The Iron Empress
Episode 69
Your name is Kim Hang?
Yes, sir.
My Lord, I've got you covered. Go!
Sa Gamun, where are you?
Sa Gamun!
I'm sorry...
Who are you?
Don't you know me?
It's me, Father.
Jin?
Are you my son Jin?
Yes, Father. I'm Jin.
Jin! Jin!
My son!
Jin!
Ryang!
You made it.
Thank heavens he's all right.
[Duyan]
I was so afraid.
Where is Sa Illa and the Prince?
What's going on here?
Why is Prince Hwangju wearing my son's clothes?
I'm sorry. Ryang was switched with the Prince.
What are you saying?
Sa Illa took Ryang in Prince Hwangju's clothes to lure the enemy away.
And both of them...
were killed.
That is what Sa Gamun wanted.
He used my son as a decoy to save the Prince?
Yes.
That's a lie. That's a lie!
Bring Ryang back here now!
Bring my son right now before I kill you!
How could he?
This can't be true.
He's only five years old.
How could a father set his own son up to die?
He's just a child.
There is no cause important enough to kill his own son for.
How? How could he?
[Prince Hwangju - Kim Jin]
Here you are sitting in a jail cell.
[Gang Jo (Chief Commander of the Northwestern Armies)]
It's a sad outcome considering you went so far as to betray the Empress Dowager
and make a pact with our foreign enemy to achieve your goal.
Did you come here to rub it in?
[Kim Chi Yang]
That's no way to be a gracious winner, General Gang.
Let me add to your misery.
Your right hand man, Mun In Wui, exposed your identity.
The grandson of Shilla's Prince Maui?
So you were using the Empress Dowager to bring Goryeo down?
Man In Wui... That bastard...!
He betrayed you just like you betrayed the Empress Dowager.
It's your comeuppance.
So it is.
Yes, he's looking out for number one.
Is that what you've come to tell me?
All will be revealed at the inquiry, but I need to hear it from your mouth...
Do you kill Hyang Bi?
Yes.
Why?
Why did you kill that poor woman?
You already know why.
She stuck her nose in where it didn't belong; I had to get rid of her.
Bastard!
I swear to you I will cut your head off myself.
I will kill you and avenge her death!
General Gang, there's something I must report.
Go on.
We just received word that Prince Hwangju is dead.
[Yu Chungjeong]
What?
What do you mean? How did he die?
I'm told Sa Illa was running from the soldiers carrying the Prince
and they both fell off a cliff.
Your evil deeds have killed the innocent young prince.
Did they recover the body?
No, they haven't found it yet.
The Empress Dowager is devastated.
Let's go.
My son is not dead. He is alive.
And he will realize the thousand-year dream that I have failed to realize
and deliver retribution for the embittered souls.
He will build an empire bigger and stronger than Goryeo, Balhae or Liao!
That day will come!
He's not dead. He's alive!
Mother.
I heard the news, Mother.
I failed to protect my brother.
[King Mokjong (7th Ruler of Goryeo)]
If I had known he'd leave us so soon, I would've been a more loving brother.
I resented him; I didn't give him as much as a warm glance.
I am truly sorry, Mother.
No.
[Empress Dowager Cheonchu]
This is entirely my fault.
All of your pains...
Jin's unbelievable death...
It's all because of my error in judgment.
Mother,
This might be for the best.
If he were alive, he might have been incriminated for high treason
without knowing anything.
What hurts me,
is that if he were born in a different family,
he would not have met such wretched fate.
He died before he had a chance to live because I was his mother.
I am to blame for all of this.
Your Majesty, we will accept your decision as
you have already called Prince Daeryang back,
but you must also decide the Empress Dowager's place for us.
Empress Dowager's place?
Empress Dowager has been a regent for
His Majesty because she is his mother.
[Kim Shimon (Minister of Domestic Affairs)]
But now we will have a new Emperor,
So she will have to take her leave.
Moreover, she placed the Empire in peril by having a child with evil Kim Chi Yang,
[Choi Suk (Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel)]
so she must kneel before the royal ancestors and this court, and acknowledge her error.
That's ridiculous!
Your Majesty, Prince Daeryang is only 18 years old and is unapprised of state affairs,
so the Empress Dowager must continue to rule as his regent
His regent?
