Come, accept a drink.
-= Episode 5 =-
Can I tell you the exact cost of, the wine I bought?
Please give your order, Your Majesty.
In the future,
if I hear of, Easterners, Westerners,
fighting over power,
or for the sake of that power, you're conspiring against each other,
all of you seated here,
will have to pay with death.
Shall we all make that promise?
I'll do that, Your Majesty.
We'll do that, Your Majesty.
Good.
You're this united, isn't it nice?
Come. Let's drink up.
I haven't been out of the palace for a long time, it's really nice.
Isn't it?
Are you crying?
Your Majesty's in such a cheerful spirit, that's why I'm filled with tears.
Your Majesty who hasn't been sleeping well,
has regained the dignity of a king, your servant is so happy that I'm crying.
Judging from your talent for flattery, the Ten Attendants are not a match for you. (eunuchs who controlled the court of the late Han Dynasty in China)
Your Majesty. (eunuchs who controlled the court of the late Han Dynasty in China)
Your Majesty, please take care of your health for the sake of the officials and people.
Your servant only bears your words in mind, and always act cautiously.
It would be nice if the lot of them cared half as much as you do.
If you take his words at face value, he doesn't want factional strife and power struggles.
Ultimately, doesn't it mean that the king is in command of everything?
In fact, we vassals had provided the start to it, didn't we?
We did do that, but with the vassals shunted aside,
I'm worried he'll become a self-righteous king.
If we're vassals who read the king's face then that's inevitable.
But if we plead the case out of concern for the country and the people,
how can the king obstruct that?
That's why the king's words to us were, not to form factions or seek personal gain.
Do you still believe the king?
He has changed so much.
It's about time he changed.
Sometimes, I wish he would become self-righteous.
Meaning, he won't be led by the nose by vassals who care only about their personal gains and power.
Then he would become just and fair in matters just like a newborn calf,
frank and facilitative, that's the kind of sovereign I hope for.
Is this for me to hear?
Do you feel so?
Right State Councillor.
Aren't you the Chief State Councillor who, more than anyone, are good at seizing the moment?
If you've perceived the king's change, and are convinced his path is right,
please follow him.
What if it's the wrong path?
At that time, you dispute it.
The king and his vassal fighting?
Can we fight just because we want to?
The king holds the sword. The vassal is merely the shield for the people.
Even if we bleed and are flat on the ground, we don't yield, isn't that the true nature of a vassal?
But, that shield you speak of, was given by the king.
Of course it was given by him, but I think that,
the post given by the king is not one that's for the benefit of the king alone,
it's a post for when the king makes a mistake, we make a timely intervention.
Assuming...
What you've said is not wrong, but you've idealized everything.
One day, you might get into big trouble.
Chief State Councillor,
because of the long factional strife, do you know what is my greatest worry?
The court should worry about the people, but it's the people who worry about the court.
That's factional strife. As of now, we vassals shouldn't fight.
We should believe in His Majesty and assist him.
The hunt for the petty Easterners has ended, the hunting dog shouldn't be barking.
Didn't you say everything is now within your control?
-= Seong Hon =- -= (Office of Ministers-without-Portfolio, =- -= Administrative Commissioner, Westerner) =- Didn't you say, everything is now within your control?
I was surprised too... The king changed too much.
He's no longer the benevolent king who listened to his vassals in depth.
Is Un Jang right in his view of the king?
-= Un Jang: Song Ik Pil's courtesy name =- Is Un Jang right in his view of the king?
It was an occasion where we met them with difficulty,
we couldn't even talk about installing a crown prince.
Gye Ham,
the king's behaving like this,
bringing up the matter of installing a crown prince now,
I fear he'll misjudge us even more.
How about not bringing it up for the time being?
What do you mean by that?
Installing a crown prince is about securing the future.
How can you say it's something that'll upset the king?
I'll discuss it with Lee San Hae and Ryu Seong Ryong again,
then ask the king.
How can the matter of reconciliation be resolved with a few words?
Since I had put it across strongly, shouldn't they at least pretend to reconcile?
Between those with power and those without, there's no reconciliation and balance.
There's only oppression and submission.
If you give a knife to one side, then give the other side a shield,
wouldn't it be better for Your Majesty?
