Original subtitles

Jang Yeong Sil

Episode 9

Therefore, true self control can only be...

achieved through focusing and getting rid of distracting thoughts.

Noblemen must act appropriately according to their status...

while the commoners do the same.

It means that everyone must remember the duties and responsibilities...

in his or her given status and roles.

We are trying to learn from the Yao and Shun Era...

because everyone living in that era did exactly that...

and was able to live in a reign of peace.

Lord Ha, your interpretation of the writings...

is always precise and insightful,

so I learn a lot from you.

Your Majesty, I am very honoured by your kind words.

(King Sejong: The fourth king of Joseon)

(Jang Yeong Sil: Servant in the Office of Astrology)

(Heo Jo, Minister of Administration)

(Jang Hee Je, Officer of Astrology)

I'd like Jang Yeong Sil, the servant of the Office of Astrology,

to join the envoys on their visit to Ming...

to learn Ming's advanced culture and science.

Jang Yeong Sil, raise your head.

From now on, I will open up opportunities...

for any commoners who are bright and talented...

to work for the royal court regardless of their classes.

That is why I asked you to join us here today.

Yes, Your Majesty.

My ministers, feel free to recommend talented commoners...

for positions in the court regardless of their classes.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Spare me a second, Officer Jang.

Why are you and the servant going to Ming?

It must be related to astronomy.

That is what I am assuming at least.

You are correct.

The Officer of Astrology and the servant of the institution...

are of course going there to learn astrology and astronomy.

That is not what I meant.

I'm speaking of the desire...

to observe the sky of Joseon to make Joseon's own astronomical calendar.

His Majesty...

has always shown immense interest in the study of things and nature,

so he must want to have control...

over Joseon's sky in addition to its lands.

However, his interest in these matters...

must not compromise Joseon's safety.

You know His Majesty very well.

He will never let these matters compromise the safety of Joseon.

As Ming's sovereign country, we cannot observe the sky...

and create our own astronomical calendar.

Such act is forbidden by the Emperor of Ming.

What if rumours spread about us making our own astronomical...

observations and upset the Emperor? What will you do about it?

The current Emperor of Ming. He is the one who...

invaded the North and destroyed the entire region.

Do you not know that Ming's Emperor...

could invade Uiju where you'll be passing in your journey to Ming?

Astronomy is complex, and there is a lot of room for error.

When it comes to astronomy, we should do as Ming says.

We should really focus on reinforcing and solidifying...

the Neo-Confucianist code of conduct in this kingdom.

As the members of the nobility, that is our utmost duty.

Who knows?

In the future, Ming could seek advice from us.

"How could Joseon successfully establish the code of conduct..."

"from the Yao and Shun Era and actualise..."

"the reign of peace?" They could come to us with this question...

and say, "We came to learn from you."

Astronomy is as important as Neo-Confucianist principles.

His Majesty is trying to encourage the study of things and nature...

in order to actualise a true reign of peace.

I guess I forgot briefly.

I forgot the fact that you also love studying these matters.

I must tell you. My experience of working in the court for 20 years...

has made me become a good judge of character.

In my opinion, you...

cannot beat Jang Yeong Sil when it comes to science and astronomy.

His Majesty is sending you with that servant, Jang Yeong Sil,

to avoid dealing with the nobility being against his decision.

He is just using you as a shield.

As His Majesty's humble subject, I must follow his decision...

even if that is the reason behind it.

His Majesty is my King.

As his humble servant, I can gladly devote my life to him.

I shall speak to you again soon.

From my observations,

you have always been a loyal subject.

I know how loyal you were to the former king as well.

Nevertheless,

I can see another side of you, so I feel your pain.

His Majesty will end up breaking your heart.

When that happens, you might turn into a monster.

I am sincerely concerned about you.

The envoys will leave in 30 minutes!

My lord.

Did you send Yeong Sil on an errand?

No, I didn't.

What is the matter?

I haven't seen Yeong Sil.

We have to leave soon. Where is he?

Don't you want to know...

why I invited you to the meeting that day?

This is the book I'm reading these days.

