Original subtitles

Remember.

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

We will not stop fighting until Joseon has fallen and Goryeo is resurrected.

Don't you dare lay a hand on me!

Who is your father?

Kill the King that exploits his people!

Kill the Ming Chinese that cause misery to the people!

Kill them all!

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!

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

The people are good in nature and they appreciate good virtue.

My father will rectify all this.

He will change them into gentle people, people deserving of his rule.

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

He is rebelling against the King.

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

A bloodbath...

I will pave the way.

A journey to learn about the real world?

Straighten your shoulders.

And look at me.

If you've toured the world, you are a man among men.

You must carry a commanding presence.

That's better.

Now tell me about the world.

Did the world speak to you?

It must've said something for you

to have committed such misconduct upon your return.

It is not a misconduct to sound the Petitioner's Drum.

Not a misconduct?

I heard the Petitioner's Drum was hung so you could hear the voices of the people.

But the drum has long lost its sound, and there is a pile of dust on top.

Perhaps that is why the people call you...

a tyrant.

A tyrant?

The world told me to find a way to remove this dishonor.

Then how can we remove this dishonor?

Did the world tell you the answer?

Of course, Father.

This is a propaganda leaflet that was found on the street

and a list of people who has suffered injustices.

Dusty Petitioner's Drum...

Should I call him astute or should I call him audacious?

Neither remark would be safe.

If you call him astute that would be a threat to the Crown Prince,

and if you call him audacious,

he will try to mimic the King in his days as a Prince.

He will raise his sword and attempt to steal the throne.

Leave!

Mother...

Don't call me Mother. I am not your mother!

Escort Han, don't just stand there.

Call the guards and remove this child from my room!

I know how terribly worried you were last night, Mother.

But since Brother has returned safely...

Who says he is your brother?

Mother...

That child is not a Royal prince anymore, so he is not your brother anymore either.

Mother...

How could a Royal prince violate the rules of the palace and

create such a confusion in state affairs?

Forgive me, Mother...

Don't call me Mother!

Take a look at yourself.

How could a Royal prince walk around the palace looking like this?

Traveled incognito? That's something even I haven't done.

Choongnyeong, I'm impressed.

So what did you see? What was most interesting in the world?

Well, now that you ask...

How can you smile?

Do you know what kind of commotion you caused?

Stop.

Your Highness...

Mother gave him enough scolding.

Come to the East Palace tomorrow. I want to hear all about the world.

Would you do that?

Of course!

- Escort Han. - Yes, Your Highness.

Starting tomorrow, I will not be accepting Choongnyeong's greeting calls.

Your Highness, if I may, I think that is a bit excessive.

What's excessive?

I am sure he has learned his lesson after all that admonishment.

I'm just getting started.

He's got to learn to fall.

I've got to come down harder on him if he is going to learn to be invisible.

How else will be survive?

This is so confusing...

I don't understand.

Don't understand what?

Why are you so happy after getting into so much trouble with the Queen?

I had no idea he was so gentle.

Jangwon, I have never seen this gentle side of my father before.

He must have been so angry when I called him a tyrant...

But he didn't let it show.

And he listened to everything I had to say with undivided attention.

Like I said, he loves you deeply. He's just very busy, that's all.

Not it's your turn, Jangwon.

I had the Royal Physician prepare herbs to treat your fathers consumption.

Your Highness...

His Majesty didn't disapprove of our trip yesterday that strongly,

so we will get his permission next time and visit your family.

You can deliver the medicinal herbs to your father personally.

Your Highness...

How would you deal with this problem if you were in my position, Prime Minister?

So I hear you've seen the world.

I said I would and I'm a man of my word.

How was it?

Was the world filled with people of good nature and beautiful virtue?

Soon the world will be filled with people of beautiful virtue.

I guess that means it isn't now.

I'm sure a virtuous King like my father can make them foster beautiful virtue

with his kind and gentle heart regardless of their nature.

Do you think so?

Your Highness! Your Highness!

My Prince!

What's wrong?

It's awful!

The marketplace is turned upside down!

They arrested the innocent victims?

Why are they punishing the people

ho suffered injustices instead of their offenders?

Talk!

Who told you to disseminate those slanderous leaflets?

Who ordered you to throw the country into confusion?

What are you waiting for?

Continue the interrogation!

Aye!

What is the meaning of this?

Please go back inside.

I must see my father. I'm going to the palace right now.

His Majesty has ordered disciplinary confinement in the Royal Villa.

