Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 16 - Episode #1.16 - full transcript
I don't know how to thank
you for your wise decision.
There is someone else
you should thank for that.
By the way, Your Highness...
Even if I had taken your
Heir Apparent to Ming as a hostage,
worry about the future of Joseon.
I don't believe you would have had to.
Oh?
You have a competent Prince who
can replace the Heir Apparent.
A prince who can replace
the Heir Apparent?
Who would that be?
I believe you already know.
How am I to know?
I am a father before I am King.
In a father's eyes, all of his
children look equally wonderful.
King of Joseon...
He's always a quick thinker.
But he can't stop the dam
that's already broken...
I don't understand, sir.
Just watch. There will be a huge power
shift in the Royal court of Joseon.
I'm already getting excited
about our next trip here.
Make sure that the envoy doesn't open
his big mouth when he gets back!
Do you think the envoy is wrong?
A distant view is more accurate at times.
I'm going to ignore that remark.
Your Majesty...
That could be construed as high
treason depending on the viewpoint.
The Crown Prince is not the head
of the state yet, Your Majesty.
Isn't high treason a crime that
undermines the head of state?
You're excused.
Fool...
Who could it be?
One of you has caused the envoy
to utter that brazen remark.
Your Highness...
And what could his intent be?
A prince who can replace
the Heir Apparent?
What is this audacious remark?
The Crown Prince brought this on himself.
Minister Park!
He almost ruined the negotiations
with his repeated reckless actions.
You can't blame the envoy for
questioning the Prince's competence.
The negotiation was settled
with five hundred warhorses.
Is that right?
We can resume the installation
of the artillery army as well.
It's because we were able to give them
assurance that Ming is not our target.
You must learn from this experience.
That cowering and being
submissive is diplomatic relations?
That true strength does
not come from the muscle.
A man that trembles in fear
is not a man of strength.
You cannot be truly strong
until you know fear.
Father...
And he who has nothing he wants
to protect cannot know fear.
If your pride is more important than the
people, you are not a man of strength.
But...
Don't talk back to me and listen.
Do not jeopardize the state affairs
with your hot temper again.
Or the seat of the Crown Prince
will not be yours any longer.
Who was the envoy referring to as the
Prince fit to replace the Heir Apparent?
There is a prince that won over the
envoy from behind the curtains.
He is the true hero of this negotiation.
So which prince is this?
How did you persuade the envoy?
Did you beg like you asked me to beg?
What are you going to next time?
Are you going to get down on all
fours like a dog and lick his feet?
You're drunk.
Perhaps we can talk another day.
You don't want to listen to
a drunkard's gibberish, is that it?
Your Highness...
Answer me!
Answer my question!
I'll come back tomorrow.
Do you think you won?
I wasn't fighting an enemy, so
winning or losing was not my concern.
You gave humiliation of defeat
to every Joseonese citizen.
You splashed cold water on the
rage of the people that want pride!
Do you think I want to be obsequious?
I want to win just as much as you do!
Then why did you stop me?
Why did you do what you did?
Your Highness!
If you hadn't stop me, if the King
had been just a little bit brave,
we could've rewritten history.
We could've laid a foundation
for the conquest of China!
If you want to conquer Ming so much,
find a way to make it a reality first.
Learn about the enemy,
learn about their strength,
and ask how Joseon might be able to
defeat Ming with our inferior conditions.
Cool off, clear your head and find a way!
You can talk all you want
about conquering Ming,
but it's only a fantasy
until you can do that.
Prince Choongnyeong...
This is a surprise...
I'm very surprised.
You're one of the most
cautious men I know,
and your behavior today
is hard to decipher.
What is your intent?
I was simply answering those
who need to know the truth.
How could you allow the King's heart to
turn in favor of Prince Choongnyeong?
I did not know about this either.
It's incomprehensible that you would
not know about His Majesty's activities.
A new hand has emerged that
moves the King's thoughts.
A new hand that moves the Kings thoughts?
Are you referring to Park Eun?
This is no time for you to be idle.
The game has begun, so
you have to find a way to win.
We could be instantly checkmated.
Minister Shim.
Opposition will be fierce.
Prince Choongnyeong doesn't
have the means to fight them.
Take this to the King.
You'll be able to find a way
to protect the Prince.
Office of Slavery Reparations?
I will recommend that you be
put in charge of the office.
Tighten up the policy and push it through,
and you will be able to break the wings of
retainers who are likely to
attack Prince Choongnyeong.
