American Perspectives: The Damsel and the Dude Pt. 2 ("기황후" Ep. 3)

 

 

"기황후" can be viewed on Viki or Youtube, as well as many other channels.  It is an amazing classic 사극, and this author is aware that it's not historically accurate.  The real life Empress Ki had a very contentious relationship with the Goryeo Dynasty.  And many liberties were most certainly taken with the fictionalized version of historical characters. Dialogue adapted from English Subtitle translations by the "Imperial Team at Viki.com"

 

 

 

 

As Seung Nyang is strolling through the encampment, she has a very strange feeling.

 

"I am of the Great Kingdom of Yuan," she recalls her conversation with Toghon.  "The brother of the Emperor."

 

"No way," Seung Nyang whispers.  "Is it him?"

 

She rushes back to the the ger, hoping he's still there.  It doesn't hurt to exhaust all possibilities.

 

"Just what is going on?"  She hears Bayan asking as she gets closer to the ger.  "Why are you hiding, looking like this?"

 

She sees Bayan fixing Toghon's hair.  She quietly moves away from the doorway.

 

"In any case," says Bayan, "the heavens have helped you.  There could have been a disaster."

 

"Please save me, General Bayan," Toghon begs.  He grabs Bayan's hand desperately.  "Please don't kill me.  No, let's say that I did die yesterday, and just let me go, General.  I know that you're doing this because you can't disobey the orders of Prime Minister El Temur."

 

Bayan looks over at Toqto'a.

 

"But you can't do this to me, General," Toghon begs.  "Think of the grace that my royal father, the late Emperor showed to you."

 

"Your Highness," Bayan whispers.

 

"I don't want to die like this," says Toghon.  "Please, please let me go, General."

 

"Please stop crying," Bayan says awkwardly.  

 

"Then, will you let me live?"  Toghon asks.

 

"The reason I am in this position is thanks to your father, the late Emperor," says Bayan.  "How can I forget his grace?"

 

"General," Toghon whispers.

 

"No one must know that you're alive," says Bayan.  He gestures toward the box.  "Please hide here for now."

 

Toghon desperately grabs his hands.  "Thank you.  Thank you.  I will never forget your great deed.  Thank you, thank you."  He quickly climbs into the box.

 

Seung Nyang is closely watching the interaction.  She trusts Bayan and Toqto'a as far as she can throw them.

 

"Thank you," Toghon says anxiously as he settles into the box.

 

Toqto'a slams down the lid.

 

"Lord Jang will come after preparing a hideout," says Toghon through the box.

 

Toqto'a covers the box with a black blanket.

 

"I will live there as if I am dead.  I vow to the gods of Heaven and Earth."

 

Bayan and Toqto'a don't see Seung Nyang watching as Toqto'a nods.

 

Bayan pulls out his curved sword.

 

Seung Nyang gasps.

 

Bayan holds the hilt with both hands, and gets ready to plunge it through the lid of the box.

 

Seung Nyang pulls out her bow and arrow, but as she hears Mongol soldiers trotting by, she puts it down.  She then sees Moo Song, and she moves aside.

 

"Your Highness," says Bayan, "the world is a chaotic place.  Please rest well in the afterworld."

 

"General!"  A soldier yells from outside.  He parks his horse at the doorway.

 

Another soldier walks in and bows.  "The King of Goryeo has just arrived."

 

"What?"  Bayan asks impatiently.  "The King of Goryeo came here?"

 

"That is correct, General," the soldier bows.

 

"We understand," says Toqto'a, "so leave for now."

 

The soldiers bow and exit.

 

Toqto'a nods at Bayan.  Bayan raises the curved sword once again.

 

Toqto'a sees Moo Song in the doorway.  "Put away your sword," Toqto'a whispers frantically.

 

Bayan quickly puts his sword behind his back, and faces the doorway.

 

Moo Song and Eunuch Bang walk in.  Eunuch Bang politely bows.

 

"General Bayan?"  Eunuch Bang inquires.

 

Bayan looks like a deer in headlights.

 

"His Majesty is waiting for you," says Moo Song.  "Please come out now."

 

Bayan looks back at Toqto'a, and then looks at the box.  He sheathes his sword, and the two men walk away.

