(This drama was remade based on historical facts.)
(Cheongju Gate)
(Yi In Jwa, Namin)
How...
How could they take over Cheongju Castle so easily?
Yi Bong Seong, a soldier in Cheongju,
was acquainted with Yi In Jwa, the leader of the rebellion.
He lowered his guard because he thought he was greeting a friend,
and that is when they suddenly attacked.
(King Yeongjo)
Watch what happened.
The soldier who decided to fight against us got killed.
Just like him, anyone who supports injustice will die.
But if you follow our great cause,
you shall live and be glorified.
The current king...
is not a righteous heir.
He was given birth by a peasant.
That groundless man...
murdered our late King...
and is pretending to be the owner of our country.
Therefore,
we shall get rid of the fake king...
and enthrone a true royal heir.
From now on, everyone in this country...
will bow to the direct heir of Crown Prince Sohyeon.
Here is our wise king.
(Wise king: A king who is intelligent and wise)
It is Prince Mil Poong.
Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
(Prince Mil Poong, Yi Tan)
"Your Majesty"?
A king?
This is my message for my people!
I will save you...
from the exhausting exploits.
I will save this kingdom...
from its suffering.
It is not only Cheongju.
Including Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Hamgyong Province,
the entire kingdom...
will chase out the false king...
and accept its rightful owner.
We shall stand together!
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
What about other areas? How are the other areas?
The rebels are coming.
Quickly light the beacon!
It is not only Cheongju, Your Majesty.
The rebels have started to rise at once...
in Gyeongsang, Jeolla, Hamgyong, and Pyongan Province as well,
Not only Gyeongsang and Jeolla Province,
but Hamgyong and Pyongan Province as well?
Now, the entire kingdom is engulfed in the flames of war.
Yi In Jwa, that man, has finally started...
taking over this kingdom.
(Episode 21: Rebellion)
It is a rebellion!
- Quickly run away. - Where are they?
- Run! - Rebels!
- Oh, goodness. - Move!
- The rebels are coming! - Oh, no!
- Let's get out! - Get out of here.
It is a rebellion! The day has come!
Run for your lives now!
Over there. Make sure to stand guard.
Increase security inside and outside the palace.
Immediately give orders for an Emergency Summoning.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
(Emergency Summoning: Summoning soldiers in an emergency)
It is a report from the National Security Councilor.
At the rebellion base,
rifles that were supplied to Cheongju Office has been found.
Luckily, there were not many rifles.
It will get worse now.
More rifles have been supplied to Gyeongsang Province...
to prepare against Japanese pirates.
Yes, Your Majesty.
How is the situation in Gyeongsang Province?
We have sent a messenger to Gyeongsang Province.
The number of the rebels were between 10,000 and 30,000.
But their numbers were increasing.
How could that happen? Why?
They must have been instigated.
Gyeongsang Province...
was not managed well enough until now.
(Jo Tae Koo, Chief Justice, Soron)
That area has shown the strongest distrust in the government,
so it would have been easier to convince them.
Chief Justice, send all officers from the Five Military Bases...
to Gyeongsang Province.
But Your Majesty,
that would make the capital city...
Gyeongsang Province is as important as the capital city.
Does that area not belong to Joseon as well?
Minister of War, you should prepare a defense plan for the capital city.
Yi In Jwa's main force will head straight to the capital city.
The rebels will reach the capital city...
within 3 to 4 days.
Your Majesty.
Did you know?
This rebellion...
is the largest rebellion this kingdom has ever seen...
ever since it was built.
Also,
it is the first rebellion...
that targets the king.
Your Majesty.
All of this...
is not just because the people do not trust you.
He is right.
It is also caused by the rebels who took control of the confusion.
But I am the current king.
That means, no matter what others say, the responsibility...
belongs to me.
- Your Majesty. - Thousands of casualties...
have been caused already.
How much more blood must be shed now?
It must have been caused...
due to my disloyalty.
