Post by ajk on Apr 19, 2013 20:54:10 GMT -5
All of the military leaders have gathered with the queen, and Seolwon is presenting his battle plan. The concept is to first block the enemy's advance, and then to have more troops block their retreat. Maximum casualties and "severely hit their morale" before they can put Daeya under siege. Okay...so why do some of the men look visibly uncomfortable? Strange; do they doubt the plan?
"We must end this battle with a victory for both Shilla and us." This is later, in private; Bidam is talking to Seolwon and sounding just like his mother.
Yushin's four soldier friends (Godo etc.) are still outside his cell where we saw them last episode, complaining about the situation. Fight for your country, Yushin urges them. And also tells them to ask Seolwon to come talk to him.
"Are you using our country's safety to bargain for your future in the court?" It's a proper question; Seolwon has come to QSD and asked for full control over the military again if he defeats the Baekjeans. Seolwon tells her that No, all I want is to be part of the effort to unify the Three Kingdoms. Oh, and one other thing. If I come back victorious, he says, I'd like you to marry Bidam! She doesn't laugh (somehow) but she does tell him that the whole situation troubles her. King Jinheung's one mistake, she believes, was trusting people who he assumed were on his side but who were "allured by Mishil" and ended up putting Mishil's interests before the nation's. "Don't you agree?" Well what does she expect him to say?! He says nothing, wisely. "Even after my death," she continues, "will Bidam pledge his loyalty to this nation?" And work to accomplish its goals? "What do you think he will do?" Silence again. Really no good answer he can give.
Seolwon leaves, looking rather disappointed. Outside, an inspector finds him and asks him to come visit Yushin.
He goes. We see Yushin telling him that he believes the Baekje army has changed dramatically in the last decade. Specifically "their maneuvering power and armament structure," to improve their mobility. Allow for extra distance, he advises, and "you must avoid field warfare. The battle must be fought over mountainous terrain." (Where they can't maneuver as well.) Seolwon listens politely, but then points out that if he returns victorious, "I cannot guarantee your safety." "Just return victorious," Yushin answers; we'll worry about that afterwards.
Now here's an interesting conversation: Misaeng is telling Hajong and Bojong of his concerns about Seolwon. "Can such an aged veteran take to the battlefield?" He hasn't fought for a long time, Misaeng points out. Hajong basically laughs that off. Then Seolwon enters. Bojong tells him the deployment preparations are underway. Can't help but notice Bojong looking a little worried. Not saying so, but looking it.
Seolwon and Bojong return home. And we learn something unpleasant: Seolwon has angina. So that's why Bojong was worried. Don't risk your life to help Bidam, he tells his father. But Seolwon is eager to command an army again, and is supremely confident about his ability to defeat Yoon Chung.
We see Seolwon praying in Mishil's shrine. And reflecting on Bidam's devotion for QSD. Knowing that Bidam's welfare was Mishil's final concern, he resolves, "I shall turn this battle into an opportunity for Bidam."
Next day: Preparation is complete and the troops are ready to leave. Seolwon addresses them. Short and sweet. They're headed to Chuhwa County and their morale sounds good. But as they leave, we do see some sour faces.
We see the opposing armies on the move, headed towards each other.
Jukbang is walking with a worried-looking QSD, reassuring her of the Yushin army's undefeated record. Doesn't seem to help much. She instructs him, "Tell the Chief of the Royal Palace Guard to examine all the provincial reports sent by Yushin once again." Why? We don't know. Also..."What I told you last time. Arrange for it." Yes, there was something, wasn't there. What it was, we don't know that either.
Now Jukbang has gone outside and is pulling someone by the sleeve into an empty side yard. Oh no, it's Santak the Annoying chief guard! "Recall what I asked you last time?" Santak resists the very idea of it. It's okay, Jukbang offers; with so much activity and confusion right now, "wouldn't security be much less efficient?" That's not working either, so Jukbang pulls out a bag of money from a shirt pocket and hands it to Santak. So Santak leads Jukbang into the inspectorate, and unlocks a cell. Fifteen minutes, Santak says, looking around furtively. Jukbang enters and the cell is locked behind him. This isn't Yushin's cell; who is that guy? Wait, it's Changgi, the army private we saw four episodes ago who was busted for being in the Gayan restoration movement. What's this all about?
