Original subtitles

Jeong Dojeon

Jeong Dojeon

Gaegyeong, 1387 AD

Episode 19

Grandfather.

Prince.

You grew more these past few days.

Why haven't you come to the palace?

I waited to shoot arrows with you.

I had a cold.

Don't lie.

It's the truth.

I'm an old man now.

Hello, Gwangpyeonggun.

We have to cut the officials' pay?

This year's taxes weren't as much.

The influential families and temples

will supplement what is lacking,

so don't worry too much.

The country is in difficulty,

but His Majesty isn't focusing on

state affairs.

What should we do?

It's because he's still young.

Leave state affairs to me and

the Supreme Council.

You said you had a cold.

You haven't recovered fully yet?

It's because the air is cold.

Don't worry about me.

You have to be healthy.

That's the only way for our country to survive this difficulty.

Your Majesty, it's late.

You should return to the palace.

There's nothing to do there.

What's the rush?

I'm just worried something might happen.

I'm always hunting.

I miss the arts.

I'll have to take a boat ride at Yeseonggang tomorrow

and look at the moon.

The moon?

Yes. Find a few men who know poetry

and some pretty girls.

I'm sorry for saying this,

the situation isn't good

at the palace depository.

Are you saying the royal storage is empty?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Darn!

Who dares to pass in front of me?

Your Majesty.

Hey!

Your Majesty.

Are you in charge?

Yes, Your Majesty. I am...

Don't you feed the horse? Why is it so weak?

It's no fun because it's not fast.

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

Fool.

Let's go!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Oh, dear.

How can he do this to a person?

I can't take this.

Watch what you say.

It's been a long time, Nam Eun.

What are you doing here?

What do you think I'm doing here?

I came to see you.

I told you not to come again!

And I said I would be back.

Ooh...

You're the Namyang governor.

Is it alright to leave your post?

I'm on an official vacation.

It's the season for bribes.

I should meet people in high positions.

How brazen can you get to say

something like that without even flinching?

It's not because I'm brazen.

I just discovered my talent too late.

Do you know what people are calling you?

What are they calling me?

When it didn't work when you kneeled to Lee Inim,

they say you got a high position by

hanging on to Lee Seonggye's pant leg!

It doesn't matter.

Gentry should have a high position.

Did you think about what I said?

What's there to think about?

What do you mean?

You want me to become a member of

your political party?

A passing dog would laugh.

Who knows what cloud it will rain from?

Stop being stubborn and become

my blood brother.

Listen.

Are you looking down on me because

I clean horse dung?

Would I do that?

I'm going to hunt down a monster soon.

I need your spirit.

Not that monster again.

Isn't it dead yet?

It's sick. It's going to die soon.

I'm going to start the hunt soon.

If you want to hunt so much,

raise a hunting dog in the time you have to come and visit me.

I already got a hunting dog.

I'm going to use you as the hunter.

What?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I don't have time for this nonsense.

Don't come here again.

If you show up again,

I'm going to punch you whether

you're my senior or not, understood?

I'll see you again, Nam Eun.

Ooh!

What is this?

You're the miljiksasa with a rank of Jong 2.

You don't have to be so respectful.

I'm just the Namyang governor.

It's a few silver bottles.

Are you bribing me?

I have to settle in court now.

Please put in a good word

to Gwangpyeonggun.

I recently told him to have you

called to the capital.

He doesn't seem to have any intention of doing that yet.

Why don't you try asking Lee Seonggye?

I heard you were close.

I don't have the time to go to Dongbukmyeon.

Besides, we're not that close.

I don't care what the position is.

Recommend me for any position in the capital.

The financial situation isn't that good.

We have to eliminate some positions.

There won't be any positions available.

No wonder our pay was late these days.

Is it that bad?

Yes, it's serious.

We're completely broke.

All of the country's storages are

completely empty.

Independent farmers who have to pay

taxes are reducing in number.

It's an obvious result.

The landowners in Namyang took land.

The farmers became servants or tenant farmers.

Im Gyeonmi and Yeom Heungbang's servants

are carrying clubs and taking land by force.

People are saying the surest policy in

Goryeo is the club policy.

Thank you.

It's more serious than I thought.

We have to stop them.

They're holding all the key positions.

No need to get upset.

They'll fall on their own.

They'll fall on their own?

Their greed won't be satisfied

just with the land of the people.

