Original subtitles

Don't you have any pride?

I don't know what you mean.

Your peers, your country have deserted you.

No one knows and no one cares about your loyalty.

Why do you live like this? Do you think you've above it all?

No one cares!

You're wasting time and making a fool of yourself!

Your Highness!

Why do I live like this?

Because men like you won't do what they're supposed to do.

Now are you satisfied?

Are you satisfied?

Is that why you've been living like this for the past two years?

You've been dwelling on rage because

the world doesn't give you the recognition you think you deserve?

Your Highness.

Be quiet.

You don't know anything.

You don't know anything about me!

Next!

Next you clench your fist real tight.

Then punch me out without giving another thought.

You're a man, so vent your rage like a normal man for once.

Why are you so afraid?

Why are you so afraid of the thankless world?

You should be more afraid of yourself than you are of the world.

My man! My man, what happened?

The barbarians... the barbarians have attacked the village...

Mother...!

Mom...!

The Jurchens got away?

I'm sorry, sir.

I shall report this to the capital right away.

They just gave us indisputable cause to proceed with the northern conquest.

Northern conquest, sir? I thought we were here to increase border defense.

It's the Crown Prince's will.

What did you just say? Northern conquest?

I thought I told you to leave the base.

Is that why you purposely provoked the Jurchens?

So you can have justifiable cause for the conquest?

You've been dismissed. I don't need to tell you about our military strategy.

Stop this.

If you don't want the civilian population wiped out, stop this immediately!

Are you going to walk out or do I have to kick you out?

Father...!

Father, get up!

Who are all these people?

Your Highness...!

Did these people live here?

What are you saying?

These are people you see ten times a day.

I don't recognize any of them.

I don't know their names and I don't know their faces...

I didn't know they lived among us...

Your Highness...

Mother...

Mother...

Wake my mother up.

Get her up. Make her get up!

I'm sorry...

It's my fault...

It's all my fault...

Why are you so afraid of the thankless world?

You should be more afraid of yourself than you are of the world.

This report is in regards to the Jurchen invaders

that were driven away...

Dramatic increase in the number of Jurchen invasion in Gyeongsung?

What is the cause of their aggression after long period of calm?

We have reports that the scattered tribes are quickly coming together.

We speculate they are preparing to march south.

What is our response?

Deploy the central army and launch a conquest.

A conquest?

Offense is the best defense.

A conquest is not something we can decide in haste, Your Highness.

Haste?

Do you know who routed the Jurchens that invaded Gyeongsung?

It's the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince routed the Jurchens that invaded Gyeongsung?

He was the one that advised me

to deploy the artillery army and increase border defense.

Had I not followed his advice,

we would not have been able to suppress the invasion so quickly.

We must proceed with the conquest.

That is the only way to stop the enemy's aggression.

The time requires your bold decision, Your Majesty.

Work out the details and submit a proposal.

Yes, Your Majesty.

A conquest...

I can't help but wonder.

Are we to believe that the Crown Prince deployed the artillery army

for the reason of border defense alone?

What other reason could there be?

The Jurchens attacked as soon as

the artillery army got there as if they were waiting.

It's a fantastic coincidence.

My point is everyone knows about Crown Prince's grand ambition for a conquest.

The problem is Ming could misread our intent if we move northward.

Joseon is poised to march north?

What is the cause?

They're angry because we vowed loyalty

and paid tribute to Great Ming.

What else could be the cause?

This could be a declaration of war against Ming as well, sir.

They dare declare war against Great Ming?

What brings you?

I heard about the battles in Gyeongsung.

Mother is terribly concerned about Choongnyeong, Father.

Chief Gang is with him. He will take care of everything.

You sound like you're conducting business.

This is about your son.

Call Choongnyeong back to the capital city.

I've already sent my younger brothers to death ahead of me,

and I will not let my child die before I do.

You will not leave Gyeongsung?

Your Highness need not be involved in these matters.

Gyeongsung, Hamgildo

Your Highness.

Like I said, this is my home now and I don't have anywhere else to go.

Please do not be stubborn. You must go to Gilju.

My men will find a safe place for you there.

You should be worried about

keeping Gyeongsung safe instead of worrying about me.

Forgive me, but I have no time to argue.

This is not helping anyone.

We have neither the time nor the resources to spend on protecting a Royal prince.

