Episode 34
I have never seen this technique before.
What?
His technique does not belong to any martial art.
It looks like you're going to have to bow to me.
It's not over yet! I will fight him!
You still haven't come to your senses.
- Isn't this enough humiliation for you? - What did you say?
- Don't you think you've gone too far? - That's enough.
- But...! - Dae Su.
You possess an amazing skill, as well as an amazing tenacity.
I never thought I would meet people like you two in the countryside.
Thank you for the compliment, but don't think I will let you get away with mere words.
A promise is a promise.
I will receive your bow even though you may be a high-ranking nobleman.
Don't worry. I am a man who keeps my promises.
Take your seat. I will bow to you as promised.
What are you saying, Your Highness? Do you mean to bow to this man?
Dae Su!
But Your Highness....! How can you bow to him?
Don't just stand there. Pay your respects to His Highness!
Your Highness!
I spoke foolish words because I did not recognize you, Your Highness.
Please forgive us.
Forgive you? I was the one that lied to you first.
My wager with you was as a man, not the prince. Even now I wish to keep my promise.
Please forget about that, Your Highness.
My outrageous wager with you just now was also with a man,
not with Your Highness.
Clever fellow. Is that how you'll weasel your way out of being obnoxious to His Highness?
What do you think, Your Highness? Was I not right about him?
Yes, indeed.
We have heard that you are unbeatable in martial arts,
while you are unbeatable in your knowledge.
But why are men like you here in the countryside?
You should have also heard that we are bastards of noblemen.
That is the reason you are out in the countryside?
Yes, where else can we go?
But with your skills and talents, you can easily gain a position in government.
- His Majesty has already... - passed a law to allow half-descendants into government.
Please forgive me, but people's mindsets do not change simply because of a change in the law.
You know that reality is different from the ideal world.
You're right. Bias against bastards have transcended time in our country.
But that will soon change. Positions will be given to the eligible, regardless of status and class.
How do you feel about helping out with that cause?
I do not think we can do as you ask, Your Highness.
When His Majesty passed his law, all of us had hope in our hearts.
But nothing changed.
There is no one in government who is not of noble blood.
Even though you may have these ideals, the officials in government will not allow it.
We do not wish to risk our lives for a cause that we know will never be fulfilled.
What a waste of talent. How could they not be given a chance?
This is truly frustrating.
Yes, the government of Joseon is a frustrating and wasted thing.
What do you mean I never want to see you again?
If you disobey me ever again,
you will be sent away not only from my chambers, but from the palace altogether!
- Attendant Kang, are you there? - Yes, Your Majesty.
Did you summon me, Your Majesty?
Go to His Majesty's Internal Officer, and tell him to keep His Majesty's visit to me last night a secret.
Tell him to not even breathe a word of it to anyone else.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - And one more thing.
Send someone to my residence, and summon my family's physician to the palace.
- The physician? - That's right.
I have to find out something, so bring him in without anybody knowing.
Yes, Your Majesty, I will heed your words.
- Your Majesty, it is Attendant Oh. - What is it?
Princess Hwa Wan is here.
- Princess Hwa Wan? - Yes, what shall I do?
Please go in, Your Highness.
It has been a long time, Your Majesty.
I thought I would never see you again. What brings you here?
Forgive me, but the reason I did not visit you
was because I feared the eyes of others, not because I didn't want to see you.
Yes, how could I think otherwise of you?
But what brings you here? You have come here even though
you were afraid of the others watching. There must be a reason you are here.
Actually, I heard an absurd piece of news.
I heard that you went to the Grand Palace. Is that true?
Please forgive my impertinence, but shouldn't you be keeping a low profile?
Your rash actions can affect all of us!
Did you just say my rash actions?
I'm here because I wanted to advise you to be more careful.
I am saying this because of my concern for you.
I hope you understand.
Yes, you're right. I have become hasty since I have been cloistered here.
I will do as you say and be more wary of my actions. Please do not worry.
If you are finished, then please return to your palace.
As you mentioned before, this is a time when many people are watching us.
Watch her carefully. She may be up to something.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Let's go.
It is not I that is being rash, but you, Princess.
It won't be long now.
You will regret being impertinent to me.
- But yesterday, you came to my chambers and... - Your chambers?
- What nonsense are you talking about? - Your Majesty!
- Internal Officer, are you there? - Yes, Your Majesty.
- Did you call for me, Your Majesty? - Who went to the queen's palace yesterday?
What?
I'm asking which of you went to the queen pretending to have orders from me.