She had a child with the evil Kim Chi Yang.
[Choi Wonshin (Vice Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]
Sacred affairs of the state can
no longer be left in her hands.
Why if this weren't the Imperial House, she would've been stoned to death.
Shut your mouth!
You're only doing this to weaken the military and reverse her sharecropping policy.
Do you think I was born yesterday?
Just keep your traps shut!
General Gang, restrain yourself!
[Dae Dosu (Minister of Punishment)]
You're in the presence of the Emperor!
I don't care. He is leaving the throne and the Empress Dowager is more important.
Whoever is chosen to succeed him,
he will not rise to the throne if he does not serve the Empress Dowager.
My sword will not let that happen. Be warned!
General Gang! How dare you speak with such insolence in my presence!
Do not intervene, Your Majesty.
You are not exactly fit to speak on this matter.
Don't you realize that you are partly at fault for the Empress Dowager's plight?
What?
Have you gone mad?
[Gang Gamchan (Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]
What is the meaning of this?
Please understand, Your Majesty. General Gang is not himself right now.
Please forgive him.
Come with my, my man. You're leaving.
Let go of me. Let go!
Get a hold of yourself, lad!
What do you think you are doing? Have you really gone mad?
Did you hear those scumbags? I want to rip them to pieces.
We have to clean them out of this court.
Get a hold of yourself!
Besides, they weren't saying anything that isn't true.
Excuse me?
Empress Dowager and Kim Chi Yang were indeed lovers and they did have a child.
And Kim Chi Yang turned out to be a wicked villain who wasn't simply after
the throne but was out to bring the Empire down.
What would the public say if the Empress Dowager stayed in power?
You're no different than the rest of them.
What?
I trusted you. But you're just trying to remove the Empress Dowager from
power and put Prince Daeryang on the throne because you two are close.
Watch your tongue!
I don't need this! And that will not happen as long as I'm alive.
I will destroy anyone who tries to remove Empress Dowager from power
may it be the Emperor or Prince Daeryang
What are you saying?
Your Highness, pay no heed to the ministers.
The only reason why they want you gone is to protect their own wealth.
This country has no future without you. You must stay strong, Your Highness.
Don't you resent me, General Gang?
What do you mean?
I always trusted Kim Chi Yang's words over yours and I had a child with him.
And he has even murdered your wife.
Don't you have resentment for me?
Frankly, I have resented you. But you're a victim as well.
I know it won't be easy, but put the past behind you and start over.
I do appreciate your words, General Gang.
I'll think about it and make my decision; give me more time.
I just want to be alone for now.
Your Highness,
Please, General.
It's too hard for me right now.
Let us go, General Gang.
You mustn't get weak, Your Highness.
This country needs you. Goryeo will fall without you.
Let's go.
Who is this?
This is Mun In Wui, the steward of Cheonchu Hall, who used to work for Kim Chi Yang.
You mean this is the man
[Jo Sun]
who betrayed Lord Choi Seom?
Yes. He betrayed Kim Chi Yang this time and came to me.
What are you doing with a man who betrays everyone he serves?
[Lady Yunheung]
That was my thought at first, but I took him in for what he can do for us in
the future, over what he has done in the past.
He claims to know where Kim Chi Yang has hidden his immense assets.
Kim Chi Yang’s wealth? Are you offering to turn it over to us?
Yes. All I ask if that you grant me a post in the court if you should rise to power.
[Mun In Wui]
Not a petty post like a steward, but a post where I can be a part of the government.
Why didn't you just go to the Empress Dowager if that's all you want?
Her days are over. She is a setting sun.
Besides, her men, they look at me like I'm dirt.
Your Grace, I intend to bet everything I have left on you.
What's that?
Where did the carrier hawk come from?
[Yelu Dilu]
It's from our agent in Goryeo.
[Yelu Dilie]
Turn it over.
No, it's for the Prime Minister.
I said turn it over!
Kim Chi Yang has captured the palace
[Shengzhong (6th Ruler of Khitan)]
but Cheonchu's men are about to retaliate
and they're requesting more aid?
Yes, Your Majesty. It seems very urgent.
This confirms that there is indeed
[Xiao Baiya (Viceroy of Eastern Capital)]]
a civil war in Goryeo, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, you must answer the request and deploy more troops.
