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- King Geunchogo -
Episode 7
Who is there?
The ruler I know is a man of unmatched might.
What led that same man to secretly wail in such somber dwellings?
People will be all too eager to vilify my name,
as a wretched father who sold his daughter to the enemy.
As you suggest, Goguryeo is our enemy.
So why would you send me to their ruler?
Should providence curse Wirye Palace with bitter defeat...
and bring demise upon me and your brethren,
at least you must survive.
Why would you utter such mortifying words?
Only when I and your brethren die or Biryu and all his sons face their demise...
will this conflict come to an end.
Which is why you must survive and honor Goyi the Great's legacy!
Who else could ever aid Wirye Palace's cause, should misfortune be upon us?
Goguryeo's ruler Sayu is our only choice.
Goguryeo threatens us from up north,
as do the fifty-four states of the Mahan Confederacy down south,
not to mention the most daunting foe of them all, Buyeojun.
Goguryeo, Lord Wirye...
Have you no tears to shed for your own children?
Is your resentment for me blinding you into forsaking your own country?
What about my brother?
Your every tear of resentment, distress, concern and devotion...
shall neither be shed for me, Yeochan nor Yeohwa,
but for Baekje alone!
You are the one who proclaimed him crown prince!
Yes...
I suppose blemishes spare no man, even when a crown bedecks his pate.
But why must my brother and I pay for your wrongdoings, of all people?
Back then, Baekje needed Chan.
But today's Baekje needs you, Yeogu!
Gu...
You are the one I need.
Gu!!
Your father needs you now.
I shall not spend my life wailing in secret like you do.
They don't even have latrines in Liaoxi,
so people just do it outside, and when it rains, you step on it all the time.
They say that during poor harvests,
people just eat each other because of the lack of food.
Enough.
Must you really go there, Your Highness?
We loaded all your belongings on the boat.
Your mother and Prince Mong are waiting.
You go ahead first.
Your every tear of resentment, distress, concern and devotion...
shall be shed for Baekje alone!
Gu!!
Your father needs you now.
Orabeoni...
You came.
What kind of place is Liaoxi?
Dandan was telling me so many horrible things about it.
That it is not a place for people to live in.
Liaoxi...
It's a land of freedom.
A place where I could forget I am the son of King Biryu,
a place as wide and vast as the eyes can see.
I knew it.
I'm sorry.
Forgive me, Yeohwa.
It's fine with me.
I will follow you anywhere you go.
I cannot leave for Liaoxi.
What... did you just say?
Yeohwa, I cannot leave with you.
Only when I and your brethren die or Biryu and all his sons face their demise...
will this conflict come to an end.
You must come with me.
At all cost.
His Majesty has already forsaken you once.
What could possibly keep you from leaving this place?
My father said he needs me.
Is the throne what you wanted?
Did you covet power like everyone else?
No matter who has to suffer and sacrifice because of it?
Letting you go will surely make me suffer, it will be hard to bear.
I will blame myself and regret my decision of not leaving with you.
So why?
I saw my father in tears.
If I have to witness my father wail,
I'd rather make you...
Yeohwa, I'd rather make you cry.
But my father said he needs his daughter just as much as His Majesty needs you?!
I shall leave for Goguryeo,
and join Sayu in conjugal ties.
I will do that for Wirye Palace,
and my father's sake.
For we both could not forsake our families,
we are both forced to protect them instead.
Yeohwa.
What we must protect is different,
so our paths shall never cross again.
For if that is what providence envisioned for us,
we must never meet again.
I took a saunter by the riverbank to enjoy the nightly breeze.
Is that so?
I now see...
how age is finally catching up with you as well, Father.
Father...
Here he is.
Could someone who spent the better part of his life as a salt trader...
bulwark Baekje and lead it into the future?
Such grandiose legacy does not befit me.
If you lack the confidence to believe in yourself,
believe in the tears I shed.
Believe in the spirit of Grandmother Soseono which flows in your veins,
that of Onjo and Chogo the Great, and let that resolve guide you.
At last...
At long last he has decided to forsake my son?!
Father is not going to abandon me.
He has been refusing audience with you for over a fortnight.
