Original subtitles

I don't know how to thank you for your wise decision.

There is someone else you should thank for that.

By the way, Your Highness...

Even if I had taken your Heir Apparent to Ming as a hostage,

worry about the future of Joseon.

I don't believe you would have had to.

Oh?

You have a competent Prince who can replace the Heir Apparent.

A prince who can replace the Heir Apparent?

Who would that be?

I believe you already know.

How am I to know?

I am a father before I am King.

In a father's eyes, all of his children look equally wonderful.

King of Joseon...

He's always a quick thinker.

But he can't stop the dam that's already broken...

I don't understand, sir.

Just watch. There will be a huge power shift in the Royal court of Joseon.

I'm already getting excited about our next trip here.

Make sure that the envoy doesn't open his big mouth when he gets back!

Do you think the envoy is wrong?

A distant view is more accurate at times.

I'm going to ignore that remark.

Your Majesty...

That could be construed as high treason depending on the viewpoint.

The Crown Prince is not the head of the state yet, Your Majesty.

Isn't high treason a crime that undermines the head of state?

You're excused.

Fool...

Who could it be?

One of you has caused the envoy to utter that brazen remark.

Your Highness...

And what could his intent be?

A prince who can replace the Heir Apparent?

What is this audacious remark?

The Crown Prince brought this on himself.

Minister Park!

He almost ruined the negotiations with his repeated reckless actions.

You can't blame the envoy for questioning the Prince's competence.

The negotiation was settled with five hundred warhorses.

Is that right?

We can resume the installation of the artillery army as well.

It's because we were able to give them assurance that Ming is not our target.

You must learn from this experience.

That cowering and being submissive is diplomatic relations?

That true strength does not come from the muscle.

A man that trembles in fear is not a man of strength.

You cannot be truly strong until you know fear.

Father...

And he who has nothing he wants to protect cannot know fear.

If your pride is more important than the people, you are not a man of strength.

But...

Don't talk back to me and listen.

Do not jeopardize the state affairs with your hot temper again.

Or the seat of the Crown Prince will not be yours any longer.

Who was the envoy referring to as the Prince fit to replace the Heir Apparent?

There is a prince that won over the envoy from behind the curtains.

He is the true hero of this negotiation.

So which prince is this?

How did you persuade the envoy?

Did you beg like you asked me to beg?

What are you going to next time?

Are you going to get down on all fours like a dog and lick his feet?

You're drunk.

Perhaps we can talk another day.

You don't want to listen to a drunkard's gibberish, is that it?

Your Highness...

Answer me! Answer my question!

I'll come back tomorrow.

Do you think you won?

I wasn't fighting an enemy, so winning or losing was not my concern.

You gave humiliation of defeat to every Joseonese citizen.

You splashed cold water on the rage of the people that want pride!

Do you think I want to be obsequious? I want to win just as much as you do!

Then why did you stop me? Why did you do what you did?

Your Highness!

If you hadn't stop me, if the King had been just a little bit brave,

we could've rewritten history.

We could've laid a foundation for the conquest of China!

If you want to conquer Ming so much, find a way to make it a reality first.

Learn about the enemy, learn about their strength,

and ask how Joseon might be able to defeat Ming with our inferior conditions.

Cool off, clear your head and find a way!

You can talk all you want about conquering Ming,

but it's only a fantasy until you can do that.

Prince Choongnyeong...

This is a surprise...

I'm very surprised.

You're one of the most cautious men I know,

and your behavior today is hard to decipher.

What is your intent?

I was simply answering those who need to know the truth.

How could you allow the King's heart to turn in favor of Prince Choongnyeong?

I did not know about this either.

It's incomprehensible that you would not know about His Majesty's activities.

A new hand has emerged that moves the King's thoughts.

A new hand that moves the Kings thoughts?

Are you referring to Park Eun?

This is no time for you to be idle.

The game has begun, so you have to find a way to win.

We could be instantly checkmated.

Minister Shim.

Opposition will be fierce.

Prince Choongnyeong doesn't have the means to fight them.

Take this to the King.

You'll be able to find a way to protect the Prince.

Office of Slavery Reparations?

I will recommend that you be put in charge of the office.

Tighten up the policy and push it through,

and you will be able to break the wings of

retainers who are likely to attack Prince Choongnyeong.