When they run out of prey,

they will eat each other up.

Baekju (Today's Baecheongun, Hwanghae-do)

Stop!

What are you doing?

Can't you see?

We're putting up a sign that

this land belongs to our master.

Quiet!

How many times did I tell you this land

has been in my family for generations?

Our master received this land from

His Majesty as a reward.

I showed you this document.

Get rid of that!

Who are you trying to deceive with

a fake document?

There's no time. Hurry up!

Yes.

You!

Hey, you!

Are you trying to take land from nobility, too?

Go away right now!

You must need a beating.

What?

Give me the club.

Get him on his knees!

Let go of me!

You!

I was the miljiksasa.

I received the former king's posthumous

title from the emperor of Ming!

Do you think you will get away with this?

Sir! Sir!

Heungbang. Heungbang!

Heungbang.

Heungbang.

What brings you to the capital?

We know each other.

How can you do this to me?

We were on the council together.

Return the Baekju land.

What are you talking about?

Let's go.

Don't be like this.

Make way.

- Yes, sir! - Heungbang.

Heungbang.

Heungbang.

Yeom Heungbang. I ought to...

It's been a long time.

How have you been?

I returned to my hometown and

had a small farm.

I see.

What happened to your face?

Sir.

It's not fair. I'm so mad.

Sir.

What is it?

The chancellor can't attend today.

Did something happen to Gwangpyeonggun?

He has a cold.

Shouldn't we visit him instead of

holding a meeting?

He knew you would say that.

He said he wouldn't accept visitors.

This isn't right.

Let's go.

Heungbang.

Have a seat.

What are you so upset about now?

Is it true that you sent Lee Gwang to

seize Jo Ban's farm in Baekju?

What are you talking about?

He seized land?

Tell me.

It's a conspiracy.

He occupied my land until now.

I only took back what was mine.

He said it was in his family for generations.

What is the basis for your claim?

I have a document saying it's my land.

That's why it's my land.

Are you interrogating me?

Show me the proof.

Yeongsamsasa.

Aren't you being a bit rude?

He just has to confirm the truth.

What are you getting mad about?

The truth?

Do you say anything you want?

Are you saying he forged a document?

Since I say anything I want, let me say one more thing.

Since you mention it, let's talk about

the "club policy' at the next meeting.

What is your intention in making

such an absurd statement?

Watch what you say! It's not absurd!

Please calm down.

This is the Supreme Council.

There's no need for more words.

Return Jo Ban's land or

present proof it is your land.

Make a decision by the next meeting.

I won't do that.

You will have to.

Listen.

What is going on?

Darn.

Tell me!

We can't leave Choi Yeong alone anymore.

Same with Jeong Mongju.

He is holding his head up high.

Come up with an excuse to send

Jeong Mongju to Ming as an envoy.

What about Choi Yeong?

Just let him be.

He is our only political enemy.

You have to do something.

What will you do with Jo Ban's land?

What are you talking about?

It's my land.

Give it back to Jo Ban.

Gwangpyeonggun.

Do it.

Public sentiments aren't good.

Taking land from nobility will put you

at a disadvantage.

We would be submitting to Choi Yeong.

You have to give in when necessary.

A politician should have

a flexible back and knees.

Can't we just eliminate Choi Yeong

and Jo Ban all at once?

I'll come up with a plan.

Power without political enemies is

Like stagnant water.

It will rot.

You will end up losing power.

If you want wealth and fame for a long time,

keep a political enemy close.

You are absolutely right,

but since I caused this,

Leave this matter up to me.

I will make sure nothing...

I said to give it back!

Why are you being so stubborn?

Oh...

Gwangpyeonggun.

Are you alright?

Give it back right away.

Gwangpyeonggun...

You coughed up blood.

Oh...

Uncle.

What is his illness?

He has tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis?

Is it serious?

We can't be positive or negative.

You should rest for a few months

and see what happens.

I will get the royal doctor.

Stop.

Nobody must know about this.

The country is in confusion as it is.

If people find out I am sick,

the country will waver.

We don't know what will happen...

So keep this quiet.

But...

You can't take care of state affairs in this condition.

Tuberculosis requires absolute stability.

Wait for my orders.

Yes.

I can't believe he has tuberculosis.

We can't keep quiet forever.

Choi Yeong will find out soon.

The country will be in chaos.

This is why I wanted to get rid of

Choi Yeong so much.