You should read it too.

"Joseon..."

"must be governed only by Neo-Confucianist thoughts."

"Joseon was not founded for a King who tries to disturb..."

"the order by pursuing the study of nature and science."

"His foolish pursuit will become a sword and slash his throat..."

Your Majesty, who dare to write these insulting words in your book?

Your Majesty.

You must find out who did this and punish the sinner.

No, I won't.

I will not...

try to find out who did it.

This is just a part of...

the ordeal I must go through.

I'm sure it was done by one of the members of the nobility.

I won't find out and punish those who are responsible.

I will show them instead.

Encouraging the study of nature and science and...

giving opportunities...

to all talented individuals regardless of their status...

will ensure the safety of this budding nation...

and improve the quality of life for the people.

Your Majesty.

That is why...

I wanted you to be present at the meeting.

I had to show them that no warnings...

would scare me or stop me.

You are a servant.

That should give you more reason to go and see Ming's Ganeui...

so that the people of Joseon can observe their own sky.

That is the only way...

to prove to them that they are wrong.

Your Majesty.

I, Jang Yeong Sil,

will be sure to make Ganeui for Joseon to observe our own sky.

I will do my best so that we can predict solar eclipses accurately.

After you return from Ming,

I'd like to get you out of your servant status...

and give you a position in the government.

Your Majesty.

It could serve as a great example. Watching you get out of your...

servant status, other talented commoners will focus on studying.

If that happens,

Joseon can become more prosperous and powerful.

You should become...

the leading light to the people, Yeong Sil.

Your Majesty,

I...

I used to observe the stars out of my personal interest.

Could I really become...

the leading light to other people?

If it is possible,

I'd like to...

I'd like to serve as the leading light for them, Your Majesty.

Where have you been?

His Majesty wanted to see me.

We will leave in 15 minutes!

Inspectors, prepare for inspection outside the gate.

I almost missed you.

I heard that it is difficult to get the hat repaired in Beijing.

Thank you.

It is my first visit to Ming, so I wasn't aware.

- I can take it. - Sure.

You should carry this too.

I heard that it is cold in Beijing.

I put in a few pairs of quilted socks.

Princess So Hyun put in extra cotton wool for you, Yeong Sil.

Thank you, Princess So Hyun.

Princess So Hyun.

Did you make some for me too?

Just share them with Yeong Sil.

By the way, do you even know how to speak Ming's language?

Well... That is a great question.

You remember that the two of us tried to run away to Ming, right?

We started learning Ming's language then.

(You beautiful lady, do you want to die?)

Princess So Hyun, this means...

"You beautiful lady,"

"where do you live?" That's what it means.

Suk Gu.

You said, "You beautiful lady, do you want to die?"

If you want to say, "Where do you live?"

(You beautiful lady, where do you live?)

Well, I thought...

I'm delaying your departure here.

- You should get going now. - Yes.

We will leave now.

Let's go.

(Beijing, Ming)

(The year 1421: The third year under King Sejong's reign)

That must be Sacheondae.

Yeong Sil!

- Jang Yeong Sil! - Look! There!

- Gil Su! Gil Su! - Here! I'm here!

Welcome to Ming!

- Gil Su! - I'm so happy to see you!

(Hoedongkwan: Place of accommodation for Joseon's envoys)

I'm an official of the Great Empire.

No envoys from any sovereign countries have...

made me wait this long before you.

If you work for the Office of Astrology,

shouldn't you be able to tell the time by looking at the sky?

Right, I almost forgot.

You receive our calendar every year.

Without it, you can't even find out the time for your ancestral rituals.

I shouldn't expect too much from you.

- Forget it. - We sincerely apologise.

We apologise.

It's me, Lord Ma.

We've met before. You remember, right?

You're that sham fortune teller.

Do you still work for the Office of Astrology?

The readings you did for me.

They were all wrong.

I really shouldn't have believed your ridiculous readings.

Lord Ma.

Please give us the message.

I am worried about making...

a bigger mistake than being late...

at the luncheon scheduled for later.

