American Perspectives: Avoiding Emperor Toghon Pt. 3 ("기황후" Ep. 9)

 

 

 

"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."

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Turkic warriors are standing just outside the Yuan encampment, banging on their percussive instruments, ready to fight.  Moo Song, Wang Yoo, Bayan, Toqto'a, and Talahai are standing on the other side of the gate.

 

Baghatur raises his hand for the noise to halt.  The mix of Goryeo and Mongol soldiers in the Yuan encampment observe him with confusion.  Baghatur gestures again, and the Turkic warriors run forward.

 

Bayan is the first to raise his sword.  "Archers!"

 

The Goryeo archers run out the gate.  They get into position and nock their arrows.  Everyone on the entire Asian continent knows that the Goryeo archers are the best archers.

 

A Turkic warrior blows a big red horn.

 

"Retreat!" Another Turkic warrior yells.  "Retreat to the hills!"

 

"What are they doing now?"  A baffled Jeom Bak asks.

 

"They're retreating after feigning an attack," says Toqto'a.

 

"It's been five days already," says Bayan.  "I will not withstand it any longer.  Open the gates!"

 

The gates open, and Bayan, Toqto'a, and Talahai lead the way.

 

Wang Yoo and his men, as well as Byeong Soo and Jo Cham, hang back.

 

"Retreat to the hills!"  The Turkic warrior yells.

 

The Turks turn their horses and gallop away.

 

"What strange scoundrels they are," says Eunuch Bang.  "Why do they come every night, raising a fuss, but retreat when we attack?"

 

"Don't you know?"  Byeong Soo asks.  "They realized that General Yeom Byeong Soo is standing guard."

 

"General?"  Eunuch Bang asks.  "Poop General, idiot."

 

"But they advance from one direction and retreat to another."

 

"It's a trick to hide their base," says Wang Yoo.  "We still haven't even figured out their headquarters.  That's the reason we're having so much difficulty with this war.  They know us, but we don't know them."

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Turkic warriors are gleefully leading the Yuan and Goryeo soldiers on a wild goose chase.  The Yuan and Goryeo warriors are gladly taking the bait.

 

Toqto'a gets in front and stops the group.  "Don't dare to go further."

 

"I will be sure to cut Baghatur's neck tonight!"  Bayan yells.  "I'll chase them all the way!"

 

"You cannot!"  Toqto'a insists.

 

"Why not?"  Talahai asks.

 

"They know this area like the back of their hands," says Toqto'a.  "Not only can we not catch them, but if we're ambushed, we'll be annihilated."

 

"It's been five days already!"  Bayan yells impatiently.  "Those bastards are mocking me!  Baghatur is making fools of us!"

 

"Please command them to retreat," Toqto'a insists.

 

Bayan pushes him.  "I'll kill all of them!"

 

***********

 

The guards at the Yuan encampment are sleeping in the bright sun.  They have been fighting around the clock, and cannot stay awake any longer.  Everyone else is fast asleep in their gers.

 

The Turkic warriors confidently trot up to the gate.  They are swarming the ridge, and they are pleased with what they are seeing down below.

 

"General, they are all asleep in the middle of the day, just as you expected."

 

Baghatur makes a motion, and a warrior blows into his red horn.

 

Wang Yoo is the first to awaken.  A day attack, too?

 

********

 

The carnage in the encampment is atrocious.  Wang Yoo and his men are inspecting the area, and carrying out the corpses.

 

"Your Majesty!"  Jeom Bak says.

 

"How many casualties?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"Over one hundred injured," says Bul Hwa.

 

"Those bastards," says Jeom Bak.  "Is this why they were acting up every night?"

 

"This isn't the end," says Wang Yoo.  "They showed us that they can also attack in the day."

 

Eunuch Bang looks at him in surprise.  "Then what they're after is..."

 

***********

 

"They're trying to keep us from getting any sleep," says Toqto'a.  "We have to be prepared for an attack not only at night, but during the day, too."

 

"So, they're going to bother us night and day so it affects our fighting power?"  Talahai asks incredulously.

 

"Any news from our spies?"  Bayan asks.

 

"Spies?"  Talahai raises an eyebrow.

 

"In order to locate their base, we sent out spies," Toqto'a explains.

 

"Then, once we find that out--" Talahai begins.

 

"We have a sufficient chance of winning," Toqto'a finishes his sentence.

 

"We must take back control of the Silk Road," says Bayan.  "We need to hold out until then, no matter what it takes."

 

****************

 

"We can't lose the Silk Road to Bayan," says Wang Yoo.  "For the sake of our future, we need to seize the Silk Road.  That's the reason why I wanted to become Commander of the Slaves."

 

"Are you thinking about working with the Turks?"  A horrified Eunuch Bang whispers.

 

I can't delay it any longer.  Is it time to make the winning move?  Wang Yoo thinks.

 

"But does that Baghatur bastard sleep at all?"  Jeom Bak asks.

