Original subtitles

Subtitles provided by MBC

Episode 109

The King rejected Prince Kwang-hae's petition out of hand.

There is no doubt he favors Prince Sinsong.

We can't be satisfied with just that.

We need absolute certainty that Sinsong will be named Crown Prince.

Not to worry, Milady.

The ministers and the court will oppose Kwang-hae's nomination.

Excellent. Leave us.

Yes, Milady.

Hear that?

You will very likely be Crown Prince.

Let nothing in your behavior prevent that.

Yes, Mother.

You spoke with Prince Kwang-hae?

Yes. It breaks his heart that his loyalty...

...is seen as ambition.

That is his fate. No one can change it.

What do you mean?

Her Majesty, the Queen has yet to bear an heir.

Prince Im-hae is already out of the King's good graces.

If he chose now, it would be either Prince Kwang-hae or Prince Sinsong.

Factions at court have been positioning themselves for some time now.

Sinsong is too young so Kwang-hae is the likely candidate.

But Sinsong's supporters will keep opposing him.

Lady In-bin's brother Kim Gong-nyang is rallying the Sunkyunkwan Academy.

This is a sensitive time for politics.

Don't align yourself with any faction. Focus on your work.

I will, my lord.

You call this medicine? It's pine bark.

I keep telling you to pay attention.

Take it far away.

There you are.

What do you want?

Boil all better?

Sure, all better.

Well look at you.

Dol-swe. Who knew?

That's what I'm here about.

Let's cash in.

Cash in?

How exactly?

Like this.

How about we set up shop with Dol-swe?

- What? - What?

What if we make things worse for Doctor Heo?

Stop talking nonsense.

It's too hot for all this.

Hey Yang-tae. Listen, hear us out.

He's got a real gift.

Nobody else can heal boils.

I know from experience.

He has a point.

Dol-swe.

A word.

What is it?

We went a little too far with that beating last time. Please forgive us.

No. I was in the wrong.

Why are you so down over such a small matter?

I will raise your mood right up.

- Drinks are on me. Come along. - No, I can't.

- Yang-tae. - I said no. Stop. I can't.

So you want me to set up shop again?

You'll have our support. Don't worry about a thing.

Think it over. How long are you going to be a servant?

You feel you owe Doctor Heo for taking you in, fine, but it's been ten years.

Dol-swe.

It's time you found a beautiful wife to marry,

and have a handsome son that looks just like you...

No I mean, you'll have a big strapping boy like you.

It's time you live a happy life like others.

Yeah, Jun wouldn't begrudge you that.

He would help you make a living for yourself,

not hold you back.

Dol-swe, you're more stuffy than I thought.

If you just follow us, we'll make you rich in no time.

I can't.

I swear, you're making me cuss!

I said no!

I've heard enough. I'm going.

Pathetic! Being a maid is all you're good for!

What? Come again?

Ooh, scary, am I'm wrong?

You don't even know your own talents.

It's frustrating. Pathetic. Ignorant.

We'll see about that!

Say that again.

Let me hear you say it again!

- Owie! - Mommy!

What the heck is he?

He's no doctor. He's a butcher.

Why is he so strong?

You all right?

One moment. Is this Doctor Heo's house?

Yes, sir. And you are...?

I'm his brother-in-law.

Pardon me, sir. I had no idea.

This way, please.

Brother.

I trust you've been well?

I feel I've been too inattentive to you all this time.

Not at all.

What brings you here so suddenly?

I heard Heo Jun was made a royal physician.

I wanted to congratulate him.

I don't know when he'll be home. Please.

Kyeom, come out here.

Who...?

Mother, he is my older brother.

Pardon me for not coming till now.

What are you studying?

Medicine like your father?

Due to his status, he was unqualified to take the state examination.

He learned to read at the village school and has since been studying by himself.

He has been waiting to sit for the exams and be a scholar.

Then why not go to the Sungkyunkwan Academy?

What do you mean?

Well, Kyeom? Will you come to the academy with me?

But it's difficult to get in.

Nearly impossible if you don't top the civil service exams.

Very true.

