Original subtitles

I cannot send a single man from this base to the testing facility in Junju.

Admiral, are you sure about this?

What is your motive, Admiral?

You got away with defying the King and the Emperor's order,

so defying the Crown Prince's order is not a big deal. Is that it?

Sir, we desperately need officers to command our ships.

I am well aware of that.

But I cannot send a single man from this base

to the testing facility in Junju.

Admiral!

We are at war.

We cannot allow our men to leave the front and go to Junju when

the enemy is right before us.

You have a point.

We could recruit the officers we need

from among those who pass the exam.

I will not accept them as officers of this navy.

Admiral!

You won't accept new men from outside

and you won't let your men take the exams.

Then how do you intend to fill those positions?

I will hold an exam exclusively for the navy here at the headquarters.

Admiral!

It is my opinion that we cannot select competent naval officers

through the current examination process.

Firstly, the exam subjects require complete revision.

And those with exceptional talent should be appointed

regardless of social caste.

Ignoring the laws and the customs of the land again?

It is to revise a policy that need revision.

What is your motive for taking one reckless action after another?

Sit back down.

The military service examination system has been in effect for

200 years since the founding of Chosun.

This is how this country has been selecting military officers

and it has worked fine.

And now you want to change the whole system?

Let us discuss this calmly.

What is your ulterior motive?

An exam exclusively for the navy? Ignore the social caste?

What are you really after with this dandy idea?

You're trying to fill this navy with officers

that will serve you like the King!

What then? What will you go after next?

High Commander Won!

Answer my question.

It is an order, Commander Won. Sit down!

Answer me, I said!

I never said I wouldn't listen to your opinion,

and I never said I wouldn't answer your question.

Remember, High Commander Won, this is an official meeting of

the Three Provinces Navy, and we are here to discuss

effective ways to operate this organization.

If you have something to say, control your temper

and maintain a respectful tone toward your superior.

It is the least that is expected of an officer. Is it not?

Well then, I will respond to your questions.

Yi Soon-shin has rejected the military service exam in Jinju?

A separate exam exclusively for the navy?

And he wants to change the contents of the examination?

Your Highness, I will not be silent any longer.

This is a national event that even the smallest details of its process

is specified in the Administrative Code in accordance with

the Ming Code of Law.

How could a common warrior dare attempt to change this process?

That's right, Your Highness.

This cannot be authorized.

He writes that it is necessary to suit the distinct needs of the navy.

I feel it is not a terribly unreasonable request.

But Your Highness!

I shall take a few days and consider it.

One, two, one, two...

Do it right, boys, do it right.

Get your shoulders and your waist loose and limber.

One, two, one, two... Count with me!

If your joints and muscles go kaput, you become cripples.

Imagine if all of us oarsmen were cripples.

All those galleys would be useless. You get what I'm trying to say?

Yes...

What was that? Do you want to be cripples?

Answer me louder!

Yes!

Better.

Young-gap! Young-gap!

What do you want? Can't you see that we're training?

Training is not important right now!

Didn't you hear? The admiral is going to have a military service exam

just for the navy here in Hansando!

Don't start with the military exam nonsense again. Leave us alone.

My boys don't appreciate salt being rubbed on their wounds.

Whose putting salt on whose wounds?

All of us can take the exam whether we're a seaman or an oarsman!

Are you sure?

Yes, I'm dead sure!

Seamen and oarsmen becoming officers? That's absurd.

But the admiral already sent his proposal,

so if the Crown Prince does not oppose...

Whether they approve his or not is not the issue.

The issue is can they do the job.

I don't mean any disrespect for the seamen and oarsmen.

Young-gap, Dae-man, Jakbo, Sang-nam,

they are all like brothers to me.

But some things just can't be.

I agree. Commander's assistants have some level of education and

leadership experience so they can possibly do the job, but I don't

know about putting an officers' uniforms on seamen or oarsmen.

