Original subtitles

Spring of 1422, 4th year of Sejong's reign Sugang Palace

You must first focus.

Straighten your shoulders.

Feet shoulders distance apart.

Aim slowly and slightly higher.

Think not about the target but the sky.

An archer can hit the bulls-eye when he aims a little higher than the target,

and the King can win public favor when he can decipher the will of Heaven.

Why are you stopping?

I will order someone else to shoot the arrow, Grandfather.

You have no confidence?

No, I've deciphered the will of Heaven.

Deciphered the will of Heaven?

I was taught that a King borrows

his retainer's strength and puts them to service.

Oh my, oh my, I think my grandson just taught me Royal lesson!

Hasn't he?

Then this old man must give our future King a hand.

Will he be all right being out like this?

You said he has developed variety of problems from diabetes to dermatitis.

Spending pleasant time like this will actually help him to relax.

Bulls-eye! Bulls-eye!

Are you happy?

You've hit the bulls-eye. Why aren't you happy?

It doesn't feel that good for some reason.

That is because it is not your own achievement.

And I'm sure you're feeling somewhat toyed by someone stronger than you.

Grandfather, it's not...

It's only natural for you not to be happy.

Hyang.

Yes, Grandfather.

You are going to be the fifth King of Joseon.

If you let others control you and delight in the achievement that is not truly yours,

you would not be worthy of the throne.

You must strengthen yourself first.

Only then you will have the power to choose and use your men,

and remove those who dare attempt to weaken you.

Remember.

The King must be the strongest man in Joseon.

Your dinner is ready at the cast chamber, Your Eminence.

Why don't you join him?

Yes, that is a good idea.

I'm sorry, Grandfather, but I must go to the main hall now.

Father said we would look at the skies of Joseon today.

The skies of Joseon?

Joseon's sky not identical to Ming's sky.

Jongdaebu is a constellation

you can find only on Joseon's star map Chonsangdo.

Chongdaebu...

Where? Which one is Chongdaebu?

Now follow my fingers, Your Highness.

Okay.

Do you see that field of stars about two hand's width north of Jongdonghyang?

Yes.

That's Chunshiwon.

Chunshiwon?

It means a market in the sky.

Oh.

Do you see that long wall wrapping around the market?

That's called Chunshidongwon.

Now connect the six stars at the end of that wall.

It looks like two squares connected at the corners.

That's called Shiru, which is an agency that opens and closes Chunshiwon.

Then you can say it's the door to Chunshiwon.

The arrow right above Shiru is called Jongin,

and the four bright starts right above that is called Jongdaebu.

I see it! I found it!

Father, I found it!

I see Jonqdaebu!

Jongdaebu means head of the Royal House like you.

Jongdaebu...

This is irrefutable proof that the skies are different in Joseon and Ming.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Then we need own method of computing movement of celestial bodies

calendar science based on our astronomical observations.

That's Chunshiwon...

That's Shiru...

That's Jongin.

- And that's Jongdaebu. Right? - Yes, that's right.

Joseon's calendar science?

Did you just say our own calendar science?

Yes, sir.

Has the King lost his mind?

He's going to destroy this country!

We must keep this a top secret.

Or the ministers' opposition won't even let us get this project started.

- Secretary Yi. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Go directly to the Hall of Worthies and send all of the scholars home

except Jeong Inji and Choi Manli.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It's late.

It's time for you to go to bed.

Can't I stay up a little longer and learn about stars from Youngsil?

Everything in moderation.

The future King must learn virtue of moderation and self-restraint.

He's coming!

What is going on here?

I asked you a question.

Where did she learn this naughty behavior?

Why?

You're supposed to love and protect your younger siblings.

Why did you do this?

I can't tell you, Mother...

Then you will be whipped until you are ready to talk.

What's this?

I'm the one who should be whipped.

Step aside.

I'm the one who planned this.

But why?

Because I hate Hyang!

Because everything is his!

Grandfather, Father, the servants... everyone loves him!

No, Mother. It's my fault. I...

Don't defend me!

