Subtitles by DramaFever
I already delivered the message to Yuan.
That our army of Goryeo will cross Amnok River.
Let us conquer Liaodong.
Choi Young... Liaodong!
He plans to conquer Liaodong!
Conquering Liaodong? It doesn't make sense.
It can't be true.
Any Goryeo man... dreams of Liaodong.
The previous king did, and I do too.
And more so for General Choi Young.
But you said it would be in the future, after we build our national power.
It is barely manageable to keep what we have...
but an expedition?
This is crazy!
What on earth are you talking about?
Are you suggesting we go to war in Liaodong?
That's right.
His Majesty and I have made up our minds.
No matter how much I think about it, this doesn't make sense.
If they draft soldiers, what happens to farming this year?
It's the same for provisioning the army.
New barley hasn't even sprouted yet, so what will they do?
Yes. Even during General Yi Seong Gye's first expedition to Liaodong
we failed because of a lack of food, although we had almost won the war.
We even sent soldiers in the fall back then.
Then please postpone the expedition until the fall.
Once the harvest is over, there will be plenty of food for the army.
It has to be now.
Right now, when Ming sent 150,000 soldiers to Yuan, is the perfect timing!
Then what about provisions?
Even if we occupy Liaodong, how could we supply food for 50,000 soldiers?
Once you seize Liaodong, you can supply food locally.
It will be tough for soldiers to advance, glue on the bows will melt...
and disease will sweep through the army.
It's the same for Ming!
It's their base, and it's an expedition for us!
Yes, yes... Thank you for your opinions.
You do have a point, General Yi.
But the absurd demand from Ming has reached the limit
so the citizens are also furious.
If we fight with one heart now...
we will be able to cut off that sickening master-retainer relationship.
So please follow my wish, General Yi.
General Yi, His Majesty is giving you an order.
You should answer.
Your Majesty...
this can't be done.
What?
I, Yi Seong Gye, bow to the ground and dare to plead to Your Majesty.
More than anything, it is not logical
for a small country to attack a big country.
What?
Regardless of the result
General Yi Seong Gye will be ruined.
Would it be the same even if he wins?
Even if he leads the war to victory
he will lose more than half of his army.
No, he should be lucky if he still has half of the army.
And if he wins, he will be stuck in Liaodong.
That's right. It is harder to keep Liaodong than take it away.
In fact, war will never end in any case.
That's right. Unless he conquers the Central Plain
General Yi will be considered an enemy of Ming
and will be harassed his whole life.
Is that what General Choi Young is aiming for?
No...
For General Choi, it must be from his conviction.
And that's why there will be no compromise!
What's that nonsense?
"A small country shouldn't attack a big country"?
Although we are smaller than Ming
we are Great Goryeo that inherited the superior spirit of Goguryeo!
We are the descendants of Goguryeo that scared even the Sui Dynasty!
When did Goguryeo attack the Sui Dynasty?
When did Goguryeo conquer the Tang Dynasty?
The great spirit of Goguryeo
is that they did not give even an inch of land to those big countries.
They didn't put the citizen in distress
by pushing forward with reckless expeditions!
What?
General.
Then am I a king who puts the citizens in distress with reckless expedition?
Sire, even if Ming attacks the region north of Cheolryeong...
I will put my life on the line and fight off the enemy
like Great General Eulji Mundeok.
But conquering Liaodong--
- Are you really-- - Sire!
Please calm down.
General Yi...
How can an undefeated general appear so weak?
I am not undefeated!
What do you mean? You have never lost.
In 1370...
Yes, I seized Liaodong!
After we crossed Amnok River, we won every battle all the way to Liaoning!
Then what happened after we seized it?
From the cold snap, our provisions were burned away and supplies were cut.
So we had no choice but to retreat.
Only 60 soldiers died in the battle
but over 4,000 soldiers died from starvation as we retreated.
To the mothers of my soldiers who should be welcomed back from winning the war
I put thousands of corpses in their arms.
How can this be called victory?
We need to make sacrifices to achieve our big goal.
Don't consider the soldiers who will be sacrificed in conquering Liaodong.
Think of many more of our descendants who will enjoy Liaodong that we conquer.
