Subtitles by DramaFever
[Episode 42] I am Yi Bang Won.
And who are you?
I... I am Zhu Di!
Zhu Di...
Who does this bastard say he is?
He is Zhu Di.
Zhu Di...
[Zhu Di: later third Emperor of Ming, Yongle Emperor]
Who is Zhu Di?
He is the Prince of Yan.
[Prince of Yan: Fourth son of Hongwu Emperor]
Sire, what is the matter here?
He is asking if I want to die?
First, cut off one of his arms!
No, Moo Hyool! Stop!
He is the Prince of Yan!
I don't know anything about that.
Prince of Yan or not, if I stab him...
the blade will go through him.
Lord Ha Ryoon...
interpret Moo Hyool's words.
- Sire, why are you encouraging him? - I said interpret his words!
I understood him.
You understand our language.
I do.
Then I will tell you in person.
He is a stupid one who doesn't even know how to write his name.
Of course he wouldn't know who you are.
If I tell him to slay you, then he will.
Moo Hyool.
Count to ten in your mind, then just slay him.
Or pierce him.
Yes, Your Highness.
Look at him. He's lost his mind.
Because of you, all of us are about to die.
Crush him.
Since he put a blade to my neck...
he'll have to die.
Sire...
Since he offered his life to protect his master
I will return his body to you.
The discourtesy didn't start with us.
We are envoys of Joseon who were called upon by the Emperor of Ming.
But we were arrested at Liaodong Castle without any explanation.
And you hid your identity and humiliated us.
His country...
and his master were being humiliated.
How could the guard possibly stay still?
You're right.
Give this to his family.
Tell them that it was a loyal death.
For a barbarian, he was pretty good.
"The big virtuous one serves the small."
"The small wise one serves the big."
Only the virtuous one can serve a small country although it is a big country.
Only the wise one can serve a big country although it is a small country.
It means that the big country should be generous in virtue
and the small country will serve with courtesy.
Virtue and courtesy are meant to be exchanged.
But since you didn't treat us with virtue...
you called our discourtesy upon yourself.
It is the third chapter of Mencius with King Hui of Liang.
I like Mencius too.
You have to be selective, but he is interesting.
How do you know our language?
I speak all languages of Manchu, Mongol, Timur, Tartary, and Goryeo.
My father, His Majesty the Emperor...
Do you know how many of his concubines are from Goryeo?
My nanny was also from Goryeo.
It is no longer Goryeo.
It is now Joseon, sire.
Right, right...
You founded a new country.
Sire...
Please... let my guard keep his life.
Whatever happens, he can't live.
A sword was on my neck.
I am also going to kill all my guards.
They have to take responsibility.
So how can I let your man live?
- No matter what you say-- - Yes...
You are right.
Of course you should kill all of them!
Then... let them die fighting!
Do you mean to say you're confident your man can win?
It is not because I am confident about him.
He came to me with only a dream of being a warrior.
Even if he has to die... I can't let him die like this.
Allow him to die in a fight as a warrior, sire.
This will be interesting.
Moo Hyool...
It's fine.
You tried to protect me...
but I don't have the power to protect you.
The only thing I can do...
is give you a chance to fight.
Then...
It is your job to make it out alive.
That's enough. That's enough for me.
Let's make it out alive.
You have to live... so that I can live, too.
The 25 skills of Eastern Twin Dragons!
Moo Hyool, the skills I came up with
as I watched Bang Ji follow Cheok Sa Gwang's moves.
You've practiced a lot.
It is a bit tough to try it out first in a real fight like this...
but I have faith in you that it will definitely work!
Don't be afraid.
I am not afraid.
Now I know that I can fight... I feel at ease now.
Yes, that's it.
Being relaxed in the midst of tension.
That's the best condition.
You can defeat anyone!
You can do it! Believe it!
By the way, Teacher...
Yes, what?
If something happens to me, my grandmother--
No!
I can't be responsible.
You have to make it out alive and be responsible for her.
Eastern Twin Dragons! Eastern Twin Dragons!
Now, Moo Hyool...
Moo Hyool, don't be nervous. You should never get nervous.
Don't be nervous.
Breathe deep.
Moo Hyool, imagine a calm lake.
You are water. You are peaceful and calm...
Think of yourself as a calm lake.
- Teacher. - Yes?
You look more nervous than I am.
Really?
Moo Hyool...
Go ahead and start!
Moo Hyool, dodge!
Move, move!
Don't rush! Lay low, then one blow! One blow!
Now!
Halt!
Stop!
Moo Hyool, stop.
Victory is yours.
Tell me your wish.
Because of what I started today
I heard all of your guards would be executed.
Please... let them live.
Why?
Those in the line of protection... are connected in some way.
I'm sure they'd like to protect you again.
And they will do a better job.
He is asking me to forgive you!
