Original subtitles

Jeong Dojeon

1383 AD (9th year of king Wu's reign)

Anyone who hides crops and denies it.

Anyone who says they don't have crops.

Anyone who lies about the yield.

Teach them all a lesson.

Understood?

Yes, sir!

Did you say your last name is Eom?

Yes.

Let's hurry.

Let's hurry. Episode 15

The person before you hid a sack of rice.

His legs were broken.

Write everything down properly.

Don't worry.

I'll make a note of every single grain.

Stop!

Hello, sir. How have you been?

You!

I told you never to collect taxes again.

Do you have a death wish?

My master ordered me. What can I do?

Tell your master.

If he fools around one more time with a fake land deed,

I won't forgive him.

Return the crops and leave right now.

I can't do that.

What?

My master is going to visit you soon.

Just let it go today.

Oh...

Take them all to the government office.

Yes, sir!

Sir!

Sir!

Sir!

Sir!

He's with them.

- Get him! - Yes, sir!

Stop right there!

Twenty!

Twenty-one!

Twenty-two!

Twenty-three!

Twenty-four!

Twenty-five!

Twenty-six!

You thieves.

Stop!

Sir, do you expect to get away with this?

Quiet!

I ought to feed you to the Japanese pirates.

I guess you need more of a beating.

You pathetic fool.

Let's say they're ignorant servants.

You learned how to write.

What is your name and where do you live?

I'm just an ordinary man who wanders around.

I only did it because they said

they would give me rice.

Please forgive me.

Rice?

You good-for-nothing.

Because of people like you...

Oh? Look at you.

I ought to...

Sir.

It's been a long time.

How are you going to handle the consequences?

You gave them a good beating.

The worst they can do is fire me.

I knew you were full of vigor,

but you won't be very successful

if you're like this.

Why do you live like this?

What about the way I live?

You were a Sungkyunkwan scholar and the supervisor of rites.

What are you doing working for

a servant of an influential family?

I have to eat, don't I?

Just starve.

If you weren't a senior from Sungkyunkwan,

I would have broken all your teeth.

I've never been this happy to be your senior.

Sir!

People are dying from starvation.

You're a Confucian scholar.

You can't be an influential family's dog

just because you want food.

What are you getting so mad about?

Even Confucian scholars have to eat and take a crap, too.

When Confucian scholars only focused on

passing the state exam,

you said they were good-for-nothings.

You wanted to overthrow the influential

families led by Lee Inim.

What happened to you?

You're asking for trouble.

You shouldn't say things like that.

I heard you knelt and begged to be

a member of Lee Inim's political party.

I must have been crazy.

Crazy?

I wanted to be like you at one time.

Ooh!

Gee...

There are more crops in the shed of an

influential family than this entire village.

Crops are rotting in the shed,

but some people are dying of starvation.

The core of the great cause is to

distribute this rice evenly.

The cost of rise is soaring.

You can't buy ten sacks of rice with one silver bottle.

We have to come up with measures

before the situation gets worse.

It's because we ran out of rice due to the drought and Japanese pirates.

There can't be much we can do.

Why isn't there any rice?

The sheds of high officials and landowners are full of crops.

They can't even close the doors.

It's not like they did anything bad.

What is your intention of saying that?

I don't have any intentions.

I'm just saying that the rich people

should sell their rice at the market,

so we can stabilize the cost of rice.

Let's do that.

The costs have gone up too much.

We can't do that.

That's up to the crop owners.

Don't you know that?

Listen!

Calm down.

Let's do as the yeongsamsasa suggests.

Sir.

Have the market management office set a price.

Send notices around the nation and

give an order to sell all excess rice.

Sir.

That's it for today's meeting.

You could be setting a bad precedent.

Why did you side with Choi Yeong?

Ha Ryun said you made an agreement

with merchants to sell five sacks of rice for one silver bottle.

Sir.

It's a good thing that uncle found out

about the agreement first.

What if Choi Yeong found out?

I'm sorry, sir.

If you want to enjoy your power for a long time,

remember what I say.

A person in power only has to

control one person.

Who is that?

Himself.

Yes, sir.

Ha Ryun.

What did he just say?

Sir.

