Criminal Won Kyun, you are under arrest!
Criminal? On what grounds are you calling me a criminal?
Do you deny offering a bribe to the Minister of Military?
A bribe? Never!
Tell that to the Minister of Military yourself.
Take him away!
Wait!
Look.
Where are we going? The Ministry of Military?
You will be flogged for this!
Did you want a promotion that badly?
Promotions are earned by hard work.
You can't send your subordinate to buy them!
Forgive me, sir.
My ambition got the best of me. I will accept any punishment.
The twenty sacks of rice you sent will be used as military provisions.
Of course, sir.
I said twenty sacks of rice.
I know, sir.
Just get out of here.
What I got from your subordinate Woo Ji-chuk were thirty sacks of rice.
Sir...
Control your subordinate.
How could he take upon himself to bribe a high minister?
Won Kyun...
Take my life, sir.
I deserve to die for what I've done.
Yes...
Warriors live to die.
But they mustn't die by the hands of an ally.
If you wish to die, die by the hands of the enemy.
A true warrior will die fighting his enemy. Do you understand?
Sir...
Lt. Woo...
Yes, sir.
Don't ever do this again.
Is that what happened?
That's typical of Constable Won.
And that's why his men are so loyal to him.
It's impossible to have such a long run of victories without complete
trust of the troops.
But his marks are terrible.
Yes. I checked his evaluation reports. His marks are pathetic.
That won't stand in his way if he becomes one of us.
Won Kyun...
I'm beginning to like him.
Nominate Yi Soon-shin as Commandant of Karipo?
Yes.
It's the region that was targeted by the Japanese in 1555 and in 1587,
and the first place we must fortify.
And I feel there is no one who can do a more thoroug job
than Yi Soon-shin.
It would not be wise.
Promote a staff officer straight to a third rank executive position?
But he has served as a garrison captain.
But he was stripped of his rank and now he is starting over.
Yi Soon-shin was not to be blamed for the defeat in Nok-dune.
I doubt that the Westerners will agree.
Don't bring politics into this.
We have to act in the interest of the people and the state.
And what Chosun needs right now is a competent leader who can strengthen
our southern coast.
If we go trough with this. Yi Soon-shin will become the Westerner's target.
But their a now will not be aimed at him.
Deputy Yi...
Don't you see? Their arrows will be aimed at the two of you.
They will use Yi Soon-shin as sacrificial lamb to bring you down.
I urge you to look for another warrior.
Forget about Yi Soon-shin.
You mustn't recommend him, or he will surety become their target.
He is right.
Talk to Won Kyun instead. Let us bring him forward.
Sung-ryong, what are you doing down there?
Come on up!
The trials must have really been hard on you. You look drained.
Or may be it's just old age.
You shouldn't talk.
Look at all those gray hair. And what about those circles under your eyes?
Life is not easy for anyone.
I'm impressed. When did you learn to drink like that?
Did you know about this?
The years must have tirelessly beckoned him to wine.
Surely I am not the only one that was beckoned.
Have we ever been here on a winter day like this before?
I only remember this place lush and green,
but not anymore.
This place is changing just like us...
Back then just being with you fellows made me content.
But I don't know what I am doing here with the two of you in front of me.
Am I trying to weigh my two best friends to see who is a better warrior?
To choose one over another for the interest of the state?
And if that's what I'm doing, how could I call my self your friend?
I thought courage was everything to a warrior.
What more could a man need?
But the world is telling me that I have been wrong...
I spent a long time feeling like I was standing at the edge of a cliff.
There have been times when I was bitter at the world for the hands
that life has dealt me.
But deep inside I think I always knew...
that I must hit the bottom to rise to new heights.
Yu Sung-Ryong had a meeting with Won Kyun and Yi Soon-shin?
Good work. You may go.
Yes, my lord.
I guess that means Won Kyun and Yi Soon-shin are the two warriors that
Yu Sung-ryong will bring forward.
Shin-Lip and Yi Il, Yi Soon-shin and Won Kyun...
which pair do you think are better warriors?
The later, of course.
Brother...!
Shin Lip and Yi Il have too much worldly interests, especially Yi Il.
Then...?
We don't have to worry about Won Kyun. I can keep him on a leash for awhile
since there's job to be done in the Ministry of Military,
that will give us time to break him in.
Yi Soon-shin is our problem...
Minister Yoon, what brings you?!
I hear that you have your own views about baduk.
I know a little bit about baduk myself, and I was hoping to play a round with you.
You win.
Your reputation is not unfounded. You are indeed without equal in baduk.
You're an excellent player as well.
But Minister Yu, I hope you don't regard politics as simply as this game.
What's wrong?
I like you. That's why I've come to discuss some state affairs with you.
His Majesty is very confused right now having removed the treacherous subjects
and filled the court with Westerners.
I'm sure you know how much His Majesty cares about you and the Left Minister.
The last thing he wants is to lose his two cherished subjects.
What are you trying to tell me?
I don't want you to see you get hurt either.
Don't upset His Majesty.
You mustn't upset him by bringing forward a trusted subordinate of a
criminal of high treason.
