The Iron Empress
Episode 10
What do you mean Myeongbok was attacked?
Who would dare?
The Jurchen.
They took Hyang Bi, Suri and dozens of lady attendants!
They took Hyang Bi?
Yes.
How about Seol? Is she all right?
I-I don't know...
What do you mean you don't know?!
[Yi Jujeong (Supervisor of Myeongbok Palace)]
I rushed here...
...without a chance to check!
My Lady, you must go to the palace alone.
I will go back to Hwangju.
[Lady Sungdeok (Hwangbo Su)]
Something could've happened to Seol as well.
I must go back with you.
You can't miss the Prince's investiture.
(Gang Jo)
I will tend to this situation, so please go to the Royal Palace.
[Wang Song (Prince of Gaeryeong)]
[Seongjong (6th King of Goryeo)]
[Lady Yunheung (Later Queen Munhwa)]
Dowager Sungdeok's son Prince Song is my nephew and great-grandson of
our founding King Taejo with a gift of exceptional intelligence and high virtue.
He may be young, but well deserving of this investiture.
So I hereby dub you, Song,
Royal Prince of Gaeryeong and place upon thee duties of filial piety to the King,
propriety to his men and diligent learning of ritual, music, poetry and calligraphy.
Drillmaster Gang!
My Lady, why are you here?
What about the ceremony?
I'll get another chance to see my son,
but it's no ordinary matter if Myeongbok Palace has been attacked.
I must go aback.
But my Lady..
There's no time to delay. Let us hurry.
What do you mean? Myeongbok Palace has been attacked?
Explain.
I was told a group of armed men in disguise ravaged the place,
and kidnapped the women.
It is a direct report from the keeper of Myeongbok Palace, Your Highness.
[Gang Gamchan (Vice Minister of the Office of Royal Decree)]
How could this happen? Who is behind this?
It's too soon to tell, but I believe it is the Jurchen judging by their description.
Lady Sungdeok could not attend the investiture on this account,
and had to return urgently to Hwangju.
Your Highness, this is a serious situation.
We must send troops at once to capture the culprits, and rescue the hostages.
[Seo Hui (Minister of Foreign Affairs)]
And we must address the Jurchen issue on the fundamental level.
I agree, Your Highness.
There have been several attacks by the Jurchen on our land that went ignored.
Consequently, now they are unafraid to attack our royal family.
Something must be done immediately.
Your Highness, this is indeed disturbing,
but I must say Lady Sungdeok brought this on herself.
And I'm somewhat suspicious as well.
Suspicious?
Lady Sungdeok has repeatedly defied the King's order,
[Choi Seom (Vice Minister of the Chancellery)]
and unashamedly engaged in scuffles with the Jurchen.
How could they not be provoked?
And Myeongbok Palace has a history of treason,
from back when Empress Dowager Shinjeong was alive.
Look.
[Yi Ji Baek (Vice Minister in charge of government building)]
Myeongbok Palace has been plundered.
Why would you bring that up?
Because I suspect they might use this as an excuse to assemble a private army again.
That's right, Your Highness.
I have a hard time believing that the Jurchen
had the audacity to attack the Queen Dowager's palace.
What in the world are you men saying? Myeongbok Palace has been attacked!
Your Majesty, Myeongbok Palace is where you were born and raised.
You must make a wise decision.
But Your Highness, granted Myeongbok Palace is your birthplace,
[Choi Ryang (Minister of Culture)]
it would be injudicious to deploy the troops before thoroughly assessing the situation.
Yes, but I cannot do nothing when my own sister's whereabouts are unclear.
Vice Director Gang will go to Hwangju and bring back a report in full detail.
Yes, Your Highness.
I don't know what to say, my Lady.
It happened so quickly and there was no time to react.
Casualties?
Twenty are dead,
over forty are injured,
(Yi Sulhwa)
and 15 have been kidnapped.
And about twenty of the attackers were killed on the grounds.
They took Hyang Bi.
[Hwangbo Seol (Future mother of King Hyeonjong)]
She got herself kidnapped to protect me.
Don't worry, my Lady. Hyang Bi is a tough girl.
She's been through worse than this, so she will be fine.
I'm sure of it.
My Lady, Sir Gang is here.
What?
Not only do they think I deserve this but that I staged it?
I'm sorry, my Lady.
Am I supposed to take this?
Has His Majesty forgotten his home?
People that raised him are dead and he thinks this was staged?
