Original subtitles

Never seen a girl before?

Why are they staring at me like that?

Say hello.

She is your mentor that will train you and send you into the palace.

Huh?

Are you... asking me to take this girl in?

I couldn't find any other way.

I'm going to give her a loan,

and only way she'll be able to pay me back is by getting her a job.

A loan?

What else can I do when you don't want a handout?

I'll lend you the money for your mother's medicine.

You will?

How much do you want for interest?

How much do you want?

Thirty percent?

That's too much. Twenty.

Twenty-five. Not a penny less.

You're so cheap for a prince!

And you think you're any better talking to a prince like that?

Sorry.

Councilor Yun, what brings you here?

I thought we might have a drink together.

You're getting pretty good.

I was very impressed with the trick you used.

I'll accept the criticism, but...

I don't mean to criticize.

I know that politics isn't a game that you can always play by the book.

My only problem is where you used your trick.

Are you saying that I shouldn't have protected the Crown Prince?

Please be honest.

You didn't protect the Crown Prince. You protected your brother.

Let's not play this word game.

Your brother is not a kingly material.

Do you want to lose your job again?

If you want to fire me, first you have to be in that authoritative position.

The current Crown Prince does not have what it takes to lead this country.

He botches up state affairs because he can't control his temper,

vents his frustrations by sleeping with a forbidden woman, then when

the whole thing blew up, he ran to the King to hide behind his coattails.

Stop!

How can he take responsibility for the state when he can't

even take responsibility for his own actions?

You made a huge mistake.

You deprived this country Joseon of a critical opportunity because

you couldn't be objective the opportunity to choose a wiser King.

My goal has become very clear now.

I intend to make this country a better place to live

not with the current Crown Prince but with you, Prince Choongnyeong.

You know it's not an attainable dream.

You're the one who said we should make dreams a reality.

Enough!

Don't try to chicken out. Start preparing for your tomorrow.

This dream can't be realized unless we dream it together.

I thought of you as a friend a mentor, and I trusted and followed you.

But if you continue to utter this blasphemous rubbish,

I will be forced to charge you with treason!

Um...

What Councilor Yun said isn't entirely untrue.

Since when did you start eavesdropping on my conversations?

It's better not to dream an unattainable dream.

That's the painful lesson I've learned over the years.

Now that the direct reporting system has been put in place,

I will now announce the changes in personnel.

Director of Office of Slavery Reparations...

Shim On is hereby appointed Minister of Personnel.

Minister Hwang Hee and General Yi Sookbun will remain in office as

Minister of Personnel and Minister of Defense, as we have an important

national event of Great Hunting Ceremony ahead of us.

Ministry of Personnel

Oh dear...

The order came down so suddenly

that I've failed to clean out the office for you on time.

I will call the servants and have them send your things to the State Council office.

No, I've already sent the big items.

These small personal items, so I told them I would take them myself.

Minister...

Don't ever let your guard down and be very careful.

I already know that His Majesty is a man to be feared.

I'm not talking about His Majesty. I'm telling you to be wary of yourself.

What does the new Minister of Personnel like?

I heard he likes paintings of plants and flowers.

Should we hang one in his office for him?

Let me escort you to your office.

Are you carrying fire in one hand and water in the other?

Put it down and take a seat.

I haven't settled in yet and I have nothing to offer.

How about leaving the Royal court for a while?

You've already clipped my wings, so you can't be trying to get rid of me...

You must be speaking out of pity.

No, it isn't that...

It doesn't matter.

What matters is that I have no desire to leave the court.

Minister...

We politicians are all similar.

We can't give up until we're completely abandoned.

Wings or no wings, a bird is a bird.

So I have to hope that I can fly again someday.

Office of Royal Relatives?

Why is he ordering a military leader to sit around and tend to the royal relatives?

Isn't it obvious?

Who is replacing you?

Ten thousand soldiers of the Central Army will be put to

work on the Great Hunting Ceremony, Your Majesty.

I will hear opinions and recommendations

from Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Defense and the Palace Guard on the subject of rites,

security and training.

