----
[Episode 2]
I admit I had hoped for more.
Gaining access to me while working for Wang Ko?
Where are you meeting the Yuan dealers?
What's it matter between thieves? Take it and go.
Who's a thief?
He's an officer of the Censorate.
Answer me and live.
Or die right now.
Kill me.
What?
Answer you and live? Like I believe that?
Do it. Kill me!
You think I won't kill you?
Spare him. He didn't do anything.
He's doing it for us.
We use the money from the salt to get our sisters out of Yuan.
Don't kill our captain.
String him up. No water.
Sir.
This way, Sire.
What? They got Sungnyang?
The Crown Prince discovered our plan.
Only I and Sungnyang know where we're meeting the dealers.
Sungnyang must be the traitor.
No, impossible. He's the finest man I have.
If I died he would go to the grave with me.
If not him, then who?
A simple test will show if he betrayed me or not.
A test?
He's Wang Ko's spy?
Why bother?
You're going to talk anyway.
Why die like a dog?
Not him.
Ugh, stupid stubborn...!
One smack and...!
The King is worried about you.
The spy.
Get rid of him. Wang Ko's orders.
Leave us.
Some tea?
It's just right.
Have some.
Take it away.
Helping restore families.
And helping Wang Ko?
The Crown Prince wants me to investigate Yuan collaborators.
Tell me where they're meeting...
and your men will go free.
Well? A fresh start...
Shh.
You have a spy.
Who is it?
Catch him first.
String me up again.
Hit me.
Men!
You...!
String him up again.
He dies in the morning.
Yes, sir. Move, you.
Are you all right?
That was close.
Sungnyang is to be executed.
I won't have it.
Tell him to give up the location.
Sire, what is your plan?
Mobilize the military.
Sire.
If it's not my men, they won't suspect I have a spy inside.
Yes, Sire.
If it's not Sungnyang, who is your spy?
You'll find out.
It will come out. Soon enough.
The King says to tell them.
He will have military there.
Then your assignment is over.
And the Yuan merchants?
Hiding in Pyongnan.
Do this and we'll both be rewarded.
Good luck.
There.
So that's him.
I'll kill the scum now.
Not just yet.
Sir?
Will you tell me?
On one condition.
Go on.
Let my men go free.
All right.
Now tell me. Where is it?
An abandoned village in Pyongnan.
Abandoned?
Leave now and you can be there by dawn tomorrow.
He tried to kill you.
Don't trust him.
Take me along. Kill me if I'm wrong.
We ride for Pyongnan.
Jombak, choose ten men.
Yes, sir.
Stay here and watch his men.
Is that enough?
It's just a bunch of traders.
They'll spot a larger detachment.
Time is short. Move out.
Move it out.
Watch yourselves.
Move.
Traitor!
You're one to talk!
I gotcher traitor right here!
There's an inn in Pyongnan.
You'll catch the merchants there.
Why?
Why inform the Censorate? Or risk your life to help me?
I have my reasons.
Work with me.
Help me, and I'll...
No.
Jackal...
What does it say?
If it works out, we'll wipe them out without lifting a finger.
What? Change the deployment?
The Crown Prince has more men.
We may walk into an ambush.
March there immediately.
We must arrive before the Princes.
Yes, Sire.
[Inju]
Move out. Time is short!
Sir.
It's too quiet.
Find out where they are.
Yes, sir.
It's them! The Prince is here!
Attack!
The traffickers! Kill them all!
Don't hold back!
Kill 'em!
Just like you planned.
I'll be going then.
Wait.
One last thing.
It's dangerous, but I have to ask.
Sungnyang, report.
Dead.
They're all dead.
Dead? How can that be?
Makson betrayed you.
Makson?
The Censorate is on the way.
You have to get out of here.
Makson, that scum!
Sungnyang.
How did you manage to survive?
Kill me.
My life is yours.
Burn it.
We can't leave anything.
Yes, Sire.
The Censorate, Sire. We have to go.
Go?
Me? The King of Shenyang?
Sire.
I'll be in the palace.
Convene the court.
Sire.
Muster your men. Stop the Prince from going to the palace.
Buy me time, whatever it takes!
Yes, Sire.
Crown Prince.
