Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 70 - Episode #1.70 - full transcript
I want a country that Ming
cannot dare take lightly.
This is your last chance, Wang Zhen.
Stop Joseon from encroaching on Liaodong!
Ming is a shield that will
protect us from the Jurchens.
Autonomy within alliance is
the most realistic choice for us.
An alliance without strength to back
it up is submission, not autonomy.
Jurchens request for
gunpowder is granted.
Joseon needs a new kind of
weapon to stop the enemy.
I want to give the Crown Prince and
the people the pride and strength
to protect this country.
What are the Joseonese up to?
Are they in a frenzy preparing for war?
No, sir.
It seems they're
caught up with something else.
Something else?
What is the progress on
the geographical survey?
It should be completed
before the end of the year.
Is the distance recorder
helpful in the survey?
AD 1432, 14th year of Sejong's reign, Najumok
What is this thing, sir?
It's called a girigocha.
Girigocha?
It's a distance measuring vehicle.
It tell us how far we've traveled by playing
the drum and the gong every 1/3 mile.
What's the measurement of our village?
Tell us?
You want to know?
Aye!
The measurement of Najumok
happens to be...
Yes, sir!
It's nine miles wide between Nampyeong
to the east and Muan to the west!
Wow!
And ten miles long between Youngnam
to the south and Hampyeohg to the north!
Now, behold the ten
miles field of Najumok!
Lush rice paddies stretch
as far as you can see,
turning golden bringing
us abundant harvest!
Now, let us move on to the next village!
AD 1432, 14th year of Sejong's reign,
Joseon was preparing to publish "The
New Gazetteer of the Eight Provinces"
which the Book of Geography of the
Annals of King Sejong was based upon.
The New Gazetteer of the Eight
Provinces was Joseon's first
geographical directory with detailed
records about dimensions of physical
features, social statistics as well as
local culture, economy and military.
Why is Wusan left unmarked?
Bring me the records.
Wusan is uninhabited,
so it was omitted from the survey.
Inhabited or not, it is Joseon territory!
I will not abandon one inch of our land.
So survey and record not only Wusan
but its neighboring islands as well.
Wusan is modern day Ulengdo...
There is another island beyond it.
That must be Muleng.
And Muleng is modern day Dokdo.
Annals of King Sejong describe Uleng
and Muleng as being located on the
ocean east of Samchuk prefecture,
and that the two islands are close in
proximity and easily visible on a clear day.
So then Muleng, modern day Dokdo
was confirmed as Joseonese territory
through an actual survey in the
compilation process of the gazetteer,
and is later recorded clearly
in the Annals of King Sejong.
He surveyed a tiny uninhabited island.
This man can't distinguish between
what's important and what's not.
Perhaps we don't need
to worry about Liaodong.
A tiger focuses all of his attention
even on hunting a smallest rabbit.
He doesn't even overlook
an uncharted island...
This, of all things we've seen,
is proof of Sejong's ambition!
That's right.
The New Gazetteer of the
Eight Provinces was Sejong's
declaration that all territories
of Joseon are equally valuable
which was also aimed at reaffirming
the boundaries of Joseon.
Establishing national defense line
along Tuman river and Amrok river
from Yeoyeon and Gyeongwon
this was a meaningful feat in the
process of actualizing his declaration.
Joseon Bureau of Weaponry
Secret Weapons Development Department
What's the result?
We're preparing a test run.
I will confirm the success
of failure myself.
What is this?
It's a report of
expense incurred by the Hall of Worthies
under a special project ordered by the King.
We found many discrepancies.
Where is the money going?
It's called a Chuhwa (rocket launcher).
Gunpowder tube is fitted
with an explosive device,
giving it self-propulsive force.
What's more,
it explodes on contact,
so it will be very effective in destroying
the enemy supply base.
Can it pierce through that brick wall?
Theoretically, yes.
Is the fate of the Joseonese
people riding on this weapon?
Yeoyeon, Pyeongan Province
I see you're still good at catching rocks.
How is it going?
I'm alive, aren't I?
What are you doing back here anyway?
Don't you have anything better to do?
I brought gifts from His Majesty the King.
It's not books again, is it?
