Episode 11
Who is there?
Then, who are you?
Tell me, who are you?
What are you doing at Joo Won's house at this time?
Aren't you going to let me go? I'm a guest here.
Who are you who snuck into some one else's house?
Guest? And you?
A guest of Hong Joo Won whom I don't know about?
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Splendid Team @ Viki
What are you doing, bastard?
In Woo.
What's happened? What's going on?
That... this guy came out of nowhere and...
In Woo, were you being rude?
- This person... - Hey, Hong Joo Won.
What kind of situation is this?
Well, 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 was the reason. Was this it?
Hidden woman?
What?
Well, I guess she's not bad.
Excuse me.
What do you mean? Woman?
Who is?
Stop putting on an act when she's right in front of me.
In front? This person?
You see...
I see you put out some effort to dress her like a man, but...
Still you can't hide from me. This punk.
Hong Joo Won, you are all grown up now.
By any chance?
Hey Kang In Woo, you better apologize. How can you do this, this person right here...
Really. I'm going to go crazy.
What?
Well, I'm sorry.
I didn't trick you on purpose so, please be understanding.
What?
Woman?
You... you didn't know?
Dressed as a man?
Then, you are not a man but a woman?
Here... here... us, meeting like this? This is also fate so, we should have a drink.
- Over there is nice. - I've something important...
Why are you like this? How about only one bowl?
Yoon Do Ha, Lieutenant General of the Royal Guard?
Gyo San has approached him.
But it turns out that he's a very interesting person.
Head of the Western Faction, Kim Yoon Ho gave him a position at the Royal Guard.
Then, Chief Royal Guard, Jung Hyeon promoted him straight to Lieutenant General.
You're here.
On top of that, he's pretty powerful among the merchants in Woonjong Street.
It's because he's staying at the house of Hanyang's Mayor, Kang Joo Seon...
Wait, did you just say Kang Joo Seon?
Yoon Do Ha is a distant relative of Kang Joo Seon's wife.
But Kang Joo Seon is not interested in gaining a position in the royal court.
Yes, he even takes the position of Mayor as volunteering.
He's been spending his own money for governmental events. However...
However... an animal that's hiding his claws is the most dangerous.
Your Majesty has to keep watching him strictly.
Sometimes, enemies pretend to be friends and hide themselves.
Woman? Woman?!!
This makes no sense. How can this happen?
That man, I mean that woman, how can she be a woman? How?
So to say, are you saying you weren't aware of that?
How can I know that? He dressed like a man!
Why would a woman dress like a man?It's not normal!
That nerd, he's probably upset.
Of course, she should have told me from the beginning!
Let's think that she might have her own reasons.
She should have at least told me even if a bit late that she just dresses as a man!
Ahh. She didn't tell you.
By the way, she tricked me for the whole time?
She's so shameless.
She's not trustworthy.
She's not trustworthy as a human being!
He's also using some sophisticated words like "nerd".
Man in face but brute in mind!Impudence! A cowhide with a human face!
How dare she make a fool of me?
Hey, you can really get angry.
I can't forgive her. That man, I mean...
that woman is unacceptable!
You're laughing? You're laughing in this situation?
Then, wouldn't you laugh too? I see part of it as your fault.
My fault? What? Where?
You didn't recognize that she's a woman.She looks just like a woman to me.
She has a pretty face... and hands, too.
What? Hand?
Then, who? Kang In Woo?
How did he figure it out?
I... it's because I'm Kang In Woo.
How wouldn't I know when I see a woman?
Even if other's are tricked, I can't be tricked.
I wonder when you will become a real man.
You are right. Her hands!
Let's go over there.
I... I even held her hand.
What?
I did such a thing to a woman!
What?
Look, Counselor Hong!
Let's go out. Let's have a drink somewhere.
What?
You see, nothing would be resolved staying in like this.
We need to talk it out when there's a problem, and take care of things.
Take care of things?About what?
Let's go. I saw some nice places as I was heading here.
In Woo.
Go and come back. This seems fun.
- Let's go. - Hey.
I said let's go.
Why are you doing this? Hey, In Woo.
Hand. Hand. Let the hand go.
- Let's go and drink. - I said let the hand go.
- In Woo. - Let's go...
