Original subtitles

It's incredible! Isn't it?

The Minister of Defense?

He's on his way.

Are they trained soldiers?

No confirmation yet, it's only eleven miles outside the capital.

Unless we act quickly, the city will be threatened as well.

Attack! Attack!

Don't you think this place is too dangerous for the Crown Prince?

If I want to be a strong King, I have to make battlefields my playground.

Uncle!

Your Majesty, there is one more thing...

Crown Prince playing soldier?

How is this reckless man fit to be the future King?

Should there be reward or should there be punishment?

Praise is due for routing the foreign invaders,

but pretending to be a soldier is unacceptable.

Grant reward, Your Majesty.

The heir to the royal throne feels no shame for masquerading as a soldier?

Not to me, but to the commanding general of the Right Army and his men.

And I will accept any punishment you fit to give.

What are you going to do now? You're going to die for this.

You should've stopped the Crown Prince somehow.

If I tried to stop him, I would've died yesterday.

I extended my life for mere one lousy day...

I guess we wasted our time worrying for nothing.

Let's get out of here.

Did everything turn out all right?

You sound like you're disappointed.

Of course not.

There's going to be a victory celebration. I better see you there.

What punishment would it this misconduct?

You asked for punishment, so tell me what would be appropriate.

Yes, Father.

Make me a laborer at the Bureau of Weaponry.

A laborer, Your Highness?

That's unthinkable!

I will become a laborer and produce our cannons with my own hands.

If we had cannons placed on the beach, the enemy wouldn't have gotten away.

It is a disgrace that we failed to obliterate the enemy that violated our soil.

And I don't intend to tolerate such disgrace as the Crown Prince of Joseon.

Why the long face?

I was worried.

I worried His Highness would be in trouble...

... and someone might die as a result of it.

Like you and that attendant of you that you used to like so much?

Don't be stupid.

That's the difference between us ordinary princes and the heir to the royal throne.

Do you envy him?

Do you envy him for his authority, his command,

and all the public recognition he enjoys?

Yes...

Not for his authority or recognition,

but for the opportunity and freedom he has to live out what's in his heart...

Be careful.

The entire palace is celebrating.

I heard you were the one who recommended Min Muhyul for the job.

Yes.

Now Min Muhyul will be elevated to Central Army Chief.

And Min Muhwe will be assigned to the Office of Crown Prince

as a magistrate.

Yes.

One has control of the military and the other is the Crown Prince's right hand...

Why did you do this?

I didn't make you Administer of Memorials so you could put wings

on the Min clan.

I'm merely following what you taught me.

Didn't you tell me that

solidifying the foundation of Joseon is more important than politics?

You said you'd even overlook the Queens thirst for revenge.

Those with vengeful spirit should not be put in high places.

If they are talented, we must find

a way to quell their vengeful spirit and put them to valuable use.

Listen.

Isn't that the principle that the head of personnel should firmly abide by?

Turn down the promotion?

Don't you know how hard Muhyul has worked in the last few years?

That's exactly why I'm saying this.

What would the world say if you take the first bone they throw at you?

They will say all of your hard work

has not been for this country but for the Min clan alone.

And the King will once again turn wary of you.

First we must make the world forget the Min clan's rage.

Only then we can take the next step.

What do you know about Minister of Revenue Rank Shin?

I don't know much except he was once accused of accepting bribes

when he was the inspector-general.

Accepting bribes?

What do you want to know?

I had Gangryeongpo magistrate work with him to cover up a small mishap.

We don't want to discredit the Crown Prince on his first battle.

If this man can be bought, there shouldn't be a problem.

The Right Army Headquarters

Drink up.

Yes, Your Highness!

His Highness is becoming more sagacious everyday.

He's preparing himself to inherit the Royal throne.

Let us get together sometime soon.

You've rendered a huge service to the state.

As the Prime Minister, I must give you special recognition.

I was merely doing my duty as a soldier. I don't deserve any special recognition.

Your such loyalty is to be praised as well, General.

Minister Jo, let me pour you one.

I slept well last night thanks to you.

You're taking care of the duties

of the Ministry of Military for me, so I have nothing to do.