Nighttime: Now we see Jukbang out in the countryside somewhere, traveling incognito and carrying a white stone with writing on it. Not just anywhere in the countryside; he's by a memorial tree decorated with streamers. (Not sure if this is the same one where Deokman buried the kill-Mishil order; could be.) We see in flashback that Changgi has shown Jukbang how to prepare a code symbol with rocks; anything put under the tree by a display of that code symbol, we learn, goes straight to Wolya. So that's what Jukbang does. Arranges the symbol and puts the rock with the writing into the middle of it. As soon as Jukbang scrambles away, a Gayan runs up and inspects what he left. Hey, it works!
Inside the Gaya camp: Wolya and Seolji have gotten news of the military developments. Then the Gayan who picked up the stone runs in, telling Wolya that someone left a message wanting to see him.
Next day: Seolji leads two squads of black-clad Gayans into the countryside. Sends them in opposite directions. Wolya is there too. This is all about that message, we learn; three men want to see Wolya. Best take no chances.
Nighttime: We see three people walking towards Wolya. One with a sword, the other two unarmed. A scout spots them and runs to alert Wolya. The three people, two of them have their faces covered by tent-style hats. As they walk on, one of the Gayan squads runs forth and surrounds them, swords drawn. The unhatted one, it's Alcheon. No, it can't possibly be...Good grief, it's QSD and Chunchu under those hats. Chunchu takes off his hat and shouts for Wolya, certain that he came. And then QSD reveals herself as well. Wolya and Seolji step forward.
Now we see QSD and Chunchu sitting in a large gazebo, talking to Wolya and Seolji. Apparently they're trying to make some sort of deal. Chunchu reminds them of the queen's favorable policies towards the Gayan people. QSD says that she's going to destroy the government's Gayan-ancestry record so that no official identification of Gayans can be possible any more. And, she continues, I can and will make these policies permanent and unalterable by any successor. So what does she want? Control of the restoration movement's soldiers--especially the crossbow battalion. To be placed under the command of--Chunchu! Seriously? Seolji suppresses a laugh. She gives them three days to think about it. And what if we say no?, Wolya asks. "Because of you," she answers, "Yushin will likely have to die! And again because of you, all the Gaya descendants will follow thereafter." Not sure if she's saying this as an inevitable reality beyond her control or as a direct threat--but it does get the two Gayans' attention, clearly.
Well they make it home safely, thank goodness, and they're barely inside the queen's front door before Alcheon starts giving both of them a major scolding for putting the queen's life at risk. The queen wants to save and restore Yushin so she felt it was worth doing, but Alcheon is angry and makes sure they both know it. (Good for him. It was a stupid, stupid thing to do.)
He and Chunchu leave her. "She is trying to show me," Chunchu tells a grumbling Alcheon, "that you cannot gain people with your acumen alone." The Gayans fear for their future after Seonduk, he explains. "And I think of myself as her natural successor. So the movement's goals and mine do not differ." So she wants to show the Gayans they can help elevate the next successor. "Not Yushin, but me." Will that work? Interesting idea.
We see the queen sitting alone in the darkness...crying. Why?
The Gayans have left the meeting place. Wolya says he needs some time to think this over. Just then, the sound of a little girl crying. Out there in the woods, in the darkness. What's she doing there? Tells the Gayans she's lost her mother and is starving. This is very weird....
"I sent someone on Wolya and Seolji's trail." Jukbang's sly smile at the queen...could the girl be the someone? Yep--a seven-year-old kid is doing spy work.
Next day: Uh-oh...a horseback messenger comes galloping in at top speed to deliver the bad news: Seolwon was defeated! Whipped before they could even get to Chuhwa County where they wanted to engage. "Commander Lee Young's defense line in Iseo County still holds," the messenger reports, but they're about to be subjugated as well." QSD orders Jujin to deploy all available reinforcements to Iseo.
And now the undefeated Yushin army returns, looking most definitely defeated. The local citizens see them looking utterly whipped and begin to fear for their own safety.
