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[Episode 18]
You want to allow those who aren't nobility
to take the national examination?
I just did what I've learned from you, father.
What did you learn from me?
[*Kyun: Equality]
Kyun.
All peoples are equal regardless of their social classes.
You worked so hard for equal tax laws
because you wanted to make Joseon a nation
where all people can live well equally
regardless of their class.
Making an equal living
is not a bad thing.
However,
governing the nation is a different matter.
How is it different?
If all of our citizens,
not just the nobility,
but the farmers and merchants
want to become government officials too,
what will happen to society?
We will be thrown into chaos.
The nobles and scholars selected by the king
should dominate our society.
Farmers should stick to farming,
merchants should do business
and technicians should practice their specialties.
They should live within their means and classes.
We live in times of peace.
It's possible for competent farmers
or merchants to become officials
and for nobles or scholars
to farm or do business.
You cannot break the order of social status!
If you deny such order like this,
what will be the next step?
They will look down
on the Royal Family first,
and then eventually deny it.
Don't you understand that?
Such a Royal Family shouldn't be continued.
What… What did you just say?
If the Royal Family cannot exist
without having the nobility as its shield,
such a Royal Family
is not worthy of survival.
Are you telling me that
you would not mind the fall of
the Royal Family?
The authority of the Royal Family shines
when it is established on the support and trust of the people.
This is the time to seize that, so please
make a wise and resolute decision, father.
The Royal Family doesn't gain the support and trust of the people
by accepting every request that comes from them.
They would rather obey and support the Royal Family
when we inculcate the people with fear
through appropriate control.
However…
Therefore I order you to recant the regulations
about the examination immediately
and nullify your declaration.
I cannot accept your order.
Regardless of your will,
the exam will be executed by its original regulations.
What do you mean?
Royal Secretary!
Are you out there, Royal Secretary?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Dismiss the Minister of Rites, Lee Jong Sung, immediately
and appoint Min Baek Sang to the position.
This is an act of arrogation, father.
It is no such thing. This necessary.
Our view on the politics could be different anytime.
Will you change every time that happens?
You're shaking a social foundation of this nation,
as well as jeopardizing the Royal Family and the state now.
This isn't a matter of differing points of view.
What I am doing now
is protecting the nation of Joseon.
You should expect a backlash from the citizenry.
If you don't want to see me using violence again,
suppress them by yourself.
That's the only thing
you can do at this point.
[Ministry of Rites]
I need you to vacate your office immediately.
What do you mean?
[Officer Jeong Chang Uwi, Minister of Rites Min Baek Sang, and Officer Choi Ei Man]
It means you are no longer the Minister of Rites.
This is royal edict states that I am the new Minister of Rites, minister.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
If you failed to persuade the prince,
you should have looked for another way.
How could you ask for the king's help?
Madmen do not require persuasion.
How dare you?
If the idea of equal treatment between nobility and commoners
is not madness, then what is it?
Take your people and leave the office immediately.
If not, I'll call the guards to drag you out.
I don't want to disrespect an old man like you.
No…
It's okay.
Don't be disappointed.
It wasn't a right granted to you in the first place.
How could you say such a thing?
You can say that because it didn't happen to you!
Dong Ki, it's okay.
Dong Ki.
Don't cry.
Are they mocking us?
What is this?
Min Woo Seob.
Yes,
Your Highness.
What do you think?
Do you think that I should withdraw like this?
For the sake of your safety,
yes, Your Highness.
His Majesty was furious over this.
Who would be more furious?
Is it the king or the people whose dreams were shattered?
Did the crown prince collect the declaration in person?
Yes, minister.
[Chief State Councillor, Kim Sang Ro]
It doesn't seem he's withdrawing any.
[Minister of Defense, Hong Gye Hee]
The crown prince seems to be out of control now.
[Eoyoungdaejang, Hong Bong Han]
He would stop this madness after he ruins
this country with his own hands.
Don't you think so?
We need you
to clarify your position.
Where do you stand on the policies of examination regulations?
Did you share your intention with the crown prince?
No way.
Why would I?
If not, why did you just hesitate at the meeting
and say nothing?
