Original subtitles

Curfew!

Return to your homes!

Curfew violators will be punished by ten lashes!

Curfew!

Return to your homes!

So what if he's the Crown Prince?

It's curfew, my lord.

He can't treat me like this.

Who made this country as strong as it is?

It's all thanks to the gunpowder that my father developed.

You're going to be arrested for violating the curfew!

That Crown Prince doesn't know jack!

Please watch what you say, my lord!

Never mind the curfew violation, you'll be arrested for treason!

Treason?

Without Choi Haesan, there are no cannons in Joseon.

Who would arrest me?

Where are you going?

I'm going to dump some water. Why?

So what if he's the Crown Prince?

Spies...

Spies are involved in Gangryeongpo pillage?

And these are their composite sketches?

I got the information from a reliable source.

He has dark eyebrows and an oblong face.

Space between his nose and lips is short, and his nose is long.

Wait, that's not his nose. The tip isn't fat like that.

They were staying near the Hall of Great Peace

but disappeared after the Gangryeongpo battle,

so the likelihood is high.

I sent a team to Gangryeongpo for now to look for them.

What are you telling me?

That cannon practice isn't important, so I should go catch spies?

Is that what you call setting things right?

I'm not saying cannon practice isn't important.

I'm saying stopping government secrets from leaking out comes first.

They can't approach us if we're stronger.

We don't have to be afraid of spies.

You can't lose if you know yourself and know your enemy.

If we capture the spy, we can find out more about the enemy.

I think that will help us strengthen our national defense.

I'm surprised.

I haven't seen you like this in years.

It's the first time since the uncles died, I think.

Your Highness...

What's gotten into you? What are you trying to accomplish?

I just want to help you.

Do I look that incompetent?

Enough to compel a man who's been voiceless all these years

out of fear of annoying the Royal court to come out and try to help me?

No...

Your Highness, we have a problem.

Can't conduct the training because Choi Haesan is absent?

Is Choi the only man the Bureau of Weaponry?

It's ridiculous to say that you can't conduct the training without him!

We can't make the gunpowder without him...

What?

Choi Haesan has been protecting the secret recipe for gunpowder himself.

Where the heck is he?

It appears he might have been arrested by the Capital Magistracy

last night for violating the curfew.

What?

Then contact the Capital Magistracy and have him released at once.

That is if they don't want to see this country go down.

Go to Japan?

Why would I go to Japan?

Forget about it.

Not in a million years.

This country doesn't give you the appreciation and

recognition you and your clan deserve.

Am I wrong?

We just want to give you a chance.

A chance to choose a new state to serve that will make you a hero.

Tighten restriction on foreigners' entry to the state?

Actually, we would be more like starting it.

We've never systematically controlled entry and exit of foreigners.

Take Gangryeongpo, for example...

Gangryeongpo again?

You are tenacious.

They timed their hit for the arrival of taxes collected from 3 southern states.

It wouldn't have been possible if the information hadn't gotten out.

We must install a system to control traffic of foreigners, Prime Minister.

It's not possible right now.

We have over forty major ports in Joseon.

If we send only 3 agents to each port, we're talking about 120 agents.

We don't have that kind of manpower.

Ministry of Personnel can send our hew recruits, and

if each bureau spares one third of its staff,

I think it's doable.

Agents are only half of what we need.

What about armed guards?

At least 2.000 soldiers will have to be dispatched,

and that will leave the capital city defenseless.

If we let the spies roam free, our borders will not be secure.

That's for the Ministry of Defense to worry about.

The Ministry of Rites can mind its own business!

If you did your job, the invasion on Gangryeongpo would've been avoided!

What?

Settle down.

Entry and exit control is premature.

The hands of this government can't even

reach our border provinces due to shortage of personnel.

That's right.

We're relying on the regional lords because we have no other choice,

but they were loyal to Goryeo for generations.

They could turn on us at any given time.

We must get a grip of our own state first.

That's the proper order.

Go to the King directly.

If you want to do this you have my full support.

No, I cannot violate the chain of command.

If you know you're doing the right thing,

borrow the King's authority to push it through.

It could backfire.

This work is impossible without the support of the other bureaus.

If I turn my peers into enemies, I'll get nowhere.

Ministry of Rites will start this alone for now and gradually persuade the others.

That's inefficient management.

It's foolish to take the long way when there is a short way.

