I had no idea that you would
travel all this way so quickly for me, Your Highness.
His Majesty can be so unkind.
A simple letter of Yi Soon-shin's dismissal would have sufficed.
Why must he put his precious son through this?
Yi Soon-shin will not be dismissed.
Your Highness!
Chosun may not have a future without Yi Soon-shin, Commander.
He has defied the Emperor's command.
I'm sure he had no choice in order to protect this country.
Does that mean that Chosun court doubts my decision as the leader
of the allied forces and commander-in-chief of the
Ming expeditionary force sent here to save Chosun?
I will give you one last chance. Dismiss Yi Soon-shin.
Otherwise, I will pull my men out of Chosun as I stated in my memo.
Do as you please!
Your Highness...!
The royal court of Chosun will not forsake Yi Soon-shin
no matter what the consequence.
Are you simply too young?
How can you be so ill-informed about the diplomatic relations
between Chosun and Ming?
Chosun is a subordinate state of Ming.
If you continue to protect Yi Soon-shin,
it is treason against the Emperor of Ming.
Commander Yu!
Do not defend Yi Soon-shin. Your future may be jeopardized.
The Emperor is yet to officially approve you as the Crown Prince of Chosun.
If he deems you disloyal, he will not grant you the throne.
Dismiss Yi Soon-shin immediately.
Not only are you risking your own future
but your father's throne as well.
Quickly! Quickly! Move it!
Allow me to take care of Yi Soon-shin, Your Highness.
Left Minister...
I know that Yi Soon-shin is an extraordinary warrior.
And I understand your deep love and appreciation for your subordinates.
But...
you cannot allow one man to threaten the existence of the royal house.
This country could be in the hands of the Japanese right now
if we did not have Yi Soon-shin to protect the sea.
How could I possibly renounce him?
He as simply doing his job as the leader of the navy.
His Majesty's throne must be secure for the country to survive,
and your position must be secure for the country to have a future.
Be strong, Your Highness.
Let us begin.
The report in front of you is a summary of newest intelligence
on the Japanese forces positioned in Pusan an its surrounding area.
Since puling back south to Kyung-sang Province last year,
the Japanese have built fortified walls all around Pusan along the coastal area,
anchored their ships deep in the harbor and have not made a single move.
We have no choice but to attack first,
but we cannot get the enemy to come out to the sea,
and the Navy is having a hard time making progress.
That's right.
We were able to sink all of the enemy ships on our last battle in Danghang-po,
but those who fled ashore slipped through our fingers
because the ground forces were not in position.
Then...
A combined land-sea assault is the answer.
A combined land-sea assault...
Yes.
The army will attack the enemy from land and force them out to the sea.
And the Navy will be waiting for them
in a favorable position to destroy them.
It is a good idea, but it may not be that simple.
As you know, siege warfare is most difficult because you are fighting
the enemy in their most favorable conditions.
Our men are poorly trained compared to to the Japanese.
On top of that, we are outnumbered.
Countless men have died in battle over the last two years,
and famine has taken many more lives in the recent months.
I do not know how well the ground forces will perform
under these adverse conditions.
The Admiral has called a joint Army-Navy high leaders meeting?
How many times do I have to tell you? Yes!
Oh dear...
Does he or does he not know that the Left Minister and
the Crown Prince is down here and the entire southern coast is
astir because we ignored Yu Jung's order and attacked the Japanese?
Of course he knows.
Then how could he be so nonchalant?
He is just being who he is.
Have you ever seen him let anything distract him from his job?
Let us get back as well.
Japanese spies are everywhere, so the chances are they already know
about all this commotion in the headquarters.
Who knows how they might exploit this situation?
Did you report a suspicious vessels?
Yes, sir.
Mother, that must be Hansando.
Do you think it's as nice as they say it is?
Can we really live like human beings there?
Both Sub's and Bao's families went there.
Men can be soldiers and women can work on the fields,
so at least we won't starve to death.
They're Chosunese vessels. There's no need to panic.
