Original subtitles

Sartai!

[Fort Chulju]

I've fought battles all my life, but nothing like this.

I've had enough of Fort Chulju.

Yes, sir. There's no one left alive, no one.

It's said Yi Wonjong and Yi Hijok,

burned their families alive rather than let them suffer capture.

A formidable people.

Hamsin was so easy, I underestimated Koryo.

Summon the men.

Yes, sir.

Sir, where do we go now?

To Kwiju.

To Kwiju? Aren't we meant to take news of Chulju to the capital?

Gapi, go to the capital. Give my report to General Pak Songbi.

A full report on the Mongols.

Sir, a messenger left for the capital before Chulju fell.

- There's no need for me to go. - Yes there is.

Deliver that report and bear witness to what you've seen.

It's urgent that they know.

Go on.

We ride for Kwiju.

- Move out. - Yes, sir.

Fort Kwiju and Chulju's situations are very similar.

Be careful.

It's my duty to report on the border wars to the end.

Move out. Time is short.

Yes, sir.

We'll sneak into Fort Kwiju at daybreak.

The Baeksokchon River is shrouded in fog this time of year.

We'll use that to sneak in.

- Move out. - Yes, sir.

[Fort Kwiju]

Their reinforcements arrived overnight, sir.

Hm.

Judging from their scrambling messengers,

something happened at Chulju.

Hm.

We've wasted too much time here at Fort Chulju.

We need to regroup.

We can march on the capital at our leisure.

Koryo defenses are bound to natural barriers and mountain fortresses.

The mobility of our cavalry should make reaching the capital quite simple.

Isn't that so, Jo Sukchang?

Yes, that is my understanding.

Tangu, Putau.

Yes, sir.

March south immediately.

Take 20,000 cavalry and strike Kaegyeong where the Koryo king lives.

Yes, sir.

Ride past the Western Capital. Kill anyone that stands in your way.

You have to move fast. Your objective is Kaegyeong.

Yes, sir.

The rest of you, with me.

Leave a token defense. The rest will march all night for Kwiju.

Understood?

Yes, sir.

[Ft. Kwiju - The Mongol Encampment]

Marshal Sartai is on his way.

We'll probably attack at first light.

With him here, Kwiju won't last long.

Of course. Three days at the most.

[Sartai's Forces] [Chulju - Kwiju]

I see. So ends the terrible heroism of Fort Chulju.

Yes, sir.

I knew them both quite well.

The Overlord is fortunate to have such men.

Soldiers willing to fight to the death are rare indeed.

But why didn't you ride for Kaegyeong? What are you doing here?

My mission is incomplete.

It is my duty to report on the border wars to the end.

Listen to you.

All right, what's your assessment?

I've never seen such an army.

I know now how they took most of the continent at will.

Mongols ride before they can walk.

They are assigned units and trained from an early age.

Their courage in the face of death rivals our own.

Worst of all is the terror their cruelty and mass exterminations inflict.

Actually, it's the same here. The men are terrified.

They see the enemy's numbers, their courage,

and think we can't possibly win.

Perhaps, but there are the capital special forces.

Surely they'll send men to help us here?

One would think.

But...

Ask yourself, would even that be enough?

[Kaegyeong - Capital of Koryo]

- Overlord. - Overlord!

Overlord, our forces are finally ready.

We march at dawn.

You're late, far too late.

What took you so long?

Your pardon. We needed time to properly equip ourselves.

We leave immediately.

You know how many men are waiting for you?

- March at speed. - Yes, Overlord.

Also, I'm sending some of my personal guards.

Everyone fights for Koryo, no exceptions.

General Song Kilyu will join you.

Glad to hear it. His advice may be of some use.

And Overlord, my son-in-law. An excellent warrior and my aide.

Good luck, all of you.

Make speed. Move!

Yes, sir.

- Overlord. - Overlord.

- Overlord. - Overlord.

So the armies of Koryo finally left the capital...

over a month after the Mongols took Hamsin.

Koryo had three armies at the time.

General Chae Songnyon commanded the North Frontier District.

