Original subtitles

Jeong Dojeon

Jeong Dojeon

Episode 45

Let's begin.

I looked around the land south of Muhak.

It is too small to be a capital.

You cannot move the capital to Muhak.

Of the capitals of the Three Han States,

Gyerim and Pyeongyang lasted the longest.

Muhak is small, but the site for a palace is

larger than Gyerim or Pyeongyang.

We can't just build a palace in the capital.

We need the royal shrine and

government buildings, too.

The citizens of Gaegyeong have to move.

The land of Muhak isn't big enough.

It can accommodate all that.

If you just wanted to stuff everyone in it,

you could get a million people in.

But if the capital is too dense,

it will be an obstacle in the country's prosperity.

What's the use of vast land

if it isn't a fortuitous spot?

Muhak is located in the center of the nation.

It has good energy and it is surrounded

by mountains and water.

It suits geomantic principles.

I don't know much about geomancy,

but everyone knows that Gaegyeong is

the most fortuitous spot in the nation.

Please keep the capital in its place.

There is something the officials of Seoungwan all agree on.

Gaegyeong's energy has become very weak.

The fate of the nation cannot prosper.

- Your Majesty. - Stop.

That's enough.

Muhak is a good site, but it's small

and Gaegyeong is weak in energy.

Your Majesty.

Go ahead.

It cannot be Muhak.

There is only one thing I know.

The rise or fall of a nation doesn't depend on

the energy of the land.

It depends on the people.

The people?

When deciding on the new capital,

do not rely on divination.

You must not be deceived

by talks of divination by a Confucian scholar.

Are you saying

we should keep Gaegyeong the capital?

No.

Like the majority of the officials,

I do not want the capital to be moved

It is because the people will suffer.

But how can we call a place the capital

when the king's heart isn't in it?

I will abide by your decision.

Sambong.

What are you doing?

Do you want to ignore the suffering of the people?

If the king and his subjects become distanced

because of repeated discussions

over the capital,

it is the people who will suffer.

There is an advantage to it though.

The atmosphere of the country will change and

all remnants of Goryeo will be eradicated.

That is good for the people.

If you don't want to cause suffering,

remain in capital.

If you still have to move the capital,

move it to a place that will cause the least suffering on the people.

I fought in battle all my life.

There isn't a place I haven't been.

There is one such place.

It is high in all directions and

the wide river provides a nice view.

The land is vast and level.

It will be good for the people to live.

It is close to Gaegyeong,

so the people won't suffer as much.

Where is it?

Hanyang.

Hanyang.

What do you think?

We will abide by your decision.

Hanyang... Hanyang...

We have to settle this matter

as quickly as possible.

I will establish Sindogunggwoljoseondogam

and focus on the construction of the new capital.

Ujae, lead the court well.

Why didn't you tell me

you decided to agree to moving the capital?

You must be upset.

I am the chancellor of the left.

I am the head of the court.

Ujae.

Don't treat me like one of your factions.

“He!

He must be really angry.

I'll talk to him.

Let's go.

You're really something.

I thought you would oppose to the end

and cause His Majesty rage.

I learned a lesson from you.

Are you being sarcastic?

lam Ha Ryun.

I admit when I'm defeated.

I know you suggested a new capital

to prevent the abolition of private armies.

You won't get away with something

like this every again.

Even if jeongangun returns from Ming,

don't go to his place.

You will not be safe if you do.

I will remember that.

Ming Imperial Palace

Your father ignored my warning.

He caused dissipation.

I am going to be generous.

Make a choice.

Will you be banished to Yunnan or

will you be imprisoned?

Your Majesty.

Make your choice.

Contacting the jurchens wasn't an act of the gwonjiguksa,

but jeong Dojeon's doing since he has actual power.

It is an unforgivable crime

to rule over subjects improperly.

Keeping me detained here isn't good

for Joseon or for the future of Ming.

What?

The gwonjiguksa is over sixty.

He has diabetes and an abscess on his back.

He can't look over state affairs.

Jeong Dojeon is monopolizing on state affairs

with the young crown prince.

What would happen to the future of joseon

if I am detained here?

Would a powerful king installed by you

he beneficial for Ming?

Or would joseon ruled by a servant

he better for Ming?

You are the one who has to make a choice.

