Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 19 - Episode #1.19 - full transcript
What is it?
The former King wants us to kill
Chogungjang for him tonight.
Do you think it's over?
Are you afraid His Eminence
might do something dangerous?
What's wrong?
Is this the person you're looking for?
Is this what you've been selling
all along?
I'm asking you if you've amassed
your fortune through hired killings.
It's an inexcusable crime, Your Highness.
But we could not defy
the former King's order...
I have someone that I loathe as well.
Would you come out and
kill him, too, if I asked?
Your Highness...
Don't try to make excuses.
An attempted murder is a crime
regardless of circumstances.
This will never happen again,
so please tell us what to do.
How can undo our crime?
The only way you can undo the
crime is by keeping the woman alive.
Lie to the former King
that the woman is dead?
And you must take that
secret to your graves.
How could I ever thank you?
You don't need to thank me. I only
wanted to stop the cycle of bad karma.
My men will find a place
for you to stay for a while.
I could give Choongnyeong
a bow of gratitude.
We would've lost a valuable card
if we had to kill Chogungjang.
But I don't feel comfortable about
him finding out so much about us...
Something about this trade group is off...
They have too many muscle men.
And more importantly...
They fought much too well to be ordinary
guardsmen protecting a business.
Why didn't I catch this before?
We might need to find
out more about them.
Yes, Your Highness.
- I want a thorough job.
- Yes, sir.
You just left her there?
You should've brought her here.
She committed a lecherous sin.
I don't want her in my house.
They why didn't you just let her die?
Princess!
She's better off dead.
You're crueler than the Crown Prince.
Fornication?
The Crown Prince and the
former King's concubine?
This is an outrage.
A man of conscience could
never commit such a crime!
I wonder why the girl
disappeared last night.
Disappeared?
The truth will be revealed
once the girl is found.
And if this is true, we will
have a golden opportunity.
She's still breathing.
What are you waiting for?
Take her inside and call a physician.
Yes, my lady.
You shouldn't have saved her life if
you weren't going to take care of her.
As you can see, this could only
lead to more tragic results.
Things must be going well at the
slavery reparations office for you
to be working so late.
It would be doing even
better had you not interfered
with another backbreaking policy.
The Great Hunting Ceremony
is a stepping stone
in strengthening our national defense.
How much longer must I work with
a man who don't even know the
importance of national defense?
Are you doing your job or aren't you?
What kind of resolutions have you
issued that the protesters will not
stop beating the Petitioner's Drum?
We are experiencing difficulties
due to inadequate staffing,
and increasing number of slave
owners are protesting our decision...
Why can't you silence them
with irrefutable proof?
These litigations are not always black
and white, and we need manpower to
conduct closer investigations
in order to find proof...
When are you going to stop
blaming your problem on staffing?
I don't want to hear any excuses.
Put the Office of Slavery Reparations
back in order in one month!
Your capability to lead the policy will
be seriously questioned otherwise.
Shim On's capability may be being
questioned,
but the Office of Slavery
Reparations is not ours yet.
So be careful not to do
anything to they can pick up on.
Shim On is not at fault for the difficulties
in the Office of Slavery Reparations.
Yes, I know.
There are rather fierce public protests
for the Great Hunting Ceremony as well.
I'm sure there are...
Then...
Did you give her a decent burial?
Of course.
Keep your men quiet and stay
away from my palace for a while.
Baron Ok Hwan...?
Is this our chance to destroy the Crown
Prince and Ha Ryun once and for all?
Are you going to cancel
your Royal lessons again?
We're getting ready
for the Great Hunting Ceremony, master.
There is no time for books.
Your Highness...
Military affairs are only a part
of a sovereign's concerns, not all.
Proceed with your Royal lessons.
A pupil should not defy his mentor.
I only wanted to put what I've learned
to practice. I didn't intend to defy him.
"Study of things and nature"
Get the whole political picture
through study of surroundings.
Isn't that the gist of the Exposition
of the Great Learning?
Study of things and nature?
Then let us hear about the
political picture you see.