Let us first send Deputy Director Byun to Gangryeongpo and have him compile

a list of foreign ships that entered the port.

Would he comply?

Prime Minister is against entry and exit control.

Byun Gaeryang is Ha Ryun's man. He is likely to refuse the assignment.

No, he'll go.

I will not go to Gangryeongpo.

How did you find out so quickly? That's impressive.

And you know whom to line yourself with as well.

What do you mean by that?

You think you can ignore

your immediate superior's order if the Prime Minister opposes?

I'll speak to the Minister of Rites directly if you don't mind.

It's a response to your order, Minister Hwang.

That was quick.

It shouldn't be any problem for me to be away for about a month,

so please send me to Been County, Choongchung Province instead.

They voted not to install a new agency,

so it's entirely up to us to control the traffic of foreigners for now.

And the most we can cover is Kyunggi and Choongchung.

So you want to go to the port that's busiest and furthest away?

An officer cannot overstep his authority.

but he must do his very best at his given task within his boundaries.

The Capital Magistracy has not arrested Choi Haesan?

No, at least not according to their records.

Perhaps he gave them a different name out of embarrassment.

Did you send someone to his home?

We even checked his favorite saloon, but he is nowhere to be found.

Then where did he disappear to?

Jachi.

Yes?

We need to trade clothes.

Again?

I'll see you later.

Hurry back!

Barkeeper, one more bottle!

We're out!

What?

If you don't have wine, who does? The pharmacy?

Are you sure you have money to pay for the wine?

Yes, I told you.

Let me see it then. Let me see the money.

I don't have it right this moment, but...

What? You mean you've been drinking all of my wine without any money?

You better pay me right now, or I'll call the authorities on you!

Just give me one more bottle. I can't let this food go to waste.

Get us two.

What took you so long, buddy? Come sit down.

What are you waiting for. Get us the wine.

Yeah, or we're going somewhere else!

What did I tell you? I told you, you could make money.

Who gave it to you? Who paid you all that money for the composite sketch?

That's not important.

I have something else I want to know.

If you were a spy, what information would you want most from Joseon?

Well, that's not a one word answer.

You need to know the state of affairs in Japan to figure that out.

Just tell me something basic.

Something basic?

Well, that would be military secrets.

You mean like weapons technology?

Explosive making maybe?

You'd be hailed a hero if you took that information back.

Remember Choi Musun of Goryo? He became an instant...

Who is that kid anyway? I just can't figure him out...

Kidnapped by Japanese spies?

There is a good possibility.

We have a witness who saw him getting arrested by the magistracy officers.

Maybe they were imposters wearing officer's uniforms.

Imposters?

The Capital Magistracy is not that shoddy.

Uncle...

These are wild assumptions.

There's a bigger chance that he's lying on the street somewhere drunk.

This is the Bureau of Weaponry attendance log.

Choi Haesan has never missed a day of work since his appointment in the past four years.

He even worked on the day he got injured from an explosion accident.

You have to send your men out and search the city immediately.

Don't be naive.

We can't mobilize the guards on your hunch alone.

I'm certain it's a kidnapping.

So you want us to search every building in the city?

Do you know what kind of task you're talking about?

Uncle Muhyul is right.

We cant mobilize the guards without tangible cause even if you're right.

We don't have much time.

Once they get out of the city and get on a boat, it's over.

We need evidence first.

Can you get it?

Evidence...

Why are you putting Prince Choongnyeong to work?

He could be right.

Whether he is right or wrong isn't important.

This is not a matter for a Royal Prince to get involved in.

You have plenty of Royal subjects at your beck and call.

Isn't Choongnyeong one of my Royal subjects as well?

That's a dangerous remark.

That sounds like an insult to me.

Your Highness...

I'm going to give him a chance.

If I don't give him a chance and confirm my belief,

I would never, know whether he is a subject or an enemy.

Choi Haesan is an important recruit subject.

The explosives that he can produce have strength equivalent to one hundred,

no, one thousand soldiers.

But the Royal court of Joseon is completely ignoring his abduction.

We will rescue him ourselves and acquire his vow or loyalty to us.

Spread out from the city square and search every possible hideout.

Do not overlook the abandoned houses and buildings that are tagged for demolition.

Suspicious men are approaching.

You're home.

Your Highness, is everything all right?

No list... and no witnesses...

How am I going to find evidence?

Your Highness...

