THIS DRAMA IS A FICTIONAL STORY BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS
SOME ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARACTERS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS
EPISODE 11
It's been a long time.
So it was you.
It's as if a dog is sitting on the throne.
That hat and robe can never conceal your lowly origin.
Nowadays, those who are even lowlier than dogs act as if they're highborn.
What is it that you want?
Will you
join hands with me?
Then I will return the golden vase to you.
At what cost?
The business district in front of Sajeong Gate.
You will return what is worth enough to buy 100 houses
for a business district that may not even be profitable?
It might generate enough profits to buy 1,000 houses.
That district is not privately owned.
Thus, it is impossible.
That is why I caused such a scene.
After all, you can make the impossible
possible.
What are you scheming?
I'm trying to earn some money, that's all.
Those who are alive must go on with their lives.
Your father made a move.
Where is he?
I do not trust you.
Then trust the money that will end up down your throat.
How are you feeling by the way?
You still seem to have some of the venom left in your bloodstream.
It's been circulating in my bloodstream for so long that I'm used to it now.
About your sister...
I hope she can rest in peace.
But don't you think no one else should die because of you?
I'll need your answer by 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.
I'll go alone from here.
Yes, sir.
About your sister...
I hope she can rest in peace.
But don't you think no one else should die because of you?
Why did you come back?
What on earth are you trying to do in that state?
A merchant?
In Gaegyeong and Uiju, he was quite well-known as a smuggler.
Even all the interpreters know him.
But why did he suddenly show up in Hanyang?
He obviously wants to build connections
in Hanyang now that we've relocated the capital.
Who cares whether he is a merchant or a swordsman?
We must get the golden vase back first.
We need it to coax the royal relatives
into helping us enthrone the Crown Prince.
His Majesty's health has visibly deteriorated.
Isn't this the perfect chance to make him step down from the throne?
Build a marketplace outside Sajeong Gate?
Having the Six Ministries
and the Office of the Inspector General outside Gwanghwamun
is helping the whole area thrive.
If we can do that with the area outside Sajeong Gate,
the entire city of Hanyang will prosper.
Sambong named the gate "Sajeong"
wishing I'd be a sage king, which is very typical of him,
whereas
you are just demanding rights over the marketplace,
which is so typical of you.
It is for the sake of the people.
Now that you have power,
you are becoming greedy for wealth.
At this rate,
you will start coveting the throne as well down the road.
If mocking me gives Your Majesty peace of mind,
please continue to do so.
I will grant you the rights over the district.
So you can just go there
and collect chump change dropped on the streets.
I am much obliged, Your Majesty.
Your body can't function because you're trying
to subdue the venom using such harsh medicine.
I think your medicine is gnawing at you.
Who brought me here?
He was wearing a government uniform, and his eyes looked empty.
It seemed like something was eating away at his mind.
The face in the composite sketch...
It was Hwi.
Was it?
You'll be whacked if you protect him.
Do not
repeat the same mistake.
The biggest mistake I've made
is not doing anything because of my fear of making mistakes.
Wrong. You did something.
It's just that it was
for Hwi and his sister, not for yourself.
And the moment his sister died,
everyone abandoned you.
Just come to terms with the abandonment.
Only then will you not let it happen again.
What will you do now?
Hwi's return doesn't change anything.
My father took away what is most dear to me,
so I will take from him as well.
In order to do that, I need to let him have it first.
This country, which is nothing more than an empty shell.
So? Have you finished vetting me?
I hear that you're a profiteer who does anything and everything
to earn money.
You gain nothing
if you confine yourself to rules and laws.
I wish I had learned that lesson sooner.
Good. Now that we have a deal,
I suppose we can just wait to rake in money.
Wait until he's alone
and kill him.
Get rid of all the corpses and clean up the blood.
Follow me to the main hall.
When we finalize the date,
Suk-beon's troops will join us in Sunhwabang.
Yes, Your Highness.
What about the messenger from the palace?
We will take care of that.
No information will get out.
Now, we just need ammunition.
