Episode 44
Could it be that your merciless move is
related to this? Lee Bang Won.
Take my merciless and fatal move.
Teacher.
How can Ju Won Jang (Zhu Yuanzhang) do this impossible thing?(Zhu Yuanzhang: First Ming Emperor)
Yes, Your Highness.
Lord Sam Bong has no connection to the document from China.
Transferring Lord Sam Bong is illogical.
How can this be...
Ming has an ulterior motive for this.
Have you found out Prince Jeong An's whereabouts in Ming?
In Liaodong, Prince Jeong An met Ju Che (Zhu Di) who's been going around the provinces to comfort the people.
Ju Che wrote a letter to Ju Won Jang (Zhu Yuanzhang).
Is Prince Jeong An still with Nameless?
There's no reason for him to break away from them.
The Yeojin (Jurchen) tribe assimilation policy has been irritating the Mings.
You have the military power on top of that.
So they targeted me?
This has been arranged by Prince Jeong An, Ming, and Nameless.
So you must never go.
Your Highness, you must never send Sam Bong to Ming.
Queen, don't think about it
and just focus on getting better.
Your Highness, please promise me.
You will never... Sam Bong...
That will not happen. Don't worry.
Before I left for Ming, I told you to put honey in your mouths and hide swords in your hearts.
I'd have to make use of the sword I've prepared.
Yes. I've put Jo Mal Saeng, the scholar you talked about, in Seonggyungwan.
What is this hidden sword and who is Jo Mal Saeng?
Are those all names of people?
Your Highness, I'll use my hidden sword in a more crucial moment.
Yes. Please take an active part in the royal palace this time.
Then it's been a while, but I'll put my sly tongue to good use.
Can I see the hidden sword you've been preparing, Father-in-law?
After Po Eun, he's the Confucian scholar with the most followers.
Bring him in.
You...
I am Gwon Geun, a scholar in the Department of Royal Records.
Isn't he a follower of Lord Moo Geung?
How can Teacher Yang Chon be...
After what happened to Teacher Po Eun, you probably hate me.
Why are you going to follow me?
Why the will of Heaven is going in a different direction than what's said in literature Gwon Geun (Nickname Yang Chon, student of Lee Saek)
I have no way of knowing that.
Also, Your Highness is not someone who I respect.
I am only came here with gritted teeth because the current great cause is with Your Highness.
Great cause? What is my great cause?
First, I am against the existence of a Prime Minister.
I believe that a strong royal authority is needed for a country to run well.
And second, if you an promise the future,
I hope that you will restore Teacher Po Eun's honor.
I will do so, Teacher Yang Chon.
I will not send anyone to Ming.
I will not say yes to Ming's demands anymore.
But Your Highness...
You must not, Your Highness.
Please send Sam Bong Jeong Do Jeon.
What are you saying?
Lord Sam Bong has no relation to the document from China
so why do you want to send him?
Yes, he does not have any connection to it.
The problem is not the document from China.
It is the stacked up misunderstanding from both countries.
Misunderstanding? Which one?
It's Ming's misunderstanding and anxiety towards our Joseon's maintenance of the Northern borders.
If that's not it, why would they ask for Lord Sam Bong who's responsible for the military forces?
So?
This only Ming's small misunderstanding.
If the person involved will go and clearly explain it,
this could be an opportunity to turn misfortune into our advantage.
That's right, Your Highness.
If you don't send anyone, the relationship between the two countries will get worse.
Your Highness, you must not.
If Lord Sam Bong goes to the Ming, there is a high chance he'll be detained.
That's right.
Sending someone with responsiblity over the military as hostage to a foreign country cannot ever happen.
But!
If we don't do this,
the people would think of Lord Sam Bong as a petty man
who chose to protect himself instead of the country's safety.
A country's military power to a petty...
What? Petty?
Look here, everyone.
This is the royal palace where His Highness is present.
How can you talk so insolently?
Then, what do you think, Left Minister?
It's indeed an unfair demand
but it's also diplomacy problem that we cannot ignore.
