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May you spare my father!
You must save my father!
Father... Father!! Father!!
Father...
I am the son of Prince Sado.
Would the Noron party support this kind of policy without a fight?
Our reforms shall not be hampered by anyone's protest.
With this royal procession, we must completely reform our defense policies.
Your wish is my command, Sire.
So your only design is to uncover the truth behind that secret will.
Are you trying to beguile your king?!
Your Majesty!
Whether I shall honor His Deceased Majesty's dying wishes,
or just follow what this secret will suggests to me...
will be subject of my deliberation in the coming days.
You must always bear in mind that this country's future,
our party's future, shall from now on depend on your decisions.
All we need to do is witness the spectacle which will ensue.
Because a new genesis is what the heavens entrusted upon me.
If they had to conceal a much more venturesome secret,
then would murder be out of the question?!
A secret royal emissary might be here.
Remember the pledge we made when we joined the Military Training Command?
His Majesty will escort Lady Hyegyeong to Hwaseong,
and honor the anniversary of Prince Sado's passing.
Why did you not implore the former king to spare my father's life, that day?
Sire...
Was it because you did not love him?
Sire!
Why didn't you save my father?
I cannot wait to see how this repressed devotion of yours...
will manifest itself, when you honor his passing in Hwaseong.
It is no pumpkin, but the king's pate.
Restoration, you said?!
Will you offer us your cooperation?
Military authority might sit with the Minister of War,
but the authority to inspect how he operates belongs to the Councilor.
At myoshi on the ninth day of the fifth month,
we shall leave the palace, and begin our procession.
~ Episode 5 ~
We reached the Jinmokjeong. Shall we enjoy some respite?
This is where the garrison leaders will welcome the procession, right?
That's right, Your Excellency.
*Formal meeting of high-ranked officials "welcoming" the royal carriage to Hwaseong
Who is going to participate in this reception*?
His Excellency Jo Shimtae from Hwaseong,
Commissioner of the Royal Guard Garrison Lee Myeongshik,
along with the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Seo Yubang.
That must be the western command post, right?
Yes, that is correct.
Our troops from the five garrisons will be sparsely deployed down here,
and attack this western command post.
Whereas the Royal Guard Garrison troops...
will defend the post right here.
Where will His Majesty be located?
He will sit over there, and espy upon the entire drill from up high.
So all eyes will be looking down the fortress.
That's what will likely happen.
With the defense line and the siege forces included,
over three thousand men will participate in this drill.
Once the matchlocks start to blaze, it will become a most thrilling scene.
A thrilling scene...
How is our five garrisons' training proceeding?
Our troops?! They show nary a blemish.
But, as we will act as the invading forces,
the real issue is the fact we will be attacking from below,
and that the armament at the Royal Guard's disposal will be much superior.
Should we move to an all-out war setting,
we will suffer several casualties.
Our best option would be to attack this post before the drill ends.
Everyone's attention will be focused down the fortress,
so even with only fifty men, completing our task would be a wieldy endeavor.
But when would we ever get the chance to deploy fifty men here?
Don't you know that troops from the five garrisons cannot enter the fortress...
until the drill is complete?
We could always use the rear patrol from the capital guard*.
*Gahugeum-gun: procession patrols following the king from the rear
What?
Yes, that would be feasible.
A most discerning proposal, Your Excellency.
Deploy our best men from the Military Training Command...
as part of the capital guard protecting the royal retinue.
It shall be done, Your Excellency.
Your Excellency.
While our troops are fighting outside the fortress,
we will be able to infiltrate the gates and complete our mission right away.
That is how it shall go.
There is no need to pettifog over the itinerary His Majesty chose.
The reason we gathered today was to decide whether the initial draft...
of the Hwaseong combined drill shall be accepted,
or whether it will need any rearrangement.
Chief of the Northern Approaches, let us hear your opinion.
From Hanyang to the Hyeonnyungwon*,
*Prince Sado's tomb
the sentry posts the cavalry will have to protect will be twenty-four in total.
Should we deploy troops from the five garrisons as we always used to,
there shall be no particular discomfiture.
Enough funds to endow the Capital Garrison and the Royal Guards Command...
for a decade have been all used for the Hwaseong construction.