Most of them have acquired
their slaves unlawfully.
Which is it?
Are you doing this to rectify
the government by replacing
the unfit Heir Apparent with
a competent Heir Apparent?
Or is this to undermine the Prime
Minister and the merit subjects?
Does it matter?
Minister...
What's important is that
we have the same goal.
If this is out of greed for power,
I can't let you use Prince
Choongnyeong as your vehicle.
The fight has already begun.
Wouldn't defeat be most dangerous
for Prince Choongnyeong?
Park Eun is challenging you,
Prime Minister.
Unapproachable power you gained
by bringing the King to the
throne that's what he is after.
That means there are two things he can do.
Either make the Crown Prince his ally,
or install a new Crown
Prince he can control...
He would choose the later
in the current situation.
Weren't you angry when I said
all those harsh things to you?
Why didn't you say
you're not after the crown?
Why couldn't you tell me that you
were trying to save your brother?
Mother...
You should have been more open with me.
I couldn't.
To maintain secrecy?
I'm sorry...
Could there be another family
like ours in this word?
Children keep secrets from their mother,
and instead of loving her children,
the mother is forced to constantly compare
her children and be wary of them...
I'm sick of it...
I'm really sick of it...
Your Highness!
Are you leaving?
You look well.
I wonder who got them all a promotion
and a hefty pay raise...
Who?
- Why, Prince Choongnyeong, of course.
- Ogeun.
But it's the truth...
We don't know how to thank you for the
undeserved reward, Your Highness.
I'm the one that owes you thanks.
We couldn't have done what we did
without all of your courageous efforts.
Your Highness...
Visit me at the Royal Villa sometime.
We will have dinner together.
Really?
Now there's a great man.
You know it.
He handles state affairs like no other,
and he's got a heart of an angel.
If only he wasn't the third son, Prince
Choongnyeong is the man fit to be King.
Don't you agree?
I couldn't agree more.
On top of all that, he's handsome
with a commanding presence.
How is Choognyeong fit to be King?
They say he's the one who had the
envoy eating out of his hands,
and he is generous and
magnanimous in nature,
so such a man is fit to be...
That's ridiculous...
No. No, Mother.
Prince Choongnyeong did behave
in the most kingly manner.
Leave us.
Yes, Your Grace.
She may be my trusted servant,
but there're things you should
and should not say in
the presence of others.
How could you of all people say that
Choongnyeong is fit to be King?
Rumors in the palace spread
like cotton soaks up water.
Now everyone will think that even you
believe Choongnyeong is kingly material.
Is that bad?
If we can't send the Crown
Prince away as a hostage,
we have to set up for the next battle.
Set up for the next battle?
To seek the next throne, we must
first get the Crown Prince deposed.
And I don't mind using Prince
Choongnyeong to do that.
The enemy of my enemy
is my friend, Mother.
I'm sorry to trouble you like this
with an unannounced visit.
It is no trouble at all, Your Highness.
Have a pleasant conversation.
Let's drink.
Tea smells wonderful.
I heard about the commotion
at the East Palace.
Why don't you live a quiet life like
me growing orchids from now on?
This is just a start.
There is bound to be conflict if you
involve yourself in politics trying to
serve the Crown Prince from nearby.
And whether you like it or not,
you're going to be harassed by
all kinds of speculations and accusations.
And your actions could be misunderstood
by Father as an attempt to steal his
throne again like that time
when you were a child.
Aren't you afraid?
I am afraid.
I'm afraid I might turn a blind eye to
the truth, not because I might be
misunderstood, but because I don't like
the trials and tribulations... And I'm afraid
I might seek comfort by rationalizing
and making excuses for myself.
That's what I'm afraid of.
How long do you think
that feeling will last?
Brother...
You're not always going to
feel the way you feel today.
Prince Choongnyeong is really something.
He did what the Ministry of Rites
couldn't do to save its life.
What will His Majesty do now?
He will probably turn
his sword on you men!
Sir.
Since there's no better medicine
for lazy officials that waste time
spreading groundless rumors.
That's not going to calm
the aroused public sentiment.
Is this your doing as well?
Do you find yourself wanting more
after you used Prince Choongnyeong
to get yourself reinstated?
Are you trying to put Choongnyeong on
the seat of the Crown Prince so
you could rise up in the world?
I knew you were a hard-grained man,
but I didn't know you were so political.
Look!