Yes, Your Majesty...

It's Crown Prince's father-in-law Gim Hanlo.

Gim Hanlo has his background in Ministry of Rites.

He's nothing but a dummy in the Ministry of Defense.

Is there anything you two are hiding from me?

I'm asking you if you've committed any traceable malfeasance

like the fallen Prime Minister Ha Ryun.

Have you?

Of course not.

No politician is clean as snow, but we know our limitations.

The King's target is the Crown Prince, not the Min clan.

He's cutting off every wing he has.

But he conducted a public inquiry and protected the Crown Prince.

He didn't protect the Crown Prince. He potected his reputation.

He favor's Choongnyeong. Or at the very least,

he doesn't intend to stop weighing Choongnyeong against the Crown Prince.

Weigh the two princes against each other?

Include the Royal Princes in the Great Hunting Ceremony?

I want them to help out in various preparation of the event as well.

That is not a good idea, Your Majesty.

Not a good idea?

For them to participate in an important national event that

the Crown Prince has been excluded from would be...

The Crown Prince can't participate, so the other princes must.

Your Majesty...

If the public has to bear the burden of preparing this grand event,

the Royal house must share the pain.

We should be welling to send our Royal princes to the battlefield if need be.

Remember.

Quickest way to establishing strength and authority is through service.

This isn't only about strengthening authority of the Royal house.

Oh, that's nonsense...

What are you trying to say? That the King is preparing to replace the Crown Prince?

You could be right.

There is more than one prince with literary talent

and character fit to be the future King.

And if they become skilled in military arts, things can take a drastic turn.

A fox will replace a tiger.

That's all. What's so drastic about that?

I hope you're right...

Don't let it bother you. You already knew there would be talks about you.

Yes, but it doesn't make it hurt any less.

Your Highness...

Shouldn't you be getting ready to change boats as well?

What do you mean?

Don't struggle in a sinking ship.

Get off and get on another one.

Why are you being so weak?

How could I repay you for your loyalty to me?

Should I surrender the crown with my own hands?

Then at least you won't ruin the future because of me.

I will ignore that remark.

I'm sure this is what the King wants as well, Minister Hwang.

There're more idlers in the Royal court than one might think.

I hear there's a lot of gossip about why I appointed you Minister of Personnel.

The think it's posturing in successor planning.

Your Majesty...

Don't get nervous.

They don't know what they're talking about.

To stabilize the newly reformed government,

you and I have to work together day and night.

We won't have the time or the energy to obsess over our children's future.

Don't you agree?

It is a right and proper order, Your Majesty.

I will not participate in the Great Hunting Ceremony.

Is this about your high and mighty brother again?

You don't want him to see you excel when he is incapacitated and disheartened.

Ugh, such deep brotherly love!

How come I can't have a brother like that?

Please leave.

Your Highness, this is an order from the King.

He's not ordering you to outdo your brother.

He's ordering you to serve the people as a member of the Royal house.

I don't want to serve in that way.

Your Highness...

And I don't care if you criticize me and call me unfit to be a prince.

Archery practice?

I'm leaving.

Don't just stand there.

Hand him the bow.

Don't try so hard. I'm not going to change my mind.

I'm not entering the Great Hunting Ceremony.

I'm not interested in getting you into the Great Hunting Ceremony either.

Archery is one of the six rites of Joseon.

I just think you should learn.

Do you think I am still a thirteen-year-old child?

Why are you defying your mentor every time if you're not a child?

Just shoot fifty arrows.

There're still twenty arrows left.

I'm going to stop.

You will continue.

I'm going to stop!

You can't!

I don't want to waste my strength doing what I am not good at.

Now you speak the truth.

Isn't that the real reason why you wont enter the Great Hunting Ceremony?

Master...

You're not concerned about hurting the Crown Prince.

You're afraid you might not be able to defeat the Crown Prince.

You don't dislike people praising you and calling you kingly material.

No, I bet it brings you great joy.

And you have to defeat the Crown Prince if you're not going to disappoint them,

but this is not your strong point.