That's because…
We won't think of you as a member of the Old Learning Faction,
if you take the crown prince's side even on this matter.
Councillor.
If you do not wish to be stricken from our faction,
clarity your position.
Royal Secretary.
You should watch every movement of the crown prince carefully.
I want you to forestall any further problems from the crown prince.
If you tell me a single lie about him,
you will have to resign.
That'll happen to you.
Why aren't you answering me?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Eunuch Sang.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Call out all your men and order them
to watch the crown prince's palace.
I have already arranged it, Your Majesty.
We should make the next examination
a rung on the ladder of success for the sons of the Old Learning Faction.
I'll do so in accordance with custom.
When we have the chance,
we should fill out retainer positions
with those of the Old Learning Faction by any means necessary.
Then when the opportunity comes to take down the crown prince,
we'll be able to do so.
The Old Learning Faction is planning a cheating system for the examination.
Since they said that they'd do it according to custom,
it doesn't seem like their first time doing so.
If…
If I can prove their misconduct,
I would have a chance
to reverse this situation.
Don't you need someone to drink with you?
Drinking...
Why are you doing this?
Do you want to take the examination that badly?
Dal Seong.
Yes, master.
Send *Jeonseoku.
[*Jeonseoku: A carrier pigeon]
Lee Dal Seong sent me a message?
Yes, Your Highness.
"You want to provide examination qualifications to commoners?"
"I know the way."
What does that mean?
Why don't you ignore it?
Too many people are watching the palace.
Why don't we go back now?
It has been more than an hour since the time we promised to meet.
Let's just go.
No matter how desperate he is,
he's still the crown prince.
He wouldn't believe
a merchant interpreter could solve the problem…
You are…
It has been
a long time since I saw you last,
Your Highness.
You look well.
You're still alive.
I didn't expect that you'd become the master of a merchant.
After the events of 1755, I escaped to Uiju.
The master there took care of me
and handed over to me
his position when he died.
You must be grateful for him.
So…
When did you come back to the city?
It hasn't been long.
Is it bearable to live here?
I'm handling it.
Have you heard about Ji Dam?
On my way to Uiju,
I lost her while escaping from the royal forces.
Since then,
I've looked for her everywhere,
but I haven't found her yet.
Have you asked Buyongjae about her?
Madam said she doesn't know.
I think
she believed that was the best way to protect Ji Dam.
What do you mean?
Ji Dam…
She's under my protection now.
Would you like to see her?
Of course I would.
I'll find a way.
I will
never forget your kindness, Your Highness.
Master is meeting the crown prince now.
He is pretending that he doesn't know about you,
so be careful on this matter.
Why don't get to the point now?
You have a way to provide examination qualifications to commoners.
That's what your message said.
Yes, it's true.
What is your way?
Who is it that interrupted your will, Your Highness?
As far as I know,
it was the Old Learning Faction and His Majesty.
Word reaches you quickly.
Information is also money to a merchant.
What would happen
if the new Minister of Rites, Min Baek Sang,
who His Majesty appointed himself were to commit serious misconduct
during the exam?
What if it were serious enough
to negate the examination system itself?
It would be a crisis of the king's personnel affairs.
What if it were revealed to the public?
Public sentiment is already in disarray.
What if we provoke it even further?
Are you saying I should attack my father?
Do you want me to attack him
over a failure in personnel affairs?
Are you willing to do it?
Instead, you should be asking me if I'm still willing to keep my promise
to the citizenry.
If that is the only way,
I accept your proposal.
No matter what it costs me,
I will provide examination qualifications for all commoners.
Then
please allow me to support you.
By the way,
how did you know about it?
How could you know that the Old Learning Faction
will commit misconduct during the examination?
I knew about it
because of this paper.
As soon as Min Baek Sang became
Minister of Rites for the Old Learning Faction,
we had a rush of orders for this premium paper.
This paper is different from plain paper
not just in thickness and color,
but also in pattern if you look closely.
Applicants who use this premium paper
are from rich, noble families,
so the corrupt examiners pick this paper first.
There's a rumor that sons of the Old Learning Faction
buy paper from a certain store with a mark on it
that only the Old Learning Faction
officials can recognize.
