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Annihilate the Baekje army!

It's Kim Yushin!

How could Yushin be here?

We are surrounded!

We shall break through the northeastern front and escape,

after which we shall withdraw to Noksan Valley.

Yes.

~ Episode 58 ~

Thankfully, there seemed to be no ambush.

Even if archery units are awaiting in ambush, they would be over there.

Could they possibly have that much range?

Where are those arrows coming from?

Take cover!

Third crossbow formation, aim!

Second formation, aim!

Fire!

What is happening?

Seems like the arrows are coming from that hill!

How could those arrows reach this far?

Commander!

Battalion, charge!

Charge forward!

Try to face me instead!

What is this?

Just as you read, Your Majesty.

They are covenants I personally wrote.

Each of us will keep one copy.

And should you not be able to do so,

I will reveal them in due time.

Should you leave this world before I do,

as these written oaths note,

I shall abandon any post in the court and relinquish all my powers,

leaving the secular world.

Bidam.

It relieves me to know that this is what you were anxious about.

I am happy to hear so, on the contrary.

I shouldn't even call it a covenant.

For to me, this is no burden whatsoever.

For someone like me, whose own nation would mean nothing without you,

what could power and state affairs possibly matter?

Long live Baekje!

I shall stake my life to fulfill this pledge of mine.

And it's all for your sake.

For our great nation!

For Your Majesty, and our great nation.

Bidam.

It's smoke!

Lord Jujin has succeeded!

It is smoke from the flames devouring your supplies.

I planned to make you withdraw all the way to Iseo County.

However...

I cannot allow you to escape with your life.

Or else you'll become our nation's most fearsome foe.

Seems like we share the same belief.

I cannot withdraw until I hold your lifeless pate in my hands!

What?

The supply cellars were set on fire?

Yes. Both cellars at the Byeoksa Valley and Yihwajae encampments are on fire!

Commander!

It's a blitz! The Shilla army infiltrated our camp!

Commander! The encampment's horns are signaling to withdraw!

You shall not leave this place alive.

Commander!

Commander, the troops are in tumult.

May you order them to retreat!

Withdraw!

Withdraw!

Trail them!

Not a single one of them must be spared!

Don't, Your Excellency.

Our encampment might be put in difficulty if we chase them.

First, we shall use neighboring posts like Angang, Yeongcheon and Euigok...

as our defense strongholds, transferring all nearby forces there.

Also, both the Sangju and Gangju Commandery will move to Seorabeol.

Yes, if we do so, we'll concentrate defense corps from nearby posts.

Why don't Your Excellency and Lord Chunchu send a request...

to Goguryeo for reinforcements?

Yes, I will head to Yulpo Prefecture and discuss it with him.

Also, a delegation of envoys is expected soon at Danghang Fortress.

May you head there, and pave the way for a possible negotiation.

Yes, I will.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!!

Your Majesty.

Chief Marshal Yushin repelled the Baekje army,

and reclaimed the counties of Iseo and Chuhwa.

Ahh... It is all done now, we can rest assured.

Your Majesty, what a relief!

Daeya Fortress... What about Daeya Fortress?

Still nothing, but they advanced all the way to Daeya Fortress's front,

and hit enemy forces at the ridgeline east of the fortress.

Yes, I see.

Your Majesty.

It is regrettable about Daeya Fortress, but we seem to have overcome the worst.

~ Yulpo Prefecture Secret Palace ~

Really?

Yushin did so?

Yes!

Her Majesty ordered him to make his return,

and he must be on his way to Seorabeol as we speak.

Yushin has made it, he's done it!

And she said the Yushin Army needed its leader to feel itself,

Her Majesty was right!

Hurrah!

Hurrah!

Hurrah!

Your Majesty.

Chief Marshal Kim Yushin...

returns to the capital after fulfilling his call.

Nothing can compare with your feat of rescuing this nation.

I shall therefore accord you Euigok's territory as a reward.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.

Also, as for your subordinate Wolya,

he shall be assigned to a post in the Board,

so support Yushin and help the furtherance of our military.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.

For all this time, I thought the very basis of a unified Three Kingdoms...

was the safety and stability of our people,

and I hence focused my rule on making sure more people could own their land,

which is one of the reasons why I often curtailed proposals...

of the Board of Military Affairs to ameliorate our army.

On the contrary, Baekje, after the death of King Seong,

has focused all its efforts on improving their military.

