Subtitles by Soompi TV
[This is a fictional drama based on historical facts.]
[Events depicted might differ from actual events.]
They exchanged vases.
The ones who received them were Hong Gyu Ui,
Baek Choong Hyung, Yoo Mok Won,
all the noblemen from the west.
And the other two are
my uncle, Yoo Gwon Yool,
and Hwangbo Je Gong from the Hwang family.
Thus you must investigate them very carefully.
Yes, sir.
Right now, Hong Gyu Ui is collecting
all the silver coins there are.
Soon he'll move his silver coins elsewhere.
You must follow him.
Then are you leaving the Chunghae Trading Company?
Before that,
let me see Kim Jong Sik's ornament.
They are the same pattern.
That belongs to the assistant head of Chunghae Trading Company.
That isn't an ornament,
but a piece of a bronze mirror.
Why would Kim Jong Sik refuse to reveal his accomplice,
and instead stare at this until his death?
Wouldn't we know if we met the craftsman
who designed this pattern?
I'll need to stay here for a few more days
and look into it.
Where do you think you're going?
My shoulder!
Let him go.
Stop whining.
- What are you doing here? - Then what are you doing here?
You should be at the Chunghae Trading Company.
I was just having a drink with a friend.
Yeah, right, a friend!
Where did he go?
He disappeared!
Who's the guy who just disappeared?
He's the guy you met at Byuklando,
and the guy who disappeared last time.
That's him, isn't it?
Then you were the one who jumped the fence above me
while I was peeing?
Please tell me the truth.
Your Highness…
Are you an righteous outlaw?
You're the one giving out the salt to the people?
Were you planning your next move?
- Gil Bok. - Yes.
If you understand, then shut your mouth.
Then you're the phoenix?
[Shine or Go Crazy]
What?
Wang So is in the Chunghae Trading Company?
Yes.
He so unpredictable.
I'll confirm tonight with the other man.
He's here for revenge.
Make sure he doesn't act rashly.
Yes, sir.
The Prince who drew his sword at you
should be inside that trading company.
Go make sure.
[He's one of the two from Goryeo, but not a prince.]
I'll follow him, so you keep watch.
I'm warning you.
Don't go anywhere on your own.
[Episode 6]
Snake Eyes.
Don't get me wrong.
I wasn't running away, but I moved the location
because my room was so cramped.
How is it?
Do you like it?
[This will be your grave, goodbye.]
[Your Highness, the Prince.]
He knows I'm a prince.
I didn't get the answer I sought last time we met.
Who was the one who commanded you?
Who is he?
Your Highness.
He's the Snake Eyes that we met in Gaebong 5 years ago.
There was someone following me as well.
I just lost him.
Then he and this guy must've been on the same side.
Did you see what he looked like?
I couldn't find out who sent him.
But he knew that I was a prince.
You must wrap things up at the Chunghae Trading Company.
Not yet.
I need to find out who made the bronze mirror.
Your Highness. They found out that you're a prince.
You must withdraw now.
Don't worry.
When I find out the craftsman, I'll withdraw immediately.
Your Highness!
From now on, you must carefully keep watching
over the Chunghae Trading Company.
The one who was following me might come for this man.
I'm going to take care of the corpse and leave.
Leave it.
I'm going to show it to them.
[I know who killed the First King.]
Let's go inside.
Oh my goodness!
- Did anything happen? - What?
Are you okay?
Aren't you hurt?
What are you talking about?
I saw you fighting with a swordsman.
Who is he?
Is he an assassin?
Is someone here to kill you?
What do you mean, assassin?
It's the chubby guy from Byuklando.
He came to visit.
I practice with him sometimes,
and this place was so cramped
that we went outside for a bit.
Don't lie to me!
Didn't you say you were giving up being a swordsman?
Isn't that why you were going to learn about trades?
How long are you thinking about
living as a petty swordsman?
I was thinking about selling that bronze mirror
to a few trading companies.
They don't carry those here anymore.
That's right.
Won't the bill of exchange show where
the craftsman is living?
Please let me know, Gaebong!
I don't have the bill of exchange with the craftsman of the bronze mirror.
You don't have it?
But I know where he lives,
so when you leave after passing the promotion exam,
- I'll let you know. - You will?
You promise?
But Gaebong.
Why are you in my room this late at night?
Isn't your wife waiting back at home?
I broke up with her the day after our marriage.
That person won't even remember me right now.
You poor thing.
So you needed a drink?
You missed your drinking buddy?
Oh, you.
