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Splendid Politics
Northern border area of Joseon
Episode 8
Nagasaki Sulfur Mine
You idiot! What did I tell you to do?
I told you to do the work correctly, didn't I?
I told you it was about to erupt!
Hwa Yi! Goo Bok!
You bastard. You almost got me killed too!
Hey, you have to get your head straightened out.
Hey! Hey! Come on wake up.
Wa... water. Water.
I feel like I can live now.
Hey, are you really okay?
Do you think I'm okay, after dragging this pig out?
I thought I would break in half.
Hwa Yi, I'm really thankful to you.
If it wasn't for you I would have gone to the netherworld already.
So if you're going to go, go by yourself,
don't pull me along as well.
What am I supposed to do?I couldn't see anything.
I had to survive.
Now, what about me? What about me, you knave! Huh?
How long do I have to keep watching out for you?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll give one of my meals to you...
One? I saved your life for only one?
Two times? Three... three, three...
Stop it. You're going to end up hurting him.
Okay, five times...
What?!
It's all so you'll lose some of that weight.
I'm not taking it from you. What do you plan to do about this?
Well, I know. Thank you.
By the way, how is the situation for the others?
Hwa Yi, follow me!The mine owner is looking for you.
Hwa Yii!
It's okay, and there is no problem with the kiln.
Ohh, is that true?
Ah, yeah, but this sulfur is the problem.
It became impure now.You need to refine it again.
So many? Every one?
Exactly 300 Geun, all of it.(About 400 Lbs.)
Mine Owner, we have a deal today.What are we going to do?
Damn it!
The is the day we promised to make the deal.
In less than an hour, they'll be here.
Where can I get 300 Geun of the highest grade sulfur right now?
Damn it!
They looked very scary.
They won't stand still if they knowthey came all the way here for nothing.
I agree. It seemed they could fight.
Hey, churl! Are you enjoying the situation?
Mine Owner, we're not wall decorations.
If they take out their sword, we'll also...
Your sword? I've only seen you taking out your sword for polishing it.
What did you say?
I'm sorry. I had forgotten that you understand the Joseon language.
You little!
Is this the time for this? Huh?
Think of a way out!
-Maruno.-Why?
The merchant you're going to meet today...
is a man from Joseon, right?He came here 3 months ago as well.
Yes... why?
Then, it seems like there is a way.
What?
Do you really think this is going to work?
Then what can you do? Is there a different way?
Mine Owner!Look over there!
Aigo. Welcome. The sea was okay?
Please don't mention it.
I was very nervous becausethe weather was harsh on the way.
We need to avoid the police and the seaway is tough. I don't think I can do this anymore.
Hey, what you mean give up?
Then what do I eat and live off of?
Forget about it. Hurry up.
You need to avoid the police here, too.
Yeah that's right.
So, where are the goods?
It's all ready, of course.
Then should I take a look?
Check it.
What? Just give all of this to them?
You? Are you crazy?
If you refine it wrong, it's just like a rock.
I also know that too.
Hwa Yi, you have to risk your life to traffic in sulfur.
Do you think they will just let this slide?
Look, I know this seems unreasonable, but just believe me.
Please!
As you see it, this is the best goods.
You know me.
But I still need to check.
Do you call this the best goods?
That's enough.
We don't have much time.
Yes, sir.
We'll take all of them.
Here is 30 Nyang in silver, check the money.
What are you telling me?
We haven't done business just once or twice. I'm sure it's right.
It doesn't matter if there is a slight mistake.
You, what are you doing?
Hurry and carry it across, let's go.
Yes.
I was scared to death.I almost peed in my pants.
Those idiots, they don't know anything.
I could have cheated them, and they wouldn't have noticed a thing.
By the way, how did you know that?
It felt strange at first.
They didn't seem to know much about sulfur.
What?
That merchant pretends that he knows,
but he doesn't know about sulfur.
He doesn't know what's good sulfur.
Right on top of that, that man...The merchant was calling him 'Sir.'
He didn't seem to be interested in sulfur at all.
