Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 8 - Episode #1.8 - full transcript
Curfew!
Return to your homes!
Curfew violators will be
punished by ten lashes!
Curfew!
Return to your homes!
So what if he's the Crown Prince?
It's curfew, my lord.
He can't treat me like this.
Who made this country
as strong as it is?
It's all thanks to the gunpowder
that my father developed.
You're going to be
arrested for violating the curfew!
That Crown Prince doesn't know jack!
Please watch what you say, my lord!
Never mind the curfew violation,
you'll be arrested for treason!
Treason?
Without Choi Haesan, there
are no cannons in Joseon.
Who would arrest me?
Where are you going?
I'm going to dump some water.
Why?
So what if he's the Crown Prince?
Spies...
Spies are involved in
Gangryeongpo pillage?
And these are their composite sketches?
I got the information
from a reliable source.
He has dark eyebrows and an oblong face.
Space between his nose and lips
is short, and his nose is long.
Wait, that's not his nose.
The tip isn't fat like that.
They were staying near
the Hall of Great Peace
but disappeared after
the Gangryeongpo battle,
so the likelihood is high.
I sent a team to Gangryeongpo
for now to look for them.
What are you telling me?
That cannon practice isn't important,
so I should go catch spies?
Is that what you call
setting things right?
I'm not saying cannon
practice isn't important.
I'm saying stopping government
secrets from leaking out comes first.
They can't approach us if we're stronger.
We don't have to be afraid of spies.
You can't lose if you know
yourself and know your enemy.
If we capture the spy, we can
find out more about the enemy.
I think that will help us
strengthen our national defense.
I'm surprised.
I haven't seen you like this in years.
It's the first time since
the uncles died, I think.
Your Highness...
What's gotten into you?
What are you trying to accomplish?
I just want to help you.
Do I look that incompetent?
Enough to compel a man who's
been voiceless all these years
out of fear of annoying the Royal
court to come out and try to help me?
No...
Your Highness, we have a problem.
Can't conduct the training
because Choi Haesan is absent?
Is Choi the only man
the Bureau of Weaponry?
It's ridiculous to say that you can't
conduct the training without him!
We can't make the gunpowder
without him...
What?
Choi Haesan has been protecting the
secret recipe for gunpowder himself.
Where the heck is he?
It appears he might have been
arrested by the Capital Magistracy
last night for violating the curfew.
What?
Then contact the Capital Magistracy
and have him released at once.
That is if they don't want to
see this country go down.
Go to Japan?
Why would I go to Japan?
Forget about it.
Not in a million years.
This country doesn't give you
the appreciation and
recognition you and your clan deserve.
Am I wrong?
We just want to give you a chance.
A chance to choose a new state
to serve that will make you a hero.
Tighten restriction on
foreigners' entry to the state?
Actually, we would be
more like starting it.
We've never systematically
controlled entry and exit of foreigners.
Take Gangryeongpo, for example...
Gangryeongpo again?
You are tenacious.
They timed their hit for the arrival of
taxes collected from 3 southern states.
It wouldn't have been possible
if the information hadn't gotten out.
We must install a system to control
traffic of foreigners, Prime Minister.
It's not possible right now.
We have over forty major ports in Joseon.
If we send only 3 agents to each port,
we're talking about 120 agents.
We don't have that kind of manpower.
Ministry of Personnel can
send our hew recruits, and
if each bureau spares
one third of its staff,
I think it's doable.
Agents are only half of what we need.
What about armed guards?
At least 2.000 soldiers will
have to be dispatched,
and that will leave the
capital city defenseless.
If we let the spies roam free,
our borders will not be secure.
That's for the Ministry of
Defense to worry about.
The Ministry of Rites can
mind its own business!
If you did your job, the invasion on
Gangryeongpo would've been avoided!
What?
Settle down.
Entry and exit control is premature.
The hands of this government can't even
reach our border provinces due to
shortage of personnel.
That's right.
We're relying on the regional lords
because we have no other choice,
but they were loyal to
Goryeo for generations.
They could turn on us at any given time.
We must get a grip of our own state first.
That's the proper order.
Go to the King directly.
If you want to do this you
have my full support.
No, I cannot violate
the chain of command.
If you know you're doing the right thing,
borrow the King's authority
to push it through.
It could backfire.
This work is impossible without
the support of the other bureaus.
If I turn my peers into enemies,
I'll get nowhere.
Ministry of Rites will start this alone for
now and gradually persuade the others.
That's inefficient management.
It's foolish to take the long way
when there is a short way.
