The Iron Empress
Episode 58
I'm glad to see you well.
Are you?
I'm shocked.
I never dreamed you'd come to Goryeo
personally especially not in this manner.
Forgive me.
[Han Derang (Khitan’s Prime Minister)]
I did not want the Song Chinese to know
that I was coming myself and give away how concerned we are.
[Empress Dowager Cheonchu]
Yes, it appears you are quite anxious.
How fares Kim Chi Yang who shared your ordeals with you when you were in Liao?
He fares well.
How fares Empress Dowager Xiao who sent an assassin to kill me?
That is a misunderstanding.
Radical forces had acted on their own without consent of the imperial house.
This so-called "misunderstanding" has caused me to lose my trust for Liao.
Empress Dowager, we all make mistakes sometimes.
But taking mistakes too seriously can in turn hurt you as well.
A mistake?
If for this reason Goryeo joins forces with Song and attacks Great Liao,
there will be considerable consequences.
Does Goryeo still seem weak enough to be shaken by your threats, Prime Minister?
Empress Dowager, I am a peace loving man.
It was I who talked the Emperor out of launching an offensive against Goryeo
at our conference five years ago.
Khitan forces withdrew because of Song, not because of you.
Are you settled on severing ties with us?
When I came all this way personally in a show of effort?
This is not how you show effort, Prime Minister.
You must bring a gift.
What did the Song Chinese bring?
The old Balhae territory.
Surely the Prime Minister of Great Liao would not bring a lesser gift.
The old Balhae territory... Is that what you want?
Yes, that land was ours to begin with.
It is my cherished desire to reclaim that land.
Very well.
If Goryeo honors its alliance with Liao, I'll do my best to deliver your cherished wish.
Good.
Because Liao might cease to exist if you don't.
If you return Balhae to us, I give you my word our sibling ties will be preserved.
Song has agreed to give us Balhae if we help them conquer Liao,
and Liao will consider giving us the same territory if we do not attack.
Even a formal treaty sealed amid this
[Choi Hang (Royal Undersecretary)]
confusion would likely to be ignored.
How can we trust their verbal agreement?
Your Highness.
We've been working hard building up our
[Dae Dosu (Minister of Punishment)]
strength for northern advancement.
And there could not be a better time for it than now while Song and Liao are at war.
We must join hands with Song and strike Liao, Your Highness.
General Dae is right.
[Gang Jo (Minister of War)]
We must strike Liao and
get Balhae back on our own.
What's more,
if Liao should defeat Song,
[Gang Gamchan (Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]
they will turn their swords on us next.
But if Song defeats Liao it's very unlikely,
they will come all this way to wage war with us.
So it would be wiser to join hands with Song.
I understand.
We sacrificed a lot go build up our strength.
We can't pass up this golden opportunity.
The question is when.
I want you to observe and analyze both Song and Liao's movement and choose
the best time to launch the expedition.
You've agreed to give them Balhae territory?
Yes.
We can't do that, sir.
[Yelu Dilie ]
We worked too hard to acquire that territory.
Will the Emperor and the
Empress Dowager agree to this?
They won't like this at all.
But we need Goryeo to stop the Song Chinese.
But there is no guarantee that the Goryeoans won't seek more once we give them Balhae.
That's right.
That's why we need ant-war forces within Goryeoan court to gain power.
But how can we manipulate what happens within their own government?
Did you say Duyan was under Kim Chi Yang?
What's wrong?
Nothing. I had a dream.
[Duyan]
Did you call me?
No, I called you.
Prime Minister!
It's been a long time.
Have you fared well?
I wish I could say that I have.
What brings you here?
You wench!
I bet you never dreamed you'd see the Prime Minister again.
You know what traitors have to do.
Pick it up and kill yourself!
Let's have a chat first.
I could not believe that you betrayed me over a man.
Forgive me.
But who is to say you have to live in the field of slaughter forever?
Betraying your own country...
If you think about it, I, too, turned my back on my country and became the
Prime Minister of the enemy state.
Prime Minister.
I don't blame you for seeking your own happiness.
And I did not punish your family for it. I kept them alive.
Thank you, Prime Minister!
There is one last thing I need you to do for me.
It's nothing difficult.
I just need you to tell me everything you know.
Kim Chi Yang... What is his identity?
I don't know what you mean.
