Queen Seon Deok
Episode 61
Say it. Say it, you bastard!
"Murder the enemy of our nation..."
Murder the enemy of our nation!
Long live Her Majesty!
He is...
part of the Royal Palace Guard.
Then... Her Majesty...
Do you really think Her Majesty has any feelings for you?
Do you trust me?
~ Episode 61 ~
You will make his confidence falter?
Yes.
And would Bidam fall for such subterfuges?
Does it not involve Her Majesty, after all?
Did Her Majesty... send him to slay you?
Her Majesty?!
What is this, uh?!
Is this how it ends?
That mighty devotion of yours, which led you to betray everyone.
Is this all there is to it?
You vile son of a swine.
I will slit your throat!
You will what?
You will kill me?
Fine... Go ahead. Uh?
If you slay me, will all this go away?
If you slay me, then what will you do?
Once again,
you've been abandoned.
Her Majesty gave up on you.
Where on earth is he? Where?
Will Yeomjong really be able to bring Bidam here?
We might have all those troops, but Bidam must be here!
Yes, without Lord Bidam, we have no just cause whatsoever.
Yeomjong...
You knave, where on earth...
This is all a stratagem by him!
Yes. He was not trustworthy from the very beginning.
We should have never put our trust in him.
It is still not too late.
If you want to make Deokman yours,
you must gain control of this country.
We are ready for it.
You always wanted that throne. Uh?
What?
Where are you going?
Bidam!
Bi...Bidam...
Meseems this might become my last action...
as ruler, here in Seorabeol.
Once this is over...
I shall abdicate the throne.
I will leave the throne behind, and head to Chuhwa County.
So, find enough space for a small temple,
and await me there.
Brief as it might end up being,
I will spend the time I have left with you.
Does she really want me dead?
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 fulfill that devotion,
how could I both love someone and my country?
If I did, wouldn't one of the two be a facade?
Facade...
You should at least have told me.
If I did...
If I told you,
and then you ended up abandoning me?
No matter what happens,
have faith in me and await.
Deokman...
Your Majesty.
Were you looking for me?
Head to Chuhwa County immediately, and relay this to Bidam.
It must be delivered to him and no one else.
Yes, Your Majesty.
All my love must be devoted to this country.
Yes... Then...
I will become the country you must love.
And if I fail to do so,
I will just disappear along with all the people who can bring harm to this nation.
Whatever end befalls me, I will accept it.
If the weight of that throne is exacting enough to make you abandon me,
or to even kill me...
I will bear that weight for you.
You knave...
How could you come here alone?
Bidam?
Where on earth is Bidam?
He will come. He will come for sure.
He will come?!
Did you not say you would bring him here yourself?
Yeomjong...
I ought to...
If Bidam does not come, you will pay for this with your blood!
We cannot sit here squandering time any longer!
Should we not hasten and leave this place?
Yes. The Board might have already found our location.
If we remain here, we will only ask for trouble.
Let us move to the secret palace in Yulpo Prefecture.
Yes. If we go there, we can buy time and regroup.
Indeed, we shall no longer waste an instant here.
Let us head...
Lord Bidam!
- It's you! - Lord Bidam!
What a pathetic spectacle.
Defend your posts, and report any suspicious occurrence immediately.
Yes, Your Excellency!
- Deploy at once. - Yes!
Chief.
What is the matter?
I have not seen Heuksan in the last few days.
Heuksan?
Yes. Actually...
He has been acting strange of late.
Strange?
What? We will not find refuge?
If we are not heading for the secret palace in Yulpo Prefecture,
how do you plan to act?
The reason why Lady Mishil lost during Chilsuk's uprising...
was because she abandoned the capital, to find refuge in Daeya Fortress.
Abandoning the capital will make you a traitor.
Shilla's leading light is and always will be Seorabeol.
Then...
I shall capture Seorabeol, dethrone Her Majesty,
and ascend to the throne.
We shall all follow Your Excellency.
We shall follow Your Excellency.
The morningtide shall soon be upon us.
We shall march for the capital before the break of dawn.
You plan to siege the capital right under Her Majesty's eyes?
Yes... We still need to gain consensus amongst the nobles.
With our forces, we cannot contend with the capital's defense line.
Would they not attempt to move here, Yulpo Prefecture?
Yes. It's still under the inspectorate's jurisdiction,
and is Yeomjong's stronghold.
So would not they make this their headquarters, in planning this insurrection?
