Original subtitles

Empress Ki

My sword.

By this sword I swear to fight to the death.

No, My Liege.

It is our place to give our lives to protect you.

Leave it to us.

Can you promise me you won't die?

Hear your emperor.

I forbid you to die and break my heart.

My Liege.

Slay El Temur.

And live on in glory!

Yes. We hear and obey.

Tell us exactly what to do.

First the eunuchs need to arm themselves.

Arms?

Lord Zhang, lead the eunuchs to the armory.

Easy, easy.

Lady Oh, go to the granary for supplies.

They'll bar the gates so we have to move fast.

They'll use fire arrows.

We'll need to be ready to put it out.

They're highly trained soldiers.

What chance do eunuchs have?

Bayan will come here first when he breaches city walls.

We just need to hold out.

What's keeping my ward?

We've never had a quiet drink alone.

Wine gives us a certain freedom.

Speak your mind.

You still want to rule?

Yes, I do.

Not just in name.

I want the imperial seal.

You've made a lot of mistakes since you took the throne.

You know why you still have it?

Because I allow it.

If you ruled without me,

someone else would have the throne by now.

With Bayan as regent.

Power is like a death curse that way.

A curse I keep at bay.

It hurts me when you're not more grateful.

The rebels?

They're attacking now.

Where are you headed?

To report to the regent.

I just did that. You're relieved.

No, sir. I have orders to report directly...

If El Temur finds out the palace will be in danger.

Not to worry.

South, East, West, our men are on all the gates.

Make it easy for Bayan's men to recognize us.

Yes, Sire.

Headbands.

Sir.

Fire!

Attack!

Scale the walls!

Oil.

What's keeping Wang Yu?

Archers!

Light ‘em up!

Sir, fall back.

Our men will burn to death.

Fall back!

Fall back! Fall back!

They're retreating. Archers!

Watch it! Fall back!

Fire!

Traitor. Stop him!

We have to break through.

Kill them all.

As many as you've got... all you've got!

- Captain. - Sir.

All of our men with me!

Wang Yu attacked.

This is it. The gate. Move out.

Stop them!

Wang Yu!

The only way you'll pass is as a ghost.

That's not good.

Only one of us has to make it to the gate.

I'll clear the way.

And my spear.

And my bow.

Hear me.

A single assault will cost us ten men.

A second, half our numbers.

A third will mean failure and death for us all.

I won't have that. This is our shot.

Sir.

Kill 'em.

With me!

Stop them!

Father.

We just got word from Tangqishi.

Word? Doesn't he have Bayan?

Look.

The governors joined Bayan.

They tricked us to divert our men.

Anything from the garrison?

Not word.

Tell Wang Yu and Wonjin the rebels are on the way.

Tangqishi is coming. They just need to hold out for a day.

Yes, sir.

Kill the Emperor, the Dowager, Lady Ki and the consorts.

Father, all of them?

The governors sided with the Emperor.

Who will protect the capital?

Huh?

The gods want the Emperor dead, understand?

Yes, Father. We'll kill them all.

- Move out. - Sir.

The Emperor is in the Inner Court.

Just as well.

Muster the men.

We'll raze the Inner Court.

Yes, sir.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Why did you wake me up?

It's no time for sleep.

There's a coup at court.

A coup?

El Temur has ordered the Emperor's death.

Why now?

I couldn't say.

But the Emperor, the Dowager and Lady Ki are to die.

What should we do?

What else? My father will deal with them.

We just need to survive.

With the Emperor and Lady Ki dead,

the whole world will be ours.

Quite right, as always.

My Liege.

Everything ready?

Yes. Preparations are complete.

I'm sorry to put you through this.

Not at all.

We'll be with you till the end.

Thank you all.

The Emperor is inside. Kill them all!

Harder, harder!

Again! Harder!

We can't break through from outside.

Scale the walls.

Yes, sir. Over the wall!

Are there soldiers inside?

No soldiers. Just servants and eunuchs.

Keep it up.

Well? Move out!

Stop them!

Merciful Buddha...

...Merciful Buddha...

Maha. Now you will be emperor.

Mother will be Empress Regent and take care of everything.

Rest easy and don't fret.

My little Maha.

Leave no one alive!

We'll hold them.

Fall back.

I'm through running.

Protect the Emperor.

My Liege.

If I must die, I'll die here.

Never surrender! Surrender means death!

Fight to the finish!

- Find the Emperor! - Sir!

He's in the Inner Court.

The Inner Court. Move out!

Who am I to refuse the will of the gods?

Yes, I will be emperor.

Now at the end I will restore Yuan to its former glory.

Sir.

You have to leave.

Leave?

Why?

The gates have fallen.

You're sure?

Bayan is headed to the Inner Court.

You have to get out.

Lower your arms.

I am your Emperor. You dare draw against me?