What is all this stuff?
It's rice.
He said to distribute them among
the folks who reaped poor harvest.
Close your mouth, kid.
You'll get dust in your mouth.
Rice?
Enough to feed the entire Ulliangha
tribe for a whole month, you say?
Yes, sir.
That rice will be ours!
It's a feast.
Eat up.
You're not a picky city slicker.
What's wrong?
The food not good enough for you?
Well, too bad.
Don't you regret it?
You guys left a large farm
back in Gyeongwon.
It's all forgotten.
Is it because of the Minister of Military?
You went to Gyeongwon with
him and now he's gone, so...
We're just here to show
the King our support.
We heard the nobles are calling this
a wasteland and fighting the King to
push the border back, so we came
here to prove the nobles wrong.
Making a barren soil fertile
is not an easy thing to do.
A King kneeling before people like
us is not an easy thing to do either.
We're going to make a great
home here and show them.
"Any land our King rules
is rich and secure!''
This is all we can do to help him.
At least we got the fort completed.
Do we have a report on
Li Manzhu's movements?
He succeeded in developing explosive
weapons and went into testing?
Have you sent the report?
It should reach the palace
by today at the latest.
Li Manzhu has acquired
explosive weapons?
Where is His Majesty?
My guess is majority of the missing
funds went into weapons development.
That's a wild assumption.
You can't fool me, Minister Hwang.
We cannot tolerate anymore wasteful
spending of the defense budget.
We may need to increase our
defense budget even more.
I just got word that the enemy
has finished testing their guns
and armed themselves for war.
We can pull back the border!
Preciously!
Who do you think is supplying the Jurchens
with guns and gunpowder? It's Ming!
If we pull back the border, Ming
will stop supplying the Jurchens.
What about the weapons
they already have?
They already have enough
to pulverize Yeoyeon.
We've got to focus on defense now
whether it's new weapons or whatever
before the river freezes and they come
marching down with their cannons.
How is the injury?
It won't affect my work.
Our current situation does not allow
me the decency to tell you to rest.
I know, Your Majesty.
You must be more careful with your hands.
Always remember how valuable
those hands are to this country.
You look tired, Master.
May I ask why you summoned my son?
I asked to see the Crown Prince.
He tells me that you have
diabetes and a heart condition,
and physician has told you to rest.
Sukju, how could you?
You need rest.
Be quiet.
Master.
I must advice you to refrain from
hasty actions as well, Your Highness.
I heard you joined the ranks of
Huh Jo and Choi Manli in opposing
weapons development.
Is it bad to want peace?
It's bad to lie to yourself.
I'm... afraid, Master.
I want to avoid war if at all possible.
I don't want to be the one
to decide anyone's death.
Do you think His Majesty enjoys this?
You know the answer.
You must take care of your body, Father!
We all rot when we die.
What's the use of taking care of it?
Fool!
It's truly regretful that the
new weapon has failed.
It's too soon to give up, General.
I will try to stop Ming from supplying
gunpowder to the Jurchens.
We must find an import route
as well at the same time.
We'll still having a hard time
acquiring potassium nitrate.
First and foremost we must send
reinforcements to Yeoyeon.
If we lose Yeoyeon, all of the
defense lines could crumble.
We will attack Yeoyeon.
Breakthe spirit of the foolhardy
Joseonese King who dare dreams
of territory expansion!
We move out tomorrow at dawn!
Draw a few happy faces so he'll
know that we were happy about
the grains we sent us.
It could look like you're
asking him to send more.
Butt out.
I want this drawing to says
"Cheer up and be strong" to the King.
How do I say "be strong"?
You could draw him carrying
a huge rock or something.
That might look like you want him to
come here and build the walls himself.
This would be so much
easier if you had just
learned to write when
I offered to teach you.
I am learning to write.
Then why are you still
insisting on illustrations?
How can I write a whole letter
when I barely know three words?
No, this is a wonderful letter.
The uppermost edge of this land
Yeoyeon, the sky of Joseon,
and the people who work its dry land
and make a home without complaint
doesn't this mean that you will
live as the King's good people?
I like your interpretation.
I'll deliver it to the King.
No, next time.
