Post by ajk on Oct 24, 2009 2:07:00 GMT -5
(Again, my thanks to mikey for the DVD loan on this episode.)
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"Kill him!" The masked Sa Gamun moves towards Daeryang, and winds up to strike. But suddenly the sword is knocked from his hand by a rock. Where did that come from? Up on a nearby roof, we spot Daeryang's two friends Bakdol and Myeongil. Myeongil is holding a slingshot; he fired the rock. They shout at Daeryang to run, and he does. Bakdol (throwing) and Myeongil (slingshot) manage to bullseye a few of the hit squad in the head with rocks and knock them out, but Dokyun has some kind of a spring-loaded knife mechanism hidden in her sleeve, because she points her arm at Myeongil and a small knife flies through the air and buries itself in Myeongil's arm. And now the chase is on. Daeryang flees through the village's tight quarters, with the squad close behind. He reaches an open area, whereupon Sa Gamun stops, plants his sword, grabs a bow and arrow (Okay, maybe this guy isn't so dumb after all; how many times have we wondered why people use swords when the bow and arrow is what they need) and fires. The arrow whooshes towards Daeryang--and at the last second is knocked away by another arrow. An arrow fired from BEHIND Sa Gamun. (So the shooter anticipated the first shot and its location? Ugh. No good.) It's Gamchan and a squad of Goryean troops! Including Ha Gongjin the swordsman and Ji Chaemun the archer. Ji fired that shot. And now a full-scale battle breaks out between the Goryeans and the masked hit squad. For a while it's a surprisingly even battle; men from both sides are going down. What's even more surprising is seeing Gamchan in the middle of it all; he's not a young guy any more but he's fighting like a demon, very impressively. (He even kills one guy who clearly didn't even get touched by his sword! Oops.) Then, in one brief moment, a series turning point: Ha Gongjin is sword-fighting Sa Gamun and manages to get a close swing at him, close enough to knock the mask from his face--just as Gamchan turns and looks! He immediately recognizes Chiyang's subordinate, and right then we know that finally, FINALLY, it's all gonna start hitting the fan because Gamchan now has proof against Chiyang. Gamchan's eyes nearly bug out; Sa Gamun tries to hide his face and orders an immediate retreat. The squad runs; Gamchan lets them go because Daeryang is safe and he knows who was responsible for the attack.
We see Ha Gongjin pull the knife from Myeongil's arm. Yank! Ow, that's gotta hurt. And then he pours some kind of white granular stuff on the wound; maybe it was salt? Ow, that's gotta hurt even more.
At Shinhyeol Temple: Gamchan asks Jin Gwan the monk how he knew there would be trouble enough to tell Daeryang to hide. (Why is Gamchan still here? Shouldn't he be heading back to the capital at top speed to tell Cheonchu everything so they can head off anything Chiyang might do?) "I studied a bit of physiognomy and astrology," Jin says; he noticed "danger in Daeryang's face" today. UGH. And that escape tunnel? Gamchan had warned Jin that something like this might happen someday so Jin had the idea to have the tunnel dug. Gamchan is understandably grateful--it saved Daeryang's life, after all--but Jin gives credit to Buddha for protecting the prince. But apparently his trust in Buddha only goes so far, because when Gamchan tells him he's ready to take Daeryang back to the capital, Jin refuses to let him! Why? "From my observation of the stars, there will be a huge disturbance in Gaegyeong in the near future" and Daeryang must stay here until it passes. Gamchan is mesmerized; What kind of disturbance?, he asks. Jin doesn't know, but "there are dark clouds over the future of this empire" and blood and death will arrive. "And it will be up to you to save this empire. You emanate the aura of Great Guardian of the Land." Gamchan doesn't know what to make of all this. (All right, what was this all about? Did the astrologers union threaten litigation after Choe Jimong's astrology was so damaging in the early episodes? What was this supposed to do, give astrology its credibility back? Good grief. And we never got an explanation for how Jin knew to throw away all of the rice rather than eat it. Maybe he checked his Magic 8-Ball. VERY disappointing.)
Mokjong has convened the royal court on short notice. He announces his abdication. None of them saw it coming and they're not happy about it; they want a good reason for it. "I shared my bed with a man," he tells them. Well THAT shuts them up. "Do you still want me on this throne? Or perhaps you'd like to sleep with me as well." Okay, nobody speaks up and refuses, but it's because they're stunned.
