Original subtitles

Fall 1422, 4th Year of Sejong's reign, Peking

Are you the one that invited Choi Haesan and Jang Youngsil into Ming China?

Yes, I am.

You've made a dangerous mistake.

What is their purpose for being here?

We are to share gunpowder production technology.

Do they need to know the Huihui calendar to make gunpowder?

Huihui calendar?

Are you saying Joseonese are trying to establish their own calendar?

I guess we'll know when we catch them in the act.

What is the meaning of this?

Who are you men?

What? You lost them.

We found no mathematicians there, just Arabian merchants.

Are you sure you're this is not groundless suspicion?

It is not groundless suspicion.

Joseon is more daring and dangerous than you think.

There are runners and there are climbers. Right?

Who are the runners and who are the climbers?

What brings you, sir?

Where have you been?

May I see what's in that box?

No, sir not this.

Put it down on the table at once!

Please, sir, not this box...

Now!

What-what was that?

That's was the climber, sir. He climbs trees like I've never seen!

Get that thing out of here!

I hate animals!

You don't have to be afraid. He's not going to eat you.

Come here, buddy. That a boy.

Good boy.

They're interesting men.

Aren't they?

You're one smart cookie.

Don't you think so?

September, 1422, Gyeongbok Palace

I could let down my hair and grieve your death with no end,

but here now I bury my sorrow to end the lament...

I intend to execute a major reshuffling of officials

in the Royal court as well as regional governments.

Secretary Yun.

Firstly, the Bureau of Astronomy will undergo an expansion and overhaul.

Special tests will be administered to employ men with

high knowledge in mathematics,

and both regional provincial government

and regional military will undergo a reshuffling.

Each bureau is asked to present their proposal.

I want this court's policies to reach the farthest corner of this land,

so please pay special care to staffing of regional governments.

Before we proceed with this reshuffling,

we must first get Councilor Hwang Hee's

delayed due to the national mourning.

Very well. Instruct the Hall of Worthies to hasten with the review.

Expansion of the Bureau of Astronomy and men with talents in mathematics?

Does this mean he's not giving up the calendar science project?

Why else would he expand the Bureau of Astronomy?

Hwang Hee will try endlessly to give wings to the King's pipe dreams.

The quickest way to clip those wings is to remove Hwang Hee.

This mandate was established to scrutinize and appointments of officials

and give the retainers right to dispute the appointment.

Jeong Inji, Choi Manli and Gim Mun,

the three of you are in charge of collecting data.

Isn't this a waste of time?

Men like Councilor Hwang has no dirt to dig up.

Throw away all preconceptions on Hwang Hee this second.

Sir.

So you can investigate him thoroughly and fairly without missing anything.

If I didn't know better I'd think you have a thing about Councilor Hwang.

He needs to go if he is unfit.

Have you lost your mind?

The review must be conducted fairly without prejudice regardless of the subject.

Don't forget that.

Or you might have to turn in your uniform first.

Remember. We're the Hall of Worthies.

Do you foresee any problems?

I guess you're just as worried as I feel, Minister Yun.

The fact that Jo used Hwang' review as a condition for the deal makes me uneasy.

Could there be something we don't know about?

We can't stop it now even if there is.

Let us put faith on Hwang Hee.

My goodness, you got me cornered!

You better be prepared.

Huh?

We intend you shake you down from your head to toe.

I'm a bit dusty...

Please be gentle with me so it doesn't hurt.

What is this?

It's a report that the former King ordered destroyed over ten years ago...

for the purpose of protecting Hwang Hee.

Then...

Slip this in with the rest of the reports on Hwang Hee.

Did I startle you?

You're not hiding a stash of wine here like Secretary Yun, are you?

I was just looking through the material for the review.

Don't sweat it.

We're not going to find any dirt on Councilor Hwang.

I just want to do my job right.

Perhaps we should start, too.

I like that about you.

Like what?

I can always count on you to do your job. You're a responsible man.

What's this?

What the heck is this?

What's wrong?

Sir.

What is it?

How could he?

How could a man like Councilor Hwang... commit adultery?

Adultery?

Were you re-writing the reports?

Alteration on of official documents can land you in...

What's this? Why are you empty-handed?

What were you doing in the stack room all morning?

What's with him?

I, um, I don't think he's feeling well.

Are you serious?

Lower your voice.

Cover it up?

Lower your voice!

I don't like this either but we don't have a choice.