In other words,
both the Royal Guards and Capital Garrison will lack proper funding for ten years.
All we have are buildings and equipment.
Then, are you implying that at the upcoming Eulmyo procession,
you will not take part as patrol and surveillance guards?
We never said we would not take part,
we are just asking for proper estimates!
You cannot just throw troops out there without any logic.
You should be already aware of that...
Any funding required for the procession will be listed on our apportion.
But as Councilor Jeong Yakyong will need more time to complete his inspection,
I expect you to accord him your forbearance.
Then, as tradition calls, all the nineteen sentry posts from Changdeok Palace's gates...
to Jinmokjeong in Hwaseong and up to the outer gates of Suwon...
shall be guarded by the five garrisons,
while the route including the five sentry posts from Hwaseong to Hyeonnyungwon...
will be guarded by the Royal Guard Garrison.
Then...
what will you do with the two patrols protecting the royal carriage?
We shall once again follow our past customs,
and entrust the front patrol to the Royal Guard Garrison,
while the rear patrol can be entrusted to the Military Training Command.
Any grievance on the matter?
As Royal Guard Comissioner Lee Myeongshik...
and Chief of the Northern Approaches Seo Yongbo suggested,
let us follow tradition regarding our deployment for the sentry posts.
Who should be entrusted with supervision of the royal reception at Jinmokjeong?
We will receive the royal retinue in Suwon,
so would it not be conscionable that supervision should be also entrusted to us?
I am in agreement that our Suwon garrison should be entrusted...
with managing this royal reception,
but principles shall always remain as such.
Jinmokjeong has been entrusted to the five garrisons as part of their sentry posts.
That is why the Suwon garrison can certainly command operations,
but patrol troops protecting Jinmokjeong shall be despatched from the Military Command.
Yes, we shall comply with your instructions.
I am Assistant Section Chief of the Ministry of War, Hong Byeongshin.
Have a seat.
I would like for you to act as secret royal emissary for this Eulmyo procession.
What?!
Councilor Jeong Yakyong already inspected Hwaseong and the procession route,
as the former emissary.
He has been proclaimed Vice Councilor of the Ministry of War,
so you will have to eradicate any treacherous intent at the root in his stead.
I shall give my best, Your Excellency.
Next is the combined drill plan.
If we truly go by the plan, any siege attempt will be futile.
While the defense forces have been supplied with bows, matchlocks,
and even muskets shooting three projectiles at once,
our siege force's munitions have been severely diminished,
so how can this be truly called a combined drill?
A most discerning observation.
You need at least three thousand men to lay siege against a fortress,
but if even our arrows are limited, attacking the fortress with only 1,500 men...
Wouldn't that merely boost the defense forces' morale?
As the general in charge of leading the siege force,
this combined drill plan is unacceptable.
The siege force's general voiced his grievances.
As the man in charge of devising this plan,
what does the Suwon Chief Marshal think?
The main purport of this combined drill is verifying how the Royal Guard Garrison...
would react to an offensive, by employing imaginary foes.
Should anyone invade Hwaseong, they certainly would not be the five garrisons.
Why would people remunerated by the government attack Hwaseong?!
Should anyone attack Hwaseong,
it would be treacherous villains fomenting contempt for the King,
or forsworn miscreants instigated by riotous specimen.
How could people like them have a hefty armament at their disposal?
If we followed Jo Shimtae's percipient suggestions,
then methinks the siege force should be armed with sickles and bamboo spears instead.
But even though they will have no gunpowder,
being supplied unloaded matchlocks and regular armaments...
should whelm them with jubilation.
So will the generals in charge of our jubilant five garrisons...
comply with the initial drill plan,
or if you have any grievance, how else would you proceed?
Will you share your views with us, Minister Shim?
We have a procession behind the corner,
so could we find any time to devise changes to that plan?!
This combined drill plan was devised as such,
so my wish is to follow our principles.
If there are no further grievances,
then we shall move as planned.
Save for the Year of the Dog procession which took place in the second month*,
*Jeongjo 14th (1790)
the Shinhae (1791), Imja (1792), Gyechuk (1793) and Gabin (1794) processions...
all took place in the first month of the year.