If we can find out which store it is...
That
would be a huge step forward.
[Youngryongjeon in Changdeok Palace]
[Youngryongjeon: Where the memorial tablet of a king or queen is kept]
I ordered you not to let anyone in here. Who is it?
It is Kim Sang Ro, Your Majesty.
Why are you at the *Honjeon of the deceased
Queen Consort, Your Majesty?
[Honjeon: Where the memorial tablet of a king or queen is kept for three years]
I stopped by to complain to her
about whatever was so urgent in heaven
that she had to leave me early.
If she had to leave me so early,
it would have been much better
if she had given me
a *Jeoktongdaekun before she died.
[*Jeoktongdaekun: A prince who is born from the Queen Consort]
I
stopped by here to complain to her about all this.
What did the queen consort answer you?
Don't be ridiculous.
What are you talking about?
Didn't she tell you that it isn't too late
to find a way to have aJeoktongdaekun?
What are you here to tell me?
It has been two years
since the Queen Consort passed away.
You should not leave the position
of mother of the nation vacant for so long.
Chief State Councillor.
Now is the time
for you to take a new Queen Consort, Your Majesty,
especially one who can give you Jeoktongdaekun.
What is the reason?
I mean your reason
for advising me to take a new Queen Consort for Jeoktongdaekun.
It's because Joseon's crown prince
will put it in danger.
Joseon in danger?
The destruction of the order of social statuses
is same as the destruction of the nation, Joseon.
Are you willing to turn the crown over to him
even if he won't withdraw his will on this matter?
I'll force him to withdraw.
What will you do
if he never withdraws?
The crown will be still turned over to the crown prince
because he is your only heir.
Why don't you choose a new king again?
I am different from Kim Taek.
I have never seen anything overpower you, Your Majesty.
I will only be under your authority
and only take the authority you grant me.
Please
take a new Queen Consort
and have a new heir of the royal bloodline.
That is the only way
to protect the Royal Family and this nation,
Your Majesty.
His Majesty suddenly visited the memorial of the late Queen Consort?
I think
he is willing to take a new one.
That's good news.
What do you mean?
His Majesty considers Royal Noble Consort Youngbin
the biological mother of His Highness.
[Youngbin: Crown Prince Sado's birth mother]
His Majesty has said that
repeatedly to his court ladies.
His Majesty's decision
could change as of today.
What do you mean?
Chief State Councillor Kim Sang Ro
met His Majesty privately today.
They were together a long time.
Currently, the Old Learning Faction is
desperate trying to take down the crown prince.
They are about to depose him.
Is this because of the examination qualifications?
So…
what do you think they talked about?
I'm sure Kim Sang Ro strongly advised
His Majesty to take a new Queen Consort
who can give him a new heir.
If they're looking for a new Queen Consort for a new heir,
Royal Noble Consort Moon is the most likely candidate.
Who else?
His Majesty is about seventy years old now.
He would be embarrassed to order the royal decree to find a new Queen Consort.
I heard that you had a meeting
with His Majesty at the Honjeon
for the deceased Queen Consort.
You have a good ear for information.
As a future mother to Jeoktongdaekun,
such a thing is required of me.
Did you say
mother to Jeoktongdaekun?
I am, in fact, His Majesty's
only favorite.
I think
it's most likely I will be the new Queen Consort
from multiple points of view.
Make me the new Queen Consort.
That way
you will be the most reliable retainer
of the next king, councillor.
I will think about it.
I will give you a gift
to help you to make your decision.
A gift?
There's a suspicious woman in the crown prince's palace.
A suspicious woman?
People say she's the niece of the late Court Lady Park,
but I think it's a lie.
I think she's a suspicious woman the crown prince brought here secretly.
That's what I meant.
Go to Kyohwa immediately
and bring the family of late Court Lady Park.
Right now.
Yes, sir.
If there's a suspicious woman in the crown prince's palace,
it could be Seo Ji Dam.
It could be the daughter of the traitor Seo Gyun.
Bringing the daughter of a traitor into the palace?
He wouldn't do such a thing.
Looking at how the prince is acting these days,
he could do much worse.
