AHSAN, 1563
Take it easy!
It's not like they pay us more for finishing quicker.
All right!
Brother! Brother!
Did you have a pleasant trip, Brother?
This certainly is the backwoods...
Let's go.
Would you take care of this silk?
Yes, sir.
Sir...
Soon-shin...
Did anything come for me today?
But of course.
Here.
Hey, salt merchant!
Yes, sir!
Oh no! I'm so sorry!
You idiot! Are you blind?!
Oh, no! My salt! My salt!
Please sir, this is valuable salt!
How dare you!
Stop this at once!
Are you all right?
Soon-shin!
Who is this now?
What is the meaning of this?
Isn't it obvious? I'm teaching this lowly peasant a lesson.
It was an accident. You can't treat people like this.
What?
Step away! This salt is this man's livelihood!
Is that right?
Sir, please don't?
Let go of him at once! Do you know who you're dealing with?
This is the country magistrate's son.
The magistrate's son?
Now that you know, let go.
If your father is the country magistrate, does that make
you a magistrate as well?
What did you say?
There are people watching. You should watch yourk
conduct if you don't want to embarrass your father.
What? How dare you lowly peasant speak to me that way!
Sir, please overlook this just once!
And this man is no peasant. He's a nobleman as well.
Are all noblemen noble?
Here, go have a drink with your nobleman.
You two make a fine pair.
No, don't! Let them go!
You can't harm the son of the county magistrate!
Don't stop me! Aren't you angry?
Stop. This is just another day in a life of a lowly peasant.
Chun-su!
It's all right. A least he gave me a little money.
SHIJI: Records of the Grand Historian of China written by Sima Qian
I received your letter stating how deeply inspired you were
with the Shiji.
According to the biography series of disciples of Confucius,
we are to govern the people as we worship our ancestors.
I think the highest virtue that a ruler can possess is respect and
wisdom to serve his people as he looks upon his ancestors.
I, too, am earning new things as I read the Four Books again.
I must say I feel as though I've been a frog in a well being here
in Sung-kyun Academy. It's a whole new world.
I'm sending you a summary of what I've learned at the academy.
When will my dearest friends be joining me at the academy?
I long for that day with an eager heart.
Sung-kyun Academy... Sung-kyun Academy...
Minister Ju, sir, you must be exhausted from the trip.
There must be no lapses in serving His Majesty.
Your future depends on it, Magistrate Song.
His Majesty is not my only master. I must serve you as well.
Did you say that your son was taking the civil service exam?
Yes.
His Majesty has great hopes about this exam.
Are there many talented young men in Ahsan?
Brother!
Soon-shin...
When did you get back?
I came down to take a break and watch the Royal procession.
Are you ready?
For the exam. You have to win the first place.
Both Mother and I are confident that you will.
By the way, shouldn't you come home for the exam about now?
Yes.
Okay. I'll be there to bring you back tomorrow.
Okay.
Mother...
You're back. You must be tired.
No, Mother.
Oh, I ran into Yo-shin on the way home.
Yo-shin? How is he doing?
Is he comfortable at Mandeng Temple?
Yes, Mother.
But he's coming back home to take the civil service exam
that's being held in a few days.
Really?
I'm worried. What will your father say?
If he finds out that Yo-shin has been studying, he will be furious.
Don't worry, Mother.
He'll feel differently once he sees Yo-shin wearing the Royal flower.
I hope you're right...
I'm sorry, Soon-shin. You should be studying to enter civil service too.
Don't be, Mother.
I'm not smart like Yo-shin, and I gave up on books a long time ago.
I better go out to the field.
The patch has grown considerably.
Father, you're home.
Soil as honest unlike most men.
You can depend on soil never to lie.
We won't have to worry too much about food this winter.
This work would be so much easier if your older brother were helping...
He's a young man. Why does he need time away to tend to this health?
Tell him to come back home from the temple now.
I can tend to the field alone, Father.
