Episode 16
I'm late again! I'm late again!
Oh I'm dead!
I'm late again! I'm late again!
I am Royal Guard of the Crown Prince, Park Dae Su.
- I have business here at the Bureau. - Yes, Sir. Please go in.
- That's...? - Then I'll go in.
- Work hard, men. - Yes, Sir!
- Dae Su! - Sir!
I can't believe it! How can something like this happen?
Did you really become a Royal Guard?
Where do you think I got this uniform? Steal it?
But to pass the Military Exam, you have to read a lot of treatises on war!
That's no big deal! You just have to memorize a few of them.
When you talk, you sound stupid, so I thought you were dumb.
I guess you were smart after all!
Do you know where Song Yeon is, Sir?
I came to see Song Yeon.
- Song Yeon? - Yes.
You look good...!
- Dae Su! - Song Yeon!
You...!
Wh... what do you think? Do I look alright?
Alright? You look so handsome!
You look great!
Really?
I have never seen a more handsome Royal Guard!
I'm glad. I ran here to show you first.
I was worried you wouldn't like it.
Oh, you want to see? They even gave me a certificate!
His Highness came himself and gave it to me personally.
- Really? - Yes.
You must be so happy! You're really going to the palace now.
I know. I didn't know this day would really come.
I've fulfilled one of my two lifelong wishes, so now there's only one left.
Two wishes?
Yes, I made them when I was a young boy.
The first was to enter the palace and guard the prince.
And the other one...
What's the other one?
Well, there's another one. Anyway, take a look.
Why don't you girls go first.
Here.
- Song Yeon! - Chobi!
Song Yeon, what are you doing here?
I'm sorry, but I had a visitor. I'll go right now and do the laundry.
Don't say that! Everyone's going to think I make you do laundry all the time!
What?
And who is this, Song Yeon?
Oh, he's my friend. He's the one you asked about...
Nice to meet you! I work with Song Yeon, Chobi.
Chobi? Oh, the one you said was scary...!
What? Song Yeon said I was scary?
I'm not! I'm not scary at all!
- Have we met somewhere before...? - Excuse me. I'm leaving now, Song Yeon.
Alright.
What is this?
These are all the officials who have been involved in politics from the No Ron faction for the past 5 years.
These men were given positions based on money and recommendations rather than personal achievements.
You need to keep your enemies near you.
But right now there are too many of them,
and they are using their power to fill their own purses.
For the sake of your welfare as well as the nation,
we must reduce their number.
As His Majesty's has failed to oust these corrupt politicians,
we will have to find another strategy.
How dare you say such things? Do you dare to malign His Majesty?
Please forgive me.
Tutor Hong does not know how to mince words. That is his strength and his weakness.
In any case, the power of the No Ron faction must be reduced.
In order to do that, we have to block the flow of money to their purses.
At present, the palace officials back those that offer them money,
and increase their wealth.
Then they use that ill-gotten wealth and buy government positions for their children.
This is the way they maintain their power,
and also the reason why they maintain their power.
So the first thing we have to do to stop this cycle is to block their source of income.
Most of the magistrates in Gyeonggi Province got their positions from offering bribes.
These magistrates probably exploit their positions in order to indemnify the money they spent.
Then let's look there first.
How long do you need?
All I need is two days, Your Highness.
What time is it now?
It is the Hour of the Ram (1-3pm).
We have some time left.
- I wish to go to the Training Ground. - Yes, Your Highness. I will escort you there.
Are you going to visit Dae Su?
I have some time left, so I want to see how he is doing.
I am curious to see how he's coping.
Official Nam, you know Park Dae Su as well?
Of course.
We will now begin your orientation.
From this moment forward, you should forget your ranking from the exam!
You will only be placed based on how you do on this orientation.
I came in as last place from the Military Examination.
But I did well at the orientation and placed first as a Royal Guard!
Before you is a wooden sword and shield.
- Choose only one of these. - Yes, Sir!
Now the wooden swords will fight with the shields.
Salute!
