(Characters, places, and events associated in this series...)
(are not historical facts but fictional.)
(Episode 15)
What's that?
My lord, we have a problem.
It seems a war broke out.
What?
I'll look into details about the situation. You...
- Open the gates. - Yes, my lord.
Are there any movements?
Nothing out of the ordinary.
State your name!
Halt!
Who are you?
I...
Name your status.
Officer, the four gates have fallen.
The rebel forces are coming.
No, wake up.
Wake up!
Close the palace gates.
Close the palace gates!
Close the gates!
Head to the West Palace.
"Zhao Yun, with only minimum amount of sword and armor,"
"rode through Cao Cao's men."
"While trying to save Liu Bei's wife..."
"and son..."
This story is...
Do you know about this story?
I've heard this from a story-teller in the marketplace.
Liu Bei was pleased that Zhao Yun saved his son at first.
But later he threw his son out,
saying he almost lost his loyal servant.
It's a famous story.
That's right.
If it were you,
whom would you choose, your son or your loyal servant?
If it were me...
Your Majesty.
It's a rebellion.
The rebel forces are coming.
Your Majesty.
Calm down, Eunuch Cho.
Tell me what this is about.
I apologize.
Well...
Lord Jinpyeong has entered the capital...
with the rebel forces.
Lord Jinpyeong?
Your Majesty.
How is the situation outside the palace?
From how the torchlights are moving,
the rebel forces seem to be moving towards the West Palace.
The West Palace?
That's where the Queen Dowager is staying.
She seems to be the justification for their rebellion.
Where is Chief Royal Secretary Lee?
Not in the palace.
But he sent an urgent message to you.
I apologize, Your Majesty.
Due to my mistake,
your letter to General Nurhachi disappeared.
I will get it back for certain,
but just in case, it should be better...
you know nothing about the letter.
Burn this as soon as you read it.
What is wrong, Your Majesty?
It's nothing.
Is there any trustworthy general whom we can ask for help?
General Kang In Bok from North Hamgyong Province discussed...
the national defense with Lord Lee for a long time.
He'll stand by your side if he finds out about this.
Your Majesty, send a message to General Kim Ki Joon...
from Hwanghae Province to ask for help too.
He was my father's long friend.
He'll stand by your side for certain.
Send my message through a dispatch rider.
When do you expect the soldiers to arrive in the capital?
It'll take time even if they travel as fast as they can.
At least, four days.
Four days?
Do we have enough military forces to defend the palace for four days?
We don't have enough of any,
but we'll do our best, so please do not worry.
We, eunuchs, will help...
defend the palace with palace guards.
I'll take care of food for the Internal Court...
and palace people.
Thank you, everyone.
I hope the Chief Royal Secretary gets back soon.
Shall we go rescue the Queen Dowager?
Are the King's hounds here to kill me?
Your Highness.
- Your Highness. - Lord Jinpyeong.
What took you so long?
I apologize.
Our comrade here to rescue you is waiting outside.
Let him in.
Your Highness.
I'm so relieved...
to see you healthy and well.
What are you trying to pull?
Please don't criticize him.
I came here myself...
to see you.
How dare you think of coming to see me?
It's true you've gone crazy.
I've prepared something for you.
Please take a look at it first.
It serves you right.
I didn't think I'd ever be able to see you get punished,
but the heavens didn't abandon me.
Now I get to take revenge on you for murdering Prince Gyeongin.
Your Highness.
What do you mean by that?
He's the one who poisoned my son,
Prince Gyeongin to death.
You're my father's enemy,
but you helped me avenge my son.
I'll show you mercy for it.
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
But I had to murder Great Lord of Neungchang...
because of the King's orders.
I'll take the lead to drive the tyrant out of the throne...
and have you back in the palace.
Give me a chance to straighten what's wrong.
Good.
The King was fooled by the sly official, Lee Kyu,
to kill his innocent brother and seized the throne.
Besides, he deposed his mother.
Remove that traitorous King from the throne.
Why are you laughing?
Even if you call me a sly official...
and use it as an excuse to remove His Majesty,
he's getting full support and trust from the people of this nation.
Removing him will simply be treason without any justification.
You'll be nothing but a ringleader.
You say you'll take revenge on me,
but you're actually going self-destruct.
Isn't this amusing?
Your Highness.
There is a just cause.
We have evidence that the King broke the morales...
and held hands with Aisin Gurun in secret.
What is that evidence?
Lord Shin.
Show her the letter.
