful to that time and duty. So tell him not to worry and come back home safely."
April 9, Peking: "The king of Joseon is in the north?" Wang Zhen has just been told by Haishou that it's not for certain but it likely. Wang realizes, "His illness was a trick! I want a thorough investigation. If it is true that he crossed the border without advance notice, Joseon will not escape great Ming's punitive action."
Sejong asks Choi Yundeok, "We'll win, won't we?" Choi tells him with the wisdom of an experienced military veteran, "We have done our best, your majesty. But there are always variable factors that could come into play. This might sound irresponsible, but now it's up to God." Then the king says he'll send the troops off himself. "You are here under strict secrecy, your majesty. You could be jeopardizing your safety." But Sejong won't hear of it: "I am a father sending his sons off to war, general."
A big, impressive nighttime scene as all of the military leaders and some troops have assembled before their king in the main courtyard. "All of you are proud sons of Joseon. Remember that the safety of this country and its people is riding on your shoulders, and come back to us triumphant! Distinguish between the enemy and the enemy's people. Treat the Jurchen civilians as you would your own family, especially women, the elderly and children. Come back to us alive. This is a royal order of the king of that no one is allowed to defy!" The troops bow in unison. He begins to walk among the troops, putting his hand on shoulders and offering words of encouragement.
Next morning, at the Amnok River border: The fence is dropped and the floating bridge is assembled. It's a neat piece of engineering, quickly completed and ready to go. "Advance!" orders Yundeok. And they're off.
"What do you mean Joseon is launching a massive military expedition?" Haishou has reported to a wide-eyed Li Manzhu.
Here comes the Joseon army! Making fast progress.
"The enemy has crossed the river? How is that possible?" Li turns around and smacks his tactician Shenzhananu. Then he tells his other subordinates, "What are you waiting for? Stop the enemy!" They all scurry away.
The Jurchens head out into the woods. As they travel through what appears to be a gorge, boulders suddenly begin raining down on them and around them, pinning them in place for now. Above, Yi Chun tells Choi Yundeok, "We've tied up their main army, general." The main action, we learn, will begin in two hours. 15,000 Joseon troops will separate into seven battalions and attack all seven of the Jurchen supply bases.
As the sun begins to set, we see the battalions fan out and approach the different base locations. Back at the palace, as ministers watch, the crown prince holds his clock up to the sun and reads it. Then back again in the field, we see the various battalion commanders holding miniature versions of the same clock. They're synchronizing the attack!
Nighttime has fallen: Linhala runs into Li Manzhu's camp to deliver a report that the enemy is after one of the supply bases. "Protect the supply bases at all cost!", Li orders.
Sejong points his clock at the stars, an animation showing us how the clock works and what he's looking at. Then we see Yi Chun doing the same thing with his miniature clock. Choi Yundeok gives the go-ahead. "Attack!" And simultaneously at every supply base, batteries of chuwa rockets go flying through the air, sending out huge volumes of sparks in flight, crashing into the bases, and setting off massive explosions. White-hot bursts of flame fly out from the bases as ammo dumps are hit. It's utter chaos. (Have to credit some great stunt work and coordination here. Big explosions are coming straight up out of the ground, and soldiers are running all over the place as they happen. Added a lot of realism to the whole thing. NICE going.)
Li Manzhu, watching at one of the sites, is more baffled than agitated: "What is happening? What in hell is this lightning that they're bombing us with?" Haishou is with him: "A new weapon? Could Joseon have already developed such a powerful new weapon?" It's April 19, 1433, and the Battle of Pajeo River has begun.
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January 1433: Yun Hwe and Wang Zhen are meeting in Ming. The emperor, Wang says, was pleased with the ginseng; Yun replies that his king will be pleased to have Ming gunpowder again. "Then this wraps up our deal," Wang says. Yun nods with satisfaction.
An irritated Li Manzhu has been told that Joseon is getting Ming gunpowder again. "We're going to Peking!" But then Haishou enters and tells him, No, rally your tribes together instead. Joseon's gunpowder won't arrive for another month, so just attack before then.
