Episode 20
Your Majesty,
if you find crime in this,
take my head first.
What are you talking about?
I am the man who kept Gaedong alive.
So let me be the first to be punished.
I was told General Dae Jungsang's son was killed.
And now you say you've kept him alive?
Why?
You must reveal everything
without holding back a slightest detail!
The boy was guilty of nothing from the start.
But a number of royal retainers accused him of treasonous birth
and tried to kill the father and son.
But it was a shallow ploy to
undermine the faithful warriors of Liaodong
and strengthen their own influences.
You are out of line!
''A shallow ploy''?
Your Majesty, being porn under the imperial star
is treason punishable only by death!
That's right!
The man you speak of just saved this country from doom!
Where is the treason in this?
It is you who commit treason with your attempts
to vilify him and mislead the court!
This is a dangerous intrigue!
I beg you not to be deceived!
The decision is yours and yours only, Your Majesty.
If you find it is treason to have kept the father and son alive,
give us the punishment we deserve.
But if you find the father and son have been wronged,
I beg you to accept them and to free them here
and now from the chains of sorrow they've been made to suffer.
Accept them, Your Majesty.
Accept them, Your Majesty! Accept them, Your Majesty!
No, Your Majesty!
You must reject them, Your Majesty!
I've heard enough! So stop, all of you!
We cannot waste our time and energy dwelling on the past.
We must come together and restore public order.
If only for that reason,
we must value faithful subjects like Dae Jungsang and his son.
But Your Majesty!
I want to believe both the lords and the warriors acted out of loyalty
and patriotism for the country.
Raise your head, Gaedong.
Your Majesty,
Gaedong's birth name is Dae Joyoung.
I ask that you to restore his name.
- Hear me, my subjects! - Yes, Your Majesty!
From this moment forward,
Gaedong does not exist!
You are now Dae Joyoung.
I grant you my royal permission!
Your grace is infinite, Your Majesty!
This tea is delightful.
Don't take Joyoung to Liaodong.
Let him stay here in Pyongyang.
He is too talented to be placed in the remote frontier.
It will be good for him to stay close me.
There is too much danger for Joyoung here in Pyongyang.
The lords of the five Puyo clans will not look kindly upon him.
Joyoung could get caught
in the middle of a political power struggle.
There is more to learn where there is corruption.
But it's also easier to become tainted.
Don't worry.
I may be old, but I...
What's wrong?
Guard! Anyone out there?
It's not a big deal.
But you're breaking out in cold sweat.
It's nothing. I'm just feeling weak.
I'll be fine after a little rest.
Taehak
I'd like to stay here in Pyongyang.
- No, I can't let you do that. - Father,
I've seen this city with eyes of a lowly serf.
Now I'd like to see it with the eyes of Dae Joyoung.
- Let me stay. - I said no!
Don't bring this up again.
General...
I agree with General Dae.
His Excellency may want you to stay,
but it's too dangerous for you here.
We will leave for Liaodong tomorrow.
There is something I want to ask you about.
Why won't you visit Mother's grave?
That's not all!
Don't you want to know who killed her and why?
You haven't asked me a thing about her.
I'd like to know why.
I wanted to unsheathe my sword the moment
I saw Bu Kiwon at the Royal Hall.
You mean you knew?
Do you want revenge for your mother?
Is that the real reason you want to stay here in Pyongyang?
Forget about your mother's death,
and let go of your desire for personal revenge.
Mother died a violent death.
She's a stubborn wench.
Did you see that?
If you don't speak now, your mother will die.
If I were the man you are looking for,
and if that woman were my mother,
you can be certain
that I will seek my revenge for this!
You punk!
I will deliver ruthless punishment a hundred times more painful!
You bastard!
Whether you're Dae Joyoung or Gaedong,
watch this and remember
so you can pay us back with a hundred times the pain.
How am I supposed to forget what they did to my mother?
I can't.
I must avenge Mother's death with my own hands.
Do you think that's what your mother wants?
Do you think this is why the Supreme Commander
and General Yang risked their lives to save you?
Forget about revenge.
You won't be good for anything if you can't.
Father!
Now do you understand why I haven't asked about your mother?
It's because I know I can't control myself
if I start to think about her.
Because I want to kill Bu Kiwon right now
and follow her to death.
But I held myself back for you.
Father... !
It's easy to give free rein to rage
but difficult to hold it back.
