Original subtitles

Double the reconnaissance and issue a full alert!

Prepare the weapons!

The spirit of the soldiers will decide the battle,

so do all that is possible to boost their morale!

Five days, Admiral.

You only have five days left

to move your men back out to the Gogeumdo Headquarters.

Emissary...

If you disobey, General Yu Jong will step in and force you out.

And the royal court will send

the Royal Prosecutor and his guards to bring you in.

You don't want to go through that shameful experience in

front of your men again, do you?

The greatest shame for a warrior

is showing his back to the enemy, Emissary.

Look, Admiral...

Congratulations.

The King of Chosun has granted your request.

I wouldn't call it a request. This is the way it should be.

General Konishi was very pleased,

and said he would send additional one thousand heads.

When should we launch a messenger craft?

That's up to your leader to decide.

Just let me know when, and I will have them allow passage.

Are you certain we don't have to worry about Yi Soon-shin?

What can he possibly do when he is no longer in command?

If he takes any action without my authorization,

I will strike him down without hesitation.

Thank you. At last we can breathe a sigh of relief.

We must contact General Yu Jong.

You saw Admiral Yi's attitude. He didn't even listen to you.

You can't let him ignore you like this.

Contempt for you is contempt for the King.

He could be charged with treason right now.

Be patient.

Sir...

We will wait until the agreed date.

We can take necessary action thereafter.

Will the emissary be able to hold Yi Soon-shin back?

It is unlikely.

But if he defies the emissary, he will be defying the King.

He might yield this time

if he remembers what happened to him last time.

Not Yi Soon-shin.

He never compromises what he believes to be righteousness.

Should I call him naive or should I call him foolish?

He may know war, but he doesn't know a thing about politics.

But if he knew anything about politics,

he couldn't have turned this war around.

And that's also the reason why people flock around him.

Are you praising the man, Lord Yoon?

Of course not. I know your concerns, Royal Attendant.

The ignorant people's blind support for Yi Soon-shin evolving into

political power and creating state of extreme chaos... I do not want that.

That is why we sent the emissary. Be patient.

He will soon give us a justifiable reason to suppress Yi Soon-shin.

Two small Japanese vessels are slipping away.

Admiral, they're Konishi's messenger boats!

If we don't stop them, we could be attacked from both sides.

What's happening?

It's the Japanese. They have launched their messenger boats.

We must sink them!

Only Commander Yu Jong can issue such orders.

It will be too late if we wait for Yu Jong's orders!

If they get away, you will be killed as well!

Admiral Yi does not have the right of command.

He is not to take independent action. That is the order of the King!

Practice restraint, Admiral.

Admiral, they have passed the big island!

If we don't act now, it will be too late!

Very well. I'll will go! And I will assume full responsibility!

No one is to take hostile action!

What?

Admiral, give me your command!

Are you going to let it end like this?

Do not take action. Your life and your men's lives are at stake.

Admiral, we're running out of time!

If they pass Hando Island, they will be out of our reach.

It is high treason!

Admiral!

Go after them!

What happened?

They launched the ships. Yi Soon-shin has taken action!

How dare he!

After them! Don't let them get away! Full speed ahead!

Don't let them get away!

Clear the path! We're in pursuit of enemy vessels!

Who ordered the pursuit?

They are enemy vessels! They must be captured!

Turn your men around! It is Commander Yu Jong's order!

Now!

What?

They will be expecting it.

Arrest them! They are certain to be Japanese spies!

Sir!

What is the meaning of this!

How dare you intercept a missive to the King!

You will be hung for this!

They were sneaking away in darkness,

so I thought they were Japanese spies.

What has happened?

Perhaps you could ask the emissary, sir.

Admiral, I demand that you punish this man immediately!

Your Majesty, Supreme Naval Commander Yi Soon-shin takes your

royal command lightly and refuses to obey Commander Yu Jong.

Also, relying on his military power and large following,

he looks upon the King and the royal court with contempt

and moves his troops without restraint.

Hence it is advised that Yi and his men be charged with treason.

How dare you! You will be charged with treason as well!

