American Perspectives: Outed and Propositioned Pt. 3 ("기황후" Ep. 7)

 

 

"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"

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very elaborate table full of very expensive food has been set up in the command tent for Bayan and Toqto'a.  The two men exchange glances.

 

"It's an honor to serve you!" The leader exclaims.

 

"It's an honor, General!"  The leader's men bow.  "It's an honor, General!"

 

"Your efforts are appreciated," Bayan replies.  "The liquor and side dishes are good, but it's a shame there isn't a woman to keep us company."

 

"Is that what you want?"  The leader asks.

 

"No matter how skilled, it will be hard to find a woman here," Toqto'a replies.

 

The leader laughs heartily.  "Not at all!"  He insists.  "We're a military camp.  Not far from here, there is a tavern.  I will bring you some women right away."  He and his men bow.

 

"I didn't expect to meet such a skilled commander in a border area," Bayan remarks.

 

The leader laughs.  "If there's anything you want, please give me your order, General."

 

"Give me your sword," says Bayan.

 

The leader looks at him curiously before bowing and handing over the sword.

 

"I have grown up fighting wars," says Bayan.  "I have killed many enemies," he slowly unsheathes the sword, "and used their bodies as pillows for countless nights."

 

"I am very aware of your military achievements," says the leader.

 

Bayan examines the blade.  "A well used commander's sword gives off a certain scent."  He smoothly aims the sword at the Leader's throat.

 

The leader looks at him in shock, and the guards back away.

 

"But I don't smell any blood on your sword," says Bayan.

 

"What's the matter, General?"  The leader asks anxiously.

 

"Where did you sell all the weapons off to?"

 

The leader's eyes dart.  "General!"

 

"I'm getting very impatient!  If you don't admit it this instant, I will slice off your plump skin and feed it to the starving soldiers.  Tell me the truth!"

 

"General...this is a misunderstanding."

 

"I told you I was impatient."

 

"What do you mean I sold off the weapons?"  The leader shrieks.

 

Bayan growls and slashes the leader's throat.  The soldiers jump back in fright as the leader crumples to the floor. Blood splatters on Bayan's face.

 

In a fit of irrationality, he flips over the table of expensive food that should have been used to feed the starving soldiers outside.  It is now contaminated and wasted as it falls on the floor, and on the leader's corpse.  Seung Nyang or Wang Yoo would have been much better at handling this situation.  Wasting all of this food is highly indicative of Bayan's privilege.

 

Bayan pulls Toqto'a's sword out of his sheath.  "Who's next in the chain of command? Come!"

 

"Please kill us, General!"  A young soldier yells.

 

All soldiers drop to their knees and bow.  "Please kill us, General!  Please kill us, General!"

 

"Toqto'a," says Bayan, "cut off the dead one's head, and hang it above the doorway!"

 

"I understand," Toqto'a nods.

 

"We can fight without swords, but an army without military discipline will never win!  The enemies within are scarier than the enemies out there!  From now on, I will cut out all the rotten flesh with this sword, and form a new army.  Announce it."

 

"From now on, we will reorganize the military to strengthen our forces," Toqto'a unfurls a red scroll.  "Soldiers from Yuan will be a separate unit and the other tribes divided according to their origins and strengths.  We will separate the elite of the civilian militia and tribal units, establishing a stronghold.  The rest will serve as laborers and fodder for arrows in battle.  We will separate the units of civilian militia and tribal services by best to least, and distribute the food accordingly.  Those who fail to follow orders, or desert the army will be executed immediately."

 

**********

 

Seung Nyang is tied between two posts, just outside the tributary women's ger.  She watches the women eat, and she sees a soldier taking a food basket away.  She is expecting to be starved out, as she refuses to enable Tanqishi's creepy hate fucking fetish.

 

Unexpectedly, the guard hands her a rice ball.

 

"You don't need to give anything to that wench," Wang Go approaches them.

 

The guard puts the rice ball back in the basket.

 

Wang Go kneels down in front of her, and smiles viciously.  "Because of you, I lost the throne that was right at my fingertips.  All because of you, Seung Nyang," he laughs bitterly.  Oh, how he hates her right now, but if we're being honest, we wouldn't put it past him if he also had Tanqishi's creepy rape fantasy, hate fucking fetish.

