High Commander of Left Cholla Naval Station Yi Soon-shin,
receive the royal command!
As of the fifth day of February 1592, I here by command abolishment
of the naval force of Chosun to be absorbed by he army!
Abolish the navy? How could the royal court make such a decision?
Must I recite the royal edict again?
Why abolish an organization that's perfectly good?
That's what I mean!
Perhaps the royal court has forgotten the fact that the navy has been in
existence for 200 years. How could they come to this decision otherwise?
I don't feel the need to answer that question.
Look!
Commander Yi!
That's enough.
We can't let this happen, sir!
Obey the High Commander.
Constable!
We must.
I advise you to get better control of your men.
They take the royal command lightly.
It is tantamount to slighting the King!
My men are proud warriors of the Chosun Navy.
They are His Majesty's faithful servants as well.
Do not doubt their loyalty.
This is another royal edict issued separately to you.
But I see that you're not the only one who should get this edict.
High Commanded Yi Soon-shin, you have committed a grave indiscretion
with the sinking of the Turtle Ship, which causes me to question your
our leadership.
You are to conduct yourself with utmost prudence and restraint.
Your Majesty, I beg you not to abolish the navy.
The royal edict has already been issued.
It would not be wise to transform the army into a navy, transforming
the navy into an army, thereby leaving the seas of Chosun
completely unprotected, is a terribly dangerous move.
I trust Shin Lip. He knows what is best.
He will make Chosun even stronger.
Few words of optimism cannot make the country stronger.
A war cannot be fought with confidence alone.
What do you seek by denigrating a warrior I cherish?
Your Majesty!
Don't abolish the navy? What are you really trying to protect?
This country Chosun or warrior that commands one naval station?
Your Majesty...!
Why is everyone so quiet? Even the High Commander hasn't said a word.
It's the royal command.
Huh? Did I hear you right, Captain Chung? When did you two switch?
I thought Commander Yi was the one who likes royal commands.
And Captain Ghung always fights it even if it comes from the King's grandfather.
Am I wrong?
Commander Kim!
This is not my place to speak, but abolish the navy? That's an outrage!
We worked our hands to the bone for a year getting used to the sea,
and we even had a man die during an artillery training.
And now you're telling me that was all for nothing?
It's a royal command!
I don't give a hoot about royal commands!
How dare you utter such vulgarity referring to the King's command!
It's a messed up command!
What did you say?
Captain Chung!
You can't blame Lt. Song.
I agree. Every last recruit in this naval station knows the importance
of fighting at sea.
But the royal court has hit us with this shocking decision.
How could you blame them for their reaction?
Magistrate Uh, military officers live and die by their commands.
It is wrong for warriors to argue about the commands they are given.
Wait a minute. Are you telling us that you don't care if they
abolish the navy?
Is that what you're saying?
I'm saying that the decision has already been made.
There's nothing we can change by arguing about this!
I hope Yi Soon-shin has learned his lesson.
I doubt that, sir. Fleet to fleet naval warfare, naval alliance,
all that man could talk about was fighting at sea.
He probably still thinks that he is right and the royal court is wrong.
I wonder if abolishing the navy really is the right thing, sir.
I think there're valid reasons why both army and navy was established
and maintained all these years.
A war, my man, is not something you can ponder too much about.
Because you can lose a critical opportunity exploring all angles.
If you must fight, you must make a decision and give it all you've got.
Your greatest asset in a battle is your experience.
And fighting on land is what we know best. Shin Lip, Yi Il and
all the other illustriuos warriors of have developed their strength
and skill through land battles.
There're many variable factors in a battle even when you're doing
what you do best.
Why sweat it trying to do something new?
It's a waste of time and effort.
If they were going to get rid of the navy, why couldn't they do it sooner?
Then Sang-nam would've never had to go trough that torture with
his seasickness.
I know! I suffered all years and finally got used to being at sea!
Yeah. Sang-nam can do headstands on a ship without getting seasick now!
If they don't want a navy, they should've sent us home before putting
us through hell, or they should wait until we've had our chance to beat
the living daylights out of the Japanese first!
Right, Lieutenant?
Be quiet!
Shouldn't you be in training right now? Ensign Yi.
Yes, sir!
Why are you sitting around here?
Well, sir, that's...
Be careful unloading the cannons.
I believe my recruits are scheduled for an onboard artillery and archery training.
But I'm told that you have dismissed them.
Yes, I did.
Captain Chung!
Commander Yi, we're an army now. An army doesn't fight at sea.
Is this how it ends?
