Original subtitles

I was wrong.

We're soldiers.

My orders came from the Overlord.

Did you hate that so much, Yangbaek?

- Kill me. - Yangbaek.

Sir!

Yangbaek!

Why didn't you take my head?

Strike again.

Taking your head isn't important.

Why you did what you did is.

It breaks my heart that you didn't trust me.

A command from the Overlord is an order.

But you only had my word for it.

You broke my heart, Yangbaek.

We're warriors.

Soldiers!

I took your hair as payment for what you did.

Never again. From now on, you follow my orders to the death.

Yangbaek, we made a pledge at Kanghwa.

We'll write our own histories.

Not as slaves, not as animals, but as men.

We can do it.

You are my only comrade.

We live and die together.

I'm sorry. I wanted to help you.

But I ended up ruining everything.

Hong Bokwon got away? The traitor?

Your pardon, sir. I submit to your just punishment.

The Mongol commissioners?

All dead, as you ordered.

I trusted you and this is the report you bring me?

Your pardon.

Ruined. Everything is ruined.

Better never to have started than this.

This is what I get for believing in you. Failure, tremendous failure.

With Hong crossing the border, we have to move the capital faster.

You know what's involved? Moving the entire palace.

Yes, Overlord.

Worthless...

This changes the schedule, everything.

What a fiasco.

You're dismissed. Go.

Yes, Overlord.

You're back from the Western Capital?

Yes, sir.

You did your best.

On your way.

Yes, sir.

Field Marshal.

Sir.

There is a lot of talk in the Guard Corps about going to Kanghwa.

There would be.

Most of the court has already made arrangements for quarters.

Yours have been taken care of.

Sir?

That's all I have to say.

The Directorate General?

I said what I have to say. You'll see for yourself soon enough.

[The 5 wards of the capital will move to Kanghwa or be subject to military law]

Kaegyeong will be empty by the end of the month.

Just soldiers left.

Where are they going?

To Kanghwa.

Those who can follow, follow. The rest go to islands or mountain fortresses.

Give up our homes and go where exactly?

I swear.

Make way.

Who's that?

Dae Jipsong's daughter, headed to the Guard Corps.

She's remarrying.

With all that's going on? Who's the groom?

No idea.

Make way!

The new Lady is coming.

There's no feast, but plenty of guests all the same.

- Careful with the settings. - Yes Mam.

One piggy coming up!

Any idea who the new head lady will be?

I'm wondering myself. The position has been open for a while now.

Just so long as she's not mean.

Fussing at us, nag-nag-nag, all the time.

Well...

But isn't this odd, a new Lady and no wedding ceremony?

The Overlord is over sixty, a feast wouldn't be proper.

And his bride is a young widow, half his age if she's a day.

What?

Well, the rich and powerful like them young and pretty, am I wrong?

While you and I go gray. Some life, huh?

Kannan.

It's me.

Yunsim, what do you want?

Her Grace sent me. Come with me.

What do you need Kannan for?

Something good, she said.

Good? Good how?

She'll see. Come on, come on...

What's the rush, huh?

I'll go see, ugh.

Let's go.

Yunsim, give what we prepared to the Head Lady.

Your Grace.

Huh? Head Lady?

My stepmother is on her way and the Head Lady position has been vacant.

Now you will serve in that capacity.

These robes are my gift to you.

Oh, dear, oh my, do you mean...?

You have a pleasant disposition and you're observant.

And you can keep a secret, like you did in preparing Kim Jun's quarters.

Yes, Your Grace.

After my stepmother arrives, the head lady runs all the servants of the Guard Corps.

You must be observant.

And report anything you see directly to me.

The slightest crease in my father's pillow.

Understood?

Yes, Your Grace, need you ask?

After all you've done for me.

You must take charge. Crack down on the servants.

Never forget your many duties.

Your Grace.

Off you go. You'll have to greet my stepmother.

Yes. Yes, Your Grace. Oh, dear...

Her Grace has appointed me Head Lady.

See that you all serve the Overlord's new lady well.

Hold up, Kannan, what's this all about?

You're Head Lady? What about me?

Nanjang, the new Lady is coming.

Enough chatter. Get the tables ready.

But...Kannan? Kannan?

Not "Kanan," not anymore.

"Head Lady."

Ah, right, right, but listen... H-head Lady...

