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He ordered to keep an eye on the Hongsal Gate and underwater.
Underwater?!
He says the Grim Reaper shall soon visit Joseon's ruler.
Identify yourselves!
He knows about us.
What do you plan to do, Okpo?
Sixteen years ago, my only desire was to perish.
So why did he have to perish inside that rice chest?
Then, who?
Flintlock?!
So this is not merely a fresh-faced sapling's pertinacity?!
- Sharpshooter from heaven. - What is it?!
I shall give you a chance to avenge your brother.
~ Episode 7 ~
- The map. - Yes.
Where is that?
Mount Gwanggyo, near Hwaseong.
Our second attack will take place here.
Yes.
But, considering the mountain's terrain,
any attack there could become a very toilsome endeavor.
Our sharpshooter shall take care of overcoming such adversity.
Here... quench that fire. We are moving to Mt. Gwanggyo.
Yes.
*Jeongjo 19th (1786)
The man who who was sentenced to death for causing the Byengo* year tumult,
and escaped from prison right before his execution,
was exactly this man called Okpo.
His real name is Moon Inbang, but as his scholarly attainments...
and remarkable character in spite of his lowly upbringing...
impressed Song Siyeol's grandson Song Deoksang, he gained that moniker.
That is certainly not the kind of man Jang Gichong would follow.
If he truly participated in any treacherous endeavor,
then bring me clear evidence!
He might have been dismissed from the Military Training Command...
for having been a follower of traitor Gu Seonbok,
but I know he never fomented any of his treasonous intents.
There is no way...
that kind of man would involve himself in treasonous acts.
Fine... I wish to trust your words.
So, tell me everything you know about this Okpo.
When the time comes, he promised we would together leave for a place...
with no poverty or nobility, the land of purple mist ruled by the people.
Purple mist?!
A place with no strife, blessed with fertile grounds...
and blooming with wondrous flowers all year long,
the land beyond the sea.
Is this land something that Okpo told him about?
That is what I have heard.
I do realize leaving this country without consent is against our codes,
but if even that means treason,
then too grievously injurious are such codes.
How can a gisaeng basking in contempt and a penurious errant guard...
leaving together for a land that is not scourged by misery...
prove to be high treason?!
Do you truly believe such a land exists?
I believe in him.
Your partner was inveigled by alluring utterances that will only harm him.
This wondrous creation we have been blessed with might bask in beauty,
but as the fruit of avarice is only discord and misery,
the only path to the gates of heaven lies in abandoning that greed...
and seeking enlightenment.
If a gisaeng and a lowly guard are not even allowed to live together,
how would they ever attain enlightenment?!
All he wanted...
was to live life as a decent man, nothing more.
Live life... like a decent man?!
Your Excellency.
What is the matter?
I would like a word.
All right.
The gunsmith's supervisor Choi Chongsu seeks audience.
Meseems So Hyangbi is not aware of what Jang Inhyeong is doing.
Send her back.
Ahh!
No.
Galling as it may be, escort her back to Hwaseong.
Yes, it shall be done.
I fomented suspicions about the flintlock component Choi Gichong brought me,
so I inspected the Daedong group's cellars.
What we found by sweeping the floor of those cellars...
were not just sulphur and gunpowder, but also the powder of wrought and pig iron.
Sulphur and gunpowder, together with that iron powder.
What could connect all this?
Pig iron and wrought iron are usually employed for explosives,
particularly in the making of underwater ones.
Underwater?!
Yes. As the name suggests, they are explosives detonating underwater.
So they can be detonated even underwater?!
In the west, explosives that can detonate without wicks have been developed.
But recently this technology has been imported by certain Wa pirates,
and is being used to pillage enemy ships.
So all the Wa pirates swarming in and out of the Southern Sea...
have finally reached Hanyang?!
That's right.
If they are in possession of underwater explosives,
this is no laughing matter.
