We're under attack by the Wu Ning Jun army.
You must get out of here now.
My lady...
My lady. This way.
We couldn't find Yi Sa-do in the camp.
According to his soldiers, he led his troops to Beizhou.
- Form a pursuit team. - Why?
I saw Yum Moon and Lady Jung-hwa.
What?
Yum Moon took Lady Jung-hwa out of the camp.
I must go after them.
But you don't even know where they've gone.
They could've only gone to Yusan Harbor.
Form a pursuit team.
- Goong-bok. - Now!
Yusan Harbor is still occupied by Yi Sa-do's troops.
You could end up in danger if you act in haste.
I know how you feel, but you must stay calm.
Don't worry.
Stay away.
You're bleeding a lot. We must stop the bleeding first.
It's all right.
Don't worry about me. You should go on without me.
Go to Yusan Harbor.
If you go to the place where you first landed,
Master will be waiting.
What happened?
We were attacked by the commander of Ping-Lu-Zi-Qing army.
Wasn't he with a woman?
Yes, he was an excellent swordsman.
It must've been Yum Moon.
Which way did he go?
I believe he went in the direction of Yusan Harbor.
Let's go.
You must go now.
If I must go to Yusan Harbor, I will go with you.
Captain Jang saw you and me together.
He must be coming after us.
If we go on this way, we will be caught.
I won't let him take you away in front of my eyes.
Do you wish him to come and rescue you?
That will never happen.
If I must die on the run, I'll kill him first.
Don't do that.
Why do you invite death?
I'll forget Captain Jang. I'll try to forget him.
Please leave with me.
How much time must pass before you forget Captain Jang?
My lady... you'll never forget him even in death.
Knowing that...
It is still my fate to try so desperately to hold on to you...
I feel so wretched for my fate... I can't forgive him.
Head Chief.
Even if you leave here and go to Captain Jang,
I can't stop you.
But you helped the Ping-Lu-Zi-Qing troops as their military merchant.
Even if Captain Jang tries to protect you,
you won't escape unharmed.
Go to Yusan Harbor.
If we part now and can't never see each other again,
I'll wait for you in death.
Please save a little corner of your heart for me then.
Goong-bok!
Yon!
How much time must pass before you forget Captain Jang?
My lady... you'll never forget him even in death.
Knowing that...
It is still my fate to try so desperately to hold on to you...
I feel so wretched for my fate... I can't forgive him.
Master!
What happened?
The Wu Ning Jun army attacked Yi Sa-do's camp
soon after we had left.
They even attacked the main camp?
Yes, they were caught by surprise, and suffered a crushing defeat.
The commander hasn't come yet...
Something must've happened to him.
What do you mean? Are you saying he's dead?
If the main camp is defeated,
Yusan Harbor could fall into the enemy's hands any minute.
We must leave now.
- We'll wait. - Master!
We'll wait until Yum Moon comes.
Goong-bok.
Let's go back now. We can't stay here forever.
Yum Moon is dead now.
If Lady Jung-hwa is still alive, she'll come back to you.
We can wait a hundred days, but a dead man can't come.
Do you think the commander is dead?
If he were alive, he'd be here by now.
If the Wu Ning Jun army should come after us, we're all dead men.
What are we doing here?
Master Yi is suffering from poor judgment in his old age.
What if he goes senile?
We'd have to clean after him.
Chun-tae, should we just run away?
And go where?
We can't stay in China now. We should go back to Shilla.
I'll go anywhere you go.
You're a loyal fellow.
- Here, have a drink. - Thank you.
What?
- Com... commander. - Commander!
Commander!
Are you awake?
Where is Lady Jung-hwa?
She didn't come.
Turn the ship around!
We can't do that.
- Chief Jang! - Forgive me.
What will you accomplish by turning the ship around?
Master.
If she were coming, she'd have been there earlier.
Even if you go back, you won't find her.
Master.
We've lost everything and been chased out to sea again.
Yet, you'd throw away your life for a girl?
Do not disappoint me any further.
Captain Jang.
We have captured Yi Sa-do.
- Untie him. - Yes, sir.
I'm Jang Bogo, junior commander of the Wu Ning Jun army.
Please forgive our rudeness.
- Escort him to the tent. - Yes, sir.
- What are you doing? - Captain Jang is right.
We must show our respect to the enemy commander.
Send a messenger to the Wu Ning Jun camp.
All right.