There is no personal greed in General Choi's heart...
but he doesn't have the citizen's well-being there either.
Each and every soldier doesn't exist in his heart.
Is this the end of my dream?
Or...
Is this the beginning of an awful national tragedy?
Is this finally the start of a revolution?
We decided on Park Eui Joong as a delegate to Ming.
And we also received a message that a delegate from Ming
is on his way to Gaegyeong now.
You can take care of it, but before that...
I have an important announcement.
The current emperor of Ming... claimed ownership of the north of Cheolryeong.
His Majesty stands firm not to accept any of the rude demands from Ming.
Therefore, we will proclaim Ming as our enemy from this moment.
In order to punish Ming's rudeness and to rectify our right and dignity...
we will conquer Liaodong.
- It's impossible! - A delegate from Ming is coming!
General!
What on earth does this mean, without consulting us in Dodang?
Conquering Liaodong... going to war?
The draft order has already been issued in all five provinces.
About 50,000 soldiers will gather in Seogyeong (current Pyongyang).
How did you manage an important state matter so secretively?
Regardless of which country, is there any war that wasn't prepared in secret?
What about supplies? What about the huge amount of necessary supplies?
We will use the assets confiscated from Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi
for our military expense.
What about distribution? The war will happen in a faraway land!
Yes, we have to wait a long time before the harvest--
They can make up the lack of supplies locally.
We can conquer Liaodong as soon as possible
and hurry to manage the people's sentiment.
Moreover, 50,000 soldiers?
If you drag away all of strong, young men in the country...
who will take care of farming, and who will defend against the Japanese pirates?
His Majesty's order is clear! How can you call yourselves officials?
All of our preparation for conquering Liaodong is already complete.
We will not be discussing this matter in Dodang again.
How can he start something so reckless?
The numbers just don't add up!
Even before our 50,000 soldiers arrive in Liaodong
they will run out of supplies!
This cannot happen.
We will gather scholars to submit a plea to His Majesty!
Unless General Choi lost his mind, how could he make such a decision?
The assets of Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi are not nearly enough to wage war!
Who will end up making up for the remaining cost?
Of course the citizens will carry the burden.
Where does our wealth come from?
We have no time for this. Hurry up and send a message to Lord Lee In Gyeom!
My my...
What support could he give us as a man who lost power?
General Choi's threat last time was not an exaggeration.
Seriously...
I thought General Choi Young knew about war, so how could he...
The Japanese pirates have finally calmed down.
And now an expedition with 50,000 soldiers?
The pirates will have time to rest and squash our land again.
When the pirates were not as bad during the reign of King Gongmin
we gave up on Liaodong and came back.
To now attack Liaodong with the pirates on our backs?
Brother, this is impossible!
Also, ownership of Liaodong was not clear at the time.
But now the enemy is Ming. We can't do this, Father.
I have already said everything I could.
But a soldier follows the order when it's given.
And I... and you... are soldiers of this country.
Have you heard from Sambong yet?
No, not yet.
Do you know about Jiang Ziya?
Jiang Ziya?
Do you think I don't know that you've been mimicking him for the last few days?
He was the first one in history who accomplished changing dynasties.
2,500 years ago
he waited as he fished for time.
Until he was past 70 years.
And?
"Everything I prepared became useless because of what happened."
"So I will wait for the right time again."
Is that it?
No.
The longer I have this fishing pole out...
the more I think about how I can't reach Jiang Ziya at all.
By the way, why did Jiang Ziya use a straight hook?
He said that the curved hook is deceiving the world.
Then... how many fish did he catch with this straight hook?
He probably didn't catch any at all.
2,500 years ago and now...
isn't this the same? You can't catch anything with this.
Summon everyone right now.
And?
Our General's voice reverberated even outside of the tent.
That conquest of Liaodong will never happen.
His Majesty seemed to have drawn his sword!
I was outside thinking, "Do I need to go stop it?"
But that's treason. What do we do?
Then what do I do about our General?
That's how I was... and I aged at least 10 years.
I have to say, the archery skill of our General's family is exceptional.
What about Teacher? Is he still fishing?
Yes. It's already been five days.
Really! No matter how much he likes fishing
this is too much considering the situation.
Let's go.
Huh?
