Episode 24
How dare you!
You've been asleep.
What happened?
Are you holding me hostage? Or... ?
I wanted to be your hostage
from the very day we met.
There is nothing we can't accomplish together, I thought.
That was already fifty years ago.
Yes, but now you're defying me!
No, I am not defying you
But the timing isn't right.
Timing! Timing!
You have to take care of yourself first.
- Then... - Don't you get it?
There is no time.
Until Tang China is destroyed,
I cannot die in peace!
There is no time. You must choose now.
Are you with me or are you not?
You need help, anyone out there? Physician! Fetch the Physician!
Obey me, or I will have to kill you right here
no matter who you are!
Answer me. Now!
We must destroy Tang
and create a country where there is no war.
A country of peace and prosperity for the people.
Yes, we will do that.
Isn't that what we vowed to do fifty years ago?
To build a strong country that
no foreign power dares to invade.
A happy, properous country envied by the world.
Yes. Yes, we did,
And we will build that country.
Would it be possible?
Would it be possible to build that country without me?
Would it be possible to protect
the thousand year kingdom Goguryeo
from the barbarians of Tang without me?
Without you?
But you're here before me alive and well.
No. I'm dying.
And I'm tired.
We have done our best.
Now it's up to our descendants.
Our children will protect Goguryeo
just like we have and our forefathers have.
Will they?
Will our children be able to protect
this country like we have?
Have faith.
Goguryeo is no ordinary kingdom.
and they are sons of no ordinary men.
Yes...
Your words give me comfort.
The people must be shocked and confused after what happened.
I better escort you personally to the gates
to avoid any further confusion.
- No, you need rest. - No, no.
You cannot have a strong country with confused citizens.
They are probably terrified by now
thinking that one of us is dead.
Seeing you off is the last thing
Yeon Gaesomun can do for Goguryeo.
Master Gom!
- Release them! - Yes, sir!
What happened to the Supreme Commander
and the Grand Martial General?
The Grand Martial General is getting
ready to return to Liaodong.
The Supreme Commander is going to see him to the city gates.
You need to get ready too.
Excellency!
Forgive me, sir.
My behavior last night was terribly disrespectful.
Forgive me.
I will regard it as devotion to your father.
Thank you, general.
Step on my back, my lord.
Excellency...
Mount.
Unbelievable!
If Yeon Gaesomun and Yang Manchun are both alive and well,
we've gained nothing!
There must be some mistake.
Just last night they had their swords drawn on each other.
How could events take such a drastic turn overnight?
Oh dear!
How about Dae Joyoung?What happened to Dae Joyoung?
I'm told he is staying on Pyongyang
at the Supreme Commander's request.
That means Yang Manchun
and Yeon Gaesomun made amends.
Yeon Gaesomun is not one to be swayed.
Does this mean we are going to war against Tang?
Yes.
This country will once again be swept in war.
it must be stopped at any cost.
Another war now would surely ruin this country.
High Commissioner!
Sir, something's going on with Yeon Gaesomun!
What do you mean something's going on?
He's called not only his warriors
but Yeon Namgeon as well.
- Yeon Namgeon? - Yes, sir.
Isn't Yeon Namgeon Yeon Gaesomun's second son?
Yeon Namgeon...
He's called Yeon Namgeon as well?
Could it be... ?
What are you staring at?
What? You got something against me?
Find me later. We'll have a match.
Young lord!
- Young lord... - Where is my father?
Is he all right?
He awaits you. Please come inside.
I'm here, Father, Namgeon is here.
Good. You're all here.
- Where is Namsan? - He's on his way.
You have been through a lot in the last few weeks.
It appears my time in this life has coming to an end.
- Father... ! - Excellency... !
I want you to wait three years
after I'm gone to hold my funeral.
No one must find out about my death until then.
Three years should be enough time
to rebuild the national power
that's been weakened through war.
Only then you will be ready
to fight the tang Chinese again.
- Namseng, - Yes, Father.
Once you succeed me as the Supreme Commander,
you must destroy Tang.
It is the grand enterprise I leave behind unfinished.
I will.
I will abide by your wish, Father.
- Namgeon, - Yes, Father.
stay by your brother and give him your support.
Brothers must never turn against each other
no matter what happens.
