Original subtitles

Episode 23

If I turn the cogwheels with a constant and uniform force,

I can measure shorter periods of time.

We have sundials, star clocks,

and water clocks for when the sun and stars are invisible.

We need a better clock.

If I can find a constant power source,

I can measure intervals whichever way I want.

Why can't I think of anything?

Now my head hurts.

The clock is calling out to me, begging to be made.

What's wrong with myself?

I don't have much time.

- Sir. - Hey.

Ming envoys went to the Palace to see Okru.

I cannot believe that Joseon could make such a clock.

It is as if they wish to mock us, and we represent our Emperor.

They could be taunting us.

Who knows?

Someone could be crouched under there, spinning a wheel.

How about...

we have a look and see how this thing works?

Raise this cover and show us what's inside.

Pardon?

Do you want us to break our clock?

This belongs to our King.

How could we break what belongs to our King?

(Crown Prince, later becomes King Munjong)

Open it up.

Pardon?

Joseon...

did something amazing.

Your Highness.

What are you starting at?

This is madness and treason.

Whoever made this is crazy.

How dare he give this to his King when it would only befit...

someone as great as our Emperor.

How is this treason?

We follow your astronomical calendar.

Also,

any nation is allowed to make clocks for their own use.

Are these cogwheels truly what makes up this clock?

This must be a great piece of engineering disguised as a clock.

Are you using this technology and engineering techniques...

to make new weapons?

- What? - Your Highness.

Our Emperor's against a vassal state having such advanced technology...

because it could be used to threaten us in the future.

Capture Jang Yeong Sil and bring him to us immediately.

No. That is not good enough.

He must be beheaded for insulting the Emperor's representatives,

and this abomination must be destroyed.

"A world full of skilled workers is not proper"?

"Okru's technology"...

(King Sejong)

"It should not be handed down"?

They all want me to get rid of Yeong Sil.

What are the Ming envoys up to?

Yoon Bong wanted to admonish Great Master Jang Yeong Sil.

He summoned Grand Master Jang to Mohwakwan.

What? He called Yeong Sil?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Jang Yeong Sil.

You and I...

keep meeting up.

Why did you ask to see me?

You will...

die very soon.

If Ming finds out...

you made such a clock and built an observatory tower,

they will object.

Your death...

is only a matter of time.

Aren't you afraid?

I will be very blunt.

I actually...

need you very much.

I must take you to Ming...

if I'm to live.

Come with me,

and work for my Emperor.

Think how pleased...

the Emperor would be with your skill.

Okru and Jagyeokru prove that...

you are no mere human.

You have a natural gift.

Someone with such great skill...

should not die a Joseon man.

If...

you remain here,

the Emperor will kill you.

But...

if you decide to work for him,

you can enjoy power and wealth beyond your wildest dreams.

You can study whatever you want.

Do you not believe me?

Look at me.

When I was sent to Ming as an eunuch,

who would have thought that I'd become so rich and powerful?

I was less than the dirt under your toenail,

but now I have...

the power to sway the Emperor.

I will not go to Ming.

Why not? What do you have here to live for?

Do you know how many petitions we got begging you be killed?

Why do you want to stay in such a useless place?

Tell me why.

This is your last chance.

Answer carefully.

I will die in Joseon.

The fact that...

I am here grovelling...

to the likes of you...

shows I am not the man I used to be.

I want to live.

Jang Yeong Sil.

Let me take you...

to the Ming Emperor,

so I can show him...

Joseon has people like you.

Do you wish to live that badly?

I saw...

many people give their lives for the greater good.

After seeing what I've seen,

I cannot leave...

the nation they fought to protect just to save myself.

I love Joseon.

I don't know what happened to you.

I hope you have your answer.

Yes!

I want to live.

That's why I feel sorry for you.

Who would you blame for your death?

The narrow-minded Joseon nobles?

Or the Ming Emperor?

Or...

your own King?

I bet everything I have that you will die because of your King.

Is that...

what you want?

Is it?

You can leave.

I guess I'll just watch you die.

(Eul Sun)

Hello.

How...

Your Highness. Lady Bu Ryeong.

Why are you together?

I heard you were called to Mohwakwan.

I was worried.

I'm glad to see you are all right.

Grand Master.

Go to Ming.

It is too dangerous for you here.

The nobles are up to something.

Lady Bu Ryeong told me everything.

I understand why you don't want to leave Joseon.

But...

your life is worth more than anything.

Go to Ming,

and stay with Lord Ju.

Could you...

not come with me...

to Ming?

Put it this way.

I love Joseon too much that if I were to leave,

I would become homesick and die.

Royal Advisor.

You said you have something to discuss.

Why did you ask to see us all?

