Original subtitles

Lt. Yi Young-nam, sir.

You must be the newly appointed high commander.

We were not expecting you until tomorrow, sir.

Take of your uniform!

You don't deserve to be called a warrior!

Sir!

What happened, sir? What's causing you to be so upset?

Isn't that obvious?

Slacking on duty, sloppy uniforms, poor weapons maintenance?

Your control and command over the recruits is pathetic!

You're right, sir.

I'm glad you're quick to admit it.

Then put them on torture racks.

I will punish them by third degree flogging!

But I think there is a misunderstanding, sir.

You must have seen them resting and thought they were slacking on duty,

but they were on a short break after completing their morning drills and

having lunch.

I don't believe it ts reasonable to demand discipline during a break.

What?

And the guards cannot be subjected to third degree flogging for sloppy

uniforms, sir.

More serious infraction such as falling to carry proper weapons on duty is

punished only by forth degree flogging, sir.

I believe a verbal warning would be more appropriate, sir.

So you know the military laws by heart. And you're quite articulate as well.

A verbal warning? It seems they assigned you to the wrong place.

They should've sent you to the Ministry of Punishments.

Is it wrong to command the recruits by uniform code of military justice?

Yes, it's wrong!

Sir!

Words do not teach discipline!

Do you think you can lead an army by memorizing the code of justice?

Unjustified punishment breeds resentment.

And resentment breeds defiance.

And it is impossible to lead defiant men.

Is that so?

Yes, sir.

Customs and traditions are there for a reason. Do you defy them?

If they are bad customs, yes.

Fine.

Very well. We will do this your way.

But first you must defeat me.

If you can fight me one to one and prevail, there will be no floggings.

Are you challenging me to a game of kyuk-gu?

Yes.

I cannot accept this challenge, sir.

Why! Are you afraid? Are you afraid you might lose?

On the contrary, sir. This won't be a fair contest.

I am barely over twenty years old...

And I am an old man way over fifty.

What's more, I've never lost a game of kyuk-gu in my life.

That's even better. I like a good challenge.

All right, sir. As you wish. But you must honor your word.

Of course.

Look! Over there!

It's the high commander!

High commander!

Are you all right, sir?

High commander...

I won. Accept your defeat.

You didn't play fair, sir.

You know a lot about the codes of law but I guess you don't know a thing

about the art of war. Haven't you ever heard of tactical deception?

Sir!

A war has to be won. It isn't important how you win it.

If you win you live, and if you lose you die. That's war.

You didn't think that war is a fair game did, you?

Remember, Lt. Yi. You don't fight wars with words.

What are you waiting for? Strap them on flogging racks!

It's a letter from the governor of Cholla, sir.

He's sending us cannons and gunpowder from the armory.

That's wonderful news!

Sir, I'm glad that a part of our budget problem is solved, but...

I was told that His Majesty wants to conquer Japan.

And to pursue it, he is sending Personally handpicked warriors to

the southern coast.

Are you aware that Won Kyun has been assigned Right Kyung-sang

Naval Commander?

That was rather harsh for a first hello, sir.

Give the boys some breathing room.

They're not the tough warriors that fought in the north with us.

Sir, I am Garrison Captain of Jisepo Han Bek-rok.

I entered service in my early twenties, but I know little about war as I was

bound to a desk job.

Don't be fooled by his modesty. He is extremely knowledgeable

when it comes to weaponry.

Captain Han's garrison always has he best maintained armory

in all 4 garrisons and 16 ports in the Right Kyung-sang Navy.

I'm magistrate of Nam-hae Ki Hyo-keun. I am well-apprised about all of your

magnificent accomplishments in 1572, 1583 and 1588.

I see this place has more than one man who likes to memorize things.

What purpose could it possibly serve you to memorize my accomplishments

by heart?

If you have spare time, I suggest you study your recruit profile logs.

I'll be inspecting the garrison soon.