I could not trust you.
I encouraged their distrust and resentment.
I did that.
I do not know how to make up for my sins.
Chief Justice.
Your Majesty.
Last night, we found and arrested the spies...
within the capital city and the palace.
I am sure that did enough damage to them.
So...
I think you should hold yourself responsible later.
We have to get over this crisis together now.
Noron and I will also get past the difference of our parties...
and do our best to get over this crisis.
Thank you, Chairman of Congress.
Thank you, Chief Justice.
They say Cheongju Castle has fallen.
It is only a matter of time for them to come here.
What if we all die?
- What should we do? - I do not want to die.
What else should you do? Fight if you want to live.
What do you mean? How could we fight?
Then shall I teach you how to hold a sword?
I think it would be better than being scared like this.
She is right.
(Queen Dowager)
Women should not hide behind men and just worry about things.
The lives of innocent people...
lie beneath the rebellion's sword.
Why are you scared before them?
Nobody should show fear after this moment.
Even women...
should never show fear on their faces.
- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.
Yes, Your Highness.
The armies will move out soon, right?
The situation is urgent.
If this continues, their main force in Cheongju...
will start attacking the capital city.
Send me to battle too, sir.
You?
You may have not noticed, but I was trained for battle.
I was good with my sword in Saheonbu too.
I will stand in front of everyone and defeat the rebels.
I will not allow a single rebel step into the capital city.
- Thank you. - Thank you!
- Gosh, it is rice. - Thank you so much.
Everyone should take rice and money.
Everyone will live with full stomachs now.
- Thank you, Your Majesty. - Thank you, Your Majesty.
In my kingdom, nobody will be left out.
There will be no taxes either.
Everyone will become rich...
and live in huge tile-roofed houses.
- Long live the King. - Long live the King.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
- Thank you, Your Majesty. - Thank you, Your Majesty.
Look into my eyes.
Do you think I would lie?
No, Your Majesty.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
- Hurray! - Hurray!
Prince Mil Poong.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
Prince Mil Poong!
Yoon Young.
Thank you.
Why did you not tell me?
Am I your cannon fodder?
What do you think you are doing?
Move. Why is the King still alive?
The troops in the capital were crushed?
What is going on?
Take him and leave.
- But, General. - Right now!
Yes, sir.
If we do not seize the palace, our plan is doomed.
All of us can be decimated.
How dare you abuse my man.
Everybody is welcoming me as king.
My people are calling me "Your Majesty."
Here.
I had to risk my life to retain our only fortune.
Indeed.
I knew you would do it.
You should not hand it over easily.
This is your last resort.
So you want to slash me?
Wait.
Go ahead and do it.
Slash me!
I am ready to die anyway.
Rather than suffer failure and disgrace...
Shut up!
You are ready to die?
Disgrace?
As a Namin,
you ignored your colleagues and became a dog for those in power.
Do you even know what that means?
And you think you have the right to say such things...
now that you have joined our revolution?
We have seized the city of Cheongju.
And we have already prevailed in Gyeongsang and Jeolla Province.
I treated you as a general...
and now you think you are a real general.
You think seizing Cheongju is so impressive?
Yi In Jwa, you know nothing.
Unless we replace the king,
we are just traitors.
The king has already been replaced.
What do you mean we are traitors, Inspector Wi?
Put down that sword.
There ought not be any quarreling...
between two loyal men.
This is an order.
Put it down.
Indeed, I am in a better place than anyone...
to know how you feel.
Just because you are Namin,
you probably had to live all your lives under shame and mistreatment.
I did...
too.
Though I am the real sovereign of this kingdom,
I was deserted by the Norons.
And my throne was taken from me by the son of a peasant.
I know about the helplessness you feel...
when you have struggled so long, yet could not attain your desires.
I know that better...
than anyone.
However,
the hard times are over.
I will enter the palace...
and sit on my throne.
