Original subtitles

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

What is happening?

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

Send a messenger to Hwengsung immediately.

I should return to the capital city.

We have only been here two days, Your Majesty.

I have a bad feeling 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 attend to affairs in the capital city.

Arson?

Fires have been started by people of the northern states who

harbor resentment for the Royal House.

But why?

They should be in action by now.

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

"A King for the Joseonese, not for the barbarians"

This is the price we pay for the King's agressive naturalization policy.

Shouldn't you get going, Royal Inspector?

You must arrest the arsonists whatever may be their cause.

The first thing in order is to bring the fires under control.

I agree.

We don't have enough manpower to fight the fires as it is.

Good grief!

Agency of Punishments

Don't stop until the fire is under control!

Move it! Hustle!

Check Jonglu and Jongmyoro as well!

Yes, sir!

Over here! Focus on this area!

Agency of Punishments building is saved?

And the fire did not reach Jonglu or Jongmyoro.

Thank heavens for that.

Move it! Quickly!

They're working hard despite the King's absence.

They might suppress the fires quicker than we thought.

Let them try.

There's no way they can stop us.

Seal the gate!

What are you waiting for? Stop them!

They set the City Hall on fire?

What is this? What have you done?

They handed us torches and said, "Let's burn down this place," so I did.

Are you insane?

If I had my way, I'd set the whole city on fire, not just the City Hall!

- Wouldn't you, guys? - Yeah!

They all deserve to die! I want to kill them all!

The City Hall is just the beginning.

Flames have been spotted in the North District near Gahwe-bang.

What?

Jeoh-dong South District is in flames.

Over a thousand homes in Jangtong bang Central District are engulfed in flames,

and death toll is quickly rising.

Central District Jangtong-bang

The physicians?

They're waiting.

Human rescue will be our first and foremost priority.

We can give up the City Hall and the municipal buildings,

but we cannot give up human lives.

So put all of your resources to human rescue.

Yes, Your Highness.

I'm counting on you.

I'm going to the City Hall.

The Chief Magistrate has been injured and he is unable to manage the crisis.

The Royal Secretariat will start investigating the scene of the fire with

Hall of Worthies' scholars so we can capture the arsonists and stop the fires.

Perhaps Your Highness should retire to the Central Halls.

That's all right.

You look fatigued.

I am accountable for the safety of the people in the King's absence.

Am I not?

How did you...?

The messenger could not have been this quick.

I cut my trip short when I heard from the military officers that

arrived later that groups northerners were suspiciously wondering the city, but...

Oh...

But I never expected this.

Please sit down. You look tired.

I've summoned the ministers, so they will soon...

Are you afraid?

I'm angry.

I was not wrong to welcome the Jurchens.

We can't have peace in the border states unless we embrace the Jurchens.

But these people came to the city and committed arson knowing full well that

innocent by standers will die just to drive out the Jurchens.

Are these selfish people my people as well?

The damage report?

This is what we have so far.

Over twenty fatalities already?

That's not counting infants and elderly.

How many have been arrested?

Pardon?

How many of the northern rebels have been captured?

Most of the officials have been put to fighting the fires,

and the Royal Secretariat is starting the investigation...

Forget the investigation!

The rebels must be suppressed immediately!

I see no choice but to rally the troops.

This is a civic matter. We can't act in haste.

If they're burning down the capital, this is tantamount to a civil war.

It is the military that deals with national threats such as this.

Even so, we must first request royal authorization for military action.

You and I can take care of that.

Military can start doing their job in the meanwhile.

This is a crisis. We must get a grip on the situation first.

But...

Stop arguing and just write up a request!

Will you assume responsibility if they strike again while we're arguing?

I will be at the Royal Inspector's Office.

Not you, too, sir.

Bear in mind this is practically a civil war.

If we don't take strong action, angry public will not be assuaged.

Do you want the capital city to become His Majesty's enemy as well?

Kill them! Kill them all!

What is the meaning of this?

Don't try to stop us!

We lost our loved ones because of the fire these bastards started!

I lost my home and everything I have! These bastards have to pay!

I will not let you commit a crime to punish a crime.

Leave the investigation to the state and return to your homes.

Or I will be forced to arrest all of you as well.

They started the fires, and you want to arrest us? Are you mad?

- Arrest them! - Yes, sir.

Stop!

It looks like you've been away frrom the military too long.

You should go back to pounding metals at the Department of Works.

What is the meaning of this?

I mean that I will not put the safety of this city

the hands of a man with your poor judgment.

Arrest all of the northerners who trespassed on the capital city!

Yes, sir.

There's an investigation in progress.

We can't just arrest these people solely

on the bases of their origin without evidence that ties them to the crime.

No evidence?

What could be clearer evidence than the treacherous scene before our eyes?

- That's right! - Here, here!

- Get out of here! - Run! Hurry!

Did you see that? This is our reality.

If we don't act,

the people will rise up in rage and take the matter into their own hands.

This is what we call a civil war.

- Move it, men! - Yes, sir!

- Out of the way! - Move!

Wait. Calm down. Let us explain.

Be quiet, wench!

