Original subtitles

I urge you again. Ascend to the throne.

It is your birthright. Claim what's yours.

No, the throne was never mine.

What dou you mean? Of course it is.

I used to think the throne was my birthright as the eldest of

the royal princes.

But I realized that it is not that simple.

It is the will of my father the king, almighty creator,

and people of the state.

Your Highness, do you think you are unqualified for the throne?

It is unfair and it infuriates me, but yes.

father wants Geum-kang.

I desesperately wanted his approval, so I put up with

humiliation and disgrace and waited for my time.

Forgive me remark, but old age has rendered His Majesty

irrational. His judgement can no longer be trusted.

It is your duty to stop him from making this mistake.

That is an excuse.

It is a self-serving rationalization

to capture the throne. The people will not buyit.

You are at the end of your rope. Who cares what anyone thinks?

Besides, ignorant people will be oblivious.

Only you can save this kingdom and save yourself.

Why would I, His majesty's loyal servant of life and sworn brother,

urge you to do this if there was any other way?

Your Highness, make a decision.

No, this is unjustified.

I cannot overthrow my father and rule this kingdom without

justifiable cause and acceptance of the people.

I don't have that.

That isn't true, Your Highness.

I've waited decades and I can wait longer.

I want to proudly ascend to the throne with approval and support

of my father and my people.

I do not want to steal the throne. I want to succeed to it.

Do you understand, Prime Minister? That is my hope and desire.

But there is no more time. It's now or never.

That is the reality,Your highness. Behold the reality.

No, that isn't right. Such regimes do not last.

I want to rise to the throne proudly with blessing of the

entire kingdom. Do you understand, Prime Minister?

Your Highness...

The pain is excruciating!

The infection has spread deeper.

This carbuncle is getting worse each day.

Isn't there a sure cure?

Your Majesty, no ilness is treatable with medicine alone.

It requires effort of both patient and the physician.

Are you saying that I give no effort?

You continue to drink strong wine and allow your temper

to get the best of you. How could your condition improve?

You frustrate me.

Try being an emperor for a day. It is not an easy job.

Yes, I am sure, but your condition is serious.

You require complete rest. That is all I can say.

Let's wrap this up for now.

Yes, Your Majesty.

This wretched carbuncle has me hog-tied...

You may leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I guess they were referring to me when they said old age was ugly...

Just look at me sitting here draining puss

and yelling and griping all day...

And I'll die eventually. Old men go to death...

I made the right decision. Vice Prime Minister is

displeased, but I am certain I did the right thing.

Yang-guhm and Yong-guhm are gone now, so all I have to

do is send Shin-guhm away. Then I'll have General park

secure the military and put Geum-kang on the throne.

Where is the vice prime minister anyway?

He is never around anymore.

Attendant!

Yes, Your Majesty.

At your service, Your Majesty.

The vice prime minister has been remiss.

Send for him. I wish to see him.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The key element here is the military.

Son-in-law Park Young-kyu must secure strict control...

As you all know, I've been ordered to oversee our military.

Bekjae has suffered consecutive defeat against Koryo in the past

several years, and our spirits have sharply declined.

His Majesty has called for this reform in response.

I am deficcient in many ways, but I have accepted His Majesty's

command, so let us work hard together and revive this kingdom.

Of course, General. Your are more than qualified for this position.

General Park is His Majesty's son-in-law and a powerful

patrician who once controlled the entire region of seung-ju.

Yes, we must unite, and rebuild this kingdom.

Absolutely. It is His Majesty's command. We must obey.

The militarey is the heart of the government in warring times.

His Majesty has entrusted General Park and myself with this duty

because of desperate desire to revive the kingdom.

Let all of us do our very best.

- General Shin, - Yes, Your Highness.

All of the armies that defend the imperial capital has been

under your command for many years.

Yes, the subordinate officers are my followers.

I ask for your cooperation.

Yes, Your Highness. How could I defy the new order?

Thank you. My two brothers have left for their posts,

and the imperial capital has become my responsibility.

Who is currently in charge of security of the palace?

I am, Your Highness.

The kingdom his unstable.

The palace is His majesty's home and requires special attention.

I will oversee its security from now on, so please give

me your cooperation.

We require unity in this agency for the country to have peace.

Let us do our best.

- General Padal, - Yes, General.

- General Sangui, - Yes, General.

Along with General Shin, the two of you are defenders of

this imperial city. Please give me your loyal support.

Of course, General.

Especially General Shin, I implore you for your support.