A shield?
Then for Lee San Hae and Ryu Seong Ryong, what shield would be good for me to give them?
Among the three councillors, Lee San Hae and Ryu Seong Ryong are both Easterners.
Although Jeong Cheol is a Westerner, he's the Left State Councillor.
Authority over the State Council and Six Ministries,
it's with Jeong Cheol, isn't it?
That's right... but if I change the ministers of the Six Ministries right now,
Jeong Cheol's faction will put me in a spot with resignations and appeals.
Among the ministers, just one position needs to be changed.
What do you mean by "one position"?
How can the court depend only on the three councillors and ministers to run the country?
In reality, aren't the dangha-gwan in charge of the actual work? (dangha-gwan - officials of 3rd to 5th rank)
That right of personnel management over the officials in charge,
please give it to Ryu Seong Ryong.
Ryu Seong Ryong is the Right State Councillor,
but I'm to hand him the position of Minister of Personnel?
Have him hold concurrent posts.
He rose from the position of Minister of War,
he's a Right State Councillor with control over the military officers.
If I let him hold the additional post of Minister of Personnel,
the right of civil and military personnel management will entirely be in his hands.
Don't you have to balance, the equilibrium that has tilted?
Why do you look so shocked?
I'm not having you step down from the position of Right State Councillor.
I'm just having you hold the additional post of Minister of Personnel.
Your vassal is unworthy of it. Please, rescind the order.
Your Majesty.
The current Minister of Personnel, Yu Hong, is there a problem with him?
It's not because of a problem, but Yu Hong is close to the advanced age of seventy.
He had previously asked to take time off, I want to lighten his burden.
Chief State Councillor, what do you think?
If it's to temporarily take charge until Yu Hong returns,
as compared to someone newly appointed,
the Right State Councillor had been the Minister of Personnel before,
he'll do it well.
It's a good decision.
Left State Councillor, is it alright?
It's a wise decision.
Where impartiality in personnel matters is concerned,
I've yet to see anyone better than the Right State Councillor.
He'll do well as the Minister of Personnel.
You've overpraised me, Left State Councillor.
You're all in such harmony, it's so nice to see it.
This is fantastic.
It's really a matter for congratulations, Right State Councillor.
Thank you.
Are you sincere?
Chief State Councillor, do you still doubt me?
Just as I have said before,
please understand my sincere wish for reconciliation.
And, Right State Councillor.
In the future, you don't have to report Ministry of Personnel matters to me.
Just report directly to the king.
But, Ministry of Personnel matters should still be...
No, no. I trust you, Right State Councillor.
I'll hold a banquet in celebration of it. You must come.
Un Jang, I will endure it... Even if my hands and feet get cut off,
at all costs, I'll carve out that new sky, I promised you.
1591, a year before the Imjin War.
In spite of a political situation where the Westerners held sway,
Right State Councillor Ryu Seong Ryong, assumed the additional post of Minister of Personnel.
Lee San Hae's son-in-law, Lee Deok Hyeong was also,
appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, a dangsang-gwan post of senior 3rd rank.
Thus, the Easterners held all the rights to personnel management for the Ministries of War and Personnel.
This kind of personnel reshuffle, kept the Easterners and Westerners in check,
strengthened royal authority,
and can be considered Seonjo's means of personnel management.
-= Osaka, Japan =- .
-= Osaka, Japan =- We should have obtained a letter of reply from Kyoto that day.
Exactly what are you afraid of to abandon the capital and come all the way here?
Due to that, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's letter of reply is obviously late, isn't it?
There're many stories of people who want to raise an army holding envoys as hostages.
Someone as brutal and exalts militarism as Toyotomi Hideyoshi,
can surely take us hostage.
If he's taking us hostage, will we even be safe here?
It has already been ten days.
You're just relieved that you've gotten out of the jaws of the tiger,
we didn't officially get the letter of reply that we should,
not a sight of it and we ran out.
How can this be an envoy's dignity?
So Yoshitoshi said he'll get the letter of reply and bring it here.
Let's just wait a while more.
What do we do about this?
Since ancient times, one can't live to a hundred.
How can I be as parochial, as to remain here in Japan?
