Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 13 - Episode #1.13 - full transcript
Who's there?
The King has calmed the public
with false facade of generosity
while approving the payment of
tribute and deployment of military,
and now he seeks to send the
Crown Prince to Ming as a pawn.
Is this not an outrage?
It's nothing.
Don't worry about it.
May I have a look at that note?
It's nothing, I said.
I'm going to have to leave
the Royal Shrine for a while.
Try to stop me and you will die.
Then I guess I'm going
to be the one to die first.
What are you doing here?
I was worried about you,
so I begged for permission
and came to keep you company.
But I guess I walked into my own death.
Step aside.
Put that sword down first.
I can't sit around and watch the King
stir the state in the wrong direction!
Don't you think some
of this is your fault?
Get out of my way!
Let go of me!
Forgive us, Your Highness.
Take him to the audience hall
and lock the door from outside.
Do you wish to die?
Stop this unruly behavior.
Or I just might take the seat
of the Crown Prince from you.
How dare you!
Take him away.
Let go!
Let go of me!
How dare you!
You failed to get the Crown
Prince out of the Royal Shrine?
We must move the Confucian scholars.
They are our only chance
of reigniting public fury.
Send the troops to the Royal
Confucian Academy immediately.
We have no proof they are behind this.
No one else could've sent this kind of
note to provoke the Crown Prince!
We must get to the truth first.
- Minister of Defense.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
Didn't you hear my order
to deploy the troops?
You mustn't, Your Majesty!
Even if they are behind this,
taking military action to suppress them
could throw them into a fit of rage.
Just kill them if they resist.
Then this country has no future.
We may not make it past today.
Without the present,
there is no future to think about.
Royal Confucian Academy
How could the military
seal off the academy?
They want to get this over
with in one swift sweep.
My man...
Incapacitate the opposition
and give Ming everything
the want including the Crown Prince.
That's what this is!
You sent the troops to the
Royal Confucian Academy?
I'm certain I told you that
state affairs are not for women.
What is your real motive?
Real motive? Those who
interfere with state affairs are...
Don't tell me this is about the state!
You can fool everyone,
but you can't fool me.
The scholars are not your target.
Your target is the Crown Prince.
Queen!
You're jealous and angry because
the Crown Prince has captured the
hearts of the scholars who never
gave you their sincere support.
- Enough!
- Am I wrong?
Stop the persecution of the scholars
at once if you don't want Joseon to
crumble during your reign.
You cannot persecute Confucian scholars
in a state founded on Confucianism!
Get back inside!
We've been given permission
to kill if you defy us!
Suppress them!
Aye!
Stop!
I told you to trust us and wait.
What is this childish behavior?
We will not be deceived again, sir.
We will keep our resolve
even if it kills us.
Then what about the future
of this country?
What matters when we're dead and gone?
The future is not our problem.
Not your problem?
What is the meaning of this?
Get back inside and learn again.
Relearn the way of the scholar before
you come back out and open your mouth.
Don't you see?
It's the two-faced King and the Royal
court that forced us out here.
Then find the right way to break us down.
Sharpen your pen like sharpening a sword!
No, we won't.
You will have to.
What are you waiting for?
Throw these men back inside!
It's a pity... What happened to the
man who said we must preserve hope?
Dumundong Incident: The last 72 loyal members of
Goryeo dynasty who resisted Joseon were burned
and killed in Dumundong where they were holding
their protest by the order of Taejo Yi Sunggae.
You must leave Dumundong now, sir.
A scholar is nothing without his purpose.
You'd abandon the people
to preserve your purpose?
Where would the people look to for hope?
How can you talk about hope when
a butcher has taken over the country?
Then you have to stay alive to take
the knife away from the butcher.
No!
Stop!
No, don't do this!
Stop!
Stop!
Perhaps I should have
died with you then...
You gave up your life
trying to protect Goryeo
just like those scholars
are trying to do now.
