American Perspectives: Saving Toghon Pt. 1 ("기황후" Ep. 5)

 

 

 

"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"

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang is sleeping under a tree, her injured arm in horrendous shape.  The leaves fall on and around her, tickling her skin, and causing her to awaken.  She feels the last two days have been two hundred years long.

 

She abruptly stands up when she realizes a certain someone is missing.  If she loses Toghon, her country is toast.  She anxiously looks around.  "Your Highness!"  She gasps.  Where the fuck is he?  She runs through the forest, potentially infected arm be damned, to find the prince who acts like he is perpetually five years old.

 

"Your Highness!"  Seung Nyang yells.  "Your Highness!  Your Highness!"  She runs through the forest, continually calling for the man she is essentially babysitting.

 

"Seung Nyang!"  She hears her name being called from a distance.  "Seung Nyang!"

 

She follows the voice, and the first thing she sees is a dangling tangle of hair.  As she gets closer, she sees Toghon hanging upside down from a tree.  If the situation weren't so dire, she would be laughing.

 

"Seung Nyang!"  Toghon cries, thrashing and wiggling in the animal trap.  "Please save me, Seung Nyang.  My blood is rushing to my head, and I think my face might explode."

 

"Please wait," says Seung Nyang.  "Brutal mountain bandits will come to rescue you."

 

"Seung Nyang!  I'm sorry, I was wrong!  I promise to never run away again.  Please save me.  Please save me."

 

Seung Nyang sighs and walks up to the rope that's staked near the tree.  She takes out her knife and slices it.  She grins wickedly as she quickly releases the rope, sending Toghon plunging to the ground.

 

Toghon dramatically screams.

 

Seung Nyang looks at him impatiently, thinking, what a wuss.

 

"How can you cut the rope so cruelly?"  Toghon pouts.

 

Sueng Nyang clears her throat.

 

*********

 

Seung Nyang is leading the way through the forest, this time with Toghon on a rope leash wrapped around his torso.  She also has the rope wrapped around her torso to keep her hands free.

 

The arrow is finally out of her arm, but the wound still feels like it's on fire.

 

"I won't go anywhere," Toghon insists.  "Please untie the ropes."  He holds up his bound wrists.  "Are you deaf?"  He suddenly stops, which jerks Seung Nyang back as she tries to walk.

 

She sharply turns her head to face this prima donna.

 

"Or do you not trust me?"  Toghon asks.  "If we go to Gaegyeong like this, we will both die.  Do you trust those words, at least?"

 

"No, I cannot," Seung Nyang says sternly.  

 

"You frustrating fool.  Tanqishi is already here waiting for us in Gaegyeong, ready to devour us.  Isn't it obvious, even without looking?"

 

"The King of Goryeo will protect us."

 

"He already failed to protect me.  Didn't you see what happened on Daecheong Island?"

 

"The only person I trust is him."

 

Toghon sighs.  "You idiot moron," Toghon mumbles.

 

"The one who tried to kill you are not Goryeo soldiers, but Yuan soldiers.  When you reveal that, everything will be solved."  She begins to walk, and Toghon once again resists.

 

She turns around, and Toghon sits on the floor like a five year old trying to avoid a spanking.

 

"I'm hurt," says Toghon.  "I can't go any further.  We haven't eaten or rested properly.  How can I find the strength to continue walking?"

 

"Do you know what the weakest animal in these mountains is?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

"What nonsense are you saying now?"

 

"It's you, Your Highness.  I have these arrows, at least, but you don't have the strength or courage to protect your own body."

 

"Yes, you're so great.  How nice for you."

 

The man diva needs a lesson.  "So, stay here like this.  When the sun goes down soon, hungry animals will all gather here."  She undoes the rope from herself, and tosses it on the ground.  She is more than happy to get rid of this excess weight.

 

"You call that a threat?  What animals are you talking about..."  He leans close to a fallen tree and comes face to face with a large spotted cat snake.  He shrieks and falls on his back, trying to roll away, as his arms and wrists are still bound.  He runs past Seung Nyang.  He turns around and scowls at her.  "Where were you, not coming sooner?  Let's hurry and go!  Before the animals gather."