 

Seung Nyang stealthily walks by as she watches them leave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Yoo enters the encampment, looking magnificent in his silver and blue armor.   "Tell me what happened."

 

Bul Hwa, Ki Ja Oh, and Byeong Soo are kneeling in front of him.  The three men are silent.

 

Wang Yoo has a horrible feeling.  "So, the brother of the Emperor really died?"

 

"Your Majesty, about that," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

The arrival of Bayan, Toqto'a, Eunuch Bang, and Moo Song interrupts their conversation.

 

"We suffered a brutal slaughter by a band of robbers last night," says Bayan.

 

 

*******

 

Seung Nyang peels back the wooden lid.   Expecting Bayan and/or Toqto'a, Toghon recoils when he looks up to see her.  

 

"Come out," says Seung Nyang.

 

"What?  What?"  Toghon asks.

 

She pulls him up by his chest piece.

 

"Hold on!  Wait!  Why are you doing this?"

 

Seung Nyang pulls him out of the box, and drags him by the arm.

 

"No, I can't go out," Toghon begs.

 

 

********

 

Wang Yoo pulls back the curtain on Toghon's bed.  He sees the blanket covered corpse, and sighs, feeling like he has really stepped in it.  "I do not think that his death is Goryeo's fault."

 

"Whatever you think," Bayan snaps, "you have committed a dereliction of duty that can't be cleansed even if you flipped over every mountain in Goryeo."

 

Wang Yoo scowls at him.  "Aren't you the ones who did this?  The robbers only wanted the prince's life, rather than any money or valuables.  There is certainly another story behind this death."

 

"Another story, you said?"  Bayan asks.

 

"Your Majesty," says Ki Ja Oh, "the brother of the Emperor's body is fake."  He kneels.

 

Everyone looks at him incredulously.

 

"What do you mean by that?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"This body is the Eunuch who served the prince," says Ki Ja Oh.  "The real prince is alive."

 

"How dare you?"  Bayan barks.  "What are you saying?"

 

Wang Yoo tears the curtains off the bed frame, and throws them on the floor.  Bayan points his sword at the back of Wang Yoo's neck.

 

Everyone else draws their swords, ready for a showdown.

 

Wang Yoo slowly backs away from the corpse, while Bayan keeps his sword on his neck.

 

 

*******

 

"Let me go!"  Toghon begs.  "Come on!"

 

Seung Nyang pushes Toghon to stand behind her.

 

"Who are you dragging like that?"  Byeong Soo approaches them.

 

"He is the First Prince of Yuan," Seung Nyang whispers.

 

Byeong Soo loudly gasps, and his eyes bulge out.  He quickly covers his mouth.

 

Toghon points at her.  "Ah, Seung Nyang.  So, that's your name, huh?"

 

Seung Nyang looks at him sharply.  "Where is His Majesty?"  She asks Byeong Soo.

 

Byeong Soo is a bit star struck and speechless, as if he's come face to face with a member of BTS.

 

"Chief Yeom?" Seung Nyang asks.

 

"Huh?  Oh, right, Seung Nyang.  Well done."  Byeong Soo awkwardly pats her on the shoulder.  "I will escort the prince, so you stay here."  He grabs Toghon by the arm.  "Follow me."

 

"Where? Where?"  Toghon stutters.  He doesn't know who the hell to trust at this point, and he's on the verge of shitting his pants from the anxiety.  He points at Seung Nyang.  "I will not forget your rudeness!  So remember this, boy!"  He screeches.

 

Seung Nyang chuckles.  She breathes a sigh of relief.  What a high maintenance drama queen...

 

 

********

 

Bayan is continuing to threaten Wang Yoo.  "The prince who was well has become a cold corpse because of you.  And now you're speaking nonsense, saying that the prince is alive?"

 

"I know the face of the brother of the Emperor," Wang Yoo asserts.  "If this body is not him, all of you can only leave Goryeo as dead bodies."

 

"You may be the King of Goryeo," Bayan snaps, "but I cannot forgive you for touching our precious royal family member."

 

"Once we confirm this body," Wang Yoo says calmly, "we will know who must beg for forgiveness."  He pulls back the white sheet, only to find a thoroughly charred corpse, blackened beyond recognition.  He recoils in horror.  This is going to be a lengthy battle of the wits.

