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What's the meaning of this?

Leave at once!

Do what you will.

We're not leaving without a response from the king or queen.

Lady Sungdeok, don't speak ill of our loyalty!

Men, shout louder for the king to hear us!

An epileptic prince can't ascend to the throne!

We implore you to depose him, Your Highness!

We implore you to depose him, Your Highness!

I know him as well.

He was reduced in rank for his cowardly actions in Ahnyoongjin.

He obviously fabricated these lies to get back at Lady Sungdeok.

Seongjong (The 6th King of Goryeo)

Your Highness, no.

Queen Munwha

Lady Sungdeok is plotting an overthrow.

"Overthrow" was mentioned by her men who are the royal guards who protect you!

Please don't be ridiculous.

What reason could Lady Sungdeok possibly have to do this?

She doesn't have to do anything for her son to inherit the throne.

And an illicit affair with a Jurchen subordinate?

Isn't that a bit far fetched?

Your Highness, please look at this objectively.

She's the one behind these treacherous rumors as well.

Bring in Gang Jo for questioning, Your Highness.

That's enough! I won't hear this.

This isn't like you.

Why are you trying to vilify my sister?

Is this how you really are?

Your Highness...

Don't provoke me anymore.

I don't want to suffer another collapse because of you.

Song.

Mother, have you heard?

Prince Gaeryeong Wang Song (Future King Mokjong)

I've epilepsy.

No, Song.

Lady Sungdeok Hwangbo Su (future Empress Cheonchu)

The young students are reacting to false rumors.

You mustn't believe them.

No, Mother.

I've confirmed it with the royal physician.

Song...

I'm sorry, Mother.

I really wanted to fulfill your dreams.

But I don't think I can now.

I'm so sorry, Mother.

What do you mean by that?

How could I rise to the throne with this wretched malady?

No, Song.

You can and you will.

Mother...

You have me to help you.

You're the previous king's son and my hope.

So you must rise to the throne.

But I don't think I can.

What if I have a seizure in front of the court officials?

It doesn't matter.

If someone should be audacious enough to criticize, he will lose his head.

So don't get weak.

The moment you get weak, your enemy will come after you.

Do you understand?

Answer me. Do you understand?

Mother, I really don't know if I can do this.

Don't be foolish.

I'm here to guide you.

I'll protect you and your throne.

All you've to do is to trust me and follow.

Do you understand?

Yes...

Poor child...

Don't worry.

I'm here for you, so don't worry about a thing.

Everything will be fine.

Lady Sungdeok, you must have been so shocked and upset when you heard about Song having epilepsy.

I'm to blame. Would you forgive me?

That's alright.

The students were reacting to false rumors.

How could I blame you for that?

You told me very clearly that all Song had was the flu.

The common flu won't get in the way of him rising to the throne, will it?

Of course not, but...

I'm on my way to ask the king to stop this horrible rumor.

I'll make sure those who attempt to bring injury to the royal prince pay a price.

Then, I'll see you next time.

Su...

Brother, how could this happen?

I was torn to pieces when he was taken away from as an infant.

But I took comfort in that he would be raised healthy and well in the palace.

But epilepsy? How could this be?

I couldn't believe it either, Su.

I resent you.

Why did you take him away from me if this is the way it's going to be?

I wouldn't be so resentful if I had at least raised him myself.

What am I going to do with that poor child?

I'm sorry, Su.

I'm sorry...

It would break his deceased father's heart knowing this...

It's over for Song.

He could never rule the kingdom now.

No, you're wrong.

Song can still be my successor.

If it becomes too much for him, you can help him.

So don't be so upset.

Don't cry, Su.

It breaks my heart to see you cry.

But the rumor will spread like wildfire through those callous men out there.

What then?

Don't worry.

I'll send them away and make sure they don't talk.

Don't worry.

My lady, return safely.

Depose Prince Gaeryeong and bring a new heir forward, Your Highness!