And every year, they used the Namtaeryeong Pass to reach Hyeonnyungwon,
for a total of 83 ri (about 32 km).
Why always the first month?
It must have been on the occasion of Prince Sado's birth,
the twentieth day of the first month.
Twenty-four small and big bridges mark this 83-ri procession route.
Lord Dong, which one would be the perfect spot...
to assassinate the Joseon king?
I thought so myself...
Our first attack point is the Han River!
So will there be a second offensive as well?
How could such mortal cabals bear nary a faulty subterfuge?!
Suin Sayeong Gaebyeok.
Only when all worldly matters are taken care of will a genesis bless creation.
There is something you must provide us before that, Master Hong.
What is that?
Sunsan here will make underwater explosives for us.
Hence, you shall provide him with sulphur, gunpowder,
pig iron powder and wrought iron.
I can understand the gunpowder and sulphur,
but where would you use pig iron and wrought iron powder?
Ehhh... you don't know what that is?
Underwater... Boom.
Pig iron and wrought iron powder... if you have lots...
Boom boom boom boom!
What is this "boom" and this "boom boom boom" about?!
Just that the explosive power will increase,
and the splinters will be thrown much farther.
Indeed! Indeed!
Ohh... he almost spotted me!
It's him! That fellow is out!
What are you waiting for?
He knows me, so you will have to take the lead.
He knows you how?
Save the prattling for later, and get moving.
How can someone of your rank know...
Are you suggesting that the stolen gunpowder, the construction faults over at Gongshimdon,
and the murders are all related?
We could not ferret out any culprit, so it is merely my conjecture.
Doesn't that imply that a riotous conspiracy is taking place in Hwaseong?
That is why we are investigating the Daedong group,
responsible for the construction at the Gongshimdon watchtower.
The moment we discover their motive, they will be immediately apprehended.
I am bewildered by this predicament.
Until the procession is over, you shan't let your guard down even once.
I shall bear it in mind.
So it was you who slew Makswe?!
Follow me. This way.
Do you know that man?
I think I saw him in Hwaseong.
The gunpowder suppliers are waiting for us.
Let's get moving.
Even if you were forced to accept the drill plan,
*Southern/Northern, two of the five army garrisons
you still should have stopped them from disbanding the two approaches*.
Did we not join forces to stop the military reforms from the start?!
They do not seem to be convinced about making any serious move.
During the royal reception, they shall all be dealt with.
Before His Majesty's retinue reaches the Jinmokjeong,
while Jo Shimtae and Lee Myeongshik head there to prepare for the reception,
we must send a suicide squad and slaughter those two.
Should that happen, His Majesty would become a fangless, clawless tiger.
Remarkable, Your Excellency!
That is the reason he averred for our Military Command to act as guards there.
Then, what will happen to the combined drill?
We must be prepared for any situation.
We will let the drill go exactly as planned,
so that His Majesty and everyone's attention will be on the drill.
After taking part in the drill, fifty men from the rear patrol...
will eliminate all adversaries on the way, and march for the western command post.
If we are to slaughter all Shipa members present...
and apprehend His Majesty, timing will be crucial.
We must achieve all our goals in a heartbeat!
And should they still be able to send word to the palace,
the Queen Dowager will take care of that for us.
Did everyone understand what I just said?
Yes, Your Excellency.
But what still brings me concern...
is why we could not stop someone like Jeong Yakyong from becoming Vice Councilor.
Councilor of the Office of Censor General,
as his title suggests, is nothing more than an unjaded scholar with no experience.
How could such dupable specimen cope with this kind of responsibility?!
Should at least the Governor of Gyeonggi Province support him,
I am sure that will never happen.
It will never happen?!
What do you think, Your Excellency?
Ilmodowon...
The sun sets as our path still lingers on.
Do not let the pertinacity of a fresh-faced sapling hamper your great endeavor.
A fresh-faced sapling's pertinacity?!
How did it go?
I am sure I saw them enter that tavern,
but then the ghosts started wailing?!
*God of Death in Vedic mythology
Did King Yama* sing someone's final words?!
Why would ghosts be wailing?!
If you have a pheasant for lunch, there should be bones left behind.