Teach me how to write
next time you're here.
And I'll write the King a real letter.
Is the diversion set up?
Of course, sir.
Muchang, Pyeongan Province
What is it?
The Jurchens are attacking Muchang!
Yeoyeon Fort
Where are those bastards going?
The city hall, I think.
What?
You mean the attack on
Muchang was a diversion?
It appears so, sir.
Call back the troops at once!
That's their leader!
Kill him!
Can't you hold your own?
Thanks.
It's too soon for thanks.
They can't be here just
to show off their strength...
General!
Yeoyeon will soon be ours!
Retreat!
After them!
Don't let them get away!
I'm so sorry.
For not teaching me how
to read and write?
Shoot, talk about bad luck...
I really wanted to write a letter.
I'll teach you the best I can.
Give me a chance.
My brothers will learn instead of me now.
Please take care of them when I'm gone.
You're not going anywhere!
Hang in there.
You can't leave us.
Got that?
Mother... and father...
I'm finally going to see
my mother and father.
Sis...
Aren't you glad for me?
Dami.
Don't wake her.
Look how peaceful she looks.
She must already be with
her mother and father.
The enemy has taken this child's life
and the lives of my precious people?
I failed to protect them, Your Majesty.
Secretary Gim.
Yes, Your Majesty.
This is the last time I lose
my people to the enemy.
December 1432, the King was infuriated.
Jurchen army led by Li Manzhu of the
Ulliangha clan had attacked Yeoyeon
brutally killing more than 50 Joseonese
and taking over 100 hostage.
I want swift and unmistakable
retaliation on enemy headquarters.
I've come to this final decision to preserve
the safety and welfare of my people,
so I command each of
you to devote your all!
Jurchens have seized the initiative,
so I'd like to break King Sejong's spirit.
Permission granted.
Secret Weapons Development Department
You found the problem?
The propellant casing was the problem.
It needed to be stronger.
The nozzle needed work as well.
While we were looking for a solution,
we also found a way to significantly
increase propulsion.
We make a space in the middle of
the casing in a shape of a cone.
Then we fill the tube with gunpowder.
When the gunpowder is ignited,
added oxygen in the empty space
maximizes the thrust force.
When can you test the rockets again?
A prototype is at the last stage of
assembly, so you will be able to
see its power first hand very soon.
I'm counting on you men.
Imperial envoy is here?
Why?
The Emperor demands tribute of
ten thousand cattle immediately.
Economic restraint is
their purpose, no doubt.
They want to stop us from expanding
our defense budget by taking our cattle.
Can you handle this?
Joseon would like to offer
ginseng instead of cattle.
Ginseng?
Please speak to the Emperor.
Ginseng has been known
as a miracle medicine for
all illnesses since the Goryeo dynasty.
I refuse.
You can't refuse.
We know that Dongchang was involved
in Minister of Military Yi Su's death.
Fascinating.
Take the ginseng back and
take care of the tribute issue quietly.
And one more thing
you're going to have to lift the embargo
you placed on gunpowder.
Do you really think I will comply?
You don't have a choice.
Send her in!
If you're going to send spies to
Joseon, you shouldn't mark them.
Shall we go to the Emperor?
I can show him even better proof!
If the intelligence agency under the
Emperor's direct control is behind this,
that means the order
came from the Emperor.
What do you think the Emperor
will do to avoid this dishonor?
There is another card we need
in order to strike the enemy.
I know exactly what that is.
It's been a long time.
I knew...
you'd come to see me someday.
The time has come, Minister.
A vow of loyalty?
We will never break our alliance again.
We are planning a massive military
expedition against Joseon.
Will you cover our back?
Are we after Tongmingge?
You haven't lost your touch.
Would you deliver my message
to his Majesty for me?
Tell him that he will not
regret calling me back.
Jo Malseng will say yes.
After all, Joseon is his country, too.
I will escort you back.
What do you want?
I want to learn from you.
You protested to have me killed
and now you want to learn from me?
I'll learn from the devil if that's what
it takes to protect the northern states.
I have a reason to protect
that land with my life.
Prepare to launch!
Launch!
Whoa! Your Majesty!
