Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 60 - Episode #1.60 - full transcript
Please take this robe back.
A slave has no right to
wear a courtier's robe.
Father is supposed to meet me here.
I'm going to wait.
Your Majesty!
Let us not give up.
Hang in there with me.
We must prevail whatever it takes.
His Majesty? In this rain?
He appears determined to stay out
there until the ministers yield to him.
What will happen now?
This is an outrage!
Why would a King go to this
length to protect a slave?
What do you recommend we do now?
Surely you're not thinking
about urging the ministers to yield.
Isn't it senseless to paralyze
the government over this fight?
It is not us but the King
that started this fight.
Yield?
Never.
If something should happen to the King,
the ministers will be held responsible
for putting the King's life in danger.
We couldn't let that happen.
Do you have a better solution?
Finding a solution however
difficult it may seem?
That's politics.
Go to Prince Kyoungnyeong.
Tell him that the Royal House must
come forward and stop the King.
Yes, sir.
Is Jo Malseng making his move?
From the Royals to the Hall of Worthies,
everyone supports Jo Malseng on this.
You must counteract quickly, sir.
You won't come out of
this unscathed either.
Are you all right with this?
I wouldn't have come to
you if I weren't prepared.
You're wrong, Your Majesty.
This is unheard of.
But I can't help feeling proud of you.
Your belief that a slave is still a human
being to be cherished and protected?
I'm so proud of you for having such a
beautiful heart that I couldn't stay away.
So I m going to sit right
here and get wet with you.
Why do your ministers
have to be so selfish and shameless?
I'm the one that said you should set
aside shame for your goals, Master.
Please don't call me Master, Your Majesty.
You are my master that
I serve with my heart.
Hang in there and we
will get through this.
What's wrong with Secretary
Yun and Secretary Yi?
Why are they trying to
aggravate the situation?
We don't have any other choice.
Jo Malseng is our only hope.
I guess there is my answer.
May I take that as an answer to
what we discussed the other day?
Forgive me, sir.
For what?
I disrespectfully called
you by your name...
How else would you call your enemy?
Sir...
I appreciate you turning to me.
Now you must step up and stop
the King if only for his own sake.
We cannot jeopardize the King's welfare
over something as preposterous as this.
Above all, the King's health
is the nation's problem.
We cannot paralyze the nation to
put a courtier's robe on a slave.
Remember.
It's up to you now,
the Hall of Worthies scholars,
to dissuade the King
and stop this madness.
- Master.
- Yes, Your Highness.
I'm not wrong.
A slave is not a man.
They can be bought and sold,
so they're like domestic animals.
You said so yourself.
So why do you
look so glum?
I feel ashamed.
I know I'm not wrong, but
why do I feel so ashamed?
That's because you are wrong.
We... are wrong, Your Highness.
What are you doing here?
You're not the only one
with a special pupil.
His Highness the Crown Prince
is deeply regretting his actions.
That's it.
We have to go to the Academy right now.
We have to rally the students and get
them out to Gwanghwamun right now!
I'm... against it.
Jeong Inji!
It wasn't because astronomy bores me.
And you were using your
research as an excuse, too.
You're always on top of your research no
matter how many assignments you have.
We were all making excuses.
All of us.
We weaseled out of going
to the Astronomy Agency
because we didn't want to
take orders from a slave boy.
That's?
And were fighting the King
right now for the same reason.
We don't want a slave holding
a higher position than we have.
We're angry about having to call a lowly
servant "sir", and we don't want to.
- Jeong Inji!
- That's us.
That's the true colors of the proud
and mighty Hall of Worthies.
That's our false consciousness.
False consciousness?
That's absurd!
Why do you fight a cobbler
about sticking to his last?
This shouldn't even be an issue.
We can't destroy the caste system,
and that's it.
There is no exception!
It's a small crack that
brings down the dam.
