Original subtitles

major translation provided by mbc america

transcript provided by creidesca

minor translation & editing seewhy

timer fatendestiny

qc & spot translation jae. M

encoder kandi.

Miss! Miss!

What happened here?!

Aren't you afraid of death?

Are you alright?

Yes, I am.

Recognize him?

No, I don't.

I recognize him.

He was one of those heng-in soldiers we met

during a weapons trade the last time.

Why would they want to hurt me?

Even if it were for revenge,

it's impossible for heng-in troops to attack the fleet.

Doing so would spell disaster for diplomacy between our country and theirs.

Why are you the only one back?

We were defeated by the guards.

What?!

You useless fool!

Of all things...

I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

I want all the troops assembled at once.

Yes, sir.

Damn it!

Any news?

The commander who represented heng-in during that transaction was a man called bae-mang.

He defied orders

and tried to embezzle the gold and weaponry that was to be used in exchange for our goods.

His act was brought to light, and he was stripped of his position.

He then gathered a group of followers and renegaded.

A renegade?

You're saying those people after miss are outlaws?

Yes.

I should have killed them all when I had the chance.

That's not all.

They might be outlaws,

but they were also soldiers and officers trained in the heng-in military.

They will be well-trained, and battle Hardy.

This is bad.

We cannot match their calibre.

Now that they know our location and vitals,

it will be perilous to continue with the expedition.

We should head back to buyeo.

Sa-yong is right.

Miss,

those people are with a vengeance, and they'll surely hunt us down.

Our best bet is to avoid them.

We'd better go back, miss.

I heard they still address their leader as 'commander'.

Ah, what's the use? They're nothing but bandits.

Hey don't look down on them.

They're even tougher than the average heng-in soldier.

These men will gladly jump into fire

at a word from their officers.

No wonder even the imperial guards are no match for them.

I... guess this is for real.

Brother.

Seems it's reckless to continue with this expedition.

We should go back to buyeo.

Yes, I agree.

Brother, please convince so seo-no.

Truthfully,

no matter what adversities I may come across,

I would still want to reach go-San nation.

But the fleet ultimately belongs to so seo-no.

I guess we have to wait for her decision.

Follow me.

Where to?

To the bandit's hideout.

What?!

Why?!

To understand their strength and movement.

No, hey brother!

What is it that you want?

The han dynasty is preparing to wage war against the barbarians of south-west yi.

The emperor is offering a chance for buyeo to show her loyalty

by pledging 10,000 soldiers to the cause

in return for the emperor's benevolence.

This is also a good chance to mend the failing diplomacy between our two countries.

Knowing his majesty, he'd never send reinforcements

I agree with you.

If the previous king were still around, he would have declined immediately.

But this time, it seems he did not give an answer at all.

Might he have something up his sleeves?

What other motives would he have?

It must be because of the recent trade issues.

His majesty is aware that in refusing...

The people of buyeo might be put in a difficult position.

It is this that his majesty is worried about.

Chief general!

Yes.

Won't sending out 10,000 soldiers as reinforcements

lead to any problems for us?

We cannot mobilize the soldiers in buyeo, as well as those at the border.

But if we send out sachuldo troops,

buyeo's defense will not be compromised.

His majesty is aware of this as well.

Prime minister,

if we send out reinforcements,

what do you think we can gain out of it?

For one, we can easily settle the trade issues.

We can also request to learn the art of forging steel from the hans.

After we send out reinforcements,

we can also request that they be responsible for arming the reinforcements and expenditures.

Great idea!

But the hans will not agree to it so easily.

The most important thing is,

we must be sure that the hans will win this battle easily, like what Yang-jeong claims they can do.

Sending troops into a losing battle will not do.

Did you check up on them?

Yes

the ministers haven't left their positions...

And are currently in a heated discussion over whether to send reinforcements to han nation.

Even if they come to a conclusion on their own,

doesn't the final say lie on the king geum-wa?

Dong-sun

yes, governor!

Arrange a private session with dae-so. I'd like to speak to him privately

yes.

If his majesty refuses to send out reinforcements,

diplomacy between buyeo and the han dynasty will surely crumble.

Dae-so, you spent much effort at hyeon-to solving our previous problems.

I'm afraid your efforts might come to waste.

His majesty will make a wise decision.

Please don't worry.

No.

His majesty will not comply with the han's request for reinforcements.

It's different this time around.

If he declines,

the people will be adversely afffected by our lack of salt.

Then, for that we will have to go to war.

I'm sure his majesty is aware of this as well.