I therefore admit my responsibility in creating this conflict.

However, my convictions are firm.

In war, it is the country whose people enjoy the most stability...

that will triumph in the end.

We might be late,

but if we focus our efforts on strengthening our defense capabilities,

we shall in no time overshadow Baekje's military prowess.

The long-standing task which remained dormant for many moons...

shall begin once again.

From here on in,

Shilla is on war footing.

We shall devote all the resources which we curtailed back to the military,

diminish the production of farming utensils,

and use that iron to forge weapons.

Also, all the troops under the Sangdaedeung's command...

will be reassigned to the Board as special army forces.

Your Majesty.

Those troops are already under Sangdaedeung Lord Bidam's training.

Yes, we can transfer them once hostilities are over.

Yes, Your Majesty.

In a case of emergency, those private troops could always...

Seorabeol...

is facing a grave emergency as we speak.

Your Majesty.

I shall transfer all the troops under my command to the Board,

and further reorganize their ranks.

There is one last thing I must reveal to Your Excellencies.

I shall soon...

hold royal nuptials.

Your Majesty.

Those royal nuptials...

With whom?

Lord Bidam.

I saw in her the firm conviction of making both Yushin and Bidam into her people.

I know.

But you can never deny concerns that her nuptials...

could severely impact succession of the throne.

Of all people, Lord Bidam?!

Aigoo, really...

Did Her Majesty ever commit herself on the matter?

Seeing your reaction, doesn't seem so.

I ought to...

Don't worry.

Her Majesty will certainly have a plan.

She probably does. However...

It is that very plan which brings me anxiety.

So what Her Majesty wants now is conjugal ties with Bidam,

and asking nobles for their private troops?!

Anyhow, Her Majesty is not the kind to give without reserve.

If she accords you something,

she will set her eyes on something else in return.

Yes, and without going against principle or just cause, at that.

I wonder whether it's more of a benefit or disadvantage for us.

Ehh... really! If Lord Seolwon was still alive,

he would have explained this all with utmost clarity.

Anyhow... The fact that Bidam will gain more influence than Yushin...

after those royal nuptials is clear.

Yes, it sure is.

Lord Yushin.

My congratulations... Your Majesty.

It did not dishearten you, did it?

It did.

You're not worried whether Bidam will gain even more power?

I could be.

So, you still congratulate me?

At least one...

Your Majesty should be accorded at least one place which can offer you solace.

It is something I could not do for you.

Even when with no kith or kin you found the movement...

and rescued me, it is something I could not give you.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

Forgive me...

Her Majesty has still more confidence in you.

You are the only one who can console and bring her solace.

Give your all for her, then.

Your devotion must never become suffering for her.

Is that clear?

Congratulations.

~ Geography of the Three Kingdoms ~ Volume Two

Master.

Does not everything find its original place anyhow?

The long-lasting legacy of a name...

Bidam.

I shall now renounce those dreams.

More than a long-lasting legacy, more than any such dream.

I found a light which shines even more.

On the day of Her Majesty's departure,

I, Bidam, shall relinquish any authority I was bestowed,

and will join Her Majesty on her fateful path.

Did Bidam write this himself?

He did.

~ Sangdaedeung Bidam ~

Is it hard to believe?

No.

I am sure he was sincere in making such a covenant.

And you are not the kind of person who would be inveigled, if it wasn't the case.

Still...

People change.

Also,

Bidam has now his own sphere of influence.

Are you not well aware yourself?

Influence is not something that individual whims can move.

After the nuptials, his influence will only grow,

and as time goes by, even his wishes will not be able to stop that.

So what effect could this covenant possibly have?

Should he decide to betray it?

What?

His Excellency?

Yes.

He took something from this room, but I don't know what.

Fine, you may leave.

Why did he suddenly...

He wouldn't...

Indeed. What you said is right.

Personal whims and factions can never be bedfellows.

Just like what happened with Lord Yushin and the restoration movement.

What is this?

Your Majesty!

Should he fail to live up to this covenant,

you must...

slay Bidam.

Your Majesty!

Bound by feelings I cannot control,

I might one day change my mind.

That is why I wrote it down and shall leave it with you,

so proceed as instructed. And also...

For so ardently wanting him by my side despite all this,

accord me your understanding.

How could such precious material...

Did the Gukseon prepare all this?

Seems like he thought the unification of the Three Kingdoms...

was your lifetime duty.

