Come on!
You're pathetic! How are you going to fight the barbarians?
They come at you with axes! Do you understand?
Those two wimps aren't getting any dinner tonight. You got that?
What are we going to live on if you take all of our grains?
What do I feed my children?
Gosh, you're loud.
Why do you complain so much? This isn't the first time.
But we're going to starve to death!
That's right! Be reasonable!
Let's go. We're done here.
We can't live on dirt?
You'll have to get through me to get out of here with our grains!
How dare you!
What's going on here?
These men should know better, but they're giving me a hard time.
Get out of here!
No!
Do I have to teach you a lesson?
Do whatever you want!
If you have a problem, take it up with the new captain!
Let's get out of here!
What's this?!
You look like a military officer.
Don't you think you are being too harsh with the people?
Stay out of it.
Withdraw your sword.
Step aside.
Withdraw your sword first.
An officer should not use his sword in haste.
The government did not grant you that sword to be used on the people.
Don't you agree?
Who are you to be telling me what to do?
I'm just a passer-by.
Then pass by!
You implied that you're acting on orders of the newly appointed
garrison captain. Is that a fact?
That's right.
What an evil man...
Let's go!
Sir! Sir! Let us go! Give us some food at least!
My son is sick. He is burning up with fever!
I promise you he won't run.
Please just let him go inside of the cold. I'm begging you!
Be quiet! I don't want to hear another word!
How many Chosunese do we have in captive altogether?
Approximately twenty.
Twenty? Did you say twenty?
How much can we possibly get for twenty slaves?
What's wrong with you lately, Sassonga?
You got all of your men killed trying to catch one single man named
Yi Soon-shin, and you're doing poorly with slave hunting as well.
I'm ashamed, Chief.
Get back out there. We need at least three times that number
to feed the soldiers and acquire more weapons.
Yes, Chief.
When will the slave traders be there?
Who do you think you are spitting at me?
I'll teach you?
That's enough. We can't get full price if you damage the goods.
That's right. Besides, a pretty girl like you shouldn't do such things.
I was going to suck it up and take it, but they kicked me and spat at me!
What?! Which one?
Did you kick and spit at my beautiful Hong?
Do it again, and you're a dead man!
Let's go. We don't have all day. The bazaar will close soon.
Are you all right, Hong?
Step right up and take a look!
Check out the strongest and healthiest Chosun slaves!
Step right up folks! We are giving them away at unbelievable prices?
This one is pretty and cooks well too!
Watch this.
Here you are, sir. What do you think?
Not bad.
Kyung-heung Camp Nok-dune Island, Ham-kyung Province
Keep your eyes wide open.
Don't allow anyone or anything to cross the border. Got that?
Don't worry, sir, and get some sleep.
Good night, sir.
Are you cold?
Didn't you say you're from Gapsan somewhere?
Then you should be used to the cold. Why are you shivering?
He's not cold, he's scared?
Il-su? How did you read my mind? You're a psychic!
It's so windy and cold out here. I was dying for some wine?
Hey, new kid, do you want a swig?
What if the commander finds out? No thank you.
It's all right. Take a swig.
Yeah, he's probably drunk and asleep himself by now.
Don't worry, and take a swig.
She gives me two bottles when I only ordered one, and she
walks away shaking her ass!
Why didn't you give her a little spanking?
Are you sure this is all right? What if the barbarians attack?
We know what we're doing. The harvest season is long gone.
The nomads only come around the harvest time, so don't worry.
All right.
What the heck?!
Who goes there?!
What happened out here?!
Commander!
Are you one of the commanders here?
That's right.
You disgraceful fool! Your sentinels have no discipline?
Who the heck are you?
I am the new garrison caption Yi Soon-shin!
Oh Hyung?
Don't you realize that Chosan and Nok-dune is the foremost front line
of battle against the enemy with Tuman River between us?
How could you be so lax with your sentinels?
Forgive me...
Lazy superiors beget lazy subordinates.
If such behaviors are seen once again, I will punish you by death under the
the provision of the military law!