Don't hide behind your skirt like a coward!

Tell her the truth. Tell her you're taking the fall for me.

Punish me, Mother.

I wish he'd give his affection evenly between the children...

Your Highness...

Prepare my carriage.

I think I should go to the Royal chambers tonight.

I'm afraid His Majesty is not retiring to the Royall chambers.

Is he spending the night at the Hall of Worthies again?

What I want is astronomical instruments to study the stars of Joseon.

We need them to accurately observe the stars in order to

develop our own method of astrological calculations.

The two of you will be in charge of this research. It is a top secret project.

Our own method of astrological calculations...

I'm sure I don't have to tell you what that implies.

This is a direct challenge to Ming China!

Sinocentrism "China is the center of the world,

so it is the son of Heaven that rules the sky."

The King is challenging...

What is your personal perspective, sir?

Do you believe only the Emperor of Ming has the right to rule the sky?

Why? Does that seem cowardly?

Do I look pathetic and prideless for submitting to a superior state

while the King is trying to build the country's pride?

Politics is reality.

And diplomacy is a frightening war where one wrong word can

change the fate of the nation.

In this case, what I think or what the King thinks is unimportant.

What's important is what Ming China thinks.

If the King insists on having our own method of astrological calculations,

the Ming emperor will see it as direct challenge on his authority.

Do you think this country will be safe with Ming as our enemy?

I will go to Ming China.

Won't you send me to Ming?

I'll learn the skills to make astrological instruments and observation methods...

Wait!

You look like you've seen a ghost.

Oh, no, I...

... Have you been here long?

You're acting very strange.

I should be the one asking you that question. Don't you think?

I'm the Director of the Hall of Worthies.

Well, I...

Who is inside?

His Majesty is here.

He has some important documents to review and asked that he be left alone.

I see.

I thought he said His Majesty was alone...

Who do you think it is?

If the King wants our own calendar science, he must observe the stars.

He will need astronomical instruments.

And since we don't have any astronomical instruments in Joseon,

he will attempt acquire the knowledge from Ming to make them.

Who might be capable of delivering such a gift to the King?

I'd say Yi Chun of Board of Works or Choi Haesan of Bureau of Weaponry.

Isn't Choi Haesan is a gunpowder expert?

Yes, but there's a multi-talented

whiz kid among the government slaves that works for him.

Who?

Youngsil is out of the question.

Is it because he is a lowborn?

Does it have to be said?

Listen!

Do you want to ruin the project?

Ruin it?

If anyone goes to Ming, it has to be you, sir.

What?

A government slave cannot cross the border alone.

It's impossible without a special directive from the King.

And just the fact that a slave has received a special order is enough to create a buzz.

And it will be impossible to keep this a top secret, sir.

But it won't raise any suspicion for

any suspicion for you to be included in the retinue of a diplomatic envoy.

And of course the retinue will include porters who are government slaves.

Astronomical instruments?

The King would not take such huge unnecessary risk in his right mind.

Are you sure about this information?

It's from a reliable source.

This will raise quite a stir in the court...

The King won't go about this openly.

He isn't foolish enough to think we will quietly submit to this.

Then there's nothing we can do.

We can't confront the King based on one unsubstantiated report from an informant.

If he goes about this in an underhanded way,

we will have to fight him in an underhanded way.

An underhanded way?

I heard Ministry of Rites is soon to submit a list of names chosen to be

dispatched on the routine diplomatic mission to Ming.

Yes.

I suspect the King will include Choi Haesan on that list.

All we have to do is to get him off the list.

Is there a way?

A soldier sworn to protect the country can't leave the country.

The lower states?

The Minister of Military wants you to leave tomorrow for personal

inspection of warships and all installed artillery.

Do you have a problem with that?

... No, sir.

Then leave for the lower states promptly tomorrow.

A leak in the information?

Minister of Military Jo Malseng must have acquired information somehow.

Why else would he send Choi Haesan away all of a sudden?

But how did he find out?

Let us drink.

I don't enjoy drinking very much.

