The Iron Empress
Episode 11
Hurray!
My Lady, this is where I should say goodbye.
Are you going to Gaegyeong?
Yes.
(Gang Gamchan)
I've been absent without the King's permission.
I must quickly get back and report what happened.
I will go with you.
You will, My Lady?
I missed my son's installation ceremony.
(Lady of Sungdeok- Hwangbo Su)
I must go and see him.
But My Lady, your attire.
Perhaps we should stop at Myeongbok Palace first.
I don't care what I look like.
I only get to see him once every three years.
I must hurry.
(Kim Chi Yang)
(Cheon Hyang Bi)
Why can't I see him?
(Prince's Hall, Royal Palace)
It's His Highness's order.
He said you already had a visit prior to the installation and you cannot see him again.
He cut my visit short and told me to see the Prince at the ceremony.
But I couldn't attend the ceremony on account of an emergency in Hwangju.
So now I am due a visit.
I'm sorry, My Lady.
I won't take long.
I wasn't with him for ten minutes before our visit was cut short the other day.
I won't even talk to him.
I'll just get a glance of him from a distance.
If I don't see him today,
it will be another three years before I can see him again.
It's a strict order of the King. There is nothing I can do.
I must ask you to leave.
Song, it's Mother! Are you in there?
Please come out, Song!
Song, come out and let me see you!
I don't know when I'll be able to see you again.
(Wang Song)
Are you listening?
I waited three long years to see you!
I can't leave like this! Song!
Song!
Song, please come out and see me!
I don't know when I'll be allowed to see you again!
Song!
Please leave now, My Lady.
How dare you! Get out of my way!
I have a right to see my own son!
You have no right to stop me!
My Lady.
His Highness wishes to see you.
(Go Hyun)
Is that all you could find to wear to come to the Royal Place?
[Seongjong (Brother of Hwangbo Su)]
I had nothing but seeing my son on my mind.
But you heartlessly shattered my anticipation.
You were to see him at the investiture but you didn't show up.
Don't blame me.
Your youngest sister's safety was unknown at the time.
And the servants you grew up with were kidnapped.
Was it wrong of me to return and rescue them?
Do you think I didn't want to attend my son's investiture?
You provoked this Jurchen attack by building forts in the North.
Didn't I tell you not to?
Then what do you want the Balhaens to do when they have nowhere to go?
Just lie down and die? The late Emperor had approved this work.
But I am the current King. And this is Goryeo, not Balhae.
So please do as I say.
It is a duty of Goryeo, set by our founding King Taejo,
to govern the northern frontier and embrace our Balhaen brothers.
Do not force me to obey you when you defy this fundamental duty!
Have you ever even been out there to see what's going on in Seogyeong?
Please stop!
This is exactly why I do not let you see your son!
What?
You oppose everything I do and try with all your might to fight me.
How could it not negatively influence the Prince?
Is that really the reason why you kept my son away from me for ten years?
Of course not.
You took him away from me when I was not defiant and when my son was just an infant,
who knew nothing about the world.
What was your reason then?
Tell me, what was your reason then?
Fine.
If I let you see Song as often as you want, would you become obedient?
[Lady Yunheung (Future Queen Munwha)]
She caused a commotion in front of the Prince's Hall?
Yes.
She was yelling and screaming for the Prince wearing filthy armor.
It was almost embarrassing.
(Court Lady Jo)
How about Prince Gaeryeong? How did he react?
He is upset.
How could he not be when his mother is screaming for him?
What do you mean give up Hwangju and Myeongbok Palace?
Put Myeongbok Palace in Seol's care and move to Sungdeok Palace in Gaegyeong.
Forget about the Jurchen, Seogyeong and the Northern frontier.
[Seogyeong: Modern day Pyongyang]
[Gaegyeong (Capital of Goryeo)]
Come back to Gaegyeong and focus on building womanly virtues.
Then I'll let you see your son as often as you want.
And I will visit Seogyeong.
I'll even take your opinion under advisement.
So leave state affairs to me and dismiss your followers as well.
