(This drama was picked and sponsored...)
(by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and KOCCA.)
The headquarters of Jipgangso will send someone to help you.
Say no.
It will only arouse suspicion...
if I am seen with a Donghak follower.
He is not a Donghak follower.
What do you mean?
Baek Yi Kang.
That Man.
Protect Lady Song...
and act as a messenger between us.
Lady Song, you have a visitor.
He is here.
Go ahead.
Why are you here?
I am gathering information...
and I need a place to stay.
I am sorry, but you should look for another place to stay.
- Why? - Do you really not know?
What if the Donghak members find out...
that I gave you shelter?
I do understand.
They even expelled my brother.
But if I wanted to hide,
I would have disguised myself and not come in broad daylight.
I came prepared, so please give me a room.
Deok Ki! I am so glad to see you.
What is it?
Did you not know that I was coming?
I knew you were coming.
How about you wait for us at the West Gate?
Lady Song is with a guest, so she will go over there soon.
Come on. If there are witnesses, people would suspect me less...
and words will spread faster that the boss...
of the detached force became a peddler.
They are called Tenyukyo. The members of ronin are in there.
Why are they here?
Is it not obvious? They want her to give them the rice immediately.
They risked their lives...
and came all the way here?
- I need to see them. - No! Come on!
To be frank,
Yi Hyun is in there.
What do you mean? You said they were the members of ronin.
Yi Hyun...
is the leader of Tenyukyo.
Nothing good will come out when you meet him.
He is sharp-sighted.
He even knew that you were expelled.
Thank you.
Master Choi said breaking destiny was impossible.
Seeing you two, I agree with him.
How is the deal with Takeda going?
Thanks to the hefty sum he has given me in advance,
it is going quite well.
By the way, why have you come here?
Destiny sure is impossible to break.
- It has been a long time, Yi Kang. - What are you wearing?
What has happened to you?
What Master Choi said is true?
What is wrong with my outfit?
Fine.
Now that things have come to this,
take care of yourself.
Do not be used and disposed of like me.
- What brings you here? - Lady Song.
- Yes? - Will you disappoint me like this?
Think of the bond we had and give me a position.
He comes here now and then and pesters me like this.
Deok Ki is too old and weak.
The bandits will not harm you...
if you have the former boss of the detached force by your side.
If you have nothing to do, how about joining hands with me?
What did you say?
Are you telling me to become a ronin?
No way.
I only ask that you be my guard during my stay here in Jeonju.
It will cost you a bit.
You will be treated the same way you were at your former job.
Fine, then.
Pastor Min has gone too far.
He has sent his men...
to every district in order to form the people's army.
(The nobles formed the People's army to stand against the Donghak army.)
I cannot believe him.
Because of that, I cannot freely raise an army.
I need your help.
How can I help you?
Ask the King to dismiss Min Jong Ryul...
and to disband the Naju army.
- General. - This is the only way to stop him.
I will do that.
Thank you.
Baek Yi Hyun is here.
- Who did you say? - The ogre.
He wishes to see you.
And he brought Yi Kang as his guard.
- Look! - The ogre is here!
- How dare he come here? - My goodness.
Get out of the way! Stop!
What in the world are you planning to do?
Just follow me.
- Get lost! - What is he doing here?
I am Oni, the leader of Tenyukyo.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
You expelled Yi Kang who was nothing but loyal to you.
You should also be ashamed of yourself.
My goodness, that makes me feel...
so much better.
Why are you here to see me?
Inoue Kaoru.
I am here to relay a message from the Empire of Japan Legation.
Go ahead.
But before I do,
I want you to guarantee my safety.
General.
Okay, I will.
I wish to speak to you in private.
Please excuse us.
What happened...
to helping Lady Song collect bullets for the machine guns?
I could not go with her because he suddenly showed up.
She probably left by herself.
This is quite a headache.
I am sure he came to check whether we are going...
to raise an army or not.
If he finds out, we will have no choice...
but to kill him.
If you agree to cooperate with us,
we will allow you to govern the Jipgangso...
and its headquarters in the Jeolla Province.
Japan has already seized the capital city and the palace.
Why would they send this letter when they have already seized power?
