Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 49 - Episode #1.49 - full transcript
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
What is it?
A flash flood is consuming
our farms and fields!
Your Majesty
Your Majesty!
Rivers are overflowing
and villages under water,
and embankments are
collapsing taking human lives!
What are we to do?
Soongshinbang, Gwangtongbang and
towns along the rivulet are under water?
Is that the damage assessment?
Yes.
Heavy rain is continuing,
so the situation will get worse.
What's our plan? We need a plan to
bring the situation under control.
The plan is already in action, Your Majesty.
You can't even predict the weather
correctly and you're a prognosticator?
All indications pointed
to a severe drought!
Fool!
What are you waiting for?
Continue the flogging!
Dismiss the prognosticator?
Chief of the Bureau of Astronomy must
be dismissed as well, Your Majesty.
Flood victim numbers are rising,
and you're talking about dismissal
of government officials first?
Punishment of those accountable for the
disaster is the priority of the Royal court.
Can we control this situation by
punishing the prognosticator?
A convulsion of nature is Heaven's rage.
He who enraged the gods must
acknowledge his wrongdoings
and seek forgiveness.
"He who enraged the gods"?
Who might that be?
Are you... referring to me?
Heaven would never punish
the people in such a way
unless the King has not lost his virtue.
It's raining hard.
I thought you had retired for the night.
The downpour was so
violent I could not sleep.
It is a big storm.
Lots of people will suffer...
Heaven is so cruel.
Why is he testing the young King this
way from the beginning of his reign?
You must perform a sacrificial rite
and seek forgiveness of Heaven.
Misfortune will continue unless
you acknowledge your lack of virtue
and soothe Heaven's rage.
That is my recommendation as well.
Your Majesty must go to the temple
and perform a sacrificial rite.
- Minister Meng.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
What is your opinion?
Do you believe holding a sacrificial
rite is the quickest way to save the
people from this disaster as well?
Yes, I do.
You must calm Heaven's rage.
What will Heaven do for
me if I seek forgiveness?
Will the destroyed homes be undestroyed?
Your Majesty.
Or will the missing be found and
will the dead come back alive?
You're being a bit dramatic, Your Majesty.
If not, will it at least restore the
destroyed farms and fields?
If Heaven cannot do any of that which
is my job, I will not turn to Heaven.
Stop punishing the agents
of the Bureau of Astronomy.
I will use them in the disaster
damage restoration efforts.
As well, I will use expense and
labor that would be wasted on a
sacrificial rite in the restoration effort.
Do you believe the people will trust and
follow the king that defies the Heaven?
They're more inclined to support a
King who works hard to protect them
rather than turning to
the gods to save them.
Don't you think you are
being overly idealistic?
It is your job to turn my
idealistic ideas into reality.
Your Majesty.
Round up every single available
official and begin restoration efforts.
This is not a request.
This is an order from your King!
I heard you.
I heard you, so be on your way.
We need to talk.
It's green tea.
My mother used to serve it to my father
when summer heat would exhaust him.
Now you're treating me like
a useless old man as well.
You look noticeably wan after
just one night without sleep.
You're not the young man you used to be.
You're worried for nothing.
You've put me through enough already.
Are you going to make me waste my last
years taking care of a sick husband?
It wont hurt you to give in once.
Why don't you call the King and
give him a word of encouragement?
Word of encouragement?
Why do you think he is
being so stubborn and
defiant refusing to hold a sacrificial rite?
The King is indeed responsible for
his kingdom, but the retainers are
blaming him everything including
an unavoidable natural disaster.
And that makes him feel angry and alone.
So you want me to summon
and counsel him?
Your Majesty...
You're the one who wants me to turn
everything over to the new King.
Have you forgotten?
Doe is our son before he is the King.
So call him over and...
The King can never be our son again.
He is the father of the people now.
The escorts will see you to the
Imperial Chambers, Your Majesty.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You need rest.
No, I'm going to the Hall of Worthies.
Hall of Worthies...
I'm eager to see what great work
it will do now, Minister Park.
What do you mean by that?
The King is convinced he can get though
this crisis without turning to the gods
because of his infinite confidence
in the Hall of Worthies.