What do you mean?
Are you saying your words and my words are all wrong?
Your Highness.
The things you told me that night. Are they still in effect?
I told Your Highness to use me.
That's what I said. Are you going to use me?
Yes.
But please wait. Today is someone else's turn.
Your Highness.
I will go to Ming.
If I don't take responsibility as the proofreader of the document to Ming, it would be wrong as a loyal subject.Gwon Geun (aka Yang Chon, Lee Sae's student)
But something bad can happen to you as well.
That's the duty of someone in charge of the country's affairs
so I will escort Lord Sam Bong and go to Ming.
For Lord Sam Bong to clearly explain,
I will do my best to assist him.
Please give me your permission.
Lord Sam Bong is being pushed into a corner.
By now, you won't be able to withstand with your status and face scratched,
what are you going to do, Sam Bong?
I mean Scholar Gwon Geun has volunteered to go himself, but
Lord Sam Bong just keeps on holding it up
and isn't saying anything.
Aigoo, seriously.
He can't even say himself that he will go
and he doesn't even appear at the meeting.
That's what I'm saying. Lord Sam Bong has to step forward and resolve it.
Lord Eo Eun (Min Je) and Lord Ha Ryun were talking so excitedly.
It's my first time seeing Ha Ryun talk so eagerly at the meeting.
He's famous for just looking and not talking at the meeting.
You must endure it.
You must not say that you're going to Ming.
My Lord, in front of the palace right now...
As a duty of a Confucian scholar, Teacher Sam Bong
must personally go to Ming and resolve this problem.
Please send Sam Bong to Ming.
Even Teacher Yang Chon has stepped forward
so how can Teacher Sam Bong just stay like this without saying a thing?
Your Highness, please send Sam Bong.
- Your Highness, please send Sam Bong to Ming.-Your Highness, please send Sam Bong to Ming.
Can you believe this people?
Lord, there's nothing to see here. Let's go.
Your Highness, please send Sam Bong to Ming.
Please give me your permission.
I will go to Ming.
You must not.
Your Highness.
-I said you must not!-But Your Highness.
It seems that you also
are just another human.
What do you mean?
It's hard to endure, right?
Getting criticized for protecting your life
is a more shameful than death as a Confucian scholar.
You want to quit on everything, right?
I am the same.
After Po Eun died, what did you tell me?
I must endure. I have to do it.
You told me to endure the people's criticisms.
You told me to behead Po Eun and officially announce that he's a traitor.
If I want to take responsibility,
you told me to endure all those criticisms.
So you should endure it too, Sam Bong.
You must endure the criticisms saying you're a cheap and coward person.
Going to Ming
can be decided by anyone.
But the choice of someone in a high position like you
cannot be to succumb to these kind of criticisms.
Trying to strengthen our power after founding a new country
is a natural reason.
In the end, this is
a confrontation between Ming and newly established Joseon.
Don't you think so?
That is right.
That's why you have to endure it.
Are you not going to answer?
Your Majesty, I am moved to tears by your gratitiude.
I
Will accept your will
and endure it
but this problem
will not just pass with me holding up.
Mal Saeng!
Have you been well?
Have you been well too, Your Highness?
I'll see you at home.
Are you related to this issue?
That Confucian scholar? Yes.
-I ordered him to do it.-I'm talking about
the Ming pointing at me as the writer of the document to Ming.
What power do I have to move Ming?
Are you overestimating me?
Being pushed into a corner,
it seems that you're having nonsensical delusions.
Then...
Seeing you deny it,
it seems that you know that it's something that should not be done.
Is that not it?
Yes.
Regarding a powerful subject grasping the whole country in his hand
and controlling it as he wills,
I did talk to Ming ambassadors.
With Your Highness' personal power...
Your actions are politics
but the things I do are ulterior motives?
I was establishing diplomacy.
Causing the tension between Ming
was done by you.
To prevent a war, you made a new country,
but you keep training the soldiers nonstop.
That's provoking Ming.
The relationship being formed with the Ming right now, will influence the next hundred years to come.
