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General Gang.

Take these men outside.

Yes, sir.

You bastards! How dare you?!

Episode 71

This is the future Emperor!

Prince! Prince! Prince!

General Gang, what is the meaning of this?

At the risk of being insolent,

I've come to discuss an important matter with you.

Please do not make me do anything more disrespectful.

[Prince Daeryang- Wang Sun]

I don't know what is this about,

but this exceeds being insolent.

If you have something to say, come back when you're ready to be proper.

[Gang Jo (Chief Commander of the Northwestern Armies)]

I am forced to do this

in order to reinstate the Regent.

Ministers of the court oppose this to protect their selfish interests.

I need you, the future Emperor, to set this right.

Accept the Empress Dowager as your regent.

And if I refuse, are you going to kill me with that spear?

Even if you're right, I do not yield to these kinds of threats.

State affairs are not decided by brute force.

General Gang! We have a problem, sir.

The soldiers of the Two Armies are marching to the palace!

What?

Who is leading them?

Generals Choi Sawui and Tak Sajeong, sir.

How dare they?!

Sir, what do we do now?

Call your men to the gate.

We must stop them from entering the palace.

[Yi Hyunoon]

But sir, we're far outnumbered.

Can't we just talk this out instead?

Yes, General.

If only Generals Yang Kyu and Kim Sukheung hadn't been sent away...

[Choi Ghi]

Perhaps we should seal the gates and take a defensive position.

It makes no difference!

I will wipe them all out with my spear.

Choi Sawui and Tak Sajeong are no match for me.

General Gang!

Stop this, General Gang.

[Dae Dosu (Minister of Punishment)]

We can't fight on our own.

I'm only trying to reinstate the Empress Dowager.

And I will destroy anyone who gets in the way.

But the Two Armies is the Empress Dowager's prized project.

If you fight them blood against blood,

it is the Empress Dowager's heart that will be broken!

Get out of my way if you won't help.

I'm doing this whether you like it or not.

[Guibup Temple]

I will be back to see you off.

Don't Minister Gang.

I'd like to leave quietly.

[Gang Gamchan (Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]

Then let me at least send military escorts for your journey.

[Empress Dowager Cheonchu]

No, Minister Gang.

I would rather you placed the

soldiers in service to the state.

Your Majesty! Empress Dowager!

It's trouble. General Gang Jo has taken up arms.

I beg your pardon?

[Choi Hang (Royal Undersecretary)]

He's forced the ministers to leave

the palace and taken over control.

[Emperor Mokjong (7th Ruler of Goryeo)]

Are you saying...

he is trying to take the throne?

No, I suspect it's an attempt to bring Empress Dowager back to the palace.

[Choi Sawui]

General Gang Jo, stop these treasonous actions at once

and lay down your arms!

Do not follow the steps of Kim Chi Yang!

Watch your tongue!

I am the one who suppressed Kim Chi Yang's rebellion!

I've taken up arms to bring the Empress Dowager back to her rightful place.

You have taken up arms and

[Tak Sajeong]

seized control of the palace.

This is clearly treason!

Ministers of this court act in their own interest, not in the interest of the state!

They must be driven out and the Regent must be reinstated if Goryeo is to survive!

So join me and follow the righteous cause!

You're only using the Empress Dowager to justify this treason!

The Empress Dowager never ordered you to capture the palace!

Soldiers of the Two Armies, do not pay heed to this man.

You are the Empress Dowager's army! Without her, you have no future!

So lay down your arms and join me!

Men, we are not here to fight the Empress Dowager.

We're here to suppress treason.

That's right!

Attack!

Very well. Take your best shot.

Stop them!

Attack!

Stop!

The Empress Dowager is here! Lay down your arms and step back!

Your Highness, you've returned at last!

General Gang, what is this unspeakable behavior?

This is tantamount to high treason!

Lay down your arms at once!

I can't do that, Your Highness.

Please do not disregard my loyalty to you and to this country.

General Gang, my days are over.

Please do not try to turn back the clock.

No!

As far as I am concerned your days will never be over.

You are the one who will bring Goryeo to the top!