And you two...
will guard me by my side.
That...
will clear the path.
Use it to win over the people and clear our way to the palace.
We will march straight to the capital.
What are you doing? That is all you have.
If you want to prepare for the future...
There is no future.
To live as king...
or to die.
That is all that is left.
That is why you came back, is it not?
To stand beside the king.
To become the highest woman in Joseon.
To become the queen.
Are you all ready?
Yes, Dal Moon.
You are going to a battlefield where you must risk your lives.
- You are not obliged to... - You are not saying...
that we should drop out like cowards, are you?
It is to guard the King and the kingdom.
Who would do it if not us?
We will not...
change our minds.
Okay.
- Let us hurry. - Yes, sir.
- Master! - Master.
Ah Bong? Jang Dal?
Master, we joined the army too.
We will guard you until the last moment.
What?
It is reasonable enough for Ah Bong.
But Jang Dal, do you not know how old you are?
I am 50.
I am still young.
We are investigators who even catch ghosts.
I heard the rebels are out for the capital.
Who will catch them if not us?
Ah Bong.
Jang Dal. You are...
Master, you are not the only sworn brother of the King.
We are also...
the King's people.
Master Mun Su. Ah Bong. Jang Dal.
Hey, Yeo Ji!
Hey, how long has it been?
You get scared so easily. Why did you volunteer?
Hey, I am still a man.
Jang Dal. Master Mun Su.
Please, take care of Ah Bong.
Do not worry.
I will tell him to hide right behind me.
You too.
Do not lose your temper and get ahead of yourself.
When did I...
Do not worry.
I will make sure I hold onto Master Mun Su.
- Let us get going now. - Yes, we should go.
We have to go.
- See you again. - Ah Bong.
Why are you guys acting like you will never see each other again?
Yeo Ji, do not worry.
We will...
- come back alive. - Yes.
See you.
- Come on. Let us go. - See you again.
- Hurry. - Okay.
I will go too.
You should be careful.
I should be going with you.
But I am tied to the palace.
What are you talking about?
You do not know how relieved I am to know...
that you will be fine.
Pardon?
This is the first time I am relieved that you became a court lady.
Otherwise, you would have followed us to the battlefield.
Goodness, it would have been so annoying.
Master Mun Su.
Do not worry.
I will come back alive.
Take good care of His Majesty, Yeo Ji.
His Majesty arrives!
(Myeongjeong Palace)
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
I, Yi Gwang Jwa, the border area defense officer,
and your army are prepared to go to battle.
We await your orders to go to battle, Your Majesty.
Listen to me.
All of you who stand here...
are my friends,
my soldiers, and my people.
I, the King, should be the one protecting you.
So please forgive me for sending you out to battle...
for the sake of protecting...
our country.
However,
we will win our fight...
against this cruel rebellion no matter what.
I shall do my best...
to protect this land...
and the innocent lives of our people.
Also,
I have faith...
that all of you...
will come back alive.
This is my royal command.
I forbid every single one of you...
to let those nasty traitors...
take your lives.
We shall follow...
your royal orders, Your Majesty!
Inscrutable are the King's favors!
- Inscrutable are the King's favors! - Inscrutable are the King's favors!
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
Did the same thought...
also pass through your mind earlier at the ceremony?
We, the ones with power, are actually the ones...
who have been...
ruining our country for the longest time.
Especially...
me and the Norons.
Yes, that is right.
However, the people who go to battle...
are the ones...
who never had political authority...
and are innocent citizens.
Our people...
What can I do now, Ja Dong?
I sent my friends...
and my people out to battle.
What can I do...
in the palace?
You must do what you need to do as the King, Your Majesty.
Your people decided to risk their lives to protect their King.
So as their King,
you should think of a way to protect this country.
I am sure you are very well aware of the cause...
of this rebellion.
Even a fool like me knows why.
There has to be something that you can do, Your Majesty.