Afterwards, Cheonchu is informed about the meeting by Choe Hang, who wants to know if the story is true or not; apparently the ministers think it might be a fabrication. She ducks the question and says it doesn't matter if it's true or not; If Mokjong wants to leave the throne so badly, we're going to have to let him go.
"It's a lie, isn't it?" Sunjeong is before her husband, looking almost desperate to have him tell her that he didn't boink a dude, that she has nothing to be upset about. But he tells her otherwise, and it freaks her out and she runs away in tears. Then Cheonchu walks in and sits down for a long talk. "Did you hate the throne that much? You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Yes, I did. "This palace is hell to me." "Why didn't you just open up to me and tell me how you feel?" "If I had told you, you would've brushed it off as childish whining and told me to endure it for Goryeo. Like you always have." He asks her to spare Yu Hangan's life, and to install Daeryang as his successor. "I'm sorry I could not be the son you wanted. I'm sorry that I could not be the emperor you wanted. I'm sorry, mother." And now at last, she finally realizes it: "What have I done to you? I destroyed you with my greed and ambition." He generously tells her it wasn't her fault--"My incompetence is to blame"--and they end up sobbing in each other's arms. What a tragedy that they didn't have this conversation long ago.
"You failed again?!" Sa Gamun and Dokyun are back home and with Chiyang. Really it wasn't their fault; Gamchan showed up and stopped them. Which frustrates the heck out of Chiyang: "How does he show up every time as if he knows when we're going to strike?" But the bigger problem is Sa Gamun's identity being revealed. Sa Gamun says they need to "raise an army" and strike now--a comment that Dokyun doesn't understand--but Chiyang tells them to go hide at Shiwangsa temple for now. He's going to see Cheonchu.
Sa Gamun and Dokyun head home to get their son. But Dokyun wants an explanation about that army comment. So Sa Gamun gives it to her. He's Shillan, he tells her (and us), and Chiyang and I are preparing "to reclaim the lost kingdom. My men and I are warriors who have vowed to die for the resurrection of Shilla." Dokyun looks utterly baffled.
Gamchan informs Cheonchu of the attempt on Daeryang's life. And then drops the bomb: Chiyang was behind it. Cheonchu can't accept it at first; He has no reason to hurt Daeryang, she says, and "he told me himself that a Wang must preserve the royal line." Gamchan calmly replies, "Your highness, Commissioner Kim will say anything to further his own cause." (That noise you just heard was two million people shouting "THANK YOU" at their TV sets.) And tells her about seeing Sa Gamun. Just then, Chiyang is announced! So Gamchan leaves and Chiyang goes in.
Cheonchu glares at him. "Is it true?" Chiyang FESSES UP and admits it! He's says he's sorry he deceived her, but then he launches into an impassioned speech about how she should put their son on the throne instead of Daeryang. He can be very brash, as we know, and he's obviously decided that right now the best defense is a good offense. But she's devastated by all of the lies he's obviously been telling her for so long: "Be honest for once. You just want the imperial line of Goryeo to be yours!" "It's partly true," he admits, and then delivers a new lie: "I hated being looked upon with scorn because of my Jurchen background" and I wanted to be the father of the emperor. He appeals to her, speaks of their relationship and their trials in Liao. "Please do not forsake me," he begs. "Only I can help you realize your cherished dreams. Above all, I love you. Do not turn me away, your highness. A terrible tragedy will strike if you do." Cheonchu doesn't hear what she probably ought to be hearing in that last sentence, and she orders him out--out of her life forever.
Kim Shimun and the whiny younger ministers are discussing Mokjong's stunning announcement. They're not pleased about the idea, because then Cheonchu will remain as regent and the landholder tax reduction will remain in place. And they actually start to wonder if Cheonchu set up the whole thing as a way to protect her policy. They also fear that Gamchan's close relationship with Daeryang would lead to Gamchan becoming powerful if Daeryang ascended, at their expense. So they decide to support Mokjong remaining in the throne, possible sodomy notwithstanding. "Or at least stop the sharecropping system reform before he leaves the throne." (Selfish, selfish.)
