The Iron Empress
Fight.
Only the winner will survive.
Episode 31
Foreman Kim! Foreman Kim!
Foreman Kim, please open your eyes!
Foreman Kim!
This isn't as entertaining as I thought.
Put her back in her cell.
Empress Dowager, please give me a chance to fight this wench.
I said, put her back in her cell!
Your Highness.
How could you?
How could the mother of an empire be this low?
Take her away.
Foreman Kim!
Foreman Kim! Foreman Kim!
Empress Dowager, I have a request. Please allow me to have a match with her.
Let go of me. I must see my subordinate!
Duyan
Fool.
See him for what? You just killed him.
Do you want to die too?
Yes.
Kill me.
Kill me
Now I'm getting angry.
I gave an order, and I heard back talk not once but twice!
Your Highness.
I've an old score to settle with that wench.
It seems that man is itching for a fight.
Give him his wish.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Mother, let it go.
Yelu Pennu
Stop!
That should teach him a lesson.
Check on the Goryeoan.
Foreman Kim...
How does he look?
It'll be difficult to revive him given the amount of blood loss and damage to internal organs.
I see.
His intestine has been pierced.
Yes, Prime Minister.
I don't think even that you can fix him with your magical Hua Tuo hands, sir.
How about a bet?
Pardon, sir?
If I fail to save him, I'll advance you in rank.
Han Derang (Khitan Commissioner of the Security Council)
But I'll need your blood.
My blood, sir?
Yes.
He'll die anyway if your blood doesn't match, so you're increasing your chances.
But how can you revive a man in this condition?
Hua Tuo performed a brain surgery 800 years ago.
This is a small challenge in comparison.
Chief Minister agreed to include us in his diplomatic mission?
Gang Jo
Gang Gamchan (Grand Secretary of the Supreme Council)
Yes, but...
I'm coming along as well.
You, sir?
Chief Minister wasn't keen on the idea of you going into Liao.
This isn't an ordinary diplomatic mission.
The fate of Goryeo may depend on this trip.
But this is about Lady Sungdeok, not an ordinary woman.
That's why I'm coming with you.
If she's indeed being held hostage there, who knows what you'll do?
We just reached a truce.
Sagamun Sa Illa
If you do anything foolish, we could end up with another crisis on our hands.
That's why I'm coming with you.
It's a good thing, brother.
It'll be better for us if Sir Gang come with us.
Cheon Hyang Bi
I'm going to get His Highness's authorization for this trip,
so don't even think about acting on your own.
This is a government matter.
What do you mean?
Seongjong (Goryeo's 6th ruler)
Are you asking me to have your father arrested?
Queen Munhwa
Yes, Your Highness.
Why? Has he committed a crime?
Yes, a crime of war profiteering.
War profiteering?
Superintendent Kim hoaded and cornered the grains in confusion of war
and acquired unreasonable profit from the distressed people.
A minister of the state who should be a model for the people has exploited the public to fatten his belly.
It's unforgivable.
That's most certainly reprehensible, but he's your father.
It's because he's my father that he must be punished.
Only then will the court earn public trust again.
Please, Your Highness.
Load it up neatly.
Who are you and what do you want?
Where's Superintendent Kim Wonsoong?
What?
Jo Du
How dare you barge in here!
It's the king's order.
Dae Dosu
Step aside!
Stop them!
You bastards! Stop!
Oh, be quiet.
Hey. Hey, you bastard.
Can't you be quiet?
Come up. Come on.
You bastard!
Kim Wonsoong (Chief of the Office of Astronomical Observation)
Superintendent of the Observatory Office Kim Wonsoong, you're under arrest.
What did you say?
Under arrest?
What's the meaning of this?
- Take him. - Yes.
How dare you! I'm the queen's father!
You'll have your chance to speak before the king.
- Let's go. - Let go of me!
Foreman Jo, go to the queen right now and tell her what happened!