Yi Jasong and Dae Jipsong guarded the rear flanks.

[Fort Kwiju]

This is a map of the Mongol encampment as Kim Jun saw it.

Sartai will almost certainly launch his attack in two-to-three days.

Before he does, we need to break their morale.

We should attack first, take the initiative.

Is that possible?

Field Marshal Kim Jun has assessed their encampment.

A select team of men can attack their weak points and destabilize their morale.

We have twelve raiders standing by.

Ridiculous.

Is the enemy deaf and dumb?

How can a dozen men possibly destabilize anything?

I agree. The very idea is absurd.

The field marshal and I will lead the raid.

With your permission, sir.

I don't fear for success or failure, I fear for your lives.

If we don't destabilized their morale, their attacks will be that much worse.

Again, ridiculous. At least do something worthwhile.

This is worthwhile. The size of their forces will make them complacent.

With your permission.

All right, try it.

And come back alive.

Open the gate when you see fire in the enemy camp.

That will further destabilize the enemy.

All right. Good luck.

Good luck, General Kim. And you, Field Marshal.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Kim Jun, quite an idea you had.

This surprise attack, I mean.

They can't possibly be expecting an attack now.

I knew you could pull it off, sir.

And your map of the enemy's deployment.

We couldn't attack without it.

You're on fire detail. Here, there, as much as possible.

Yes, sir.

In the confusion I'll ride on Sartai himself.

That's when we join ranks.

Should be fun.

Very much so.

Now for the enemy's rear flank.

That way.

What's going on?

Are we under attack?

Who lit the fire?

There...There!

On the rear flank.

The rear? Well? Attack.

Stop them, stop them!

Move out!

Fire is everywhere, everywhere!

How many are there? How many men?

Are they from Kaegyeong? The Western Capital?

Hurry! Find out!

I can't tell in all this smoke.

Sir! Sir!

It's not safe here. You should leave.

The siege weapons are on fire.

Koryo's main army is attacking.

Where are our perimeter guards?

And our reconnaissance scouts?

Douse the flames. Can we lay siege without weapons?

And find out the number of deployment of the enemy.

Sartai!

I'm Kim Kyongson of Fort Kwiju! Prepare to die!

Koryo raiders! Stop them!

Yes, sir.

Koryo scum!

Are they men or demons?

How are they doing this?

They're...they're...killing our best men!

Archers! Fire!

Mongols!

Open the gates!

We ride on the Mongols!

Open the gates! Forward!

Attack!

Sir! The general! Move!

Sir, sir...

Oh, it's you.

You've been hit.

It's fine.

The fog is lifting. The fort will be attacking.

We have to get back. Signal the retreat.

Yes, sir.

- Fall back! - Sir.

- Sir. - It's fine.

Sir!

Sir!

What is it now?

Kwiju has thrown open its gates. They're attacking.

What? A pincer attack?

So it seems. It's not safe here. You have to go.

Altan, escort the marshal. Move!

Yes, sir.

Sir, this way.

Wait, where is the enemy? Where did they go?

We need to go.

Now isn't the time for talk.

We have to retreat.

Sir, it's the enemy. We have to go.

All right. Signal the retreat.

Have the men fall back.

Yes, sir.

Fall back!

- Fall back! - Fall back! Fall back!

It was unheard of in all of history.

Twelve raiders turned back the Mongol horde.

Kim Yongson dared to attack the Mongols with Fort Kwiju's 5,000 men.

And so landed a crushing blow to enemy morale.

The finest victory I've ever seen.

Well done, General Kim. And you, Field Marshal.

It was a victory for all the raiders. And for Field Marshal Kim Jun here.

All made possible by your perfect timing in throwing open the gates.

Fair enough. Everyone fought bravely.

But now the real fighting starts. Wouldn't you say?

Just so.

After they've replaced their siege weapons,

they'll regroup and attack in earnest.

Are you familiar with the history of our fort?

The great General Kang Kamchan wiped out...

100,000 Khitan from these very walls.

So I've read, sir.

Now it's our turn. This time against the Mongols.

