Original subtitles

Please take this robe back.

A slave has no right to wear a courtier's robe.

Father is supposed to meet me here.

I'm going to wait.

Your Majesty!

Let us not give up.

Hang in there with me. We must prevail whatever it takes.

His Majesty? In this rain?

He appears determined to stay out there until the ministers yield to him.

What will happen now?

This is an outrage!

Why would a King go to this length to protect a slave?

What do you recommend we do now?

Surely you're not thinking about urging the ministers to yield.

Isn't it senseless to paralyze the government over this fight?

It is not us but the King that started this fight.

Yield?

Never.

If something should happen to the King,

the ministers will be held responsible for putting the King's life in danger.

We couldn't let that happen.

Do you have a better solution?

Finding a solution however difficult it may seem?

That's politics.

Go to Prince Kyoungnyeong.

Tell him that the Royal House must come forward and stop the King.

Yes, sir.

Is Jo Malseng making his move?

From the Royals to the Hall of Worthies, everyone supports Jo Malseng on this.

You must counteract quickly, sir.

You won't come out of this unscathed either.

Are you all right with this?

I wouldn't have come to you if I weren't prepared.

You're wrong, Your Majesty. This is unheard of.

But I can't help feeling proud of you.

Your belief that a slave is still a human being to be cherished and protected?

I'm so proud of you for having such a beautiful heart that I couldn't stay away.

So I m going to sit right here and get wet with you.

Why do your ministers have to be so selfish and shameless?

I'm the one that said you should set aside shame for your goals, Master.

Please don't call me Master, Your Majesty.

You are my master that I serve with my heart.

Hang in there and we will get through this.

What's wrong with Secretary Yun and Secretary Yi?

Why are they trying to aggravate the situation?

We don't have any other choice.

Jo Malseng is our only hope.

I guess there is my answer.

May I take that as an answer to what we discussed the other day?

Forgive me, sir.

For what?

I disrespectfully called you by your name...

How else would you call your enemy?

Sir...

I appreciate you turning to me.

Now you must step up and stop the King if only for his own sake.

We cannot jeopardize the King's welfare over something as preposterous as this.

Above all, the King's health is the nation's problem.

We cannot paralyze the nation to put a courtier's robe on a slave.

Remember.

It's up to you now, the Hall of Worthies scholars,

to dissuade the King and stop this madness.

- Master. - Yes, Your Highness.

I'm not wrong.

A slave is not a man.

They can be bought and sold, so they're like domestic animals.

You said so yourself.

So why do you look so glum?

I feel ashamed.

I know I'm not wrong, but why do I feel so ashamed?

That's because you are wrong.

We... are wrong, Your Highness.

What are you doing here?

You're not the only one with a special pupil.

His Highness the Crown Prince is deeply regretting his actions.

That's it.

We have to go to the Academy right now.

We have to rally the students and get them out to Gwanghwamun right now!

I'm... against it.

Jeong Inji!

It wasn't because astronomy bores me.

And you were using your research as an excuse, too.

You're always on top of your research no matter how many assignments you have.

We were all making excuses. All of us.

We weaseled out of going to the Astronomy Agency

because we didn't want to take orders from a slave boy.

That's?

And were fighting the King right now for the same reason.

We don't want a slave holding a higher position than we have.

We're angry about having to call a lowly servant "sir", and we don't want to.

- Jeong Inji! - That's us.

That's the true colors of the proud and mighty Hall of Worthies.

That's our false consciousness.

False consciousness? That's absurd!

Why do you fight a cobbler about sticking to his last?

This shouldn't even be an issue.

We can't destroy the caste system, and that's it.

There is no exception!

It's a small crack that brings down the dam.

You always say that we are the Hall of Worthies and we have to

feel pride and responsibility at the same time, sir.

What should we do now in this situation

to be the Hall of Worthies we pride ourselves in?

Arrogant bastard...

What were you doing here?

That was a pretty heated debate.

Are you going to the main palace?

Did you forget?

We were out there protesting against the King this afternoon yelling that

we can't put a courtiers robe on a slave and destroy the caste system.

I guess that means we can't go to King.

What kind of men would we be if we changed our minds so capriciously?

Not bad. I didn't think you'd be up for this physical work being a desk jockey.

Is that a compliment or an insult?

Hey!

Be careful with that!

Precision is critical for astronomical instruments.

You can't be so rough with the material.

What are you doing here, sir?

Where have you been?

You knew Youngsil left the shop unattended and

you waited until now to get here?

I said be careful with that!

Confucian Academy

What are you doing out here?

Shouldn't you go inside and rally the students?

Did you come to mock me?

No, I came to beat you up.

We took a lot of beatings, didn't we?

We got beat up for walking out of the Academy...

for protesting at the Hall of Great Peace...

It was all to protect our national pride. Wasn't it?

How do we really protect our national pride?

Where have you two been? You're late.

You have no room to talk, sir.

What?

How could you let His Majesty hold this?

To be honest, I still don't know if it's a good thing

for this man to hold a post in the government.