Prepare!
Begin!
What are they doing?
It is the preparatory training for the new candidates.
It is the orientation, Your Highness.
- Orientation? - Yes.
Your Highness!
A fight between sword and shield... How interesting.
His Highness has seen your performance.
Is Woosema the highest rank for a new Royal Guard? (Woosema - Royal Guard of the 9th Order)
Yes, Park Dae Su has placed as the top of his class.
Yes, I saw him just now. He is skilled at combat.
I am honored, Your Highness.
But your motions are exaggerated and your defense is weak.
Make sure that you train diligently at defense.
Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your guidance.
All the Royal Guard we sent there have been dismissed or transferred elsewhere.
And not only that, they have changed in terms of skill and motivation.
So he plans to make them his army...
While the prince is working so hard...
What have all of you been doing?
The prince's blade is at our throats.
If we don't want our throats to be cut,
we must find a way to strike him first.
- Do you hear me? - Yes, Your Majesty.
My Lord, Official Kang from the Bureau of Paintings is here.
Enter.
Your grandfather, the Third Minister of Public Works, was a close friend of the princess.
I should have called for you sooner. I have been too thoughtless.
Not at all. I am honored you have summoned me, My Lord.
You will have to help me in the near future.
Do you understand me?
Yes, My Lord. If you give me an opportunity, I will serve you to my utmost ability!
I have a question for you.
There is a damo at the Bureau called Sung Song Yeon. Do you know her?
Yes, I know her.
Why do you ask about her?
Song Yeon!
Make preparations to go to the palace and go see Official Park.
What? The palace?
He has to paint a folding screen and needs an Attendant Damo to help him.
You want me to be his Attendant?
- Yes, he's in a hurry, so prepare quickly! - Alright.
Why are you making her do it? I want to go to the palace too!
It's my decision!
What?
Song Yeon is my childhood friend.
That girl Song Yeon met Secretary Jung!
Mother, what brings you here?
I wanted to speak to you.
Let us go in.
Someone from the Bureau of Painting? What do you mean?
I have asked for a Royal Artist.
I have asked them to draw a Pomegranate Talisman on the folding screen in the prince's chambers.
As you well know, the Pomegranate Talisman is often drawn when an heir is desired.
A pomegranate is drawn on the folding screen to ask Heaven for a baby boy.
Do you know the reason why I want to do this?
Yes, Your Highness.
The prince is now an adult.
It has worried me that he has not yet seen an heir.
The Royal Physician has assured me that there is nothing wrong with your womb.
So why have you not yet produced an heir?
- Forgive me, Mother. - I do not blame you.
But the first responsibility a woman of royalty needs to fulfill is to produce an heir to the throne.
If the prince has an heir, it will help in solidifying his place in the palace.
Please do not forget that the best way to help the prince is to produce him an heir.
I understand, Mother.
Her Highness is so heartless...
How can you produce an heir when there is no activity at night?
Silence your tongue!
Your Highness!
- The artist from the Bureau is here! - Where are they now?
I took them to the pavilion so that they can paint there.
- Put the folding screen there. - Yes, Sir.
- Song Yeon, prepare the ink. - Yes, Sir.
Now go and get the pigments.
As the Pomegranate Talisman is drawn to ask for favors, we should use red colors and draw large fruits.
But this folding screen has eight screens.
It may look overcrowded if we paint that way on all eight screens.
But if the pomegranates are all small, then it will not look very auspicious.
I'm not sure... What do you think?
What?
Sir! How can you ask a Damo!
Tell me. What would you do?
Why do you just stand there? I asked you a question!
If it were me, I would draw a Trinity Talisman across the entire folding screen.
A Trinity Talisman?
Yes, the Trinity Talisman symbolizes many sons, many fortunes and many years.
If you draw tangerines and peaches along with the pomegranates to symbolize the Trinity,
there will be more variety and color, and will give longevity and fertility to Her Highness.
Yes, that is a good plan.
- Do as she suggested. - Yes, Sir.
Her Highness, the princess approaches!