Most of them have acquired their slaves unlawfully.

Which is it?

Are you doing this to rectify the government by replacing

the unfit Heir Apparent with a competent Heir Apparent?

Or is this to undermine the Prime Minister and the merit subjects?

Does it matter?

Minister...

What's important is that we have the same goal.

If this is out of greed for power,

I can't let you use Prince Choongnyeong as your vehicle.

The fight has already begun.

Wouldn't defeat be most dangerous for Prince Choongnyeong?

Park Eun is challenging you, Prime Minister.

Unapproachable power you gained

by bringing the King to the throne that's what he is after.

That means there are two things he can do.

Either make the Crown Prince his ally,

or install a new Crown Prince he can control...

He would choose the later in the current situation.

Weren't you angry when I said all those harsh things to you?

Why didn't you say you're not after the crown?

Why couldn't you tell me that you were trying to save your brother?

Mother...

You should have been more open with me.

I couldn't.

To maintain secrecy?

I'm sorry...

Could there be another family like ours in this word?

Children keep secrets from their mother, and instead of loving her children,

the mother is forced to constantly compare her children and be wary of them...

I'm sick of it...

I'm really sick of it...

Your Highness!

Are you leaving?

You look well.

I wonder who got them all a promotion and a hefty pay raise...

Who?

- Why, Prince Choongnyeong, of course. - Ogeun.

But it's the truth...

We don't know how to thank you for the undeserved reward, Your Highness.

I'm the one that owes you thanks.

We couldn't have done what we did without all of your courageous efforts.

Your Highness...

Visit me at the Royal Villa sometime. We will have dinner together.

Really?

Now there's a great man.

You know it.

He handles state affairs like no other, and he's got a heart of an angel.

If only he wasn't the third son, Prince Choongnyeong is the man fit to be King.

Don't you agree?

I couldn't agree more.

On top of all that, he's handsome with a commanding presence.

How is Choognyeong fit to be King?

They say he's the one who had the envoy eating out of his hands,

and he is generous and magnanimous in nature,

so such a man is fit to be...

That's ridiculous...

No. No, Mother.

Prince Choongnyeong did behave in the most kingly manner.

Leave us.

Yes, Your Grace.

She may be my trusted servant, but there're things you should

and should not say in the presence of others.

How could you of all people say that Choongnyeong is fit to be King?

Rumors in the palace spread like cotton soaks up water.

Now everyone will think that even you believe Choongnyeong is kingly material.

Is that bad?

If we can't send the Crown Prince away as a hostage,

we have to set up for the next battle.

Set up for the next battle?

To seek the next throne, we must first get the Crown Prince deposed.

And I don't mind using Prince Choongnyeong to do that.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, Mother.

I'm sorry to trouble you like this with an unannounced visit.

It is no trouble at all, Your Highness. Have a pleasant conversation.

Let's drink. Tea smells wonderful.

I heard about the commotion at the East Palace.

Why don't you live a quiet life like me growing orchids from now on?

This is just a start.

There is bound to be conflict if you involve yourself in politics trying to

serve the Crown Prince from nearby.

And whether you like it or not, you're going to be harassed by

all kinds of speculations and accusations.

And your actions could be misunderstood by Father as an attempt to steal his

throne again like that time when you were a child.

Aren't you afraid?

I am afraid.

I'm afraid I might turn a blind eye to the truth, not because I might be

misunderstood, but because I don't like the trials and tribulations... And I'm afraid

I might seek comfort by rationalizing and making excuses for myself.

That's what I'm afraid of.

How long do you think that feeling will last?

Brother...

You're not always going to feel the way you feel today.

Prince Choongnyeong is really something.

He did what the Ministry of Rites couldn't do to save its life.

What will His Majesty do now?

He will probably turn his sword on you men!

Sir.

Since there's no better medicine

for lazy officials that waste time spreading groundless rumors.

That's not going to calm the aroused public sentiment.

Is this your doing as well?

Do you find yourself wanting more after you used Prince Choongnyeong

to get yourself reinstated?

Are you trying to put Choongnyeong on

the seat of the Crown Prince so you could rise up in the world?

I knew you were a hard-grained man, but I didn't know you were so political.

Look!