What are you waiting for?
I cannot show her.
I don't have it right now.
What? Then where is it?
I can't...
tell you.
How dare you?
Lord Jinpyeong.
Shin Chi Soo killed your father and brother...
yet you're siding with him to become king.
Are you naive or foolish?
Why didn't you come to me instead?
I would have taken pity on you...
and out of pure mercy, given you...
a chance to sit on the throne.
Say one more word and I'll pull out your tongue.
How dare a little worm...
dream of becoming a dragon?
Isn't this hilarious?
- Lord Jinpyeong. - Die!
Stop, Lord Jinpyeong!
Your Highness.
I wished to kill him and avenge your son.
Why did you stop me?
Do you not get it?
He's trying to agitate you into killing him.
We can't do that.
If he does, the King will never give in.
Don't worry about that.
Give the order and I'll barge into the palace,
kill the King and bring you the royal seal.
I cannot give such an order.
Like he said,
I cannot return the leader of a mob of traitors.
This must be a restoration if we're to have a just cause.
Make the King surrender first.
How dare you deceive me?
Where's the King's secret letter?
Once I'm in the palace to make the King surrender,
then I will tell you where it is.
You think you can...
weigh your options with me?
Four days.
We only have four days.
What do you mean?
By now, the King will have sent his plaque to someone.
Most likely someone who is in close leagues with...
the Chief Royal Secretary.
Within four days,
an army will arrive to support the King.
Within four days,
we must restore power to the rightful royal.
Yes.
So we have no time to squabble.
Four days.
Bring me the royal seal within four days.
I will do that.
I am backed into a corner.
My lord.
The Queen Dowager wishes to see you.
They say you posted the bills to insult the King.
Is that true?
It's true that I had the bills posted,
but a lie that it was to insult the King.
How is it an insult to call a clown a clown?
What Court Lady Kim said was true.
Then where is the King?
I have no idea.
However, if the King were alive,
would he let a lowly clown replace him...
and cause such a fuss?
The King is already dead.
If I could make the real and fake stand side by side,
that alone would be enough to...
depose the King for deceiving the state.
What a pity.
Do not worry.
I promise that...
I will bring you the King's surrender.
How will you do that without the secret letter?
It's practically within my reach.
Trust me and give me full authority.
Full authority?
Tell me exactly what you want.
The person who should be king...
should be someone...
who will be filial and loyal towards you.
You disapprove of Lord Jinpyeong?
If I'm to be regent and take control,
a younger royal would be more acceptable.
Very well.
I'll give you the order to pick the successor...
and ask for your opinion.
However,
for that, I want...
the royal seal and the clown's head.
Even better if you bring the Queen's as well.
Can you do that?
I thank you for your grace.
Arrest Joo Ho Geol.
Yes, my lord.
I don't know what to do.
I think I should do as my uncle said,
but then I think I should show this to the King.
What would you do if you were me?
Shouldn't Lord Shin's command have priority?
Right?
The King doesn't care for the likes of me.
But my uncle fed me poison.
Who should I trust?
Your Majesty.
Are you concerned that Lord Lee...
hasn't returned yet?
He should be back by now but he isn't.
It is worrisome.
Don't be concerned.
I'm sure he's just late trying to find a way to stop the rebels.
Your Majesty.
It's Eunuch Cho.
Is Lord Lee back?
I apologize.
It's not the Chief Royal Secretary but Joo Ho Geol.
Joo Ho Geol?
How is he here when the rebels are in the way?
Why did you come here in these circumstances?
Your Majesty.
Tell him about the Chief Royal Secretary.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
What happened to him?
Your Majesty.
Kyu...
was captured by Lord Jinpyeong and Shin Chi Soo.
Wasn't Shin Chi Soo in a cell at the Department of Justice?
He told me to...
pass this to you.
This is Lord Lee's.
If I open the gates...
and approve of Lee Kyu's beheading,
he will stop the rebellion.
Kyu...
Your Majesty,
please save Haksan's life.
He must not die such a purposeless death.
It seemed as if the world he envisioned...
was finally happening.
Your Majesty, please save...
Please save his life.
Please stop.
We all want nothing more...
than to save Lord Lee too.
Your Majesty, it's only four days.
Four days and soldiers will come to your aid.
You should stay strong until then...
and live to fight another day.
Give me some time to think.
Of course.
Of course, Your Majesty.
My Queen.
Your Majesty,
I heard of Lord Lee's predicament.
Are you all right?