General Gang, listen to the Empress Dowager.

I'm sorry, Minister.

Your Highness, I cannot give up on you like this, may the sky fall upon me.

If you insist, you will have to kill me first.

I will fight against you with the soldiers of the Two Armies.

Empress Dowager!

Lay down your weapons this instant! This is my final command, General Gang.

General Gang?

Lay down your weapons.

Your Highness, it is good to see you again. Have you fared well?

Yes. It's good to see you too, Prince.

I was planning a visit to Guibup Temple to see you.

I appreciate the thought.

I was not planning on coming back here again, but here I am.

I heard that you spoke to General Gang and stopped the conflict.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Prince Daeryang...

Yes, Your Highness.

General Gang has committed a treacherous offense.

It is indeed reprehensible, but I am the cause of his offense,

so please find it in your heart to forgive him.

Your Highness...

Your Highness, what are you doing?

Show him mercy and punish me for the crime.

Your Highness, please get up off the floor.

I cannot get up until General Gang is forgiven.

Your Highness...

Empress Dowager, I beg you to reconsider!

Your Highness needs to return in order for Goryeo to stand tall again!

Please do not forsake this country, Empress Dowager!

Please do not forsake Goryeo, Empress Dowager!

Your Highness, we will now take General Gang and his men to confinement.

No, charges will not be brought against General Gang, so you may leave.

But how could high treason be overlooked?

It is Prince Daeryangwon's order.

Withdraw your swords and move out.

Yes, sir!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, General Gang.

Your Highness, you can't give up like this.

Please think about it one last time.

How could I not know what General Gang is feeling on my behalf?

But you must let me go now.

Your Highness...

We built the Two Armies and

Six Guards to defend the country

against the Khitan, not to fight each other.

What about the vow you took

with me at the Yalu River?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for breaking the vow to reclaim Balhae together.

But you don't have to give up that dream.

You can realize that dream with the new Emperor, albeit without me.

Without you, those dreams are futile.

General Gang...

let me go.

It is for your own survival.

Your Highness...

Your Highness...

[Yunheung Hall]

That's absurd!

Forgive a man who took up arms

[Lady Yunheung]

and threatened the soon to be Emperor?

That's unheard of; he must be punished!

But it was Prince Daeryang's command. We had no choice but to follow.

Gang Jo cannot be left to roam free.

It's impossible to make my daughter the next Empress with him as powerful as he is.

That's right.

[Jo Sun]

We have to use this chance

to incapacitate Gang Gamchan, Dae Dosu,

Choi Hang and the others who were close to Dowager Cheonchu.

But Prince Daeryang will not allow that.

If the Prince won't be persuaded,

[Mun In Wui]

we will have to use force.

Force?

[Kim Shimon (Minister of Domestic Affairs)]

Are you talking about mobilizing the

troops to put pressure on the Prince?

Gang Jo has given us reason enough with his reckless actions.

And once Dowager Cheonchu leaves the city,

we won't have to worry about the influence she has over the military anymore.

Strike Gang Jo once Dowager Cheonchu is out of the picture?

Exactly, my Lady.

Put Gang Jo, Gang Gamchan, Dae Dosu and Choi Hang under arrest,

then acquire approval from the new Emperor.

But we could easily be incriminated for conspiracy to commit treason.

No, it's a risk worth taking.

We will hit them for contempt of the Emperor while their guard is down,

after the enthronement.

The eighth ruler of Goryeo, Hyeonjong, ascended to the throne in January of 1009.

Birth name Sun and courtesy name Anse, he was the son of posthumously

honored King Wang Ook and Queen Consort Hunjeong.

He is said to be have been intelligent, kind, well-read and talented in writing.

There is also a record that during his temporary stay at a temple,

a priest dreamt that a star fell in the temple yard and

that turned into a dragon, then into a man who was a king.

According to "Goryeosa", Mokjong personally attended to his mother's meals

and personally held the reins of her horse on the road to Choongju.

Love live the Emperor!

Love live the Emperor!

Love live the Emperor!

Love live the Emperor!

[Hyeonjong (8th Ruler of Goryeo)]

General Gang Jo, you are under arrest for high treason!