It's late. I mustn't overstay my welcome.
Return safely.
Yi Soon-shin, was it?
That warrior you think so highly of.
Give him my regards.
Your Majesty, I recommend former garrison captain of Chosan Yi Soon-shin
as the Commandant of Karipo.
Magistrate of Jung-eup?
Take it. It's a direct order from His Majesty.
Officer Yi.
Yes?
You're going from a staff officer to a district magistrate.
It's a huge leap. What's wrong?
Oh, nothing, sir...
A promotion was not what I wanted.
A comfortable life with my family not what I wanted either.
I know.
I thought the front is where I belong. If the Japanese is indeed growing in
strength, if everything that we fear is true, I should be at the southern coast.
I wanted to stop the enemy.
This time I wanted to do everything right without a losing a single man.
I know how you feel. And eventually you will.
But I am powerless right now.
I wanted to protect you. I didn't want you to become their target.
I'm sorry. This is all I can do for now.
The enemy is before me...
but the world is telling me to turn a blind eye to them.
All I can do now is to pray that the enemy is weak...
Sahwadong...
Punish the traitor and save the hostages?
The King of Chosun is quite brave.
I ordered submission, and he dare tries to make a deal?
Give us your command.
Your faithful warriors will march to Chosun right now.
Generosity is only for the faithful dogs.
It is wasted on mad dogs that will turn around and bite their master.
Master Rikyu, this blood may stain your floor. Would you forgive me?
Of course, Your Eminence.
Only, you may be killing a chicken with the sword that is meant to kill a tiger.
If they are willing to submit to you in exchange for the traitor and hostages,
suppressing them with violence could bring injury to your exalted name.
My exalted name?
Virtue is a weapon more powerful than the sword.
Your faithful daimyos did not surrender only to your sword.
If they did, your power would have been short-lived.
The servant will return his master's virtue with virtue of his own.
Bestow virtue upon the King of Chosun
with the same magnanimity you show when you share your tea with your daimyos.
Drink, Konishi.
Your Eminence...
Let the King of Chosun know that I eagerly wait for the day to
share my tea with him.
He will be spearheading my campaign against Ming, I so should be generous
with him.
Right Konishi?
Off course, Your Eminence.
Year 159023rd year of Sonjo's reign, as demanded by Chosun, Japan returned
traitor Sahwadong who acted as a guide for the Japanese in the invasion of 1587,
and returned eighty soldiers that were taken prisoner at the time including a
man named Kong Tae-won.
Execute traitor Sahwadong by dismemberment and stop the
evil of treachery against ones own brethren!
Dispatch envoys to Japan immediately for detailed assessment of the enemy!
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty!
A correspondence mission to Japan was organized at last.
The royal court selected Westerner Hwang Yoon-gil to lead the mission
accompanied by two members of the Eastern faction Kim Sung-il and Huh Sung.
Presumably this was done to ensure attainment of objective views
of Japan at a time when party enmity was at its peak.
But this may have been the first mistake Chosun made, which prevented the state
from adequately preparing for the war that would come two years later.
Why did they have to kill Sahwadong?
Those bureaucrats under the canopy are the ones that ought to be lynched!
Did you see their fat, rosy cheeks? They got rich off of us!
That's what I said! Here we are breaking our backs to feed our
folks and young ones, and the government squeeze us completely
dry with taxes and tributes!
Who wouldn't get sick of it?
I know. The truth is, I wanted to stab one of them collectors
and get the heck out of this country!
I'm more worried about the future. I went back to my hometown and
everyone treated me like I was Japanese!
Home sweet home!
We were captured and taken hostage fighting for our country.
How could they treat us this way?
Sister Maria, may I come in?
Please come with me to Jung-eup. That's where my home is.
I promised Father Cespedes that l would look after you.
There is a place I can go to.
The Japanese attacks have become more frequent in the recent months.
A man presumed to have been a Japanese spy was captured and killed
in Choong-chung Province not long ago.
Cholla has always been a target of attack for Japanese pirates.
I ask all of you take extra measures to strengthen our defense.
Yes, sir.
Shouldn't we keep a close eye on those who were taken in the invasion of 1587
and recently returned?
Who knows what the Japanese did to them in the years they were there?
Captain Chung has a point.
But sir, they were fighting bravely against the enemy and taken hostage.
They are our soldiers. Shouldn't we embrace them with kindness and sympathy?
That's pen-pusher talk!
Constable Kwon, how can you be so dense?
They were gone for three long years.
What do you think the Japanese did with them in that time? Play house?
They turned them into Japanese.
Yes, there's no doubt about it.
Suk-bong!
Oh, you're here.
Didn't you get my message?
I did. I got your message just fine.
Then why didn't you come? I said it was urgent.
Urgent? It's a state affair again no doubt.
You weren't going to have me write the sovereign's message to Japan, were you?
I suppose my talent could be of service in painting horseshit gold.
But what can I do?
I don't want to go near the King and his bootlicking high ministers.
They stink like crap.
How long has he been drinking?
He's been drinking every day since Sahwadong was brought back and executed.
