Original subtitles

-= 1604, Andong =-

As arrows rained down,

Lee Sun Sin threw himself into the midst of battle.

He was struck by a bullet.

It hit his chest and went out his back.

Many people gathered at his casket, the roads were jammed.

-= Jingbirok =- -= The Imjin War, a lesson written in blood =-

-= 1589, Hanyang =- -= (3 years before the Imjin War) =-

-= Episode 1 =-

-= Seonjo (14th king of Joseon) =-

Just by this book alone, all my cares have been dispelled.

Bring the complete series of the Daemyeonghoejeon here now.

Even, if I were to die immediately it would be without regrets.

Your Majesty's grace is boundless.

Daemyeonghoejeon. (Code of the Great Ming)

According to this legal code of the Ming,

King Taejo of Joseon, Lee Seong Gye was

Goryeo civilian official Lee In Im's son.

It was recorded that he became king after killing the Goryeo king.

For 200 years, the Joseon court

had sent many envoys to request a revision

but each time, it ended in failure.

Ultimately, that was achieved by

Joseon's first king to come from a collateral line, Seonjo.

This was called the 'Jonggye Byeonmu'. (clarification of a groundless fact on the family line)

It was a great diplomatic achievement

that reduced the pressure on Seonjo over his legitimacy.

It's all Your Majesty's great blessing.

That's right.

It has cleared up the false charge that this country's new dynasty was founded through regicide.

The exploit of correcting the Jonggye was not achieved by any of the previous kings.

How can the credit be mine alone?

The contribution of all the ministers was truly enormous.

The day Yun Geun Su, who has gone to Ming,

returns with the complete works of the Daemyeonghoejeon,

I will reward all of you greatly for your effort.

Your Majesty's grace is boundless.

Your Majesty, the Jonggye Byeonmu 200 years after our founding is a happy event.

We must not forget the kindness of China.

We have to be ever grateful for that in our hearts.

When the Daemyeonghoejeon arrives,

please send a thank-you envoy.

Minister of War, what do you think?

This Jonggye Byeonmu cannot be considered a kindness of China.

-= Yu Seong Ryong (Minister of War) =-

What outrageous words are those, Minister of War?

It can be considered 'danbonjing-won'.

-= Danbonjing-won: putting things right from the source, cleaning it up =-

-= Danbonjing-won: putting things right from the source, cleaning it up =- From the start, it was a mistake in Ming's records.

The erroneous family record started from chronicles of the late Goryeo period

that presented our King Taejo as such to the Ming emperor.

Since then, in spite of several requests to correct the Jonggye,

Ming paid us no heed.

In the 200 years since,

how great a pain did our royal family and court suffer?

And, only now have they corrected the false lie.

In the final analysis, the long overdue Jonggye Byeonmu

is something we should receive an apology from China for

and not call it a kindness.

If we treat this as kindness

it's akin to committing a heinous crime

in front of King Taejo's tablet.

Left State Councillor, what do you think?

Your vassal feels that the Minister of War made a valid point.

However, even if we can't treat it as kindness

-= Lee San Hae (Left State Councillor) =- However, even if we can't treat it as kindness

it's clear as day that, for the sake of correcting the predecessors' matter

the Ming court has made a great effort.

Even if it's a small expression of gratitude, it's also a form of etiquette.

I feel that the Left State Councillor is right. Do that accordingly.

Your Majesty's grace is boundless.

What's wrong? You feel that the order to prepare a thank-you envoy is inappropriate?

All the while, we've offered countless tributes to the Ming imperial family and court.

Other than the king's secret funds, it's caused our treasury to be close to drying up.

However, you still want to send a thank-you envoy?

I understand, I know. That's why we must at the very least express our sincerity.

No matter what, to us, they're a higher nation, a powerful country.

It's of no benefit to us for relations to sour.

The emperor is only focused on getting rich, the ministers are obsessed with bribes.

Ming is but a powerful country in name only.

It's no different from a ruined country in reality.

Minister of War! Do you think I'm also doing this because I'm grateful to Ming?

Observe the king's mood.

Even if there's something upsetting him, when he sees the Daemyeonghoejeon

he will smile unknowingly.

Our king who is from a collateral line

achieved a great thing that even the previous main line kings failed to do.

It's correct to call it 'danbonjing-won'

but just take it as if the thank-you envoy is to record our king's great achievement.

