Original subtitles

Hear me.

Yes

This battle has taught us a painful lesson.

We've lost Kangju and Geumsung.

This is not the fault of any one person, but due to my negligence.

Your Majesty...

But this city Mujinju still remains strong defending the

southwestern coast.

This defeat has made me realize how much more important it is

to maintain what is ours than to capture a new territory.

Your Majesty, I am truly...

You have said enough. No man is infallible.

But you must not repeat your mistake.

Your Majesty...

I ask forgiveness from the vice prime minister as well.

I foolishly ignored you kind counsel...

General, heed His Majesty's words.

Let us not dwell on the past, but turn our attention to

getting back Geumsung.

Yes. This is a beginning. His Majesty has commanded

you to reclaim Geumsung, and you must do so.

I will.

I swear by my own blood to get it back.

We must re-inspect the remaining outposts as well.

Kangju must be recaptured from Shilla, and we shall strengthen

our military force and strike Koryo in its vulnerable spot.

Yes. But that work should be carefully carried out in the

imperial city instead of here in Mujinju.

Yes, Your Majesty. I believe this matter should be discreetly

discussed in the seat of government.

General Chu speaks wisely. I bid you to return to the Wansanju.

Yes. The court has been void of your presence for too long.

I agree. I bid you to return to the palace without delay.

Fine. We will go.

And we will devise a plan to avange this disgrace.

General Sudal

Yes, Your Majesty.

You will remain in Mujinju and formulate a plan to

recapture Geumsung.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will recapture Geumsung and repay you for sparing

my life and allowing me another chance.

Kyun-hwon's crushing defeat against Koryo...

Although Sudal vows to recapture Geumsung, Geumsung remains in

possession of Koryo for a long time to come.

Six years later in the year 909, Sudal attempts to recapture

Geumsung, but fails against wang Guhn once again.

Losing Geumsung would prove to be a huge strategic loss

with lingering effect.

So Kyun-hwon returns home in defeat like this...

King Kyun-hwon has returned to Wansanju, you say?

Yes. I'm told Sudal has remained as governor of

Mujinju to seek retaliation.

It is as expected. He is probably grinding his teeth in enmity.

But he is helpless. The world has changed now.

Not so. We've all seen Sudal fortitude.

He was truly an extraordinary warrior.

Yes. He was an unmatched warrior.

If you know yourself and your enemy, you can not lose.

He will not be able to attack if we do not neglect our defense.

The natural fortress surrounding Geumsung gives us the advantage.

That's right. There is no immediate threat of invasion.

But Geumsung is too far from our mainland.

We must take measure to ensure its preservation.

Yes, that's right.

I've discussed that with Lady Doyoung, but...

What troubles you?

I am in a difficult spot.

I have ab idea about your dilemma.

What would that be?

I've once been madly in love myself.

I recognize a person in love when I see one.

Lady Doyoung is in love with you, Master.

What?

Lady Doyoung is not only beautiful but incredibly

intelligent as well.

Not only that, she has the pluck of ten men.

Yes. We've witnessed her fortitude in Jungju.

Master, what is there to hesitate?

You can not remain a bachelor forever, and this is an

excellent chance.

Sulhee is right.

You should give this a serious thought.

Besides, this would ensure preservation of Geumsung.

What holds you back? Are you displeased with Lady Doyoung?

That is not why I hesitate. I am more concerned about

preservation of Geumsung than being pleased with a woman.

So you'll get the girl and preserve the city too!

Women and dalliance is meaningless to me.

Geumsung is my only concern.

Accept Lady Doyoung, Brother.

Yes, Brother.

But it is not that simple.

It isn't complicated either.

No, this is a very complex situation...

Why so?

I have not yet told you, but I have already pledged to marry

Lord Yu's daughter Buyong.

When did this happen, Brother?

I let this happen somehow.

Lady Doyoung is aware of this, but ... I am at a loss.

I am to meet Lord Ho this evening, and he will expect

an answer from me. What awkward spot I am in...