 

He runs far ahead, faster than Seung Nyang has ever seen him move.  The thought of bringing the snake along for motivational purposes certainly crosses her mind.

 

********

 

"That is Seung Nyang's face!"  Byeong Soo says with glee, as a poster artist is meticulously drawing it out.  "Wow, you are very skilled."  He grabs the poster, and gets a good look at it.  "You've really captured his face."

 

He walks up to Wang Go's residence with the rolled up wanted poster in his hand.  "Your Highness, I, Yeom Byeong Soo, am here.  May I enter?"

 

Before he can ascend the stone steps, Jo Cham blocks his entry.  "Stop, he is in the middle of an important meeting.  Come back later."

 

"This is more urgent, I'm going in!"  Byeong Soo shoves his arm away.

 

"This guy, really," Jo Cham grumbles.  He chases after Byeong Soo.

 

Byeong Soo awkwardly stumbles through the door.  Jo Cham grabs his arm.

 

"How dare you!"  Jo Cham says.

 

"Your Highness," says Byeong Soo.  He plants himself in front of Wang Go and unrolls the poster.  "Please look at this.  This is the portrait of the man who is with the Prince."

 

Wang Go does a double take.  "Wait.  Who's this?"

 

"His name is Seung Nyang," says Byeong Soo.

 

"Seung Nyang?"  Wang Go shouts.  She is a sore spot for very obvious reasons.

 

"Yes," Byeong Soo bows.

 

"Post this boy's picture everywhere from Inju to Gaegyeong, and put a bounty on his head.  Order the law enforcement and the military to block every road from Inju to Gaegyeong, especially the mountain paths; they all must be blocked, do you understand?"  Wang Go demands.

 

Toqto'a eyes Wang Go with intrigue.  What is the significance of Seung Nyang's relationship with Wang Go?  He wonders.

 

Bayan and Tanqishi are also harboring some curiosity.

 

"I understand," Jo Cham bows.

 

"I understand," Byeong Soo bows.

 

"I will look for them in the mountains," says Tanqishi.  "Please lend me some hunting dogs."

 

Talahai walks through the doors.  As he walks up to Wang Go, Tanqishi notices a bandage on his hand.

 

"How did you hurt your hand?"  Tanqishi inquires.

 

Talahai looks at his wound disdainfully.  "Ki Ja Oh, he attacked me like a crazy person."  He looks at Jo Cham.  "Tie him down with chains so he cannot rampage again."

 

"I understand," says Jo Cham.

 

 

 

 

 

With two leashed hunting dogs leading the way, Tanqishi, Talahai, Bayan, Toqto'a, and several soldiers jog through the forest.

 

Tanqishi signals for the groups to halt.  "They could not have gotten far.  Search everywhere."

 

"Yes," his entourage bows.

 

The hunting dogs begin to bark.

 

"It seems the dogs have caught a scent," says Talahai.

 

"Let's go!"  Tanqishi yells.

 

Most of the men start running.  Bayan and Toqto'a let everyone go ahead.

 

"The way things are going," says Toqto'a, "it seems they will be caught soon."

 

As if by some divine intervention, the clouds burst open, and a heavy rain falls.

 

"It's raining," says Toqto'a.

 

"Seeing how the heavens are helping him," says Bayan, "it seems it's not His Highness' time to die yet."

 

*******

 

The hunting dogs are sniffing the wet forest floor.  Tanqishi and his men jog up the hill in the pouring rain.

 

"The dogs have lost the scent," says Talahai.

 

Tanqishi looks up.  The rain slapping him in the face increases his agitation.  "Why must it rain now, of all times?"

 

 

 

 

 

Toghon is still being led by Seung Nyang's rope.  He has since learned to shut up and listen.  

 

"Come on, let's find a shelter from the rain," Toghon insists.  "What if we catch a cold?  We will die before we reach Gaegyeong."  He shoves Seung Nyang in the back.

 

"You won't get sick just because you got rained on."

 

Toghon dramatically fakes a cough.  "Look at this.  I've already caught a cold."

 

"You won't die."

 

"Oh, really.  Let's rest just a little bit."

 

"How can you only think about yourself?  Those who were protecting your life are about to be executed."

