Scholars, officials, noblemen,
and us...
should become a strong and healthy...
root for this country.
We are...
this ground's hidden root.
The hidden root?
The hidden root should never...
differ from the next two thoughts.
First is that the people are the root.
The people are the root.
The people are...
the root.
Moo Hyul.
Your Highness.
(Episode 43)
(A field in Liaodong)
Your bodyguard Moo Hyul...
followed your order...
and lived every day as if it's a year.
Stand up.
You've changed.
You also...
have changed.
Let's go back to Gaegyeong.
Now it's no longer called Gaegyeong. It's called Hanyang.
They finished moving the capital.
Yes.
Let's go to Hanyang.
You're back alive. You are a lucky fellow.
You are the one who's lucky.
I am?
Since I am back alive,
you now have a good card in your hand.
Did things go well in Geumneung?
It went well of course.
The Emperor liked...
His Highness very much.
A lot of people thought of His Highness as the Crown Prince.
They thought of His Highness as the Crown Prince?
His appearance and speech were so superb...
that they misunderstood him as the Crown Prince.
Your Majesty, about Moo Hyul...
Take him.
How...
There's nothing for him to protect here.
He's a lunatic.
I lost interest in him. Take him away.
He's supposed to be my bodyguard,
but he doesn't care about me.
So why would I keep him beside me?
Even from a distance,
I will wish for your wellness.
I will also...
wish for your wellness.
Finally, our organisation, the Hidden Root is formed.
Yes.
Now there is an organisation for the nobility.
So now we have a groundwork for system and talented people.
Yes. Right.
It doesn't matter who becomes the King.
The King won't be able to change the systems easily.
Now we should start...
to execute military reform.
It has been delayed by the transfer of the capital.
But it can't wait any longer.
However, as we've seen from the first military reform,
it'll face stubborn resistance from officials with private soldiers.
They hoard their private soldiers as if they were their own lives.
Yeon Hee, share the information you obtained today.
Yes, Sir.
According to our spy from Hwasadan in Geumneung,
Prince Jeongan is on his way back.
(Prince Jeongan: Lee Bang Won)
He has already come as far as to Liaodong.
He'll cross the border at any moment now.
Military reform won't be finished within a couple of years.
You've been doing a great job so far.
Everyone in the Hidden Root...
needs to have great determination.
Understood?
- Yes. - Yes.
The hidden root should...
never...
differ from the next two thoughts.
First is...
that the people are the root.
The people are the root.
Boon Yi.
Is this what you've been looking for?
Where did you find this?
One of the residents of Banchon knew where it was.
What a relief.
But...
is this...
what Moo Myung came back for?
No one knows.
They apparently haven't given up.
Boon Yi's dream.
The world Boon Yi dreams of.
If you want to protect them,
kill me right now.
Then what about Mum?
She's just one of Moo Myung.
Bang Won will be back.
- When? - He's said to be in Liaodong.
He'll be here soon.
I'm happy and excited for it but at the same time,
I'm scared.
So am I.
But...
He's alive and well at least.
Thank you.
For what?
You've always trusted me...
and advised me.
I wouldn't have made it here without you.
So I thank you.
And...
It has given me a new dream.
What is it?
I want you to take your hands off our plan as Boon Yi did.
You should go your way.
I wouldn't like you...
to sacrifice all your life for our plan.
And I feel sorry for Bang Ji who is waiting for you.
Did you catch him?
Yes.
He was...
one of Moo Myung.
Moo Myung is back.
Both of you...
are their targets.
So let me guard you.
He's right.
Make sure Bang Ji accompanies you at all times.
Prince Jeongan is on his way back...
and Moo Myung is back as well.
It already failed once in Gaegyeong.
Right. Why would we repeat the battle formation training...
that's already failed?
We need to try again as it failed last time.
Each army...
has different slogans, drums, trumpets, flags and rules.
Do you think that's reasonable?
But at a time like this,
a large-scale military training...
The people will be afraid...
that there might be a war.
It's not that we're afraid.
We're preparing ourselves for a war.
All private armies are organised in different ways...
and use different terms.
Without a coherent military system,
we won't be able to centralise...
or strengthen our country.
