American Perspectives: Discovered Identity Pt. 3 ("기황후" Ep. 12)

 

 

***The intent of The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise is to support women and men in rejecting the culture of pornography, and to live a life of integrity without manipulative intent.***

 

 

"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"

 

 

 

 

 

 

"She's not pregnant?"  El Temur inquires while he's meticulously polishing his sword.  There's never a dull moment in the palace.  "If you are wrong about this, you won't be able to keep your neck."

 

The doctor kneels in front of him.  "How can I dare to not tell you the truth?"

 

"Please leave."

 

"As long as Empress Dowager knows, they will refuse a re-examination," says Tanqishi.

 

"Have the lords gather in the court," says El Temur.

 

"Is there a need for that?"  Tanqishi asks.  "Drag Lady Park out, and--"

 

"You moron.  You use swords during battle.  For politics, you use justification.  Empress Dowager is the only one who can match my wits.  I can only win by strangling her with justification and eroding her supporters."

 

********

 

"We were annihilated," says Wang Yoo.

 

Talahai abruptly stands up.  "Annihilated?  What happened to General Bayan?"

 

Wang Yoo pauses.  "He was captured by the enemy camp.  By now, he will have been executed."

 

"General, what do we do now?"  Jo Cham asks.

 

Talahai plops down into his seat with a thud.

 

Moo Song sprints into the ger.  "I got the message that Baghatur will bring a huge army to attack us here soon."

 

Talahai rises again.  "I will lead the military and retreat.  You follow later on."

 

Wang Yoo stands up.  "Are you telling us to stay and be your shields?"

 

"Did you forget your duty?"  Talahai asks.  "You die for us.  That is your mission.  Prepare to leave."

 

"Yes, General," Jo Cham bows.

 

After Talahai and Jo Cham leave, Wang Yoo and Moo Song exchange glances.

 

"The spies must be keeping watch over us," says Wang Yoo.  "The moment Talahai and the army leave, we will retreat, as well."

 

"I understand," says Moo Song.

 

*********

 

The Turkic encampment is in shambles.  Shelters are destroyed, lit torches and dead bodies litter the ground.

 

"It's a great historical victory," Eunuch Bang says to Yeon Bisoo.  "Congratulations, General."

 

"Everything is thanks to the depth of your strategy," says Yeon Bisoo.  

 

Eunuch Bang laughs.  "The soldiers are very tired.  How about some entertainment for all their efforts?"

 

"We still have reinforcements left to deal with," says Yeon Bisoo.  "Until we get rid of them all, we cannot lower our guard."

 

"You don't have to worry about them," says Eunuch Bang.  "They're outside fighters who were forced here from various countries.  When you build a tower with sand, how can it withstand the wind?  Even if you leave them be, they will soon disperse."

 

"Is there someone who used to be the King of Goryeo who leads them?"

 

"Yes," says Eunuch Bang.  "He was brought here after being deposed."

 

"I once fought that man.  There was unusual determination in his swordsmanship.  He's not one to quit easily."

 

Eunuch Bang nods and clears his throat.

 

"General," the advisor enters through the doorflap.  "The remaining reinforcements have retreated."

 

"Is that true?"  Yeon Bisoo asks.

 

"Yes.  The enemy's camp has completely emptied out," says the advisor.

 

"See, I told you," says Eunuch Bang.  "Have I ever steered you wrong?  Congratulations, General."

 

*******

 

The Turkic encampment is lit up with a nighttime celebration.

 

"Here it is," Jeom Bak brings out a huge jar of liquor.  "There's plenty, so drink up!"

 

"General," says Eunuch Bang, "why don't you have some?  How can you refuse on such a momentous night?"

 

"I'm fine," says Yeon Bisoo, "so, why don't you drink?"  She excuses herself from the table.

 

Jeom Bak and Eunuch Bang signal to each other.

 

"Drink up until your bladder bursts!"  Jeom Bak yells.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Uncle, please lie down," Toqto'a says to Bayan in the outdoor Turkic prison.  "Your injuries are deep."

 

"I won't die from such a trivial wound," says Bayan.

