Episode 19
The Tang army crossed the Sasu River last night
And set up their camp
There is no reason to hesitate
Excellency. Order a full force attack
Any word from General Yang Manchun?
Communication with Liaodong has been
Cut off for some time now
Your Excellency!
General Gom Mojam has just arrived at the east gate
Yang Manchun?
We can't keep Superior Commander
Li Jing waiting in ambush forever
Further delay could expose our plan
Let us make the first move
We can lure Yeon Gaesomun's army out here
General Xue! General Xue!
They have opened the gates! Pyongyang fort is open!
Yeon Gaesomun is marching toward us
For a full-force attack!
Are you certain it is Yeon Gaesomun himself
That is at the frontline?
General, all is going according to plan
Commanders, return to your positions!
We must lure the enemy as close to us as possible
Do not initiate attack without my order
- Now go! - Yes, general!
Yeon Gaesomun!
I cannot forget the humiliation
Come, Gaesomun!
Who goes there?
What are you talking about?
There is no ambush?
You mean there is no one covering our backs at the river?
- I'm afraid so, sir - But the signal
We saw the flaming arrows last night
No one can help us now
And we can't turn back with the river behind us
We have out backs against the wall!
It's kill or be killed!
Now go out there and fight!
Make this the enemy's graveyard, not ours!
How could this happen?
- How? - General!
General, we must get out of here now!
How am I supposed to run away
When my men are dying by the thousands out here?
Sir, you must save yourself!
Hongpei, things could've worked out for
You had you met a better man to follow
Now run and save yourself
I'm not going anywhere, sir
I will die here with you
Is this it? Are you giving up?
You vowed before Emperor Taizong
That you would destroy Goguryeo
Goguryeo is still standing
And you have work to do, general!
Come with us, sir!
I am too ashamed to go on living
But burden on my shoulders
Is too great for me to die
AD 662...
At the Sasu River
Presumed to be the modern Taedong River
Tang Chinese invaders are annihilated
By Yeo Gaesomun's Goguryeo army
Along with Ulchi Mundok's Battle of Salsu
And Yang Manchun's Battle of Ansi
The Battle of Sasu is celebrated
As one of the three great victories in Goguryeo history
The second Goguryeo-Tang war was
Put to an end by this sweeping victory
This way! Follow me! Hurry!
Hurry! Follow me!
Hurry!
That man there!
That must be the Tang commander Xue Rengui!
They're headed up into the mountains
We must go after them!
Let us handle them
We will take a task force and finish them off!
No
I'm going after them myself!
Hurry!
No!
Wretched bastards!
- Get out of my way! - General!
Out of my way!
Is that Yeon Gaesomun in the front?
- Yes, general! - He chased us all this way
He's determined to kill us all!
That miserable bastard!
- General, we must go, general! - No!
How could I run when my archenemy is before my eyes?
There's no time! They'll kill us all!
Get me my bow and arrow!
Bow and arrow! Bow and arrow, I said!
I got him! I got him!
- Excellency! - Excellency!
Are you all right, Excellency?
I knocked him down from his horse!
Miserable bastard!
General!
Coak and die, you bastard!
- General! - Yes, let's go!
We must take the general back at once!
I'm all right. Go after them! Now!
Let's move! We're going after them!
It's the Tang remnant troops
They're at the hills ahead
But there're far too many of them for us to take on
We will hide here and watch their move for now
Everyone, spread out and hide!
- Hurry! - Move it!
I can't go any further!
You must get up, general
The Goguryeo army is right behind us!
I can't go any further
The Yellow Sea is right on the other side of this mountain
There will be a ship that can take us out of here
Muster your strength, general
Let go of me!
I will die fighting the enemy!
- Leave me here and go! - general
We'll be captured
Before we get over this mountain at this rate!
Let us die with honor instead of live with shame
There's no reason for all of us to die
I will hold the enemy back
While you make your escape
General Pang
Luckily we're in the woods
I can hold them back for a while alone
Go, now!