How about the shipyard director? He's doing a fine job.

He's an exception. Making ships take special skills, so...

Anyway, that's a special case.

Do you realty think Young-gap can be a ship's captain?

The soldiers won't listen to his commands.

What is Martial Law for?

If he became a captain, the soldiers must obey his orders,

and if they don't, they must be punished according to Martial Law.

What I'm saying is...

All of us entered service through the exams,

but think back to how we were when we were first assigned.

The local soldiers that we were assigned to command

knew a lot more than we did.

I'm with the admiral in his belief that the officers

should be chosen from among the trained seamen.

Sir, how much longer are you going to tolerate this?

Sir, aren't you offended?

Send a message to Minister Yoon Du-su.

What's the point when Yi Soon-shin has already sent his report?

What we mean is you should expose his ulterior motive.

Minister Yoon is a smart man.

He doesn't need me to tell him what's going on.

But...

Just keep your men under control.

I don't want anyone weakening discipline

in the Right Kyung-sang Navy with pipe dreams.

Yes, sir.

Do you think this is a playground?

What are you men doing here standing around?

Sir, is it really true?

We heard they're letting us take the military service exam.

What's will we be tested on?

Can we prepare for it at night

after we are done with our training drills?

Stop dreaming and get out to the field!

Do you think military service exam is a board game?

Do you think you can roll a dice and climb to the top?

That remains to be seen, sir.

These boys are excited thinking that they might actually make

something of themselves if they work hard enough.

Why do you take the wind out of their sail?

What?

I don't understand why you think it's impossible

when the admiral says it is possible. I think...

You want to keep talking?

Father!

Who do you think you are staring at?

What are you going to do?

Pull out your sword like you did on High Commander Won?

Don't even dream about taking the military service exam.

How could you be an officer when

you don't have an ounce of respect for your superior?

What are you standing around for? I told you to get out to the field!

Stop your daydreaming and get back to work.

High Commander Won wants the field cleared of rocks and weeds

and ready for planting by sundown!

Father! Father, are you all right? Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

Don't work too hard.

You need to save your energy to prepare for the exam.

Father...

Don't mind them. Captain Woo and Magistrate Ki may not think

you can do it, but if the admiral says you can, you can.

Just don't be like those nasty men when you become an officer.

All right?

If I could see you in that officer's uniform, I'd die a happy man.

Your Highness, Left Minister Yoon Du-su to see you.

See him in.

Welcome, Left Minister.

Oh dear...

You are still struggling with Yi Soon-shin's request.

That selfish man... He is always putting such heavy burden on you...

Your Highness, I am well aware that Yi Soon-shin is a

competent warrior who has many battles to victory.

But he is by no means a faithful subject to the Royal House.

Left Minister...

Now he wants the right of personnel management.

Why else would he refuse to accommodate the

military service examination that you have ordered?

This nonsense about selecting men

based on the special needs of the navy is just an excuse.

It is a ploy to place his own men in places of leadership

so to increase his own influence.

Yi Soon-shin has 20.000 men under him,

and they are the best of Chosun at that.

And it he's given authority to select new leaders of our military to boot,

he will become the most powerful man in Chosun...

not Your Highness, not His Majesty, but Yi Soon-shin.

What's this?

They're arrows as you can see.

What do you want me to do with them in the middle of the night.

Practice, we have to practice so we can trade in these old

seamen's uniform for officers uniform. Right, Sang-nam?

Need I answer that question? Of course we do.

Let's go, Young-gap.

Get yourself some cold water and wake up.

Young-gap...

Know your own limitations.

If a crow tries to walk like a stork, he'll break his legs.

Now go on inside and sleep.

What's wrong with you? Anyone can take the military service exam now!

That's what you call "A pie in the sky".

We were born peasants and lived our whole lives as peasants.

Me, a military officer?

I wouldn't dare dream about it.

Some things are just not possible in this world.

Why do you worry so much when the admiral says we can?

