Original subtitles

Jeong Dojeon

Jeong Dojeon

Episode 23

You exiled me from here.

It would be meaningful

to see your end here.

What are you doing?

That's what I'd like to ask.

I didn't want to believe it.

Is this how low you would stoop to?

Gwangpyeonggun.

It's over

for you.

It's over for me?

Why?

The sympathy people had for you

will now turn into rage.

The people who wanted to pardon you

will want to execute you.

You will have to pay for deceiving

the court and this country.

Make an appearance at Sungeumbu

tomorrow morning for an interrogation.

I don't believe this.

I am His Majesty's stepfather.

Do you think you will be able to interrogate me?

You'll see if you show up.

Don't even think about fleeing.

Get in the royal carriage now.

I will see you home.

I heard you were a fool who

begged for a government position.

Did you become Choi Yeong's man

and sharpen your sword for revenge?

Did you see anyone sharpen their sword

just to kill a good-for-nothing?

That's upsetting to hear.

Sambong.

You made a mistake today.

Sambong.

Let him go.

This will be the longest and

most agonizing night in his life.

Oh, boy.

Where is he?

Uncle.

I know it's late at night,

but you shouldn't be wandering outside.

You could lose the pardon if people see you.

Jeong Dojeon deceived me.

Choi Yeong found out about everything.

Go to the palace and bring His Majesty.

Will there be a way out?

I'll have to pressure him to stop

Choi Yeong from interrogating me.

Choi Yeong is stubborn.

Will he give him to such pressure?

He wouldn't blink an eye

if he was just threatened, but

he will give in if His Majesty shows tears.

That's how Choi Yeong is.

Go now!

Bring His Majesty right now!

Yes, uncle.

Choi Yeong found out?

Oh, dear.

I'm sorry for saying this.

Choi Yeong told Gwangpyeonggun to

appear in Sungeumbu tomorrow.

Sungeumbu?

Please come to Gwangpyeonggun's house.

Right now?

He is waiting for you.

Understood.

I will get ready. You go ahead.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I can't face you.

I almost pardoned a traitor.

It's a good thing you found out.

It's all thanks to Sambong.

I am indebted to him, too.

You are a blessed man for having

someone like him by your side.

Gwangpyeonggun's pardon won't be given.

I'm going to see that he is punished,

so don't be angry anymore.

Don't say that.

I raised my voice at you.

Please forgive me for that.

I came to give this back to you.

It is your resignation.

Take it.

Sir.

I am a lacking person.

I can't handle state affairs by myself.

You have to stay by my side.

My arm is going to fall off.

Thank you, sir.

What time is it?

It is almost 2 a.m.

What's taking so long?

He said he would come?

He said he would, but...

It looked like he was hesitating.

I think he is hesitating.

What a fool.

Uncle.

Go back to the palace.

What?

Bring him.

He won't come because I ask.

I will get a palanquin ready.

You should covertly enter the palace.

I said to bring him!

Why are you being so stubborn?

Stubborn?

This isn't like you.

Please remain coolheaded.

Sir!

Is His Majesty here?

He suddenly fell ill.

He said you should meet later.

Later?

I'll get going then.

Uncle.

Get the palanquin ready.

Yes, uncle.

Stop.

It is Gwangpyeonggun. Open the gate.

I'm sorry, but you can't enter.

What do you think you're doing?

It's a royal order.

Gwangpyeonggun and anyone associated

with him has been prohibited from

entering the palace tonight.

Good work, Nam Eun.

I'm grateful you let me help you

catch Lee Inim.

I'll stop by soon. Let's have a drink.

Listen.

The hunting dog who's going to catch the monster.

Is it Choi Yeong?

Why do you suddenly ask?

If it is, don't even speak of it.

He will cut off your head.

Who do you think would be good?

General Lee Seonggye would be better.

Why?

He doesn't owe Goryeo anything.

Would you like to meet the person

I have in mind?

I am saboksijeong Nam Eun.

It is an honor to meet a general

I always respected.