Then I should've requested a few pretty ladies.

Oh, that's right. You don't much enjoy women either.

I heard about your wife.

What are you trying to say?

Do you know that Prime Minister Yu Jeonghyun

has taken your wife as his woman?

Are you threatening me?

I'm concerned about you.

Perhaps the folks at the Hall of Worthies knows about this.

Why else would they snub you?

I beg your pardon?

Well, I don't have any definitive proof either, but something's not right.

Can you say with absolute certainly

that you know everything that's going on in the Hall of Worthies?

Who is inside?

Keep a close eye on the scholars.

If the Hall of Worthies makes another risky move,

everyone could get hurt including you.

And that would be a great loss to the Royal court of Joseon.

Well then.

Director Byun is the culprit.

Why did you meet with Byun Gaeryang when you already

have the information you need?

You should be careful, too.

Byun Gaeryang is a very meticulous man.

He will be watching every member of the Hall of Worthies from now on.

If you're not extremely careful, hell find out that you're my spy.

Then, why?

It's worth a shot as long as you don't get caught.

Byun will get to the bottom of this if only out of spite for being left out.

And he's a prude who always does everything by the book,

so he will never tolerate what the King is trying to do.

The Hall of Worthies opposing the King before anyone else...

Wouldn't that be interesting?

What is it?

May we speak to you somewhere quiet?

I had no idea you like to eavesdrop, Director.

How much did you tell him?

Scholar Jeong!

About Choi Haesan? Or did you tell him about Jang Youngsil as well?

So it was you men.

Minister Jo told me I should be wary of a secret plot in the Hall of Worthies,

and I guess it was the two of you.

I feel sorry for the King.

He has to trust childish men like you to do important work.

You mean... you didn't know anything?

Then why did you meet with Minister Jo?

Why don't you go ask Minister Jo that question yourself?

He'll be quite pleased if you tell him what you told me just now.

Sir... then... what are you going to do?

You gave me a very powerful piece of information, so I'll have to think about

how I'm going to use it.

Can't you do anything about that mouth of yours?

Why would you reveal your cards before your opponent does?

You act so smart all the time, and then at the most crucial moment...

What do we do now?

What's done is done, so we'll just have to deal with the consequences.

Are you upset with me?

I'm not good at making assumptions, Your Majesty.

All I know is that you wish to include Choi Haesan and Jang Youngsil

in the diplomatic mission.

Choi Haesan and his subordinate Jang Youngsil

why do you wish to include them in the entourage?

Surely you have justifiable cause.

Justifiable cause?

You'll reveal that cause at the audience hall tomorrow, so I will hear it first

then decide for or against it depending on how reasonable it is.

Wouldn't that be proper?

I think we got our reason to send Choi Haesan to Ming 3 years ago.

Three years ago?

What do you think?

Send Choi Haesan to Ming?

That's right.

What is the purpose?

To acquire new technology.

Then I guess his subordinate Jang Youngsil must be sent with him as well.

How did you know?

I don't think I ever told the ministers about this.

What is the technology you wish to acquire, Your Majesty?

New gunpowder production technology.

Gunpowder production?

Secretary Yun.

According to our sources,

Ming has developed an advanced gunpowder technology.

If it is to learn new gunpowder technology,

it should be simple enough for Choi Haesan alone.

Not so.

Weapons technology is classified information.

They will not be quick to share it with us.

What difference would it make sending Jang Youngsil?

A huge difference.

This is a letter from Hanlin scholar Yehjin.

In it he implores Jang Youngsil to visit him in Ming

so he may have a chance to thank the man who saved his life.

What's more, Yehjin has become a man of exalted

position in the Imperial court of Ming.

A new weapons development...

Ministry of Military should be very happy about this.

Right, Your Majesty?

I agree, Director Byun.

Minister Jo.

Yes, Your Majesty.

What do you think about this?

I think it's wonderful.

Um, sir...

What is it now?

Do you have more classified information to divulge in front of everyone?

We just wanted to thank you.

Pathetic fellows!

Are you sure your information is accurate?

