A huge country called Tang was established in the Central Plain.
After taking control of the Central Plain, they will come for the Three Kingdoms.
If the Three Kingdoms are fighting each other,
the people will become slaves of the emperor of Tang for generations.
I will not let Tang have an inch of our land.
Chunchu.
Come back to Seorabeol.
Achieve your ambitions.
Let's accomplish our blood oath to unify the Three Kingdoms.
In 622, Sui was weak from battling against Goguryeo.
Tang conquered Sui and declared the birth of a powerful nation.
As Silla, Baekje and Goguryeo were watching the Central Plain,
battle among themselves let up a bit.
When Queen Maya died, Seungman was crowned the new queen.
She succeeded Queen Sado's power and controlled the court.
During his 40 years of reign,
King Jinpyeong had many children by the royal concubines,
but there weren't any children born by the queen.
When Gukban died, there weren't any men of seonggol status to succeed the throne.
This forecast a political change in Silla.
Your Highness, forget all your grudges and return to the heavens.
I will pray for your easy passage into eternity.
The princess is like a resurrection of the Goddess of Mercy.
Do you know who that is?
Who?
Pungwolju Yeomjang?
I know Yeomjang.
I mean the man next to Kim Yongchun.
I never saw him before.
He must be something for you to show an interest.
- Princess! - Stop!
How dare you stop the princess's procession?
Move out of the way right now.
Princess, please save my baby.
Please don't ignore my request. Please save my baby.
Princess.
What are you doing?
- Get her out of the way! - Yes, sir!
- Princess. - Leave!
Please save my baby.
Stop.
What are you doing to a weak woman?
It could be contagious.
That woman and her baby are people I have to take care of.
Princess.
What is wrong with the baby?
There has been a high fever for seven days.
I thought you might be able to cure my baby by holding him.
Let me see.
You had a fever for seven days. You must have had a hard time.
You poor thing.
Are you alright?
It's the first time he stopped crying in seven days.
You saved my baby.
Thank you, princess.
Thank you.
Sell this and get him some medicine.
Make him some porridge.
Thank you, princess.
Thank you very much.
I feel relieved to be out of my mourning clothes.
I heard you cured a baby and gave away money.
The baby only got better because it was time to get better.
I feel bad about taking credit for Buddha's work.
Gukban might have been crazy, but he was to take the throne.
How will I face the former kings without a successor?
The queen will give you a son. Don't worry.
I won't have any regrets if she does.
Father, Chunchu is back.
Chunchu?
He has grown up well.
If you gave him a position, he will be a loyal servant.
What's the use of being revered?
Public sentiment is fickle like the wind. It could change any time.
Why doesn't the smart princess know
all of the royal family's money won't be enough to save people?
Drink this before it gets cold.
Where did the king go?
He went to Boryanggung.
I'm trying so hard to give him a son.
How can he be so indifferent?
Boro, when did you learn that?
I am just a small servant.
I learned hard to comfort your exhausted body.
Come here
You please me very much.
It would have been nice if you could succeed the throne.
Don't say that.
I feel as if I am sinning.
I'm just upset that the queen doesn't have a son.
I just don't understand why the heavens didn't make the princess a son.
She qualifies to be a ruler.
She qualifies to be a ruler?
Chunchu, are you still disappointed with the galmunwang?
You left Seorabeol for 10 years because of him.
You roamed about the border areas.
I'm sure you're upset.
I've let go of personal grudges.
But he ruined state affairs and persecuted the people.
That should be set straight.
He was sorry about what he did before he closed his eyes.
When I close my eyes, have Chunchu return to Seorabeol.
I didn't hate him.
I was just jealous of his qualities to be a ruler.
The only loyal servant to straighten out the court is Chunchu.
I promise you.
Your Highness, did you come to greet me, so I wouldn't be lonely on my way to hell?
I should go.
The sins you and I committed should be burnt in hell.
I appoint Kim Chunchu as an official of the Office of Surveillance.
You will be my eyes and ears and inspect officials for corruption.
Observe public sentiment and keep our laws in place.
I will obey your command and do my best to fulfill my duties.
I will eradicate all corruption in court.
Anyone who puts the people in misery
will be dealt with by the law regardless of position and social status.
Seungman.
Even a traitor must be treated like a loyal servant.
To protect the laws of the divine land,
you must be able to use people like Bihyeong.
You must hold hands with Baekje and Goguryeo bandits, too.
But not Chunchu.
He will become a traitor that ruins the laws of the divine land.
He must not gain power in court.
Your Highness.
Seungman, protect the laws of the divine land.
Your Highness.
Seungman...