She didn't mention me at all?

I've been over the kitchen forever and she makes you head lady?

Just my luck.

Why me? Why?

With the move, all the people are far too worked up.

So we've foregone the usual wedding ceremony in favor a small feast.

As of today she is your stepmother.

Yes, Father.

She is also head of the Guard Corps staff. Treat her accordingly.

I'm so pleased to meet you.

Yes, Mother.

And you.

Yes, Mother.

I'm still young and inexperienced.

I hope I can count on your help.

Need you ask?

Anything at all, please don't hesitate.

We're in a state of emergency.

We won't survive if we don't stick together.

All the more so within the Guard Corps.

She may be young, but we must give the new Lady her due.

Is that clear?

Yes, Father.

Anyway, it's a great comfort to me to have a lady in the house again.

For you, too, I trust.

Of course.

I was delighted to hear you were taking a wife.

Congratulations, Father.

I'm worried about the logistics.

The monsoon season is starting soon.

I expect the Directorate General to stay on top of it.

Yes, Father.

Well, congratulations on the Overlord's new bride.

Well said. It's a fine day for the Guard Corps.

And now you're the Overlord's father-in-law.

All thanks to you.

How else could my daughter be there now?

You are fortunate, indeed.

True, true. He can't turn on you now, can he?

You're his father-in-law after all.

More to the point, he can't afford to look bad in front of others.

Quite so. You'll get a cushy post now.

All the nobles will be bowing before you.

Oh yes, oh yes.

I know things are strained right now, but I regret not having a big wedding.

Eh, I suppose.

The people are already evacuating. The roads are full of refugees.

Hardly the time for a big wedding.

The people are suffering.

True, on the way here, I heard the Minister of Defense...

What?

Killed himself.

What? Suicide?

Yes. To protest moving the capital.

I never...

He left a suicide note.

Stubborn old coot always was a trouble-maker.

Like that will make any difference?

Old coot.

Still, a lot of people are upset.

Who cares about the suicide? the troops are on the march.

Good riddance, I say. What's one old fool more or less?

Be that as it may, to take his own life?

He truly was stubborn.

Ugh.

Yu Seungdan killed himself?

Yes, Sire.

How deeply he felt, how strong his belief, to testify with his death.

Everything is madness and confusion with no room for discussion.

Send our royal condolences.

Yes, Sire.

There is an urgent request from the Guard Corps.

To vacate the palace?

Yes, Sire.

Sire, you must leave soon. The monsoons are coming.

There's no more time to wait.

He's right, everything is prepared. Please, Sire.

Now look here.

Urgent or not, proprieties must be observed.

We must have a place for our ancestral shrines.

There's no time, Sire.

If the Mongols march, all this will be for nothing.

It's not just the palace. Nothing is ready.

When we get to Kanghwa there's no palace, no place for my retinue.

You are our emperor. Would we leave you homeless?

But now we have to go. Prepare yourself.

Please, sire.

How can I?

To abandon the home of my ancestors...

How? How can I?

[The Road to Kanghwa]

Make way!

Make way for the Emperor, make way!

Make way!

Make way for the Emperor, make way!

July 6, 1232, the 19th year of Kojong's reign.

After 300 years, the Imperial House left Kaegyeong.

Accomplished with speed and precision under Choe U's forceful hand.

It was the monsoon season and only a month earlier,

Kojong's queen had passed.

Some 300,000 people traveled fifty miles on the road to Kanghwa.

The island couldn't possibly support so large a number.

Neither food nor accommodations were adequately prepared.

We can imagine how Choe U felt, pressed to move the capital.

Overlord, the water is rising.

Please ride.

No. Everyone is on foot. I won't be the only one riding. Move out.

Overlord.

Move out.

Well? Assist the Overlord.

Mudlflats, a sign of things to come for Kangdo, wouldn't you say, Kim Jun?

Be careful, sir.

Relax, there's plenty of life in the old man yet.

Move out.

You there! Help Her Grace.

Nanjang, come on, get those girls moving.

Well? You heard the Head Lady.

Move it, come on.

I'll see to them, not to worry.

Your Grace, easy. The mud is deep.

I'm fine, I can make it. Let's go.

Help the Overlord.

Sir, be careful.

Easy.

Assist His Majesty!

[Temporary Palace - Kanghwa]

The roof leaks.

