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Viscount, aren't you considering how best to remove the Overlord?

A formidable man. He read my mind.

Dump them in the sea.

He's drowned by now.

Overlord.

My lord.

Force her to drink it.

Jun... Kim Jun...

You are my son.

Look after... Hang... for me.

Hang...

Look to Kim Jun. He is your brother.

Father, it's Im Yon.

You're here early.

I just came from the Guard Corps. We hear disturbing border reports.

It's always been a hot spot for cavalry.

The Mongols use hunting as an excuse to cross the border.

Yes, sir, since last April, but that has stopped.

They'll be attacking soon then.

It's different from last time.

The Khan's uncle and nephew are directly involved.

Really?

Yes, sir. The reports may be exaggerated, but they estimate 100,000 troops.

100,000? Did you say 100,000?

100,000...

So it was. On July 3 1253 the Mongols once again crossed the Yalu River.

They had demanded the capital return to Kaegyeong...

and Kojong bow before the Khan.

But the Choe Hang regime vacillated and ignored them.

Mongke Khan sent his Uncle Yeku, son of Genghis Khan's brother Khasar.

With him rode Amukan and the Koryo traitors Hong Bokwon and Yi Hyon.

And the Duke of Yongnyong, a hostage who had married a Mongol princess.

With the Khan's own family involved

this war was different than any that came before it.

- Hang Bokwon. - Grand Marshal.

Isn't this the Western Capital? It was the ancient seat of Koguryo once.

Now it's a ghost town.

The people have long since deserted it.

Its northern location is bound to bear the brunt of an invasion.

The citizenry was scattered long ago.

How many years since our first invasion?

Sir. Twenty-two years now.

Koryo is smaller than a pea compared to us.

Twenty years and we're still obliged to keep coming back?

It's unbelievable, sir.

My father was brother to Genghis Khan himself.

Like my father, I have subjugated countless countries across the West.

But I've never heard of a land that held out so long.

You'll put a stop to that, Grand Marshal.

Koryo will bow before you.

Duke, nothing to say?

I'm sad. And furious at my countrymen's stupidity.

They could have prevented this war.

Very true. This little nothing of a country holding out against the great Mongols?

It's pride, pure and simple.

Exactly. They can't see reason.

Scurrying off to the mountains, coastal islands, refusing to surrender.

It's a crying shame.

But that's over now. We'll root out any resistance.

- Songju. - Grand Marshal.

Divide into East and West armies.

You and Amukan take the east. I'll take the west.

Grand Marshal.

Pillage and loot. Kill any that refuse to surrender.

- Let Koryo burn. - Yes, sir.

Make way! The Mongols have crossed the Yalu.

Make way!

It's irritating, that's what it is.

They crossed the Yalu.

They reached the Western Capital in 10 days and are marching on Kaegyeong.

We need a plan.

Kaegyeong? That's absurd.

They reached the Western Capital two days ago.

They got that far within 10 days of forging the Yalu?

Doesn't that mean they're on the way here?

That's not all. They have separated into two armies.

Their East Army marches to the east coast. The West is marching inland.

What's that mean?

They will take Anbyon, Tongchon, Kosong...

Kansong, Yangyang and Kangneung.

Why the east coast?

The West Army will march inland and together they will take all of Koryo.

They mean to occupy the entire peninsula.

Oh no they won't.

Who do they think they are?

Where are the Mongols now?

At Fort Dongju.

They are sure to march on Chunju next.

What's more, at this rate of advance...

their cavalry detachments will already be deep inland.

I heard the same thing.

They sweep everything before them.

One look and our troops and people go into hiding.

Our troops can't fight them.

They have no leaders.

All the great heroes are dead. Men like Kim Kyongson or Choe Chungmyong.

Lord Jong, what kind of talk is that? Isn't that what we're here to discuss?

Some people are too old for politics.

Now you must keep your word.

Are you going to kill me?

Yes. You have to pay.

Wait...

I understand the invasion is led by members of the Khan's family.

They attack on a scale we've never seen before.

Quite so. They don't just have Hong Bokwon this time.

They brought Yi Hyon and the Duke of Yongyong as well.

Traitors, all of them!

Selling out their own country!

An emergency Guard Corps session?

Yes, Your Majesty. From early morning on into the evening.

The Mongols have marched through the Western Capital and they sit and talk?

- Chang. - Yes, Sire.

