Post by ajk on Sept 9, 2009 11:44:50 GMT -5
Cheonchu goes to Chiyang to check on his wound; Mokjong turns back and glares at them.
Later, with Sa Gamun, Chiyang seethes over the incident, wondering whether he should not just depose Mokjong but kill him too.
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Flash-forward five years; it's now 1002, the fifth year of Mokjong's reign.
-----------------------------------------------------
Cheonchu and the assembled ministers are reviewing troops; a military demonstration is taking place. It's a sort of inauguration ceremony for some newly reorganized military units: the Two Armies and Six Guards of the central army. And the armies have mascots, believe it or not: the Gang Jo's "Soaring Eagles" and Dae Dosu's "Dragon Tigers" (what the heck is a dragon tiger?). A successful ceremony and demonstration; lots of cheering.
Shiwangsa Temple, west of the capital: This is one of the new temples built under Chiyang's oversight. Sa Gamun is overseeing what clearly is a monk army in training.
Mokjong is blindfolded and is chasing after women. He catches one; it's Chowol--the gisaeng we met in Ep43. He sits down to food and drink, mainly drink, acting rowdy the whole time. All of his attendants have to stand there and put up with this. And so does Yi Hyunoon. Hyunoon is pouting because he's still a colonel and wants to be a general, but Mokjong says he's powerless and can't do anything about it. Go ask Cheonchu, he says. Hyunoon takes a drink instead.
Cheonchu meets with her military leaders. They're all pleased at the strength and readiness of the new military units. Obviously a lot of work went into it all.
Narration informs us that the new military units totalled 48,000 men. The six guard units were regular combat units; the Two Armies were more of a personal army of the emperor. The guard units had names of their own: Left and Right Guards (one unit), Divine Tiger Guards, Elite Striking Guards, Patrol Guards, Thousand Bull Guards, and Capital Guards. It's not clear when these units were created, but evidence suggests it was in the fifth year of Mokjong's reign.
Back at Shiwangsa Temple: Chiyang is meeting with Sa Gamun and Mun Inui. Four temples are complete: Jingwansa to the south, Sungsusa to the north, Seungjusa to the east and now Shiwangsa to the west. And their armies are ready to strike the capital whenever they're needed. Problem is, those big new army units make any kind of successful strike impossible. How about buying off their leaders? Not promising, but they'll investigate the possibility, possibly approaching Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung. In the meantime, they'll be bringing in Jurchen soldiers and shaving their heads to make them blend in with the monks. This shouldn't arouse too much suspicion, we learn, because it's understood by Goryeo that Chiyang would be setting up a monk army for the country, strictly as an emergency force. Chiyang says that the uprising will happen "when the ten Kings of Shiwangsa are complete," whatever that means.
A group of ministers is meeting. There's grumbling about the expense of having 48,000 soldiers being in the capital--an expense borne using the merit lands that had been awarded to the scholar officials. Also concern about the Buddhist temples, which we learn are being built with compulsory labor. And much concern about Cheonchu's continued grip on the throne. She's still squelching Mokjong, we learn; he's still essentially powerless even though he's now 24 years old.
Evening: Cheonchu is waiting for her son, who returns to the palace acting drunk. She's angry because he missed the launching ceremony; he says he forgot in his drunkenness. And besides, he says, what was I supposed to do there? So she decides to scold Go Hyun: "If I see the emperor drunk one more time, you will be held accountable." That is just awful--and Mokjong calls her on it: "Don't pick on an innocent man. An eunuch can't stop an emperor from doing what he wants to do." And he tells her he was out "sowing imperial oats to grant you your wish and give you an heir!" So there. Just then empress Sunjeong emerges from inside to take her husband in for the night.
Inside, Mokjong isn't drunk at all! He tells Sunjeong he's become completely tolerant of alcohol and doesn't get drunk any more. So why was he acting like he was? It's all an act; "I want her to hate me and throw me out of this palace."
Choe Hang has come to Gang Gamchan to suggest that Mokjong might stop rebelling and acting out if the regency were ended and he were given power once and for all. And then maybe he'll get serious about producing an heir, too. Choe also feels that just in case Mokjong doesn't produce an heir, Daeryang should be installed as crown prince for now.
We see Daeryang eating a lavishly prepared meal. He instructs that his future meals be scaled down substantially, because he's heard of food shortages among the people. Very statesmanlike for a kid.
Back to Gamchan and Choe Hang: Gamchan mentions Seo Hui's last wish--to bring Daeryang forward if Mokjong proves incompetent. Choe agrees with the idea wholeheartedly. But Gamchan warns that the idea must remain a secret for now, because someone already tried to kill Daeryang once before and it could put him in danger. And Gamchan thinks he knows who was behind it, although he won't say because he doesn't have proof. Yet.