 

"Well," says Toghon, "that doesn't mean you have to yell at me."

 

"We don't have time to rest.  Please follow me."

 

"You've got quite the temper," Toghon says softly as Seung Nyang leads the way.

 

Father, please endure it for just a little longer.  You really must not die, Father!

 

*******

 

A very battered Ki Ja Oh is being carted away in a cage on wheels.  He looks like a zombie, but the worst of the torutre is yet to come.

 

Wang Go and Lord Jang are leading the procession.

 

"Since it's raining," says Lord Jang, "let's rest for now."

 

"Let's do that and find a place to rest," Wang Go agrees.

 

"Once we pass this road," says Jo Cham, "there is a courtesan house."

 

Wang Yoo, Eunuch Bang, Jeom Bak, and Moo Song are well disguised in their rain gear.  They also happen to be in Wang Go's path.

 

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Bang whispers.  "King Simyang is on the way."

 

Wang Yoo awkwardly looks up at Wang Go and his entourage.  His hat effectively conceals his identity.  "Don't let him see us."  Wang Yoo kicks his horse forward.

 

Byeong Soo, over eager to prove his worth, spurs his horse forward.  "This is His Highness King Simyang.  Get off your horse and make way."

 

Wang Yoo watches them carefully.  He and his men dismount, and move their horses to the side.  As Wang Go's entourage passes them, Wang Yoo and Eunuch Bang notice that Ki Ja Oh has been captured.  Ki Ja Oh stares right at them, and Wang Yoo can't believe what he just saw.

 

"That is Ki Ja Oh," Eunuch Bang whispers.

 

"It's certain harm has come to the Prince, as you said, Jeom Bak," says Wang Yoo.  "We will change directions and follow King Simyang."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty," says Moo Song.

 

******

 

Wang Go passes a kettle of tea over to Byeong Soo.  "Have a drink, General Yeom."

 

Both Jo Cham and Byeong Soo look at him with surprise.  Jo Cham did not expect Byeong Soo to obtain Wang Go's favor so quickly.  Jo Cham himself is still nothing more that a glorified male personal assistant.

 

"Your Highness, you called him General?"  Jo Cham asks cautiously.

 

"I am only a jin-moo in law enforcement," Byeong Soo says meekly.

 

"For your great deeds in this matter, I plan to promote you to general."

 

Byeong Soo's jaw drops.  "I am deeply honored, Your Majesty."  He looks like he's ready to cry.

 

"Your Majesty?"  Wang Go asks.  "It appears that you even know how to make my wine taste sweeter."

 

A smile slowly appears on Byeong Soo's face.  

 

Wang Go laughs boisterously, and raises his jade colored ceramic cup.

 

**********

 

A lovely gisaeng dressed in a pink chima and white jeogori struts through the gate.  She sets two baskets on a table next to the guards.

 

"What is that?" A guard asks.

 

"We are a drinking establishment," says the gisaeng.  "What else would it be?"

 

More guards gather as she lifts the lid from one of the baskets, exposing a jar of wine.

 

Moo Song quietly peers through the gate.

 

"Everyone, have a drink," says the gisaeng.

 

"Everyone, come and have a drink," one of the guards agrees.

 

Jeom Bak and Moo Song watch the action through the gate.

 

Moments later, the guards are passed out all over the courtyard.

 

Jeom Bak and Moo Song enter through the noisy gate, and not a single guard stirs.  Just to be sure, Moo Song tries to shake one of the guards awake.

 

"Wow, that drug really is powerful," says Jeom Bak.

 

"There is no key," says Moo Song.

 

"What?"  Jeom Bak asks.  He goes to the other sleeping guards, and begins to search them.  An idea occurs to Jeom Bak.  "If anyone comes, I'll make a cuckoo bird sound.  So, go look inside."

 

Moo Song nods, and then runs inside the prison.  Ki Ja Oh is in the middle of the room with his legs locked in a wooden board.  His arms are stretched out in the air, and he looks like he's being crucified on an invisible cross.

 

"Commander," says Moo Song.

 

"Sir," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

"Shh," says Moo Song.  He tries to break the shackles binding Ki Ja Oh's arms.

 

"We don't have time," says Ki Ja Oh.  "Please listen to me first."

