Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 23 - Episode #1.23 - full transcript
You must turn the woman over to us.
Act with cautions, Chief Gang.
There're eyes watching us.
It's the King's order.
You can't execute the King's
order in this situation.
Would you clear the area?
Yes, Your Grace.
Regretfully, this woman's
whereabouts have become exposed
to dozens of eunuchs and civilians.
If you take her now,
the public will believe that
the King is trying to cover up
the Crown Princes misconduct.
I will not let you bring such shame
on the His Majesty the King.
But Princess...
Do as you're told.
You are a very wise woman.
Let her take the woman back to the
Royal manor and return to the palace.
Your Highness...
Don't blow this out of proportion
and bring shame on the King!
Why did you call me out after
telling me to be extra careful?
If my identity is exposed...
What's the worst that
can happen but death?
Wouldn't you rather be killed by
the enemy than by one of your own?
I don't understand why you're...
Uncle!
What's your motive?
Why did you hide it when you
knew where Chogungjang was?
Don't even try to deny it.
I know you better.
You would never miss a target
that's right under your nose!
Stop!
What is this reprehensible behavior
at a sacred house of Buddha?
But...
Come with me.
Have you taken a liking to him?
N-n-no, sir!
Of course not, sir.
I should re-teach you how to
hide your feelings as well.
Sir...
It's understandable.
That kid Choongnyeong...
He's likable enough to make me want
to take him under my wings
it he weren't the enemy's son.
I can't blame you for having
good feelings toward him.
But not again.
Choongnyeong is an enemy that must
be eliminated as quickly as possible.
You must not forget that.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
You must open a public inquiry.
Nonsense.
It's best that we wrap this up quietly.
How will you quell the public sentiment?
Rumors will subside without proof.
The proof has already been
turned over to the public.
What are you talking about?
The public and the officials have been made
aware of Chogungjang's whereabouts.
If you arrest her and
attempt to dispose of her,
public sentiment will
become even more heated.
Coldhearted bastard!
Are you manipulating public sentiment
to dispose your political enemy?
I have never considered the Crown
Prince as my political enemy.
Then why are you trying to destroy him?
I'm calling for a public inquiry,
not for the Crown Prince deposal.
If this goes to trial, he will be hanged.
Going to trial is the only way to
clear his name. Don't you see?
Clear his name?
That's the only way to breakthrough
this political impasse, Father.
Your Highness!
Survival comes first.
Everything else is secondary.
Break through the impasse...
His Majesty the King!
Disband this protest.
Forgive us, Your Majesty.
We cannot leave until a public
inquiry is scheduled.
I will grant your request.
Your Majesty...
I will order a public inquiry and order
that the truth be exposed within one
hundred days, so go back to
your posts and do your jobs.
They're opening a public
inquiry after all.
We have to do something.
His Majesty is turning
his back on the Crown Prince.
Prime Minister.
I want to protect the Crown Prince.
But you ordered a public inquiry.
We must stop the surge of criticism
and clear the Crown Prince's name.
Clear the Crown Prince's name
instead of reveal the truth?
I am appointing you
magistrate of this inquiry.
I believe you are capable of protecting
the Crown Prince and clearing his name.
Your Majesty, this is...
It is the truth that the public shall know.
Too many people know the real truth
to claim that this is what happened.
That's why I need a brilliant man like you.
The Royal Attendant will take
care of the Royal staff. Right?
Of course.
The public might buy this,
but the officials will not.
All you need to do is to
make the public believe it.
I'm holding another card
that will quiet the officials.
You're going to like what I have in store.
I had no idea His Majesty will
pull a clever scheme like this.
It's Prince Choongnyeong's
clever scheme to be exact.
You're not going to defy him, are you?
I am just as loyal to the King
and the Crown Prince as you are.
False testimony?
You want me to perjure
myself at the public inquiry?
That's the only way to protect
you from being killed.
I'm sorry.
I don't have the power
to protect you alone.
No.
No, Your Highness.
You've already done more
than enough for me.
You've gone through such pains to
protect this unworthy woman's life...
That's more then I could ever pay back...
Don't thank me.
Get angry.
Your Highness...
What my wife and I have done is no favor.
We've only done what anyone would and
should do in this situation. That is all.
If there's anything you should remember
from this it's rage, not gratefulness.
Get angry and don't ever forgive.
You must never forget what pain
and cruelty this country,
this Royal house, has inflicted on you.