No matter what, our treasury will still be reduced.

You're really...

-= Busanpo =- (old name of Busan)

-= Lee Deok Hyeong (Ministry of Personnel) =-

-= Lee Deok Hyeong (Ministry of Personnel) =- It's been a long time. You came a long way, thank you.

-= Genso =- Thank you for receiving us, when you are busy.

-= So Yoshitoshi =- Although it's insignificant, we brought some gifts for the king.

The gift list.

I will forward it to the court.

And, this.

Items not on the gift list cannot be accepted.

Please take it back.

It's not a bribe. We brought it over with much difficulty.

Take a look at this. It's a matchlock gun.

In 1589

Lord of Tsushima, So Yoshitoshi and the monk, Genso

arrived in Joseon as envoys of Japan.

2 years earlier as well, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had sent envoys

to beg for establishment of diplomatic ties.

But the Joseon court considered Toyotomi Hideyoshi

to be an usurper and rejected his request.

So he sent envoys again.

The Lord of Tsushima, wanting to establish diplomatic ties between Joseon and Japan,

was highly motivated as an envoy.

This is because for a long time, they relied on trade with Joseon

to maintain their livelihoods. If war were to break out,

-= Joseon, Tsushima, Japan =- they would only become Japan's war base.

They could also no longer expect to have any trade with Joseon after that.

Sir.

Rascal!

Didn't I tell you not to gallop around in the capital?

I wanted to inform you of the news that the Wae envoys have arrived at Busanpo.

That's why I rushed here without stopping.

Wae envoys? (Wae - ancient name of Japan)

Yes. (Wae - ancient name of Japan)

The messenger?

He should be entering the city gate now.

Hasn't your servant always been pretty swift?

Let's go to the Border Defense Council.

Seriously, they're such tenacious fellows!

Well, it's already been over 150 years since we sent envoys to them to spread Chinese classics and etiquette.

If our culture had already been disseminated,

-= Jeong Eon Sin (Right State Councillor, Easterner) =- would someone like Toyotomi Hideyoshi .

-= Jeong Eon Sin (Right State Councillor, Easterner) =- would someone like Toyotomi Hideyoshi .

-= Jeong Eon Sin (Right State Councillor, Easterner) =- commit such an unpardonable atrocity as killing his own ruler?

-= Jeong Eon Sin (Right State Councillor, Easterner) =- .

-= Ryu Seong Ryong (Minister of War, Easterner) =- .

-= Ryu Seong Ryong (Minister of War, Easterner) =- 150 years... In other words, for such a long period of time

150 years... In other words, for such a long period of time

we had not bothered with them.

We should now get to know them.

-= Jeong Eon Ji (Vice Minster of Personnel, Easterner) =- You mean, re-establish diplomatic ties?

Whether or not we want to establish diplomatic ties,

what I meant was we need to grasp their situation.

-= Lee San Hae (Left State Councillor, Easterner) =- Does everyone still remember Shin Suk Ju?

He had gone to Wae on several diplomatic missions.

He gained an understanding of their situation.

Therefore, he taught them etiquette and Chinese classics.

He had them regard us as a higher nation.

He had truly set a good example of achieving it through diplomacy

and not through military force.

But, Toyotomi Hideyoshi is an extremely dangerous person.

We cannot establish diplomatic ties with that kind of person.

It's because he's a dangerous person that we need to examine him closely.

For that kind of investigation, even if we don't send an envoy

can't the Lord of Tsushima do it for us?

It's no longer the Tsushima of the past that fears us.

They now fear Toyotomi Hideyoshi more.

They see him as Yama (the King of Hell).

Under these circumstances, it's not possible to listen to him and grasp the situation accurately.

If that's the case, we have to send someone ourselves.

Will the king allow it?

I'm worried he will get angry.

We have to persuade him.

Then, let's not come forward together.

First, the Minister of War will find out what the king thinks.

After that, we will decide on what to do. How about it?

I think that's good. It's a good idea.

Through the arrival of Wae envoys 2 years ago

I had made myself clear.

I won't establish diplomatic ties.

I had gone along with you

and not stopped the envoys from coming again

but it had not crossed my mind to meet them.

Your Majesty, we're not establishing diplomatic ties.

Just as we had seen 2 years ago,

-= Kampaku: Regent of the Japanese emperor =- the Kampaku has unified the country through military force.