If still, to this day, we are
suppressing the scholar's pen
with the sword, aren't we
unfit to lead this country?
Call a Royal family meeting?
Does this mean you made up your mind?
I don't want this government
descending into greater confusion.
I guess you're a man after all.
Sure...
You're not a man if you don't take
the power and authority
that's landed right in front of you.
Send a secret memo to the Emperor?
The Emperor must be made aware
that Joseon could become
a greater enemy to us than Japan.
But you told the King of Joseon
that you would give him time...
That was to get them to slacken their guard.
What are you doing?
I'm sampling, Madam.
I have to sample the food.
How many times do I have to tell you?
Serving is not your job.
I'm making it my job.
Listen.
Reject, reject, he sends back
almost everything we send in!
I'm going in there to ask him what the
heck wants to shove down his throat.
Such vulgar tongue...
Out of my way!
Hall of Great Peace
Tell him to clear up the road.
How dare you do this to us Ming Chinese!
What is the meaning of this?
Hey, over here!
Release me at once!
Oh, shut up.
"Joseon is to be conquered
first before Japan"?
Where are you holding
the captured messengers?
The Royal Villa?
Of course not.
Why are you keeping yourself so busy?
I'm asking you why you're so
absorbed in government affairs.
Have you found a taste for power as well?
Do you think you can get
away with this mistreatment?
Mistreatment?
How have we mistreated you?
Your Majesty!
No one in Joseon would ever mistreat you.
Then what happened to my men?
The problem occurred because
they were in Joseonese clothing.
Was there something you were trying to
accomplish putting your men in disguise?
Of... course not.
Yes.
Of course not.
You are not foolish enough to completely
ignore our official diplomatic agreement.
Isn't that right?
Tell your men to practice restraint.
The city isn't very safe right now.
My men are too busy assembling
pay adequate attention to public safety.
That smells really good.
Your mother really is the
best cook in the country.
I told her it's because
of morning sickness.
The recipe is inside.
Wait.
What has you so busy lately?
I thought I saw some armed
men last night as well.
Are you employing a private army?
If the elders found out,
you will be misunderstood.
Just watch.
I'm going to make
something that will
knock the socks off of the envoy.
Really?
Yup.
Where's the meat I ordered?
I'm keeping it inside.
This might take a while,
so you girls go ahead and browse.
Can we?
I'll find you later.
I'm impressed.
We got lucky this time, but something
has to be done on the fundamental level.
Did you found out anything else?
I need to secure my cover first.
If this doesn't work, it's a matter of
time before I'm kicked out of there.
You don't have to worry about that.
The recipe is right I side.
Why?
I don't smell alcohol on you anymore.
You're right! How long has it
been since I had my last drink?
But when I don't drink, my hands...
my hands shake and I can't do anything.
Your hands are fine.
They are!
The world is so strange...
I understand and appreciate why
you're working so passionately.
Don't know why my
intentions have to be questioned.
Everyone, even my own wife,
keeps asking me why I'm working so hard.
It's not just curiosity. They're
trying to get something out of me...
Could we really be doing these
crazy things out of selfish reasons?
Is power and authority
really that spell-binding?
How could you lose the secret memo?
You are supposed to
protect it with your life!
He said it was taken by common bandits.
They probably can't even read.
Sir!
How do you know if they aren't
Joseonese soldiers in bandits' disguise?
The King of Joseon is
not to be underestimated!
What ever happens...
Whatever it takes...
I will make Joseon a true subject
state of Great Ming.
Are you returning from
the Hall of Great Peace?
Oh, dear...
You look so pale and thin.
Don't be overly concerned,
Your Eminence.
Why aren't you men doing your jobs?
Are you going to have the King
tending to a petty envoy forever?
I have nothing to be proud of either.
You're working so hard
to protect this state,
and all I did was add to your frustrations by
asserting the authority of the Royal house.
No, Your Eminence.
