Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 31 - Episode #1.31 - full transcript
Is it true that the Min clan
employed you to kill Kyoungnyeong?
No, Your Majesty...
The person that gave me the order...
The person that gave me the order...
... was the Queen.
You are laughing?
How can you laugh?
Would you rather
I begged for mercy in tears?
Why did you do it?
Why did you try to murder
Kyoungnyeong and his mother?
I don't know.
Why do you think?
If it were now...
If I had known you back than
for the heartless man you are...
how you can betray someone's
trust a hundred different
times without blinking an eye,
I would not have done
something so stupid.
But I was much too young.
So I believed you when you said
you would be faithful to me
for eternity because I am your
wife and your only partner.
My rage was as deep as my trust for you.
You threw away everything we had
so you can have my servant girl,
and I could not handle the rage!
That does not make
everyone turn to murder.
- Do you expect...
- My only regret is...
that I didn't succeed.
Do you think you can be forgiven?
I don't intend to seek your forgiveness.
You must've been quite angry about
getting thrown out of the palace.
Is this revenge?
You should've chosen a different method.
Is this your best shot?
Hiding behind your mother's skirt?
Watch your words, Crown Prince.
I'm talking to Kyoungnyeong.
What are you trying to
accomplish by digging up
what happened over a decade ago?
Crime is a crime whether
it's decades or centuries old.
So?
What are you after?
I was merely after the truth.
Are you sure you weren't trying
to destroy my supporters?
You should've challenged
me directly instead.
You'd never win, but I would've
praised you for the courage.
How could a powerless man like me
possibly challenge you, Your Highness?
Cocky bastard.
I don't want to fight you,
but I am getting curious.
Failing to protect those closest to him
is a sovereign's greatest dishonor.
I'll pay close attention and watch how
you defend your honor in the days ahead.
You should pay more attention to
keeping your head attached to your neck.
You're messing with the wrong man.
You are no match for me.
Perhaps you were a bit bold
with the Crown Prince.
A bit bold?
I was very bold.
What if he gets through this
unscathed and ascends to the throne?
I fueled his rage so he will not
get through this unscathed.
Just watch, Mother.
I'm just getting started with this fight.
Find out where they
are holding my uncles.
Yes, Your Highness.
I must see the Crown Prince!
The prisoner will remain quiet.
How dare you speak to me in that tone!
Don't you know who I am?
Let it go, my lord.
He is just a junior official
who does not know better.
Open it.
What?
Open up the cell and release Lord Min.
I received no such order.
What are you starring at!
I said open up the cell!
Yes, sir...
My regrets for the trouble, sire.
I will take you from here.
You can't do this.
It's a special order
from the Crown Prince.
So if you have a problem,
go take it up with him.
Crown Prince released Min Muhyul?
Without interrogation?
That's right.
Is that why you called us back
to the palace at this hour?
My superiors and the Department
of Punishment won't do anything.
What do you want them to do?
Stop the Crown Prince.
He was arrested by the
Kings command, right?
Then the only one that can put
him back in a cell is the King.
So don't waste your energy.
Then what is our purpose here?
What's the point of us being here if
we can't even stand up to a prince
who is trashing the law?
I'm here to earn my drinking money.
You, too, should find a
reason you can live with.
You wish to return to your cell?
I didn't ask to see you so
we could be released.
I asked to see you to make a
request concerning the Queen.
Uncle!
Renounce me and protect the Queen.
Tell the King that
our excessive loyalty is the cause of
all this and the Queen is innocent.
I will go back to the cell as well.
Let us take the fall for attempted
murder on Kyoungnyeong.
But why?
This is the last service
we can do for you.
If the Queen is indicted,
she will be deposed,
and if she is deposed, you
will lose your legitimacy.
Even if you safely rise to the throne,
the stigma of being a son of the
deposed queen will follow you for life
constantly threatening your position.
You must renounce us
and protect yourself.
Would you take us back?
Wait.
I thought I told you.
I will never turn my back on
those who swore loyalty to me.
And I said I would keep that
promise at the cost of my own life.
But Your Highness...
Believe in me, Uncle.
I will not lose you to Kyoungnyeong
and Hobin's dirty games.
