Original subtitles

Episode 19

The Tang army crossed the Sasu River last night

And set up their camp

There is no reason to hesitate

Excellency. Order a full force attack

Any word from General Yang Manchun?

Communication with Liaodong has been

Cut off for some time now

Your Excellency!

Your Excellency!

General Gom Mojam has just arrived at the east gate

Yang Manchun?

We can't keep Superior Commander

Li Jing waiting in ambush forever

Further delay could expose our plan

Let us make the first move

We can lure Yeon Gaesomun's army out here

General Xue! General Xue!

They have opened the gates! Pyongyang fort is open!

Yeon Gaesomun is marching toward us

For a full-force attack!

Are you certain it is Yeon Gaesomun himself

That is at the frontline?

General, all is going according to plan

Commanders, return to your positions!

We must lure the enemy as close to us as possible

Do not initiate attack without my order

- Now go! - Yes, general!

Yeon Gaesomun!

I cannot forget the humiliation

Come, Gaesomun!

Who goes there?

What are you talking about?

There is no ambush?

You mean there is no one covering our backs at the river?

- I'm afraid so, sir - But the signal

We saw the flaming arrows last night

No one can help us now

And we can't turn back with the river behind us

We have out backs against the wall!

It's kill or be killed!

Now go out there and fight!

Make this the enemy's graveyard, not ours!

How could this happen?

- How? - General!

General, we must get out of here now!

How am I supposed to run away

When my men are dying by the thousands out here?

Sir, you must save yourself!

Hongpei, things could've worked out for

You had you met a better man to follow

Now run and save yourself

I'm not going anywhere, sir

I will die here with you

Is this it? Are you giving up?

You vowed before Emperor Taizong

That you would destroy Goguryeo

Goguryeo is still standing

And you have work to do, general!

Come with us, sir!

I am too ashamed to go on living

But burden on my shoulders

Is too great for me to die

AD 662...

At the Sasu River

Presumed to be the modern Taedong River

Tang Chinese invaders are annihilated

By Yeo Gaesomun's Goguryeo army

Along with Ulchi Mundok's Battle of Salsu

And Yang Manchun's Battle of Ansi

The Battle of Sasu is celebrated

As one of the three great victories in Goguryeo history

The second Goguryeo-Tang war was

Put to an end by this sweeping victory

This way! Follow me! Hurry!

Hurry! Follow me!

Hurry!

That man there!

That must be the Tang commander Xue Rengui!

They're headed up into the mountains

We must go after them!

Let us handle them

We will take a task force and finish them off!

No

I'm going after them myself!

Hurry!

Hurry!

No!

Wretched bastards!

- Get out of my way! - General!

Out of my way!

Is that Yeon Gaesomun in the front?

- Yes, general! - He chased us all this way

He's determined to kill us all!

That miserable bastard!

- General, we must go, general! - No!

How could I run when my archenemy is before my eyes?

There's no time! They'll kill us all!

Get me my bow and arrow!

Bow and arrow! Bow and arrow, I said!

I got him! I got him!

- Excellency! - Excellency!

Are you all right, Excellency?

I knocked him down from his horse!

Miserable bastard!

General!

Coak and die, you bastard!

- General! - Yes, let's go!

We must take the general back at once!

I'm all right. Go after them! Now!

Let's move! We're going after them!

It's the Tang remnant troops

They're at the hills ahead

But there're far too many of them for us to take on

We will hide here and watch their move for now

Everyone, spread out and hide!

- Hurry! - Move it!

I can't go any further!

You must get up, general

The Goguryeo army is right behind us!

I can't go any further

The Yellow Sea is right on the other side of this mountain

There will be a ship that can take us out of here

Muster your strength, general

Let go of me!

I will die fighting the enemy!

- Leave me here and go! - general

We'll be captured

Before we get over this mountain at this rate!

Let us die with honor instead of live with shame

There's no reason for all of us to die

I will hold the enemy back

While you make your escape

While you make your escape

General Pang

Luckily we're in the woods

I can hold them back for a while alone

Go, now!

