Episode 12
Are you prepared to die?
You bastard!
Don't stop, sir.
Harm will come to you if I'm left alive.
Strike me.
Aren't you afraid of death?
I am afraid.
But you are the pillar of this country.
I am a lowly, uneducated man,
but it frightens me more to think that
I could put the country in danger by bringing you harm.
Now strike and end my life.
You and I will get old and die someday.
Someone will have to protect and
lead Goguryeo when we are gone.
But who?
Our mild-mannered King?
The self-seeking lords of the royal court?
Or do you have your sons in mind to lead this country?
This is my reason.
All I want is for another great man like Yeon Gaesomun
to follow your path and protect this country!
Do you believe that imperial energy of the stars alone
can protect this country?
I know little about the stars.
But if this child was sent to us by Heavens,
isn't that enough?
He was sent to us to fill our shoes
when you and I are dead and gone.
To protect our country Goguryeo!
Leave Pyongyang at once.
If you stay here,
you can only live as Gaedong for the rest of your life.
If you want to break off the yoke that restrains you,
leave Pyongyang and go to a bigger place.
Sir... ! But remember this.
If you wish to reclaim the name Dae Joyoung,
you will have to stun me and the world.
You will not be Dae Joyoung
until I acknowledge that you are.
Sir... !
I'm letting Gaedong go free. What do you mean, Father?
Let him go free?
We will leave it at that.
I will hear no more about it. Father!
I said I will hear no more about it!
We can't let Gaedong go free.
If Bu Kiwon should find out about this,
it will come back to haunt my father.
But,
His Eminence doesn't want the boy dead.
Let Gaedong go for now.
Follow him.
And when he's out of the city, we will kill him.
Do you understand? Yes, sir.
We never thought you'd get out of there alive.
God is watching over you.
It's Heaven's will!
Have you decide where to go?
If you have nowhere to go,
we can look into it for you.
No. sir.
I've already decided my destination.
Where would that be?
To General Dae Jungsang in Goryeo fort.
It is rumored that Tang China is about
to start a war.
The road to Goryeo Fort will be terribly dengerous.
Go to Ansi Castle instead.
You will be better off staying with General Yang Manchun.
I have caused enough trouble for everyone.
There is no doubt my presence will
cause General Yang great harm as well.
I was told there was a vast and boundless land beyond Goryeo Fort.
I would like to see Great Wall and China for my self.
You probably want to meet General
Dae Jungsang more than anything.
I suppose danger will be everywhere
if there is a war.
It's only right that you should seek your father.
It will soon be morning.
You should pack your things.
Did you pack the map to Goryeo Fort? Yes.
I don't know how to thank you for everything, master.
You don't need to thank me.
Be careful.
We will see each other again someday.
Let's go!
Are you sure?
I saw them going after Gaedong with my own eyes!
You mean Namseng is trying to kill Gaedong?
I'm sure of it.
I'll go after them and try to stop them.
Report this to the Supreme Commander.
The Supreme Commander?
He's only one who can stop Namseng.
There is no time. Go!
My father took pity on you,
but I can't let you go free.
Don't take this personally.
Protecting my father is protecting this country.
If you had died when you were supposed to,
it wouldn't have come to this...
Master!
What is the meaning of this?
His Excellency's orders were to let Gaedong go.
Stay out of this!
I'm carrying out the Supreme Commander's order.
What? My father's order? Yes.
His Excellency knows what you are doing.
How could my father know?
I see. You must have squealed.
Gom Mojam, how dare you!
Get out of here. Now!
Master...
Go!
You should go back now.
Gaedong is gone,
so His Excellency will not reprimand you about this.
Go after Gaedong.
Go after him and kill him!
Yes, sir! Come!
Are you going to defy your father's order?
Sir!
If I survive my father's reprimand,
I will not forget this.
Gom Mojam...
I will remember your arrogant stare.
Stop!
You reckless fool!
How could you take my word so lightly?
How dare you defy your father!
You are my eldest son!
I was only trying to protect you, father.
Silence!
If I let him go,
it's because there is a reason to let him go.
How dare you go above my head run wild!
Heuk Sudol, Your Excellency. Enter!
What happened?
Did you capture Gaedong?
Did you kill Gaedong?
We. . we lost him.
You lost him?
Is this the truth? Yes, sir.
He jumped off a cliff and...
A cliff?
Did you look for a body?
We searched below the cliff,
but. . my guess is he got away alive.
You may leave.
Namseng,
you will succeed me
as the Supreme Commander of Goguryeo someday.
It makes no sense that you would defy your father
to go after a lowly serf.
Tang chinese have assembled
a massive army in Yingzhou.