Nighttime: In his tent, we see Tongmingge asleep in bed, next to a woman. He rolls over in his sleep, then wakes up a bit, then wakes up more because he feels something on his hand. Blood! He jumps up and sees the woman covered in blood. Aides run in and tell him he must flee. He runs out...and the aides smile. Huh?
Tongmingge has been dragged by the aides, bound and blindfolded, into a building and thrown down on the floor...right in front of Jo Malseng and Gim Jongsuh! Jo smiles at him and says, "It's been a while, my friend." In a rage, Tongmingge knocks down the aides (who apparently were double agents or at least were bribed) despite his hands being tied. He grabs one of their swords, cuts his bonds and brandishes the sword at Jo's throat. "I called you for a game of chess," Jo says calmly; "Don't get excited and sit down." "Prepare to go to hell!" But Jo says without even flinching, "I'm afraid your son will go ahead of me." His son? "I guess you've forgotten who I am. I'm not like the king. I have no mercy for the Jurchens." Tongmingge demands to know where his son is. Then guards run in and knock him to the floor, subduing him. Jo tells him, "Your son will die the moment you take your troops and join Li Manzhu." And he tells the guards, "Send him back." So, message delivered.
We see Tongguanto (who we now know is Tongmingge's son) in a jail cell. Jo and Gim check on him. Jo confirms that he will indeed kill him if the Odoli join forces with Li.
Back in the headquarters, Jo observes of Gim, "You don't look like you're having much fun. "I'm not excited about these underhanded schemes," Gim replies; "You didn't have to kill an innocent woman." "Oh dear, you have a lot to learn," Jo tells him. A woman enters. It's Tongmingge's companion! So her bloody "death" was faked. "She works for me," Jo explains. "You can have her if you want. It's a welcoming gift to the rough life in the frontier." He laughs and leaves the room. Gim looks at the woman, who raises her eyebrows at him just a tiny bit and smiles. (Dude--penny for your thoughts!)
"Break the alliance? We can't! We all have to make small sacrifices for the greater cause." Linhala is trying to convince an enraged Tongmingge. No chance of that, we can see.
Hwang Hee tells Sejong that Li Manzhu won't be able to move without Tongmingge to cover his back. And the delay will allow the gunpowder to arrive. "Jo Malseng really pulled this off," Sejong observes with a smile.
Liaodong--the regional Dongchang office: "He's placed Jo Malseng in charge of Hamgil province," Wang Zhen observes. "Hand over the military to a man with a treasonous past? King Sejong...he's an enigma." And now, Haishou adds, he has the gunpowder he needs, which will hasten the conquest. But Wang injects a complication: "What makes you think Joseon will win when they attack? Li Manzhu has a brilliant tactician."
Ura Mountain Fort: The Jurchens have decided on a siege defense and are preparing for it. The tactician, named Shenzhananu, explains to Li that siege warfare takes a 10-to-1 advantage for an attacker to overcome. This would require 50,000 Joseonese troops. "This one battle could cause the entire army of Joseon to crack." After which, taking Yeoyeon would be "a piece of cake," they agree--but they still need to monitor Joseon's movements carefully to be safe. Around them as they talk, laborers are moving things and preparing for the siege. One of them, incognito, is Gang Hui!
Sejong is informed of the siege warfare strategy. This makes it very tough to defeat them and destroy their cannons with a straightforward attack. He says, "How about using a more effective weapon?"
Shin Jang is in bed; he appears to be very sick. His pupil the crown prince has come to see him. This was sudden, Shin's son Sukju explains. It's a heart disorder relapse brought on by exhaustion. Shin holds his hand out to Hyang, who kneels and takes it. He tries to talk to him but can't get any words out of this throat. At the same time he seems to be tracing characters into Hyang's palm with his finger. What he's telling Hyang is, "If you govern with the power of your virtue...." but that's all he can convey. His hand goes limp, and he dies. A smart, talented guy; a real loss.