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Your Highness.
I will have a son and protect the laws of the divine land.
I will not let anyone get in the way whether it's the princess or Chunchu.
I'm sorry you have to wander in the border area in your condition.
Even if I enter government service, we will not live in wealth.
Even if the food is rough and the bed isn't comfortable,
if your mind is comfortable, it is paradise.
I am blessed to have met someone like you.
Thank you.
I will not let my child be scorned for having the blood of a dethroned king.
I will be a proud father to our child.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Thank you.
I'm so grateful.
Get out of the way!
Move!
What's going on?
Don't!
Mom!
People are selling their children to get some rice.
They are being taken as slaves to pay back debts.
What has this country come to?
Just give me five nyangs.
Get in line.
What's going on over there?
They're trying to buy salt.
Salt?
There isn't enough salt circulating. Salt is as expensive as gold.
The high officials buy it all.
The people line up from sunrise, but still can't get any salt.
I'm all sold out.
I waited since early morning. You can't do this.
I don't have any more. What am I supposed to do?
I'll pay you. Sell me some salt.
Move.
Go home! Go home!
Oh his back, ten twirls and three drinks.
One.
Seven.
Eight. Nine.
Ten.
One.
Two.
Drink with arms locked.
I'm sorry I'm late. I went to pray at Yeongheungsa.
You went to pray...
Have a drink as a penalty.
Boro, roll the dice.
A drink from mouth to mouth.
Your Highness, anything but that.
A penalty is a penalty. Go on, drink.
I serve His Majesty.
I know it's only for amusement, but I cannot do this.
Please forgive me.
What did you just say?
Are you showing contempt for the queen because the king favors you?
Of course not.
Quiet.
What did you pray for today?
Did you pray that Boro would succeed the throne?
Of course not.
You want to become the queen in my place.
How could I dare think such a thing?
I would take my life right here if I thought such a thing.
Please believe me.
If that's what you want...
Sino, bring it.
If you want to prove your innocence,
drink this.
What is it?
Centipede poison.
I will believe you are innocent if you drink it.
Why are you...
If you drink it, I will make Boro my son and install him as crown prince.
What will you do?
Can you give your life for your son's future?
Mother, you can't do this.
Your Highness, please forgive my mother.
Step back.
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
Will you keep your promise if I drink this?
I made a promise in front of all these servants.
Mother!
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
Your Highness, please forgive me.
Your Highness.
Anyone who wants their son to take the throne, drink this.
Who will drink this?
Yangyang, will you drink it? Seonjeong, how about you?
You compete to be favored by His Majesty.
You don't have the courage to give your life for your child?
What cold-hearted mothers.
Your Highness, how can you be so cruel in the palace?
That's a bit excessive.
We're just having some fun since the mourning is over.
The people are starving.
Wasn't it enough to have a party?
Why are you persecuting the concubines?
I wasn't persecuting anyone. You're mistaken.
I saw you threaten them with the cup of poison.
If you don't believe me, I will clear up this misunderstanding.
Your Highness, what are you doing?
Call the doctor.
I'm alright.
This isn't poison. It's a decoction.
I was just testing their loyalty.
What are you doing?
There are Goguryeo and Baekje spies in the capital and
the people are causing riots because of salt.
How can Hwarangs be drinking with royal concubines?
It's all my fault.
I don't know what to say.
What's wrong with obeying Her Highness's orders?
Hwarangs are respected.
Do you want the people to think you are amusement for the royal family?
I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. Don't be so mad.
If Hwarangs are involved in such a thing again,
I will report you and have you punished.
Why did you do such a thing?
You don't know.
It's been 10 years since I entered the palace.
His Majesty is getting old.
I still haven't given him a son.
The royal concubines are waiting for a chance to take my place.
Don't say that.
Who would dare think such a thing?
I'm not jealous that someone else will become the queen.
If a wise boy like Boro was installed as crown prince,
I would step down myself.
But you know what it took for His Majesty to protect the throne.
If his successor isn't from the main line of descent,
the royal family and court will be in dispute and the nation will face a crisis.
My sins won't be forgiven even after I die.
That's what I'm afraid of.
I didn't realize how much you were thinking about father and our country.
Why did you suffer by yourself for such a long time?
You don't even believe me. Who can I blame?
I will protect you. Don't worry.
Nobody will doubt your loyalty.
Thank you. I'll trust you.
Mother, Bohui dreamt that she was urinating.
She flooded Seorabeol.
Is that true?
Yes.
It was such a vivid dream.
You must not tell anyone about this.
Why not?
What does it mean?
It is a dream that means you will produce a royal descendant.