You always say that we are the
Hall of Worthies and we have to
feel pride and responsibility
at the same time, sir.
What should we do now in this situation
to be the Hall of Worthies
we pride ourselves in?
Arrogant bastard...
What were you doing here?
That was a pretty heated debate.
Are you going to the main palace?
Did you forget?
We were out there protesting against
the King this afternoon yelling that
we can't put a courtiers robe on a slave
and destroy the caste system.
I guess that means we can't
go to King.
What kind of men would we be if we
changed our minds so capriciously?
Not bad. I didn't think you'd be up for
this physical work being a desk jockey.
Is that a compliment or an insult?
Hey!
Be careful with that!
Precision is critical for
astronomical instruments.
You can't be so rough with the material.
What are you doing here, sir?
Where have you been?
You knew Youngsil left
the shop unattended and
you waited until now to get here?
I said be careful with that!
Confucian Academy
What are you doing out here?
Shouldn't you go inside
and rally the students?
Did you come to mock me?
No, I came to beat you up.
We took a lot of beatings, didn't we?
We got beat up for walking
out of the Academy...
for protesting at the Hall of Great Peace...
It was all to protect our national pride.
Wasn't it?
How do we really protect
our national pride?
Where have you two been?
You're late.
You have no room to talk, sir.
What?
How could you let His Majesty hold this?
To be honest, I still don't
know if it's a good thing
for this man to hold a post
in the government.
But I do know how much this country
needs an astronomical instrument.
I will debate this with you anytime,
Choi Manli.
You should know I never lose.
You're making me tremble.
Are you sure it's not because
you're cold and hungry?
Well, I guess all we have left to do
now is to hang in there and wait.
Don't you have any control
over your subordinates?
Now that the Hall of Worthies
have joined him,
the King will be more determined
to push this through.
Why don't we yield just this once?
Director Byun!
It will be conditional.
We will make a one time
exception for Jang Youngsil.
That is not a bad idea.
We've all acknowledged Jang Youngsil
exceptional talent, so we will
make a special exception.
An exception?
A one-time exception?
What about next time?
What if someone even more
talented than Jang comes along
and the King wants to grant him
a government post as well?
Are we going to make an
exception to the exception?
Gosh darn it!
The Hall of Worthies has joined him.
It's time to make a decision,
Your Highness.
Is this the only way?
Yes, it is.
You must rally the Royals together.
Contact Prince Yangnyeong
and Hyoryeong as well.
He will not!
How dare you attempt to get the Royal
House involved in pressuring the King?
Forgive me, but this is a matter of the state.
To interfere would be...
Silence your audacious tongue!
I may be a woman, but I have lived in
this palace for two and a half decades.
Go back to Jo Malseng
and deliver my message.
If the ministers can't do their job and
require involvement of the Royal house
they might as well turn in their
uniforms and till soil for a living.
Mother...
Send this man away now!
Do you think I was harsh?
The King is indeed making a mistake.
But it's too soon for you to get involved.
Granting a government post to a slave?
This fight will not be easily won
even if the King fights tooth and nail.
But knowing the King,
he will not give up.
That means the ministers will turn
further and further away from him.
And when the situation is at its
worst, that's the time you step in.
Mother...!
You asked me if my dream was still alive.
This is my answer.
Have you been here all night?
I envy Father, Mother.
When he's going through this torture?
But he has good men who support him,
so he will not see it as torture.
Crown Prince.
I wish I could cover your eyes.
I wish I could tell you to go back
to your chambers right now.
"Don't learn this.
Take the easier way out.
Don't put your self through
this kind of torture fighting no matter
how certain you are right.
It's okay if the country does not soar.
Just keeping it from sinking
is good enough, so..."
Mother.
But somehow I don't think you
would listen to my pleadings.
Because you are too much like your father.
If Father is here, then.
What's wrong?
Then where is Jeongso...!
Your Highness, did the princess go out
into the city unaware of this situation?
