Original subtitles

Kill them, or you will end up dead.

I'm a Prince, and you are my Royal subject.

It's the Prince that protects his subjects and his people.

Your Highness Your Highness!

Yi Bangwon... It's a shame I can't see the terrified look on his face.

I am Baron Ok Hwan.

Your effort is deserving of great reward.

I have done nothing.

It is this man who recognized the stolen

articles as articles of the Royal house.

You appear to be a benevolent man.

You care about your subordinates.

Thank you for the undeserved praise.

My soldiers will escort you back to the Royal villa as soon as you are prepared.

No.

That is unnecessary.

Your Highness...

You have not met the Prince.

Are events of last night not to be disclosed?

You are a man of fine character, so I trust you will not attempt to

improve your position by telling the world you saved the Prince.

Your silence will preserve the honor of the Royal house.

In return, you will have the Prince's trust.

What makes you think Prince Choongnyeong is not a King material?

He does not have what it takes.

Even if he had been the eldest,

he would not be a suitable successor.

Let us hear why.

Why you are putting down your own pupil?

How could you call an arrogant smart-mouth a King material?

Exposition of the Great Learning:

Book of leadership complied by Confucian scholar Zhen Dexiu of the Song period.

What is the meaning of this?

What are you doing?

It's as you can see.

Your Highness!

Let go. Let go!

You are not a scholar. Scholars do not burn books!

It's better than turning you into a thief repeating

the words of others like a parrot.

So I said every scholar has the responsibility to pursue politics.

What's wrong with that?

Those are words of Mencius, not yours.

I took it to heart and now it is mine.

Do you know what politics is?

It's working for the safety and welfare of the people.

Do you know who the people are and what they are like?

"The people are good in nature and appreciate good virtue"

Book of Odes, Greater Odes of the Kingdom, Zheng Min.

This is why I call you a thief.

Do I speak words that are untrue?

They are babbling of a parrot in a cage.

But then, who can blame you?

The only world you know is inside this little villa.

Then I will learn about the world.

How?

The walls of this Royal Villa are too high for that.

And there are too many guards and people protecting you.

If I knew more about the world, would you share your knowledge with me?

If you knew more about the world,

you wouldn't want me to share my knowledge.

I am not going back until I can prove Master Yi Su wrong!

You must go back now, Your Highness.

Bring me my clothes.

Pease think about what almost happened last night.

That's all the more reason why I can't go back yet.

Your Highness?

Hide it.

We don't want to become a target again.

But the knaves that tried to hurt me last night...

Yes, Your Highness?

Are they Father's subjects as well?

What do you mean?

Those who are not good in nature are not our people.

Now we must find the real Royal subjects.

Why are you sending the Prince back like this?

I don't understand.

I will turn him into cold meat

and hang him on the crossbeam of the palace as well.

Let us not be so disrespectful to our future King.

If you believe he is the future King,

isn't that all the more reason to kill him off?

He's just a child who knows nothing about the world.

Then...?

We're going to groom him to be the King starting now.

The seed of fire that will destroy his brothers, break his father's heart

and turn the Royal court into bloody circus of political wars...

I deserve death, Your Majesty...

You may go.

I will find another way.

I will turn over security of the envoys

to the Three Armies Command and personally search every inch of the city.

No.

But...

One hundred twenty four...

That's how many security drills you have performed in the past five years.

The last one was last night.

You know what happened next.

Forgive me, Your Majesty...

There are orders in which things must be done.

Go back to your post and be faithful to your duty.

We can't stop looking for the Prince.

If anything should happen to him...

Leave.

Gang Sangin that cad, I want to kill him!

He didn't even bother to check my son's safety when

the entire palace was turned upside down last night!

Well, the secret message said "a King to be"...

If Hyoryeong and Choongnyeong are Kings to be, my son is a King to be as well!

Your Grace, please lower your voice. Someone might be listening.

I don't care!

Your Grace...

I am His Majesty's beloved no matter what anyone says.

That's...

If the mother is loved,

the child is loved as well.

There is no reason why my son cannot be our future King.

Please give my son your support, General.

Imagine if he became the next King.

Your command and authority will be higher than any Royalty.

The kidnappers were found dead?

Are you sure they were connected to the Min clan?

It's highly likely since they had ties to the men that Lord Min Mugu used to

have in his militia.

Then what are we waiting for?

Let's get the Min clan!

