No one is allowed into the palace,
by order of the captain of the imperial guards.
Do you not know who this is?
This is Military Envoy Jang Bogo. Stand back!
We can't let you pass without orders from the captain.
Stand back!
We have blockaded the palace.
Do not let anyone into the palace without orders from me.
- Understand? - Yes, sir.
Captain.
What is it?
Military Envoy Jang Bogo is here.
What happened?
His Majesty seemed well when I had an audience with him.
What was the cause of his sudden death?
We do not know the cause.
Your Majesty...
it is I, Jang Bogo...
How could you have left us so suddenly
before realizing your grand cause?
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty...
What are you saying?
You must be mistaken.
He seemed to be in good health when I last saw him.
It can't be... it can't be.
The arrow has already left the bow.
No conflict or hesitation will be tolerated.
Unless the arrow hits the target,
you and I will both be finished.
I will announce the king's death,
and prepare for an imperial funeral.
You must get rid of any evidence that could cause trouble.
We have seen it with our own eyes,
but I still can't believe it.
According to the royal physician,
His Majesty's heart condition was the cause of death.
But his condition had been cured during his stay in Chunghae.
He was in perfect health
when I saw him just a few days ago.
You mean there is suspicion concerning his sudden death?
There are many questions concerning his death.
We must delay the funeral and find some answers.
Call a meeting of the captains of the Kuseo division.
Yes, sir.
- My lord. - What is it?
Jang Bogo has exercised his authority as military envoy
and ordered a delay of the imperial funeral.
What are you saying?
He said he'd uncover the truth behind His Majesty's death.
He has used his authority to station troops in the palace.
He has also summoned the court officials to the palace.
Who is he to summon court officials?
He has the authority as military envoy.
Your failure to kill Jang Bogo will be shackles that bind us.
What is the purpose of this meeting?
I wish to delay His Majesty's funeral.
Delay the funeral?
Do you not realize that stability will return
to the imperial court only when the funeral is held,
and the crown prince succeeds to the throne?
I can't accept His Majesty's sudden death.
People will also find it hard to accept.
We must resolve any suspicion in order
to restore the stability and authority of the imperial court.
Suspicion?
Are you saying someone has assassinated the king?
There will be more commotion among the people
if the funeral is delayed.
Are you able to accept the sudden death of His Majesty
when he was in good health?
I thought you would be the first to investigate his death.
What did you find?
There is no trace of poison.
Inspect the body again.
There would be traces of poison in his body
if he had been poisoned.
But there are none, as you can see.
Are you still suspicious of His Majesty's death?
You have let an unfounded suspicion
delay the imperial funeral and upset the officials of the court.
How will you take responsibility for that?
A lowly slave summoned a meeting of the nobles,
and ordered the imperial family to come and go.
Jang Bogo will soon face strong hostility from the nobles.
He has dug his own grave.
Consul Jang is not leaving His Majesty's side.
A dead man can't talk. What is there to worry about?
The royal physician has said
that traces of the poison will surface after five days.
Traces of poison will surface in three days.
Don't worry.
We just need to hold the funeral before that.
My lord.
I told you not to show yourself before me
until the funeral is over.
The military envoy is not leaving...
I know. I will take care of everything.
Put your worries to rest and leave me.
- Leave me at once! - Yes, sir.
We must silence him.
What brings you here?
I have so many questions,
but I am frustrated to find no answers.
Do you believe His Majesty has died from his chronic illness?
If His Majesty was murdered,
who do you believe did it?
I know there are many nobles
who oppose His Majesty's ideas for reform.
I'm certain they couldn't tolerate
his relationship with me.
You will confront the imperial family knowing that?
The more you assert yourself, the more enemies you will make.
It could also put you in danger.
I can't back down like this.
I must uncover the truth.
You are the captain of the imperial guards.
You are in a position to know all the goings-on of the palace.
Just what happened?
Please tell me.
You already know everything I know.
I know nothing more.
I have a few questions regarding His Majesty's sudden death.
We even performed an autopsy,
but there was no sign of foul play.
I hear that there are poisons that do not leave traces.
