Episode 32
What's wrong?
What's wrong? What is it?
Boon Yi.
Tell me.
Now...
Now it's over.
It's over.
We can't play like this any more.
(Boon Yi)
Hey...
I mentioned your mother...
to Cho Young.
What did she say?
If Yeon Yang is really your mother...
Cho Young seemed like she knew her.
So please wait for a little while.
If she bought what I said,
Moo Myung will respond soon.
I will...
make sure to keep my words.
About the land...
and your mother. I will make sure...
to find her for you.
But...
why did you do that?
What do you mean?
And why did you mention about the promise all of a sudden?
And...
we can't play any more?
What do you mean by that?
You want to play with me more?
Were you sad to hear that?
You know that's not what I mean.
Something...
is wrong, isn't it?
Boon Yi.
Yes. Go ahead.
Please call my name.
My name. Call me.
Bang Won.
Once more.
Bang Won.
Lee Bang Won.
I love it.
What is it?
Boon Yi.
Yes.
From now on,
never call my name again.
Don't talk casual to me.
Now...
Okay.
I understand.
If you...
call my name,
it'll tear me apart.
It'll make me give in.
If you talk to me like a friend...
Don't.
You don't have to explain.
I'm okay with it.
If your plan works out, you'll be a part of the royal family.
I should, of course, be polite to you.
It was so generous of you to be friendly to me.
I didn't really deserve it.
I enjoyed it very much.
It felt as if we were real friends.
Make the people happy.
Please...
make the people enjoy their lives everyday.
When you become a part of the royal family,
please be a wise and generous politician.
There's no room for me?
That's wrong.
The whole place will be mine.
We can't...
play like this any more.
Are you Master Lee Bang Won?
Who are you?
Cho Young at Hwasadan told me about you.
Are you from Moo Myung?
We'd like to know more about you...
and I'm sure you'd like to know about us, too.
Do you want to have a talk with us?
Will you come with me?
She told me we'd talk about what we're curious about each other.
But it seems like you're putting me to the test.
Do you want to make sure I deserve the sovereign power?
All they want is...
to check with you if what Cho Young said is true.
I didn't expect them to come to see me in person.
Are they curious about abolishing private ownership of land?
Who's the head?
He is not here.
What? Jeong Ya went to see Lee Bang Won herself?
Yes.
Who accompanied her?
It seemed like the woman who usually accompanies her followed.
Is anything wrong?
- Do you know where they are? - Yes.
Please lead the way.
Cho Young said Jeong Do Jeon's plan...
about the the prime minister system made you furious.
Why did it make you so angry?
I already explained to Cho Young.
I have nothing else to say.
Are you so unhappy...
with the Five Rules?
Why are you curious?
She wants to make sure...
if the Five Rules made you...
turn your back on Sambong completely.
I'm sure she knows that's true.
If she wasn't sure of that, she wouldn't be here.
I made myself clear.
I'm not going to be your puppet like Hong Ryun.
Then...
you should also give me the answers to my question.
So you two were her guards.
And you must be in the highest position.
Then...
how about we answer three questions...
each other has?
Otherwise, I'll leave. What do you say?
I will...
do that.
Then...
I will ask you first.
What's the purpose...
of this organisation?
Stabilisation.
We take actions...
to stabilise the country.
Do you think giving Lee In Gyum power...
to mess up the country stabilised it?
Yes.
How many upheavals have we had since Lee In Gyum stepped down?
Two kings have been dethroned.
There have been countless bloody battles between officials.
I get the gist of...
what you mean by stabilisation.
And I detest it.
Let me ask you a question now.
What are the Five Rules?
Why are they so curious about the Five Rules?
Lee Bang Won can't be telling her about it all.
Can I help you?
Where are the kids?
They're looking for their mum in Gaegyeong.
The kids were not there.
And I didn't have time to search Gaegyeong for them.
I'm sure you know what you mean.
We were in the middle of political battles.
I bet that was not it.
You could never have done such a cruel thing to Yeon Yang.
She was special to you.
I'm not saying I understand you.
How could she have children...
with such a low man?
The fifth rule.