I know that the Japanese are not smart,
but they wouldn't dare show up at the front steps of
the navy headquarters in broad daylight. Right Magistrate Uh?
It looks like more refugees.
Yes... It's always so heartbreaking to see them...
How many refugees do we currently have in the headquarters?
I don't have the exact figure,
but we've at least a thousand refugees, sir.
How is our food supply?
Even if we don't have adequate reserve,
we cannot neglect our duty to the people.
Find a way to help them.
Yes, Admiral.
Anger makes me say crazy things,
but I wish I could set this on fire. Don't you, Young-gap?
You know I do.
Here we are risking our lives on the battlefield,
and instead of being fed, we have to share our crops
with the palace and the Ming troops!
The biggest injustice is to us the farmers.
We work hard all year long,
but all we get to eat is watery porridge day after day.
What are you boys complaining about? Let's get moving.
We don't have much time. The ship sets sail at noon.
All right, sir.
Next!
Why don't we talk to the Admiral and reduce the amount of grains
we are sending to the Ming base?
It's not a good idea, Commander Shin.
The refugee population continues to grow.
We won't be able to feed them with what we have.
Then we have to regulate the influx of refugees.
Commander Yi, everything is always so black and white with you.
You couldn't possibly speak so coldly if you had given any thought
about these refugees whose lives have been shattered by this war.
Commander Shin,
Supreme Commander is backed against a wall right now.
The least we can do is to send adequate offerings.
We must try to lighten his load as much as we can.
Wonderful!
It was beautiful!
What do you think? Do they please you?
Why did you wish to see me, Left Minister?
You risk your life to protect Chosun thousands of miles away
from your home.
I was simply hoping to bring you a little pleasure
in expression of my gratitude.
What do you think? Does their beauty please you?
There're not bad.
Good, I'm glad.
Please let me know if any of them catches your eye.
I will make certain that she serves you with her whole heart.
Allow me, Commander.
Left Minister, you would pour me a drink?
I'm sure you'd prefer that a beautiful women pour your drink
but this is an expression of this old man's loyalty to Ming.
Perhaps you're the one I should have been talking to all along.
I'm honored that you feel that way.
Left Minister Yoon Du-su is on a drinking bout with Yu Jung?
The people are dying of hunger in this country. How could he!
Don't get involved, Your Highness.
What?
Commander Yu Jung must be appeased.
For what? Why must we appease him?
Don't you know? It is for your safety and is Majesty's safety.
Jang-won!
Turn a blind eye this time, Your Highness.
You must protect your future at all cost.
How dare you!
You didn't get here overnight.
How long did you have to tolerate His Majesty's wary eyes?
How about what you've been through leading the temporary government?
Think about your lifelong dream, Your Highness,
to make Chosun strong, to be the best and the wisest king this world has ever seen.
In order to fulfill that dream, you must first protect your future.
You can say what is on your mind now, Minister Yoon.
Feel free to speak.
Commander, let go to your rage and give us some time.
I will do whatever it takes to bring Yi Soon-shin down and
replace him with a compliant man who will follow your orders.
His replacement is already chosen,
and it is only a matter of making a recommendation to the King.
So please do not pull your troops out from Chosun.
Very well! I will watch you for now.
Thank you. Thank you very much, Commander.
High Commander Won, you are not an unlucky man.
This just might be your chance to become
the Supreme Naval Commander of the Three Provinces.
Its all up to you now.
Show His Majesty that you have what it takes to lead the navy.
What does the Left Minister say, sir?
Commander...
It looks like the Crown Prince was unable break Yu Jung.
Then sir, this might be your chance to rise to the top!
If you have time for this kind of idle chat,
get your men outside and put them to work!
I don't understand...
Captain Woo, don't you think High Commander Yi has changed?
What do you mean?
I'm told there are serious talks in the royal court about
dismissing the Supreme Commander.
Then that letter from the Left Minister
must be about High Commander Won replacing him.
Perhaps.
Then how could he be so calm? Has he lost his courage?