And I will!
Your grace is immeasurable!
To have such an exceptional warrior as only the fifth prince...
Joseon is a dangerous country, just as I thought.
That's why I cannot let you through.
Go back.
Sire...
I have never let your envoys through.
But we have been called upon by His Majesty the Emperor--
That is your problem.
[Nanjing: Capital in the Early Period of Ming]
Did you see... the map in the barracks?
Map?
Zhu Di claims that there is a cloud of war
between Joseon and the Jurchens
so he often comes out here and encourages military training.
But the maps are only for the central region.
Do you know what it means?
You do know... how the internal affairs of the mainland are, don't you?
I have to get through here.
I will bet my game.
Why do you keep...
trying to create tension with Joseon?
What?
You created an incident that didn't occur...
and picked at it.
You made a false report to His Majesty--
How dare you!
You are rude beyond belief!
Why do you say that I make up such things?
Because you were robbed of the title of the Crown Prince by your nephew.
Continue.
The Crown Prince who will inherit the Emperor's title is your young nephew.
His Majesty the Emperor must be nervous about your strong power.
That's why you are afraid of His Majesty's suspicion...
and act this way, right?
What on earth do you mean?
"The political situation between Joseon and the Jurchen is unstable."
"So I am not interested in the throne."
"I have my hands full protecting this area!"
That's how you want to be seen by His Majesty.
And?
His Majesty must have received your report
and His Majesty always has hard line policy on Joseon.
The result of it... may be a war!
Is it what you want?
It is only natural... that the cornered mouse will bite the cat, isn't it?
But that's not what you want.
Who said I wouldn't want it?
Then...
in the base that was created to defend against Joseon and the Jurchens...
why are there only maps of the central region?
Isn't your grand dream directed to the central district and Nanjing?
[Nanjing: Capital of the Early Period of Ming]
What is it that you want to say?
On the day you are headed to the central region...
I believe you wouldn't want a hostile relationship
with Joseon to be a roadblock.
The enemy with no exit... can only be desperate.
Even in "The Art of War," it tells you to fight
leaving an exit open for the enemy.
"Open a way out for Joseon so that it will not decide on a war."
Is that what you mean?
Yes, that's right.
Don't let the hardliners in Joseon who want to go to war rise to power.
So I'd like to tell you to hold onto one good card.
"One good card?"
It will be me. Me, Yi Bang Won.
Please open a way out on one side by using me
so that Joseon doesn't fight for its life against Ming.
Please let us go through Liaodong!
You are truly bright and brave.
But you are also arrogant and stupid!
Don't you know that you could leave here as a corpse because of what you said?
All of a sudden, tomorrow morning...
only your dead body would be found.
I will bet that won't happen.
Today, you will die... or live.
How did it go?
- Either I'll die... - Pardon?
Or we'll get through Liaodong.
You are truly right.
The one I serve is such a brilliant man...
Tell His Majesty the Prince of Yan that I'd like to see him!
Untie him.
You're surprised.
There is one more surprise left for you.
Come in.
I heard you know each other.
Your Highness, I am filled with emotion to see you in a place like this.
How can you...
While I was considering if I should kill you
or use you as a way out...
she let me know a lot about you.
She is the head of a merchant group that is famous even in the mainland.
They were noticed as they supplied girls from Goryeo to the royal court.
Have a seat.
You were more established than I thought.
I didn't do anything.
I only told him what I knew about you, sire.
I hear you are in the same situation in Joseon as I am.
You were robbed of a title by your baby brother?
So, have you made up your mind?
Yes.
I will use you as a way out.
Also, I will write a personal letter to His Majesty.
Sire, I am very grateful.
But there is one condition.
What is it?
Your guard, Moo Hyool.
Give Moo Hyool to me.
Prince Yan wants you.
And I decided to give you to him.
Pardon? Sire, how--
On my way back from Nanjing, I have to go through here again.
I will bet my life and get you back then.
But you should not waste your time.
Fight and fight again, to learn and train.
Your Highness.
I heard Zhu Di's guards are highly skilled.
Yes, the short one seems especially scary.
Masters recognize other masters.
He came to me earlier and asked me
a lot of questions about Eastern Twin Dragons...
That short one...
Then you should also remain here and take care of Moo Hyool.
May I do that, sire?
I don't know how it was in the time of Goryeo.
But the best swordsman in the new country Joseon
should be this guy, Moo Hyool.
Can you do it?
I will chew up and swallow all of the warriors here.
Yi Seong Gye ordered Your Majesty's execution after all.
Officers will be here tomorrow.
I changed my last name to Ok by adding a dot on the letter Wang.
Please come with us.
If I try to live...
she will fight, and fight again... then die in the end.
Sire, are you hungry?
The flower pancakes came out very well.
If you go to the paper store in the market, they will have what I asked for.