Unity is what kept Goguryeo
from crumbling against foreign powers.
Division is a sure path to ruin.
Don't ever forget that.
I won't, Father.
I must rest now.
My eyes are heavy...
I ask that you pay special attention
to security and maintaining secrecy.
Yes, sir.
Shouldn't we alert the officials of the court?
Didn't you hear what Father said?
He meant keep his death from Tang.
There will be an uncontrollable confusion in the country
if the civil officials found out.
It's impossible to keep it from the royal court.
We should put our heads together
And get through this adversity together.
You don't know what you're talking about!
I will handle everything, so just stay quiet.
How is the Supreme Commander right now?
He is taking his restorative potion.
He has ordered not to let anyone in.
No one?
Then who is attending to him right now?
That's enough.
- You must have more. - It's all right.
Please just have one more spoon.
No, no.
Medicine will not cure me.
Excellency...
You must've resented me very much
for putting you in servitude.
You did it to save my life.
It wasn't easy for me either.
My heart was always heavy watching you grow.
I'm sorry...
I failed to protect your mother.
I should've protected her if nothing else.
I am very sorry that she had to die.
You did everything you could to protect me.
I'm sure my mother is grateful to you as well.
You called me ''Father'' once.
Do you remember?
Yes, Excellency.
One more time...
I want to hear it one more time.
Call me father...
Go on.
. . Father.
Yes, once more, say it once more.
Father... Father...
Here. Eat.
No parent in the world wants his or her child to starve.
Excellency,
please let me enter the martial arts contest as well.
You'll only get yourself killed. Get out of here!
- Excellency! - You're a slave!
Don't even think about being free of servitude!
Why did you keep me alive
if I'm a criminal of high treason?
What? How dare you!
What do I have to fear when I am about to die?
I'm going to reveal all that's in my heart.
You are...
... You are the father I never had.
What? Father?
I've acknowledged the father
that raised me at last.
Yes, you are my son.
I raised you, so of course you are my son!
I have faith in you, Joyoung.
You will do great things for this country.
Serve the Grand Martial General well.
Serve Yang Manchun
and you will be serving me.
Yes, I will.
I will not let you down.
- Sire, - Let go!
- Excellency! No! - Father!
Excellency! Excellency!
Father! Father!
It's Namseng, Father! Open your eyes, Father!
- Excellency! - Father!
Yeon Gaesomun...
The center of the military power
and staunch advocate of military confrontation,
he killed King Yeongnyu and some 200 nobles
who favored a policy of appeasement in a coup
and seized political control appointing himself
Dae Mangniji of Goguryeo.
Subsequently, he led a series of invasions
by Tang Chinese forces to victory
and attacked and conquered Liaoxi region of China.
Yeon's conguest of China is validated
by geographic designations such as Goryeozhen and Goryeocheng
in Shandong and Peking region of China.
By suppressing Tang's ambition,
Yeon Gaesomun proved that
Goguryeo was the leader of Northeast Asia.
Three years after Yeon Gaesomun's death in AD 666,
Tang launched their third invasion of Goguryeo.
It goes to show how Yeon Gaesomun
was a subject of fear to Tang.
General! General!
- Splash him! - Yes, sir!
General! General!
- Continue! - Yes, sir!
Stop.
Bury him in a hole.
What are you waiting for?
He's dead. Bury him!
- Yes, sir! - No!
I'm not dead yet.
This is uncalled for.
What did I do to deserve this?
You defied the Emperor's order and fled from the law!
Do you think you deserve to live?
I didn't flee from anything!
I was in a battle to destroy Goguryeo!
- How many times must I tell you? - Silence!
The Emperor has given us control of your fate!
You're already a dead man!
Fine, a dead man.
I'm a dead man,
so I'm going to say what I want!
You, Su Dingfang!
At least Pang Xiaotai died with honor on the battlefield.
But you, what have you done in the war?
You don't deserve to torture me!
What? You bastard!
And shame on you, Superior Commander.
I know what you're up to.
You're trying to put the blame on me for our defeat
so you can escape responsibility.
Shut your audacious mouth!
Don't string me along like this.
Just kill me if you're going to kill me,
or let me go.
I suggest the latter for your own sakes.
