What do you mean?
What was Kim Woo-jing doing there?
I don't know why he was there,
but he gave him permission to land,
and promised him full support.
And what was the governor doing while this was going on?
He is a retired regent, but he is still the former regent.
The governor had no choice.
Where is Jang Bogo now?
He's preparing to leave for Chunghae.
It seems he plans to set up his base in Chunghae,
and launch an attack on the pirates.
What happened? Did you defeat Jang Bogo?
Plans have changed.
We came back without accomplishing anything.
What do you mean?
We had expected him to return to Yangzhou
when the governor denied him permission to land,
but he landed nonetheless.
And the governor just let him?
They were about to go to battle with the Mujinju army,
but the former regent granted him permission to land.
The former regent?
He's a man by the name of Kim Woo-jing.
Why would he do such a thing for Jang Bogo?
We do not know.
He plans to set up a base in Chunghae
to launch attacks on the pirates.
We must come up with a plan.
We must discuss it with Madam Jami first.
Did you call for me?
Did you find out who is leading
the merchant security officers from Yangzhou?
It is Captain Jang Bogo of the Sul Pyong Group.
Captain Jang is really in Shilla?
Yes. Do you know him?
No. You're excused.
A young man who was taken to China as a slave
came back to Shilla to suppress pirates.
I must commend his spirit.
I was sick and tired of nobles in the imperial city
who do nothing but fight for personal greed.
I haven't felt this pleased in a long time.
I mean to continue my acquaintance with this man,
Jang Bogo.
But why the sad look on your face?
Do I look sad?
You're smiling, but you look as if you'd cry any minute.
You said you couldn't read my thoughts, but that's not true.
You're already reading me like a book.
- My lord. - What is it?
You said you didn't understand why I was doing business.
Yes, I don't understand why you'd burden yourself
with work that even men find hard.
I lost my father when I was sixteen,
and I was forced to depend on Madam Jami.
I was to learn poetry and dance, to be sent off
to the imperial city as a nobleman's mistress.
Yes, I have heard that Madam Jami raises young girls
to be sent off as mistresses to noblemen.
But you are of noble descent.
After my parents passed away, I was a noble in name only.
I have witnessed first-hand how Madam Jami accumulates her wealth.
I've seen how she manages people and how she uses power.
But her ways have always bothered me.
I always wished to leave her, but I couldn't betray her
when she took me in as a child and raised me.
That's when I met the man I love.
I wished to leave Madam Jami to start a new life with him.
But I ran up against her disapproval, and failed to leave.
Since then we have encountered many life-threatening incidents
and had to part ways in the end.
My lord...
I want to prove that a person can still accumulate wealth,
and benefit people with that wealth
without resorting to her ways.
That's why I'm doing business.
Is there any possibility that you could get back together with him?
Even if I see him again,
I won't go near him.
But you said you loved him. Why wouldn't you go near him?
Whenever I was near him,
he was always unhappy.
It seems it is our fate to be always crossing paths.
That's Bigeum Island. That's Sami Island.
Goong-bok, we'll reach Chunghae soon.
It's been ten years since we left,
but nothing has changed.
People change, but nature doesn't.
So how does it feel to be back home?
I'm afraid.
Since I left Chunghae after being accused of colluding with pirates,
I have never thought of coming back.
I wanted to erase my memories of Chunghae if possible.
My father sacrificed his life to save mine,
and the guilt has weighed heavy on my heart.
The tangled web of fateful incidents in Chunghae
bound me tighter the more I tried to be freed from it.
Now I must put everything back in place...
I don't know if I can...
You're captain of the biggest merchant group in Yangzhou,
and you have a new name.
If you so choose, you could forget your past as a slave
in the Chunghae shipyard, and lead a life of luxury.
But you came back to Chunghae,
and that act alone has freed you halfway from the web.
Goong-bok, it's Chunghae.
We have requested the Chunghae magistrate for support,
and found lodging for our security officers.
Thank you.
This is the Chunghae magistrate.
I'm Jang Bogo.
I received word that you're here to suppress pirates.
The regent has ordered us to render you full support.
Let me know if you need anything.
We need to build a chaser ship
that's much faster than the pirate ships.
May we have permission to use the shipyard?
Fine.
I'll have the foreman give you full support.
I never expected him to make such a move.
I let my guard down.
I have already unified small pirate gangs in the area,
and brought them under my control.
We won't be overpowered by Jang Bogo.
Do not worry.
Why do you think he has set up his base in Chunghae?
Chunghae is his hometown.
He must know the area better than anyone.
If necessary, we could wipe out Chunghae.
He said he'd initiate trade between China and Japan.
If he realizes his plans, I'll suffer the consequences.
We must get rid of him.
Goong-bok.
It's ready.
Goong-bok.