Scout for the hunting ground,
Your Highness?
That's right.
But the location has been settled
on Pyeongtaek, Your Highness.
Pyeongtaek is along the coast and
only appropriate for sea battles.
The objective of this event is
to suppress the Japanese pirates
with display of great strength, so...
I thought we were inviting Jurchen
and Ming envoys as well.
If this is psychological warfare, we might
as well intimidate the barbarians as well.
Don't you agree?
We must find a location similar in feature
to their homeland and overawe them with
a range of different suppression tactics
to keep them from violating our borders.
I think the Crown Prince is ahead
of you on this one, Minister Yi.
You may search for another location.
Thank you, Father.
Change the event location?
Are you trying to kill the poor public?
It's an order from the King.
Stop complaining!
I will not stand for this.
This doesn't concern you.
Just do your own job.
Would you be quiet?
We are civil servants.
Don't tell me what my job is and isn't.
This is insubordination!
You call caring for the
people insubordination.
What kind of crap is that?
How dare you!
Minister!
We've been clearing
Pyeongtaek for this event for three months.
Thousands of have been
put to forced labor
and over three hundred families
have lost their homes and farms!
We're finally nearing the end after
putting these people through torture,
and you want to go somewhere
else and start all over?
We can't do this unless our intent
is to squeeze every drop of blood
out of the public and
spray it on the street!
Study the geographic
features of Liaodong?
I've already spoken with the professor.
So get packing right away
and go to Liaodong for me.
Is it really necessary to go to this
trouble for a hunting ceremony?
It's not for the hunting ceremony;
it's for the conquest.
Your Highness?
The King is sparing nothing for
this event not money, not men.
And I believe we should
maximize this opportunity.
I intend to build an elite force of
warriors that can infiltrate Liaodong
and execute military
operations on command.
It'll provide diverse advantages to have
them trained on site with geographical
feathers similar to where
they will be fighting.
You must stop manipulating the
innocent scholars with your delusions.
Oh, it s my brothers' mentor.
Open your eyes and see the reality.
Would you mind not interfering?
Your Highness.
You are Hyoryeong and Choongnyeong's
mentor, not the Crown Prince's mentor!
Don't try to teach me.
I'm not trying to teach you.
Your mentor can't teach you either.
Why don't you take the scholars
and go out to Pyeongtaek?
No, you don't need to go that far.
Just go to any village
outside the four city gates.
You'll find the streets full of teachers
that can teach you valuable lessons.
If a mere hunting ceremony is
causing so much public suffering,
what happens if there is a war?
This is a great pity...
You must help them.
This tyranny must be...
I'm not talking about the government
officials; I'm taking about you.
Your Highness!
How can you defend those who are
refusing to pay taxes that is required
for the Great Hunting Ceremony?
But...
Those who take national defense
lightly can be charged with treason.
The spring austerity
season is approaching.
If we collect what's left of their
harvest, people will starve to death.
This not for Ming.
This is for national defense.
We all have to make sacrifices if
we want a strong and secure state.
What's the point of having a strong
state if the people are all dead?
We could collect tribute from the enemy
and give the people much better lives
when we conquer Liaodong and Ming.
If a mere hunting ceremony is
causing so much suffering,
a war is out of the question.
We have to make sacrifices
for the right cause.
Your Highness...
So don't fret over petty problems and
get ready for your trip to Liaodong.
It must not have been a complete waste
of time judging by the way you look.
Yes, it has been a waste of time...
We found out how
pathetic this country is...
My man...
We used to have hope about changing
the world, but now that hope is gone.
Our studies all these years have
been a complete waste of time...
You're finally awake.
Where am I?
Princess... I guess it isn't
hell seeing that you are here.
Dear lady...
Don't get up.
A lowborn concubine does not
deserve such respectful treatment.
You'd be by husband's aunt
in the outside world.
Of course respect is due.
I was dreaming.
I felt someone's warm touch on
my forehead and I thought...
Is it my dead mother?
My father?
Am I finally dead?