Your Highness...
He released the prisoners that were
arrested under royal command?
It is regretful, Your Majesty...
Why is that regretful?
They were released because
they should be released.
They're criminals of high treason who tried
o murder members of the royal house.
Then I suppose you must depose the
Queen and execute my uncles, Father.
I will decide what to do with them.
So don't fight me on this.
If I intended to fight you,
I would've already killed Hyobin and
Kyoungnyeong with my own sword.
What did you say?
Your Highness, perhaps we
can return another day...
Would you give Hyobin a warning for me?
Tell her she shouldn't play games with
me just because she's got your heart
in her skirt, and tell her to keep her
hands off the Queen and my loyal men.
Or I will have no choice
but to unsheathe my sword.
Your Majesty...
His Majesty's rage against the
Crown Prince will pierce the sky?
It appeared so.
Very well. You may go now.
The King just might renounce
the Crown Prince at this rate...
What would happen to
you if that happens?
What... do you mean?
We all know that you've been
staying close to the Min clan
and lining yourself up with the
Crown Prince to secure your future.
Lining up?
I'm just...
Cut off whatever ties you can.
Or your future could
be gravely threatened.
What is the meaning of this?
Go back and apologize to the King,
and stay out of the Queen
and the Min clan's business.
You really should stop lecturing
me and ordering me around.
Your Highness...
I am your master.
It's not your place to tell me what to do.
If you're going to the conference
hall to discuss this with the others
be sure to tell them this;
Anyone that attempts to hurt the Queen
and my uncles will get hurt as well.
The Crown Prince is rushing about
trying to protect me and his uncles?
So don't worry, Mother.
How could I pay my good
son back for his devotion?
Is the Crown Prince in his right mind?
How could he defend the Queen and his
uncles after the crime they committed?
They tried to kill a royal descendant.
It's a crime punishable only by deposal.
Deposal?
Depose the Queen over a matter that
concerns an illegitimate prince?
Prince Kyoungnyeong may have been
born of Royal Concubine Hyobin,
but he is the Queen's son.
So this is a crime of all crimes in which
a mother has tried to kill her own son.
If this was not the Royal House,
she would be executed by
the adapted Laws of the Great Ming.
So it is only fitting that
the Queen be deposed.
Watch your tongue.
If the Queen is deposed,
the Crown Prince's right
to the throne will be seriously questioned.
He will lose his legitimacy regardless of
the Queen's crimes if his
reckless behavior continues.
Minister Yu!
Bloodline is not the only thing that
determines a king's legitimacy.
He who attempts to undermine
the dignity of the law to protect
the people closest to
him is not fit to be a king.
You were polishing your sword.
It's very well polished...
I have one request to make.
Would you...
strike me with this sword?
Mother!
Strike the mother that
failed to teach his son well.
What do you mean?
If you can't strike me, don't
fight the King on this matter.
But the King will desert you.
No, I am deserting the King
and this seat of the Queen.
So do nothing for me.
- But...
- I know.
I know how much you care about me.
And your loving kindness will
be treasured inside my heart.
Mother...
So don't forget what I said.
You must not fall out of King's favor
or lose the retainer's trust
over petty emotions.
You must take care of yourself
and wait for your time.
And when you rise to the
throne and become the King,
share the love and kindness you're
showing me today with your people.
Would you do that for me?
Promise me that
you will give me the joy of watching
you become a benevolent King.
There must've been good days...
I'm sure not everyday of my life
in the palace has been filled
with anxiety and disgust...
After all, I'm talking about
over ten years of time.
Why can't I remember?
Why can't I remember one good day
that I freely laughed out loud?
Your Highness...
Yi Sun.
Yes, Your Grace.
Have the tailors send
over a commoner's dress.
Your Highness...
Is there no other way?
It is the only way to protect
the Crown Prince and my brothers.
Your Highness...
My elderly mother back home
has already lost two sons in
the name of high treason.
I can't let death take anymore
of her children from her.
I will not be able to live
with myself if I do.
What Is the meaning of this?
I didn't expect you to
see me off personally.
Go back to your chambers.
I do not wish to lose you.
Let us forego empty formalities.
I know you don't mean that.