You'll need to prepare wild ginseng...

for the officials of the Great Empire.

Make sure to prepare plenty of them. There should be enough for everyone.

Understood.

Is there anything else?

You know the courtesy of kneeling down when you present the gifts.

Following the right etiquette is crucial.

If Lord Yoon Bong gets upset over any little detail,

Joseon will need to forget about asking the Emperor...

for his approval on the Crown Prince.

We shall not let that happen.

Right.

One of the royal relatives, Lord Ju Tae Gang, will be there too.

Don't even think about offering him your fortune telling readings.

He loathes things like that.

Goodness.

Look at your outfit.

Make sure that you look presentable.

Goodness.

Look at these feeble servants.

Goodness. My goodness.

(Yoon Bong)

My lord.

Master Hee Je.

Come in.

When can we go and see Ganeui at Sacheondae?

We must wait until the man, Yoon Bong, calls us.

You must really want to see Ganeui.

Yes.

Master Hee Je. You want to see it soon too, right?

Yes, I want to.

I want to give this to you.

It's a little device I made...

to find the North Pole in the sky at night.

How can we find the North Pole with something like this?

If Polaris,

the closest star to the North Pole, orbits around this furrow,

Then the centre of that device must be...

Yes. That will be the North Pole.

I knew it. I knew that you'd understand it immediately.

Ganeui must have something like this, plus other apparatus.

I'm dying to find out.

In my opinion, you...

cannot beat Jang Yeong Sil when it comes to science and astronomy.

- Yeong Sil. - Yes, Master.

You.

Before we left,

did His Majesty...

Never mind.

You should get some rest.

Thank you. I will.

(Saryegam: Ming's top government office of eunuch)

It must be him.

He was brought to Ming when he was young as an eunuch candidate...

and became one of the Emperor's closest subjects. He's Yoon Bong.

Have they paid tributes yet?

Not yet, Lord Yoon.

(Yoon Bong)

I am Jang Hee Je from Joseon's Office of Astrology.

We, officers from the Office of Astrology,

are honoured to meet you and your fellow officials.

Thank you very much for allowing us this honour.

We brought wild ginseng for you.

We hope that you will accept and enjoy our gift to you.

It doesn't look like I'm too late.

You're not late at all!

This cannot begin without you.

Of course you can't be late.

Greet and show respect.

This is Lord Ju, who is one of the Emperor's relatives.

This is his daughter, Lady Ju Bu Ryeong.

(Ju Bu Ryeong: Ju Tae Gang's only daughter)

I'm Ju Tae Gang. I'm pleased to meet all of you.

I'm the representative of Joseon's envoys, Jo Mal Saeng.

You must heard people badmouthing me and calling me...

an old man who likes to boast of his knowledge.

This is wild ginseng from Joseon.

I was keeping this for you, Lord Ju.

I have no interest in receiving gifts from people who kneel down.

It seems that Ju Tae Gang is above Lord Yoon Bong.

I heard that the King of Joseon is...

standing on the altar in his palace day and night...

to look at the sky, wondering when solar eclipses will take place.

How is it even possible to predict every solar eclipse inaccurately?

Are you people of Joseon as dumb as oxen and horses?

It's possible that oxen and horses...

are actually smarter than Joseon's eclipse forecasters.

Such inaccuracies and errors happen because...

Joseon is following Ming's astronomical calendar.

It's not because our forecasters don't know how to calculate.

That is correct. When it comes to arithmetics,

I am confident that I'm good enough to compete with your forecasters.

Did you hear what they just said?

Are they saying that Joseon wants to make its own...

astronomical observations?

You must beg for forgiveness immediately!

Get down on your knees!

Please calm down.

Joseon cannot make its own astronomical observations.

That is complete nonsense.

Did you forget when Nanjing was the capital?

We used the astronomical calendar made based on Beijing's sky,

and your predictions were inaccurate all the time.

I heard that the Emperor was very angry at the Office of Astrology.

Please get up and have a seat.

That's enough.

Stop the pointless argument.

I will show you a rare object.