Quickly! Quickly! Quickly!
Jo Sun
Sit down.
I heard you performed surgery on the man's pierced intestine.
Yes.
Was it to test your skills or save his life?
I'm amused by him.
Like you're amused by the Goryeoan woman.
You're fickle.
Aren't you the one who made the bet and put them to fight?
What made you change your mind?
Because he stopped his sword.
He genuinely loves the woman enough to die for her.
It was like watching me when I was younger.
Really?
That naive young girl Lady Sungdeok reminded me of myself at her age as well.
It's funny coincidence.
So what should we do with them?
Anything you please, Your Highness.
I had betted that he would kill her, so you won the bet.
But I don't know if the man will survive.
You can't save him?
There's a limit to what a physician can do.
I did my best, so now heaven will decide the rest.
Come out.
Foreman Kim!
What happened? Is he alive?
He was treated by the Prime Minister.
But he may not make, so the Empress Dowager is allowing you to be with him.
Foreman Kim.
Can you hear me?
Please don't die.
We've to go back to Goryeo together.
You can't die like this on foreign soil.
How am I supposed to live after killing you?
Wake up, Foreman Kim.
Wake up and confess your feeling for me one more time.
Because...
Because I've feelings for you too, Foreman Kim.
So what do you wish to do with them?
I don't know yet.
At first I thought of using them to make a deal when the Goryeoan envoy arrives,
but now I want to tame them and make them mine.
They won't be easy to break.
The harder it is to get, the more you desire.
She's got sharp claws.
You could get hurt if you don't tame her well.
A good stead is fierce by nature.
But that will never stop me from riding them.
Han Derang...
He was a grandson of Han Chinese war prisoner Han Zhigu
who won the trust of Liao Taizu Yelu Abaoji and became a senior minister of the Liao court.
His father Han Kuangsi was also a high minister of the court.
Han Derang played a pivotal role in bringing young Shengzong to the throne
amid political confusion after the death of Empress Dowager Xiao's husband Yelu Xian
and became the Prime Minister of both south and north privy councils unique in Khitan history.
He was also an avowed lover of Empress Dowager Xiao,
and it's said Shengzong loved and respected him like a father.
It's noted in the History of Liao that Han Derang and his father Han Kuangsi were both talented physicians.
Now that I think of it,
we've not had an intimate evening like this in a long time.
I very much wanted to accompany you to Liaodong,
but I couldn't get away from state affairs.
I'm starting to feel the wine, I’d like to lie down.
If she refuses to be tamed, she'll die.
But if she surrenders, she’ll have the world like you do.
Is this true?
Lord Kim Wonsoong has been arrested?
Yes. You reap what you sow.
I knew this day would come.
His greed finally caught up with him.
Why, when he was the minister of revenue,
he ran the collection office out of his business as if the treasure was his own.
In any case, it's great news.
Isn't it, Minister Seo?
I'm concerned for the queen.
Her father may be an unlikable character but the queen isn't.
I feel bad for the queen,
but this is a good thing for the country.
He can't be allowed to hold a government post again.
That's right.
It was his false allegations of high treason that led to Lady Seol's death.
He should be removed from office and exiled for this past offense.
Sire.
What took you so long? I'm dying in here!
I'm sorry.
It took me some time to find out what happened.
Okay, okay. So what happened?
It's for hoading and cornering of grains during the war, sir.
But we ended up giving it all away because of the queen's order.
Well, sir.
His Highness the king found out about it.
What? But how?
How did the king find out?
Did those Shillan's squeal on me?
Was it the northerners?
I told you to make sure no one talks, you pea brain!
Why are you blaming me, sir?
It's the queen who tattled.
What? What did you just say?
Father-in-law, I think we should help Kim Wonsoong.
That's absurd.
Have you forgotten what he did to us?
When I think about that man, I still want to kill him.
And you want to help him?
