(This drama is based on historical events,)
(but some details may be different from historical facts.)
(Production guidelines were strictly followed when filming with animals.)
(Episode 28)
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!
As of this moment, this stays between us.
It must not get out under any circumstances.
- Yes, Field Legislator! - Yes, Field Legislator!
His Majesty will arrive in Seogyeong in two days.
That night, we will take down the soldiers in Gaegyeong...
and get rid of the traitors.
Then we will rescue His Majesty.
- Yes! - Yes!
The traitors are watching the troops in the Northwest as well.
If we do anything suspicious,
they will surround His Majesty right away and take him hostage.
We must make sure they do not find out about this.
Move as discreetly as possible.
- Yes! - Yes!
Very well. Then...
I want each of you...
to pick 100 soldiers. Choose the ones you trust the most.
- Yes, Field Legislator! - Yes, Field Legislator!
And...
I have one more favor to ask of you.
What is it, Your Majesty?
In Seogyeong,
you will have to take care of the traitors.
There is no way we can get rid of them in Gaegyeong.
We must lure the coup leaders...
out of Gaegyeong, no matter what.
That is why I chose Seogyeong.
Yes, Your Majesty made the right decision.
Then send them to Seogyeong.
Tell them that Khitan is about to invade us...
and order them to head to Seogyeong with their troops.
They will refuse to leave Gaegyeong even if I tell them so.
I must go with them...
to make them leave Gaegyeong.
Then...
I will bring along the coup leaders. All of them.
Then you should take care of them...
with the help of the Field Legislator.
Yes, Your Majesty.
General Choi.
Lads, lead the way.
- Go! - Walk.
Go!
What is it, Your Majesty?
Then who will protect Gaegyeong?
You need not be concerned.
(Choi Jil, Head of the Central Army)
We left plenty of soldiers behind.
Can we trust them?
What do you mean?
I was just afraid that they might try to seize power...
with support from the Empress and the chancellors.
Forget what I said if you are certain they can be trusted.
Return to Gaegyeong at once...
and fetch every single general who took part in the coup.
The Director of Defense too.
- What is going on? - Just go and fetch them!
We do not know what could happen if we left them alone in Gaegyeong.
Bring General Kim Hoon here too.
Yes, General Choi.
Go! Giddyap!
Go!
My lady, please stay here alone for a short while.
I must go to Seogyeong.
I ought to be there to punish the traitors with my own hands.
Yes, you should be there.
But do not go alone.
It would be better to take some soldiers with you, would it not?
- Soldiers? - Just in case.
Yes, well understood.
I will be off, then.
Yes, be careful.
Giddyap!
Go!
I do not know if I can see you again.
Tomorrow,
I will leave for the Yalu River with the traitors.
I am telling myself I ought to punish the traitors no matter what,
but I am not sure if my plan will succeed.
I confess to you at last.
It has been a long time since my feelings for you started to grow,
but I could not bring myself to abandon the Empress.
There you are!
The Empress has been my shelter since I was little.
I grew up without both of my parents,
and she was the reason I could hold out in the palace.
Even now,
I do not have the courage to leave her.
From now on, I will be sure to find a place for you.
I will expand my heart to create a special place for you in my heart.
- So... - Your Majesty.
do not leave me again.
Always stay by my side from now on.
My lord!
You cannot leave.
What do you mean?
We have been ordered to make sure...
all of you stay in the palace until General Choi returns.
Step aside at once!
We apologize.
We are simply following orders.
His Majesty will stay here once he arrives.
Emperors always spent the days here when visiting Seogyeong.
The traitors will also guide His Majesty to this place.
That man Choi Jil will certainly have the soldiers...
from Gaegyeong stand guard.
His most trusted men will be stationed here.
Then subduing them will not be easy.
It will take some time.
However, subduing them will not be a problem.
Our men are elite soldiers of the northwest.
They will surely rescue His Majesty.
General Choi.
We have a long way to go.
Let us proceed.
We will stay the night here.
His Majesty is still the emperor. He must be kept from the evening dew.
And his people are watching him.
Why did you send General Park to Gaegyeong?
I told him to bring all the generals in Gaegyeong to join us.
Now that we are outside of Gaegyeong, we should be careful.
If anyone attacks us,
it is best to have as many generals as possible.
What did His Majesty say to you?
