Original subtitles

Good work! Good work!

Especially, Geum-kang, you did a fine job.

You've acquired victory without bloodshed.

What could be better? You have proved your competence.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.

Shin-guhm has worked hard as well, but what is the result?

You've gained nothing. Result! I'm taking about result!

The Vice Prime Minister and I gave you a chance

to prove yourself. Do you acknowledge?

Yes, Your Majesty...

The king of Koryo had slipped through my fingers at Mt. Gong

as well. It disappoints me that you repeated my mistake.

But the fact that you got that far is an accomplishment

nonetheless. Don't you agree?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I heard about General Yaesul's close call against warrior Yu

Geumpil of Koryo.

Remember there is talent above talent, and humble yourself.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am impressed by Yu Geumpil as I was by Shin Seungkyum at

Mt. Gong battle.

They are both sworn brothers of King Wang Guhn.

Yes, I heard. Wang Guhn is blessed with good subjects.

Warrior Park Sulhee is also his sworn brother, I am told.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I do envy him. I used to have wonderful brothers as well...

Chu Huhjo, Sudal... But they are all gone.

Only sworn brother I have left is the Prime Minister,

but he's an old man now.

Time changes everything. Right, Prime Minister?

...Yes, Your Majesty.

But Koryo has suffered consecutive defeats against us.

We've crushed them in Jomul Fort, Mt. Gong, and now at Samnyun Fort.

And we've conquered most of Sangju.

The era of Bekjae is here at last!

Yes, Your Majesty.

It's become evident that we, Bekjae, will soon unify the

Three Kingdoms, and we've won the confidence of the public.

Yes, Your Majesty.

We will now begin aggresive strikes against Koryo.

I will personally commend our next battle and wrap up

the grand enterprise of unification!

A meeting is in progress at the assembly hall?

His Majesty is ful of praise for Geum-kang and sparing

his comments about Shin-guhm, you say?

That is the report according to the attendant.

How is Shin-guhm supposed to have any confidence?

Geum-kang this, Geum-kang that...

This will lead to something dreadful.

He is just like his father who turned against his children

for his concubine and eventually migrated to Koryo.

Why must he take after his negative traits?

My poor son Shin-guhm... Only I know his pain...

Your Majesty, our territory has been expanded by all sides.

Shilla will fall on its own.

What we do with Koryo will determine our future.

That's right. Our front line extends from Chungju, Choongju

and Boen against Koryo's Daegu, Yongju, and Gochang.

If acquire Moonso County and Gochang, we will be able

to push them out of our northern territory completely.

Yes. Our next target should be Moonso County and Gochang.

That would seal off Koryo's channel to Shilla and naturally

isolate and weaken them.

The era of war in the Three Kingdoms is coming to an end.

Then we must prepare the troops for the next invasion.

Your Majesty, the princes have produced good results

in the last battle.

I urge you to put them in command of the next invasion as well.

Yes. They have each proved themselves competent.

Allow them to lead the next battle.

Yes, Your Majesty. You are of the age now.

It is befitting of your sons to take over your tasks.

Must you bring up my age again?

You might think that I am old, but I do not!

Old? I am not old!

I sent my sons to the front to expose them to experience,

not because I am too old to go myself!

Your Majesty, I am certain that the Prime Minister

worries not for your age, but simply wishes for the

princes to have more opportunities.

I agree, Your Majesty. Prince Shin-guhm's victory was enough

to make the entire kingdom of Kpryo tremble in fear.

Make Koryo tremble in fear? Perhaps it did.

Your Majesty, allow me another chance.

I will seize Moonso Country without fail.

How about sending Geum-kang instead of Shin-guhm?

I'm asking your opinion, Geum-kang.

Brother Shin-guhm has volunteered.

Allow him this opportunity.

Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Shin-guhm has

proved himself competent. He deserves this opportunity.

Lord Yum,

Yes, Your Majesty.