Diplomacy is about swords and wealth.
It sometimes requires swords and at times, wealth.
Diplomacy is the thing that keeps it going.
Your Highness did something to break that flow.
Didn't you do it to keep your soldiers?
Didn't you just call your ulterior motive as diplomacy?
Don't you have ulterior motives?
We all have our personal desires.
And have a great cause with that desire as the base.
The winner's desire becomes the great cause.
Then,
I lost this time.
What? You lost?
Your Highness' merciless move
made me lose.
But I still
haven't placed my move yet.
I don't like you looking at me.
Still, watching over Your Highness
is my job.
When you set fire to Doomundong, you were confident.
It was the same when you killed Lord Po Eun but
why are you being like this?
At that time, I didn't like you burning the village
but the image of Your Highness without a hint of shame or hesitation,
I liked it.
I understand. I'll quickly end it.
The scholar of Deparment of Royal Records
Kwon Geun, Jeong Tak, and Noh In Do,
will go to Nanjing.
Sam Bong...
The opposition must be severe so why?
Your Highness.
If Lord Sam Bong, who was chosen by Ming, will not go,
what explanation can they do?
That's right.
That's why I, Jeong Do Jeon,
Chief Minister of Personnel Affairs, Chief Minister of Finance,
Chief Minister of Regional Administration, Minister of State Affairs,
Chief Commander of the National Army
I will resign from all these government posts.
Since I've given up on all the power that I have,
Ming will not have any more misunderstanding.
Please give me your permission.
I give you permission.
They have already talked about it.
Resignation? Lord Sam Bong resigned from all his posts?
That's right. He has also let go of military power.
This is quite strange.
What could Lord Sam Bong and His Highness be thinking?
I still haven't placed my move yet.
You'd have to get dressed immediately to enter the palace.
Queen.
Your Highness.
Queen, please pull yourself together.
Look here, doctor. Do something!
Your Highness, please take my life.
Is Prince Jeong An not here yet?
Your Highness, our Crown Prince,
please protect him.
Prince Jeong An.
Come closer.
Mother.
If there's something about me that upsets you, please shake them off.
What is there for me to be upset about?
Please protect our Crown Prince well.
Crown Prince: Lee Bang Seok
Your Highness, it's my last request.
Mother.
Don't worry.
Queen.
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
Mother! Mother!
Her Highness the Queen.
Banchon
We should get customers when the funeral ends.
They have to come. The funeral will end tomorrow.
Hey, Moo Hyul! You should stop doing Prince Jeong An's work.
Are you going to say that again? I'll be back.
That punk, seriously.
I'm worried. It seems that the relationship between Prince Jeong An and Lord Sam Bong keeps getting worse.
It seems that our relationship is getting better.
I really ought to!
Geun Oh, take Myeong and go ahead.
Yes, Aunt. Let's go.
Why are you coming out of there?
Do you know who owns this storage?
This is my grandmother's.
Yes. I see.
But what about it?
Nothing.
You have a great responsibility Left Chief Minister.
While I'm away, please take care of the government.
Yes, Your Highness.
Please do not worry and be relaxed.
Please take care on your long journey.
Okay.
What about Sam Bong's whereabouts?
Not yet.
Where is he and what is he doing?
Why are you so anxious these days?
I don't know why I'm like this either.
What is Nameless doing? They're supposed to look for Sam Bong.
His Highness will be leaving the capital and there's also no news where Lord Sam Bong is.
You know about it, don't you?
No. I also don't know where he is.
How long has it been since he resigned? Where is he and what is he doing?
Why are you so concerned about Sam Bong?
Sam Bong left after resigning from all his posts.
He doesn't have land or any soldiers.
Even if he comes back and babbles about military reform, it's not going to work.
It didn't work when he even had eight government positions.
Sam Bong will find a stronger method.
What other method? If it were you, would you have another method?
Still, everything...
If it were me, from the beginning I would...
Could it be...
Spy?
Yes.
Ten or so people seeming to be spies boarded a ship going to the Mainland in Byeokrando.