It was an urgent situation...

Please forgive me if it upset you.

There's nothing to forgive. I should be thanking you.

But...

It's not going to be fun if you step in again like that.

I don't like owing debt to anyone.

Now, let's give my proud boys a round of drinks!

Do you still think you can resolve every problem sticking to principles?

Minister...

Blind optimism doesn't help government administration.

Watch it, fellow!

I'm stating the facts here, the facts!

You're stinking drunk!

Are you still an alcoholic?

Are you still a workaholic?

How dare you speak in such tone of disrespect!

This is the Crown Prince's victory celebration. Watch your conduct.

Victory my heinie...

My man!

You get paid all that money and you still can't see through the smoke?

You've changed, Minister.

How could you be celebrating at a time like this?

That's all right, that's all right.

Oh, it's you again!

Are you here for free drinks, too?

You remember me?

I lost my livelihood when I lost my job, but do you how I survive?

My memory.

My amazing memory is what keeps me alive.

Live it up!

They lost the steed but the stable door is fixed, so I guess that's not so bad.

What kind of an oddball are you anyway?

This kind. Why?

It looks like you got plenty of free drinks here.

Why are you trying to put down the victory they're celebrating?

Victory my butt!

You said they lost the steed and fixed the stable door.

Are you trying to say that there was a way to prevent the invasion?

Don't ask me. Go to the scene!

The answer is always at the scene of the crime.

All these years in the palace and

I never knew such a place existed, Your Majesty.

This is the place where I hide and cry sometimes.

Your Majesty...

These things take me ten, no, twenty years back.

I remember this armor, Your Majesty.

Pick one you like.

They're not as nice as the ones that your half brothers got from the ex-King,

but you'll find a nice one if you look hard.

You're an exceptional marksman, but your bow is substandard.

Father...

Back when these things were mine that's way back when I was not a King yet?

I was an exceptional marksman as well.

Rage was always at the heart of the target.

How about you?

What's at the heart of your target that you're so determined to pierce through it?

I've been so focused on the skill itself that I neglected to put

anything at the heart of the target.

Tell me, Father. I will put what you want at the heart of my target.

You're quite smart like your mother.

The material may not be superior, but this used to be my favorite.

Put the heart of a Prince at the heart of the target.

You are my son and a Prince of Joseon no matter who your mother is.

Put the heart of Joseon's Royal Prince at the target

and you will always know what is best for this country.

Lighten up.

It's a good day.

Don't you see, Mother? His Majesty was testing me.

And you passed wisely, so relax.

It wasn't wise, it was cowardly.

Kyoungryeong.

Father is right. Rage is at the heart of my target as well.

The Crown Prince who mocks me for being a son of a concubine,

the other princes that look upon me with pity...

I practiced with rage for them in my heart.

But despite the fact

that I am full of rage, I lied like a coward because I want to survive.

What brings you here at this late hour, Your Highness?

I have something to ask you, Father-in-law.

Go on.

Do you know a former state councilor of the Office

of Royal Decrees named Yun Hwe?

How do you know that drunk?

I don't know him well. What kind of a man is he?

What kind of a man? How should I describe him?

Well, he is a very talented man.

I heard he was an exceptional diplomat.

If diplomat Seo Hee of Goryo who saved the Six Garrison Settlement

East of the River came back alive, they might be rivals.

But his behavior is that of a drunken reprobate.

Minister of Rites Hwang Hee dismissed him personally.

And Minister Hwang is a man who values talent.

He may have talent, but he doesn't have what it takes to hold a title.

I knew I'd find you in the office.

What are you doing here at this hour?

I didn't see you leaving the palace after the celebration, so...

There's nothing in the reports that sounds an alarm...

Do I have to send out a field agent to Gangryeongpo?

So I see.

You put more credence to a reprobate's drunken babble

than on flawless reports prepared by hardworking officials.

If you thought Yun Hwe was just a drunk, you wouldn't be here either.

You thieves!

You're supposed to protect us and you steal from us?

Give us back what's ours!

You thieves!

How could you do this to us? You rotten bastards!

You'll rot in hell for this!

