With the rapid decline of the Tang Empire
after the Rebellion of An and Shi in 755 AD,
the Fanzhens began challenging the central government.
The Tang government recruited Wu Ning Jun
to quell an uprising in the Shandong area.
In 817 AD, Jang Bogo enlisted in the Wu Ning Jun
to fight in a fierce battle with the rebels.
If you want to follow me, then jump.
Forget the whole thing then.
- No way.- What?
You're telling us to die if you tell us to jump.
You were going to follow me when you don't even have the guts to jump?
I'm going alone. Don't complain.
Goong-bok.
I'll jump.
Yon.
Yon...
Yon!
He must've gone crazy. He's not coming up.
Yon!
Yon.
Are you all right?
You idiot. Why did you jump?
You said it was the only way you'd take me.
I only said that to dissuade them.
You're going to take me with you, right?
Come to Yeounpo.
CHUNGHAE, 805AD
Yon.
- Where is the ship?- It's docked under Turtle Rock.
Let's go.
But Turtle Rock is this way.
There's something I have to do before I leave.
- What's that?- You'll see.
Let's go.
Goong-bok.
Where are you going?
- What are you doing?- No one's watching now.
- What are you doing?- I got you a present too.
Whatever...
That's Joong-dal.
I'm going to have it out with him before I leave.
You just watch.
Goong-bok,you're no match for him.
He's as strong as a bull.
I'll fight him.
Don't get involved, even if he kills me.
What's wrong with this robe?
What is it?
- Joong-dal. Hey, you idiot.- Who's there?
Who is it? Who's there?
Who is it?
You're Yon.
You saw everything? What, do you have a death wish?
No, it'd be Goong-bok who has a death wish.
What's going on? What are you guys up to?
- Let's go for it.- What?
I'm leaving now.
I plan to pay you back for everything before I leave.
You're leaving?
When you're supposed to work to death at the shipyard?
Who says you can leave?
It's none of your business what I do with my life.
Let's cut the chat. Bring it on.
Fine. Both of you, bring it on.
Yon, don't you ever get involved.
All right.
Come on!
I'll break your neck!
Stop it. You'll kill him.
Let's go. Stop it.
Goong-bok! Yon!
- What are you doing here?- Take me with you.
We've already discussed this. No.
Goong-bok... Yon.
Let's take him with us.
You have no reason to go.
Why ask for suffering when you're living well enough here?
- Go home.- I go wherever you go.
This is silver.
We don't have to suffer if I come along.
Come on.
- Don't regret it.- I'll never regret it.
Let's go.
I'm going up first.
Where's Goong-bok?
He went out last night and never came back.
He didn't come back?
He probably stayed with his friend.
Do a better job of raising your son.
Goong-bok talked my naive son into running away.
What?
He even had him steal silver from me.
That can't be. He hasn't said anything.
You think he'd tell everyone he's running away?
I've sent letters to every port under rule of the Chunghae government.
We'll catch them soon.
This has happened one too many times.
I won't overlook it this time.
What happened to your face?
You're still getting into brawls at your age?
How can I trust you with the shipyard, even when you're my son?
- Then don't!- That brat.
Goong-bok will die at my hands.
What is it?
Why are we taking the Yonan Route?
The sea is very rough this time of the year.
We must sail along the coast of Shilla to Yangzhou.
But that will take us more than a month.
Turn the ship around and sail across the sea.
But that route is dangerous. We could run into a hurricane.
We've made a big profit in our trade with Shilla.
But if we're delayed in our trip to Yangzhou,we'll take a loss.
We'll cross the sea and make the trip in five days.
- Turn the ship around!- Yes, sir.
Yon. Soon-jong.
- Let's go out.- Where?
We're out at sea.
They can't take us back to Chunghae even if we get caught now.
But won't we be safer in here?
It'll take more than five days to Yangzhou even with smooth sailing.
We can't hide here for five days. Let's go out.
Let go!
We found some stowaways.
Kneel!
Who are you?
I'm Goong-bok from Chunghae.
These are my friends. Take us to China.
You insolent fools. You're not going anywhere.
All stowaways are considered pirates.
It is our law to kill all pirates.
Tie them up and throw them overboard.
Spare our lives.
Release them.
Why do you want to go to China?
- The master asked you a question.- I'm just following Goong-bok...
And you?
I go wherever he goes.
So they're just following you blindly. What is your answer?
I have to live my life as a slave at the shipyard.
- I don't want to live that way. - Then how would you live?
I want to be a merchant just like you, commanding big armies of merchants like this.