So why did you bring this to me?

Call it a bribe. To ensure I can count on you in the future.

I hope you will learn from it and make its teachings yours.

No matter if there is any ulterior motive behind this,

I shall accept this bribe with utmost gratitude.

I appreciate it.

You are like a horse on the chessboard of history,

but I am not.

That is why the Master said this book belongs to you.

I am truly grateful.

Commissioner!

Lord Misaeng!

Lord Misaeng!

- Ahhh... - Lord Misaeng.

It is urgent, so I will just enter.

What on earth is the matter, for you to subject me to all this?

Don't you know I will have to leave for Danghang Fortress in the morn?

Aigoo... I know that!

Still, he said you must come now!

Now?

Yes.

Must?!

What is the matter, at this belated juncture?

Did you all gather?

What did you summon us here for?

It was too paramount an issue to do otherwise.

And it is because I must leave for Danghang Fortress in the early morn.

So let us hear what it is.

Behind Her Majesty and Lord Bidam's nuptials...

was a secret covenant.

What?

Uh? Secret covenant?!

Se...Secret what?! A secret covenant?!

A secret covenant?!

Secret?!

Secret...

If Her Majesty went that far,

there is no need to be concerned.

All the nobles' troops will be under Her Majesty's command with this move.

This is no laughing matter.

She did something remarkable.

If it was a contract marriage for the sake of military reforms,

I would not be as concerned.

What?

Her Majesty and Bidam have feelings for each other.

Ahh, that... Her Majesty has feelings like anyone else.

She cannot devote everything to politics and this country alone.

However...

Can a ruler really do so?

Will people around her and outside this place...

let her and Bidam be?

Her Majesty and Bidam...

This is a perilous relationship.

Say what?!

There was such a secret covenant between Her Majesty and Bidam?!

All that will happen is losing our troops to them!

I knew something was strange about this!

That's what they were aiming for, from the very start!

Lord Bidam...

completely fell for Her Majesty's stratagem.

We cannot allow this to happen!

Of course, of course we shan't!

Does this make any sense?

Should we not verify the truth with Bidam, and voice our grievances?

- Yes. - Sure! We must!

- Does this make any sense? - We cannot!

This is not something we can bring up.

Don't you know what kind of specimen Lord Bidam is?

He's right.

The mere fact he made this covenant secretly...

can only lead me to think that we mean nothing to him.

Yes, that's right.

So, think you could bring that up?!

Would that make him renounce his covenant?

Or, what, give up on the nuptials?!

Of course he will not.

He never will.

Then, what are we supposed to do?

Shouldn't we force him to join our cause?

Yes...

If Lord Bidam strays from our mutual path,

we must take matters into our hands.

I have a plan.

Let us give it a try.

Your Majesty, it's me.

Come in.

I knew you would be here doing this.

There were parts I had not finished.

Your Majesty.

You must rest now.

Enjoy some repose.

Actually,

I cannot sleep well, these days.

Right.

Are you against me addressing you plainly?

Should I not do it?

No.

But, why can't you sleep?

I don't know.

The moment I lie down, my heart starts throbbing.

Why?

I feel impatient,

as if I was negligent of my duties, in some way.

As if I did something wrong.

I shed tears,

and my heart throbs.

May you lie down.

Is it still throbbing?

No.

Your Majesty.

Until you fall asleep, I shall remain here by your side.

Even in my childhood, my heart throbbed any time I went to sleep.

Was there anything fretting you back then?

It wasn't out of impatience back then,

but expectations of what wonders I'd experience the day after,

or what kind of people I'd get to meet.

Of what fascinating goods the merchants would bring.

*Tujue in Chinese (Turkic confederacy dominating Central Asia and the Silk Road)

"I will have to ask Ajeosshi about the Gokturks*."

If Danghang Fortress is blocked, it will negatively affect...

our trade with the Tang.

We must use this as the just cause behind our request for reinforcements.

Yes, as the Tang themselves wouldn't want to see our trade relations suffer.

When is the delegation expected to arrive?

They must have reached Danghang Fortress today.

Danghang Fortress?

~ Danghang Fortress Administration Office ~

What?

His Excellency Lord Bidam?!

Yes.

So...

If you two could accord us your assistance,

you will gain what you want.

You must be aware already,

but the Sangdaedeung is the de facto power in the court.

Not to mention the fact he will soon join Her Majesty in conjugal ties.

But...