Mokjong is refusing to eat and refusing to take an herbal potion prescribed by the royal physician. So Go Hyun has asked Sunjeong to talk to him. She goes in to see him, although still clearly traumatized and angry. He doesn't look well at all. It's withdrawal that he's going through; he stopped taking the osuksan cold turkey. He explains to her that he had to take the stuff to sleep with Hangan, and that he can't be helped by a potion; "I just need to endure the pain." He tells her how sorry he is, and she can see his sincerity. "Then get through this," she says, her heart turning. "I can't live without you. So get through this so you can heal my broken heart." And eat your food; you need the strength. Wow, she is really something.
Mun Inui goes to visit Yu Hangan in jail. You did your job well, Mun tells him; now just be patient and Chiyang will get you out of here "and reinstated to a higher post." But Hangan tells Mun that he already confessed everything to Mokjong. "I could not deceive the man I love any longer."
"Was it you?" Uh-oh. Cheonchu has summoned Sa Illa and wants to know if she was the one who tipped Chiyang off about Daeryang being in Yangju. She admits it and begs forgiveness, and even tries to rationalize it, but Cheonchu is rightfully furious. "I will consider our past relationship and spare your life. So leave the palace immediately."
Nighttime: "What are you struggling about?", asks an angry voice. Chiyang is standing outside, alone, looking despondent. Alone? So who was that voice? Oh, no--it's Evil Twin Chiyang! Yes, the evil twin is back. And he's actually talking sense. "You're at a dead end. The time has come." Chiyang says he loves Cheonchu and doesn't want to lose her, but ET demands that he look at the big picture, remember all those who died for him, and besides, "She's already renounced you. So will you die a useless death, or will you fulfill the cherished desires of your grandfather, your father and all those who died for you?"
Mokjong is lying in bed, breathing rapidly and sweating profusely. Sunjeong is with him, tending to him.
Hogyeong: Attendant Yu has traveled north to tell Gang Jo of Chiyang's attempt on Daeryang. And of the possibility of an overthrow attempt. Jo says the capital city is safe and well-protected. "Our problem is the border. Kim Chiyang meeting with the Khitan prime minister could not have been a chance encounter." So Jo orders scouts dispatched to the border.
Liao: Shengzong is asking some of his generals about Prime Minster Han's claim to have a plan to incite internal division in Goryeo. They're skeptical; they think it's a diversion to avoid war. Shengzong still respects Han immensely--"He is largely responsible for the stability and development of this empire. We may have our differences, but he is a great man"--but the generals argue that he's from an older generation. They also remind Shengzong that Han has made this claim before, and nothing came of it. Xiao Baiya suggests giving Han his chance but punishing him if he fails. Shengzong seems to like that idea.
Han and Yelu Dilie (who's become Han's ally; he wasn't at that meeting) discuss the rising power of the pro-war voices. Dilie suggests telling Shengzong of his specific plans in order to try to secure the emperor's support. But Han is afraid it would only make the emperor overly eager to launch the army prematurely. So he has to keep it all quiet. Han fears that Shengzong may eventually forsake him.
Jo Sun tells Lady Yunheung that he heard a rumor about Mokjong abdicating; he doesn't know the reason. Yunheung suspects Cheonchu is behind it so that her son can be installed. Princess Jeong is there and asks her mother to forget about it and stay out of politics, but Yunheung says that it's only Mokjong's presence on the throne that's protecting them right now. She tells Jo Sun to call Kim Shimun for a visit. "I must first find out exactly what is happening."
Cheonchu tells Gamchan she's ready to depose Mokjong and install Daeryang. Gamchan doesn't want to bring Daeryang back until Chiyang is punished, but Cheonchu is in a tough spot on that: if he's arrested, the scandal would force her to step down. (Not sure I buy that, but let's give it to her.) She asks Gamchan's advice. Gamchan says arrest Sa Gamun first, reveal the crime and then you have a firm basis for punishing Chiyang. You must punish him, he says; I can't bring Daeryang back if he'd still be in danger from Chiyang.
Shinhyeol Temple: Jin Gwan tells Daeryang that he's to become the emperor. Daeryang wants no part of it, but Jin tells him it's his destiny.
Cheonchu tells an astonished Yu Bang to arrest Sa Gamun and Dokyun, and put Chiyang under house arrest. Yu and his troops go to Chiyang's home to do it, but the three are gone.