I saw them enter that tavern for sure,
but whether they flew in the sky or dug the soil,
there was no trace left of them!
By the way...
You said you knew that man, didn't you?
So, doesn't that mean he knows you as well?
Where did you two meet?
I took a closer look, and it likely was not him.
Say what?
I don't know him.
Ahh... so...
You sent me there just because you couldn't be bothered?!
Forgive me...
Forg...
Forgiving you will deal with this?!
Unless you don't want to smell the nightly air...
Be quiet!
Ohh... His Excellency knows no reproof!
He lashes at the offending varlet with jousting words,
but why does the smell of feculent philtres come from his own quarters?!
Remember the pledge we made when we joined the Military Training Command?
I pray to the heavens that it was not you.
*Employee of a merchant group
Jang Chain*, they're looking for you.
Were you looking for me?
Who is the man who followed you?
He was working incognito when I was in Hwaseong.
If someone came from Hwaseong to Hanyang incognito,
doesn't that imply he's after you?!
Ehh Ehh! This...
What if complications arise for our merchant group?
And would anyone concerned about his merchant group's future...
be the same who flaunted to all creation about making Gongshimdon explode?!
Were it not for Jang Dongji, your merchant group would be history already.
Ohh... Lord Dong.
How are the underwater explosives proceeding?
The Zhang brothers are preparing them with no respite.
They shall be ready before the dawning.
Master Hong.
Is there any other place where we could hide?
My brother-in-law does run a tavern near the port...
No movements the last five days, and it still is quiet?
Now that I think about it, this all started when we began investigating.
Maybe they realized they are being observed?
Na...Naeuri, you're here.
Right.
What are you hiding behind your back?
Being trapped inside that room all day,
I was all hungry and cramped.
Your Excellency.
Looks like it is time to return to the palace.
Only three days are left before the procession.
I can understand how tedious this can be,
but you cannot let your guard down.
Yes, we must not.
Your Excellency.
The man who seems to have committed murder in Hwaseong is part of this group.
"Seems to have"?! A murderer is a murderer.
Because of his disguise, I couldn't see his face clearly.
He even donned a guise here?
He did not,
but those were the same eyes I saw back there.
You can judge a man's countenance just by looking at his eyes?
He is a compeer of mine, from the Military Training Command.
Ahhh... so that is why he sent me instead.
We cannot let any suspicious element perturb us ahead of the procession.
We should start by alerting the capital police.
No.
We must wait until they are all gathered,
and only then act.
So that would be the famous...
So all those high-ranked military officials...
hampered deliberation of state affairs on the pretext of royal favors.
They engaged in hoarding and cornering in Hwaseong,
and committed graver sins than anyone of us could...
His Majesty favors anyone who shows approval for his reforms,
so what would they possibly fear?
There is even word amongst Shipa members that their tyranny...
has crossed every conceivable limit.
Just like a famished tiger choosing the crucial moment to unleash its fury,
*King Sejo's name when he was prince
it was his prompt decision-making what brought success to Prince Suyang*.
I will bear this in mind.
Just cause must be on our side.
The reason the Jungjong and Injo restorations were successful...
was because Yeonsan's despotic tyranny and Gwanghae's misgovernment were evident.
Those restorations were moved by unquestionable cause.
Jwein Jija Bulwi Gunwang!
The fact the son of a sinner cannot become king...
should be a crucial part of our just cause.
If we wish to gain the Queen Dowager's cooperation,
that just cause is paramount.
Ohhh... here is my brush!
So, I shall count on you.
Those motherless dullards.
We will show you!
Where is Master Hong?
It has been long since I last recalled how he looks.
Would anyone trust the words of a merchant group's varlet...
who claims to have forgotten how his keeper looks?!
Not entering the outer quarters without consent or prior demand...
is part of our group's rules!
If he never summons you, it is natural you would forget how he looks like.
Ohh Ohh... as if this varlet was not a merchant,
look at his flippant tongue flutter about!
So you heard no talebearing regarding suspicious fellows entering this place?!
If I forgot my keeper's countenance,
how could this measly varlet recall who visited the outer quarters?
Naeuri.
Everyone!
Take this mendacious varmint to the capital police,
and question him until he confesses everything!
