Post by ajk on Jun 23, 2009 13:07:59 GMT -5
Chiyang tries to explain to Hunae how he fell in love with her, but she doesn't want to hear it and is even offended by it. She's still royalty, after all. Then guards come in and take Chiyang out of the cell...
...and bring him to empress dowager Xiao, who asks him whether or not he could persuade her to write that surrender letter. I need more time, Chiyang says. They're all about to depart for the Liao capital, and Xiao tells him he'd better convince Hunae by the time they get there or they're both dead.
We see a large group of Goryean POWs. Hunae and Chiyang are with them. Yelu Dilie announces to all of them that they'll be leaving on a 250-mile journey to the capital; it will take a month. But, he suggests, if any of you agree to swear loyalty to Liao and serve in the Khitan army, you won't be hauled away as prisoners. Yelu Wuji, we learn, was once a Song POW, and now is a recognized Khitan officer. The POWs think about it. But Yun Seoan pipes up and tells him not to listen and to keep their pride. Then Hunae stands up, introduces herself to the prisoners and gives a stirring speech that rouses them all to cheering. (And the Khitan leadership stands there and passively tolerates this?!? Give me a break.)
Later, the journey to the capital begins....
King Sungjong is walking through the Myeongbok Palace grounds for a final time. Then he presents a wrapped gift to the staff, a token "of contrition for my past negligence." And with this he departs for home. Gamchan departs with him, advising Gang Jo on the way out to come see him if he changes his mind about that job offer.
Sa Illa suggests to Gang Jo the possibility of Hunae being a Khitan hostage. It's a possibility, but a remote one; is it worth the huge risk to investigate it?
The Goryean prisoners are all chained together and are trying to walk. One falters from thirst and gets killed on the spot. Hunae tries to protest, like that will help, and calls the Khitans "animals" in the process. Which only angers the empress dowager, and as punishment Hunae is tied up and dragged behind a horse for a couple of laps around the field they're standing in. It leaves her unconscious (When is she gonna learn?).
Gang Jo decides to go visit Gamchan, hoping that Gamchan will arrange for a way to get him into Khitan territory. Hyangbi is terribly worried about her brother and doesn't want him to go. But he's going.
The Khitan party has stopped for the night. Lots of moaning and groaning from the prisoners. Hunae gets some taunting from Wuji, and she gives it right back to him. So he doesn't give her any water, but dumps the water from his canteen onto the ground, leaving Chiyang to sop it up with his clothes and squeeze the water into her mouth. Chiyang then gives a piece of ridiculously overdue advice: "Please learn to bend a little. Or you're going to break." The top priority right now is to survive, he says. But Hunae refuses to "stoop to them. Never."
A state meeting: The king is told that a Khitan emissary is on his way. Who's going to formally receive him? The king wonders if he should do it; no, that would be a display of submission. Bad idea. How about Gamchan? He doesn't rank all that highly, but remember, Goryeo just defeated Khitan in a war. And Gamchan steps forward and says he wants to do it. Okay, the king says, and take Kim Shimun with you. (Kim is secretary in the Diplomatic Receptions office.)
Yelu Chu is the envoy; he has arrived and is giving Kim Chimun an earful, offended by Kim's low rank. The Gamchan emerges and points out that Kim's rank is equivalent to Xiao Sunning's, so there's no basis for offense. And on top of it, Gamchan needles him about getting defeated at Fort Yunju.
Narration tells us that in February 994, the formal written terms of the peace agreement were delivered to Sungjong, with regard to the Khitan era name and fort construction on both sides of the Yalu.
Kim Shimun and Choe Sum lament the apparent loss of Goryeo's alliance with Song. Shimun again mentions the idea of sending a secret envoy to Song, but Choe says no, not just yet; "We'll have our time again eventually."
Gang Jo has reached the capital and finds Gamchan. He tells Gamchan what he wants; Gamchan is staggered: "Are you out of your mind?" But Gang Jo has a plan. He heard that a Khitan emissary has arrived, and he suggests that he be included in the diplomatic mission that will reciprocate.
