Post by ajk on Mar 1, 2014 0:53:23 GMT -5
Fortunately they found Noguk quickly and attended to her right away. She's resting comfortably now. Unconscious but comfortable. That's the good news. The bad news: she had a miscarriage. Gongmin goes to her, holds her hand and wakes her with a smile and some kind words that he musters up only after fighting off understandable tears and anxiety.
Princess Deoknyeong goes to inform the queen dowager about it. Of course the QD expresses no concern for Noguk's welfare, only complains about her inability to produce an heir.
"It was a boy. The physician said it was a boy." Awake now, Noguk is in tears. Gongmin tells her to put it behind her. And asks her with a laugh, "Where have you left the strong spirit that pointed the blade at Lord Deokseong?" He's being a wonderful, supportive husband.
Gaetae Temple, the next morning: Master Bou showed up and told Wolseon about Pyeonjo's demand for the temples to surrender their ill-gotten assets. Wolseon is troubled by this--which is hard to understand, since we saw him pulling those stakes out of temple lands so that the people could have them back! He talks to Pyeonjo and tells him, "Don't hate this world. Being a monk is your essence." And don't get so caught up in the idea of trying to change everything. Maybe he's just cautioning his pupil against going too far, but whatever--it's a strange reaction.
Pyeonjo has to return to Gaegyeong. Wolseon sits alone with tears in his eyes. Even Deokun coming in and telling him all the wonderful things that people in the capital are saying about Pyeonjo, even that doesn't lighten him up.
Now on his way, Pyeonjo is walking through a village when he's stopped by a man who introduces himself as Choi Cheol Yong, the local magistrate. He has a covered chair and four bearers waiting to carry Pyeonjo through the village! Seriously? Pyeonjo is gracious, and quite surprised, but politely declines and says he'll walk. And then suddenly he's mobbed by villagers who fall at his feet and start shouting out grievances and petitions that they beg him for help with! Wow. Word of his work must have really gotten around. Pyeonjo stands there without a clue about how to handle it.
Now we see him back at Choseon's estate. Turns out, it took him a few extra days to get back because he had to take a mountain route home to avoid more villages. He figured he'd get the same treatment everywhere he went, and he can't solve everybody's problems, can he. He's planning to talk to Gongmin later today about their progress in distributing the collaborators' assets. But when she tells him about the queen's miscarriage...
...he heads right over to the palace, concerned for his two friends. He can't go inside Gongmin's office just yet, though, because Gongmin has visitors. And from outside we can hear...
...Gongmin totally chewing out Yeom Je Shin and Inspector Kim for their unwillingness to grant Pyeonjo an official position and place him in charge of asset redistribution. He's really hot about it. Then Kim drops a bomb on him: the queen dowager doesn't want it. That alternative plan that Lee In Bok was advocating, about re-establishing the Directorate for Reclassification of Farmland, and placing a court official in charge of it, that's what she wants done, he says. Well Gongmin didn't see that one coming. He just sits there seething.
Yeom and Kim leave and are startled to see Pyeonjo standing there. Yeom is so embarrassed he runs away. Kim is surprised but unfazed. "No matter how much His Majesty favors you," Kim tells him, "he won't be able to do things as he pleases." Kim walks away calmly...but then on catching up to Yeom, starts ranting about how they have to "nip this in the bud right now" or else "hordes of slaves believing they are worthy of breathing our same air will invade the palace with their stench, stealing our posts!" Well that even surprises Yeom. Such an overreaction, but not a surprise; we've heard this kind of thing from Kim before.
Pyeonjo goes inside and sees the king. And tells him to go ahead and reinstate the Directorate. Says he doesn't care about being in charge of it. "The important thing is giving our people their land back." But no, Gongmin insists he'll get Pyeonjo put in charge no matter what it takes. "They all come from the same mold," he says of the high officials. They're all afraid that they'll be exposed for snatching those collaborator assets, which they apparently did, and he doesn't think there's a single one of them who can be entrusted to do the job honestly. (Really? Not one? Couldn't he trust Lee In Bok to find someone honorable? Surprised at this.)