And you still believe in him?
He is merely showing circumspection because of the Jin.
You really believe that?
Yes... I do.
For I believe in my father, and my own self.
I shall seek audience with him.
Crown Prince...
Prince!
He is already abed, Your Highness.
The night is ripe.
May you return in the morn.
Never you worry.
I am here to remain by his side and protect him in the guards' stead.
All this is much too callous.
They are brethren whose veins are blessed with Your Majesty's blood.
Must you really force Yeogu to inherit this burden and enter in conflict with his brother?
Wanwoldang may leave, but let the crown prince enter.
Hyungnim.
You were here as well?
Remain if you wish, Brother.
What brings you here at this belated juncture?
I have always venerated your name.
I cherished you more than my own self.
I know.
I am well aware.
Ever since the age of six, when you held my hand and proclaimed me crown prince,
my every day and night has been spent for the sake of...
following your grandiose legacy as the just ruler that you are.
I know... How prodigal I've been, that lamentable inadequacy of mine,
and the fact I could not begin to compare with Yeohwi.
And perhaps...
Perhaps...
Perhaps even Yeogu.
When Her Highness gave birth to him,
people heralded Yeogu as the living embodiment of the sacred Natu,
that he should have been proclaimed crown prince.
Remember when the entire populace was in tumult over that?
That day, I was quivering in my berth.
You were?
For he was your beloved Sosukdang's son,
and the blood of your rivals, the Hae clan, was flowing in my veins,
I feared you would forsake me.
I was much too young to comprehend what power really meant,
so losing my crown prince status is not what I feared.
I was daunted by the prospect of losing you.
Of losing the opportunity of learning archery...
from the man I so dearly cherished and tried to emulate,
of no longer bathing with you, and together engaging in lectures.
I feared that my brother would now be blessed with all that in my stead.
But then you gathered Hae, Jin, and Wirye Palace,
and uttered these very words, holding my hands.
"No man is born a crown prince, it is a legacy you foster upon them."
"No man is born a king,"
"it is a legacy fostered upon them."
"My eldest son Yeochan..."
"is your crown prince and Baekje's twelfth ruler."
"I shall hereby banish Yeogu, and secure Yeochan's future enthronement."
Those very words were the bulwark which sustained me to this day.
So exacting were your demands, I was engulfed by resentment at times,
but I still gave it my all to fulfill your every expectation.
I understand, so you may leave.
Father!
Have faith in me!
Have faith and watch over your son!
Chan...
You are my son.
No matter what may befall me now or ever,
you are my cherished son.
Gu and Chan...
You both are Biryu's sons.
Your Majesty.
What did you come back for?
To revel in the bitter tears my son was forced to shed?
We both are mothers.
However, we also serve His Majesty as his consorts.
And comforting him as he is sweltered by painful throes is our duty.
I leave the honor to you.
As protecting His Majesty is not my duty.
Protecting my son alone is already an exacting task.
His Majesty the King hereby proclaims.
Jinjeong as Chief State Councilor.
Jinseung as Chief State Consul.
Councilor Jinjeong shall double as Chief of the Royal Guard,
while Jingodo of Moro Fortress will be Chief Defense Councilor.
We hereby honor His Majesty's wishes.
The Chief of the Royal Guard has long been entrusted to crown princes.
His Majesty already decided upon it.
How could Your Highness disclaim his wishes?
Furthermore, Prince Yeohwi will be entrusted command of the...
State and Royal Guard*.
*the two armies assigned to Chief State Councilor and Chief of the Royal Guard
He is ousting you from power, his motives are now crystal clear.
Do you realize what fatal mistake you made?
It was not that of losing Gomori Fortress,
but sparing Jingodo and Yeogu when you could have slain them.
What if Father writes an edict to the council clamoring to replace the crown prince?
Convey this to Lord Wirye.
- What is this... - Nothing that should concern you.
Are you going to join forces with Wirye Palace?
The marriage between King Biryu and Queen Hae was the epitome of political subterfuges.
Queen Hae was betrothed to Buyeo Jun,
but by having her join Biryu in marriage, Lord Heukgang...
managed to help Biryu to the throne, and at the same time weaken the Hae's influence.