It was you. The person who was hiding.
Who is it?
Here. Let's see which household you belong to.
Young Master.
What are you doing here?
That's right.
It's nice.
All sorts of delicacies and the best gisaeng for me?
Because you're doing such a great job for the government. I came so late.
Not at all. I'm not that much of a man to be served like this.
This is really generous!
This is very different from the memony of the last party you held.
I can tell you're the richest person in this country.
I wonder how you accumulated this much wealth.
I did nothing but inherited from previous generations.
That's not the only reason.
I saw you have increased your fortune, too.
Did you check out my background?
Yes, but I couldn't find anything wrong.It wasn't fun at all.
That's too bad.
I should have left some dust for your entertainment.
And you're humorous like this, too!
Excuse me.
Yes. Yes. Go ahead and tend to your job.
Why did Kang Joo Seon invite me all of a sudden?
Maybe he wants to make a connection with you.
However, being careful is the best thing.
It's not possible to accumulate this much money without any corruption.
But you can't find anything wrong, which means
he's a really scary person.
You seem to be able to use your head, Lord.
I do have a brain in it.
You know.
Please save me, Young Master.
Tell me. Then, you'll live.
It's true. I really didn't know that was his house.
Right now you, you seem to forget who you are dealing with.
Beat him up.
In Woo. What are you doing right now?
Won't you stop this instant?
We have a guest right now.
I want to finish up quickly as well but this guy isn't cooperating.
Mother.
Mother?
You are making quite a loud entrance.
I feel that I need to do at least this much for you to receive my greetings, Father.
Have a seat.
I don't have much to say so, I'll stand.
Why Joo Won?
Is that the first thing you have to say after coming back home in half a year?
Answer me. Are you really going to hurt Joo Won now too?
Lower your voice. There are ears listening outside.
If there are ears listening, you just have to cut them off!
Doing such a thing isn't a big deal to you, Father.
Yes. Doing something like that is not a big deal.
What difference would it make even if it's Joo Won?
Father!!
Joo Won is the bloodline of your friend, Lord Hong Young.
What is the reason to go this far to do this to him?
What's my reason for doing this?
Well, that is a foolish question that's unfit for my son.
Yes. Why do you think?
It's to gain power.
Do you get it?
Gwang Hae in the palace, and I...
also, that measly Lee I Cheom, who is drinking outside..
Please receive it.
There is just one reason for doing this.
To gain power that no one has!
You know?
That's why I can't let Gwang Hae make gunpowder.
As well as Joo Won who is playing fire alongside with him.
Then, in the end, is it because of the Hwagidogam (Bureau of Firearms)?
So it would be better for you now to keep your distance from him,
if you want to inherit my power.
No. I'm not good at just giving up.
I am not interested in that kind of power display.
What?
I'm sure you didn't register me, who was born of a slave girl, on the family registry in order to do this.
Still, don't touch Joo Won.
If you do, I may use a different power against you.
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What a low class!
Ha! Whether it's Joseon or Japan, it's a terrible world for women to live.
Pardon? Oh, yes, there's some aspect of that.
That's why I had no choice,
in order to survive in the mine.
Have some.
No. I can't handle alcohol well.
So, I didn't mean to trick you from the beginning.
It's just easier to live like this.
Yeah... well, you seem comfortable.
Then, let's just let it pass. Alright?
But still, if you had told me beforehand, that would have been better.
If you had, I wouldn't have displayed such rude behavior.
Rude behavior?
Such as...
holding your hands...
or such actions like touching your body...
Oh, that?I knew you're a nerd.
Aigoo! It's alright! You didn't know.
That could happen.
Stop doing like this.
From now on, you don't have to look at me as a girl.
Like this, like this... it's okay to hold it like this.
What are you doing, woman?
No matter what, how could a grown woman just hold a man's hand so easily?!
Look here! People are looking at you strangely.
Hey, let's drink up!
When I came to Hanyang, after traveling around the entire kingdom,
the mulberry field had turned into an ocean!
Yes. The world has changed a lot.
It has not just changed but has turned upside down!
That loser...
Seeing how Lee I Cheom became the Minister of Defense and strutting around...
how would I feel?
Yes, well.