His Highness sent me to confirm the truth.
He will dispatch military assistance as soon as investigation is completed.
Tell him we don't need it.
My Lady.
The girls will be killed while we're going back and forth with the investigation.
Tell him we don't need his help and we're going after the perpetrators ourselves.
But my Lady, we don't have the manpower right now.
Many are injured, and we don't even know where to begin looking.
That's right, my Lady.
There are too many Jurchen spread out over area that's too wide to cover.
Those are the exact excuses that the King's men will use to oppose military deployment.
And it will take them weeks to reach any kind of decision.
By that time, Hyang Bi and the girls could all be dead.
Am I wrong?
Go and deliver my words to the King.
This atrocity would've been avoided had he not force us to disband our army.
And had he taken firm stance against the belligerent Jurchen,
they would not have dared to attack Myeongbok Palace.
So tell him to stay out of Hwangju's business like he always have and
to lounge around with his Shillan-descent officials chatting about Confucius.
I think I'll stay, my Lady.
Shouldn't you return to the royal court?
I agree with Lady Sungdeok.
And if you're going after the perpetrators,
you'll need someone who knows Jurchen territory like I do.
I asked you here today to discuss the Jurchen attack on Myeongbok Palace.
I fear His Highness is approaching this emotionally
because of his uncomfortable relationship with Lady of Sungdeok.
But His Highness has already dispatched Gang Gamchan to conduct an investigation.
(Han Ingyeong)
That's not enough.
There have been dozens of reported Jurchen incursions,
(Yi Ji Baek)
but it is an undeniable fact that we've taken a passive stance every time.
And 3 years ago, His Highness issued a decree ordering men to turn in their weapons
for farming tools, which has put our military on the verge of evaporation.
But as a result, people are enjoying a nice increase in crops production.
(Han Ungong)
Yes, but...
(Yi Gyeomui)
We don't even have an adequate emergency defense force.
If God forbid there should be a problem, we are sitting ducks.
But His Highness hates violence and confrontation.
Providing peaceful life to his people is his ultimate goal.
So I suggest we don't bring up the military issue again.
(Park Yang Yu)
This is not Eastern Jurchen attire.
[Dong Yuh Jean (East Jurchen living in Hamgyeong Providence)]
[Suh Yuh Jean (West Jurchen living along the Yalu River)]
They must be Western Jurchen that live along the Yalu River.
I agree.
If this attack was in retaliation for us helping the Balhaens build their forts,
they have to be Jurchen from Baksu, Gaeju or Taeju west of Salsu River.
(Salsu: Modern day Cheongchun River)
Chances are they came by water.
It's impossible to move a group that size by land,
without being detected by Seogyeong Army.
They're not ordinary bandits to have come all the way here and taken my people.
Let us first go to the Paesu ferry dock.
(Paesu: Modern day Daedong River)
Like Sir Gang said, they probably traveled by water,
and I've called Balhaen informers to meet us there to find out what they know.
I will round up the remaining soldiers.
Men, go back to the Royal Palace and report all you've learned to the King.
I'll stay behind and track the Jurchen.
Yes, sir.
(Cheon Hyang Bi)
Are you the 4th Queen of Gyeongjong?
That's right, I'm a Queen Dowager.
Now tell me who you are.
Lie again and I will kill all of them starting with this one.
(Suri)
Now speak the truth. Who are you?
- Sir, we have a problem. - What is it?
The woman we captured is not the Queen Dowager.
What do you mean?
Chief became suspicious so we compared her with the portrait
and she wasn't the Queen but the Queen's maid.
How could you let this happen?
Three years of preparation and this is the result?
I don't know what to say.
(Sa Gamun) (Sa Illa)
We must kill them all and abort the mission.
Not so fast.
(Kim Chi Yang)
All is not lost yet.
But Master...
They might still take the bait and come after us.
Be patient.
But why would they when we don't have the Queen Dowager?
If they don't, we will kill them all.
Northern Protectorate?
Yes, sir.
(Northern Protectorate: Modern day Anju of South Pyeongan Province)
I'm told two Jurchen ship traveled up Salsu last night, and stopped at Northern Protectorate.
There was no fort built in that area.
Where did they go from Northern Protectorate?
I don't have that information yet.
I've sent men to investigate so we will know when we get there.
How should we travel from here?
They moved by water, so we should track them by water as well.
I'll find us a boat.
Go to Northern Protectorate by land ahead of us and meet with your men.
Yes, sir.