- Please bring it to me. - Yes.
Then please enjoy them while I make a trip there.
I will make something very delicious for dinner.
Yoon Lang.
Thank you.
Excuse me, do you have the goods that His Majesty asked for?
Yes.
Here it is.
Isn't this a letter?
Yes. You should open it.
Until I became king, I met someone as lovely as you
and spent dreamy times with you.
It is truly painful to say goodbye to you.
But, Lang... you must live.
Prince Jungchang Wang Yo acted against the law
and was not able to protect the country as many people defected
which caused Heaven to abandon you.
Also, now the master has changed
for the stability of the government and the country
he is ordered to be executed.
Lang, you will probably tell me to fight and run away like last time.
But I am the last king of Goryeo that had continued for 500 years.
The final moment of the last king should not be foolish thoughts.
If you go to the paper store in Daerim Market of Gaegyeong
you will find the one whose name is Ok.
I have already arranged for you to stay there.
You should never try to take your own life.
Now, find your own life.
That way, I will be able to rest in peace in the afterlife.
[After moving the capital, Hanyang]
It is a plea for impeachment.
- Leave out Lord Hong Hak Joong. - Pardon?
He is very close to Lord Sambong.
There will be an appointment in the Office of Inspection soon.
If you would do that for me
then I will put in a good word for you.
Yes, I will.
- Go out to the backyard. - Pardon?
To the backyard?
What does it mean to be a royal adviser?
In the process of looking into officials' corruptions and illegality
if you believe something to be right
even if His Majesty's order says otherwise
you have to exchange your life for what is right!
But you will bend your belief because you can't
even overcome the power of my name?
Moreover, you are the first royal advisers
of the new country Joseon.
The principles and disciplines you establish
will last hundreds of years.
If we don't establish them now
the officials of this country will become devils
who suck the blood out of the citizens like the officials of Goryeo.
Should it be that way?
Does it really have to become that country again?
You were trying to stop His Majesty from looking at historical materials
and this is what happened to you?
I am sorry, sir.
I will appoint you to a minister position of the third rank.
Pardon?
If all of you are not ready for this, you should quit.
Even if you have to wear a diaper
transcribers have to write every word and every action by the King.
Yes, sir.
The king is only afraid of written records.
The belief that your writing of history
will become the rules of the later generations...
- Don't forget that. - Yes, sir.
Boss!
We're back!
It is the first day at Sungkyunkwan for the students. Did you do well?
Of course!
We helped them wash their face and checked on the attendance.
We also saw all of the students entering the dormitory before we came here.
Thank you for your work.
Please have your dinner, and I'll see you later.
Yes, Boss.
[Banchon (A village that supports the students of Sungkyunkwan)]
- Is the preparation going well? - Yes!
- Do you have any issues with anything? - No, no.
The national civil service exam is coming up in a few days.
You should make a lot of them ahead of time.
Yes, Boss.
By the way...
we are commoners, so why do we work with people who were slaves in Gaegyeong--
Gap Boon, we are all just people of Banchon.
Remember that.
I understand, Boon Yi.
I mean, Boss.
- Uncle Bok! - Oh, hello!
- Can you handle it? - Yes.
I am glad that I went through the rigorous evaluation to be allowed in.
It's great.
Goodness, you're really good.
Look at that, Boss.
Mister, you used to be a brush seller, right?
Maeng Soon, you are not supposed to ask such questions here.
This mouth... I forgot for a moment.
By the way... your sister is missing again.
Yes. She's sewing inside.
I see.
Welcome.
You always have lunch here.
I look around everywhere in Hanyang, but nothing beats my grandma.
By the way, you look the part now.
Do I?
- My goodness! - Is everything okay?
Of course it is.
Have you heard any news about His Highness in Ming?
I have not heard anything yet.
Here comes Lord Sambong! Please ask him for me!
Are you on your way to Sungkyunkwan?
Yes. You must be making your rounds.
I heard you work day and night.
It's my luck.
By the way...
Is there any news about His Highness who went to Ming?
There is nothing yet.
Don't worry too much. He is not an ordinary man.
Yes, yes.
You must be alive. Right, Bang Won?
[Sungkyunkwan]
It's tonight.
- Is everyone ready? - Yes.
Everyone will gather at Jungryunam tonight.
To think that we will take our first step tonight
my heart is filled with emotion.
Finally we have our first meeting now.
My mind feels rushed, but everything is slow.
As they say, a beginning means we are half-way there.
This is our creed. Please transcribe it for me.
Yes, I will.
You said everything that happened and that you heard today, right?
Yes, I told you everything, Boss.
Yes, that is it for today's tell-and-forget.
Forget everything that you told me.
Did you have a good trip to the outhouse?
Give it to me.
- What do you mean? - What you stole from Sungkyunkwan!