I knew from the start that he has his own agenda.
But I can't quite put a finger on it.
You've been working for him. There must be things you know.
Things you've seen and heard; tell me anything you know.
Have you forgotten your job?
No, sir.
[Yu Han Gan]
I would never.
Then what are you doing?
Forgive me.
You are the one who said the Emperor
[Kim Chi Yang ]
may be a homosexual.
That's why I jumped through hoops to get you into the palace.
How could he fall for a woman and at first sight at that?
I'm sorry, but I must've been wrong.
I was led to believe he was dysfunctional as a man because he never sleeps with
any of the women he cavorts with, and because of the way he treats me.
But?
But he told me that he felt his masculinity when he saw that woman.
Has his trust for you changed at all?
No, you don't have to worry about that, sir.
Keep a close eye on not just the Emperor but the woman as well from now on.
And report everything to Steward Mun even if it seems trite.
Understand?
Yes, sir.
A common woman?
Yes.
Her name is Milhwa and the Emperor seems quite attracted to her.
[Empress Sunjeong]
But a commoner?
I don't know any other details.
I'm occupied with state affairs, so perhaps you can ask the Emperor about her.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Are you fond of the woman named Milhwa?
Your Majesty, are you all right?
I'm fine.
How do you know that name?
I don't mind, so do tell me.
I'm the Empress no matter how many women you have,
and I'm taking interest because Imperial House must flourish.
I heard she is a peerless beauty.
I wouldn't say she's a peerless beauty, but she is different.
Different? How?
I don't know. There's just something alluring about her.
I'm sorry, Empress.
Don't be. I'm happy if you are.
It doesn't bother me, so don't worry.
So you want the woman to
[Kim Shimon (Minister of Personnel)]
be an Imperial Consort?
Exactly.
The job is already half done, but I'm in no position to get personally involved.
I just need the two of you to
[Kim Won Soong]
look after her once she is in.
If all goes well and she gives birth to a prince, our future will be set.
You think that's possible?
The Empress is yet to conceive after all these years.
There's even a rumor
[Han Ingyeong (Minister of Finance)]
that the Emperor is impotent.
If he can't have children on his own we will make him have children.
Pardon? What do you mean by that?
You don't need to know the details.
Just wait and see.
I've planned everything.
Then you're a descendant of Shilla's King Wonsung?
[Kim Milhwa]
Yes, Your Highness.
My estate is named Yoseoktek after Princess Yoseok of Shilla.
Perhaps that is why my sister grew up to
[Kim Yung Dae]
be a wise woman like Princess Yoseok.
Do you know why you are here?
Yes, I do have an idea.
Do you? Tell me.
I've met His Majesty the Emperor twice and I committed a crime of insolence.
But seeing as I am here instead of the dungeon tells me
that I may be blessed with the bon that will bind me to the Emperor in a different way.
You are accurate.
Do you know what your duty will be should become an Imperial consort?
I believe it would be to serve the Emperor and help the Imperial house flourish.
Your Highness.
She comes from Yoseoktek, so I have faith that she will give
His Majesty a brilliant son like Seolcheong.
[Seolcheong: Shilla's most renowned scholar]
Are you going to the Imperial Palace?
Yes.
Watch out!
Let him go!
He wasn't after me. There's a note on the arrow.
"I know you tried to kill Prince Daeryang. Come to your den, Shiwangsa."
Who could it be?
Someone knows about what we did.
[Sa Gamun]
It could just be a shot in the dark...
Gang Jo or Gang Gamchan could just be trying to confirm their suspicions.
No.
If that was the case, they would've named another place.
They have no reason to call me out to Shiwangsa.
Did anyone come here looking for me?
It's been a while, Commissioner.
You're...
General Yelu Dilie of the Celestial Tiger Guards, Commissioner Kim.
Have you been well?
Are you the one who wanted to see me?
No, it's someone else.
Come on in, Commissioner Kim.
What brings you here, Prime Minister?
This is an unusual temple.
I sense darkness I don't usually feel in houses of Buddha.
What do you do here anyway?
You speak in riddles, Prime Minister.
Let's us not play games.
Shouldn't you acknowledge at least half of it since I'm here?
I'm talking about your failed attempt to kill Daeryangwon.
That Sa Gamun must not be all that competent.