Of course Inspector Kim goes right to the queen dowager to fan the flames some more. Tells her this is her chance to take her son's power from him! As in, to gain the alliance of the high officials. "The stronger Pyeonjo becomes, the more assets they'll have to bid farewell to. Who would possibly follow His Majesty down that path?" Cynical but true. "You shall stand at the core of Goryeo's authority," he tells her. "His Majesty is much too wavering a specimen. Only that will bring peace and prosperity to our country." And with that he smiles like we've never seen him smile before. Now she won't buy into this, will she? Scheming against her own son, the king? Guess again. "Fine," she says, "I shall follow your advice." Sheesh!
It's been days, maybe even weeks (we're not sure exactly) but Noguk is still at the shrine. She's been doing nothing but praying. She's looking much stronger now, so that's good. But her prayers, we hear her thoughts as she prays and they're almost tragic. Take my life, she prays to Buddha, if I can't bear my husband an heir. The joy of earning his affection and seeing his authority as king grow and strengthen, it all has been stronger to me than the grief of losing Prince Qunluan and of my father's death. "Why did you bereave me of the joy of bearing his child?" Give me another chance, she says, even if it kills me. "Then in the darkness of demise shall my soul find repose." Wow.
Now the QD has gone to see her son, and is making him terribly uncomfortable by pressing the consort issue she's so focused on. And while she isn't being very nice or supportive about it--not at all--she does have good reason to want the kingdom to have an heir to the throne. And Gongmin really shouldn't be surprised by it. "The queen is still young," he insists. But the physicians have said she isn't able to give birth, and she challenges him point-blank: "What if something terrible happens to her? Can you lose the gemstone you so fervently cherish, Sire?" Interesting that she's played that card—and that she's forced to acknowledge how much her son loves his wife.
Meanwhile--and here's a surprising scene--Noguk has summoned Lee Hyebi and sits her down for a chat. A very brief, one-sided chat. "I called you because I need to ask you a favor. Bear His Majesty a child." Doink! Wow, has she resigned herself to this--her not being able to do it? "If you bear him a child and he gains an heir, I shall proclaim you as the second Queen." At that, Lady Kim has to jump in and explain that Goryeo doesn't do it like that. Unlike the Yuan, there's just one queen. Noguk didn't know that...but whatever the title, "That's my decision, so get ready to serve His Majesty." Aw, now even Noguk is pushing her around? Poor Hyebi.
Hyebi leaves...and then, stunningly, she smiles! Wow, what a revealing moment. So while she was sitting there getting ping-ponged by everybody all this time, obviously she still wanted to become a consort one day.
Back inside, now we see that Noguk is heartbroken. But she realized she had no choice, even if it ultimately makes her own situation shakier, which is something she's worried about (although I'm not sure why that would happen).
Hyebi excitedly tells the QD what happened. Of course the QD is thrilled, and also relieved that Noguk did this gracefully and without anger. And then just has to add, "Bear him a child. Can His Majesty debauch his bloodline with dirty Mongol kinship?" You can understand why she says it, but still, that's awful.
"Never let me hear those words again." Yeah, there's the one little flaw in Noguk's plan: Gongmin wants no part of it. And he tells her so. "I thought you were in that shrine begging to have a child, but is that what you were thinking about all this time?" Don't concern yourself with this, he tries to tell her. But she still fears that as a Yuan princess, her being queen is an impediment to his rule. "I am but a millstone curbing your resolve." After eradicating the collaborators, forbidding the imposed Mongol customs, and cutting ties with the Yuan, "If you tried to harbor me after all that, you would still be referred to as the Yuan imperial family's son-in-law." We've heard this from her before, but once again Gongmin refuses to see her ethnicity as a problem. And as for an heir, he says "I shall proclaim an heir among the descendants of our royal family." But Noguk tells him that's a bad idea because it will unleash a free-for-all of competing royals and officials trying to get the upper hand on the chain of power. "Give Pyeonjo the keys to power," she urges, "and suppress the courtiers." And strengthen your authority by accepting a consort and producing your own heir. But he won't hear of it. "No matter what you say, it will be of no use. Even if they bring me the most astounding beauty in all creation, not a finger of mine shall touch her flesh."