I am well aware that your influence is greater than anyone.

Nonsense...Yes, I will do my best. Of course.

A messenger from the palace?

Yes, my lord. His Majesty wishes to see you.

What more does he nedd to discuss when everything is already done

according to his wishes? Is the royal courier outside?

Yes, my lord.

Let him know that I will enter the palace shortly.

Yes, my lord.

- And caretaker, - Yes, my lord.

Make arrangements to stop by the military agency on

the way to the palace.

Yes, my lord. Will you be leaving now?

Yes. His Majesty awaits me.

Yes, my lord.

His Majesty is feeling alone.

What he doesn't know yet is that greater loneliness

is waiting fro him...

We're at the point of no return.

There is no turning back now...

My lord, why have you been confined at home lately?

My man, what is there for me to do at court?

But you have taken over the duties of the Prime Minister.

The title is nothing but an empty shell.

The burden is mine but not the work.

People say you are the most powerful man in Bekjae.

Power? I suppose some may see it that way.

But all is but for the moment. Power has no master.

It switches hands from day to day.

It never stays in one place for too long.

That is why they say power never lasts a decade.

Let us go.

The subjects have chosen the last alternative.

Rise up as the leader of the revolutionary army and

rectify the wrong.

It is a revolution.

Abolish the bad and restore the good, Your Highness.

Thieves are trying to steal what is yours.

How could you not stand up and fight?

Rise up, Your Highness. And ascend to the throne!

I urge you, Your Highness. Ascend to the throne.

It is your birthright. Claim what is yours.

Believe me. I want to.

I wanted to draw my sword a hundred times.

That is the story of my life.

But I can't. I cannot seize the throne by force.

I will forever be a subject of mockery if I succumb to

this temptation. It's wrong.

I have no choice but to swallow my pride once more and wait.

Prince Shin-guhm refused to give consent?

I tried my best to persuade him, but it doesn't look good.

What is his reason for refusal?

He sees is as a rebellion, not a revolution.

A rebellion?

I suppose he could see it that way.

It'll be a revolution if we succeed and a rebellion if

we fail. But the important thing here is that we're

running out of time and that danger is at our door.

Absolutely. Military control has been turned over to Prince

Geum-kang's supporter General Park , and the Prime Minister

has been robbed of his power. We're sitting on thin ice.

Yes. Prince Shin-guhm's two younger brothers have been

sent away to the countryside. They've been removed.

And soon Prince Shin- guhm will be sent away.

Once that happens, it's over. Prince Shin-guhm must rise up.

There's no other way. Our own future is at stake here.

That's right. Chances are we will be removed as well.

But what can we do when Prince Shin-guhm refuses so adamantly?

I don't uderstand. This is the moment he's been waiting for.

But I do uderstanding his position. He contends it is unjustified.

He cannot overthrow his own father and seize his throne.

He'll get no where waiting for everything to be perfect.

It's a dilemna.

The time is now, but the he himself refuses his chance.

We must quickly restore order in the court and contend with Koryo.

But we are held up by a most unexpected problem.

There is no time...

Prime Minister, perhaps we should confide in Vice

Prime Minister and solicit his support.

He was behind His Majesty's decision.

He and we will forever be like oil and water.

That's right.

He is the one His Majesty and Prince Geum-kang depend on most

and the first on our list to be eliminated.

It's a great shame, but I have to agree.

Vice Prime Minister, what brings you to the military ageny?

I stopped by to see Prince Geum-kang. Is he inside?

Yes, we just wrapped up our meeting. Please go inside.

Thank you, General Shin. Well then -

- General Sangui, - Yes, General.

let us have a cup of tea together.

Yes, General.

This country is headed for ruin.

Something must be done, or we won't have a place

to rest our soul.

I know. This is very troubling.

What is there to hesitate? Evil forces are ganging up

together to sabotage the state affairs.

First the Prime Minister, then the two princes, and now Prince

Shin-guhm is about to be driven out.

- General Sangui, - Yes, General.

you're in charge palace security. Prepare for what may come.

Of course, General.

The transfer of military control is totally unjustified.

Since when was General Park qualified for such position?

It is absurdity.

But we must not act in haste. The elders are secretly

communicating with Prince Shin- guhm, so we must wait for the

outcome before we act. That goes for General Sangui as well.

I knew it would come to this. It's a shame.

What do we do about General Yaesul and Kim Chong?

We must avert them somehow.

Securing the military is our first task.

