Queen Seon Deok
Episode 55
Your Majesty.
The Royal Inspectorate has arrested Chief Marshal Yushin.
What did you just say?
We apprehended him in Baekje territory for espionage.
Espionage?!
What are you talking about?
~ Episode 55 ~
How could Yushin be in Baekje territory?
As we were doing reconnaissance at the Baekje frontline,
we found Lord Yushin west of the Bisa Plains, and apprehended him.
Hence, we escorted him to the inspectorate prisons.
Shouldn't Lord Yushin be at his exile place in Usan?
How do you explain all this?
Your Majesty.
If this is indeed true, would it not indicate...
that Lord Yushin defied your orders and escaped from exile?
Yes, Your Majesty!
Also, crossing into Baekje territory without any consent...
can only foment suspicions of espionage.
How could this...
Your Majesty. There is no way.
There must be a misunderstanding.
Your Majesty, a chief marshal crossing into Baekje territory...
in that manner is an unquestionably momentous occurrence.
Your Majesty. Not only must he be punished for treason, but...
It was...
a secret command I bestowed him with.
What? Secret command?!
Yushin was following royal orders in Baekje territory.
Royal orders...
Ro...yal orders?!
What?
Daeya Fortress?
That's right.
Daeya Fortress is in peril.
They will face a major offensive.
Daeya Fortress has had to face countless offensives in the past.
But it was never conquered.
So you infiltrated Baekje to gain such intelligence?
And you expect me to believe that.
There is a spy in Daeya Fortress!
He will open the gates.
A spy?
Amongst the troops entrusted with defense,
there will be a man whose name starts with "Heuk" of black.
- That man... - ...Is a Baekje spy.
That's right.
We have no time.
We must immediately find the spy, and alert...
Yushin.
What should concern you now is not Daeya Fortress,
but your own survival.
Not only you escaped from exile, but you crossed onto enemy soil.
Wouldn't that mean treason?
Commissioner!
Commissioner.
What is the matter?
What?
Her Majesty's secret command?!
Secret command?!
Secret command?
Yes. Her Majesty ordered him to investigate their frontline in secret.
I mean... sending a criminal in exile on a secret task?
It makes no sense!
Then, what did she exile him for?
Anyhow, she said so herself before the entire court,
so we will no longer be able to use espionage as a card against him.
How could something like this happen?
What if this was all a ruse by Her Majesty to protect Yushin?
But Yushin was there with Seolji and Wolya.
S...Say what?!
Why did you not mention that?
Ohhh... Right!
Secret command or whatever,
that is no doubt an act of treason!
Indeed it is.
Even if Her Majesty secretly sent him to Baekje,
she certainly did not order him to join forces with Wolya.
But... That...
The Commissioner told us not to report it to Her Majesty.
What?
Why?
As for the reason, I really don't know myself.
Should that be exposed, Her Majesty would face a crisis of her own,
why...
We will build encampments in front of Daeya Fortress,
both at Gahye Fortress and Jipumcheon Prefecture,
and send reinforcements to Mitasan Fortress in Cheonju.
Also, we will do our best to swiftly arrange for this and deploy immediately.
Yes.
According to Yushin's reports, there will be an attack in three days,
four days at worst.
We must hasten.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Also, we must find the spy in Daeya Fortress.
He said it was a man whose name started with "Heuk."
I told Lord Imjong to prepare for it.
He shall soon depart, Your Majesty.
Sangdaedeung.
Where is the Commissioner?
He is being briefed in detail by the Chief Marshal on enemy plans.
Yoon Chung talked of a blitzkrieg?!
And their supplies and forces suggested it was a three-day supply line?!
So...
there will be an attack within three days,
is that true?
It is. They will for sure.
And a man whose name starts with "Heuk" will open the gates.
Indeed.
Once again you excel.
Were you still confined to your exile,
we would have never gained such crucial intelligence.
But that is only...
if this all is the truth as you claim.
Of course it is.
If all that you say is right,
you would once again...
have saved our nation.
I shall hasten and verify your claims,
so that you can swiftly be released.
As vexatious as it may be, I trust you will endure your stay until then.
All we know is that his name begins with a "Heuk."
Meet the Lord of Daeya Fortress, and convey Her Majesty's orders to him.
