Original subtitles

Subtitles by DramaFever

Episode 11

Who's there?

And who are you?

Tell me who you are.

Who are you to be at Joo Won's house at this hour?

What's with that knife?

Let go of me! I'm a guest of this house!

Who are you to sneak into someone else's house?

A guest? You are?

You're an acquaintance of Hong Joo Won that I don't know about...

What the heck are you doing?

In Woo!

What happened? What's going on?

What happened was...

This man came out of nowhere...

In Woo, were you rude to him?

- This is... - Hong Joo Won!

What the heck is going on here?

I guess... it's worth living a long life.

I didn't know you'd do this.

I heard a proper scholar like you moved out...

so I wondered what happened.

Was this it?

A hidden... woman?

What?

But this is... pretty good.

Wait, look...

What do you mean, a woman?

Who?

You're going to lie to me? Right in front of her?

In front...

This person?

Sir, that's...

Good job on the disguise...

But you can't fool my eyes.

Hong Joo Won, you're all grown up now.

You mean...

Kang In Woo, apologize to him.

How can you make such a mistake?

- This man here is... - Damn it.

- I'm going nuts. - Pardon?

Sorry about that.

I didn't mean to lie to you. Please understand.

Pardon?

A woman?

You didn't know?

Disguised as a man?

Then you're a woman, not a man?

Now now now...

It's karma that we met like this again. We should have a drink!

- That place looks good. - I'm in a hurry...

Come on, you're disappointing me.

Just one drink!

Royal guard officer Yoon Do Ha?

Gyosan approached him.

It turns out he's a very interesting man.

First, the leader of Western faction Kim Yoo Go

got him a job in the royal guards.

After that, Chief of the royal guard Jung Hyun

promoted him to a officer.

Besides, he has pretty good influence

over merchants in Woonjong Street.

While he stays at the house of Mayor Kang Joo Seon...

Wait. Did you just say Kang Joo Seon?

He is a distant relative of Kang Joo Seon's wife.

But he's not really interested in big posts in the government.

Right, he considers the mayor title as a service position

and occasionally threw his own money in to get things done.

- But... - But...

an animal with his claws hidden is the one to be afraid of.

Therefore, Kang Joo Seon should also be kept in check, sire.

Sometimes enemies are hiding disguised as friends.

A woman? A lady?

Nonsense! How can this happen?

That man...

No, how can that woman be a woman? How?

So you really didn't know?

How would I know that? She's disguised as a man!

Who'd think that she's disguised as a man?

That nerd...

I'm sure he'll throw a tantrum.

Of course!

She should have said from the beginning that she's a woman!

Let's say I'm understanding and assume she had a reason.

She should've told me later that she was in fact disguised as a man!

I see, so she didn't tell you.

But she lied to me? All the way here?

How brazen.

So brazen!

Not trustworthy.

Not trustworthy as a person!

I'm sure he'll mix in a few quotes like a nerd.

'A beast with a human face,' 'a thick face with no shame'

'A cow skin over a human's face'!

How can she make fun of someone like this?

Hey, you're pretty good at getting upset.

I can't possibly forgive her.

I cannot accept that man, I mean, woman!

You laugh? Do you find this situation funny?

You don't find this funny?

From what I see, you have a bigger fault.

My fault? What? Where?

You're the idiot for not recognizing her.

I could tell that she's a woman.

With a pretty face...

and her hand, too.

What?

Her hand?

By the way... who is he?

Kang In Woo?

How did he find out?

Of course I am Kang In Woo...

Of course the almighty Kang In Woo would recognize a woman.

She may be able to fool someone else, but not me.

So when will my Joo Won become a man?

Yes, the hands!

Let's go that way!

I... I even held her hand!

What?

I did such a thing to a lady...

What?

Look there, Councilor!

Let's go out! Let's go somewhere and have a drink.

What?

Think about it. Are you going to solve anything by standing there?

We should resolve any misunderstandings and take care of things.

Take care of things?

What things?

Let's go!

I saw a nice bar on the way here.

- Come on! - In Woo.

- Go ahead. It'll be fun. - Let's go.

