The wind is perfect and the waters are calm.
We'll soon cross the Dachang waters,
and enter the Sadang waters in no time at this rate.
With so many islets, the Sadang waters offer pirates
the perfect conditions for ambush.
Don't let your guard down.
We're entering Dachang waters now.
We'll be out of rough waters once we cross the Sadang waters.
We'll stop at Chunghae Harbor for water and supplies,
and arrive in the imperial city in five days.
This trade is very important to me.
I'd never have dared to take the sea route without your help.
I'll compensate you properly when the journey is over.
I offered to escort your merchant ships
to protect you from pirates and secure a safe sea route.
I do not need compensation.
Captain Jang.
It won't be easy to face me.
But you must control your feelings now.
If you're uncomfortable with me,
I can't do business with you in the future.
Please tell me how I can control my feelings.
Tell me how I can forget.
I can't control my feelings. I can't forget.
What am I supposed to do?
Did you tell me to erase all my memories of you?
How could I?
The memories are still very much alive in my heart.
How can I forget them?
I don't understand...
why you'd say the fate that binds us together has come to an end.
Please tell me.
How can I control my feelings?
How?
How can I forget you?
When time has passed...
you'll forget.
I have forgotten...
I'm certain you can too.
I'll take the men to Sadang Island, and wait in ambush.
You lure them ashore with a fire attack.
- Yes, sir. - Do not attack in haste.
You must wait until the tides change.
Yes, sir.
Take the men ashore.
Go ashore!
- Captain. - Yes, madam.
Yum Moon will take care of Jang Bogo.
We must wipe out Jung-hwa's group while we have the chance.
But the regent is watching her back.
You could be in danger.
I'd have beaten her fairly in a competition.
What could Kim Woo-jing do?
- Carry on as planned. - Yes.
We have entered Sadang waters.
We'll be entering the South Seas soon.
We're sailing with a tailwind.
At this rate, we'll cross the Sadang waters tonight.
- It's strange. - What do you mean?
The Sadang waters are close to Jinwol Island,
where pirates often attack merchant ships.
It's too quiet.
Send a scout ship ahead.
Wake all the men and put them on alert.
Yes, sir.
What is going on?
They have just entered Sadang waters.
They'll soon be passing here.
Did you send a message to the ship?
Yes.
The tides haven't changed yet.
Captain.
Any signs?
We patrolled the waters near Sadang Island,
but there were no signs of pirates.
You may retire now.
Everything will be fine.
Chief, the tides have changed.
- Get ready! - Yes, sir.
We sent a scout ship ahead, but found no signs of pirates.
It'll be smooth sailing once we pass through Sadang waters.
Captain!
- What is it? - We're under attack.
My lady, you must take cover.
Turn the ship around.
The tides have changed. We can't turn the ship around.
- Take the ships to Sadang Island. - Yes.
We'll drop anchor at Sadang Island.
Drop anchor at Sadang Island!
They are here.
Let me remind you.
When the attack starts, you must protect Lady Jung-hwa.
Yes, sir.
Let's go.
- It's an ambush. - Captain Jang.
We must hold them off until the tides change.
My lady.
We'll be wiped out at this rate. We must retreat now.
Captain Jang.
Thirty-five are dead and twelve are wounded.
We could only recover fourteen bodies.
We had to leave the rest on the island.
What are you doing? Let's go back to Sadang Island.
We must fight to our deaths!
Calm down.
What are you doing? Turn the ship around!
Lieutenant, calm down.
We're running away... couldn't even get our men's bodies...
What are we doing?
We'd have been wiped out if we hadn't retreated.
Calm down.
- Are you all right? - Yes.
I'm sorry we have failed you. We lost a ship to the pirates.
I heard there were many casualties. Don't worry about the lost ship.
Take the ship to the closest shore,
and tend to the wounded security officers.
Yes, my lady.
My lady.
What is it?
The merchant ship that Captain Jang was escorting
just came into Chunghae Harbor.
Why would the ship bound for the imperial city come here?
They were attacked by pirates.
Chunghae: Present Day Wando
They were stronger than we had expected,
but half their men were killed.
They must have incurred great damage.
What happened to the merchant ships?
We secured one ship. It is full of silk and salt.
It's a shame we couldn't kill Jang Bogo,
but it is a great victory nonetheless.
Well done.
Distribute the goods to the men and let them rest.
Yes, sir.
You have led us to victory, but you seem troubled.
- Chief Jang. - Yes.
Do you know how I feel right now?
The thin thread I was desperately clinging to has been cut.
I'll fall into a bottomless pit if I let go of that thread...
But I...
I severed it with my own hand.