It felt twisted. My intestine churned around.
Oh, is that how you felt?
What should we do though?
A thirsty one should dig a well. So I sided with Lee I Cheom again.
Was I talking too much about myself? So, how about you?
Well, for me. Excuse me. I need to stop by the restroom.
Sure. Take your time.
Really. How can I bump into that guy?
- How much is it? - One nyang.
Here. Thank you.
Stay away from me.
Hong Joo Won?
You don't need to mind me.
Why do you keep...
That person.
That's enough.
We don't have a lot of time.
Don't keep doing that. Since before.
I definitely saw him in a Japanese mine. Why would he be with Counselor Hong?
Hey, Counselor. Let's go together.
I said let's go together. I've things to say.
Keep a distance. That's the law.
Oh, geez, I totally look like a guy.
Who would know?
I know. I know it.
If I had known you were a woman, I wouldn't have made the deal at all.
I wouldn't have brought you to Joseon like this, either.
Why did it end up like this?
So to say...
Since I'm a woman, what will happen to that?
To what?
Don't you remember what you said on the return boat?
Did you say you wanted to work at the Bureau of Firearms?
I've worked in the mine for a very long time and developed sulfur refinement skills.
I'm sure you want my skill set, don't you?
But that is...
But that is not possible?
Of course not!
Because I'm woman?
How can we have a woman in the Bureau of Firearms?
I am sorry to be breaking my promise but there is no other way.
But I will find a way for you to live...
The blast-furnace process.(A way of refining sulfur by gathering vapor of sulfur crystals)
You should know about it since you work at the bureau.
The Japanese blast-furnace process that Joseon hasn't mastered yet.
It won't do even if I can do that?
Do you truly know the blast-furnace process?
I know the entire process.
Then, how is it?
It still won't do?
As for me, I have no problem pretending being a man.
I thought I could help out the kingdom since I already learned the skill.
Well, if there is no way, then
nothing can be done.
No, you will catch me because...
Wait a minute.
That... do you think you can show me that first?
because you're Gwang Hae's people.
Of course, Counselor!
And through you, I will
go to the Bureau of Firearms, the heart of Gwang Hae.
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I had a bad dream. It felt confusing and chaotic.
You walking to and fro is even more confusing. Please stay still, Prince Moon Chang.
How could I sit still when His Majesty is...
Court Lady, Kim. How's His Majesty?
I am sorry to report but it will be difficult for him to attend Mang Gwel Rye ceremony. (Playing respect towards Ming Emperor)
In the end, he won't come?
Is his royal body that unwell?
He can barely walk due to extreme stomach pain.
What could have caused it? What does the royal physician say?
Even yesterday, he was fine. He normally doesn't get ill that easily.
The royal physician is doing his best to look for the cause.
There's going to be a huge uproar.
This is a birthday celebration for the Ming Emperor and His Majesty is not going to attend.
The royal court subjects will be buzzing like bees again.
What can we do?
His royal body's well being comes first.
At least, we should go.
If the ceremony is delayed, trouble will be doubled.
That's right. Let's hurry and go.
Give me another cup of tea.
Yes.
Royal Emperor, His Royal Majesty, ten thousand hurrah,
ten thousand hurrah,
tens of the thousand hurrah!
Royal Emperor, ten thousand hurrah!
Ten thousand hurrah!
Tens of ten thousand hurrah!
Royal Emperor, ten thousand hurrah! Tens of ten thousand hurrah!
Royal Emperor, ten thousand hurrah!
Ten thousand hurrah! Tens of ten thousand hurrah!
So what you are saying is, this fragile looking young kid,
this minnow-like dude,
you would like to push him into our sulfur cave?
That's not what I meant. How can I decide such a thing on my own?
But this is how I feel.
Let's say we can ignore the selection process, as long as he has the skill.
But when you say such a young kid knows the blast-furnace process...
I just can't understand it.
Of course. So like he said, we can test...
That's right. I know it.
Hey.
"That's right," is what you said just now?
Let's have a look.
I knew it! While saying you are refining it, all you are doing is
sifting sand and dust out of the sulfur crystals. Doing a crappy job at that!
Hey, hey, what do you think you are doing?!
Won't you take your hand off of it?!