We see the three at Shiwangsa Temple, with Sa Illa and Mun Inui. They all realize that this is the moment. It's time to put the grand plan into motion. (Well that didn't take too long; only forty-plus episodes!) Chiyang issues his orders: Dokyun to contact PM Han and request military assistance; Sa Gamun to alert the soldiers and warrior monks; Mun Inui to "go to Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung and tell them I must see them urgently"; and Sa Illa to get his son Hwangju from the palace without Cheonchu finding out. "At last we will reclaim the glory of Shilla!"
Liao: Yelu Dilie tells PM Han that Dokyun's messenger hawk showed up with a message: Chiyang is requesting military assistance. Han tells Dilie to order 5,000 troops sent to the border. That's an awfully small number, isn't it? "Our objective is to help Kim Chiyang put his son on the throne, not to start a war."
We see the Khitan troops headed south....
Kim Shimun tells Lady Yunheung just why the emperor is stepping down, or at least that's the reputed reason, and tells her that Daeryang will most likely be the one ascending, not Hwangju. That's great news for Yunheung; after all, she raised Daeryang for a time when he was a child, after Gamchan found him and brought him into the capital. Kim asks Yunheung not to contact him again, because he fears Cheonchu would have him executed if she found out he was coming here. But Yunheung has a card to play: she reminds him that he was never accused or punished for any involvement in the Milhwa plot, while her father was executed for it and she was exiled. I never ratted you out during that whole ordeal, she says, and you owe me for that. She does have a point.
Scouts return with the news that a Khitan army is headed towards them. How big? Around 5,000. Jo is surprised at the low number but orders his troops prepared to go north. He orders that the capital be informed, but says his troops won't need assistance; they can handle this on their own.
We see Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung walking through the woods together, alone. It's a weird sight. But then they come upon some kind of a camp. It's full of what appear to be warrior monks. Chiyang is there and welcomes them.
Yu Bang informs Cheonchu that Chiyang, Sa Gamun and Dokyun have all disappeared. Gamchan is there; she asks him if he thinks they've fled, and his response shocks her. "No, your highness. My guess is they're preparing an overthrow. They will take up arms and attempt to seize the palace!"
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"Kill him!" The masked Sa Gamun moves towards Daeryang, and winds up to strike. But suddenly the sword is knocked from his hand by a rock. Where did that come from? Up on a nearby roof, we spot Daeryang's two friends Bakdol and Myeongil. Myeongil is holding a slingshot; he fired the rock. They shout at Daeryang to run, and he does. Bakdol (throwing) and Myeongil (slingshot) manage to bullseye a few of the hit squad in the head with rocks and knock them out, but Dokyun has some kind of a spring-loaded knife mechanism hidden in her sleeve, because she points her arm at Myeongil and a small knife flies through the air and buries itself in Myeongil's arm. And now the chase is on. Daeryang flees through the village's tight quarters, with the squad close behind. He reaches an open area, whereupon Sa Gamun stops, plants his sword, grabs a bow and arrow (Okay, maybe this guy isn't so dumb after all; how many times have we wondered why people use swords when the bow and arrow is what they need) and fires. The arrow whooshes towards Daeryang--and at the last second is knocked away by another arrow. An arrow fired from BEHIND Sa Gamun. (So the shooter anticipated the first shot and its location? Ugh. No good.) It's Gamchan and a squad of Goryean troops! Including Ha Gongjin the swordsman and Ji Chaemun the archer. Ji fired that shot. And now a full-scale battle breaks out between the Goryeans and the masked hit squad. For a while it's a surprisingly even battle; men from both sides are going down. What's even more surprising is seeing Gamchan in the middle of it all; he's not a young guy any more but he's fighting like a demon, very impressively. (He even kills one guy who clearly didn't even get touched by his sword! Oops.) Then, in one brief moment, a series turning point: Ha Gongjin is sword-fighting Sa Gamun and manages to get a close swing at him, close enough to knock the mask from his face--just as Gamchan turns and looks! He immediately recognizes Chiyang's subordinate, and right then we know that finally, FINALLY, it's all gonna start hitting the fan because Gamchan now has proof against Chiyang. Gamchan's eyes nearly bug out; Sa Gamun tries to hide his face and orders an immediate retreat. The squad runs; Gamchan lets them go because Daeryang is safe and he knows who was responsible for the attack.