The royal family and their relatives...
cannot participate in politics.
That's it.
Aren't they enough to make me turn my back on Sambong?
I'm going to ask you a question now.
When did your organisation start?
It started in the Silla era.
In the Queen Seondeok era,
a man called Yeom Jong started the organisation.
Yeom Jong.
He led the rebellion with Bi Dam.
Yeom Jong. He is the traitor.
Let me ask you a question.
What will happen to the current systems...
that require the King...
to seek the Buddhist high priest's advice...
on important matters?
They must be annulled.
In a regime led by scholars,
such systems should have no place.
Let me ask you my final question.
Amongst you...
In your organisation, Moo Myung,
is there someone named Yeon Yang?
Will you not answer my question?
Well...
There is.
Then let us ask you our final question.
Why are you...
looking for Yeon Yang?
Her son and daughter...
are looking for her.
Did he meet her already?
No, he couldn't have...
This cannot happen yet.
This should not happen yet.
Why are you rushing like this?
Where is she?
I'm asking you. Where is she?
Gil Sun Mi.
Why did you do such a thing?
Did you hear something...
(Gil Sun Mi)
from Lee Bang Won?
I won't let you use and abandon me like you did with Hong Ryun.
They were definitely guarding that servant.
Why?
Darn it.
I will explain everything.
Where is she now?
What? Did you say that there are alive?
Her children are alive?
Monk Gil told me to keep it to myself,
but everyone will eventually find out about it.
Gil Sun Mi, this jerk...
Your tactic...
was too risky to begin with.
What are you trying to tell me now?
"Let's make it look like the other organisation..."
"has killed Yeon Yang's children."
"That way, we will be able to persuade Yeon Yang..."
"to merge the two organisations."
It's very much like you to come up with that idea.
Where are her children now?
I heard that they are with Lee Bang Won.
There is a big chance that they are staying at Gabyeolcho.
I must say...
I feel bad for Yeon Yang's fate.
Both Yeon Yang and I...
grew up here...
as war orphans.
We spent our childhood together right here.
We ate, learned...
and trained together.
We were trained as candidates for the leader position.
I was not chosen as the leader.
But Yeon Yang...
ended up...
becoming the leader.
Gil Sun Mi...
greets the leader.
What are you doing now?
She is just a servant.
Gil Sun Mi.
There are many things...
that I must hear from you.
She is the leader.
You must show respect.
Monk Jukryong from Temple Bigook...
greets the leader.
That year,
everyone in our organisation...
was put in danger because of the other organisation.
Back then, you clearly told me...
that the other organisation killed my children.
Hadn't I done that,
you would've escaped again to Yiseo-Gun,
and all of us would've been killed.
Was it Yooksan's order?
It must have been.
I must make you pay the price, Yooksan.
Do you want another war within the organisation?
You must not do that, especially right now.
My children.
Where are they?
They are somewhere very close to us.
So where are they?
Lee Bang Ji.
The top swordsman of the Samhan, Lee Bang Ji,
is your son.
He is at Gabyeolcho with Boon Yi.
I said the top swordsman of the Samhan must be...
taken away from Lee Seong Gye for him to be assassinated.
But...
That is right.
But...
knowing everything, you still...
That is not everything.
What do you think I had to tell Lee Bang Ji...
to lure him?
"If you want to meet your mum,"
"come to Yeohamjeong."
That's what I said.
Go on.
All of this misfortune began...
when you decided to...
betray the organisation...
and abandon me...
by running away to Yiseo-Gun.
Okay.
Continue.
I abandoned the King...
and decided to join this organisation...
because of you.
Do you really not know that?
Keep this secret...
from Yooksan.
What a fiasco!
Gil Sun Mi, this jerk.
What if the leader finds out?
How am I going to handle this situation?
Today,
I met Lee Bang Won in person.
Sambong's new regime...
will be a dangerous one.
In addition, I think that...
Lee Bang Won does really have an agenda...
that Sambong does not know about.
Did she hear nothing about her children?
Whether we should use Lee Bang Won...
and abandon him like we did with Hong Ryun...
or use him as a useful tool like we did with Lee In Gyum,
we should think carefully before making our decision.
