Subtitles by DramaFever
[1599, One year after the end of the Imjin War]
Sire... where are you going at this late hour?
Sire...
It's cold outside. Please go inside.
Welcome!
I'm very glad that you came, my people!
I'm holding a feast for you.
Enjoy!
You must've starved yourselves because of the war.
Sire.
Hurry!
[Episode 16]
Sire... did you have another dream last night?
How did you know that I had a dream?
In my dream last night
I gathered starving people and held a grand feast.
People were so happy.
Seeing them eating so well made me really happy.
Today is the day Your Majesty planned to give out oxbone soup and wine to the people.
Maybe that's the reason for the dream.
Would many people come?
Of course, sire.
We had posters up in the city
so the palace will be filled with people.
For the king to give out food and drink to the people in the palace...
It's never happened with previous kings.
- Isn't that right? - Yes, sire.
Alll the people will be touched by Your Majesty's kind heart.
What do you mean?
His Majesty goes outside every night?
It's already happened several times.
He is taking medicine
but according to the doctor, it's not easy to cure it since it's an illness of the heart.
Because of the war, his illness has gotten worse.
I'm keeping everyone quiet about it now...
but a rumor will spread in the palace soon.
That should never happen.
Queen Majesty
the official who went to Ming to receive permission on the Crown Prince appointment is back.
He is?
We really need permission from Ming this time.
What?
You couldn't get permission from the emperor of Ming again?
No, sire.
They brought up the reason that he is not the first son again
and didn't give permission.
How many times has it been?
How many more times do I have to send an official to Ming?
Your Majesty, His Highness Crown Prince is here.
Let him in.
Ming refused to give permission on your installment as the Crown Prince again.
You reaped what you sowed.
You fought off the Japanese troops at that time
and provoked Ming's feelings.
That's why they're refusing to recognize you as the Crown Prince now.
Ming is a kind country that rescued our Joseon.
That kind country refuses to recognize you as the Crown Prince.
With half-wit Crown Prince who can't get recognized from Ming
how could I introduce you as my proud Crown Prince?
Sire, I believe this is not completely the fault of the Crown Prince.
I agree.
Even in Ming without a rightful heir of the first son
vassals are strongly opposing the idea of establishing other sons as the heir.
It's a dicey issue even in Ming.
You mean, I have to keep enduring this humiliation?
Father, with my inadequacy
I committed the sin of confusing you and adding more worries to the country.
How could I be forgiven of my sin?
But, Father...
you have to see through the true intention of Ming.
True intention of Ming?
Yes.
Ming sent soldiers to Joseon
because they were afraid that the Japanese would invade Ming.
They sent soldiers to Joseon because it was necessary for their own country.
So we shouldn't be so touched or impressed with Ming's help?
I didn't mean it that way.
I only say this because I'm worried about the future relationship of Ming and Joseon.
- Sir. - How did it go?
Ming didn't give permission for the Crown Prince at the end.
He couldn't get approved as the Crown Prince again?
You climbed to the highest position in the Physiognomy Department in a few years
but the Crown Prince is still only half-approved.
How embarrassing is this?
I'm here all thanks to you, my lady.
I'm sure you are well aware that it's tough
to put you at a highly ranked position when you're not from the noble class.
You should never forget this kindness for the rest of your life.
[Prince Jungwon, Father of King Injo]
Of course not. You are the masters of my life.
Masters?
For that to happen...
my Prince Jungwon must become the Crown Prince and ascend to the throne.
I've mentioned this before.
You have the face that will see a future king for sure.
Prince Jungwon will make your lifelong dream come true.
I came here with Prince Shinsung for a walk all the time.
Your brother never got to step on the land of Hanyang again.
He took his last breath in that cold, rough Uiju.
Gwanghae who stole the title of the Crown Prince and Imhae caused it on your brother.
I was young then...
but how could I forget my brother's resentment?
Just wait and see, Mother.
I'll make sure to take back the title that my brother was robbed.
Isn't this tiger skin?
Yes, Father.
I caught this tiger myself in Hamgyeong Province.
You caught a tiger yourself?
