Original subtitles

My lady.

My lady, have you heard?

You know the tall Assistant Officer, right?

He was clearing all the bandits out.

Then all of a sudden, they all got released,

and that officer was apprehended instead.

-Why? -Uh, I... I'm not too sure.

My goodness! Assistant Officer Jung.

This is quite the mess you're in, isn't it?

Hmm?

The bandits are colluding with you.

Let me hear you say it.

Then I'll bring you some food or water.

I'll bring you anything. You just have to confess.

Officials like you disgust me.

I'm sick of all the corruption.

Before you arrived here,

we had Assistant Officer Choi.

He was as righteous a man as they get,

and he worked harder than anybody else.

If it was for the good of the commoners, Choi never spared himself.

Do you wanna know how his story ended?

He died.

Why did he die?

Just how do you think he ended up like that?

You're smart enough to figure it out.

If you open your mouth and say anything,

if you breathe at all,

I'll frame you for all kinds of charges.

You are rotten down to your bones.

You know what?

I'm actually very clean from inside to out.

But if anyone touches what's mine, nothing makes me more furious.

I become a wild animal and lose control.

Then I rip my enemy to pieces!

I'll keep that in mind.

You're one rigid bastard.

Just keep dreaming in there

while you pass away the days.

The Murky Stream

SIX. NIGHT DRIFTER

The price for his life? What on earth are you talking about?

I mean Officer Jung, the one you have imprisoned right now.

This might be a misunderstanding.

Assistant Officer Jung hasn't committed a capital offense.

We received an anonymous letter,

and it's our job to investigate thoroughly.

An anonymous letter?

Yes, that is correct.

The most effective and easy way to kill someone

is through a quick stab of a knife.

Of course, this has its own problems, as you have to get blood on your hands.

There is an easier method.

The anonymous letter.

Anyone who decides to,

will find it easy to turn a man into a criminal.

Do you mind if I ask what your reason is for wanting to protect Officer Jung?

Why don't you consider it a trade of sorts,

one where we each get what we want?

You can't pass up on that.

Very soon, the Royal family will host a gathering.

Administrator Seo is being reinstated, so they're holding a feast for him.

But it's more than that.

If people know you're in good health and word gets around,

well then, they'll see you as steady, don't you think?

I think this position could be yours for a lot longer than you anticipated.

His Highness, too, will surely take some notice of that.

Well, if you're able to do that for me,

that would really help out politically.

It's no trouble. I consider it the right thing to do.

And I thank you for speaking with me today.

Ah. Is that everything then?

Oh, there's no need to see me off.

You should get back to work.

I'll take care of what we discussed!

You don't need to worry any further, my lord.

How in the world? How does something like this even happen?

Assistant Officer Jung has been released from jail already.

You're all idiots, you know that?

Why are you asking me?

How much do they pay you?

You work till you drop, and barely make enough to live.

You sweat for years and years,

and can you even afford a house in Hanyang?

Yet you still don't know what you need to do?

Whether or not all of your families have to starve

depends entirely on you.

Of course, sir. I'm well aware.

Raid the homes of those around Jung Chun.

-Find something to charge him with. -Yes, sir.

Or make something up if you need to.

-Understood? -Yes, sir.

My lady, did you want to see me?

Yes.

-Chief Kang. -Yes?

I've been told it rained a lot in the south,

and because of it the cost of salt doubled.

So, the Hanyang merchants are going through difficult times right now.

It sounds like the shortage is bad. Might this be true?

It's as you say.

Then why?

Why's our storage filled up to the brim with salt?

How is this possible?

The deficit is quite significant.

Well, it seems somebody is blocking our salt roads.

Who could be doing that?

Perhaps the bandits?

It's not them.

They do not control those roads.

Then...

who's behind it?

My lady, do you know how many roads stretch across Joseon?

I think.

Are you talking about the roads where goods come and go?

Do any other roads matter?

Out of all the roads across Joseon,

I believe there are exactly six through which our goods are distributed.

Starting with the Gyeonggang River, which is in the middle,

first is the road to Uiju, right, that goes through Pyongyang?

It's used to trade with the Ming and where envoys come and go.

The next one is the road that takes you to Gyeongheung,

through Wonsan and Cheorwon.

The one after that goes through Wonju, Gangneung as well.