General Kim, take this.

The commandant's seal.

You are in full command of Fort Kwiju's defense.

How do you mean, sir?

A war on this scale is beyond me.

But you've given the men hope.

Take the seal.

The war is yours.

Sir, I can't...I couldn't possibly.

The Overlord himself appointed you.

How can you ask this of me?

My mind is made up.

Pride and glory don't matter now. All that matters is victory.

Take it.

Sir, I don't dare. I can't take it, I won't.

I've already given the order. Command is yours.

Please. If not for me, for Fort Kwiju, General Kim Kyongson.

I'm too old to defend her.

Please, sir. We're fully prepared to follow you.

Take the seal, sir.

What I do...

I do at your command.

But only for now, until reinforcements arrive.

Then I vow to relinquish command.

I so swear.

At least the fort is armed with light defense weaponry.

Just so. The fort has seen much. It's well-equipped.

The equivalent of legions of men.

Yet another surprise for Sartai.

So infuriating.

Fog or no fog, running away from ten measly men?

Time to teach them a lesson. Today their fort falls.

To pay for our disgrace.

- Understood? - Yes, sir.

Well? What are you waiting for?

Catapults!

Catapults!

- Catapults! - Catapults!

Hold your positions! Archers!

Stones! Hold your positions!

Logs, use the logs!

Attack--!

Move, move! Oil, there!

Archers!

Now.

Hold your positions.

Attack! Attack!

Now! Catapults!

What the...? Where did the stones come from?

The fort, sir.

Catapults? In the fort? How?

First Fort Cholju, now here, too?

Fort Kwiju is full of surprises.

They have catapults we never suspected.

They raided our camp with ten lousy men.

Where is Tanggu?

Putau has Fort Jaju surrounded.

Tanggu is bypassing the Western Capital to march on Kaegyeong.

Good, good, everything as planned.

The problem is Fort Kwiju.

What about my envoys?

He should be arriving at Kaegyong now.

You... Are you sure you two are Mongols?

Of course. Sent my Marshal Sartai himself.

Don't lie. Just the two of you, no escort, no flag?

We are Mongols. We have a message for your king from Sartai himself.

What's this?

Surrender or else?

Anyway, I have to verify its authenticity.

Lock them up until then.

- Take them away. - Sir.

No, this is urgent, there's no time to waste! Wait!

Yak-yak-yak, ugly Mongols.

No dinner for you!

The Mongols bypassed Fort Anbuk...

on the Chongchon River and are marching south.

They breached the second line of defense...

at the Western Capital and continue south.

They marched through Hwangju to take Pongju and have surrounded Fort Yongju.

Do Mongols have wings?

They've advanced 100, 200 miles with every dispatch.

What's happening here?

What about Dae Jipsong and our armies?

We have a report that he has arrived at Tongson post-station.

Tongson is half-way between Kaegyeong and the Western Capital.

That's all the progress they've made?

And you, why aren't you making them hurry?

I'll send another messenger, sir.

Sir, a dispatch from the front.

Enter.

From Fort Cholju.

The messenger eluded the enemy to get this to us.

The civilians and military personnel have been slaughtered.

All of them?

Yi Wonjong and Yi Hijok, too?

Yes, sir.

Wasn't Field Marshal Kim Jun posted there?

He's not mentioned in the dispatch.

He was posted there?

Yes, sir.

He was stationed there after Fort Kwiju.

You must be quite busy serving my husband.

All thanks to you, Your Grace.

True. I'm the one who arranged it for you to serve my own purposes.

How could I forget?

The information you've provided has been a great relief to me.

But have you heard anything? About Kim Jun?

You remember, the legend of the arena.

He is stationed at Fort Cholju.

Cholju...

And how are things there?

Your Grace. We only just got a dispatch from there.

And?

There's no chance that Kim Jun survived.

What?

The messenger says Fort Cholju was attacked.

There were no survivors.

None?

None. So he says.

Perhaps a few civilians, but...

Stand your ground! Hold the wall! There! Fire!

Sir.

Hold your positions!

Hold your positions!

