Episode 10
I went to your house to see you, but Dae Su told me you were at the Bureau.
So we came here together.
We've met again...
I'm looking at you, and yet I cannot believe it.
How did I not know when you were so near?
The more I think about it, the more unbelievable it seems.
Your Highness...
If it weren't for this painting, I may never have recognized you.
When the red lotus blooms,
a golden fragrance is left on the skirt.
Do you remember?
You called me by my name in the storehouse.
Yes, Your Highness.
I remember.
That day... stayed in my memory.
No one else has called my name in such a way since then.
Your Highness...
I am curious about many things.
Tell me, how have you fared?
Your Highness.
- What is it? - The Bureau staff are coming.
You must leave.
Your Highness, let's go.
Your Highness, you must return to the palace now.
You have been gone for too long.
I don't know when I will be able to see you again.
Your Highness, please do not worry.
Song Yeon is in the Bureau, and Dae Su will soon take the Military Exam.
You will see them often.
- Sir! - Military Exam?
Yes. Official Park says that it was to keep your promise.
He is going to be a military officer so that he can protect you.
No... no, Your Highness. I am lacking in the military arts.
Honestly, I lack the qualifications to pass the exam.
What do you mean, lacking?
I know your skills very well.
What?
I have been hit only twice in my entire life, and both of them were from you.
Doesn't that qualify as great skills?
Your Highness...
Forgive me, Your Highness! I deserve to die!
I'm just joking, Dae Su. It was a joke.
Your Highness...!
I am so happy I have seen you again.
So it is possible to talk to others and laugh like this...
Don't go away again.
Yes, Your Highness.
Please don't worry.
Your Highness.
We have to go.
Yes, alright.
I'll come again.
I... I have to go to the palace, Song Yeon.
Dae Su...?
I'll pass the exam no matter what.
I'll enter the palace and protect His Highness myself.
The examiners of the handwriting said that it was the prince's?
Yes, not only the artists at the Bureau of Paintings,
but all the scholars in the palace.
But even if it were true, you should have done something!
- That's why I nominated you! - Forgive me.
There were too many eyes. I couldn't do anything.
Why did the prince do such a thing? (Hong Bong Han)
If this is the case, the prince will not be able to avoid a Royal Inquiry.
Not only that, he broke the laws and killed the criminals!
Father, how can you say he killed the criminals?
- How can you say such things? - But Your Highness, the evidence...
No, I don't believe in the evidence. I believe in the prince!
- Your Highness...! - He is my son. I know him best.
He is not capable of doing such a thing!
- The prince asks for an audience. - Let him enter.
I will ask you for the final time.
Whose decree was it? Was it truly not of your own hand?
Even if you ask me one time, my answer is still the same.
The decree was not written by me.
Then what shall we do?
The Minister of Justice came to me yesterday and told me that the handwriting is yours.
Even your uncle cannot support your claim.
Then it must be true.
No, Your Majesty. The decree was not written by me.
If it weren't written by you, then are all the artists in the Capital lying?
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty...
If this is true, then it must not go unpunished!
The prince has committed the grave sin of deceiving the king and breaking the law.
That is true. How can the prince do such an outrageous thing?
- How can we explain this to the people? - Your Majesty...
You must give out the proper punishment. That is the only way we will be redeemed!
Your Majesty!
Yes, you're right.
You are all correct.
But there is something strange.
He is the prince, and yet all of you speak rudely of him.
It seems that you don't even consider him a prince.
I'm the king, so I can say anything I want. But what will you do when he becomes king?
Are you assuming that the prince will not be able to become king?
Of course not, Your Majesty? How could we dare to think so?
How could that be, Your Majesty?
- Please bring me the items. - Yes, Your Majesty.
This is a boiled potato.
I didn't know the Minister of Justice was comparing the calligraphy and asked some questions.
I was told that they use a boiled potato to forge documents in foreign countries.
- Show them. - Yes.
- Show it to the Ministers. - Yes, Your Majesty.
What do you think? Isn't it exactly the same?
If you boil the potato for over an hour, it can absorb the ink and transfer it.
But unlike the original, the forged seal will change color in time.
We will know the answer in a month.
We'll know whether the decree with truly made by the prince.