Don't try to put the rap on me for what the Khitan did, Prime Minister.
It's unbecoming of you.
And you're embezzling taxes to build a warrior monk army?
I'm just curious. What use do you have for this monk army?
They will be used to fight off the enemy that stands before me.
I wonder if one would really go to the extreme length of
embezzling taxes for that purpose.
Unlike your government, we have intellectual scholar-officials who
support civil rule and don't look favorably upon military expansion.
Does that answer your question?
Is that so.
There's one more thing I'm curious to know.
By all means.
Does the Emperor know that his mother almost died because there was poison
in the herbal tonic you gave her?
It was Duyan!
I told the Empress Dowager that I'm going to Shiwangsa,
so there will be commotion if I turn up dead here.
What do you want from me?
It's quite simple. I need you to stop this war.
You're a powerful man. I'm sure you're more than capable.
Talk to the Empress Dowager.
I'm a peace-loving man.
And one more thing...
Are you truly content being in the second position and harbor no other ambition?
You will join forces with us instead of the Khitan?
Yes.
Let us join hands and bring down our common enemy together.
[Song Minister of Military]
Thank you, Empress Dowager.
Thank you.
So when do you plan to launch this expedition?
We must coordinate to attack simultaneously.
I will let you know in detail at a later time.
But it will be at least another six months.
That long?
But you've been preparing for this battle for years.
This is our final war, so we are taking extra precautions.
Still six months is too long.
You must prepare the troops for deployment directly upon your return.
Your Highness, the truth is...
Our court is divided between the hawks and the doves unlike Liao.
Bringing them together is not an easy task.
I'm speechless.
The Khitan are ready to fight now.
And you're still arguing over whether to fight or not?
How can you win with this mentality?
The troops must be deployed within three months at the latest.
My Emperor does not wish to attack unless we are attacked upon first.
Is there any reason why you want to rush this?
Yes, I have a personal reason.
At any rate, a delay will not benefit anyone.
We must do this as soon as possible.
I will try my best.
Why are you doing this?
Was it you?
Did you tell Prime Minister Han about Daeryangwon?
Answer the question.
Yes.
And it was you that tried to kill the Empress Dowager?
That's right.
Sa Gamun.
Yes.
Kill her.
Pardon?
You heard me. I'm ordering you to kill her!
Kill her!
What do you think you're doing?
Forgive me.
Never. This is unforgivable.
She tried to kill the Empress Dowager and inform the Khitan about what we do.
Do you wish to die with her?
I will make certain it does not happen again.
I beg you.
My child is growing in her belly.
If this happens again, I'll kill her and take my life as well.
Please don't take her life. I beg you.
Hyang Bi!
I'm seeing you often. Are you here to see your hubby again?
No, I came to visit the Empress Dowager. I haven't seen her in a while, so...
You are?
[Sa Illa]
I'm going there, too. Come on.
Have you ever heard of Crown Prince Mahi?
Huh?
Crown Prince Mahi.
I heard he was the last Crown Prince of Shilla.
I don't know much since I'm a Balhaean, but I heard some soldiers talking about it.
Oh?
I guess he resisted Goryeo to the end
and died somewhere in Mt. Gaegeol.
[Mt. Gaegeol: Geumgang Mountain (during winter)]
Do you know anything about that?
No, I've never heard about it.
I'm a Jurchen, so I know even less than you do.
Oh, that's right. Let's go.
Okay.
How is married life? Is General Gang treating you well?
Yes, he treats me better than I ever imagined he would.
I'm glad to hear that.
That must be why you have such a pretty rosy glow.
I owe it all to you, Your Highness. How is the pregnancy?
Fine so far.
Do you have appetite for anything special?
I've been eating well, so don't worry.
I hope to hear good news from you too. General Gang is not getting any younger.
I'm sure it will happen soon.
Your Highness, do you wish to have a prince or a princess?
That's not up to me, but if it were, I'd like a girl.
Why is that?
My pregnancy is not looked upon very kindly in the court as it is,
and if I have a boy, there will be more problems.
I'm sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.
That's all right.
It's not a secret that this child is a great burden right now...
with the great undertaking right in front of us...
Your Grace, there they come.
Your Grace, did you wish to see me?
Yes.
Oh my, she's gotten even prettier since last time.
Hasn't she, Your Grace?
