American Perspectives: The Damsel Saves the Dude in Distress Pt. 3 ("기황후" Ep. 4)

 

 

 

"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 Byeong Soo jumps over the wall in the middle of the night, he looks around to make sure no one is trailing him.  He relaxes as he walks through the forest, but two guards pop out, and hold swords to his throat.

 

Byeong Soo puts his hands up.

 

The soldiers drag Byeong Soo further into the forest.  Toqto'a and Bayan are waiting on the side, while Tanqishi and Talahai ride in on horseback.

 

The guards force Byeong Soo to his knees.  Talahai and Tanqishi ride up to him.

 

"I was sent here by King Simyang," says Byeong Soo.

 

"Move," says Tanqishi.  The guards walk away.

 

"I'm Yeom Byeong Soo."

 

"And the Crown Prince?"  Tanqishi inquires.

 

"He is deeply asleep right now."

 

"How many entrances to the government office?"

 

"There is a north gate, a south gate, and three smaller gates."

 

"And the Crown Prince's room?"

 

"It is near the north gate."

 

"We will enter through the north gate," says Tanqishi.  "So, Bayan, you guard the south gate and the side gates."

 

"Sure," Bayan says grudgingly.

 

"Then, hurry and take the lead," says Talahai.

 

******

 

Ki Ja Oh walks outside, enjoying the relatively peaceful night on his encampment.

 

"Brother!"  Bul Hwa yells.  "Yeom Byeong Soo can't be found!"

 

"What do you mean?"  Ki Ja Oh asks.

 

"He didn't come when it was time to switch shifts, so I looked everywhere.  But he is nowhere in these government offices."

 

"It is certain that he is the assassin," says Ki Ja Oh.  "Search for him by the shores."

 

"Yes!"  Bul Hwa bows.

 

They hear some noise.  "What's wrong over there?"  Ki Ja Oh asks.

 

A guard approaches them.  "It's a big disaster.  The military is invading."

 

"The military?  At this late hour?"  Ki Ja Oh asks incredulously.

 

"So, are you saying we are at war?"  Bul Hwa asks in disbelief.

 

"But the thing is, they are our Goryeo soldiers."

 

"What?"  Ki Ja Oh asks.  "Goryeo?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like an angry swarm of bees in the dead of night, Mongolian soldiers disguised as Goryeo military charge through the encampment.  Fire arrows are drawn, and they are relentlessly being shot.

 

Actual Goryeo soldiers are going down like a house of cards.  Mongolian spears take down the soldiers in the balcony above.  It's reminiscent of an attack by Chinggis Khan himself.

 

The Mongol soldiers bust through the barricades in seconds flat.  Running through the entrance and up the stairs.

 

Bayan kicks open a side gate, sword fighting his way through the Goryeo guards.  "We will take the Prince's head!"  Bayan yells.  "We must not let them have it, ever!"

 

The main building is on fire, and Lord Jang runs through like a chicken with his head cut off.  As he runs through the mess of soldiers, he stops in surprise.  There, in front of him, in full Goryeo gear, are Bayan and Toqto'a.  His eyes widen in horror.  "Aren't you General Bayan of the Merkid?  What's  going on?"

 

Bayan points his sword at Lord Jang's throat.  "If you want to know, take the lead.  Where is the prince?"

 

********

 

Toghon's quarters are engulfed in flames.  Grabbing him by the arm, Seung Nyang and Toghon run outside together.  He clings to her for dear life when he sees the commotion at the gate.  Disguised Mongolian soldiers push the actual Goryeo soldiers down, and stampede their way through.

 

"What happened?"  Toghon asks fearfully.  "Why are Goryeo soldiers trying to kill me."

 

"They're not Goryeo soldiers," Seung Nyang replies.

 

And through the mess of combative soldiers, Tanqishi emerges in the doorway.  Seung Nyang's blood runs cold on sight, and for just a brief moment, she feels terror.  She then remembers she has a foreign prince to defend, and other issues can wait.

 

Toghon, on the other hand, is scared shitless.  These assholes will absolutely not leave him alone.  They even torment him in his dreams.  He looks at Tanqishi and fearfully touches Seung Nyang's arm, like a child clinging to his mother.

 

Seung Nyang has her hand on her bow, ready to go.

 

Tanqishi looks straight at them.  "He's the Prince!  Kill him!"