Master Yi has sent a message.
What happened?
They killed dozens of security officers,
but they failed to kill Jang Bogo.
They couldn't wipe out the merchant ships,
but they have secured one ship.
It'll be a big blow to Jung-hwa.
She still has a long way to go
before she pays the price for her betrayal.
And the plan?
Our merchant ship will arrive in the imperial city in three days.
The news of Jung-hwa's merchant ship must have reached
the king's cousin by now.
It's my letter to him.
You must deliver it to him personally.
Yes.
Father!
Father.
I told you not to make a ruckus inside the residence.
What is it?
I met Lady Jung-hwa's chief at the marketplace.
Her ships that Captain Jang was escorting were attacked by pirates.
- Are you sure? - Yes.
What happened to Lady Jung-hwa? And Goong-bok and Yon?
They are in Chunghae now.
So why didn't they just stay in Yangzhou?
What glory did they hope to gain by fighting pirates?
I just can't understand Goong-bok.
Chief Yi! Soon-jong!
What are you two doing in the back?
Nothing.
The captain is looking for you.
Why?
Chief Yi, you'll find out when you go.
Hurry.
Why that...
Yes, sir, I'm coming, sir.
We'll reopen a salt shop at the Mujinju marketplace.
Hire some help and be prepared for our opening.
But Lady Jung-hwa has already secured
a supply of salt from Youngam Harbor.
Why open a shop when we don't have salt...?
It's the madam's orders. Do it.
Yes, sir.
Do it.
Father.
- Isn't it odd? - It is.
Madam Jami knew ahead of time
that Lady Jung-hwa's ships would be attacked.
Don't be too discouraged.
You saved half your men when they could've all been killed.
I have also suffered greatly after losing dozens of my men.
I know how you must feel now.
I was reduced to a gladiator
who had to fight for his life in the arena,
but the pain was nothing compared to my guilt over surviving alone.
Captain Jang, there is only one thing we survivors can do.
We must suppress the pirates, and avenge the deaths of our men.
I've heard the pirates were powerful,
but I just can't understand how Captain Jang could've been
defeated so easily.
They used the change in the tides to lure us ashore,
and attacked us from both water and land.
Our men who were the vanguard of the Wu Ning Jun
were defeated in a land battle?
We neglected to anticipate an ambush.
For pirates to employ such a strategy...
Their leader is no ordinary pirate.
The leader of the Jinwol pirates is Yum Moon.
What? Yum Moon?
- Are you certain? - Yes.
Yi Do-hyung had established his merchant group by pirating.
Yum Moon must be systematically training the pirates.
You guessed right when you said that Yi Do-hyung must be
behind the pirates who subjugated the southwestern seas.
If Yi Do-hyung is leading the pirates,
it won't be easy to suppress them.
Yi Do-hyung and Madam Jami must have joined hands.
We believe so.
Madam Jami must have been behind this attack.
Then we must report her to the Mujinju authorities.
The Mujinju governor is Madam Jami's puppet.
We need solid evidence.
Where is Captain Jang?
He must be devastated by the defeat.
He hasn't come out of his room
since the security officer's funeral.
Do not worry. He will be back on his feet soon.
MUJINJU, PRESENT DAY GWANGJU
My lady...
What is it?
Per your instructions,
I have delivered a message to the king's cousin
who manages the salt farm, informing him of our situation,
but he said he couldn't supply us with salt.
What do you mean?
He has made an issue of our failure
to deliver salt to the imperial city on time.
- I'll pay him a visit. - It's too late.
Another merchant group has sent salt to the imperial city.
Which merchant group?
It is Madam Jami's group.
It's a reply from the king's cousin.
- Madam, it is I, Mak-bong. - Come in.
You asked for me?
Is the salt shop ready to open?
Yes, but we have no salt to sell. I don't understand...
Salt will arrive from Youngam in three days.
But Lady Jung-hwa...
We'll be handling the salt from now on.
Yes, madam.
Madam Jami must've anticipated the pirates' attack on our ships
if she had salt sent to the imperial city on time.
But how could she have done that?
My lady.
I'm worried that your meeting me like this will bring harm to you.
Please don't say that.
We were going to pay you a visit when we heard
that your ships were attacked by pirates.
- You're not hurt? - I'm fine.
I heard Madam Jami has secured the salt trade rights.
Is that true?
I thought you had secured the right.
I don't know what she did.
Do you know how she won the trade rights?
I do not know the details.
But she told me to open a salt shop over 10 days ago.
What is the progress?
Others have pledged not to trade with Jung-hwa's group,
but these men are still holding out.
Do you mean to throw away your lives?
I'd rather die than submit to you.
