Subtitles by DramaFever
[Northern border of Joseon]
Episode 8
[Sulfur mine in Nagasaki]
You idiot! What did I tell you?
I told you to be on alert!
I told you that the mountain would blow up!
Hwa Yi! Goo Bok!
Bastard, I almost died because of you!
Hey! Wake up!
Hey! Wake up! Hey! Hey!
Water, water! Water! Water!
Now I feel like I'm alive.
- Hey, are you all right? - What do you think?
I dragged out a pig!
I thought my back would break!
Hwa Yi, thank you so much.
If it wasn't for you, I'd have gone to the afterlife.
If you're going to go, go alone. Why did you hold on to my leg?
What was I supposed to do? I couldn't see anything...
and I had to live, too.
What about me? Then what about me? How long do I have to take care of you?
Sorry, sorry, sorry!
- I'll give up my food for you once. - Just once?
That's how much your life is worth?
Twice, twice! Three, three, three times!
Hey hey, that's enough. You'll kill him.
Fine. Five times.
What?
It's for you to lose weight. I'm not stealing away your food!
What will you do about this?
Yes, I know that. Thanks.
Anyway... what about the other side?
Follow me. Boss is looking for you.
Hwa Yi!
It's fine. I don't see a problem with the kiln.
- Really? - Yes.
But the sulfur here is a problem.
Impurities got in, so we need to reforge it.
This much? All of it?
All 300 geun, exactly.
What about the trade today, Boss?
Damn it!
The smuggling deal is set for today. We don't even have an hour left!
Where will I get 300 geun of the best quality sulfur right now?
Those bastards!
They have the scariest look.
If they find out that they came all the way here for nothing
they won't be happy.
True, their eyes were something else. And they seem to know how to use swords.
Punk, are you making fun of me?
Boss, are we a wall screen?
If they take out their swords, we can also...
What swords... You've never taken it out except to clean it.
- What's that? - Sorry.
I forgot that you understand a lot of Joseon language.
- This bastard... - Enough!
Do we have time for this?
Come up with a solution!
- Maruno. - What?
The merchant that you will deal with today...
He's from Joseon, right? The one who came three months ago.
Yes. Why?
Then... I don't think it's impossible.
What?
Hey, do you really think this will work?
What else can you do? Do you have a better idea?
Boss! Over there!
Welcome. How was your way journey?
Don't even start.
Wind has jumped around for days, so my butt was on fire.
We had to avoid strong winds, but the sea was rough.
I can't do this anymore.
You're going to quit? How am I supposed to make a living then?
That's enough. Let's hurry.
If you get caught by soldiers, your head will go missing.
Yes, that's right.
What about the goods?
Of course we have it ready.
Can I take a look?
Open it.
What?
Just give this to them?
Hey, have you lost your mind?
Sulfur that's not forged right is no better than a rock!
I know that. I do!
Hwa Yi, smuggling sulfur is something gangsters do with their lives on the line.
Do you think they'll stay quiet after receiving this?
Yes, I know it's nonsense, but just trust me this time.
Please!
It's the best quality. You don't even need to look.
You know that already.
Still, I need to check.
This is the best quality?
That's enough.
We don't have time to linger.
Yes, sir.
We'll take everything.
As we promised, here is 30 nyang of silver coins.
- Count them. - What are you saying?
It's not our first trade. I'm sure it's correct.
What's the big deal if it's a little off?
Hey, what are you doing? Hurry up and move them!
I was so nervous!
I almost peed in my pants.
Idiots...
Now I know that those mean eyes are actually blind.
If I knew this before, I'd have gone easy on the deal.
By the way, how did you know?
How did you know that they didn't know?
It was a little odd to begin with.
They didn't seem to know much about sulfur.
What?
The merchant tries to mimic the motions
but he doesn't know what to look for with sulfur.
What's good quality and bad quality...
Besides, that man...
The one that the merchant was calling 'sir'...
He wasn't interested in sulfur at all.
Hey, but does it make sense?
For someone who's not interested in sulfur, why risk his life to smuggle it?
That's what I mean.
Why would they do that...
Sir...
should we do the same today?
- It's a bit of waste. - You talk too much.
Did you forget your job?
No, sir.
This should be enough to pay for your trip.
Yes, sir.
Take care of everything we bought from other places, too.
Yes, sir.
- Gather, everyone! - Yes!
Sir...
Then he's at least a government official.
- What are you looking for again? - You scared me!
What is it?
It's not that...
Maruno is talking inside right now...
He's going to Edo (current Tokyo) in a month to get a big deal!