Attack!

Sir, sir, it isn't safe. You should go.

If I leave, the men will lose hope.

Return to your post.

- Move! - Sir!

Yes, sir.

Fire! Fire!

Come if you dare! You'll never take this fort.

Don't be afraid! They're nothing!

Attack!

That's Kim Kyongson, you said?

The fearless fool that led the night raid?

Yes, sir.

He's the commandant?

A formidable opponent.

Catapults don't work. Neither does tunneling.

We may lose if the reinforcements make it here.

Where are they now?

Sir.

Intelligence reports they have arrived at Tongson post-station.

Tongson.

Anyway, this attack is going badly.

Recall the men. We use fire next.

I'll see him dead yet.

- Koryo scum! - Yes, sir.

[Tongson Post-station]

Ah, excellent.

Nice to have a cup of wine after a long, hard march.

Have another, sir.

Yes, yes, yes.

You, too.

I bet they have some real wine at the front.

Wouldn't you say?

With all due respect, please go easy, sir.

We still have a long way to go.

Just so. We make camp.

Then establish a perimeter and post guards.

You can't just order them to take a break.

You need rest to fight well. It's in the Art of War.

Another thing, what did the reconnaissance report?

Not even an ant for miles around.

It's unlikely that the Mongols are this far south.

Drink, all of you.

What about you, General Song?

Go on, drink up.

Yes, sir.

Yangbaek, you, too.

I hear you're quite a drinker. Tonight's the night to prove it.

Yes, sir. But I'm concerned about the camp.

I should walk the perimeter.

Listen to him. It will be a long war. There's no rush.

Fine, if you want to go, then go.

Yes, sir.

What's that racket?

Someone raised the alarm.

The alarm?

- Trouble! - Report!

The Mongols are attacking.

What? Attacking?

Attacking? How can this be?

Yangbaek, we have to stop them.

Yes, sir. Move out.

How can this be?

They're a ragtag band. Wipe them out!

Wipe them out!

What are you doing? Stop them!

There! To the right, the right!

This way. Stop them.

This way! Hurry! Hurry!

Oh, no, there, too! Stop them!

Stop them, hurry!

- Sir. - Sir.

Protect the general!

Sir.

Father, let me take his head.

Right, good, you do that.

You! I challenge you!

Mongol scum!

Did you hear that?

No, no, no! My boy! My son-in-law!

Form ranks! Don't just stand there! Form ranks!

We're finished. They attacked the command center.

The ranks have no leaders.

No!

Burn them, they're worthless.

They don't stand a chance against us.

That's the Mongol commander.

Concentrate your fire on him.

What's going on? Who's firing?

Koryo's warrior monks.

Where were they hiding?

Fire!

Uh-oh. That's all for tonight. Sound the retreat!

Retreat! Fall back!

Fall back!

Fall back! Fall back!

How could this happen?

My boy is dead. How could this be?

No, no, no...

We owe you, whoever you are.

Sir, they look familiar.

We should. You're Song Kilyu and Choe Yangbaek, aren't you?

You know us?

I'm Keumgang. Kim Yunhu to you.

We met at Chuknyong Temple. With Kim Jun.

Yes. And at the Guard Corps.

Right. Kim Jun's monk friends.

Just so.

Koryo is in need. Her warrior monks won't stand idly by.

We march to her aid.

Thank you. Thank you all.

You're late again.

The front is in trouble. I'm beside myself with work.

The children asleep?

Yes. So young and already training for the games. He's exhausted.

The games.

It can't hurt. It's a rite of passage for Koryo men.

How goes the carving of the two Bodhisattvas?

Nearly finished.

I'd like to make a shrine to house them here.

Here in our home?

Yes.

Didn't you say you're donating them to a worthy temple?

Oh, well. It can't hurt to have a shrine to Buddha here.

There is that old story, you know.

About Queen Jinsong of Silla.

And her heartbreaking love.

Forced to live without her beloved Commander Wihong...

she built Bodhisattvas to be with him in the next life.

Or so they say.

- Is that so? - Yes.

