Original subtitles

You can't get her out the rear entrance?

Consort Hyobin's servants are preparing food and drinks in the rear yard,

and His Majesty is coming from the front entrance...

Then am I to die here?

Please help me, Your Highness.

If His Majesty sees me here, I will be killed.

You should be killed if death is what you deserve.

Your Highness...

Kill her and hide her body behind the folding screen.

Or your future will be threatened as well.

Princess, you are here as well.

Consort Hyobin was very kind to send the refreshments,

and I wanted to contribute by lending a hand.

Please go inside. Food and drinks will be served shortly.

Why did Father have to show up here tonight?

It's a sign from Heaven.

Please turn back right now, Your Highness.

If we do anything riskier, I'll die of a heart attack.

I can't.

Your Highness!

I will not waste my breath lecturing a tramp like you.

Set foot into the East Palace again, and I promise you, you will die.

What is the trouble, Crown Princess?

I heard about the grand welcome you gave your new mentor.

You shouldn't have.

I thought you'd be proud of me.

That's not proper attitude of a student.

I wanted him to know who I am before he began teaching me.

What is this backtalk?

It's a son's duty to acknowledge his misconduct and ask for punishment.

Don't you mean a prisoner, not a son?

Jae.

And everyone in

the East Palace staff including the new mentor are prison guards working for you.

That's absurd.

If that's not true, stop watching the East Palace.

I am twenty years old. I am not a helpless child.

I can take care of myself without you keeping tabs on me.

Then be respectful to your mentor.

That's a pupil's duty.

I must first teach him obedience.

A mentor is a future royal subject as well.

Aren't you the one who told me that

the first thing royal subjects must be taught is obedience?

Royal Library

We shouldn't be doing this.

If we get caught...

Be quiet and just open the door!

Why isn't it working? I know this is the right one...

Here, give me that!

Is this what you need?

Deputy Director Byun, what brings you here?

That's my question.

How many more laws must you violate?

First you take invaluable books

from the Royal Library, and now you're in a eunuch's disguise

trying to break in.

I cannot overlook this.

I must report this to the King.

Your Highness!

I know I can't be pardoned for my misconduct.

But there was one...

that I just had to check.

Today is the day I said I'd have the reference completed,

and I didn't want to turn in poor work.

You did this to keep a promise you made me?

Promises are not meant to be broken.

Right?

What brings you here to this humble place, Your Highness?

I came to share my frustrations with you.

Your frustrations?

Is there trouble at the East Palace?

Did you add something foul in their refreshments?

Goodness, no.

How could I do something so awful?

Then what trouble could there possibly be at the East Palace?

I worried because I had felt resentment between the King and the Crown Prince.

That's exactly why I'm frustrated.

There seems to be some trivial discord between them over state affairs.

But surely you don't think that the King and the Crown Prince

are petty enough to let that come between them, do you?

- Your Highness... - Do not...

force another get-together that isn't planned in advance.

If you continue this objectionable behavior,

the others will be encouraged to dream this ridiculous dream as well.

I will overlook this just this once if you so request.

Thank you.

Get a tight hold of the Crown Prince's heart.

For peace in the Royal house and this country.

I came to be decent.

I thought I should at least say thanks to be decent...

How can I repay you for saving the life of the woman I love?

You don't have to thank me.

I didn't do this for you, I did this for me.

Why don't you stop this debauchery now?

I am the future queen of this state.

I don't want you putting dents on my authority.

Authority...

Authority of the queen...

Princess, you are too much like my mother.

I will take that as a compliment.

I see nothing but numbers.

These are the number of Japanese ships

that invaded our land since Goryeo dynasty.

And?

Let's see... How can I make this easier to see?

If this indicates about ten ships...

In the early years of Goryeo dynasty,

invading fleet consisted of no more than a dozen ships.

Then it gradually increases.

At one point they had over five hundred ships.

They were mostly after our grains and necessities of life,

but now they are after military information as well.

Yes, they are.

Then one can speculate that a strong leader has emerged in Japan who brought

the people together and transformed petty pirates into an organized navy.

You're talking about the Muromachi Shogunate.

It's a powerful shogunate that ended Japan's sixty-year civil war and united

its people, and its current leader is Ashikaga Yoshimochi.

He is not the King, but I'm told

he is a powerful man who can install and depose kings.

You al ready know... all that?

Ministry of Rites is discussing how we should deal with the shogunate.