Would you leave us? I'd like to speak to her alone.
Yes, Your Grace.
I called you out here because I didn't want
[Lady Yunheung]
anyone to see you at Yunheung Villa.
So you met Empress Dowager Cheonchu?
Yes, Your Grace.
What did you talk about?
Nothing particular.
She asked a few questions and I answered as best I could as taught by you.
I think I'm going to be made an Imperial consort.
Now listen well.
The woman you met is my enemy which makes her your enemy as well.
Once you become an Imperial consort,
our job is to make the Emperor stand on his own.
It's your duty.
Yes, Your Grace. I am well aware.
But you cannot be conspicuous.
Take your time and get the Emperor in the palm of your hands.
If you do a good job, you can become the empress.
All you have to do is to drive the current empress out of her place.
Can you do it?
I will do my best.
And I will never forget all that you are doing for me.
Cheon Hyang Bi talked to you about Crown Prince Mahi?
Yes, my Lord.
I think she just overheard someone talking about him.
I'm sure it's nothing.
No, a woman was reported asking questions about the commissions
at Hangae Temple not too long ago.
You didn't tell Duyan about me, did you?
No, sir.
All I told her was that we need to eliminate Prince Daeryang in order
to bring your child to the throne.
You cannot tell her anything else.
She may be carrying your child,
but keep your lips sealed until we've reached our goal.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
And Sa Illa, if Hyang Bi brings this up again report to me immediately.
Yes, my Lord.
My Lord, what do you intend to do about Prime Minister Han's request?
I'm sure I can neutralize the situation if he exposes what
we did to the Empress Dowager, but she will become suspicious.
[Mun In Wui ]
Then what will you do?
I don't know.
Do you feel any better?
I understand why you did what you did. You don't have to feel guilty towards me.
I must be a born traitor.
First my country and now you...
Don't say things like that.
Just promise me you won't do it again.
For our child.
Don't you hate me?
You gave up your country because of me. I could never hate you.
And from now on, I will protect you.
Forever.
That again?
Prince Mahi has nothing to do with Kim Chi Yang.
But Sa Illa's eyes fluttered when I brought it up.
She knows something.
She's a Jurchen.
How could she have anything to do with a prince of Shilla?
Besides, Kim Chi Yang was born in Dongju.
Please let us not talk about this anymore.
Welcome.
Thank you. Is he adjusting to the new environment?
Yes, he is busy pursuing his studies in Buddhism.
Oh.
I trust that no one else knows that he is here in Shiyulsa?
Of course not.
He has a new Buddhist name of Sunjae and no one knows that he is Prince Daeryang.
Besides, this is Yangju,
not Gaegyeong.
[Yangju: Modern day city located in northern part of Gyeongghi Providence]
Cast aside your fears and come in.
Thank you.
Minister Gang!
My Prince.
Have you fared well?
I'm told your name is Sunjae now.
Yes.
And have you fared well?
[Wang Sun- Prince Daeryang (future King Hyeonjong)]
Are the Emperor and Empress doing well?
Yes, they are.
The head priest was all praises about you. Do they treat you well?
Yes, I'm quite content and comfortable.
How are you physically?
I'm blessed with good health.
Lately, I've been helping out down at the village, farming and gathering firewood.
Have you?
I'm sure I don't have to remind you, but you must not tell anyone about who you are.
- You do know what I'm saying, right? - I know.
I'm just a monk studying the teachings of Buddha.
But don't just study the teachings of Buddha.
You must take time to study the books that I've been sending you as well.
I've been reading them, but I don't understand.
Why do I have to read about royal politics?
There will come a day when it is required you serve the state.
You must never give up hope and endure this time even when it becomes tough.
Buddha will always watch over you.
Don't worry.
I already made a few friends, and the priests are very good to me.
So please take care of the Emperor when you get back.
I will.
The envoys of Song and Liao have left us,
so the Emperor will administer all domestic
affairs from this day forward.
But I sit by him today for the last time to make an important announcement.
As you all know,
the lack of heir has been a great concern of the Imperial house and the empire.
It has been decided, for this reason, to receive an Imperial consort.
The flourishing of the Imperial house is directly linked to stability of the state,
so I believe felicitations are due.
Allow me to congratulate you, Your Majesty.
We offer you congratulations.
Thank you.