He must surely have the ability to
stop this treacherous rain instantly.
Are you being serious?
If that's not the case, he shouldn't
alienate the high ministers and
practice this closed-door
politics with the scholars.
Closed-door politics?
Choose your words carefully.
The scholars merely reviewed the
viability of the policies he wishes
to pursue and drew up the details.
So what good are the countless
waterwheels you made
by doing that in our current situation?
I advised repeatedly against
political imbalance.
The young scholars don't know any better,
but you are a veteran politician.
How could you blindly go along with this?
If the scholars fail to come up with
a plan to control this situation,
the Hall of Worthies will be the first
to be blamed for its poor counsel which
caused the King's loss of virtue
and ultimately anger the gods.
They're pointing the finger
at the Hall of Worthies?
This is completely unreasonable!
We only followed the King's
orders and reviewed the policies.
How could we be responsible for this?
Are we going to die?
There is no doubt.
I should've never signed up for this.
My baby Sookju is just starting to walk.
I'm never going to see him grow up...
Would you men stop this?
We have to find a way to get
through this instead of
wasting time arguing.
What way?
Inspector Gim.
First this rain has to stop in
order for us to start working.
Can you stop the rain?
I'm saying we should find what
can be done within human power.
Holding a sacrificial rite
is the best and
most important thing that's
humanly possible right now.
A King is to humbly kneel before the
fury of Heaven.
Why is he refusing to do this?
Frankly, I'm disappointed
with his arrogance.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Don't try to comfort me, Secretary Yi.
You're no longer a 13
year-old prince's teacher,
but the 4th King of
Joseon's royal retainer.
Your Majesty...
Your job is not to comfort me
but to advise me how I might
get through this crisis.
Don't follow me!
Is there no one who will
hold an umbrella for you
among so many servants in the palace?
I don't deserve to have anyone
hold up an umbrella for me, Mother.
Be prepared to get a whipping from me
if you neglect to take care of
yourself this way again.
Care for the body you're in.
So you can be a good father to the
people who serve you as their King.
Are you upset that she beat you to it?
No, I was just...
That certainly is not a familiar sight.
I've served the Queen Mother for
over twenty years,
but I have never seen her so
gentle and warm toward the King.
I guess she's getting old as well...
Are you in love with the King?
I can't fault you.
Ladies of the court are to serve the
King and the King only from the
moment they enter the palace whether
or not they receive Royal grace.
I can't fault you for how you feel.
But...
Forget about it.
His Majesty is much too great and exalted
for a lowborn girl like you to be near.
Waterwheel Production Yard
Stop.
That's enough, kid.
Stop wasting your time and
go back to the Bureau of Weaponry.
They're not reparable.
Even if they were, we have no use for them.
I can't do that.
I have to fix them.
I'm going to fix them
like they're brand new so
we can use them when we need to.
Don't stop him.
He'll never listen.
You know how hard he worked on
developing these waterwheels.
Your Highness!
This country does not need these hands.
I will cut them off and be rid off them!
I will put your talent to valuable service.
I will absolve you from
all of your crimes
and give you a job at the
Bureau of Weaponry.
What would happen if we fired every
cannon we have toward the sky?
Your Highness...
Is there no weapon that
will make the sky rain?
I didn't dare aspire to become
the hands that this country needs.
I just wanted to be the hands
that ease your worries.
What are you doing out here?
Were you here all night?
Fool!
Your Majesty...
That's why I like you.
Do you think it is arrogance?
Do you think His Majesty is refusing
to turn to hold a sacrificial rite because
he thinks he is above the gods?
If not, what is the reason?
Judging by your answer, I guess His
Majesty has indeed been practicing
closed-door politics and inner-circle
politics like the high ministers say.
Sir!
Weren't we working toward a same goal?
From the director to the junior clerk,
didn't everyone in this room think of
the Hall of Worthies as a delivery room
for change that will bring
positive changes to Joseon?
Then before you start doubting the King
and thinking about your own welfare,
you should be thinking about finding
a solution for the problem at hand.
You have to be able to think deeper
than the King sometimes and bring
solutions and ideas forward
before it becomes an issue.
Only then this hall will be a hall of
true worthies instead of a backroom where
the inner-circle gathers to curry
favors with the young King.