I'm asking you as your brother. Please leave state affairs to me.
I don't want to lose you like I lost Grandmother.
(Myeongbok Palace, Hwangju)
[Wang Ook (Prince Gyeongjuwon)]
It was Autumn ten years ago,
that you taught me about music in this gazebo.
[Hwangbo Seol (Future mother of King Hyunjong)]
Yes, it was.
I thought about that Autumn all the time.
Those memories are what kept me going for the past ten years.
I still remember it vividly, as if it was yesterday.
Where were you all this time?
I don't know.
I fell in love with the blue hue of the sky, and I think I was chasing after it.
It's complicated.
I would like to show it to you if I ever achieve that color.
Did you... marry?
No.
Providing for a family is a big responsibility.
I thought about you often.
Where you might be, what you might be doing...
When I played the mandolin, I thought of you out there playing your flute.
When it rained, I wondered whether we were walking in the same rain.
When it snowed, I worried you might be cold.
And when cold wind made my heart ache with yearning for you,
I wondered if you yearned for me too.
My Lady.
I wanted to ask you.
I wanted to ask you if you felt the same way about me.
My Lady, you are the late King's dowager.
There are things you can keep in your heart and there are things you cannot.
Then why did you give me the flute and why did you send me the mandolin?
My Lady,
Drillmaster Gang rescued Hyang Bi and the others and brought them back.
(Court Lady Yun)
He did?
Has Sir Gang Gamchan returned as well?
I don't understand His Highness.
They couldn�t have been closer when they were growing up.
I think he fears that Lady Sungdeok has inherited his grandmother's political disposition.
Yes I know.
[Gang Gamchan(Vice Minister of the Royal Decree)]
I was there when Empress Dowager passed away.
But do you think Lady Sungdeok is wrong?
Of course not.
[Seo Hui (Minister of Foreign Affairs)]
But rallying soldiers to develop the North,
is risky indeed when the King has refused Song's request for military assistance.
Vice Minister, what I realized on this trip to the North, is that the
Khitans may be a bigger problem for us than the Jurchen.
- The Khitans? - Yes.
But the Khitans are preoccupied with their war with Song to be of any threat to us.
That's what I used to think too,
but they're driving out the Jurchen at an alarming rate.
It made me think that the Khitans might attempt to conquer Goryeo
first before they go after Song.
Why else would they drive the Jurchen out of Liaodong?
The best strategic move we can make at this point
is to establish friendly ties with the Khitans.
Sit on the fence and play both sides.
They are hostile towards us only because we are submissive to Song.
That's impossible.
You know how His Highness feels about Song.
A Confucianist King making
diplomatic ties with a barbarian state and playing two sides in the middle?
Even King Taejo had said that the Khitan is an incompatible enemy.
This is a problem.
We have to be prepared but the King won't listen.
and popular sentiment in Seogyeong is deteriorating as well.
By the way, do know much about Park Sugyeong of Pyeongju?
[Pyeongju: Modern day Pyeongsan of Hwanghae Province]
Yes, but why do you ask?
There is a man I want to get some background information on.
Let us stop.
I'm afraid someone's going to get hurt. Let us call it a tie.
No, I lost.
[Yi Sulhwa (Weapons Instructor of Myeongbok Palace)]
I would be on the ground right now if Sa Gamun had given his best.
He went easy on me.
That isn't so.
Sa Illa is quite good as well. Both of them are amazing fighters.
They're the best in our tribe.
But the two of you are just as amazing.
I take it you Drillmaster Gang is your trainer?
Yes.
Are you a skilled fighter as well, Foreman Kim?
No, I run off in fright at the sight of a sharp sword.
Not true.
You fought most bravely against the other tribe.
That's why I got shot trying to act brave when I'm not.
I learned a painful lesson.
I'm going to look out for number one from now on.
Your Grace.
Sun, have you been well?
You're here.
Why are you in those clothes?
I'm sorry.
I had an urgent matter to attend to and didn't have a chance to change.
Did you wish to see me?
Yes.
[Queen Mundeok (King Seongjong's first wife)]
Have a seat.