What are you waiting for? Arrest him!

Yes.

Treason? Did you say treason?

Very well. Then I will slay you first and march to the capital!

Stop!

Don't stop us, Admiral!

If we are criminals of treason what does that make our men?

We are not treasonous rebels! Kill them! Kill them!

What are you waiting for, Admiral? Arrest these men now!

Admiral, what do we have to lose at this point?

Let us slay these men and change this world!

What?

Or I will slay these men and take my own life!

Admiral!

Very well. I will slay these men and march to the capital!

Admiral!

Put down your swords!

Are you intent on becoming a traitor, Admiral?

A traitor? Did you say a traitor?

The Japanese killed your father and took your mother. Is that correct?

Admiral...

Your sister hung herself after being raped by an enemy soldier.

Isn't that right?

Yes, Admiral!

Chun Woo-song!

This man's infant son starved to death next to his mother.

Do you know why?

Because the Japanese killed his mother by cutting off her breasts!

Now do you understand? This is why we can't stop fighting.

If it is a crime to try and end these atrocities, if we are traitors

for trying to defeat the enemy, by god we will be traitors!

We will march to battle without hesitation and we will accept

our punishment with pride when we return triumphant!

Admiral...!

Escort him in.

Yes, sir!

Hail the Admiral! Hail the Admiral!

You will be under our care from now on, sir.

How dare you? Do you know the crime you're committing?

I'm sure the messenger boat has

reached Shimazu and Wakizaka in Sachun by now.

They will attempt a joint attack within days.

We'll just have to intercept them on their return. That's all.

Konishi has no other way of confirming or not he has aid.

That's right. Send me out there one more time, sir.

No, that won't be necessary.

If the Messenger boat returns safety,

they will think that I have indeed lost my right of command.

And it will be easier for us to lure them out.

Lure them, sir?

We will lure the entire Japanese fleet of 400 ships out to the water.

Admiral, that's enough ships to completely encircle this island.

We don't stand a chance against them in a frontal assault.

If we're not careful, what happened in Chilchundo could happen again.

The time and location of the fight will be the deciding factor.

Commandant Kim, if you were the enemy leader,

when would you attack?

There're 80 ships in Wekyo and over 300 in Sachun,

so Sachun would definitely lead the battle.

They will choose a day that provides favorable conditions for

Sachun to attack and favorable conditions that accommodates

their escape back to Japan should the joint attack be a success.

Favorable conditions for the joint attack and escape...

When would that be?

Attack Yi Soon-shin's camp in Yudo on November 19th?

Yes, General.

Water level is high for three days after the spring tide, and

the current will be favorable, so it is the best day for battle?

General Konishi is impressive.

In order to sail clear to Japan, we need the water to be calm.

I'm sure he took that into consideration as well.

Yes... But So...

Yi Soon-shin is likely to have figured all of this out the

moment he saw Yoshira's messenger craft getting away.

General...

There is nothing Yi Soon-shin does not know about naval warfare.

His knowledge is almost supernatural.

So he will place his men at the best location and wait for us to

sail right into his trap.

Where do you think that location is?

Noryang Channel, sir?

But will Wakizaka come through Noryang?

He fell into similar traps twice in Hansando and Myongryang and

suffered crushing defeat both times.

He probably learned his lesson by now.

If he has any brains, he will avoid Noryang.

That's why we will have to make him come.

How? We can't hit him in the head and make him stupid...

All we have to do is abandon Noryang.

Pardon?

Avoid Noryang and go around Mijo to the open sea?

But sir, the open sea is very rough and dangerous.

Unless we're prepared for some losses...

If we go through Noryang, we could lose the entire fleet.

That's the painful lesson I learned in Myongryang.

We will go around Mijo as close to the shore as possible and strike

Yi Soon-shin's fleet positioned in Noryang from the rear.

Deliver it to General Kwon Yul immediately.

Yes, sir.

Commander...

Don't worry, sir. I will go.

No, that's crazy.

Woo-song...

Commander, let me go.

Lt. Suh can't go. The Japanese will recognize him.