As a man, as a husband, I don't
want you here for another day.
But not as the King of Joseon.
If you fall, the Crown Prince's
future will be jeopardized.
nd the future of Joseon
will be jeopardized as well.
So go back to your chambers
and put your silk dress back on.
And act like a Queen with your
fake smile as you always have.
What are you going to do?
If you don't cast me off, then...
What I do next is not your concern.
No, you can't do that.
Leave my brothers alone!
If you defend your brothers any further,
the Crown Prince will lose his position.
Is that what you want?
Take the queen back to her chambers!
Forgive me, Your Grace...
Let go!
Let go of me!
Let go!
Let go of me!
Let go!
Let go!
- Your Majesty.
- Leave.
I will not listen to your grumbling today.
Grumbling?
Are you calling my request to punish the
person that tried to kill my son grumbling?
She will be pay for what she's done.
How when she's sitting comfortably
in the Queen's palace?
Then will you pay instead?
Your Majesty...
How about for defaming
the Queen to promote
your own son's future and putting
the Crown Prince in a predicament?
You are so cruel...
Leave before I say something worse.
Since the day I gave my heart to you,
I gave the Queen no attention.
I never gave my heart
to her again, not once.
I am leaving the Queen alone
as last courtesy to a woman
who gave birth to the Crown Prince.
Your Majesty...
Stay away from her.
You shake the very root of this country
Joseon when you shake the Queen.
Then I will have no choice
but to forsake you as well.
You are important to me, but
not as important as Joseon.
I just hope you are not the
one that spurred your mother.
You are my son.
I want you as my son for a lifetime.
But Father, being your son
is not such a wonderful thing...
Can we silence the deposal talk?
It's not an easy task, Your Majesty.
I wouldn't have called you
if I thought it would be easy.
I'm rather ashamed.
I always call you for the most difficult
tasks and never give you fitting reward.
But you're just going to
have to be big about this.
No, Your Majesty.
It is my honor...
I trust you understand and share
my strong belief that the eldest
son must succeed to the throne.
I am counting on you.
Did you wish to see me?
Sit down.
The air is a bit chilly in here.
It could get colder
depending on your response.
You don't have to get nervous.
I called you to give you a chance.
Where is the land that Min Muhwe and
Min Muhyul have acquired illicitly?
How could I possibly know...
I could find out on my own
if you don't wish to tell me.
But I will locate the land in
your secret holding as well.
This is your last chance, Minister Yi.
Do you wish to be a villainous
subject that manipulated
the Crown Prince for personal gain,
or will you remain a merit subject?
I've been waiting for you.
Release the uncles.
Sit down.
You can't do this to them for
trying to hurt Kyoungnyeong.
That is not all of their crimes.
Show him.
Please sit down.
Min Muhyul and his brother have
acquired thousands of acres of
land across the lower three states
illicitly in the past few years.
And to legalize their massive possession,
they manipulated you into abolishing
the land possession restriction policy.
I don't believe it.
You must believe it.
They were hiding a huge
private army there as well.
A private army?
They were trying to expand
their influence with their land
as the foundation so
they can control you more easily.
It's shocking.
I myself did not know about their
ulterior motive until very recently.
Now do you understand?
This is the truth about the men
you were trying so hard to protect.
Your uncles were not trying to serve you.
They were using you to expand
their power so they can take this
country from under you.
No, you're wrong.
Do not be quick to share
your power with others.
You mustn't grant concessions
and privileges in haste either.
If you do, others will rise who attempt
to take this country from you as well.
Uncle!
This is too dangerous for a Crown Prince.
I am your servant before I am your uncle.
If you need my loyalty,
I will be there without fail.
Uncle...!
It's a token of our loyalty.
Please do not refuse, Your Highness.
You must renounce us
and protect yourself.
What are you starring at?
You shouldn't have come.
This is not the time I can...
This is the time.
This is the time when you need me most.
The happy Crown Prince
is not mine to have...
so let me be the one you turn to
when you're in sorrow and despair.
Your Highness...
Just let me hold you for a while.
Don't say anything.
Just let me hold you.
I had a dream.
It was a dream layered
with rage after rage.