Yes, Sire.

And my family?

Wherever they could find a room that leaked less than the others, Sire.

Terrible.

Your pardon, Sire, to think your divine person is in this hovel.

Not only me. The people are suffering as well.

The people who trusted their emperor and followed me here.

300,000, I'm told. Where will they eat? Or sleep?

In this monsoon...

The Guard Corps will do something.

No. What can they do?

They think only of fighting the Mongols.

Do we have any wine?

Yes, Sire. I'll have the maids bring it.

It's still raining.

So this is what becomes of Koryo's royal house.

This...

I sent the servants out looking, but there are no empty houses.

I know. We're lucky to rent this place.

Lucky. They charge enough for it.

But I worry. We'll have to send our families into the country.

I had the same concern.

Let's stay here for now.

- Let's. - Sit.

Who would have thought two of Koryo's highfalutins would be living in a hovel?

What can we do? It's the same for the Emperor, even the Overlord.

Heavy rain, an island, and a grass hut.

Nothing a drink can't fix, huh?

And a little music. Whatever the world throws at us, eh?

Good idea.

However bad it gets, there's always music.

Yes, true.

His Majesty?

Fine, sir. In his temporary quarters.

Muster the men. We have to build a palace.

What about the nation-wide levy?

It's gone out. Recruiting now, sir.

We need a palace and a Guard Corps, first and foremost.

Put the military and the recruits on it.

Yes, Overlord.

We need it. Our plan is far-reaching.

The war may last 30, 40, even 100 years.

People must be ready for the long haul.

Send them to mountain fortresses and islands.

Anywhere hard for the Mongols to reach.

Yes, Overlord.

Muster the Night Patrols.

Concentrate them in one location. The Mongols are likely to strike.

Yes, Overlord.

It won't be easy to leave. We'll be here for many years.

As long as it takes for the enemy to give up.

To that end, all foodstuffs and taxes must be received in Kanghwa.

The waterway is critical. Prepare the way carefully.

Yes, Overlord. The price of food here is already grim.

Naturally. 300,000 people have to eat.

If they don't, we'll have riots. Look for fertile land immediately.

Yes, Overlord.

Re-organize the five capital city wards.

The people will need strength and stability for the years ahead.

Faith. Understand?

Yes, Overlord.

Hong Bokwon will have reached Marshal Sartai by now.

Be ready.

Yes, Overlord.

[Marshal Sartai's Mongol Encampment]

What? They killed all our resident commissioners?

Yes, Marshal. I barely escaped with my life.

They've lost their minds.

Incredible. They're begging us to slaughter them. Begging.

I can't believe it. They only just surrendered to us.

They just slaughtered all our commissioners?

I don't understand, I just can't understand them.

Sir, give the order to attack. We'll burn the country to ashes.

Who gave the order? Their king?

Like he could?

It was surely the Overlord, just as it's always been.

Choe U.

Courage is one thing, but this borders on insanity.

Unbelievable.

Sir, let's march. Muster the men.

I won't stand for it.

Tanggu, Putau.

Yes, sir.

Dispatch messengers immediately.

Send men to Koryo.

We muster for war.

Yes, sir.

Oh, no, this I will not stand for.

As Hong Bokwon said, we'll burn it until not even an ant is left.

Koryo scum. Kill our commissioners?

[Kanghwa Palace Construction Site]

You, there! How long have you been at this?

We're behind schedule.

Hurry it up or pay the price.

Move!

Move it along. What are you doing?

Day and night, the palace and Guard Corps must be built. Move!

You'll pay for every day we lose.

Work if you want to live, work!

[Temporary General Directorate]

There you are.

Oh. Hello.

I was just reading the Overlord's orders.

You're headed for Cholla?

Yes. Over the garrison there.

I leave in a few days.

Cholla is quite a ways. Watch yourself.

I'm more worried about you.

Yakson, it looks to me like you won't last long here.

Not as the Guard Corps stands now.

How do you mean?

The pro-war people are all behind the Guard Corps.

You have to find a way out.

You and the Overlord are already far estranged.

There is no way out.

There is if you look.

You're in danger here, I can feel it.

Look at your marriage.

If something goes badly there, you'll be hurt more than her, don't you agree?

You think it's that bad?

I only know what I see.

Remember what I've said.

I will. I'll find a way to live with my anger.

