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Splendid Politics
Episode 10Scholar Hong
Sir, what did you just say?
We will recover all of the sulfur, and rescue the person who was imprisoned.
Sir.
Yes.
His Majesty used me as bait,
but it doesn't matter.
I didn't come to this place for His Majesty,
but for sulfur only.
Therefore, recover all the necessary sulfur for Hwagidogam. (The Joseon Arsenal).
Also, rescue the one who risked his life for us, including his entourage.
We will all go to Joseon.
What happened?
This is the key to the city jail.
This is a sure thing because I personally got it from the jail guard.
Many guards are going to assist with the diplomats, because they're leaving today.
Obviously, the soldiers who guard the sulfur storage and the government office will decrease in numbers.
That's when you go in. Exactly between 11 AM- 1 PM.
Smuggle him out the back door.
Then, I'll take him back to Joseon with me.
I'll bring Hwa Yi out, even if I lose my life over it.
So, keep the promise between us, man to man.
Hey, look over here!
What?!
The Joseon Diplomats, did they leave already?They left?!
Crazy punk! What business is it of yours?!
Hey, get ready to drag him out!
You'll be executed as soon as the diplomats leave.
We don't have much time. When you get the signal, recover all the sulfur in 15 minutes.
Do you understand? It must be done in 15 minutes.
Lord, this way.
When will we depart?
It's been moved up a bit.
We have to rush, since the weather isn't looking good.
There are still the best quality goods that haven't arrived yet.
What are we supposed to do, when the ship is about to depart?
That's what I'm saying.
There are still too many that are guarding the jail.
Let's wait, a little longer.
Please, I can't die here.
Wait, until the guards move away.
So, when is that? I asked when that is?
What's that?
There's a fire! Fire!
There's a fire! Fire! Fire!
The fire is in the government office!!
- Fire!! The government office is on fire. - Hurry!
Guard the warehouse.
Yes.
Fire!!
What's going on?
Put out the fire! Hurry!
Hurry!
- What? What's going on? - Go and report it. Come on.
What's going on?
- Ja Gyeong. - Hwa Yi, are you okay?
You. What's going on?
Let's go.
That person plans to take you back to Joseon.
What?
Who are you?
Get the sulfur now! Hurry!
Yes.
Hurry!!
Run quickly!!
What's going on?
-There must have been an accident in the government building.-Didn't you just say, we're leaving right away?
But not all the gifts have arrived yet.
Hurry up and prepare the boat.
None of the sulfur should be seen. Got it?
Yes.
Sir.
The ship... it seems like it's about to depart.
We can't be late.
Then, what about Hwa Yi?
Fire!! Fire!!
No.
We need to send the armed forced to get him.
Sir, if you do that, we can't load sulfur on the boat!
We just have to get out of here! I promised him that I'd meet him here.
Please. We have to leave now.
No matter what, I have to go to Joseon. You understand?
So, you stay alive and save me afterward.
Sir.
We'll move the sulfur first.
We won't head over to the jail cell.
Load the sulfur onto the ship, first.
Who are you guys?
- Ja Gyeong. - Damn it.
Catch them!
You have nowhere to run!?
Catch them!
Stop there!
Open the doors! Open them!
He tricked us so he can get the sulfur.
What?
Excuse me.
This is the last gift.
In the end, you are just like the others.
Hong Joo Woon. You too.
Catch them!
They set fire! Catch them!
Raise the sail quickly and depart now.
Yes.
Sir, we have to get on now.
Bring me the nautical charts.
The route which the diplomats will travel. Hurry!
You go. If I surrender...
Hey, you fool. How can I leave you behind?
Would you do it?
Yes. I would because I have to survive.
So, I'm telling you to go.
Okay then, listen to this carefully.
You have to survive, even if I die.
- Catch them!- Catch them!
Stop them!
They are going that way!
Wait!
They're over there!
Catch them!
Damn!
Catch them!
Hurry and escape!
Let's go. That way.
No, go to the port by yourself.
What?
The ship's departing bell has not sounded yet. Go by yourself and I'll take care of it here.
Ja Gyeong. You're bleeding..
You can't hear? Leave to the port, immediately!
Don't talk like a lunatic!
I won't go alone.
Leave. Leave so you can live.
You have to be alive in order to return to Joseon. There is something you must do.
Did you already forget? How you endured difficult times all these years?
Ja Gyeong?
Your brother and everything you've lost; don't you have to avenge them?