I don't deserve such respect.

You did well today. Thank you.

I only did what I should as gentry.

Did you really pass the state examination?

It doesn't look like I read books, does it?

You know yourself.

He was strong and skilled in martial arts

since he was at Sungkyunkwan.

He's cleaning horse dung

because he doesn't have connections,

but he is talented in literature

and martial arts.

Father, it's Bangwon.

Come in.

What is it?

Gwangpyeonggun tried to enter the palace.

He was stopped by the palace guards.

His Majesty abandoned him.

That wretch must be really desperate.

So, where is he now?

He went to Choi Yeong's house.

Sir.

I told you to appear at Sungeumbuin the morning.

What brings you here?

There is something I have to tell you

before the interrogation.

I have nothing to hear.

Lee Seonggye will be interrogating you.

You should go.

Wait.

I won't be long.

I won't allow such behavior.

Let go of me.

I'm begging you.

Just give me a moment of your time.

Uncle, you should go home now.

Sir.

I am an unworthy man.

I might have faked an illness

to receive a pardon,

but it wasn't just for my safety.

I only tried to drive Lee Seonggye out

because he was blinding you.

Think about what he did.

He arranged a marriage with my relative

and pretended to be a member of my party.

But you saw his true colors.

He could deceive himself

if it meant achieving his ambitions.

Don't trust him.

You must not trust him.

Stop the interrogation.

Lee Seonggye isn't the person

who can protect this country with you.

It is me, Lee Inim!

Open the door and come out!

Now!

Kick him out of my house.

Yes, sir!

Stand back!

Move.

Sir!

What are you doing?

Yes!

Oh...

Sir!

Choi Yeong!

Let go of me!

Get on the palanquin now.

You need to rest before

you go to Sungeumbu.

Let's go to Sambong's house.

Sambong?

He will understand.

I'm going to settle this with Sambong.

Lead the way.

Are you looking for me?

Sambong.

Talk to Choi Yeong and tell him

not to punish me.

Why should I do that?

Because you made a mistake.

If you drive me out, you might think

Choi Yeong's world will open up,

but you're wrong.

He is going to be sacrificed by Lee Seonggye soon.

It will be over for you, too.

Convince Choi Yeong.

If you do,

you will have wealth to last you a lifetime.

You lost your sense now

that you're facing a crisis.

Uncle.

I gave you time to reflect.

Are you playing both sides

against the middle again?

That's all he knows.

Did you change sides already?

I never changed sides.

I've been with him since he kneeled to

become a member of your political party.

I guess I lost since then.

I didn't even know my enemy's follower.

He's not a subordinate. He's a friend.

Friend?

That's right, a friend.

He's not a subordinate.

I...

Lose.

It is morning.

Let's go to Sungeumbu.

Sungeumbu.

Let's go.

Take him.

Yes, sir!

Stop!

I am His Majesty's father and

top nobility of this country.

I will go on my own two feet.

Don't touch me with those dirty hands.

Make way.

Loss of power.

An era ends like this.

I hope the new world is a bit brighter.

Like the hearts of our people.

Hello.

I have urgent news to tell you.

What is it?

The new positions have been assigned.

You have been appointed pansamsasa, First Minister of the State Financial Commission.

Please accept the position.

The Supreme Council is full of military men.

The future of this country can't be guaranteed.

You know that I don't know much

about power and politics.

Master.

I'll think about it.

What about Dojeon?

Sambong?

How many good-for-nothings are there?

Shall I go in and see?

January, 1388.

After Lee Inim's faction lost power,

there was restructuring.

With Lee Seonggye's recommendation,

Jeong Dojeon was appointed daesaseong

with a rank of Pum 3.

The Supreme Council was also reorganized.

Choi Yeong became the chancellor and

Lee Seonggye became the vice-chancettor.

There were gentry tike Lee Saek and Jeong Mongju,

but the military officials had power.

See if anything is lacking.

Yes, ma'am.

Congratulations.

