Original subtitles

Tears of the Dragon Episode 2

Transport the criminal!

Yes, sir!

Let's go.

Please, send out Traitor Choi Young's daughter immediately!

Please, send her out!

Send out the traitor Choi Young's daughter, now!

Hand over traitor Choi Young's daughter, immediately!

Commander, this isn't how we should do it!

We must get His Majesty out here first!

Commander.

We must escort His Majesty out.

Please send out the traitor's daughter, now!

Please send her out, now!

Please hand over the traitor's daughter now!

Hand over Traitor Choi Young's daughter, now!

Father! Grandmother!

Father! / -Please hand over the traitor's daughter, now!

Grandmother! Father! / -Please hand over the traitor's daughter, now!

Commander. We cannot do this!

The soldiers are in high spirits!

If there's any crime to punish, please deal with it right here!

Drag out the Deposed King!

-Drag him out, now! -Yes, sir!

How rude!

What's the meaning of this?

King.

Go out now, and receive them.

Mother!

Don't...

...beg for your life any longer!

King Woo

Father!

Crown Prince...!

Mother.

Please, take care of yourself.

King...!

Father!

Your Majesty...!

Oh, dear ancestors...!

Dowager An (King Gongmin's consort)

What do we do with this child...?

Your Majesty...!

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty...!

General Lee.

The sun's already gone down.

Can't I leave...

...tomorrow?

Escort the Deposed King to Kanghwa!

Send the Dowager and Consort Young with him!

-Yes, sir! -Commander!

What are you all doing? Escort them, right now!

Listen, Crown Prince!

Father! Father!

Father!

Father!

Father!

Father!

King Woo of Goryeo's 14th year (1388), June 8th

King Woo was finally deposed, and exiled to Kanghwa.

The History of Goryeo records this day as follows:

Consort Young (Choi Young's daughter)

"The soldiers asked Shin Woo to hand over Choi Young's daughter Consort Young,"

King Woo

"...but Woo gave no answer."

"Hence, the soldiers' Generals commanded them to protect the Palace..."

"...while they demanded Shin Woo to be released to Kanghwa."

"Shin Woo said, 'the sun's already gone down.'"

"Everyone prostrated themselves in tears,"

"but no one would step forward for him."

Exile Choi Young to Gobonghyeon, remove State Chancellor Woo Hyeon Bo from his post,

and confine An Jo Dong in Byeokjae!

Dismiss and detain his fellow faction members, Councilors Song\hGang and Jo Gyu!

From now on...

...we cut off all relations with Yuan,

and use Ming Emperor Hongwu's era name!

All Yuan robes, official or otherwise, are now banned!

You sent someone to the Northeast?

Yes, Father-in-law.

The last few days have been nightmarish.

Yes, they must have been.

Min Je (Lee Bangwon's father-in-law)

Right now...

...your father needs great talent at his side.

I know.

Don't leave your father's side.

What I'm saying is...

...you'll definitely have your own duties.

Shouldn't we decide a successor as soon as possible?

What do you think, Commander Jo?

I'm not sure.

No matter what, doesn't this nation belong to the Wangs?

What occasion do you think this is to be mentioning the Wangs?

How dare you butt in, who do you think you are?

Jo Min Su

I spoke because what you said was embarrassing!

Tung Duran

Your superiors are speaking! I'd like you not to butt in, General Tung!

What?

Be quiet!

Whom are you referring to when you speak of the Wangs?

That should be discussed with the elder statesmen in Court.

Elder statesmen? Are there any left?

What are you saying?

Don't you know they play a big part in all State matters, great and small?

I'm not so sure!

It's getting late, let's discuss this tomorrow.

What happened to the King?

Please, lay your worries to rest.

He made it safely to Kanghwa.

What about Chancellor Choi?

He has left for his place of exile.

Have they thought about who will succeed the Throne?

Unless they are rebellious subjects, how could they dare meddle with the Throne's succession?

The current King has been ignorant of political affairs.

Rejecting Ming and rashly starting a war was a grave mistake indeed.

On the topic of deposing His Majesty,

Lee Saek

this is why we subjects dared to be so tactless.