- Look... - I said let's go!

- Let's go. - What are you doing? In Woo...

My hand! Let go of that hand!

- Let's go have a drink and chat. - Let go of my hand!

- In Woo... - Let's go!

So you were the mouse in hiding.

Who are you?

Let me see who goes through someone else's stuff...

- You are... - Young Master.

Why are you here?

Nice!

Great!

That's terrific!

This feast, and the most beautiful courtesans...

You're doing great work for the government

so my show of appreciation has been delayed.

Not at all. I don't deserve it. This is more than enough!

It's on a different level from your party before.

This is befitting for the wealthiest man in the country.

I wonder how you gathered all this wealth.

I didn't do much. I inherited it all from my ancestors.

That can't be all.

You have quite a lot of wealth that you built up yourself.

Did you do my background check as well?

Yes. But I didn't even find a hair when I kept digging, so it was no fun.

Goodness...

I should've left a speck of dust to entertain you, Minister of Defense.

And you're good at joking!

- Excuse me for a moment. - Of course, go ahead.

Why would Kang Joo Seon approach me all of a sudden?

He's trying to ride your power.

But I think you should be careful.

How can he not have any dirty laundry on the way to collect this much wealth?

Not even a speck of dust when you shake him...

That means he really is a scary man.

You know how to use your brain.

My brain sits up there to be useful.

Spare me, Young Master!

Tell me. Then you'll live.

It's true. I really didn't know it was Councilor Hong's house...

You forget who you're dealing with now.

Go ahead.

In Woo! What are you doing right now?

Stop right now!

We have guests in the back garden!

I'm trying to wrap this up quickly

but he's not really cooperating with me, Mother.

Mother?

This is quite a noisy way to let us know you're back.

I felt like I should do at least this much...

to get myself acknowledged.

Father.

Sit down.

I don't have much to say, so I'll stay standing.

Why is it Joo Won?

Is that the first thing you say

when you're back home for the first time in half a year?

Please answer me. Will you touch even Joo Won now?

Lower your voice!

Ears that hear are outside.

If there are ears that hear, you can just cut them off!

That's not a big deal to you.

Sure, that's not a big deal at all.

Would Joo Won be any different?

Father!

Joo Won is the son of your friend Lord Hong Young.

Why are you going this far with him?

Why am I going this far?

That's a very foolish question that shouldn't come out of my son.

So, why do you think?

It is to gain power.

Do you understand?

Gwanghae in the palace, me...

and also that insignificant Lee Yi Cheom drinking outside...

Please...

For all of us, there is one reason for doing this.

To grab power that no one could dare to wish for!

Do you understand?

That's why I can't let Gwanghae produce gunpowder.

Also Joo Won, who's playing with fire next to him.

Then, in the end...

it's because of the weaponry bureau?

So you should distance yourself from him now

if you want to follow my footsteps, and inherit my power.

No, I'm hopeless, so give up on me.

I'm not interested in bragging about power.

- What? - Of course...

You didn't make me your legitimate son after being born to a slave girl.

Even then, don't touch Joo Won.

Then I may be using a different power, standing against you.

Scoundrel.

See what I mean?

It's a dirty world to live in for women, whether it's Joseon or Japan.

Pardon?

Yes, that is true.

That's why I had no choice.

I had to survive in the mine somehow.

Please.

I'm not a good drinker...

So I didn't mean to lie to you from the beginning.

It's comfortable to live this way.

Yes, you do look comfortable.

So we're even on that. Right?

Still, it would've been nice if you had told me sooner.

Then I wouldn't have been rude to you.

Rude?

What I mean is... holding your hand...

or touching a part of your body...

Oh, that?

Goodness, you really are a nerd.

It's fine, it's fine!

You didn't know! It happens!

Can you stop doing that?

You don't ever need to consider me a woman in the future!

It's okay to hold it like this.

What are you doing, Lady!

Even then, how can a woman hold a man's hand with no hesitation?

People are giving us pretty weird looks.

Let's drink.

I came back to Hanyang after traveling everywhere in Joseon...

and the mulberry field turned into the ocean!

