King's Dream
Hwarangdo is a pillar of this nation.
Many wise prime ministers and loyal generals were Hwarangs and they protected this nation.
If a pro-Tang faction becomes the regent of this country,
patriotic Hwarangs will fall to becoming puppets of the Tang emperor.
I will not let the pro-Tang faction step all over Hwarangdo.
If the Hwarangs don't join forces, this country's throne could go to Alcheon.
Do you really want that?
Since when did Hwarangs get involved in political disputes?
I am giving one more warning.
I will not forgive anyone who interferes with the Jingol leaders' meeting.
Are you referring to me as a spiteful pro-Tang traitor?
Ask yourself who is being the Tang emperor's loyal dog.
I understand.
I will not use Hwarangdo as a stepping stone to become the regent,
so don't worry.
Yusin!
It's so nice to see you and hear your voice after all these years.
Come over to my place for a drink.
Munhui will be happy to see you.
I have responsibilities to fulfill at the border.
I can't leave the fortress for long.
Munhui will be upset.
Don't tell her I was in Seorabeol.
Do you really think I am trying to serve Silla to the Tang emperor?
I am only seeking friendly relations with Tang
so that Silla may unify the Three Kingdoms.
Why don't you believe my sincerity?
What split up our trust so much?
Gaya had a fancy crown.
Do you know why it fell?
The pro-Silla factions
convinced the people that they could become more abundant if they followed Silla.
They also guaranteed that Gaya would not be offered up to Silla.
But those people became powerful clans of Silla
and the common people of Gaya were discriminated against in the border areas.
Yusin...
I might be a Silla citizen with pride now,
but in one corner of my heart,
I know I am a descendant of Gaya royalty who couldn't protect the people.
I will never forgive anyone who tries to offer the country
and its people to a more powerful nation.
I promised myself I wouldn't let that happen.
Even if that person is more precious than a real brother,
I will kill him without hesitation.
Kim Yusin opposed Chunchu's regency at the former Hwarang leaders' meeting.
Kim Yusin is respected by the people, but he turned his back on Chunchu.
It looks like the heavens are with you.
Watch what you say!
I am not an insurgent leader who is depending on heavenly luck to take the throne.
I am the court leader who is abiding by Her Majesty's order
to unite the powerful clans to appoint a regent.
That's not what I meant.
We didn't know which way the powerful clans would go.
It looks like Yusin's decision will be helpful in making you the regent.
On this day in August of 612,
We will achieve unification of the Three Kingdoms to stop battles
and save the people of the Three Kingdoms.
If this oath is broken, we will be punished by the heavens.
My cause has gotten clearer.
But I lost Yusin's trust.
What will I do?
You are the only person who can
convince Chunchu not to reform this country by becoming a loyal servant of Tang.
If the Jingol leaders decide to make me the regent,
I am going to make you the sangdaedeung and put you in charge of the court.
Set order straight in court and enhance the pride of Silla.
I will always take the lead in eradicating the court's pro-Tang policies
that damage our national status.
But I am a servant who swore loyalty to Her Majesty.
I am only fulfilling my duties to defend the border area.
I have no intention of entering court.
If you become the regent,
abandon any selfish interests and do your best for this country and our people.
I won't disappoint you.
There is something I wanted to make clear to you before I left.
Go ahead.
I am not opposing Chunchu because the cause to unify the Three Kingdoms is wrong.
It is because he wants to accomplish that by relying on the Tang army.
If the rumor that you are seeking Yeongae Somun's help
to wipe out the pro-Tang factions in court is true,
I also will not forgive that.
Uncle!
Are you really going to be enemies with father?
You can't go until you reconcile with father.
This isn't your concern. Stand back.
If you hate pro-Tang factions that much, kill me first.
Kill me since I'm the one who delivered the song of praise.
What's wrong with you?
Was the dream to unify the Three Kingdoms with my father all just a delusion?
You won't be able to change my mind no matter what you say.
If you really care about your father,
you will have to change his mind for abandoning loyalty
because of a promise he made to the Tang emperor.
Regardless of being for or against Tang, Chunchu is a fine man.
Just reconcile with him.
It's upsetting to see the two of you.
If you let your emotions get in the way,
how does that make you different from people who seek selfish interests?
Chunchu would not want me to give up my beliefs because of affection.
There is a false rumor that Yusin is going to support Alcheon.
It might not be a false rumor.
What?
What are you talking about?
Yusin turned down Alcheon's offer this time.
But a time might come when he joins forces with Alcheon to persecute me
under the guise of eradicating pro-Tang factions.
How did this happen to the two of you?
It is really tearing my heart to pieces.