We see Ha Gongjin pull the knife from Myeongil's arm. Yank! Ow, that's gotta hurt. And then he pours some kind of white granular stuff on the wound; maybe it was salt? Ow, that's gotta hurt even more.
At Shinhyeol Temple: Gamchan asks Jin Gwan the monk how he knew there would be trouble enough to tell Daeryang to hide. (Why is Gamchan still here? Shouldn't he be heading back to the capital at top speed to tell Cheonchu everything so they can head off anything Chiyang might do?) "I studied a bit of physiognomy and astrology," Jin says; he noticed "danger in Daeryang's face" today. UGH. And that escape tunnel? Gamchan had warned Jin that something like this might happen someday so Jin had the idea to have the tunnel dug. Gamchan is understandably grateful--it saved Daeryang's life, after all--but Jin gives credit to Buddha for protecting the prince. But apparently his trust in Buddha only goes so far, because when Gamchan tells him he's ready to take Daeryang back to the capital, Jin refuses to let him! Why? "From my observation of the stars, there will be a huge disturbance in Gaegyeong in the near future" and Daeryang must stay here until it passes. Gamchan is mesmerized; What kind of disturbance?, he asks. Jin doesn't know, but "there are dark clouds over the future of this empire" and blood and death will arrive. "And it will be up to you to save this empire. You emanate the aura of Great Guardian of the Land." Gamchan doesn't know what to make of all this. (All right, what was this all about? Did the astrologers union threaten litigation after Choe Jimong's astrology was so damaging in the early episodes? What was this supposed to do, give astrology its credibility back? Good grief. And we never got an explanation for how Jin knew to throw away all of the rice rather than eat it. Maybe he checked his Magic 8-Ball. VERY disappointing.)
Mokjong has convened the royal court on short notice. He announces his abdication. None of them saw it coming and they're not happy about it; they want a good reason for it. "I shared my bed with a man," he tells them. Well THAT shuts them up. "Do you still want me on this throne? Or perhaps you'd like to sleep with me as well." Okay, nobody speaks up and refuses, but it's because they're stunned.
Afterwards, Cheonchu is informed about the meeting by Choe Hang, who wants to know if the story is true or not; apparently the ministers think it might be a fabrication. She ducks the question and says it doesn't matter if it's true or not; If Mokjong wants to leave the throne so badly, we're going to have to let him go.
"It's a lie, isn't it?" Sunjeong is before her husband, looking almost desperate to have him tell her that he didn't boink a dude, that she has nothing to be upset about. But he tells her otherwise, and it freaks her out and she runs away in tears. Then Cheonchu walks in and sits down for a long talk. "Did you hate the throne that much? You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Yes, I did. "This palace is hell to me." "Why didn't you just open up to me and tell me how you feel?" "If I had told you, you would've brushed it off as childish whining and told me to endure it for Goryeo. Like you always have." He asks her to spare Yu Hangan's life, and to install Daeryang as his successor. "I'm sorry I could not be the son you wanted. I'm sorry that I could not be the emperor you wanted. I'm sorry, mother." And now at last, she finally realizes it: "What have I done to you? I destroyed you with my greed and ambition." He generously tells her it wasn't her fault--"My incompetence is to blame"--and they end up sobbing in each other's arms. What a tragedy that they didn't have this conversation long ago.
"You failed again?!" Sa Gamun and Dokyun are back home and with Chiyang. Really it wasn't their fault; Gamchan showed up and stopped them. Which frustrates the heck out of Chiyang: "How does he show up every time as if he knows when we're going to strike?" But the bigger problem is Sa Gamun's identity being revealed. Sa Gamun says they need to "raise an army" and strike now--a comment that Dokyun doesn't understand--but Chiyang tells them to go hide at Shiwangsa temple for now. He's going to see Cheonchu.
Sa Gamun and Dokyun head home to get their son. But Dokyun wants an explanation about that army comment. So Sa Gamun gives it to her. He's Shillan, he tells her (and us), and Chiyang and I are preparing "to reclaim the lost kingdom. My men and I are warriors who have vowed to die for the resurrection of Shilla." Dokyun looks utterly baffled.