I'm with Sir Seol
Sticking up for him could hurt us even more
when we've very little ground to stand on as it is.
The king doesn't even go near the queen consort that we brought in.
That's how much the king loves the queen.
And Kim Wonsoong is the queen's father.
Sire.
What is it?
The queen's lady-in-waiting is here.
The queen's lady-in-waiting?
I've asked for the three ministers to request a personal favor.
Does this concern Lord Kim by chance?
Yes.
I hate to trouble you, but I wonder if you would help my father with his release.
His crime is particularly serious because it was during the war.
I know, Minister Seo.
And I believe my father should pay an appropriate price for his crime.
An appropriate price?
I intend to have him surrender half of his assets to the country.
Then perhaps you should speak to His Highness directly.
That would speed up the process.
Speedy process isn't always good.
My father will need time in confinement to reflect on his mistakes.
And what I want most is to mend his relationship with all of you.
It's not a rift that can be easily mended.
I know, Lord Choe.
That's why I reported my father's offense myself.
You, Your Highness?
Is this true?
Yes.
My father has been a merchant all of his life.
That's why he was blinded by profit and has done harmful things to the state and you.
So I reported his crime and turned him in
and now I'm asking you to appeal for his release.
May I ask why are you playing this game of hurt and heal with him?
Because this is the only way to punish him and at the same time mend his relationship with you all.
I know how you feel about my father.
But if you help him on this, he’ll return your favor with his loyalty.
Do you truly believe that he will?
Your Highness!
Your Highness, please don't do this.
Please.
As a daughter, I want my father to feel remorse,
and as the queen I want harmony in the court.
I beg you.
Foreman Kim!
Foreman Kim. do you see me?
Can you talk?
My lady...
Yes, it's me.
You're alive. You're alive!
Don't get up.
You were stabbed, remember?
How did I survive?
And why are you here?
I don't know.
They treated your wound.
Thank you for not dying on me.
Thank you, Foreman Kim.
I thought I had lost you.
I'm sorry, my lady.
For what?
They threatened me, and I took sword to you to save myself.
No.
You withdrew your sword at the last moment and I stabbed you.
I almost killed you.
Why didn't you just kill me and save yourself?
How many times have you risked your life for me?
I'd rather die than endure this shame.
Please don't say things like that.
If you die, I'll die too.
What I said to you the other day isn't a lie.
Foreman Kim...
You're awake.
Thank the Prime Minister.
You'd be dead if it weren't for him.
What do you want?
The Empress Dowager wants to see you.
How is he?
He's regained consciousness, Your Highness.
Sit down.
Shouldn't you thank me for saving the man's life.
You're the one who put us in that fight and tried to kill us in the first place.
Yes.
Still feisty.
A wild horse, you are.
I've an offer for you.
If this about writing a letter to my brother, I already said no.
No, you don't have to write the letter.
Why don't you become my vassal?
What?
I like you.
It's been a long time since I met someone I like as much.
If you become my vassal,
I'll build you a palace grander than yours in Goryeo,
and permit you to live there with Kim Chiyang.
I don't know if you've heard,
but I don't discriminate between races.
I can grant you my surname of Xiao or the royal family surname of Yelu.
How about it?
Never.
I'd rather die any day than serve you.
Don't answer so hastily.
Refuse my courtesy, and your man will die.
And you'll suffer pain and humiliation worse than death.
Why would you choose such a treacherous path?
I can't forsake my country no matter how treacherous the path.
Put yourself in my position.
Would you forsake your country if you were my prisoner?
Hmm...
Yes.
Sometimes the whip is more effective than words.
My lady!
What is it?
Empress Dowager has ordered this woman sent to the iron mine as well.
You must've really got on her nerves.
Shackle her.
Yes sir!
Did you just say an iron mine?
That's right.
She'll live and die digging dirt like a mole as branded slave.
That place is swarming with men who haven’t seen women in years, no decades.
Imagine what they'll do when your wench shows up.