I will go instead.

You won't make it back alive.

I know, sir.

Chun Woo-song...

It will make my wife and my son proud.

Confirm Chun Woo-song's position and go directly to the Field Marshal.

Yes, sir.

Chun Woo-song!

Everything is riding on this letter.

This is our last chance to wipe out the enemy.

We will exact revenge for you and your family.

I will sacrifice my life for the mission, sir.

What brings you here?

I have a request.

A request?

I will strike Konishi again on the 18th of this month.

Without Yu Jong and the ground forces?

That's right.

Are you proposing that you and I strike Wekyo alone?

No.

I'm asking you to make the Japanese think that Chosun Navy

will attack Wekyo on the 18th.

I know about our meetings with the Japanese, Admiral.

Tell them that I am preparing a full-force attack on the Wekyo.

Give away classified information about a top secret operation?

Yes. They will believe you.

If I'm right, this could decide the fate of your navy

or perhaps the fate of this country Chosun.

Why me? Why are you asking me to do such an important task?

I gave you that answer when I gave you the galleys.

All right. Let's do this.

The people of this country will be deeply grateful.

What is it?

It's a secret memo from Yi Soon-shin to Kwon Yul.

What's the content?

He will launch a second attack on Wekyo Fort on the 18th and seeks

assistance of the ground troops.

Yi Soon-shin is launching a second attack on Konishi?

This is our chance.

We can strike Yi from the rear and save my father-in-law.

Oh?

But why was this boy going to Gon-yang?

And of all roads to chose from, why by way of our camp?

Take him and find out. And send a few men to Gon-yang.

Are the contents of the letter accurate?

I don't know anything.

Why did you land on our beach?

I was swept off course by a storm.

Why were you headed to Gon-yang?

Don't you know anything?

General Kwon Yul is in Gon-yang assembling an army.

You're not an adjutant or a special agent, but you were assigned to

deliver classified information to the Field Marshal.

That's unlike Yi Soon-shin.

You were sent here to deceive us. Isn't that true?

Admiral Yi does not discriminate between ranks.

He is unlike you men that treat your subordinates like animals!

Bastard!

This land that you're standing on is where I was born.

I know this area like the back of my hand.

I suggest you tell the truth if you want to live.

Kill me. I've failed to accomplish my mission, so I'm dead anyway!

Yi Soon-shin will strike Wekyo on the 18th?

It's a land-sea joint attack with Kwon Yul, General.

For another thousand heads,

Jin Lin will stay out of the battle along with Yu Jong.

I think we should take the deal.

We want to reduce the number of enemy as much as we can.

Send another message to Shimizu and Wakizaka.

On November 18, we will stain the shores

of Shinsung-po red with the enemy's blood.

Yes, sir.

Konishi has taken the bait.

He has agreed to deliver the heads to Admiral Jin.

Enemy believes that we will strike Shinsung-po of Wekyo.

And Shimizu and Wakizaka will lead their fleet

through Noryang without suspicion.

And we will be waiting in Noryang to sink them.

Lt. Na...

We acquired cooperation from local

merchants and fishermen as you ordered, sir.

The merchant ships have been fitted with weapons

and archers and gunners have been placed in position.

Commander Yi...

Yes, sir.

You are me from now on. Konishi must be deceived completely.

Yes, sir. I won't let you down, sir.

Once the enemy fleet starts coming through Noryang,

we will force them into Kwanumpo.

Choong-chung Navy will cut the convoy in half from the flank,

and flight Cholla Navy will attack those caught in Noryang.

The main force and the Left Kyung-sang Navy

will finish off the enemy at Kwanumpo.

If Konishi should manage to escape, he will go to Mijo.

Construct a signal tower on the Southern Sea Island

This battle will be the final battle

that puts an end to this long seven year war.

Eliminate the enemy completely

so that can never invade this country Chosun again.

You have my confidence.

I have ordered my men to prepare a boat.

They will take you to the mainland in the morning.

Please forgive me for the inconveniences I made you suffer.