Even if the country is far, mountains and rivers separate us,
I'm going to Ming,
to transmit, our customs to China's 400 districts,
and at the emperor's court, we look forward to,
carrying out politics for countless years.
Fortunately, your country has submitted to us first.
It's really, something of great judgment. We no longer have any worries in future.
Good. Very good.
How is it, Ukita?
-= Ukita Hideie =-
It's a letter that's filled with Your Highness' vigour.
Kato. You've heard it, how is it?
It's all good, but there's one regret.
Tell me.
If Your Highness' conception dream is put at the start of the letter,
Joseon will look up even more to Your Highness.
My conception dream?
Didn't O-mandokoro say that while pregnant with Your Highness,
-= O-mandokoro: Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mother =- Didn't O-mandokoro say that while pregnant with Your Highness,
she had a dream of the sun falling into her embrace?
And didn't the physiognomist say, you'll have an indomitable personality,
and your fame will spread far and wide?
That's right.
Kato!
That's not the etiquette for a letter of reply.
Joseon is but a country that has already submitted to us.
As the higher nation, shouldn't we emphasize His Highness' majesty?
Konishi,
I too think that Kato's idea is fine.
Lord Ukita!
Stop it!
I too, don't like to blow my own trumpet.
What Konishi said is right. My conception dream mustn't be included.
I'm sorry!
Your vassal was foolish.
The conception dream, will increase your grandeur.
Well, I said there's no need for that, Konishi!
I deserve death, Your Highness!
"To Hapha, the King of Joseon"?
I mean...
How can he be this arrogant and disrespectful!?
'Hapha', is used to address officials of senior 1st rank.
He called our king "Hapha"!?
And, he wants to go to Ming?
Don't tell me, he's saying he intends to invade Ming?
Look here, Lord So!
Are you trying to kill us!?
In addition, we came as goodwill envoys, this is written as a submission to your court.
Then, doesn't it mean Joseon is to serve Japan as the higher nation?
Come, come, come. Please calm down.
I will ask for 'Hapha' to be changed to 'Your Majesty'.
But, you seem to have misunderstood "submission".
It doesn't mean Joseon submitted to Japan.
It means Joseon, as compared to us, submitted to Ming earlier,
we'll follow behind you, and submit to Ming.
What are you talking about? It's clearly written here.
Please take a good look at the context. It doesn't mean that.
Please don't misunderstand.
This isn't a misunderstanding. That's what we understand it to be.
Change everything. All of it.
The disrespectful term, and the nonsensical talk concerning his conception dream.
If not, we would rather die here. We won't bring that sort of letter back.
What are we to do?
If the letter is not amended, it seems they really won't go back.
Even if the term of address, 'hapha', might be changed,
changing the content is not the Kampaku's style.
And, he'll check it again, so we can't secretly amend it.
There's no alternative...
To the Joseon envoys, we'll have to insist on our viewpoint.
Even if we can do something about the other things, but when we go to Ming,
the talk of having the Joseon soldiers receive us, how do we settle that?
For that, we'll say we're receiving the Joseon soldiers' escort,
to pay tribute to Ming. We'll have to insist upon this.
Will they believe it?
Whether they believe it or not, we'll insist that's what we'll be doing.
Understood.
Even like this, can war be prevented?
We can only do our best.
We can't all die meaningless deaths on Joseon soil, right?
Is this good enough?
Why hasn't this been corrected?
The sentence about our Joseon submitting to Japan.
Didn't I say that in the final analysis, that's not what is being said?
It doesn't say Joseon has submitted to Japan, but Japan is submitting to Ming.
Don't play word games. Change it immediately!
Vice Envoy, sir.
How long are you going to weigh every single phrase?
The revision for the letter too,
the Kampaku's permission for it was obtained after much difficulty.
If we request further revisions, that'll anger him.
That's right.
The Kampaku's eccentric nature, did you both not see it?
I can see you being harmed by it. I'm concerned.
Are you now trying to coerce us!?
Do whatever you want!
Vice Envoy Gim,
the interpretation is different, there's no need for a revision.
We'll end it here. Let's prepare to return.
That's right, Vice Envoy, sir. They won't listen to our requests again.
