Post by ajk on Mar 14, 2014 23:12:21 GMT -5
Excited citizens are crowding around Choseon's estate, eager to catch a glimpse of their king. Gongmin is inside, concerned about Pyeonjo's health. Pyeonjo is trying to downplay the whole thing, but Gongmin is angry and wants to find the culprit. Says it's an attack on his own plans, too. He adds, "From now on, I shall be responsible for your protection." And brings Pyeonjo a gift. It's an official's outfit! Tells Pyeonjo, you're in charge of the Farmland Directorate now...which comes with the rank of minister! So there; he did it, the heck with the critics. On his way out, he greets Choseon's staff--makes a point of meeting Pyeonjo's friend Won Hyeon--and enjoys some of the renowned water from the neighborhood well.
Back inside, Pyeonjo is having a hard time even looking at the outfit, much less putting it on.
Well, news of the king's visit gets back to Inspector Kim and of course he's having a fit about it. Kim Yong knows Gongmin and Pyeonjo are longtime friends and so he sees no problem in it, and tells that to Inspector Kim. And when Inspector Kim says that the king will be angry upon hearing about the assault on Pyeonjo, Kim Yong huffs at him. "How foolish of you! What could you possibly gain from slaying Pyeonjo?!" And walks away in disgust. So Kim Yong assumes he's responsible for it?
Cheers and well-wishes from the citizens and Choseon's staff as Gongmin gets on his horse to leave. And some excitement as Pyeonjo emerges wearing his robe and mounts a horse to accompany the king to the palace.
Now Inspector Kim is complaining to Lee Je Hyeon and Yeom Je Shin. But they're not buying into it either. In fact, Yeom assumes Kim was the one responsible for the assault, and asks, "didn't it give His Majesty his just cause on a silver platter?" Yes, it did. Kim breaks into his rant again about lowborns gaining power and storms off. And then outside, gets the word from an aide about who's coming and what he's wearing.
Well the citizens of the capital great the king and the new minister with confetti and ecstatic cheers as they enter through the city gates. Pyeonjo looks terribly uncomfortable with it all.
"May you achieve all of your goals." Choseon gives a prayer of support as Pyeonjo enters the palace.
A state council meeting is about to begin. Inspector Kim storms in, ranting away. The news doesn't sit too well with most of the ministers, but for now they keep their cool. And actually Kim Yong and Jung Se Woon are more concerned about supporting the king if this is what he wants, because he can't look weak against the official opposition he's going to face. Good for them, setting their priorities. And Kim Yong scolds Inspector Kim in front of the whole court, reminding him that "When our founder Taejo built this great nation of ours, did he ever concern himself with social ranks of any kind? There were no nobles nor lowborns in Goryeo. You should find more important issues to base your anger on." Well how about that.
Gongmin's office: The king has summoned officials of the Royal Secretariat to draw up the proper documents naming Pyeonjo Minister of the Farmland Directorate. But the officials don't want to show up! Gongmin laughs. "They must be trembling in fear, those scoundrels." They oppose the appointment like the other officials do and are refusing to write the proper documents for it. Gongmin says he'll write them himself if he has to, laughing some more. Eventually an official shows up outside the office building. He identifies himself as Supervisor of the Royal Secretariat, Gyeong Cheon Heung. Shouting to Gongmin inside, he actually tells the king that his directive is "inadmissible." Wow! Gongmin orders him to enter, but he refuses, and calls Pyeonjo a "trifling plebe" totally unworthy of such elevation. At that the front door flies open and Gongmin marches out. "Find me one shred of legal code forcing me to look at a man's kinship before I consider his merits as my subject." Well that shuts him up but good. And Gongmin goes right back inside and sits down and writes the appointment order himself from scratch. Takes is back outside and shoves it right in Gyeong's face.
Back at the council hall, Inspector Kim is still complaining angrily, and now trying to get everyone to disregard the king's order. But now Jung Se Woon has heard enough of his rabblerousing. "You are taking things too far. You can voice your opposition to His Majesty's command, but you shall not defy it!"