Crown Prince! I'm the King of Shenyang!
I refuse to die. I refuse!
You get it?
And the Yuan merchants?
They're bringing them in now.
You've done your country a great service.
Is there anything you want?
You deserve to be rewarded. Anything.
Does the Censorate locate people?
You looking for someone?
No. Never mind.
What's the meaning of this?
Sire, the Crown Prince... is dead.
He's what?
Dead?
He was killed by soldiers while trafficking in salt.
Your Highness.
It can't be. Dead?
Dead...
The court must act as one to name your heir.
We royal house must not be seen to falter.
It can't be, not the Prince...
Sire, give Wang Ko the throne.
I can't stand to see you hurt anymore.
The Prince...
...The Prince...
Hold your ground!
Wang Ko will be King of Koryo.
What? He'll be what?
Abdication. Wang Ko is trying to get the King to abdicate.
To the palace.
Make way!
Move out!
Sire.
After what happened, we must ensure the royal line.
The people can't think for themselves. They'll be upset.
Only abdicating to Wang Ko can avert this crisis.
Sire, hear us.
Hear us, Sire.
Hear me.
As of today, I abdicate my throne.
The man who will rule in my place...
How... how did he...?
What's wrong with you?
Have you seen a ghost?
Prince.
You're alive?
Pardon me for upsetting you.
I suppose Wang Ko told you I died trafficking in salt.
Just as he can tell you who was dealing in contraband.
And who tried to kill me.
What are you saying?
I wasn't trading in salt, it was...
you.
And your proof?
Let's see it.
Be patient. The Yuan traders are on the way.
Sire, the Prince is insulting me with his so-called 'proof'.
Invest me immediately.
Invest him.
Here is the proof.
How dare you enter the palace?
Know what this is?
A ledger of Wang Ko's contraband.
Sungnyang, it was you?
In the Yuan court Koryo salt is more precious than gold.
If this came out we would lose their protection.
Explain yourself. Go on.
Well? Is this true?
Yes.
It's true.
And do you know why?
I used the Yuan to preserve this nation and the royal house...
when the Crown Prince couldn't.
I'm guilty of high treason.
Take my head as the law requires.
What?
The law must prevail.
This I believe.
Take my head, Sire.
And take mine, Sire.
And mine, Sire.
And mine.
I will abdicate.
The Crown Prince will rule Koryo.
For my final command...
I grant Wang Ko royal pardon.
Father.
We can't afford civil discord.
Hear me and obey.
Congratulations, Sire.
The Jackal?
He brought you the proof?
Just so.
Where is he?
He left for Inju.
He still thinks I'm with the Censorate?
I expect so.
Get him. I want him with me.
Nyang is dead?
She was dragged off with Okbun to be a Yuan concubine.
They were killed ten years ago.
So that's that.
Commander. A complain from the merchants.
Sir?
The thugs are getting worse, the sleaze.
The Jackal.
He works the inlet.
Investigate him. If he's guilty, arrest him.
Sir.
What's wrong with him?
Captain, run!
Captain!
So you're The Jackal?
What is this?
We have orders to take out the trash.
Which one is The Jackal?
Him.
You know what you did?
Tell me. What exactly?
Five.
Six... Seven...
Eight.
He's as tough as they say.
As well he should be.
He's been the root of all our troubles since we got here.
- Open up. - Sir.
Now do you know what you did?
I can guess.
Then say it.
I'm guilty of being born to lowly parents.
Of being born with nothing, of relying on each other to survive.
Of meeting someone as vile as you.
What? Silence.
Release them.
Commander.
Next time this won't end so easily.
What's this?
They hid their daughters to escape the Yuan concubine tribute.
Did the commander authorize this?
Sir, we have to maintain order.
If we let them get away with it...
he and this whole fort will crumble.
Where you going with this trash?
Where did you steal this?
From the commander...
Stop there. We aren't thieves.
I'm sorry, sir, but they beat us...
Get out.
C'mon.
Ki Jaho.
Your father is still alive.
The Ki... a matching ring...
Mom! Don't die!
Mom!
...Mom...
Father, it's me.
Father.
It's Nyang, Father.
Father...
The exam lasts for five days.
Those who pass will have the honor of serving at the fort.