I didn't want to be a king of
a weak and subservient state.
I wanted to turn this country that
my father and grandfather founded
into a strong, powerful state
that no one can take lightly.
And my uncles are the ones that
encouraged me and gave me support.
But the world says they were using me.
That truth...
and sincerity does not exist
in the palace and politics...
I wish you hadn't been born a prince.
Do I look incompetent?
Palace doesn't agree with you.
If I were born an ordinary
man instead of a prince,
at least I would not be
such a bastard to you.
Don't you think?
Perhaps...
Perhaps then I would be wiping your
tears away with my heart wide open...
Your Highness! Your Highness!
There's big trouble!
Why are you coming to me with this?
You have to intervene or Gyeongsung
Province might be lost all together!
Clear these cannons immediately.
Don't you see the enemy
troops behind me?
If you install your cannons
here, you're declaring war.
Don't you see that?
I have orders to stabilize the border.
And orders are what
soldiers live and die for.
Clear them at once or I'll set your
precious gun powder on fire.
Are you afraid of combat?
Are you afraid of the enemy?
I am more afraid of you.
War-crazy freaks with no
knowledge about the field situation
who just want to kill the enemy
with no concern for how many
friendlies and civilians die in the
process I'm more afraid of you.
A certain amount of casualties are
to be tolerated in the quest to
recapture our lost territory.
A man should risk his
life for the right cause.
Dangerous notion to involve the people in
a fight with little or no chance of wining.
Who will assume responsibility for
the countless lives that will be lost?
I don't think they can resolve
this one on their own.
So?
Your Highness.
Do you wish to be stripped
of your uniform right now?
You don't have the authority.
How about me?
Do I have the authority?
I will remove Commander Choi's uniform.
I'm surprised, Chief Gang.
But under one condition.
You cannot install the cannons here
until Commander Choi is removed.
But...
It's only until a new garrison commander
is dispatched to replace him.
You can't accept the terms?
Commander, would you
take care of them for now?
Why are you riding tonight?
Are you bothered by Commander Choi?
Step aside.
Meet Commander Choi for me.
There's nothing I can
do for the commander.
It's not for him, it's for me.
He really bothers me.
Like a brute without reason, he just
goes for whatever he thinks is right
with no concern for the danger he is in.
He just keeps going forward
and never looks back
like you used to years ago.
And it really bothers me.
I'm afraid his hope might
eventually rub off on me
and I will want to help
him like a crazy fool,
and I'm afraid I might fall into
despair and end up just like you.
Are you really all right?
Are you sure you can waste your life
way like this and not regret it later?
I'm going to the Royal Inspector's Office.
You're going through so much, uncles...
There is something I must know.
Is it true that you tried
to take Joseon from me?
Your Highness!
Were you pretending to be loyal to me so
you could take the throne from me later?
That is preposterous.
We have never once
harbored such thoughts.
You must believe us.
It is the truth.
Then why weren't you open
with me from the start?
I could have given you
anything you wanted...
Your Highness...!
Is your command for me to
assume your duties still valid?
I never said I would rescind the order.
Then may I conduct the inquiry
tomorrow since it is neither
foreign nor military affair?
Permit me to try the two uncles myself.
Begin.
Prisoners Min Muhyul and
Min Muhwe, in the year 1395,
you conspired and attempted to
murder Prince Kyoungnyeong.
Is this correct?
It was to protect the Royal House.
We should be praised, not punished.
Just answer the questions you're asked.
What's more, you acquire thousands
of acres of land across the three lower
states and built a massive
private army in secrecy.
A private army?
That's absurd!
Were you plotting treason?
You were planning to overthrow the
regime with your private army and
seize the throne after the
Crown Prince's ascension.
Never!
This is a conspiracy!
Must you be tortured
to confess the truth?
Your Highness, this is wrong.
We never...
What are you waiting for?
Torture the prisoners until they talk!
Wait!
That won't be necessary,
Minister Park.
Your Highness...
I believe their innocence.
Your Highness...
Do not fight me.
I believe your innocence, my uncles.
Your Highness...
But regretfully they do not.
So you will have to prove your
innocence in front of them.
Take your own lives.
Your Highness!
