Original subtitles

Year 1424, 6th year of Sejong's reign, Amnok River

Fire!

Reload!

Halt!

Cannons down!

Cannons down, gunners!

- Resume! - Yes, sir.

Fire!

Stop the attack at once!

Continue!

They're unarmed civilians.

No, they're unarmed barbarians.

It's an order! Stop the attack!

Don't you see that our border is being breached?

Command and obedience is the essence of the military!

You know that better than I do.

Stop the attack!

Bring them to shore safely.

Yes, sir.

Send out your men and rescue them out of the river. Now!

But...

Do I have to remind you that I'm your superior again?

What is the meaning of this?

Don't you see that we're hunting?

Look!

Step aside.

Don't interfere!

Watch your language. "Hunting" is for animals not people.

Animals, that's right.

Barbarians are nothing more than animals to us.

We'll argue about that at the protectorate headquarters.

Take them!

Aye!

Don't touch me! I can walk.

Untie them!

Yeongbyun Protectorate Headquarters

Release these patriotic citizens at once!

They were going to kill civilians.

Do you consider barbarians to be human?

Sir.

You persecute our own people to protect the barbarians that invade our borders

and kill our brothers and sisters?

As you can see they are unarmed.

You have a lot to learn about war. Behind those pitiable faces hide evil.

You're so naive.

At last, a man who knows what he's talking about. Right, men?

- That's right! - He's right on!

Commander Park.

Yes, sir.

Send the barbarians back over the border.

If they attempt to cross it again, you're free to kill them on sight.

Sir!

If you allow petty emotions to make another mistake that puts our security

at risk, I will do whatever it takes to get you removed from the military!

Get moving!

Throw the barbarians into the river or toss them over the border!

Aye!

Please don't do this! We come seeking a new home!

We want to live here in Joseon!

Mercy! Please! Don't do this!

They risked their lives to come here.

Death is the only thing waiting for them if we send them back.

If you've got time to worry about the barbarians, worry about our own people.

You're a Joseonese general, not a barbarian general.

They're pleading for naturalization.

We cannot grant naturalization to barbarians under any circumstances.

Only the King can decide whether to except or reject them.

You'd provoke the King's sentimentality again?

This could be a step in the road to becoming a benevolent King.

Very well. If it's a fight you want, you're on.

I'm putting you in charge of the Left Army Command.

Protect these people until I get back.

We should just trample this camp.

Leave them be for now.

Let's see how far they take this.

Is there no chance we could be wrong?

Shouldn't we at least give this another thought if veteran generals and the

local people are against us protecting these people?

It's my belief utmost caution is due when handling human lives... albeit enemy.

Jianzhou Jurchen Military Camp

Commanding General of the Left Army Yi Su...

An interesting character has rolled into the Joseonese camp!

My lord.

I'd like to have him over for a drink if I could.

A drink, my lord?

We Jurchens are facing serious danger right now.

If the Joseonese start to protect the traitors that escaped from

the tribe, more and more will try to escape.

That could seriously weaken our military resources.

That's right, Brother.

Lucky son of a gun...

He made a grave error that has all of you worked up, but he's lucky.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Trust me, Tongmengga.

What you men call "serious danger" could very well be a golden opportunity.

Commanding General Yi Su.

It looks like he is on our side.

Naturalization?

These Jurchen civilians want to become Joseonese?

Over one hundred Jurchens have already crossed the border seeking our protection.

Then we should protect them in accordance with our policy of friendly foreign relation.

I think that is the duty of a superior state.

What if they are not civilians?

Not civilians?

General Choi.

Is it an easy task to classify the Jurchens into civilians and soldiers.

It... is a difficult task.

Jurchens learn to ride by the age of four,

and by ten they are all fighting warriors regardless of gender.

Isn't that right?

Yes, it is.

Now would you tell us how the Jurchen spies work?

They plant their spies around the border in civilian's disguise.

Given the present circumstances, can we rule out the possibility that

this is an attempt by the Jurchen military to infiltrate Joseon?

Are you saying there is a possibility that spies are among these people?

I'm sure General Choi's answer to that question will be more credible

than mine since he knows more about the borders than any of us.

"Possibility is very high."

That's General Choi's answer. Right, General?

Yes, Your Majesty.

That means taking them in would be a very dangerous move.

What do you think?

That may be so, but I will not turn the Jurchens away.

But the spies will aid the enemy from the inside when aggression begins

making our soldiers' fight twice as difficult.

- General Yi. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Ferret out the spies from the group.

You'll also educate and civilize them and turn them into true Joseonese.

True Joseonese?

How could barbarians become true Joseonese?

Anyone who wants to come to our land and become a part of

this country will be welcome.