A son of a chiliarch in

a rural area called Dongbukmyeon

became the vice-chancellor of Goryeo.

Isn't it a miracle?

Congratulations.

Congratulations, father.

Stop embarrassing me.

It's all because the two of them helped me.

Thank you for helping me.

I didn't help at all.

Sambong deserves all the praise.

I just used my brains a bit.

It's nothing worth praise.

Continue to help me.

I trust the both of you.

Let's have a drink.

Father.

Is Lee Inim being exiled?

The chancellor doesn't want to

execute him, so probably.

His Majesty and the royal family

don't seem to want that either.

You caught a fish. You should scale it.

He has tuberculosis.

How long could he live?

It's the same as being executed.

Since the Supreme Council and Court

are settled, you will have to

focus all your efforts on foreign policy.

Are you talking about Ming?

Yes.

I saw a report from Seobukmyeon.

Spies from Ming were caught near

Ganggye and Uiju.

Spies?

Why is Ming spying on us like Nagachu?

They must be up to something.

Foreign policy is important,

but you can't neglect domestic affairs.

What is the most urgent matter?

To make it entertaining,

I will tell you with a riddle.

A riddle?

This is "gu' meaning mouth.

That's right.

The influential families lost power.

This is the perfect time to carry out

policies to save the people.

If you feed the hungry people with

the goods you seized from

Im Gyeonmi and Yeom Heungbang...

Public sentiments will be on your side.

"Sa' meaning history.

It's what I want from you.

Create new history.

Sambong gave him advice.

Poeun, you should, too.

Then I will write something, too.

Give me the brush.

It also starts with "gu' meaning mouth.

The position of vice-chancellor

shouldn't incline in any one direction.

So, "jung' meaning middle.

I'll add "sim' meaning heart to that.

Loyalty for the country.

That is my wish.

I will remember that.

Thank you.

Bangwon.

Yes.

Put this in the main building.

Yes, father.

Bangwon.

I'd like a word with you.

Why aren't you entering politics?

You are over twenty now.

I'm sorry,

but I have no interest in politics as of yet.

Your father is the vice-chancellor.

As his son, you should support him.

I know you are concerned,

but leave my life to me.

What?

What kind of an attitude is that?

I'm sorry if that upset you.

Please forgive me.

I know you don't like me,

but in Gaegyeong, I am your mother.

If you have a wall up in your heart,

take it down and if you are upset

about anything, get over it.

My older brothers are nice to you and

you have your own children, Banggan and Bangseok.

Do you have to own my heart, too?

What?

Can't I consider my mother in

Hwaryeong as my only mother?

Bangwon.

If you want the wall in my heart to come down,

just let go of me.

Please do that.

Don't fool around like that again.

It was just for fun to remind you of

the great cause.

It was a bit rash. Please be understanding.

Lee Inim is gone.

You can forget about the cause now.

We have to begin now

that Lee Inim is gone.

I'm going to start with the land that

the influential families are monopolizing.

Why take everything down

just to rebuild it again?

We should figure out how to make this country good.

That's a great cause, too.

Sir.

There is a dented brass bowl.

Would it be better to hammer it or

to melt it and make a new one?

The shape might not look nice,

but if you hammer it,

you won't be called a traitor.

Even if I become the king,

people will say I'm a traitor.

The royal family and nobility will,

but the people will welcome you with open arms.

The cause is public sentiment and

it is Heaven's will for you.

Please trust me.

Sambong.

I thought about it a lot.

I'm not going to join the cause.

Sir.

I should remember what Poeun wrote.

As the vice-chancellor,

I want to fix this country, so help me.

I'm going to.

I'm going to wait for you to decide as I do that.

Let's go back in.

They'll be waiting for us.

So that was it.

The cause you wanted to pursue

with my father.

It was a revolution.

Forget about it.

It's not your concern.

Why didn't you convince father?

He has passion for the cause in his heart.

Would a person who believes reform

is possible dream of a revolution?

What can convince your father isn't

my tongue. It is failure.