Although the handwriting can be forged by a great artist, the seal cannot be forged.
Thus, I will give my judgment in a month's time after I see the decree.
Until then, you will all shut your mouths from speaking treason!
- You are great, Your Majesty! - You are great, Your Majesty!
Their mouths won't stop wagging!
They keep crying out for me to hear their cry and tell me I'm great.
Perhaps you have showed them your thoughts too early.
If you had done it in secret, the opposition may have been silenced.
That's why you were sent home, but your nagging continues.
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
Have you figured out what I have summoned you?
I can't believe Father supports the prince!
How could this have happened?
That is not what is important, Mother.
- They will find out that it is a forgery. - Call a meeting.
- Now! - But, the time now...
We are running out of time!
How can you call a meeting in daylight? What if someone sees us?
- This is an emergency. - I know, but...
Lord Hong, she has also approved of this meeting.
If the prince is found to be innocent, then everything will be over.
If he is found innocent, the king will always support the prince.
Is there a way of preventing the seal from changing color?
The king has taken the decree. We cannot do anything with it.
Then what do we do? We have no way out!
We still have a month.
We must find a way to make His Majesty forget all about the decree.
What do you mean?
No matter how reasonable he is, the king is a still a man.
What do you mean?
He is a man who has painful memories.
Memories like his son, who died in a rice chest.
But what would he do if his trusted grandson evoked those painful memories?
What is he realized that his grandson blamed him for his father's death?
Prepare to do what I've told you.
- Tell the artist who forged the document to leave. - Yes, My Lord.
Are you assuming that the prince will not be able to become king?
Your Highness...
Your newly appointed First Guard of the Office of the Crown Prince asks to greet you.
- Let him enter. - Yes, Your Highness.
Oh... you...!
Your Highness, have you been well?
How are you here, Minister? Have you returned from your exile?
Yes, Your Highness. His Majesty was merciful and summoned me to the palace.
Forgive me for not being of any help to you when you were sent to exile.
Not at all, Your Highness. Please forgive me for leaving you.
But why are you my First Guard to the Office of the Crown Prince? That is only the fifth rank.
How can this be?
When I met with His Majesty, I asked him to be able to serve you.
I asked him for this additional duty along with being First Minister.
His Majesty has asked me to take care of your welfare.
- His Majesty? - Yes.
He suspects a plot in the Cabinet. He is sending me to help you.
Your Royal Guards must have your best interests at heart.
You must have loyal guards around you so that you may be safe.
- It is impossible for me to have good guards. - Your Highness!
Being appointed as Royal Guard to the Crown Prince is considered the worst appointment for anyone.
The prince is in danger of being sent to exile at any moment.
One's career and ambition cannot move forward and one's life may even be in danger.
How can you say such things, Your Highness?
Most of them are here just for the money.
The others are biding their time until they can go to another office.
The Military Examinations will soon begin.
But I doubt as to whether they can even hold a bow properly.
The answer is still no. There are so many brushes to wash because you were gone!
I did that already.
What?
Is that enough?
- Song Yeon! - Sir!
How are you? Are you well?
- Yes, please don't worry. - That's good to hear.
Then I'll be on my way.
- Song Yeon! - What now, Sir?
I can't seem to leave. I must be so happy you're back.
- Sir...! - I'm happy you're back to help me work.
What?
Artist Cho left the Bureau suddenly, and now my work has doubled!
I'll call you secretly later.
What? Sir!
Hey, Song Yeon...!
Don't be so obvious with Sir Yi Chun.
What?
Don't worry. I'm still on your side.
Excuse me, excuse me!
So the Military Examinations are starting!
Uncle, I'm going to go study.
Hey, the house is that way.
I told you before! There are men who tutor you and tell you the questions!
I'm busy!
You know our family isn't very smart. I doubt if you're any different.
Now we will move on to studying Sun Tzu's Art of War.
There are twelve aspects of planning war.
~Recites Sun Tsu's Art of War~
Are you sleeping? If you're sleepy, go home.
You're just wasting your money. How much did you pay? I'll return it to you.
Let's study Sun Tzu again.
~ Recites Sun Tzu's Art of War ~
Sir!
Sir, it's so difficult to memorize. What shall I do?
- Then don't memorize it. - What? Sir!