 

"I know," says Eunuch Bang.  "He shows up day and night.  How is that possible?"

 

"He wears a mask," Wang Yoo says cryptically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several Turkic warriors are tearing through the grasslands as they return to their encampment.

 

Baghatur enters a ger.  A woman named Yeon Bisoo is sitting behind a purple transparent curtain.

 

"I'm back," says Baghatur.  "The ambush was a total success."

 

Yeon Bisoo pulls back the curtain.

 

"They don't know what we're really after," Baghatur continues.  "They're standing guard night and day.  They're not getting any sleep."

 

************

 

Wang Yoo is sitting at his table and thinking.  His contemplation is broken when Eunuch Bang, Moo Song, Bul Hwa, and Jeom Bak suddenly enter.  Goryeo soldiers file in, and Wang Yoo stands up.

 

"Are these the men?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"Yes," says Eunuch Bang.  "As you ordered, I picked them especially from among the soldiers."

 

"He worked as a spy," Bul Hwa says in regards to the man next to him.  "So, he has a special ability to scope out the region."

 

"He was a well renowned woodworker in Goryeo," Moo Song describes the man next to him.  "He's the best at working with wood."

 

"He used to be a hunter," Jeom Bak says about the man he picked out.  "He laid traps and dug up holes, and caught over one hundred tigers."  He pats him on the stomach and touches his scar.

 

"From now on, we're going to prepare to fight the Turks," says Wang Yoo.  "Bang Shin Woo, make a map of the region where the Turks retreat to," he says to Eunuch Bang.  "Not only the trails, but brooks and rocks without missing any details.  Moo Song, you need to use wood and stone to make weapons.  We need our own secret weapons aside from the weapons we lack.  Jeom Bak should install the secret weapons in the mountains.  It's no different than hunting tigers.  Predict where the enemy will land, then lay a trap in a precise location, and dig up holes.  Park Bul Hwa will train the soldiers in sword fighting with the weapons provided.  Their numbers may be few, but we must make them into the best fighters."

 

****************

 

Talahai and Byeong Soo observe Park Bul Hwa's sword training session.

 

"We can't give Wang Yoo a chance to achieve victory," says Talahai.

 

"Don't worry, General," says Byeong Soo.  "In the end, he will die by my hands."

 

Talahai grins.

 

That way, I will have my victory, too, Byeong Soo thinks.

 

Bul Hwa looks over at them warily.  Yeom Byeong Soo, it will not turn out the way you wish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang is in the concubines' quarters, poised and ready to take action.  Her chopstick is strategically placed in her hair.  She stealthily opens the doors to Court Lady Park's room.  She looks side to side to see if anyone is watching.  She quietly walks in, and sees the Emperor sleeping soundly next to Court Lady Park.

 

Seung Nyang is as fierce as a cat stalking a mouse as she walks closer to the bed.  She keeps checking to see that no one is watching as she makes her way closer.

 

She is hovering right over the sleeping couple, and she nervously pulls the chopstick from her hair.  She positions it like a dagger.  I will no longer blame you.  So don't blame me after you're dead.  This is our destiny.  Her hand quivers as she holds the chopstick.

 

She takes a deep breath and lunges for Emperor Toghon's throat.  Court Lady Park gasps and grabs her wrist.  Seung Nyang looks at her in shock.

 

"Follow me quietly," Court Lady Park whispers.

 

Seung Nyang's heart races while she is being led into the kitchen.

 

"I heard this from the tribute girls who were brought here with you," says Court Lady Park.  "That while disguised as a boy, you saved the life of the deposed King who was on the brink of death."

 

Seung Nyang looks up at her.

 

Court Lady Park walks behind her, their backs to each other.  "I'm not interested in your story.  There isn't a person here from Goryeo who doesn't have a deep wound in their hearts.  But, if you kill the Emperor, all the people from Goryeo in this palace will die."

 

They turn to face each other.  "Whether they're tribute girls, servants, or eunuchs," Lady Park continues.  "Just because they're from Goryeo, they will be gruesomely massacred.  That's what the Imperial Palace is like.  There is no blood, tears, or mercy.  There were numerous people who I've wanted to kill when I was brought here, too.  But that's not what real revenge is.  Surviving until the end.  Surviving any way we can, and rising above those who hurt us this way, that's real revenge."

 

Seung Nyang bursts into tears.

 

"This is the only time I'll ignore what happened," says Court Lady Park.  "If you do something rash again, I will point it out myself."

 

As Court Lady Park walks out, Seung Nyang's chopstick falls from her hand, and her knees buckle.  She muffles her sobs, as she so badly wants to go home.

 

**********

 

Seung Nyang enters the servants' quarters, and she reluctantly sits down on her bed.  Without effort, she falls asleep.  She awakens to see Wang Yoo in standing in front of her.  "Your Majesty."