My people are my heaven,
my earth and my universe
and I will not let one of them be lost!
cannot dare take lightly.
This is your last chance, Wang Zhen.
Stop Joseon from encroaching on Liaodong!
Ming is a shield that will
protect us from the Jurchens.
Autonomy within alliance is
the most realistic choice for us.
An alliance without strength to back
it up is submission, not autonomy.
Jurchens request for
gunpowder is granted.
Joseon needs a new kind of
weapon to stop the enemy.
I want to give the Crown Prince and
the people the pride and strength
to protect this country.
What are the Joseonese up to?
Are they in a frenzy preparing for war?
No, sir.
It seems they're
caught up with something else.
Something else?
What is the progress on
the geographical survey?
It should be completed
before the end of the year.
Is the distance recorder
helpful in the survey?
AD 1432, 14th year of Sejong's reign, Najumok
What is this thing, sir?
It's called a girigocha.
Girigocha?
It's a distance measuring vehicle.
It tell us how far we've traveled by playing
the drum and the gong every 1/3 mile.
What's the measurement of our village?
Tell us?
You want to know?
Aye!
The measurement of Najumok
happens to be...
Yes, sir!
It's nine miles wide between Nampyeong
to the east and Muan to the west!
Wow!
And ten miles long between Youngnam
to the south and Hampyeohg to the north!
Now, behold the ten
miles field of Najumok!
Lush rice paddies stretch
as far as you can see,
turning golden bringing
us abundant harvest!
Now, let us move on to the next village!
AD 1432, 14th year of Sejong's reign,
Joseon was preparing to publish "The
New Gazetteer of the Eight Provinces"
which the Book of Geography of the
Annals of King Sejong was based upon.
The New Gazetteer of the Eight
Provinces was Joseon's first
geographical directory with detailed
records about dimensions of physical
features, social statistics as well as
local culture, economy and military.
Why is Wusan left unmarked?
Bring me the records.
Wusan is uninhabited,
so it was omitted from the survey.
Inhabited or not, it is Joseon territory!
I will not abandon one inch of our land.
So survey and record not only Wusan
but its neighboring islands as well.
Wusan is modern day Ulengdo...
There is another island beyond it.
That must be Muleng.
And Muleng is modern day Dokdo.
Annals of King Sejong describe Uleng
and Muleng as being located on the
ocean east of Samchuk prefecture,
and that the two islands are close in
proximity and easily visible on a clear day.
So then Muleng, modern day Dokdo
was confirmed as Joseonese territory
through an actual survey in the
compilation process of the gazetteer,
and is later recorded clearly
in the Annals of King Sejong.
He surveyed a tiny uninhabited island.
This man can't distinguish between
what's important and what's not.
Perhaps we don't need
to worry about Liaodong.
A tiger focuses all of his attention
even on hunting a smallest rabbit.
He doesn't even overlook
an uncharted island...
This, of all things we've seen,
is proof of Sejong's ambition!
That's right.
The New Gazetteer of the
Eight Provinces was Sejong's
declaration that all territories
of Joseon are equally valuable
which was also aimed at reaffirming
the boundaries of Joseon.
Establishing national defense line
along Tuman river and Amrok river
from Yeoyeon and Gyeongwon
this was a meaningful feat in the
process of actualizing his declaration.
Joseon Bureau of Weaponry
Secret Weapons Development Department
What's the result?
We're preparing a test run.
I will confirm the success
of failure myself.
What is this?
It's a report of
expense incurred by the Hall of Worthies
under a special project ordered by the King.
We found many discrepancies.
Where is the money going?
It's called a Chuhwa (rocket launcher).
Gunpowder tube is fitted
with an explosive device,
giving it self-propulsive force.
What's more,
it explodes on contact,
so it will be very effective in destroying
the enemy supply base.
Can it pierce through that brick wall?
Theoretically, yes.
Is the fate of the Joseonese
people riding on this weapon?
Yeoyeon, Pyeongan Province
I see you're still good at catching rocks.
How is it going?
I'm alive, aren't I?
What are you doing back here anyway?
Don't you have anything better to do?
I brought gifts from His Majesty the King.
It's not books again, is it?
What is all this stuff?
It's rice.
