Original subtitles

What is it?

The former King wants us to kill Chogungjang for him tonight.

Do you think it's over?

Are you afraid His Eminence might do something dangerous?

What's wrong?

Is this the person you're looking for?

Is this what you've been selling all along?

I'm asking you if you've amassed your fortune through hired killings.

It's an inexcusable crime, Your Highness.

But we could not defy the former King's order...

I have someone that I loathe as well.

Would you come out and kill him, too, if I asked?

Your Highness...

Don't try to make excuses.

An attempted murder is a crime regardless of circumstances.

This will never happen again, so please tell us what to do.

How can undo our crime?

The only way you can undo the crime is by keeping the woman alive.

Lie to the former King that the woman is dead?

And you must take that secret to your graves.

How could I ever thank you?

You don't need to thank me. I only wanted to stop the cycle of bad karma.

My men will find a place for you to stay for a while.

I could give Choongnyeong a bow of gratitude.

We would've lost a valuable card if we had to kill Chogungjang.

But I don't feel comfortable about him finding out so much about us...

Something about this trade group is off...

They have too many muscle men. And more importantly...

They fought much too well to be ordinary guardsmen protecting a business.

Why didn't I catch this before?

We might need to find out more about them.

Yes, Your Highness.

- I want a thorough job. - Yes, sir.

You just left her there?

You should've brought her here.

She committed a lecherous sin. I don't want her in my house.

They why didn't you just let her die?

Princess!

She's better off dead.

You're crueler than the Crown Prince.

Fornication?

The Crown Prince and the former King's concubine?

This is an outrage.

A man of conscience could never commit such a crime!

I wonder why the girl disappeared last night.

Disappeared?

The truth will be revealed once the girl is found.

And if this is true, we will have a golden opportunity.

She's still breathing.

What are you waiting for? Take her inside and call a physician.

Yes, my lady.

You shouldn't have saved her life if you weren't going to take care of her.

As you can see, this could only lead to more tragic results.

Things must be going well at the

slavery reparations office for you to be working so late.

It would be doing even better had you not interfered

with another backbreaking policy.

The Great Hunting Ceremony is a stepping stone

in strengthening our national defense.

How much longer must I work with

a man who don't even know the importance of national defense?

Are you doing your job or aren't you?

What kind of resolutions have you issued that the protesters will not

stop beating the Petitioner's Drum?

We are experiencing difficulties due to inadequate staffing,

and increasing number of slave owners are protesting our decision...

Why can't you silence them with irrefutable proof?

These litigations are not always black and white, and we need manpower to

conduct closer investigations in order to find proof...

When are you going to stop blaming your problem on staffing?

I don't want to hear any excuses.

Put the Office of Slavery Reparations back in order in one month!

Your capability to lead the policy will be seriously questioned otherwise.

Shim On's capability may be being questioned,

but the Office of Slavery Reparations is not ours yet.

So be careful not to do anything to they can pick up on.

Shim On is not at fault for the difficulties in the Office of Slavery Reparations.

Yes, I know.

There are rather fierce public protests for the Great Hunting Ceremony as well.

I'm sure there are...

Then...

Did you give her a decent burial?

Of course.

Keep your men quiet and stay away from my palace for a while.

Baron Ok Hwan...?

Is this our chance to destroy the Crown Prince and Ha Ryun once and for all?

Are you going to cancel your Royal lessons again?

We're getting ready for the Great Hunting Ceremony, master.

There is no time for books.

Your Highness...

Military affairs are only a part of a sovereign's concerns, not all.

Proceed with your Royal lessons. A pupil should not defy his mentor.

I only wanted to put what I've learned to practice. I didn't intend to defy him.

"Study of things and nature"

Get the whole political picture through study of surroundings.

Isn't that the gist of the Exposition of the Great Learning?

Study of things and nature?

Then let us hear about the political picture you see.

Scout for the hunting ground, Your Highness?

That's right.

But the location has been settled on Pyeongtaek, Your Highness.

Pyeongtaek is along the coast and only appropriate for sea battles.

The objective of this event is

to suppress the Japanese pirates with display of great strength, so...

I thought we were inviting Jurchen and Ming envoys as well.

If this is psychological warfare, we might as well intimidate the barbarians as well.

Don't you agree?

We must find a location similar in feature to their homeland and overawe them with

a range of different suppression tactics to keep them from violating our borders.

I think the Crown Prince is ahead of you on this one, Minister Yi.

You may search for another location.

Thank you, Father.

Change the event location?

Are you trying to kill the poor public?

It's an order from the King.

Stop complaining!

I will not stand for this.

This doesn't concern you. Just do your own job.

Would you be quiet?

We are civil servants. Don't tell me what my job is and isn't.

This is insubordination!

You call caring for the people insubordination.

What kind of crap is that?

How dare you!

Minister!

We've been clearing Pyeongtaek for this event for three months.

Thousands of have been put to forced labor

and over three hundred families have lost their homes and farms!

We're finally nearing the end after putting these people through torture,

and you want to go somewhere else and start all over?

We can't do this unless our intent is to squeeze every drop of blood

out of the public and spray it on the street!

