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Subtitles provided by MBC

You can't let commoners sleep in a room while nobles sleep outside in the cold.

Tell them to leave.

You're not taking the state exam, right? You'll have to vacate the room.

The noblemen have quite a temper.

We got here first. You can't force us out!

I refuse to leave.

What is that scum blabbering about?

Wait just a minute.

Maid, since we can't sleep outside, will you ask if we can share the room?

They're trying to compromise. At least let them share the room.

Alright.

Slipped away, did she?

What a figure!

Is anyone out there? I need more wine!

Coming right up.

Get us some chicken and other dishes with wine.

Yes, sir.

Seems you're taking the medical exam. Come, let me pour you a drink.

It's just a lowly exam. Why are you studying so hard?

He must not be very bright.

Sir, do you think dealing with lives is child's play?

And the medical exam is a state exam offered by the royal court.

These doctors will later be taking care of His Majesty's health.

Yet they're just lowly physicians.

What you're learning is medical skill, not academic discipline.

You can't understand the depth of academic scholars like us.

"Nothing to offer but drinks."

"Inviting neighbors to spend time together."

Since there's nothing to offer, I offered a guest some drinks.

Why not invite neighbors and drink together?

Do you know this poem?

You should know Li Bai's poems to be considered a man of learning.

Let me teach you about the way of Confucian academic.

What's keeping you? Come and take my drink.

It's not polite of Confucian scholars to force drinks on others.

And the poem is by Du Fu, not Li Bai.

How dare lowly scum like you try to correct me?

That poem was written by Du Fu in reference to Lie Zie

when he was taking refuge from war in the Wanhai Pavilion.

Why you...!

"Water peacefully flows. Sea gulls play by the water."

The cottage is surrounded by water, sea gulls by and fly over the river.

Flowers softly cover the path, but you came by today unexpectedly.

That is how the poem really begins.

The poem reflects the poet's sorrow and his need to forget the pain of war.

If you don't believe me, check it for yourself.

It was improper of me to interfere. Please pardon me.

Did you have some education?

I briefly studied when I was young.

It doesn't seem like you studied briefly.

Will you help me until I get to Hanyang?

Sir? How may I help you?

I have two separate tests to take.

The first requires me to write the Chinese names of medicines.

The second covers internal and external medicines, diseases,

tonics and acupuncture.

If I fail the first, it'll be over for me.

Call out the names of medicines. And I'll write them down.

Sure.

Lightyellow sophora.

White oil.

Powdered bones of squid.

Seahorse.

Peach seeds.

Seeds of apricots.

Fritillaria.

Sow thistle.

Chinese matrimony vine.

Wolfberry tree bark.

Master.

Sir! Sir!

How did you do?

I passed.

Congratulations, sir.

But it's only a beginning. Anyway, I owe you a lot.

I learned a lot from you as well.

I'm going to talk to my father. You'll be picking herbs from now on.

I just started. I have a long way to go.

A learned man like yourself shouldn't waste time carrying water.

Let’s go.

Jun, get some rest.

Please don't worry about me.

Do as I say.

Yes, sir.

Excuse me.

Do you know the residence of Lord Lee Jeong-chan?

Lee...? I have no idea.

Is there any way I can find out?

If he was of such high position, why don't you check Anguk-dong?

You may begin.

Yes, sir.

October 15, 1571, 9:30 am. Open the scrolls.

Yes, sir.

The exam subject is the diseases of the five viscera and six entrails.

You must hand in your test by 3 PM.

If you are caught cheating, you will be disqualified.

And you will be severely punished.

You may begin.

List the places for acupuncture and the effects of adding or bleeding energy.

Do you know the residence of Lord Lee Jeong-chan?

Over there.

Thank you.

Excuse me, is this the house of Lord Lee Jeong-chan?

It used to be, but now it belongs to the Chief Royal Physician, Yang Ye-su.

What happened to Lord Lee's family? He had a daughter named Da-hee.

After the family honor was restored, she is rumored to have left Hanyang.

Do you know where she went?

No.

Next!

Yu Do-ji from Saneum, sir.

He excelled in tonic and acupuncture.

Excellent.

How long has your family been in medicine?

I am the fourth generation.

Have you inherited your father's clinic?

Yes, sir. He's quite famous in the Gyeongsang Province.

How dare you say that in front of Doctor Yang!

Please pardon my insolence, sir.

It's alright. What is your father's name?

It is Yu Eui-tae, sir.

You are the son of Yu Eui-tae of Saneum?

I am, sir.

Alright. You can go now.

Yes, sir.

I'll get the next applicant.

I'm turning in. Take over from here.

Why do women suffer different illnesses from men?

Women have a stronger yin force and work more in damp places.

Medical books acknowledge that it is more difficult to treat women.

What disease only affects women?

Postnatal diseases.

Explain the symptoms.

There are seventeen including afterpain, hemorrhaging, strokes and edema.

It is necessary to extravasate bad blood and treat her weak energy.

However, if a tonic with ginseng is used instead,

the bad blood will curdle and become poisonous.

That's good enough.

You are now in charge of the female patients.

Pardon?

Some women aren't comfortable with a male doctor treating them.

Sir, I will do my best to look after the patients.

Are you that excited about treating patients?

I'd be more grateful to Master Do-ji for worrying about your well-being.