Hey, does that make any sense?
For someone who isn't interested in sulfur, why would he risk his life coming all the way here?
That's what I'm saying.
Why would he be doing this?
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Sir, should I do the same again?
I feel it's a waste.
You sure talk a lot. Did you forget what your job is?
No, Sir.
This will pay enough for this trip.
Take care of everything we got from the other places too.
Yes, sir.Gather everyone!
Yes!
Move it faster.
Sir...
Then he must be at least a government official.
- What are you peeping at again? - Ah, you scared me!
- What is it now? - It's not that.
Right now, Maruno's talking inside.
He's going to Edo in a month for a big deal.
What? Edo?
Yeah, you didn't hear just now? The merchant said so.
Envoys from Joseon are going to come soon.
Did you say envoys...from Joseon?
Yes.
Get everything ready so that we won't run into problems.
When the envoys come,
translators and merchants will also come.
We can't be doing nothing here.We need to make lots of money!
Yes, Boss!
Envoys?
Envoys from Joseon?
Bureau of Weapons.
Sir! Where's the counselor?
Hey! Is the counselor here?
Sir, sir!
Counselor Hong!Counselor Hong!
Aish, where did he go?
We have 200 Geun of sulfur left and they're all of low quality.
Ming gives Joseon the least amount possible.
We had to buy the rest from Japanese smugglers.
But for some reason, you can't get that anymore?
I'm going to go crazy!
I lost pretty much all of my hair in just a few months.
What about niter (potassium nitrate)?
Yes, thank goodness we still have some left.
That's because we have stricter management of niter.
Then, what are you implying about the sulfur? Are you saying that we didn't manage it properly?
Since our country doesn't have any sulfur, we can only get what's thrown to us from Ming.
Is niter different? It's the same.
But at least you can still make some bad quality niter here. The conditions needed to make sulfur are different!
The two of you, calm down. We need to urgently prepare for the gunpowder showing today.
Lord. There... you should go and see. Quickly.
There's a huge commotion in the bureau right now. Hurry.
You still won't move to the side?
Do you think the busy minister has come to play?
Since it's a busy day, he has come to check on the gunpowder. You should be thankful!
However, no one is allowed to enter without a permit. To enter, you need the order of the King.
What?
The minister's arrival is the same as having the order of the King!
- How dare you block his way! - Let go of him.
- Do you have a permit? - What?
The hand, let him go first.
If you have neither a permit nor an order from the King, he's right.
For security reasons, we can't let outsiders in without a permit.
Outsiders?
Do you not know who this person is? You don't know him?
What a surprise. You don't even know the name of your boss?
Am I to find out and tell you?
You... you... you... you..
What family are you from?
Do you think you're royalty?
You can't hear me? How dare you!
Hong. Joo Won.
You must be counselor Hong.
You're the oldest son of the previous Chief of Police, Hong Yeong.
Even though you passed with outstanding marks, you didn't accept better jobs and chose to work at the Bureau of Weapons.
Isn't that right?
Yes, that's right, Minister.
What? Even after you knew who he was...
Forget it. You don't need to say anymore.
Let's go. He's strict so he must do his job well.
I'll remember you.
Ah, my heart. Sir, how could you do that to Lord Lee Yi Cheom?
Is he going to keep an eye on you now?
I don't know, but I've been keeping any eye on him first for a while now.
What?
Let's get moving. We have a lot do today.
Sir.
Our counselor, isn't he cool?
I don't know. From my point of view, he overdid it.
-What? -He is Minister of Rites and his is a name to conjure with.
He shouldn't have messed with him.
That's why he is cool.
He's like "who do you think you are" to powerful people. He's so bold!
- Ah! - Rubbish. So what if he looks cool to you? So what? What are you going to do?
Mother!
- What are you doing? - Are you alright...
Where are you touching?
Don't look up a tree you can't climb and just get back in the kitchen.
Aigoo, they're shooting or exploding fireworks, so we have to make lunch one hour early!
This little kid. What are you doing?