Depose Prince Gaeryeong, Your Highness!

Pay attention!

This is the king's message.

The rumor about Prince Gaeryeong is false and unfounded.

You're thus ordered to stop the protest and return to the academy.

Dae Dosu

So disband immediately.

Gook Ja Gam: Goryeo Dynasty's top school teaching nation's affairs

We can't accept this as true.

The king may not have truthful information, so let us interview the royal physician!

Let us interview the royal physician!

This is the king's command!

Disband them!

- Disband them! - Yes, sir!

The queen is behind this.

Chancellor Choi couldn't have plotted this in his condition.

That woman, the queen, exposed Song's malady.

She did this to stop Song from rising to the throne.

Gang Jo

Drillmaster Gang, return to the palace now.

They might try to hurt Song when they find out that their plan didn't work.

You must go and protect my son.

Yes, my lady.

Did you want to say something?

May I ask you a question?

Sure.

What is it?

By any chance,

do you have feelings for Foreman Kim?

Where... is this coming from?

I'm asking you if you're in love with him.

Drillmaster Gang.

Please answer me, my lady.

You saw what happened today.

We can't discuss your question at a time like this.

This is more important to me.

I've been unable to do anything in the last few days because of this.

I know this is an important time.

But... I need to know the truth before I can go on.

Please tell me, my lady.

What is your relationship with Foreman Kim?

Grandfather.

Kim Chi Yang

You've been lying here as crown prince of a ruined nation for much too long.

But the time has finally come for me to rise.

I'll resurrect the great empire of Shilla once again and fulfill your dream.

Just as you had shed blood tears after they stole your kingdom,

I'll drive the Goryeoan royals out of the palace and make them hungry vagrants.

I'll carve out the hearts of the traitors and comfort the souls of the dead.

It won't be long, Grandfather. Please, until the end....

please watch over me.

The time has come.

Our bitter pain and prayers will give us the strength to bring down Goryeo,

and build the millennium kingdom of Shilla!

Prepare yourselves!

Do you want an honest answer?

Yes.

Then I'll tell you.

I do have feelings for Foreman Kim.

My lady...

He risked his life for me more than once when we were in Khitan.

I wouldn't be back here alive if it weren't for his sacrifices.

Without him, I would be dead.

That may be so, but he's not right for you.

I don't care about his status or where he comes from.

Love knows no boundaries.

It's not that, my lady.

He can't be trusted.

But I do trust him.

I've seen his heart.

What do you have against him, Drillmaster Gang?

For starters, his background is full of holes.

He has been hiding something from us since day one.

But we checked his background.

Drillmaster Gang, I love him.

Is that hard to accept?

I'm not saying that you have to live your whole life alone.

There are plenty of better men out there.

Why him?

Because there is no man better in my eyes right now.

But I know.

I've no plans to marry Foreman Kim.

I just want to cherish the feeling in my heart, that's all.

I've a lot to do right now, so I just want to cherish the love in my heart.

You understand, don't you?

No, I don't understand.

I can't.

Drillmaster Gang.

He's going to put you in danger.

My gut instinct tells me so.

He's not good for you!

Drillmaster Gang!

The troops will enter Gaegyeong a week from today, disguised as merchants.

You won't have any problem getting through Seogyeong,

with a merchant identity plague from Myeongbok Palace.

So... how many soldiers do you need?

The entire army is too large to gain access disguised as merchants.

I don't need all of them.

The main force must stay on reserve.

We'll ultimately have to drive Lady Sungdeok and her son out as well.

And that is when the main army will be called upon.

So I want you to keep the troops in tip top shape until then.

I understand, master.

I've informed the king about Lady Sungdeok's affair and her treasonous plot,

but he's refusing to believe me.

What's more, he has covered up Prince Gaeryeong's malady.

This is trouble, Your Grace.