Now Secretary Gyeong is kneeling alone in protest outside the king's office, the written order lying there on the ground at his side. Inside, Pyeonjo says maybe it's time to forget all this, but Gongmin says this is only the beginning of the battle he's going to have to fight to clean up the government.
Lee Je Hyeon has been very quiet about all this at the council hall. Won't say anything, even when Yeom Je Shin urges him to do something.
Evening: Gyeong is still there kneeling! Fortunately it's a mild night.
Queen Noguk is told that not a single official will support the king's order. Princess Deoknyeong tries to get her to talk to her husband. "If he turns the entire court against him, His Majesty will not be able to protect his crown. There are times when even a king has to submit to his courtiers' will." But Noguk sees just the opposite: "It is at times like this that he should show who is wearing that crown." Good scene. Two valid points of view, eloquently argued back and forth.
Kim Yong walks past the kneeling Gyeong and goes inside to see the king and Pyeonjo. He actually suggests to Pyeonjo that he should step down voluntarily. He's lucky Gongmin doesn't have him flogged...but he does have an alternative suggestion: give Pyeonjo a different position, one less controversial. Rejected. Another suggestion: name an official to head the Directorate and give Pyeonjo a subordinate position. Rejected (although that's really a very sensible idea). Gongmin insists, "There is nobody here who can do that job fairly but this man." Kim warns him that he won't be able to prevail with the entire court against him. That goes nowhere too: "Tell everyone to step down, then!" So there. Gongmin is utterly resolute. Kim doesn't push it any further, and tells Gongmin he's still faithful to him, whatever the issue.
Ugh--Inspector Kim is filling the queen dowager's head with more baloney about the scheming, power-mad Pyeonjo and the impending complete upheaval of social order. Idiot.
Kim Yong goes back to Lee Je Hyeon and Yeom Je Shin. And now starts sounding like Inspector Kim! "Things are getting worse. Not just with Pyeonjo, His Majesty seems bent on trying to appoint personnel to key posts as he sees fit." And quickly works Yeom Je Shin into a state--which is very easy to do, of course. But Lee still just sits there.
Wait, he's not sitting there any more. He's walked over to Gongmin's office. Gently scolds Supervisor Gyeong for treating the king's written order with disrespect. Gyeong at least picks it up and folds it carefully into his hands. Lee sends him home. Then he goes inside to see the king. Gongmin respects him, we know that, so he willingly hears him out. "Nobody can say there are laws forcing you to discriminate in choosing personnel. But you can't do something the entire court opposes." And before Gongmin can start arguing, Lee makes him an offer. "Establish the Directorate. As unqualified as I might be, proclaim me as its Minister. I shall confer on its affairs with Pyeonjo." Well how about that. Lee pledges he'll be loyal to his king's goals. This makes perfect sense--will Gongmin compromise and accept it?
An excited citizenry awaits outside the palace gate. They react with joy as Pyeonjo finally emerges. He's not wearing his official's robe any more, which surprises them. But he can officially tell them that the king has re-established the Directorate and their grievances will be heard. Which is what they really want. It sets off a wild celebration in the streets and at Choseon's estate. The only sour face is Won Hyeon's, because Pyeonjo wasn't named a minister. He's acting like a baby. Surprisingly, even the wealthy merchants are ecstatic. They're celebrating inside with Choseon, hopeful that Pyeonjo will also help get rid of some of the needless impediments that make it difficult for them to do business.
"It was a wise decision, Your Majesty." The king and queen are eating together, and her praise sets him beaming like it always does. She confesses she had feared he'd buckle and give in. Gongmin laughs. He's still a little concerned about Lee Je Hyeon keeping his promise, but knows he can go back to his original plan if Lee doesn't.