Gang Jo returns to his home and finds Hyangbi doing his laundry. She's been doing cooking and housework for him. Cheonchu sent her there (sheesh, what a busybody). This is obviously so he'll propose marriage.
Hyeolmae visits Kim Wonsoong. She brings Chengtian's gratitude for the detailed intelligence reports he's been sending for the last five years. But Wonsoong is frustrated because Liao still is tied up with Song China and has made no move on Goryeo. Time has been ticking away and now Goryeo has almost 300,000 soldiers. Hyeolmae says that a battle is pending that may finally finish off Song. For now their plan for Goryeo is to kill Cheonchu and get her out of the way. With all of her guards, nobody can get near her, but Hyeolmae says that's not a problem, we'll just poison her instead. (UGH - this again?)
Cheonchu is a little sick to her stomach; she tells Sa Illa she's just upset about Mokjong's behavior. And they talk about whether Hyangbi is "making progress" with Gang Jo.
Gamchan encounters Chiyang outside a building. They exchange pleasantries but as they part, Gamchan's face shows suspicion.
Mokjong is supposed to be going to the Sacred Field today; that's the garden that the emperor himself tends in order to remind him of the common people (we saw him working there as a young boy in Ep34 with King Sungjong). But he won't go; he just wants to stand there and soak up the sun. Then he lies down on the ground to sunbathe, and tells Daeryang to go to the field for him.
So he does; he and Gamchan do some planting together. The boy is actually quite good at it; turns out he did some farming as a boy in the porcelain village. And he understands in great detail the purpose and significance of the Sacred Field. We can tell he's a smart kid--not just book-smart but also seems to have a good feel for state affairs.
"I beg your pardon? Poison the empress dowager?" Wonsoong is visiting his daughter and tells Yunheung what's in the works. Wonsoong doesn't know the hows or whens or wheres; the Khitans are going to do it. But, he says, "The ball is already rolling." Yunheung says she'd love to see Cheonchu poisoned, but she's skeptical that it will work. She's also worried about their providing the Khitans with intelligence (so she knows what her father is doing). Don't worry, he says; "I'm giving my falsehearted loyalty" to Chiyang in case anything goes wrong.
Dokyun is at a dock; she and merchant Yi are waiting for a trading ship. Then in the distance she spots a figure in a covered hat--it's Hyeolmae. She goes over to her. We learn that the Khitans know Dokyun betrayed them; Hyeolmae tells Dokyun she's come to kill her. They fight a bit and Dokyun manages to get a knife to Hyeolmae's throat, and tells her to go away. But they fight some more, and then Hyeolmae puts a knife to Dokyun's throat and at least acts like she's going to finish the job, but then Su No shows up and breaks them up. Turns out, they've come at Prime Minister Han's order, to bring an assignment for Dokyun. "Do it, and you will be forgiven for your betrayal." It's a written assignment. (They put it in writing? Are they really that dumb? Wonder if this will come back to haunt them.)
Khitan royal palace: Shengzong, his mother and PM Han welcome Yelu Wuji back from Song China. Wuji reports that a major battle with Song appears imminent. Shengzong wants to lead the war himself; more than 300,000 troops will soon be ready to go. But Chengtian wants him to take troops to the Goryeo border and defend against the attack that she's sure is going to come from the Goryeans while Song and Liao are fighting.
Gamchan goes to Cheonchu and gingerly tells her that officials are being critical of her policies. They discuss it. And he gingerly brings up Mokjong's behavior and how his lack of authority may be the reason he's continuing to act up. He has a suggestion: give Mokjong authority for domestic affairs, as a sort of internship. Outside, Sa Illa is listening...
...and reports it all to Chiyang. Chiyang knows that he can't let this happen; if Mokjong rises to power, he'll almost certainly go after Chiyang right away. So what to do? He asks Sa Gamun, "How is Yu Hangan? Has he completed his training?" Yes he has. "it's time to put him to use." Wonder what that means.
Dinner is brought to Cheonchu but she's not hungry, despite not having any lunch. And she's in some discomfort. Hyangbi is there and Cheonchu pries into her relationship with Gang Jo. No proposal yet. "Such a selfish fellow," Cheonchu remarks, as if that has to be the explanation. Sheesh.
Gamchan has come to Gang Jo to express concern about the new temples, and what Chiyang might try to do with them. "There are more monks practiced in martial arts than in Buddhism." Yes, the temples are supposed to house an emergency force, but the majority of them are Jurchens--and the temples surround the capital city. And if Mokjong assumes direct rule and goes after Chiyang...yikes. Plus, he still suspects Chiyang for causing Prince Gyeongjuwon's death. Which comes as quite a surprise to Jo.