Let us deploy troops along the pathway from there to the capital,
and stop their advance.
Private Goksaheun has made his return.
Your Excellency.
We detected enemy troops moving from Mount Geumo to Seongi Valley.
Around two thousand troops in total.
If they're transferring from Mount Geumo to Seongi Valley,
they're headed for Mount Daedeok, east of the capital.
Mount Daedeok?!
Private Daepung has made his return.
A battalion led by Lord Jujin has passed Chilgokjae.
What?
From Seongi Valley to Mount Daedeok...
And if they're also passing through Chilgokjae...
Seongi Valley... Chilgokjae...
Then, Your Majesty.
What they're after...
It's the capital.
Yes. They're heading for the royal palace.
If they take such routes to lay siege inside the capital walls,
countless people will be injured.
The only pathway able to support the passage of a battalion over the 1,000 men...
is here, Deoksanjae.
- Chief Marshal. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Build a defense line in Deoksanjae, and stop their advance.
Chief Marshal Yushin shall follow your command.
~ Bidam Army Encampment ~
Deoksanjae...
Your Excellency.
Sangdaedeung, we arranged everything as instructed.
Did everyone arrive?
Yes. We deployed all troops before the Yeodo Plains.
How shall we proceed now?
Lord Bidam.
A battalion led by Yushin has appeared before the capital.
How many men?
Around two thousand troops.
They are building a defense line in Deoksanjae.
What shall we do?
Should we launch an all-out offensive?
All-out offensive...
That is out of the question.
We must avoid an all-out offensive in the capital.
Yes.
If we do not repel the enemy's charge, we will lose control of this battle.
Will all the troops who deserted have joined them, by now?
We cannot be certain,
but would they not march for the capital,
bolstered by their strength in numbers?
Lords Jujin and Hojae,
take all the troops and head for Yeodo Plains,
where you will attack Yushin's battalion.
*Using all resources at one's disposal; term invented in mid-to-late 19th century
You might engage in total war*,
but should orders to withdraw be issued, you must follow them immediately.
Withdraw?!
Deploy immediately.
- Yes. - Yes.
Is Piltan's battalion ready?
Yes. They are awaiting on standby.
Should I contact them?
No...
Await.
*Fortress at summit of Mount Myeonghwal, overlooking capital walls
~ Myeonghwalsan Fortress* ~
Your Excellency.
The Yushin Army is suffering a blitz at the Yeodo Plains.
What?
A blitz?
Explain in detail.
Hojae's battalion is pushing from the front,
while Lords Jujin and Bojong have taken the rear and flanks respectively.
Then, was Yeodo what they were going after?
Are they really trying to march for the royal palace?
The Yushin Army is attempting to stop their advance at the moment, but...
If the enemy passes through Yeodo Plains, they'll reach the capital.
Transfer all men from Mounts Nang and Muhwa to the Yeodo Plains,
and support the Yushin Army.
Yes.
Lord Bidam.
Patrol units report that troops from Mounts Nang and Muhwa are moving here.
It is all proceeding as you predicted.
Fine.
Order Piltan's battalion to deploy immediately.
Yes.
Wait...
Yes?
Order the battalions of Lords Hojae, Jujin and Bojong to withdraw immediately.
Withdraw?!
Are we not using the Yeodo Plains to reach the capital?
Capital?!
Of course...
not.
The enemy is retreating?!
Did troops from Mounts Nang and Muhwa join our forces?
No. They still are on their way.
But... They are retreating?!
Their escape route?!
Yes. They are retreating towards Mount Nang.
Mount Nang?!
Isn't Mount Nang unattended at the moment?
~ Myeonghwalsan Fortress ~
Seems like there is quite the tumult before the capital walls.
That must be why so many troops are being sent to the Yeodo Plains.
Your Majesty.
The Yushin Army has repelled Lords Jujin, Hojae and Bojong's troops.
Hojae, Jujin and Bojong...
are all retreating?
Yes, Your Majesty.
They were able to repel them, and regain control of the situation.
Retreat?!
Yes. The Commissioner sent troops from Mounts Nang and Muhwa there,
- and they joined... - Mount Nang!
Then, are you telling me that nobody is defending Mount Nang now?
Your Majesty.
Yes, of course...
It can't be...
What is the matter?
Why would Mount Nang pose a problem now?
~ Mount Nang ~
~ Myeonghwalsan Fortress ~
- Here... - Myeonghwalsan Fortress.
So they're heading for Myeonghwalsan Fortress?