Let us first send Deputy Director Byun
to Gangryeongpo and have him compile
a list of foreign ships
that entered the port.
Would he comply?
Prime Minister is against
entry and exit control.
Byun Gaeryang is Ha Ryun's man.
He is likely to refuse the assignment.
No, he'll go.
I will not go to Gangryeongpo.
How did you find out so quickly?
That's impressive.
And you know whom to
line yourself with as well.
What do you mean by that?
You think you can ignore
your immediate superior's order
if the Prime Minister opposes?
I'll speak to the Minister of
Rites directly if you don't mind.
It's a response to your
order, Minister Hwang.
That was quick.
It shouldn't be any problem for
me to be away for about a month,
so please send me to Been County,
Choongchung Province instead.
They voted not to install
a new agency,
so it's entirely up to us to control
the traffic of foreigners for now.
And the most we can cover is
Kyunggi and Choongchung.
So you want to go to the port
that's busiest and furthest away?
An officer cannot overstep his authority.
but he must do his very best at his
given task within his boundaries.
The Capital Magistracy has
not arrested Choi Haesan?
No, at least not according
to their records.
Perhaps he gave them a different
name out of embarrassment.
Did you send someone to his home?
We even checked his favorite saloon,
but he is nowhere to be found.
Then where did he disappear to?
Jachi.
Yes?
We need to trade clothes.
Again?
I'll see you later.
Hurry back!
Barkeeper, one more bottle!
We're out!
What?
If you don't have wine, who does?
The pharmacy?
Are you sure you have
money to pay for the wine?
Yes, I told you.
Let me see it then.
Let me see the money.
I don't have it right this moment, but...
What? You mean you've been drinking
all of my wine without any money?
You better pay me right now, or
I'll call the authorities on you!
Just give me one more bottle.
I can't let this food go to waste.
Get us two.
What took you so long, buddy?
Come sit down.
What are you waiting for.
Get us the wine.
Yeah, or we're going somewhere else!
What did I tell you?
I told you, you could make money.
Who gave it to you? Who paid you all
that money for the composite sketch?
That's not important.
I have something else I want to know.
If you were a spy, what information
would you want most from Joseon?
Well, that's not a one word answer.
You need to know the state of
affairs in Japan to figure that out.
Just tell me something basic.
Something basic?
Well, that would be military secrets.
You mean like weapons technology?
Explosive making maybe?
You'd be hailed a hero if you
took that information back.
Remember Choi Musun of Goryo?
He became an instant...
Who is that kid anyway?
I just can't figure him out...
Kidnapped by Japanese spies?
There is a good possibility.
We have a witness who saw him getting
arrested by the magistracy officers.
Maybe they were imposters
wearing officer's uniforms.
Imposters?
The Capital Magistracy is not that shoddy.
Uncle...
These are wild assumptions.
There's a bigger chance that he's
lying on the street somewhere drunk.
This is the Bureau of
Weaponry attendance log.
Choi Haesan has never missed a day of work
since his appointment in the past four years.
He even worked on the day he got
injured from an explosion accident.
You have to send your men out
and search the city immediately.
Don't be naive.
We can't mobilize the guards
on your hunch alone.
I'm certain it's a kidnapping.
So you want us to search
every building in the city?
Do you know what kind of
task you're talking about?
Uncle Muhyul is right.
We cant mobilize the guards without
tangible cause even if you're right.
We don't have much time.
Once they get out of the city
and get on a boat, it's over.
We need evidence first.
Can you get it?
Evidence...
Why are you putting Prince
Choongnyeong to work?
He could be right.
Whether he is right or
wrong isn't important.
This is not a matter for
a Royal Prince to get involved in.
You have plenty of Royal
subjects at your beck and call.
Isn't Choongnyeong one of
my Royal subjects as well?
That's a dangerous remark.
That sounds like an insult to me.
Your Highness...
I'm going to give him a chance.
If I don't give him a chance
and confirm my belief,
I would never, know whether
he is a subject or an enemy.
Choi Haesan is an
important recruit subject.
The explosives that he can produce have
strength equivalent to one hundred,
no, one thousand soldiers.
But the Royal court of Joseon is
completely ignoring his abduction.
We will rescue him ourselves and
acquire his vow or loyalty to us.
Spread out from the city square
and search every possible hideout.
Do not overlook the abandoned houses and
buildings that are tagged for demolition.
Suspicious men are approaching.
You're home.
Your Highness, is everything all right?
No list... and no witnesses...
How am I going to find evidence?