What is this? High treason?

What is the meaning of this? The Emperor has granted us absolution!

Withdraw your weapon!

Do not resist if you wish to live. Where is Gang Jo?

Who is looking for me?

Did the Emperor send you to arrest me?

That's right.

General, we will all die if we let them take us. We have to fight!

The Emperor will have his wish.

What are you waiting for? Tie my hands!

Wait, I'm innocent! I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen!

Wait!

Get out of here all of you!

His Majesty would never issue such orders. You are making a mistake!

That's right. We're the warriors of Ahnyoongjin!

This is unthinkable!

Resist and you will die.

Will you obey the Emperor's command or will you choose death?

All right, let's find out who dies. Make your move!

Stop.

General!

We cannot fight our own any more than we already have.

[Yu Bang]

Besides, he says it's the Emperor's order.

Put down your swords.

General!

Do it.

Arrest them.

Yes, sir!

Pardon? Gang Jo and the Imperial Guards have been arrested?

Your Majesty, they're criminals of high treason who threatened your life.

They must be punished according to the law.

This is an outrage!

His Majesty has already granted them absolution.

You have no authority to have them arrested!

His Majesty has displaced his benevolence, but high treason cannot go unpunished.

Apprehension of criminals is a matter for the Ministry of Punishment.

Who went over my head and authorized this?

That's not what's important.

Your Majesty, insurgence will

[Chae Choongsun (Minister of Investigation)]

continue if you overlook this.

The law of the land must not be ignored.

How can you flout the Emperor's command and talk about laws?

These actions of yours, what else can they be other than treason?

Watch your tongue! Insurgence?

Defying the Emperor's command is insurgence!

You're out of line.

We are only trying to preserve

[Hwangbo Yui (Vice Minister of Finance)]

the law and make certain this atrocity

is not repeated by setting an example.

How could this be insurgence?

Vice Minister Hwangbo is right.

[Choi Wonshin (Vice Minister of the Office of Ceremony)]

I know you're close to General Gang,

but this is an official matter.

You can't take sides.

Minister Gang is not taking anyone's side.

He is talking about defying the Emperor's command.

What's the difference? This is so frustrating!

Settle down!

I order you again. Release those men immediately.

This is the Emperor's command!

Your Majesty, but they are criminals of high treason. We beg you to reconsider.

We beg you to reconsider, Your Majesty!

I will not hear this!

Minister of Punishment, release the prisoners at once.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Arrest them!

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

How dare you?! What is the meaning of this?

These men are being arrested for their involvement in Gang Jo's treasonous plot.

That's absurd! Let go of them at once!

Forgive us, Your Majesty. Take them away.

Let go!

What is the meaning of this! How dare you?! This is the council hall!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Minister Gang, what are you doing here?

Let go!

They arrested us on the ridiculous charge of conspiring with you

to seize control of the palace. This is absolutely outrageous!

Ministry of Personnel Kim Shimon and the others are boldly disobeying the

Emperor's order bringing soldiers into the council hall and committing treachery!

How can that be?

How dare they?!

What worries me most is the Emperor.

They are blatantly ignoring him and stirring up a reactionary movement.

Take your hands off of me!

I will not say this again.

Release them immediately and undo what has been done!

This is in Your Majesty's best interest and in the best interest of the regime.

Please understand our loyalty.

Defying my order is in my best interest?!

Dispense with this absurdity and obey my command!

Your Majesty, you must trust us and consider the country's future.

You do not understand politics yet, but you will eventually see that we were right.

Dowager Cheonchu almost brought the country to ruin.

She has disgraced the empire by having an illicit affair with a traitor.

Like Qin Shi Huang's mother Zhao Ji, who had an affair with an eunuch,

she deserves to be executed.

That's right, Your Majesty.

And her closest aides like Gang Gamchan

and Gang Jo, who vowed loyalty to her and instigated an uprising must be eliminated.

This is the only way that the government will be rectified.

Is that right? Then kill me as well.

Call the guards back in and remove me from the throne!

Your Majesty, I beg you to calm down.

Minister Gang is like a father to me, and to whom I owe my life.