You have a job...
you must fulfill, Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
Chief Justice.
Please, leave this room.
I need to speak with Chief Justice privately.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Namin?
Did you say you want to...
meet the descendants of Namin, who are left in the capital?
Yes.
Yi In Jwa and his men are at the center of the revolt...
and they are Namin from Provinces, the victims of party politics.
That is why they could not take office.
What if the government...
promises to appoint them?
And what if the news...
reaches the rebels?
You are assuming the enemies will be then shaken from within.
This has been a long-standing task the government had to resolve.
Recruiting human resources independently of party politics.
Is that why...
you wanted to see me?
Since I am well acquainted with them?
Do me this favor.
Arrange a meeting for me with them.
This crisis...
may turn out to be an opportunity for us.
Our current base is here.
And the rebellion will arrive in Mokcheon...
around midnight.
The walls around Mokcheon are strong.
They will never get through easily.
I will take some elite soldiers to Mokcheon first...
and spy on our enemies in advance.
Inspector Park.
We will go to Mokcheon first as soon as possible...
and scout the area.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Where is Dal Moon?
He disguised himself as a refugee and went to gather information.
He will join us when he gets information.
Okay. Let's go. We should hurry too.
Do not stop, and keep running.
We will march straight to Hanyang without any rest.
- Yes, General Yi. - Yes, General Yi.
- Let's go. - Let's go.
Let's go.
But...
The Norons...
Will they be convinced, Your Majesty?
Noron filled all of the positions for a long time...
until now.
They must give up their power first...
if you want to promise positions for everyone equally.
I will meet Chairman of Congress, Min Jin Heon.
At least he...
might also realize...
that this is our only solution.
Your Majesty, Min Jin Heon, the Chairman of Congress, is here.
Hello, Chairman of Congress.
You seem like a refugee. Where did you come from?
Let me ask you something.
Where did you see the rebellion?
Captain. Dal Moon!
Inspector Park.
Our location is around here.
It is Cheonan.
We will get near Mokcheon if we run until midnight.
Just a moment, Master.
Look over there.
What are those lights?
Hide the horses. Hurry.
What? Mokcheon?
Yes, this woman ran away from Mokcheon today.
But the rebellion arrived around noon...
without shedding a single drop of blood.
They took over Mokcheon already?
Then now, they would be at...
That is impossible.
How could this be?
This is Cheonan. How could they get here already?
They are right in front of the capital city.
Your Majesty, I am sorry, but I do not understand you.
I will hire people regardless of which party they are in.
I will promise fair hiring...
for government positions...
regardless of political backgrounds.
(Fair hiring: Hiring worthy people regardless of their backgrounds)
- Your Majesty. - I am sure that you also know...
why this kingdom had to be soaked in blood until now.
You know why political parties started to fight each other.
(Political party: Groups organized by political stances)
Politicians used to debate beliefs.
But acquiring power and the monopoly of positions.
Schemes and competitions caused politicians to fight over power.
All of this caused this division.
That makes no sense, Your Majesty.
Why is Noron blamed alone?
We, Noron, have suffered the most...
from such political conflicts.
That is why I am suggesting an end to this chaos.
That chaos will never end.
How could people unite when there is power at stake?
How could you...
have such naive dreams on the throne?
- Chairman of Congress. - Your Majesty.
Did you tell us to yield and share power?
Must Noron give up our positions to Namin and Soron?
I cannot let that happen. That's impossible.
That is not how politics work.
That is nothing more,
but illusions and dreams.
I heard from Chief Justice.
You also felt tragic...
to send our people to battle.
Is that not because you feel responsibility for the people...
as a politician?
The Noron's power.
I am sure that you must protect it.
But the responsibility for the people...
Was that not something...
you could not ignore as well?
You and I...
do not shed blood...
in battle.
Chairman of Congress.
The people who always die instead of us...
are our weak subjects.
But there is something we can do for them.