But Queen Hae ends up conspiring with Biryu's fiercest rival Buyeo Jun,
joining forces with him to help her son Buyeo Chan to the throne.
Father, Uncle.
My sincerest congratulations.
You are a consul now, so you must serve Yeogu with earnest zeal.
Yeogu Hyungnim?!
What could His Majesty's motives be?
It is only a stratagem to help Yeogu become crown prince.
The die is cast.
The game is there for the taking.
Now that new quarters have been bestowed upon you,
leaving for Liaoxi must be out of the question.
Is Liaoxi the issue? If things go our way, we might become chief marshal and consul.
What are you talking about?
Everyone is murmuring on the matter,
suggesting Your Highness might become crown prince.
So the reason you didn't leave for Liaoxi is because you and His Majesty plotted all this?
The royal palace is no place for garrulous tongues,
so I suggest you refrain from speaking in vain if you still cherish yours.
Tell Her Majesty that this humble servant understands her wishes.
How graceful...
Why would Her Majesty send you...
What could it possibly be, to garner such reaction from Mother?
Mother...
What could it possibly be?!
Stop importuning me.
If it's something capable of enraging someone as reverent as you are,
it must be truly remarkable.
- Is it a token of devotion? - I said enough!
It must be.
The likes of which lovers often exchange.
Then, what...
Father and Her Majesty...
were lovers?!
Her Majesty was betrothed to your father-in-law.
It was a token indeed.
So you came.
Your humble servant was summoned,
how could I defy Your Majesty's wishes?
I know what kind of man hides behind such obsequious banter,
so spare me the charade.
And what is this kind of man you speak of?
Someone who would do anything to reclaim the throne he once lost.
Someone who still covets that very throne.
Should that be the truth, would you help this humble servant of yours?
I only summoned you to help my son's cause, not yours.
I shall gleefully oblige.
Can I trust that?
Its fragrance might be long gone,
but my intents are still the same.
Too many moons have passed for us to exchange such banter,
not to mention the different paths we walk on.
May you open it.
It is what I planned to end my life with, after Gutae usurped the throne.
What is most important for a ruler is knowing who your compeers are.
But that is no easy feat.
That is when you must learn to discern who your foes are.
Goguryeo might be Baekje's greatest foe,
but our greatest foe is Lord Wirye.
How about my brother?
Would he agree to serve me as his ruler?
What is the meaning of this?
Are you not well aware already?
I merely asked you to aid my son's cause,
this...
Doing this...
Unless demise is brought upon King Biryu,
the crown prince shall never inherit the throne.
The moment his edict proclaiming Yeogu as the new crown prince is written,
you will have lost every hope.
What I can do is shielding the crown prince from Jingodo, Jinjeong and the Jin clan,
once His Majesty meets his demise.
It takes no great effort to slay a foe, but nothing is as galling as trying to spare one.
Should you spare Yeochan,
he will spend his every day plotting vengeance.
After the heavens summon me, I shall leave him to your care.
Gu... Bestow him your benevolence.
For he still remains my piteous son.
Even if resentment and rancor against me are all he will foment, I will spare him.
But should his chagrin bring harm to Baekje,
I cannot promise he will not be punished.
I will leave behind a much too exacting millstone.
Are you planning to wage war against Biryu?
Even if all of Choseongni's troops were deployed...
Three thousand from Wirye Palace, another three thousand from Choseongni...
How could such a major deployment remain unnoticed?
Demise shall soon be upon Biryu.
Is he not quickly recovering from the wounds he suffered at the covenant?
Perchance, did you and Her Majesty...
How could His Majesty meet his demise?
Ask no more.
Yes.
If you assert as such, there is no reason why I should question your judgment.
Once Biryu's death is announced,
Choseongni's 3,000 strong will be awaiting by the Ungni River.
I shall inspect the troops once we depart for Goguryeo with the delegation.
- South Pyeongyang Fortress, Goguryeo -
- Sire. - Sire!
Your humble servant Gonoja shall return to Modigol.
Hostilities with the Yan might have briefly ceased,
but Modigol remains a battlefront.
