Subtitles by DramaFever
Sire, are you alright?
What are you doing? Bring some water now!
What are you doing?
Father, it's a trap!
Sir!
What's with this disaster!
What's going on? How did this happen?
Father, we should leave here right now.
Sire, please leave now.
- Help the general now! - Yes, sir!
[Episode 19]
Taepyunggwan is a chaos right now, so where are you going?
Of course I should bring people to clean up Taepyunggwan.
I'm a face reader.
Just by glancing at your face, I can picture what you have in mind.
That's what I mean.
This is contempt of the Ming dynasty!
How could you serve poisonous wine?
I can't hold back how baffled I am about the general's death.
But I promise you.
I'll make sure to catch the criminal
and cut his head and limbs off, whoever it is.
He is not a Joseon man.
What do you mean? He's not from Joseon?
It is a spy sent by Nurhaci.
- What? - What trick are you pulling now?
A Jurchen, out of nowhere?
If you look into the cause...
all of this happened because of Ming.
What?
Come in.
Your Majesty, I am Heo Gyun, former royal speech writer.
Sire, he is a son of Heo Yeop, former governor of Gyeongsang Province
and a younger brother of Administrator Heo Sung.
I see.
Sire, I happened to stop by Southern Manchuria while I was traveling in Ming.
Nurhaci recently destroyed the Hada clan among the Haixi Jurchens.
He was uniting the Jurchens at a scary pace.
I heard about that, too.
Sire, did you also hear that they are preparing a war against Ming in the near future?
What?
What did you just say?
The Jurchens dare to think that they can attack our almighty Ming?
The current Jurchens are different from the past.
But they believe Joseon will be in the way for their plan
so they tried to kill Your Majesty, in my opinion.
So they're trying to kill me?
Yes, Your Majesty refused their help twice during the Imjin War.
They seem to be holding a big resenment over that.
How do you expect me to believe that barbarians from the north will attack our almighty Ming?
I've never heard of it!
That's what he heard in Southern Manchuria.
Where is the proof that his words are true?
Don't drag in the Jurchens in this for no reason
and cover up this incident!
I'll report to our emperor and punish everyone who's responsible for this!
Untie me.
I finally get to catch the ones behind the assassination attempt for His Majesty.
Would you let him go if you were in my shoes?
You must be a Jurchen.
How can you show what you have in mind so easily as a spy?
Spare me!
Why did you try to kill His Majesty?
What's your purpose?
General Nurhaci finds Joseon to be a hindrance in his war against Ming.
So he ordered us to kill the King of Joseon.
The Jurchens and Ming will go to war?
Listen carefully.
Depending on how you move your tongue
you can have your head cut off
or live a rich life in Joseon.
It's your choice...
so think carefully.
Do you think Heo Gyun's information is correct?
Father, it's not incorrect.
I believe we should grasp what's going in neiboring countries and be prepared.
We couldn't fight off the Japanese.
Isn't in because we weren't prepared in time?
Father, forgive me for saying this...
I believe that you should meet with the Jurchens in person.
The reason they tried to assassinate you
can't be a simple grudge over how they were treated like barbarians.
What are you talking about?
Are you telling me to stroke the Jurchen's ego?
Father, the Jurchens are becoming stronger day by day.
We can't be their enemy!
Quiet!
What do you really have in mind
that you're telling me to meet the ones who tried to kill me?
Get out of here!
Your Highness, you're really frustrating!
Of course, you were right about not taking this secret message.
The day that His Majesty learns about this phrase of 'establish Bright Ocean'...
It's horrifying.
So what happy answer did you expect when you told His Majesty?
He's always speaking of the grace of saving from a near collapse.
How could he possibly take your suggestion?
You're really...
Mind your manners!
My true manners come from deep in my heart. That's why I can say this.
Young Shin, Heo Gyun is not completely wrong.
Do you really mean to meet with the Jurchens in person
and show them respect as equals?
I know a little because I spent a few months among them.
Not to mention manners and customs
they don't even know the Three Commands and Five Morals
and they are extremely cruel barbarians...