If you wish to destroy him, remove me from the palace first!

Emperor reacted that strongly?

He's tougher than we thought. I'm afraid this might backfire on us.

I think we might've overdone it. The tables could turn on us.

Perhaps we should pretend to relent and have them released.

No, we can't do that!

That would be admission of defeat.

Then what? I'm afraid we will fall out of favor with the Emperor.

Perhaps we can compromise.

Compromise?

Let them live, but ask the Emperor to reduce their rank.

If they can no longer have an influence on the Emperor's decisions,

wouldn't we have accomplished our goal?

If he continues to resist, insist that it's either execution or demotion

and make him settle for the second best option.

That's an excellent idea. I'm for it.

But Gang Jo cannot be left alive.

He must be eliminated or he will retaliate.

Killing him isn't the cure-all either.

Yang Kyu will not stand by idly if he is killed.

Then?

How about killing Dowager Cheonchu instead?

If we can keep Gang Jo locked up and Dowager Cheonchu is dead,

it will be clear sailing for us.

Not so.

If Dowager Cheonchu is killed, the Emperor and Yang Kyu won't sit idly by.

Perhaps Mokjong is the one to kill.

The former Emperor?

Think about it.

Dowager Cheonchu is already devastated by the loss of Prince Hwangju.

If she loses her other son as well, she'll never want to come near the court again.

We will suck the political ambitions out of her so she can never make a comeback.

Besides, she will have no basis to make a comeback if the former emperor is dead.

My Lady, I think it's worth a try.

No.

My Lady...

I raised the former emperor myself; I will not kill him.

My Lady, you must look at the big picture.

He is a reprobate who used drugs and committed sodomy.

No one will mourn his death.

But won't killing him create a stir as well?

I have an idea.

We can make it look like a suicide.

But if they find out that it isn't, we will put the rap on Gang Jo.

What do you think?

Your Highness, I will get off the horse now. Would you like to ride?

I told you I have strong legs.

Then Your Majesty?

Thank you, but I prefer to walk.

Your Majesty, I think we're coming to a village.

[Yu Chungjeong]

Your Highness, perhaps you'd like to

have dinner and rest here for the night.

Yes. I'm actually quite hungry.

Gatekeeper!

Is the master of the house in?

May I help you?

I am from the Imperial Palace.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor are traveling through the area

and I wonder if you could accommodate us for the night.

Wait here for a moment.

You must be hungry, Empress.

[Empress Sunjeong]

Yes, the truth is I'm starved.

This trip must be so hard for you.

Let us hang in there a while longer.

Yes.

Are these the guests?

Yes, my Lord.

Are you really Empress Dowager Cheonchu?

Yes. These are the former Emperor and Empress.

We are traveling to Choongju and I wonder if you could accommodate us for the night.

I see. You are indeed Empress Dowager Cheonchu!

Then of course we will accommodate you.

Thank you.

Men, seize their horse and their belongings!

Yes, sir!

How dare you?! What is the meaning of this?

These are the former Emperor and Empress Dowager! Stay back!

Silence!

This is the day I've been dreaming of.

You lowered the sharecropping rate and robbed us landowners

of the precious wealth that's been handed down to us from generation to generation!

Listen, my man, that's...

Shut your mouth!

And as if that wasn't enough,

you're a widow who has been working with bandits,

so what are you blabbering on about?

What are you all doing? That person is a wicked demon who hammered down our nation!

Give her a good beating and chase her off to some faraway place!

Yes, sir!

Stop!

I am the former Emperor of Goryeo! Do not lay a finger on my mother!

Don't just stand there; I don't care who he is.

Give them what they deserve! Alright?

Attendant Yang!

I think he's dead, my Lord.

Oh? That's good enough then.

Ah, I feel a little better now. Let's get back inside.

Attendant Yang!

Attendant Yang!

What have you done?

Why did you arrest the innocent ministers?

Release them at once!

You! Where is the Emperor?

Be quiet!

Take Yi Hyunoon and Ahn Pae out.

Yes, sir.

What do you want?

Why are you taking them? Answer the question!

It's none of your business, so shut your mouth.

