The Iron Empress
Episode 36
Welcome Lady Sungdeok.
You are really alive.
It's been a long time, my Queen.
Have you been well?
On my way here, I heard His Majesty is not well.
[Lady Sungdeok Hwangbo Su (Future Empress Cheonchu) ]
Is he critically ill?
That's not the case,
Queen Munwha
but he must remain calm.
This is why an unqualified person like myself
is sitting in such an important position.
Then I will meet the king first.
Where is he?
That's currently a bit difficult to do.
Difficult?
Yes.
Since he has to avoid shock,
we haven't told him you've returned safely.
He needs to receive treatment for a month,
so please be patient until then.
My Queen,
I know I openly opposed the king in the past,
but after returning from death's doorstep,
I realized I was very wrong.
There will be no reason for me to bicker with the king.
Please don't worry and allow me to see the king.
That's not it.
When the king heard you had died,
he was extremely regretful.
His regrets added to his poor health, which is why he collapsed.
However, as I told you,
he isn't in the condition to meet anyone.
It's not because of what happened in the past.
Then my child,
I can meet my child, right?
What did you say?
Lady Sungdeok
Yi Hyunoon
Your mother is in the palace.
You wench, stop fooling around.
[Wang Song (Future King Mokjong)]
How can a dead person come back to the palace?
She didn't die.
She was captured and held with the P.O.W.s. She is with the queen right now.
It's because I didn't tell you the truth, but every night I prayed to God for her safety.
God must have been so moved by my dedication, so our Lady Sungdeok has returned to Goryeo.
Prince?
I'm not saying I won't let you see Prince Gaeryeong.
It's just that he has a problematic...
A problem?
Mother!
Song!
How long has it been, Song?
Mother...
Are you really my mother?
Yes, Song.
It's your mother.
Your mother.
Mother.
Let me take a look at you, my son.
Do you know how much I missed you?
Mother, how did this happen?
We thought you were dead, so we even had a funeral.
What happened?
Yes, I was on the brink of death,
but I survived for you.
To see you again, I lived.
Song,
if it wasn't for you,
I wouldn't have been able to endure that place.
I probably would have committed suicide and died.
Mother!
Song!
Mother...
Song...
It's been a while.
Gang Jo, I'm happy to see you.
Glad to see you too.
I heard you went to Khitan?
Yes, I did.
That's quite a feat.
Dae Dosu
I didn't believe Lady Sungdeok was alive until I saw her myself.
She was alive.
Not only that, I heard she returned with the P.O.W.s.
When we heard that, we all praised her.
Is that so?
We were disappointed when she didn't recognize us.
My goodness, she's very busy with other matters, so of course she didn't.
Yes, that's true. She's very busy.
Gang Jo
When she sees you later, she'll be very happy to see you.
But why are you all here?
Are you stationed at the palace?
Yes, we were called by the king.
We are responsible for the safety of the palace.
Surveillance you say?
You want to take Prince Gaeryeong outside the palace?
Yes.
I want to spend one night with him at the Sungdeok Palace.
That would fine, right Song?
Yes, Mother.
That...
That can't happen.
Why not?
My mother almost died and I want to spend one night with her.
Why are you saying no?
Prince Gaeryeong, you are not an ordinary child.
You're going to succeed the throne.
Since the king is ill, you can't leave the palace.
You are in charge of governing anyway.
I am going with my mother.
Prince Gaeryeong!
Now that I think about it.
There's something very strange with you.
You didn't tell me my mother came back alive.
Is seeing my mother a crime?
My Queen,
do you still think that I shouldn't see my own son?
Is that it?
No, it's not.
Then, I will take him for one night.
I know very well that my son will be the next king.
What is this about?
Then, the Khitan asked us to accept the consort?
[Park Yang Yu (Chancellor)]
Yes, they have.
That's ridiculous!
It's already shameful to be allied with barbarians.
How can we take her as a consort?
[Choi Seom (Councilor of the Royal Secretariat)]
What kind of nation does this?
