Original subtitles

Great news today.

The Koryo troops marching north...

And what's this? Nearly wiped out?

Were they, indeed?

Stupid Koryo.

Fifty thousand Koryo troops ambushed...

and scattered by Tanggu.

Our strategy is sound. March past the forts and end this quickly.

Quite right, as hard as it is to believe.

Where's that blowhard Dae Jipsong now?

He plans to regroup, march north and strike us from the rear.

Intelligence reports they have passed the Western Capital...

and are nearly at Fort Anbuk.

Fort Anbuk. Not too far from Fort Kwiju.

Good thinking. They mean to attack us.

Good for them.

Tanggu is very near their capital, and those morons march north.

Now, then, Uye.

Yes, sir.

We still have no decisive victory at Kwiju.

Use the break in fighting to deploy men against Dae Jipsong.

This time we will destroy them.

Yes, sir.

[Kaegyeong - Western Capital - Anbuk - Kwiju]

We just passed Fort Anbuk. Kwiju is next.

I see.

Now we have to be on our guard.

Of course.

Who knows where the Mongols might be hiding.

As for that, who would have guessed they would attack at Tonsong?

They are still encamped at Fort Kwiju.

Even their precious Marshal Sartai is there.

Kill him and our victory is assured.

What about the one that ambushed us, that Tanggu?

A small detachment, nothing more.

Meant as a distraction. The important thing is Sartai's encampment.

Move out. I'm uneasy.

[Kaegyeong - The Capital]

There is no question this note sent to Pyongju is from the Mongols.

You can see Sartai's seal.

But the message itself.

Unconditional surrender or face the consequences?

How dare they? The war still rages.

At Kwiju, Jaju, all over, and they demand surrender?

Director General, your thoughts?

Arrogant, yes, but a wise move on their part.

Our forces stand alone at Kwiju...

yet there is as yet no news of victory.

True. Dae Jipsong marched north with our armies.

Yet even he suffered heavy losses at Tongson.

Right. Where is he now? Dae Jipsong, I mean.

They should be at Fort Anbuk by now.

They'll reach Kwiju soon.

It's unbelievable. Unheard of.

For cavalry to move so fast, I mean.

What is our army doing that they just let the Mongols march on by?

First, we must face reality.

If our army fails, our options will be limited.

How do you mean?

I mean the Mongols will be too much for us.

Too much?

As in, we're no match for them, is that it?

Exactly.

We're what?

Facts are facts. We're no match for their maneuverability.

They're nearly at the capital...

and our armies are marching for Kwiju?

Our tactics are no better.

We hold defensive positions in mountain fortresses.

That strategy leaves us helpless even when the Mongols are nearly upon us.

Pardon me, Overlord, but the fact is, everything is against us at this point.

We need all our wits about us.

You advise surrender?

Not surrender so much as seek a diplomatic solution.

So they can rub our noses in it?

We have to fight.

Kwiju still stands and General Choe Chunmyong in Jaju...

threatens the Mongol rear.

We must fight.

Why must you pester the Overlord?

We have to face the facts, boy!

Yi Jangyong is right.

We must fight while we can.

Koryo won't go down without a fight.

Still, they sent envoys. We must respond in kind.

We must know the enemy's position.

Min Hui and Song Kukchom have diplomatic experience.

Send them to Pyongju.

Overlord.

What? In Pyongju?

Has Koryo gone insane? Holding my envoys prisoner?

Yes, sir.

Tanggu's intelligence confirms that your envoys have been detained in Pyongju.

This won't do. We have to show them just how frightening we truly are.

Send word to Tanggu. Attack Pyongju on his way south.

Leave no one alive. Not a headman, not a villager, no one.

Yes, sir.

These scum need to learn. I've never seen such belligerence, not in all my years.

It's time they saw how Mongols wage war.

How we raze, pillage and destroy all who resist.

Yes, sir.

[Western Capital - Hwangju - Pyongu - Kaegyeong]

[The Mongol Forces - Near Pyongju]

Report.

Fort Pyongju has no mountain defenses. It's in the open.

The outer walls are relatively short.

Then we shouldn't have any trouble.

- Deployment? - Some 1,500 men.

No trouble at all.

- Dajyu. - Yes, sir.

- You know our orders? - Yes, sir.

Leave no one alive, not a single soul.

Split the men.

Fort Pyongju's walls are insignificant.

I'll take the south gate, you take the north.