I heard you were here so I stopped by.
It must have been troublesome for you to come all the way here.
Not at all, Your Highness.
We meet again. I am glad to see you again.
You honor me, Your Highness.
Really? The Crown Princess is making them draw a Pomegranate Talisman?
Yes, the palace girl we placed with the Crown Princess has reported this.
She wants to ensure that by having an heir, the prince's position will be secured.
The Crown Princess must be keeping busy.
- Alright, you may leave. - Yes, Your Highness.
Does she think an heir will be produced because of a painting on a folding screen?
But if this means that the Crown Princess has gotten aggressive about an heir,
it is not good for us.
If the princess is not able to produce an heir, then she will bring in a concubine.
We should not let her expend her energy so.
What have you been doing lately?
I heard you were investigating a Bureau Damo. Why is that?
It is not yet time for me to tell you.
When I have more details, I will tell you then.
So you're saying that the magistrates of Gyeonggi Province
purchased their positions by bribing the palace officials?
That is what I have found, Your Majesty.
If that is the case, they will be trying to extract a larger sum of money from the people.
If that is truly the case, it is a serious matter!
My people are already suffering from famine and failure of crops.
If the magistrates are adding to their troubles, then their suffering will be double or triple.
There is a Ancestral Visit scheduled for the end of the month.
I will hasten it and pay them a visit myself.
- What brings you here? - The Crown Princess awaits, Your Highness.
- Mother? - Yes.
What brings you to my chambers so late, Mother?
I came because I have something to ask you.
What is it, Mother?
When was the last time you visited the princess' chambers?
You don't have to answer.
You read late into the night in your chambers.
You must not have the latitude to think to visit the princess.
What is the reason, my son?
- Perhaps you do not find the princess... - Not at all, Mother! Please don't say that.
I am merely burdened with many things to think about.
I know that you are doing your utmost to be worthy of your position.
But there is something you are forgetting.
It is also the duty of the prince successor to continue the lineage of the throne.
I am sure you know that.
Please forgive me, Mother.
That is not the only reason. You are husband to the princess.
Who else does she have to turn to?
Should you not comfort the princess' loneliness?
- It is late. You may leave the palace. - Yes, Sir.
- You may go home as well. - Yes, Sir.
You! Hey you!
Stay there.
- Have some tea. - Yes, Your Highness.
You were of great help to me when I was at home.
And now you have been of great help to the prince. How grateful I am to you.
That is why I called you here to have tea with me.
I am honored, Your Highness.
The prince told me you are his childhood friend.
Is that true?
What?
He also told me that there is also a young man he is friends with. Am I wrong?
How could we dare to call ourselves friends of His Highness?
But we are greatly honored that His Highness considers us his friends.
Really? Is that how it is?
Actually, I have another question.
Yes, Your Highness?
How do you know Secretary Jung?
What?
Secretary Jung? Who is he, Your Highness?
You don't know Secretary Jung Hu Gyum?
Yes. I have never heard that name before.
Alright, that is fine.
- But that's what she would say...! - Do not interfere.
Let's talk about something else then.
I am curious about you.
How did you meet the prince when you were young?
Your Highness, I am Attendant Park from the Eastern Palace.
Enter.
What brings you here?
His Highness, the prince is on his way here.
What? The prince?
Your Highness, what brings you here?
I came to see you, Princess.
Your Highness!
Let us go in.
You... Song Yeon!
Your Highness...
What is it? What brings you here to the princess' palace?
She came here today with the Bureau artist to draw a painting here.
I asked her to join me for some tea and we were sharing conversation, Your Highness.
Is that so? You were at the palace today?
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness, the night air is cold. Please go inside.
He is right, Your Highness. Please go inside.
Alright.
Where will you go? Will you be going home?
Yes, Your Highness.
Then have a safe journey home.
Yes, Your Highness.
Don't just stand there. Go ahead and go!
What? Yes, My Lady.
Your Highness, I will tell them to bring refreshments.
Your Highness...!
