Quickly!
What was that?!
Attack! Attach now!
Fire! Don't let them get away alive!
Do not panic! Set up your shields and fight back!
What are you going to do, sir?
I can't just sit here and watch? Enough with this waiting!
But our orders are to cut them off on their retreat!
We can destroy them now! Why wait like a coward until they retreat?
Sir...
Oh no!
It's an ambush! We'll be wiped out if we try to retreat together!
Attack!
They're starting to spread out.
Send back up to the archers on the roof! Charge! Charge forward!
I brought you your coffin!
Die, you bastard!
I hope you brought some money for your road to hell!
Really? You're giving us our grains back?
Yes. Have you been lied to all of your life?
I wish you could've told us. If you had told us, we...
You had to be fooled in order to fool the Jurchen bandits.
Yes, but you lied to us.
Goodness, what's the fuss when you're getting everything back?
Don't you want it back?
Of course we do!
What are you waiting for? Line up and get your grains back!
Captain...
Have a seat.
I called you to ask your opinion about the combat last night.
My opinion, sir?
Yes, was there an error in the strategy?
An error? We wiped out the barbarians and won the battle.
What more is there to think about?
We won the battle, so there's nothing more to think about?
There are lessons to be learned in battles that are both won and lost.
Captain...
Why? You were ordered to wait until they converged before taking action.
Why did you defy my order?
They were already converged.
You have to flood them with force when you have the advantage.
It would've been a more effective battle if you had waited.
We could've reduced the number of wounded as well.
War scars are trophies to the soldiers. It's all right, sir.
It is not all right!
You will never act in haste and cause unnecessary injuries or deaths.
Is that understood?
Could they be...?
They're coming to arrest the captain.
What do we do now, Gramps?
What did tell you? Didn't I tell you not to be hasty?
You're the one who came up with the idea of reporting him!
What? I did no such thing!
North Military Base, Ham-kyung Province
I've gathered you to report that a disciplinary action has been taken
against Chosan Fort Garrison Captain Yi Soon-shin.
A corrupted leader cannot build a strong army. Therefore, I am sending
a request to His Majesty for Captain Yi Soon-shin's removal.
So that's what happened!
You took the grains from the people to set a trap and lure the barbarians.
Then you are not a criminal; you're a hero!
He killed twelve barbarians and captured four horses.
It's an achievement deserving of a medal.
I was only doing my duty. But my men have fought very hard,
and I was hoping to award them the four horses.
Of course. It's a hero's request.
I'm sure the Chief Commander would be happy to oblige. Right, Commander?
A hero? What a ridiculous remark!
He was obligated to report any and all aggression against the enemy
to me, the Chief Commander, prior to taking action.
But Captain Yi decided to ignore the protocol.
How could you call him a hero when he violated a military command?
Captain Yi, have you been away from duty too long?
Is that why you forgot the protocol?
No, sir. I am well aware of the protocol.
You are well aware? Then why didn't you send a report?
He fought off the enemy's incursion, so technically, it was not an aggression.
What do you mean? He set a trap for them and waited in ambush.
It was an aggression, not a defensive maneuver.
That's correct. It was a planned offensive.
Then...?
I feared that the plan may leak out.
Do you think I am an indiscreet man who would expose classified military
information?
No, sir.
There are barbarians freely traveling in and out of our borders despite our
best efforts to keep them out I feared that dispatching a
messenger would tip them off and sabotage the plan.
He has a point, Chief Commander.
And it's a great distance to travel from Kyung-heung to North Base.
The camp would have been destroyed first if he had sent a messenger
and waited for a response.
Silence!
As Captain Yi's direct superior, you are responsible for his negligence!
How dare you defend him!
Forgive me...
Look, regardless of the details twelve barbarians are dead and four horses
have been captured.
I will not ask you to reward him, but he should not be punished.
Very well. I will let it go this time.
But such misconduct will not be tolerated again.
I don't know how to face my men...
I wanted to reward them for their courage with those horses.
They deserve praise for their distinguished services...
It may be one's duty to serve the country, but they are protecting
the foremost front fighting against hunger and cold.
From the King at the top to common citizens, the soldiers need to feel
appreciate by all in order not to lose their spirit...
Hurry up, men!
Enjoy it.
Hurry up.
Can't they feed us anything else?
It's rice balls again mixed with corn and millet.
Stop complaining. There are people starving to death out there.