No! No, Your Highness!

Step back!

Please don't do this.

Many more will die if you step in.

Master Yi is always telling you to stay out of trouble.

Ogeun, you better go back to the city quick.

His fist is tight and he's clenching his teeth.

It's a bad sign. He's going to do something big.

Don't you think so?

What are you waiting for?

Go back to the city and tell Master Yi what's happening!

You must be pretty darn bored.

So bored that you're worried about the country.

Let's go.

Follow me.

You've come to the scene of the crime so now you have to investigate.

Isn't that why you're here?

Did you order a Ministry of Rites agent to do a field investigation?

How did you find out?

What's more important?

How I found out or stopping a man who is trying to abuse his authority?

Abuse his authority?

Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Revenue

is handling the aftermath of the Gangryeongpo invasion.

I'm just trying to make sure that nothing goes unnoticed.

What's your real motive?

Why can't you leave well enough alone?

Minister Yi...!

Do you have something against the Crown Prince?

Or are you looking for a reason to put the Ministry of Defense

and Ministry of Revenue in trouble?

If you have the time to be concerned with other bureaus,

why don't you do your own job better?

This invasion could've been avoided...

... if Ministry of Rites had forged better relations with Japan.

Did you wish to see me?

Was it you?

Did you tell the Prime Minister about...

Is there a problem with that?

Are you satisfied now?

It's a subordinate officer's duty to help a superior who has lost his way.

You're an officer of this government before you're anyone's peer or subordinate.

Are you criticizing me?

I'm done talking. Figure that out for yourself.

I'm telling you, they're the thieves!

The local magistrate burglarized the merchant warehouses and

filled up the government granaries that the Japanese emptied out.

Do you have proof?

Are you here to aggravate me?

You should've put markings on your grain sacks.

Markings? Do you really think that would've done any good when the

guards who are supposed to protect our property turned into thieves?

That's not all.

I saw the Japanese spy signaling toward the ocean calling the fleet for landing.

What do you have lips for?

You should've run straight to the authorities and told them.

I did.

They ignored my report and booted me out the door,

and now they're denying that I ever made the report!

It's just as I thought...

I thought it was suspicious when I started seeing a lot of Japanese

around the Hall of Great Peace, and this the information they were after

the time the grains of the three southern states are brought to Gangryeongpo.

But why did the officials steal

from the merchants and fill up the government granaries?

Why would they do such a thing?

Don't you get it, fool?

This is all because of the Crown Prince.

The fact that the Crown Prince fought in this battle is the trouble.

Let's say a report got out that the government granaries were completely

emptied out in an invasion that the Crown Prince supposedly fought off.

How would that make the Crown Prince look?

No one is stupid enough to bring shame on the Crown Prince

that is unless they have three or four lives.

You don't smell like a government worker,

so you must be a scholar at the Confusion Academy.

I tell you,

it's a crying shame, but there's nothing neither you nor I can do about this.

All we can do is bemoan this dirty world

and comfort ourselves by drowning our rage with wine.

Here.

Drink.

Why did the Prince go to Gangryeongpo?

I'm afraid he might do something he will regret.

I think you should go over there now.

Are you going to Gangryeongpo this time?

Choongnyeong, that kid, is making you work too hard.

Give him a good scolding this time. Don't let him behave like this again.

Why?

Master?

When a young man in full vigor opens his heart to the world,

isn't rage for injustice supposed to grow?

But his rage is causing unnecessary trouble.

It's better than being a spectator.

You don't think of a man's life as an ornament like that orchid, do you?

Stop! Stop this at once!

How dare you talk about the world

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

Your uncles will die because of you.

Don't do anything.

Keep no interest in state affairs and don't try to learn about the world.

These are things you are not allowed to do.

It's all because of the Crown Prince.

The people are being sacrificed to protect the Crown Prince's reputation.

What's the maximum range of projectile?

As you can see it's far beyond one hundred paces, Your Highness.

It's too short to hit enemy warships from the beach.

The Japanese don't even know what cannons are.

When the here the loud boom, they'll be scared to death, and...

Do you think I'm out here for fun?

You're Choi Musun's son?