Is being for or against Tang important enough to split the two of you up?
Can't you go back to being how you were before?
What is the use of unifying the Three Kingdoms when you are alienating each other?
Honey.
Yusin misunderstands my intentions right now.
He will come to realize my true intentions.
If that is the case, go and talk to him and clear up this misunderstanding now.
I'm begging you.
I conquered the Central Plain.
I will conquer Liaodong and make the Three Kingdoms colonies of Tang.
I will borrow your soldiers to take the throne.
I will bring down Goguryeo and Baekje and unify the Three Kingdoms.
I will offer you the Three Kingdoms.
You are a truly loyal servant indeed.
Chunchu! Is this the cause you sought?
I will kill you and prevent any further problems.
Yusin...
Father, uncle is here from Seorabeol.
Chunchu?
The Jingol leaders' meeting is soon.
What brings you all the way here?
Did you come to beg me to change my mind and help you become the regent?
Or did you come to find out if I made a secret promise with Alcheon?
I came to see if the cause we dreamed of together is still alive in your heart.
I'm not the one who abandoned the cause.
You are.
Forget about any misunderstandings and return to your old self.
How am I to unify the Three Kingdoms without you?
You have the Tang emperor's soldiers.
How can I save the people of the Three Kingdoms with the Tang emperor?
If that is true, break off the alliance with the Tang emperor.
Then I will gladly hold your hand and give my life for unifying the Three Kingdoms.
Without the Tang soldiers,
there is no way we can defeat Yeongae Somun's iron soldiers
and the elite Baekje soldiers led by Gyebaek.
How long do you think you will be able to fight in battle?
The Silla-Tang alliance is a shield that protects Silla.
It will also be a spear that attacks the capitals of Goguryeo and Baekje.
What if the Tang emperor takes down Goguryeo and Baekje and attacks Silla?
What will you do then?
Where will you borrow soldiers from to protect the Three Kingdoms?
I will not let that happen.
Even when the whole world turned on me,
you trusted me and supported me.
Trust me this time, too.
I will if you break off the alliance with Tang.
But if you maintain your loyalty to the Tang emperor, I will cut off all relations with you.
Make a decision.
Who will you unify the Three Kingdoms with?
Me or the Tang emperor?
Yusin.
You really can't give up the alliance with Tang?
You trust the Tang emperor's promise more than you trust me?
Is that it?
I'm sorry.
I felt like I owned the world when I gained the cause to unify the Three Kingdoms.
Now, it feels like I lost everything.
Go back to Seorabeol.
There is nothing I have to share with you now.
If you become the regent of Silla and take the throne in the future,
it will be a great cause of celebration for the Three Kingdoms.
The king of Goguryeo will send an envoy to congratulate you
and to declare friendly relations between Goguryeo and Silla.
If Goguryeo and Silla join forces to eradicate the pro-Tang factions
and defend against attacks by the Tang emperor,
nobody would dare try to attack the Three Kingdoms.
I believe in your loyalty.
I will write you a reply to take to the mangniji.
Silla-Baekje border area
You have a dark expression tonight.
Is it because of Chunchu?
Why is a great general like you wavering because of personal emotions?
If Chunchu abandons the cause and insists on pro-Tang policies,
you could just kill him.
Would that be an easy decision for you?
I've been drinking and playing Baduk with you for years.
We had many frank conversations.
But if I receive a royal order, I will not hesitate to kill you.
That is accepting my fate as a Baekje general.
Listening to you is making me sadder.
Hwasi, comfort Yusin with your sword.
Samgwang, what brings you here?
Father, Beopmin came with an urgent message from Seorabeol.
Beopmin, what brings you here?
ho is this?
He is a spy sent by Yeongae Somun.
What?
Yeongae Somun?
The court spent years to find out who was colluding with Goguryeo.
It looks like we got the result.
I am not a spy.
I am a Buddhist priest of Goguryeo.
I only came to see the pagoda at Hwangnyongsa
He went to the gisaeng house where Alcheon and Sajin were.
We don't have to hear more.
He'll tell us everything if we hang him upside down and beat him.
Did you search his belongings?
There wasn't anything suspicious.
It is a transcription of "Geumganggyeong".
This is...
How can this be?
How can Alcheon do this?
King Jinji's tomb
If I become the regent today and take the throne in the future,
I will make up for grandfather's unjust dethronement
and I will achieve father's lifetime dream.
Even if the heavens don't allow me to take the throne,
I will not be disappointed.
I will give my full loyalty until Silla
achieves prosperity and the Three Kingdoms are unified.
That is the true way to recover grandfather's throne
since he wanted to save the people from suffering.