I feel like having a drink.

But these days, I always do, always...

Taking off for the day?

You're not on duty.

But the Overlord is here.

The island is rife with thieves.

There is no law.

I heard the same. We'll have to stay on our toes until we've established order.

You have a place to stay?

I've been so busy, this is my first time going there.

I just hope I can find it.

Goodnight.

- Be careful. - Keep up the good work.

Looking for your house?

Yunsim?

This way. Shall we?

Welcome, Field Marshal.

I heard you were off duty. I came by to look at your quarters.

You prepared the quarters Pak Seungson told me about?

I had to do something.

I heard how even nobles were having trouble finding houses.

So I did what I could.

It's not much, but it should do.

Your Grace, it isn't fitting.

High-ranking chancellors are in hovels. For the son of a slave to live here...

It's nothing compared to your house in Kaegyeong.

No, Your Grace, I cannot accept this.

I'll bunk up with the Guard Corps.

You must. The chancellors can fend for themselves.

We found quarters convenient to this location.

You are my father's aide, are you not?

Your Grace.

The new head lady will look after you.

You remember Kannan, I'm sure. She and Wola...

...were very close.

Your Grace.

We haven't had a chance to catch up since you got back.

It's been ten years.

Your Grace, there's nothing to be said.

Don't say that!

I've nurtured this wound all these years.

I'll never forget that day.

The day you left me at the Imjin River ferry.

Have you forgotten what I said?

I said it then, and I say it now.

I won't lose you.

But enough about that.

Keep up the good work. My father is starting to notice you.

You'll do great things.

There are great days ahead.

I tried to douse the fire in my heart.

But I couldn't.

Ten years I tried, but I couldn't.

I missed you so.

I've forgotten the past.

I don't remember a thing.

Neither should you.

I'll see you soon. I'm glad to have you so close.

General.

Kim Jun.

Have you no fear? Who do you think you're trifling with?

Sir.

I thought you were a good man.

And I catch you carrying on?

You've misunderstood.

Silence.

Sir, we served together in Kwiju. You know me.

All the more reason to take your head.

For being a two-faced lying sleaze.

Sir, I know you.

Do you truly not know me?

What would you have me say? Will my death prove my innocence?

Then tell me. Everything.

Sir.

I said tell me and you did.

You really had no idea.

But what to do about this mess?

Fate has played a cruel joke on you.

There's nothing I can say.

But with her feeling that way, how can I take up my new post?

Who knows what might happen?

It's all so embarrassing. I just wish I could take up a distant post like you.

I have a request.

Yes, anything.

Things may very well get worse in their family.

If that happens, my brother's life may be in danger.

Will you help him?

What are you asking me?

Men live for honor and power, but women live for love.

I know my brother's wife, and it worries me.

Surely you don't think...?

You're the Overlord's aide.

Please. My brother is a good man.

I know. A rare individual.

This is excruciating, sir.

I'm counting on you.

You have a bright future.

Sir.

It's been a long time.

You were Subop's disciples, weren't you?

Yes, Venerable.

And you fought against the Mongols?

We did our small part in protecting this country.

Good. Have you heard from Subop?

Actually, we called on you to ask about him.

You haven't heard anything, either?

No, nothing to speak of. It's been, oh, ten years now?

Where are you headed now?

Isn't it obvious?

To do our duty. To protect this country as best we can.

We'll regroup with the warrior monks.

We head for Yongguhyon.

We hope to find a lot of warrior monks that way.

Correct. There can be no temple if we don't defend our country.

We fight when we have no other choice. And fight we must, oh, yes.

Your duty is clear. You do Buddha's work.

The Mongols are demons.

You wield the sword of truth and justice.

Find them and send them straight to hell.

In the 8th month of the 19th year of Kojong's reign,

within a month of moving the capital,

Marshal Sartai marched with 10,000 cavalry across the Yalu.

So began the Second Mongol War.

The Koryo rabble have all scampered off to islands and mountain fortresses?

Yes, sir.

It won't do them any good.

This is a blitz.

If the soldiers are cowering in the mountains, it's that much easier for us.

Kanghwa is as good as ours.

Exactly. No one can resist the mighty Mongols.

We'll attack in four divisions.

We'll take any pesky little forts on the way to Kanghwa.

Tekeh, with me. Tanggu, Tijyu and Putau lead the others.

