Chapter 165: PPL
The grand throne room, filled with an air of authority.
Prime Minister Jeong Gwang-pil, Minister of War Yi Jang-gon, and General Yu Dam-nyeon, along with other court officials, continued their meeting with King Jungjong.
The topic at hand was the troublesome Jurchen tribes in the north. For hours, opinions swayed back and forth…
“So, what is it you’re trying to say?”
Jungjong frowned, looking weary.
This was a problem passed down from his predecessors.
If they couldn’t completely eradicate the threat, it would linger for a long time.
“Judging by their movements, the enemy’s supplies are clearly dwindling. The closest outpost near the mountains seems to be their destination.”
“With the numbers they’ve brought, even if this is our chance, a direct assault would undoubtedly result in significant casualties on our side.”
“So, you’re suggesting an ambush.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The sun sets early near the mountains. If we attack from above and eradicate them in one go, our chances of success will increase.”
“Hmm. A plausible strategy.”
“Time is of the essence, so a swift decision is required. It appears they’ll pass through the mountains within five days.”
The opinions began to converge.
A surprise attack to minimize casualties and maximize efficiency. As Jungjong was about to assign the necessary troops, someone collapsed at his feet.
It was Jo Gwang-jo.
“Your Majesty, this cannot be. An ambush is not the way of the righteous ruler. We must first send a royal decree to the Jurchen chieftain, Sogonoe, and only if that fails, should we mobilize our troops.”
At Jo Gwang-jo’s words, the generals’ faces contorted in disbelief.
What nonsense was this?
In a battle of life and death, what did righteousness have to do with anything? Jeong Gwang-pil, who had been listening, let out a dry laugh.
“Your Majesty, while Jo Gwang-jo’s words have merit, they won’t work on the barbarians. They don’t understand reason, and our soldiers and their families are at stake.”
“Jo Gwang-jo’s words are absurd. Do arrows discriminate between righteousness and wrong?”
“Now, now, watch your tongue.”
“Isn’t it true?”
Even Jeong Gwang-pil, who had been sympathetic to Jo Gwang-jo, found the opinion too difficult to support. The court erupted into chaos. Jungjong simply locked eyes with Jo Gwang-jo.
“…”
Then, without a word, he raised his cup to his lips.
The water rippled in the cup adorned with sunflowers.
He smiled at his officials and offered them a drink.
“Calm yourselves and take a moment to breathe. It’s been a long meeting. This tea is made from sunflower seeds, and I’ve become quite fond of it lately. It clears the blood and mind, helping one focus. It also reminds me of what I might have overlooked.”
Then, with dignity, he set his cup down.
He knew Jo Gwang-jo’s words were unrealistic.
But he couldn’t dismiss him in front of everyone.
The new faction Jo Gwang-jo led had been instrumental in checking the power of the old guard. He was Jungjong’s right-hand man, his pillar.
And more than that…
They were close friends, discussing state affairs multiple times a day.
The generals felt uneasy at Jungjong’s hesitation.
“Jo Gwang-jo’s words have merit.”
“No, Your Majesty!”
“Hear me out. What sets us apart from the barbarians? They’re driven by blood and flesh, but we uphold the Way.”
While his words were true, reality and ideals differed.
The generals glared at Jo Gwang-jo and pleaded again.
“Your Majesty! Consult the generals on matters of war! What does Jo Gwang-jo know?”
He knew Jo Gwang-jo’s ideals were futile.
But Jungjong also knew he couldn’t dismiss him now.
Jungjong smiled resolutely and waved his hand.
‘Jo Gwang-jo, remember this. I’ve indulged your ideals, so you must indulge mine.’
‘Your Majesty, your future is my future.’
The two exchanged a silent conversation through their gaze.
Then, Jungjong made his decision.
“We’ll discuss this matter again later. It’s late, so you may all retire.”
He concluded the meeting and left the throne room without hesitation.
Jo Gwang-jo, having achieved his goal, had no reason to stay.
As the two departed, the generals began grumbling in frustration.
“Your Majesty is too lenient!”
“He has his reasons.”
“Minister of War, are you serious? You’re too lenient with Jo Gwang-jo! At this rate, he’ll take the dragon robe itself!”
“Now, now, don’t be hasty!”
The Minister of War sipped his tea, his gaze distant.
Their relationship wasn’t personal—it was between monarch and subject.
With such differing visions for the future, how could they walk the same path? Clearly, they’d become toxic to each other over time…
“Okay! Cut!”
With the director’s signal, the officials relaxed and chuckled. Ha Muyoung, who had been off to the side, peeked his head in.
“Can I come out now?”
“Yes, come on out.”
“Phew! This outfit is hot.”
Muyoung rustled his dragon robe as he crossed the set.
Eun-seong was already in the corner, touching up his makeup. He turned a handheld fan toward Muyoung.
“Your delivery’s getting better.”
“Really? Good to hear. I’ve been practicing.”
“But when you look at me, your gaze could be more intense. Director, show him the footage.”
“Monitoring~ Yay~”
Eun-seong and Muyoung scurried over to the director.
The makeup artist, who had been powdering her nose, shrugged as she packed up her tools. The other staff members reacted similarly.
“What’s with Eun-seong lately? Something good happen?”