It's so annoying!
- Careful. - Quickly.
Quickly.
His Majesty is here!
Your Majesty!
Fire!
Yes. What's next?
We have bombshells which use gunpowder, which were made in the bureau.
( A bombshell is filled with something such as gunpowder; a cannonball is solid.)
Let it start.
Fire!
Your Majesty, it's magnificent!
It's amazing!
With this, we can hold our own against the empire.
Ming and Later Jin can no longer look down on us.
A country's power comes from its firing power.
Magistrate Kim, what do you think?
It's magnificent.Kim Ryu
Those words have already been said.
Then what about you, Lord Lee?
This... if we compare to the firing power of the Ming...
This... this... this...
I think I've already heard words similar to that.
You told me that I only know how to play and that I don't study.
But you must play about as much as me.
How can you fall so far behind on your rhetoric?
Talking is what you're best at.
Isn't that so?
Now then, should I do what I'm best at?
Your Majesty!
That's wonderful!
A cannonball and now even fireworks?
He's just showing off!
Gunpowder? Ming takes care of it and gives us enough.
Why does he have to make his own?
But with this much, doesn't it mean that the Bureau of Artillery is worth something?
I'm worried. If the Ming finds out about this, how displeased will they be?
But I do understand His Majesty.
Nurhaci of the Jurchen (Manchu/ Later Jin) is getting stronger.
And he's attacking the refugees near the border.
We don't know when our country will be overcome by war again.
No, that's why he's wrong.
To be prepared against the Jurchen,
we should get along with the Ming. We shouldn't be getting on their nerves.
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Your face is just full of annoyance. Cheer up.
Then again, to use so much gun powder and fire it off in the sky...
You must be very displeased with me.
Right?
Yes. That's right.
Right now do you know what the situation is like at our borders?
Yes. What kind of situation is it in?
The entire city was noisy all day.
We should be understanding.
The King should at least do this much.
Well thanks to him, we had fun.(Yoon Sseo, wife of Kang Joo Seon)
Please go inside. Do Ha has returned.
Sulfur and niter are the main ingredients in gun powder.
However, we can make neither of them in Joseon.
Oh, you're too kind. Are you teaching me in case I don't know?
I'm reporting the current situation.
Because that is my job.
Yes. Continue.
You ordered me to inspect the border.
Bordering villages are torn down by the Jurchen attacks.
Attacks from the Jurchen happen daily.
But the soldiers at the borders only have muskets without any gunpowder. Did you know?
Forget about real battles, we don't even have any gun powder to train these soldiers.
However, we need that kind of show
to keep the bureau running.
But fireworks? That gunpowder could have protected an entire village.
Your Majesty.
You always omit that when you speak to me. "Your Majesty."
In any case, I guess you don't want to call me that...
When I'm not even qualified to be king.
You are not a king. Someone like you does not have the right to sit on the throne.
You didn't think I forgot about that right?
That boldness.
So then...
Why do you keep me by your side when you know that?
What are you doing?
For me
my thoughts are the same as back then.
That's exactly why.
You can endure someone who isn't qualified to be a king
as thoroughly as you know how much we need gun powder.
So...
you can do anything.
Whatever it is, you'll do it happily.
No matter what it is.
Isn't that right?
What?
Where did you say you are going?
Edo. This time, I'm coming with you to Edo.
Hey. Are you in your right mind? Why would you go there?
Why can't I go? Don't you need me?
- You said you'd find a big deal and make lots of money. - Hwa Yi.
That's right. I'd like to take you along since you're smart,
but how are you going to pass the checkpoint? You're a girl!
A girl can't enter Edo without permission from the government.
Look at my state, who would think I am a girl?
Go Bok, do I look like a girl?
Ahh... no.
You. I see you as a girl. Thoroughly so.
Ja Kyeong.
Maruno. She can't.
Don't think about useless things.
Hey.
Why are you like this? Can't you just help me out?
Are you actually crazy? Girls can't move around as they'd like in this country.
You need a permit from the government.