We didn't have a choice, since Lady Sungdeok and the P.O.W.'s lives were at stake.
[Gang Gamchan (Grand Secretary of the Supreme Council)]
We couldn't ignore it.
But the fact is, the King is bedridden, so how can he take a consort?
[Choi Ryang (Minister of Culture)]
That's exactly what I'm saying.
He can't even govern these days,
so how can he take a consort?
But if we refuse their offer,
[Han Ingyeong (Minister of the Interior)]
what if we have another war?
That's correct.
We cannot ignore what the minster said.
Han Ungong
We cannot ignore the reality of their strength.
If we have to have another war, then we will.
[Kim Shimon (Commissioner of Diplomatic Affairs)]
How much of the barbarians' demands do you plan on doing?
War is out of the question.
We barely won last time
and with the current situation we are in, we can't win against the Khitan.
[Seo Hui (Vice Minister of the Supreme Council)]
It's a hard thing to accept, but until we can strengthen ourselves,
we have no choice.
If we borrow Song's forces,
we can win against the Khitan.
But why aren't you talking?
When we discussed bringing in a consort before, you raised hell.
[Kim Won Soong (Chief of the Office of Astronomical Observation)]
Well, I am sleepy during the daytime,
so I can't concentrate on anything.
Your efforts to raise the prince were useless.
You did so much for him.
How could he go with his birth mother so quickly?
My Queen,
Court Lady Jo
why don't we tell people about his epilepsy?
Watch your mouth!
Your tongue?
Do you want it cut off?
I'm sorry,
but the way he acts is so awful.
Really?
You're good at archery now?
Yes.
If I shoot ten arrows, seven hit the bull's eye.
That's amazing.
Well, looks like we'll have to have a competition.
Yes. Let's have one.
I'm confident.
My Lady, Foreman Kim is waiting.
Song, wait a moment.
I have important business to take care of.
Yes. Go take care of business, Mother.
Something I couldn't even think of has happened.
The king is gravely ill and the queen is acting as the king.
My Lady,
if the king is ill, then we don't have to overthrow the king.
If the king dies, the prince will receive the throne.
We can't think it that easy.
Didn't she say he will recover in a month?
Kim Chi Yang
Then, we'll be back to square one.
Instead, we should seize this opportunity
and getting rid of the king would be better.
Get rid of?
Yes.
Since he's already sick from poison,
if we poison his food, no one will suspect anything
and we can take care of this matter.
I can't do that.
We can't kill him.
I just want him to overthrow him.
But my queen,
if we keep him alive, there will definitely be trouble.
This is seen throughout history.
If you want to get rid of him,
then you have to kill him.
You have to kill him and get rid of him, to not deal with the consequences.
Didn't Her Highness say "no".
She said no, so why do you have so much to say?
Gang Jo is right.
Foreman Kim,
he's my brother.
I don't want to kill him.
But you're making an easy thing hard.
Even if it's hard, do it.
I ask of you.
Then, compared to now, there has to be a lot more preparation.
First, we have to find cabinet members,
but more importantly, we have to make the palace soldiers be on our side.
To avoid getting caught and doing this,
it won't be easy.
It's about changing the country,
we should be prepared for this in the least.
With the help of the Heavens,
the soldiers in the palace are ones we fought with at Ahnyoongjin.
We must make them ours.
How?
I will go into the palace.
You will?
Yes.
Last time, when the King came to Myeongbok Palace, he offered me a position, which I refused.
I will take the offer to go inside the palace and make allies.
But that's the past, and the king is bedridden.
My Lady,
you have to meet the king.
Meet the king directly and find out how bad his condition is.
If he's really sick, then we don't need to shed blood in this coup.
If he's not, then I must go into the palace.
Then we have a chance.
A Khitan consort?
Yeah.
That is what's being said at the palace.
That's preposterous.
With the queen still young,
why a Khitan consort?
With the king bedridden,
Jo Du
what good will a consort do?
But,
Jo Sun
Sir, it seems like you didn't object.
Your sense is much better than Jo Du's.