A prince of a small country

dares to tell me to make a choice?

Do you have a death wish?

Make your choice.

Release him.

Return to your country.

Your Majesty.

You must be upset you weren't chosen

as the crown prince.

I will send a gift to comfort you soon.

I hope you will use it well.

Did you say you will send a gift?

Goodbye.

At that time

the historic event of moving the capital to Hanyang began.

On September 1, 1594,

Sindogunggwoljoseongdogam was established.

jeong Dojeon took Nam Eun and other officials to Hanyang

to look around the palace, royal shrine

and government building sites and roads

and started planning the capital.

What's wrong? Is there a problem?

Who drew such a crazy blueprint?

I did...

Why is the palace facing east?

Buddhist priest Muhak said

it would be good to have Inwangsan in behind.

You're not happy with it?

Is anyone outside?

Take him away. Flog him and lock him up.

Yes, sir!

Sambong.

NOW!

Please forgive me. I only did what...

Why are you so angry?

Bring Buddhist priest Muhak.

You wanted to see me?

I have something to ask you.

You said to have the palace facing east.

I never saw such a palace before.

What is the reason?

I thought it would be best

for the future of joseon.

Why is that?

As you know,

Baegaksan is to the north of Hanyang.

To the west is Inwangsan,

to the east is Naktasan and to the south is Mokmyeonsan.

If you have it facing south,

the main mountain will be Baegaksan.

To the left will be Naktasan and

to the right will be Inwangsan.

So?

Naktasan must not be to the left.

In geomancy, left means man and oldest son.

Naktasan is weak,

so if it becomes the left mountain,

the oldest son will not prosper.

Stop it.

The king always faced south.

Joseon's palace will also face south.

If you don't believe me,

there will be trouble in the future.

Don't you know what kind of a country joseon is?

It is a country based on Men-Confucianism.

Wouldn't it be a joke to rely on geomancy

when building the capital?

Sambong.

The new capital is the heart of joseon where the people-oriented cause

will be achieved.

Hanyang will be based on Men-Confucianism

from beginning to end.

It will be come an ideal land

of Men-Confucianism.

I am going to make sure of that.

As a result of all your hard work...

jeong Dojeon completed the new blueprint for Hanyang.

The palace, today's Gyeongbokgung,

had Baegaksan behind and faced south.

After deciding on the location of the palace,

he based the locations of the main buildings

according to the codes system of

the Zhou Dynasty.

To the left of the palace,

today's jongno-4-ga, was the royal shrine.

To the west of the palace, the state altar was placed

at the foot of Inwangsan.

To the road extending south of the palace,

State Council and the six ministries were established.

Below that, today's Jongno, was the market

and a residential area was formed

around Cheonggyecheon.

On October 25,

even before the construction began,

Lee Seonggye left Gaegyeong and

arrived in Hanyang three days later.

He used an inn as a temporary palace

and encouraged the construction.

jeong Dojeon held a rite in place of the king

at the groundbreaking ceremony and supervised the construction.

It is said that

he wrote “Sindoga”, a labor song,

to relieve fatigue of the workers.

jeong Dojeon also focused on

establishing the political ideologies of joseon.

He wrote 'Simgiri' and

criticized Buddhism and Taoism from a Nee-Confucian view point.

The finished the compilation of Goryeo history in 3 years.

He also wrote 'Gyeongjemungam' which organized

the prime minister-oriented power structure in a structured manner.

He fulfilled his role as the founder

and designer of joseon.

In 1595,

the year after the capital was moved,

the palace was completed.

Crown prince, this is the new beopgung.

The gate is beautiful and majestic.

Doseungji, let's go.

Announce him.

Make way for His Majesty!

This is where morning assemblies

and state ceremonies will take place.

I named it Geunjeongjeon.

Geunjeongjeon?

King Wu and King Sun were so diligent

that they didn't even have time to eat.

Their diligence pleased the people.

A king must be diligent in state affairs.

Comfort will result in arrogance

and complacence.

That's why I named it Geunjeongjeon.

Let's see the conference hall.

This is where you will carry out state affairs.

When ruling this complicated world,

the king must think and think again.

According to the 'Book of Documents',

thinking makes a person wise and

a wise person becomes a saint.

So, I named it Sajeongjeon.