What can you do when it's already happened?

Perhaps you should discuss this matter with His Majesty.

His Majesty? But this is a personal matter.

You will be able to marry them both and preserve Geumsung

without offending anyone if His Majesty gets involved.

An excellent idea! I will send a message to the palace at once.

His majesty should soon arrive in Song-ak from Chulwon.

This is a joyous event, Brother!

You are marrying two women on once!

Welcome, General. Lord Oh awaits you.

Thank you.

Please drink, General.

Please join me, my lord.

Yes, General.

I deeply appreciate your hospitality, Sire.

Thank you for accepting our invitation tonight.

You're much too kind to say so.

This is favour of all favours.

I'm told you've agreed to accept my daughter.

Pardon?

I am most grateful and pleased.

But I ...

I've told my father of my intent to receive you and

that we would have your answer tonight.

Lady Doyoung, I am engaded as I've already told you.

So I've been told.

But a man of your position may have two or even three wives.

I do not oppose.

But...

My daughter has said that she would find her own husband,

and refused contless proposals. Then she met you.

We have entrusted our lives to you. PLease accept my daugther.

There're elders in my family, and this also requires approval

of His Majesty, as he is my sworn brother.

They've longwished for you to be wed.

I'm sure they will approve.

Are they aware of your engagement to Lady Buyong?

Not yet, but...

Then all the better.

Informing them of both of us would simplify the matter.

There is no better way to preserve this territory.

Don't you agree, General?

Of couse. But a union between a man and a woman

should be more than a political maneuver.

There need be trust and affection.

I am in love with you. What more need there be?

This is my daughter for you. She is blunt to a fault.

Fine. I will send a letter to His Majesty requesting his approval.

If His Majesty approves, I have a small request as well.

Please go on.

I've agreed to become second to Lady Buyong, but I'd like

to have the ceremony first.

I will be forever grateful if you would grant me this self-respect.

Would that be difficult, General,

We are prepared to face any outcome.

My daughter has conceded to becoming your second wife.

But understand what woes she may have as a virgin maiden,

and comfort her by granting her wish.

We would ask for nothing more if we could have the ceremony here.

Perhaps... I am at a loss.

Wed Lady Doyoung fist here in Geumsung...?

Be careful with that!

Hustle!

Attendant,

Yes, taskmaster!

Lord and Madam Yu are very concerned about the wedding.

make thorough preparations.

Of course. We're busy receiving goods from Tang and Japan today.

Illustrious general Wang is to become Lord Yu's son-in-law!

Son-ak and Jungju will be families!

Yes! Surely!

His Majesty will be in Song-ak tomorrow.

Lord wang and I will inform him about you and General

Wang's wedding.

Must His Majesty know of this wedding?

Of course. This is a national wedding.

His Majesty is General Wang's sworn brother.

He will be very pleased.

Is it necessary to have such a grand wedding, father?

The entire kingdom must know about this union.

General wang is the pride of Koryo, and you are to be his wife.

Your name and Jungju will also be made prominent.

Do you understand, Buyong?

Yes, Father.

Kyun-hwon has returned to Wansanju, I'm told.

How rankled he must be after being defeated by Nephew Guhn.

Guhn has pulled off a miracle.

Yes, sire.

It was Master Guhn's virtue that won vital service of so many.

Yes. Lord Yu contributed all of his resources, and many

other nobles helped as well.

Yes. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

But we owe even more to Lord Oh and Governor

Jonglae in Geumsung.

yes. their contributions must not go unnoticed.

There is one other. Lord Oh's daughter Lady Doyoung.

Yes. i'm told she is an extraordinary maiden.

Indeed she is. She deserves the highest imperial reward

next to Cousin Guhn for the success of this mission.

I'm sure the imperial court is fully aware of that.

They will receive fitting reward.

Welcome back, Your Majesty.

Welcome back, Your Majesty.

Such grand welcoming is quiet unnecessary.

It is our duty to salute you after your long journey.