Choi Seom (Minister of Punishment)

If we fail to turn His Highness around,

it's a matter of time before the country falls into Lady Sungdeok's hands.

What bothers me most is that Lady Sungdeok's henchmen are in command of palace security.

Kim Shimon (Minister of Punishment)

This is the first thing we must deal with.

I agree.

Please have the Ministry of Defense take necessary counter measures.

Yes, Your Grace.

I'll supplement the royal guards who are under our command.

And, shouldn't we increase surveillance on Lady Sungdeok as well?

Of course.

We must keep a close eye on Myeongbok Palace and the northern ministers as well.

General Dae Dosu is rather straight-laced and does things by-the-book.

And Yi Hyunoon can't be trusted yet,

Yu Bang

so we came without them.

Good.

Does this mean all of you are prepared to join the cause?

Yes, General. The merchants are right.

Kim Hoon

Lady Sungdeok should be leading this country.

I agree.

And General Dae will support us once Lady Sungdeok is in power.

Choi Ghi

Very well.

From this moment, we're brothers.

Let us trust and follow Lady Sungdeok like we did in Ahnyoongjin.

Yes, General.

But... when is the big day?

Six days from now...

at the royal ancestral shrine.

Sire.

Come in.

Did you wish to see me?

Yes.

I want to ask you something.

Sit down.

Yes.

Do you remember the visit by Lady Sungdeok's subordinate Gang Jo?

Yes, I recall he was enquiring about the death of the Balhaean.

Mun In Wui

He brought up my father and asked about the incident in Hangae Temple,

and mentioned the name of Kim Chi Yang.

Kim Chi Yang?

Yes.

I'm sure he was asking about a man named Kim Chi Yang.

Sire, but that matter has been resolved.

And their descendant Kim Hang was eliminated.

I know that.

But it turns out this Kim Chi Yang is the same man...

who was held hostage with Lady Sungdeok in Khitan.

And according to my most recent information,

Lady Sungdeok is having an illicit affair with this man.

Is that true?

Yes.

So I want you to find out everything you can about this man.

If this Kim Chi Yang is involved with Lady Sungdeok,

he can't be an ordinary man.

Yes, sire.

By the way, where did you get this information?

You don't need to know about that. You may leave now.

Yes, sire.

Secretary Gang!

What is it?

The garrison commander is secretly sending out the troops right now!

What?

It's the soldiers!

Kill them all!

Stop!

What is the meaning of this?

Stop!

Yang Kyu

There he is! Kill him!

Kill him!

What are you waiting for?

Get him! Attack all at once!

Yang Kyu, stop!

Everyone step away!

Put that spear down,

or all these people will die.

Ahn Pae (Jangheungjin commander)

Now!

Kill him!

Stop!

Commander Ahn... Stop, or I'll pump you full of holes.

Answer my question.

Why did you raid the mountain village in the dark of night and kill innocent civilians?

Gang Gamchan (Grand Secretary of the Supreme Council)

Secretary Gang, they aren't innocent civilians.

They are mountain bandits.

It was a sweep operation.

No, we're not bandits.

Look at them.

They're workers who escaped the foundry

because they can't endure the hunger and persecution anymore.

They escaped into the woods for survival!

You know that the workers can't leave the foundry without permission!

Not only did you incite and help them to escape, you repeatedly stole from the garrison

and you injured your fellow soldiers!

Am I to let these helpless children and elderly starve to death?

if you had show them some decency,

they would never have left their homes and come into these woods.

What? You bastard!

Minister Seo, you mustn't listen to him!

He not only deserted camp, he killed dozens of his fellow soldiers.

No, sire.

Lieutenant Yang can't be blamed for stealing and hurting the soldiers.

His only offense is treating us like humans when no one else would.

We're at fault for leaving the foundry camp,

so please don't punish the lieutenant.

Shut up, you lowly scamp!

Who gave you permission to speak?

Silence, Commander!

Men are men regardless of origin.

