Royal Command!
Commander of Left Cholla Naval Station Won Kyun, receive
the royal command!
You are being dismissed from our post!
Perhaps, you came to the wrong place.
How dare you speak such absurdity!
Clear the reception and proceed with the protocol immediately.
What's the reason? Why does His Majesty want to send me packing?
Let me see what he says on that scroll.
Sir, it's the royal edict. If you don't show proper reverence...
Stay out of it!
Now, hand me the scroll.
Have you a ways ignored formalities and protocols?
On what ridiculous grounds am I being dismissed?
How dare you display such contempt!
What?!
You can't possibly be a first class third rank navy commander when you'd
receive the royal command with whores at your side!
You ignorant military man!
What? Ignorant military man!
What are you doing, Captain Chung?
Sir...
Stand down!
This is getting better and better. The leader is ignoring military
protocols and violating the laws of the land.
Am I in a military headquarters or a bandits' den?
Clear the reception at once and receive the royal command!
Or I will arrest you right now for blasphemy and take you back
to the capital?
Dismiss a military leader for killing the barbarians?
Which country are we in?
We're being played like chess pieces by the bastards in the court
that's never seen a battle!
That's right. What if we take all of them high ministers in red robes and
throw them in the barbarian compound?
They'll be begging and screaming for us to kill the barbarians before
the barbarians get to them.
Let us write a joint petition to the royal court.
A petition for Commander Won's reinstatement.
What's the difference between killing them at the time of the capture and
killing them after taking them prisoner?
I'm inclined to disagree. Killing hostages is one thing, but cruelty
to civilians is a serious matter.
Stay out of this Commander Yi!
Not all warriors are alike. What could you possibly know
when you're a pen pusher who has never been close to a battlefield?
What did you say?!
Settle down, both of you!
This arguing won't change anything!
Then are we to just sit here and do nothing?
It's the royal command. There is nothing we can do.
Darn it!
The heck with this!
I dismiss you from your post to impose discipline, so practice prudence and
restraint and seek ways to become a better warrior in the future.
Prudence and restraint...?
Something isn't right. This is a conspiracy.
I did nothing wrong.
Who could have maligned me?
Who wheedled the King to have me thrown out?
They don't know anything about the battlefield.
Kill or be killed, that's the battlefield!
I spent over twenty years on that field of carnage, and at last...
at last I acquired this uniform. I became the highest commander.
I like the red uniform. It reminds me of the enemy's blood.
I had a dream. I wanted to do my very best.
I wanted to command this navy to do great things and prove my loyalty!
But those smooth-talking cowards want to take my uniform from me.
Is there anything I can do?
If you'd like, I will come with you to the capital.
Commander.
How many days have I been here? A week?
That means you've only been my subordinate for seven days.
Why are you pretending to be on my side when you know nothing about me?
You're not the only one who has been stationed at the six camps.
If you deserve punishment, how about the rest of us?
I'd imagine more than half of the military officials in Chosun would
be stripped of their rank.
This is a conspiracy. Someone is trying to harm you.
I can't tolerate that.
Do you still see me as your superior officer?
Commander...
I'm asking you my commands still have power.
Sit down.
Why the long faces?
Lighten up. Did someone die?
Do I have to send for some girls and some wine you to lighten up?
Oh, I guess the royal guards will dismiss me from my post again for
breach of public disciplined if I did that.
Yes, that's better.
Lighten up.
I will be back.
It's not because I want the illustrious title.
I had come here with a mission.
That mission was to turn the Left Cholla Navy into the strongest
military force in Chosun.
To suppress the swarming Japanese pirates across the ocean, and
glorify the country.
Isn't that what all warriors are supposed to aspire?
I intend to fight anyone who stands in the way no matter who it is.
I will fight and win, and I will return.
In the meantime, I'm counting on you to strengthen this navy.
Take good care of my men and His Majesty's faithful soldiers.
Commander Won indeed made a mistake when he took the lives
of civilians and war prisoners lightly.
But he is a brave and honorable warrior
who has more strengths than weaknesses.