There is something else...
we can do as politicians...
to stop this rebellion...
and prevent this from happening ever again.
Chairman of Congress.
That was unnecessary.
This is not worth discussing.
Proceed the meeting with Namin Party as planned.
- But Your Majesty... - I am the king of this kingdom.
I will try to convince them.
Your Majesty!
It is an urgent message.
A message about the rebellion reaching Cheonan has arrived.
Cheonan?
That is the road that leads to the capital city.
A message has arrived!
- A message has arrived! - A message has arrived!
From Mokcheon to Cheonan?
The rebellion got through without shedding a single drop of blood?
How could this happen?
Money? They handed out money?
Yes, Master.
I am sure that came from Prince Mil Poong.
He handed out rice and grains with his money...
and convinced the people in Mokcheon and Cheonan.
They even convinced the local soldiers.
But how could the local soldiers make way for the rebels...
without even a fight?
The owner of this kingdom does not matter to some people.
To them, a single grain of rice before their eyes is more important.
And this kingdom...
has made them become like this.
But this must not happen.
If we fail to stop them here,
they will enter the capital city next.
The rebellions have already reached Cheonan.
It is only a matter of time before they reach the capital city.
Your Majesty. Your Majesty!
I am not sure if I should be telling you this, but...
What is it?
Your Majesty.
Where are you going?
What is this?
No, this is...
Are you trying to leave the palace?
Do not tell me that you are also going to leave to protect the city.
You cannot leave.
You cannot leave the palace.
I heard the rebels have almost reached the capital city.
If I stay still, you might be in danger...
Please.
Please stay here, Yeo Ji.
At least you...
should stay by my side.
I cannot put you in danger as well.
If...
I also fail to protect you...
If that happens...
(Saheonbu)
The high officials of Daejangcheong...
including the Chief Inspector did not show up.
It is quite obvious why.
They probably wanted to flee before the others did.
How can they do such a thing...
as people who work for the country?
Let us go. We need to go to Gaesung.
- Chief Inspector. - Yes.
Are you leaving to seek refuge?
Yes. You too?
Goodness, no. I am not leaving for refuge.
I am just leaving to recuperate because I am not feeling so well.
I see.
- We should go. - Yes, let us go.
(Saheonbu)
I am really ashamed of this.
You should not blame yourself, sir.
I just pity the King and our people...
for trusting these kind of men as Saheonbu officials.
We should at least do our best and work hard.
The city is probably in complete chaos right now, so we should...
Who is there?
It... It is me!
Sir, can you please help me?
Inspector Joo? Help him get up.
My goodness.
What are you doing here?
No way.
Did you come here for work?
- Pardon? - You of all people?
Me?
Inspector Joo.
I am so startled and proud of you at the same time.
To be honest, I thought you would be the first person to flee.
What is that?
The thing is, I remembered that I left this here...
while I was packing up to leave the city.
What?
- Are you saying... - Yes, I took some money...
from my monthly pay and put it here without telling my wife.
I will be off now.
You should all start leaving too.
You cannot leave.
You shall join me for an inspection today.
What? An inspection? In this chaos?
- But... - That is exactly why we must go.
- Follow me. - Sir!
I am the only son of our family,
and I need to take care of my widowed mother.
I know you have four brothers...
and that both your parents are very healthy.
- Follow me! - Goodness, how attentive are you.
Please save me!
Sir, I need to go!
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
Are you saying...
you will give us, the Namins, an opportunity...
to work as government officials, Your Majesty?
Yes.
I came here to give you my word.
And in return, you want...
the most influential Namins of the city...
to claim that they support you and the current government?
This is surely a political deal.
However, I also wish to get rid of this old malaise of this country...
and set things right.
Your Majesty, what you are saying to us right now...
is very touching.
Thanks to Chief Justice, we were also able to confirm...
that this is your true sincerity, not just a political move.
However, Your Majesty.
Do you really think you will be able to keep your word?