No, General Pang
We can't leave you here to die for us
I'll stay with you
- I will stay as well - No
I am the reason why we're in this mess
If it weren't for my crazy idea
Of hiding the troops in the river...
It's not your fault
I hope you can forgive me
For all the terrible things I've said to you
What's this? I have lice, remember?
General Xue
You're the finest warrior I've ever met
I'm counting on you to fulfill my dream of
Goguryeo conquest for me
Come back to us alive so you and
I can fulfill our dreams together
Tell him that I faced my end like a man
And that I sought his forgiveness
For failing to serve his cause
General Pang...
Your Majesty, may you live long!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty
Please forgive me for my failures!
General, over there
I am the general of the left imperial
Guards ofTang Pang Xiaotai!
This is the door to the hell!
Come forward and get a taste of eternal doom!
Some one go out there and cut off his head!
Yes, general!
Blasted bastard!
General, I'll take care of him
I'll fight you
Excellent!
Judging by the way you look
You're a hefty meat eater
Yes, am I'm hungry
And I'm going to have you for lunch
Why don't you tell me your name
So I know who I've killed?
Me? My name is Heuk Sudol!
Heuk Sudol?
Shut up and fight!
Not bad for an ugly bastard
Have you looked in the mirror lately?
What did you say?
Doggone it!
Get up
What the heck?
Stop! Stop right there!
Stop!
Stop! Stop right there!
Stop!
Long... Live... the Emperor...
Stop right there!
Darn it!
Gulsabiwu!
I see you haven't changed
I don't believe this!
My men and I have carried out your command, Your Majesty
I was told you were injured
I bid you not to worry
As it is only a slight wound
Allow me report the progress of the war
General Gom Mojam has brought me up to date
General Yang Manchun has routed
Superior Commander Li Jing's navy
Yes, Your Majesty
We were able to win a great victory at the Sasu thanks to him
You and General Yang Manchun
Have saved this kingdom once again
The two of you are the pillars of Goguryeo
Your Grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty
I am told the Tang army had
A very elaborate and infallible plan
How were you able to figure this out in advance?
That is what I am wondering myself
Tell us Gom Mojam
How was General Yang able to learn
The enemy's plan in such great detail?
Our scouts had infiltrated
The enemy line along the Sasu
That's like being in the middle of the enemy's camp
Who assumed such a task?
Do you remember the band of soldiers
Who are these men?
Is it General Yeon Namseng and his men?
Your Majesty
It is the head of Pang Xiaotai
The general of the Tang Left Imperial Guards
Who is the brave warrior that
Acquired the enemy leader's head?
These are the men, Your Majesty
If I may speak, Your Majesty
I just spoke of the scouts that
Infiltrated the enemy line at the Sasu
These are the brave men, Your Majesty
Where is Namseng?
Who is your leader? Step forward
His Majesty has given an order
Step forward
Raise your head
That's... !
It's him. It's that boy Gaedong!
Unbelievable! How could this be?
State your name and title
My name is Gaedong
I am a servant at the estate of the supreme commander
He is indeed my servant, Your Majesty
Yes, I remember now
Isn't he the young man that saved your life
At the martial arts contest?
Yes, Your Majesty
I am surprised and delighted!
The hero that saved this country from peril
Is a man of humble birth!
Did you say your name was Gaedong?
Yes, Your Majesty
You will receive high honors and
Made an example to the people
Your Majesty
An award ceremony will soon be held
I bid you to decide his reward at that time
Make certain that they attend the award ceremony
Yes, Your Majesty
If words gets out that
Gaedong is Dae Jungsang's son
I'm sure General Yang knows who Gaedong is by now
He could be accused of treason
I'm sure he will be forced to keep silent
That might be the best solution at this point
We can seal our lips and
Keep the whole thing a secret
Do you really think the secret will last?
