The Iron Empress
Why can't you tell me?
What do you have to hide in the situation we're in?
Actually...
I'm in love with you.
At first I was struck by your strength.
Episode 30
Then when I saw you in pain after losing Prince Song, my heart reached out to you.
And when Lady Seol died,
sympathy turned me into...
Stop.
Since then, you've been the woman in my heart.
I told myself over and over to stop,
but my feelings for you got stronger and stronger.
I said stop.
How dare you utter these words.
Lady Sungdeok Hwangbo Su (To be Empress Cheonchu)
You think you can spit out anything you want now that I'm reduced to a prisoner?
Are you telling me you've no feelings for me?
What?
Then why did you risk your own life to save mine?
Hyeolmae
Get him out.
What's going on?
Where are you taking him?
Let's go.
Upper Capital Linhuangfu (Khitan Admin. Capital)
What happened?
Were you able to persuade her?
She's not one to easily submit.
I need more time.
Like I said,
You've until we reach Shangjin.
Empress Dowager Xiao (Emperor Shengzhong's mother)
Your Highness,
that's not enough time.
I don't like to repeat myself.
If you don't have the letter by the time we get there,
you both have to die.
Prepare for departure.
Yes, Your Highness.
How dare you!
What do you think you're doing?
What... are you doing?
Forgive me, my lady.
I can't let you die.
Get them out. It's time to go.
Yes, sir.
- Kneel them. - Yes, sir.
Kneel!
Pay attention, prisoners!
You're being moved to Supreme Capital of Liao.
It's over 250 miles away, so we'll be on the road for at least a month.
But before we leave,
the merciful Empress Dowager is offering you a final chance.
Come forward if you're ready and willing
to pledge loyalty to Great Liao and serve the Khitan army.
You'll be treated equally as soldiers of the Khitan army.
The Empress Dowager has granted this favor to refugees of fallen Balhae
and Song Chinese prisoners as well.
The Empress Dowager has granted this favor to refugees of fallen Balhae
and Song Chinese prisoners as well.
You'll also have the same opportunity that Khitan have to advance in rank.
Direct your attention to that one-eyed warrior.
He was once a Song Chinese prisoner of war,
Yelu Wuji
but now he's a recognized general of the Khitan army honored with the royal family surname of Yelu.
So speak now if you desire the same honor of becoming a warrior of Great Liao.
You'll be made slaves in Shangjin if you miss this one-time opportunity.
Don't listen!
Yun Seoan
We're Goryeo's finest cavalry!
Don't give up your pride!
Yes, General Yun is right.
Listen, and listen well.
I'm Lady Sungdeok, dowager to the last king and sister to the king in tenure.
Aren't we all proud Goryeoans?
We may have become prisoners of war,
but we can't let the barbarians take our souls.
Let's die with dignity and make our brothers and sisters proud.
Goryeo!
Your Highness.
This is where I must take leave.
Very well.
Perform your duty to the fullest.
Yes, Your Highness.
Xiao Sunning (Khitan's Chief General)
I wish you a safe journey.
Travel safely, Your Highness.
Go.
Goh Hyun
Seongjong (Goryeo's 6th ruler)
Your Highness, may I ask what this is?
Yi Jujeong
It's a token of contrition for my past negligence.
This is unnecessary...
Don't be discouraged by Lady Sungdeok's absence,
and continue to attend to Myeongbok Palace with care.
I'm counting on you.
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Highness!
Your grace is immeasurable!
Gang Gamchan (Grand Secretary of the Supreme Council)
Drillmaster Gang, come find me in Gaegyeong if you change your mind.
I'll be waiting.
Depart.
Depart!
Drillmaster Gang.
May I have a moment with you?
Don't.
Don't stop me, brother.
I'm going to do this whether you like it or not.
You think the lady may have been taken hostage?
Gang Jo
Yes.
Sa Gamun Sa Illa
Isn't it a possibility we can't ignore if their bodies have still not been found?
But her bow was found at the bottom of the cliff.
Cheon Hyang Bi
It's proof that she fell.
She might've just dropped the arrow.
We searched every inch of that area but neither the lady nor Foreman Kim's body has been found.
Even if Sa Illa is right and they were taken hostage, there's no way to confirm it.
It's impossible to enter Khitan territory right now.
But we can't just sit around and let our days go by meaninglessly.
We've to try everything we can.
This is far too dangerous, brother.
We can't take this kind of chance for something with such minute possibility.
Yes, we do.
You might end up dying for nothing!
Get up.
Water.
Please give me some water.
Get up now or you're dead.
Please, just one sip...
Water, please..
I warned you.
How could you?
How could you kill a man for asking for water?