Where are we supposed to get the strength to fight off the barbarians
eating like this?
That is part of the training.
Enduring cold and hunger is part of the training.
Endurance is a powerful weapon to a soldier on a battlefield.
But you don't have to endure hunger today.
The Chief Commander has granted you a reward for your meritorious service!
Is that true?
What do you mean, sir?
You want me to buy food and wine with your stipend?
But what about the reward from the Chief Commander?
I suppose I cannot hide it from you as you correspond regularly with the
North Base.
Pour me another!
- Dolsue, it's your turn. - Thank you.
Ilsu, sing us a song!
Oh, Commander...
Come on! You know, that song you sing all the time! Sing!
Well. I'll give it a try.
Ari-arirang, Sri-srirang...
Each and every one of you fought hard and well on the last battle!
I am very proud of all of you.
Chang Beksu's effort was particularly impressive.
That is why I am making him the instructor of the archery unit.
From now on, Commander Oh Hyung will be in charge of the spearmen,
and Chang Beksu will command and train the archery unit.
Henceforth, all archers are ordered to report to Chang Beksu.
Is that understood?
Yes, Captain!
Instructor of the archery unit? This is crap!
I am the Commander! Me!
I am in charge of training both the spearmen and the archers!
What does the captain have against me?
Don't. This will give you some free time.
I'm sure there's a reason. The captain isn't such a bad guy.
He might even be a really fine character.
What's gotten into you? Did you eat something rotten?
Why are you taking his side?
I'm not taking any sides.
Talk to me! What's gotten into you?
The truth is...
If you expose this to anyone, you will be punished...
More importantly, what would happen to the soldier's morale if they knew
that I bought their reward?
Darn. I'm going to go nuts!
I don't know! Think whatever you want about him!
How did he get to you? Tell me! Did he buy you off?
Answer me!
Get back in position!
Stop being crybabies, or I'll whip your butts!
This is not a drill! This is the front!
You! Is this all you got, soldier?
Keep your head on the ground!
Keep your arm up.
Hold it firmly.
Ready, fire!
Higher!
Higher! Higher!
Good work. You may go.
Is there something else to report?
Um...
Feel free to speak.
Is there something that displeases you about Commander Oh?
He has a bit of a temper, but he is a good man once you get to know him.
He's hard on his men because he cares about them.
I know.
Then...?
Is this about Beksu?
Yes. Commander Oh is quite upset about your decision.
I'm sure he is.
I really like Commander Oh Hyung. Take no offense, but I like him
better than any other subordinates here in Chosan.
I did not divide his authority to be shared with Beksu because
I don't like Commander Oh. In fact, it is to teach him a valuable lesson/
What would that be, sir?
You can ask Commander Oh yourself later.
He is smart enough to learn the lesson without my telling him.
Hey you!
Shouldn't you answer when you're called?
Are you deaf?
I hear you can fight. How about a match?
I know why you're here!
Wobbly-leg old captain has you following him around because he's afraid!
He'll pee in his pants before the barbarians without you!
He'll make a mad dash for his life!
What? Am I wrong?
What is the meaning of this?
Why would you behave so rashly?
If you intend to cause this kind of trouble, I want you to leave at once!
Leave.
I'm sorry... It will never happen again...
I said leave!
Left foot, right foot...
Let go of him now. He has to leave.
Do you want to come with me?
It's too soon. You still have to protect your mother and father.
By becoming brave and strong, that is.
You can't see them anymore, but they're still alive right here in your heart.
So when you become strong and able to take care of yourself, you will
be protecting your parents.
Be brave and strong. And when you're strong enough to protect yourself,
when you're strong enough to protect others, you and I will meet again.
It's my turn now...
It's my turn to protect you...
You must protect Chosun,
and I must protect you.
I will not forgive anyone who insults you or threatens you...
Gatekeeper! Gatekeeper!
May I help you?
Announce that the former scribe of Hongmun Academy Chung Yuh-rip is here.
What a pleasant surprise. I never expected your visit.
I stopped by on return to my country home.
I've heard much about you, but we never got a chance to
get to know each other.
No.
I heard you gave His Majesty a piece of your mind the other day.
What do you mean?
Don't try to hide it. Rumors travel very quickly in the palace.
His Majesty is a lucky man.
He still has royal retainers who haven't lost hope for him.
Still? You should refrain from such speech.