I don't know.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee...
has been at my side whenever I needed advice.
Alone, I am not certain of what I should do.
Your Majesty.
Do you remember what I asked you before?
Regarding what?
The story of Zhao Yun and Liu Bei?
Yes.
If you were Liu Bei, I asked who you'd choose...
between the son and the loyal subject.
Could you answer that question?
If I were Liu Bei,
I wouldn't give up on anyone.
I can't allow any one of my...
innocent people die.
Yes, that's the kind of man you are.
Even when there seems to be no answer, you find one.
When all say it can't be done,
you'd say that it can.
I'm sure that you'll find the right answer this time too.
I believe in you.
Thank you.
Seon Hwa Dang.
I came because I had something urgent to ask.
I want it to be in private though.
Go on and ask me.
Your Majesty,
I apologize for my uncle's actions.
He not only committed high treason,
but he's also conspiring with the rebel forces.
That's why I've been worried about me staying...
within the palace walls.
I will leave if you tell me to...
and stay if you say so.
Please tell me what you want.
What is it that you want to do?
I...
wish to stay here.
Then do so.
You're not the guilty party, so you have no reason to leave.
I was worried that you'd kick me out.
Now I'll tell you this with nothing but delight.
Before my uncle was incarcerated,
he told me to acquire a letter.
It turned out to have the royal seal on it.
Where is that letter?
It's safely in my chambers.
Please bring it to me right away.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I wished to make you happy at least once.
I'm glad.
The letter holds my order.
Head to Shin Chi Soo and Lord Jinpyeong...
and tell them to greet me tomorrow morning.
Your Majesty,
you're allowing them inside the palace walls?
- That's right. - Even if you ask,
they will not risk coming inside here.
They will have to comply...
since I told them...
to bring Chief Royal Secretary Lee with them,
so bring me their answer.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What is it?
Read it yourself.
"To see if Chief Royal Secretary Lee Kyu is guilty,"
"members of the court will discuss the matter."
"Attend the morning assembly."
I knew that he'd make this move.
He's trying to buy time by having discussions.
Even so, we must comply with his orders.
What?
Soldiers and the bodyguards will be at his side,
so how can we enter alone without our men?
The letter that proves...
the King's involvement with the barbarians...
is within the palace walls.
Obtaining that letter will...
give us the tool to strangle his neck.
Would you rather give up instead?
Tell his Majesty...
that Lord Jinpyeong and I will attend the court meeting tomorrow.
However, only if he allows us...
to bring as many men as he has protecting the palace.
If he says he'll bring soldiers with him,
say that I'll allow it if all members of the court attend.
Then, lower the number of soldiers he can bring.
Are you listening to me?
All members of the court will be present,
so only a maximum of 10 men will be allowed.
What will it be?
The meeting will take place in the yard outside...
and His Majesty is only allowed to bring 10 men too.
If he agrees to those terms,
then we'll accept his request.
Your Majesty,
I am back.
So did they accept my proposal?
Yes, they reacted as you expected them to.
How did you know?
They have a good reason to want to enter this palace.
The proof that'll take down me and Chief Royal Secretary Lee...
is here.
Then you can't risk them being here.
What they want is in my hands,
so they won't get what they want.
And what is that proof?
Seon Hwa Dang is bringing it to me,
but she's running late.
Your Majesty.
You must go and see Seon Hwa Dang.
Officer Jang.
Search every corner of the palace to find who killed her.
Start interrogating her court ladies first.
At your service, Your Majesty.
Let's go.
Search in and out of this building...
for a letter.
What letter, Your Majesty?
A secret letter with the royal seal stamped on it.
How did it go?
I searched through the building...
as well as the residence of Seon Hwa Dang's court ladies.
But the letter was nowhere to be found.
Did you find who murdered her?
I interrogated the court ladies who served her by her side,
and Court Lady Cho seems to be the prime suspect.
Get her confession and find the letter.
We must find it before the morning assembly.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I wanted his surrender,
not a morning assembly.
Weren't you confident that you could get him to surrender?
I apologize,
but it was part of my plan.
Trust me.
I don't want to hear it.
I need to see him myself.
Send a message and call him out to Chimhyang Pavilion right now.
Your Majesty.
You shouldn't go out like this.
It must be their scheme to harm you.
I can't let the Chief Royal Secretary die like that.
But...
I'll escort him.
I'll go with the guards.
Take care of the palace defense instead.
Your security is my top priority.
I'll have the chief palace guard stay here.