To serve a greater cause,
you must first learn to control your emotions.
I will forget.
I will forget everything...
Joyoung,
I never thought I would ever be able to call out your name.
My son Joyoung!
Father...
Joyoung...
Father...
My son...
Sire!
Did all of them leave for Liaodong?
Gaedong, I mean Joyoung, is staying here in Pyongyang.
What?
You mean he's going to accept the deputy general's position
and oversee the palace security?
Yes, sire.
His rank is not the problem.
The real problem is that now he is Yeon Gaesomun's closest aid.
Yes, but he'll never amount to
much more than Yeon's personal guard.
Why would I worry if that was the case?
That is not how things look.
Just exactly what are you talking about?
Yeon Gaesomun has three sons.
Namseng has put a huge dent in his reputation
with his failure in the war,
the second son Namgeun is in a distant temple
after earning his father's wrath,
and the third son Namsan is too young
and feeble to do anything.
Are you saying Yeon Gaesomun has
Dae Joyoung in mind as his successor?
That can't be true.
That would be insane!
Crazier things have been happening.
Who would've ever thought Yeon Gaesomun
would protect Dae Joyoung?
We can't let our guard down for a moment.
If Yeon Gaesomun is considering Dae Joyoung as his successor...
We must get rid of him before it's too late.
Chang'an, Tang China
Why do we lose every war we fight against Goguryeo?
- Why? - Your Majesty,
- may death be our punishment! - Give us death, Your Majesty!
Give us death, Your Majesty!
There will be an inquiry to investigate the cause of defeat
and expose those who are responsible!
Be warned that I will not hesitate to hand down death sentences
regardless of your rank or status!
What? An inquiry?
Yes, Your Highness.
His Majesty will personally expose the cause of defeat.
- An inquiry? - Your Highness,
General Xue Rengui seeks your audience.
See him in.
Your Highness!
Empress!
I'm told an inquiry is to be held. What are the reactions?
Your Highness, what am I supposed to do?
if this inquiry is allowed!
the commander in chief in the first place?
I don't know, Your Highness...
I flipped when I saw the Pyongyang Fort.
The Emperor is furious.
My hands are tied this time.
But I will die, Your Highness!
This may come back to me as well.
I can die a hundred times on a battlefield,
but an execution?
The shame and humiliation will keep me
wandering the Hades forever!
And I shot and injured Yeon Gaesomun!
Don't let me die in vain!
Only you can help me!
Give me a chance to serve the country before I die!
Your Highness!
Is there some place you can seek refuge for a while?
Pardon?
Let us first avoid the storm.
If you survive this inquiry,
you may get another chance.
But that would be tantamount to defying the imperial command.
I will take care of it somehow.
So go hide somewhere and lie low for a while
Thank you, Your Highness!
I'm helping you
because there is no other warrior of your caliber in Tang
no matter how hard I look around.
Because I believe you will help me
achieve an important task someday.
You couldn't be wiser, Your Highness.
From this point forward,
my unfailing loyalty will be yours.
Good.
Soon the time will come when I acquire your help.
Soon...
Yes, Your Highness!
Oh dear...
Where? Where do I seek refuge?
I told you to think of a place for me to hide
and you fall a sleep on me?
No, sir.
I'm kind of suspicious about Li Kaigu and Chulin.
- What are you talking about? - Think about it.
They knew our strategy,
and they were captured and released by the enemy.
Yes, you're right!
Li Kaigu and Chulin!
I already knew that.
Yes, they sold us out!
Pack my bags, immediately!
We're going to Yingzhou!
I'm going to get the culprits who caused this defeat myself!
That's the only way you and I can survive this.
What are you waiting for? Pack our bags!
Huh?... Yes, sir!
Li Kaigu and Chulin...
When I get my hands on them!
Did you ask to see us, Khan?
Father,
I'm told an inquiry is being held in Tang
to expose the cause of defeat.
It won't be long.
The blood storm of the inquiry will soon reach Yingzhou.
Khitan lost a great number of our young men for their war.
There is nothing Tang would seek revenge on us for.
But the situation will change
if the cause of defeat lies with us.
If my guess is correct,
the cause of defeat started with you, Li Kaigu.
He's not the only one at fault. I...
My first intent was to keep everything under wraps...
because I saw hope of Khitan becoming an sovereign state someday
with power and influence like Goguryeo and Tang.