Even prisoners have basic human rights!
If you want human rights, become Khitan.
Until then, you're not humans, you're animals.
Who are you calling animals?
You barbarians are the animals!
Stop the carriage!
Stop!
We've been lenient with you because you're royalty, but you crossed the line.
The Empress Dowager wants me to teach you a lesson.
- Tie her up. - Yes, sir.
My lady! My lady!
Please stop, Empress Dowager.
Let me take the punishment instead!
My lady!
Wake her up.
We still have a long way to go.
She's unconscious, Your Highness.
Take her to her people.
If she doesn't wake up soon, just kill her.
Yes, Your Highness.
My lady! My lady!
Please wake up, my lady!
My lady!
I'm going to go to Gaegyeong and meet with Sir Gang Gamchan first.
And then what?
He'll help me figure out a way to enter Khitan territory.
Don't go, brother.
You and Sa Illa just want to believe the lady and Foreman Kim are alive in Khitan,
but it's a dream.
It's false hope.
It may very well be false hope, but it's still hope.
Brother...
If I don't find the lady in Khitan...
I'll die there fighting the Khitan.
That's my destiny.
What about me?
Do I mean anything to you?
I'll be back.
Don't go, brother.
Don't go.
I feel the same way.
Do you think you're the only one who's in love?
Hyang Bi.
I love you just as much as you love.
I've loved you longer than you've loved the lady.
Don't be ridiculous.
Brother.
I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that.
Step aside.
Please, give her some water.
Dear, dear... Are you thirsty?
Go ahead and say it. "Please give a drink of water."
Get out of my face.
Oh? You don't need it?
Please.
I'm sure it's not the lady's corpse you need.
Foreman Kim, I'm Goryeo's royalty.
I won't sacrifice my honor and dignity to save my life.
So don't beg me.
You heard her.
What your Empress Dowager needs is a living Goryeoan royalty.
She's of no use to her dead, so bring her some water.
Sure. Why not?
Drink up, my lady.
My lady, are you alright?
You must get through this.
Please learn to bend a little.
Or you're going to break.
Survival is priority right now.
How will you get your revenge if you're dead.
I'm a Goryeoan royalty.
I will never stoop to them.
Never.
An emissary?
Yes, Your Highness.
Seo Hui (Vice Minister of the Supreme Council)
Viceroy Xiao Sunning's emissary is on his way from Seogyeong.
He'll reach Suncheon Hall shortly.
[Suncheon Hall: Guest hall for foreign diplomats in Gaegyeong]
What do you suggest?
Am I to go out and greet the emissary personally?
No, Your Highness.
This isn't an imperial envoy but merely a viceroy's messenger.
Display of subservience is unwarranted.
I agree, Your Highness.
Secretary of the Diplomatic Receptions Office Kim Shimon with
Yi Ji Baek (Inspector of the Board of Punishment)
Secretary of Supreme Council Gang Gamchan should be sent to greet him.
He might take offense by their low ranks.
Park Yang Yu (Chancellor)
Rest assured, Chief Minister.
We defeated them in war. We shouldn't be intimidated.
Command me, Your Highness.
I'll bring back the emissary without incident.
Very well.
Take Secretary Kim Shimon with you.
Secretary of Diplomatic Relations Office?
Yes.
I come bearing a letter written by the Viceroy of Liao's Eastern Capitan
Yelu Chu
and endorsed by the Empress Dowager of Liao.
Kim Shimon (Commissioner of Diplomatic Affairs)
Such reception is insolent!
Insolent?
You invaded our land and ran off defeated, you want to talk about insolence?
Besides, Secretary Kim came out himself when he holds the same level position
as your viceroy, so you getting an over-deserved reception.
Khitan must really be short of talent to have sent a military general
who was crushed by a bunch of old men in Yunju as an emissary.
In February 994, Xiao Sunning's letter endorsed by Empress Dowager Xiao
was delivered to the royal court of Goryeo to execute the terms of the peace agreement
previously negotiated by Seo Hui and Xiao Sunning.
Mainly, Khitan announced its plan to build five forts along their side of Yalu
in what is now Manchuria and confirmed consent for Goryeo build forts
along the southern Yalu and secure control.
In return, Goryeo was to dispatch a diplomatic mission to Khitan
to honor the Khitan emperor and use the Khitan's era name.
Use the Khitan era name and send Chief Minister Park Yang Yu as an envoy?
Yes, father-in-law.
I guess this puts an end to our relationship with Song.
It's truly a shame.
Choi Seom (Councilor of the Royal Secretariat)
We wanted to build a country based on Confucian principles
by embracing the advanced culture and customs of Song,
but we've connected ourselves to barbarians.