Study the geographic features of Liaodong?

I've already spoken with the professor.

So get packing right away and go to Liaodong for me.

Is it really necessary to go to this trouble for a hunting ceremony?

It's not for the hunting ceremony; it's for the conquest.

Your Highness?

The King is sparing nothing for this event not money, not men.

And I believe we should maximize this opportunity.

I intend to build an elite force of warriors that can infiltrate Liaodong

and execute military operations on command.

It'll provide diverse advantages to have them trained on site with geographical

feathers similar to where they will be fighting.

You must stop manipulating the innocent scholars with your delusions.

Oh, it s my brothers' mentor.

Open your eyes and see the reality.

Would you mind not interfering?

Your Highness.

You are Hyoryeong and Choongnyeong's mentor, not the Crown Prince's mentor!

Don't try to teach me.

I'm not trying to teach you.

Your mentor can't teach you either.

Why don't you take the scholars and go out to Pyeongtaek?

No, you don't need to go that far.

Just go to any village outside the four city gates.

You'll find the streets full of teachers that can teach you valuable lessons.

If a mere hunting ceremony is causing so much public suffering,

what happens if there is a war?

This is a great pity...

You must help them. This tyranny must be...

I'm not talking about the government officials; I'm taking about you.

Your Highness!

How can you defend those who are refusing to pay taxes that is required

for the Great Hunting Ceremony?

But...

Those who take national defense lightly can be charged with treason.

The spring austerity season is approaching.

If we collect what's left of their harvest, people will starve to death.

This not for Ming. This is for national defense.

We all have to make sacrifices if we want a strong and secure state.

What's the point of having a strong state if the people are all dead?

We could collect tribute from the enemy and give the people much better lives

when we conquer Liaodong and Ming.

If a mere hunting ceremony is causing so much suffering,

a war is out of the question.

We have to make sacrifices for the right cause.

Your Highness...

So don't fret over petty problems and get ready for your trip to Liaodong.

It must not have been a complete waste of time judging by the way you look.

Yes, it has been a waste of time...

We found out how pathetic this country is...

My man...

We used to have hope about changing the world, but now that hope is gone.

Our studies all these years have been a complete waste of time...

You're finally awake.

Where am I?

Princess... I guess it isn't hell seeing that you are here.

Dear lady...

Don't get up.

A lowborn concubine does not deserve such respectful treatment.

You'd be by husband's aunt in the outside world.

Of course respect is due.

I was dreaming.

I felt someone's warm touch on my forehead and I thought...

Is it my dead mother? My father?

Am I finally dead?

Why didn't you let me die?

No one wants me alive anyway. Why did you bring me back to life?

Don't.

There is not one life in this world that isn't precious.

The truth is... I wanted to alive.

If only someone would stop me...

If only someone would tell me that my life is worth something...

But no one was there, and so I...

How is she?

She's going to be all right.

Are you upset?

I'm sorry if my words were too harsh...

Are you going to make me feel even more embarrassed?

Your Highness...

It was a rightfully deserved criticism.

If one should save a life, one should tend to that life as well.

You're right.

But I didn't even consider. I had no intention of taking care of her.

I know it isn't easy. She's gotten herself in a very precarious situation.

But I hope you can see that she is one

of the many faces of the public that you must embrace and protect.

I don't know what it is like to live a life as a lowborn woman in her shoes,

but it can't be easy.

You always have to abide not by your own will but by your master or a man,

so I wonder if it is unavoidable to end up where she is being kicked around by fate.

Wife...

I don't know much about the world or about governing a state.

But I wonder if showing sincere compassion to hurt and rejected

souls hers could be a part of governing.

What brings Your Reverence to this place of humble merchants?

I hope you'll make this easy on us both since I know you.

Where is Chogungjang?

How should we...

The ex-King wouldn't involve the palace eunuchs to get rid of

an unfaithful concubine unless he is stupid.

I have no idea what this is about...

Do I have to shut down your business?

I am an auditor by long-time trade.

I don't need more than half a day to dig up enough dirt to put you out of business.

Park Eun knows about Chogungjang,

so the royal court will be in turmoil for a while.

This is perfect time for us to make our move.

I didn't expect your visit so soon. I am truly honored, Lord Jo.

I didn't know you had company. Perhaps I should come another day.

Please sit down. We're all friends.

But...

Please come sit down.

We're no strangers.

We spend more time growling at each other day after day than we do with our wives.

Sit down right here.

Here.

I'm inclined to think you didn't come for the chrysanthemum wine alone.

I came to speak to you about the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince?

About his scandalous relationship with the former King's concubine.

How did you...!

General Min, what are you talking about?

Who else knows about this?

Chogungjang is in Prince Choongnyeong's care.

It's from a reliable source of information.

It looks like we finally have what we need to break Ha Ryun.

And on top of that, the woman is in Prince Choongnyeong's care?

I guess you can't win without Heaven's help no matter how good you are.

It looks like we've run out of luck...

It's a set back. This is not over yet.

Would you help us, Lord Jo?

Minister...

Talk to Prince Choongnyeong and stop him from using this as a weapon against us.

That's a difficult test.

