Original subtitles

Episode 22

How did it go?

His Majesty called the ministers.

He declared that he would pardon you on lunar January 1 5.

How did they respond?

They were a bit surprised,

but except for Lee Seonggye, they seemed to agree.

Choi Yeong is a bit passive when it

comes to punishment.

I guess I'll have to continue doing this

until lunar January 1 5.

How is your illness?

I'm fine.

I'll have to get back on my feet

when I'm pardoned.

You have a strong will.

Remember.

It isn't a loss as long as I don't give up.

What brings a traitor who changes

sides readily here?

Hey! Watch what you say.

His Majesty is going to pardon Lee Inim.

I guess a person who is meant to get off does somehow.

Baduk moves that connect provide a way to survive.

We must have been petty thieves.

If Lee Inim is pardoned,

your execution will be moved up.

Darn.

If there is a crime by Lee Inim that

you haven't confessed yet, tell me now.

You will have a companion on your way

to the world beyond.

Yeom Heungbang, Lee Inim's faction

How naive. Yeom Heungbang, Lee Inim's faction

How naive.

Look here.

Don't you know why he is being pardoned?

Why?

It isn't because he is innocent.

It's because he committed a lot of crimes.

That's how it is.

Grand thieves aren't punished.

Hillbilly.

You're back.

I heard His Majesty is going to pardon Gwangpyeonggun.

We can face our in-laws now. I'm very glad.

You're not happy?

Are you against the pardon?

I'm going to oppose.

He is your in-law.

A person who commits a crime

should be punished.

Honey.

Even little children who steal are whipped

when they're caught.

It is to teach them a lesson.

What will happen to the country if a person

who commits a national crime isn't punished?

You want to hurt your daughter?

You are her father.

I know.

You have to overcome this.

It isn't for me. It is for our country.

Father.

I heard from Bangwon.

You seem to be in a difficult position.

Do you also think it is excessive of me

to want to punish Lee Inim?

You know the phrase, sinsangpilbeol.

A person who achieves merit should be rewarded and

a person who commits a crime should be punished.

That is the basis of law.

You are absolutely right.

Choi Yeong doesn't think so.

If I suggest punishing Lee Inim,

he gets angry.

There is a lot you have to do with Choi Yeong.

Avoid making him your enemy if you can.

Do you want me to step back?

You should take a step back.

Use reinforcements.

Reinforcements?

The gentry who criticize Lee Inim.

If they take action, opposing opinions

will be revealed.

Do that and then convince Choi Yeong again.

Will they take action for father?

I'm sure they will.

Sound them out.

Make a slight gesture and they will

take action as if they waited for this.

The country is going to be ruled by military men.

The gentry can't sit by passively like this.

We have to use general Lee Seonggye.

He has a friendly attitude toward the gentry.

He is alienated in court because of the matter of Lee Inim's pardon.

If we help him, we can establish a basis for a bond.

You are both correct. I will soon...

Master, general Lee Seonggye's son is here.

Show him in.

You want me to withdraw the pardon?

Yes, Your Majesty.

You must do that.

Hansangun!

All the people in the country know

the faults of Gwangpyeonggun.

You can't pardon him when he should be

punished as an example to everyone.

You can't call His Majesty's stepfather a criminal.

That is excessive even if you

taught His Majesty before.

Your Majesty, you have to maintain good faith.

Let's say he is a criminal.

Is it wrong to pardon your father's sins?

You must keep personal matters separate

and forget about personal feelings.

That is what a wise king does.

So, you want me to

become an undutiful son?

Your Majesty.

Stop. I don't want to hear it.

It might only be one pardon,

but the damage will last for generations.

If you think about the future of the country,

you must withdraw the pardon.

I said I don't want to hear it.

Leave now!

We will come back.

Your Majesty, you can't get weak.

Darn.

I thought I just had to deal with Lee Seonggye.

Why are the gentry siding with him?

I said leave!

How dare you barge in here?

We're only here to consult.

If you have something to say,

submit a written request.

Leave now!