Soon there will be a war.
And you will have important work to do in this war.
I need you to be prepared. Do you understand?
Yes, father.
Yangzhou, Yang Military Base
Get out of my way! Aweless bastards!
What are you doing here in Yingzhou?
What am I doing here?
A military general is attending a strategy meeting.
Is there something wrong with that?
Such crude ignorance!
All of you, this is low.
Did you think that I wouldn't find you
If you coome to Yingzhou without me? That's enough!
What are you waiting for?
Get him out of here!
Let go. Let go of me!
Get away, you aweless bastards!
I know you don't like me no, no,
you think I'm less than dirt.
But I axpect you to differentiate between official and private affairs.
I want to know the real reason
why you're leaving me out.
You are not a warrior.
What do you mean, chancellor?
Then what am I? A scholar?
A true warrior would never ride
an the Empress coattails!
Have any of you ever said
a word of kindness to me?
The Empress is the only one who has ever been kind to me
since Emperor Taizong's death.
Even dogs wag their tails at those who like them.
What do you expect? Such repulsive talk!
Leave this meeting at once!
I'm going to fight in this war whether you like it or not.
If you won't give me an army to lead,
I will put on a mask and fight alone!
I heard enough out of you!
How dare you...
What are you doing! Get him out here!
Chancellor! What did I ever do to you?
Let go of me! Wait just a minute!
I vowed at Emperor Taizong's grave
that I would reduce Goguryeo to ashes,
and you are not going to stop me!
I'm going on this expedition whether you like it or not!
How dare you! Let me go! How come...
How did such a crude and ignorant man ever become a warrior of Tang?
Still, there's no one better when
it comes to leading the advance guards.
If I say he can't fight, he can't fight!
At any rate,
there are some concerns about Liaodong region.
What kind of concerns?
There are report of increased military activities between bases
including minitions transportation.
I'm sure they are fully prepared for us.
The chief commander of Liaodong region
is none other than Yang Manchun.
Yang Manchun...
We will avenge our treacherous defeat
at Ansi Castle without fail.
Without fail!
Wagons of weapons and provisions continue to come in.
Everyone is prepared for war
including the civilians.
Liaodong Fort is fully prepared as well.
General, you look troubled.
Goryeo Fort... Goryeo Fort is the problem.
Dae Jungsang is still there at his post in Guryeo Fort.
That region might as well be enemy territory under these circumstances.
Unless something is done,
him and his men will be entirely wiped out.
It slipped my mind busily preparing for war.
General,
we must put them out of there now.
It's not as simple as it soundswith
the Tang army in Yingzhou.
Then are we sit here doing nothing?
We have to find a way.
Dae Jungsang and his men
gave their best years for the country.
We can't let them die alone so far from home.
We must save them.
Goryeo Fort
It's not too late, sir.
we can turn to Liaodong alive.
We protected this fort for many years
at the order of the court.
We cannot abandon it
unless we are ordered to do by the court.
But, sir...
Tang will soon launch a war.
This Goryeo Fort is without question Goguryeo territory.
Does it matter where we fight the war from?
I know Dae Jungsang.
He will not abandon Goryeo and
come back without a retreat order.
But how we do deliver the order?
Not only is it too far,
but the Tang army blocking the way.
Who would take such an assignment?
General, I will go.
I will go to Goryeo Fort and bring Jungsang and his men back.
Yoe are commander of an army.
You are needed here to fight the war.
But we can't just sit back
wth our arms crossed like a spectator.
I will go.
You, Gulsabiwu?
Give me the order, sir.
You could lose your life.
Are you still willing?
Your orders are to be obeyed.
There is nothing else to think about.
Give me your permission, general.
The chancellor will not allow it.
But you are the superior Commander if this expedition.
The ultimate decision is yours.
Soldiers have already been assigned.
I have no men to give you.
There're hundreds of thousand of soldiers
and not one for me?
This isn't right.
you are not entirely without options.
There is a Khitan tribes
in the northern region of Yingzhou.
All of the other khitan tribes have cooperated with us and sent us aid,
but they are refusing to join the expedition.
Perhaps you can persuade them.
Are you telling me make them join the war
and put them under my command?
Yes.
You're a Khitan as well,
so they will related to you.
Yes, I am a Khitan,
but there are so many different tribes
and we live scattered throughout the vast land...
They are very proud and aggressive people.
Only way you can fight in this war is
by bringing them under your command
Very well, sir, I will give it a shot.
There's more.
If you succeed in acquiring an army for yourself,
go to Goryeo Fort.
Goryeo Fort?
You mean that tiny fort under
Goguryeo control south of the Great Wall?