Now Pyeonjo is in Lee Je Hyeon's office. Lee listens patiently as Pyeonjo gets his chance to explain what he wants to accomplish and why. Pyeonjo reminds him about how there used to be more equality in Goryeo. "Everyone had their own land to cultivate, and that land fed them properly." But gradually the noble clans assimilated land and power, forcing many citizens into tenancy and eventually slavery. "So what would move those people to pledge allegiance to this country?" Nothing, because they have no stake in it. "Should we suffer an invasion, that would only be the court's problem. Who would ever risk his life for them?" Lee listens patiently, and doesn't disagree, but worries about the pace of change being too quick. It has to be quick, Pyeonjo answers; otherwise "even a thousand years won't be enough to change it." And beyond the work of the Directorate, he wants to help fix "the nobles' disdainful scorn for His Majesty." No more handing out wealthy government positions based on birth. "We need to halt this circle and find personnel through national examinations." And he even expresses frustration with Buddhism, or at least the Goryean Buddhist institutions. "Unless you come from a noble clan, you can't even be ordained, so all that the monks worry about is their clan's welfare, not the country's." Lee says the country should be based on Confucian principles. Which Pyeonjo doesn't argue with. "Loyalty and filial piety. Aren't those the foundations of Confucianism? No matter what the foundations are, those are new teachings." And they're necessary, Pyeonjo says. Lee is being a good listener about all this, but we don't know really know what he's thinking.
Yanjing: Lee In Bok has arrived and is before the empress. Gives a proper bow of respect, but shows no sign of nerves. He's been here before, after all. He explains what In Dang did wrong. Said they've beheaded him (Aw, we don't get to see his head? He was supposed to bring it with him. Rats!) and withdrawn the Goryean troops back across the river. He doesn't really apologize, though...at least not before Commissioner Park interrupts him and asks him why he isn't on his knees begging forgiveness "for truculently slaughtering Her Majesty's family?" Lee surprises them (and us) by replying that Mother Gi escaped to a safe place during all of the turmoil against the collaborators. "If you wish, I can escort Her Grace back to Yanjing in all safety." A bemused smile from the empress. You killed my brothers, but you saved my mother "so I should be grateful?!" Without hesitation Lee starts rattling off a list of Gi Cheol's crimes, which angers Park...but the empress shushes him. "He must have come fully prepared to meet his demise," she tells Park, so we'll let him speak. "Just as you say," Lee answers. "I already bid farewell to my old mother before leaving." Lee tells her Goryeo has no desire to create friction with the Yuan. Fine, she says. "I shan't ask you to bring my late brothers back to life. But! You shall give the Ssangseong Commandery back to us." Lee flat-out refuses. "Then, that is too bad. I'll have to dethrone the king, and bedeck Prince Deokheung with his crown." Lee challenges her: "Are you bent on slaying every single soul in Goryeo?" She glares back. "Think I wouldn't be able to?" Yikes! Lee appeals to her heritage: "Your Majesty is a Goryeo woman!" But she's had enough and orders Lee dragged out of the room. "When His Majesty grants me his consent, I shall take our troops and march to Goryeo with that fool's head on a spike, and Prince Deokheung shall carry it!" Lee glares at her as he's dragged away, showing no fear.
As he's dragged outside, Lee catches sight of Prince Deokheung standing nearby. Manages to let loose with a burst of scolding and threats that so upset the wussy-boy prince, he literally hides behind his crony Choi Yu.
Back inside, Park couldn't be happier now that the empress is finally talking about doing what he thinks should be done. "If you put Prince Deokheung on the throne," he tells her, "all future troubles shall vanish." But the unhappy look on her face suggests this is very much NOT what she wants to be doing.
Gaetae Temple: Deokun has been drinking, celebrating Pyeonjo's appointment. He goes in and tries to talk to Master Wolseon about it...but Wolseon is sleeping, seated on the floor. Deokun leaves, and then Wolseon slumps over oddly. Is he just sleeping? Sure hope so.