The border is within steps...
It won't be an easy fight.
Getting hold of the hearts of the soldiers...
That will be my first challenge...
Yi Soon-shin takes his first Military Service examination in 1572 at the
age of 28 but is disqualified after falling off his horse.
Four years later at the age of 32, he passes the exam held in
the second moon and at last embarks on a warrior's journey
but finds his road bumpy from the get-go.
He was unfairly demoted after refusing a superior's personal request while in
training at the Central Military Training Center, and a jealous
associate's falsified report would get him discharged from being a garrison
captain of Palpo.
Garrison Captain of Chosan Fort and Military Farm Supervisor of Nok-dune.
These were the duties given to Yi Soon-shin who was now well into his forties.
Nok-dune Island was not only the foremost front against Jurchen,
but it was also a point of great strategic importance.
For Chosun, failing to protect Nok-dune meant giving up Ham-kyung Province
and the coast of Kang-won to Jurchen forces.
While Yi Soon-shin was protecting the foremost northern front of Chosun
in the late 1580s', a new powerful force was emerging in northeastern
Manchuria as Jurchen nomadic tribes began to unite into solid military
state under leadership of Nurhachi and began to threaten even
the great Ming.
The Imperial house of Ming during this time was inflicted with a serious
problem caused by corrupted eunuchs. Domestic troubles aggravated by the
threat of the Jurchens pushed the great Ming into a slow descent.
Osaka, 1586
In Japan, 120 years of internal war had finally ended, and a quick
reshuffling power was in progress after the death of Oda Nobunaga who
had unified majority of the daimyos (feudal lords).
No, Tokugawa first.
Yes, Your Eminence.
Hideyoshi...
Help me.
I need you more than anyone else to unify our land.
Ieyasu, I need your help.
I have no selfish desires.
I only want to serve our people and our land!
Please believe me. It is the truth.
I beg you. I have no desire to fight you.
I sent my mother to you as a hostage. Isn't that proof enough?
I don't understand, Your Eminence. Why did you kneel before Ieyasu?
You know the fierceness of his faction's resistance.
Why do you display weakness? They any look upon you with disdain.
Did you see me kneel?
Your Eminence...?
You only heard a rumor.
Wakizaka, you can seize the world on a horse, but you can't rule
the world on a horse.
It takes more than brute force to rule the world.
Be patient, Wakizaka.
I intend to fight a different battle against Tokugawa Ieyasu.
His Eminence the Imperial Regent!
I'm displeased with your disrespectful attitude, Ieyasu.
Did you not swear your loyalty to me?
You need to show respect toward your master.
Hideyashi!
Imperial Regent!
Are you ignoring the title the Emperor has bestowed upon me?
How dare you display such arrogance!
Remember, I'm not very patient.
And neither are my faithful daimyos in this room.
I do not like violence. But I assure you, neither I
nor my daimyos will tolerate your defiance if it persists.
Is that understood?
Yes, sir...
From a humble beginning as a peasant born sandal bearer for Oda Nobunaga,
and some twenty years after relentless pursuit of ambition...
Treachery at Honno Temple takes Nobunaga's life, whereupon Hideyoshi
eliminates traitor Akechi Mitushide and seizes power.
Bringing even the legendary Tokugawa Ieyasu under his command, Hideyoshi
would acquire the title of Imperial Regent and emerge
as the final victor in the vie for power.
The only place left now is Kyushu.
Soon I will initiate subjugation of Kyushu.
Then l will cross the ocean and seize Chosun and
the Great Ming in my hands! Is that understood?
Yes, sir!
Ruthless conqueror Toyotomi Hideyoshi...
He begins to reveal his true character.
Is His Majesty still asleep?
Attendant Yoon, Your Majesty. Have you risen?
Your Majesty, it is Imperial Attendant.
Imperial Attendant is here.
Tell him to leave us.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, it is past nine o'clock.
You must attend the morning lesson.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, shall I call for your robe?
Never mind.