It's more convenient to talk.

Loyal young servants are here.

The council members should hear them out.

Go ahead. What is it?

We would like the council to prevent

Gwangpyeonggun's pardon.

That is the authority of His Majesty.

The council can't restrict him.

You can't allow unjust behavior

just because he has the authority.

Listen to you.

Are you lecturing us?

Calm down.

I understand what you're saying,

but the council can't do that.

You should leave.

Why can't the council do that?

Judging from the situation,

we can't say the pardon is unjust.

What do you mean?

What is your basis for saying that?

Do I have to tell you everything?

There is no basis.

Are you siding with Gwangpyeonggun

because you knew him for a long time?

What?

Watch what you say!

If you're done, leave.

We will leave.

We will leave, but we will stay outside until the ministers fulfill their duties.

What?

Let's go.

Where are you going in such a hurry?

The gentry is demonstrating outside the Supreme Council.

Are you going there?

I might clean horse dung and repair the king's carriage,

but I'm gentry, too.

Don't be overly eager.

Is that advice a senior should give?

You need to do great things.

I don't want you to get injured because of a petty matter.

Forget it.

Did you do what I asked?

I told you to see if His Majesty

visited Gwangpyeonggun.

The royal carriage stayed in place since that day.

Is that so?

Yes.

Am I wrong?

Okay. See you again.

I'm sorry.

Oh, Sojong.

It's been so long.

I heard you returned to court.

I was going to visit...

He left government service for a while.

He has changed.

I'm sure he heard about you.

I'm the only person who talks to you.

See you again.

Sure.

I'm going to say this one last time.

Your request can't be accepted,

so get up and leave.

I told you to leave.

Don't just tell us to leave.

Give us a reason to.

His Majesty considers Gwangpyeonggun to be his father,

but what is your reason for embracing

a criminal like him?

He contributed a lot to this country.

What?

Why do you only see his crimes?

He was devoted to Goryeo for

the past 14 years.

That is excessive sophistry.

I am seonggyunsaye Yun Sojong.

Did you say sophistry?

I can't believe you're saying

his faults are merit.

No matter how thick a cloth is,

you can't cover an awl with it.

What?

I'm curious.

What are Lee Inim's merits?

If he has the smallest merit,

I will take responsibility for this rudeness

and resign from my position.

Lee Inim was only concerned with

his fame and wealth.

He sold positions and accepted bribes.

It caused the government officials to neglect their duties and

everyone was focused on establishing connections to influential families.

He failed in foreign diplomacy,

failed to stop Japanese pirates and

failed to feed the people.

How can you say that he achieved

merits for this country?

You!

Yoon Sojong passed the state examination

in first place at the age of twenty.

He was frank about everything,

so he was impeached and he left government service for a while.

He should be punished for his rude behavior.

Sir.

His Majesty is asking for you.

Shouldn't the gentry be stopped

before this goes any further?

What do you have in mind?

Mutiny, treason, calumny...

Accuse them of anything you can think of and punish them.

I heard you were embarrassed by

the seonggyunsaye.

You need to teach them a lesson

and silence them.

Your Majesty.

Yes.

You should reconsider the pardon.

Vice-chancellor.

I thought about it.

The gentry have a just claim.

What is wrong with you?

I can't withdraw the pardon.

Your Majesty.

You have to convince the council.

You must.

I told you not to come until

the pardon is given.

It was an urgent situation.

I had to come.

I heard about Yun Sojong.

It's not that.

I think Choi Yeong is wavering.

What should I do?

What should you do?

What?

If Choi Yeong wavers, keep him in place.

If the gentry oppose, silence them

even if you have to use force.

You should use all your powers as a king

and set this straight.

Father.

You came running over this to

ask my opinion?

How can you call yourself a king

and rule the country?

The situation isn't as simple as

you think it is.

Lee Seonggye is strongly opposed

and the gentry is supporting him.

What should I do?

Father.

There's only one way.

What is it?

Reason isn't working.

You need to appeal to sympathy.