I don't know.
I don't know what happened.
Go out into the city?
What's this?
The food should be all right, right?
It's packed well, so...
Jeongso, what are you doing here?
I'm waiting for Father.
He made a promise, a pinky promise.
Let's go back.
No, I have to wait for Father.
We're going to give Grandmother
her birthday dinner.
Do I have to whip you right here?
Will you listen then?
Why is the sun out already?
Does this mean Grandmother's
birthday has passed?
Does it, Mother?
... Baby?
Baby?
Jeongso!
Jeongso!
Princess!
Jeongso!
Princess!
Honey, wake up!
- Princess!
- Baby!
Father...
Father...
Father...
Would you deliver my
message to the Queen?
That I can't go right now, and to
please take good care of Jeongso.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, if the Princess is ill...
Look in on her for a moment.
We will be here.
We're working, Secretary Yun.
Not just any work, but critical work
that will decide the country's future.
But...
Is this true?
You told him that the child is delirious
and she is calling out for him
and he refused to come?
Forgive me, Your Highness...
What brings you to my home, Minister Jo?
You left the palace amid a crisis.
It's rather irresponsible as the
head of the Supreme Council.
It's old age.
One night without rest and
I can barely stand.
But I hope your mind is firm on this.
Why don't we bend on this issue?
Whatever do you mean?
Don't you feel sorry for the King?
His daughter has taken ill,
but he's still out there fighting.
I am a father myself.
I do feel for him.
Then...
But when consider your position,
I have to hesitate.
Consider my position?
What do you mean?
Do you know where the King was planning
to go with the Princess last night?
Shim On's widow.
He was going to see the Queen's
mother who's been grinding her axe
and living as a slave since
the day the Shim clan fell.
The King's unyielding attempt to give
a government post to a slave may be
groundwork for the Shim
clan's restoration of rights.
The Shim clan's restoration of rights?
It could be the start of political revenge.
If Shim On is not guilty of a crime,
those who accused him
and had him executed are.
Remember, Prime Minister.
You were at the center
of Shim On's indictment.
If his name is restored, you
will be the first to get hurt.
What do you think Yu Jeonghyun will do?
I gave him a good scare,
so he won't easily back out.
By the way, sir.
Does this mean you're
using the last card?
What do you mean?
Aren't you planning to inform
Ming about the King's plan?
If that happens, putting a new
King on the throne will be...
Hush, my man!
Watch your tongue.
Isn't that why you urgently needed funds?
To put the man you want on the throne,
you might need to pay off a few people.
That's why you're urgently
gathering funds...
Gathering funds?
What are you talking about?
Why else would you suddenly sell off
multiple real estate holdings at once?
My real estate holdings?
Go ahead and count them.
What are you doing?
Isn't it obvious?
Who told you to sell off my properties?
It's wrong with sharing
a little dirty money you acquired
selling government posts?
Cancel the sales contracts
and return the titles at once!
Why should I?
My mother is the legal
owner of these properties.
And for that I gave you a government post!
I gave a lowly half peasant
shaman's son a post
in the Royal court for putting a few
properties under his mother's name.
How dare you do this!
I think that's enough evidence, sir.
I feel bad about this.
But there was no other way.
Gim Mun, you bastard!
We should go now.
Let us quickly find out which post
Minister Jo sold for this house.
I guess the lowly blood that flows
in your veins cannot be changed.
Peasant blood may be dirty, but it
can't be as dirty as your hands, sir.
The hands that were going to
be used to fawn like a dog
to the Ming Chinese with
no pride whatsoever?
Those hands are hard to beat.
The way I see it, Minister Jo,
you made two critical mistakes.
One is underestimating the King,
and two is keeping this man for
too long in the Hall of Worthies.
I guess you're right.
Oh dear, it is a great shame.
We may never see you at
the conference hall again.
Jo Malseng is guilty of
ill these counts of bribery?