We're dealing with the Queen's family.

We can't go after them without a definitive proof.

Then interrogate Yi Su and force a confession out of him.

That's not a good idea either.

Release Yi Su.

Then what about Prince Choongnyeong?

We don't have any time to waste.

If something should happen to the Prince...

If they are after his life, we are already too late.

Lord Hwang...

Think about this rationally.

The best course of action is to investigate them quietly and

observe their movements.

They'll cover their tracks and hide if they find out we're on to them.

Where is Prince Choongnyeong?

Why would you ask me that question?

I gave you information that he would be going to Soongshin-bang.

So?

But Prince Choongnyeong was not found there.

It's obvious what happened next.

You wench! What do you take me for?

I may have known where Choongnyeong was going,

but I have nothing to do with his kidnapping!

I believe you completely. But I doubt the world will.

Is that a threat?

Of course not.

Keep your mouth sealed.

It's for your own good.

But if I talk, I might save the Prince's life and become a hero.

What do you want?

I think I should be paid separate fees for keeping silence.

It is the Princes life, so it would have to be a large sum.

Eunuch's sleeping quarters

What's wrong?

Granny, how did it go?

Keep your mouth sealed tight. Your tong is your life now.

What are you standing around for? Hurry up and get to work!

Are you all right? Huh?

Ilji, I think I might have to pluck out my tongue.

Has this reckless child done what I think he's done?

Bring the Exposition of the Great Learning to me three days from now.

You saw me burning them off.

Then you will have to rewrite it from memory.

You said you would share your knowledge with me once I know more about the world.

Don't forget your promise.

Don't bring harm on yourself with hasty actions.

No matter how you struggle,

is forbidden for a prince other than the Heir Apparent,

to aspire to govern the state.

I'm thirteen years old, Master, thirteen.

And you want me to do nothing?

You want me to have no dreams and no aspirations?

Then this villa might as well be my grave.

You're telling me to live my whole life in a grave.

It is your fate for being born a Prince. Accept it.

That is the King's wish.

I'm going to make my father withdraw that wish.

I will find a way to persuade him.

But first I must break my stubborn mentor.

This kind of food may not suit your palate...

You said this is what the people normally eat.

It's not bad.

Don't worry about me. You go ahead and eat.

I wouldn't think of it, Your Highness.

I'm a lowly servant. I couldn't possibly eat with you on the same table.

Jangwon, how long ago did you say you left your parents?

Why do you ask out of the blue, Your Highness?

How long ago?

It's been ten years and 97 days, Your Highness.

You keep a count?

I'm just so small-minded...

You're not small-minded. You just miss them very much.

Your Highness...

Your heart must be torn...

I'm all right.

But my father was suffering from consumption when I left,

and I worry if he is okay.

I wonder what's worse...

Being far away from the ones you love...

or being close but ignored...

I... I'm probably not enough to comfort you.

Sometimes I really miss my family and sometimes I feel sorry for myself,

but I have you, and you are very good to me...

so it gives me great comfort.

Jangwon...

Don't worry.

His Majesty is a very busy man,

so he just doesn't have the time to give you attention.

But I'm sure he loves you very much deep inside.

Hall of Great Peace: Ming envoy's guest hall

I'm just going to stand here, that's all!

If we leave, someone else will get this spot!

I'm not going anywhere!

Those who resist will be arrested!

It is the law of this land to suspend traffic for the national guest convoy!

Violators will be punished by twenty lashes!

What are you waiting for?

Arrest those who refuse to step back ten paces!

Aye!

Step back! Step back!

Don't touch me! This is my spot!

Why are they fighting like that?

I don't know, Your Highness.

They are street venders who do business here.

They have to get resituated after the convoy passes through,

so I think they're fighting for a good space.

You're...

I've been ordered by the Baron to attend to you if only from a distance.

That's not necessary.

He's also ordered not to disrupt your travel in any way,

so please do not refuse my master's courtesy.

What's that?

Stop him!

We will honor the faithful retainers

who sacrificed their lives for the Royal house of Goryeo.

- Take the envoy back inside! - Yes, sir!

- Archers! - Archers forward!

Kill them! The King that exploits his people...

The Ming Chinese that makes the people of Joseon cry in misery...

Kill them all!

Isn't that Park who sells firewood on a roadside stand?

It's him all right.

You mean he's a street vender like all of you people?

Yes!