You know you can't beat the Crown Prince when it comes to military affairs.

No, that's not true!

It's not always bad to have ambition.

More importantly, it doesn't help your brother if you back out like this.

Regardless of your intent,

the world sees you and your brother as rivals for the next throne.

So work harder to improve and grow.

And when the Crown Prince has defeated you despite your efforts,

only then he will be recognized as a man truly worthy of the throne.

That was a long-winded lecture form an unworthy teacher.

But a lecture is just a lecture.

The decision is up to you.

Prince Choongnyeong is the one that is on the rise.

Why are you telling me to comfort the Crown Prince?

To keep the retreat path open.

The battle isn't over until it's over,

so you want to keep your options open.

The Crown Prince has to be feeling quite lonely and deserted right now.

So choose a few faithful men among your followers and send

them into the East Palace.

Faithful men...

Men who will ask how high if the Crown Prince says to jump.

That will restore his confidence a little.

If he gets through this calamity and rise to the throne,

he will not ignore what you've done for him.

And you're almost

guaranteed to be the King's Zhang Zifang.

His name is Gu Jongsu.

He is in the Royal Inspector's Office now, but he used to me my most

cherished subordinate when he was in the Central Army.

Call him over when you're feeling alone.

Unlike most military men, he knows how to enjoy life, and he's a great archer.

He'll give you good competition.

I must look pretty pitiable for you to come here and try to comfort me like this...

I'm just trying to be a father to you on behalf of the King.

What I mean is that I'm sure His Majesty wants very much to comfort you right now.

Life is not all beer and skittles. Sometimes you stumble, sometimes you fall.

You'll look back and laugh at this someday, so tough it out like a man.

Minister Yi...

But you know that His Majesty can't openly say things like this to you.

Keep up your spirit, Your Highness. Adversity only makes us stronger.

You gave Yi Sookbun to the Crown Prince?

After what I went through to make him your mentor?

I don't want Yi Sookbun as my mentor.

I'm just going to use him as a tool to bring the Crown Prince down.

Yi Sookbun is the worst judge of character.

Then you know what kind of a character he will send over to the Crown Prince.

Would you like to shoot a few arrows? Then I'll...

Give me competition?

That's all right. But do you know a good gisaeng house?

Your Highness!

Minister Yi said you knew how to enjoy life.

You can't enjoy life without woman, can you?

No, but...

Are you afraid you'll be put to death for taking a Crown Prince

in disciplinary confinement to a gisaeng house?

No, but...

It's just that there aren't any decent girls in the city lately...

What?

Then how about taking me to something exciting instead?

Something exciting?

Chuksukhee: Traditional sports battle between two teams fought by throwing rocks

Yes!

Good job!

Let's sit back down.

Excuse me.

Um, excuse me.

Did you say something?

I was wondering if I could squeeze in.

Are you trying to flirt with me?

Thank you.

Bring him over here.

Are you happy? I think this is the best spot.

What's the use when I'm half blind?

You asked me to get a good spot. Did you change your mind already?

What's that excitement in your voice?

Does it make you happy to be at a place swarming with young men?

Yes, it does.

You're terrible!

Take it away. It's cumbersome.

Put it over your knees. The air is cold.

What if you catch an awful cold again?

What's the worst thing that can happen but death?

Then I guess I'll come into great fortune.

Are you going to find a young man and get married?

Then did you think I'd live the rest of my life alone mourning?

You saucy little minx...

I'm going to have to add another ten years to my life because of you.

Then keep this right here and keep warm.

Auri, that girl, is quite impressive.

She will take care of the useless libertine for us,

so is it time for us to get rid of the real king in the making?

You're afraid you might not be able to defeat the Crown Prince.

You know you can't beat the Crown Prince when it comes to military affairs.

So work harder to improve and grow.

And when the Crown Prince has defeated you despite your efforts,

only then he will be recognized as a man truly worthy of the throne.

Give you archery lessons?

It'll be even better if you can teach me art of war as well.

Why me?

Capable men will line up to be your teacher if you just ask.