Is that true?
I have heard of an herb called Chinese foxglove
used by Chinese physicians that has such properties.
But I have never seen it.
What is this?
I do... not know.
A royal physician doesn't know the contents
of his own medicine warehouse?
I will tell you.
It is a poison known as Chinese foxglove.
When a person is poisoned with this,
traces of poison will not appear until five days after death.
Am I wrong?
I predict that traces of poison will appear
in His Majesty's body in two days.
Who put you up to this?
Please do not kill me.
Who put you up to this?
I was forced to commit a grave wrong.
Tell me who put you up to this.
Lord Kim Yang and the captain of the imperial guards.
Consul.
What is it?
Master Chang-gyum... has passed away.
Is it true you're returning to Chunghae?
Yes. Get ready.
You will return when there are unresolved suspicions
regarding the deaths of His Majesty and Master Chang-gyum?
My presence in the imperial city is arousing
hostile feelings in Kim Yang and the nobles.
I will return to Chunghae,
and think about what I can do for the new king.
There is nothing to think about.
We could summon our army and wipe out the nobles.
I know reform is difficult as long as there are nobles
who have enjoyed privileges for generations.
But we can't kill them all.
For the sake of the people who have suffered through wars
and conflict in the court, we must not cause more trouble.
Be prepared to return.
I don't know how I will face
Lady Jung-hwa's father when I die...
...for even Master Chang-gyum has died such a violent death.
Haven't they found out who killed him yet?
No.
I'm worried sick about Lady Jung-hwa.
She has lost His Majesty, who was her pillar of support...
and now Master Chang-gyum...
What a sad fate she has.
I can't stay here. I must go to the imperial city.
You stay and take care of business.
I must go and take care of Lady Jung-hwa.
- There is no need for that. - What do you mean?
Lady Jung-hwa will enter the palace
to take care of the young king.
Forgive me for leaving
after placing such a great burden on your shoulders.
I believe you made a wise decision
to avoid confrontation with the nobles now.
I will serve His Majesty.
Put your worries to rest and return to Chunghae.
If you detect any danger to His Majesty,
send a message to Chunghae right away.
I will come back to the imperial city.
The nobles' and imperial family's hostility toward you
will grow stronger in the future.
Please...
Please be safe.
My lady.
If I could see...
...you live happily...
I would...
I would have forced myself to forget you.
When you were going to be so lonely...
why?
...why did you push me away?
I'm returning to Chunghae now.
I have a favor to ask of you before I leave.
Take care of Lady Jung-hwa.
She has lost her brother
even before getting over the sorrow of the late king's death.
The pain must be unbearable,
but she is not even crying out loud.
I will find a way to protect His Majesty when I return,
but I'm thousands of miles away,
and the power that threatens His Majesty is in the imperial city.
They will not even allow Lady Jung-hwa to stay by his side.
You must take care of Lady Jung-hwa.
Since you have loved her for many years...
I believe you will protect her
even without my asking.
- Welcome, Master. - Yes.
- My lord. - What are they?
It's profit earned by our merchant group.
Good work.
I don't mean to toot my own horn,
but the reason I led such a mediocre life was
because I never had the chance to apply my talents.
I will repay your kindness by bringing you large profits.
I will be watching your back.
Build a merchant group that will surpass Chunghae Base.
Yes, sir.
What is it?
Jang Bogo has returned to Chunghae.
Trading is taking place without a hitch.
We will soon have to increase the number of ships to China
to accommodate the increasing quantity of trade.
Since I have you to run Chunghae Base in my absence,
I feel most relieved.
Lady Jung-hwa must be upset over her loss.
Is she well?
Yes.
Ill fortune continues to plague Lady Jung-hwa.
My heart goes out to her.
Consul.
- What happened? - Everyone is here.
They are middle-class nobles from all over Shilla
who have answered your summons.
Please be seated.
I have asked you here
to recommend you to His Majesty.
All of you possess extraordinary talents,
but you have not had the chance to use them,
and you have lived in rural areas because of corrupt nobles
or because of the limitations of your status.