Yes!
What are you looking at? You are trapped now.
Ehh... and you still...
Gunpowder?!
Isn't this sulphur?
For sure.
What were they trying to scheme in here?
We must hasten and apprehend them immediately.
And where would those fools have gone, in this vast Hanyang?
I have one place in mind.
Really?
Know what this is?
I have never seen this before.
We must hasten, so just take it.
All right.
The floor is all cold.
Seeing all this dust, they must have left a long time ago.
Find any clues that could help us.
Yes.
Our only clue is that butler, what else would you find?!
Remarkable...
It is very stoutly connected as well.
Because of the way the sections are intertwined and reinforced,
they will be able to absorb any shock.
But there must be a weak point.
Ahhh... of course there is one!
It's exactly there.
It's higher over there.
So that when the royal carriage passes through, the bridge will not collapse.
Exactly under the sign is where the two sections intersect.
That is why it is the weakest spot when it comes to absorbing shocks.
Sunsan.
Did you hear?
Boom!
Exactly that place!
How are you going to light the wicks on fire from underwater?
We will swim under the bridge, set them up, and detonate with ropes.
We need no wicks.
And it will explode... Boom!
Is he saying the truth?
*Portuguese
They learned those techniques from Podoaguk* soldiers.
Let us go.
Let's move.
On the first day of our great endeavor, we will set up the underwater explosives.
And on the day of the procession, once the royal retinue passes by,
all we need is for Sunsan to ready the detonator from underwater.
And after that?
After we get close to Sunsan and help him out,
we will swiftly escape from the scene.
And after that... Boom Boom Boom!
It shall be the final day for that miserly monarch!
In...deed!
Still, just in case...
What if they start going after us?
Should that happen, we will have other explosives ready.
Ohhh... So if they start chasing us, you detonate the other explosives,
and we run away?!
Ahh... then, that shall suffice.
But, with the freezing water,
setting up the explosives will be no laughing matter.
*1 gak = 15 minutes
If we spread oil on our bodies, we will endure the cold for two gak*.
The closer we get to the bridge,
the longer it will take to set up the detonators.
Have you heard?
We must try to get as close as possible.
There is no need to worry. We already prepared everything.
Okpo.
Go ahead.
You must keep your covenant.
What covenant are you referring to?
That of giving us Jeju Island.
I also recall a covenant about slaying the Joseon king, on that document?!
The Joseon king shall perish.
Should the king perish,
then, Jeju Island will be yours.
If you truly wish to see him dead, you must first keep your promises.
Did you see me as the kind of hidebound nincompoop who would...
cherish that meager islet over the boundless plains of the Middle Kingdom?!
This Okpo?!
What do we owe the honor of stealing precious time from Your Excellency to?!
We went through those days as well.
I remember our contests on who would memorize it faster.
Do you recall?
The more our wintry gales swelter us with old age,
the warmer one's pupilage feels.
How could it be any different for me?
We should have abandoned those vying intents along with our youth.
In no time, your vying intents will find a most majestic reward,
so why would you utter such enfeebled words?
I think of this procession as my very last duty.
Couldn't you understand His Majesty's wish?
His wish is to slay us all,
so how could I "understand" that?!
That is merely the deluding fruit of your obsession with the past!
Obsessing over the past... Is that not what our king is very apt at?!
Our paths merely differ,
so I will never resent you in any way.
The sun will always rise and then set beyond the mountains of time.
Why would you resent the dawning at morrow for today's setting sun?!
Here...
Let us first slosh our throats.
I laud you for all your efforts today!
We have copious drinks and beauteous slatterns ready for you!
My gratitude.
Here... hasten.
This way.
All it took for us to gain access with that boat were a measly 100 nyang.
Ehhh Ehh... really.
What are you planning to do?
Announce our plans to all creation by riding that boat?!
What?
That boat will never even get close to the pontoon bridge.
Modify it so that it will look like a patrol boat.
But I already paid them?!
Ehhh Ehh... really...
Tomorrow shall mark the day when...
the Joseon ruled by this monarch will forever vanish into oblivion.
What will happen, once our mission is successful?
