Episode 5
I told you. I was right, wasn't I?
Turn off the lamp. We should get out of here.
- Now! - Okay.
Buruba daksina bara utara.
(Choi Bok, Officer of Astrology)
Who is it?
Officer Ji?
I was trying my best to focus on reading the future.
It's very important,
and I might not be able to do the same reading again...
because you interrupted me!
Sir Choi.
Scholar Na...
figured out the secret of the astronomical stone carvings.
Sorry? What did you just say?
What is the secret of the astronomical stone carvings?
- It's... - Yes.
What's wrong with you?
Officer Ji. What are you doing?
There is an injured person here!
Someone tried to assassinate him! He has been shot with an arrow!
Your Highness.
Assistant Chief of Inspector General, Jeong Cho,
Officer of Inspector General, Jeong Heum Ji...
and the military official, Jeong In Ji...
wish to speak to you, Your Highness.
One of the officers of the Office of Astrology has been killed?
- Why? - The moment he spoke about...
the stone carvings, he was shot by an arrow.
However, His Majesty...
has ordered us not to investigate the incident...
and to close the case.
Your Highness. This doesn't make any sense.
Hence, we'd like to...
submit an appeal asking to find out the secrets surrounding...
the death that took place at the Office of Astrology.
You must not do that.
Your Highness.
If you submit an appeal against something...
His Majesty has been working on discreetly,
your lives will be put on the line.
Your Highness. This unfair death must be investigated. If not,
the royal court will not be able to face the people without shame.
I will find out what happened.
(Office of Astrology: A government agency that oversees...)
(all astronomy and divination-related matters)
Your Highness.
What brings you here at this early hour?
(Yu Taek Sang, Chief Officer of Astrology)
Hello, Your Highness.
I heard that one of your officers has been assassinated.
But what are you all doing here now?
Because of that incident,
we're currently carrying out a ritual to ward off bad luck.
Officer Ji and Scholar Na didn't die because of bad luck.
We cannot blame bad luck for their unfair death.
Please stop the ritual.
We must find out if this was done by loyalists...
of Goryeo who want the kingdom to revive. We should also...
find out the secret Officer Ji figured out before he died.
Your Highness. We cannot do that.
First of all,
I haven't heard anything about...
the secret of the astronomical stone carvings.
No one was killed with an arrow,
so of course no one shot an arrow at anyone.
In addition, His Majesty...
asked us to conduct this ritual.
It is a ritual that His Majesty has ordered us to carry out,
so you cannot stop us, Your Highness.
He hasn't been eating. I'm worried he might die on the way to Hanyang.
(Lee Chun, Chief Officer of Police Agency)
You don't need to worry about it.
If he dies on the way, that'd be his fate.
(National Civil Service, Mungyeong)
I heard that you've been refusing food.
Is it because you're mourning your father's death?
Or is it because you're sad about not being able to go to Ming?
Well...
Tell me if you wish to starve yourself to death.
If you want to die, I can kill you right now.
How dare you.
I held your father's funeral for you.
I spared you your life even though you're a runaway servant.
I even check in to see if you're eating.
I'm being generous to you. How dare you scowl at me like that?
You'd better not forget.
You're alive because of me.
Thank you for your pity.
Thank you for sparing me.
Don't get the wrong idea.
I didn't spare you because I pity you.
I did it because I heard that you can make Honsang.
However, if you fail to prove to me that you can make Honsang...
until we get to Hanyang,
then you should die.
Even if I go to Hanyang,
I wouldn't want to make Honsang.
I'll gladly die for you when I get there.
We will see what happens.
Come on!
(Anonymous Post: The stone carvings of the Great Constellation Map...)
(say that Goryeo is the owner of this land.)
All right. Come on.
Okay. Let's go.
You, jerk!
Lord Lee!
The owner of this helmet said that you're a runaway servant.
Go wherever you want.
Even if I want to take you in,
I can't because of the drought. I won't be able to feed you.
I'm sorry. Let's go now!
Go wherever you want.
You're already running away?
Lord Lee! Lord Lee! Lord Lee!
Sir, please help me!
I want you to...
carefully observe the sun's movements.
I want you to find out...
how exactly the sun is orbiting the earth...
as well as...
what laws govern its movements.
My lord.
I've made a water clock and set the amount of water for one day.
From tomorrow, I'll just need to observe...
whether the sun's shadow matches what I marked today or not.