The time has finally come.

The Mongols sent member of the Imperial House.

So I heard.

They have the Duke of Yongnyong, a hostage these 10 years.

And our envoy, Privy Council Yi Hyon.

They are barbarian generals now.

This is a sad day.

But the Duke sent a letter out of past loyalties.

He suggests that we can end this war if one of you agrees to be a hostage.

Thoughts?

Who wouldn't agree if it meant saving his country?

Never. You're next in line for the throne.

Send you to the barbarians?

Ridiculous.

Never.

Enough!

I say we need a plan and you bicker like a pack of old women.

We need a plan, a plan!

Viscount Kim, are you mute?

You must have a plan.

Yes, Overlord.

My main concern is that they will block the roads leading to Kanghwa.

If they do that, they will cut off our supplies.

We have two months until the harvest.

If they cut off our supplies in that time...

the people of Kangdo will rise up out of desperation.

Rebellion?

Yes, if they're starving, of course they will.

Now we're getting somewhere. You hear that?

This is serious. What do you suggest?

We must place troops to stop the Mongols at strategic passes.

But we've already dispatched our troops.

True, but they are too widely dispersed.

We must predict enemy movements and concentrate our forces accordingly.

But that will leave vast areas unprotected.

We'll suffer even heavier losses.

It's more important to tell our men to hold their ground and fight to the death.

Our biggest problem now is that the Mongols now have a viable navy.

What? A navy? The Mongols?

Then Kangdo is in danger.

Those ignorant barbarians could land here.

Which is why the Emperor should met their envoy in Seungchonbu.

We could have avoided all of this.

What?

We can talk all day. What good will it do?

Provisions, armaments, we don't have enough of either.

No matter how much we plan.

What kind of talk is that?

What? We should surrender, is that it?

I didn't call you here to split hairs over old missteps.

Get this old fart out of here.

You there. Escort Lord Jong.

What? Remove a chancellor for speaking his mind?

Is this the law? No! There is no law in Koryo!

- Out! - There is no law!

He's gone senile, that's what.

I want to help you kill Choe Hang.

Well? We need a plan, I said, a plan.

Who invited that old fool?

Attack! No mercy!

Kill them all!

My lady, my lady!

Are you all right?

Clean it up.

My lady, I heard the Mongols are marching on Kangdo.

So did I. How can they move so fast? What are our troops doing?

They number in the tens of thousands.

Yes, and members of the Khan's family march with them.

They mean it now, more than ever.

I worry for Kim Jun.

100,000? It can't be.

They exaggerated the reports to scare our men.

100,000 men my eye.

Perhaps, but exaggerated or not, they mean business this time.

Yeah, well, we've dispatched our men.

Tell them to stop them.

They'll certainly try.

But it will be nearly impossible in light of the enemy's numbers.

We have to hold the forts.

A war of defense and attrition? It's shameful.

Not at all. Our people are returning...

from the mountains and islands for the harvest.

They will be slaughtered.

War, insurrection, whatever.

And those chancellors, they're all the same.

I say give me a plan, they give me whining.

Not worth the stipends we give them.

Sir, this is a national emergency.

Perhaps, as your father before you

you should stay at the Guard Corps for the duration.

The Corps?

Good idea.

Right, I need to be seen as doing something.

Good thinking.

Yes, sir. You being in the center of things will give a sense of stability and unity.

I disagree.

Why must you stay at the Corps?

The greater the emergency, the greater your danger.

It's safer to stay at your own residence.

You think the Corps isn't safe?

It's too wide open.

There's no telling who might be hiding where.

Now, now, I have you commanding my guards, don't I?

Like the viscount says, my dad used to camp at the Corps.

Have my belongings moved.

Sir, please reconsider.

Just do it.

If I run scared people will say I'm a coward.

I'm the Overlord.

See to it.

Where are we now?

Sir, the Southern Capital.

Good. We'll be in sight of Kanghwa soon enough.

Our advance troops?

Deep inland.

1,000 cavalry have already passed Taegu and Sangju.

Another detachment has reached Junju.

And the East Army? Songju?

Sir, they took Dongju and are marching on Fort Chunju.

Excellent. And our special detachment?

Attacking Fort Yangsan.

Yangsan?

Yes, sir. They can't hold out more than a few days.

This is barely worth calling a war.

These Koryo scum roll over and give up their forts...

without raising a hand to stop us.