The admiral is not the King.

It's hard to get an official position even for the nobles.

The admiral might try, but do you think

the nobles would tolerate us peasants on those high positions?

Then fight!

Then fight against that prejudice!

Admiral...

Who was that man who beat on the drums and ordered our ships to

advance on our battles for the last three years?

It was not Ma Young-gap the peasant;

it was Ma Young-gap the best oarsmen leader of Chosun.

Am I wrong?

Social status is unimportant.

The only thing that is important is that we are the Chosun Navy

and that the Chosun Navy needs competent leaders.

Fight.

Don't let the world defeat you, and don't let yourself defeat you.

I had never felt such a gaze.

His gaze was warm and affectionate like a father's love...

... that I had never felt from my father...

Your Highness...

Could it really be?

Could he really be hiding a cold dagger of ambition

behind that warm and kind facade?

Power is truly grand...

It is bitter sweet to grow up and learn about the world...

This gets better and better.

What do you think?

Will Kwang-hae go along with Yi Soon-shin's idea?

The Crown Prince is young.

And since he has the right of personnel management...

That gullible child...

I did not him the right of personnel management

so he could give peasants office and titles...

Something should be done before it is too late.

Perhaps a letter to Minister Yoon Du-su...

That is not a good idea.

I should warn the man who has his eyes on the country directly.

Your Majesty...

Prepare my carriage. I will pay Yu Sung-ryong a visit.

Your Majesty, what brings you to my humble home?

Your house remains unchanged...

... while my palace was burned down and disappeared without a trace...

My regret is infinite...

It's all right... as long as you don't think that my authority

has disappeared with my palaces.

I don't expect you would. But how about Yi Soon-shin?

I think the prime example of those who have an exaggerated

interpretation of the destroyed palaces is Yi Soon-shin.

He comes up with some interesting ways of showing it.

It has been tolerable so far, but this is a bit extreme.

I treasure Yi Soon-shin as much as I treasure you.

Why don't you have a talk with him?

As much as I appreciate him, it is hard for me to keep him close

when he tries to break down the law and order of this country.

What brings you here, Imperial Attendant?

His Majesty has asked me to deliver a message.

A message?

Did you find out?

I've checked with the Royal Secretariat, but no reports

were received regarding military service exams.

You mean His Majesty has information

that has not yet been officially reported?

Yes, sir.

Oh dear...

Prime Minister, this is the biggest problem of all.

His Majesty is becoming increasingly distrustful as the war continues.

From his own son to his ministers and military leaders...

He is planting spies all around the country.

He is trying to restore the command of the Royal House

by nipping all potential opposition at the bud.

You must talk to Yi Soon-shin.

We cannot sacrifice such a competent warrior.

Impeach the Supreme Naval Commander Yi Soon-shin?

But on what grounds?

We'll find plenty of causes if we look.

It is not yesterday that he started acting high and mighty.

But...

I'm not talking about right away.

I asked you here because there is something you must do.

Speak to your father-in-law, the High Commissoner, and ted him

to be wary of Yi Soon-shin.

Tell him not to defend Yi Soon-shin needlessly.

Soon-shin, now even I find it hard to understand what you are doing.

Why must you always risk everything all the time?

How long do you think you can last if you continue like this?

I am so frustrated with you...

Let history be a lesson to you.

Hann Xin did not crawl between the legs of his enemy because

he lacked strength and courage.

Sometimes you must bend in order not to break.

Please, please give in this time and follow the orders of the Crown Prince.

Only then you will have a future.

You should follow the Prime Minister's advice this time.

Admiral...

Am I wrong?

Men do not become sailors overnight.

And a ship's captain needs experience at sea.

Without experience, he cannot command his crew

especially in a battle.

Am I wrong?

A man's capacity is not determined by his social caste. Am I wrong?

I'm not saying that you are wrong, Admiral.

If we know that it is right, we must pursue it.

