Original subtitles

Did you forget what the Imperial Concubine said?

Let go of me. Youngsil is in danger!

Go to the rendezvous point immediately.

If he's not there in 15 minutes, he's on his own.

Don't get too close.

The stars are for the Emperor alone to decipher.

So the astronomers act in place of the Emperor when they observe the stars.

Therefore, only the designated astronomers can see the stars.

The others can only watch three steps away from the astronomical instrument.

Out of the way!

No one is allowed on the tower when observation is in progress!

There is an intruder on the tower!

Idiots!

What are you doing?

What do you want?

I'm sorry, sir.

What did you just say?

I-I'm just...

Who are you?

After him!

Has he failed?

What now, sir?

I've been waiting for you.

Sir...!

How did it go?

It's up to the gods now.

What are you going to do?

I have to save him.

There's nothing you can do, Your Grace.

- Step aside. - Your Grace.

I can't let him die!

Do you think this is what he wants?

Control yourself.

I can't let.

If he is captured alone, he would have acted alone.

It will be dismissed as one slave boy's act of ignorance.

But if you get involved, this could escalate into a diplomatic issue.

- Don't you know that? - But I...

I was so mean to him.

He's doing great without me, so I got mad, and...

I missed him so much...

I'm sure he knows.

But I didn't tell him.

People who have a special connection don't need words to

know how each other are feeling.

Like you and your sister?

Yes, you can say that.

I want to save him.

Your ardent wish will move the heavens.

I do indeed value your talent, but never has a man been allowed to

go free after breaking into the observatory.

I hope you're prepared.

I'm counting on you.

I will do my very best.

Who is next?

Yun Daejae of Goksung Prefecture, Your Majesty.

Send him in.

Perhaps a short break is in order.

You look tired, Your Majesty.

There is no time.

Take Secretary Yi's advice.

You've seen over 100 regional officials in the last few days and 20 just today.

Complaints have been coming in from all directions since the new appointments.

Personal meetings is the only thing we can do to improve the situation right now.

But...

Secretary Yi.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Secretary Yun, restrain yourself. You'll break the floor running like that.

I don't think you'd mind if I broke the roof with the news I have!

What?

I told you I can't play until I'm done with my lessons.

We don't want to play.

We want to join the lesson.

You have your own tutor.

It's no fun with just one tutor.

Only the Crown Prince is allowed to have Royal lessons.

Then I'll be a Crown Prince, too!

Your Highness!

Is this true?

They just arrived.

That's another addition to our list of problems...

Fall, 1423, 5th year of Sejong's reign

Your Highness!

There is he! There's Youngsil!

Your Highness!

How did it go?

You will keep the promise you made me, won't you?

We're back, Your Majesty.

We're back, Your Majesty.

I've been waiting.

This is the astronomical instrument they have at the Ming Astronomical

Bureau called Ganui (Simplified Armilla).

Sayuhwan and Gyuhyeong.

It's an instrument that measures the north polar distance.

Jeokdohwan and Cyuhyeong.

It measures the distance between

the stars to detect sudden motion and anticipate comets.

Lastly Iboonhwan.

Using this instrument, you can mark the position of stars all around.

Ganui...

Have we at last paved a way to

observe the stars of Joseon to govern time and calendar?

Good work.

I will never forget your hard work and neither will the people of Joseon.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

But the real work hasn't begun yet.

I am prepared.

An agency?

Yes, an agency assigned to develop astronomical instruments.

- Minister Huh. - Yes, Your Majesty.

I want you to put together a staff of men with knowledge in astronomy

and mathematics who will analyze the data from Ming and assist with

designing the astronomical instruments.

The Hall of Worthies' assistance is indispensable, Director Byun.

Of course, Your Majesty.

- Second Minister Yi. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Transfer some of Ministry of Works' skilled workers to the new agency.

- Councilor Hwang and Minister Jo. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Yes...

Secrecy is vital to our success.

Councilor Hwang, use your diplomatic skills to ensure

that the Ming envoys do not find out about this project,

and have a plan in place just in case they do.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Minister Jo, information can leak through Japanese and Jurchens as well,

so strengthen border control and entry of foreigners.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am counting on all of you to make this work.

They just got back from Ming

and the King is spitting out one new policy after another.

This is a dream venture he's been working on for a long time.

That boy is a mystery.

How did he manage to acquire this classified information so quickly?

Yes, he's an extraordinary child.

Jang Youngsil's talent is praiseworthy indeed.

This is not something to be happy about.

This is a wonderful thing, Prime Minister.

Observation of celestial phenomena is a vital part of Confucian government.

Who says it belongs to Ming alone?

We are reviving the Yao Shun era in Joseon.

Keeping a national secret is not as easy as it sounds.

If Ming finds out about this...

Don't worry about problems that hasn't happened.

Get to work on the details of the agency.

Minister Jo is a capable man,

so he will figure out a way to protect this national secret.

Right, Minister Jo?

Investigate Jang Youngsil, sir?

Even Ming's own people are executed

for violation of Great Ming Code if they're caught observing the stars and

making calendars for personal use.