A Wu Ning Jun commander will soon be here to take you back.
You breached our blockade in the Grand Canal,
and transported provisions to Chang'an.
When did a merchant become a soldier?
When the war broke out, merchant groups' security
were drafted as soldiers under the emperor's command.
Is that the reason that you,
a man of Shilla, became a soldier of the Tang emperor?
It wasn't my intention to participate in this war.
I only fought for the safety
of our merchant group and the Shilla people in China.
I didn't fight for my personal success and glory.
The safety of Shilla people in China...
Do you realize what you have done
in the name of that misguided cause?
I am a descendant of fallen Koguryo.
Why do you think we speak the same tongue?
Because we're of the same blood.
Yet why do you point your sword at your own blood?
You have lost the greater cause, blinded by a trivial
cause that you call the safety of Shilla people in China.
The Tang government will brand me a traitor,
but I'm not a traitor.
This land belonged to Koguryo,
and I was merely trying to get our land back.
Yet why did you become a soldier of Tang,
and obstruct my great cause?
Listen to me carefully.
No matter what great cause you claim to have,
you're just a Tang government dog.
Think carefully about who you're barking for.
Well done.
We must take Yi Sa-do to Chang-an.
Take him away.
Listen to me carefully.
No matter what great cause you claim to have,
you're just a Tang government dog.
Think carefully about who you're barking for.
This war is as good as over.
You have rendered a great service to the Tang government.
The Tang government can't ignore Shilla merchants anymore.
Well done. Well done, men!
I'm glad to see you have returned safely.
We have won the war, but we have lost so much.
We must revive our business as soon as possible.
Yes, Master.
To commend you for your hard work,
I'll throw a banquet in your honor today.
Drink to your heart's content and get plenty of rest.
Thank you, Master.
My lady, it is I, Ha-jin.
Come in.
Please sit.
Captain Jang doesn't look well.
Is anything wrong?
Well...
Please tell me.
Did you know how Captain Jang came back alive
after he was captured by Ping-Lu- Zi-Qing troops to rescue you?
Lady Jung-hwa was staying at Yi Sa-do's camp then.
Lady Jung-hwa decided to become Head Chief Yum Moon's woman
in exchange for saving his life.
Lady Jung-hwa has remained in Yi Sa-do's camp
as his military merchant since then.
And Captain Jang found her in the recent attack on the camp.
But Head Chief Yum Moon escaped with Lady Jung-hwa.
Captain Jang and I gave chase, but we couldn't find her.
He lost her right in front of his eyes.
He must be very upset.
- Then is she dead? - Who knows...
Captain Jang and Lady Jung-hwa have such unlucky fates.
They're always crossing paths.
The same goes for Lady Chae-ryung.
What are you talking about?
Didn't you know?
Lady Chae-ryung has feelings for Captain Jang...
Well, I did sense it somewhat, but...
- Are you sure? - Yes, I'm sure.
What's so complicated about one person loving another person?
I hate anything that's complicated.
Don't forget. I'm not like Captain Jang.
If you give me grief, we're over. Got that?
Why aren't you answering me?
But I feel anxious every day because of you.
Why? What did I do?
It's only natural to be anxious when you're in love.
How can you call it love without such feelings?
I too... am anxious.
How much?
A lot.
- How much is a lot? - A whole lot.
All right, then.
You called for us?
The Jie Du Shi commends you on your meritorious service
and will appoint you as commander of the Wu Ning Jun army.
Go to Jiangsu Castle to receive his command.
I won't accept his command.
Goong-bok, what are you saying?
The Jie Du Shi thought highly of your skills,
and bestowed great honor on you, a man of Shilla.
And yet, you would refuse?
What are you saying now?
A commander of the Wu Ning Jun army?
That's a post even a Chinese man can't easily obtain.
Why would you say no when your success is guaranteed?
I don't wish to take the position.
Master Sul, say something. He's throwing away his own luck!
If you become the commander of the Wu Ning Jun army,
it could be a great strength to Yangzhou merchants.
You must take the position, if not just for the merchants.
You may come to harm if you refuse the Jie Du Shi's good will.
You must be prudent.
Say something!
It is Captain Jang's decision to make.
No matter what he decides, I'll respect his decision.
Master.
I brought him.
You must make him take the position.
Force him if you have to.
Do whatever it takes to change his mind.
But how can I force him to do what he doesn't want to do?