Why didn't you let me die?
No one wants me alive anyway.
Why did you bring me back to life?
Don't.
There is not one life in this
world that isn't precious.
The truth is...
I wanted to alive.
If only someone would stop me...
If only someone would tell me
that my life is worth something...
But no one was there, and so I...
How is she?
She's going to be all right.
Are you upset?
I'm sorry if my words were too harsh...
Are you going to make me
feel even more embarrassed?
Your Highness...
It was a rightfully deserved criticism.
If one should save a life, one
should tend to that life as well.
You're right.
But I didn't even consider.
I had no intention of taking care of her.
I know it isn't easy. She's gotten
herself in a very precarious situation.
But I hope you can see that she is one
of the many faces of the public
that you must embrace and protect.
I don't know what it is like to live a life
as a lowborn woman in her shoes,
but it can't be easy.
You always have to abide not by your
own will but by your master or a man,
so I wonder if it is unavoidable to end up
where she is being kicked around by fate.
Wife...
I don't know much about the
world or about governing a state.
But I wonder if showing sincere
compassion to hurt and rejected
souls hers could be a part of governing.
What brings Your Reverence to
this place of humble merchants?
I hope you'll make this easy
on us both since I know you.
Where is Chogungjang?
How should we...
The ex-King wouldn't involve
the palace eunuchs to get rid of
an unfaithful concubine
unless he is stupid.
I have no idea what this is about...
Do I have to shut down your business?
I am an auditor by long-time trade.
I don't need more than half a day to dig
up enough dirt to put you out of business.
Park Eun knows about Chogungjang,
so the royal court will
be in turmoil for a while.
This is perfect time for
us to make our move.
I didn't expect your visit so soon.
I am truly honored, Lord Jo.
I didn't know you had company.
Perhaps I should come another day.
Please sit down.
We're all friends.
But...
Please come sit down.
We're no strangers.
We spend more time growling at each other
day after day than we do with our wives.
Sit down right here.
Here.
I'm inclined to think you didn't come
for the chrysanthemum wine alone.
I came to speak to you
about the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince?
About his scandalous relationship
with the former King's concubine.
How did you...!
General Min, what are you talking about?
Who else knows about this?
Chogungjang is in Prince
Choongnyeong's care.
It's from a reliable source of information.
It looks like we finally have what
we need to break Ha Ryun.
And on top of that, the woman is
in Prince Choongnyeong's care?
I guess you can't win without Heaven's
help no matter how good you are.
It looks like we've run out of luck...
It's a set back.
This is not over yet.
Would you help us, Lord Jo?
Minister...
Talk to Prince Choongnyeong and stop him
from using this as a weapon against us.
That's a difficult test.
If you pass, you will become the,
Crown Prince's Zhang Liang.
Can we trust Jo Malseng?
What if he is with Park Eun?
Then all the better.
They will think that we're doing nothing
trusting Jo Malseng to come through.
Act quickly.
We must take care of this tonight,
or there will be no tomorrow for us.
Boy, that kid's kind heart is giving
a lot of people a headache...
Go to him now and put an end to this.
That's unnecessary, Uncle.
Your future is over unless
we get her back and kill her.
I don't want to do that.
Are you going to give up the throne?
I trust Choongnyeong.
Choongnyeong has Park Eun
and Shim On beside him.
They will not leave him alone
until they seize the upper hand.
They will tell him he is the true
kingly material and this is all for...
Stop.
No one can stand aloof before
power and authority forever.
That is politics.
If you know that...
Yes, I know. I know how good
you are in playing political games.
But I know Choongnyeong.
He will never take the throne from me.
Not because he can't
but because he doesn't want to.
I know nothing about this.
So I'd like you to leave.
We already know that
Chogungjang is in your care.
I said I don't know what
you're talking about.
Please don't be stubborn.
The fate of the state may be at stake.
If we fail to break Ha Ryun, none of the
policies we are pursuing will bear fruit.
Attendant!
Yes, Your Highness.
Bring Minister Park Eun and
my father-in-law a looking glass.