I thought I should alert you, so I hastened all the way here.
I can finally speculate on what truly happened beneath the pontoon bridge.
I conveyed my message, so I shall return.
Ahh... about that flintlock.
Yes.
I wonder if it is effective even if wet.
Just like those underwater explosives, as the detonation happens inside,
the frizzen and flint can be used even in pouring rain.
We received word that His Majesty safely arrived at the temporary palace in Siheung.
The Siheung Palace?!
You must have mistaken it for the Gwacheon Palace.
They said the retinue left for Siheung after their eventide repast.
So they safely passed through the pontoon over the Han River,
and changed itinerary to the palace in Siheung?!
As for the royal seal you asked me to look into,
His Majesty took it along for the procession.
All right.
You may leave.
How unsullied is your sleep, in this childlike innocence.
And so it shall be.
So that you will heed this matron's every word, right?!
Lady Seonhee said the former king's demise would...
cut the wings of this 300-year-old dragon, and that if the crown prince died in his place,
our dynasty would continue flourishing.
But I cannot fathom why she would utter those words.
She must have said that after he left for Pyeongyang incognito,
*April 1761 (Yeongjo 37th)
on the fourth month of the Shinsa year*, before passing away.
The former king's malady was severely afflicting him,
and apprehension drenched our kingly walls.
It was at that juncture that your father secretly fled to Pyeongyang.
So meticulously did he prepare all this, even I was inveigled by his subterfuge,
thinking he was still at his quarters.
~ Gyeongmo Palace, 1761 ~
Has His Highness awakened?
He is still in respite.
Malady has constrained him inside these walls for the last two months,
so I must see him before I leave.
As he is suffering from a terrible malady,
he does not wish to meet anyone, so I trust Your Highness shall follow his wish.
He sent me away saying his teeth ache so badly he cannot even eat,
so I at least must witness him eating some gruel.
Free the way.
- You cannot! - You varlet!
How dare you lay your hands upon me?!
Should I answer their fretfulness by cutting them off?!
Your Highness... I am merely following His Highness's orders.
I implore you!
You are wasting your time.
Unless he utters those words to my face I shan't stand back,
so get out of my way!
Your Highness!
Your Highness!!
Your Highness.
It is me, Hyebin.
I cannot be exposed to those gales, so may you leave.
I brought you some sesame gruel.
Vexatious as it may be, you must maintain your vigor.
Take it back and leave!
Your Highness.
Did you not hear what I just said?!
Are you even shivery?!
Your voice...
May you forgive me, Your Highness.
Forgive me, Your Highness!
May you spare my life!
Where is His Highness and why are you here in his stead?
His Highness has left the palace.
He has left?!
What is that supposed to mean?
His Highness ordered me to keep this secret.
I cannot answer any further question.
Unless you confess everything, I shall behead you!
Your Highness...
I beg you, spare my life!
Your tongue shall decide what your future will be!
I shall keep it secret, so go ahead and confess.
I was too daunted to conceal such direful occurrences all by myself.
Daunted by the possibility of the former king learning of his escape,
you must have confessed it to my grandfather, I surmise.
Back then, both Her Majesty and Queen Jeongseong kept...
hostile and vigilant eyes on the crown prince all the time.
It would have been obvious that, should that occurrence have been exposed,
direful consequences would have befallen His Highness.
That is why the only man capable of protecting him was your grandfather,
His Excellency Hong Bonghan, as the Right State Councilor.
And when he heard your confession, how did he proceed?
To bring back your father, he discreetly sent one of his men to Pyeongyang,
and contacted the Governor of Pyeongyang, His Excellency Jeong Hwiryang.
I laud your efforts in taking such an arduous trip.
- Yes, Your Excellency. - Let us enter.
His Excellency might have been a Soron party member at the time,
but he and your grandfather had always been on very friendly terms.
No need to rise...
After laborious deliberation, he learned the truth from Governor Jeong,
and was shocked by his confession.
