Original subtitles

General Choe Chunmyong.

It's General Dae Jipsong.

For four days I've been telling you to surrender.

Today I have Lord Hoe Angong with me, sent by our Emperor.

Stop being so stubborn. Open the gates.

His Majesty's representative is here.

I know of no Hoe Angong!

Know him or not, he's a member of the royal house.

Choe Myongchun, it's Hoe Angong.

We know each other.

In Kaegyeong, perhaps, but not here.

Fair enough. I can see you are loyal to Koryo.

But refusing a royal edict is disloyal.

Not as disloyal as losing a fort entrusted to me.

Yes, General Choe, I understand. You're not wrong.

But, like you, I can't back down. I must deliver His Majesty's edict.

Will you allow me to come in alone?

Like you, I have my duty. Allow me to fulfill it.

Servants of the state cannot ignore a royal edict.

Allow me to deliver it, General Choe.

A royal edict...cannot be ignored.

All right. The rest of you step back.

Hoe Angong alone may enter.

You there! Step back!

Listen to you. Just keep it short.

Just you wait, I'll deal with you later.

Well? Step back!

If you please.

Fine, fine, we'll move, moving.

Stubborn. Obstinate.

To Choe Chunmyong, Commandant of Fort Jaju.

We are aware of your valor in defending your trust.

However, to save Koryo, we must retreat to the Mongols.

Upon receiving this, open your gates.

Ah, we do not write these words easily or with light heart.

Twice, thrice I have wept and keened over this edict.

Take it, Commandant Choe. Obey your king.

I won't have it.

It can't be. We can still fight.

Our numbers are few, but we can keep this fort.

I refuse to accept this.

General Choe.

I refuse. I won't accept it.

You must. You must accept it.

The capital is in greater danger than Fort Jaju.

Better dead than a Mongol dog.

If we surrender, Koryo will cease to be.

Tell them this. I'll accept this edict when I'm dead.

And not until then.

General Choe.

- Men! - Yes, sir.

We fight to the death. We will never surrender.

- Are you with me? - We're with you.

You see? They are prepared to die.

A clean death, a good death.

You have fulfilled your duty.

Now go.

Do you think I wanted to deliver this terrible edict?

All right. Have it your way.

Instead...

Send back my head. I cannot back down.

Can I claim to have done my duty if you receive the edict to no end?

Send them my head.

What are you doing?

Let go. Let me die, I can't go on living.

Not after Fort Kwiju.

I am a chancellor, a royal subject.

I can no longer bear the shame of this mission.

Hoe Angong.

General Choe...you must... you must stop.

Kaegyeong's fate rests in your hands, don't you see?

The price for your heroism...

is a capital in ashes.

Save your emperor.

Please...

I beg you.

Sire.

Sire!

Could you not command me to die?

Sire.

Sire!

Sire!

Sire...

Fort Jaju and Choe Chunmyong.

It stands with Fort Kwiju as an icon of heroism in the first Koryo-Mongol war.

He refused to surrender despite repeated entreaties from General Dae.

But faced with Hoe Angong's death, he had no choice but to open the gates.

It is said that Sartai's forces dared not enter Jaju till the day they left Koryo.

So, Choe Chunmyong.

You lost. Defeated. You dare walk out with your head held high?

Kneel.

Now. When I think of all you've cost me..!

Kneel.

Putau, you scum.

What?

What do you have to crow about?

Did you breach the fort?

I opened the gates.

On our emperor's orders.

What did you do? Mongol scum!

I could kill you now!

Will you stop?

Do the Mongol marshals have no shame?

"You lost?" Must you be so childish?

Who are you?

Marshal Putau, don't disgrace yourself by killing Choe Chunmyong.

Be a bigger man than that.

Bind him and take him into custody.

- Overlord. - Overlord.

Well done, all of you.

- Fort Kwiju Commandant Pak So. - Overlord.

- Kim Kyongson. - Overlord.

You fought bravely.

Someday your country will repay you.

Your pardon, sir, but we lost the fort.

I know. But you did all you could.

And that without support from the capital, without any reinforcements.

It's frustrating and shameful just thinking about it.

I hope you understand.

Any man who waits on reinforcements can't call himself a soldier.