[Su No]
But it's not possible without the Empress Dowager or Prime Minister's permission.
[Yelu Pennu] [Yelu Wuji]
This is an opportunity that cannot be missed!
What did the Prime Minister say when you met him?
All he said was to be patient and wait.
What? I'll die of old age waiting!
There you are.
What is it?
Sa Gamun,
is dead.
What did you say?
I'm told he died bravely protecting the master.
A messenger delivered this letter. Sa Gamun left it for you just in case.
My Dear Wife, this must be my first time calling you "wife".
I'm filled with regret for not giving you a wedding, only now at this crossroads
of life and death.
If you've received this letter, I may not be alive.
I know this is more pain than you can bear,
[Sa Gamun]
but our son may not be alive either.
If this is indeed what has happened, blame me and me only.
And please take care of the Prince.
Look after him like our son Ryang and bring him up well.
He is our last and only hope and he must not die.
We might crumble in this generation, but he must survive to fulfill the dreams
we have failed to realize.
If you are faced with danger, find Chief Mobula of
the eastern Jurchen tribe and seek help.
I don't have a lot of time, so I must say good-bye now.
I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.
And I love you.
You bastard.
You killed my son and now you're gone, too.
What am I supposed to do?
What am I supposed to do all alone in this land full of strangers?
Do you, Kim Chi Yang, acknowledge having raised an army to bring down Goryeo as
a descendant of Shilla's Royal House?
Yes.
Is it true that you built and trained a warrior monk army in temples around Gaeryeong,
solicited support for your crimes from military officers of the Six Guards,
employed Yu Han Gan to seduce the Emperor with a mind altering drug to
further your cause, and murdered Minister of Military Gang Jo's wife, Cheon Hyang Bi?
Yes, I acknowledge everything.
I have a question for the offender.
13 years ago, Prince Gyeongjuwon died an
unexpected death while in exile in Sasu County.
Were you involved in his death?
Yes, I had Sa Illa kill him.
Why? Why did you kill a man who had no political ambitions?
Whether he had ambitions or not, his son was a candidate for the throne.
Having failed to kill his son, Prince Daeryang, is my greatest error.
You've taken countless lives but you don't have an ounce of remorse!
You are an evil beast!
Death is a part of all great revolutions.
And I'm certainly not the first in history to plot usurpation.
Take Taejo Wang Guhn for example.
How many lives did he take from the time he founded Goryeo to the
day he was praised as Taejo?
He succeeded, so those deaths became heroic sacrifices,
and his ploy became a grand enterprise.
But I have failed, so those who served me have become rebels
and my grand enterprise has become an evil plot.
It's truly a shame,
but what can I do if this is destiny?
If you had succeeded, how would you have governed this country?
If my son had risen to the throne, I would have wiped out the corrupt,
self-seeking officials, built a mighty military and created a grand empire of Shilla.
I would've maintained an appearance of amity with Liao while we build our
strength to conquer it, and I dreamed of building a vast empire on that land
where people are proud and peaceful.
Then your ideals are not different from mine.
Why couldn't you just help me achieve them? Did you have to turn against me?
That's a silly question. Why are there different countries in the world?
I didn't want your empire; I wanted mine.
We may have similar ideals, but we are of different blood.
Just as you and Empress Chentian of Liao are of different blood.
Then I guess you would've eventually killed me to have your own empire.
Of course. Unless you vowed loyalty to me, I would've had you executed.
How dare you?!
Then why didn't you? You had your chance when I was captured.
That's because I needed to use you until my mission was fully complete.
And a part of me did not want the granddaughter of the man that
destroyed my country to die such an easy death.
I wanted to slowly torment you and watch you suffer and savor my victory.
Then I would've had my revenge by killing you and the Emperor at the
altar of sacrifice in my ancestors' shrine.
Bastard, shut your mouth!
What are you waiting for? Silence him!
Yes. I completely fooled the Empress Dowager and used her.
Prince Hwangju was my son, not hers.
And now that he is dead, so is my dream.
But my followers will rise again,
so the Empress Dowager should carefully consider where she should go from here.
Don't get weak because of me.
Your Highness, you must remain in power.
We heard you two men are in quite a bind after inadvertently killing Prince Hwangju.
It happened so fast there was nothing we could do.
[Choi Sawui]
Yes, we were not trying to kill him.