- What? Edo? - Yes!
Didn't you hear earlier? The merchant said so.
Envoys are coming from Joseon soon!
Did you say 'envoys'?
- From Joseon? - Yes!
Make sure to get ready so we won't have any issues.
When the envoys come, interpreters and merchants will also come.
We won't be just hovering around here.
- We'll make it big! - Yes, Boss.
Envoys?
Envoys from Joseon?
[Hwagidogam: Weaponry Bureau]
Sir! Sir! Where is Councilor?
Is Councilor here?
Sir! Sir!
Lord Hong? Lord Hong?
Councilor Hong!
Where is he?
We only have 200 geun of sulfur left.
And it's low quality.
Ming gives Joseon the smallest amount possible.
We bought the rest from a smuggler who deals with Japan...
And for whatever reason, you can't get that anymore?
I'm about to go crazy!
It was so bad that I lost all my hair in a few months.
How about niter?
[Jang Bong Soo] We do still have enough left.
Because we have strict management on niter storage.
What are you saying about the sulfur?
Are you saying that we were lax in our management?
In a country where there is no sulfur, all we have is what Ming throws at us.
Is niter any different?
It's all the same.
Still, you can produce bad quality niter somehow at the bureau.
Conditions for sulfur are different...
Both of you, calm down.
First, for the gunpowder demo today, we need...
Sir! Councilor Hong! You should get over there now!
There is a big commotion inside the bureau right now...
Hurry!
You still won't step aside?
Do you think the busy Minister of Protocol came here to play around?
Since it's an important day
he came to see if there would be any issues with the gunpowder demo!
But no one is allowed without a permit.
We need a royal order for anyone to come here.
What?
[Lee Choong] Minister of Protocol's visit means the royal order!
How dare you block his path!
Let go of him.
Do you have an entrance permit?
What?
Let go of him.
If you don't have a permit or a royal order
this soldier is right.
For security reasons, outsiders cannot enter the Weaponry Bureau.
'Outsiders'?
Don't you know... who this man is?
Don't you know his name?
What a surprise.
You don't even know your boss's name? Is that why you're asking me?
Should I check on it and let you know?
That that that....
What family are you from?
Do you think you have royal blood?
Can't you hear me? How dare you!
Hong... Joo Won.
You must be Councilor Hong.
You're the eldest son of the former police chief Hong Young.
Even after you passed the state exam with top marks
you declined important posts and sought to work at the weaponry bureau.
Am I wrong?
Yes, that's right.
Minister of Protocol.
What's this? Even when you knew him...
That's enough. You don't need to say anymore.
Let's just get going now.
He's strict, so he must be good at his job.
I'll remember you.
Sir, how can you... to Lord Lee Yi Cheom...
Is he going to keep an eye on you now?
Who knows.
I've been keeping my eye on Minister of Protocol for a long time.
Pardon? What?
Let's move. We have a long way to go today.
Sir, sir!
Lord Hong is so cool...
Well, the way I look at it, he's going a little too far.
What do you mean?
The man he just messed with could order a bird in the sky to land.
He shouldn't go too far.
That's why he's cool!
To the powerful, 'who the heck are you?' That audacity!
What a load of nonsense.
If he looks cool in your eyes, so what? What could you do about it?
Sister!
- What the heck did you do? - It's fine.
Who are you touching?
Don't look up a tree you can't climb. Just come back to the kitchen.
They're shooting or exploding fireworks...
So we have to move up lunch time by two hours!
That beak! This little kid!
Hurry back!
So annoying!
Be careful! Hurry up!
His Majesty has arrived!
Your Majesty!
Fire!
So what's next?
We have a cannonball that uses gunpowder produced at the Bureau.
You may begin.
Sire!
It is truly grand, magnificent, and splendid!
This is enough to go against the Empire, sire.
At this point, Ming or Later Jin can't look down on us.
A country's power comes from its firepower!
What do you think, Lord Kim?
[Kim Ryu] It's magnificent.
That's already been said...
Then what about you?
[Lee Gwi] It's...
even if we compare it to the fire power of Ming...
My, my...
I think that's also already been said.
You told me that I only know how to play with fire and I'm lazy with my study.
It must be that you're as lazy as I am.
How can you fall so behind on your rhetoric?
Talking is your best skill.
Isn't that right?
Now, should I do what I'm good at?
Sire!
A cannonball and now even fireworks?
He's clearly showing off!
Gunpowder?
Ming takes care of us and gives it to us.
Why does he have to make his own?
But at this point, does it mean that the weaponry bureau is worthwhile?