Since when did you begin speaking for Shin-guhm?

No, I am simply...

A subject is good when he obeys his king.

Why do you insist on Shin-guhn when I have Geum-kang in mind?

I assure you, Lord Yum has no special reason.

Simply, since Prince Shin-guhm is the eldest...

Silence! How did this court become divided like this?

No, Your Majesty...

Never mind!

Fine. I'll allow Shin-guhm this opportunity.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty

Take some time off to rest before you depart for the battlefield.

Warriors, assit Shin-guhm well and conquer Moonso without fail.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Shin-guhm, you must prove yourself beyond any doubt

this time. Do you understand,

Yes, Your Majesty.

Beyond any doubt! Beyond any doubt!

What is your feeling about the meeting today, General?

Do you mean about Prince Shin-guhm?

Overlook His Majesty's reproach, Lord Yum.

He is a quick tempered, simple-minded man, and

he adores Prince Geum-kang. Of course he will get upset

if you continue to back Prince Shin-guhm.

His Majesty looked at you differently as well, General.

He has excluded you from the next battle.

His Majesty is my older brother. It is my duty to adhere by his

words. I have no complaints, just frustrations...

Think about it. How could I take sides between my nephews?

I just hope His Majesty will do the right thing.

So do I.

Frankly, I feel nervous every time I see the princes.

What would happen if Prince Shin-guhm is ignored?

It is a dreadful thought...

His Majesty is solidifying his decision, and he won't

give the subjects a chance to oppose...

That's right. I have lost my motivation.

What good is a subject if he cannot voice his opinion?

Have patience. I'm certain things will improve.

I don't know. I think I might take this opportunity to rest.

Rest? Nonsense.

A subject is not at liberty to rest at his own will.

I better speak to His Majesty and assert my recommendations

once more.

Brother, Father is incorrigible.

He won't even let the subjects speak anymore.

Yes. I'm afraid the subjects will turn their backs on him

if he continues.

Not only that, Mother is worried sick about us.

How much longer will you let this go on, Brother?

Say something, Brother.

You can't let Geum-kang get away with this!

Then what do you suggest? That I kill him?

Frankly, I have had such impulse.

With each outrageous praise he got, with each harsh reproach

I got because of him, I found my hands reaching for my sword.

Brother...!

But he is my half brother. He has Father's blood.

I have no choice but to bite my tongue.

Father would not bequeath the throne to him. He could not.

You're wrong. People are betting that it will be

Geum-kang, not you, who inherit the throne.

Then I will have no choice but to stop him.

I can't let a thief steal my birthright.

Brother, just eliminate the problem instead of

going through this agony.

No.

We mustn't rush. This could get us killed if we are not careful

It isn't time yet.

I must patiently wait.

Your Highness, to what do I owe the honor of your summons?

Brother-in-law, I am terribly distraught.

Why?

Brother Shin-guhm is the eldest and the righful

heir to the throne, but Father has his eyes on me.

You continue to show greater potential. I do not blame him.

No. I can't forget the wa Shin-guhm looked at me today.

He had vicious hatred in his eyes.

I do understand His Majesty's position. Founding kings place

more importance on competence than they do on birthrights

when selecting their heir. They want assurance that the

kingdom they've worked hard to establish is maintained.

Then are you with Father on this?

Not entirely, because Prince Shin-guhm also possesses

latent qualities of a good king.

But in the eyes of His Majesty, you are superior by far.

That is what worries me.

I wish Father would make his decision soon.

His decision?

Either choose me or choose Shin-guhm for the Prince Imperial.

If father continues to favor me despite opposition of the

subjects, tension could lead to serious turmoil.

But what could we do? I advise you to ignore it.

The country will adhere to His Majesty's wishes.

His Majesty's wishes? Do you mean I will inherit the throne?

It is His Majesty's will. What can anyone do?

His Majesty's will is the law and the destiny.

