American Perspectives: Born a Girl, Living as a Man Pt. 3 ("기황후" Ep. 1)

 

 

"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, Jo Cham, and the governor are kneeling in front of Wang Go.

 

Wang Go slaps the table.  "There's a traitor!  Without one, how can a mere royal auditor know in such detail about our salt smuggling?"

 

Jo Cham and the governor are at the front, Seung Nyang is kneeling in the back.

 

"Without a doubt," says Jo Cham, "it's probably the resellers.  There's no reason there would be a traitor among us."

 

Seung Nyang's heart pounds, but she is great at keeping her cool.  She has had about eight years of practice.

 

Wang Go isn't buying it.  "How many know about the smuggling on the reseller side?"

 

"Th-three, Your Highness," says the governor.

 

"Three, you say?"  Wang Go asks.  He points at the three people sitting in front of him.  "Including the three people here, that's six total."

 

"Don't your faction thugs know, too?"  Jo Cham asks Seung Nyang.

 

"They only deliver," says Seung Nyang.  "They don't know anything about those involved."

 

"Governor," Wang Go says, "manage the reseller side."

 

"Yes, Your Highness," the governor bows.

 

"You may all take your leave," Wang Go says dismissively.

 

The three bow.  "Yes, Your Highness."

 

"The Crown Prince doesn't know about this yet, does he?"  Wang Go asks after the three leave.

 

The partition behind him gets folded by a couple of panels, and a man in black is behind him.  "Before the royal auditor opened his mouth, my arrow pierced his heart.  But are you sure there's a traitor among those three men?"

 

"What I'm sure of is that Seung Nyang is the one I trust the most.  You must not let your eyes stray from the Crown Prince.  For not even a moment.  Understood?"

 

"Yes, Your Highness," the spy bows.

 

 

 

 

 

"There's a spy among us," says Wang Yoo.  "If not, the royal auditor couldn't have been silenced like that."

 

"I'm sure it's one of Jeom Bak's subordinates," says Moo Song.

 

"Please," whisper Eunuch Bang.  "It's not safe here.  Please hurry and return to the palace."

 

"King Simyang has noticed that I was sharpening my blade," says Wang Yoo.  "If I retreat, I will be cornered to the edge of a cliff."

 

"Then, what are you planning on doing?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"I will shake him."

 

"Pardon?"  Moo Song asks.

 

"They say King Simyang has nothing to fear in Goryeo, but he's at least fearful of the Yuan Court.  First, dry up all the salt in Inju by buying it all.  The tradespeople from Yuan will become angry for making a vain effort.  That's when you'll spread gossip that the reason for the lack of salt is because King Simyang is profiteering off of salt trafficking.  Let that slip on the sly."

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Go is polishing his sword and laughing as Jo Cham and the governor kneel in front of him.

 

"Crown Prince used his head, I see," Wang Go chuckles.

 

"Your Highness," says Jo Cham, "this isn't the time to give him compliments."

 

"We can't smuggle salt because the Crown Prince's people are guarding the salt storage house all day," says the governor.

 

"If Yuan learns of our salt trafficking--" says Jo Cham.

 

Wang Go points his sword at Jo Cham's throat.  "Don't worry about that.  The person who's illegally trading salt isn't me, but the Crown Prince."  He puts his sword back in its sheath.

 

"Your Highness," says Seung Nyang on the other side of the door.  "It's Seung Nyang."

 

"Come in," says Wang Go.

 

The other two men leave, and Seung Nyang kneels.

 

"You're the only one I can trust," says Wang Go.

 

Seung Nyang looks up.

 

"Listen carefully to what I say from this moment.  You must carry it out without a single deviation."

 

"Bestow your order."

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Yoo is playing his geomungo in his room at the Inn, recalling his conversation earlier.

 

"The anxious one will move first.  King Simyang will attempt to relay false information to me.  I just need to wait.  Who will come to see me...who will that be..."  

 

He gets ready to play his geomungo.

 

"Cooperative Elder," says Eunuch Bang.  He slides open the doors and smiles.  "You have a guest."

 

"Guest?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

Seung Nyang stands in the doorway.

 

"You're Seung Nyang," Wang Yoo says with surprise.  Could it be?  "What brings you here?"

 

"You asked me to teach you to shoot baby arrows.  You forgot already?"

 

Wang Yoo gives her a strange look.  The person King Simyang sent...is it you, Seung Nyang?