Why would an ordinary street vender do something like this?

Rage and despair must've driven him to this.

Rage? Did the Ming envoy do anything to cause him harm?

Harm? Actually, it's the King that did that.

He's ordered all of the street stalls and kiosks on this entire district

be pulled down because he doesn't want to look bad in front of the Ming envoys!

This is our livelihood for heaven sakes!

If he's going to make a statement, why the Hall of Great Peace?

He should've set the palace on fire instead.

You know it.

We must never forget the tragedy of 1394.

Hear ye!

His Majesty the King will establish colonies for the Royal kinfolk of

Goryeo in Ganghwa, Koje and other regions and provide means of living.

At noon on the second day of the fourth month in 1394,

those with surname of Wang are called to gather at the Mapo ferry dock and...

Remember... The false generosity and false hopes...

The cunning and deceitful ploy to lure the Royal kinfolk of Goryeo...

Remember the day of massacre!

According Nam Hyo-on's Chugan naenghwa,

the Royal descendants of Goryeo were lured to Ganghwa, Koje, Samchuk and other regions and buried at sea.

Move to the right!

Remember the blood stained sword of the slayer who stole the throne!

Remember the eyes of our sisters and our children

that were slaughtered and slaughtered again!

Remember our fathers and mothers that were buried at sea...

Remember our cowardice hearts that left them in the frozen waters

out of fear of our own death...

Do not forget the indignation.

We must also never forget the shame of having been forced to

abandon our surname of Wang for survival and live under assumed names.

Remember.

Joseon is a slayer's regime built on our family's blood.

The fate or our people cannot be left in their hands.

That is why we will not stop fighting

until Joseon has fallen and Goryeo is resurrected.

Who is the perpetrator?

He was killed at the scene of the crime...

Then how will you find the man behind him?

I do not know what to say, Your Majesty...

How could you let this happen?

The Hall of Great Peace? What are they doing?

Well...

We're leaving! Start packing!

Right now!

What is our response?

The Ministry of Rites is still considering the options.

When will you come to a decision? After the envoy has crossed the Yalu?

Perhaps the Crown Prince could pay them a visit.

It may be even more effective if he delivers a letter of apology.

Don't just stand there. Do it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will not go to the Hall of Great Peace.

Don't argue.

You must do your duty as the Crown Prince.

The palace is astir and my younger brother is still missing.

Those are personal feelings. Cast it aside for now.

Just make sure you're not careless in diplomatic protocol.

The Crown Prince's action is reflection of this state.

The fact that I am the Crown Prince is the reason why I will not go to the envoy.

Ming wants to make me a son-in-law of their Emperor.

Isn't that the greatest dishonor a Crown Prince can suffer?

I will not endure such dishonor.

Only common men follow his own will.

A King has greater duty to abide by.

Becoming the son-in-law of the Emperor of another state is that the greater duty?

Assuaging the envoy with proper etiquette of diplomacy so to avoid

becoming the son-in-law of the Emperor is the greater duty.

Father.

A good leader is not rigid to preserve his pride.

He will bend, endure shame and kneel before the contemptible if necessary.

But...

A Prince is a King's subject before his son.

How would you deal with a subject who refuses to obey

your order before thinking it through?

We must brief you on the protocol and quickly get you ready to leave.

Noboon, lay down a straw mat in front of the audience hall.

Your Highness?

I am going to protest this order.

Your Highness...!

You're being completely unreasonable.

What are you doing?

Get yourself ready and go to the Hall of Great Peace.

I am going to seek punishment from the King instead.

If I were you, I would volunteer to become

the son-in-law of the Ming Emperor instead.

Uncle...

Get ready. Now!

Don't you realize that this country will become

a Ming's subject state if I, the future King, becomes the Emperor's son-in-law?

You are unlike the despicable Kings of Goryeo.

You will not be controlled by your wife even if she is a Ming Princess.

Am I wrong?

- But... - You need power and authority

since you need to succeed to the throne right away.

What... do you mean by that?

Your father's time has come and gone.

Uncle!

A dead body was found hanging in the sacred audience hall

and the Hall of Great Peace was attacked in broad daylight.

This is incontrovertible sign that the current

King has lost his power and authority.

The King cannot be a subject of slander and ridicule.

I am not trying to undercut the King's hard efforts to

strengthen the foundation of this state.

But he has put too much blood his hands in the process.

And there were few among them that he should never have laid his hands on.

