Subtitles by DramaFever
[Episode 18] Hey!
Lee In Gyeom's minion!
Damn... He took it.
It's you!
Leave behind the title, "the best swordsman in the country!"
And then you can depart.
Sure, sure... I cannot let you go on.
When the sword reaches a certain speed
blood won't remain on the blade even if you cut through a person.
- Brother... - Wait!
I missed it!
If it was just a tad bit deeper, the arm could have fallen off.
You're not as good as before.
You should do better.
Your attack was sharp this time.
But it's too bad. I avoided it.
- I can see it all. - What?
- I can see all of your tricks. - Crazy bastard.
Gil Tae Mi, you son of a bitch!
You'll be punished by Heaven!
Damn it...
What did I do that was so wrong?
How dare you!
You've trampled on the weak and stolen from them your entire life!
Hey...
Of course I'd trample on the weak...
Would I trample on the powerful?
Of course I'd steal from the weak...
Would I steal from the powerful?
Since the beginning of time...
the weak have always been trampled on by the powerful.
A thousand years ago... and even a thousand years from now...
the weak will be stolen from by the powerful.
The only truth in the world is...
the powerful wrecks the weak.
The powerful... plunders the weak.
This is... the only truth that doesn't change!
So let's hurry up and finish this.
This is... how the powerful... wrecks the weak.
What is your name?
I should know whom I was done in by before I go.
I...
I am... the best swordsman in the country!
Lee Bang Ji.
Bang Ji...
Lee Bang Ji...
- Gil Tae Mi is dead! - Gil Tae Mi is dead!
How great! Gil Tae Mi is dead!
He is the new, best swordsman!
My brother... that's how you left.
But at least at the moment you died...
you were a warrior, not a corrupt official.
Please rest in peace now.
People... are laughing.
Arrest all of the remnants of Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi
and take them to the State Tribunal!
Also, return the land that they stole to the original owners.
Anyone who became a slave unjustly should be set free
and should be returned to their given jobs.
What's going on?
We will take the informant of Hong In Bang to the State Tribunal.
Anyone who resists will be punished by the law!
There is no need for this.
Let's go to the State Tribunal.
- Tie him up. - Yes, sir.
I knew early on that Hong In Bang wouldn't last too long.
Why did I hesitate for so long?
You earned a government position again.
I did.
We were also together when you earned your first government position.
Yes. Why did you do that?
No more talk about baby rattles.
Tell me what's in your heart.
For someone with deep knowledge
and a good understanding of duties as a Confucius scholar
why did you do that?
- Because Mencius was wrong. - Pardon?
Mencius said...
"If a baby goes towards a well, I will save him even if he is not mine."
"That is the true human nature."
Isn't it so?
But human beings also push babies into the well for their own benefit.
We see it happen all over in this turbulent time.
People are endlessly weak and selfish.
Everyone from the citizens to the ruler.
That's just how I was.
The whole time I was tortured and away on exile
I lost the duties as a Confucius scholar I had learned over half of my life.
All I had left was doubt and anger.
"Is it over for me now?" "Is everyone abandoning me?"
"Nothing goes the way I learned from the book!"
Disguised human foresight faltered and disappeared.
I doubted as much as I knew from my study, shaking in fear.
That's the nature of the ones who studied.
- That's how you justified yourself. - Justified myself?
I did. Because I had to survive.
"It's all a lie! This is how human beings are!"
"This country... There has been no hope for a long time"
"in this country called Goryeo."
And this is true.
Even if it wasn't for me...
there is... no hope for this country.
It's time to go to the execution ground.
You will try to reestablish this country now.
But...
will it work?
What? Do you want to discuss more?
I'm sure you want to raise a counterargument.
But what can I do? I don't have time.
No, I got a good understanding from your words.
I will make good use of it.
Is that right?
Also, I completely agree with some of your thoughts.
What is it?
There is no hope for Goryeo anymore.
What?
I have no intention at all of reestablishing this Goryeo.
By any chance... are you...