Please do so.
Yes, Your Highness.
You must be crazy, Sung Song Yeon.
How could you...?
His Highness...
This evidence should be enough to accuse Second Minister of Personnel Huh In Chul and
Official Jang Jik of accepting bribes from the magistrates.
The important thing is timing, and this is not the right time to accuse them.
His Majesty has hastened his Ancestral Visit
so that he can go and see the status of things in Kyeonggi.
Do you still advise waiting?
When they hear that His Majesty is coming, they will be prepared.
His early visit may surprise them.
Alright then. I will follow your advice.
I am honored.
Your Highness, I have a request. May I ask it of you?
Speak.
Please give me some money, Your Highness.
Money?
Yes.
Why? Are your wages not enough?
No. There is something I want to do with the money.
Alright then. How much do you need?
Your Highness!
500 yang.
What? What will you do with such a large sum of money!
Alright. I will give it to you out of my own budget.
Thank you, Your Highness. I will take my leave now.
Your Highness, how can you give him such a large sum of money and not ask him what it is for!
What if he uses it for nefarious purposes?
He is not the kind of man who will be satisfied with a mere 500 yang, Minister.
I am certain he has a purpose for it.
Your Highness!
Yes, it is exactly 500 yang, My Lord.
- Now hand me the deed to this house. - Yes, My Lord.
But why did you pay so much for this house?
I'm happy to sell it, but this house is only worth 200 yang!
I know.
But he would only have sold it for 500 yang.
I mean, my question is...
Why did you buy a house that wasn't even on the market for twice the market price?
It's because it has to be this house.
What?
This is a good house!
- Go on your way. - Yes, My Lord.
It has been a while.
I meet you here, My Lord! Have you been well?
Yes. What brings you here?
Nothing in particular.
I purchased the Second Justice Minister's house and am moving here soon.
I will see you often, My Lord.
Next door to my house? How did this happen?
Haven't you heard the phrase 'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer'?
In any case, I am glad to have you as a neighbor.
I finally have a neighbor I can have a conversation with!
The second minister was a dull and unlearned man and it was a burden just to meet him outside.
Was that so?
Then I shall see you again. I must go to the palace.
Yes, My Lord.
- Minister of Personnel! - Yes, Your Majesty.
I wish to make the Ancestral Visit ten days earlier than planned.
Make the preparations.
But in order to guarantee your safety during the journey,
you should keep to the approved schedule.
Your Majesty, it is difficult to change the arrangements of the Ancestral Visit.
Please hear our plea, Your Majesty.
Then reduce the entourage to half and make preparations.
My people are suffering with hunger. Why should my entourage be so grand?
On this Ancestral Visit, the prince will also attend with me.
Why is he hastening the Ancestral Visit and including the prince all of a sudden?
How can I know the intentions of His Majesty?
I am certain of one thing.
This is a good opportunity for us.
Good... good opportunity?
Then...?
I knew he would leave earlier than expected but I did not know I was going with him.
In my opinion, I think that it is his way of showing support for you.
Support?
An Ancestral Visit is not only to visit the ancestral graves of the late kings,
but also a time for the king to visit the people and to show them His Majesty.
Including you on this Ancestral Visit is his way
is his way of expressing his support of your claim to the throne.
The only thing that worries me is that
your departure from the palace will mean weaker security.
I do not think security will be an issue.
What do you mean?
The Royal Guards in charge of protecting His Highness are voluntarily training on their off duty hours.
Their effort means that they will be able to protect His Highness no matter what happens.
- You're back. - Yes, Your Highness.
His Majesty has ordered me to accompany him on the Ancestral Visit.
- Did you know this? - Yes.
What do you think?
If I were you, I would make any excuse to not go.
But as you are not me, you will go.
You're right. It is a perfect opportunity for my enemies.
I will not avoid them.
Then I have a request of you.
- What is it? - Give me three of your most truthed Royal Guards.
- Can you do it? - We must not waste this great opportunity.
I am not looking for such a vague answer.