It was such a big, wild creature, so I had a tough time.
But it would suit you so well, so I brought it for you.
I hear you don't drink these days and spend days without much trouble.
I am the first son of this country Joseon.
I can't make you worry anymore after having gone through a war.
We didn't get approved of the Crown Prince again this time.
If I had appointed you, the first son, as the Crown Prince
this wouldn't have happened.
It's all my fault caused by my lack of virtue.
The Crown Prince is doing well now
so I believe we'll hear good news soon, Father.
Father, I'm not that Imhae from the past anymore.
Just wait and see.
I'll definitely take back the Crown Prince title I was robbed.
His Majesty has arrived!
What happened?
I told you to put up posters in places where people can see easily.
Yes, sire. I followed your royal command.
Then how come I don't see anyone?
Not even one showed up to a feast that the King is holding?
Your Majesty, people are coming!
Welcome.
Your Highness...
You killed the Japanese general five years ago
so my son lived.
Did he?
Yes, sire.
I won't forget your kindness of protecting us even after I die.
This old hag really wanted to have an audience with you and offer my bow.
This is enough.
His Majesty prepared a special feast for you today
so introduce yourselves to His Majesty.
Your Highness, we came here today to say our gratitude to you.
Yes, sire. We came to say thank you.
Please accept our bow, Your Highness.
Your Highness Crown Prince!
Your Highness...
You wouldn't have brought them here on purpose, would you?
What are you talking about?
Everyone, please stop
and have the oxbone soup that His Majesty prepared for you.
He prepared the food especially for you.
We don't need it! We won't eat it!
We didn't come here to eat the soup.
We came to say our gratitude to His Highness.
Your Highness, thank you!
Your Highness Crown Prince!
Sire.
Young Shin, leaders of the volunteer soldiers are coming tomorrow.
Is everything going well with the preparation for welcoming them?
Yes, please don't worry.
Sire, Prince Imhae is here.
My brother?
Please don't get up, Your Highness.
Of course you should take the higher seat.
What are you doing there?
Go get me some tea.
Oh, yes.
I was worried that you'd be concered over what happened earlier, so I came by.
Don't take it so seriously.
Father sowed all the seeds.
How many lives did you save during the war?
It's only natural that the people would act that way.
Why are you looking at me that way?
It's nothing. I'm really happy that you'd console me like this.
How dare they refuse food given by the King?
People have no thoughts of submitting themselves to me as the King.
They disregarded me and mocked me, the King!
They said they came to see the Crown Prince, not me!
Sire, as soon as people are given a warm meal of rice and a comfortable bed to sleep in
they will change their minds quickly.
- So I should forget what happened today? - That's not what I meant...
People are not a big problem...
There must be some who whisper bad words to the people.
Who are they?
I plan to go to the market tomorrow and check on what people are thinking myself.
Your consideration for me is truly commandable.
No. I will go myself.
- Eunuch Song. - Yes, sire.
I will go out of the palace in disguise tomorrow with Chief of Physiognomy, so get ready.
You don't need to worry. I will do my best to escort His Majesty.
There they come!
- Enjoy. - Thank you!
Volunteer soldiers!
Our general is coming! Dear general!
Your Highness!
Welcome! You came a long way.
I'm so glad to see you! Get up!
You haven't changed a bit!
Have you been well?
All of them belong to the Crown Prince?
Yes, they do.
Aren't they truly ungrateful?
They are serving His Highness as if he is the master.
Rise up, volunteer soldiers of Joseon!
Gather our strength and protect the country!
Now I see you after such a long time...
I feel like I'm back to the past again.
By the way, about this wine...
I've had different wines after I came back to the city
but I haven't had anything as good as the rice wine I had at the battlefield.
That's not all.
What about the taste of the rabbit meat we caught on the way to the battlefield?
Even falling asleep on grass was the most comfortable bed I had!
This man...
Didn't you say, 'it hurts my back, I'm sick of this'?
Ouch, my back!
Cheers!
We're selecting and rewarding the ones who made contribution to the war at the court now.