 

Seung Nyang smirks.  She knows this man's weakness like the back of her hand.

 

"I will give you just enough for you not to die," Wang Go whispers.  He sprinkles some rice ball pieces onto the ground.  "Because if you die too quickly, you can't suffer."

 

Tanqishi is watching them from behind a ger.  He is relieved that Wang Go is only threatening Seung Nyang, and not "moving in" on her.

 

*********

 

Tanqishi is in his ger, pouring some wine, and having a relatively fancy meal, especially in comparison to the rice ball.

 

The guards drag a very exhausted Seung Nyang in through the doorway.  The guards bow as they bring Seung Nyang to the table.  He waves the guards away.

 

Seung Nyang looks at him hatefully.  She intends to fully defend herself, or die trying.

 

He stands up in front of her, and offers a piece of chicken.  "Eat it."

 

She looks at him with disgust.  "I don't need your mercy or whatever else if it's from you."

 

"Don't make me angry.  I can kill you right now."

 

She gives him the side eye.  With Wang Yoo gone, she seriously doesn't give a shit.

 

"We'll soon arrive in Yeongyeong.  I'm giving you a chance.  Live as a slave for life in the palace, or be my wife."

 

Seung Nyang laughs softly.  She can't believe he thinks he's granting her some profound privilege.

 

"Choose one," Tanqishi continues.  "Which is it?"

 

"I'll become a slave in the palace," Seung Nyang says without skipping a beat.

 

"You will never get out until you work like a cow all your life and then die."

 

"I've already resolved myself to do so!"

 

Tanqishi takes a huge bite of chicken.

 

Seung Nyang couldn't care less.  He's not the first person who has starved her out in order to get his way.  She's not marrying the man who killed her mother.   Wait for it, Tanqishi.  I will kill you, too.  But before that, I will first kill the bastard who has become the Emperor.

 

********

 

Emperor Toghon is out at the archery range, shooting baby arrows.  Eunuch Baek yawns.  Emperor Toghon shoots the arrow, and it slides across the concrete, not even coming close to the target.

 

"Damn it!"  Emperor Toghon pouts.  "It's strange.  I did well on Daecheong Island."  He clearly remembers Seung Nyang's instructions.

 

"Jeonchutaesan.  The hand that holds the arrow should be stretched as if you are pushing a big mountain.  Huakhomi.  Your clasped hand should pull as if grabbing a tiger's tail.  Do you understand how this is supposed to feel?"

 

"Yes, I'm beginning to understand."

 

"That's right," says Emperor Toghon.  He grabs another arrow from Eunuch Baek.  "Jeonchutaesan Huakhomi!"  He aims and pulls back.  Once again, the arrow slides across the concrete.

 

Eunuch Baek dutifully hands him another arrow.

 

"I'm not doing it!"  Emperor Toghon fumes.  "I'm not!  I'm not!  I'm not!"  He throws his bow at Eunuch Baek and slaps his hat, causing it to cover his eyes.

 

"Your Highness!"  Eunuch Baek chases after him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"You mean she never once came to give her greetings?"  Lord Jang asks Empress Dowager.  "You must not overlook her arrogant and impudent behavior any longer.  You should punish--"

 

"Your Highness, it's Lady Yeom," Court Lady Yeom says on the other side of the door.

 

Empress Dowager looks up.  "Let her in."

 

Lady Yeom enters with a beautiful white floral lock box.

 

"Is that it?"  Empress Dowager asks.

 

"Yes, Your Highness," says Court Lady Yeom.  She places the box on Empress Dowager's table.

 

Empress Dowager lifts the lid, and is satisfied with what she sees.  "The scent is wonderful.  Make sure Danashiri uses this.  You must follow my order to the letter."

 

"What is it that's inside this box?"  Lord Jang inquires after Court Lady Yeom exits.

 

"What kind of place is the Imperial Palace?"  Empress Dowager asks.  "Even if she's the Empress, without generous rewards..."

 

"You don't mean..."