A furious Won Hyeon is complaining to Pyeonjo and Choseon. He wants to take his investigators and raid Kim Yong's home. Apparently Kim "was the first to lead the way and appropriate what didn't belong to him!" If nothing else, busting Kim will scare the rest of the officials into submission, Won insists. But it looks like Pyeonjo just refused him permission to do it, which is why Won is so angry. So Won goes outside, where his investigators and Gong Cheol are waiting, and leads them to Kim Yong's home anyway, completely disobeying Pyeonjo's instruction. And tells them they'll also visit the homes of "the Administrator and Vice Minister as well." Meaning, Lee Je Hyeon and Yeom Je Shim. Well THIS can't be good...From inside, Pyeonjo heard every word of it, but surprisingly he makes no move to stop them! Seriously? What does he know that we don't? Then Choseon changes the subject by giving him a disturbing piece of news. "More than half the top merchants crossed over to the other side." All of those wealthy businessmen who helped with the effort to eradicate the collaborators? Really? Apparently the high officials are rattled enough about what's happening that they're cutting deals with the businessmen to gain their support. Pyeonjo is stunned.
Well now here's Kim Yong, and he's talking to some of those businessmen at his home. And he seems to be reassuring them that they don't need to abandon the king. Assures them that the king won't risk an all-out fight with the court just over Pyeonjo. "I have been serving His Majesty since his days in Yanjing," he tells them; "I know what he truly stands for more than anyone else." And then talk about bad timing: just then the commotion begins. Won Hyeon and the investigators have shown up and are demanding access. Kim heads outside and orders his private guards to arrest them all, and fortunately for him he has more than enough guards to do it. We see Won and the rest of them unceremoniously tossed into jail cells. So that's what Pyeonjo knew that we didn't.
Gong Cheol managed to escape arrest and has run back home to tell Pyeonjo what happened. But Pyeonjo is laughing about it. "Just leave him there." Ha! "Won Hyeon needs a little reproach, to finally grow up." Even Choseon has to smile at that.
Kim Yong puts on his councilor robe and goes to complain to Lee Je Hyeon and Yeom Je Shin about what happened. Yeom is quickly worked up into a fit--typical--but Lee just sits there quietly, thinking it over.
Lee In Bok has brought Gongmin news of In Dang executing a fellow general. And of Yoo In Woo running wild in Ssangseong, trying to chase down "Jurchen remnants" and acting aggressively in spite of Gongmin's strict instructions to the contrary. A furious Gongmin demands that both generals be summoned back home. But Lee argues that "It wouldn't be the first time soldiers defy royal command." And has to remind him about the all-out revolt led by Jeong Jung Bu in 1170 (depicted in the Age of Warriors series). The generals don't sufficiently respect your authority, Lee says, and it's urgent that you work on strengthening it.
Outside, Inspector Kim greets Lee with a weasely smile, having overheard the exchange and happy that Lee told the king to stop paying so much attention to Pyeonjo. Which is ridiculous--Lee meant no such thing. Kim is getting obsessed with this whole Pyeonjo thing.
Goryean army camp, northwest territories: The Goryeans have set the Yan troops to flight back across the Amnok. Exactly what the king ordered them to do. But In Dang is furious that he hasn't received permission to cross the Amnok and pursue the fleeing Yuan troops over what--as he reminds his subordinates yet again--was once Goguryean territory. Of course, that's exactly what the king ordered them NOT to do. Jung Se Woon has to remind him of that. But all In can think about is Yoo In Woo getting more honors than he'll get, and he ends up screaming about how they WILL cross the river tonight and he'll personally execute anyone who opposes him. Yikes.