A good enough one
to turn
a mere revolt into a revolution.
Nam Jeon will provide us with one.
It'll begin with the blood ceremony.
I got the marketplace.
We'll hide the soldiers and weapons there
and lie in ambush to catch palace guards exiting through Sajeong Gate.
Long time no see.
You saved me,
so take responsibility for it.
Don't push yourself too hard.
Move aside.
I don't have time.
Recover first
so that you can kill him later on.
Do you think Nam Jeon would be afraid of death?
Do you think he'll beg me to spare his life in front of my sword?
Just killing that scoundrel isn't enough.
The world that Nam Jeon built with blood.
I will viciously stomp all over it.
That will be
my revenge.
Among hatred, resentment, and anxiety,
anxiety is the one that is the first to arrive
and last to leave.
Nam Jeon is probably plagued by anxiety at the moment.
Anxiety is only the beginning.
Unimaginable pain
awaits him at the end.
The country he dreams of
is a kingdom ruled by a puppet king.
He wants the King under his thumb so that he can fulfill his selfish greed.
That's why Goryeo collapsed.
Goryeo's remains haven't even fully decayed yet.
We cannot let this kingdom end up like that.
I will shake hands with the devil if I must in order to stop it.
History will write my name in blood,
but who cares?
I don't care about a nation or a great cause.
I'm not even interested.
All I want to do
is destroy Nam Jeon.
I suppose you'll leave when everything is over.
The day you leave,
let's enjoy delicious wine together
like we're doing now.
Well, then.
Be safe.
You be careful too.
Make sure you eat well, will you?
I can neither tell you
to keep going nor to stop.
If it is something that you must do,
I just hope it won't hurt you that much.
Inform the royal relatives of when the blood ceremony will be held.
When the ceremony is over,
we'll ask the King to step down and kill all the princes.
You mean, right away?
All the royal relatives and ministers are on our side.
What is there to be afraid of?
If they wish to kill me, they'll have to kill all the royal relatives first.
His Majesty won't be able to do it.
But there is one person we haven't been able to win over to our side.
It is His Majesty's step-nephew,
Wanwon Buwongun.
Arrange a meeting with him.
I will meet him in person.
How dare you...
Gosh.
Do not say anything and just listen.
I, Inspector Nam Seon-ho,
am here to make an earnest request, Wanwon Buwongun.
Please attend the blood ceremony
and do your duty as a member of the royal family.
Such insolence!
I will shred you to pieces...
Don't think you can be condescending to me
just because of your old age and the fact that I'm younger.
You're just lucky
to have an uncle who is sitting on the throne, that's all.
So just grow old like this and die naturally.
Why risk getting stabbed to death?
That punk!
Is anyone outside?
What were all the guards doing?
Gosh!
Sir, let me pour you another glass.
Sure.
The crane and the cloud are a pair.
How come there is only the crane and not the cloud?
May I be your cloud?
Hands off.
Pardon me?
If you touch it one more time,
I will kill you.
Wanwon Buwongun is the most senior member of the royal family.
How dare you threaten him with your sword?
Oh, no.
That old man's blood is on this sword right now.
Don't you worry.
Wanwon
will attend the blood ceremony.
Why do you not look happy, my lord?
All the roadblocks have been removed,
so you should be dancing excitedly, if anything.
Hwi.
He's back.
What about it?
I ordered my soldiers to kill him.
You want to help him stop suffering from the venom?
You're such a kindhearted man.
I never keep my enemies alive.
I guess you're probably
my next enemy.
Then you'd better hurry
because you are my enemy now.
I'm impressed that you survived.
Step aside.
I thought my father would breathe his last breath
the day you came back alive.
But he is still alive and well.
Why?
Is killing him not enough for you?
What the heck are you plotting?
You're right.
The fact that I can only kill your father once makes me so furious.
Hence, I want to make sure
he will die in the most painful way possible.
Whatever you do, you'll fail in that state.
If one of us
must stop, it is you.
It is the only reason I'm alive.