But I can't pretend anymore.
- Kaigu - Yes, Khan.
I don't want to lose you.
Leave the tribe.
Father!
That's the only way to protect you.
My leaving will not resolve this.
If they hold the entire tribe responsible for their defeat...
That's for me to worry about.
But Khan,
Leave immediately. It's an order.
Khan!
Who are you?
Don't you recognize me?
I am the Emperor ofTang Li Shimin!
- But you're... ! - Bastard!
My eye is not the only thing you took from me!
My quest to rule the world,
my pride and honor that took a lifetime to achieve...
I even lost my life because of you.
Because of you, Yeon Gaesomun!
- Li Shimin, you bastard! - Your days are numbered.
And once you're gone,
Goguryeo will be a tiger without his fangs.
The world cannot have two suns.
I promise you Tang will bring Goguryeo down!
Shut your mouth!
You will watch the demise of Goguryeo from hell.
Tang will erase every last trace of Goguryeo from the world!
Your palace will be burned down
and your people will be made slaves.
And your arrogant thousand-year history will be reversed!
Shut up. Shut your mouth!
And you will be nothing left.
Your country, your land,
your people, and your history,
everything will belong to Tang!
- How dare you! - It won't be long.
Once you're dead, everything will change!
- Li Shimin, how dare you! - Gaesomun!
Li Shimin, Li Shimin!
Excellency!
Excellency, what's wrong?
Nothing. It's nothing.
Excellency, your chest... !
It's nothing. I'm fine.
There is no time.
I must go to the palace at once!
But it's before dawn, sir.
I bid your greetings, Your Majesty.
Welcome, Supreme Commander.
I bid your greetings, Your Majesty.
Yes, Minister Yeon,
I was told you were injured.
I am very glad you are back safely.
Forgive me for the concern I have caused, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, may we be alone?
I must speak to you in privacy.
Leave us.
Do you remember me?
Yes, Your Grace.
I am twice indebted to you.
You save my life at the martial arts contest
and again during the war.
I could have been sent to Tang as a hostage
if it weren't for you.
Forgive me, but I have not heard.
It does not matter.
I am just glad I can see you and thank you in person.
It is my honor, Your Grace.
Abolish the private armies?
I will disband all private armies that the lords own.
But it is a longstanding privilege
of the five Puyo clans to maintain private armies.
If this causes discord in the royal court...
The lords of the five Puyo clans have sought
to negotiate a truce in the last war with Tang.
They will not surrender their armies
when they are requisitioned for the campaign against Tang.
The campaign against Tang?
Did you just say ''the campaign against Tang''?
Tang China is in a weakened state due to the defeated war.
This is a god-give opportunity.
There is not time to waste, Your Majesty.
For the safety of this state,
Tang must be destroyed.
And to do that,
we must first abolish the private armies.
Supreme Commander...
Cast your worries aside, Your Majesty.
I will take care of everything.
Where are you going in such a hurry?
We were coming to see you, Your Excellency.
I'm on my way home.
We heard you're moving to
abolish private armies for conquest ofTang.
How could you know that so quickly when I just spoke to His Majesty
about it for the first time in the royal hall in privacy?
I get it.
While we were out fighting the war at the front,
the civil officials must've annexed the palace!
Having a private army is
the symbol of the Puyo clans' special authority.
Are you trying to ignore our privilege altogether?
Privilege?
Did you say privilege?
Listen and listen carefully.
Without the country, you do not exist!
I am trying to get rid of the Tang barbarians
that seeks to destroy us every chance they get,
and you want to interfere for your petty privilege?
- But Supreme Commander, - It is to protect the country!
If you have a problem with that,
come right out and say it.
And I will show you
just how petty you royal subjects are against the country!
Oh dear... !
Let's go!
Unbelievable!
Excellency, are you all right?
I'm all right. It's just fatigue.
You need to be seen by a physician.
No, I'm all right.
Just get me a glass of water.
- I'm very thirsty. - Yes, Excellency.
Excellency!
Is there anyone out there? Physician! Call a physician!
Don't call anyone. No one must know.
But... you need a physician...
No, Joyoung.
You mustn't tell anyone about this.
Excellency! Excellency!
Excellency!
Conquer Tang?
Who in this world would ever believe that we can?
It's nothing but an excuse!
It's a ploy to suppress us,
the civil subjects!
What are we going to do about this?