Even the strongest man gets nervous...
about whom might stab him in the back.
Just like how Pastor Min is a threat to you.
What exactly do they want us to do to cooperate?
It is simple.
They do not want you to cross the boundaries of Jeolla Province.
Do not cross the boundaries?
Did you think we would raise an army or something?
To be honest, yes.
But when I came here,
I was startled at how peaceful everyone looked.
If I could,
I would have already raised an army.
But I am not reckless enough to fight a battle...
when the odds are against us.
Does that mean...
you will raise an army if there is a chance of winning?
What do you think?
Do you think we can win the fight against the Japanese army?
- No. - Then...
you have your answer.
Now, stop talking nonsense,
and go back to Hanyang.
After I take some rest.
I will not be here for long.
How does it feel to betray your own country?
I am very excited.
I look forward to seeing Joseon become a civilized country.
You mean a new territory that belongs to Japan.
A territory that used to be called Joseon.
Japan also once got invaded by foreigners.
They accepted civilization.
And they become very strong thanks to that.
The same can happen to Joseon.
What a fool.
I told you so many times that people come before civilization.
A farmer's sickle reaps rice.
But a thief's sickle kills people.
Do you think the Japanese are farmers...
or thieves?
I do not care what their identity is.
What they are doing is already out of my hands.
The only thing I am interested in...
is to make sure Joseon also gets a chance to hold that sickle.
I will see...
how things turn out.
Goodbye.
Where are we going next?
Now that you have met Jeon Bong Jun,
is it time to meet the Grim Reaper?
Now that I have met the leader,
it is time to take a look at what is going around the town.
What are you trying to find out?
Raising an army or not.
My goodness, this is why smart people can be exhausting.
If he was going to raise an army,
the Jeolla Province would not be so peaceful.
He would be busy gathering soldiers and weapons.
I will soon be able to find out...
if things are really peaceful here...
or if people are just pretending to be.
Okay.
Have a look!
Here!
- Why is this so expensive? - Take a look.
It used to be cheaper.
[VIU Ver] SBS E37 'The Nokdu Flower' "The Correlation Between Straw Shoes & War" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-
- Come on! - My goodness.
- There we go. - This is absurd.
- Let us try again. - Okay.
- My gosh. - There we go.
You are dead.
- Are you kidding me? - Come on.
- My gosh, come on. - Let us try again.
There we go.
- What is this? - My goodness.
I cannot believe he got dismissed.
My goodness.
Dismissed?
It is not common for a governor to do something like this.
It is also not common for someone to defy the governor...
every time he gets the chance.
Whatever the case, this will benefit Jeon Bong Jun.
He no longer needs to worry about him.
Mother, things will be okay with the Jipgangso now.
(Gobu, Jeolla Province)
- My goodness. - That is unbelievable.
My gosh.
Darn it.
What happened?
The people at the market did this to you?
Yes.
They told us we have no right to sell stuff at the market.
I feel...
so angry and resentful that I cannot live.
How can they be so mean to us...
when we are just trying our best to make a living?
That is exactly what your father-in-law did his entire life.
It is karma.
Just think of it as something we have to go through.
Do not bother selling straw shoes anymore.
Then how are you going to make a living?
What?
There will be no one left to sell things in the market...
if people gave up just because they got humiliated once.
This is how hard it is to make a living.
You darn wench.
How dare you...
lecture me?
She is right.
Do not scold Yoo Wol.
Mother.
My lady.
- Yes? - Come to the market with me.
The market?
Yes.
You should also come with me.
What? "You"?
- My gosh. - What is this?
- Tell them to leave. - Get lost.
They are the Baek family.
- Unbelievable. - Why are they here?
Everyone, buy some straw shoes.
These straw shoes are very strong and cheap.
First, take a close look.
Then, you can try them on if you like them.
Go ahead and pick what you want!
My goodness, what a joke.
- Gosh. - I hate the Baek family.
- Get out of here! - What is this?
My goodness, your straw shoes are all worn out.
Come on. I will sell them to you at a very cheap price.
They are fine.
My gosh, do not just stand there.
I will not force you to buy them.
Just come closer and take a look.
- Whatever. - Get lost.
