American Perspectives: Betrayal, Pandering, and Negotiation Pt. 1 ("기황후" Ep. 6)

 

 

"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 happily eating as much as she can at Byeong Soo's table.  He is watching her with a mix of curiosity and disgust.

 

"Where is the body?"  Byeong Soo asks.  "Gaegyeong is full of King Simyang's soldiers.  What if they find it first?"

 

"Don't worry," Seung Nyang leans forward and smiles.  "It's in a place that's hard to find."

 

Byeong Soo grins in anticipation.  "What a relief.  Here, have some more."  He pours her drink.  It's obvious that Seung Nyang hasn't eaten well in several days.  Perhaps this is something he can exploit.

 

"But, how did you remain unscathed?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

"That night, I got a strange report from a private residence, so I was out observing that area."

 

Seung Nyang sighs.  "I see."

 

Byeong Soo sighs.  "It bothered me that I was the only one who made it out alive, so I came all the way to Gaegyeong to try and save the base commander."

 

Liar, liar, pants on fire!  "Anyway, it's a relief I met you, Deputy Commander Yeom."

 

"I'll go outside and check the surroundings, so stay here for now."

 

Seung Nyang nods.

 

*********

 

Jo Cham and a guard pop out from behind a rock to meet Byeong Soo.

 

"How long do you want me to wait?"  Jo Cham asks.  "I'll catch that rascal, and---"

 

"Don't act clueless," says Byeong Soo.  "First, we need to find Crown Prince's body, don't we?"

 

"Don't we?"  Jo Cham asks.  "How dare you speak informally to me!"

 

"Shut up and listen well.  I'll soon go to where Crown Prince's body is hidden with Seung Nyang.  Until I confirm it, we mustn't let Seung Nyang catch on, understood?"

 

Jo Cham grabs Byeong Soo's arm.  "This bastard.  How dare you?"

 

"Look," says Byeong Soo, he pushes Jo Cham away.  "I'll soon become a general.  Thanks to me, we're going to get credited for finding the Crown Prince's body.  What?  Bastard?"  He raises his hand like he's going to strike.  Jo Cham winces in anticipation.  Instead, Byeong Soo lightly pats Jo Cham's face.

 

"Anyway," Jo Cham says awkwardly, "make sure you don't lose Seung Nyang."

 

Byeong Soo smirks and walks away.

 

Little do they know, Seung Nyang has been watching them from the upstairs window.  She can't help but chuckle.

 

*******

 

As Seung Nyang lets Byeong Soo into her home, Jo Cham and Wang Go's guards surround the yard in strategic places.

 

Byeong Soo lifts the wooden lid, and is immediately overpowered by the stench of death.  He brushes the salt away from Toghon's face, and he smiles at the big score.

 

"What will you do now?"  Seung Nyang asks nonchalantly.

 

"What do you mean?"  Byeong Soo asks, feeling like the big man because he thinks he tricked Seung Nyang.  "Come in!"  He yells.

 

Jo Cham, followed by several soldiers, walks through the door.  He aims his sword at Seung Nyang's throat.

 

Seung Nyang pretends to be shocked as she looks at Byeong Soo.  "So, you were the traitor!"

 

Byeong Soo grins proudly.  "Traitor?  I'm just loyal to someone else.  You to Goryeo, me to the Great Yuan Empire."

 

"Dog like bastard," Seung Nyang says with sincere hatred.

 

"Dog?  Dog like?  A dog in a distinguished household looks a lot better than the chief of a beggar village."  He laughs gleefully.

 

Jo Cham smirks at Seung Nyang.

 

Keep laughing.  Just wait until we get to the palace...

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Yoo is walking into the main hall with Eunuch Bang behind him.  The ministers bow as he walks down the aisle between the two lines of politicians.  Wang Yoo stops in front of El Temur and the ass kissing Queen Dowager.

 

"We have discussed everything already," says El Temur.

 

"What have you discussed, and how?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"The national sovereignty of Goryeo will be erased and become a part of Yuan," says Wang Go.

 

Wang Yoo looks at him with anger.

 

"None of the lords here could oppose it," says the Queen Dowager.  "That was because you caused such serious trouble, Your Majesty."

 

Wang Yoo looks over at his ministers who hang their heads in shame.

 

"Your path has been set," says El Temur.  "You'll be summoned to Yeongyeong, and be tried under the Great Empire's laws."

 

"The Crown Prince looked down on Goryeo," says Wang Yoo.  "I couldn't abide by seeing that sight, so I killed him."

 

Multiple side conversations among the ministers erupt.

 

"Your Majesty!"  Eunuch Bang gasps.

 

"What are you saying?"  Moo Song asks.