Leave us!
I cannot attend the morning lesson today as I am unwell.
But Your Majesty...
I am unwell, I said! Do not argue with me!
Please stop, Your Majesty! It's broad daylight!
Your Majesty, stop!
He has declined to attend the morning lesson once again?
You know how important his morning and afternoon lessons are in
administering the state.
Shouldn't you have urged him more earnestly?
His Majesty has been feeling unwell for the past few days,
and the Royal Physician has prescribed a restorative tonic.
What if exertion of the lessons exacerbate his condition?
He was absent again?
That's not all. He is neglecting administrative affairs, and the
officials have lost all discipline.
On top of that, both the Prime Minister and the Left Minister are out sick,
and the Right Minister is away in a diplomatic mission in Ming.
His apathy is absolutely appalling in a time when all three high ministers
are absent from court!
Has it been about twenty years?
Since you and I began to serve His Majesty, that is.
That's long enough time for the mountains and rivers to change twice over,
so it is not surprising that he has forgotten his original purpose and intent.
Sung-ryong...
What? Yu Sung-ryong is here?
How is your mother? I hope her condition has improved.
I am trying to do my best for her, but I fear my devotion is not enough.
Oh dear, she must still be very ill.
Does this mean that your return to the royal court will be delayed?
Your Majesty, I Yu Sung-ryong, will not be coming back to court.
What do you mean? Please don't say that.
Who will I depend on if I do not have you?
Your Majesty, I ask you to punish me by death.
Punish you by death?
I've committed a great crime by failing to guide you properly.
Punish me by death.
It has been twenty years since you ascended to the throne.
Time teaches virtue and magnanimity to some and arrogance and obstinacy
to others. What has time taught you in the last two decades?
Are you trying to say I have become arrogant and obstinate?
Your Majesty, I remember how you were when you first ascended
to the throne. You were most modest, compassionate toward
your people, and you spent every moment of your time focused
on state affairs.
I believe there are two paths that a ruler can take.
One is that of a father of his people and the other is merely of a possessor
of his kingdom. Former is the path of the Sage Kings, and latter is
the path of the Tyrant Kings.
How dare you! You dare compare me to the Tyrant Kings?!
It seems you truly do have a death wish!
Your Majesty, please remember your original purpose and intent.
You must not neglect the morning and afternoon lessons, as they provide
guiding principles in administering the state. And you must keep a close
eye on your officials, as the court will become a cradle of corruption
if left unchecked.
Your innocent people will be the final victims of such corruption and tyranny,
and there will be an outcry of grievance.
And to whom would they place blame?
Your Majesty, please attend to the state and to your people with care.
Then the people will look upon you as their father and follow you.
There is nothing more powerful than the hearts of the people, hence such
is the path to true mastery of the kingdom.
You haven't changed a bit...
I will consider this as nothing more than a visit from an old friend
as your words are dreadfully contemptuous to be called a
sincere counsel of a retainer.
Your Majesty!
The books are accurate to a tee.
Accurate to a tee?
Yes, sir.
No, your count is inaccurate.
Weapons are used not only to fight the enemy but to defend yourself.
Do you really think you can defend yourself with these weapons?
When will you stop playing counting games with these useless junk?
But if our count is less than what the records show in the headquarters,
you will be held accountable.
They were kept despite their poor conditions to protect you...
Do you know what a true loss to a military officer?
It's losing his men.
Discard all of the useless weapons and submit a report.
This oversight will be reflected on your evaluation.
Is that understood?
Yes, Captain.
What is all this? Why are grains stored in the weaponry?
Don't you know the difference between provisions and weapons?
Those are not military provisions, sir.
They are not military provisions?
They were... donated by the people for your welcoming celebration.
Is that so?
They donated these grains to welcome me?
What do you take me for?!
Forgive me, Captain. We will return them to the people at once.
Return them to the people?
You're trying to patronize me. Do you expect me to feel welcome with this?
Their sincerity is questionable.
Then...?
Collect more.