What brings you to my office, Your Highness?
I need you to go to Kyohwa right now.
Why Kyohwa?
It's an urgent matter.
You may go back first.
I need to stop by somewhere.
Yes, sir.
Why are you here, father?
Are you back from work?
Look at how you're living.
Please come in.
It's okay.
I don't have much time.
I want to ask you this for caution's sake.
A woman named Seo Ji Dam...
Is this true that the prince didn't hide her away?
What…
He didn't hide her away or keep her somewhere unexpected, did he?
No, he didn't.
Okay then.
If the crown prince makes a reckless decision,
you should do your best to stop him
so you can have a future too.
Father.
Thank you.
You came all this way
because you were worried about me.
It's because your life is so pathetic.
I wasn't worried about you.
[Court Lady Park's house in Kyohwa]
Did you say that they fled by night?
They borrowed money from all their neighbors at *Jangri
[Jangri: Money or grain loaned at an interest rate of over 50%]
and fled without returning it.
You!
Who are you?
What is your relationship with the Park family?
- Aren't you one of them? - Didn't you hide them away?
Where the hell are they?
- Tell us! - Tell us!
Good job.
Wow, this is so much money!
Thank you, sir.
They fled by night?
This is getting more and more
suspicious.
The Old Learning Faction is desperate to take the crown prince down.
How could you be acting with him?
The woman named Seo Ji Dam...
Send her away immediately.
If I send her out right away,
it will only cause greater suspicion,
father.
How could you make such a bad decision, Your Highness?
Who has changed you so?
You called for me, Your Highness?
Follow me.
I failed to save your father,
but the book he wrote
that made people laugh and cry...
I wanted to find that book
and give it to you.
It's good.
This is a letter.
Go to *Ankookbang and deliver it to the commander.
[*Ankookbang: One of twelve districts in Northern Hanseongbu]
Yes, Your Highness.
Also...
Go meet him.
He'll be glad to see you.
I'm here to deliver a letter to the commander from the crown prince.
I'll send Ji Dam as a messenger first.
She has free access from the palace as a *Bongseo Nain,
[*Bongseo Nain: A court lady who writes letters for the Royal Family]
but it will be dangerous
to send her as a messenger repeatedly.
This spot would be good.
That means we'll need a different way to communicate promptly.
[*Saececk: The practice of illegally publishing and lending books]
He wants to communicate like we used to for *Saececk.
You've been near the crown prince. What do you think of him now?
It is okay for us to support him?
Yes, of course.
The crown prince hasn't changed from the person we used to know.
Will you retire to the countryside?
I don't know what to say
because I couldn't achieve anything
due to my own incompetence.
You can't retire like that, minister.
I am sorry for your resignation,
but our war isn't over yet.
Your Highness?
Find me a Ministry of Rites official
who could do what's been written here.
Soon
you will meet someone who will ask for your help.
Did the crown prince send you?
Do you have names of the officials?
I set a trap,
so I will know soon.
I will visit you again
when the sun is low tomorrow.
He hasn't gotten the names yet?
We have only a few days left until the exam date.
If his investigation is this slow,
can we do this successfully?
I will investigate the matter myself.
No.
It's like that our opponents
are carefully watching both of us.
You must not move carelessly.
Still...
Secrecy is critical. If either the king
or the Old Learning Faction finds out about what we're doing now,
that will be the end of it.
We must let other work on it for us.
How is the crown prince these days?
He woke up at five and visited you for a morning greeting.
Afterward, he ate breakfast and had a morning greeting with the retainers.
Then there was a regular meeting and briefing.
And afterwards?
He attended the question session with local authorities.
I didn't ask you to tell me his schedule.
His schedule hasn't changed for the last ten days.
Are you sure that you're watching him closely?
As far as I know, you have more people monitoring
His Highness than just me, Your Majesty.
Have their accounts
differed from mine?
What about when he's not working?
What does he do in his free time?
Straighten your arms.
Stand with your feed at shoulder-width.
Tighten your lower abdomen.
Don't rely on just the strength of your arms.
You should use your whole body.
Yes.
That's right.
Now...
Pull the string with all your might.
You're better than your mother.
Your Highness.