Today, the sun must be...
moving a little faster than yesterday.
My lord.
The sun's movement is getting faster.
It will slow down again eventually, right?
You spared me my life, so you could've run away.
The nails are...
getting further away from noon.
According to the water clock, it's noon now.
(Noon)
Does this mean that...
the sun's movement is getting faster each day?
Yes.
The time that the sun is at its highest elevation in the sky...
is getting earlier each day.
Why is the sun's movement accelerating?
I cannot tell you.
- What? - I can't let you faint from shock.
The wound on your head...
has just healed.
How dare you.
I'm asking you why the sun's movement is accelerating.
Do you really want me to tell you?
Yes! Say it!
Just like the sun...
I think that the earth is moving too.
You must be the one with a head injury, not me.
What? The earth moves?
That's completely crazy.
Lord Lee.
That wasn't the earth moving. I moved.
Now, we should...
get ready to leave again.
We shouldn't delay any further.
What if we run into thieves again on the way?
You walked in there with your sword and were fooled by a kid...
and got everything stolen.
You probably won't believe me,
but the minute I walked in there with my sword,
I could feel ferocious energy.
However,
I will be fooled once again...
even if I am put in the exact same situation.
Seeing such kids...
remind me of my childhood.
Under the kingdom of Goryeo,
my family was accused of treason.
My father was beheaded,
and all women in my family became servants in the local civil court.
I was very young back then, and they threw me into Imjin River.
A monk rescued me from the river. If he hadn't helped me...
I wouldn't be here right now, would I?
One of the people who contributed to the collapse of my family...
is Lee Seong Gye.
As you know, he founded Joseon later.
How can you do this?
How can you work for the regime that killed your father?
During the time of turbulence while Goryeo was...
being destroyed and Joseon was being established,
I realised this one thing.
Even if my family has collapsed and the regime has changed,
the people remain unchanged like the mountains and rivers.
The people on this land hold a lot more importance than the dynasty.
Hence,
I let go of my desire to take revenge against Joseon.
I decided to think only about the people on this land...
and to devote my life to better their lives.
Yeong Sil.
Your talents.
What do you think about using them for Joseon?
Is that what you wanted to tell me?
I was born into this land as a servant.
I hate this land, so what good could I do here?
Even if you go to Ming and watch the stars for the rest of your life,
the fact that you're from Joseon will not change.
Your body has suffered living as a servant here in Joseon,
but your soul will suffer if you decide to live in Ming.
You'll suffer your whole life.
You haven't lived a single day as a servant.
You have no idea what it is like to live and suffer as a servant!
The earth moves...
How daring...
How could he have thought of...
What an innovative thought.
"Going to Ming must be easier from Hanyang."
"I'll work as a servant at the city's civil court for a while..."
"and run away when the right time comes."
Is that what you're plotting now?
Ming.
I'll send you there.
Come here.
Read this.
"The stone carvings of the Great Constellation Map..."
"say that Goryeo is the owner of this land."
Is this why you didn't listen to the doctor and rushed to leave?
While dealing with droughts and thieves, the people are...
going around everywhere posting that anonymous post.
Those who want to revive the kingdom of Goryeo...
are trying to use the people who are desperate for help.
I cannot just watch this happen.
I'm not sure...
if the secret of the carving he asserts...
does exist.
And if it does...
I believe he will find out.
They are here.
I asked them...
to send me a swift horse.
Can you ride a horse?
I've ridden it...
a few times when I worked at National Civil Service.
Get on.
Why are you giving a horse...
to a servant like me who wants to run away?
While you ride that horse...
it becomes wholly yours to take.
Well,
as a nobleman who has never lived as a servant...
I can't hold you down forever.
I hope your heart will...
stay with Joseon, especially Hanyang.
Who goes there?
(Jang Hee Je)
Your Highness.
Pretend you didn't see me and go about your business.
Why are you dressed like a servant?
I changed into these to search...
for the master stonemason who made the Great Constellation Map.
I'm going to meet him...
and find out the secrets behind the map.
Everything began from there.
Your Highness, you must stop.
You may lose your life.
Please return to your chambers, Your Highness.
I understand that you are concerned about me,
but I can't stop myself since I must find...
- the master stonemason. - Your Highness.
The starving subjects are...
now putting up preposterous posters themselves...
and disturbing the public order.
