Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 48 - Episode #1.48 - full transcript
Attack! Destroy the enemy!
June 29, 1419,
1st year of Sejong's reign...
A Joseonese regiment led by Left Army
Commander Park Sil was on the verge
of total destruction after a forceful
attack of Japanese pirates.
They had to have heard the explosions.
We must retreat!
Retreat! Retreat!
Attack!
The enemy was quickly suppressed
owing to Right Army Commander
Yi Sunmong's quick response,
but it was a tragic incident that left
over 180 Joseonese soldiers dead.
Atten-hut!
Bow!
June 30, 1419 So Sadamori's camp, Kaneta
Munetoshi and Kurmju
have been taken prisoner?
We must attack the enemy camp at once!
We must take So Sadamori's head
and wipe out the Japanese pirates!
Calm down!
Calm down?
We lost almost 200 men!
We have more than the
enemy to blame for that.
What are you trying to say?
Are you blaming me for losing my men?
I'll kill you first!
I'm saying we should not
act on emotional impulse.
Silence!
Do you call avenging your men's
death emotional impulse?
If a revenge battle could bring our men
back, I would go out there right now.
- But...
- It won't bring them back.
I cannot allow you to carry on an
emotional revenge battle, General.
Secretary Yun, what brings you here?
His Majesty sent me.
You sent an emissary to Tsushima?
Yes.
Why?
A negotiation?
With Lord of Tsushima So Sadamori?
That's right, General.
What for when this war is as good as won?
All that's left to do here is to wipe
out the Japanese and put up our flag.
His Majesty has a different idea.
Withdraw?
If Tsushima has been conquered, you
must assume authority of the territory.
Order must be established
to rule its people.
It is the lord of Tsushima's
job to rule Tsushima.
What... are you saying?
Joseon will not take possession
of Tsushima Island.
You will discard the fruit
of this military campaign?
The objective of this campaign
was in stopping their aggression,
not in subjugation or occupation.
The best way to stop their aggression
is by subjugation and occupation.
I want to find a third solution that is
neither subjugation nor occupation.
It's been a while.
This is not how I expected us
to meet again.
Don't mock me. Just kill me.
Didn't I tell you once before?
The King of Joseon is a merciful man.
I'm going to let you live.
What is your motive?
This is a letter personally
written by the King.
Take it to your master So Sadamori.
This is your last chance to save
Tsushima, so you must obey.
It's a letter from the Joseon King, my lord.
An order to surrender, no doubt.
He is indeed advising us to surrender.
Don't play word games with me, Munetoshi.
A surrender is a surrender
whether it is an advice or an order.
My lord...
There will be no surrender.
We will not live under
their rule as their slaves.
The King of Joseon
does not wish to rule Tsushima.
What he wants is amity, my lord.
Amity?
You wish to make peace
with the Japanese pirates?
I do not see them as crude pirates.
I intend to acknowledge their
right to political autonomy.
That's why they went as far as to
involve mainland Japan to fight us.
The Royal court has deployed over 20.000
troops to Tsushima for this conquest.
If the come back empty-handed.
they would have achieved nothing.
All policies require tangible
achievement, my King.
Who and what would this
tangible achievement be for?
Secretary Yi.
What is all this?
Real facts and data that compels me
to give up this annexation, Father.
We cannot give up annexation.
If we can't annex an island half the
size of Jaejudo with 20.000 soldiers,
there will be a downpour
of public disapproval.
It won't last more than a month.
But if our troops have to be stationed
in Tsushima for a extended period of
time for this annexation, we might
have to deal with a civil insurrection.
A civil insurrection?
Let's begin.
Our biggest problem is lack of manpower.
It's been a full year since the troops
were levied for this campaign.
Asan, Yongwang, Haenam...
Our major salt fields are already
seeing visible reduction in production.
The same is true of agriculture.
Not only have 1/3 of our public
farmlands been left unattended,
but the fall harvest will be affected
if the troops do not return soon.
which will lead to shortage in tax revenue.
But we need to increase our tax revenue.
20.000 soldiers consume 500 sacks of rice
in a single month and 6.ooo sacks in a year.
That means a considerable amount of
our tax revenue will have be spent
just to keep the occupation troops alive.
What's more, July and August is
typhoon season on the southern coast.
If we can't launch the supply
ship during that time,
the occupation force could be forced to
go without food for up to a month,
which will create another
chorus of disapproval.
