Original subtitles

Minister Park.

Destroy me and let that be the end of it.

I'm the director of the Hall of Worthies.

So finish me off and leave Hall of Worthies alone.

Don't take this small desk from the young King.

You're my political mentor.

I don't want your political career ending this way.

Are you refusing my request?

Minister Jo!

The King has one talent at least one

exceptional talent for turning men into fools.

You can mock me all you want, but...

I'm not mocking you. I'm fuming mad!

Are you getting too old for politics, or do I look like a fool to you?

Park Eun I know would never do this!

Dismiss him?

Are you telling me to dismiss Director Park Eun from his post?

Someone has to be held accountable for failing to come up with an effective

flood relief policy.

Don't talk about results alone.

Policymaking is a process of trial and error.

Creating results is politics. So is assuming responsibility.

Only thing Park Eun is guilty of is obeying my order.

This is why high ministers denounce the Hall of Worthies as your inner circle

because you try to protect them like your children.

I don't care what you say. I will not dismiss Park Eun.

Is it because he is your political enemy?

Secretary Yun!

"I'm a forbearing man and I will embrace the enemy that killed my father-in-law"

"I'm a merciful King unlike my father."

Is that what you want to say to the world?

Stop!

Tell them you will punish Park Eun.

That's almost as good as punishing the Hall of Worthies.

Anything less, the high ministers will not relent.

Remember, Your Majesty. Not even the public is on your side now.

If you give up this card, you have nothing left.

Let's talk.

We're done talking.

We just begun.

Don't you know how to bargain?

There's nothing you can trade with your dismissal.

No one is stupid enough to bargain

with someone who came waving a white flag and surrendered.

I would've chosen to play my card differently if it were anyone else.

I could've bluffed as if I found dirt on you and tried to bargain.

So why didn't you?

Because this is it.

I haven't always been true to my own beliefs,

but I believe that good politics is persuasion, not bargaining.

And sometimes it's good to be stupid for effective persuasion:

showing your opponent your true feelings.

Regardless of what you might think, you're my most treasured subordinate.

That's why I didn't want to play political games with you.

You patronize me to the end.

Have we been doing the right things?

Are we doing the right thing?

That rebel... His eyes were full of conviction.

I was taken aback a little.

Sir...

We are doing the right thing, aren't we?

It's easy to oppose.

Making it work is difficult.

Leave the Hall of Worthies alone?

In lieu of Park Eun's dismissal?

That's right.

Do you think getting rid of Park Eun

will stop the King's backroom politics?

Of course we must first confirm his willingness to run

this government with us instead of with the Hall of Worthies.

It is the will of the Supreme Council and the Six Ministries.

You must restrain Prince Hyoryeong and shut down all Buddhist temples.

If Your Majesty firmly declares intent to enforce the state's anti-Buddhism

policy by doing so, we will not speak of abolishing the Hall of Worthies again.

If I refuse?

We will take that as your refusal to include

the Supreme Council and the Six Ministries in government affairs.

And we will be forced to tender our resignations.

Stop the Buddhist activities?

This temple will soon be shut down as well, so you must return to your manor.

Is this truly the King's will?

The King is under great pressure right now.

Please help him.

Don't make him live with the guilt of having destroyed his own brother.

Please leave.

We are not asking you to stop the relief efforts without any plans.

His Majesty and the Royal court will resume your work.

At the very least, we will take care of the flood victims and the sick that have

come to this temple seeking help, so...

Secretary Yi.

Do you think physical suffering us the only suffering?

Most of the people here have lost their family members in the flood.

And many of them are losing

their loved ones before their eyes to this virulent disease we're dealing with.

They need spiritual solace just as much as they need food and medicine.

His Majesty must realize that turning to Buddha and praying for their loved

one's easy passage into eternity is an important part of the healing process.

- But... - Go back...

And deliver my message to the King.

That I cannot obey an order that ignores the wounded hearts of the people.

Wounded hearts of the people...

My brother is doing more than I am.

So brave and noble...

It's no wonder my mother and my wife are helping him as well.

Secretary Yi, I never expected to see this in my lifetime.