I'm sure it's around here someplace.
He said it's under the biggest pine tree on this hill.
Put it down.
It's been ten years.
He barely buried him hidden from the troops' watchful eyes.
I doubt there is any trace of a grave left.
Father...
Father!
There are three major areas infested with pirates.
Any ship leaving Dukjin Harbor for the imperial city must pass
through this area.
The waters of Jangja.
And here and here. Palgeum and Dangsa waters.
The pirates are well informed about sea routes.
But we only need to avoid areas with frequent pirate attacks.
Rough waters and rocks make other routes very dangerous.
Merchant ships have suffered more damage
since Jinwol pirates unified smaller pirate gangs in the area.
We could see that their attack patterns are
centered around Jinwol Island.
They must be under the Jinwol pirates' command.
We must attack the Dangsa and Palgeum pirates first
before we attack the pirates on Jinwol Island.
We'll wipe out the pirates on Dangsa Island,
the island nearest to Chunghae.
Search the area and locate their base.
Yes, sir.
The master has sent meat and wine.
Hey, put them down over there.
Yes, sir.
- Where is your captain? - In his quarters.
What's keeping you?
Inform him that the trader is here from headquarters.
They don't even know the code of pirates.
You... What's gotten you all hot this early in the day?
You don't smell like you've been drinking...
You must've been with a woman.
No.
Yes, you were.
Cooped up in your room with a woman in broad daylight.
Life must be good for you.
I guess pirating is a rewarding career.
Come out.
- What are they? - I had them prepared for you.
The problem with you is
that you have too many thoughts in your head.
In order to get rid of those thoughts,
your body must be tired.
You! What do you take me for?
You thought a few girls could sway me? You wretch.
I'll personally inspect your progress.
- Go get ready! - Yes, sir.
Sir, but the women look pretty decent.
You should take them to bed.
I'll have time for that later.
Now is the time to establish my authority.
Look at Yum Moon.
A mere stare from him could freeze a man in his tracks.
Look.
What do you think?
Scary.
What is the progress on the training?
They have fought valiantly as the vanguard of the Wu Ning Jun,
but they're a bunch of roughs at sea.
Many of them still suffer from seasickness.
I plan to have them live on board until they get used to it.
What is the status on the chaser ship?
We have rebuilt it to lighten the weight of the keel
for better speed.
When we get near a pirate ship,
we must strike first with fire arrows.
Sword and spear skills useful in man-to-man combat are
less effective in naval battles.
- Concentrate on archery training. - All right.
- Captain. - What is it?
Lieutenant Jang, who went to Dangsa Island
on a reconnaissance mission, came back injured.
What happened?
I was attacked by pirates on my mission.
Their base is located on the western shore.
You went on the mission alone?
Captain Jang took me back after I betrayed the group.
I would do anything for Captain Jang.
- Take him to his quarters. - Yes, sir.
We'll go to Dangsa Island now.
Summon the security officers now.
Yes, sir.
That's Goong-bok.
Run!
What evil fate binds Goong-bok and me anyway?
Let's go.
Ha-jin!
What happened?
It's nothing serious. Don't worry.
What do you mean? You're bleeding.
Weren't you paying attention?
I'll kill them all!
Yon!
What are you doing?
There is no need to turn them over to the government.
We must kill them all now!
- Yon! - Boss!
I doubt you were born pirates.
But you can't be forgiven for making a living from pirating.
I must punish you now,
but I'll give you a chance to atone for your wrongdoings.
Goong-bok, what are you doing? This is no time for mercy.
There are hundreds of pirates in the southwestern seas alone.
Nothing will change even if we kill them all.
He is right.
I'm sure some of them were forced into pirating.
And very few men know the waters better than they do.
They'll prove very useful if we accept them
into our merchant group and guide them well.
Master!
- Master. - What is it?
Dangsa Base was attacked.
Attacked? Who attacked us?
It was Jang Bogo.
Master, that means that Palgeum Base is also in danger.
We must do something soon.
What is the status on weapons delivery from Youngpa?
They'll arrive shortly.
He knows where we are.
He'll close in on us soon.
I'll strike before he does.
How do you expect to survive in battles with your skills?
Head Chief!
We have captured defectors.
- Please don't kill us. - Spare our lives.
Who's there?
Assassins?
Who were they?
We gave chase, but we lost them.
Captain.
What happened?
We followed Han Man-joong to their headquarters,
but we failed to obtain the identify of the owner.
The security officer proved to be very skillful.
We had no choice but to escape. Please forgive us.
This is a list of Chinese goods in short supply.
The new merchant group is aggressively gaining on us.
We must secure the goods soon to keep them in check.
All right. You may leave now.
Madam. We found out who's behind it.
Who is it?
It is Jung-hwa.