Jo Sun gives Hyeolmae a written intelligence report on the new central army units. He asks about the poisoning plan; she tells him Dokyun is handling that (so that's what was in the order).
Dokyun is still living with Sa Gamun, but they're still not married yet. We see them together; he's trying to be nice to her but she has something weighing on her and just wants to be left alone.
It's bedtime and Mokjong is actually sober. Talking to Sunjeong, he seems a bit tired of the whole drinking scene. Since he's reasonably calm, Sunjeong raises a delicate issue with him: accept a consort so you can bear children. No, he says; not only does he not want a consort, "I will not have any children." Doink! He says he's never actually slept with any of the women he's partied with over the years--he's never had any desire to. And he only slept with Sunjeong the one time. "I was possessed by something that night." He doesn't even want a child; he wants to abdicate and let Daeryang succeed him, so the two of them can start their lives over again. (So it seems he loves her more like a husband now, but doesn't want to get her pregnant while he's on the throne. At least that was the implication, although it conflicts with the unspoken gay thing that keeps getting hinted at.)
Gamchan and Gang Jo are meeting with Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung. Gamchan is stunned to hear that Chiyang sent a chest of coins to Yang the other day, supposedly as a gift of appreciation for his work. Yang sent it back. Then Kim says the same thing happened to him--and Chiyang even sent sacks of rice to members of his family. Well, well.
State council meeting: Kim Shimun raises the issue of direct rule. Chiyang argues against it. In doing so he reminds everyone that Liao has had a regency for nine years. All that does is anger the ministers for comparing Goryeo to barbarians. Then he accuses them of being motivated by resentment over losing their merit lands to support the new armies. Which only angers them more. Cheonchu shuts him up before he does any more damage, and then Gamchan proposes the domestic-affairs solution. But Mokjong says he's not interested, and doesn't want the throne at all. And he walks right out of the meeting. Cheonchu looks discouraged to the point of being crestfallen...but wait a minute, she's sweating and looks terribly uncomfortable. This isn't just stress; it's something more serious.
Cheonchu is in bed; the physician is examining her. What's wrong with her? It's not serious, he says. But what is it? He's almost too embarrassed to say, but gives her the news: "You are pregnant, your highness."
Later, with Sa Gamun, Chiyang seethes over the incident, wondering whether he should not just depose Mokjong but kill him too.
-----------------------------------------------------
Flash-forward five years; it's now 1002, the fifth year of Mokjong's reign.
-----------------------------------------------------
Cheonchu and the assembled ministers are reviewing troops; a military demonstration is taking place. It's a sort of inauguration ceremony for some newly reorganized military units: the Two Armies and Six Guards of the central army. And the armies have mascots, believe it or not: the Gang Jo's "Soaring Eagles" and Dae Dosu's "Dragon Tigers" (what the heck is a dragon tiger?). A successful ceremony and demonstration; lots of cheering.
Shiwangsa Temple, west of the capital: This is one of the new temples built under Chiyang's oversight. Sa Gamun is overseeing what clearly is a monk army in training.
Mokjong is blindfolded and is chasing after women. He catches one; it's Chowol--the gisaeng we met in Ep43. He sits down to food and drink, mainly drink, acting rowdy the whole time. All of his attendants have to stand there and put up with this. And so does Yi Hyunoon. Hyunoon is pouting because he's still a colonel and wants to be a general, but Mokjong says he's powerless and can't do anything about it. Go ask Cheonchu, he says. Hyunoon takes a drink instead.
Cheonchu meets with her military leaders. They're all pleased at the strength and readiness of the new military units. Obviously a lot of work went into it all.
Narration informs us that the new military units totalled 48,000 men. The six guard units were regular combat units; the Two Armies were more of a personal army of the emperor. The guard units had names of their own: Left and Right Guards (one unit), Divine Tiger Guards, Elite Striking Guards, Patrol Guards, Thousand Bull Guards, and Capital Guards. It's not clear when these units were created, but evidence suggests it was in the fifth year of Mokjong's reign.
Back at Shiwangsa Temple: Chiyang is meeting with Sa Gamun and Mun Inui. Four temples are complete: Jingwansa to the south, Sungsusa to the north, Seungjusa to the east and now Shiwangsa to the west. And their armies are ready to strike the capital whenever they're needed. Problem is, those big new army units make any kind of successful strike impossible. How about buying off their leaders? Not promising, but they'll investigate the possibility, possibly approaching Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung. In the meantime, they'll be bringing in Jurchen soldiers and shaving their heads to make them blend in with the monks. This shouldn't arouse too much suspicion, we learn, because it's understood by Goryeo that Chiyang would be setting up a monk army for the country, strictly as an emergency force. Chiyang says that the uprising will happen "when the ten Kings of Shiwangsa are complete," whatever that means.