Gaegyeong: A tense state council meeting. Gongmin announces the establishment of the Directorate and the appointment of Lee Je Hyeon to run it. "Any grievances you need to voice?" Not a word from anybody, except of course for "Your grace is immeasurable" from everyone. So he continues: Now we'll identify and return the stolen lands, and restore all of the enslaved commoners. Another round of "Your grace is immeasurable." Then he gets to Pyeonjo. "Because many voiced their outcry about such an 'unprecedented' decision, I will recede from my initial plan to proclaim him Minister of the Directorate." But he makes clear that "Pyeonjo will be in charge of listening to our people's grievances." And warns them, "you shall treat Pyeonjo with the same respect you would give me." Lots of whispering and buzzing, and Inspector Kim shuts his eyes like the whole world is crashing down on him. But nobody complains. So Gongmin quickly moves on to the next issue. "Escort Commander Yoo In Woo and General Lee Ja Chun inside!" Doink! Yoo enters, with Lee and his son behind him. Stunning to see Yoo just walk right in willingly; did he think he wouldn't be in trouble? Well guess what. "I beheaded Commander In Dang for defying my order," Gongmin sternly tells Yoo, "and reinstated discipline. Why did you defy my order?" Yoo is so shocked by the question, he can't find any words to answer. "Get him out of my sight! Behead him for defying my command!" And just like that, he's dragged away. (Of course, Gongmin was going to do this anyway, but doing it here and now, he's probably using this to send a message to his officials.) Then Gongmin steps down from his throne, warmly greets the two Lees, and thanks Lee Ja Chun for helping him retake Ssangseong without spilling any blood. Stepping back up to the throne, he proclaims him Grand Chief Marshal and awards him a new home in the capital. "Pardon my insolence, Your Majesty." Huh? It's Supervisor Gyeong. Gongmin snarls. "What is it I can't do this time?" (Okay, that was hilarious.) It's a point of law, apparently: "A surrendering general from foreign lands shall not live inside the capital." Fine, Gongmin says, build the home outside the capital. And then Gyeong, apparently feeling his oats after winning that one, abruptly changes the subject and criticizes Pyeonjo for being underdressed for a state council meeting! He had to take of his minister's robe and is just wearing regular clothes. "Tattered rags," Gyeong says with disdain. Gongmin goes berserk. "Tattered rags!? It's what you courtiers are wearing that looks tattered to me!" Pyeonjo is just standing there, head down, but it looks like he has to suppress a laugh at that one.
Meeting's over. As everyone files out of the council hall, Gongmin turns to Pyeonjo. "Be staunch in your resolve," he tells him, as all of the ministers look on. "If the grievances of our people demand immediate action, be as swift and resolute as the wind, and announce it to me later." Obviously he wants to court to know he trusts Pyeonjo to take whatever action Pyeonjo sees fit in performing his duties. Then everyone files into another building, which bears a sign above its door. "Directorate for Reclassification of Farmland." Pyeonjo can't help but smile. At last it's a reality.
Back inside, Pyeonjo is having a hard time even looking at the outfit, much less putting it on.
Well, news of the king's visit gets back to Inspector Kim and of course he's having a fit about it. Kim Yong knows Gongmin and Pyeonjo are longtime friends and so he sees no problem in it, and tells that to Inspector Kim. And when Inspector Kim says that the king will be angry upon hearing about the assault on Pyeonjo, Kim Yong huffs at him. "How foolish of you! What could you possibly gain from slaying Pyeonjo?!" And walks away in disgust. So Kim Yong assumes he's responsible for it?
Cheers and well-wishes from the citizens and Choseon's staff as Gongmin gets on his horse to leave. And some excitement as Pyeonjo emerges wearing his robe and mounts a horse to accompany the king to the palace.
Now Inspector Kim is complaining to Lee Je Hyeon and Yeom Je Shin. But they're not buying into it either. In fact, Yeom assumes Kim was the one responsible for the assault, and asks, "didn't it give His Majesty his just cause on a silver platter?" Yes, it did. Kim breaks into his rant again about lowborns gaining power and storms off. And then outside, gets the word from an aide about who's coming and what he's wearing.
Well the citizens of the capital great the king and the new minister with confetti and ecstatic cheers as they enter through the city gates. Pyeonjo looks terribly uncomfortable with it all.
"May you achieve all of your goals." Choseon gives a prayer of support as Pyeonjo enters the palace.
