Original subtitles

Tsurumatsu.

Tsurumatsu, the Toyotomi heir, died at three years old.

Kanbe, build a castle at a good place in Hizen.

It's to prepare for our invasion of Korea.

That's reckless! Korea isn't under us yet.

It's reckless to invade!

Kanbe!

I can't wait anymore.

I have no other desire in life!

I'll make China mine!

Hideyoshi had finally declared his intent to invade China.

The Regent is like a kite without a string.

Who knows where he will fly off to?

Without the Kuroda's support, the Toyotomi...

rather...

this country will face doom.

STRATEGIST KANBE

Episode 42: The Regent's Ambition

Written By: MAEKAWA Yoichi

Music: KANNO Yugo

Kuroda Kanbe: OKADA Junichi

Teru: NAKATANI Miki

Tokugawa Ieyasu: TERAO Akira

Kuroda Nagamasa: MATSUZAKA Tori

Yodo (Chacha): NIKAIDO Fumi

Kuriyama Zensuke: HAMADA Gaku

Mori Tahe: HAYAMi Mokomichi

Inoue Kuroemon: TAKAHASHI Issei

Goto Matabe: TSUKAMOTO Takashi

Ishida Mitsunari: TANAKA Kei

Ii Naomasa: AZUMA Mikihisa

Konishi Yukinaga: OSHINARI Shugo

Kobayakawa Takakage: TSURUMI Shingo

One: KUROKI Hitomi

Toyotomi Hideyoshi: TAKENAKA Naoto

Executive Producer: NAKAMURA Takashi

Translations by MTI

Directed By: MOTOKI Kazuhiro

Regent Toyotomi Hidetsugu...

DECEMBER 28, 1591

In December of 1591...

Hideyoshi renounced his post to his nephew, Hidetsugu...

and called himself Taiko (Regent Emeritus).

Lady Yodo, dinner is ready.

Lady Yodo.

Don't touch that!

In Nagoya, Hizen...

Kanbe was building an advance base for their war with China.

NAGOYA CASTLE, HIZEN

We managed to meet the deadline.

The Regent will take command of the war in Korea from here.

The feudal lords are building their mansions around here.

All the feudal lords in Japan are gathering.

This place will become another Kyoto.

Reporting!

Sirs Ishida Mitsunari and Mashita Nagamori are here.

Thank you for your hard work.

It's been a while.

The castle was completed on schedule.

I hope it pleases the Taiko.

He will be departing Osaka in March.

Before he arrives...

we must arrange for the ships and provisions.

Sir Kuroda, rush with your battle preparations.

In April, we are sending troops to Korea.

You were strongly opposed to this war.

As a magistrate representing the Taiko...

I plan to see for myself...

if the Kuroda will put their hearts into it.

That is all.

What is with him?

No sign of appreciation for rushing to get the castle built!

Ignore it, Nagamasa.

Chacha.

Have you lost weight?

Are you eating properly?

I don't have an appetite.

That's not good.

If you become ill...

what will I do?

Chacha... Chacha...

I must go to Hizen.

But I'm very worried about you.

Please take me with you.

What?

I'll go crazy if I stay here.

Please take me with you.

That's a good idea.

Come along.

I'll show you Itsukushima in Aki Province.

It'll be beautiful.

The boat ride will be nice.

I'll treat you to the local specialties along the way.

I'm sure you'll feel better.

Only you and I know how crushingly painful it is.

Regent..

What is it?

I am still young.

In March, they decided to head out to Korea

without waiting for Hideyoshi to arrive.

The feudal lords were summoned to Nagoya Castle.

Men, thank you for coming.

UKITA HIDEIE

Without waiting...

we are sending ships out.

Sir Ishida.

KONISHI YUKINAGA

Sir Konishi Yukinaga will serve as van.

Followed by Sir Kato Kiyomasa.

KATO KIYOMASA

Please wait, Chief Commander.

Please let me be van.

What an odd thing to say.