Then... this data is useless...

You sound disappointed.

You weren't arrogant enough to believe

that your three days of research could change the world, did you?

Go back to the Royal villa.

But...

I will not report this. Just return the books to the library.

But I failed to produce a useful reference material.

I should be penalized for violating the policy.

A slap on the wrist is not enough punishment for your arrogance.

The man that can impose cruelest punishment to a scholar

is not the King nor a judge but the scholar himself.

And I have a feeling you're going to do just that.

Commencing on the first day of October,

1413, the Hopae (identity tag) law will take effect!

Issue identity tags to every male citizen

between the ages of 10 and 70,

and distinguish social status and occupation by color of attire as well.

There will be heavy punishment for violation of this new law

so as to tighten order and discipline in the country.

Gang Chisul, you're a farmer so you get an orange one.

Does the government provide the colored coats?

Do you know what the population of Joseon is? You have to get your own.

Then forget about this colored attire thing.

Do you know how costly it is to have a coat dyed?

- That's right! - I agree!

Fifty lashes for disobedience! You wish to be beaten half to death?

You!

You are the ones that deserve a whipping!

How can you call yourselves public servants when you

couldn't care less about the people?

You're a former government officer yourself.

Why are you interfering with government work?

Does the Royal court call tormenting the people work these days?

Arrest him.

Interfering with government business is punishable by flagellation.

Let go of me!

It's a sign, a sign of doom!

It's the government that's making a drunkard out of me!

Darn this dirty world! The heck with you all!

Let go of me, fool. I've got legs of my own!

That man Yun Hwe... I really like him.

Shall I attempt to approach him again, sir?

We're in no hurry.

He'll come to us on his own if this country continues

to go in this direction.

What is it?

That identity tag...

I already told you that it isn't right for you.

I'll get you a different one. I can do it.

How much worse do you want me to feel about myself?

Why is pride so important to you when we love each other?

Am I... mistaken?

I think so.

All I have to do is to destroy this piece of paper, right?

That will make Youngsil a freeman, right?

What are you talking about?

I can't have Youngsil carrying around that tag.

A slave is supposed to carry a slave's tag. What's the problem?

He's not a slave anymore. Without this, he's a free man.

What's wrong with you?

What's that slave boy to you anyway?

Don't talk about him that way.

Don't call him a slave boy.

Daion!

I love him.

For the first time in my life, I'm in love.

What did you say?

He's a smart one alright.

He seduced a nobleman's daughter to become a freeman.

I wish that were true. I wish he were using me.

Then at least there would be things I could do for him.

But he doesn't want anything from me.

He always gives and gives, but he won't accept anything from me.

Please let him live the way a man should.

Not as a slave but as a freeman.

You're the only one who can do it, Father.

It's your daughter's last and only request.

Is there anyway to change your mind?

No, not unless I'm dead.

Then I guess I have no choice.

Father...!

What's happening?

What's is this? How could you do this, Father?

No, don't do this!

Father, please don't do this! You can't do this to him!

How could I put a slaves tag on a boy who's won my daughter's heart?

I have to give him a better label.

What is that? What are you going to do?

Father, don't! Let go of me!

Stop!

Father, no!

Stop! Stop!

"Enemy"

Father...

Father, you can't do this...

You can't do this...

I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...

We are getting volley of protests everyday.

We deal with trivial protests everyday. Just push it through.

They are not trivial protests, Your Majesty.

There are poisonous clauses in the identity tag law.

Did you say poisonous clauses?

Wearing different colors according to status gives the people a sense of incongruity.

I see it as an excellent way of controlling the people.

That in it self is a dangerous notion.

People are to be protected and cared for, not to be watched and controlled.

Your lofty ideals are dandy, but politics is reality.

If you can't control the people can't control the state.

Your Majesty...

What is it?

Ming envoy has entered our border?

He has already passed Pyoungyang and headed toward Gaesung,

so he should arrive in a matter of days.

They have never before dispatched an envoy without advance notice.

This must be an extremely urgent matter.

An urgent matter?

Does Ministry of Rites know anything about this?

There were no unusual reports when our envoys returned last

month from New Year's Day felicitation mission...

Then why is the Ming envoy rushing over?

To get a breath of fresh air.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

You should focus on your job instead of trying to teach me how to do mine.

Send a greeting envoy to Gaesung at once.

Find out why the Ming envoy is coming out of the blue.