I can't stand it any longer.

How long are we going to let the han dynasty oppress us?

We are but dogs of the hans.

That Yang-jeong jumps at every chance to make things difficult for father.

Brother, why don't I just dispose of him already?

Do you really want buyeo to be annihilated?

Why don't you try using your brains to think for a while?

You calm down too.

I'm sure young-po said that out of anger.

I'm sorry, brother.

Your highness.

The governor of hyeon-to requested for a private audience with you.

I guess it's up to you to convince his majesty.

To think about the soldiers who have to spill their blood for the hans,

must have resulted in sleepless nights for his majesty.

If we comply,

what can the han dynasty provide buyeo with?

As long as the reinforcements are sent out.

I will make sure that every buyeo soldier

gets paid as much as a han soldier.

I will also ensure that there will not be any further trade disputes between us.

I demand that all buyeo soldiers be armed with steel weapons and armor

and be allowed to return home with them.

Your majesty, prince dae-so requests an audience with you.

Invite him in.

What's the matter?

Your majesty, I just spoke to governor Yang-jeong.

I have Yang-jeong's promise.

If we send out reinforcements,

he will arm all these soldiers with steel,

and allow us to keep them after the war.

Did he allow you to be convinced with these conditions?

Your majesty, if this works out,

buyeo will become a strong nation that even the hans cannot disregard.

As long as we have 10,000 soldiers capable of wielding steel,

how many other minor nations can look down on us?

Dae-so...

Yes, your majesty.

If the hans lose this war,

how many of those soldiers do you think will make it back alive?

Am I to use the lives of young soldiers to exchange for a stronger nation?

Your majesty,

to achieve the goal of building a strong nation, some sacrifices have to be made,

those sacrifices will incur the wrath of the populace,

ostracize us,

and create a rift between the government and the people.

If we don't comply, the han dynasty will put pressure on our trade issues again,

if the hans...

Dare to oppress buyeo again,

then,

I'm prepared to go to war with them.

This is a matter that still requires much thought,

don't come to a hasty conclusion.

Is there still no news of the decision?

Yes.

Not knowing the outcome of the war,

it'll be a huge gamble to dedicate 10,000 troops just by faith alone.

No matter how tempting Yang-jeong's offer is,

king geum-wa will have a hard time making his decision.

From your point of view,

what do you think his verdict will be?

Oh yes

king geum-wa will weigh the gains in winning the war

against the consequences of losing the war, and the people's vengeance that might follow.

The interesting thing is

no matter what the king's decision may be,

our merchant fleet will stand to gain.

Who's there?!

Have you checked it out?

Yes.

Besides the ones under training, there're still about 20 of them.

Their weapons look impressive as well.

There're also 90 odd prisoners.

It looks like they'll be sold as slaves.

There're only two road leading to the hideout.

One of them passes between cliffs

and will be hard to sneak in.

They usually wait in ambush here

to attack and plunder passing merchants.

The prisoners are then taken here.

Brother, brother!

Have you checked out their movement?

They're still at the inn.

Will they return to buyeo?

If they know who we are, they will not mobilize the fleet so easily.

We will ambush them the moment they are about to leave heng-in.

We must capture that rascal so seo-no alive and bring her to me.

Is that understood?

Yes, commander.

Miss! Miss!

What else is there to mull over?

All the workers don't wish to die before they return home.

Please give us the order to withdraw.

Sa-yong,

yes, miss.

If father were here, what would he do?

Chief isn't a reckless person.

You think that my frustration

is an act of recklessness?

Judging from our strength, we can't possibly hope to take them on.

We should flee from a battle that we cannot win.

Actually, I...

Would have liked to brave the danger to reach go-San nation.

Miss!

Father wants to test my competence...

Through this expedition. This I am aware of.

That's why I want to give it all I've got.

Please continue.

But like what uncle gye-pil said,

I will not put the workers in danger just because of my selfishness.

Prepare to withdraw.

Miss, I'm glad you said that.

Hey,

just in time.

We've already decided to head back to buyeo.

You'd better pack your stuff fast.

It's a pity I know, but there's no other way.

I'll abide by miss's orders,

but before I get my belongings, could you hear me out first?

Please speak.

Though I haven't been here for long,

I realize that sometimes sacrifices have to be made if we want profit.

If we give up, expecting to lose,

then we won't have a chance of winning.

If we give up this opportunity,

next time

and following that,

paving a trade route to go-San will become a lost cause.

It's not as if we don't know!

Please give me two days.

I'll get rid of every threat between us and go-San.

Threat?