I’m grateful to both.

One cares deeply for me, the other acknowledges me.

Prepare the ingredients. We have to brew the tonic.

Yes, ma’am.

You good-for-nothing! Stop right there!

Help me!

It’s not true, it's a misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding, my butt. I have solid proof against you.

The gambling wasn't enough? Now you're chasing skirts?

Let's drink lye and die together.

I'm really sorry. I'll never look at another woman.

Forgive me this once.

Oh, so now you're 'fessing up?

Forgive you when you cheated on me?

I might really die.

Goodness, what are you doing?

Stop right there! I said, stop!

I only love you, forever!

Like hell you do.

Sir...

Let's go to gisaeng house and get drunk.

How did the interview go?

Do you know who Doctor Yang Ye-su is?

He's the Chief Royal Physician and head of the royal medical staff.

He praised me on my test result. I'm guaranteed to pass.

Now you can really congratulate me.

Congratulations, sir.

Come, let's go. Let us drink till we pass out.

How many applicants made it?

Nine in total. I was about to make the announcement.

Let me see.

Here.

The final list will be eight, not nine.

That’s final.

Sir?

What do you mean?

Don't you know what I mean?

Are you making this personal again?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Making the royal medical staff takes more than just good grades.

They'll be treating the royal family. We must consider their family history.

Don't let this conversation leak out to others.

Did Chief Physician Yang order this?

He doesn't know about this. We're doing it out of loyalty.

Don't breathe a word about this.

No, this cannot be true. Something must be wrong.

Let me see the exam supervisor.

I'm sure there was a mistake. Please let me talk the supervisor.

This won't change anything.

Just take the exam again next time.

It could've been that my answer sheet got lost.

I have to confirm this. Let me see the supervisor!

You failed the exam because you didn't study hard enough.

Go away before I have you thrown in jail.

Sir!

Let go!

Doctor Yang Ye-su praised my answers. Something must be wrong!

What is all this noise?

He is causing a scene because he isn't on the list.

I was about to teach him a lesson.

Did you say your name was Yu Do-ji?

Yes, sir.

Why did I fail this exam?

You know I did well on the test. I must know why!

Come with me.

Where are we going, sir?

Shouldn't we go to the medical office to reexamine my answer sheet?

Just come along.

Bring us some food and wine.

Have a seat.

Drink.

Sir.

The same thing happened over ten years ago.

Your father Yu Eui-tae demanded to know why he failed the test.

But he never told me about taking the state medical exam.

He did take the exam. And his answer sheets were perfect.

Then why did he fail?

Rumors had it that Doctor Yang purposely failed your father

because he could become a rival in the field of acupuncture.

Is that true, sir?

Only Doctor Yang knows the truth.

Your father became furious and demanded an explanation...

...from Yang Ye-su.

Because of eczema, the Prince couldn't lie down or sit up.

No other doctor could have cured him like you did, sir.

When you had the scalpel in your hand, my heart almost dropped.

Anyone who can't cure a royalty after using a scalpel is executed.

Who would've dared to make such a bold move?

He is truly are the god of medicine.

Undoubtedly.

Since you saved the Prince, His Majesty will trust you more.

Let go of me! Let go!

Let go!

How dare you cause a scene! Leave!

I must see Sir Yang Ye-su. I have a question to ask him!

I must find out why I failed the exam.

Who is causing this unseemly disturbance?

Do you want to die? How dare you cause a scene here!

What are you waiting for? Have him arrested immediately!

I'm here to talk to Doctor Yang. I won't budge until I see him!

That crazy fool!

Bring him to me.

Sir, the man is a lunatic. Have him dragged away!

Have him come close.

I am Yang Ye-su. What is your name?

I am Yu Eui-tae.

And what is the nature of your complaint?

I have already stated it. I can't understand why I failed the exam.

I'd like to see my answer sheet compared with those who passed.

Then I will leave in peace.

Insolence! You are nothing but a country quack!

How dare you making such demand?

If the results were indeed fair, why not show me the answer sheets?

My answer sheets would prove to you how skilled I am.

Revealing answer sheets is against the national law.

There are plenty with your skills. How dare you behave this way!

If you use the law as your excuse, then I have no other choice.

Doctor Yang, you are the most prominent doctor in acupuncture.

I would like to challenge you to the Nine Needles Contest.

A wretch like you is acquainted with the Nine Needles Contest?

Sir, what is the Nine Needles Contest?

Nine needles contest?

Subtitles provided by MBC

It is a deadly serious contest where two doctors compete.

You insert 9 needles into a live chicken. The head of the needle must not be seen.

The chicken must not be in pain or die.

I will demand my prize if I win.

Kneel before my feet.

Shout out three times that Yu Eui-tae is the best doctor in the nation.

Also, I want you to treat me to food and wine.

Is there no way for me to pass as long as Doctor Yang is in charge?

There is no word from Do-ji.

He should be back by now. Did something happen?

Excuse me.

How far is Saneum from here?

You should've told me you were looking for someone.

We have a critical patient and the doctor isn't in.

What do you get out of it? Why are you taking his side?

Be nice.

He didn't come here?

Heo Jun already left several months ago.

- Where did he go? - No idea.

Will you live out your days in depression and anger?

Impudent--

The state exam isn't the only way to become a doctor.