Do you know why we're conducting this review?

This is exactly the kind of thing we're looking for.

So what are saying?

That you don't care if we lose Councilor Hwang?

What I know is that he's a shameless man who took another man's wife!

What I know is that he's a brilliant man who can take on ten Jo Malsengs.

I'm done talking.

Did you forget?

His Majesty the King practically begged to bring Hwang Hee back to service.

Four hours.

That's all I ask.

Think about this for four hours. After that, you can do as you please.

But think very carefully about this one thing.

Without Councilor Hwang, we're back to square one.

We'll be too busy infighting to get anything done in this government.

I agree with Scholar Choi.

Councilor Hwang is an exceptional man. We can protect him if we look past this.

Do what you have to do to make them cover it up.

Kill two birds with one stone.

I guess we can bring Hall of Worthies down as well as Hwang Hee.

Exactly.

But I don't intend to destroy the Hall of Worthies.

Instead I can put a competent man like you in charge.

Sir...!

How does Assistant Director sound?

Four levels advancement should suffice. It would please your mother as well.

Take it easy.

You're pushing yourself too hard. I fear you'll suffer a breakdown.

You move me to tears with such kind concern for this old man, Minister Jo.

You should wait until you've passed the review before you start working.

That sounds like you might have something on me that could send me packing.

And that sounds like there is something I can dig up and use to send you packing.

Oh, several.

How about you?

Can you tell me that you've never made any mistakes as a politician and as a man.

You're honest.

I think it is fear.

Perhaps that's why I'm hiding behind work keeping myself busy.

Let me know if you need any help.

Thank you for the offer.

His Majesty is with us today, so you must do your very best.

Pressure won't make him more capable than he is.

Don't pay attention to me. Do what you normally do.

Yes, Father.

We will take a look at the Analects of Confucius on Exercising Government.

Enunciating Chinese characters

Would you decipher the verse?

It means if you govern with the power of your virtue, you will be like the North Star.

It just stays in its place while all the other stars position themselves around it.

You are brilliant, Your Highness!

Whoever your teacher is, he did a fantastic job.

Right, Your Majesty?

Right you are.

Master, my father is a virtuous King, isn't he?

Of course he is.

Then why does he have a bad person like Prime Minister Yu Jeonghyun around him?

Tell me, Master.

Why do you think Prime Minister Yu is a bad person?

He caused my innocent grandfather to die, so he's a bad person.

Who told you this?

I asked you a question!

Royal Attendant.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let him know that he will be thrown out of the palace

the next time he speaks without discretion.

- Master. - Yes, Your Highness.

Why do I have such a big mouth?

No one is perfect.

This bungling teacher has no advice for you on that one.

I frequently make mistakes, too.

Everyone makes mistakes.

But if you reflect and try to learn from your mistakes, you will get better.

You and me both.

Announce me.

Announce me, I said.

Her Highness is not in.

Then get her.

Well, I...

Father, please forgive this awful daughter who can't even groom

your grave site on time yet alone give you a gravestone...

Don't.

You'll hurt your hands on the grass.

But there's nothing else I can do for Grandfather.

I don't want you coming along anymore.

You can't stop me, Mother.

You're so lonely and sad.

You need someone, at least one person in the palace, to comfort you.

He adored you.

He simply adored my sweet angel Jeongso.

He'll be so happy that you've come to see him.

Where did you go?

Having performed the last sacrificial ceremony for the departed King,

I thought it would be my duty to visit my father's grave.

With Jeongso by your side?

She will grow up with resentment for me and the departed King.

Your Majesty...

The Crown Prince already thinks Yu Jeonghyun is his political enemy.

How did he find out about...

I'm not trying to hide the facts of my father's reign.

But it does the children no service to grow up with animosity from young age.

Perhaps you should have a word with the staff at the East Palace.

Father...

You must be tired. Go get some rest.

I have something to talk to you about.

Later. We'll talk later.

Leave him alone.

Sir.

We did all we can.

He has done his thinking so he won't listen to anyone anymore.

That's just how he is.

Director.

I'm glad you're here. I was about to call you.

I'd like you to do the questioning at the review.

Me?

You want me to question Councilor Hwang about his malfeasance?

Malfeasance? That's a strong word.

He does have a few minor misconducts, but there's nothing I'd call malfeasance.

So don't get nervous, and...

Boy, he's acting strange.