Well done.
Would you like to go again?
Yes, father.
Okay.
For the rest of his day,
he spends time with his family.
Then
has he completely withdrawn his insistence
on the examination qualifications?
If you are curious,
why not call him and ask him so,
Your Majesty?
He is not the type to give up so easily.
What does he have in mind?
The king is deeply suspicious of your recent movements.
Suspicious?
What is the reason for your indifferent attitude?
He told me not to make any reckless moves.
Now he's complaining that I'm doing nothing?
Have you withdrawn your will?
I mean your will to provide examination qualifications to commoners.
I am asking if you have withdrawn your will on this matter.
If I don't withdraw it,
would you find me a new way?
Your Highness.
I've suffered enough to withdraw my will,
so why don't you stop trying to divine my intentions?
Is it necessary to hide it from him?
You could tell him the truth and ask for his help...
No.
That's not a good idea.
If you want to deceive your enemy,
you must deceive your allies first.
This… This…
This is really strange.
Why is the crown prince so quiet?
He isn't the type to give up so easily.
That's true, but…
Even though so many people are monitoring him,
and not just the crown prince
but even his closest retainer, Min Woo Seob,
they've never left the palace.
No matter what he's tried, he couldn't find a way.
He must have withdrawn his will.
This is a list of the officials who will commit misconduct,
but more importantly than that, it's a list
of how they will do so.
There's even a book with the exam question pool?
[Ministry of Rites Official, Choi Ei Man]
Books like Jekang, Shinje and Yekiseongdo…
The examiners sell these books to the applicants,
but the book price is up to the seller.
I found something even worse than that, though.
There are even examiners who sell *Shije itself?
[*Shije: An exact copy of the examination questions]
Who are these wicked people?
Out of the list from Minister Lee Jong Sung,
I could find two officials who have actually committed misconduct.
Jeong Chang Uwi and Choi Ei Man.
Good job.
You know
I used to be a Western Police Bureau officer.
Ministry of Rites officials
Jeong Chang Uwi and Choi Ei Man?
Both of them are
devoted retainers of my father.
He didn't secure only evidence. He has witnesses
to prove their misconduct.
What should we do now?
Should we not begin our attack?
Could there be any other way?
No.
I mean, is this the right thing to do?
Your Highness.
Exposing the corruption of your father,
the Minister of Rites and his retainers all for dismissal...
The one behind such a ridiculous appointment was
none other than my father, the king of this nation.
If I expose the true condition of our government to the public
to push ahead with my policy for the national examination,
is it really right thing to do?
We have no other option.
You made a promise to your citizens.
You promised to provide examination qualifications to all commoners.
Can you abandon that promise, Your Highness?
The nobles and scholars selected by the king
should dominate our society.
Farmers should stick to farming,
merchants should do business
and technicians should practice their specialties.
They should live within their means and classes.
We live in times of peace.
Exposing the corruption of your father,
the Minister of Rites and his retainers all for dismissal...
The one behind such a ridiculous appointment was
none other than my father, the king of this nation.
Let's look for a way together
for you
to take the exam
under your own name, Jang Dong Ki.
Is there
such a way?
If there is not,
we should make a new road now.
You called for me, Your Highness?
At any cost,
I cannot give up a promise to my people.
Then have you decided
to confront your father?
From now on,
it would be best for you to stay out of this.
Your Highness...
No matter how great the sin,
I cannot dishonor your father
by arresting him in front of you.
What brings you to my humble home, Your Highness?
I know that you have colluded with your retainers
Jeong Chang Uwi and Choi Ei Man
to commit misconduct for the upcoming examination.
I have already secured both
evidence and witnesses to prove it.
What would happen if I arrested you here
and blamed my father as incompetent king
over the failure of his appointing you
as Minister of Rites?
I think I would have a chance to achieve my goals
to provide examination qualifications to commoners.
What do you think about that?
If so, then you could have just sent officers to arrest me.
Why did you visit me in person?
I want to give you an opportunity.
An opportunity
to correct all this misconduct yourself.
Also,
I need a chance as well.
What kind of a chance, Your Highness?
A chance to not to be my father's opponent.