Yes, sir.

Move out. Burn them out, kill them all.

Yes, sir.

Move out!

[Fort Pyongju]

Leave no one alive, no one.

Not a dog, not a pup.

Kill them, burn them to ashes!

The razing of Pyongju, the massacre of its people.

A day of unequaled brutality in the Annals of Koryo.

People, chickens, dogs, cattle, every living thing, massacred.

The year was 1231, the 18th of Kojong's reign.

Kill them all!

Pyongju has been razed.

Lord Kim, the people, the livestock, all dead.

Pyongju isn't far from the capital.

Tactics of brutality against all who resist, just as Kim Jun described.

First instill fear and demand surrender.

If they hear nothing, total annihilation.

Yes, sir.

Have Min Hui and Song Kukchom left?

Yes. If they travel at speed, they will be there tomorrow...

or the morning of the day after.

Who is this Tanggu that's marching through our uninhabited lands?

The Mongol second-in-command, famous for his cruelty.

Dae Jipsong's armies? What about them?

We have their dispatch.

Most were killed. Many others were scattered or have deserted.

There is no help there.

I fear that Tanggu may march on the capital tomorrow.

General Pak, something bothers me.

The Overlord.

Does he really not see what's happening?

Or if he does, is he refusing to address it?

The enemy is nearly at the capital, yet he continues to insist that we fight.

We're out of time.

Lord Min Hui has a lot of experience.

He's eloquent and capable, we can count on him.

And General Dae is nearing Fort Kwiju.

We have to be patient.

[Near Fort Kwiju]

Report.

Yes, sir.

Not a shadow of the enemy for thirty miles.

Of course not. We've taken our time, been extra careful.

How could they suspect?

It's time we rode out of the trees.

Once we're out, we're out for good. We need more reconnaissance.

There's no time.

More reconnaissance will delay our march. We have to move.

Something doesn't feel right.

It feels just fine. Let's move out. Well?

Forward!

Move out!

Yangbaek. Ambush. Fall back.

Wha-wha-wha--?

Fall back! Fall back!

The scouts said they weren't there. What is this?

Run away! Retreat!

It's too late, we have to fight.

Fire at will! Fire! Fire!

Fools. Riding to their deaths.

Attack!

Help me... Save me...

Help! Help! Help!

I'll hold them off. Get out of here.

Yangbaek? Thanks.

Sir, we'll open a way. Mount up.

Right. Thanks.

- Help him. - Hurry.

The enemy commander. Get him!

You! Come back here and fight!

You want it? Take it from me!

You're nothing!

- You're just a grunt! - A grunt with a sword.

Sir! Protect the general. Protect the general!

He's just a grunt! A nobody!

Well? Running away?

I swear.

It's odd.

A little more and the Mongols would have had us.

Suddenly they retreated, gone like the tide.

I don't understand.

I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard their commander was wounded.

By Choe Yangbaek.

Yangbaek.

You made it. Yangbaek.

Yangbaek...You're alive.

[Fort Pyongju]

Mommy...

You're from the Koryo court?

You got Marshal Sartai's message?

Of course.

Just answer yes or no.

We're preparing to march on Kaegyeong.

Will you surrender or not?

Rather than surrender, we suggest a negotiated peace...

between our sovereign nations.

Negotiated?

Impossible.

You saw on your way in that Pyongju is in ashes.

We march on Kaegyeong today.

We'll be there by morning.

Tell your court that it's surrender or death.

This is all a misunderstanding.

Surely we can find a peaceful solution.

Enough chatter.

If you weren't envoys I would have your heads by now.

Can't you see that Koryo is already as good as ours?

- Dajyu. - Yes, sir.

Take them away.

And muster the men. We ride for Kaegyeong.

Yes, sir. Take them away.

Sir.

- W-w-wait... sir... - Wait!

Send word to Marshal Sartai.

Surrender is imminent.

Yes, sir.

[Fort Kwiju]

- They want me back? - Yes, sir.

Nothing has changed. What do they want?

Gapi?

You made it into the fort without being seen.

Yes, sir.

Sir, it appears I've been ordered to the capital.

You've been observing the enemy. They need your counsel.

Make haste.

The fort's arms and provisions are exhausted.

Take away our fangs, we still have our gums. There's fight left in us.

This is a war of attrition with Sartai. We don't need it resolved, he does.

Give my regards to my brother, Kim Yakson.