Spanking isn't the only way to discipline a child, and
dismissal isn't the only way to discipline a royal subject.
The Japanese are getting closer and closer...
Who do we have now to fill his shoes?
Your Majesty, you must choose magistrate of Jung-eup Yi Soon-shin
as the Commander of Left Cholla Naval Station.
Yi Soon-shin?
Yes, Your Majesty.
What is the opinion of the court? Is Yi Soon-shin the right man?
It is an outrageous recommendation.
Yi Soon-shin is unfit for the position.
I agree, Your Majesty. He is a defeated leader.
Why must you dredge up the past?
He already paid his price by fighting in battle as a common soldier.
And he redeemed himself honorably with meritorious services
in Shijun Battle.
The man responsible for Shijun victory is Commander Yi Il.
How can you give a man credit for building a whole house when all he
did was hammer a nail?
What is your opinion, Minister of Military?
Do you think magistrate of Jung-eup Yi Soon-shin is the right man?
I don't believe it is a just and proper appointment.
Not just and proper?
Is your reason also because he is a defeated commander?
No, Your Majesty.
I believe it is unreasonable to advance a sixth rank local
magistrate to highest ranking naval commander.
I agree, Your Majesty.
Unreasonable appointment can affect the morale of the other
warriors as well.
It's truly puzzling...
What could Sung-ryong be trying to achieve at the risk of turning his
own party against him?
What do you think, Imperial Attendant?
Your Majesty...
Habits are hard to break...
I forgot that the Imperial Attendant is at home with an illness.
Your Majesty...
Foolish man... Why didn't he say something if he was not well?
I suppose he couldn't. I never gave him the chance...
Your Majesty...
Send the Imperial Physician to his house.
Tell him that he will not be forgiven if he doesn't recuperate and return
to the palace soon.
I will carry out your command, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty,
if I may suggest, perhaps you would like to pay Her Highness a visit.
I'm told Her Highness the Queen is unwell.
Mother, it is time to take your potion.
Are you still here?
You must go now.
No, Mother.
How many sleepless nights have you spent by my side?
Your Majesty...
Who is with the Queen?
Prince Kwang-hae is with her.
Shall I announce you?
Lie back down, Mother
Honn...
Are you my son?
Mother...
There're times when I want to call you by your birth name.
But it scares me...
When I call out your name, I'm reminded of the departed...
To her very last breath she called out your name...
Do you miss your birthmother?
Yes, I miss her.
Mother, I want you to be healthy and strong for a long time.
One mother to long for is enough.
Your grace....
So, when will His Majesty be here?
Why don't you answer my question?
I don't believe, he is coming today.
Then...?
He is having a conversation with Prince Kwang-hae at his bed chambers.
What? He summoned Prince Kwang-hae alone again?
Yes, Your Grace...
My son Shin-sung used to be his favorite!
Why does he spend so much time with Kwang-hae lately?
That conniving Queen must be plotting some kind of a scheme
to make Kwang-hae the Crown Prince!
Never...
I won't let that happen!
Sovereigns are awful people...
Those who are closed to him are forced to bear so much...
It must be o frustrating and lonely...
A subject's loneliness, no matter how great, cannot compare to the
sovereign's loneliness.
What if a royal subject, not a sovereign, insists on walking the
avoidable lonely path?
What could be his reason?
There could be two reasons.
Two reasons?
He could either be an attention seeker or a servant of unsurpassed loyalty.
If he is an attention seeker, he will soon seek company of others
and change his course but if he is a man of unsurpassed loyalty and
true nobility, he will not back down and stay on his path.
As it is said. "Do your duty alone if no support is found."
Why do you bring isolation upon yourself?
All of the high ministers oppose this!
And I know that the advisers will be outraged as well.
Your Majesty...
If both the high ministers and advisors oppose, it will
not easy for me to approve this either.
I know, Your Majesty.
Isn't that enough to dissuade you?
We desperately need a capable warrior who can defend our southern coast.
From the beginning, from the time yous sought Won Kyun's dismissal,
you had Yi Soon-shin in mind.
Isn't this true?
It is true, Your Majesty.
Why?