Are you unhappy with the Taiko's decision?

He lacks what it takes to be van in a major war.

What?

Sir Fukushima.

I come from an eye medicine vendor's family, too.

This isn't a time to be fighting among ourselves.

How about...

Sirs Konishi and Kato...

alternating as vans every other day?

That's a great idea.

But that would...

I agree with Sir Kuroda.

If we fight among ourselves, we can't win this war.

Sir Ukita, please decide.

We will alternate the vans.

Very well.

We can't tell who's the Chief Commander!

Sir Ukita is young and lacks clout.

He ends up listening to Sir Kuroda.

I won't let him interfere.

Absolutely not.

APRIL 1592

In April of 1592...

the invasion of Korea commenced.

Be careful!

The rough waves will continue!

Hang on tightly!

How pathetic!

A total of 158,000 men crossed the sea.

The expeditionary force that landed...

with Konishi Yukinaga as van...

marched north towards Hanseong (Seoul) the capital.

Fire!

With their overwhelming gun power...

they continued their unstoppable advance.

How amusing.

NAGOYA CASTLE, HIZEN

Sir Tokugawa.

The invasion on Korea is going smoothly.

So it appears.

There was someone who was against it...

but once undertaken, it was quite easy.

Please excuse me.

What is it?

I have good news.

What is it?

On May 3rd, Hanseong (Seoul), the Korean capital fell.

Is that true?

Hanseong fell?

Well done, Mitsunari!

What happened to the Korean emperor?

He abandoned the capital and fled.

I see.

With the momentum, let's take China, too.

So the emperor got away.

I guess it's time for me to cross the sea.

Regent.

What?

I wouldn't advise that.

Why not?

If you head out, this country's defense will be weakened.

Moreover, the seas are rough in June and July.

It's dangerous.

Let Chief Commander Ukita handle it for now.

You can always go later.

Sir Tokugawa, I can't do that.

You should do as he says.

Regent.

What?

Please send me to Korea.

You would go?

Korea is being swallowed by our momentum now,

but if their emperor is alive, they'll surely plot a comeback.

We must prepare for that.

I see. You're getting serious.

All right. Go to Korea.

I will go, too.

I will verify the war situation myself,

and give you an accurate report.

All right... Mitsunari.

You can go, too.

This is truly interesting!

I will be going to Korea.

A war at a distant foreign land...

Be very careful.

Thank you for your concern.

Mitsunari.

Yes.

I will bear the Regent another child.

I'll bear him an heir.

Certainly.

This is my battle.

In mid-May, Kanbe went to Korea.

KURODA CAMP, KOREA

Think it over again.

Any byroads besides this?

How about the northside mountain path in the forest?

No, it'll be too steep for them.

There isn't any.

He says there's none.

I see.

The Old Lord has arrived.

Father!

You made it safely.

You must be tired from the long journey.

Everyone looks tired.

After all, we are on unfamiliar lands.

We were advancing with unstoppable force at first.

The enemy is making their comeback.

It's getting harder and harder to advance.

We'll just have to...

feel our way through.

That is the only map we were given.

We've labeled the eight roads as red, blue, or white.

In the beginning, we had no idea where we were,

so we fought thoughtlessly.

Now, we pay the local farmers to be our guides.

Who knows how long that will last?

We are starting to run low on provision.

Due to the enemy navy's blockade this month...

we haven't received any provisions.

There's also an epidemic.

The Kuroda forces may end up dying here.

It's worse than I thought.

HANSEONG (SEOUL) JAPAN'S ARMY CAMP

All forces should gather here to tighten defenses.

I agree.

No, we should go with the momentum and invade China.

Don't take China lightly.

We should tighten defenses and watch their movements.

Too lax! We should put them to rout!

Why are you in a rush?

Where is Sir Kato?

He headed north to capture the Korean emperor who fled.

He's stealing a march again.

All he cares about is distinguishing himself.

Don't be rude.