That's right. There's no reason for me to object.
What do you mean?
Since the king is bedridden,
even if he takes a consort,
she won't be able to have a son.
On top of that, if they are closer,
there could be some benefits.
Sir,
are you going to use her to open trade with the Khitan?
Yes, I am.
Since our trade with Song is blocked, we need to open trade with the Khitan.
You're really something.
Your son-in-law may have a son, and you're talking about trade?
Of course.
A son-in-law, daughter, or nation...
I don't need any of them.
What I do need
is something to increase my wealth.
Even if the king dies, if my daughter betrays me, or if the country falls,
wealth never disappears.
An consort from the Khitan
I think this will be
my last chance to build my fortune.
You did a great job during the war.
When I heard you negotiated to end the war
and gained our lost territory, I was elated.
It's all because of our soldiers who fought in Ahnyoongjin.
And I didn't endure hardship like you.
I am so glad to see you again.
My Lady,
we can't do much about the king's illness,
[Yi Ji Baek (Inspector of the Board of Punishment)]
but the queen acting as the king
is not right.
Prince Gaeryeong should be acting as the king.
But the prince is too young.
Then the mother of the prince should govern for him.
Yes, that's correct.
The prince will eventually become king,
[Yi Gyeomui ((Minister of Defense)]
so we can't allow the queen to govern.
But she is carrying out the king's orders,
so we can't interfere.
Truthfully, I don't believe that it's the king's order.
Besides the queen,
no one can see the king.
I agree.
I just wonder if the queen has other plans in mind.
Otherwise, why won't she let Lady Sungdeok
see her own brother?
Then, why don't you
ask the queen to let you see the king again?
Even if he is ill,
even I think it's wrong to prevent you from seeing him.
My Majesty, I'm sorry.
[Seongjong (The 6th Ruler of Goryeo)]
Your sister has come back alive, but I can't allow you to see her.
Though I'm worried about your safety,
I am afraid of her...
just as if she returned from hell.
But My Majesty,
please get well.
Get up like before and confidently lead Goryeo to be strong.
How dare you?!
[Empress Dowager Xiao (Emperor Shengzhong's mother)]
I saved your life and returned your P.O.W.s.
How dare you think about betraying me?
I, Empress, conquered the entire world.
I will kill you and your son and make every Goryeoan my slave.
No, you can't.
No.
NO!
No!
No, you can't.
No.
I will kill you! I will kill you! Kill you.
Mother!
What's wrong? Mother!
Did you have a dream?
Yes, I did.
What kind of dream was it that you're this shocked?
Look at this sweat!
Song.
Yes, Mother.
No matter what,
you must be a strong king.
Do you understand?
Mother?
Answer me!
You must be a strong king that doesn't bow down to other kings.
No, you must be the emperor of a great empire, understand?
Yes! Yes.
You must become one.
Don't be afraid.
They're just human.
Human.
I need to see the king.
Didn't I already tell you yesterday?
For his quick recovery, please be patient.
My Queen, I am not the same person as before.
I will not interfere with his recovery, so please don't worry.
Knowing that his sibling has come back alive
will be helpful, not harmful.
No, I disagree. Even good news could be harmful to him.
If you can't believe what I am telling you,
I will summon the doctor.
I will go with that doctor and go see the king.
If I cause any disturbance, then I will leave immediately.
As a sister who came back from the brink of death,
I am asking you to let me see my brother.
No, you can't.
I am asking you to wait a month.
I am also asking a favor of you.
No. No matter what you say, I must see him today.
I will not allow you to see the king.
I am his sister.
I don't need your permission to see my own brother.
I am not an ordinary queen.
I am acting as the king,
so my command is the king's command.
Please leave.
Please step aside.
She came to see the king.
Kim Hoon Choi Ghi
I'm sorry Instructor Gang.
Without the queen's permission, we can't allow anyone to see him.
Have you forgotten the queen you fought with at Ahnyoongjin?
We know that well, but we are just following orders.
Let them pass.
My Lady, I'm glad to see you are well.