They couldn't have just handed over this information.

How did a lowly servant boy acquire such invaluable knowledge?

Don't you find it suspicious?

Are you looking for a reason to oppose again, sir?

I'm looking for a way to protect Joseon.

You're a capable man, sir.

It wouldn't hurt to trust and support the King's passionate endeavors.

You're growing a big head to dare think you can lecture me.

I'm not trying to lecture you...

I mean...

You want to lose your job?

I can have you dismissed at my whim. You know that.

Don't get presumptuous and just do what you're told.

That's why I put you here in the first place.

Don't do anything to disappoint your mother.

How could you throw this priceless book like that?

I thought you'd thank me.

Where were you?

You usually don't even go to the bathroom when we get new books.

Why are you just standing there?

Did I offend you?

No, sir. Thank you.

By the way, Youngsil, I'm really impressed.

How did you get such a detailed diagram of the Ganui?

Well, Youngsil here risked his life and...

Sir.

Huh?

I just went around talking to men that were involved in building the

instruments during the Yuan Dynasty.

Right, sir?

Huh? Oh, yeah, that's right.

It's late so we'll leave you now to study the material.

Why do we have to hide anything?

It won't help anyone to know what kind of dealings we had with the Ming Chinese.

But still.

It'll be difficult for them to understand.

Well, I suppose.

Dealings?

Jang Youngsil...

He may be more dangerous than I thought.

Jang Youngsil as supervisor?

No one is more passionate or informed about the astronomical instruments.

So it's only fitting that he be the supervisor.

Don't you agree?

Well...

You will help him and give him moral support as senior agents, won't you?

Of... course...

- Father! - Youngsil!

What brings you children here?

We're here to see the astronomical instruments, of course.

Where are they?

He just got back, Your Highness.

He hasn't started making them.

What did I say? I told you not to rush.

Then give me a pinky promise.

Promise me that you'll show me the stars before you show them to Hyang

once you make the instrument.

No, child.

I won't have you trying to beat your older brother all the time.

That's all right, Father.

Yu is more interested in astronomy than I am lately, so I will allow him.

You're going to have to work hard if only for the children.

You have my confidence.

Well, let's go.

A servant boy a supervisor? That's absurd!

With His Majesty and the Royal Princess cheering him on,

his arrogance knows no bounds!

I heard your siblings went to the astronomical instrument agency.

Why didn't you go with them?

They say servant boy

Youngsil knows many great stories about the stars.

Aren't you interested?

My interest is with another servant, Mother.

Can't you wash the laundry clean?

The magistrate complains his clothes don't feel fresh.

It won't happen again.

"It won't happen again, Ma'am"!

Don't you know that lowborns have ranks, too?

Girls.

I want them clean, dry and delivered right away!

How could they...

It's my fault that you're here, Mother.

It's not that bad.

Why would you come here?

Mother missed you very much.

It feels like just yesterday that I delivered you with these hands,

but look how you've grown.

How could Father be so cold?

How could he be so good to

that servant boy Youngsil and so cruel to you, Grandmother?

Don't ever say things like that again.

Grandmother...

What are you teaching your children?

You don't cry in front of them because of what

happened to our father and me, do you?

Mother.

Don't call me that.

How could a palace slave be the Queens mother?

Don't ever come here again.

You don't want your children inheriting this cruel resentment.

Mother...

Leave now.

I won't see you off, though I may be a lowly servant,

since you've forgotten your dignity as the Queen today.

Grandmother is so stern...

It's dignity.

And that dignity breaks my heart even more...

Boo!

It's past your bedtime.

[Enunciating Chinese characters]

- Zhuangzi? - Yes.

Would you like to decipher the verse?

It means it's easy to obey your parents out of duty

but difficult to obey them out of sincere love.

I want to show my father sincere love, not just duty.

So I think I can fight my urge to sleep for a while.

You're quite well-read.

I'm a daughter of a man nicknamed Bookworm.

Bookworm?

It's useful to mark the page you were reading like this.

My dear Jeongso must've stayed up many nights making this for me.

No, I made that in my spare time during the day.

Then is this what you made fighting your urge to sleep?

They will make you feel a little less tired.

Mm, you're a good cook as well.

I'm Mother's daughter, too.

Well now, I must give you a reward for so much love.

Would you really?

What would you like as a reward?

Could it be anything I want?

Anything.

Would you travel in disguise with me one day?

Travel in disguise?

There is a place I really want to visit.

Very well. It's a date.

Thank you. Thank you, Father

Come sit down. Let's eat together.

It's delicious.

Would someone hold up the ink tape for me?

I need help with the ink tape...

Do I look like his servant? How dare he tell a senior what to do!

Hey, Ungbok, he needs help!

What are you waiting for? Hold up the ink string for him.

The boss needs help!

Spot! Where are you, boy?

His Majesty is coming!

I see you're hard at work.

We're merely doing our job.

Are you making progress?

We are trying.

I appreciate everyone's hard work.

Keep up the good work.

Of course, Your Majesty.

I will work my hands to the bone, Your Majesty!