And apparently they did cross and attack Yuan supply bases, because word gets back to Lee In Bok about it. This is such a mess now, he doesn't want to just go and dump it on the king right away. He has to go to Lee Je Hyeon and seek the wise old man's advice about how to handle it. They agree that In Bok may have to go to Yanjing with some sort of a peace offering to keep the situation from escalating. But what? In Bok already has an idea. "Ask His Majesty for In Dang's head." Well, you sort of had to figure..."He defied a royal command, so tell His Majesty to condemn him."
One of Yoo In Woo's subordinates has come to the capital and is waiting for Lee In Bok outside of Lee Je Hyeon's home. We didn't hear the two ministers talk about Yoo's situation, but the implication is that they did. Lee tells the subordinate to let Yoo know he's to return to the capital immediately. "It's not surprising something like this happened," Lee complains. "The men of arms wishing for a return of the military junta's glory days are not to be underestimated."
Gongmin's office: Lee Je Hyeon arrives to see the king; finds him enjoying a meal with Pyeonjo. Apparently Gongmin summoned Lee. Oddly enough, to talk to him about Confucianism. (He's an expert, we learn.) And even more oddly, because Pyeonjo the monk recommended it! The Buddhist monk. Because of its emphasis on loyalty and filial piety. Pyeonjo had suggested training young scholars in Confucianism as a way to strengthen loyalty to the crown within the government. Lee is pleasantly surprised that Pyeonjo spoke favorably of the discipline. Then he reluctantly tells the king about Lee In Bok wanting to take In Dang's head to Yanjing. Gongmin doesn't bat an eye. "His wish shall be fulfilled."
Later, after leaving the king, Pyeonjo further explains himself to Lee. "All I told His Majesty was to instill loyalty and piety in our country's backbone. Shouldn't His Majesty have young, loyal retainers who don't question his every move?" Well Lee doesn't like that, at least not the implication that there's something wrong with the current court. But that's exactly what Pyeonjo is implying, and he boldly says so. "His Majesty is standing on rotten foundations at the moment," he says, using a wooden-pillar analogy. "Can the thought of building a new house from scratch be considered treason?" And challenges Lee, as a man of principles, asking if he doesn't believe exactly the same thing. Lee is shocked...but he doesn't disagree.
Ssangseong Commandery: Another celebratory meal. Yoo In Woo tells his subordinates to enjoy themselves tonight because tomorrow they'll be pursuing the retreating Jurchen army across the Duman River and into their own territory to destroy them! To which Lee Ja Chun strenuously objects--not that it's against the king's orders (we already know that) but that "Following a retreating army all the way to their demise is against martial law." But Yoo doesn't care, and now he starts spouting about taking northern lands back for Goryeo just like In Dang was spouting. The subordinate who met with Lee In Bok is here for this...
...and afterwards he and Lee Ja Chun and Lee Seonggye discuss their concerns. They're worried that Yoo might not give Ssangseong back to Goryeo at all but instead try to rule it himself! And if that isn't bad enough, there are rumors that Jo So Saeng has been assembling what's left of the local Jurchen military for a counterattack. The subordinate says he'll head back to the capital and report all this. He leaves them...and then Seonggye comes right out and says it. "Father. How about beheading Yoo In Woo?" Now THERE'S a plan. "Let's wait and see," his father says. "This is just as good a chance for us." Oh yeah like this can't get any more complicated....
Evening: Pyeonjo has gone to talk to Kim Yong about getting Won Hyeon released from Kim's private jail. Choseon hears this and is very concerned, because of "peculiar rumors" she's heard. About what? She asks her head subordinate, Park Seobang (finally we get his name) to take all of their men to Kim's residence and escort Pyeonjo home as soon as he exits. Is he in danger?
Noguk is in her husband's office. For a reason. Bring her in, she orders. The door opens...and there's Lee Hyebi standing there in a beautiful white dress.