I do not wish to attack my father.
I want the chance to persuade him rather than confront him.
Grant examination qualifications to commoners for this exam.
Let's just give them an opportunity.
If you grant them such a chance
and no commoners will pass the exam,
I will step down.
However, if any commoner does pass the exam,
I will use the results
to persuade my father again.
If you order my arrest right here,
I will accept it.
However,
I cannot accept your will to provide examination qualifications
to commoners.
I told you not to follow me.
What are you doing here?
I am sorry.
Why are you doing this?
What do you want to protect
by ruining yourself like this?
Go away.
If you change your mind now,
you can remedy this injustice yourself.
I told you to leave.
You can start again
after remedying this injustice.
Please start over
and give me a chance...
A chance to learn from you, father.
Even though the crown prince's thoughts differ,
I want to learn the tolerance and wisdom
to know that difference isn't necessarily wrong.
I want to learn it from you, father, not from anyone else.
For once…
Just for once…
Please take up courage.
Even if the crown prince is wrong,
he can learn from his failure.
So please...
Take up courage and allow him this chance.
Father.
You fool.
I heard that
the crown prince visited you yesterday.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Why?
The crown prince requested *Chinlim
[Chinlim: Royalty visiting a certain place in person]
for the examination site to provide Shije.
Chinlim?
The crown prince is going to the examination site in person?
Why?
Even though it's false information,
the crown prince heard word
that the Ministry of Rites leaked Shije in advance.
As I cannot find a way to prove our innocence,
I think if the crown prince visits the site himself
to provide Shije, it'll improve the fairness of the exam.
Yes.
Okay.
Go ahead.
I appreciate your understanding, Your Majesty.
I think I can find a way
to persuade my father now.
Beginning with the national exam next month,
I want to dramatically expand
the examination qualifications.
No, Your Highness.
This is a respected tradition.
It is not so easy to abolish, Your Highness.
When all the retainers opposed me,
you not only took my hand,
but you even told me that you'd be mad with me.
Your understanding and loyalty will have
a place deep in my heart,
so you need not be concerned about me.
You may retire.
I wish you to take care of yourself.
Retiring to the countryside…
Now our mission is to gather commoners to the examination
site in secrecy.
Did you call, Your Highness?
I need you to do me a favor.
*Kyeokjaeng?
[*Kyeokjaeng: System to report complaints of injustice to the king]
I should do *Kyeokjaeng?
You're too resentful to go back home like this.
Gather everyone who feels the way that you do
at the examination site on the day of the exam
to do Kyeokjaeng.
Your voice should be heard before you give up.
Don't you think so?
Give us an opportunity, Your Highness.
We want to take the exam too, Your Highness.
I even sold my cow to pay for my travel expenses to get here!
You can't do this, Your Highness.
Give us an opportunity, Your Highness.
We want to take the exam, too, Your Highness.
Your Highness!
Give us an opportunity!
- Give us an opportunity! - Give us an opportunity!
Your Highness!
Just give us the chance!
- Give us the chance! - Give us the chance!
Your Highness!
Councillor.
Go inside quickly.
I can't do that.
They need to come too...
If you don't want this to fail,
you have to go in first.
What are you doing, Royal Guards?
Take the prince inside and quickly close the door!
Here comes the crown prince!
We want to take the exam too!
- Open the door! - Open the door!
Give us an opportunity!
Open the door!
- Open the door! - Open the door!
Open the door!
- Open the door! - Open the door!
Give us an opportunity!
- Open the door! - Open the door!
Step aside.
I have to open the door.
I can't do that.
Why are you trying to stop me now?
I will open the door,
but I cannot let you do it with your own hands, Your Highness.
If you do,
you will be held fully responsible for this matter.
I expected that.
Your Highness.
You should not take such a risk.
Please let me take responsibility for being the one to let
commoners set foot in here.
Councillor.
The reason
I saved my life in the humiliating events of 1755
was only to protect you, Your Highness.
So please…
That door...
Let me be the one to open it.
It will be this old man's last wish, Your Highness.
- Open the door! - Open the door!
Come in, everyone.
For anyone who wants to take the exam,
examination qualifications will be provided!