You can't become a merchant.
Why should I take you to China without any compensation?
If you want to be a merchant, you have to be a shrewd dealer.
But you're not very shrewd, and you don't know how to make deals.
You're better off as a slave.
-Where's the closest island from here?- It's Jangsado, sir.
- We'll unload them at Jangsado. - Yes, sir.
Wait. Please wait.
I'll make you a deal. Open your bundle.
Now!
We'll pay for our fare. Take us to China.
Give them food and shelter.
Wake up.
Wake up now!
Goong-bok.
Something's wrong. This ship is headed for Chunghae, not China.
That island there is Bikeum... that one there is Sami...
We're going back to Chunghae.
What is it?
A ship that sailed out yesterday for China is coming back.
Greet them.
Master, this is against the deal.
We paid our fare. How could you take our money and betray our trust?
Take us to China.
You need a passport to enter China. Do you have one?
We have never broken a law in dealing with China.
We can't take anyone to China without a passport.
Then why did you take our money?
Is it your business to con young people out of their money?
I lost a day and a half bringing you back to Chunghae.
Time is money to merchants.
Your money was compensation for my lost time.
I didn't cheat you.
Master, we'll die if we go back. Please spare our lives.
Please, Master.
-Goong-bok was your name?- Yes.
I once worked as a slave at a shipyard.
Unless he's a ruthless man, the foreman of the shipyard won't kill a man for this.
If you get a chance to enter China later, come find me.
My name is Sul-pyong.
Master. Master!
Father.
- What's going on?- They tried to get to China as stowaways.
- Stowaways? - Yes, they snuck onto a merchant ship to China.
Let me talk to you.
Please turn a blind eye to my immature son.
But being a stowaway is a serious crime punishable by law.
Of course I know that. But the governor isn't here.
If you turn a blind eye to this, no one's the wiser.
I won't make you regret it.
You!
You lured my naive son into stowing away?
-Father,it's not his fault.I followed him.- Shut up!
I should have you arrested so you can answer to the law,
but I'll let it go since I need to keep this quiet.
But if you ever do this again, you're a dead man.
Take them to the shipyard.
Goong-bok! Yon!
We'll lose the roof over our heads trying to keep everyone quiet.
- Did you eat? - Father...
There's only one punishment for slaves who run away.
You know what it is, right?
Here!
Roll him up.
What are you doing? Roll him up!
Here, you start.
I said, start!
If you can't do it, I'll start.
I'll do it.
Hit him now!
That's enough.
- Father! - Shut up.
What are you doing? Take him to the barracks.
It's your turn now. You'll pay.
- Stop it! - Father!
Don't take it out on others for getting beat up by a little kid.
- I didn't want to get beat up! - Why!
Get up.
If you ever cause trouble again, I'll send you to the Yijinpo Shipyard.
Hang in there.
Don't blame me.
If I hadn't done it, Joong-dal would have killed you.
I know you're still a child, but why are you so reckless?
You'll die before your time if you disobey your fate.
- What good is living a lousy life? - Goong-bok.
What good is hanging desperately onto my life
by cowering before the likes of Joong-dal?
- I'd rather die than live as a slave at the shipyard! - You brat!
Is that anything to say to your father?
-Why get caught if you set out to leave? -I'm leaving.
I'll leave no matter what!
Goong-bok.
Why did you say those things only to hurt your father?
Place your bet.
All in.
You should be more prudent.
- This is getting too big. - What are you saying?
I've already invested so much.
No one goes anywhere until I get my money back.
Place your bets now.
I fold.
You too?
Let's finish the game today!
That temper of yours... Let's see.
Fine, I'll see your bet.
Will that do?
You have to see my hand too.
Will you count them for me? I need to take a leak.
- What? - Lend me some money.
Are you out of your mind?
You want to borrow money at the gambling table? Ask someone else.
I won't stand for it if you do this.
And what will you do?
I'll tell everyone that a government official is gambling...
Are you blackmailing me now?
Who do you think made your father the foreman?
Go ahead, why don't you?
Fine, I've got nothing to lose anyway.
Let's see how well you live after taking my money. Have a good life.
Yes, I'm having a good life. Beat it if you're out of money.
Make sure you buy a house and some land too!
Let's see how well you live. We became foremen because of him?
You scared me.
- Are you the foreman at the shipyard? - Yes, what's it to you?
He's the foreman at the Chunghae Shipyard.
It's fifty silver coins.
I'll give you fifty more when the repairs are done.
Don't worry. We'll send you a shipbuilder.
Goong-bok got away safely, thanks to you.