We must discreetly find that spy.
Yes.
I shall fulfill Your Excellency's call, and depart immediately.
In the early morningtide, we shall deploy for Daeya Fortress.
Every commander must work in unison with all the Hwarang assigned,
and meticulously arrange for our deployment.
Yes!
According to Lord Yushin's intelligence,
Yoon Chung has around twenty thousand troops under his command,
and they are in contact with a spy in Daeya Fortress.
If we manage to ferret out the spy and quell the enemy's impetuous charge,
with only a three-day supply they will be isolated and destroyed.
Annihilate the Baekje army and protect Daeya Fortress.
Yes, Your Majesty!
And?
Is he not a criminal sent to exile?
How could you entrust him such a paramount task with a secret command?
For it was a paramount task.
For it was a paramount task, I entrusted it to whom I most trust.
However, he still remains a criminal.
Is allowing a capable criminal to stake his life for the sake of his country...
and atone for his misdeeds...
something which goes against principle?
Do you have that much trust in Yushin?
And do you have so little faith in him?
If you wanted me to trust people, why did you entrust the inspectorate to me?
No, it is not Yushin, but I.
Do you have so little faith in me?
Think I am letting personal whims dictate how I judge Yushin?
The Yushin you so dearly trust was meeting with Wolya and Seolji.
Is that what you think?
In regards to your last question,
I will give you the answer at a later date.
Commissioner.
Why are you still keeping that secret?
I concur.
Not only an exiled criminal escaped from confinement,
but he met with the movement's leader in Baekje.
This is no trifling matter.
Indeed. Her Majesty will not be able to ignore this.
She will be held responsible for it.
So, why...
Are you sure of what you saw?
Yes. I am sure.
They were without a doubt Wolya and Seolji.
I am merely awaiting the right moment.
Ehh?! Ti...Ti... What time?!
Yushin's intelligence was precious enough to bring our country's salvation.
Should I bring up that matter now,
his achievements would offset any crime he committed,
in effect forever burying his misdeeds.
That is why the timing must be right.
It makes a difference for sure!
*Gwoljangno: archaic Three Kingdom crossbow
These new crossbows* do indeed make a difference.
Yes, their accuracy is remarkable,
but take a look.
*Also known as Chi (about 3cm per chon)
The arrows penetrate five chon* deeper than usual.
*1 bo = 3.3 square meter
In battle, they might have a range of over 200 paces*.
That's it!
After the fall of our Gaya, we almost completely reclaimed...
our crossbow technology.
Our duty as Gaya's royal descendants...
is to make sure all remaining Gaya people are not oppressed,
and that there will be a future for their own descendants.
If we manage to do so,
then we will go beyond Gaya's borders,
Shilla's borders,
and our legacy shall last forever in the unified Three Kingdoms.
Lord Wolya.
Our new crossbow is a great success.
It is now time you forget Yushin.
Seems like he was never destined to join forces with us.
We just started from the very beginning.
All we will need to do is to fight with the same resolve as we did.
Seolji.
Is what we are fighting for truly the right thing?
We had to endure this oppression for eighty years!
They just suddenly changed the last few years,
how could we ever have faith in them?
If those Gaya people are not oppressed,
then be it as Gaya or Shilla people,
why would it make any difference?
You must never, ever let this situation weaken you, Milord.
What?
Wolya and Seolji, in Baekje?!
When I escaped from Yoon Chung's camp,
they stopped the Baekje army.
Seems like they were still trailing you.
You're not telling me that Bojong saw that, are you?
If he did, then this is no laughing matter.
If this truth is exposed...
But, tell me, did you receive any communication from Daeya Fortress?
What?
There is no such man in Daeya Fortress?
That is right, Your Majesty.
There was one man in Daeya Fortress whose name starts with "Heuk,"
but he perished a few moons past.
What?
Nobody?!
Is that so?
Is there really no one?
Wait... Then, did Yushin lie?
I cannot say with certainty,
but the army was deployed in accordance with his intelligence,
so his creating turbulence at the frontline shall not be easily pardoned.
It sure will not!
Not to mention the fact it was an exiled criminal under secret command who did so.
But... it was false intelligence.
Commissioner.
Couldn't this be the right opportunity?
Yes, the right time I was waiting for came much faster than I thought.