Thank you. You've fought bravely.

We'll meet again. My respects, sir.

Enough of that.

We're all doing our duty.

Off you go. The fighting will start again soon.

We have a few surprises left for them.

Be careful.

And you.

We'll meet again. And we'll have a few drinks.

We'll distract them. Slip away through the mountains.

Yes, sir.

Pyongju is right next to the capital.

That should tweak Koryo's noses for them.

Sending envoys to sue for peace?

They don't have to come here for peace.

Take it to them. The hard way.

Yes, sir.

Sir, a Koryo representative.

Who?

The head of the district of Inju has come here to surrender.

Ah, surrendering voluntarily...

As the great Khan's representative here in Koryo,

I am at your service, Marshal Sartai.

Service? As in a vassal?

Yes, sir. You are in effect the great Khan here in Koryo, after all.

Well, I can't argue with that.

Well said. Your name?

Sir. Hong Bokwon, son of Hong Daesun.

You recall how the Mongols rode to help Koryo against the Khitan?

At the time my father submitted to your forces and served as a guide.

So he did.

And now I submit the 1,500 households of Inju to your service.

I am here to swear our loyalty to you.

At your service, sir.

On behalf of the emperor... I accept.

It just so happens I have a use for you.

Well, Jo Sukchang? If more leaders of Koryo were like you and Hong here...

it wouldn't have to be a sea of flame.

You honor me, sir. My life is yours.

Well, this is a fine day indeed.

Quite right. “At my service.” Right.

There is always a give and take.

Service must be rewarded.

You honor me.

Perfect timing. I was just thinking of sending another envoy to Koryo court.

Sending Jo Sukchang alone is one thing.

Two of you are that much better.

Serve as my envoy to the court.

Encourage them to surrender.

Need you ask?

You need only command and I obey.

Thank you for entrusting me with this task.

Good, good. Hong Bokwon...

Like father, like son. Oh, yes, a loyal clan indeed.

What's that?

Another attack from the fort.

Kim Kyongson again?

Is this a game to him?

Stop him. Now!

- Fire! - Attack!

Catapults!

Stop them! Now!

Don't be afraid! Hold your positions!

Fire! Attack!

Move out.

Bandits. Mountain brigands!

Hongji...

No... Is it you? Musang.

It is you, isn't it?

Wait, you're Kim Jun now. Kim Jun!

Hongji.

And... Keumgang!

Musang. Seeing you here, it's like a dream.

Musang.

So you're headed for Kaegyeong.

Yes, master.

Tanggu is marking on Kaegyeong.

Along the way, he has platoons striking Namgyeong, Chungchu and Songju.

They've made it that far?

Did you hear about Pyongju?

Yes.

It's the same everywhere they go.

Pillage and burn.

Where are you headed?

The enemy is headed south. We go to stop them.

Well. You should move out.

Oh, and we haven't seen Abbot Subop in quite a while.

Look him up if you can.

I intended on stopping in at Heungwang Temple.

- Well, this is goodbye. - For now, Musang.

Watch yourself. See you soon.

Move out.

We should hurry.

Something isn't right.

Yes, sir.

[Near Kaegyeong]

How far to the Koryo capital?

Thirty-forty miles according to our scouts.

Really? How strange.

We're nearly at their gates and not a sign of them.

Maybe they don't know.

Pathetic, the lot of them.

After all that's happenrd they still insist on mouthing off to us.

Anyway, make camp. They'll know we're here soon enough.

We rest until then.

Yes, sir.

[Kaegyeong - The Capital]

What's that?

The enemy is thirty miles outside the capital.

Our envoys haven't returned.

What's that again? The Mongols are here?

Pyongju isn't that far from us.

So they marched all the way here without any opposition?

Is...is this how we fight a war?

What...is this?

Overlord, the situation is serious, yes...

but the elite patrols have everything prepared.

Be that as it may, the Mongols have the advantage.

They have over 10,000 cavalry.

First we have to put out the fires, Overlord.

You mean surrender?

No, but we need to buy time.

Buy time.

It can't be done. Bow once and it's over.

We'll be their slaves forever. Absolutely not.

We fight while we can.

Station the elite patrols at the capital gates.

Arrangements have been made, sir.

We await your orders. The 3,000 Capital Elite are prepared to die.

Director General.

Overlord.

Where is the King?

The palace. He said he is eager to see you.

Of course, he's bound to be uneasy in such a large palace.