(Choi Man Ri)

What do you want to say that makes you hesitate?

I think that Cho Kwang,

Master Chung Bo is planning to assassinate the King.

What?

What did you say?

He suspected the King was creating a new alphabet,

and he insinuated it while speaking with me.

He has gone too far.

I told you that...

the previous owner sold the house and moved out.

Why didn't you believe me?

Cho Kwang.

What are you up to?

Do not...

let your guard down until the King arrives safely...

at Onyang's Temporary Palace. Do you understand?

Yes, Sir. We leave soon,

so I shall warn my soldiers again.

Cho Kwang doesn't have soldiers at his disposal,

so he won't do anything drastic.

I shall go to the prosecutor's office...

and see how close they are to locating Cho Kwang,

and if they have detected any suspicious movements.

Yes, you do that.

But,

why can't I shirk off this bad feeling?

Be careful.

Pull slowly.

Slowly and carefully.

Okay, 1, 2.

Slowly.

Be careful.

Stop!

Why isn't the palanquin here yet?

It seems Grand Master Jang is fixing it again.

What?

On the day it should be ready for use?

What a mess.

Ready? In 1, 2, 3.

What's taking you so long?

Grand Master Jang said the steel rims sound different,

and wants to change them.

The blacksmiths made them exactly to your specifications. What's wrong?

Do we have spares?

I need to change them both.

What is wrong with you?

Your job was to make the palanquin and you did.

The maintenance of the palanquin is now my responsibility.

Leave them for now. Change the rims when we return.

I cannot.

If the rims do not weigh the same, the palanquin will tilt,

and that will lead to a disaster on the road.

You and your people were in charge of the job, weren't you?

You did a terrible job of maintaining the palanquin.

I affixed two identical steel rims.

I believe someone changed them.

What did you just say?

How dare you say such a thing.

None of us even touched the palanquin.

I have no time.

- Pil Gyo, hurry. - Okay.

We will bring two new rims.

Kang Chun.

(Choi Yul)

You are such a nuisance.

If you won't help, leave. I can do it alone.

Yul, escort them out and shut the gate.

Okay.

So,

Yeong Sil is fixing it alone?

Yes, Sir.

That means...

(Cho Kwang)

He realised there was something wrong with the wheels.

Yes, I believe so.

Okay, 1, 2, 3.

Your Majesty, now you can ride in it safely.

An assassination planned by an old and powerless man.

He planted a spy in the Office of Astrology before the eclipse,

and today, His Majesty leaves for hot spring.

This time, would it be the Office of Construction and Architecture?

That is it.

Your Majesty.

I suggest you cancel your plans to go to the hot spring.

Are you afraid someone might kill me on my way to Onyang?

Your Majesty.

I may be an old man, but I say this out of concern.

I beg of you to consider and accept my advice.

I must go.

The Ming envoys...

complain less about Okru only because they know I'm sick.

If I remain in the Palace, they will make extreme demands.

I also have a lot of work to do on my return,

so I really do need to get well as soon as possible.

We will have a lot to discuss when I come back,

so you better be ready.

The palanquin's gone.

Grand Master Jang fixed it then took it over.

I see.

Yes.

I'm sure he sorted it out.

I worry too much.

What a relief.

I was concerned he wouldn't notice the problem with the rims.

With his watchful eye and attention to detail,

he was bound to notice the change.

Yet, as a man, he is also bound to make mistakes.

You don't suspect what you think you know the best,

and sometimes those closest to you will turn their back on you.

However careful you may be,

a man is bound to make a mistake,

especially when it's about the smallest of details.

While his focus was on the steel rims,

the actual problem was something much smaller.

The nails are cracked.

Someone did this on purpose.

If he affixed the rims to the wheels with these...

This is bad.

If I were to take my old palanquin,

over 500 men would take turns to carry me.

A wheeled palanquin seems a much better idea.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You need less men to carry you,

and you will be able to reach your destination much quicker.

I can feel the wishes of the people who pray for my recovery.

It is a very fine palanquin.

So,

are you sure it is sturdy and safe to travel in?

He wouldn't let anyone else touch Your Majesty's palanquin.

Even this morning,

he insisted on changing the rims around the wheels.

That is good to hear.

I leave you in charge.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Please return fully recovered and rejuvenated.

Thank you.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Oh dear. Look.

What happened?

The spokes broke.

The King's in danger.

Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty! - Gosh!

Your Majesty! No!

Oh, no!

Gosh, Your Majesty!

- What should we do? - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Detach the horse from the palanquin!

- Gosh... - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

- Goodness! - No...

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Let me help you get out, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Gosh.

Take His Majesty inside now!

Bring the royal doctor immediately!