How can you say that? I paid good money to learn how to pass the exam!
- It's no use for you anyway. - What?
How hard have you tried so far? (Hong Gook Young)
Do you think that men like you can and should pass the Military Exam?
You must put in your utmost effort!
You must memorize all the manuals on military warfare!
You must practice your martial arts everyday until you collapse!
That's all bullshit.
What?
- What did we learn today? - Sun Tzu's Art of War.
And what is art? It is not the real thing.
Sun Tzu says that warfare is to deceive the enemy.
Try and find a way to deceive the judges and pass the exam.
Wait, Sir! Sir!
How can you say such things as a nobleman?
That's because I'm a nobleman.
Who in the country is the best in deception?
It's gentlemen like me!
There will be an exhibition today to prepare for the Military Exam in five days.
The fifth regiment will exhibit sword duel.
The second regiment will exhibit horsemanship.
His Majesty will be here along with the prince and the Ministers of the Cabinet.
- Make sure there are no errors. - Yes, Your Excellency.
Next is the Royal Guard for the Office of the Crown Prince.
Cock your bow!
Shoot!
- Bullseye! - Cock your bow!
Shoot!
No hit!
Cock your bow!
Shoot!
No hit!
Shoot!
No hit!
- Why are the Royal Guards so pathetic! - Forgive me, Your Majesty.
I've seen enough. Let us leave.
Your displeased expression is inappropriate.
You should be ashamed.
- What? - Their pathetic skills are your responsibility.
Don't you know that?
The Ministers don't have respect for you.
Even your own guards didn't hone their skills enough to protect you.
- Are they the only ones at fault? - Your Majesty...
No. In their eyes, you were undeserving of the effort.
It is not because you don't have power. It is because you weren't a leader to them.
You ruined them. You should be ashamed of that.
Good job today.
How come all of you couldn't hit the target today?
- What about you? - You weren't that great either.
We tried to hit it but it just wouldn't.
Look at me!
At least you did well.
You must be angry.
I entered the Royal Guard as last place in the Military Exam.
But you used to do quite well until you made a mistake at the Ministry of War.
You can't relax now!
What? Why?
There is an order for all the Royal Guards to be on night duty.
- What? - Night Duty?
- All of us? - Yes.
I knew it!
- Are you the tutor of the Royal Guard? - Yes.
There is something you must record. Come out to the Royal Guard training ground.
His Highness is coming.
Hold up your bows.
I said hold up your bows!
I heard that the exhibition today was announced ten days ago.
But the skills you presented to His Majesty and the Ministers,
were atrocious and pathetic.
If you were soldiers of merit, you would have been out here practicing.
But the training ground was empty.
How can you call yourselves military officers?
We will now practice 20 rounds of five arrows each.
Forgive me, Your Highness, but that's a hundred arrows.
During normal training hours, we only shoot fifty.
What is your name?
My name is... Officer Suh Jang Bo.
You will shoot ten more rounds.
What?
Take your bows and follow me.
You may all begin.
If any of you hit fifty out of the hundred, you may all go home.
Is this all you can do?
How can you Royal Guards be worse than I?
- Straighten your forward arm. - Yes, Your Highness.
We will meet again tomorrow morning at the Hour of the Tiger (3-5am).
The Hour of the Tiger? That's only two hours away!
What is this?
Has he gone mad?
The tactics of war are... Geography... Production...
Superiority and victory.
Geography, production, superiority...
Superiority...
- Madam! Give us two bowls of soup. - Alright.
Damn it, now my arm won't even go up.
What's the matter with the prince?
Why is he harassing us?
Yesterday it was twenty rounds. Today he wants us to do forty rounds!
It'll be sixty rounds tomorrow and eight rounds the day after!
- I doubt that. - He's capable of it, that's for sure!
He's like a rabid dog!
I've been listening to you, and you have gone too far.
You look like you are the Royal Guard of the Office of the Crown Prince.
But you're saying that the prince is mad? That he is rabid?
Who's this fool?
Don't let him bother you.
Do you know how nice the prince is? You should be honored to serve him!
You should be protecting him with your life!
Crazy fool.
What did you say? Honored to serve him?
You wretched fool! The honor, you can have it!
I'll give it to you, so you do it!