And I will never forget it either.
Sit back down, Your Highness.
I will not allow this ridiculous charade.
You're going to have to
dance in it if need be.
Sit back down if you don't want her killed.
If the truth comes out and you are deposed,
do you think that the woman would survive?
Death is the only end for a woman who
has caused a Crown Prince to fall.
Minister.
You must learn to close the eyes
to an unavoidable sacrifice.
I am a human being.
If I let that girl bear all the blame
alone and didn't even apologize,
I wouldn't be human.
Don't.
Minister.
That's not going to change anything
except make you feel better.
I don't want you to feel better about this.
I want you to make
this harder on yourself.
Punish yourself everyday for the rest of your
life for what you've done to this woman.
And you must work hard and
do everything you can to ensure that
no one is ever sacrificed like this again.
That's a true apology.
Your Grace...
I have a small request...
I was hoping you'd ask me
for something, anything.
Would you lend me a nice dress to wear?
We women are so funny...
I know I was nothing more
than a play toy to him,
but still I don't want him
to see me like this...
Now there's a courtesan
if I've ever seen one.
It's no wonder the Crown
Prince couldn't resist.
But still, how could she dress like
that coming to her own inquiry?
Begin.
Is your name Chogungjang?
Yes.
You met the Crown Prince...
... at the archery contest and
decided to seduce him.
Is that correct?
Yes...
You could not approach him as
the former King's concubine,
so you slipped out of the palace
every night to the guild school
and waited to be noticed by the
Crown Prince. Is that correct?
Yes.
Let me stop here and clarify.
His Highness did not know that you
are the former King's concubine.
Is that correct?
That is correct. But he was
quite attracted to me as well.
Isn't that right, Your Highness?
The defendant will only
answer the questions asked!
Where is this going?
You became afraid that
the former King might
find out about your affair
with the Crown Prince.
So you used dead your mother as
an excuse and asked that you be
sent back home to take care of
your ailing mother. Is that correct?
Yes.
But much to your disappointment,
His Highness ended the affair
and refused to see you.
Angry and embittered,
you sought to destroy the Crown Prince
by exposing the affair.
Isn't that correct?
Yes.
As you've heard,
the Crown Prince was a victim of this
woman's guileful ploy from start to finish.
So I ask that...
I will hear from the Crown Prince.
Is the testimony we have
heard true and accurate?
Were you unaware that the woman
was your uncle's concubine?
It is the truth, Father.
I did not know the defendant's identity.
The defendant is hereby
sentenced to banishment.
And for having
improper relations with a woman
outside of the palace,
the Crown Prince is hereby ordered
temporary restraint on all political
activities including the Great
Hunting Ceremony project.
This is a farce!
My man!
What is this?
A joke?
Escort the Prince back to
the East Palace immediately.
Yes, sir.
How could you just get up and leave?
You can't allow the junior officials
to create this commotion.
As the Crown Prince's brother, it is
your duty to stop their unruly behavior.
Forgive me.
I am so very concerned.
For how long can we hide the
truth about the Crown Prince
with the officials kicking up such a fuss?
Hide the truth?
You don't have to try to hide it from me.
I serve the King over six
months out of the year.
He tells me everything.
The Crown Prince didn't know anything?
He's a naive bookworm
manipulated by a temptress?
Do you expect us to believe that?
This inquiry is closed.
This stinks.
This really stinks!
I'm completely repulsed by this put-on!
You put on this act to save the Crown
Prince's reputation and dump
this whole thing on that poor woman!
This is not what we
opened this inquiry for.
We didn't sit out there and poured
out hearts out for this circus!
The inquiry is over.
So get back to work!
No, this is not over!
- That's right!
- We want the truth!
Your Highness!
Prince Choongnyeong!
You know the truth.
You were protecting
Chogungjang in your villa.
This inquiry is over.
What? Are you the Prince
Choongnyeong that I know?
Your Highness.
I'm proud of you.
You should be proud of the
Crown Prince instead of me.
My lady...
I'm such a fool.
He was a coward not worth getting
dressed up to say goodbye for...
There are people listening...
In spite of it all...
I still hoped he would have the
courage of an ordinary man.
That's why I said I would
stand trial without resisting.
I thought he'd muster up the courage to
tell the truth despite outside pressures.
But I guess I was expecting too much...
Put the Crown Prince in
the palm of my hands?