If there is an afterlife, make sure to watch me.
Farewell, Brother.
Proceed!
The traitor is dead!
How... did he make it out alive?
What's with your face?
Despite everything, I served my master for a long time...
For him to leave that way...
You shouldn't say such a thing!
Although you were following Hong In Bang's orders
you committed crimes as his servant.
I am sorry.
What? What did you say?
I think you are really, truthfully, very awesome.
What are you saying out of nowhere?
At first, I thought you were a nobleman who studied a lot and spoke well.
But the more I spend time with you, you are more amazing.
I believe you will be big. I think you're destined for it.
Really...
I cannot deny it.
But why all of a sudden?
When you put down the gunpowder in front of that Haedong Clan and made a deal...
Seriously...
my heart hasn't stopped pounding since that day.
In the end, with those signatures, the King's order was given
to get rid of Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi.
Other people may not know it, but I do!
I saw people with big smiles in the market today.
I thought I walked around smiling because I'm an idiot.
But I saw that other people knew how to smile, too.
It was the first time I saw so many people smiling together.
You made it happen.
Well... depending on how you think, it's true.
But why would you bring it up all of a sudden?
I would like to protect you, from the bottom of my heart.
I would like to protect you, and when you make other people smile...
I want to find my worth from it.
So please officially make me your bodyguard.
You are already my bodyguard.
But it's for a joke!
I know there is no such thing as "Second Rank Bukdo"!
I mean, officially!
You are... my bodyguard.
You have been my bodyguard from the beginning.
The one I gave my sword to.
You are the first one.
What does the sword mean?
It's a weapon.
To give this to someone... means that I trust that person.
Really?
What are you doing? Aren't you going?
We are!
What are you doing? You're my bodyguard.
Aren't you going to follow me?
Yes, Master.
Teacher... This is...
Hong In Bang was right.
Sadaebu may be afraid of losing control
so they try to defeat each other from jealousy and suspicion of each other.
And? So what did you come up with?
That's how I was too, the whole time I was in exile.
I was always anxious and nervous that I would be forgotten.
Supposedly I cared for the citizens, so I could've tried to help from there.
So why was I so anxious and nervous?
That's how we are, the Sadaebu.
But Mencius left the country to those people. Why would he?
Did Mencius not know that? No! He knew, that's why he emphasized "humanity".
But I cannot trust "humanity" alone.
So I am going to systematize the doubt of Sadaebu.
I will make a system out of the nature of Sadaebu
jealousy, slander, defeat of each other.
I will create the Office of Inspection that has a job of doubting all the time.
I will create the Office of Censors that has a job of remonstrating all the time.
And I will create the Office of Advisers that has a job of talking all the time.
From the Sadaebu to the King, from the King to the Sadaebu
and within the Sadaebu, they will keep each other in check.
So that they will have no irregularity or corruption by default.
That's the government system we need to create.
The system where the country monopolizes even doubt and criticism.
- Is that it? - That's right.
The evil produced from doubt and criticism
will not be spread to the citizens.
[King, Office of Inspection, Office of Advisers, Office of Censors]
[(Doubt, Check)]
What is he saying?
Would it... work?
What about the citizens? Could the citizens keep them in check at all?
I want to have them. All of them.
Really, he is a genius I cannot mimic.
Really...
I do not understand a single thing.
- What's wrong? - What about you, Young Master?
For me...
You don't understand a single thing either, right?
You really are helpful.
Pardon?
Now that the case is complete...
I came to say thank you for our deal last time.
Because of our deal, we were able to receive His Majesty's order
and get rid of the three leaders of Dodang.
And the government will completely change now.
Without your help, it would have been impossible.
I sincerely thank you.
I heard about the process of getting the signatures.
I was truly perplexed...
but you were great.
I am going to apologize to my father-in-law later regarding the matter.
I did not tell my father about the secret of your family.
I showed it to you because I trusted your judgment.
How is the progress?
Which group will you join forces with in the future?