The burden on the people is too heavy
to trade with the tangible achievement.
Most importantly, if we have the means
to put Tsushima under our
influence through diplomacy,
isn't it our moral obligation as a
stronger nation to choose that route?
Father, you must pull out the troops.
You're good, Minister Park.
Who knew you'd be so quick in turning
the Hall of Worthies into advance guards
that will threaten the former King?
I won't waste my time talking to
you about the greater purpose.
You' re a born fighter.
Now that even senior statesmen
are on the young King's side,
the former King has a tough battle ahead.
You're not a bad fighter
yourself, so I'm sure
I won't have to worry
about the former King.
He has to be made the winner
here at least on the surface.
He is the one that started this
conquest, so victory must be his.
To prevent any further friction
between the two Kings, that is.
Is that the new King's wish?
I'll let you answer that question yourself.
I appreciate your invaluable advice.
You must have known.
I don't understand...
You must have known that the Hall
of Worthies and Park Eun were
gathering information
to stop the annexation.
Did you not?
Yes, I knew, Your Eminence.
Why didn't you tell me?
Must I report non-military
matters to you as well?
Diplomatic relations and public welfare
is the new King's responsibility.
You called it military affairs
when I summoned the Tsushima
emissary and declared war.
And now you call
sending our envoy and acquiring
their surrender diplomatic relations?
How convenient.
Do you still wish annexation?
Call the troops back, Your Eminence.
You must call them back now to take credit
for both military and diplomatic success.
What if I insist on annexation and
refuse to call the troops back?
You will face fierce opposition from
the retainers as well as the public.
I beg you to spare me the pain
of committing such disobedience.
I'm lucky to have a man
like you beside me.
Indeed you are a faithful servant.
Do you think they would've done
this to me if I were the King?
Your Eminence...
If I had told them that
I really wanted Tsushima,
that I wanted to expand my territory if
only by a yard while I am on the throne,
do you think they would have
stood up to me like they are now
arguing about reality and public burden?
Your Eminence...
Jo Malseng, that bastard...
That was not a recommendation;
that was an order.
Even he has turned against me
to be the new King's faithful dog.
I am certain he did not
mean it in such a way.
How I miss my father,
the departed Taejo tonight...
I'm told the former King is issuing
an order to bring the troops home.
I guess this round goes to the new King!
It's going to be an exciting match to watch.
Right, Minister Meng?
What's so exciting?
You think it's fun to watch a son
knocking his father around?
Sir...
I underestimated the young King.
It seems like just days ago he was
sitting around at the Hall of Worthies
muttering pure, idealistic jargon,
but in less than a year he has
learned to suppress his political
rival without lifting a finger.
Politics... It's an ugly animal...
Everyone says this is your
victory, Your Majesty.
Aren't you happy?
My father once told me that kings
have to give up their decency
the moment they rise to the throne.
I didn't know until today that included
having to fight your own father
for political supremacy.
No, I am not happy
about beating my father.
But I am not unhappy about protecting the
people and protecting my political stance.
Now we wait for the enemy
to accept my proposal.
Lord of Tsushima So Sadamori,
we rule different lands but I trust our
desire to protect our people is a like.
Amity is the only way to protect the
people, so do not reject my offer.
Do you think Lord So will surrender?
How am I supposed to know?
Keep your hands moving.
Let's see...
You'll need lots of wax paper to keep
the moisture out of the gunpowder.
Moisture, sir?
The rainy season is half month
sooner here than it is in Ming.
Be prepared for it.
May I ask what that is, sir?
A new prognostication method?
They're Arabic numerals.
I find it easier to calculate using them.
Wow, I'm amazed!
Not only do you know
Joseonese language but
Arabic numerals as well!
It's because I'm a wacko.
Huh?
Wac...
Oh, that day, I...
I was going to apologize
t you about that.
I guess my curiosity
is good for something.
If I hadn't learned Joseonese when I did,
I would have had to thank the man who
saved my life in a language
he doesn't understand.
Thank you for saving my life and
for showing me new technology.
Did you wish to see me?
Will these men continue
to respect me as the lord of Tsushima...
follow my leadership?
My lord!
I, Lord So Sadamori of Tsushima...
... surrender to Joseon.
We salute your decision.
Joseon and Tsushima are now brothers!