Wait.
You.
You!
You like me, don't you?
What are you talking about?
You're reacting all weird.
Hey, why do you like me?
I came here to give you this.
This is what will be on the promotion exam.
This was one of the daggers
thrown at the First King on that night 5 years ago.
Are you sure it was Wang So?
I saw him slay the assassin.
Wang So, Wang So, Wang So!
He knew everything and for the last 5 years,
he pretended to be ignorant?
[I know who killed the First King.]
I know who killed the First King.
Darn it!
If so,
Wang So must have the bronze mirror piece
that belonged to Kim Jong Sik.
If he has all of the pieces of the bronze mirror,
he'll know that was the murder evidence.
Should I kill Prince Wang So?
No, no, no.
We must not be rash.
I must meet with Wook.
No!
I must separate Wang So from the King first.
Have you been well, my Queen?
I heard you were busy.
Thank you for visiting me.
It's been a while since I've seen you.
This reminds me of my brother, Wang Gun.
The First King?
More than anyone, he cared the most about you.
Even on the battlefield, in raining with arrows,
he heard that you conceived a child,
I still remember his happy face.
Is that so?
He rejoiced when Wang Yo,
I mean, when His Majesty was conceived.
But.
These days, His Majesty seems uneasy,
and that worries me.
What do you mean?
Well, it's not the big issue.
I think he's lost sight of the importance of government.
Not long ago,
I heard Wang So was at the palace.
Wang So was here?
He visits the King often these days.
Don't forget.
Your duty is to stop the Queen from hearing anything.
Did you just ask
to transfer the capital to the west?
The First King would've wanted that.
What do you mean transfer? What do you mean to the west?
How could we leave the capital that he built
and go west?
This can't happen, Your Majesty!
The First King regarded the west as important,
but he didn't say to transfer the capital.
He regards the capital as important,
so we must transfer to the west!
That must be your loyalty for Wang Sik Ryeom.
His base is in the west!
If we transfer to the west,
the nation's authority will be given to the west.
You can't just let this happen, Your Majesty!
The heavens would want the transfer!
Transferring to the west is the nation's duty.
Please make the transfer to the west
as a royal command, Your Majesty!
You can't allow the transfer to the west!
You must hurry, Your Majesty!
I will write an appeal for this transfer
and submit it soon.
- This must not be rushed. - Also!
In celebration of the transfer proclamation,
I want to hold a fight competition of the princes,
that the First King enjoyed so much.
A fight of the princes?
There's only the young Prince Won.
Not your princes,
but the First King's princes will participate.
There aren't enough funds to hold a ceremony…
The Hwang family will provide the funds.
It's not right for one family to have responsibility for an entire ceremony.
The Pyung family will support as well.
The Dong family will support as well.
The Taepyung family will support the competition, too!
There's no one suspicious.
The enemy is hiding, as expected.
Keep watching over the surroundings.
I heard the men who killed Kim Jong Sik were government officers.
Government officers?
I heard they've been outlaws since Goguryeo.
They wore black with a symbol of a phoenix.
Why aren't you doing what you're told?
What are you doing here?
I finished what I needed to do, and I'm taking a break.
Follow me.
You need to learn how big decisions are made
in the trading company.
Let me go, Gaebong!
[How much is this?]
- Block! - You're so immature.
Like this!
Oh my goodness!
Why are you in here?
We're having an emergency meeting.
The supervisor told me to come.
I asked him to come.
Sit down here.
Yeah, you'll learn from this.
It's news from the royal family.
At the meeting today,
they discussed the transfer of the capital to the west.
Wang Sik Ryeom's followers were aggressively
pushing for it.
Please gather wood, stone, ink, pearls, and tools.
- Yes, sir. - Please purchase 20-year old lumber
and carriages that can withstand traveling to the west.
- Yes, sir. - And don't forget the exclusive contracts
with the tile craftsmen, carpenters, and stonemasons.
- Yes, sir. - That's right!
That's what I was going to say!
Those who support the capital
must be ready to support the west.
The Hwang family supported Hwang Sik Ryeom,
they stand to profit the most from this.
I'm curious to see how the Choong family will do.
The Choong family?
The Queen's family, the King's relatives on his mother's side.
If they transfer the capital to the west,
do we have to move to the west, too?
The capital for trade and distribution,
and the west for politics and the military.
That's right!
That's what I'm saying!
We don't need to move!
Wow, you all are amazing.
How can you sit here and know the government
like it's the palm of your hands?
It's not like you all are spies or anything.