The queen said some strange things earlier today.
Go and find out who has done such an outrageous thing.
Y... yes, Your Majesty.
It is already the Hour of the Dragon. Where is everybody?
Your Highness!
Where is everyone? Did I not call a meeting at this time?
None of the ministers are here. I'm afraid they are collaborating together.
What?
Your Highness, the Personnel Minister is here.
What is the meaning of this, Minister? Where are all the other ministers?
I ordered them to be absent, Your Highness.
- I have something to tell you. - Speak.
Please ask the others to leave.
Leave us for a while.
What is his intention in speaking with His Highness privately without our presence?
The Personnel Minister is a cautious man. He must have a proposition.
So what did you want to speak to me privately about?
You said this to me a while ago.
You told me to find a way to end corruption before you became king if I wanted to survive.
I will now give you my response, Your Highness.
But first, please do not investigate the incident at the Year-End Festivities any further.
Please give us your oath to discontinue any investigations regarding the incident,
and interrogate any person involved.
Is that your answer to my challenge, Minister?
No, Your Highness. There is more.
We all know that Chief Inspector Hong is investigating all of the No Ron members.
I am sure you have already found many things.
Please cease all investigations regarding us as well.
In addition...
Please turn a blind eye to the interactions between the ministers and the merchant clans.
There is no one in government that does not receive money from the merchant clans.
If you continue your investigations on this, you will have to kick out everyone in government.
How interesting. I asked you to find a way to survive, and so you have.
You just asked me to stop all my investigations that would incriminate the entire No Ron faction.
You are not one to make childish demands.
So what is it? If I do this for you, what will you do for me?
- Your Majesty, it is Attendant Kang. - Enter.
I have brought the physician as you requested.
What did you just say? His Majesty may have dementia?
Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but from what you just told me...
His symptoms sound like dementia.
But that is just an estimate.
I would have to examine His Majesty to diagnose it properly.
Is diagnosing impossible without examination?
- What? - Examining him is out of the question.
Is there any other method in which you can diagnose if he has dementia or not?
You may leave.
There is a method of using arrowroot, Your Majesty.
- Arrowroot? - Yes.
Ingesting arrowroot increases dementia.
That is why arrowroot is not prescribed for medicine for dementia patients.
If you give him arrowroot and see how it affects him,
you will know if it is dementia or not.
Will that not hurt His Majesty's health?
No, it has effect only while it is still in his system.
Once it is passed out, the symptoms will decrease. It will not hurt his health at all.
This is the only opportunity I have.
I must do it before the prince and the ministers return,
If I want to find out if it's true.
- Attendant Kang! - Yes, Your Majesty.
I need to find someone we can trust from the Royal Kitchens.
What?
- What is this dish? - It is noodles made with arrowroot.
Crown Prince, you...!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, are you alright? Your Majesty!
I'm not deaf. Why do you keep repeating yourself?
- Get me some water. - Yes, Your Majesty.
What is the time now?
It is midnight, Your Majesty.
That means it is time for my Cabinet meeting! Why did you not wake me?
Your Majesty, I said it was midnight.
It is stuffy inside. I need some fresh air.
But the wind is strong, Your Majesty.
How dare you stop me!
Yes, Your Majesty.
- Is that true? - Yes, Your Majesty.
He did not remember coming to your chambers the other night.
Tonight, I told him it was midnight and he insisted on going to the Cabinet meeting.
- Something is wrong with His Majesty. We must... - No.
I will take care of it. Do not do anything.
- But Your Majesty...! - Do you wish for rumors to fly around?
I know His Majesty's ailment. He is exhausted from all the recent events.
I will meet with the Royal Physician to discuss his treatment, so you better keep silent!
Do you understand?
- Why do you not answer me? - Yes, Your Majesty.
You may leave now.
Why is he taking so long? Do you think something has happened?
Just be patient!
If the transaction goes through, let's celebrate tonight at Hu Tung!
- Hu Tung? What's that? - It is the red-light district!
The girls at the brothels there are said to be amazing!
Think about all those pretty girls just waiting for us!
- Aren't you excited? - What if something bad happens?
You're so fearful!
Hey, Dal Ho! Come over here!
- Dal Ho, what happened? - Did you sell the ginseng for twenty times the price?
- Well... - Hurry up and tell us!
- I think we have a small problem. - What? A problem?
The Qing merchants are refusing to buy Joseon ginseng.
They say that they use Chinese ginseng.
So you didn't sell it!
I begged them to take it, and sold it to them for 100 yang a sack.