It leads all the way to Pyeonghae.

To get to Dongnae, you'd take Yeongnam road.

The one that goes through Jeolla is Samnam road.

And Ganghwa road leads to the west coast.

Excluding Pyeonghae and Gyeongheung,

those four are the ones we need for distribution.

That is correct,

and Officers sometimes block them

in order to halt distribution and stop the flow of trade.

They do this to merchants who have lost their favor to bring them in line.

You once said,

that bandits can be much more helpful than Officers can.

Yes.

I'm starting to understand exactly what you meant.

Unfortunately, whoever initiated this road block,

they're unlikely to end it easily.

My lady, Lord Choi requests your presence at once.

Because of her, we'll face serious consequences.

What has she done to anger you?

She submitted an appeal to the Inspector General's Office!

Father, wait! If something is wrong, we must try and correct it.

You fool.

The corrupt money you were speaking of,

do you need me to tell you where it's all flowing to?

You see how much salt we have in stock? You don't know why, do you?

The Court is compromised.

The Young Doctrine and the Southern factions,

all the power is in their hands.

If you lose their favor, you won't last long,

even if you have ten lives.

-That's just nonsense to me. -Nothing is nonsense

when you're the one with all the power.

I'm sorry.

-Eun cannot trade any longer. -Please wait.

You are not fit to work for the guild.

Seo Changtae, the merchant of Uiju, has requested to marry you.

His people arrive here in nine days. Is that clear?

Why didn't you even bother to consult me?

You may leave now.

Thanks to the Senior Guardian General, the salt road is clear again.

Really?

And did the Senior Guardian General want anything in return?

Do you understand now?

A merchant trying to make a change, you really thought that was possible?

Now you know.

Only the powerful get to say whatever they want to in this world.

In the end, we are nothing but merchants with little clout.

And that's why your older brother must be in a government post.

It's the only chance we have to save our guild and our family.

Eun may be a girl, but she's quite strong-willed and clever.

And at first, I was confident that she would take over the guild.

I was reckless and foolish.

I see you're not alone.

Why don't you say hello?

He's Seogangnaru's forefinger.

It is lovely to meet you, sir.

I very much doubt that you called me here in the morning just for a friendly chat.

What do you have to tell me exactly?

I've heard at the Gyeonggang River, there is a talented man.

They say he's brave and very skilled.

And that he deserves more than to be a forefinger, hmm?

Forefinger, how much do you trust your big brother?

How dare you?

Forefinger, if you wish to be the thumb of Seogang,

I can assist you with that.

So you mean, you and I should form an alliance

and get rid of Brother Ilsam just like that?

You're a snake.

What a bold suggestion!

How about instead of that,

I just burn off your tongue?

You have three days to disappear, and I'll let you live.

I have heard talk

that your brother likes visiting Aeogae very much.

I believe that's where your dear Samwol resides,

doesn't she?

Why are you telling me this?

Am I supposed to believe you?

Perhaps you should.

Rumors travel so much faster than the wind.

Especially in a place like this.

Let's go!

What?

-Brother. -I hope you find yourself in heaven.

When you meet our late father, give him my regards.

You bastard!

How dare you go after my woman like that?

Die!

This is what you get for touching her.

Die!

My lady...

you need to eat something.

You know he won't change his mind even if you keep lying here forever.

He wants me to marry someone I've never even met?

I cannot do that, no matter what.

Stubbornness runs strong in the family, doesn't it?

My lady!

My...

What?

Stop right there!

Stop! I said stop!

Hey! Oh, what is this? Hmm?

Whoa!

You look like you're from a wealthy family.

Why did you follow him out here, eh?

That norigae was given to me by my late mother.

Oh, look at this.

If it's money you want, I'll give it to you.

Just return it.

Her voice is so lovely. Look at her. She's kind of cute.

I'll cry out.

I wouldn't do that.

Things could get pretty unpleasant for you. Yeah?

-Come here! -Get her!

Get her!

Come back here!

No! She's mine! I want her!

Come here!

Fuck's sake.

Oh, goddamn it.

Back away now.

Oh! I'm so scared.

If you put your hands on me, you'll regret it.

What if I take a step closer? What are you gonna do?

You trying to show off in front of this bitch, huh?

-I'll fucking cut you... -Don't! Hold on.

We should run.