It is very strange.
I have met countless women in the past but never have I felt this way.
The more I see you, the more mysterious it is.
Don't just grin. Speak if you have something to say.
I know little about the palace, but I have heard a few rumors about you.
What kind of rumors?
That you are always drunk, that you enjoy archery and hunting.
And that you trifle not just with ladies of the palace but with gisaeng girls as well.
So you are disappointed?
I have always dreamed of marrying a great man.
And now that I've become the Imperial Consort,
there's nothing more I could want.
But...
But?
My wish is for Your Majesty
to become a benevolent ruler who will be immortal in history.
But if you carry on with this way of life
and are remembered in history as an inferior ruler,
I would be greatly disappointed.
You are truly bold to speak to me this way.
No woman has ever dared.
Your glass is empty.
You mean the union was consummated last night without incident.
Yes, Your Highness.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Was it not expected, Your Highness?
Yes... yes, of course.
Your Majesty, you're here.
Yes. I haven't seen you in a while.
Are you doing well?
I'm barely alive, Your Majesty, with the grueling training we're put through daily.
Oh!
I heard about the Imperial consort.
[Yi Hyunoon]
Allow me to congratulate you.
Thanks.
I guess this means you won't be going to gisaeng houses anymore.
Do you think I went to those places for pleasure?
I have no more business in such places now.
Stand tall, soldier. You're a man for heaven sakes.
Boy, he's in a good mood. He's become a different person overnight.
Is it his new woman?
Oh, woe is me...
Then we will start the morning meeting.
I know we have many issues to discuss. Let us begin with the most pressing one.
Your Majesty, civil officials are being wrongfully harmed on account of stipend
[Stipend land: Farmland that is given to officials depending on rank]
land being issued to military officials.
This is an urgent issue that
must be redressed.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What's more, the government as a whole has turned heavily in favor of the
military leading us to fear an imbalance between the civil and military.
It needs urgent attention.
Your Majesty.
Our soldiers are currently being put through the most intensive military training.
It the stipend land policy becomes an issue, military moral will deteriorate.
You know as well as anyone that
[Hwangbo Yui (Vice Minister of Finance)]
a full belly and warm bed don't
make a man a better fighter.
The idea that this issue will deflate military morale is ridiculous.
I agree.
Do you mean our soldiers were indolent
when they did not have stipend land?
[Choi Suk (Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel)]
If that's the case,
how did we win the last war against the Khitan?
It was patriotism and
the will to protect the country alone
[Chae Choongsun (Minister of Investigation)]
that empowered them.
What the soldiers need now is not land but patriotism.
What's more,
the real heroes of the last war were not the soldiers but
[Choi Wonshin (Vice Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]
civil officials like Lord Seo Hui.
What do soldiers do but follow orders and swing their swords?
Watch your words, sir!
Have you ever charged toward a swarm of enemies closing in on you?
Have you ever heard the cries and
smelled the blood of your comrades in war dying under the sword of the enemy?
A war is not fought with guileful tongues!
Goodness! I am so frightened I can hardly speak.
Perhaps you should have charged into this meeting swinging a sword on a horse, sir.
Exactly.
Or perhaps go to the military meeting that the Empress Dowager is conducting.
I beg your pardon?
That's enough!
I come here sober for once and ask you what the most pressing issue is
and you give me this childish bickering?
Are you starving because you have a little less land?
Or are you unclothed?
You are servants of the state.
Did you gather here to fight over who a bigger piece of bread?
Then why don't you go into business with Commissioner Kim here instead?
I want to hear issues that concern the people and the state, not your pocketbooks!
There will be no changes made to the stipend land policy.
Move on to the next issue.
The provincial and regional armies have
been ordered to proceed to the border,
and the Six Guards of the central army
will move out to Hogyeong tomorrow.
Our goal is to swiftly defeat
the enemy forces and capture the
Imperial Palace of Liao by building
[Yang Kyu]
a tight collaborative system
between the regional and central militaries.
The more powerful of the Six Guards Left and Right Guards, Divine Tiger Guards,
and Elite Striking Guards will lead the offensive.
Going up against enemy's main force, the Iron Bulls,
General Yang Kyu's cavalry and my spear cart unit will first
suppress their advance guards.
[Kim Sukheung]
And General Yu Bang's Elite Striking Guards will wipe out
the retreating enemy and advance north.
