The Iron Empress
Episode 66
Do you think they fled?
No, Your Highness. They're not running away.
They're preparing an overthrow.
I beg your pardon?
They will take up arms and attempt to seize the palace.
That's absurd.
Seize the palace?
An overthrow?
You must listen to me, Your Highness.
[Episode 66]
Kim Chi Yang is much more
dangerous than you think.
Everything about him may very well be a lie.
Minister Gang!
Aside from the attempted assassination of Prince Daeryang, he killed Gang Jo's wife
Cheon Hyang Bi and destroyed the Emperor.
And he might be trying to bring down Goryeo.
That's ridiculous.
What proof do you have to substantiate this claim?
[Empress Dowager Cheonchu ]
Your Highness, Kim Chi Yang used Yu Han Gan to seduce the Emperor.
[Gang Gamchan (Minister of Rites)]
You can interrogate Yu Han Gan right now.
And Cheon Hyang Bi...
She was attacked by the Eastern Jurchen.
Your Highness, Hyang Bi was secretly investigating Kim Chi Yang.
And she found out from Hangae Temple
that Kim Chi Yang is somehow connected
to the last prince of Shilla, Prince Mahi.
According to General Gang Jo, she was out following that lead when she was killed.
Do you think this is coincidence?
Crown Prince Mahi?
Yes.
An overthrow?
Are you suggesting that we attack and seize the palace?
Yes.
For what reason?
The country is in great peril right now.
[Kim Chi Yang (Finance Commissioner)]
The Emperor is ignoring his duties, obsessed by a homosexual love.
And the ministers want keep him on the throne to protect their own selfish interests.
Are we to tolerate this?
Then what is your plan once the Emperor is brought down?
[Kim Sukheung]
I will put my son, Prince Hwangju, on the throne.
Prince Hwangju? But his surname is...
[Yang Kyu]
What's more important, a surname or the country?
My son is of royal blood as well.
Besides, there is no other suitable candidate.
Don't take this the wrong way. What about Prince Daeryang?
He is a priest. He was sent into priesthood at the age of 12.
What could he possibly know about running a state?
But will the Empress Dowager allow this?
I will persuade her.
I have no choice but to use force right now, but she is practically my wife.
Women always follow their men.
General Yang, General Kim, you said you'd support me in anything I do.
The two of you are like my own flesh and blood.
Brothers, the time has come. Will you help me?
Of course, sir.
You took care of us as no one ever has.
I will give my life for your cause.
So will I.
Just give us your command. We will do anything you ask...
Thank you. Thank you, brothers. I feel like I've gained an army!
What would you like us to do first?
Go back to Six Guards camp and round up the troops.
Many others will come forward to join you.
There are others?
More than half of the Six Guards will join our cause.
You'll see once you're there.
Are we to bring them back here?
No, you'll be guided to another location by my men there.
Just make sure you are there before seven o'clock.
Your Highness, Kim Chi Yang is probably hiding in Shiwangsa.
You must send out the troops and bring him in.
No, I'm not buying this. Commissioner Kim would never do this.
Your Highness, please listen to me.
Commissioner Kim placed warrior monks all around Gaegyeong.
He will call on them to attack the city. There is no time, Your Highness!
Those monks were trained to defend the city against Khitan invasion.
An overthrow? Never.
He might have tried to kill Daeryangwon, but everything else is your imagination.
Crown Prince Mahi? What could he possibly have to do with him?
He was born in Dongju. Lord Seo Hui checked his background.
What about Cheon Hyang Bi?
What about Yu Han Gan?
Do you still believe they had nothing to do with Kim Chi Yang?
Your Highness, I'm not claiming to know everything about Kim Chi Yang.
But do I know he is hiding something big.
I beg you to arrest him and interrogate him.
He's committed more than enough crimes to warrant an arrest.
I know how you feel, but this a matter of national security.
I beg you, Empress Dowager.
Can we trust the two generals?
I've invested a lot in them.
Besides, Yang Kyu has already saved my life once from Gang Jo.
They would not betray me.
But you never know, sir.
[Mun In Wui ]
Don't worry.
It won't make a huge difference even if they back out.
More than half of the officers of the Six Guards are with us.
But we must not reveal my identity until this is over.