A looking glass?
They need to see what kind
of faces they have right now
in order to stop this outrageous nonsense.
What are you waiting for?
Fetch it quickly!
Your Highness...
I am your son-in-law.
Isn't it a father's duty to show
good examples to his children?
Perhaps you should respect
the Prince's wishes.
We may be politically cornered, but
let us not resort to undignified tactics.
Don't you know what
incredible chance this is?
We can break Ha Ryun and all of
the merit subjects once and for all!
And I suppose that will make
you second only to the King.
Your Highness...
Please leave now.
I do not wish to speak
to a man who will
resort to dirty politics for
acquisition of power.
Isn't dirty politics using untruthful
information to undermine others?
Master?
I wouldn't call revealing
the truth dirty politics.
What are you saying?
They're talking about exploiting my
brother's mistake for political gain.
Are you going to tell
me to go along with it?
It's regretful as a brother,
but may be necessary as a man
who cares about this country's future.
Why?
Why are you of all people
urging me to do this?
If you understood why,
would you make a bold decision?
Are you going to give up the throne?
No one can stand aloof before
power and authority forever.
But I know Choongnyeong.
He will never take the throne from me.
Whatever do you mean?
Your Highness...
Was the Crown Prince
with that woman again?
Is that why this has happened?
There is no time to talk about that.
We must find a way to
protect the Crown Prince.
That's right, Your Highness.
There is no telling what might happen
if we fail to take care of this tonight.
Where would Choongnyeong
go if he had to hide someone?
National Confucian Academy
What is the meaning of this?
What is this outrageous behavior?
Stop yelling!
I might just break that finger of yours.
My man!
When you burned off all
of our petitions to the King,
didn't you do it because you had
certain amount of conviction?
"Let's go to war"
"We will protect our national
pride with the Crown Prince"
Yes, we were wrong...
We would've killed everyone to trying to
protect our pride if we had gone to war.
But you and the high and mighty
misters weren't much better either.
You were no better than us when
it came to caring about the public.
Get a hold of yourselves and
back to your dormitory
before I put you all behind bars!
That won't be necessary.
Fellows, please!
All of us are leaving the
academy in the morning.
We came to the academy and studied
our hearts out to become government
officials so we can provide
valuable service to the country.
But this country has no hope.
So we're going to give up
this senseless struggle.
What's more unbearable to
watch than debauchery is
the despair of these Confucian scholars
who could be the future of Joseon.
A man who cares nothing
about the people,
who has no desire to pay heed
to counsel of his faithful men,
who doesn't even have the
basic sense of right and wrong...
It's my belief that such a man does not
deserves to be the King of Joseon.
Prince Choongnyeong is wavering?
I will try to persuade him again, but...
Persuasion isn't going to work.
We have no choice but to do the
unspeakable if we're going to take
care of this problem tonight.
You must forgive us for this.
Who are you and what do you want?
There is someone waiting
for you in Dumundong.
Did you just say Dumundong?
Follow this man to Prince
Choongnyeong's cabin in Namsan.
Do whatever it takes.
The woman must die tonight.
Your Highness...!
What is the meaning of this?
Why would you break into a royal
prince's cabin at this time of the night?
I'm sure you already know
the reason, Your Highness.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Let us take Chogungjang.
Why would you looking for a woman of
the former King's palace in my house?
Please let us take her.
It is for the Prince's safety as well.
How dare you threaten me!
We will have no choice but to search
the villa if you don't turn her over.
Go ahead.
But if you don't find her here, I will
have you hanged for this utter impiety!
You failed?
Did you get her out safely?
Yes.
But Your Highness,
I'm afraid it may not do much good...
Turn the girl over to me.
I can't.
It's for your brother's safe
and stability of this state.
I don't think it's worth it if you
have to kill an innocent life.
You'd put your brother in danger?
I'm going to rectify the wrongs.
Doe!
I'm going to fight.
If there is a force that is trying to
throw this country into distress...
I'm going to fight it with all my might.