What are you saying!?
Is that how an envoy who brings his sovereign's message should talk?
If you're going back, the both of you can return first.
I will wait here until the letter has been revised then I'll return.
Vice Envoy Gim.
After this, Gim Seong Il repeatedly requested revisions to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's letter,
but it was not revised.
After many twists and turns, the Goodwill Mission,
turned down all gifts from Japan. After leaving Joseon for 10 months,
they returned home.
Given this, the personnel of the Ministry of Personnel has finally been settled.
Yes, the Westerners won't have any objections.
-= Lee Deok Hyeong =- -= (Ministry of Personnel, Secretary) =- -= (Easterner) =- Yes, the Westerners won't have any objections.
I say, Myeong Bo.
-= Myeong Bo: Lee Deok Hyeong's courtesy name =- I say, Myeong Bo.
-= Myeong Bo: Lee Deok Hyeong's courtesy name =- I had thought you made the personnel changes based on ability.
Are you still affected by the notion of Easterner and Westerner?
Don't tell me,
you want to hear talk that you became a dangsang-gwan because you're the Chief State Councillor's son-in-law?
I'm sorry, I didn't think properly.
Right State Councillor.
He should be roundly scolded more.
-= Lee Hang Bok =- -= (Chief Royal Secretary) =- Perhaps I who am a centrist too, might have been branded by him as a Westerner.
Why are you also like this?
What brings you here, Chief Royal Secretary?
Please enter the palace.
The Goodwill Mission envoys who've arrived at Busanpo have submitted a report.
A report?
The day I enter Ming, if you bring a delegation to our military camp,
the more, our friendship as neighbors, will deepen.
Your Majesty, the King of Joseon, please take care of your health.
Is that really Toyotomi Hideyoshi's letter? What do all of you think?
It's impudent beyond belief.
A ruler's message this absurd, it's the first time I've heard it.
Furthermore, he says he's going all the way to Ming?
Does he perhaps mean, he's going to attack Ming?
If he means to do that, then the talk of us going to his military camp,
is it his intention for us to attack Ming together. Is that what he means?
It's illogical. An island nation can't attack a big nation.
It's something unimaginable.
By "going to Ming" he means it's for resuming payment of tribute and trade.
They want to submit to Ming.
It's for the sake of that they're asking us for help.
As with our country, Ming also, has a headache from Wae pirates.
They issued a ban on maritime activities, and haven't been able to trade for a long time.
Thus, an economically isolated Wae,
presumably wants to resume trading, that's what I think.
If so... Toyotomi Hideyoshi should get on his knees and beg us!
Yet he sent this impudent a letter of reply!
Your vassal also agrees with the Inspector General.
Right State Councillor, why have you nothing to say?
Based on this letter alone, the interpretation will inevitably be different.
It's best to hear what Hwang Yun Gil and Gim Seong Il who have met Toyotomi Hideyoshi have to say,
then decide after fully understanding the situation.
Until they come, please wait before discussing the matter any further.
Send a messenger. Tell Hwang Yun Gil and Gim Seong Il to come quickly.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Please, be careful of what you say. Because of rumors of war, the people are uneasy.
What exactly did I say?
What talk of war. Aren't your strange remarks making everyone uneasy?
I'm worried over that.
Envoy, please worry on your own. Just you yourself.
Sirs, this isn't the time. Please hurry up and leave.
- What happened with them? - I'm not sure.
Sir, the people following behind us. What are they doing?
I'm not sure.
Elder, what happened that you're carrying these bags and following behind us?
Can't you see?
We're fleeing for safety.
What?
"Fleeing for safety"?
Did conflict break out somewhere?
If conflict had broken out, would we be alive here?
Because it's before the war,
we're fleeing to safety beforehand.
What do you mean by this?
You're all making us annoyed.
Didn't you hear the rumor?
Wae will attack soon.
The rumor has spread all over.
I mean, who said that?
That, those noblemen envoys up in front.
When they stayed at the government office,
they had said that to the government officials.
We're considered late.
The people who left earlier, would have reached Gangwon-do by now.
What?
You've come. Should I get you a liquor table?
No.
Forget the wine.