Expedition to Tsushima Island that
began on the 20th day of June, 1419
ended with So Sadamori's surrender on
the 3rd day of July of the same year.
The biggest significance of this
expedition is evidenced in Sejong's
subsequent actions where the conquest
army did not become occupation forces,
and Tsushima did not
become Joseon's colony.
He raised Tsushima's diplomatic
prestige by making it
a portal for all Japanese wishing to
enter the Royal court of Joseon
and offered ongoing economic support
by opening the three ports of Busanpo,
Yeompo and Jaepo in 1426 and
granting trading privileges.
The fact that Tsushima was kept under
Joseon's influence with diplomacy alone
is no doubt the biggest significance
in this piece of history.
What is that thing?
They call it a waterwheel.
I've never seen anything like it!
We won't have to worry
about water anymore.
We can water the crops in dry season!
Summer, 1420, 2nd year of Sejong's reign
Hall of Worthies
Do you think this is your living room?
And look at your disheveled uniform!
No one can be perfect all the time.
Oh dear, I'm going to
have to punish all of you.
How many times must I tell you not
to get up to greet me when you're
focused on your work?
We can't do that, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Proper manners and tidy appearance
is essential for scholars.
You're teaching your
pupils well, Minister Park.
They're becoming nitpickers
just like you.
In Scholar Choi's case
the pupil exceeds his master.
Have we heard back from
the Bureau of Astronomy?
What is the weather
going to be like this year?
The observer is in the clay
room deciphering the stars,
so we will know soon.
Clay Room, Bureau of Astronomy
What is the result?
How does it look this year?
Another dry year?
Yes, Your Majesty.
This means we have to devote more
effort to water conservation.
We have Gim Jongsuh assessing
the reservoirs across the country,
so let us wait for the result.
Hasn't he returned yet?
Being the meticulous man that he is,
I wouldn't expect him back so soon.
Your job is to maintain the reservoir!
I will tighten these men up.
Perhaps you should rest your
wary legs from the long trip.
Do you wish to lose your job?
I will take care of my wary legs,
so shape up your men and get
the reservoir back in order.
You could've been easier on them.
This was actually the best
maintained reservoirs we've seen.
I was unsympatethic with the best,
so the rest will do what they
have to do if they want to live.
You're a shrewd man, Inspector Gim.
I have no choice with the limited
resources we have to work with.
You could've been softer still.
Royal Assessors loss of public
favor could bring harm to the King.
If water conservation
works fail and crops fail,
greater harm would be
brought to the King.
Assessors have been dispatched,
but they are simply assessing
the current situation.
More aggressive measures are necessary.
By aggressive measures you mean...
Mass production and distribution
of the waterwheels.
That would require a huge budget.
If we were to send only one waterwheel
per prefecture, that's 39 for Choonchung,
34 for Gyeongsang and 39 for Jeolla,
so we would need to produce
over one hundred units.
There's the labor issue as well.
The time for the dry season, we would
need to start production immediately.
How about conscription?
Unlike reservoir construction,
this is highly technical work.
We would need skilled labor.
If labor is the problem,
we might be able to find a solution.
Right, Secretary Yun?
Type Casting Foundry
Good grief!
How many books do you think
we can print with this junk?
Wax doesn't hold the
types in place very well.
What do you think you're
getting paid to do here?
You're getting paid to
solve these problems!
I'm stuck here doing this kind of work
because of incompetent men like you!
Was that meant for me to hear?
It is true that I'm not right
for this job, Your Majesty.
I think no one is better for this job.
You can tell the weight of arrow points
just by holding them in your hand.
It's that meticulousness you
have that I held in high regard,
and type making requires that
precision and meticulousness.
But Your Majesty...
If this work is getting boring for you,
how would you like to try
something else for a while?
Something... else?
It's been redesigned
to draw up more water.
What do you think?
Does this work agree with you?
It's... a little better.
Well then, I'll leave you to it.
Are you blind?
What do you use your eyes for?
This space is uneven!
Give me that.
Boy, it's going to be pretty
noisy here for a while.
You're the busiest man in the
Conference Hall these days.
The Hall of Worthies is running the state,
so we have nothing to do.
We are only reviewing realistic
solutions to overcome the drought.
His Majesty is focused only on
water conservation neglecting
other important matters of the state.
Imbalance is not a good thing,
Left Minister.