You look even worse than you did the other day.
What is wrong?
That's why I asked you here.
I'm dying.
This might be the last time I get to see you.
Don't say things like that. You're still young.
No, I can feel it coming.
And I have a request before I die.
Please take care of my daughter Sun for me when I'm gone.
Mother...
Do you know the reason why I want her with you and not with anyone else?
I always envied you.
You were so free growing up in Hwangju.
You road horses, shot arrows and did everything your heart desired.
But I lived in the shadows in silence, wishing I was like you.
Your Highness.
I never had the courage to live my life the way I wanted.
I don't want my daughter to live like her foolish mother.
Take her and raise her to be free like you.
And if a good man should come along,
don't look at his social position or finances.
Just marry her off to a man who will love her.
Mother, please don't.
[Sun (Future Queen Sunjeong)]
I'm going to stay here with you.
Please let her live her life not as a woman, but as a human being.
Okay, I will. I promise you I will.
I'm sorry you had to see me like this.
This is not how I wanted to die either.
The woman who would later be named Queen Mundeok was King Gwangjong's daughter.
During her first marriage, to Prince Heungdeok, she gave birth to a daughter.
Then she married again to Seongjong.
This second marriage is presumed to have take place before Seongjong's rise
to the throne, by the fact that a woman with a child was allowed to remarry
tells us that Goryeoan women, at the time, were not bound by Confucianist ideology.
Queen Mundeok's daughter later becomes Mokjong's wife Queen Sunjeong.
My Lady, it's time to go. I've been ordered to escort you out.
Very well.
Prince Gaeryeong.
What are you doing here?
Nothing.
[Wang Song (Prince Gaeryeong)]
Were you watching your mother?
No. No, I wasn't.
Over here.
Please get on the horse.
No, I'll only slow you down. Just take the child.
I will divert the men that are following us.
But...
My child, you must survive.
You must survive and preserve the glory of one thousand years.
My poor child...
You must survive. You must.
There is no time.
Mother...
Mother!
Are you all right?
Did you have the same dream again, Master?
Watch your tongue. "Master"?
I'm sorry.
You are to call me "Foreman Kim" from now on.
Yes, Foreman Kim.
You're back, My Lady.
You don't look well, My Lady.
[Yi Jujeong (Supervisor of Myeongbok Palace)]
Are you all right? Should I prepare some herbal tonic?
No. I trust all is well?
Yes, but there is a surprise. Prince Gyeongjuwon is here.
Prince Gyeongjuwon?
Have you fared well? It's been much too long.
Yes, it's been a long time. Please sit down.
Our founding King's lineage is vanishing in our country.
I think you're the only one alive with Taejo's blood on father's side.
Am I?
But you are always traveling.
As a member of the Royal House, it's heartbreaking to see.
I guess I'm just not meant to settle down.
When I was younger, I couldn't understand why you live the way you do.
But now that I know the world a little better, I think I understand.
You don't want to get involved in political wars.
That's right. A friend of mine urged me not to.
In fact, he is the man I came here hoping to see.
Sir Gang Gamchan?
Yes.
I thought he was here but I heard he became Vice Minister of the Office of Royal Decree.
[Yae Kwon: Ministry of Rites in charge of festivals and civil exams]
It's wonderful.
Of course.
What other reason could you have to come here?
He will be back here in a few days.
I'm sure you'll be leaving with him, so I will prepare a horse for you.
Thank you.
I mean no discourtesy.
I just want to protect my naive younger sister.
I hope you understand.
Yes, I understand.
Of course I understand.
Did you find out?
Yes, I conducted a thorough investigation about the man and his tribe, as you asked.
Was there anything suspicious?
Well, first of all, I found out that tribe is not purely Jurchen.
What do you mean?
I learned from the neighboring tribes that it's a Goryeo-Jurchen mixed blood tribe.
I guess about fifty years ago,
a group of several hundred men came from out of nowhere,
killed the chief and took over the tribe.
The core of the tribe changed fifty years ago?
What else?