I will do what I can to help from now on.
Why are you so late?
You were summoned hours ago.
I was away, and did not
get the message until later...
Away?
You're a carefree young man.
The country is in crisis and a Royal
Prince is out and about passing time?
Forgive me, Your Eminence...
Take your seat.
What's going on, Brother?
Everyone is here, so we
will start the meeting.
As you all know, the national fate
of Joseon is in a state of peril.
The public is up in arms
and Ming is quite infuriated.
Anymore provocation
and war will be unavoidable.
For that reason, I am compelled
to make this unpleasant decision
as an elder of the Royal House.
I feel one man's sacrifice
is required right now.
Your Eminence...
We should send the Crown Prince to Ming.
No, Your Eminence.
The heir to the throne
cannot be sent away.
Stay out of this.
Let me go instead.
Brother...!
I will go.
You'll have to become the Crown
Prince first if you wish to go.
What are you talking about?
Have you forgotten?
What the envoy wants is not just
a prince, but the Crown Prince.
What do you mean by that?
Are you saying that the Crown
Prince should be deposed?
I am simply reminding
everyone of what Ming wants.
I said nothing about
deposing the Crown Prince.
What's the difference?
What are you trying to get out of this?
Are you trying to get the Crown Prince
deposed so you can take his place?
If they wanted any one of the princes,
I would've volunteered to go
before Prince Hyoryeong did.
I don't want a legitimate prince to
suffer this kind of humiliation either.
Then you can go, Prince Kyoungnyeong.
There wouldn't be
a greater honor if I could.
I haven't heard a word
from you, Choongnyeong.
Your Eminence...
Even an illegitimate prince is showing
his concern trying to do his part.
Don't you think you should
show some concern as well?
Ignoble...
What an ignoble fellow you are...
Make the bold decision, King.
It's the Crown Prince they want.
Deposing him and making another prince
a Crown Prince would be a poor stunt
they will not fall for.
King?
Give me some time.
I will talk it over with the ministers.
Did you suggest deposing the Crown
Prince? You are out of your mind!
The Crown Prince will be sent away
anyway without you getting involved.
Yes, but then I can't kill
two birds with one stone.
Kyoungnyeong...
The Crown Prince has
powerful men behind him.
My bet is that they will choose
to depose him and keep him in
Joseon if the only other choice is
sending him away to be held hostage.
But it's not easy to get
back the lost right to the throne.
This is my chance to get rid of
the first and the second prince
in the line of succession, Mother.
You mean you this was
an intentional move?
All I will have left to contend with is
timid and ignoble Choongnyeong,
so it will be worth a shot.
Are you confident you can win?
I, too, am a son of a King who captured
his throne with his sword and artifice.
Let us send Hyoryeong instead.
We cannot depose the Crown Prince!
We will restore him to his position.
Are you afraid that
the Prime Minister and we
don't have the power?
I assure you they're not sending
you in the Crown Prince's place.
Your Eminence...
Your actions today
reconfirmed my decision.
This country needs a benevolent
man like you on the throne.
But you must first learn to be
wary of your surroundings.
Be wary of Kyoungnyeong.
Don't give him any room
under any circumstances.
He is not as innocuous
as he appears to be.
Kyoungnyeong, that child,
is quite clever...
Clever? You mean we should
depose the Crown Prince?
Depose him?
That's unthinkable.
Then?
I will send Kyoungnyeong as a hostage.
That's wishful thinking.
What they want is the Crown Prince.
They will never settle for
an illegitimate prince.
We must make them settle.
Your Highness.
We will make it so that they never wanted
the Crown Prince from the beginning.
Envoy Huang Yan was infuriated
by the Crown Prince's insults.
Nothing will appease him.
I don't intend to appease him.
I intend to shut him up.
I intend to shut him up forever.
Just watch. Once he puts
my beef patty into his mouth...
Would you please tell him
to tell me what he wants?