But it's better than allowing
the Royal house
to be inundated by public grief because
we failed to conquer the drought.
We do all the work and someone
else gets all the reward...
We are the ones that risked our lives
at war and defeated the Japanese.
But instead of putting us
to valuable service,
he is running the state with young scholars
who sat around the palace pushing pencils.
Once we get through this drought,
it will really be a matter of time
before the former King becomes
a paper tiger, Minister Jo.
You must not push yourself,
Your Eminence.
- If you're not careful...
- I heard you.
I heard you.
You may leave.
Please do not ignore my request
this time, Your Eminence.
You must leave state
affairs behind and rest.
How long do I have left?
This stays between you and me.
You haven't been going
around blathering, have you?
Of course not.
We got some ice from the ice storehouse,
so I had them prepare some cold tea.
Escort Han.
Yes, Your Grace.
Are you taking care of the Queen?
Why does she look so unwell?
Mother...
I am just fine, so please...
I'm not concerned about
your physical health.
Pay special attention so she can learn
to keep a smile on her face at all times.
She must always look poised confident
even when she is in excruciating pain
inside so that the others
will learn to fear her.
Is His Eminence inside?
I saw the physician.
Eminence, what does the physician say?
Are you afraid I'm going to die?
Your Eminence.
Don't worry.
It was just a routine examination.
Is that the truth?
I will outlive you, my dear.
I will die only after I've laid
you to rest, so don't worry.
Oh, Your Eminence...
Wow!
What's this?
They are from the Queen.
She sent them to encourage the scholars
who are working hard day and night.
These are the Queen's words?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Are you angry because
this an unscheduled visit?
You must consider the Royall consort
who is waiting to serve you tonight.
I wanted to thank you.
Thank you for caring about the scholars
of Hall of Worthies, my Queen.
Hall of Worthies?
What do you mean?
You must be behind this!
Madam...
Why?
Why would you aggravate
the Royal couple's relationship
by telling a lie that would
be exposed right away?
I thought this might bring the
two of them closer together...
Do not meddle in superiors'
personal affairs again!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
What is it?
The flash flood is consuming
our farms and fields!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
The rivers are overflowing
and villages under water,
and embankments are collapsing
taking human lives.
What are we to do?
June 29, 1419,
1st year of Sejong's reign...
A Joseonese regiment led by Left Army
Commander Park Sil was on the verge
of total destruction after a forceful
attack of Japanese pirates.
They had to have heard the explosions.
We must retreat!
Retreat! Retreat!
Attack!
The enemy was quickly suppressed
owing to Right Army Commander
Yi Sunmong's quick response,
but it was a tragic incident that left
over 180 Joseonese soldiers dead.
Atten-hut!
Bow!
June 30, 1419 So Sadamori's camp, Kaneta
Munetoshi and Kurmju
have been taken prisoner?
We must attack the enemy camp at once!
We must take So Sadamori's head
and wipe out the Japanese pirates!
Calm down!
Calm down?
We lost almost 200 men!
We have more than the
enemy to blame for that.
What are you trying to say?
Are you blaming me for losing my men?
I'll kill you first!
I'm saying we should not
act on emotional impulse.
Silence!
Do you call avenging your men's
death emotional impulse?
If a revenge battle could bring our men
back, I would go out there right now.
- But...
- It won't bring them back.
I cannot allow you to carry on an
emotional revenge battle, General.
Secretary Yun, what brings you here?
His Majesty sent me.
You sent an emissary to Tsushima?
Yes.
Why?
A negotiation?
With Lord of Tsushima So Sadamori?
That's right, General.
What for when this war is as good as won?
All that's left to do here is to wipe
out the Japanese and put up our flag.
His Majesty has a different idea.
Withdraw?
If Tsushima has been conquered, you
must assume authority of the territory.
Order must be established
to rule its people.
It is the lord of Tsushima's
job to rule Tsushima.
What... are you saying?
Joseon will not take possession
of Tsushima Island.
You will discard the fruit
of this military campaign?
The objective of this campaign
was in stopping their aggression,
not in subjugation or occupation.
The best way to stop their aggression
is by subjugation and occupation.
I want to find a third solution that is
neither subjugation nor occupation.
It's been a while.
This is not how I expected us
to meet again.
Don't mock me. Just kill me.
Didn't I tell you once before?
The King of Joseon is a merciful man.