Call for Nam Eun and Lee Shin Jeok, too.
Where are you going?
Please?
The time is finally coming.
Everyone came upon hearing your call.
Did you catch a lot of fish?
Bang Ji told me...
Jiang Ziya was a crazy man.
And? Did you make up your mind?
I couldn't catch anything with a straight hook.
Jiang couldn't gain anything from fishing either.
He left the fishing hole, met with the King Wen of Zhou
and accomplished the big goal.
Are we carrying out the plan?
Yes, it's a revolution.
Summon all our members in the government and deliver my message.
Yes, sir.
Boon Yi, mobilize all your contacts and prepare for the upcoming situation.
Yes.
Bang Won, make sure to get General Lee Ji Ran
and Bang Gwa participating in this
so that they can mobilize their army in Hamju.
Yes, Teacher.
But the success of this depends on General Yi Seong Gye after all.
The General has to be determined regardless of the situation.
Be prepared in every way.
Without General Yi's decision, we will not move even one step.
- Do you understand? - Yes!
Here is what you asked for.
I came up with those who are close to General Choi
who have the ability to mobilize soldiers.
If you give this to Boon Yi, she will check on their moves ahead of time.
Yes.
You have to finish it up.
Do you mean, Choi Young?
Given the situation, skilled warriors must be guarding him.
You will be supported by the first squad of our army
so you must capture him alive.
Don't worry.
Revolution?
And? What do you want me to do?
We will arrest Choi Young, receive the King's order, and stop the war.
If we start this war, it's the end for Father as well as his army!
It's not just him.
This country... It's over for this country.
That's why the two of you have to mobilize the army in Hamju.
Soldiers are ordered to assemble in Seogyeong (current Pyongyang)
so there won't be any doubt.
Gather your soldiers and pretend to return to Seogyeong.
But stay near Goksan, and come to Gaegyeong when you receive a signal.
Attack Manwoldae.
Bang Won...
Did the General give his permission?
Don't worry about that.
Without Father's permission, we will never make a move.
That is Teacher Sambong's decision.
Teacher Sambong should be on his way to meet with Father.
We need sacrifice to accomplish big goals!
Don't consider the soldiers who will be sacrificed in conquering Liaodong.
Think of many more descendants who will live after we conquer Liaodong.
He is not the General Choi Young that I knew.
The country we will create is not a place we can go with General Choi!
General Choi is the noble class, with a high position.
Is Sambong really right?
In this war of pushing so many citizens and soldiers to their deaths
do I have to take the lead?
Just what should I do, Sambong?
Lord Sambong!
Have you been out somewhere? Father looked for you for a while.
I just... went to get some fresh air.
A disaster is about to happen in this country.
What are we to do?
You must feel pressed.
How can you laugh in this situation?
Don't you know what is happening right now?
Is there any strategy to stop this disaster?
Tell me something!
Do you have a strategy or not?
Did you ever leave a strategy with me to take? #
You do have a strategy.
Yes, I do have a strategy.
No, it's so simple that it doesn't need to be called a strategy.
It depends solely on your decision.
What is it? I will decide as long as I can prevent this disaster!
Will you become a king of a new country?
If you don't want to be a king, this strategy is meaningless.
If you don't want to be a king, this will only leave notoriety for us in history.
Tell me.
What is the strategy?
It's a revolution.
We will raid General Choi Young and arrest him.
You will take the army to go see His Majesty
and receive his order to punish Choi Young.
Once we capture Choi Young
there will be no one with the will of starting a war like this.
Yes, blood will be shed.
That's why I said we have to remove Choi Young from his position first.
But, compared to the blood that will be shed from this war
this is a tiny amount.
A revolution, after all?
If you become a king, it's founding a new country!
Give me some time.
You have to give me an answer before you leave for Seogyeong.
To me...
I haven't seen anyone who is more qualified
to become a king than you, Father.
You are powerful, righteous... And you care for the citizens.
Will you become a king of a new country?
Will I... really...
We will head to Liaodong from Seogyeong on the fifteenth day of April.
Why did you do that to Lord Lee Ja Song?
I'm sure you know very well what kind of man he is.
And that he had nothing to do with Gil Tae Mi.
