Original subtitles

Brought to you by jss jumong subbing squad.

By driving the hyeon-to army out,

we regained part of the old joseon's land for the refugees to settle in.

We have the foundation for a new nation.

All we need are a new set of national laws to announce the founding of goguryeo.

I'd like the minister of left and right and manager sa-yong

to come up with a set of national laws.

Yes.

We were able to unify jol-bon and fight the hyeon-to army

because there were many talented men who endured all trials with you.

But we'll need more talented people in order to run a great nation.

We should find talented people from all the nations and tribes who will join us.

Let's do that.

General.

The mo-yeon tribe chief came and said he would like to speak with you.

The mo-yeon tribe?

They were a part of buyeo for a long time.

That's right.

I think he's here to ask to be subjugated

because buyeo is going through hard times.

This is general ju-mong.

I am mak-pil, the mo-yeon tribe chief.

What brings you here?

I'm here to ask you to take the mo-yeon tribe in.

But you've been buyeo citizens for a long time.

It seems like you came to jol-bon because buyeo is going through hard times.

If you can turn your back on your country this easily,

you'll do the same for jol-bon when we go through hard times.

We're financially set because we're stock farmers.

Our tribe originated from the old joseon.

We're here to receive our lord because we heard that

you are the master of the sacred treasures of our forefather, tangun.

We've finally found our roots.

We won't turn our back on you in times of trial.

Forgive me for drawing hasty conclusions.

Oh-yi.

Yes, general?

Receive the mo-yeon tribe with respect.

I understand.

Goguryeo palace.

Now that we've settled the prisoner exchange issue,

it's time to announce the founding of goguryeo.

Who's the king of goguryeo?

That's what I wanted to ask you, too.

I already promised general ju-mong that I'll serve him as the king of goguryeo.

No.

You need to be the king of the new nation.

My lord.

I thought you were busy trying to come up with new national laws.

We have an even more serious matter.

People are now assuming that general ju-mong will be the king of goguryeo.

Do you think it should be that way?

Zhang liang's strategy, helped liu bang become the first emperor of the han.

But when liu bang started doubting zhang liang in fear of losing his power,

zhang liang resigned from political life.

Do you think general ju-mong will forsake us?

I can't say that he won't.

What do the other chiefs think?

Although the five tribes of jol-bon had a few disputes here and there,

we were from the same root.

But general ju-mong and the da-mul army are from a different origin.

The other chiefs, including chief song-Yang, feel the same way.

Look at this.

It's a record of the laws and government policies for the han.

I think it is best if we don't follow the rules of the han.

However, there are still things we can learn from them.

Maybe.

But there are lots of unnecessary rules and useless laws.

The laws of the old joseon are only eight rules,

but I think they are good enough to rule the people.

In order to rule a country, the laws and rules aren't important. It matters most to rule justly and fairly.

You're right.

We must merge together the earthly power and the heavenly power.

We don't want to become like buyeo's rulers where the leaders abuse their powers.

What's wrong?

I have something to tell you.

Go ahead.

I'll go rest.

Yes.

Ok, tell me.

Things aren't going well right now.

What do you mean?

The leaders have been increasing their meetings together.

I don't think the general knows about this.

Find out why they are here.

Yes.

Your majesty, here's your medicine.

Did you find anything else?

Hao-chen took that doctor to her highness sul-LAN

because she was in grief after losing her father.

I spied on him, but didn't find anything strange.

I see.

You're dismissed.

I heard you were looking for me.

Yes, I have a question.

What is it?

Is there poison that even silver spoons can't detect?

Maybe feathered poison.

Do you have it?

No, you'll have to go to the han if you want it.

But why do you ask?

Nothing.

Your highness, the doctor is here.

Tell him to come in.

Come in!

What happened?

His majesty took the medicine

after the commander of the royal guards inspected it.

Good.

Be careful and continue giving him the medicine.

Yes, your highness.

I should've asked him where he was going.

Your highness, he'll send a message once he settles down.

Don't worry.

She's right.

He'll be much better off being alive somewhere than losing his life here

while feuding with prince dae-so.

I heard you were looking for me.

What's the matter?

Mother. What's the matter?

Prince young-po has left buyeo.

He left buyeo?

I told him to go because I didn't want you two to fight again.

Mother.

Young-po is my only brother.