And if I find that your men are a disorderly mob,

you will be the first to be flogged.

Now, now, there's no need to get nervous today.

You may be flogged tomorrow, but tomorrow is another day.

Drink up! This is how we men build strength and character!

Let's drink.

What's eating you? You look like you stepped in dog poop.

I'd probably get sick drinking with you, not drunk.

Isn't it obvious, Captain Woo?

I've seen you with the same look many times when you were a lieutenant...

out of love and concern for your subordinates.

Oh, sir...

He reminds me of you.

Oh, but there is one thing different about him.

He is a much better kyuk-gu player than you are.

The high commander can be cruel sometimes.

He didn't have to trick you like that.

That's all right. Don't get up.

How long have you been in service now? About two months?

Didn't you mock me enough at the banquet, sir?

Who mocked whom?

Does it make you that mad?

I don't believe I was wrong.

You are not wrong, and neither is the high commander.

No, the high commander is wrong. The recruits are men just like you and I.

They cannot be treated unfairly or with scorn.

I was just like you once... outspoken and defiant.

Once I drew my sword against the high commander.

But now, I would walk into a burning inferno if he commanded me to do so.

Do you know why? Because I know that I would not die.

If I went to battle with the high commander, I know that would

return alive.

He never sends his men into the battlefield first.

He stands at the front and leads each battle himself.

And he never leaves his men in the enemy hands.

He will jump back into the line of fire, all alone if he has to,

to retrieve soldier that is left behind.

Despite his repulsive manners and arrogance, he was trusted by all

warriors of the six camps.

Do you know why?

Unshakable faith and conviction that they would not die under his command.

I think that is the first belief a leader must instill upon his men.

And it is the most important lesson I learned in all of my years at the

northern front.

You're going to be working very closely with the high commander.

So you will learn that very quickly.

So that is Tsushima Island...

Yes, sir!

Our ancestors hard conquered the island of Japanese pirates 5 different times.

Three times during Koryo Dynasty and twice after the founding of Chosun.

And all five times the campaign was launched from right here,

O-apo of Right Kyung-sang Naval Station.

Our conquest will be the sixths.

His Majesty sent me here to conquer Tsushima and display the mighty

power of Chosun, and I don't intend to let him down.

Your Majesty, Commander of Cholla Yi Il bids you humble greetings.

Chief of Police Shin Lip bids you greetings, Your Majesty.

Welcome, in-law!

Your Majesty!

Don't be embarrassed. We are family.

Your daughter is wise and intelligent, a perfect match for Prince Shin-sung,

and the Concubine Kim is thoroughly delighted with her.

I am overwhelmed by your infinite grace as you look so kindly upon

my daughter.

Would you like to know how you can return his grace?

His Majesty is appointing the two of you special military inspector.

Commander Yi, I have long known of your competence.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, trust these two good men.

They will travel to all six provinces of the north and south inspecting

everything from weapons to morale and strengthen our defense.

The court of Ming has required us to conquer Japan, but I'm inclined to

think that they do not actually expect us to initiate aggression.

After all, they are not fools.

Yes, they must know that we are not equipped to attack Japan right now.

That's right. But the fact that they made such a request shows that they

are wary of Japan and that they are considering the possibility of war.

Ming is a huge empire. It is unlikely that our envoy was the only source

of information about the movement of the Japanese.

Then...?

A war.

Soon the Japanese will show themselves on the waters of Chosun.

What we need now is tactics and strategy to fight against them.

It was seized in 1555.

I didn't know that you had an interest in Chosun vessels, General Dodo.

Do wars interest you as well?

I'm His Eminence's retainer as well.

If conquest is his will, I will not argue.

Good, I certainly am glad to hear that. To tell you the truth, I was concerned.

You were the tea master Sennorikyu's biggest aficionado,

and Sennorikyu liked you very much. Isn't that right?

So I had feared that you've been influenced by his pathetic ideals.

It is His Eminence who ordered me to study the battleships of Chosun.