Anyone including those whom you refer to as barbarians.

This is excessive idealism!

General Choi, I will leave it to you to win over Minister Jo.

He knows you as a general who methodically analyses his enemy

and always wins his war, but I know you as a compassionate leader who

took care of everyone including the Jurchens in Gyeongsung.

Don't bother trying to win me over.

You can't dismiss this as His Majesty's idealistic fancies. In the long-run...

Must I explain to you how our people live in the northern states?

It's hard enough to feed our own people. How are we going to feed the barbarians?

By emptying out your pockets, perhaps.

They say you have a knack for making money.

That you'll resort to dirty tricks and schemes to get what you want.

Cocky bastard!

If I'm a cocky bastard for pointing out a superior's misconduct,

what should I call you for fighting the King on every single one of his endeavors?

What exactly do you children want?

A country that's neither fish nor flesh that allows slaves to run its government

and grants citizenship to barbarians and Japanese?

Is that your idea of national pride?

We may not know much, but we do know.

It's a lesson we learned after the Tsushima Island Conquest.

"It's easy to oppose, but difficult to make it work."

Wow, I really like that quote.

It's your favorite quote, isn't it, sir?

Is that true?

Then, sir, please use your strength on making this work.

"Live by your words." It's virtue that politicians must adhere to, sir.

I appreciate the advice.

Grant citizenship to the barbarians?

Is this really what the King wants?

All of us close aides are expressing support.

We pride in ourselves for being a racially homogenous nation

for five thousand years since the dawn of history.

We cannot mix the dirty blood of the barbarians.

For some reason our King does not seem to care.

This cannot be allowed.

We will bring shame on our ancestors and disgrace ourselves to our children.

The King seems to have gone too far this time.

In my opinion, my son...

The time is finally ripe.

Resettlement funds?

Be generous with it. Encourage interracial marriage as well.

I'm not certain we can secure the tax revenue...

I will grant funds from the Royal Treasury if need be.

We must care for them as our own and

make them feel welcome so more will come to us.

It is indeed noble to embrace them, but I worry about Ming's reaction.

Chances are they will be suspicious of our intent.

They might think it's a scheme to control the Jurchens and undermine them.

Councilor Hwang, you should have more confidence in your subordinates;

and Secretary Yun, you grossly underestimate yourself.

I think you're more than competent to smooth things out with Ming

with your diplomatic skills.

Don't you, Councilor Hwang?

Oh dear, would you forgive me?

Oh, sir...

You'll have more information to assess the situation when the envoys return,

so you can come up with a clearer strategy then.

Dongchang: Ming Emperor's secret intelligence agency

Leader of Jianzhou Li Manzhu, sir.

Send him back.

He brings important news.

I have no time for outsiders.

Joseon is after Liaodong, sir.

Is this true?

There is no other explanation

for the King's active involvement in naturalizing the Jurchens.

Leave!

Something must be done, sir!

I said leave, I meant I understood you.

What does this mean?

This means we will punish the audacious

Joseonese that dare attempt to challenge Great Ming.

Are you giving us military aid?

Not right now.

Why not?

The Great Ming soldiers must send off the Emperor.

The Emperor is dead...

Where are you going in such a hurry?

I must bid my Emperor last farewell.

Don't bother.

You'll be leaving with him.

What do you mean?

Sacrificial burial?

Sacrificial Burial: A horrific custom of burying a living to accompany the dead.

This must be a mistake.

How could they?

Tell us that it's not true.

Go on!

Tell us it's a lie!

Don't you see the boy trembling?

I'm sorry.

I wish I could stop this, but it's beyond my power.

No!

Say this isn't true!

Do you know how excited he was coming here from Joseon?

He was so thrilled and excited about showing off that uniform to her

that he couldn't sleep at night.

Darn it!

What are you doing right now?

Can't you tell?

Didn't you hear the news?

They're going to kill her!

They took a maiden from our country and made her the Emperor's toy,

and now they're going to bury her to accompany the Emperor to hell!

We know. We heard.

It's a petition protesting the sacrificial burial.

Youngsil.

Hey, Assistant Chief Jang...

You're not thinking about doing something stupid, are you?

You're not, right?

I have to go somewhere.

You'll be back, right?

I'll be waiting.

I'm waiting for you here, and His Majesty is waiting for you in Joseon.

Give us Jang Youngsil.

Then I'll see what I can do about stopping the sacrificial burial.

I'm not here to negotiate. I'm here to give you a warning.

A warning?

Department of Rites is not an ornament just for show, sir.

I was once in the Ministry of Rites myself.

It's an agency that abolishes old, obsolete customs and practices

and replaces them with new appropriate ones.

