Original subtitles

Destroy the enemy warships!

June 20, Osaki, Tsushima Island

Attack! Attack!

Protect our men! Fire!

Fire!

Archers! Stop them from landing!

Hold them back! Return fire!

Charge!

Retreat! Retreat!

Secure the defense line and stop the enemy from advancing further!

June 20, Joseonese Naval Encampment, Osaki

There're over sixty ports on Tsushima Island.

We must seal all of them off so they can't make a move.

Go back to Izuhara and request aid from Kyushu before

they seal off the coastline.

Any word from Izuhara?

Not yet...

Izuhara battle could prove to be the most important fight in this campaign.

So Sadamori's castle in Izuhara, Tsushima

This is it.

Let's get in there and save the hostages!

I got you covered. Go get the hostages!

Yes, General!

Let's go!

Don't be afraid! We're Joseonese soldiers here to get you out!

Joseonese... soldiers?

I must be dreaming!

Lead the hostages safely out of here.

Look for Hanlin scholar Yehjin among Ming hostages.

Hanlin scholar Yehjin!

Which one of you is Yehjin?

What happens if we can't find Yehjin and take him back?

This could become a drawn out war.

You must bring Scholar Yehjin back safely first.

Then we will talk about diplomatic support.

How about you, venerable? Do you share the same sentiment?

To persuade the Emperor, we would need Yehjin.

We've got to get Ming to the negotiation table with us.

We need Ming to declare that they are with us in this war

at the tri-state conference of Ming, Joseon and Japan, Your Majesty.

The only way to suppress Tsushima is to show them

that they will be dealing with Jo-Ming alliance army

if mainland Japan should enter this war.

But what can we do except to wait and pray that Hanlin

scholar Yehjin is rescued?

How can you be so nonchalant?

There is no guarantee that Yehjin will be rescued.

We must find another way to win over the envoys.

Are you suggesting that we bribe them like the last time?

Do you think it gives me pleasure to resort to sordid measures?

I will not resort to bribery.

Make a distinction between diplomacy and artifice, Minister Huh.

There is no effective way to stop Mainland Japan's involvement in

our war with Tsushima if Ming doesn't come to the negotiation table with us.

And that will lead to an all-out- war between Japan and Joseon.

If you are prepared for it, I will not oppose.

You can't find Yehjin among the hostages?

Does that mean he is not on Tsushima Island?

There's a good chance they're holding him separately in a different cell.

Find the key! Now!

Anyone in there?

Scholar Yehjin!

Is anyone inside?

Is anyone there?

Scholar Yehjin!

Proceed to the detention facility. Assist the hostage rescue!

General!

The enemy! The enemy leader is coming back!

Why is there no key to this lock?

Break down the door.

Yes, sir!

What are you doing?

I'm going to blow up the lock.

Just toss some gunpowder and light it up. Why are you mixing it with rice?

Do you want all of us to get blown up, too?

The enemy is coming back! We must clear out now!

Where Is Hanlin scholar Yehjin?

What's that kid doing now?

I'm reducing the strength of the gunpowder to destroy the lock only.

Interpreter, tell him to stay away from the door or he could get hurt.

Down, everyone!

Hanlin scholar Yehjin?

He wants to know what kind of weapon you used to blow up the lock.

Pardon?

He's wondering about that in this chaos?

Wow, I guess there's another wacko like you in Ming as well.

Oh, don't translate that.

What is your name?

But you're Hanlin scholar... Ming Chinese...

But you're speaking Joseonese...

I asked your name.

My name is Jang Youngsil.

Jang Youngsil...

We cannot guarantee your safety unless we get out of here now, sir.

They couldn't be far.

Go after them!

Yes, sir!

There! There they come!

Hurry! Run!

After them!

Our ships!

They're back! The hostages are coming!

They're back!

Our troops are bringing back the hostages!

They're here!

131 hostages were safely rescued on June 20, 1419.

Perhaps this was the most valuable achievement in the military campaign

since inalienable human right to freedom was returned to those who

were forced to live under slavish subjection on Tsushima Island.

June 21, Kaneta, So Sadamori's camp

Lord of Tsushima So Sadamori, disarm and surrender immediately.

He refused to surrender?

What did tell you? Civility is wasted on these crude pirates.

It's not too late.

We must attack their camp and wipe them out.