I'm curious about something.

Why did you need two Bodhisattvas, exactly?

Ah, well. Just double the devotion, I suppose.

Ah, about Kim Jun, the hero of the arena.

Aren't you curious how he's doing?

Why would I be?

You helped him in the past. It's not clear if he's alive or dead.

He's a good man, to my way of thinking. Don't you agree?

What is it you want to say?

Only that it would be a shame if something happened to him.

He was important to you.

Of course. However...

Kim Jun isn't an easy man to kill.

I know that much.

Exactly. He'll make it back.

And we'll all have a drink together.

I'll count on you to prepare a rare feast.

Yes, if you insist.

Kim Jun's aide Gapi has arrived with a special dispatch.

What's in this special dispatch?

Mongol characteristics and tactics.

He describes how they split into battalions.

One to surround a city, the other to attack.

That's all?

There's more. It's only his opinion, of course.

But he strongly urges a complete overhaul of our military organization.

One hundred years ago, General Yun Kwan created...

the Extraordinary Military Corps.

Separate from and complimentary to our current Two Guards and Six Divisions.

Kim Jun suggests such elite archers would be...

highly effective against the Mongols.

He's putting on airs, that one.

Uppity slave.

He's in Fort Kwiju?

Yes, Overlord.

He's been there a while?

Yes, sir.

Send for him.

Yes, Overlord, right away.

Overlord.

We just got some bad news.

What?

From General Song Kilyu.

When General Dae Jipsong's forces arrived at Tongson...

they were attacked by Tanggu's Mongols on their way to the capital.

- What? - No.

A large number of our forces were scattered or injured.

They were what?

The enemy is nowhere near the Western Capital, much less Tongson.

How could they be attacking?

All right, where are they now?

Where are our troops?

When they regroup, they plan to march past the Western Capital to Fort Anbuk.

A defensible position near Forts Kwiju and Jaju.

Those...those..!

Of all the rotten luck. That this should happen to me.

My son-in-law dead, most of my troops scattered.

There's no time for this. We have to regroup and pursue the Mongols.

He's right.

The Western Capital's defenses are intact.

Kwiju is under siege. We should march to Fort Anbuk and help defend her.

This won't do at all.

Time is pressing. How can I face the Overlord?

Now, now, now, we march for the front.

Who said we shouldn't?

But Fort Anbuk is a long way away. We may lose what men we have left.

Exactly right, General. So we're moving out.

Move out? To where?

We're not professional soldiers.

We came to fight, not to stand around talking all day.

Who's standing around talking? Did I say we can't go?

I just want a strategy first.

My point exactly. Enjoy your debate.

- Hongji, move out. - Sir.

Th-th-that... that... monk!

Oh yeah?

Right, muster the men.

We'll aim for Fort Anbuk.

That's strategy, see?

Keumgang.

Where are you headed?

We have information that a division of Mongols is marching on the capital.

If it's true, we plan to be there.

Never mind that. I can't see how a guy like that got put in charge.

Dae Jipsong, I mean.

Tough luck. Stuck serving under that blowhard.

- Move out. - Sir.

We should march for the front ourselves, sir.

I wish we could.

But moving troops without authorization is mutiny.

Fort Kwiju is in danger and we stand around wasting time.

[Fort Kwiju]

So infuriating.

How long have we been here already?

How many attacks? And retreats?

Your pardon, sir. We're to blame.

I wonder if that fort isn't cursed somehow.

Cursed. You may be right at that.

Our cavalry has marched across Asia.

Our army is vast. Yet in vain we retreat and attack, retreat and attack again.

I won't say it's not accursed.

That man looking this way, is that Kim Kyongson?

Yes, sir.

An admirable man.

A great warrior. In a lifetime of battle I've never seen his like.

He's an enemy, but a great one.

So it was. As Sartai said, Kwiju was formidable indeed.

Now in his seventies, the Mongol marshal had spent his life in battle.

Yet he said he had never seen a city take such abuse without submitting.

Who was this warrior, this great general? The Annals of Koryo tell us.

General Kim Kyongson.