Even if you are recongized for your merit
you won't be compensated enough to make up for the lost lives and your blood in the war.
But I'm very happy that you'd get recognized for your efforts even at this point.
Your Highness, we don't need a sticker of meritorious retainers.
- Please don't be too concerned. - That's right, we don't need it.
Of course! Of course!
His Majesty is waiting for you.
What is it about that His Majesty is looking for me with such urgency?
Please go inside.
We won this war because I requested Ming to send us soldiers.
The people also need to know that.
Sire, did you look for me?
Prime Minister, in order to reward the ones who contributed to the victory of this war
I established the office to record the ones with distiguished services
and ordered for recommendation of meritorious officials.
So how come I haven't heard any news for over a year?
Forgive me, sire.
We are in the middle of investigating all the vassals, military officers and volunteer soldiers
but it's in such a grand scale, we haven't finished it yet.
How long will you just talk about it?
As soon as the day breaks tomorrow, bring me the list right away!
We have to announce the meritorious vassals as soon as possible
so that people realize who really led this war to victory!
Yes, sire. I will follow your royal command.
[Office of Distinguished Service Record]
The ones who led this war to victory were
as expected, His Majesty who asked for help from Ming
and the officials who assisted His Majesty.
I guess we'll have an increased number of guards who escorted His Majesty to recognize.
Shouldn't we have more military leaders and volunteer soldiers who actually fought the war?
If the military leaders who fought, putting their lives at risk are not worthy of recognition
then who?
Did we say that we wouldn't include them?
Of course we should.
Yi Sun Shin who died in war not too long ago
Kwon Yul, the leader of volunteer soldiers Gwak Jae Woo, Lee Jung Ahm...
We should include Kim Shi Min who contributed at the battle of Jinju.
Yi Sun Shin and Gwak Jae Woo...
Would His Majesty be happy about it?
Gwak Jae Woo has been completely out of favor from His Majesty...
Many people praised accomplishments of Yi Sun Shin.
Of course we should include Yi Sun Shin!
Let's put him on the list for now...
but His Majesty will make the decision.
These are the recipients who are recognized for escorting Your Majesty to Pyongyang and Uiju.
And the leaders and soldiers who fought in battlefields and led the war to victory.
Gwak Jae Woo? Who is this?
Do you not remember? He is a leader of volunteer soldiers who led many battles to victory.
I don't remember him at all.
I'll be generous and consider Yi Sun Shin and Kwon Yul worthy of recognition.
Others don't deserve to be called honorable vassals.
The Crown Prince is a top vassal of honor?
What the heck did he do to deserve recongition?
Sire, wrong names from the officials can be taken out
so please put your mind at ease.
It's all thanks to the Ming soldiers that we were able to get rid of the Japanese.
So put Prince Shinsung and Prince Jungwon who escorted me to the list.
Yes, sire.
Since General Yi Sun Shin died in battle, put him on the list.
Add Won Gyun to the list, too.
Did you say, Won Gyun?
Is this really everything?
Only 18 military officials are recognized for putting their lives at risk and fighting the war?
I hear the number of those recognized for escorting His Majesty is impossible to count.
This is going too far.
In the year of Imjin when the war started, if it wasn't for General Gwak Jae Woo
volunteer soldiers whouldn't have come together.
Exclude someone like him from the list?
That's one case, but it's really upsetting that Your Highness was not on the list!
I only did my duty as the Crown Prince.
Countless, nameless people who helped me are the real retainers of honor!
Sire, where are you going?
I need to tell Father myself.
So, what is it that you want to tell me?
Father, why were all the leaders of volunteer soldiers excluded from the list?
That's of course because they had no accomplishments to be recognized.
Father, I saw it myself. I am the witness!
How they fought the war
how much blood they bled to protect a castle
how much sacrifice they endured to slay the Japanese.
I saw them with my own eyes!
I'm well aware that you are considerate of the people.
But we are deciding on the names that will go down in history.
The leaders of volunteer soldiers that you speak of...
They only followed the tails of Ming soldiers.
Did they ever cut down the head of the enemy's leader
or seize the enemy's base?