What makes Gabyeolcho so great?
If it wasn't led by His Majesty,
it wouldn't be what it is now.
His Majesty is well aware of...
the benefits of private armies.
That's why Goryeo collapsed.
With Japanese pirates invading everywhere,
we didn't have a centralised command system.
He's right.
Military reform should be executed without a doubt.
However...
Please stop it now.
Come in.
Sambong, come over here.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I agree...
with Sambong.
We parted with the old spirits...
and established a new country.
All of you should regard...
Sambong's orders...
as my orders.
I ask you to execute the military training earnestly...
to strengthen the country.
I am much obliged, Your Majesty.
Thank you for supporting me...
on the military reform.
It is only necessary.
But I hope you don't have any other intentions.
What do you mean?
(Jo Joon)
I've seen many officials who turned into...
corrupt politicians when they acquired...
complete control over the armies.
Of course,
I trust you won't do that.
We'll start with a flag ritual.
- Then... - Yes.
During the ritual, we'll discard the old flags...
and give a new flag for the Joseon army.
Okay. We'll start the preparation.
All officials above Chief Commanders...
are required to attend the ritual. Understood?
- Yes. - Yes.
Can I talk to you for a moment?
Along with the flag ritual,
prepare to arrest military officials.
Pardon?
What do you mean?
We'll burn the old flags.
Put them over here.
They're ready.
Okay.
Including the Chief Officer of the State Council...
and General Lee Su Won,
no chief commanders or chief officers...
are present.
How can they...
do this?
General Lee Ji Ran and the princes...
are not present, either.
We'll carry out...
the flag ritual as planned.
Master Sambong.
- Burn them. - Yes, Sir.
The military system of the Goryeo dynasty...
will burn away along with these flags.
From now on, we will focus our energy on...
actualising a reform for the new military.
Have you prepared everything?
- Yes, Master. - Let's start things then.
Yes, Sir.
What do you think you are doing?
I have been ordered to arrest...
those under Your Highness' command, Park Do Won, Lee Chan Sang...
and Jung Chun Soo as they have been disobedient...
by the Prime Minister, Jeong Do Jeon.
What?
(Lee Bang Gwa, Prince Yeongan)
How dare you?
You will pay for this.
You Highness...
has also failed to follow orders.
- What did you say? - Why are you standing around?
- Arrest them. - Yes, Sir!
- What do you think you are doing? - Stop that.
How does this even make sense?
All of my men have been arrested.
Shut your mouth and sit back down.
I am not happy about it either.
All of my men have been taken too.
Don't you think Father is being too harsh?
Gabyeolcho is Father's private army.
How could he order to forbid private armies?
It is because he himself took the throne with private armies.
(Lee Ji Ran)
Don't you understand?
Goodness.
This isn't a dream, right?
We never knew how many years it would take us to return.
It took us less than we expected.
Bang Won.
Da Gyung, have you been well?
Did you have a safe trip?
Have you been well, Master?
Everything is the same as usual.
We were concerned over your long travel.
However...
Right. I am sorry that you have to hear this...
upon your return.
Did something happen?
This way, Your Highness.
You have...
returned safely.
Your Majesty has transferred...
the responsibility and complete control over the armies...
on me.
However,
as the founding contributors who are expected to set the examples,
you dared to disobey the King's order.
Shame on you!
Master Sambong.
Your Highness.
Did you have a safe trip?
Thank you for returning safely.
Thank you.
You are still very busy.
General Jo.
Look at you.
Are you suffering a lot?
My body is not hurt.
I'm suffering inside.
Upon hearing Prince Jeongan's explanations, the Emperor...
agreed to resolve any misunderstanding.
He decided to lift the ban he placed on the paths for the envoys.
This is the letter.
I'm proud of him.
Prince Jeongan made a huge contribution...
to furthering our cause in foreign diplomacy.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You are speaking too high of me, Your Majesty.
It was due to the effort of all the ambassadors...
that I was able to achieve a small success.
Prince Jeongan,
you are being too modest.
I agree, Your Majesty.
Due to Prince Jeongan's contributions,
we were able to resolve a huge hurdle...
in our diplomatic relations.