He embraced Choi Yeong too much.

Don't worry.

That old man can't beat us.

If I don't attend the council meetings...

Could Im Gyeonmi and Yeom Heungbang

handle Choi Yeong?

Probably not.

Then there's only one way.

Get the sedan chair ready.

Where are you going in this condition?

To eliminate consequences.

Gwangpyeonggun.

I'm sorry for visiting so late.

I heard you had a cold.

How are you doing?

I'm all well thanks to you.

I heard there was a dispute with

my party members today.

There was a slight dispute over

Jo Ban's land.

I looked into it.

Yeom Heungbang was mistaken.

He is going to return the land,

so don't worry about it.

You could have told me at the meeting.

Thank you for coming in person.

There is another reason I came.

I oversaw state affairs for 14 years.

No power lasts 10 years.

I still have power because of

all your help over the years.

I was only loyal to my duties.

I did my best.

I'm just upset that the country is

facing more difficult conditions.

I know.

We have to reduce the pay of officials.

It's my fault.

It's not just your fault.

I'm the leader of military personnel.

I'm just as much to blame.

Yes, it's our responsibility.

That is why I'm planning to step down

from the chancellor position.

You should resign with me.

You want me to resign?

Goryeo needs a change.

We're just old symbols of Goryeo.

Stepping down will create

a new wave in Goryeo.

It's time.

Make a decision for Goryeo.

You cannot resign.

That's right. Tell him to resign

by himself if he wants to.

You must refuse.

He must be up to something.

There is no justification to refuse.

I don't want to be seen as someone

who is reluctant to give up his position.

Sir.

The yeongsamsasa cannot resign.

Are you saying he will avoid responsibility

for failing to manage state affairs successfully?

It is enough that the chancellor resigns.

It will just create more chaos if

they both resign at the same time.

Why aren't you saying anything?

Your political party members seem to have a lot to say.

You're famous for not seeking

selfish interests.

Have you suddenly developed a sense of greed?

Greed?

Watch what you say.

Everyone knows how upright Choi Yeong is.

It doesn't necessarily seem so.

According to custom, a servant resigns

at the age of seventy.

He is seventy-three.

He never requested to step down.

It's not because I wanted to keep my position.

I couldn't turn my back on the country

when Japanese pirates were invading.

I'm sorry, but that sounds like

a poor excuse.

The poet Bai Juyi left a poem

because of people that goes like this.

It is custom for people who turn seventy

to resign from their position.

Why do people who seek fame

pretend not to hear this?

What a great poem.

It feels great just to hear it.

If you don't have any greed in your heart,

you should resign.

You're going to Ming as an envoy?

Yes. I mentioned the "club policy' during a meeting.

I think it's retaliation for that.

We don't know what will happen in the Supreme Council.

It won't be bad to go way for a while.

I'm already worried how the court will be

by the time he returns.

I'm not sure why Lee Inim wants to resign.

There must be a reason we don't know.

I wonder how Choi Yeong will decide.

Master.

Lee Cheom. Hello.

Choi Yeong handed in his resignation

to His Majesty.

Your Majesty, I gave my best efforts for

you and this country,

but I was lacking and it resulted in

difficulties for our country.

I would like to return to being

an ordinary citizen and

Live with an attitude of repentance.

Please give me your approval.

I will accept your resignation.

You did a good job.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You can go now.

I will leave you then.

Your Majesty.

Please take care of your health.

I will pray for the well-being of

you and our country until the day I die.

Your Majesty.

How naive.

Leave the Supreme Council to

Im Gyeonmi and Yeom Heungbang and

focus on recuperation.

Tell the both of them.

Tell them to come and report to me

twice a day, once in the morning and

once in the evening.

Uncle.

I said I would step down.

I didn't say I would give up power.

Your health should come first.

Nothing comes before power for a politician.

Living a day more without power is

scarier than dying a day earlier.

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

What are you looking at?

It's a riddle Sambong told me to solve

when I got bored.

A riddle?

Do you want to try answering it?

What is it?

This serves parents well and

supports a wife and children well.

It makes you full in a good harvest and

prevents starving to death during

a bad harvest.

What is this?

Lee JiranLee Seonggye's blood brother

You're really ignorant.

What?

The answer is right here.

What is this character?

It's "jeong' meaning well.

The answer is a well.

I guess you can't read very well.

I thought so and sent that as the answer.

That's not it?

No.