Seolwon steps up to QSD and apologizes. "Baekje had formidable mobile units," he says (like nobody told him! Idiot).
And now Yushin's four soldier friends have come to tell him the bad news. Except, they're acting like they've seen a ghost. And apparently they have! In unnerved whispers they talk a ghost wearing red, whose men cannot be repelled and who kills with frightening efficiency. A ghost, they insist.
Seolwon went home and straight to bed. Bidam goes to see him. Weakened severely by the ordeal, Seolwon apologizes to Bidam, and then asks him to follow Mishil's final wishes. Don't be concerned about "people," he cautions (as in, QSD); "Bigger dreams is what you must aspire for." Otherwise, "you will be forced to take the path...of a subject." We realize that these are Seolwon's last words; he's dying. Bidam listens with tears in his eyes. "Never...ever...forget Her Highness's...last... wishes...." And with that, he fades out for good. Sort of a pathetic end to a remarkable life (not always honorable, but certainly remarkable).
Santak has brought Yushin an envelope. It's from Seolwon. The last letter he wrote, Santak says. Yushin takes it, sits down in his cell and reads it. It has Seolwon's notes from the battle. The Baekjeans can move even faster than Yushin had calculated, he discovered. And "Pay heed to the commander with the red helm, leading a mobile unit. They were stirring the battlefield left and right with restless fury." Valuable information...and actually give Seolwon credit for sending it straight to Yushin. Obviously he knew who would do the most good with it.
Misaeng, Hajong and Bojong are wearing funereal white. The usually gabby Misaeng is more deflated that we've ever seen him. He had sensed trouble, and sure enough....He and Hajong ask Bojong if Seolwon left any last words. Bojong confesses that Seolwon was worried about him, his own son. Which sets Hajong on an incredibly annoying whining, crying spell because Seolwon didn't mention him. (Ugh--the annoying torch may have been passed.)
A strange trio, albeit of councilors: Sueulbu, Yongchun and Ho Jae. Despairing about the Yushin army's devastating defeat. Yongchun realizes there's only one option: restore Yushin and let him lead the army. The other two object, because Yushin is a "criminal," but Yongchun persuasively states that the nation's welfare comes first.
Manmyeong brings the bad news to her husband, who we see was wounded in battle and is still in bed recovering. "There are no reinforcements we can send now," she adds.
Bidam is meeting Misaeng, Hajong, Sueulbu and Ho Jae. The two councilors deliver the news of widespread calls for Yushin's reinstatement. Bidam slams his hand on the table and angrily implies that any such suggestion is treasonous. But then Yong Chun enters with a request from Yushin that Bidam go see him.
So he does. He finds Yushin scribbling madly. At least this time they gave him a cloth to scribble on. He's drawn a map (or maybe the cloth was a map, who knows) and has discovered a way to defeat the Baekjeans, so he thinks. A defense line set up on Mount Geumseong, with an ambush laid at a nearby ravine and a blocking of the enemy's retreat path. It has to be there, he argues, because beyond Mount Geumseong is flatter terrain where the Baekje advantage will be greater. He's worked this all out and is very confident in it, but Bidam shows no interest. So Yushin grabs him by the collar with both hands. "Bidam! If you want me dead, then do it! If you want my military authority, it is all yours! But only after you rescue our nation. Only then." Well THAT should get Bidam's attention, considering what he wants...but still he only stares and says nothing. Finally Bidam gets up, picks up the cloth, and leaves.
Outside the Inspectorate, he stands, still holding the cloth. Now he's starting to tremble. This is a huge moment of decision for him, and competing emotions and interests are pulling hard at him.
Chunchu has come to see the queen, to tell her about the calls for Yushin's reinstatement. Before she can answer, Bidam shows up. Without the cloth. And tells the queen that Jujin will set up the defense line at Mount Geumseong, and engage them at the nearby ravine. Just like Yushin drew it up (but he gives Yushin no credit). Go ahead, she says meekly. Fear not, he assures her; "I will rescue our nation at all costs." No comfort; she looks totally disheartened and shows the kind of worry that a good leader should never show. Bidam leaves...and then we learn that she's preoccupied with going to get Wolya's answer. (Really--that's more important?) It's tonight.