Don't waste your energy on this
and straighten up the Crown Prince.
If the Crown Prince didn't behave
so poorly, this wouldn't be an issue.
What brings you to my house?
I thought... you knew...
What do you mean?
I can explain, Uncle.
What brings you here, Your Highness?
Did you call her here?
Is there something wrong with that?
Let's get inside.
No, Your Highness.
You must return to the palace right now.
His Majesty is upset as it is...
Stop, please stop.
I came here to escape
the hounding, Uncle.
Your Highness.
Shouldn't we at least tell the Queen?
Let's ignore it.
Muhyul.
You can imagine how upset
he must be after being
insulted by the envoy
and chastised by the King.
He is only twenty years-old.
Let us give him some slack.
But this is too dangerous.
If His Majesty finds out
about it, he will be deposed.
That's why we should ignore it.
Why did you come here?
Your Highness...
Why did you come?
You know why.
Because I'm the Crown Prince?
Is it worth risking your life
since I'm to be the next King?
Your Highness...
Power is good.
I lost my interest.
It's no fun taking a wench
who is a slave to power.
What?
The Crown Prince was where doing what?
Prudence and more prudence may not be
enough to undo the damage he has done
to himself, and he is with
the former King's woman?
Lower your voice, Your Highness.
Why did you come alone?
You should've brought him even
if you had to put him on a leash!
You know I can't force him to do anything.
Then I'll go myself!
Go to the Royal Chambers instead.
Listen!
First we must get through the night.
We must keep the King and the former
King from finding out about this.
People are questioning the Crown Prince's
character saying that Choongnyeong is
more qualified for the throne. And the
former King detests the Crown Prince.
He's wanted to send the Crown
Prince away to Ming, remember?
Don't make this a bigger problem.
Find a way to protect the Crown Prince.
He could be deposed otherwise.
What brings you here at this hour?
Why do you look so heavily,
fraught with anxiety?
Everything has worked out well enough.
So tonight is a good night
for you to get some rest.
I suppose...
Your Majesty...
Crown Prince Jae...
He disappoints me.
We lost numerous children before
him and he put us through quite
an ordeal before he came to us.
I remember holding him for the
first time like it was yesterday.
Robust, with short cries...
"He's going to grow up to be a great
man", you said and you were so happy.
But, My Queen...
I can't even remember what
day Hyoryeong, Choongnyeong
and Sungnyeong were born.
You've had much too much to deal with
to care for those children as well.
Founding of the state,
numerous rebellions...
I set them off to the side
and forgot about them, but...
they grew up in no time and one of them
is being called a man fit to be King.
Your Majesty...
World is full of surprises...
What are you thinking right now?
Are you thinking what
I think you're thinking?
You've been out.
Why are you just standing there?
Come close and sit down.
You don't look well.
I suppose
it's hard to look comfortable
when you're guilty.
Your Eminence...!
Since when have you been
in contact with Min Muhyul?
What is he giving you in
return for spying on me?
No, Your Eminence, no.
Then?
A very close friend of mine from guild
school has become Lord Min's concubine
so I paid her a short visit.
A concubine?
Don't you believe me?
Why would! I have anything
to do with the Min clan?
You know that I'd lose everything
I have if anything happened to you.
Good work.
You think there is some
sort of a conspiracy?
It is merely a businessman's intuition...
No, you're right.
Lord Min Muhyul did not take
in a concubine recently.
Your Eminence...
Even that wench treats
me like a paper tiger...
I want you to continue
watching her for me.
I must find out what the
Min clan is up to with her.
Why didn't you tell him that she
was with the Crown Prince?
I need to win the
former King's favor first.
He probably thinks the Min clan is
trying to get him back for trying to
send the Crown Prince away.
He'll try to gather strength if he
doesn't want to crumble a paper tiger.
Let us watch him gather strength.
And when he is good and ready,
we will put the sword in his hands.
How could a Crown Prince
behave this way?
Please stop, Your Highness.
He is our future King.
To lay a whip on him is unthinkable.
Leave us!
Punish me instead, Your Highness.
The fault is mine for
having failed to stop him.
Leave!
All of you!
Feel the humiliation and remember it.
And never repeat your
despicable acts again.
If you do not do as I say, you will
live a lifetime of irreparable shame.
Your Highness...
I will have an attendant
fetch the Royal Physician.
I don't need a physician.
One who needs a physician is my mother.