Even if it's true...
I still believe we should make peace with Nurhaci.
Did you... just say, 'make peace'?
They steal from Joseon people all the time.
They tried to kill His Majesty!
Our Joseon doesn't have power to punish them right now.
If we raise a stick to give the Jurchens a lesson
we'll all be destroyed.
So you will be a coward and ask to be a friend?
Do you not have any pride or honor?
I don't have those.
Give those to a dog!
Sire...
The Jurchens are getting big at a scary pace.
We don't know how the situation will change in the central region with Ming.
If I raise my pride or honor at this time
this land can be pushed into a fire hell again!
Pride? Honor? Reason?
What's the use of those when thousands of people are dying?
If I can stop another war from this land
I will do anything.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Are you thinking, 'I fell for a wrong Crown Prince who's gone slightly nuts'?
Yes. I really think I picked a wrong one.
But, in order to stop a war from happening
I'd also give such things as pride and honor to dogs!
But in order to establish a friendly relationship, we should meet them first.
Do you have any plan?
Should I become a bait again?
They don't look like letters...
Right? They look like insects...
You mean, the Crown Prince knew about this ahead?
He did.
What I'm really unhappy about is...
that the Crown Prince found out who's behind this.
He gets to claim his accomplishment again.
How did the Crown Prince find out about this?
I hear that he has sent many spies to the Jurchen area for a long time.
The man named Heo Gyun also came from the Jurchen's region.
When an assassin broke into Kangnyung Hall last time
was the assassin also a Jurchen?
He was.
Just what is their purpose of trying to kill Father?
If His Majesty passes away, who'd be the happiest person?
Of course the Crown Prince...
It's the Crown Prince!
Are you saying that the Crown Prince is plotting this with the Jurchens?
Whether he plotted or not...
why is that important?
I plan to make it that way.
Then it'll be a reason to depose the Crown Prince.
I believe it's time to make the final critical move.
According to the Crown Prince
the assassin who broke into Kangnyung Hall was a Jurchen.
What have you found out so far?
I also found out that the assassin was a Jurchen a while ago.
But what's important is not the dead assassin.
It's the one who's behind it.
Did you find who's behind it?
I haven't found who's behind it
but I found their purpose.
What is their purpose?
Forgive me for saying this...
but it seems that they plan to take Your Majesty down since you're close to Ming
and establish the Crown Prince as the King since he's not in good terms with Ming.
What? So, in order to establish the Crown Prince as the King
Nurhaci sent an assassin to kill me? Is that what you mean?
Yes, sire.
Do you know what you just said?
Can you take responsibility for it?
Sire, I'm sure they will contact the Crown Prince.
I will find out about that.
Please make your judgment after that.
Did you taste for poison?
Yes, sire.
The court lady already finished tasting for poision
but a lot of troubles seem to happen recently
so I'm being extra-careful.
Your heart is truly commandable.
You care for me so much
that I feel loved by you.
Sire, I'm curious about something.
Tell me what it is.
When an assassin broke into Kangnyung Hall last time
why did you order to keep in a secret?
They dared to assassinate you!
Were you that curious?
Forgive me.
Since I assumed the throne to this day
my life has been threatened more than a couple of times.
One day while I was asleep, another day when I went out in disguise...
and another day when I went to a hot spring...
The ones who tried to kill me said the same thing.
I shouldn't be...
I wanted to be a man, not a king, in front of you, Ga Hee.
I can fight off an assassin anytime, so I didn't want to make it a big deal.
The assassin was found to be a barbarian.
They are not too happy about Joseon since we are close to Ming.
I also often felt that way when I was traveling Southern Manchuria.
If I really get killed by them...
there is someone else who will have a bigger laugh than the barbarians.
Who is it?
It's the Crown Prince.
Sire, why would you say such an absurd thing?
Why are you so surprised?
Your shocked face is really funny.
- Was it a joke? - Of course it's a joke.
I also don't think Gwanghae would kill his father.
Did you say that you are now ready to listen to me?
Listen.