I heard you became a general, congratulations.
Thank you.
Please take Lady Sungdeok inside.
I will take full responsibility.
But general, we have orders from the queen.
The general said he will take full responsibility.
Yu Bang
Please step aside.
Everyone step aside.
Thank you.
Please stay here Drillmaster Gang.
My Lady, you can't come in here.
Please step outside.
My Lady...
Didn't I say to go outside.
Please don't say anything that will excite him.
In order to obtain your goal,
you must become an evil that doesn't have blood or tears.
In order to come this far, I killed my two older sisters.
In order to take Chancellor Park, I poisoned his wife.
When you kill someone, you must be complete evil. That way no one dares to challenge you.
Brother.
Su.
Su,
is that you?
Yes, Brother.
Su.
You even come to me in my dream.
I missed you.
I missed you, Su.
Brother, it's not a dream.
I'm back. I came back alive from Khitan.
Is this real? This is not a dream?
Yes, Brother.
It's not.
Brother, how did this happen?
Su...
You're alive.
You were alive.
How did this happen?
If this is a dream,
I don't want to wake up.
Su.
What are you saying?!
Lady Sungdeok went into the king's bedroom?
Yes, My Queen.
How dare she?!
I've given the order not to allow anyone in.
The general
fought with Lady Sungdeok in Ahnyoongjin.
What?
I was the head of Ahnyoongjin.
Please don't tell anyone that I told you about this.
I am just telling you out of respect.
If they know about this, they will kill me.
Is that so?
You were captured in Seogyeong all along?
Yes, Brother.
I didn't know.
I was careless.
Su, I have done so much wrong to you.
You are the only sister I have left. What I've done to you!
Brother.
Please forgive me, Su.
No, Brother.
It should be me asking for forgiveness, not you.
Through this war, I have learned a lot.
I almost couldn't see you or my son again.
From the lessons I learned during the war,
I won't run around outside and I will obey your orders
and train myself to be a good woman.
Is this true?
Yes, Brother.
I have been too rude to you, Brother.
Forgive me, Brother.
How can this be?
You have returned a new person, but Prince Gaeryeong is...
Prince Gaeryeong is...
Brother, what is wrong?
My chest, I'm suffocating. I feel nauseated.
My head hurts so much.
Is the royal doctor there? Please come in.
Your Highness, why are you sitting up?
Please lie down.
My Lady, please leave now.
He must not exert himself.
One thing...
I have one request I need to ask of His Highness.
No, you must not. Please leave, My Lady.
It's just a few words.
My Lady...
It's fine.
Tell me.
Lady Sungdeok, that child...
She's probably doing well, right?
Most likely.
Don't be concerned.
I am frustrated because I can't watch from my palm.
So when Foreman Kim's caravan arrives,
[Han Derang (Khitan Commissioner of the Security Council)]
I think we need to send someone back with him.
Someone in addition to the consort?
Yes, since she will be watched at all times,
I think we need an additional person to help Lady Sungdeok.
But that'd be the same.
They'll know that person is from us, so that person will be watched carefully too.
Instead, how about planting a spy among the Goryeoan court?
So, you can't trust Foreman Kim?
I don't know.
His face is like a cat's.
Is the training going well?
Yes, your highness.
Yayul Jukleul
Everything is being taken care of.
Xiao Zanli
Even including sexual techniques?
Yes, Your Majesty.
How pitiful.
Shengzhong (6th Ruler of Khitan)
If other countries find out, they'll think we've lost the war, so we're sending a royal.
Why is she doing such a futile thing?
Your Majesty,
Yelu Pennu Yelu Wuji
why don't you request to run the country yourself now?
You are 24 years old, Your Majesty.
Until when are you going to let the Empress run the nation?
Don't you dare say such a thing out loud.
You don't know how scary my mother is yet.
Your Highness, are you okay?
I'm okay, but why didn't you tell me?
What are you talking about?
That Lady Sungdeok came back alive.
I was concerned that a sudden shock might be harmful to your health, Your Highness.