What are you waiting for? Kill them!

Run!

Rats!

Who is this man?

I thought it might not be a bad idea for you to meet him.

Sir!

You went too far setting the city on fire.

I thought you'd be pleased.

We suffered dramatic profit reduction after the King announced

open immigation to the Jurchen Barbarians.

You know that slave trading is a huge part of our business, sir.

I said you could create small disturbances.

I didn't say burn down the city and kill innocent bystanders.

I thought the King needed a real wake up call.

You're keeping your men under tight control?

I'm not new at this, sir.

How deeply are you involved in this?

I thought you were simply ignoring the rebelling northerners.

That man is not a northerner.

He is half way.

He spends half of his time in the north on account of his business.

You're talking about organized arson!

He left no trail.

And what was he saying about a rebate?

o you need political power to protect men like him so you could

get kickbacks and get rich?

It's rather hypocritical for

a man whoi is trying to steal the throne to get heated over a little kickback.

Minister Jo!

Don't pretend to be naive and face up to reality.

You're old enough to know that politics requires money.

Did Jo Malseng leave?

Jo Malseng... How much can I trust him?

How about carefully recruiting your own men?

We can start at the Ministry of Military.

Choose honest and loyal men like Gang Sangin and Yi Sookbun.

Men who will stab Jo Malseng in the back for me?

It's the most important lesson your father the late King has caught you.

Force behind the arson?

The fires started at the Agency of Punishments, and the City Hall,

the North District, the Central District and the South District

were all in flames within the next half an hour almost simultaneously.

Are you saying this was an organized arson?

If this were not a spontaneous act of the unruly northerners but

a carefully planned organized arson, what could this mean?

It could mean there's a much greater and dangerous force behind it.

Your Majesty, it's unwise to have the military seize and detain the

northerners at this point.

Prince Kyoungnyeong is behind this?

How could a woman as careful as yourself utter such words?

I'm trying to remind you that one cannot be too careful.

Escort Han.

The country is swept up in a storm of confusion

and the King's ability has come to question.

Who could benefit most at this time?

Yur imagination can put a man's life in danger.

In thirty years of palace life, I had a hand in raising almost everyone in the palace

from the King to the palace maids.

And sometimes they bring me useful information.

Are you saying this is more than just your imagination?

Jo Malseng has been having frequent meetings with Prince Kyoungnyeong.

Jo is His Majesty's biggest political enemy.

That is reason enough alone to keep a close eye on Kyoungnyeong.

Poongae, what are you doing?

Are you stealing?

I-I found it.

Put it back!

The house is empty.

No one's watching it, so finders keepers.

Do you want me to kill you?

No, do you want me to kill myself? Then will you learn your lesson?

Doesn't it make you mad, Sis?

They live so well here, and we...

Did we come here to steal? Are we thieves?

Pick them up and put the box where you found it right now.

Or I'm going to turn you over to the constables myself.

I swear I will!

Did anyone else steal anything?

No. Did you steal anything?

I didn't.

If I find anything on you, you're dead. You hear me?

Poongae made a mistake.

He didn't know what he was doing. Right, kid?

Shut your trap.

You have no room to talk after setting the fires.

I didn't start it.

I just got caught up in it, that's all.

Besides, we burned one little grain shed.

We didn't even go near any homes.

Look.

Why don't we just go back home?

What are you talking about?

This is not what we signed up for. And half of us have already been arrested.

They're blaming us for the fires. They'll kill us all if we're captured.

No we're going to the palace.

What?

Let is go to the palace!

Think about this again.

If we run now, they will really think that we did this.

How did you lose your fingers, Madam?

You cut the off because you got frostbite burying your dead child in frozen soil.

Aren't you angry that your child starved to death

because you had nothing to feed her after paying the government?

Did you forget that the barbarians chopped your leg off with an axe?

Still you had to drag yourself out to the field and worked your fingers

to the bone to support the King.

We're not thieves or bandits!

We don't have much, and we get treated like dirt, but we're still Joseonese.

We came here to make the King see that.

Let's head on back home when it gets dark.

We can't just die here.

Old man...

Don't do this.

Hurry up and get packing!

Royal Inspector's Office

- We're innocent! - We had nothing to do with the fires!

- You must believe us! - We're innocent!

I have a hard time believing that

these people are rebels that set fire to the city and aspired to capture the government.

I knew you'd get soft.

Please go back inside if this is too uncomfortable to watch.

The military will interrogate them and get the truth out of them.

His Majesty the King!

What is the meaning of this?

Is that a rhetorical question, Your Majesty?

Stop the torture at once!

I am surprised, Your Majesty.

We thought you were here to conduct the interrogation personally.

Minister Jo!

If I may remind you, these are men who set fire to the capital city to protest

your marvelous open immigration policy.

Surely you know that.

Do you have evidence or witnesses to prove that they are the arsonists?

Circumstantial evidence is more than enough.

They are denying all charges.

No man admits his crime right away. That's why interrogation is necessary.

I've ordered not to punish a man based solely on extracted confession without

any evidence or witnesses!

Are we going to talk about idealistic theories again?

