Original subtitles

Astronomical instrument tower construction site, Gyeongbok Palace

The tower will be 31 feet high, 32 feet wide and 47 feet long.

When do you expect construction to be completed?

We will have it completed by September.

Did you say the envoys have arrived at the Hall of Great Peace?

And Your Majesty, we have a problem.

You're asking us to hold the reception at Gyeonghwe Pavilion?

And we'd like a chance to tour Gyeongbok Palace as well.

There is a protocol to follow in foreign diplomat reception.

Protocol can be altered according to the wishes of the guest.

But...

Is there a problem?

Is Joseon trying to hide something from Great Ming?

Hide?

Whatever do you mean?

Then you have no reason to refuse.

Haishu was suspicious of us the whole time we were in Ming.

Is he trying to find some kind of proof?

The ministers will take care of this, so focus on the construction.

Stop the envoys?

It's the King's order to stop the envoys from setting foot inside the palace.

And if I fail?

That would mean one of two things.

Either you do not want to protect our national secret,

or you are incompetent to do so.

If the former is true, the King will doubt my loyalty.

And if the latter is true he would be most disappointed in you.

I personally think neither is true.

I think I dislike the latter more than the former.

His Majesty has shown me great mercy, so I should pay him back.

I'm counting on you, Minister Jo.

"Only he who has greater loyalty and

talent can remove Jang Youngsil from his post!"

Without this insightful declaration you made, the Royal court would still be

caught in a whirlwind of the controversy over Jang Youngsil's appointment.

I'm deeply moved, sir.

Moved?

You make it sound so grandiose.

But you changed your mind too quickly.

You have no room to talk Who changed their minds first?

You are to blame for my change of heart.

I'm sorry, sir.

No, no.

Politics is about debating and compromising.

Do guide us with your insight again.

Sure, why not?

Gim Mun, was it?

... Yes, sir.

Law and economics is your strong suit, I heard.

When did you find time to learn about our scholars' personal strengths?

It's natural for a superior to take interest in talented subordinates.

Don't you think?

Do you enjoy being a scholar of the Hall of Worthies?

Of... course, sir.

Good.

Remember, my man. I'm keeping my eyes on you.

Let's get going.

Mun, I said let's go.

Oh, yes.

What's wrong?

Are you stunned and thrilled that Minister Jo takes interest in you?

No, it's not that...

That's all right. You can be happy.

I think he might actually be a pretty interesting guy.

Can we trust Jo Malseng to come through?

He will be perfect for the task as long as he doesn't turn on us.

But if has a change of heart and exposes our secret project to Ming,

great danger will come upon the kingdom.

A secondary plan is in place, so do not be overly concerned.

Are you scared?

Are you scared the Ming envoys won't let you build this?

How did you know?

I just had a feeling.

But don't worry.

Everything will be fine.

I'll do anything I can to help.

It's a ruler.

I thought it might come in handy when you do your drawings.

Simplest objects can be put to service when used appropriately.

And if you rule without putting your emotions first,

obedience will follow.

His Highness wrote the quote himself.

And he engraved the words himself as well.

Your Highness.

You will use that ruler as a tool and I will use this ruler as a guide.

You're a talented man.

So it's only fitting that you wear a courtier's robe and serve the court.

But I let my emotions get the best of me. I'm sorry...

Please don't lower your head to this humble man.

It's unheard of, Your Highness.

I'm sorry. I made a mistake, Assistant Proctor Jang!

No, Your Highness.

Are you sick again?

No, I just feel a little weak.

I can cheer you up.

It's Mother and Father.

You can be Mother today since you're sick.

Again? Another bloody nose?

Sis, what's wrong? What's wrong?

Escort Han, no, call Mother! Call Mother right now!

Jeongso, Jeongso, wake up!

Mother...

Baby.

Where's Jeong-eui?

I must've scared her.

Escort Kim took her back to her room for bed.

I'm sorry.

I hate to make you worry...

Don't try to act all grown up.

