The Iron Empress
Episode 49
Yes, this is it!
This is what I need!
That stinking palace suffocates you.
You have no idea how much
I've wanted to get out here.
Now where should we go first?
Yes, the gisaeng house!
Yes?
The gisaeng house?
[Yi Hyunoon]
Yes, there's something I have to check.
Come, it'll be my treat.
[Mokjong (7th ruler of Goryeo)]
Come along.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, it is you!
It is you.
Why are you in those clothes?
[Lady Yunheung]
What are you doing here, madam?
I've come to make a wish upon the lanterns, and here you are.
My wish has already come true, Your Majesty.
Would you stop saying "Your Majesty"?
Let's go.
Where are you going?
That's not your concern.
Please get out of my way.
No.
If you're out incognito, please stop by my house for a while.
I don't want to and I don't have enough time.
Now let me through.
Please don't be so cold.
Do you know how much I've missed you?
I won't ask you to stay long.
Just have a cup of tea with me.
How have you been?
I eat well, I drink well, and I live well.
I was hurt when you didn't invite me to your wedding.
I thought I'd get to see you that day.
It would've ruined a good day for both you and my mother to see each other.
But still...
Try some tea, Your Majesty. It's from Song China.
I don't like tea. Don't you know that?
Shall I serve some wine then?
Never mind. I have to go now.
Is there anything important you wanted to tell me?
No, I just wanted to see you in the light.
Well, you saw me so I'll leave.
Please don't be so cruel.
[Court Lady Jo]
You're all that the Queen has been able to think about.
Please drink your tea and chat with her if only for a while.
No one ever comes by anymore, and she's been so lonely...
Does the Empress Dowager fare well?
Yes.
Does she by chance ignore you and attend to state affairs at her whim?
I'm sure you're quite upset about that man, Kim Chi Yang.
Stop. I don't want to talk about this.
I've been hearing rumors that he even spends nights with her at Cheonchu Hall.
I said stop!
I'm sorry. I'm just concerned about you.
Your Highness.
I don't think he is in the palace.
Not in the palace?
We've searched everywhere to no avail.
[Cheon Hyang Bi] [Sa Illa]
I'm afraid he may have gone outside.
That's unthinkable!
[Empress Dowager Cheonchu]
An Emperor leaving the palace without his entourage?
Assemble the guards and search the city!
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
You're grown now, so you must rule the state by yourself.
You can't be the Empress Dowager's puppet forever.
Did you invite me here to aggravate me?
No, Your Majesty.
I just want you to continue the late King's work.
And I want to do whatever I can to help.
Help me? What's in it for you?
I'm an ousted queen dowager.
What could I possibly want for myself?
I want you to become a benevolent King, independent from your mother. That is all.
Your Majesty, acquire your own men.
You need your own circle of devotees.
That's the only way you can stand up to the Empress Dowager.
I haven't got the guts nor the desire to stand up to my mother.
Anyway, thanks for the tea. It was awful.
I'm leaving. Don't bother to see me out.
You did it.
What have I done?
I just poisoned the child I raised.
She has the antidote, she said.
Besides, this is good for the Emperor.
Good?
Yes, Your Grace.
If this works out, he won't be the Empress Dowager's puppet anymore.
Where would you like to go now, Your Majesty?
The gisaeng house?
What's this drumming?
Huh? What drumming?
Your Majesty!
Get out of my way!
This looks fun. Who are these people?
They're itinerant entertainers not worth paying attention to.
[itinerant entertainers: A group whose occupation was to travel around and work the crowd]
Please let's be on our way.
No, let's watch for a while.
Did you see that?
What's wrong, Your Majesty?
I feel dizzy.
Then we should go back before they realize you're missing.
Yes.
Are you all right?
Please get a hold of yourself!
[Yu Hangan]
What's wrong?
You're not having a seizure or anything.
Don't you see that woman?
She's naked smiling at me.
Pardon?
The trees are dancing!
Listen to this music!
Look at that!
Oh boy!