I don't need any protection.

You know that I'm not entitled to such special treatment.

Shouldn't you be doing something about this as his security officer?

I have no desire to change his mind, General.

What in heaven's name are they thinking?

Did you have some kind of expectations from me by any chance?

Banished prince is still a prince.

He could find a way to help whether it is though

the King or through his father-in-law...

I'd be lying if I said no.

I'm sorry, General, but I am incapable.

The walls are too high for it.

Your Highness...

That doesn't mean I won't remember

what you said about being more afraid of myself than of the world.

You are right about that.

I think I had given up on myself as well when I gave up hope on the world.

And that wasn't right...

I'm going to stay here and live as a man of Gyeongsung.

I will share my heart with my neighbors,

do whatever I can to help them and live out the rest of my life the best I can.

That's the only thing I can do.

I don't like it at all.

Is there a problem, sir?

I'm talking about Prince Choongnyeong. Why is he still here?

Perhaps he doesn't want to leave the people to die and run to safety.

I'm not interested in a slave boy's opinion.

Are you going to be responsible if he gets hurt pandering to his cheap ideals?

Those cheap ideals are what got him noticed as kingly material, sir.

He is a selfless man who risks his life to help

and save others without asking for anything in return.

That's the reason why he was banished to this place as well.

And another thing?

He won't budge no matter what you say once his mind is set.

So ask central to get him out of here if he's in your way instead of

wasting your own strength.

Did I leave anything out?

Huh?

I did the talking but I figured that's what you wanted to tell him.

You forgot about me.

About how the prince changed a rascal like me into a half way decent man.

I left that out in purpose so he won't think this is personal.

I spoke lightly, but this place is going to become a hundred times more dangerous

dangerous if they decide to go through with this conquest.

I don't know what's ahead...

He set his mind?

With Choi Yundeok and Gang Sangin...

What could a prince set his mind on with two warriors by his side?

Go to the capital city at once.

Yes, sir.

Did we receive a report from Gyeongsung?

Gyeongsung will become a battlefield once

the central army is deployed for the conquest.

Has Choongnyeong been relocated to a safer place?

Well...

Prince Choongnyeong is refusing to leave Gyeongsung.

What?

That's not all.

He is rallying Choi Yundeok, Gang Sangin and others who oppose the conquest.

Is he intent on fighting against the conquest?

This is clear indication of defiance against Your Highness.

Why else would he insist on staying in a war zone?

Choongnyeong is rallying the soldiers?

Are you saying he is planning to lead an army against the government?

To seize the throne for himself?

Do you really think he is capable?

We should not jump to any conclusions.

There is bound to be feeling of resentment granted he left on his own.

No one knows how the bitter time might have changed the prince.

If the report is true,

this could pose a greater threat to the regime than the Jurchen attacks, Majesty.

His Majesty the King!

To what do I owe the honor of your visit at this hour?

Wonderful aroma of your tea beckoned me from the audience hall.

Oh, Your Majesty...

Please sit down.

I heard you've been to Gyeongsung recently.

Yes...

How is he?

Did he look well to you?

He did not look too well, Father.

Please, Kyoungnyeong, you mustn't make His Majesty worry.

No, no, that's all right.

I want to hear the truth.

His attendants must not be doing their job.

No, Father. He seemed quite content with those close to him.

Does that include Choi Yundeok?

I think Choi is the one he thinks most highly of.

Thinks highly of Choi Yundeok...

How do you think Choi feels about Choongnyeong?

Do you think he Choi is capable of helping Choongnyeong rise to power

if he decided he wants the throne?

I could not speculate that far, but his loyalty to the prince was extraordinary.

Extraordinary loyalty...

Tell me about Choi Yundeok. Why was he discharged?

I am told he is an incompetent and corrupted military officer.

Incompetent and corrupted man protected the border without incident for years?

It may be wise to dispatch an investigator for

an accurate assessment of the situation.

Gyeongsung, Hamgildo

Who ho told you to waste your time with these stupid arrows?

I ordered you to prepare the cannon launch test report!

Arrows are better than cannons in close combat.

Commander Choi Yundeok also agreed that arrows give us greater advantage.

If a war is unavoidable, we should use a method that causes less casualties.

For the second time, I don't need a boy's opinion!

Just do as you are told.