Take your own lives and prove your
innocence and your loyalty to all.
employed you to kill Kyoungnyeong?
No, Your Majesty...
The person that gave me the order...
The person that gave me the order...
... was the Queen.
You are laughing?
How can you laugh?
Would you rather
I begged for mercy in tears?
Why did you do it?
Why did you try to murder
Kyoungnyeong and his mother?
I don't know.
Why do you think?
If it were now...
If I had known you back than
for the heartless man you are...
how you can betray someone's
trust a hundred different
times without blinking an eye,
I would not have done
something so stupid.
But I was much too young.
So I believed you when you said
you would be faithful to me
for eternity because I am your
wife and your only partner.
My rage was as deep as my trust for you.
You threw away everything we had
so you can have my servant girl,
and I could not handle the rage!
That does not make
everyone turn to murder.
- Do you expect...
- My only regret is...
that I didn't succeed.
Do you think you can be forgiven?
I don't intend to seek your forgiveness.
You must've been quite angry about
getting thrown out of the palace.
Is this revenge?
You should've chosen a different method.
Is this your best shot?
Hiding behind your mother's skirt?
Watch your words, Crown Prince.
I'm talking to Kyoungnyeong.
What are you trying to
accomplish by digging up
what happened over a decade ago?
Crime is a crime whether
it's decades or centuries old.
So?
What are you after?
I was merely after the truth.
Are you sure you weren't trying
to destroy my supporters?
You should've challenged
me directly instead.
You'd never win, but I would've
praised you for the courage.
How could a powerless man like me
possibly challenge you, Your Highness?
Cocky bastard.
I don't want to fight you,
but I am getting curious.
Failing to protect those closest to him
is a sovereign's greatest dishonor.
I'll pay close attention and watch how
you defend your honor in the days ahead.
You should pay more attention to
keeping your head attached to your neck.
You're messing with the wrong man.
You are no match for me.
Perhaps you were a bit bold
with the Crown Prince.
A bit bold?
I was very bold.
What if he gets through this
unscathed and ascends to the throne?
I fueled his rage so he will not
get through this unscathed.
Just watch, Mother.
I'm just getting started with this fight.
Find out where they
are holding my uncles.
Yes, Your Highness.
I must see the Crown Prince!
The prisoner will remain quiet.
How dare you speak to me in that tone!
Don't you know who I am?
Let it go, my lord.
He is just a junior official
who does not know better.
Open it.
What?
Open up the cell and release Lord Min.
I received no such order.
What are you starring at!
I said open up the cell!
Yes, sir...
My regrets for the trouble, sire.
I will take you from here.
You can't do this.
It's a special order
from the Crown Prince.
So if you have a problem,
go take it up with him.
Crown Prince released Min Muhyul?
Without interrogation?
That's right.
Is that why you called us back
to the palace at this hour?
My superiors and the Department
of Punishment won't do anything.
What do you want them to do?
Stop the Crown Prince.
He was arrested by the
Kings command, right?
Then the only one that can put
him back in a cell is the King.
So don't waste your energy.
Then what is our purpose here?
What's the point of us being here if
we can't even stand up to a prince
who is trashing the law?
I'm here to earn my drinking money.
You, too, should find a
reason you can live with.
You wish to return to your cell?
I didn't ask to see you so
we could be released.
I asked to see you to make a
request concerning the Queen.
Uncle!
Renounce me and protect the Queen.
Tell the King that
our excessive loyalty is the cause of
all this and the Queen is innocent.
I will go back to the cell as well.
Let us take the fall for attempted
murder on Kyoungnyeong.
But why?
This is the last service
we can do for you.
If the Queen is indicted,
she will be deposed,
and if she is deposed, you
will lose your legitimacy.
Even if you safely rise to the throne,
the stigma of being a son of the
deposed queen will follow you for life
constantly threatening your position.
You must renounce us
and protect yourself.
Would you take us back?
Wait.
I thought I told you.
I will never turn my back on
those who swore loyalty to me.
And I said I would keep that
promise at the cost of my own life.
But Your Highness...
Believe in me, Uncle.
I will not lose you to Kyoungnyeong
and Hobin's dirty games.
Your Highness...