[Tak Sajeong]
I wonder what the Empress Dowager will think.
Her baby boy is dead because of the two of you.
But I don't think you have to worry too much.
In a way, you've done great service to the state.
Don't you agree?
Yes, indeed.
Just between us, Prince Hwangju should never have been born in the first place.
I can't disagree.
Empress Dowager has born a traitor's child, so she'll have to answer for that.
That's right. She's no longer qualified to hold power.
And she has to be driven away for the two of you to have any future.
But there's nothing we can do as long as General Gang is protecting her.
You can turn his men against him.
No matter how strong he is, he will be helpless all alone.
But his men are loyal to him. How can we turn them around?
Bring it in!
The fate of the Empire is at stake.
Would you put your future at risk and undermine the national morality of Goryeo
by serving the Empress Dowager?
Or would you help us drive her out and rectify this situation?
If this works out, I will guarantee you the Minister of Military and
Minister of Punishment positions.
The choice is yours.
Is she asleep?
No, she hasn't slept since the day of the uprising.
Not only that, she hasn't eaten and she is refusing to take off her armor.
I fear she will take ill.
Very well, you may go.
Prince Daeryang is due to arrive today?
Yes, Your Highness.
Minister Gang, change is inevitable isn't it? That's the law of nature.
I'm talking about my future. What should I do?
May I speak frankly?
Please.
I know your pain better than anyone. But I don't think there is a solution this time.
Retire, Your Highness.
The Empire has laws and moral principles.
Without consequence, those laws and moral principals deteriorate.
And forgive me for saying this,
but you must leave the palace when the new Emperor takes the throne.
You will no longer have reason or cause to be a regent.
The ministers will serve the new Emperor, so retire to Hwangju.
This is my last faithful counsel as your servant who always shared your ideals.
Is it?
Then I guess it's over.
I don't have any choice, do I?
I have failed.
I struggled so hard, but this is the end.
Where did we get the money to buy all this expensive jewelry and clothes?
You're going to be the next Empress; we'd take out a loan if we had to.
My goodness, look how beautiful you are!
[Court Lady Jo]
Stop that. An Empress?
[Jeong (Later Queen Wonjeong)]
I don't like that idea.
The palace scares me.
Why? The palace is your home.
You're going to be the most exalted woman in the Empire.
I'd do anything to be in your shoes.
But there's no guarantee that Prince Daeryang will accept me.
Oh, he will.
There is no one in Goryeo who compares to you in terms of bloodline, beauty and character!
Do you remember Prince Daeryang's face?
No, he was just a baby when I saw him last.
I wonder how he turned out.
Master Jin Gwan?
Yes. Welcome. You're here to take back Prince Daeryang.
Yes, I am Imperial Undersecretary, Choi Hang.
[Choi Hang (Royal Undersecretary)]
These are the Supreme Council Secretary and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance.
Minister Gang told me how you saved Prince Daeryang's life.
It was the work of Buddha.
[Jin Gwan]
How did you know that we were coming?
[Hwangbo Yui (Vice Minister of Finance)]
Master Jin has mystical powers.
He can see things normal people can't.
Yes, that's how he saved Sunjae?
[Yi Bakdol] [Jang Myeongil]
I mean Prince Daeryang.
He talks about rabbits and squirrels, too.
Where is Prince Daeryang?
[Chae Choongsun (Minister of Investigation)]
We must take him back to the palace.
Please wait. He is saying his final goodbye to Buddha.
[Prince Daeryang - Wang Sun (Future Emperor Hyeonjong)]
No! Please don't do this.
You can kill me,
[Prince Gyeongjuwon- Wang Ook (Prince Daeryang's father)]
but this child has done nothing wrong.
If being born a prince is a crime, I will send him away.
No one will know he's alive.
So please take my life and spare his.
I beg you. I beg you!
Father, you ran away from the throne, but I'm told it is my destiny to accept it.
If this is what heaven has intended for me, I will not run from it.
So please watch over me, Father.
Here he comes!
Master, is that you?
Do you remember me, Prince?
Of course I do.
Did you come to take me back?
Yes, I brought the Emperor's letter for you.
No, please stop.
You are soon to be Emperor.
I'm your disciple Sunjae until I leave this temple, Master.
I will never forget your valuable teachings.