The Khitan march continues; they stop to prepare a camp for the night. Surprisingly, Hunae asks to speak to the empress dowager. She wants food and water given to the prisoners. "I beg you." So why aren't you on your knees?, is the response. So she falls to her knees. Now Xiao is messing with her: "Then will you be my subordinate?" No, Hunae says; kill me instead and then give them the food and water. Xiao laughs; I'd rather you be my subordinate; "Let's give it some more time." And then she orders the prisoners be given food and water. Which is done, with great indignity and humiliation to the prisoners. Hunae watches it and seethes.
The king is dining with Choe Ryang. He's realizing that his sister is probably gone for good. He converses to feeling guilt about it all, "But I can't help but thinking that an old lingering problem has been resolved. I feel relief that there is no one left to threaten my position now. It's appalling and I'm disgusted at myself for feeling this way." Don't be hard on yourself, CHoe says; "A king has no family and no friends. That's truth taught by history."
Queen Munhwa is grilling her father about why Wonsoong hasn't given half his assets to war victims, as he promised. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it, is his excuse. Munwha tells him, just bring it to the treasury and we'll worry about that. But it's clear that Wonsoong is going to weasel out of his promise, mainly because it's been two months since he was found profiteering and nobody has turned him in for it. And he rationalizes, too: "I don't want to honor my word. Why should I give to the country when the country has done nothing for me?" (This scene ends without Munhwa getting angry at her father. I was surprised that she seems to be letting him get away with this.)
The Khitan party finally reaches the capital. The empress dowager goes inside a palace building and is greeted by Han Derang, the prime minister, and her son the emperor Shengzong. What's new? The Song emperor may be having health issues, she's told.
Hunae and Chiyang are together in a cell again. She's still insulted because of his spoken love for her. Chiyang vows to be more restrained from now on. But he wants to tend to her injuries, if only as a servant. Reluctantly, she lets him work on her ankle. (Dude, why don't you tell her you're Shillan royalty? Problem solved. What am I missing here?)
Gamchan goes to Park Yangyu with the request to include Gang Jo in the mission. Not necessary, Park says; hostage exchange is one of the things we'll be negotiating, and if Hunae is among the hostages, they'll bring her back. Then at least take him a guard, Gamchan suggests. Park says no, no personal favors, but Gamchan appeals to his sense of honor: Gang Jo fought alongside Hunae on the battlefield, and now servant is looking for master.
Gang Jo wants Hyangbi to stay behind; but she wants to come with him. Then we learn something surprising: Hyangbi is not Gang Jo's biological sister; she's the baby sister of Gang Jo's deceased fiancee. And now she's in love with him. Ugh. I raised you myself, he reminds her; "You're my family. So cut it out."
Yi Sulhwa tells Sa Gamun she wants to go along and search for Hunae. No, he says, stay here and tend to the palace. She asks him why he's so cold to her now. But he leaves without answering.
Hunae and Chiyang are removed from the cell. Hunae is taken to a large plaza, where other Goryean prisoners are standing. Chiyang is taken before the empress dowager, where he has to tell her that he didn't get Hunae to write the surrender letter. You'll have to die, she says. But Chiyang, thinking quickly, tells her it would be a mistake because "I am going to be her lover. Just like Prime Minister Han Derang next to you." Han, Chiyang knows, is Han Chinese background but is Xiao's lover. I may be a Jurchen, he says, "But I, too, will be the partner and lover of Goryeo's future queen mother." So killing me would be foolish. "Your highness, regard it as an investment and give me a chance." Xiao is amused. "It's entertaining to watch you struggling for survival," she tells him. But I don't trust you--because you have the "face of a cat. The cat is a symbol of betrayal. They turn against their masters at the slightest disregard." (Which is a complete load of crap, if you'll excuse this cat lover's irritation. What a stupid, pointless, unnecessary line. Fire that writer!) So, she says, "Prove your willingness to serve me." By killing Hunae! You show such ambition, well prove to me that you have it. And maybe I'll let you conquer and rule Goryeo. (What?) Then they all head outside to the plaza where the POW's are waiting....
The prisoners are offered another chance to serve Khitan. And this time, many of them run forward and accept. The others? A squad of Khitan cavalry enters the plaza, and the others are forced to fight them, ten at a time. They're given swords but it's hardly a fair fight. The first ten are pushed forward and are mowed down in no time. Then another ten are pushed forward--including Hunae. But Xiao interrupts the proceedings: "That woman is royalty, so we will grant her a special way to die." A man steps forward from Xiao's retinue. His face is covered, but we know it's Chiyang. This is to be a duel to the death.