You must strike him down immediately.
Then the protest will lose its leader
and no one will further oppose
Jang Youngsil's appointment.
What will happen to Gim Mun
if I strike down Jo Malseng?
Must I renounce him as well?
He was an accomplice
in Jo Malseng's crimes.
I need time to consider.
What is happening, sir?
Later, let us talk later.
This is so frustrating!
What now?
I'm sure everything will turn out fine.
No, something's not right.
This is getting more complicated.
Stop being so negative.
His Majesty is having second thoughts.
Do you know that?
He is?
It's largely because of you.
But I don't intend to protect you
no matter what His Majesty does.
Does that offend you?
No, sir.
I had it good.
Having been a member of the Hall
of Worthies is more than enough.
What does this mean?
Cover it up.
For what reason?
I will not renounce Jo Malseng.
Is it because of Gim Mun?
Yes.
I can't destroy a promising
scholar's future.
You can't be swayed by emotions,
Your Majesty.
It's because of Jo Malseng as well.
Jo Malseng opposes everything
you set out to do.
He is also an important military
leader and talented manager.
Power is a sword, Your Majesty.
Politics require that you boldly strike
down your opposition at times.
I am not asking for a lesson in politics.
I am giving you an order.
Your Majesty...
Find a way to protect Jo Malseng.
I do not destroy my opposition in haste.
That is my way.
Are you sure you're doing your
job as the King's right-hand man?
I don't know.
If you're going to be the
King's Zhang Zifang,
you should teach him how to
deal with his political enemies.
I know.
But that funny man says you
are his talented retainer,
not his political enemy.
Am I supposed to cry
tears of gratitude now?
I don't need tears but
I do need you to do this.
Interesting.
Is this the King's idea?
No, it's my idea.
The King is a man of strong principles,
but he's not much of a negotiator.
Do you think I'd agree to this?
I think you might agree if you've been
opposing the King's endeavors out
of patriotism and not
opposing for opposition sake.
I will consider it.
Whether you agree or not,
let me give you a warning.
If heaven forbid you should expose
our astronomy project to Ming,
you will have your limbs torn off at
the public square for high treason.
I granted Jang Youngsil
a post in this Royal court.
But you have the power
to take it away from him.
If you oppose his appointment,
I will listen to your arguments.
And if any one of you
succeeds in convincing me,
I will have that man remove
Jang Youngsil's uniform.
Minister of Military.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What do you think?
I would like to hear your opinion.
I still believe Jang Youngsil
should not be here.
But not everyone can remove
him from this Royal court.
Only he who is dedicated enough to
risk his own life for new technology
like Jang Youngsil can remove
Jang Youngsil from his post.
Only he who is talented enough to make
Jang Youngsil's talent appear worthless
can remove that uniform.
Who is that man, Minister Jo?
Regretfully not I, Your Majesty.
Does this mean you do not oppose
Jang Youngsil's appointment?
That is correct.
I don't think any of us are qualified
to remove Jang Youngsil from his post.
What do you think, ministers?
I could not agree more.
I agree as well.
We agree, Your Majesty.
- We agree, Your Majesty.
- We agree, Your Majesty!
How do you feel?
I'm fine, Father.
Would you... forgive me?
You're a good girl.
I'm glad.
I'm glad Youngsil has finally
become a government official.
Does this mean you can
free Grandmother now?
Please free her from servitude
like you did for Youngsil, Father.
I... can't.
We've been waiting for you, sir.
What can we do for you?
Don't even think about
ordering me around.
You may be a government official,
but I am still a superior officer.
But if you have work for me as
the project supervisor, I'll do it.
Well, then shall we begin?
- Yes, sir!
- Let's get to work!
Jang Youngsil's appointment was
a result of King Sejong's human resources
principles that all selections should be
based on merit and equity,
not on social status or background.
The precedent still serves ass
a lesson in modern Korean society
where human resources management
continues to be a great issue.