Two powers inside the capital?
What? Are you telling me they are retreating towards Mount Nang?
Yes.
They are all passing through Dorijae and heading there.
Then... They cannot...
What is the matter, Chief Marshal?
What they're after is not the capital.
What?
It's Myeonghwalsan Fortress.
They're attempting to penetrate Myeonghwalsan Fortress.
~ Myeonghwalsan Fortress Front Gates ~
I laud your efforts.
It is nothing.
Your brilliant strategy nearly emptied the fortress,
so you rendered our job much easier.
What they were after from the very start was not the capital,
but Myeonghwalsan Fortress.
They focused their efforts on Yeodo Plains to move troops away from Mount Nang,
and gain control of an emptied fortress with only a few men.
The mistake Mishil made when she staged her insurrection...
Yes. It was a subterfuge created not to repeat her same mistake.
There are only 15 ri between Myeonghwalsan Fortress and the capital.
Yes. Cavalry troops could cover such distance...
in no more than a half period (15 mins).
Deploying such a large army inside the capital...
My apologies, Your Majesty.
How dare...
they create a frontline inside the capital?
Is it not a daring stratagem?
Let alone in our seven century-long history,
no other country has ever seen such large armies contending...
each other so closely inside capital walls.
Yes, not to mention that there are only 15 ri between...
the capital and Myeonghwalsan Fortress.
That is why this situation cannot continue.
Sangdaedeung.
How do you plan to proceed now?
How do you think I would?
First, should we not spread the word?
Spread the word?!
To whom?
Right.
Spread what word, and to whom?
The unprecedented occurrence of a frontline built inside the capital.
All this time, both nobles, Lord Bidam and Lord Yushin,
pledged fealty to Her Majesty, and despite being a woman,
she strengthened the crown's authority even more than her predecessors.
But, once people learn of this,
they will start doubting Her Majesty's skills and authority.
The suspicion they always fomented from the very start...
That of wondering whether a woman could truly...
That's right.
We must spread the word,
and maintain this situation as long as possible.
Whereas they will attempt to do the very opposite.
It is Bidam.
All the events that are happening,
the nobles acting in unison, and all the deserters' movements.
Bidam joined forces with them.
They no longer have a Mishil or Seolwon to lean onto.
So, who else would concoct such a daring stratagem?
It can only be Bidam.
Enough.
I have heard enough.
Your Majesty, is that not what you're thinking right now?
Is it not?
It is.
That is exactly what I'm thinking.
However...
I wish it was not the case.
I hope it is not.
~ Chuhwa County Administration ~
Lord Bidam still has not arrived?
I told you.
He told me to come first and arrange everything,
but still no trace of him.
What is this...
He should have been here already.
What is it?
I'll relay it to him.
Give it and go.
It's a royal order!
I must relay this firsthand.
I shall dethrone Her Majesty.
Uh?!
Didn't you say we must maintain this situation?
Are you telling us we will deploy once all troops are gathered?
No.
Even without a confrontation, many nobles are joining our cause.
And Lords Jujin, Sueulbu and Hojae,
and others for a total of seven council members, myself included,
are now on our side.
Then...
Yes.
As current Sangdaedeung,
I hereby summon all council members for a meeting.
With this council meeting,
we shall deliberate upon the dethronement of Her Majesty.
Her Majesty Deokman...
could not protect the territory King Jinheung conquered,
suffered countless invasions at the hands of Goguryeo and Baekje,
lost Daeya Fortress to the enemy,
and as a female ruler was belittled by a Tang delegation,
besmirching our pride and the legacy of our flag.
Also!
The auspicious omen Ashoka the Great revealed to us...
indicates that her time on the throne must now end,
and that a new ruler shall grace our country,
so would this not be what heaven's providence has blessed us with?
For the aforementioned reasons, Sangdaedeung Bidam and this council...
decided upon the dethronement of Her Majesty,
and proclaim that the only way our nation can be rescued from misery...
is if she relinquishes all her powers of her own volition.
Sangdaedeung Bidam of the Council of Nobles.
Dethronement?!
What is all this about?
Is Lord Bidam truly the one behind all this?
This is... an insurrection?!
Wait a moment.
Bidam is at Myeonghwalsan Fortress at the moment.
I must relay this to him.
Myeonghwalsan Fortress is the rebel army's stronghold.
If you go there, it'll be the end for you.
It'll be the end for me...
But I must relay this.
Ahh... What now?
