Original subtitles

It's me, Yangji.

Do you recognize me?

You're alive.

Sir...

Episode 12

I heard about a school called Sambongjae. Episode 12

I heard about a school called Sambongjae.

I wondered, so I came.

It really is a small world.

Do you know what happened to Cheonbok?

I haven't heard he's dead yet.

I'm sure he's alive somewhere.

He has to be alive.

only rely on the palace.

When freebies are repeatedly given, it becomes a right.

Even if they were grateful at first,

it will become a matter of course.

Then they won't be satisfied.

If that happens, Goryeo will fall.

It was a good scolding.

The countryman was at a loss for words.

He just fought in a rural area.

What would he know about politics?.

He'll just be Choi Yeong's right arm.

There's no need to put up your guard against him.

Lee Inim isn't completely wrong.

It's just sophistry.

It must have made you really mad.

It's just frustrating.

I become blind when I'm on the council.

Think of it as a learning process.

It takes years to nurture a general.

This is politics.

You don't have to stand up to Lee Inim

every time.

He is corrupt, but he also has

a lot of experience.

Hello.

I came to learn about the current

state of affairs.

I'm lacking in many ways.

I think I said many useless things.

Oh, no.

I learned a lot.

Can I come more often?

I only write poems.

I don't care much for politics.

I probably won't be that helpful.

I would like to.

Since Poeun isn't here,

I feel very ignorant.

If Dojeon was here,

he would have been of great help.

Do you mean Sambong?

Do you know him?

Poeun mentioned his name many times.

I heard he had great strategy.

Mongju is elegant like Zhuge Liang and

Dojeon is reckless like Pang Tong.

He cut off all contact.

Lee Seonggye met with Lee Saek.

Lee Saek.

He asked for advice on current affairs.

They didn't stop laughing until late.

Lee Seonggye has been on battlegrounds for a long time.

He might lack political insight,

but he doesn't lack in evaluating the drift of things.

He must intend to hold hands with the gentry.

Lee Seonggye is Choi Yeong's closest aide.

How can he hold hands with the gentry?

Lee Seonggye is ambitious.

He won't stay in Choi Yeong's shade.

You have to make preparations.

Lee Seonggye is favored by Choi Yeong.

If he gathers the forces of the gentry,

he will have great power.

We can gather gentry forces, too.

Trust me.

How about appointing talented people

who have been forgotten?

Is there anyone useful?

I received an appeal a few days ago.

There is a village school near Samgaksan.

It said the teacher there was impersonating a scholar and should be punished.

Impersonating a scholar?

It said he was a Sungkyunkwan official.

It turns out it's true.

It must be Sambong.

That's right.

Stop there.

I'm sure his thoughts changed a lot.

He would be better than

a bunch of rookies.

Uncle.

Hurry!

Who are you?

Are you Jeong Dojeon?

Yes.

Take it down!

What are you doing?

Stop it right now!

Move!

Ma'am.

Honey.

Why are you doing this?

You should at least tell me why.

I'll tell you.

I came from far. Won't you invite me in?

How did you know I was here?

I heard there was a Sungkyunkwan

official in a rural village.

Why did you take down the sign?

Why do you think?

You committed a crime, so you should be punished.

Is that so? What did I do now?

Being invidious.

Lee Inim sent me.

He said you would understand if I told you he was keeping the promise

he made when you were exiled.

You won't be able to do anything

as long as I'm alive.

Lee Inim is a magnanimous person.

Why did you get on his bad side?

Heungbang.

You came a long way.

How about some wine?

You destroyed Sambongjae?

I know you consider him your enemy,

but this was too much.

Why are you getting so excited?

I can't applaud this.

You used government officials to

destroy his house in the middle of the day.

You told me to get him on our side.

That's why I chose day time and

government officials.

I want him to get really mad.

Are you testing him?

If he's the same man he was,

he would have attacked Yeom Heungbang.

If he changed, things will be different.

Who knows? Maybe you'll applaud.

I've seen all sorts of people,

but never anyone that mean.

Someone really took nine sacks

when ten sacks were harvested?

It wasn't just crops.

He beat people and took their money.

The list goes on.

Influential families are nothing

compared to him.

He's like a thief.

What did you do with him?

What can I do?

You wouldn't have just watched.

Of course not.

I ran away.

You ran away? You?

I wanted to beat him to death,

but I had no power.

Running away was the best thing to do.

This is how I'm living these days.

Your bowl is empty. Why didn't you say so?

Have another drink.

I had enough.

You upset me.

Flower wine is savory,

but crude win tastes best.

Just have one more drink.

He said he would live a quiet life,

so we should let it go?

Sambong really said that?

It seemed like he suffered a lot.

He's a different person.

You can make him one of ours.

All done.

Good job.

Is anyone home?

Who are you?

Oh, what brings you here?

I came to give you this.

I would have come if you sent word.

Honey.

Say hello.

This is the lady at Mireuksa...

What are you doing here?

Honey.

What do you think?

Let me introduce myself.

