Original subtitles

We will reach Gyeongsung within 15 days and launch a massive northern conquest.

A hunting trip?

The King is on a trip to the hot springs and the Crown Prince went hunting?

Do you think this is acceptable?

He said he needed rest because he's physically and mentally exhausted!

Exhausted? From what?

I can imagine he is exhausted.

Sitting there and listening to everyone say no to everything isn't easy either.

You mean Crown Prince is right and we are wrong?

That's not what I said. I'm just saying he probably is exhausted.

Then he should rest and enjoy hunting for the rest of his life.

What?

Hunting is physical and mental training. Don't you know that?

Shouldn't we call the King back from his trip?

That's probably not a good idea.

The ministers are outraged.

His Majesty the King is on this trip because the Queen is ill.

This disturbing news about

the Crown Prince will only exacerbate the Queen's condition.

How can we let that happen?

Bring the Crown Prince back.

That's the quickest way to calm the court, Minister Hwang.

We're damned if we do and damned if we don't.

There is no solution.

Where is the Crown Prince?

He's on a hunting trip...

To where?

We're moving out!

But we've been marching all night and you haven't had any rest.

We've only got 15 days to get to Gyeongsung.

Move out!

Why won't you answer my question?

Well, um...

Chulwon.

He is hunting in Chulwon.

Is that the truth?

If you don't believe me, you can go and bring him back yourself.

If I were you, I would've sent someone to Gyeongsung

instead of urging him to bring the Crown Prince back.

What do you mean?

Don't you think this is a great opportunity for Prince Choongnyeong

to make a comeback?

Prince Choongnyeong's loyalty is under suspicion right now.

I know as well as you do that he is incapable conceiving of treason.

But if you and I act on this, we would be forcing him to commit treason.

The ministers have lost all hope on the Crown Prince.

It's time for this country to find an alternative.

Do not force Prince Choongnyeong into this!

I will not be idle if you attempt to turn my son-in-law into a criminal of treason.

Why did you coldly reject the Left State Councilor's offer?

Don't you want Prince Choongnyeong to come back?

I'm sure that is not the reason.

Then...

Left State Councilor Park Eun is best kept at a distance.

He is a hard man to figure out,

and his intentions are not pure in wanting Prince Choongnyeong back.

Intentions are not pure?

He is not interested in what's best for the state.

He just wants to stop the Crown Prince's ascension.

Park Eun is directly responsible for the death of

the Crown Princess closest supporters regardless of the circumstances.

He will want to bring down

the Crown Prince if only to protect himself from revenge.

It won't help us to be open with him.

Is this the right thing to do?

Do I bring my son-in-law back into this field of vicious political battles?

The circumference is too wide.

It won't balance if I reduce it further.

You can easily solve that problem if you keep the base wide.

The material is wrong, too.

How can you use cast iron? Are you stupid?

Stop.

One might think you're developing an advanced secret weapon.

What's there to fuss when you're making a children's toy?

This is fine.

Please stay out of this, Your Highness.

This is crap. Make it smaller!

Change the material at least.

There's a reason why I used cast iron.

This is for ten-year-old child for heaven sakes.

Cast iron is ridiculous.

That's what I mean. How is a child supposed to carry this?

This is not a carrying toy. It's a rolling toy.

If I use compound metal, it could get bent out of shape.

Adjust the compound ratio.

Sir.

Your Highness!

Get it!

Did you wish to see me?

I have a favor to ask.

Do you need someone to play this toy with?

Would you go see my son Hyang for me when you get back to the capital?

He should be big enough to play with this toy.

This is about the only thing I can do for him from a distant place.

No.

Counselor Yun.

You can take it yourself.

It doesn't look like an easy toy to play with.

You have to teach him how to use it.

It's not possible.

Why not?

I thought we were finished with this conversation.

No, I haven't even begun.

Let us stop. Let's stop right here.

Stop being so stubborn!

The Crown Prince is hopeless.

Didn't he prove that by sending his army and turning this place upside down?

How many died as a result of his reckless decision?

Why are you holding the Crown Prince responsible for that?

You didn't play a part as well?

Your Highness...

You said yourself you didn't do anything.

You were guzzling wine and killing time ignoring everything, you said.

Let's say for the sake of argument that I did what you ask.

What would that change?

If I make one mistake, if I fail to live up to your expectations,

you'll crawl back into your cave and drown your sorrows in wine.

So I was right.

It's my cowardice that made you change like this...

Now you know, so stop wasting my time and go.

Wait.

What is it now?

I want to give this back to you.

I will no longer have a use for, I mean, I'm unworthy of it.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

I will pay for disappointing you with a life of penance.

I'm sorry I could not make it more comfortable.

Don't worry about it. You can go now.

Good thing I didn't bring her...

I'm coming with you.

Take me with you.

Not this time.

Don't leave me here alone.

I'm afraid...

It doesn't feel bad... to know that you're worried about me.

Not about you. About me.

You don't know what I might do to you if you leave me here alone.

So...

Do anything you want.

I know what you're going through because of me.

So you and the child can criticize me, curse me and do anything you want.

Would you wait for me?