...and bring him to empress dowager Xiao, who asks him whether or not he could persuade her to write that surrender letter. I need more time, Chiyang says. They're all about to depart for the Liao capital, and Xiao tells him he'd better convince Hunae by the time they get there or they're both dead.
We see a large group of Goryean POWs. Hunae and Chiyang are with them. Yelu Dilie announces to all of them that they'll be leaving on a 250-mile journey to the capital; it will take a month. But, he suggests, if any of you agree to swear loyalty to Liao and serve in the Khitan army, you won't be hauled away as prisoners. Yelu Wuji, we learn, was once a Song POW, and now is a recognized Khitan officer. The POWs think about it. But Yun Seoan pipes up and tells him not to listen and to keep their pride. Then Hunae stands up, introduces herself to the prisoners and gives a stirring speech that rouses them all to cheering. (And the Khitan leadership stands there and passively tolerates this?!? Give me a break.)
Later, the journey to the capital begins....
King Sungjong is walking through the Myeongbok Palace grounds for a final time. Then he presents a wrapped gift to the staff, a token "of contrition for my past negligence." And with this he departs for home. Gamchan departs with him, advising Gang Jo on the way out to come see him if he changes his mind about that job offer.
Sa Illa suggests to Gang Jo the possibility of Hunae being a Khitan hostage. It's a possibility, but a remote one; is it worth the huge risk to investigate it?
The Goryean prisoners are all chained together and are trying to walk. One falters from thirst and gets killed on the spot. Hunae tries to protest, like that will help, and calls the Khitans "animals" in the process. Which only angers the empress dowager, and as punishment Hunae is tied up and dragged behind a horse for a couple of laps around the field they're standing in. It leaves her unconscious (When is she gonna learn?).
Gang Jo decides to go visit Gamchan, hoping that Gamchan will arrange for a way to get him into Khitan territory. Hyangbi is terribly worried about her brother and doesn't want him to go. But he's going.
The Khitan party has stopped for the night. Lots of moaning and groaning from the prisoners. Hunae gets some taunting from Wuji, and she gives it right back to him. So he doesn't give her any water, but dumps the water from his canteen onto the ground, leaving Chiyang to sop it up with his clothes and squeeze the water into her mouth. Chiyang then gives a piece of ridiculously overdue advice: "Please learn to bend a little. Or you're going to break." The top priority right now is to survive, he says. But Hunae refuses to "stoop to them. Never."
A state meeting: The king is told that a Khitan emissary is on his way. Who's going to formally receive him? The king wonders if he should do it; no, that would be a display of submission. Bad idea. How about Gamchan? He doesn't rank all that highly, but remember, Goryeo just defeated Khitan in a war. And Gamchan steps forward and says he wants to do it. Okay, the king says, and take Kim Shimun with you. (Kim is secretary in the Diplomatic Receptions office.)
Yelu Chu is the envoy; he has arrived and is giving Kim Chimun an earful, offended by Kim's low rank. The Gamchan emerges and points out that Kim's rank is equivalent to Xiao Sunning's, so there's no basis for offense. And on top of it, Gamchan needles him about getting defeated at Fort Yunju.
Narration tells us that in February 994, the formal written terms of the peace agreement were delivered to Sungjong, with regard to the Khitan era name and fort construction on both sides of the Yalu.
Kim Shimun and Choe Sum lament the apparent loss of Goryeo's alliance with Song. Shimun again mentions the idea of sending a secret envoy to Song, but Choe says no, not just yet; "We'll have our time again eventually."
Gang Jo has reached the capital and finds Gamchan. He tells Gamchan what he wants; Gamchan is staggered: "Are you out of your mind?" But Gang Jo has a plan. He heard that a Khitan emissary has arrived, and he suggests that he be included in the diplomatic mission that will reciprocate.
The Khitan march continues; they stop to prepare a camp for the night. Surprisingly, Hunae asks to speak to the empress dowager. She wants food and water given to the prisoners. "I beg you." So why aren't you on your knees?, is the response. So she falls to her knees. Now Xiao is messing with her: "Then will you be my subordinate?" No, Hunae says; kill me instead and then give them the food and water. Xiao laughs; I'd rather you be my subordinate; "Let's give it some more time." And then she orders the prisoners be given food and water. Which is done, with great indignity and humiliation to the prisoners. Hunae watches it and seethes.