I plan to retire from my position as junior commander,
as soon as the war is over.
What?
I'd much prefer working at the brewery.
You fools!
You risked your lives to come this far,
and you'd give everything up?
I can't understand you.
Goong-bok, think about the years of suffering we had.
Since our days as slaves at the shipyard and the horse ranch,
and when we came to China, we've knocked on death's door many times.
And we've become junior commanders of the Wu Ning Jun army,
and now you can become commander. Why would you say no?
Even an envoy from Shilla can't mess with a commander.
I won't risk my life for the Tang government again.
I won't force my decision on you.
You should make your own decision.
As Master Jo said, it isn't easy to ascend
to the position of commander of the Wu Ning Jun.
No Shilla man in China has risen to such a high position.
If you become commander, you can rule over
countless merchants and build great wealth.
Then you can get your revenge
against Madam Jami just as you wished.
Why did you refuse?
Until now...
I have never thought about
why I should live... what I should live for.
As I came face to face with death...
I harbored grudges against the people who put me there,
and I lived only to survive.
But I have never pondered the purpose of my life.
I had come face to face with Yi Sa-do
after our attack on his main camp.
He told me not to live as a dog of the Tang government.
If I learned the virtues of a merchant from you,
then Yi Sa-do taught me how I should live as a Shilla man.
How would you live from now?
Master.
Please teach me.
You have already found a great cause.
What more can I teach you?
I believe you'll become the greatest merchant that ever lived.
And if I can play a small role in helping you achieve that,
that will make me a successful businessman.
I'll support you.
Live out your dream.
Master.
2 YEARS LATER
YANGZHOU
What happened?
No ship has come in from Japan.
But it's been months since they left for Japan.
- What does Master Sul say? - He has no idea.
I must go speak to him.
Trash this place!
What do you think you're doing?
If you borrowed money, you should pay it back.
This is the promissory note you gave us when you borrowed
3000 silver coins using your brewery as collateral.
You think I'd stiff you on a measly 3000 silver coins?
I will pay you back!
- Men! - Yes, sir!
Let's talk it out.
I can pay you back when my merchants come back from Japan.
We don't need to drag this out.
If you don't pay us back by the fifth of next month,
we'll be taking over your brewery. Understand?
All right.
- Let's go! - Yes, sir.
You said I'd make a fortune if we traded with Japan.
I trusted you and invested everything I had.
You said the ship would be back in three months.
Why hasn't it come back yet?
I'm also looking into it. Calm down.
I'm about to lose my brewery! I'm about to lose everything!
We have also invested a sizable sum in this trade.
If anything goes wrong, we'll also suffer a major blow.
Something must've happened to them.
What do you mean? How could you say that?
Then why are they not back yet?
Master, it is I, Ha-jin.
Come in.
You asked for me?
I heard you have recently been transferred
to the Yangzhou Harbor patrol unit.
Yes.
Captain Jang led a merchant group to Japan,
but has not returned yet.
Could you find out what happened?
I've been looking into it already.
Why hasn't he returned yet?
A ship captain who trades with Japan told me
that only authorized merchant groups are allowed
to do business in Japan.
A merchant group without authority will be seized.
Are you saying they're being held hostage?
It hasn't been confirmed yet.
I'll look into it. Please do not worry.
How are things around here?
We'd have nothing to worry about
if the merchants would come back from Japan.
Lieutenant.
What?
You have grown thinner. Is anything worrying you?
No.
Do you plan to stay with the Wu Ning Jun?
You haven't been paid in months.
Money isn't the issue.
Rumor has it a new commander will be appointed soon.
I have rendered great service during the war.
I could become the next commander.
MUJINJU, PRESENT DAY GWANGJU
Father. Father!
What?
- Are you sure? - Yes, I'm sure.
Wait, I shouldn't be wasting my time here.
I must tell Madam Jami right away.
Madam, it is I, Mak-bong.
Come in.
- What is it? - Have you heard?
Master Chang-gyum has been
appointed the new governor of Mujinju.
I know.
You do?
It's the result of my hard work over the last two years.
Welcome.
Congratulations.
Congratulations!
I have taken on an important task with your support.
You're too kind.
Let's go inside.
Seeing you brings back the memory of two years ago,
when we were at a loss after losing everything.
If you hadn't sponsored me, I wouldn't be here today.
I'll do anything you wish, to repay your kindness.
There is nothing we can't do if we join forces.