 

Empress Dowager smiles wickedly.

 

********

 

Danashiri is grabbing her incense burner, and inhaling the wonderful scent.

 

"It's a perfume and incense Empress Dowager cherishes," says Court Lady Yeom.  "It will make your skin more beautiful, and also clear your head if you keep it near."

 

"Tell her thank you," says Danashiri.

 

Court Lady Yeom bows.

 

Danashiri smirks as Court Lady Yeom exits.  "I heard that Empress Dowager receives everyone's respect," she says to Eunuch Dokman.

 

"Her character is admirable, which is why she sent you a gift," says Eunuch Dokman.

 

"This is a bribe, not a gift," says Danashiri.

 

"A bribe?"  Eunuch Dokman feigns surprise.

 

"The moment I become the Empress, I will be in charge of the Inner Court, so she's trying to remain in my good graces."

 

"As the Eldest, the Empress Dowager will run the Inner Court."

 

"Eldest, pshh.  It's time for her to retreat to the back hall after all these years of acting like she's in charge."

 

Eunuch Dokman looks at her with genuine shock.

 

Danashiri deeply inhales the incense, as Dokman takes his leave.

 

********

 

Tanqishi leads the procession of tributary women through Daedo.  It's been a long time coming.  He feels like a hero as a crowd forms on both sides of the street.

 

Seung Nyang is right behind him.  She curiously scans the area.  So many people gawking and yelling.  They walk through the gates to the enormous palace.

 

Eunuch Dokman leads his own procession to greet them.  "You've made a long journey, General."

 

Tanqishi jumps off his horse, grinning from ear to ear.  Eunuch Dokman is bowing in front of him.  Tanqishi slaps him on the shoulder.  "It's been a long time, Dokman."

 

"I will take charge of the Court Ladies now."

 

"I have something important to speak to you about."

 

Eunuch Dokman looks up.

 

Tanqishi points to Seung Nyang, who goes to great lengths to avoid eye contact.  "See that wench over there?  Throw her out of the palace."

 

"To a courtesan house?"

 

Tanqishi shakes his head.  "I will take her.  You just have to throw her out."

 

Seung Nyang scans the expansive palace grounds.  This is...where you live.

 

"If you want, I'll give you a palace the size of Goryeo," she remembers Toghon saying.  "If that's not enough, I will even give you the highest government position in Yuan."

 

"His Imperial Majesty!"

 

"Everyone on your knees!"  Eunuch Dokman yells to the tributary women.  "Until His Imperial Majesty passes, you must never raise your heads!"

 

Seung Nyang looks up slightly as she sees Emperor Toghon's palenquin being carried down the ramp.

 

He signals for the palenquin to stop in front of the women.  "Who are they?"

 

Eunuch Baek bows.  "They're the tribute concubines from Goryeo."

 

"Concubines?"  Emperor Toghon asks.

 

"Your expression has suddenly darkened," says Eunuch Baek.

 

Emperor Toghon pauses.  "There was a rascal who saved me in Goryeo.  When I think about him, I'm ashamed to see them.  Let's go."

 

Seung Nyang hatefully watches the procession leave.

 

********

 

All of the tributary women are getting bathed for their upcoming inspection.

 

"I heard if you can become a Court Lady, you'll get a stipend."

 

"I heard you can become a maidservant, too."

 

"You're lucky if you become a servant.  If you get thrown out of the palace, they'll sell you to a Courtesan House."

 

"Really?"

 

"What to do?"

 

*******

 

The women are dressed in white and lined up for inspection.

 

"Are they done bathing?"  Eunuch Dokman asks.

 

"Yes, Sir," says Court Lady Yeom.

 

"There will be a Court Lady screening," Eunuch Dokman tells the women.  "If you're chosen to be a concubine, you will get a red ribbon.  If you're a maidservant, a blue ribbon.  The yellow ribbon is for those who will be sent out of the palace."

 

"Front row first," says Court Lady Yeom.  "Take your tops off."

 

The women untie their jeogori.  At least now, Seung Nyang can take off her top without fear of being outed.  However, she is now experiencing the normalized humiliation of having every part of her body being inspected like she's a ceramic vase on display at the market.