And you're telling me to stop?
You'll do it in my place?
I must be the one to do it.
Only then will he be called a father killed by his own son
and a traitor who deserved to be assassinated.
I will make that happen.
My whole world has already fallen apart!
Why should I even care about such things?
I will die the day your father dies.
So please
do not try to stop me, Seon-ho.
- Hwi. - Hey, guys.
My gosh. See that spot over there?
I think it would be perfect for an apothecary.
And a surgeon can use the space next door.
Shut it, you fool.
Do you want those that visit the apothecary to get sick?
Do you know what my wish is?
Shrouding your dead body.
- You prick, shall I teach you a lesson? - I'll do my best to make it happen!
How did it go?
Everything arrived from Gaegyeong.
The one from Uiju arriving tomorrow is the last shipment.
Thanks for your hard work.
Chi-do.
Shall we?
Let's do it.
- What are you doing? - I got him.
What is this about? Why...
I'm telling you. He's transcended all worldly desires.
Jeez, what if
he actually ascends into the sky on a cloud or something?
Chi-do!
Did you get what I asked for?
You'll die because of this medicine,
not because of the venom.
It doesn't just get rid of the pain. It severely damages your intestines.
You should only take it when you're about to pass out due to the pain.
That's exactly what I'm doing.
This is really the last time.
I don't want to be the one causing your death.
I will destroy the world that Nam Jeon wanted so badly.
I will destroy it all.
And what happens after that?
Is it over when it's destroyed?
Will you die in peace because you vented your spite?
You owe someone your life, you pay back with your life.
That's what I learned from your father. That's why I'm with you.
Just like how precious Yeon is to you,
you're precious to some people.
Don't forget that.
[Netflix Ver] jTBC E11 'My Country: The New Age' -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-
Sir.
- I told you to go. - I won't. I can't.
I will be sticking to you like a leech.
Then, I will have to remove you.
You learn how scary a sword is only after getting slashed.
Then you will run away.
Starving to death,
slashed to death. There's no difference.
You're persistent.
Sir.
A hello wouldn't hurt before you look for the safe.
I need to see the money to put a smile on my face.
I wanted to say hi to you with a smile.
Don't look.
Money gets lost when seen and gets used up when touched.
You're so obsessed with money.
If you love money so much, why do you keep it here?
If I could, I would spread it on the floor,
and cuddle it while using it as a blanket.
You'd better pay the safe rental fee on time.
Of course. I will pay good money.
Goodness, her wig is as big as a tiger's head.
It must be really heavy.
The gold vase in a kist was definitely in Bang-won's room.
Why did it go back to Nam Jeon?
Does the gold vase have legs?
I don't know.
How come you don't?
I made you a double spy to dig up information like this.
Isn't there anything else?
I will see what happened.
He will go out
tonight.
It's a perfect day to spy.
Will you jump over a wall?
Thinking that princes won't jump over walls is just a prejudice.
I might as well go on your behalf.
How can I trust you?
What if the word gets out?
What if you get caught?
There's no way they will kill me.
- Your Highness. - Cheonga.
Bang-won
lives and dies for justification.
But I don't.
I...
desperately live to live.
Gosh, that stings.
Let me see.
Let me see it one more time.
They say even a mosquito's fart stinks.
Where is Bang-won's stink...
coming from?
"Right to the marketplace district"?
Hwi from Seo Family...
Hwi?
Hey.
If it isn't my brother, Bang-won. I thought it was a thief.
You have not changed at all.
Come on.
This sword survived ten bouts with Seo Geom.
So don't be so ashamed.
Right. You barely had eight bouts with him?
When the blood ceremony is over, Nam Jeon will attack us.
No.
The word is not "us,"
but "me," my brother.
Now is not a good time to joke around.
Listen carefully to me.
And?
I want you to go to the blood ceremony on behalf of the princes.
Give way to Nam Jeon and make a fool of us.
You want me to go to a party thrown by a man who wants to kill me?
And to be the first to die when the blood ceremony is over?