You despicable...!
How dare you call yourself the Crown Prince's Royal Guard!
Get up, get up you bastard!
You... you bastard!
How dare...?
His Highness is in danger because wretches like them are guarding him.
I should be with him. I have to pass the Military Exam!
Try and find a way to deceive the judges and pass the exam.
So you want to know a way to pass the exam?
Yes! I have to pass this exam and become a Royal Guard!
- A Royal Guard? - Yes!
- You will be filling a broken pot. - What?
Fine. Since this is a place where we teach you how to pass the Military Exam,
I will teach you how to cheat your way in. (Hong Gook Young)
Sir! Sir!
- Why are you asking me for erotica? - I need it. I'll return it to you, so please!
You...!
This one is a bit weak.
This one's really indecent.
Thank you, thank you Sir!
Dae Su!
You won't be able to go to sleep so easily tonight.
If you go Gawedo, you will find the residence of Minister of War Han Jun Ho.
What?
- Find out what the exam questions are? - The Minister of War will have them.
One of his relatives is also taking the Military Exam.
He will have given him a copy of the examination questions.
Really...?
Last year, another one of his relatives passed the Military Exam in exactly the same way.
That is how all the noblemen pass the exams.
Go and befriend the servant there.
If you see the questions, passing the exam will be easy.
Look here!
You've dropped something.
Oh no! Oh no! I almost lost it.. it's priceless!
Thank you!
Wait! Just a moment.
Where did you get this?
Deduct the salaries of all those who are late.
Yes, Your Highness.
Today, we will shoot 60 rounds.
What did I tell you?
Hurry, we must make 200 more paintings by the Hour of the Fowl (5:30 - 6:30pm).
We have already made 500 pages! How much longer must this continue?
I don't know why the prince insists on creating such a commotion at the palace.
That's what I'm saying. The Ministers are infuriated!
Silence! It is our duty to provide paintings to the palace.
Now, hurry!
- Sir! - What was that?
No, no! I dreamt the boar was attacking me!
It was this... this boar!
Go and wipe your saliva!
Sir!
- Sir Yi Chun! - Oh!
You! What happened to you! I thought you were arrested!
I bribed them with my entire fortune and was released.
How in the world...?
Sir Yi Chun! Please forgive me! I'll bow a hundred times to that girl.
So please give me some more of your erotic paintings!
Absolutely not! I will never do business with you again!
Sir Yi Chun! Sir Maestro!
- I won't give any to you! - Please Sir Maestro! Please Sir Genius!
Sir! Sir Maestro! Sir Genius!
- I'm not listening. - Sir! Sir Maestro!
Your Highness, it has been a long time.
Yes, it has been, Princess.
- Leave us. - Yes, Your Majesty.
I asked you here to have tea and conversation.
Was it very troublesome to come all the way here?
- Of course not, Your Majesty. - How could that be, Your Majesty.
Even if it was troublesome, I hope you understand.
The palace has been peaceful these few days, so I wanted to relax and share conversation.
How can you say it's peaceful? Haven't you heard the commotion, Your Majesty?
- Commotion? - Who else would be making one?
Our dear prince is at it again. This time he is harassing the Royal Guards.
It is unfortunate he is causing both of you such worry.
I worry all the time about the prince's future.
I'm sure it won't happen, but he is his father's son, so one never knows...
Princess, your words are too forward.
No, Your Majesty. The princess has not spoken out of order.
The prince has the blood of His Majesty running in his veins.
The princess is saying that the prince will be like his grandfather and become a good king.
I am so glad you have read my mind, Your Highness.
Your Highness, the wind is cold.
There is still no one who has hit their targets more than half the time.
We will shoot 80 rounds tomorrow.
It seems you have overexerted yourself.
You have shot rounds even the Royal Guards cannot handle.
I'm alright.
- The Guards' Quarters is on fire! - Run for your lives!
Fire! Fire!
- What is happening? - There is a fire in the guards' quarters!
- What happened? - A fire has spread from the stove.
We have tried to put out the fire, but the whole kitchen is up in flames!
What do you mean? The fire was deliberately started?
All the stoves in the palace are required to have its door closed for the fire to go out.
But someone left the stove door open.
That is not possible...! Who could have done such a thing?
