Original subtitles

Do you think the Muwi Guards can defeat the enemy?

We were taught by the enemy.

I'd say Dongchang is a pretty good teacher. Wouldn't you?

Sometimes the pupil does surpass his teacher.

It's time for Joseon's Muwi Guards to put Dongchang in its proper place.

I want you to get rid of a pesky character for me.

Then I will accept you as my disciple.

Who do you want dead?

You will go to the Forbidden City.

Is it the Emperor?

AD 1434, The Forbidden City, Beijing

Soon you will become the Master of Heavens.

That is why I've called the man who will lead you to the throne.

The Emperor's illness?

Prince Imperial is only 8 years old.

What have you found out?

The Emperor's condition is indeed continuing to deteriorate.

If this leads to his death...

The Prince Imperial's mentor could end up become an acting Emperor.

Who would you choose if you were the Emperor, Prime Minister?

I don't know. It wouldn't be an easy choice to make.

It won't be Wang Zhen at the very least.

An intelligence agency chief is not a man that walks a straight path.

Can you think of anyone?

Speaking in foreign languages I bid you greetings, Your Highness.

What did you just say?

I bade you greetings in different languages.

Which did you like best?

Which language was the third?

It's Joseonese.

Joseon? What Joseon like?

It's a state with the most civilized culture among the feudal states.

The Son of Heaven must rule them with virtue.

What is your name?

I am Hanlin Scholar Huang Zan.

Hanlin scholar Huang Zan...

He is the Emperor's most trusted man and the top scholar of Hanlin Academy.

Man worthy of being the Emperor's mentor...

What's more, he is the one who will be coming to us as an envoy.

Instruct the Ministry of Rites and the Hall of Worthies

to gather all information we have on this man Huang Zan.

Don't stop what you're doing when I visit from now on.

But...

I can wait, but the stars don't.

Use every moment you have to observe the stars.

The sooner we learn their secrets, the sooner we will

have our own calendar science.

Your Majesty.

I was told that a Ming diplomatic mission is coming.

Are we safe using the astronomical instruments?

We will make it safe if only for your hard work and effort.

I heard you're going to Joseon as an envoy.

Yes.

Your shoulders must be heavy.

Joseon is a dangerous state.

Between you and Joseon, I wonder which is more dangerous

to the Imperial House of Ming.

That's the man I want you to kill.

Kill him as soon as he enters Joseon!

Did you wish to see me?

Send word to Beijing.

Find a way to get in touch with Hanlin Scholar Huang Zan.

The fate of ganui is in his hands now.

It was our understanding that

Scholar Huang Zan would be the chief envoy in this mission.

Has there been a change of plans?

No, he will return soon.

I don't understand.

He's came alone ahead of us.

I guess the rumor is true that Venerable Huang gets an itch

to travel incognito when he goes on diplomatic missions.

He takes special interest in barbarian languages.

Is there a reason why he must die in Joseon?

His death in Joseon will lead to diplomatic friction between Ming and Joseon.

And to smooth out the friction,

they will have to turn over their new weapons technology.

You failed?

I think we have a traitor among us.

A traitor?

Muwi Guards Safe House, Uiju

I'm glad you're safe.

I owe you my life.

Well collect that debt in due time.

How did you know Dongchang was after my life?

We found there are quite a few agents in the Ming intelligence

agency who are more interested in money than in loyalty.

What is the meaning of this?

I said what is the meaning of this?

Joseonese silver pieces?

You turned over the information for silver?

Sir, I'm...

Does this mean we can't acquire the new weapons technology?

You think this is the only trap we set?

Is there something else?

I don't like chatterers as much as I don't like traitors.

Are you sure this is the place?

We had Choi Haesan followed several different days,

so this has got to be it.

Secret Weapons Development Agency

I thought you were just a good linguist.

Are you a swordsman as well?

You're an interesting man the more I get to know.

What happened?

As you can see, the place has been completely emptied out.

Did you tell the King about our plan?

You ought to know him better.

He's not the kind of man

who scrambles to cover the well after the child has drowned in it.

If he were that stupid, I would've long beaten him.

Has the secret weapons department been relocated?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let us destroy all of the files on the new weapons.

Destroy them?

Envoy Huang Zan is due to be here soon.

You mean he's going to come after our new weapons technology?

There's a good chance he will.

But he is indebted to us.

We cannot be too careful.

Memorize everything and destroy them.

Anyone can easily guess Lord Yi Chun,

Jang Youngsil and I would be involved in the weapons development.

So in case they...

You have to keep in mind that we could become their target.

We need to be prepared, Your Majesty.

If you want to go up against the King, you need to be a lot smarter.

Aren't we on the same side here?

You want to get your hands on

the technology and get into Hanlin Academy as much as we do.

We're both drooling after the fish that got away here.

This guy is new, so I understand,

but you should know me better after all these years of working together.

In three days these records will be destroyed.

You must memorize them before that.

Is this just in case something happens to you and the others

who know the secrets of the new weapons?

Yes.

But this is a lot of unfamiliar material.

No buts. The fate of the nation is at stake.

But...

Jinyang is right.

You don't need to get up.