Are you going to take on the bandits?

As for the details,

I've not made up my mind yet.

Taking a detour around the bandits,

is another possibility.

One thing's for sure,

I won't drag the fleet into this.

Two days then.

If you can't find a solution by then,

then we'll withdraw.

How are we going to come up with something in two days?

Didn't you see it for yourself?

They may be bandits, but they're no different from imperial guards.

It's already hard enough to get close, how are we going to kill the leader?

I must go alone

to the bandit's hideout.

What? What?

Spare me! Spare me! Spare me!

Get off the horse.

Move it!

These are the few we just caught?

What do they have with them?

Silk and red Jade.

Compared to those,

I think these scums here are worth more.

They look tough.

- Take them away. - Yes.

Hey hey hey. Watch it.

What's on your mind?

Eh?

Nothing.

What prince ju-mong has found out...

Don't you wish to know?

I don't place high hopes on that.

Now, it seems no one can come up with something good.

The reason I gave him two days

is because I know this expedition

means a lot to him.

For us,

we can always leave it to next time.

But for prince ju-mong,

he can't do the same.

Compared to the acknowledgement I want from father,

prince ju-mong's need of king geum-wa's acknowedgement

far outweighs mine.

Looks like the scale has tipped.

What do you mean by that?

You used to treat prince dae-so and ju-mong equally.

Now it seems you're leaning closer to prince ju-mong.

What you've said, I can't deny.

How should I put it?

When I see him,

I just feel like doing all I can for him.

I pity him too

and I worry what would become of him if I weren't here.

Do you know this feeling?

Miss!

Miss!

We're in trouble.

What happened?

I heard prince ju-mong wasn't searching for a new route.

Then... where did he go?

I heard he went to the bandit's hideout.

That oh-yi who went with him,

told one of the guards, dongsu

he said he's going to get the bandit's leader.

He must be bloody insane!

How can he be so reckless?

Looks like prince ju-mong

can no longer serve as a weapon for you.

It seems there aren't many guards watching over this cell.

We just have to deal with those four at the entrance.

Their vigilance will waver at night.

As long as we neutralize their leader,

they'll break into disarray.

Commander, someone from buyeo is here to buy the slaves.

Oh, really?

You're here.

Is boss with you?

Boss has some urgent matters to look into,

I can handle matters, don't worry.

Do you have a few good ones?

There should be quite a bunch.

Anyway, let's cut some slack on the transactions.

It must have been difficult for you to travel so far

why don't you have a drink first?

Go have a look at the slaves and see if there're any good ones.

Yes.

Let's go

here, have a cup. Sure.

Cheers! Cheers!

I have quite a few pretty girls. Do you want to try them out?

There's no hurry.

I'll take my time.

Yes, sure

by the way, what urgent matters do your boss have?

He used to handpick the slaves himself.

The governor of hyeon-to is at buyeo

my lord

a problem?

- Is it for real? - Yes.

- Let's get started. - Yes.

Hey.

Aigoo, I need help!

Come, come!

Brother.

Not here!

Put down your swords.

Long time no see, your highness.

I never dreamed of seeing you in a place like this.

You used to act like you own everything,

now look where you are.

You're a lucky man, commander.

A fortune just came knocking on our door.

What do you want me to do?

If you kill them,

boss will reward you handsomely.

Before I do so,

I want to get my hands on so seo-no that wrectch.

As you wish, commander,

I just want to get rid of them.

Then I'll leave this to you, commander.

Have a safe trip.

- Let's go. - Yes.

Are we really going to kill them?

If what he said is true, if he really is a prince of buyeo

we'll get into deep trouble.

Capturing so seo-no is our first priority.

Han-dang that rascal, I'm going to kill him.

Really?

Is that true?

Yes, it is.

Besides ju-mong, we have oh-yi, ma-ri, and hyeop-Bo too.

We might even have a chance of nabbing so seo-no.

I'm... i'm... going to be rich!

Eh wait, why am I still sitting here?

I'm off to tell prince young-po the good news.

- Han-dang... - Yes.

I got it.

Your highness...

Yeo mi-eul!

Yeo mi-eul!

What are you standing around for?!

- Quick carry her inside! - Yes.

Are you alright, priestess yeo mi-eul?

We thought we were going to lose you.

I'm okay.

You've exhausted yourself.

How's things in the palace?

About the reinforcements,

his majesty hasn't come to a decision yet.

The ministers have differing opinions among themselves too.

It looks like his majesty is having a hard time.

It's just a yes or a no, must it take so long?

As long as you agree to it.