-= Kampaku: Regent of the Japanese emperor =- the Kampaku has unified the country through military force.

-= Kampaku: Regent of the Japanese emperor =- He calls himself an imperial prince. .

He calls himself an imperial prince.

He's surely a dangerous character, so there's a need to observe him.

Please meet the envoys.

You now want me

to meet the envoys of the person who became king via regicide

and discuss diplomacy with them?

Isn't a country that kills their king a country of beasts?

For the past 200 years

we suffered misunderstanding and pain from Ming.

We have now, after much difficulty, gained a firm footing as a country of etiquette.

If we discuss diplomacy with a country of beasts,

won't this country also become a country of beasts?

Your Majesty, please calm down.

Meeting the Wae envoys doesn't imply that we're establishing ties.

I won't stop you from meeting those envoys and watching Wae's activities.

However, they cannot enter the palace.

Don't mention the matter of sending envoys again.

Our long-cherished wish of 200 years has now been realized.

Don't let that come to nothing over establishing ties with Wae.

-= Royal Noble Consort Gim =- Your Majesty, there being no minister who fully understands your mind,

you're upset, aren't you?

I have you, Royal Noble Consort.

Recite for me those lines you recited last time.

A night of frost Hearing the cries of wild geese, I'm sleepless

Ascending the pavilion alone I draw up the crystal blind

-= 'Mindful of My Seemly Lord' by Jeong Cheol =- Ascending the pavilion alone I draw up the crystal blind

The moon rises from the eastern hill Do you see the stars in the northern sky?

Is it my lord? Am I delighted? Tears naturally fall.

Within Jeong Cheol's gasa (long vernacular verse)

this part is really superb. Isn't it?

Although his heart hurts from missing Your Majesty,

I feel he's too shameless.

You have to be on your guard.

It's honest, isn't it?

It's more comforting to me than wine.

Should I recite more?

That would be nice.

-= Jeong Cheol (Leader of the Western Faction) =- Hanging 90 000 li high up in the boundless sky

to shine on where my lord is.

I say, Gye Ham. (Jeong Cheol's courtesy name)

-= Seong Hon (Westerner) =- It's been 4 years since you came home.

How long are you going to hand the court over to those petty Easterners

and leisurely write gasa like now?

The king's heart has turned from me. What can I do?

You can't be like that, you have to come up with a plan.

You can't keep waiting for the king to change his mind.

At this rate, they'll be like withered crops.

The scholars who follow you and Yul Gok will disappear.

If that happens, can you guarantee this country

won't return to the time of Yeonsangun in the future?

If Yul Gok were still alive, it would not have become like this.

The heartless man... How could he go so soon?

Then those alive should complete the remaining task.

How long are you going to sigh over it?

-= Song Ik Pil (Westerner) =-

Un Jang! (courtesy name of Song Ik Pil)

You just came?

You!

You...

Because I didn't have news of you

I thought you evaded the slave catchers

and died.

Why would I be dead?

The petty Easterners are ruining the country.

How could I close my eyes?

Now is not the time to worry about the country!

You have to stay alive first.

The country has to live for us to live.

Bear with it, just wait a bit longer.

From now, we will soon drive the petty Easterners out of court.

The day will soon come to carry out our moralist politics.

What are you saying?

You. Come.

Song Ik Pil.

He was born the son of a dangsang-gwan. (official of the 3rd rank or higher)

With his outstanding writing and remarkable mind,

he became close friends with Lee I (Yul Gok), Jeong Cheol, and Seong Hon.

However, with the decline of his family

he was demoted to a slave and was chased by slave catchers.

In 1575, the factional strife that had started in the 8th year of Seonjo's reign

in the 15 years hence, the factions that had divided into Easterners and Westerners

engaged in a fierce power struggle.

At that time, the Eastern faction headed by Left State Councillor Lee San Hae

completely controlled the court. Under these circumstances

Song Ik Pil, as the tactician of the Westerners, actively tried to restore their political power

and engaged in battle with the Easterners.

Then, you mean we can't see His Majesty?

That's the current situation.

-= So Yoshitoshi (Lord of Tsushima); Genso =- This is a big issue.

-= So Yoshitoshi (Lord of Tsushima); Genso =- .

Sir, please help us.

If we return empty-handed again this time, never mind us,

the people of Tsushima will all be slaughtered.

What do you mean by that?

Last time, when Tachibana Yasuhiro returned empty-handed, he was cruelly killed.