What do you have planned for the two armies and the remaining three guards?
During peace, protecting the Imperial house is the main duty of
the Soaring Eagles and the Dragon Tigers
but they stay right behind the advance guards aiding them in need.
And when the enemy line is broken, they will jump right into the heart of the enemy
and capture the Imperial Palace of Liao.
And the remaining three guards will set up camp at the
[Yu Bang ]
Apsu River border to provide
[Apsu: Modern day Yalu river]
backup for the advance guards and
prepare for enemy's counteroffensive.
Our bigger concern is
leaving Hogyeong south of Salsu and
Gaegyeong unguarded.
That's right.
If we divert all of
our military resources to the front,
[Choi Ghi]
a Khitan elite force could make their
way around and attack Gaegyeong.
Don’t worry about that.
Commissioner Kim has placed warrior monk armies in temples around the city.
We will call upon them to defend Gaegyeong if needed.
Very well.
Prepare meticulously to make certain that this plan is followed through.
And instruct your men to keep this information strictly classified so that
our plan does not leak to the enemy.
It won't be long before Liao kneels before us with a white flag of surrender.
I will pray for the good fortune of all men participating in this military expedition.
The old Balhae territory? That's absurd!
We gave them six provinces east of Yelu.
[Shengzhong (6th ruler of Khitan)]
Now they want the old Balhae territory?
Never.
But Your Majesty, if we don't comply with her request,
Empress Dowager Cheonchu will launch an offensive.
We must do whatever it takes to stop that.
I don't disagree
[Empress Dowager Xiao (Emperor Shengzhong's mother)]
but we cannot give them that vast land.
Countless young Khitan
died to conquer that land.
That's right, Mother.
We must attack Goryeo first instead of waiting for that wench to attack us.
I might kneel to Song, but never to Goryeo.
We must launch an offensive now.
Is this all you talked about in Goryeo? Is there any other solution?
I have laid the ground work for another possible solution,
but it won't be a permanent solution.
Your Highness, it might be wiser to hold off the offensive
until Empress Dowager Cheonchu is due to deliver her child.
Why is that?
Prime Minister is right.
Cheonchu has to be incapacitated so that her inferior son can take charge.
It's a shame, but that's what we need to do to give ourselves an advantage.
Welcome, My Lords! We have been waiting for you.
What does the Finance Commissioner want with us?
And at a gisaeng house at that.
I would not know, sir.
[Yi Jujeong]
Please come inside. It's this way.
Don't be so shocked.
As you know I run a trading business that brings in some pocket money.
So I've been meaning to invite all of you hard working ministers for
an evening of relaxation and diversion.
I appreciate that, but this is rather awkward.
To be frank, we are not your closest associates, and...
That's why I wanted this opportunity to get to know each other.
I'm not such a bad guy once you get to know me.
Thank you for your cordiality. Then we shall enjoy the evening.
But how come there are no gisaengs in this gisaeng house?
They are standing by.
But before we start the evening of fun, I'd like to ask all of you a question.
What is it?
How do you lords feel about this impending war?
I just want to hear your honest feelings.
I'm sure you don't like to hear this since you are very close to the Empress Dowager,
all of us here in this room do not support the war.
That's right.
The military officials have already gained too much power as it is.
This was will only weaken us even further.
Most importantly, it's the people that suffer most during wartimes.
I don't understand why we must have this war when we're doing just fine.
How do you feel about this war?
Don't you support the Empress Dowager?
No. Actually, I'm against it.
I don't understand.
Do you mean that you oppose the Empress Dowager's policy on war like us?
That's correct.
Then perhaps you can talk the Empress Dowager out of it.
You're inseparable like bread and butter.
Yes, but she won't listen to me on this issue.
That's why I need your help.
Let us work together to prevent
public suffering and stop the military officials from gaining excessive power.
[Six Months Later...]
The war has begun?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Both Liao and Song have launched their troops.
This is it, Your Majesty.
It's time to move our troops in Hogyeong.
Attendant Goh, notify the Empress Dowager at once.
No, we can't.
The Empress Dowager has gone into labor.
Scream as loud as you want, Your Highness. Don't hold back.
Sa Illa, Sa Illa!
Yes, Your Highness.
Is there still no news of war?
No, not yet.