Please look after me,
so I will not abandon the cause because of greed for the throne
and I will not forget my loyalty.
Chunchu is too late.
He should be here soon.
Please wait a little longer.
The sun is going to set.
Declare the start of the meeting.
As the leader of Jingols, I declare the meeting of the Jingol leaders.
Since Her Majesty is ill, I would like to suggest a regent to take over national matters.
You are Jingol leaders.
Speak frankly as to who should inherit the will of our former kings
and set the fate of this nation straight.
Chunchu, I'm glad you're here.
Have a seat.
I will not participate in this decision.
Don't you know you have to participate to qualify to be the regent?
I give up my qualification as regent.
I am giving that up, but I will not give up on reforming Silla.
I am asking all of you.
This is going to have to be the last meeting of the Jingol leaders.
Whoever becomes the regent,
the meeting of the Jingol leaders challenges royal authority
and must be abolished.
For prosperity of Silla and unification of the Three Kingdoms,
the court must be reformed with royal authority
and national laws and the country must be set straight.
The powerful clans must uphold royal authority and give up vested interests.
Only then will the fate of Silla be set straight.
And only then will the people be able to melt weapons
and make farming tools for a peaceful life.
I truly hope you will consider that.
Chunchu withdrew. Continue with the meeting.
Stop!
Hwarangdo will protect Her Majesty and the palace.
The royal palace guards will lower their weapons and open up a path.
Anyone who resists will be killed.
Are you committing treason?
Kill them all!
Pungwolju, disarm all the guards who follow Alcheon and protect Her Majesty.
Understood.
I will accept the decision of the Jingol leaders and become the regent.
I will serve the heavens and care for the people.
I will show the Three Kingdoms what our former kings accomplished.
Hurray for the regent!
Yusin, why are you bursting into the meeting with soldiers?
I order you as the regent, retreat with your soldiers.
I cannot accept the decision of the Jingol leaders' meeting.
I have no reason to obey your order.
What?
Yusin! If you dare resist, you will be...
What are you doing?
You dare to resist the Jingol leaders' decision and commit treason?
Do you want to take the throne?
Quiet!
I warned you that I would not forgive anyone who colluded with Goguryeo.
How dare a traitor who colluded with Goguryeo become the regent?
Aren't you afraid of the heavens?
How dare you accuse me without any proof?
Do you recognize this?
It is a secret letter you wrote to Yeongae Somun.
It says if you become the regent,
you will eradicate pro-Tang factions from the court
and you will raise an army with Goguryeo to fight Tang.
Are you going to deny you wrote this?
Is it true what he is saying?
Of course not.
He is trying to frame me. Do not fall for this
Alcheon!
Have you been blinded by the throne?
Suppress the traitors who won't accept this regency!
Father, why did you give up the chance to become the regent?
Even if I become the regent, I can't unify the Three Kingdoms if I can't win Yusin's heart.
I believe giving up the regency is better than losing your uncle.
My heart feels much lighter now that the burden of the throne has been removed.
If Alcheon becomes the regent, the Silla-Tang alliance could be destroyed.
Achieving peace of the Three Kingdoms through friendly relations with Tang
is a general trend that nobody can go against.
No matter who becomes the regent,
if I hold fast to my beliefs and fulfill my duties as a servant,
my dream will come true some day.
Father!
Uncle asked me to bring you to Guksaam.
Was it your decision to attack the meeting with soldiers?
Or was it Chunchu's?
It was the will of the people who want the royal family and court
to be protected and also want prosperity for Silla.
You did everything in your power for the fate of this country.
Why did you collude with Goguryeo?
Even if you take the throne,
don't you know that you would just be Yeongae Somun's puppet?
Anything I say will just sound like a pathetic excuse to you.
All I ever wanted all my life was a peaceful reign.
Greed for the throne blinded me and blurred my judgment.
That's why this happened.
What is going on?
I only came to investigate a traitor who colluded with the Goguryeo mangniji
to take the throne.
Sangdaedeung,
why...
I can't face you.
If this becomes known,
the powerful clans will be divided and public sentiments will waver.
How are we going to overcome this crisis?
The only way to solve this is for you to become the regent.
I can't do that.
I don't qualify to be the regent.
If you refuse, the powerful clans will fight over the throne.
There will be much bloodshed in Seorabeol.
The Jingol leaders appointed me as the regent.
With my authority as the regent,
I am passing on the regency to you.
I might have strayed from my duties as a loyal servant because of my greed for power,
but I will do my best to settle this crisis.
Do not refuse me this last act of loyalty.
It seems like that is the only way to settle this matter.
Accept his loyalty.
Yusin.