If you still have the mistletoe tea I drank last time, make some of that for me.
At a drinking house selling alcohol,
if you want tea...
When I drank the tea back then, I felt really comfortable.
Don't worry. For the price of the tea, I'll pay you the price for alcohol.
How can you pay for alcohol when you have tea?
I still have mistletoe.
I'll just make some for you.
Thank you.
But...
did you come by yourself?
Why? I can't come on my own?
It's not that.
Hey!
Have you gone crazy?
Hey, lad.
The way you run, you're like a wild horse that's broken lose of its rope.
I'm sorry.
Where's Officer Sin? You came alone.
He went to inform the court that the Goodwill Mission envoys will arrive soon.
Whereabouts are they?
Presently, they should have passed Gyeongsang-do.
You've had a hard time.
But...
I saw something strange, Sir.
In the 3 Southern provinces, .
In the 3 Southern provinces, (Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, Jeolla)
there's a rumor saying that Wae is going to attack, (Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, Jeolla)
many people are fleeing to the north for safety. (Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, Jeolla)
many people are fleeing to the north for safety. .
A Wae attack?
How did that sort of rumor spread?
Envoy Hwang Yun Gil,
said that to the officials of those places where he had stayed at.
In the blink of an eye, the rumor grew.
Somehow, it feels unusual.
Isn't it a sign that Wae will attack?
It's clearly, not a good sign.
But for us, it seems it can become a good opportunity.
If there's repeated trouble, the court and the people will be uneasy.
Public opinion will be in support of installing a crown prince.
That's right.
It might upset the king, but if the justification is clear,
and the 3 State Councillors and public opinion are of that view,
the king can only accept it.
And, undoubtedly,
if Lee San Hae and Ryu Seong Ryong too,
recognize the portent of trouble,
they'll know the installation of a crown prince is something that can't be postponed.
Will Wae,
really start a war?
I'm not sure.
Who can be sure about it?
But,
if in case it's not Wae's navy, but their army that they dispatch,
it'll be worse than the Wae attack of 1575.
We have to be well prepared.
I understand.
Chief State Councillor, and Right State Councillor,
I've prepared the celebratory banquet for the Right State Councillor that I had mentioned last time,
how about this evening?
Indeed. Surely the king won't come today too?
Because of the Goodwill Mission's report, the court is in a confusion, we can't have it.
It's not suitable.
That's right. Let's have it later.
Although it's a celebratory banquet,
as compared to that, I've something to say to you.
I was worrying that our Right State Councillor,
would make a mess of personnel matters.
It was all unfounded fears on my part.
You're this fair and just in handling matters,
I'm really impressed!
I merely did what I should.
Left State Councillor, you trust me that much, thank you.
Look at this harmony,
isn't it nice?
But...
what was it you wanted to say?
Oh, right!
Previously, I had wanted to say to the both of you,
because the king suddenly appeared,
I couldn't finish it.
Do you remember?
Well...
That day my mind was too occupied...
In another year from now,
His Majesty's age,
will be greater.
And, Her Majesty the Queen,
for the past 20 years, she has yet to produce a Prince Royal.
You mean...
install a crown prince?
I remember.
His Majesty's age and,
Her Majesty the Queen hasn't been able to produce a Prince Royal, you said those, didn't you?
As expected, Chief State Councillor, your powers of memory are incomparable.
Leave us for now.
Yes.
That's why I say,
take this opportunity,
to install a crown prince.
Actually,
I feel it's kind of late.
Quickly install a crown prince.
Don't we have to educate him?
Although it's not wrong...
Chief State Councillor, what do you think?
Right now,
you're telling us to tie a bell on a cat's neck?
Chief State Councillor!
We're now discussing a major national issue.
How can you think of us as narrow-minded schemers?
We've to petition the king to install a crown prince.
You can't not know that it's something that'll upset him.
The Deputy Chief Scholar who had also previously petitioned for it,
there's the matter of him being demoted.
That time is too different from the present situation.
His Majesty,
was about to achieve his life's wish of Jonggye Byeonmu.
He was very sensitive.
Furthermore, there wasn't any threat from Wae.
But the current situation is too different.
Wae is openly provoking us.
The barbarians in the North, the Jurchens, are gaining in power.