Take them.

Help me! General Gang! General Gang!

Why do you think they're taking the two men?

It's obvious.

They are weak-willed men, so they're trying to extract a confession

of high treason out of them.

That wimp Yi Hyunoon will talk before they lay a finger on him.

This isn't good. He'll do anything to keep his neck intact.

What do we do, General?

[Ahn Pae] [Yi Hyunoon]

Why are you doing this?

This is a mistake.

I really haven't done anything!

Do you wish to live?

Please don't kill me. I was just following Gang Jo's orders.

The truth is, we don't really get along and I don't even like him.

In fact, I think he's a bloody thug. Please don't kill me.

Me too. I had no choice but to follow his orders.

Besides, Gang Gamchan is my arch enemy.

Please spare me my life, sir.

Then will you do as I say?

Yes, I'll do anything.

Me too.

Fine.

Do what you're told, and not only will you be spared but you'll be promoted as well.

Really? Just tell us what to do, sir. We'll do anything.

Mother, are you all right?

No, I'm not all right.

Are you in pain?

It's not my body. It's my heart.

My heart is torn into million pieces.

Mother...

Look what I've done to you.

I've made you a subject of public scorn.

You, the Emperor of Goryeo...

Mother, I'm all right.

My only concern is for you, Mother.

Empress Dowager, please recover from illness and lead the Great Liao Empire!

Please recover and lead the Great Liao Empire!

Merciful Buddha, watch over the Empress Dowager!

Watch over the Empress Dowager!

[Shengzhong of Liao (6th Ruler of Khitan)]

[Han Derang (Khitan Prime Minister)]

What? Prince Hwangju is alive?

Are you sure it was him?

Yes, General. That's what they confessed.

[Yang Kyu]

But how? I heard he had died with Sa Illa.

Apparently, the child that fell off the cliff with Sa Illa was Sa Gamun's son.

Sa Gamun's wife, Duyan, had taken the prince and fled.

Then where are they now?

[Ha Gongjin]

We found out she has taken the child to an Eastern Jurchen tribal leader named Mobula.

We considered going after them directly,

but Eastern Jurchen territory could be dangerous, so we've come to report to you first.

Take the troops and pursue them at once. Prince Hwangju must be brought back.

[Won Jongseok]

Wait. Shouldn't we report this to the Imperial Palace first?

[Duyan]

Who are you?

What are you doing in this area?

I'm Sa Illa from a Jurchen tribe near the Gu Ryong River.

[Gu Ryong River: The Chung Chun River's stream that flows in the region by the state of North Pyung Ahn.]

I've come looking for Chief Mobula.

You came looking for me?

Yes. Do you know a man named Kim Chi Yang?

Kim Chi Yang?

[Chief Mobula]

That's a name I haven't heard in years.

So what do you want with me?

I am his subordinate, Sa Illa. I've come to seek your help.

You are Sa Illa?

Yes.

Take this wench and cut off her head!

Why are you doing this? I've come seeking help!

You're a bad liar.

Sa Illa is my maternal granddaughter.

Who are you really and why are you impersonating Sa Illa?

I will speak the truth.

The truth is, I am Sa Illa's brother, Sa Gamun's wife Duyan.

What?

And this is... Sa Gamun's son, Ryang.

[Prince Hwangju- Kim Jin]

I have given you my order!

If you will not release Gang Gamchan and Gang Jo,

put me in confinement as well and depose me!

Your Majesty, I beg you to calm down and listen to what we have to say.

We understand how you feel, but a criminal of high treason can't be set free.

There must also be consequences for Gang Gamchan and Choi Hang

who acted in concert with Dowager Cheonchu.

But if you so resist, we will make a concession and compromise.

We ask that you keep Gang Jo in confinement to write a declaration of guilt and hold

the remaining officials accountable for mayhem by reducing their rank.

Your Majesty, we make this concession after much deliberation taking

Your Majesty's feelings into account, so please grant us consent.

Your Majesty, your refusal to approve this action would make us criminals of high treason.

And if so, we would choose to kill the prisoners in confinement and

take our own lives.

So please grant us consent.