I hope your journey was without great discomfort.

It was quite pleasant.

Let us go inside instead of standing out here.

You need not trouble yourself like this Empress.

Let us go.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Advisor,

Yes, Your Majesty.

Who might that man be?

This is Scholar Park Yu.

I am Park Yu, Your Majesty.

Oh, Scholar Park, I have heard much about you.

I believe yo've once studied with Ahjitae.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am pleased and grateful that learned men are entering this

court. Give us your best service for the kingdom.

I will do my best, Your Majesty.

Thank you. Let us enter.

The nobles of Pyongyang voluntarily surrendered?

Yes. A dozen or so self-ruling villages have decided

to cast their lots with you.

That region has been beyond the reach of my command.

But how could I refuse when they've bowed their heads

in submission? Govern them with benevolence.

Are there any new reports from Geumsung?

Yes, this is the report we received not long ago.

Oh, this is the one.

I shall take a look.

It seems the mission has come to a full execution.

King Kyun-hwon has returned to Wansanju, and Sudal is in

Mujinju with is eyes on Geumsung.

What good would that do when Geumsung is already mine?

Right, Advisor?

Indeed, Your Majesty.

Let us see what General Wang has wrote to us.

Did you say this is the latest report?

Yes, Your Majesty. Is there troubling news?

Unbelievable! Who would have ever thought...!

This is most unexpected.

What is the report, Your Majesty?

General wang is to be married!

Pardon me?

It is most incredible.

I thought he would never be wed, but he is to have two wives!

I am stunned. I find it hard to believe.

He had promise to wed Lord Yu's daughter before going to Geumsung,

but Lord Oh of Geumsung has also sought him for his daughter.

He asks for my advice, as he can not refuse for the

sake of preserving Geumsung.

You Majesty, the Advisor and I have discussed the very subject.

We both agreed that establishing blood ties is most effective

method of ensuring their loyalty.

Yes. And the timing could not be more perfect.

Grant him your permission, Your Majesty.

of course. I should be imploring him to do so.

But is this not incredible? I thought General Wang would

remain a bachelor forever, but he will have two wives!

You are right.

Betrayal is no longer a fear if we are to become families.

That is indeed the best means of preserving Geumsung.

General Eunbu, send him a positive reply immediately.

Yes, Your Mjesty.

Distribution of patronage is also in order.

I must reward the merits of Lord Oh and Governor Jonglae

in Geumsung.

Yes, Your Majesty.

And I am displeased with the name Geumsung, as there is

another region of identical name near Chulwon.

Why don't we call the city Naju from now on?

It means a colonial state taken from Shilla.

It is a meaningful name, Your Majesty.

Then our newest state shall be called Naju henceforth.

Yes, Your Majesty.

And I bestow Oh Darian a new cognomen of Oh of Naju,

and Na of Naju to Jonglae the governor.

Let them be informed.

Yes, Your majesty.

And Scholar park,

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am well aware of your repute. I ask you to assist the advisor,

and be a pedagogue to my twin sons.

They are still very young, but they require guidance.

What is learned in cradle lasts till the tomb.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I shall go to the empress's chamber now.

Other matters will be discussed in council.

My trip to Chulwon was quite fruitful.

Conclusive decisions will soon be made in council.

Do you speak of relocating the capital?

We are only in the process of preparation now.

Consider the citizens.

All is for the benefit of the citizens.

I've just heard the most delightful news.

Brother Guhn is to be married.

And he is to have two brides. Does that not surprise you?

Yes...it does. ...How come two brides?

It is truly astonishing.

And about the twins, they require enducation now that

they've passed their first birthday.

I have heard of your intent to raise them in separate estate.

They need to be taught young if they are to become worthy men.

Please understand.

No. They are mere infants.

Please do not deprive them of their mother.

I am trying to give them education.

I have not forgotten about Madam Bukwon.

Her son's whereabouts are now unkown.

Do not associate that matter with this.

I am afraid.