Excellency
Kill the boy off in secrecy instead
That's not an option
That would cause a great division
Between Liaodong and Pyongyang
That's why I said
We should get rid of him in secrecy
If he needs to die, I'll be the one to kill him
So keep your noses out of it
Excellency, more importantly
We still have not heard from General Namseng
Unbelievable!
Who would've ever thought that boy
Gaedong would come back a hero?
We killed his mother. What do we do now?
I don't think this is a cause for great concern
How is that so?
Dae Joyoung is a cursed name
That must be concealed
Who will dare speak of the name?
Yeon Gaesomun? Yang Manchun?
He would grant the boy high honors
All he will get is emancipation
Or a petty title in the military
Unless the supreme commander wants otherwise
Yes, yes, you're right
The boy can't pose a threat to us
No matter how great his feat
That's right
His return is indeed disturbing
But this is like a tiny storm in an glass of water
It is nothing to be feared
What's bothering you?
I realized I was wrong the moment
I saw the Supreme Commander's face
I shouldn't have come to Pyongyang
I should've gone to Liaodong instead
Then let us go to Liaodong now together
And get the recognition you deserve
Rewards and recognition mean nothing to me
I will leave Pyongyang with you
If that's what you want
It's too late for that
General Yang Manchun has arrived
Go to the Supreme Commanders estate
He wishes to see you
Excellency, have you fared well?
I've been following your activities
You've accomplished some amazing things
But I have failed to protect Goryeo Fort
But you played a major role in protecting the country
I am grateful that you see me in a good light, Your Excellency
- General Yang - Yes, Excellency
I want to thank you above anyone else
This war could not have been won without you
Do you? Please go on
I'd like to talk to you alone
Alone?
This is enough for now
We will chat privately another day
- But Excellency... - Has he arrived?
- Yes, Your Excellency! - Send him in!
Gaedong has rendered meritorious services in this war
His intelligence report is what made it possible
For me to stop Li Jing's navy
His Majesty has great interest in Gaedong as well
Who wouldn't after such incredible victory?
I raised him since he was a child
He may be my servant
But I am proud and delighted beyond words
I wanted to show him off to all of you
That's why I called him
You may leave now, Gaedong
And you will stay here at the estate
Instead of at Taehak from now on
Yes, Your Excellency
They say rewards are more dangerous than punishments
It's because an error in issuing awards
And honors can lead to great disaster
I'm sure I'm being over-concerned
How could he deny your request for a private conversation?
The Supreme Commander is making an indirect threat
General
Please don't be overly concerned about this matter
All we have to do is to hide the fact
That Joyoung is my son
Nonsense
Both you and Joyoung have suffered
Enough all these years
Now I must free you and your son
From the chains of restraint
But sir
If the commissioners and the lords of the court discover the truth
Let just take Joyoung and go back to Liaodong
Yes, general
I do not want harm to come to you
Because of me and my son
No
Joyoung was put here to do
The chains that bind him will block his future
And all of us will regret it forever
Gaedong has saved the country
Like Yang Manchun predicted
It is truly frightening!
Or put an end to this now?
I don't know what is best for this country anymore
Heuk Sudol, Your Excellency
Come in
Sit down
I never dreamed you would rise to such distinction
Great deeds come with great rewards
At the award ceremony
It's all right to speak your mind
I wish to be allowed to live as Gaedong as I do now
Please don't reveal who I am and who my father is
That is my only wish
You left this house to reclaim your name
You've come back a hero
So can reclaim your rights any time you want
What made you change your mind?
If you're trying to test me
You're making a mistake
What are you up to?
I went out into the world
And saw and experienced many things
I saw young soldiers who sacrificed their youth
Thousand of miles away from home to protect Goryeo Fort
I met the displaced citizens of Baekje
Who will not cringe in the face of death to reclaim their lost land
Compared to their cause
My desires were incredibly petty and embarrassing
I am content having done
What I can to protect the country
Your thoughts are praiseworthy
But I'm certain there is more
What's the real reason you're trying to hide your identity?