 

"If you don't want to," says Seung Nyang, "then carry on with your plucking of the geomungo."

 

As she's about to leave, Wang Yoo pipes up, "Why wouldn't I want to?"

 

 

 

 

 

"Jeonchataesan," says Seung Nyang.  They are standing outside on the dock where they recently had the shooting competition.  Seung Nyang is confidently standing with her bow drawn, ready to demonstrate how to shoot baby arrows.  "Extend your hand with strength, as if if are pushing a large mountain.  Huakhomi."  She pulls the arrow back.  "With the other grip, pull as if pulling on a tiger's tail."  She releases the sinew, and the arrow hits the target perfectly.

 

Seung Nyang hands her bow over to Wang Yoo, who is completely floored by her skill.  She hands him the tube containing the baby arrow.

 

Wang Yoo gets himself in position, and loads the bow.  "Jeonchataesan."  He pulls the sinew back.  "Huakhomi."  He fires the arrow, and the tube pinches his finger.  He yelps and drops the bow.

 

"Give me your hand," says Seung Nyang.

 

He reluctantly extends his hand, and she sees he has a cut on his finger.  She wraps a strip of gauze around it.

 

"There's no need to be disappointed," says Seung Nyang.  "To properly shoot baby arrows, it takes at least three years."

 

"What is there in Inju that makes money?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

Seung Nyang looks up at him and smirks.  "If I knew, would I be here to teach you how to shoot baby arrows?"

 

Wang Yoo sighs.  "From the rumors, they say salt makes money."

 

"Because it makes money, that's probably why the royal family regulates it directly.  Right?"  Seung Nyang looks up at him.  "You said you are friendly with the crown prince, right?  Can you get the salt rights, then?"

 

This boy is not the spy.

 

"Until I skillfully shoot baby arrows, would you stay by my side?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"You must first gain that person's trust," Wang Go had instructed Seung Nyang.  "I'm saying you must get him to trust you well."

 

"Why aren't you answering?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

Seung Nyang smirks.  "My services are quite expensive."

 

Wang Yoo laughs.  "In term's of money, I am confident."

 

"Let's go out for some drinks," says Seung Nyang.  She picks up her bow and arrows.  "Because starting today, there's a lantern festival.  There will be a lot to see."

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful gisaengs with flowers in their hair, and off the shoulder silk hanboks are throwing flowers into the crowd.  Beautiful lanterns are displayed as far as the eye can see.

 

The ground is covered in flower petals.  Acrobats show off their skills to a cheering crowd.

 

Seung Nyang and Wang Yoo are walking side by side, carrying their lanterns.  They stop in front of a statue, and make their wishes.  

 

"What did you wish for?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"What are you going to do, knowing someone else's wish?"

 

"Do you wish for a pretty wife?"

 

Seung Nyang gives him side eye.  "What wife?"  She walks away.

 

"Why are you so adamantly denying it?"  Wang Yoo asks.  "It's not an embarrassment for men to fancy women.  Look, tell me what kind of woman suits your fancy.  If you just say so--"

 

"I wished to earn a lot of money," Seung Nyang interrupts.

 

"Money, money, money.  How is it that when you open your mouth, it's all about money?"

 

"There's nothing you can trust in the world besides money."

 

"Your life is quite pitiful, I see," Wang Yoo crosses his arms.

 

Seung Nyang looks up and catches a glimpse of one of Wang Go's assassins on the balcony, with his bow drawn.  She runs to Wang Yoo and knocks him over as the assassin makes his shot.  The arrow gets embedded in her leg.

 

Wang Yoo looks up and sees the assassin.  The assassin fires once more, but Wang Yoo grabs Seung Nyang, and they roll away just in time.

 

The crowd of people panic, and disperse in multiple directions.  Wang Yoo helps Seung Nyang stand.  The assassin has vanished without a trace.

 

Seung Nyang tries to walk, but she feels a shooting pain in her injured leg.

 

"What happened?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"It won't kill me," says Seung Nyang.  With great pain, she breaks off the end of the arrow.  The arrow point is still in her leg, but she intends to extract that later.  She begins to limp away.

 

Wang Yoo steadies her.  "This won't do.  Get on my back."

 

"It's fine," says Seung Nyang.  She limps several steps forward.

 

Wang Yoo quickly follows her, and picks her up.