These are fundamental principles of government.

We wish there was another way.

But we must consider the angry citizens that are gathered outside.

If this situation is bordering civil war, principles do not apply...

Principles must be applied and adhered to in any circumstances without change.

You leave me no choice.

I guess I will have to reveal the true culprit behind this chaos.

You, Your Majesty, are at the heart of this confusion and disorder.

Accordingly, you are accountable.

Aren't you being extremely disrespectful?

Good medicine is bitter, and honest counsel can be hurtful.

If His Majesty did not open our borders to the Jurchens,

the northerners would not be here destroying the capital city.

You must quickly abolish the open immigration policy on the Jurchens.

You must also take back the courtier's robe from Jang Youngsil

and restore social order as well.

Why are you bringing up a matter that happened three years ago?

We made one small concession and it came back to haunt us.

Jang Youngsil may be talented, but there can be no exceptions.

We treated one slave like a man,

and now everyone thinks they're entitled to something.

We spoiled the public and that's the reason for this defiance.

What is your opinion, Director Byun?

Do you agree with this?

... Yes, Your Majesty.

The Royal House and the scholar officials have the duty to lay down

the laws of the state, and the people have the duty to obey them.

It is not wise to give them reasons to repeatedly challenge those laws.

Thirty years since the founding of the state and eight years since you took the

throne the time calls for a stringent evaluation of Joseonese government.

You cannot waste time attending to unruly citizens right now.

You must focus on rectifying the system by boldly getting rid of

policies that do more harm than good.

Confusion will worsen if you fail to do so,

and Your Majesty will be the man responsible for that confusion.

I wish you had come to me first before going to the Royal Inspector's office.

Are you with Jo Malseng on this as well?

Your Majesty...

I'm angrier than anyone about the northerners' behavior.

I want to personally administer severe punishment to them all, but...

You must never defend the northerners again, Your Majesty.

Councilor Hwang.

Are you willing to give uplthe open immigration policy on the Jurchens

and Jang Youngsil as well?

Human lives are more important than either of those things.

You know better than I do that more lives could be lost if you give up on

the open immigration policy.

We may not have tangible proof, but there's enough circumstantial evidence.

More importantly, the people of the capital want justice and retribution.

If you punish the northerners, the people will be assuaged,

and those who want stronger revenge will hold back.

You're showing me the easy way out again.

It does not please me either.

But you can lose everything trying to protect everything.

As painful as it may be, you must allow this so you can find a way

to protect Jang Youngsil and the open immigration policy.

What are you doing here on the steps?

This is hardly a place for the King.

I'm afraid.

I'm afraid if I sat on that throne right now,

I would be forced to make a decision that will take human lives lightly,

according to the order of political importance,

to further a political cause under the pretext of greater good.

Your Majesty...

Everyone has only one life.

Did you wish to see me?

There is something I wanted to confirm.

Who do you think is behind the fires?

Surely you're wise enough to know who is behind it.

It's you and I, and all of us.

If Royal House's negligence and disregard for the people's woes

drove them to this act of violence, we should be held responsible.

I'd like to see what I can to help those who suffered losses due to the fire.

Would you join me in the cause?

But of course.

King and Queen are not to be taken lightly.

Don't worry, Mother.

Even if they become suspicious, they won't be able to tie me to the crime.

Be more careful anyway.

You must not have another meeting with Jo Malseng and the others at home again.

Consort Hyobin's eyes...

I know.

But don't speak to anyone about this yet.

But...

The country is in enough confusion as it is.

I don't want to add division in the Royal House to that.

Find me someone trustworthy to watch Prince Kyoungnyeong's home.

I'm going to order the prisoners released.

To accuse them without tangible evidence...

Your Majesty!

There's a good chance that the northerners are not the arsonists.

These are building materials found in areas presumed to be

where the fires started.

They all have camellia oil residue on them.

They used it to fuel the fire.

Camellia oil...

Not only is camellia oil very expensive but you can't even

find them in the northern states.

This was found at the City Hall.

It's a torch that the northerners were carrying and they used ricinus oil.

That smells quite foul.

It looks like the real culprit is somewhere else.

This might be the most definitive proof.

We found it few yard away from the scene of the fire, and it appears

to be a gizmo they used to start the fire.

Do you see this grainy substance?

What is it?

It's potassium nitrate.

Potassium nitrate?

Potassium nitrate is used to make gunpowder,

so trading is strictly prohibited.

Then the real culprit is someone from the capital city who has money

with connections in the military?

That fool has left traceable evidence?

I guess I have no choice but to resort to my last option...

The arsonist has ties in the Ministry of Military...

Royal Attendant.

Who in the Ministry of Military might be after my seat of power?

Who are you?

Were you after my life?

Who sent you?

Who sent me?

I knew it.

I knew you would've forgotten all about us,

but it still hurts to confirm it for myself.

Great Prince.

Who are you?

Dami.

Stupid little crybaby that used to follow you around everywhere in Gyeongsung, Dami.

Wake up, Mommy! Mommy!

Mister, please help my mommy! Please, mister!

I'm sorry.

This is my fault.

This is all my fault.