Let us go.
Prince Gaeryeong?
Yes.
I want you to report everything he does. Can you do that?
That shouldn't be difficult, but why?
You don't need to know.
Jo Du will stop by every day for your report.
[Jo Sun (Chief Jo)]
Very well, Brother.
[Court Lady Jo (Chief Jo's sister)]
But should the lady...
Lady Yunheung must...
[Kim Won Soong (Minister of Revenue and father of Lady Yunheung)]
never know about this.
If you ever let this get out,
you will endanger the lady's life as well as yours.
Yes, my Lord.
You may go now.
It wouldn't be good to be away from the palace for too long.
Yes, my Lord.
My Lord, wouldn't it be simpler to just use the physician again?
(Jo Du)
No.
The Emperor was a sick man...
but Prince Gaeryeong is perfectly healthy.
If anything goes wrong, even our last crime could be exposed.
Foreman Jo is right.
We will bide our time.
And a perfect opportunity will present itself.
I'm glad to hear my sister is safe.
Did you say Sir Gang has gone into Jurchen territory with Lady Sungdeok?
Yes, Your Highness.
Then it is a confirmed fact that Jurchen are the culprits that attacked the palace?
That is the report from Hwangju, Your Highness.
(Go Hyun)
How bad is the damage?
Is the ancestral shrine intact?
Yes, Your Majesty.
It seems the palace was undamaged despite the high casualties.
High casualties?
I'm told twenty are dead, and over forty have been injured.
That many!
They must be so resentful of me...
What is the popular sentiment in Hwangju?
Well, I..
Why can't you answer me?
Your Highness, you are not accountable for what happened.
Answer my question. What is the popular sentiment in Hwangju?
I-I cannot dare to answer. Please forgive me, Your Highness.
Of course. You don't have to say anything.
I'm sure they're calling me a miserable king that betrayed his own.
And imagine how angry my grandmother must be with me from up above...
[Wang Song (Royal Prince Gaeryeong)]
Song!
[Sun (Future Queen Sunjeong)]
I guess it's Prince Gaeryeong now.
What are you doing here?
Are you upset because your mother didn't come to the installation ceremony?
She's not my mother.
What do you mean?
My mother is Lady Yunheung.
That woman is not my mother.
Why didn't you come?
Don't you care about me?
Mother...
Who is this man?
(Cheongchun River)
He's a Jurchen captured in the area.
He said, he saw a boat carrying Goryeoan women away.
Really?
Who were they and where can we find them?
I don't know
You don't know? You said you saw the boat.
Answer the question or you'll lose your head.
I really don't know which tribe they belong to, but...
But?
There is a tribe that might know them about an hour away from here.
Stop!
(Sa Gamun)
Who are you and why are you trespassing our land in arms?
We are Goryeoans from Hwangju.
Two days ago,
a group of Jurchen men attacked a royal palace and kidnapped our people.
Is your tribe responsible?
No, we are not.
Then do you know who is?
Come this way.
Now tell us. Who attacked Hwangju?
We don't know anything.
You lie!
The man who brought us here said you had information.
If you're not the culprit, you will tell us.
I am the dowager of departed Emperor Gyeongjong.
If you help me to rescue my people, I will be indebted.
But if you refuse, Goryeoan army will be call upon.
And this tribal land may be trampled as well.
Would you grant a request if we help?
Chi Yang!
Father, we can't live like this forever.
This could be an opportunity.
What is your request?
We will talk after your people are rescued.
Who are they and where can we find them?
Their home is quite far from here.
They were driven south from Liaodong by the Khitan army,
and we have hostile relations with them as well.
I don't know if this is wise trusting them and going along with this.
I know your concern.
This could certainly be a trap.
But what else can we do right now?
Yes.
We will trust them for now and see what happens.
Drillmaster Gang.
We may be going along with this, but I want you to keep a close eye on them.
Yes, my Lady.
What happened?
They're here.
Good.
(Sa Illa)
Chief...
Master said they must never discover the true source of the attack.
Don't worry.
My life is worth no more than a speck of dust for the great cause.
Uncle.
Yes, we will see each other later.
Sa Illa, if at all possible, I'd like you to be the one.
Attendant Yun.
Yes, my Lady?
This sound.
Do you hear the flute?
Pardon?
My Lady!
It's been many years.
[Wang Ook (Prince Gyeongjuwon)]
You...
...don't recognize me.
Yes. Yes, I do.
How could I not?