Evening: The Gayan separatist council is discussing what to do. It appears that Wolya has decided to accept QSD's offer...but we're not sure because the rest of the leadership is arguing like crazy about it.
QSD and Chunchu have arrived at the same gazebo as before and are waiting. They've brought a book, which is sitting on the table in front of them. Probably that national registry of Gayans that she mentioned before. Time passes...and they're still waiting. And waiting. Finally the queen stands up, unwilling to wait any longer, and calls for Jukbang, who accompanied her. The little girl from earlier is with him (smiling now and obviously not under any duress); Jukbang asks her to go find out what's keeping Wolya. The girl must know where he went.
He's still there listening to his council arguing. How has he tolerated it for so long? Finally he shuts them up...just in time for a subordinate to run in with news.
Outside, unbelievably, the queen has walked right into the separatist camp. With only Alcheon. (UGH.) Of course in an instant the two of them are surrounded by dozens of separatists pointing swords. Wolya and Seolji come out, and the queen holds up the book she's brought. Yeah, it's the register of Gayan descendants. The separatists are stunned to see it. And even more stunned, when, of her own free will, she turns to a nearby cauldron and throws the register into the fire! Even Alcheon looks at her like he's wondering about her sanity.
Back near the gazebo...thank goodness: backup. A whole company of royal palace guards. Chunchu and Jukbang meet them; Chunchu tells them the queen is in peril and he'll lead them to her; and he tells Jukbang to go to Yongchun and "tell him to lead his troops here."
As the book burns, QSD glares at Wolya. "You still cannot trust me? What else must I do to make you become my people?" Do you want another war that will last for generations? At that moment Chunchu and the guards arrive and run into the camp. "This is my ultimatum." She turns to Chunchu and tells him, "You must remain here and convince Wolya to compromise. If you fail, both you, Chunchu, and you...(turning to Wolya)...will not live to see tomorrow!" And with that she turns and walks out of the camp, the royal guards protecting her departure. (But now they know she knows where their HQ is! Why doesn't that panic them?)
The next day: Jukbang brings more bad news. The defense line at Mount Geumseong defense line didn't hold. "Gyebaek's forces annihilated Lord Jujin's troops," he reports, and the Baekjeans are getting closer to Seorabeol. And still no news from Chunchu. Call an emergency council meeting, she tells him.
Yeom Jong gives Bidam the bad news, and then some. The Baekje army is at full strength again, 20,000, so any losses they suffered have been addressed. And "It's only a matter of time before Seorabeol is conquered."
A shocking scene: Inside the Inspectorate building, the guards are freaking out. Fearing imminent invasion and scrambling to get out of the building. Yushin sees the commotion and shouts for an explanation, but nobody stops to give him one.
Now we're at the emergency council meeting. Various suggestions are offered; they get no traction. Then Yeom Jong of all people comes running in, interrupting the meeting and screaming for the queen's attention. Something going on at the exhibition hall, apparently.
Darned right there is. Gayans! Wolya and Seolji have led all of their soldiers into the capital and are marching to the palace. Apparently the lack of a resident army at the moment has given them free rein to walk right in. They go into the big yard where we've seen most of the outdoor events. Chunchu is there too, so he must have had something to do with this. Suddenly Wolya drops to one knee and bows before Chunchu! And then so do all the rest of them. Wow, they didn't even do that for QSD last night so Chunchu must have done some smooth talking. Wolya shouts that he "is now going to entrust everything to Your Majesty and Lord Chunchu." Seolji rolls his eyes and doesn't look happy about it at all, but it wasn't his call to make.
Now Chunchu interrupts the council meeting and tells the queen that "Your humble servant fulfilled your command." As in, got the Gayans' promise of assistance and cooperation and allegiance. Yes he did; that bow was the proof. Her response? Obviously she expected it, because she stuns everyone present by plowing right ahead and saying, "Then, let Yushin enter." Wide eyes all around as Yushin walks right into the meeting. Bidam is surprised as well, which, considering he's responsible for keeping Yushin locked up, doesn't make him look very good as a leader, does it now. Lots of whining and complaining from the councilors and nobles about Yushin's presence. The queen doesn't care one bit. As Bidam watches and trembles with anger, she presents him with her ceremonial sword and formally restates him as Chief Marshal, ordering him to "reclaim our lost territory and rescue our nation."