Teacher Yooksan.
Yes.
I'd like you to take care of...
all matters related to Lee Bang Won.
We must figure out exactly...
what Sambong is planning.
She wants me to be in charge of this.
She must not have heard about her children.
Teacher Yooksan. The leader has given you a command.
Right. Yes.
I will do as you say.
As you know,
everything has become an utter disaster.
I had to reveal myself like this.
We are having meetings,
and members of the organisation have found out each other's identities.
It is absolutely pathetic.
What is going on with measuring the land?
I will report to you tomorrow.
Where is Cho Young? I want to meet her in person.
You can't meet her any more.
Why not?
I've let her go.
What?
Moo Myung came to see me.
Did you ask her about our mum?
Yes. I checked.
People from Moo Myung always get surprised whenever I mention her.
I think...
your mother cannot be separated from Moo Myung.
It must be frustrating, but please wait a little more.
You mean you think my mother is deeply related to Moo Myung?
I don't know it yet.
And even if she is,
she must've had a good reason for it.
Yes, Gil Sun Mi.
You didn't say anything about it.
If Yeon Yang attacks me, there will be a war again.
Of course you would know it.
Yes. Did you find anything about who killed Baek Geun Soo?
The person who killed Baek Geun Soo and the assassins was...
not Chuk In Gwang.
From what I heard from the police, he was already dead at that time.
Then...
did King Gongyang fight?
Or was it his servant?
For sure,
it was the Goksan Method.
Did you hear any news from the court lady?
Yes.
She said there's a girl who connects the King and Jung Mong Joo.
I see.
She used to be one of the servants from the King's private residence.
It seems like he trusts her do be his messenger.
This is an antidote.
It's that girl.
If we catch her and make her confess,
we will get to find out the King's and Jung Mong Joo's intention.
Bring her to me.
- You met Moo Myung? - Yes. They came to me.
So your plan worked.
What did you talk about?
They said their goal is to stabilise this country.
- What? To stabilise? - Yes.
Also,
they said it all began with Yeom Jong from the Silla dynasty.
Yeom Jong.
Okay. I will look into it.
- Was there anything strange? - No.
Well.
It is strange why they are interested in the Five Rules.
Since it was our first meeting, they focused on observing me.
Did they even trust you?
Yes. They must trust me since I have my own army.
We need to find out their true nature.
Yes, I will do that.
- Bang Won. - Yes, Master Sambong.
In order to fool your enemy, you must fool the people around you...
and you must even fool yourself.
However, when you fool yourself long enough...
Did he figure it out?
You can really become the person you've fooled yourself to be.
Keep that in mind.
I understand.
- Hey! - Yes, Sir!
What's wrong with your move? Why can't you get it right?
Contain your heart in it.
- Make your move big. - Don't we just have to pretend?
- One more time! - He's taking it too seriously.
Don't say that. Master Bang Won told us to do our best.
Since we are doing it, we should try hard.
Moo Hyul!
Yes? Me?
The skilled swordsman will do a demonstration.
Show them.
The fifth East Dragon Methods!
You have to hit in the solar plexus.
In the solar plexus. Okay?
We must measure the land again.
We have to measure it again?
It's a well-known fact that the provincial officials bribed...
by the influential families have been disturbing it.
That's not all.
Even while the measuring was being done,
the influential families have been siphoning off immense amount of...
lands in the form of donation to Buddhist temples.
He's right. We can't let this go on.
Then, are you suggesting we abandon the land measurement plan?
According to this measurement, we only have 60 billion ft².
If we subtract some to maintain the nation's finance,
we are only left with 17 billion ft².
We seriously lack land to distribute to our people.
After the withdrawing of the army at Wihwado,
I promised the people that I'd return the land they've been robbed.
And what does this make me?
I killed Choi Young.
I got rid of Jo Min Soo and the families related to him.
I let King Woo and King Chang kill themselves.
I even exiled Lee Saek, the scholar people admired.
That's who I am to them.
And...
now you want to measure the land again?
What will it do to the promise I made to the people?
You're right. This is time to win people's support.
People are not happy about us putting Lee Saek in jail.