- Did you just say Jung-hwa? - I saw her with my own eyes.
Soon-jong.
Where have you been? I'm up to my neck in work.
Work isn't important now.
You know that new merchant group who's been gaining on us...
I found out who the owner is.
- Who is it? - It's Lady Jung-hwa.
- Have you been drinking? - What are you saying?
You mean you're talking nonsense when you're sober?
I'm sure of it.
I just heard the captain making his report to Madam Jami.
- Is it really Lady Jung-hwa? - That's right.
Father, I must go to Chunghae now.
Why?
I have to tell Captain Jang. He tried so hard to find her.
I have to go tell him now.
Where do you think you're going now?
Madam Jami is furious now.
He'll find out soon enough without you telling him.
Just stay put!
My lady, it is I.
Come in.
I shall pay a visit to Madam Jami tomorrow.
But you said you'd keep your identity hidden for now.
It seems it'll be difficult to hide myself any longer.
Will you be all right?
It's an obstacle I must face now or later.
It has been a long time.
Madam.
What is it?
Jung-hwa is here.
- Have her come in. - Yes, Madam.
I hope all finds you well.
Sit.
It worried me when you disappeared...
I'm glad to see you're alive.
I never expected to see you in Mujinju again.
You seem to have changed a lot.
So how have you been?
I assume you are already aware of what I've been doing.
I have heard that you have established yourself Han-joo: Current Seoul and Kyoung-gi regions Woong-joo: Current Gong-joo
in Hanju and Wungju, and are now expanding into Mujinju. Han-joo: Current Seoul and Kyoung-gi regions Woong-joo: Current Gong-joo
I knew you had sharp business acumen,
but I never thought you'd threaten me.
I was curious who was behind the merchant group
that was threatening me... but I never imagined it'd be you.
You must have deliberately competed with me
if you kept your identity hidden... why is that?
Mujinju is situated near fertile farmlands,
and it is a gateway to China.
It is an important place of business,
but you have had a monopoly on the marketplace.
I have served you for years,
and I am well aware of the methods you employed
to protect your market.
That is why I kept my identity hidden
until I established myself in the Mujinju marketplace.
Since you know me so well,
you must know my next move as well.
I do.
But a merchant can't avoid competition.
I will continue to compete with you.
- It won't be easy. - I know it won't.
The fate that binds us came to an end long ago,
but it pained me to lose you.
But as of this moment,
I'll erase all fond memories of you.
I'll never forgive you.
Yagzhou, CHINA
Is there no message from Shilla yet?
No.
If there were bad news, it should have traveled by now.
Please do not be worried.
- Master Sul. - Come in.
I guess even you're prone to worry.
You have gotten thinner since Chae-ryung went to Shilla.
Are you worried she has come to harm?
It's a letter from Chae-ryung.
What is the news?
They have established their base in Chungae,
and are preparing to launch an attack on the pirates.
I also received a letter from Moo-chang.
He says I must postpone my trip to Shilla,
since the sea is infested with pirates.
I can't sit back and watch
while Captain Jang is risking his life to fight pirates.
- Chief Yoo. - Yes, sir.
Secure weapons and goods for the security officers.
I'll travel to Chunghae as soon as they're ready.
Yes, sir.
Will you join me?
We could get killed by pirates if anything goes wrong.
I do not wish to die away from home.
Chunghae: Present Day Wando
I'll be back at dawn.
Who are you?
I should've captured him.
He must be very daring to have penetrated our base.
He must have been a pirate spy.
It's a problem if pirates are able to penetrate
freely into Chunghae.
They could attack Chunghae
in retaliation for our attack on Dangsa.
Tighten the security along the shores.
Yes, sir.
You asked to see me?
You must return to Yangzhou now.
I will stay here and help you.
I have already sent a letter to Father.
This is a dangerous place, open to pirate attacks.
I'd rather stay by your side than worry in Yangzhou.
I'll find a way to assist you.
Goong-bok.
It is a surprise to see you here, my lord.
I have left the imperial city to settle down in Chunghae.
Do you have any ties to Chunghae?
I didn't, but now it seems I have deep ties to this place.
This is Lady Chae-ryung,
the daughter of my master, Sul Pyong.
I remember you owe me a favor.
I hear you have accepted captured pirates into your merchant group.
Why did you do that?
We can suppress pirates by force only so far.
Many pirates were driven to pirating by hunger and poverty.
Many of them will leave pirating
when they learn they can feed themselves
by means other than pirating.
Have you been to the imperial city?
A mere shipyard slave couldn't have had a chance
to visit the imperial city.
I'd like to show you around the imperial city if given the chance.
The imperial city needs men like you.
It needs to be rid of corrupt men,
and it needs men like you.
How are Lieutenant Jang and Ha-jin doing?
They're doing better.
Any movement from the pirates?