You must relay this to Bidam and no one else.
What is there to struggle about?
If you go, you'll die!
You know what you do best, don't you?
Just run.
Uh?
Let's go. To Myeonghwalsan Fortress.
I told you they'll kill you!
That is why I need you.
Follow me.
Does this make any sense?
They gathered all by themselves and decided upon this?
How could this...
It is a vile subterfuge to agitate all the people and the nobles.
A council meeting without the presence of the Sangdaedeung has no meaning.
For he is the only one who can preside over a council meeting.
But, take a look, Your Majesty.
The edict lists His Excellency's name.
~ Sangdaedeung Bidam ~
Before we verify the truth, let us not come to hasty conclusions.
If the Sangdaedeung wasn't there, this meeting is invalid.
Not to mention illegal.
But...
If the Sangdaedeung was indeed present?
If he was the one who promulgated this edict,
and should this signature be indeed his?
Should that be the case,
I shall never forgive the Sangdaedeung.
Your Majesty.
May you briefly follow me.
Right in front of Ingang Palace...
It is Royal Palace guard Heuksan.
We have been looking for him the last few days...
How could an officer in charge of Her Majesty's safety suffer this affront?
Wouldn't this mean they're threatening the royal family's safety?
Is this not Your Majesty's ring?
How could this man...
Bidam...
Did you really...
~ Deokman ~
Lord Bidam...
What is wrong with you?
Who sent you?
What?
I told you, it was Her Majesty!
Are you not one of Chunchu's closest confidants?
So this is another of Chunchu's subterfuges.
It is not, believe me! Her Majesty wrote that!
Lord Bidam! You must believe me!
You are misunderstanding something.
If that was not the case, why would I come here and risk my life?
Unless I was completely out of my mind.
Y...es.
He's right.
He came to Chuhwa County last night,
restlessly asking when you were coming.
Yes. After I saw that edict, I hastened here.
I risked my life to bring you this!
I almost...
I almost let you inveigle me once again.
- What?! - What?!
Tell this to Chunchu and Deokman.
That I am alive!
What?
That the Bidam they so ardently wanted to get rid of...
is alive and well.
Tell them.
Is that clear?
Should you leave this world before I do,
I shall relinquish all my authority as promised,
and leave the secular world.
Bidam...
I should not even call it a pledge.
For this, to me, is not so exacting a task.
Your Majesty.
You must make a decision now.
Yes, Your Majesty.
The edict is being spread all over the capital.
If the edict gains legitimacy thanks to the Sangdaedeung's participation,
it is only a matter of time before they gain even more influence.
Your Majesty!
You must make a decision, Your Majesty!
Yes, Your Majesty.
May you issue an order.
Your Majesty!
May you hasten and...
I shall deprive...
Bidam of his post as Sangdaedeung,
and hereby proclaim him as enemy of the state.
Tell the people to repel the usurpers,
execute all traitors, and fulfill this country's aspirations.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Chief.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Find out what you can about Heuksan, that Royal Palace guard.
Are you sure that Jukbang was carrying that message last night?
Yes.
I have no doubt.
The man who attempted to kill me was a Royal Palace guard.
Find out what you can about him.
Yes, consider it done.
The Sangdaedeung asked him to investigate Heuksan?
Yes. Santak was ordered by him.
We cannot allow it.
Gather all your men.
Yes.
It's them! Catch them!
Yes!
It is all right.
I come from the Royal Palace Guard, so don't worry.
Are you all right?
Yes.
But... My father...
My mother...
Do you know what happened?
As my brother Heuksan did something wrong,
he said we must find refuge immediately.
Something... wrong?
What would that be?
This man from the inspectorate, Yeo...
Yeom...
Yes, a man called Yeomjong.
Yeomjong?!
Was Bidam really in Myeonghwalsan Fortress?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Have you seen him yourself?
Yes.
But, Your Majesty.
Lord Bidam believes you attempted to slay him.
What?
When I tried to relay your message to him, he refused to accept it,
and thought it was a mere subterfuge.
He told me...
He told me to tell you that the Bidam you wished to see dead...
is still alive.
What is all this about...
Your Majesty.
How did it go?
Did you find out?
It was Yeomjong's doing.
He... He can't be...
The one who made it appear as if Her Majesty ordered this,
was Yeomjong?
Indeed.
Was trust between people such a feeble thing?
Your Majesty.
Was spending one's life leaning onto someone...
such a futile endeavor?
You must solve this misunderstanding.