Your Highness...
Do you want to play princess for a day?
Your Highness, whatever do you mean?
If you walk down the street
in a princess dress,
everyone would think you're
a princess, wouldn't they?
Your Highness...!
And it would be easy for you since
you have easy access to her clothes.
This is injustice!
Never in my wildest dreams...!
What would a spy do?
Me, a spy?
I'm not a spy, Your Grace!
Goodness!
Are they working with
someone on the inside?
Then it would be a piece of cake
for them to borrow a uniform
and impersonate an officer.
Right?
Why would they go through
all that trouble for a uniform?
They can just have it made.
Make the uniform?
How?
All you need is a tailor.
There're dozens of tailors that
make official uniforms in the city.
Why didn't you tell me that sooner?
You never asked!
Your Highness, where are
you going at this late hour?
He's been acting very strange lately.
Is it bad?
Your Grace...?
It's been a long time since
I've seen him like this.
Can't we skip it tonight?
I have a lot on my mind
because of Choi Haesan.
It's an auspicious day selected by
the Astronomy Bureau, Your Highness.
Isn't this hilarious?
I feel like I'm in a cage being
slaughtered every time we do this.
Everything is decided by the court
even the day I sleep with my wife.
You should watch the words you utter.
This is for the succession
of the Royal throne.
It's a very important state affair.
Important state affair...
This would've been a little better
if you said you missed me...
What are you waiting for?
Let's get on with the state affair.
Youngsil.
What are you doing?
It's not the sutra chanting...
But you said your mother
would like it, so I...
Would you look at this and
tell me if you seen these men?
Take a closer look.
This is not working.
I need another plan.
You fellows keep searching.
You need my help?
I need to see every one of the
foreign merchants you deal with.
May I ask why?
This will benefit you as well.
If it turned out you're doing
business with a spy,
you could be accused of conspiracy
to commit treason.
Treason?
There is no time to waste.
Would you put your men to work for me?
But of course.
Thank you.
I should be thanking you, Your Highness.
You've given us humble merchants
a chance to serve the country.
I'm surprised that you're
helping the prince, sire.
It's in our interest to learn what
the kidnapper looks like as well.
But they could rescue Choi Haesan first.
You're a government official yourself.
Don't you know how
Joseon government works?
They won't act quickly enough
even if they acquire clear evidence.
And even if they do rescue Choi
Haesan, we have nothing to lose.
The Prince's trust will help
us protect the organization.
And we will buy more time for you
to inherit all of Choi's knowledge.
Yes, this is the man.
He said he was in a hurry
and paid me double.
That's the man that was spotted
in Gangryeongpo as well.
You refuse to go to Japan?
I guess you have a death wish.
I never said I wouldn't go.
I said I'm no good to you
if you take me like this.
I need my father's journal.
I can't make explosives without it.
This is the man that abducted Choi
Haesan in an officer's disguise.
He is also the spy behind
the hit on Gangryeongpo.
The question now is his escape route...
I think he'll try to leave Joseon through
the nearest port in merchant's disguise.
A busy port with heavy traffic of
foreigners would be even better.
How about Byuklan-do port in Gaesung?
When does the ship come in?
Tomorrow at dawn.
We are leaving tonight to Been
Country, Choongchung Province.
Yes, sir!
I'm sorry, sir.
We should've searched more carefully.
It's still warm in here.
They're within thousand paces from here.
We placed our men on the mountain
road leading to Byuklan-do,
so there won't be a mistake this time.
Byuklan-do?
That's not where they're headed.
If they were, they wouldn't have been
hiding at the south end of the city.
Sir...?
They're headed south.
Doorkeeper!
Are you visiting Chief Choi?
Is there a problem, sir?
Don't you think it's a bit late
for a woman to be traveling?
It's Lord Choi's mother.
I see.
She must've come back from her grave.
Who is in the carriage?
Prince Choongnyeong...
He's not to take lightly.
How did he know that Choi Haesan
would come back for his journal?
He read his heart.
He not only read his talent
but his heart as well.
I'm glad Choi Haesan has been rescued...
But Prince Choongnyeong's surge
of growth does not make me happy...
How did you know Choi Haesan
would come back to his house?
I put myself in Choi's shoes and
thought about what I would do.
He is a patriot who doesn't
let injury slow him down.
I'm sure he trusted that
the country cares about him
as much as he cares about the country,
and that someone would come to his
rescue if he could just get back somehow.
The journal was probably just bait
since it's common knowledge
that engineers keep notes.
I better get back home now.