Have the Royal Dispensary prepare
a batch of herbal potion for her.
Her whippings don't
hurt like they used to.
Here we go!
Cyeokbang: Traditional game enjoyed by both
aristocracy and peasantry during Joseon Dynasty
in which clubs are used to hit a ball into holes.
It's your turn.
You don't have the feel
for the ball at all.
Oh my...
Like teacher like student.
You must bring him out more often.
You can study books all
day, but life is like this ball?
You don't know which direction
it's going to bounce.
What made you want to play
Gyeokbang out of the blue?
Perhaps he called us
out to give us a lesson.
Oh dear, oh dear...
I see that you're not greatly
better than His Highness,
so it must be a lesson about
life and not about Cyeokbang.
If the ground had been smoother,
it would've been much easier.
Yes.
Which describes you better?
Are you the type that wants
to smooth out the ground
or the type that spurs himself
to overcome your obstacles?
If you want to change the world,
there will many treacherous hills
and valleys to conquer.
Are you prepared to stick it out?
Gyeokbang is a fun game.
Let us play again sometime.
I know I can't be the best, nor do
I want to be, but I do want to enjoy it.
Your Highness...
And I think I can improve with
you and my two masters' help.
Slavery Reparations?
Tae revenue is what we need most
to strengthen our national defense
against the Japanese pirates.
Thousands of commoners were made
slaves in the aftermath confusion
of the founding of the state.
If we restore them to their original status
our tax revenue will greatly increase.
Opposition will be fierce.
Who do you think will
oppose for instance?
This country was founded by
the support of the aristocrats.
Whether it is right or wrong,
the Royal court must remember that
we could lose the support of the
aristocrats if we try to take their
possession away from them
in these troublous times.
Slavery reparations...
I think it's a good idea.
It is a fine idea, but their
motive is elsewhere.
Motive is elsewhere?
I'm sure you are already aware of
the seditious movement in the court
concerning the successor issue.
Seditious movement...
They have placed Prince Choongnyeong's
father-in-law Shim On on the forefront.
Then what is your motive for opposing
the slavery reparation policy?
Same as yours, Your Majesty.
I am not against the policy itself.
I am merely trying to serve the King
who vowed never to allow bloodshed
in the Royal house again by bequeathing
the throne to the rightful heir.
If you decide to proceed with
the slavery reparations policy, you must
choose an impartial official to direct it.
An impartial official...
The policy looks good
to go without revision.
Oh, you didn't have to bring it yourself...
Office of Slavery Reparations...
I'm sure I'm being overly concerned,
but I hope this isn't a tool
you picked up for futile fight.
Minister Hwang...
The real fight is elsewhere.
We have a lot of work to do to ensure
that our diplomatic relations with Ming
does not descend into abyss again.
What are you trying to say?
Don't bring harm on yourself
by listening to wrong ideas.
We don't have any time to waste
fighting over the successor issue.
Are you certain you can make me the head
of the office no matter who opposes?
Then I'll risk my political
career on slavery reparations.
Yes, you should.
So that Prince Choongnyeong can...
Don't bring Prince
Choongnyeong into this.
I'm not interested in making
him the Crown Prince.
Minister Shim...!
My only interest is in making
this country a better place.
And I'm certain my son-in-law Prince
Choongnyeong shares my sentiment.
They're not interested in policies.
Your Majesty...
They will use the policy for political
positioning and to test out which
side is stronger.
After all, they better get on the right
boat if they don't want to sink...
That fool...
I tried so hard to prevent feuds
between brothers by installing
the eldest son as the heir to the throne...
Your Majesty...
I have no choice
but to make a bold decision.
His Majesty has gone to the
Royal Shrine at this late hour?
Why?
He said he would make a decision
concerning his successor...
What?
First we will cut off your head
and send it back to Ming.
How dare you!
Yield just this once, Father.
I am asking you to yield to the
public, not to the Crown Prince.
If I allow one hundred thousand
of you to be sent away to Ming,
I do not deserve to be the next King!
I'm telling you our reality...
... painful reality we will have to
face in order to meet your requests.
There could be a huge
insurrection in Joseon...
A violent upheaval that does not
compare to our struggles with Ming.
Who is the heir fit for the throne?
Who must I choose to lead
this country's future?
Must he provoke this fight?
Must he put swords on his sons' hands
and watch them destroy each other?
Order the entire Royal family to
be assemble at the Royal Shrine
first thing in the morning.