Sejong is stunned to hear the news. "Send over the Ministry of Rites officials," he orders Jachi; "Tell them to send off the late second minister of works Shin Jang with due regard." Just then Hyang barges in. "Stop the military expedition!", he brashly demands. "That's the proper way of honoring my departed mentor." "I know this is a confusing time for you," Sejong starts to say, but his son cuts him off: "What about you, father. Were you merely confused after you drove your lifelong mentor to his death?" That's a hurtful thing to say. "How about Dami, the girl you loved like a daughter. How did you feel about driving her to her death? Is territory expansion that important? Is it worth killing our beloved mentors for? Can't you stop there?" "No," the king answers curtly. Hyang presses, "How many more must die for you to stop?" "I must get past the death of my loved ones and go forward." "I cannot be a king like you, father." "Come to terms with your loss and rise above it! You'll be a better man for it." "I decline that lesson, father." And he leaves the room.
Evening: Hyang tries to go forward with his scheduled royal lesson, even without Shin there to teach him. He tells Jeong Inji and Choi Manli, who are there for the lesson, "My master would not want me to neglect my lessons. I would like to bid my master farewell from here." They get started on the material...Flashback to the young Hyang reading and interpreting Chinese verses with Shin in Ep56...Flashback ending, Hyang can't continue and leaves the room in tears. As Hyang walks outside, another flashback from Ep56, of Shin carrying Hyang on his back as they talk...Flashback ending, "I'm sorry about master Shin." Hyang's brother Jinyang has come. Hyang doesn't respond but instead asks him, "Is father a virtuous king?" Jinyang answers, "Departed master Shin was a deeply virtuous servant. A king without virtue cannot have a virtuous servant." (Not sure I agree with that, but maybe he's just offering comfort.) "Do you want to be like father?", Hyang asks his brother; an odd question. Jinyang's tactful answer: "That's your job."
Sejong is sitting on his throne, sulking. "It's very late," Jachi gingerly tells him. "You must retire and rest." Sejong is burdened. "I don't know how I will deal with the consequences of my decision. They will catch up with me someday."
The next morning: we see royal physicians running into the palace. Sejong is ill.
"A trip to the hot springs?" Escort Han has reported the physicians' diagnosis to the queen: an affliction of the eyes and nervous system brought on by exhaustion. "He requires absolute rest." "I hope he does not refuse," Soheon says, knowing him too well. Han tells her that he's already ordered preparations made for the trip. She's relieved to hear it.
Ministers are meeting. The conquest will have to wait, Hwang says; "We can't push it through when the king is incapacitated." They all agree.
Morning: The king and queen and others emerge from the palace and walk to their waiting palanquins. But the crown princess steps in front of the queen. "What is the meaning of this?", Soheon asks. "I would like to stay behind with the crown prince," the princess says. "Please do not act like a child," Soheon says dismissively; you have a duty to serve your ailing father-in-law." Then we see Sejong talking to Hyang: "It is your job to take care of the people in my absence. I'm counting on you." Hyang swallows hard. Is he up to this? "Let us go," Sejong orders, and the party heads off.
Li Manzhu is told by Shenzhananu of Sejong's trip and the likely delay in military action. "No military campaign?" The crown prince, Shenzhananu says, is handling things for now, and "I'm told the crown prince has a morbid hatred of war." Is this a trick? "That's unlikely, since the crown prince has already begun to make moves." Li gets a far-off look in his eye. What's he thinking?
April 6, Yeoyeon fort: A big quantity of lumber is being delivered; Choi Haesan and Yi Chun are accompanying it. It's to build a watchtower. A watchtower? Poongae is furious and yells, "Aren't we going to attack them?" Choi explains, "His majesty has ordered thorough defense only." From a distance, two Jurchen scouts are watching. They scurry away. Poongae watches them leave; we realize he knew they were there. Then Choi and Yi smile. (A real laugh-out-loud moment; we're tipped off that this is all one big scam and the Jurchens are gonna get played.)