Pyeonjo is walking home alone in the darkness. Suddenly darts and throwing stars are flying through the air at him. He dodges most of them, but a star pierces his arm. He grabs another star and flings it accurately at a black-clad figure who falls from a nearby rooftop. But in moments, at least then more just like him have jumped into the street in front of him, brandishing swords.
Princess Deoknyeong goes to inform the queen dowager about it. Of course the QD expresses no concern for Noguk's welfare, only complains about her inability to produce an heir.
"It was a boy. The physician said it was a boy." Awake now, Noguk is in tears. Gongmin tells her to put it behind her. And asks her with a laugh, "Where have you left the strong spirit that pointed the blade at Lord Deokseong?" He's being a wonderful, supportive husband.
Gaetae Temple, the next morning: Master Bou showed up and told Wolseon about Pyeonjo's demand for the temples to surrender their ill-gotten assets. Wolseon is troubled by this--which is hard to understand, since we saw him pulling those stakes out of temple lands so that the people could have them back! He talks to Pyeonjo and tells him, "Don't hate this world. Being a monk is your essence." And don't get so caught up in the idea of trying to change everything. Maybe he's just cautioning his pupil against going too far, but whatever--it's a strange reaction.
Pyeonjo has to return to Gaegyeong. Wolseon sits alone with tears in his eyes. Even Deokun coming in and telling him all the wonderful things that people in the capital are saying about Pyeonjo, even that doesn't lighten him up.
Now on his way, Pyeonjo is walking through a village when he's stopped by a man who introduces himself as Choi Cheol Yong, the local magistrate. He has a covered chair and four bearers waiting to carry Pyeonjo through the village! Seriously? Pyeonjo is gracious, and quite surprised, but politely declines and says he'll walk. And then suddenly he's mobbed by villagers who fall at his feet and start shouting out grievances and petitions that they beg him for help with! Wow. Word of his work must have really gotten around. Pyeonjo stands there without a clue about how to handle it.
Now we see him back at Choseon's estate. Turns out, it took him a few extra days to get back because he had to take a mountain route home to avoid more villages. He figured he'd get the same treatment everywhere he went, and he can't solve everybody's problems, can he. He's planning to talk to Gongmin later today about their progress in distributing the collaborators' assets. But when she tells him about the queen's miscarriage...
...he heads right over to the palace, concerned for his two friends. He can't go inside Gongmin's office just yet, though, because Gongmin has visitors. And from outside we can hear...
...Gongmin totally chewing out Yeom Je Shin and Inspector Kim for their unwillingness to grant Pyeonjo an official position and place him in charge of asset redistribution. He's really hot about it. Then Kim drops a bomb on him: the queen dowager doesn't want it. That alternative plan that Lee In Bok was advocating, about re-establishing the Directorate for Reclassification of Farmland, and placing a court official in charge of it, that's what she wants done, he says. Well Gongmin didn't see that one coming. He just sits there seething.
Yeom and Kim leave and are startled to see Pyeonjo standing there. Yeom is so embarrassed he runs away. Kim is surprised but unfazed. "No matter how much His Majesty favors you," Kim tells him, "he won't be able to do things as he pleases." Kim walks away calmly...but then on catching up to Yeom, starts ranting about how they have to "nip this in the bud right now" or else "hordes of slaves believing they are worthy of breathing our same air will invade the palace with their stench, stealing our posts!" Well that even surprises Yeom. Such an overreaction, but not a surprise; we've heard this kind of thing from Kim before.
Pyeonjo goes inside and sees the king. And tells him to go ahead and reinstate the Directorate. Says he doesn't care about being in charge of it. "The important thing is giving our people their land back." But no, Gongmin insists he'll get Pyeonjo put in charge no matter what it takes. "They all come from the same mold," he says of the high officials. They're all afraid that they'll be exposed for snatching those collaborator assets, which they apparently did, and he doesn't think there's a single one of them who can be entrusted to do the job honestly. (Really? Not one? Couldn't he trust Lee In Bok to find someone honorable? Surprised at this.)
