Original subtitles

Is he ever going to improve?

He's so uncoordinated.

Don't be so harsh, Councilor Yun.

You're hurting His Highness's feelings.

Yes, I'm heart broken.

Truth is supposed to be painful.

You must take his lack of practice time into consideration.

Candor may be good, but it will upset

the King if you speak bluntly without considering the circumstances.

I will consider the circumstances of course,

but the public won't.

They only see the result, not the process.

I better cut my sleep time and get some practice.

It'll be easier once we level out the ground.

I heard about your advancement, General.

I'm not sure if I am competent

for such an important job.

Why don't you start by sending us some men to work on the gyeokbang field?

This guy here will figure the slope rating.

I've got no men to waste on making a playground for the Crown Prince!

You said you wanted to enjoy it.

Years ago I said there would be many treacherous hills to conquer if you set

out to change the world, and you said you wanted to enjoy the journey.

I hope you never lose that spirit.

Like those skilled men who offered to smooth out the ground for you,

all of us will work very hard to remove any obstacles that may get in your way.

Remember, Your Highness.

A happy King makes a happy kingdom.

I will, Father-in-law.

Crown Prince's investiture cannot wait.

When would be the opportune time to send a Royal emissary to Ming?

His Majesty must prepared to have audience with the Emperor,

so it would have to be August at the earliest.

Pay special attention to the royal correspondence.

I don't want Ming making a problem out of Jae's sudden deposal.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The answer is no.

Why can't the royal lessons include learning to speak Chinese?

The Royal Lesson Hall is not an interpreter school.

We do not have a teacher for that.

How about if we ask one of the royal interpreters?

A royal interpreter cannot be made a Crown Prince's teacher.

Anyone can be a teacher who has knowledge to share.

The answer is no.

I will soon be going to Ming to have audience with the Emperor.

And?

Do you wish to greet the Emperor with your broken Chinese?

It is unbecoming of a Crown Prince.

No, when I tour the city or the countryside in Ming...

Your schedule is strictly limited to the imperial palace.

Is it bad to broaden your knowledge?

Please just follow the official schedule.

An Heir Apparent cannot behave like a common tourist.

What are you doing in the Royal Kitchen?

I was preparing some snacks for the children and the Crown Prince.

Who had you do such work?

It's something I always do, so...

This Royal House did not acquire a new chef but a new Crown Princess.

Forgive me, Mother.

These are same furniture that the former Crown Princess used.

It would be best to have all of them replaced.

I will see to it that...

No.

Yi Sun will handle it.

She will be serving you closely from now on.

The palace is unlike the Royal Villa.

You must watch your every action so not to damage the prestige and

reputation of the Royal House.

Mother, are we going to live with Yi Sun from now on?

Having you will make living in the palace so much easier.

Yes... I... suppose so.

I want you to report every trivial detail of the Crown Princess's actions to me.

Am I being sent to watch her?

It's unavoidable if I'm going to mold her into a Queen.

Let's go play now.

Yes, let's go.

Shall we?

Excuse me.

I am trying to find a book.

"Which way is the market place?"

Where was that?

Stop struggling, and call an interpreter to help you.

No.

The royal mentor was very adamant that I don't,

and I can't defy his wishes when we are just starting our relationship.

He's so inflexible.

I know.

There's not a resourceful bone in his body.

If only Ilji were here right now...

Oh, me and my big mouth!

I should know better than to bring up a dead man and remind him of the pain...

Why don't you just stick a knife in his heart?

Why can't I ever control what comes out of my mouth?

How much is this?

One hundred yangs.

What does that mean?

It means he lent me one hundred yangs to pay for my mother's medicine.

You're...

You don't recognize me?

It's been a long time.

I've seen you many times since you've been back.

but you didn't even recognize me.

I was angry because you still haven't paid me back for the loan,

so I ignored you on purpose.

I trust it's the entire loan amount plus interest?

I can only pay you half the interest.

Why?

Because I spent all of my money learning Chinese from Eunuch Gim.

Lessons are so expensive.

Why did you learn Chinese?

I thought it might help Prince Choongnyeong someday.

Oops, what's wrong with me?

I mean I thought it might help the Crown Prince someday.

You don't have anyone around you that can give you lessons...

I'm not as smart as Ilji, but I think I can help you.

Welcome back and congratulations on becoming the Crown Prince!

Kid...

By the way, Yi Sun.

Huh?

Why did you come to the library at this time of the night?

I completely forgot!