On top of that, you are a girl and a slave. What are you thinking of when asking to go there?
I've lived fine as a man without any problem.
Still, what will you do if you get caught. You can't get out.
I know. I said I know too.
You know it, but you still insist on going there?
What's the reason? Why?
Do you by any chance...
Is it because the envoys from Joseon are coming?
You're going because you think there is a way to go back to Joseon?
Yes. Therefore, you can't stop me.
Even if I get caught in Hakone and die, I'll go no matter what.
Hwa Yi.
Gyeongun-gung in Deoksu Palace
You Highness. Why did you wake up so early?
Yes. I had a dream.
I saw that child... the dead princess.
What?
She has grown.
I almost couldn't recognize her.
Is she still pretty?
Well, she must be, of course.
You Highness. Have some water, please.
Your Highness. Are you okay?
Did you just say that you're sending Counselor Hong to Edo? You'll let him take care of it?
Yes.
Your Majesty, the fate of this country may depend on this.
But he's the son of Hong Yeong, the man who turned away from us after Han Eum died.
He's also against you.
Do you think that I won't use anyone I can?
I've held hands with the people who murdered my father.
I'll use whomever I need. How I feel is meaningless.
Didn't you say that you'd give me tea?
Yes.
Provide what Councillor Hong needs. He'll understand me eventually.
I'll prepare as you've ordered.
Right now, what did you just say?
Fill up this sulfur storage.
Go to Edo and personally traffic in sulfur.
-What's wrong?-But smuggling is illegal.
Ah, illegal, then I can change it so that it's not illegal.
Have we ever openly bought sulfur in the first place?
But I hear that sulfur's not coming in anymore.
It's as if someone is stealing it from the middlemen.
So what choice do we have? We must go in person and get it ourselves.
It's different from the smaller deals we make in Joseon.
If outsiders find out that the King procured sulfur illegally,
it can have huge ramifications on diplomatic relations.
Ah, diplomatic problems.
It's easy. Just don't get caught then.
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You can endure someone who isn't qualified to be a king as thoroughly
as you know how much we need gun powder.
So there's nothing you can't do.
You'll do anything happily.
No matter what it is.
Hakone Checkpoint
Wait.
Oh, it's seriously scary, isn't it?
No passage without a permit. If you're caught, you'll be subject to the death penalty.
We're transporting sulfur.
We got our permit in Nagasaki.
We have five people.
Five people plus a cart.
Yes.
Take it.
We need to get rid of that girl now.
She'll put you in danger.
What's dangerous?
If there's a problem, we'll just throw her away.
Nobody's as smart as Hwa Yi when it comes to trading.
If she can get through the checkpoint,
there's no beef with me.
Go.
Where's Hwa Yi?
Maruno.
Come.
My permit.
If this becomes a problem, I don't know you. Okay?
Don't worry. I won't ask you to die with me.
That grandma is Old Maid Hitomi.
She can distinguish girls who are disguised as guys.
She's been doing this job since she was young.Will you really be able to trick her?
It's not too late right now. You can go back.
And let you have fun alone in Edo? No way.
Hey. Even if you could arrive at Edo...
Wait! Catch her!
You're wrong. Please help!
Please save me!
My husband's in Edo! Please let me go!
Help me!Please let me see my husband!
What should we do? She got caught.
If that happens, you'll be punished right away. You know that right?
I know. Go.
- Hwa Yi. - Didn't you hear me? I'll follow you so go first.
Pass.
What are you doing? Hurry up and go.
Next.
Hwa Yi. She will do fine right?
Go ahead.
Wait a minute.
Why?
Why? He said that I can go.
You're a girl right?
Grab her!
Let me go! Let me go!
- Let me go! - Hwa Yi!
Move.
Take off her clothes.
Let me go.
Hwa Yi!
Let go.
Hwa Yi!
Move aside!
Envoys from Joseon have come.They came sooner than we expected.
Let everyone go and make way.
But we need to check their identities...
Also, we have a problem right now.
Get ready to greet the envoys.