But, you need not worry about who will succeed the Throne.

Even when the world is already theirs?

A nation has its laws,

and human life has its course to take.

I... am afraid of Lord Lee Seong Gye.

Your Majesty.

Don't you have a close friendship with Commander Lee Seong Gye as well?

I only trust you.

There's no one I can trust in this Court but you!

Your Majesty.

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

How frustrating!

I don't know what His Lordship is waiting for!

The King's been exiled anyway!

Chancellor Choi's become a criminal!

Yet... Lord Jo Min Su...

Jeong Deuk Hu

...wants a successor from the Royal Family?

Exactly!

Is Lord Jo capable of that?

Everything seems to be going wrong.

There's no knowing what General Jo Min Su's motives are!

We can't let our guard down.

Now, let's demonstrate our resolve to the world!

We've long spread that song about "the Tree's son gains the nation"!

Nam Eun

"The Tree's son gains the nation"?

Do I have to explain it for you to understand?

"The Tree's son" (木子) is an anagram for Lee, meaning "plum tree" (李).

Doesn't that refer to our master, General Lee Seong Gye?

-Lord Nam... -You're right!

Let's all agree.

Bae Geuk Ryeom

He's the only one who can save this nation!

Please Lord Nam, convey our determination.

Well, I heard the Court is already moving in secret to enthrone Commander Lee.

Nam Eun

Then, we must hurry!

Lady Choi (Jeong Do Jeon's wife)

He likes his alcohol, so make sure to heat up the wine properly.

Yes, My Lady.

Wait, you're saying Commander Jo wants the Wang clan to succeed the Throne?

Don't get so agitated.

Isn't this the Wangs' nation anyway?

Then, how did Father respond?

He's not one to reveal his intentions so easily, is he?

How frustrating...

Then, what did we retreat for?

For the nation and its people, of course. Isn't that right?

Then giving this nation back to the Wang clan is for Goryeo's sake, then?

I'm not sure...

Oh, come in.

Goodness, you must be hungry.

Not at all.

It's poor wine with some wild vegetables, but do enjoy.

Thank you.

Here...

Yesterday...

Lord Yun So Jong and various officials...

...came with the story of Huo Guang.

The story of Huo Guang?

The story of Huo Guang...

...is an old one, from ancient China.

Its moral was that Royal descent should follow the right bloodline.

Jeong Do Jeon

Meaning, the current King is not from the Wang clan.

What I mean is... he's not descended from the late King Gongmin.

Lee Bangwon

Those rumors were all over the place.

Rumors that King Woo... was borne out of wedlock by Shin Don?

Exactly that.

The current Royal line is not legitimate!

If that is so...

...then this nation needs a new master, doesn't it?

Let's... not get ahead of ourselves.

Now... drink up!

Sambong Jeong Do Jeon.

His name now appears slowly before us.

Originally from Bonghwa, he passed the literary examination after studying under Lee Saek,

the greatest scholar of his time.

But, as his mother was descended from a slave,

he was dismissed from office, endlessly alienated and humiliated afterward.

He would meet his new master Lee Seong Gye in the Northeast,

after nine long years of exile and subsequent wandering.

But now, he had begun to formulate a new plan for his master.

Manse, is that you? / -Yeah!

Location provided by the Korean Folk Village

Something up? / -Yeah.

Good news from Gaegyeong. We'll have to hurry and prepare to depart.

Oh, got it.

You mean, we can now safely go back to Gaegyeong?

Yes, My Lady.

Now that the King's been deposed, what happens to his heir?

The statesmen are still in discussion.

Either way... I'm glad we can go back.

Mother.

Lady Min (Lee Bangwon's wife)

Then, did you think we wouldn't be able to return?

When it comes to humans, who knows?

Seriously, Mother... what do you take Father for?

Isn't that right?

Listen here.

Yes, Young Ma'am.

Hurry up.

Now is quite different to when we ran here.

Be strict in your preparations. The people are watching.

Yes, Young Ma'am.

Location provided by the Korean Folk Village

Open up!

Open up!

Who is it?