You made an example out of Lord Lee Ja Song
to stop everyone from opposing your Liaodong conquest?
Sir, why don't you try it on me?
No matter what you do to me
I have to stop this war that will push people to death.
The war has already begun.
We've already killed 21 delegates from Ming who brought letters
of establishing a governing office in Cheolryeong.
The report must have been made to the Ming government by now.
I will not give in to any demands from Ming.
And I will question anyone who tells me to give in.
I, Choi Young, General Jo Min Soo
and General Yi Seong Gye will lead this effort.
And all of the drafted 50,000 soldiers will assemble in Seogyeong.
Pardon me? What did you say?
Once Yi Seong Gye leaves for Liaodong
place his family under restriction.
- But-- - Not arrest, it's only restriction.
So check their whereabouts ahead of time.
Do you not trust General Yi Seong Gye?
It's not that I don't trust him.
I only mean to protect Yi Seong Gye from possible temptations.
Is there no other way after all?
Moo Hyool! Moo Hyool!
Moo Hyool, I don't need your success or fame!
Let's just take your brothers and run away!
Understand? You have to survive first!
Grandma, I'm a good fighter and I am in the army.
I can't leave. I won't run away.
I have a man's honor. I won't run away either.
Then I won't either.
You kids!
Your grandfather and your father died on the battlefield.
And if you die on the battlefield...
then what about me?
Just run away! You can't go!
Please calm down.
They are still young, so they don't know how scary war is.
No, just take your brothers and run away!
Please calm down.
No! No, don't go!
That damn war...
- Is everyone ready? - Yes.
WIth Moo Hyool
I will have the second army on standby near Ahn So, a close alley of Choi Young.
I will also have the third army on standby
near In Won Bo's house, a close ally of Choi Young
and wait for your signal.
Lee Bang Ji.
You will be supported by the first army in front of Choi Young's House.
I will watch the moves of military officers and report anything suspicious.
If there is any military action, I will report to you right away.
Who will open the palace gate?
Young Kyu will do it.
Once the palace gate is open
General Lee Ji Ran's army from Hamju will enter Manwoldae.
I see. Then I will go see General Yi Seong Gye.
If the plan is halted, a white horse will run.
If the plan is to be executed, a black horse will run.
Nothing will happen without the General's decision.
If it is a white horse...
you should not take any action.
Yes.
[Ahn So's House]
[In Won Bo's House]
[Choi Young's House]
Have you made up your mind?
Choi Young's house, Ahn So's house, In Won Bo's house...
In various places in Gaegyeong, including the market, Jangpyung Gate...
our plan is in place.
What do you mean by that?
Didn't I tell you? My strategy is a revolution.
Preparation is complete.
I haven't decided on anything, so why--
That's right! If you don't decide, everything will be canceled!
If you give your permission tonight, a black horse will run.
If you don't give your permission, a white horse will run as a signal.
If you nod, the history of this country will change tonight!
How did you decide?
Is it a black horse or a white horse?
Will you found a country, or conquer Liaodong?
My decision is...
Father, it can't be conquering Liaodong.
Please, it has to be the black horse.
How did it go?
It's that horse.
- Young Master. - Yes?
It's coming. It's close.
Sambong...
when you talked about the country you were planning to create
my heart was also pounding.
But I thought, how happy would I be to become a general to protect that country?
That's right. That's about who I am.
More than the big goal, more than the citizens
my family, people under my wings, are more important to me.
I am an ordinary man.
A king should care for the citizens first.
But my choice will always be my family.
You would tell me...
that other kings are the same.
But if everyone is the same
how is it a revolution if I become a king?
I am sorry, Sambong.
Grandma! I am fine! Don't worry!
Moo Hyool! Take care of your brothers!
Grandma, don't worry! I will take care of my brothers!
I'll come back with lots of accomplishments!
Moo Hyool, you have to come back alive!
Take care of your brothers! Make sure to take care of them!
[Seogyeong]
Since the Great King Taejo founded this country...
there had not been any time in history
like the last century of humiliation and disgrace!
History is written by people, after all!
From this moment, the fifteenth day of April in 1388
with the great 50,000 soldiers
we will write a new history of Great Goryeo!