How about we judge the levels of Joseon and Ming's...

astronomical knowledge by who guesses its usage correctly first?

Joseon will lose, of course.

Do we really have to play this game knowing the result?

I've never seen this before.

So no one from Ming's Office of Astrology...

can guess what that object is for?

I hope someone from Joseon's Office of Astrology can answer.

Lord Ju.

What do you even expect from Joseon?

We're talking about Joseon here. The Joseon we know.

This must be for measuring altitudes.

What is this needle for?

Is there any chance...

that this could be a device used in astrology?

It's possible.

Yeong Sil.

- You, over there. - Yes?

- Me? - Yes, you.

Your eyes are about to bulge out from staring at it.

Guess what this device is for.

You don't even know anything. Stay out of this!

Well, I'd like to ask you one question.

What are these lines here for?

It'd be unfair to answer that question.

However, you asked a question about something that no one...

has shown any interest so far, so I will tell you.

The lines are...

the bearings of the sky.

The lines of a celestial sphere have been moved onto a flat surface.

The technique is called stereographic projection.

That is amazing.

The whole sky on such a small surface?

What on earth is he talking about?

I never thought of this.

This is amazing.

Now,

it is your turn to tell me what that object is.

The spikes...

on these turning plates.

These must be stars.

You're right.

They are.

We call them "star spikes".

It was easy to notice...

once I found out that this is used to measure altitude or elevation.

You select one of the stars from the "star spikes",

using this, you measure the altitude of that star on the sky.

A star's altitude tells you a lot,

one of which is time.

If you measure the altitude, and set the "star spike"...

to that altitude,

it should give you the present time.

This is...

a star clock.

Correct.

That is a European star clock.

(Astrolabe: A device for astronomical observation)

(Used in Arabia and Europe until the Middle Ages)

You know...

more than all the Ming officials combined.

I'm sorry to say...

we guessed correctly.

You must be Jang Yeong Sil.

I heard your King stood you before the court officials...

and told you to go to study in Ming.

You impressed me,

but your King impresses me even more.

Life has no meaning.

And I have no appetite.

I bet you're enjoying yourself.

You hold my lifeline in your hands.

And I can tell that you are enjoying it.

You were...

sent here from Joseon as a candidate for eunuch.

You see the Emperor every day.

That is enough. Yearn for no more.

If you clear your mind and change your ways,

then I will destroy the ledgers that prove your corruption.

Burn them...

this very instant.

I'm so afraid you will give them to the Emperor that...

I am haunted...

every night.

Good.

Let that be a lesson to you.

He summoned you.

(Yoon Bong)

You want to climb Sacheondae to see Ganeui?

(Ganeui: A celestial observation device)

Considering the amount of silver you brought,

that's too big a favour.

The Emperor banned people...

from climbing Sacheondae.

I have to risk my life to help you.

Do you know that?

I do, Sir.

Let me climb it,

and I will owe you.

Tomorrow...

at 11 pm, be there with that plaque.

Someone will let you in.

I will distract the guards...

who are out of my control.

You must come down...

before they return.

If you are caught,

you will be beheaded...

in front of the Emperor.

Yes, Sir.

I understand.

I didn't dismiss you.

You are so rude.

I apologise.

That is news for you and your King.

There's more...

good news.

He made me less of a man by castrating me...

before he sent me here.

But now people from all over Joseon crave my audience.

Your King has enemies.

They have...

some good news...

for you.

They told me to tell you it's good news.

You're...

Why are you here?

I am the good news.

I know what you wish to know. That makes me the good news.

What the King said...

to Yeong Sil the day you left for Beijing.

He offered to make Yeong Sil a commoner than give him a title.

Don't you think...

that's impressive?

How could he think of such a thing?

I guess he plans to...

ruin the nation his forefathers established.

I think...

you are just as foolish as the King.

You hated that servant so much,

yet now you seem to be very close.

I almost lost my life because of him.

Did Ha send you?

The things on our side of the world are not so simple...

that you can tell everything right away. Watch the King.

Forget about Yeong Sil.

Hand him over...

to me.

Tell me.