It's about time we came to our conclusion...
and decided on the day...
of our revolution against the Joseon Dynasty.
I hope those who carved...
the Great Constellation Map on the stone keep silent.
We will be in trouble...
if someone spoils our plan even before we begin.
I was...
about to discuss that matter with you.
A master stonemason...
named Gwak Soo...
of the late Goryeo times,
has recently gone missing.
We tried to find him for days,
but his whereabouts are unknown.
Is Gwak Soo the only one who is alive...
among those who know the secrets?
To be frank...
we do not know if other masons are dead or alive.
There were a total of four...
and they only communicated through Gwak Soo.
Gwak Soo...
did not say anything yet.
Find him quickly and shut his mouth.
(Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hanyang)
This is Gyeongbokgung Palace...
where the stone carving of the Great Constellation Map is.
The constellations carved on this stone are almost the same...
as those of the constellation map my lord gave me.
But the constellation near the North Pole is different.
The North Star changes, too.
I don't think that's the secret behind...
this stone which says Goryeo is the master of this nation.
What's that star?
(Geonseongyuk: A constellation that consists of six stars)
Why is Geonseongyuk...
named as Yookseongyuk...
on the stone in Gyeongbokgung Palace?
The constellations on this...
The official who found out about the secrets...
was killed.
- What do you mean? - You must hurry.
Yes, sir.
- Did you find anything? - Yes.
I'm not completely sure, though.
I have made a formal request to the Servant Services...
that you should move to the Office of Astrology.
It'll take about 2 or 3 days to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, stop by the Office of Astrology and say hello.
Yes, sir.
Where did I see it?
I've seen it from somewhere that letters...
could be switched in a way.
Where have I seen that?
My gosh, it's dusty.
(Choi Bok, Officer of the Office of Astrology)
What are you doing here?
I am a public servant who will come to work here in a few days.
- I'm Jang Yeong Sil. - A public servant?
(A public servant is a servant who works in public offices.)
What a great timing.
Clean everything thoroughly...
and leave no traces of dust anywhere.
- All right? - Yes, sir.
Sir.
Do you mind if I ask a question?
What is it?
There was a constellation with an odd name in the book.
Were you reading a book?
And how dare you mention constellations?
How bold you are.
You are just a public servant.
What was weird about it?
Let me hear you.
What was weird?
Geonseong was named as Yookseong in a particular book.
Is that a typo?
Look at this guy.
How dare you...
boast about your little knowledge you got...
just because you know how to read a few words...
and a few constellations' names?
You do not realise...
the importance of avoiding using certain characters.
You are here.
This is Officer Jeon Bae Chun.
Greet him.
He is our new public servant.
Lord Lee Chun brought him from Dongrae-hyun Office.
Did he?
- Yes. - I am Jang Yeong Sil.
Did you just say...
that the name had changed because we couldn't use certain characters?
Why is that?
It's because...
using the characters that are used in the King's name...
is not allowed.
The book you saw...
has been kept in this office since Goryeo Dynasty.
It probably avoided using the letter "geon" of King Wang Geon's name...
and used the letter "ip" instead.
I see.
Thank you, sir.
Then, did the constellation stone avoid using that letter, too?
Did you just say...
the constellation stone?
What? Me?
Oh, that.
I just learned about avoiding using characters,
so I wanted to take a look at other constellation maps.
I was mumbling to myself.
I see.
Come over here.
Try interpreting this.
There probably are many characters you don't know.
If you are not sure, ask me.
You'll soon realise how little you know...
about Chinese characters...
and astrology.
"We've been predicting to see a comet."
"The orbit of the comet..."
"will dethrone the King..."
"and bring about disaster to this nation."
"A comet falls..."
"when the government fails..."
"or when the times are bad."
"The King must..."
"reflect on himself, and lead a humble life."
"He must reduce the number of his food..."
"to avoid more severe disaster."
You aren't so bad.
This was an easy one.
What is the difference...
between a comet and meteor?
They are similar in a way...
that they suddenly appear and bring about disasters...
to the nation.
What is with your attitude?
Why are you doing this?
That hurts.
My goodness.
Did you say you can predict a meteor shower?
What a nonsense.
I will go to the Servant Services...
and tell them we won't accept you.
You may change where I work.
But...
you can't change when meteor showers happen.
I tell you one last time.