 

"Yes!" The soldiers yell.

 

Holding hands, Toghon and Seung Nyang make a run for it.  They run to higher ground, and as a soldier tries to attack them, Seung Nyang knocks him out cold.

 

Without a second thought, she loads her baby arrows, and begins to indiscriminately shoot, hitting every man in her path, only taking fractions of a second to reload.  The men roll down the hill, and those who weren't hit by her, back away.  This androgenous bodyguard of Toghon's isn't playing around.

 

Tanqishi looks at his tough Mongol men incredulously.  How could Chinggis Khan's people be so fearful of this effeminate boy?  "Go up there!"  He yells.

 

She shoots again.  She means business.  Don't mess with this Queen Bee.

 

Toghon is clinging to her for dear life.  "Hurry and jump over this wall!"  Seung Nyang orders.

 

Toghon trembles.  His mouth goes dry, and his legs weaken.  "It's too high."

 

"Hurry and jump already!"  Seung Nyang yells.  She is grossly outnumbered, and this co-dependent man boy is only making it worse.  He needs to get the hell out of the way.

 

He climbs the wall, stepping on Seung Nyang's shoulder along the way.  She winces, but keeps her focus as she's ready to fire another arrow.

 

"Climb up there!"  Tanqishi yells.

 

"Go up!"  Talahai yells.

 

Seung Nyang pushes Toghon up with a shrug of her shoulder.

 

"Oh, shit!"  Tanqishi yells as he sees Toghon unexpectedly get to the top.

 

*********

 

On the other side of the wall, Bul Hwa and Ki Ja Oh are slashing through enemy soldiers.

 

"Seung Nyang!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.

 

"How about you, Seung Nyang?"  Toghon is laying on the top of the wall.  He extends his hand.

 

"Please go, right now," says Seung Nyang.

 

"I can't go.  Hurry, grab my hand!  Hurry!"

 

Seung Nyang fires an arrow and hits an enemy soldier.  She turns around, grabs his hand, and pushes him over.  He hits the hard ground at Ki Ja Oh's feet.  He groans in agony.  He is not used to taking these kind of spills.

 

Ki Ja Oh and Bul Hwa run to him, and help him up.

 

"Your Highness," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

"Seung Nyang is still in there!"  Toghon panics.

 

Ki Ja Oh's eyes widen, and he's gripped by fear, but he must trust his daughter.  "Close the gates!  Lock the gates and retreat!"

 

Toghon grabs his arms.  "Seung Nyang is still in there!"

 

"Lock the gates before they can come out!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.  "Hurry!"

 

"Yes, Sir!" Bul Hwa complies.

 

"I told you," Toghon screams, "Seung Nyang is still inside!"

 

The gates close.

 

"You must jump over the wall!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.  "Jump over the wall, Seung Nyang!"

 

"I hear you," Seung Nyang yells.  She has her sword out, and she's surrounded by Mongols.

 

Tanqishi arrogantly approaches her.  "What are you doing?"  He says to Talahai, and the soldiers behind him.  "Capture the Prince!"

 

"Yes!"  Talahai bows.  "Everyone, follow me!"  Half the soldiers leave with Talahai.

 

Tanqishi and Seung Nyang stare each other down.  Oh, how she wants to avenge her mother right now, but Toghon is currently top priority.  She points her sword at Tanqishi's torso.

 

"I will tear you to pieces with my own hands," says Tanqishi.

 

...And PTSD strikes at the worst possible time.  Memories of him firing an arrow into her mother's back, and smirking about it, comes rushing back, clear as day.  She must keep herself together, she can't let down her men.

 

"Yes, it was you," she says hatefully.  "You killed my mother."

 

He snorts derisively.  "What are you talking about?"

 

Seung Nyang stabs her sword into the ground.  She takes a few deep breaths.  It's now or never, and this asshat's ego is his weakest spot.  "All right, I've laid down my sword.  So, tear me to pieces, or boil me to death.  Do whatever you want to."

 

Tanqishi's grin disappears.  "How dare this guy speak to me with contempt?  Won't you pick up your sword already?" 

 

Seung Nyang refuses.

 

Tanqishi laughs.  "All right.  I will kill you."

 

A tear rolls down her cheek.  