You idiot.
Do you think our company got this way for nothing?
Also, Wang Sik Ryeom is going to hold
a fight competition of the princes.
A fight competition of the princes.
What is that?
I know something about that.
It's a fighting competition that started when
the First King made the princes spar against each other.
But the princes mistook it as a competition
to pick the King's successor.
So it's famous for being a violent competition.
They say everyone has a talent.
Someone might think you're a prince.
Wait.
Aren't the princes young?
They say it's not the current King's princes,
but the First King's princes who will participate.
The King opposed to it, but the prince's families
decided to support it.
The Hwang family volunteered to fund the whole thing.
The fight of the princes will be an event
to announce the next King to the world!
Thus you must win, Your Highness.
I know that very well.
It won't be as easy as you might think.
You must prepare very well
to win against any opponent.
Do you understand, Your Highness?
Yes.
Now.
Soon, the throne will be available.
This is from Ji Mong.
What are you doing right now?
Don't you know who I am?
- Open it. - This is the Queen's order.
What did you say?
My mother
told you
to prohibit me from entering the palace?
Is So here yet?
Did you tell him I wanted to see him?
Yes, Your Majesty.
That's enough.
This medicine will make you feel lighter and stronger.
Cook it in a soup while you prepare for the competition.
Why do you look troubled?
I didn't know I'd fight my younger brothers
with a sword that I'd learned to protect my life with.
Why do you think it'll only be your younger brothers?
Are you talking about So?
Kim Jong Sik's death wasn't an act
of any ordinary assassin.
It's an act to bring down the supporters of the west,
who are defying the King.
The reason is unknown, but Wang Sik Ryeom suspects him
to be the leader of that group of assassins.
If that is true,
- the fight of the princes… - Won't be easy.
Wang Sik Ryeom said so as well.
Wang So is the leader of the assassins?
And right now, he's working in the Chunghae Trading Company
while hiding his identity as the Prince.
It means that there might be more
to him than we are aware of.
Why?
Why did you have to go that far?
Why?
You must feel a little sad
since you're leaving.
Leave?
Tomorrow is your last day.
That's right.
Why?
Are you sad that I'm leaving?
Yeah, right.
I wish you were sad.
I wish that
I would leave behind a very big empty space
and make you feel very sad.
I wish that
there was at least one
in this world
who'd regard me that way.
I am
very sad.
I'm so sad.
Father.
There must be fates that don't change.
Father.
[Chunghae Trading Company is closed today]
[due to the promotion exam.]
Today you will take the promotion exam here.
Those who pass the exam will be promoted,
and your pay will increase as well.
On the basis of language, arithmetic, and bookkeeping…
Open your hands.
Open your hands!
Let's begin!
Chunghae Trading Company is so unique.
It doesn't discriminate between sex or rank,
and you can earn your position
with the effort you put into your work.
If you must live with the circumstances you're born with,
it's too unfair.
Whether it's rank or fate.
The people at this trading company, at least,
can try to live their lives according their efforts.
And since we base this on ability,
it's effective for the trading company.
It makes us profitable.
If this exam could be
used to appoint government officials,
if only that was possible,
the cabinet would be full of people, not appointed by family name,
but by being able to
demonstrate their competence.
Any person accepted into the trading company
must take the level 1 exam.
This time, it's only two of you,
so we will take the exam here.
Is anyone there?
Oh my goodness!
This voice!
Welcome, Your Highness.
Come this way.
Are you closed today?
He's here again.
I must've chosen the wrong day.
Not at all.
You're welcome here at any time of day.
The doors of Chunghae Trading Company are wide open to you
just as a flower blooms for spring.
Come this way!
Step up this way.
Why does she smile so easily at him?
She never smiles at me.
Isn't that right, sir?
I asked wrong person.
Please wait a moment.
I'll bring the assistant head right away.
I have something to ask you.
You may ask me anything, Your Highness.
I heard there is a man who started training here
just a few days ago.
Are you talking about the poor swordsman?
Yes, we felt so bad for him,
so we tried to make a man out of him.
That's why we've been training him.
Does he know the assistant head personally?
He absolutely does not.
And he's leaving today.
You said he's a poor swordsman.
Why don't you let him work here?
He says he wants to sell the bronze mirror,
but he doesn't have the credentials.
A bronze mirror?
Yes, yes.
But our kindhearted assistant head wanted him
to take care of his family, so she connected him
with the craftsman of the bronze mirror.
If he comes back to leech on us again,
then he's not human.
Then he's a leech.