The music was so beautiful that I had to play along.
Was it you on the mandolin?
It's an ambush! Take cover!
It's a trap, sir!
My Lady, watch out!
Get off the horse. You'll become a target!
Run, my Lady!
My Lady!
My Lady! Are you all right.
I'm fine. But this man is...
I'm all right.
We're under attack! Protect the Queen Dowager!
Sa Gamun, we're here!
Sir, it's Sa Illa!
Attack!
Do not fall back!
Attack! Attack!
Their leader has fallen! Attack!
My lady, it's Hyang Bi!
Hyang Bi!
Jo!
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine.
My Lady, did you come here for us?
How did you get out?
That woman there...
Stop!
Stop the fighting!
Stop!
I am the chief of this tribe.
Stop the fight.
We surrender.
You are the leader?
Yes.
You've ravaged my palace and kidnapped my people.
Was this an act of revenge because I've been fighting for the Balhaens?
No, it was for food and survival of my tribe.
Survival?
Explain how ravaging a royal palace could be for survival.
We were trying to kidnap the Queen Dowager for ransom.
What?
As the chief of this tribe I'm solely responsible.
Let my people suffer no consequences for my foolishness.
They are not to blame.
Watch out!
My man!
Sir!
Vice-chief!
Are you worried about Lady Sungdeok?
You look distraught.
[Lady Yunheung (Future Queen Munwha)]
Your highness..
I hate to mention this now...
What is it? Go on.
Would you pay the Queen a visit when you get a chance?
Why?
I'm told she's quite ill. And she wishes to see you.
Did she tell you herself that she wants to see me?
No, Princess Sun was here. Please pay her a visit.
Your Highness, I feel guilty as it is occupying the Queen's palace,
and now I am told that she's ill.
I feel so bad for her.
Mother, have a little more.
[Queen Mundeok ( King Seongjong's first wife)]
I'm sorry.
I can't swallow.
His Highness the King!
How old are you this year?
I'm fifteen, Your Highness.
Already fifteen... Leave us for a while.
Forgive me.
I have no strength to greet you properly.
That's all right.
Have you been taking your medication?
It's useless.
I'm causing nuisance to so many...
I heard you wanted to see me.
Yes.
What can I do for you?
It's about my daughter Sun's future.
Don't worry.
I will discuss it with Lady Yunheung and find a suitable suitor for her.
No, that is not what I want.
I want to leave Sun in Lady Sungdeok's care when I'm gone.
Pardon?
So I'd like to see Lady Sungdeok.
That's absurd.
Why would you want to leave her with Lady Sungdeok?
That is for me to tell Lady Sungdeok,
so please grant her entry to the palace.
No, I can't do that.
Lady Yunheung will attend to Princess Sun's matter.
You are so cruel.
I know.
I know how much you adore Lady Yunheung and how much you detest me.
That is why I surrendered my rights as the Queen to her and lived here quietly as if I don't exist.
But now you want me to surrender my daughter to her as well.
Have I ever once defied you since the day we got married?
Have I ever asked you for anything as your wife?
I didn't because I know you have no love for me.
But you are my lawfully wedded husband and this is your dying wife's wish.
I don't expect love from you, but you can't grant me a single final wish?
My Queen.
Please don't call me that.
I beg you.
Let me see Lady Sungdeok before I die and leave my daughter in her care.
My Lady! My Lady!
My Lady.
The lad has finally come around.
Really?
That's good news.
That's all right. Don't get up.
Please forgive me.
Is he going to be alright?
Yes, it was close but the arrow missed his vitals.
Can you talk?
Yes, my Lady.
Vice-chief? Are you the chief's son?
I'm not his real son.
He's an adopted son. He's not a Jurchen like us.
Then?
I am a Goryeoan. My name is Kim Chi Yang.
If you're a Goryeoan what are you doing here among the Jurchen?
Well...
My departed father became implicated in a treasonous plot and lost everything he had.
So he took us and fled to this place.
Treasonous plot? Where is your family's home?
Dongju.
(Dongju: Modern day Cheolwon)
Dongju?
That's not far from Hwangju.
What treasonous plot was your father implicated in?
It was during the reign of Gwangjong.
My father worked for the three sons of the Supreme Advisor Park Sukyeong of Pyeongju who were executed.
What is your father's name?
His name is Kim Gon.
He is not a known man you would recognize.
Kim Gon...
Thanks to you I'm alive and my people are safe.