No, General Pang

We can't leave you here to die for us

I'll stay with you

- I will stay as well - No

I am the reason why we're in this mess

If it weren't for my crazy idea

Of hiding the troops in the river...

It's not your fault

I hope you can forgive me

For all the terrible things I've said to you

What's this? I have lice, remember?

General Xue

You're the finest warrior I've ever met

I'm counting on you to fulfill my dream of

Goguryeo conquest for me

Come back to us alive so you and

I can fulfill our dreams together

Tell him that I faced my end like a man

And that I sought his forgiveness

For failing to serve his cause

General Pang...

Your Majesty, may you live long!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty

Please forgive me for my failures!

General, over there

I am the general of the left imperial

Guards ofTang Pang Xiaotai!

This is the door to the hell!

Come forward and get a taste of eternal doom!

Some one go out there and cut off his head!

Yes, general!

Blasted bastard!

General, I'll take care of him

I'll fight you

Excellent!

Judging by the way you look

You're a hefty meat eater

Yes, am I'm hungry

And I'm going to have you for lunch

Why don't you tell me your name

So I know who I've killed?

Me? My name is Heuk Sudol!

Heuk Sudol?

Shut up and fight!

Not bad for an ugly bastard

Have you looked in the mirror lately?

What did you say?

Doggone it!

Get up

What the heck?

Stop! Stop right there!

Stop!

Stop! Stop right there!

Stop!

Long... Live... the Emperor...

Stop right there!

Darn it!

Gulsabiwu!

I see you haven't changed

I don't believe this!

My men and I have carried out your command, Your Majesty

I was told you were injured

I bid you not to worry

As it is only a slight wound

Allow me report the progress of the war

General Gom Mojam has brought me up to date

General Yang Manchun has routed

Superior Commander Li Jing's navy

Yes, Your Majesty

We were able to win a great victory at the Sasu thanks to him

You and General Yang Manchun

Have saved this kingdom once again

The two of you are the pillars of Goguryeo

Your Grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty

I am told the Tang army had

A very elaborate and infallible plan

How were you able to figure this out in advance?

That is what I am wondering myself

Tell us Gom Mojam

How was General Yang able to learn

The enemy's plan in such great detail?

Our scouts had infiltrated

The enemy line along the Sasu

That's like being in the middle of the enemy's camp

Who assumed such a task?

Do you remember the band of soldiers

Who are these men?

Is it General Yeon Namseng and his men?

Your Majesty

It is the head of Pang Xiaotai

The general of the Tang Left Imperial Guards

Who is the brave warrior that

Acquired the enemy leader's head?

These are the men, Your Majesty

If I may speak, Your Majesty

I just spoke of the scouts that

Infiltrated the enemy line at the Sasu

These are the brave men, Your Majesty

Where is Namseng?

Who is your leader? Step forward

His Majesty has given an order

Step forward

Raise your head

That's... !

It's him. It's that boy Gaedong!

Unbelievable! How could this be?

State your name and title

My name is Gaedong

I am a servant at the estate of the supreme commander

He is indeed my servant, Your Majesty

Yes, I remember now

Isn't he the young man that saved your life

At the martial arts contest?

Yes, Your Majesty

I am surprised and delighted!

The hero that saved this country from peril

Is a man of humble birth!

Did you say your name was Gaedong?

Yes, Your Majesty

You will receive high honors and

Made an example to the people

Your Majesty

An award ceremony will soon be held

I bid you to decide his reward at that time

Make certain that they attend the award ceremony

Yes, Your Majesty

If words gets out that

Gaedong is Dae Jungsang's son

I'm sure General Yang knows who Gaedong is by now

He could be accused of treason

I'm sure he will be forced to keep silent

That might be the best solution at this point

We can seal our lips and

Keep the whole thing a secret

Do you really think the secret will last?

