Original subtitles

What are you waiting for? Move it!

Kneel!

It is a complete victory, Brother.

Lees than a hundred enemy troops remain alive.

The enmy commander Gong-jik has slipped away.

It's truly disappointing. We should have had him.

But we are victorious!

We've completely erased the shame of our former defeat.

I wonder about Jukryung...

Jukryung was the main target of this operation.

I'm certain our master has led our troops to victory.

Are we to advance to the gate of Choryung?

Yes. We will subjugate each and every surrounding castle.

But Sabulju Castle stands in our path.

We will face difficulty

if they should attack us in aid for Bekjae.

They won't. Sulhee has that under control.

Have you sent your men?

Yes, they should be informed of the situation by now.

Good.

Now, let us move on and take over General Gong-jik's military base.

Prepare the troops.

Yes!

Line upthe troops! Get in marching formation!

They've crossed Choryung and Jukryung, you say?

Yes, sire.

But there was to be no wars!

It's just as I've said. They are using you to

get Brother Kyun-hwon's Bekjae territory, Father.

But they have not attacked us.

That's right. A man's word is a man's word.

They did not touch us. Am I right, Husband?

Yes, but according to Sulhee's letter, the castles

surrounding us have fallen in to the hands of

Wang Guhn over night.

It is truly amazing, Father.

How did they move an army across the icy mountain pass?

This could be a fabrication.

Bekjae's mighty forcess are defending both Choryung

and Jukryung. They couldn't all so easily.

I agreee with you.

Choryung and Jukryung are the most precipitous mountain passes.

It is impossible to cross in the winter unless you know

the path inside and out.

Choongju's warrior Geum Shik has joined forces with Wang.

He is native to this area.

That's right. And it they had.

Lord Yu Geungdal's aid this must be a fact.

I will sent a scout to look into it.

My lord, General Gong-jik is at the castle wall requesting

your audience.

Gong-jik? That old general is at the castle wall?

Sulhee's message must be true, Husband.

Gong-jik must be here to request aid.

Aid?

I am General Gong-jik of Bekjae.

Clear the path for entry.

Did you not hear him?

We are King Kyun-hwon's Imperial Army.

Notify our arrival to Lord Ahjagae!

The lord has been notified.

But we've declared neutrality, and we will fight for no one.

You are His Majesty's brother.

How could you utter such heartless remark?

We are in dire need of help.

Gong-jik, why do you look so frazzled?

Sire. We were attacked.

Choryung has fallen and many men have been killed.

Is that so? That is a shame...

You are His Majesty's father. Help us.

We can get Choryung back with your help.

It is regretful, but we have no such strength.

Besides, we've decided not to make war with anyone.

His Majesty's army is on the verge of collapse.

Our men are being slaughtered in Jukryung as we speak.

Please help us.

We can turn this war around with your help.

Be on your way. We will not fight.

I'm truly sorry for your distress in this cold winter.

The years have taken a toll on you, Gong-jik.

You are helpless against young warriors of Majin.

Sire!

You will freeze to death out here.

Make a bonfire somewhere and rest.

I can't let you into my castle. We've pledged neutrality.

Farewell.

Sire! How could you be so heartless to your own son?

Farewell.

Let us go. We well go back to the Imperial City.

Yes, General.

How has it come to this?

We are becoming Bekjae's enemy.

Brother Kyun-hwon's enemy...

We've just received report of victory in Jukryung.

It is as expected.

We've concentrated most of our efforts here in Choryung.

We have you to thank for the swift victory in Jukryung.

It is an undue praise.

Many men fought with their lives. I couldn't take the credit alone.

General, Adviser Tepyoung's strategy and estimations were

incredibly accurate.

It was incredible indeed! It was flawless!

What has happened to General bang?

There's a saying that ten warriors cannot catch one thief.

He ran away so fast that we lost him!

Their messengers are taking this news to

Kyun-hwon as we speak.

Yes.

We must push forward to Nakdong River.

This is our golden opportunity.

I couldn't agree more. Securing that region

will give us a great strategic advantage.

General, give us the order.

Fine. Let us reorganize the troops and seize Nakdong River.

Generals Chun and neungsan,

Yes, General.

The three of you will spearhead this mission to

seize Nakdong River.

Yes, General.

You must capture the entire region before Kyun-hwon and

his main army comes tp aid. Do you understand?

Yes, General!

What? What did you say?

Choryung and Jukryung have fallen, and the

enemy troops are advancing toward Nakdong River?

Yes, Your Majesty.

But how? Where did this vast army come from?

And what were Generals Gong-jik and Bang soing

when this was happening?

Yes... This is what my dream was foretelling...

It was heaven's warning...

Report the number of casualties.

The defense force was nearly completely annihilated,

What? Completely annihilated?

Yes. And I witnessed only a small number of survivors in

Jukryung fleeing the battle.