Are you that upset to be forestalled?

What?

Sir Ishida, we're not getting any provisions.

What is going on with that?

The soldiers are hungry.

We are rebuilding the navy.

Please wait a bit more.

No! They can't fight on an empty stomach!

Exactly! Why are you here in the first place?

I'm here to evaluate your efforts.

Do you plan to tell the Regent all sorts of lies?

I'll report the truth.

That is my job as the Regent's representative.

What are you planning to tell the Regent?

Is it your job to slander?

I dare you say that again.

Stop it!

Men, cool down!

Sir Ishida.

Let's get some rest.

We made it thus far by momentum alone...

but our hearts aren't united.

There's no justice to this war.

The situation is bad.

I'm going back to Nagoya.

In the worst case scenario...

Japan will meet with demise.

Kanbe returned to Japan at once,

to Nagoya, where Hideyoshi is.

However...

The Regent's mother?

She passed away half a month ago.

The Regent had rushed back to Osaka.

He's grieving deeply over his mother's death.

He probably won't return here for a while.

What is the situation in Korea?

There's no uniformity.

The provisions are low. They are in danger.

It was a reckless war, after all.

I realize family is important.

However, across the sea...

hundreds of thousands of soldiers are suffering.

If we don't act quickly...

I'm going to Osaka to see the Regent.

He won't listen to you now.

You'll just have to wait for him to come to his senses.

NEW YEARS OF 1593

Fire!

The situation worsened in the new year.

Come inside! Take the injured into the back!

You're in the Kuroda camp. You are safe here.

Sir Konishi!

Are you all right?

I'm embarrassed.

China's huge army rushed in, and we barely escaped.

Where's your army?

My army of 15,000... has been reduced to half.

I was thoughtless!

Sir Kanbe was right!

We should've focused on tightening our defenses!

Inform Sir Ukita.

We'll return to Hanseong (Seoul) and meet the enemy there.

Meanwhile, Hideyoshi had returned to Nagoya Castle.

I can feel it in my hips.

I am so thankful.

Please teach me again.

I'm not very mobile.

But I really enjoyed it.

Chacha, you must be bored.

Why don't you learn how to dance too?

It's not possible for me right now.

Why?

Why?

Why, why, why?

You're not joking are you?

This isn't the first time.

I'm sure of it.

Well done, Chacha!

Well done!

How auspicious!

A year after Tsurumatsu's dearth...

Yodo was again pregnant.

Kanbe! Nagayoshi!

Rejoice!

Chacha is pregnant!

I am happy for you.

Congratulations.

Chacha and I must be very compatible.

I initially named Tsurumatsu as Sute...

but he died young.

This time, for good luck...

I'll name him Hiroi (find), the opposite of Sute.

It's not confirmed to be a boy yet...

but I'm sure it is one!

He's my heir! My heir!

So what brings you here?

The enemy is at Hanseong (Seoul), giving us a bad time.

We were able to push them back once,

but their momentum cannot be taken lightly.

We should negotiate peace.

Negotiate peace?

They are low on provisions.

The Korean navy have control over the seas.

On land, the Righteous Army has us stumped.

Morale is low and the soldiers are tired.

Many have died.

The situation is dire.

Please.

All right.

Kanbe, I'll leave it to you.

OSAKA CASTLE

Congratulations on Lady Yodo's second pregnancy.

Thank you.

I didn't think it was possible at his age.

I guess it can happen.

Lady Yodo seems to have good fortune.

The Regent is back on his feet again.

They're negotiating peace with China now.

If all goes well, Nagamasa, Kiyomasa, and Masanori...

will all come home safely.

Is that true?

I couldn't be happier.

That's exactly how I fell.

I raised them like my own sons.

I owe it to Kanbe, being there.

In February, Kanbe returned to Korea to negotiate peace.

However, the conditions that Hideyoshi demanded...

were far from acceptable to China and Korea.

By saving Konishi...

and your remaining at post...

our army was not destroyed.