What? A 100 yang? That's less than what we paid!
I took out ginseng from each sack, but we should be glad we sold it.
Glad?
I'm holding you responsible! I borrowed heavily for that ginseng!
But we sold it at a loss? Does that make any sense?
You're nothing compared to me! I leveraged my house to come here!
And I borrowed money from my wife's family! I'm finished!
I can never return to Joseon!
Get it back, Dal Ho! Get my money back!
My butt!
Now I'm a dead man. Honey...
Sir!
- What is it? - I was wondering how it was going.
It's been ten days and I haven't heard from you.
What am I supposed to do?
What do you mean, Sir? Has something happened?
Please tell me, Sir. Am I unable to join them?
Sir!
Your Excellency!
Are you Sung Song Yeon?
It will be difficult to join the Ministry of Culture here.
It is said that they do not accept females here either.
Does that mean I will be returning to Joseon?
No, even if you don't join the Ministry of Culture, you must remain here.
What do you mean I can't return?
I heard that you met with the princess before you left for Ching.
You should know the reason you can't return.
I will make sure your life here is comfortable.
So you may leave. Send her back.
- Yes, Your Excellency. - No. You can't do this!
- I said send her back! - Yes, Your Excellency.
Your Excellency! Please don't do this!
Sir, I have something to say.
Aren't you that girl from Joseon?
Please read this letter!
- What is it? - It's nothing.
How was she allowed to enter this place? Get her out!
- Sir! Please read this once! Please! - Let her go.
This is Lord Jung Hu Gyum from Joseon.
You should have heard that we were on our way here.
Yes, welcome. I have been waiting for you.
It looks like the Ministry of Culture deals with people quite crudely.
This girl is a Royal Artist of Joseon.
I hope you will treat her with courtesy she deserves.
Come with me.
- You may leave us. - Yes Sir!
So you are Sung Song Yeon?
Don't be so surprised. My Joseon concubine taught me Korean.
I read your letter.
You wrote that a great nation like Qing should not reject female artists when Joseon does not.
You are young but audacious.
Please forgive me if I have offended you.
But I think it is unfair that I am reject simply because I am female.
Unfair? What is unfair? That Ching is unwilling to do something Joseon has?
How dare you compare Joseon's Bureau to Ching's Ministry of Culture?
And how can you compare Joseon's artists to Ching's artists?
I have heard that female artists have been produced here a few times.
Is there anything we can do? Perhaps we can assess her abilities...
Yes, we have accepted females in the past, but they were all under special circumstances.
Since you and Lord Wi have both made requests for us to admit her,
we will consider her. But she will have to prove herself.
Unlike Joseon's Bureau where artists can join if they know someone in government,
artists in Ching cannot survive if they do not have artistic talent.
I also do not wish to enter the Ministry because of who I know.
Even though my talent may not be worthy, one cannot enter Joseon's Bureau without talent.
- And one also cannot survive without artistic talent. - Really?
I did not become a Royal Artist at the Bureau because of who I know.
If you allow me to enter the Minister, I will do so with my own talent.
With your own talent? Then you can prove yourself to us?
Yes, Sir.
Are you just going to watch? Her actions can affect you negatively.
I have no choice at this point.
I will not give you any restrictions. Paint whatever you wish.
This is so that you have no excuses later.
Yes, Sir.
If any one of us here do not find your painting satisfactorily, you will not be able to join us.
- Do you understand me? - Yes.
- You may begin. - Yes, Sir.
Think only about happy memories when you paint.
Is that not what Art is to you?
What is she drawing? She's drawing four of the same paintings?
Although they look similar, you have drawn different mountains.
Tell me. Why have you drawn these paintings?
This is Mt. Geumgang in Joseon, which has four different names based on the season.
- Mt. Geumgang? - Yes.
In the spring, it is called Mt. Geumgang, and in the summer, it is called Mt. Bongnae.
In the autumn, it is called Mt. Poonghak because of the fiery red of the turning leaves.
And in the winter, it is called Mt. Gaegol because of the barren rocks seen beneath the barren trees.
Yes, I have heard this before.
The poet So Dong Pa swore to be born in Joseon in his next life because of the beauty of this mountain.
If your paintings reflect the beauty of the mountain, then So Dong Pa was not wrong.
It is a mountain of many different faces, worthy of four names in four seasons!
I would like to visit Joseon one of these days.
Joseon has beautiful mountains and talent girls!
- Will you be returning to your quarters? - Yes.
Thank you for your help. And please forgive me for causing you worry.