What do I have to make to satisfy him?
Take it away!
I'm the best chef in Joseon.
Just tell me anything you
want and I will make it for you.
Anything?
Yes.
You understand Chinese?
Huh?
Um, no, but I can read his expression.
Can you make buckwheat crepes?
Buckwheat... what?
Is that Chinese food?
He had it on his last trip here in
a village called Yongwanggol.
You don't even know what it is and
you're the best chef in Joseon?
Yongwanggol?
Did you say Yongwanggol?
Never mind if you don't know what it is.
You're dismissed.
But of course I know what it is!
Yongwanggol is famous for having
the best cooks in the country.
Where is Yongwanggol?
I would know about it if it's
known for having best cooks.
Yes, you would.
You didn't just make that up when
you don't know anything. Did you?
Yes, I did.
What?
I'll find it.
I'll find Yongwanggol and make that
buckwheat crepe or whatever it is.
You should close your mouth, Madam.
Dust is getting in.
Look!
I better go and find those
buckwheat crepes.
I am honored that you called for me.
How long has it been?
I think the last time we met was
at Lord Min Mugu's place of exile.
How is your business?
It's struggling without your backing.
You're a big businessman with
trade rights to Ming and Japan.
And you're complaining?
He just means that he is not the
biggest merchant in the state.
If you help us out,
I could make arrangements for you to be
the exclusive supplier for the
Royal Kitchen and the Special Events Office.
Then it will be
a matter of time before you are
the biggest merchant in Joseon.
This job you have for
me must be a difficult one.
You would be risking your life.
You think you might
have useful information?
We just might be able to find
Envoy Huang Yang's weakness.
Information number one:
Envoy Huang Yan likes Yongwanggol.
Yongwanggol?
Where is that?
There is no such a place in Joseon.
Pardon?
It's a geographical name dubbed
by the Royal house of Goryeo.
Then I guess it would've been
renamed when Joseon was founded.
But how does Huang Yan know this place?
Information number two:
Huang Yan likes buckwheat crepes.
Buckwheat crepes?
You probably never had
them being a prince.
It's stuff you eat when you don't have
anything else to eat made
of hardy dryland crops.
Then I guess we have to find the place
that harvests buckwheat that
used to be called Yongwanggol.
We just might be able to
find Huang Yan's weakness.
And when we cover up his weakness
for him, we will become his friend!
Bow.
This is Prince Choongnyeong.
I heard you are an amazing artiest.
He sure is.
He's so good that they say
he can draw what's in your heart.
Then I guess it won't be
difficult for you draw
what a man would've
looked like as a child.
It's no problem, Your Highness.
Fellow, you'll get sick
sleeping out here in the cold.
Would you like a drink of wine?
It's poison taken from puffer fish.
It starts to takes effect in 30 minutes...
causing fatal results within two hours.
What's remarkable is that it does
not leave any trace of poison.
It will look like natural death no
matter what test is administered.
Remember.
The fate of the Crown
Prince is in your hands.
The Queen is after the Envoy's life?
If all goes well, the Queen of
Joseon could become our biggest
ally in restoring the
Royal house of Goryeo.
Now we have to switch the poison.
So that they would know he was
poisoned immediately upon his death.
Then the Royal House of
Joseon will be charged
with murdering a diplomatic envoy.
Then...
There will be war.
You could be put under suspicious for
having been called into the palace,
so I had rare food items
prepared for you to take back.
Be gentle putting them down.
Thank you.
Well then?
Oh dear, please forgive me.
No, it was my fault.
Remember.
The fate of the Crown
Prince is in our hands.
In plain sight along
with her skin lotion...
Who said it's dark at the
foot of the candlestick?
Where are the pine nuts?
Madam...!
Where are they?
Fetch them right now!
There were men that
recognized Huang Yan?
Yes, Your Highness!
Have we found a way to become
friends with Envoy Huang Yan?