What do you mean by that?
I am on a night duty, so I checked on the light at Sungkyunkwan.
I won't get through to you with words.
You were in discussion.
You may leave and get back to your work.
Yes, sir.
Baek Jin is caught?
It seems that he penetrated into Sungkyunkwan and took some document.
But he was captured by Banchon people.
Soldiers from the State Tribunal seem to have gone out for him.
What is the document he stole?
We heard Sambong had frequent meetings at Sungkyunkwan
so we had him infiltrate Banchon.
It probably has something to do with Sambong.
Sir.
The shrine of Moon Sung Gong and the shrine of Confucius are in this Banchon.
You already know that soldiers cannot enter here without His Majesty's order.
The criminal is in Banchon.
We already found a suspicious one.
You did?
Then hurry up and hand him over.
But we found that he was from Banchon after we caught him.
Without His Majesty's order, I have the right to punish him.
I have to expel him before you can arrest him.
And?
We will go right ahead and question him.
So forgive me, but please wait.
How dare you!
Do you think we'll just wait here?
If you enter here
you will trouble Lord Sambong and His Majesty who proclaimed a country
ruled only by the laws of ordinance.
Mister, did you attack Lord Park Chang Hyung at Sungkyunkwan
and steal a document?
Boss, why would I do such a thing?
I've never done such a thing!
Then why did you run away?
He ran over to me...
so I ran away.
No, Boon Yi. He's lying.
I'm sure it was him.
May I search through your clothes?
Of course! Go ahead!
Bang Ji.
If he is hiding something, he wouldn't tell me to search through.
I'd like to see his body, not his clothes
to see if he has a tattoo that we recognize.
What are you suspicious of?
I will now ask you with the power as the head of the village.
If there is any lie in your answer to my question...
you will be expelled from Banchon, and all of us will forget about you.
You will be dead to us.
Are you... Moomyung?
Grab him.
Boss! Boss!
Boss!
What was that? What was that?
- Everyone, hide yourselves! - Hide, everyone!
Really... How are you going to fight me with that?
Why did you show up again?
Moomyung members... what are you plotting after coming all the way to Banchon?
It's not just Banchon...
we will show up anywhere.
Boon Yi!
Boss! Boss!
Did... someone throw beef jerky?
Beef jerky?
He was definitely Gil Seon Mi.
Moomyung came back.
In Banchon, of all places.
Excuse me, Boss.
May I have a moment?
I found this by accident.
You did?
This is it.
Some man hid it in the medicinal ingredient storage.
Thank you.
There was a bit of disturbance tonight because of this.
Would the soldiers enter here because of something like this?
No, it won't happen unless there's an order from His Majesty.
By the way, why do you not come outside that often?
Are you uncomfortable being around other people?
No, I will come out more often.
Yes, please do.
Goodnight then.
Be careful getting home, Boss.
My lady, we came in here as a last resort since the soldiers can't come in here.
But if you are not keen on it, then we'll find somewhere else--
It's fine. This seems to be the best place.
His Majesty left these children with me to take care of.
You don't need to feel obligated.
They are his children.
I would like to.
Jungryunam?
[Jungryunam] Lord Sambong has arrived.
I am glad you came.
I am filled with joy to see you.
After Zhou Dynasty, about 2,300 years ago
it has already been a few years
since Joseon was founded with the goal of fair land distribution
a true country of Confucius scholars.
Your shoulders are tight!
You are so big, but light like a butterfly.
Instructor Hong!
What? Instructor Hong is right here!
Your country's prince...
What about the prince?
Prince...
He came back alive.
What? He's back?
Moo Hyool!
You heard it, right?
He came back alive?
Moo Hyool!
But the roots of this great country Joseon
are still very weak.
Scholars, officials, and the Sadaebu...
all of us here should be the healthy, strong roots of this country.
In order for this tree called Joseon to reach 10,000 years
we should become the roots of the roots!
We may be hidden, but we are living and breathing.
We may not be seen
but we transfer our energy in the tree, in the leaves, in the flower petals.
The hidden roots deep down under the wide field name "History"!
We are the hidden root of this land.
Hidden root?
The hidden root leads the king in the right direction.
The hidden root leads the king upright.
The hidden root cares for the people from the lowest part of this land.
The hidden root cherishes the people. The hidden root respects the people.
The hidden root keeps the people comfortable.
The hidden root raises the people.
The hidden root must be the same as the following.
It is that the people are the foundation.
People as the foundation!
People are the foundation. People are...
People are the foundation!
[The First Leader of the hidden root, Jung Do Jeon]
[Six Flying Dragons]
You're lucky to come back alive.
It is His Majesty's order to arrest all from the envoy group.
To be taken away? Why?
Lord Sambong came up with another scheme!
I haven't even started my move yet. Why don't you take my move now?