Your Majesty is at times so cold that I am truly afraid.

The twin princes will live within the palace.

They will be raised with discipline under a good teacher.

I can not allow this.

You must. Do not stand in the way.

It requires sacrifice to raise leaders who will

carry the entre kingdom on their shoulders.

Must you take my children away from me?

You are so cruel...

Don't you realize that the lives of our citizens are

more important than your need to be with your children?

A bad leader cab bring death to his people.

Do not stand in the way, Empress.

Your majesty...

Advisor, it is fortunate that a great scholar like Park Yu

has come to the palace.

Yes. He is an excptionally intelligent man.

What coincidence that he has studied with Ahjitae.

Yes. But they have very different view of the world.

That is very fortunate.

Yes. His Majesty has called a conference.

He used to discuss many things with me prior to a conference,

but not anymore... He has greatly changed.

Yes. During the trip to Chulwon, Ahjitae was urging tyranny, and

His Majesty seemed to accede. I am fearful

I, too, am fearful.

I have a feeling there will be trials ahead.

We are slowly becoming an annoyance to His Majesty.

You can't mean that.

You and I have served him with absolute devotion.

Principal players in the creation of a nation seldom

survive through the succeeding era.

Advisor...!

I'm merely saying that it is time for us to take caution.

But nothing can break our undying loyalty.

Our lives belong to His Majesty.

But we must stop this evil force. That is our ultimate mission.

Yes, Advisor.

Yu, why have you left Mt. Geumsung?

I wanted to live out my life in hermitage, but I heard you

were shaking up the nation, and I had to see for myself.

So what is your opinion after a first hand look?

It is as they said. You are pulling this kingdom into a slump.

Whatever do you mean?

You were a dreamer of wild fantasies even in your youth.

That again?

Your dream of a great empire is an impossible dream.

We're t the tip of the continent and passage to the north is shut

off by countless mountains.

Very good!

Nonetheless, you're goading the king to realize this

fantastic dream

You will kill our citizens and meet your own destruction.

You are weak!

I've waited fifty years for a world that will accept me.

Why do you say the great empire is impossible?

The ancient Koguryo once occupied half of this continent!

Even unification among us Three Kingdoms is a dark uncertainty

right now. Wise man thinks of his people first.

With the decline of Shilla, our people have suffered decades of

oppression, hunger, war, and sickness.

Will you now whip and torture them in the name of building

a greater empire,

Nothing can be achieved without sacrifice. Don't you know that?

Emperor Goongyae will lose his image as the divine Maitreya

because of you if you continue.

This is not just about the emperor.

It is about me, Ahjitae, and my ability to empower someone

to conquer the continent.

I want to make my mark in the world.

So you would fool the emperor and the world?

It is not the emperor who creates a new world.

The creator will be I, who control him behind the scene.

Isn't that what we were trained to do? Moving the world?

Don't you realize that the people are the world and the universe?

You will live to regret this.

Heaven does not help those who overstep his limits.

You will see.

I will create an empire that commands the entire continent.

And my name will live on forever!

Why not join me in this quest, Yu?

You are a madman. A twisted genius.

Your delusion will bring devastating results, and

I will do everything in my power to stop you.

Keep that in mind.

I shall.

Let us both give our best shot.

All will listen.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I have gathered you here today to announce what I

have been contemplating for a long time.

We've captured Geumsung, and nobles of Pyongyang

have surrendered their dominion to this government.

What's more, my army is ceaselessly expanding our

territory in all directions.

The time has come for us to extend our powers to the vast

continent like King Kwangato had once done so in the Old Koguryo.

Your grace is immeasurable.

We must expand our dreams.

That is why I had traveled to Chulwon, and I have made

a decision.

I will relocate the imperial city to Chulwon.

And I will not permit any protests or interruption.

I've also decided to rename our kingdom.

The name Koryo suggest the departed spirit of Old Koguryo.

So I've decided to use a name with a grander meaning.

Henceforth, this kingdom will now be know as Majin.