I'm not one to mess with!
Who the heck do you think you have covering your back?
Very well. I will kill you.
- Beat him until he's dead! - Yes, sir!
- General! - Hey! Wait!
You'd really hit me again?
No! We can talk this out. Wouldn't that be nicer?
Let's talk this out like reasonable people.
Oh, I'm dying!
You're killing me here!
General!
General! General!
Stop hitting me!
He hasn't said a word about me
despite the brutal torture?
I am told all that was heard were cries of pain.
He kept silent about my involvement in his escape...
I can't let Xue Rengui be killed.
Have you arranged for His Majesty to visit tonight?
Yes, Your Highness.
I see...
Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor to see you.
Escort him in.
I thought I would spend the night here tonight.
As you wish, Your Majesty.
But I cannot attend to you tonight.
What do you mean?
With what joy would I attend to you
when the royal retainers do not regard me as the Empress?
Is this about Xue Rengui again?
Everyone knows how hard
I have tried to protect Xue Rengui.
But Li Jing and Su Dingfang are inflicting him
with brutal torture as if to mock me.
I have granted them authority
to decide Xue Rengui's fate.
Is this true?
Then it is you who does not regard me as the Empress.
Please don't do this, Empress.
Your Majesty!
Xue Rengui saved Emperor Taizong's life
at Liaoze on their retreat from defeated battle at Ansi.
And Emperor Taizong had Xue Rengui next to him
at his bedside until he took his last breath.
Xue was his most cherished royal retainer.
But here you are trying to kill him.
It is your duty to your father to spare Xue's life.
Please don't ignore my counsel.
It is so that you will be remembered
as a benevolent king.
- General, are you all right? - What do you think?
How could I be all right
when I've been beaten like a dog?
I have a dull pain.
I should've taken the beating for you instead...
Oh, put a sock in it!
Why didn't you say that to them
when they were beating me up?
General,
why don't you just tell them about the Khitan tribe?
What? Hush!
But it's unfair for you to take all the blame.
They are the cause of defeat after all.
I can't betray the Khitan tribe to save my own life.
Who cares about loyalty
When you are about to be killed?
They put their trust in me and fought with their lives.
They gave this ignorant man a chance
to stand tall and be a real warrior.
- But sir, - You...
They gave me something more valuable than life.
I wouldn't be a man if I betrayed them.
Are you really prepared to die?
What is to become of us?
Is there any hope of survival?
Don't ask me. Ask those trying to kill us!
- General... ! - Oh, I don't know!
- Aw, I'm aching all over! - General... !
You're drinking too much.
- Brother-in-law, - Yes, Khan.
how many soldiers do I have?
How many are willing to die for me?
Why do you ask?
I've had enough of this.
I'm going to attack either Goguryeo or Tang
and get this over with!
You're drunk.
Think about it.
This Khitan tribe is finished anyway
if Xue Rengui talks!
Hang in there a little while longer.
Chulin and Li Kaigu will succeed
in getting rid of Yeon Gaesomun.
Father...
- Father... ! - Yes, you are my son.
I raised you, so of course you are my son.
I have faith in you, Joyoung.
You will do great things for this country.
Sire, it's Joyoung.
Come in.
Namgeon is already in bed,
and I'm feeling alone,
so I called you for a drink.
Here, let me pour.
I hope you won't take offense about the way I've treated you.
It was all to protect my father.
I don't know what to say.
I made a terrible mistake
with General Yang Manchun the other day.
With Father gone,
I fear I've damaged our relationship with Liaodong.
I'm sure General Yang understands.
I hope you're right.
I need you to be a mediator between me and Liaodong.
Would you?
I will do my very best, sire.
It's very reassuring to have you with me.
Here, let us drink.
- Have another. - Thank you, but no.
I still have duties to attend to.
Very well.
Then I shall let you return to work.
Good job, sire.
General Yang Manchun's help is vital
if you're going to become the next Supreme Commander.
Keeping Dae Joyoung near you is the best way
to keep Liaodong on your side.
Have a drink.
- What did you find out? - They've dissapeared.
I'm afraid they left the city.
No, they're still here.
They won't leave until
they have confirmed His Excellency's death.
Someone is protecting them. I'm sure of it.