Thee months.
Make it one month.
We're talking about winning a man's
heart, not acquiring goods for resale.
We've got to get this done before
commotion settles in Royal court.
Why don't you slow it down a notch?
What do you mean?
The baron has become anxious
after the Hall of Peace incident.
Isn't it your job as his adviser
to bring him back to focus?
You used to shake and shiver
every time you got an assignment
and not you're trying to lecture me?
I've never once failed, and success
builds confidence I guess.
Don't slip up.
You can do it yourself
if you don't trust me.
Now we must find a way to
suppress the angry junior officials.
We don't have to worry about
that since we have you.
If it weren't for you,
His Majesty wouldn't even have
considered opening the public inquiry.
That's a lot of land you've acquired
across entire Gyeongsang Province.
What were you going to do?
Build your own kingdom?
Does His Majesty know about this?
He's the one that told me about
this including the fact that you
helped yourself to 4.000 slaves
and put them to work on your fiefs.
What is His Majesty's intent?
He wants your graceful retirement.
Graceful retirement?
He will reduce your crime to
embezzlement of five hundred slaves,
so he want you to come forward
voluntarily and retire gracefully.
No.
You mustn't reject His
Majesty's generosity.
You should be charged with high
treason for the crime you committed.
How dare you call me a criminal!
I can have you hanged!
Don't waste your strength.
Your days are over!
Audacious punk!
Do you know who I am?
I am the King's political mentor!
I gave the King his crown.
I am the one that made Yi Bangwon
the third King of Joseon!
Minister...
Remember.
I am Ha Ryun.
Five hundred slaves? I'm not going
down for that kind of petty crime.
The King set a trap for me?
I didn't think you'd have the
guts to request a one on one.
You still have a lesson to learn in politics,
so as your mentor I must teach you.
You've lost your qualification
to be my mentor.
Then strike down with
your sword all the way.
Expose my malfeasance to every detail.
No, you should exaggerate them.
Ha Ryun has acquired land
not only in Gyeongsang
but across all three lower provinces.
Tens of thousands of slaves that
disappeared were all found on his land.
He might be the one that exposed
Crown Prince's affair
to create a diversion
and hide his own crime.
Enough!
You need at least as much to break
through this bleak political impasse
where the Crown Prince's faculty is being
questioned and the junior officials and
the people are uniting in once
voice to criticize the Royal house.
I will order Minister Park to expose every
last detail of my malfeasance to the
to the Board of Censors and
all for an impeachment.
This will be my final command
as the Prime Minister of Joseon,
so I beg you not to stop me.
Why did you do it?
Why would a faithful servant like you
commit such grave malfeasance?
I must've thought that I deserved
a little something in return
for giving you the throne.
Never let your guard down.
Do not trust anyone.
If you do, you will find yourself
dealing with another minister like me
who tries to abuse what little
power he has been given.
I would have chosen to retire gracefully.
That's why I always say
you're no match for me.
Once the hunting dog has depleted
his use, he gets eaten as well.
Impeachment of Prime Minister Ha Ryun...
It's such a huge malfeasance that
both the Board of Censors and
the Board of Inspectors are in frenzy.
Some even say that Ha Ryun is
the one that exposed Crown Prince's
affair to cover up his own malfeasance.
Prince Choongnyeong opens an inquiry
to break through the political impasse
and the King lays a trap to
deal with the repercussion...
Like father like son.
They're quite a pair.
Aren't they?
Now the Crown Prince
scandal will be old news.
Let's hurry to the main hall.
His Majesty is going to announce
a new decree to revive the royal court.
As we have witnessed
through recent events,
the Royal court has
become a cradle of
corruption due to balance of power shifting
excessively toward the State Council.
So in a drastic measure to reduce the
soaring influence of the State Council,
I am boldly removing the currently
imposed State Council Ascendancy
system and Installing a direct reporting
system for the Six Ministries.
A direct reporting system...
I guess this mean you're the real leader
of the royal court now, Minister Park.
Nonsense.
Each leader of the Six Ministries has
equal authority and responsibility to lead
the state in the direct
reporting structure.
Is it Park Eun's world now?
What does His Majesty want?
He went to great lengths
to protect the Crown Prince
then clipped the wings of his
strongest backer to give
greatest authority to
Prince Choongnyeong's man.
We're going to be very busy for a while.
We need to start working on a reform
to renew the government right away.
I think you can take it easy.