It means don't be too greedy.

Here are some traveling expenses.

Gee...

The world is full of thieves.

Be careful.

I'm going after the biggest thief.

I'm not afraid of petty thieves.

The biggest thief?

Yes. He's a monster.

What foolish monster is going to let you kill it?

I didn't say I would do it myself.

I'm going to find a hunting dog.

One that will kill when I set the target.

I have no idea what you're saying.

Go on.

I'm going to go now.

Let me ask you one thing.

Who do you think is more powerful, Choi Yeong or Lee Seonggye?

Choi Yeong, of course.

Lee Seonggye is Choi Yeong's subordinate.

Do you think so, too?

Gee...

See you again.

Ugh...

Hamju barracks (today's Hamheung, Hamgyeongnam-do)

Hobatu's soldiers headed south. They are gathering at the Gilju plain.

Hobatu must be crazy.

He wants to fight us head on?

That's how confident he is when it comes to fighting on horses.

Seonggye.

What is it?

Look who's here.

Bangwon.

How have you been, father?

Hi.

So, this is what they give scholars

who pass the state examination.

I can't believe he passed at his age.

Isn't it amazing?

He's my brother, but he's amazing.

Congratulations.

Your wish came true.

It's all because you guided him.

Thank you.

I only told him a few things.

He's the one who should be praised.

Bangwon.

Yes, father.

Work hard no matter what.

Don't be arrogant and become

a great Confucian scholar like Poeun.

Is that understood?

I'm going to volunteer to be a general

who guards the border area.

You want to be a military man?

You wanted someone in the family to pass the state exam, so I did.

But I'd like to do what I want.

What?

What did you say?

I'd like to be a general.

Bangwon.

Good job.

You did well.

Thank you, father.

Bangwon.

Your father wants you to become a minister

who will be remembered for generations.

Don't you know that?

I'm not interested in the Supreme Council.

All they ever do is talk.

Gee...

How are things in Gaegyeong?

A mess as always.

Choi Yeong is fighting alone.

Thank you.

We're out of porridge.

Make some more.

Sir.

Now.

We don't have any more rice.

I'm hungry.

Wait a little while. Maybe there's more.

Yeongsamsasa.

I heard you were using private funds to provide rice for relief.

I thought I could help.

Go make some more porridge.

Yes, sir.

This way, please.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

It's nothing compared to the love

you show my husband.

Send someone if you need more rice.

Oh!

Oh!

Ow.

Your Majesty!

Hello.

Come down right now.

This is the palace. What are you doing?

Why are you yelling at me?

Just watch.

You'll see how much fun this is.

Okay.

Oh!

The country is in distress due to

the long drought and frequent invasions

by the Japanese pirates.

You are the father of all people.

You should share in their pain,

not play such cruel games.

Are you nagging again?

I'm not nagging.

This is nagging.

Don't hunt.

Don't have parties.

Don't hang out with women.

I'm not allowed to do anything.

All I can do is play with the servants.

Your Majesty.

You can go now.

I need to take a nap.

Your Majesty, what are you doing?

Oh, dear.

I'm general Choi Yeong!

Stop right there!

Why do you like Choi Yeong more?

He is the strongest at the palace.

Lee Seonggye is younger.

Wouldn't he be stronger?

You're a fool.

General Choi Yeong is stronger.

So, none of you likes Lee Seonggye

more than Choi Yeong?

Lee Seonggye is the world's greatest sainted general.

Huh?

General Lee Seonggye is nice, too,

but I like general Choi Yeong because he looks at gold as if it's stone.

Here.

They were freshly dug in Gangneungdo.

Here.

You, too.

Sir.

Why are you so surprised?

He must have seen a ghost.

Honey, how long has it been?

Did you catch the monster this time?

Not yet.

But I found a way to.

I came up with a plan in just a year.

I must be really smart.

Good for you.

I'm so proud of you that I could cry.

Oh, dear, dear.

She has such a kind heart.

Why is she so mad?

Even Buddha would be mad if he had to wait for you this long.

Who do you like better?

Choi Yeong or Lee Seonggye?

What?

Be honest.

General Choi Yeong, of course.

What are you doing?