About Kim Chi Yang...
apparently the chief brought a twelve year-old from a temple about fifteen years ago and made him his son.
Is that all?
Yes, for now.
Take your time and learn everything you can about them.
Yes, Sir.
I'd like to start a trading business.
Trading business?
Yes, and use the profits to provide for my people.
Perhaps I can help fill the vaults of Myeongbok Palace as well.
Please take a look at the list of items.
I intend to provide the Jurchen with items they need,
like farming equipment, fabric, and grain for their silver, fur and horses.
Do you think you will have sufficient business to provide for your tribe?
Not if we stop at Jurchen. But my ultimate target is elsewhere.
It's the Khitans.
Khitans?
Yes, My Lady.
I plan to use the Jurchen as a midpoint to establish a trading relationship with the Khitans.
Khitans and Song are in a hostile relationship with no trade.
So items like silk, books and herbs are being sold like gold.
If we can establish trade with the Khitans, our profit margin will be huge.
My Lady.
I'm sorry, give me some time to consider.
I'm not in a position to give you any kind of answer right now.
Then may I take a short trip to Gaegyeong to check out the market square?
If you wish.
By the way... when did you part with your mother?
What do you mean?
You said your family was killed for high treason during Gwangjong's reign.
I was an infant when it happened.
I don't even remember my mother's face.
Then you must have no longing for her.
That's not so.
How could I not long for the person who brought me into this world?
I'd give everything to see her, but I can't because she's gone.
I see.
Thank you. You may go now.
What do you mean something's happened to the Lady?
I don't know what it is, but she looked torn.
I hope it's nothing that will affect our plans.
I don't know.
In any case, I'm going to Gaegyeong,
so keep your ears open and report everything that happens while I'm gone.
Yes, Sir.
Do you wish to talk to me about something?
Yes.
I'm all ears.
Lord Choi, I'll get straight to the point.
I thought, perhaps, you could advise His Highness to have a tour of Seogyeong.
Seogyeong?
There is no denying that His Highness has improved our people's lives.
He is truly a benevolent ruler.
But he has one flaw in his otherwise perfect character.
[Choi Ryang (Minister of Culture, King Seongjong's teacher)]
He doesn't pay enough attention to our national defense and the Northern frontier.
Civilian administration is what His Highness insists on.
And a military presence in the North could lead to diplomatic friction.
I know.
But as a result, the regions north of Hwangju have been terribly neglected.
I'm told public sentiment is rather ugly.
It's where His Highness was raised.
Seol.
What are you going to do?
You know how I feel.
You were just a child then. It was ten years ago.
Yes, ten years.
In those ten years, he has never been out of my heart.
I didn't see him and we had no contact, but I always knew I'd see him again.
But we were the Emperor's wives.
You should have cast out those feelings. You have to.
But that's not fair, Unni.
You know everything.
We exchanged bows at the wedding ceremony,
but the Emperor and I didn't exchange a single touch or even a single glance.
I have never once considered the departed Emperor as my husband.
Prince Gyeongjuwon is the only man I have ever had in my heart.
Seol...
I let him go once, to protect our brother and our clan,
and you want me to give him up again after ten years of waiting?
Why do I have to?
What did I ever do?
You didn't do anything.
Then help me, Unni.
I don't want to grow old and die alone.
I'm a woman.
I want to be loved.
I want to look into the eyes of a man I love and feel the warmth of his touch.
I want to share my life and grow old with him.
Help me, Su.
But Prince Gyeongjuwon doesn't have the same feelings for you.
Yes, he does. He feels the same way that I do.
He may deny it, but I can see it in his eyes. I really can.
Even so, I can't allow it.
Unni.
It wouldn't matter if you were a common woman.
But you are a royal. You are the departed King's wife.
The world will not leave you alone if you do this.
And you might become the next mistress of this palace.
Why? Why would I be when you're here?
Never mind.
But the answer is still no.
Then what do I do? What do I do?
Seogyeong?
Yes, I was also thinking about a trip to Seogyeong.
Is that right, Your Highness?
I've been getting disturbing reports that public sentiment is leaning towards Lady Sungdeok.