Congratulations on your promotion.
Promotion?
What do you mean?
His Majesty has promoted
you to Left State Councilor.
Left State Councilor?
Is he telling me to take the back
seat like a helpless old man?
What's the reason?
You went as far as to employ
merchant thugs and engage in
political mudslinging to
undermine the Crown Prince.
I presume it is to guard
against your such actions.
You should've realized how firm the
King is about eldest succession.
Why and how does the King know
such great details of my actions?
I would think you'd know that by now...
I thought... you were my most
faithful subordinate. Was I wrong?
Shouldn't I be the King's
most faithful subordinate?
Well then, I must return to work.
I have been used...!
Remember.
Neither the throne nor this
state Joseon belong to me.
If you ignore the due
process and rule alone,
history will remember you as a tyrant.
A repressive King cannot
win his retainers' trust,
and a King is not a King without
his royal retainers' trust.
Your Majesty...
In retrospect, I was the most
disrespectful servant a King can have.
You were our only hope then.
And you still are.
I still believe you are the only
man capable of carrying
the fate of Joseon on his shoulders.
- Buy me.
- Get away!
Do you want to buy me?
You can have me for five yangs.
Let go of me!
I wouldn't buy you for one yang!
Make way!
Make way for the Prince!
You look like someone important.
Why don't you buy me?
Who do you think you're talking to?
Get out of here!
Let's go.
I'm not going anywhere until
he says he is buying me.
Buy me!
What in the world!
Buy me!
Put down the palanquin.
Your Highness.
Now.
Put it down.
How much are you going
to sell yourself for?
Five yangs.
That's all.
How old are you?
Why do you want to know that for?
Do you want me nor not?
Take that and go home.
And don't do this again.
Take it back.
Take it back.
I'm not a panhandler.
What's worse than panhandling
is prostitution.
Why?
Why are you selling your body?
My mother...
My mother is sick.
I need money for her treatment.
I don't need your nickels and dimes.
I need lots of money!
That's what the physician said.
"Sell your body if you have
to but bring me the money."
He said he couldn't treat her until
I pay him whether she lives or dies!
Mother...
Your Highness!
What are you doing?
Put me down!
You want to sell yourself,
so I'm buying you.
Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Act with cautions, Chief Gang.
There're eyes watching us.
It's the King's order.
You can't execute the King's
order in this situation.
Would you clear the area?
Yes, Your Grace.
Regretfully, this woman's
whereabouts have become exposed
to dozens of eunuchs and civilians.
If you take her now,
the public will believe that
the King is trying to cover up
the Crown Princes misconduct.
I will not let you bring such shame
on the His Majesty the King.
But Princess...
Do as you're told.
You are a very wise woman.
Let her take the woman back to the
Royal manor and return to the palace.
Your Highness...
Don't blow this out of proportion
and bring shame on the King!
Why did you call me out after
telling me to be extra careful?
If my identity is exposed...
What's the worst that
can happen but death?
Wouldn't you rather be killed by
the enemy than by one of your own?
I don't understand why you're...
Uncle!
What's your motive?
Why did you hide it when you
knew where Chogungjang was?
Don't even try to deny it.
I know you better.
You would never miss a target
that's right under your nose!
Stop!
What is this reprehensible behavior
at a sacred house of Buddha?
But...
Come with me.
Have you taken a liking to him?
N-n-no, sir!
Of course not, sir.
I should re-teach you how to
hide your feelings as well.
Sir...
It's understandable.
That kid Choongnyeong...
He's likable enough to make me want
to take him under my wings
it he weren't the enemy's son.
I can't blame you for having
good feelings toward him.
But not again.
Choongnyeong is an enemy that must
be eliminated as quickly as possible.
You must not forget that.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
You must open a public inquiry.
Nonsense.
It's best that we wrap this up quietly.
How will you quell the public sentiment?
Rumors will subside without proof.
The proof has already been
turned over to the public.
What are you talking about?
The public and the officials have been made
aware of Chogungjang's whereabouts.
If you arrest her and
attempt to dispose of her,
public sentiment will
become even more heated.
Coldhearted bastard!
Are you manipulating public sentiment
to dispose your political enemy?
I have never considered the Crown
Prince as my political enemy.
Then why are you trying to destroy him?
I'm calling for a public inquiry,
not for the Crown Prince deposal.
If this goes to trial, he will be hanged.