Please grant us consent, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty if you truly wish to protect Gang Gamchan,

please listen to Vice Minister Hwangbo.

This is the only way we can all survive.

[Jeong (future Queen Wonjeong)]

Really, Mother?

Am I really going into the palace?

Yes, it's inevitable.

My good daughter, you've been through so much.

Things are finally looking up for us.

You mean His Majesty has approved?

Yes, he will approve soon.

Soon? You mean he hasn't approved yet?

One does not have to say everything with words.

[Court Lady Jo]

Didn't you see his face light up?

He was instantly attracted to you when you met the other day.

It's just a matter of time before you are by his side.

How could they do that to us land barons?

Let's go.

Are you sure Empress Dowager Cheonchu is in here?

Yes, I told you already.

Let's find out what the wench that bled us dry and almost ruined the

country looks like!

Wait. Are you sure we can do this? After all, she is an Empress Dowager.

She was kicked out of the palace for carrying on with a Jurchen and messing up the government.

What are you afraid of?

They would probably give us a medal for this.

Empress Dowager Cheonchu the whore, come on out!

We know you're in there. Get out here!

Stay here. I will go outside.

Come out now or we'll set the hut on fire. Come out here at once!

What do you want with us? Leave us!

Take a look, everyone.

The one over there is the one who planned the rebellion, the witch among witches, Empress Cheonchu.

She's a handsome woman! I can't believe she almost ruined the country!

Handsome? Are you kidding?

She's uglier than the old innkeeper!

Yes, she is!

How dare you?!

Watch your vulgar tongues! Have you no fear of the gods?

Oh, yes. The rumor has it you got dethroned for sleeping with a man.

You've got some nerve holding your head high.

Why don't you just drink plenty of this shit water?!

Take this!

Mother!

Stop!

Your Highness, are you all right?

What are you doing here?

Well, um...

General Gang Jo sent us.

General Gang Jo?

He was worried about your safety and even sent along a physician.

More importantly, what horrendous appearance you have! I'll arrest those bastards from before immediately!

Let them go.

This is my punishment. Who can I blame?

I need to wash up, so take care of the Emperor for me.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

I will have the soldiers escort you just in case.

Thank you.

I will be right back.

Be careful, Mother.

Your Highness...

Your Majesty, the last few days must have drained you of your strength.

Please take this invigorant to replenish your energy.

I'm all right; give it to my mother.

There is enough for both of you. Please drink, Your Majesty.

General Gang Jo had it made especially for you.

Drink.

General Gang Jo didn't send you, did he?

Yes, Your Majesty. What's wrong?

Answer the question? Who sent you?

Your Majesty! What's wrong, Your Majesty?

What is the meaning of this? Put that sword down at once!

Get out of here if you don't want to die!

Unsheathe your sword!

Yes, my sword...

Run, Your Majesty! Run!

Emperor is getting away! Go after him!

There he is! Get him!

Where are the guards?

Attendant Yu?

Your Highness, the Emperor is in danger!

Your Highness! Empress Dowager!

Where did he go?

Let's go.

There he is. Get him!

Yi Hyunoon, how could you do this to me? How could you?

We wouldn't have to do this if you had just drank the poison.

We're just trying to survive. So don't blame us when you go to the next world.

Stop! Step away from him!

It's the Empress Dowager! Let's get out of here!

Mother, don't come close! Stay back, Mother!

Stop! Stop at once!

Stop her! Stop her!

Mother! Take your hands off of her.

Emperor!

Mother...

Emperor!

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Transcriber: chuchaiz Timer: cookieremix

Editor/QC: melica Coordinators: mily2, ay_link

Special thanks to KaKaK

You! Why did you do this?

It's General Gang Jo's order.

I said strike!

What are you waiting for? Take them!

Your Majesty!

Princess Jeong is a descendant of a villainous retainer!

It's unthinkable, Your Majesty!

Prince Hwangju is alive?

He is Dowager Cheonchu's son. He must be eliminated.

Empress Dowager!

Mother!

Prepare the troops to march into Goryeo.

Khitan have invaded?

What? 400,000?

They're coming at last!