What would you like me to do for you?
I should probably report this to Father.
You deserve a rewarded for
this huge service to the state.
I already got my reward.
You didn't refuse my offer to help you.
That's reward enough.
Doe...
Would you let me help you again?
You said you would make
Joseon a strong state.
I can't tolerate anyone who
brings harm to my people.
That dream...
That dream of serving the people...
Could I dream that dream
with you, Your Highness?
Please let me help you.
I'll be your hands and feet...
or your shadow if that's what you'd like.
For that day when you can finally call
me Brother instead of Your Highness?
The Crown Prince captured a Japanese spy?
He is the culprit behind
the pillage in Gangryeongpo,
and he had abducted Choi Musun's
son Choi Haesan in an attempt to steal
our explosives technology.
Right Army Headquarters
I don't know how to praise you for
your continuing remarkable services.
I do not deserve your praise for
merely doing my duty, Your Majesty.
The Crown Prince should
be in the palace at this hour.
If the safety of the country is
threatened and attention is required,
isn't that where the Heir Apparent
should be, Your Majesty?
Tear them from limb to limb
and send them back to Japan!
Yes, Your Majesty.
I should have you men return the
merit-subject land I granted you.
With all the money we spend on
stipends, how could you allow
spies to roam freely on our streets?
Remember.
If something like this ever happens
again, your heads will come off.
Are you here to see the Crown Prince?
What brings you here?
We rushed here to congratulate everyone
the moment we heard the news.
Didn't we, Kyoungnyeong?
Well, offer her your
congratulations, Kyoungnyeong.
My dear, why would you congratulate me?
Your younger brother has rendered
yet another outstanding service.
Doesn't that deserve praise?
He is only doing his job.
He doesn't deserve special praise.
I doubt you came out
here to greet me, so...
You must be quite pleased with the
Crown Prince's recent accomplishments.
Your Majesty...
Confiscate Choi Haesan's
secret gunpowder formula?
To protect the know-how
even if we don't have him.
But you could lose him if you
forcefully take it from him.
Explosive weapons technology
means nothing to an individual.
It belongs to the country.
I don't disagree, but the
man is more important.
More importantly that formula
is not his family's only legacy.
It needs to be developed and
and improved further, and if we lose
Choi Haesan, that will be the end.
Give him your trust and encourage him.
Then not only will he surrender the formula
but sacrifice himself in service
of you and this country.
Are you going to run over to
Choi Haesan's house now?
Don't you ever get tired?
You always waste your time
and energy for nothing.
Brother...
Why do you try so hard?
It's not going to change anything.
Look what happened.
His Majesty got all the credit.
It's rather comforting.
I thought I was the only one.
I didn't know that you felt
just as unfairly treated...
and so you feel empathy for me.
I don't.
Do you want to do this together?
It'll be more fun than growing orchids.
I'm not interested.
Politics...
They say they're serving the country
and the people, but that's just a guise.
If you peel off the shell and look
inside, all that's left is slaughter.
Burning hell where you either
kill or get killed... That's politics.
Politics is slaughter.
What good is having hope?
It's useless.
It's all useless...
His Highness the Crown Prince sent this?
He said you were an important man and
that I should take it to you personally.
Is that tears of gratitude?
I was so wrong about him.
I resented him...
He would hound at me calling
me useless and disloyal, so...
Don't you hound at
your subordinates?
They told me you sometimes
take your fist to those who are
clumsy with gunpowder.
Well, that's...
His Majesty is like you.
He yells at you because he is
just as passionate as you are.
But this is his true heart.
Do you understand?
Your Highness...
Get back on your feet soon.
I can't stand to see our best
explosives expert lying on his back.
It's too big of a loss for
this country to accept.
I hear you've been busy.
But I didn't even come close to helping
the people who suffered injustices.
This is good start.
You can't do everything alone.
I guess I earned your forgiveness
for my insolence the other day.
You said it would be tough.
"It's a difficult life caring
about the people."
That's what you told me when I was a boy.
But I don't know if I can.
I don't know if I can keep the
people in my heart all the time.
Your Highness...
I just hope I can be a decent father.
I'm going to have a baby soon.
I just want to be able to give
some small comfort to the
child who is destined
to live a life like mine...
To look at me when he's sad and
disheartened because the world
won't give him a chance
to pursue his dream...
... and see that it isn't so
bad to live a life like mine.
That even if you're stuck in a shadow
and sun never shines on you,
that one must never give
up what's in one's heart.
That's virtue...
That's living life right...