Dodo Takadora...

Along with Wakizaka Yasuharu and the Kurushima Brothers, he was one

of Hideyoshi's navy generals.

Sailing to Chosun in 1592, he would fight the battle of his life on the

waters of Okpo on what was Yi Soon-shin's first sea battle.

Meanwhile in Japan, Hideyoshi assumed the title of Taiko after

passing on the rank of Kampaku to his adoptive son Hidetsugu and busily

readied his forces for a conquest of Asia.

Attack the capital city of Chosun by sea?

Yes, Your Eminence.

The first fleet will consist of 700 ships.

They will first secure a beachhead in Pusan.

40.000 men and 200 ships will be left behind to protect the beachhead, and

the remaining 500 ships will head directly west to the capital.

Sail straight to the capital and kill the king?

That's correct. We will be at the frontline.

It is a sound idea, Your Eminence.

Chosun has more developed coastal infrastructure than land roads.

So getting to the capital will be much easier by sea.

Once their King is dead, the people will surrender naturally.

What do you think, Dodo?

Traveling by sea will be much quicker than by land, but I do have a concern.

It's Chosunese battleship.

As you can see by the measurements, it is quite large.

Compared to our battleship sakibune the difference is like an adult and a child.

And it's superior in strength accordingly.

What are these?

I believe they are openings for cannons.

Cannons mounted on the ships?

That means they have a properly equipped navy.

Yes, Your Eminence.

Speed is sacrificed by the flat bottom, but other than that if is an excellent

battleship.

Are you saying that the Chosun navy could be superior to ours?

Wakizaka...

Yes.

What did you inspect in Chosun? You said there was not a trace

of a trained military force in Chosun!

That's correct, Your Eminence. We were not once attacked by

battleships equipped with cannons when we were there.

And they are no bigger than our Antake.

Why are you trying to the Taiko with these groundless speculations?

I think we should consider the possibility.

There is a record of Japanese pirates coming under attack of cannons at sea

in Chosun over a hundred years ago.

You're truly dense, Dodo.

Over a hundred years ago? We only had arrows and swords back then.

But now we have muskets!

And the battleships of Chosun are extremely slow.

We can suppress them with muskets before they even begin their attack

and burn them down.

What do you think, Dodo?

I was only expressing my concerns.

If Chosun has a large fleet of these battleships and competent leaders to

command them, this fight will not be that simple.

This is Tsushima Island.

From Tsushima, it is only about an afternoon trip away by sea.

If the enemy should establish an advance base at Tsushima, they will

attempt landing in Pusan and Koje and secure a beachhead.

I believe the Japanese pirates landed here in Cholla in both 1555 and 1587.

It is true.

This is Nagasaki. It's where our returned hostages were first taken.

If they should choose Nagasaki as their advance base...

They'll come straight to us!

Even if they set up the base in Tsushima, they will come to

Cholla soon enough.

If they want an all out war, they will then advance to the capital.

And I'm sure they know that it much quicker to travel by sea than

it is by land.

If hundreds of thousands of enemy troops land on our beaches, can we

stop them?

Sir?

It will be difficult.

If they're a hundred thousand soldiers, we're talking about 500 battleships.

And as you can see Japan is an island. Chances are they have more

knowledge about the sea and water crafts than we do.

The record of Japanese invasions speaks for itself.

We cannot defeat an enemy ten times our size in a frontal attack.

Our chances lay in effective deception and ambush.

Effective use of the geographical features determine the success and

failure of an ambush.

And surveillance as well. We have to know where and

when the enemy is coming to know where to set up an ambush attack.

Commander Kim.

Yes, sir!

I want you to double the reconnaissance ships.

Increase the range of surveillance as well.

We stopped at the 5 li line from the coast until now, but I want

you to go well beyond that from now on.

Yes, sir. I will do my best, sir.

You were at the palace again?

Judging from His Majesty's frequent callings, you will soon receive an

official position.