I'm making a pass because

I have to go to Gaegyeong.

You're making fake documents now?

Everything is fake in this country anyway.

Honey!

I won't get caught, so don't worry.

I was the supervisor of rites.

Do you think I can't forge a pass?

The rumor of you begging to be a member of Lee Inim's political party

even spread to Samgaksan.

You will be embarrassed.

Let's see.

I just need a seal now.

Someone with virtue who will become the center of power and the great cause.

I'm going to find him and make him the king of a new country.

I'm glad to hear that His Majesty is

beginning seoyeon again.

Choi Yeong couldn't watch His Majesty's misconduct anymore and asked for it.

Choi Yeong is working hard.

Yangchon and I will be teaching him.

You should begin with Hongfan of Shujing.

Sir, you have a guest.

Master, it's me, Dojeon.

Dojeon.

Doeun Lee Sungin, Neo-Confucian elite

Yangchon Gwon Geun, Neo-Confucian elite

Dojeon.

How have you been?

Fine. I'm just fine.

I'm glad you came.

You want a recommendation written to Choi Yeong?

I'd like to see him,

but I have no way of doing that.

I'm sorry.

Why do you want to see him?

I really don't want to,

but people recommended him highly.

If I could, I'd like to be a guest in his detached quarters.

You must have a grudge against me.

What brings you here?

It's been 9 years since I was exiled.

I might be a little upset about that,

but time heals everything.

What do you want?

I heard you're suffering because

the cost of rice soared.

That matter is going to be settled soon.

Rich people will be selling their rice.

That's only relieving a dying patient.

It's not treatment of the illness.

The country is in ruins.

The number of people who farm is decreasing.

There will be a bad harvest next year

and the year after, too.

The landowners will enjoy cornering

the market and use sly means to make excessive profits.

Do you have a solution?

Ruining Goryeo which is a country of

corrupt nobility.

Why don't you answer?

Do you want to hear my idea?

Go ahead.

Should I put my life on the line now?

Tell me.

Sir.

We arrested merchants who charged more than the set price of rice.

What?

It was made clear that anyone who sells

rice at a higher price than set

would be killed with these hooks.

I just wanted to make a higher profit.

Please spare my life.

Please spare me.

Look here.

Yes, sir!

Flog them 1 00 times before they are

taken to the Legal Administration Office.

Yes, sir.

Bring the rack!

Yes, sir!

They barely sell a few packs of rice in

a tiny store.

Isn't the punishment excessive for the crime?

Stay out of this.

The people should be ruled with virtue.

Punishment is just a supplementary method.

Please be generous.

They broke national law.

We can't call them our people.

Are you putting the country before the people?

Shouldn't everyone?

The people can only exist if there is a country.

He is a man of Goryeo down to his bones.

Get the rack! What are you doing?

I won't do that again.

Sir, please.

Tie them up.

Sir! Sir!

Please forgive me.

Flog him without mercy.

Flog him!

I'm sorry.

Flog him without mercy.

You rats!

Work faster. Run.

Be careful. He has broken ribs.

Uncle Jiran.

Are you returning from Hwaryeong?

Yes. Where is father?

Has he been injured?

What do you think?

Uncle.

He's right over there.

Father.

What brings you here?

I heard you achieved a huge victory

against Hobatu.

Congratulations, father.

It's not a huge victory.

Check the injured soldiers.

Poeun.

Yes.

I'd like a word with you.

We suppressed Hobatu.

Lee Inim will call me back to the capital.

Probably.

He won't look idly upon your large army.

I'll have to fight him again.

It was a year ago, but when you came here,

there were many difficulties, so I'm worried.

At the Supreme Council,

you can't see any sharp swords, but people are stabbed without mercy.

I can't return without being prepared.

Prepared?

To get Lee Inim.

General.

Make preparations to earn me time.

Our army fought against Hobatu's army at Gilju plain.

Lee Seonggye stepped forward and

fought against the enemy leader, Hobatu.

The arrow he shot hit Hobatu in the back,

but he didn't die because he was wearing three layers of armor.

The province commander then shot the horse. Hobatu then fell off his horse and

the soldiers lost morale.

That's how victory was achieved.