I'm going to let you live.
What is your motive?
This is a letter personally
written by the King.
Take it to your master So Sadamori.
This is your last chance to save
Tsushima, so you must obey.
It's a letter from the Joseon King, my lord.
An order to surrender, no doubt.
He is indeed advising us to surrender.
Don't play word games with me, Munetoshi.
A surrender is a surrender
whether it is an advice or an order.
My lord...
There will be no surrender.
We will not live under
their rule as their slaves.
The King of Joseon
does not wish to rule Tsushima.
What he wants is amity, my lord.
Amity?
You wish to make peace
with the Japanese pirates?
I do not see them as crude pirates.
I intend to acknowledge their
right to political autonomy.
That's why they went as far as to
involve mainland Japan to fight us.
The Royal court has deployed over 20.000
troops to Tsushima for this conquest.
If the come back empty-handed.
they would have achieved nothing.
All policies require tangible
achievement, my King.
Who and what would this
tangible achievement be for?
Secretary Yi.
What is all this?
Real facts and data that compels me
to give up this annexation, Father.
We cannot give up annexation.
If we can't annex an island half the
size of Jaejudo with 20.000 soldiers,
there will be a downpour
of public disapproval.
It won't last more than a month.
But if our troops have to be stationed
in Tsushima for a extended period of
time for this annexation, we might
have to deal with a civil insurrection.
A civil insurrection?
Let's begin.
Our biggest problem is lack of manpower.
It's been a full year since the troops
were levied for this campaign.
Asan, Yongwang, Haenam...
Our major salt fields are already
seeing visible reduction in production.
The same is true of agriculture.
Not only have 1/3 of our public
farmlands been left unattended,
but the fall harvest will be affected
if the troops do not return soon.
which will lead to shortage in tax revenue.
But we need to increase our tax revenue.
20.000 soldiers consume 500 sacks of rice
in a single month and 6.ooo sacks in a year.
That means a considerable amount of
our tax revenue will have be spent
just to keep the occupation troops alive.
What's more, July and August is
typhoon season on the southern coast.
If we can't launch the supply
ship during that time,
the occupation force could be forced to
go without food for up to a month,
which will create another
chorus of disapproval.
The burden on the people is too heavy
to trade with the tangible achievement.
Most importantly, if we have the means
to put Tsushima under our
influence through diplomacy,
isn't it our moral obligation as a
stronger nation to choose that route?
Father, you must pull out the troops.
You're good, Minister Park.
Who knew you'd be so quick in turning
the Hall of Worthies into advance guards
that will threaten the former King?
I won't waste my time talking to
you about the greater purpose.
You' re a born fighter.
Now that even senior statesmen
are on the young King's side,
the former King has a tough battle ahead.
You're not a bad fighter
yourself, so I'm sure
I won't have to worry
about the former King.
He has to be made the winner
here at least on the surface.
He is the one that started this
conquest, so victory must be his.
To prevent any further friction
between the two Kings, that is.
Is that the new King's wish?
I'll let you answer that question yourself.
I appreciate your invaluable advice.
You must have known.
I don't understand...
You must have known that the Hall
of Worthies and Park Eun were
gathering information
to stop the annexation.
Did you not?
Yes, I knew, Your Eminence.
Why didn't you tell me?
Must I report non-military
matters to you as well?
Diplomatic relations and public welfare
is the new King's responsibility.
You called it military affairs
when I summoned the Tsushima
emissary and declared war.
And now you call
sending our envoy and acquiring
their surrender diplomatic relations?
How convenient.
Do you still wish annexation?
Call the troops back, Your Eminence.
You must call them back now to take credit
for both military and diplomatic success.
What if I insist on annexation and
refuse to call the troops back?
You will face fierce opposition from
the retainers as well as the public.
I beg you to spare me the pain
of committing such disobedience.
I'm lucky to have a man
like you beside me.
Indeed you are a faithful servant.
Do you think they would've done
this to me if I were the King?
Your Eminence...
If I had told them that
I really wanted Tsushima,
that I wanted to expand my territory if
only by a yard while I am on the throne,
do you think they would have
stood up to me like they are now
arguing about reality and public burden?
Your Eminence...
Jo Malseng, that bastard...
That was not a recommendation;
that was an order.
Even he has turned against me
to be the new King's faithful dog.
I am certain he did not
mean it in such a way.