Going to trial is the only way to
clear his name. Don't you see?
Clear his name?
That's the only way to breakthrough
this political impasse, Father.
Your Highness!
Survival comes first.
Everything else is secondary.
Break through the impasse...
His Majesty the King!
Disband this protest.
Forgive us, Your Majesty.
We cannot leave until a public
inquiry is scheduled.
I will grant your request.
Your Majesty...
I will order a public inquiry and order
that the truth be exposed within one
hundred days, so go back to
your posts and do your jobs.
They're opening a public
inquiry after all.
We have to do something.
His Majesty is turning
his back on the Crown Prince.
Prime Minister.
I want to protect the Crown Prince.
But you ordered a public inquiry.
We must stop the surge of criticism
and clear the Crown Prince's name.
Clear the Crown Prince's name
instead of reveal the truth?
I am appointing you
magistrate of this inquiry.
I believe you are capable of protecting
the Crown Prince and clearing his name.
Your Majesty, this is...
It is the truth that the public shall know.
Too many people know the real truth
to claim that this is what happened.
That's why I need a brilliant man like you.
The Royal Attendant will take
care of the Royal staff. Right?
Of course.
The public might buy this,
but the officials will not.
All you need to do is to
make the public believe it.
I'm holding another card
that will quiet the officials.
You're going to like what I have in store.
I had no idea His Majesty will
pull a clever scheme like this.
It's Prince Choongnyeong's
clever scheme to be exact.
You're not going to defy him, are you?
I am just as loyal to the King
and the Crown Prince as you are.
False testimony?
You want me to perjure
myself at the public inquiry?
That's the only way to protect
you from being killed.
I'm sorry.
I don't have the power
to protect you alone.
No.
No, Your Highness.
You've already done more
than enough for me.
You've gone through such pains to
protect this unworthy woman's life...
That's more then I could ever pay back...
Don't thank me.
Get angry.
Your Highness...
What my wife and I have done is no favor.
We've only done what anyone would and
should do in this situation. That is all.
If there's anything you should remember
from this it's rage, not gratefulness.
Get angry and don't ever forgive.
You must never forget what pain
and cruelty this country,
this Royal house, has inflicted on you.
And I will never forget it either.
Sit back down, Your Highness.
I will not allow this ridiculous charade.
You're going to have to
dance in it if need be.
Sit back down if you don't want her killed.
If the truth comes out and you are deposed,
do you think that the woman would survive?
Death is the only end for a woman who
has caused a Crown Prince to fall.
Minister.
You must learn to close the eyes
to an unavoidable sacrifice.
I am a human being.
If I let that girl bear all the blame
alone and didn't even apologize,
I wouldn't be human.
Don't.
Minister.
That's not going to change anything
except make you feel better.
I don't want you to feel better about this.
I want you to make
this harder on yourself.
Punish yourself everyday for the rest of your
life for what you've done to this woman.
And you must work hard and
do everything you can to ensure that
no one is ever sacrificed like this again.
That's a true apology.
Your Grace...
I have a small request...
I was hoping you'd ask me
for something, anything.
Would you lend me a nice dress to wear?
We women are so funny...
I know I was nothing more
than a play toy to him,
but still I don't want him
to see me like this...
Now there's a courtesan
if I've ever seen one.
It's no wonder the Crown
Prince couldn't resist.
But still, how could she dress like
that coming to her own inquiry?
Begin.
Is your name Chogungjang?
Yes.
You met the Crown Prince...
... at the archery contest and
decided to seduce him.
Is that correct?
Yes...
You could not approach him as
the former King's concubine,
so you slipped out of the palace
every night to the guild school
and waited to be noticed by the
Crown Prince. Is that correct?
Yes.
Let me stop here and clarify.
His Highness did not know that you
are the former King's concubine.
Is that correct?
That is correct. But he was
quite attracted to me as well.
Isn't that right, Your Highness?
The defendant will only
answer the questions asked!
Where is this going?
You became afraid that
the former King might
find out about your affair
with the Crown Prince.
So you used dead your mother as
an excuse and asked that you be
sent back home to take care of
your ailing mother. Is that correct?
Yes.
But much to your disappointment,
His Highness ended the affair
and refused to see you.
Angry and embittered,
you sought to destroy the Crown Prince
by exposing the affair.
Isn't that correct?
Yes.
As you've heard,
the Crown Prince was a victim of this
woman's guileful ploy from start to finish.