My father ordered your death.

Who will do it?

You?

Or...

...will you?

You think we won't?

10,000 in gold to the man that gives me his head.

Kill them all!

My Liege, where are you?

My Liege... My Liege...

Don't move!

One more step and the Emperor dies.

Tell them to stand down.

Or you're all dead.

My Liege.

I speak to El Temur's men.

Lower your arms now and I will spare you.

But!

Persist in this treason and your sons, your parents, your brothers...

...will all die.

Kill him.

Stand down.

I said kill him.

This is an order.

Stand down.

What are you...?

Pick them up.

Sir.

Stay back.

Talahai, your filth ends here.

My Liege, I was late.

Forgive me.

Forgive us.

Bring me El Temur.

As you command.

Sir, the north gate has fallen.

Sir, there's still the south gate.

- The south gate. - Sir.

Sir, the south gate has fallen.

The governors have taken all eight gates.

There's no way out.

Where do we go?

I'm tired.

I'm going home to bed.

Sir.

The garrison.

Wang Yu's men.

Wang Yu made it.

There's no time to waste.

We have to get out before Bayan's men...

Wha...?

The King is waiting inside.

You, too?

Wang You, even you?

Join me?

I had big plans for us.

You, me and my grandson.

You were the coup de grace.

But now you can kiss your plans to sit on Koryo's throne goodbye.

Fool.

Koryo is everything to me.

You trampled it.

My dreams, my future, my hopes.

You tramped it all.

You can keep dreaming.

But the gods only give you one chance.

Get me out of here.

I have thousands of men across the country.

And enough wealth to take back what's mine.

Help me this once and you can have whatever you want.

Koryo or anything else.

What would you do then?

Kill the Emperor and take the throne.

And?

A tiny spark set all this off.

Lady Ki.

I'll tear her limb from limb.

Drink your drink.

It may well be your last.

What's taking so long?

We should have heard something.

Surely nothing's wrong.

I'll see what I can see.

First and foremost, see if Lady Ki is dead.

If she's not, keep her alive.

I'll kill her myself.

Your Majesty.

Surprised?

Hoping I was dead?

What?

Are you insane?

How dare you?

Quiet.

You'll all die for this.

Your father is guilty of treason.

Where is he?

Patience. You'll see him in hell soon enough.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty.

Take them away.

Take her.

Unhand me!

Unhand me! How dare you?

Unhand me!

You're pulling my hair out!

Little tramp! How dare you! Unhand me!

Unhand me.

I am the Empress, the mother of the prince.

Whatever my father did, you cannot treat me this way.

The Emperor demands your crown.

My crown?

What have I done to deserve that?

This from a traitor?

You betrayed the imperial house.

And the Emperor? He's the so-called traitor's son-in-law.

Nice try. You refuse to admit what you did.

I'm innocent. I haven't done anything.

Innocent?

Look at me.

You still refuse?

I do.

As the heavens are my witness...

Get her out of here.

Unhand me. I can walk.

Don't be so smug.

This isn't over.

Not till I'm dead.

That sounds like you want me to kill you.

You'll get your wish, never fear.

Let go. Unhand me.

An amazing woman.

No, a terrible one.

The Emperor ordered your arrest.

Untie him.

Sir.

A last sign of respect.

The Emperor has summoned you.

For a promotion, no doubt.

My men deserve a rest and some wine.

I'll see to it.

- Move out. - Sir.

El Sleazer! You ruined Yuan!

He bled us dry! Let's get ‘im!

Kill him! Kill him!

Enough.

Hail Bayan!

Hail the Baghatur!

Hail! Hail!

Hail to the Emperor!

Hail! Hail! Hail!

The will of the people, you said.

After thirty years under your rule, this is their will.

You're not a traitor so much as a bad ruler.

You ruined this country.

Bayan, do you remember?

There was a time I was the conquering hero.

They screamed my name till they were hoarse.

They begged me to rule in the place of their worthless emperor.

They cheer for you now.

But one day they'll be cursing your name.

My life was richer than yours will ever be.

I'll miss it.

Nothing is more fickle than public opinion.

You'll get drunk on power, just like I did.

That's life, Bayan.

We'll let them wear themselves out.

Then rush them.

I'll do it.

His head will hang in Lingbei province.

No, I will.

This is our chance to put an end to El Temur's clan.

Sir!

Sir, the governors hold all the gates.

We attack.

It's impossible to breach the gates.

My father is in there.

My brother and sister are waiting.

Please, sir.

El Temur has been taken.

The men are low enough as it is.

Then run away.

I'll attack them alone.

Sir.

We're taking the gate.

Forward!

Kill Tangqishi!

Who killed Talahai?

I did.

I'm glad. At least it was an equal.

He's had enough. Cut him down.

His Majesty has ordered his head be displayed on a pike.