 

Everyone relaxes their swords.

 

"It's burned by fire?"  Eunuch Bang asks.  "We can't tell what he looks like, Your Majesty."

 

Toqto'a steps closer to the corpse.  "The body was burned by the fire arrows the robbers shot."  He throws the blanket back over the corpse.  "Can you still recognize him?"

 

"How hard it must have been," says Bayan.  "Just thinking of the suffering of His Highness, it wouldn't be enough for us to chew you up into pieces!"

 

"Your Majesty, this is not the brother of the Emperor,"  Ki Ja Oh insists.  "They purposely did this to his body."

 

"Shut up!"  Bayan barks.  "I will make sure the royal court in Yuan sees what has become of this body.  So, King of Goryeo, be prepared."

 

"Your Majesty!"  Byeong Soo is heard yelling outside.  "I found him!"  He drags Toghon through the doorway.

 

Bayan and Toqto'a are astounded to see Toghon right in front of them.  And they know they have no leg to stand on.  Their whole plan is unravelling very quickly.

 

"This guy is the brother of the Emperor of Yuan!"  Byeong Soo says enthusiastically.

 

"General Bayan," Toghon says anxiously.  

 

"Your Highness," Bayan stammers.  I'm fucked...

 

He and Toqto'a drop to their knees.  "Your Highness," says Bayan, "what has happened?  You were alive?  We thought you had died."

 

"The heavens have helped you," Toqto'a declares.  "What are you doing?  Escort His Highness."

 

"Yes," the Mongol guards bow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Yoo and his men walk outside.  "What's your name?"  He asks.

 

"My name is Yeom Byeong Soo."

 

"How did you find the brother of the Emperor of Yuan?"

 

"I was certain they had hidden him, so I was searching the barracks."

 

"You have saved Goryeo," says Wang Yoo.

 

Yeom Byeong Soo's heart skips a beat.  "Your Majesty."

 

"I will not forget about your great deed."

 

Byeong Soo drops to his knees.  "I am honored, Your Majesty."

 

"Yeom Byeong Soo," says Wang Yoo.  "Make sure to record that name."

 

Seung Nyang walks by.  When she sees Wang Yoo, she immediately halts.

 

"Yes, Yeom Byeong Soo," says Eunuch Bang.  "I can remember that."

 

She quickly hides behind a ger.

 

"Yeom Byeong Soo," says Eunuch Bang.  "Quite a name."

 

Seung Nyang peers out from behind the ger.

 

"You may rise," Eunuch Bang smiles.

 

"Crown Prince or whatever," Seung Nyang remembers telling Wang Yoo, "go tell him.  Rather than becoming a king by dragging away young girls and boys to offer as concubines and eunuchs, it would be better to live eating horseshit."

 

She recalls him ripping her pants at her injured knee, and slapping him across the face.  She face palms.  "Your Majesty," Seung Nyang whispers.  "To imagine that he was a king, and not a royal inspector.  I'm about to go crazy."

 

 

********

 

Bayan is nervously sitting on a ladder next to Toghon's "ger on wheels" when Toqto'a approaches him.

 

"Did you do it?"  Bayan asks.

 

"I made sure no one could see the corpse's face, just in case," says Toqto'a.

 

"Thanks to you, we got over a hurdle, but now the big trouble begins," says Bayan.  He knows he's toast.  "Prime Minister El Temur will not let us live."

 

"We still have a chance," says Toqto'a.

 

"To win Prime Minister El Temur's favor, I accepted such a dirty job."

 

 

********

 

Wang Yoo leads the way, as a mix of Mongolian and Goryeo soldiers follow after him.  Toghon's ger on wheels is closer to the back.

 

Seung Nyang tries to keep herself hidden from Wang Yoo, while simultaneously trying to get a glimpse.  He looks back, and she hides her face behind her horse's head.

 

Toghon looks out his window and smiles.  He made it.

 

 

*********

 

Toghon and Wang Yoo walk through the palace gate first.  Toghon is in his red Mongolian deel, Wang Yoo in his blue Goryeo Royal robes.  Their entourages follow behind them.   Midway, they are greeted by Wang Go and his entourage of ministers.

 

"I, King Simyang, greet you, your highness," Wang Go bows to Toghon.