Yes, things changed a lot.

It didn't just change. It flipped!

That loser!

Lee Yi Cheom is flailing about with the title of Minister of Defense...

How do you think I feel?

- Yes, well... - It's twisted.

My intestines got twisted around.

Is that right?

But what could I do?

'A thirsty one digs for a well,' so I went back to Lee Yi Cheom..

Am I talking too much about myself?

So, how are things going with you?

I'm fine.

I'm going to the bathroom for a minute.

Please do.

Empty it out to your content!

Damn...

How did I run into him?

- How much is it? - Just one nyang, sir.

Thank you.

Get away from me.

Hong Joo Won?

I said you don't need to be concerned.

Again!

He is...

That's enough.

We don't have much time to linger.

Stop hitting me! You keep doing that...

I definitely saw him at the mine in Japan...

so why is he with Councilor Hong?

Look, Councilor Hong! Let me go with you!

I said, let's go together! I need to talk to you about something.

Keep a distance! That's how the rule goes.

Seriously, at a glance I'm a man. Who'd know?

I know! I do!

If I knew you were a woman, I wouldn't have done the deal to begin with.

And I wouldn't have brought you to Joseon either.

How the heck did things turn out this way...

That's why I'm saying this...

If I'm a woman, then what happens to that matter?

- 'That matter'? - Don't you remember?

The conversation we had on the ship on our way back.

Did you just say that you want to work at the weaponry bureau?

I've worked with sulfur for a long time at the mine.

Of course I'm a talent that you must be interested in.

Am I not?

- But that's... - But that's... not possible?

- Isn't it obvious? - Because I'm a woman?

How can we let a woman into the weaponry bureau?

I'm sorry to break my promise...

but I have no choice.

I'll find something else...

Sulfur smelting.

Since you work at the bureau, you should know...

about the Japanese method of smelting sulfur that Joseon hasn't figured out.

Even when I know how to do that...

you'll still say no?

You know about the method?

Do you really...

The entire process.

Now, what do you think?

Is it still a no?

For me, it's not a big deal to be disguised as a man.

Since I learned it anyway...

I thought I'd be useful for the country.

If there is no way, I have no choice.

No, you will stop me.

It's because...

Wait!

Can you... show it to me first?

Because... you are Gwanghae's man.

Of course that's a given, sir.

Then I will access Gwanghae's heart, the weaponry bureau, through you.

I had a nightmare last night...

It was unsettling and messy...

You're unsettling and messy right now. Please stay still.

How can I stay still? His Majesty...

Court Lady Kim, what about His Majesty?

Forgive me, but it will be difficult for him to attend the ritual today.

He's not coming after all?

Is he really ill?

He can't even move from a severe stomachache.

How did it happen...

What does the doctor say?

Everything was fine until yesterday.

He doesn't get sick easily...

The doctor is also looking for a reason.

It will be big, big trouble!

It's a ritual to celebrate the Emperor of Ming's birth!

And His Majesty won't attend!

The officials will be noisy again, like bees!

What could we do? His health comes first!

We should go, at least.

If the ritual is delayed, complaints will double.

Yes, let's hurry.

Give me another cup of tea.

Yes, sire.

Long live the emperor!

For ten thousand years!

Forever!

Long live the emperor! For ten thousand years! Forever!

So, this delicate, young, tiny fish-like one...

You'll just insert this guy in our sulfur team?

It's not like that.

How could I decide on such a thing on my own?

But this is my position...

Let's say you can ignore the selection process if he's really capable.

But you're saying that this young thing knows the sulfur smelting technique...

How could I possibly understand that?

Of course. So, like he said, you should test him...

- Yes, I do know. - Look!

Did you just say, 'I do know'?

Let me see...

I knew it.

You ran sulfur through a sieve, calling it smelting...

and separate only sand and dirt.

And not so diligently either.

Hey, what are you doing there?

Don't touch! Remove your hand right now!

You are...

Look, Hwa Yi!

If not him...

Right!

With animal's blood, dissolving sand and earth mixed in sulfur.