They have a small defense force
but they are a great nuisance to us.
You can join the main force once
you have subjugated Goryeo Fort.
Yes, sir, I will do as you ask.
I will do whatever I have to do.
Just give me an opportunity to fight Goguryeo, general.
What the...
General,
What? Do you know what you are up against?
These are people who won't even flinch at the threat of war.
How can you possibly persuade them to come under you?
You're just looking for an axcuse not to come with me.
General...
I started with nothing and came this far.
Xue Rengui can do anything
as long as it doesn't cost any money!
General. . Oh, stop calling me that.
General? What general?
I haven't got a soldier to my name!
Let's go.
General!
Entire Yingzhou is a Tang military base right now.
You must go around it.
Do you understand? Yes, general.
Deliver this to General Dae Jungsang.
Remember.
Thousand of soldiers lives are in your hands, Gulsabiewu.
I will not forget it, sir.
Go.
Will he be able to accomplish this critical mission?
Gulsabiwu is the fastest and most capable warrior in Liaodong.
If he can't do it, no one can.
While Gulsabiwu headed for Goryeo Fort,
Tang warrior Xue rengui was on his way
to Khitan tribe in the northern region of Yingzhou.
It was critical that Gulsabiwu gets to Goryeo Fort first
and deliver Yang Manchun's retreat order
before Xue Rengui arrives with a Khitan army.
But Dae Jungsang of Goryeo Fort
was unware if his imminent danger.
Just then,
a young man from Goguryeo enters Khitan territory.
How dare you!
Where did you come from?
Answer me!
This is mine now.
Yingzhou, Khitan Camp
What?
My daughter Chulin has captured a Goguryeo spy?
I'm proud of you, my daughter!
So, why is this spy's mission?
He hasn't said a word yet.
You mean he is a deaf-mute?
I dan't think so, but... Father, let me take him.
You, Chulin?
He is my first catch,
si I'm going to make him my slave.
so you can do whatever you please.
But his eyes...
He is a dangerous man.
Keep a close eye in him.
Yes, Khan But first,
I want you to find out why he is here.
Khan!
Khan, a Tang warrior just arrived.
ATang warrior?
No doubt they're pressing for us
to help them with their expedition again.
Send him back.
But man is not just any Tang warrior.
His name is Xue Rengui.
Xue Rengui?
You mean he's a Khitan?
Yes, Khan.
Xue rengui...
Yes, I've heard of him.
See him.
You can talk about your frustrations with Tang.
Let's see how long you can keep your mouth shut.
Would you?
Your eyes change when you see this necklace.
Is it that important to you?
Perhaps I will return it to you
if you say you will be my slave.
Go on. Beg for mercy.
Beg me to return it to you.
I heard how stubborn and
insensible Goguryeo men are.
But you will break down eventually.
You've traveled a long way.
Please sit down. No, Khan. After you.
You are our guest.
We may be a nomadic tribe, but we do know our manners.
If you insist...
I've heard a lot about you, Geneal Xue.
You are a self-made warrior of Tang.
I am quite impressed.
Oh, you are too kind.
You brought the regoin's tribes together
and united them as one.
Now that is impressive.
It was a job that had to be done
for the future of Khitan.
We finnaly brought the scattered tribes together,
and now Tang is insisting that we give them our men.
I'm speaking openly since you are one of us.
I cannot help Tang.
We have to put our own survivel first.
I also have same blood line, I will be frank as well.
You may be able to refuse Tang's request now,
but there will be reprisal
when they return from the expedition.
If you take our men,
we will be left with women and children.
Who will work the land and protect the tribe?
What's more,
the tribes have just been unified.
There is continuous threat of disurgence.
Explain our situation to your superiors.
If they still hold us culpable abd seek reprisal,
We will strengthen our military while Tang is at war.
We will fight against Tang!
I have said all I need to say.
Stay and enjoy our hospitality for a while
since you're here.
I guess this tribe is going to vanish as well
because if its foolish leader!
The prairie will be engulfed by fire.
You will be exterminated by Tang!
What? Exterminated?
Yes, exterminated.
All of you will die and disappear!
How dare you!
I treat you with respect and what?
Exterminated?
I say this only because I care about Khitan.
Shut your mouth!
Seize him and throw him in the dungeon!
I am here with a solution to save your tribe.
This tribe's fate is in my hands,
not yours!
How dare you...
What are you waiting for? Get this man out of here.
Now!
What? Exterminated?
How dare he threaten me!
I am Li Jinzhong,
the Khan of Khitan that united the northern tribes!
Let go of me! Let go of me!
How come. . Those idiots!