Isn't Tachibana Yasuhiro the impudent envoy who came to our country 2 years ago?

-= Lee Deok Hyeong (Ministry of Personnel) =- Isn't Tachibana Yasuhiro the impudent envoy who came to our country 2 years ago?

Sir, His Highness the Kampaku is a scary person.

-= Kampaku: Regent of the Japanese emperor =- Sir, His Highness the Kampaku is a scary person.

-= Kampaku: Regent of the Japanese emperor =- If diplomatic ties are not established, he might start a war.

If diplomatic ties are not established, he might start a war.

War?

That's right.

The Kampaku that you know, what's he like as a person?

-= Kyoto, Japan =-

The seaway is choppy, people can't be sent over.

There's also no word of sending envoys.

-= Toyotomi Hideyoshi =- Just a horse was brought back as a reply.

-= Tachibana Yasuhiro =- Your Highness, this is because the weak Joseon

-= Tachibana Yasuhiro =- Your Highness, this is because the weak Joseon

is afraid of you, who unified the country. They don't even dare to send an envoy.

That's why they did that.

-= Kato Kiyomasa =- Joseon fears me so

but you don't seem to.

What do you mean?

If you really fear me, you would have gone all out

to bring back an official reply

or at least fabricated facts to cater to my feelings.

I reckon you just went there, threw your weight around in my name

and received their hospitality.

I swear! Nothing like that happened!

Is that so? Konishi.

-= Konishi Yukinaga =- Yes?

-= Konishi Yukinaga =- Come out.

He was part of the mission, and observed your every move.

Your servant watched this person in Joseon.

Your Highness' estimate is the truth.

You still won't admit to your crime?

Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness!

Flowers are better than people, do you know why?

Flowers, even when they wither... won't try to justify themselves.

Your Highness... ! Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness!

Seriously! That temper of yours.

Kato, you've dirtied my back garden, you know that?

The person who was beheaded was your subordinate?

Kato!

Yoshitoshi.

Yes? Yes, Your Highness?

Can you get Joseon to send an envoy, and bring me a reply?

I can do it. I'll put my life on the line to accomplish it.

Good. This isn't just your problem.

If you fail, it's not just your family,

all the people of Tsushima will be slaughtered by me!

Yes, Your Highness. I swear,

you will surely see the Joseon envoy and a reply.

To me... the taste of Tsushima people's blood is... so good.

His Highness the Kampaku, who unified the entire country, has hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

Furthermore, they have been trained through a long period of war.

More than that, the troops armed with matchlock guns are beyond imagination.

Sir, you mustn't think lightly of our Kampaku.

I understand.

After I discuss it with the ministers, I'll resubmit it.

Just wait.

Thank you. Thank you, Sir!

Please don't be too worried. Buddha will protect you.

Please don't utter such vague words. We must prevent war.

Please think about it. Our country was previously focused on civil war.

What did they do for our Tsushima?

For us, where even growing a bag of rice is hard,

we relied on trade with Joseon to survive.

If war breaks out, our Tsushima

will obviously become our country's base.

All able-bodied men will be conscripted.

Whatever little grain we have will be taken for military rations.

I know. If war breaks out, irrespective of the outcome,

Tsushima will become barren.

That's why Your Lordship presented a matchlock gun to them.

It's to arouse Joseon's attention.

But, I feel that Joseon is too indolent.

I'm really worried.

-= Coast, Jeolla-do =-

Kill all of them! (in Japanese)

You must escape. Escape from here.

-= Yun Du Su (Governor of Pyeongan-do, Westerner) =- Your vassal, Yun Du Su, greets Your Majesty.

Has Your Majesty been well?

Welcome.

All this time, you've suffered a lot in the outlying province.

How can it be suffering?

When I see the people devastated by smallpox,

your vassal who can eat perfectly

is but a sinner.

But thanks to your taking care of the people day and night,

hasn't the incidence of smallpox in Pyeongan-do been greatly reduced?

I've already seen the officials' hard work in the reports.

You've worked hard.

Your Majesty's grace is boundless.

It's now time for you to return to the court.

The smallpox

still has yet to be completely eradicated.

The city wall that has collapsed has still to be repaired.

Can't you hand these matters to others to do?

During this period of time,

I have been too lonely, that's why.

I ascended the throne at the ignorant age of 16.