Why is that?

I'm sure you know why.

Besides, His Majesty has ordered us to partake in the Great Hunting Contest.

You don't need to sneak around taking secret lessons.

Your Highness?

I'm sorry.

It's just that when you said "secret lessons",

it made me feel like you and I are not that much different.

Don't you want to boast what you learned in secrecy to your younger brother?

You worked so hard training, and you need a disciple to make it worthwhile.

Don't try so hard to hit the center. Aim a little bit higher.

Then you'll hit the bulls-eye.

Relax and aim a little higher.

Why are you so anxious when you're used to secret lessons?

What is your reason, Brother?

"Don't study", "Don't take interest in state affairs..."

Why have you been studying so hard when Father is always telling us not to?

I don't know.

I haven't found an answer that question yet.

Do you think we might be able to find the answer at this Great Hunting Ceremony?

Choongnyeong is trying to win over Kyoungnyeong as well?

Are we going to do nothing about this?

A fox will end up becoming the King at this rate!

We have to find a way to stop this somehow...

Visit us again soon, my lord.

Of course, doll.

You promised, my lord.

Of course, of course.

Let's go.

Be well, my darlings!

This is not the right way.

How can you get lost when take the same route everyday?

What are you doing? Get me home at once!

I'm afraid you can't go home tonight, my lord.

What happened?

Are you pleased?

I never asked you to kill Han Younglo for me.

Consider it a welcome gift, comrade.

If the revolution succeeds and Goryeo is revived, I will make you a hero.

Comrade?

This is what we need.

You picked the wrong man.

I'm not interested in your revolution or becoming a hero.

One thousand yangs.

What?

And I won't report you to the authorities...

... since I have a debt to collect from this revolting country, too.

Are you going to the archery field?

I told you to stay inside.

You don't have to see me off every time.

How could I?

Oh Princess... I will see you when I return.

Your Highness.

Just for today...

Won't you stay home just for today?

Please.

Don't go any where.

Stay home with me.

I've never seen you like this. Is there something the matter?

Goodness... Does she have to spell everything out?

The baby could be coming.

You know she is due any day.

But I have something to take care of today...

I won't be late. I'll be home before dark, so...

Really I will.

Are you carrying what I gave you?

How could I neglect your symbol of love?

Your Highness...

I won't be long. So tell our baby to wait until I get back.

A mini-musket?

You made this?

It may be small, but its ten times more powerful than an arrow,

and has three times the projectile range compared to the muskets we have now.

So why did you bring this to me?

I'm sure you know that the Bureau of Weaponry is devoted to the Crown Prince.

Devoted to the Crown Prince?

We hope it will be used to restore the Crown Prince's lost honor.

It's dark now, Your Highness.

Be quiet. You'll jinx it.

You promised the Princess that you'd be home early.

I knew you were cheap but I see you're childish, too.

You're a man and a Royal Prince at that, and you're playing around with toys?

It's because I'm a neglectful husband and a hopeless father.

It's a toy for the baby that hasn't even been born yet.

Hey!

Then you should do it right.

You're going to destroy the baby's hand with this.

But it s a first gift for my child. I should make it myself.

Who knows? If I give the baby enough love and affection,

I might have a great daughter or son like you.

Are you all right?

I'm fine. I'm not going to die.

But...

Stop pestering.

He would've been done by now if you had been quiet.

That's exactly what I mean.

Don't rush, Your Highness. Take your time.

I'll go to the Royal Villa and check on things.

You're the only one who can come up with useful ideas, teacher.

Thanks! [Speaking in Chinese]

Your welcome! [Speaking in Chinese]

He should be leaving in about two hours.

Do whatever

you have to do to get him through Indal-bang.

Push.

A little harder. Push a little harder!

Push!

What do you think? Do I pass?

You barely made the cut.

You're so cheap with compliments.

It's the Princess! She's...

She didn't already give birth, did she?

Your Highness, take the shortcut through Indal-bang.

You'll get there faster.

Thanks.

A little harder!

You're almost there!

Your Highness!

Your Highness...!