Show us what you've got.
Commander, that's...
Commander, looks like we've got a keeper.
Well done.
An orderly's uniform.
You are on duty at all times.
Thank you, Commander.
An orderly?
Is that a bit early?
He's good enough to be an officer.
Aren't you?
[Kaegyong - Capital of Koryo]
Exactly. Heh.
His Royal Majesty.
Sire.
Congratulations on your coronation.
Congratulations.
A toast, if you please.
We're all waiting.
Before that, I have eleven edicts.
Sire, eleven?
What are they, Sire?
Read them.
Hear and obey.
These eleven edicts are designed to strengthen the court and our nation.
Corruption shall cease. Exorbitant and extorted funds shall be restored.
Private soldiers shall be cut by half.
Failure to do so will be counted as treason.
Hereditary positions passed down to unworthy sons shall be eliminated.
Sire, what's the meaning of this?
Rescind these eleven edicts.
Hear us, Sire.
Hear us.
That's enough!
In my time with the brigands...
I learned what you've been up to.
Minister Choe. Profiting from the spoils system in his province.
Minister Kim. A respectable woman refused your advances.
So you killed her husband.
Minister Pak, when your debtors were slightly late...
you used soldiers to extract payment...
and then some.
The Six Boards, the Three Chancelleries, the Royal Secretariat.
You're all guilty of the worst corruption.
I'm innocent. Kill me first!
All right.
Fair enough.
Use the 'kill me' routine again...
and I'll kill you myself.
Remember this.
I will punish any corruption to the full extent of the law.
Personally.
Well? You have a message?
From the Yuan Commandery.
The Yuan Commandery?
What does it say?
Togon has been exiled to Koryo.
But is that a good thing?
We have the means to bring down that little upstart...
right here.
Sire, Commander Ki.
But...
Ki Jaho reporting.
The Yuan Emperor's brother will be arriving soon.
In Inju?
Escort him here to Kaegyong.
If anything happens to him,
I doubt I can protect your men.
At your service, Sire.
[Daidu, Capital of Yuan - Modern Beijing]
The exile Togon will arrive in Inju soon.
[Regent El Temur]
You say there's a mountain?
Yes, between Inju and Kaegyong.
Mount Myobang.
That is where we bury Togon.
We can be there in three days, two if we rush.
His death on Koryo soil will be our excuse to wipe them out.
Removing Togon and Koryo in one stroke.
Your plans have no rival.
You know what they're like.
We've spent 30 years trying to subdue them.
They'll always be a threat until we wipe them out completely.
Right as always, Father.
That worthless Togon... can at least be useful in death.
Ugh. We have to ride out to meet him no less.
No kidding. Of all the ports of entry, why ours?
Togon, you said?
The Yuan Emperor's brother.
Wonder what he did?
Move out.
[Togon's Entourage in Exile]
Your Worship, are you uncomfortable?
[Bayan of Mergid]
General Bayan?
I'm Bayan.
Commander Ki Jaho.
You've had a long journey.
'Commander.'
His Worship is met by a mere commander?
Lead the way.
Sir.
Move out.
Halt. Halt the procession.
We camp here tonight.
Establish camp. Move!
Lord Zhang, there's still plenty of daylight left.
His Worship is fatigued.
What a weakling.
Why stop here anyway?
Something isn't right.
What isn't?
Today he's fatigued. Yesterday he refused to disembark.
His Worship knows something isn't right.
I doubt that.
Would the next emperor have been exiled if he were so observant?
General, our government office is just a little further.
Perhaps we can escort your procession there?
No need.
You're in Koryo now.
His Worship's safety is our responsibility.
Your responsibility. But our decision.
Why camp here? It's odd.
None of the soldiers has seen His Worship.
Is that true?
So I heard.
We've got to stay alert.
If anything happens to Prince Togon...
our lives are forfeit.
Mount Myobang.
If we leave early we should reach it before dark.
The brigands?
Already in place.
I don't like it.
We dare not disobey El Temur.
I miss Yesun Temur Khan.
To kill his own son...
Here or there, the Regent has his eye on him.
He's as good as dead.
General Bayan, are you in?
Yes Lord Zhang?
We can't leave in the morning.