Why would I kill him?

I am angry at young-po, but you shouldn't have done that.

I know.

Even when young-po committed a great crime last time,

you sent him to Chang'an upon my request.

But young-po is still immature.

He'll continue creating problems for you.

I sent young-po away for you and buyeo's future.

Where did he go?

I don't know.

I'm sure he'll do fine.

He'll probably send a letter after some time.

When he does, forgive him.

You should let go of buyeo.

I should.

But I'm so sad to think that I'll be away for good.

Where do you want to go?

Since I brought enough riches from buyeo, I'm sure I can settle anywhere.

Why don't we go to Chang'an?

Chang'an?

After hyeon-to was taken over,

the alliance between buyeo and the han isn't valid anymore.

No one will treat me like a prince in Chang'an.

Don't even think about being welcomed.

I suggested Chang'an because I think you should swim in a bigger pond

if you want to make a comeback.

Very well.

Let's go to Chang'an.

What happened?

Chief song-Yang and the other chiefs have decided to join us.

They agreed that the central figures of jol-bon will lose foothold if we don't act.

The problem is that the people on the other side think

that general ju-mong will be king for sure.

Now is the time to bring this issue to public.

Who are you?

Who is he?

I don't know because he was wearing a mask.

Did you find anything out?

Chae-ryeong, manager Yang-tak, chief song-Yang,

and manager sa-yong were having a secret meeting.

What would they do that for?

I think it was about who will be king after we establish goguryeo.

What do you mean?

Chief so seo-no already offered that seat to the general!

Yes, but her associates do not agree with her.

I knew this would happen.

The jol-bon natives won't let us hold power.

What's going on?! Why would they try to take away the leadership from us?!

Brother, before the general finds out, we got to do something!

Calm down. Let's not go crazy.

Hey, what do you mean?

Look at what's happening in jol-bon right now!

Aren't we the ones that saved them?!

We should leave these people who don't know the meaning of the word gratitude.

No... when the da-mul army was at mt. Bon-gye we were alone,

but they didn't do anything to help us and we survived.

Enough!

Why can't anyone remember the times that so seo-no and gyehru helped us when we were in trouble?

Why are we being like this?!

That shouldn't be a reason for ignoring this issue.

We need to have a plan.

What's going on?

There's a big problem.

Because of this fighting, all the trust in jol-bon will crumble.

There will be too many broken relationships.

I, too, am worried about this.

General ju-mong and the da-mul army were the ones that united biryu and gyehru and captured hyeon-to.

It's only natural that he would be king.

They're the ones trying to separate themselves from us!

Just try giving them the power...

They're going to chase us out.

Idiot!

To know that you're around, makes me worried about our future.

Aigoo... if we don't work this out, then no one will.

Why is he yelling at me?

General, this is mari.

Come in.

I've studied the government organization and laws of other nations,

and put it together to fit our circumstances.

Well done.

I will discuss your proposition with the chiefs.

Uh, general...

We have a problem.

What do you mean?

Chief so seo-no's associates and the jol-bon chiefs are secretly trying

to make chief so seo-no the queen.

I thought that matter was settled because chief so seo-no yielded to you.

But I guess the people are lusting for power now that we're ready to establish a nation.

We should make this issue clear if we don't want them to get the best of us.

We need to come up with a plan before they take leadership.

Listen to yourselves!

The da-mul army and jol-bon made an oath of blood!

Did we fight out of lust for power?

How can you doubt your fellow men for power?

My motivation was to succeed commander hae mo-su's mission

to save the refugees and bring back the old joseon's glory.

I wasn't driven by power!

Forgive me.

I'm sorry.

I'm very disappointed in you two.

This is coming from the leaders of our new nation.

I'm sure the others are no better.

Listen.

I don't care whether chief so seo-no or I become the king of goguryeo.

If chief so seo-no can unite jol-bon and lay the foundation for goguryeo,

that's fine for the da-mul army and me.

What did he say?

What?! This doesn't make any sense!

I understand what the general is trying to do, but so seo-no's people are trying to take his power!

We shouldn't be the victims!

You're right!

Those people will never understand the general's pure motives.

This is driving me crazy!

You, too, should choose wisely.

Because of sa-yong, you'd better not take their side!

- What?! What exactly are you accusing me of?! - Enough!