Lords Mokeun and Poeun.

Please, come in.

Your Lordships.

Surely, you didn't come this late at night to share drinks.

What brings you?

-Your Lordship. -Please, speak.

Right now, this nation is without a master.

You and Lord Lee Seong Gye must have discussed this.

As a matter of fact, I was about to visit the elder statesmen for the same reason.

What conclusion did you and Lord Lee come to?

What nonsense! Conclusion?

How could subjects like us decide on such a critical matter so easily?

Jo Min Su

I'd like to hear your opinion.

What would a scholar like me, ignorant of all but the characters know?

But at least, I know you two didn't come back to overturn the nation.

-Your Lordship! -This nation...

...is depending on you two.

But the Throne... must be passed through a legitimate bloodline!

You're right.

We're in the midst of a war.

Jeong Mong Ju

Shouldn't we naturally enthrone the Crown Prince, as the former King's son?

Of course, we are aware.

There's a lot of rumors going around in Court.

Rumors that the Deposed King and Crown Prince... are actually from the Shin clan.

Lee Saek

But at times like these, we must reach a balance.

The two of you could end up being misunderstood.

Misunderstood?

You and Lord Lee... must prove that you have not a hint of ulterior motive.

No matter what, the Throne...

...must be passed to the Crown Prince!

This is the time for you to show the world your loyalty.

That goes without saying.

I, Jo Min Su... have worked in the Court for decades!

Everything you've said is correct!

Thank you so much.

I'm trusting you, Commander Jo.

Mokeun Lee Saek. The greatest scholar of his time.

Jeong Mong Ju, Jeong Do Jeon, Lee Soong In, Kwon\hGeun, Ha Ryun and Gil Jae all studied under him.

His studies were already well-known across the nation,

and everyone, from the King to Court officials and the people all admired his reputation.

While Lee Seong Gye and Jo Min Su were very powerful at the time,

Mokeun's character and influence were not far behind either.

What is this?

A pact of fifty-two soldiers and statesmen...

...all hoping for you to gain the nation!

Please, bear witness to our loyalty!

Please make your deicision quickly!

The soldiers are yet to take off their armor.

Leave, all of you.

-Your Lordship! -Your Lordship!

We risked our lives for this retreat!

If we put this nation back in the Wangs' hands...!

I said leave, all of you!

Your Lordship!

At your back are three Shakyamunis.

Together they form the character Wang, meaning 'King'. (王)

General, you are shrouded in Royal aura!

Royal aura...

My Lord. Seonggyungwan Headmaster Lord Jeong has arrived.

Escort him in.

What is it, this late at night?

Your Lordship.

I heard...

...Lord Nam brought you a pact.

What do you think about it, Your Lordship?

The officials are quite stubborn.

I've already told you the secrets of nature,

but before that day, there is a sequence to all events.

Jeong Do Jeon

You must await the right time to reap a proper harvest.

Your Lordship.

First...

You must deal with Commander Jo Min Su.

Jo Min Su?

He's an obstacle.

Commander Jo is now the last bastion of the old order. You must eliminate him.

Lee Seong Gye

Commander Jo also has a mighty army!

Your Lordship!

Jo Min Su is unable to put aside his feelings for the Goryeo of the Wangs.

If he's an obstacle to the great cause, shouldn't we naturally eliminate him?

Assistant Bookkeeper Lee Soong In informs you.

This nation's Court has never faced such difficult times.

As elder statesmen, you should escort the legitimate sucessor to the Throne, as soon as possible.

Lee Soong In

Legitimate successor? Who are you referring to?

Kwon Geun

Who else? Doesn't he mean the Crown Prince?

What nonsense! Who's the Crown Prince?

Jo In Ok

What kind of profane talk is that?

Profane?

What's so profane about that? Isn't he the Deposed King's son?

Yun So Jong

State affairs are in this state today...

...because the Shin clan made a mockery of the nation, not the Wang clan!

The Deposed King and his son are both descendants of Shin Don!

What horrible words are those? Shin Don, you say?

Jo Min Su

How could you believe mere rumors, and speak so lightly of important State matters?