You may leave now.
How dare you get greedy to offer names I've never heard of as the ones to be recognized?
The ones who protect this land and brought back this country to life are
our people, not Ming!
What?
Did you say that we are deciding on the names to go down in history?
Then in 10 years, 20 years, 100 years...
what would people in the future generation learn from today?
Would they think that they should volunteer to fight for the country in high spirits?
'No, I only need to save myself. That's the only way to survive.'
'That is the only way... to save myself and my family.'
It will be filled with people who think that way.
What could be more terrible than that?
Are you saying that I'm going against history?
Are you saying this because I left the people behind?
No, Father!
A half-wit Crown Prince who hasn't even been approved
dares to discuss history?
Leave right now!
I don't want to hear your voice anymore.
We wouldn't take that honor sticker even if we were offered!
But the Crown Prince who put himself at risk and led at the battlefields...
How could he be disregarded this way?
The Crown Prince deserves the top honor for his accomplishments at the war!
Just for reason of following the King who left the city
Prince Shinsung and Prince Jungwon are recognized for their contribution?
Will you just watch this?
Shouldn't we let others know about the Crown Prince's accomplishments?
Let's do that! Let us take the lead on that!
I agree! Let's do that!
- Let's do that! - Let's do that!
- We have to do something! - I agree!
Leaders of the volunteer soldiers are holding a rally?
They got through life and death together in the battlefield.
They are ready to die for the Crown Prince.
After the war, too many people look up to the Crown Prince.
If this continues, it'll cause a trouble...
Is there a way to locking up all of them?
What about framing them for treason?
If the Crown Prince can be included
it will be better.
Of course that will be perfect.
What? Holding a rally for the Crown Prince?
Yes, sire.
Their behavior from that day was too suspicious
so I checked on them in secret.
It looks like they will request the Crown Prince to be recognized for his accomplishments at war.
What kind of foul people are those?
Your Majesty saw them too.
They consider the Crown Prince as ther master, not Your Majesty.
Also they are slandering you for leaving the city during the war.
How do you think I should manage this?
Sire, it may seem like a small complaint in the beginning
but it will become an uncontrollable flame in the future.
It's treason, sire.
Your Majesty! His Highness Crown Prince led the war to victory!
So how could he be left out from being recognized for his accomplishment?
Please recognize His Highness for his accomplishment at war!
Please recognize him!
Please consider His Highness' accomplishment at war!
Please consider him!
Please recognize His Highness for his accomplishment at war!
Please recognize him!
Please recognize His Highness for his accomplishment at war!
Please recognize him!
- Take them away! - Yes, sir!
Why are you doing this?
- Your Highness! - Your Highness!
Is everyone alright?
We're doing fine.
But why is His Majesty doing this to us?
Even when I was caught as a hostage by the Japanese, I wasn't this upset!
Forgive us, sire.
I'm worried that you'd be in an awkward situation because of us.
This is no time to worry about me! Why did you do something so reckless?
But we couldn't stand it!
This is unfair and unjust!
Sure, we were ignored, but to think that your accomplishments were disregarded...
we couldn't stand it!
The terrible time we spent in the battlefields...
The effort we put into fight putting our lives at risk...
They turned all of it into bubbles!
I have the duty to protect you and the people!
So of course I had to do it!
You disappointed me today for the first time.
Sire! Your Highness!
You locked up all the men of Gwanghae that were like thorns?
You did very well!
His Majesty did this.
You are the one who advised His Majesty to do so.
You came up with the treason plot, my lady.
Only a few years ago, you were just a face reader.
But now you've become the powerful that makes all the officials of the court tremble.
Although I don't know how to read faces...
but it looks like I picked the right man.
Opportunities don't come often.
Pay attention to this matter and complete it with no mistake.
Yes.
Did you just say a plot of treason?
Yes, sire.
The leaders of volunteer soldiers who were unhappy with the honor recognition
will try to take down His Majesty and establish the Crown Prince as the King.
From what I hear
in order to be in favor of Father, people need to be in favor of you first.
The rumor is spread in the palace.
How amazing!