I will rename the Heir Apparent of Joseon.
you for your wise decision.
There is someone else
you should thank for that.
By the way, Your Highness...
Even if I had taken your
Heir Apparent to Ming as a hostage,
worry about the future of Joseon.
I don't believe you would have had to.
Oh?
You have a competent Prince who
can replace the Heir Apparent.
A prince who can replace
the Heir Apparent?
Who would that be?
I believe you already know.
How am I to know?
I am a father before I am King.
In a father's eyes, all of his
children look equally wonderful.
King of Joseon...
He's always a quick thinker.
But he can't stop the dam
that's already broken...
I don't understand, sir.
Just watch. There will be a huge power
shift in the Royal court of Joseon.
I'm already getting excited
about our next trip here.
Make sure that the envoy doesn't open
his big mouth when he gets back!
Do you think the envoy is wrong?
A distant view is more accurate at times.
I'm going to ignore that remark.
Your Majesty...
That could be construed as high
treason depending on the viewpoint.
The Crown Prince is not the head
of the state yet, Your Majesty.
Isn't high treason a crime that
undermines the head of state?
You're excused.
Fool...
Who could it be?
One of you has caused the envoy
to utter that brazen remark.
Your Highness...
And what could his intent be?
A prince who can replace
the Heir Apparent?
What is this audacious remark?
The Crown Prince brought this on himself.
Minister Park!
He almost ruined the negotiations
with his repeated reckless actions.
You can't blame the envoy for
questioning the Prince's competence.
The negotiation was settled
with five hundred warhorses.
Is that right?
We can resume the installation
of the artillery army as well.
It's because we were able to give them
assurance that Ming is not our target.
You must learn from this experience.
That cowering and being
submissive is diplomatic relations?
That true strength does
not come from the muscle.
A man that trembles in fear
is not a man of strength.
You cannot be truly strong
until you know fear.
Father...
And he who has nothing he wants
to protect cannot know fear.
If your pride is more important than the
people, you are not a man of strength.
But...
Don't talk back to me and listen.
Do not jeopardize the state affairs
with your hot temper again.
Or the seat of the Crown Prince
will not be yours any longer.
Who was the envoy referring to as the
Prince fit to replace the Heir Apparent?
There is a prince that won over the
envoy from behind the curtains.
He is the true hero of this negotiation.
So which prince is this?
How did you persuade the envoy?
Did you beg like you asked me to beg?
What are you going to next time?
Are you going to get down on all
fours like a dog and lick his feet?
You're drunk.
Perhaps we can talk another day.
You don't want to listen to
a drunkard's gibberish, is that it?
Your Highness...
Answer me!
Answer my question!
I'll come back tomorrow.
Do you think you won?
I wasn't fighting an enemy, so
winning or losing was not my concern.
You gave humiliation of defeat
to every Joseonese citizen.
You splashed cold water on the
rage of the people that want pride!
Do you think I want to be obsequious?
I want to win just as much as you do!
Then why did you stop me?
Why did you do what you did?
Your Highness!
If you hadn't stop me, if the King
had been just a little bit brave,
we could've rewritten history.
We could've laid a foundation
for the conquest of China!
If you want to conquer Ming so much,
find a way to make it a reality first.
Learn about the enemy,
learn about their strength,
and ask how Joseon might be able to
defeat Ming with our inferior conditions.
Cool off, clear your head and find a way!
You can talk all you want
about conquering Ming,
but it's only a fantasy
until you can do that.
Prince Choongnyeong...
This is a surprise...
I'm very surprised.
You're one of the most
cautious men I know,
and your behavior today
is hard to decipher.
What is your intent?
I was simply answering those
who need to know the truth.
How could you allow the King's heart to
turn in favor of Prince Choongnyeong?
I did not know about this either.
It's incomprehensible that you would
not know about His Majesty's activities.
A new hand has emerged that
moves the King's thoughts.
A new hand that moves the Kings thoughts?
Are you referring to Park Eun?
This is no time for you to be idle.
The game has begun, so
you have to find a way to win.
We could be instantly checkmated.
Minister Shim.
Opposition will be fierce.
Prince Choongnyeong doesn't
have the means to fight them.
Take this to the King.
You'll be able to find a way
to protect the Prince.
Office of Slavery Reparations?
I will recommend that you be
put in charge of the office.
Tighten up the policy and push it through,
and you will be able to break the wings of
retainers who are likely to
attack Prince Choongnyeong.