Buyeo will receive the emperor's benevolence.

I simply cannot understand

all this dragging and procrastination.

Prince dae-so, please try again.

If I try again, it'll only make it worse.

I cannot wait any longer!

If you cannot decide soon, then it leaves me no choice.

What's that supposed to mean?

Haven't I made myself clear enough?

It's because of prince dae-so's hardwork that our nations...

Have the peace that they enjoy now.

This has nothing to do with the reinforcements,

it was solely between you and me.

Don't try to put them together.

I'm very touched that you brought me hae mo-su's head.

Concerning buyeo and the han dynasty's diplomacy,

I'm very interested in helping you out.

But,

if you're holding back

because you fear your father,

then it's a pity our friendship

has to end here.

This is worrying!

Do we really have to wait for his majesty's decision?

Sometimes it cannot be helped, your highness.

Those blasted rascals

everytime the hans come around, we have to swallow our dignity.

How long is this going to last?

Hey mu-song.

What?

Do you want to know

why someone like me can make it this far without wife and children?

That's because

I dedicated my entire life to this iron workshop.

This workshop is my wife, my children.

Now they want me to put it out of service.

Isn't that like asking me to kill my wife and children?

My condolences.

The only one who take all these sorrow away is prince ju-mong.

Prince ju-mong, please you must become crown prince

and extinguish this misery for mo pal-mo.

Hey watch what you're saying!

What if someone hears you?

And drink less of that wine!

Bug off! I know I'm right.

No matter what,

the only person fit to be crown prince is prince ju-mong!

I said shut it!

You rascals!

What did you say?

What about ju-mong?

Are you itching for death?

Your highness, ironsmith leader... he's drunk

he only said that out of brashness

please forgive us!

I dare you to say that again!

I'm sorry, your highness.

Mo pal-mo, you better get this straight.

I know his majesty favours you,

but if you spew nonsense like that again,

you won't stay alive even if you had ten heads to spare.

Am I clear?!!

See! Didn't I tell you to cut down on drinking?

And?

I heard his majesty hasn't given his word yet

my lady

if we don't send out reinforcements

will the hans cut off our salt supply?

What are we going to do?

I'm journeying to go-San nation

go-San nation? Might it be for the salt?

Yes.

Although the trade problem with han dynasty has been solved...

His majesty's worry has not abated.

I would like to handle this problem for his majesty.

I know you have good intentions,

but I heard from your grandfather,

no one really knows if go-San nation has any salt.

Please don't worry

I've met some people from go-San nation at buyeo city

I have confidence.

Contact the yeon ta-bal merchant fleet

if possible, look out for any news from ju-mong

yes, my lady.

The governor of hyeon-to awaits your wise decision, your majesty.

Yang-jeong.

Yes.

I have decided,

I will not be sending reinforcements.

Your majesty,

do you realize that your decision

will catalyse the collapse of buyeo's diplomacy with the hans?

This decision

does not lie in your hands, but in mine.

However,

if the hans will forsake our ties just because of this,

then it only goes to show how unreasonable they are.

You have gone too far..

Compared to...

The way you have insulted buyeo over the years,

this is nothing.

I will give you more time.

Do think this over carefully.

Even if I think it over a thousand more times,

my answer will remain unchanged.

Dismissed!

Those barbarians who dare stand up against us hans

will disappear like ashes from the face of this world.

And after this, the emperor might consider

doing exactly the same thing to buyeo.

Preposterous!

You go back and tell your emperor,

buyeo will be well prepared for it.

The one that will turn to ash is not buyeo,

but the han dynasty.

I will convey this message.

Listen up!

Regarding my decision,

don't ever bring it up again.

Yes, your majesty.

Chief general!

Yes, your majesty.

From this moment onwards,

move the entire buyeo's military into battle position.

We must stand prepared for any provocation from the hans.

Chief general heuk-chi, pledges obedience to your majesty.

High priestess,

his majesty has rejected the han's request for reinforcements,

and has ordered the general to make war preparations.

General chun-go, make for sachuldo immediately

and initiate a check on the soldiers and provision.

The soldiers should be prepared to mobilize promptly at his majesty's order.

Yes, chief general.

General ji-go.

Order all officers in and outside of buyeo to check on their weapons and provision.

Yes, chief general.

Are we all just going to sit around?

We should at least convince his majesty to avoid going to war.

Palace emissary,

it's already too late.

There's nothing we can do now.

Instead of trying to avoid the war,

why don't we put our heads together

and think of a way to win?

This is what a loyal minister should do.