Of course Inspector Kim goes right to the queen dowager to fan the flames some more. Tells her this is her chance to take her son's power from him! As in, to gain the alliance of the high officials. "The stronger Pyeonjo becomes, the more assets they'll have to bid farewell to. Who would possibly follow His Majesty down that path?" Cynical but true. "You shall stand at the core of Goryeo's authority," he tells her. "His Majesty is much too wavering a specimen. Only that will bring peace and prosperity to our country." And with that he smiles like we've never seen him smile before. Now she won't buy into this, will she? Scheming against her own son, the king? Guess again. "Fine," she says, "I shall follow your advice." Sheesh!
It's been days, maybe even weeks (we're not sure exactly) but Noguk is still at the shrine. She's been doing nothing but praying. She's looking much stronger now, so that's good. But her prayers, we hear her thoughts as she prays and they're almost tragic. Take my life, she prays to Buddha, if I can't bear my husband an heir. The joy of earning his affection and seeing his authority as king grow and strengthen, it all has been stronger to me than the grief of losing Prince Qunluan and of my father's death. "Why did you bereave me of the joy of bearing his child?" Give me another chance, she says, even if it kills me. "Then in the darkness of demise shall my soul find repose." Wow.
Now the QD has gone to see her son, and is making him terribly uncomfortable by pressing the consort issue she's so focused on. And while she isn't being very nice or supportive about it--not at all--she does have good reason to want the kingdom to have an heir to the throne. And Gongmin really shouldn't be surprised by it. "The queen is still young," he insists. But the physicians have said she isn't able to give birth, and she challenges him point-blank: "What if something terrible happens to her? Can you lose the gemstone you so fervently cherish, Sire?" Interesting that she's played that card—and that she's forced to acknowledge how much her son loves his wife.
Meanwhile--and here's a surprising scene--Noguk has summoned Lee Hyebi and sits her down for a chat. A very brief, one-sided chat. "I called you because I need to ask you a favor. Bear His Majesty a child." Doink! Wow, has she resigned herself to this--her not being able to do it? "If you bear him a child and he gains an heir, I shall proclaim you as the second Queen." At that, Lady Kim has to jump in and explain that Goryeo doesn't do it like that. Unlike the Yuan, there's just one queen. Noguk didn't know that...but whatever the title, "That's my decision, so get ready to serve His Majesty." Aw, now even Noguk is pushing her around? Poor Hyebi.
Hyebi leaves...and then, stunningly, she smiles! Wow, what a revealing moment. So while she was sitting there getting ping-ponged by everybody all this time, obviously she still wanted to become a consort one day.
Back inside, now we see that Noguk is heartbroken. But she realized she had no choice, even if it ultimately makes her own situation shakier, which is something she's worried about (although I'm not sure why that would happen).
Hyebi excitedly tells the QD what happened. Of course the QD is thrilled, and also relieved that Noguk did this gracefully and without anger. And then just has to add, "Bear him a child. Can His Majesty debauch his bloodline with dirty Mongol kinship?" You can understand why she says it, but still, that's awful.
"Never let me hear those words again." Yeah, there's the one little flaw in Noguk's plan: Gongmin wants no part of it. And he tells her so. "I thought you were in that shrine begging to have a child, but is that what you were thinking about all this time?" Don't concern yourself with this, he tries to tell her. But she still fears that as a Yuan princess, her being queen is an impediment to his rule. "I am but a millstone curbing your resolve." After eradicating the collaborators, forbidding the imposed Mongol customs, and cutting ties with the Yuan, "If you tried to harbor me after all that, you would still be referred to as the Yuan imperial family's son-in-law." We've heard this from her before, but once again Gongmin refuses to see her ethnicity as a problem. And as for an heir, he says "I shall proclaim an heir among the descendants of our royal family." But Noguk tells him that's a bad idea because it will unleash a free-for-all of competing royals and officials trying to get the upper hand on the chain of power. "Give Pyeonjo the keys to power," she urges, "and suppress the courtiers." And strengthen your authority by accepting a consort and producing your own heir. But he won't hear of it. "No matter what you say, it will be of no use. Even if they bring me the most astounding beauty in all creation, not a finger of mine shall touch her flesh."
