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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.

Sambong.

Did you say servants rule the country?

They're not just servants.

The court is full of able officials

who passed the state examination.

It is a powerful court that can retrieve power

dispersed among the warlords.

The official of the officials.

It is the prime minister who rules.

What does the king do?

Select a wise and experienced prime minister

to take care of state affairs.

Don't misunderstand what Sambong is saying.

It was like that in the age of Yao and Shun.

He is just saying we should adapt

what we can to our reality.

The past is just the past.

We are not living in the age of Yao and Shun,

but in troubled times.

Even if a politician is stepping in mud,

his hand should be pointing to the sky.

It is a politician's duty to seek ideals

even if the reality is pitiful.

Joseon is a country of a king.

The ruler has to be the king.

Just as it was with Goryeo and the many dynasties before that.

The king entrusts and

the prime minister rules.

That is what makes joseon different from

Goryeo and the dynasties before that.

That's enough for today.

Sambong.

Go ahead.

It won't go your way.

Even if father allows this,

I will not sit by idly.

Jeongangun.

The princes who aren't at the palace

shouldn't have political ambitions.

Be humble and ignore everything

that is happening at the palace and in court.

What if I won't?

Are you going to kill me, a prince?

Jeongangun.

That's a hit excessive.

Go ahead and answer me.

If you're so curious, do what you want.

You will be able to see what my answer is.

Goodbye.

You can't take jeongangun lightly.

You can't take jeongangun lightly. Episode 44

You can't take jeongangun lightly.

Your prime minister-based politics

could be seen as mutiny.

You know that, right?

Are you afraid I'll become a traitor?

You might not become a traitor,

but people will talk.

His Majesty won't be happy about that.

One thing is for sure.

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

Father, it's Jin.

Come in.

Hello, uncle.

Hi, how are you?

I was busy with the task that father gave me.

Huh?

Is that it?

Yes.

'Joseongyeonggukjeon'.

What is this?

Something jeongangun wouldn't idly watch.

Something that could be mutiny.

Oh...

'joseongyeonggukjeon'.

It was a (aw book

jeong Dojeon wrote for Lee Seonggye in 1594.

It was modeled after

the Six Codes System of the Zhou Dynasty.

With reference to the systems of China,

it suggested governance rule suitable

to joseon 's conditions.

A powerful central government,

selection of able officials,

Stability of people's lives and

increase of government wealth with farmer-soldier system

and balanced taxes.

The hook held all of his advanced political ideals

and (ate! became the basis for

the official code of law, 'Gyeonggukdaejeon'.

It also held the unconventional claim

the prime minister has the actual power to rule.

The publication and distribution of 'joseongyeonggukjeon'

must be prohibited.

A servant can't rule the country.

This is an open challenge against royal authority.

Now what is it?

Don't interfere with state matters.

Father.

Since you're here,

just go and say hello to your mother and the crown prince.

Doesn't it make you angry?

What?

Under the pretext of a cause,

jeong Dojeon used your power to achieve his ideals.

You were deceived by him.

Bangwon, watch what you say.

'Joseongyeonggukjeon' refutes treason

using the law as an excuse.

You must not allow this.

Your Majesty, pansamsasa and

the head of Three Armies Headquarters, jeong Dojeon, is here.

That's enough. You should go.

I will see how you calm His Majesty's rage.

I didn't do anything to cause him rage.

There is nothing to calm.

Because the Ming emperor

isn't appointing you to the throne,

the jurchens who were cooperative to joseon

are changing.

I will send general Lee jiran to Dongbukmyeon

to stabilize the border areas

and confirm the loyalty of the jurchens.

Sure.

What is this?

It is an appeal I'm making

as the head of Three Armies Headquarters.

It is a recommendation

to transfer the private soldiers of the princes, royal relatives and

provincial commanders to government soldiers.

Joseon is a country that seeks central power.

In order to do that,

all military power has to belong to the court.

We are having difficulty

because the warlords aren't cooperating.

Do you think they would want to

give up their soldiers?

You should wait to do that.

Abolition of private armies and reform of the military structure is

the core of founding this country.

It can't be postponed.

I said you should wait.

Then I will get going.

Please read over the appeal.

Sambong.

You said the prime minister should

rule the country?

Yes.

Why is that?

It is because the king's position is passed on to his descendants.