Hey. Hwa Yi.
If that's not it, either, then... right...
Adding-Fat-Selection-Method.
Adding animal fat to melt sand and dust out of sulfur.
But this will make only a small amount.
Counselor, who in the world is that rude dude?
I am sorry. Hwa Yi!
Oh! You do have a furnace.
It looks like you did try the blast-furnace process.
Not the furnace! That's as precious as my own life!
Please stop, Hwa Yi.
Hey. Hey. Won't you stop already?
If you don't come down, you are going to die! Even if you come down, you will die!
What are you doing? Get him out already!!
Hwa Yi. Please.
The vapor hasn't been gathered properly.
Isn't that so? The core of the blast-furnace process is to gather the vapor.
You probably didn't get as much as an anchovy poop.
That... how... how did you...
Can you set the fire on this furnace again?
If you do, I will let you have a little taste of
the real blast-furnace process.
Does this make any sense?
This bowing ceremony was to celebrate the Emperor of Ming! How can His Majesty skip it?
And send the Crown Prince instead!
He's not feeling well.There's no other choice.
Then, what about last year?
His Majesty avoided attending the bowing ceremony for the same reason last year.
Why does His Majesty get sick around this time of year?
Are you saying that he's faking it or what?
We can't think of anything else.
From the past, I can tell His Majesty doesn't want to bow
to the emperor of Ming!
Lord, you shouldn't speak so carelessly!
What do you mean I speak carelessly?
Please stop.
Aish.
Of course, I think they're misunderstanding.
But sadly, His Majesty has made them think that way.
- Mayor!- Ming has requested us to send troops...
As you know, Prime Minister,
the request was made about a month ago.
But His Majesty hasn't replied to it yet.
That's it! Later Jin has attacked Ming, and that's why
Ming requested for us to sent troops, however!
His Majesty is delaying the answer...
and even avoided attending the bowing ceremony today!
How can we interpret this?
Since he's sick, the regular meeting will be canceled, too.
Then when is he going to decide whether we'll send our troops or not?
His Majesty is coming!
Oh well. Everyone is gathered here.
You Majesty. What brings you here?
I feel much better so, I went to attend the meeting...
but I was surprised that no one was there.
Let's go to the meeting hall.
We have a very important matter to discuss today.
Put some more wood.
Is he the man that Counselor Hong brought to the sulfur board?
Yes, that guy over there claims that he knows the blast-furnace process.
The blast-furnace process, we tried to learn from Ming, but couldn't really perform the process.
Yes, so if it works now, it's a sensational matter in this board!
Would it work?He's still wet behind the ears.
That's what I'm saying.
It's lunch time, what are you guys doing here?
We have something to watch.
Is it something fun?
Who's the guy next to Counselor Hong?
He's a new craftsman in the sulfur board, but he has to prove...
Oh my, he's beautiful even next to Counselor Hong!
What are you talking about?
Mom, look! He's dressed in shabby clothes, but his face is shining bright!
You're making me embarrassed.
I hope he stays in the board.
All the other men in the bureau are like horses, and I'm not very motivated to make food.
What? Like horses?
Who?
She's crazy.She's not sane.
Go set the table.
The rice is not ready yet!
Then go prepare some soup!I like long faces!
Let's go.
When will you show me the blast-furnace process?
It is going to happen within a year?
It's almost done.We just need to burn it for about 15 minutes more.
See me for a bit.
If you do this, you will cause big trouble. Why are you doing this?
I'm doing it on purpose.
On purpose?
I've learned smelting skills, so I know how those craftsmen are.
It's not easy to approve other men.
That's why they are unfriendly to me.
But, I don't want to be mistreated if I want to work here.
This is a completelt shattering tactic.
You want to get a head start?
Yes, that's right.
I'll attack first!
Throw what?
Don't worry, I never fail to keep my word.
Counselor Hong!
What's going on?
Please come out for a moment.We've received an urgent message from the palace.
Let me tell you the conclusion.
The calls for reinforcements that Ming requested,
will be rejected.
I won't let the soldiers of Joseon bleed
for the war between Ming and Later Jin.
When was this order issued?
Just now, and I was told to convey this.
Your Majesty, this can't be done!
This can't be done?Why is that?