Please forgive me.
Is that so?
But now, what are we to do with Prince Gaeryeong?
How can it be? Epilepsy?
I couldn't bring myself to tell Lady Sungdeok.
That child has returned from the brink of death, but now Prince Gaeryeong has this epilepsy.
Your Majesty, please do not say anymore.
Please forget everything for a while and think about your health.
I will tell you just one thing.
Drillmaster Gang, the martial arts instructor of Myeongbok Palace.
Please give him the title of General of the Palace troops.
Your Majesty, why are you saying that so suddenly?
Why that man?
Lady Sungdeok has requested it.
Please do as I ask.
Your instatement has been taken care of.
How serious was His Highness's illness?
He seemed very ill, but the royal doctor said he'll recover in a month.
Anyway, once you enter the palace, begin to convert the palace troops.
I will take care of getting the palace officials on our side.
Yes, My Lady.
Just in case, we will need to prepare an army.
I think we should send Cheon Hyang Bi to the Balhae village.
That is the best place to train an army without being seen.
I can get reinforcements from my Jurchen village.
But as I've said before, the easiest way is
to get rid of just one king.
Her Highness has already said no to that.
Are there any other issues.
Then, we need to stir the people's mind.
In order to overthrow the king, we must stir unrest in the people.
We need that even when we've succeeded.
If the people do not support us, the deposed king can revolt against us.
Since you had a central role in this war, that will be a great help to us, My Lady.
His highness wanted to give them land and surrender.
Not only that, you returned from Khitan with the P.O.W.s.
We need to tell the people and systematically magnify these issues.
I will give this duty to Sa Gamun.
I understand.
Please do so.
But among our own soldiers, who should know about this?
Those that went to Khitan, Cheon Hyang Bi, Sa Gamun, Sa Illa, and
Instructor Yi Sulwha will be enough.
Mr. Yi's too talkative, so do not tell him.
Yes, My Lady.
This movement must succeed.
If we fail, then not only us, but
there will be no future for Goryeo.
He said to appoint the Instructor from Myeongbok Palace as a general?
That is so.
Isn't that odd?
His Highness is so ill,
but she asks him to appoint the instructor?
Since his highness has ordered it, we must obey.
But I feel insecure.
Not only him, but even the palace guards
fought with Lady Sungdeok at Ahnyoongjin.
Even the palace guards?
Yes.
Since this is the case, we must do something as well.
We must come up with a plan to oppose Lady Sungdeok.
Your Highness, in order to do so,
we must get rid of members who favor Lady Sungdeok,
especially the head of military.
Are you saying we should reshuffle the cabinet?
Yes.
But we don't have reasons for a change.
We can make reason.
But the main source of the problem is Prince Gaeryeong.
The prince?
Yes.
Even if we change the cabinet to be on our side,
it will be useless when the prince becomes king.
You have less respect from the people than Lady Sungdeok.
We must remove the Crown Prince.
No, I can't.
I raised him.
Take the title away from him?
Then, does he obey you, My Lady?
When Lady Sungdeok returned, didn't he follow her without hesitation?
Even so, I don't like the idea of removing his title.
Even the king would not allow that to happen.
You must think with the possibility that something happens to the king!
We don't have anyone to take the throne.
Yes, there is.
There is Prince Gyeongjuwon.
Prince Gyeongjuwon?
He's in exile. He has no interest in politics.
That's true for the prince, but his son is a different story.
Are you talking about Prince Daeryang?
Yes.
You once raised him also?
What are you talking about, My Queen?
You want to build fortresses on the northern border?
Yes.
We acquired that land as a result of your brave efforts.
Please go there and build fortresses to defend against invaders.
But, My Queen. He is too aged to carry out your orders.
Then, his assistant Gang Gamchan can help him.
I heard you know the region well.
Yes, but...
Why? Do you not like my suggestion?
No, My Queen. I will do my best to carry out your orders.
Thank you very much. I'll have one less thing to worry about.
Now, I am going to reassign the cabinet members.