All of this is for you, sire.
Why are you making this effort for me?
Of course that's because you will become the master.
The reason Ming doesn't recognize the Crown Prince is because he's not the first son.
You, the first son, should become the King of Joseon.
What can we do?
When the Crown Prince hasn't been approved by Ming...
all the men who follow him are locked up...
From what I hear, people are already chattering about treason.
Is that true?
This is all because of His Majesty's illness.
Because of the illness, His Majesty's sense of judgment got cloudy.
If Gwiin Kim notices it...
she will grab this chance and try to take down the Crown Prince right away.
A long time ago, there was a girl who was about to be brought in as a concubine
but she was kicked out because I didn't want a daughter of a traitor.
We need to bring her in.
That will be a way to cure His Majesty's illness
and fight off Gwiin Kim to strengthen the Crown Prince's status.
Is this a lady named Kim Ga Hee, by any chance?
How do you know?
She has a deep connection with the Crown Prince.
What did you just say?
[A Jurchen village in Southern Manchuria]
This is the best cotton cloth from Joseon.
You won't find this quality at this price elsewhere.
It really is great quality.
But...
Why did you search through this barrack when you just came to sell your goods?
- Search them! - Yes, sir.
She made a map of this area.
She is... a spy.
Who sent you here?
- Take them away! - Yes, sir!
Hello! My goodness...
I guess I took the wrong path.
Excuse me.
Get him! He's from Joseon!
He's with them!
Why are you doing this?
I'm from a well known family of the noble class in Joseon.
How can you possibly tie me in a bundle with these spies like dried fish?
This is upsetting.
I just came to sell some ginseng.
- Ginseng? - That's what I said.
Ginseng...
I brought in these ginseng directly from Joseon.
I brought a whole cart filled with ginseng.
My servant outside is standing guard for the cart.
- Go out and check! - Yes, sir.
Hurry up and run!
Catch them!
Follow them!
Thank you.
You lost all the precious ginseng because of us.
How should we pay you back?
Don't worry.
They weren't ginseng...
They were bellflower roots.
What?
I don't know your reasons
but to fool the Jurchen people
cotton cloth won't work anymore.
It's history that Jurchen people fell over for cotton cloth and grains.
Now Ming has weakened, they have become pretty rich.
So, whether you make a living by being a spy or a merchant
next time, change your item to ginseng.
I hear Nurhaci falls head over heels for ginseng from Joseon.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Did you... fall for me?
What?
It's not like that.
Someone else I know said something similar.
Most scholars of Joseon consider Jurchen people only as barbarians.
It's very rare to find ones who pay attention to their power.
By the way, do you have a fiance... or someone like that?
Your independent and slightly violent nature...
shot right through my ideal type.
What?
It's a secret message from the city.
The Crown Prince is in trouble.
I have to go to the capital.
Oh Gil, stay here and follow the plan.
Yes.
All of you...
Do you work for the Crown Prince?
Your Majesty!
Where did His Majesty go?
How can the servants at His Majesty's chamber be so incompetent?
Forgive us. His Majesty ordered us to clear out.
Everyone, search for His Majesty quietly.
We have to search everywhere in the palace and find him quickly. Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
Father! Father! Father!
Is anyone outside?
Father! Father!
Sire...
Teacher, why is Father here alone?
Call the doctor now.
He didn't faint...
He fell asleep.
We'll take him to Kangnyung Hall.
- Escort His Majesty. - Yes, sir.
You mean, Father has an illness that he doesn't even know about?
It's already been a while.
He goes everywhere at night
then he thinks he only had a dream.
Sire...
His Majesty is not the brilliant one from the past.
He feels uneasy everyday.
He still dreams about getting hit with stones thrown by the people on the day he left the palace.
Father... Is that why you insisted that the Ming soldiers led to victory of the war?
Is that why you try to knock off accomplishments of the volunteer soldiers?
Sire...
have you ever read the face of Kim Do Chi?
I have.
But what I found really strange was...
that I couldn't read his face.
The reason that his face is unreadable is
because he has two faces in one.