I will not hesitate to use
every card I have to win.
The former King wants us to kill
Chogungjang for him tonight.
Do you think it's over?
Are you afraid His Eminence
might do something dangerous?
What's wrong?
Is this the person you're looking for?
Is this what you've been selling
all along?
I'm asking you if you've amassed
your fortune through hired killings.
It's an inexcusable crime, Your Highness.
But we could not defy
the former King's order...
I have someone that I loathe as well.
Would you come out and
kill him, too, if I asked?
Your Highness...
Don't try to make excuses.
An attempted murder is a crime
regardless of circumstances.
This will never happen again,
so please tell us what to do.
How can undo our crime?
The only way you can undo the
crime is by keeping the woman alive.
Lie to the former King
that the woman is dead?
And you must take that
secret to your graves.
How could I ever thank you?
You don't need to thank me. I only
wanted to stop the cycle of bad karma.
My men will find a place
for you to stay for a while.
I could give Choongnyeong
a bow of gratitude.
We would've lost a valuable card
if we had to kill Chogungjang.
But I don't feel comfortable about
him finding out so much about us...
Something about this trade group is off...
They have too many muscle men.
And more importantly...
They fought much too well to be ordinary
guardsmen protecting a business.
Why didn't I catch this before?
We might need to find
out more about them.
Yes, Your Highness.
- I want a thorough job.
- Yes, sir.
You just left her there?
You should've brought her here.
She committed a lecherous sin.
I don't want her in my house.
They why didn't you just let her die?
Princess!
She's better off dead.
You're crueler than the Crown Prince.
Fornication?
The Crown Prince and the
former King's concubine?
This is an outrage.
A man of conscience could
never commit such a crime!
I wonder why the girl
disappeared last night.
Disappeared?
The truth will be revealed
once the girl is found.
And if this is true, we will
have a golden opportunity.
She's still breathing.
What are you waiting for?
Take her inside and call a physician.
Yes, my lady.
You shouldn't have saved her life if
you weren't going to take care of her.
As you can see, this could only
lead to more tragic results.
Things must be going well at the
slavery reparations office for you
to be working so late.
It would be doing even
better had you not interfered
with another backbreaking policy.
The Great Hunting Ceremony
is a stepping stone
in strengthening our national defense.
How much longer must I work with
a man who don't even know the
importance of national defense?
Are you doing your job or aren't you?
What kind of resolutions have you
issued that the protesters will not
stop beating the Petitioner's Drum?
We are experiencing difficulties
due to inadequate staffing,
and increasing number of slave
owners are protesting our decision...
Why can't you silence them
with irrefutable proof?
These litigations are not always black
and white, and we need manpower to
conduct closer investigations
in order to find proof...
When are you going to stop
blaming your problem on staffing?
I don't want to hear any excuses.
Put the Office of Slavery Reparations
back in order in one month!
Your capability to lead the policy will
be seriously questioned otherwise.
Shim On's capability may be being
questioned,
but the Office of Slavery
Reparations is not ours yet.
So be careful not to do
anything to they can pick up on.
Shim On is not at fault for the difficulties
in the Office of Slavery Reparations.
Yes, I know.
There are rather fierce public protests
for the Great Hunting Ceremony as well.
I'm sure there are...
Then...
Did you give her a decent burial?
Of course.
Keep your men quiet and stay
away from my palace for a while.
Baron Ok Hwan...?
Is this our chance to destroy the Crown
Prince and Ha Ryun once and for all?
Are you going to cancel
your Royal lessons again?
We're getting ready
for the Great Hunting Ceremony, master.
There is no time for books.
Your Highness...
Military affairs are only a part
of a sovereign's concerns, not all.
Proceed with your Royal lessons.
A pupil should not defy his mentor.
I only wanted to put what I've learned
to practice. I didn't intend to defy him.
"Study of things and nature"
Get the whole political picture
through study of surroundings.
Isn't that the gist of the Exposition
of the Great Learning?
Study of things and nature?
Then let us hear about the
political picture you see.