Your Excellency, even though the entourage has been reduced to half,
you know very well how many soldiers will be guarding His Majesty and the prince.
Not only that, the prince is highly suspicious of everyone.
How can it be easy to assassinate him?
So what are you saying? You can't do it?
Not at all. We have to do this.
I am looking for men to do it. Please be patient with me.
Did you say that our soldiers have been deployed to the Special Corp?
Yes, My Lord.
Select ten of those Special Corp soldiers who are skilled in military arts.
Make sure they know how to use firearms.
Yes, My Lord.
You have all heard that His Majesty's Ancestral Visit will be earlier than scheduled.
This obviously affects us as well.
The Royal Artists who will be accompanying the entourage must make preparations quickly.
The Attendant Damos on this trip will be Se Mo and Song Yeon.
- But, Sir... - Yes, what is it?
I was supposed to be the Attendant Damo on the Ancestral Visit.
Didn't you tell you had an emergency at home and needed a replacement?
No, I have already settled it. I can go!
In that case, then you can go in Se Mo's place.
Yes, Sir.
You must be happy to travel!
It's tiring to leave home.
- But don't you find it strange? - What?
She told everyone it was a lot of work and didn't want to go! What is she up to?
- How are the preparations going? - Yes, don't worry.
I heard the prince is also going this time.
Yes, that's what I heard.
Then the Royal Guards will be going too?
If the prince is going, then obviously the Royal Guards will be there too!
- Make sure you don't miss out on anything. - Alright.
Is she... Is she like that because of Dae Su?
What?
What do you mean we won't be accompanying the prince?
You three will be leaving the Capital with me tonight.
What is the reason?
I will tell you the details once we have left the Capital.
It is my first official duty to protect the prince! How can you tell me I can't do it?
I want to be excluded.
Why? Are you disappointed you can't show off in the entourage?
What? Of course not! How can you suggest that?
Listen carefully to what I am about to say.
Your task ahead involves the life and safety of the prince.
Our departure tonight is a secret. You must not tell anyone, including your colleagues.
Do you understand?
They are the best marksmen in the Special Corps as well as our army.
This is a map outlining the travel route of the Ancestral Visit.
Follow this route and find a suitable location to attack.
Yes, My Lord.
- You should find a few locations for contingency. - Yes, My Lord.
This is a map with the travel route of the Ancestral Visit.
From now onwards, you are not Royal Guards responsible for the safety of the prince.
You are now assassins intent on killing the prince.
What?
What do you mean we are assassins?
What is this? Have you gone mad? Have you?
With your brain, I must sound mad.
I'm not telling you become real assassins, but to think and move like assassins.
The enemy will try to assassinate the prince during this journey.
If you were assassins trying to kill the prince,
where would you do it?
I'm not a soldier and am not skilled in archery or firearms, so I don't know.
But you will know which locations would be suitable if you take a look around.
Do you understand what I mean?
Yes.
Your intellect is not only outstanding not fearsome!
Fearsome...?
But I don't see Dae Su.
Dae Su left the Capital three days ago.
- Why? - I don't know. Something about work.
- I see. - There's Song Yeon!
- Song Yeon! Work hard! - Uncle!
Oh, she's so pretty.
- What happened? - What?
- Where's Park Dae Su? - Oh, he's not coming.
What? Why are you telling me now?
Why me!
What about over there?
- I agree with you. - I would do it over there.
From a firearm's perspective, the distance is appropriate.
And there is adequate camouflage.
Then we should set up our outpost where we can monitor that area.
Is everything ready?
Yes. It is ready.
There are three potential locations where the enemy could attack
on the prince's route here to tonight's lodging.
Each of you will be in charge of monitoring those three locations.
I will head back to the entourage and meet with the prince.
Yes, Sir.
Dae Su, you take this location.
- What? - Why, are you scared?
Sc... scared? I'll take care of things here, so go on!
Let's go.
What happened?
You were right. The assassins were here.
- And? - I stopped them, but they ran away.
Well done! I am glad you are alive!