It would be nice if all the descendants were

wise and virtuous,

but some can be ignorant and incapable

and others can be tyrants.

A country ruled by the king is like

a vast ocean where a storm could hit at any time.

What changes if a prime minister rules?

The position isn't passed on.

A prime minister can be changed any time,

so he does his best to keep his position.

Lee Inim was in the same position.

Goryeo put lineage first.

But joseon puts ability first. That's the difference.

Gentry with a cause in Confucianism and politics.

Among them, officials who passed

the state examination with excellence.

And among them, the wisest becomes the prime minister of joseon.

This wise man serves the king and

supervises the officials.

When the settles as the principle of rule in joseon,

then joseon will finally be a country guaranteed with a peaceful reign.

Was that your intention

since the time you came to see me in Hamju?

Yes.

I see.

You wanted me to be a puppet.

But I worked so hard without knowing that.

You misunderstand.

Leave.

Why did you come at this late ham'?

Sambong jeong Dojeon denies royal authority.

You can't let someone like him teach the crown prince.

Are you telling me

to find him a new teacher?

That would be the right thing to do.

You're overstepping your hounds.

Why are you concerned with his teacher?

This is a matter to be decided by His Majesty and

the Supreme Council.

Did you read

Sambong's 'joseongyeonggukjeon'?

Yes.

Aren't you worried about letting someone with such impure thoughts

teach the crown prince?

Isn't he a son you love with all your heart?

What?

Why should mother be nervous?

Did Sambong deny royal authority?

He said a king is a proxy for a thousand and

should rely on the country and royal family

to embrace his descendants, servants and people.

Appearances can be deceptive.

The king is looked up to,

but he has no power to rule the people.

The house is big and the family is large.

How can the owner handle all that himself?

It is best to leave it up to an able butler.

Is he truly the owner?

Sambong said the king shouldn't have any private wealth.

The land and people belong to the king.

Is there a need to accumulate more wealth?

Sambong claims costs for royal events

should be approved by the prime minister.

That makes him no different from an official

who is paid monthly wages.

It is to prevent luxury and corruption.

If the king is clean, the officials and

the people will all be clean.

Don't you know why Goryeo fell?

Why did it fall?

Because royal authority was weak.

The king was a puppet and

the court officials ruled state matters.

It's because the kings didn't have virtue.

Since they weren't virtuous, they lost public sentiments and

treacherous subjects took that opportunity.

That won't happen in joseon.

How can you be so sure?

Because I trust Sambong.

I know he made you the crown prince,

but you're being brainwashed too much.

Jeongangun, be quiet.

Jeongangun, be careful.

Are you taking out your anger here

for not becoming the crown prince?

How dare you say such a thing

in front of the queen and crown prince?

I just got excited over the discussion.

Please forgive me with your generous heart.

I don't want to see you. Leave.

Mother.

I said leave!

How rude!

Mother, please calm down.

You made a mistake.

The queen won't be happy with Sambong's claim.

You should have pleased her and

waited for a chance to break the solidarity with Sambong.

You are right.

I got excited because Uiangun

caught me off guard.

Don't take Uiangun lightly.

He might be young, but he's very smart.

What do you think will happen

regarding 'joseongyeonggukjeon'?

It is just a book written by Sambong.

It isn't the official code of law.

The problem is

if His Majesty agrees to it or not.

It depends on how much he trusts Sambong.

Under the pretext of a cause,

jeong Dojeon used your power to achieve his ideals.

You were deceived by him.

A country ruled by the king is

like a vast ocean where a storm could hit at any time.

Sambong.

Aren't you going home?

You go ahead.

What's this?

Battle formation for soldiers.

I'm going to train the officers and men of the Three Armies Headquarters first.

It's late. You should go home.

I have a lot more work to do.

Go ahead.

Gee... I'll grind the ink stick.

Sambong.

His Majesty would like to see you.

But...

I'm not sure if you should go there.

I'll go and tell him you went home.

I have a bad feeling.

He must be upset about

'joseongyeonggukjeon'.

Don't go.

A person higher than the king is here.

You told an innocent country man you would make him the king and

made him sit on a bloody throne.

Now, you want a servant to rule?

I explained all the reasons.

I can't agree to that.

It's a hunch of nonsense.

If you seek a country for the king, it will be a hunch of nonsense.