I'm sorry but I can't.

What...?

This man is a craftsman before he is a slave.

As his superior officer, you should value his rare talent.

Value his rare talent?

Two hundred Jurchens crossed the border in the last two raids.

Based on that number, we need maximum of 500 arrows

for combat which have already been secured.

In my opinion, we need guns

that can fire 4 to 8 arrows continuously in the future battles against the Jurchens.

That is why I ordered this slave boy to conduct tests,

so that we can develop guns that fire arrows.

But this boy's arrows are much too heavy.

They need to be half their weight before we can attempt to integrate them on the guns.

Know this.

I don't value your talent not because of you're a lowborn slave,

but because your talent is not valuable.

Look...

He got me good this time.

What is the meaning of this?

You'll have to make some time for us, Your Highness.

What do you want with me?

We want to know your motive.

Motive?

What are you trying to accomplish by speaking to him this way?

We wanted to clear up any misunderstandings you might have.

Prince Choongnyeong is not one to...

He is not one to plot treason.

Yes, I know. Of course I do.

Then why did you speak untruthfully to the King?

Did you say you were a scholar of the Academy?

No wonder you're politically dim.

There is something, isn't there?

Something is happening in Gyeongsung

that is quite different from what is being reported.

Now we're getting somewhere.

What is the real situation?

I don't know the first thing about military affairs, so I couldn't tell you.

But I'm sure the investigating official will get to the truth.

You mean you maligned the prince to send an investigator?

I couldn't get an investigation started without a strong cause.

I think we learned something from you today, Prince Kyoungnyeong.

I guess now we have to make sure that the investigating officer that gets

deployed is not a Crown Prince's man.

An investigating officer?

Yes.

Why?

We should be rushing to deploy the central army for the conquest.

Why do we have to go through this?

You're overreacting.

I just don't think we should be wasting time.

If the report says Choongnyeong is plotting treason,

just bring him back and get it over with.

Prince Choongnyeong would not go this route even if he does covet the throne.

What do you mean by that? Are you saying I am behind this?

Are you sure there is nothing else?

Was the artillery army deployed for the purpose of

border defense and for that purpose alone?

Yes.

Then I will not question you any further.

But investigation is still necessary in order to prove that to the others.

What brings you to my humble home?

I heard that an investigator is going to be dispatched.

You must be quite concerned about your son-in-law.

You should've sent someone and prevented this before hand.

I didn't feel a need.

You don't believe he has any impious ambitions?

That's right.

Chimney does not smoke without a fire, Minister Shim.

Who will be dispatched to Gyeongsung?

It will not be you. I know that much.

It cannot be someone close to the Crown Prince.

Minister Shim, for as long as the Crown Prince is administering state affairs,

we are all Crown Prince's servant including yourself.

How are we to distinguish who is close to him and who isn't?

The investigating officer must be someone from our side.

The whole enterprise could be sabotaged otherwise.

Perhaps we should tell the truth to

Minister Hwang Hee and seek his help.

No, that's out of the question.

Your Highness...

We just have to make sure we send one of our men.

I'll do my best to get you for the job.

It isn't going to be easy, Your Highness.

I can't tell the truth to Minister Hwang. He will never support the conquest.

I will tell him everything later.

When the conquest succeeds, that's when I'll tell him.

He will understand then.

You look a bit tired. Is everything all right?

I heard you're sending an investigator to Gyeongsung.

Yes, I think so.

Would you recommend me for the job?

Is there any particular reason?

I would not ask if it does not help the state affairs.

Very well. I'll do what I can.

Thank you, sir.

Who should we send to Gyeongsung

to investigate the matter at hand?

I recommend Minister of Military.

This is a military affair, so I think he is right for the job.

It's not a bad idea.

What do you think, Prime Minister? Do you think we should send Minister Gim?

No, Your Majesty.

I thought I would go to Gyeongsung myself.

You personally to that place of peril?

Where Your Majesty's reign reach is no place of peril.

More importantly, it is a place a Royal prince has safely been

staying for the past several years.

I don't believe I would be in danger.

Then it is decided.

Prime Minister will go.

I'm putting you through much trouble for my son.

It is an opportunity to closely inspect the border region.

Royal Attendant.

Your Majesty...!

You may use it if necessary.