The king is dining with Choe Ryang. He's realizing that his sister is probably gone for good. He converses to feeling guilt about it all, "But I can't help but thinking that an old lingering problem has been resolved. I feel relief that there is no one left to threaten my position now. It's appalling and I'm disgusted at myself for feeling this way." Don't be hard on yourself, CHoe says; "A king has no family and no friends. That's truth taught by history."
Queen Munhwa is grilling her father about why Wonsoong hasn't given half his assets to war victims, as he promised. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it, is his excuse. Munwha tells him, just bring it to the treasury and we'll worry about that. But it's clear that Wonsoong is going to weasel out of his promise, mainly because it's been two months since he was found profiteering and nobody has turned him in for it. And he rationalizes, too: "I don't want to honor my word. Why should I give to the country when the country has done nothing for me?" (This scene ends without Munhwa getting angry at her father. I was surprised that she seems to be letting him get away with this.)
The Khitan party finally reaches the capital. The empress dowager goes inside a palace building and is greeted by Han Derang, the prime minister, and her son the emperor Shengzong. What's new? The Song emperor may be having health issues, she's told.
Hunae and Chiyang are together in a cell again. She's still insulted because of his spoken love for her. Chiyang vows to be more restrained from now on. But he wants to tend to her injuries, if only as a servant. Reluctantly, she lets him work on her ankle. (Dude, why don't you tell her you're Shillan royalty? Problem solved. What am I missing here?)
Gamchan goes to Park Yangyu with the request to include Gang Jo in the mission. Not necessary, Park says; hostage exchange is one of the things we'll be negotiating, and if Hunae is among the hostages, they'll bring her back. Then at least take him a guard, Gamchan suggests. Park says no, no personal favors, but Gamchan appeals to his sense of honor: Gang Jo fought alongside Hunae on the battlefield, and now servant is looking for master.
Gang Jo wants Hyangbi to stay behind; but she wants to come with him. Then we learn something surprising: Hyangbi is not Gang Jo's biological sister; she's the baby sister of Gang Jo's deceased fiancee. And now she's in love with him. Ugh. I raised you myself, he reminds her; "You're my family. So cut it out."
Yi Sulhwa tells Sa Gamun she wants to go along and search for Hunae. No, he says, stay here and tend to the palace. She asks him why he's so cold to her now. But he leaves without answering.
Hunae and Chiyang are removed from the cell. Hunae is taken to a large plaza, where other Goryean prisoners are standing. Chiyang is taken before the empress dowager, where he has to tell her that he didn't get Hunae to write the surrender letter. You'll have to die, she says. But Chiyang, thinking quickly, tells her it would be a mistake because "I am going to be her lover. Just like Prime Minister Han Derang next to you." Han, Chiyang knows, is Han Chinese background but is Xiao's lover. I may be a Jurchen, he says, "But I, too, will be the partner and lover of Goryeo's future queen mother." So killing me would be foolish. "Your highness, regard it as an investment and give me a chance." Xiao is amused. "It's entertaining to watch you struggling for survival," she tells him. But I don't trust you--because you have the "face of a cat. The cat is a symbol of betrayal. They turn against their masters at the slightest disregard." (Which is a complete load of crap, if you'll excuse this cat lover's irritation. What a stupid, pointless, unnecessary line. Fire that writer!) So, she says, "Prove your willingness to serve me." By killing Hunae! You show such ambition, well prove to me that you have it. And maybe I'll let you conquer and rule Goryeo. (What?) Then they all head outside to the plaza where the POW's are waiting....
The prisoners are offered another chance to serve Khitan. And this time, many of them run forward and accept. The others? A squad of Khitan cavalry enters the plaza, and the others are forced to fight them, ten at a time. They're given swords but it's hardly a fair fight. The first ten are pushed forward and are mowed down in no time. Then another ten are pushed forward--including Hunae. But Xiao interrupts the proceedings: "That woman is royalty, so we will grant her a special way to die." A man steps forward from Xiao's retinue. His face is covered, but we know it's Chiyang. This is to be a duel to the death.