Meteor showers are...
an unexpected astrological event.
It's not something you can predict!
I've been recording for many years...
that meteor showers happen on a fixed schedule.
How dare you say that?
Remove him!
Where did he go?
Make sure no one finds out...
that the Crown Prince left his palace.
Yes, sir.
Sir, may I ask you a question?
I heard there is...
a stonemason who excels at carving constellations.
Why is everyone looking for Gwak Soo these days?
Gwak Soo asked us to keep our mouths shut, but...
it looks like he has been boasting that he carved...
the constellation stone in Gyeongbokgung Palace.
He hasn't been home for over six months.
Well,
where does Gwak Soo live, then?
This is it.
There are...
so many herbs in his house.
Those?
He knows much about herbs and wild ginseng, too.
He made much money by selling wild ginseng...
off to the rich.
The Emperor of Ming is crazy about Goryeo's wild ginseng.
He was supposed to report wild ginseng to National Civil Service...
and turn them in.
That's why rich people can only get them on the black market.
Chun.
I read your report.
Jang Sung Hwee...
(King Taejong, the third king of Joseon Dynasty)
left beforehand.
Yes, Your Highness.
I should have...
dragged Official Jang long time before...
to come work near you.
Did you want to make him...
come work near me?
Chun, you still don't know Jang Sung Hwee for who he is.
He would've bit his tongue and killed himself if that happened.
Jang Sung Hwee is a man...
of strong will who sticks to his opinion.
He's stubborn,
and a man of principles.
That's why I missed him even more.
(The 13th year of King U of Goryeo's reign)
As I read,
(Jang Sung Hwee, Jang Yeong Sil's father)
I thought you were the reincarnation of the great poet Tu Fu.
(Lee Bang Won, King Taejong)
I was wrong.
I shouldn't have asked such a generous man to review my poem.
It's embarrassing to hear that I'm like Tu Fu.
(Tu Fu, a great poet of Tang Dynasty)
I gave you a generous review,
so this book is now mine.
You didn't print...
only one copy, did you?
I knew you would ask for it,
so I made a copy already.
Among any noblemen of this country...
you are the man who is most concerned about the people.
Your heart is almost as eager as...
that of a man who's deep in love with a woman.
It would've been better if I hadn't known.
I shouldn't have taken an exam...
to come work for the government.
I regret it often.
The noblemen and influential figures are...
bleeding the common people dry.
I can't do anything about it. That's why I write poems.
Do you not regret...
volunteering to work at the Office of Astrology?
(The office handles astronomy and divination-related matters.)
Everything's okay so far.
This is just the beginning.
I have no time to regret...
for I have to reform the Office of Astrology where there are people...
who only look out for themselves.
I will soon become the Chief Officer of Astrology...
and right the wrongs.
I also hope you will soon become a man of power.
Are you suggesting we both become men of power...
to restore this crumbling Goryeo together?
Your Majesty.
Vice-premier, Park Eun,
Minister of Affairs, Meng Sa Sung,
Lord Ha Yeon are here to see you.
What are your plans to find out the secrets...
behind the astronomical stone carvings?
Your Highness.
(Ha Yeon)
We believe it only makes sense for us to proceed...
after finding the man...
who carved the astronomical stone carvings.
Your Majesty.
We all believe you should do...
as Lord Ha says.
We will be able to find out the secret behind...
the leftover vassals of Goryeo once we find the stonemason.
But, Your Majesty,
as we have told you...
and discussed with you before,
there are no records of the stonemasons...
for us to proceed with finding that man.
Your Majesty, I believe...
a stonemason named Gwak Soo is involved.
Did you just say Gwak Soo?
Your Majesty,
Gwak Soo is a stonemason I know well.
- Do you know Gwak Soo? - I do, Your Majesty.
All stoneworks in my house were made by Gwak Soo.
I heard he quit working as a stonemason, but...
I can find him.
How will you find him when he has quit working?
Gwak Soo also digs out wild ginseng and sells them.
I heard he sells them discreetly to the riches.
Does he sell them without reporting to the Public Offices?
Yes, well...
All right.
Search for him.
You may see yourselves out.
I have to speak with Meng Sa Sung in private.
Have you heard about the rumours...
that Jeong Cho, Jang Yeong, Jeong Heum Ji, and Jeong In Ji...
of the Office of Inspector General...
are attempting to write...
a rebuttal report...
against my orders?