If they found out that we're bringing down on Goryeo, there will be chaos.
[Sa Illa]
At what time do we initiate action?
We will do so at midnight to signify the dawn of the new world.
Once Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung joins us and Prince Hwangju is safely with us,
we will strike the four gates of the palace simultaneously.
Did you see all of those soldiers? What do we do?
It looks like he's been preparing for this for a long time.
Minister Gang was right about him.
Plotting an overthrow to bring his own son to the throne...
Shouldn't we alert the palace?
I'll go to the palace. Go ahead and go back to the base.
If Kim Chi Yang is right, half of the base will join the insurrection.
Shouldn't we suppress them?
No, don't get in their way.
Take a small group of your men and join them.
Join them? What do you mean?
We have to infiltrate the center of the organization to suppress them effectively.
This is too big to handle any other way.
I will alert the palace.
Go now. I'll follow soon.
What could the commissioner have done for them to treat me like this?
No, this has to be a mistake.
[Yi Jujeong]
Yes, it has to be.
Why I'll tell the commissioner about his and have all of them beheaded!
Leave us.
Your Highness, I've never been so wronged and mistreated!
Silence! We're here to question Yu Han Gan.
Ask me anything you want.
You're being spared public inquiry and torture because of the urgency of the situation.
So answer the Empress Dowager's questions truthfully.
I'm prepared to part with this life.
[Yu Han Gan (Official of Hanmoon Temple)]
I will hide nothing.
Were you instructed by Commissioner Kim Chi Yang to seduce the Emperor?
Hasn't His Majesty spoken?
I've already told him everything.
It was Commissioner Kim who brought me into the palace to spy on the Emperor
and to seduce him.
Is this the truth? Commissioner Kim put you up to this?
Yes, Your Highness. None of this is the Emperor's fault.
I drugged him with osuksan and seduced him.
What? Osuksan?
Yes, Your Highness.
That's the narcotic the previous King was addicted to.
Where would you find such a thing?
It was supplied by Commissioner Kim, to be administered to the Emperor.
Your Highness.
I... I must leave.
I must leave now.
Your Highness, my feelings for the Emperor are genuine.
They truly are.
Your Highness...
Take the troops to Shiwangsa at once and arrest Commissioner Kim Chi Yang!
Commissioner Kim, Your Highness?
General Yu, you must suppress every one of his men as well.
Every single one of them.
On what charges are we to arrest the commissioner?
You'll be advised later.
There is no time right now, so leave at once.
There will be strong resistance, so arm your men well.
Understood?
Yes, sir.
General Yu.
Yes, Your Highness.
Bring back Commissioner Kim alive.
Yes, Your Highness.
[Shiwangsa]
There is no one here.
[Kim Hoon]
How could this entire temple be empty?
Something's not right.
[Yu Bang]
Let's get back to the palace for now.
Yes, sir.
We're going back!
Move out, men!
Yes, sir.
It's an ambush! Take cover!
Who are you?
Minister Gang!
Why are you in your armor?
I've been looking for you, General Dae.
There are signs of an insurgency.
Insurgency?
Minister Gang!
General Yang, what brings you to the palace?
Sir, I have an urgent report.
Go on.
Finance Commissioner Kim Chi Yang has instigated a rebellion.
What?!
Commissioner Kim...
Commissioner Kim has raised an army against me?
Yes, Your Highness.
Between the warrior monks and his private militiamen, it's not a small force.
Commissioner Kim has taken up arms to destroy me?
Are they at Shiwangsa?
No, Minister Gang.
They're camped at the foot of a mountain north of Songsusa.
And he said many officers of the Six Guards would be joining him as well.
Why would they?
[Dae Dosu (Minister of Punishment)]
They have no reason to support his cause.
That can't be true.
General Dae.
Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung have been watching Kim Chi Yang for a long time.
it's got to be accurate information.
Your Highness, this is bigger than I thought.
You must take immediate action to mitigate the situation.
Your Highness...
What is the meaning of this?
General, I'm glad you're back.
These men are attempting to desert camp.
We're following Commissioner Kim's orders.
Let us through or there will be blood.
[Ha Gongjin]
We have to follow the chain of command.
Our orders must come from the Empress Dowager to the Minister of Military.