That's what I want my
child to know, master.
Return to your homes!
Curfew violators will be
punished by ten lashes!
Curfew!
Return to your homes!
So what if he's the Crown Prince?
It's curfew, my lord.
He can't treat me like this.
Who made this country
as strong as it is?
It's all thanks to the gunpowder
that my father developed.
You're going to be
arrested for violating the curfew!
That Crown Prince doesn't know jack!
Please watch what you say, my lord!
Never mind the curfew violation,
you'll be arrested for treason!
Treason?
Without Choi Haesan, there
are no cannons in Joseon.
Who would arrest me?
Where are you going?
I'm going to dump some water.
Why?
So what if he's the Crown Prince?
Spies...
Spies are involved in
Gangryeongpo pillage?
And these are their composite sketches?
I got the information
from a reliable source.
He has dark eyebrows and an oblong face.
Space between his nose and lips
is short, and his nose is long.
Wait, that's not his nose.
The tip isn't fat like that.
They were staying near
the Hall of Great Peace
but disappeared after
the Gangryeongpo battle,
so the likelihood is high.
I sent a team to Gangryeongpo
for now to look for them.
What are you telling me?
That cannon practice isn't important,
so I should go catch spies?
Is that what you call
setting things right?
I'm not saying cannon
practice isn't important.
I'm saying stopping government
secrets from leaking out comes first.
They can't approach us if we're stronger.
We don't have to be afraid of spies.
You can't lose if you know
yourself and know your enemy.
If we capture the spy, we can
find out more about the enemy.
I think that will help us
strengthen our national defense.
I'm surprised.
I haven't seen you like this in years.
It's the first time since
the uncles died, I think.
Your Highness...
What's gotten into you?
What are you trying to accomplish?
I just want to help you.
Do I look that incompetent?
Enough to compel a man who's
been voiceless all these years
out of fear of annoying the Royal
court to come out and try to help me?
No...
Your Highness, we have a problem.
Can't conduct the training
because Choi Haesan is absent?
Is Choi the only man
the Bureau of Weaponry?
It's ridiculous to say that you can't
conduct the training without him!
We can't make the gunpowder
without him...
What?
Choi Haesan has been protecting the
secret recipe for gunpowder himself.
Where the heck is he?
It appears he might have been
arrested by the Capital Magistracy
last night for violating the curfew.
What?
Then contact the Capital Magistracy
and have him released at once.
That is if they don't want to
see this country go down.
Go to Japan?
Why would I go to Japan?
Forget about it.
Not in a million years.
This country doesn't give you
the appreciation and
recognition you and your clan deserve.
Am I wrong?
We just want to give you a chance.
A chance to choose a new state
to serve that will make you a hero.
Tighten restriction on
foreigners' entry to the state?
Actually, we would be
more like starting it.
We've never systematically
controlled entry and exit of foreigners.
Take Gangryeongpo, for example...
Gangryeongpo again?
You are tenacious.
They timed their hit for the arrival of
taxes collected from 3 southern states.
It wouldn't have been possible
if the information hadn't gotten out.
We must install a system to control
traffic of foreigners, Prime Minister.
It's not possible right now.
We have over forty major ports in Joseon.
If we send only 3 agents to each port,
we're talking about 120 agents.
We don't have that kind of manpower.
Ministry of Personnel can
send our hew recruits, and
if each bureau spares
one third of its staff,
I think it's doable.
Agents are only half of what we need.
What about armed guards?
At least 2.000 soldiers will
have to be dispatched,
and that will leave the
capital city defenseless.
If we let the spies roam free,
our borders will not be secure.
That's for the Ministry of
Defense to worry about.
The Ministry of Rites can
mind its own business!
If you did your job, the invasion on
Gangryeongpo would've been avoided!
What?
Settle down.
Entry and exit control is premature.
The hands of this government can't even
reach our border provinces due to
shortage of personnel.
That's right.
We're relying on the regional lords
because we have no other choice,
but they were loyal to
Goryeo for generations.
They could turn on us at any given time.
We must get a grip of our own state first.
That's the proper order.
Go to the King directly.
If you want to do this you
have my full support.
No, I cannot violate
the chain of command.
If you know you're doing the right thing,
borrow the King's authority
to push it through.
It could backfire.
This work is impossible without
the support of the other bureaus.
If I turn my peers into enemies,
I'll get nowhere.
Ministry of Rites will start this alone for
now and gradually persuade the others.
That's inefficient management.
It's foolish to take the long way
when there is a short way.