General Yi Seong Gye and General Choi Young
will form a united government now
but General Choi will not agree to this plan.
What do you plan to do?
Forgive me. I rushed too much.
We should set that aside for now.
Get some rest.
Hong In Bang, Gil Tae Mi, they got what they deserved!
I actually got to see the fruit of what they deserved in this turbulent time!
This is the first time I've seen that since I was born!
Tae Mi was a really good kid when he was little.
Damn it! Everyone's good when they're little.
Is there anyone not nice when they were little?
He put a flower ring on, played with dolls like a girl...
His father asked what he would be useful for...
His father brought him to me to make him a man.
Goodness...
It doesn't even fit you. Why do you act like his teacher all of a sudden?
It's such a relief for me!
Tae Mi...
It really has grown so much.
Hong In Bang...
Hong In Bang, Sunkyunkwan...
I'm sure that Sambong's words excite you.
Is your excitement because of the country that Sambong is trying to create?
Or is it because you want to have that country?
I am going to systematize the doubt of the Sadaebu.
I will create the Office of Inspection that has a job of doubting all the time.
I will create the Office of Censors that has a job to remonstrate all the time.
And I will create the Office of Advisers that has a job of talking all the time.
From the Sadaebu to the King, from the King to the Sadaebu
and within the Sadaebu, they will doubt and keep each other in check.
So they won't have a chance for irregularity and corruption.
I want to have them. All of them.
But you will realize at a certain point. The moment you realize it...
the worm inside you will finally start whispering to you.
I knew you would be here.
- You already did it. - Yes. I did.
We should celebrate.
At least it was the beginning.
- Can you promise me one thing? - Promise what?
In case...
If... I change...
"Change"? How?
They say that a worm lives in each person's heart.
If that worm swallows me up...
and if I am no longer myself...
If I change like that...
I'm going to kill it.
Good.
But before you kill it, can you tell me just once?
I got it.
"You bad worm! Throw up Bang Won now!"
Like this?
Yes. You have to do it like that.
Don't worry about that.
Why is it not possible?
How can the citizens keep them in check?
What's the use of keeping only the officials and the king in check?
The citizens are the ones at a disadvantage!
The citizens can't do it.
I am not looking down on them...
but the citizens have no power and no time to keep them in check.
That's why the officials exist.
Later... it could change, right?
Bodyguards should hide themselves for the ones that they protect.
But, "the best swordsman in the country"?
He has become the target of warriors from all over the country.
I will take care of my business.
Protecting him is my job...
This is my job, Lord Jung's safety and security.
- You are the one who raised a problem. - "Problem"?
What problem comes out of being protected by the best swordsman in the country?
It is a problem.
First, if there is any group that is aiming for Lord Jung
they will plan with protection from the best swordsman of the country in mind.
Since you exposed yourself.
Second, if a warrior looking for fame attacks you
how will you protect Lord Jung?
But Yeon Hee, we had to capture Gil Tae Mi regardless.
But he didn't have to expose his name.
Also, this is not a matter for you to take his side.
Many people came together and started a big plan.
So your safety is not your individual matter anymore.
And all of the bodyguard's actions must be under the control of the organization.
Am I wrong?
You are correct.
You should also say she's right!
Why did I?
I lost my mind.
Hey!
The best swordsman in the country!
"Hey"? Talking down to me?
You started it.
You look much younger than me.
If that's the case, I will call you my older brother.
I'd hate that more.
Just go easy. What is it about?
Congratulations... for becoming the best swordsman in the country.
"Congratulations"...
Why?
Really, such a show off...
People will try to hire you from here and there
and your path of success has opened up!
So you deserve to be congratulated.
Here.
I will also become the best swordsman in the country.
Why would you?
What is the best swordsman in the country?
The best fighter in the country.
Then you should fight with everyone in the country.
What about you? Did you fight with everyone?
So... why am I the best swordsman in the country?
What are you saying? Why is it so complicated?
You even look really complicated! I look really clean!
The face and the mind...
It must be nice to have clean ones.