 

"If that is what you want, do you think I can't do it?"  He prepares for a dol strike, but as he swings, Seung Nyang takes advantage of the opening, and kicks him right in the balls.  It's as if the wind has been knocked out of him.  He doubles over in pain.

 

She grabs him by his cape, and kicks away the soldiers surrounding her.  Tanqishi is still crouched over in pain, and she uses his back as a springboard to jump to the top of the wall.  She looks over her shoulder at the Mongols below her, before jumping down to the other side.

 

Toghon is the first to see her, and his heart races.  "Seung Nyang!"  He and Ki Ja Oh run right to her.

 

"Seung Nyang!"  Toghon is about to cry.

 

She looks up at her father.  "We don't have time left," says Seung Nyang.

 

"Everyone, to the back gate!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.  "Hurry and close the back gate!"

 

As they are about to escape, a mob of Mongol soldiers intercepts them.

 

Bayan, Toqto'a, and Lord Jang are leading the way.

 

"Your Highness," Lord Jang whispers.

 

Toghon gasps.  Lord Jang and Seung Nyang have been his only constants throughout this hellish ordeal.  "Lord Jang?"  His heart drops at the blatant betrayal.  "General Bayan?"

 

"If you surrender," says Bayan, "we will spare your life.  But if you rebel, all of you will be killed."

 

There is a loud banging on the gates as the other Mongol soldiers try to break through.

 

"Put down your sword and give us the Prince," says Toqto'a.

 

"Our mission is to carry our task  through to the end," says Ki Ja Oh.  "Although we may die, Goryeo will be proud of us.  And for us, there is no greater glory.  Who is with me?"

 

"We are with you!"  The Goryeo soldiers behind him chorus.

 

"Seung Nyang," says Ki Ja Oh, "protect the Prince."  He nods at Bul Hwa.  "Break through their ranks!"

 

Several Goryeo soldiers run forward.

 

"Shoot!" Bayan yells.

 

The line of archers fire their crossbows.  Several Goryeo soldiers go down.

 

Bul Hwa and Ki Ja Oh scream while running forward.  A battle ensues as they cut through the angry swarm.

 

"Kill them all!"  Bayan yells.  "Don't let a single one of them escape!"

 

Seung Nyang punches and slices her way through while simultaneously protecting Toghon.  They manage to get behind Ki Ja Oh.

 

"There will be a boat at the shore.  Take the prince and leave Daecheong Island," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

"But what about you, Commander?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

"If we run away now, we will all die," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

"I cannot go alone," says Seung Nyang.

 

"Can't you listen to your father?"

 

"Father," Seung Nyang's lower lip trembles.

 

"Seung Nyang, do what I say!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.  "You need to live.  You cannot die.  You need to protect the Prince.  That's my last wish for you, Seung Nyang."

 

She nods, and this time, it's Toghon who's dragging her out of the compound by her hand.

 

"Get those two!"  Bayan yells as Toghon pushes the door open.

 

"Father," Seung Nyang sobs.

 

Toghon jerks her through the doorway, and they make a run for it.

 

"I'm sorry, Seung Nyang, my daughter..."  Ki Ja Oh runs forward and stabs a Mongol soldier in the torso.

 

The gate bursts open, and out comes Tanqishi and Talahai.

 

"Kill them all!"  Tanqishi shouts.

 

"Fight!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.

 

*********

 

Toghon and Seung Nyang are running through the dark, foggy, spooky forest.

 

Bayan, Toqto'a, and their men aren't far behind.  Bayan stops in the middle of the forest.

 

"Split up and search," says Bayan.

 

Toghon trips over a branch and falls on his face.  Seung Nyang quickly picks him up, but she sees the torches of Bayan's men not too far away.

 

"Find them!  Find them!"

 

There's no time to wait.  Seung Nyang and Toghon keep running.

 

 

*********

 

Day breaks, and Toghon and Seung Nyang reach the ocean.  They are stumbling along the water's edge, and Toghon falls, again, pulling Seung Nyang down with him.

 

"We've arrived," says Seung Nyang.  "Please be strong."

 

"I feel like my heart will explode."

 

"Please get up!"  Seung Nyang yells.  "Over there," Seung Nyang gasps.

 

Toghon looks over and smiles.