Don't waste your energy on this and straighten up the Crown Prince.

If the Crown Prince didn't behave so poorly, this wouldn't be an issue.

What brings you to my house?

I thought... you knew...

What do you mean?

I can explain, Uncle.

What brings you here, Your Highness?

Did you call her here?

Is there something wrong with that?

Let's get inside.

No, Your Highness. You must return to the palace right now.

His Majesty is upset as it is...

Stop, please stop.

I came here to escape the hounding, Uncle.

Your Highness.

Shouldn't we at least tell the Queen?

Let's ignore it.

Muhyul.

You can imagine how upset he must be after being

insulted by the envoy and chastised by the King.

He is only twenty years-old. Let us give him some slack.

But this is too dangerous.

If His Majesty finds out about it, he will be deposed.

That's why we should ignore it.

Why did you come here?

Your Highness...

Why did you come?

You know why.

Because I'm the Crown Prince?

Is it worth risking your life since I'm to be the next King?

Your Highness...

Power is good.

I lost my interest.

It's no fun taking a wench who is a slave to power.

What?

The Crown Prince was where doing what?

Prudence and more prudence may not be enough to undo the damage he has done

to himself, and he is with the former King's woman?

Lower your voice, Your Highness.

Why did you come alone?

You should've brought him even if you had to put him on a leash!

You know I can't force him to do anything.

Then I'll go myself!

Go to the Royal Chambers instead.

Listen!

First we must get through the night.

We must keep the King and the former King from finding out about this.

People are questioning the Crown Prince's character saying that Choongnyeong is

more qualified for the throne. And the former King detests the Crown Prince.

He's wanted to send the Crown Prince away to Ming, remember?

Don't make this a bigger problem. Find a way to protect the Crown Prince.

He could be deposed otherwise.

What brings you here at this hour?

Why do you look so heavily, fraught with anxiety?

Everything has worked out well enough.

So tonight is a good night for you to get some rest.

I suppose...

Your Majesty...

Crown Prince Jae... He disappoints me.

We lost numerous children before him and he put us through quite

an ordeal before he came to us.

I remember holding him for the first time like it was yesterday.

Robust, with short cries...

"He's going to grow up to be a great man", you said and you were so happy.

But, My Queen...

I can't even remember what day Hyoryeong, Choongnyeong

and Sungnyeong were born.

You've had much too much to deal with to care for those children as well.

Founding of the state, numerous rebellions...

I set them off to the side and forgot about them, but...

they grew up in no time and one of them is being called a man fit to be King.

Your Majesty...

World is full of surprises...

What are you thinking right now?

Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?

You've been out.

Why are you just standing there? Come close and sit down.

You don't look well.

I suppose

it's hard to look comfortable when you're guilty.

Your Eminence...!

Since when have you been in contact with Min Muhyul?

What is he giving you in return for spying on me?

No, Your Eminence, no.

Then?

A very close friend of mine from guild school has become Lord Min's concubine

so I paid her a short visit.

A concubine?

Don't you believe me?

Why would! I have anything to do with the Min clan?

You know that I'd lose everything I have if anything happened to you.

Good work.

You think there is some sort of a conspiracy?

It is merely a businessman's intuition...

No, you're right.

Lord Min Muhyul did not take in a concubine recently.

Your Eminence...

Even that wench treats me like a paper tiger...

I want you to continue watching her for me.

I must find out what the Min clan is up to with her.

Why didn't you tell him that she was with the Crown Prince?

I need to win the former King's favor first.

He probably thinks the Min clan is

trying to get him back for trying to send the Crown Prince away.

He'll try to gather strength if he doesn't want to crumble a paper tiger.

Let us watch him gather strength.

And when he is good and ready, we will put the sword in his hands.

How could a Crown Prince behave this way?

Please stop, Your Highness. He is our future King.

To lay a whip on him is unthinkable.

Leave us!

Punish me instead, Your Highness.

The fault is mine for having failed to stop him.

Leave! All of you!

Feel the humiliation and remember it.

And never repeat your despicable acts again.

If you do not do as I say, you will live a lifetime of irreparable shame.

Your Highness...

I will have an attendant fetch the Royal Physician.

I don't need a physician. One who needs a physician is my mother.

Have the Royal Dispensary prepare a batch of herbal potion for her.