- Hooray to Great Goryeo! - Hooray!
- Hooray to the great army of Goryeo! - Hooray!
- Hooray!
What's going on?
Many soldiers from other troops are running away.
Running away?
How could they be running away before they even get to the battlefield?
Heighten the security for our army and prepare a report.
Yes, sir.
Brother, I'm not afraid of the battlefield.
- But-- - We can win.
If we speed up the march
and advance after forming the first communication line in Anju, we can win.
We can win this war as long as supplies arrive without a hitch.
Didn't I say that I needed time to think?
For how many days are you going to be thinking?
The soldiers are already at Wihwa Island on the Amnok River.
Then what do you suggest we do?
Father is not capable of betrayal.
So, whether it's a betrayal against General Choi Young
or against Goryeo...
we have to do it for him.
Even if we do everything for him, that decision cannot be made by us.
That's how far his decision goes, so what can we do?
We're in big trouble!
All of the remaining family members of General Yi Seong Gye have disappeared.
It seems that they are restrained somewhere.
I believe you were very surprised by this sudden move.
But this is not a big deal.
We are to take special care for the safety
of General Yi Seong Gye's family.
It is a special order given by Senior Prime MInister Choi Young.
We're hostages. The situation with the army must not be good.
We cannot see the future now.
What can I do? What will happen now?
This place may be a bit smaller and uncomfortable
but we will protect you safely until General Yi Seong Gye returns.
Brother! Brother!
Beggars told me that all of General Yi's family members were taken away.
So I was worried about you and came here. And this is what I saw.
What about Boon Yi?
Did they see Boon Yi?
It looks like all of the family members and servants were taken away.
There was no sign even this morning...
They are stranded on Wihwa Island
due to increased water in Amnok River from heavy rains.
Choi Young took the family as hostages
to encourage him to advance with the army.
How did I not consider this?
You shouldn't walk around like this either.
Same for you, Teacher.
We can't go back to Gaegyeong? What do you mean by that?
Two of you are assigned to escort His Majesty in Seogyeong.
The Royal Guards escort His Majesty. How can it be us?
We have to go to Gaegyeong where our family is.
You have to listen to us so that nothing happens.
[Wihwa Island]
No!
Wake up! It's me!
Goo Doo! Goo Doo!
Are you all right?
This doesn't make sense at all.
How can we drive a stake in the river in this situation?
How can we put a floating bridge?
They already sent the message twice that it's impossible to advance.
But they still keep urging us to advance.
What can we do?
More than 100 soldiers died just in our first army alone
trying to drive stakes into the river!
We haven't even seen the enemy yet!
We can't even find the bodies...
We let them all float away.
What are you saying?
They still haven't crossed Amnok River?
Heavy rains made Amnok River rise, so they failed to cross.
Didn't we expect this?
If they delay any longer, we'll have a critical issue with supplies!
They must cross the river no matter what!
But if soldiers are sacrificed from pushing to cross the river...
If the line of communication can't be secured because of their delay
a lot more soldiers will be sacrificed!
Damn it!
Is Yi Seong Gye thinking something else, by any chance?
I have to go see His Majesty.
I will have His Majesty's order sent and encourage them to advance!
We... failed again.
It's the same everywhere else.
The current is too fast... We can't possibly drive stakes in there.
The number of soldiers who floated away in the effort...
The number of soldiers... I'm not sure.
Because the number continues to change even now.
Food is the problem.
We've already missed the time that we should have crossed Amnok River.
It was the plan to conquer Liaodong and find our own food locally.
But now...
Even if we are successful, we will have issues with supplies.
We left soon after the barley hump (early spring)...
of course that's the case.
General, an illness is going around.
We're keeping the patients separate as soon as we find them.
But it is spreading at an alarming rate.
Can we not request to return again?
What is it now?
Why are you doing this?
General! We have to return!
We have already requested it twice, but the royal command says no!
Regardless of the royal command...
please return to the base, General!
Even if we cross Amnok River successfully
only half of the soldiers will be able to fight by the time we reach Liaodong.
We will have lost before the fight even starts!
We can't do that!
All of the General's family members are restrained in Gaegyeong and Seogyeong.
If we go against the royal command...
all of the General's family members will have their heads cut off.