Ask for compassion.

Shouldn't we gather an opinion

regarding Lee Inim's pardon?

It's a matter His Majesty decided.

Why should the council make a decision?

Things have changed.

The gentry and the court are

all negative regarding the pardon.

We should decide.

You are really cruel.

Your Majesty.

General Lee.

You have to see Gwangpyeonggun be punished?

Your Majesty, that is the public opinion.

Forget about public opinion.

Your Majesty, what is that?

It is blood that Gwangpyeonggun coughed up just now.

His illness is worse.

He is facing death several times a day.

Is it just to punish someone like that?

But, Your Majesty.

I don't want to hear it!

I thought you would know better.

Your Majesty.

I know well what Gwangpyeonggun did.

I completely understand why people

are against the pardon.

But it seems like he is already

being punished.

Grandfather...

We should pardon him.

Your Highness.

They might not be real family,

but he is His Majesty's stepfather.

He is the prince's grandfather.

If he died as a criminal,

that would disgrace the royal family, too.

Let him have an honorable death as

the national father of Goryeo.

I'm asking you.

The atmosphere is strange.

The council and gentry are beginning to

support Lee Inim's pardon.

Hate the crime, not the person.

Is that it?

He is going to die soon.

There is no reason to oppose the pardon.

He has to die a criminal.

He can't die with a pardon.

Everyone is being compassionate.

If you insist on punishing him,

people will think you are heartless.

I can't keep quiet because I'm afraid of

what people might say.

Where are you going?

I'm going to see Choi Yeong.

Father.

Shouldn't you be at Sungeumbu?

An order was given to end the national investigation.

What?

The matter is still being settled.

All interrogations are to be stopped

and sentences are to be carried out.

Who gave such an order?

Choi Yeong.

Are you carrying out the sentences?

Yes.

We were going to see how Lee Inim

was doing before we decided.

We will end everything by carrying out the sentences tomorrow.

Then how will you punish Lee Inim?

You know the situation.

Are you going to pardon him?

Yes. It will be earlier than we expected.

Why didn't you tell me?

It's in consideration of your position.

If you continue to oppose,

you will end up fighting more.

If you agree, it will look like

you are changing your mind.

I don't want to put you in that position.

Concede this one time.

He will die soon, so forget about him.

We need to join forces and

set the council and court straight.

Can a house stand straight if

it stands on a sewer?

General.

I didn't start a rebellion to see

Lee Inim be pardoned.

Don't carry out the sentences.

The order has already been given and His Majesty approved.

I can't do that.

Stop the sentencing!

I said I can't do that!

Fine.

I will resign and return to Dongbukmyeon.

General Lee!

You really...

They are going to write up

your pardon tomorrow.

I don't think you will have to wait

until lunar January 1 5.

Sympathy is the best.

Choi Yeong and Lee Seonggye

will become hostile to each other.

This is perfect.

It's what I expected.

There can't be two tigers at one mountain.

Lee Seonggye will have to leave.

It's a matter of time before

I return to the council.

Will Choi Yeong accept that?

He knows the country can't be ruled

with military power alone.

He won't ask the gentry for help.

He won't like it,

but he won't refuse either.

Resign?

I heard his conversation with Choi Yeong.

He said he would resign and

return to Dongbukmyeon.

He can't give up this opportunity.

He won't take back what he said.

If Choi Yeong doesn't change his mind,

father will do what he said.

Will Choi Yeong change his mind?

He seemed upset, too.

Honey.

What is it?

Someone named Nam Eun is here.

Welcome.

I'll get going now.

Be careful.

Come on in.

Yes.

I thought he looked familiar.

Do you know him?

He worked with my husband

when he was at Sungkyunkwan.

Sungkyunkwan?

He looks like a general.

Who was that?

He has extraordinary eyes.

He has an extraordinary personality, too.

He is the hunting dog's son.

He's pretty smart.

Who is this hunting dog?

If you want to know,

blood brother and join the cause.

Oh, boy.

Don't pretend to be innocent.