Why didn't you stop him?
I didn't... want to.
The traitor was torn from limb to limb.
Then what do the idle onlookers deserve?
How about those who turn their heads and walk away because they are repulsed
by the stench of the court?
Is the King going to run after them and behead them himself?
What about that foolish chum?
That silly friend of yours who was busy running around trying
to protect whatever it is...
when the King and his ministers could care less about the people...
I hope that fool has come to his senses too.
Are you done with your work?
Yes, Mother.
You've become so frail, Mother.
Old age makes all things wither and dry. That is the way of nature.
Mother...
You can stop now.
I feel bad keeping you here.
You are busy with government affairs.
Sir! Magistrate, sir!
Another memo from Cholla Naval Base?
Yes, sir.
It's a list of hostages that were taken in the invasion of 1587.
We are not to slacken their surveillance for am reason.
Kong Tae-won of Chestnut Valley?
Is anyone home?
Who is it?
Sir, what brings you?
Is this the residence of Kong Tae-won?
What could my husband possibly do for...
Do we have a visitor?
Tae-won...
You must be Kong Tae-won.
Look.
I have nothing to say.
There must be something you can tell me about the Japanese.
I kept my eyes and ears closed at all times. There's nothing I can tell you.
Please. Don't you see? Your testimony could be Imperative in defending the
country against the Japanese.
Are you sure you're not looking for a reason to have me killed?
I've already had many other visitors like you.
And all of them asked the same question.
What are they after? Is there a price on my head?
Has the King offered a reward for anyone wtio can incriminate me?
My man!
Can't you folks leave me alone? What do I have to do? Hang myself?
Sahwadong isn't the one.
None of them deserve to live.
How can you say that, Kyun?
You don't know what a war is.
A hostage is an information bank in the hands of the enemy.
They will resort to every method in the book to get the information they need.
Those men are alive because they traded information.
Faithful soldiers take their own lives if they are captured by the enemy.
So if you ask me, those men are no longer soldiers of Chosun.
By the way, why did you want to see me about?
You said you had something to show me.
Oh, where is my head?
What's this?
It's a world map.
A world map...
This is Chosun, and this is Japan.
Is this accurate? Could Japan be this large?
This map was drawn by a man who has traveled to Japan dozens of times.
We have to wait until the envoys get back, but you can imagine the size
of their military force.
What do we have to do?
What do we have to do to conquer Japan and offer it to the King?
Kyun, I don't think it's wise to underestimate them.
General Park Wui had once captured Tsushima Island.
Perhaps he had the same ambition.
He probably conquered Tsushima to establish a bridgehead.
This crusade will require a huge army.
What do I do first?
I thought this was my chance to learn about the enemy.
What is demanding that man's silence?
Why are you calling me Mother, Madam?
Mother...!
Pleased don't!
I see that you are with a child. Take it and take care of yourself.
Mother! Mother...!
It's me, Mother, Cho-hee...
I just wanted to see you.
Just to see you once more time...
You should have... taken your own life.
How am I supposed to take you back now?
Mother...
My dearest daughter Cho-hee died in the hands of the Japanese in 1587.
Forgive me, my child...
But this clan will not be left in one piece if I take you back.
My poor child Cho-hee...
Tae-won, come quick! Hurry!
I told you I am not here if anyone comes for me!
My lady!
My lady, what's wrong?
I think I'm in labor. Would you help me?
I see you are reading.
It's the Book of Small Learning. Myun and Wan are full of questions about it.
Did you feed the homeless again?
You must be exhausted.
No, Mother.
I wish every day was like this.
Soon-shin is a compassionate leader and you are such a supportive wife.
Servants tell me that the people are full of praise.
I wish we could live like this for a long, long time.
I don't want Soon-shin at the front anymore.
Mother...
I'm the one who raised him to be tough.
I always told him to be a man of courage and will.
I raised him with a whip and an iron hand.
But now I wish that he would live out the rest of his life not as a warrior
but a civil servant.
Sending him off to the front is too difficult.
I spent too many sleepless nights just like you have.
I don't want to worry anymore.
Mother...
Oh, look at me. I guess I'm getting old.
Is he still at the archery field?
Yes, Madam.
Did he send you to fetch more arrows?
Is there something upsetting him?
I'll take those.
Is twenty years not long enough?
Am I still not good enough for you to share your pain?
Wife...
What is it? What is causing you so much anguish and distress?
Couldn't you unburden just a little?
Couldn't you share your pain with me?
Husband...
There is a new enemy.
They may be bigger and fiercer than the Jurchen nomads.
But the world has tied my arms and legs down and rendered me powerless.
Don't do anything. Don't even look toward the front.
Just be a good little village magistrate.
Husband...
I hope to god that I am wrong and that I am being overly concerned.
But if by chance I'm right and an unimaginable tragedy should occur,
if I am helpless to protect the country, I would never be able to
forgive myself.
They will see.
Someday the royal court and the world will see your true loyalty.
I do know that it will be a difficult wait for you,
but the gods will not look away. Your time will come.
I believe it in my heart of hearts.