"We don't need to be stuck in this mountain fortress any longer," Shenzhananu tells Li. "Let us act first before the king recovers and resumes his conquest."
Onyang Palace, by the hot springs: We see the king, from behind, and the queen facing him. They're sitting quietly together on a covered porch, the king enjoying tea.
The Jurchens leave their fort. Poongae and Shigaro watch them go.
We see a single enclosed carriage being driven through the woods. Out from the side curtain peeks Sejong! What's going on? So who was that with the queen?
Back at Onyang Palace, we now see from the front that it's prince Anpyeong in Sejong's robe! The queen asks Jachi, "I take it access is being strictly forbidden?" "Of course, your highness." She smiles.
Nighttime, apparently at northern regional headquarters: Sejong is welcomed by a waiting Hwang Hee. "I heard the stratagem worked," the king says.
"A stratagem?" Back in the capital, Hyang has been informed by Jang Youngsil. "Are you saying this is all an act? He's exploiting my mentor's death." No, Youngsil explains; "Indeed his majesty is ill. Iit would be odd if he weren't, with the schedule he's had to keep up. But yes, he would exploit Shin Jang's death if he needed to." Hyang asks, "What if this military strategy doesn't work?" "His majesty's life could be in danger." Then Youngsil places a metal instrument before the prince. He explains that it's a "day-night clock" and it will be used during the expedition. It also "will bring you and the king closer together."...Flashback to a previously unseen scene of Youngsil presenting the clock to Sejong. The king gives Sejong a message for Youngsil to relay to his son: "The king's time belongs to the people, so fate dictates that we divide our time into tiny fragments and live our lives. Suffering sighs of the people pile layer upon layer even in the moments the king spends carefree. Tell him that a true king is one who puts his own pains behind and strives with all his might to provide his people with such simple things as laughter, safety and freedom from hunger in that endless stream of time that passes through the vast universe." It's a rambling message; he looks and sounds worn down as he delivers it.
Sejong is told that the enemy has abandoned their fort and gone back to their headquarters. "What's our next move?", he asks. Yi Gak steps up to a map and explains that the Joseon central army is on its way north, all of the soldiers in disguise, and that weapons are being transported disguised as tributary goods.
On the Amnok River border: We see a thick, tall fence being built on the shoreline. It looks like a defense fortification, but it's actually a floating bridge! Just release the pieces so they fall into the river, and hitch them together.
At the Uliangha clan's supply base: "Check out the enemy line again very carefully," Li instructs. "And check for new reports from Ming as well."
Back at the northern headquarters complex: Nighttime. A man is nosing around the stable. It's Yanguo, the Dongchang knife-throwing guy, in disguise. He comes upon a carriage, pulls back the curtain and sees a luxurious interior. He recognizes it as something the king would travel in, and is shocked.
Sejong tells Hwang Hee and Yun Hwe that Ming needs to be notified of the impending action. "If we cross the border without notice, we could have a diplomatic problem." Hwang advises, "Then we should report this to them on the day our troops cross the border." He tells Yun Hwe to leave right away so he'll be in Ming by the time everything starts. But Sejong surprises them both by saying, "No, I thought I might send someone else as an envoy this time."
Jo encounters Choi Manli: "It's been a while." We learn that it's Choi who's been chosen to be the envoy. (Seems like a bad choice for this mission, but I guess we'll see.) Jo says, "I hear you were strongly against the military expedition." Choi tells him that he still is. So Jo digs in: "Then I guess it's your turn now. 'Develop a persuasive argument to support the majority decision regardless of one's personal opinion.' Didn't you say that was real politics? (Yes he did.) Let's see your talent." Choi responds that someone as corrupt as you are would never have been brought back "if it weren't for this reckless military expedition...I won't be pleased if you try to pull another cheap trick." "Then get the job done in Ming so I won't have to, boy!" He walks away, letting loose an evil laugh.