I'm worried.
If Ming finds out about this, they'll be very displeased.
But I do understand His Majesty's move.
Nurhaci of the Later Jin Dynasty is getting stronger day by day
and he's attacking our people in the border area.
We don't know when a war will sweep this country again.
No, that's why it's wrong.
To be prepared against Later Jin, we should cooperate more with Ming!
We shouldn't get on their nerves!
Your face is full of annoyance...
Lighten up.
Well, to use so much of the precious gunpowder in the sky like that...
You must be so annoyed with me.
Right?
Yes, that's right.
Do you even know the situation at the border area?
What is the situation there?
The whole city was loud all day.
We should be understanding.
The king should do at least that much to keep his head up.
[Lady Yoon (Kang Joo Seon's wife)] Thanks to him, we had fun.
Please go inside. Do Ha is back.
Sulfur is a main ingredient, with niter, in producing gunpowder.
But we still can't produce either of them in Joseon.
You're so kind.
Are you teaching me in case I don't know?
I'm reporting the current situation!
Since that's my job.
Fine, continue.
You ordered me to inspect the border area.
Border towns are falling apart from repeated attacks from Later Jin.
Attacks from Later Jin happen all the time...
but the soldiers at the border have only empty muskets without bullets.
Do you understand?
Forget about battles. We don't even have bullets for training!
However... we need that kind of show to maintain the bureau.
But fireworks?
With that gunpowder, we could've protected a border town!
'Sire.'
You always drop that word.
'Sire'...
I guess you don't want to call me 'sire' when I'm not even qualified.
You're not a king!
Someone like you doesn't have a right to be sitting there!
Did you think I forgot?
That cheeky attitude!
So...
Why are you keeping me by your side despite that?
I... still have the same thoughts.
That's exactly why.
Enough to endure someone who's not even qualified to be a king...
you know how desperately we need gunpowder in this country.
So... there won't be anything that you can't do.
Whatever it is, gladly, right?
Whatever it is.
Isn't that right?
What?
Where are you going?
Edo. I'm coming with you to Edo.
Hey, are you out of your mind? How can you possibly go there?
Why can't I go?
Don't you need me?
You said you'd go after big shots and get rich this time.
- Hwa Yi. - Fine, fine...
It's good for me to have you, too. Since your brain works!
But how will you cross the checkpoint?
You're a girl!
A girl can't get into Edo without government permission!
I look like this, who's going to look at me as a girl?
Goo Bok!
- Do you see me as a girl? - Huh?
- It's not that... - You...
You look like a girl. More than enough.
Ja Gyung!
Maruno, she can't go.
Don't try to do something useless.
Hey!
What's wrong with you? Can't you help me a little?
Are you really crazy?
Women can't go to other places in this country.
You need a permit from the government!
You're a girl, and even worse, you're a slave.
How will you get there?
I've been fine disguised as a guy. It's not a problem!
What if you get caught? Your head will fly off on the spot.
I know! I know that too!
You do know... but you're still going?
Why?
Are you...
Is it because of the envoys coming from Joseon?
In case there is a way to go back to Joseon?
Yes. So you can't stop me.
Even if I get caught and killed in Hakone
I'm going. I am.
Hwa Yi...
[Gyeongun Palace]
Ma'am, why did you wake up so early?
I had a dream.
I saw that child, the dead princess.
Pardon?
She's grown.
I almost didn't recognize her.
Is she still pretty?
Of course, she must be.
Ma'am... have some water.
Ma'am...
Goodness!
Ma'am! Are you all right? Ma'am...
Did you just say you'll send Hong to Edo?
You'll let him take charge of it?
Yes.
Sire, the fate of this country and Your Majesty depends on this.
But he is the child of Hong Young who turned his back after Haneum's death.
- And he is against you... - Is there anyone I can't use?
I even held the hands of those who killed my father.
I'll use anyone I need. Emotions don't mean anything.
Didn't you say you'd give me tea?
Yes.
Give Councilor Hong what he needs. He'll understand the reason eventually.
I'll prepare as you ordered.
What did you just say?
I told you to fill up this sulfur storage.
Go to Japan and get it yourself.
Do a smuggling deal.
What?
But smuggling is against the law.
Right, the law.
I can just change that.
Have we ever bought sulfur out in the open?
But I hear sulfur is not coming in anymore.
As if someone is stealing it in the middle.
So do we have a choice? We have to go there and get it ourselves.
It's different from small deals done in Joseon.