You're only thirteen years old.

You're not an adult.

I'm sorry...

Oh, you poor child...

Close your eyes and sleep.

And when you wake up, you'll feel better.

She's asleep.

Leave us. There's nothing you can do here.

My Queen...

Your Majesty.

I beg you to restore departed Lord Shim's good name,

and release Lady Ahn from servitude.

Stop.

But the physician says Princess's illness may be coming from the heart.

Enough.

Years in the palace has hardened my heart, but I wish the Queen's tears,

and the Princess's heartache could be stopped, so please...

Stop!

She might hear us.

Don't give this poor child false hopes with this talk.

That could make her worse.

Why is the child not getting any better?

You're a Royal physician.

Are you incompetent to cure a common cold?

Your Majesty, it is with deepest regret...

I don't need apologies. Just go back and cure the child.

But Your Majesty.

I don't believe this is a common cold.

Then what is it?

What is my daughter's ailment?

I believe it is a fatal blood disorder.

You're wrong.

Your diagnosis is wrong.

Your Majesty...

Examine her again. That can't be right!

Several of our most competent physicians have examined her and

came to this conclusion...

Do you wish to die?

I told you to examine her again. Don't talk back to me!

Incompetent fool!

How could a royal physician be so incompetent?

Your Majesty...

I will have him dismissed at once. And find a more competent...

You must calm down, Your Majesty.

Are you trying to say his diagnosis is correct?

Are you telling me to believe him?

If this is reality, you must accept it.

I can't be reality.

If it is reality, Heaven is destitute of virtue.

Your Majesty...

Why Jeongso? Why is he punishing Jeongso?

I'm the one who ignored my father-in-law's death,

I'm the one who broke my wife's heart by making her mother a slave.

Jeongso begged me to free her grandmother from servitude and

give her a decent life, but I said no.

I'm the one who did these bad things. Why is my daughter being punished?

Your Majesty...

If Jeongso should lose her life, I will be to blame.

Royal Attendant, what brings you to the Hall of Worthies?

Is Scholar Choi in?

He accompanied Minister Jo to the Hall of Great Peace.

Why would a scholar accompany the Minister of Military?

I don't know. It was Minister Hwang's idea.

What's wrong with him? Do you know anything?

What do you want with Scholar Choi anyway?

It's... nothing.

Sir, do you know that Scholar Choi admires Jo Malseng?

Yes, I noticed that.

Do you think this is a good thing?

I don't think it's a bad thing.

Jo Malseng is a dangerous man. You know the crimes he's capable of.

Watch your tongue!

You and I, and the King have agreed to take that secret to the grave.

Remember?

Scholar Choi is just a start.

By fair means or foul, Jo Malseng will win over the scholars one by one.

What's so bad about that?

He is deceiving us right now. I know he's grinding his axe.

He will strike me first with that axe, then you, then possibly the King.

So what are you trying to say?

That Choi Manli is naive enough to be played into Jo Malseng's games?

I'm trying to tell you that Jo Malseng is not to be trusted.

Don't trust him. Trust the scholars.

That will solve the problem.

This is the reason why I had Choi Manli accompany Jo Malseng today.

Am I under watch?

I'm quite sure that's what the man who sent you had in mind.

Is there a reason I should be watching you?

Joseon's own calendar science. I'm still not sold on it.

That's good.

That's good?

Developing a persuasive argument to support the majority decision

regardless of one's personal opinion-that's real politics.

Real politics?

Do you think I will succeed?

Chances of your success are greater than anyone else at least.

Why else would the King choose you?

You're an interesting fellow.

I'm looking forward to watching you at work, sir.

AD 1424, 6th year of Sejong's reign, Peking

Is there something wrong?

The Emperor is returning.

But he just left for the crusade.

Something's happened.

You will find out in due time.

Venerable!

We must cancel our schedule and return to Ming.

Say nothing about this to the Joseonese.

Going back?

The envoys are canceling their schedule and going back to Ming?