You're going to just carelessly die here, when you've survived being treated like an animal?!
Sister, save me please. Sister...
How dare you guys do this here?!
This cannot be!
Yeong Chang will pay dearly for his sins.
Then die, Princess.
No. I won't die.
I will survive even if I have to turn into an animal.
I'll live and get back everything.
So, you must go. Princess.
Ja Gyeong.
Stop right there!
Go. If you leave first, I'll follow you to Joseon.
Don't you know? I'm Ja Gyeong. No matter where you go, I'll go and find you.
Right.
You must come.
Come and beat the living daylights out of me. I, who took off on you.
That's a given, you punk.
Go.
You must catch him for sure!
Don't lose him! Stop right there!
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It can't be!
Please, wait for me.
I said stop over there.
No.
I beg of you.
I beg of you!
No way.
Stop.
You're safe? . . .
Are you okay? You aren't hurt anywhere, right?
I'm sorry, it turned out this way.
Let me see. How badly are you injured?
You bastard!! Why did you show up just now? Why? Why?!!
Do you know what I had to do?
Ja Gyeong.
I... I left Ja Gyeong behind...
I'm sorry for being really late.
Make sure to clean the inside carefully.
Yes.
Border Patrol Army for Ming
Oh my, it's very heavy.
Hey, what is this? This bundle looks new?
Why is it so heavy?
Open it.
Yes.
Oh my, it looks like... deer antlers, small medicinal balls and water buffalo antlers.
Jang Bong SoThese are all illegal trading items. Aren't they?
Pardon?
Who does this belong to?
I... I don't know.
It's not mine, Elder.
My bundle of stuff! What am I going to do?!
This... where do I hide this?
Hey, are these yours? Are you doing illegal trading?
Lee Young BooWhat? It's not that big of a deal. I started with illegally selling of sulfur and such . . .
I only wanted to make a small profit, since we're here.
Then, was that why you went missing during the night, last night?
What?
It didn't happen like that exactly. But these items were calling me to buy them.
I see . . . Water buffalo and deer antlers were all magically calling you out?! . . .
I knew it! No wonder, you were talking nonsense last night.
What?
Hey, please save me.
Those Ming soldiers came to arrest me!
For trying to smuggle illegal items!
Jeez!
Help me, help!
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What? What are you doing?
Are you the person in charge?
Never mind. I don't speak your language.
This is Joseon's land. So speak Joseon. Joseon!!
- What? -"What?"
Don't you understand?
Why is the Ming's border patrol . . .
Why did you guys cross the border like this?!
Your Majesty, the wounds on your body seem quite serious.
You must call the physician, please.
I said, "no physician." Don't make a fuss.
However, if we leave it like this...
Should I do it myself? Then, will you shut your mouth?
Your... Your Majesty.
Whether it's this wound or last night's incident; neither of those must be revealed.
You must not forget.
Your Majesty. That night, where did you go?
What actually happened . . .
Your Majesty, it's me, Minister of Rites.
Come on in.
Oh.. I see.
There was that kind of ruckus at the border?
Yes.
Due to the sudden attack, some of Ming's soldiers were injured and died.
They have tightened the border.
Why did they get suddenly attacked?
I'm sure it was the people of Later Jin,
but they insisted there were traces of citizens of Joseon.
By chance, they're suspecting that it is related to your visit.
You're aware that Ming is not very fond of us developing artillery weapons.
Furthermore, you have also made your appearance.
Of course, they're going to make frivolous objections again . . .
They're relentless.
It's not the first time
where Ming would twist the meaning of my action.
Yes. That's right.
Therefore, you must take care of this, again.
So there is no more backbiting.
Yes. Your Majesty.
If I bribe them a bit with some lavish gifts, there shouldn't be anymore problems.
Okay, then you may leave now.
I'm a bit tired from a long day. I'll rest a bit.
Minister of Rites, also...
Yes.
Wait, that's not it. No, no...
I should now call you by "Defense Minister" right?
Pardon? Defense Minister?
I issued an royal edict for that before coming here,
so when you return to the capital, you'll be formally given that title.
Your Majesty!!
The most important role of the King's right hand man, is to become a Defense Minister. No matter what anyone says.
Isn't it about time that you grasp that?
Your Majesty, thank you for your grace.
Even from my grave, when my skeletons are only left and my bones become ashes
I will serve you with all my might, even if my bones crumble.
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My Lord, congratulations! What an honor.