How is he doing?
If you don't treat his wounds right away, he'll suffer for life.
They say feces water is good for bruises.
He's still young. He'll recover soon enough.
Then again, he's young enough to survive anything.
Listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you.
I don't expect you to grant any favors
in return for the incident with Goong-bok.
You can tell me anything.
I've repaired a few merchant ships behind the governor's back.
Our shipyard is under government rule,
and we're only allowed to build and repair battleships.
But that doesn't bring in any money.
I need you, the best shipbuilder, to do the job.
But if we should get caught, we'll be in danger.
Who's to find out if we keep our lips sealed? Don't worry.
If you'll do that for me,
I'll make it worth your while.
Goong-bok! Yon!
I've been looking everywhere for you.
Why?
I stuffed myself.
- Where? - There was a party for the new governor.
Father said they're roasting a pig at the shipyard too.
Let's go.
- What now? - I don't want to see Joong-dal.
It's a hawk.
You got him!
It's a hawk.
Stop right there!
You brats! What have you done?
We're in big trouble.
Why?
You brats, do you know who this hawk belongs to?
What is it?
What are you doing?
This is the son of the governor. Pay your respects.
They're workers at the shipyard.
And?
What happened?
I asked you a question!
He shot him.
Did you really shoot him?
Yes.
Even archers of the lmperial Army
find it challenging to shoot a hawk out of the sky.
- Did you really do it? - Young master.
Everyone in Chunghae is aware of his archery skills.
I can't believe it until I see it with my own eyes.
Let's go.
You've killed a hawk that I've trained for years.
You have to pay the price.
Tie him to the target.
What's keeping you?
Let's go.
He uses a man as a target as punishment for killing a hawk?
That's not fair!
To an aristocrat, a slave isn't considered human.
He's getting off easy.
Did you think it over?
What's there to think about?
I don't think I can, sir... It's against the law...
You foolish man...
Fine, I have no choice if that's what you've decided.
I need to send a shipbuilder to the Yijinpo Shipyard.
I plan to send Goong-bok.
You must know it's a rough place where a dozen shipbuilders get killed every year.
But Goong-bok is still a boy, and isn't even considered a shipbuilder.
He's not that young.
He's not too young to run away.
Think it over if you don't want to send him there.
Hak-soo.
Hak-soo!
- Is everything all right? - What brings you here?
I'm here for Goong-bok.
- What is it? - I don't know what's going on.
But the young master is asking for him. Goong-bok!
Follow me. Bye.
Follow me.
Young master, he's here.
I've seen your archery skills.
Have you any fencing skills?
No.
Then start learning today.
- I don't know how to handle a sword. - There's nothing to it.
You'll be killed if you get stabbed by this sword.
Slay me first if you don't want to be killed.
That's fencing.
Are you awake?
It's all right. Don't get up.
Drink this.
Don't worry. Just drink it.
Why did you kill my brother's hawk?
You'll be punished until his anger is appeased.
I'd like to stop him, but with his character,
the more I try to stop him, the more it'll fuel his anger.
You should learn fencing if you want to survive.
Goong-bok, are you all right?
Just beg him for forgiveness.
Plead with him for your life.
No.
Then what will you do? You'll end up dead at this rate.
-I'll learn to fence before he kills me. -What?
A nobleman's pride won't allow him to come after me if I beat him.
I'll pay him back for this.
Great!
There will be another fencing show later.
But look at the treasures from China now!
Take a look at these beautiful silks and trinkets.
Don't touch them. Touch them only if you're going to buy.
Just look at them. Don't touch.
I'll be back in five days.
- Stay here and carry out my order. - Yes, sir.
Let's go.
They jumped ship and raped some village women.
Please spare our lives.
Execute them.
They've been away from shore for more than ten days. Please show them mercy.
- Will you give your life for them? - I'll execute them.
Please spare our lives.
Master!
Our day of attack on Chunghae is near.
If we fail, we'll have to live on smelly fish again.
But if we succeed, we'll fill your stomachs with meat and wine.
We'll soon be celebrating in the court of the governor of Chunghae.
Be prepared for attack.
Why are you following me?
If you follow me again,
I'll aim for your heart.
I'm Goong-bok from Chunghae.
I want to learn fencing.
I'm not asking for free lessons.
I'll do anything you ask.
You said you're from Chunghae?
Then you must know your way around Yeounpo, Yijinpo, and Dolsan.
- Like the back of my hand. - I'm a merchant.
I need to learn the area before my merchant ship returns in five days.
- Can you help me? - Of course.