A group of ministers is meeting. There's grumbling about the expense of having 48,000 soldiers being in the capital--an expense borne using the merit lands that had been awarded to the scholar officials. Also concern about the Buddhist temples, which we learn are being built with compulsory labor. And much concern about Cheonchu's continued grip on the throne. She's still squelching Mokjong, we learn; he's still essentially powerless even though he's now 24 years old.
Evening: Cheonchu is waiting for her son, who returns to the palace acting drunk. She's angry because he missed the launching ceremony; he says he forgot in his drunkenness. And besides, he says, what was I supposed to do there? So she decides to scold Go Hyun: "If I see the emperor drunk one more time, you will be held accountable." That is just awful--and Mokjong calls her on it: "Don't pick on an innocent man. An eunuch can't stop an emperor from doing what he wants to do." And he tells her he was out "sowing imperial oats to grant you your wish and give you an heir!" So there. Just then empress Sunjeong emerges from inside to take her husband in for the night.
Inside, Mokjong isn't drunk at all! He tells Sunjeong he's become completely tolerant of alcohol and doesn't get drunk any more. So why was he acting like he was? It's all an act; "I want her to hate me and throw me out of this palace."
Choe Hang has come to Gang Gamchan to suggest that Mokjong might stop rebelling and acting out if the regency were ended and he were given power once and for all. And then maybe he'll get serious about producing an heir, too. Choe also feels that just in case Mokjong doesn't produce an heir, Daeryang should be installed as crown prince for now.
We see Daeryang eating a lavishly prepared meal. He instructs that his future meals be scaled down substantially, because he's heard of food shortages among the people. Very statesmanlike for a kid.
Back to Gamchan and Choe Hang: Gamchan mentions Seo Hui's last wish--to bring Daeryang forward if Mokjong proves incompetent. Choe agrees with the idea wholeheartedly. But Gamchan warns that the idea must remain a secret for now, because someone already tried to kill Daeryang once before and it could put him in danger. And Gamchan thinks he knows who was behind it, although he won't say because he doesn't have proof. Yet.
Gang Jo returns to his home and finds Hyangbi doing his laundry. She's been doing cooking and housework for him. Cheonchu sent her there (sheesh, what a busybody). This is obviously so he'll propose marriage.
Hyeolmae visits Kim Wonsoong. She brings Chengtian's gratitude for the detailed intelligence reports he's been sending for the last five years. But Wonsoong is frustrated because Liao still is tied up with Song China and has made no move on Goryeo. Time has been ticking away and now Goryeo has almost 300,000 soldiers. Hyeolmae says that a battle is pending that may finally finish off Song. For now their plan for Goryeo is to kill Cheonchu and get her out of the way. With all of her guards, nobody can get near her, but Hyeolmae says that's not a problem, we'll just poison her instead. (UGH - this again?)
Cheonchu is a little sick to her stomach; she tells Sa Illa she's just upset about Mokjong's behavior. And they talk about whether Hyangbi is "making progress" with Gang Jo.
Gamchan encounters Chiyang outside a building. They exchange pleasantries but as they part, Gamchan's face shows suspicion.
Mokjong is supposed to be going to the Sacred Field today; that's the garden that the emperor himself tends in order to remind him of the common people (we saw him working there as a young boy in Ep34 with King Sungjong). But he won't go; he just wants to stand there and soak up the sun. Then he lies down on the ground to sunbathe, and tells Daeryang to go to the field for him.
So he does; he and Gamchan do some planting together. The boy is actually quite good at it; turns out he did some farming as a boy in the porcelain village. And he understands in great detail the purpose and significance of the Sacred Field. We can tell he's a smart kid--not just book-smart but also seems to have a good feel for state affairs.
"I beg your pardon? Poison the empress dowager?" Wonsoong is visiting his daughter and tells Yunheung what's in the works. Wonsoong doesn't know the hows or whens or wheres; the Khitans are going to do it. But, he says, "The ball is already rolling." Yunheung says she'd love to see Cheonchu poisoned, but she's skeptical that it will work. She's also worried about their providing the Khitans with intelligence (so she knows what her father is doing). Don't worry, he says; "I'm giving my falsehearted loyalty" to Chiyang in case anything goes wrong.