Perhaps you inadvertently exposed our secret project?

Minister Jo and I didn't even get to speak to the envoys.

Then why?

There're two possibilities.

Either one of us handed over the secret.

Do you know anything?

There is a rumor that some kind of a deal was made with a Ming official

in the process of acquiring the technology.

Was it Haishu?

We will make a deal.

I'll give you the technology to build an astronomical instrument,

so let us make a deal.

Your father was Chinese,

so that makes Ming your country as well.

So you must serve Ming as you serve Joseon.

Does Haishu know about this?

Does this silence mean you acknowledge this as true?

No, that is absurd!

Stay out of this.

Who did you get this from? Who's spreading false rumors?

Did this happen or not happen?

Why would something like that ever happen?

Then just say no. Why are you getting worked up?

I... I'm not worked up.

I said no.

Very well, then.

If there is no information leak, what is the other possibility?

What could be the other reason why the envoys are going back?

We shouldn't make hasty assumptions.

But if my guess is right, we should be getting reports from Uiju, Gapsan and

Gyeongsung of the northern states states sometime today.

Reports?

We can determine what's happening at that time.

Barbarians are rallying together in Uiju?

Are they armed?

Yes, sir.

They're rallying in Gyeongsung as well, sir.

And Gapsan?

The same, sir.

How did you know?

How did you see this coming, Minister Jo?

It looks like a war is going to be unavoidable.

Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

What is the meaning of this?

I beg you to rest today.

There might be a war in the northern states.

But it hasn't happened yet.

My man!

Please... If only for one day...

Clear the way.

You haven't had a good night's rest in months.

And today, because of the Princess, you're...

That's my cross the bear.

Your Majesty...

Even when our beloved child is clinging to life,

we to put all else aside and take care of the country first.

That's what kings must do.

You've made your point, so clear the way.

Use an enemy to destroy another enemy...

This means Ming is using the Jurchens

to plot hostile action against Joseon to secure their own safety.

Are you saying something has happened to threaten the safety of Ming?

We'd have to investigate the details.

But if my guess is correct, this is

something huge that could potentially bring down Ming's Imperial house.

We must dispatch an envoy to Ming at once and investigate the situation.

Shouldn't we find a way to stop the hostilities at our borders first?

Don't be overly concerned, Your Majesty.

Is there a plan?

I will go to the front with Generals Park Sil and Yi Sunmong and meet

with Dongbumchal.

Dongbumchal is merely the number two man of the Jurchen Odoli clan.

What can you resolve by meeting him?

You're been away from the front too long, Commander.

You are unaware of the power shifts among the Jurchens.

- Prime Minister. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Assemble and dispatch a diplomatic misssion to Ming without delay.

I will carry out your order.

Minister of Military, instruct the central army to stand by.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I asked you to see me privately because I think you're going to

be quite busy for a while and you might need an assistant.

An assistant?

I thought I might transfer Secretary Yi Su to the Ministry of Military.

Do you still doubt my loyalty?

You're calling the King's courtesy doubt.

Perhaps I should question your loyalty from now on.

Yi Su is...

It would be hard for any military leader to understand this appointment, Majesty.

You were not appointed Minister of Military for

your bravery and weapon skills either.

A brave warrior might be able to suppress a hundred enemy soldiers,

but a resourceful general can suppress thousands.

Your resourcefulness I wish you'd share it with the others as well.

Ability to manage his men is the most important talent a general can have.

I'm somewhat good at that, Your Majesty.

I'm certain you will put every one of your men to important service for this country.

Guide Yi Su well so that he may grow to be a resourceful general like you.

I shall try, Your Majesty.

I'm counting on you.

I thought you were sleeping.

You need rest. Why aren't you...?

I can't fall asleep, Father.

I'm sorry...

You shouldn't be up. You need lots of rest to get well.

Would you help me so I would understand?

You're not a bad person. I know you're not a bad person.

Some even say you're the kindest person in the word.