Most of them have acquired
their slaves unlawfully.
Which is it?
Are you doing this to rectify
the government by replacing
the unfit Heir Apparent with
a competent Heir Apparent?
Or is this to undermine the Prime
Minister and the merit subjects?
Does it matter?
Minister...
What's important is that
we have the same goal.
If this is out of greed for power,
I can't let you use Prince
Choongnyeong as your vehicle.
The fight has already begun.
Wouldn't defeat be most dangerous
for Prince Choongnyeong?
Park Eun is challenging you,
Prime Minister.
Unapproachable power you gained
by bringing the King to the
throne that's what he is after.
That means there are two things he can do.
Either make the Crown Prince his ally,
or install a new Crown
Prince he can control...
He would choose the later
in the current situation.
Weren't you angry when I said
all those harsh things to you?
Why didn't you say
you're not after the crown?
Why couldn't you tell me that you
were trying to save your brother?
Mother...
You should have been more open with me.
I couldn't.
To maintain secrecy?
I'm sorry...
Could there be another family
like ours in this word?
Children keep secrets from their mother,
and instead of loving her children,
the mother is forced to constantly compare
her children and be wary of them...
I'm sick of it...
I'm really sick of it...
Your Highness!
Are you leaving?
You look well.
I wonder who got them all a promotion
and a hefty pay raise...
Who?
- Why, Prince Choongnyeong, of course.
- Ogeun.
But it's the truth...
We don't know how to thank you for the
undeserved reward, Your Highness.
I'm the one that owes you thanks.
We couldn't have done what we did
without all of your courageous efforts.
Your Highness...
Visit me at the Royal Villa sometime.
We will have dinner together.
Really?
Now there's a great man.
You know it.
He handles state affairs like no other,
and he's got a heart of an angel.
If only he wasn't the third son, Prince
Choongnyeong is the man fit to be King.
Don't you agree?
I couldn't agree more.
On top of all that, he's handsome
with a commanding presence.
How is Choognyeong fit to be King?
They say he's the one who had the
envoy eating out of his hands,
and he is generous and
magnanimous in nature,
so such a man is fit to be...
That's ridiculous...
No. No, Mother.
Prince Choongnyeong did behave
in the most kingly manner.
Leave us.
Yes, Your Grace.
She may be my trusted servant,
but there're things you should
and should not say in
the presence of others.
How could you of all people say that
Choongnyeong is fit to be King?
Rumors in the palace spread
like cotton soaks up water.
Now everyone will think that even you
believe Choongnyeong is kingly material.
Is that bad?
If we can't send the Crown
Prince away as a hostage,
we have to set up for the next battle.
Set up for the next battle?
To seek the next throne, we must
first get the Crown Prince deposed.
And I don't mind using Prince
Choongnyeong to do that.
The enemy of my enemy
is my friend, Mother.
I'm sorry to trouble you like this
with an unannounced visit.
It is no trouble at all, Your Highness.
Have a pleasant conversation.
Let's drink.
Tea smells wonderful.
I heard about the commotion
at the East Palace.
Why don't you live a quiet life like
me growing orchids from now on?
This is just a start.
There is bound to be conflict if you
involve yourself in politics trying to
serve the Crown Prince from nearby.
And whether you like it or not,
you're going to be harassed by
all kinds of speculations and accusations.
And your actions could be misunderstood
by Father as an attempt to steal his
throne again like that time
when you were a child.
Aren't you afraid?
I am afraid.
I'm afraid I might turn a blind eye to
the truth, not because I might be
misunderstood, but because I don't like
the trials and tribulations... And I'm afraid
I might seek comfort by rationalizing
and making excuses for myself.
That's what I'm afraid of.
How long do you think
that feeling will last?
Brother...
You're not always going to
feel the way you feel today.
Prince Choongnyeong is really something.
He did what the Ministry of Rites
couldn't do to save its life.
What will His Majesty do now?
He will probably turn
his sword on you men!
Sir.
Since there's no better medicine
for lazy officials that waste time
spreading groundless rumors.
That's not going to calm
the aroused public sentiment.
Is this your doing as well?
Do you find yourself wanting more
after you used Prince Choongnyeong
to get yourself reinstated?
Are you trying to put Choongnyeong on
the seat of the Crown Prince so
you could rise up in the world?
I knew you were a hard-grained man,
but I didn't know you were so political.
Look!
Don't waste your energy on this
and straighten up the Crown Prince.