Choi is before the king, who tells him, "Your mission is critical." "As long as the decision has been made by the royal court, I will do my very best for the benefit of the state." "You have my trust, Choi Manli." Choi bows.
Crown prince Hyang is with Youngsil again. "Would you deliver my message to the king? To be honest, I don't know if this military expedition is right or wrong. But this time I have been given this duty to protect the people from behind the lines. I will be faithful to that time and duty. So tell him not to worry and come back home safely."
April 9, Peking: "The king of Joseon is in the north?" Wang Zhen has just been told by Haishou that it's not for certain but it likely. Wang realizes, "His illness was a trick! I want a thorough investigation. If it is true that he crossed the border without advance notice, Joseon will not escape great Ming's punitive action."
Sejong asks Choi Yundeok, "We'll win, won't we?" Choi tells him with the wisdom of an experienced military veteran, "We have done our best, your majesty. But there are always variable factors that could come into play. This might sound irresponsible, but now it's up to God." Then the king says he'll send the troops off himself. "You are here under strict secrecy, your majesty. You could be jeopardizing your safety." But Sejong won't hear of it: "I am a father sending his sons off to war, general."
A big, impressive nighttime scene as all of the military leaders and some troops have assembled before their king in the main courtyard. "All of you are proud sons of Joseon. Remember that the safety of this country and its people is riding on your shoulders, and come back to us triumphant! Distinguish between the enemy and the enemy's people. Treat the Jurchen civilians as you would your own family, especially women, the elderly and children. Come back to us alive. This is a royal order of the king of that no one is allowed to defy!" The troops bow in unison. He begins to walk among the troops, putting his hand on shoulders and offering words of encouragement.
Next morning, at the Amnok River border: The fence is dropped and the floating bridge is assembled. It's a neat piece of engineering, quickly completed and ready to go. "Advance!" orders Yundeok. And they're off.
"What do you mean Joseon is launching a massive military expedition?" Haishou has reported to a wide-eyed Li Manzhu.
Here comes the Joseon army! Making fast progress.
"The enemy has crossed the river? How is that possible?" Li turns around and smacks his tactician Shenzhananu. Then he tells his other subordinates, "What are you waiting for? Stop the enemy!" They all scurry away.
The Jurchens head out into the woods. As they travel through what appears to be a gorge, boulders suddenly begin raining down on them and around them, pinning them in place for now. Above, Yi Chun tells Choi Yundeok, "We've tied up their main army, general." The main action, we learn, will begin in two hours. 15,000 Joseon troops will separate into seven battalions and attack all seven of the Jurchen supply bases.
As the sun begins to set, we see the battalions fan out and approach the different base locations. Back at the palace, as ministers watch, the crown prince holds his clock up to the sun and reads it. Then back again in the field, we see the various battalion commanders holding miniature versions of the same clock. They're synchronizing the attack!
Nighttime has fallen: Linhala runs into Li Manzhu's camp to deliver a report that the enemy is after one of the supply bases. "Protect the supply bases at all cost!", Li orders.
Sejong points his clock at the stars, an animation showing us how the clock works and what he's looking at. Then we see Yi Chun doing the same thing with his miniature clock. Choi Yundeok gives the go-ahead. "Attack!" And simultaneously at every supply base, batteries of chuwa rockets go flying through the air, sending out huge volumes of sparks in flight, crashing into the bases, and setting off massive explosions. White-hot bursts of flame fly out from the bases as ammo dumps are hit. It's utter chaos. (Have to credit some great stunt work and coordination here. Big explosions are coming straight up out of the ground, and soldiers are running all over the place as they happen. Added a lot of realism to the whole thing. NICE going.)
Li Manzhu, watching at one of the sites, is more baffled than agitated: "What is happening? What in hell is this lightning that they're bombing us with?" Haishou is with him: "A new weapon? Could Joseon have already developed such a powerful new weapon?" It's April 19, 1433, and the Battle of Pajeo River has begun.