Did you already forget the general's orders?
Do you want to show them this mess?
Let them go.
Hurry and make way.
You go.
Hurry!
Hwa Yi . . .
They're the diplomats from Joseon.
Edo (old name for Tokyo, Japan)
Would you like bamboo sieves?
Would you like beni (red lip paint) and face powder?
Hey!
Please,
Would you like cayenne pepper?
Why don't you find out about what I asked you to do first.
Yes, Sire.
Diplomat Hong, Lord Kang Joo Seon is looking for you.
Squid! Squid! (selling squid)
- Hey! - Yes? - Have you got any rooms left?
Yes, there are.
I suppose it's expensive?
Do you have a room?
Yes. I have. I have two rooms.
Hey, wait, wait... I was here first.
- Two rooms right? - Yes. I'm so sorry.
Wow... oh, what is this?
Wow, wow.
Wow, really!
Edo is very different somehow, right?Did you see the people walking by?
Wow! They had a floral scent. A floral scent . . .
Shut it and just unpack and organize your items.
Hey, it's because I never even got a chance to visit the capital once in Joseon. So it's very amusing to me.
Are you okay? You must have gotten very startled in Hakone.
What?
Hey. Those little things,
I have been through harsh times before.
But, how come you seem so out of it? Is something wrong?
No, it's nothing.
Pass
Why are you guys hanging here?
Go out and either move the sulfur and do some other work. Work for the money for food, at least!
Ok, ok. We will go out. Aigo, I'm so hungry.
Hey, Hwa Yi?
- Don't think about pulling any dirty tricks. - What?
I'm saying I know everything about your scheme to follow us here.
I think It's better if you give up right now.
With that passport, you won't even be able to go outside of Edo, let alone Joseon.
So, you better behave and get your act together.
Or else, with that pretty face of yours,
can you try to seduce a dimwitted Joseon merchant?
Unhand me, you knave!
Hwa Yi!
Hwa Yi. Hey.
What he's saying is correct. Even if you were able to escape,
there is no way you can get to Joseon.
How are you going to cross the sea? Nagasaki and Edo are the same things.
No. It's different because right now, there are people from Joseon here.
Don't you remember asking me if I came from the Joseon upper middle class?
Yes, that's right. My father worked as a steward to an affluent family.
There might be someone who may be able to help me among that diplomatic delegation.
Unless everyone died back then.
Somehow with someone.
Why aren't you drinking more? You barely touched it.
This is a foreign land . . .
I can't get drunk.
What did you just say?
Are you trying to embarrass me?I'm the one who asked you to drink.
You're acting like a bureaucrat.
That can't be.
It was a joke. You know that.
Ok. Let's not drink then.
Let's go and walk outside.
I'm glad that I can work for the government with you.
I knew that you would become a pillar of the country.
You're exaggerating, My Lord.
I hope your father will try to understand you soon.
Ever since you left your house, haven't you seen your father?
No, I haven't.
He's being too stubborn.
I know he didn't want to work for the government because he's against the King.
I don't understand why he has to be hostile with you, too.
Out of all offices, I applied for the Arsenal.
He can't forgive me for that.He's against the military policy.
That's right. Actually I didn't expect it from you.
I've never thought that you, out of all men, would closely serve the King.
I'm closely serving His Majesty?I'm only a Fifth Counselor.
That is unreasonable.
Relax. This is a joke too.
You take after your father.
You're too serious all the time.
Sir, a guard is looking for you.
I got you.
Excuse me.
Ok. Go ahead. It seems like I'm holding onto someone who is really busy.
Did you look in to it?
Yes.
What is the King trying to do?
He put that young kid at the head...
Convey this quickly!
Yes.
January 7th. 1 a.m.
I have to go somewhere for a short time.
This person, Idachi monopolizes all the sulfur that goes into Edo.
Not only distributing the sulfur within Japan,
he also exports most of the sulfur to Ming.
Did you find a person who can connect me to Idachi?
You see... about that...
This is a very dangerous matter.