Let's observe them for now and then figure out what to do.

There's been a wild rumor in the palace.

What wild rumor?

That his majesty's in critical condition.

It's been a long time since he attended a court meeting.

The royal physician is constantly at his majesty's chamber.

Maybe the rumor is true?

If that's true, we have a big problem.

We need to come up with a solution.

His majesty is in good health.

Don't worry.

His majesty is not attending the court meetings

because he's too mentally exhausted to discuss government matters.

The royal physician is constantly at his majesty's chamber

to treat a swelling on his back.

Don't make false assumptions.

What's the matter?

I have something important to tell you.

Are you sure his majesty's medicine contains poison?

Yes.

Does anyone else know about this?

No.

You must not tell anyone.

Yes.

What's the matter?

I have something important to tell you.

Have a seat.

I'd like to talk to you privately.

Go outside.

Yes.

Leave that here and go outside.

What's this?

This is his majesty's medicine.

Why did you bring this to me?

There's poison in this medicine.

It's feathered poison that even silver spoons can't detect.

Who's behind this?

I'm sure you know that better than I do.

Prime minister, what are you talking about?

I don't know anything about this.

Whether you know this or not, you're the only person who can settle this matter.

Can you foretell when his royal highness dae-so will become king?

Well...

There are rumors around the palace that the king is very sick.

But the king will live.

By the time his royal highness dae-so takes the throne, the king will have obliged his power.

I'm not sure if I should trust your predictions.

Your highness.

Just wait and see.

In due time, his royal highness dae-so will become king.

Your highess, his royal highness dae-so is looking for you.

What did you want to talk to me about?

Must you ask that even after seeing him?

Your highness...

I can understand why you did that.

But I don't want to kill my own father to take the throne.

I'll let you go this time, but I won't forgive you if there is a second time.

Chief so seo-no wanted to yield the throne,

but that doesn't mean general ju-mong accepted it.

This matter isn't settled yet.

Although general ju-mong and the da-mul army helped us,

jol-bon originated from the five tribes.

If general ju-mong becomes the king,

the jol-bon people will find that difficult to accept.

I decided to join general ju-mong and be loyal to him,

but I only did that to solve jol-bon's problems together.

But things are different now.

If general ju-mong becomes king, the da-mul army will take all the power.

We chiefs, will only hold meaningless offices.

General ju-mong doesn't have justification to be the king.

The da-mul army isn't the only one who helped jol-bon.

They were able to flourish after they left mt. Bon-gye and came to jol-bon.

We bought mercenaries for the insufficient soldiers

and supplied the provisions.

Gyehru has paid a lot of expenses to help the refugees settle down.

It's illogical to let general ju-mong and the da-mul army take the throne.

Even in a small business troop, a merchant has nothing to do

if he loses the competition to become a manager.

Think about what'll happen with a nation!

If we lose leadership from the beginning,

our jol-bon descendants will have nowhere to stand!

Now that we're one on this issue, all we need to do is convince chief so seo-no.

Convince what?

What's wrong with everyone?

If we feud now before we build a nation,

the han will take over this land again, and we'll be their slaves.

We have made an oath of blood for this noble cause.

Founding goguryeo is our first step

towards restoring the old joseon's territory.

In order for us to be a stronger nation, we need someone with strong leadership

and orthodoxy of joseon to be the king.

General ju-mong is the only man fit for that position.

Are you telling us to sacrifice jol-bon?

That's a noble cause, but I don't want my kin to be lost.

Chief, does it have to be general ju-mong?

Why can't you and jol-bon continue the old joseon's glory?

You can take the throne and embrace the da-mul army.

Stop it.

Don't regret it later.

You must be firm.

The weather's cold.

You should go inside.

I want to be alone.

Miss.

Just let me say this.

Why did oo-tae die?

Why did we have to go to buyeo and endure humiliation?

If you give everything to general ju-mong,

what will happen to biryu and onjo?

If they can't take the throne, all those years of trials will be meaningless.

Even oo-tae will mourn from heaven.

Miss...

Father.

It's so seo-no.

Come in.

The stress must be very tiring.

I thought if I showed everyone my true feelings, they would follow me, but that is not the case.

What should I do?

They are not ignoring general ju-mong, rather they are doubting the power of the kingship.

Power is something external.

I don't think the leaders appreciate the meaning of power.