Yes...

Do you harbor animosity against this state?

Has this regime been treating you poorly compared to the previous regime?

No, Your Highness...

Then why is there no progress when

it's been decades since your father developed gunpowder?

We mustn't doubt this man's loyalty Your Highness.

It's thanks to him that our explosive weapons are maintaining its life.

What's the use when these weapons are ineffective?

What happened? Why are you here alone?

Did the Prince already enter the palace? Did he?

Well, um... Master.

What is the meaning of this?

Haven't you seen a man drinking before?

Get up from there. Now!

Why are you raising your voice at me? You should be praising me instead.

Your Highness.

I'm such an obedient student.

You say stay out of it, I say "Yes, sir."

You say do nothing, I say, "Sure thing, sir."

Would you leave us alone?

Who's going serve my teacher if you leave?

Would you like a drink?

I heard you were in Gangryeongpo.

I was bored.

I went there because I was bored, but it was a stupid thing to do.

The world is only for the Crown Prince to fondle with,

and all the other princes have to do is fondle women...

So you're going to toss about in a gisaeng house from now on?

Yes, I thought I might try.

I'm sure my father and the world will be glad.

What about the people? The people you care so much about.

There's nothing I can do, darn it.

Did you speak out in your youth because you were more able then?

You know what the result was when I did speak out.

As long as you have the right idea, you can always find a way by trial and error.

But now, the man you are now won't be able to find a way.

How could you when you're blinded by jealousy?

You're jealous of the Crown Prince who gets all the attention and recognition.

Master!

Am I wrong?

You're too preoccupied by jealousy care about the people.

I haven't forgotten about the people.

Yes, you have. You've forgotten all about them.

There's only one person you feel pity for the poor boy

who has lost all chances of getting recognized to his older brother?

That is you, yourself.

Is it wrong to want recognition and acceptance?

You have to let that go, or you will never find a way.

I'm fine.

I can walk.

Be careful, Your Highness.

Wife, there you are.

Where did he drink like this?

Well, um...

At a gisaeng house. I went to a gisaeng house.

Your Highness...

Aren't you angry?

I was at a gisaeng house.

You're drunk. You should rest now.

Wife...

You're very foolish.

Your Highness...

You worry about me and take care of me everyday and every night...

That makes you a bigger fool than I am...

Don't say things like that.

The baby will hear it.

Did you say... baby?

Yes...

The child will be very smart just like you.

A baby...

A baby...?

A child like me...

A child with fate as wretched as mine is going to be born into this cold world?

Your Highness...

Donglae Government Office

You beastly slave, what have you done?

Father!

How dare you lay a hand on a nobleman's daughter!

Take this animal and throw him into the ocean!

Step back.

Daion!

Youngsil didn't do anything wrong.

I persuaded him to come with me to the capital.

I heard that I could buy rare medicine from Ming there,

so I asked him to come with me.

What?

You don't care about Mother.

She s been bedridden for three years now, and you don't even

think about finding her a good physician or good medicine.

All you ever do is go in and out of your concubines' rooms.

Go inside and see for yourself if she needs that medicine!

Would you brew these herbs for me?

My lady...

They're supposed to work wonders. Prepare them for me.

Lady Daion...

Please do as I ask.

Her hands are so cold...

What if she catches a cold?

She'll get even sicker then.

So please...

So please go and brew the herbs now.

Hurry up!

I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Mother...

Where is the Buddhist priest?

What do you mean?

Mother loved the sutra chanting.

Just come here and take your seat.

You weren't even here to witness her passing. What are you doing?

I'm not sending Mother off like this.

This is not the way she wanted to go!

"If I die... If that day comes...

let there be peaceful chanting of the sutra at my wake.

So that I might find my way to Heaven."

That's what she said all the time!

I can't blatantly do what the government has forbidden.

You want me to lose what little authority I have left?

Authority?

Did you say authority?

Why is that so important?

This is her last wish and you can't grant her that?

The surviving must survive!

Without authority, I'm a dead man too!

Are you testing the cannons again today?

What's a bookworm doing here?

I want to find a way to set things right.

Set things right?