Let's drink.

You named the buildings so well.

Geunjeongjeon and Sajeongjeon.

You could go to the market and think up names for people.

I only used beautiful words from

the 'Book of Documents' and 'Book of Songs'

for peace for the royal family and people.

The king's quarters, Gangnyeongjeon,

and the towers and gates were

all named from the wisdom and teachings of wise men from long ago.

Since you're talking about it,

he stayed up nights looking up literature.

Stop it.

Working hard is good, but you shouldn't neglect your health.

You are the pillar of this nation.

That's a hit excessive.

The pillar of this nation is His Majesty.

It was just a well-wishing remark.

Why are you being so serious?

The capital was moved quickly

thanks to Sambong.

Isn't that so?

You flatter me.

I only created the atmosphere and

named the buildings.

It was the people who built this capital

and the palace.

Your Majesty, everything you see and enjoy

holds their hard work.

You must forget that.

You are right.

I won't forget that. Sambong.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Since you're naming everything,

how about naming the palace?

It's not a temporary palace.

You want to name the palace?

Yes, is there a good name?

There is a poem in the 'Book of Songs'.

There is?

The king is drunk and full.

He will have great blessings forever.

Gyeongbok, great blessings.

Name it Gyeongbokgung.

Gyeongbok. "Gyeongbokgung".

Everyone will listen.

From now on, the beopgung of joseon

will be called Gyeongbokgung.

Let's have a drink.

Let's drink.

Eunuch Kim, bring it.

Open it.

Take a look.

Yujonggongjong-

That's right. Yujonggongjong.

Best in Men-Confucianism and

top in merit in establishing the country.

Sambong.

You suffered much achieving a great cause with me

when I'm lacking.

Your Majesty.

Accept this.

Now.

I know.

I know you suffered because of me.

If you don't forget that day you fell off your horse and

if I don't forget the day

I was sentenced to execution,

joseon will last forever with...

people-oriented theories.

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

Sambong, thank you.

Thank you.

Your Majesty...

There is a banquet going on.

Why did you come outside?

I couldn't stand to watch it anymore.

All the more reason

you should keep a smiling face.

A person who shows his true emotions

is an easy enemy to fight.

Jeong Dojeon's power is getting stronger.

There isn't any room.

You have many servants and

hundreds of private soldiers.

If you wait patiently, a time will come.

People will be watching. I should go.

Hojeong.

Yes, my lord.

I can't get word to you

since Jo Yeonggyu died.

Can you recommend someone I can trust?

I will look for someone. Goodbye then.

Your Majesty.

You shouldn't sing in the conference hall.

It's sacred.

I was just getting into it.

Don't be so cold-hearted.

You should maintain your dignity.

Please calm down.

Go ahead and sing.

The people have a new capital and palace.

It is a happy day-

Singing a song is no big fault on such a day.

Sing loud enough for all the people to hear.

You're the only one who understands me.

I will sing.

You ruined my mood.

How about if you sing a song for me?

Come on.

It's been a long time since I sang.

I will have to politely decline.

It's alright if you sound terrible. Come on.

Your Majesty.

If you don't want to sing, then dance.

Dance? Why are you asking me to do that?

Sing or dance. Do something.

Nobody will go home until you do.

Just dance. It will be fun to watch.

Not you, too.

Nam Eun.

Aren't you going to dance?

Are you going to refuse a royal order?

Go ahead. I'd like to see, too.

Then I will show you a dance that I learned over the shoulder

when I was exiled.

It is called the Sojaedong gopsachum.

Good, good. Show us.

Oh!

Get up.

Get up!

Good, good.

Your Majesty! Come on.

Fine.

Make way for His Majesty!

Jeong Dojeon divided the administrative districts into

5 bus and 52 bangs and named each one of them.

Banghwa, Gahoe, Anguk and Seorin

are still names that are being used in Seoul.

The construction of the capital reaches a peak

as the fortress walls are built.

He designed the capital to connect

Baegaksan, Inwangsan, Namsan and Naksan and

supervised the construction.

The fortress was 17 km in length.

It is Seonggwakgil or Doseonggil of today.

He also named the four gates of the capital.

He named them after the four characters

that people should have according to Nee-Confucianism - in, ui, ye, ji.

The east gate was Heunginmun.