He released the prisoners that were
arrested under royal command?
It is regretful, Your Majesty...
Why is that regretful?
They were released because
they should be released.
They're criminals of high treason who tried
o murder members of the royal house.
Then I suppose you must depose the
Queen and execute my uncles, Father.
I will decide what to do with them.
So don't fight me on this.
If I intended to fight you,
I would've already killed Hyobin and
Kyoungnyeong with my own sword.
What did you say?
Your Highness, perhaps we
can return another day...
Would you give Hyobin a warning for me?
Tell her she shouldn't play games with
me just because she's got your heart
in her skirt, and tell her to keep her
hands off the Queen and my loyal men.
Or I will have no choice
but to unsheathe my sword.
Your Majesty...
His Majesty's rage against the
Crown Prince will pierce the sky?
It appeared so.
Very well. You may go now.
The King just might renounce
the Crown Prince at this rate...
What would happen to
you if that happens?
What... do you mean?
We all know that you've been
staying close to the Min clan
and lining yourself up with the
Crown Prince to secure your future.
Lining up?
I'm just...
Cut off whatever ties you can.
Or your future could
be gravely threatened.
What is the meaning of this?
Go back and apologize to the King,
and stay out of the Queen
and the Min clan's business.
You really should stop lecturing
me and ordering me around.
Your Highness...
I am your master.
It's not your place to tell me what to do.
If you're going to the conference
hall to discuss this with the others
be sure to tell them this;
Anyone that attempts to hurt the Queen
and my uncles will get hurt as well.
The Crown Prince is rushing about
trying to protect me and his uncles?
So don't worry, Mother.
How could I pay my good
son back for his devotion?
Is the Crown Prince in his right mind?
How could he defend the Queen and his
uncles after the crime they committed?
They tried to kill a royal descendant.
It's a crime punishable only by deposal.
Deposal?
Depose the Queen over a matter that
concerns an illegitimate prince?
Prince Kyoungnyeong may have been
born of Royal Concubine Hyobin,
but he is the Queen's son.
So this is a crime of all crimes in which
a mother has tried to kill her own son.
If this was not the Royal House,
she would be executed by
the adapted Laws of the Great Ming.
So it is only fitting that
the Queen be deposed.
Watch your tongue.
If the Queen is deposed,
the Crown Prince's right
to the throne will be seriously questioned.
He will lose his legitimacy regardless of
the Queen's crimes if his
reckless behavior continues.
Minister Yu!
Bloodline is not the only thing that
determines a king's legitimacy.
He who attempts to undermine
the dignity of the law to protect
the people closest to
him is not fit to be a king.
You were polishing your sword.
It's very well polished...
I have one request to make.
Would you...
strike me with this sword?
Mother!
Strike the mother that
failed to teach his son well.
What do you mean?
If you can't strike me, don't
fight the King on this matter.
But the King will desert you.
No, I am deserting the King
and this seat of the Queen.
So do nothing for me.
- But...
- I know.
I know how much you care about me.
And your loving kindness will
be treasured inside my heart.
Mother...
So don't forget what I said.
You must not fall out of King's favor
or lose the retainer's trust
over petty emotions.
You must take care of yourself
and wait for your time.
And when you rise to the
throne and become the King,
share the love and kindness you're
showing me today with your people.
Would you do that for me?
Promise me that
you will give me the joy of watching
you become a benevolent King.
There must've been good days...
I'm sure not everyday of my life
in the palace has been filled
with anxiety and disgust...
After all, I'm talking about
over ten years of time.
Why can't I remember?
Why can't I remember one good day
that I freely laughed out loud?
Your Highness...
Yi Sun.
Yes, Your Grace.
Have the tailors send
over a commoner's dress.
Your Highness...
Is there no other way?
It is the only way to protect
the Crown Prince and my brothers.
Your Highness...
My elderly mother back home
has already lost two sons in
the name of high treason.
I can't let death take anymore
of her children from her.
I will not be able to live
with myself if I do.
What Is the meaning of this?
I didn't expect you to
see me off personally.
Go back to your chambers.
I do not wish to lose you.
Let us forego empty formalities.
I know you don't mean that.
As a man, as a husband, I don't
want you here for another day.