 

They run to the empty wooden boat waiting for them out in the water.  Seung Nyang climbs the ladder, while Toghon undoes the rope around the post.  Seung Nyang gets the yellow sail in position.  She jumps off the boat, and together, they struggle to push it forward.

 

Their happiness, however, is short lived.  Seung Nyang looks over, and sees Bayan, Toqto'a, and three men just a few yards away.  Seung Nyang and Toghon frantically push the boat as hard as they can, but it won't move.

 

Bayan hands his sword to Toqto'a.  "Give me arrows!"  He loads his crossbow, and aims right for Toghon's back.

 

Seung Nyang looks back and sees Bayan fire the arrow.  She immediately places herself in the line of fire.  It hits her right in the upper arm.

 

Toghon looks down at the arrow in horror.  "Seung Nyang!"

 

"Push," says Seung Nyang, as she gets back to trying to move the boat.

 

Bayan and his men rush to them.

 

Seung Nyang makes direct eye contact with Bayan, and breaks off the end of the arrow in her arm.

 

"Such a pretty boy," says Bayan, "yet so vicious."

 

"General Bayan," says Toghon.

 

Bayan pulls out a dagger, and throws it into the wet sand.  "Let us end this tiresome journey now.  This is my last courtesy to you, Your Highness.  Please end your own life, and preserve what remains of your honor as a Prince of a Great Nation."

 

Seung Nyang pulls the dagger out of the sand, and points it at Bayan.

 

"If this is fate," says Bayan, "then I will be the one to end Your Highness' life."  He slowly unsheathes his sword.

 

Toghon steps directly in front of Bayan.  "Look at me carefully.  Who am I?  The late Emperor selected me as the Crown Prince.  This body is a direct descendant of Yuan's Royal Family.  If you kill me, you will survive as Prime Minister El Temur's loyal dog.  But for the sin you commit for slaying a royal heir, 10,000 of your descendants will be cursed and tormented."  Toghon closes his eyes.  "So, swing that sword and kill me."  He opens his eyes.  "Let the blood of the dragon drip on your sword."

 

"A dragon that never ascended to the royal throne remains nothing but a serpent," says Bayan.

 

"My younger brother is dying," says Toghon.  "He won't be alive for long.  So, if we endure just a little longer, I will ascend to the Yuan royal throne."

 

"Even if it wasn't me, it won't be easy to stay alive, Your Highness."

 

"I will not die," says Toghon.  "My grandfather's, grandfather's, grandfather, Chinggis Khan Temujin is protecting me."

 

"Chinggis Khan," Bayan whispers.

 

"Tanqishi will arrive soon," Toqto'a reminds them.

 

Bayan and Toghon stare each other down.  With a growl, Bayan turns around, and slashes the soldiers standing behind him with his sword.  Toqto'a kills the remaining witness.

 

Bayan approaches Toghon.  "Then promise me just one thing.  Make sure to survive and appear in front of me again."

 

"The heavens will never abandon the dragon," Toghon says sincerely.

 

Bayan and Toqto'a kneel before him.  "In my heart, I serve a new Emperor.  Please do not forget me, Bayan."

 

Together, the four push the boat further out to sea.  Toghon and Seung Nyang get in, while Bayan and Toqto'a continue to push.  The remaining arrow is still protruding from Seung Nyang's arm.

 

Together, Toghon and Seung Nyang row out to open waters.

 

"Are you sure you won't regret this?"  Toqto'a asks.

 

"The moment the Emperor passes away, the stupid Prince will become His Majesty.  Since we have to gamble, shouldn't we play the bigger game?  For now, he's just one life.  But if he survives, he will gain the world."

 

The boat isn't too far out when Toqto'a and Bayan are approached by Tanqishi, Talahai, and their men.

 

Tanqishi stares at the corpses in the sand.  This couldn't possibly be Toghon's doing.  And the pretty boy?  Tanqishi looks at Bayan, and then out to sea.

 

"What are you doing?"  Tanqishi yells.  "Shoot at them!  Hurry!  Hurry!"

 

The guards position themselves at the shoreline, and aim their crossbows.

 

"Get a boat and chase them!"  Tanqishi yells to Talahai.  "Hurry!"

 

"Yes, older brother," Talahai bows.  "Follow me!"

 

"Yes, Sir!" The soldiers bow.

 

Tanqishi looks at Bayan and Toqto'a suspiciously.