Dead men don't talk...
The King has calmed the public
with false facade of generosity
while approving the payment of
tribute and deployment of military,
and now he seeks to send the
Crown Prince to Ming as a pawn.
Is this not an outrage?
It's nothing.
Don't worry about it.
May I have a look at that note?
It's nothing, I said.
I'm going to have to leave
the Royal Shrine for a while.
Try to stop me and you will die.
Then I guess I'm going
to be the one to die first.
What are you doing here?
I was worried about you,
so I begged for permission
and came to keep you company.
But I guess I walked into my own death.
Step aside.
Put that sword down first.
I can't sit around and watch the King
stir the state in the wrong direction!
Don't you think some
of this is your fault?
Get out of my way!
Let go of me!
Forgive us, Your Highness.
Take him to the audience hall
and lock the door from outside.
Do you wish to die?
Stop this unruly behavior.
Or I just might take the seat
of the Crown Prince from you.
How dare you!
Take him away.
Let go!
Let go of me!
How dare you!
You failed to get the Crown
Prince out of the Royal Shrine?
We must move the Confucian scholars.
They are our only chance
of reigniting public fury.
Send the troops to the Royal
Confucian Academy immediately.
We have no proof they are behind this.
No one else could've sent this kind of
note to provoke the Crown Prince!
We must get to the truth first.
- Minister of Defense.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
Didn't you hear my order
to deploy the troops?
You mustn't, Your Majesty!
Even if they are behind this,
taking military action to suppress them
could throw them into a fit of rage.
Just kill them if they resist.
Then this country has no future.
We may not make it past today.
Without the present,
there is no future to think about.
Royal Confucian Academy
How could the military
seal off the academy?
They want to get this over
with in one swift sweep.
My man...
Incapacitate the opposition
and give Ming everything
the want including the Crown Prince.
That's what this is!
You sent the troops to the
Royal Confucian Academy?
I'm certain I told you that
state affairs are not for women.
What is your real motive?
Real motive? Those who
interfere with state affairs are...
Don't tell me this is about the state!
You can fool everyone,
but you can't fool me.
The scholars are not your target.
Your target is the Crown Prince.
Queen!
You're jealous and angry because
the Crown Prince has captured the
hearts of the scholars who never
gave you their sincere support.
- Enough!
- Am I wrong?
Stop the persecution of the scholars
at once if you don't want Joseon to
crumble during your reign.
You cannot persecute Confucian scholars
in a state founded on Confucianism!
Get back inside!
We've been given permission
to kill if you defy us!
Suppress them!
Aye!
Stop!
I told you to trust us and wait.
What is this childish behavior?
We will not be deceived again, sir.
We will keep our resolve
even if it kills us.
Then what about the future
of this country?
What matters when we're dead and gone?
The future is not our problem.
Not your problem?
What is the meaning of this?
Get back inside and learn again.
Relearn the way of the scholar before
you come back out and open your mouth.
Don't you see?
It's the two-faced King and the Royal
court that forced us out here.
Then find the right way to break us down.
Sharpen your pen like sharpening a sword!
No, we won't.
You will have to.
What are you waiting for?
Throw these men back inside!
It's a pity... What happened to the
man who said we must preserve hope?
Dumundong Incident: The last 72 loyal members of
Goryeo dynasty who resisted Joseon were burned
and killed in Dumundong where they were holding
their protest by the order of Taejo Yi Sunggae.
You must leave Dumundong now, sir.
A scholar is nothing without his purpose.
You'd abandon the people
to preserve your purpose?
Where would the people look to for hope?
How can you talk about hope when
a butcher has taken over the country?
Then you have to stay alive to take
the knife away from the butcher.
No!
Stop!
No, don't do this!
Stop!
Stop!
Perhaps I should have
died with you then...
You gave up your life
trying to protect Goryeo
just like those scholars
are trying to do now.