The one who taught me from 1 to 10 at my side,

nagged me,

and spoke harshly to me, wasn't it you?

Just like back then, play the part of a mother-in-law by my side.

Mothers-in-law...

aren't there already many by your side?

A lot.

But I don't want that kind of unaffectionate mother-in-law.

Is something wrong?

I too, want to be an ordinary person at times

but what these mothers-in-law want is a wise ruler.

Your Majesty,

you've yet to study enough.

If the mothers-in-law hear that, you'll be beaten.

Is that so?

Then, should I bare my calves like I haven't done for so long?

Your Majesty,

your vassal still has work to do.

If you're too lonely, please call for Jeong Cheol.

In terms of loyalty to Your Majesty, can anyone be compared to Jeong Cheol?

Left State Councillor Lee San Hae is against that.

Then

it's also the same for your vassal who's in Jeong Cheol's faction.

That's right.

But

I can't even use anyone I want.

Can I really be called the king?

Your Majesty's grace is boundless.

Drink.

Your Majesty.

It's said the Border Defense Council ministers are having a discussion in order to collect views

in support of sending envoys to Wae.

I had said that this matter should not be discussed anymore.

They still want to turn this country into a country of beasts.

Governor Yun,

I'm this powerless.

Now then, we're all in agreement.

- Let's all go-- - You scoundrels!

Who is in this group of traitors?

I mean, Governor Yun, why are you back in the capital?

And what do you mean by "traitors"?

-=Jeong Eon Sin (Right State Councillor, East.)=- What you are saying is nothing but perilous talk!

I heard

you've reached agreement on sending envoys.

The matter of the Jonggye Byeonmu has just been settled with much difficulty.

The king is strongly against sending envoys.

What else is this but the discussion of traitors?

Please watch your words, Governor Yun.

The current discussion concerns the fate of the country and people.

-=Ryu Seong Ryong (Minister of War, Easterner)=- You can't just be concerned about justification!

Who said I just care about justification?

They're not trustworthy!

If we establish diplomatic ties with Wae,

what will Ming think of us?

Won't they think that we are no different from Wae and treat us like them?

If Ming severs ties with us,

can Wae take the place of Ming?

-= Lee San Hae (Left State Councillor, Easterner) =- I never said we will establish diplomatic ties with Wae.

Wae's Kampaku seems suspicious.

We're sending someone to investigate the situation because of that.

Whatever it is,

the moment we go through the formality and process of sending envoys

within the national boundaries of Joseon

will become a country of beasts!

We just can't get through to you...

This is precisely why we can't hand over matters of state to you.

Left State Councillor!

Foreign affairs

are not matters for the Governor of Pyeongan-do to meddle in.

Go back and manage the smallpox outbreak.

Let's all go see His Majesty.

Yes. Let's go.

Did I not tell all of you to leave?

It's better to leave now.

Your Majesty,

the blood of the people killed 2 years ago in the enemy's raid has yet to dry.

The Wae pirates have yet to stop.

Given the tragic reality of the people,

what greater justification could there be? Your Majesty, please consider it.

Please consider it.

And, as for the Wae pirates who continue to attack the three Southernmost provinces,

having Wae's Kampaku suppress them is currently the most rational method.

We request you to take pity on the people being tormented by them.

Please consider it, Your Majesty.

Please consider it.

We don't intend to have diplomatic relations.

We have to keep an eye on the Kampaku and make use of him.

Your Majesty.

Teachers, I beg you!

This disciple of yours...

Don't make me suffer anymore!

Teachers, did you not teach me that

the king is the father of the people?

But if I

become the king of a country of beasts

then what's the difference between the people and animals?

Isn't that more tragic?

Isn't it more tragic? Isn't that more tragic?

I am...

like this so as not to have the people become beasts.

So...

all of you leave!

The king's situation has become lonely.

Continue like this and those Easterners will become king.

The king is really unfortunate.

I just knew it.

You're really...

-= Jeong Cheol (Leader of the Westerners) =- You're really...

Stop mocking the king and come up with some plan.

Stop mocking the king and come up with some plan.

-= Song Ik Pil (Westerner) =- .

Let's...

slowly, for now,

try to remove the pus from the wound.

Pus?

What do we use to remove that?

A heated needle, of course.

-= Seong Hon (Westerner) =- .

-= Seong Hon (Westerner) =- Then...

Then...

where is that needle?