"We must end this battle with a victory for both Shilla and us." This is later, in private; Bidam is talking to Seolwon and sounding just like his mother.
Yushin's four soldier friends (Godo etc.) are still outside his cell where we saw them last episode, complaining about the situation. Fight for your country, Yushin urges them. And also tells them to ask Seolwon to come talk to him.
"Are you using our country's safety to bargain for your future in the court?" It's a proper question; Seolwon has come to QSD and asked for full control over the military again if he defeats the Baekjeans. Seolwon tells her that No, all I want is to be part of the effort to unify the Three Kingdoms. Oh, and one other thing. If I come back victorious, he says, I'd like you to marry Bidam! She doesn't laugh (somehow) but she does tell him that the whole situation troubles her. King Jinheung's one mistake, she believes, was trusting people who he assumed were on his side but who were "allured by Mishil" and ended up putting Mishil's interests before the nation's. "Don't you agree?" Well what does she expect him to say?! He says nothing, wisely. "Even after my death," she continues, "will Bidam pledge his loyalty to this nation?" And work to accomplish its goals? "What do you think he will do?" Silence again. Really no good answer he can give.
Seolwon leaves, looking rather disappointed. Outside, an inspector finds him and asks him to come visit Yushin.
He goes. We see Yushin telling him that he believes the Baekje army has changed dramatically in the last decade. Specifically "their maneuvering power and armament structure," to improve their mobility. Allow for extra distance, he advises, and "you must avoid field warfare. The battle must be fought over mountainous terrain." (Where they can't maneuver as well.) Seolwon listens politely, but then points out that if he returns victorious, "I cannot guarantee your safety." "Just return victorious," Yushin answers; we'll worry about that afterwards.
Now here's an interesting conversation: Misaeng is telling Hajong and Bojong of his concerns about Seolwon. "Can such an aged veteran take to the battlefield?" He hasn't fought for a long time, Misaeng points out. Hajong basically laughs that off. Then Seolwon enters. Bojong tells him the deployment preparations are underway. Can't help but notice Bojong looking a little worried. Not saying so, but looking it.
Seolwon and Bojong return home. And we learn something unpleasant: Seolwon has angina. So that's why Bojong was worried. Don't risk your life to help Bidam, he tells his father. But Seolwon is eager to command an army again, and is supremely confident about his ability to defeat Yoon Chung.
We see Seolwon praying in Mishil's shrine. And reflecting on Bidam's devotion for QSD. Knowing that Bidam's welfare was Mishil's final concern, he resolves, "I shall turn this battle into an opportunity for Bidam."
Next day: Preparation is complete and the troops are ready to leave. Seolwon addresses them. Short and sweet. They're headed to Chuhwa County and their morale sounds good. But as they leave, we do see some sour faces.
We see the opposing armies on the move, headed towards each other.
Jukbang is walking with a worried-looking QSD, reassuring her of the Yushin army's undefeated record. Doesn't seem to help much. She instructs him, "Tell the Chief of the Royal Palace Guard to examine all the provincial reports sent by Yushin once again." Why? We don't know. Also..."What I told you last time. Arrange for it." Yes, there was something, wasn't there. What it was, we don't know that either.
Now Jukbang has gone outside and is pulling someone by the sleeve into an empty side yard. Oh no, it's Santak the Annoying chief guard! "Recall what I asked you last time?" Santak resists the very idea of it. It's okay, Jukbang offers; with so much activity and confusion right now, "wouldn't security be much less efficient?" That's not working either, so Jukbang pulls out a bag of money from a shirt pocket and hands it to Santak. So Santak leads Jukbang into the inspectorate, and unlocks a cell. Fifteen minutes, Santak says, looking around furtively. Jukbang enters and the cell is locked behind him. This isn't Yushin's cell; who is that guy? Wait, it's Changgi, the army private we saw four episodes ago who was busted for being in the Gayan restoration movement. What's this all about?