If we don't install a crown prince now, it won't do.
That's right.
And,
the Deputy Chief Scholar who petitioned the king to install a crown prince,
didn't even have the consensus of the court and did it on his own.
Can His Majesty not hate it?
But,
if us three State Councillors petition His Majesty,
His Majesty too,
will naturally see it as adhering to tradition.
Then,
Left State Councillor, among the 3 princes, who do you have in mind?
As to who do I have in mind, it won't be decided according to my wishes.
It's a matter for the king to decide.
It's a matter of deciding the future king.
The candidate you have in mind,
please tell us.
The two of us,
think Prince Gwanghae is better.
What do you think?
His scholarship and disposition is the best.
Isn't that so?
Although that's the case,
who does the king have in mind?
Come, come. That's something to be discussed later.
First of all, me and the two of you,
let's petition the king tomorrow, to install a crown prince.
It seems like it's time, Chief State Councillor.
Alright then.
The 3 State Councillors are in agreement.
It really looks nice.
Come! Please drink.
Come.
Everyone's views are so identical,
I feel that it's really nice.
Yul Gok too, should be watching and smiling from above?
Somehow, something's wrong.
What's wrong? Afraid of upsetting the king?
If the 3 State Councillors share a consensus, it's the same as the consensus of the court.
Ultimately, he's not a king who'll get angry or take it lightly.
Please don't worry.
Will it indeed be like that?
I learnt a phrase from you, shall I remind you of it?
"Continue like that and you'll age."
"You'll age."
It's really been a long time, Un Jang.
-= Un Jang: Song Ik Pil's courtesy name =- It's really been a long time, Un Jang.
-= Un Jang: Song Ik Pil's courtesy name =- .
What brings you here?
Oh second to none but the king, Chief State Councillor.
Did you come because you're curious about this slave's fate?
You're not a slave.
I never thought of you as a slave.
I still remember you're Paju's genius writer.
And,
you're an outstanding strategist.
You had a lot to drink.
An outstanding strategist,
how can he be locked up in prison?
If I die, it makes no difference.
Don't spout nonsense, go back.
I heard Song Gang came here a few times.
-= Song Gang: Jeong Cheol's pen name =- I heard Song Gang came here a few times.
-= Song Gang: Jeong Cheol's pen name =- He came a few days ago too.
Because we're old friends,
he brought me some food and left.
How can it be that he just gave you some food?
Did you not also talk about the matter of installing a crown prince?
Discussing matters of state with a slave locked up in prison,
how can it be possible?
I'm going to sleep now. Don't disturb me, just go back.
Although Song Gang and you are close and he always went along with you,
there's one thing to the exception.
You always thought the current king is not fit to be a king,
but Song Gang thinks the king is a wise ruler, and even missed him while in exile.
But...
why did Song Gang suddenly bring up the installation of a crown prince?
If it's the king, he feels he can serve him forever.
Today, Song Gang came looking for me and Seo Ae,
-= Seo Ae: Ryu Seong Ryong's pen name =- Today, Song Gang came looking for me and Seo Ae,
-= Seo Ae: Ryu Seong Ryong's pen name =- to install a crown prince.
He wants us to petition the king together.
So,
we promised to do that.
That too, was probably your doing, wasn't it?
But,
somewhere, something feels wrong.
Seo Ae and I withdrew from it.
Knowing how severe the price for upsetting the king is,
how can we rally together on this matter?
Although I'm apologetic towards Song Gang,
we can't die together.
Looks like I've kept you from your sleep for too long.
Well then, have a good rest.
Yeo Su!
-= Yeo Su: Lee San Hae's courtesy name =- Yeo Su!
Because of petty people who break their promises easily,
like you and Ryu Seong Ryong,
the country has become like this!
Even if our factions are different,
when the time comes to install a crown prince,
even if we've to place our lives on the line, we must petition the king, shouldn't we?
Does the present, only matter for this country?
It's an issue that concerns the future king and the future of Joseon!
Cowards!
Really cowardly, petty people.
The king and Joseon of the future,
do you mean your king and Joseon?
To be honest,
Seo Ae and I,
have yet to tell Song Gang we're withdrawing.