We had our duty and our post to defend, that was sufficient.

Well said.

I will see that your efforts are rewarded.

I'm told the Mongols captured Choe Chunmyong and are bringing him here.

It's all my fault.

No, he was insubordinate.

Things had been decided, but he wouldn't let it go.

Carrying on, insulting the Mongols, and the he way he talked to me...

Dae Jipsong.

Overlord.

You dare say anything? You dare?

I didn't get to deploy my strategy, but perhaps I made some small mistakes.

Oh? What strategy is that? Losing most of your men?

And another thing.

By army regulations, your head should be on a pike outside the city.

Yi Jasong, Chae Songnyon, what were you two doing?

Letting your men run off like that?

Your pardon. Take this worthless old man's head.

Your pardon. Take my head.

That's all, until I've had a chance to review the reports.

But you can be sure you'll pay for what you've done. Understood?

For everything you've done. Understood?

Yes, Overlord.

I've missed you. Still in one piece, I see.

I've missed you too.

Song Kilyu tells me you distinguished yourself in battle.

Pssh, "Distinguished." We lost.

It's embarrassing.

Not so. You showed your true metal.

You saved General Dae Jipsong.

And put that Mongol scum in his place at Fort Jaju.

None of which was easy.

Is that so?

Yangbaek saved Choe Chungmyong's life.

Well done.

True. I understand you've been assigned to the Overlord?

Yes, sir.

See that you both serve him well.

Yes, sir.

It's a pleasure to be working with him again.

Gapi, Gupil, both of you did will at the front.

Not at all, sir.

As did Uga and Hoga.

You honor us, sir.

At least we saw battle. A rewarding experience.

That's what I like to hear.

Now, then, sir. It's been a long time between drinks.

Drinks are on you. Kim Jun and the men here could use it.

Yes, you've earned it. But be discreet.

Things are tense here right now.

We appreciate you making the long journey.

As we appreciate your efforts on our behalf.

Although...

in fairness, Koryo started this war.

By killing our envoy Jaguye.

And trying to kill the envoys sent to investigate his death.

Our own imperial messengers.

Even the mighty Jin Dynasty...

is on the verge of surrender.

And you dare to make us your enemy?

We never wanted that.

We were merely defending our borders from encroachment.

But now that peace is restored, perhaps a drink to let bygones be bygones.

You are aware of Marshal Sartai's terms?

Of course. The new tribute is being prepared even as we speak.

The Marshal kindly took pity on your backward nation.

See that the full terms are fulfilled.

I've heard about your so-called terms.

Not exactly the pity you described.

And your point?

Am I wrong?

These are our guests.

We should follow protocol.

Anyway, thank you for coming.

We've prepared a feast for you. Shall we?

Marshal, a drink, if you please.

No.

I'd rather drink with Kim Kyongson over there.

General Kim, a drink? Come pour me one.

General Kim.

Well? Have a drink with our guest.

He's still upset about opening Fort Kwiju's gates.

But we're all grown-ups here.

This is a feast. I would truly like a drink with you.

Go on.

Here, General Kim.

I'll say it again. Ten more like you...

and we Mongols would have had a hard time of it.

Here.

King Kojong.

Who is this Choe U I've heard so much about?

That would be me.

I understand you rule Koryo as well?

Can there be two suns in the same sky?

I merely serve His Majesty.

We understand you control all military matters.

Only in full compliance with His Majesty's wishes.

Well, someone has to act on behalf of the emperor, right?

But be warned.

If we march on Koryo again...

no place will be safe.

Understood? Then you should look after your king.

Now, now, now, we have a treaty.

Let's have some music to lighten the mood.

And another drink.

Before that, there's one thing left to do.

Bring him in.

Choe Chunmyong? Why?

A great leader, bound and trussed up.

As you all know, this is the commandant of Fort Jaju, Choe Chunmyong.

A real piece of work.

Jaju and Kwiju have been thorns in our side for years.

We were in peace talks, he was told to cease fire...

and still he attacked.

Causing us any number of casualties.

King Kojong...

Off with his head.

Then I'll have my drink.

Kill him.

Now look here, we're at peace.

- What's past... - It's painfully obvious.