Gamchan informs Cheonchu of the attempt on Daeryang's life. And then drops the bomb: Chiyang was behind it. Cheonchu can't accept it at first; He has no reason to hurt Daeryang, she says, and "he told me himself that a Wang must preserve the royal line." Gamchan calmly replies, "Your highness, Commissioner Kim will say anything to further his own cause." (That noise you just heard was two million people shouting "THANK YOU" at their TV sets.) And tells her about seeing Sa Gamun. Just then, Chiyang is announced! So Gamchan leaves and Chiyang goes in.
Cheonchu glares at him. "Is it true?" Chiyang FESSES UP and admits it! He's says he's sorry he deceived her, but then he launches into an impassioned speech about how she should put their son on the throne instead of Daeryang. He can be very brash, as we know, and he's obviously decided that right now the best defense is a good offense. But she's devastated by all of the lies he's obviously been telling her for so long: "Be honest for once. You just want the imperial line of Goryeo to be yours!" "It's partly true," he admits, and then delivers a new lie: "I hated being looked upon with scorn because of my Jurchen background" and I wanted to be the father of the emperor. He appeals to her, speaks of their relationship and their trials in Liao. "Please do not forsake me," he begs. "Only I can help you realize your cherished dreams. Above all, I love you. Do not turn me away, your highness. A terrible tragedy will strike if you do." Cheonchu doesn't hear what she probably ought to be hearing in that last sentence, and she orders him out--out of her life forever.
Kim Shimun and the whiny younger ministers are discussing Mokjong's stunning announcement. They're not pleased about the idea, because then Cheonchu will remain as regent and the landholder tax reduction will remain in place. And they actually start to wonder if Cheonchu set up the whole thing as a way to protect her policy. They also fear that Gamchan's close relationship with Daeryang would lead to Gamchan becoming powerful if Daeryang ascended, at their expense. So they decide to support Mokjong remaining in the throne, possible sodomy notwithstanding. "Or at least stop the sharecropping system reform before he leaves the throne." (Selfish, selfish.)
Mokjong is refusing to eat and refusing to take an herbal potion prescribed by the royal physician. So Go Hyun has asked Sunjeong to talk to him. She goes in to see him, although still clearly traumatized and angry. He doesn't look well at all. It's withdrawal that he's going through; he stopped taking the osuksan cold turkey. He explains to her that he had to take the stuff to sleep with Hangan, and that he can't be helped by a potion; "I just need to endure the pain." He tells her how sorry he is, and she can see his sincerity. "Then get through this," she says, her heart turning. "I can't live without you. So get through this so you can heal my broken heart." And eat your food; you need the strength. Wow, she is really something.
Mun Inui goes to visit Yu Hangan in jail. You did your job well, Mun tells him; now just be patient and Chiyang will get you out of here "and reinstated to a higher post." But Hangan tells Mun that he already confessed everything to Mokjong. "I could not deceive the man I love any longer."
"Was it you?" Uh-oh. Cheonchu has summoned Sa Illa and wants to know if she was the one who tipped Chiyang off about Daeryang being in Yangju. She admits it and begs forgiveness, and even tries to rationalize it, but Cheonchu is rightfully furious. "I will consider our past relationship and spare your life. So leave the palace immediately."
Nighttime: "What are you struggling about?", asks an angry voice. Chiyang is standing outside, alone, looking despondent. Alone? So who was that voice? Oh, no--it's Evil Twin Chiyang! Yes, the evil twin is back. And he's actually talking sense. "You're at a dead end. The time has come." Chiyang says he loves Cheonchu and doesn't want to lose her, but ET demands that he look at the big picture, remember all those who died for him, and besides, "She's already renounced you. So will you die a useless death, or will you fulfill the cherished desires of your grandfather, your father and all those who died for you?"
Mokjong is lying in bed, breathing rapidly and sweating profusely. Sunjeong is with him, tending to him.
Hogyeong: Attendant Yu has traveled north to tell Gang Jo of Chiyang's attempt on Daeryang. And of the possibility of an overthrow attempt. Jo says the capital city is safe and well-protected. "Our problem is the border. Kim Chiyang meeting with the Khitan prime minister could not have been a chance encounter." So Jo orders scouts dispatched to the border.