The queen doesn't have a child.
If rumor of this spreads, it could threaten our family.
Remember what I said.
Chunchu, how are the people?
There isn't any salt in the capital and people are sick.
A more serious problem is the people borrowed money for food.
They are being sold to pay off their debts.
Please cancel any debts and give salt to save the people.
Find me proof of corruption regarding salt and high interest loans.
I will set everything straight right away.
The people are working hard and it hasn't rained in 3 years.
Why is the yield so small?
The salt farm belongs to the sangdaedeung.
How could I dare lie to you?
The records show the precise yield amount.
Oh...
You're Chabi.
You're all grown up.
She's old enough to get married.
But who would take a fierce cat like her?
Just worry about yourself.
How have you been?
I went to the Central Plain.
It looks like battle can't be avoided.
If it can't be avoided, we have to fight and win.
Silla is like a small boat on the vast ocean.
Tang is looking for a chance to possess our land.
The royal family and court should get their act together.
Chunchu entered government service?
I'll bring him when he returns from inspecting the salt farms.
Salt farms?
What's wrong?
He could be in danger.
Load up the baked salt.
Hello.
You came a long way.
Let's go on the boat.
Sure.
You were right.
They are pilfering the salt.
Those boats will leave tonight.
Go and bring soldiers.
The salt farm owners are trafficking salt with people from Wae.
Officials investigating salt farms could easily be killed.
Hurry!
We need 300 sacks of salt next month to trade with Goguryeo.
We could get you 500 sacks if necessary, so don't worry.
Thank you.
Who's there?
I lost my way.
Stop.
What is it?
He's the man from court.
Get him.
I'm an official of the Silla court.
I'm taking this man for breaking the law, so stand back.
Stand back!
Lower your weapons!
Anyone who resists will be killed.
You're lucky. That was close.
Pilfering salt to trade with Wae is a huge crime.
What's the use of causing trouble by letting the court know?
Since it happened at my post, I'll take care of the matter quietly.
What?
I will give you this gold bar.
You want to silence me with a bribe?
Not knowing about this is a crime.
Do you want to commit another crime by bribing a court official?
The offenders will be taken to Seorabeol for questioning.
The salt and gold will be seized as evidence.
If you insist on being stubborn, I have no choice.
Tie him up!
How dare you?
Harming a court official is treason.
You asked for this.
You should have just taken the bribe.
They were all working together?
Yes.
We must save Chunchu before the boat leaves.
If Gwimun attacks, we could be accused of treason again.
They are traitors who defied the court.
I will castigate them with my authority as the former pungwolju of Hwarangdo.
The people worked hard to produce salt.
You're selling it to Wae to satisfy your personal greed.
A mere official in a border area couldn't do this without help.
Who is behind you?
Is it the sangdaedeung?
I was going to throw you to the fish.
But I'll shut that mouth right now.
We came to save Kim Chunchu.
Shoot them! Shoot them!
I'm the former pungwolju Kim Yusin.
I will spare you if you surrender.
- Yusin. - Chunchu.
Are you alright?
I'm alright.
Look out.
Are you alright?
The witnesses are dead,
but if I investigate the transaction records,
I should be able to find out who is behind this.
The sangdaedeung might be involved.
Punish anyone who has committed a crime with national law.
Your Highness, I told you.
Chunchu is a threat.
Are you going to let a loach muddy the court?
I heard it was Yusin who saved him.
This happened because you couldn't control your family.
Whether Chunchu is a loach or a dragon is to be seen.
I brought you a change of clothes.
Thank you.
Go home before it gets too late.
My husband is staying up to take care of state affairs.
I will cook you a warm meal in the morning.
Thank you.
It will be uncomfortable. Will you be alright?
I'm with my husband.
I wouldn't need a velvet bed right now.
I'm sure our baby thinks so, too.
Fire!
Suppress the fire! Suppress the fire!
What happened?
It spread really quickly.
Your wife is still inside.
What?
You can't go in there. It's too dangerous.
Out of my way.
I can't let my wife and baby die.
Sir!
Sir! Sir!
Sir!
You can't go in there!
Sir!
You can't go in there!
Sir! Sir!
Honey!
Honey, wake up.
Honey! Honey! Honey!
Subtitles by KBS World
Only the documents regarding the salt farms disappeared.
The queen conspired with Hwarangdo to give high interest loans?
I will give my life if any of the evidence is false.
I have not been able to give you a son. I will atone for that forever.
Kick Boryang and Boro out of the palace right now!
Please spare us.
It was to unite talented people who will lead the future of this nation.
I'd rather abolish Hwarangdo than see this.