Please don't worry.
Okay, let us go.
Your Majesty.
Must you go?
Don't worry. I'll come back safely.
You lowly clown.
Show your courtesy.
You're a dethroned queen dowager,
so there's no need for me to do that.
I didn't think anyone would be crazier than the King,
but Haksan found someone worse.
Then again, it's natural...
for a lowly man like you to go crazy after tasting such power.
Is the Chief Royal Secretary safe?
Are you worried your master might die?
Don't worry.
He's humiliated the royal house and the court.
I won't kill him...
until I take revenge for the King and punish him good.
Others might think...
you cared dearly about your stepson.
It's true...
that I've desperately wanted him dead for a long time.
But even though he was half-breed,
he was the legitimate King who succeeded the former king.
Haksan handed you the throne...
and made a fool out of the court.
I cannot overlook his crime.
So you became the ringleader of the rebel forces to punish him.
Who would believe that?
Just say that you're doing this for your son's revenge.
Even so,
you won't be able to hide...
your filthy intention for the throne.
No matter how hard you try to act king,
you cannot hide your lowly birth.
Once Haksan is gone,
it'll be a second you go down.
Your only crime...
is to follow Haksan's orders.
Report him,
and I'll forgive you.
Surrender and give up on the royal seal.
What right do you have to accuse me...
and to forgive me?
You're the one...
who needs to confess her crimes and get punished.
How dare you!
Shall I tell all the people that you're the fake King...
who's actually a clown?
Go ahead.
How will you prove it?
Do you think they'll believe you, the traitor?
What if people find out about the Queen...
serving the lowly clown as her husband and fooling the world?
Rumors already say she's evil.
Her infidelity will be recorded in history.
Do you really think she'll stay sane...
after going through such humiliation?
Go ahead and do it.
Every drop of her tear...
will lead to tears of blood in your eyes.
Every sigh from her mouth...
will lead to your scream.
How dare you?
You wicked and impertinent rat.
What makes you so fearless?
Aren't you afraid of the heavens?
Do you really intend to befoul...
the sacred royal house with your filthy blood?
Drop your nonsense.
The heavens decide on what's valuable and lowly.
It depends on your heart and behavior,
not your given status.
You don't realize what's truly valuable.
All you do is babble on the royal blood.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
- Shut it. - Then again,
all you can have pride in is your blood.
I guess it can't be helped.
At the gathering tomorrow, can you reveal Haksan's crimes...
and get the clown to surrender?
We will enter the palace prepared.
Do not worry.
I came to apologize to you.
Until now, I thought you hid behind...
the King and his father-in-law...
to remain the upright adviser.
Now I see you were far ahead of me.
What is it you want to say?
I'll plead with the Queen Dowager...
for your life.
In return, give the clown a message from me.
Tell him to give up the throne and surrender.
He won't listen to us,
but he will listen to you.
You are mistaken.
The King does as he sees fit.
He is not subject to my control.
Do you not see that after all you've been through?
Are you really willing to give up your life...
for a lowly fake king?
What is lowly and what is fake?
Everything he did,
he did for our nation and people, so none was lowly.
Calling him a fake is even more absurd.
What you're saying is dog poop, just like the clown king said.
Dog poop?
You're right.
Those like you and Lord Jinpyeong...
who only look at the ground and where you will step next...
will never truly understand.
I can't listen to this anymore for fear of throwing up.
The clown asked we bring you to tomorrow's morning assembly.
The King decided to call an assembly?
He's fearless.
Does he even know what a morning assembly is?
The more you threaten and corner him,
the stronger he becomes.
He is determined to take you head-on.
Fine.
Let's see who wins, a clown or one of royal blood.
We'll find out.
Step aside, you fool!
What's the ruckus?
Lord Jinpyeong. I came to greet the Queen Dowager.
Why are you stopping me?
Turn away unless you want to die.
Why did you stop Lord Younghwa from seeing me?
I couldn't stand seeing him.
What?
Do you think I don't know why you're meeting other royals?
Be careful.
I'm only here...
to remove the King and take the throne.
I understand.
I never considered...
anyone but you to replace the current King.
You'd better stay true to what you just said.
Why are you out in the cold?
Why are you outside?
I can't lie to you.
I'm worried about the morning assembly...
and can't sleep.
Do you feel the same?
I should be offering you strength and support,
but for some reason I feel uneasy.
You must deal with them alone at the assembly.
I am afraid something will happen to you.
Nothing will happen.