 

Byeong Soo abruptly sits up.  "Ah, what's this smell?  It's the smell of meat being cooked."  He stands up.  "They must be having a feast."

 

Yeon Bisoo approaches their cell.

 

"Why isn't Baghatur showing up?"  Bayan snaps.

 

"The General thinks your bravery is being wasted," says Yeon Bisoo.

 

Bayan chuckles.  "So, is he going to let me live?"

 

"The remaining reinforcements retreated and abandoned you," says Yeon Bisoo.  "So, how about swearing allegiance to General Baghatur, and becoming his subordinate?"

 

"Shut your mouth!" Bayan snaps.  "Death to a warrior is like a pack on a wanderer's back.  It's not a big deal to unpack and find a place to rest."

 

"Excuse me, General," says Byeong Soo.  "What if you have a proper conversation with him and...."

 

"Rather than live in humiliation," says Bayan, "I will not let go of this sword, even in death.  Relay that to Baghatur."

 

"Generosity isn't shown twice," says Yeon Bisoo.  "Expect to die."

 

Byeong Soo cringes a she walks away.   He cries loudly and lies down.

 

"In the end," says Toqto'a, "Talahai abandoned us."

 

"May the Buddha preserve us," says Bayan.

 

*******

 

Wang Yoo looks out over the lake near the Yuan encampment.  He's thinking of Seung Nyang, and wondering if they will indeed meet again.  How is she doing now?  Seung Nyang...We will meet again.  I will never let you be alone again.  Please protect me from in here.  He touches his heart.  Give me strength.  Seung Nyang.

 

Moo Song carefully interrupts Wang Yoo's moment of solitude.  "Sire, I got word that the Turks are drinking up a storm.  Baghatur has fallen for your plans."

 

"Get ready," says Wang Yoo.

 

*******

 

The Goryeo soldiers are lined up with torches in hand, ready to go.

 

"Whether you live or die," says Wang Yoo, "this fight will be your last.  The enemy is in front of us.  For yourselves, shout out in silence."

 

Moo Song raises his sword, and the group of soldiers in front of them follow suit.  With their facial expressions, they indicate their high morale.  They silently cheer.

 

******

 

The men sneak through the grasses in front of the Turkic encampment.

 

"Hold up!"  Moo Song says.

 

The men kneel down.

 

"I can smell the alcohol from here," says Bul Hwa.

 

"Bang Shin Woo and Jeom Bak must come out first," says Wang Yoo.  "Go and contact them secretly."

 

"I understand," says Bul Hwa.  He silently scurries to the side entrance of the encampment.

 

********

 

Yeon Bisoo is taking a hot, relaxing bath.  Finally, she can let her guard down.  No more shennanigans for a while.

 

Bul Hwa carefully sneaks through the tall grasses.  He kneels down a few yards from the gate, and makes the cuckoo bird sound.

 

Jeom Bak and Eunuch Bang carefully sneak their way through the passed out soldiers.

 

"His Majesty has finally come," Eunuch Bang whispers as they reach the gated perimeter.

 

"Let's send a signal back," Jeom Bak suggests.

 

Eunuch Bang cups his hands to his mouth, and makes the cuckoo sound.

 

Bul Hwa smiles, and returns back to Wang Yoo's group.

 

Eunuch Bang continues to make the call.  He stops to take a breath.  "Oh, I'm so dizzy.  How long do I have to do this?"

 

"Keep blowing it," says Jeom Bak.

 

Eunuch Bang takes several deep breaths.

 

They are oblivious to the group of Turkic warriors gathering behind them.  Therefore, with renewed energy, Eunuch Bang continues to make his call.

 

Jeom Bak feels something behind him.  He slowly turns around, and sees Yeon Bisoo's advisor glaring right at him.

 

Eunuch Bang, on the other hand, is completely unaware, continuing the call.

 

"Soldiers," says Jeom Bak.

 

"Don't interrupt me, you fool," says Eunuch Bang.

 

"Soldiers..." Jeom Bak slaps him on the back.

 

"Come on, I told you!"  Eunuch Bang snaps.  He turns around, and it finally registers.  His jaw drops, and he puts his hands up.  He is expecting to share a cell with Bayan tonight.

