Original subtitles

Misfortune continued for Wang Guhn following the crushing defeat at

Mt. Gong. Kyun-hwon's army pressed on annexing Sungju and Chilgok and

killing Koryo general Seksang while his sons attacked Kangju

killing General Kim Sang. Koryo's naval force retreated

from the south coast of Bekjae, as their objective of forcing

Kyun-hwon out of Surabul was achieved.

They also lacked means to fight a prolonged war.

Soon afterward, Kyun-hwon sends a provoking letter to Wang Guhn

that claims himself as the master of the Three Kingdoms.

This is from the king of Bekjae, you say?

Yes, Your Majesty.

What? Do not be reckless and irrational?

Hang his bow on the gate of Pyongyang and let his horse

drink from Daedong River?

I may have been defeated in Mt. Gong but the war is not over.

How dare he send such audacious message?

I cannot condone this!

Though record of the Later Three Kingdoms is insufficient as a

whole, the details of this letter are explicitly preserved.

A brief summary is as follows: The past attempt to lure you

to Surabul by Shilla's Chief Minister Kim Ungkyum is not

unlike a small turtle following the call of a large turtle.

Shilla was being led to ruin. Hence I entered their capital

with my whip, and the villainous officials ran

and the king was killed. I saved the tottering kingdom

from doom, but you ignored my charity and my warnings

and continued to covet Surabul with artifice.

What was the result? You did not get a glimpse of me

and lost your high generals Shin Seungkyum and Kim Lak.

You have witnessed my mighty power.

Now I will hang my bow at the gate of Pyongyang, and let my

horse drink from Daedong River. I advise you to humble yourself

and take no action that would lead to regrets.

Hang his bow at Pyongyang and drink from Daedong River?

What makes him think that he can? How dare he!

But it is a fine composition of words. Who is the author?

It is Vice Prime Minister Choi Seung-woo.

Choi Seung-woo...?

It is the same Choi Seung-woo that you met, Your Majesty.

It is a true shame that a man who studied and served high

post in Tang China ended up serving the king of bandits.

Care not, Your Majesty. This is not worthy of attention.

That's right. It is an attempt to trifle you with cheap words.

But it is an official epistle.

You must reply and condemn their audacity.

Yes. Condemn them, Your Majesty. Match words with words.

There is no end to their audacity.

I cannot let this go on. Royal Secretariat,

Yes, Your Majesty.

Instruct the appropriate office to compose a reply.

Tell them that Koryo is still alive and that their arrogance

will soon be punished! Detail their savage acts in Surabul

account by account and make them realize their shame!

Yes, Your Majesty.

The envoys will leave us now and stand by.

Your Majesty, their arrogance has reached its peak.

We cannot let this go on.

Give me your command. I will reduce them to shame.

I implore you.

Allow me to avenge Brother Seungkyum's death.

Yes. Please permit us to raise our swords.

Yes, we cannot tolerate this indignity.

You speak the truth.

We've spent the last several months re-mobilizing our army.

It's time to reclaim our pride now that our strength is restored.

Whether an individual or a nation, you are subjected to

endless contempt and disrespect once your weakness is exposed.

I've spent the last few months in exasperation.

Let us break their arrogance.

The military agency will propose a plan of action.

Yes, Your Majesty.

And respond to that epistle at once.

Yes, Your Majesty.

These are words to the king of Bekjae by the emperor of Koryo.

Your silk scroll was well received.

But it was riddled with lies and questionable assertions.

Since taking the throne at the command of God and the people,

this man has walked only the straight and narrow path.

At Jomul Fort, I had rebdered virtue and backed away at my

own accord to for the safety of my soldiers.

How is it that you continue to abuse this and act with

impropriety? Like a mad dog, you have invaded Shilla and

pluntered its capital, and killed its king.

How could I not compare you to Villain Dongtak of China?

The world knows that you torched their palace, raped their women

and looted their treasures. I will soon exact retribution

and penetrate your land to purge the evil.

Regret will do you no benefit if you do not change your ways,

hence I urge you to consider your interest.

I expected nothing less from Wang Guhn. He is utterly piqued.

What happened tp the honorable title of Sangbu that used to

address me by?