Why do you hate Grandmother so much?

Attendant Um says you're the loneliest person in the world.

That you might even be lonelier than Mother.

My child...

So I don't want to make you feel bad either.

I just want to understand why.

It's my one and only wish, Father.

Please release Grandmother.

Please, Father?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that I can't think only about your tenderhearted wish.

I'm so sorry that I'm not the kind of father that can.

What brings you, Secretary Yi?

I was told you wish to see me.

Oh yes, I did. I did indeed.

Shall we?

I wanted to see you because you'll be leaving for the border in the morning.

I know this appointment must be a shock to you,

but I guess you are the one I feel most comfortable with.

I don't mind whatever you wish to do.

Your heart must be heavy with what's happening with the Princess.

You don't have to worry about me.

It looks like I need to replace the Royal attendant with someone less garrulous.

He is a caring man, so he worries.

How difficult this must be for you...

Go home now. If you're going to leave in the morning...

Putting yourself through this agony is not your only option.

Are you urging me to restore my father-in-law's name?

Then I can give my mother-in-law a better life, and...

and will I be able to bring some comfort my dying daughter.

Your Majesty...

But I am not oblivious to bloody storm that will follow in the Royal court.

If only there was something I could do...

Master...

But this incompetent teacher is helpless to help you, Your Majesty.

Secretary Yun, next to you...

I know.

Are your legs all right?

I may not look it, but I am a knowledgeable man.

Devotion from three sources is required for the medicinal draught to work.

From the maker, from the brewer and from the patient who drinks the draught.

I looked for you at the library.

I restrained myself and didn't go near alcohol today.

Should I quit drinking?

Heaven knows it's an impossible task,

so my quitting drinking might move him and turn him around.

Don't deprive yourself.

Just don't drink too much. Drink occasionally with His Majesty.

How is he?

The same as always.

Back in 1418...

... if we had risked our lives and protected Lord Shim...

Do you think we could've prevented

this heartache His Majesty has been made to suffer?

Don't give the King any ideas.

He is hanging in there like a trooper.

Why should he have to hang in there?

The whole world knows Lord Shim was not guilty.

He should just use his prerogative power and restore Lord Shim's good name.

If you're not drunk, why are you talking like you're drunk?

You know that the Royal court will be turned up side down again if he did

with finger pointing about who is responsible for what happened then.

If you can't grant your young daughter a simple wish, what good is being a King

and what's the point of running a state?

Oh, the smoke is getting in my eyes.

Is this true?

Is there nothing you can do? Princess can't be cured with medicine.

Heartache might be what's causing her illness.

Can't you fight for Lord Shim's restoration?

You know how loyal the former Prime Minister was, Scholar Choi.

Timing couldn't be worse.

Manli.

There is trouble at the border and the country may be in danger.

Scholar Choi.

That's why this is the perfect time.

It's rude to eavesdrop.

Just come inside.

I learned to eavesdrop from Minister of Military Jo Malseng.

What do you mean?

I've been Jo Malseng's informant since the day

the Hall of Worthies came into existence.

What?

That's just the start.

Father! Father!

Father...

Mother! Mother!

Baby! My baby!

Jeongso! Jeongso!

What happened? What's wrong with her?

She was conscious when we administered her draught, but...

Baby, Mommy is here.

Wake up. It's Mommy!

I got pretty far away, but I heard your voice calling...

Are you all right?

No.

Jeon-eui, who will you play house with now?

You can be Mother everyday if you want.

No, you can be Mother and Father. I'll give you both dolls.

I'll give you my top, too.

And I'll never ask you

to take the blame for me on anything again.

I'm sorry.

This is all my fault. Sis...

No, it's no one's fault.

It's because we were born in the Royal house.

Father, I want to sit up so I can see everyone.

Baby, you're tired now. So...

Don't let go this time.

Mother, Father is...

Father is a crybaby, too. I feel sorry for him.

I can't remember.

Have we ever had a day of fun and laughter together?