It'll give me strength to know that I have to come back to the city

where you're waiting for me.

But if...

If I don't make it back, give this to the child.

I have a feeling that it's a boy that takes after me.

Do you really think Minister Hwang will go?

He will.

And the time he returns, Crown Prince will be in Cyeongsung.

Then I guess it will be a waiting game from that point on,

but it won't be as easy as it sounds.

Shouldn't we cover our backs just in case?

Don't even think about it.

We're on the same boat. If we go down, we all go down together.

I'll be leaving for a short trip out of the city tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

I guess you're going to Chulwon after all.

What bring you to my home at this late hour?

Aren't you curious to know what the Crown Prince is really up to?

Gyeongsung?

Crown Prince led the troops to the northern border?

You let him have control of a massive army?

One thing led to another...

You call that an explanation?

You're the chief of military for heaven sakes!

How can you utter those words?

How could you deploy thousands of troops without the King's authorization?

Are you a brainless moron?

Don't you know the Crown Prince?

He doesn't listen to us or to you as a matter of fact!

I know we shouldn't have let this happen.

That's why we came to you before the situation got any worse.

We have to find a way to get through this!

A way? To protect your own necks or to protect the country?

If we do nothing, the Crown Prince's life will be in danger as well.

So before the King finds out...

We're done talking.

This is not my concern.

You can't do this.

Who are we to turn to?

You made your own bed. Now you must lie in it.

I don't care what happens to you or the Crown Prince.

This is not my problem anymore. I will not get myself involved!

Who are you?

I'm the Crown Prince's lover like I said.

You are not His Highness's lover.

When you get to be my age, you know things naturally.

If you love someone, you instinctively protect that person.

That irrational desire to protect even when you know you will fail,

that's what we call love.

Why are you coming to me with this?

If the world finds out about his unauthorized military action,

the Crown Prince's life may be jeopardized.

Who put you up to this?

Who is trying to destroy the Crown Prince?

Shouldn't you be more concerned with your son-in-law Prince Choongnyeong's safety?

Gyeongsung is about to become a bloody battlefield.

You must run to his rescue first.

The Crown Prince took the troops to the north?

I fear he made this risky move to cover up the secret plot for

northern conquest and neutralize the investigation.

What if they resist?

What if Prime Minister Yu Jeonghyun and his brother Choongnyeong defy him?

Does he intend to kill them off?

I am deeply regretful, Your Majesty...

I'm going back to the palace. Prepare the entourage.

I am to blame for this.

If we hadn't left the palace, the Crown Prince would not have gone this far.

What should I make of your trip to the hot springs?

What do you mean?

Was this to protect Prince Choongnyeong

or to destroy the Crown Prince?

The latter.

If you wanted to protect both the Crown Prince and Prince Choongnyeong,

you would have turned your horse to the north.

Why should we protect the Crown Prince?

I can no longer accept the Crown Prince as our next King.

Because he is a cold-blooded man who does not care about his brother's safety?

Because he is a tyrant who doesn't care about his people.

I have no intention to accept or serve him as my king.

They just can't keep their mouths shut...

Who is it? Who told you about this?

Leave.

You can sit there until your knees wear off, but you can't stop me.

So don't waste your strength.

You are wrong.

You pay no heed to good counsel of your ministers,

you protect those closest to you no matter what wrongs they've done,

you arrogantly defy the King ordering military action

with no regard for safety and welfare of your people...

Stop.

You're wrong on everything.

That's why I can't, I just can't forgive you

and acknowledge that you are kingly material.

Then why did you come alone?

You should've brought the guards to arrest me.

But still, despite all of this, I can't give you up.

You're wrong, but I still can't give you up.

Won't you look at me and remember the day that you came to me on your knees

vowing to be the true master of Joseon?

Help me to keep my hope alive.

Please leave.

As you can see, I've come too far. There is no turning back now.

Your Highness...

I am going to the north to fight.

If I die there, at least I would be remembered as a prince who died

struggling to protect Joseon's pride.

But...

Don't try to stop me!

Like you said, I am wrong to begin with and I never listen to anyone.

Go back.

And do whatever you want and whatever you believe is right.

You won't hear any grief from me.

It was nice, Minister Hwang.

I knew you came to stop me when you first walked in, but it was really nice to see you.

I'll never forget your devotion and trust for me.

What is the meaning of this?

I'm coming with you. Let me come with you.

I told you to do what you believe is right.

And I told you I can't give you up.

Gyeongsung, Hamgildo

Where is the Prince going?

Nowhere in particular.

He hasn't been like this in a while. I wonder what's eating him this time.

Do you know anything?

Father! Father!

No!

Father...!

Tell my father to get up!

The Crown Prince is hopeless!

How many died as a result of his reckless decision?

So I was right.

It's my cowardice that made you change like this...

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

I will pay for disappointing you with a life of penance.

Would you give this to Counselor Yun for me?

It's been broken in very nicely.

It has a good owner who takes good care of it.

He's a man who knows how to polish his brush better than his sword.

But he is impatient when it comes to his own emotions.

Your Highness...

May I ask you to look after Counselor Yun Hwe?

He is a man of deep insight.