He nearly lost his life twice and suffered intolerable humiliation.

Surely manners are the last thing on his mind.

Yes. Even a holy saint could not take this much indignity.

But the composition is not bad. Who wrote this letter?

They said it was written by Goen Choi Jiwon.

To my knowledge, Goen is living in hermitage.

This may be a fine composition, but it is not Goen's work.

Of course not. It would shock the world if Goen were serving

Wang Guhn. Nonetheless, it's a decent composition.

Father, we have driven out the enemy from the south

coast and took back Kangu. Koryo is positioning itself.

to make another move. Allow us to return to battle.

Yes, yes, you will return. We cannot stop fighting.

You've done a fine job in Kangju and the south coast.

You have preserved your dignity as my sons.

Your grace is immeasurable.

Do speak, Brother.

Your Majesty has won a huge victory in Mt. Gong,

and your sons have subjugated Kangju and the south coast.

And?

Prince Shin Geum is now nearly forty years of age.

Some time ago, the Prime Minister had mentioned the

issue of the next throne.

Yes. I chastised him and said it such talks were premature.

Future is to be ponder over when all is well.

This mustn't be put off any longer. Please reconsider.

I clearly forbade you from bring this up!

Why do you say this when you know how angry I would become?

What? Shin-guhm is nearly forty?

Your Majesty, General Neungyae is only concerned about the future...

Silence, Prime Minister!

Do you suggest I promise him the throne since he is of age?

Since he subjugated kangju and the south coast?

Doest that merit anything? It took me a lifetime to

capture Daeya Fort, and he lost it overnight!

But I did not chastise him because he retrieved kangju

and the south coast!

What are you so proud of? Koryo army retreated on its own!

What's to be proud of for conquering an abandoned land?

Speak up!

No one is more concerned about our future than I am.

But the emperor exists for his people!

Only the one befitting of the throne will take the throne!

Do you understand, Brother?

Yes, Your Majesty. But...

I said silence! Do you dare dispute me still?

Who put you up to this? Who?

I say this again. I will decide the future when the time comes.

Our present focus is the unification of the Three

Kingdoms. Is that clear?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Never mention this again!

I will decided the text throne when a fitting man is revealed.

Is that clear?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Koryo has begun to move again. Don't get sidetracked by other

matters and prepare to contend with them.

We have subjugate most of the southesat territories, so now

we must expand our battlesfield to Sangju territory.

Initiate ground work for this task.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The Vice Prime Minister will reorganize the military.

Shin-guhm,

Yes, Your Majesty.

If you want the throne so badly show that you are worthy!

I will be watching you very closely this time.

Contemptuous idiots!

His Majesty must have you in mind for the next throne,

Prince Geum-kang. Why else would he so firmly shun Shin-guhm?

We do not know that yet, Mother. Do not get your hopes up.

The eldest statesmen are right. The eldest son has the priority.

There are exceptions.

His Majesty has you in mind. I'm certain of it.

Be cautious in your actions. You are to be the next king.

Over ambition breeds destruction, Mother.

You mustn't say these words.

My son, you are so modest!

Yes, a king should know how to be humble.

It is wise to target Sangju, Your Majesty.

We need to test the enemy's military strength.

That is why I am pushing my subjects.

Sangju is my birthplace. I want it back.

Yes, Your Majesty.

This is your opportunity. Do not give them any room.

I advise you to let the princes command this battle.

That was my plan. My sons need more experience.

Of course. But Your Majesty...

About the princes...

What about them? What is it this time?

I tend to agree with General Neungyae's earlier comments.

I do as well. But look at the reality.

Look kindly upon Prince Shin- guhm. He is trying his best.

Then what about Geum-kang?

Most of your subjects favor adherence to rules and customs.

Only the one who can preserve the kingdom is entitled to the throne.

Shin-guhm is yet to earn that right.

Your Majesty...

It pains me to say this. i wish my eldest would do his part.

We've had several opportunities to seize mastery of the Three

Kingdoms. But it slipped through our fingers because of decisive

errors of the princes.

Luck was not with us. I beg you to let it go.

Let it go? I envy you for your aplomb.