“I don’t know. Either he’s come back from the dead or he’s about to die.”
“He used to only show his face when it was time to shoot, but now he’s walking around just fine. He’s not even avoiding Muyoung.”
“Today, he came in asking for Muyoung right away.”
“Whoa! Really? No way.”
“Earlier, Muyoung called Eun-seong ‘hyung.’”
“Maybe it’s because they hit number one on the weekly charts?”
It was shaping up to be a megahit.
The previous number one on the weekly charts was an impressive feat for cable, but Blade’s Path had reclaimed the top spot in just one episode.
The next day, episode two saw a 1.8% increase.
If this kept up, if everything went according to plan…
By the finale, they’d rewrite the viewership records for J Broadcasting. Even Eun-seong, with his many hits, would experience a second golden age.
“Looks like the ratings snapped him out of it.”
“Hahaha. Could be.”
“Well, it’s easier for us.”
“He’s definitely less temperamental.”
“It was good before because of Muyoung, but now it’s really fun. Don’t you think?”
“Yeah.”
And strangely, Eun-seong listened to Muyoung without arguing.
What had happened in just one week?
The staff, unaware of ‘that day’s’ events, assumed Eun-seong’s improved temperament was due to the ‘ratings.’
“Definitely more intense eye contact would make it pop.”
Meanwhile, Eun-seong and Muyoung reviewed the footage with the director, discussing it in detail.
On screen, he raised the teacup.
“Actually, the table’s too low, so holding the cup looks a bit awkward. How many more times do I have to drink it?”
“Let me check. About five more times?”
“Could you adjust the height…?”
It was a PPL for sunflower tea.
The investors had even commissioned a special teacup with a sunflower design.
It’s a period drama—they couldn’t use plastic containers, right? The director checked the schedule and nodded.
“I’ll tell the production team. On screen, it doesn’t look awkward at all. I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t said anything, Muyoung.”
“Okay, good.”
Muyoung smiled and finished his tea.
Eun-seong, sitting beside him, also drank his tea, looking satisfied.
“It’s pretty good, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I liked it so much, I ordered two boxes.”
“Oh, Muyoung. You should’ve told us. We could’ve picked some up. It’s a main PPL, so it’ll appear a lot. With the ratings exceeding expectations, they’ll probably extend the contract.”
Everything was going smoothly.
The ratings, the set atmosphere, and the cast dynamics.
The director occasionally thought this might be the masterpiece of his career. He felt incredibly lucky and grateful to everyone.
“Muyoung, makeup!”
“Oh, right!”
“Alright, moving on to the next scene. Eun-seong and Muyoung, get into costume and take a break. We’ll probably shoot three scenes in a row.”
It was a meeting scene among the ministers.
The scene, which corresponded to the ‘rising action’ of the story, expressed concern about the growing collusion between Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo.
Eun-seong sat beside Muyoung and checked the script.
“Next, we’re looking at scenes 48 and 49.”
“Yeah. Hey, do you drink?”
“Drink? Yeah?”
“My manager wants to treat you to something good.”
Thanks to Muyoung, the settlement had gone smoothly, and they’d quickly resolved the issue.
It wasn’t just the manager. Even the agency’s CEO and president were eager to meet Muyoung.
“Oh, so that’s why?”
“Why?”
“Your agency’s CEO and president said they’d join if we set up a meeting with you. Something about business partners. I’m not sure what they meant.”
No matter how much credit they wanted to give, they couldn’t allow a personal meeting between a high-ranking official from another agency and an actor.
What if they poached him?
Eun-seong’s agency was also a well-established company, and Muyoung’s stock was skyrocketing.
Oblivious to their intentions, Muyoung beamed.
‘Yay! Flower petals~’
The smog had completely lifted.
Now, it’s nothing but smooth sailing!
“Muyoung, stop smiling.”
“Sorry.”
“Hey, I heard the later script might change.”
“What? Why?”
The coordinator, fixing Muyoung’s eyebrows, spoke up.
“Because of the PPL. They’re adding a scene where you apply lipstick.”
“What? Who? The king?”
His expression screamed, What nonsense!
The coordinator laughed and shook her head.
“No. The Seollohwa brand just released a Joseon-era package. They might add a scene where Queen Jangyeong applies lipstick.”
Queen Jangyeong was Jungjong’s second wife.
It wouldn’t significantly alter the story…
But it seemed like PPLs were flocking to the show like bees to a flower. If only they’d come in moderation…
‘Gotta make money.’
He understood the production and broadcasting companies’ situations.
And thanks to that, they could afford such high-quality sets and costumes, elevating the production value.
Muyoung nodded slightly, acknowledging the situation.
“How did you know that?”
“I found out while talking to the assistant director earlier. We had to match the colors then.”
Eun-seong seemed uninterested.
He was so used to it that he didn’t care either way.
“Anything else?”
“Hmm. Stationery and accessories? Since it’s a period drama, there are a lot of restrictions. They seem to be focusing on food-related PPLs.”
At that moment, a cloud of smoke emerged from the coordinator’s mouth.
Muyoung flinched and stepped back, and the coordinator, embarrassed, covered her mouth.
“Oh my, sorry. I just ate some mooncake. Does it smell?”
…Mooncake? What’s that doing here?
And why the smog?