What is it that is making you this anxious?
It is none of your business.
His Majesty has fooled you, has he not?
What was that?
The Emperor must be up to something.
Judging by gathering all men related to the revolt in one place.
What do you mean by that?
- Then... - Yes.
He is trying to kill us altogether.
It will most likely take place in Seogyeong.
- "Seogyeong." - That is correct.
After all, the Legislator is there.
His Majesty must have ordered him to assassinate all of us.
What should we do?
We cannot return to Gaegyeong.
The Legislator simply needs to be gotten rid of.
But how?
His Majesty is to issue a royal message.
A royal message...
ordering him to take all soldiers to Tongju Fortress.
As for us, we will spend a night in Seogyeong,
then head to Kwiju while avoiding Tongju...
the next day.
I will have His Majesty issue that royal message.
He will not obediently write one.
The army in Seogyeong is his only hope.
He will not comply, will he?
I will make him comply.
How will you do that?
There are no subjects...
to draw your sword at and take hostage.
I will write the royal message.
Get me the imperial seal.
Hand it over.
No. I will not!
Do it now!
General!
That little...
Stop right there!
- Hurry! - Run faster!
Catch him at once!
Wait. Are you not Eunuch Yang? What are you doing here?
Catch him!
No! Let go of me!
Stop at once!
(Choi Gu, Director of Defense)
No! I will not hand it over!
What is this for?
We have orders from General Choi.
He wants the imperial seal.
What?
You traitors!
The deity will punish you all!
Let us return!
My apologies, Your Majesty.
My sincerest apologies.
Once this royal message arrives, all soldiers in Seogyeong...
will head to Tongju Fortress.
What will happen to the Emperor?
Will you truly hand him over to the Khitans?
Yes.
I will have His Majesty experience the fiery pit.
What is it?
Father. This is not right.
- "Not right?" - Just kill him this instant.
The subjects will settle the matter one way or another,
find a Dragon's descendant, and make him...
the Emperor even if he is old.
What are you implying right now?
If the Emperor is held hostage in Khitan,
Goryeo will become the subject country of Khitan.
In other words, Goryeo will disappear.
We cannot let the country go to ruin only to get revenge for my brothers.
We should get our revenge within the land of Goryeo.
Shut your mouth!
Are you trying to teach me a lesson simply because you received an education?
Father!
I do not need anything. Not even this country.
All I want...
is to witness His Majesty cry tears of misery.
I simply want that man...
to suffer the same pain I have.
Understood?
Father...
It was the Khitans who killed my brothers.
Say that again.
Father...
Your brothers were killed by the Emperor.
They died because the Emperor failed to stop the war!
It was the Emperor!
Father... Please...
Is it because they are not your brothers by blood?
Or is it because...
you have never lost a child?
Is that why...
you are not as furious or filled with resentment as me?
Leave at once!
Go now!
(Imperial Palace in Shangjing, Khitan)
Pay homage?
(Yelu Longxu, 6th Emperor of the Khitan)
Is the King of Goryeo...
truly going to pay homage?
Yes, Your Majesty.
The envoy in Goryeo sent us a message from Naewon Fortress.
It said the men in control of Goryeo...
promised so.
They requested not to attack Goryeo...
as they would bring the Goryeo King...
to the Yalu River in person.
Does that mean they will offer...
their King to us?
Do not get fooled.
They are simply trying to buy time.
Even if they are traitors who caused political upheaval,
those men will never offer their King to their enemy.
According to the envoy,
those men are more than capable of doing so.
After the King pays homage,
they want...
the Khitan to keep the Goryeo King hostage.
What was that?
If the Goryeo King is Khitan's hostage,
nobody in Goryeo...
will try to overthrow them.
In other words, those men will become the King of Goryeo.
Right now,
they have gone mad with that in mind.
For now, let us wait.
If the Goryeo King truly crosses the Yalu River,
we can gain Goryeo...
without war.
All right.
Order the generals stationed on the Yalu River to wait.
However, if the Goryeo King...
does not cross the Yalu River within the promised time,
have them attack at once.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I cannot believe it.
Goryeo is...
falling apart like this on its own.
Giddyap!
(Government office of the northeast)
General.
Yes. It has been a while.
Have you been well?
(Do Yong Soo, Deputy General of the northeast)
What brings you here?