A state council meeting is about to begin. Inspector Kim storms in, ranting away. The news doesn't sit too well with most of the ministers, but for now they keep their cool. And actually Kim Yong and Jung Se Woon are more concerned about supporting the king if this is what he wants, because he can't look weak against the official opposition he's going to face. Good for them, setting their priorities. And Kim Yong scolds Inspector Kim in front of the whole court, reminding him that "When our founder Taejo built this great nation of ours, did he ever concern himself with social ranks of any kind? There were no nobles nor lowborns in Goryeo. You should find more important issues to base your anger on." Well how about that.
Gongmin's office: The king has summoned officials of the Royal Secretariat to draw up the proper documents naming Pyeonjo Minister of the Farmland Directorate. But the officials don't want to show up! Gongmin laughs. "They must be trembling in fear, those scoundrels." They oppose the appointment like the other officials do and are refusing to write the proper documents for it. Gongmin says he'll write them himself if he has to, laughing some more. Eventually an official shows up outside the office building. He identifies himself as Supervisor of the Royal Secretariat, Gyeong Cheon Heung. Shouting to Gongmin inside, he actually tells the king that his directive is "inadmissible." Wow! Gongmin orders him to enter, but he refuses, and calls Pyeonjo a "trifling plebe" totally unworthy of such elevation. At that the front door flies open and Gongmin marches out. "Find me one shred of legal code forcing me to look at a man's kinship before I consider his merits as my subject." Well that shuts him up but good. And Gongmin goes right back inside and sits down and writes the appointment order himself from scratch. Takes is back outside and shoves it right in Gyeong's face.
Back at the council hall, Inspector Kim is still complaining angrily, and now trying to get everyone to disregard the king's order. But now Jung Se Woon has heard enough of his rabblerousing. "You are taking things too far. You can voice your opposition to His Majesty's command, but you shall not defy it!"
Now Secretary Gyeong is kneeling alone in protest outside the king's office, the written order lying there on the ground at his side. Inside, Pyeonjo says maybe it's time to forget all this, but Gongmin says this is only the beginning of the battle he's going to have to fight to clean up the government.
Lee Je Hyeon has been very quiet about all this at the council hall. Won't say anything, even when Yeom Je Shin urges him to do something.
Evening: Gyeong is still there kneeling! Fortunately it's a mild night.
Queen Noguk is told that not a single official will support the king's order. Princess Deoknyeong tries to get her to talk to her husband. "If he turns the entire court against him, His Majesty will not be able to protect his crown. There are times when even a king has to submit to his courtiers' will." But Noguk sees just the opposite: "It is at times like this that he should show who is wearing that crown." Good scene. Two valid points of view, eloquently argued back and forth.
Kim Yong walks past the kneeling Gyeong and goes inside to see the king and Pyeonjo. He actually suggests to Pyeonjo that he should step down voluntarily. He's lucky Gongmin doesn't have him flogged...but he does have an alternative suggestion: give Pyeonjo a different position, one less controversial. Rejected. Another suggestion: name an official to head the Directorate and give Pyeonjo a subordinate position. Rejected (although that's really a very sensible idea). Gongmin insists, "There is nobody here who can do that job fairly but this man." Kim warns him that he won't be able to prevail with the entire court against him. That goes nowhere too: "Tell everyone to step down, then!" So there. Gongmin is utterly resolute. Kim doesn't push it any further, and tells Gongmin he's still faithful to him, whatever the issue.
Ugh--Inspector Kim is filling the queen dowager's head with more baloney about the scheming, power-mad Pyeonjo and the impending complete upheaval of social order. Idiot.
Kim Yong goes back to Lee Je Hyeon and Yeom Je Shin. And now starts sounding like Inspector Kim! "Things are getting worse. Not just with Pyeonjo, His Majesty seems bent on trying to appoint personnel to key posts as he sees fit." And quickly works Yeom Je Shin into a state--which is very easy to do, of course. But Lee still just sits there.
Wait, he's not sitting there any more. He's walked over to Gongmin's office. Gently scolds Supervisor Gyeong for treating the king's written order with disrespect. Gyeong at least picks it up and folds it carefully into his hands. Lee sends him home. Then he goes inside to see the king. Gongmin respects him, we know that, so he willingly hears him out. "Nobody can say there are laws forcing you to discriminate in choosing personnel. But you can't do something the entire court opposes." And before Gongmin can start arguing, Lee makes him an offer. "Establish the Directorate. As unqualified as I might be, proclaim me as its Minister. I shall confer on its affairs with Pyeonjo." Well how about that. Lee pledges he'll be loyal to his king's goals. This makes perfect sense--will Gongmin compromise and accept it?