General Kim, I was told you were with us on this.
Stand down, Colonel.
General Kim!
It's an order!
General, what in the world happened?
Shiwangsa was completely empty,
but we were attacked by an unidentified group of men on our way back.
What's the damage?
Over twenty are dead and dozens are injured.
We did manage to repel them but at a heavy cost.
Your Highness, Colonel Ha Gongjin is requesting to see you.
Your Highness, Colonel Ha is on our side.
Send him in.
Your Highness, the soldiers of the Six Guards have deserted camp to join the uprising.
Soldiers deserted their posts? How many of them?
At least half of the Left and Right Guards,
the Divine Tigers and Elite Striking Guards have turned.
General Kim Sukheung has joined them as well.
No, not General Kim.
No, sir. I saw him with my own eyes.
General Yang is right. He is our mole.
The rebel forces are growing, Your Highness.
We must take action immediately.
General Dae is right, Your Highness.
This is too much for the Imperial guards alone.
Your Highness, give us your order so we can respond to the situation quickly.
Imperial guards, protect the Emperor and seal the gates of the palace.
[Two Armies & Six Guards: Goryeo's Central Army]
And send orders to the remaining Two Armies and Six Guards to
protect the Imperial Palace.
Yes, Your Highness.
Minister Gang, what is this commotion?
Why are there armed guards all over the palace?
Brace yourselves, gentlemen.
Finance Commissioner Kim Chi Yang has instigated an uprising.
An uprising!
[Choi Hang (Royal Undersecretary)]
Are you saying he's has taken up arms?
Exactly. He has raised an army against the Imperial Court.
But why would he do that?
I think he's trying to bring his son, Prince Hwangju, to the throne.
Prince Hwangju? That's absurd.
[Kim Shimon (Minister of Domestic Affairs)]
This country belongs to the Wangs.
That's right. Prince Hwangju? That's ridiculous!
[Hwangbo Yui (Vice Minister of Finance)]
I trusted that man.
Not only did he betray us but he has
betrayed the Empress Dowager, as well.
Unbelievable!
[Chae Choongsun (Minister of Investigation)]
Empress Dowager is partly at fault for keeping a man like Kim Chi Yang so close.
How big is the rebel army?
There are the warrior monks, and more than half of the Six Guards
have joined the rebels.
Then the Imperial Guard won't be able to suppress them.
That's right.
We've called upon the remaining soldiers of the Two Armies
and Six Guards to come together, but it's hard to predict the outcome at this point.
Those of you who wish to go home should leave now before the palace gates are sealed.
How can you think about going home when the fate of the Imperial House
hangs in the balance?
[Choi Suk] [Choi Wonshin]
We're civil officials.
It won't do any good for us to stay here.
That's right. We can't protect the Emperor by being here.
The soldiers will protect the palace,
so we will go out and calm the frightened and confused public.
Aren't you leaving?
I do not leave my Emperor at times like these.
Neither do I. I will stay and protect the Emperor.
Pardon? The finance commissioner initiated a rebellion?
Yes, Your Highness.
[Empress Sunjeong]
Why? For what reason?
I'm sure it's about Prince Hwangju.
[Mokjong (7th ruler of Goryeo)]
To put him on the throne.
That's exactly right, Your Majesty.
[Yu Chungjeong]
I always knew he had an evil heart, but a rebellion?
I never dreamed he'd go this far.
Can we stop him?
Yes. Luckily we found out about in advance, and the military is making
full preparations under the Empress Dowager's command.
Empress Dowager is commanding the military herself?
Yes, Your Highness.
The pain she must be feeling...
Her heart is torn to pieces, and she's forced to fight the father of her child.
Move it! Move it!
Tie it up tight!
Wait, isn't that Yi Hyunoon?
Empress Dowager! Get out of my way!
Empress Dowager! Empress Dowager!
Stop! Yi Hyunoon! What are you doing back here?
I have to report something to the Empress Dowager!
The Khitan are marching to Goryeo?
Yes, Your Highness.
And General Gang went to the Yalu River to stop them.
Unbelievable!
We have a rebellion in our hands and now a foreign invasion! How can this be?
This can't be a coincidence, General.
What do you mean?