We know the reality of the royal court.
So we cannot just trust your word and cooperate.
Listen.
This has been our long-cherished wish.
- Will you please reconsider? - No.
That is going to be impossible.
As long as the Norons refuse to cooperate,
your promise will be nothing but an empty promise.
You there.
Why have you not fled the city?
I am on my way to do some farming.
It is time for me to plant seeds.
Regardless of where we go, people like us...
will never be able to rest at ease.
I just choose to stay in my hometown...
and die while I do farming.
You seem like an aristocrat with high authority.
It is quite interesting to see...
that you are still here in the city.
From what I heard, the high-ranking officials...
were the first to flee the city.
Chairman of Congress?
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
What is the current status of defense in the capital?
(Defense: Preparing to guard against enemy invasion)
Troops from the Five Military Bases...
were assigned at the main gates.
According to the last report from the Border Area Defense Officer,
the royal troops formed...
a final defense line at Jiksan.
(Jiksan: The former name of Cheonan, Chungcheong Province)
Wait. Did you just say Jiksan?
Jiksan...
Yes, it is Jiksan.
They will probably take advantage of the Cheonan and Jiksan area.
That is the easiest way into the capital.
Jiksan?
Jiksan...
But if all the troops are moved to Jiksan...
and the enemies head somewhere else, we will be doomed.
But there is no other way.
With the small number of soldiers, we can only uphold one city.
We must go through Jiksan.
Anseong and Chuksan have mountainous terrain...
so we will risk facing ambushes.
What will you do, General?
General, we cannot delay the campaign any longer.
The royal troops are almost...
General, we have a message.
We received a message...
from our spy planted in the royal troops.
Our spy?
What happened? Were they not all tracked down?
We have suffered for a long time.
Do you think they can eliminate all of us overnight?
There still are resentful Namins in the capital, alive and well.
What does it say?
Where are they guarding?
"Jiksan".
I knew it was Jiksan.
That means...
we will march through Anseong.
What are you waiting for? Get the men ready for the campaign.
We will advance through Anseong...
and reach the capital.
- Yes, General. - Yes, General.
You are not going to fight in battle, are you?
No, Prince Mil Poong.
Your Majesty!
Should you not call me Your Majesty?
I am finally on my way...
to take back my kingdom.
I should be at the front.
I should enter the capital first and open the palace gates first.
I should be the one...
to behead Yi Geum.
If we succeed,
I will be a founding father.
My descendants will be chairman of congress, chief justice,
and prime minister.
Are you all ready?
Master.
Of course. Whenever you are ready.
Everyone. All of you.
Let us meet again alive.
Of course. Sure thing.
Let us destroy the traitors.
Prince Mil Poong, Wi Byung Ju, Yi In Jwa.
Let us behead these damned men.
We will certainly...
I will meet you again alive, Master.
Please.
We will hide here and attack when the enemies pass by.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Load your arrows and get ready.
Come on.
You have to pass by...
this way, no matter what.
I am sure the royal troops went to Jiksan.
In Anseong Castle,
I do not see a single soul.
What are we waiting for?
Let us seize Anseong and head to the capital.
Charge toward Anseong!
- Charge! - Charge!
Why is it so quiet?
Should they not be here by now?
Master, are they...
No.
They will come.
I know they will come this way.
Yes, they will.
I know it.
Charge and do not stop.
Run all the way to the capital!
I will behead Yi Geum, the fake king!
This battle...
Charge!
We will...
surely...
We will...
surely win.
Charge!
Do not retreat.
We must seize the castle!
I heard spies were planted...
in the royal troops and the navy.
The troops are coming, General.
Your long life is finally over.
It is not over yet.
Do not some political moves...
come from the heart and not from the head?
Yi In Jwa and Prince Mil Poong fled and still remain.
I have to go and behead Yi Geum!
What is going on? Why are you wearing armor?
No matter what happens,
we have to catch the two men.