Are you angry like I am?
This is your blood and your sweat.
From the day you got back
from the battlefield,
you worked on these waterwheels
day and night for a full year.
Your Majesty...
Youngsil, I...
I'm angry with the gods.
I'm mad as hell with the shameless gods
for turning your proud
efforts into a waste of time,
for ignoring the hard work of the
scholars and the assessors, and most of
all for hitting us without warning and
taking precious lives of my people.
I don't want to beg.
I don't want to kneel before
such indifferent gods.
Your Majesty...
I want to fight the gods.
Make me a powerful weapon
so I could fight the gods and win.
The rain has stopped and King is pouring
his heart into the relief efforts,
but public outcry has not subsided.
Of course not.
You took my rice!
Get in line!
Please!
Get them out of here!
Relief work to everyone's satisfaction?
That's impossible.
Bureau of Public Welfare
An infectious disease is rampant?
It looks as though we will run
out of reserved medicine soon.
But the sick do not seem to be
showing much improvement.
I fear the death toll will begin
to rise even higher very soon.
I think we should've
performed a sacrificial rite.
Are you saying this wouldn't be
happening if I knelt before the gods?
No one knows that.
But now they will blame what is happening
on you refusal to hold a sacrificial rite.
The King is pushed up against a wall.
And soon there is to an eclipse of the sun.
An eclipse is the moon obscuring
the sun; it does not happen unless
Heaven doubts the King's virtue.
Even the wisest and
most benevolent Kings become subject
of scrutiny when an eclipse occurs.
I wonder what will happen to
our young King after this.
What will happen?
The public could very well rise up
and seek to serve a different King.
A different King?
Please rest now.
That's all right.
Please, Your Highness.
This tea isn't very good.
We may not even have
this the next time you visit.
Why are you here doing this?
Are you going to become a monk?
If we can comfort the public and
overcome this national crisis
by seeking Buddha's help,
wouldn't that be a good thing?
But this country rejects Buddhism
and revere Confucianism.
That's only policy.
Many still serve Buddha in their hearts.
Even the nobles and government
officials make generous offerings.
Government officials?
Take them inside.
Sixth state councilor Byun Gaeryang!
I'm surprised that such a recognized
Confucian scholar is a disciple of Buddha.
This is true sentiment of the public.
I believe their devotion to Buddha
will bring relief to the people and
help heal the wounds of the flood.
Wouldn't that be good I
for the King as well?
Prince Hyoryeong has declared
himself a disciple of Buddha?
And people are flocking to the
temple he has made a home?
We had better find a way to
stop him before the eclipse.
Popular support could shift instantly
from the King to the Prince.
Then there will be another battle
for the throne in the Royal house
regardless of the King
and the Princes desire.
I will not hurt my older brother.
Public will doubt
the King's capacity
with the eclipse alone.
I've already approved
a sweeping amnesty
in preparation.
Your Majesty...
What's more, I will take great pains
to hold a proper eclipse ceremony.
Amnesty and eclipse ceremony
may not be enough.
As I have said, inadequate flood relief
is causing another public outcry.
Can I silence that public outcry
by betraying my brother's trust?
The people will not follow a virtueless
King who has transgressed moral laws.
But Your Majesty.
If you have time for this, look for
talented physicians across the country.
I believe the best way to preserve
public favor is by finding a way to
control this epidemic and saving
as many lives as we can.
Did you just say you will not go
after Prince Hyoryeong just yet?
That's right.
Do you believe Hyoryeong
should be Joseon's new King?
Hyoryeong doesn't have what
it takes to lead a country.
Then?
Let us first see the direction of the
public sentiment after the eclipse.
If we strike Hyoryeong at the right time,
it might become very
easy to tame the young King.
Don't you think so?
Are you certain it's going
to be at half hour past noon.
We checked the algorithms of the
Shoushi and Datong systems a
hundred times and came up with
the time, so it should be accurate.
None of this "should" stuff.
We can't afford any mistakes.
If this prediction is wrong,
His Majesty becomes an inferior King
who can't decipher the will of Heaven.
Then the people will rise up like a swarm of
bees and say that Heaven has forsaken him.
You know that as well as I.