Why haven't we conquered them yet? Twenty years of war.

Forts Chunju and Yangsan.

Hear me. I am Marshal Songju of the Mongols.

Send your commandant out to surrender.

Refuse and we will level your fort and kill you all.

Filthy barbarians, you think that's what men of Koryo do?

I am Pak Chunki of Koryo. We will never surrender.

We stand against you.

I know all about you. You don't have enough provisions, am I wrong?

Enough talk.

We stand.

You've got guts, I'll give you that.

- Adjutants. - Yes, sir.

Surround the fort. No one leaves. Understood?

Yes, sir.

One division attacks. The other surrounds them.

They'll be completely cut off.

Yes, sir.

Bring forth the prisoners. They will surround the fort.

The other detachment will attack.

Attack! Attack!

Don't be afraid! They're barbarians!

Fire! Fire!

Boulders, boulders!

The Mongols have closed with our men here at Fort Chunju.

It's difficult to defend.

Pak Chunki is a good man, but without provisions it's hopeless.

This isn't war. It's slaughter.

They don't stand a chance.

Yeku's best man, Amukan is attacking Yangsan near Kaegyeong.

It will end the same.

Yangsan is heavily populated?

Yes. Like everywhere else, the troops and civilians are working together.

If it falls, it will be a bloodbath.

No, no...

This is Yangsan?

Yes, sir.

There's supposed to be 5,000 people there?

Yes, sir. Soldiers and civilians.

Unbelievable.

I've been in a lot of battles, but I've never fought civilians before.

Yes, sir. They're impossible.

Not just here. It's the same all over Koryo.

But this is a mountain fortress with no means of retreat.

They can't stand against a constant siege.

Order a full assault.

Yes, sir.

Attack! Attack!

Fight! Hold your ground!

Fight! Hold your ground! Fight!

Fight... Hold your ground...

Make way! Make way! Make way!

It's ridiculous.

That Yeku cretin and his army have reached Kimpo?

Yes, sir.

What have our troops been doing all this time?

Waving at the Mongols as they march by?

All we hear is 'This fort fell' and, 'This commander surrendered.'

What's the Ministry of War up to?

Is this their strategy for stopping the Mongols?

There is no specific strategy.

Other than to fight as one to the death.

Yeah, well, what really matters is...

that the Mongols across the channel from Kangdo.

Across the water from us!

We have another report.

It is likely they have reached Kapgot Landing.

They're that close?

Yes, sir. But it won't be easy to reach us.

Our forces have been on naval maneuvers in the straits.

Under Pak Songbi and Yi Kongju.

But they have a navy now, too.

And if they can handle themselves, we're in trouble.

Big, big trouble!

Yeku is right across the channel.

This is no ordinary war.

In the face of such numbers, our brave face is a joke.

The war goes on.

And the Overlord continues his tyranny.

What difference does morale make?

It's a problem...

I wish I knew what Kim Jun was planning.

Look at them.

All those torches.

What a crock.

I can't believe it took so long to attack one little island.

The biggest obstacle has been the current of the channel.

Our men have no experience with that kind of crossing.

Absurd. Tough crossing or not, they're right there! We can see them.

There's more.

Every time we came down the crafty devils hid all their boats.

We were stuck.

Another absurdity.

Now that I'm here, I won't tolerate any more excuses.

- Adjutants. - Sir.

It may take months, it may take years. But we won't budge.

Send for our navy and for prisoners of war to build boats.

Yes, sir.

And for fishermen that know these waters.

We'll land on that island.

Search the land. And build those boats fast.

Yes, sir.

Sir!

Sir.

Report.

Marshal Songju's compliments. Fort Chunju is about to fall.

Oh?

I always could count on Songju.

Fight! Fight on! If we fall, we all die!

Fight to the finish!

Sir.

Sir, we're out of arrows.

Then use boulders. And logs.

Yes, sir.

We're out of water. We've been drinking the blood of cattle.

Then we will die here.

It will cost them to take us. In blood!

Look at him. Disgusting.

Fort Chunju has fallen?

Yes sir, it has.

And what? Yangsan surrendered?

What's this? Those butchers!

How many died there?

Some 4,700 people, sir.

How many?

4,700 sir. Some troops and even more civilians.

Those... those animals...

What if they cross the channel?

Will any of us survive?

This is killing me.

Kim Jun was meant to handle everything while I drank my days away.