That's him.

Run!

Let's go.

Wait. Hold on. Hold...

Shouldn't we... Wait. Don't we go...

I think we got away.

Wait, why did you run away, though?

What do you mean?

There were five of them and only one of you.

Don't you realize you could've gotten yourself killed?

You saved my life.

I saved your life.

Oh.

Why are all of these people sitting out here?

Don't they want to sit under the shade?

It's because they're all afraid of being taxed for it.

What?

I doubt that.

I've told them time and time again,

but they don't believe it's free.

They're not used to it.

It's because they've never received such treatment before.

You don't have to sit out here.

Go sit in the shade. Protect yourself from the elements.

Are you sure we won't have to pay the shade charge?

We can't afford to be cheated again.

You don't need to pay those anymore.

You can go in there and rest for a while.

Don't even think about it. Nothing is free in this world.

The young lady said it was free. Isn't that right?

Of course.

Is it really okay to go inside?

Yes, I give you my word.

I can't take the heat much longer. Fine!

I'm risking it and going in.

Brother! No! What if you get into trouble?

Then what will you do?

I'm coming with you.

He's the forefinger of Mapo.

Everyone calls him Jang.

He's not just good at fighting, he's also well-liked even by the laborers.

I admit that I thought he was a parasite at first.

It would seem I was wrong about him.

He pays the laborers what they're worth, and he eliminated the unfair charges

like the shade charge, and water charge,

and the excrement charge.

By all accounts, he seems to be of good character.

My lady,

what...

Why are you grinning like that?

Hmm?

Go bring us a bowl of water, if you would?

Yes.

My lady.

Do you mean to say,

you went to the docks by yourself?

I went to see the ship that sailed across the ocean.

And what did you make of it?

I heard that beyond the vast ocean lay countless lands.

Ming, Japan, and even other countries whose names we aren't familiar with.

The mystery of it all is amazing.

Indeed.

Joseon is a cramped and suffocating country.

The world changes quickly, but we are blocking it with a high wall.

And one day, we'll pay dearly for how slowly we acted

and how far behind we were.

Hey.

What do you think?

It's like a pearl necklace on a swine.

Seriously?

I must look great!

You're flattering me a lot today.

Siyul, right now, a man is taking over Gyeonggang River.

He goes by Wang Hae.

You can almost smell the bloodlust.

If Yongsan falls, he'll be coming here.

We need to raise taxes. There's no choice.

Go find fifty men, ones who are good at cursing.

The worst-tempered ones you can find.

If we gather people, then we need to give them food and clothing.

Do you even have that money?

We'll up the rush charge. Start to tax the laborers twice as much.

-No, we won't. -If you cut them slack from now on,

we're all gonna be dead soon.

Remember how we agreed to live together?

Here you go again, sitting there, talking nonsense.

I swear I'm going to slice up you and your friend's throats.

Be respectful. Follow orders, and no complaining.

There's a saying I heard.

-Think now's the time for it. -Which one?

Fuck you.

You crazy rascal. Come back here.

I'm not done talking. Hey asshole!

What's with kids these days?

That fucking arsonist. I should report his ass.

Let's go!

Hey.

All the thumbs from every port are meeting here tonight.

If a bandit's managed to get this far in life,

it's like being Chief State Councilor.

That's him there.

That's Wang Hae. He's the man who swept Dongho.

He was the general of a Jurchen Tribe.

So he's on a whole another level.

When he swings his powerful fists like this...

...he could take out ten men at once... ...and they're gone.

He flashes in from all directions,

and he can throw you off the roof like...

...laying only one finger on you.

It's just what I've heard, okay?

I'm going in.

My, my.

If it isn't Mudeok,

the son of a bitch who used to wipe Deokgae's ass.

Thumbs these days can be anyone.

Hey!

What are you doing?

Aren't you gonna bow to me?

Hey now. Aren't we all of the same status here?

-So why should I? -Careful now.

You should learn to shut up.

No one asked you what you think.

-Why don't I just... -Hey. Will you stop?

It looks like he'll wet himself.

He's intimidated.

You fool! Giants don't listen to voices that tremble.

Be a little more fearless,

or else you'll be eaten up too.

Mapo is harder... to deal with than you think.

Don't you worry!

All right, then.

Shall I try taking over?