And what could that confession have revealed?!
That he mobilized troops, and was ready to march for the capital.
There must have been a reason why he would mobilize troops.
Confidants of Queen Jeongseong such as Kim Hanro, Kim Gwonju and Hong Gyehee...
were constantly coercing the former king despite his malady,
so your father instigated his followers to march to the capital,
and punish them for intimidating the King.
Are you telling me my father was planning an armed suppression?
It was restoration!
For dethroning the afflicted old monarch,
and ascending to the throne himself was his true goal.
He was so tormented, even reason burned in the flames of oblivion.
Reason abandoned him?!
Hearing such utterances, your grandfather was shocked,
and tried all he could to impede the crown prince from marching to the capital,
by clamoring me to maintain military authority.
So, what happened?
Your grandfather spent a few days and nights,
anguishing over what decision should have been made.
Then, how did Lady Seonhee learn of all this?
I certainly cannot be cognizant of all our past.
So it was derangement what moved my father to conspire treason,
eventually causing his own demise.
Is this what you are trying to tell me?
It is a most piercing throe from your childhood, still lingering on.
His Majesty the King deigns you with his presence.
How did you get all the way here?
Was it once again under my mother's instructions?
It is not the case, Sire.
I solicited her to allow me participation.
So... what will you do, this time?
Sire.
Before you enjoy your nightly respite, what will you do?
The procession must have wilted you, so may you loll down.
I shall massage your legs.
Only a peaceful body will grant you a peaceful mind.
Are you daunted by demise?
If I had to leave someone I love behind,
then dread would engulf me.
Not being able to see those you love...
Would not that be even more direful than demise itself?
How intense is this love of yours, to utter advice with a master's poise?!
I should be grateful to my lectures.
Lectures?!
Bring me one of those books, next time.
Not being able to see those you love...
How are preparatives for the reception in Jinmokjeong proceeding?
As per your instructions, we despatched troops from the Military Command...
as the patrol and reconnaissance troops for the royal reception.
Their Excellencies Lee Myeongshik and Jo Shimtae will be like...
quarries drenched in blood, entering a tiger's den of their own volition.
Then, what shall I help you with?
Will you not accompany the Royal Guard on the way to Jinmokjeong?
I suppose I will.
Once the drill instructor commences our armed suppression,
all you need to convey to the Royal Guard is that...
additional combat troops joined the drill.
The rest shall be all taken care of by the drill instructor.
You are positive you have discussed this with the Queen Dowager, right?
I trust we will not be stabbed by treacherous daggers at the last moment?!
Only one life and a short one at that is all we have, so what is all this dread?!
What is next, micturating your garments in fearful frenzy?!
Who would not be daunted by this kind of situation?
Governor! You needn't fret.
You are not the only one staking his fettle here.
Will fifty men suffice?
That is too many.
If we are to move discreetly, thirty men will be enough.
You have the Royal Guard by your side, so thirty men will suffice.
And it is likely the remaining troops at Jinmokjeong will assist you.
They certainly would not go against you.
Fine.
Should our endeavors at the reception fail...
or should the king hide under the warm covers of his beloved Shipa,
we must be ready for everything.
Make sure troops from the Military Command and the rear patrol guard are well prepared.
Yes, Your Excellency.
The moment our mission will succeed,
I shall exile His Majesty to Ganghwa Island,
and send word to the Queen Dowager, so that Prince Jeongye...
will immediately ascend to the throne in his stead.
Once Her Highness's regency begins,
it will herald a new era in which we shall dominate state affairs.
If their plan is to use those flintlocks for sharpshooting,
they will set up an ambuscade right up this mountain.
If sniping is their objective, would not any location be conscionable?!
Trying to snipe over moor open in all directions would prove difficult.
But should the scene be luxuriant mountain forests such as this,
it would simplify their mission and also offer an escape route,
which is likely what moved them to choose this place.