We did everything humanly possible.
If nothing else, our devotion should
be enough to turn the Heaven around.
Tomorrow is the eclipse...
I trust that the King isn't taking
the eclipse ceremony lightly.
No, Your Eminence.
He has been eating humble meals,
lodging in a thatched-roof hut, and
sharing the public's pain since the flood
long before the eclipse was predicted.
A report from
the Bureau of Astronomy, Your Majesty.
The eclipse is to take place
at 12:30 tomorrow afternoon.
They are certain the predicted time is
accurate, so do not be overly concerned.
How could I not be concerned?
Your Majesty...
I wish the time would stand still
and tomorrow will never come...
Will the Heaven reject me
once again before my people?
I am afraid...
Isn't it funny?
I said with such confidence
that I would fight the gods,
but here I am hiding,
trembling in fear...
The Queen must devote her
heart and soul for the eclipse.
Not only must your heart and body be pure
but your mind must be
free of worldly thoughts.
The mother of the state must be
earnest for the state to be safe
from harm despite the eclipse.
Hear ye!
The solar eclipse will take place
today at half hour past noon!
His Majesty the King will welcome
the eclipse with his prayer
as well all city halls across the eight states!
Solar eclipse...
Half hour past noon!
The eclipse is coming!
Atten-hut!
The eclipse will soon begin.
Your Majesty must remain
reverent and restraint.
Here we go.
Is this the eclipse?
Was the prediction inaccurate?
That's not possible.
The eclipse should have begun by now!
Was the prediction inaccurate?
Madam, what is happening?
Where is the moon?
Isn't it supposed to cover the sun?
He's oblivious about divine will!
He's just not fit to be King.
Will Heaven forsake the King?
Then another great calamity
may consume the kingdom...
Your Majesty, give me death!
How could this be your fault?
Heaven is enraged once again.
Why else would it punish the King's
lack of virtue in such merciless way?
Do you disagree, Your Majesty?
It is time now that all royal
subjects clear the court yard.
Your Majesty...!
Give us death, Your Majesty!
Give us death!
- Give us death, Your Majesty!
- Give us death!
Your Majesty!
What is it?
A flash flood is consuming
our farms and fields!
Your Majesty
Your Majesty!
Rivers are overflowing
and villages under water,
and embankments are
collapsing taking human lives!
What are we to do?
Soongshinbang, Gwangtongbang and
towns along the rivulet are under water?
Is that the damage assessment?
Yes.
Heavy rain is continuing,
so the situation will get worse.
What's our plan? We need a plan to
bring the situation under control.
The plan is already in action, Your Majesty.
You can't even predict the weather
correctly and you're a prognosticator?
All indications pointed
to a severe drought!
Fool!
What are you waiting for?
Continue the flogging!
Dismiss the prognosticator?
Chief of the Bureau of Astronomy must
be dismissed as well, Your Majesty.
Flood victim numbers are rising,
and you're talking about dismissal
of government officials first?
Punishment of those accountable for the
disaster is the priority of the Royal court.
Can we control this situation by
punishing the prognosticator?
A convulsion of nature is Heaven's rage.
He who enraged the gods must
acknowledge his wrongdoings
and seek forgiveness.
"He who enraged the gods"?
Who might that be?
Are you... referring to me?
Heaven would never punish
the people in such a way
unless the King has not lost his virtue.
It's raining hard.
I thought you had retired for the night.
The downpour was so
violent I could not sleep.
It is a big storm.
Lots of people will suffer...
Heaven is so cruel.
Why is he testing the young King this
way from the beginning of his reign?
You must perform a sacrificial rite
and seek forgiveness of Heaven.
Misfortune will continue unless
you acknowledge your lack of virtue
and soothe Heaven's rage.
That is my recommendation as well.
Your Majesty must go to the temple
and perform a sacrificial rite.
- Minister Meng.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
What is your opinion?
Do you believe holding a sacrificial
rite is the quickest way to save the
people from this disaster as well?
Yes, I do.
You must calm Heaven's rage.
What will Heaven do for
me if I seek forgiveness?
Will the destroyed homes be undestroyed?
Your Majesty.
Or will the missing be found and
will the dead come back alive?