 

Court Lady Yeom grabs one of the women by the arm.  "Face, body, and teeth are high grade."

 

"Big cheekbones and she has a full face," Eunuch Dokman adds.  "Servant."

 

With disappointment, she does not get a red ribbon wrapped around her wrist.

 

As another woman tries to turn away, Court Lady Yeom grabs her arm.  "She's midgrade."

 

Eunuch Dokman nods his head in agreement.  A blue ribbon is wrapped around her wrist.

 

Seung Nyang was never "graded" like this as a transgender man, and she's not looking forward to how they will "grade" her now.

 

Court Lady Yeom aggressively lifts Seung Nyang's chin.  "Her face and body are both upper--"

 

As Seung Nyang turns to the side, the scar from Bayan's arrow is extremely noticeable.

 

"She has scars on her body," says Court Lady Yeom.  "Low grade would be quite fitting."

 

In reality, as most of these women were portrayed as coming from the peasant class, most would have scars, bad teeth, bad hair, and bad skin.  That's part of the reason (aside from political gain), why Mongol Royalty pulled tributes from the higher classes.  Otherwise, none of these ladies in this scene would have passed the inspection.

 

"Wait a minute," says Eunuch Dokman.  "How did you get these scars?"

 

Think fast.

 

"Let me see your hands," Eunuch Dokman continues.  He carefully examines her hands.  "You have held a sword before.  What did you do in Goryeo?"  He looks at her suspiciously.

 

"My father...was a hunter."

 

"You have very good facial features," says Eunuch Dokman.

 

"Throw her out," Lady Yeom insists.  "If you let the likes of her into the inner court--"

 

"Mid grade," says Eunuch Dokman.

 

"Head Eunuch," says Court Lady Yeom.

 

"A hunter's daughter...Isn't she perfect for a servant who does manual labor?  Next."

 

A blue ribbon is fatefully tied around her wrist.  At least she is not designated to entertain the Emperor, and she's not at the mercy of Tanqishi.  She realizes that the options she had as a male thug were way better than the options she has an an attractive tributary woman.

 

*******

 

Seung Nyang is escorted into the servants' chamber by another servant named Hong Dan.  It doesn't take long for Seung Nyang to figure out who the Queen Bee of the group is.  It's a young woman named Yeon Hwa who is getting massaged by several women.  What the hell did I just walk into?

 

"Senior Miss," says Hong Dan, "She's the new servant."

 

Yeon Hwa looks at Seung Nyang with annoyance.  Seung Nyang gives her a neutral glance.

 

"Put her at the end," says Yeon Hwa.

 

"Come here," says Hong Dan.

 

The two women take a seat at the end of the room.  "Watch out for her," Hong Dan whispers.  "She nearly became a concubine, but failed.  So, she's become a crazy, poisonous, snake."

 

Seung Nyang says nothing.  She does't know Hong Dan's intentions, and she has to play it by ear.

 

"Hey!  You," Yeon Hwa says haughtily.

 

Seung Nyang looks over.

 

Yeon Hwa gestures with her finger.  "Come here."

 

Seung Nyang pauses.

 

"Are you deaf?"  Yeon Hwa asks.  "Come over here."

 

Seung Nyang slowly makes her way over.

 

"All of you, get lost," Yeon Hwa says to the three women massaging her.  "You massage me instead," she says to Seung Nyang.

 

She cannot be serious.

 

"What are you doing?"  Hong Dan says.  "Massage her."

 

Seung Nyang reluctantly sits down in front of Yeon Hwa and begins to massage her leg.

 

"I washed clothes all day," Yeon Hwa whines pitifully, "and my body aches."

 

Seung Nyang speculates that Yeon Hwa probably does the least amount of work out of all of these women.  As Seung Nyang is feeling an extreme lack of empathy due to the crap she has dealt with the past few months, she inadvertently massages too hard.

 

The narcissistic, sympathy seeking, attention whore, a.k.a. Yeon Hwa, lets out a loud yelp.  Like the little yappy dog that she is.  She slaps Seung Nyang across the face, completely unaware of who she's messing with.