I know you want to save one of your own, but...

Shut your...

Please don't ignore me and listen to what I say.

I'm not simply trying to protect a Joseonese woman.

Sacrificial burial is a barbaric custom.

Chinese or Joseonese,

taking a life to be buried with the dead is a ridiculous thing to do.

So you must abolish this tradition if you are a civilized empire.

You won't be able to save the concubine unless we make a deal.

I know you're getting rid of those who can protect her!

Do you think we'll let you do this because she's

a helpless Joseonese woman with no connections?

I knew you'd come to me on your own. You have a soft heart.

There is no deal, sir.

I have too much to do in Joseon.

It must be very reassuring for the Joseonese King to have you.

It would be nicer if I could give reassurance to the people as well.

I guess I have no choice.

Just don't forget the previous deal you made with me.

The previous deal? What's that about?

What was the deal? Are you being a spy for Ming?

Then I should turn you over to Ming and save the concubine.

A human life is more important than technology.

I agreed to share my future discoveries...

... in return for their astronomical knowledge.

Just as benefits of astronomical knowledge does not belong to the Chinese alone,

I believe my future discoveries and inventions and

their benefits are to be shared among all people.

Why did you hide this from us?

I didn't want to stir up needless suspicion.

Scholar Yehjin's position could be threatened if people know,

and he might be forced to divulge the fact that he turned over astronomical

instrument technology to Joseon.

You're smarter than I thought.

I'm beginning see why the King went through such length to protect you.

What is the fate of the concubine?

I'll try my best to save her but it doesn't look good.

I couldn't have acquired the astronomical technology without her.

If we can't save her by official means, I want to use unofficial means.

I think it's a life worth saving. How about you, sir?

You only have a few minutes.

I'm glad.

About what?

I'm glad that this last image of you is so splendid...

... and that I can take this last moment with me.

You don't have to go.

I'm not letting you go anywhere.

That's absurd.

They said it was absurd, too, when I become a government official.

Leave.

Don't do anything for me.

If you put yourself in danger for me, I'll never forgive you.

Look at me.

Look into my eyes and talk to me.

Could you ever give me up?

Look at me and answer me!

I'm scared.

I'm scared, Youngsil.

Trust me. I'm not letting you go anywhere.

I'm not going to lose you again.

What? Swap the bodies?

Lower your voice!

It is possible?

Luckily, Huang Yan is overseeing this.

I see.

I'm surprised, Minister Huh.

I never thought you'd sacrifice your principles.

Protecting my own people-that's the most important principles of politics.

By the way, I am surprised about Eunuch Huang.

I thought he was just another Ming official that always gets in our way,

but he's actively trying to help us.

Oh, that's because Eunuch Huang is a Joseonese, too!

Huang Yan is Joseonese?

I'll see you tomorrow.

Will I be able to go back to Donglae?

That day...

That day is so vivid in my mind.

The fireworks display you made for me were so beautiful.

Just get through tonight.

And I'll show you so much fireworks that you'll get sick of them.

It will be a tragic loss.

Disappointed that it's not Huang Yan?

I held you in high regard.

Did you?

I would've spared you if you hadn't betrayed us even if you are a Joseonese.

I have a request.

Let me choose the place I die.

Do you think I'd grant you that request?

It's a small request considering I gave my life in service of Ming.

I didn't aim for your heart.

That's the limit of my mercy.

Do you wish to live?

What classified information did Jang Youngsil take from Ming?

I can spare you if you tell me what it is.

Sir!

What... what happened?

I'm sorry...

The Imperial Concubine?

What does this mean for her?

If you go to the palace, you'll die.

Do you think that's what the Imperial Concubine wants?

I will not die.

That a girl.

If my love is alive, I'll live although my body is dead.

She didn't plan to go with you even if she had survived this.

She didn't want to be a burden.

She was going to leave me hanging again?

Live for us.

Live for the Imperial Concubine and for me as well.

That's all she asks of you.

What the heck is this?

Two years later

February 1426, 8th year of Sejong's reign, Capital City

"We want a King for Joseon, not a King for the barbarians."

What is happening?

Fire is breaking out all over the city, Your Highness.

Send a messenger to Hwengsung immediately.

Hwengsung Military Training Field, Gangwon Province

I think we should return to the capital city.

We have only been here two days, Your Majesty.

I feel ill at ease for some reason.

But a hunting tournament is scheduled for the soldiers tomorrow.

They will be very disappointed if you leave.

But...

Stay, Your Majesty.

Secretary Yun will take care of the capital city.

Arson?

Fires have been started by people of the

northern states who harbor resentment for the Royal House.

They should be in action by now.

Now the enraged public will bring a new King to the throne of Joseon.