Thank you.

Well then.

We will do our very best.

Here, let's drink!

It must be unbearable for you men being at a servant boy's beck and call.

We're grateful for your sympathy and understanding, sir.

By the way, I heard Jang Youngsil had some kind of dealings with Ming

in the process of getting the astronomical instrument drawings.

Would you tell me what you know about that?

Dealings, sir?

You mean you haven't heard about this?

How could you not know? It's no wonder you're in this pathetic position.

Pathetic!

Just as I anticipated, they're not

the kind of mean that would know secrets.

Then why did you meet them, sir?

To create an internal conflict and buy time.

Time to delay the production of astronomical instrument?

Time to stop the production of astronomical instrument.

We don't want to provoke Ming for something we don't have to.

What do you think you're job is now?

I will do whatever you ask, sir.

It looks like I have you back to where you should be.

I want you to find out Jang Youngsil's secret.

That's might be our key to preventing the production of this astronomical instrument.

You're refusing?

Why in heaven's name won't you go to the Astronomy Agency?

I just told you why, sir.

It's the King who ordered our men transferred to the agency, the King!

Even so, we're not going.

Look!

I can't believe you guys are refusing to work at the Astronomy Agency just

because the supervisor is a government slave!

You're being unreasonable.

We need to send a couple of men over to the Astronomy Agency as well.

Who'd like to volunteer?

I have bad eyesight.

Good eyesight is essential to work on the astronomical instruments.

The entire staff at the Inspector General's is working all night tonight.

I really should be getting back to my research...

How about you, Assistant Chief Jeong?

Yes, you should go.

Astronomy is my least favorite subject, sir.

Jang Youngsil is unfit to be the project supervisor?

From the director to the lowest ranking servants, everyone is complaining

about his appointment.

It's imprudent to put a government slave in a supervisor position.

No one will obey his order.

Is that why the Ministry of Works has yet to place one man in the agency?

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

The Hall of Worthies scholars are avoiding the assignment as well.

Who told you to work them this late?

Well be done soon, so give me a few more minutes.

What? I've had enough of you!

How dare you order me around!

Sir.

Head down, boy!

Do you think you're better than us because the King thinks you're smart?

I didn't mean to sound pretentious...

I gave you an order!

Put down those tools now! What are you standing around for?

He's more than capable of leading the agency,

but they're refusing to obey just because he is a lowborn?

Summon every single civil and military officials first thing in the morning!

I am appointing Jang Youngsil Assistant Proctor

of the Bureau of Royal Attire.

Your Majesty...

I must oppose.

Please rescind the order.

Nothing will make me change my mind, so do not defy my order!

We beg you to rescind, Your Majesty! We beg you to rescind, Your Majesty!

A government official's uniform on a servant is unheard of, Your Majesty.

Ignoring the caste system is a path to destruction.

I believe ignoring a talent for the reason of his low birth is a path to destruction.

The caste system is the foundation of this regime.

No King can hastily tear it down.

Jang Youngsil is an indispensable

talent in our quest to develop our own calendar science.

A slave is an object to be bought and sold.

To call this object a talent is more than inappropriate.

You demean a man's talent because of his lowly birth!

It is this narrow-minded bigotry that renders royal orders powerless!

In our five thousand year history,

not once was there a time when slaves did not exist.

How can you call this bigotry?

You can oppose as much as if you wish,

but Jang Youngsil will be granted a government post nonetheless.

We, too, will risk our lives to protect the principle that

slaves do not belong in high council.

You leave me no choice.

- Secretary Yi. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Collect resignations from all those who stand against me on this!

I fear this country is headed for doom.

Minister Huh.

Don't even attempt to take the King's side on this.

Or you'll have to clear my body out of this building with these hands first.

Father!

Father! Father!

Are you here for morning greetings?

May we enter now?

Not today, I'm afraid.

Again?

Please understand.

There's something I must talk to my father about.

It will only take a moment.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

Shouldn't you be at the main palace?

You need to calm the insistent child.

I suggest you watch your words.

Dissuade the King.

What if I can't?

Are you going to stage another walk out and paralyze the government again if

I fail to dissuade the King?

It's not us but the King that will have to leave.

The palace is the heart of this government before it is the King's home.

So one that doesn't help the government should be the one to leave.

You're quite bold to say such remarks.

It's the King who started this.

Go to him and stop him from granting a government post to a slave boy.

That is if you are a Royal retainer, not a Royal nanny.

Your Majesty, what brings you to this humble hut?

I wanted to give you this official's gown personally.

But Your Majesty...

Don't refuse.

I don't deserve this honorable reward...

It's not a reward but a yoke.

I'm putting a yoke of responsibility on you so you will build us an

astronomical instrument however difficult the task.

It is also a weapon of authority

because without authority, responsibility cannot be met.

As you know, we're up against fierce opposition of the ministers.

But I intend to fight.

I'm going to fight to the end and win.

Your Majesty...

So I don't want you to give up either.

Don't give in to the prejudice and bigotry in the world

or to the heavens that won't be easily conquered.