As if having seizures isn't enough, he's hallucinating!
Please get a hold of yourself.
We have to go get back.
Check the gisaeng house.
I'll check the market square.
- We must find him. - Yes, sir.
- Let's go. - Aye!
Where are we?
At the palace wall, of course.
Here. Get on.
No. Step on my back and get over the wall.
You must hurry!
If anyone sees us here, I'm dead.
Please, Your Majesty!
All right.
Like this?
Yes. Now climb over.
Are you all right, Your Majesty?
Stand up. Please stand up.
You have to climb over the wall.
Please get up.
Now, let's try again.
No, I mean climb over the wall. Please.
Oh, hold still!
Peek-a-boo!
Stay right here.
I heard his majesty was missing. Did you find him?
No, did you see him by any chance?
Yes, I saw him way down by Shimdeok Hall a little while ago.
Are you sure?
I may be drunk, but I'm not blind.
It was His Majesty all right.
Thank you.
Go, go!
Your Majesty, it's clear!
This way, Your Majesty!
Come on!
This way.
We have to hurry.
Your Majesty, what happened? Where have you been?
Why are you in these clothes?
Yes, my clothes.
Give me my clothes.
You've turned the palace upside down.
[Empress Sunjeong]
Give me my clothes. Hurry.
You! What are you doing here?
Answer the question.
What are you doing here?
I... uh... I heard His Majesty was missing, and I got worried, so...
That is not what she is asking you about!
The gate guards say you snuck out of the palace.
Tell the Empress Dowager truthfully about what you were doing!
I just wanted to have a few drinks, so...
The truth, soldier!
You want us to believe that when there's wine everywhere in the palace tonight?
It's not the same as drinking in the palace.
It's the truth, Your Highness.
Are you sure you didn't take the Emperor out of the palace?
That's unthinkable!
And I don't have that kind of ability.
No! Never!
What's all the commotion out here?
Emperor! What happened?
Whatever do you mean?
Where have you been?
I was in a good mood, so I had a few drinks.
Why? Is that a problem?
Empress, when did the Emperor return?
He returned a little while ago.
I was about to let you know...
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, what�s wrong?
Your Majesty!
What happened?
Did he have another seizure?
No. It wasn't a seizure.
I don't think it is a seizure from what I can tell.
Then what's wrong with him?
I don't know.
Perhaps it is just excessive drinking like His majesty believes it is.
He will be fine after some rest.
Did you check?
Yes, Your Grace.
The soldiers searched the city for the Emperor and went back into the palace.
It's going to be all right, isn't it?
No one will know, as long as we keep our mouths shut.
But that potion doesn't work in just one dose.
Will the Emperor be able to come out again when they're making such a fuss?
He will wake up.
He will most definitely wake up.
This could get us in serious danger.
I'm so scared that my heart is racing.
Your Majesty.
Who are you?
Your Majesty?
We're back!
Sa Gamun and Yi Jujeong are back from Liao!
We're back!
Welcome back.
We're honored, exalted commissioner,
[Yi Jujeong]
that you've come to greet our return.
We've heard of your advancement to Finance Commissioner on our way back.
[Sa Gamun]
Allow me to congratulate you.
My sincere congratulations, Sire.
Thank you.
Steward Yi, please store the goods in the warehouse and let the merchants rest.
[Kim Chi Yang]
Yes, Finance Commissioner!
This way, everyone!
The Khitan Emperor tried to have you killed?
Yes, he was trying to vent his rage on me over Goryeo's declaration of an empire.
I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for Duyan.
I received a report that the war between Liao and Song is at a stalemate.
Is this credible information?
Empress Chengtian is coming back to Shangjin, so I think it's true.
Where's Duyan now?
She went to report her return to the Princess of Liao.
She's probably delivering the Emperor's secret order.
Don't worry about Duyan. She's now under my control.
It's not her I'm worried about; it's the Liao Princess.
She's not going to sit around doing nothing.
Have Steward Yi keep an eye on the Princess as well.