Turn a blind eye. Time will tell, Your Highness.

Why do you sigh, Prime Minister?

Out of frustration... Frustration...

Do you refer to the incident at court?

Lord Yum was berated. Why did he have to bring up that subject?

His Majesty turns irate when Prince Shin-guhm is mentioned.

I don't understand why.

But then, Prince Geum-kang always tops Shin-guhm by a span.

I can't blame His Majesty for favoring Geum-kang.

But the last child cannot succeed to the throne unless the rightful

heir is incapacitated or deemed unfit.

I think His Majesty is being unreasonable.

Parents always have special love for the last child.

Anyway, this is not our business to meddle.

I have no more ambition left, but I spent my entire life

by His Majesty's side building this kingdom.

But there is a dangerous storm brewing in this court...

It is a problem, but I'm sure everything will work out.

You don't understand. The level of tension is

already at its peak.

Something dreadful will happen without relief.

I don't understand why the Vice Prime Minister isn't

doing anything about this when he is closet to His Majesty.

Perhaps he secretly endorses Prince Geum-kang.

I doubt that. How could be?

No. That man is well aware of the danger that is brewing here.

It doesn't matter how many battles we win.

Everything is over if the royal family crumbles.

I am terribly afraid...

You must both help Prince Shin-guhm acquire decisive

merit on the next battle.

We can't let this continue. We can't.

Your Majesty, what has you so deep in thought?

I am making strides at war, but all is not well at the

home front...

How much longer will you delay the planning of the future?

What is the rush when I am perfectly healthy?

Your Majesty, you mustn't put this off any longer.

You must make your selection soon.

Select whom? Geum-kang?

Heed the advice of your subjects. Shim-guhm is the one.

You don't mean that. Don't let the opinions of others sway you.

Who is the better pick between the two?

It is Geum-kang. Geum-kang is the one any way you slice it.

I will observe Shin-guhm's performance once more.

Since he is the one all of you endorse, I will reconsider once

he returns from invasion of Moonso.

Must you?

I've given Shin-guhm countless opportunities, but he has let

me down time and time again.

That depends on how you choose to see him.

He has rendered much merit that deserves praise.

Is that indeed true?

Preserving a kingdom is more difficult than building it.

My point exactly. Your subjects want Prince Shin-guhm.

That, too, is for the preservation of the kingdom.

They side with Shin-ghm for their own comfort and prosperity.

In any case, I will reconsider after this battle.

Begin the preparations.

Deploy the troops and devise a strategy.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I urge you again, Your majesty. Heed the advice of your subject.

How many worthy subjects do I really have?

They only have their own interest in mind.

Lord Yum Heun is that way, and old age has fogged the

Prime Minister's judgement.

Be patient. I will make my decision after this battle.

Deploy the troops as soon as possible.

We must push forward while we have the momentum.

Yes, Your Majesty.

On July of 929 A.D., Kyun-hwon gives Shin-guhm a detachment of

5000 troops and orders an attack on Moonso Country.

Moonso was the only passageway between Koryo and Shilla while

also being the point of aid for Moonkyung, Yaechun, Andong and

Young-ju. Andong, in particular, was an autonomous territory that

did not belong to either Bekjae or Koryo at the time.

Hence Moonso County had great influence over control of the

entire north Kyungsang Province.

What? Bekjae's armed forces are heading to Moonso County?

They won't give us a moment to rest.

5 000 troops were seen going to Moonso County?

Yes, Your Majesty. That is the report.

This army is being led by Prince Shin-guhm of Bekjae.

Moonso is an important territory. Many surrounding

villages and forts will suffer if we lost control of it.

Yes, Your Majesty.We must quickly deloy our troops.

Of course we must. Isn't that right, Minister of Military?

Yes, Your Majesty. However...

What's wrong? Why the look of uncertainty?

In a war, there are moments of attack, retreat, pause and delay.

This is time to pause and observe.

What do you mean?