Don't make such a fuss! It's not like I became the Prime Minister.
Those positions are reserved for seniors.
Minister of Defense, for your age? You have climbed up the hierarchy..
The center of Five Military Camps and the Royal Guards are all under me. They're going to piss in their pants.
So, yes. You can say that.
Perhaps, I should learn how to wield a sword, so I don't lose my integrity!
Lee ChoongI told you not to worry.
His Majesty has no reason to stay far from you.
No, that's not it.
I'm not done here. I still have a long way to go.
Pardon?
I have a very good intuition.
It is my intuition and not my intelligence that got me this far.
Therefore, what are your feelings now?
My backside feels uneasy.
Pardon?
There is definitely something really fishy . . .
Now that he became the Defense Minister, he is talking informally to me. How dare he?!
By the way, we should have a celebration party when we get back to the capital, right?
Oh my, My Lord! I will take care of that party!
Mine.
Gwang Hae . . .
is not a "King!"
The one who is currently on the throne
is not the rightful King.
What on earth is the problem? Why did a ship with no issues just stop that abruptly?!
Do you realize what this ship is about?
Lord.
What's going on?
There seems to be a slight problem.
The ship stopped, so we are looking for the cause right now.
In the middle of the night, in an open sea? Is it a big deal?
No. But there is even something more strange.
What do you mean?
I don't see Hong Joo Won.
What?
I saw him arrive at the port, but no matter how much I searched for him on this boat, he isn't here.
My Lord, I wonder if something went wrong.
That's a peg.
The peg is sticking out from the steering wheel shaft, that's why the ship isn't moving.
I'm very sorry, did it suprise you?
No. It isn't your fault.
We should be moving soon since we found the cause.
Ah, but I didn't see you for the whole day today.
Where were you?
I was reading in the cabin.
I see.
But you look terrible.
I was checking at the bottom part of the ship and got wet.
I see.
You shouldn't go that far.
Don't lose your dignity by taking care of what your subordinates have to deal with.
I will keep that in mind.
Pardon? Break the shaft on the ship?
There's a whirlpool within Tokushima Prefecture.
The ship will try to avoid this area.
When they do that, it will turn the whirlpool into a tidal current,
so I'll take the current and get to the ship.
Lord.
I'll be able to get there by 3 a.m. Break the streering shaft at that time.
And stop the ship.
No, we shouldn't or you might get in trouble as well.
I can't let him die.
I must bring him with us.
Go. Leave so you can live.
You have to be alive in order for you to return to Joseon. There is something you must do.
Your brother and everything you've lost...
You need to avenge them.Isn't that why you've survived like an animal?
Are you insisting that you want to die right here?
Don't you know? I'm Ja Gyeong.
I'll find you no matter where you go.
Yes, Ja Gyeong. You have to survive.
If you can't find me, I will find you no matter what.
This is warm Cheongju. (Refined rice wine)It will warm up your body.
You're bleeding again.
It's okay. It's a little injury.
Pretend to be helpful when you caused this trouble in the first place?
Anyhow, thank you. For saving me.
Change your clothes and keep this pass with you.
I registered you as a sailor for chores.
Do you have a family in Joseon?If you have I will...
I don't have any. No one.
I had a brother but I lost him.
My mother... I probably can't see her.
I see. Then I'll get you a place to live.
By the way, why didn't you come to the jail for me?
I was waiting for you.
Is it because of the sulfur?
To follow the King's order?
I'm sorry.
To me... the task took priority.
That's what I thought. I knew it had be like this.
You are... the Joseon King's man.
Of course, the king's order will come first. Before people like me.
Look here, that...
But still, you kept it this time.
Your promise to find me.
Yes. In the end, I'm thankful. I'm alive because of you.
And... I'll be able to go back to Joseon.
Get some rest now.
And I won't forget what you did for the royal court.
But, what you just said earlier,
what do you mean "this time"?
Did I make a promise like that to you before?
Us... have we met before?
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Hong Joo Won.
I'm Hong Joo Won, and I work at Hwagidogam in Joseon.
Yes. You. Hong Joo Won.
I remember you from back then.
I'll find you for sure.
I'll protect the prince and I'll protect you as well.
You said it back then that you will find me.
You will protect me.
This can jeopardize the safety of Joseon and Joseon's King.
It's not just a petty business transaction!
But... you appeared before me as Gwang Hae's man.
Royal Mother, I'm coming back.