I am not being sarcastic.
I really envy you.
That's why you can't become the best swordsman in the country.
Bastard, I felt bad for you...
So I thought I'd be your friend.
What do you think is the crucial talent to live as a warrior in these times?
What?
It's the personality.
The personality of enjoying killing people.
The moment your enemy's life ends...
you feel pleasure.
It's that personality.
But you don't have it. That's how your eyes are.
What about you?
Is that your personality?
I don't think it is.
It wasn't.
But it has become that way.
It has become that way.
It has...
Could it really be true?
Is it why I couldn't step in front of Gil Tae Mi?
We must not end it here.
The reason Goryeo has come to this shape is...
as everyone knows, it is Lee In Gyeom's fault.
This is a case of a fabricated treason plot where Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi
accused Lord Jo Ban to be a traitor.
Aside from the execution of Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi
the fabricated treason plot case is not the only matter.
The crime of shaking up the discipline by selling government posts!
The crime of unlawful asset gain by taking the citizen's land by force!
The crime of putting the citizen in misery
by raising the tax rate to 90 percent on land that had the maximum tax rate!
Lord Lee In Gyeom is behind all of these.
You should be precise with your words at least.
How is it a crime to raise the tax rate?
Of course their action of raising the tax rate to 90 percent should be corrected!
But Dodang passed the higher tax rate!
It was a rightful, legal procedure!
If you are trying to blame someone to take responsibility now...
isn't it logical to punish Dodang that made the decision?
Yes, he is right on that.
I was in Hong In Bang's party for a short while
but Hong In Bang's evil deeds reached a point I couldn't bear to see.
I held back my tears and impeached Hong In Bang.
So I still remain in this seat.
I share the same opinion.
Look at the empty seats in Dodang.
We have seen too much blood already.
As strict as the punishment is
selecting the one to be punished should also be accurate and strict.
We have to punish Lee In Gyeom.
At least we should keep him fenced in
and forfeit his assets and return them to the rightful owners!
- Is it so urgent? - Then what is urgent?
The relationship with Ming has been in trouble for a while. Haven't you noticed?
Delegates to Ming came back without entering their royal court!
Their demands have already crossed the line.
It is worse than Yuan!
- General! - Lee In Gyeom is not an urgent matter!
We must treat Lee In Gyeom with strict punishment!
When Lee In Gyeom lost his position
he negotiated with Hong In Bang to keep many of his allies in Dodang.
Yes, I heard that about 20 of them still remain.
So at this point when most of the remnants
of Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi are purged
ironically, Lee In Gyeom is the majority in Dodang.
That's not all.
People like Woo Hak Joo and Han Goo Young took their members
and survived by going over to Lee In Gyeom.
At this point, if this matter ends with Lee In Gyeom's exile
it is only a matter of time before Lee In Gyeom comes back to Dodang.
Yes, His Majesty will also try to bring back Lee In Gyeom somehow.
That's why Lee In Gyeom must be punished severely this time.
So, it is...
You shouldn't do it!
What do you mean?
We shouldn't?
You are waiting for punishment from Dodang.
Why did you ask to see me?
I will stay outside, so speak comfortably.
General, it is not time to rush General Choi Young.
You should end it by sending him to exile on an island.
But in the situation where Lee In Gyeom's people remain in Dodang...
if we stop at sending him to exile
Lee In Gyeom will definitely come back.
And if he comes back
then he will create another Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi.
General!
I beg of you one more time.
Could you absorb Lee in Gyeom's people?
If you put your hand out, they will run to you as if they've gone crazy.
Please, Sambong!
They have been persecuting the citizens for years by mooching off Lee In Gyeom!
They are no different from Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi!
What would I gain by working with those people?
General Choi Young!
Let's gather strength with those people and aim for General Choi Young!
What? What did you say?
What?
I said that Yi Seong Gye will attack you in the end.
Yi Seong Gye is a true comrade
who has been fighting off the Japanese pirates with me.
But Yi Seong Gye will attack me? Why?