It's not perfect, but you need to start it soon.
It's not that we don't know it.
But if we don't keep our promise of distributing the land equally,
they will be very disappointed.
My fellow, why are you not saying anything?
It's a very difficult matter.
If we start it now, we won't be able to distribute land equally,
but the tax will be cut to 10 percent of their yield,
and it will be a big help for the people.
Of course.
- We must implement it right away. - However,
if we carry out the land reform in such an ambiguous way,
there will be no promise of achieving our dream of having...
Equal Land Distribution System and Nine-square Field System.
We could try again later.
When will that be?
You have to foresee 100 years to come up with a land system.
You can't change the land system every 5 or 10 years.
What should we do?
Everyone in our group participated in...
disturbing the measuring of lands.
I believe the lands are not properly measured.
Will you...
persist in doing it?
Jeong Do Jeon.
Is it because of your mother?
Why do you look so worried?
Well,
I think you look more worried.
Is it because of the measuring of land?
I'm not sure if we should execute the system based on that...
or if we should wait until enough land is measured.
I can't make a decision.
When you fight,
how do you decide whether to attack or to defend?
Swordsmen like me decide on the moment.
And how do you decide?
What you decide is not important.
It's important to believe in that decision.
You have to believe that...
your defence or your attack will work.
But what if your belief is wrong?
I die.
Of course.
Put it together.
Whatever happens, I just want them to start it already.
But if they start now, they won't be able to distribute enough land.
Is that right?
Gab Boon, have you heard about the rumour about General Lee,
which has been going around the market?
Rumour?
(Myo Sang)
It's nothing special.
It's okay. Say it.
Well... The rumour says that...
General Lee withdrew the troops from Wihwado...
in order to become like Lee In Gyum.
It also says late Choi Young is the poor man.
There are rumours like that.
But not everyone thinks so.
It's just what the powerful families' servants say.
She's right.
Most people say...
they're much better off...
than before.
Good afternoon.
I'm afraid my husband is not home.
I see.
Should I call him here?
I'm not sure we can push forward...
with Equal Land Distribution System.
We couldn't distribute the land to everyone in the country.
Have you ever talked about it...
with the other members of the organisation?
They ask me about it...
every time they see me.
They wonder when they'll get the land...
and go back to their hometown.
People like us...
are not used to...
looking far ahead into the future.
We are never sure...
that tomorrow will come.
They'll be happy...
with whatever they get...
even if it's not Equal Land Distribution System.
But if we miss this opportunity,
we might never get another chance for Equal Land Distribution System.
Those deprived of the land...
will recover it for sure.
But the land reform...
might be no more than lowering the tax rate.
I'm sure my people will respond...
like this.
"Please don't let it end like this."
"Give us some land, too."
That's not an easy task.
I know.
But you didn't always...
go for the easiest tasks.
I'm sure...
you'll do something about it.
I know you won't turn away.
I know you'll care about the people.
Then you'll eventually do something for them.
What am I supposed to do?
Am I supposed to die now?
As long as I'm alive, I'm going to do something.
As long as I'm alive, you mean?
Yes.
I trust you.
We should implement the land reform now.
My fellow.
Are you giving up on Equal Land Distribution System?
I'm not giving up.
I'm going to continue preparing for that, too.
I had asked Lee Sin Jeok for something secretly.
It's been a while since he left.
What is he up to?
We'll get to it eventually.
Please give permission to implement the land reform.
I am more than willing.
You can implement the reform.
- My fellow. - Please trust me.
Let me take the first step for now.
There's something going on in the market.
Away he goes
Dear General
Pity General Choi Young
How deplorable!
We shouldn't sit back...
and watch them take away our land.
Of course not.
We should stir up the people...
and stop Sambong.
Pity General Choi Young
How deplorable!
Jeong Do Jeon.
He...
put his teacher, my master,
into prison.
How could anyone do such a thing to his teacher?
That's terrible.
And he's an educated man.
I was in exile until recently as well...
because of him.
We were best friends.
And he did that to me.
- Really? - That's awful.
He's implementing the reform...
just to have more power on his hand.