If by chance Yo-shin is harboring unless ambitions, I'm counting
on you to stop him. Life is not to be taken seriously.
A man should be content if he can make a living without
seeking help of others. We must live a quiet
life and learn to be happy with what we have.
How could you!
You lost all of that precious salt?
Let me explain!
Why don't you cover the streets with it?
And we will all die together!
Those darn county clerks want to double my tax, and my son
is going around throwing my money away!
The whole world wants me dead!
You disrespectful fool!
Where are you going?
To rob someone!
I have to do something if we're not going to starve to death!
That worthless fool!
Did he hit you hard?
I wish.
I wouldn't feel so bad if this fists hurt.
He's a scrawny old man who can't sleep at night because of his cough.
I can hardly feel his punch...
I was going to get him treatment.
I was going to do whatever it took to get him well this time.
But those bastards ruined my salt...
Why did you stop me from beating them up?
I was afraid they might take that money back if we didn't stop.
Can you become a magistrate if you take that civil service exam?
Why do you ask?
Just answer me.
A magistrate? Some do.
Then why don't you take the exam?
And you can become a magistrate!
I'd be presumptuous to think I could.
Why do you say that?
You belong to the nobility, and you're studying all the time.
You forget to eat sometimes, but you never forget to study.
Why would you be presumptuous?
My brother will take the exam.
Both of us with my family's earnings? Not a chance.
This is frustrating...
We need magistrates like you to get rid of bastards like them.
My name is Song Byung-tek.
This is my humble son. I tried my best to give
him a good education, but I fear he has many deficiencies.
You've applied for the civil service exam?
Yes, sir.
Please look upon him kindly.
Let us do our best.
By they way, how is the book-printing coming along?
I have commissioned a local temple to do the work.
It should be near completion by now.
Perhaps you son could write a poem of tribute to His Majesty
to be included in the publication.
Me?
Yes. Could there be a greater honor if His Majesty takes
notice of your work?
Of course he will!
My son will write a poem that will delight the King!
Might I ask where you are going, young master?
I should get acquainted with the local geishas.
But sir, you are not to leave the house until the poem is finished.
Remember?
Stop pestering me.
Here.
Lead me to the most scenic place in this town!
Greetings, Master!
How is the poem? It was written by the magistrate's son.
Well, I'm just an old monk in the countryside. How could I judge?
It's deeply moving. I think His Majesty will be very pleased.
Merciful Buddha.
Master!
Oh, Soon-shin! Are you here for your brother?
Yes.
Why don't you come up for a moment?
Yes, Master.
Would you take a look at this?
Why are you letting this man see it?
He is a learned scholar who has often helped us with our
printing work. I'm sure his eyes are better than mine.
A learned scholar? Then go ahead.
What do you think? Isn't it moving?
Of course it is. These are famous words.
But may I ask why do you took parts of different poems of different
ideas and put it together?
Huh?
"Phoenix flies above the Phoenix Peak,"
that comes from Yi Bek's poem Soaring Phoenix,
"he will fly like a bird that has flown for ten thousand years."
That's Do Bo's work.
Oh dear!
Merciful Buddha...
I must be going now.
Young man, may I have a moment?
How would you like to write a poem?
A poem of tribute to the King's virtue.
If it is printed in the publication, His Majesty will see it.
Wouldn't that be a great honor?
Here, let me pour you a drink!
Where is your cup, beautiful?
We will drink until we pass out!
Sir...
Look who is here!
If it isn't the meddlesome nobleman!
It's good to see you again. Have a drink with us.
- Pour him a drink. - Yes, sir.
We got off on the wrong foot, but we can fix that.
You are in front of a place of meditation.
I'll assume the responsibility. Drink up.
You must've been thirsty. Pour him another.
Latecomers get three drinks in a row to catch up.
I don't want to be an ill-bred boor and drink in front of a temple.
An ill-bred boor?
You don't want to drink? Then how about come poetry?
I will recite a verse, and you can respond.
"A phoenix flies above the Phoenix Peak..."