We are investigating, but I do not think the culprit will be found easily.
The only people who can enter the Guards' Quarters are the guards themselves...
- Hold up your bows. - No. Forget it.
That's enough. I didn't know I was harassing you to this point.
Did you hate training so much that you had to burn up your quarters?
If you can't do your best to protect me,
that is alright.
But before you are my Royal Guard, you are a military officer of this nation.
No matter what your position, you have to do your best.
Do not lose your pride as a military officer because of me.
You may all go back.
If anyone wants to resign from the Royal Guard, or wish to go elsewhere,
it will be approved. So make your requests to your leader.
Did someone really start the fire intentionally?
This is all the prince's fault! In three days, we have done 120 rounds!
Our hands are swollen and our bones have rotted away!
One more day of this, and I would have started the fire myself!
Two hundred rounds.
The prince shot two hundred rounds.
- What? - I am a tutor of the Office of Lectures.
According to my records, all of you shot 120 rounds, while His Highness shot 200 rounds.
And you... You even over counted your arrows.
I'm sure your bones won't rot.
Who's that fellow?
200 rounds? How could that be?
Aren't you leaving?
I'm going to practice a bit more.
Oh, damn it!
Hey, wait! Wait for me!
I don't know why the prince insists on creating such a commotion at the palace.
That's what I'm saying. The Ministers are infuriated!
Come here.
If Song Yeon finds out, she'll kill me. Keep this a secret.
Of course I will! Please give me a few paintings, Sir Maestro!
- Stop calling me Sir Maestro! - Yes, Sir Genius!
Why... why was I born such a genius?
I'll go and fetch my materials. Go and wait over there.
- Yes, Sir Maestro! - Stop. You can call me Sir Genius.
Yes, Sir Genius.
Oh, Official Cho. Why brings you here at this hour?
I... I came to get something.
By the way, why did you resign so suddenly?
You...!
What a bad-tempered fellow!
Did he drop this here?
What's written here? I can't read the characters!
This is an important message. Deliver it to the Royal Chief Secretary.
Yes, Your Excellency.
The insurgency has begun.
You will have to play a big role, Minister of War.
So you're saying that you can pass the exam? For real?
I just have to look at the questions. The exam is tomorrow, so it'll be here.
Uncle, you know what to do, right?
Alright.
Look here.
I got it.
- Really? - Erotica.
Where is it?
Over there. Let's go.
This man is the artist. I have requested one for you, so go with him.
Go!
The ecstasy of a man and woman embracing in the throes of passion...!
Come with me. I'll give it to you inside.
Wait.
- Leave the bag outside. - Why... why do you want me to leave it?
I have so many valuable erotica inside. What if you steal one?
How can you say that?
If you don't want to, that's fine with me.
Just leave it here. I'll look after it!
Don't worry!
- Go in! Go in! - Let's go inside.
I'm doing if for the prince. Park Dae Su!
~ Reads Chinese Characters ~
What's this? What kind of question is this?
You're taking one of my best paintings!
So, did you like the paintings?
I'll be back soon!
Don't share them with anyone! Have a safe journey!
Did you see it? Did you?
I did... But it was a bit strange.
- What's strange? - I don't know, but I don't think it was a question.
I knew it, you foolish boy! What's so strange about it?
~Recites Characters on Letter~
- This... This is...! - Guard, guard!
Here!
Arrest the man who wrote this!
Close all the gates and stop him from leaving!
Yes, Your Excellency!
What is causing such a ruckus?
What is it? His Majesty wants to see it immediately.
What is it?
- What's written on the paper? - Your Majesty...
I said give it to me.
Your Majesty, what is it?
Read it.
I said read it!
- Your Majesty, this is... - Read it. I command you.
Above sits... one who is dethroned.
Below sits... one who barely holds power.
Thus is a omen of the downfall of this country.
The king conspired with the No Ron Faction,
and killed his own brother, the King.
He is No Ron's king...
and a traitor.
Continue.
I said continue!
Your Majesty...!
Fine. If you won't, then I will!
The Crown Prince Sado was beloved by the people.
But the king killed his own son. A crime among all crimes!
After the death of the Crown Prince,
we have no king.
There is no king other than the son of Crown Prince Sado!