If it's found that the king of Joseon
participated in a smuggling deal in Japan...
it will bring on diplomatic conflicts that can't be undone.
Diplomatic conficts...
It's simple. Then...
just don't get caught.
Enough to endure me, who is not even qualified to be a king...
you know how desperately we need gunpowder in this country.
So... there won't be anything that you can't do.
Whatever it is, gladly, right?
Whatever it is.
[Hakone Checkpoint]
Stop!
It's really scary, isn't it?
[- No passing without permit. - Death penalty if caught.]
[- More strict inspection on women.]
We brought sulfur.
We received the identification card in Nagasaki.
We're a party of five.
Five people and one cart.
Take them with you.
Boss, we need to send that girl away now.
She might even put you in danger.
What's dangerous?
If it becomes a problem, we abandon her.
No one else's brain works like Hwa Yi when it comes to deals.
As long as we can pass the checkpoint without a problem
it works for me.
What about Hwa Yi?
Maruno!
My pass.
If things go wrong, I don't know you.
You know that, right?
Don't worry. I won't ask you to die with me.
That old witch is Old Maid Hitomi.
She picks out the girls disguised as guys. She looks evil, doesn't she?
She's been doing this her whole life...
- Are you really going to be all right? - It's not too late yet.
You should go back now.
So that you can go sightseeing in Edo alone?
I won't.
Hey, even if you go to Edo...
Wait. Catch her.
No! No! Please spare me!
My husband is in Edo! Please spare me!
My goodness! She got caught by that woman!
If that happens, you'll be punished right away.
You know that, right?
I do.
Go.
- Hwa Yi... - You can't hear me?
I'll follow you, so go ahead!
What are you doing? Move along!
Next!
Hwa Yi can make it, right?
Good to go.
Wait a minute.
Why, why, why?
Why?
He said I could go just now.
You're a girl, right?
Catch her!
Let go! Let go!
Let go!
Hwa Yi!
Move aside!
- Undress her! - Stop! Stop!
- Stop! - Hwa Yi!
Stop!
Hwa Yi!
Step aside!
Envoys from Joseon have arrived!
They came sooner than expected.
Let everyone go and make a path!
But we have to check everyone... and we have a problem now...
Be prepared to greet the envoys!
Did you forget the order from the general?
You want to show them this mess?
Let them go!
Let them go! Hurry up and let them go!
- Make a path! - Hurry up!
You can go, too!
Hurry up!
Hwa Yi...
Envoys!
[Edo]
First, look into the thing I told you about.
Yes, sir.
Sir, Lord Kang Joo Seon is looking for you.
- Do you have available rooms? - Yes we do.
It looks expensive.
- Do you have rooms? - We have two. Please come in.
Wait, wait!
- We came first. Two? - Yes, two.
Welcome!
Great! Great!
Seriously... something's different about Edo, right?
Did you see the people on the street on the way here?
They smell like flowers!
Shut up and unpack.
I've never even seen Hanyang when I was in Joseon.
It's amazing.
Are you all right? You must've had a big scare in Hakone.
Hey, it's no big deal.
I've gone through rough stuff more than a couple of times.
So why do you look so out of it?
Did something happen?
No, it's nothing.
[Pass]
What are you doing here?
Go out there and find work to move sulfur.
Make enough money to get food!
Yes, I'm going out.
So hungry!
Hey, Hwa Yi.
Don't try to pull a useless trick.
What?
I knew what you had in mind when you followed us here.
You'd better give up.
That pass won't even get you out of Edo, much less into Joseon.
So just stay put and make sure to do your job right.
Or with that pretty face
try seducing a foolish merchant from Joseon?
Let go!
Bastard.
Hwa Yi!
Hwa Yi.
Hey!
That bastard is right.
Even if you can get out somehow, there is no way to get to Joseon.
How will you cross that sea?
Nagasaki and Edo are the same.
No, they're different.
People from Joseon are here now.
Don't you remember?
You asked me if I came from a pretty well-off family in Joseon.
Yes, you're right.
My father was a butler of a rich nobleman's house.
Someone from the envoy may be able to help me.
If all of them didn't die back then...
maybe, just someone!
Why do you just touch your lips? Why don't you have more?
We're in a foreign country.
I shouldn't get drunk.
Kid...
What is this? Should I be embarrassed for having suggested a drink?
You're showing off for being a government official.
Not at all.
It's a joke. You already know.
All right, let's forget the drink then.
Let's go for a walk.
To be able to work with you in the government...
I am happy.
I knew you'd definitely contribute to the country.
You're too kind, sir.
I wish your father would understand you now.