You're being a bit dramatic, Your Majesty.
If not, will it at least restore the
destroyed farms and fields?
If Heaven cannot do any of that which
is my job, I will not turn to Heaven.
Stop punishing the agents
of the Bureau of Astronomy.
I will use them in the disaster
damage restoration efforts.
As well, I will use expense and
labor that would be wasted on a
sacrificial rite in the restoration effort.
Do you believe the people will trust and
follow the king that defies the Heaven?
They're more inclined to support a
King who works hard to protect them
rather than turning to
the gods to save them.
Don't you think you are
being overly idealistic?
It is your job to turn my
idealistic ideas into reality.
Your Majesty.
Round up every single available
official and begin restoration efforts.
This is not a request.
This is an order from your King!
I heard you.
I heard you, so be on your way.
We need to talk.
It's green tea.
My mother used to serve it to my father
when summer heat would exhaust him.
Now you're treating me like
a useless old man as well.
You look noticeably wan after
just one night without sleep.
You're not the young man you used to be.
You're worried for nothing.
You've put me through enough already.
Are you going to make me waste my last
years taking care of a sick husband?
It wont hurt you to give in once.
Why don't you call the King and
give him a word of encouragement?
Word of encouragement?
Why do you think he is
being so stubborn and
defiant refusing to hold a sacrificial rite?
The King is indeed responsible for
his kingdom, but the retainers are
blaming him everything including
an unavoidable natural disaster.
And that makes him feel angry and alone.
So you want me to summon
and counsel him?
Your Majesty...
You're the one who wants me to turn
everything over to the new King.
Have you forgotten?
Doe is our son before he is the King.
So call him over and...
The King can never be our son again.
He is the father of the people now.
The escorts will see you to the
Imperial Chambers, Your Majesty.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You need rest.
No, I'm going to the Hall of Worthies.
Hall of Worthies...
I'm eager to see what great work
it will do now, Minister Park.
What do you mean by that?
The King is convinced he can get though
this crisis without turning to the gods
because of his infinite confidence
in the Hall of Worthies.
He must surely have the ability to
stop this treacherous rain instantly.
Are you being serious?
If that's not the case, he shouldn't
alienate the high ministers and
practice this closed-door
politics with the scholars.
Closed-door politics?
Choose your words carefully.
The scholars merely reviewed the
viability of the policies he wishes
to pursue and drew up the details.
So what good are the countless
waterwheels you made
by doing that in our current situation?
I advised repeatedly against
political imbalance.
The young scholars don't know any better,
but you are a veteran politician.
How could you blindly go along with this?
If the scholars fail to come up with
a plan to control this situation,
the Hall of Worthies will be the first
to be blamed for its poor counsel which
caused the King's loss of virtue
and ultimately anger the gods.
They're pointing the finger
at the Hall of Worthies?
This is completely unreasonable!
We only followed the King's
orders and reviewed the policies.
How could we be responsible for this?
Are we going to die?
There is no doubt.
I should've never signed up for this.
My baby Sookju is just starting to walk.
I'm never going to see him grow up...
Would you men stop this?
We have to find a way to get
through this instead of
wasting time arguing.
What way?
Inspector Gim.
First this rain has to stop in
order for us to start working.
Can you stop the rain?
I'm saying we should find what
can be done within human power.
Holding a sacrificial rite
is the best and
most important thing that's
humanly possible right now.
A King is to humbly kneel before the
fury of Heaven.
Why is he refusing to do this?
Frankly, I'm disappointed
with his arrogance.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Don't try to comfort me, Secretary Yi.
You're no longer a 13
year-old prince's teacher,
but the 4th King of
Joseon's royal retainer.
Your Majesty...
Your job is not to comfort me
but to advise me how I might
get through this crisis.
Don't follow me!
Is there no one who will
hold an umbrella for you
among so many servants in the palace?
I don't deserve to have anyone
hold up an umbrella for me, Mother.
Be prepared to get a whipping from me
if you neglect to take care of
yourself this way again.
Care for the body you're in.
So you can be a good father to the
people who serve you as their King.
Are you upset that she beat you to it?
No, I was just...
That certainly is not a familiar sight.