A slave has no right to
wear a courtier's robe.
Father is supposed to meet me here.
I'm going to wait.
Your Majesty!
Let us not give up.
Hang in there with me.
We must prevail whatever it takes.
His Majesty? In this rain?
He appears determined to stay out
there until the ministers yield to him.
What will happen now?
This is an outrage!
Why would a King go to this
length to protect a slave?
What do you recommend we do now?
Surely you're not thinking
about urging the ministers to yield.
Isn't it senseless to paralyze
the government over this fight?
It is not us but the King
that started this fight.
Yield?
Never.
If something should happen to the King,
the ministers will be held responsible
for putting the King's life in danger.
We couldn't let that happen.
Do you have a better solution?
Finding a solution however
difficult it may seem?
That's politics.
Go to Prince Kyoungnyeong.
Tell him that the Royal House must
come forward and stop the King.
Yes, sir.
Is Jo Malseng making his move?
From the Royals to the Hall of Worthies,
everyone supports Jo Malseng on this.
You must counteract quickly, sir.
You won't come out of
this unscathed either.
Are you all right with this?
I wouldn't have come to
you if I weren't prepared.
You're wrong, Your Majesty.
This is unheard of.
But I can't help feeling proud of you.
Your belief that a slave is still a human
being to be cherished and protected?
I'm so proud of you for having such a
beautiful heart that I couldn't stay away.
So I m going to sit right
here and get wet with you.
Why do your ministers
have to be so selfish and shameless?
I'm the one that said you should set
aside shame for your goals, Master.
Please don't call me Master, Your Majesty.
You are my master that
I serve with my heart.
Hang in there and we
will get through this.
What's wrong with Secretary
Yun and Secretary Yi?
Why are they trying to
aggravate the situation?
We don't have any other choice.
Jo Malseng is our only hope.
I guess there is my answer.
May I take that as an answer to
what we discussed the other day?
Forgive me, sir.
For what?
I disrespectfully called
you by your name...
How else would you call your enemy?
Sir...
I appreciate you turning to me.
Now you must step up and stop
the King if only for his own sake.
We cannot jeopardize the King's welfare
over something as preposterous as this.
Above all, the King's health
is the nation's problem.
We cannot paralyze the nation to
put a courtier's robe on a slave.
Remember.
It's up to you now,
the Hall of Worthies scholars,
to dissuade the King
and stop this madness.
- Master.
- Yes, Your Highness.
I'm not wrong.
A slave is not a man.
They can be bought and sold,
so they're like domestic animals.
You said so yourself.
So why do you
look so glum?
I feel ashamed.
I know I'm not wrong, but
why do I feel so ashamed?
That's because you are wrong.
We... are wrong, Your Highness.
What are you doing here?
You're not the only one
with a special pupil.
His Highness the Crown Prince
is deeply regretting his actions.
That's it.
We have to go to the Academy right now.
We have to rally the students and get
them out to Gwanghwamun right now!
I'm... against it.
Jeong Inji!
It wasn't because astronomy bores me.
And you were using your
research as an excuse, too.
You're always on top of your research no
matter how many assignments you have.
We were all making excuses.
All of us.
We weaseled out of going
to the Astronomy Agency
because we didn't want to
take orders from a slave boy.
That's?
And were fighting the King
right now for the same reason.
We don't want a slave holding
a higher position than we have.
We're angry about having to call a lowly
servant "sir", and we don't want to.
- Jeong Inji!
- That's us.
That's the true colors of the proud
and mighty Hall of Worthies.
That's our false consciousness.
False consciousness?
That's absurd!
Why do you fight a cobbler
about sticking to his last?
This shouldn't even be an issue.
We can't destroy the caste system,
and that's it.
There is no exception!
It's a small crack that
brings down the dam.
You always say that we are the
Hall of Worthies and we have to
feel pride and responsibility
at the same time, sir.