Moonso is a large fort that is being defended by our

competent General Hong Sul. And the troops of the capital

have not fully recovered from last defeat.

So are we to do nothing when the enemy is coming?

Just this time, Your Majesty.

The enemy's morale is high and our troops are still tired.

Let General Hong Sul fight this battle.

Are we to sit around since our old injury has not fully healed?

The entire Gochang region could fall into the enemy's hands

if Moonso falls. Do you realize this?

That is a good point. Gochang is the current buffer zone between

Koryo and Bekjae. The local lords of Gochang would have to

choose between the two kingdoms once Bekjae strikes Moonso.

Hence we must go at once.

Your Majesty, the root cause of our defeat in Samnyun was

the failure to read the sentiment of the local powers.

The disposition of the local lords will once again decide

the outcome of this battle.

Our troops will be of no avail if they side with Bekjae.

I urge you no action. There is no benefit either way.

The Minister of Military recommends that we allow

Moonso Country to defend itself. I agree with him, Your Majesty.

Just watch? Just watch when we are under attack?

It is such time, Your Majesty. Our military strength will suffer

if we deploy the royal troops each time there is an attack.

Let them defend the fort by themselves this time.

We can reconsider if the situation requires aid.

How frustrating this is...

The enemy is coming, and you suggest we just watch?

Oh, dear...

Bekjae army is approaching us for yet another attack!

They have seen our vulnerability.

So they are giving us no room to regroup.

We must fight them off.

The Minister of Military and the Captain of the Royal Guards

are with His Majesty now. There will be an order soon.

But the royal army just returned from the battle at Samnyun Fort.

It would be unwise to send them out again so soon.

Moonso is a large forth with a strong defense force of its own.

Perhaps they can defend themselves without aid.

No.

It won't be easy to fight off an army of high morale on their own.

They require our aid.

Yes, indeed. We must deploy the royal troops

We can't sit around here waiting for the results.

Let us petition the emperor to send us to the battlefield.

I don't believe the Minster of Military is advocating

deployment of the troops.

What do you mean?

We've suffered consecutive defeat in the recent years.

As a result, His Majesty is in a heightened state of agitation.

That was the Minister of Military's concern.

What? Do you mean to suggest that we avoid this fight?

Since when did we become such cowards?

That's right. We must even the score.

How are we to exact revenge if we avoid the enemy?

We must go. We must rise up and face the enemy.

Personal feelings must be left out when fighting a war.

Personal emotion can cloud your judgement, and a war cannot be.

won without clear judgement.

You know nothing, young man! A war is a fight between kingdoms!

It is personal emotion that inspires the fight!

Let us all enter this battle. We will crush them this time!

But the Minister of Military has said now is not the time.

He asked for our patience. He said it would not be easy,

but we must patiently wait until time is right.

I agree. there is more to governing than fighting wars.

We must consider our people and the condition of the kingdom.

The Minister of Military knows this better than anyone, and he

asks us to wait. let us leave Moonso Fort to defend itself.

And let us concentrate of strengthening the country.

Good grief! How did we come to this? How?

Brother Geumpil, I'm going to go insane!

How will we ever avenge Brother Seungkyum's death at this rate?

General Shin Duk,

Yes, Your Highness.

Moonso County is an important place that lies between Bekjae

and Koryo.

Yes, Your Highness.

That is why His Majesty put you in command of this invasion.

Perhaps...

Gochang will fall into our hands as well if we acquire Moonso.

what more could we ask for if we could off Koryo's passage

and acquire that vast territory at the same time?

That's right

You must succeed, Your Highness.

The Prime Minister is very concerned about your future.

I know. he is always concerned about me...

I hope I can ease his worries soon...

You will, Your Highness.

You're the eldest of the princes. Everything will work out.

Yes, it will.

Who would dare challenge Prince Shin-guhm's right?

No one. No one at all.