He refused to obey your edict.

He deserves death.

Kill him.

What are you waiting for?

Give the order.

Let him off and I won't sit here a second longer.

What to do.. .? What should I do?

Actually, they're right.

Chain of command is life itself, and Choe Chunmyong ignored it.

Let the punishment fit the crime.

What can I say?

When you put it that way, I have no choice.

Execute him.

Wait.

To us he's an enemy worthy of death 10 times, 100 times.

But to Koryo, he's a brave soldier that held his position.

Putau.

Yes, sir.

Stand down.

King Kojong, Putau has been through a lot.

Your man has, too. Dae Jipsong, I mean.

Show some mercy.

Thank you. Thank you, Marshal.

Well? Release General Choe. Now.

General Choe Chunmyong.

Come here.

This is no battlefield.

And you have earned our highest respect.

Putau. We're all men here. Have a drink.

Over here.

Let the music begin.

All of you, enjoy.

The first Koryo-Mongol war, so history has named it.

The wars began in 1231, the 18th year of Kojong's reign,

lasting 30 years, until 1259.

Including the Three Elite Patrols internal struggles...

Koryo was beset with unrest for 40 years.

The first war's treaty was, in effect, a total surrender.

How bad are the tribute demands?

Exorbitant, to say the least. We have it in writing.

- Bring it here. - Sir.

- Kim Jun, read it. - Yes, Overlord.

There are four in total.

One: Gold, silver and 20,000 bolts of purple gauze.

Two: Clothing for 1,000,000 soldiers.

And?

Three: Large and small horses, 10,000 of each.

Four: Princes, princesses and children of provincial lords...

500 boys and 500 girls.

How many horses again? Children of the royal and noble houses?

They mean to break us? It's unbelievable.

Is it even possible?

It's just too much. We have to sue for better terms.

It's the Mongol resident commissioners. Milking us dry bit-by-bit.

Our hands are tied.

We should approach them in light of the circumstances.

But at least it's good the war is over.

Good?

What's good about it?

Well?

Look at their terms.

Ten thousand horses?

One thousand princes, princesses and noble children?

They're attacking us at the roots, watching our every move...

controlling us with one hand while they help themselves with the other.

You've got to wake up.

Avoiding war doesn't mean peace, it means this.

In the end they'll want the palace.

And our lives.

- Minister Pak. - Yes, sir.

Have Kim Jun's quarters been prepared as the Overlord ordered?

Yes, sir. We have just the place.

Then you can take him there.

- Kim Jun. - Yes, sir.

The Overlord ordered quarters be prepared for you.

My man here will show you.

Truly, sir? I wouldn't presume.

That's excellent.

Field Marshal, I'll show you the way, if you please.

Yes, of course.

Oh.

That reminds me. We never did get a chance to have that drink.

Did we, General Pak?

You still remember, sir?

We'll find the time. Dismissed.

Yes, sir.

The Overlord seems tense.

He would be. It's been a trying day.

You know this, of course, but allow me to advise...

Use care when talking about the Mongols.

I know.

He isn't listening right now anyway.

Let's go. The Overlord will be talking with his chancellors.

We have time for a drink.

This is it.

It's not big, but it will do.

Come in.

It used to belong to a courtier.

He's been posted in the provinces.

Here it is.

Whew...oops!

Kannan?

If it isn't the Field Marshal? It's like it was yesterday.

Is this your house now?

Yes, it is.

I see. If things had been different with Wola,

you two would have had a place like this.

Such a pity.

Anyway, good for you. I'll be going.

All right.

Field Marshal.

I shouldn't say anything.

But this house, Her Grace has paid it special attention.

From the bedding to housekeeping, she's had a hand in everything.

I'm the only one that knows.

I'll be going. Get some rest.

Thank you.

Kim Jun's house is ready?

Need you ask? The Field Marshal was pleased at how nice everything looked.

Kannan finished what she was doing?

Yes, Your Grace. She saw to every little thing.

Something's off, the more I think on it.

Making Kim Jun his retainer. Giving him a house.

Isn't that a sign of the Overlord's trust?

About time.

Where is my husband?

Your Grace, he's having a drink with Pak Songbi.

For your trouble.