So I ask that...
I will hear from the Crown Prince.
Is the testimony we have
heard true and accurate?
Were you unaware that the woman
was your uncle's concubine?
It is the truth, Father.
I did not know the defendant's identity.
The defendant is hereby
sentenced to banishment.
And for having
improper relations with a woman
outside of the palace,
the Crown Prince is hereby ordered
temporary restraint on all political
activities including the Great
Hunting Ceremony project.
This is a farce!
My man!
What is this?
A joke?
Escort the Prince back to
the East Palace immediately.
Yes, sir.
How could you just get up and leave?
You can't allow the junior officials
to create this commotion.
As the Crown Prince's brother, it is
your duty to stop their unruly behavior.
Forgive me.
I am so very concerned.
For how long can we hide the
truth about the Crown Prince
with the officials kicking up such a fuss?
Hide the truth?
You don't have to try to hide it from me.
I serve the King over six
months out of the year.
He tells me everything.
The Crown Prince didn't know anything?
He's a naive bookworm
manipulated by a temptress?
Do you expect us to believe that?
This inquiry is closed.
This stinks.
This really stinks!
I'm completely repulsed by this put-on!
You put on this act to save the Crown
Prince's reputation and dump
this whole thing on that poor woman!
This is not what we
opened this inquiry for.
We didn't sit out there and poured
out hearts out for this circus!
The inquiry is over.
So get back to work!
No, this is not over!
- That's right!
- We want the truth!
Your Highness!
Prince Choongnyeong!
You know the truth.
You were protecting
Chogungjang in your villa.
This inquiry is over.
What? Are you the Prince
Choongnyeong that I know?
Your Highness.
I'm proud of you.
You should be proud of the
Crown Prince instead of me.
My lady...
I'm such a fool.
He was a coward not worth getting
dressed up to say goodbye for...
There are people listening...
In spite of it all...
I still hoped he would have the
courage of an ordinary man.
That's why I said I would
stand trial without resisting.
I thought he'd muster up the courage to
tell the truth despite outside pressures.
But I guess I was expecting too much...
Put the Crown Prince in
the palm of my hands?
Thee months.
Make it one month.
We're talking about winning a man's
heart, not acquiring goods for resale.
We've got to get this done before
commotion settles in Royal court.
Why don't you slow it down a notch?
What do you mean?
The baron has become anxious
after the Hall of Peace incident.
Isn't it your job as his adviser
to bring him back to focus?
You used to shake and shiver
every time you got an assignment
and not you're trying to lecture me?
I've never once failed, and success
builds confidence I guess.
Don't slip up.
You can do it yourself
if you don't trust me.
Now we must find a way to
suppress the angry junior officials.
We don't have to worry about
that since we have you.
If it weren't for you,
His Majesty wouldn't even have
considered opening the public inquiry.
That's a lot of land you've acquired
across entire Gyeongsang Province.
What were you going to do?
Build your own kingdom?
Does His Majesty know about this?
He's the one that told me about
this including the fact that you
helped yourself to 4.000 slaves
and put them to work on your fiefs.
What is His Majesty's intent?
He wants your graceful retirement.
Graceful retirement?
He will reduce your crime to
embezzlement of five hundred slaves,
so he want you to come forward
voluntarily and retire gracefully.
No.
You mustn't reject His
Majesty's generosity.
You should be charged with high
treason for the crime you committed.
How dare you call me a criminal!
I can have you hanged!
Don't waste your strength.
Your days are over!
Audacious punk!
Do you know who I am?
I am the King's political mentor!
I gave the King his crown.
I am the one that made Yi Bangwon
the third King of Joseon!
Minister...
Remember.
I am Ha Ryun.
Five hundred slaves? I'm not going
down for that kind of petty crime.
The King set a trap for me?
I didn't think you'd have the
guts to request a one on one.
You still have a lesson to learn in politics,
so as your mentor I must teach you.
You've lost your qualification
to be my mentor.
Then strike down with
your sword all the way.
Expose my malfeasance to every detail.
No, you should exaggerate them.
Ha Ryun has acquired land
not only in Gyeongsang
but across all three lower provinces.
Tens of thousands of slaves that
disappeared were all found on his land.
He might be the one that exposed
Crown Prince's affair
to create a diversion
and hide his own crime.
Enough!