Captain Chung is refusing to take the recruits out for training onboard.
Everyone is lost and confused. The recruits have lost their
spirit and the warriors don't know what to do!
Is this how it ends? Are you going to give up on this navy?
Why are you looking at me that way?
Do you think I'm acting out of character?
I don't know why I'm acting like this either.
I've never defied a royal command, and I know it's wrong to do so.
I've never thought twice about obeying it.
But it's different this time. We're not wrong.
His Majesty an the royal court are making a mistake!
What is the High Commander doing?
He hasn't come out of is quarters since the emissary was here!
His Majesty has ordered him to practice restraint.
He must be careful in his actions.
So he's powerless before the royal command.
I thought he was better than this!
Stop this.
Stop this, I said!
Director...
They're abolishing the navy. Didn't you hear?
Once the navy is gone, even those completed galleys will be worthless.
They won't need the Turtle Ship!
No, you're wrong.
Lt. Na!
That's not going to happen! They can't do that!
He said the fate of this country is riding on the completion of the
Turtle Ship.
We can't guarantee the safety of our families if we stop here.
We have got to get it built no matter what.
That's what the high commander said!
Don't you understand? It's all because of the Turtle Ship.
All this is happening because we failed our first try!
I know! You don't have to tell me! I now!
Then stop.
What's the point of building a naval vessel when there won't be a navy?
And what if the royal court gets word of what you're doing?
Do you think they'll leave the High Commander alone for this?
Who's going to take the blame? You?
Yes. I'll take the blame! I'll assume full responsibility!
How? How can you assume responsibility?
I won't fail this time. I won't fail!
They'll see the power of the Turtle Ship!
And they'll never talk about abolishing the navy again!
How long will it take?
Not long, I hope.
Continue your work.
High Commander...
Lt. Song.
Yes, sir.
The command ship crewmen must be terribly disheartened.
Yes, sir. We lost more than half off the oarsmen in the accident,
and now this...
Comfort and encourage oarsmen leader Ma Young-gap.
Commander Yi, supplement oarsmen first from the new recruits.
High Commander!
Would you do that?
Of course, sir!
And the command ship has lost two cannon crew leaders as well, sir.
Cannon crew leaders?
Come! Come! Eat up and cheer up, fellows!
Yes, cheer up.
I don't want you walking around like the world is coming to an end.
Who are we? We're the indomitable armed guards of the navy!
There is a chap in he archery unit who is pretty smart and the boys look up to.
How about making him the leader of the cannon crew?
Who is he?
His name is Chung Dae-man.
We need more soup! The boys are starving out here!
You won't do as much as put a bruise on the water with such small stones.
How do you feel? Physician Jin told me you hurt your ribs.
What's a few broken ribs when all those boys lost their lives?
Yeah, I know. I can imagine your pain.
How could anyone tell you to get out there again after what you've been through?
For you and your oarsmen, it's a good thing that they're
abolishing the navy. Right?
What do you mean? Why is it a good thing for me?
What do I have to be happy about if they abolish the navy?
Do you know what I didn't kill Na Dae-yong after he got my boys killed?
It's painful and it's unfair, but that's part of being a naval officer
... of being an oarsmen. It comes with the territory.
That's why I didn't kill him. Dying at sea, whether it's in a battle or
an accident, it's our fate as sailors of the navy.
Young-gap...
And what did you say? It's a good thing that they're abolishing the navy?
You think I'm happy about it? What are you talking bout?
If they abolis the navy, all those boys would have died for nothing!
I'm so proud of you! I'm so proud!
You're going to get your crew supplemented tomorrow.
You just think about making them the fastest oarsmen there is.
Lieutenant...!
We are the navy no matter what anyone says.
Those are the words of the High Commander.
What? Continue the training?
I put all of my reconnaissance crafts are out there already
with an order to explore every inch of the ocean!
The High Commander is out of his mind.
General Shin Lip and Yi Il, and even the High Commander Won Kyun say that
he is wrong. It's not just the opinion of the royal court, but
the opinions of the most highly regarded warriors of Chosun!
He should do what he's told and just stay quiet right now.
Who can blame the royal court for renouncing him?
Who says they're renouncing him?
He's simply been ordered good behavior!
Yes, but you know what will come next.
That's what the special military inspectors Shin Lip and Yi Il wants.
I'm sure that's what High Commander Won Kyun wants as well.
You know, the man who adores you like his own son?
Commander Kim!
What?
Something stinks...
Where is Captain Chung going in such a hurry?
I've always known that he was a testy old chum, but I didn't know
that he was a squealer too. He's even sneakier than I am!