Acquiring competent officers is crucial if we are going

to lead this war to victory.

Your Highness, how may I serve you?

Bring Yi Soon-shin in.

I will hear from the horse's mouth

why he is refusing to comply with my order.

I shall obey your command, Your Highness.

I'm told that military law is more important to you than your life.

Is that true?

Yes, Your Highness.

Then why are you so disrespectful to civil law as citizen of Chosun?

Do you think less of the country than of the navy you command?

Your Highness...

I am asking you if you think Chosun is less important than your navy!

Your Highness...

Answer my question!

I have stated in my report

why a separate examination is necessary for the navy.

There is nothing more I should add, Your Highness.

You wish not to discriminate between the castes

in selecting your officers?

From Manjok of Koryo to Chung Yuh-rip of recent times,

do you know what those rebels who dared to bear treasonous thoughts

against the royal house have in common?

They all called for equality.

"Are generals and ministers born to glory..."

Left Minister, you're taking this too far.

What are you trying to go after seducing the public with call for

equality with 20.000 troops and the right of personnel management?

Left Minister!

What are you trying to accomplish

by giving authority to those simple-minded lowborns?

Simple-minded?

Yes, they are indeed simple-minded.

We are always outmanned and outskilled, but they fight

risking their lives with a single determination to save this country.

How much more simple-minded could men be?

But I will not let you insult them.

These men risk their lives fighting against the enemy

without expecting anything in return!

It is this nauseating simple- mindedness that protected Chosun.

Did you say it is wrong to treat

all castes equally in selecting military officers?

If no distinction is made between castes in defending the country,

why must we discriminate in selecting military officers?

Supreme Commander!

No, I agree with the Supreme Commander.

Your Highness, why...?

I will trust your loyalty and the loyalty of your men.

You may conduct a separate military service examination for the navy.

Your Highness, your grace is infinite.

High Commissioner Kwon Yul...

Yes, Your Highness.

It will be quite an ordeal to conduct a military service exam at the front.

Please assist them with both material and emotional support.

Of course, Your Highness. It would be my honor.

Your Highness, you must reconsider. Behind that patriotic facade...

Do not try to malign Yi Soon-shin and his men any longer.

Know that your prejudice that distorts your colleague's loyalty

and stops you from appreciating the patriotism of the people

is one of the causes of this country's decline.

Your Highness!

The voice of the people is the voice of God.

That means the court must serve the people.

Why do you think so little of the people that I regard as my god?

On the sixth of March, 1594, a military service exam will

be conducted exclusively for the navy at the Hansando Naval Headquarters.

All navy personnel are eligible to apply regardless of social caste.

The applicants will be tested on newly established subjects.

Sailors fight at sea, so they must be expert swimmers...

Higher. Yes, a little bit higher.

And they must possess detailed knowledge

of the structure and operation of the galleys.

You will also be scored on your character as reflected by your peers.

Sang-nam... My dear friend Sang-nam..

What's gotten into you?

I felt guilty about how I've been sneaking your food.

So here, have some more.

That's not going to make him forgive and forget.

You, you little...

No, it's highly unlikely.

I don't see it happening for Dae-man. Do you?

Hey!

Watch your temper now. It's not going to help your score.

If they were scoring solely on character and popularity

Young-gap would win first place. Don't you think?

What's wrong this time?

Now you can take the exam,

and you're in first place as far as the popularity goes.

Why the long face?

Never mind...

I'm just not cut out for this stuff. This is way above me.

Young-gap...

I heard they test you on Principles of Strategy, too.

I can't even read.

How am I going to memorize Principles of Strategy?

Is that what got you down?

You don't have to worry about a thing!

The texts that we just handed out are Principles of Strategy

rewritten in colloquial language.

Colloquial language is easy to learn,

so learning the Principles of Strategy should not be difficult.

Lady Chung-hyang and I will help you through this.

May we help?

I don't think the two ladies can handle these thugs.

