Original subtitles

Here comes His Majesty!

Your Majesty!

That you, Assistant Officer Jo Hyeon Myeong, and Park Moon Soo will resign?

Now, to lead this court, you must throw us away.

An epidemic? Did you just say an epidemic is spreading?

If you want to turn the world upside down,

you first have to create chaos.

- Who are you? - Do you want to turn the world upside down?

A disease that broke out from Chungcheong Province has reached the capital Hanyang already!

Is the whole country being devastated by the epidemic?

Summon all high officials above the third rank belonging to the Border Defense Council.

Your Majesty, this may not be a plague.

Have you all been well?

So he has been preparing for a rebellion for a long time.

We need to live, too!

We can't die staying in the capital!

Third day since the breakout in the capital.

If you can't control the plague here,

the capital will be total chaos.

By now, not only the capital but the whole country is in chaos.

Now we need to make propaganda flyers and spread them to anger people.

Wi Byeong Joo? Why is that man...

The reason for the plague spreading in this country is because of the previous king's bloody tears,

because the king has killed the previous king and stolen the throne.

I am taking my father and leaving.

Do you not know a plague patient can't leave!

The king is abandoning his people to save his own neck!

The king won't be able to withstand the public opinion.

That's the time to start the rebellion.

The plague and even the horrible posters slandering His Majesty.

There must be something.

Wi Byeong Joo, who should be dead by now, is still alive.

I'll find out what it is.

Just what kind of a situation is His Majesty in right now?

The rumor says Your Majesty will leave the palace to avoid the plague

- and go to your vacation palace. - What?

As soon as the day breaks, tell them this is a baseless rumor through the morning paper.

They won't find a way.

There's no easier and stronger weapon than fear.

I cannot collapse here.

I will do all that a king should do here.

What did you say just now? His Majesty left the palace?

Chief Royal Secretary!

Right State Councilor. You see—

Answer me. Where did His Majesty go?! [Jo Tae Goo (Right State Councilor, Soron)]

No way...

Did His Majesty...

His Majesty went to Hwalinseo.

[Hwalinseo - city medical clinic for the poor inside the capital]

Hwalinseo? You're saying he went himself?

Yes, Right State Councillor.

He went himself to comfort the patients.

[Min Jin Heon (Left State Councilor, Noron)]

Move out of the way! [Hwalinseo]

We cannot trust this nation nor Hwalinseo anymore!

I need to take back my family who is in there!

Everyone! Let's push on and force our way in!

There is a rumor that Hwalinseo added Chinese aconite in the medicine!

We will go out!

We can't just wait to die like this!

Step back! You dare to disobey the king's command?

Like it matters!

While all of his people are dying, the king went away by himself

so that he could survive. He's not even a king!

His Majesty is coming!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Timing and subtitles brought to you by The Guardians of Justice Team @ Viki

[King Yeongjo]

What are you doing?

Doctors and nurses, raise the patients.

How could you make the sick kneel?

Is this your father?

Yes, Your Majesty. He is.

Stand up.

How could you be on the cold floor when your body is weakened like this?

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!

I know what you are all worried about,

what horrid rumors are spreading in the capital,

and what kind of fear you have regarding this illness because of that.

However, I, as the king of this nation,

will never abandon my people.

This illness is not a punishment,

and you will definitely be cured of it.

Today, I came

to tell you this.

I will not take one step away from this place, this capital.

All of this is just a horrible deception.

Until the end, I will be with my people.

In addition, I will find a way to cure this illness

and save you who are suffering from it.

So endure and wait just a little longer.

Your Majesty.

I, the king of this nation, will definitely

keep this promise.

Your Majesty.

Did you see?

It is His Majesty.

It's the first time I've ever been this close to the king in my life.

That he came all the way here himself...

Who are we that he did this?

The king came to this dangerous place.

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty the King!

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!

Stand up.

If you collapse, then who will take care of your father?

Your Majesty.

Please kill me.

Without knowing anything, I spoke blasphemy.

Please kill this worthless being, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

[Chapter 20: Dark Mayhem II]

Come take a look.

Come and see.

Come look at this before you go.

There must be something.

Wi Byeong Joo, who should be dead by now, is still alive.

You are thinking there's a plot to harm His Majesty.

I'll follow Wi Byeong Joo.

You two go to the capital and tell His Majesty of this fact.

Welcome, My Lord. It's real jade.

What do you think about this one?

- Let me see that one, too. - Okay.

Altogether, they are ten nyang, but I will give them to you for four nyang.

Give me all four.