How many chancellors are there?

I'm ashamed to say.

Go on.

The rumor of the Mongol coming has spread.

The people fled, of course, as did the chancellors.

The palace is empty.

What? Empty?

Cowards...

Yi Jangyong.

Overlord.

Get them. Round up all the courtiers that fled.

No questions, just take their heads.

Running away in Koryo's greatest need, they're no better than traitors.

Find them.

Overlord, we're in a state of emergency.

We can punish them later.

For now we need to stabilize the court.

Those...those...traitors...

Spread the word.

If the court hasn't reconvened by sundown, they'll answer to me.

- Tell them! - Yes, Overlord.

Convene the Privy Council.

- Now. - Overlord.

[Kaegyeong - Mongol Encampment]

Aren't you a man of Koryo?

How can you say that? I'm Mongolian now.

Sartai has appointed me Koryo Plenipotentiary-at-Large.

So I'm dressing the part.

If the marshal says so, that's good enough for me.

And he's ordered the two of you to serve as envoys.

Exactly, sir.

Send me into Kaegyeong and I'll come out with a surrender.

Leave it to me.

You can really get them to surrender?

Not to worry, sir.

What else can they do?

Their are armies are in the north. They are dead without them.

I can't be certain, of course, but Overlord Choe U is old.

The king is a little squirrel.

All I have to do is scare them a little and the surrender is as good as signed.

Hong Bokwon!

The blood of Koryo runs in you. How can you betray it so casually?

Oh yeah? Listen to you!

We may be forced to serve the Mongols to survive.

But we're still men of Koryo.

Show some dignity.

What?

The way I hear it, you've been whining at every fort to surrender.

Talk about the dung-covered dog fussing at a muddy mongrel.

You're right.

I was weak, I wanted to live, and for that I'm sorry.

And the truth is we don't stand a chance against the Mongols.

But we don't have to grovel like dogs.

Wha--? Dog?

Enough, enough.

You are both important to us.

You have your orders.

Go to the Koryo court.

You have until morning.

Yes, sir.

If we don't have their surrender by then...

that's when I go into action.

Just like in Pyongju.

Quite right, sir.

If you want a quick surrender...

The Heungwang Temple isn't far, you can burn it down.

They have some 1,000 monks.

- Heungwang? - Exactly. It's perfect.

It's a national Buddhist temple.

A symbol of Koryo itself.

Burning Heungwang Temple...

Two birds with one stone.

Oh? Heungwang...

Excellent idea. Heungwang Temple...

Min Hui and Song Kukchom here have come...

from the Mongol encampment in Pyongju.

The Mongols are now camped thirty miles from the capital.

It's been two days now.

Surrender or not? That's the only question.

What do you suggest?

We have to come to a decision.

Speak up. What are your thoughts?

Overlord, whatever we decide, the enemy is at the gates.

Our forces are few. We can't afford to fight.

Consider carefully.

Overlord, we have no choice but appeasement at this point.

Think of the future.

Yes, Overlord, think of the future. Our only other option is death.

We'll die either way.

Better to die fighting.

Overlord, pride and anguish are fleeting.

Protecting Koryo and her people is forever.

Consider carefully.

So it's surrender, is it?

Is that what you're saying?

Please, Overlord.

There's no other way.

Not one of you says to fight to the death.

Not one will stand alone and fight. Other than Yi Jangyong, not one.

Yi Kyubo's argument is reasonable.

We await your decision.

We await it, Overlord.

Overlord, the royal eunuchs.

They say the Mongols have sent envoys.

His Majesty has summoned you to the palace.

[The Royal Palace]

So unconditional surrender or else, is that what you're saying?

Yes, Your Majesty.

There is no other way, it's the only road open to you.

Surrender. Unconditionally.

If you don't, all of Koryo, will be burned to ashes.

Ashes, I say.

You said your name is Hong Bokwon?

Weren't you the head of the district of Inju?

Which country do you serve now?

I serve the Mongols.

Traitor! Have you no fear?

Your livelihood, your position, everything you have you owe to Koryo.

True, but things change. We have to change with them.

I may have been born in Koryo, but my heart is Mongol.

Scum!

You feel the same?

Overlord, how can you say that?

I did what I had to do to survive.

Your father was a great general.

At least you aren't rotten to the core.

What do you suggest we do?

Speak candidly.

I told you, surrender or else.

That's enough out of you.

Keep that filthy mouth shut.