Do you have any idea who?
Captain Sa Bugu comes to mind.
He frequented the blacksmith shop.
Sa Bugu?
If he is indeed involved,
that means Bu Kiwon was behind the assasination attempt.
All right.
I'll keep Bu Kiwon under close watch.
You've been at it for days.
Do you really think you can cut the chain with that?
I grew up in a blacksmith shop.
When it comes to metal and fire,
no one knows more than Xue Jitou.
There. That looks about done.
Now let's see how strong I am.
What are you waiting for?
Aren't you coming?
Stop.
What the heck are you doing?
All of us will be captured if we make our escape like this.
Stay in here for a while.
So you can live and we can die?
Just stay.
- Who's there? - Be quiet!
You! How did you get in here?
I could've stabbed your heart if I wanted to.
I will release you.
Leave before the cock crow.
No, I'm staying with you.
But I betrayed you.
Why would you want to stay?
You want Yeon Gaesomun dead more than anything.
And so do I.
So you'd trust me again?
We both want the same thing,
so we will walk the same path.
What is the meaning of this?
It is His Majesty's strict order to keep everyone out.
A strict order?
The Emperor has ordered to keep his royal subjects away?
Absurdity!
If we can't enter the palace, who can?
What are you waiting for? Clear the path!
- See the lords inside! - Aye!
No!
Please stay back!
Please! Stay back, I said!
Stay back!
I can't believe the Supreme Commander has really left us!
Then who will succeed him?
Naturally, Minister Yeon should succeed him
as the next Supreme Commander.
Yes,
it is a position that has long been unofficially decided.
He should assume the authority of the Supreme Commander,
but official announcement must be delayed
for three years until after the funeral.
I understand.
I will discuss this with the officials of the court, and...
Informing the civil officials would be tantamount
to making an official announcement, Your Majesty.
Then are you suggesting that
we keep this from the officials as well?
We ask simply for your approval, Your Majesty.
We shall take care of the rest.
Your Majesty,
there are many important state affairs that require prompt attention.
We implore you for your approval.
We implore you, Your Majesty! We implore you, Your Majesty!
Yes, I'm certain Yeon Gaesomun is dead.
It's calls for a national mourning,
yet they haven't even announced his death.
They are trying to keep us in the dark
and seize control of the state!
Are we to just sit around and take this?
Soon they will solidify their plans for conquest ofTang.
The people will be put under the screw,
and we civil officials will be exploited beyond our limits.
And Goguryeo will never have peace again.
What the...
What are we supposed to do about this?
We must stop Namseng from becoming
the Supreme Commander at any cost.
That is the only way to save the kingdom and the people.
Do you have any ideas?
Is there a way to keep Namseng
from becoming the Supreme Commander?
Yes, there is.
And that is the only option we have at this point.
You wish to return to the Buddhist temple?
Yes, Brother.
I wish to complete my studies there.
You made a wise decision.
Come back to us when political situation is more stable.
But...
there is something I must tell you.
You've been so busy with state affairs,
and just in case you haven't paid heed
to the voices of the people...
Voices of the people?
Brother,
things are not much better in the city,
but public sentiment outside the city walls
has never been worse.
Public sentiment has never been worse?
That's right.
Death by starvation is common among the children and elderly,
and more and more young men are becoming thieves
because they can't make an honest living.
It's old news.
That's why this is worse.
If you expand the military and push for war
with Tang in this state of distress,
it will be a detrimental blow to the people.
What are you trying to say?
I'm reporting the public sentiment, Brother.
The reality of the current state of Goguryeo.
- I will not hear this! - You have to hear it!
You are now a powerful leader of this country.
There is more than one reason for expanding the military.
It is necessary in order to protect the country.
You can protect the country with diplomacy and negotiations.
What?
What good is having an army of millions
and weapons of destruction?
Without the people,
there is no country to protect.
And the people are starving to death right now!
Silence!
You sound like one of the high
and mighty lords of the court.
- Brother! - Go back to the temple!
You focus on your studies.
And I will run this state!
I shouldn't have opened my big mouth
and upset my brother.
He will understand your patriotism.
It's reassuring to know that you are here.
- Thank you. - Serve my brother well.
I will, sire. Return safely.