In Jinan in Jeolla-do.

He's called Jeong Yeo Rip.

Jeong Yeo Rip?

The former official of the Office of Special Advisors, Jeong Yeo Rip?

He should still have troops?

It's called the 'Daedonggye'. (Great Common Society)

Then...

he's plotting treason.

Before that

get the fearless Jo Heon

to submit a petition to the throne against sending envoys.

Have the Confucian scholars back him up.

To destroy the Eastern Faction's morale

we have to prepare in advance.

Your Majesty!

A wise ruler

should be able to differentiate between loyal and treacherous officials.

Lee San Hae and Ryu Seong Ryong

have no reason to

want to establish diplomatic ties with a country of beasts.

How can there be people more evil than them?

-= Jo Heon (Westerner) =- We cannot send envoys!

Please remove the evil men.

If Lee I, Jeong Cheol, Yun Du Su and other wise men are by your side

wouldn't the entire populace

feel so fortunate?

If you won't accept this,

please use this ax

to chop off my head!

Please chop off our heads!

Your Majesty!

We have to send envoys to observe Wae's movements in detail.

After that,

it still won't be too late to decide on diplomatic ties.

Please

consider it!

Please consider it.

Why should he allow it?

Establish friendly relations with those beasts?

Killing them is not even enough to vent our anger!

Aigoo. How annoying!

Of course he has to establish friendly relations and set their minds at ease!

If their relationship with us improves, won't their ruler

stop all the plundering?

Right? Right?

- Yes. - That's right.

Hey, wise guy!

Rather than trusting the Wae people, I would rather

trust your wife who ran off with another man!

What did you say? You bastard!

Why are you saying this here?

Hey, asshole.

Did I make it up, asshole?

What? Damn you.

Public opinion is severely divided.

The Westerners are behind Jo Heon and the Confucian scholars' petition.

Compared to that it's a bigger problem that the people are in division over it.

The country is in turmoil.

How about taking a step back on the matter of sending envoys?

If we back down this time, it will be hard to bring it up again.

We must not yield.

Minister of War.

Do you now mean to beat His Majesty?

You will be in danger.

I must resolve to do that.

The people are dying.

That much determination is required.

You seem like you're prepared to die.

There's no need for that.

Can't we establish a justification for the king

and also make a concrete case for us?

It is not to send envoys?

You say it's to bring the leader of the Wae pirates and the traitor... I'll think about it.

Yes.

We can see their intentions this way

and also resolve our people's resentment.

Isn't it killing two birds with one stone?

Minister of War, what do you think?

I think it's a good idea.

However, even if Wae goes along with it,

if I oppose it when the time comes,

do you mean you won't harp on it anymore?

Why won't you reply?

Yes.

We'll do that.

Understood. Go ahead then.

Why did you agree that easily?

What's the use of worrying in advance, over something that still hasn't happened?

What's imperative is resolving the impasse first.

Even if we clash with His Majesty again,

there's nothing to be gained from it. We'll think about that problem again when the time comes.

Left State Councillor.

Continue like this and you'll age.

You'll age.

Your Majesty.

Genso and So Yoshitoshi

greet Your Majesty.

You have come a long way, it's been very tough on you.

Well then,

are the people of Tsushima well?

Yes.

Thanks to Your Majesty's grace,

they are all fine.

I've heard of your request from the ministers.

Your Majesty,

for a long period of time we have received Joseon's kindness

and learned literature and etiquette.

We hope

Your Majesty's grace remains bountiful in future

for the two countries' relationship to become harmonious.

Please send envoys.

The people who hope for that

actually plundered our coast?

Your Majesty,

the pirates' pillaging has nothing to do with our country.

Our country has also, in order to fight the pirates--

There's no need to tell this sort of lie.

I will,

after confirming that you will serve us as a higher nation as in the past,

consider your request again.

In the pirate raid 2 years ago,

the Wae people involved in it

and the traitor who guided them, Sa Hwa Dong of Joseon, should all be brought to me!

Naturally,

all our people who were captured then have to be brought back safe and sound.

Are you able to fulfill these conditions?

Your Majesty,

since they're pirates

it's hard just to find them. It won't be easy.

No. We're able to do it.

That leader and the traitor Sa Hwa Dong

as well as the captured Joseon people,

we'll definitely bring all of them back.

-= Jukdo =- -= (Jinan, Jeollabuk-do) =- .