Commander Won losing courage? Not in a million years.
He is patiently waiting for the right time.
Commander Won has never shown anything less than perfect courage.
It is his quick temper that always got in his way.
But this war has changed him.
If he is lucky enough to get another chance, I promise you
he will become the next Supreme Naval Commander.
I see you're still busy working on the strategy.
Oh, I didn't hear you come in.
What brings you?
Minister Yoon's messenger came by for High Commander Won.
Oh?
Sir, how can you be so nonchalant?
The royal court is astir with talks of your dismissal after
our last battle in Danghang-po.
Everyone knows about it, and I'm sure you do as well, sir.
Why aren't you doing anything about it, sir?
Sit down.
Sir...
Sit down.
Please do something, Admiral. We cannot lose you.
You must do everything you can. Talk to the Crown Prince.
Explain your position to the Left Minister.
All of us will be right there for you.
What makes you think that I am not doing anything about it?
Admiral...
The truth is I'm trying very hard to figure out a way
to keep myself on this battlefield.
The time that I have been given, using that time wisely and
finding the way to end this war as quickly as possible,
I believe that is the only way I can keep myself on this battlefield.
Admiral...
Order Yi Soon-shin to tender a resignation.
Your Highness, that is the only way to protect yourself and His Majesty.
You must do it quickly. It cannot wait.
The longer you wait, angrier Yu Jung will become.
And if he conveys his anger to the court once again,
it will be out of my hands.
Order him to resign. This is his best option.
If he steps down on his own accord, His Majesty will consider
his past merits and give him the praise and honor that he deserves.
If this is difficult for you, I will talk to him.
Do I have your permission?
No.
I will do it.
I will order Yi Soon-shin to tender a resignation.
Your Highness...
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, how may I serve you tonight?
Your reticence provoked my curiosity.
Yi Soon-shin is on the verge of being discharged.
It is unlike you to be an idle spectator.
I'm surprised.
Is there a way to save him?
If so, it's not too late. I will send you to Yu Jung.
I have duties in the court that I must perform...
... and they are overwhelming as it is.
The Crown Prince has personally gone to the south.
I'm confident there will be good news.
Confidence in the Crown Prince?
Yes, I have confidence in him as well.
He is a smart young man, so
he will know what is best for Chosun and for the royal house.
Your Majesty...
A King must learn many things in order to administer the state.
And one of the most difficult lessons is how to manage his subjects.
He must know how to spot and use good talent,
but he must also know how to let them go when it is time.
Renouncing a cherished subject is more painful than
tearing your own flesh,
but a ruler must learn to endure that pain for a greater cause.
That is the lesson that my son will learn through this...
The royal court of Chosun has resolved to dismiss Yi Soon-shin?
Is this a confirmed fact?
Absolutely.
The Crown Prince is going to Hansando headquarters himself
to deliver the command.
Now I will go to Ming and bring back a rescript
ceding four provinces of Chosun to Japan.
Meanwhile, I suggest you catch up on some rest since you will be busy
devising ways to rule the ignorant people of Chosun
once the Taiko arrives.
I suppose you're right.
Something isn't right.
I'm almost certain Konishi and that Ming hustler is up to something.
But I don't think they're lying about Yi Soon-shin. Do you?
No...
I think I should take a trip to Nagoya.
I will go and build stronger more powerful warships
that can hold more cannons.
I am not interested in peace. All I want is victory.
I'm going to destroy Yi Soon-shin's precious navy with my own hands
and march all the way to Ming!
General Wakizaka...
After all, isn't that what the Taiko really wants?
Sir...
Oh, children!
Be careful. I don't want you to fall.
Your Highness, what brings you to the treacherous front?
I have come to encourage the brave warriors who stand guard
face to face with the enemy.
Your service is valuable to our country.
The Turtle Ships is an assault vessel with guns mounted on its head.
Sulfur smoke bellows out its mouth creating an effective smoke-screen.
Oarsmen occupy the lower deck, and gunners occupy the upper deck.