Move it along.

I admired him. The passing of a hero.

Not a hero.

A failure.

You can learn from his mistakes.

I put an end to his evil.

Am I like to make the same mistakes?

My Liege, do you think my death will make you the ruler of this nation?

You were my whipping boy for years.

They all saw it.

You think those same courtiers will bow down to you now?

Don't kid yourself.

When I'm gone, other El Temurs will rise in my place.

The blood will never end.

The imperial house will never know peace.

Then they'll die.

My mace will fall on anyone who refuses to obey.

You think you have it in you?

The first place for my mace is here, on your head.

Whipping boy, huh?

Yes, fair enough.

And all my courtiers will see exactly what it got you.

He's your boy now.

How did you change him?

I didn't change him.

You did.

Your greed and cruelty...

changed his fear to rage.

One little hussy ends the reign of my clan?

A humiliation worse than death.

Your reign' would have ended with or without me.

How so?

You wanted Maha on the throne.

He's not Tanasiri's son.

She found him.

And passed him off as her own.

As if I'd believe you?

That doesn't change the facts.

Maha isn't your blood.

Your dreams have come to naught.

Tonight!

Anyone that doesn't get drunk will answer to me!

Ah, there you are.

A drink.

Tangqishi...

...is in retreat.

Yeah?

Most of his men fell in the attack.

The governors are giving chase.

Where will he run?

To the treasure cache, that's where.

If he reaches it, he can raise another army.

We have to act fast.

Follow him and get the treasure for ourselves.

El Temur's assets belong to Yuan.

They'll confiscate it from us.

Better to wait for now.

Maksaeng is there.

I'll send Suli to fill him in.

Who said you could rest? Get up!

Take it easy.

You work him to death as it is.

Sun getting to you, old man?

Please, sir.

I'm sorry, my lord.

You call him sir?

S-sir.

Sir.

What happened?

Where's Yom?

Yes sir. This way.

Who's that?

El Temur's son.

What happened to them?

El Temur captured?

Is he alive?

Does that mean we're all that's left?

Did he tell you where the treasure is?

No.

But there's that abandoned mine.

Where is it?

Not far from here.

We need that treasure.

Muster your men.

It's dangerous down there.

Better to use slaves.

It's urgent.

We'll work in the dark.

Yes, sir.

You're going into the abandoned mine.

It has a number of shafts.

Divide into pairs.

What are we looking for?

Never you mind.

Never mind? You want bats then?

Old fart.

Gold.

Gold?

Treasure beyond imagining.

Freedom and 10,000 in gold to the man who finds it.

Move out.

Yes, sir.

Follow me.

What will you do when you find it?

Raise an army.

And take Daidu.

Ah. Of course.

Victory would have been difficult without Wang Yu.

I haven't forgotten my promise.

Thank you.

With respect.

Sir.

Your Majesty, what is it?

Father...my father...

It was a nightmare.

Naptime dreams have no meaning. Try not to worry.

Put it outside when you're done.

What about my father?

You mean the execution?

Ah, it is about that time.

Karma is sure something, huh?

Father, not my father...

Your Majesty, please.

Don't kill my father!

- Please. - Settle down.

Don't die. You can't die.

Maha and I need you.

Your Majesty.

Not my father!

Father, Father...!

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty.

Wake up.

Your Majesty.

El Temur, you killed my father and tried to kill me.

In addition to depravities that will never be fully explained.

I order your immediate...

...execution.

My Liege. One last word of advice.

Your favorite, Lady Ki.

Send her away.

I see everything.

Especially now, at the end.

She will be the end of this nation.

Just wait.

If she wears Tanasiri's crown...

the imperial house will be filled with Koryo scum.

That's enough.

You'll be a puppet, yet again.

I said enough.

And you, too, Dowager.

Lady Ki got me.

You think you're far behind?

Her son cannot be named crown prince.

Would you have Koryo blood on your throne?

Genghis and all the great khans...

...will laugh in their graves.

Not another word.

Bayan, open your eyes.

The Blue Wolf's courage is the courage of the steppes.

Power and this Koryo trash have blinded you.

The only way to make it right...

...is with her head.

Kill him already.

I do not fear death.

But to see this great nation wrapped in that Koryo tramp's skirts.

That...

I cannot abide.

Hear me.

Off with his head.

Shut him up.

I will do it.

Please do.

In the tradition of the steppes...

I will not spill your blood.

Thank you, Bayan.

El Temur, today you showed me the way.

As you suggested, my son will be emperor.

And I will be empress.

My retinue will be from Koryo.

And I will rule the world.

[Next on Empress Ki]

Maha will exact revenge.

Politics is not a game.

One mistake can cost you your life.

You still refuse to change?

Kill me. Please.

Poison, then.

Wang Yu.

I hate you.

As well you should.