Secretary Yun refusing a drink. I'm shocked.

Just do it, Your Majesty.

Why are you hesitant?

You were planning to do this to offset the situation anyway.

I had hoped to persuade my brother somehow.

Is it because of the Queen Mother?

Are you delaying the unavoidable so not to hurt your mother's feelings

and be a good son?

Make a decision and issue the order.

High ministers are still at the Conference Hall determined to sit this out.

Tell them to go home.

What does that mean?

Your Majesty...

Secretary Yun!

Are you giving up the Hall of Worthies?

Then why didn't you just beg in the first place?

Just beg the gods for mercy.

And when it wipes out towns and kills innocent people,

go around comforting the survivors and beg and pray some more.

That would've satisfied your kingly duty. Why did you do this to yourself?

That's enough, Secretary Yun. Do you think this is easy for him?

We didn't encourage him to fight.

You are the one who declared so boldly that you'd fight against Heaven!

Am I wrong?

You're acting more inferior than a lowborn government serf boy.

Youngsil is working day and night without rest at the Bureau of Astronomy

to fight the heavens because you gave him an order,

but you've going to give up before he does?

How can you say you're the sovereign of this state?

Wow, he's amazing!

How did he learn the prediction method so quickly?

Isn't he, fellows?

He's just going to lose his hands faster. That's all.

Huh?

It's half past noon all right.

What do you mean?

The prediction wasn't wrong.

Now what?

You said you'd keep us from getting the demoted

if we taught you the prediction method.

That's funny.

The calculations were correct but the prediction was wrong...?

Time to give us your hands.

Is the clock inaccurate?

Didn't you hear me?

Your hands, boy.

Should we cut then off here or should we go outside?

You said this is the sky, right? Joseon's star map.

Stop trying to weasel out of this.

Do they use the same map in Ming?

Are you stupid? Ming uses Ming star map of course.

But why? Is the sky different in Ming?

That you'd have to find out.

How? Do I have to go to Ming?

There is another way.

Suzhou Star Chart?

It's a star map made during the Song Dynasty.

I think it was moved to

the Hall of Worthies from the palace library, but...

Then we should go over there and check right now.

How are you going to get in when they locked the gates shut?

But I have to check the Ming star map to compare it with ours.

The eclipse prediction may not have been wrong, sir.

Give me a break!

Did I hear you say

that the prediction may not have been wrong?

It wasn't wrong. It's something else.

If the skies of Ming and Joseon are different,

a new calendar might be what we need.

But that's only a theory.

That's why I have to confirm it.

Didn't you say there's a chance that the clock is wrong, too?

Then we should review the annals of Yuan dynasty first.

Yes.

Most of the clocks we are using now were developed in Yuan.

How about arithmetic?

If the stars of Joseon and Ming are different,

calculations have to be different, too.

Arithmetic... That's the most difficult part.

I was told about

Huihui calendar method of prediction.

Huihui calendar?

I don't think I've ever heard of that.

The Hall of Worthies has no knowledge of the Huihui calendar?

So what?

Well to go Ming, get the resources and study it.

Yes, that's probably the quickest way!

The scholars are prepared.

Prepared to fight the heavens that you so fervently wish to defeat.

Don't you believe that this is the only way to really protect the people?

You mustn't give up the Hall of Worthies.

Make the decision, Your Majesty.

I'm afraid I have no choice but to let you go.

What took you so long?

It would have been so much easier for you if you had done this sooner.

Lord Park, I am not worthy of your immense loyalty.

Your Majesty...

It was for appearance sake.

When I told you to stay, when I said I need you to stay and continue to

challenge us so we could create better policies, I was not being honest.

It wasn't because I valued your talent but because I would've looked bad

if I dismissed you after telling the world that I'd embrace my enemies.

I guess I really wanted to pretend to be a good King.

Do continue to do that, Your Majesty.

If it doesn't come from the heart, do pretend.

I'm sure that's how It was with all great Kings in history.

First you pretend to be a good King, then you will become used to it.

And before you know it, you will find it coming from your heart.

You are now the most loyal of my loyal subjects to understand me to such depth.