He's digging his own grave!
I'll send a messenger to the capital at once.
I can't stand to watch Yi Soon-shin's despicable acts anymore.
Get ready to take his place.
The Left Cholla Navy is as good as yours now.
My lord, the Left Minister has arrived.
Yes, please see him in.
Welcome, Minister Yu.
Have you been well, Minister Yoon?
Please come and sit down.
Chung-hyang, what are you waiting for? You must pour him some wine.
Pour it to the rim.
My lord...
No, not tonight.
Why not?
Are you going to the palace to seek His Majesty's audience again tonight?
I heard you haven't skipped a day since he ordered the navy abolished.
You had formerly asked me to join hands with you.
I came here to give you an answer tonight.
I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to answer where the question
was asked.
How about having a talk with Yi Soon-shin?
I'm told he is struggling to maintain the navy despite the royal command.
That is the kind of man he is.
It sounds like you're praising a criminal who defied a royal command.
Lord Yoon...
I've always been waiting, Left Minister,
ready to warm your cold hands.
But if you must protect a criminal who continues to cause the King
anxiety and distress, I may not want to offer my hands to you.
If the master has lost his way, it is the duty of the servant to
guide him into the right direction even if you must risk your life.
And I do not wish to join hands with whom that are not prepared to do so.
Bear in mind.
If you don't control that insolent man Yi Soon-shin, he will get hurt.
Did you hear something?
It's an amazing improvement!
It's good to see you, sir.
Oh dear, you mustn't be so rough with Constable Kwon.
He is the man you will be answering to from now on.
Forgive me, sir.
What do you think? Are you pleased with their fighting skills?
Sir...
Drink.
Were you frightened?
A little...
I thought long and hard.
We need a group of specially trained men who will carry out reconnaissance
missions, gather information about the enemy and perhaps infiltrate deep
into the enemy camp and execute raids, but how do we train them?
I struggled a long time.
Sir...
Nalbal worked very hard getting these men into shape.
They have improved markedly.
They broke through the tight security of the base
and captured a military commander in less than half an hour.
I think they're ready for you.
Put them to valuable use and learn all you can about the enemy.
Each of those men has his own tragic story. I hope you won't forget to
comfort them as well. Do you think you can do that?
Sir...
Take good care of them.
What are you thinking right now, sir? By chance...?
What should a military leader be thinking about day and night?
Only thing that's on my mind is protecting the country.
Are you busy?
Constable, I was doing the budget for the new Turtle Ship.
How about having a drink with me?
A drink? With you, sir?
You're already here.
Welcome, Constable Kwon.
Having a drink with Constable Kwon more difficult than a frog growing
a beard! The sun will rise from the west!
That's what I said.
So, what did you want to discuss?
The high commander has ordered us to continue the training when they
are abolishing the navy, so he must be frustrated. Am I correct?
Defying a royal command with a military force behind him could
be considered high treason.
Pardon? High treason?!
It looks like there is no turning back for the High Commander.
Then he will not be able to avoid death.
Sir, why won't you listen to me? Captain Chung has been going to
the Right Kyung-sang Naval Station like it's his own living room!
Captain Chung has always been fond of High Commander Won.
You're missing the point, sir!
He's going there to squeal about us resuming our training!
That's all right.
What do you mean that's all rights?
He's out to get you and all of us in big trouble, sir!
You have to call him in and cut his head off! If you can't do it, I'll...
Is it wrong for our recruits to be training?
Sir...!
Why do we have to hide it?
But the royal command...
If I wanted to hide it, I wouldn't have started in the first place.
Sir...!
Have a seat.
Sit.
How long have you been assisting me now? A year?
You worked very hard. It was very reassuring to have you next to me.
Lt. Song, you're a natural motivator.
The Left Cholla Navy will charge into the front to the beat of your drum.
A military drummer must psych up the soldiers, but he himself must
never lose his calm.
Through the raining arrows and bullets, you must not stop beating that drum.
Practice self control.
Never draw your sword against your own.
Draw your sword only against your enemy. Do you understand?
Yes, I understand, sir.
Constable of Soon-chun Kwon Joon...
He is clearly resourceful and well-informed in the art of war.
He is also a man of virtue who is fit to command this navy.
Commander of Bang-dap Yi Soon-shin, a fastidious man who values rules
and principles. As long as he is here, the left Cholla Naval Station
will have no financial worries.
Commander of Nak-an Shin Ho... He is the most virtuous leader
in the station.
Young recruits look up to him like a father.
He is the stabling force in the station.