I'm okay.

I'm fine.

(Ha Yeon, Chief State Councillor)

Your Majesty.

It is difficult for me to even say this,

but we do need to find out who is responsible.

Your Majesty.

I've been informed that the wheels were not installed properly,

and random iron nails were found on the palanquin.

Didn't you tell me that Grand Master Jang...

changed the rims of the wheels today?

Yes.

Grand Master Jang...

was the last person who checked everything on the palanquin.

(Prosecutor's Office)

This is absolutely crazy.

Can you guys believe this?

Why aren't you saying anything?

We don't know anything about the palanquin.

This is all your doing!

- Sir, please calm down. - Tell us.

Were you really trying to kill the King?

What a lunatic.

You're insane!

- You scum. - Father, please calm down.

Yul...

Yul isn't here.

This little...

Yul.

Oh, you're here.

I was worried about the wheel joints,

so I wanted to double-check.

But they're fine.

I see.

You've been working so hard on this.

This palanquin is for His Majesty the King.

We should check and double-check everything.

You've taught me so much.

How I should live my life...

and what I should value in life.

Listen.

You will die soon.

Your death is...

only a matter of time.

Yeong Sil.

What a lunatic.

He has really lost his mind.

Pil Gyo.

Why are you being like this, Yeong Sil?

Yeong Sil.

Come to your senses!

Yeong Sil.

I know that you're innocent.

Jang Yeong Sil, come out!

I received an order to lock you up separately.

Servants can be executed too if they're guilty of treason.

Was it fun...

to betray your colleagues?

You little piece of trash.

I won't kill you, so don't worry.

The jerk who got you to do this, Cho Kwang.

Where is he now?

If I tell you,

will you really let me live?

Too bad.

The King didn't die.

But...

we did accomplish our goal.

Now, all things science...

will vanish from this land.

Yes.

You've done a great job.

For the last time,

I'll need your help again.

Are you sure about this?

Will you really have no regrets?

I won't.

I have nowhere and nothing to go back to.

I trust that my students will...

do a good job on their own.

It will be an instant.

It has to be...

done in an instant.

I've devoted my life...

for this land of Joseon for such a long time.

I think that...

I deserve to leave painlessly at least.

Rest in peace.

Cho Kwang, you scum!

How heinous!

You deserve to be punished even in the afterlife!

What is all of this for?

Mother.

My lord.

I went around in a circle...

and ended up here again.

I'm a terrible son.

I keep doing things that would worry you.

My lord.

These characters will become the alphabet of Joseon.

What do you think about them, my lord?

To me,

they look neat and graceful.

Is that constellation Jeongsu?

It looks like two people holding hands together.

Just like that constellation, let's hold hands together and...

overcome hardships we will encounter.

Yes, Your Majesty.

My alphabet and your clock will also hold hands...

and get through the obstacles.

That's right, Your Majesty.

Yeong Sil.

Suk Gu!

Yeong Sil!

Gosh, I can't believe you have to be here.

Come out soon!

We found out what happened. You're innocent.

Yul did it.

That old man, Cho Kwang, got him to do it.

I know.

I was going to arrest Cho Kwang and convict him,

but he took his own life.

I'll take Yul to the prosecutor's office.

Please. Just let him go.

I beg you.

Hey! Have you lost your mind?

Yeong Sil, Yul has to confess for you to get out of here.

Yeong Sil.

How can you still want to help him?

I'm not doing this because I expect anything from him.

I'm the one who taught him.

I'm also the one who gave him hopes and dreams.

I'm humiliated.

I think that I might have brought all this upon myself.

I do not want to have to testify in a cross-examination with him.

Please understand me.

Don't give up and wait, okay?

I promise you. I will get you out of here.

Yes, Yeong Sil.

I will also do my best to get you out of here.

Yeong Sil...

Gosh, Yeong Sil...

Your Majesty!

Jang Yeong Sil is a traitor!

Please allow us to execute him!

- Please let us execute him! - Please let us execute him!

Please allow us to execute him!

- Please let us execute him! - Please let us execute him!

Please allow us to execute him!

- Please let us execute him! - Please let us execute him!

I'd like you to investigate...

how the wheeled palanquin was made in detail.

Your Majesty.

The palanquin broke, and we found iron nails that could have hurt you.

Do we really need to do an investigation on this?

I said that I'd like you to investigate further.

Your Majesty.

The more we delay the prosecution of the traitor, Jang Yeong Sil,

the more the people will mock and despise the court.

It will also weaken the rigour and power of the law...

and pose problems for prosecuting criminals and sinners in the future.

You know that it is not Jang Yeong Sil's doing!

I do feel bad about Jang Yeong Sil,

but we have to be objective here.