Not at all. I enjoyed your painting as well.
If you run into any problems, come find me again.
No, My Lord, I have already burdened you too much.
Thank you, My Lord. I won't forget what you have done for me.
Your Highness...
Song Yeon!
I can't leave you in this foreign land by yourself!
Song Yeon, I want to stay here with you! I don't want to go back!
Do you really want to stay here? Then I'll take care of you.
But what would I do here in Ching? I was just joking.
I'll be alright, so don't worry about me.
I'll give Mi Su the present you sent to her.
Thank you, Chobi. And give everyone my regards.
Alright.
- Sir... - Everything will be different when you return.
I'll beat up whoever gives you a hard time.
Thank you.
It is time to leave!
- Song Yeon! - Uncle.
Things may be difficult for you here, but you must be strong, Song Yeon!
Don't worry about me. You should be on your way now.
Please tell Dae Su... That I am alright here.
Your Majesty, the prince has returned.
- Have you been well, Your Majesty? - Yes, I have been well.
You look good as well.
- Thank you, Your Majesty. - So what of it?
Before you left, you told me you would return with a way to reform the No Ron faction. Did you?
Yes, Your Majesty.
- What is it? - The No Ron faction will handle it themselves.
- Handle it themselves? - Yes, Your Majesty.
If you wait and see, you will understand what I'm saying.
Princess, your face is glowing.
It is all because of your concern and love for me, Mother.
Have you become closer with the prince?
I will wait for your good news.
The prince is in private audience with His Majesty.
I think there will be another commotion in the palace.
Please remember that you must be a source of strength and comfort to the prince.
Yes, Mother.
Your Highness, you are really frustrating!
Why didn't you tell Her Highness that the prince didn't change at all!
That thorn on our side in not even here, and the prince is still neglecting you!
That is enough.
- The prince and the ministers have returned? - Yes, Your Majesty.
His Majesty has called for an evening meeting, and they are all waiting.
Go and bring the Personnel Minister to my chambers in secretly.
But Your Majesty, what if someone sees us...?
That's why I said do it in secret!
- If you tell him I want to see him, he will find a way. - Yes, Your Majesty.
- Aren't you Lady Kang from Her Majesty's palace? - Yes, Your Excellency.
- What is it? - Her Majesty would like to see you.
- Your Excellency... - Tell Her Majesty that this is not the time.
- Your Excellency! - People are watching. Why is she being so reckless?
Tell her to stop sending for me until she has restored His Majesty's favor upon her!
Yes, Your Excellency.
But remember this, I will not go away so easily.
You will all remember this day.
There will come a day when all of you will cough up blood and beg me for your lives.
Where is the Minister?
He... he said that this is not the right time for him to see you, Your Majesty.
What?
He also said to not send for him again...
Sir!
Why are you still in the palace?
He is still haunted by his defeat at the hands of that man.
You're right, Sir. At first I was angry and humiliated.
But on second thought, I deserved to be defeated.
What do you mean you deserved to be defeated?
He had no empty spaces in his movements. I had no opportunity to attack him at all.
Honestly, I don't think I can beat him even if we fight again.
I looked at all the manuals on fighting because I was curious on his technique.
But I couldn't find it anywhere.
But isn't this where all the manuals of fighting and martial arts are kept?
That could be the problem. Since we only practice amongst ourselves, we are limited.
Are you saying that we should search out for a master in the mountains or something?
Search for what? We've already met him.
- Are you talking about him? - Yes.
That's not a bad idea. Dae Su, can you speak to the prince?
Me?
Your Highness, it is Dae Su.
Come in.
I went to the Eastern Palace but was told you were here.
Yes, I'm glad to see you. What is it?
- I had a question for you. - What is it?
The Royal Guards would like to learn fighting techniques from the man we met in the countryside.
We learn our methods through manuals and training of form. But this limits us to a certain point.
That man's technique was realistic and effective.
It will be of great help in our skills in protecting you.
Alright. I will speak with the Minister and come up with something.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I wonder how Song Yeon is doing.
I thought you would stop her from going.
If you had told her to not go...
Song Yeon would not have left so quickly.
I wanted to stop her too. I wanted to turn her back.
But I couldn't do so when I thought of her.
How could I stop her dreams of becoming an artist simply because of my own selfish needs?
Do you really think that the only dream Song Yeon has is to become an artist?
If so, that means that you don't really know Song Yeon.
What do you mean I don't know Song Yeon?
It's nothing, Your Highness. What do I know?
I'll take my leave now.