To fight the enemy ten times our size on a treacherous battlefield,

morale is the most important weapon that my soldiers need.

If there is confusion and disorder in the camp, morale will crumble,

and we cannot defeat the enemy.

Admiral...

My duty as a warrior is to destroy the enemy and end this war completely

may it be at the cost of my life.

I believe this is what His Majesty truly wants from me as well.

Admiral, but you...

Lastly, I have a request.

Please take care of my men.

They are men of pure heart who have risked their lives everyday for the

past seven years with single determination to protect the country.

Please help them so that His Majesty does not question their loyalty.

Admiral!

Release the emissary, sir?

Isn't not a wise decision, sir.

When we win the battle and return triumphant

the Royal Prosecutor's chains will be waiting for you.

The power of truth is stronger than you think, Commander Yi.

The world is not pure and righteous as you believe, sir.

Do you wish to throw stones?

I want to change the world.

If you throw stones into muddy water, water will turn more muddy.

Admiral...

Don't try to change the world with hot blood and rage.

If a soldier bears such hasty ambitions,

his men will turn their swords on their own brothers.

But...

Remember, Commander Yi.

A soldier's duty ends with stopping the swords that threaten his country.

Once upon a time there was warrior.

When a war broke out in his country,

he fought with all his might and destroyed the enemy.

Without him, the country would've crumbled

and the people would've fallen in despair.

There was a King.

When a war broke out, he hastily fled his palace.

He deserted his people and scrambled to save himself.

Your Majesty...

Then the war ended.

The warrior had the trust of the people and a strong and faithful army,

but the King only had powerless ministers and a disorderly mob...

Your Majesty...

What would you do?

What would you do if you were the King

with the duty to preserve the royal line?

Your Majesty, Yi Soon-shin is your faithful retainer.

Do not doubt his loyalty.

A faithful retainer...

I, too, wish to believe that he is a faithful retainer.

And if he is indeed, I am certain he will figure out a way to protect the

country and protect the authority of the Royal House as well.

"Reprieve"

I spare you from death...

Your Majesty, did you say you would spare me from death?

Uncle, it's Wan.

Come in.

I heard you were looking for me.

Send this to the headquarters in Gogeumdo.

What is it, Uncle?

They are my diaries.

A testimony of the atrocities of the seven year war.

I hope no one will ever have to make such records again.

Uncle...

Perhaps I have worn it too long...

General...

It looks like the kid is telling the truth.

We just received report that

Kwon Yul's entire army moved out to Soon-chun last night.

The contents of that letter are true?

And there was my father-in-law's report as well.

He paid one thousand heads to Jin Lin for it. It has to be true.

Yi Soon-shin has left Noryang open? Is this assign from god?

Send a report to General Shimazu.

We must pass through Noryang tonight at full speed

and strike Yi Soon-shin from the rear!

Yes, sir!

Yoshihiro!

Aye!

Check the assault team for readiness once again.

They have to be right there on Yi Soon-shin's command ship

the moment that we attack his fleet and throws them into confusion.

Is that understood?

Aye!

Honey! Honey!

Honey! Honey!

My son!

We've decided to let you live.

If we win the battle, your lives will be spared.

You will be our oarsmen!

Row the oars on the ships that will destroy Yi Soon-shin!

No way!

You want me to dirty my hands and row a Japanese ship? Never!

No?

Do you think I will put you out of your misery?

Wake up. Haven't you learned your lesson?

Chosun Navy is the strongest navy there is.

My comrades will chop off all of your heads, you wicked bastards!

Long live Chosun! Long live Chosun!

Hail Admiral Yi Soon-shin! Hail Admiral Yi Soon-shin!

All of us are sinners.

In the past seven years, we've buried countless comrades of war at sea.

If we failed to put an end to this war, if we fail to deliver justice for the

pain and suffering of our people, we will forever be bound by our sins!

Today, we 16.000 soldiers of Chosun, go to war with faces of sinners.

But tomorrow, we will return triumphant with faces of champions!

Do not let one single enemy ship, one single enemy soldier escape alive!

Long Live Chosun! Long Live Chosun!