Myo Sang!
Moo Hyul!
Goodness. Moo Hyul!
Moo Hyul. Is that you?
Grandma, please take my bow.
Moo Hyul.
Goodness. Are you really Moo Hyul?
Is this really my Moo Hyul?
Gosh. You probably didn't miss me at all.
I did miss you.
Moo Hyul, have you been eating properly?
Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?
Of course he's okay.
He's even better than before.
His shoulders are strong. His legs as well.
Have you been well?
Of course. Who am I?
I have been very well.
This is my territory. I settled in here now.
I'm relieved. You look well.
Goodness. Seriously, I can't believe it.
Goodness. My goodness.
Moo Hyul.
Did you say a military reform?
Yes, it may...
become a system that will forbid owning a private army.
If that were to happen,
then we might have to be ready for unpredictable situations.
So, I secretly...
hid away necessary equipment and weapons.
Where did you put them?
In Banchon.
In Banchon? Why did you hide them there?
There is nowhere safer than Banchon.
There won't be any investigation or military presence there.
Myo Sang wanted to open an inn...
so while I was doing that for her, I made a storage...
in the basement of the house next door.
Master Jo Young Gyoo is taking care of them discreetly.
Banchon...
What is this for? Why are you always focused on writing this?
I hope I won't have to use this.
But why?
But once I have experienced this place...
(Boon Yi)
I realised how risky of a place it is.
Knowing that no military officials can enter without King's order,
all the officials and scholars...
hold secret meetings here.
While our village people attend to their needs,
we end up hearing their talk.
I know.
You tell me to forget what they say,
but why are you writing all this down?
Just in case.
It might prove itself useful.
We were able to flee from danger...
and settle in Banchon...
due to the important information left by Seon Dol.
Still,
I hope that I'll never have to use this.
Let's go now. Did you say they're all gathered?
At that moment, Moo Hyul said...
to the King of Yan.
"I don't care if you are the King of Yan."
"The sword will penetrate him just the same."
When he said that, we became so terrified.
We were all panicking.
And Prince Jeongan said,
"Translate what Moo Hyul said."
Master Ha Ryun and I turned pale and...
prayed that he won't translate it. And all of a sudden,
the King of Yan went like this and said,
"I understood everything."
It turns out he understands our language.
But still, you should never...
act out like that again!
By the way, it looks like Moo Hyul has really changed.
How so?
Look at that.
He even speaks differently now. His attitude is different too.
Of course.
When you get older, you get mature.
Of course, there are exceptions.
Nobody listens to me.
You look nice. You look more reliable.
Is that so?
Hey.
I really can't get used to you.
I think we should get used to him quickly.
I don't think he's just trying to look serious.
I'll go get some more food.
Please get one more pot of drink too.
Okay.
It's here. Please come in.
When you go inside, it leads to another storage.
It's here.
Gosh. How did they move all of these here?
You're not allowed to carry weapons in Banchon.
When the capital was transferred and Banchon was newly formed,
we secretly moved them.
Well, actually,
there's no place quite as safe as Banchon.
Does Boon Yi know about this?
She doesn't know.
If this gets out,
Banchon will be ruined.
Boon Yi will be put in danger too.
We have to use these.
If things go wrong,
we will be ruined too.
I heard you're doing well.
You gave me this precious opportunity.
I am very happy...
that you are back.
You're happy?
I'm sure you must be thinking...
it's going to be tiring again.
That's not true, Your Highness.
Never mind.
Here.
It's made by someone...
really famous in Nanjing.
Thank you.
Give it to me.
I heard Banchon...
stays strictly neutral.
Yes.
You know...
that you need power...
to keep that neutrality, right?
Without power,
you will get attacked by both sides.
And if you ever...
die in the process,
neither side will take care of your body.
You are aware of that, right?
I will keep that in mind.
Gosh...
I must've been mistaken.
She can't be here.
Master Hong...
drank too much and passed out.
He's sleeping inside while snoring loudly.
He always said he never gets drunk because he's trained.
What will...
happen to us?
I wouldn't know.
So,
did you decide to bet everything on Prince Jeongan?