"He will fly like a bird that has flown for ten thousand years."
I was wondering who wrote that anonymous poem.
What?! Are you calling my poem an anonymous poem?
I guess Do Bo and Yi Bek came back from the dead.
Who would've ever thought to connect two poems of completely
different ideas together? I'm impressed.
How dare you!
Stealing poetry and reveling in front of a sacred temple...
if you have time or this, read another book.
What is that bastard's name?
It's Soon-shin's work. Isn't it brilliant?
The magistrate's assistant brought it to me earlier.
The phoenix comes from a far away place where the sun and
the moon reside, and exalted songs of peace come from
glorious virtue of the king...
It goes beyond paying tribute to the King's virtue.
It reveals the essence of benevolent rule.
Isn't it brilliant?
I thought he had given up on his studies.
Have you been helping him?
The two of you have enough literary talent to cover the
entire city of Ahsan!
Soon-shin...
Brother, where were you? I waited forever.
Do you still write poetry?
Huh? No.
Are you keeping up with your studies?
I told you. I've given up on studies long time ago.
I'm sorry...
Why? We're brothers. We're not supposed to say things like that.
I know the sacrifice you are making for me.
Don't say things like that.
After I take this exam, I want you to study...
I'll come up with the necessary expense.
You know it doesn't end with just taking the exam.
There's the academy and then the national exam.
Soon-shin...
Please don't worry about me.
Yi Soon-shin?
A man named Yi Soon-shin identified the plagiarism?
Yes, sir. Forgive me, but he called it an anonymous poem.
I ask you to write a poem and you plagiarize someone else's work?
I borrowed the first part. The later parts are my own words.
You idiot! How many times is this?
This is the fifth test you are taking!
I turned down an important post in court and came here for you!
This is your last chance.
What good are my connection when you do things like this?
The test will be different.
You are hopeless!
Did you say Yi Soon-shin wrote this poem?
Yes, sir.
The abbot says that all of his brothers are talented as well.
If this man takes the exam, he is certain to place first.
How good could a country bumpkin possibly be?
What are you use your eyes for?
Don't you see the depths and force in these words?
Then get him to write the darn poetry!
What did you say?
Get him o write the poetry, I said!
You rotten...!
Sir, please calm down.
Sir, forgive me if offend you, but how about putting Yi Soon-shin
to a different use?
A different use?
What did you say? You want me to take the civil service exam
for the magistrate son? Are you out of your mind?
You don't have to get so upset.
I will ignore this conversation.
Give it some thought.
I will not hear more of this! Leave!
Young man, doesn't it break your heart to see your family
living such a hard life? If you do this, everyone's life will...
Watch what you say!
I have never felt ashamed of being poor and I have never
thought of this as hard life!
You're not understanding me, young fellow.
This is not a request, this is an order from the magistrate!
I would never do something so blatantly wrong even if it
were an order of the King!
So do not approach me with this again!
Wait, young man! Young man!
That bastard!
What? He refused?
How dare he! He flat out refused?
He's as stubborn as a goat.
He's just a country bumpkin. How dare he!
What would I do, sir?
Should I have a talk with his parents?
You fool! That would ruin all of our chances!
Find a sore spot.
Find something that will put him in our hands!
Yes, sir.
So, has the rest restored your health?
Yes...
Then you will help your brother on the field from now on.
Father, I can tend to the field alone. Yo-shin needs more...
The body gets weaker if do not put it to use.
Start moving around and build your strength.
Yes, Father.
Yo-shin, go back inside now and study for the exam.
No, it's okay. I'm getting better at this.
Look at your hand. You won't able to write at the exam!
Don't worry about Father.
He won't be home until dark, so you are safe until then.
It's okay. How could I leave you to work alone?
The exam is only a few days away. Please go inside...
Please?
All right. I'll be inside.
Mother!
Drink some water. You'll get a upset stomach.
You said you'd be late...
Soon-shin was working alone on the field. What's Yo-shin doing?