It's a matter of time before the lords of the court
and reduced to nothing!
Are we to just sit here and take this abuse?
Whatever his true motive,
conquering Tang is impossible.
People are starving around the country due to crop failure,
and he wants to levy troops and taxes for another war?
Not just us, but from the public to the King,
no one will support his cause.
But who can challenge the Supreme Commander?
There is one person who can!
the Grand Martial General of Goguryeo Yang Manchun.
Yang Manchun?
Yang Manchun can break the Supreme Commander's will.
Is there a way to convince Yang Manchun?
I will give it a shot.
Don't you know who I am? Step aside!
I was ordered not to let anyone in.
How dare you!
I am the Supreme Commander's eldest son!
Who is going to stop me?
Gaedong!
What is the meaning of this?
I must see my father now.
Step aside.
Not today, my lord.
What?
Do you wish to die?
It's the Supreme Commander's order.
- I cannot let you in. - You bastard!
I've had enough of this!
What's going on in there?
I have business with my father!
I'm sorry, sire.
You are defy me?
Blasted bastards!
How is he?
The tip of the arrow has pierced his lungs.
It's gotten badly infected by poisonous germs.
And it's getting deeper and deeper.
The pain must have been excruciating.
What do we do?
There's nothing I can do at this point
except give him some medicine to ease his pain.
Are you certain?
There has got to be something you can do.
He doesn't have a lot of time left.
Who doesn't have a lot of time left?
Excellency!
I've already recovered completely.
- You may leave. - Yes, Excellency.
Joyoung,
kill him.
No one can know about my condition.
Follow the old man and get rid of him.
What are you waiting for?
Go after him now!
Don't hurt me! I swear I won't tell anyone!
Please don't hurt me!
I beg you! I swear I won't tell!
Please don't hurt me! Please!
This man did nothing wrong.
If he lives, you will die.
The reason why I stayed in Pyongyang is to help you.
Is that you, Joyoung?
- Yes, Excellency. - Come in.
- I will light the candles. - No, just sit down.
Did you kill him?
Yes, Excellency.
My lungs are infected by poison.
Stress is the worst of all poisons.
My insides have long been scorched
by anxieties about the state.
A little poison in my lungs is nothing.
- Joyoung, - Yes, Excellency.
Is there anyone who knows about my condition
other than yourself?
No.
Good.
Were you able to assess the size
And strength of the lords' private armies?
- Yes, Excellency. - Bring me the books.
You need to rest.
You know as well as I do that I have no time for rest.
But sir...
What do you think the Tang will do
when Goguryeo is without Yeon Gaesomun?
The lords of the court still believe Goguryeo will have peace
if we establish friendly relations with Tang.
But I know better.
They're determined to wipe Goguryeo off the map.
Those barbarians must be destroyed while I am alive.
Excellency...
But the only thing that the lords of the court care about
is protecting their personal interests.
It's no wonder they are not happy.
They will grow increasingly discontent with time.
And conquest ofTang will become
further and further away from reality.
Now bring me the books.
Issue an order to the Grand Martial General?
Yes, Your Majesty.
General Yang will follow no one's orders but yours.
And he is the only one who can dissuade the Supreme Commander,
it will be Your Majesty who stops the Supreme Commander.
The crops have been poor for the past several years.
If we overextend ourselves to prepare for this war,
we will undoubtedly lose.
It is a sure path to ruin.
This must be stopped, Your Majesty.
I beg you to send a missive to
General Yang Manchun immediately.
Welcome, general.
We were not expecting you.
It doesn't sound like
you're very happy to see me, Khan.
Of course he is, general.
A banquet will be prepared shortly,
so relax and celebrate tonight.
By the way, where is Li Kaigu?
Where is the traitor Li Kaigu?
Um, general...
The royal court ofTang is feverishly
investigating the cause of our defeat.
Once they find out that Li kaigu is the cause,
this tribe will be exterminated!
What do you mean Li Kaigu is the cause of defeat?
I know everything!
So produce the culprit at once!
I will take him back to Chang'an personally.
That is the only way to protect this tribe.
Li Kaigu is no longer with us.
What?
He ran away.
Ran away?
General, he is no longer a part of this tribe,
so please let it go.
Send out a search party at once!
I want Li Kaigu brought before me right now!
General,
I will say this again.
It's either Li Kaigu's head or
this entire Khitan tribe will have to pay!