 

"We greet you, Your Highness," the ministers chorus.

 

"Your palace is so cozy," says Toghon.  "It's nice."

 

"How do you feel visiting Goryeo?"  Wang Go inquires.

 

"The way you look and the way you live isn't so different from the people of Yuan," says Toghon.

 

"Haven't you and Goryeo pledged brotherhood as nations?"  Wang Go asks.

 

"How about just switching over your nationality to Yuan now?"  Toghon asks.

 

Wang Yoo scowls at him.

 

"If you do that," Toghon continues, "Goryeo's people will live more comfortably--"

 

"Heaven forbid!"  Wang Yoo explodes.

 

Toghon recoils.

 

"Goryeo is Goryeo!  And Yuan is Yuan!"  Wang Yoo is absolutely livid.  "They have different blood.  How can they become one nation?"

 

"What did you say?"  Bayan growls.  "How dare you raise your voice to His Highness!"

 

Wang Yoo is not only mad as hell about an implicit takeover, he's mad that he has to respect this Imperial throw away kid who has lived a life of complete luxury.  While Wang Yoo has had to fight tooth and nail for his country's sovereignty.

 

"You haven't yet extended proper greetings to His Highness," Toqto'a adds.  "So back off, and observe your manners."

 

Wang Go is thoroughly enjoying this tear down, even if it is at the expense of his nation's sovereignty.  Just seeing Wang Yoo getting ripped a new one is gratifying enough.

 

"What are you doing, not offering your greetings to His Highness?"  Bayan snaps.

 

"Your Majesty, please greet him," says Kim Yeong.

 

"Please greet him," the other ministers chorus.

 

Wang Yoo is livid and mortified by the disloyalty shown by the men who are responsible for his country's well being.  Instead of deferring, he walks away with Moo Song and Eunuch Bang right behind him.

 

"Wow, have you seen anyone so rude?"  Bayan inquires.

 

Wang Go smiles.  This can only work in his favor.

 

"What did I say that was wrong?"  Toghon asks.  "Why is the Goryeo King getting so angry?"

 

 

*******

 

"Our military?"  Wang Yoo asks Moo Song.

 

"They are on guard," Moo Song replies.

 

"Have them protect the Prince's quarters tonight."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Moo Song bows.

 

 

 

 

 

"Just what is going on?"  Wang Go asks Bayan and Toqto'a.  "How is the brother of the Emperor still alive and well?"

 

"He figured it out and escaped," Bayan explains.

 

"This is truly frustrating!"  Queen Dowager snaps.  "What will you do when the Prime Minister El Temur finds out about this?"

 

"The final destination of the exile is Daecheong Island," Toqto'a interjects.  "We will escort him there, so there are plenty of chances left."

 

"Once you arrive at the island, assassination will become more difficult," Wang Go points out.

 

"However," says Toqto'a, "there is no need to rush.  This event has caused His Highness to trust in General Bayan even more, so it's made our job easier."

 

"You must not make the same mistake again," says Queen Dowager.

 

"Don't worry," says Bayan.  "I, Bayan, will personally roll up my sleeves, and end the life of His Highness."

 

"General Bayan!" Lord Jang bursts through the side door.  "You must return to the palace.  It's a big disaster."

 

"What do you mean 'big disaster?'"  Bayan snaps.

 

 

********

 

Bayan, Wang Go, and their entourage make their way over to the palace.

 

The Goryeo palace guards are blocking the entry, not even extending the privilege to Wang Go.

 

"How dare you block our way?"  Wang Go growls.

 

Moo Song steps forward.  "Our majesty has ordered that no one may enter."

 

"His Highness, the Prince is inside!"  Bayan yells.  "Do you dare to lock up His Highness?"

 

"Unless His Majesty commands," says Moo Song, "you cannot set one foot inside."

 

"How dare you?"  Wang Go snarls.

 

Bayan sighs.

 

 

 

 

 

Toghon, on the other hand, is enjoying a huge table full of food.  Chicken, meats, veggies, cakes...He is especially enjoying the dried persimmons.

 

"Lord Jang, bring me some water!"  Toghon commands.

 

Instead, Eunuch Bang slyly enters the room.  "Did you ask for me?"  He bows, and then grins.  It's not often that a Goryeo Eunuch gets to subtly torment Yuan Dynasty royalty.

