Original subtitles

Jeong Dojeon

Jeong Dojeon

Father disapproves of me.

Father disapproves of me. Episode 43

Father disapproves of me.

I only look after our ancestors' graves.

I think you came to the wrong place.

You are persevering for the future.

You are gnashing your teeth

as you wait for an opportunity.

The future?

The throne.

Being the king.

Your joking is a hit excessive.

I'm a Confucian scholar,

but I was into trivial knowledge at one time.

Physiognomy was an interest.

You have the face of a king.

I guess you didn't see the rest of the world

since you only focused on faces.

I was abandoned by my father and mother

and used by Sambong.

Sunny spots become shady spots and

shady spots become sunny spots. That is the way of the world.

If you prepare for the future

with talented people,

you will have great fortune.

Why are you saying this to me?

If you want a position on the council again,

go and beg to the officials with merit.

Wouldn't that be easier and safer?

I would just get a low position and

he treated like a nuisance.

My teacher and colleagues would

criticize me for being a turncoat.

If I'm going to be a turncoat,

I don't want to be a nuisance.

I want to achieve greater ambition.

Greater ambition?

I'm going to settle all this confusion

and find someone to raise the new country on a firm foundation.

I will make him

the crown prince and further, the king.

Like Sambong did with His Majesty.

Do you think you have the insight

and skills of Sambong?

I might not be superior,

but I never thought that I was lacking.

Then prove it.

If you have the ability to put me on the throne,

getting back on the council will be a piece of cake.

If you succeed on getting back on the council on your own,

I will gladly join you.

Understood.

Deukjungjeuk deukguk.

Siljungjeuk silguk.

What does that mean?

If you gain the people, you gain the country.

If you lose the people, you lose the country.

How do you gain the people?

By winning over their hearts.

If you lose their hearts, public sentiments,

you will lose the country.

Don't forget that is the core of politics.

I can't believe he is already reading the 'Great Learning'.

I'm so proud of him.

Your Majesty.

After the rite is over,

Seonggye is slaughtered and cooked into stew.

They let out their anger of a fallen country

that way.

There isn't anyone in Gaegyeong

who doesn't have family that was killed by the country.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What is it?

Buddhist priest Muhak entered the capital.

He did?

Your Majesty.

I brought the Buddhist priest.

Welcome.

You came a long way.

You ended up carrying the three rafters.

It's all because of my greed.

I'm always going against Buddha's teachings.

I don't think I'll reach Elysium.

Correcting what's wrong and

bringing out the truth.

That doesn't go against Buddha's teachings.

Thank you.

May Buddha have mercy on us.

It is a Goryeo custom to have a Buddhist priest as an advisor.

It doesn't suit joseon

which is based on Men-Confucianism.

I just want to have him by my side

to talk to at times.

I need help from him, too.

Help?

He is fluent in Buddhist teachings,

but he also sees land well.

If you are talking about topography,

there are officials at Seoungwan.

The Buddhist priest is much better than them.

Why are you suddenly interested in topography?

Chancellor of the left.

Look at this.

It was drawn at Seoungwan.

Where is this?

Gyeryongsan. What do you think?

Doesn't the land look a lot like Gaegyeong?

It seems so.

Your Majesty.

I'm going to move the capital there.

You want to move the capital?

Gaegyeong is the capital of Goryeo,

not the capital of the new country.

I'm going to establish a new capital.

Your Majesty, I am the annals compilation officer, Yun Sojong.

You founded joseon less than a year ago.

The new country is just settling and

public sentiments are stabilizing.

You can't move the capital now.

It is natural for a new country

to have a new capital.

Gaegyeong is the capital of a fallen country.

But Your Majesty, it will take

much money and labor to move the capital.

Think about the burden the people will suffer

because of that.

The people will suffer more

if I stay in Gaegyeong.

Goryeo fell

because the Gaegyeong land ran out of energy.

Didn't you hear that?

That's just something topographers say

to delude the world and deceive the people.

Joseon is a country based on Men-Confucianism.

Why do you believe something

that is merely superstitious fortunetelling?

It's because it makes sense.

It isn't just the people.

The kings of Goryeo built palaces

in Hanyang and Seogyeong.

There were a few kings

who wanted to move the capital to Hanyang.

They failed each time and

returned to Gaegyeong.

Moving the capital isn't a simple matter.

You can't make a decision based solely on fortunetelling.

It isn't because of that.

Go to the market and see.

The country has changed,

but the people still have the attitudes of Goryeo.

We're the only ones talking about joseon.

The people don't know

if they are living in joseon or Goryeo.

They can't tell poop from soybean paste.