You there.

Yes, sir.

You called?

I'm boiling over.

Have some wine sent in.

Yes, sir.

Overlord, I'm told you had a private meeting with Kim Jun.

May I ask about what?

Oh, that? That was forever ago.

It was nothing.

Yes, sir.

If I may, I don't like you staying at the Guard Corps.

May I encourage you to return to your residence?

Why bring that up again?

I'm here now and that's that, alright?

As I said before, there are too many people here.

Not all of them are loyal to you.

Listen to you. I'm the regent of Koryo. The Overlord.

Don't be so suspicious.

Oh, about Lord Jong.

He's making things worse. He does more harm than good.

Old fart. He disagrees with every word I say.

Make some excuse and send him away.

To where?

Where did Kim Kyongson die again?

Paengnyong Island.

Paengnyong. Right, right, send him there.

No, no.

No need to make the whole trip. He's nearly dead anyway.

On the way there...

kill him.

Overlord.

Where's my wine anyway?

Some life, right?

Quiet, you. Be happy with what you've got.

Geez! You used to be Head Lady. How can you stand it here?

You take what life gives you.

All the ladies I served are dead.

I'm alive, that's something at least.

True. Being stuck in the kitchen isn't so bad.

I used to want to be Head Lady.

Lucky for me I wasn't.

What's taking you so long?

The Overlord is losing patience.

It's late, we had to make it.

We're taking it now.

Hurry it up, go on.

How many times do I have to say it?

- Off you go. - Move it!

We keep running into each other now that we're all living in the Corps.

I can smell you.

But who knows? Our day will come.

Count on it.

I heard you were here, Head Lady.

Yes, well.

You've suffered enough.

To Paengnyong, he said?

Yes, sir.

He's a piece of work. A nasty one at that.

To think I was the one that begged the Overlord to spare him.

And this is the thanks I get.

Uncle! Save us! Uncle!

Wait. This isn't the way to the dock.

Correct.

The Overlord told us to send you to hell.

My soul is prepared.

Kill me then. I'm tired of this life.

It's nothing personal.

This can't go on.

He killed Lord Jong, his own uncle.

It can't go on. No more.

You wanted to see me?

Welcome.

- Please. - Thank you.

The Mongols have reached the channel.

I thought we might go to the Council together.

Have you heard?

Lord Jong Ahn is dead.

Yes.

Murdered on the way to his place of exile.

Who knows which of us is next?

So what's on your mind?

What you said to me before.

You surprised me, as though you read my mind.

Not at all. Many of us are thinking it.

Have you reached a decision?

Lord Yi, let me ask you something first.

Go ahead.

What is it that you want?

Suppose we do as you suggest. What's in it for you?

For me? What's in it for Koryo?

No. This will be the end of the Guard Corps.

The Imperial House will rule, and that's it, isn't it?

You can leave Kanghwa and live the good life in Kaegyeong.

No better than Mongol slaves, licking their feet like good dogs.

That's too far ahead for me.

I need to deal with what's in front of me.

Which is why you sent for me.

Can you promise me something?

I'll take you at your word.

Go on.

Koryo needs the Corps, I know that much.

For now, yes, I agree. I don't want to serve the Mongols.

I'm thinking of our people, our long-suffering people.

But now we've got to deal with that lunatic.

When the time comes, can you handle the court?

Of course. He is an enemy of Koryo.

That Yeku cretin is marching on Chungju?

Yes, sir.

He left a division here and is leading his men to Chungju.

The worst part is that they are building boats.

Shouldn't we send some troops to stop them?

That would mean deploying troop ships.

What good could they do?

The report on their navy was no lie.

Kangdo is in serious danger.

I can't... it's just...

But why is this Yeku cretin going to Chungju?

Chungju is the most important way station in Kyongsang Province.

All Koryo shipments pass through there on the way to Kangdo.

There's another reason. Their flank is exposed while Chungju stands.

Who's in command?

Commandant Kim Hunhu.

He was with the monks that killed Sartai.

I remember. Kim Yunhu.

Well, we're safe then.

We sent Yi Chon.

He knows the sea. He's commanding the navy to blockade Asan Bay.

We've lost a lot of forts to the Mongols.

Kangdo is under siege, they're building boats...

and attacking Chungju to guard their flank.

So? What do you suggest?

We may be at war...

but that doesn't prevent sending envoys to seek a solution.