You need at least as much to break
through this bleak political impasse
where the Crown Prince's faculty is being
questioned and the junior officials and
the people are uniting in once
voice to criticize the Royal house.
I will order Minister Park to expose every
last detail of my malfeasance to the
to the Board of Censors and
all for an impeachment.
This will be my final command
as the Prime Minister of Joseon,
so I beg you not to stop me.
Why did you do it?
Why would a faithful servant like you
commit such grave malfeasance?
I must've thought that I deserved
a little something in return
for giving you the throne.
Never let your guard down.
Do not trust anyone.
If you do, you will find yourself
dealing with another minister like me
who tries to abuse what little
power he has been given.
I would have chosen to retire gracefully.
That's why I always say
you're no match for me.
Once the hunting dog has depleted
his use, he gets eaten as well.
Impeachment of Prime Minister Ha Ryun...
It's such a huge malfeasance that
both the Board of Censors and
the Board of Inspectors are in frenzy.
Some even say that Ha Ryun is
the one that exposed Crown Prince's
affair to cover up his own malfeasance.
Prince Choongnyeong opens an inquiry
to break through the political impasse
and the King lays a trap to
deal with the repercussion...
Like father like son.
They're quite a pair.
Aren't they?
Now the Crown Prince
scandal will be old news.
Let's hurry to the main hall.
His Majesty is going to announce
a new decree to revive the royal court.
As we have witnessed
through recent events,
the Royal court has
become a cradle of
corruption due to balance of power shifting
excessively toward the State Council.
So in a drastic measure to reduce the
soaring influence of the State Council,
I am boldly removing the currently
imposed State Council Ascendancy
system and Installing a direct reporting
system for the Six Ministries.
A direct reporting system...
I guess this mean you're the real leader
of the royal court now, Minister Park.
Nonsense.
Each leader of the Six Ministries has
equal authority and responsibility to lead
the state in the direct
reporting structure.
Is it Park Eun's world now?
What does His Majesty want?
He went to great lengths
to protect the Crown Prince
then clipped the wings of his
strongest backer to give
greatest authority to
Prince Choongnyeong's man.
We're going to be very busy for a while.
We need to start working on a reform
to renew the government right away.
I think you can take it easy.
Congratulations on your promotion.
Promotion?
What do you mean?
His Majesty has promoted
you to Left State Councilor.
Left State Councilor?
Is he telling me to take the back
seat like a helpless old man?
What's the reason?
You went as far as to employ
merchant thugs and engage in
political mudslinging to
undermine the Crown Prince.
I presume it is to guard
against your such actions.
You should've realized how firm the
King is about eldest succession.
Why and how does the King know
such great details of my actions?
I would think you'd know that by now...
I thought... you were my most
faithful subordinate. Was I wrong?
Shouldn't I be the King's
most faithful subordinate?
Well then, I must return to work.
I have been used...!
Remember.
Neither the throne nor this
state Joseon belong to me.
If you ignore the due
process and rule alone,
history will remember you as a tyrant.
A repressive King cannot
win his retainers' trust,
and a King is not a King without
his royal retainers' trust.
Your Majesty...
In retrospect, I was the most
disrespectful servant a King can have.
You were our only hope then.
And you still are.
I still believe you are the only
man capable of carrying
the fate of Joseon on his shoulders.
- Buy me.
- Get away!
Do you want to buy me?
You can have me for five yangs.
Let go of me!
I wouldn't buy you for one yang!
Make way!
Make way for the Prince!
You look like someone important.
Why don't you buy me?
Who do you think you're talking to?
Get out of here!
Let's go.
I'm not going anywhere until
he says he is buying me.
Buy me!
What in the world!
Buy me!
Put down the palanquin.
Your Highness.
Now.
Put it down.
How much are you going
to sell yourself for?
Five yangs.
That's all.
How old are you?
Why do you want to know that for?
Do you want me nor not?
Take that and go home.
And don't do this again.
Take it back.
Take it back.
I'm not a panhandler.
What's worse than panhandling
is prostitution.
Why?
Why are you selling your body?
My mother...
My mother is sick.
I need money for her treatment.
I don't need your nickels and dimes.
I need lots of money!
That's what the physician said.
"Sell your body if you have
to but bring me the money."
He said he couldn't treat her until
I pay him whether she lives or dies!
Mother...
Your Highness!
What are you doing?
Put me down!
You want to sell yourself,
so I'm buying you.
Your Highness!
Your Highness!