That's right. merciless punishment awaits those

who dare defy the law.

Please offer your support to Brother Shin-guhm.

I think His Majesty is coming around.

He did not include Prince Geum-kang on this mission.

You will succeed this time, Your Highness.

Thank you. There isn't anything I can't do with your ardent support.

But what good is success when nothing is good enough

in Father's eyes? Isn't that right, Yang-guhm?

It's different this time. Geum-kang isn't with us.

Do your best, Brother.

Yes. And if father scolds you again, stand up to him.

Yes, I wish I could...

But you know very well what would happen if I stood up to him.

Father is just like Grandfather that we saw in sangju.

But you take after father as well, brother.

what?

You are just as hot- tempered as he is.

Like father like son, I suppose.

I just wish Father would stop being so unreasonable.

Let us continue on.

Did you have something to discuss, Brother?

Yes, Your majesty.

Are going stir crazy because I did not send you

to the battlefield?

Of course not, Your Majesty. I am your younger brother.

How could I complain about what you do?

Then what brings you here? Speak up.

Your Majesty, you have built this kingdom with decades of

heard work and sweat. And now the realization

of the grand enterprise is before you at last.

I've heard this a million times. Get to the point.

The Prime Minister must have something to say as well.

No, Your majesty. I am here at the request of General Neungyae.

Your Majesty, I am your brother, a warrior of this kingdom, and

also uncles of many princes.

Forgive me for my audacity, but I urge Your Majesty to

tend to the matter of the next throne with reason.

What? With reason?

Yes, Your Majesty. I have no self-interest with this request.

When you have many children, there are those whom you feel

closer than the other. This is true for all parents.

What are you trying to tell me?

You dare try to lecture me, Neungyae?

Your Majesty, I came prepared for any reproach.

I must voice what I must.

The throne is the birthright of the Prince Shin-guhm.

It is wrong to postpone his designation.

Silence! You speak as if you were the emperor!

How dare you say these words to me!

Did Shin-guhm put you up to this?

Did he, Neungyae?

General Neungyae is in the imperial chambers, you say?

Yes, Your Highness.

Who else is with him?

Prime Minister and the Vice Prime Minister are with him.

They must be discussing something important.

Yes, Your Highness. The imperial attendant was just here, and...

And?

He says there were nervousness and tension in their faces.

Yes... This could only mean one thing.

They are there to talk about Shin-guhm.

What did you say? The throne is Shin-guhm's birthright?

Do you think the throne is something that is exchanged

because of rights?

You've gone mad! Someone has put you up to this!

Shin-guhm sent you here! There is no doubt!

No, Your Majesty.

I am here because I fear this could cause tension and division

in the court as well as discord in the royal family.

You have word too hard to build this kingdom.

A wrong decision could send this kingdom spiraling.

How dare you, Neungyae! Silence, I said!

I am an Emperor before I am your brother!

I will think of the kingdom before I think of my children.

Do you understand?

The kingdom will fall if you veer from the right path.

Deign to see, Your Majesty. I came here prepared for death.

Silence!

What did you say? The kingdom will fall?

Please quell your anger, Your Majesty.

You mustn't do this.

No. He is not here as my brother.

Shim-guhm has put him up to this. How else could he be so brazen?

Are you ignorant about my temper, Neungyae?

The kingdom will fall, you say?

Deign to see, You Majesty.

Your other subjects have been reticent afraid of your fury.

I've come here today on their behalf to offer you true advice.

I beg you to abide by reason, Your Majesty.

How dare you continue!

Please quell your anger, Your Majesty.

You have heard him! He says the kingdom will fall because of me!

Those are my brother's words!

Bastard!

Prime Minister,

Yes, Your Majesty.

On second thought, I think these words are your words.

Aren't they?

Answer me! Neungyae is speaking your words, isn't he?

Yes, Your Majesty. That is correct.

Correct? Correct, you say?

Correct?

Yes, Your Majesty.