For speaking the truth, I thank you.
The installation of a crown prince, is meant for them to control this country through the future king.
You're unable to believe it?
This is all Jeong Cheol and, Song Ik Pil's scheme.
Sir, aren't you speculating too much?
It's not speculation.
Haven't I already said I just saw Song Ik Pil and confirmed it?
A sham...
It's such a sham.
I really thought we had buried the hatchet with them.
Then,
the matter of petitioning the king for a re-investigation of those scholars sacrificed in the high treason case is also...
You believe the words of those snakes?
All of these, isn't it bait to lure us?
Hey, Assistant Proctor Gim.
Hey, Assistant Proctor Gim!
Gim Gong Ryang, hey you!
Who is it?
Who dares to call me, directly by my name?
The things you took from the Palace Treasury, (office managing the royal finances)
is it nice having fun with gisaengs on them?
Assistant Proctor?
-= Gim Gong Ryang =- -= (Royal Noble Consort Gim's younger brother) =- -= (Palace Treasury, Assistant Proctor) =- Chief State Councillor, is that, true?
If Jeong Cheol installs Prince Gwanghae as the crown prince,
Royal Noble Consort and Prince Sinseong will either be driven from the palace or killed.
It's pretty obvious.
You're really being leisurely.
Open the door!
What's the matter?
Something urgent. Urgent. Hurry, tell her I've come.
She just went to bed.
I told you to hurry up and tell her!
Jeong Cheol...
This person is really...
That, nunim. (respected older sister)
It's tomorrow, tomorrow! We have to find a way.
Lady Pak.
Yes, Royal Noble Consort?
Where is His Majesty now?
At the palace hall, still reading books.
I mean.
It's such a late hour, what brings you here?
Royal Noble Consort.
What exactly is the matter?
Your Majesty...
Is it true... ?
Your consort and Prince Sinseong will die?
I mean, what's that you're saying?
Come quickly, Right State Councillor. Where's the Chief State Councillor?
He caught a cold and hasn't been able to move since yesterday evening.
This is really....
He fell ill at an important time like this.
He gave me proxy for everything.
Please don't worry.
Is that so? Then, let's quickly go in.
Chief State Councillor Lee San Hae, was going to come together with us,
but he came down with a serious cold and is unable to come.
However, he has conveyed his intention to the Right State Councillor.
I haven't heard a thing.
Calm down.
No.
The Left State Councillor will definitely...
petition for Prince Gwanghae, to be installed as crown prince.
Your consort too,
is aware Your Majesty's heart,
is already inclined towards Prince Gwanghae.
You might as well immediately,
drive your consort and Prince Sinseong out of the palace.
No. I've said there's no such thing.
I'm still in such good health.
Jeong Cheol won't bring up talk of installing a crown prince.
Trust me.
And,
regarding my intentions for crown prince,
ultimately, it's not Gwanghae.
I'll wait till Prince Sinseong is older.
So don't worry.
Your Majesty...
So,
what have you come to say?
Your Majesty.
Is it now...
time to install a crown prince?
Your long-cherished wish, Jonggye Byeonmu was also achieved.
I am...
still alive and well.
My vassal, what do you want to do?
Or,
am I now bedridden because of illness?
Your Majesty!
Your vassal, did it out of loyalty.
Right State Councillor, do you think the same way?
I'm asking you whether or not you think the same way!
-= A special daeha drama project for the =- -= 70th year of the restoration of independence =-- -= Jingbirok =- .
-= A special daeha drama project on the =- -= 70th year of the restoration of independence =-- -= Jingbirok =- I'm not one to be used like a fool.
Aren't you that, Right State Councillor?
Your Majesty, you've to think of your age.
I am, not satisfied with all the current princes.
After gobbling up Joseon, I'll give you all the 8 provinces one by one.
We've to produce another new letter.
What?
Toyotomi Hideyoshi has courage and strategy.
In your vassal's opnion, Toyotomi Hideyoshi--
No luster.
At Lee Sun Sin's base at Asan,
someone saw him bribing Ryu Seong Ryong there.
Please! Is this matter one that you can decide unilaterally?
Why must it be Lee Sun Sin?
Why must it not be Lee Sun Sin?