You have my gratitude.
No, my Lady.
You said you had a request. What is it?
I ask you take me and my two friends under your wing.
Is that all?
Yes, my Lady.
But you're an important man here.
Why would you want to come with us?
To survive.
For the past decade, northern Jurchen have been moving south.
And battle for survival is becoming increasingly fierce between the tribes.
Is this because of the Khitans?
Are the Khitans expanding their power that quickly?
That's right.
We're a small tribe, and our livelihood was ruined in the battle for survival.
So now you want to run away to Goryeo?
You'd abandon your tribe to save yourself?
No...
I've done everything I can for us here with no avail.
So I want to go to Goryeo and look for another way.
I'm against it, my Lady.
Why?
Something doesn't feel right.
Be specific. What doesn't feel right?
We all thought the attack on Myeongbok Palace was an act of revenge.
But it was about money?
I know life is tough for these people, but how they traveled all the way to Hwangju,
and how their leader just suddenly killed himself, it doesn't add up.
Are you saying the attack is connected to this tribe somehow?
I don't know, but I just don't have a good feeling.
That man saved my life.
Not only that, a number of his own men died helping us.
We can't turn him away on account of bad feeling.
We must be grateful.
Yes, but...
Then let us do this.
I will do a thorough investigation on his background.
One can never be too cautious.
Does this mean you'll accept us?
Yes, it's not a difficult request.
Thank you. Thank you, my Lady.
Introduce yourselves.
My name is Sa Gamun
My name is Sa Illa.
- Are the two of you siblings? - Yes, Your Highness.
Are your parents in the tribe as well?
No, they died not too long ago in a battle with another tribe.
I see.
I noticed you both are excellent fighters.
I hope you will use your talent for Myeongbok Palace from now on.
We will do our best to serve you, Your Highness.
My Lady, perhaps we should be on our way now.
What's the hurry, my man?
We're in an unfamiliar and dangerous territory, so...
My stomach is empty and my eyes are heavy.
Let us stay the night.
Yes, I'm sure everyone is exhausted from the long travel and the fight.
Let us rest and leave in the morning.
Yes.
We must consider the wounded as well. There's no need to rush.
Yes, my Lady.
Drillmaster Gang, let us drink.
Do you have any idea how much I missed you?
I go to sleep every night, hoping to see you in my dreams.
Did you miss me? Do you remember my face?
His Highness The King!
Good evening, Your Highness.
The Analects of Confucius.
Yes, Your Highness.
Did you wish to speak to me about something?
Song.
Yes, Your Highness.
I want to tell you that I'm sorry.
What do you mean?
For not allowing you to see your mother Lady Sungdeok.
No, Your highness.
I already know that it isn't personal and that it's for the good of Goryeo.
Good of Goryeo?
Yes.
I was told Lady Sungdeok is rebellious and disobedient,
and that she could put the country in danger.
Is that what your masters told you?
Yes, Your Highness.
You must still miss her.
After all she's the woman that gave birth to you.
No, I think of Lady Yunheung as my mother.
Truly?
Yes.
Lady Sungdeok did not even attend my investiture.
She would've been there if she cared about me.
Song, she wasn't there because...
Right now, your mother is...
Never mind.
Get back to your reading.
Jurchen are tribal people of ancient Sushen, Yilou and Mohe that lived
scattered throughout the vast land northeast of Hamgyeong Province
along Liaodong and Yalu River during the early Goryeo period.
But Khitan expedition in 984 and 985 drove them out of Liaodong
pushing many into Goryeoan territory north of Cheongchun River.
Some tribes became tribute-paying subordinates to Goryeo and lived peacefully
but others had become a nuisance ravaging Goryeoan villages and disrupting lives.
Did you give them a proper burial?
Yes.
Bury grief deep in your heart like a secret dagger.
Put a smile on your face and focus only on showing them obedience and loyalty.
And the time will come when you can unsheathe that dagger,
and fulfill the cherished dreams of those that were sacrificed.
Yes, my Lord.
If you were allowed to see Prince Gaeryeong without restrictions, will you follow my orders?
At the palace, I wanted to ask you if we shared the same feelings.
Unni, please help me!
I have information on Kim Chi Yang.
Citizens of Seogyeong has given their sentiments to the Queen of Sungdeok.
You're suggesting that we eliminate both Queen of Sungdeok and Prince Gaeryeong at the same time.
Why don't you allow him to see his mother.
I might end up killing my own sister.