-= Jeong Yeo Rip (Leader of the Daedonggye) =- .

The number of his troops

is at least 500.

What Un Jang said is true.

Is Jeong Yeo Rip

a great opportunity that's been given to us?

When the written complaint on Jeong Yeo Rip reaches the capital,

strife will ensue.

Conspiracy...

Being the mother-in-law is not enough, now he wants to become the king?

Summon Jeong Yeo Rip.

Tell him I'll let him have the throne.

Your Majesty.

Bring him immediately!

Your Majesty.

This is all

because I am lacking in virtue.

Without the Wae pirates having plundered us,

when the time comes for harvest in late autumn, the people would have been singing songs of abundance.

How could anything like this happen?

The morality of a ruler...

This is all my fault for not being able to govern and manage well.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Please punish your vassals who are sinners.

We didn't find out that Jeong Yeo Rip is such a rebel early enough.

We even gave him an official's salary.

This has humiliated Your Majesty

and insulted the court.

Please

punish us!

Please punish us!

Why are all of you like this?

All of you, get up.

In the first place, I couldn't be sitting on this throne without you.

You put me on it.

You taught me ceaselessly so that I have been king till now, haven't you?

Your Majesty.

Please kill us!

Your Majesty, please kill us.

Please kill us.

Minister of War.

Yes, Your Majesty?

You paid that much attention to the borders.

Why couldn't you protect me who is close by?

You've let me suffer such humiliation, haven't you?

Your Majesty.

What is the job of the Minister of War?

It's to protect the country,

to protect the people,

and to protect the father of the people, me, isn't it?

Please kill me, Your Majesty!

You have all disappointed me. Really disappointed me.

For the past 22 years

I silently went along with your views.

You keep speaking of

"acting for the sake of the people"

and being a "virtuous ruler"

but is there even one person who truly wants to understand me?

And... the result of that

is this rebellion?

October, 1589.

Barely 20 days after the petition on Jeong Yeo Rip was submitted

he was found dead at Jukdo.

Just like this,

the case of Jeong Yeo Rip's rebellion seemed to have come to an end.

But the Confucian scholars instigated by Song Ik Pil and Jeong Cheol continued to submit petitions

and re-ignited the fire of high treason cases.

-= Jeong Eon Sin (Right State Councillor, Easterner) =- The person in charge of questioning, the traitorous minister Jeong Eon Sin

is a distant relative of Jeong Yeo Rip.

How can the truth ever come to light in the investigation into the rebellion?

Former official of the Ministry of War

Baek Yu Yang had pledged to die with Jeong Yeo Rip.

He had exchanged letters with him.

It was even written in them

to have Andong's Ryu Seong Ryong quickly return to court.

Gye Ham.

It's a rare opportunity.

We must annihilate the Easterners.

How far do we go?

If we want to completely root them out

eventually

we have to go as far as getting rid of Seo Ae. (Pen name of Ryu Seong Ryong).

Sir.

I mean, what on earth

happened?

His Majesty removed the Right State Councillor from office.

Removed?

He's a relative of the rebel, Jeong Yeo Rip.

Yang Cheon mentioned it in his petition and it became the reason.

And his position was given to Jeong Cheol.

He appointed him as a judge and had him re-investigate the incident.

Sir, you now

seem to have been implicated by the rebels.

It's really been a long time.

Have you been well?

Congratulations on being reinstated to the court.

I'm not sure,

but you don't seem to be happy about it.

So.

Are you going to see His Majesty now?

That's right.

Dear oh dear.

What are we to do about this?

Minister of War, you're also under investigation.

You can't see His Majesty.

Is it His Majesty's order?

Yes, it is.

Well then, I'll get going now.

Your Majesty.

Your vassal, Minister of War Yu Seong Ryong

has an urgent matter to report.

Please permit me to see you.

Your Majesty.

It's no use.

Please go back.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

-= A special daeha drama project on the =- -= 70th year of the restoration of independence =-- -= Jingbirok =-

Everything has already been handed over to me.

Only you and I are left now.

How will the king deal with us?

You should have other intentions in mind.

Send the pirates to Joseon.

I will chop off their tongues and dig out their eyes.

Hideyoshi! You bastard! Die!

Blood will start to flow again.

If we don't send envoys to Wae

it would be akin to abandoning the country.

Do you admit to conspiring with rebels?

Yes, Your Majesty.