I came to tell the Prince that he has to go to the Princess's quarters tonight

because the astrologers say today is an auspicious day for conception!

At least there's one good thing living in the palace.

They set aside a schedule for me to see you,

so I'll see you more often and you won't get mad at me for neglecting you.

This is the first night we are together since moving into the palace, isn't it?

It's all right with me, Your Highness.

But the children...

Would you see the children more often?

I'm sorry, as always...

Oh, Your Highness...

The south cost is suffering from Japanese pirate attacks?

What is the reason for this increase in Japanese aggression?

Tsushima will no longer submit to Joseon.

We will not stop the aggression until

they acknowledge Tsushima as their equal.

Is that clear?

Yes, sir!

For failing to respond quickly to Japanese pirate attacks,

we would like to implement a massive staff overhaul

in the Ministry of Defense and Department of War.

Newly appointed Minister of Defense Park Seup.

Second Minister Gang Sangin?

Yes, it is about time you got out of my shadow.

You have my confidence.

Wipe out those Japanese pirates.

Where is His Highness?

Well, I...

How could he miss his royal lessons only days after his investiture?

I guess he wants to get deposed even

before he receives his imperial investiture decree.

When will this horrible drought end?

When all of us are dead?

It's Heaven's rage.

They say it's because of the new Crown Prince.

Of course it is.

If the eldest son is the pillar of the family,

the King should have his eldest son inherit the crown.

Why did he throw out a perfectly good eldest and give the crown to his third?

Don't listen to them.

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

This is not your fault.

It doesn't matter whose fault it is.

What's important is that they are suffering...

This drought and famine, increasing rampancy of the Japanese pirates...

The word in the royal court is that all of this is because Heaven is

enraged by the replacement of the Crown Prince.

Then Heaven must be angry with you, not with the Crown Prince.

Pardon?

You're the one who went around with the loudest voice calling for the deposal.

Minister Meng!

Stop making everyone anxious with this nonsense and concentrate on making

sure that the Crown Prince receives his imperial investiture.

And leave those out of the gift box. They're as ugly as your heart.

Hush!

Keep your voice down.

Your Highness...

I ordered you to replace the furniture in the Crown Princess's chambers.

But...

What are you waiting for?

Whip the offender that defied the Queen's order!

Wait!

What is the meaning of this?

I beg you to stop the whipping, Mother.

Do not intervene when I am disciplining a servant.

I am the one who refused to have the furniture replaced.

She did nothing wrong.

I see there is a reason for this girl's contemptuous behavior.

I did not mean to upset you.

I simply didn't want to waste funds of the Royal Treasury when the whole

country is suffering from drought.

So I issued such an order because I am wasteful and indifferent to

suffering of the people?

Mother...

You are to follow my orders, Crown Princess.

There will be no ifs or buts.

This is my fault...

Are you all right?

Don't worry Your Grace.

I'm fine. I only got a few whippings.

Child...

I'm moved by your love, Your Highness.

I thought you would be cold to her since you were so firmly against

the deposal of the eldest, but I see you love your daughter-in-law dearly.

Are we speaking the same language?

Didn't you order the furniture replaced out of fear of bad luck?

The former Crown Princess departed the palace in unpleasant circumstances,

so you were afraid something unpleasant might happen

to the couple if you let the new Crown Princess use old things she left behind.

I just didn't want to be called a cold mother-in-law. That is all.

Judging by the recent public panic it looks as though

your concerns were not completely unfounded.

Listen.

I mean no disrespect, Your Highness. I'm just concerned.

This calls for a drastic measure, Your Majesty.

A drastic measure?

You must appease the public before the Crown Prince

leaves for Ming for imperial investiture.

Yes, Your Majesty.

They will question the sudden deposal of the eldest as it is.

If the Emperor learns about the public sentiment,

there could be problems acquiring his approval.

What did you have in mind?

Perhaps a Royal decree of amnesty can be issued.

Freeing a few prisoners won't solve this problem.

The Crown Prince has tied the knot and he must untie it himself.

Untie the knot himself?

Have the Crown Prince to go to the Divinity Hall and pray until it rains.

A rain ritual?

Have you forgotten? He has an important trip to prepare for?

We must appease the public with amnesty,

and His Highness must go before the Ming Emperor.

He must hold a rain ritual even if he has to cancel his trip.

What good is imperial investiture if the public turns completely against him?

What are you after?

Why are you so eager bring the Crown Prince down?