They are keeping quiet since our attack on Dangsa Island.
We sent scouts to Palgeum Island,
but couldn't locate their base.
The pirates could be watching our moves as well.
Do not neglect the safety of the scouts.
All right.
I have looked around Chunghae,
and learned why you chose this place as the center of commerce.
With its geographical conditions,
it could become a center of commerce larger than Yangzhou.
While you suppress pirates,
I'll build an inn for merchants and establish our business here.
I heard the Mujinju merchants are giving up
on sea routes to the imperial city.
I also heard that the ship carrying tax grains is grounded.
We must go to Mujinju, persuade the merchants to travel
to the imperial city by sea, and then protect the sea.
You want to go after the pirates who attack merchant ships?
What are you saying now?
Think about it.
Madam Jami is Captain Jang's enemy,
and Lady Jung-hwa has also turned her back on her.
So why should we stay here?
We went to Yangzhou with Madam Jami to serve Lady Jung-hwa.
That's right...
I'm going to work for Lady Jung-hwa's group.
That'll put my mind at ease.
My lady.
- My lady... - My lady!
How could you have neglected us
when you were running such a large merchant group
in Mujinju of all places?
We're very disappointed.
I had my reasons.
My lady...
We'll leave Madam Jami and come work for you.
Please take us in.
Don't do that.
You mean to turn us away?
No.
I know how much you did for me.
I wouldn't turn you away.
I am competing with Madam Jami,
but I do not wish to take her merchants away from her.
And we'll gain nothing by provoking Madam Jami.
Continue on as you have.
We will be working together someday.
I understand what you mean. I'll do that.
My lady.
Did you know that Captain Jang is in Shilla?
I do.
You knew, but you haven't gone to see him yet?
He's in Chunghae now. I'll go to Chunghae and tell him.
You don't have to.
We'll meet when the right time comes.
Please do not tell him.
- I heard you had a son. - Yes, my lady.
I'd love to see him.
What are you doing here?
I heard you're delivering tax grains by land, not by sea.
We'll take charge of the security of the ship.
Please deliver the tax grains by sea.
Who are you to meddle in official business?
We're suggesting this for your benefit.
I do not need your help.
I'll take care of official matters. Leave at once!
He is such a petty man.
How could the people of Mujinju enjoy prosperity
with a man like that as their governor?
How did it go?
The merchant chiefs are gathered at the inn.
Is anyone willing to accept our convoy?
No, everyone is afraid of traveling by sea.
My name is Jang Bogo.
You must have heard why I asked you here.
Can you really protect the sea route to the imperial city?
Yes.
My security officers are the best in Yangzhou.
We defeated pirates on Dangsa Island a month ago.
You will save time and money
if you take your goods by sea, instead of by land.
We know that. But we are afraid of pirates.
How much will you charge for your service?
There will be no charge.
What is it?
Jang Bogo is meeting with our rival merchant groups.
Why?
He offered them a convoy for their merchant ships
to the imperial city.
We'll incur a big loss
if other merchants deliver their goods by sea.
What will you do?
No matter how strong your men are,
they can't defeat Jinwol pirates.
We have suffered many attacks and incurred big losses.
If we lose a merchant ship, we will go under.
I assume you had difficulty conducting your business
under Madam Jami's oppression.
In order to come out ahead in the competition,
you must take risks.
Please trust me and travel by sea.
I appreciate the offer, but I must decline.
- Same here. - I can't either.
Then I can't either.
No one accepted their offer of a convoy.
We must also give up on traveling by sea.
- Chief Han. - Yes.
Accept their offer.
But we're taking a large quantity of goods for this trade.
Should we be attacked,
our group could be shaken at its foundation.
The risk will be great,
but if we succeed, we could beat Madam Jami.
Accept their offer and travel by sea.
Why wouldn't they accept our offer when we're willing
to risk our lives to protect their merchant ships?
What will you do?
What brings you back here?
We'll trust you with the security of our merchant ship.
Who accepted Jang Bogo's offer of a convoy?
It is Jung-hwa's group.
She's delivering a large quantity of goods to the imperial city.
It's been a while.
What brings you to this place?
I have something important to discuss with you.
Jang Bogo is escorting a merchant ship to the imperial city.
A merchant group that was too afraid to travel by sea
has trusted Jang Bogo to protect their ship.
I'll attack the merchant ship.
Do you know who the owner of the merchant group is?
It's Jung-hwa.
Welcome.
It's the list of goods to be delivered to the imperial city.
They'll be loaded onto a ship at Dukjin Harbor in 4 days.
I wish to meet with the owner.
Why?
If he has any doubts about delivering his goods by sea,
I will personally put his worries to rest.
That is not necessary.
We have complete trust in you.
I'll deliver the goods safely to repay the trust.