So, why hasn't Lee Seonggye returned?

Japanese pirates are appearing in

Gangneungdo and the coast of Dongbukmyeon.

He said he would return after

driving out the Japanese pirates and

strengthening defensive measures for

the fortresses by the coast.

That's just an excuse.

He has no intention of returning.

The country boy must be scared after what happened at Mireuksa.

He's more prudent now.

He knows how to be careful.

He's a tougher match than before.

We have to call him back and take back

his power as the province commander.

What are you hesitating for?

Just give an order for him to return.

It doesn't look good to do that when

he is annihilating Japanese pirates.

Choi Yeong wouldn't agree to it either.

Gee...

That old man.

From rice prices to Lee Seonggye,

he's getting in the way of everything.

There might be a way to call

Lee Seonggye back to the capital.

Do you have a plan?

It's an obvious one.

Military rations.

Wait.

These are turbulent times.

A sword will rule this world, not books.

That's why I want to become a general,

so give me your approval.

Stop it.

I might not be as good as you,

but I won't damage your reputation.

I'm confident of that.

I told you to stop.

Our family has been one of generals for generations.

I just want to carry on the tradition.

Why are you so against it?

We just kill people.

Is that something to carry on?

Father.

Do you know anything about battle?

If you fight half a day,

you're practically bathing in human blood.

The battleground is full of

cut off heads, arms, legs and bodies!

There aren't any people there.

There are only animals that want to survive.

A battle isn't something people should fight.

There is only one thing I want.

Ending battle with my generation.

I'll be the last animal.

You should live as true human beings.

Is that understood?

What are you doing?

Who are you?

I'm the inspector of five provinces, Jeong Seungga.

I'm here to inspect the army on a royal order.

An inspection?

Why is the amount of military rations

different from the ledger?

We were busy fighting a battle.

We didn't have time to keep all the records.

It's because the province commander

gave some of the rations to

the people who were starving.

If he didn't hide it somewhere,

show me the proof.

What did you say?

Are you treating the general as a thief?

Go to the general's house in Hwaryeong

and see if there are any military rations.

Yes, sir!

Look here.

Show us your weapons, too.

That little wretch.

It's an excuse conjured up by Lee Inim

to get you to return to the capital.

Where are you going this time?

It would be better if you didn't know.

I have to know how long you will be

to give you traveling expenses.

Honey.

Yes.

This is going to be the last trip.

Do you mean that?

Honey...

Darn.

I'm the head of a family.

I should take care of my wife and children.

If I meet him and say one wrong word,

he'll cut off my head.

This is all your fault.

It's your fault.

When I leave now,

I won't be coming back.

I'm only going to think about

the people who are alive.

Yangji.

Cheonbok.

Goodbye.

Lee Inim. That wretch!

He should reward you for a huge victory.

He sends an inspection team instead?

I'm worried about the military rations.

I should go to the capital.

I'll see what's going on and

Let you know the situation there.

I'm sorry.

I'm doing this because I want to.

What is Goryeo to you?

What do you mean?

To Goryeo, you're a foreigner

they have to put up a guard against.

Is Goryeo your homeland?

Don't speak so recklessly.

Why are you just taking this?

What?

There isn't anything you can't do with all your power.

You could ruin such a weak country.

It's as rotten as it can get.

It's doomed.

I'm not being patient because I don't have the power to crush it.

If it falls, I have to stack it again,

but I didn't learn how to do that.

Father.

If you say something like that again,

I will not forgive you.

Is that understood?

Sambong!

Let's join forces and make it happen.

A day will come for us to set Goryeo straight.

I should have realized sooner.

The heavens abandoned Goryeo

a long time ago.

The long wandering ends here.

Seonggye.

What is it?

There's someone who is begging to see you.

What for?

He wants to tell you himself.

You know him.

You sent me to look for him before.

Sambong. You know, Jeong Dojeon.

Thank you for sparing some time to

a wandering common man.

It's no wonder people say you are

the greatest sainted general in the world.

You wanted to say something to me?

I will ruin Goryeo with this man.

I am Sambong Jeong Dojeon.

I am Lee Seonggye.

I will end this turbulent age with this man

and create a new world.