Not only that, he is an exceptional

diplomat and a tactician more brilliant than Suh Hui of Goryeo.

Let him see tomorrow with hope again.

Guide him and encourage him so that his talent may not be wasted.

And later when enough time has passed,

please tell him it is not his fault that I decided to stay.

Tell him that I just didn't have the courage to leave.

Are you afraid?

I do know a thing or two about the Royal court.

As Crown Prince's misrule continues, more will look to you for hope.

Are you afraid those who put their hopes on you might put a sword in your hands?

What I am afraid of is what will come next.

I'm not sure of myself.

I don't know if I can do better job.

Pointing out what's bad and what's wrong might be an easier job.

But when it comes to making decisions...

Being that decision maker is a completely different thing.

I'm not confident in that role.

That's why I'm running away.

Let us take you inside.

I'm sure Prince Choongnyeong will be unharmed.

I trust the Crown Prince.

- Arrest him! - Yes, sir!

Take it.

I cannot, Your Majesty.

It's an order.

Give me death, Your Majesty.

Just take the glass.

Do you recall?

You were always the one that offered me drinks first.

Your Majesty...

When I raised a camp at Gwanghwamun in protest of my father the late King

and trembled in secret now knowing whether I would live or die,

you were the one who came to me with a bottle of wine in your hand.

"You've got me," you said, "I'll contend with anyone that challenges you."

That was a long time ago.

It should be forgotten.

Would you go for me?

I want you to go.

Take the troops and bring the Crown Prince back.

I'm afraid I can't, Your Majesty.

Sookbun.

I am not the naive young county magistrate that vowed loyalty to

Prince Jeongan Yi Bangwon with his tiny powerless army anymore.

I am Minister of Military Yi Sookbun, a veteran politician who knows how

to wield his power with command of the country's military in his hand.

Are you threatening me?

You are a setting sun and the Crown Prince is a rising sun.

What would you do if I take the troops and help the Crown Prince in his conquest?

What if I came back after that and aimed my sword at you?

I am indeed capable with the power I hold now.

I will leave if you banish me, and I will surrender my head if that's what you wish.

But send Yi Jongmu to the north instead.

Yi Jongmu would not dare defy you.

Bastard!

We said we would enjoy fishing and be eternal friends when you

abdicate the throne, but I guess I can't keep that promise...

Forgive me, Your Majesty...

Tie me back up.

Sir!

I said tie me back up! Don't you know how to handle a criminal?

Do I have to teach you a lesson? Tie me up!

Sookbun, that bastard...

He didn't even touch his glass...

Gyeongsung, Hamgildo

They couldn't have been deployed by the King.

He would have at least waited until I returned.

Now it's a matter of time before Gyeongsung is engulfed in flames.

You must take the Prime Minister safely back to the capital.

Yes, sir.

How about you? Where are you going?

I'm going back.

I can't desert Prince Choongnyeong again. Then...

What is happening?

Why are thousands of barbarians coming at us?

What reason do they have to attack us this time?

It's not an attack. It's a defensive move.

Crown Prince's central army of thousands is marching to Gyeongsung right now!

What?

We will take you to safety, Your Highness.

Where would that be?

If such a place exists, I would take you myself.

But there is no place safe for you in this country.

We must stop the central army somehow.

Stop them?

That's absurd.

They are not the enemy.

Then are we to go to war with the Jurchens like this?

We have no choice if that's the order.

First duty of soldiers is obedience.

Obedience?

Why are you defending this ridiculous order?

The man is here put you back in uniform. Is that it?

We can't lose a talented warrior to accusation of treason!

You must make your decision carefully, Commander.

The Crown Prince is the future King.

If you defy his order, he will charge you with treason and kill you.

But...

I have no choice but to defy him.

Commander!

There is something more important than obedience to soldiers.

And that's duty to protect the people. It does not matter who it is.

Those who threaten the safety of the people are our enemy.

I know you wouldn't leave even if there was a safer place.

You're used to tolerating all kinds of pain and emotional torture

like intimidation, injustice, being misunderstood, and fear of death.

But can you tolerate this?

This is Yi Chun's uniform.

Prime Minister wanted me to deliver it to you.

He said you are the one that recognized Yi Chun's talent,

and you will know when to restore him to his post.

But Yi Chun will never get the chance to put his uniform back on again.

Because the master he serves is the most dangerous character.

Choi Yundeok will willingly become a rebel to protect the people.

I will go with you, Commander. Let me help.

And Choi Haesan and Jang Youngsil will soon be forced

to make weapons that won't kill our enemy but our people.

Can you endure it?

Can you endure watching these men fall when their dreams are shattered?

Can you watch your cherished friends who bring hope to Joseon

and its good people as they crumble?

We've been waiting for you.

Would you read a book for us? We want to hear more stories.

No. This is no time for stories.

Stop pestering him. No!

Why not?

Read for us. Please?

- Counselor Yun. - Yes, Your Highness.

Would you call the former Deputy Chief Yi Chun for me?

Your Highness...

What do you think you're doing?

Turn the troops around now.

Clear the path!

If you don't turn back, I just might take the future throne from you.