If still, to this day, we are
suppressing the scholar's pen
with the sword, aren't we
unfit to lead this country?
Call a Royal family meeting?
Does this mean you made up your mind?
I don't want this government
descending into greater confusion.
I guess you're a man after all.
Sure...
You're not a man if you don't take
the power and authority
that's landed right in front of you.
Send a secret memo to the Emperor?
The Emperor must be made aware
that Joseon could become
a greater enemy to us than Japan.
But you told the King of Joseon
that you would give him time...
That was to get them to slacken their guard.
What are you doing?
I'm sampling, Madam.
I have to sample the food.
How many times do I have to tell you?
Serving is not your job.
I'm making it my job.
Listen.
Reject, reject, he sends back
almost everything we send in!
I'm going in there to ask him what the
heck wants to shove down his throat.
Such vulgar tongue...
Out of my way!
Hall of Great Peace
Tell him to clear up the road.
How dare you do this to us Ming Chinese!
What is the meaning of this?
Hey, over here!
Release me at once!
Oh, shut up.
"Joseon is to be conquered
first before Japan"?
Where are you holding
the captured messengers?
The Royal Villa?
Of course not.
Why are you keeping yourself so busy?
I'm asking you why you're so
absorbed in government affairs.
Have you found a taste for power as well?
Do you think you can get
away with this mistreatment?
Mistreatment?
How have we mistreated you?
Your Majesty!
No one in Joseon would ever mistreat you.
Then what happened to my men?
The problem occurred because
they were in Joseonese clothing.
Was there something you were trying to
accomplish putting your men in disguise?
Of... course not.
Yes.
Of course not.
You are not foolish enough to completely
ignore our official diplomatic agreement.
Isn't that right?
Tell your men to practice restraint.
The city isn't very safe right now.
My men are too busy assembling
pay adequate attention to public safety.
That smells really good.
Your mother really is the
best cook in the country.
I told her it's because
of morning sickness.
The recipe is inside.
Wait.
What has you so busy lately?
I thought I saw some armed
men last night as well.
Are you employing a private army?
If the elders found out,
you will be misunderstood.
Just watch.
I'm going to make
something that will
knock the socks off of the envoy.
Really?
Yup.
Where's the meat I ordered?
I'm keeping it inside.
This might take a while,
so you girls go ahead and browse.
Can we?
I'll find you later.
I'm impressed.
We got lucky this time, but something
has to be done on the fundamental level.
Did you found out anything else?
I need to secure my cover first.
If this doesn't work, it's a matter of
time before I'm kicked out of there.
You don't have to worry about that.
The recipe is right I side.
Why?
I don't smell alcohol on you anymore.
You're right! How long has it
been since I had my last drink?
But when I don't drink, my hands...
my hands shake and I can't do anything.
Your hands are fine.
They are!
The world is so strange...
I understand and appreciate why
you're working so passionately.
Don't know why my
intentions have to be questioned.
Everyone, even my own wife,
keeps asking me why I'm working so hard.
It's not just curiosity. They're
trying to get something out of me...
Could we really be doing these
crazy things out of selfish reasons?
Is power and authority
really that spell-binding?
How could you lose the secret memo?
You are supposed to
protect it with your life!
He said it was taken by common bandits.
They probably can't even read.
Sir!
How do you know if they aren't
Joseonese soldiers in bandits' disguise?
The King of Joseon is
not to be underestimated!
What ever happens...
Whatever it takes...
I will make Joseon a true subject
state of Great Ming.
Are you returning from
the Hall of Great Peace?
Oh, dear...
You look so pale and thin.
Don't be overly concerned,
Your Eminence.
Why aren't you men doing your jobs?
Are you going to have the King
tending to a petty envoy forever?
I have nothing to be proud of either.
You're working so hard
to protect this state,
and all I did was add to your frustrations by
asserting the authority of the Royal house.
No, Your Eminence.
I will do what I can to help from now on.