You've held command of the our military for many years.

That won't be very hard.

But one can never be too cautious.

I have a feeling it's coming down soon.

We must be on full alert.

The commander's meeting wrapped up very nicely.

The warriors pledged their support and loyalty.

Yes. I don't think we have to worry about the military agency.

I certainly hope so.

Were you on your way to the imperial chambers?

Yes. His Majesty must be feeling rather lonesome.

I stopped to have a private word with Prince Shin-guhm.

I see. Then let me leave you alone.

I do have matters that need attending.

Thank you. It's nothing very important.

Please don't mind me and have a pleasant conversation.

Well then -

Is there something you'd like to discuss?

Yes, Your Higness.

Please go on.

Yes, Your Highness.

- Prince Geum-kang, - Do speak.

How do you see the current situation?

What do you mean?

His Majesty has sent two of your brothers to the countryside

and intends to send away Prince Shin-guhm as well.

I know. What about that?

The subjects are stirring.

His Majesty has warned them that anyone who interferes with the

affairs of the royal house would be charged with treason.

How do you see Prince Shin-guhm?

What do you mean?

Do you think he is indeed unworthy of the throne?

Why do you ask?

Your Highness, His Majesty has chosen you.

But the selection was based on his extreme favoritism.

What are you trying to say, Vice Prime Minister?

Let go of your ambition. There will be relief if you let go.

The subjects oppose and brothers are full of resentment and spite.

Everything can be restored if you give up this one moment.

Let it go, Your Highness. I've come to urge you this.

Vice Prime Minister! What are you telling me to give up,

and what makes you think this is father's favoritism?

I have rendered countless heroic services in battle.

And I've sacrificed an eye for my father.

It wasn't for the throne. I did it for this country.

Do you dare say Shin-guhm is better than I am?

Your Highness...

My father founded this kingdom.

It is hard to building a kingdom, but it is harder to preserve it.

I've firmly up my mind to preserve this kingdom.

Let it go, you say? I will die if I let it go.

Do you think my brothers will let me live?

I assure you no tragedy if you let it go on your own accord.

Never. I've seen the way they look at me with burning enmity.

I can't let it go if only for my survival.

It is not ambition. It is a matter of life and death.

Besides, why should I let go of what is already mine?

I will forget about this conversation.

Your Highness...

Leave! Why are you bringing this up now when it's all over?

They tell me that you have been drinking daily.

Forgive me, Mother. But what else might ease my pain?

Your brothers have been sent away, and the power

in the court has shifted. You are next.

That is what the subjects are say.

What do they suggest?

Prime Minister urged me to start a revolution.

But it is a rebellion in reality. So I refused.

How could you be so quick to refuse when the subjects ask

you at the risk of their lives?

Mother!

I've told you repeatedly that this runs in the family.

His Majesty is just like your grandfather.

His folly with age, that is. Your grandfather fell for

the mischief of his second wife and defected to Koryo.

This is exactly the same. He is trying to put a

concubine's son on the throne. I will not accept that

There isn't a moment to hesitate. Everything will be over once you

are driven out of the palace. Heed the subject's advice.

Mother!

Don't tolerate this indignity.

Speak to your brothers and find a way. Do you understand?

A messenger from Yong-guhm in Mujinju?

Yes, governor.

Is he well?

Yes. He informs you that his army is fully prepared to march

to the capital upon command.

Is that right? What command would that be?

He said Prince Shin-guhm would soon issue an order.

Yes, I suppose he might. The world may be turned upside down.

Return to him and tell him that my army will be ready as well.

Yes, Governor.

No, we will not let that happen...

We will not let that one-eyed child steal this kingdom.

We have over 10000 troops if we brothers bring our

armies together. We will not let that happen...

The physician tells me not to drink, but it isn't easy.

I am so anxious and frustrated...

Everything must settle down soon...Have a cup of tea.

Yes, Your Majesty.

My fellow, old men need company.

Why haven't you been coming around?

Forgive me, Your Majesty

I've been thinking.

Please go on.

The reform has already been launched.

There's no sense in wasting time. I think I should send

Shin-guhm away as soon as possible.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I should also discharge a few of my subjects and send a few

away on exile. They would only create faction in the court.

Exile? Send men without crime away on exile, Your Majesty?

It is a crime in it self to be harmful to the regime.

Take it slow, Your Majesty. Rather than repressing them,

give them time to adjust to the changes by gentle persuasion.

But there's no time. It'II be years before Geum-kang settles

into the throne and contends with Koryo again.