We must make him draw the sword first.
We can only kill him that way.
That's
our justification.
I guess Nam Jeon is just a beginning.
I wonder where this will end.
Will it be Bang-seok?
No way.
Nam Jeon is the beginning and the end.
Our father also started with King Woo first.
Then he brought down a country.
Bang-gan.
Give me your answer.
I want a written promise.
A promise that you won't kill me.
Put both your signature and stamp on it.
Once the blood ceremony is over,
I'm sure you'll feel like the whole Hanyang is in your hand.
You don't dare to have your own dream,
and yet you make fun of other's dream.
Because of that dream,
people are dying. That's why.
"The greater good must always be prioritized."
That's what you said in Liaodong.
To me, a country of subjects is a big pretext
and the sacrifice of the dead is a small pretext.
Enough with the fancy talk.
Be honest for once in your life.
You just wanted
to have your own country.
That's right.
In my country,
King is just a figurehead.
It's a country ruled by excellent subjects.
There aren't many great kings, but there are many great subjects.
A tyrant has to be born with,
but treacherous subjects can easily be removed.
What is wrong with that?
And is that wise subject...
you?
This is what I call a nice spot.
You'll rake in money for sure.
They say that if you yearn for someone you will meet him someday.
It's true.
Do I know you?
Handsome with a voice as sweet as honey.
You have no idea how badly I desire you.
I asked you to identify yourself.
Me?
The surname is Yi.
"Bang" as in to shine and "Gan" as in a pillar.
A shining pillar?
How embarrassing, is it not?
I, Seo Hwi, greet Prince Hoean.
No, that title isn't necessary.
I seem older, so you can treat me like your brother
or "my lord" if the former sounds corny.
You know what? Why don't we just stick to our names?
The joke's getting old, sir.
I've admired your swordsmanship for a while now.
If I could have you, I'd gladly even present a star.
You have the wrong man.
I'm only a mere peddler.
I'm dead serious right now.
If you laugh it off, how will that make me look?
Well, that is no concern of mine.
See? How can I not desire you?
Like I said, it's a great spot.
A bustling market is a great place to conceal things.
It's close to the palace too.
Right?
I'll see you around often.
His swordsmanship seems oddly familiar.
Madame Han.
What is it?
The new Minister of Military Affairs went back on his promise.
The signal-fire soldiers and others we were promised
have been replaced by his people.
You're back, my lord.
Who's there?
How dare a kisaeng bitch barge in here?
Make way.
Well, that same bitch made you the Minister of Military Affairs.
I can tarnish your reputation in a day
and make you a traitor in two.
You think I can't?
Then try me.
Let's wait and see which of us will be slaughtered first.
Hold on, Madame Han.
Signal-fire soldiers, horsemen, and the stationmaster.
I want my people in those positions.
Follow my orders, and you'll live when others don't.
Go against them,
and only you'll be the one who dies.
NAM JEON
Let our loyalty and spirit live forever.
I, Nam Jeon,
with the support of the royal relatives,
vow my loyalty to the Crown Prince.
NAM JEON
YI BANG-GAN
Somewhere in Bukak,
the royal relatives gathered for a blood ceremony.
A blood ceremony held without my permission?
Who held the ritual?
It was Nam Jeon, Your Majesty.
After the blood ceremony, they will request for your removal.
He'll drag me down with the support of the royal relatives?
I will not be removed from my position.
Once I step down,
Nam Jeon will leave the Crown Prince by the nose.
And Bang-won will try to kill him.
Now Nam Jeon and Bang-won will
attempt to kill each other.
All you need to do is
set up the battlefield, Your Majesty.
No father kills his own son.
However, there are sons who kill their fathers.
You must decide.
Set up a battlefield so they'll fight to their deaths?
Even if Bang-won asks you to punish those involved,
you won't be able to reprimand the royal relatives.
That means Nam Jeon gets the last laugh.
And if Bang-won stays silent,
a bloodbath will be inevitable.
Let's see if it happens as you say so.