Dead?!
Then, was there really no one else?
Nobody whose name started with Heuk?
No, nobody.
We carefully verified.
Yes. Not only soldiers and officers,
but we inspected all people listed in the register,
and we found nothing.
Considering your report as a fraud,
the court is treating the situation in Daeya Fortress as a matter of little concern.
We cannot allow it.
There will be a major offensive against Daeya Fortress.
But even Lord Kim Seohyeon said the troops will soon withdraw.
What?
Your Majesty.
Considering that Yushin's report was laden with mendacity,
he must be staunchly punished for his misdeeds.
Yes, Your Majesty.
He brought discomfiture to the palace with his claims,
and created turbulence in our frontline.
How could we disregard his crimes?
Your Majesty accorded your limitless benevolence to an exiled criminal,
and bestowed such a crucial task upon him.
However!
He betrayed your benevolence and engaged in falsehood,
so how could we ever forgive such obloquy?
It is indeed true that his claims caused discomfiture to our frontline troops,
but Yushin merely made a mistake,
he would never willingly engage in mendacity.
May you deign him with your understanding.
Your Majesty.
I concur.
I am sure Yushin did not purposefully utter mendacious claims.
However, may you allow your humble servant to speak on the matter.
When he was apprehended by Bojong in Baekje territory,
Yushin was found to be in the company of Wolya and Seolji.
Is that the truth, Commissioner?
Your Majesty!
This is inadmissible!
Does this not mean that he escaped from exile...
and made contact with the movement?
If this is the truth, would it not mean that Yushin himself is a movement spy?
Your Majesty.
You must behead Yushin and restore order in our nation!
Yes, Your Majesty!
What Yushin decided to do after receiving your orders...
was contacting the movement.
How could we possibly forgive this?
May you decapitate Yushin!
Your Majesty, I concur.
You must execute Yushin!
Your Majesty, the Chief Marshal must be executed.
Your Majesty.
He must be executed.
Your Majesty,
may you deign us with your consideration.
Your Majesty,
may you deign us with your consideration.
In regards to your last question,
I will give you the answer at a later date.
Bidam.
Is this your answer?
Yes.
It is indeed, Your Majesty.
Did you really find out only now about this?
You didn't know about Yushin meeting with Wolya from the start?
Of course. How could I possibly lie to Your Majesty?
I knew from the very start.
So... why?!
Why did you act like that?
The intelligence Yushin brought us was of paramount importance.
If I had revealed this, then wouldn't it have rendered any effort fruitless?
That is why I first awaited until we verified his claims...
to report on this matter.
Bidam!
Are you playing around with words in my presence?
Wasn't it waiting for the right time to further force Yushin into a corner?
With the movement getting involved in our matters at the front,
there would be no way for you to accept Gaya.
And?
However, Yushin will never be able to abandon Gaya.
And?!
Your only choice...
is abandoning Yushin, Your Majesty.
May you heed Commissioner Bidam's daring suggestion.
Abandon Yushin.
What can we do now?
Memorials asking for your execution are being written.
Were there any particular movements in Daeya Fortress?
Yushin... You know that it is not what should concern you now.
Daeya Fortress is what matters.
I don't know what mistake we made in collecting that intelligence.
However...
there will be a war for sure.
Will Daeya Fortress really collapse?
Yes, if they don't fortify and defend themselves in time,
Daeya Fortress will surely fall.
His Excellency Lord Chunchu seeks audience.
Are you here to suggest I abandon Yushin, too?
No.
Then, should I not do it?
No.
Then, what is it?
You cannot abandon Gaya this way.
Wouldn't there be a way to solve all this,
even without separating Yushin from Gaya?
I accorded my utmost benevolence to Gaya descendants,
but they failed to believe in our future together,
and instead supported Wolya's restoration movement.
Is there anything more for me to do?
And do you even have an answer to that?
You... have one?
Yes, Your Majesty.
And that answer...
is none other than me, Kim Chunchu.
~ Gaemun (Opening the Gates) Heuk (Black) ~
It will all end with a blitzkrieg.
Is what Chunchu said... even feasible?
Your Majesty.
The Commissioner seeks audience.
Your Majesty.
How will you dispose of Yushin?
Is that what brought you here?
Curiosity over my choice.