Can we really do that?

It is but an internal matter, so if you manage to do so...

You will accord us your assistance in our endeavors as we wish?

Yes.

Then...

Can I have a written oath...

concerning what you just told me?

Certainly.

How did it go?

He said to confirm it with a written oath.

- How shall we proceed? - Yes. Indeed.

I knew he would react as such, so never you worry.

What is this?

*O: raven; u: feathers; seon: fan

It is a fan made of raven feathers. They call it Ouseon*.

And?

It is perfect for secret covenants or exchanging discreet diplomatic messages.

It is the one my men always use to relay intelligence.

It has never been detected before.

Is that so?

- Let's use this. - Yes.

If you write it here and exchange covenants with the Tang envoy,

it will all end with nary a blemish.

Then, write it yourself.

Yes, I will.

Free the way!

Free the way!

Free the way!

Free the way!

Free the way!

It must have been an arduous trip.

If you will...

Chief Envoy of the Great Tang, Su Jiyan salutes Your Majesty.

I am concerned the long and arduous journey might have fatigued you.

It is a true honor to be blessed with such concern and hospitality.

Is the Tang emperor faring well?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Convey it to her.

To repay what you sent him with the last delegation,

*Shilla ginseng **Tang pony leather

His Majesty wishes to return the courtesy with this Nasam* and Gwahama**.

Extend my gratitude.

Also, Shilla and Tang's continued interchange and friendly relations...

make me rejoice in jubilation.

Yes.

His Majesty himself said our fellowship must be further strengthened.

Yes.

It indeed must.

He felt the recent invasion by Baekje was regrettable as well.

Seeing how he's filled with concern despite living so far away,

he must be a man of unparalleled comradeship.

Yes. On that note, Your Majesty...

To prove our fellowship, His Majesty sent us.

Prove our fellowship?!

Yes, Your Majesty.

And what is he referring to?

Saying that the reason why Shilla is so often invaded by foreign powers...

might very well be...

because a woman is on its throne, leading neighbors to belittle it,

he wonders what you'd think about sending a relative of his to Shilla,

proclaiming him as the king, and sending troops along to protect your country.

I will leave Your Majesty time to deliberate...

Chief of the Royal Palace Guard Alcheon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Were you looking for me, Your Majesty?

Confine these men in Jowon Palace.

Also, Chunchu, send Chancellor of the Board of Rites Lord Jowi to Tang,

to verify whether the Tang emperor said so, or it was concocted by them.

Yes, Your Majesty.

We are Tang envoys, here on behalf of His Majesty.

How could you show us such insolence?

If those are truly your ruler's words,

I shall stop all trade with the Tang,

putting an end to our diplomatic relations.

If it is but a subterfuge you created,

you shall be beheaded for treason.

Hence, Chief Alcheon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Until we verify the truth,

confine their entire delegation at Jowon Palace.

Is that clear?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Take them away.

Yes.

Take them.

You knaves!

Your Majesty!

Let me go!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

*Created during Queen Jindeok's reign and used for envoys from 806 AD onwards

~ Jowon Palace* ~

Let go!

I said let me go!

How dare you belittle our country this way?

What are you waiting for?

Take them inside.

Yes.

Let go!

Let me go, you knaves!

We are Tang envoys!

What do you think you're doing?

Close the gates and guard them at all times.

Yes!

How can you subject envoys of your mother nation to this affront?

Does your ruler dare to confront the Tang?

No matter their rank, do not let anyone enter or leave this place!

Is that clear?

Yes.

Your Majesty.

Their behavior is certainly inexcusable,

but should you not consider the matter with objectivity?

Yes, Your Majesty.

It is common for envoys to purposely provoke their interlocutors.

Not to mention, Your Majesty.

We were about to request reinforcements from the Tang.

If negotiations with the Tang break,

the battlefront will only suffer from this.

Yes.

I've already started negotiations.

One of the basic principles of negotiating...

is reacting to threats with detachment,

and using that to one's advantage.

Also, refuting their claims right away would only mean playing their game.

You can never win any dispute,

when the confrontation itself is orchestrated by whom you're facing.

And, finally, comes doubt.

Doubt?!

The possibility that they may incur the emperor's wrath?

When it comes to diplomacy,

you must never say anything more than what you need to convey.

However, they belittled and insulted me before the entire court.

There must be something significant they want from us.

So what I'm trying to learn is their intent.

What Her Majesty said is right.