Without application of force, nothing will be done on time.

Koryo has been passive and quiet lately.

Don't be overly concerned about them and take your time.

No, there is no time.

This carbuncle is growing every day and I'm terribly anxious.

What if Wang Guhn of Koryo should attack us right now?

I can't sleep at night when I think about that.

Do not rush. Koryo has suspended warfare and turned their focus on

strengthening the interior. Set your mind at ease, Your Majesty.

I am not at ease. I'm not...

Your Majesty, all sources indicate trouble in Bekjae.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The rumors of conflict in their royal house appear to be true.

Two of the princes have been sent to the countryside and

King Kyun-hwon's health iss deteriorating, they say.

Yes, but nothing significant has happened yet.

We shall continue to observe.

It's no ordinary matter that the military control has been turned

over to the king's son-in-law and the youngest son Geum-kang.

The requires special investigation.

I agree. Something is going on in Bekjae.

I urge you close observation for proper maneuvering.

Your Majesty, the former deputy secretariat Choi Ung

had told us about forthcoming internal division in Bekjae.

It's time to establish a connection in Bekjae.

Think about Choi Ung's last words.

What bare you referring to?

He urged you to seek Master Kyunbo's counsel once internal

division in Bekjae begins.

Yes. Master kyungbo...

That's right. Choi Ung regarded Maaster Kyungbo with importance.

He himself had visited Oakryong Temple once

But King Kyun-hwon declared Master Kyungbo Bekjae's national priest.

Will he help us?

That was Kyun-hwon's will alone. Master Kyungbo has never set

foot in Bekjae's royal house. Your Majesty, Master Kyungbo

was Master Dosun's disciple and so were you.

You will understand each other. He told Choi Ung that he had

to remain in Bekjae because he had a job to do

It's vtime to make contact, Your Majesty.

I agree. I think it is time to seek him out.

Yes, I shall send an envoy. But whom?

I will go, Your Majesty.

And I, Your Majesty. This is a job for the civil officials.

The two of us will go to Bekjae and study their situation.

Very well.

Yes, the signs were there since Unju battle.

Clearly the king of Bekjae is ill.

And that must have sparked a contention for the throne.

The two of you will pay a visit to Master Kyungbo for now.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Bekjae is shaking. Bekjae...

His Majesty is in a meeting with the high officials?

Yes, they say there is trouble in Bekjae

Apparently, the king's sons are fighting over the throne.

That is good news for us. Shilla has become our tributary

state and only Bekjae remains standing.

Their degeneration means quicker unification.

I would think so.

I hope everything works out.

It's been so peaceful since the battles stopped.

Unification must be swift in coming.

Our problem is Bekjae. Shilla is already a defunct state.

Your Majesty, please repeat what you just said.

Our time is done, so let us discuss our future.

Our time is done? How can you say this?

You have heard the emissary. The people of Koryo asked why

we have not surrendered our state when the time has come.

That is an outrage! How could they demand that we turn over

Shilla, an empire of 1000 year history, unless they're thieves?

But Your Highness, we no longer have the means to survive.

The reality is we cannot hold up for a single day without

help from Koryo.

So are you suggesting that surrender our kingdom?

We cannot continue this existence forever.

Give this matter a serious consideration.

Yes.

Koryo officials were anxiously waiting for Shilla to surrender.

If we cannot defeat them, it is time to consider a surrender.

No. That is not an option!

Do not leave an eternal regret. Our forefathers are watching us!

Order your subjects to take their own lives instead!

That would be a better option. Your Majesty!

We are out of strength. How are we to endure?

The prince will stop this at once.

No! We cannot do this! Withdraw your command!

Withdraw your command! Your Majesty!

The royal secretariat and the captain of the justice guards

have left for Bekjae.

Yes, I heard.

It's almost certain that there is internal strife in Bekjae.

This goes to show you the importance of harmony in

the royal household. You may be busy with

state affairs, but do not neglect your family.

No, Father.

I've taken many consorts and fathered a large family to

control the regional powers and stabilize the state.

They are your brothers and my children.

Discord among you injures the kingdom. That is why I chose

my heir very hearly and promised you the throne.

I know, Father.

Create harmony between your brothers.

It is your duty as the eldest son.

We will observe the developments in Bekjae and act accordingly.

but this could serve as a good example for you.

Yes, Father.

A man may thrive when there is peace at home.

Trouble is brewing in Bekjae's royal house...

Some kind of trouble...