But this is... it will only be a small amount.

Sir, who the heck is this rude man?

I'm sorry about that. Hwa Yi!

There really is a kiln.

You really meant to try the smelting technique.

Not the kiln! It's like my life!

Please stop! Hwa Yi...

Come down right now!

If you don't come down, you'll die! Even if you come down, you'll die!

- What are you doing? Drag him out now! - Hwa Yi, please!

Steam hasn't been collected properly so far.

Isn't that right? The main point of smelting sulfur is to collect steam.

I'm sure you haven't even gotten enough for anchovy's poop.

How did you know...

Will you heat up this kiln again?

I will give you a quick taste of sulfur smelting.

Does this make sense?

For the ritual that celebrates His Majesty the Emperor's birthday

the king didn't attend?

He sent the crown prince instead?

What could we do when he's ill?

Then what about last year?

His Majesty avoided the ritual for the same reason last year!

How could he fall ill around this time every year?

Are you saying that His Majesty is faking his illness?

At this point, we have no choice.

If you look at His Majesty's moves so far

isn't it obvious that he doesn't like to lower his head to the emperor of Ming?

Sir! You shouldn't speak so freely!

What did I do wrong?

Now now...

Please stop.

Of course it must be our misunderstanding.

But unfortunately, His Majesty did encourage it a little.

Mayor!

Ming requested troops to be sent out!

Prime Minister, I'm sure you're well aware of it.

To Ming's request for troops that arrived a month ago

His Majesty hasn't given an answer yet.

That's exactly it!

Later Jin attacked Ming, so Ming asked us to send troops.

But His Majesty is delaying the response, and even avoided the ritual today.

How should we interpret this?

Now, he says he's ill...

our meeting will be canceled.

Then when will he decide on the troops?

His Majesty has arrived.

Goodness, have you all been here together?

Sire, how...

I felt much better, so I headed out for our meeting...

but I didn't see anyone, so I was taken aback.

Let's go.

Don't we have a very important topic to discuss today?

Add a little more wood.

Is he the one that Councilor Hong brought to the sulfur team?

Yes, that man over there knows the sulfur smelting technique.

But isn't that something we couldn't get right because Ming hid the technique?

That's why it will be a big deal for the sulfur team if it works out!

Will it work?

- He's still a kid. - That's what I mean.

It's lunch time, so what is everyone doing here?

We have something to watch here.

Something interesting?

Who is the man next to Councilor Hong?

He's a new artisan on the sulfur team.

- But he has to succeed... - Goodness...

What's with that beautiful smile that equals Councilor Hong's?

What's she saying now?

Mom, look at him!

His face is emanating light, even with rags on.

I'm embarrassed to death because of you!

I really hope that he succeeds.

All the men here have horse faces, so I don't get excited to cook for them.

- What? Horse face? - What? Horse face?

Who?

Your beak!

This girl is not doing well. She's not normal.

Go and scoop the rice!

- It's not time to scoop the rice yet! - Then stir the soup! Or shut up!

I like horse faces. Let's go.

When will the smelting technique you were going to show us be done?

Will it be done this year?

It's almost done.

We just need to heat it up for another 15 minutes.

Let me talk to you for a moment.

Aren't you making it too big?

What do you really have in mind for this?

I did it on purpose.

On purpose?

I learned my technique too, so I know those kinds of technicians very well.

It's difficult to acknowledge others right away.

That's why he's cold to me.

But I can't be pushed around if I'm going to work here.

This is called, 'destroy in the beginning of the war.'

- You'll forestall their force? - That's right!

- I'll punch him first. - What's that?

Don't worry! I'll do what I said I would.

- Sir, sir! - What's going on?

You should come out.

We have an urgent message from the palace.

I'll tell you the conclusion first.

I won't allow troops to be sent as requested by Ming.

I won't let Joseon bleed in the war between Later Jin and Ming.

- When was this order issued? - Just now.

And I was asked to deliver this to you.

Sire, this can't happen!

It can't happen? Why?

Ming is the country of the emperor that Joseon serves.