Let us first send Deputy Director Byun
to Gangryeongpo and have him compile
a list of foreign ships
that entered the port.
Would he comply?
Prime Minister is against
entry and exit control.
Byun Gaeryang is Ha Ryun's man.
He is likely to refuse the assignment.
No, he'll go.
I will not go to Gangryeongpo.
How did you find out so quickly?
That's impressive.
And you know whom to
line yourself with as well.
What do you mean by that?
You think you can ignore
your immediate superior's order
if the Prime Minister opposes?
I'll speak to the Minister of
Rites directly if you don't mind.
It's a response to your
order, Minister Hwang.
That was quick.
It shouldn't be any problem for
me to be away for about a month,
so please send me to Been County,
Choongchung Province instead.
They voted not to install
a new agency,
so it's entirely up to us to control
the traffic of foreigners for now.
And the most we can cover is
Kyunggi and Choongchung.
So you want to go to the port
that's busiest and furthest away?
An officer cannot overstep his authority.
but he must do his very best at his
given task within his boundaries.
The Capital Magistracy has
not arrested Choi Haesan?
No, at least not according
to their records.
Perhaps he gave them a different
name out of embarrassment.
Did you send someone to his home?
We even checked his favorite saloon,
but he is nowhere to be found.
Then where did he disappear to?
Jachi.
Yes?
We need to trade clothes.
Again?
I'll see you later.
Hurry back!
Barkeeper, one more bottle!
We're out!
What?
If you don't have wine, who does?
The pharmacy?
Are you sure you have
money to pay for the wine?
Yes, I told you.
Let me see it then.
Let me see the money.
I don't have it right this moment, but...
What? You mean you've been drinking
all of my wine without any money?
You better pay me right now, or
I'll call the authorities on you!
Just give me one more bottle.
I can't let this food go to waste.
Get us two.
What took you so long, buddy?
Come sit down.
What are you waiting for.
Get us the wine.
Yeah, or we're going somewhere else!
What did I tell you?
I told you, you could make money.
Who gave it to you? Who paid you all
that money for the composite sketch?
That's not important.
I have something else I want to know.
If you were a spy, what information
would you want most from Joseon?
Well, that's not a one word answer.
You need to know the state of
affairs in Japan to figure that out.
Just tell me something basic.
Something basic?
Well, that would be military secrets.
You mean like weapons technology?
Explosive making maybe?
You'd be hailed a hero if you
took that information back.
Remember Choi Musun of Goryo?
He became an instant...
Who is that kid anyway?
I just can't figure him out...
Kidnapped by Japanese spies?
There is a good possibility.
We have a witness who saw him getting
arrested by the magistracy officers.
Maybe they were imposters
wearing officer's uniforms.
Imposters?
The Capital Magistracy is not that shoddy.
Uncle...
These are wild assumptions.
There's a bigger chance that he's
lying on the street somewhere drunk.
This is the Bureau of
Weaponry attendance log.
Choi Haesan has never missed a day of work
since his appointment in the past four years.
He even worked on the day he got
injured from an explosion accident.
You have to send your men out
and search the city immediately.
Don't be naive.
We can't mobilize the guards
on your hunch alone.
I'm certain it's a kidnapping.
So you want us to search
every building in the city?
Do you know what kind of
task you're talking about?
Uncle Muhyul is right.
We cant mobilize the guards without
tangible cause even if you're right.
We don't have much time.
Once they get out of the city
and get on a boat, it's over.
We need evidence first.
Can you get it?
Evidence...
Why are you putting Prince
Choongnyeong to work?
He could be right.
Whether he is right or
wrong isn't important.
This is not a matter for
a Royal Prince to get involved in.
You have plenty of Royal
subjects at your beck and call.
Isn't Choongnyeong one of
my Royal subjects as well?
That's a dangerous remark.
That sounds like an insult to me.
Your Highness...
I'm going to give him a chance.
If I don't give him a chance
and confirm my belief,
I would never, know whether
he is a subject or an enemy.
Choi Haesan is an
important recruit subject.
The explosives that he can produce have
strength equivalent to one hundred,
no, one thousand soldiers.
But the Royal court of Joseon is
completely ignoring his abduction.
We will rescue him ourselves and
acquire his vow or loyalty to us.
Spread out from the city square
and search every possible hideout.
Do not overlook the abandoned houses and
buildings that are tagged for demolition.
Suspicious men are approaching.
You're home.
Your Highness, is everything all right?
No list... and no witnesses...
How am I going to find evidence?
Your Highness...