If the Crown Prince didn't behave
so poorly, this wouldn't be an issue.
What brings you to my house?
I thought... you knew...
What do you mean?
I can explain, Uncle.
What brings you here, Your Highness?
Did you call her here?
Is there something wrong with that?
Let's get inside.
No, Your Highness.
You must return to the palace right now.
His Majesty is upset as it is...
Stop, please stop.
I came here to escape
the hounding, Uncle.
Your Highness.
Shouldn't we at least tell the Queen?
Let's ignore it.
Muhyul.
You can imagine how upset
he must be after being
insulted by the envoy
and chastised by the King.
He is only twenty years-old.
Let us give him some slack.
But this is too dangerous.
If His Majesty finds out
about it, he will be deposed.
That's why we should ignore it.
Why did you come here?
Your Highness...
Why did you come?
You know why.
Because I'm the Crown Prince?
Is it worth risking your life
since I'm to be the next King?
Your Highness...
Power is good.
I lost my interest.
It's no fun taking a wench
who is a slave to power.
What?
The Crown Prince was where doing what?
Prudence and more prudence may not be
enough to undo the damage he has done
to himself, and he is with
the former King's woman?
Lower your voice, Your Highness.
Why did you come alone?
You should've brought him even
if you had to put him on a leash!
You know I can't force him to do anything.
Then I'll go myself!
Go to the Royal Chambers instead.
Listen!
First we must get through the night.
We must keep the King and the former
King from finding out about this.
People are questioning the Crown Prince's
character saying that Choongnyeong is
more qualified for the throne. And the
former King detests the Crown Prince.
He's wanted to send the Crown
Prince away to Ming, remember?
Don't make this a bigger problem.
Find a way to protect the Crown Prince.
He could be deposed otherwise.
What brings you here at this hour?
Why do you look so heavily,
fraught with anxiety?
Everything has worked out well enough.
So tonight is a good night
for you to get some rest.
I suppose...
Your Majesty...
Crown Prince Jae...
He disappoints me.
We lost numerous children before
him and he put us through quite
an ordeal before he came to us.
I remember holding him for the
first time like it was yesterday.
Robust, with short cries...
"He's going to grow up to be a great
man", you said and you were so happy.
But, My Queen...
I can't even remember what
day Hyoryeong, Choongnyeong
and Sungnyeong were born.
You've had much too much to deal with
to care for those children as well.
Founding of the state,
numerous rebellions...
I set them off to the side
and forgot about them, but...
they grew up in no time and one of them
is being called a man fit to be King.
Your Majesty...
World is full of surprises...
What are you thinking right now?
Are you thinking what
I think you're thinking?
You've been out.
Why are you just standing there?
Come close and sit down.
You don't look well.
I suppose
it's hard to look comfortable
when you're guilty.
Your Eminence...!
Since when have you been
in contact with Min Muhyul?
What is he giving you in
return for spying on me?
No, Your Eminence, no.
Then?
A very close friend of mine from guild
school has become Lord Min's concubine
so I paid her a short visit.
A concubine?
Don't you believe me?
Why would! I have anything
to do with the Min clan?
You know that I'd lose everything
I have if anything happened to you.
Good work.
You think there is some
sort of a conspiracy?
It is merely a businessman's intuition...
No, you're right.
Lord Min Muhyul did not take
in a concubine recently.
Your Eminence...
Even that wench treats
me like a paper tiger...
I want you to continue
watching her for me.
I must find out what the
Min clan is up to with her.
Why didn't you tell him that she
was with the Crown Prince?
I need to win the
former King's favor first.
He probably thinks the Min clan is
trying to get him back for trying to
send the Crown Prince away.
He'll try to gather strength if he
doesn't want to crumble a paper tiger.
Let us watch him gather strength.
And when he is good and ready,
we will put the sword in his hands.
How could a Crown Prince
behave this way?
Please stop, Your Highness.
He is our future King.
To lay a whip on him is unthinkable.
Leave us!
Punish me instead, Your Highness.
The fault is mine for
having failed to stop him.
Leave!
All of you!
Feel the humiliation and remember it.
And never repeat your
despicable acts again.
If you do not do as I say, you will
live a lifetime of irreparable shame.
Your Highness...
I will have an attendant
fetch the Royal Physician.
I don't need a physician.
One who needs a physician is my mother.
Have the Royal Dispensary prepare
a batch of herbal potion for her.