Yes, Sire.
You finally consummated your marriage last night?
Yes.
I was worried with all of his unruly behavior,
but I guess there are good days if there are bad days.
I'm delighted to hear that.
Empress, give us an Imperial Prince soon.
A child will bring many positive changes in the Emperor.
That was the case with his father.
Your Highness.
The Prime Minister sent word that he is unable to attend the court today again.
Is this true?
I think he might be in serious condition.
You think Kim Chi Yang had something to do with Prince Gyeongjuwon's death?
[Seo Hui (Chief of the Supreme Council)]
Yes.
And the reason?
I found out that Lady Yunheung made an attempt to find Prince Daeryang and bring
him to the throne when the late King's illness took a turn for the worse.
[Gang Gamchan (Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]
There's a good chance that this information leaked to the Empress Dowager's side.
And Kim Chi Yang took drastic measures to prevent it?
Yes.
The Empress Dowager would never hurt her own nephew,
and General Gang would never act without the Empress Dowager's order.
So that leaves us with Kim Chi Yang.
And he is very ruthless in the way he handles things.
In the last high treason case,
he wanted all of the offenders put to death, including Lady Yunheung.
And Prince Gyeongjuwon was with an unidentified woman the last time
he was seen alive, and I suspect it was Kim Chi Yang's subordinate, Sa Illa.
So I take it you have no concrete proof?
No, it's just my gut feeling at this point.
Did you talk to anyone else about this other than me?
No, you're the first person I'm discussing this with.
Then let it go.
Sire...!
Listen to me.
It's important that you support the Empress Dowager right now.
You must assist her and strengthen the state.
The Khitan will invade us again.
You know it as well as I do.
I don't know whether it will be tomorrow or ten years from now, but they are coming.
If we fail to strengthen our defense before they do,
Goryeo will again suffer suppression and humiliation.
You must come together and stop that from happening.
But if the truth is buried, Prince Gyeongjuwon will never rest in peace.
I know of your deep friendship with Prince Gyeongjuwon.
But digging this up now will only bring confusion.
It will be extremely difficult to prove Kim Chi Yang's guilt.
Remember that the safety and welfare of the state comes first.
And if Finance Commissioner Kim Chi Yang is a truly dangerous character,
he will reveal his true nature again someday.
And you'll have another chance to avenge Prince Gyeongjuwon then.
So please be patient and wait for a better time.
My Lord, the Empress Dowager has come to see you.
The Empress Dowager?
Minister Gang, I see you're here as well.
Yes, Your Highness. Please come inside.
I am afraid the Prime Minister is unable to greet you on his feet.
What is this?
I have jotted down some of my personal ideas regarding military,
foreign and domestic affairs.
It seems I'm unable to return to the Imperial Court, so I offer this instead.
I truly appreciate your unfailing loyalty.
I will send the Imperial physician upon my return and get you back on your feet.
Thank you, Your Highness.
But there is no remedy for old age.
I'm afraid this is as long as Heaven intended me to live.
Don't say that.
I won't let anyone or anything take you away from us.
I thank you for that remark.
Please discuss important state issues with Minister Gang from now on.
He is a man who will do great things for this country.
I am tired.
Would you help me lie down?
Yes, Sire.
Did you wish to see me, Your Majesty?
What happened last night?
Oh, you don't want to know.
You passed out in the middle of a crowd, watching street performers
among other things, and you nearly gave me a heart attack.
The woman. Who was that woman?
Pardon? A woman?
The woman who was doing dagger throwing tricks and dancing.
Your Majesty, how many drinks did you have at Yunheung Villa?
You must've been quite drunk to mistake a man for a woman.
A man?
The dagger thrower was a man dressed up as a woman.
Your Majesty, it's time to go to the council hall.
What for?
You have a meeting today with the ministers.
What's my mother doing?
I have a headache.
Her Highness is visiting the Prime Minister at his home.
[Goh Hyun]
You must attend the meeting.