Nighttime: Now we see Jukbang out in the countryside somewhere, traveling incognito and carrying a white stone with writing on it. Not just anywhere in the countryside; he's by a memorial tree decorated with streamers. (Not sure if this is the same one where Deokman buried the kill-Mishil order; could be.) We see in flashback that Changgi has shown Jukbang how to prepare a code symbol with rocks; anything put under the tree by a display of that code symbol, we learn, goes straight to Wolya. So that's what Jukbang does. Arranges the symbol and puts the rock with the writing into the middle of it. As soon as Jukbang scrambles away, a Gayan runs up and inspects what he left. Hey, it works!
Inside the Gaya camp: Wolya and Seolji have gotten news of the military developments. Then the Gayan who picked up the stone runs in, telling Wolya that someone left a message wanting to see him.
Next day: Seolji leads two squads of black-clad Gayans into the countryside. Sends them in opposite directions. Wolya is there too. This is all about that message, we learn; three men want to see Wolya. Best take no chances.
Nighttime: We see three people walking towards Wolya. One with a sword, the other two unarmed. A scout spots them and runs to alert Wolya. The three people, two of them have their faces covered by tent-style hats. As they walk on, one of the Gayan squads runs forth and surrounds them, swords drawn. The unhatted one, it's Alcheon. No, it can't possibly be...Good grief, it's QSD and Chunchu under those hats. Chunchu takes off his hat and shouts for Wolya, certain that he came. And then QSD reveals herself as well. Wolya and Seolji step forward.
Now we see QSD and Chunchu sitting in a large gazebo, talking to Wolya and Seolji. Apparently they're trying to make some sort of deal. Chunchu reminds them of the queen's favorable policies towards the Gayan people. QSD says that she's going to destroy the government's Gayan-ancestry record so that no official identification of Gayans can be possible any more. And, she continues, I can and will make these policies permanent and unalterable by any successor. So what does she want? Control of the restoration movement's soldiers--especially the crossbow battalion. To be placed under the command of--Chunchu! Seriously? Seolji suppresses a laugh. She gives them three days to think about it. And what if we say no?, Wolya asks. "Because of you," she answers, "Yushin will likely have to die! And again because of you, all the Gaya descendants will follow thereafter." Not sure if she's saying this as an inevitable reality beyond her control or as a direct threat--but it does get the two Gayans' attention, clearly.
Well they make it home safely, thank goodness, and they're barely inside the queen's front door before Alcheon starts giving both of them a major scolding for putting the queen's life at risk. The queen wants to save and restore Yushin so she felt it was worth doing, but Alcheon is angry and makes sure they both know it. (Good for him. It was a stupid, stupid thing to do.)
He and Chunchu leave her. "She is trying to show me," Chunchu tells a grumbling Alcheon, "that you cannot gain people with your acumen alone." The Gayans fear for their future after Seonduk, he explains. "And I think of myself as her natural successor. So the movement's goals and mine do not differ." So she wants to show the Gayans they can help elevate the next successor. "Not Yushin, but me." Will that work? Interesting idea.
We see the queen sitting alone in the darkness...crying. Why?
The Gayans have left the meeting place. Wolya says he needs some time to think this over. Just then, the sound of a little girl crying. Out there in the woods, in the darkness. What's she doing there? Tells the Gayans she's lost her mother and is starving. This is very weird....
"I sent someone on Wolya and Seolji's trail." Jukbang's sly smile at the queen...could the girl be the someone? Yep--a seven-year-old kid is doing spy work.
Next day: Uh-oh...a horseback messenger comes galloping in at top speed to deliver the bad news: Seolwon was defeated! Whipped before they could even get to Chuhwa County where they wanted to engage. "Commander Lee Young's defense line in Iseo County still holds," the messenger reports, but they're about to be subjugated as well." QSD orders Jujin to deploy all available reinforcements to Iseo.
And now the undefeated Yushin army returns, looking most definitely defeated. The local citizens see them looking utterly whipped and begin to fear for their own safety.
Seolwon steps up to QSD and apologizes. "Baekje had formidable mobile units," he says (like nobody told him! Idiot).