Do you want to play princess for a day?

Your Highness, whatever do you mean?

If you walk down the street in a princess dress,

everyone would think you're a princess, wouldn't they?

Your Highness...!

And it would be easy for you since you have easy access to her clothes.

This is injustice! Never in my wildest dreams...!

What would a spy do?

Me, a spy?

I'm not a spy, Your Grace!

Goodness!

Are they working with someone on the inside?

Then it would be a piece of cake

for them to borrow a uniform and impersonate an officer.

Right?

Why would they go through all that trouble for a uniform?

They can just have it made.

Make the uniform? How?

All you need is a tailor.

There're dozens of tailors that make official uniforms in the city.

Why didn't you tell me that sooner?

You never asked!

Your Highness, where are you going at this late hour?

He's been acting very strange lately.

Is it bad?

Your Grace...?

It's been a long time since I've seen him like this.

Can't we skip it tonight?

I have a lot on my mind because of Choi Haesan.

It's an auspicious day selected by the Astronomy Bureau, Your Highness.

Isn't this hilarious?

I feel like I'm in a cage being slaughtered every time we do this.

Everything is decided by the court even the day I sleep with my wife.

You should watch the words you utter.

This is for the succession of the Royal throne.

It's a very important state affair.

Important state affair...

This would've been a little better if you said you missed me...

What are you waiting for? Let's get on with the state affair.

Youngsil.

What are you doing?

It's not the sutra chanting...

But you said your mother would like it, so I...

Would you look at this and tell me if you seen these men?

Take a closer look.

This is not working. I need another plan.

You fellows keep searching.

You need my help?

I need to see every one of the foreign merchants you deal with.

May I ask why?

This will benefit you as well.

If it turned out you're doing business with a spy,

you could be accused of conspiracy to commit treason.

Treason?

There is no time to waste.

Would you put your men to work for me?

But of course.

Thank you.

I should be thanking you, Your Highness.

You've given us humble merchants a chance to serve the country.

I'm surprised that you're helping the prince, sire.

It's in our interest to learn what the kidnapper looks like as well.

But they could rescue Choi Haesan first.

You're a government official yourself.

Don't you know how Joseon government works?

They won't act quickly enough even if they acquire clear evidence.

And even if they do rescue Choi Haesan, we have nothing to lose.

The Prince's trust will help us protect the organization.

And we will buy more time for you to inherit all of Choi's knowledge.

Yes, this is the man.

He said he was in a hurry and paid me double.

That's the man that was spotted in Gangryeongpo as well.

You refuse to go to Japan?

I guess you have a death wish.

I never said I wouldn't go.

I said I'm no good to you if you take me like this.

I need my father's journal. I can't make explosives without it.

This is the man that abducted Choi Haesan in an officer's disguise.

He is also the spy behind the hit on Gangryeongpo.

The question now is his escape route...

I think he'll try to leave Joseon through the nearest port in merchant's disguise.

A busy port with heavy traffic of foreigners would be even better.

How about Byuklan-do port in Gaesung?

When does the ship come in?

Tomorrow at dawn.

We are leaving tonight to Been Country, Choongchung Province.

Yes, sir!

I'm sorry, sir.

We should've searched more carefully.

It's still warm in here.

They're within thousand paces from here.

We placed our men on the mountain road leading to Byuklan-do,

so there won't be a mistake this time.

Byuklan-do?

That's not where they're headed.

If they were, they wouldn't have been hiding at the south end of the city.

Sir...?

They're headed south.

Doorkeeper!

Are you visiting Chief Choi?

Is there a problem, sir?

Don't you think it's a bit late for a woman to be traveling?

It's Lord Choi's mother.

I see.

She must've come back from her grave.

Who is in the carriage?

Prince Choongnyeong... He's not to take lightly.

How did he know that Choi Haesan would come back for his journal?

He read his heart.

He not only read his talent but his heart as well.

I'm glad Choi Haesan has been rescued...

But Prince Choongnyeong's surge of growth does not make me happy...

How did you know Choi Haesan would come back to his house?

I put myself in Choi's shoes and thought about what I would do.

He is a patriot who doesn't let injury slow him down.

I'm sure he trusted that the country cares about him

as much as he cares about the country,

and that someone would come to his rescue if he could just get back somehow.

The journal was probably just bait

since it's common knowledge that engineers keep notes.

I better get back home now.

What would you like me to do for you?