Oh, goodness.

I guess I expected too much from the thumbs.

Turns out all they do is yap like a bunch of little girls.

The Assistant Officer has arrived!

Those upstream can go first.

Osam of Seogang, here to pay respects.

Do you understand now?

If you act without a solid plan, you risk everything.

You could even be killed.

You need to be prepared to defend yourself even if that means taking a life.

My own safety is of no concern to me.

However, I would need to have a good reason

should I have to kill someone.

Is the greater good not reason enough?

What is your definition of the greater good?

Because that matters.

The flow of corrupt money has to end.

All of the taxes the bandits collect

are then passed to various loan lenders throughout the nation,

who in turn loan that money to those seeking to pay the military cloth tax.

TAX FOR EXCLUSION FROM MILITARY DUTY

If one is able to pay this tax, they can avoid military duty.

And understandably, many use these loans.

In the end, Joseon's national defense will be nothing but show.

What can I do? Tell me.

You need to track down the hand that is in control of everything,

and shut them down.

Only then will the country rise again.

Are you up to task, Officer Jung?

Oh.

Hey.

That was really crazy.

I've been to dog fights that weren't as bad as that!

It was full of venomous snakes

just slithering around, waiting to strike their prey.

Oh, shit.

Let's get outta here.

I gotta piss, okay?

Come on!

No, Ma! Ma!

Don't worry, son. You'll be safe here.

Sir, a word?

Go ahead.

Regarding Lady Eun.

She refuses to eat.

She's had nothing but water for the past three days.

My lord,

a messenger from the Senior Guardian General is here.

Why are you here?

The Senior Guardian General would like to see you.

At this hour?

Yes. He wishes to meet right away.

Please wait here a moment.

My lord. He is here.

I trust you've been well, my lord?

I want to show you something.

Is this?

This is a map of Naju marking the waterways of the region?

-Do you recognize it? -Yes.

This map marks all the ginseng farms in Punggi, it seems.

That's the Gyeonggang River.

That's Gyeongsang-do.

And that is Chungcheong.

And those maps show Hamgyeong-do.

That's Dumangang River if I...

You are.

How on earth did you collect all these maps?

It took nearly five years.

My plan is to take each one of these and combine them into a single whole.

Surely you can't mean.

Every map you see in this room serves a different purpose.

But if we were to connect all the roads and turn them into one larger map,

then Joseon's provinces, all eight,

will seem as visible as the lines on your hand.

Choi Jeongyeop,

find someone who has the connections and is skilled enough

to complete this task.

You want me to find them?

No one has better insights into a man's nature than you do.

In fact, your guild travels to every corner of the country.

You could find somebody with all the right skills.

And should I wish to refuse,

what would happen then?

It would be unwise to refuse.

If you do, I will haunt your nights and torment you endlessly.

It's only a little joke.

If you don't want to do it, then what can I do?

The state exams will be held soon.

I understand your son has been preparing to take them again.

And he's wasting his time for nothing. He doesn't know his place.

If you're willing to agree to it, I could help him.

I'll recommend him for a minor post at the Bureau of State Records.

What do you say?

Forgive me.

Would it be all right if I asked you a question?

Yes, you may.

I can't help but wonder why you're putting this map together.

Well...

Once the map is complete,

we will understand not only the movements of money and people,

but also the flow of trade and distribution.

It will help bolster our country's wealth.

The nation will benefit greatly.

And you have no other reason?

My lord, you have come a long way.

Here. These are yours.

PERSONAL WOODEN IDENTIFICATION TAGS

It's your identification. You're Joseon now.

Your generosity is boundless.

Take a bath in the Gyeonggang River.

Cleanse yourself of that filthy Jurchen Tribe stench.

I heard an Assistant Officer is causing trouble.

Need a hand? Should I go after him?

Don't waste your energy. You'd be chasing a minnow.

If you make even a single mistake when dealing with him,

it'd be a headache.

I'm simply here to follow your orders.

There is one more thing.

And you know,

it worries me a little.

After you've finished feeding off of the Gyeonggang River,

who's next?

That's my concern.

So never forget.

The rope you're clinging on to right now is one that I threw down.

Chun.

What are you doing?

You idiot! You ran away just to become a bandit?

Stop this now.

Wang Hae, that bastard...

he's the man who killed my mother.