 

Toghon anxiously stands up, one dried persimmon in each hand, and really bringing forth a Homer Simpson vibe.  He fearfully darts to the door.  "Where is Lord Jang?"

 

Eunuch Bang halts the ornery little glutton.  "I don't know who Lord Jang is, but I will be serving you from now on, Your Highness!"

 

"Lord Jang..." His heart races and the room feels smaller as he tries to rush past Eunuch Bang.

 

Eunuch Bang blocks him, yet again, like the governess who is assigned to discipline the out of control royal children.  "Gosh, it's not as if you're a baby's rattle.  Lord Jang!  Lord Jang!"  He grins.  "No one from Yuan is here.  So, please hurry and eat.  And have some rice cakes."

 

Toghon furiously sits down.  "This is all because of that guy, Seung Nyang," he pouts (just like Homer Simpson).

 

Eunuch Bang looks at him in surprise.  "Who is Seung Nyang?  Did you meet someone on your way here?"

 

"If only he didn't find me," Toghon seethes.

 

"What do you mean, he found you?"

 

"Urrghh!  It wouldn't be enough satisfaction to beat him to death."

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Yoo is furiously shooting his arrows at the targets in the yard.  He visualizes Bayan, Wang Go, and Toghon as he hits the bullseye several times.  Words cannot express how satisfying it feels to hear the arrow hit the target.

 

"Your Highness," Moo Song interrupts.  "General Bayan is here."

 

Right on cue.

 

"What have you just done?"  Bayan asks.  "How dare you lock up our Prince!"

 

Wang Yoo nocks another arrow, pretending the target is Bayan.  BAM!  Bullseye!

 

"I'm not locking him up," Wang Yoo says innocently.  "I'm protecting him."  Two can play at this game...

 

"So, who are you protecting him from?"  Toqto'a pipes up.

 

"The people who are trying to kill him," Wang Yoo says casually.

 

Bayan and Toqto'a shift awkwardly.

 

"We will take care of the Prince from now on," Wang Yoo continues.  "Until he reaches his exile destination, Daecheong Island, not one person from Yuan can accompany him."

 

"I will tell you honestly," Bayan yells.  "I am the one who disguised the Prince as a soldier.  I am the one who protected his life.  If I didn't protect His Highness from the brutal robbers, Goryeo would not be safe.  It wouldn't be enough if you thanked me--"

 

"I will make sure Prime Minister El Temur learns exactly how hard you've worked.  I've heard that Prime Minister El Temur regards the Prince as a thorn in his eye.  Since you saved his life, Prime Minister El Temur will be so happy that he beheads all of you."

 

Bayan did not see that coming.  "What are you saying to me right now?"

 

"Return to Yuan tomorrow.  If you want to live, you better keep your mouths shut and do what I say."

 

Bayan sighs.  Toqto'a is floored.  They didn't expect Wang Yoo to put two and two together.  They assumed he was too preoccupied with wine, women, and song, as the real life Wang Yoo indeed was.  They presumed the entire Royal Ministry was being pimped by Wang Go.

 

 

*****

 

Toghon is feeling like a caged bird.  He has jumped out of the frying pan with Yuan, and into the fire with Goryeo.  He paces around the room, and sneaks up to the doors.  Wang Yoo suddenly opens them, and the harsh noise sends a jolt through Toghon's already agitated body.  He loses his footing and falls to the floor.

 

"What brings the King of Goryeo here?"  Toghon attempts to deflect his awkwardness.  "Lord Jang, no, please summon General Bayan!"

 

"He will return to Yuan tomorrow."

 

Toghon gasps.  "He's going to Yuan?  Then, what about me?"

 

"We cannot allow even one soldier from Yuan to go to Daecheong Island with you."

 

"I am the Prince of Yuan.  How can you be so blasphemous towards me?"

 

Wang Yoo smiles.  He admittedly loves seeing this spoiled punk kid squirm.  This punk kid who is a giant wuss without his entourage.  It's gonna be a great week.  "Blasphemy, huh?"  He makes eye contact and walks closer to him.

 

Toghon nervously backs away.

 

"Didn't you say that you will change Goryeo's nationality to Yuan?"