Everyone, listen up. Look at these straw shoes.
Look at how strong and cheap they are.
Do I get a discount if I buy two?
What?
You bet you do.
Be nice and you will get a pair for free.
Let me tell you about these straw shoes.
They are not just good for your feet.
Put on a pair,
then clench your teeth like this,
and stomp hard on the ground like this.
The soles of your feet will zing...
and that will ride up your leg, hip, and back to your head.
It will open up your circulation...
that you will feel like you fly when you walk.
- No way. - Come on.
You are a fraud.
You are lying. There are no such straw shoes.
Come on now. Our straw shoes are different.
Why do you not get the message?
Think of these as the Baek family...
and stomp on them when you walk.
Then the anger and frustration you carried for years...
will go away.
You will all live to be 100 years old.
Give me a pair.
- Nam, find her a pair. - Sure.
Buy some straw shoes!
Strong straw shoes that are good for you!
Try them on. Try one on.
Give me one.
Sure. I am not lying.
Try it on.
Try this on.
If it fits, take it for free.
- Give me one. - Me too.
I want one too.
Straw shoes! Strong straw shoes!
Thank you. Goodbye.
My gosh. You are really good at this.
Stop teasing me. I am so embarrassed.
Yi Hwa, we can have rice tonight.
Are you pleased?
I want meat soup too.
You bet that.
These straw shoes.
Sell them all to us.
- All of them? - Yes.
Go on.
We checked the weapons at the fortress.
We just need to move them.
We need a lot of straw shoes to march to Hanyang.
Men are all over the market buying them in.
The bullets for the guns?
Lady Song went to the treaty port.
I wish to transport bullets too.
Transporting food alone...
should be an ordeal.
The Jeolla Province peddlers who had no work for a while...
are full of energy like fish in fresh water.
I have more than enough men.
I will talk to the person in charge of supplies.
I cannot let you lose face by going empty-handed, Nakamura.
Well done.
Pay me later.
Should I come here at dawn?
No. You do not have to come back.
- Why not? - I return to Hanyang tomorrow.
- Do you? - Take it.
And thank you...
for today.
If you ever need my help,
come to the Empire of Japan Legation.
You are just being silly.
I have a question.
People like Myung Sim...
who had nothing to do with them...
mourned the deaths of the Donghak soldiers you killed.
Do you feel...
even an ounce of guilt?
I do not know.
I erased that memory long ago.
Do you remember I said I would kill the ogre if I saw him again?
- So what? - I will let you go this time...
because you burned my mother's slave documents.
If we meet again,
I will...
kill you myself.
I will remember you said that.
(Jeonju Hostel)
Did you get everything done?
Who is he?
Takeda's minion.
A Japanese man knows our language?
He is a Joseon man. That Man's younger brother.
Baek Yi Kang's younger brother?
You got back safely.
How are things?
Did you find out anything?
Not really.
The men who came to fight...
all cursed out Jeon Bong Jun and went home.
What is that?
All the walking...
tore my straw shoes.
You cannot fix that.
Buy a new pair.
There are none.
- What? - In the marketplace,
there are no straw shoes left.
That cannot be. What market is out of straw shoes?
Men carrying A-frames bought out every straw shoe seller.
Are they buying in straw shoes to sell at exorbitant prices later?
They are crazy, whoever they are.
The prices of these do not jump like rice.
How much could they make by doing that?
My gosh.
I guess you are right.
I am.
Are you in?
As Takeda's minion, you must know...
what will happen if the Donghak followers hear my daughter is...
buying in rice for the Japanese.
Her life will be threatened.
If you know that,
you should not stay at our hostel.
Do not worry. I will leave tomorrow.
There is something I would like to know. May I ask you?
Go ahead.
I would like to open a store of my own later.
I am interested in army suppliers.
(Army supplier: A merchant who sells weapons and provisions to an army)
That is a good idea.
Wars break out over nothing at all.
What do army suppliers need the most of?
It is obvious. Swords and food.
I see.
I wondered if straw shoes sold well.
You would do well as a merchant.
I forgot.
Swords make the biggest profit.
And after food, straw shoes are the second best seller.
(Namwon Government Office)
Commander Kim. He has not eaten in days.