First, Ministry of Defense, Yi Gyeomui, will be reassigned to Associate Royal Undersecretary, and
Lord Choi Seom will replace him.
Minister of Punishment, Yi Ji Baek,
will be reassigned to Superintendent of the Office of Diplomatic Reception,
and his position will be replaced by Lord Kim Shimon.
Also, I am restoring Lord Kim Won Soong, Lord Seol Shinyu,
and Lord Yi Yang to their former posts in
Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Punishment, and Ministry of Defense, respectively.
Please hold on, My Queen.
Is the king aware of all these changes?
Yes, he is. Why?
What is the reason you are casting out the members of the Northern party?
You'd better watch what you say. I don't move people based on party.
But the king is concerned about the balance of power.
These moves do not coincide with his ideas.
I said I already have discussed it with the king.
Also, you don't have any right to say anything.
The king collapsed because of you.
You'd better be thankful you still have jobs.
Is that true?
Gang Gamchan and his superior were reassigned to the North
and the Shilla party is running the country?
Yes, My Lady.
The queen said she discussed these changes with the king and carried them out.
My God.
I thought she was a tame cat, but she is a tiger with hidden claws.
We don't know about the others,
but we need Gang Gamchan and Lord Seo Hui to accomplish our mission.
Not only that, Seo Hui was the most important person in winning this war.
We should prevent them from leaving, since we need the most revered people to win the people's respect.
I have a different opinion.
I don't know much about the other cabinet members,
but Lord Seo Hui and Gang Gamchan are both very loyal to the king.
We may need them later, but I doubt they will agree to overthrow the king.
Most likely, they could be our deterrents to carry out our mission.
I don't think they are the people we need to carry out the mission now.
Then, whom do you think we need?
Right now, we need Yi Gyeomui who has many years of controlling the military and
Yi Ji Baek from the Office of Punishment.
As you know, Yi Gyeomui was a soldier and Yi Ji Baek are both a bit naive.
Things are becoming odd.
Yes.
I thought it was quiet for a while, but it seems it's the beginning of a war between the two parties.
Do you think the queen discussed this with the king?
Don't you think someone else is behind her?
I think since Lady Sungdeok is back and the king is bedridden,
people who are afraid of losing power, are conspiring.
That goes for both parties.
Don't you think it's the same when people talked about crowning the prince to king?
Then, are you going to stay aside and watch?
Listen to me, Minister Gang, I am sick and tired of political wars.
Since King Gyeongjong, I've been a member of the cabinet,
but I don't want to be part of any war between parties.
I am exhausted now.
Then
Minister Gang,
let's leave for the North.
Let's forget about politics,
and let's concentrate on building strong fortresses for the country.
I will follow you wherever you go. But will you be alright?
Just as Minister Yi Gyeomui said, you have aged.
I think this will be my last chance to contribute to the country.
Like you said, I am old. I have no energy to fight the enemy.
I despise fighting between parties,
so I will go north, and build strong fortresses
that the enemy can't ever invade us. I want to make that my last legacy.
Won't you come with me?
I understand.
I will do as you ask.
Thank you.
Have a drink.
According Goryeo's history,
Seo Hui spent the next three years building forts
It is recorded that in the northern border region at Jangheungjin, Guihwajin, Gwakju and Guiju,
Anuijin, Heunghwajin, Seongju, and Mengju fortresses were built.
These forts became solid buffers in the second Khitan invasion with an army of 300,000.
Fortess Heunghwajin, in particular,
came to be known as "the Impenetrable Wall" for General Yang Gyu's
victory with a small army against overwhelming odds.
Seo Hui was well known for his intelligence on foreign policy.
He left the legacy of defending the country with his ability to foresee the future.
Jurchen Village
It's Sa Illa noona.
Unni!
Have you been well?
Is he truly safe?
Sa Illa
Yes, he has returned safely and in good health.
I have been anxious.
You and your brother couldn't be contacted, as well. I thought it was all for nothing.
Our master has sent a message.
It is time to begin.
The time has come for the dragon to awaken.