You don't look very happy. Why when you have won His Majesty's heart?

I can't be content just yet.

What do you mean?

All of the warriors who have won His Majesty's heart are your followers.

Not only that, Concubine Kim is delighted with you for bringing

Shin Lip's daughter forward as for Prince Shin-sung consort.

Now, if Prince Shin-sung becomes the Heir Apparent...

Not just yet...

There is a man we must acquire.

If we acquire this man, His Majesty's favors could forever remain with us

the Westerners.

Imperial Attendant!

Your Majesty, the Imperial Attendant has returned.

That's all right.

Dear, it is already dark!

Did I miss the evening assembly?

I've informed them earlier that you would not be able to make it.

Imperial Attendant!

Yes, Your Majesty.

You may serve.

Yes, Imperial Attendant.

It is cinnamon and persimmon beverage.

Your Majesty seldom takes afternoon naps unless infected with a cold.

And you always seek cinnamon and persimmon beverage when you have a

cold, so I sent for it and summoned the Imperial Physician.

Your Majesty, as I've said many times, the biggest cause of a cold is fatigue.

I had begged you to wear comfortable cloths and rest when you feel unwell.

I'm quite displeased with you.

Your Majesty...

Why were you so neglectful of your own health when you are so

attentive to mine?

Your Majesty...

Do you know how tired I have been both physically and mentally in your

absence?

Take care of yourself exactly as you take care of me.

I will never forgive you if you ever have to leave my side again.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty...

What? Yoon Du-su had audience with His Majesty again?

What could His Majesty be thinking? Who is the Prime Minister of Chosun?

Please lower your voice, Prime Minister. Many are listening.

Instead of calling the State Council His Majesty continues to discuss state

affairs with Yoon Du-su who doesn't even hold an office in the court!

Left Minister.

As if Shin Lip and Won Kyun are not enough, now it's Yi Il!

Yoon Du-su is trying to recapture political control by bringing the

warriors forward!

We should be hastening defensive preparations and we need all of

the warriors we have.

Does it really matter which faction they belong to?

Don't be naive.

Do you really think that Yoon Du-su brought those warriors forward

because he cares about the safety of this country?

If that is not the case, correct it.

Shin Lip, Won Kyun and Yi Il, they are His Majesty's royal subjects

before they are Yoon Du-su's followers.

Aren't you supposed to guide them as the lord above all men and under one?

The sun will rise from the west!

I never expected you to invite me to a kisaeng house, Left Minister.

Please sit down.

Yes.

Chung-hyang, was it?

Yes, my lord.

I was deeply moved by your poetry. Would you pay me a visit sometime?

I'd love to exchange poetry and chat with you about the world.

I have no reason to refuse your invitation with a proper compensation.

Proper compensation? How much will suffice?

A verse of poetry with your sincere love for the country.

A patriotic song that will touch the deepest place of my heart and

the hearts of the people.

That would be a priceless compensation.

You are unique indeed! There is no courtesan in the city with keener wit!

Right, Left Minister?

Please chat.

I have some chrysanthemum wine that we made last fall.

For some reason, I think this might be the occasion to open it.

A patriotic song?

She is a feisty little dame.

Let me pour you a drink.

I, too, have a desperate wish to hear a verse of your patriotic song.

It has been 26 years since I took my first post in the government.

So it must have be over thirty years for you.

I've spent half of my life devoted to government service.

Yes...

At times I feel like I am standing all alone on ah icy field in the cold winter.

Don't you?

What would you long for most when you are walking alone on an icy

field in the cold?

Wouldn't you long for a companion?

A companion to hold hands and warm each other's cold fingers.

Left Minister...?

Over the years we have played the most intense political games over

His Majesty's favors you and I. Don't you agree?

At times I prevailed and at times you did.

We probably told ourselves that these games were unavoidable to further our

own good cause.

But I do not want to play games anymore.

Not with you or with anyone else.