Oh, I almost forgot.
I'll bring the assistant head here very soon.
Prince Wang Wook is here.
Aren't we closed?
How could I turn down the Prince?
I'll stay here, so you should go quickly.
You must change into your lady clothes.
Wait!
I think I've met you before.
Welcome, Your Highness.
Wow.
You look a lot like someone I know.
Do you have a twin sister?
She eats a bellflower like a snack.
Sometimes I dress like a man when I'm working.
- It's more comfortable. - Are people fooled by your appearance?
Well, there is one fool like that.
But what brings you here today?
I wanted to ask you for a favor.
The fight competition of the princes?
What is that?
It's a fighting competition among the princes
that was established by the First King.
Yes.
The princes compete in archery,
and spar with spears and swords.
And you must show off your embellishing.
Can you help me with my embellishments?
Yes.
I'll try my hardest to help you win.
If you do that, I will definitely win.
I want to repay you.
If there's anything you want, tell me.
Then could you take me to the palace library?
I heard there are many books there.
I'll take you there.
Gaebong!
Could you wait for a moment?
I passed!
Really, you passed?
Don't you believe me?
Good job!
I knew you'd pass.
Look at this.
Look, I passed our language, Indian and Roman.
Namaste.
That was so hard!
Wow, I kept my promise with you.
Great job, really great job!
What are you laughing for?
Okay, you're welcome here anytime you want.
Mr. Yang.
You've done a good job.
I learned a lot thanks to you.
I know you're a good guy.
Someone might think you're father and son.
Mr. Gang Myeong.
You should get ready to leave in search of contracts.
You need to find a quarry.
How will you find all the carpenters and stonemasons?
Yes, yes.
- Sir. - Yeah.
You should get ready to deliver the goods
to the palace tomorrow morning.
Okay.
Don't ever come here again.
Now give me what you promised.
The most important task is left.
How much is a bag of salt?
It's half of a coin.
The price has dropped a lot.
Do you know of the secret guard?
That's what they call the ones who killed Kim Jong Sik,
and they're praising them for being righteous outlaws.
The late Kim Jong Sik took the exclusive rights
to salt and raised the price.
So the people resented him.
But thanks to those men who are giving out salt,
things are settling for the moment.
That happened?
They cut out the rotten portion of this world.
But the rights to salt was given to the Hwang family.
And although it hasn't yet,
we don't know when the salt prices will rise again.
Then do you think they should've punished the world
for giving rights to the salt away,
instead of punishing Kim Jong Sik?
If they have a greater purpose,
one day they'll cut out the rotten roots of this world.
Have you ever sworn something on your heart?
Have you had a purpose to help the world?
If not,
then you should lay your sword down.
Right now, the rotten roots of this world
are the noblemen.
Who will be able to slay them all?
Why are you asking me to do something
the King of Goryeo can't even do?
Here is the address of the craftsman of the mirror,
and a recommendation from Chunghae Trading Company.
If you obtain the selling rights,
we will be your seller.
So give up being a swordsman,
and good luck on your sales.
Well then.
Goodbye.
I don't think I can hold it in.
I must turn you into one of my people.
Let's go.
Blood brothers?
Yeah, blood brothers.
A strong dependable man like me
is perfect for a girly man like you.
It's perfect!
That's your opinion.
- I don't want to do this. - Why?
Do you hate me?
I don't hate you.
Then that's that.
Now, I pray to the gods in the heavens.
- Gaebong and I have become brothers…. - Wait!
What, again?
I said I don't hate you.
When did I say I liked you?
You...
If a man doesn't hate another man, then he likes him.
I pray to the gods in the heavens.
Gaebong and I have become brothers.
- Please let our brotherhood… - Then
tell me why you want me as your younger brother.
If it makes sense, then it won't be late to swear.
You really act like a woman.
Hey, I don't just become brothers
with anybody I meet.
Why are you complicating things?
Okay.
Okay, I get it.
How embarrassing.
Gaebong,
you are like a door to me.
You taught me that there are other worlds that exist
besides the one I live in.
You open and shine the way I'm supposed to go
when it's dark.
That's why I want you by my side.
Is that enough?
That's not enough!
You're only saying it to make yourself feel better.
Gaebong.
It's because I'm sad, you jerk!
It's because I'm sad.
When I think about not being able to see you again,
it hurts me right here.
It's because I'm sad.
Leave if you want to!
What is it?
Dear gods in the heavens,
- Gaebong and So so are… - Don't be rude, you jerk!