Father!
What are you doing in here when your younger brother
is working on the field?
Father...
I told you that it's a hundred times better to till the land
than to read a book! And you are wasting your time in a delusion!
Yo-shin! What happened?!
Father!
Get out of my way!
Why are you doing this? Please stop!
Step aside!
Please don't do this!
No, Father! No!
Stop that at once!
No, Father! Don't do this!
Stop, I said!
Did you listen to anything I said?
What did Yo-shin do wrong? What?
Soon-shin!
Why are you trying to stop him? How could a young man of noble
birth not bear an ambition for a post in the royal court?
The world is corrupt and the royal court is corrupt!
He can change it! Yo-shin can do it!
Do you think one uncorrupt man can cleanse the whole system?
Never in a million years! A quiet life in seclusion is...
You are only running away from reality!
You're talking to your father, Soon-shin!
What do you get by running away, Father?
If something is broken, you should try to fix it!
That's a hundred times better than blaming the world and
wasting your life away!
How dare you!
I was taught that a true man strives to live by his own
values and beliefs. What is a life worth without dreams?
Silence! How dare you try to break your father!
Fine. If this is your will, leave this house!
Husband!
Leave at once! Get out of here!
Stop!
I will leave. You got your wish! I will leave this house!
Yo-shin!
Don't take this out of Soon-shin.
Yes. I will grant you your wish.
I'll sever ties with you, sever ties with this world,
and wander through life like a cloud!
You shouldn't pour your own drink. I will pour for you.
What's wrong? Why are you drinking alone at a place like this?
Have a drink.
Oh, I shouldn't...
How does Soon-shin treat you?
Pardon?
Does he fill your heart when it is empty like filling up
an empty glass with wine?
That's how he is...
He always gets the short end of the stick putting others before himself,
and he never wavers from what he believes in...
I don't know about that, but Soon-shin never ignores me
or treats me badly because I am a lowborn peasant.
You're lucky to have a good friend. You an Soon-shin both.
Chun-su.
Yes?
Would you do me a favor?
It's me, Yim Chun-su.
Oh, what are you doing here this late?
Your brother wanted me to give you this.
He wouldn't tell me where he was going. He was acting strange.
I'm sorry...
I turned a blind eye to your talent and your passion
thinking only about myself.
Yo-shin! Yo-shin!
Soon-shin, take the civil service exam.
You can be a wise and benevolent official.
I trust you will realize our dream for us.
I'm sorry, and thanks...
We didn't drink nearly enough tonight!
I'll spend the whole night with you next time!
Young master!
What are you doing here?
Things are looking up.
You look quite drunk.
What do you want?
How dare he!
How about another drink?
Never mind.
I'll take you to a geisha house.
I want nothing to do with you. Get out of my way!
You fool!
The county magistrate has invited you for a drink!
How dare you refuse!
Whoever you are, it's not my business.
This fool has gone mad!
Step aside!
What are you waiting for? Get that...
Wait!
Arrest that man?
Let me through! My brother is in there!
Stop!
Take a good look. This is what your brother has done.
That can't be true. My brother would never do this!
There are four witnesses. Would you like to meet them?
I wonder what the punishment is for attempted murder.
Yo-shin! Yo-shin! Wake up, Yo-shin!
If left untreated, the cuts from the whipping will no doubt be infected.
Chances are he will never walk again.
Please help my brother. I'll do anything you ask!
Did you say anything?
Yes. I'll do anything to save my brother!
Really?
Take the exam for the magistrate's son.
That's the only way to persuade the magistrate.
Remember. Your brother's life is in your hands.
Only god can take a man's life.
He will survive...
Father!
If the broke the law and assaulted a man, he has to pay the price.
But then, not all lawbreakers pay for their crimes...
Soon-shin, take the civil service exam.
I trust you will realize our dream for us...
Remember. Your brother's life is in your hands.
I'm sorry, and thanks...
What brings you here?
What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?
I... I will take the exam for you.