Who wrote this nonsense?

I should've have stayed where I was.

What do you mean, my lord?

Because people think that I betrayed once,

it makes it easy for them to urge me to betray again.

You want me to say...

who I think has the courage to go into the King's library...

and leave these writings?

I thought of sending someone to do it...

a hundred times and more, of course.

Write my name first.

At the very front.

Then I'll give you 100 other names.

Will you stop it?

All His Majesty cares about is his people.

He isn't a tyrant,

so why do you hate him so?

Have you forgotten why Goryeo failed?

Confusion.

Everyone forgot about their place,

and confusion ensued.

Even a monk called Shin Don managed to gain control.

Jang Yeong Sil is another Shin Don.

The King is causing ripples on a calm lake.

Your gun powder is the best.

Sell me the rest.

Why are you...

going to a place that you need gun powder to stay safe?

Where are you going?

Sorry. I can't tell you.

I didn't expect you would.

I can't use a sword.

I need this to protect Official Jang.

Come on.

You can't trust Hee Je.

He's not the same person.

He's changed.

Did you make this gun powder?

- Yes. - Impressive.

You have many skills.

You really do.

Here.

This means a lot to me.

Sorry for abusing you.

I hope what's inside keeps you well and prosperous.

Okay?

Thank you, Sir.

Sir.

Sir.

It's 10 pm already.

(Sacheondae, Beijing)

Can we really just go up?

Why?

Are you afraid?

No, Sir.

I finally get to see...

Ganeui that Guo Shoujin made.

The thought alone excites me.

Yeong Sil.

I must ask you something.

Did the King say...

he'd get you out of your servant status...

and give you a title?

He did.

He said that my example would encourage...

talented people to study the science.

And that would make Joseon a better nation.

He means well.

Let's go.

Let's see Ganeui...

and make one for our King.

Yes, Sir.

I'm glad to see the old friend...

who used to chase servants with me.

I was slightly worried you'd get in my way.

I will see to it that you never see him again.

Do it before the guards return.

I didn't dismiss you.

You are so rude.

I apologise.

Ganeui isn't on Sacheondae?

Where is it, then?

There are none.

Every one of them burned during the wars.

The Emperor killed many people...

to keep that a secret.

He gives out calendars.

What would happen if the sovereign countries found out...

there's no Ganeui?

The Emperor's authority would hit rock bottom.

This can't be.

If I hadn't told you this,

you would have died up there like others before you.

Why did you tell me this?

I saved your life.

Now you have to do what I want you to.

I know a great secret.

I can always refuse.

What if I said I know where Ganeui is?

You said there are none.

There are none.

But if Ganeui is the son,

the equivalent of its mother still exists.

The thing that inspired Guo Shoujin to make Ganeui.

That item...

is in my possession.

I'll give it to you.

If you do me a favour.

What's going on?

Where's Ganeui?

Sir.

What's...

You...

You're...

Kim Hak Joo?

Thank you, Yeong Sil.

For volunteering to die.

Your Majesty.

A title for a servant?

If anyone with talent can become an official,

Joseon will become one of those barbaric nations.

Yeong Sil will pay the price for your mistake.

With his life.

Someone's up on Sacheondae causing a fuss. Get them.

Who are you?

It won't be long...

before the Emperor returns.

We will hang your head on that wall.

Sir.

Could you please...

tell me what I did to deserve death?

Do you not know?

The Emperor banned people from climbing Sacheondae.

If I die not knowing what I died for,

I could become a spirit and haunt your family forever.

What a lunatic.

I don't want to haunt you.

Would you please let me...

burn...

this talisman in that fire?

Please.

Thank you. Thank you.

You should duck.

What?

One.

Two.

Three.

Get him!

After him!

There he is!

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

(Jang Yeong Sil)

Is Yeong Sil dead?

The Emperor wants the head of the man who climbed Sacheondae.

The Emperor was going to have you killed,

but I saved your life.

You will kill Ju Tae Gang?

You might end up dead.

Tell him I brought something worth Yeong Sil's life.

Make this work...

and save your own life or die here.