I could not think of that.
I shall despatch reconnaissance troops to inspect the area.
No.
Begin once the retinue stops for a morsel,
and until His Majesty safely passes through, do not leave this mountain.
Yes. It shall be done.
Here... let us hasten.
I suggest we should closely inspect drill instructor Gu Myeongnok.
I hear he spent the night deliberating with the Minister of War in the same quarters.
They spent the night deliberating in the same quarters?!
It just perturbs me that a mere drill instructor would engage in such parley...
with a second-ranked official entrusted with Joseon's military authority.
There is talebearing suggesting that this Gu Myeongnok might in fact be...
the hidden son of traitor Gu Seonbok.
What?!
The concubine who gave birth to him perished, so I cannot say with certainty,
but talebearing indicates he survived his clan's purge.
Descendants of traitorous ruffians do not betray their blood.
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.
What is the matter?
So Their Excellencies Jo Shimtae, Commissioner Lee Myeongshik...
and Governor Seo Yubang will be present at the reception, right?
Yes, that would be correct.
Without Jo Shimtae and Lee Myeongshik, I trust Hwaseong would be in tumult.
They are Suwon's Chief Marshal and Commissioner of the Royal Guard,
so that is what would most likely happen.
Hence, the most effortless way to gain control of Hwaseong...
would be to rid it of two of its most important pillars.
How could that be an effortless endeavor?!
No, attacking the two as they come to the reception without protection...
would not prove much of a toilsome undertaking.
And if after that the Minister of War mobilized troops...
and seized control of Hwaseong?!
With Governor Seo Yubang by their side,
would that even be possible?
But, should Governor Seo join forces with the five army garrisons?!
I believe those might be unwarranted concerns.
I wish that could be the case.
Let us hasten.
As we shared sorrow and jubilation together,
I thought of you as compeers who would sacrifice their lives for our cause.
Should anyone wish to betray my trust in you,
leave your post at once.
After loyal subject Gu Seonbok was falsely accused,
*Namdaemun
his head gibbeted on a pole outside Sungrye Gate*,
our Military Training Command had to endure baneful disgrace until today.
And now, under the pretense of military reforms,
our future is haunted by the doleful prospect of disbandment.
If I asked you whether you would rather endure this ignominy and survive,
or rather choose to perish a man of arms' honorable death by fighting against it,
what would you compeers choose?
We shall rather perish an honorable man of arms' death!
My gratitude.
I stand before you today for I chose the same path.
As you are well aware, treacherous ruffians are besmirching His Majesty's rule,
dragooning our glorious legacy towards the gates of dissolution.
You also must recall that safeguarding this country's legacy is our mission.
Here...
We shall hereby hasten to Jinmokjeong.
Once there, we shall pierce Jo Shimtae and Lee Myeongshik's treacherous kernel,
and gain control of Hwaseong.
If you have any query regarding our mission, ask it now or never.
Is this a restoration?
It is not.
As I already explained, let me be clear this is an armed suppression...
to condemn the flagitious ruffians who brought nefarious exigency upon...
our country's glorious legacy.
There is but one ruler and monarch for us.
If we are to gain control of Hwaseong,
how do you plan to deal with Governor Seo Yubang's reprisal?
A most discerning query.
As Governor Seo Yubang can no longer tolerate the Shipa's tyranny,
he decided to join our efforts in this armed suppression.
With the Commissioner of the Royal Guard Garrison's voidance,
and in accordance with our code of law,
the Minister of War will gain control of military administration.
You shall never forget that the Gyeonggi Provincial Government...
supports our efforts.
Any further queries?
We shall rescue our country's reigns as ordered!
We shall rescue our country's reigns!
Compeers!
Follow my lead!
Yes!
Will you be able to snipe from here?
No matter how dexterous a sharpshooter you are,
this is much too far a location.
What do you think, Lord Dong?
Sharpshooter from heaven.