Will you just take this lying down?
It is now too late to do anything.
There is nothing I can do for Bidam.
Your Majesty!
I am fine.
You may leave.
Yes. I will call the physician.
But...
You may leave.
Yes...
I am here to see the Sangdaedeung.
What is your name?
His Excellency said he would mention my arrival?!
I'm Santak.
Ahh... Santak?
Yes, yes.
I must see him right away, so may you open the gates.
You... Let us have a word.
This man from the inspectorate, Yeomjong...
I must meet... His Excellency...
Catch him!
Santak, stop there!
Yeomjong, you dirty rat..
~ Deokman ~
Is Santak still not here?
I asked you where Santak is!
May you rejoice, Sangdaedeung.
Come in.
Lord Yeongjin has decided to join our cause.
I will do my part in this great endeavor of ours!
It was a wise decision.
And it does not stop at that.
The Lord of the Goyunnang Commandery, Hoyun,
has just pledged his participation!
And the Lord of Gurahwa Prefecture promised he will join our efforts with troops.
If it's Gurahwa Prefecture, we must be dealing with a large contingent.
Yes, Sangdaedeung.
Once those troops arrive, our quandaries are over.
My congratulations.
Yes... Many nobles show confidence in your endeavors.
I am whelmed with gratitude.
What are you saying?
- Providence is truly blessing us. - Yes! Indeed!
Where are you headed?
Did Santak arrive, by any chance?
I have not seen him.
Did you send him anywhere?
I entrusted him something...
Should he arrive, bring him to me immediately.
I will.
Everyone is gathered. May you grace them with a few words.
Fine.
Sangdaedeung!
I dispatched orders to kill Bidam and his retinue to all fortresses.
Yes.
Such matters can only be sensitive for the nobles,
so they reacted with tension.
Looks like blood will have to be shed inside the capital.
We are preparing for everything.
Your Majesty.
Are you all right?
I've heard it was a misunderstanding concocted by Yeomjong.
Be it being inveigled by a stratagem, or just a misunderstanding,
isn't the inevitable something created by a succession of coincidences?
That is how history is always decided.
But Bidam and I crossed the line already.
But I feel disheartened by what I cannot even verify,
and feel sorry for Bidam.
Why would that be?
Looking back,
I wonder whether the only reason why I so suddenly grew to like him...
was to appropriate those nobles of their troops.
I still cannot make up my mind.
Whether I only married him so that his rise to power could be halted,
is something I cannot be sure about.
But my desire to abdicate the throne...
and quietly spend my final days with him,
that last dream of mine...
was sincere.
"I hereby deprive traitor Bidam of his post of Sangdaedeung,"
"and proclaim him enemy of the state."
"Shilla people of vigor and resolve,"
"whomever you might be, slay Bidam."
What is this all about?
Her Majesty's edict is being distributed to every market.
In the end...
Were you not going to abdicate the throne,
and spend your final days with me?
We shall take this opportunity to annihilate all treacherous individuals,
and use it as the foundation of our unification campaign.
Your Majesty.
Claiming that they will protect you and this nation from those traitors,
people are gathering at the exhibition hall.
What?
Of their own volition?
Yes.
I must head there immediately.
Our great nation...
is crying tears of distress.
Because of an incompetent ruler.
Our great nation is in distress,
because of nobles who refuse to let go of anything.
We lost the war, were belittled by neighboring countries...
They appropriated even more from our people...
and sold their allegiance to our neighbors.
- That is how... - That is how...
our nation fell into crisis and despair.
That is how our nation...
fell into a severe crisis.
We shall no longer allow this.
We shall no longer idle away.
I shall dethrone Her Majesty...
We shall repel the insurgents...
And build a new nation...
And restore order and prestige...
A new, grandiose nation!
Prestige which will lead us to unify the Three Kingdoms.
Hurrah for Her Majesty!
Hurrah for His Excellency!
Hurrah for Lord Bidam!
~ On The FINAL Episode Of ~ QUEEN ~*~ SEONDEOK
It can only be an omen that they will lose!
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty!
Be quiet... Quiet...
I will become this country, and gain you, Deokman.
You must win.
I still need Your Majesty.
How could something like that happen?
It's our signal.
Our signal to act!
What do you plan to do with Bidam?
Are you worried?
Those who slay me will be lauded by the pages of history.
Worried that I will spare him?
I still have something to tell someone...
Someone whom I could not talk to.
I will go and tell her.
Is Her Majesty there?