Your Majesty.

You shouldn't talk like that

in front of all the officials.

Why not?

Did I say something wrong?

Listen carefully.

I'm going to move the capital to Gyeryongsan.

Establish a sindojoseongdogam right away

and work on moving the capital.

He wants to move the capital to Gyeryongsan?

Yes, it was so unexpected.

How did the official respond?

They were strongly opposed.

His Majesty was in rage

and they exchanged loud voices.

Even the officials in lower positions

were unhappy-

He wants to leave a 500-year-old capital

and establish a new capital on barren land?

What is he thinking?

Whatever his reason,

it won't he bad for you.

If His Majesty wants to move the capital,

he has to overcome the opposition of the officials of top merit.

They won't agree to this.

There might be hostility

between His Majesty and the officials.

Their solidarity will be broken?

That's right. Wait and see.

Ujae, call a council meeting and

gather opinions opposing this.

Opposing strongly isn't everything.

It could turn into a power struggle

between His Majesty and the officials.

“He!

I'm just as frustrated as you are.

Let's see what happens for a while.

Darn.

Why did this have to happen

when Sambong is in Ming?

1595, Nanjing, Ming

You wanted to see me?

I am the under chancellor,

jeong Dojeon, of joseon.

There is something I would like to ask of you before I return.

What is it?

A new country was founded and a year has passed,

but you have not yet appointed the king to the throne.

If you could...

I have no intention of rushing that.

Your Majesty.

You should trust me first.

Goryeo was full of pro-Yuan factions, but joseon isn't like that.

It is a country founded by the gentry who supported Ming.

It is a country based on submission to the stronger,

so you can trust us.

I heard you were involving the jurchens

and contacting the tribal leaders of Yodong.

What is the reason?

Are you going back to your habits of

trying to conquer Yodong?

That is a misunderstanding.

We are trying to naturalize the ignorant barbarians

to achieve peace in the border areas of joseon.

That would be good for Ming, too.

I heard you are repairing fortresses

and training soldiers frequently.

Stop all that.

That is only to be prepare for invasions by Japanese pirates.

It is a matter of course for national defense of a country.

Joseon has to be strong

for the east side of Ming to be peaceful.

It won't harm you in any way.

Jeong Dojeon.

Once you establish a new country,

you will want to make it stronger.

I have one piece of advice for you.

Don't try to be stronger.

A small country has to rely on

a large country.

Is that understood?

I will remember that.

Is this all?

Yes.

I told everyone who has a rank of panseo

or higher to participate in the survey.

There are many matters in court today

and there must be a cold going around.

Many officials took a sick day.

Those wretches are just making excuses.

They don't want to move the capital.

As the leader of the council,

it is all my fault.

But you must listen to their opposition.

Never mind.

Prepare a plan for the new capital

until I return.

Your Majesty.

Darn.

The scenery looks pretty good.

What do you think?

Is it a fortuitous spot for a capital?

How should I know that?

You are pretty good with topography.

Speak your mind.

I'm not sure.

It's a yes or a no.

What do you mean you're not sure?

This is an important state matter.

You should discuss it with your servants.

I am the Gyeonggijwau-do governor, Ha Ryun.

I am putting my life on the line

to speak to you.

Hojeong, what are you doing?

Move right now!

Get him out of the way!

Yes, sir!

Wait.

What is it?

Your Majesty,

you must not move the capital to Gyeryongsan.

I heard that too many times.

Don't make me mad and leave.

Please hear me out.

Stop it.

I'm going to move the capital no matter what.

I'm not against the capital being moved.

I'm just saying it shouldn't be Gyeryongsan.

Why not?

First of all,

a capital has to be in the center of the country,

but Gyeryongsan is in the southern part.

If the capital is concentrated in one direction,

it will be hard to defend against attacks

and there will be a gap between the places

near and far from the capital.

It will disturb the solidarity of the country.

And?

It isn't a fortuitous spot.

A fortuitous spot?

Do you know topography?

I learned topography to find a location for my father's grave.

I searched for fortuitous spots before.

From what I remember, at Gyeryongsan,

the mountain rises from the northwest and

the water flows to the southeast.

That is correct.

Why is that a problem?

According to 'jirisinbeop' written by topographer Hu Shunchen,

such geography isn't a fortuitous spot,

but it is a terrible spot of supajangsaeng and soepaeipji.

Supajangsaeng?

Soepaeipji?

It means water destroys longevity and

the land is full of decline and fall.

Are you saying he is right?

You have to look at several things,

so it's hard to conclude just like that.