I'm just concerned about how we're going to stop them...

Perhaps you should speak to the former King about this.

I know you're a military man, but what do you do with your brain?

General Park!

What is he going to tell the former King?

That he should grill the King based on our hunch?

But he is the only one who can confront the King about this.

Malign the King without proof, and you could be charged with treason.

I have no choice.

Sir.

If we let this happen, the King could ruin the country.

I guess it's time to finish this game once and for all.

No, don't get up.

I think I like sitting like this.

Why didn't you come inside?

Is there something wrong?

Who did this?

Who is making my precious prince cry?

No one, Grandfather...

I'm just sad because I won't be able to see you anymore.

Hyang, did someone tell you about me?

Did you have a fight with someone, too?

Huh?

I made my brother angry.

You made your brother angry?

From now on, please call my brother Yu to your chambers instead of me.

Your brother must be jealous.

I should've told you long ago, but I wasn't thinking, Grandfather.

It appears that way. So I will have to abide by your wish.

Thank you, Grandfather...

From now on, I will call all of you children together.

Would that be better?

You will?

Yes.

Now that you're in a better mood,

let's hear about your thoughts after observing the skies of Joseon.

Oh, that?

What did Heaven say to my Crown Prince?

Grandfather, there's something I've been meaning to ask you about.

Is it bad for Joseon to have our own calendar science?

What did you just say? Our own calendar science?

Why does it have to be top secret?

What is this child saying?

Joseon's own calendar science?

I think this might be easier if you asked the King directly.

This is the list of envoys being sent to Ming, Your Majesty.

Your signature on this list will get us over the first major hurtle.

Leave us.

Your Eminence...

You heard me. Leave us.

Call it off, my King.

Father...

Joseon's own calendar science?

And you're dispatching secret envoys to Ming for this cause?

Don't try to deceive me. I want the truth.

Is it wrong for the King of Joseon to govern the skies of Joseon?

Are you completely forgetting about diplomatic relations?

Using our own calendar science signifies cessation of diplomatic relations with Ming.

I know.

Then why would you do this?

Do you want to go to war with Ming over this?

I don't intend to let Ming know that we have an independent calendar science.

If we make astronomical instruments,

we will operate them without the Ming envoy's knowledge.

The King of state swindling the Emperor?

I can do worse for national interests.

My King!

Skies of Joseon belong to the people of Joseon.

Serving it, observing it and overcoming it these are our jobs, not the Ming Emperor's.

I want to give the skies of Joseon back to my people.

Are you saying you will not relent?

Not even if you strike me.

This is what they call playing both ends against the middle...

Your Eminence...

To the very end...

The King is intent on defying me to the end!

Your Eminence!

Your Eminence! Your Eminence!

Your Eminence!

- Go to the King at once. - Mother...

Tell him to obey his father if he doesn't want him to die!

Jo Malseng and high ministers will no doubt launch a powerful attack.

What is the government's job anyway? Isn't it to better the people's lives?

How much longer do we have to fight among ourselves?

We can't win with the scholars and the young officials alone, Your Majesty.

We need a powerful rival to contend with Jo Malseng.

What I want first is to fight Jo Malseng.

Kyoungnyeong.

Yes, Father.

You are a prince of Joseon.

So you must protect the state before you protect me.

Bring me justifiable cause to destroy Jo Malseng.

That's what you can do to serve me and to serve the country.

A rival to contend with Jo Malseng? Who would that be?

The former Minister of Public Works Hwang Hee, Your Majesty.

Hwang Hee...

It's been a long time, my lord.

I knew you'd come to find me someday.

The time has come, my lord.

It's time for us to join hands and straighten up this country together.

What even if you live under a shadow, you must hold on to what you believe in.

And that's what men of virtue and decency must do...

You can't protect me. Who do you think you are?

Your Highness...

It's the prince who protects his people.

Your Highness!

I didn't know who they are or that they even lived here.

Your Highness...

Our son has grown...

The rough road you have ahead...

Long Live the King!

Kings do not look back.

Go forward and never look back.