But not as the King of Joseon.
If you fall, the Crown Prince's
future will be jeopardized.
nd the future of Joseon
will be jeopardized as well.
So go back to your chambers
and put your silk dress back on.
And act like a Queen with your
fake smile as you always have.
What are you going to do?
If you don't cast me off, then...
What I do next is not your concern.
No, you can't do that.
Leave my brothers alone!
If you defend your brothers any further,
the Crown Prince will lose his position.
Is that what you want?
Take the queen back to her chambers!
Forgive me, Your Grace...
Let go!
Let go of me!
Let go!
Let go of me!
Let go!
Let go!
- Your Majesty.
- Leave.
I will not listen to your grumbling today.
Grumbling?
Are you calling my request to punish the
person that tried to kill my son grumbling?
She will be pay for what she's done.
How when she's sitting comfortably
in the Queen's palace?
Then will you pay instead?
Your Majesty...
How about for defaming
the Queen to promote
your own son's future and putting
the Crown Prince in a predicament?
You are so cruel...
Leave before I say something worse.
Since the day I gave my heart to you,
I gave the Queen no attention.
I never gave my heart
to her again, not once.
I am leaving the Queen alone
as last courtesy to a woman
who gave birth to the Crown Prince.
Your Majesty...
Stay away from her.
You shake the very root of this country
Joseon when you shake the Queen.
Then I will have no choice
but to forsake you as well.
You are important to me, but
not as important as Joseon.
I just hope you are not the
one that spurred your mother.
You are my son.
I want you as my son for a lifetime.
But Father, being your son
is not such a wonderful thing...
Can we silence the deposal talk?
It's not an easy task, Your Majesty.
I wouldn't have called you
if I thought it would be easy.
I'm rather ashamed.
I always call you for the most difficult
tasks and never give you fitting reward.
But you're just going to
have to be big about this.
No, Your Majesty.
It is my honor...
I trust you understand and share
my strong belief that the eldest
son must succeed to the throne.
I am counting on you.
Did you wish to see me?
Sit down.
The air is a bit chilly in here.
It could get colder
depending on your response.
You don't have to get nervous.
I called you to give you a chance.
Where is the land that Min Muhwe and
Min Muhyul have acquired illicitly?
How could I possibly know...
I could find out on my own
if you don't wish to tell me.
But I will locate the land in
your secret holding as well.
This is your last chance, Minister Yi.
Do you wish to be a villainous
subject that manipulated
the Crown Prince for personal gain,
or will you remain a merit subject?
I've been waiting for you.
Release the uncles.
Sit down.
You can't do this to them for
trying to hurt Kyoungnyeong.
That is not all of their crimes.
Show him.
Please sit down.
Min Muhyul and his brother have
acquired thousands of acres of
land across the lower three states
illicitly in the past few years.
And to legalize their massive possession,
they manipulated you into abolishing
the land possession restriction policy.
I don't believe it.
You must believe it.
They were hiding a huge
private army there as well.
A private army?
They were trying to expand
their influence with their land
as the foundation so
they can control you more easily.
It's shocking.
I myself did not know about their
ulterior motive until very recently.
Now do you understand?
This is the truth about the men
you were trying so hard to protect.
Your uncles were not trying to serve you.
They were using you to expand
their power so they can take this
country from under you.
No, you're wrong.
Do not be quick to share
your power with others.
You mustn't grant concessions
and privileges in haste either.
If you do, others will rise who attempt
to take this country from you as well.
Uncle!
This is too dangerous for a Crown Prince.
I am your servant before I am your uncle.
If you need my loyalty,
I will be there without fail.
Uncle...!
It's a token of our loyalty.
Please do not refuse, Your Highness.
You must renounce us
and protect yourself.
What are you starring at?
You shouldn't have come.
This is not the time I can...
This is the time.
This is the time when you need me most.
The happy Crown Prince
is not mine to have...
so let me be the one you turn to
when you're in sorrow and despair.
Your Highness...
Just let me hold you for a while.
Don't say anything.
Just let me hold you.
I had a dream.
It was a dream layered
with rage after rage.
I didn't want to be a king of
a weak and subservient state.