National Confucian Academy

Are you coming from the Royal villa?

Every time I see you, I question our King's judgment.

You should be careful of what you say.

He has you babysitting Royal Princes who studies for leisure.

You should be here at the academy as a professor.

I question your judgment, not the Kings.

How are you going to handle your staff later when you're

a minister of the Royal Court when you're such a bad judge of character?

Modesty is discourtesy in excess.

We all know that you purposely put wrong answers on government service

exams because government service doesn't interests you.

My man.

I heard that you once studied under Master Sambong.

There is a secret society that studies his books.

Won't you share his teachings with us?

Master Sambong's books are banned.

Don't you know that?

There is no future for a government that forces its scholars to think only one way.

Don't you agree?

I know another man who is just like you.

There is a meeting tonight. I trust you'll be there.

Hall of Great Peace, Gaesung

The Emperor has ordered conquest of Japan?

The Emperor has great expectations for Joseon.

Great Ming's enemy is Joseon's enemy as well.

He requests your unsparing support.

Tens of thousands of Ming troops are already on the way?

We need a way to stop Joseon from supporting the Ming army.

That will make it easier for us to strike from the rear.

It will be even better if they sternly oppose the campaign.

Envoy of Oirat

Is there a way?

The people's voice is the strongest weapon.

The moment the Royal court attempts to fund the conquest,

the people of Joseon will rise up like burning flames.

Oirats: Nomadic tribes of Mongolian origin also known as the Kalmyks.

Once controlled all of Mongolia after the fall of Yuan. Destroyed by the Manchu.

War funds you requested.

I don't know how we will ever replay you.

Your loyalty is all we ask.

Remember the allegiance you gave to Yuan.

Aren't we after Joseon?

Why are we making an alliance with the Mongolians?

They want their old territory back just like we do.

We can help each other.

But they want our vow of loyalty.

Choongyul Choongsun, Choongsuk,

they put Choong (loyalty) before every era name to use us like their slaves.

When you don't have the strength to destroy the enemy yourself,

you get someone else to do your work for you.

It's bad enough that we have to stoop to Joseon, now we have to Stoop to Yuan?

Did you already forget how your mother and father died?

How can you say this after witnessing the horrific death of the Royal family?

- Uncle. - First we must capsize Joseon.

And we will join hands with the devil if that's what it takes!

Sire! Sire!

Father!

Mother!

Father!

What if we can create a sea of tears?

Do you think a sea of tears can erase our pain and ease the suffering of the people?

If that were possible, I may not have started this long

and daunting fight from the beginning.

Sire...

We don't have the time or the luxury to be sentimental.

Our pain is too deep for that.

And the state of this country is too bleak...

This is the grandest diplomatic reception yet.

Must the ex-King and the Royal Princes attend as well?

We need to put forth great effort to soften up the envoy.

Tour of Mt. Geumgang and you want the Royal princes,

including the Crown Prince, to accompany them?

I can't do this even if the Emperor himself were here.

We need to win their hearts first to confirm their true intent.

Only then we can figure out our next move.

They want Royal Princes to be a eunuch's retinue?

It's a part of the strategy.

You call tip toeing around Ming and wiping a eunuch's butt a strategy?

Your Highness...

Have you encountered another problem?

It must be a very difficult problem that books can't solve.

You must be a psychic.

You've been standing out here for over two hours now.

I'm just a little confused...

I completely understand the Crown Prince's frustrations,

but there doesn't seem to be any other solution...

Of course there is a solution.

Look at him. He looks quite disappointed.

Because this room is full of scruffy men instead of pretty gisaeng girls?

This is a secret meeting where we study and discuss Master Sambong's works.

There is no place better than a gisaeng house to keep it under cover.

Say hello. It's my brother Choongnyeong.

Forgive me for the delayed introduction. My name is Jeong Inji.

You two will get along well.

No one knows the Four Books better than this man.

My name is Choi Manli.

He's an expert on Confucian classics.

I am Gim Jongsuh, secretary of the Office of Royal Seal.

If you ever need to steal the Royal Seal for anything, he's the man to call.

Oh dear...

You'd make me a me a criminal of high treason?

He's a great poet.

The only problem is his poems turn me on, not the girls.

Oh, Your Highness...

Secret gathering of the academy scholars in a gisaeng house in Gwangtonggyo?

I am told they study and discuss

malefactor Jeong Dojeon's works under the subterfuge of a poetry club.