If you pass, you will become the, Crown Prince's Zhang Liang.

Can we trust Jo Malseng? What if he is with Park Eun?

Then all the better.

They will think that we're doing nothing trusting Jo Malseng to come through.

Act quickly.

We must take care of this tonight, or there will be no tomorrow for us.

Boy, that kid's kind heart is giving a lot of people a headache...

Go to him now and put an end to this.

That's unnecessary, Uncle.

Your future is over unless we get her back and kill her.

I don't want to do that.

Are you going to give up the throne?

I trust Choongnyeong.

Choongnyeong has Park Eun and Shim On beside him.

They will not leave him alone until they seize the upper hand.

They will tell him he is the true kingly material and this is all for...

Stop.

No one can stand aloof before power and authority forever.

That is politics.

If you know that...

Yes, I know. I know how good you are in playing political games.

But I know Choongnyeong.

He will never take the throne from me.

Not because he can't but because he doesn't want to.

I know nothing about this. So I'd like you to leave.

We already know that Chogungjang is in your care.

I said I don't know what you're talking about.

Please don't be stubborn. The fate of the state may be at stake.

If we fail to break Ha Ryun, none of the policies we are pursuing will bear fruit.

Attendant!

Yes, Your Highness.

Bring Minister Park Eun and my father-in-law a looking glass.

A looking glass?

They need to see what kind of faces they have right now

in order to stop this outrageous nonsense.

What are you waiting for? Fetch it quickly!

Your Highness...

I am your son-in-law.

Isn't it a father's duty to show good examples to his children?

Perhaps you should respect the Prince's wishes.

We may be politically cornered, but let us not resort to undignified tactics.

Don't you know what incredible chance this is?

We can break Ha Ryun and all of the merit subjects once and for all!

And I suppose that will make you second only to the King.

Your Highness...

Please leave now.

I do not wish to speak to a man who will

resort to dirty politics for acquisition of power.

Isn't dirty politics using untruthful information to undermine others?

Master?

I wouldn't call revealing the truth dirty politics.

What are you saying?

They're talking about exploiting my brother's mistake for political gain.

Are you going to tell me to go along with it?

It's regretful as a brother, but may be necessary as a man

who cares about this country's future.

Why?

Why are you of all people urging me to do this?

If you understood why, would you make a bold decision?

Are you going to give up the throne?

No one can stand aloof before power and authority forever.

But I know Choongnyeong.

He will never take the throne from me.

Whatever do you mean?

Your Highness...

Was the Crown Prince with that woman again?

Is that why this has happened?

There is no time to talk about that.

We must find a way to protect the Crown Prince.

That's right, Your Highness.

There is no telling what might happen if we fail to take care of this tonight.

Where would Choongnyeong go if he had to hide someone?

National Confucian Academy

What is the meaning of this?

What is this outrageous behavior?

Stop yelling!

I might just break that finger of yours.

My man!

When you burned off all of our petitions to the King,

didn't you do it because you had certain amount of conviction?

"Let's go to war"

"We will protect our national pride with the Crown Prince"

Yes, we were wrong...

We would've killed everyone to trying to protect our pride if we had gone to war.

But you and the high and mighty misters weren't much better either.

You were no better than us when it came to caring about the public.

Get a hold of yourselves and

back to your dormitory before I put you all behind bars!

That won't be necessary.

Fellows, please!

All of us are leaving the academy in the morning.

We came to the academy and studied our hearts out to become government

officials so we can provide valuable service to the country.

But this country has no hope.

So we're going to give up this senseless struggle.

What's more unbearable to watch than debauchery is

the despair of these Confucian scholars who could be the future of Joseon.

A man who cares nothing about the people,

who has no desire to pay heed to counsel of his faithful men,

who doesn't even have the basic sense of right and wrong...

It's my belief that such a man does not deserves to be the King of Joseon.

Prince Choongnyeong is wavering?

I will try to persuade him again, but...

Persuasion isn't going to work.

We have no choice but to do the

unspeakable if we're going to take care of this problem tonight.

You must forgive us for this.

Who are you and what do you want?

There is someone waiting for you in Dumundong.

Did you just say Dumundong?

Follow this man to Prince Choongnyeong's cabin in Namsan.

Do whatever it takes.

The woman must die tonight.

Your Highness...!

What is the meaning of this?

Why would you break into a royal prince's cabin at this time of the night?

I'm sure you already know the reason, Your Highness.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Let us take Chogungjang.

Why would you looking for a woman of the former King's palace in my house?

Please let us take her. It is for the Prince's safety as well.

How dare you threaten me!

We will have no choice but to search the villa if you don't turn her over.

Go ahead.

But if you don't find her here, I will have you hanged for this utter impiety!

You failed?

Did you get her out safely?

Yes.

But Your Highness, I'm afraid it may not do much good...

Turn the girl over to me.

I can't.

It's for your brother's safe and stability of this state.

I don't think it's worth it if you have to kill an innocent life.

You'd put your brother in danger?

I'm going to rectify the wrongs.

Doe!

I'm going to fight.

If there is a force that is trying to throw this country into distress...

I'm going to fight it with all my might.

I will not hesitate to use every card I have to win.