The name of our kingdom is Majin, and my reign will be

termed the era of Mutae.

Your grace is immeasurable.

Majin is an abbreviated form of the word Maha-Jindan,

which in Buddhist term refers to the great empire of the orient.

The use of Buddhist term is easily understood, as Goongyae

was a Buddhist monk and a self-proclaimed Maitreya Buddha.

Goongyae's risky pursuits began to breed fear among

people of Paesuh who had been the central power of the court.

Resurrection of Koguryo, which had been their cause was now gone,

and a new kingdom without root or connection was beginning to rise

Jongkahn and Eunbu shared their fers and concerns as well.

Nonetheless, in the year 904, Goongyae oppressed his subjects

and began to carry out his decision.

Do you understand my intent?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Expedite the construction so that we may relocate by next year.

I will populate the new imperial capital with citizens of Chulwon,

Ahjitae's homeland.

Your Majesty, do you mean to transport the citizens

of entire Chungju to Chulwon?

Yes. They are loyal citizens untainted by regional favoritism.

I will transport 1000 households to Chulwon, and mandate people

from all surrounding cities to build of the imperial city.

The supreme councilor will execute that task without delay.

Yes, Your Majesty.

In addition, all chieftains of the kingdom will be ordered to

participate in this massive public works.

I will double the taxation, and those who do not meet

their obligations will be severely punished.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The court's ruling structure will also undergo a drastic reform.

Advisor,

Yes, Your Majesty.

Notify the changes in official positions to those who apply

after the meeting.

Yes, Your Majesty.

And I have delightful news to announce.

General Wang is soon to be wed.

The bride is the daughter of Lord Oh Darin of Geumsung.

But his first wife is to be the daughter Lord Yu, our

Minister of Finance.

Congratulations, Lord Yu.

Thank you, but...

...I was unaware of another marriage in Geumsung.

I was quite surprised as well.

There were compulsory reasons. Let us discuss that another time.

Our military force will seek another target of action upon

General Wang's return. Minister of Military will

submit a proposal in respect to that matter.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Today is an important day marking a new beginning for this kingdom.

Dispatch messengers all across the kingdom, and

announce our new name.

Yes, Your majesty.

A reply from His Majesty? How did you return so soon?

His majesty has ordered a quick execution.

We returned the very day we arrived.

Did we not say that he would grant a positive answer?

Congratulations, General Wang.

You've captured geumsung and now a new bride!

What good fortune!

You've killed two birds with one stone, General Wang!

Oh, goodness...

Congratulations.

Congratulations,General!

More importantly, His Majesty has renamed Geumsung to naju.

Did you say Naju?

Yes. And he has bestowed honorable names to the two lords.

He has awarded lord Oh an honorable title of Daryun

and a new cognomen, Oh of naju.

And Governor Jonglae has been bestowed a cognomen, Na of naju.

An imperial cognomen!

I can not express my gratitude with words!

So am I! It is the highest honor one can receive!

Many clans of this time did not possess specified family names.

Receiving a cognomen from the emperor meant elevation

of status and rank in the society, and was deemed a

tremendous honor.

Records indicate Oh Darin and Jonglae were awarded imperial

cognomen for their meritorious service in Geumsung, and it is

presumed to have taken place on the year 903.

I honor his Majesty once more.

He has bestowed me a name and permitted my daughter's

marriage to General wang. I am overwhelmed with joy!

Allow me to congratulate you.

It looks like there will be a wedding feast soon!

Yes. This is truly a joyous event.

I am lost for words.

It is His Majesty's order, and I can not refuse as his servant.

Inscrutable is His Majesty's grace.

I also can not refuse His Majesty's command.

I will obey.

His majesty has ordered your swift return, General.

We must expedite the ceremony.

I will do so. I will finish the preparations by tomorrow.

I see no need to act that quickly...

general, it is an imperial command.

You have just told us that a subject must obey his king.

Then we must expedite the ceremony.

Am I wrong, General?