They need a smack now and then to keep them working.

Let's see...

Lieutenant, why are you sitting here? I don't need your help.

Lady Chung-yang promised to teach me personally.

You can't lean anything when you're drooling over the teacher.

Stop drooling, boy!

I guarantee you will pass if you learn from me.

Now open your book.

But I don't trust you.

Trust me and open the book. Let's start.

But I don't know where to start!

Peasants...

You don't need to give them a whole lot or teach them a whole lot.

What do we have to gain by giving the peasants power?

They will only bring chaos to the order that the nobles have established.

All that the people have to learn is to be obedient...

That is the order of His Majesty's land Chosun.

But Yi Soon-shin is trying to break that order.

Is this not the most frustrating situation?

What could he be after by breaking down the order of the royal house

and establishing his own order?

Who is to say he is not after the throne?

I cannot allow this.

I will do whatever it takes to bring Yi Soon-shin down!

Left Minister...

How about it? Are you with me?

The archery test!

The greatest variable factor in action is wind.

Thus we've set up this test near the ocean.

Draw!

Release!

Draw!

Release!

Draw!

Release!

Draw!

Release!

Huh? What happened?

You must be nervous.

No, it's not that.

I'm so used to shooting at moving targets that I can't adjust to this.

Next!

Draw!

Release!

Wow! They're better than me!

I think we should exclude this category all together.

Don't you, Ip-bu?

Yes. All of them have become so good at this

that it's impossible to rank them.

Next is Expounding, Admiral.

Expounding!

How wide is Kyunneryang?

It is 357 yards wide, sir.

What should you do when you caught in an ebb tide?

Well, first I would turn the ship against...

I'm not sure, sir...

How would you break through a headwind and advance forward?

First you must adjust the sail to minimize the wind resistance.

What did Sun Tzu say, in the chapter on Army Maneuvers,

about commanding his men?

"He must command his men by benevolence,

and unify them by discipline."

What does that mean?

That means first you have to love your boys like your own sons and

your brothers, but they won't have any discipline if you just

love them, so you have to punish them hard when punishment is due.

Lastly, the vessel escape test on the premise of enemy attack.

Ready!

Drive!

Ready!

Drive!

Help! Help!

Help me! I'm drowning! Young-gap!

Young-gap, why did you go back for Chun Woo-song?

He had a cramp and he was drowning.

How could I just leave him?

There were others on the ship.

There was no time.

You could die pretty quickly if your lungs get filled up with water

and sink to the bottom.

You know that, sir.

We were in a middle of a test.

That's why... I went back for him.

If it were a real battle,

I... I guess I should think about it a little first.

Then you may not have saved him if it were a real battle?

I would try my best, but... it if got to a point where the ship was

out of the battle line, I suppose I could give up one man...

You did no make the cut. You will not pass the exam.

I got my wish just having had my chance to take the exam, sir...

Bastard... At least he's alive...

Do you see my name? I don't see my name!

There! There's your name!

Yes! We did it!

There it is.

Suh... Han... Su... That's my name...

Thank you, god of heaven and earth! Thank you, Buddha!

Han-su, you did it! I'm so proud of you!

Father...!

Yes! Yes!

Father!

Young-gap...

Here he is, Admiral.

Petty Officer Ma Yong-gap reporting for duty, sir?

Congratulations, Officer Ma.

You have failed the prescribed examination.

However, after careful consideration, the judges granted you first place.

Sir...

It is because we agreed that decisiveness and sound judgment

in a crisis situation is the most

important faculty required of an officer.

Above all, you won our vote with your willingness

to sacrifice yourself for your subordinate.

Keep that spirit with you as you walk the path of a warrior.

I will, sir!

I am very proud of you who have defended the front against the

enemy to protect this land Chosun.

With earnest desires of the Royal House and the people,

I beseech you to drive out the enemy and save your country.

Remember that the fate of Chosun is in your hands.

Atten-hut!

Bow!