Everyone, good job.

Your hardships end here.

Are we making peace?

I got his permission.

There's finally hope for us.

Old Lord, to be honest...

everyone wants to go home.

They don't want to die in a foreign country.

Sir Konishi.

What should I do?

The Regent ordered me to negotiate peace,

but I don't think China will accept his conditions.

Have you read them?

Yes, I know.

He wants their princess to marry into our Court.

He wants half of Korea.

He's being unreasonable!

Peace is out of the question.

I have a plan.

What is it?

Don't show them his conditions.

What are you doing?

I'm sure China doesn't want a drawn out war.

Approach China without letting them know.

Get them to send an envoy.

Are you...

going to deceive the Regent?

There's no other way.

It's important...

that we end this reckless war as soon as possible.

Don't tell anyone about this.

Is that clear?

We were too ignorant of our enemy.

This past year...

we learned how difficult it is to fight in a country...

we don't know the language of.

Even the people of this country see us as enemies!

It is best to retreat at once!

I agree with Kanbe!

Our provisions are low. We'll end up being destroyed.

If we are negotiating peace, we don't have to be here!

Let's retreat at once to Busan.

Please wait.

The Regent ordered me to protect Hanseong (Seoul) at all costs.

I cannot leave.

If you explain the current situation, he will understand.

Are you planning to defy the Regent's order?

Are you going to follow his order...

and send everyone to their deaths?

Let's have Chief Commander Hideie make the decision.

We can't live without any provisions.

Let's retreat to Busan!

Fine. Get ready at once.

Are you fine with this, Mitsunari?

If we abandon Hanseong (Seoul),

this past year of battle will be for naught.

The Regent will punish us.

Sir Kuroda!

We, magistrates, will return to Nagoya first.

Please come with us.

Please explain things to the Regent.

This is a job only strategist Kuroda Kanbe can do.

All right.

The Japan army abandoned the capital, Hanseong (Seoul),

and retreated to Busan.

Meanwhile, Kanbe returned to Nagoya with Mitsunari.

Face me.

I heard what happened in Korea.

Kanbe...

From the start, you were opposed to this war.

It turned out the way as you said.

However, having you blatantly ignore my orders...

upsets me.

Is it about the retreat to Busan?

Exactly.

Why did you abandon Hanseong?

Hanging on to it could have destroyed us.

That is why I withdrew the army.

You said you'd leave things to me.

I didn't say you could defy my orders.

I'm not done yet.

I heard you slighted the magistrates...

who represent me.

What is this about?

In Korea...

when Mitsunari and the other magistrates...

sought your opinion...

you were engrossed in your "goh" game...

and wouldn't meet with them.

That's not true.

Yes, they came to see me when I was playing "goh."

But at that time...

they said it wasn't important so they'll come back later.

That's not what I heard.

Never mind.

Kanbe.

Let me give it to you now!

I didn't tell you to come back.

Why did you come back without permission?

Without permission?

Mitsunari.

You would go that far to entrap me?

Kanbe!

Who do you think you are talking to?

Your rude attitude...

have upset me many times!

However, I let that slide...

because we go back a long way!

This time, though...

I've lost my patience!

You will be severely punished for slighting me.

Confine yourself in Nagoya!

Wait for your sentence!

I managed to direct all his anger at Kuroda.

We won't be punished now.

Having been able to bury Kuroda...

is a bonus.

You're a frightening man.

KURODA CAMP, BUSAN

Father was ordered to confinement.

What's going on?

In the worst case scenario, will it be hara-kiri?

What?

That's ridiculous!

What in the world happened?

At this time, Kanbe was at the brink of life or death.

END OF EPISODE 42

Will I live or die?

Judgment is tomorrow.

You mean, after I die?

I want real power.

Anyone who stands in my way...

Hara-kiri.

Please save my life!

Priest Josui.

Josui?

I, Kuroda Kanbe, would like to change my name to Josui.