What are we supposed to do?

If we don't address this soon, our new nation will fall apart before it ever gets started.

We must do everything to make chief so seo-no change her mind.

It'll be difficult even if so seo-no joins us, but she's being stubborn.

I'm so worried.

I thought you were supposed to be smart!

Why can't you come up with a plan?

If general ju-mong takes the throne, I will cry from my grave!

What did you just say?

Did you say that you'll cry from your grave if general ju-mong becomes the king?

I can't believe you said that!

You know how much blood the general

and the da-mul army have shed to unify jol-bon and drive the hyeon-to army out!

I'm very disappointed to hear you say that.

Are you telling me that jol-bon didn't make any sacrifices?

We couldn't have united jol-bon and driven the hyeon-to army out if it wasn't for chief so seo-no and gyehru's financial support!

- Manager sa-yong! - Chungwan officer!

Ha! You're so saucy!

We saved gyehru from death, and now you're trying to take over the power.

How can you be so ungrateful?!

Ungrateful?!

Watch your mouth.

We're the ones who provided a home for general ju-mong and the da-mul army.

You're the ones who are ungrateful.

What?!

You want a piece of me?!

What are you guys doing?

Sure, go ahead and kill each other!

Go ahead!

Forgive me.

But he insulted you...

Shut up!

Summon all the officers and the chiefs for a meeting.

Yes.

First of all, forgive me for not being able to stop my subordinates from causing this disruption.

I'm just as ashamed as you are.

Forgive me.

I summoned everyone for a meeting

in order to make myself clear on this issue of enthronement of goguryeo.

I won't be the king of goguryeo.

General!

My heart is branded with the dying wishes of two people.

My father, hae mo-su, offered his life to save the refugees and restore the old joseon's territory.

My mother passed away while yearning for me.

Commander hae mo-su couldn't ignore his own people's suffering.

His goal wasn't to be the king.

Lust for power was not my motivation to fight.

I'll be content as long as we can build a nation on this land

that we have restored with our blood.

My duty is to keep going to lay the foundation for goguryeo until the day I die.

I'm not fit to lead a nation.

Because they have experience from leading jol-bon and a business troop,

that job should be given to chief so seo-no and elder yeon ta-bal.

General, but that's not what I want.

I already told you that you should be the king.

I know what you mean, but this matter concerns the future of a nation.

Forgive me, but your opinion alone can't settle this matter.

That's right.

The throne is mandated from heaven.

You can't gain it or lose it by your own will.

We won't lust for power either.

Please make a decision after lending your ears to the heaven and the people.

I already told you where I stand on this matter.

I don't want the officers and the chiefs to fight over this issue anymore.

If they continue this feud, this is an even greater enemy than the han.

We can't blame them.

That's what power does to people.

The only way to stop the feud, is for you to do as I say.

But the heaven and the people want you.

Did you catch anything?

Welcome.

I asked you two to come here because I wanted to talk to you.

What is it?

General ju-mong and so seo-no sincerely want to yield the throne to each other.

But regardless of what they think, power is cold-blooded.

The officers and the chiefs are feuding because you all know that.

Forgive me for causing you concern.

But this is a matter that needs to be solved sooner or later.

That's right.

We must stop the feud and unite the both sides to enthrone the king.

Do you have a plan?

General ju-mong and so seo-no can get married.

Is that possible?

We can't make them get married for political purposes.

Not necessarily.

They're both widowed now.

If general ju-mong becomes the king and so seo-no his queen, we can stop this.

You know how they felt towards each other for a long time.

I will convince so seo-no.

I'd like you two to convince general ju-mong.

That's the only solution we have for now.

Han nation.

Prince.

It's master hwang.

Master hwang.

Long time, no see.

Please have seat.

Master hwang, I was so worried about not being able to see you again.

But I'm so lucky to meet you again, safe and alive.

I heard about your situation from your assistant.

I'm in a pitiful state right now.

Master hwang, you should take care of him.

Don't be too discouraged.

I, too, have been humilated by ju-mong.

I'm sharpening my knife, waiting on my chance for revenge.

I want to join you on your quest for revenge.

I'm going to keep a low profile for now in yo-dong.

Yo-dong?

Really?!

Yes.

Take me with you. If there is any way I can help you, please let me know.