I'm Hwang Yangji. Sir Sambong taught me

how to read in Sojaedong, Naju.

Come inside.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Take this back.

Gee...

I brought it because your wife sews well.

There's no need to get upset.

I thought it would be nice to say hello to you, too.

There isn't anything going on between them, is there?

You know how my husband is.

Why did you come again?

Take it down!

Yes, sir!

Honey.

Stop!

How could you?

You know him. He's a junior who studied with you.

How could you do this?

We can't be sure with one time.

Push him to the edge of a cliff.

That's when true personality shows.

Heungbang.

Tell him again.

I'll just teach children and

Live a quiet life.

Even a good-for-nothing has to make a living.

Ooh!

I'm a minister. What am I doing?

You're with child.

Is it alright to come like this?

The doctor said I should move a lot.

Maitreya will look over me.

I will have a smooth delivery as before,

so don't worry.

Hello.

I didn't see you in the reading room.

Did you go out for some fresh air?

Excuse me.

Is something wrong?

Can I ask you a favor?

There will be a service at

Buddhist priest Mudeok's temple soon.

Why?

The people are in distress because of

the famine and the Japanese pirates.

It is a service to ask Maitreya who resides

in the Tushita heaven to come and save the people.

You should come with me.

You want me to come, too?

We're going to give porridge to

the people who are starving nearby.

They will praise you even more.

There is an official who should be punished.

What are you talking about?

According to the lady who gives alms at Mireuksa,

there is an official who keeps

destroying a village school of

an innocent Confucian scholar.

Who is he?

She only knows the Confucian scholar.

If you send someone to find out,

you should be able to learn who the official is.

He has a village school called Sambongjae in a village below Samgaksan.

His name is Jeong Dojeon.

Give me some wine.

Bring me wine.

If you want more, pay first.

You should be a bit more generous.

I'll pay you tomorrow.

Stop talking nonsense and leave!

Give him more.

Just a minute.

What are you doing?

It's not any fun to drink alone.

I'll sit here and talk with you.

Why are you being so weak? It's not like you.

You should think of a way to protect the village school.

I begged him to overlook it just once.

What else can I do?

It's not like you to be so down like this.

Hang in there.

This is how your teacher is really like.

So stop bothering me.

Do you need a good scolding?

I'm not the one who needs a scolding.

You're the one who needs to wake up.

What?

What did you tell me in Sojaedong?

You said your will is more important than your situation.

I lived with that belief.

You can't behave like this.

It was all nonsense from a good-for-nothing.

Wait!

You!

I know you're doing this on purpose.

Don't say things you don't mean.

I know how you feel.

What do you know?

You're going to run.

The world is rotten.

Nothing is going your way.

It's not as the books said.

You're looking for a place to hide.

I don't have any power.

I should at least run.

Did you fight in Sojaedong because

you had power?

You fought because it was right.

I told you I forgot about Sojaedong.

Can you forget a grudge in your heart?

If you keep behaving like this,

you'll be a living corpse.

Please don't run.

Okay?

Sir!

What are we going to do?

Honey.

He wouldn't...

I think we should leave this place.

No wonder he was being so childish.

He wants to know my intentions.

It looks like I'm going to be successful.

What?

Come on out now.

You're as smart as you always were.

I heard about visiting three times to win a person's heart,

but you destroyed my house three times.

Tell Lee Inim I'm impressed.

Tell him yourself.

This is a pass to enter the capital.

And this is from me.

You can't go to see him empty-handed.

See you in Gaegyeong.

What are you going to do?

Are you going to see Lee Inim?

Sambong has become seasoned.

Time is a good teacher.

He will come and bow soon.

Please don't run.

This is Sambongjae?

My husband went to Gaegyeong.

Who are you?

Let me talk to him.

I know he's not allowed to be in the capital.

Who are you? How do you know that?

Why do you want to see my husband?

There's someone who wants to see him.

Who is that?

Well...

Let me just talk to him.

I told you he's not here.

Come on.

It's true.

He went to the capital to meet Lee Inim.

What? Lee Inim?

He went early in the morning to receive a government position.

May Sambong might be smart,

but I don't think he has any loyalty.

I don't think you should keep him close.

Thanks. You can go.

Okay.

Did you come to ask officials to

- help you with a promotion? - That's right.

You look familiar.

Where did I see you?

It's because I came so many times.

What did you bring today?

I brought the most precious porcelain

for the yeongmunhabusa.

Porcelain?

Not dung again!

It's much more precious than that.

Public dung.

Public dung?

Now what?

Dung from the people.

You crazy little...

Get him!

Get him!

It's been a long time, Sambong.

How have you been?

Fine, thanks to you.

Your gift really impresses me.

You invited me in such a unique manner.

I thought I should reply alike.

Consider it bravado and be generous.

You know how to bow now.

You must have learned a lot.

I don't have any power.

I can't survive if I stand with my back straight.

I realized that when I met the people.

That's interesting.

You are a fine Confucian scholar,

but you learned from the people.