I'm older than you. Call me *Hyungnim!
[Hyungnim: A formal honorific of an older brother or male.]
So So Hyungnim and I have become brothers.
Please look after us.
Hey, can't you be more sincere about this?
Smile like this.
How can I smile in this situation?
Since you're doing this,
can't you be more sincere?
Smile, like this.
What is it?
Can't you smile?
That's right, smile like that.
The gods of the heavens,
Gaebong and I have become brothers.
Please don't let our brotherhood change,
and let us live a fortunate life.
Okay.
If we can't be husband and wife,
I'll stay by your side as a brother.
Should I hug my brother now?
Gaebong.
Please be with me forever.
Miss, Miss!
Miss!
Where did you go with that man?
My heart feels weird.
Your heart feels weird?
Did he do something to you?
It's about to burst.
I can't breathe very well.
See?
You always fall ill after you meet him!
What should I do?
Any followers?
There weren't any.
Send a letter to Ji Mong.
I'm going to the palace secretly to see the King.
so tell him to meet me at the palace library.
How will you get into the palace?
I just said I'm going in secretly.
Yes.
Did you have a good time at the Chunghae Trading Company?
Thanks to you, I had a great time.
But I heard that the Hwang family
will be holding a very big ceremony.
It'll be a much bigger ceremony
than the Buddhist ceremony.
That's right.
You left early that day, didn't you?
Yes.
Where did you go?
I went to Wolhyanglu.
Wolhyanglu?
Geum Sun said he wasn't there that day.
I see.
Kim Jong Sik was assassinated that day.
Is that so?
Did anything happen to you?
No, nothing happened.
I'm glad.
The ceremony will be the fight competition of the princes.
The Hwang family will support it fully.
But why is the Hwang family supporting the competition?
Isn't it a competition for the next King?
If that is the reason, then withdraw immediately.
The reason my father created this competition
was so the princes can master the arts.
But how dare you taint his intentions?
If it's to keep the Choong family in check,
would that be reason enough?
Then do you think
that I'm someone to be kept in check?
Now let's hurry, the day is short!
That's fragile, so be careful.
Now, these goods go to the palace,
so there must be no low quality goods!
And in the palace… You scared me!
Be careful, that's expensive!
Gaebong!
Why are you looking at me like that?
It's me, So So.
What are you doing here?
You quit yesterday.
Why are you making such a scene?
I heard you're going to the palace today.
We're delivering silk and ceramics to the palace today.
- Why? - I'm here to help!
But you look too great today!
My eyes are burning!
Mr. Yang!
Where did Mr. Yang go,
- and who is this beau? - Stop it.
Do you want to touch it?
- Is this imported? - It is.
I feel great!
Wear this, it'll be convincing.
Where are you going?
What are you going to do at the palace?
- Did she see me? - She did.
You poor swordsman.
- Why are you back here? - Hyungnim!
- Gaebong! - Hyungnim!
Gaebong!
You've changed!
- My brother, Gaebong! - So So Hyungnim!
Hyungnim?
What do you mean?
You promised that you'd forget about him
after the 5 days!
It just kind of happened.
I have to go the palace too.
Okay, let's go!
- Hyungnim? - I'll kill him!
What is it?
What are you looking for?
I heard there are many books in the palace library.
The palace library.
What about the palace library?
A royal family member I know told me
he'd take me to the library one day.
A royal family member?
Which one?
It's someone.
He's the most handsome of all of them.
Then what about…
What about me?
- You're the second most handsome. - Second?
- Second, second. - You little!
Second?
We must wait for about 2 hours to get everything ready,
so don't stray too far, and rest here.
Don't spit in the palace!
Now, shall we talk about us?
Where are you going?
He's going to cause trouble again. Mr. Yang!
Where are you going by yourself?
To the palace library.
Let's go!
- I shouldn't do this. - What are you doing?
I'm coming!
Hurry.
We were going to the palace library.
What are we doing here?
If we're going secretly into the palace library,
we need to change clothes here.
One for you, and one for me.
Wait!
These are the court lady clothes.
This won't do.
I'll put these on.
Why?
I'll put these on.
It's probably too small for you.
That's true.
Let's get dressed quickly, there's no time.
Wait!
What again?
I'll get dressed outside.
Hey, we're getting dressed in secret! You can't get dressed outside!
You're so troublesome.
What's so awkward between men?
I'll turn around, so get dressed quickly!
Are you embarrassed?
Hurry up.
Are you done?
I'm done.
Why are you so slow?
Does it look strange?