Please rest in Chang'an for now, and I will do as you say.

Prince, we have found a way to live.

Thank you.

I don't know if the general will accept this.

But we've thought about this, and I think this is the only way.

He will accept it if it's the will of the heavens.

Let's go.

General, this is mari.

I already told you where I stand.

Go away.

We have something important to tell you.

I said go away!

What brings you two here?

We have something important to tell you.

Have general ju-mong and chief so seo-no get married?

That's our only solution to stop this feud.

I know what you mean, but marriage is mandated from heaven.

We can't do it for political reasons.

The general is still in grief from losing lady ye soya and Yuri.

He can't be in grief forever.

If we don't settle this matter soon, it'll only bring disaster.

The general won't even talk to us.

We need you to convince him.

I know I always forced you to make a hard decision whenever there's a big problem.

But this is our only solution to stop the feud.

General ju-mong is in unspeakable grief after losing his family for his mission.

We can't force him to get married to stop the feud.

I want to consider this as the heaven's will for you and general ju-mong to finally get together.

This marriage will, of course, stop the feud.

But you can console his pain and loneliness that he can't show others.

General, this is mo pal-mo.

Come in.

I'm here to offer you a drink.

Is that okay with you?

- Have a seat. - Yes.

- Let's drink. - Yes.

Drinking with you, takes me back to the old days.

Remember when you brought king geum-wa's wine

and asked me to make a steel sword for you?

Then the furnace caught on fire.

It seems like yesterday, but it's been a long time.

If it wasn't for your confidence in me, I couldn't have done it.

I've committed a great crime against you.

I should've brought lady yoo-hwa and lady ye soya with me when I left buyeo.

That's not your fault.

Don't feel that way.

General...

You have great things to do in the future.

You need someone by your side who will aid you.

I think the only person who can do that, is chief so seo-no.

You should marry her.

We haven't been drinking that much.

Are you already drunk?

No, I'm sober.

There's another reason why you should marry chief so seo-no.

That marriage is the only way to stop the feud.

The wisest and the only way to stop the da-mul army and the jol-bon people

from dividing, is for you two to get married.

General, I know that you're still not over lady ye soya and Yuri.

But you'll have to let them go someday.

I'm sure lady ye soya wants you to get married, as well.

I know where you're coming from, but I don't want to.

General!

Let's drink.

If goguryeo falls apart before we even build it,

all the blood the da-mul army has shed will go to waste.

Do you want lady yoo-hwa and lady ye soya's sacrifices go to waste?

After you announce the establishment of goguryeo,

I will travel with my business troop.

My father has always told me to be a merchant who trades nations.

I think traveling the world and subjugating many tribes

and nations, to your goguryeo and uniting them, will be meaningful as well.

You're already a merchant who trades nations.

You don't have to travel with a business troop.

You can unite tribes and nations in this palace that you've constructed.

Will you marry me?

Even if we get married, it can be difficult to restore what we've lost in the past.

But if our marriage can lay the foundation to unite and build goguryeo,

I think we're destined to do it.

Will you marry me?

Yuri, hold on.

You'll soon meet your father.

Excuse me, where is everyone going?

What's going on?

Where are you from?

Today is the day to announce the founding of goguryeo

that general ju-mong and chief so seo-no have established.

And since today is their wedding day, it's an even more joyous occasion.

Did you just say that general ju-mong and chief so seo-no are getting married?

That's right.

Mother...

I have made an oath in front of the gods

that I will be with queen so seo-no until the day I die.

I will make an oath in front of everyone,

that I will accept my calling from the heaven to serve the king,

and restore the old joseon's glory.

As the king of goguryeo, I will honor the three-legged bird and build a nation

that will prosper for ages and benefit mankind!

Hurray for goguryeo!

Hurray for his majesty!

Hurray for her majesty!

In order to effectively restrain...

The growing empire of goguryeo

buyeo and han...

Must form an alliance once again

as for the han emperor

I'll sway his mind

your majesty

what's the matter?

Prince piryu has returned...

From oakjuh

you think you can meddle with buyeds state affairs...

With your meagre wealth?

I will not condone it!

Your royal highness will come to regret it

if you reject my proposal

if buyeo has truly assaulted...

Goguryeds merchant band

then we cannot stand idle.

I saw lady ye soya...

At a village in north oakjuh