Why do you go to this length to help this man Yi Soon-shin?
Because he is your best friend?
Your Majesty, Won Kyun is also my best friend with whom I grew up with.
Sir...
A messenger is here from the capital.
The Minister of Military asks to see you without delay.
The Minister of Military?
My man, I was summoned by the Minister of Military.
Why did you bring me to the place?
Magistrate of Jung-eup Yi Soon-shin?
Yes.
This way.
Your Majesty...
Magistrate of Jung-eup Yi Soon-shin bid you humble greetings, Your Majesty.
Come close.
Take it.
You're a good marksman.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
A man that does not lose his composure not even before his King...
Your Majesty...
Are you Minster Sung-ryong's man?
I asked you a question.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Then you must be aware of the fact that he brought Won Kyun down
and now he is attempting to put you in command of the Left
Cholla Naval Station.
I intend to grant him his wish.
How about it? Can you step on Won Kyun and take his post?
Was it a difficult question to answer as I imagined it would be?
If Won Kyun's Minister Yu's friend, he must be your friend as well.
You may go now.
I will try my best. Send me to the Left Cholla Naval Station.
A polite refusal is a virtue to scholars. Is it not to warriors?
I believe it is the duty of a royal subject to carry out his sovereign's
order to the best of his ability.
I seek to protect the southern sea from Japanese invasion.
Allow me to protect our country and our people.
You will be losing a friend.
I don't believe Your Majesty has forsaken Won Kyun by dismissing
him from his post.
Both Won Kyun and I are your warriors.
If you command us, we will join hands and protect this country together.
Years ago you admonished me saying that it will be a long time before
this world is truly changed.
Do you recall?
How about now? Has the world changed?
No, Your Majesty. It has not changed.
I appoint Magistrate Yi Soon-shin of Jung-eup to command the
Left Cholla Naval Station. Let there be no arguments.
No, Your Majesty!
It is an unreasonable elevation.
No subject has ever advanced seven ranks in a single leap, Your Majesty.
There will be fierce protests from the advisers as well.
I beg you to withdraw your command.
I will not withdraw my command.
Your Majesty, please consider other competent warriors.
Appointments must be carried out with an even hand, or order will be broken.
Please withdraw your command.
I will not.
Your Majesty...
I will not withdraw my command. Never!
How many times must I repeat myself?
Do not try to break me!
I have chosen Yi Soon-shin because I believe he is the best man for the job.
If you attempt to fight me, I will resort to political expediency to
see this through.
So do not waste your breath!
Right Minister...
the Office of Censor-general will not accept this.
Won Kyun lasted seven days. How many days will Yi Soon-shin last?
Please visit me again at my home sometime soon.
And we can talk about this over a game of badook. Well then...
Why is this happening? What could Yu Sung-ryong have said to His Majesty?
Minister Yoon, are we to take this lying down?
We most certain cannot. I will pay him back for this with interest.
It's time to work on Wo Kyun...
That's impossible.
You're so naive.
The whole world knows about it but you.
How can my two best friends conspire against me to have me removed from
my post?
The world is cruel, my friend.
There's nothing men won't do to acquire power!
Sung-ryong...
You're here. Sit down.
Is it true?
Sit down.
Why did you do this?
Did Soon-shin beg you to steal my commander's uniform from me?
Or did you feel pity for a friend who keeps getting demoted and
discharged and tossed around in the system?
Is that why you manipulated the King and got him the illustrious title
like a generous friend?
Answer me!
I'm not the King. I don't have the power to appoint an official.
Don't try to weasel out of this with your guileful tongue!
The royal court is not a children's playground.
Make no mistake. This country Chosun chose Yi Soon-shin, not I.
You'll never be able to flap that guileful tongue of yours again!
I'll make you regret every word you just said?
And when I'm through, you'll feel it in your bones what a terrible
mistake this is.
Kyun... Please be prudent and restraint.
Quell your anger and take a good look at yourself.
A man must first reflect on his own conduct before blaming others.
Let's go.
Thank you! Thank you very much!
Mujik...
You're back early! Did you get to see them?
You should've come with us.