That's what I mean.
Han Nom! Han Nom, Han Nom...
Han Nom...
Han Nom!
Moo Hyool...
- Get away! - He is my brother!
Do you want to get the disease too?
It doesn't matter. Han Nom!
We are about to kill each other right now!
Step back. Everyone feels what you are feeling.
Moo Hyool... don't worry.
They will give me medicine.
If I take the medicine, I will get better.
Don't worry.
Take care, Han Nom.
Why...
How is this... a war?
It is.
This is what war is about.
Lord Kim Hwan! Did you bring the royal command?
Did His Majesty respond?
He did. General Yi Seong Gye, receive the royal command.
His Majesty commanded that you cross Amnok River as soon as possible
and advance to Liaodong.
I received His Majesty's order to encourage you to cross the river.
I came all the way here.
Why is that you are taking so long?
You should have crossed Amnok River seven days ago.
Unless you have other plans, General...
how can this possibly happen?
Go out and see the situation on Amnok River before you say that!
Countless soldiers have died in an effort to cross the River!
This is a message from General Choi Young.
"There is no battlefield without difficulty."
General!
General.
What's going on?
Our soldiers caught more runaway soldiers from other troops.
The number of runaway soldiers is increasing.
You should make your decision soon.
How dare you!
You deserted your comrades and ran away to keep your own lives?
I will punish you...
and make an example for the strict royal command!
Execute the punishment.
I was dragged here without knowing the reason while I making cow's feed.
Please let me go home.
Just kill me already!
I will die from disease or from crossing the river anyway!
It's obvious I will die without having a chance to fight the enemy!
I came to fight against the Jurchen or Ming...
but what the heck is this?
What are you doing? Follow the military law and execute the punishment!
Cut off their heads now!
How dare you...
How dare you! What the heck are you doing?
Drop the sword now!
I can't do that.
Why is it "betrayal" for us?
Why is it not considered betrayal for those precious bastards.
Why is it betrayal for me, when I am the powerless one?
Choong Gil!
Will you break the military law and betray me?
Betrayal...
You're the one who betrayed, sir.
What?
You spared me when I pretended to be a Japanese pirate to feed my children.
What did you tell me then?
You left me in your army to repent by saving
not just my children, but everyone else's too.
But what is this?
Here are 50,000 children of other people.
They have 100,000 fathers and mothers.
If we continue with this war...
we will be taking away 50,000 children from 100,000 parents!
How will you handle their bloody tears?
Kill me.
I cannot possibly kill these people.
What are you doing? Arrest this bastard right now!
General!
To be honest, I really didn't know that night.
But... now I know.
That night!
The horse that should've come in Gaegyeong was not the white horse.
It should've been the black horse.
General...
My brothers... Please save them.
The brothers who are here...
Please let them live, General!
What on earth are you doing?
Arrest them and cut their heads off right now!
How are you managing the army?
General, the letter meaning "country" is...
It means to protect the land and the citizens with a shield.
This is a country.
If you add this letter to the letter Gook, meaning "country"...
Protect the land and the citizens with the shield
and form a family. This is a country.
General! Execute the military law now! Hurry up!
My dear wife...
Brother!
Bang Woo, Bang Gwa, Bang Eui...
What are you doing?
Bang Gan, Bang Won, Bang Beon, Bang Seok...
My dear children...
Brother!
If we go against the royal command
all of the General's family members will have their heads cut off!
That's what I mean.
A king should care for the citizens first.
But my choice will always be my family.
I am sorry.
This is what I am going to do.
General, if you can't do it, I will!
Enough!
Arrest Kim Hwan right now!
Yes, sir!
What's that?
I, Yi Seong Gye...
If your fence reaches the whole country...
that is a country. And you are the king.
I, Yi Seong Gye...
will not cross Amnok River!
[The First King of Joseon]
[Yi Seong Gye]
Subtitles by DramaFever
General Yi's family members were taken as hostages.
Do I look like I can live on after killing innocent soldiers?
You won't cross Amnok River? It's treason!
No matter what it takes, you have to rescue General Yi's family!
What do you think is the most important choice?
It is to choose your enemy.
My 50,000 brothers!
We are going back to the arms of our family today!