To get back my seat and everything I lost.
Finally, we've caught them.
Your Majesty.
On top of that, Counselor Hong recovered the sulfur?
Joseon
I'll make it cheap for you.
What are you doing? Walk faster.
Ok.
You should follow right behind me. What if you get lost?
It's not like I'm a kid.
And I used to live here.
Do you think I don't know where to go?
Ah. You are right. I'm sorry.
I only thought about meeting you out of the country, so I forgot you used to live in Hanyang.
You always pretend you're very smart.
By the way, where did you live before?
Pardon?
You said you used to live in Hanyang. Is it near here?
I mean... I used to live...
So to say...
Damn it, I don't really know anything out of the palace.
It's near Gwangtonggyo Bridge.
Is that so?Grangtonggyo, you say?
That's right.
Huh...
Then you must be very happy to be here.This is Gwangtonggyo!
What?
This here?
Why? You didn't know?
What do you mean I don't know?
Ahh... I see it now.
That's right.That fabric store is still there.
And the rice store, too. Everything is the same as before.
I was a little nervous before.
What? How can that be?
We reorganized the street last year, so all these shops are new.
This whole area used to be rice fields before.
Ah! I can't think straight.
Ah... you're right.
There were all rice fields before.
It's totally different!
Please don't let him feel any inconvenience.
Yes, Lord.
I have a job to do at the palace, so please take some rest.
Don't worry and go do your work as I've got things to do outside too.
What did you say? That won't do.
What if they find out you're from Japan?
You can't go out by yourself until I can give you a status.
But, I still have things to do though.
That's impossible.
I think you don't remember the city.What if you get lost?
I understand now. I won't step out at all.
Here. I swear.
I'm sorry, but an oath is made for breaking.
The Ministry of War
Please, get inside.
I don't really like the paintwork. Don't you think so?
Huh? That's good enough. It's not like we're building Qin Shi Huang's palace.
This is the Ministry of War.
This is where we control all the armed forces. It needs to look nice.
Don't stick to those useless formalities.
That's your problem.
Are you here to inspect?
Why do you care if I pick my tooth with a bamboo tree
or drink tea from a chamber pot?
What?
Minister of Defense! You're too rude before the Prime Minister!
I didn't really say it to him.
This man...
Minister of Defense!
Huh? You, vulgar man!
I heard you were promoted to Minister of Defense,
and the Ministry looks very nice, as I expected!
When did you come back to Hanyang?
I arrived today. I came to see you as soon as I returned.
Isn't he Gyosan, Heo Gyun?
Another face I hate to see is back in Hanyang.
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Your Majesty, Counselor Hong is here.
You're here, Counselor Hong.
It's really nice to see you.
You've worked so hard.
I wonder how was your first trip to a foreign country.
I heard it was a spectacle.
Have some tea.
It's good. What is this tea?
This is Hwagae tea.
I heard the tea tree grows in rock crevices.
In rock crevices?
It's spirit is like Counselor Hong's.
Go to the royal storage and pack some for him.
This kind of tea should be used as a reward for the worthy person.
You're rude, as I expected.
In front of the king, you're laughing at him?
You could have been beheaded if you didn't come with the sulfur.
The amount of sulfur I brought from Edo is 20,000 Geun.
I made contract with Idachi, so 240,000 Geun of sulfur will be provided to Hwagidogam in a year.
You entrusted me with full power for the negotiation,
so I promised to give him the exclusive right for smuggling ginseng and albino snakes.
Well... I can keep the promise when I need to.
But, that can't be what you want to say to me though.
Don't you want to ask me if I wasn't interested in sulfur at all,
or if Hwagidogam was installed only for a fake reason?
Why did you use me? What for?
Isn't it?
No. I'm not curious at all.
I'm not interested why you did it and what you were thinking about.
I just did what I had to do.
I didn't try to follow the royal order.
But... It seems there's nothing else you want to tell me, so I'll leave.
Take the reward I give you.
The bait that I thought would be used up, actually caught the big fish. I need to reward you.
It's not the king you care about, but you care for your country with your heart.
I'm sorry but I don't have a right to get the reward.
Honestly, I didn't do it completely for the country.
I just didn't want to lose.
What?
You didn't want to lose?
Against me?Oh, against a person like me?
You're dare to challenge a king?
I started to like you more and more.
Please let me leave.
Since I like you very much, I'll let you know one more thing.
Rage... do you know why people live in rage, just like you?