Excellency

Kill the boy off in secrecy instead

That's not an option

That would cause a great division

Between Liaodong and Pyongyang

That's why I said

We should get rid of him in secrecy

If he needs to die, I'll be the one to kill him

So keep your noses out of it

Excellency, more importantly

We still have not heard from General Namseng

Unbelievable!

Who would've ever thought that boy

Gaedong would come back a hero?

We killed his mother. What do we do now?

I don't think this is a cause for great concern

How is that so?

Dae Joyoung is a cursed name

That must be concealed

Who will dare speak of the name?

Yeon Gaesomun? Yang Manchun?

He would grant the boy high honors

All he will get is emancipation

Or a petty title in the military

Unless the supreme commander wants otherwise

Yes, yes, you're right

The boy can't pose a threat to us

No matter how great his feat

That's right

His return is indeed disturbing

But this is like a tiny storm in an glass of water

It is nothing to be feared

What's bothering you?

I realized I was wrong the moment

I saw the Supreme Commander's face

I shouldn't have come to Pyongyang

I should've gone to Liaodong instead

Then let us go to Liaodong now together

And get the recognition you deserve

Rewards and recognition mean nothing to me

I will leave Pyongyang with you

If that's what you want

It's too late for that

General Yang Manchun has arrived

Go to the Supreme Commanders estate

He wishes to see you

Excellency, have you fared well?

I've been following your activities

You've accomplished some amazing things

But I have failed to protect Goryeo Fort

But you played a major role in protecting the country

I am grateful that you see me in a good light, Your Excellency

- General Yang - Yes, Excellency

I want to thank you above anyone else

This war could not have been won without you

Do you? Please go on

I'd like to talk to you alone

Alone?

This is enough for now

We will chat privately another day

- But Excellency... - Has he arrived?

- Yes, Your Excellency! - Send him in!

Gaedong has rendered meritorious services in this war

His intelligence report is what made it possible

For me to stop Li Jing's navy

His Majesty has great interest in Gaedong as well

Who wouldn't after such incredible victory?

I raised him since he was a child

He may be my servant

But I am proud and delighted beyond words

I wanted to show him off to all of you

That's why I called him

You may leave now, Gaedong

And you will stay here at the estate

Instead of at Taehak from now on

Yes, Your Excellency

They say rewards are more dangerous than punishments

It's because an error in issuing awards

And honors can lead to great disaster

I'm sure I'm being over-concerned

How could he deny your request for a private conversation?

The Supreme Commander is making an indirect threat

General

Please don't be overly concerned about this matter

All we have to do is to hide the fact

That Joyoung is my son

Nonsense

Both you and Joyoung have suffered

Enough all these years

Now I must free you and your son

From the chains of restraint

But sir

If the commissioners and the lords of the court discover the truth

Let just take Joyoung and go back to Liaodong

Yes, general

I do not want harm to come to you

Because of me and my son

No

Joyoung was put here to do

The chains that bind him will block his future

And all of us will regret it forever

Gaedong has saved the country

Like Yang Manchun predicted

It is truly frightening!

Or put an end to this now?

I don't know what is best for this country anymore

Heuk Sudol, Your Excellency

Come in

Sit down

I never dreamed you would rise to such distinction

Great deeds come with great rewards

At the award ceremony

It's all right to speak your mind

I wish to be allowed to live as Gaedong as I do now

Please don't reveal who I am and who my father is

That is my only wish

You left this house to reclaim your name

You've come back a hero

So can reclaim your rights any time you want

What made you change your mind?

If you're trying to test me

You're making a mistake

What are you up to?

I went out into the world

And saw and experienced many things

I saw young soldiers who sacrificed their youth

Thousand of miles away from home to protect Goryeo Fort

I met the displaced citizens of Baekje

Who will not cringe in the face of death to reclaim their lost land

Compared to their cause

My desires were incredibly petty and embarrassing

I am content having done

What I can to protect the country

Your thoughts are praiseworthy

But I'm certain there is more

What's the real reason you're trying to hide your identity?