From talented senior statesmen to brothers of same blood...

Shouldn't you and the other uncles bear the responsibility for that as well?

Yes.

That is why we need to start a new era.

A new era of a new King who can cleanse the Royal court of its bloody

stains and seek peace and prosperity...

Your era, Your Highness.

To do that, you need power.

What could be more powerful and than the backing of the Ming Emperor?

Begin a new era with a new King?

Then all this to set up justifiable basis for abdication?

Abdication?

The message asked if we can protect the King in the making

then kidnapped Prince Choongnyeong of the Heir Apparent.

What do you think this means?

A movement to bring Choongnyeong to the throne instead of the Crown Prince?

This will leave His Majesty with two choices:

abdicate the throne or kill a son.

It's been almost a year since the Min clan has been alienated from power.

There is only one way for them to restore their power?

Give the throne to the Crown Prince and become his benefactor.

Crown Prince, rise left!

Royal envoy, rise right!

Are you taught to ignore the hospitality of the host in Ming China?

I have a long travel ahead that leaves me with no time for tea.

You will regret this.

Refusing this despicable display of hospitality?

Insulting the Crown Prince of a sovereign state.

You should control the public before

you admonish a diplomatic envoy

the aweless people that set

the Hall of Great Peace ablaze

and ruined the important state affair.

The Crown Prince of a state that cannot

even control its own people do not deserve

a chance to preserve his honor.

Am I wrong?

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

No reaction to the Crown Prince's visit?

Perhaps His Majesty could pay them a visit and appease them personally.

I suppose I could.

It is not a good idea, Your Majesty.

Instead perhaps we should fuel the fire that's already been started.

I think I agree.

This is the King's sword?

He has had it since prior to his rise to the throne,

so it is the sword that built Joseon.

The sword that built Joseon wants blood?

Did you like my gift?

Would you like me to kneel and stick my neck out?

The sword of the King of a tribute state is

not enough to threaten a mighty empire.

Watch your words! A tribute state?

Is it my head you want?

Oh dear...

It looks like my ministers did not explain whose blood is on that sword.

I killed the man that disrespected you personally with my own sword.

Some might say that

the King has behaved recklessly.

I would do worse to protect our friendship.

Friendship?

Would you leave us?

It's difficult to openly share friendship with so many eyes looking on.

Your Majesty, in this circumstance...

Who can you trust if you can't trust a friend?

Right?

Please try. Don't you like the aroma?

Tea is meant to be enjoyed with friends

to truly appreciate its depth, that is.

I must turn down your offer to be friends.

I'm sorry to hear that.

No threats or appeasement will be effective.

The only way to resolve this situation is

by sending the Crown Prince to be

the son-in-law of the Emperor.

Let us drink our tea.

How is Taijian Zheng He?

Is it true that he is on an expedition

to suppress the Mongol remnants?

The Emperor gnashes his teeth at eunuchs,

but he's a eunuch general in charge of a conquest.

I guess the rumor is true.

Taijian Zheng He is the Emperor's number one man. Isn't he?

Why are you bringing up Taijian Zheng He out of the blue?

To make you, Huan Yan, the Emperor's number one man.

I am the Emperor's servant.

I have no ambition for power.

You mean you couldn't have ambition for power.

If I surrender my sword to you and you take it back to Ming,

you will be a man more capable than Zheng He.

Zheng He leads his army acquiring vows of loyalty from inferior states

but you would have acquired a vow of loyalty from the King of Joseon

with your tongue.

Vow of loyalty?

I have known the Emperor since he was the Prince of Yan.

I know that he fears Joseon might join hands with the jurchens, the Japanese or

the Mongols and put pressure on Ming, and that is why he wants to take my son.

I am ready to present to you the sword that built this country today.

This is a solemn promise that Joseon will not wage a war

against Ming under any circumstances.

How should I trust that?

You refuse my friendship and you want trust?

Trust isn't important.

What is important is the results you take back home.

I don't think you would be sitting here holding back your rage

if you were not worried about going back home empty handed.

If all goes well, the Emperor will have Joseon's vow of loyalty

and you will have wealth and honor.

Wealth and honor?

Money is a very powerful thing.

It is indispensable if what you wants is political authority.

And what would you gain from this?

Comfort of knowing that I don't have to send my son millions

of miles away from home, I suppose.

If this were a business deal, my profit would be the smallest.