What about you?
Why do you want to protect Prince Jeongan?
There's no reason.
Small ties piled up...
and became a path.
(Moo Hyul)
And I am just...
following that path.
Will we...
(Lee Bang Ji)
Will be fighting each other one day?
One warrior I met in Liaodong...
told me this.
The man who lives with a sword in his hand...
is different from a man who lives with a brush.
The swordsmen...
should never try to see what lies ahead of them.
He said I should only see ...
what is in front of me.
So I am going to do that.
Right now,
I'm only going to see what's in front of me.
By the way,
you couldn't see what lies ahead of you from the start.
Gosh...
I was trying to be serious.
Hey.
Did I change that much?
I've missed you.
This is good.
Ha Ryun, you are under arrest.
Arrest?
What did I do?
You went to Ming as an envoy,
demoralised the national spirit...
and dropped the King's status.
When and what did I do to demoralise the national spirit?
You are doing this again.
We went to the police agency yesterday and got punished.
Do I need to get more?
Did you miss to hit a part of my body yesterday?
We are not here for you, Master Jo.
Then? Is it me?
What about him?
I received an order to arrest all those who went to Ming as envoys.
What are you doing? Arrest him!
- Yes, Sir. - Yes, Sir.
Let's go.
Your Highness.
All the envoys that were sent to Ming...
were taken to the police agency.
To the police agency? Why?
I'm not sure.
But I'm afraid you'll get into trouble as well.
I'm sure Master Sambong is planning something again.
What's going on?
Why would His Majesty order them to be arrested?
Her Majesty met with one of the envoys, Master Lee Chan Soo.
Why would she?
(Ha Ryun)
Why are you interrogating us?
Tell us the reason at least.
Is it true that His Highness...
introduced himself...
as the Crown Prince in Ming?
I have no idea.
I mean it.
That's...
Tell me the truth.
Go!
No.
That's a misunderstanding.
How could Prince Jeongan dare...
to introduce himself as the Crown Prince in Ming?
(Prince Jeongan: Lee Bang Won)
That is high treason.
(Queen Sindeok)
Your Majesty.
Arrest Prince Jeongan...
and interrogate him.
But he just made a great accomplishment.
No accomplishment...
can make up for high treason.
Ming,
in their efforts to overpower us,
has been reluctant to give you an appointment letter.
When Prince Uian becomes the King,
they'll make an issue out of it.
She's right.
If Prince Jeongan falsely introduced him as the Crown Prince,
it should not be accepted.
Right.
We'll investigate into this matter...
and find out the truth.
Master, don't let this opportunity slide.
We never...
went to Geumneung.
We know nothing about what happened there.
He's right.
We never went to Geumneung.
We were held in Liaodong.
Then...
when Ha Ryun came back to Liaodong,
didn't he tell you anything like that?
What are you waiting for? Sear him.
Wait.
The officials of Ming...
mistook Prince Jeongan for the Crown Prince.
He said something like that...
in passing.
Look.
Will you keep denying it?
Go.
Have you found out anything?
According to them, as Prince Jeongan has...
deep knowledge of Chutzu's teachings,
the officials of Ming started to call him the Crown Prince of Joseon.
Prince Jeongan tried to stop them,
but they insisted on treating him as the Crown Prince.
And even the Emperor met him twice.
If he really tried to stop them or let them call him the Crown Prince,
we never know.
I'll go out there.
Master, this is a chance not to be missed.
Because of Prince Jeongan's achievements in diplomacy,
noblemen are now in favour of him.
The more people talk about him,
the more disturbed the status of the Crown Prince will be.
You're right.
Why do you look so down?
I have so many things to do.
And now I'm involved in political strife again.
I'm tired of it.
Why do you think it's political strife?
If Prince Jeongan really called himself the Crown Prince,
he has to be punished, which will enable us...
to get rid of a major obstacle to military reform.
Are you all right?
Your Majesty.
After I die...
Stop. Why do you say that?
What will happen to our Crown Prince?
I can't trust Prince Jeongan.
Your Majesty, please protect...
our Crown Prince.
I'll always be here.
Why are you so worried?
Imagine what will happen to him when we're gone.