There is something I'd like to discuss with you regarding Councilor Hwang.

Is this true?

Park Poe's testimony is irrefutable.

Heaven is so unkind to me...

What does this mean?

I can't do it.

Hwang Hee...

I know he is an indispensable regardless of his moral integrity.

But I can't hide the facts at the review.

Please accept my resignation, Your Majesty.

As an ordinary citizen, I will not speak to anyone about this.

Get back to work.

You will lose Hwang Hee if you keep me here.

If I accept your resignation to hide this, I will lose my principle.

Scholar Jeong.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You and I have not met today. I know nothing about this.

But...

This review is a right given to retainers to thwart abuse of royal power.

And you are forbidden to discuss this case with anyone prior to the review.

I'm sure you're aware of that.

Now go back and finish your job.

Yi Sangheon.

He's inclined to stir up trouble with the local lords,

so let's send him to Gyeonggi Province.

Where should we send you?

Where should we send you for slave driving your subordinates?

Why don't we take a short break? Royal attendant.

It's good to have you here.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You must be confident about the review seeing how hard you're working.

No, Your Majesty.

Politics is unpredictable, Your Majesty.

And those who want to get rid of me are not ordinary folks.

Huh Jo will be a good choice.

If I should fall from grace, give my job to Huh Jo.

He may be abrasive in his demeanor, but he is fair and honest,

so he will do the job well.

Praise his good qualities and assign him the job personally.

You must observe the talents of the other ministers as well and show

them your trust one by one personally as soon as you can.

Councilor Hwang...

Politics is all about matching the right man with right service.

You must neither fear your subjects nor keep a distance from them.

You must reach out to them first before you expect their loyalty.

Like I did with you?

Your Majesty...

I hope you don't fall from grace.

But if you should for any reason...

I want to wield the royal prerogative to protect you.

That would not be wise, Your Majesty.

There's no guarantee that you're always right.

If you suppress opposition by every time there is one,

your subjects will become more and more defiant.

Then you'll be left with no choice but to brandish your sword.

The world calls such King a tyrant.

I intend to make some changes in the royal court once this review is over.

I believe you already announce that intent.

I thought I'd start with you.

I would like to appoint you Minister of Personnel.

This is the proposal for personal reshuffling of regional officials

that Councilor Hwang was working on.

Would you take a look at it for me?

The review isn't over yet, Your Majesty.

I want to be prepared for the worst.

Losing Hwang Hee?

Having a break in the workflow and suffering a setback in administration.

Then I suppose I'm your second choice,

or rather your backup plan, in case of the worst.

Asking you to take over Councilor Hwang's work could be a backup plan.

But appointing you Minister of Personnel and asking you

to attend to all personnel affairs of the court is a decision

I made after carefully considering your fair and evenhanded character.

I believe you are neither a backup plan

nor a second choice but my first and only choice.

So please do not turn down my offer.

Did you tell His Majesty everything?

Or did you confront Hwang Hee?

Write your resignation and leave quietly if you don't want to be humiliated.

Once... wouldn't hurt.

I can compromise my principles just this once.

What are you saying?

I changed my mind. I want to protect Councilor Hwang Hee.

A cover up...

I guess that gives us the cause to suppress both Hwang Hee and the Hall of Worthies.

Let us begin.

It looks like he really is going to cover up the adultery.

Scholar Jeong Inji of the Hall of Worthies...

The young man has learned politics too quickly.

Why has the Park Poe incident been omitted in the questions?

Could it be that Jeong Inji is intent on covering it up?

I have no further questions.

For the past fifteen days, the Hall of Worthies has conducted an extensive

research and investigation of Hwang Hee's financial holdings as well as his

past records and found no evidence of notable misconduct.

Therefore, this review board has deemed unnecessary to exercise

our right to veto his appointment.

This concludes this investigative review.

Wait!

I-I am not finished yet.

My man.

Forgive me. I left something out in the questioning.

Inji!

Sir.

But in the course of this investigation,

I uncovered what was truly difficult to believe.

It was immorality that I simply could not accept as true.

I know how invaluable you are to this Royal court.

So I tried to cover up the matter. I wanted to protect you at all cost.

But I could not.

I could not because to us politicians serve the public,

moral integrity is not virtue but duty.

Now I ask you.

Is it true that you abused your power and position

to acquire Park Poe's wife for your carnal pleasure?

Is it true that you had an illicit affair with another man's wife?

It's all true.