Only then will I make a decision.
Once we request that His Majesty steps down
as planned,
we will have the sons of his first wife killed.
Sambong,
if blood must be shed to stabilize this nation,
then I will readily douse myself with blood.
If one must take action,
then it shall be me.
Nam Jeon, I address you.
A blood ceremony is first authorized by me.
The Ministry of Rites then picks a date
and appoints someone to carry it out. Am I right?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Then how is it that you performed evil behind my back?
Asking the heavens to watch over you
and vowing our loyalty to the Crown Prince
can be anything but evil.
Nonsense!
You had better watch what you say.
Your weakened physique is of grave concern, Your Majesty.
Thankfully, the Crown Prince now stands as a fully grown man.
It is only logical that you share the weight of the crown.
Please reconsider, Your Majesty.
- Please reconsider, Your Majesty. - Please reconsider, Your Majesty.
You want me to step down?
A loyal subject would never suggest such a thing.
Still, please reconsider, Your Majesty.
- Please reconsider, Your Majesty. - Please reconsider, Your Majesty.
Prince Jeongan,
any thoughts?
Forgive me,
but I choose to
answer with my silence.
That's it...
for today's court audience.
Father?
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
What just happened?
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
The general who commanded the north.
The founder of this nation!
That man has now collapsed
because of the lies you continued to spew.
Are you satisfied now?
My heart aches
and I am stricken with grief.
You and I
have come a long way.
From comrades to adversaries,
from adversaries...
to mortal enemies.
Make no mistake.
There has never been a moment when you and I were comrades.
Only for a brief moment,
we shared a common enemy.
I thought of you
as His Majesty's dog and someone even below Sambong.
I guess I was wrong.
Then how do you assess me now?
You closed your eyes when it came to us.
When Bang-won discriminated against us,
when Nam Jeon tried to swallow us alive,
you never considered us a priority.
My Queen...
I...
can see the deaths of my sons so clearly.
It is why my heart aches even more.
It is why...
my heart is in pieces.
That will never happen.
I...
promise you that.
Then kill Bang-won.
Nam Jeon must be eliminated too.
Both of them must die
for the Crown Prince and Bang-beon to live.
Why won't you answer me?
Nam Jeon will suck the life out of the Crown Prince
and Bang-won will come at night to assassinate him.
If that happens, it'll be all your fault.
It's because you thought
you could hold the throne while keeping them by your side.
My Queen...
Mark my words.
Once they die,
so will you.
Bring me the Crown Prince and Inspector Nam!
Even if you become King,
you will die.
Bang-won will kill you and Bang-gan will come for you too.
If not, you will have to bow down to Nam Jeon.
How is that any better?
Please save me.
I don't want to die.
A battlefield for Nam Jeon and Bang-won.
It's time we need it.
Let Nam Jeon deal with Bang-won first.
I will not stay
and see my own son shed blood.
Leave Nam Jeon...
to me.
From here,
all you'll probably be able to see are our heads and not our hearts.
The fact that you think so little of us
is why you've become a stubborn man only interested in keeping his throne.
Aren't I right?
Gather assassins outside the capital.
Tonight,
I will strike the princes.
Isn't it too soon?
Maybe you should reconsider.
Now that we have justification,
we will not waver.
Assassins have been ordered to gather.
Outside the capital.
Move! I am a messenger.
It's like you said. He's gathering assassins.
If the assassins are stopped,
then he'll have to order the palace guards instead.
Him ordering the palace guards is the justification we need.
Be safe.
Nam Jeon made his move first.
The palace
will now reek with the stench of blood.
Guard.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Make arrangements so that I can leave the palace soon.
Your assassins won't gather.
What now?
I knew it.
Bang-won's been watching your back.
I will now
crush your world.
It's the world I built by shedding blood for 30 years.
It won't be crushed by the likes of you.
I will prevail,
and you will die.
This isn't the end, but the beginning.
How about I tell you the only way
you'll survive this?
Devote your life to me.
Bark loudly, run wildly,
and bite harshly like a dog just like I did.