Prudence, General.

We've sealed off the coast, so they won't last very long.

We can't wait forever.

We have to seize the momentum and finish them off.

I will not lose my men fighting unnecessary battles.

Friend or foe, it is the king's order to minimize casualties.

But there are variable factors here.

They were working on an alliance with mainland Japan.

We could be hit by the alliance force waiting around for them to surrender.

Kyushu Chikuzen no kuni

Strike the Joseonese navy from the rear?

We can disable their main force of 20.000 in a single blow.

And without their main force they will be nothing more then a paper tiger.

If we can convince the shogunate of Kyoto and rally support from across

Japan with you at the heart of the fight, Japan can conquer Joseon.

An all out war between Joseon and Japan...

Tsushima Island is the location utmost strategic importance, sir.

We must stop Kyushu from aiding Tsushima, Your Majesty.

I am not asking you to get involved.

Just give me the order and I will take care of it.

I will not attempt to win over the envoys.

Your Majesty...

I will attack them instead.

Attack them?

What is this?

It's a banquet, as you can see.

We want you

to put your guards down and enjoy yourselves today.

Is this your attempt to soften us up?

I thought we'd have a drink before we start the fight, but I guess not.

The fight? What do you mean?

You intend to suppress us by force?

Is that how it is in Ming?

Brute strength is the only means of suppressing your opponent.

Is that what you think?

May I serve you a drink?

It's my belief that only inferior men use force to suppress his opponents.

What do you think?

You are the ones who want to fight the envoys of Great Ming.

So get to the point and tell us how you wish to fight.

First we have a question.

You represent Ming, hence you are Ming.

May the Royal court of Joseon accept that as true.

That goes without saying.

We've come in the name of the Emperor, hence we are to be treated as Great Ming.

Then let us test the national strength of Great Ming.

A poetry writing competition against the envoys?

Who will go up against the envoys?

Prince Hyoryeong and Prince Kyoungnyeong?

Assistant Section Chief of the Ministry of Military, Jeong Inji.

Third rank director of the Bureau of Diplomatic Correspondence Shin Jang.

You think these men, not Princes of Joseon or your highest scholars but

these ordinary government officials, can beat us in a poetry match?

There's only one way to find out.

If they lose this match, we

will not provide any diplomatic support to

Joseon even if Yehjin returns safely.

And if they win?

That will never happen.

And I will make certain never to forget this insult.

First rhyme will be "Nong" and "Gong".

Let us begin.

Do you believe they can beat the envoys?

Haishou might be a corrupted official

but he passed the civil service exam to get to where he is.

Are you aware of the high standards of Ming civil service exams?

Yes, I am.

And Envoy Huang Yan is supposed to be the best-read imperial eunuch in Ming.

Then this ought to be an exciting match.

What is the matter with you fellows? Just do your normal best.

You shouldn't have picked us. We are not good enough.

You should be sitting out there instead, sir.

My hands are shaking so hard I can't do anything.

No, you two are the right men for this.

But sir?

You placed first in Joseon's national civil service exam.

You would've placed first as well had you not forgotten your name.

Joseon may be a country smaller in size compared to Ming, but His

Majesty believes that our scholars are more gifted and knowledgeable

than any other place on earth.

What if our scholars lose?

I don't know. I was so focused on my own fight that I didn't think that far.

Your own fight? Who are you going to fight?

Now let's go and win.

Are you trying to intimidate me with this demonstration?

May I take this as declaration of war against Kyushu?

Joseon is a benevolent state and will never show aggression first.

But I felt the need to show you what would happen

to your soldiers if they should cross the ocean and attempt to hurt us.

I am at a loss to be intimidated this way when Kyushu has made no official

declaration of aggression toward Joseon.

That sounds to me like you're saying you could declare it unofficially.

I need your signature on official diplomatic document that Kyushu will

not give military support to Tsushima.

I am merely an emissary. Decisions are not mine to make.

Are you refusing to sign?

Yes, I am.

I told him Ming's threat would be the best card to play...

Now that we've picked a fight with the Ming envoys as well,

we could lose not one but both hands...

"Geum" and "Shim"!

Let us try "Twae" and "Lae" this time.

"Chung" and "Jung".

"Poong" and "Goong"!

Um, we have a little time left,

so I wonder if we write another poem while you're finishing off,

would we win this match?