If a Royal prince is indeed exploiting this national threat of Jurchen

aggression to rise up in arms...

... you make take his life.

Why did you deny my request?

You are the Crown Prince's most loyal and dedicated servant.

So stay behind and take care of him.

That's your duty.

We haven't lost yet.

If Gyeongsung is already at war when Minister Yu gets there,

it wouldn't matter what the investigation reveals.

Go to Hamgildo at once and relay my order to Yi Chun.

Yes, Your Highness.

Once the battle breaks out, the alarm will have to be sound.

Raise the beacon fire immediately when the mission succeeds.

That will give us indisputable cause to deploy the central army.

Gyeongsung, Hamgildo

What brings you all the way here?

Let me guess. You brought the Crown Prince's secret order.

What is his order?

Did he order you to turn Gyeongsung into a sea of flames again?

I know you men are quick, but you'll get hurt if these explode.

I take a while to pick up your scattered limbs from off the ground.

What are you waiting for? Search them!

Aye!

There once lived a man named Ondal.

He had a very unsightly face, but his heart was pure and kind.

Not only that, he was...

I've never seen such an idle rebel. Have you?

Time passed and Princess Pyoungang was ready to get married.

Who are you?

You have to hide your but, if you want to play hide and seek.

Counselor Yun, what brings you here?

You look well.

You look rather sallow.

Do you still drink daily?

It's thanks to you, you know.

No, don't get up.

I should fetch a bottle of wine for my dear teacher who traveled all this way to see me,

but things aren't so good around here these days.

You didn't have to do this. Where are the servants?

I told them to get the children washed up and fed.

There're so many of them we're always short handed.

Those children are...

They lost their parents in the Jurchen attacks.

So I guess those children are your rebel followers...

Rebel followers?

Why did you falsely accuse Prince Choongnyeong of high treason?

I had no other choice to get him out of Gyeongsong.

We do not have the resources to waste on protecting a prince.

If you had not provoked the enemy,

you wouldn't have to worry about protecting Prince Choongnyeong.

Isn't that right?

Whether we provoked them or they provoked us,

they are an enemy that must be confronted with.

You don't show an ounce of remorse.

Do you know how many civilian and

military lives have been lost because of you and the Crown Prince's reckless actions?

His Highness sent us here, but I am the one who chose the time for this conflict.

So don't hold the Crown Prince accountable for my decision.

I will assume the responsibility alone.

Your loyalty to your master is noble, but this is not a light crime.

I will surrender my head.

All I ask is that you do not thwart the Crown Prince's conquest.

It isn't just to recapture our old territory.

Our borders, as it stands, are inadequate to keep the people safe.

We must push northward at least to Tuman River.

You sound like you're proud of your crime.

I am forced to give you your wish.

Execute Yi Chun without delay and send his head to the capital city!

Wait!

Please stop the execution.

We cannot kill this man.

Both the Crown Prince and Yi Chun's views on the conquest are not wrong.

Right, Commander?

Tuman River...

Our borders will become significantly easier

to protect if we had Tuman River.

But now is not the time.

We must reopen the Exchange, appease as many tribes as we can,

then proceed, so to minimize casualties on both sides.

Most importantly, Yi Chun is an outstanding weapons expert.

Right?

Yes.

He probably has more knowledge about guns

than any other military commander in the country.

He is a valuable resource we cannot afford to lose.

Do you so desperately wish to expand our territory?

Commander Choi and I talked about Goryeoan history a while back.

At the time of founding, Goryeo stretched from Uiju to Hamheung.

I learned that it took over 300 years to expand the territory to Gilju.

Would you speak to the Crown Prince for me when you return to the capital?

Tell him that territory expansion cannot be achieved overnight

and that he must be patient.

I'm alive so I guess I will get that chance.

I'd like to know why you're not punishing me...

I never said I wouldn't punish you. I said I wouldn't punish you by death.

The nature of your crime is too obnoxious for that.

You will have to pay dearly and deeply for your crime by dedicating

the rest of your life in service of this country.

Is that an order from a Royal prince?

No, it's a request from a citizen of Gyeongsung, General.

Might you be Prince Choongnyeong's father-in-law, sire?

I heard that someone is here from Gyeongsung to see me.

Are you the one from Gyeongsung?

I'm the one that will bring Prince Choongnyeong back from Gyeongsung.