To refuse the request doesn't suit our cause...

and it goes against loyalty to how Ming helped us during the Imjin War!

'Loyalty to how Ming helped us during the Imjin War'?

I guess you could think of it that way.

But since you ran away so fast, as if your tails were falling off...

you wouldn't know how the battleground was.

But I saw the war clearly, from the battleground.

How incompetent the Ming's soldiers were who came to help Joseon!

Also, how cruel they were in exploiting the Joseon people, worse than the Japanese!

Sire!

I am not done speaking.

So I'm going to ask you.

What's our practical interest in sending the troops?

Why and for what do we have to bleed in someone else's war?

Sire, a man of virtue doesn't follow gains and interests.

So, how could the king chase profit in front of our eyes

and abandon the big cause and loyalty?

Did you say, 'big cause and loyalty'?

Fine then.

I'll speak with the big cause and loyalty in mind, since you like those so much.

My big cause is not the safety of Ming, but the safety of our Joseon.

Also, the loyalty that I have to preserve is not that of Ming

but the lives of my people!

Hey, what's this? What's with this odd step again?

Can't you tell? I'm feeding charcoal.

What? Feeding charcoal?

What's with this nonsense!

So far you've just put the sulfur in and heated up the whole thing, right?

Huh? Yes.

That's why steam wasn't collected.

To collect steam, you have to put charcoal in the kiln like this, so heat...

Stop, stop! Everyone, stop!

Stop and gather right now! Hurry!

We have no time for this right now.

Right now, to the weaponry bureau...

Sire, forgive me, but may I say a word?

Therefore, Kang Joo Seon should also be kept in check, sire.

Sometimes an enemy is hiding disguised as a friend.

I agree with what you said, sire.

What's more important than the big cause or reason is the practical interest.

Kang Joo Seon is stepping up?

He's always been in the back. Why?

However, sire...

shouldn't Joseon hold Ming's hand for the purpose of practical interest?

Joseon should hold Ming's hand for practical interest?

- That's right. - Why?

It's unfortunate

but it's because the power of Joseon may be trivial without Ming's help.

Of course I know that you established the weaponry bureau

and ordered them to make lots of arms and weapons.

But we are not quite self-reliant yet.

Isn't that right?

At the moment, without the niter and sulfur that Ming gives us

the weaponry bureau can't produce gunpowder.

We even rely on Ming for the compound technology.

So if Joseon refuses Ming's request...

it will get harder to receive the little help that we get, sire.

Do you understand, King?

That's your reality.

That's right, sire. Mayor's words are a hundred times...

Thank you, Mayor.

I've been waiting for someone to say that the whole time...

and you said it, Mayor.

What are you saying now, King?

Get up.

I've kept the doors of the weaponry bureau closed until now...

but I'm going to open them for you today.

We'll open everything except for the most classified materials.

Make sure to get ready without a mistake!

Sir. What's going on?

Why all of a sudden...

His Majesty will be coming to the bureau now.

- His Majesty? - Sorry, I'm in a hurry now.

See you later.

He is coming here?

Gwanghae is?

Your Majesty!

This is the weaponry bureau.

And I'm going to show you now that Joseon can produce gunpowder on its own.

Why are you doing this? Why can't I be outside?

You're not a regular employee.

Besides, His Majesty is here, so how can an outsider like you be on the grounds?

That's how it is here. It has strict security

so people like us cooking food can't come in here without this.

Excuse me, since you are here, would you like to take a bite of rice? I...

Is there any way to see him from afar?

Pardon? Goodness, my hand.

Is there a way to see the king, even from afar?

Here. You'll be able to see the king's face from here, even if it's small.

Thank you.

What on earth are you trying to do, sire?

We can make gunpowder without Ming's help?

How is it even possible?

We know how gunpowder is produced.

We also know that it can't be produced in Joseon.

Does that have to be the case?

Open the sulfur storage.

This sulfur storage was empty for a long time.

Ming gave us only 10,000 geun of sulfur every year.

Shooters couldn't even train properly with that amount.

But it'll be different now.

Joseon will receive 240,000 geun of sulfur every year from Japan.

