Is the commander free? I thought I caught somewhere that they were technically still a slave. That would put a real strain their support for Hei if they do! What if the Emporer/Empress's plan for peace fails?
the commander is not free! they are a slave, whose ownership belongs to yongsun. although they do bear a 'special' status conferred upon them by the late emperor jeo namgil, which elevates them above others slaves and gives them certain privileges such as being able to earn money, own property and travel on their own without written permission from their master.
as for if the emperor/empress' plan fails... well, that'll be your decision to make, isn't it? 😉