I should probably report this to Father.

You deserve a rewarded for this huge service to the state.

I already got my reward.

You didn't refuse my offer to help you. That's reward enough.

Doe...

Would you let me help you again?

You said you would make Joseon a strong state.

I can't tolerate anyone who brings harm to my people.

That dream...

That dream of serving the people...

Could I dream that dream with you, Your Highness?

Please let me help you. I'll be your hands and feet...

or your shadow if that's what you'd like.

For that day when you can finally call me Brother instead of Your Highness?

The Crown Prince captured a Japanese spy?

He is the culprit behind the pillage in Gangryeongpo,

and he had abducted Choi Musun's

son Choi Haesan in an attempt to steal our explosives technology.

Right Army Headquarters

I don't know how to praise you for your continuing remarkable services.

I do not deserve your praise for merely doing my duty, Your Majesty.

The Crown Prince should be in the palace at this hour.

If the safety of the country is threatened and attention is required,

isn't that where the Heir Apparent should be, Your Majesty?

Tear them from limb to limb and send them back to Japan!

Yes, Your Majesty.

I should have you men return the merit-subject land I granted you.

With all the money we spend on stipends, how could you allow

spies to roam freely on our streets?

Remember.

If something like this ever happens again, your heads will come off.

Are you here to see the Crown Prince?

What brings you here?

We rushed here to congratulate everyone the moment we heard the news.

Didn't we, Kyoungnyeong?

Well, offer her your congratulations, Kyoungnyeong.

My dear, why would you congratulate me?

Your younger brother has rendered yet another outstanding service.

Doesn't that deserve praise?

He is only doing his job. He doesn't deserve special praise.

I doubt you came out here to greet me, so...

You must be quite pleased with the Crown Prince's recent accomplishments.

Your Majesty...

Confiscate Choi Haesan's secret gunpowder formula?

To protect the know-how even if we don't have him.

But you could lose him if you forcefully take it from him.

Explosive weapons technology means nothing to an individual.

It belongs to the country.

I don't disagree, but the man is more important.

More importantly that formula is not his family's only legacy.

It needs to be developed and

and improved further, and if we lose

Choi Haesan, that will be the end.

Give him your trust and encourage him.

Then not only will he surrender the formula

but sacrifice himself in service of you and this country.

Are you going to run over to Choi Haesan's house now?

Don't you ever get tired?

You always waste your time and energy for nothing.

Brother...

Why do you try so hard?

It's not going to change anything.

Look what happened.

His Majesty got all the credit.

It's rather comforting.

I thought I was the only one.

I didn't know that you felt just as unfairly treated...

and so you feel empathy for me.

I don't.

Do you want to do this together? It'll be more fun than growing orchids.

I'm not interested.

Politics...

They say they're serving the country and the people, but that's just a guise.

If you peel off the shell and look inside, all that's left is slaughter.

Burning hell where you either kill or get killed... That's politics.

Politics is slaughter.

What good is having hope?

It's useless. It's all useless...

His Highness the Crown Prince sent this?

He said you were an important man and that I should take it to you personally.

Is that tears of gratitude?

I was so wrong about him. I resented him...

He would hound at me calling me useless and disloyal, so...

Don't you hound at your subordinates?

They told me you sometimes

take your fist to those who are clumsy with gunpowder.

Well, that's...

His Majesty is like you.

He yells at you because he is just as passionate as you are.

But this is his true heart. Do you understand?

Your Highness...

Get back on your feet soon.

I can't stand to see our best explosives expert lying on his back.

It's too big of a loss for this country to accept.

I hear you've been busy.

But I didn't even come close to helping the people who suffered injustices.

This is good start. You can't do everything alone.

I guess I earned your forgiveness for my insolence the other day.

You said it would be tough.

"It's a difficult life caring about the people."

That's what you told me when I was a boy.

But I don't know if I can.

I don't know if I can keep the people in my heart all the time.

Your Highness...

I just hope I can be a decent father.

I'm going to have a baby soon.

I just want to be able to give some small comfort to the

child who is destined to live a life like mine...

To look at me when he's sad and disheartened because the world

won't give him a chance to pursue his dream...

... and see that it isn't so bad to live a life like mine.

That even if you're stuck in a shadow and sun never shines on you,

that one must never give up what's in one's heart.

That's virtue... That's living life right...

That's what I want my child to know, master.