Tell them to conduct the meeting on their own.
They don't need me.
What's on the agenda?
Let's get this over with.
Your Majesty, we have a question for the Minister of Finance.
Then ask him. What are you telling me for?
Finance Commissioner, is it true we are dispatching an envoy to Song China?
[Chae Choongsun (Secretary of the Interior)]
Where did you hear about this?
I'm asking whether it is true or not.
Answer the question.
Yes, that's the plan.
What are you saying?
How could such an important decision be made without a word to the advisors?
[Hwangbo Yui (Vice Minister of Finance)]
It's the Empress Dowager's decision.
She did not want to discuss it openly for fear of the Khitan finding out.
What are you saying?
[Choi Suk (Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel)]
That there is a spy among us who will expose the plan to the Khitan?
No. of course not.
It's an outrage that you alone should know, when all of us have been kept in the dark!
And this measure makes no sense.
Empress Dowager had fiercely opposed the last time we discussed the same issue.
Are you saying she suddenly changed her mind?
And what are we to do if the Khitan find out about this?
[Choi Wonshin (Vice Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]
That was the reason for the secrecy.
The idea is to establish a secret alliance with Song and prepare for a Khitan invasion.
You are a finance commissioner.
What do you know about diplomatic relations?
This is a matter for the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of the Military.
Settle down, gentlemen.
I'm sure the dowager has her reasons for putting the Finance Minister in charge.
That is our problem.
The right men must be out in charge of the right work.
What does a Jurchen know about foreign affairs?
You're hardly fit to be the finance commissioner.
What does my background have anything to do with this?
Look at this man glaring and talking back to his elder!
Being the Empress Dowager's pet does not make you indestructible!
That's enough!
It sounds to me like this is ill-advised and inappropriate all around.
Call it off.
Your Majesty, we can't.
Can't?
No.
The safety of the Empire is our concern and the Empress Dowager made this decision
after long and careful consideration.
Yes, and I made my decision hastily.
So are you going to defy my order?
Your Majesty.
When the Emperor gives you an order you just say, "Yes, Your Majesty".
All of the ministers oppose the plan.
Do you think you're above the Emperor because you have my mother behind you?
What do you want?
The Queen Dowager sent me.
[Jiemei]
Come in.
Do we have to go this far?
Of course we do.
We will make the Emperor a slave to my magic potion just like his predecessor.
But if they find out he is addicted,
[Duyan]
they'll immediately know that it's us since they know about the late King.
I don't care. What can they do except kill us?
If we can throw Goryeo into turmoil by giving up our lives, it would be an honor.
[Xiao Zanli]
You look rather scared.
Why?
Are you scared of death now that you have a man?
The Emperor nullified the plan?
Yes, Your Highness, with all of the ministers backing him up...
Do they ever think before they talk?
Sa Illa, are you there?
Yes, Your Highness.
Instruct the Royal Secretariat to summon the officials to the council hall.
Call the Emperor as well.
Yes, your Highness.
Perhaps I should stay away.
Why?
This happened because of their hostility towards me.
Especially the Emperor.
Sending an envoy to Song China is a vital move in guarding the country against imminent threat of Khitan attack.
And it was not openly discussed because it had to be done quickly and in secrecy.
So the plan will resume.
There is no way I will back down.
Why are you silent?
All of you had opposed this afternoon.
Your Highness, I do not disagree.
[Choi Hang (Royal Undersecretary)]
But we have an agency that deals with diplomatic affairs.
The fact that the Finance Commissioner is pursuing this is causing the problem.
That's because this was the Finance Commissioner's idea to begin with, and
because his merchant caravan frequently travels to Liao collecting vital information.
We are in a very volatile situation with Liao after declaring ourselves an Empire.
And I did not have the time to discuss every detail with you.
An envoy must be sent immediately so we can establish a secret alliance with
Song and keep the Khitan in check.
Are procedures that important?
I am in support of your decisions, Your Highness.
Please resume your plans.
We judged in haste, Your Highness.