 

"Are you admitting to your crime?"  El Temur inquires.

 

"I did it alone.  None of the lords or my people are to blame.  So don't dethrone me, instead, rip me to shreds right here.  I'm telling you to let Goryeo be, and only kill me!"

 

"Your Majesty!"  Eunuch Bang says.

 

"Your Majesty!"  Moo Song says.

 

********

 

Seung Nyang is being pushed forward, while Toghon's coffin is being dragged ahead.  Their entry to the palace is blocked.

 

Byeong Soo smirks.  "Open the gates!  Yeom Byeong Soo has brought the body of the Crown Prince!"

 

Several guards run forward.

 

Jeom Bak watches them from behind a wall.

 

"Nyang, it's all up to you now," Jeom Bak whispers.

 

*******

 

"I'm telling you to kill me instead," Wang Yoo repeats.  "I'm telling you to judge only me for the crime!" 

 

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Bang says tearfully.

 

"It's not a crime that can be atoned for with your life," says El Temur.

 

"Prime Minister El Temur!"  Wang Yoo exclaims.

 

"I'll take him to our capitol," says El Temur.  "You and Wang Go deal with things here," he says to Tanqishi.

 

Tanqishi bows.  "Yes, Father."

 

The opening palace doors momentarily break the tension.

 

Byeong Soo kowtows on the tile floor.  "Reporting to Prime Minister!  I've brought the body of the Crown Prince!"

 

The tension thickens.  Everyone stares at Byeong Soo in anticipation.

 

Seung Nyang is kneeling outside, completely tied up.  She's anticipating an intense show down with Wang Go.

 

The doors open, and she slightly looks up as Byeong Soo and Tanqishi come out first.  Talahai, Bayan, and Toqto'a soon join them.  Byeong Soo gestures to the casket.

 

"So, his body is inside that coffin?"  Tanqishi inquires.

 

"Yes, Sire," Byeong Soo responds.

 

"If he drowned, his body would be bloated," says Tanqishi.

 

"It was put in salt so you could at least recognize his face," Byeong Soo explains.

 

Seung Nyang hides her smile.

 

"Confirm it," says Tanqishi.

 

Talahai walks over to the coffin, and barely lifts the lid.  He recoils at the overwhelming scent.  "The smell is too awful," he gags.

 

"Still confirm that it's him!"  Tanqishi presses.

 

"Bayan, you come and check," Talahai demands.

 

Bayan sighs and steps forward.  What a wuss...Toqto'a joins him.  Toqto'a pulls back the lid, and though the scent is profoundly unpleasant, Bayan brushes the salt away from Toghon's face.  Indeed, it's the correct corpse.  Toqto'a and Bayan exchange glances.  Something seems off.

 

"Bodhisattva Mahasttva.  I wish you peace, Your Highness," says Bayan.  He brushes the salt back over Toghon's face.

 

Some of the salt gets into Toghon's nose, and it tickles.  He visibly flinches.

 

Bayan jumps back.

 

Seung Nyang is about to have a heart attack.  Leave it to Toghon to screw up a perfect plan...

 

Toqto'a looks down at the casket.  Tanqishi and Talahai look at them quizzically.  Toqto'a and  Bayan exchange panicked glances.  Tanqishi moves closer to the casket.

 

Bayan begins to cough.  "The smell is so awful, it's causing me to gag!"

 

Tanqishi moves back, and Toqto'a slides the lid back on.

 

Your Highness, you're alive?  Bayan thinks.

 

Seung Nyang is cautiously optimistic.

 

Wang Go's guards carry the casket through the palace doors.  Seung Nyang carefully follows behind.  The guards force her to her knees.  She looks up at a very surprised Wang Yoo, Eunuch Bang, and Moo Song.  She gives Wang Yoo a small smile and a nod.

 

El Temur carefully touches the casket.  He slides the lid back, and everyone recoils at the smell.  "Your Highness!"  El Temur shouts over dramatically.  "Why did you leave us this way?"

 

"Your Highness," whispers Lord Jang.

 

"Your Highness!"  Tanqishi yells.

 

The Yuan representatives make a huge show of dropping to their knees.

 

Seung Nyang pops up like a jack in the box.  "Your Highness, Crown Prince is alive."

 

Everyone looks at her in disbelief.  

 

"What nonsense are you speaking?"  Byeong Soo asks nervously.

 

"He didn't die!"  Seung Nyang says to Byeong Soo.  "He's alive!"

 

The Yuan representatives rise.

 

"When his body is right there?"  Tanqishi roars and throws off the lid.

 

Toghon sits straight up, making a huge, salty, mess.  The Yuan representatives jump back in shock.  Toghon gets the hell out of the atrocious smelling casket, while coughing and gagging.