What should we do now in this situation
to be the Hall of Worthies
we pride ourselves in?
Arrogant bastard...
What were you doing here?
That was a pretty heated debate.
Are you going to the main palace?
Did you forget?
We were out there protesting against
the King this afternoon yelling that
we can't put a courtiers robe on a slave
and destroy the caste system.
I guess that means we can't
go to King.
What kind of men would we be if we
changed our minds so capriciously?
Not bad. I didn't think you'd be up for
this physical work being a desk jockey.
Is that a compliment or an insult?
Hey!
Be careful with that!
Precision is critical for
astronomical instruments.
You can't be so rough with the material.
What are you doing here, sir?
Where have you been?
You knew Youngsil left
the shop unattended and
you waited until now to get here?
I said be careful with that!
Confucian Academy
What are you doing out here?
Shouldn't you go inside
and rally the students?
Did you come to mock me?
No, I came to beat you up.
We took a lot of beatings, didn't we?
We got beat up for walking
out of the Academy...
for protesting at the Hall of Great Peace...
It was all to protect our national pride.
Wasn't it?
How do we really protect
our national pride?
Where have you two been?
You're late.
You have no room to talk, sir.
What?
How could you let His Majesty hold this?
To be honest, I still don't
know if it's a good thing
for this man to hold a post
in the government.
But I do know how much this country
needs an astronomical instrument.
I will debate this with you anytime,
Choi Manli.
You should know I never lose.
You're making me tremble.
Are you sure it's not because
you're cold and hungry?
Well, I guess all we have left to do
now is to hang in there and wait.
Don't you have any control
over your subordinates?
Now that the Hall of Worthies
have joined him,
the King will be more determined
to push this through.
Why don't we yield just this once?
Director Byun!
It will be conditional.
We will make a one time
exception for Jang Youngsil.
That is not a bad idea.
We've all acknowledged Jang Youngsil
exceptional talent, so we will
make a special exception.
An exception?
A one-time exception?
What about next time?
What if someone even more
talented than Jang comes along
and the King wants to grant him
a government post as well?
Are we going to make an
exception to the exception?
Gosh darn it!
The Hall of Worthies has joined him.
It's time to make a decision,
Your Highness.
Is this the only way?
Yes, it is.
You must rally the Royals together.
Contact Prince Yangnyeong
and Hyoryeong as well.
He will not!
How dare you attempt to get the Royal
House involved in pressuring the King?
Forgive me, but this is a matter of the state.
To interfere would be...
Silence your audacious tongue!
I may be a woman, but I have lived in
this palace for two and a half decades.
Go back to Jo Malseng
and deliver my message.
If the ministers can't do their job and
require involvement of the Royal house
they might as well turn in their
uniforms and till soil for a living.
Mother...
Send this man away now!
Do you think I was harsh?
The King is indeed making a mistake.
But it's too soon for you to get involved.
Granting a government post to a slave?
This fight will not be easily won
even if the King fights tooth and nail.
But knowing the King,
he will not give up.
That means the ministers will turn
further and further away from him.
And when the situation is at its
worst, that's the time you step in.
Mother...!
You asked me if my dream was still alive.
This is my answer.
Have you been here all night?
I envy Father, Mother.
When he's going through this torture?
But he has good men who support him,
so he will not see it as torture.
Crown Prince.
I wish I could cover your eyes.
I wish I could tell you to go back
to your chambers right now.
"Don't learn this.
Take the easier way out.
Don't put your self through
this kind of torture fighting no matter
how certain you are right.
It's okay if the country does not soar.
Just keeping it from sinking
is good enough, so..."
Mother.
But somehow I don't think you
would listen to my pleadings.
Because you are too much like your father.
If Father is here, then.
What's wrong?
Then where is Jeongso...!
Your Highness, did the princess go out
into the city unaware of this situation?
I don't know.
I don't know what happened.