An excited citizenry awaits outside the palace gate. They react with joy as Pyeonjo finally emerges. He's not wearing his official's robe any more, which surprises them. But he can officially tell them that the king has re-established the Directorate and their grievances will be heard. Which is what they really want. It sets off a wild celebration in the streets and at Choseon's estate. The only sour face is Won Hyeon's, because Pyeonjo wasn't named a minister. He's acting like a baby. Surprisingly, even the wealthy merchants are ecstatic. They're celebrating inside with Choseon, hopeful that Pyeonjo will also help get rid of some of the needless impediments that make it difficult for them to do business.
"It was a wise decision, Your Majesty." The king and queen are eating together, and her praise sets him beaming like it always does. She confesses she had feared he'd buckle and give in. Gongmin laughs. He's still a little concerned about Lee Je Hyeon keeping his promise, but knows he can go back to his original plan if Lee doesn't.
Now Pyeonjo is in Lee Je Hyeon's office. Lee listens patiently as Pyeonjo gets his chance to explain what he wants to accomplish and why. Pyeonjo reminds him about how there used to be more equality in Goryeo. "Everyone had their own land to cultivate, and that land fed them properly." But gradually the noble clans assimilated land and power, forcing many citizens into tenancy and eventually slavery. "So what would move those people to pledge allegiance to this country?" Nothing, because they have no stake in it. "Should we suffer an invasion, that would only be the court's problem. Who would ever risk his life for them?" Lee listens patiently, and doesn't disagree, but worries about the pace of change being too quick. It has to be quick, Pyeonjo answers; otherwise "even a thousand years won't be enough to change it." And beyond the work of the Directorate, he wants to help fix "the nobles' disdainful scorn for His Majesty." No more handing out wealthy government positions based on birth. "We need to halt this circle and find personnel through national examinations." And he even expresses frustration with Buddhism, or at least the Goryean Buddhist institutions. "Unless you come from a noble clan, you can't even be ordained, so all that the monks worry about is their clan's welfare, not the country's." Lee says the country should be based on Confucian principles. Which Pyeonjo doesn't argue with. "Loyalty and filial piety. Aren't those the foundations of Confucianism? No matter what the foundations are, those are new teachings." And they're necessary, Pyeonjo says. Lee is being a good listener about all this, but we don't know really know what he's thinking.
Yanjing: Lee In Bok has arrived and is before the empress. Gives a proper bow of respect, but shows no sign of nerves. He's been here before, after all. He explains what In Dang did wrong. Said they've beheaded him (Aw, we don't get to see his head? He was supposed to bring it with him. Rats!) and withdrawn the Goryean troops back across the river. He doesn't really apologize, though...at least not before Commissioner Park interrupts him and asks him why he isn't on his knees begging forgiveness "for truculently slaughtering Her Majesty's family?" Lee surprises them (and us) by replying that Mother Gi escaped to a safe place during all of the turmoil against the collaborators. "If you wish, I can escort Her Grace back to Yanjing in all safety." A bemused smile from the empress. You killed my brothers, but you saved my mother "so I should be grateful?!" Without hesitation Lee starts rattling off a list of Gi Cheol's crimes, which angers Park...but the empress shushes him. "He must have come fully prepared to meet his demise," she tells Park, so we'll let him speak. "Just as you say," Lee answers. "I already bid farewell to my old mother before leaving." Lee tells her Goryeo has no desire to create friction with the Yuan. Fine, she says. "I shan't ask you to bring my late brothers back to life. But! You shall give the Ssangseong Commandery back to us." Lee flat-out refuses. "Then, that is too bad. I'll have to dethrone the king, and bedeck Prince Deokheung with his crown." Lee challenges her: "Are you bent on slaying every single soul in Goryeo?" She glares back. "Think I wouldn't be able to?" Yikes! Lee appeals to her heritage: "Your Majesty is a Goryeo woman!" But she's had enough and orders Lee dragged out of the room. "When His Majesty grants me his consent, I shall take our troops and march to Goryeo with that fool's head on a spike, and Prince Deokheung shall carry it!" Lee glares at her as he's dragged away, showing no fear.