Now that you have become the regent,
I can finally feel less guilty about not being able to carry out the former queen's will.
I am relieved.
Alcheon, you conceded regency.
I'm sure it was a difficult decision.
It will be recorded in history as a loyal act.
Unite the court and care for the people when you carry out national matters.
I will fulfill my duties as the regent with loyalty and trust.
Thank you.
I trust you.
I became the regent because of your cause.
I will not abandon your cause.
I still cannot agree to pro-Tang policies.
But since you are the regent,
I will abide by your wishes as a servant of the royal family.
Yusin.
I, Kim Yusin, swear to be a servant who sets the fate of this nation straight.
Please accept my loyalty.
I will use your loyalty as a sword to achieve prosperity for Silla
and unify the Three Kingdoms.
In 654, Queen Jindeok passed away and Kim Chunchu became the 29th king of Silla.
According to "Samguk Sagi", the servants asked Alcheon to be the regent,
but Alcheon put Kim Chunchu on the throne.
Kim Chunchu was of Jingol status
and his ascension to the throne
announced the beginning of a new succession of kings who were Jingols.
Kim Chunchu aggressively sought pro-Tang policies before he became the king
and his ascension caused tension in Goguryeo.
Baekje was also at battle with Silla and had to be on the watch.
Kim Chunchu begged for his father and daughter's life with tears.
Silla must be nearing its end since someone like that took the throne.
Yeongae Somun is gnashing his teeth at Kim Chunchu for holding hands with Tang.
Goguryeo will attack Silla soon.
We should send an envoy to Pyeongyang to seek a military alliance.
I will join forces with Yeongae Somun and wipe out Silla.
Your Majesty,
the battle is lasting long and the people are complaining.
You should stop battle for a while and embrace public sentiments.
What?
You were dethroned as the crown prince.
Why are you still saying such weak things?
I will not stop attacking until the royal family of Silla is ruined.
I will show Kim Chunchu how harsh the throne can be.
Kim Chunchu abandoned my trust and colluded with the Tang emperor.
I will not let him look down on the Goguryeo court.
I will order the iron soldiers of Goguryeo to attack Silla
and discipline Kim Chunchu once and for all.
The king of Baekje will send soldiers when we attack Silla.
If Silla wants to join forces with Tang,
I will join forces with Baekje and make Silla fall.
I am appointing Geumgang as the sangdaedeung.
Accept this order.
Your Majesty,
I am honored that you would appoint me to such a position,
but please withdraw your request since I supported Alcheon before.
I am appointing you because you have the experience to lead the court.
Regardless of birth and faction,
I will appoint talented people to lead national affairs.
By doing that,
I will unite the court, so abide by my wishes.
We will abide by your wishes.
Your Majesty,
Goguryeo attacked the northern border with Baekje and Mohe.
Please order Kim Yusin's iron soldiers to defeat them.
I cannot do that since Kim Yusin's iron soldiers must defend the border area near Baekje.
We won't be able to defeat the Goguryeo and Baekje soldiers without Kim Yusin's iron soldiers.
I will send a letter to the Tang emperor asking to attack the Goguryeo border.
Order them to lock the gates and focus on defense.
The Goguryeo soldiers will retreat soon.
If the soldiers move without a royal order,
I will punish them for treason.
How can he do this?
He took the throne because of you.
He can't treat you like this.
Watch what you say.
I'm just so mad.
He appointed Geumgang, a follower of Alcheon, as the sangdaedeung
and has you stuck here at the border area.
His Majesty requested Tang soldiers to defend against Goguryeo.
Tang soldiers might be coming to the Baekje border area, too.
I will not allow Tang soldiers to set foot in Seorabeol.
I will show His Majesty we can unify the Three Kingdoms without the help of Tang soldiers.
Was there such a move?
I lost.
I can't beat your skills.
I think this will be our last night.
Did you make a decision?
The next time we meet, we won't be playing Baduk.
We will have to fight in battle.
I expected to lead Baekje and Silla soldiers
with you some day and defeat the soldiers of Tang.
It must have been a futile dream
One of us has to die for the battles to end in the Three Kingdoms.
I will sharpen my sword for the day we have to fight in battle.
Silla palace
I'm glad you came.
I was going to ask you to come to discuss something.
How did you know?
I came to ask you to send me to conquer Baekje.
Did you just say conquer Baekje?
I will take Sabiseong and kill king Uija.
Please consider my request.
You can't go to battle against Baekje.
I will fight for my life to be a leader in unifying the Three Kingdoms.
Please do not refuse my request.
I said you can't go.
Why are you trying to resist me?
If you resist a royal order,
I will kill you and show how strict the throne is.