Go out into the city?
What's this?
The food should be all right, right?
It's packed well, so...
Jeongso, what are you doing here?
I'm waiting for Father.
He made a promise, a pinky promise.
Let's go back.
No, I have to wait for Father.
We're going to give Grandmother
her birthday dinner.
Do I have to whip you right here?
Will you listen then?
Why is the sun out already?
Does this mean Grandmother's
birthday has passed?
Does it, Mother?
... Baby?
Baby?
Jeongso!
Jeongso!
Princess!
Jeongso!
Princess!
Honey, wake up!
- Princess!
- Baby!
Father...
Father...
Father...
Would you deliver my
message to the Queen?
That I can't go right now, and to
please take good care of Jeongso.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, if the Princess is ill...
Look in on her for a moment.
We will be here.
We're working, Secretary Yun.
Not just any work, but critical work
that will decide the country's future.
But...
Is this true?
You told him that the child is delirious
and she is calling out for him
and he refused to come?
Forgive me, Your Highness...
What brings you to my home, Minister Jo?
You left the palace amid a crisis.
It's rather irresponsible as the
head of the Supreme Council.
It's old age.
One night without rest and
I can barely stand.
But I hope your mind is firm on this.
Why don't we bend on this issue?
Whatever do you mean?
Don't you feel sorry for the King?
His daughter has taken ill,
but he's still out there fighting.
I am a father myself.
I do feel for him.
Then...
But when consider your position,
I have to hesitate.
Consider my position?
What do you mean?
Do you know where the King was planning
to go with the Princess last night?
Shim On's widow.
He was going to see the Queen's
mother who's been grinding her axe
and living as a slave since
the day the Shim clan fell.
The King's unyielding attempt to give
a government post to a slave may be
groundwork for the Shim
clan's restoration of rights.
The Shim clan's restoration of rights?
It could be the start of political revenge.
If Shim On is not guilty of a crime,
those who accused him
and had him executed are.
Remember, Prime Minister.
You were at the center
of Shim On's indictment.
If his name is restored, you
will be the first to get hurt.
What do you think Yu Jeonghyun will do?
I gave him a good scare,
so he won't easily back out.
By the way, sir.
Does this mean you're
using the last card?
What do you mean?
Aren't you planning to inform
Ming about the King's plan?
If that happens, putting a new
King on the throne will be...
Hush, my man!
Watch your tongue.
Isn't that why you urgently needed funds?
To put the man you want on the throne,
you might need to pay off a few people.
That's why you're urgently
gathering funds...
Gathering funds?
What are you talking about?
Why else would you suddenly sell off
multiple real estate holdings at once?
My real estate holdings?
Go ahead and count them.
What are you doing?
Isn't it obvious?
Who told you to sell off my properties?
It's wrong with sharing
a little dirty money you acquired
selling government posts?
Cancel the sales contracts
and return the titles at once!
Why should I?
My mother is the legal
owner of these properties.
And for that I gave you a government post!
I gave a lowly half peasant
shaman's son a post
in the Royal court for putting a few
properties under his mother's name.
How dare you do this!
I think that's enough evidence, sir.
I feel bad about this.
But there was no other way.
Gim Mun, you bastard!
We should go now.
Let us quickly find out which post
Minister Jo sold for this house.
I guess the lowly blood that flows
in your veins cannot be changed.
Peasant blood may be dirty, but it
can't be as dirty as your hands, sir.
The hands that were going to
be used to fawn like a dog
to the Ming Chinese with
no pride whatsoever?
Those hands are hard to beat.
The way I see it, Minister Jo,
you made two critical mistakes.
One is underestimating the King,
and two is keeping this man for
too long in the Hall of Worthies.
I guess you're right.
Oh dear, it is a great shame.
We may never see you at
the conference hall again.
Jo Malseng is guilty of
ill these counts of bribery?
You must strike him down immediately.