If you do not abandon Yushin...
If I don't?
I will...
protect Yushin.
More indicting memorials will pile up before you,
while Hwarang and soldiers will continue seeking your audience on the matter.
However, I shall muster all my political influence...
to quell their accusations.
If you only give me your consent,
I shall at least spare Yushin's life.
Yushin's life?!
And would our marriage be a suitable price to pay for that?
Your Majesty!
Are you telling me Yushin's life was worth that much?
Isn't that what you wish for?
Is it not?
Yes.
That is right.
That is what I want.
But I have no intention of haggling away my devotion.
Your devotion...
So free-spirited and warm an utterance.
Give me your order.
If you order me to save Yushin's life,
I will spare his life for Your Majesty's sake.
Your Majesty!
I will not order that.
You may leave.
Are you aware that memorials asking for your head...
are spurting from every corner?
But all you do is continue prattling that Daeya Fortress will collapse.
You will not believe in what difficulties all this has put Her Majesty.
Bidam.
Are you not much more sagacious than I am?
So how could you fail to understand this situation?
It is today.
Before the day is over,
something will happen in Daeya Fortress.
Enough with that, Yushin!
What you should be concerned about is not me, but your safety!
If Daeya Fortress collapses, think that you would not be held responsible...
for not taking any precaution, despite knowing the situation?
Think that paltry subterfuge will convince me?
Bidam.
How would your mother react?
Do not even mention her name!
If you even only have half of her insight, take a look at me!
Do you see any fear in my eyes?
Do they look like the eyes of someone trying to inveigle you?
I don't know why you couldn't find a spy whose name starts with Heuk.
It's driving me crazy.
However...
Daeya Fortress will be attacked within the day!
Obsess over catching the deer, and you will lose sight of the mountain.
Look at the big picture.
Wouldn't someone like you be able to?
There is no way Yushin would try to inveigle me.
And if what Yushin says truly happens...
Commissioner.
Yushin is digging his own grave.
The situation is turning against him,
so he makes up preposterous quandaries to attract attention.
Anyhow, it all went as you wished for.
Once you've dealt with Yushin, we're all...
If Daeya Fortress is truly hit...
What?
Ahh... How could that happen?
Bring me the list of men stationed in Daeya Fortress.
And records of our entire investigation there.
What?!
Yes. I will.
You look anxious.
You have had plentiful experience on the battlefield,
so you must also possess the kind of instinct that ordinary people lack.
I mean the ominous suspicion that a war might swelter us.
You still believe what Yushin said,
despite the fact it was proven to be falsehood?
Yes, Yushin is that kind of man.
No matter what he does, he's always one of your people.
Hence, whom you should be concerned about is not Yushin.
Recall when you told me not to incite Bidam?
But Your Majesty is now inciting Bidam more than anyone.
What I mean is that you alone must be responsible for Bidam's actions.
There is nothing Bidam can't do now,
it solely depends upon your decision.
Give Bidam the reassurance he is looking for.
Don't you know all too well that he would repay you with unyielding fealty?
It was all a ruse!
Both Kim Yushin's intelligence,
and the fact he wasn't connected with the movement in any way.
Yes, not only did he belittle Her Majesty, but also the entire court.
Yes! He merely inveigled us to cover for the movement's crimes.
Yushin has now become an enemy of the state.
We must clearly dispose of him and restore public order.
Considering Her Majesty's secret orders were involved,
wouldn't everyone be waiting to see how she deals with this?
We must earnestly encourage her to deal with this in a most resolute manner.
Still, at this crucial juncture, why is the Commissioner nowhere to be seen?
~ Daeya Fortress Government Register ~
I can't find him.
Then... What on earth did Yushin see?
Couldn't it be just a lie?
No.
He could never lie about this.
You've seen yourself, there is nobody.
Your Majesty!
May you execute Chief Marshal Yushin!
Your Majesty!
You must spare the Chief Marshal's life!
Your Majesty!
May you execute Chief Marshal Kim Yushin!
Your Majesty!
Lord Yushin must be spared!
Your Majesty!
Lord Yushin must be spared.
Your Majesty!
May you execute Chief Marshal Kim Yushin!
May you execute him!
Your Majesty! It cannot be allowed!
There was nary a hint of mendacity in His Excellency's words!