- Captain. - Yes, madam.
He has said it is his wish to die. Grant him his wish.
Let go of me!
Let me ask you again.
Will you do business with me?
We'll do whatever you say. Please just spare our lives.
My lady.
Chief Yi from Madam Jami's group wishes to see you.
Have him come in.
- My lady. - What is it?
There is big trouble.
Madam Jami has rounded up the chiefs from Hanju and Wungju Han-joo: Current Seoul and Kyoung-gi regions Woong-joo: Current Gong-joo
who have been trading with you,
and she's forcing them to cease trading with you.
It is dangerous to compete with Madam Jami.
You must avoid competing with her at all costs.
If I were going to give up so easily,
I never would have started.
- My lady. - Don't worry.
I learned business from Madam Jami.
I expected as much.
I won't be defeated so easily. Just wait and see.
Jung-hwa said Madam Jami must be behind the pirates.
She said she used the pirates to kill you,
and to keep her in check.
It doesn't seem like Jung-hwa will back out of this fight.
I'm worried that Jung-hwa will come to harm.
I heard that your men have suffered great casualties.
What will you do now?
I'll regroup my men and suppress the pirates.
The leader of the Jinwol pirates is Yi Do-hyung.
He was a big merchant in Yangzhou,
but he even served as a military merchant
for the Yi Sa-do Fanzhen after he was chased out.
He had made an alliance with Madam Jami in Yangzhou.
I'm certain he is still maintaining that alliance
with Madam Jami after returning to Shilla.
I'd like nothing more than to wipe out Madam Jami now,
but I can't do a thing with circumstantial evidence alone.
I'll investigate her connection to the pirates.
You should focus your energy on suppressing the pirates.
Why don't you return to Yangzhou?
We can't suppress the pirates in our current state.
I want you to go back to Yangzhou
in order to rebuild our strength so we can suppress them.
I'll attack Jinwol Island.
What are you saying?
Our men haven't regrouped yet.
How will you manage an attack on their headquarters?
Master Yi and Yum Moon would never suspect our attack,
so their guard is down.
Now is the time to attack them.
We have lost too many men.
It's too dangerous unless we recruit more men.
We can't suppress the pirates
without killing Master Yi and Yum Moon.
Please allow me.
What is it?
I will attack Jinwol Island.
- Goong-bok. - Captain Jang.
We have learned from this defeat
that Yum Moon is a force to be reckoned with.
We must take the time to reinforce our strength.
I'll only take a few men to Jinwol Island.
I'll infiltrate the island discreetly,
and kill Master Yi and Yum Moon.
Chun-tae.
Yes, sir.
This is... where I used to run around naked in my childhood.
Nothing has changed.
Are you crying?
My eyes are welling up...
And I'm reminded of my father...
Father!
Joong-dal is here.
Your unfilial son is here.
Please forgive me.
I'll make lots of money and live well.
Please calm down.
What did you find out?
Jang Bogo will return to Yangzhou
to reinforce their military strength.
Are you certain?
Yes. They have lost dozens of security officers.
If we open trade with Barhae,
we can secure a stable supply of horses and weapons. Seo-kyoung Yaluboo
We can expand our influence on land as well as at sea. : Local administration of Barlhae located in the Yalu River area
With the wealth we have amassed so far,
you can realize your grand scheme.
What are your thoughts?
We must attack Chunghae first.
Jang Bogo has already sustained huge damage.
It is a shame we couldn't kill him,
but you must not lose your calm in the face of our grand scheme.
Jang Bogo has come back to Chunghae
because it is the perfect stronghold
connecting the sea to the land.
You must make Chunghae your stronghold.
Jang Bogo will return to Yangzhou to reinforce his men.
We must kill him and conquer Chunghae before he does.
I understand why you insist on taking command of Chunghae,
but we can't afford to mobilize our troops now.
Chunghae boasts the strongest navy in the southwestern seas.
We can't afford to incur any more losses in our forces.
You must bide your time.
I won't take our troops.
What do you mean?
I'll take just a few men to kill Jang Bogo.
If he is alive, he'll continue to block our path.
We must kill Jang Bogo now.
We'll sail north along the shore,
then sail back to Jinwol for a surprise attack.
You must keep this a secret even from our men
until minutes before our attack.
Yes, sir.
Boss, please select the men for this mission.
All right.
Yon, you must go to Jinwol Island with Lieutenant Jang
and locate their base, and find out the size of their force.
You must also learn the location of the guard posts.
Yes, sir.
Is it true you'll attack Chunghae?
We plan to take this opportunity to kill Jang Bogo.
A wise decision.
If you give him time, he'll rise again.