I didn't say much because I didn't want

to be involved with state affairs,

but Gyeryongsan doesn't seem to be a fortuitous spot for the capital.

May Buddha have mercy on us.

Eunuch Kim.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Call the miljik.

I have a royal order to give.

Yes, Your Majesty.

A king isn't about using a sword.

He is about using the heart.

You don't have that heart.

That is why you're not fit to be a king.

The crown prince is chosen among the sons.

I'm asking because you make it sound like

it's a problem if Uiangun becomes the crown prince.

I only chose who suited my cause.

This is politics.

Jeongangun.

Father.

His Majesty isn't moving the capital

to Gyeryongsan.

Why did he suddenly change his mind?

The topography there isn't good.

He gave an order to establish

eumyangsanjeongdogam to find a fortuitous spot for the capital.

So, he's still going to move the capital.

He appointed Hojeong as

the head of eumyangdogam.

You mean Ha Ryun?

Yes.

If you succeed on getting back on the council on your own,

I will gladly join you.

Understood.

Jeongangun.

I completed the task you assigned.

Are you satisfied?

It looks like I'm going to have

my own Zhuge Liang.

What?

Your Majesty, please withdraw the order.

I don't want to fight with you anymore.

Leave.

The matter of moving the capital

should be discussed with the officials.

Even if we move the capital,

we can't leave it up to topographers.

Ha Ryun was Lee Saek's faction.

You can't give him such an important responsibility.

I can't move the capital.

I can't establish a dogma.

I can't appoint who I want.

I can't do anything!

Your Majesty.

What am I allowed to do?

Your Majesty, please withdraw the order.

Please withdraw the order.

Please withdraw the order.

We can't move the capital.

Please cancel the establishment of the eumyangsanjeongdogam.

Please cancel it.

This isn't the time to move the capital.

We have to focus on stability.

Please consider that.

Please consider that.

Please consider that.

Do they think the king is a pushover?

Please misunderstand their intentions.

Please withdraw the order and

give the council to discuss this.

Why do I have to do that?

Important state matters have to be approved

by the council.

lam the king.

Is the council higher than the king?

Your Majesty.

Call the officials in here.

I'm going to settle this.

An assembly?

His Majesty is going to declare

the establishment of the eumyangsanjeongdogam

and decide on moving the capital.

Please convince His Majesty.

Why is father

so focused on moving the capital?

Please. There is no time.

It looks like Yun Sojong and the other officials

will refuse to attend the assembly.

They must not become distanced.

Let's go to see His Majesty.

Your Highness.

What is it?

His Majesty ordered that

you and the crown prince remain here

until the assembly is over.

What?

Jiran.

Yes.

Dispatch guards in the court yard.

I will give them half an hour.

If they don't gather here in that time,

lock them all up.

Why are you doing this?

They are only giving advice

as officials of this country.

I am only following orders.

So, you're going to lock them all up?

We have to put out the fire first.

Convince them to come inside.

We will not go in there voluntarily.

There will be a debacle.

What could be worse

than moving a perfectly fine capital?

Are you going to continue to be stubborn?

Fine.

Take them all to Sungeumbu!

Stop right there!

Chancellor of the left!

I will take full responsibility.

The guards will stand back!

Why are you doing this?

They could all die.

Tell His Majesty.

We will not attend the assembly to move the capital.

If he really wants to do that,

tell him to punish me first.

Are you threatening His Majesty?

Just tell him.

Chancellor of the left!

Sambong!

I have returned from my duties in Ming.

Leave us.

The officials are demonstrating.

Did you see?

Yes, it was nice to see.

Ideal politics come from

criticizing the king's improper actions.

Public opinion is like the energy of the country.

Having a commotion like this means

the country is healthy.

You shouldn't be angry about it.

Birds of a feather flock together.

I guess you're on their side.

They complain about everything I do

and oppose everything I want to do.

That is the duty of a servant.

A person who only does as the king ways is a good-for-nothing.

He isn't a proper servant.

Sambong.

Is it wrong to move the capital?

It isn't wrong to establish

a new capital for a new country.

Establish the eumyangsanjeongdogam.

If you need Ha Ryun's knowledge,

appoint him as the head, however...

Regarding the time of moving the capital,

receive the consent of the officials.

If you agree to that,

I will convince them to stop demonstrating.

When do you think that time is?

I can't say exactly when,

but what's sure is that we don't have the power to do that right now.

No, no.

It's possible if we put our minds to it.

I'm not going to make the people suffer.

It isn't just because of that.

There is a matter that is more urgent than moving the capital.

More urgent? What is that?

The Ming emperor has

no intention of appointing you to the throne.