Her whippings don't
hurt like they used to.
Here we go!
Cyeokbang: Traditional game enjoyed by both
aristocracy and peasantry during Joseon Dynasty
in which clubs are used to hit a ball into holes.
It's your turn.
You don't have the feel
for the ball at all.
Oh my...
Like teacher like student.
You must bring him out more often.
You can study books all
day, but life is like this ball?
You don't know which direction
it's going to bounce.
What made you want to play
Gyeokbang out of the blue?
Perhaps he called us
out to give us a lesson.
Oh dear, oh dear...
I see that you're not greatly
better than His Highness,
so it must be a lesson about
life and not about Cyeokbang.
If the ground had been smoother,
it would've been much easier.
Yes.
Which describes you better?
Are you the type that wants
to smooth out the ground
or the type that spurs himself
to overcome your obstacles?
If you want to change the world,
there will many treacherous hills
and valleys to conquer.
Are you prepared to stick it out?
Gyeokbang is a fun game.
Let us play again sometime.
I know I can't be the best, nor do
I want to be, but I do want to enjoy it.
Your Highness...
And I think I can improve with
you and my two masters' help.
Slavery Reparations?
Tae revenue is what we need most
to strengthen our national defense
against the Japanese pirates.
Thousands of commoners were made
slaves in the aftermath confusion
of the founding of the state.
If we restore them to their original status
our tax revenue will greatly increase.
Opposition will be fierce.
Who do you think will
oppose for instance?
This country was founded by
the support of the aristocrats.
Whether it is right or wrong,
the Royal court must remember that
we could lose the support of the
aristocrats if we try to take their
possession away from them
in these troublous times.
Slavery reparations...
I think it's a good idea.
It is a fine idea, but their
motive is elsewhere.
Motive is elsewhere?
I'm sure you are already aware of
the seditious movement in the court
concerning the successor issue.
Seditious movement...
They have placed Prince Choongnyeong's
father-in-law Shim On on the forefront.
Then what is your motive for opposing
the slavery reparation policy?
Same as yours, Your Majesty.
I am not against the policy itself.
I am merely trying to serve the King
who vowed never to allow bloodshed
in the Royal house again by bequeathing
the throne to the rightful heir.
If you decide to proceed with
the slavery reparations policy, you must
choose an impartial official to direct it.
An impartial official...
The policy looks good
to go without revision.
Oh, you didn't have to bring it yourself...
Office of Slavery Reparations...
I'm sure I'm being overly concerned,
but I hope this isn't a tool
you picked up for futile fight.
Minister Hwang...
The real fight is elsewhere.
We have a lot of work to do to ensure
that our diplomatic relations with Ming
does not descend into abyss again.
What are you trying to say?
Don't bring harm on yourself
by listening to wrong ideas.
We don't have any time to waste
fighting over the successor issue.
Are you certain you can make me the head
of the office no matter who opposes?
Then I'll risk my political
career on slavery reparations.
Yes, you should.
So that Prince Choongnyeong can...
Don't bring Prince
Choongnyeong into this.
I'm not interested in making
him the Crown Prince.
Minister Shim...!
My only interest is in making
this country a better place.
And I'm certain my son-in-law Prince
Choongnyeong shares my sentiment.
They're not interested in policies.
Your Majesty...
They will use the policy for political
positioning and to test out which
side is stronger.
After all, they better get on the right
boat if they don't want to sink...
That fool...
I tried so hard to prevent feuds
between brothers by installing
the eldest son as the heir to the throne...
Your Majesty...
I have no choice
but to make a bold decision.
His Majesty has gone to the
Royal Shrine at this late hour?
Why?
He said he would make a decision
concerning his successor...
What?
First we will cut off your head
and send it back to Ming.
How dare you!
Yield just this once, Father.
I am asking you to yield to the
public, not to the Crown Prince.
If I allow one hundred thousand
of you to be sent away to Ming,
I do not deserve to be the next King!
I'm telling you our reality...
... painful reality we will have to
face in order to meet your requests.
There could be a huge
insurrection in Joseon...
A violent upheaval that does not
compare to our struggles with Ming.
Who is the heir fit for the throne?
Who must I choose to lead
this country's future?
Must he provoke this fight?
Must he put swords on his sons' hands
and watch them destroy each other?
Order the entire Royal family to
be assemble at the Royal Shrine
first thing in the morning.
I will rename the Heir Apparent of Joseon.