 

He leads her out to the top of the grey arched bridge.

 

"Your Majesty," says Seung Nyang.

 

He turns around to face her.  "Have you forgotten that you're Goryeo's warrior?  What is the duty of the warrior?  It's to protect the people!"

 

"Then..." says Seung Nyang.  "Who's going to avenge my parents' deaths?"

 

"They're trivial feelings.  Throw them out for our cause!"

 

"What exactly is that cause?  While having the enemy in my immediate vicinity, I will not keep holding back like a fool anymore.  I will kill them and avenge my parents' deaths."

 

"Will you really be able to ignore the deaths of the people of Goryeo?"

 

"That's not my business."

 

"Your friends are among them, too," Wang Yoo points out.

 

"I don't have any friends!"  Seung Nyang snaps.

 

"You're lying to yourself right now."

 

Seung Nyang obstinately shakes her head.  "You're wrong.  Even if they die, I will not blink an eye.  Other than getting my revenge on my enemies, I don't care about anything else."

 

"You can't, Seung Nyang."

 

"Why do you only keep saying I can't?  My heart...Why don't you see the despair in my heart?"

 

"Seung Nyang."

 

"You're unfair.  Everyone is so unfair!"  She turns and walks away as the snow falls.

 

"Seung Nyang, please don't go."

 

Seung Nyang pauses.

 

"I missed you," Wang Yoo continues.  "I really missed you."

 

A tear rolls down Seung Nyang's cheek.  She slowly turns around to face him, but he has vanished.  "Your Majesty.  Your Majesty!  Your Majesty!"

 

She is sleeping against the post next to her bed, softly calling out, "Your Majesty."

 

Hong Dan sits beside her, and touches her shoulder.  "Why are you breaking out in a cold sweat?"  She touches Seung Nyang's forehead and cheek.  "You're burning up."

 

"I'm fine," Seung Nyang insists.

 

"What do you mean fine?  Hurry up and lie down.  I'll get you some cold water."

 

"I said I'm fine," Seung Nyang whispers.

 

"Do you know what the saddest moment here is?  It's when you get sick.  When you're sick...there are too many people you miss.  You need to take care of your own health.  Wait a minute, all right?"

 

Seung Nyang can't stop crying.  She just wants to go home.

 

********

 

Wang Yoo is asleep in his ger, at his table.

 

"You're here," he hears someone saying.

 

The clattering of the Turkic warriors' percussives reaches a crescendo.  He grabs his sword.

 

***************

 

Wang Yoo and his men walk up to the barricade.

 

A Turkic warrior blows the big red horn.

 

Wang Yoo makes eye contact with Baghatur.  Baghatur, tonight, I will take your head.

 

Jeom Bak hands a fiery arrow to Wang Yoo.  "Your Majesty."

 

Wang Yoo loads the arrow into his bow and shoots.

 

*************

 

The sun is shining and Emperor Toghon is grinning from ear to ear.  He finally hits the target with his baby arrow.  "Did you see?  I hit the target!"

 

Eunuch Baek bows.  "I saw that you did, Your Majesty."

 

"Ah, it would have been nice if Seung Nyang had seen it."

 

Seung Nyang feverishly approaches them with some tea.  

 

Eunuch Baek is about to hand the Emperor another arrow.  "Your Majesty, the tea you ordered is here."

 

"It's too bad," says Emperor Toghon, "but something is better than nothing.  Just stay here for a moment."

 

Seung Nyang is struggling to stay awake.  Your Majesty, I can't even kill him...What must I do now?  I miss you, Your Majesty.

 

"Watch carefully, how well I shoot!"  Emperor Toghon says enthusiastically.

 

Eunuch Baek hands him an arrow.

 

"The hand that holds the arrow should be stretched as if you are pushing a big mountain.  Your clasped hand should pull as if pulling a tiger's tail."  He fires the arrow, and it completely misses the target.

 

Seung Nyang is beginning to feel drowsy.

 

"That's strange.  I hit the target every time just a minute ago.  Let's try again.  Jeonchutaesan.  Huahkhomi."  He pulls the sinew back, and again, the arrow comes up short of the target.

 

Eunuch Baek bows.  "Your Majesty.  I think you've tired yourself."

 

Emperor Toghon shoves his bow and arrows into Eunuch Baek's arms.  As he walks away, Seung Nyang is having a hard time standing.

 

"You, did you just laugh at me?"  Emperor Toghon asks.

 

She looks over at him, and in her feverish fog, she sees Wang Yoo instead.

 

"This is all your fault," says Emperor Toghon.  "After you came, the shots aren't hitting the target."

 

"Your Majesty," says Seung Nyang.

 

"Your Majesty?"  Emperor Toghon asks.  "What do you mean?"

 

Her eyes close and her tray drops, shattering the tea kettle as she faints in Emperor Toghon's arms.

 

"Oh..." says Emperor Toghon.  He sits down and gently holds her.