 

Jeom Bak peeks outside the gate, and gasps as he sees Wang Go and his entourage.

 

"Is that the truth?"  Moo Song asks Ki Ja Oh.  

 

"Yes," Ki Ja Oh nods.  "Please tell His Majesty soon.  You must find Seung Nyang and the Prince before Tanqishi does."

 

"Hoenggye Mountain, you said?"  Moo Song asks.

 

"It's the roughest road to Gaegyeong.  I'm certain that is where they are."

 

As Wang Go and his entourage move closer, Jeom Bak clasps his hands together, and blows into them, making the sound of a cuckoo bird.

 

Moo Song anxiously looks toward the doorway.  

 

"What is that?"  Ki Ja Oh asks.

 

"My lookout's signal," says Moo Song.  He makes a final attempt to destroy Ki Ja Oh's chains.

 

"Please hurry and go," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

Moo Song tries banging on the lock.

 

"Don't worry about me, and hurry and save Seung Nyang."

 

"I'm sorry," says Moo Song.  "Endure for just a little longer."

 

"Sir!"

 

Moo Song pauses.

 

Jeom Bak rushes through the gate, wondering why Moo Song is taking so goddamn long.  "We don't have time, I swear..."

 

Moo Song barely walks out the prison door just before Jeom Bak grabs him and leads him out the side gate.  As they exit, Wang Go enters, the rivals missing each other by just a hair.

 

Wang Go scans the area, noticing several passed out guards.  "How can...?"

 

Jo Cham stomps on one of the guards.

 

"How can their sense of discipline be so lax?"  Wang Go asks.

 

"This will never happen again under my command," says Byeong Soo.

 

"Follow me," says Wang Go.

 

********

 

Wang Go and Byeong Soo enter the makeshift prison where Ki Ja Oh is being tortured.  Wang Go stands directly in front of Ki Ja Oh.

 

"Yeom Byeong Soo," says Wang Go.

 

"Yes, Your Highness."

 

"You can poke his eyes out, pull his tongue out, puncture his ears, and turn him into a living corpse."

 

Ki Ja Oh looks at Wang Go balefully.

 

"Make him so that he can no longer see, speak, or hear."

 

"But the Prince hasn't been caught yet," says Byeong Soo.

 

"Tanqishi will capture him," says Wang Go.  "I no longer need this guy."

 

"Wouldn't it be better to just kill him, in that case?"  Byeong Soo asks.

 

"He must stay alive," Wang Go insists.  "Shouldn't the King see for himself who killed the Prince of Yuan?"  He looks over at Ki Ja Oh and smirks.  He exits, leaving him at Byeong Soo's mercy.

 

"It is my eternal regret to have kept you by my side," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

"Don't resent me," says Byeong Soo.  "You are the one who is responsible for all of this."

 

"Aren't you ashamed as an officer of Goryeo?  How can you betray your nation?"

 

"Nation?  Betrayal, you said?"  Byeong Soo laughs bitterly.  "The year that I was born, my father died while fighting Yuan soldiers.  Do you know how my mother died?  To try to feed her small children, she stole a bag of rice, and was beaten to death.  Of four siblings, one of them starved to death.  Another froze to death.  And my older sister committed suicide while being dragged away as a tribute.  And that is...what happens when this nation makes its men die fighting Yuan, leaving behind mouths to feed.  But you speak of betrayal?  I didn't betray my nation!  This nation, Goryeo, has betrayed me.  Do you understand?"

 

"Yuan caused Goryeo to become this way," says Ki Ja Oh.  "Do you really not know where to aim your sword?"

 

"Then," says Byeong Soo, "you can die and become an eternal loyal subject of the king."  He reaches for a poker in the fire.  "I, Yeom Byeong Soo, if only to soothe the bitter deaths my family has suffered, I will live in a grand style."  He holds the flattened side of the hot poker in front of Ki Ja Oh's mouth.

 

"Your side will never achieve what you want.  Never," says Ki Ja Oh.

 

Byeong Soo presses the flattened side of the poker against Ki Ja Oh's mouth, and his lips sizzle.  Ja Oh's screams can be heard outside the gate, and into the streets.

 

 

...To be continued...