We don't have a moment to waste.

Let's continue.

"Let's continue"?

I'll work with you.

I'm surprised, Your Highness.

Why so?

I thought you were against weapons development.

I still am.

Then.

I can't keep myself in the dark just because I'm against it.

Considerable portion of our national budget is being wasted

on weapons development.

So you want to study the records so you can oppose better?

I will change course anytime if I find this is in our best interest.

That's our father the King's way, and as the future King,

I think it's quite reasonable.

Don't you agree, Deputy Commander?

Then you can tell the King about this for me.

How did you think to use the Crown Prince?

He hates war.

If this works out,

the Crown Prince might personally divulge the secrets of the new weapons to.

And I hate longwinded conversations!

How do you think the Crown Prince found out?

I think he is smart enough to figure this out on his own.

Does this mean he takes interest in my policies?

He is trying, at least.

Oh dear, he should be in bed!

But sir.

Leave him alone for a while.

There's nothing sweeter than a catnap you get dozing off reading.

Then... Perhaps you'll visit him in the morning.

I'll stay and watch him for a while.

What do you think, Master?

Just as I thought.

I knew you'd get that look on your face as well.

What do you mean?

You're impressed.

It is indeed impressive.

It's not easy to develop this kind of technology in such a short time.

Am I not supposed to be proud as the Crown Prince and as a Joseonese?

This technology is too dangerous to be proud of.

Because we will be isolated if Ming finds out that we have this technology?

If we share it with them, that might prove our loyalty.

So are you saying we should turn over this new weapons technology to Ming?

I'm saying we could consider if it comes to that.

Size wise, population wise, we are no match for Ming.

The world evolves around Ming.

Politics is reality.

Hanging on to unrealistic ideals will get us nowhere.

Peaceful coexistence with Ming while pursuing domestic prosperity

is the best choice Joseon can make right now.

Water Clock

All of the records on the new weapons will be destroyed by noon today, and

distribution of rockets will be halted until the envoy leaves the country.

How much longer until the envoy arrives?

The reception is at noon, sir.

What time is it now?

A sundial in the public square?

Who stole a valuable clock and put it in the public square?

Stole it? No sir, the King place it here himself.

Look around. They're everywhere.

It must've been a while since you've been in Joseon.

Keep your ears open.

In a few minutes an automatic clock in the palace will tell us what time it is.

An automatic clock?

Yes, sir!

Hansung Automatic Time Report Device

One more hour until the envoy's reception.

That time signal sounds like footsteps of angel of death today.

381/4 degrees!

The King of Joseon is a thief.

As Wang Zhen warned,

Joseon might indeed be a very dangerous state.

We should've put the sundials away.

The latitude of Hansung is engraved on the sundials.

I know.

If this man is a Hanlin scholar,

he'll figure out that were using standardized time based on our latitude.

Probably.

Thant means he'll consider the possibility of us acquiring

our own astronomical instrument.

You're right.

Your Majesty!

What are you doing?

You've had too much to drink.

Who are you to preach?

The bell is ringing, it's time for our Royal lessons.

Don't you dare glare at me!

Your Grace...

A lowly consort trying to lecture the Crown Princess?

Music!

What is the meaning of this?

Would you like to join us, Your Highness?

Escort Han.

Yes, Your Highness.

Clear the room.

Stop this behavior at once.

I'm simply doing my princessly duty.

Then you should be at your Royal lessons right now.

I'm reviewing the dancers and musician's performance for the envoys reception.

I am your mother. Do I have to whip you to stop that backtalk?

My mother?

You are married to my son, so that makes you my daughter.

What mother in the world gets her daughter's husband a mistress?

Crown Prince is over twenty years old but he does not have a heir.

There is no problem bigger than this in the Royal House.

So don't tell me that you are my mother.

You're the Queen who cares more about having a grandson to carry on

the Royal line than you are about me.

Is that the reason for your unspeakable behavior?

To spit me and the Crown Prince?

Do you know about the awful rumors about you?

My husband gives me no attention.

Is it bad to have a friend to spend my long and lonely nights with?

Are you trying to get yourself deposed?

That's better than living in hell, Mother.

I know that the Crown Prince isn't an affectionate man.

He's very cold man.

It's our fate, as women of the Royal House, to endure that life.

Maybe you can, but I can't.

Princess!

Mother!

You just said you were my mother.

Then consider my position for once instead of the Crown Prince's position.

I feel like my heart is going to burst, Mother!

What brings you here, Mother?

I was just passing by.

The weather has cooled considerably, Mother.

I wish I could take you on a trip to the hot springs.

If only you would be so affectionate to...

Shouldn't you be at the Hall of Great Peace?

I'll see you when I get aback from the envoy's reception.

Your Highness! Your Highness!

What is it?

The envoy has canceled all of his scheduled activities.

What do they state as the reason?

Perhaps the inevitable has come.

He has no time for his Princess with so much on his plate...

The Crown Princess will realize eventually.

I wonder what the problem is with the Ming envoys.

In the Royal House and in the country, there is not a day of peace...

An inspection?

I'm sure you know what I'll be looking for.

You didn't need to trouble yourself bringing this here...