Your Majesty.
How did you hear that?
So the rumour that you are the leader was true.
Since you already know about this.
Your Majesty.
I believe I cannot hide this from you any longer.
Jeong Cho came to me and said that...
the Prince ordered him to proceed with this matter,
and that is why he began this.
Sa Sung.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Tell Jeong Cho, Jeong Heum Ji, and Jeong In Ji this.
That they should be careful not to shake...
the Prince's heart again,
for they will lose their life.
This is why...
I wanted to speak to you in private.
Your Majesty.
It is not wrong for someone to write a report...
against your orders.
There may come a time...
when a king and his subjects share different opinions.
And it is a matter of course...
for us authorities to reveal our opinions.
I humbly advise that you let them do what they believe is right.
All right.
I will take your counsel to my heart.
Your Majesty.
It's such an honour for you to take in...
my little counsel into your heart.
Let me say a word as a sign of appreciation...
to your counsel.
Please take that to your heart, too.
Your Majesty.
Say what you will,
and I will follow as you say.
The whole universe knows that...
I killed Jeong Do Jeon.
But I don't think anyone knows...
what I thought as I watched...
Jeong Do Jeon die.
I thought it was a pity and such a waste to see him go.
Had it only been...
a hundred years after Joseon began,
neither him nor I...
would've been caught up in a bloody fight as such.
Your Majesty.
Of course, it is great...
for a king and his subjects to discuss difference in opinions...
regarding a single matter.
However, Joseon is only beginning to establish...
the pillar of its state.
I don't think we can...
discuss the directions of a window...
even before the pillars are set up.
We do not even know where the pillars will be set up.
Wouldn't it be too early for us to discuss where the windows go?
Don't you think it's time for you to support the king...
as he tries to establish the pillars of the state?
But, Your Majesty, it isn't...
What Joseon needs right now is...
a strong power to establish pillars,
not diverse opinions.
If Jeong Do Jeon's followers...
move rashly without...
reading the times correctly,
isn't it obvious...
what I will do with them...
for Joseon...
and for the people of Joseon?
Sa Sung.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - I understand fully...
how difficult it must have been for you...
to betray Goryeo for Joseon.
I hope you can understand where I'm coming from, too.
If you don't...
I will be...
very,
very much...
disappointed.
(For wild ginseng, find Gwak Soo)
Why are you standing around? Come up.
To where?
Into your room?
How could I go there?
Why do you ask?
You are here at my house as my guest.
Of course you will come to my room.
Yeong Sil!
It's me, Suk Gu!
- It's me, Suk Gu! - Of course it's you!
- Why are you here? - Well, it's because...
I made him come to surveil you.
What?
How could you ask Suk Gu, who's practically like my brother...
to keep me under surveillance?
It only makes sense to ask your friend to surveil you...
because you are ready to run away at all times.
If he's like your brother,
even better.
If you run away,
all responsibilities lie on Suk Gu.
Do not forget that.
You are too harsh, sir!
You weren't planning on running away tonight, so calm down.
Well, yes. I guess...
Let's find out if I was too harsh or not...
when you run away, okay?
The thing is, I came here...
to send you to Ming.
- What are you talking about? - Look forward to it.
You are in for a surprise.
I don't think anything can surprise me more than you being here.
You will probably be surprised to death.
Sure.
Please make me.
- I'm not joking. - I understand.
Well, anyway.
It's good to see you here, Suk Gu.
Wasn't the journey difficult?
Difficult?
Don't even mention it.
I did not know Hanyang was this far away from home.
My feet are swollen!
Look!
My goodness.
Sir.
I heard we use different words...
to avoid using the King's name today.
But he said...
meteor showers are the King's faults, too.
(Geonseongyuk)
Stars are just stars.
Why do people...
read too much into them?
Who are you?
(Jang Yeong Sil)
Who are you?
Father, I found out the secret behind the stone carvings.
I don't want to see him now. Tell him to go away.
What are they conspiring...
at Lord Yu's house?
I find your words very offensive!
Be careful, okay?
The official who found out the secrets of...
the astronomical stone carvings is dead.
Your Highness, I asked you to stop but you didn't.
Do you remember Miss Ga Hyeon, whom you met in Dongrae-hyun?
She is the daughter of King, Princess So Hyun.
(Jang Yeong Sil, to be continued)