No I don't agree

if we cannot get his majesty to change his mind,

then we should seek the governor of hyeon-to

and appeal to him for a truce.

Didn't you see how smug Yang-jeong was?

As long as we don't comply, there'll be no end to this.

The problem is salt.

If we don't secure a supply of salt,

I'm afraid the people and soldiers will perish.

We must find a solution.

Your majesty, the priestess seeks an audience with you.

Invite her in.

What is it?

Your majesty,

I have depleted my strength these ten days

seeking salvation for buyeo.

Why didn't you visit me even once?

I told you I washed my hands clean of the divination palace,

I'm very disappointed.

If you came just to discuss this,

then please go back.

Your majesty,

I, yeo mi-eul,

have never once

lived my life for myself.

Before I became priestess,

I was a woman who kept your majesty in my heart.

After becoming priestess,

I only have buyeo in my heart, I live for buyeo.

I lived my whole life for buyeo and your majesty.

How can you treat me like this?

Like you, yeo mi-eul,

I, too...

Have a person whom I deepy respect, hae mo-s...

Whenever I think of the cruelty you inflicted on him,

I can't stand it.

This scar

will be with me

till the day that I die.

I heard your majesty is prepared to wage war against the han dynasty.

Indeed.

Do you think we stand a chance of winning?

Because of your animosity towards the divination palace and I,

you made a wrong decision.

Such reckless decisions

will be frowned upon by the gods.

For the sake of buyeo,

please act with wisdom and prudence.

Then,

you suppose that sacrificing the lives of 10,000 soldiers

to appease the ruthless han dynasty

will garner divine protection for us?

Stop exploiting the gods

to blind and deafen me.

A cloud of war hangs over buyeo now.

If war erupts, should we move the fleet to gyeh-ru?

Don't worry,

we'll know of it as soon as they mobilize the troops. It's not too late if we move then.

I wonder how so seo-no is doing.

Miss!

The two days are up.

Still no news of him, something bad must have happened.

What should we do now?

Miss, it's best if we return to buyeo first.

It doesn't help if we stay here all day.

I...

Am going to the bandit's hideout myself.

Miss!

This is not like you, what's wrong?

What was I like last time?

You were fast and precise.

Sometimes you outshine even the chief himself.

Now, you can't even get your priorities right.

You think I'm taking a blind risk?

It's no different from suicide.

What plans do you have?!

Don't worry.

After I heard prince ju-mong went to their hideout,

I regretted not thinking of it earlier.

As long as I can get bae-mang to drop his grudge against me,

then we wouldn't have to go back to buyeo.

When I was little,

I remember father used to tell me this...

As a merchant,

one must learn to make business even with an enemy.

I had forgotten the fact that I was a merchant.

You're saying you want to trade with the bandits??

Why not?

Uncle,

please look after the fleet.

Sa-yong and I will go to the bandit's hideout.

Miss.

Are you scared of going with me?

No.

I'd like to see for myself, what you're going to offer him.

You're insane!

Why, you as well?!

Who are you?

Tell your leader,

I'm so seo-no from yeon ta-bal's clan.

I want to see the bandit leader.

Came by yourself, didn't you? You really are something.

The commander isn't here now,

until he comes back, throw this girl into the cell.

Yes.

Miss!

Miss!

What's going on?

Is the entire fleet captured?

Not that,

miss decided to come on her own accord.

What? Are you crazy?

How can you deliver yourself to him?

A blessing to see you're doing well.

Seriously,

did you really come here yourself?

Yes.

Now... what

exactly were you thinking?

Are you hurt?

Miss!

Why didn't you tell me

you were coming here?

When I heard you went to kill the leader,

I got the fright of my life.

I'm really too embarassed to face you now.

Because of my bad foresight,

I got the whole fleet and you into trouble.

Don't blame it on yourself.

The reason I came here

was to make a deal with the bandit leader.

If it weren't for you,

I wouldn't have thought of it.

Commander, so seo-no came to the hideout herself

what?

What if the deal doesn't go through?

You may be a merchant,

but putting your life on collateral to make a deal,

is really too reckless.

Speaking of recklessness,

you and I are no different.

I...

Have already placed my fate in exchange for your life.

Even if it fails,

even if I die,

I will not regret this decision.

- Take her out! - Yes.

Miss,

I will place mine

in exchange for yours too.

Poh Kim

to date, chief yeon ta-bal has been

providing us with salt

but we are reaching the limits

our convoy is currently heading for gosan

I've also heard that even if the convoy went

there would be nothing to trade the salt for