Your Highness, we can't rule out the possibility that Kim Chi Yang is
working with the Khitan.
[Yi Hyunoon]
Yes. General Gang once rushed to the border at the news that Commissioner Kim
was meeting the Khitan Prime Minister.
Commissioner Kim met with the Khitan Prime Minister?
Yes, Your Highness.
I saw the two together with my own eyes at the market on the border.
He invited a foreign enemy to achieve his own objective.
This is unpardonable atrocity!
Your Highness!
All roads out of the palace have been blocked by Commissioner Kim's men!
What? You mean we can't even send for aid.
That's right, sir.
The roads were seized before the messenger could get out!
[Yalu River]
General, it's the enemy!
[Noh Hui]
Get into battle positions.
Yes, sir.
[Ahn Pae]
Battle positions! Battle positions!
Halt!
Your Majesty, what brings you?
Prime Minister, is it true that the troops of Bonghwang were deployed to Goryeo?
Yes, it is.
How could you do this without telling me?
[Shengzhong of Liao (6th ruler of Liao)]
You won't let me start a war,
but you deployed an army on your own?
Please do not be upset, Your Majesty.
[Han Derang (Khitan Prime Minister)]
Those men were deployed not to go
to war but to promote internal division.
That's ridiculous!
It is the truth.
The Finance Commissioner of Goryeo, Kim Chi Yang, has risen to
put his own son on the throne, and I deployed the troops in his support.
Is this true? The Finance Commissioner of Goryeo is attempting an overthrow?
Yes, Your Majesty.
[Yelu Dilie]
We received communication from Duyan.
How many men did you send?
I've sent five thousand men commanded by Yelu Chu.
What? That's all?
What can you possibly accomplish with 5,000 men?
This is only to promote division in Goryeo.
Deployment of a larger army could send this into an all out war.
That's what we want!
There's no better time than now if there's domestic confusion in Goryeo!
I will lead an army into Goryeo myself.
That would be ill-advised, Your Majesty.
For as long as Dowager Cheonchu is in power, we can't guarantee a victory.
Perhaps you can't but I can.
Your Majesty. Your Majesty!
There's a civil war in Goryeo.
Kim Chi Yang has taken up arms to put his own son on the throne.
Is this true, Your Majesty?
Yes. But the Prime Minister deployed a measly 5,000 man army.
This is a golden opportunity, Your Majesty.
[Xiao Baiya (Viceroy of Eastern Capital)]
We must rally the troops
immediately and strike Goryeo.
[Yelu Pennu]
I will capture Dowager Cheonchu
myself and bring her at your feet.
Give us your command.
Did you hear that, General Yelu Dilu?
Assemble the troops at once. I will command this conquest personally!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, there is a problem.
What is it?
The Empress Dowager is coming back.
What? My mother?
I received report that she's already near Shangjin.
[Su No]
But how?
They said her condition had worsened. Are you saying she's recovered?
Why is she coming back?
I called her back.
Prime Minister!
I sent her a letter two weeks ago asking her to come back.
Your Majesty, if you must go to war with Goryeo,
you must strike me and the Empress Dowager down first.
Please, understand why I'm doing this.
Commander of the Khitan army, this is Goryeoan territory!
Encroachment will not be tolerated!
[Gang Jo (Inspector General of the Northwest Provincial Armies)]
Turn your troops immediately
and return to your land!
No! We have a report that a Khitan was murdered at the border market of Boju!
I am here to investigate the murder at
[Yelu Chu]
the order of the Emperor of Great Liao,
so stay out of my way!
That is a lie!
There was no report of a murder at the border market!
Turn back now, or there will be no mercy!
This is your last warning!
Clear the path now or we will clear it ourselves!
Go ahead and give it a try! You'll never get through us!
Very well, then. I shall fulfill your death wish!
Attack!
Stop them! Do not let them set foot on our land!
Charge!
Kim Chi Yang is attempting an overthrow?
Yes.
It appears he wants his son Prince Hwangju on the throne.
He's recruited officers of the Six Guards, and pulled together a powerful rebel army.
[Lady Yunheung]
Unbelievable!
Does the Empress Dowager know about this?
Yes.
But didn't you say that she wants to put Prince Daeryang on the throne?