It is wise to put an end to him before he has the chance.
Since you're going to attack Chunghae anyway,
I have a favor to ask of you.
What is it?
Kim Woo-jing is staying in Chunghae now.
Kill him during your attack on Chunghae.
It won't be difficult to kill him.
But you must do me a favor in return.
What is it?
I want to open trade with Barhae.
I need your help.
- Did you say Barhae? - Yes.
What do you wish to gain from trading with Barhae?
I'll bring in warhorses and weapons from Barhae.
What do you think Master Yi is up to?
What does he plan to do with warhorses and weapons?
He must be plotting treason.
Treason?
It is very plausible, given that he has conquered
the southwestern seas.
He must be out of his mind to have come up with such a reckless idea.
You must keep him in check now.
You won't be able to keep him under control
if his power grows any stronger.
You called for me?
I have a favor to ask of you.
What is it?
Is the former regent, Kim Woo-jing still in Chunghae?
Yes.
I need to meet with him. Arrange a meeting for me.
Why do you wish to meet with him?
You don't need to concern yourself with that.
My name is Jo Jang-gil.
Be seated.
It is a great honor to make your acquaintance.
Why did you wish to see me?
I didn't request to meet with you for a particular reason...
I merely wished to pay my respects.
- Master Jo, wasn't it? - Yes.
A merchant wouldn't make pointless visits.
Tell me.
Do you want anything from me?
My lord, I've been known to read a man's fortune from his face.
May I?
Go ahead.
What do you think?
My lord!
I wouldn't regret giving my life to you.
My lord, I went to China in my youth,
and I have overcome many obstacles to amass a small fortune.
I wish to spend that money on a worthy cause.
- A worthy cause? - Yes.
I wish to spend my money as Lu Buwei did.
Lu Buwei?
Lu Buwei is a merchant who used his wealth for politics.
Please allow me to serve you.
- Did you meet with him? - I surely did.
Did you obtain what you wished?
Well...
I'll have to wait and see.
Where is Captain Jang?
He's preparing to return to Yangzhou.
To return to Yangzhou?
I hear that Captain Jang is returning to Yangzhou.
You will not return to Yangzhou?
You should join him, and return with him.
Captain Jang won't be returning to Yangzhou.
What do you mean?
Everyone is preparing for the voyage back.
Captain Jang is sailing out to attack
the pirates' headquarters on Jinwol Island.
What? Attack their headquarters?
Is it possible in our current condition?
He said we could. We have to trust him.
Look, his fury from the defeat has blinded him.
He has lost the ability to make good decisions.
We must stop him.
If you won't stop him, then I will.
Let him be.
What is the matter with you?
Captain Jang could be right.
Master Yi's force may be formidable,
but his forces are scattered among many islands.
We learned that there are less than a hundred men
guarding their headquarters.
Master Yi and Yum Moon must be drunk with victory,
and will have their guards down. If we ambush them now,
we have a good chance of victory.
It wasn't a rash decision. Please do not worry.
- Go aboard. - Yes, sir.
- Go aboard! - Yes, sir.
Lieutenant.
This is not the sea route to Yangzhou.
This ship is not going to Yangzhou.
Then... where are we going?
We'll go to Jinwol and attack the pirates' headquarters.
We'll attack after sunset. Be prepared.
Yes, sir.
This ship is not going to Yangzhou.
This ship will go to Jinwol,
and attack the pirates' headquarters.
We may not survive this battle.
I won't blame you
if you wish to not participate in this battle.
If you're afraid of death,
you don't have to join the battle.
No one is afraid of death.
We'll avenge the deaths of our fellow security officers.
We'll follow you.
We will follow you!
Master! We are under pirate attack.
You must escape.
It has been a long time.
It is you, Captain Jang. What brings you here?
I came to take your life and Yum Moon's.
Your coming here means that Yum Moon's trip is in vain.
Yum Moon should be in Chunghae now.
He went to kill you, but it seems he will fail.
I suppose he'll bring back Master Sul's head instead.
Master.
Master!
Drop your swords and stand back.
If you don't...
I'll slit his throat.
I came to kill Jang Bogo.
Where is Captain Jang?
You wretch!
There is big trouble.
They say they are auditing our merchant group.
I'll bring Master Yi to the Palgeum waters in five days.
You'd better give up now if you're plotting something.
I'll keep my end of the bargain.
You can kill Jang Bogo and Master Sul after you rescue Master Yi.
If you use this deal to your advantage,
you can get rid of Master Sul and Jang Bogo in one stroke.
I have an important mission for you.
Let the master go.
No funny business after the exchange.
You must take cover.
Master.