How I miss my father,
the departed Taejo tonight...
I'm told the former King is issuing
an order to bring the troops home.
I guess this round goes to the new King!
It's going to be an exciting match to watch.
Right, Minister Meng?
What's so exciting?
You think it's fun to watch a son
knocking his father around?
Sir...
I underestimated the young King.
It seems like just days ago he was
sitting around at the Hall of Worthies
muttering pure, idealistic jargon,
but in less than a year he has
learned to suppress his political
rival without lifting a finger.
Politics... It's an ugly animal...
Everyone says this is your
victory, Your Majesty.
Aren't you happy?
My father once told me that kings
have to give up their decency
the moment they rise to the throne.
I didn't know until today that included
having to fight your own father
for political supremacy.
No, I am not happy
about beating my father.
But I am not unhappy about protecting the
people and protecting my political stance.
Now we wait for the enemy
to accept my proposal.
Lord of Tsushima So Sadamori,
we rule different lands but I trust our
desire to protect our people is a like.
Amity is the only way to protect the
people, so do not reject my offer.
Do you think Lord So will surrender?
How am I supposed to know?
Keep your hands moving.
Let's see...
You'll need lots of wax paper to keep
the moisture out of the gunpowder.
Moisture, sir?
The rainy season is half month
sooner here than it is in Ming.
Be prepared for it.
May I ask what that is, sir?
A new prognostication method?
They're Arabic numerals.
I find it easier to calculate using them.
Wow, I'm amazed!
Not only do you know
Joseonese language but
Arabic numerals as well!
It's because I'm a wacko.
Huh?
Wac...
Oh, that day, I...
I was going to apologize
t you about that.
I guess my curiosity
is good for something.
If I hadn't learned Joseonese when I did,
I would have had to thank the man who
saved my life in a language
he doesn't understand.
Thank you for saving my life and
for showing me new technology.
Did you wish to see me?
Will these men continue
to respect me as the lord of Tsushima...
follow my leadership?
My lord!
I, Lord So Sadamori of Tsushima...
... surrender to Joseon.
We salute your decision.
Joseon and Tsushima are now brothers!
Expedition to Tsushima Island that
began on the 20th day of June, 1419
ended with So Sadamori's surrender on
the 3rd day of July of the same year.
The biggest significance of this
expedition is evidenced in Sejong's
subsequent actions where the conquest
army did not become occupation forces,
and Tsushima did not
become Joseon's colony.
He raised Tsushima's diplomatic
prestige by making it
a portal for all Japanese wishing to
enter the Royal court of Joseon
and offered ongoing economic support
by opening the three ports of Busanpo,
Yeompo and Jaepo in 1426 and
granting trading privileges.
The fact that Tsushima was kept under
Joseon's influence with diplomacy alone
is no doubt the biggest significance
in this piece of history.
What is that thing?
They call it a waterwheel.
I've never seen anything like it!
We won't have to worry
about water anymore.
We can water the crops in dry season!
Summer, 1420, 2nd year of Sejong's reign
Hall of Worthies
Do you think this is your living room?
And look at your disheveled uniform!
No one can be perfect all the time.
Oh dear, I'm going to
have to punish all of you.
How many times must I tell you not
to get up to greet me when you're
focused on your work?
We can't do that, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Proper manners and tidy appearance
is essential for scholars.
You're teaching your
pupils well, Minister Park.
They're becoming nitpickers
just like you.
In Scholar Choi's case
the pupil exceeds his master.
Have we heard back from
the Bureau of Astronomy?
What is the weather
going to be like this year?
The observer is in the clay
room deciphering the stars,
so we will know soon.
Clay Room, Bureau of Astronomy
What is the result?
How does it look this year?
Another dry year?
Yes, Your Majesty.
This means we have to devote more
effort to water conservation.
We have Gim Jongsuh assessing
the reservoirs across the country,
so let us wait for the result.
Hasn't he returned yet?
Being the meticulous man that he is,
I wouldn't expect him back so soon.
Your job is to maintain the reservoir!
I will tighten these men up.
Perhaps you should rest your
wary legs from the long trip.
Do you wish to lose your job?
I will take care of my wary legs,
so shape up your men and get
the reservoir back in order.
You could've been easier on them.
This was actually the best
maintained reservoirs we've seen.
I was unsympatethic with the best,
so the rest will do what they
have to do if they want to live.