Scout for the hunting ground,
Your Highness?
That's right.
But the location has been settled
on Pyeongtaek, Your Highness.
Pyeongtaek is along the coast and
only appropriate for sea battles.
The objective of this event is
to suppress the Japanese pirates
with display of great strength, so...
I thought we were inviting Jurchen
and Ming envoys as well.
If this is psychological warfare, we might
as well intimidate the barbarians as well.
Don't you agree?
We must find a location similar in feature
to their homeland and overawe them with
a range of different suppression tactics
to keep them from violating our borders.
I think the Crown Prince is ahead
of you on this one, Minister Yi.
You may search for another location.
Thank you, Father.
Change the event location?
Are you trying to kill the poor public?
It's an order from the King.
Stop complaining!
I will not stand for this.
This doesn't concern you.
Just do your own job.
Would you be quiet?
We are civil servants.
Don't tell me what my job is and isn't.
This is insubordination!
You call caring for the
people insubordination.
What kind of crap is that?
How dare you!
Minister!
We've been clearing
Pyeongtaek for this event for three months.
Thousands of have been
put to forced labor
and over three hundred families
have lost their homes and farms!
We're finally nearing the end after
putting these people through torture,
and you want to go somewhere
else and start all over?
We can't do this unless our intent
is to squeeze every drop of blood
out of the public and
spray it on the street!
Study the geographic
features of Liaodong?
I've already spoken with the professor.
So get packing right away
and go to Liaodong for me.
Is it really necessary to go to this
trouble for a hunting ceremony?
It's not for the hunting ceremony;
it's for the conquest.
Your Highness?
The King is sparing nothing for
this event not money, not men.
And I believe we should
maximize this opportunity.
I intend to build an elite force of
warriors that can infiltrate Liaodong
and execute military
operations on command.
It'll provide diverse advantages to have
them trained on site with geographical
feathers similar to where
they will be fighting.
You must stop manipulating the
innocent scholars with your delusions.
Oh, it s my brothers' mentor.
Open your eyes and see the reality.
Would you mind not interfering?
Your Highness.
You are Hyoryeong and Choongnyeong's
mentor, not the Crown Prince's mentor!
Don't try to teach me.
I'm not trying to teach you.
Your mentor can't teach you either.
Why don't you take the scholars
and go out to Pyeongtaek?
No, you don't need to go that far.
Just go to any village
outside the four city gates.
You'll find the streets full of teachers
that can teach you valuable lessons.
If a mere hunting ceremony is
causing so much public suffering,
what happens if there is a war?
This is a great pity...
You must help them.
This tyranny must be...
I'm not talking about the government
officials; I'm taking about you.
Your Highness!
How can you defend those who are
refusing to pay taxes that is required
for the Great Hunting Ceremony?
But...
Those who take national defense
lightly can be charged with treason.
The spring austerity
season is approaching.
If we collect what's left of their
harvest, people will starve to death.
This not for Ming.
This is for national defense.
We all have to make sacrifices if
we want a strong and secure state.
What's the point of having a strong
state if the people are all dead?
We could collect tribute from the enemy
and give the people much better lives
when we conquer Liaodong and Ming.
If a mere hunting ceremony is
causing so much suffering,
a war is out of the question.
We have to make sacrifices
for the right cause.
Your Highness...
So don't fret over petty problems and
get ready for your trip to Liaodong.
It must not have been a complete waste
of time judging by the way you look.
Yes, it has been a waste of time...
We found out how
pathetic this country is...
My man...
We used to have hope about changing
the world, but now that hope is gone.
Our studies all these years have
been a complete waste of time...
You're finally awake.
Where am I?
Princess... I guess it isn't
hell seeing that you are here.
Dear lady...
Don't get up.
A lowborn concubine does not
deserve such respectful treatment.
You'd be by husband's aunt
in the outside world.
Of course respect is due.
I was dreaming.
I felt someone's warm touch on
my forehead and I thought...
Is it my dead mother?
My father?
Am I finally dead?
Why didn't you let me die?