But, Your Grace, it is my honor to serve you.

I couldn't.

Just keep me informed. Please.

You needn't ask. Of course, of course, Your Grace.

Here. A drink.

This has been hard on all the chancellors, I know.

But especially on you.

Not at all, sir.

Your entreaty for peace the Mongol emperor was very well phrased.

Surely it was instrumental in their meeting our terms.

You honor me. I was so distraught writing it, there are no words.

How could there be?

Come, time we old men had a drink.

But where is Dae Jipsong?

Why would I invite that blowhard?

He'll get his. One loss after another,

trying sentence Choe Chunmyong to death...!

But, Overlord, he tried his best, it just didn't work out.

Be generous.

Yes, Overlord, he has served you well for many years.

That's may be, but he'll still get his.

And those two, those traitors, what about them?

Hong Bokwon and Jo Sukchang.

The Mongols have ordered Hong be given a position in the Western Capital.

And that Jo Sukchang be promoted, as well.

Rotten world.

Soon they'll be ordering the court, do this, do that.

Things will get worse, and I can't see a way out of it.

I want to act but I can't do anything.

I'm old, too, too old.

Overlord, you're over sixty.

Your wife has been gone some time now.

You need someone to care for you in your golden years.

Are you suggesting I remarry?

Why not? It's only natural.

You lead the capital and the people.

It's not right that you don't have a lady in your home.

Yes, I agree, sir.

At least consider it.

You, too? I swear.

I understand Dae Jipsong's girl is quite a beauty.

Who?

Dae Jipsong's daughter.

She lost her husband in the battle of Tongson.

Enough foolishness .

Drink, all of you. You, too, Lord Yi.

- To the day and to us. - Overlord.

General Pak.

Yes, sir.

I've made things hard on you.

How do you mean?

You think I take too many risks. With the Overlord, I mean.

I worry that you and he don't agree.

But he's not one to change his mind.

You have to follow him.

That's my point.

I can't do it.

You run the capital and you're the Overlord's heir.

You must.

The people are pitiful and the King is pathetic.

Sir.

This was a mistake. I can't fill the Overlord's shoes.

Sir. Don't talk that way.

Suppose the Overlord heard you?

True power and position...

only exists to serve the people.

What good is power for its own sake?

I never wanted it.

Much less...

Much, much less...my wife.

Sir.

You said it yourself.

This marriage was a bad idea.

I'm not hearing this, sir.

You've had too much to drink.

This isn't drunk talk.

She never loved me, not from the start.

It's someone else.

I'm not hearing this. Stop, please.

I'm sure you've heard that we're far estranged.

And the rumor, about her two precious Bodhisattvas.

But have you heard the rest?

Such a lovely little legend. Queen Jinsong carved one...

for her lover and one for herself.

Who is my wife's lover, I wonder?

It's just talk.

You know better than anyone who the other Bodhisattva is.

Don't you?

I do not.

I do not know and have not heard.

Take my advice. Forget it.

Forget all the talk. Get on with your future.

Will you do that?

Ah, I see. Thanks for the advice.

Yes, you're right.

At times like this, best to hear no evil, see no evil, know no evil.

Quite right.

- Venerable. - Yes?

You planned to visit Kim Yakson's home tomorrow.

Oh, right. To dedicate the shrine for the Bodhisattvas.

Yes, sir.

Two Bodhisattvas.

But, sir, I've heard some rather disturbing talk.

What talk?

Aren't there two similar Bodhisattvas at Haein Temple?

I've heard their story.

Yes, Silla's Queen Jinsong made them for herself and her true love.

For blessings in the next life.

But there's a lot of talk in town.

Hush, you. Don't listen to loose talk.

I've heard it too. It's just people who like hearing themselves talk.

Yes, sir. I thought you didn't know.

The war is over and the country is filled with mourning.

It's the people who really suffer.

Where is Subop now, I wonder?

It's been over 10 years since he left Kaegyeong.

Never mind the small stuff.

Take anything of value and destroy the rest.

This is what you get for not paying Buddha what you owe.

Look here, what's all this about?

They look to be monks. How could they be so wicked?

Monks? What monks? Shaved heads, maybe, but scum all the same.