Please be well, Master.
Prince, you must endure all of the hardships that lay ahead of you.
The future of this Empire is in your hands.
Don't ever forget that.
Yes, Master. I will do my very best.
So please pray for me, Master.
Wait. Stop.
Your Majesty,
Where are you taking them?
We're taking the criminals of high treason to be executed, Your Majesty.
But, is something wrong, Your Majesty?
Spare us, Your Majesty.
Would you let me have a word alone with Yu Han Gan?
I'm afraid we can't let the treacherous criminals out of sight.
Of course, Your Majesty.
[Yi Hyunoon]
But please don't go very far.
I'm sorry.
I can't keep the promise I made you to spare your life.
The situation has gotten out of my hands. I'm sorry.
Please don't apologize, Your Majesty.
[Yu Han Gan]
I brought this on myself, and I do not resent you.
I'm just glad I can see you one more time before I die.
Please,
live a long and happy life.
with the Empress.
Your Highness, why are you in those clothes?
Where are you going?
I called you to ask you for a favor. I really need to you do this for me
What can I do for you?
[Yu Bang]
Please spare my life!
My only crime is managing Kim Chi Yang’s finances!
[Yi Jujeong]
If I'm spared, I will surrender all of his immense hidden assets to the state!
Don't kill me!
I've done nothing wrong
Be quiet! Shut your mouth!
This is wrong!
This is wrong, you bastards! I'm innocent!
Boy, this man is loud!
I'm innocent. I'm innocent you bastards!
Do you have any last words?
I want to be born a woman in my next life.
So kill me now.
Proceed!
Proceed with the execution.
Yu Han Gan is mentioned in "The Stories of Paehaeng" in the History of Goryeo.
Paehaeng refers to achieving one's goals through flattery, music, coquetry, hunting,
and other means to please the King and win his affection.
Yu Han Gan had left his mark in history as a subject of King's admiration
owing to his beautiful appearance.
General Gang.
I must have a word with you.
What is it?
I t thought you should know.
The Empress Dowager has secretly asked me to bring Kim Chi Yang to Guibup Temple.
To Guibup Temple?
Yes, General.
So who took him?
General Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung.
But it's the Empress Dowager's attire that puzzles me.
Her attire?
General Yang, untie him and leave us alone.
No, Your Highness. He is a criminal of
[Yang Kyu]
high treason capable of anything.
You can stay close by and watch him. Please.
What do you want with me?
I wanted to ask you something away from the public eye.
Why are you in those clothes?
I will ask the questions. Answer only the questions I ask.
Go on.
Did you approach me from the beginning with the intent to use me?
Answer the question!
Yes. That attack on Hwangju was staged so I could get into your life.
Many of my faithful men were killed in that mission, but it was successful.
That was my first goal to get near you.
If I had not fallen in love with you, we would not have had a child,
and you would not have had a way to achieve your goal.
Do you think it's difficult to seduce a lonely widow?
I was confident that I could.
You're lying. You're lying!
Then why did you risk your life to save me in Liao?
Because I needed you alive to get to the throne, of course.
You did almost get me killed there with your reckless actions.
You were not the least bit attractive as a woman.
If it weren't for the power you possess, I would never have done what I did.
My feelings for you were sincere.
I was betraying me late husband Emperor Gyeongjong,
but I really loved you.
That's why I had your child
despite my son's protest and the scornful eyes of the ministers.
I believed that one day, when I left the palace,
you and I would make a family and live happily together.
But how could you do this to me?
You were nothing more than a stepping stone on the path of the great enterprise.
You were simply the means to an end.
My time with you was torture.
And I really loved you.
I'm sorry, but I never felt such feelings for you.
You betrayed my love, stole my dream and killed my son.
Leave me alone. It's over for me.
Your Highness, please think of all of those that died serving you.
Forgive me.
Prince Daeryang, I'm Lady Yunheung. Don't you remember me?
Are you Jeong?
Where is Prince Daeryang?
No one will bring the Empress Dowager down from the seat of power.
The more he rants and raves, the further he will fall out of favor with Prince Daeryang.
Get her! We need that wench!
That's Prince Hwangju. They switched him with Duyan's son!
Take up arms, General?
Isn't this high treason, sir?
It is to protect the empire. Can you trust me and follow?
Yes, General!