If you seek a country for the people,

it will be the truth.

'Joseongyeonggukjeon'. Burn it.

I won't.

I'm the king.

Don't you know what happens

if you disobey the king?

A true prime minister

doesn't obey the king when he is wrong.

Burn it.

I won't.

I knew it.

You don't treat me like a king.

I don't know howl met someone like you.

Do you know what this is?

What is it?

Sambong. It's you.

Fine.

If you want, I will even give the king's robe to you.

Go ahead and do what you want.

I will support you.

Your Majesty.

But!

Don't forget the promise you made when you gave me

the royal seal.

The promise that people will live like human beings

and the country will be one I can be proud of to Poeun.

I bet my life on that promise.

If you don't keep it, I will really kill you.

Your Majesty.

So that's how it is.

Father can't abandon Sambong.

This is too much.

A servant ruling a country?

Sambong is like a running horse

with wings now.

He will seek reform quickly.

It's Jo Yeonggyu.

Come in.

I received word from the Three Armies Headquarters.

There is going to be a formal military inspection

in Gyodong this afternoon and Sambong will be there.

A formal military inspection?

The officers and men of the private armies of provincial commanders, prince and

royal relatives are to attend

if they are in the capital.

It looks like he's making his move.

He wants to strengthen the court's control over private armies.

He is trying to abolish private armies

to reform the military system.

What should we do?

It's the early stage, so it wouldn't be bad

to make a move and sound out the situation.

Sambong.

Why didn't they attend?

They all said the same thing.

There are too many duties,

so they can't send private soldiers to the inspection.

But...

But?

The princes and provincial commanders met

at Lee Bangwon's house.

I think he is behind this.

Sambong.

You need to enter the palace.

What is it?

The Ming emperor sent a royal letter.

A royal letter?

Soldiers defending Gwanpo captured

five jurchens who were spying.

When interrogated, they said they were sent by officials of joseon.

I cannot forgive your impertinence.

Gwonjiguksa Lee Seonggye will send

one of his sons to explain and

beg for forgiveness.

If this isn't done...

Your Majesty, this is a royal letter from the emperor.

He's no emperor. That wretch is a pig.

Zhu Yuanzhang!

Wretch.

Spies have been sent to Ming and the northern area,

but we never sent anyone who wasn't a joseon citizen.

He is forcing it.

He is retaliating because we contacted

the jurchens.

He asked for a prince to be sent.

It means he wants to hold him hostage.

We should cease conciliation with the jurchens

and make a tributary payment to Ming.

How will Ming and the jurchens see joseon

if we give in to a matter like this?

We will be seen as a weak country like Goryeo.

It will threaten our national defense.

From Ming's point of view,

our contact with the jurchens is

a clear act of provocation.

Don't you know they're nervous that

we might join forces with the jurchens

who live in Yodong?

How can we call it a country if we don't do something

just because they don't like it?

You all seem to be mistaken.

We are a subservient country.

A small country should serve a large country

and a large country should take care of

a small country.

Both should be as one.

Subservience without reciprocal care

is like begging.

That's right.

We must not withdraw our northward policies

until Ming appoints His Majesty to the throne.

The emperor is demanding that

we send a prince.

What should we do?

Let's put our northward policies on hold.

Sambong.

Have general Lee jiran return and

call back the spies in Yodong.

What is the reason for this?

You were the one who sought northward policies.

Since there is a shower,

we need to seek temporary shelter.

We can go out after it stops raining.

Send jeongangun to Ming.

Sambong.

He is the only prince

who has met the emperor before.

He is the right choice.

I know he lost favor with me,

but he is still my son.

I can't send him to his death.

Jeongangun is taking over and

representing the princes instead of Yeongangun.

Recently, he employed Ha Ryun as his advisor.

We don't know what will happen

if we let him do what he wants.

Stop it.

He has to disappear

for the crown prince's position to be stable.

Don't you know that?

Jeongangun's ambition is the country's enemy.

A day might come

when you have to kill him yourself.

Just send him to Ming.

Make your choice.

Is it the crown prince or Jeongangun?

Jeongangun is being sent to Ming?

I'm not sure, but there is a rumor.

That was the reason Sambong suddenly showed a friendly attitude

toward Ming.

He is going to send you to Ming and

abolish the private armies.