 

"Who are you sending that signal to?"  The advisor asks.

 

"What do you mean, signal?"  Eunuch Bang grins.  "A little bird kept crying nearby, so I was trying to shoo it away."

 

Jeom Bak looks up at him sideways.  "Hurry up, and go open the door," he whispers.

 

"Just like this," Eunuch Bang insists, still trying to sell his story.  He puts his hand up to his ear.  "Huh?  Was it over there?"  He makes his call as he hops over to the gate.

 

"Catch him!"  The advisor orders.

 

Jeom Bak and Eunuch Bang make a run for it, but they don't get far.

 

"Get them!"

 

Eunuch Bang is grabbed by a soldier, while Jeom Bak is able to defend himself.

 

A warrior blows the horn to alert the rest of the camp.

 

Eunuch Bang manages to break free, and he unlocks the gate for the waiting Goryeo soldiers.  Like a dam that has been busted, they flood the encampment.

 

Several drunken Turkic soldiers are easily taken down.

 

Yeon Bisoo is still relaxing in her bath when she hears the chaos outside.

 

Byeong Soo, Bayan, and Toqto'a hear it from their outdoor cell.

 

"What's that noise?"  Bayan asks.

 

"I think someone is carrying out a surprise attack," says Toqto'a.

 

"Surprise attack?"  Bayan asks.  "Are you saying Talahai came to rescue us?"

 

"Of course he would," says Byeong Soo.  "There's no way General Talahai would abandon us."

 

*********

 

The battle in the encampment continues to rage.

 

Wang Yoo and the advisor make eye contact.

 

"That bastard!"  The advisor rages.

 

The two men charge at each other, but Wang Yoo is just a little bit faster as he jumps up and stabs the advisor in the chest.

 

"Sire, it's nice to see you again," says Eunuch Bang.

 

"Where's Baghatur?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"Follow me," says Eunuch Bang.

 

******

 

Yeon Bisoo is quickly getting dressed.  Just as she finishes tying her top, she hears a sword being drawn behind her.  She looks to the side, and sees Wang Yoo pointing his sword at her neck.  She nervously turns all the way around, and makes eye contact.

 

Eunuch Bang grins at her.

 

"That treacherous, subject-like bastard!"  Yeon Bisoo hisses.  She has the worst feeling of betrayal throughout her entire body.

 

Eunuch Bang scratches his (mostly) bald head.  "Treacherous subject...To my master, I'm a loyal subject."

 

"You're a woman," says Wang Yoo.  "Where's Baghatur."

 

"This girl," says Eunuch Bang, "is Baghatur."

 

Wang Yoo looks at her curiously.

 

She looks at him defiantly.  "Kill me.  Hurry!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Temur enters the main hall, and ascends the steps to the throne.  He abruptly unfurls a purple scroll.

 

Emperor Toghon's heart is pounding in his ears.  He is effectively ensnared between two vicious puppet masters.

 

El Temur places the unfurled scroll on the table.  "It's an appeal from the ministers.  Put your Imperial Seal on it."

 

Emperor Toghon picks it up and sighs.  "That...so suddenly...Why did the ministers send an appeal?"

 

"I'll tell you after you put the seal on it," says El Temur.

 

"I'm certain it's about the re-examination."

 

"You're holding it upside down," says El Temur.

 

"Yes, yes."  He repositions the scroll.  "Well, today, I don't feel so well, so--"

 

El Temur slams his hand down on the table.  His eyes are stone cold.  "Hurry up and put the seal on it."

 

"Well...P-Prime Minister, th-this appeal, I can't allow it."

 

"You can't allow it?  Emperor, do you really want to get kicked out of the Imperial Palace with the Empress Dowager?"

 

"P-P-Prime Minister."

 

"This is all the patience I have."  El Temur picks up the seal, and holds it in front of Emperor Toghon.

 

Emperor Toghon reluctantly grabs the seal.  With a shaking hand, he leans forward, and applies his seal onto the appeal.

 

"Please don't disappoint me anymore," says El Temur.  "Do you understand?"