He covertly told me to cut off relations

with the jurchens in the border area and

stop repairing fortresses

and training soldiers.

That wretch.

He is afraid of you because you never lost in battle and

you are respected by the jurchens.

It is more urgent to train soldiers

and strengthen national defense.

Are you saying we should scare

that Zhu Yuanzhang pig?

That's right.

You don't have to be

a good boy to get rice cakes.

The spiteful boy gets one more rice cake.

In order for Joseon to become a strong country,

we have to stop

begging to a larger country.

We can move the capital

after relations with Ming settle.

Please consider that.

I will leave all military power to you.

Do as you wish.

Will you postpone moving the capital?

Yes.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Sambong.

You said it is the duty of a servant to give the king advice.

What do you think the duty of a king is?

It is to listen.

It is to be patient and embrace.

Listen, be patient and embrace.

It turns out the king has no power.

He just sits on the throne idly.

Your Majesty.

I was confident that I could rule the country well

by being close with the servants.

I'm not so sure anymore.

One thing is for sure.

This isn't what I thought a king would be.

You returned from a long journey.

You should get some rest.

I will visit again after I unpack.

How is it going?

The rice was cooked, but not fully.

Get up.

Stop demonstrating.

You scare more with older age and wealth.

Why is it always life or death for you?

I have a cause in my heart and

reliable colleagues on my side.

Why would I fear anything?

Gee...

Let's go.

Sambong's power has gotten stronger.

It isn't lacking even compared to

Gwangpyeonggun's power.

Hello!

You're still full of energy.

Of course. I'm still perfectly fine.

Come on in.

Hi,Jin.

Mother!

Why is father asking for me?

How should I know?

What is that sound?

Let's go in.

You asked your busy son to come. Are you going to keep him up all night?

Sorry.

Hi.

Are you writing a song?

Yes. We have a new country.

We should have new court music.

I'm writing whenever I have the time.

"Mundeokgok", "Monggeumcheok",

"Jeongdongbanggok"...

It's still lacking to praise the king's virtues and

the cause of joseon.

It is important to write new music,

but isn't it more urgent to change the laws

to change the people who are

used to the ways of Goryeo?

That's right. That's why I called you.

Compile this into a hook.

What is this?

The law above the law.

It is a code of law of the basic principles

of ruling joseon.

Everything will be based on this.

It will be called 'joseongyeonggukjeon'.

'Joseongyeonggukjeon'...

Honey.

Word came from Yun Sojong's house.

I wondered why he took a few days off.

What is it?

He passed away.

Dongjeong, how could you leave like this?

Dongjeong-

We have to drive out Buddhism

since it incites avoiding reality

and causes corruption.

It has to be a country of Men-Confucianism.

Lee Seonggye is going to be the king.

Whether he wants to or not, he should oppose the impeachment.

But not you.

Don't hesitate when you have to draw your sword.

Rest in peace.

I will be sure to establish a people-oriented country

that you wished for.

Yun Sojong.

He was the grandson of chanseongsa Yun Taek.

He passed the state examination in first place and

held the positions of Seonggyunsaye and daesaseong.

With his upright character,

he didn't hesitate to comment on corrupt officials and

the harmful effects of Buddhism.

He was impeached for criticizing others.

He was well read and wrote poetry well.

Even when he lived in poverty, he always had a book in his hand.

He was the father of Yun Hoe

who was known as a genius during king Taejong and king Sejong's reign.

His permanent abode is Musong and

his posthumous name is Dongjeong.

Jeongangun.

Hello.

I see all my colleagues of the cause are here.

It's been a while. May I join you?

Have a seat.

Let me pour you a drink.

Seeing you like this

reminds me of the times we fought for the cause.

We were all one back then.

I'm sure we're all still one

regarding the prosperity of joseon.

Oh, Sambong.

Yes.

I heard you're the crown prince's teacher.

That is right.

You are the pansamsasa and

the head of Three Armies Headquarters.

Now, you're teaching the crown prince, too.

Aren't you being too greedy?

Jeongangun.

Can you call that greed?

The private soldiers of the princes

and the warlords will soon become

soldiers of the government.

Tell me I'm greedy then.

You embraced a young crown prince

and now, you want to take what power the princes have left?

The people need a strong country,

not strong princes.

It won't go your way.

It will.

Now that you have all the actual power,

you speak as if you're the king.

The king?

Is this country yours?

Of course not.

It is the country of the Lee clan.

So, why are you trying to rule this country?

Listen.

Joseon isn't a country ruled by the king.

What?

The king of joseon is

the father of all the people.

He sits above the people,

but it is the officials who rule the people.