I've asked him to meet here, but he's still not here...
Sorry.
What are you doing?
I'm so sorry. I am drunk, so...
Stop it and don't forget we're diplomats.We're in a foreign land.
Yes Lord.
Thank you so much. Thank you so much.
You are right. People sitting over there are from Joseon.
However . . .
By the way, they don't seem like merchants.They look like diplomats.
-Diplomats, are you sure?- Yes.
They were saying 'delegation,' and the way they dressed are also...
Aren't we supposed to find a merchant?Let's just leave here.
No. Wait a minute.
Look around the area.
Yes.
Thank you.
Welcome!
Okay!
Give us two sake.
Nice!
I won!
You did it!
Hey, hey, give it to me.
Why don't you roll the dice, too?
You bastard!
That bastard!
How long did it pass from the appointed time?
Yes. About 30 minutes.
I don't think he's going to come here.
Let's go. We don't have time to waste like this.
What do you plan to do?
We need to find another solution.
Yes.
Excuse me.
What? You are just going to leave like that?
Why are you like this? I'm sorry. It's the end.
What is this? You are from Joseon? When you bump into someone, you should apologize.
Are you leaving without saying anything?
Look here. I apologized already!
I'm sorry.
This isn't, however, serious enough to throw accusations.
I don't think it's right.Can you let us go?
What? This bastard!
Aigo. Aigo. Brothers. Brothers.
Calm down.
This man from Joseon doesn't know anything at all.
He didn't apologize to you at all.
- Step back. - Who are you?
What about you? Do you know who they are?
- You speak Joseon language? - Step Back!!
Stop it. This is a foreign country.
Catch them all!
Why are you standing? Run already.
What?
Damn it!
Catch them!
Stop there!
-Follow them!-Yes!
Hey, hurry up!
Damn!
Who are they?
Didn't you see the letters on their forehead?
That means they're serious criminals.
Every time they commit a crime, they add a stroke.
That one with the letter 'big' is one stroke away frombeing a 'dog.'
If you want to visit another country, you need to know their customs.
Over there!!
Oh no!
Stop there!!
You go that way and you, follow me this way.
Get out of my way!
Where did they go?
Darn it. There is no where to hide.
Let's go that way.
Over there!
Hey, look!
Get out of my way!
Where are they?
Out of my way!
What is this?
They're Komuso, practicing asceticism.The Japanese Buddhist monks.
I learned the custom about this around this time.
They are over there.
Excuse us.
Stop there!
What are you doing?
Heave ho. Heave ho. Heave ho.
-What happened to Counselor Hong?-We lost him.
Go and find him again. We can't lose him.
Yes.
That's enough. We got rid of them.
I thought I was going to die. Those disgusting people...
A man from Joseon...You're not good at running.
Anyhow, thank you so much.
Well. There's no need for that.
But, are you a Joseon person?
Me?
Well, something like that.
But right now, I'm a foreign slave.
Slave, you say?
I don't live in Edo.
I work at a sulfur mine in Nagasaki.I just followed my boss for his business.
By the way, you look like a diplomat from Joseon.
I can tell from the way you talk and the way you are dressed.
This is also fate. Let's introduce each other.
My name is Hwa Yi.
I guess you don't talk to low people like me.
No, there's no reason to argue over social status when we're both from Joseon.
Also it's not a right thing to do to a person who helped me.
Then, what is your lordship's name?
You don't look like a translator or merchant, but a officer.
Hong Joo Won.
I'm Hong Joo Won and I work at the Arsenal of Joseon.
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Just let him meet Idachi.Can you do that?
Do not fail or die!
Joseon and the King of Joseon's safety depended upon this!
The country and the king depend upon it?I guess it's important to you.
If you get arrested, I will take the full responsibility.
I put a tail on Counselor Hong.
Indebted? Don't forget you said that.I might ask you a favor in return.
My Lord, what do you want me to do?
It's going to be noisy.
- What's wrong?- We got caught!
No matter what, I've to go to Joseon.
So you have to live in order to save me.