He has a face with a dragon and a snake tangled together.
A wicked snake that can never become a dragon.
That is his true face.
But his eyes...
Those cruel eyes with a hidden sword...
I don't know whom those eyes are looking at.
He knows about His Majesty's illness and is using it to his advantage.
Please be careful.
Did you say Ga Hee is back?
Yes. It looks like she's been travelling faraway countries.
Thank you for looking into where she has been.
I'm thankful that she's been helping His Highness since the war.
I plan to meet with her soon.
Crown Princess, I need to see her before that.
You will meet her yourself?
What is the reason that you have been so interested in her?
I plan to take her in as a concubine for His Majesty.
Pardon?
Father, please spare the leaders of volunteer soldiers.
They tried to protect their families and this land...
and grabbed swords and shields.
Instead of the soldiers who ran away
they saved, hundreds, thousands of lives and killed the Japanese soldiers.
They protected your country, Father!
Please take pity on them and spare them.
They dared to go against me!
So how could I let them live?
Everything is my fault.
Everything happened because of my arrogance.
I held a trace of an arrogant thought in my heart
so they noticed it and acted on it.
They didn't do anything wrong!
'A trace of an arrogant thought'?
I believed that they should be recognized.
But...
It was my false thought from my inadequate nature.
You said I was going against history last time.
But you changed your mind now as if to turn over your palm?
- How can I possibly trust you? - Father!
Chief of Security, are you there?
- Yes, sire. Did you look for me? - Lock up the Crown Prince in his quarters.
Make sure that he doesn't take a step outside until the interrogation.
Father!
I'm going to investigate this matter more carefully.
If I find even a trace of treacherous mind, whoever it is...
I will not forgive him for this.
Because of his rushed, quick temper
he messes up once in a while
but he has the face of loyalty and faith that won't change easily.
He will also offer his life for the loyalty he holds.
Yes, he's the one.
His lips are open like his playing a bamboo flute
and he is pale to the tone of blue
His worry for his life is skyrocketing.
Look.
- Bring this man out. - Yes, sir.
I can't do it!
We've never plotted for treason...
How can I say that we held a treacherous mind?
Whether you had a treacherous mind or not
it's not important.
All it matters is that His Majesty believes it.
Don't you want to live?
If this succeeds, I'll make you a war hero.
You just need to say... that you tried to establish the Crwon Prince as the King.
[Donggung Hall, the Crown Prince's residence]
Are the leaders of volunteer soldiers interrogated tomorrow?
Yes, sire.
They could be executed.
Queen Majesty!
It's been a long time.
I heard that you've been helping the Crown Prince as a volunteer soldier.
Your resentment must be so deep
to hold arrows with those soft hands and run around the battlefields.
It's all in the past.
My lady, are you not feeling well?
My lady!
Court Lady Oh!
That's enough.
I'm going to die soon.
Queen Majesty...
That's why I need you more.
After I die...
I need someone to protect the Crown Prince.
Become a concubine of His Majesty... and protect the Crown Prince.
Even if death is upon you, I don't want to do it.
Don't you love the Crown Prince?
For the one you love, become a concubine of His Majesty.
If you don't help
the Crown Prince will be accused of treason soon
and will be deposed in the end.
In the end, he will live a contemptible life.
My lady...
It's not in a distant future.
The Crown Prince is locked up in Donggung Hall.
Pardon?
Sire...
Say what you said last night without a trace of lie!
Do you understand?
Yes.
Is it true that you met at Jinjugak a few days ago to discuss treason?
Yes, that's correct.
Look, what are you talking about?
Have you lost your mind?
Treason?
What are you talking about?
You dared to plot treason and push out His Majesty?
You must have had someone you wanted to establish as the new king.
Yes, we did.
Who is that man?
It's His Highness Crown Prince!
Although it wasn't executed in action
the treacherous mind will rise at some point.
Someday, I may be able to find the evidence.
What do you mean? His Majesty wanted this?
You were right. Someday we'll be able to find the evidence for the treacherous mind.
Kim Do Chi will never stop.
Sire, I chose this path.
I will not regret this.