What has happened to Generals Gong-jik and Bang?

I believe they were headed to Nakdong River.

You mean they are alive?

How dare they live afyter letting nearly all of their men die!

Your Majesty, the enemy has seized control of the entire

Sabulju region. We must deploy a counter-offensive.

I shall go personally!

Your Majesty, if we could secure aid from our father in Sabulju,

Aid? do you actually think he would help us, brother?

We wouldn't be in this position if he were willing to help us.

That is right. We cannot count on aid from Sabulju.

Send me to the front, Your Majesty.

I will get back every inch of your territory!

No. Send me to the front!

Send me to the front!

Send me to the front!

Your Majesty, the military arts discourage haste retaliation.

We must remain calm and rational.

General Shin is right. We cannot be emotional.

What is there to think about?

We've lost what is ours, and we must get it back!

Yes, we must! That is our priority!

Please be calm. General Shin is right.

You must not act in haste, Your Majesty.

I urge you to send prudent warrior General Shin as the

advance guard for further evaluation of the situation.

I am devastated...

We captured those territories after such hard work!

An emergency meeting is in progress at the Imperial Chamber.

Yes, Your Highness.

It appears there is distress at the front.

The distress is in Sangju where His Majesty's father is.

It is not my place to say this as his daughter-in-law,

but father is not a father but a foe to us.

Your Highness!

How could he be friend his son's enemy?

It is an outrage.

I'm afraid we may have suffered a devastating blow this time.

Yes...

This is a crisis. Someone must go to the front.

General Shin,

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am giving you a detachment. Go, and assess the situation.

I am honored to be of service.

General Chu will assist him.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Hear me.

Yes.

This helpless defeat is an advent to a crisis.

We have entered a state of total crisis.

Each of you must stay alert! Do you understand?

Yes, Your Majesty.

You are not being sent for reckless combat.

It is sometimes necessary to take two steps back to take

a bigger step forward.

Practice caution, General Shin.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Historical records identifies this battle in the year 907 as

the Battle of Sawhajin.

Sawhajin is an earlier name for the environs of sabulju.

To its northwest lies Choryung, and to its northeast Jukryung.

On this battle, Wang Guhn captures Sangju, Moonkyung,

Youngju and all of the territory north of Nakdong River.

Kyun-hwon thereupon makes many attempts to reclaim the

lost territory, but fails to defeat Wang Guhn's army.

Clear the way!

Impressive.

It is as if the whole country has gathered here.

Yes...

They built an outdoor worship facility.

I suppose this will be a huge Buddhist mass.

Master Sukchong!

Why are you here?

I've left you in charge of the temple.

The Royal Guards demanded our attendance at the Grand mass.

We had no choice but to come.

A man of your weak-will is unfit the guard the temple!

I am relieved to see you, Master.

I feared I'd never see you again.

Yes. Your head priest was quite concerned about you.

Let us proceed.

Yes, Master.

I'm told the city is bustling with people.

Yes. It is because of the Grand Mass.

We were ordered to attend as well, Shikryum.

I see.

Is it true that some monks are already here?

Yes, Madam.

A great number of monks have come to the capital.

I'm concerned about Guhn...

Another military operation has been launched, I heard.

I'm sure everything is well.

No news is good news, they say.

I admire you for being so confident and positive.

I keep seeing husband in my dreams.

I'm so worried.

Do you really see him in your dreams?

How I wish I could!

It is good to know that you both care so much about Guhn.

And I'm relieved that you get along so well.

It sounds like you want us to quarrel , Shikryum.

Of course not!

I knew it!

I knew my brother Wang Guhn could do it!

He has conquered both Choryung and Jukryung!

Yes, Your majesty.

General wang has achieved another tremendous victory.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Thank you. This is the most delightful news!

Guhn has reclaimed what General Hwan has lost.

I couldn't be more proud.

Generals Hwan, Hong and bae has are also making

great strides at the battle line against Shilla.

Yes, I heard.

They've sent upmany war prisoners, I'm told.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Our future is bright.

That is why I want this mass to be grand.

I will deliver message of hope to our people.

We recognize your vision.

Only Wang Guhn could cut of Bekjae's only passage to Shilla.

And Yu Geungdal of Shoongju's merits are great as well.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I believe Lord Yu has submitted a request.

Is that right?

What is this?

" An earnest request for your approval..."

Oh, my!

What disturbs you, Your Majesty?

If he isn't the luckiest man alive!

Lord Yu would like to give Wang Guhn his daughter,

and seeks my approval.

But General Wang already has two wives.

Lord Yu argues that there is no reason for him not to have

many wives. There's truth to what he says.

Pardon?

He goes on to say that trust is a rare commodity in this

precarious time, and the way to ensure trust is by

establishing marital ties and becoming a family.