I don't have to do anything. He will bring himself down.

What do you mean by that?

The Crown Prince hasn't been to his royal lessons in days.

That can't be. That can't be true.

If you don't believe me, go see for yourself.

Your Majesty, learning has always been Crown Prince's passion.

If he has been absent, there has to be a good reason.

There could only be two reasons.

Either he doesn't believe

he needs to continue learning since he already has the power he seeks,

or he doesn't think he has anything to learn from the Royal lecturers.

You must order him to hold a prayer service.

Carelessness and arrogance these are qualities unbecoming of Crown Prince.

Now we must turn to Heaven for approval.

A rain ritual?

How about a strong rope to take us all up into heaven?

Maybe the Crown Prince can pray for that, too, while he's at it.

What do you think His Majesty is going to do?

I don't know since he hasn't said anything, but the public sentiment

will support Park Eun's demand.

Why can't His Highness just perform the rain ritual?

I don't think sharing public pain is a bad idea.

How can you say that?

The people are in a panic right now.

They're looking for someone blame all of this on.

What if he performs the ritual and it doesn't rain?

Do you want to see the Crown Prince get stoned by the people?

We must make the amnesty happen and shut them up about this rain ritual.

That's the only way to get His Majesty out of this mess.

Where were you?

Father...

You must've been traveling incognito judging by your clothes.

What is your purpose?

Are you feeling for the wretched plight of the people?

Or do you want to hear them condemning you with your own cars?

Why is a Crown Prince wandering the city neglecting his royal lessons?

Fool...

How would you handle this situation?

An amnesty decree will quiet the public for a while.

But I would be spoiling my son, the future King of this state.

More importantly, I would be giving strength to Shim On...

... when he cares more about his son-in-law he does about the King...

Then will you do as Park Eun implores and order a rain ritual?

Which one of the two retainers is more dangerous?

One that seeks to be Crown Prince's closest aide

or the one that wields his own power and seeks to suppress the Crown Prince?

I had no idea you'd bring me to a fancy place like this.

I wouldn't take the Crown Prince's closest man to a run-down watering hole

when he insists on buying me a drink.

You are so thoughtful.

I hate to do this, but could I ask the lovely ladies to leave us for a while?

I will be calling you right back in.

I will be calling you right back in.

Let me pour you a drink, Minister Park.

You're pushing to Crown Prince too hard when he's just starting out.

Why are you being so harsh?

I spoke bluntly in the best interest of the Crown Prince.

If ou were doing your duty as a teacher, you would've gone to the

Crown Prince first instead of going straight to the King.

Don't you think?

His Majesty wants the Crown Prince to become a strong leader.

It might be wise to control those who instinctively jump to defend him.

I guess you're referring to Minister Shim On.

He is not one to take advantage of the Crown Prince and abuse his power.

Power can change all of us, Prime Minister.

And what he's got is not just your ordinary power.

It is strength and authority of the future King's father-in-law.

Regrettably, the fourth King of Joseon will be starting

his reign with merit subjects behind him as well the merit subjects

that gave the crown to the third son instead of the eldest.

I believe you are one of them.

Look.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you how His Majesty handles his merit subjects.

Having said that, you might want to start looking out for number one.

Setting yourself apart from Shim On might be a good place to start.

What is this about a prayer ritual? Are you trying to show off your muscle?

To show the Crown Prince that you're still a powerful man?

What makes you think I would answer that question?

Do you think you can defeat the Crown Prince?

It doesn't look like he has a way out.

The truth is you are the one who doesn't have a way out.

Even a helpless rat will turn and bite the cat when it's driven to a corner.

And the man we're talking about is the Crown Prince.

You should consider yourself lucky that he is a forgiving man.

Now, I can open up an escape route for you.

Would you take it?

Make a deal?

If we accept the deal, he will support the amnesty proposal

and try his best to silence the rain ritual idea.

What does he want?

His Highness's word.

A promise to give him

a high post in the Supreme Council once you rise to the throne.

Government posts are not a negotiation tool.

Appointment should be based on qualifications, not...

This is no time talk ideals!

We must not advise him to sell off a government post to resolve a problem.

But there may be no other way.

We cant put His Highness at the altar.

The risk is much too high.

So you'd have him resort to bribery from the very beginning?

That's politics!

Then how are we different from them?

If we compromise our principles to protect our power...

I will do worse things than this!

I didn't bring the prince back

from Gyeongsung so I could put him in danger from the get go.

I'll do it alone.