You must establish yourself here first,
and go back to the imperial city, to a higher position.
If that could happen, I'll serve you the best I can.
Have you heard from Jung-hwa
while I was away in the imperial city?
No.
I have only heard that she disappeared
with Yum Moon after Yi Sa-do's troops were defeated.
Our first priority is to secure trade rights in Dukjin Harbor.
That'll go through without much problem.
But that's not what I want.
I must get back my trade rights with China.
Would it be possible after what happened two years ago?
We have to make it possible.
The governor is too small a vessel to realize my goals.
I must find a man who I can rear to support me.
- Look into it. - Yes, madam.
YANGZHOU
Goong-bok. Boss!
We have accomplished our mission and returned safely.
We were delayed. I'm sorry we worried you.
Good work.
My insides have turned black from anxiety.
What took you so long?
Opening a new trade route couldn't have been easy.
But we have made a big profit to make up for the delay.
It's the silver we made from this trade.
We were about to turn back before we could even land in Japan,
but Captain Jang won over the Japanese officer,
and led the trade to success.
How did you win him over?
Captain Jang earned his trust by repairing their ship.
How was Japan?
The sea route from here to Japan was very rough.
Japan lacks the skills to build strong ships,
and they lose dozens of ships every year.
We'll make big profits if we send merchants regularly,
but more importantly, on this trip we opened the sea route.
I have learned that I can make big profits if I use the sea.
Well done.
We must prepare to send a large group of merchants.
Recruit skilled shipbuilders and navigators.
Yes, sir.
It's delicious.
Having come back from the jaws of death, wine tastes even better.
I have suffered so much from seasickness.
- You have suffered much. - Not at all.
What's wrong with you?
Is there a problem?
A new commander came from Chang'an.
He is no better than me in anything.
The only thing is that he is a Chinese noble.
It's been six months since they paid us.
The rumor is they're trying to kick foreign soldiers
out of the Wu Ning Jun without giving them a penny.
Those wretches...
So they have no use for us now?
You'll gain nothing by staying there.
Just come back and work with us.
When a man has set a goal, he must see it through to the end.
I can't leave just yet.
My lady, where have you been?
What is the matter?
Master Hwang of Mingzhou has sent his chief.
- Why? - I don't know.
But Master is looking for you.
It's a marriage proposal from Master Hwang.
A marriage proposal?
Why would he have sent this to you?
Master Hwang wishes to make you his daughter-in-law.
As you must know, Master Hwang is the biggest merchant in Mingzhou,
and his son is a renowned scholar of great character.
And you have come of age...
I don't believe you can find a better husband.
What do you think?
I...
I have someone else in mind.
How long has it been since you came to China?
It's been six years.
When I first met you, your eyes were full of resentment.
But now that you've learned to control your emotions,
your eyes have grown deeper.
It is time you should start your family.
I've been neglectful.
Is there someone by any chance?
You can tell me.
I still have a lot to do for the group.
I haven't thought about marriage yet.
Chae-ryung received an offer of marriage.
Have you heard?
Yes, Chief Yoo told me.
She refused and sent the proposal back.
It seems she has feelings for you.
What do you think of her?
If it is all right with you,
I wish to unite you and Chae-ryung.
Do you not wish to marry her?
My lady, it is I.
Come in.
I was making a robe for you.
I don't know when it'll be completed,
since I lack sewing skills.
What brings you here at this late hour?
I'm here because I thought it was best to tell you.
Has Father said anything to you?
I told him of my feelings to refuse the marriage proposal.
I had no intention of putting a burden on you.
You shouldn't keep me in your heart.
You must meet someone who will love only you.
I know you can't forget Lady Jung-hwa.
But you have made me, whose only interest was business,
sew and make clothes.
When time passes and memories fade,
you will have a little space for me in your heart.
I will wait until then.
I wish to face you as if nothing had happened.
Please allow me to do that.
I come to Yangzhou with an important mission
from Shilla's imperial family.
I believe this is a head chiefs' meeting.
Why do you allow an underling to attend?
It seems like only yesterday
that she lost everything and was deported.
But she has come back even stronger.
If you wish to participate in the bidding,
submit your bid by the fifth of next month.
You can't realize your goal without using her ambition.
Summon all the merchants who wish to meet with me.
I plan to open a sea route to Chunghae and trade with Japan.
I plan to establish our base to Japan in Chunghae.