What should I do...
Hongpae! It's filthy in here.
What's this awful smell?
They disn't even blink at the threat of war with Tang.
And you crushed their pride and belittled them.
What were you thinking? Hey!
You can't get honey without poking the beehive.
I poked the beehive,
so we'll see what happens.
What do you think will happen?
They will either kill us
or give us their army and come under me.
Oh, they are sure to kill us.
That's life, Hongpei.
You either get nothing or everything.
Look at me.
I had the world when Emperor Taizong was alive,
but all I have now are my two bare hands.
This is the end of the rope.
I've got nothing to loose.
What do I have to fear
when I've already lost everything?
If I was meant to die here, i will die here,
and if fate still has plans for me,
I will get back up on my feet again.
I have faith in you, general.
You will rise again. Yes, I must...
I must quickly subjugate Goryeo Fort
and join the war.
I just hope they don't abandon the fort
and go back to Goguryeo.
They won't be quick to leave the fort.
This is awful...
I have so much to do
but I'm locked up in here...
For all I know, we could die any moment.
What do you mean we can't?
I want him dead for disrespecting me and our tribe!
Why are you saying that?
We shouldn't disregard his remarks.
We couldn't possibly fight Tang right now.
So you would rather let them have everything we have built?
I won't!
We may be exterminated like he said,
but I'm not giving them anything!
Khan,
Xue Rengui said he had a solution.
Perhaps you should listen first then decide.
He has no solution!
It's a trick to make us give up our men!
Father,
the fate of the tribe is riding on this.
He claims he has the solution to save Khitan,
so just hear him out.
I will kill him if he's lying to me.
Khan would like to see you, general.
Please step outside.
Let's go. Yes, general.
Let's go.
Speak.
What is the solution you claim to have?
Let me ask you a question forst.
Why did you bring the scattered
tribes of northern plains together?
Is that a rhetorical question?
For hundreds of years,
we Khitan have roamed the plains like animals.
I want us to live like civilized people.
The you will need land more than anything.
We Khitans have been roaming the plains
because we were chased away by Tang
and driven back by Goguryeo.
So are you offering us land?
How does Yingzhou sound?
Put your faith in me and give us your army.
And I will deliver Yingzhou to you, Khan.
Are you toying with me?
But there is a condition.
Goguryeo must first be destroyed.
If you help me to destroy Goguryeo,
I will give you Yingzhou.
Just how do you intend to give us Yingzhou, General Xue?
I will get you a guarantee.
Would the word of the Tang Empress suffice?
The Empress?
Empress Wu Zetian? Yes.
The woman that served
two generations ofTang Emperors.
We must first bring down Goryeo Fort.
Meanwhile, I will send a messenger to the Imperial Palace
and get you the guarentee written by the Empress herself.
If you can deliver on your promise...
If I fail to get you the Empress's guarantee,
you can withdraw your army
and have me executed.
General!
Very well.
We have an agreement.
But I need your word on something as well.
Go ahead, General Xue
The right of commans of the Khitan army has to be mine.
From the moment we set out for battle,
everyone will obey my orders, even you.
Would you do that?
Very well.
If it is for the future of this tribe,
I will follow your command.
Thank you, Khan.
Thank you.
By the way,
I saw a young Goguryeo prisoner in the dungeon.
He is my catch.
He is deaf-mute and will soon be made a slave,
so you need not worry.
Deaf-mute? Did you say deaf-mute?
Yes.
He has not said a single worg so far.
Then it's certain he purposely got himself caught.
A warrior of such talent playing mute...
Do you know him?
Yes. I will never forget his face.
He is Supreme Commander of Goguryeo
Yeon Gaesomun's trusted henchman.
There is no doubt he is on a scouting mission.
Eat!
Stop!
Look like you remember me as well.
I guess saving Yeon Gaesomun's life
didn't change anything for you.
You must be have a lot of grief.
Just because you were born lowly
doesn't mean you have to die lowly.
If you come under me,
I can give you wealth and honor.
That won't happen whether I am dead or alive.
Fool...
Kill him! Stop!
I will take him.
General,
that man is supposed to be the best warrior in this tribe.
General! General!
It's urgent news.
The Tang army in Yingzhou
has set out for Liaodong.
Finally the war has begun.
Emperor Taizong will be avenged at last!
Stay back ot this woman is dead!
Kill him.
Don't worry about me, and kill him!
What are you waiting for?
Kill him! Now!
No! Chulin will be hurt!
He knows about our plans to attack Goryeo Fort.
He cannot ascape alive!
Chulin is Khan's daughter.
What...
Get me a horse!
That horse right there!
The horse!
Now!