But I do know how much this country needs an astronomical instrument.

I will debate this with you anytime, Choi Manli.

You should know I never lose.

You're making me tremble.

Are you sure it's not because you're cold and hungry?

Well, I guess all we have left to do now is to hang in there and wait.

Don't you have any control over your subordinates?

Now that the Hall of Worthies have joined him,

the King will be more determined to push this through.

Why don't we yield just this once?

Director Byun!

It will be conditional.

We will make a one time exception for Jang Youngsil.

That is not a bad idea.

We've all acknowledged Jang Youngsil

exceptional talent, so we will make a special exception.

An exception? A one-time exception?

What about next time?

What if someone even more talented than Jang comes along

and the King wants to grant him a government post as well?

Are we going to make an exception to the exception?

Gosh darn it!

The Hall of Worthies has joined him.

It's time to make a decision, Your Highness.

Is this the only way?

Yes, it is.

You must rally the Royals together.

Contact Prince Yangnyeong and Hyoryeong as well.

He will not!

How dare you attempt to get the Royal House involved in pressuring the King?

Forgive me, but this is a matter of the state. To interfere would be...

Silence your audacious tongue!

I may be a woman, but I have lived in this palace for two and a half decades.

Go back to Jo Malseng and deliver my message.

If the ministers can't do their job and require involvement of the Royal house

they might as well turn in their uniforms and till soil for a living.

Mother...

Send this man away now!

Do you think I was harsh?

The King is indeed making a mistake.

But it's too soon for you to get involved.

Granting a government post to a slave?

This fight will not be easily won even if the King fights tooth and nail.

But knowing the King, he will not give up.

That means the ministers will turn further and further away from him.

And when the situation is at its worst, that's the time you step in.

Mother...!

You asked me if my dream was still alive.

This is my answer.

Have you been here all night?

I envy Father, Mother.

When he's going through this torture?

But he has good men who support him, so he will not see it as torture.

Crown Prince.

I wish I could cover your eyes.

I wish I could tell you to go back to your chambers right now.

"Don't learn this. Take the easier way out.

Don't put your self through

this kind of torture fighting no matter how certain you are right.

It's okay if the country does not soar.

Just keeping it from sinking is good enough, so..."

Mother.

But somehow I don't think you would listen to my pleadings.

Because you are too much like your father.

If Father is here, then.

What's wrong?

Then where is Jeongso...!

Your Highness, did the princess go out into the city unaware of this situation?

I don't know. I don't know what happened.

Go out into the city? What's this?

The food should be all right, right?

It's packed well, so...

Jeongso, what are you doing here?

I'm waiting for Father.

He made a promise, a pinky promise.

Let's go back.

No, I have to wait for Father.

We're going to give Grandmother her birthday dinner.

Do I have to whip you right here? Will you listen then?

Why is the sun out already?

Does this mean Grandmother's birthday has passed?

Does it, Mother?

... Baby?

Baby?

Jeongso! Jeongso!

Princess!

Jeongso!

Princess!

Honey, wake up!

- Princess! - Baby!

Father...

Father...

Father...

Would you deliver my message to the Queen?

That I can't go right now, and to please take good care of Jeongso.

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty, if the Princess is ill...

Look in on her for a moment. We will be here.

We're working, Secretary Yun.

Not just any work, but critical work that will decide the country's future.

But...

Is this true?

You told him that the child is delirious and she is calling out for him

and he refused to come?

Forgive me, Your Highness...

What brings you to my home, Minister Jo?

You left the palace amid a crisis.

It's rather irresponsible as the head of the Supreme Council.

It's old age.

One night without rest and I can barely stand.

But I hope your mind is firm on this.

Why don't we bend on this issue?

Whatever do you mean?

Don't you feel sorry for the King?

His daughter has taken ill, but he's still out there fighting.

I am a father myself. I do feel for him.

Then...

But when consider your position, I have to hesitate.

Consider my position? What do you mean?

Do you know where the King was planning to go with the Princess last night?

Shim On's widow.

He was going to see the Queen's mother who's been grinding her axe

and living as a slave since the day the Shim clan fell.

The King's unyielding attempt to give a government post to a slave may be

groundwork for the Shim clan's restoration of rights.

The Shim clan's restoration of rights?

It could be the start of political revenge.

If Shim On is not guilty of a crime,

those who accused him and had him executed are.

Remember, Prime Minister.

You were at the center of Shim On's indictment.

If his name is restored, you will be the first to get hurt.

What do you think Yu Jeonghyun will do?

I gave him a good scare, so he won't easily back out.

By the way, sir.

Does this mean you're using the last card?

What do you mean?

Aren't you planning to inform Ming about the King's plan?

If that happens, putting a new King on the throne will be...

Hush, my man! Watch your tongue.

Isn't that why you urgently needed funds?

To put the man you want on the throne, you might need to pay off a few people.

That's why you're urgently gathering funds...

Gathering funds? What are you talking about?

Why else would you suddenly sell off multiple real estate holdings at once?