Yi Seong Gye trusts you and follows you.
Also, he still does look very weak.
The problem is... Yi Seong Gye's will.
"Will"?
As you know, Yi Seong Gye has been a very useful tool for Goryeo.
Like a hammer. But that hammer has its own will.
What do you mean by "will"?
What will does Yi Seong Gye have?
It's Jung Do Jeon.
Jung Do Jeon? What do you mean?
How can a lowly official become the will of a great general like Yi Seong Gye?
I told you about a shadow before, didn't I?
Do you remember?
That shadow is... Jung Do Jeon.
They will attack you in the end, General.
Aim for General Choi Young?
Why would we aim for General Choi Young, not Lee In Gyeom?
This is to save General Choi Young.
It is also to avoid a bloody affair, and to minimize the sacrifice of people!
I am asking what you mean!
The country we are going to create
is a place we can't go with General Choi Young!
You have to make General Choi Young lose his power
and you have to absorb the military influence of General Choi Young!
Only after that...
Why? Why do you say it's a country we can't go with General Choi Young?
The core of the new country is in the land reform!
Unless the citizens own the land, nothing changes!
So we have to take away all the land from the high ranking officials!
General Choi Young is a high-ranking official.
No matter how upright General Choi Young is
his family enjoys the most in this country!
Would he be able to agree to confiscate the land of high-ranking officials?
Would he be able to abandon Goryeo, which is based on that system?
How can the new country...
- Leave. - General!
Who said that he would establish the new country?
Who said that he would become the king of the new country?
I said leave!
Stop saying nonsense!
You were once prime minister of this country!
You wish to live, but how can you babble such nonsense?
This is not nonsense!
Jung Do Jeon has very dangerous thoughts
and Yi Seong Gye has very dangerous power!
When they come together, Goryeo will be in danger!
Since your mother came from afar, I will grant you a special favor.
What?
What's with this trick?
You are my mother?
This is his order.
I accept the order.
Then it's a big problem.
If he still insists again, our plan will fall through
and we will have to have a final match with General Choi Young.
What was the plan?
Is it something I should not know?
- You just do your job... - First...
Absorb Lee In Gyeom's people and make Choi Young lose his power.
Then gain the military power of Goryeo.
Second?
Seize Dodang completely
and get rid of corrupt officials in stages.
Repair the system and gain the trust of the people...
Then wait for the right moment and receive the appointment as the next king.
That way, we will be able to found a new country with minimal sacrifice.
If we don't absorb Lee In Gyeom's people
Choi Young will end up taking them. Then, as a result...
we will have no choice but to call for blood with General Choi Young.
If that happens, people will gravely suffer in the process.
Also, since we have to attack the trusted General Choi Young
we will lose people's trust as well.
Have you explained all about the new country to the General?
You haven't.
To tell you the truth, because Bang Won caused trouble...
I missed a chance to talk to him.
The General should know what it is about.
He has to know to make his judgment
and he will gain motivation, too.
Why would Jukryong ask?
The State Tribunal is investigating him.
Just why would he ask to see me?
All of a sudden, he said he would confess everything if you would come.
He says he won't say a word until then.
You should be thankful that you are still alive.
For a remnant of Hong In Bang!
I am not a remnant of Hong In Bang.
I am an intel merchant...
so I just sell information for money.
Then you should have only sold intel!
Stop with your useless tricks and say what you need to say!
If I may, I would like to sell the intel I have to you, sir.
You will sell me your information?
You should beg for your life even after offering me all the intel you have.
For someone locked up in the State Tribunal, you want to trade with me?
For the last few years, there have been huge changes in Dodang and Goryeo.
Did the changes happen by coincidence?
What?
How did the Border Stabilization Plan pass?
How did Lee In Gyeom lose power?
Why did Haedong Clan sign such a document?
And how did Hong In Bang and Gil Tae Mi fall apart so suddenly?
Aren't you curious?
Your mouth will open after some torture. Come here!
Why!
Why haven't I been tortured up to this point?