 

Seung Nyang smiles.

 

"Your Highness..."  El Temur says.

 

"Pr-Prime Minister El Temur..."  Toghon stutters fearfully.

 

"Your Highness, you're alive," Lord Jang grins.  He raises his arms.  "Long live the Crown Prince!  Long live his Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince!"  He akwardly lowers his arms when he notices the Yuan representatives giving him side eye.

 

"Your Highness, how did this happen?"  El Temur asks.

 

"So wh-what happened was...I-I..."  He looks at Seung Nyang for help.

 

"Please speak, Your Highness," Seung Nyang says encouragingly.

 

He anxiously looks at El Temur.

 

"Reveal the truth that they are the people who tried to kill you on Daecheong Island!"  Seung Nyang says impatiently.

 

Toghon turns to face the Yuan representatives, and an awkward silence fills the room.

 

You can't.  You can never say it.  Bayan thinks.

 

"Please speak," says Tanqishi.  "Did I try to kill you?"

 

Toghon pauses, and just like with a man child, Seung Nyang intervenes.  "Please reveal it, Your Highness!"  Seung Nyang yells.

 

As soon as you say it, Bayan thinks, you will be killed.

 

"It's alright, please speak," says El Temur.  His eyes are deceptively gentle.  "Who tried to kill whom?"

 

"So, what happened was..." Toghon's heart races, and it's hard to breathe.  He looks to Seung Nyang for guidance.

 

She cannot believe this coward will soon be leading the Yuan Dynasty.

 

He then has the typical reaction of a man boy.  He pretends to faint.  Lord Jang grabs him before he smacks right into the tile.

 

"What are you doing?"  El Temur asks impatiently.  "Take him away and bring the doctor."

 

A soldier carries Toghon through the doors on his back.  El Temur and the Queen Dowager follow behind.

 

Toghon opens his eyes, and sees all the Yuan representatives following him.  His weaponized incompetence has backfired, BIG TIME!

 

Seung Nyang is about to follow the procession when Wang Yoo grabs her arm.

 

"That's enough," says Wang Yoo.

 

"Your Majesty, we can't let these people take the Crown Prince," says Seung Nyang.

 

"Since we've confirmed that he's alive, it's enough," Moo Song says confidently.

 

"That's right," Eunuch Bang agrees.  "Who cares if he lives or dies?"

 

Seung Nyang can't believe their stupidity.  Because she's worked for Wang Go since childhood, she knows it isn't over.

 

Wang Yoo smiles at her, and gives her a hug.

 

Seung Nyang gasps.  Now is seriously not the time.

 

"Thank you for coming back alive,"  Wang Yoo whispers excitedly.  "Thank you, Seung Nyang."

 

She looks over at him uncertainly, while Eunuch Bang and Moo Song have huge grins.  This is a decision they are going to profoundly regret.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toghon is freshly cleaned and dressed, feigning sleep, while an acupuncturist gets to work.

 

"Why isn't he waking up?"  Lord Jang asks.  He is the only one in the room who wants Toghon alive.

 

"I'm not sure," says the acupuncturist.  "His energy is fine."

 

Toqto'a and Bayan exchange glances.

 

"It's my first time experiencing this," the acupuncturist continues.

 

"Lord Jang, take the doctor and leave," says El Temur.

 

"Yes, Prime Minister," the two men exit.

 

El Temur gives a psuedo sleeping Toghon the side eye.  Toghon is really going to milk the weaponized incompetence.

 

Toghon opens one eye, and sees the room is still full of people who want, or have historically wanted, to kill him.

 

"Who checked the body last?"  El Temur asks Tanqishi accusatorily.

 

Talahai steps up.  "He told me to..."

 

Tanqishi shoots him a look.  Talahai hangs his head in fear.  "He told me to check the body....so I told General Bayan to--"

 

El Temur vigorously pulls Tanqishi's sword out of his sheath.

 

Toghon is wide awake, with his back turned to the crowd in his room.

 

"These bastards!"  El Temur raises his sword.

 

Tanqishi immediately kneels.  "Please kill me, father."

 

Everyone else, except Wang Go, and of course, Toghon, follows suit.

 

"Please kill us!"

 

"Please kill us!"

 

"Fine, I will kill you," El Temur rests the blade against Talahai's neck.  "Did you think you could live after making me look like the world's biggest fool?"

 

He raises his sword, and Wang Go grabs his waist, but respectfully kneels behind him.  "Please be calm, Prime Minister."

 

El Temur is trembling with narcissistic rage.

 

Talahai and Tanqishi are on the verge of tears.