 

Emperor Toghon looks down, and he's trying really hard not to cry.

 

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Baek arrives at the foot of the stairs.  "Empress Dowager is coming to make a petition."

 

Emperor Toghon feels like his head is going to explode.  "Petition?"

 

********

 

Empress Dowager and her entourage approach the steps to the main palace.  She takes off her crown, and hands it to Court Lady Yeom.  She begins to remove each layer of clothing, until she is down to her white underdress.

 

The women in her entourage sob.  "Empress Dowager!"

 

"Your Highness!"

 

She unbinds her hair, and kneels on the mat in front of the steps.  "Your Imperial Majesty!  You must not allow a re-examination!  Even just for the sake of Imperial Authority, it can never be allowed!  I, Empress Dowager, am desperately raising my voice to you, Your Majesty!  Your Majesty!"

 

Empress Danashiri, Tanqishi, and their entourage are observing from the side.

 

"It's a sight to behold the Empress Dowager standing on the edge of the cliff," says Tanqishi.

 

"I wish I could just push her off the cliff right now," says an understandably angry Empress Danashiri.  After all, the Empress Dowager killed her bedroom before it could even come to life.

 

"Please hold back, Your Majesty," says Tanqishi.  "She will soon throw herself off the cliff."

 

The palace doors squeak open.  Emperor Toghon descends the staircase, as El Temur is right behind him.  He stops in front of the Empress Dowager.  "Please get up quickly.  Everyone is watching."

 

"Until you command that there is to be no re-examination, I will not move an inch from here.  I will die right here and turn to stone, Your Majesty!"

 

"You should go to the temple and become a stone there first," El Temur interjects.

 

Emperor Toghon frowns at him.

 

"I'm speaking to the Emperor, do you not see?"  Empress Dowager shouts.

 

"Right now, there are overflowing appeals from Ministers asking for re-examination.  Don't you know that disturbing the peace and upsetting the Emperor is treason?"  El Temur snaps.

 

"The person who is controlling others to upset the Emperor, is you, Prime Minister!"  Empress Dowager fires back.

 

A stunned silence falls over the courtyard.

 

"It's all been discussed," says El Temur.  "Order the re-examination."

 

"You cannot, Your Majesty!  You mustn't!"  Empress Dowager shouts.

 

"It's all been agreed to by the Emperor!"  El Temur growls.

 

"You cannot, Your Majesty!  No!  Please kill me first, instead, Your Majesty!"

 

"Please, stop it!"  Emperor Toghon yells.  "Please, stop!  Please!"  He walks away, leaving the two vicious puppet masters behind.

 

"Your Majesty!"  El Temur shouts.

 

"Your Majesty!"  Empress Dowager yells.

 

*******

 

Seung Nyang pulls back Lady Park's bed curtain.

 

Lady Park sits up.

 

"I'll tell His Majesty to carry out the re-examination," says Seung Nyang.

 

"I'm scared, Yang," says Lady Park.

 

"We will win," Seung Nyang promises.  "The bigger this issue gets, the bigger the Empress' sins."

 

******

 

Emperor Toghon is furiously walking across the white bridge, as his entourage is trying to stay caught up.

 

"Your Majesty!"  Eunuch Baek calls out.  "Your Majesty!  Your Majesty!"

 

"It's an order," Emperor Toghon says sternly.  "Don't follow me."

 

Seung Nyang happens to be standing in front of him.

 

"I want to be alone," says Emperor Toghon.  He continues to walk.

 

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Baek begs.  "Your Majesty!"

 

Seung Nyang follows them down the stairs.

 

******

 

Emperor Toghon is finally alone in a room.  "I want to die, Seung Nyang."

 

Seung Nyang is standing behind him.

 

Emperor Toghon sighs.  "I wish I had died on Daecheong Island instead."  He turns around, and nearly jumps out of his skin when he sees Seung Nyang.  "Why are you here?"

 

Seung Nyang bows.  "I have something important to tell you."

 

"Did you come to laugh at me?  That this is all I got after betraying you?  Do you want to ask if I betrayed you for this pathetic and shabby position?"