The Crown Prince of Joseon will try to meet with your leader.
Find out about it in secret
and tell me without missing a detail.
When, where and why they are meeting...
Do you understand?
You should have at least this wound
so that other Jurchens will fall for you.
'Bright Ocean' wants to meet with 'Wild Boar Skin' of Southern Manchuria.
Doesn't 'Wild Boar Skin' mean General Nurhaci?
The Crown Prince of Joseon wants to meet with General Nurhaci?
How would he meet with the general in Southern Manchuria?
He wants us to reveal ourselves.
Are you thinking of meeting the Crown Prince?
What did you just say? 500,000 nyang of silver coins?
How am I supposed to find that much overnight?
You dared to let a general of Ming die...
and you didn't expect to pay any price?
Also, Prince Imhae who swung fists at our general and humiliated him
will have to come with me on my way back to Ming this time.
Do you mean to take Prince Imhae as a hostage?
Hostage? How could you say that between Ming and Joseon?
It's just that this is such a serious matter
so the first son of Joseon should go to Ming himself and apologize to the emperor.
Please answer me, sire!
I see. I'll think about it.
Are you telling me to be dragged away as a hostage?
You reap what you sow.
Father!
You've done nothing so far for the country as a prince.
Consider it as a way to save this country and the royal court.
Just close your eyes and make the trip.
Can I even come back?
Wouldn't I be killed on the way without anyone even knowing about it?
What?
Yes, you must think that it's actually for the better.
The first son with no redeeming quality gave you a headache...
Now you can get rid of him, so you must be relieved.
How can you not know how I feel at all?
Sire, His Highness Crown Prince is here.
Let him in.
Father.
If you came to discuss the matter of Imhae, I have nothing to hear from you.
So you shouldn't move your lips to say a word about it.
I didn't come for that matter, Father.
If you made a decision to send Imhae to Ming
of course we should follow that order.
How would I dare to go against your order?
Imhae will also make the trip happiily for Joseon.
Then why did you come here?
Since the country came back to life from a near collapse with the grace of Ming
we should pay back for their kindness over and over.
But we should pay back for their kindness when we have a way to pay back.
One thing tha concerns me is getting 500,000 nyang of silver coins.
Joseon only has few silver mines in operation.
Even if we somehow gather 500,000 nyang of silver coins, even taking away a woman's ring...
when they ask for a million nyang of silver coins next time
what will you do?
What are you trying to say?
Are you confident enough to refuse their request now?
Ming is a powerful country.
It's also a country with deep generosity, enough for us to respect them as our brother.
If we tell them our situation in sincerity
we should be able to find a way.
Father, please give me a few days.
I'll try to convince the envoy from Ming.
I don't have too much time to give you.
Yes, just a few days is enough.
They want to meet at the market pub tomorrow afternoon.
Sire, would it be really alright?
I have to meet with them.
Otherwise, Father will continued to be threatened with assassination attempts.
And Imhae will have no choice but to go to Ming.
That's not all.
Ming demanded 500,000 nyang of silver coins.
The whole country is about to empty out silver rings, silver spoons and silver hairpins.
And I also lost my freedom.
Ming needs to know that we're not just hanging onto them.
That is the way our Joseon can stand as a strong country.
Sire, I have something to report to you regarding the Crown Prince.
What is it?
The Crown Prince will meet with the Jurchens in secret tomorrow.
- Is that true? - Yes, sire.
Whether the evil ones really tried to kill Your Majesty
and establish the Crown Prince as the King
or the Crown Prince had a treacherous mind and brought in the barbarians
Wouldn't this be a great opportunity to check?
Where is it?
Sire, I hear that you can't fall asleep at night recently.
- Ga Hee... - Yes, sire.
What do you think of the Crown Prince?
- Pardon? - Why are you so surprised?
You said the Crown Prince was your childhood friend.
Besides, you were under the Crown Prince as a volunteer soldier during the war.
So of course you should know about the Crown Prince very well.
I was only a soldier who took orders from him.
How could I dare to say I know about him?
I see.