 

Seung Nyang's heart begins to pound, and she knows she needs to keep it together.  "What are you doing?  Won't you put me down?"

 

"Since you had been injured in trying to save me, remain still."

 

"Let go!"  Seung Nyang protests.  "I said let go!  Let go!  Let go!"

 

Wang Yoo keeps walking with her in his arms.

 

"Won't you let me go?"

 

Jo Cham and the assassin watch them leave.

 

"To have even gotten hit instead of him!"  Jo Cham exclaims.  "Anyway, the work seems to be progressing well."

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Bear it for a bit longer," Wang Yoo says to Seung Nyang.  "We've arrived."

 

"Let me down," Seung Nyang asserts.

 

"Cooperative Elder!"  Jeom Bak yells.

 

"What happened, sir?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"I said to let me down!"  Seung Nyang insists.

 

"Stay still," Wang Yoo whispers.  "You bled a lot."

 

"I shall take him," says Moo Song.

 

"It's okay.  Move," says Wang Yoo.

 

 

 

 

 

Eunuch Bang, Wang Yoo, and Seung Nyang are in Wang Yoo's room, trying to get the arrow out.

 

Seung Nyang is biting down on a hard object in order to bear the pain.  Eunuch Bang is pulling out the arrow, Wang Yoo is holding her leg.

 

"Hold on for a bit," says Wang Yoo.

 

Eunuch Bang finally removes the arrow.  "Luckily, the wound isn't deep," he whispers.  "I will get the medicine."

 

"There, let me have a look," says Wang Yoo.

 

"I-It's okay," Seung Nyang stutters.

 

"I said let me see," Wang Yoo insists.

 

"I...I said it's fine.  Why are you being like this?"

 

"I said let's look."  He rips open her pant leg at the knee, where the arrow had been embedded.

 

At the speed of light, Seung Nyang slaps him across the face.  Wang Yoo jumps back in surprise, and Seung Nyang covers her leg.  

 

Seung Nyang looks up and feels very flustered.  "I have only one piece of clothing.  Since you ripped it, you must compensate me."

 

Wang Yoo chuckles.  "What?"

 

 

 

 

 

In her rare moment alone, Seung Nyang is taking advantage of the opportunity to take a private bath.  She is enjoying the luxury of the hot water she doesn't get to access very often.

 

Wang Yoo is walking down the hallway with some new pants in his hands.  He attempts to open the door, and is surprised to find that it's locked.  What is he doing in there?

 

The knock on the door startles Seung Nyang.

 

"Why did you lock it?"  Wang Yoo asks.  "Open up."

 

"What is it?"  Seung Nyang asks anxiously.

 

"Didn't you say to compensate for your clothes?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

Seung Nyang self consciously crosses her arms over her chest.

 

"I brought clothes for you to change in, so open the door."

 

"I don't need it!"  Seung Nyang yells.  "So just go!"

 

"What kind of man is so shy?"

 

"Gosh, come on!"  Seung Nyang mutters.  She shudders to think how much more pushy he would be if he knew she was a woman.  Will he be the type who will continually push her to do sexual things she isn't comfortable with?  Why can't he just leave my clothes at the door, or in the room?  "I said to just go!"

 

"No need to yell," says Wang Yoo.  He finally walks away.

 

Goddamn...Seung Nyang breathes a sigh of relief.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Go is laughing heartily.  "I heard that guy was completely hoodwinked.  Are your injuries okay?"

 

Seung Nyang is kneeling in front of his desk, appropriately enough, on her injured knee.  "My life is yours, Your Highness."  She bows.

 

"Listen well," says Wang Go.  "On the day of the deal, go load the salt at the storage and be on standby.  I'll tell you the location of the transaction at that time.  It's not that I don't trust you.  It's because I don't want to be the least bit suspicious of you."

 

"Then, what should I tell him?"

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang and Wang Yoo are enjoying drinks and a meal in Wang Yoo's room.

 

"That day, you could have died while protecting me," says Wang Yoo.  "How could you be so reckless?  I have received a saving grace from you, so I'll make sure to pay that debt."

 

"Never mind," says Seung Nyang.  "Grace, my butt."  As she takes a drink, she sees a shadow passing in front of the paper covered door.  It's the one who's watching me. "But why did they want your life?"

 

"Not sure," now it's Wang Yoo's turn to be flustered.  "I wonder."

 

"Is it because you are investigating the salt smuggling of King Simyang?"