How did Gwanghae...

But you look very suspicious.

I was checking the lower part of the ship.

Could it be that time...

But we can't say we can make gunpowder on our own just with this.

Since we don't know the compound technique of mixing it with niter.

But now we are able to try it.

We found Choi Moo Seon's book 'Gunpowder Technology'

that was previously lost.

Choi Moo Seon... gunpowder...

Councilor Hong, bring it out.

This is the book.

The secret book of gunpowder production that we lost for a long time.

Did you ask how Joseon can hold out without Ming's help, Mayor?

It's power.

Do you understand?

With this as the beginning

when we can protect our land with our power alone

when we can get through the current situation

of being surrounded by Later Jin and Ming

Joseon will no longer be a small country on the side.

Joseon will become the country ruled by an emperor!

Are you avoiding me now, Court Lady Kim?

You startled me by being so quiet.

What is going on? I'm the one who was surprised.

His Majesty was going through a big event, but I had no idea.

How would I have known?

It's very hard to know what he thinks...

It's not that you're leaving me out on purpose?

Of course not.

Then why would he give you the title of the minister of defense?

That's...

Now, the whole country will be stirred up because of His Majesty's move.

Your responsibility has become more important than at any other time.

Since His Majesty is still at the weaponry bureau, you should go serve him.

I'm sure he'll be happy.

'Serve your master like a puppy'?

Look, Court Lady Kim...

This Lee Yi Cheom won't stay crumpled in the back room.

Lord Ohri, this is no time to hang back with your mouth closed!

You have to help us!

It's been a long time since I did away with government posts.

That's why you need to come back!

The king is shaking up the foundation of this country right now!

Please gather scholars and people of the Southern faction!

Sir, I have the same thoughts.

The king's move is dangerous.

Sir.

Stupid.

I told you to keep an eye on Joo Won to the end.

Forgive me, sir.

Summon the meeting. Right now.

Please wait, sir.

I have something to tell you.

- It's about Councilor Hong. - What now, at this point?

But it's important. I thought you should know...

You look tired. Now now, have a seat.

It must've been a long day for you as well.

It was for me.

How did you get this secret book?

It's a secret. I have no reason to tell you, do I?

While you were in Edo...

I wasn't hanging out.

I was very busy.

But even if we had this technology

it would've started late without sulfur.

You accomplished a lot.

Good job.

I should return to the palace now.

- I... - You don't need to see me off.

I'm not a face you want to see anyway.

Sire, I'll escort you.

'Did you have no interest in sulfur from the beginning?'

'Was the weaponry bureau just for appearances?'

'Why did you use me? For what?'

But even with this technology

it would've started late without sulfur.

You accomplished a lot. Good job.

Sir!

Sir, you should go to the sulfur office.

There is a big ruckus over there!

Why? What happened?

What are you doing? Close the lid first!

Hurry up and cover it!

Over there! Hurry up and cover it!

Cover it!

What happened?

It's steam, sir!

- It's all steam from the kiln! - What's that?

I remembered that kid from earlier, so I opened the kiln cover and checked.

I thought, 'what a rookie!'

But that steam from the kiln came out!

It must be true.

The young kid that you brought knows the smelting technique!

Where is he?

Now that I think about it, where is Hwa Yi right now?

Who's there?

- Come here! - How many times do I have to tell you?

I didn't sneak in here, I came because of Councilor Hong!

Shut up! You don't have a pass and can't say the secret code!

What do you think you're doing?

I said, that's not true!

Find Councilor Hong and ask him!

- Check with him! - What are you doing there?

What's the ruckus?

Don't you know His Majesty is here?

What's going on, Minister of Defense?

Subtitles by DramaFever

[Hwajung]

I'm sure. I definitely saw him in Nagasaki.

I'll stand with the king after all.

At least he's the king that we need right now.

What is it, Gwanghae?

Do you want to play with me?

Maybe you were rejected by a woman that you love...

or you lost her...

No! No!

Was there an accident in the palace?

I can't find him! I can't find Hwa Yi!

Then I'll tell you...

who I am and where I came from!