Never lose sight of Murong Huang.
Your wish is our command, Sire!
I shall leave with His Excellency to bid Her Majesty the Second Consort welcome.
I shall join you as well.
Sire... You would be the subject of ridicule.
And why?
People will remark that years of solitude have blinded you into desperation.
Really...
Would not be entirely wrong.
What a wondrous day.
May you enjoy good health.
When will I meet you again...
She will visit after giving birth,
- and once Father ascends the throne... - Rahae.
No matter how far away it might be,
is not becoming queen a much more propitious predicament?
You must watch her every move like a shadow.
Don't you worry, Your Highness.
I will lead all the ladies-in-waiting in Pyeongyang Fortress as well.
It's already been decided upon. You cannot join Yeohwa's retinue as her guard.
I must remain by Her Highness's side.
Why obsess over it?
Particularly with our conflict with Biryu looming around the corner.
Goguryeo is still our enemy.
And Sayu is a vicious ruler.
Should anything happen, who would ever protect her, if not me?
As you wish.
Her Highness is now a Goguryeo queen.
Things have changed. She is no longer someone you can even gaze at.
I know that all too well.
Yeohwa of Wirye Palace fulfills her calling and bids Your Majesty farewell.
Women might become a man's possession upon marriage,
but it is not the case for a princess.
Even if in Pyeongyang Fortress,
you must never forget your Baekje ancestry, and spare no effort to uphold it.
Why are you not answering him?
I will reflect on what will truly benefit Baekje.
Being blessed with a daughter of such acumen,
I trust only glory can await Lord Wirye's future.
Your grace is immeasurable.
I shall personally escort my daughter to Gomori Fortress.
Escorting Her Highness's retinue is my duty, Sire.
Lord Wirye, lead the nuptial delegation and keep your daughter company.
Remember my words.
You must not hesitate a single instant.
- Gomori Fortress -
Sire, we received word that the Baekje nuptial delegation just departed.
And that Lord Wirye is leading the delegation.
Why would a despicable varmint who sold his own daughter come here?
I suppose he wants to gain something in the process.
Your Highness...
Over there... It looks like Prince Yeogu.
- Lord Heukgang's Manor - Michuhol (current Incheon)
Oh... Right.
All the salt consumed in the palace is produced here,
but for the rest of the country we use our salt refinery in Qinghe.
Yeogu has been in charge of that all these years.
I would rather like to know why you summoned me all the way here.
Soldiers are not all you need to rule your people.
I know, how education is just as paramount.
Is that the reason why you called me here?
Even if you will not ascend the throne,
many are the things you can do for our people.
And that is why I would like you to uphold this family tradition of ours.
Are you asking me to live as a salt trader?
For your father and Baekje's sake.
Was this all it amounted to?
Was forcing me to become a salt trader all you and my father could think of,
after depriving me of my status?
Baekje...
is a much too exacting burden for someone like you.
I answered your summoning.
How could I subject you and Yeochan to this suffering...
Baekje is too cumbersome a committal for Chan.
Which is why I must deprive him of his crown prince title.
Must...
you really do that?
There is no other way.
I suppose you have no choice but to do what's best for Baekje.
My gratitude, for being so understanding.
Still,
I would like you to give me some time.
If you write that edict right now,
Chan will crumble before our eyes.
Allow me enough time to console our son.
Unless demise is brought upon King Biryu,
the crown prince shall never inherit the throne.
Should Yeogu ascend the throne, would he possibly spare him?
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Subtitles by Anarchist
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The ambitions of a parent can destroy a child's life.
Forgive me, Chan.
I am your crown prince. How dare you belittle me?
- His Majesty is in peril. - Drop your sword.
Let us see what you learned from Jingodo and Jinjeong.
Don't, Prince!
Who dare forces my son to carry salt?
- And how would you know that? - Old age can often bring wisdom.
At last we can avenge decades of bitter affronts!
I wanted a Baekje which could outshine Goguryeo.
- Your time is no more. - Now is your time.
- I desire it with all my might. - Baekje is an alluring land.
Control the Ungni River and you will gain the peninsula,
move to the west and you will gain the mainland.
Will you be able to?
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