Guhn is the luckiest man I know!

Of course I will approve! Why wouldn't I?

Send a reply at once, General Bok.

And request General wang to come to the palace once the

boundary is settled.

As you wish, Your Majesty.

Wang Guhn is to be wed once again!

Has His Majesty been informed of this?

Yes, sire. The military report was submitted separately,

and I have delivered a letter from Lord Yu.

Regarding the marriage proposal?

Yes, sire.

I don't know if this is a blessing or

a curse for General Wang.

He already has two wives,

and yet another proposal of marriage...

A marriage is a union of families.

It is a covenant to protect each other's future.

I am well aware of that, but I am at a loss for

what to say to the others. General Wang's two wives

have not yet even bared children.

They are still newlyweds. How will they feel?

That is why Lord Yu has made a special request to you, sire.

Please help us.

I am quite at a loss...

Have you heard the news?

General Wang has achieved an overwhelming victory.

Yes, I heard.

This is a bigger success than anticipated.

He has secured all territory north of Nakdong River.

Yes, Father.

He is indeed a man fit to be your husband, Suin.

I have made a very forthright request to His Majesty and

the Supreme Councilor.

They will not be able to turn down my request.

We have already done our part.

But Father, marriage is one of the life's most important

decisions.Will they give us the answer we seek?

Yes, they will.

I assure you.

You will be General Wang's wife.

Let us be patient. And dream big.

Pardon?

Why do you thnk Lord Yu of Jungju and Lord Oh of Mokpo

gave their fortune and risked their future to marry their

daughters to General Wang?

It is because they know Wang Guhn's future as I do.

He will soon be raised to the throne.

He will be the emperor.

Father!

You were there when Master Sukchong came to see him.

He has chosen General Wang to be the savior of our time.

That sums up everything.

What do you think, General Wang?

I am awed.

I never dreamed we could advance as far as Nakdong River.

Advisor Tepyoung deserves all the credit.

Yes. We could not have done this without you.

Adviser Tepyoung,

Yes, General.

You were but my foot soldier at one time.

But now you are our master's military adviser,

so we will serve you as our superior.

No, you mustn't.

It is all of your wish.

Yes, Adviser Tepyoung.

But you mustn't. I am merely a...

An adviser is a navigator, and the navigator guides our path.

How could you guide them if you are not above them?

Master, I am at a loss for words.

I will serve you all as my brothers.

Thank you. Let us always be loyal to each other.

Yes, Master.

And Sulhee,

Yes, Master.

This battle would've been difficult without the silent

aid of Lord Ahjagae. Go, and express Our gratitude.

Yes, Master. I would be most delighted.

His delight is for the chance to see Lady Daeju, Master.

We have word that Kyun-hwon's army of over five thousand was

On the move but turned back mid-course.

This indicates that they have an astute adviser among them.

We must never let our guard down.

Of course not. I know King Kyun-hwon very well.

He is a man of great fortitude and intelligence.

If it weren't for his quick temper, he would be an amazing leader

General Gong-jik,

Yes, Your Majesty.

How could a seasoned general like you make such a mistake?

I still cannot believe what has happened!

I have commited an unforgivable offense,

Your Majesty.

General Bang!

Yes, Your Majesty.

You fool! You were so befuddled with wine that

you did not even see the approaching enemy!

I am most regretful, Your Majesty.

I derserve death...

How will you pay for the countless lives you've lost?

How could you lose that vast and invaluable territory? How?

Give us death!

Huhjo!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Laws are laws.

Take the two men outside and execute them!

Your Majesty! I beg you to be calm!

I beg you to be calm!

Your Majesty, show them mercy.

Though their crimes are grave,

they've rendered worthy services in the past.

Please spare their lives.

Your Majesty, you showed me mercy

when I commited an unforgivable crime.

By that reason, I contemplate everyday

about how die a worthy death for you.

Please allow thee men another chance.

Allow them another chance, Your Majesty.

No! Take them out!

Execute them at once!

Your Majesty, I beg you to quell your anger and give

these men another chance to serve their country.

It is easy to lose a warrior, but hard to gain one.

Give them a chance to redress their mistakes.

Deign to see, Your Majesty.

Vice Prime Minister plea is correct and appropriate.

I implore you to give the two generals another chance.

Deign to see, Your Majesty.

I will accede if you so implore.

The two generals will listen.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Do not forget this day. Do you understand?

Your grace is immeasurable.

You have died today.

You are indebted to this country.

Be sure to make good on this debt.

Do you understand?

Yes, Your Majesty.

When will my father in Sabulju stop treating me like this?

Why must be turn his back on me as if we were foes?

How could a stepmother's cunning do such great damage?

We could not have fallen so helplessly

if only my father had come to our aid!

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

We must recapture the lost territory.

Without it we cannot move forward to Shilla or Majin!