I'm told His Highness was very reluctant.
I'm sure he doesn't like this anymore than we do.
Father-in-law, I've said this before,
but why don't we urge the king to send an envoy to Song?
To secretly join hands with Song and strike Khitan.
We've worked too hard to sit back and let our national friendship get destroyed.
Not now.
If we bring that up now, our motive will be questioned.
Let us wait.
We'll have our time again eventually.
Sir!
Drillmaster Gang, what brings you?
I heard you were looking for me.
Yes, sir.
Oh, this person.
Did you finally change your mind?
Are you going to accept the position?
Actually, I came to discuss a different matter.
Into the Khitan territory? Absolutely not.
You must help me, sir.
You're trying to get yourself killed.
Are you out of your mind?
I want to hang on to every bit of hope I've got.
I'm not afraid of death.
How would you get across the border?
You don't think you can somehow sneak all the way in to Shangjin, do you?
I heard that a Khitan emissary is here.
Doesn't that mean we're going to send an emissary as well?
You don't think...
Yes. Put me in the diplomatic mission to Liao.
Get him up!
Halt!
Erect a camp!
Prepare a place to for the Empress Dowager!
Yes, sir.
Move it!
Lad. Wake up, young lad.
Water... I need water...
Wait.
You again? What is it this time?
Take me to your Empress Dowager.
What?
You still haven't learned your lesson.
How dare you order me around!
I must talk to her. Take me to her.
You want to talk to me?
Give food and water to the prisoners.
Hungry?
I beg you.
Beg?
Then shouldn't you be on your knees?
It's a beautiful night.
I think I want some music with my dinner tonight.
What's on the menu?
The chef has prepared some lamb and veal, Your Highness.
I'm getting tired of the same food.
I wish we'd get to Shangjin soon.
Please. Give us some food and water.
Then will you be my subordinate?
I'll ask again.
Will you forsake Goryeo and serve me as your lord and master?
Kill me instead!
Take my life, give food and water to the hostages!
Interesting.
Hmph!
I can certainly kill you, but I think I'd rather make you my subordinate.
Very well.
Let's give it some more time.
Give the prisoners food and water.
Yes, Your Highness.
My lady, you've to eat.
It's for survival.
Eat up, dogs!
Drink up, scumbags! Stuff yourself up!
Etch this into your memory.
We suffer this humiliation because the country is weak and the ruler is unfit.
If I make it back alive, I swear I'll change Goryeo.
Lady Sungdeok is really gone, isn't she?
I'm afraid so.
Master, I must be a terrible man.
Your Highness...
What are you saying?
My sister has vanished fighting for the country at the front,
and I feel profoundly guilty at times,
but I can't help thinking that an old lingering problem has been resolved.
I feel relief that there's no one left to threaten my position now.
It's appalling and I'm disgusted at myself for feeling this way.
Your Highness, it's your destiny.
Royal authority can't be shared.
A king has no family and friends.
That's truth taught by history.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
I called you in to find out why you're not keeping your promise.
My promise?
You said you'd donate half of your entire fortune to be used for the people.
Why? Did you change your mind?
No, I'm contemplating how to put that money to best use.
Don't bother.
Just bring the money to the treasury.
They'll know what to do.
Your Highness, please go easy on your old father.
I went from being the minister of revenue to the finance commissioner
to a powerless superintendent of the observatory office.
Isn't that enough punishment?
So are you refusing to keep your word?
That was already two months ago, and no one has turned me in.
And I'm already doing my time at the observatory office...
So let's just forget about that.
I don't think so.
Honor your word, father!
No.
I beg your pardon?
I don't want to honor my word.
Why should I give to the country when the country has done nothing for me?
I'm not giving away my hard-earned money when I'm stuck in this menial job.
Are you serious?
Yes, I'm serious.
I've pride too, like anyone else.
[Supreme Capital of Liao]
Move it!
Your Highness...
I can't tell you how happy I am to have you back.
[Han Derang]
Thank you, Prime Minister.
[Shengzhong]
Mother, were there any inconveniences during your long trip?
Everything was fine thanks to you, Your Majesty.
Please sit down. You must be exhausted.
I've called for some tea for you.
Any changes in the Song situation?
Nothing worth noting, Your Highness.
But according to our sources, the Emperor of Song is having some health issues.
Is that so? That's good news.
Keep me updated with more detailed reports on the imperial house of Song.
Yes, of course.
I hear Viceroy Xiao has failed to acquire Goryeo's surrender.
But he has severed Goryeo's ties with Song and got them to use our era name,
so that gives us one less thing to worry about.
I guess that means we can expect Goryeo to dispatch an envoy.
Yes.