The court will be sweltered by nefarious tumult,
while all our compeers who had been waiting for this day...
will light their torches in unison, kindling the dawn of our new genesis!
You must not forget my service.
Could I ever?!
And your covenant as well.
Prime Minister!
As the drums of victory barely begin to echo past our gates,
you already begin the fireworks?!
The new world we dream of...
is devoid of riches and poverty, nobles or lowborns.
If you truly wish for that world to come and bless us all,
you shall not leisurely wait for it to fall from the sky,
but first earn your place through your endeavors!
Ahh... yes.
Jang Dongji.
Yes.
You may go.
Yes.
Instead, make sure not to be late in the morrow.
Understood.
Seonsaengnim.
Aren't you trusting Jang Chain a little too much?
I am telling you as the one who advocated for him.
So you advocated for him as a guard, but not as a compeer of ours?!
Anyhow, he was a Gichong from the Military Training Command,
pledging eternal fealty to the Lee royal family.
A military official's fealty does not change colors?!
Exactly.
I am well aware.
Not being able to change one's true nature is my greatest and unchanging conviction.
My apologies.
The procession will start early. Enjoy some soothing repose.
It has been thirty-one years.
Yes.
If my father knew you would be coming to visit,
his sleep would be sweltered by elation.
I will not be able to sleep myself.
Bitter tears drenched all these years.
I wish you a peaceful night.
Bitter tears drenched all these years.
Seobangnim!
Talebearing about the capital police investigating Daedong's base...
Did anything happen?
Will you follow me, far away from here?
Where to?
To a place beyond the sea,
where no riches or poverty, nobles or lowborns exist.
Flowers blossom at every corner, its rivers brimming with creation.
It knows no wars or strife, burning heat or wintry cold.
I decided to head to that place with Okpo Seonsaeng.
I want to live there with you, as a decent man.
Anywhere you decide to go, I shall trust and follow your wishes.
But if it is for my sake you are doing all this, may you stop.
I already brought you enough hazard as it is,
so I do not wish to see you face any more adversity because of me.
We will move there.
You and I, together we shall go.
There or anywhere else,
if it is with you, it will always be the best place to live.
Whenever possible, we must divide every movement...
into separate sequences.
Books must be written with the reader in mind.
Yes, Sire.
Defense is not merely a counterpoise against your opponent.
It is a stepping stone, anticipating your next offensive move.
Sire.
*Yeongsang = YeongEuiJeong (Chief State Councilor)
His Excellency Councilor* Chae Jegong seeks audience.
Let him in.
Your Majesty.
*May 13, 1795 (Jeongjo 19th)
It is the Gyehae* day of the fifth month, our first day of the procession.
Did you have any propitious dreams during the night?
Engulfed by the thought of finally visiting my father,
respite ignored my nightly gates.
Did the night bless you with propitious dreams?
Trepidation dominated the night, Sire.
What is the matter?
The sulphur and gunpowder we found at Hong Jaecheon's residence...
must be somewhat related to this pontoon bridge.
Are you telling me Hong Jaecheon will try to make this bridge explode?
There is a significant possibility he might try that.
This bridge will be strong enough to absorb any shock.
I am well aware, but this particular point is an exception.
It is exactly here where the two sections intersect,
so should the explosions happen here, they would seriously damage the bridge.
But they would need to detonate the explosives from underwater,
so would that even be possible?
I do think the same, but we can never be too prudent.
When the royal retinue passes by,
keep this area under close observation.
Should any suspicious men approach, we must swiftly deal with them.
Yes, it shall be done.
Jang Chain.
You came early.
Everyone is enjoying their morningtide morsel.
We still have plenty of time, so let us join them.
His Majesty the King deigns you with his presence.
Your Highness.
I shall depart for our procession.
I wish you a most relishable journey, Sire.
I shall pray for your health and prosperity during my absence.
I am grateful for your benevolence, Sire.
Take good care of yourself as well.
~ On the Next Episode of ~ EIGHT DAYS
Identify yourselves!
He knows us.
What are you planning to do, Okpo?
Back then, my only desire was to perish.
Why did my father have to enter that rice chest?
I shall give you a chance to avenge this affront.
So it was not merely a fresh-faced sapling's pertinacity?!
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