This is dangerous.
I must go to Seogyeong if only to stop her from getting further involved in politics.
Is this because Choi Ji Mong's predictions?
Yes.
I feel bad for my sister but at the same time I'm afraid of her.
Is she really my complete opposite?
She's hot as fire, strong as a rock,
and she just goes forward without ever looking back.
And above all, she never bows down to me, the King.
Am I to blame or is this her fate?
I'm afraid I might end up having to kill my own sister.
(Vicinity of a Balhaen village)
Put Myeongbok Palace in Seol care and move to Sungdeok Palace in Gaegyeong.
Forget about the Jurchen, Seogyeong and the Northern frontier.
Come back to Gaegyeong and focus on building womanly virtues.
Then I'll let you see your son as often as you want.
Is there something bothering you, My Lady?
You look...
No.
Let us get back now.
My Lady.
Seogyeong, Your Highness?
I don't understand.
As the attack on Myeongbok Palace demonstrated,
Jurchen attacks are becoming worse.
Hence, I am going to Seogyeong to calm public sentiment.
But such a task can be completed by a pacification official.
I do not recommend that Your Royal Highness travel to such a remote region.
No, Your Highness.
[Yi Ji Baek (Vice Minister in charge of government building)]
Seogyeong is another important capital of this country along with Gaegyeong.
Your visit will make the Jurchen tremble with fear and your people cheer with gratitude.
Yes, Your Highness.
Taejo's founding edict instructs us to cherish and protect Seogyeong,
[Yi Gyeomui (Vice Minister in charge of the armory)]
so your visit will honor your ancestors and bring comfort to your people.
But Your Highness,
[Choi Seom (Vice Minister of the Chancellery)]
this is not a simple matter.
The people will call for you to conquer the Jurchen and
you will be pressured to take military action.
Yes, Your Highness.
Then what will the Song government think?
(Yi Yang)
We can't betray them by exercising governing power
in the Northern frontier after refusing their request for military aid.
No military action will be taken. This is strictly for emotional support.
Your Majesty, go to Seogyeong and grace the city with your presence.
Lord Choi!
Stop.
My decision is made.
There will be no more argument about this. Obey my order.
Your Grace is immeasurable!
How could he? Seogyeong?
What is Choi Ryang thinking sending the King to Seogyeong?
This is betrayal.
Father-in-law, you might be overreacting.
[Kim Shimon (Choi Seom's son-in-law)]
It's just a visit.
Don't be a fool.
All those who placed importance on Seogyeong in the past have turned out to be an enemy.
That includes the lords of Pyeongju and Gwangju.
A dam that holds back water cannot have a hole of any size.
Problems start out small at first and then get out of control.
We could end up being used and betrayed.
(Seol Shinyu)
I will never let that happen. We must find a way to stop this.
What are you thinking about?
I'm sorry.
You look like something is bothering you.
No.
Your Grace...
The Minister of Revenue is here to see you.
My father?
Hello, Father.
Hello, Daughter.
[Kim Won Soong (Minister of Revenue and the father of Lady Yunheung)]
Attendant Jo, please take Prince Gaegyeong outside.
This way, Your Highness.
Come sit down.
Why do you always keep that child around you?
You know why, Father. Prince Gaeryeong is like a son to me.
You frustrate me.
You should be working on having a son of your own,
but you're wasting your time with that boy.
Don't say things like that, Father.
I raised him since he was an infant. I am his mother.
I may not have given birth to him, but he is my son nonetheless.
I am happy when he is happy and I am sad when he is sad.
Do you think he'll be appreciative when he grows up?
If he should become King, Lady Sungdeok will snatch the seat of Great Queen.
That does worry me a little.
Lately, it seems Lady Sungdeok is on his mind more than she used to be.
You see?! It will get worse when he grows up!
Why don't you just let him see his mother?
How would that help when she is the cause of this problem?
Children at that age want what they can't have more.
He misses his mother more because he is not allowed to see her.
So choose a date and let him see her.
But she could be a bad influence on him.