Don't you think?

This is His Majesty's note promising ten thousand silver pieces.

He hopes it will be put to good use.

These are for the Empress.

Desire not to send off a child to a distant foreign land will be greater

for the mother than the father.

Win the Empress's heart, and the road to becoming

the Emperor's number one man will be easier.

Are you angry?

I don't blame you.

Refrain from such unruly conduct from now on.

If you cant hold back your rage, vent it on yourself.

Pound your chest and break yourself down.

Father...

Pain nurses vengeance and makes you stronger.

Keep your rage in your heart.

Don't let the rage you felt today be forgotten.

And later when your time comes,

use it to build a regime stronger and more powerful than mine.

You've turned our King into a reckless imposter!

Are you satisfied?

I stopped the Crown Prince from becoming the Emperor's son-in-law.

Next time it will be twenty thousand silver pieces.

Don't you know that?

Consider it a price for preserving Joseon's pride.

Pride?

I had no idea national pride was so important to you.

Empty pride is meaningless to me.

I am only interested in pride that is necessary to soundly govern this state.

Soundly govern this state?

His Majesty has gained a tremendous loyal servant!

My loyalty doesn't compare to the loyalty of the man who allowed

slaughter in the Royal house to bring him to the throne.

Hey!

Clear this off.

What are you doing? We were here first!

That's baloney. I don't see your name anywhere.

What? You want a fight?

You should've been out here sooner if you wanted the space.

- Stay out of it, you whore! - Stop!

What are they doing?

I think they're fighting for the dead man Park's spot.

Didn't you say the dead man used to do business with them?

- Yes. - What terrible people!

What's this?

You should be grieving your neighbor's death.

What is this beastly behavior?

Beastly?

You are in trouble, you little punk.

I'll teach you a lesson for talking to an elder that way!

How dare you!

Do you know who you're talking to?

We have a couple of lunatics!

Come here. You're a dead man.

You bastard!

What the heck!

Hey!

Jangwon.

I can't believe we started a fight...

Me neither...

We have to close up shop in less than ten days anyway...

The Royal court recently made a decision to clean up all roadside

stands and kiosks within the four gates and build permanent structures.

Without any auxiliary action?

I'm sure there was.

I believe they were given monetary compensation.

What are you talking about?

Who gave monetary compensation to whom?

We sure didn't get any.

Oh dear, what happened?

Who embezzled the money that's rightfully yours?

Don't act so naive. You know exactly who took it.

The bastards in high places.

And their lackeys that take all the money in the middle.

Those thieves snatched all of our money.

There are little thieves under a big thief.

What do you expect when this country is being run by the biggest

thief of all who stole the throne?

And what makes you better than those thieves?

What?

What did you say?

You're just sitting around complaining instead of trying to resolve the problem.

Is there anything more pathetic?

That little runt!

- Do you want to die? - Let go him!

If you don't want to be executed, let go of him now!

Stay down, you fool.

What if I resolve this problem?

How would you do that?

Would you acknowledge that you are wrong about the King and

voluntarily seek punishment for contempt?

Sure, I'll do it. Let's see what you've got.

I'll take a little punishment.

Hell, I can take anything if I could just feed my family. You know that?

Out! All of you!

Move it!

If we find you making trouble again, you're done for. You got that?

- Thank you! - You women ought to know better!

Your Highness,

we really should go back now.

They're shameless cowards.

They don't even know what good nature and beautiful virtue is.

They don't deserve to be Royal subjects.

But those despicable people said my father the King was unworthy of the throne.

Your Highness...

My father will rectify all this.

He will change them into gentle people, the real Royal subjects.

And I am going to pave the way.

Did you just say it is Choongnyeong who sounds the Petitioner's Drum?

Why in heaven's name is a Royal Prince sounding the Petitioner's Drum?

He is rebelling against the King.

Choongnyeong is only thirteen years old.

Why would a child rebel against the King?

Thirteen is old enough for

those seeking to bring him to the throne for their own advancement.

Bring him to the throne?

Are you suggesting that he is fighting his own brother over the rights of succession?

Not him. Those seeking to bring him to the throne.

Why is all this happening?

I want to rejoice my son's safe return, but things keep getting worse...

The Petitioner's Drum is used to criticize misrule.

Will the King allow a Prince who criticizes his misrule to live?

Is this a bloodbath?

This could lead to a mass slaughter in the palace...