But His Majesty urgently needs your talents and support.
You must go to the imperial city,
reform the imperial court,
and put the confusion in the imperial court to rest.
I am sick of politics in the imperial city.
I do not wish to go to the imperial city.
You can't bring reform to the imperial court
with your will alone.
The imperial city will find no peace
unless you wipe out all the corrupt nobles.
I understand the despair you must have suffered until now.
But if you give up in the face of reality,
Shilla will come to ruin.
Corrupt nobles who have enjoyed privileges for generations
surround the young king, indulging in acts of tyranny.
You must go to the imperial city to protect the king
and support him so that he may govern wisely.
How many days will it take to travel to Chunghae Base?
It will be a journey of three to four days by ship.
Do you wish to go to Chunghae Base?
There is no place in Shilla you can't go.
But it wouldn't be too late
to go after you have become an adult
and restored authority to the imperial court.
The military envoy is not coming back?
He will come anytime if you command him.
Your Majesty, it is time to meet with the court.
You must endure it even if you find it difficult to do.
People can trust you and follow you when you are strong.
Please be strong.
Escort His Majesty.
I'm relieved to have you by His Majesty's side at all times.
It is my duty.
You have grown frail.
Are you feeling unwell?
No.
My lady.
What is it?
If I hadn't met you...
...my life would have taken a very different shape.
You said you wished me to be happy.
Come to think of it,
the happiest days in my life
were the days I taught you business in Mujinju.
Back then you learned business from me without any caution.
Those days seem like a dream to me.
Since then, you were always by my side,
but you were also the farthest from me.
Even when you said you would marry me...
Even when you said...
you'd stay by my side in Yi Sa-do's camp,
you were the farthest from me.
You said you wished me to be happy...
You said to forget you...
It is painful to keep you in my heart...
but because it would be more painful to forget you,
because I'm afraid of that pain...
I don't believe I'll be able to forget you until the day I die.
If I should be happy,
it will not be from forgetting you,
but because my life of loving you...
will have come to an end.
My lady.
What is it?
Kim Yang is planning to make his daughter the king's consort.
He has boldly unveiled his ambition to dominate the court.
If Kim Yang's daughter should become a consort,
he will become the king's father-in-law,
and control His Majesty.
I can't just stand by and watch it happen.
He must be stopped at all costs.
Must you make your daughter the king's consort?
It is the imperial family's wish.
They want to use me to keep Jang Bogo in check.
It is a chance for me to gain great power
as the king's father-in-law.
I have no reason to turn it down.
If I become the king's father-in-law,
you will also gain even more power.
I will give you the power to slay Jang Bogo in an instant.
Assuming that you are willing to kill Jang Bogo.
Is there bad news?
Kim Yang is trying to make his daughter the king's consort.
The imperial family and the nobles are in cahoots with him,
ignoring the king, and indulging in acts of tyranny.
We must take our army to the imperial city
and slay Kim Yang.
You can't get agitated.
If we raise the army, Lady Jung-hwa and Master Jo will also
be in danger along with the king.
It is most regrettable, but the nobles' tyranny was
to be expected since His Majesty is of so tender an age.
But for now, it is my duty to send talented men
who can stay by His Majesty's side to protect and support him.
Your Majesty, they are men recommended by the military envoy.
They are excellent scholars who once served in the court,
but have left the court to avoid conflict there.
But they have returned to the imperial city to serve you.
If you are recommended by the military envoy,
I will bestow official posts on you and keep you nearby.
Your grace is immeasurable.
Your Majesty, I heard that you bestowed official posts
on the men sent by Jang Bogo.
That's true.
That is not to be! Please withdraw your command.
It is Jang Bogo's intention to control the court.
You must ignore his attempt.
They are distinguished scholars
who were already acknowledged by the imperial court.
What is to keep them from serving His Majesty?
Silence!
How dare a woman assert herself in the court?
Your insolence in His Majesty's presence is unforgivable.
You wench! Do you have a death wish?
Your Majesty, you must not let Jang Bogo control you any longer.
Please withdraw your command
to bestow official posts on the men sent by Jang Bogo.