How could I take this lightly after all the work I've done

to build this kingdom? I do not enjoy this, either.

Advance!

Move out the troops!

They will divide the troops into two. Prince Shin-guhm

will take the first division and attack Ga-en in Sangju,

and Prince Geum-kang will provide his backup.

Is that right?

It appears you want to give Shin-guhm a chance as well.

He is the eldest of the princes. Higher merit shoud be his.

Let us see.

We are sending only 5 000 troops. It may not be enough, I fear.

Their morale is at its peak. 5 000 is enough to seize Sangju.

Do not be disappointed about having to stay behind, Prime

Minister and General Gong-jik.

No, Your Majesty.

You are in your autumn years now.

It is best to stay behind for these less important battles.

Do you agree, General Gong-jik?

...Yes, Your Majesty.

Comfort is what we all seek at old age.

Prince Shin-guhm's army is bound for Sangju. We mustn't delay.

Bekjae has had its eyes on Sangju for a long time.

They must feel that the time is ripe for another attempt.

That is where Lord Ahjagae's sons and King Kyun-hwon's

half brothers reside.

Yes, but their influence is limited to the main fort of Sabulju.

What Bekjae seek is the entire Sangju region.

Sangju and its adjacent province of Choongju are still under our

secure juridiction. They will hold up against Bekjae.

Informers tell us that there're only 5 000 of them.

It's a small force relative to what they intend to accomplish.

They underestimate us! That is why Kyun-hwon sends

his sons to Sangju with only 5000 troops.

Father, allow me to contend with the princes of Bekjae.

Send us, Your Majesty.

We will crush them and put them in their places.

Yes. You need not contend with the princes of Bekjae.

Allow us the chance to avenge the defeat in Mt. Gong.

I will go as well.

So will I. I urge Your Majesty to stay behind.

Your Majesty, I mourn the fact that I was exclued from the

battle of Mt. Gong where so many of my brothers lost their lives

Allow me the chance to fight.

No. As we returned defeated from Mt Gong, my only thought was

about dying a valuable death for Your Majesty.

Permit my brother and me to lead this battle.

Grant us your command, Your Majesty.

Your enthusiasm is vey reassuring.

But how could I stay behing after the humiliation I suffered?

I will go to this battle as I have vowed to do.

Your Majesty, I urge you to put the Prince Imperial in command,

as the enemy king has sent his sons.

So do I, Your Majesty.

I will assist the Prince Imperial at the battlefield.

Grant me your permission, Father.

Yes, of course. But I will go as well.

Minister of Military should stay behind and oversee the

entire operation. And those who fought in Mt. Gong battle

require more rest.

But Your Majesty...!

My sworn brothers Yu Geumpil, Park Sulhee, and Generals Yum,

Yoon, and Wang will command thisbattle.

Brothers, this is your chance to avenge our brother's death.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I fear you may be taking the enemy too lightly.

It is unwise to leave these competent generals idle.

It is a small army of 5000 led by the princes of Bekjjae.

Prince Mu will contend with them as our Supreme Commander.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.

How do you feel about sending half of our troops covertly

through Samnyun and striking the enemy from two sides?

But that would mean that we must first subjugate Samnyun Fort.

It is a very small fort.

However, it is a fort that switched hands several times

between the two kingdoms and ended up in the hands of Bekjae.

I urge you study of its popular sentiment before you proceed.

Fine. Sulhee, proceed to Sangju with generals Wang and Yum.

You will secure the cities that are along the way.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Geumpil and General Yoon will come to Samnyun with me.

Once we annex Samnyun Fort and established our headquarters,

we will be able to attack the enemy from two sides.

Minister of Military,

Yes, Your Majesty.

Send my emissary to the local lords of Samnyun in advance

and secure their cooperation.

Yes. But you must change your course if the local

lords do not respond. Bekjae army could set up a trap.

You need not worry. I know the region well.

I will restore Koryo's honor with this battle.

Your Majesty, we implore you to take us as well.

No, we will deal with this battle.

I need you to remain here on standby for all possibilities.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Jimong, you will come with us. I'm told that you had accurately

predicted my fortune while I was on the battlefield. It will serve

you well to experience the battlefield for yourself.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Things will be different this time.