No one wants me alive anyway.
Why did you bring me back to life?
Don't.
There is not one life in this
world that isn't precious.
The truth is...
I wanted to alive.
If only someone would stop me...
If only someone would tell me
that my life is worth something...
But no one was there, and so I...
How is she?
She's going to be all right.
Are you upset?
I'm sorry if my words were too harsh...
Are you going to make me
feel even more embarrassed?
Your Highness...
It was a rightfully deserved criticism.
If one should save a life, one
should tend to that life as well.
You're right.
But I didn't even consider.
I had no intention of taking care of her.
I know it isn't easy. She's gotten
herself in a very precarious situation.
But I hope you can see that she is one
of the many faces of the public
that you must embrace and protect.
I don't know what it is like to live a life
as a lowborn woman in her shoes,
but it can't be easy.
You always have to abide not by your
own will but by your master or a man,
so I wonder if it is unavoidable to end up
where she is being kicked around by fate.
Wife...
I don't know much about the
world or about governing a state.
But I wonder if showing sincere
compassion to hurt and rejected
souls hers could be a part of governing.
What brings Your Reverence to
this place of humble merchants?
I hope you'll make this easy
on us both since I know you.
Where is Chogungjang?
How should we...
The ex-King wouldn't involve
the palace eunuchs to get rid of
an unfaithful concubine
unless he is stupid.
I have no idea what this is about...
Do I have to shut down your business?
I am an auditor by long-time trade.
I don't need more than half a day to dig
up enough dirt to put you out of business.
Park Eun knows about Chogungjang,
so the royal court will
be in turmoil for a while.
This is perfect time for
us to make our move.
I didn't expect your visit so soon.
I am truly honored, Lord Jo.
I didn't know you had company.
Perhaps I should come another day.
Please sit down.
We're all friends.
But...
Please come sit down.
We're no strangers.
We spend more time growling at each other
day after day than we do with our wives.
Sit down right here.
Here.
I'm inclined to think you didn't come
for the chrysanthemum wine alone.
I came to speak to you
about the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince?
About his scandalous relationship
with the former King's concubine.
How did you...!
General Min, what are you talking about?
Who else knows about this?
Chogungjang is in Prince
Choongnyeong's care.
It's from a reliable source of information.
It looks like we finally have what
we need to break Ha Ryun.
And on top of that, the woman is
in Prince Choongnyeong's care?
I guess you can't win without Heaven's
help no matter how good you are.
It looks like we've run out of luck...
It's a set back.
This is not over yet.
Would you help us, Lord Jo?
Minister...
Talk to Prince Choongnyeong and stop him
from using this as a weapon against us.
That's a difficult test.
If you pass, you will become the,
Crown Prince's Zhang Liang.
Can we trust Jo Malseng?
What if he is with Park Eun?
Then all the better.
They will think that we're doing nothing
trusting Jo Malseng to come through.
Act quickly.
We must take care of this tonight,
or there will be no tomorrow for us.
Boy, that kid's kind heart is giving
a lot of people a headache...
Go to him now and put an end to this.
That's unnecessary, Uncle.
Your future is over unless
we get her back and kill her.
I don't want to do that.
Are you going to give up the throne?
I trust Choongnyeong.
Choongnyeong has Park Eun
and Shim On beside him.
They will not leave him alone
until they seize the upper hand.
They will tell him he is the true
kingly material and this is all for...
Stop.
No one can stand aloof before
power and authority forever.
That is politics.
If you know that...
Yes, I know. I know how good
you are in playing political games.
But I know Choongnyeong.
He will never take the throne from me.
Not because he can't
but because he doesn't want to.
I know nothing about this.
So I'd like you to leave.
We already know that
Chogungjang is in your care.
I said I don't know what
you're talking about.
Please don't be stubborn.
The fate of the state may be at stake.
If we fail to break Ha Ryun, none of the
policies we are pursuing will bear fruit.
Attendant!
Yes, Your Highness.
Bring Minister Park Eun and
my father-in-law a looking glass.