You're a shrewd man, Inspector Gim.
I have no choice with the limited
resources we have to work with.
You could've been softer still.
Royal Assessors loss of public
favor could bring harm to the King.
If water conservation
works fail and crops fail,
greater harm would be
brought to the King.
Assessors have been dispatched,
but they are simply assessing
the current situation.
More aggressive measures are necessary.
By aggressive measures you mean...
Mass production and distribution
of the waterwheels.
That would require a huge budget.
If we were to send only one waterwheel
per prefecture, that's 39 for Choonchung,
34 for Gyeongsang and 39 for Jeolla,
so we would need to produce
over one hundred units.
There's the labor issue as well.
The time for the dry season, we would
need to start production immediately.
How about conscription?
Unlike reservoir construction,
this is highly technical work.
We would need skilled labor.
If labor is the problem,
we might be able to find a solution.
Right, Secretary Yun?
Type Casting Foundry
Good grief!
How many books do you think
we can print with this junk?
Wax doesn't hold the
types in place very well.
What do you think you're
getting paid to do here?
You're getting paid to
solve these problems!
I'm stuck here doing this kind of work
because of incompetent men like you!
Was that meant for me to hear?
It is true that I'm not right
for this job, Your Majesty.
I think no one is better for this job.
You can tell the weight of arrow points
just by holding them in your hand.
It's that meticulousness you
have that I held in high regard,
and type making requires that
precision and meticulousness.
But Your Majesty...
If this work is getting boring for you,
how would you like to try
something else for a while?
Something... else?
It's been redesigned
to draw up more water.
What do you think?
Does this work agree with you?
It's... a little better.
Well then, I'll leave you to it.
Are you blind?
What do you use your eyes for?
This space is uneven!
Give me that.
Boy, it's going to be pretty
noisy here for a while.
You're the busiest man in the
Conference Hall these days.
The Hall of Worthies is running the state,
so we have nothing to do.
We are only reviewing realistic
solutions to overcome the drought.
His Majesty is focused only on
water conservation neglecting
other important matters of the state.
Imbalance is not a good thing,
Left Minister.
But it's better than allowing
the Royal house
to be inundated by public grief because
we failed to conquer the drought.
We do all the work and someone
else gets all the reward...
We are the ones that risked our lives
at war and defeated the Japanese.
But instead of putting us
to valuable service,
he is running the state with young scholars
who sat around the palace pushing pencils.
Once we get through this drought,
it will really be a matter of time
before the former King becomes
a paper tiger, Minister Jo.
You must not push yourself,
Your Eminence.
- If you're not careful...
- I heard you.
I heard you.
You may leave.
Please do not ignore my request
this time, Your Eminence.
You must leave state
affairs behind and rest.
How long do I have left?
This stays between you and me.
You haven't been going
around blathering, have you?
Of course not.
We got some ice from the ice storehouse,
so I had them prepare some cold tea.
Escort Han.
Yes, Your Grace.
Are you taking care of the Queen?
Why does she look so unwell?
Mother...
I am just fine, so please...
I'm not concerned about
your physical health.
Pay special attention so she can learn
to keep a smile on her face at all times.
She must always look poised confident
even when she is in excruciating pain
inside so that the others
will learn to fear her.
Is His Eminence inside?
I saw the physician.
Eminence, what does the physician say?
Are you afraid I'm going to die?
Your Eminence.
Don't worry.
It was just a routine examination.
Is that the truth?
I will outlive you, my dear.
I will die only after I've laid
you to rest, so don't worry.
Oh, Your Eminence...
Wow!
What's this?
They are from the Queen.
She sent them to encourage the scholars
who are working hard day and night.
These are the Queen's words?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Are you angry because
this an unscheduled visit?
You must consider the Royall consort
who is waiting to serve you tonight.
I wanted to thank you.
Thank you for caring about the scholars
of Hall of Worthies, my Queen.
Hall of Worthies?
What do you mean?
You must be behind this!
Madam...
Why?
Why would you aggravate
the Royal couple's relationship
by telling a lie that would
be exposed right away?
I thought this might bring the
two of them closer together...
Do not meddle in superiors'
personal affairs again!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
What is it?
The flash flood is consuming
our farms and fields!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
The rivers are overflowing
and villages under water,
and embankments are collapsing
taking human lives.
What are we to do?