Then the protest will lose its leader
and no one will further oppose
Jang Youngsil's appointment.
What will happen to Gim Mun
if I strike down Jo Malseng?
Must I renounce him as well?
He was an accomplice
in Jo Malseng's crimes.
I need time to consider.
What is happening, sir?
Later, let us talk later.
This is so frustrating!
What now?
I'm sure everything will turn out fine.
No, something's not right.
This is getting more complicated.
Stop being so negative.
His Majesty is having second thoughts.
Do you know that?
He is?
It's largely because of you.
But I don't intend to protect you
no matter what His Majesty does.
Does that offend you?
No, sir.
I had it good.
Having been a member of the Hall
of Worthies is more than enough.
What does this mean?
Cover it up.
For what reason?
I will not renounce Jo Malseng.
Is it because of Gim Mun?
Yes.
I can't destroy a promising
scholar's future.
You can't be swayed by emotions,
Your Majesty.
It's because of Jo Malseng as well.
Jo Malseng opposes everything
you set out to do.
He is also an important military
leader and talented manager.
Power is a sword, Your Majesty.
Politics require that you boldly strike
down your opposition at times.
I am not asking for a lesson in politics.
I am giving you an order.
Your Majesty...
Find a way to protect Jo Malseng.
I do not destroy my opposition in haste.
That is my way.
Are you sure you're doing your
job as the King's right-hand man?
I don't know.
If you're going to be the
King's Zhang Zifang,
you should teach him how to
deal with his political enemies.
I know.
But that funny man says you
are his talented retainer,
not his political enemy.
Am I supposed to cry
tears of gratitude now?
I don't need tears but
I do need you to do this.
Interesting.
Is this the King's idea?
No, it's my idea.
The King is a man of strong principles,
but he's not much of a negotiator.
Do you think I'd agree to this?
I think you might agree if you've been
opposing the King's endeavors out
of patriotism and not
opposing for opposition sake.
I will consider it.
Whether you agree or not,
let me give you a warning.
If heaven forbid you should expose
our astronomy project to Ming,
you will have your limbs torn off at
the public square for high treason.
I granted Jang Youngsil
a post in this Royal court.
But you have the power
to take it away from him.
If you oppose his appointment,
I will listen to your arguments.
And if any one of you
succeeds in convincing me,
I will have that man remove
Jang Youngsil's uniform.
Minister of Military.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What do you think?
I would like to hear your opinion.
I still believe Jang Youngsil
should not be here.
But not everyone can remove
him from this Royal court.
Only he who is dedicated enough to
risk his own life for new technology
like Jang Youngsil can remove
Jang Youngsil from his post.
Only he who is talented enough to make
Jang Youngsil's talent appear worthless
can remove that uniform.
Who is that man, Minister Jo?
Regretfully not I, Your Majesty.
Does this mean you do not oppose
Jang Youngsil's appointment?
That is correct.
I don't think any of us are qualified
to remove Jang Youngsil from his post.
What do you think, ministers?
I could not agree more.
I agree as well.
We agree, Your Majesty.
- We agree, Your Majesty.
- We agree, Your Majesty!
How do you feel?
I'm fine, Father.
Would you... forgive me?
You're a good girl.
I'm glad.
I'm glad Youngsil has finally
become a government official.
Does this mean you can
free Grandmother now?
Please free her from servitude
like you did for Youngsil, Father.
I... can't.
We've been waiting for you, sir.
What can we do for you?
Don't even think about
ordering me around.
You may be a government official,
but I am still a superior officer.
But if you have work for me as
the project supervisor, I'll do it.
Well, then shall we begin?
- Yes, sir!
- Let's get to work!
Jang Youngsil's appointment was
a result of King Sejong's human resources
principles that all selections should be
based on merit and equity,
not on social status or background.
The precedent still serves ass
a lesson in modern Korean society
where human resources management
continues to be a great issue.