You must go to Chunghae.
Deliver this letter to Consul Jang.
Yes.
You have to be discreet.
Kim Yang's men mustn't find out.
- Be most careful. - Yes.
Kill him.
You called for me?
I shall go to Chunghae and draw a clear line
so that Jang Bogo can't interfere in the politics of the court.
Be prepared to leave for Chunghae.
I will not go.
I am the captain of the imperial guards.
My duty is to protect the king.
Do so, if that is your wish.
You mean to place your men in the imperial court
under the guise of recommending talented young men to the king.
It seems it is your intention to control the king...
- Am I wrong? - Shut up!
How dare you utter such nonsense!
Consul, ban this man from Chunghae at once,
and never give him the time of day again!
Captain Jung!
So what is this warning you have for me?
Do not ever act in haste again.
Since you have given me a warning,
I will give you one as well.
I heard you have joined forces with nobles
to oppress the young king and indulge in acts of tyranny.
The reason I honored Lord Kim Woo-jing as commander
of the Pyong Dong army, and marched to the imperial city
was to reform the corrupt court
and look after the welfare of Shilla people.
But if you disrupt the court
for the sake of your personal ambitions,
I will not overlook it.
Are you saying you are willing to go to war?
I have refrained from raising an army
for the sake of the people who have already suffered so much.
But if His Majesty's safety is threatened,
I will take my army to the imperial city at once.
As of this moment, Chunghae Base is on a war footing.
Captains, inspect your troops and weapons.
Be ready to deploy at any time.
Yes, sir.
Unless Jang Bogo ceases to provoke the imperial court,
we will go to war with Chunghae Base.
- Captain. - Yes.
Shut down the king's private quarters,
and allow no audience with court officials.
- Chief Jang. - Yes.
Put Jung-hwa and Jo Jang-gil under house arrest.
Yes, sir.
Let me go, you wretches.
Who sent you here? Did Kim Yang send you here?
Let go of me.
You must be prepared for a surprise attack from the enemy.
Yes, sir.
May I have a word with you?
What is it?
I will go to Chunghae and negotiate with Jang Bogo.
Going to war with Chunghae Base now is a reckless act
that will not bring any good to the imperial court
or to the people of Shilla.
I will negotiate with Jang Bogo, and avoid war.
He will not listen to you.
I will stop this war even if I have to kill Jang Bogo.
How can I trust you?
You have already put aside your grudge against Jang Bogo.
I am putting my life at stake by going to Chunghae,
when we are on the brink of war with Chunghae Base.
If any harm should come to His Majesty
before I reach an agreement with Jang Bogo,
I will not forgive you.
You're worried about the safety of Jung-hwa, not the king.
Fine, I can grant you any wish if you will kill Jang Bogo.
I'm sorry I can't be of any help to you.
I'm leaving the imperial city.
- Baek-kyung. - Yes, sir.
You will serve Lady Jung-hwa from now.
- Yes, sir. - Leave us.
I do not believe I will see you again.
Where are you going?
It seems I might finally be freed from my long suffering,
and find happiness.
You said you wished me to be happy...
You said to forget you...
It is painful to keep you in my heart...
but because it would be more painful to forget you,
because I'm afraid of that pain...
I don't believe I'll be able to forget you until the day I die.
If I should be happy,
it will not be from forgetting you,
but because my life of loving you...
will have come to an end.
It seems I might finally be freed from my long suffering,
and find happiness.
Where has the head chief gone?
Where has he gone?
He's gone to Chunghae Base.
I must go to Chunghae. I need your help.
Station the Noh and Kuseo divisions outside of Chunghae.
You will go to war with Chunghae Base?
When Yum Jang kills Jang Bogo,
we must take the opportunity to wipe out Chunghae Base.
Let's go.
Who goes there?
Captain.
Consul.
Yum Moon showed up in Chunghae.
Chunghae Base is on the brink of war with the imperial court.
We can't allow entry to the captain of the imperial guards.
Leave at once.
I must speak to the consul.
Allow me to see him.
Consul.
Bring Yum Moon.
Consul!
Bring him.