Yes! We must protect Daeya Fortress!
Our nation's borders are at risk, Your Majesty!
We are facing a crisis, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
They are all the provincial reports and memorials issued today.
Your Majesty.
They all concern motions to execute Lord Yushin.
How can we deal with this, Your Majesty?
Your Majesty! May you execute Chief Marshal Kim Yushin!
Yes... Your Majesty.
Just close your eyes.
Don't let your ears hear any of this.
Neither listen, see nor think about anything.
May you spare Lord Yushin's life.
You must.
Why is that?
Principles, politics...
I honestly do not know anything of that sort, however...
If you strike Lord Yushin now...
What I say will likely betray my status, but...
Your Majesty.
It would only tarnish you.
It will not be a sight which suits you.
It will only damage you, in all sincerity.
Your Majesty! May you execute Chief Marshal Kim Yushin!
Your Excellency.
Any communication from Daeya Fortress?
Still nothing.
The entire palace is in tumult.
Everyone is clamoring Her Majesty to execute you.
I do not believe that what you said was a lie.
However, because of what happened at the front,
you will be held responsible for...
My safety is not what matters now.
Lord Alcheon.
There will be a war for sure.
It is vital that we stop the Baekje army's advance.
Do you really believe that Daeya Fortress will be conquered?
Are you sure of it?
If my calculations are correct,
they will do it today.
So why wasn't there any spy with that name,
anyone whose name started with "Heuk" as you said?
Are you sure that it was what you saw?
Was it really a "Heuk?"
The rest was covered so I couldn't see it,
but it was a "Heuk" for sure.
But he didn't.
That is, he could only see the first character, as the rest was covered.
But there was no man whose name starts with a "Heuk."
It is a lie.
Heuk!
Right, Heuk!
*The basis of a compound Chinese character, that is, Heuk+something = New Character
It's a radical*.
Couldn't it be just a radical?
Then!
Here... Jeomyang.
And this, Geomil.
Both their first characters have "Heuk" as a radical.
One of these two must be the spy!
~ Bukmun (Northern Gates) Geomil ~
The northern gatekeeper, Geomil?
I will open the northern gates today. Geomil.
We must deal with this ourselves.
Let us apprehend this Geomil... No, get rid of him.
What?
Discreetly send Bojong to Daeya Fortress.
He must be given the fastest horse at our disposal.
Yes, Commissioner.
Geomil...
We will capture a Baekje spy by the name of Geomil,
and eliminate him.
- Is that clear? - Yes.
~ Baekje Army - Yoon Chung Barracks ~
We received word from Geomil.
Tonight, Mocheok will set their supplies on fire,
and Geomil will open the gates.
We shall subjugate Daeya Fortress,
*523~554
and reclaim the land which belonged to us during King Seong's reign*.
~ Gyebaek ~
Daeya Fortress is merely the beginning.
Our goal is to subjugate Shilla's capital, Seorabeol.
Is that clear?
Yes!
Your Majesty.
Is there anything you wish to order me?
May you tell me.
What is afflicting you so much...
Your Majesty.
Lord Seolwon believes I am inciting you.
That I am not giving you the sense of safety you're looking for.
Is that the case?
What is that supposed to mean?
Are you in love with me?
I asked you a question, so answer.
Yes... Your Majesty.
If I may dare say so... I am.
And this country?
What?
Don't you love this country?
The troops led by Yoon Chung are on the march.
Where is their position?
They're past the stone gate and heading for Seongju County.
Listen.
Listen!
Is the messenger still not here?
Is there nothing new?
Your Excellency, nothing happened. May you stop doing this.
Head to the Board of Military Affairs.
Go find out the situation.
I cannot leave the premises.
I told you to go!
May you forgive me, Chief Marshal.
Listen to me!
Listen!
~ Daeya Fortress ~
Daeya Fortress!
Daeya Fortress is on fire!
We must immediately relay this to Seorabeol.
Let's go!
Is that clear?
Should there be royal nuptials between you and me,
it is not to save Yushin's life,
nor is it fruit of any lingering devotion,
but it is merely because I need you by my side.
But now you're solely moved by your feelings.
Wouldn't you want that marriage to gain power?
How could you attempt to muster power to gain that marriage?
Your Majesty.