Commander of Sado Kim Wan... He is a man of wit unlike the others.
He may appear to take things as they come, but in truth he is a man of
great forethought and discretion.
He will take care of the reconnaissance and communication.
Magistrate of Kwang-yang Uh Young-dam...
He has unique love for the people. His incredible knowledge about the
ocean will protect the Left Cholla Navy on the water and lead them to
victory against the enemy.
Captain Chung Oon of Nok-do... He is the est storming party
commander of the station. And he is a man under my command.
My good men will protect the seas of Chosun from the enemy...
If we lose the sea to the enemy, we will lose the country.
Who will protect the sea if not the navy?
I must stop the abolishment of the navy at all cost
even if everyone is against me, even if I lose my life...
My men will stand up and protect the sea of Chosun without me.
Don't you need some company for the road, sir?
We will go with you, High Commander.
You are the only man who can command this navy, sir.
It looks like we will have to fight this battle first before we fight
the enemy from across the sea.
Let us be with you to the death, High Commander.
What's the meaning of this?
Captain Chung!
High Commander do you know what you're doing right now?
Do you think they'll let you live after defying order of the King?
And what are all of you doing?
Are you jumping on the bandwagon on this incredibly foolish quest?
Join us, Captain Chung!
If we die we will die together, and if we live we will live together!
No, I can't do that. For a soldier, disobedience is death!
Who says we're going to let that happen?
How can you be so dense?
If we don't fight right now and save the navy, I assure you, we will die.
And not just us but the people will die too!
Isn't that why we worked our hands to the bone for the last twelve months?
Yes! That's right!
How dare you!
Shout our mouth and get out of here right now!
We can't do that, sir!
No way!
We will come with you, High Commander.
To the Capital or to hell, we'll go with you.
You're not the only soldier of the Left Cholla Navy, sir.
We all are!
I accept your spirit to heart entirely.
But you must remain here and protect the sea.
That is the right way to be one with me.
Sir!
I leave the sea of Chosun in your hands.
I'm counting on you.
Atten-hut!
Salute!
Soldiers of Great Japan! Rise!
It is time to march to the enemy line!
The unification of the world is in your hands!
The blood of Chosun will be the first offering to the gods
on the alter of sacrifice for the Asian conquest!
Brave warriors of Japan, on this first day of March 1592, you will
Advance to Chosun in the name of the Taiko!
And you will bring Chosun and Ming under the feet of Japan!
For the victorious, Chosun will be their fief, and for those defeated.
Chosun will be their graves. Fight to the final moment and win!
What! As if leaving his base and coming to the capital against orders
is no enough, the High Commander of Left Cholla Navy Yi Soon-shin
is causing a stir in the royal palace?
A warrior's place is at the front!
How dare become to the palace and cause this disgraceful commotion?
He is seeks your audience alone, Your Majesty.
What? What did you say?
Yi Soon-shin! How dare you enter the palace armed with a sword and
cause this disturbance?
Requesting audience with His Majesty armed with a sword?
What could you possibly thinking?
You would draw your sword against the King?
Your Majesty, I cannot abide by your command to abolish the navy.
One lowly warrior dares to defy the King's command?
I beg you to withdraw the command. Otherwise, I will make this my grave.
How dare you make threats to His Majesty the King!
Your Majesty, if you must abolish the navy, strike me first with this sword!
We will be surrendering our ocean to the enemy if we abolish the navy,
and if we surrender our ocean, we will be surrendering the country!
Let me protect the southern coast.
I will protect this country with my own hands!
You are to fight according to my orders.
Protect the country by defying my orders and slighting the King?
What is left of Chosun to protect if you step all over the King?
Leave at once! I will not withdraw my command!
Very well. Then do abolish the navy, Your Majesty.
But not today.
As long as I am alive, the enemy will not dare seek to take our sea.
And the Left Cholla Navy will be defeated not once against them!
So if you must abolish the navy, I beg you to abolish it on the
day that the navy fails you!
You're confident that you will not be defeated once against the enemy?
Excelent. Those are words I've always wanted to hear.
I even dream of such.
But you will fight under my terms, not yours.
Fight as an army and win!
It's impossible, Your Majesty!
Do not discuss this again.
No, Your Majesty! It is for the safety of the country!
Please, please withdraw your command!
Leave!
If you continue your attempt to break my will, will punish you for treason!
I will gladly accept any punishment if you withdraw your command.
I will end my life here if that is what you wish!
You are continue your attempt to break me?
Must I take your life with my own hands before you submit?
Very well. Consider your wish granted!