It's been a while, Minister Yeon.
High Commissioner, have you fared well.
How could I fare well
with the country in this wretched state?
Have you been waiting for me?
I'd like a moment of your time.
There is something we must discuss.
I beg your pardon?
We would like you to be
the next Supreme Commander of Goguryeo.
Who? Me?
This state already has a Supreme Commander!
We know that His Excellency has passed on.
You are a man with exceptional foresight.
I know you're well aware of the wretched state of this country.
I have no interest in politics.
And my older brother is
the Supreme Commander of this state.
We are not asking you to take the post
for your personal advancement.
We are asking you to serve this country.
It is not a job I can handle.
Even if I could,
I would never betray my own brother.
If Namseng rises to Supreme Commander,
Goguryeo will crumble.
You know that as well as we do.
No, I don't.
- I don't know anything. - Minister Yeon!
I have nothing more to say.
If you'll excuse me--
The civil officials have put our lives on this.
We can no longer ignore the people
that are dying in hunger.
If you ignore them as well,
there would be no hope for this country.
- What are you doing here? - Good god!
You scared me half to death!
Why are you sneaking around here like a little rat?
What? A rat?
You blasted bastard!
What are you doing here?
I asked you first.
Will you tell me why you're here if I tell you why I'm here?
Sure. You answer first.
Young lord Namgeon is in there right now.
You know, the second son you saw earlier.
My guess is he is cooking something up with Bu Kiwon.
Hey, Gulsabiwu! Where are you going?
I'm going to kill you for this!
Minister Namgeon is in Bu Kiwon's estate?
Yes, I'm certain of it.
Why would Namgeon go to Bu Kiwon's estate?
Whatever the reason,
Namgeon's life will be in danger if Namseng found out.
Yes, but the chances are,
Namseng already has found out.
And knowing him,
he may have already ordered his brother killed.
There is no time.
What are you going to do?
I must stop Namseng somehow from hurting his brother.
This is between two brothers.
I think you should stay out of it.
If Bu Kiwon is involved,
this may be more than just a fight between brothers.
Joyoung! Joyoung!
- Sire, are you in? - Enter.
What brings you?
I just heard that
Young Lord Namgeon is in Bu Kiwon's estate.
Yes. What about it?
Are you afraid Namgeon might betray me?
Don't worry.
We may be half-brothers,
but Namgeon would never do that.
I've sent Heuk Sudol to Bu Kiwon's estate.
To escort him back safely
since the city can be dangerous at night.
We'll find out what this is about once he arrives.
Open the gate!
What do you want at this time of the night?
We've come for Lord Yeon Namgeon!
He is an important meeting with the high commissioner.
It's Minister Yeon Namseng's order
to bring him back at once.
I'll let him know, so go back and wait.
We will wait for him inside.
Let's go.
They may be a while.
If you don't mind waiting for several days,
you can wait out here.
Hey!
What the... We're going back!
Master!
What brings you here, master?
The lords of the court want me to be the Supreme Commander.
What am I supposed to do?
My brother Namseng is the Supreme Commander of this state.
I cannot betray my brother.
The country is more important
than preservation of sibling relationship.
Rise to the title of Supreme Commander.
Namseng is focused only on expansion of the military.
The people will starve to death if he is allowed to continue.
Also, this military campaign against Tang will never succeed.
Goguryeo will surely be destroyed
if Namseng seizes control.
You have been chosen to protect this country.
It is the decree of Heaven.
Accept the title.
From this moment forward,
you are the Supreme Commander of Goguryeo!
It may take several days, you say?
That's what he said, sire.
Several days of discussion with Bu Kiwon?
Bu Kiwon and my younger brother Namgeon?
Assemble the troops at once!
I will go and bring back Namgeon now!
I will kill all of them
If they're holding Namgeon against his will,
and if Namgeon is staying there on his own accord,
then... I will kill Namgeon!
- Assemble the troops! - Yes, sire!
I will go.
- I will bring back Lord Namgeon. - You?
Brothers must never draw their swords on each other.
It was one of His Excellency's last wishes.
No!
This does not concern you. Get out of my way!
I cannot let you go, sire.
Send me instead.
Get out of my way, I said! - No!
Send me instead.