It's because no high-ranking officials want me to be tortured.
If my mouth opens
almost no high-ranking official of this Goryeo can avoid his crime.
That's why I am going to sell my intel only to you, not the State Tribunal.
What is your price?
I only wish to leave this place and get back to my job.
I did not commit any crime except for selling intel to Hong In Bang for money.
Please listen to Teacher Sambong about the country he is trying to create.
No...
What made my heart pound so much, what I wanted to share...
that even made me steal your letter...
Please take a look.
It is my earnest request.
If you look through the place I tell you about
you will learn about many interesting things.
I found it!
It's a very detailed daily record.
Tell me about the land plan.
I was going to tell you sooner...
How it should be fixed to care for the people...
Explain it to me.
Yes. Yes, I will.
Is this... really all true?
Was Lee In Gyeom right?
Sir, General Choi Young sent a message to see you urgently.
He did? Where is he now?
He is waiting at Dodang.
General!
It's late at night, so what brings you here?
Yi Seong Gye!
What is... this?
Take a look!
Lee In Gyeom wasn't fond of you.
Then he came to me one day and said he would bring you to Dodang.
Also, Hong In Bang came to me one day
and said he would agree on the Border Stabilization Plan.
I couldn't stand working with those thieves
but for the sake of national defense
I accepted Hong In Bang's suggestion.
But you were in secret collusion with those thieves at that point!
And I, Choi Young, was played in the hands of a rookie.
Sambong Jung Do Jeon! From his scheme!
What do you mean?
It seems that Jukryong's book has been handed to General Choi Young.
Things such as when Jukryong interrogated me...
private meetings between Hong In Bang and you
records of Jukryong's trip to Hamju
and our plan to pass the Border Stabilization Plan.
I believe most of them are included in there.
Is that all true?
I asked if it's true!
It's true.
But it's not what you think.
I will explain the whole situation in detail.
Dismiss Jung Do Jeon!
If Choi Young is suspicious of me, I can just leave the government post.
What meaning is there in a small government post?
But it is absolutely to be avoided to go head-to-head with Choi Young now.
If you dismiss Jung Do Jeon...
I will dismiss Lee In Gyeom as well!
How can you possibly put Jung Do Jeon on the same level as Lee In Gyeom?
In numerous battles against the Japanese pirates
when my friends and soldiers died away...
Lee In Gyeom did business using the war to his benefit.
In the next town from where we were fighting, he stole people's lands.
How can you possibly compare him to Sambong?
The whole government of Goryeo was played by his sly scheme!
I don't know what harm he will cause you, a great general of Goryeo!
I'm so anxious that I can't stand it!
As a result of being played like that...
we ended unlawful seizure of assets
by Lee In Gyeom, Hong In Bang, and Gil Tae Mi!
No. That's not the only result.
You came into this Dodang. That's not all.
You secured a strong, independent base with the Border Stabilization Plan!
General, how can you...
I support you more than anyone else.
Also, I am the one who greeted you to Dodang.
But you should abandon Jung Do Jeon.
If you are going to manage the state affairs with me, that is the first step.
What will you do?
You are... mistaken about Sambong.
Please keep him close and judge his character and capability on your own.
Is that... your answer?
It is, General.
Why don't you make a deal with him over Jung Do Jeon?
"If you abandon Jung Do Jeon, I will get rid of Lee In Gyeom."
Suggest this to him.
Then you will learn the true intention of Yi Seong Gye.
I fully understand your intention.
You should go with Jung Do Jeon.
I will stay with Lee In Gyeom!
Subtitles by DramaFever
[Six Flying Dragons]
They meet with a new type of leader that they had never faced before.
How could the authority of His Majesty's order drop to the ground like this?
Mister, we found the body.
General Choi Young, just why...
- I came to make a trade. - What can I do for you?
Who is the person General Choi Young met with?
I'd like to start doing business with General Yi Seong Gye.
I did what he wished me to do.
- Could it be... - If my guess is correct, this is...