[Jeong (future Queen Wonjeong)]
How could her lover Kim Chi Yang go against her like this?
How?
[Court Lady Jo]
Kim Chi Yang hit her right over the head is how.
Don't you just love it?
Silence!
This overthrow must not succeed. Prince Daeryang must inherit the throne.
That's the only way for us to survive.
Your Highness,
perhaps you should go into hiding for a while.
[Jo Sun]
If the overthrow does succeed,
the repercussions could reach us.
This is most dreadful... If only there was a way to stop this...
What's wrong, Master?
The country's fate hangs in the balance and now a civil war...
[Jin Gwan]
What do you mean, Master?
[Prince Daeryang (future Emperor Hyeongjong)]
Do you foresee trouble in Gaegyeong?
Men will come for you soon. Be ready.
Sorry?
And bring Bakdol and Myeongil to my room.
Yes, sir.
Colonel Ji, is there some kind of trouble in Gaegyeong?
Well, I've been here so I wouldn't know.
[Ji Chaemun]
Did anyone bring any news?
No, not so far. Why do you ask?
Never mind. It's nothing.
Sun...
Yes, Your Majesty.
Promise me one thing.
Wherever you're going now, I'll be calling you back someday.
And when I do, come back and abide by my wishes.
I don't understand. What do you wish for me to do?
Don't ask any questions now.
You'll know when the time comes.
So promise me. This is the Emperor's earnest request.
I'm sure you've already heard that Sunjae is a member of the Royal House.
Yes, Master.
What you don't know is that he is going to be the Emperor of this state.
The Emperor?
Really, Master? Is that true?
Yes, there is no doubt about it.
I need you two to listen to me carefully.
When Sunjae leaves for Gaegyeong, I want you to go to Gaegyeong with him,
And I want you to protect Sun? I mean? Prince Daeryang.
But how can ignorant peasants like us take care of the Emperor?
[Yi Bakdol]
That's unheard of, Master.
Yes, Master.
[Jang Myeongil]
We won't even know how to read and write.
There is a tempest brewing over the future of Goryeo.
And when it hits, the Emperor will need me like you who know him
more than those who are well-read.
You must never leave his side. You might even have to risk your lives.
Can you do this?
Who goes there?
It's me, Commissioner.
General Yang, what kept you so long?
I'm sorry. I was trying to persuade the rest of the soldiers of the Six Guards
to join the cause, but I failed.
That's all right. I'm just glad you're here.
When do we strike the palace?
We're waiting for Prince Hwangju.
Once Sa Illa and Duyan bring him back safely, we will move out.
Open the gate!
State your identity!
We're soldiers of Two Armies.
We've come to protect the palace at General Yang Kyu's command.
What?
I heard they couldn't be deployed because the roads are blocked by the rebel army.
Who are you?
They are General Yang Kyu's men. Open the gate.
But sir...
We need every last soldier we have to defend the palace. Open the gate!
Open the gate!
General Yu, how many soldiers do we currently have in the palace?
We have about 1,000, between the Imperial Guards and the soldiers from the Central Army.
Then we're decisively out numbered by the rebel army.
Your Highness, perhaps we should take you out of the palace for a while.
Your life could be endangered.
No, I will stop the commissioner myself even if it kills me.
But we're at a distinct disadvantage.
Never mind, General Dae. Getting out of the palace won't be easy either.
General Yu, where is Prince Hwangju right now?
He is in his chambers.
I take it your men are standing guard?
Of course, sir.
Make sure he is safe.
He is the reason for this uprising, so Kim Chi Yang is certain to come for him.
Who goes there?
Fire!
Fire! Cheonchu Hall is on fire! Put out the fire!
Fire!
The repository and Cheonchu Hall is on fire!
What is this commotion?
Cheonchu Hall is on fire, sir!
What?
Stay in your position and guard the prince. Understand?
Yes, sir!
You men will come with me.
Stop them!
What do you want?
Stand back. I'm taking the prince.
Don't worry, Prince. I'm taking you to your father.
No. You're not taking him anywhere without Empress Dowager's permission!
Who are you?
I think they're here to take Prince Hwangju, sir!
What?
You!
Get out of the way. I must take Prince Hwangju!
You wench! Give the prince over at once!