 

"Wench!  That hurts!"  Yeon Hwa yaps like a little chihuahua who spends most of the day in a rich woman's purse.

 

Seung Nyang looks at her balefully.

 

"What?"  Yeon Hwa says innocently.  "Are you glowering at me?"

 

All the other women stand up, glare at Seung Nyang, and surround her.

 

"This wench doesn't realize where this is," Yeon Hwa says smugly.  "This won't do.  Get her."

 

Two women grab Seung Nyang by her arms.  Seung Nyang remains calm, as she has dealt with far worse than this throw away wannabe concubine.

 

As Yeon Hwa raises her hand to slap Seung Nyang once more, Court Lady Yeom enters the room, followed by two lower ranked court ladies.

 

"What is all this noise?"  Court Lady Yeom inquires.

 

The women all run back to their spots.

 

"Greetings, Court Lady Yeom," Yeon Hwa says with a sickening amount of virtue.   With enough sweetness to give a listener diabetes.

 

Court Lady Yeom knows she's full of shit, but she doesn't have the energy right now.  "Head Eunuch will be doing an inspection soon.  Stay quiet."

 

With tearful doe eyes, Yeon Hwa bows.  But, Lady Yeom has been in the palace for decades.  She is super familiar with Mean Girl energy, and Mean Girl games.

 

Court Lady Yeom and her entourage exit the room.

 

Yeon Hwa glares at Seung Nyang, and Seung Nyang refuses to give her the satisfaction of responding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"You sent Wang Yoo to the border?!"  El Temur rages.  "Who made such a decision?"

 

"That's..." Tanqishi says awkwardly.  He looks over at Wang Go.

 

Wang Go nods.  "He made the decision himself."

 

El Temur isn't buying it.  Just as Court Lady Yeom is well versed in Mean Girl games, El Temur is well versed in Mean Boy games.  "He requested going to the border himself?"

 

"His wish was to be restored as King," says Wang Go.  "Due to his carelessness, his people died, so he must have wanted a chance to make up for it."

 

"By making a contribution for merit," says El Temur, "he wants to be restored as King of Goryeo?"

 

"That's right, Prime Minister," Wang Go smoothly responds.  "You know what that place is like.  It's the doorway to the Silk Road that connects to the west."

 

"It's a region that brought us nothing but headaches since the Turks seized the area," Tanqishi adds.

 

"If a deposed King takes care of them all," says Wang Go, "what could be better for the Great Empire in the end?"

 

"He offered to go to the border in order to make a contribution?"  El Temur asks.  He smiles.  "He's as interesting as I thought.  We'll know in time, whether he will give us good or bad news."

 

Tanqishi and Wang Go exchange grins.

 

*******

 

Horses gallop through the dark military encampment.  As three horsemen gallop out, one horseman gallops in.  He stops in front of Bayan and Toqto'a's ger.  He enters and bows.  "General!  General Talahai just arrived!"

 

"That bastard?"  Bayan asks.  "Why?"

 

********

 

Talahai, Byeong Soo, and Jo Cham proudly lead their procession of rag tag captured slaves through the camp.

 

As Wang Yoo and his men enter, they take notice of the long line of corpses near the entrance.

 

Eunuch Bang leans in.  "I heard earlier that there are a lot of soldiers who were dragged here from Goryeo."

 

"No way," says Jeom Bak. "All those dead bodies aren't people of Goryeo, are they?"

 

"How would we know?"  Moo Song asks.

 

"There is a strange energy flowing in the military village," says Bul Hwa.

 

Bayan and Toqto'a come outside to meet the men.

 

"What brings you all the way here?"  Bayan asks Talahai.

 

"I brought this man," says Talahai as Byeong Soo and Jo Cham drag Wang Yoo forward.

 

"Why do we need him?"  Bayan asks.

 

"Why do you think?"  Talahai asks.  "Good luck fighting with them."

 

"Good luck with just a few people who aren't even reinforcements?"  Bayan asks.

 

"We heard there are people from Goryeo here," Wang Yoo speaks up.  "Put me in with them."

 

Everyone looks at him in surprise.  Does he know what he is asking for?