Do you want to play princess for a day?
Your Highness, whatever do you mean?
If you walk down the street
in a princess dress,
everyone would think you're
a princess, wouldn't they?
Your Highness...!
And it would be easy for you since
you have easy access to her clothes.
This is injustice!
Never in my wildest dreams...!
What would a spy do?
Me, a spy?
I'm not a spy, Your Grace!
Goodness!
Are they working with
someone on the inside?
Then it would be a piece of cake
for them to borrow a uniform
and impersonate an officer.
Right?
Why would they go through
all that trouble for a uniform?
They can just have it made.
Make the uniform?
How?
All you need is a tailor.
There're dozens of tailors that
make official uniforms in the city.
Why didn't you tell me that sooner?
You never asked!
Your Highness, where are
you going at this late hour?
He's been acting very strange lately.
Is it bad?
Your Grace...?
It's been a long time since
I've seen him like this.
Can't we skip it tonight?
I have a lot on my mind
because of Choi Haesan.
It's an auspicious day selected by
the Astronomy Bureau, Your Highness.
Isn't this hilarious?
I feel like I'm in a cage being
slaughtered every time we do this.
Everything is decided by the court
even the day I sleep with my wife.
You should watch the words you utter.
This is for the succession
of the Royal throne.
It's a very important state affair.
Important state affair...
This would've been a little better
if you said you missed me...
What are you waiting for?
Let's get on with the state affair.
Youngsil.
What are you doing?
It's not the sutra chanting...
But you said your mother
would like it, so I...
Would you look at this and
tell me if you seen these men?
Take a closer look.
This is not working.
I need another plan.
You fellows keep searching.
You need my help?
I need to see every one of the
foreign merchants you deal with.
May I ask why?
This will benefit you as well.
If it turned out you're doing
business with a spy,
you could be accused of conspiracy
to commit treason.
Treason?
There is no time to waste.
Would you put your men to work for me?
But of course.
Thank you.
I should be thanking you, Your Highness.
You've given us humble merchants
a chance to serve the country.
I'm surprised that you're
helping the prince, sire.
It's in our interest to learn what
the kidnapper looks like as well.
But they could rescue Choi Haesan first.
You're a government official yourself.
Don't you know how
Joseon government works?
They won't act quickly enough
even if they acquire clear evidence.
And even if they do rescue Choi
Haesan, we have nothing to lose.
The Prince's trust will help
us protect the organization.
And we will buy more time for you
to inherit all of Choi's knowledge.
Yes, this is the man.
He said he was in a hurry
and paid me double.
That's the man that was spotted
in Gangryeongpo as well.
You refuse to go to Japan?
I guess you have a death wish.
I never said I wouldn't go.
I said I'm no good to you
if you take me like this.
I need my father's journal.
I can't make explosives without it.
This is the man that abducted Choi
Haesan in an officer's disguise.
He is also the spy behind
the hit on Gangryeongpo.
The question now is his escape route...
I think he'll try to leave Joseon through
the nearest port in merchant's disguise.
A busy port with heavy traffic of
foreigners would be even better.
How about Byuklan-do port in Gaesung?
When does the ship come in?
Tomorrow at dawn.
We are leaving tonight to Been
Country, Choongchung Province.
Yes, sir!
I'm sorry, sir.
We should've searched more carefully.
It's still warm in here.
They're within thousand paces from here.
We placed our men on the mountain
road leading to Byuklan-do,
so there won't be a mistake this time.
Byuklan-do?
That's not where they're headed.
If they were, they wouldn't have been
hiding at the south end of the city.
Sir...?
They're headed south.
Doorkeeper!
Are you visiting Chief Choi?
Is there a problem, sir?
Don't you think it's a bit late
for a woman to be traveling?
It's Lord Choi's mother.
I see.
She must've come back from her grave.
Who is in the carriage?
Prince Choongnyeong...
He's not to take lightly.
How did he know that Choi Haesan
would come back for his journal?
He read his heart.
He not only read his talent
but his heart as well.
I'm glad Choi Haesan has been rescued...
But Prince Choongnyeong's surge
of growth does not make me happy...
How did you know Choi Haesan
would come back to his house?
I put myself in Choi's shoes and
thought about what I would do.
He is a patriot who doesn't
let injury slow him down.
I'm sure he trusted that
the country cares about him
as much as he cares about the country,
and that someone would come to his
rescue if he could just get back somehow.
The journal was probably just bait
since it's common knowledge
that engineers keep notes.
I better get back home now.
What would you like me to do for you?