How could I lose you?

I don't deserve to be called a loyal subject, Your Majesty.

I justified doing the former King's dirty work all of those years by telling myself

that it's necessary evil and that if I don't do it, someone else has to.

But it wasn't right.

No, in fact, it would be closer to the truth to say

that I destroyed countless innocent lives.

This dismissal might be too light of a punishment for what I've done.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for letting me end my career not as the former

King's sword but as such a compassionate King's servant.

I thank you deeply for allowing me to contribute what little talent I have.

Now I leave you to live out the rest of my life with penitence.

I believe that is my final duty.

Please be a good and wise King.

What are you men doing here?

We'd like to see you to Youngchu Gate, sir.

You've got better things to do.

You've sacrificed yourself to protect the Hall of Worthies.

You must give us a chance to thank you.

You must protect the Hall of Worthies not I.

Keep working from where you are until the Hall of Worthies is reopened.

Your first job will be to recapture the public trust His Majesty has lost.

Remember.

Good policies is the only true strength that can protect the Hall of Worthies.

Can we leave the Hall of Worthies like this?

It's all right.

My target was Park Eun, not the Hall of Worthies, in the first place.

He was the only one that knows politics in the Hall of Worthies.

Now that he's gone, Hall of Worthies is nothing but the King's fan club.

I'm not cruel enough to take every last one of the child's toys.

But sir.

You got what you wanted but you don't look very happy.

What made you think I would be happy?

I respected Park Eun and I was quite fond of him.

He was my political mentor as well as my one and only worthy opponent.

It's going to be quite lonely without him...

Park Eun has been defeated by Jo Malseng's maneuvers?

It looks like Jo Malseng is the tiger cub I've been raising.

He destroyed the mentor that taught him everything he knows

without blinking an eye...

Is this Jo Malseng's world now?

Will the young King be able to lead this country with

those sly old snakes in the court?

That's my biggest concern.

Your Majesty...

I always controlled my retainers with my sword and my strength.

I accomplished what I set out to do by orders and intimidation.

Not one man ever sacrifice himself for me completely of his own will.

Park Eun, who just gave up his political career for my son, was no exception.

Don't think that, Your Majesty.

- You had... - What is that mysterious power?

Can I trust that mysterious power my son has to be the force

that will help him lead this country?

I hereby decree prohibition against propagation of Buddhism in 229

temples across the country commencing in August 1420,

as well order an immediate arrest and home confinement of Prince

Hyoryeong for violating the national Anti-Buddhism policy and deluding

the world by actively engaging in propagation of Buddhism.

The government is taking repressive measures against the temples?

We must issue our manifesto to the temples at once!

Tell them to be prepared to die for

our cause and declare our support for Prince Hyoryeong.

This could be our chance to turn the public favor against the King

and shift it toward Price Hyoryeong.

Then perhaps we can dream a bigger dream

a dream of bringing a disciple of Buddha to the throne of Joseon.

Ferret out the seditious forces.

My firm actions will prompt them to make risky moves to protect their power.

Find them, and I will have cause to punish my brother and those that

congregate at the temples.

Your Majesty...

Bring me that justifiable cause.

I will obey your order, Your Majesty.

Perhaps you should rest today.

You don't look well. I think you have been working too hard.

I can't do that, my Queen.

There are those who need me.

Mother...

I started this to spite the King,

but now I enjoy going to the temples and helping those in need.

I don't think I have ever felt so much at peace.

What is the King doing?

Judging by how quiet it's been, I think he might give in to me this time.

He will.

You know he's a good son.

Your Highness! Queen Mother! My Queen!

Disturbing news, Your Highnesses.

Was this really necessary?

Is the young King starting his reign with violence as well?

We've been ordered to bring you in with due respect, Your Highness.

Please don't make us have to restrain you.

Stop these repressive measures against the temples at once!

This country rejects Buddhism and reveres Confucianism.

Cut the gibberish and tell me the truth!

Are you afraid I'm gaining public attention?

I heard that the throne makes cowards out of men.

Are you afraid I might go after your seat of power?

Is that why you're making an enemy of me, and...