Goodbye. Come again, My Lord.

- Let me ask you a question.- Are you going to buy an ornament?

Who are you going to give it to? These for lawful wives and these for mistresses.

I couldn't even get married, so what the heck.

That's not what I want.

The customer just now... do you know him well?

Excuse me? Why are you asking me that?

I don't need an ornament, just an answer.

Isn't this a profitable deal?

He seemed like an official belonging to Cheongju provincial government.

What does he do?

My Lord!

- Here you go. - Oh my!

Thank you, My Lord.

He is a military officer in charge of the Cheongju arsenal?

Yes, he is a high ranking officer who keeps the arsenal keys.

The provincial government's arsenal?

Why did Wi Byeong Joo contact such a person?

What do you mean by leaving the palace at a time like this?

Comforting the subjects' feelings, yes, that was needed.

However, you should have sent ministers to such a potentially dangerous place.

Overseeing the people is not just the king's job,

but it is also the ministers' job.

Do you think it would have worked?

This was probably the only way.

I know that I, the king, stepping up at a time like this

is, in a way, an irresponsible thing to do.

But if I had not taken charge personally,

do you think we could have placated the public that was on the brink of a rioting?

- Your Majesty, that is— - What to do and how to get it done,

these are what matter right now, Left State Councilor.

Who gets it done does not matter.

Like you said, safeguarding the people

is the job of the king and ministers, all of us.

So let us now do our job.

This is the list of patients at Hwalinseo (city medical clinics).

Most of them seem to have used a few specific wells for their drinking water needs.

Did you just say wells?

Like I said from the beginning,

there must be a vile plot behind this.

Relay these instructions to the Mayor of Hanseong right now.

Yes, Left State Councilor.

First of all, seal up all the suspect wells right away

and provide the citizens of the capital with other clean drinking water.

Use of this well is prohibited.

Are you saying it can be the same disease that broke out in Cheongju before?

The symptoms are remarkably similar.

To call it a plague, it's strange that a rash is not one of the symptoms.

I think this disease is the same as Cheongju's mysterious disease.

We can search for the reason for its spread later.

For now, use the same prescription to treat the patients in the capital.

Send down the prescription that cured the Cheongju disease to Hwalinseo right now and let them treat the patients with it.

Yes.

A prescription from the King's Physician's Office.

I see.

This is the prescription from the King's Physician's Office.

Here.

It does not make any sense!

What does the king know about medicine?

A mysterious disease not caused by pestilence but by a plot?[Deputy Minister of Works (Soron)]

Wasn't the predecessor king enough?

Now he wants to kill all the citizens of the capital?

Instead of blocking him, how can you be assisting him? [Deputy Minister of Defense (Soron)]

Then, do you have an alternative?

What are you doing besides throwing fits?

At least His Majesty is looking for a way.

He personally visited dangerous hwalinseos and prevented public opinion from turning sour.

His prescription is also worth giving a try—

What right does the king have to tend to the public opinion?

What right does he have when he committed immoral fratricide?

Look here!

Look at this. This is the real public sentiment.

The king killed the predecessor king!

This is heaven's will as well.

Are you in your right mind? How dare you use such a thing!

We can never be the king's followers.

And that applies to you, too, if you tell us to keep silent.

What?

This is a difficulty involved in the work we do.

If an enemy, then as an enemy we can fight against until the end,

it would be nice if he stayed incomprehensible.

Since politics is a human affair, too, the time comes when you start comprehending the enemy's point of view.

- Left State Councilor. - It was the first time

I felt at a loss for words in front of His Majesty.

This old and seasoned me

learned a lesson

from a young king.

That must be what troubles you too,

because you can understand His Majesty, the enemy.

Because you feel like you've got to hand it to him.

Yes, this may be the bizarreness of politics,

that none other than you, my political enemy,

understand how I feel right now better than anyone else.

Your Majesty, you are here.

How is the queen dowager?

Your Majesty.

It's okay. Stay seated.

[Queen Dowager]

She just had her medicine and fell asleep.

You must be having a tough time.

Are you okay?

Yes, do not worry about me, Your Majesty.

Her Highness will get better in no time.

She is stronger than anyone else.

[Hwalinseo]

Are you okay?

Ah, this...

Doctor! Doctor, please hurry and come see this.

Look, the patients' complexions are getting better.

The medicine must be finally, finally taking effect.

Indeed, their pulses are normalizing.

How about other patients? What's the status in West Hwalinseo?

Hurry and go to the palace to inform them

that the patients in West Hwalinseo are getting better as well.

Yes, Doctor.