And now Yushin's four soldier friends have come to tell him the bad news. Except, they're acting like they've seen a ghost. And apparently they have! In unnerved whispers they talk a ghost wearing red, whose men cannot be repelled and who kills with frightening efficiency. A ghost, they insist.
Seolwon went home and straight to bed. Bidam goes to see him. Weakened severely by the ordeal, Seolwon apologizes to Bidam, and then asks him to follow Mishil's final wishes. Don't be concerned about "people," he cautions (as in, QSD); "Bigger dreams is what you must aspire for." Otherwise, "you will be forced to take the path...of a subject." We realize that these are Seolwon's last words; he's dying. Bidam listens with tears in his eyes. "Never...ever...forget Her Highness's...last... wishes...." And with that, he fades out for good. Sort of a pathetic end to a remarkable life (not always honorable, but certainly remarkable).
Santak has brought Yushin an envelope. It's from Seolwon. The last letter he wrote, Santak says. Yushin takes it, sits down in his cell and reads it. It has Seolwon's notes from the battle. The Baekjeans can move even faster than Yushin had calculated, he discovered. And "Pay heed to the commander with the red helm, leading a mobile unit. They were stirring the battlefield left and right with restless fury." Valuable information...and actually give Seolwon credit for sending it straight to Yushin. Obviously he knew who would do the most good with it.
Misaeng, Hajong and Bojong are wearing funereal white. The usually gabby Misaeng is more deflated that we've ever seen him. He had sensed trouble, and sure enough....He and Hajong ask Bojong if Seolwon left any last words. Bojong confesses that Seolwon was worried about him, his own son. Which sets Hajong on an incredibly annoying whining, crying spell because Seolwon didn't mention him. (Ugh--the annoying torch may have been passed.)
A strange trio, albeit of councilors: Sueulbu, Yongchun and Ho Jae. Despairing about the Yushin army's devastating defeat. Yongchun realizes there's only one option: restore Yushin and let him lead the army. The other two object, because Yushin is a "criminal," but Yongchun persuasively states that the nation's welfare comes first.
Manmyeong brings the bad news to her husband, who we see was wounded in battle and is still in bed recovering. "There are no reinforcements we can send now," she adds.
Bidam is meeting Misaeng, Hajong, Sueulbu and Ho Jae. The two councilors deliver the news of widespread calls for Yushin's reinstatement. Bidam slams his hand on the table and angrily implies that any such suggestion is treasonous. But then Yong Chun enters with a request from Yushin that Bidam go see him.
So he does. He finds Yushin scribbling madly. At least this time they gave him a cloth to scribble on. He's drawn a map (or maybe the cloth was a map, who knows) and has discovered a way to defeat the Baekjeans, so he thinks. A defense line set up on Mount Geumseong, with an ambush laid at a nearby ravine and a blocking of the enemy's retreat path. It has to be there, he argues, because beyond Mount Geumseong is flatter terrain where the Baekje advantage will be greater. He's worked this all out and is very confident in it, but Bidam shows no interest. So Yushin grabs him by the collar with both hands. "Bidam! If you want me dead, then do it! If you want my military authority, it is all yours! But only after you rescue our nation. Only then." Well THAT should get Bidam's attention, considering what he wants...but still he only stares and says nothing. Finally Bidam gets up, picks up the cloth, and leaves.
Outside the Inspectorate, he stands, still holding the cloth. Now he's starting to tremble. This is a huge moment of decision for him, and competing emotions and interests are pulling hard at him.
Chunchu has come to see the queen, to tell her about the calls for Yushin's reinstatement. Before she can answer, Bidam shows up. Without the cloth. And tells the queen that Jujin will set up the defense line at Mount Geumseong, and engage them at the nearby ravine. Just like Yushin drew it up (but he gives Yushin no credit). Go ahead, she says meekly. Fear not, he assures her; "I will rescue our nation at all costs." No comfort; she looks totally disheartened and shows the kind of worry that a good leader should never show. Bidam leaves...and then we learn that she's preoccupied with going to get Wolya's answer. (Really--that's more important?) It's tonight.
Evening: The Gayan separatist council is discussing what to do. It appears that Wolya has decided to accept QSD's offer...but we're not sure because the rest of the leadership is arguing like crazy about it.