Why?
Do you want to go stop her?
Too bad you can't even get past that door in your condition.
Let's go.
My lady! My lady!
Foreman Kim!
Submit to her, my lady.
You must submit to Empress Dowager Xiao.
You can't let them take you to the iron mine!
I'm a member of the royal house of Goryeo.
I can't submit to the barbarians.
If you go, you'll die.
At least I'll die a Goryeoan.
No, my lady.
Think of your son Prince Gaeryeong.
I won't ask you to live for me. But you must live for your son!
You live for me.
And go to my son and tell him.
Tell him that he's in my heart to the end.
No, I can't let you go like this.
Thank you.
I never would've made it this far without you.
I'll never forget you.
Please take care.
What are you waiting for?
Separate those two!
We've a long way to go.
Foreman Kim! Foreman Kim!
Take me to the Empress Dowager.
She's not someone you can see at your whim.
You'll regret this.
If you don't take me to her now, Khitan will lose a huge opportunity!
You wanted to talk to me?
Yes, Your Highness.
Please release the lady.
I beg you.
You've already proven how much you care about her.
But this is her choice.
Your Highness, release the lady.
And send her back to Goryeo along with the rest of the Goryeoan prisoners.
It'll prove to be a much more profitable move for Khitan.
You're a humorous man.
Not just release her but send her back with the rest of the prisoners?
That's right.
Send her back and make her a war hero.
How would that profit the Great Liao empire?
There's an irreconcilable discord between the lady and the king of Goryeo,
And the royal court of Goryeo is divided between supporters of the king and the lady.
What's more, the king was ready to yield to Xiao Sunning's demand and surrender
a chunk of land to Khitan in this war while the lady fought Xiao's army to the end.
So if we send her back a hero, that’ll cause internal division in the royal court?
That's right.
It might even break Goryeo in two.
Your Highness, don't let this chance slip away.
It's not entirely unconvincing, but no.
Your Highness!
Those who submit to me will have glory,
but there is only suffering and death for those who don't.
That's my way.
I'll hear no more of your tongue-wagging.
Your Highness, then let me go to where the lady has gone.
I beg you, Your Highness.
Very well.
I'll grant you that wish.
Try to persuade her once more when you join her.
Emperor, what do you think of what we just heard?
I don't know.
Perhaps he made it up in desperate attempt to return to Goryeo.
No, Your Majesty.
I don't think so.
If what he said is true, it's worth looking into.
Nothing would be better if we can bring Goryeo down without bloodshed.
I think we need to look into the situation in Goryeo.
Yes.
We'll inquire about the royal house of Goryeo when the envoy arrives.
The queen?
Yes, Your Highness.
The queen hopes this event will inspire Superintendent Kim Wongsoong to change his ways.
That's why she turned her own father in and had him arrested.
You've married a very wise and most compassionate woman, Your Highness.
Yes, Your Highness.
The queen is a stark opposite of her father.
Please grant her wish.
Lord Seo Hui also said yes and agreed to persuade the others
that even jagged stones can be smoothed out and put into good use.
Is that right?
How could you turn me in?
How could you do this to me
I did it for your own good and the country, father.
How could putting me in jail and taking my money be for my own good?
Father...
Are you crying over money when you aspired to own the country?
You've been behaving like a common merchant all along, father.
This isn't how one gets to own the country.
You must win the hearts of your peers and earn the trust of the people.
But have you?
No, instead you've made yourself a common enemy to everyone.
Make an investment, father.
Why would you hesitate to invest every cent you have when you'll own the world?
Lower yourself even more from now on.
And become a new man.
That's the only way for you and I both to survive.
Do you understand, father?
What happened to my mother?
I called you because no one will give me a straight answer.
She's not dead, is she?
It appears...
If she's gone, doesn't she deserve a funeral?
She went to the front to fight for the country.
Don't give up hope just yet.
Her men have gone into Khitan territory to find her.