 

He is offering to be fodder for the arrows himself, Bayan thinks.

 

*******

 

"Even killing deserters," says Bul Hwa.  "The atmosphere is not good."

 

"But where are we exactly?"  Jeom Bak asks.

 

"Since we kept going west," says Moo Song, "it seems like a border somewhere."

 

"It's the gateway to the Silk Road," says Wang Yoo.

 

"The Silk Road?"  Jeom Bak asks.  "I didn't see any silk on our way here!"

 

"Not that silk!"  Eunuch Bang says impatiently.  "It's the trade route that connects the west, you fool!"

 

"I heard that the Turks have seized this area," says Bul Hwa.

 

"We have to conquer the Turks?"  Moo Song asks.

 

"Now I see why they brought me here," says Wang Yoo.

 

Jo Cham enters their ger with an armful of rags.  He throws them right at Eunuch Bang, hitting him in the face.  "Change into these clothes."

 

Eunuch Bang rises.  "We're not beggars.  You want us to wear these?"

 

"Stop complaining, and change , you lowly Eunuch," says Byeong Soo, who had followed Jo Cham in.

 

"You no good--" says Eunuch Bang.

 

Byeong Soo draws his sword.

 

"We don't care," says Moo Song, "but these clothes are not fit for His Majesty!"

 

Byeong Soo sheathes his sword, ad Toqto'a enters the ger.  "It would be good to wear them.  This place doesn't care about your position or status.  It would be best to let go of any lofty ideals for survival."

 

"Who cares about what you wear?"  Wang Yoo asks.  "Change into them."

 

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Bang begins to cry.

 

Byeong Soo smirks as Wang Yoo is the first to disrobe.

 

**********

 

The servants are sleeping as peacefully as they can in their quarters.  The door opens as Yeon Hwa's flying monkeys enter.  They make a beeline for Seung Nyang's cot.

 

She is startled awake as they gag her, and roughly drag her out.  They cover her face with a black hood.

 

They bring her into an empty storage room, and pull off the hood.  In front of her is Yeon Hwa, itching to make Seung Nyang pay for her narcissistic injuries.  Yeom Hwa pulls down the gag.

 

"Seung Nyang, right?"  Yeon Hwa asks.  "Tell me yourself what mistakes you made today."

 

"I didn't do anything wrong," says Seung Nyang.

 

"What?"  Yeon Hwa asks in shock.  "This rude wench!"  She is about to slap Seung Nyang, but the look on her face gives her pause.  She laughs derisively.  "This wench...This won't do.  Bring the whip."

 

"What?"  Hong Dan asks.

 

"I said bring the whip, you wench!"  Yeon Hwa yaps.

 

Seung Nyang rolls her eyes.

 

"Yes," Yeon Hwa makes a sad face.

 

******

 

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Baek escorts Emperor Toghon over the arched wooden bridge.  "It's cold outside.  Please go back to your quarters."

 

"I can't sleep these days," says Toghon.  "Let's just walk a little to the front here."

 

"Yes, Sire," says Eunuch Baek.

 

Emperor Toghon looks over, and notices one of the abandoned storage rooms is lit up.  "But what is that place that's all lit up?"

 

Eunuch Baek looks over.  "It's a storage room."

 

"What are people doing there in the middle of the night?"  Emperor Toghon asks.

 

***********

 

Yeon Hwa is totally getting herself off as she's whipping Seung Nyang across the back.

 

"What?  Does it hurt?"  Yeon Hwa asks innocently.  She looks down at the whip.  "This is just a start.  I'll show you what it's like to be punished.  Hold her tight."

 

Two women grab her bound arms.  Hong Dan looks at her pitifully, but does absolutely nothing.  Yeon Hwa is about to strike again when there's a knock on the door.

 

"Who's inside?"  Eunuch Baek asks.

 

Hong Dan cracks the door open and sees Eunuch Baek and Emperor Toghon.  She gasps as she makes eye contact with the emperor.  She slowly closes the door, and runs back.  "It's His Majesty!"

 

Yeon Hwa gasps.  So much for indirectly getting her rocks off.

 

"Who's there?"  Eunuch Baek asks again.  "Open the door."