By the way, why would you ask?
The Crown Prince...
It's nothing.
I've told a lot of worries that were piled up in my heart...
I don't feel like having tea today.
You may leave now.
Yes, sire.
- Court Lady Oh. - Yes, my lady.
I'm going to write a letter. Please deliver it to Donggung Hall.
You have to deliver it to the Crown Prince.
My lady, it's dangerous to contact Donggung Hall right now.
Where are you going in such a hurry?
Why would you ask?
Your steps look very rushed.
Go ahead.
Father seems to know that I'm meeting with the Jurchens.
Since it's from Ga Hee, it must be true.
Then what should we do?
We get to meet them finally...
It looks like we'll have to change our plan.
We don't have time to change it.
We also have no way of contacting them about our change.
We'll proceed with our plan.
You don't need to look so scared.
Now we know the enemy's move, we will have a plan.
- Eunuch Song. - Yes, sire.
I need to check if Kim Do Chi's words are true.
If the Crown Prince will really meet with those barbarians...
what trick he is pulling... I need to know.
Sire, you can't doubt the Crown Prince just based on Kim Do Chi's words alone.
I often thought of Gwanghae as another man, not as my son.
But I've never thought that he'd be capable of having a thought of killing his father.
So why do you doubt the Crown Prince?
After the war, he became a stronger man.
He didn't change
but the time in history made him strong.
That keeps bothering me.
Sire!
Did you come to meet with the Crown Prince?
Yes.
I came to pick you up.
Follow me.
That way please.
I'm sorry to suddenly change our meeting location.
It's fine. Thanks to you, I escaped as a runaway.
By the way, why did the Crown Prince of Joseon want to see me?
Joseon has been close to Ming for a long time.
Not only that...
we haven't had any proper trade relationship other than with Ming.
But I'm about to put my hand out to your Jurchen people.
I'd like to establish a friendly relationship in the near future.
Did you just say, 'friendly relationship'?
Yes. As the Crown Prince of Joseon, I'd like to establish an amicable relationship.
Of course, you must receive punishment for attempting to kill the King of Joseon.
It's not something that can be forgiven.
But before that, I want to trade with you and open a gate for our friendly relationship.
Do you know why we tried to assassinate the King of Joseon?
I heard General Nurhaci is preparing to go to war with Ming in order to unite the Jurchens.
Did he think that Joseon would be a hindrance?
That's right.
The current King of Joseon calls us barbarians and looks down on us.
We want you, the Crown Prince, to become the King.
Do you know why you're called barbarians?
It's because you meddle in someone else's family matter.
Joseon will decide the King of Joseon.
You really are the Crown Prince who led the Imjin War to victory!
Then how would you prove that Joseon really wants a friendly relationship with us?
I'll make all the Ming soldiers withdraw from Joseon.
Would that be enough?
I trusted your words and believed that the Crown Prince was with the Jurchens.
And is this the result of trusting you?
Forgive me.
But I haven't changed my opinion on the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Jurchens.
I just think that someone found out about my plan
and found a way for the Crown Prince to escape.
You're saying that someone around me acted a spy for the Crown Prince?
There was Secretary Seo Yong.
He is the Crown Prince's man.
If you interrogate him, we'll find out the truth.
Sire, what should we do?
Chief Kim must be suspicious of me.
That's not possible.
But it won't be bad to leave a possibility and check.
What are you saying?
When you told me about it, Ga Hee wasn't even with me!
Sire, Chief Kim is conducting his work in a fair manner.
If an investigation is required, I won't hesitate.
That's enough.
If you're trying to blame someone else to make up for your mistake
I won't let it slide.
You should take your leave now.
Yes, sire.
Ga Hee, it's over now.
I won't go easy on you anymore.
Sire, it's time to go.
The envoy from Ming must be waiting for you.
Once I leave this Joseon...
I won't be able to drink wine from Joseon anymore.
You'll be able to drink that wine all you want now, Imhae.
My goodness...
Goodness, who is this?
It's Your Highness Crown Prince!
Did you come to see me off for my long journey?