Dokyun is at a dock; she and merchant Yi are waiting for a trading ship. Then in the distance she spots a figure in a covered hat--it's Hyeolmae. She goes over to her. We learn that the Khitans know Dokyun betrayed them; Hyeolmae tells Dokyun she's come to kill her. They fight a bit and Dokyun manages to get a knife to Hyeolmae's throat, and tells her to go away. But they fight some more, and then Hyeolmae puts a knife to Dokyun's throat and at least acts like she's going to finish the job, but then Su No shows up and breaks them up. Turns out, they've come at Prime Minister Han's order, to bring an assignment for Dokyun. "Do it, and you will be forgiven for your betrayal." It's a written assignment. (They put it in writing? Are they really that dumb? Wonder if this will come back to haunt them.)
Khitan royal palace: Shengzong, his mother and PM Han welcome Yelu Wuji back from Song China. Wuji reports that a major battle with Song appears imminent. Shengzong wants to lead the war himself; more than 300,000 troops will soon be ready to go. But Chengtian wants him to take troops to the Goryeo border and defend against the attack that she's sure is going to come from the Goryeans while Song and Liao are fighting.
Gamchan goes to Cheonchu and gingerly tells her that officials are being critical of her policies. They discuss it. And he gingerly brings up Mokjong's behavior and how his lack of authority may be the reason he's continuing to act up. He has a suggestion: give Mokjong authority for domestic affairs, as a sort of internship. Outside, Sa Illa is listening...
...and reports it all to Chiyang. Chiyang knows that he can't let this happen; if Mokjong rises to power, he'll almost certainly go after Chiyang right away. So what to do? He asks Sa Gamun, "How is Yu Hangan? Has he completed his training?" Yes he has. "it's time to put him to use." Wonder what that means.
Dinner is brought to Cheonchu but she's not hungry, despite not having any lunch. And she's in some discomfort. Hyangbi is there and Cheonchu pries into her relationship with Gang Jo. No proposal yet. "Such a selfish fellow," Cheonchu remarks, as if that has to be the explanation. Sheesh.
Gamchan has come to Gang Jo to express concern about the new temples, and what Chiyang might try to do with them. "There are more monks practiced in martial arts than in Buddhism." Yes, the temples are supposed to house an emergency force, but the majority of them are Jurchens--and the temples surround the capital city. And if Mokjong assumes direct rule and goes after Chiyang...yikes. Plus, he still suspects Chiyang for causing Prince Gyeongjuwon's death. Which comes as quite a surprise to Jo.
Jo Sun gives Hyeolmae a written intelligence report on the new central army units. He asks about the poisoning plan; she tells him Dokyun is handling that (so that's what was in the order).
Dokyun is still living with Sa Gamun, but they're still not married yet. We see them together; he's trying to be nice to her but she has something weighing on her and just wants to be left alone.
It's bedtime and Mokjong is actually sober. Talking to Sunjeong, he seems a bit tired of the whole drinking scene. Since he's reasonably calm, Sunjeong raises a delicate issue with him: accept a consort so you can bear children. No, he says; not only does he not want a consort, "I will not have any children." Doink! He says he's never actually slept with any of the women he's partied with over the years--he's never had any desire to. And he only slept with Sunjeong the one time. "I was possessed by something that night." He doesn't even want a child; he wants to abdicate and let Daeryang succeed him, so the two of them can start their lives over again. (So it seems he loves her more like a husband now, but doesn't want to get her pregnant while he's on the throne. At least that was the implication, although it conflicts with the unspoken gay thing that keeps getting hinted at.)
Gamchan and Gang Jo are meeting with Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung. Gamchan is stunned to hear that Chiyang sent a chest of coins to Yang the other day, supposedly as a gift of appreciation for his work. Yang sent it back. Then Kim says the same thing happened to him--and Chiyang even sent sacks of rice to members of his family. Well, well.
State council meeting: Kim Shimun raises the issue of direct rule. Chiyang argues against it. In doing so he reminds everyone that Liao has had a regency for nine years. All that does is anger the ministers for comparing Goryeo to barbarians. Then he accuses them of being motivated by resentment over losing their merit lands to support the new armies. Which only angers them more. Cheonchu shuts him up before he does any more damage, and then Gamchan proposes the domestic-affairs solution. But Mokjong says he's not interested, and doesn't want the throne at all. And he walks right out of the meeting. Cheonchu looks discouraged to the point of being crestfallen...but wait a minute, she's sweating and looks terribly uncomfortable. This isn't just stress; it's something more serious.
Cheonchu is in bed; the physician is examining her. What's wrong with her? It's not serious, he says. But what is it? He's almost too embarrassed to say, but gives her the news: "You are pregnant, your highness."