 

Wang Go kneels toward Tanqishi and Talahai.  "The problem starts now.  Once Crown Prince wakes up, it will be revealed who tried to kill him."

 

"I will kill him," Tanqishi insists.  "Right here.  Right now."

 

Toghon fearfully grips his blanket.  He closes his eyes tightly.

 

El Temur lowers his sword.  "What?  Kill him now?  What about the King of Goryeo, and his people who witnessed that he's alive?  Do you want to kill them all, too?"

 

"Th-that...we can take measures later to---" says Tanqishi.

 

"Idiotic bastards," El Temur interrupts.  "That's why everything you do turns out badly."

 

"I am sorry, Father," says Tanqishi.

 

"Bayan!"  El Temur commands.  "Until Crown Prince wakes up, don't let anyone near him!"

 

"Yes, Prime Minister!"  Bayan shouts.

 

El Temur drops the sword, and it hits the floor with a loud clatter.  "Bastard."  He walks out the door.

 

Tanqishi grabs his sword, and quickly follows.

 

Only Bayan and Toqto'a remain.  The two men rise and approach Toghon's bed.

 

"Please open your eyes now," says Bayan.

 

"We're the only ones here," says Toqto'a.

 

"His Majesty, the Emperor, has died," Bayan whispers.

 

Toghon sits straight up.

 

"Now, you are the master of this world," says Bayan.  "You are the Emperor of the Great Yuan Empire."

 

"That's not what Prime Minister El Temur thinks," says Toghon.

 

"There is a way to change his mind," says Bayan.

 

******

 

"Can we trust the Crown Prince?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"Don't worry," says Seung Nyang.  "He made a promise to me."

 

"You accomplished something great this time, too," says Eunuch Bang.

 

"You did well," Moo Song agrees.

 

"But..what happened to Commander Ki?"  Seung Nyang asks.

 

*******

 

Seung Nyang sadly walks up to her father's prison cell.  The guard unlocks the door, and she covers her mouth when she sees her worst nightmare come to life.  His eyes are missing, and he's bound in chains.

 

"I can't give you long," says the guard.  "Come out quickly."

 

She walks into the cell, and sits by her shaking father.  "Commander..."

 

He can't hear her, as his eardrums have been punctured.

 

"It's me, Seung Nyang."  She touches his face, and he fearfully backs into the wall, like a puppy who has been physically abused way too many times.

 

Seung Nyang bursts into tears.  "It's me, I said.  Nyang.  Father!"  She tries to touch him, and he violently recoils.  "Please...it's me, Nyang!  It's Nyang, Father!"

 

Ki Ja Oh begins to make noise.  Seung Nyang takes off her necklace, and places the rings in Ki Ja Oh's hand.  She wraps his hand around the rings.

 

Ki Ja Oh reaches for her face.  "Father...Father...Yes, Father.  It's me, Nyang."  She hugs him tightly.  She sobs, and he smiles.  "Father..."

 

He touches her face once more.  He shakes his head at her.  With his finger, he writes something in her palm.  "Don't cry my daughter.  I have no more regrets since I got to meet you again before dying."

 

"Father," Seung Nyang sobs, "please wait a little longer.  When the Crown Prince wakes up, you can be set free."

 

He smiles.

 

"I will never forgive whoever did this to you."

 

Nyang, Ki Ja Oh thinks.

 

"Father...Father...Father..." She gives him a hug.  She can't get herself to stop sobbing, no matter how hard she tries.

 

*******

 

"I can't do that!"  Toghon insists.

 

"What do you mean?"  Bayan asks.

 

"I promised Seung Nyang that I would reveal the truth," Toghon explains.

 

"What kind of nonsense is that?"  Bayan snaps.

 

"Uncle," says Toqto'a.

 

Bayan sighs.  "Your Highness, this is about your life, and the fate of the empire.  Who cares about some promise you made to that kid?"

 

"You don't know anything!"  Toghon yells.  "In order to protect me, Seung Nyang put his life on the line, and--"

 

"Seung Nyang!  Seung Nyang!"  Bayan explodes.  "Please come to your senses!"

 

Toghon and Toqto'a look at him in shock.

 

"Your Highness," Toqto'a says calmly, "who do you think...killed the late Emperor?"

 

Toghon feels a lump in his throat.

 

"You must become the Emperor in order to avenge your father's death," Toqto'a explains calmly.

 

"Are you regaining your senses now?"  Bayan asks.  "Do you now know what you need to do, and how?"

 

Toghon slowly sits down.  This is all too much right now.  He is going to be betraying his only friend in a matter of minutes.  His whole body feels extremely heavy.  "Father..."

 

 

...To Be Continued...