Seo Hui (Vice Minister of the Supreme Council)

Do nobles have two lives and peasants one?

Commander Ahn has slaughtered unarmed civilians

and Yang Kyu has injured his fellow soldiers, so put them both under arrest!

I'll investigate this thoroughly and make my decision.

Yang Kyu...

He's the fearsome hero of the second Goryeo-Khitan war 15 years later

when Khitan Sengzong personally led an army of 400,000 into Goryeo.

Yang Kyu is recognized for his remarkable feat in the biggest Goryeo-Khitan war,

but his origin and background is unknown.

All that is known is that he entered government service during Mokjong's reign,

so he's presumed to have been a low rank military officer at that time.

What?

Khitan Royal Palace

Suspicious activities at the Song Chinese borders?

Yes.

I just got a report from Southern Capital.

Han Derang (Khitan Commissioner of the Security Council)

The Song army has injected more troops south of the 16 prefectures of Yanyun.

They were quiet for a while and now...

Empress Dowager Xiao (Emperor Shengzhong's mother)

What kind of force are we dealing with?

I don't have the exact figure yet, but at least one hundred thousand.

That many?

Then who shall we send?

I think I should go myself.

- Prime Minister, you? - Yes.

Our relationship with Goryeo is not solid yet.

If we have a war now, the rear is insecure.

My presence will evoke confusion among the Song soldiers.

I'm the best man for the job if we want to suppress them without violence.

Then I shall go with you.

Empress, you?

Think of our age.

I'm over forty years old now and you're over fifty.

We're at that age when sudden illness and death isn't so rare.

How could I send you into the battlefield alone and sleep at night?

If one of us should die before the other, we should die in each others arms.

The ground is dry.

It hasn't rained in months...

It's not rain season.

In the past, we would've packed up our tents and followed the rain.

Emperor.

Yes, Mother.

I'm going to Southern Capital with the Prime Minister tomorrow.

Southern Capital?

The enemy's provoking us, so we have to suppress them.

But why would you go personally, when you could send your men?

Shengzhong (6th ruler of Khitan)

I'm trying to give you some breathing room.

I know you haven't been able to act on your wishes because of me.

No, that's not true.

What about the Lady Sungdeok?

You went behind me and told the Goryeoans about why I released her.

Mother, that's...

Never mind. I won't make an issue of it.

Think of it as a test and rule as you wish while I'm gone.

May I?

It's about time.

Emperor, do you know why I'm so determined to conquer Song?

To expand our land?

You're only half right.

We have to survive.

We can't remain a nomadic race.

Being itinerant hunters and gatherers who follow food and water

has clearly served us well in fighting wars.

But the nomads can never beat the settler in the long run.

Now we must learn to farm instead of riding horses

and learn to enjoy peace more than war.

That's the only way our children and their children will survive.

Do you understand?

Yes, Mother.

I won't forget that.

By the way, who do you think will end up owning Goryeo?

Sa Gamun, are you just getting back from Khitan?

Yes, have you seen Foreman Kim?

Sa Gamun

I heard he was back at Sungdeok Palace after a trip to the Jurchen tribe.

Yi Jujeong (Supervisor of Myeongbok Palace)

Then who is here now?

Just Sulwha, Hyang Bi and the family.

Who is this lady?

She's in charge of the Khitan merchant caravan.

Oh, Khitan!

I thought she looked Khitan.

The caravan will be here shortly. Would you attend to it?

I have an urgent matter to attend to.

Duyan

Is this true?

Cheon Hyang Bi

Kim Won Soong found out about the story behind Lady Sungdeok's release?

I'm afraid so.

The story? What story?

Yi Sulwha

Truth is, the Khitan Empress Dowager released Lady Sungdeok with a purpose.

A purpose to create disorder in the Goryeoan court,

exploiting the hostile relationship between the lady and king.

And now Kim Won Soong, who was in Khitan as diplomatic envoy, knows about it.