Yes.

You are indeed the greatest threat to my power right now.

Is it bad to rely on Buddha and comfort the suffering people?

It's bad that you failed to realize men will conspire to use you

to further their own interest.

What do you mean?

Are you with them in this as well?

Would you believe me if I denied?

The State Tribunal will reveal the answer.

- Inspector Gim. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Send Councilor Byun Gaeryang to the State Tribunal and interrogate him.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I do not believe you were a party to this plot, Brother.

But this is the truth about men who sought to comfort the people

by teachings of Buddha with you.

Forget about taking refuge in Buddhism.

You must stay away from anyone who has anything to gain from

associations with you.

They will use you to acquire power and influence.

These men may Buddhists, but they do not represent all disciples of Buddha.

Are you still reluctant to give up?

It is my firm resolve to live my life as a disciple of Buddha

and carry out his teachings.

You must know that I can't allow that.

What if I defy you and go back to the temples?

I will be forced to make a decision that a King must make.

What decision would that be?

What decision would that be?

Answer my question.

Please take Mother back to her chambers, my Queen.

I heard you ordered home confinement. What's next?

Would you send him away and give him poison to drink?

Or would you strike your brother with your sword before my eyes?

Nothing will happen to him if he renounces Buddhism.

You're talking about cutting out a part of your heart.

Cutting out a source of peace and comfort you relied on all of your life.

That might come easy for someone like you and your father,

but for the rest of us, it's not that easy.

Mother...

Heaven is so unkind.

Why did Heaven make me bring such merciless man into this world?

I resent him for it.

Mother!

Would you send me away?

I don't care where as long as it is away from this palace.

Would you let me be free of this revolting place?

Mother! Mother!

Mother! Mother!

Her body is burning up with fever.

What is wrong with her? Why is she so ill without any warning?

What is it?

I do not know how the Queen Mother could have acquired such disease.

What is her ailment?

Quarantine, you say?

Quarantine?

Are you saying the Queen Mother has a contagious disease?

She will be fine, won't she?

She will recover whatever she has, won't she?

Give me death, Your Majesty...!

Give you death? All you've done so far is check her pulse.

How dare you imply there is no hope when you haven't even begun treatment?

Her temperature is too high.

We will do our very best, but if we can't get the fever down tonight...

Restore her to health whatever it takes.

Or I will have you killed first!

Malaria?

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

How could my mother contract such disease?

Don't you know how contagious diseases spread?

Would you leave us?

Prince Hyoryeong is responsible for the Queen Mother's heartache,

but you are responsible for this disease.

She was just as worried about you becoming a target of public scrutiny

as she was about Prince Hyoryeong becoming target of the Royal court.

That's why she was working day and night taking care of the sick

not just to protect Hyoryeong but to restore public favor you lost.

"The King has not forgotten you."

"He may be the father of the state, but there are places his hands cannot reach.

So don't hold your pain against him.''

"If you're hurt, blame me, the mother of the King."

That's what she would say to the sick as she so tenderly looked after them.

There was only one thing she wanted and that's sibling harmony.

Yes, this is the Royal House and you can't be free from the yoke of power.

But brothers are brothers and family is family nonetheless

and all she wanted was peace.

You should've found a way to protect Hyoryeong somehow.

But you broke her heart and now she is dying.

How will you live with what you've done?

Why is there no improvement in her condition?

Fever shows no sign of abating...

No, Your Majesty!

I am not to let you in under any circumstances!

Step aside!

Your life is not yours alone, Your Majesty.

You mustn't forget that it belongs to the people of this state.

We must hold a Buddhist mass if nothing else.

They've tried everything in human power.

I'm not trying to force my religion on you.

But you know that Mother had a rosary in her hands every time

she was emotionally shaken.

If there is nothing we can do, I'd like to turn to Buddha.

And if we can't get her back we should pray for her peaceful passage to...

Would you be all right?

Are you willing to let Mother leave us this way?

No, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty...!

Your Majesty...!

Your Majesty...!

Step aside, my Queen.

I am taking my mother away from here.

I'm going to bring her back to health and no one can stop me.