I will crush KingKyun-hwon's arrogance and put him in his place!

His Majesty has left for another battle.

And he took the Prince Imperial with him this time.

What can we do? He left against advice of many subjects.

He wants reprisal for the pain of Mt. Gong battle.

But the young princes of Bekjae are leading the enemy army.

Why must His Majesty take personal command of this battle?

How frustrating this is... Anxiety is making me ill.

Rest assured, Your Highness. The royal Advisor is with him.

Yes. Advisor Jimong's predictions have never been wrong.

His Majesty does not give heed to augury.

He took Jimong to reassure the others who opposed his action.

What awaits him at this battle? I am truly afraid...

Brother Geumpil,

Yes, Your Majesty.

I've been reduced to a pathetic place.

I stumbled once, and the king of Bekjae make light of Koryo...

...to think that his sons could take Sangju from us.

Yes, they are merely children. We must teach them a lesson.

We are taking 5000 troopswith us. You will settle the score.

Yes. Let us avenge our brother Seungkyum's death without fail.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,, we will proceed directly to Sangju from here.

Be careful.

Rest assured. Well then, we will meet you in Sangju.

Yes. You will receive a report once we annex Samnyun Fort.

Yes, Your Majesty. Well then -

Proceed!

Let us continue onward as well. Prince Mu, you are the Supreme

Commander of this battle. Take command of yor troops.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Troops! Proceed!

Proceed! Continue the march!

Your Majesty, it trouble me that we do not know the

current popular sentiment of Samnyun region.

My emissary has been sent ahead.

The local lords will soon come out to greet us.

Samnyun is a very small fort.

There could not be more than several hundred soldiers there.

Samnyun is an insignificant fort compared to Sangju and Chgoongju.

But it is a crucial place for us strategically.

It opens up a shortcut to both Sangju and Choongju.

Brother Geumpil,

Yes, Your Majesty.

General Yoon and you will go around Tangjung and strike

the rear of Samnyun Fort Prince Mu and I will strike the front.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Both troops will be at the fort by morning.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let us capture Samnyung fort and swiftly end the battle of Sangju.

But there're deep vlleys and mountains in our pathe to Samnyun.

This mission requires the aid of the local lords.

Fear not. They will soon respond to, my supplication.

What's more, I know that region like the back of my hands.

Then we will be on our way.

Let us meet tomorrow.

Yes, Your Majesty. General Yoon, let us divide the troops.

Yes, General. Men bring your troops to order!

We are to proceed to Tangjung!

Mu,

Yes, Father.

Koryo has had a very unlucky few years.

Many lives have been lost and our honor has sustained

irreparable damage.

You are not at fault. Every man has his time.

Yes, but I wonder when my time will come...

I have not had a restful night of sleep sinceI

returned from Mt. Gong.

We will get our break this time if there is a god.

Yes, Father. We will return the pain you've suffered together.

Yes, we will and we must. We are thoroughly lnowledgeable

about Sangju and Choongju region. We can easily crush the enemy.

Let us hurry.

Who sent you, soldier?

I bring you message from the informers in enemy territory.

Your Highness.

Is this true?

Yes, this is the second message of the same nature.

What do they write, Your Highness?

It is incredible news. The local lords of Sangju,

Choongju and Samnyun wish to cooperate with us.

They say they cannot trust Koryo after its consecutive defeat in

Jomul and Mt. Gong. they know that we are coming, and they

are looking ou for their own interest.

This could be a trick.

No. They have documented Koryo army's movement in detail.

It says that they divided the troops in half and requested

assistance from the local lords near Samnyun Fort.

But they turned them down and came to us.

What does this mean, Your Highess?

Koryo is beginning to crumble from the inside.

We can see their movements right through them.

Park Sulhee's detachment has gone straight to Sangju, and

King Wang Guhn's army has turned his course toward

Samnyun Fort last night.

This is our chance, Your Highess.

We must revise our strategy.

Of course we must. Brother Geum-kang,

Yes, Brother.

I want you to take the first division to Sangju.

Collaborate with the local lords and crush Park Sulhee's army.