What they requested from us was sending troops in support,

when hostilities with Goguryeo will start.

Hence their emperor's claims.

Then, are you suggesting that Her Majesty saw through that?

Yes...

Still... How can she confine a delegation?

Yes.

Approaching the envoys in one way or another is of utmost urgency.

If it was the inspectorate or the board, it could be worth trying.

But we're dealing with Chief Alcheon.

There is no convincing Alcheon.

Still, we cannot idle away here. We must try anything. Anything!

Accept their bribes?!

If the envoys try to bribe your troops, accept them,

and all you need to do is bring me whatever they're sending out.

Yes.

They might attempt to contact the Tang merchants here in Shilla.

But you cannot allow them to meet me.

They can't just seek audience, there must be a very specific reason for it.

Right.

We must learn what they truly came here for.

But if they endure it to the end?

What do we do?

They probably will not last even three days.

Think of how befuddling all this might be for them.

Yes, they won't endure for long, and confess their true motives.

What now?

His Excellency will try to contact us first, I suppose.

Seeing their ruler's resolve,

it's hard to believe that de facto power sits with him.

I worry we might not fulfill His Majesty's order...

of requesting for reinforcements.

Let us await for now.

~ Jowon Palace ~

You.

You, there!

Bring it to the Sangdaedeung.

There is no other way.

Let us talk to Lord Bidam.

Yes... I concur.

If we continue to stall, there is no knowing how the envoys will react.

It is indeed time to make a choice.

Yes.

Our goal was to make him join forces with us,

so letting him know could be a way.

*Deferential address in Chinese; Daein in Korean

Yang Daren* wanted to convey this to a merchant named Fudong,

while a certain Jiwen from the delegation asked for Lord Wangyun.

And the Chief Envoy wanted this to reach the Sangdaedeung.

This fan, to the Sangdaedeung?

Yes. He said it was a gift.

Could it not be a bribe to try to convince him?

Seems like it is quite the precious item.

Not as much as you think.

Are you familiar with this?

Yes, they call it Ouseon.

It is made with raven feathers.

*Peacock feather fan

Those made with bird feathers like gongjakseon*...

*Stork feather fan

and baekuseon* are much more precious.

It can't be...

Your Majesty.

May you let me have a look.

Say what?

Secret covenant?!

We already sent it to the delegation, in your name.

Are you out of your mind, or what?

Or else, how could you concoct such a stratagem?

The very reason behind this stratagem...

is none other than Your Excellency.

Yes.

You were the first to betray our trust.

We heard that you and Her Majesty exchanged covenants...

in secret.

Is this how secret communications are relayed?

Yes.

I've only heard of this, so I cannot be sure,

but I remember a Goguryeo envoy writing something on a raven's feather...

after entering Wa (Japan).

And?

I had heard from Sui merchants that...

a man of Baekje ancestry named Wangjin had decoded the message.

And he did it this way?

Yes.

Commissioner!

We were the ones who got inveigled!

We trusted you and transferred control of our troops to you!

But you will "relinquish any authority after Her Majesty's death"?!

Wouldn't it mean we will lose our basis once she's dead?

How can a man of politics fail to take responsibility for his allies?

So that is why you made that secret covenant in my name?!

"The Tang envoys will advocate for the impossibility of a female on the throne..."

"to the court, we will make our return home, and as the Tang requested,"

"thirty thousand troops will be sent in support of our Goguryeo campaign."

Tang Chief Envoy Su Jiyan.

Shilla Sangdaedeung...

Sangdaedeung...

Bidam.

Bidam?!

Then, was all that insolence displayed by the envoys...

part of this subterfuge of yours?

Yes.

We did not merely want you to join forces with us...

But take this opportunity and...

oust Her Majesty from power.

Yes.

Was not your intent that of becoming King?

We crossed a bridge of no return already,

Lord Bidam.

~ Bidam ~

Bi...

Bidam.

Bidam...

Bidam did...

Brought to you by WITH S2 Written In The Heavens Subbing Squad

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Coordinators: mily2, ay_link

~ On The Next Episode Of ~ QUEEN ~*~ SEONDEOK

Reaching Daeya Fortress is out of our means.

Isn't the aftermath of my demise not the issue?

That is why I summoned you.

It's Danghang Fortress.

Then, couldn't Lord Bidam and Her Majesty...

have talked about this in advance?

Your Majesty.

I need you all for this.

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