The top of the ship is covered with iron plates and spikes
to prevent the enemy from boarding.
Draw!
Release!
I don't understand.
I thought the Crown Prince was here to dismiss the Crown Prince.
So did I.
I expected him to Issue the order as soon as he got here,
but he is acting like a son visiting his father.
Perhaps the Crown Prince had a good talk with Yu Jung.
No one can deny the admiral's extraordinary accomplishments.
And it's true that he acted against the Ming commander's
order in the last battle, but we won another huge victory.
The royal court couldn't possibly be displeased with him.
If the Crown Prince appealed to Yu Jung wholeheartedly,
he could've had a change of heart.
I don't know... Yu Jung is not the kind that would bend.
I guess I was afraid for nothing.
My father was so worried.
When I saw the Crown Prince coming, my heart just sank.
I thought he was here to dismiss the admiral.
We don't have to worry now, right? It looks like everything worked out
If all was well, he wouldn't have made this personal trip.
Lady Chung-hyang...
Aren't you...?
It has been years, Your Highness. Yes, I'm Chung-hyang.
I did not know that you were here.
The war has changed you as well.
How are you holding up?
I spent over ten years of my life in the company of the rich and
powerful wearing finest silk and eating finest foods.
But my days have never been so rich and meaningful as they are now.
You must be exhausted from the tour and perhaps hungry as well.
Your Highness, may I suggest dinner with the Supreme Commander tonight?
Chung-hyang, how could you serve this to His Highness?
I am mortified.
It is the same dinner that you have been eating every day
since this war began, Admiral.
The Crown Prince will rise to the throne in the future.
I know it is presumptuous, but I thought it might help him in
becoming a rise ruler to know about the choice you made
to be treated equally as your soldiers.
Thank you. You've taught me a valuable lesson that
I cannot learn from any scholastic master.
Your grace is immeasurable.
Let us eat. I have a feeling this will be more delicious
than any grand spread I ever have had in the palace.
You've been putting course meal on your own plate
but unfailingly sending rice to the royal court...
From dawn to dusk you build battleships, train your men,
fight the enemy and take care of the refugees...
How could you make me, my father and the officials off the court
feel so embarrassed?
I have never felt so ashamed to be a Crown Prince of Chosun.
A weak country that can't even protect itself...
A weak prince who can't even squelch a Ming commander's rage...
I can't forgive myself for my juvenile shortcomings.
Admiral...
You have worked so hard to protect Chosun and its people...
But I... I may not be able to protect you.
Your Highness is barely twenty years old.
My son Myon is eighteen, so you are not much older than my son.
Your shoulders are still too small to carry the weight of Chosun,
and it pains me to watch you struggle.
You are the future father of this country.
But today, you're just another Chosun's son
who makes his old father feel ashamed of himself...
Admiral Yi is meeting with Ming Commander Yu Jung?
I have let the situation come to this...
"He who seek death shall live, he who seeks life shall die."
A powerless King and an imprudent Prince is bringing the admiral
to his knees and shattering the last hope of the people...
I will never be forgiven...
Your Highness, the admiral did not go to Yu Jung to submit to him.
It appears your King is yet to take your uniform from you, Admiral.
It's not too late.
If you vow to obey the Emperor's orders,
I will reconsider your dismissal.
It is not my duty to serve the Emperor.
What?
I am a servant of the people of Chosun.
They are the only ones that I serve.
If the Emperor's orders are not to fight the Japanese, I will not obey him.
How dare you!
You are attempt to patronize the Emperor of Ming?
I will have your head!
Your sword is pointing in the wrong direction. Withdraw your sword.
Silence!
Could you stop fighting?
If your country Ming, if the people of Ming were mercilessly beaten,
trampled and crushed by the guns and swords off the Japanese
like the people off Chosun, would you stop fighting them?
You can strike me, but will not be able to stop the Chosun Navy
from advancing toward the enemy.
But if you still wish to stop us be prepared to strike the entire
Chosunese Navy... no, the entire population of Chosun!