I wanted to turn this country that
my father and grandfather founded
into a strong, powerful state
that no one can take lightly.
And my uncles are the ones that
encouraged me and gave me support.
But the world says they were using me.
That truth...
and sincerity does not exist
in the palace and politics...
I wish you hadn't been born a prince.
Do I look incompetent?
Palace doesn't agree with you.
If I were born an ordinary
man instead of a prince,
at least I would not be
such a bastard to you.
Don't you think?
Perhaps...
Perhaps then I would be wiping your
tears away with my heart wide open...
Your Highness! Your Highness!
There's big trouble!
Why are you coming to me with this?
You have to intervene or Gyeongsung
Province might be lost all together!
Clear these cannons immediately.
Don't you see the enemy
troops behind me?
If you install your cannons
here, you're declaring war.
Don't you see that?
I have orders to stabilize the border.
And orders are what
soldiers live and die for.
Clear them at once or I'll set your
precious gun powder on fire.
Are you afraid of combat?
Are you afraid of the enemy?
I am more afraid of you.
War-crazy freaks with no
knowledge about the field situation
who just want to kill the enemy
with no concern for how many
friendlies and civilians die in the
process I'm more afraid of you.
A certain amount of casualties are
to be tolerated in the quest to
recapture our lost territory.
A man should risk his
life for the right cause.
Dangerous notion to involve the people in
a fight with little or no chance of wining.
Who will assume responsibility for
the countless lives that will be lost?
I don't think they can resolve
this one on their own.
So?
Your Highness.
Do you wish to be stripped
of your uniform right now?
You don't have the authority.
How about me?
Do I have the authority?
I will remove Commander Choi's uniform.
I'm surprised, Chief Gang.
But under one condition.
You cannot install the cannons here
until Commander Choi is removed.
But...
It's only until a new garrison commander
is dispatched to replace him.
You can't accept the terms?
Commander, would you
take care of them for now?
Why are you riding tonight?
Are you bothered by Commander Choi?
Step aside.
Meet Commander Choi for me.
There's nothing I can
do for the commander.
It's not for him, it's for me.
He really bothers me.
Like a brute without reason, he just
goes for whatever he thinks is right
with no concern for the danger he is in.
He just keeps going forward
and never looks back
like you used to years ago.
And it really bothers me.
I'm afraid his hope might
eventually rub off on me
and I will want to help
him like a crazy fool,
and I'm afraid I might fall into
despair and end up just like you.
Are you really all right?
Are you sure you can waste your life
way like this and not regret it later?
I'm going to the Royal Inspector's Office.
You're going through so much, uncles...
There is something I must know.
Is it true that you tried
to take Joseon from me?
Your Highness!
Were you pretending to be loyal to me so
you could take the throne from me later?
That is preposterous.
We have never once
harbored such thoughts.
You must believe us.
It is the truth.
Then why weren't you open
with me from the start?
I could have given you
anything you wanted...
Your Highness...!
Is your command for me to
assume your duties still valid?
I never said I would rescind the order.
Then may I conduct the inquiry
tomorrow since it is neither
foreign nor military affair?
Permit me to try the two uncles myself.
Begin.
Prisoners Min Muhyul and
Min Muhwe, in the year 1395,
you conspired and attempted to
murder Prince Kyoungnyeong.
Is this correct?
It was to protect the Royal House.
We should be praised, not punished.
Just answer the questions you're asked.
What's more, you acquire thousands
of acres of land across the three lower
states and built a massive
private army in secrecy.
A private army?
That's absurd!
Were you plotting treason?
You were planning to overthrow the
regime with your private army and
seize the throne after the
Crown Prince's ascension.
Never!
This is a conspiracy!
Must you be tortured
to confess the truth?
Your Highness, this is wrong.
We never...
What are you waiting for?
Torture the prisoners until they talk!
Wait!
That won't be necessary,
Minister Park.
Your Highness...
I believe their innocence.
Your Highness...
Do not fight me.
I believe your innocence, my uncles.
Your Highness...
But regretfully they do not.
So you will have to prove your
innocence in front of them.
Take your own lives.
Your Highness!
Take your own lives and prove your
innocence and your loyalty to all.