If she was taken hostage, she could still be alive.
Hostage?
Pardon me.
By chance...
We're part of the diplomatic mission from Goryeo.
Yes, I know.
By chance, are you the Balhaean general Gang Jo?
Yes, I am.
Do I know you?
I was right! This is unbelievable!
It's good to see you again, sir.
I had served under your father General Gang Mu.
You mean you're a Balhaean?
Yes.
How did you become a Khitan soldier?
When the country fell, I had nowhere to go.
Fortunately, there is no racial discrimination in Khitan.
I'm not proud of it, but I had no choice in order to survive.
Forgive me, sir.
Drillmaster Gang!
What is it?
The Chief Minister would like to see you right away.
What can I do for you, sir?
Drillmaster Gang...
Is there something wrong?
Lady Sungdeok...
The lady... is gone.
That...
What do you mean?
You were right.
She was captured and brought here as a war prisoner.
But I'm told she was shot and killed... trying to escape.
That's a lie.
Don't lie to me.
That can't be true.
I can't believe it either.
But this...
Take a look at this.
It's the lady's armor.
Viceroy Xiao says she was cremated.
No way.
She can't be.
This is a lie!
Where is he?
I need to see this viceroy myself.
Where is he?
What's this despicable behavior?
This is exactly why I didn’t want to bring him along!
Drillmaster Gang, calm down.
I don't care what you think. I want to see that bastard.
Where is he?
Stop this at once!
I won't let you sabotage this diplomatic mission!
I don't give a hoot about your diplomatic mission!
The lady isn't dead.
She's not dead!
Wait! Drillmaster Gang!
She's not dead! She's not dead!
What's the matter with you?
Calm down!
She's not dead.
If she's dead, I'll kill them all.
I'll kill all the Khitan bastards!
What are you saying?
What has happen to the lady?
Is she dead?
What about Foreman Kim?
No one is dead!
If anyone says they are before I confirm it for myself, I'll kill you!
Brother, stop this.
Get out of my way.
I'm going to find the viceroy.
I've to see it for myself.
- Hey, Drillmaster Gang!|- Step aside!
Brother, calm down and talk to the Balhaean soldier we just met.
He should know something if he's stationed here.
Is that the place?
Yes.
I wasn't here, but I heard they both died in that hut.
My lady...
No, this can't be.
You can't be gone.
Not here. Not like this...
I'm here, my lady.
My lady...
Foreman Kim...
My lady...
This is where you'll spend the rest of your life.
What do you think?
Doesn't this place look fun?
Go quickly.
How do you do, sir?
Great. Where's General Gang?
More prisoners?
There you are, general.
These are Goryeoan war prisoners.
They're stubborn bastards who resisted to the end.
They might cause some pain.
Take care of them, lieutenant.
Yes, sir.
First they will be branded.
Yes, of course.
They're slaves now, so they must be marked.
Let's see.
Who should go first?
This is a woman!
She's not just any woman.
She's royalty.
If she's a woman, every will want apiece of her no matter what she is.
And that'll interfere with work.
Brand the woman first on the face!
Yes, sir.
How dare you!
This is Lady Sungdeok of Goryeo!
She's the dowager of the last king and the sister of king in tenure!
Who cares? Proceed!
No! Stop them!
Protect Lady Sungdeok!
Stop!
Look at these fools.
They're in shackles and they still want to serve their master.
This is too funny.
I'm going to teach them a lesson.
Unchain them and give them weapons.
But sir, you're drunk.
Shut up and fetch my spear!
Don't fight if you're powerless to win.
Being royalty means nothing when your country is gone.
My brother Shin is alive?
Yes, sir.
Why do you want to go to Shangjin?
I heard that my younger brother is alive.
Lady Sungdeok died on Khitan soil?
I'm going to kill myself and join my mother!
Song, what's wrong?
Song! Song!
That wench is next. Bring her.