I am afraid many people will get hurt

Because of me

I would not have come back

Your excellency

Allow me to live as Gaedong

I don't want this country to be divided because of me

I speak from the heart

I do not wish to be Dae Joyoung

This is not the young boy I once knew

Why am I so moved by his words?

He has captured Yeon Gaesomun's heart!

What incredible man you've become!

I had that Tang general in my hands

And you stole him from me!

Not once, but twice you took the glory

That should've been mine!

When I think about what you've done to me

I can't sleep at night!

How do you want this?

With the sword?

With the fist? Fine, the fist

I'm going to vent my anger with my fist on your face!

What are you staring at?

What are you talking about?

Young lord...

Young lord Namseng has come back to us alive!

Father...

Father...

Father... !

I deserve nothing but death

I've come back to seek death in your hands, Father

Punish me, Father...

Get up!

Your defeat has brought great disappointment to the country

And that failure is punishable only by death!

Father...

Namseng

Turn your failure into strength

If you learn from your mistake

It will serve as medicine in protecting

The country from future invasions

Father

Shame is not in making mistakes

Shame is in failing to overcome your mistakes

So you don't need to be ashamed

Instead you must walk taller and prouder

Do you understand?

Father... !

General, I brought you something to eat

We don't know when the boat will arrive

You should eat something

General, are you crying?

You're crying!

I'm not, I tell you

No, I can see that you've been crying!

It's all my fault for failing to serve you better

You're a man who fears nothing

And I brought tears to your eyes!

You go ahead

I've never cried in my life

No, I didn't cry

But for some reason tears keep coming from my eyes

I'm so angry and outraged that

I can't help the tears when I'm not even crying!

What you shed when you cry are called tears

But these are blood tears I shed

Xue Rengui may cry blood tears

Hongpei, I vow once more

The next time I return to this land

I swear Goguryeo will fall

I will bring down with my own hands!

I can't forgive myself

I'm a pathetic coward and I can't bear it

I've been silent long enough. I have to tell them the truth

I'm just as responsible as you are

You said you couldn't trade me for Yingzhou

I feel the same way

I want you with me until the day I die

I don't want to lose you over this

We lost a war. That's it

We can fight again and win

We're here to give reward where reward is due

Why do you look so solemn?

The whole country is exhausted

Yes, I'm sure

Each one of you has given all of your might

Where is the soldier that I asked to have present?

He awaits your call outside, Your Majesty

Bring him inside

Send him in!

Gaedong, was it?

Yes, Your Majesty

Some time ago

You saved the Supreme Commander's life from the assassins

What you did was as remarkable

As saving the country from ruin

And this time

You played a decisive role in routing the Tang invaders

Not only that, you brought back the head of an enemy general

In my opinion

No reward is too great for all that you've done

- Hear me, my subjects! - Yes, Your Majesty!

It is my desire to grant Gaedong

The title of Deputy Martial General

And place him in charge of guarding the palace

But slave cannot be made a general

I agree, Your Majesty

Personnel decisions must be made

According to rules and reason

But this is much too radical, Your Majesty

We implore you to withdraw the appointment

Emancipation and a low ranking military position

Speak, Grand Martial General

Tell us what you think

The lords of the court oppose the appointment on the bases

That Gaedong comes from the slave class

But if that is the issue

You need not be concerned

Gaedong is not a slave by birth

He is General Dae Jungsang's son!

What do you mean? General Dae Jungsang's son?

Dae Jungsang's son is supposed

To be dead for his ominous birth!

But he has been living as the Supreme Commander's slave?

This is an outrage!

This is a conspiracy!

He may be the Supreme Commander of this state, but...

No, Your Majesty

The Supreme Commander knows nothing about this

If you find crime in this take my head first

What are you talking about?

I am the one...

I am the man who kept Gaedong alive

If you find crime in this

Let me the first to be punished

Give me death, Your Majesty!