Ming is the country of the Emperor that Joseon serves.
It doesn't correspond to the moral obligations of this country,
and having no sense of honor to Ming that helped during the Imjin War.
Ming helped during Imjin War?
You could think like that as well.
Because all of you hightailed it at that time.
You have no idea what the battlefield looked like, however...
I've seen the war, on the battlefield with my own eyes.
The troops from Ming who came to help,
were useless. Moreover!
They've exploited the people of Joseon
worse than the Japanese invaders!
Your Majesty!
I haven't finished my sentence!
So here I am to ask,
what is the benefit that we can get from the reinforcement?
Why? For what reasons?
Do we have to bleed our own blood for another country's war?
Your Majesty! A man of honor shouldn't seek a profit!
You're a king! How can you only follow the profit in front of your eyes,
and disregard the moral obligations and trust?
Moral obligations and trust?
Fine, then I'll tell you according to the moral obligations and loyalty,
you always talk about. For me they are,
the safety of Joseon, not the safety of Ming.
The loyalty I must keep is,
not with Ming, but with the lives of my people!
Hey, what is this? Why are you doing things we didn't permit you to?
Can't you see? I'm putting some coal.
What? Putting some coal?
What the heck are you talking about?
You've been putting the sulfur in the furnace and kept burning it, haven't you?
That's why it didn't collect the steam.
If you want to collect the steam properly, you need to put the coal on the furnace...
Stop it!Stop, everyone!
Come here!! We shouldn't be doing like this right now.
To this Hwagidogam...
Your Majesty, can I speak for a moment?
Therefore, you should watch Kang Joo Seon strictly.
Sometimes, enemies pretend to be friends and hide themselves.
I agree with Your Majesty.
That actual profit is more important than moral obligations or loyalty.
Kang Joo Seon, he came forward?
He's been staying at the back.Why all of a sudden...
However, in order to seek a profit,
don't we need to keep holding hands with Ming?
We need to keep holding hands with Ming for a profit?
That's right.
Why is that?
I'm sorry to admit it, but the power Joseon has
is too weak...
without Ming.
Of course, Your Majesty established Hwagidogam
and tried to develop a lot of weapons and even gunpowder.
But, the technique is not independant yet.
Isn't this true? Currently at Hwagidogam,
they can't make gunpowder without sulfur and niter provided by Ming.
We even learned the compounding skills from Ming, didn't we?
At this point, if we reject their request...
it will be difficult to get help from Ming.
Do you understand?Face up to the reality now.
I agree with Mayor Kang.
Thank you, Mayor Kang.
I've waited for someone to say that.
Mayor Kang said it.
What are you talking about?
Stand up, everyone.
I have kept gate of Hwagidogam closed for the whole time.
But, I'll open it for you today.
Except the first-degree safety facility, we will open all the other facilities. Be prepared!
Yes.
Counselor Hong, what's wrong?All of a sudden...
His Majesty is coming to the bureau now.
His Majesty, you say?
I'm sorry but I'm in a hurry right now. See you later.
Here.
That person is coming here?
Gwang Hae?
Your Majesty!
This is Hwagidogam.
Right now, right here,
I will show you that we can make
our own gunpowder!
Why are you doing this? Why am I the only one who can't go out?
You're not an official worker.
And a technician like you can't go outespecially when the King is here.
It's how it is here. Security is really important here.Even a cook like me...
You can't go without this.
I...
Since you are here anyway, do you want to eat or something?
I...
Is there any way I can see him from afar?
Excuse me? Oh my, my hand.
The way to see the king, even from a distance!
Here. If you stay here, you can see the king from here.
Thank you.
Just what are you trying to do, Your Majesty?
Without any help of Ming, we can make our own gunpowder?
That's not possible!
We know how the gunpowder is made.
And the fact that we can't make it in this country.
Is that true?
Open the sulfur storage.
For a very long time, this sulfur storage was empty.
Ming has provided us 10,000 Geun of sulfur in a year.
With that, we couldn't even let the soldiers practice shooting.
But it will be different. Joseon will be able to
import 240,000 Geun of sulfur from a foreign country, every year.
Gwang Hae? How?
You look terrible.
I was checking things at the bottom part of the ship and got wet.