QSD and Chunchu have arrived at the same gazebo as before and are waiting. They've brought a book, which is sitting on the table in front of them. Probably that national registry of Gayans that she mentioned before. Time passes...and they're still waiting. And waiting. Finally the queen stands up, unwilling to wait any longer, and calls for Jukbang, who accompanied her. The little girl from earlier is with him (smiling now and obviously not under any duress); Jukbang asks her to go find out what's keeping Wolya. The girl must know where he went.
He's still there listening to his council arguing. How has he tolerated it for so long? Finally he shuts them up...just in time for a subordinate to run in with news.
Outside, unbelievably, the queen has walked right into the separatist camp. With only Alcheon. (UGH.) Of course in an instant the two of them are surrounded by dozens of separatists pointing swords. Wolya and Seolji come out, and the queen holds up the book she's brought. Yeah, it's the register of Gayan descendants. The separatists are stunned to see it. And even more stunned, when, of her own free will, she turns to a nearby cauldron and throws the register into the fire! Even Alcheon looks at her like he's wondering about her sanity.
Back near the gazebo...thank goodness: backup. A whole company of royal palace guards. Chunchu and Jukbang meet them; Chunchu tells them the queen is in peril and he'll lead them to her; and he tells Jukbang to go to Yongchun and "tell him to lead his troops here."
As the book burns, QSD glares at Wolya. "You still cannot trust me? What else must I do to make you become my people?" Do you want another war that will last for generations? At that moment Chunchu and the guards arrive and run into the camp. "This is my ultimatum." She turns to Chunchu and tells him, "You must remain here and convince Wolya to compromise. If you fail, both you, Chunchu, and you...(turning to Wolya)...will not live to see tomorrow!" And with that she turns and walks out of the camp, the royal guards protecting her departure. (But now they know she knows where their HQ is! Why doesn't that panic them?)
The next day: Jukbang brings more bad news. The defense line at Mount Geumseong defense line didn't hold. "Gyebaek's forces annihilated Lord Jujin's troops," he reports, and the Baekjeans are getting closer to Seorabeol. And still no news from Chunchu. Call an emergency council meeting, she tells him.
Yeom Jong gives Bidam the bad news, and then some. The Baekje army is at full strength again, 20,000, so any losses they suffered have been addressed. And "It's only a matter of time before Seorabeol is conquered."
A shocking scene: Inside the Inspectorate building, the guards are freaking out. Fearing imminent invasion and scrambling to get out of the building. Yushin sees the commotion and shouts for an explanation, but nobody stops to give him one.
Now we're at the emergency council meeting. Various suggestions are offered; they get no traction. Then Yeom Jong of all people comes running in, interrupting the meeting and screaming for the queen's attention. Something going on at the exhibition hall, apparently.
Darned right there is. Gayans! Wolya and Seolji have led all of their soldiers into the capital and are marching to the palace. Apparently the lack of a resident army at the moment has given them free rein to walk right in. They go into the big yard where we've seen most of the outdoor events. Chunchu is there too, so he must have had something to do with this. Suddenly Wolya drops to one knee and bows before Chunchu! And then so do all the rest of them. Wow, they didn't even do that for QSD last night so Chunchu must have done some smooth talking. Wolya shouts that he "is now going to entrust everything to Your Majesty and Lord Chunchu." Seolji rolls his eyes and doesn't look happy about it at all, but it wasn't his call to make.
Now Chunchu interrupts the council meeting and tells the queen that "Your humble servant fulfilled your command." As in, got the Gayans' promise of assistance and cooperation and allegiance. Yes he did; that bow was the proof. Her response? Obviously she expected it, because she stuns everyone present by plowing right ahead and saying, "Then, let Yushin enter." Wide eyes all around as Yushin walks right into the meeting. Bidam is surprised as well, which, considering he's responsible for keeping Yushin locked up, doesn't make him look very good as a leader, does it now. Lots of whining and complaining from the councilors and nobles about Yushin's presence. The queen doesn't care one bit. As Bidam watches and trembles with anger, she presents him with her ceremonial sword and formally restates him as Chief Marshal, ordering him to "reclaim our lost territory and rescue our nation."