It's Sambong again?

You can't stay here.

Go to Dongbukmyeon.

I will make up an excuse.

That won't solve anything.

You can't let him do this.

Honey.

May I say something?

What brings you here?

I asked you a question.

I heard

Sambong told you to send me to Ming.

So?

I will go.

I will gladly go even if I'm killed or

held hostage in Ming.

Do you mean that?

It is my fate to go.

I'm a bad son who gets in the way of

the crown prince.

But I have one request.

Whether I return or not,

don't let Sambong abolish the private armies.

Our family grew for generations

as a warlord family based on our private army.

Losing that would be like losing our roots.

If Sambong gets his way with this,

we won't be able to tell if this country is

one of the Lee clan or the jeong clan.

Bangwon, will you really go?

Yes, I will go.

I'm saying this from my heart.

Do not trust Sambong.

He is a traitor who denies the king.

Bangwon.

You fool!

Father.

If you keep this up, don't you know

tragic things like this will happen?

Fool.

Can't you just keep quiet like the others?

I might not have been chosen by you...

But I am still your son.

How can I watch a traitor's tyranny?

Fool, fool, fool!

I will not forget you or joseon

even when I'm in Ming.

Bangwon...

You fool!

Fool.

Fool, fool.

Can't you just keep quiet?

Fool! Fool!

Fool! Fool!

If you're going to go, volunteer.

His Majesty is a benevolent person.

He will forget about all his grudges.

You can make plans for the future.

Fool! Fool.

Bangwon. Bangwon!

Bangwon. Bangwon!

This is a memorial to the emperor.

Have a safe trip.

Sambong.

I will return alive.

I will be waiting.

You should be prepared.

It's too bad you can't abolish

the private armies.

I can do that after His Majesty grieves.

It was a condition of my going to Ming.

You had to go anyway.

It wasn't a promise I made.

It won't go as you wish.

It seems like you're relying on something.

You'll see.

Your Majesty, why are you drinking

in the middle of the day?

What else can I do?

Have a drink.

What?

Just one then.

Wretch.

Jiran.

Bangwon should be alright, huh?

Probably.

Jeongangun is a smart man.

Fool. Fool.

I'm the king and I can't even protect my son.

I'm a terrible king.

Your Majesty,

Cheomseo Jungchuwonsa, Ha Ryun is here.

Hi Ryun?

Show him in.

What brings you here?

I came to report on

the progress at the Eumyangsanjeongdogam.

Go ahead.

I found a perfect spot

that would be a capital for Joseon.

Where is it?

Muhak.

He is bringing up the capital

to stop us from reforming the military system.

Ha Ryun gave us a good blow.

Where is the place he chose?

Muhak.

It was suggested as a good spot several times.

It is close to Hanyang.

His Majesty seems to be more interested in it

than Gyeryongsan.

We won't be able to do anything else for a couple years

if we move the capital.

We have to stop this.

There's going to be another commotion.

How long does this have to last?

Even if we oppose, we should check

the geography of Muhak first.

Go ahead.

Muhak area

This is a perfect spot for the capital?

The energy of the mountain gathers and there is a lot of water.

It is a good spot.

Isn't it too small to be the capital?

It depends on how you think.

No. I think it's too small.

Your Majesty, please see us.

Your Majesty, please see us.

Your Majesty, we will not leave

until you see us.

Your Majesty,

Muhak is too small to be the capital.

Your Majesty, please see us.

Your Majesty, please see us.

Never mind them.

They're always against everything.

Why is this the perfect spot?

Let me explain.

Your Majesty, Muhak isn't appropriate

as the location of the capital.

Please postpone moving the capital.

Please postpone moving the capital.

It isn't the time to move the capital.

Your Majesty, please postpone it.

I'm even more resolved after hearing that.

You seem to be quite knowledgeable.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Good job.

If we move the capital,

I will put you in charge of that.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Sir, sir, sir.

You can leave us.

Sambong, how can you be so rude?

I have an urgent request to make.

Forgive me for being rude.

If you're opposing moving the capital,

go and write an appeal.

I will read it over.

Please call a meeting tomorrow.

What do you want a meeting for?

We have to settle this matter.

We should decide on the capital of joseon.

Whether it's Gaegyeong or Muhak.

Wherever it may be.

Let's decide right now.