 

Wang Yoo's heart begins to pound, and the color drains from his face.

 

Seung Nyang grins.  "If it's that, I can help you."

 

Wang Yoo chuckles.  How much does this man know?  "How can you help?"

 

"Among my close contacts, there's someone who knows those in the state salt dealership well."

 

So, it was you.  The one who was sent by King Simyang.. 

 

"In four days," says Seung Nyang, "there will be a deal going down in a tavern called Haeweoljang in Byeokrando."

 

Wang Yoo stealthily draws his sword.

 

Seung Nyang takes another drink.  "It's valuable info, so gather plenty of money at the ready."  She gets up from the table, and slides the doors open.

 

"I should have killed him," Wang Yoo whispers after she leaves.  "No way...Have I become fond of that kid?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang is leaving her room.  Her face and hair are concealed by a gray cloth.  She and her men are cautiously but quickly pulling the carts full of contraband through the alley ways.

 

**********

 

"Make my private soldiers lie in ambush in Haeweoljang," Wang Go tells Jo Cham and the governor.  "When the crown prince shows up, he must be killed and gotten rid of."

 

"Even if he's a fool," says the governor, "he's the crown prince of this country.  To kill him is..."

 

"If you kill him without justification, there will be backlash," says Wang Go.  "But we're killing a thief who smuggles salt."

 

 

 

 

 

Wang Yoo and his men are ready to bust some salt smugglers.  He's disappointed that Seung Nyang is going to be among them.  He was really liking their friendship.

 

"Let's go to Haewoljong!  Jeom Bak tells the rest of the men.  "Cooperative Elder, sir!  Sir!"  Jeom Bak catches up to Wang Yoo.  "It doesn't seem to be the way to Haewoljang."

 

"Listen up," says Wang Yoo.  "We will face salt thieves on the way.  We must never attack first.  Got it?"

 

"Yes!"  His men bow.

 

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang and her men have stopped to take a break and drink some water.

 

Wang Yoo's men are hiding behind a wall.

 

"Sir," says Eunuch Bang.

 

"It's the salt thieves," says Wang Yoo.  "Before they get to the location to make the deal, we can never attack them first.  Tell everyone again."

 

"Understood," says Jeom Bak.

 

They are astounded to see a familiar person among the thieves.  

 

An unauthorized arrow is whizzes through the air, and lands pierces one of  the bags of contraband loaded on the carts.

 

"It's an ambush!"  Seung Nyang yells, her face still concealed.  She and her men draw their weapons.  "Look!"

 

"Run!"  Moo Song yells.  The men run into the encampment, and begin to attack Seung Nyang's men.

 

Some of the bags of contraband are slashed open, sending salt pouring to the ground.

 

Moo Song jumps at Seung Nyang with his sword down.  Seung Nyang flips away from him.  The two continue to fight.  Moo Song kicks her wrist, and her sword hits a bag of salt, creating an additional white crystalline mess.

 

Seung Nyang is knocked to her knees, and Wang Yoo holds his sword to her throat.  "Remove the cover," he orders.

 

Moo Song pulls down her face mask, and they are all shocked to see Seung Nyang.

 

 

 

 

 

Eunuch Bang runs up the stairs.

 

"Did they open their mouth on the location of the deal?"  Wang Yoo asks.

 

"They say only the punk Seung Nyang knows, and no one else does," says Eunuch Bang.

 

"But how did you find out that Haewoljang was the fake location?"  Moo Song asks.

 

Wang Yoo picks up an arrow with an attached message.  "This flew into my bedroom.  On that note, it said that Haewoljang was the fake location, and the Seung Nyang would be the one delivering the salt."

 

"But...why did you keep it a secret from us, too?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"I was told there was a spy among those around me," says Wang Yoo.

 

"Then the one who sent the headband also sent the note?"  Moo Song asks.

 

Wang Yoo nods.  "The person who first reported to the Office of Auditing is helping me."

 

"Who could that person be?"  Eunuch Bang asks.

 

"I am dying to find out who he is," says Wang Yoo.  "Exactly who has the headband that I sent..."

 

 

 

 

Seung Nyang is tied up by the arms between two poles.  Her black headband falls off, revealing the head band Wang Yoo had given to the anonymous tipster.

 

A man steps in front of her, and picks up her black headband.  Her heart drops.  Is it game over?  The man in question must be King Simyang's spy.

 

 

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