Stay out of the way if you don't want to die!
What are you waiting for? Kill that wench and save the prince!
Give the prince over before I kill you!
No!
Stubborn wench. Kill her!
Get them! We must protect the prince!
Sa Illa took Prince Hwangju?
How did they enter the palace?
That's not all. They set Cheonchu Hall on fire.
What? Cheonchu Hall?
There must be Kim Chi Yang's men in the palace as well.
What? How could this be?
Your Highness, we don't have a choice. Let us take you out of here to safety.
Your Highness!
It's Sa Illa.
We brought back Prince Hwangju safely, sir.
Good work.
He watched us fighting I think he's frightened.
Don't cry, Jin. Daddy is here.
You're going to be the next Emperor. You mustn't cry.
I'll be back soon to get you, so be a good boy and wait here.
Can you do this?
Yes.
Take him somewhere safe.
Yes, sir.
Everything is ready now that we have the prince.
[Sa Gamun]
Yes. Now we hit the palace.
Sa Gamun, you're taking the north gate. Duyan and Sa Illa will take the east gate.
And General Yang and General Kim will take the west gate.
I am going to the south gate with Steward Mun.
Soon the curtain will rise on a new world!
Prepare for battle!
Prepare to move out! We will march to the palace!
Aye!
A fire at Cheonchu Hall? Oh, no!
My mother, is my mother safe?
Yes, Your Majesty. Fortunately, she was at the council hall.
Your Majesty!
What is it?
You must change into these clothes right away.
Change clothes? Why?
Rebel forces may be inside the palace. Your life could be in danger.
Please change into these servant clothes for your safety.
[Goh Hyun]
Please, Your Majesty.
No, I will not change.
Your Majesty, it is for your safety.
I am still the Emperor of Goryeo!
If Kim Chi Yang should attack the palace, I will not face him in attendant's gown.
I will confront him with power and majesty of the Emperor.
Quickly! We must get the fire under control!
Water! More water!
What do we do? The fire is burning out of control!
We've got to put it out! Water! We need more water!
Water!
Move it! Move it!
Put out the fire! Hurry!
This incident which occurred in the last year of Mokjong is described in
"History of Goryeo" as such:
"On the 9th day of the sexegenary cycle the King returned from Sunggyo temple to
find the oil repository on fire which spread to Cheonchu Hall."
"The King lamented the loss and became ill and unable to attend to state affairs."
Many scholars see this as the starting point of Kim Chi Yang's rebellion.
What?
Your Highness, the rebel forces are at all four gates of the palace!
Your Highness, I beg you to seek safety.
General Dae...
Yes, Your Highness.
Bring me my armor and my bow!
Listen well.
Rebel forces are attempting to infiltrate the Imperial Palace.
And now we must fight with a do-or-die spirit and protect the palace
and the Emperor from the treasonous rebels. Are you ready?
Yes, Your Highness.
Empress Dowager and I will take south gate.
General Yu, take the Imperial Guard and defend the north gate.
General Dae, you have the east gate.
The remaining generals will take the west gate!
Let's move out! There's no time!
Proceed to your positions!
Aye!
Your Highness, the rebels are in sight.
Maintain your positions!
Commissioner, what is the meaning of this?
How dare you raise your sword against me. This is high treason!
Disband your men at once!
Empress Dowager, I stand against you with much regret.
But this is not a rebellion. This is a revolution to rectify order.
You're nothing but a wicked traitor. Silence your tongue!
That's the nature of revolutions.
If you succeed you're a hero, but if you fail you're a traitor.
Just as Taejo Wang Guhn betrayed Shilla and erected Goryeo.
So do you intend to betray Goryeo and erect a new state?
Your Highness, I have risen to bring your son Prince Hwangju to the throne.
Reveal your relation to Crown Prince Mahi of Shilla!
Please open the gate!
I do not wish to become your enemy.
I am Kim Chi Yang, Your Highness. We've been through hell and back together.
And I want us to realize our dreams together.
So please trust me and open the gate!
You dare to point your sword at me and ask me to trust you?
You've made it impossible for us to be together!
Your Highness, it's already too late. There is no hope left for you.
Surrender and open the gates.
That is the only way for me to protect you and the Emperor.