Should you not hear him out before something bad happens?
I already know what he is going to say.
How do you know without listening to him?
Why do you think...
that bookworm has been here for days?
Why?
It is about raising an army.
Raising an army?
Commander Kim.
Are you really going to starve to death?
You refuse to see me.
What else can I do?
Please take it back.
All that I wish...
for is to have a talk with you.
You can only do that...
if you have the energy.
Have a bite...
and follow me.
So that is...
Master, there are people coming.
The commander is here!
- Commander Choi! - Commander Choi!
Hurrah for Commander Choi!
Welcome back!
Hurrah!
Welcome back.
Were there any problems?
What is it? Why are you staring at me?
Despite seeing your brother who has changed,
you seem to be doing fine.
Of course, I am. It is not surprising.
By the way,
I know...
that I have been suspicious of you.
I am sorry.
You must have been very upset.
Just hit me.
Go on.
I think I will feel better if you hit me.
Okay?
Come on.
What do you take me for?
How could you think of me as a traitor? Do you want to die?
Watch yourself from now on.
- By the way... - What is it this time?
How did it go...
with Nakamura?
What do you think?
Do you not know me?
Did it work out?
Of course.
Gosh.
You are good.
Should I hit him instead?
You were right.
I visited the leather shoemakers and butchers in this village,
and there were no cowhides available.
By the way,
why did you tell me to look for them?
Cowhides are substitutes for iron pots during wartimes.
Alongside straw shoes, they are a necessity for war.
- "For war"? - Jeon Bong Jun was preparing...
to raise an army, yet he pretended he was not.
Are you saying the Donghak members will cause another riot?
Seeing how Min Jong Ryul was dismissed,
the governor is on their side as well.
Perhaps,
another power could have joined hands with them.
Should we not alert Hanyang?
We must.
Are we being followed?
(Episode 38 will air shortly.)
(Episode 38)
Are we being followed?
Oh, dear.
- Act naturally. - Okay.
Follow me.
- Over there! - Stop!
Get them! Stop them!
Are you ready to leave?
- Yes. - Yes.
I will talk to Lady Song. Wait here.
- Okay. - Okay.
You are still here?
Jeon Bong Jun is planning to rise up.
I will tell you more once I shake off the tail.
Hide in here.
- Do not let them out. - Okay.
Baek Yi Hyun knows of the plan?
Yes. He came here to flee from the Jipgangso guards.
I locked him in the barn.
(The Jipgangso guards: Guards who protect the Jipgangso)
Is it safe here?
Will you stay still?
I should, but I feel so anxious.
Yi Hyun.
I told you to be still.
Come here.
You should see this.
Lady Song...
is on their side.
Let the Jipgangso guards take them.
The General will deal with them.
He has Inoue's letter.
He is hard to kill,
and if killed, it could become a problem.
Fine.
I will kill him in secret.
I will do it.
Yi Kang.
- No. - Yes.
I should have done this before.
What happened?
- What happened? - Gosh.
Look. They are in bad shape.
- Stop the bleeding. - Oh, dear.
- Oh, no. - What have you done?
Over there!
Yi Kang.
Can you pull the trigger with that hand?
Do you not remember what you said?
I cannot do anything with my left hand.
And you said that this hand was Yi Kang's hand.
Kill me.
Yes.
I will.
Yes. Die.
Hey!
Yi Kang.
What...
Yi Kang.
What happened? Wake up!
Did you wake up?
Are you okay?
Tell me.
Why are you trying to kill Takeda's man?
- Father. - Answer me!
Jeon Bong Jun will...
raise an army soon.
And I am the one...
who will fund it.
What did you say?
I am sorry that I could not tell you earlier.
How could you...
Ja In.
What is it?
I did not do anything wrong.
I do not regret anything.
I feel...
extremely proud of myself right now.
So please tell me...
that you are...
proud of your girl too.
You...
General.
(Headquarters of Jipgangso)
The ogre found out about our plans for raising an army...
and fled from the hostel.
Do you mean Baek Yi Hyun?
Yes.
He even found out that Lady Song is helping us.
He injured Yi Kang, who was chasing him,
and disappeared with his man.