He'll be a rabbit among wolves.
I can't let this happen.
When I go,
I'll take Prince Jeongan with me.
No way.
If we let him get away with calling himself the Crown Prince,
the status of the Crown Prince will be ruined.
Your Majesty.
Please listen to me.
I think Prince Jeongan is in trouble.
I heard it on the way.
I doubt Sambong will...
let him get away.
Most of all,
Her Majesty is furious.
Using this opportunity,
she'll try to get rid of Prince Jeongan.
This is unexpected.
However, Sambong...
will also face an unexpected trouble soon.
By any chance,
does it have anything to do with you visiting Geumneung?
Yes.
I met with General Seol Yeon...
and asked him to help us.
General Seol Yeon?
Although it was a misunderstanding of officials of Ming,
it's still deplorable.
And the word is spreading.
You can't let it slide, Your Majesty.
Then what should I do?
Ha Ryun, who was in charge of the envoys,
should be sent into exile.
Kwon Taek Soo, who spread the word in Hanyang,
should be executed.
Also,
Prince Jeongan should be confined to an isolated area.
However,
Prince Jeongan solved an old problem with Ming.
If you accuse him of such issue and punish him now,
it might worsen the relationship with Ming.
What are you talking about?
Are you suggesting that we should let it slide only to satisfy Ming?
You two should protect the Crown Prince.
How can you let Prince Jeongan get away with this?
Look.
We're in the middle of our meeting.
When both His Majesty and I are gone...
Have you ever considered...
what may happen to the Crown Prince?
I guess it went well in Geumneung.
Yes. She's back in Hanyang now.
What are you talking about?
We shouldn't be sitting back.
Her Majesty will...
Da Gyung, you're right.
We can't be sitting back like this.
What are you talking about?
Prince Jeongan...
entered the palace with Master Jo Young Gyoo.
Master Jo seemed to be hiding a weapon.
No, that's impossible.
How would anyone dare to enter the palace with a hidden weapon?
Your Majesty.
Prince Jeongan might have bribed someone in the palace.
So where are they now?
They went towards the palace for the Crown Prince.
What?
Your Highness!
Your Highness.
Please punish me.
This tragedy happened due to...
my lack of capacity and ability.
How could you not punish me?
The envoys from Ming were mistaken...
and called me by the wrong title,
but I was foolish to think...
that it might be able to contribute to improving diplomatic relations.
It's true that I hesitated to correct the misunderstanding.
Your Highness.
Please punish me severely for what I have done.
Bang Won, why are you doing this?
Please don't do this.
No, Your Majesty.
Please punish me...
and forgive those...
who were only following my orders.
Your Majesty, I will give my loyalty to you...
until the day I die.
Father.
Please forgive Prince Jeongan.
It's not his fault.
Please release his people, too.
Bang Won, stand up.
Please stand up.
Please stand up, Bang Won.
Stand up.
Your Highness.
Did you lower yourself...
in front of the Crown Prince...
and promised your loyalty to him?
Yes, I did.
I would like to be forgiven for what I have done...
and I wish to live quietly...
just as Father and you have wished.
In the middle of playing the game of go,
are you surrendering yourself...
and planning to make your next move when you are not being watched?
Then you have left the game already.
What do you mean?
Will you...
see the end of it?
I have just told you.
From now on,
I will give my loyalty to the Crown Prince.
Bang Won.
It makes me tear up...
that you called me by that name.
Are you conspiring to take the throne?
Why?
Do you have plans for this country other than mine?
Do you have different views...
for this country? Or do you have other ideas...
for how the system should run?
The fifth of the Five Rules.
"The royal family cannot participate in political activities."
You were frustrated and devastated by that rule.
But...
if you were to become the King, what would happen?
Will you let the royal family...
be involved in politics and let them live to their capacity?
This system is one where you can only become officials through exams.
It's one where the officials try to manipulate the King...
while preventing each other from moving up the ranks.
Would you abolish this system...
if you become the King?
Or do you have plans different from mine?
Would you prevent the military reform...
and give up the centralised state system?
As it was the case in Goryeo, would you allow ownership of army...
to princes and high officials?