Also, we saw ten or so spies crossing the Yalu River.
We couldn't find out more about Jeong Do Jeon because of Hwasadan and Lee Bang Ji.
The spies' movements are probably controlled by Sam Bong.
It's also been a while since we last saw Yeon Hee.
Mugeuk. There's news from Shimnyang.
What is it?
What kind of method will Sam Bong use?
No. That's silly.
Sam Bong is different from me.
I am someone who would move with even a 30% chance of possibility.
Yes. I know.
It was the same when you stamped the Anbyeon Chaek.
But looking at Sam Bong's temperament and position,
he is someone that needs at least 70% chance. of possibility.
So, what is it?
Probably, if it's me...
I would start a war in order to do the military reform.
But if it's Sam Bong... I have something to check.
Oh, by the way, Miss Choon Joo at Mr. Oak's place.
She doesn't talk much and doesn't go well with people
but it seems like Moo Hyul knows her.
Really?
Leader! Someone came.
That red envelope that your member stole from Lord Sam Bong in Ganggye.
Why...
Did you look at it?
Did you see what's inside?
A person from Banchon cannot say anything about political affairs.
I'm not asking you about the contents.
In the perspective of a leader trying to be neutral,
you obviously cannot tell me about that.
Then...
I'm asking if you've seen the contents inside
or not. You can tell me that much.
That envelope was sealed.
If I opened it, it will be obvious.
I didn't open it.
It's not hard to close an open envelope.
Thank you.
Pardon?
We're still the same.
I'm grateful as always and you still can't fool me.
You saw what's inside that envelope.
Boon Yi (Banchon's Leader)
Think of it as you like. I didn't see it.
Bang Won is coming back. I'm a bit scared.
These can probably be dangerous weapons against each other.
Boon Yi saw it. She knows what's inside so she said it could be a dangerous weapon.
But if the contents are related to the Yeojin tribe, it couldn't be something dangerous.
There's more secret in that envelope.
Could it be really that?
But I still have doubts.
Moo Hyul.
Prepare a horse.
Yes.
Where are you going?
You have found out where Father is, right?
Yes. My hidden sword is with His Highness.
A message gets sent every night. But why?
Teacher.
If Sam Bong is planning to attack Liaodong in order to reform the military,
Pardon?
Prince Jeong An met Leader and asked about a red envelope.
Red envelope?(Jeong Do Gwang: Jeong Do Jeon's younger brother)
It's that document of bond. How could Prince Jeong Ahn..?
That's right.
If they conquer Liaodong, then the military reform will be easy.
Since disobeying the command to go into battle will be treaosn,
there will be no way to not send the private armies.
What's more, in the previous dyansty, Goryeo, the royal court wasn't capable of provide support to the private soldiers.
So even if the war ends,
they had no option but to return the private soldiers back to their owners.
Yes.
But this country has a strong government.
Without returning the soldiers back, the soldiers can be absorbed into the central army.
But
it's impossible.
Just to break up the private armies, he's going to conquer Liaodong?
Yes. That's why I still have questions.
The war with Ming doesn't even have a 30% chance of success.
Of course.
Sam Bong isn't that reckless.
But what could that secret agreement with Mohenpa?
I know. That's why I'm going crazy.
I'd have to see Father. He has probably talked to Sam Bong about it.
Your Highness!
What if it's a fake play?
A fake play?
What if Sam Bong is using Liaodong conquest as a fake play to break up the private armies?
The Liaodong conquest can just be stopped whenever after pretending to do it.
The secret agreement with Mohenpa is a trick to hide that fake play. During the Wihwa Island retreat,
we couldn't cross the Yalu River, but the all of the armies were unified.
If this is Sam Bong's move, we'll be fooled without doing anything.
Aren't you His Highness the Prince?
Your Highness.
- How did you know about His Highness' whereabouts?-I came because I was worried.
-How is Father?-His Highness
In the day, he helps with public and private matters,
and he listens to Buddhist prayers all night long.
Father! This is Prince Jeong An!