My real estate holdings?

Go ahead and count them.

What are you doing?

Isn't it obvious?

Who told you to sell off my properties?

It's wrong with sharing a little dirty money you acquired

selling government posts?

Cancel the sales contracts and return the titles at once!

Why should I?

My mother is the legal owner of these properties.

And for that I gave you a government post!

I gave a lowly half peasant shaman's son a post

in the Royal court for putting a few properties under his mother's name.

How dare you do this!

I think that's enough evidence, sir.

I feel bad about this. But there was no other way.

Gim Mun, you bastard!

We should go now.

Let us quickly find out which post Minister Jo sold for this house.

I guess the lowly blood that flows in your veins cannot be changed.

Peasant blood may be dirty, but it can't be as dirty as your hands, sir.

The hands that were going to be used to fawn like a dog

to the Ming Chinese with no pride whatsoever?

Those hands are hard to beat.

The way I see it, Minister Jo, you made two critical mistakes.

One is underestimating the King,

and two is keeping this man for too long in the Hall of Worthies.

I guess you're right.

Oh dear, it is a great shame.

We may never see you at the conference hall again.

Jo Malseng is guilty of ill these counts of bribery?

You must strike him down immediately.

Then the protest will lose its leader and no one will further oppose

Jang Youngsil's appointment.

What will happen to Gim Mun if I strike down Jo Malseng?

Must I renounce him as well?

He was an accomplice in Jo Malseng's crimes.

I need time to consider.

What is happening, sir?

Later, let us talk later.

This is so frustrating!

What now?

I'm sure everything will turn out fine.

No, something's not right. This is getting more complicated.

Stop being so negative.

His Majesty is having second thoughts. Do you know that?

He is?

It's largely because of you.

But I don't intend to protect you no matter what His Majesty does.

Does that offend you?

No, sir.

I had it good.

Having been a member of the Hall of Worthies is more than enough.

What does this mean?

Cover it up.

For what reason?

I will not renounce Jo Malseng.

Is it because of Gim Mun?

Yes.

I can't destroy a promising scholar's future.

You can't be swayed by emotions, Your Majesty.

It's because of Jo Malseng as well.

Jo Malseng opposes everything you set out to do.

He is also an important military leader and talented manager.

Power is a sword, Your Majesty.

Politics require that you boldly strike down your opposition at times.

I am not asking for a lesson in politics. I am giving you an order.

Your Majesty...

Find a way to protect Jo Malseng.

I do not destroy my opposition in haste.

That is my way.

Are you sure you're doing your job as the King's right-hand man?

I don't know.

If you're going to be the King's Zhang Zifang,

you should teach him how to deal with his political enemies.

I know.

But that funny man says you are his talented retainer,

not his political enemy.

Am I supposed to cry tears of gratitude now?

I don't need tears but I do need you to do this.

Interesting.

Is this the King's idea?

No, it's my idea.

The King is a man of strong principles, but he's not much of a negotiator.

Do you think I'd agree to this?

I think you might agree if you've been opposing the King's endeavors out

of patriotism and not opposing for opposition sake.

I will consider it.

Whether you agree or not, let me give you a warning.

If heaven forbid you should expose our astronomy project to Ming,

you will have your limbs torn off at the public square for high treason.

I granted Jang Youngsil a post in this Royal court.

But you have the power to take it away from him.

If you oppose his appointment, I will listen to your arguments.

And if any one of you succeeds in convincing me,

I will have that man remove Jang Youngsil's uniform.

Minister of Military.

Yes, Your Majesty.

What do you think? I would like to hear your opinion.

I still believe Jang Youngsil should not be here.

But not everyone can remove him from this Royal court.

Only he who is dedicated enough to risk his own life for new technology

like Jang Youngsil can remove Jang Youngsil from his post.

Only he who is talented enough to make Jang Youngsil's talent appear worthless

can remove that uniform.

Who is that man, Minister Jo?

Regretfully not I, Your Majesty.

Does this mean you do not oppose Jang Youngsil's appointment?

That is correct.

I don't think any of us are qualified to remove Jang Youngsil from his post.

What do you think, ministers?

I could not agree more.

I agree as well.

We agree, Your Majesty.

- We agree, Your Majesty. - We agree, Your Majesty!

How do you feel?

I'm fine, Father.

Would you... forgive me?

You're a good girl.

I'm glad.

I'm glad Youngsil has finally become a government official.

Does this mean you can free Grandmother now?

Please free her from servitude like you did for Youngsil, Father.

I... can't.

We've been waiting for you, sir. What can we do for you?

Don't even think about ordering me around.

You may be a government official, but I am still a superior officer.

But if you have work for me as the project supervisor, I'll do it.

Well, then shall we begin?

- Yes, sir! - Let's get to work!

Jang Youngsil's appointment was a result of King Sejong's human resources

principles that all selections should be based on merit and equity,

not on social status or background.

The precedent still serves ass a lesson in modern Korean society

where human resources management continues to be a great issue.