Our retreat was for the sake of the nation and its people.

Even if the Former King is guilty of a crime...

...what wrong has the Crown Prince done?

A crime...

...should only be limited to the one who commits it.

Ha Ryun

Severing the line of descent over this is not a desirable outcome.

Well said.

Lee Bangwoo (Lee Seong Gye's eldest son)

Besides the Crown Prince, there's no other legitimate successor!

I agree.

If we depose the Crown Prince too, our retreat itself becomes treasonous!

Treasonous?

Having the legitimate successor inherit the Throne...

Right now, I see nothing wrong with that.

Isn't that right, Sambong?

You're quite right.

Your Lordship!

Your Lordship. Are you out of your mind?

What are you talking about?

You don't know?

How can right ever be wrong?

Your Lordship!

Right now, your father is making sense of my intentions.

King Woo's son, Chang.

He ascended the Throne at age nine.

Lee\hSeong\hGye and his followers were extremely dissatisfied, as recorded in the History of Goryeo.

Stop.

Oh My Lord, you're here!

Welcome, My Lord!

You've come a long way, My Lady.

It's been too long.

Why isn't my husband coming?

He's quite busy with something urgent.

Yes, he must be. Let's go.

Who's that passing by?

It looks like Lord Lee Seong Gye's family.

Really?

-Let's go. -Yes, sir.

Sambong definitely has some ulterior motive in mind.

He's not one to obey you so easily, is he?

He must have some evil design!

Evil design...?

Commander Lee makes all his decisions through Sambong.

We need to find out his motives.

Ah, welcome.

Something unusual seems to be happening on Sambong's side.

What... something unusual?

I heard that several officials...

...are writing an appeal under Lord Jo Jun's name to reform the land system.

Reform the land system?

Haven't they discussed that for a while now? That's nothing new.

Not so.

Land system reform...

If they're planning for a new administration,

it's only natural for them to clarify that matter.

Natural, you say? You can't think so lightly about this.

They might use this as an excuse to make something happen!

Behind Lord Jo Jun... is Sambong himself!

Jeong Do Jeon...

Just thinking about Sambong makes me so frustrated.

How could someone like him change so much?

Once we announce the land system reform, it will shake everything up.

This here is the true reform.

Opposition will be extreme! We're confiscating lands from the old subjects, after all!

Those lands have always been the people's. They don't belong to the old subjects!

You, be quiet!

We're ready to send in the proposal.

Jo Jun

All that's left is to get consensus in the Supreme Council!

You must recover the abandoned public opinion, Your Lordship.

And doing that comes with its price.

Lord Jo Min Su will surely oppose this!

And Lord Mokeun?

He'll be the same.

He's bound to the old subjects. What else can he do?

He's discussed this matter once before.

Our proposal is totally different from his!

That is correct. They themselves...

...own an immense amount of land.

We must take this chance to gain public opinion, and get rid of our obstacles at the same time.

"The people's voice is Heaven's voice," as they say.

Lee Banggwa (Lee Seong Gye's second son)

You must hurry, Father.

My Lord! Your wife has returned!

Oh?

-Father. -Father!

You've all been through a lot.

You've come a long way, Wife.

Father.

Right, you've been through a lot too.

Our daughter-in-law's intelligence is truly praiseworthy.

It's the first time I've ever seen poison.

Poison?

Yes.

If anything happened to you, our daughter-in-law asked us to take poison.

She frightened everyone half to death.

Mother...!

Well done, you. Now go rest.

Yes, Mother.

You've worked hard.

You should go too.

Yes.

Location provided by the Korean Folk Village

Well then, enjoy your rest.

Let's go, Wife.

Your Lordship.

I thought I'd never be able to serve you again.

Why say such concerning words?

We don't always get what we want in life.

Sister is quite ill, and says she'll return to the Capital after a few days.

Bangseok, I see you've gotten bigger and stronger.

Yes. I went hunting with my brothers every day.

He looked so scary, going out into the mountains at dawn with his bow.

From now on, you must devote yourself more to your studies.

I'll keep that in mind, Father.

So?