Have soldiers guard every fortress and gate...
and find him.
He should not get out of Jeonju.
Yes.
Search everywhere.
- Yes. - Yes.
What are you doing?
Who are you?
West Gate is closed.
Pungnam Gate is closed too.
Let us go north.
- Yes. - Yes.
Close the gate!
Did you wake up?
Where is the ogre?
You are up.
Boss.
What are you all doing here?
What do you think?
We came to make sure our boss is fine.
"Our boss"?
I got kicked out a while ago.
You do not have to be a Donghak follower...
to lead the detached force.
- What? - The general signed the paper.
You are reinstated.
I am sorry.
It was petty of me.
No.
I should not have deceived the soldiers.
I would like to apologize too.
I regretted it the whole time I was in Chungcheong Province.
Right. Well...
How did the meeting with bukjeobs go?
They will...
rise in arms with us.
- Is that true? - Yes.
Commander Son Byung Hee will take charge...
and bring soldiers from Chungcheong Province.
So you have to recover quickly.
The detached force...
should lead the allied forces.
Thank you.
I appreciate it.
I have Commander Kim's answer.
Tell me.
He said no to an alliance,
but he will raise an army and advance on Hanyang with us.
We have to advance on as multiple units anyway,
so this is as good as an alliance.
Make a declaration of arms.
Anyone who wishes to save our country from the Japanese...
should come to Samnye, located on the border...
between Jeolla Province and Chungcheong Province.
Yes.
Master Baek!
What is the fuss?
Well... There will be a war against the Japanese army.
Who would want to fight against them?
Jeon Bong Jun is going to raise an army...
in Samnye.
- What is going on? - What is the matter?
Listen up, everyone.
Starting today,
Jipgangso will assist in raising an army.
- What? - Is that right?
We will visit every house...
and find people who wish to join the army.
We will also send grains and supplies to Samnye.
Do you understand?
- Yes. - Yes.
Oh, my. Is that really Yoo Wol?
She is incredible.
Follow me.
- Yes. - Yes.
Let us hurry.
- Let us go. - Let us hurry.
- Hurry. - Let us go.
- Let us go. - Let us do this.
- Hurry. - Let us go.
(Gobu Government Office)
We will beat the Japanese.
We will drive out the Japanese.
Oh, my.
What are you doing? Hurry up and help them.
- Hurry. - Yes.
What are you waiting for? Hurry.
- Yes. - Go.
Will you not get in trouble with the district magistrate?
He ordered me to help the Jipgangso...
with everything it does.
Oh, my. Where is he?
I should thank him in person.
He is at the hyangcheong.
Jeon Bong Jun will take the leading role...
and command loyal soldiers...
from Jeolla Province and Chungcheong Province.
I did not expect the bukjeob to join in.
I heard most members of the bukjeob leadership,
including sect leader Choi Si Hyung,
are moderate unlike those of the south...
who are violent.
Governor Kim Hak Jin...
seems to be supporting them too.
According to a rumor,
His Majesty gave a secret letter...
to Jeon Bong Jun.
His Majesty gave a secret letter?
It is just a rumor.
Anyway, Lord Hwang,
even farmers are volunteering to fight.
The aristocrats should not just sit back, should they?
No.
We should not.
Do you have any good ideas?
We do not need any special ideas.
The aristocrats will raise an army and fight too.
Lord Hwang.
I will call a hyangcheong meeting.
I think...
I will fight in a war.
Are you fighting against Nokdu again?
No. This time, my enemy is...
not Nokdu,
but the Japanese.
The Japanese are...
feared even by the Qing.
Do you have to fight?
Our country's fate depends on this war.
It is my duty as an aristocrat to participate.
My only concern is...
that you will be left here alone.
If you ever feel threatened,
ask the Jipgangso for help.
- Seok Ju. - No matter how much I think,
that is the only place...
that will keep you safe.
Your brother...
is such a pathetic...
and wretched man.
Did you say that he is raising an army?
That is correct.
Jeon Bong Jun has gathered all the Donghak members...
from Jeolla and Chungcheong Provinces.
They will meet in Samnye...
and will advance on Hanyang.
What do they want in return?
Is it another Reform Bill?
No, Your Highness. They only want one thing.