He's using General Lee Seong Gye...
to come to power.
What kind of a reform would it be...
if it's planned by such a dishonest man?
He attacked his teacher...
and abandoned his friends.
His reform...
will eventually...
ruin the country.
Don't you know what's going on in the market?
It's been going on for days.
In addition,
even the noblemen are...
blaming me for impeaching Lee Saek.
Still,
this reform...
will make the people's lives better.
And they will eventually understand.
Look what's going on now.
Who are they criticising?
Your Majesty.
I'm tired.
Let's stop here.
Tell Jung Mong Joo...
everything you heard.
Your Majesty.
You look distressed.
Please stay strong.
(Chuk Sa Gwang)
Everything will go as you'd like.
Are you on your way to Master Jung Mong Joo?
Who are you?
We have a question for you. Come with us.
- Please don't do this. - Stop.
- What's going on? - Hey.
Forget it and move along.
We have something to settle.
Let go of her hand first.
You're harassing a lady this late at night.
Aren't you ashamed?
Get rid of him.
He's...
the demon from Dohwajeon.
- The demon? - Let's run.
Thank you, Sir.
You're welcome.
It's not so safe these days.
You should be careful at night.
Where are you going?
I can escort you.
No.
You don't have to.
Don't worry. Let me accompany you.
You really don't have to.
My grandmother always said...
men should protect women and children.
You dance?
Yes. I play some instruments, too.
You have so many talents.
I'm no good with those things.
I do have a friend who is a great singer.
So I've heard some good music.
I saw...
you had great sword skills.
Thank you...
for rescuing me.
Where do you belong?
I belong to Gabyeolcho.
Gabyeolcho.
Could I...
see you dance, by any chance?
I've never seen those things.
I'm not sure I can promise you,
but hopefully, I'll get a chance.
I have to go now.
Sure.
Good night.
Why are you following me?
You are very alert.
You shouldn't have let him go.
We are not trying to harm you.
Come with us and answer a few questions we have.
Come with us now.
I won't go.
Then we have no choice.
Grab her.
Who is she?
Who is this woman?
My swordsmanship...
does not measure up to hers at all.
Do you belong...
to Moo Myung?
Or...
It doesn't really matter.
Please don't do this again.
Do not bother the King...
and Master Jung Mong Joo.
What is this now?
I didn't expect her to talk like that at all.
If you do this once again, I won't use the back of my sword.
I will stab you with the blade.
The servant who survived is not skilled in martial arts.
- He wasn't the one? - That is correct.
We had one of the guards do a check.
If that is the case, who was it?
It wouldn't have been the King himself.
Does that mean there was someone else?
It was that woman. I think she is the one...
who killed the two assassins as well as Baek Geun Soo.
You mean the woman who was going to get married to King Gongyang?
I lost.
No, I'm no match for her.
- What did you say? - What are you talking about?
Her swordsmanship is beyond remarkable.
Then...
did she really kill the two assassins and Baek Geun Soo?
The Goksan Method is known to leave that signature wound.
By chance...
is she...
Chuk Sa Gwang?
Things are chaotic at the moment,
so something as important as that should not be carried out now.
He said that it should be postponed.
- Is that his order? - Yes, Master.
If His Majesty is also against it,
things will not go according to the plan.
Sambong. What are you thinking?
What will you do?
The market has been turned upside down.
I am aware.
They are doing it as a last resort. Do not let it concern you.
What would you do if you were me?
In the end, it will be done.
- The land reform. - Yes.
They won't stop here.
Our goal is...
ending it making sure that the reform isn't extreme.
Yooksan...
What will you do about him?
I'm thinking about what to do.
To do anything right now...
Jeong Do Jeon is...
We've encountered an enemy whom we weren't expecting.
I don't know.
- You don't know? - All of this noise...
will disappear soon. However...
If we miss this chance, we don't know what that one step...
we miss now will turn into in the future.
Why are you laughing?
You sound pretty mature now.
Pardon me?
What do you mean by that?
You could say that you don't know because you've matured.
Is that so?
The moment I asked you the question,
I knew exactly what you would say if you were...
that immature and impetuous boy you used to be.