The tribe is not culpable!
Kaigu!
I am solely responsible for the defeat.
Kaigu!
I told you to stay away.
Why did you come back?
I can't put the tribe in danger because of me.
I will give you my head,
but you must guarantee the safety of Khitan.
I trusted you.
How could you of all poeple betray me?
He was forced to divulge the plan in order to save my life.
- I deserve equal punishment. - Chulin!
I can't let Kaigu take the blame alone.
I will not let him die alone.
Place those two in confinement at once!
They will be taken to Chang'an in the morning!
Hurry!
You shouldn't have done this.
My lone death would've resolved everything.
And what about me after you're gone?
Run. It's an order from the Khan!
From my father?
- You must hurry! - Go ahead.
How about you?
Take her out of here.
You!
How did you get out of confinement?
This dagger is as important to me as my life.
What are you trying to tell me?
Let me go to Goguryeo.
And I will bring back Yeon Gaesomun's head.
The conquest of Goguryeo has failed because of me.
Not only is my crime too great
to exchange with my life,
my pride will not allow it.
I've already handed over my life to you.
Kill me with that dagger to punish me for my crime
or let me go to Goguryeo.
It is an exquisite dagger.
That darn thing called pride...
That's what kept me from killing myself and brought me here.
I had once traveled to Goguryeo to kill Yeon Gaesomun as well.
But luck was against me.
I had him in the palm of my hands but I had to let him go.
Very well. Go to Pyongyang.
And eliminate Yeon Gaesomun once and for all.
That is the only way to destroy Goguryeo!
I will keep this dagger for you until then.
Don't forget, Li Kaigu.
Xue Rengui's life
and the fate of this Khitan tribe are in your hands.
- I will not forget, sir. - Let me go with him.
I'm going with you.
It is a royal missive from the King.
The Supreme Commander is preparing
a campaign against Tang.
A campaign against Tang?
In this time of distress?
It appears he's collecting war supplies
on top of excessive conscription.
The livelihood of the people are being destroyed.
And the King?
He asks for the way to stop this conquest.
There is no logic in going after Tang at this point in time.
Our priority right now is to shift
the army back into a defense mode.
General, send a reply to the Supreme Commander.
He will change his mind once he learns our opinion.
Yes, general.
He is not easy to persuade,
but he always listens to you.
Five thousand?
The lords have surrendered only 5,000 soldiers?
This is unacceptable!
Excellency,
we've had consecutive years of crop failure.
The soldiers in these private armies
also work the farms,
so if we pull them out...
Excuses, excuses!
But if they do not work the farms,
the city will be without food.
We are already suffering from food shortage as it is...
Do not try to sway me!
There are fifty thousand soldiers in this assessment record!
Do you understand?
And I want all of them.
He is not the man we used to know.
His face, his eyes...
The physical change is obvious.
I have a bad feeling there
is a huge rainstorm coming our way.
Gossip is everywhere.
They say that the Supreme Commander is not sane.
There was a strange incident you should know about.
The physician that was called to
the Supreme Commander's estate turned up dead.
Who is the killer?
We don't know yet.
That is suspicious.
Is there any movement in Liaodong?
Not yet, sire.
For now we must do what the Supreme Commander wants
in order to turn him and Yang Manchun against each other.
Yes, we intend to surrender our soldiers
like you said we should.
We may be able to turn this crisis into an opportunity.
Excellency,
Lord Namseng would like to see you.
Send him in.
Leave us.
- Don't you hear me? - No, stay where you are.
A private guard is his master's shadow.
He must always stay by my side.
So, what did you wish to talk to me about at this time of the night?
I have been refraining from travels
and practicing restraint.
But today I learned that
you are preparing a campaign against Tang.
- And? - Complaints are fierce.
The popular sentiment is unfavorable,
and if it can't be justified...
What will it take for you to learn your lesson?
Goguryeo's demise to Tang?
No, father.
It's just that the timing is not appropriate...
We don't have a moment to lose
and you say the timing is not appropriate?
Do you want to hand over the country to Tang as well?
Are you going to fight me as well
with lame excuses about failed crops?
No, Father. That was not my intent.
I will not let Tang trample on Goguryeo again
even if I am six feet under!
I will slay everyone that opposes this campaign!
Whether it is the king of this state or my own son,
I will not forgive them.
I will kill them all!
Every single one of them!
Excellency... !