Shut it!
Even if you shove a blade down my throat,
I will never serve you as my master.
Is that so?
Then watch carefully from now on.
See how I crush you to pieces.
Nam Jeon has made his move.
His sword
will now come for our heads.
Your Highness, His Majesty has left the palace.
He's heading to a temple outside the capital.
Me and Nam Jeon.
He's telling us to settle things once and for all.
There is no father
who'd try to kill his own son.
I will meet him in person
and see if it's true.
It won't change anything.
Nam Jeon's lookout is on the roof.
There's one more.
The leaves of a tree are rustling even though there's no wind.
Go ahead. I'll be right behind you.
There's always someone watching the lookout.
Didn't you learn that?
Hiding
should be reserved for rats.
You're the one who has been operating in the shadows.
Nam Seon-ho should've killed you a long time ago.
He's fooled again and again though.
What's so grand about this friendship anyway?
See my scar? You'll soon have it too.
You fucking barbarian.
Why would you damage his pretty face?
Hold it!
Handsome faces should be treated nobly. Who are you to leave a scar?
Don't you agree, Chi-do?
That I do!
We'll meet again
before dawn breaks.
What the hell is he blabbering about?
I told you not to travel in groups.
Well, we're a four-man team.
We have been since Liaodong.
Head to Sajeong Gate and hide there.
Chi-do and I will join you after catching up with Prince Jeongan.
Sure. Be careful though.
His Majesty has left the palace.
I know.
We'll watch from a distance for now.
Bang-won went to see him.
Hwi's with him too.
Hwi is in league with Bang-won.
It kills me to think that I can only kill your father once.
That is why
I intend to make it as painful as it can be.
Prince Jeongan wishes to see you, Your Majesty.
He came all the way here?
We're going to have to shake things up a bit.
What brings you all the way here?
I couldn't sleep
because I was worried about your health.
So I thought seeing you in person
would ease my worries.
You are very filial.
I'm worried about Nam Jeon.
I told him to stay away from the Crown Prince, yet he managed to do the opposite.
I told him to keep the meritorious subjects apart,
yet he held a blood ceremony.
A mere subject
is trying to wear the crown. So what should I do?
Right now,
who am I to you?
Am I still just a subject of yours?
Do you want me to answer that as a father
or a king?
Both.
To a king, you were a sharp knife and a thick shield.
But to a father...
you were just
the fifth born son out of eight.
But do not despair.
There is nothing in the world that does not change.
I loathed you after what happened with Poeun,
but I will be proud of what you will do to Nam Jeon.
Who knows? Maybe your contribution
will make you into a Crown Prince.
Until when will you keep doing this?
Until when...
are you going to keep using me?
Using you?
That's what you hear because that is what you think.
It was the same with Poeun.
"Poeun must die in Goryeo.
Everyone knows that, but no one is willing to do so.
So it has to be you.
It must be...
you."
I never gave you an order.
It was your choice.
I regret
and resent that decision.
Over and over.
Desperately.
All the blood and tears that will be shed from here on out
will start from you.
So...
Do not regret
or resent it.
You did well.
All you had to do is commend me for the work I did.
Then I would've believed
how you don't think of me
as one of your subjects.
Cut off the bridge.
Cut off the bridge!
MY COUNTRY: THE NEW AGE
The only path that could lead me to the King is now cut off.
It will never be reconnected.
He wants to turn this country upside down. I will return to the palace immediately.
Issue a royal orderfor the princes.
Tell them to come to the palace now as His Majesty is critically ill.
I will kill them the moment they enter the palace.
If a king is afraid of sacrificing his subjects,
the people will suffer instead.
Only His Majesty can mobilize the Consolidated Army Command.
If you fail to get it done before he returns, you will be the one who suffers.
Hit them.
Nam Jeon is there.
This is the end of your path. You mustn't even take a step forward.
I will kill your father and take my life here,
so continue along on the path carved by my blood.
I think we are finished.
Subtitle translation by Sun-young Baek