A looking glass?
They need to see what kind
of faces they have right now
in order to stop this outrageous nonsense.
What are you waiting for?
Fetch it quickly!
Your Highness...
I am your son-in-law.
Isn't it a father's duty to show
good examples to his children?
Perhaps you should respect
the Prince's wishes.
We may be politically cornered, but
let us not resort to undignified tactics.
Don't you know what
incredible chance this is?
We can break Ha Ryun and all of
the merit subjects once and for all!
And I suppose that will make
you second only to the King.
Your Highness...
Please leave now.
I do not wish to speak
to a man who will
resort to dirty politics for
acquisition of power.
Isn't dirty politics using untruthful
information to undermine others?
Master?
I wouldn't call revealing
the truth dirty politics.
What are you saying?
They're talking about exploiting my
brother's mistake for political gain.
Are you going to tell
me to go along with it?
It's regretful as a brother,
but may be necessary as a man
who cares about this country's future.
Why?
Why are you of all people
urging me to do this?
If you understood why,
would you make a bold decision?
Are you going to give up the throne?
No one can stand aloof before
power and authority forever.
But I know Choongnyeong.
He will never take the throne from me.
Whatever do you mean?
Your Highness...
Was the Crown Prince
with that woman again?
Is that why this has happened?
There is no time to talk about that.
We must find a way to
protect the Crown Prince.
That's right, Your Highness.
There is no telling what might happen
if we fail to take care of this tonight.
Where would Choongnyeong
go if he had to hide someone?
National Confucian Academy
What is the meaning of this?
What is this outrageous behavior?
Stop yelling!
I might just break that finger of yours.
My man!
When you burned off all
of our petitions to the King,
didn't you do it because you had
certain amount of conviction?
"Let's go to war"
"We will protect our national
pride with the Crown Prince"
Yes, we were wrong...
We would've killed everyone to trying to
protect our pride if we had gone to war.
But you and the high and mighty
misters weren't much better either.
You were no better than us when
it came to caring about the public.
Get a hold of yourselves and
back to your dormitory
before I put you all behind bars!
That won't be necessary.
Fellows, please!
All of us are leaving the
academy in the morning.
We came to the academy and studied
our hearts out to become government
officials so we can provide
valuable service to the country.
But this country has no hope.
So we're going to give up
this senseless struggle.
What's more unbearable to
watch than debauchery is
the despair of these Confucian scholars
who could be the future of Joseon.
A man who cares nothing
about the people,
who has no desire to pay heed
to counsel of his faithful men,
who doesn't even have the
basic sense of right and wrong...
It's my belief that such a man does not
deserves to be the King of Joseon.
Prince Choongnyeong is wavering?
I will try to persuade him again, but...
Persuasion isn't going to work.
We have no choice but to do the
unspeakable if we're going to take
care of this problem tonight.
You must forgive us for this.
Who are you and what do you want?
There is someone waiting
for you in Dumundong.
Did you just say Dumundong?
Follow this man to Prince
Choongnyeong's cabin in Namsan.
Do whatever it takes.
The woman must die tonight.
Your Highness...!
What is the meaning of this?
Why would you break into a royal
prince's cabin at this time of the night?
I'm sure you already know
the reason, Your Highness.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Let us take Chogungjang.
Why would you looking for a woman of
the former King's palace in my house?
Please let us take her.
It is for the Prince's safety as well.
How dare you threaten me!
We will have no choice but to search
the villa if you don't turn her over.
Go ahead.
But if you don't find her here, I will
have you hanged for this utter impiety!
You failed?
Did you get her out safely?
Yes.
But Your Highness,
I'm afraid it may not do much good...
Turn the girl over to me.
I can't.
It's for your brother's safe
and stability of this state.
I don't think it's worth it if you
have to kill an innocent life.
You'd put your brother in danger?
I'm going to rectify the wrongs.
Doe!
I'm going to fight.
If there is a force that is trying to
throw this country into distress...
I'm going to fight it with all my might.
I will not hesitate to use
every card I have to win.