 

Bayan shrugs.  "Looks like we lost the fish that was almost caught.  If we knew this would happen, we should have brought more soldiers--"

 

Tanqishi punches him in the face and knocks him to the ground.  He begins to kick Bayan continuously.  He is so pissed off.  He hits him with his sheathed sword.  "Bayan!  What good are you?"

 

*******

 

Wang Yoo is asleep with his head on the table.  "No!" He whispers.  He wakes up with a start.

 

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Bang pokes his head in.  "What's the matter?"

 

"I dreamed an ominous dream."

 

"What kind of dream?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

He cautiously looks at Eunuch Bang.  "My late mother was surrounded by demons."

 

"Your Majesty, I, Moo Song, have arrived."

 

"Come in," says Wang Yoo.

 

Moo Song bows.  "King Simyang went to Inju during the night."

 

Wang Yoo's eyes are wide with disbelief.  "Inju?"

 

"It's strange that he left in the middle of the night with just one servant, and then he went to Inju..." says Moo Song.

 

Wang Yoo abruptly rises.  "That means something certainly happened at Daecheong Island.  Instruct Jeom Bak to have his thugs spread out, and find out what happened."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Moo Song bows.

 

 

 

 

 

Tanqishi is agitatedly pacing the dock.

 

"Older brother," says Talahai, "King Simyang has arrived."  Wang Go, Jo Cham, and their men follow behind him.

 

"Did you really fail to catch the Prince?"  Wang Go inquires judgmentally.

 

"We found his boat nearby," says Tanqishi.

 

"How can you make such a mistake?"  Wang Go asks.

 

"There is no time to tell the whole story," says Tanqishi.  "The military will stand by here and search the surrounding areas."

 

"I understand, older brother," says Talahai.  "Prepare the camp!"

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang and Toghon are running through the woods.  Seung Nyang's injured arm feels like it is on fire, as she hasn't had time to safely pull out the arrow.

 

"Where are we going, exactly?"  Toghon asks.

 

"We must go to Gaegyeong."

 

"What?"  Toghon grabs her.  "Gaegyeong?  Why Gaegyeong?"

 

"That you are alive, His Majesty must know."

 

"There is nowhere we can hide in Goryeo as long as King Simyang is in league with them."

 

"Hurry," says Seung Nyang.  "We need to hide."

 

"Wait, Seung Nyang."  Toghon chases after her.

 

As they stumble through the forest, they see a large ship in front of the law enforcement office.  They see Ki Ja Oh bound up, and being taken away by Mongolian soldiers.  He falls to his knees.

 

Seung Nyang covers her mouth in horror.  Wang Go approaches him.  Ki Ja Oh looks up and scowls.

 

"All of this," says Ki Ja Oh, "was because you were in league with Yuan, King Simyang."

 

"Where did you hide the Prince?"  Wang Go asks.

 

"You've slayed your own people and betrayed your own nation.  Know to feel shame."

 

Wang Go raises an eyebrow.  "I will bring this man to Gaegyeong with me."

 

"Why would you do that?"  Tanqishi asks.

 

"Don't worry," says Wang Go.  "I will pull out his tongue so he cannot say anything."

 

Tanqishi and Jo Cham smirk.

 

Seung Nyang is hiding in the trees, crying.

 

Wang Go kneels in front of Ki Ja Oh.  "And in your place, Yeom Byeong Soo will testify."

 

A look of horror crosses Ki Ja Oh's face.  "Just what is your scheme?"

 

"You still don't understand, Ki Ja Oh.  You will become the one who murdered the Prince on the orders of the King of Goryeo."

 

"How dare you!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.  He tries to break from his ropes.  "Do you not fear the heavens?  Kill me instead!"

 

Wang Go smirks.

 

"Just kill me instead!"

 

"Drag him away and pull his tongue out," Wang Go orders Jo Cham.

 

Seung Nyang gasps.  Toghon pulls her back.  She watches Ki Ja Oh getting dragged away, and she feels completely powerless and unfillial.

 

"Let's go!"  Talahai yells.

 

"No!" Ki Ja Oh yells.

 

"Come!"  Jo Cham snaps at Ki Ja Oh.

 

"Kill me!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.

 

Father...Please look this way.  Father, please...take a look at me.  Father!

 

"Kill me now!"  Ki Ja Oh yells.