But that's not the only way.

A student that has excelled in private study may sit for an entrance exam.

I can help you there.

Our Kyeom can be a scholar at Sungkyunkwan Academy?

Yes, Mother.

My brother teaches there.

Oh, blessed day. Thank you, thank you.

Not at all.

Heo Jun has His Majesty's trust.

What greater honor can our family have?

I'll help Kyeom with his studies from now on. So please do not worry.

Doctor Heo is late.

Tell him I stopped by.

Of course.

Be safe.

Da-hee.

I'm so proud of you.

When I think of all you've been through...

Brother.

Let me know if there's anything I can do.

Goodnight.

Father, if I may?

Come in.

Yes?

Kyeom's uncle is a teacher at the Sungkyunkwan Academy.

He came by earlier to say he would help him get in.

It pained him to think Kyeom had been studying alone.

Father, I will devote myself entirely to study at the academy.

My husband.

Kyeom.

I would prefer you study at home as you always have.

Father.

Why lose such an opportunity?

The academy is involved in the Crown Prince power struggle.

I wouldn't have Kyeom mixed up in politics.

You know how it led to the blight on your father's name.

We won't discuss Sungkyunkwan Academy again.

Doctor, Kim Man-gyeong at your service.

Welcome back.

Yes, sir, I just returned from Kyongsang.

Please speak comfortably as you did.

I wouldn't dare. I cannot anymore.

Things are bad in Kyongsang.

The Japanese have all withdrawn.

Locals say war is just a matter of time.

The magistrates are trying to settle them down.

But many are already evacuating.

But the envoy insists there will be no war.

So Kim Seong-il says.

But Ambassador Hwang says the opposite.

You can bet it will be bad.

Please take a look at our herbs.

Please take a look at our herbs.

Why did you come out?

To help you.

You can help by sitting comfortably.

Off you go. Get some rest.

- I'm fine. - Scoot.

- Kang. - Yes?

Go get some more Angelica and wolf powder.

Yes, sir.

Doing all right?

Welcome.

It's so odd.

What?

Mt. Nam.

Fire all night. And still smoking this morning.

Oh, that, it's just the beacon tower is all.

We had one in Yongchon, too.

When you burn horse dung on a clear day like this, the smoke can be seen for miles.

Who doesn't know that?

I'm just saying, we used to burn only one of them day and night.

But that's not the case right now.

Oh, that, if one beacon is lit, everything's fine.

Two and we're on alert.

Three, it's Japanese or Mongols.

Four, and enemies have crossed the border.

What about five?

Five beacons means invasion.

How many were lit at the Mt. Nam tower?

- Five. - Five?

- Five. - Five!

Then it's war?

What am I wasting time for?

What do I do? War.

What do I...? War...

It really is war. What now?

...What do we do...

Ma'am, what's going on?

Hard to say. But we need to find out.

Jun! Jun!

What now?

You didn't hear?

Five beacons are lit on Mt. Nam.

The Japanese have landed at Pusan.

It's utter chaos, chaos!

Is it true? The Japanese have landed?

So they say.

How can you be so relaxed?

So they're in the south, it happens all the time.

They landed at Pusan.

It's nothing.

The court is prepared for this.

They'll roust them in a day or two.

- Did you find out? - Yes ma'am.

Ma'am, the Japanese have landed at Pusan.

The court says they'll be defeated and not to worry.

Hear that?

Our patients may be upset.

Ease their minds.

Yes ma'am.

Head nurse, head nurse!

What now?

A word in private...

It's bad. The Japanese have invaded.

I know. The court says not to worry.

That's not true.

While the court is talking the enemy is advancing on the capital.

We have to evacuate. Go home.

Go on.

Milady, the minister.

Let him enter.

I was hoping for a word with you.

I have something to discuss with you.

- Leave us. - Yes, Milady.

What's happening with the invaders? They should be defeated by now right?

Milady.

It is going poorly.

How can that be?

We were told the enemy would be routed.

They have taken Pusan, Dongnae and Miryang. They're marching on Sangju.

What?

The King and his counselors are the only ones that know this.