You surprised and shocked people many times...
through your irrational actions.
You didn't care to think about the consequences of your actions.
What did you decide to do based on your immature judgement?
That time,
you did something that you can't take back.
- Let's go to the tax agency. - The tax agency?
Tell all of your team members to gather at the tax agency as well.
I will leave the gate open.
Come in, everyone.
But can we really enter this place?
Then let's hurry and go in.
- Yes, let's go. - Hurry up.
Layers upon layers of mountains lie ahead of me
I see countless of mountains behind me as well
- Goodness... - Gosh...
You are the hero who saved this kingdom of Goryeo...
many times from threats and dangers. General Choi Young,
- how could you leave us... - Goodness...
- Goodness. - This saddens my heart.
Everyone, come this way! We have a problem.
- What are you talking about? - What is the problem?
- Come quickly. - Where are we going?
Gosh...
What is going on?
Jeong Do Jeon! That man...
- In the last few years... - We have to go to Tanhyeon Gate.
What's going on? Where are they going?
I am Jeong Do Jeon.
I, Jeong Do Jeon, have...
impeached my teachers and fellows and sent them into exile.
I did so because of these.
These are land registers for the entire land of Goryeo.
In other words, these are...
the list of the lands that have been stolen from the people.
You deserve every right to reclaim the ownership of these lands.
Because of the few letters written in these land registers,
you lost your lands, for which you worked so hard for your whole life.
You were also forced out of your hometown because of them.
Okay. Here,
we have Goryeo's land registers that prove many corrupt deeds.
And there is the same amount of land measuring documents at Dohwajeon.
They are for 60 billion ft².
That is, of course, not everything.
It took a lot for us to get here.
If land reform can take place based on the land measuring documents,
you will be able to reclaim the majority of your land.
And you will only have to pay...
10 percent of the yield as the tax.
Is this what I think it is?
However,
like what you saw at the market,
those who took away your land...
are opposing to this idea by insisting complex political logic.
What is he...
trying to do?
Politics.
What is politics?
Politics look complex on the outside,
but it's actually very simple.
Politics.
What is politics?
Politics is about distribution.
In the end, politics is all about...
who we get something from and how we distribute it.
It's about from whom we get it and who we give it to.
Who have you...
been robbing it from...
and who have you been feeding with it?
I am Jeong Do Jeon, the chief district governor.
I will start doing politics now.
The land of our nation...
is completely rotten from...
500 years of...
exploitation and extortion.
How do you cultivate a rotten land?
Don't you think it's only right...
to burn the land?
What? Burn the land?
- What? - What is he saying?
Let's burn the land!
Let's burn everything!
Let's burn it!
This is the thing that cannot be undone.
When the land register gets burnt,
they have no other choice but to distribute the land again.
- Let's burn it! - Let's burn it!
Land.
Who wants to set the fire?
I am just a nobleman,
and I've never slashed and burnt fields.
Among those who've done it before,
one of you should volunteer.
Someone who's done it before is good.
But it's setting a fire.
Someone who's set a fire before would do it better.
I've set the fire before.
When I got kicked out of my hometown...
Even though they extorted my land,
the house was still mine.
But...
I couldn't live off of the house.
So...
I set it on fire...
and left.
I did that too!
I've burnt a lot of fields before!
Let's just burn it!
- Let's burn it! - Let's burn it!
No!
What are you doing, Jeong Do Jeon?
You scum!
No! Set out the fire!
You can't do it!
How can...
How can this happen?
Now,
this country's land...
will be born anew.
(In September 1390, Goryeo's land register burnt in Gaegyeong,)
(and the fire didn't go off for several days.)
He did it again.
You are...
truly great.
However,
I will let you come down and take a rest soon.
I...
I still...
like that man.
Darn it.
(Six Flying Dragons)
Sambong said it will...
never stop here.
Isn't this guy really trying to...
change the entire world?
It will be a direct threat to us now.
Mum? Were you threatened?
Bang Ji can save you.
I am Moo Myung.
Don't look for me again.
We must help Jung Mong Joo.
We have to kill Lee Seong Gye.
Sambong will meet a headwind.