I should probably report this to Father.
You deserve a rewarded for
this huge service to the state.
I already got my reward.
You didn't refuse my offer to help you.
That's reward enough.
Doe...
Would you let me help you again?
You said you would make
Joseon a strong state.
I can't tolerate anyone who
brings harm to my people.
That dream...
That dream of serving the people...
Could I dream that dream
with you, Your Highness?
Please let me help you.
I'll be your hands and feet...
or your shadow if that's what you'd like.
For that day when you can finally call
me Brother instead of Your Highness?
The Crown Prince captured a Japanese spy?
He is the culprit behind
the pillage in Gangryeongpo,
and he had abducted Choi Musun's
son Choi Haesan in an attempt to steal
our explosives technology.
Right Army Headquarters
I don't know how to praise you for
your continuing remarkable services.
I do not deserve your praise for
merely doing my duty, Your Majesty.
The Crown Prince should
be in the palace at this hour.
If the safety of the country is
threatened and attention is required,
isn't that where the Heir Apparent
should be, Your Majesty?
Tear them from limb to limb
and send them back to Japan!
Yes, Your Majesty.
I should have you men return the
merit-subject land I granted you.
With all the money we spend on
stipends, how could you allow
spies to roam freely on our streets?
Remember.
If something like this ever happens
again, your heads will come off.
Are you here to see the Crown Prince?
What brings you here?
We rushed here to congratulate everyone
the moment we heard the news.
Didn't we, Kyoungnyeong?
Well, offer her your
congratulations, Kyoungnyeong.
My dear, why would you congratulate me?
Your younger brother has rendered
yet another outstanding service.
Doesn't that deserve praise?
He is only doing his job.
He doesn't deserve special praise.
I doubt you came out
here to greet me, so...
You must be quite pleased with the
Crown Prince's recent accomplishments.
Your Majesty...
Confiscate Choi Haesan's
secret gunpowder formula?
To protect the know-how
even if we don't have him.
But you could lose him if you
forcefully take it from him.
Explosive weapons technology
means nothing to an individual.
It belongs to the country.
I don't disagree, but the
man is more important.
More importantly that formula
is not his family's only legacy.
It needs to be developed and
and improved further, and if we lose
Choi Haesan, that will be the end.
Give him your trust and encourage him.
Then not only will he surrender the formula
but sacrifice himself in service
of you and this country.
Are you going to run over to
Choi Haesan's house now?
Don't you ever get tired?
You always waste your time
and energy for nothing.
Brother...
Why do you try so hard?
It's not going to change anything.
Look what happened.
His Majesty got all the credit.
It's rather comforting.
I thought I was the only one.
I didn't know that you felt
just as unfairly treated...
and so you feel empathy for me.
I don't.
Do you want to do this together?
It'll be more fun than growing orchids.
I'm not interested.
Politics...
They say they're serving the country
and the people, but that's just a guise.
If you peel off the shell and look
inside, all that's left is slaughter.
Burning hell where you either
kill or get killed... That's politics.
Politics is slaughter.
What good is having hope?
It's useless.
It's all useless...
His Highness the Crown Prince sent this?
He said you were an important man and
that I should take it to you personally.
Is that tears of gratitude?
I was so wrong about him.
I resented him...
He would hound at me calling
me useless and disloyal, so...
Don't you hound at
your subordinates?
They told me you sometimes
take your fist to those who are
clumsy with gunpowder.
Well, that's...
His Majesty is like you.
He yells at you because he is
just as passionate as you are.
But this is his true heart.
Do you understand?
Your Highness...
Get back on your feet soon.
I can't stand to see our best
explosives expert lying on his back.
It's too big of a loss for
this country to accept.
I hear you've been busy.
But I didn't even come close to helping
the people who suffered injustices.
This is good start.
You can't do everything alone.
I guess I earned your forgiveness
for my insolence the other day.
You said it would be tough.
"It's a difficult life caring
about the people."
That's what you told me when I was a boy.
But I don't know if I can.
I don't know if I can keep the
people in my heart all the time.
Your Highness...
I just hope I can be a decent father.
I'm going to have a baby soon.
I just want to be able to give
some small comfort to the
child who is destined
to live a life like mine...
To look at me when he's sad and
disheartened because the world
won't give him a chance
to pursue his dream...
... and see that it isn't so
bad to live a life like mine.
That even if you're stuck in a shadow
and sun never shines on you,
that one must never give
up what's in one's heart.
That's virtue...
That's living life right...
That's what I want my
child to know, master.