Prince Choongnyeong must be punished more sternly, Your Majesty.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It is your strong will to forbid all princes with exception to

the Crown Prince from practicing politics.

Politics?

That's absurd.

He toured the city and sounded the Petitioner's Drum

out of fervent desire to rectify the government.

If this isn't politics, what is?

And wrong politics at that.

He defended the offender Park Pyongsul and his accomplices

who tried to set the Hall of Great Peace on fire.

Choongnyeong's misbehavior cannot be overlooked.

Not only will it undermine the order

of the Royal House but the sovereignty as well.

It already has.

A prince who is not the heir to the throne is acting like the future King.

This is the cause of the slanderous message

that we cannot protect the King to be.

You must make a bold decision, Your Majesty.

Are you already preparing for the future?

Preparing for the future?

You're already the King's first merit subject,

and you're positioning yourself to be the Crown Prince's first merit subject.

As a Prime Minister of this state, it is my duty to discuss laws and

principles and prevent greater confusion.

You hold an exalted position second only to the King.

Are you sure this isn't a struggle to keep a position

that can't go anywhere but down?

Don't kill the young Prince to preserve your authority.

I think you need more practice in politics.

Keep learning.

Or someone might try to teach you a painful lesson.

Go back inside.

I can't do that, Master.

Escort him in.

What are you doing?

You're going to have to kill me to stop me from going to the palace.

What do you think you can change by doing this?

"A learned man is willing die for his cause."

What?

Are you going to call me a parrot again for quoting someone else's words?

I don't want to make you a bluffer who takes life and death lightly.

I can't let innocent people die because of what I did.

You might as well be hitting a rock with an egg.

Then I'll break the rock first.

Clear the road.

- Minister Hwang. - Do as you wish, Your Highness.

I will not let them get in the way.

Minister Hwang, why?

"A learned man is willing to die for his cause."

You can't stop a determined scholar.

He could be killed in the palace.

He might have been killed here if we tried to stop him.

A stream of water can put a whole on a rock.

Perhaps the Princes heart will move the Heavens.

I had no idea you were so naive.

I'm saying that there are many variables in politics, my man.

I know little about politics, so it's hard to understand your intent.

You don't know politics?

Then what do you call what you're doing right now?

Are you angry with the King?

How could you not despise the King that killed your master Sambong Jeong Dojeon?

Is that why you turned your back on the world and mock, criticize and sneer?

You chose a little child to vent your anger on.

Minister!

That's politics as well.

Dirty politics at that.

All that trouble to show him the world and he's already digging his own grave?

I can't let that happen.

I can't let calm be restored that quickly in Yi Bangwon's regime.

Capital Bureaus Commissioner?

Yes?

Let me introduce myself.

My name is Jeon Pansuk.

I heard you were investigating the civilians that were brought

in to the Royal Inspector's Office.

You have the wrong information.

I got the information from a reliable source and paid a large sum for it.

How dare you!

Please don't be angry. I'm simply trying to help.

I have information that could prove their innocence.

Why would you want to give us that information?

A business man never makes a deal without profit.

Your Highness!

No, Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Despite my plea that Your Majesty did not wish to see anyone...

Where are your manners?

Don't you know the rules in having an audience with the King?

Why are you hurting the innocent people?

Hurting them?

I am giving them the discipline they need as their King.

I was taught that the King was the father of the people.

No father would be so cruel to his children.

It is for the safety and welfare of Joseon.

What good is safety and welfare if you have to hurt the people?

Five million six hundred thousand...

That's how many lives I am responsible for.

I can't satisfy them all.

It's my belief that one tenth of

them could be sacrificed for the safety of the rest.

Aren't those five hundred sixty thousand your citizens as well?

I could lose the whole country trying to satisfy them all.

Father...

Joseon was founded less than twenty years ago.

We still have evil forces trying to bring us down.

Some after my throne and some are out to take this country whole.

The gullible and excitable people will easily fall their prey.

But you can easily win their hearts by enlightening them.

They must first learn to obey.

Remember.

The King who rules a turbulent era

must rule with discipline before compassion or generosity.

And in teaching discipline, a reckless prince cannot be exempted.

Jangwon! Jangwon!

Jangwon! Jangwon!

Jangwon...

Jangwon...

Stop! Stop this at once!

Jangwon? Jangwon...!

Your Highness...

Father, please tell them to stop.

Never.

This punishment is light for a servant who failed to serve his mater properly.

No, Father. Please.

You're going to kill him.

Please... Please tell them to stop.