Then this is trouble!

How's the preparation coming along?

Both our troops and the Balheans are due to advance to Gaegyeong in five days.

Then I must alert the lady and Foreman Kim to this at once.

I'll go with you.

Go where? You just got back.

An urgent matter has come up in Gaegyeong.

Kim Hoon

Have a cup of tea at least before you get back on the road again.

We don't have the time.

Oh, what do you want us to do with the Khitan woman who came with you?

Khitan woman?

Wow, look at this beautiful fur! It's the finest quality I've ever seen!

But this silk is rather poor in quality compared to silk from Song China.

Oh, this is real ivory!

Let me look. Let me...

Oh... My goodness!

Yi Jujeong (Goryeo merchant)

Now here is a fine piece of merchandise!

How did a fair and fragile lady like you get into this rough merchant business?

Don't talk to me.

Huh?

You're not my type.

You're a scrawny old man who doesn't know anything about martial arts.

What?

I used to be able to take on ten men at a time in my prime.

Look at my arm. See?

Blood! I'm bleeding!

Crazy wench!

How dare you...

I hate weak men.

Sorry, Ma'am.

Choi Seom asked you to find out about me?

Yes, Master.

He said you were in an illicit affair with Lady Sungdeok.

Is that true?

Where did he say he got this information?

He didn't tell me.

But it's certain he's having Sungdeok Palace watched.

It could be a leak from the inside, so you have to be thoroughly prepared.

By the way, how did you handle the Prince Daeryeong problem?

Place the child in my care, Prince?

Yes.

You visit after all these years and you're asking me to take care of a child...

Whose child is he?

He has lost both of this parents.

Prince Gyeongjuwon Wang Ook

I'm not in the position to take care of him myself, so I brought him to you.

I'll do as you ask, of course,

but I don't know if living here would be good for him.

This is a lowly porcelain village.

A long life is all I want for him.

What's his name?

Name him for me.

You mean he doesn't even have a name?

No.

"Turtle" or "Tree",

give him a name that will give him a long life.

We better go.

Sa Illa

I must leave now.

Please take care of him.

I will, please don't worry.

Baby, I'm sorry.

I can't take care of you anymore, so I'm leaving you here.

Please live a good, long life.

Prince Daeryang Wang Sun

When I see your mother...

I'll tell her how... how sorry I am...

Who are you?

We're Minister of Revenue Kim Won Soong's men, coming back from Khitan.

We have an urgent message to deliver to the queen.

Is this true?

The Khitan Empress Dowager released Lady Sungdeok to create division in our court?

Yes.

She released the war prisoners and sent Lady Sungdeok as a heroine,

Jo Sun

to give Lady Sungdeok the power to go up against the king.

Is this an incontrovertible fact?

Yes. We heard it straight from one of the Khitan emperor's closest men.

Jo Du

My queen, you must tell the king at once and have Lady Sungdeok eliminated.

I can't.

His Highness will think I'm trying to entrap his sister.

But the country is being toyed with in the hands of the two women.

I need help.

I can't do this alone, but if he'll help me...

The Khitan emperor said all this to Kim Won Soong?

Yes, my lady.

He'll tell the king everything when he returns.

Yes.

Now that I think of it, that's why she let me go.

It wasn't just generosity.

That's not important right now, my lady.

You must flee before the envoy returns.

No.

If I run, they'll surely make a traitor out of me and say that I tried to sell out my country.

I can't let that happen.

But...

Don't worry.

The king trusts me now more than he ever has.

He won't hurt me based on their accusations alone.

What do you think about this, sir?

It's too late to turn back now.

We just have to put our faith in heaven and proceed as planned.

But if something else should go wrong...

Like what?

Never mind. It won't happen.

There's only a few more days left, so we'll proceed as planned.

Now you're bringing the Khitans into this?

Your Highness, you must believe me.