I apologize.
I should be strong for you.
It's okay.
Two intertwined trees make each other stronger.
You can lean on me...
and I can lean on you.
Today's outdoor morning assembly...
will be unlike others.
Whatever happens, you are not to leave the King's side.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Tell the officers and assistants what I just told you.
Do not worry.
Did you find the letter?
I apologize.
The court lady did not confess.
Your Majesty, shouldn't you postpone the assembly?
No. If it's not today,
there's no way to save Chief Royal Secretary Lee now.
Your Majesty.
Welcome back.
When will the soldiers be here?
I came as soon as I saw General Kang from...
North Hamgyong Province head for the capital with his army.
He will be here by tomorrow.
Right. Good job.
Lord Shin.
What is it?
I pondered on your proposal all night.
What is he talking about?
I told him to persuade the King to surrender.
Let me speak with His Majesty alone.
That can't be allowed.
Why would I risk attending this meeting...
after letting you two get your stories straight?
You may join me.
Just let me speak to His Majesty.
How have you been,
Your Majesty?
You're not one to easily die, are you?
You broke out of jail...
and joined the rebel forces.
The rebel forces?
Are you talking about my people?
You couldn't be more wrong.
If an uprising is what I had in mind,
I would've taken the palace with force.
Why did you want to see me before the meeting?
He has something to say to you.
Your Majesty,
do you remember...
how I told you that there were two ways...
to survive in this palace?
There are only two ways to survive in the palace.
Step on everyone and crush them for good,
or...
to ignore them for good.
I remember.
Today,
all you need to do is remember the second one.
Is there nothing else you want to say?
What must be important to you...
are this nation and its people.
Apart from that,
you should and must discard at any time.
Even me for that matter.
I can't agree to that. How can I discard you?
It's like telling Liu Bei to discard Zhao Yun.
You just...
compared me to Zhao Yun, the great and loyal general.
I'm truly honored to receive your favor.
During my time away,
you acquired the ability to make your servants laugh.
Actually,
I'm gifted in that way.
That's right.
You're gifted in that way.
I can't believe I had forgotten about it.
Your Majesty,
I was honored...
to be able to serve you.
I have no regrets.
Please do not say such a thing.
You have many years to live.
Yes, that's right.
That's exactly what I wanted to tell you.
For this nation and its people,
you must stay strong for years to come...
and protect the throne.
- Chief Royal Secretary Lee. - Your Majesty,
I can't let this interaction go on any longer.
Please begin the morning assembly.
Go ahead.
Your Majesty,
we must show you our respects...
and take our four bows,
but it will only be embarrassing to do so when there is...
a rebellion going on.
Therefore, we will only bow once.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- We wish you health and peace. - We wish you health and peace.
Release Chief Royal Secretary Lee of his ropes.
Your Majesty,
the treacherous Lee Kyu is here as a criminal.
He cannot be released of his ropes.
Shin Chi Soo and Lord Jinpyeong...
are just as treacherous in my eyes.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee is yet to be found guilty,
so he is innocent until proven otherwise.
Release him of his ropes.
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
Your Majesty,
let me inform you of his crimes.
Show yourself and bring me the proof.
This is the secret letter sent by Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
"Joseon's King and its court..."
"has no intention to battle Aisin Gurun."
"We will not aid Ming with our soldiers..."
"and we will not invade your land..."
"while you are at war with Ming."
"Joseon is on nobody's side."
"Nurhachi, I urge you..."
"to trust my words."
Lee Kyu betrayed moral laws...
and intrigued with Aisin Gurun.
Step forward and confess your crimes.
I have nothing to confess.
I'm not ashamed of what I've done.
You're the ones who should be ashamed your deeds, not me.
Until when will you serve Ming, that has nothing to do with us,
and shackle yourselves with toadyism?
What's wrong with serving Ming,
and what's wrong with making peace with Aisin Gurun?
What's important is to protect this nation and its people.
How touching.
But...
Your Majesty,
this letter has your royal seal stamped on it.
Were you really not aware of this?
If you weren't,
it means the Chief Royal Secretary used it without your permission.
If you were, it means you intrigued with Aisin Gurun.
What is true?
- That's... - Your Majesty.
I used the royal seal in your stead.
That is clearly my crime.
Chief Royal Secretary Lee.
- Don't do it. - Your Majesty.
Please remember my request and protect the future.
Stop.
- Let go of me. - Protect His Majesty.
Haksan!
(The Crowned Clown)