I don't understand how Father and Headmaster Jeong...

...could be so calm in this crisis.

Well, was Father ever one to discuss his business with his children?

He has your mother from Gaegyeong and Lord Jeong Do Jeon at his side.

Husband.

What's wrong?

You too...

...need to gather power.

Gather power, you say?

Lady Min (Lee Bangwon's wife)

Among all your brothers...

...which one do you think will become Father's heir?

Well... that'd be Bangwoo, won't it?

My eldest brother-in-law?

Why drink such strong wine?

Husband...

If you have ears, Wife, then you must have heard.

Lee Bangwoo (Lee Seong Gye's eldest son)

You must've heard what people say while they point fingers at our family.

Father worked extremely hard to see this through.

You should go see him.

As his child, it's only natural that I do...

...but not as his subject.

Father... is someone who deposed his King.

Brother!

There's an important discussion at the Supreme Council tomorrow.

Lee Banggwa (Lee Seong Gye's second son)

Honey. Get me some more wine.

How could I... perform any government duty at a time like this?

Reforming the land system...

...is something whose effectiveness we already doubted in the previous reign.

After all... it is to recover lands from the statesmen and revert them to State jurisdiction.

Who are our statesmen?

The cornerstones of our nation!

And those cornerstones of this nation...

What have they given to the people?

What?

Now see here, Seonggyungwan Headmaster!

Please, speak.

Do you dare...

...to insult the statesmen of this nation?

I'm not insulting them!

I'm trying to correct their wrongs!

Your Lordship. I hear that you too possess no small amount of land.

The nation is in such a precarious state today...

Jo Jun

...because influential families have plundered land that is fundamentally the people's!

Watch your words! Plundered, you say?

I think this is too aggressive and rash.

We can't resolve everything in one go.

We should delay this for now, and deal with it calmly and orderly.

Your Lordship.

We can't delay this any longer.

In addition to land system reform,

we must punish the corrupt officials who filled themselves on the people's land!

Just who... are you calling corrupt officials?

Who can guarantee he doesn't mean you, Your Lordship?

Nam Eun

It's time we came to a consensus.

Those among us in favor... express your opinion to His Majesty.

We agree.

If we don't charge the corrupt officials, then this is nothing but empty talk!

Lee Seong Gye

Express your opinion on this statement as well.

We agree!

Those men are obviously trying to get rid of me!

At this rate, they'll make big trouble. We must take the initiative!

Lee Seong Gye, you dare...!

Please gather your troops, Your Lordship!

Jo Min Su is sure to make his move.

Sambong!

This isn't how I wanted it!

We have no time for that!

Leave Commander Jo be, and there'll be consequences.

We already submitted an impeachment against Jo Min Su at the Censorate,

and General Jo In Ok awaits orders to deploy his troops.

The human heart is most fearsome.

I told you, we're not going to kill him!

We're just blocking any further internal strife!

-What happened? -We have orders!

I already knew that. I sent outpost troops in advance to block the streets!

The Commander is taking great pains to resolve this without bloodshed.

No problem! Their army...

...has long already lost their morale!

I sent a captain to persuade them. If that fails, we can only strike!

Jo In Ok

Troops, to arms! We're moving out!

Your Lordship, this isn't the time to hesitate!

Do you think...

...we have any chance against Commander Lee?

We can't take this lying down, at least!

I understand.

If there's no way to avoid it, we can only move forward!

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

Where is His Lordship?

What's going on?

Your Lordship, it's big trouble!

Lord Lee Seong Gye's general Jo\hIn\hOk has the whole place surrounded!

What?

Where are our troops now?

My apologies.

They all surrendered!

What...?

Get ready for battle!

Pick up your damned swords! / -Yes!

Your Lordship, what do we do?

Capture him!

You wretch, how rude!

Come quietly!

Where are you taking me?

It's the Royal Command!

Royal Command?

-Escort him! -Come on!

This can't be!

Where's Commander Lee?

This cannot be!

I said escort him, now! What are you waiting for?

-Let's go! -Get back!

This cannot be! It can't...!

Your Lordship.