Yes, Your Majesty.

We will recapture your land without fail.

We must! We must get it back!

Look at all these rare goods!

This is a glass bowl, and this is a jade tea set.

And this gold pendant must be yours, Wife.

Oh, my! It is beautiful! It is such a rare item!

This is a special health elixir made of ginseng and deer antlers.

It will enhance your stamine taken morning and night.

Thank you. I do need this.

I'm not as strong as I used to be.

Health elixir is wonderful. Have another drink, Sulhee.

Yes, sire.

It was especially cold that day.

I felt sorry for Gong-jik.

Of course. You are a man of great compassion.

Yes. I really felt for him.

General Gong-jik is usually very dignified,

but he looked utterly wretched that day.

I'm certain he did.

I can just imagine him being chased away.

We were able to have a fair war because of your

courageous decision to maintain neutrality.

Yes, that's right.

General Park,

Yes, my lady.

Your audacity is endless.

When will you stop toying with this fort and my father?

My lady! How could I possibly toy with his lordship?

It is out of respect and duty that we express our gratitude.

Silence! How dare you treat us with such contempt!

Do you think this castle belongs to Majin?

My lady, you are mistaken. In truth, my only reason for

making this difficult trip is to get another glimpse of you.

Must you be so harsh? Can't you see how I feel?

Silence! Leave! Leave this castle at once!

You mustn't do this Daeju! What has gotten into you?

I asked you to leave!

Please, my lady.

How could I leave with my wineglass still full?

Why are you spoiling the pleasure, Daeju?

Then I will leave.

My lady! My lady!

Please understand, General Park.

She is feisty by nature.

No, Madam.

Mere sound of her voice makes my heart skip a beat.

I know how you feel, General. Daeju will open up in due time.

Please try some pheasant meat.

Pheasant? Thank you, Madam?

All women soften up when they get married.

Daeju needs a husband.

Is it true that General Wang has two wives?

Yes, sire.

Yes! Great men are also great lovers.

General Wang is indeed a great man.

King Goongyae has remarkable subjects.

How I envy him.

Your name?

My name is Choi Ung, Your Majesty.

Fourteen years old, and you've mastered the Five Classics.

There is no end to learning. I couldn't say I've mastered it.

Is that so? They say you're a child prodigy.

What is the foundation of governing in our opinion?

According to the Book of Great Learning, one must order one's

life and manage one's household in order to rule a kingdom.

And what is to rule a kingdom?

It is teaching, by example,

service and respect to the inferiors.

And?

A ruler must know that the loss of public support is

loss of the country, hence virtue must be his foundation.

He must gain heaven's blessing through good deeds,

love his people with patience, and know how to distinguish

and employ men of different faculties.

Shall I continue?

What is the key to cultivation of virtue?

I was taught it is through self-discipline.

And how do you practice self-discipline?

The essence of moral training is removing partiality.

You must now how to see good in worst of men, and recognize

that blindfavoritism can destroy the government.

Choi Ung of Hwangju.

The Chronicles of Koryo writes about his birth like this:

A melon was yielded from a cucumber garden in Choi's home

when his mother became pregnant. When an astonished neighbor

reported this to Goongyae, he ordered the child discarded,

as an augur predicted that the child, if born a male,

would be harmful to the kingdom.

Thus his parents raised him in concealment.

His extraordinary intelligence was noticed at a very young age,

and he became Goongyae's highly valued Royal Secretariat when

he was only fourteen years old.

Choi Ung... Is that your name?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am amazed with you. You have the grace of a crane.

Is it true that you do not eat meat?

Yes, Your Majesty.

This young boy lives only on vegetables.

Is this true?

I only consume porridge

and vegetable for clear and calm mind.

You are not a prodigy but a spiritual sage.

I have found a sage!

I am in need of an assistant to handle my administrative matters.

I want you to be my Royal Secretariat.

Your Majesty!

Age is of no concern. Positions are based on ability.

You will stay near me at all times.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am truly delighted.

This is a blessing from the heavens.

Our future looks bright. Don't you agree, Advisor?

Yes, Your Majesty. All of this is your virtue.

Yes, yes.

We must now go to the Grand Mass.

Everyone is waiting for us.

Yes. The military generals who were stationed at the border

against Shilla have also come to attend the mass.

Is that right?

Yes. Countless monks and subjects await you

at the worship yard.

This is an event I have been anxiously waiting for.

Let us go, Advisor.

Choi Ung will come with me as well.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms describes Goongyae

in this period like this: Self-proclaimed Maitreya

Goongyae adorned his body with gold caps and armor,

and always rode white horses with silk-trimmed mane and

tail on his outings.

He was often escorted by young boys and girls holding aromatic

flower petals and parasols ahead of him, and two hundred female

monks singing mantras behind him.

His cortege was elaborate indeed.