Are you really alright?
Your Excellency, there was an assassination attempt on the prince.
They have thwarted an attempt on your life.
Let us inform His Majesty and cancel the Ancestral Visit.
No. We will soon arrive at tonight's lodging. Keep this to yourself.
Yes, Your Highness.
It looks like we have failed.
Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am Mayor Ahn In Soo.
Please forgive me, but you must not stay here. You must turn back.
What do you mean?
There is a mysterious plague on this village!
What are you saying? This is where His Majesty is supposed to spend the night.
There has been no report of such a thing!
Everything was fine until this morning when people started to collapse.
Your Majesty, let us turn back the entourage.
No. I will go in and inspect the people.
Your Majesty, it is dangerous.
I will go in and inspect things. Please turn around and head back, Your Majesty.
That is not necessary. Magistrate, you will lead us in.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Let me down.
We have passed countless villages on our journey to this place,
but I have never seen such a miserable place.
Why is that so?
This village is next to a river, and they have experienced a great flood recently.
We also think that that is the cause of this mysterious disease.
Tell the physicians to hand out the rice and medicine bought for this journey.
- And tell them to treat the sick. - Yes, Your Majesty.
I will lodge here tonight as scheduled.
I will observe the sick people myself so be sure to make preparations.
Your Majesty, the sick will be tended to by the physicians.
It is too dangerous for you to have contact with this mysterious disease.
Your Majesty, you must protect yourself!
- Please hear our plea! - Please hear our plea!
A king must first affect those closest to him before he can affect those far away.
There are suffering people close to you.
What would you do?
Your Majesty, please listen to the Ministers' plea for you to protect yourself.
I will speak to them myself and hear their cries.
Is that so? If that is what you have decided, that is good.
But I will accompany you.
Your Majesty...
What has happened here?
Do not let me bother you. Continue to tend to the patients.
Tell me what your sufferings are.
It is alright. Tell us anything you want.
We have had famine and a flood. We do not have enough to eat.
But we have to pay state taxes as well as a portion of our crops.
It is difficult to survive.
What should we do? Tell me how we can solve this.
We should return last year's harvest payments, and discuss a decrease in taxes.
I would tell the Agency of Public Aid to release the stockpile of grain.
But the Agency of Public Aid has already expended all of its stockpiles due to the famine.
So there is no way to help these people?
Fools! How can all of you profess to be Ministers who are here for the sake of the people?
There will be 2000 bags of grain from last year's harvest.
- Release them and help these people! - Yes, Your Majesty.
- I did not expect you to make such a mistake. - Forgive me.
If unidentified men interrupted our plan,
they are sure to be Royal Guards in disguise.
Then why did they not halt the entourage?
No one can read the mind of the prince.
If... If the prince knows about this...
There will be much you will have to take responsibility for.
Do it carefully!
Why are you exaggerating so much?
I'm not exaggerating! It really hurts!
- Are you alright? - Yes, Your Highness.
This is nothing! Please do not worry.
So what is going on? What is this about an assassination attempt?
There were men with firearms waiting for the entourage.
If it weren't for Dae Su, we would have been in trouble.
Firearms? How could they do that?
We should change the route when we return.
I will speak with the Royal Secretary and change the route.
Go ahead.
They will never give up.
- Your Highness... - Don't worry, I won't give up either.
Artist Yi!
Why haven't you changed yet?
Where all the other artists?
They are already outside. We are leaving soon, so get ready!
Why are they leaving so early? It's only the Hour of the Hare (5-7am).
His Majesty has ordered us to hurry as we have lost too much time.
If you don't come out, the soldiers will come and force you, so do what you will.
Soldiers?
Hey, Artist Baek!
We have sent messengers, so the physicians should arrive tomorrow.
You and the physicians shall observe this mysterious disease
- and report to me your findings. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, are you alright?
I'm alright. I'm alright.
- Your Majesty! Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
Where is the Physician? Fetch him immediately!
- The king has collapsed! - Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! Please open your eyes!
Your Majesty!