He said to distribute them among
the folks who reaped poor harvest.
Close your mouth, kid.
You'll get dust in your mouth.
Rice?
Enough to feed the entire Ulliangha
tribe for a whole month, you say?
Yes, sir.
That rice will be ours!
It's a feast.
Eat up.
You're not a picky city slicker.
What's wrong?
The food not good enough for you?
Well, too bad.
Don't you regret it?
You guys left a large farm
back in Gyeongwon.
It's all forgotten.
Is it because of the Minister of Military?
You went to Gyeongwon with
him and now he's gone, so...
We're just here to show
the King our support.
We heard the nobles are calling this
a wasteland and fighting the King to
push the border back, so we came
here to prove the nobles wrong.
Making a barren soil fertile
is not an easy thing to do.
A King kneeling before people like
us is not an easy thing to do either.
We're going to make a great
home here and show them.
"Any land our King rules
is rich and secure!''
This is all we can do to help him.
At least we got the fort completed.
Do we have a report on
Li Manzhu's movements?
He succeeded in developing explosive
weapons and went into testing?
Have you sent the report?
It should reach the palace
by today at the latest.
Li Manzhu has acquired
explosive weapons?
Where is His Majesty?
My guess is majority of the missing
funds went into weapons development.
That's a wild assumption.
You can't fool me, Minister Hwang.
We cannot tolerate anymore wasteful
spending of the defense budget.
We may need to increase our
defense budget even more.
I just got word that the enemy
has finished testing their guns
and armed themselves for war.
We can pull back the border!
Preciously!
Who do you think is supplying the Jurchens
with guns and gunpowder? It's Ming!
If we pull back the border, Ming
will stop supplying the Jurchens.
What about the weapons
they already have?
They already have enough
to pulverize Yeoyeon.
We've got to focus on defense now
whether it's new weapons or whatever
before the river freezes and they come
marching down with their cannons.
How is the injury?
It won't affect my work.
Our current situation does not allow
me the decency to tell you to rest.
I know, Your Majesty.
You must be more careful with your hands.
Always remember how valuable
those hands are to this country.
You look tired, Master.
May I ask why you summoned my son?
I asked to see the Crown Prince.
He tells me that you have
diabetes and a heart condition,
and physician has told you to rest.
Sukju, how could you?
You need rest.
Be quiet.
Master.
I must advice you to refrain from
hasty actions as well, Your Highness.
I heard you joined the ranks of
Huh Jo and Choi Manli in opposing
weapons development.
Is it bad to want peace?
It's bad to lie to yourself.
I'm... afraid, Master.
I want to avoid war if at all possible.
I don't want to be the one
to decide anyone's death.
Do you think His Majesty enjoys this?
You know the answer.
You must take care of your body, Father!
We all rot when we die.
What's the use of taking care of it?
Fool!
It's truly regretful that the
new weapon has failed.
It's too soon to give up, General.
I will try to stop Ming from supplying
gunpowder to the Jurchens.
We must find an import route
as well at the same time.
We'll still having a hard time
acquiring potassium nitrate.
First and foremost we must send
reinforcements to Yeoyeon.
If we lose Yeoyeon, all of the
defense lines could crumble.
We will attack Yeoyeon.
Breakthe spirit of the foolhardy
Joseonese King who dare dreams
of territory expansion!
We move out tomorrow at dawn!
Draw a few happy faces so he'll
know that we were happy about
the grains we sent us.
It could look like you're
asking him to send more.
Butt out.
I want this drawing to says
"Cheer up and be strong" to the King.
How do I say "be strong"?
You could draw him carrying
a huge rock or something.
That might look like you want him to
come here and build the walls himself.
This would be so much
easier if you had just
learned to write when
I offered to teach you.
I am learning to write.
Then why are you still
insisting on illustrations?
How can I write a whole letter
when I barely know three words?
No, this is a wonderful letter.
The uppermost edge of this land
Yeoyeon, the sky of Joseon,
and the people who work its dry land
and make a home without complaint
doesn't this mean that you will
live as the King's good people?
I like your interpretation.
I'll deliver it to the King.
No, next time.
Teach me how to write
next time you're here.