Wise people aren't in books or

at Sungkyunkwan.

The common people are wise men and

the farmers are wise men.

I had something to learn every day.

The people are wise men.

I'll get to the point.

8 years ago, there is something

I said to you right here.

Courage of a powerless person is futile.

I remember that.

You said to gain power if

I wanted to change the world.

I'm going to give you power.

Join me.

Let's start with "jeongdangmunhak' with a rank of Jong 2.

Your close friend, Poeun, has that rank.

You should save face.

I had high expectations.

I'm a bit disappointed.

I thought you'd give me enough power

to change the world.

You're just offering a minister position?

What power do you want?

The power to end these turbulent times.

That's why I'm making this suggestion.

Let's end it together.

Let's create a powerful country and

reenact the glory of Goguryeo.

What the people want before that is

a warm meal for dinner tonight.

Smoke in every chimney.

That is the end of turbulent times.

Can Goryeo do that?

Are you denigrating Goryeo?

I'm just asking a question.

I'm a Confucian scholar.

I'm not someone who disturbs Confucian order.

I wouldn't do such a thing. You misunderstand.

Goodbye.

Sir. Sir.

Sir.

Sir.

- Sir. - Sir.

Sir.

Ming didn't let you enter?

They refused tributary payment saying

it wasn't of good quality before.

You brought the best goods this time.

Why wouldn't they let you enter?

I'm sorry to say, Your Majesty.

It is customary to give a reason when refusing entry.

There was no explanation.

But...

But what?

Ming possessed Yunnan early this year.

They are trying to annihilate

the Northern Yuan forces.

The first target is Nagachu.

I think they are testing our intentions.

How can they do that?

Why do they distrust us so much?

It is a declaration to sever relations.

Double the tributary payment.

We must console the Ming emperor.

We can't come up with that amount.

It's the only way.

If we hesitate, Ming could make

a fatal demand.

A fatal demand?

Ming wants Lee Inim to attend

the Royal Court.

They want him to come as the envoy?

Yes. He's like a thorn in their side

because he attempted friendly relations

with Northern Yuan before.

They refused envoys 3 years ago and

demanded Lee Inim to come.

What will happen if Lee Inim goes to Ming?

They'll come up with an excuse and put him in prison.

He won't be able to set foot in Goryeo.

There is no way Lee Inim will go,

but even if Ming makes such a demand,

you must not accept it.

Why not?

It is a condition that they don't interfere

with internal politics.

If Ming demands Lee Inim as an envoy,

they are violating that condition.

Bring my husband back.

- Bring him back! - Step back.

You deserve to die!

Did I kill your husband?

He's from Goryeo.

I'm going to die anyway.

Cut open my stomach or rip off

my arms and legs. Do what you want!

Quiet!

Cheonbok.

We should collect more goods and send an envoy one more time.

We can't do that.

We should use the tributary payment

to save our people from famine.

We must cut off friendly relations with Ming.

That means battle against Ming.

Nagachu is between us and Ming.

We should join forces with him and

teach Ming a lesson.

That is a dangerous comment.

How long do we have to be humiliated?

The truth of our relations has been revealed.

You want to keep bowing to them?

You can't fight power with power.

There are plenty of ways to solve this problem without using violence.

What ways?

Making tributary payments and begging?

Sir.

Let me say something.

We can't afford to send more payment.

If we go to battle, many people will die.

As Jeong Mongju said,

we should find another way.

Is there another way?

Ming is doing this because

they don't trust Goryeo.

Gee...

Everyone knows that.

Just listen.

Let's hear him out.

Go ahead.

This happened since Ming doesn't trust Goryeo.

We should send an envoy who can

clear up such distrust.

Who do you suggest?

Yeongmunhabusa Lee Inim.

Bring my husband back.

- Bring him back! - Step back.

You deserve to die!

Did I kill your husband?.

He's from Goryeo.

I'm going to die anyway.

Cut open my stomach or rip off

my arms and legs. Do what you want!

Quiet!

Cheonbok.

We should collect more goods and send an envoy one more time.

We can't do that.

We should use the tributary payment

to save our people from famine.

We must cut off friendly relations with Ming.

That means battle against Ming.

Nagachu is between us and Ming.

We should join forces with him and

teach Ming a lesson.

That is a dangerous comment.

How long do we have to be humiliated?.

The truth of our relations has been revealed.

You want to keep bowing to them?.

You can't fight power with power.

There are plenty of ways to solve this problem without using violence.

What ways?.

Making tributary payments and begging?.

Sir.

Let me say something.

We can't afford to send more payment.

If we go to battle, many people will die.

As Jeong Mongju said,

we should find another way.

Is there another way?.

Ming is doing this because

they don't trust Goryeo.

Gee...

Everyone knows that.

Just listen.

Let's hear him out.

Go ahead.

This happened since Ming doesn't trust Goryeo.

We should send an envoy who can

clear up such distrust.

Who do you suggest?.

Yeongmunhabusa Lee Inim.