She's still out there running wild instead of building virtue like she should.
So let the child see that for himself.
Give them half a day together and he will see his mother for who she is.
And you can show him how unselfish and open-minded you are.
The child will ultimately end up loving you even more.
But His Highness won't allow it.
He doesn't have to know.
I know a way.
Drillmaster.
Vice-Minister Gang is back.
He is?
Prince Gyeongjuwon!
Sir Gang!
You awful fellow...
Where have you been all these years? I thought you were dead.
Let's take a look at you.
Your carefree life kept you young. You haven't changed a bit.
But look at me, I'm an old man!
I'm sorry.
But technically, you're the one who told me to get away.
Yes, but who knew you'd abandon me and vanish for ten long years?
You're a cruel man.
We're not a married couple.
We couldn't act like we were joined at the hip forever.
Speaking of married couples, I heard you got married.
Yes, I got married because I thought for certain that you would show up at my wedding.
Your wife will be saddened if she heard you.
In any case, I'm glad you're serving the country.
I'm not.
Anyway, if you ever disappear on me again,
I'm dropping my job and my wife and coming after you!
Vice-Minister Gang, Lady Sungdeok would like to see you.
I'll be right there.
What's so funny? You're smiling.
It's just nice to see the two of you together.
You look so happy like a married couple.
Watch it, woman!
The King is going to Seogyeong?
Yes.
He is going there to comfort the victims of Jurchen attacks.
He is listening to your plea.
This is great news.
Once he sees the situation for himself and listens to the people, he will come around.
Oh, I checked Kim Chi Yang's background as well.
He was telling the truth.
Are you sure?
I confirmed with Vice Minister of the Supreme Council, Lord Seo Hui, myself.
There was indeed a man named Kim Gon under Park Sugyeong of Dong Ju,
[Dong Ju (former name of Chul Won City in Kang Won Providence)]
and his family was destroyed during Gwangjong's reign.
Kim Gon and his family were killed, but his young son went missing.
So, I think we can trust the man.
I see.
Are you hanging in there?
Of course, Master.
I'm enduring the hardship and waiting patiently for that day to come.
It must not be easy for you. Did you bring what I need?
Yes.
A flood of emotions sweep over me to see the young man you've become.
Let us skip the small talk.
Use carrier pigeons to send short messages and deliver long messages in person like today.
I'm safely settled.
You may go now.
Yes.
Please take care of yourself.
Get rid of Lady Sungdeok and Prince Gaeryeong at the same time?
Yes.
I'm talking about taking another chance. How do you feel about it?
First His Majesty installs Prince Gaeryeong and now he is going to tour Seogyeong.
If he continues in this direction,
we would have put him on the throne for nothing.
The country will fall into the hands of Hwangju and Seogyeong!
We can't let that happen.
I was thinking about taking drastic measures myself.
Is there a way to get rid of them both?
Yes, there is.
We've got the perfect chance!
You are the mistress of Myeongbok Palace now.
Bring your son forward.
Bring your son forward and restore this country, Goryeo.
Do you understand?
I will visit Seogyeong.
I'll even take your opinion under advisement.
So leave state affairs to me and dismiss your followers as well.
I'm asking you as your brother. Please leave state affairs to me.
I don't want to lose you, like I lost Grandmother.
Grandmother, being the mistress of Myeongbok Palace is overwhelming.
My heart is elsewhere,
but everyone depends on me, and this is more than I can deal with.
Why did you put this huge burden on me?
What do I do? What do I do, Grandmother?
I might have to leave Myeongbok Providence.
King of Goryeo will be coming to Seogyeong. Isn't that our opportunity to strike?
Is that the truth, I'll be able to meet my son.
Are you talking about Jurchen being set-up to take blame as the attackers.
Wang Ook has left.
I cannot stand to be alone.
The 2nd Queen has left the Palace.
SONG!
Who are you, wretches?
SONG! Run away, hurry!
You must escape!
SONG! Wake-up! Are you hurt?
What happened to Prince Gaeryeong!
Who is responsible? Queen Yunheung seems suspicious.