Seed of rebellion is sprouting in the National Confucian Academy...

The King's biggest mistake is giving up on conquest of Liaodong.

Perhaps he lacks virtue to embrace able men.

Sambong Jeong Dojeon was a dedicated servant.

He is the man who said we should take land from the rich and give to the poor.

And he held a firm belief that we must recapture

our old territory in Liaodong as well.

The King that slew his most faithful servant is but a tyrant equal to Jie.

He was slain because he tried to put a young offspring

of a concubine on the throne.

What's the matter? Are you afraid I might hurt you as well?

I spoke too bluntly. Please forgive me.

Don't worry about it. We all criticize the King in his absence.

But if you want to criticize me behind my back, you'd better be prepared to die.

Come to me with a bottle of wine and confront me straight on.

Then I will kneel down and seek your teachings.

You are a broadminded man, Your Highness.

Your heart is as big as this country Joseon.

Is that all? I should to be as big as China across Liaodong!

We must catch them at the scene and seize the subversive literature!

That's the only way to charge them with treason.

Sambong should've never been removed.

We should've kept him in the court and had him come up

with ways to conquer Liaodong.

Where is Liaodong located anyway?

North of Yalu River.

What's the land like?

Does it have rough mountainous terrain or is it mostly flatland?

Who occupies the territory and what are they like?

What are their habits and disposition, and what kind of weapons do they use?

We should know things like this to figure out how to deal with them. Right?

Did I ask a silly question?

No. It's just that our research did not reach that far...

You mean you don't know anything about the enemy?

We can look into that later.

First we must solidify our goal.

Sun Tzu said you need ten times

the military power to attack the enemy on its home ground.

I think he means that it's essential to know your enemy first.

Perhaps Taejo withdrew the troops from Weihua Island and the current King

gave up on the conquest of Liaodong after considering all these.

He's just afraid of Ming.

I think that is prudent if Ming is stronger than the barbarians.

A man should risk his life for what he believes in.

To risk the lives of the people for a fight with little of no chance of winning

is a dangerous notion.

Who Will be held responsible for the countless lives that will be lost

on the battlefield?

What is the meaning of this?

Your Highness, what brings you here?

Who is the man that ordered you to ruin my evening?

I feel like I gained a brilliant tactician tonight.

I will bear your wise words in mind.

But next time...

come up with a more helpful advice next time.

One who opposes for opposition sake is no tactician.

To risk the lives of the people for a fight with little of no chance of winning is

a dangerous notion.

Who will be held responsible for the countless lives that will be lost

on the battlefield?

Remember, Your Highness...

When another prince begins taking interest in politics,

he becomes a threat, a political enemy.

No matter what the envoy asks, you must avoid giving him an answer

until you know the card they are holding.

Entertaining women of Joseon are always very beautiful to watch.

I'm glad you're pleased.

Although your tradition of putting women in Royal banquets is rather barbaric.

How often do you have banquets like this?

Rare delicacies and perfect wine...

You must hold galas like this quite often.

What's it to that fool how often we hold banquets?

Your Highness...

The Emperor of Ming tolerates dry food and uncomfortable bed

to conquer the northern barbarians,

but the King of a subject state enjoys sumptuous feast...

Doesn't it embarrass you a little?

I was preoccupied with giving you a welcome reception

that I neglected to think that far.

Then you can start thinking now.

The Emperor wants Japan conquered.

This not only benefits Ming, but it is also in the best interest of Joseon.

Joseon will have to contribute ten thousand war horses.

I'd contribute twenty thousand horses if I could.

You have funds for elaborate galas, but no funds to protect the state?

How can you be a king if you don't even know the basics of running a state?

I've had enough of his audacity!

How can you be an Imperial envoy when you don't even

know the code of behavior between sovereign and subject?

I am not a subject of this barbaric state.

What?

Restrain yourself, Crown Prince.

No, sir.

Stop!

We're not getting one single horse from us.

You don't care about the safety of your country?

What do you take Joseon for?

Do you think we're so helpless that cant even defend ourselves?

I see.

Then Joseon is a very strong state.

Ten thousand warhorses and one hundred thousand soldiers!

What?

Defy us.

And Ming will consider Joseon enemy.

A war will be inevitable.

First we will cut off your head and send it back to Ming.

How dare you!

Your Highness...!

I will not forgive anyone that patronizes Joseon, not even the Emperor himself!