The west gate was Donuimun.

The south gate was Sungryemun.

The north gate was Sojimun.

Hanyang isn't merely a city.

It was a Nee-Confucian utopia that

jeong Dojeon desired.

You want to enter government service?

Jeong Dojeon gave the Confucian scholars of Goryeo a chance to do so.

If you will allow it,

I would like to enter the court.

Is my approval important?

I am a criminal who couldn't prevent the fall of Goryeo

as the chancellor.

Don't linger on my words.

Do what you want.

Master.

It's been a while since I heard that.

I had students at one time.

Mongju and Sungin.

I have to see them soon.

Why is my pathetic life so long?

Master.

Go.

Goryeo doesn't exist anymore.

You have decided to work for Joseon.

I will forget about your past.

As servants of joseon,

give your best efforts for His Majesty and the people.

Is that understood?

Yes.

Yangchon.

Yes.

Thank you for making a decision.

Help me a lot.

Yes.

Jeong Dojeon is appeasing the Confucian scholars of Goryeo

and gaining power.

He has more confidence

since the moving of the capital was successful.

Sambong is flying. We can't even crawl.

Jeongangun, it's Jo Yeongmo.

Hello.

Jeong Dojeon gave an order to begin

military tactical training again.

What? Tactical training?

I'm sure he is trying to abolish

private armies.

He's not giving us any time to breathe.

Hear me out.

There is nothing to hear.

You want me to become jeongangun's faction?

Lower your voice.

It's for your sake.

What could you do among all those other scholar

who contributed to founding the country?

Jeongangun might just be a puppy now,

but his world will come some day.

His world?

I'd rather crawl under Sambong's legs

than become a faction of Poeun's murderer.

Yangchon.

Don't be rude. Step out of the way!

Who are you to block my way?

I am jwaseupyu Lee Sukbeon.

Lee Sukbeon?

Cancel the order to begin tactical training.

Are you crazy?

Take him away!

Nam Eun.

Put me down.

Tell me. What is the reason?

The emperor of Ming doesn't trust us,

so he is postponing the installment of His Majesty.

Carrying out tactical training

would be like pouring oil on fire.

Your spirit is good,

but it doesn't look like you thought this through.

Defense is the basic duty of a country.

How can we neglect it?

Move out of the way now.

Defense is just an excuse!

You want to abolish the private armies

of the princes.

What?

I agree to abolishing private armies,

but this is a domestic problem.

Stabilizing relations with Ming is more of an urgent matter right now.

Postpone the tactical training.

There was a time when I acted with bravado

only with a strong will just like you.

Since I was like that, I will let this go.

Now, move.

If I was going to move,

I wouldn't have blocked you in the first place.

If you were like me, you should know.

How dare you? Be quiet!

Watch carefully.

Sambong.

This is what will happen to anyone

who opposes the tactical training

regardless of their position.

Let's go.

That wasn't like you.

You should have made me do that.

It was nothing good to do.

You seem like

you're being chased by something lately.

What is wrong with you?

His Majesty is getting weaker and

the crown prince is growing up too slowly.

I'm getting old, too.

I feel rushed.

Sambong.

We're almost there.

If we just abolish the private armies...

We're almost there.

Yes.

1596 (5th year of king Taejo's reign)

Darn!

Even if he has military power, he is a servant.

How dare he make the princes of joseon wait?

Be patient.

He says a servant should rule the country.

I will wash away this humiliation some day.

Princes!

What's all the commotion about?

The tactical training has been cancelled.

Why?

Well... There is trouble in court.

Trouble?

You sent a letter with New Year greetings.

I read it over carefully.

It is frivolous and it ridicules me.

I am upset and angry.

From what I understand,

the person who wrote this was

Jeong Dojeon.

Your Majesty, that's not true.

That's right. We investigated.

The draft was written by daesaseong jeong Tak and

it was revised by Gwon Geun of Writing and Annals Compilation Office.

The emperor is mistaken.

How could we make a mistake in a letter sent to the emperor?

Continue reading.

The king of joseon will send

jeong Dojeon to Ming.

The emperor really ordered that?

Yes.

That was it.

I will send a gift to comfort you soon.

I hope you will use it well.

The gift finally arrived.

Zhu Yuanzhang, that wretch!