We have one ready for you to give you as a gift when you leave.

This one is calibrated to the latitude of Beijing

so it will correspond to your standard time.

How did you determine Joseon's standard time?

You requested an inspection.

His Majesty awaits you.

How did you like the gift?

It undermines my dignity to accept a gift from a thief.

That's a bit of arrogance considering I've saved your life.

Perhaps we can make a distinction between personal and official affairs.

Should I have left you to die?

You're the one who can't distinguish between personal and official affairs.

We didn't save you, an individual, we saved you the Emperor's mentor.

And from the Emperor's enemy at that.

Dongchang.

I'm sure the Emperor doesn't want

fate of Ming being toyed around by an Imperial eunuch.

You're well-informed about our domestic situation.

Diplomacy is all about managing information.

You don't owe me your life; I believe your Emperor owes me Ming's future.

You put much too much value on my life.

Heaven is only for the Emperor to know.

My life isn't valuable enough to trade with that power and prestige.

Power and prestige is not preserved by monopolizing astronomy.

When you share the knowledge for peace and prosperity of all mankind under the sky,

that is true power and prestige.

Joseon will accept the astronomical observation technology as a great gift

from the Ming Emperor.

And now I want to return the favor.

Is this the...?

Changyongnu.

It's Joseonese Invention of automatic water clock.

Yuan had once made an automatic water clock as well.

I'm sure you know that if you invented this.

But tragically, that clock became trash in less than a year.

Are you aware of that?

Yes.

Perhaps this machine will share the same fate.

That could very well happen if we hadn't overcome the flaw in the susuho.

Then...

You've solved the problem in the susuho?

Yes, we have.

How?

This is called garo.

It's a device that controls the water level on the susuho.

Garo?

If this garo can completely resolve the problem in susuho,

this is a ground-breaking technology.

This may be the only automatic clock in the world!

The King has instructed us to share the new technology in its entirety to Ming.

He also wanted you me to tell you that he wants all people of Ming and

Joseon to share the convenience that the clock will bring in their daily lives.

If this is how this is going to end,

we didn't need to destroy the files on the new weapons after all.

You still have a long way to go.

You have a lot more to learn.

The envoy didn't say a word about the new weapons.

Dongchang of Ming don't take them lightly.

When can you turn over the new weapons technology?

Choi Manli will not budge.

What is he up to?

I don't know.

He's a difficult man to figure out.

Perhaps he's hesitant because

Joseon isn't under any kind of pressure to turn over the weapons technology.

We need something to give Choi Manli a little nudge.

You're in good mood today, sir.

I didn't know you could speak Joseonese as well.

The only difference is you learned it out of academic curiosity and

I learned it out of national interest.

Do you wish to converse in Joseonese?

Yes.

Why?

I'll explain later.

I don't need your explanation.

Go to your boss Wang Zhen and deliver my message clearly in our language!

Tell to be prepared to pay the price for coming after the Emperor's mentor.

You must first get the new weapons technology from Joseon.

Did you just say new weapons technology?

Find Hall of Worthies Scholar Choi Manli.

He's not an easy man to handle,

but he will confirm the validity of our information depending on what you say.

Dongchang is an agency under the Emperor's direct command.

Our main job is not to collect foreign intelligence data

but to keep an eye on Ming officials.

Are you trying to say that the Emperor is having me watched?

I'm saying the Emperor will

have to renounce you if you get caught under out trap.

He who ignores a threat to our national security is treasonous.

And he does not deserve to be the Emperor's mentor.

Remember, sir. Dongchang has eyes are everywhere.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you why spoke in Joseonese.

I wanted to spare you embarrassment.

The Emperor's mentor being questioned by Dongchang about his loyalty...

Our ears are everywhere, and I didn't want you to suffer such shame.

Have we gotten over this hump?

He has agreed not to make an issue of the ganui for now.

But Hanlin Scholar Huang Zan has a personal request.

Who's there?

It's me. Hanlin Scholar Huang Zan.

What brings the Imperial Envoy to the Hall of Worthies at this hour?

I pestered your King to let me in.

It's in my blood as a scholar to be curious about what's in foreign libraries.

The library is that way, sir.

Is this your desk?

Yes, sir.

What is your name?

Choi Manli, sir.

Choi Manli...

You have excellent writing.

Fit for Hanlin Academy if I may say.

How would you like to study at Hanlin?

Choi Manli. Choi Manli...

I heard there is a dangerous weapon in Joseon.

Something very dangerous for both Joseon and Ming

For as long as Joseon insists on development and possession,

you will be provoking the hawks of Mine government.

Does this mean you don't want that?

Ming, too, is a land of scholars.

And no scholar wants warriors to dominate the government.

I want to make a deal with your King.

Once I've confirmed the facts, I intend to quietly make him stop the development.

Then peace will continue between Ming and Joseon.

And I will find a way for you to study at Hanlin Academy.

Wouldn't you like to discuss Ming and Joseon's peace at Hanlin with me?

I knew you'd come through.

Did you bring what I asked for?

Of course.

I, too, want peace between Ming and Joseon.

The new weapons of Joseon!