How could you behave in such a childish manner?
You will not find anyone as innocent as you in Seorabeol.
With that feeble and fragile devotion only people can foment,
what a most innocent dream you are aspiring for.
But, they have no charm.
Men clinging onto women out of mere devotion, that is.
Did you say you love me?
But you know?
It might be a joyless and weary endeavor,
but all my love must be devoted to this nation.
Because that same devotion means staking your all for its sake.
If I must stake my all to achieve it, how could I ever love anyone?
Your Majesty.
If all you love is this country,
I will become what you love.
For you already represent this country in my heart.
My devotion for you and this country...
are not different to me.
Your Majesty!
Commissioner.
What is the matter?
Your Majesty!
Just now...
It can't be...
Commander!
Daeya Fortress...
Daeya Fortress was subjugated.
Lord Yushin's intelligence was right!
A Baekje spy named Geomil opened the gates.
Also, another man named Mocheok set the cellars with our supplies on fire,
giving a signal to the enemy troops.
Commander Kim Seohyeon is trying his all to stop them,
but Yoon Chung's forces are sweeping them away!
Your Majesty!
The defense line at the Bisa Plains...
has fallen!
The Baekje army has brought in reinforcements,
and they have become unstoppable.
Your Majesty.
If they take the route from Chuhwa and Iseo County all the way to Amnyangju,
it will only take one day to reach the capital.
Your Majesty.
What Chief Marshal Kim Yushin said was right.
It still is not too late, so...
Never you worry, Your Majesty.
The undefeated Yushin Army.
Does it not remain in the capital as we speak?
Then, are you suggesting to deploy the Chief Marshal?
Lord Yushin is an imprisoned criminal.
However, how can we deploy the Yushin Army without its leader?
Be that as it may...
We cannot entrust a battalion to a criminal.
Then, who can lead the Yushin Army in his stead?
Are you going to lead them yourself, Commissioner?
But the Commissioner has never experienced leading an army.
Yes.
I have a suitable candidate.
With his remarkable strategy and his peerless experience on the battlefield,
can't we entrust all this to whom has rescued our country more than once,
Lord Seolwon himself?
Lord Seolwon will command the army himself.
Your Majesty.
May you accede deployment to this old man of arms.
If I fail to rescue this nation and honor your repute,
your humble servant Seolwon shall not make his return.
Lord Seolwon?!
It makes no sense!
How could Lord Seolwon lead our Yushin Army?
Yes... Didn't Daeya Fortress end just as you warned them?
You must take to the battlefield yourself!
We will commend your release.
You must follow Lord Seolwon's lead.
You know Yoon Chung's men more than anyone.
Did you not experience them firsthand?
His men don't break their ranks even without a leader.
Never let them bewilder you with their pace.
Yes.
It is true Lord Seolwon is a remarkable warrior,
but not only has he aged, his lack of recent experience on the battlefield concerns me.
You must let him know that Baekje has undergone major changes over the years.
We devised this defense plan for every major stronghold in the country.
Lord Seolwon took care of the draft.
With that as our basis, we devised our entire operation.
Your Majesty.
If you end up choosing me,
did you say it was because you needed me by your side?
That if you choose anyone,
it will only be for Shilla's sake?
And so it will happen.
I will save this nation, and...
you, your people and everything you cherish.
Whomever saves this nation...
will be fully entitled to gain it.
~ On The Next Episode Of ~ QUEEN ~*~ SEONDEOK
Yushin Army?! Those men are Her Majesty's troops!
You must follow Lord Seolwon's orders.
And if I return victorious, as far as your safety goes...
Even if you decide to kill me,
you'll allow me to die on the battlefield.
There is no reason for you to stake your life on this.
I will turn this into an opportunity for Bidam.
They must return victorious.
Only then you would gain what you wish for.
Lord Yushin fervently requests your audience.
If that is truly what you wish for, do it.
- Prepare what I told you. - Your Majesty.
How could you incur such danger...
There is a ghost in Baekje.
The formidable Yushin Army has been vanquished?!
All your men will disarm...
and be transferred under my command.
And if I refuse your proposal?
I suppose Yushin will die?!
Only under Yushin's command can they be the Yushin Army.
I shall bestow on you complete military authority,
so rescue our nation.