Take a look at the reality. The people have lost will to fight,
the soldiers are nothing but names on a list the economy is dwindling,
and insurgence will not stop.
The government is severely divided and order and discipline is non-existent
in the royal court. How does the present time differ from the
chaotic era of King Yunsan of Myungjo?
Watch your tongue!
It's a hopeless world.
He is a King who governs with righteousness, he is a champion who
rules with trust, and he is a destroyer who rules with ruse.
And the present court is ruled not by righteousness, not by trust,
but by ruse only.
Doesn't this mean His Majesty has lost competence to rule the land?
How dare you utter such blaspheme against your King!
Let us be honest with ourselves. I know that you share my sentiment.
Leave! Leave at once!
Yes. I intend to-not just from your house but from this godforsaken city.
Chung Yuh-rip... He is the very man responsible for the bloodbath of 1589
that would take place three years later.
Chung spread a false prophecy that the Yi Dynasty would be replaced by
the Chung Dynasty and preached an idea about creating a world without
discrimination based on classes, gender or occupation.
Support for Chung was no less than overwhelming.
Meanwhile, the officials of royal court divided into east and west factions,
were preoccupied with battles for supremacy.
The advantage of faction government was in diversity and balance of power,
and wise rule would have been possible had their priority been on popular
interest but sadly the people were not on their list of concerns.
Opinions about Chung vary from a villain to a revolutionist.
But the fact that such movement took place is evidence that Chosun, after
200 years in existence, was slowly beginning to lose its
self-purification ability.
This was only five years before the Seven Year War against Japan,
the greatest threat Chosun would ever face...
Your Majesty, I beg you to rectify your heart.
Or I fear someone may attempt to steal your kingdom Chosun!
Your Majesty, it is time to retire to your bedchambers.
Shall I escort you?
Do you remember this painting?
Could it be the same painting you had bestowed on Minister
Yu Sung-ryong years ago?
He admonished me risking his life and left this painting behind.
Once I was pressured by the divided court to remove Yu Sung-ryong from service.
So I kept him distant for a while.
But I felt ill at ease, so had given him this painting.
I think I was wishing that he and I were free like these two cranes
leisurely strolling this calm pine forest...
Your Majesty...
I wonder if he knows...
that at times a King must reject his most cherished retainers
and embrace his least favorite in order to protect the royal house
and its authority...
and how lonely he is having no other choice...
Your Majesty...
Chun-su, this clan looks more violent than the others.
Yeah, these are definitely not gentle people.
They roam the wild swinging their axes. Of course they are rough.
Reveal your identity!
Oh my goodness!
The girl has quite a talent!
Does it please you?
I knew you'd be pleased! Even the Ming people have praised Hong's work!
We can give you a lot more than drawings if the numbers are right.
Sell us the slaves at the right price, and we will get you whatever you want.
Whatever I want?
What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be training your men?
I am truly ashamed, Chief...
It's most infuriating...
Yi Soon-shin... Nothing is working out since that bastard showed up.
I swear to you I won't back down.
I will make him pay for what he has done!
What the heck were you doing?
Commander!
Let me have Gob-dan. I'll be good to her!
What are you talking about?
Do you think my sister is an object to give away?
She likes me too! She said she'd come with me to Seoul!
Stop it!
Is he telling the truth?
Gob-dan!
I told you!
Gob-dan, wait for me? I told your brother everything!
Stop, Gob-dan? Wait for me!
Gob-dan!
Ilsu! Ilsu!
Commander! Commander!
Don't lie to me!
Kill me! Let me die!
Why are you gathered out here?
We heard everything. We'll come with you.
Let us go together and rescue Gob-dan!
What do you think you're doing?
Don't stop me! I might kill you first if you try!
So you'd take your men and walk into a trap? Is that your plan?
Captain...
Come into my office.
Sir!
Come, I said!
I want you to think this over.
There's nothing more to think about.
But you must think again!
I know you are Gob-dan's brother, but you're an officer of Chosan as well.
Think it over very carefully. And if you still think this is the right
decision, I will not stop you.
In fact, I will go with you.
Captain...
Calmly think it over. I will be waiting outside.
I will not go.
I can't take my men in there to be butchered.
We will find a way to bring her back. Would you trust me?
Captain...
Garrison Captain Yi Soon-shin wants to meet me?
Sassonga, request assistance from Chief Ulginae...
Yes, Chief.