Couldn't you and I be traveling companions who will warm each others

cold hands?

That is if the fierce political games that we played really

came from genuine concerns for the safety and welfare of this country.

Left Minister...

Our reality is much like an icy field in the winter.

It's time for us to drop all the partisan games and pull our

strengths and resources together.

Minister Yoon...

Baron Yim Chun-su?

Yes, my lord.

And you know me?

My merchant caravan had accompanied you to Ming three

years ago on your diplomatic mission.

Is that so?

But I don't recall the merchant caravan leader of having the surname of Yim.

The leader was a man with the surname of Hur

My brother worked under him as a supervisor at that time.

You had received great accolades from the Minister of Rites of Ming

on that mission for your outstanding literary talent.

How do you know about that?

How could we not know when the entire city of Beijing praised your talent?

They are jeweled trinkets and hair ornaments most sought

after by Her Eminence Concubine Kim.

Her brother Lord Kim Gongyang is searching far and wide for them,

but they will not be easily found.

They are rarely found outside of Ming, and it is difficult to build

the kind of relationship that we have with Ming merchants.

So why do you bring this to me?

We thought they are items that could serve you well. Aren't they?

I believe they might benefit your future as well as the future of this country

if you put them to important use.

I have left the court long ago.

I am no longer an influence in the administration of the state.

The entire country knows that. His Majesty's favors are with you and

your brother Lord Yoon Du-su.

Such audacity! How dare you lowly merchant speak of state affairs?

Don't be upset, my lord.

I only said what I know from smattering knowledge that I have gained, since a

man cannot make money without knowing the comings and goings

of the world.

Being that you are a business man who follows profit.

I'm sure you didn't come to me with this without a reason.

What do you want from me?

My lord, I'm a citizen of this country before I am a profit seeking merchant.

All I want is to do my part, so please do not refuse.

What do you think?

Do you think we got Yoon Keun-su in our hands?

We won't be harassed by the officials launching our ship from Mapo to

Kwanghwa anymore.

Next time you see him, ask him make us one of

the suppliers for the Royal Repository.

Once the war breaks out and the

Japanese forces push their way into the capital it'll serve us well to know the

inner workings of the Royal repository.

This is the sample of the iron plates that will protect the roof, sir.

First we will draw the hexagonal shapes like these on the entire roof.

Then we will fix the iron spikes in the center of each hexagon.

The iron plates will be produced in the shape of a hexagon that's cut

in the middle like this.

And we will weld the two halves together.

Will you be using wrought iron?

I think we have to.

Cast iron is stronger, but it can't be pounded into shape.

Good. If we just pay close attention to the weight, the roofing should not

be a big problem either.

This is a proposal for the reconnaissance vessels.

It's a speed boat. Speed is a crucial element in reconnaissance.

And I thought we should have "V" bottom vessels for this purpose.

It is a sound argument.

Commanders, I'd like to know what you think.

I think it's a great idea.

It looks like it's larger than the rescue craft and smaller than the

midsize craft.

Then it will be small and light enough that the

deeper draft will not affect the turning speed.

I agree, sir.

We do need faster vessels to inspect the entire coast and return to the

headquarters by dark.

Very well. Prepare a more detailed drawing.

This will be our first attempt at "V" bottom boat construction, so

study the Ming reference books thoroughly before you start.

Yes, sir.

Calculate the cost once the final plan drafted and discuss with the director.

Yes, sir.

You can't afford to make mistakes! Understood?

Sir!

It's been a while, Captain Chung.

I heard the news that you were appointed Commander of the Right

Kyung-sang Naval Station, sir.

Please forgive me for my failure to pay you a visit first.

No, no. I was the one who ordered you to build a strong army.

How could I fault a subordinate who is faithfully performing his duty?

Sir...

Sir!

The Commander of Right Kyung-sang Naval Station Won Kyun is here.

It's been a while, High Commander Yi.

I've been waiting for you, High Commander Won.