Liao: Shengzong is asking some of his generals about Prime Minster Han's claim to have a plan to incite internal division in Goryeo. They're skeptical; they think it's a diversion to avoid war. Shengzong still respects Han immensely--"He is largely responsible for the stability and development of this empire. We may have our differences, but he is a great man"--but the generals argue that he's from an older generation. They also remind Shengzong that Han has made this claim before, and nothing came of it. Xiao Baiya suggests giving Han his chance but punishing him if he fails. Shengzong seems to like that idea.
Han and Yelu Dilie (who's become Han's ally; he wasn't at that meeting) discuss the rising power of the pro-war voices. Dilie suggests telling Shengzong of his specific plans in order to try to secure the emperor's support. But Han is afraid it would only make the emperor overly eager to launch the army prematurely. So he has to keep it all quiet. Han fears that Shengzong may eventually forsake him.
Jo Sun tells Lady Yunheung that he heard a rumor about Mokjong abdicating; he doesn't know the reason. Yunheung suspects Cheonchu is behind it so that her son can be installed. Princess Jeong is there and asks her mother to forget about it and stay out of politics, but Yunheung says that it's only Mokjong's presence on the throne that's protecting them right now. She tells Jo Sun to call Kim Shimun for a visit. "I must first find out exactly what is happening."
Cheonchu tells Gamchan she's ready to depose Mokjong and install Daeryang. Gamchan doesn't want to bring Daeryang back until Chiyang is punished, but Cheonchu is in a tough spot on that: if he's arrested, the scandal would force her to step down. (Not sure I buy that, but let's give it to her.) She asks Gamchan's advice. Gamchan says arrest Sa Gamun first, reveal the crime and then you have a firm basis for punishing Chiyang. You must punish him, he says; I can't bring Daeryang back if he'd still be in danger from Chiyang.
Shinhyeol Temple: Jin Gwan tells Daeryang that he's to become the emperor. Daeryang wants no part of it, but Jin tells him it's his destiny.
Cheonchu tells an astonished Yu Bang to arrest Sa Gamun and Dokyun, and put Chiyang under house arrest. Yu and his troops go to Chiyang's home to do it, but the three are gone.
We see the three at Shiwangsa Temple, with Sa Illa and Mun Inui. They all realize that this is the moment. It's time to put the grand plan into motion. (Well that didn't take too long; only forty-plus episodes!) Chiyang issues his orders: Dokyun to contact PM Han and request military assistance; Sa Gamun to alert the soldiers and warrior monks; Mun Inui to "go to Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung and tell them I must see them urgently"; and Sa Illa to get his son Hwangju from the palace without Cheonchu finding out. "At last we will reclaim the glory of Shilla!"
Liao: Yelu Dilie tells PM Han that Dokyun's messenger hawk showed up with a message: Chiyang is requesting military assistance. Han tells Dilie to order 5,000 troops sent to the border. That's an awfully small number, isn't it? "Our objective is to help Kim Chiyang put his son on the throne, not to start a war."
We see the Khitan troops headed south....
Kim Shimun tells Lady Yunheung just why the emperor is stepping down, or at least that's the reputed reason, and tells her that Daeryang will most likely be the one ascending, not Hwangju. That's great news for Yunheung; after all, she raised Daeryang for a time when he was a child, after Gamchan found him and brought him into the capital. Kim asks Yunheung not to contact him again, because he fears Cheonchu would have him executed if she found out he was coming here. But Yunheung has a card to play: she reminds him that he was never accused or punished for any involvement in the Milhwa plot, while her father was executed for it and she was exiled. I never ratted you out during that whole ordeal, she says, and you owe me for that. She does have a point.
Scouts return with the news that a Khitan army is headed towards them. How big? Around 5,000. Jo is surprised at the low number but orders his troops prepared to go north. He orders that the capital be informed, but says his troops won't need assistance; they can handle this on their own.
We see Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung walking through the woods together, alone. It's a weird sight. But then they come upon some kind of a camp. It's full of what appear to be warrior monks. Chiyang is there and welcomes them.
Yu Bang informs Cheonchu that Chiyang, Sa Gamun and Dokyun have all disappeared. Gamchan is there; she asks him if he thinks they've fled, and his response shocks her. "No, your highness. My guess is they're preparing an overthrow. They will take up arms and attempt to seize the palace!"