I'll do the dirty work all by myself,

so just play it cool and be the gentleman of virtue.

Councilor Yun!

Your Highness...

If I can move Heavens...

If I can win Heaven's favor, would I solve this problem?

That would stop my men from arguing, resorting to desperate measures,

and eventually turning against one another. Wouldn't it?

But I can't find anything in the books.

There are countless books here,

but not one of them tells you how you can move Heavens, Master.

Gyoha, Gyeonggi Province

I thought banishment meant you were sent far away,

but this is just outside the city.

If you take off your uniform and give up your interest of state affairs,

the royal court is a million miles away no matter where you are.

My incompetence is my reason,

but what's your reason for this less than-dignified political subterfuge?

Why did you do it?

Why did you bring dismissal upon yourself after

defending the unworthy Crown Prince for so long?

Leave me alone.

Did you feel sorry for him?

You couldn't watch the Crown Prince sink into a swamp alone?

Is that why you left the court before the Prince was deposed? Out of loyalty?

Is that a problem?

Then would you sink into a swamp with my pupil this time?

He is in trouble, but I don't know how to help him.

I cant even figure out what I have to do to sink with him.

Be the Crown Prince's political mentor.

I don't have what it takes to guide a future King.

Share your knowledge and wisdom with him, he will give you back hope.

Leave.

Don't you remember your hope?

You got out of Dumundong leaving your peers behind because you had hope

hope of creating a better country.

I think it was avarice, not hope.

What would happen if we fired every cannon we have toward the sky?

Your Highness...

Is there any weapon that will make the sky rain?

I'm afraid no, Your Highness.

Go back and hold a prayer ritual.

We'd have a better luck taking water from the river to the fields.

How?

Move the water one bucket at a time?

It would take a thousand years to water all the fields.

You'd rather just stand here and do nothing?

Be quiet and stay out of this.

But this is wrong.

His Highness has done nothing wrong,

but the whole country thinks this is his fault.

This is wrong and unfair.

This is why you can't help but be a lowborn.

What would a lowborn know about taking responsibility?

Is that why you're disheartened? Because you think this is unfair?

You did nothing, but the world is attacking you, so you feel victimized?

Even so, you must take responsibility.

If soldiers are in danger, their commander is responsible

for their lives whether he erred or not.

You are the man who will soon lead this court and rule our people.

So whether you are afraid or angry, you must hold a prayer service

that is the only way to assume responsibility.

It'll be morning soon, Your Highness.

Your Highness...

Announce me.

He didn't retire to his chambers last night.

How many days has it been?

I'm sorry, Your Grace...

We must send the Crown Prince to the altar without delay!

No, an amnesty decree will appease the public.

You haven't eaten in days.

Stop being so stubborn and make a deal with Park Eun.

You can get through this crisis if you appease him.

I'm against it.

Pray to Heavens instead.

There has to be another solution. And I'm going to find it.

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

Fool...

Perhaps a visit to the East Palace would be good...

I hear you've given up eating and you're spending all of your time buried in books.

I guess you really are the wise one.

Are you feeling the public's pain?

Were you searching for a way to ease their distress?

No, Father.

I was simply... simply... hiding behind the books.

Praying for rain is about the only thing I can do, but I was afraid.

I was afraid to stand before the public that claim in one voice that

I am not the one meant for the throne.

And I don't think I can win Heaven's favor either.

Doe...

That's why I hid myself behind books.

I was afraid the world would mock me even more

if I don't act like I am doing something.

I'm sorry, Father.

I'm unworthy of the throne.

Then you will work and make yourself worthy.

Royal Attendant.

Pick up that spoon and finish your bowl to the last grain of rice.

I can't, Father.

Fool...

When are you going to stop running from your problems?

Why did you say you'd be the wise one, and why did you accept the crown at the

cost of your relationship with your brother if you were going do this?

I'm...

Don't say that you're sorry.

Apologies can't take anything back.

But Father...

A King is not someone who always gets to do what he wants.

Even when he knows that his people are starving,

when he just killed his own brother, expelled his most faithful servant

and crushed his Queen's heart, he still has to come back to his room,

put his guilt and shame aside and put food in his mouth and get his rest. That is a King.

Now pick up that spoon.

And whether it is undrying tears or unceasing rage, you must rise above it.

You must not lose your strength or sacrifice your health under any

circumstances because the King is the Kingdom himself.

I am giving you the Royal Seal.

Doe, now you are the fourth King of Joseon.