*Central Formosan/Taiwanese aborigines, known for being fierce warriors
You cannot trust the best sharpshooter from the Bunun*?
I never said I do not trust his skills!
We have Podoaguk muskets.
I have all the trust in him.
He is staking possession of Jeju Island on this sniping.
If Lord Dong trusts him, we must do so as well.
But... His Majesty could be riding a carriage.
If he is riding a carriage, would not sniping be impossible?!
He would ride it, unless the Queen Mother was following him along.
Knowing how fervent his filial piety is,
he shall surely ride a horse and follow his mother's carriage.
I think the same.
What is more troubling is this Choi Gichong who has been trailing us.
Seeing he trailed us from the Han River,
he must have already been aware of our plans.
Doesn't this mean that, if Jang Gichong had not let them trail him,
we would have never needed to suffer so much discomfiture?
Shut that gob.
Why do I always have to see you shelter him whenever he's mentioned?
I said shut that gob of yours!
Just in case, we should inspect the area carefully,
and protect our escape route.
That would be wise.
Jang Dongji.
Head that way, and inspect the reconnaissance guards' movements.
And you, take care of securing our escape route.
- Yes. - Yes.
They are coming.
I lost sight of the reconnaissance guards.
What?!
What if... they are headed this way?!
Don't start with your flippancy.
It is no flippancy! If they are coming this way,
then sniping or not, this place will be swarming with guards!
If they daunt you so much, you may descend alone.
Fine, I shall head back alone.
No grievances later, uh?!
- Master Hong. - Ahh... What?!
If the reconnaissance troops are headed here as you say,
you would be the first they would find.
No grievances later, I trust?!
Listen.
You must hit him all in one shot.
No worries.
The King of Joseon is dead.
If only to avenge Sunsan's nefarious demise, you shall not spare him.
He must perish, the king.
There! The one riding that horse in the middle is our target.
Avenge your brother's death.
What is that?!
- Your Majesty. - What is the matter?
Hold it.
Her Highness Lady Hyegyeong wonders if you would like to continue on a carriage.
Convey to her that I am just fine, so she needn't worry.
But, Sire... you have been riding for hours.
Her Highness is deeply concerned this might bring you ailments.
What if they found out about our ambuscade?
How could I possibly ride on that carriage in front of my mother?!
Tell her she need not worry.
Yes, Sire.
Do not fret.
We still have time.
Look for the best shot.
Master! Master!!
There... The reconnaissance guards are headed this way.
What did I tell you?! Didn't I just tell you it was strange not seeing them?!
Jang Dongji. Can you buy us some time?
What if other troops are headed here?!
We might just be surrounded by them!
Think of all our compeers waiting for the new genesis.
We will have another chance.
There!
Lord Dong.
Let us escape.
This way.
Hasten out of here!
Out of here!
Jang Dongji.
Leave first.
I shall shake them off, and then follow you.
My apologies. I lost them.
We are still inspecting the area.
It was just as you suspected.
We truly risked a terrible tragedy.
Unless we apprehend them, there is no guarantee this will not repeat itself.
We shall give our best to find them.
Naeuri!
Did I not tell you to escort So Hyangbi to Hwaseong?
I was on my way...
And how about So Hyangbi?
We planned to meet at the northwestern gates,
and I ran all the way here.
Did anything happen?
You know the drill instructor of the Military Training Command?
Gu Myeongnok, you mean?
Yes.
Over thirty combat troops are following him.
Thirty combat troops?!
I need some water first. I could not catch my breath!
Where is water... water... Water! Water! Water!
So where would the drill instructor and his thirty combat troops be headed to?
That saved me.
They are running with no rest to Hwaseong via a bypath.
That is why I ran all the way here. Yes!
He is taking thirty combat troops to Hwaseong, via a trail way?!
It is the royal reception!
Their Excellencies Jo Shimtae and Lee Myeongshik are in peril.