What? Filthy?

I serve the Mongols. I'm here as their envoy.

Speak that way to me again and you'll be sorry.

General Jo Sukchang?

Koryo can't possibly defeat the Mongols.

That's all I have to say.

That's all.

Now, now, the Mongols have sent their envoys.

They should be treated accordingly.

Lord Min Hui, see to their accommodations.

Your Majesty.

Now, if you'll come with me, you can eat, freshen up, perhaps a drink...

I appreciate the thought.

But time is short, very short.

Let's go.

General Jo, please.

People have to change with the times, isn't that so?

Mongols, people of Koryo...

We all have to do what it takes to survive.

Wait, where did Jo Sukchang get to?

Tsk-tsk-tsk, he's far too sensitive.

Here, here, another drink.

Now, if you could speak for us to the Mongols...

Need you ask?

Nothing a few gifts can't solve.

Gold would be nice. Silk, too.

You believe that I'm a traitor, that I serve the Mongols.

But please, see the wisdom in what I'm saying.

Even as we speak, forts are falling, troops are dying.

The people slaughtered, their homes burned.

I surrendered for them as much as for myself.

Yet to others, that reeks of treason.

Pity.

I understand. I see that you're still a man of Koryo.

You had no choice but to help them.

Now Koryo is in danger. We need any help we can get.

Need you ask? I'll do anything I can.

Yes, I'm a man of Koryo.

Overlord, Lord Yi Kyubo.

Send him in.

- Sit. - Overlord.

- Three Vices. - Yes, Overlord.

The time has come at last.

Prepare a document for the Mongols.

Our formal surrender.

Overlord.

You are Koryo's most eloquent writer.

Write it in such a way that we remain blameless.

O-Overlord.

Tomorrow Min Hui will take the surrender to the Mongol camp.

But you should know this.

We will never...

never...

...truly surrender.

We will never bow to the Mongols. Never.

As you said, think of the future.

Yes, Overlord.

It's nearly dawn. I'll have a drink and off to bed.

It's my habit, but not one I'm proud of.

You like what you like.

Enjoy.

I'd prefer...

you pour it for me.

I'm tired of affairs of state.

Tell me about your day.

What is there for women and children to do?

Other than to pray for the good of the country.

Quite so.

In the house or out of it, being united is what counts.

Any news from the front?

I'm told Fort Kwiju is still holding out?

Yes. You were right.

Pardon? About what?

The dispatches list Kim Jun among the living.

What was it you said?

He's not an easy man to kill.

He's in Fort Kwiju.

He survived Cholju and is fighting for Kwiju now.

He was ordered back. You'll see him soon.

Oh? Ordered back?

By the Overlord.

Ah, I'm sure your two Bodhisattvas will be glad to see him.

Another drink?

No answer? About the Bodhisattvas?

Drink.

Heungwang Temple is that way.

The capital is surrounded. We'll enter through the back roads.

Move out.

[Kaegyeong - Mongol Encampment]

It's late, nearly dawn.

And still no word from the envoys we sent to Kaegyeong.

All right. We'll have to take Hong Bokwon's advice.

- Gentlemen. - Yes, sir.

Koryo's precious little Heungwang Temple...will burn.

- Mount up! - Yes, sir.

Burn it to the ground. Kill everyone.

This should wake them up. Then they'll surrender.

- Move out. - Yes, sir.

You have your orders.

- Burn everything! - Sir!

- Kill them all! Move out! - Sir!

Look, the temple is on fire.

No...

Sir, that's Heungwang. It's on fire.

Move out. Ride!

Overlord! Heungwang Temple is in flames.

Overlord, it's an emergency.

Heungwang is burning.

- It's what? - Heungwang Temple is on fire.

The Mongols did it.

- Heungwang? - Yes, sir.

The flames can be seen from here.

Heungwang... the temple...

Our greatest treasure... Heungwang Temple...

Venerable, Venerable!

Field Marshal Kim.

We have to find the Head Abbot. Hurry, the Venerable.

Move out.

Venerable! Venerable!

Venerable!

What is it? What's going on?

Sir, the Mongols. They're attacking.

They're burning the temple.

What? What?

Venerable, we have to go.

Heungwang is burning.

Heungwang burning? How can that be? How?

Please, we have to go! Hurry, please, Venerable.

- Men! Clear the way! - Sir!

Burning the house of Buddha.

Vile, evil...Barbarians!