A furious Won Hyeon is complaining to Pyeonjo and Choseon. He wants to take his investigators and raid Kim Yong's home. Apparently Kim "was the first to lead the way and appropriate what didn't belong to him!" If nothing else, busting Kim will scare the rest of the officials into submission, Won insists. But it looks like Pyeonjo just refused him permission to do it, which is why Won is so angry. So Won goes outside, where his investigators and Gong Cheol are waiting, and leads them to Kim Yong's home anyway, completely disobeying Pyeonjo's instruction. And tells them they'll also visit the homes of "the Administrator and Vice Minister as well." Meaning, Lee Je Hyeon and Yeom Je Shim. Well THIS can't be good...From inside, Pyeonjo heard every word of it, but surprisingly he makes no move to stop them! Seriously? What does he know that we don't? Then Choseon changes the subject by giving him a disturbing piece of news. "More than half the top merchants crossed over to the other side." All of those wealthy businessmen who helped with the effort to eradicate the collaborators? Really? Apparently the high officials are rattled enough about what's happening that they're cutting deals with the businessmen to gain their support. Pyeonjo is stunned.
Well now here's Kim Yong, and he's talking to some of those businessmen at his home. And he seems to be reassuring them that they don't need to abandon the king. Assures them that the king won't risk an all-out fight with the court just over Pyeonjo. "I have been serving His Majesty since his days in Yanjing," he tells them; "I know what he truly stands for more than anyone else." And then talk about bad timing: just then the commotion begins. Won Hyeon and the investigators have shown up and are demanding access. Kim heads outside and orders his private guards to arrest them all, and fortunately for him he has more than enough guards to do it. We see Won and the rest of them unceremoniously tossed into jail cells. So that's what Pyeonjo knew that we didn't.
Gong Cheol managed to escape arrest and has run back home to tell Pyeonjo what happened. But Pyeonjo is laughing about it. "Just leave him there." Ha! "Won Hyeon needs a little reproach, to finally grow up." Even Choseon has to smile at that.
Kim Yong puts on his councilor robe and goes to complain to Lee Je Hyeon and Yeom Je Shin about what happened. Yeom is quickly worked up into a fit--typical--but Lee just sits there quietly, thinking it over.
Lee In Bok has brought Gongmin news of In Dang executing a fellow general. And of Yoo In Woo running wild in Ssangseong, trying to chase down "Jurchen remnants" and acting aggressively in spite of Gongmin's strict instructions to the contrary. A furious Gongmin demands that both generals be summoned back home. But Lee argues that "It wouldn't be the first time soldiers defy royal command." And has to remind him about the all-out revolt led by Jeong Jung Bu in 1170 (depicted in the Age of Warriors series). The generals don't sufficiently respect your authority, Lee says, and it's urgent that you work on strengthening it.
Outside, Inspector Kim greets Lee with a weasely smile, having overheard the exchange and happy that Lee told the king to stop paying so much attention to Pyeonjo. Which is ridiculous--Lee meant no such thing. Kim is getting obsessed with this whole Pyeonjo thing.
Goryean army camp, northwest territories: The Goryeans have set the Yan troops to flight back across the Amnok. Exactly what the king ordered them to do. But In Dang is furious that he hasn't received permission to cross the Amnok and pursue the fleeing Yuan troops over what--as he reminds his subordinates yet again--was once Goguryean territory. Of course, that's exactly what the king ordered them NOT to do. Jung Se Woon has to remind him of that. But all In can think about is Yoo In Woo getting more honors than he'll get, and he ends up screaming about how they WILL cross the river tonight and he'll personally execute anyone who opposes him. Yikes.