What?!
It is my fault.
Regroup the Royal Guard Garrison and turn back immediately.
All right.
Go there, and stick to Jo Shimtae like a shadow.
Should anything befall him there, you must stake your life to protect him.
I shall bear it in mind.
- Ahh... also. - Yes.
Should anything happen, you must stick to the Minister of War...
and use him for our own advantage.
Know what I mean?
What are you trying to say?
When the time comes, you will understand.
Naeuri.
What should I do now?
Find some lodgings outside Hwaseong, and protect So Hyangbi.
All right.
Here... Water.
What is the matter?
We have evidence that a man named Hong Jaecheon from the Daedong group...
received help from the Wa, and attempted to make the Han River pontoon explode.
What did you just say?!
And it does not stop there.
They tried to snipe at His Majesty on the forest pathway as well.
Ohh Ohh... this is terrible.
But His Majesty would never return to the palace at this juncture.
There is something else which perturbs me.
The five garrisons' movements are suspicious as well.
Suspicious?!
On the pretext of an inspection, Gu Myeongnok took thirty combat troops,
and they together moved ahead of the retinue.
An inspection?!
Why on earth would he need thirty combat troops for just an inspection?!
It seems he used his closest subordinates for this.
Moved by treacherous intents, should they head to the royal reception...
and attack Their Excellencies there, both the Royal Guard Garrison and Hwaseong...
would fall into Noron hands.
Ohh Ohh!
What can we do to stop this?
*Equivalent of early to mid-Joseon's Naeuiwon (Royal Pharmacy)
I hear the Minister of War is also Commissioner of the Royal Dispensary*.
It was something His Majesty decided in order to limit court personnel.
The weather and this arduous trip must have been tiresome for Her Highness.
Didn't His Majesty order a brief recess, concerned about her?!
On the pretext of concerns over Her Highness's health,
order Commissioner of the Royal Dispensary Shim Hwanji...
to head to Jinmokjeong first, and serve soothing tea and gruel to Lady Hyegyeong.
The mighty Minister of War and his shining military authority...
have been confined to the bottom of our procession,
so how pitiable a sight that must be.
Allowing him to save face would be a most conscionable expedient.
Bestow him Her Highness's gratitude, is that it?!
And I also must request from you another favor.
What is it?
It might start raining again,
so advise His Majesty that it would be wise to only summon Jo Shimtae.
Commissioner Lee Myeongshik shall always remain by His Majesty's side.
Limit the Minister and guard the King?!
All right.
Leaving the Minister of War out of a royal reception, when this procession itself...
was made possible by the army. Can there be a more vexatious ignominy?!
They shall pay their contempt with blood before the morrow.
What still concerns me...
is the possibility of Governor Seo changing his mind, and ruining our plans.
That miserly ruffian does not possess enough moral fiber to do so, don't you fret.
People leave the legacy of their names behind when they perish,
but to them, for whom demise is still a fathomable possibility,
surviving means more than the legacy of any illustrious name.
The Vice Councilor is coming.
Your Excellency.
What brings you here?
The Chief State Councilor summoned the Commissioner of the Royal Dispensary.
Are you telling me His Majesty is suffering from ailments?
I do not know with certainty.
Fine.
You might also be the Commissioner of the Royal Dispensary, but...
Prepare tea and gruel, all of a sudden?!
And head to Jinmokjeong first...
There is something strange about all this.
Will this hamper our mission?
Nothing changed.
All we need is following their call.
His Majesty deigns you with his presence!
~ On the Next Episode of ~ EIGHT DAYS
Your Highness!
This is only the fruit of a crown prince's undutiful regency...
Everything was revealed to him?!
They are entrusted with His Majesty's protection.
Where would you find another country forcing its crown prince...
to perish inside a rice chest?!
Confess where Moon Inbang is hiding at once!
The King of Joseon must die!
This is a propitious chance the heavens gave us.
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