Why are you so late?
You were summoned hours ago.
I was away, and did not
get the message until later...
Away?
You're a carefree young man.
The country is in crisis and a Royal
Prince is out and about passing time?
Forgive me, Your Eminence...
Take your seat.
What's going on, Brother?
Everyone is here, so we
will start the meeting.
As you all know, the national fate
of Joseon is in a state of peril.
The public is up in arms
and Ming is quite infuriated.
Anymore provocation
and war will be unavoidable.
For that reason, I am compelled
to make this unpleasant decision
as an elder of the Royal House.
I feel one man's sacrifice
is required right now.
Your Eminence...
We should send the Crown Prince to Ming.
No, Your Eminence.
The heir to the throne
cannot be sent away.
Stay out of this.
Let me go instead.
Brother...!
I will go.
You'll have to become the Crown
Prince first if you wish to go.
What are you talking about?
Have you forgotten?
What the envoy wants is not just
a prince, but the Crown Prince.
What do you mean by that?
Are you saying that the Crown
Prince should be deposed?
I am simply reminding
everyone of what Ming wants.
I said nothing about
deposing the Crown Prince.
What's the difference?
What are you trying to get out of this?
Are you trying to get the Crown Prince
deposed so you can take his place?
If they wanted any one of the princes,
I would've volunteered to go
before Prince Hyoryeong did.
I don't want a legitimate prince to
suffer this kind of humiliation either.
Then you can go, Prince Kyoungnyeong.
There wouldn't be
a greater honor if I could.
I haven't heard a word
from you, Choongnyeong.
Your Eminence...
Even an illegitimate prince is showing
his concern trying to do his part.
Don't you think you should
show some concern as well?
Ignoble...
What an ignoble fellow you are...
Make the bold decision, King.
It's the Crown Prince they want.
Deposing him and making another prince
a Crown Prince would be a poor stunt
they will not fall for.
King?
Give me some time.
I will talk it over with the ministers.
Did you suggest deposing the Crown
Prince? You are out of your mind!
The Crown Prince will be sent away
anyway without you getting involved.
Yes, but then I can't kill
two birds with one stone.
Kyoungnyeong...
The Crown Prince has
powerful men behind him.
My bet is that they will choose
to depose him and keep him in
Joseon if the only other choice is
sending him away to be held hostage.
But it's not easy to get
back the lost right to the throne.
This is my chance to get rid of
the first and the second prince
in the line of succession, Mother.
You mean you this was
an intentional move?
All I will have left to contend with is
timid and ignoble Choongnyeong,
so it will be worth a shot.
Are you confident you can win?
I, too, am a son of a King who captured
his throne with his sword and artifice.
Let us send Hyoryeong instead.
We cannot depose the Crown Prince!
We will restore him to his position.
Are you afraid that
the Prime Minister and we
don't have the power?
I assure you they're not sending
you in the Crown Prince's place.
Your Eminence...
Your actions today
reconfirmed my decision.
This country needs a benevolent
man like you on the throne.
But you must first learn to be
wary of your surroundings.
Be wary of Kyoungnyeong.
Don't give him any room
under any circumstances.
He is not as innocuous
as he appears to be.
Kyoungnyeong, that child,
is quite clever...
Clever? You mean we should
depose the Crown Prince?
Depose him?
That's unthinkable.
Then?
I will send Kyoungnyeong as a hostage.
That's wishful thinking.
What they want is the Crown Prince.
They will never settle for
an illegitimate prince.
We must make them settle.
Your Highness.
We will make it so that they never wanted
the Crown Prince from the beginning.
Envoy Huang Yan was infuriated
by the Crown Prince's insults.
Nothing will appease him.
I don't intend to appease him.
I intend to shut him up.
I intend to shut him up forever.
Just watch. Once he puts
my beef patty into his mouth...
Would you please tell him
to tell me what he wants?
What do I have to make to satisfy him?