You came here.

It looks like you decided to be a traitor.

Don't be absurd.

I only came to repay a debt.

You came empty-handed?

You should have at least

brought a box of silver bottles.

The royal carriage left last night.

It went to Lee Inim's house.

How long did it stay?

For about an hour.

Who did His Majesty talk to?

Who do you think? Lee Inim.

What? You mean he's not dying?

No.

Poeun Jeong Mongju, yeongwongun

Heungbang.

I heard you went to Ming.

I thought you wouldn't have to see this.

I can't face you.

Forget everything that happened here.

Go in comfort.

I should.

But I can't forget about my land and assets.

I don't think I'll be able to close my eyes.

An empty cart makes a lot of noise.

What you need now is to repent.

Poeun.

Yes.

I'll say hello to Sangchung when I see him.

Sure.

Goodbye.

Choi Yeong.

Do you have something more to say?

Can't you spare my life?

What?

We shared some affection.

Can't you show some generosity?

You were a top minister. Why are you being so pathetic?

Don't you have any pride at all?

Lee Inim is the source of all evil.

Why are you sparing him and

only killing all the little fish?

Quiet!

Do you have to have your

arms and legs torn off?

Just accept your punishment.

I will hope for your rebirth in paradise.

What?

Did you say paradise?

Look here.

Paradise might be nice,

but for me, Goryeo is paradise.

It is the best paradise.

Carry out the sentence!

Yes, sir!

Let go. Let go of me!

The end of the corrupt officials was tragic.

January, 1388.

Choi Yeong had dozens of officials executed

including Im Gyeonmi and Yeom Heungbang.

All their assets were seized.

Their families and servants were all killed, too.

The total amounted to a thousand people.

I can't believe Ming refused entry again.

There's something going on at Yodong.

Ming soldiers are putting up a fence

on our territory north of Amnokgang.

How can they do that on our territory?

We have to find out their intentions.

I will do that as soon as

the council is reorganized.

One more thing.

What will you about

Lee Seonggye's resignation?

I want to stop him from resigning,

but he is so stubborn.

What can I do?

You started a rebellion together.

You should postpone the pardon

a few days and convince him.

Lee Seonggye really resigned.

What about the pardon?

It was supposed to be given tomorrow,

but it seems to have been postponed.

Why?

Choi Yeong asked His Majesty to.

Choi Yeong?

He must need time to convince Lee Seonggye.

Uncle.

When I get back on the council,

I will make them pay for this humiliation.

Sir.

Jeong Dojeon is here to see you.

Sambong?

What should I do?

Tell him to leave.

Uncle.

Did you forget he came to visit

with Choi Yeong before?

He is on Choi Yeong's side.

You could find out what

Choi Yeong's intentions are.

You weren't close with my uncle.

It seems like you have other reasons for visiting him.

You are very quick.

Choi Yeong is really worried.

About what?

I think he heard that Lee Seonggye is

going after Gwangpyeonggun.

What?

You mean kill him?

He told me to meet you and tell you to

focus on security.

Lee Seonggye wouldn't go that far.

He opposed the pardon and resigned.

He could do more.

Choi Yeong postponed the pardon

a few days to try to convince him.

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to

meet Choi Yeong and confirm this.

Of course.

Lee Seonggye.

Can't His Majesty give a simple order?

Sir.

His Majesty would like to see you.

How am I supposed to enter the palace?

It's not the palace. It's a secret place.

He sent the royal carriage.

Send it back.

Yes, sir.

Wait.

You can get off.

Oh...

I'm here to see Choi Yeong. Is he here?

No.

He went to Sungkyunkwan.

Sungkyunkwan?

Where is His Majesty?

He is in the main hall.

Your Majesty.

What are you doing?

You!

I told myself that if I ever met you again,

it would be at Sungkyunkwan.

You exiled me from here.

It would be meaningful to see your end here.

What are you doing?

That's what I'd like to ask.

I didn't want to believe it.

Is this how low you are?

Gwangpyeonggun.

It's over for you.