I have to mind our store. Business is booming!
Chun-su, all of the profits from this store is mine, right?
That's what you promised.
- Hong. - Yes, Chun-su.
Call a broker.
We're selling this grain store.
Chun-su, what did you just say? Are you crazy?
We got all we get out of it. It's time to pack it up.
Why would you get rid of a business that's doing so well?
Sir...!
I'm sure you know exactly why I'm trying to sell my store.
How should I know that?
You want to tell His Majesty that there is going to be a war?
Yip-jo, gado jongmyung, don't you know what those words mean?
That means His Majesty has to surrender to those offensive people
and that they will destroy us and conquer Ming!
That's why I said we should alter the epistle!
What's altering the epistle going to change?
That won't dissuade them from declaring a war!
Chosun envoys returned to the port of Pusan in 1591.
But they had brought along with them a great problem?
A letter from Hideyoshi to the King of Chosun.
The tone of the letter was terribly arrogant and it openly revealed
Hideyoshi's ambition for conquest demanding Chosun's surrender and
free passage to Ming.
What the envoys feared most was chaos and turmoil that delivery of this
letter would set off.
And so the dispute between the two factions surrounding the onset of
war began...
Minstrels find their voice singing their hearts out,
and some merchants acquire seeing eyes chasing money...
Is there anything that will give the officials of the royal court
seeing eyes?
And what would you do if you had seeing eyes?
What good are seeing eyes if you do nothing to change what you see?
Feisty little wench...
Once again I'm placing heavy burden on your shoulders.
I know that it isn't easy taking care of the family and serving my mother.
Don't say that.
This is my duty.
You didn't force this upon me. I took it upon myself.
My father always said that a warrior going to the front must put his home
out of his mind.
Don't worry about us.
You will make a fine commander.
I know it.
Mother, this is a joyous day.
I know... I know, but I'm an old fool...
Mother...
The most difficult thing for a mother is having a son.
You've been called by the country, so I should be happy,
but why do I feel so sad?
Mother...
Please take care of yourself. You have to stay healthy.
I will, Mother.
Myun.
Yes, Father.
Your brothers are away and I am leaving again, so now you are the
man in the family.
It's your job to take care of your mother.
I know, Father.
Your mother always acts tough, but she's a softy. Do you know that?
It's you job to dry her eyes as well.
Yes, Father.
Be well.
You haven't forgotten about our promise, have you?
You said we could be of service.
How could I forget? I will call upon you soon.
Sir...
Be well. And don't be cruel to yourself...
This is an outrage.
How could a sixth rank town magistrate become a chief Commander overnight?
Some people have all the luck. Connections is everything.
What's the name of that place where he left all of his men to die and
ran off alone?
Nok-dune Island.
Yes, yes. Let's start looking for number one.
Who knows when he ll abandon us like tattered shoes and run off alone?
I can overlook everything else, but how could he take his best
friend's job?
Say something. You're fond of royal commands, aren't you?
Would you stop rubbing in it? I'm not happy about this either.
Good grief. Any decent man would've politely refused this job?
Lieutenant! Lieutenant!
What is it?
The new commander is here!
Then lead him in. Why are you making a fuss?
He says all of you will be flogged if you don't come out now for a
proper reception.
What?!
Commander, the soldiers were put through a very rigorous training yesterday,
so they were given a day of rest.
There will be plenty of chances for salutes later, so let us go inside.
Then I guess you will be the first to be flogged.
Commander...!
How will you fight the enemy in battle with soldiers that cannot even salute
their commander?
The subordinates' incompetence is the superior's incompetence. Is it not?
Does your silence imply insubordination?
No, sir.
Assemble the soldiers immediately for an appropriate formal salute!
Or all of you face severe punishment for insubordination!
Atten-hut!
Bow!
Let's start with the reports from each garrison.
Reports? On your first day, sir?
You must be exhausted from the trip, so...
Do you think I am here on a vacation?
No, but...
Commander, sir!
Were you a musician in your past life? Or perhaps you were a toadeater.
I had no idea you were so good at pulling strings.
Why did you steal the commander's post from me? Why?