Jo Min Su was just arrested.

A great anxiety of ours has been lessened.

Your Lordship...

What do we do about Chancellor Choi?

Please, execute him. You should finish off all the dirty work in one go.

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

"Hear me Choi Young, criminal of high treason!"

"From above, you deceived your ruler,"

"from below, you held the people in contempt..."

"...and plunged the nation into misery."

"Your crimes obscure the Heavens and cover the Earth."

"Hence, I order you to be executed as a warning to future generations."

"May the criminal obey my order with reverence."

If I've ever been greedy in my life...

Choi Young

...then let the grass overrun my grave.

If I have not, then let it remain barren.

The death of Goryeo's most loyal renowned General, Choi Young.

As per his last words, no grass is said to have ever grown on his grave.

Later generations would refer to his grave as Jeokbun, meaning 'Red Grave (of loyalty)'.

News of his bitter death also spread far and wide around town...

...and he became a patron spirit in Shamanism, a belief that perseveres to this day.

Your Lordship!

Did you hear the news?

What news?

Chancellor Choi was executed at midday!

What? What did you say?

Those foul men...

They finally...!

A great star of Goryeo has fallen.

Lord Jo Min Su was also sent on exile by His Majesty's orders.

What would the young King know...?

What are you thinking about so intently?

By chance, is something worrying you?

Today...

Chancellor Choi...

I heard.

Is that why you're so anxious?

He was like a brother to my parents. He cherished me.

Yet I...

...robbed him of his life.

You didn't kill him, Your Lordship.

Lady Kang (Lee Seong Gye's City Wife)

It's this turbulent world that killed him.

Please, stay strong. What about all those officials who follow you?

Historical Drama Tears of the Dragon

What use is being a King?

There's no greater joy than spending one's life playing the hojeok by the beach.

I never knew a commoner's life could be so peaceful.

Your Majesty, I am ashamed.

I wonder what happened to Chancellor Choi...?

Your Majesty, over there...!

Wait... isn't that former Grand Military Protector Kim Jeo?

Yeah. Chancellor Choi's nephew, right?

That's right, Your Majesty.

Kim Jeo (Choi Young's nephew)

Kim Jeo. He was Choi Young's nephew, and once held the post of Grand Military Protector.

Kim Jeo visited King Woo because it happened to be a holiday, and he'd been there before.

Never forgetting that King Woo once gave him his post, he decided to pay a short visit.

But, this short visit would cause an enormous stir.

Come, come. Let's go inside!

Yes...

-Bring it out. -Yes.

-Have a seat. -Yes.

I... have a request to make of you.

My Lady, shall I peel them for you?

You've gotten prettier, Deokshil.

Perhaps it's time you got married.

Alright, you can leave.

Deokshil (Lady Min's maid)

Uh, Wife...

We should have a healthy baby boy by now, shouldn't we?

Looks like you get other thoughts in mind at the sight of Deokshil.

Oh, come on Wife... are you jealous?

Have you ever put my mind at ease, Husband?

Then, haven't you?

Seriously... alright, alright, let's just have some tea.

Instead of tea, how about some wine before bed?

Alright. That's not bad either.

Open up!

-Open up! -Yes, sir!

Is His Lordship inside?

He came looking for you a couple times! / -Go on in, quickly!

Sir! Sir, it's urgent!

To the guest room.

While on my way to the Deposed King's quarters in Kanghwa...

...I met with our spy, Eunuch Park.

When I arrived...

...the Deposed King was meeting former Grand Military Protector Kim Jeo in his quarters.

So?

Kim Jeo is Choi Young's nephew, and used to hold an important military post.

Get to the point.

The Deposed King... secretly gave Kim Jeo a knife...

Jo Young Mu

...and gave orders to assassinate your father.

Wait... What did you just say?

The Deposed King wants to kill my father...?

The so-called 'Kim Jeo Incident'.

King Woo bestowed him a Royal knife, to assassinate Lee Seong Gye.

With Goryeo's Court already in crisis, this incident would plunge it into a scene of bloodshed.

We hope you anticipate the next episode.

Subtitles by Sean Maclair