I am afraid many people will get hurt
Because of me
I would not have come back
Your excellency
Allow me to live as Gaedong
I don't want this country to be divided because of me
I speak from the heart
I do not wish to be Dae Joyoung
This is not the young boy I once knew
Why am I so moved by his words?
He has captured Yeon Gaesomun's heart!
What incredible man you've become!
I had that Tang general in my hands
And you stole him from me!
Not once, but twice you took the glory
That should've been mine!
When I think about what you've done to me
I can't sleep at night!
How do you want this?
With the sword?
With the fist? Fine, the fist
I'm going to vent my anger with my fist on your face!
What are you staring at?
What are you talking about?
Young lord...
Young lord Namseng has come back to us alive!
Father...
Father... !
I deserve nothing but death
I've come back to seek death in your hands, Father
Punish me, Father...
Get up!
Your defeat has brought great disappointment to the country
And that failure is punishable only by death!
Father...
Namseng
Turn your failure into strength
If you learn from your mistake
It will serve as medicine in protecting
The country from future invasions
Father
Shame is not in making mistakes
Shame is in failing to overcome your mistakes
So you don't need to be ashamed
Instead you must walk taller and prouder
Do you understand?
Father... !
General, I brought you something to eat
We don't know when the boat will arrive
You should eat something
General, are you crying?
You're crying!
I'm not, I tell you
No, I can see that you've been crying!
It's all my fault for failing to serve you better
You're a man who fears nothing
And I brought tears to your eyes!
You go ahead
I've never cried in my life
No, I didn't cry
But for some reason tears keep coming from my eyes
I'm so angry and outraged that
I can't help the tears when I'm not even crying!
What you shed when you cry are called tears
But these are blood tears I shed
Xue Rengui may cry blood tears
Hongpei, I vow once more
The next time I return to this land
I swear Goguryeo will fall
I will bring down with my own hands!
I can't forgive myself
I'm a pathetic coward and I can't bear it
I've been silent long enough. I have to tell them the truth
I'm just as responsible as you are
You said you couldn't trade me for Yingzhou
I feel the same way
I want you with me until the day I die
I don't want to lose you over this
We lost a war. That's it
We can fight again and win
We're here to give reward where reward is due
Why do you look so solemn?
The whole country is exhausted
Yes, I'm sure
Each one of you has given all of your might
Where is the soldier that I asked to have present?
He awaits your call outside, Your Majesty
Bring him inside
Send him in!
Gaedong, was it?
Yes, Your Majesty
Some time ago
You saved the Supreme Commander's life from the assassins
What you did was as remarkable
As saving the country from ruin
And this time
You played a decisive role in routing the Tang invaders
Not only that, you brought back the head of an enemy general
In my opinion
No reward is too great for all that you've done
- Hear me, my subjects! - Yes, Your Majesty!
It is my desire to grant Gaedong
The title of Deputy Martial General
And place him in charge of guarding the palace
But slave cannot be made a general
I agree, Your Majesty
Personnel decisions must be made
According to rules and reason
But this is much too radical, Your Majesty
We implore you to withdraw the appointment
Emancipation and a low ranking military position
Speak, Grand Martial General
Tell us what you think
The lords of the court oppose the appointment on the bases
That Gaedong comes from the slave class
But if that is the issue
You need not be concerned
Gaedong is not a slave by birth
He is General Dae Jungsang's son!
What do you mean? General Dae Jungsang's son?
Dae Jungsang's son is supposed
To be dead for his ominous birth!
But he has been living as the Supreme Commander's slave?
This is an outrage!
This is a conspiracy!
He may be the Supreme Commander of this state, but...
No, Your Majesty
The Supreme Commander knows nothing about this
If you find crime in this take my head first
What are you talking about?
I am the one...
I am the man who kept Gaedong alive
If you find crime in this
Let me the first to be punished
Give me death, Your Majesty!