Keep what you heard here today quiet.

If you speak of it, I will kill you.

Uncle.

Remember that.

Be careful.

I'm sorry, Sambong.

I was happy. I had a lot to drink.

Don't scold me for losing my mind

when I'm a scholar.

It's alright to be like this at times.

You can't live this world with a sane mind.

You're the best friend.

Still...

This world is still worth living.

What are you talking about?

I always felt nervous.

I wondered if the heavens abandoned us.

If the sayings of the old wise men

were all useless.

If everything I did was in vain.

Do you think such thoughts, too?

Gee, I'm a human being, too.

Lee Inim's faction was brought down

and you became the daesaseong.

There must be some ethics left in this world.

Listen.

Carry out all your ambitions.

I will help you as much as I can.

Poeun.

I'm sobering up now.

Let's go.

Ma'am! Ma'am!

What's all the commotion about?

There's a sight to see.

A sight to see?

It's a sight to see once in a lifetime.

Let's go.

Come and see.

Excuse us.

Isn't that Gwangpyeonggun?

What did I tell you?

When would we ever see that?

Oh...

He's doing that on purpose

for people to see.

He wants them to feel sorry for him.

Naive Choi Yeong is sparing a thief.

He should have his arms and legs torn off.

He's practically taking a trip.

What a terrible world.

I like the way he talks.

You should get used to it

if you want to survive where you're going.

You should listen since I have experience.

What brings you here?

I'm sure you didn't come for a meal.

You came to see me off when I was exiled.

I thought I should do the same.

I came to say goodbye.

Mockery is a right of a winner.

I will gladly listen.

It's not mockery. It's a warning.

I will let you struggle to survive.

But don't show any interest in the court

or try to influence it in any way.

What if I do?

I will put poison in your food and

send an assassin every night.

If you want to save your pathetic life,

cut off all ties with this world.

You changed a lot.

You call yourself a Confucian scholar?

I got rid of facades long ago.

A dangerous man like you

joined forces with Lee Seonggye.

What a world it's going to be.

Do you remember what you said to me

the day king Gongmin passed away?

You said the world won't change that easily.

So?

I'll show you.

The world can change.

Buddhist monks say if people meet,

they are bound to part.

Goodbye.

Don't you know a person who leaves

always returns?

I will be back.

Village near Amnokgang, northern area of Seobukmyeon

Put it up! Village near Amnokgang, northern area of Seobukmyeon

Put it up!

The land north of Amnokgang always

has been and is our territory.

This is a clear invasion by Ming.

It is clearly our territory.

But it was ruled by Yuan in the past.

Now that Yuan is weak and

the area became ownerless,

Ming is trying to possess it.

We cannot let them have our territory

no matter what.

How should we retaliate against

this unjust behavior?

Did you say retaliate?

They provoked us.

We should retaliate.

You need to take coolheaded measures first.

That's right.

We have to send an envoy.

They've been rejecting all our envoys.

We still have to send an envoy.

It is the only way unless

you're going to raise an army and fight.

If nobody else is willing to go, I will.

Your life could be at risk.

An envoy's life is always in danger.

I have a lot of experience going to Ming.

I should go.

Sir!

What is it?

Seol Jangsu who went to Ming last year

to congratulate the emperor's birthday

arrived in the capital, but...

But what?

He brought an order regarding

the matter of territory.

The land north of Cheollyeong was

ruled by Yuan.

I am going to revert it to Yodong.

You will accept this order.

What is he talking about?

Revert it to Yodong?

We lost the territory to Yuan,

but king Gongmin recovered it.

Ming wants us to hand over the territory.

What?

What should we do?

We can't hand over our territory to Ming.

We should send an envoy first and

try to talk to...

We know their intentions.

What's the use of talking?

Your Majesty,

Zhu Yuanzhang is being arrogant.

You must sever our relations and

raise an army.

Chancellor.

Give the order.

I, Choi Yeong, will lead an army

and attack Yodong.

Please give your approval.