Father...!

Then will you kill him with your own hands?

Father...

How dare you talk about the world

and argue about state affairs when you can't even take a man's life?

Remember.

Those who are after this regime are watching the Royal family day and night.

Every time you set foot outside, you are putting yourself out there to be their prey.

What if they kidnap you and attempt to make a deal with me?

If I sacrifice national interest to save your life, Joseon will become

a contemptible state that can't draw the line

between public and private matters, and if I give up on you,

Joseon will become a powerless state that can't even protect its prince.

I'd kill your entire staff if that's what it takes to teach you a lesson.

Untie me! Untie me at once!

Jangwon...!

Jangwon...

Open your eyes. It's an order.

You're not going to get away with defying my order.

Get up.

Get up and take me home now.

Father... Father...

Your Highness...

Prince Choongnyeong has to die.

We didn't start this to get rid of a eunuch.

Prime Minister, please say something.

Choongnyeong is a sacrificial offering.

An offering to cover up Ha Ryun and the others' crime.

Crime?

This is a list of those named as accomplices in Park Pyungsul in

the attack of the Hall of Great Peace.

All of them are

merchants that used to operate street stalls near the main south gate.

The open-air stall quarters is being razed down and they were about to

lose their means of livelihood. How could you blame them for rebelling?

The state has dispersed compensation and receipt was confirmed by the people.

If someone wanted to embezzle that money,

acquiring signatures from illiterate street vendors would be easy.

But the problem is they didn't stop there.

The right to redevelop the cleared flea market

has gone to two large merchant groups.

Someone accepted bribery and turned it over.

And I'm sure we can all guess who that someone is.

The problem is proof.

I'm sure we can find proof if we conduct a thorough investigation.

The problem is His Majesty.

He won't permit this investigation if he does not wish to destroy the first merit

subject who delivered the throne to him.

Perhaps we could send a servant out to Southeast Gate.

We should give Jangwon a burial...

Your Highness?

Don't you hear me? The Crown Prince is here.

Get up and greet him immediately.

I know you are very upset, but...

I'm fine.

Doe.

A eunuch is dead. So what?

I'm fine. I don't care.

I didn't kill him. He got himself killed.

I didn't kill him.

He got himself killed.

He's dead because he's stupid...

What's the matter with you? Snap out of it!

I didn't kill him.

It wasn't me.

I didn't kill him...

Banish Prince Choongnyeong?

I've already killed his attendant and took his honor.

That's enough punishment.

We know that you care deeply for your son.

Choongnyeong is our nephew.

This breaks our hearts as well,

but it must be done to protect the foundation of the regime.

It is the King's dishonor to ignore his subject's counsel.

You cannot take the appeals your ministers lightly.

I'm fine...

I don't care...

I didn't kill him...

He got himself killed...

I didn't kill him...

He got himself killed...

Stupid fool... He couldn't even protect himself...

Prince Choongnyeong must be banished!

He must be banished!

Preserve the authority of the Royal House!

Preserve the authority!

Benevolent King does not ignore his subject's counsel!

He does not ignore the subject's counsel!

Prince Choongnyeong must be banished!

He won over the entire Censorate staff over night and

got them on the audience hall courtyard.

Prime Minister Ha Ryun... His power is impressive.

I guess Prince Choongnyeong's life is in your hands now, Minister Hwang.

Preserve the authority of the Royal House!

Your Highness, what brings you to...

Order them to stop the protest at once!

Your Highness, please have a seat first.

If they do not clear out immediately,

I will ask the King for the Sword of Command.

And I will kill all of you for coming after my brother's life!

His life? You could not before wrong.

We seek his banishment to protect his life.

The Censorate officials wanted Prince Choongnyeong dead.

So I recommended banishment instead.

Censorate's pen can be more powerful than a sword.

Prince Choongnyeong cannot survive unless he is banished from the city.

Then their pen will lose power.

Whether it is the high ministers of the Censorate officials,

anyone that tries to harm Choongnyeong will not be forgiven.

Your ability as the future king may be questioned

if you let emotion interfere with state affairs.

Your loyalty will be questioned if you attempt to hurt

a Royal Prince and mock the Royal House.

Banishment and death go hand in hand, Your Majesty.

If you allow them to banish him,

next they will call for the Cup of Death to be sent to him.

I know.

Your Majesty, there is a way to save the Prince and resolve the state affairs as well.

Untie him.

But Your Majesty...

Untie him.

This is no way to treat my son's mentor.

Your Majesty...