Viscount Kim.

He's right. Send somebody.

To do that we must acquiesce to their demands.

Not just that. We have to leave Kangdo.

And allow our Emperor to be taken hostage.

Just send some men and tell them we'll do it.

What? Why?

Open negotiations!

The fire is licking at our feet here.

What's on your mind? It's so late.

The time to hesitate is past.

Sir?

The longer this war lasts, the more good men die.

You saw it yourself. The Overlord is out of his depth.

Father, you...

Yes.

I'll need to talk to Kannan.

Yes, Father. I'll arrange it.

Look at them all.

Mongols! There's too many of them.

You may be right. They brought enough siege weapons.

We have barely a thousand. We can't do it.

We have to. The desert wolves are attacking our land.

We can't let them take this fort.

But many of the men have deserted.

We don't have the troops.

We'll use civilians.

We stand together.

Many of the civilians are slaves.

Some 500 or so.

We need them, too.

They have no love for Koryo. They won't cooperate.

We'll have to convince them.

Call them together. We can't do without 500 souls.

So that's Chungju. Doesn't look like much.

Soldiers and civilians are, what, 1,000 all told?

So I understand.

It's beneath us to use so many men for one little fort.

But the man that killed Sartai is in there.

Rest for now. We attack at nightfall.

By dawn the fort will be ours.

Yes, sir.

Rest your men. We battle throughout the night.

Hear me. I am Commandant Kim Yunhu.

I was one of the warrior monks that fought the Mongols.

And killed Marshal Sartai.

The enemy has 30,000 men.

While we number far less than that.

But if you fight with us, I swear we will prevail.

Why?

Because Kim Kyongson faced similar odds in Kwiju.

And he held his ground.

Sure, but this is different.

The court is corrupt. A maniac runs the Guard Corps, killings every day.

Why should we fight for Koryo?

- Right, right. - Don't fight for Koryo.

Fight for yourselves.

We're slaves. What do we have to fight for?

You're not slaves. You're citizens of Koryo.

Why? Because I'm freeing you all.

Don't make me laugh. How can you free us?

You see what I have here?

Your slave registers.

Hongji, burn them all.

Sir.

Now you are free citizens of Koryo.

Would you be slaves again?

Slaves of the Mongols?

Or will you fight?

This is like a dream.

Burning our slave papers...

I can't believe it.

I can die now without regrets.

We're free. We're all free.

We'll never be slaves again.

We fight. We fight! We fight!

Yes.

We fight!

Commandant Kim Yunhu...

I'm Hong Bokwon.

With me is Privy Council Yi Hyon.

We're Mongol generals now.

This is your last warning.

Surrender your fort.

Or we will slaughter you all.

This is Yi Hyon. Surrender!

Don't you fear death? Surrender!

Scum! Traitors!

How dare you come slinking back, defiling our land?

Fall back before we open fire, Mongol dogs!

I thought as much. Let's go.

Remember this! None of you will live, not one.

Grand Marshal, the men are ready.

We await your orders.

Sir, let me lead the attack.

No, allow me.

I want to teach Kim Yunhu a lesson.

You're both fine men.

But I'm leading this battle.

A Mongol should make them pay for Sartai.

- Adjutants. - Sir.

You lead the charge.

Catapults, cavalry, attack!

Attack!

Catapults!

Attack!

Don't falter!

Hold your positions! Archers, ready!

Don't be scared. Don't let them in.

Fire.

Fire!

Come on, Mongols!

Come and get it.

Here, here, drink, drink.

Overlord, we hear the Mongols are building boats faster than expected.

At this rate they may land on Kanghwa within a month.

Kangdo is running out of provisions.

They've blocked all the supply routes.

I said drink.

Yes, Overlord.

Did we send envoys to that Yeku guy?

How did that go?

The chancellors selected by Kim Jun should have left by now.

So frustrating. Is there any good news at all? I swear!

At this point it's either starve to death or let the Mongols kill us.

They have boats. We have no provisions.

What's Kim Jun doing anyway? Well?

I'm not killing a man. I'm exorcising a demon.

I need your help.

Can I rely on you?

You knew the answer before you sent for me.

Please. Koryo is dying.

He's killing us all.

I have my own score to settle.

He won't even know he's been poisoned.

Even a doctor won't be able to tell.

Mix it with his food.

It's up to you. Take your time.

But don't wait too long.

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