As he's dragged outside, Lee catches sight of Prince Deokheung standing nearby. Manages to let loose with a burst of scolding and threats that so upset the wussy-boy prince, he literally hides behind his crony Choi Yu.
Back inside, Park couldn't be happier now that the empress is finally talking about doing what he thinks should be done. "If you put Prince Deokheung on the throne," he tells her, "all future troubles shall vanish." But the unhappy look on her face suggests this is very much NOT what she wants to be doing.
Gaetae Temple: Deokun has been drinking, celebrating Pyeonjo's appointment. He goes in and tries to talk to Master Wolseon about it...but Wolseon is sleeping, seated on the floor. Deokun leaves, and then Wolseon slumps over oddly. Is he just sleeping? Sure hope so.
Gaegyeong: A tense state council meeting. Gongmin announces the establishment of the Directorate and the appointment of Lee Je Hyeon to run it. "Any grievances you need to voice?" Not a word from anybody, except of course for "Your grace is immeasurable" from everyone. So he continues: Now we'll identify and return the stolen lands, and restore all of the enslaved commoners. Another round of "Your grace is immeasurable." Then he gets to Pyeonjo. "Because many voiced their outcry about such an 'unprecedented' decision, I will recede from my initial plan to proclaim him Minister of the Directorate." But he makes clear that "Pyeonjo will be in charge of listening to our people's grievances." And warns them, "you shall treat Pyeonjo with the same respect you would give me." Lots of whispering and buzzing, and Inspector Kim shuts his eyes like the whole world is crashing down on him. But nobody complains. So Gongmin quickly moves on to the next issue. "Escort Commander Yoo In Woo and General Lee Ja Chun inside!" Doink! Yoo enters, with Lee and his son behind him. Stunning to see Yoo just walk right in willingly; did he think he wouldn't be in trouble? Well guess what. "I beheaded Commander In Dang for defying my order," Gongmin sternly tells Yoo, "and reinstated discipline. Why did you defy my order?" Yoo is so shocked by the question, he can't find any words to answer. "Get him out of my sight! Behead him for defying my command!" And just like that, he's dragged away. (Of course, Gongmin was going to do this anyway, but doing it here and now, he's probably using this to send a message to his officials.) Then Gongmin steps down from his throne, warmly greets the two Lees, and thanks Lee Ja Chun for helping him retake Ssangseong without spilling any blood. Stepping back up to the throne, he proclaims him Grand Chief Marshal and awards him a new home in the capital. "Pardon my insolence, Your Majesty." Huh? It's Supervisor Gyeong. Gongmin snarls. "What is it I can't do this time?" (Okay, that was hilarious.) It's a point of law, apparently: "A surrendering general from foreign lands shall not live inside the capital." Fine, Gongmin says, build the home outside the capital. And then Gyeong, apparently feeling his oats after winning that one, abruptly changes the subject and criticizes Pyeonjo for being underdressed for a state council meeting! He had to take of his minister's robe and is just wearing regular clothes. "Tattered rags," Gyeong says with disdain. Gongmin goes berserk. "Tattered rags!? It's what you courtiers are wearing that looks tattered to me!" Pyeonjo is just standing there, head down, but it looks like he has to suppress a laugh at that one.
Meeting's over. As everyone files out of the council hall, Gongmin turns to Pyeonjo. "Be staunch in your resolve," he tells him, as all of the ministers look on. "If the grievances of our people demand immediate action, be as swift and resolute as the wind, and announce it to me later." Obviously he wants to court to know he trusts Pyeonjo to take whatever action Pyeonjo sees fit in performing his duties. Then everyone files into another building, which bears a sign above its door. "Directorate for Reclassification of Farmland." Pyeonjo can't help but smile. At last it's a reality.