I've served the Queen Mother for
over twenty years,
but I have never seen her so
gentle and warm toward the King.
I guess she's getting old as well...
Are you in love with the King?
I can't fault you.
Ladies of the court are to serve the
King and the King only from the
moment they enter the palace whether
or not they receive Royal grace.
I can't fault you for how you feel.
But...
Forget about it.
His Majesty is much too great and exalted
for a lowborn girl like you to be near.
Waterwheel Production Yard
Stop.
That's enough, kid.
Stop wasting your time and
go back to the Bureau of Weaponry.
They're not reparable.
Even if they were, we have no use for them.
I can't do that.
I have to fix them.
I'm going to fix them
like they're brand new so
we can use them when we need to.
Don't stop him.
He'll never listen.
You know how hard he worked on
developing these waterwheels.
Your Highness!
This country does not need these hands.
I will cut them off and be rid off them!
I will put your talent to valuable service.
I will absolve you from
all of your crimes
and give you a job at the
Bureau of Weaponry.
What would happen if we fired every
cannon we have toward the sky?
Your Highness...
Is there no weapon that
will make the sky rain?
I didn't dare aspire to become
the hands that this country needs.
I just wanted to be the hands
that ease your worries.
What are you doing out here?
Were you here all night?
Fool!
Your Majesty...
That's why I like you.
Do you think it is arrogance?
Do you think His Majesty is refusing
to turn to hold a sacrificial rite because
he thinks he is above the gods?
If not, what is the reason?
Judging by your answer, I guess His
Majesty has indeed been practicing
closed-door politics and inner-circle
politics like the high ministers say.
Sir!
Weren't we working toward a same goal?
From the director to the junior clerk,
didn't everyone in this room think of
the Hall of Worthies as a delivery room
for change that will bring
positive changes to Joseon?
Then before you start doubting the King
and thinking about your own welfare,
you should be thinking about finding
a solution for the problem at hand.
You have to be able to think deeper
than the King sometimes and bring
solutions and ideas forward
before it becomes an issue.
Only then this hall will be a hall of
true worthies instead of a backroom where
the inner-circle gathers to curry
favors with the young King.
Are you angry like I am?
This is your blood and your sweat.
From the day you got back
from the battlefield,
you worked on these waterwheels
day and night for a full year.
Your Majesty...
Youngsil, I...
I'm angry with the gods.
I'm mad as hell with the shameless gods
for turning your proud
efforts into a waste of time,
for ignoring the hard work of the
scholars and the assessors, and most of
all for hitting us without warning and
taking precious lives of my people.
I don't want to beg.
I don't want to kneel before
such indifferent gods.
Your Majesty...
I want to fight the gods.
Make me a powerful weapon
so I could fight the gods and win.
The rain has stopped and King is pouring
his heart into the relief efforts,
but public outcry has not subsided.
Of course not.
You took my rice!
Get in line!
Please!
Get them out of here!
Relief work to everyone's satisfaction?
That's impossible.
Bureau of Public Welfare
An infectious disease is rampant?
It looks as though we will run
out of reserved medicine soon.
But the sick do not seem to be
showing much improvement.
I fear the death toll will begin
to rise even higher very soon.
I think we should've
performed a sacrificial rite.
Are you saying this wouldn't be
happening if I knelt before the gods?
No one knows that.
But now they will blame what is happening
on you refusal to hold a sacrificial rite.
The King is pushed up against a wall.
And soon there is to an eclipse of the sun.
An eclipse is the moon obscuring
the sun; it does not happen unless
Heaven doubts the King's virtue.
Even the wisest and
most benevolent Kings become subject
of scrutiny when an eclipse occurs.
I wonder what will happen to
our young King after this.
What will happen?
The public could very well rise up
and seek to serve a different King.
A different King?
Please rest now.
That's all right.
Please, Your Highness.
This tea isn't very good.
We may not even have
this the next time you visit.
Why are you here doing this?
Are you going to become a monk?
If we can comfort the public and
overcome this national crisis
by seeking Buddha's help,
wouldn't that be a good thing?
But this country rejects Buddhism
and revere Confucianism.
That's only policy.
Many still serve Buddha in their hearts.
Even the nobles and government
officials make generous offerings.