 

"So, what about it?"  Toghon stammers.

 

"Do you really not know what that means?"

 

"The people of Goryeo were struggling and in pain.  And I was just trying to help our brother nation--"

 

Wang Yoo grabs him by the collar.  "Do you really not know why our nation became this way?"

 

"You are being insolent," Toghon stutters.  "How dare you!"

 

"Shut your mouth, and listen to me clearly.  The one keeping you alive right now is not Yuan, but Goryeo.  I can't even protect my own people, but I have to keep you safe.  Can you imagine how wretched I feel?"

 

"Why are you doing this to me?"  Toghon asks.  "What did I do?"

 

Wang Yoo pushes him on the floor.  "Even if you die, go to Yuan to die.  You must not spread your dirty body on our land and cause harm to Goryeo.  Do you understand?"

 

"I understand," Toghon nods tearfully, not realizing this is the beginning of a very contentious relationship between him and Wang Yoo that will not end until one kills the other.

 

Wang Yoo looks at him disdainfully before walking away.

 

"Where did everyone go?"  A very vulnerable and sheltered Toghon sobs.  "Lord Jang...General Bayan..."

 

 

*******

 

"Seung Nyang, you said?"  Wang Yoo descends the steps with Eunuch Bang and Moo Song behind him.

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," says Eunuch Bang.  "The one who found the prince is not Yeom Byeong Soo, but an officer named Seung Nyang."

 

"Find him and bring him to me," says Wang Yoo.  His heart flutters.  Could it be?

 

"Yes," Eunuch Bang bows.

 

"The Seung Nyang you are looking for is a thug," says Moo Song.  "I'm sure that he's a different person with the same name."

 

"Even if he is not the Seung Nyang I am looking for, he deserves a reward."

 

"But that guy named Yeom Byeong Soo," Says Eunuch Bang, "what do you plan to do with him?"

 

"I have to make him pay for what he did."  A move that Wang Yoo will end up regretting many times over.  "Hurry and find that person named Seung Nyang."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Byeong Soo is meticulously polishing his sword, and chatting with Ki Ja Oh.  "His Majesty didn't forget about me, did he?"

 

"How could he?  You did a great deed, so I'm sure he will summon you soon."

 

"Maybe I'll be promoted to Palace Guard," Byeong Soo grins.  "Or maybe a Royal Inspector?  That would be nice."

 

"I'm sure you can have any position you want," Ki Ja Oh examines his own sword.

 

"Indeed.  What would have happened without me?  We would have all been beheaded, and His Majesty may have been dethroned--"

 

The door abruptly opens.  "Hey, he came," says Bul Hwa, wearing a huge grin.  "His Majesty sent someone."

 

Byeong Soo gasps.  He screams with delight.

 

 

********

 

The three men run up to Eunuch Bang.  Byeong Soo can't stop smiling as they bow.

 

"Welcome," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

"His Majesty is well?"  Byeong Soo asks.

 

"Is there an officer here named Seung Nyang?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"Seung Nyang?"  Ki Ja Oh asks curiously.

 

"Didn't His Majesty send you here?" Bul Hwa asks.

 

"Of course I'm here because His Majesty sent me.  Why else would I ever come here?"  Eunuch Bang asks impatiently.

 

"But why are you asking for Seung Nyang, instead of me, Yeom Byeong Soo?"

 

"Yeom Byeong Soo?"  Eunuch Bang asks.  "Are you joking?"

 

Byeong Soo's smile fades.  He has been had.

 

"You would steal the great deed of your subordinate?"  Eunuch Bang asks further.

 

Seung Nyang casually strolls through the yard.

 

"Seung Nyang!"  Bul Hwa yells.  "This person came to see you."

 

Eunuch Bang looks at her and gasps.

 

Seung Nyang freezes, and looks away, hoping he doesn't recognize her, and is just gasping over her attractiveness.

 

He runs up to her, and turns her toward him.  He laughs with delight.  "You're him!  You're that Seung Nyang!"  He slaps Seung Nyang on the arm with glee.  "Hey boy, where have you been?  His Majesty has been looking all over for you.  Oh, really.  You look exactly like you did back then."

 

Byeong Soo gives her the death stare.  It has only begun...

 

 

...To be continued...