And apparently they did cross and attack Yuan supply bases, because word gets back to Lee In Bok about it. This is such a mess now, he doesn't want to just go and dump it on the king right away. He has to go to Lee Je Hyeon and seek the wise old man's advice about how to handle it. They agree that In Bok may have to go to Yanjing with some sort of a peace offering to keep the situation from escalating. But what? In Bok already has an idea. "Ask His Majesty for In Dang's head." Well, you sort of had to figure..."He defied a royal command, so tell His Majesty to condemn him."
One of Yoo In Woo's subordinates has come to the capital and is waiting for Lee In Bok outside of Lee Je Hyeon's home. We didn't hear the two ministers talk about Yoo's situation, but the implication is that they did. Lee tells the subordinate to let Yoo know he's to return to the capital immediately. "It's not surprising something like this happened," Lee complains. "The men of arms wishing for a return of the military junta's glory days are not to be underestimated."
Gongmin's office: Lee Je Hyeon arrives to see the king; finds him enjoying a meal with Pyeonjo. Apparently Gongmin summoned Lee. Oddly enough, to talk to him about Confucianism. (He's an expert, we learn.) And even more oddly, because Pyeonjo the monk recommended it! The Buddhist monk. Because of its emphasis on loyalty and filial piety. Pyeonjo had suggested training young scholars in Confucianism as a way to strengthen loyalty to the crown within the government. Lee is pleasantly surprised that Pyeonjo spoke favorably of the discipline. Then he reluctantly tells the king about Lee In Bok wanting to take In Dang's head to Yanjing. Gongmin doesn't bat an eye. "His wish shall be fulfilled."
Later, after leaving the king, Pyeonjo further explains himself to Lee. "All I told His Majesty was to instill loyalty and piety in our country's backbone. Shouldn't His Majesty have young, loyal retainers who don't question his every move?" Well Lee doesn't like that, at least not the implication that there's something wrong with the current court. But that's exactly what Pyeonjo is implying, and he boldly says so. "His Majesty is standing on rotten foundations at the moment," he says, using a wooden-pillar analogy. "Can the thought of building a new house from scratch be considered treason?" And challenges Lee, as a man of principles, asking if he doesn't believe exactly the same thing. Lee is shocked...but he doesn't disagree.
Ssangseong Commandery: Another celebratory meal. Yoo In Woo tells his subordinates to enjoy themselves tonight because tomorrow they'll be pursuing the retreating Jurchen army across the Duman River and into their own territory to destroy them! To which Lee Ja Chun strenuously objects--not that it's against the king's orders (we already know that) but that "Following a retreating army all the way to their demise is against martial law." But Yoo doesn't care, and now he starts spouting about taking northern lands back for Goryeo just like In Dang was spouting. The subordinate who met with Lee In Bok is here for this...
...and afterwards he and Lee Ja Chun and Lee Seonggye discuss their concerns. They're worried that Yoo might not give Ssangseong back to Goryeo at all but instead try to rule it himself! And if that isn't bad enough, there are rumors that Jo So Saeng has been assembling what's left of the local Jurchen military for a counterattack. The subordinate says he'll head back to the capital and report all this. He leaves them...and then Seonggye comes right out and says it. "Father. How about beheading Yoo In Woo?" Now THERE'S a plan. "Let's wait and see," his father says. "This is just as good a chance for us." Oh yeah like this can't get any more complicated....
Evening: Pyeonjo has gone to talk to Kim Yong about getting Won Hyeon released from Kim's private jail. Choseon hears this and is very concerned, because of "peculiar rumors" she's heard. About what? She asks her head subordinate, Park Seobang (finally we get his name) to take all of their men to Kim's residence and escort Pyeonjo home as soon as he exits. Is he in danger?
Noguk is in her husband's office. For a reason. Bring her in, she orders. The door opens...and there's Lee Hyebi standing there in a beautiful white dress.
Pyeonjo is walking home alone in the darkness. Suddenly darts and throwing stars are flying through the air at him. He dodges most of them, but a star pierces his arm. He grabs another star and flings it accurately at a black-clad figure who falls from a nearby rooftop. But in moments, at least then more just like him have jumped into the street in front of him, brandishing swords.