Yes, sir.

Destroy everything in your path. Move out.

Yes, sir.

The Mongols have crossed the border as expected.

Now, about our advance units.

Positioned in key areas and ready to strike as ordered, sir.

Clearly our best offense is defense at this point.

What's the enemy's strength?

Ten thousand cavalry and divisions of foot soldiers.

We can't just defend our forts. We should attack at key ambush points.

But we don't have the men.

We have 8,000 troops defending Kaegyeong.

The last raid from highwaymen significantly weakened them.

I swear. So we have no strategy?

We can't wage war from inside forts.

We have to march out and meet the enemy.

Sir, give me command.

I'll send them back where they belong.

How are the Kanghwa defenses?

Yes, sir. To get here they have to get past Kaegyong, Fort Kwangju, and a river.

Also...

Also, after Kimpo, they have to cross the Yomhwa.

Our men have strict orders to moor any and all craft.

I swear someone in here reeks of wine.

Unlike before, now our people have sought refuge,

so our concerns are different.

The forts can hold their own.

This will be a long war. Fight with that in mind.

We'll move forward as planned.

Yes, Overlord.

- Tekeh. - Yes, sir.

Tell Tanggu and Putau to burn each and every village, each and every temple.

The Koryo wimps rolled over the second we burned Heungwang Temple.

Yes, sir. I know of a temple that will hurt them even more than Heungwang.

Oh?

Yes, sir. Their precious little Koryo Tripitaka is housed at Puin Temple.

Tripitaka?

Yes, sir.

Royals and commoners both value it even more than their ancestors.

Burning that will shake their faith in heaven.

Nice to think about, isn't it?

Yes, very nice, indeed.

Burn Puin Temple. Burn the Tripitaka.

- Tekeh. - Yes, sir.

Hong is right. Send word to Putau. Tell him to march on Taegu.

Yes, sir.

- You heard the marshal. Send word. - Sir.

Hong Bokwon.

Yes, sir.

In war, the best victory is the one without a fight.

Of course.

You'll take a detachment and go to Kanghwa.

Tell them to come to their senses and surrender.

The king or the overlord, one or the other has to talk to me.

But, sir, they tried to kill me, remember?

If I go as your emissary, they'll take my head.

You're an even bigger coward than you look.

Relax, Koryo can't last long.

The whole country is in flames by now.

Spare us!

Oh my, I was a little thirsty.

Where's Pak Songbi?

Sir, the Overlord sent for him.

Oh?

Well, better him than me.

Are the dispatches still coming in?

Yes, sir. The Mongols have passed the Western Capital...

and are marching on Kaegyeong.

At this rate they'll be here at Kangdo in a few days.

Serious, indeed.

Well, even so, it's not like they can cross to the island.

Right, Pak Seungson?

Pak Songbi.

Yes, sir.

The Director General. He stank of liquor.

The enemy is marching and what does he do?

He's never once shown confidence and strength. Not once.

Why is that? What's he doing?

Your pardon.

Look at these. The Ministry of War sends them to me.

To an old man.

The Mongols have passed the Western Capital and march for Kaegyeong.

So I heard.

Burning every village and temple on their way.

Yes, sir.

And this Putau, he took 1,000 cavalry...

and rides where exactly?

Not for Kaegyeong. They're riding south.

One front marches for Kanghwa. Why head south?

Any ideas?

They obviously have a purpose, but...

Exactly. It's not a simple advance.

He has 1,000 cavalry.

Kim Jun.

Overlord.

Why would they ride south?

Pardon my boldness, but last time they burned Heungwang to force surrender.

They clearly know our weakness.

I believe they'll ride past Chungju for Kyeongsang Province.

To where?

Puin Temple near Taegu.

Pak Songbi, what do you think?

Kim Jun may be right. That's probably where they're headed.

Exactly. Shouldn't Kim Yakson have thought of this?

I have to hear it from Kim Jun?

Maybe if he spent less time drinking and more time planning?

If the Tripitaka burns, it will crush our people.

What can we do? How can we save the Tripitaka?

Does Kim Yakson have a plan?

What on earth is going on?

I think we will be able to save it. All we must do is stick to the plan.

That won't do. The path we chose...

- Spare me. - Swear an oath.

After all this, where did he go?

This is unacceptable.

There are lot of ways this may unfold.