Balhae village
A company of 500 soldiers?
Yes.
The war has ended. Why the need for so many soldiers?
My brother has ordered it. No questions asked.
Cheon Hyang Bi
Really?
If it is the order of Instructor Gang and Lady Sungdeok, it will be carried out.
I will do it.
Welcome.
Hey, Sa Gamun.
It's been a while. How long has it been?
How have you been?
Sa Gamun
Well, me. It's always the same.
Tell me those stories.
The residents of the Western capital are in uproar.
What do you mean?
Our Lady Sungdeok turned the Khitan inside out, I heard.
The rumor is circulating in the Western capital.
Who would say such a thing?
Who else?
The P.O.W.s who returned from the Khitan.
From what I heard, Lady Sungdeok competed against the Khitan emperor in an archery competition.
Her skills were scary enough to scare ghosts,
so the emperor wet his pants from fright! He couldn't help it.
Our lady was hit with ten arrows, but continued to fight them.
Is that true?
Why are you laughing?
That's not all.
There's a rumor saying that our Lady is really a man
and that she has wings. All sorts of rumors!
By the way,
you promised to include me in trading with Myeongbok Palace,
but why haven't you said anything about it yet?
Don't worry. I keep my promises.
I was wondering if you could help us?
If this matter is successful, you may very well take up residence in Myeongbok Palace.
Really?
What is it?
Are you familiar with the Gaegyeong market as you are with Seogyeong?
What do you take me for?
If it's a market, no one knows better than me in all the countries.
Why do you ask?
Is it about going to Gaegyeong?
Start.
More power.
Faster.
How have you been?
Enough!
Well, who do we have here?
Welcome.
I've heard the news. You've been made general.
Yes, that's so.
I'm not familiar with what goes on in the palace, so I hope you will be able to help me.
Congratulations, General Gang.
Just with your martial art skills alone, you could have been general a long time ago.
I am honored.
Thank you everyone.
Since, I have no soldiers, we've been ordered to divide up your soldiers, General.
I've brought the letter.
I understand.
Master Yu.
Yes, General.
I want you to work with General Gang from now on?
Me?
I've gone through everything with you, General.
Well, we'll still be in the same palace, so it won't matter, right?
You won't be far away from me, so please do so.
I understand, General.
I would like to greet you formally.
I am Yu Bang.
I will do my best to serve you, General Gang.
Thank you, Master Yu.
Also, I have three officers, so one of them can serve under you.
I will serve you.
Why, you wench, you are.
When I saw you at Ahnyoongjin, I felt that you are my true master, General Gang.
This has been mandated by the Heavens, so please take me.
General, this wench will only give you headaches. Will you be alright?
Hey, you good for nothing.
You don't want to get anymore beatings from us, so you're playing smart, right?
Shut up, you wenches.
I will do my utmost to serve you until I die, General Kim
Uh, I mean General Gang.
Have you been well?
Yes, Master.
Now that I see you in person, you look so much like your deceased father.
Now, the time is coming to carry out his revenge.
On that day, I will rip that man apart.
I will tear out his liver and eat it.
I will destroy three generations of his family and
dry out his seeds.
So, do not lose watch of him.
I understand, master.
Mun In Wui
How could this be?
Those who had been demoted, because they wanted to give our lands to Khitan,
have all been restored.
Does this make any sense?
On top of that,
Sir Seo and Gang Gamchan, the greatest victors of the war, have been run off to the North,
and our ranks have been lowered. How can this be what the king wanted?
How can anyone know?
His Highness is not very clear-headed right now,
so he might be going along with what the queen orders.
He has always done what she wanted, right?
My Lady, we must have a plan.
We can't just accept what's happening to us.
What do you think I should do?
Please visit His Highness once more.
Tell him that instead of the queen, Prince Gaeryeong should be running the country.
That is what is natural.
What if he does not listen to me?
He has not liked me from the beginning,
and as you've said, he trusts the queen.
If he refuses to listen to me, then what?
If I try to place Prince Gaeryeong in power, would you follow me?