They've tributes to pay as per agreement,
and there's the issue of the war prisoners we captured as well.
Are there any that may be of use to us among the prisoners?
Well, I don't know about being useful, but there's someone quite interesting.
Someone's got your interest, mother?
Who's this person?
She's quite a catch.
And I intend to test her to see if she really is a big fish or just a small fry.
What are you doing?
My lady, your feet are in terrible shape.
It's alright. Don't worry about it.
Is this about what I said the other day?
Are you shunning me because I confessed my feelings for you?
Are you trying to insult me because I've been reduced to this position?
No, of course not.
I completely understand how you feel.
I'll be more careful of my conduct from now on.
Please let me look at your feet.
I'm your servant, my lady, nothing more.
Please let me serve you.
Drillmaster Gang of Myeongbok Palace?
Yes, Chief Minister.
Please include him in your diplomatic mission to Liao.
May I ask why?
To find out if Lady Sungdeok is among the war prisoners taken hostage.
One of the main reasons for this trip is to negotiate the release of those hostages.
If Lady Sungdeok is among them, I'll bring her back.
He doesn't need to get involved.
That's why I'm asking you.
The man is anxious and unable to wait.
Won't you take him as one of your guards?
His martial arts skills are unmatched.
I can't do personal favors on official government business.
Lady Sungdeok went missing fighting for this country against the Khitan.
And Gang Jo was in the same battlefield with her.
Won't you look kindly upon the loyalty of a servant searching for his master?
I'm coming with you.
No, you stay here and take care of Myeongbok Palace.
Sa Illa and Sa Gamun are going with me, so you don't have to worry.
You want me to stay here and wait when you’re going into a tiger's den to search for the lady?
I can't do that.
How can I when all I can think about is you?
Hyang Bi, you're the baby sister of the betrothed woman I lost many years ago.
That was then. I'm a woman now.
I raised you myself.
Don't you understand?
You're my sister and my daughter. You’re my family.
So cut it out.
I heard you're going into Liao.
I'll come with you.
This doesn't concern you.
Of course it concerns me. You’re going there to find the lady.
Don't you understand?
You'll just get in the way.
Stay here and take care of Myeongbok Palace.
Why are you acting like this?
What do you mean?
You were so kind and affectionate before.
Why are you treating me so coldly?
Brother.
We're leaving now.
Come out, both of you.
Where are you taking us?
You'll know soon enough.
Out!
Where are you taking him?
Why are you separating us?
Be quiet and go where you're told.
Come!
What happened? Did you persuade your master?
No, not yet.
Then you'll have to die.
Give me another chance.
If you kill me now, it'll be a big loss.
How so?
Just like you, Lady Sungdeok's the mother of Goryeo's next king.
And I'm going to be her lover.
Just like Commissioner Han Derang over there.
Do you know about me?
Yes, I do.
You're a powerful man of Han Chinese background who holds the seat second only to the emperor.
And I know that you're also the Empress Dowager's lover.
I may be of Jurchen background,
but I too, will be the partner and lover of Goryeo's future Queen Mother.
Killing me will give you no benefit.
You certainly are presumptuous.
First, you're a humble merchant and now you're the Queen Mother's lover.
Merchants vary depending on what they sell.
Your Highness, regard it as an investment and give me a chance.
You gain nothing by killing me.
It's entertaining to watch you struggling for survival.
But I don't trust you.
Empress Dowager.
You've a face of a cat. The cat is a symbol of betrayal.
They turn against their masters at the slightest disregard.
But that ability to adapt to circumstances might be just what you need right now.
Prove your willingness to serve me.
How?
Kill Lady Sungdeok.
If you can harbor such grand ambition,
show me that you've the mettle to kill the subject of your ambition.
Then I'll trust you.
And I might even let you conquer Goryeo and rule it as you aspire to do.
How about it?
Her Highness, the Empress Dowager!
Goryeoan prisoners!
The merciful Emperor has granted you another chance!
Come forward if you wish to serve Khitan.
This is your final opportunity.
Very well.
The rest of you have chosen death over life.
But yet you've another choice.
Direct your attention to the gate.
Come forward, ten at a time.
You'll go up against ten of our finest warriors.
If you win, you'll live.
Get ready.
Stop!
That woman's royalty, so we’ll grant her a special way to die.
Fight. Only the victor will live.
I like you. Why don't you come under me?
I'd rather die.
The whip is more effective than words sometimes.
Submit to her, my lady.
You must submit to Empress Xiao.
You can't let them send you to the iron mine!
Please calm down!
If that's true, I'm going to kill them all.
What has happen to the lady?
My lady...
Proceed to Shangjin as planned.
We're going to kill the Empress Dowager.