Lady Sungdeok is plotting an overthrow, with the Khitans behind her.

Please stop this, my queen.

Stop disappointing me.

Your Highness, this isn't to be dismissed.

Not you too, Master.

Your Highness,

you can see the connection.

Choi Ryang (Chief Advisor)

Lady Sungdeok who fought the Khitans to the end,

brought back the war prisoners and became a hero.

As a result, popular support is shifting away from you and towards Lady Sungdeok.

This isn't a coincidence.

Stop.

I trust Lady Sungdeok.

Don't try to vilify my poor sister anymore.

I won't tolerate it.

Your Highness, this is your old and ailing mentor's last wish.

Please have Lady Sungdeok and her men carefully watched.

The fate of the regime is at stake.

Your Highness,

I beg you to help me so that when I die, I may die in peace.

Your Highness...

The Khitan Prime Minister isn't giving us any room.

He won't make getting the throne easy for us.

Are you sure we should proceed?

Kim Won Soong is out for revenge.

And now that he's got this information...

I think we should change plans.

You're right. It's a dangerous situation.

Not only are they checking up on the lady, they're checking my background as well.

You, sir?

I want to change plans, but I don't know if he'll agree.

Who?

By the way, where is my sister?

I sent her away on an important mission.

Let's go. It's time.

May I leave a letter behind?

Don't try to pull any tricks.

I'm not trying to reveal my son's location.

In fact, I'm trying to leave word that I've lost my son and I'm taking my own life.

Then no one will suspect you, and this will be all over.

Why? Is there something wrong?

No, our child is kicking.

May I?

I ran away as far as I could, but the yoke of royalty is truly cruel.

I could not break from it, and now I'll join you.

I'm happy that we'll be together again,

but how will our son survive in this cruel world alone?

Please watch over him,

so he may live free like a bird unbound by the yoke of royalty.

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry...

Xiao Zanli

Where are we?

Yelu Dilie

Yes, General.

This is Suncheon Hall where foreign envoys stay when they visit.

Please go inside and rest for a while.

I'll inform the king that you're here.

Very well.

Princess, shall we enter?

Prince Song.

It's good to see you, Foreman Kim.

Have you fared well?

Yes, thanks to you.

What brings you here?

Mother asked me to come.

You're here.

Come on in.

Drillmaster Gang.

I would like to have a word with you.

I've nothing to talk about with you.

This is very important.

What's this out of the blue?

Assassinate the king?

There is a disturbing new development.

The Khitans have told Kim Won Soong about their motive for releasing the lady.

And Kim Won Soong has arrived from Khitan today.

So you want to change plans only three days before the big day?

I have a bad feeling.

We're skating on thin ice and three days is much too long.

So you want me to kill the king while you sit there with your arms crossed?

No, that's not how I meant it.

You're in the palace, so...

I just don't want the lady to get hurt.

Drillmaster Gang,

I really have a bad feeling about this.

The answer is no.

Drillmaster Gang.

What's dangerous for the lady is the fact that you're with her.

And even if you're right, I won't take orders from you.

We're proceeding as planned at the royal shrine three days from now.

A bad feeling?

Just say that you're scared and cop out.

Three days at the royal shrine...

Mother, what do you mean?

Depose the king?

Yes.

We're going to remove the king from power three days from today at the royal shrine...

and bring you to the throne.

You've to be at the shrine as well, and I didn't want you to be shocked.

That's why I'm telling you in advance, to be prepared.

Song, be strong.

The fate of Goryeo is riding on this.

No.

What?

Why do you want to do this?

I can't let you.

Song.

I can't go along with this.

I won't take the throne this way.

Don't be foolish.

The fate of Goryeo is at stake.

All you have to do is what I tell you.

The future of this kingdom and the lives of our people are at stake.

But the king is your brother.

How could you do this to him?

This is more important than sibling relationship.

I'll do anything for this country.

So just do as I say. You must.

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