Forgive us for our error.
Does anyone oppose?
Your Majesty, what's wrong?
They're social parasites.
Every single one of them!
And they're wasting the country's valuable resources!
I want to take all of them and throw them into the river!
Your Majesty...
I need my own men. My own men!
They are all enemies.
Your Majesty, acquire your own men.
You need your own circle of devotees.
That's the only way you can stand up to the Empress Dowager.
Your Highness, the cavalry and the infantry will demonstrate their skills.
Offensive formations!
Defensive formations!
Aye!
Attack!
Since the enemy force is based largely on cavalry,
we've been focusing on equestrian martial arts training.
[Yang Kyu]
What you've just seen is an offensive drill where the soldiers and their horses
become one and skillfully execute their attack.
We're doing our best to develop and refine strategies that make the most of our mountainous terrain
since the enemy is mostly skilled in fighting on flat land.
Good work.
How does the infantry look?
We cannot ignore the fact that the Khitan cavalry is superior in number.
And since horsemen have a distinct advantage over foot soldiers,
we needed a way to leverage this advantage
[Kim Sukheung]
which led to the development of spear carts to suppress the horses.
Are those the spear carts?
Yes, Your Highness.
General Yang Kyu designed them himself.
As you've seen in the drill, the carts forestall the charging horses,
then the soldiers suppress the fallen cavalrymen.
I'm sure this weapon will be very effective against the Khitan cavalry.
Build as many as possible, and train the soldiers to use them effectively.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness, I'd like to make a small request if I may.
Speak.
May we see a demonstration of martial arts skills from
your Highness's personal guards?
A demonstration?
Yes.
It would inspire our soldiers to train harder to see their breathtaking mastery.
Your Highness, I was told General Gang Jo's spearmenship is unrivaled in Goryeo.
I request a match between General Gang and General Yang.
Don't be shy, General.
Give the soldiers what they want.
I humbly request a match.
General Yang, that was very impressive.
No, you went easy on me.
I'm sure I would've lost if this were a real match, sir.
Hurrah for General Yang Kyu!
Hurrah for High General Gang Jo!
Hurrah for General Yang Kyu!
Hurrah for High General Gang Jo!
Hurrah for General Yang Kyu!
Hurrah for High General Gang Jo!
Hurrah for General Yang Kyu!
Hurrah for High General Gang Jo!
Hurrah for General Yang Kyu!
Go out in the city again, Your Majesty?
Yes.
You're going to have to be my guide one more time.
I can't do this anymore, Your Majesty.
If anyone finds out, I'll be killed on the spot.
You're forgetting that I can kill you as well.
Your Majesty...
You don't have a choice.
Just do as you're told.
We're going out tonight whether you like it or not.
Now get back to your post.
Are you sure?
Lady Yunheung's chambermaid was seen entering the Liao Princess's villa?
Yes! How many times do I have to tell you?
This is suspicious.
What possible reason could the two have to associate with each other?
If anything, they are enemies.
Perhaps they're consoling each other's misery and getting together for the fun
of bad-mouthing the Empress Dowager.
No, the Liao Princess was sent here to spy on the Royal House of Goryeo.
The two would never meet without a specific purpose.
They are up to something.
Can you find out through Duyan?
Over here.
Wait. This is a gisaeng house.
Yes.
[Jo Du]
It's the finest gisaeng house in the city.
Why here of all places?
[Han Ingyeong (Minister of Finance)]
You made it.
Lord Kim awaits you. Please come inside.
[Kim Won Soong]
That hurts.
You can't do me this favor after everything I've given you in the past?
Put yourself in my shoes.
Would you accept this dangerous invitation if you were in my shoes?
I don't know about the others, but you can't refuse, Lord Han.
I do know a little bit about the things you have done in the past.
What I've done in the past?
Wasn't it you who snitched on Yi Ji Baek, Park Yang Yu and Yi Gyeomui?
Their poor spirits are still wandering in Hades.
Are you making a threat?
What do you want?