Then what is it?

Wretch, I told you I don't know.

Would I ask you if I knew?

Give it to me.

You fool.

Go to your hometown now!

I'm sorry.

The answer is the well-field system.

Poeun.

How have you been?

What brings you here?

I came to say goodbye since

I'm going to Ming as an envoy.

You are?

The answer is the well-field system?

Yes.

It's a policy that Mencius emphasized.

When the country distributes land,

it should be done so in this shape.

That's where "jeong' comes from.

Stand in place.

Yes!

Of nine lots, eight are given to individuals.

The one without the owner is farmed...

Together and the crops are given as taxes.

Since everyone has their own land,

they will work hard and eat well.

Even if there is a bad harvest,

the only have to pay little in taxes from

the joint farm, so nobody starves.

It's a fine policy.

Our people wouldn't starve to death if

we implemented that policy.

It's theoretically possible,

but it's just an ideal policy that has never been applied in reality.

Why is Sambong teaching you that?

He's not.

It was just a riddle he gave me

to solve when I was bored.

How are things in the capital?

You didn't hear yet?

Hear what?

Choi Yeong resigned.

What? He resigned?

He took responsibility for his administrative failures

and resigned with Gwangpyeonggun.

In reality, only Choi Yeong lost power.

What is going on?

This is...

Uncle Sambong.

You're pretty good, but you're nowhere

near as good as your father.

So, stop upsetting him and

become successful as an official.

I'm not interested in becoming

a low official in a country that can't even

pay its officials.

There isn't anyone I can trust and follow.

If you become a minister,

I will think about it.

Forget it. Gwangpyeonggun will never

allow me to be a minister.

Not in a thousand years.

Aren't you planning to drive him out?

Isn't that why you helped my father

3 years ago and made him become

a member of his political party?

Of course not.

People call me a fool.

I know you're waiting for the right time.

Like Han Xin who crawled between

a scamp's legs.

There's something I'd like you to do.

What is it?

Astragalus, ginseng...

Gwangpyeonggun had a cold recently.

Most of the medicinal herbs were

to recharge energy.

This is...

This isn't medicine for a cold.

What is it?

Master, it's me.

What is it?

Your father is in Gaegyeong.

Just visit Gwangpyeonggun.

You could get on everyone's bad side if

you go to see Choi Yeong.

I'll do what I see fit.

Honey.

I'll get going now.

Honey.

What is it?

If you have to see Choi Yeong,

I won't try to stop you.

But you must see Gwangpyeonggun and

ask for his understanding first.

He might have resigned,

but he still has all his power.

You must not forget you are a member

of his political party.

I understand.

I will see Gwangpyeonggun and then

go to see Choi Yeong.

You can't go to see Choi Yeong.

Bangwon.

How have you been?

What did you just say?

Uncle Sambong told me to tell you that.

Sambong?

What is his reason?

He said there is going to be a fight

between Choi Yeong and Lee Inim soon.

He said if you want Choi Yeong to win,

gain more trust from Lee Inim.

Why are they going to fight?

This is tree peony, a herb that

Lee Inim is taking.

The powder is made into

a medicine called siphoesan.

It stops bleeding.

Bleeding?

He said Lee Inim must have tuberculosis

and he's coughing up blood.

He was afraid he would lose power

to Choi Yeong and suggested that

they resign together.

Would Choi Yeong just sit by

if he found out about this?

Where is Sambong?

He is at Choi Yeong's house.

He said you should hurry over

and see Lee Inim.

Gwangpyeonggun is going to use

his position as the national father and maintain his power through the members

of his political party.

He will return when he recovers.

You were completely deceived.

Why are you telling me this?

I'm just a fool struggling to get

a position on court instead of

a position in a rural area.

General Lee.

It's been a long time.

Have a seat.

You must have heard that

Choi Yeong and I resigned.

That's right.

It's no big deal. I told everyone

not to let you know.

You were bound to find out.

Thank you for coming such a long way.

We are family. I should visit.

That's right. We're family.

Stop.

Move.

Vice-chancellor.

Is it true that you have tuberculosis?

I asked you a question!

Show him out.

Yes, sir.

Leave right now.

Please calm down.

Tell me.

Did you lie to me?

Yes.

Aren't you ashamed to be

a top minister of this country?

Quietly leave.

What?

I will overlook this rudeness.

Quiet!

You!

Vice-chancellor!