His Highness said not to let anybody in.
Are you not going to move?
Monk, we have found Jeong Do Jeon's whereabouts.
-Right. Where is it?-It's near this place.
He's in Gaegyeong. In the Royal Court.
What? The Royal Court?
Ddang Sae.
It's been a long time. You've worked hard.
You probably suffered while escorting Elder Bon Won.
-What's with your leg?-It's nothing.
I'm fine.
I've been walking a lot.
- What about Elder Bon Won?-He'll be here soon.
Do you like this work that much?
It's just...
I'm doing it with you
and I like it.
I've finished the task you've given me,
and I just came back, Bon Won.
It's been a long time.
You've worked hard.
Your and your Hwasadan spies have worked hard.
Now across the Yalu River and the Tumen River,
and Sanaegwan.
-All the preparations are done.-Yes.
We analyzed the supply route and the march route.
We double checked the cooperation with Yeojin tribe.
Each watchtower, soldiers and horses,
military personnel and the supplies are in good condition.
Right. We're starting now.
Move!
Father!
Where is Father?
It's been a while, Sam Bong.
I, Jeong Do Jeon,
To be able see your face like this again,
I am overwhelmed.
Me too. I'm really glad.
Lord Sam Bong.
Yes, General Lee Ji Ran.
You have looked down on me.
Tell me clearly. Where is Father?
I'm just following the royal command.
You!
I will not say anything.
He went to see Sam Bong.
That's probably it. He probably went to secretly meet Sam Bong.
Moo Hyul, let's go.
Sam Bong is with Father.
By bring about the Liaodong conquest as a fake play,
he will probably talk about the break up of the private armies.
Your Highness!
I also didn't know.
Choong Gil fooled me and planned all this.(Lee Sook Beon)
I don't doubt you.
Where did General Lee Ji Ran go?
Looking at the circumstances, I think he went with him.
Go back. I will contact you.
Where are you going?
I don't know. What should I do?
Your Highness. In front.
The elders wish to meet you immediately.
So you're Nameless. I've been wanting to see you anyway.
What is the matter?
I also have something to say.
Your Highness, I'm seeing you after a long time.
The voice in the palanquin.
Okay. Have you found out Sam Bong's whereabouts?
Yes. We found out that
Sam Bong is with His Highness at the Royal Court right now.
As expected. I'll meet them and I'll talk to you again.
This is urgent.
There's something else of greater importance.
Something more important?
Just what is more important than this?
You people,
just what organization are you?
You found out where Sam Bong is and what he's doing.
Did you know about it?
Right now, Sam Bong
is bringing out the Liaodong conquest as a fake play
and trying to finish the break up of the private armies.
Right now, my brothers and I
will get our soldiers taken
and will become puppets.
Is there something more important than this?
Yes. It's more important.
- What is it? - For the break up of the private armies
Sam Bong's fake play.
Now that fake play
is no longer just a fake play.
It's no longer a
fake play? - Yes, that is right, Your Majety.
Look here, recorder.
You must exactly write it down.
We are in a priceless moment in history.
Just what are you talking about?
Are you really
saying we should attack Liaodong? Instead of as a bait for the breakup of private armies?
Are you saying we should seriously attack Liaodong?
-That is right, Your Highness.-Sam Bong.
After overcoming a great feat in Wihwa Island...
It's a different situation than before.
The season is different, the stocked up military sustenance are different.
After the disposition training, the military power will also
will be different quality wise and quantity wise
That's not the only difference.
Unlike the Liaodong from before, right now the Ming's influence is a lot greater.
But you want to attack Liaodong?
One more important situation has changed.
What has changed?
Yeon Hee, tell them about the information report you have.
We have received two new information.
First one, the envoy that went to the Mings, Kim Yak Hyang, No In Do, Jeong Chong,
these three people have been executed.
What?
Ju Won Jang (Zhu Yuanzhang), that bastard.
How can he do this?
The second thing...
Continue.
Yes, Your Highness.