Did I say something wrong?

We don't have a choice.

We have to sit at the negotiation table with the Joseonese and Japanese.

We have to back Joseon up.

We refuse to accept your help.

You do not deserve to represent Great Ming.

What?

Greatness of a state is

not measured by the size of the land or strength of the military.

Level of education and depth of virtue defines greatness.

Would you relay this message to the Emperor.

Tell him that it is not a good idea to send men of average literary talent

to Joseon as his envoys.

And please add that men who ignore the welfare of his countrymen

cannot me made to represent his country.

It was your responsibility to come forward to help us before we asked

not for us but to save the life of Ming scholar Yehjin.

But you sought to bargain with us with his life.

What were you after?

Were you trying to extort money from Joseon for your own personal gain?

Or were you trying to avoid friction between Ming and Japan?

We will send Scholar Yehjin back to Ming as soon as he is rescued.

So please return to Ming now.

Secretary Yun.

Are you certain you don't need Mings support?

To contend with mainland Japan...

The Royal retainers of this court believe

that the King of Joseon is a wise and clever leader who can protect

his kingdom without foreign aid.

Please go back to Kyushu now, emissary.

And you will be the last Kyushuan to ever set foot on Joseon.

I don't understand.

From this day forward, Kyushu is our enemy.

Your Majesty...

Audaciously, you are weighing Joseon against Tsushima.

You would join hands with Tsushima anytime and strike Joseon

if you determined Tsushima has a chance of victory.

Isn't that correct?

The shogunate could not have already replied. On what bases do you...

You ignored my courtesy using the shogunate as an excuse.

That in itself is undeniable proof!

Minister Huh.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Terminate friendly relations with Kyushu immediately.

Do not accept tributes of any kind, and stop all trades and exchange as well.

Minister Byun!

Yes, Your Majesty.

I want all cultural support to Kyushu halted immediately.

This is unmerited, Your Majesty!

I intend to do everything I can to isolate Kyushu diplomatically.

If the shogunate attempts to aid you, we will take steps to stop them as well.

I'm quite anxious to find out if the shogunate will risk diplomatic

severance with superior state Joseon to help Kyushu and Tsushima.

Have a safe trip back home, emissary.

Forgive me, Your Majesty...

I assure you, Kyushu has no intent to go up against Joseon.

If my master is pondering such idea, I will dissuade him whatever it takes.

So please call off the diplomatic isolation.

Deliver my message to Lord Minamoto.

Forgiveness can be granted only once. Do not make the same mistake twice.

He certainly has a different style,

but the King is quite graceful in the way he attends to state affairs.

I heard Kyoungnyeong had a hand in our success with the Ming envoys.

He was merely following the King's orders, Your Highness.

He doesn't deserve much credit.

The King has the poise to put the Royal House to work for him without being wary.

I think he is ready to govern the kingdom alone without you.

I see you're still as nosy as always about government affairs.

I will be able to stop being nosy once you turn over the control of the military

to the King and retire completely from state affairs.

Your Highness, won't you see him

if only for a moment and give him a few words of comfort?

Get back in the line.

I'm told His Majesty has been spending his nights at the Hall

of Worthies every night since the fleet set sail to Tsushima.

Emissary from Kyushu has been successfully suppressed.

so haven't we passed a big hurtle?

There is a bigger fight left...

Joseon King's forceful response leaves us

no choice but to give up the alliance with Tsushima.

Kyushu has denied our request for military support?

Perhaps we should consider surrendering.

We did not start this fight to give up this easily.

But we're isolated and the coastline has been sealed off.

Soon we will run out of food supply.

Then we will take the enemy's food supply!

Where is their supply base?

June 29, Joseonese Navy Supply Base

These watchmen are a bunch of slackers.

Who is their commander?

Let's drink!

But sir, His Majesty gave us this wine to celebrate our victory when we have

the enemy's official surrender.

This war is as good as won.

The Japanese are trapped and we haven't heard a peep from them.

But...

Besides no one will notice a few bottles of wine missing.

Let's drink!

Cheers!

Attack! Attack!

Attack! Destroy the enemy!

Bastards!

June 29, 1419, 1st year of Sejong's reign...

A Joseonese regiment led by Park Sil was under threat of total destruction

after a forceful attack from Japanese pirates.