Or did you come to scatter some salt with the feeling of relief?
Imhae...
Why?
I'm not going to send you away.
I will make that happen.
This is the silver we prepared.
Is this... 500,000 nyang?
I'm sorry, but we gathered 100,000 nyang.
So, you want me to return home with this embarrassing amount?
How would you calm the emeperor's fury?
Sire.
My my... we have a big trouble.
Please have a seat. Please.
What should we do?
Our lack of effort will cause a fury from the emperor?
You will have to find a way now.
Anyway, why can't I see Prince Imhae?
It's past the promised time!
He should be coming soon.
By the way... an envoy from Joseon to Ming said something very interesting yesterday.
If you take 10,000 nyang from Joseon
what the emperor receives is not even 30-percent of it?
No matter how much I think about it, it doesn't make sense.
The silver coins don't have legs.
I know it's not a short distance from Joseon to Ming
but where would the 70 percent of the silver coins disappear?
Is your pocket that big?
Your Highness!
On your way back to Ming
Prince Imhae will take my letter.
And in that letter, all the frauds you committed in Joseon
and how you fooled the emperor in the last few years will be written in every detail.
To show our respect for the powerful country
I plan to report a corrupted official.
What do you want to do?
Make your choice.
Leave Prince Imhae and 100,000 nyang of silver coins.
Or spit out all the silver coins you embezzled so far.
What is this?
The envoy from Ming left this behind.
It's a promise that he won't make an issue out of what happened in Taepyunggwan that day.
I see. It's really great.
Does this mean that Imhae doesn't need to go to Ming anymore?
Yes, Father.
Also, we don't need to prepare the 500,000 nyang of sliver coins that he asked for.
That's great.
Is this bravery possible because he's born with a king's face?
How could the Crown Prince speak so eloquently?
He is really bright and wise.
To knock down that rude envoy of Ming with one swing...
He is truly amazing.
I'm envious of the Crown Prince.
Where did this horse come from?
I asked all the servants and maids in Donggung Hall
but no one knows who brought this here.
Sire...
based on the design and the ornaments on the horse
I'm sure... the Jurchens brought this here.
It seems that Nurhaci heard what you told them last time.
It looks like a gift from Nurhaci.
I heard a white horse is Nurhaci's favorite animal.
But why would he give me a gift like this?
A horse has been an auspicious animal that symbolizes an appearance of a king.
Wouldn't this mean that he wishes Your Highness to become the King?
Shut that mouth!
Sire, I think it's better to get rid of this horse before anyone sees it.
What a great horse.
An upright character that can't be bent
and the will to realize what he sets out to do
but it's too detached... and arrogant. That's his face.
I didn't know you could read an animal's face.
Animals are a part of nature just like people
so how would it be different in reading faces?
Then why do you read faces?
Why are you so surprised?
Have you never thought about it, by any chance?
That can't be.
I read faces to find out the truth drawn in the people's faces.
The truth?
Based on what I know, face readers should see through the logic of change in the world
but they shouldn't reveal themselves in the world.
As long as you use your talent as a dirty tool for your ambition
it will be difficult to read the truth that you want to see.
What? He received a gift of a white horse?
And from the Jurchens of all people?
Yes, sire.
Sire, I might have failed to catch a proof last time
but I believe this is enough to say that the Crown Prince and the Jurchens are in contact.
I'll investigate thoroughly so that there is no trace of doubt.
- Make sure that there is no more mistake. - Yes, sire.
My lady.
- It's been a while. Have you been well? - Yes.
I went to Hwayoogak to see you, but you were out to take a walk.
Can we walk together for a while?
Yes, my lady.
I heard... that you helped the Crown Prince recently.
It wasn't anything important.
Not important?
Thanks to you, His Highness achieved his goal.
Thank you so much.
Also...
I'm very envious that you can help His Highness like that.
But... I don't want you to help him anymore.
Don't consider it jealousy.
I can't fall asleep because I'm so nervous that he might get hurt.
Can you follow my request?
Why would you make a request in such a secretive way?