Her whippings don't hurt like they used to.

Here we go!

Cyeokbang: Traditional game enjoyed by both aristocracy and peasantry during Joseon Dynasty

in which clubs are used to hit a ball into holes.

It's your turn.

You don't have the feel for the ball at all.

Oh my... Like teacher like student.

You must bring him out more often.

You can study books all day, but life is like this ball?

You don't know which direction it's going to bounce.

What made you want to play Gyeokbang out of the blue?

Perhaps he called us out to give us a lesson.

Oh dear, oh dear...

I see that you're not greatly better than His Highness,

so it must be a lesson about life and not about Cyeokbang.

If the ground had been smoother, it would've been much easier.

Yes.

Which describes you better?

Are you the type that wants to smooth out the ground

or the type that spurs himself to overcome your obstacles?

If you want to change the world,

there will many treacherous hills and valleys to conquer.

Are you prepared to stick it out?

Gyeokbang is a fun game. Let us play again sometime.

I know I can't be the best, nor do I want to be, but I do want to enjoy it.

Your Highness...

And I think I can improve with you and my two masters' help.

Slavery Reparations?

Tae revenue is what we need most to strengthen our national defense

against the Japanese pirates.

Thousands of commoners were made

slaves in the aftermath confusion of the founding of the state.

If we restore them to their original status our tax revenue will greatly increase.

Opposition will be fierce.

Who do you think will oppose for instance?

This country was founded by the support of the aristocrats.

Whether it is right or wrong, the Royal court must remember that

we could lose the support of the aristocrats if we try to take their

possession away from them in these troublous times.

Slavery reparations...

I think it's a good idea.

It is a fine idea, but their motive is elsewhere.

Motive is elsewhere?

I'm sure you are already aware of

the seditious movement in the court concerning the successor issue.

Seditious movement...

They have placed Prince Choongnyeong's father-in-law Shim On on the forefront.

Then what is your motive for opposing the slavery reparation policy?

Same as yours, Your Majesty.

I am not against the policy itself.

I am merely trying to serve the King who vowed never to allow bloodshed

in the Royal house again by bequeathing the throne to the rightful heir.

If you decide to proceed with

the slavery reparations policy, you must choose an impartial official to direct it.

An impartial official...

The policy looks good to go without revision.

Oh, you didn't have to bring it yourself...

Office of Slavery Reparations...

I'm sure I'm being overly concerned,

but I hope this isn't a tool you picked up for futile fight.

Minister Hwang...

The real fight is elsewhere.

We have a lot of work to do to ensure

that our diplomatic relations with Ming does not descend into abyss again.

What are you trying to say?

Don't bring harm on yourself by listening to wrong ideas.

We don't have any time to waste fighting over the successor issue.

Are you certain you can make me the head of the office no matter who opposes?

Then I'll risk my political career on slavery reparations.

Yes, you should. So that Prince Choongnyeong can...

Don't bring Prince Choongnyeong into this.

I'm not interested in making him the Crown Prince.

Minister Shim...!

My only interest is in making this country a better place.

And I'm certain my son-in-law Prince Choongnyeong shares my sentiment.

They're not interested in policies.

Your Majesty...

They will use the policy for political

positioning and to test out which side is stronger.

After all, they better get on the right boat if they don't want to sink...

That fool...

I tried so hard to prevent feuds between brothers by installing

the eldest son as the heir to the throne...

Your Majesty...

I have no choice but to make a bold decision.

His Majesty has gone to the Royal Shrine at this late hour?

Why?

He said he would make a decision concerning his successor...

What?

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

How dare you!

Yield just this once, Father.

I am asking you to yield to the public, not to the Crown Prince.

If I allow one hundred thousand of you to be sent away to Ming,

I do not deserve to be the next King!

I'm telling you our reality...

... painful reality we will have to face in order to meet your requests.

There could be a huge insurrection in Joseon...

A violent upheaval that does not compare to our struggles with Ming.

Who is the heir fit for the throne?

Who must I choose to lead this country's future?

Must he provoke this fight?

Must he put swords on his sons' hands and watch them destroy each other?

Order the entire Royal family to

be assemble at the Royal Shrine first thing in the morning.

I will rename the Heir Apparent of Joseon.