For the King as well as for this nation,

we cannot let Jang Yeong Sil stay in the court.

Do you also think the same, Master Hwang?

Do you really agree with him?

We have no choice.

Ming won't forgive him.

The ministers and the members of the nobility are all against him.

Plus, Cho Kwang died.

There is no way we can vindicate Yeong Sil...

or to prove that he didn't plan to kill the King with the palanquin.

There is a boy named Yul.

Isn't he one of Jang Yeong Sil's staff?

That won't help Jang Yeong Sil in any way.

We won't be able to find out who actually did it.

No matter how hard you try, the truth won't come out.

What do you mean by that?

Only few of those who are against Jang Yeong Sil and the King...

have crossed the line to harm them.

But most of us do not understand the things they have been doing.

I am sure that everyone is happy about what happened.

So? Are you saying that we should kill an innocent person?

He may be innocent,

but he is clearly guilty based on the evidence we have.

How could we not make him take responsibility for what he has done?

That is absolutely crazy.

Did you just hear what he said?

Chun.

I know how much you care about Jang Yeong Sil.

But think about it carefully.

Should we save the King or Jang Yeong Sil?

The answer is already decided.

Master Hwang.

Lord Ha.

Master Hwang.

Please help.

Just this one time.

Please. Please help me.

As you know, the King's health is deteriorating progressively.

You know that the King has to...

promulgate the newly created alphabet of Joseon.

When the new alphabet is promulgated,

we will have to deal with even fiercer objection.

The Classics written in Chinese characters...

is what gives the nobility its power and authority.

By promulgating this new alphabet, the King is making a gesture...

that he wants the power to be shared among the people as well.

We are facing many difficult obstacles.

Protecting Jang Yeong Sil in this situation is too risky.

You should make up your mind...

so that we can report this to the King.

When people see Jang Yeong Sil's blood,

even those who are against the King will realise that he can be cruel.

Those who know what really happened...

will think that the King is capable of killing innocent people...

as well as those who were dear to him.

They will begin to fear the King.

We need that fear. From now on, that fear will...

tame those who are against the King and keep them in check.

I know that this will...

greatly help the King and this kingdom in the long run.

We have to execute Yeong Sil for attempting to assassinate me?

I did not think that the three of you would tell me this.

I will think that I never heard this.

I cannot...

give an order that will kill Yeong Sil.

Your Majesty.

You have to promulgate the new alphabet of Joseon.

You worked so hard to create the alphabet in secret.

Unless you are planning to just keep it in your library,

you should...

allow us to execute Yeong Sil.

That way,

you can tame the nobility.

If the nobility is against what will help Joseon flourish,

they do not deserve their power and authority.

Why do I have to...

accept the hideous request that they are making?

Your Majesty.

I tried to...

prove Yeong Sil's innocence,

but my attempt failed.

Now,

we have no choice.

Your Majesty.

There is no way...

Jang Yeong Sil will be able to walk out of the prison alive.

Please execute him and...

show everyone how determined you are to establish...

law and order in this kingdom.

Jang Yeong Sil...

did not do anything wrong,

so he cannot confess.

We cannot execute someone who has not confessed...

just because you suspect him guilty.

Your Majesty, I visited the prison as per your command.

Tell me.

How is Yeong Sil doing?

Well... It's...

Tell His Majesty now.

He isn't at the prison.

He is at the prosecutor's office now,

making a confession and admitting that he is guilty.

What did you just say?

What did...

Yeong Sil say, exactly?

He said that he did it because he wasn't promoted to...

an upper-level position even when he made...

that amazing Okru for you.

When did you start resenting His Majesty for not promoting you...

to an upper-level position?

Not long after Okru...

started operating.

I started resenting His Majesty pretty soon.

When did you start planning...

to assassinate His Majesty?

It was after I realised that...

people do not really like...

the Okru I made.

And...

it was also after I realised that all the craftsmen...

who worked under me couldn't get their servant status cancelled.

Words...

are scary things, indeed.

Everyone...

is believing that all these things are true.

Your Majesty. I've chosen a path...

where I cannot return from.

I can only go forward on this path.

Tell me how you broke the palanquin...

and how you put the iron nails on it.

Your Majesty.

Untie him.

Your Majesty!

He is guilty of assassination attempt. I cannot untie him.

Please understand me, Your Majesty.

Okay.

I guess I asked you to do something...

that is out of your authority.

You broke the palanquin...

because I didn't promote you?

Coming up with that nonsense for your confession...

must have been difficult.

I have finally...

found the answer.

With that tilting bowl,

you wanted to tell me...

to dump you...

like the water in the bowl.

(The final episode will air next week.)