No, no. I'm just asking for a little cooperation.
Are you out there? Bring it in!
What do you think?
This could all be yours.
Do you want to cooperate now?
Your Majesty, this way.
Did anyone see you?
No, Your Majesty.
You told me that I needed my own men.
Yes, I did.
Did you have your father in mind?
No, I know that my father is unfit to be an official of the court.
Then who were you referring to?
Have you forgotten your mentor?
Lord Kim Shimon?
Yes.
But he is in exile for high treason.
He was Your Majesty's mentor.
That reason alone is enough to grant him absolution and restore him to service.
Your court is currently full of the Empress Dowager's men.
If you wish to rule the empire according to your own will, you need men.
Not your mother's men but your own.
[Imperial Palace of Liao]
"Empress Dowager Cheonchu"
Yes.
That's what she is being called since her son took the throne.
And she is the de facto ruler of the state, not her son the Emperor.
So Lady Sungdeok has grown up.
[Empress Dowager Xiao (Emperor Shengzhong's mother)]
She declared Goryeo an empire and dares to go up against me?
How is Xiao Zanli?
She stays at a villa outside the palace
[Yelu Dilie]
and sends us reports about Goryeo through her carrier falcon.
Mother.
We must raise an army and punish the audacious Goryeoans at once.
[Shengzhong of Liao (6th ruler of Khitan)]
You Highness, give us your order and we will bring the
[Yelu Pennu]
Goryeoan Emperor and his mother to their knees.
I'm afraid that's impossible.
[Han Derang (Khitan Commissioner of the Security Council)]
We cannot go to war with Goryeo.
Our soldiers are exhausted from the war with Song.
If we keep putting it off, they will take us even more lightly.
We must march to Goryeo and punish them immediately.
Now is not the time, like the Prime Minister said.
Mother.
Thinks about this rationally, Emperor.
I am just as angry as you are.
But the war with Song isn't over.
Raise an army with the enemy behind us? Please think!
Empress Dowager Cheonchu...
The Emperor is under the weather and could not be here today.
So I will make an important announcement on his behalf.
Seogyeong will be renamed Hogyeong from this day forward.
It is because Hogyeong will become
our advance base in actively governing the northern frontier.
We will march north with Hogyeong as our launching ground
and reclaim the old Goguryeo territory.
So all of you should brace yourselves and be ready to fight a war.
Yes, Your Highness.
In the first year of Mokjong's reign, Seogyeong was renamed Hogyeong.
Hogyeong was an Imperial city that King Wu of Zhou built after conquering Shang.
Perhaps Empress Dowager Cheonchu chose this name because Zhou was a dynasty
that lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history,
and her wish was for Goryeo to drive out the Khitan from the northern frontier
and create a lasting empire such as Zhou.
Are you telling me to spy for you?
How could you ask me to betray my country?
That's not what I said.
I just need to know what they are plotting right now.
What's the difference?
I'm trying to protect you and the Princess.
We're having the Princess and Lady Yunheung watched.
Whatever they're plotting, it will come out.
And when it does, chances are the Princess will not be spared
and you will have to leave.
I don't want to lose you like that.
I want you to stay with me forever.
So tell me. What are they plotting?
Who am I kidding?
You have your own country to protect and I have mine.
We can't get along.
I'm asking for the impossible.
Wait.
Can you promise me?
Can you promise me that the Princess and my people won't get hurt?
What? An addictive herbal concoction?
Yes.
He is consuming the same substance that the late King was addicted to.
But how? Who is giving him that?
Surely the physician wouldn't do this, knowing it is harmful.
It's not the physician.
The Liao Princess and Lady Yunheung are in it together to destroy him.
What?
Has the Emperor been out of the palace recently?
No.
Look at me straight in the eyes.
Call General Gang Jo and General Dae Dosu.
Divide into two groups and arrest them all tonight.
Goryeoans have sent an envoy to Song.
How dare they?!
Assemble the guards this instant.
I want to see if she can be this audacious to my face.