Take it away!
I'm the best chef in Joseon.
Just tell me anything you
want and I will make it for you.
Anything?
Yes.
You understand Chinese?
Huh?
Um, no, but I can read his expression.
Can you make buckwheat crepes?
Buckwheat... what?
Is that Chinese food?
He had it on his last trip here in
a village called Yongwanggol.
You don't even know what it is and
you're the best chef in Joseon?
Yongwanggol?
Did you say Yongwanggol?
Never mind if you don't know what it is.
You're dismissed.
But of course I know what it is!
Yongwanggol is famous for having
the best cooks in the country.
Where is Yongwanggol?
I would know about it if it's
known for having best cooks.
Yes, you would.
You didn't just make that up when
you don't know anything. Did you?
Yes, I did.
What?
I'll find it.
I'll find Yongwanggol and make that
buckwheat crepe or whatever it is.
You should close your mouth, Madam.
Dust is getting in.
Look!
I better go and find those
buckwheat crepes.
I am honored that you called for me.
How long has it been?
I think the last time we met was
at Lord Min Mugu's place of exile.
How is your business?
It's struggling without your backing.
You're a big businessman with
trade rights to Ming and Japan.
And you're complaining?
He just means that he is not the
biggest merchant in the state.
If you help us out,
I could make arrangements for you to be
the exclusive supplier for the
Royal Kitchen and the Special Events Office.
Then it will be
a matter of time before you are
the biggest merchant in Joseon.
This job you have for
me must be a difficult one.
You would be risking your life.
You think you might
have useful information?
We just might be able to find
Envoy Huang Yang's weakness.
Information number one:
Envoy Huang Yan likes Yongwanggol.
Yongwanggol?
Where is that?
There is no such a place in Joseon.
Pardon?
It's a geographical name dubbed
by the Royal house of Goryeo.
Then I guess it would've been
renamed when Joseon was founded.
But how does Huang Yan know this place?
Information number two:
Huang Yan likes buckwheat crepes.
Buckwheat crepes?
You probably never had
them being a prince.
It's stuff you eat when you don't have
anything else to eat made
of hardy dryland crops.
Then I guess we have to find the place
that harvests buckwheat that
used to be called Yongwanggol.
We just might be able to
find Huang Yan's weakness.
And when we cover up his weakness
for him, we will become his friend!
Bow.
This is Prince Choongnyeong.
I heard you are an amazing artiest.
He sure is.
He's so good that they say
he can draw what's in your heart.
Then I guess it won't be
difficult for you draw
what a man would've
looked like as a child.
It's no problem, Your Highness.
Fellow, you'll get sick
sleeping out here in the cold.
Would you like a drink of wine?
It's poison taken from puffer fish.
It starts to takes effect in 30 minutes...
causing fatal results within two hours.
What's remarkable is that it does
not leave any trace of poison.
It will look like natural death no
matter what test is administered.
Remember.
The fate of the Crown
Prince is in your hands.
The Queen is after the Envoy's life?
If all goes well, the Queen of
Joseon could become our biggest
ally in restoring the
Royal house of Goryeo.
Now we have to switch the poison.
So that they would know he was
poisoned immediately upon his death.
Then the Royal House of
Joseon will be charged
with murdering a diplomatic envoy.
Then...
There will be war.
You could be put under suspicious for
having been called into the palace,
so I had rare food items
prepared for you to take back.
Be gentle putting them down.
Thank you.
Well then?
Oh dear, please forgive me.
No, it was my fault.
Remember.
The fate of the Crown
Prince is in our hands.
In plain sight along
with her skin lotion...
Who said it's dark at the
foot of the candlestick?
Where are the pine nuts?
Madam...!
Where are they?
Fetch them right now!
There were men that
recognized Huang Yan?
Yes, Your Highness!
Have we found a way to become
friends with Envoy Huang Yan?
Dead men don't talk...