Is that true?

All patients at Hwalinseo are regaining their energy?

I think the prescription worked.

Now, I think you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Your Majesty.

How about the queen dowager? Is she feeling better?

It is alright.

I can sit up by myself.

I will let His Majesty know.

Queen Dowager.

Your Majesty.

How are you feeling? Are you okay?

When you worry over me so much, how can I not be okay?

I have heard

that you are my life saver.

That is undeserved.

You have no idea how grateful I am that you have convalesced.

I should be the one thanking you.

She had a tough time nursing me too.

Your Majesty.

Is there, by any chance, another problem in the palace?

I can sense unusual military movements.

Also your countenance...

This illness can be but the beginning.

What will happen and from where...

I can't even fathom right now.

Do not worry.

No matter what happens, I will not be shaken,

because, as you said, you are guarding me by my side.

Your Majesty.

Now, now, everyone can show your ID stick and pass.

- Is it true that the plague has been contained? - That is right.

Now, everyone can feel safe and may enter.

Have you heard? His Majesty personally went to the hwalinseo

and comforted the patients.

Then, that he'd run or something,

what was that rumor all about?

Aigoo, it wasn't just yesterday or today that fake news has been popular.

General.

That man called king is quite a trickster.[Lee In Jwa (Namin)]

I shouldn't underestimate him.

Ask Saheonbu Inspector Yoon to come in now,

as secretly as possible.

Yes, Your Majesty.

What in the world does this mean?

Criminal Wi Byeong Joo who'd been awaiting execution escaped his place of exile?

By the time I got there, all the soldiers guarding the place were dead,

and Prince Milpoong had already escaped.

Wi Byeong Joo and Prince Milpoong have disappeared.

But to think that this matter was plotted by them...

they had been confined and in exile for too long.

Then, in the end, yet another person or another power

could have spearheaded this matter.

Definitely, the final goal must be the overturn of the country.

Who on earth are you?

How far have you advanced?

- Is everything ready? - Yes.

The royal guards who will escort you will get here soon, too.

- Everyone, hurry. - Yes!

- What is going on? - I think His Majesty is going outside the palace.

- Really? - Yes.

At this hour?

Is this the right place?

I-I... think so.

Why of all places did he ask us to meet him here?

But isn't this...

Why?

What better place is there for forming an alliance?

Isn't this the late predecessor king's tomb site?

Oaths of revenge should be taken at none other than this place.

Are you Lee In Jwa?

By the way, to be frightened by a mere thing like this...

How can you accomplish something big?

- Your Majesty. - Dal Moon.

Your Majesty.

Is your message true?

Where are both of them?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Teacher, Assistant Officer, what happened?

Why are you two here?

Inspector Park informed us of this place.

He said we would be able to see you right away if we went through this place.

Cheongju? Did you just say Cheongju?

Yes, Inspector Park Moon Soo said he definitely saw[Jo Hyeon Myeong (Soron)]

Wi Byeong Joo in front of the Cheongju government office.

There is another information.

Chae Yoon Yeong, the mistress of Prince Milpoong, who ran away,

was spotted in Jincheon, near Cheongju.

We have also heard, Your Majesty,

that the ground zero for the mysterious disease that spread to the three southern provinces and the capital

seems to be Cheongju. [Lee Gwang Jwa (Soron)]

Cheongju. This rebellious vibe must have originated from there

and called in Wi Byeong Joo and Prince Milpoong as well.

They caused the spread of the disease even in the capital

and distributed propaganda flyers all over the nation on a massive scale.

The rebellious forces most certainly are not minor.

How many men and how organized they are will be the question, Your Majesty.

From this moment on, why don't you leave behind that fear of yours, comrades?

Because we have embarked on the road with a mission of creating a new Joseon,

not even a waver in your determination shall be tolerated.

Th-Th-Th-Those... Who are those?

But isn't that Police Commissioner Nam Gyeong Jin?!

Provincial Military Commander of Pyongan Lee Sa Gyeong

and Ministry of Defense Royal Messenger Lee Sa Cheol are there, too.

All of us here have endured the tyranny of the world ruled by Norons.

Namin and Soron and everyone were killed

and ousted by them.

And the current king who had poisoned the predecessor king to death

has given power to those Norons again.

How can we bow down to him, the low-born murderer?

Therefore, now we are going to overturn this dirty world

no matter what sacrifice it takes, without fail.

And...

a new nation,

a new Joseon will be established.

- Right you are! - Here, here!

We must build a new Joseon!

Let's oust the king and build a new nation!

Let's build one!