For the second one, today all the fastest messengers were involved and
an urgent information has arrived.
It's news from Nanjing.
Nanjing?
Just what has happened?
Ju Won Jang's (Zhu Yuanzhang) days are numbered.
Ju Won Jang will die soon?
Yes. If Ju Won Jang dies now,
what do you think will happen in the Mainland?
How serious is his condition?
We won't be able to tell for sure, since it's the work of the heaven
But it would be half a year at most.
The shortest time could be a month. He might even be dead by now.
Hyungnim, if this is true...
Your Highness, the next person to the throne is his grandson, Ju Yoon Mun (Zhu Yunwen).
He's just become an adult as 21 years old.
But Ju Won Jang's sons in each location
are raising strong forces as the kings of each region.
A civil war will happen soon. Is that what you're saying?
That's right.
Now the Mainland won't be able to avoid a great casualty of war.
For the past few years, I have reformed the military system
and strengthened the castle walls and stocked up on military suppies
I thought of Liaodong conquest as only less than 30% chance of success.
That's right.
For Ju Won Jang's grandson to become the emperor,
we thought he would get rid of all that would be a threat to his grandson.
But Ju Won Jang is dying?
Yes, Your Highness. The situation hasa changed.
Then, the king Ju Che (Zhu Di) who's in charge of Liaodong...
What will happen to King Ju Che?
When Ju Won Jang (Zhu Yuanzhang) dies, Ju Yoon Mun (Zhu Yunwen) will ascend the throne
and will immediately get rid of Ju Che (Zhu Di).
But do you think Ju Che will just stay still and get attacked like that?
If Ju Che leads his army to Nanjing in order to take back the throne,
Jeong Do Jeon will probably
think of marching onto Liaodong immediately.
Namgyeong (Nanjing): Ming's capital
If that happens, a break up of private armies won't be the only problem.
The soldiers will naturally be abolished.
The princes will be placed into each division and forced to fight in battle.
If that happens, you will be placed a situation of life or death.
But there are probably Ming's people active in our country too.
So even knowing our war preparations,
will they be able to send armies to Nanjing that easily?
If that doesn't happen, I will give up any plans I have for Liaodong.
But Your Majesty, according to Hwasadan's information,
the probability of Ju Che marching to Nanjing will be more than 70%.
70%.
We're looking at 70%.
No.
80%.
No. It will be more than 90%.
Ju Che (Zhu Di) will surely make a move.
Surely move?
Your Highness.
I don't know for sure. But in that short time I came to know Ju Che
he seemed to be very sharp and decisive in making decisions.
Between Liaodong and the Central Plain, his choice will be very clear.
It's that.
Ju Che will abandon Liaodong and will surely
go to Nanjing with an army of 200,000.
Your Majesty, for us who lived in the Three Han Kingdoms for a long time,
this is a heavenly opportunity that won't come for another 1000 years.
More than any time, the success rate is higher.
Even if we succeed, the problem is what happens after.
Ju Che will end up taking control of the Mainland.
And if that happens, will he approve of a foreign country
taking control of a strategically important location like Liaodong?
If Ju Yoon Mun (Zhu Yunwen) and Ju Che (Zhu Di) goes into a civil war,
Looking at it geographically or by their military forces, it's not possible to end in a short amount of time.
We can take over Liaodong
and make a agreement with Ju Che about reinforcing.
We can just stabilize Liaodong.
Ju Che will end it in a short time, and won't try to take our reinforcements.
So Your Majesty, when Ju Che marches south onto Nanjing,
we have to make preparations to be able to immediately march north at the same time.
This country will take Liaodong.
Even if we secure Liaodong,
To protect that land, the state treasury will empty out
and as a consequence, this country, this land of Three Han
might breakdown.
Your Highness, you must stop this war.
Your Majesty, please give permission for this war
and break the 1000 year history of us serving them.
Not persecuting the people on the inside,
and not submitting to the strong on the outside,
Please make a new country and new history.
We must stop this war
and save this country, Your Highness!
It was this. The truth behind my anxiety and uneasiness.