Bring me a glass. I shall offer my sons teacher a drink.

Rise and take the cup.

I've placed two of my sons in your care and neglected to show appreciation.

This humble servant is undeserving of this courtesy.

No, no, you deserve a lot more than this.

You've taught my son well.

I am willing to accept any punishment.

Punishment?

What is your crime?

If you seek punishment, first you must confess your crime.

I told the Prince that I could not teach

him the Exposition of the Great Learning until he knew more about the world.

So you are the one that pushed Choongnyeong out of the Royal Villa.

You.

Do you remember what I said before

I placed Choongnyeong and Hyoryeong in your care?

"Just don't let them be ignorant."

You said too much knowledge is poison for a prince who is not the heir to the throne.

Then why did you raise a little tiger?

He wanted to know the purpose of learning, and I told him the answer.

To beat on the Petitioner's Drum and mock his father?

If it is to protect the people, he shouldn't be afraid to.

Politics is a learned man's duty.

But the court is full of people who think that politics is a fight for higher position.

But the Prince already knows that politics is caring for the world

and that the world is another name for the helpless people.

And I am very proud of him.

I guess you have a death with.

"A learned man is willing to die for his cause."

Do you think it is courage to end up a corpse here?

It is the principle that my student has sworn to live by.

Sometimes teachers learn from their students.

I will give you one more chance.

Remember.

When it comes to teaching Hyoryeong and Choongnyeong, excess is poison.

But perhaps we could allow Choongnyeong to see what the

Exposition of the Great Learning is about.

Exposition of the Great Learning?

I don't understand his order.

He knows that books are Choongnyeong's only toys.

How can you be so naive?

Exposition of the Great Learning is a text book for Kings.

But His Majesty is ordering it to be

taught to a prince other than the Heir Apparent.

It's just a toy to Choongnyeong.

You must protect your authority or you will lose it, Your Highness.

You could lose the right of succession to your younger brother.

- Your Highness. - Uncle.

Choongnyeong is a fainthearted boy who can't even get over a servant's death.

And you think that weak-kneed child is going to steal my power?

Your Highness...

You're overreacting.

Uncle, Choongnyeong doesn't have what it takes to steal my power.

I hear you've given up eating and drinking.

Give it a rest. I'm tired of this infantile protest.

If this isn't a protest, are you trying to join Jangwon?

Then this might be faster.

Kill yourself right now.

The rest of your servants will be put to death as well for their

failures to serve you properly.

But you don't care about that, do you?

It's not my fault.

I didn't kill him. I didn't kill him!

You did kill him.

No!

Not only did you cause his death, you didn't even give him a farewell.

You're killing poor Jangwon twice with this pathetic behavior. You know that?

No, that's not true!

Don't even think about going out there into the real world again.

It's not a place for a whiny child who dodges his responsibility

and refuses to face his own grief.

I am a Prince!

And you are my Royal subject!

It's the Prince that protects his subjects.

Your Highness...

Soongshin-bang...

I need to take Jangwon to Soongshin-bang...

I promised him I would take him home...

But I don't know how to get there, Master...

I really wanted to take you back home...

I wanted to know where your family live...

And I even had your father's medicine prepared for you...

But now I guess you can never go home again...

I'm sorry, Jangwon...

It's my fault that you're dead...

I'm sorry, Jangwon...

The city looks so huge from up here...

I suppose the world is ten times...

No, a hundred times larger than this.

Master, how large do you think is my capacity as a man?

This large?

No, this large?

Shouldn't it be at least this large?

Your Highness...

Master, the virtuous people that I read about

in the books didn't exist in the real world.

They were shameless, selfish and mean.

But...

I don't, I can't hate them.

Because they're just like me and I'm just like them...

Your Highness...

Just once, I wanted to be praised by my father just once.

What I said about politics being a learned man's duty...

about me wanting to know the world and beating on the Petitioner's Drum...

The truth is, I did all that to get my father's attention.

I didn't mean them, Master.

I don't know why, but I get the feeling the people are just like me.

That they became the way they are because no one has ever shown them attention

or treated them with true compassion.

That's why I can't hate them, Master.

But I suppose I should forget about them now.

Because if I don't, I will lose someone else that I love like I lost Jangwon...

It's going to be tough.

To hold fast to that thought for the rest of your life.

It's going to be very difficult.

And it will be hard for me as well...

to watch you growing up with so much struggle...

Master...

Would this humble man do?

If it's all right, I would like to stay closely by your side from now on.