That is because rage gives you pleasure.
The fire that burns from deep inside your heart, it's exciting at that moment it burns.
It seems that you've learned how to cool down your rage. Try stepping forward.
Try not to feel anything at all. Do you understand?
If you have an earnest goal in your heart, you just have to do everything,
with no doubts, regrets, or hesitations...You just have to do everything.
Let's go. You need to see His Majesty.
My office is the largest and the nicest here. You need to see it.
That office...
you can't even bring girls and play with them. It's no use to have a spacious office.
Look at this man. People say I'm a vulgar man but I'm no match for you.
What are you talking about? I know you like me because of that.
That's right. We understand each other.
Oh, you...
That... that punk...
He's still wet behind the ears. He didn't see me or what?
Isn't that Hong Joo Won? He's pretty like a flower.
He's very rude just like his father.
I'll work with him soon.
That's interesting. I was wondering why His Majesty put a young man like him nearby.
I see Han Eum from his face.
Today, you were different than normal.
Yes, I was a little upset.
That's right. I was different.
He reminded me of someone for a second.
But, I need to put it into an action, Gae Si.
Tell Gyo San to trace that guy and find the head of the party.
Let Gyo San use his particular tactics.
I'm really sorry. Are you okay?
I'm fine. Go your way.
You can't be fine.
I have strong bones, so people get hurt even if I slightly bump into them.
Do Ha?
Yoon Do Ha?
You are alive!!
How can we meet here?
Who are you?
This person... don't you know me?
It's me, Heo Gyun the Idiot!
Moreover, we could secure the sulfur, too.
It's time to up the ante that we've planned for a long time.
When do you think it should be?
Tomorrow... it will be...
tomorrow.
Look here,
I... have something to ask.
Yes.
Royal Mother...
The Queen Dowager?
Hey, do you have a death wish or something?
Who are you to ask about the Queen Dowager, who was kicked out
That is... can you tell me whatever you know?
Where is her Highness staying now?
If you know anything at all...
I don't know. For something like that, even if I knew, I wouldn't know.
You see, not even an ant goes that way.
We feel nervous about it so we go around the long way even when coming to do laundry.
As for me, when my husband is a government official,
what if we get marked as a traitor?
I wonder if she is still alive. I feel sorry and bad for her.
Are you crazy?
Watch what you say.
You must... must stay alive,
get your brother back...
and satisfy your mother's grudge.
Lord Oh Ri and Oh Seong?
So there were some left?
Those loyal subjects who protected my royal mother.
- Open the door. - Yes, Lord.
Leave. You're not my son.
Father.
Are you going to serve the King?
Not only that, you want to become that tyrant's arms and legs,
by working at the Bureau of Firearms?
While the King may not be right, the fact that this land needs to have power to protect the kingdom
is not wrong.
I... I won't regret my decision.
No. You will regret your decision at some point for sure.
What's more important than a person's word or his will
is his own choices.
Fine. Stay by him and watch
what kind of choices the King makes,
and how he will destroy this kingdom.
Oh, my! There's my sire.
Crazy girl! Your sire?
Your sire? It'd be better for you to go for gae nari (Sir Dog)
His profile under the sunlight is a piece of art itself.
I wish I could have a conversation with him just once.
It would be nice to have some kind of excuse for it.
Crazy girl.
Excuse me, Gae-nari!
I mean, Sir!
Mother.
Someone came looking for you at the Bureau earlier.
Me?
Yes. I told them you weren't there and they said they will wait for you at home.
Oh, is that so?
Mother, have you gone crazy? If that was the case, you should have let me-
Shut up.
Lord, then go ahead and do your work.
What?!
Oh, wait...
Maybe those people
might be able to help me and my mother.
Who is it?
Then, who are you?
Tell me. Who are you?
Who are you that you are at Joo Won's house at this hour? What's with that knife?
What about you? Won't you let this go?
I'm a guest here.
Who are you that you snuck into someone else's house?
Guest? You are?
A guest of Hong Joo Won that I don't know about?
What are you doing, jerk?!
In Woo!
What's going on? Why did you do this?
About that, this person came out of no where..
In Woo, were you being rude to this person?
- This person is... - Hey, Hong Joo Won.
What actually is this situation?
I've lived long enough to see something interesting.
I didn't know you would be like this.
When I heard a meek scholar like you came out of your house,
I wondered what the reason was.
It was this?
The hidden...
woman?
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