Why not?
His Worship is too ill.
Look here.
I'll check on His Worship myself.
Is it too difficult to travel?
I'm too sick.
I can't ride.
Always something.
General Bayan. A favor.
Of me?
Go on then.
Last night I dreamed of my father.
The Khan?
He told me to turn to you in times of trouble.
Will you hear me out?
Please, Your Worship.
I'm craving dried persimmons.
Pardon?
Persimmons?
Koryo persimmons. I can't forget the taste.
Ride out and get me some.
Your Worship.
We're not here on vacation.
Please help me.
I'm sure I'll feel better if I have some.
I'll find some for you.
Will you?
Thank you, Zhang.
Nice and dry.
And extra, extra tasty.
...persimmo-yum...
His pulse is slow and weak.
He's not faking.
And all he can think of is persimmons.
- Sir. - Yes?
We won't make Myobang by tomorrow night.
Send word of the delay.
Yes, sir.
Persimmons.
Of all the times...
It's safe.
If you please.
You eat it.
You haven't eaten in days.
You might really get sick.
And get rid of whatever's left.
Wh-wh-what?
You're from Koryo?
If I am?
My name is Sungnyang. Yours?
Kwebo.
Kwebo? 'The Trickster,' heh.
'The Jackal' is nothin' to brag about.
I have a question.
Is his condition serious?
Tell me if anything happens while he's traveling.
I'm no blabbermouth.
Meet me tomorrow night east of the camp.
I'll be waiting to get you to safety.
Your Worship.
Zhang.
I'm scared.
I can barely breathe.
This is the only way to save you.
Meet him? A Yuan exile?
You suggest I meet him?
He's the Emperor's brother.
He may well be emperor someday.
You must meet him, for Yuan and...
Yuan?
What about Koryo?
Is this the Koryo court?
Sire...
Wang Ko.
Shall your King ride out to meet a barbarian prince?
There's no need.
Emperor's kin or not, he is a fool, a waffler.
Hardly worth Your Majesty's time.
There's no one in my court quite like you.
I can always count on you to draw your knife.
I won't be going, so that's that.
What? 'His Majesty?'
We'll drag him off the Dragon Throne soon enough...
You'll assassinating Togon...
Idiot!
Not long now.
The disrespectful little pup will get his.
I'm meeting Togon.
Muster the men and get my armor.
Sire, how do you mean?
That old snake is against my meeting Togon.
You know what that means?
Then the letter you got is true?
There's no doubt.
He was sent into exile to kill him.
And when he is, that fact will be used against me.
In which case...
They'll remove me first.
Well? There's no time.
Congratulations. Things are finally going your way.
The Dragon Throne deserves to seat a dragon.
Not some whining little puppy.
Quite right.
Sire!
His Majesty just rode out with his men.
Rode out, you say?
And he was dressed for battle.
Battle? In full armor?
Yes, Sire.
Surely not to attack Togon.
Did the whiny pup figure out your plan?
It's too late.
Not even if his horse had wings.
By tonight he'll be dead.
It happens tonight?
He's bright enough. But the heavens smile on ME.
Little pup.
Time to get up.
It's been two days now.
How long will you lie here?
My persimmons aren't here yet.
Where did Lord Zhang go anyway?
I won't take a step, not till I have my persimmons.
Your Worship, now isn't the time for baby talk.
Persimmo-yummies.
Soft, chewy Koryo dried persimmons.
Always something.
Kwebo.
- My uniform. - Pardon?
No one can see you. Go.
Your Worship.
We'll change the plan.
Send for the brigands.
So the attack...
Tonight. Tonight it ends.
Yes, sir.
Um, you look great.
Now lie down.
Your Worship.
Go on, time is short.
Your Worship.
Stay here till morning.
At dawn change out of those and get out.
Your Worship.
Who are you?
I'm... I'm...
Translated by D. Bannon ----
You'll have to take care of him yourself.
Togon can't be hurt.
Don't move a muscle.
I'm the Prince.
Sure, sure, and I'm the Khutugh.
The Prince has to hurry.
He's the Yuan Prince.
Help me, General.
He enslaved Koryo women as concubines.
Who are you protecting exactly?
Who tried to kill him?