I'm surprised...
Crown Princess of such high stature was so close with Court Lady Kim?
I didn't know it was that big of a surprise.
You didn't know?
Court Lady Kim is a daughter of a traitor.
The daughter of a traitor who dared to plot to slander His Majesty in 1589.
Where else would the blood of the traitor go?
She's not someone you should keep close.
I didn't know that
but I'm very well aware that she helped the Crown Prince and saved this country.
- Pardon? - As a woman...
Court Lady Kim slayed the enemies and saved our people with a bow and a sword in her hands.
She is different from those who ran away
to the northern region and lay on a comfortable floor.
So how could I judge her based on what happened a long time ago?
What's this out of nowhere?
So she was a volunteer soldier who helped the Crown Prince?
It's a matter of urgency? What is it about?
Did Court Lady Kim and the Crown Prince know each other from before?
You didn't know about it either?
I see.
How did you find out about it?
I ran into the Crown Princess and Court Lady Kim when I went for a walk
and the Crown Princess said Court Lady Kim helped the Crown Prince during the war.
What an odd connection.
I feel like I caught a big fish.
My hunch can't be fooled.
The Crown Prince and Court Lady Kim... There is definitely something.
I'm going to find out about their relationship right away.
Please leave it to me.
His Majesty favors Court Lady Kim so much.
In case anything goes wrong, you can be in a difficult position.
When I need your hand, I'll ask for help.
Ga Hee, what happened? Are you alright?
Sire, forgive me.
How did you do your job to let this happen?
Forgive me.
It's all my fault.
It happened because I was greedy over some food I wasn't used to.
It's not her fault.
I got it. I won't blame her.
You may leave now.
Goodness, you've lost half of your face.
Sire...
I ran over here after I heard you were sick, so I look like this.
Are you really alright?
Yes.
If the Jurchens continue to maintain their momentum for 20 years
through the path that envoys traveled
they will come to attack Joseon.
Joseon people might say, 'what's the big deal?,' 'it's fine'
'won't Ming help us again?'...
but that's assuming that Ming hasn't fallen apart by then.
You mean, that it'll be too late to establish a friendly relationship with the Jurchens by then.
It will be like, 'fixing the shed after losing the cow.'
Half of Joseon people lost their lives from the last war.
Because of that war...
I also lost my wife and my son.
I see. That's why there should never be another war on this land.
So the conclusion is that convincing Father is the only way?
Please don't take any drastic measure.
Before stopping a war from happening
I don't want to lose Your Highness.
Young Shin, are you there?
Yes, sire.
I need to see Father.
It's...
His Majesty should be at Hwayoogak right now.
I see.
Sire, to tell you the truth, Lady Ga Hee...
I hear Court Lady Kim is very ill.
What?
Sire, you seem to be full of worries.
Why is that so?
It's nothing.
Sire, Ga Hee...
No, Court Lady Kim is really sick, so I'm planning to visit her.
You must've heard the news, too.
Since she worked for you in the past, you must be very worried.
I'll go see her, so please don't worry too much.
Please do.
You shouldn't meet with Court Lady Kim anymore.
I'm sorry.
And thank you.
I can't be as helpful to you as Court Lady Kim...
but I'm going to try.
So you should never meet with Court Lady Kim no matter what happens.
That is the way for you, me and her to survive.
Crown Princess.
With the news of Court Lady Kim's illness
I thought you'd be worried, so I came.
Please rest.
Sire, the leader of the Jurchens sent a letter.
He wants to see me tonight.
Where?
Why does he want to see me in the palace?
They are really bold.
Something bothers me.
Why do the Jurchens want to see me here?
Ga Hee!
Sire!
What brought you here, Ga Hee?
I received your letter.
My letter?
I've never sent you a letter.
Then... what brought you here, sire?
Someone else wanted to see me here.
Someone planned for us to meet here.
We should get out of here now.
- Leave first. - Yes.
Ga Hee.
I heard you were sick.
I'm fine now.
Don't get sick.
Yes, sire. Please don't worry.
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