The Great Queen Seondeok (선덕여왕)

Queen Seon Deok

Episode 44

Only the council keeps favoring unanimous voting,

and should any proposal meet your disapproval,

it has always ended up being rejected.

Not only does this impede our country's development,

but, as it is but an expedient to protect the powerful nobles' interests,

I propose voting regulations for the council of nobles...

move to a majority vote.

Right!

That's right.

What she said is right!

Nine to one?!

~ Episode 44 ~

Nine approved,

and only one was against it.

But, as the council favors unanimous voting...

It was rejected.

Nine approved?!

Lord Sejong, Lord Misaeng, Lord Hajong...

They must be amongst those nine.

Yes, Milord.

It is indeed as you suggest.

Mishil does it again.

Seems like she was behind all this.

They certainly could not let the taxation reform pass,

but they also wanted to escape any criticism...

their refusal to accept it would have incurred?!

But, Her Highness proposed to change the council's unanimous vote...

to a majority vote, proposal which is being deliberated upon at the moment.

Majority vote?!

Well... I am sure it will not pass.

They could not reach a unanimous vote on the reform,

majority vote?!

Would something like that ever pass?

It will not pass, but it is by no means a bad stratagem.

Why?

Still, think of how disheartened all the nobles wishing for those reforms will be.

So we must foment even more disheartenment, you mean?!

And that disheartenment must be directed at the council.

They're quite the fruitless parade, are they not?

- Right? - Indeed!

Those feelings...

"They are of little worth..."

Such feelings is what we must foment.

Make your choice.

Her Highness's proposal to change our council's voting procedures...

was approved by two,

and rejected by eight members,

therefore leading to its rejection.

Think this will mean a triumph for Your Highness?

I merely reciprocated,

Your Highness.

I ought to...

Think of how propitious the passing of that reform would have been.

How lamentable. Nine to one?!

I had no expectations on the matter, none whatsoever.

There was no way it would pass!

Then... What brought you all the way here?

Was not "expectations" what led you here?

Ohh... that!

With all the land those council members possess,

there was no way they would pass such reform from the start.

From the start...

Even knowing that, I still had some expectations.

But we once again found out, uh?!

As long as unanimous voting dominates the council,

nothing in this country will ever change!

What are you trying to say?

Did I ever say anything about your clan?

Is being in possession of plentiful land and assets a crime?

Wangyun Rang was not talking about that.

The reason certain clans might be in possession of larger territory...

is either because their efforts led to such expansion,

or because their meritorious service granted them such benefits.

Is that a crime?

Even petty nobles with very little land boast the same kind of fealty.

So does this discriminatory treatment show any fairness?

There is a clear difference between people,

do we have to equally divide land now?

What is wrong with you two?

Are you telling me Deokman was the one proposing for majority vote?

Lord Seohyeon and I did approve,

but as all the other council members were against it,

the motion was rejected.

Was it not impossible from the very start?

Did not the council use unanimous voting for the last seven centuries?

I am sure Her Highness herself knew the motion would not pass.

Yes... As even that was rejected,

all the lesser nobles who participated voiced their disapproval.

It is likely that is what Her Highness wished for.

Are you telling me she did this to show how fruitless the council has become?

It is very likely those were Her Highness's intentions.

Right...

She managed to show that anything which would go against...

the powerful nobles' benefit would never pass.

Sire.

Are you all right?

Should we escort you to your berth?

I am fine.

Fret not.

Are we not mutually engaging in one subterfuge after another?

Majority vote? What a most discerning move.

Yes, as any proposal would find it arduous to pass with this system.

Is not unanimous voting a seven century-long tradition?

However,

it is a vestige of the past which no longer suits our current situation.

All it has become is a subterfuge to favor the powerful nobles' interests.

And that is because no reform would be approved unanimously by them.

That is certainly true.

Still.

Still, Your Highness...

Do you realize that same unanimous voting...

is also benefiting you?

What?

Should the nobles propose a motion to oust you from any decision making?

With a majority vote, only six votes of approval...

would be required to force you out of any further deliberation.

However, since it is still unanimous voting,

be it Lord Seohyeon or Lord Yongchun,

would not a single vote against the motion cause it to be rejected?

And that is why you continue enjoying your status.

I see.

I was indeed gaining benefits myself.

Our statute and institutions...

They are always a perilous sword with two edges.

Not only their foe, but even those wielding it may injure themselves.

Then,

is using such statute and institutions to contend with your foes...

such immoral behavior?

Statute and institutions...

Again... again...

I almost risked telling you everything, once again.

How sagacious your sincerity can be.

It almost caused me to once again fall for that trap of yours.

If I may...

Hey! Minions!

Aigoo... What now?!

The council rejected both proposals.

- Uh?! - Ehh... You pathetic dolts.

You are the true minions...

Wake up, will you?

Looks like expectations completely floored them?!

They are really angry, uh?!

That is too bad. What a shame!

You dolt, how much land does your clan possess?

Why are you suddenly curious about that?

*1 sok = 15 square meters

Aigoo... look at you. Over five thousand sok*?

Uh?!

Had this amendment been passed,

your clan's lives would have been improved!

Ehh... You ignoramus.

He doesn't even realize what can benefit him.

You pathetic dolt...

Tell me about it.

Does he have some issues up there?

Just stay put, uh?!

That's kind of true...

Aigoo... you're so hopeless.

Wake up, you dolt.

Let's go.

Couldn't smell money if it was under your nose...

Ehh...

I just thought that...

Why did you hit me?

Now that I think about it, you dolt,

is that how you address your direct superior?

Well deserved, wasn't it?

You dolt.

So it should have passed, uh?!

On second thought, the taxation reform was not such a bad proposal.

Is that not right, Seokpum Rang?

So...

Are you saying it should have passed successfully?

Why are you suddenly raising your voice?

It is because of the drivel you're uttering!

Listen, Seokpum Rang.

Had this amendment passed,

it would have meant benefits for your own clan as well.

The same goes for mine.

Don't you realize it is but a subterfuge by Her Highness...

to make Lady Mishil's followers sway?

However, both you and I incurred heavy losses during the last crops crisis.

It might not mean much for the powerful nobles,

but one of the pillars holding our clan was lost in the fray.

Nothing I said was uncalled for.

Careful with your parlance.

The reason we are still here, and still own any land at all...

It all happened because of Her Highness Lady Mishil's benevolence.

Have you forgotten?

Seokpum Rang!

Seokpum Rang!!

I really...

Ever since the princess came back to Seorabeol,

there has not been a single day of tranquility.

Why, is anything the matter?

All the petty nobles who participated at the last council...

are gathering here and there and making such a commotion!

From their point of view, it is understandable.