If it got out there would be panic. So please lower your voice.

What should we do?

At this rate they'll be at the capital any day now.

I have prepared for this. It's all right.

We need cash, horses and traveling things.

Yes sir.

No one can know. Be discreet.

I understand.

You called for me, my lord?

Prepare Lady In-bin's tonic.

I have been taking it to her every day myself.

I don't mean for today.

Then?

We need a supply.

We may leaving soon.

What?

Make sure that no one else knows of this.

Yes, my lord.

My lord.

I need two horses and traveling clothes.

Why so suddenly?

We may have to evacuate the capital.

What?

Make way! Make way!

Make way!

If we evacuate, there's so many things we need to take with us...

Hush, sweetie, hush.

It's better to start packing our things or something.

I said shush.

Shush THIS. I swear.

Gosh, this is so frustrating. What do we...

Hush, wife.

Why is he not back yet?

- Jun. - Doctor Heo.

What brings you all here?

Should we evacuate or not?

We wanted to hear news from the palace.

You're a royal physician.

You'll know if anyone does.

Right so, um, well?

You needn't worry. They'll be repulsed.

Even if they get this far, they'll never breach the capital.

I knew it.

What's a few Japanese? Evacuate nothin'!

Whew!

I was so scared I'd have to leave all my stuff behind.

Kyeom, the exams will recommence once the war is over.

You can relax.

Yes, Father.

Well, we're all here, time for a drink!

Best idea you've had in a long time!

In honor of Doctor Heo here, eat, drink and be merry! On me!

...Oh, uh-huh...

Our treat.

Ma'am.

What's wrong?

The enemy. They've reached Chungju.

Ma'am, what should we do?

Remain calm.

We do as the doctors say. So you have no reason to be disturbed.

I'll speak with the Chief Physician. Wait here.

Did you just say Chungju?

Yes, sir.

If it's Chungju...

I'm sure it's nothing.

Oh, nothing, huh?

Chungju is eighty miles from the capital.

Two day's ride, how is that nothing?

General Shin Lip has gone to Chungju and has rallied our troops.

They say he is blocking them.

Isn't he the one that put down Nitangjie's Jurchen rebellion?

So there's nothing to worry about.

General Shin Lip will give them what for.

General Yi Il says the enemy is 150,000 strong.

Absurd.

He either saw wrong or he's exaggerating to excuse his defeat, no question.

I doubt that.

How else do you explain their northern march?

If General Shin doesn't stop them...

...we'll be helpless.

Perhaps His Majesty should evacuate before this happens?

What? Evacuate?

Forget about the capital? Save our own skins?

Hold on, I'm just worried about the King...

Trust General Shin Lip.

The minister is right.

People are upset enough as it is.

Any mention of a court evacuation would cause widespread panic.

The important thing now is to ensure the succession of the Crown Prince.

Quite right.

Naming the heir apparent as soon as possible will put a stop to civil unrest.

We must act in unison.

Whom shall we name?

What's that? Have Kwang-hae as Crown Prince?

Who is it? Who dares suggest such a thing?

I have to see the King.

Please hear me out first.

I won't have it.

Sinsong will be Crown Prince. The King agrees.

It might be better that the position of Crown Prince go to Kwang-hae for now.

Brother!

Think a moment. What does the Crown Prince do in war?

He acts to preserve the royal house in place of His Majesty.

The King's life must be preserved at all cost.

But it is different with the Crown Prince.

Who knows what may happen in war?

We have to protect Sinsong's life right now.

The Ming aren't likely to recognize a war-time investiture.

Anything done without Ming approval is less than useless.

Retreat today, fight tomorrow.

His Royal Highness has arrived.

Sire, the court has petitioned to name a Crown Prince.

It's true. They want Kwang-hae.

Sire, the court may be right for once.

What do you mean?

I want to name Sinsong.

As do you.

Pardon me, Sire, but he is only ten years old.

These are dangerous times. It's too much for a child.

Kwang-hae is thoughtful, intelligent and well-read.

He is the right choice for the title of Crown Prince.

Subtitles provided by MBC