I'm going after the king of Koryo.

Brilliant.

They're trying to secure SAmnyun and strike our exposed position.

But they have another day of travel ahead of them.

If we get move quickly and set up an ambush on their path,

we can easily crush them.

But His Majesty has ordered Prince Shin-guhm to proceed to Sangju.

Brother-in-law, I am trying to give Geum-kang a chance.

Father will be delighted with him if he conquers Sangju.

Go to Sangju, Geum-kang. Do you understand?

...Yes, Brother.

Let us divide the troops.

General Choi Pil,

Yes, Your Highness.

You know this region very well.

Yes, I have fought here many times.

I, too, know this region like the back of my hands.

We can set up an ambush on King Wang Guhn's path if we hurry.

Did you hear that, Geum-kang? We have no time to waste.

Proceed to Sangju with a detachment of 2000 and

wait for Park Sulhee. Is that clear?

Yes, Brother.

General Choi and Kim will come with me.

Advisor Jong Hoon, General Shin Duk and yaesul will come

with me as well. The rest of you will assist Geum-kang.

Let us hurry. We are pressed for time if we are to beat them to

Samnyun and set up an ambush.

This opportunity is a gift from God, Your Highness.

Their path is only one and perfect for an ambush.

Indeed it is.

what are you waiting for, Geum-kang? Proceed to Sangju.

Yes, Brother. Let us go, Brother-in-law.

This is indeed a chance of a lefetime.

Yes, Your Highness. Tghis battle is a matter of beating the enemy

to the location of advantage.

We must lay a foolproof trap. Divide the troops into ,two, and

obliterate the enemy while they are caught in the mountain.

Capturing him alive will not be easy, so kill the king of Koryo.

Of course. I could not hopoe for more.

Heaven gives me a chance at last!

I have a chance to accomplish what my father has failed!

Yes. They have divided their troops of 5000 in half and

divided them again. They are as vulnerable as they can get.

Doom is their only end.

Now, now, let us not waste anymore time.

I am truly anxious.

At last...at last I can give my father the ultimate gift.

Yes, Your Highness.

can wipe away all of my past shame with battle.

I can finally prove myself to my father.

I have a good feeling about this. I really do.

Let us all go together!

The sun is already beginning to set, Father.

Yes,. Advance guards report all is quite ahead.

It appears the ennemy is unaware of our move.

We changed our direction in the darkness. They couldn't know.

But always expect the unexpected. You can't be too careful.

Favorable conditions and size of the army is no use without

accurate information about the enemy and their strategy.

I understand, Father.

It is odd...Emissary has been sent in advance.

The local lords of Samnyun should have come to greet us by now...

The minister of Military has advised change of course if the

local lords do not respond.

He is overly worried because of my recent defeats.

Let us proceed.

The Imperial banner has fallen!

Who dare let the banner of the Imperial break!

Forgive me, Your Highness. But I could not help it.

It broke on its own.

That banner is the sign of the Emperor!

Men, behead that careless man at once!

Enough. Do not punish a man for what he had no control of.

But...where did the sudden wind come from?

And the banner... why has this happened?

Organize the line! Organize the line!

Your Majesty, if I may speak

Speak, Jimong.

An onimous wind suddenly came and broke the emperor's banner

near sunset of all time of the day.

What do you mean?

It is no coincidence. It is a forewarning of your misfortune.

Misfortune?

Yes, Your Majesty. My augury reveals unfavorable results.

Change your course, Your Majesty.

Father, what do we do? Your advisor says it is ill omen.

Your banner has snapped in half.

Turn back, Your Majesty. You must trust me on this.

Father, Minister of Military told us not proceed without

the help of the local lords.

Such words of the weakness! Soldiers fight the wars, not they!

Why do you become fainthearted over a broken banner?

Continue forward. We have no time to waste.

Your Majesty, I beg you to change your course.

General Yu Geumpil's division is it way toattack Samnyun

from the rear. How could we turn back when they are expecting us

to fight with them? Speed up the march!

Speed up the march! Hustle!

Your Majesty, it is ,ot too late. Please turn back.

Please reconsider, Your Majesty.

Father, I agree with the Royal Advisor.