I am going to risk my life to protect them after all.
This is hardly a compensation.
What? He wants more?!
He's just like the other captains before him.
I knew it the moment he took a whip at you.
He's tightening discipline so the troops will do their job,
and filling his belly since captains' salary is peanuts.
I can't go this time. I refuse to go!
Don't fight him. What's the first military code of conduct?
It's obedience to superior officers.
You could be dismissed from service for defying his order.
Damn it!
Captain? What brings you here?
I forgot to ask you for the personnel records, so I came to get it myself.
Why are you just standing there? Must I find it myself?
No, sir.
Here it is, sir.
Do you think he heard us?
Stop that! Even the king is badmouthed behind his back.
We didn't say anything that weren't true.
What is he going to do? Kill us?
Please! No!
Don't do this!
Search thoroughly!
Please don't do this!
Exchange them for silver, sir?
Yes. What am I going to do with all those grains?
I think it's best to keep them in silver.
Um, Captain...
previous captains always granted meat and wine to the soldiers
when the people welcomed them with grains.
For the soldiers' morale, it's...
Didn't wine get you into enough trouble?
You're excused.
You should count it, sir.
I'm sure it's correct. Who cares if it's not?
That new captain is worse than the barbarians!
He didn't even leave a single grain of rice for us to live on?
I heard he sold the grains that he took from us and pocked the money
for himself without sharing not as much as a meal with his soldiers?
Innkeeper! Bring us more wine!
You men are drinking too much! Do you have money to pay?
Put it on my tab!
I'm going to drink today even if it kills me?
Gramps, are we going to take this lying down?
Even a warm will turn if you step on it?
That's right! Who is above the captain?
Let's report him! Then he'll learn his lesson!
Gramps?
Chang Bek-su... Six feet tall, born in Chun-suk, Hwang-hae Province...
What the heck! Who are you? Someone light the torch!
Captain!
You are from Chung-suk. My guess is you're a hunter.
How did you know?
Hunting requires heightened senses, especially a keen hearing since it's
already too late if you run after an animal after making visual contact.
Isn't that right?
Yes, sir, that's right.
Have you ever handled an arrow?
Do what you do when you are hunting.
Rely not on your sight but on your hearing and pretend that your target
is not a hay ball but a rabbit or a pheasant. Can you do it?
Yes, Captain.
These are my findings after reviewing the personnel records.
You've already reviewed the entire catalog?
Dolsae and Gettong are raw recruits, so pair them up with seniors Ilsu and Dopal.
They are both archers, so have them teach one another.
- Commander Oh. - Yes, sir.
We have disproportionately large number of spearmen against archers.
That's because spears are better than arrows for close combat
against the barbarians.
For close combat, yes but we must be prepared to carry out long range
battles and ambush attacks as well. Beksu seems to be a natural with
the bow and arrow, so transfer him into the archery unit.
Yes, sir.
Do you have a headache? Why do you keep tilting your head?
Is he a good guy or another bad guy?
What do you mean?
No other captain has ever been quicker in figuring out the troops.
He's trying to get the troops in ship shape so he could be a hero.
He's just like the rest of them.
Sacks of grains are piled high at the port?
That's right, Chief.
The gods will provide. We were just about out of our food supply.
We already have a plan in place. We will strike tonight without delay.
North Military Base, Ham-kyung Province
He is a detestable crook who stole from the people to fill his own belly.
You are to arrest garrison captain of Chosan Fort Yi Soon-shin immediately!
Yes, sir!
Extortion? Chief Commander, Yi Soon-shin would never commit such a crime.
You know that's well as I do.
Who am I to make such an assumption?
He has been demoted and dismissed from his previous duties because of
his stanch refusal to succumb to corruption.
You shouldn't speak is haste.
He was demoted and dismissed for disobedience and negligence.
It had nothing to do with refusal to succumb to corruption.
Commander...
What are these?
Complaints from the people of Chosan Fort.
We're not talking about one of two complaints.
Quickly!
What's this?!
Attack! Attack now!