And I'll write the King a real letter.
Is the diversion set up?
Of course, sir.
Muchang, Pyeongan Province
What is it?
The Jurchens are attacking Muchang!
Yeoyeon Fort
Where are those bastards going?
The city hall, I think.
What?
You mean the attack on
Muchang was a diversion?
It appears so, sir.
Call back the troops at once!
That's their leader!
Kill him!
Can't you hold your own?
Thanks.
It's too soon for thanks.
They can't be here just
to show off their strength...
General!
Yeoyeon will soon be ours!
Retreat!
After them!
Don't let them get away!
I'm so sorry.
For not teaching me how
to read and write?
Shoot, talk about bad luck...
I really wanted to write a letter.
I'll teach you the best I can.
Give me a chance.
My brothers will learn instead of me now.
Please take care of them when I'm gone.
You're not going anywhere!
Hang in there.
You can't leave us.
Got that?
Mother... and father...
I'm finally going to see
my mother and father.
Sis...
Aren't you glad for me?
Dami.
Don't wake her.
Look how peaceful she looks.
She must already be with
her mother and father.
The enemy has taken this child's life
and the lives of my precious people?
I failed to protect them, Your Majesty.
Secretary Gim.
Yes, Your Majesty.
This is the last time I lose
my people to the enemy.
December 1432, the King was infuriated.
Jurchen army led by Li Manzhu of the
Ulliangha clan had attacked Yeoyeon
brutally killing more than 50 Joseonese
and taking over 100 hostage.
I want swift and unmistakable
retaliation on enemy headquarters.
I've come to this final decision to preserve
the safety and welfare of my people,
so I command each of
you to devote your all!
Jurchens have seized the initiative,
so I'd like to break King Sejong's spirit.
Permission granted.
Secret Weapons Development Department
You found the problem?
The propellant casing was the problem.
It needed to be stronger.
The nozzle needed work as well.
While we were looking for a solution,
we also found a way to significantly
increase propulsion.
We make a space in the middle of
the casing in a shape of a cone.
Then we fill the tube with gunpowder.
When the gunpowder is ignited,
added oxygen in the empty space
maximizes the thrust force.
When can you test the rockets again?
A prototype is at the last stage of
assembly, so you will be able to
see its power first hand very soon.
I'm counting on you men.
Imperial envoy is here?
Why?
The Emperor demands tribute of
ten thousand cattle immediately.
Economic restraint is
their purpose, no doubt.
They want to stop us from expanding
our defense budget by taking our cattle.
Can you handle this?
Joseon would like to offer
ginseng instead of cattle.
Ginseng?
Please speak to the Emperor.
Ginseng has been known
as a miracle medicine for
all illnesses since the Goryeo dynasty.
I refuse.
You can't refuse.
We know that Dongchang was involved
in Minister of Military Yi Su's death.
Fascinating.
Take the ginseng back and
take care of the tribute issue quietly.
And one more thing
you're going to have to lift the embargo
you placed on gunpowder.
Do you really think I will comply?
You don't have a choice.
Send her in!
If you're going to send spies to
Joseon, you shouldn't mark them.
Shall we go to the Emperor?
I can show him even better proof!
If the intelligence agency under the
Emperor's direct control is behind this,
that means the order
came from the Emperor.
What do you think the Emperor
will do to avoid this dishonor?
There is another card we need
in order to strike the enemy.
I know exactly what that is.
It's been a long time.
I knew...
you'd come to see me someday.
The time has come, Minister.
A vow of loyalty?
We will never break our alliance again.
We are planning a massive military
expedition against Joseon.
Will you cover our back?
Are we after Tongmingge?
You haven't lost your touch.
Would you deliver my message
to his Majesty for me?
Tell him that he will not
regret calling me back.
Jo Malseng will say yes.
After all, Joseon is his country, too.
I will escort you back.
What do you want?
I want to learn from you.
You protested to have me killed
and now you want to learn from me?
I'll learn from the devil if that's what
it takes to protect the northern states.
I have a reason to protect
that land with my life.
Prepare to launch!
Launch!
Whoa! Your Majesty!
My people are my heaven,
my earth and my universe
and I will not let one of them be lost!