Government officials?
Take them inside.
Sixth state councilor Byun Gaeryang!
I'm surprised that such a recognized
Confucian scholar is a disciple of Buddha.
This is true sentiment of the public.
I believe their devotion to Buddha
will bring relief to the people and
help heal the wounds of the flood.
Wouldn't that be good I
for the King as well?
Prince Hyoryeong has declared
himself a disciple of Buddha?
And people are flocking to the
temple he has made a home?
We had better find a way to
stop him before the eclipse.
Popular support could shift instantly
from the King to the Prince.
Then there will be another battle
for the throne in the Royal house
regardless of the King
and the Princes desire.
I will not hurt my older brother.
Public will doubt
the King's capacity
with the eclipse alone.
I've already approved
a sweeping amnesty
in preparation.
Your Majesty...
What's more, I will take great pains
to hold a proper eclipse ceremony.
Amnesty and eclipse ceremony
may not be enough.
As I have said, inadequate flood relief
is causing another public outcry.
Can I silence that public outcry
by betraying my brother's trust?
The people will not follow a virtueless
King who has transgressed moral laws.
But Your Majesty.
If you have time for this, look for
talented physicians across the country.
I believe the best way to preserve
public favor is by finding a way to
control this epidemic and saving
as many lives as we can.
Did you just say you will not go
after Prince Hyoryeong just yet?
That's right.
Do you believe Hyoryeong
should be Joseon's new King?
Hyoryeong doesn't have what
it takes to lead a country.
Then?
Let us first see the direction of the
public sentiment after the eclipse.
If we strike Hyoryeong at the right time,
it might become very
easy to tame the young King.
Don't you think so?
Are you certain it's going
to be at half hour past noon.
We checked the algorithms of the
Shoushi and Datong systems a
hundred times and came up with
the time, so it should be accurate.
None of this "should" stuff.
We can't afford any mistakes.
If this prediction is wrong,
His Majesty becomes an inferior King
who can't decipher the will of Heaven.
Then the people will rise up like a swarm of
bees and say that Heaven has forsaken him.
You know that as well as I.
We did everything humanly possible.
If nothing else, our devotion should
be enough to turn the Heaven around.
Tomorrow is the eclipse...
I trust that the King isn't taking
the eclipse ceremony lightly.
No, Your Eminence.
He has been eating humble meals,
lodging in a thatched-roof hut, and
sharing the public's pain since the flood
long before the eclipse was predicted.
A report from
the Bureau of Astronomy, Your Majesty.
The eclipse is to take place
at 12:30 tomorrow afternoon.
They are certain the predicted time is
accurate, so do not be overly concerned.
How could I not be concerned?
Your Majesty...
I wish the time would stand still
and tomorrow will never come...
Will the Heaven reject me
once again before my people?
I am afraid...
Isn't it funny?
I said with such confidence
that I would fight the gods,
but here I am hiding,
trembling in fear...
The Queen must devote her
heart and soul for the eclipse.
Not only must your heart and body be pure
but your mind must be
free of worldly thoughts.
The mother of the state must be
earnest for the state to be safe
from harm despite the eclipse.
Hear ye!
The solar eclipse will take place
today at half hour past noon!
His Majesty the King will welcome
the eclipse with his prayer
as well all city halls across the eight states!
Solar eclipse...
Half hour past noon!
The eclipse is coming!
Atten-hut!
The eclipse will soon begin.
Your Majesty must remain
reverent and restraint.
Here we go.
Is this the eclipse?
Was the prediction inaccurate?
That's not possible.
The eclipse should have begun by now!
Was the prediction inaccurate?
Madam, what is happening?
Where is the moon?
Isn't it supposed to cover the sun?
He's oblivious about divine will!
He's just not fit to be King.
Will Heaven forsake the King?
Then another great calamity
may consume the kingdom...
Your Majesty, give me death!
How could this be your fault?
Heaven is enraged once again.
Why else would it punish the King's
lack of virtue in such merciless way?
Do you disagree, Your Majesty?
It is time now that all royal
subjects clear the court yard.
Your Majesty...!
Give us death, Your Majesty!
Give us death!
- Give us death, Your Majesty!
- Give us death!