I came to ask you for a favor.
Are you still my subordinate?
Do not ask me such an unnecessary question.
Please get to the point.
What is it that you want?
It is to leave the camp...
without the Defense Commander's orders.
Open the gates!
(Seogyeong Fortress)
Giddyap!
In order to encourage the troops of the northwest,
His Majesty is headed to Seogyeong.
Field Legislator, you should take all of your troops to Tongju Fortress...
and prepare for battle against Khitan. That is His Majesty's command.
Make haste and head to Tongju.
His Majesty will probably stop by within a few days...
and encourage the troops there.
Has His Majesty really set out...
to encourage the troops?
Then why else would he take such an arduous journey?
Hurry up and go on over.
We will keep Seogyeong safe from now on.
Field Legislator. Why are you standing here like this?
Did you not receive His Majesty's command?
Hurry up and get going.
Field Legislator. Are you perhaps...
going to disobey His Majesty's command?
I understand.
Then,
I will arrest you as a traitor!
It is fine.
All of you, that is enough.
Fine. I will go.
But I will leave behind...
a few warriors and 500 soldiers.
Did I not say that we would keep Seogyeong safe from now on?
Seogyeong is a big fortress.
In order to keep His Majesty safe in a place like this,
you would need more soldiers.
Field Legislator!
Did I not say that it was to keep His Majesty safe?
Do you have no intention of protecting His Majesty?
You shall stay here and act according to plan.
It is up to you now.
- Yes, Field Legislator. - Yes, Field Legislator.
Field Legislator. You must not leave Seogyeong.
I am sure that royal message was obtained by threatening His Majesty.
Right. I think it was too.
However, I have clearly received His Majesty's message.
I must obey it.
Do not say such frustrating words.
It is a false message.
I still must obey it.
If a vassal starts to judge an emperor's message however he sees fit,
he will lose something greater than punishing the traitors.
Trust those men. I am sure they will succeed.
And you two will come with me to Tongju.
If you stay here and the traitors see you,
they will not leave you alone.
We will stay here.
Yes, if we leave and they do not see us,
the traitors will think it is suspicious.
We must act as if nothing is going on.
Right. I understand.
Then, I will leave you to it.
- Yes, Field Legislator. - Yes, Field Legislator.
- General Choi. - What is it, Your Majesty?
Let us stop for a short break.
I do not feel well.
What are you thinking so deeply about?
Are you thinking of another plan?
Give up.
There is no one in Seogyeong now.
How did your son die?
Why do you ask me that?
I am curious.
When the Khitan army first invaded,
my eldest died after being shot in the eye with an arrow.
During the second war,
my second son died at Samsuchae.
The Khitan men...
cut his head off.
I am sorry.
You say you are sorry?
Why are you doing this, all of a sudden?
Are you trying to shake me up a bit now?
I am being sincere.
It is such a shame.
But if you send me to Khitan,
more parents will shed tears of blood.
Khitan will drag away Goryeo's troops...
and use them in their conquest.
That is why we are sending you to Khitan.
So that you watch that sight...
and spend your days in pain.
Just to make me feel pain,
you are committing a sin against all the parents of Goryeo.
That does not matter.
What I want is your pain, Your Majesty.
Because of your foolishness and cruelty,
I cannot forgive you.
So, what do you intend to do?
There is nothing you can do now, Your Majesty.
That is right. There is nothing I can do.
However, things will not go as you wish.
Goryeo is not that kind of nation.
It is not a nation that gives up its sovereign to an enemy state.
No matter how frantic the traitors here get,
no matter how clever a plot you come up with,
it will not go as you wish.
The land and skies of Goryeo...
will not let that happen.
Then, let us wait and see.
Your two sons...
will not tolerate this either.
They died while fighting against Khitan.
They closed their eyes as they etched their resentment for Khitan...
in their hearts.
Now, with your own hands,
you are killing your sons once more.
Let us take action as planned at 11 p.m. tonight.
- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.
Do not tell the troops just yet.
Let us tell them right before we take action.
Drag them away.
What on earth are you doing?
- Drag them away. - Yes, General.
- Drag them away. - Yes, sir!
It is the order of General Choi Jil.
He said to have any warriors left in Seogyeong locked up in prison.
For what reason must they be locked up?
They disobeyed His Majesty's command.