Perhaps, did he...
But the supply of sulfur,
won't make the gunpowderif we don't know
how to mix it with another material, niter.
Now, we'll be able to make it.
The book, Gunpowder Technology,written by Choi Moo Seon,
long ago disappeared,
but now it has reappeared.
Choi Moo Seon's Gunpowder...
Counselor Hong, bring the book.
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This is the book.
The book, about making gunpowder that we had lost for a long time.
Without any help of Ming,
how will Joseon be able to handle it, you asked?
By growing power.
Do you understand?Starting from here,
until we can protect this country with our own strength,
until we can win over the current situation, which is surrounded by Ming and Later Jin,
Joseon will be no longer a small country on the periphery!
Joseon will be the country of the Emperor!
Are you avoiding me now, Court Lady Kim?
You made no noise and startled me.
Why are you acting like this? I'm the one who is really startled.
When His Majesty is doing such a big deed, I had no idea.
Would I have known? He is a difficult person to read.
Not that he excluded me on purpose?
Of course not. If that was the case, why would His Majesty have given the army to you?
- That is...- Because of what His Majesty did, the entire kingdom will be unsettled.
Your responsibility has gotten heavier than any other time.
His Majesty is still at the Bureau of Firearms. Please go there to escort him, My Lord.
I am sure he will be pleased.
She is telling me to serve my master, as if I were a dog.
Look here, Court Lady Kim!
This I Cheom won't be crumbled in the background.
My Lord, it's not the time for you to take the backseat.
You need to add some strength to us.
It's been a long time since I left my post.
That's why you should come back.
His Majesty is shaking the very foundation of our kingdom.
Please join the forces of Yurim and the Southern Faction, My Lord.
My Lord, my thoughts are the same. The King's actions are dangerous.
Lord.
Foolish one! I told you to watch Joo Won to the end.
Forgive me, Lord.
Gather people around for a meeting right now.
Just a moment, My Lord. I need to say something. It's about Counselor Hong.
What's the use now?
However it's something really important that you should know.
You look tired. Have a seat.
I'm sure it was a very long day for you, too.
It's the same for me.
How did you acquire this secret book?
Well, it's a secret. There is no reason for me to tell you.
It's just that while you were at Edo, I didn't just sit around, either.
I've been really busy.
But even if we had the refining method, we would have had to delay our work, if we didn't have sulfur.
You've contributed much. Good work.
Then, I will be heading back to the palace.
I will...
No need to follow me.
It's not like you really want to see me anyway.
Your Majesty, I will escort you.
Were you not interested in sulfur to begin with? Was the Bureau of Firearms just an empty shell?
Why did you use me? What for?!
But even if we had the refining method, we would have had to delay our work, if we didn't have sulfur.
You've contributed much. Good work.
Counselor!
Sir, you need to hurry and go to the sulfur room. There is a huge problem right now!
Why? What's the matter?
Quick. Quick.
What are you doing, guys?! I told you cover them up first!
Hurry and cover them!
Hey, help him over there! Hurry and cover them up.
What happened here?
Steams. That is all steam that came out of the kiln!
- What did you say?- I wasn't focused but
then I thought of that young dude and opened up the kiln, thinking, "What the heck would he know!"
But then, all that steam exploded out!
It must be true. That young kid that you brought in
must know the blast-furnace process!
Where is that person? Talking about that, where is Hwa Yi?
Who is there?
Look here. How many times do I have to say it?
I didn't sneak in but I followed the Counselor in here.
Shut up! You don't have the badge and you couldn't even say the password. So what are you trying to pull?
I'm telling you, that's not the case!
All you have to do is to find Counselor Hong and ask him! Confirm with him.
What are you all doing there?
What's this ruckus? Don't you know that His Majesty is here?
What's going on Minister of Defense?
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Hwa Jeong
I am sure of it. He is the one that I saw in Nagasaki.
In the end, I am standing by HIs Majesty.
At least, the king that this kingdom needs is him.
What is it Gwang Hae. Are you trying to play with me?
Either being dumped by a lady that he loves, or the lady is gone.
No, no!
Could something bad have happened in the palace?
I don't see him. That jerk, Hwa Yi!
Then, I will tell you who I am and where I came from.