Are you still away from home and you haven't seen your father?
Yes.
He's too upright.
Even if he gave up his post because he's against the king
why is it necessary to turn away from you?
He can't forgive that I volunteered to work at the weaponry bureau.
Since my father is also against that policy...
Yes, that was also a surprise to me.
Not anyone else, but you...
I didn't know you'd become so close to the king.
'Close to him'?
How can a lowly councilor like me...
That's not possible.
You're flustered. This is also a joke.
This kid... You took after your father so you don't know how to take a joke.
Sir.
A guard is looking for you, sir.
I see.
- Excuse me... - Yes, go ahead.
I took too much time out of your busy schedule.
- Sir. - Did you look into it?
Yes.
What are you trying to do, King?
Putting that young one in front...
Hurry up and deliver this.
Yes!
I need to go out for a while.
This is Idachi, who has a monopoly on sulfur that comes to Edo.
Not just in Edo
but most of the sulfur that gets sold to Ming goes through this man.
Did you find someone who can connect me to Idachi?
I did find someone...
but it means betting a life.
I sent a message to someone to meet us here...
but he's not here yet.
- I'm sorry. - What are you doing?
I'm sorry. I got drunk...
That's enough. Focus on your duty as an envoy.
- We're in a foreign land. - Yes, sir.
Thank you. Thank you.
You're right. They are from Joseon.
But I don't think they're merchants.
They look like they're envoy officials.
Officials?
- Are you sure? - Yes.
The way they speak, mentioning 'envoys,' and how they're dressed, too.
Hey, don't we need to find a merchant?
Should we leave now?
No, wait.
- Check the surrounding area. - Yes, sir.
Thank you!
Welcome!
How long has it been since the appointed meeting time?
About two hours...
He's not coming.
Let's leave now.
We have no time to be sitting here and waiting.
What will you do, sir?
We need to find another solution.
Yes.
Excuse me.
What the?
You're just going to leave?
What's going on? I'm sorry.
Big trouble!
What? A Joseon man?
When you bump into someone, lower your head!
You were just going to leave?
Look...
I already apologized to you.
I'm sorry.
But to stop us over something like this doesn't seem right either.
Could you step aside now?
What? This bastard!
Now now, Brother!
Please calm down!
This Joseon guy doesn't know anything!
He should be begging for forgiveness.
- Step back. - Who are you?
Who the heck are you? Do you know who they are?
- Do you know the Joseon language? - Step back!
That's enough! We're in a foreign country!
- Get all of them! - Yes!
Why are you standing there? Run!
Who the heck were they?
Didn't you see their foreheads?
It means they're serious criminals in this country.
Every time they commit a crime, they get a line on the forehead.
If that guy earlier commits one more crime
a dot on the forehead would make him a dog!
You didn't even check on such customs when you came to a foreign country?
Over there!
Stop!
You, that way! You, follow me this way!
Damn, we have no place to hide!
Let's go that way!
What's this?
They're monks in practice.
I read this tradition happened around this time in Edo.
Over there!
- What about Councilor Hong? - He's safe.
- Go find him. We can't miss him! - Yes, sir!
Good, no one's following us.
I thought I was going to die.
What nasty men...
Since you're from Joseon, you don't run very well.
Thanks anyway. My thanks to you, although it's late.
Don't worry about that.
By the way, are you from Joseon?
Me?
Well, I am...
but right now, I'm a slave in a foreign country.
Did you say, 'a slave'?
I don't live in Edo.
I work in a sulfur mine in Nagasaki.
I followed the mine owner for business.
By the way, you look like an envoy from Joseon.
The way you're dressed and the way you speak...
This is also karma, so let's exchange names.
I am Hwa Yi.
Since you're a man of high position, maybe you won't do that with me.
No, we have no reason to separate classes between Joseon people.
And you helped me when I was in trouble, so that's not right.
Then what is your name?
You don't look like an interpreter or a merchant...
You look like a government official.
Hong Joo Won.
I am Hong Joo Won, working at the weaponry bureau of Joseon.
Subtitles by DramaFever
[Hwajung]
Just let me meet with Idachi. How about it? Can you make it happen?
Make sure not to fail. And don't die.
The safety of Joseon and the king depended on this.
The country and the king depended on this?
I guess that's important to you.
If you get arrested, it is solely from my order.
I put a tail on Hong.
Grace. Remember that word.
I might be asking for a very difficult favor.
What should we do, sir?
It should get noisy.
What's going on?
We got caught!
No matter what happens, I have to go to Joseon.
So make it out alive and save me!