None of them are true.
If you become the King,
knowing how you are,
you will abuse your authority over the officials.
You will take care of their affairs in your own hands.
You will make similar excuses as me by saying that...
you don't have other options for the country's establishment.
Those are only...
slightly different from my plans.
Am I not right?
Everything...
you said is right,
Master.
You don't have...
any different ideals for this country.
It is just your will to accomplish it for yourself.
Your intentions are malicious, selfish and personal.
That's what it is.
What if it's personal?
The role requires you to present the people and have no bias.
How could I say you are right?
If the ideals are the same,
then I can do them as well.
Why does it have to be Bang Seok?
You've strayed away from the path for too long.
Yes.
I have strayed away from the path. It's been crooked...
and broken.
So...
I won't care about what path I take.
I will just strive towards achieving my dream.
Did you ask if I dreamt of a new country?
Or if I have any firm beliefs?
You are right.
I don't.
Why do I have to have them?
Bang Won.
You were my...
Zant Gar.
My dream...
was to look after the beautiful country...
that you have built.
So...
I must have it.
You are...
very much like Bi Dam.
You are clever...
and have the charisma to lead all people.
You also have the insight to look through everything.
Yet you can't control your selfish desires...
so you dare to spoil the great plan.
Bi Dam...
was obsessed with achieving personal goals.
You are caught up...
with your greed for power.
There is nothing else...
I can do.
There is one thing different...
between Bi Dam and me.
Bi Dam...
was a loser.
You're right.
Nobody knows how things will work out.
However, Bi Dam probably didn't know either...
until he got slashed from Kim Yu Sin and died on the spot.
He couldn't have known it before.
That he...
was the loser.
Fine.
This game isn't over yet.
My vicious move...
hasn't been placed yet.
You can't do this, Your Majesty.
Isn't it obvious that Prince Jeongan is putting on a show?
Do you still trust it?
Do you still trust Prince Jeongan's tears?
It still gives me goosebumps.
- My Queen. - Your Majesty,
you can't leave Prince Jeongan like that.
Are you okay?
Is there anyone outside?
- Be gentle. - They will be here soon.
Moo Hyul! Hong Dae Hong!
Moo Hyul!
Are you all right? Were you released?
Everyone was released.
Are you all right, Moo Hyul?
Go in and lie down. I will go get a doctor.
Grandma, it's nothing.
No, it might look like it's nothing now,
but you will get sick when things like this pile up!
Go inside. Go and put him down. I will go get a doctor.
Gab Boon, help me move him into the room.
It hurts too much.
Take me with you!
Wait!
Gab Boon, is there...
Is there someone who...
Eun Ho!
Myeong!
You were hiding here again.
How could you...
(Chuk Sa Gwang)
Why is this in Banchon?
Sa Gwang.
Please pretend you don't know anything.
I heard about what happened to Prince Jungchang.
I am not thinking of taking a revenge.
Even in that cave,
you didn't kill me.
So please...
let me go this time again.
Okay. I understand.
By the way,
you've changed a lot.
They passed the border yesterday morning.
They are faster than I thought.
"Now Joseon sends people..."
"on every holiday..."
"and writes a letter to the Emperor."
"You seem to be polite..."
"yet your words are insincere,"
"and you despise me."
"Therefore,"
"I will not..."
"return your envoys."
"Also,"
"people who wrote and corrected the letter..."
"and the person in charge,"
"Jeong Do Jeon..."
(Why are you hesitating?)
Hurry up and read it.
"And everyone should be..."
"sent to..."
"Ming."
My vicious move...
hasn't been placed yet.
Is this your vicious move?
Is it related to this?
Lee Bang Won.
Experience...
my vicious move.
Master Sambong.
(Six Flying Dragons)
You should send Sambong to Ming.
- Please send Sambong to Ming. - Please send Sambong to Ming.
It's going to be tough for Master Sambong.
I, Jeong Do Jeon,
will step down from all posts.
Please protect the Crown Prince.
That's my last wish.
Where is Sambong?
We haven't located him yet.
Where is he and what is he doing?
We have planned everything perfectly. It starts now.
I haven't made my vicious move either.