His Highness is not in his chambers. So what have you found out?
It is as we expected.
The bribes from the merchant clans were funneled to Jinsan Academy.
When the money went to No Ron, all traces of it being from the merchant clans were erased.
- Is that true? - Yes, Your Excellency.
- His Highness has asked you to come in. - Alright.
This is an accounts book taken from Merchant Yang Jung Ho.
The only place left for us to look is Jinsan Academy.
The assets in Jinsan Academy should match the amounts in Merchant Yang's accounts book.
It will not be easy to investigate Jinsan Academy.
All you have to do is to get His Majesty's permission.
If we do this, we will be able to get all the No Ron members in the city as well as the countryside.
Stop the investigations.
What do you mean, Your Highness?
Stop all investigations regarding No Ron and the merchant clans.
Your Highness...!
But everything is ready, Your Highness? Why do you wish to stop?
- It is time for us to stop. - What?
I do not understand, Your Highness.
You wanted us to find evidence to destroy them.
So why do you want to stop everything now?
You will understand if you wait and see.
His Majesty, the King!
- The Cabinet may commence. - Yes, Your Majesty.
This is a report from the Finance Ministry's Office of Aid.
There is a fierce winter storm in the south, and frostbite patients number in the hundreds.
How much rice and grain rations do we have in the Office of Aid?
We have five hundred sacks of rice and 200 sacks of grain, Your Majesty.
It is not enough.
Send an official down there to assess the situation, and send them rice for festivities in the meantime.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - What is next?
It is a report on next month's civil examinations.
Continue.
Your Majesty, I would like to suggest that we cancel next month's examinations.
What do you mean you want to cancel the examinations?
I heard that each ministry has personnel shortages. How do you suggest we fill the positions?
I think we should call back the previous officials of the Namin faction,
and fill the positions with those eligible.
- Officials of the Namin fraction? - Yes, that's right, Your Majesty.
What are you saying, Minister? Namin members were ousted from government.
Why do you wish to call back those criminals?
I agree. Why are you suggesting such an outrageous thing?
It has already been decades since the Namin were ousted from government and exiled.
If they are forever banished from the palace because of historical events, what a loss that would be!
Your Majesty, may I speak further?
- You may. - Our government is like a pool of stagnant water.
Only one faction exists in our government now.
I feel strongly that adding fresh water to the pool
is the only way we can save our government and our people.
Not only that, we should call back other factions
and incorporate them into a multi-party government.
- Minister! What are you saying...! - And that's not all.
It is not only the government that is rotting away.
The merchant clans are also responsible.
My suggestion is to re-instate the reformed laws of His Highness that legalizes peddling.
I beseech you to reinstate these laws so that we may reinforce the weak foundation of our nation!
Minister! Minister!
Are you out of your mind? Do you understand what you just said?
How could you attack your own No Ron faction?
You want to bring in our enemies back, and cut off the money from our backers?
- What is this outrage? - Keep your composure.
- Don't get too excited. - Keep our composure?
How can you say that when you made us this way?
Explain yourself to us!
Have you changed sides because we are having a difficult time?
That's enough!
How can you be so foolish? How can you be so stupid?
Do you think we have any other choice at this stage?
Wait... wait...! What did he just say to me?
Welcome back. How tiring your journey must have been.
Well done, well done!
Sir, this...
Song Yeon sent this to you.
She said it depicts the current art scene in Ching.
How is Song Yeon?
She is doing great! The head of the Ministry of Culture there was greatly impressed with her.
Yes, he must have been.
This is Song Yeon's gift for all of you.
What is it?
- What about you? - Oh, I chose it with her.
What? So how much did you lose?
About a hundred and fifty yang?
What should we do? We have to pay it back immediately!
I'm so sorry, Mak Soon! There was nothing I could do.
I will work as a servant here at the inn to pay you back the money you lost.
Servant? How can you say that?
Do you think I'll use you as a servant simply you lost some money?
Mak Soon...!
All you have to do is... marry me as you promised.
- Marry you? - I was so lonely when you were gone!
I can't wait anymore!
Come here!
Have you been well, Mother?
You must not have heard about what has happened here in the palace.
Did something happen?
The government is in a mess.
The Personnel Minister has betrayed all of us.
He can't do this if he was on our side. I am certain he has gone over to the prince's side!
- Did you have a safe journey? - Yes, Your Highness.
Main Translator: MrsKorea
Timer and Editor: MrsKorea
Coordinator: mily2
Special thanks to: saturn, Suz07
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