These guys, they charge usurious interest...

and if you don't pay, this is what you get.

Wait, the monks are loan sharks?

They're not monks.

They loan out rice and come fall, if you're even one grain short,

they take everything.

Slime, that's what they are.

What about the magistrate? What is he doing?

You're not from around here.

They've got more than a few magistrates in their pockets, too.

What kind of monks can stymy a magistrate?

The bastard sons of the Overlord, that's who.

Manjon or some such.

Here comes the other one.

Spare us, please, master...

What's the idea?

You want Buddha to eat dirt, is that it?

You borrow, you got to pay on time, get me?

Master, master, master, I'll pay you next month, I swear I will.

Spare my daughter, at least do that.

You want your girl, bring the interest to the temple by today.

If not, you'll have a monk for an in-law, huh, get it?

Daddy, Daddy...

C'mon, let's go.

Daddy! Master, please!

Sweetie! Sweetie! No, no!

The times we live in.

Banished from the capital to take vows, and look at them, petty thieves.

Tsk-tsk-tsk.

The country at war, the capital in ashes, and Choe U's boys doing this.

The times we live in.

We have been through a great trial.

We thank you all.

Thank you, Sire.

We have the Council's decisions.

Those who assisted in the war will be promoted.

Those who hindered the war effort will be held accountable.

Those who did not betray their country shall not be held liable.

So we request a favor, Overlord.

Be lenient to your generals in defeat.

Yes, Sire. As you command.

Thank you.

Read out our decree.

Yes, Sire.

By order of His Majesty...

First, the court will memorialize all the men...

who lost their lives fighting the Mongols.

Further, those who distinguished themselves...

shall be given rank and lands.

A memorial shall be raised to the fallen of Hamjin.

And a shrine to General Yi Wonjong and Yi Huijok of Fort Cholju.

From Fort Kwiju, Pak So will be given rank...

and honorable retirement in his hometown.

Kim Kyongson is promoted to Lieutenant-General.

At His Majesty's service.

Choe Chunmyong is also promoted to Lieutenant-General.

At His Majesty's service.

If you want linen silk you should pay fair market value.

This is robbery. How can we make a living?

Your country needs it. Stop whining and do your part.

- Well? Take it away. - Sir.

Thieves. You can't! Pay up or no go, forget it.

Stand aside. Take it away.

- No! - Stand aside.

- Move out. - Sir.

- Thieves! My money, mine, mine...! - Stand aside.

- My money... - No, absolutely not.

Thirty years in horse flesh, this isn't a deal, it's robbery.

Is Koryo a thief now?

You think we like it?

The Mongols demand horses and Koryo is broke.

Stop whining. Take half the value.

No, I can't, I won't!

Last time it was food for the army. Now it's my horses?

No, they're mine, no!

No. They're mine, hands off.

Hands off my horses. Or just kill me!

Kim Jun.

Overlord.

A sad day for all of us.

We're draining our people dry.

Even the droughts and floods before the war weren't this bad.

But there's nothing we can do.

You know as well as I, we have no choice but to serve those desert wolves.

It's all so frustrating.

They trusted in us and we let them down.

How do you assess the situation?

You may speak frankly.

Me, Overlord?

What can someone like me know about national affairs?

I beg your pardon.

You recall how you have helped the Guard Corps in the past.

As do I.

It's all right, we're alone here. Speak candidly.

Speak. It's all right.

If you insist, sir...

I do.

From my limited perspective...

Koryo has only two paths open to it.

Give up without a fight to survive.

Or keep Koryo alive at the cost of more pain and heartbreak.

All right, of those two...

which do you choose?

Can a man exist without knowing himself?

Can a Kim be a Pak or a Yi? Can Koryo be Mongol?

Continue.

But to keep the roots of Koryo alive...

you must endure the censure of future generations.

Paying tribute to keep Koryo alive, ignoring the cries and pain...

of its people... persecuting the Emperor, continuing this war...

all will be blamed on your military dictatorship.

Military dictatorship?

Kim Jun.

Yes, Overlord.

What was that?

What did you say?

As you ordered, I spoke candidly, at the risk of my own life.

Blamed on the Choe clan?

Kim Jun!