The exclusion of Japan.
"The exclusion of Japan"?
(The exclusion of Japan: Driving out the Japanese forces)
I understand. You may leave.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Jeon Bong Jun has listened to me.
Now,
we have found hope.
(Gwanghwamun Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace)
Look at those fools.
They are panicking.
What do you think the Japanese will do?
That is obvious. They will send their men to the battlefield.
Are you naive enough to believe...
that they will let their own men bleed?
(Empire of Japan Legation)
Is this all that you can do?
There are 50,000 of them in Samnye right now.
They have been planning this for some time now.
What have you been doing?
I am sorry.
Where is that man who has left to meet with Jeon Bong Jun?
I have not been in touch with him for a few days now.
That fool...
Come up with a countermeasure and report back!
This instant!
[VIU Ver] SBS E38 'The Nokdu Flower' "Yi Hyun Notices Bong Jun's Plan" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-
That is why Jeon Bong Jun concerns me.
Does he really have no intention to rise in arms?
I want to check it myself.
Oni...
- They are not behind there. - They are not here either.
They must have slipped out of Jeonju for sure.
We should ask for backup.
That is a good idea.
There are loyal soldiers all over the streets.
It does not matter. We are running out of time.
We are heading to Samnye tomorrow.
You are right. They should not waste their energy.
- Let me look around a bit more. - Okay.
- Goodness. - Be patient.
Goodness.
That is correct. It is all my fault. I am to blame.
Kill me.
I do not care whether you will die or not.
Just think of a way to save Ja In.
- Bong Gil, please. - Do not call my name!
We are strangers now.
"Strangers"?
He is not the type to go back on his words.
I am worried.
That should be the least of our concerns as of now.
Have they not caught Yi Hyun yet?
Not yet.
First, I should move the supplies I have gathered...
to Samnye.
Okay.
Did you catch him?
Not yet.
Lady Song.
I have something to say. Can you spare me some time?
Sure.
How is your father doing?
He is furious.
And Master Choi is at risk of becoming strangers with him.
Gosh, he is in trouble.
What do you need to tell me?
Right.
I am going to Samnye with the general tomorrow.
I wanted to say goodbye.
I will see you there in a few days as well.
This is not necessary.
I will be bringing plenty of bullets and rice,
so wait for me with an A-frame.
It is quite fascinating.
- What do you mean? - Our relationship.
We had to part ways due to our different dreams.
But we ran into each other in Hanyang and Jeonju.
And soon, we will be meeting in Samnye.
You are right.
But then again, there are many fascinating things in this world.
Lady Song.
Do you think we will defeat them?
I am not sure.
But I do hope so.
Are you not afraid of dying?
I am.
It scares me to death.
Once we meet in Samnye,
let us...
be together forever.
Do not wander off. Let us walk down the same path.
What are you saying?
I am saying that you should not be afraid alone.
You should not die alone either.
Goodbye.
Wait.
Give me your hand.
Ever since I began helping out with raising the army,
it felt strange.
I swore that I could never understand them.
And yet, I found...
my fate in their hands.
I believed our dreams were different.
But perhaps,
they may be the same.
I will see you in Samnye.
Ja In.
(Jeonju Hostel)
Bong Gil.
We are heading out.
We will not be long.
Do not forget to take your medicine.
We should go.
You left on business. Why are you back?
Who are you?
You?
You told me about the straw shoes.
You clearly did not know of your daughter's betrayal.
What betrayal?
What are you talking about?
We saw everything in the barn.
Denying it now is just a waste of breath.
I will get to the point.
There is still a way to save...
your daughter and sworn brother.
Will you do it?
What must I do?
Betrayal.
This time it is not Japan...
but Jeon Bong Jun.
(The Nokdu Flower)
Kill these people and go to Samnye together.
If you do anything stupid,
Ja In will lose her life.
I will protect her as if her life is my own.
Command the rioters at Samnye to disperse.
Joseon's government...
will join with the Japanese army to quell the Donghak followers.
Reduce the losses...
in a fight you cannot win.
We fight to protect what is dear to us.
See you in the afterlife.
- Are you all ready to die? - Yes!
We shall march and fight the invaders!