His Majesty made it clear that everyone should go to Tongju.
What kind of nonsense is that?
Those warriors are trying to protect His Majesty...
under the Field Legislator's orders.
We have...
come all the way here from Gaegyeong to protect His Majesty.
Every soldier Field Legislator Yoo left behind...
will be sent to Tongju as well. Consider yourselves informed.
Everyone, assemble!
Assemble, all of you!
Hurry up and assemble.
We have been ordered to leave for Tongju Fortress at once.
Then who will protect Seogyeong?
The soldiers from Gaegyeong will.
Where is General Yoon?
General Yoon said he had a task for us to carry out tonight.
I do not know. Let us get going.
Pick up the pace!
Keep guard!
Report to me immediately if you spot a single soldier from the Northwest.
- Yes, General! - Yes, General!
(Kim Jong Hyun, Investigating Censor)
What are we going to do now?
Do we have no choice but to do it on our own?
His Majesty is arriving.
Your Majesty.
You have arrived!
- Did you follow my orders? - Yes, I took care of them.
I see everyone who ran away from Gaegyeong.
I bet it was you.
The one who delivered something to Field Legislator Yoo.
I do not know what you are talking about.
Fine. We shall wait and see.
I will take your life soon.
This way, please.
Keep a watchful eye on him.
Do not let anyone enter or leave.
Yes, General Choi.
We should stick to the plan and at least get rid of Choi Jil.
Even that will not be easy.
He has many soldiers protecting him.
Are you saying we should just give up, then?
It is too early to give up.
My lady.
General Ji Chae Moon is on his way here.
- Is that true? - Yes.
He said he would find soldiers who could help him and come here.
But when?
They will close the fortress gates shortly.
Why are we not moving in?
Something has gone wrong.
I do not see the soldiers from the Northwest.
Those warriors you see up there are all traitors from Gaegyeong.
Then where did Field Legislator Yoo and the soldiers from the Northwest go?
I do not know what is going on either.
In any case, you must make your decision.
They will close the gates shortly.
Identify yourself.
I am here from Yeongju Fortress to pick up military provisions.
- Military provisions? - Have you not been informed?
Are you not from Seogyeong?
- I am from Gaegyeong. - What?
Why is a soldier from Gaegyeong guarding Seogyeong Fortress?
It is none of your business. You must leave at once.
No one told us anything about this.
I cannot leave until I get the military provisions!
I told you to leave at once!
Stop!
Finally, you have arrived.
Yes, I apologize for being late.
Come in. We were waiting for you.
We were expecting them.
Do not worry. Go ahead and close the gates.
Yes, sir.
All right. Come with me.
Come along!
They are soldiers who followed His Majesty here.
Do not worry. Go inside, all of you.
- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.
We are heavily outnumbered by the enemy.
We must make them let their guard down before we strike.
Then this is the only way.
How are we going to inform His Majesty of this plan?
The traitors will not let anyone enter or leave where His Majesty is staying.
He will step out even just briefly, feeling anxious and frustrated.
Before he leaves Goryeo soil,
he will want to see Buddha for one last time.
His Majesty wishes to visit the temple briefly.
Tell him to just stay inside and get some rest.
I told you it is something His Majesty wishes to do!
How dare you...
His Majesty wishes to see Buddha for one last time...
before he leaves Goryeo.
You cannot even let him do that?
Get ready quickly.
His Majesty will pay a quick visit to the temple.
- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!
Some devotees are inside.
I will empty the Buddhist sanctuary if Your Majesty wishes.
Let them stay.
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty...
Do not be bothered by me. Continue to pray to the Buddha.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Thank you.
Is this where you live?
Yes.
It is a great honor to have Your Majesty visit Seogyeong.
The musicians and dancers in Seogyeong are very talented.
Since Your Majesty is here,
invite them and enjoy a banquet.
Your Majesty...
will certainly be satisfied.
I would like to drink.
- "Drink?" - Yes.
It is my wish to enjoy a banquet.
Since succeeding to the throne,
I have never had such an experience.
General Choi is ordering you to prepare a banquet.
"A banquet?"
How are we to prepare for one out of the blue?
Do as you are ordered.
Oh, right.
Prepare a grand one.
Invite all the musicians and dancers in Seogyeong.
Great.
Let us begin.
Now, now.
Goodness.
- Have a glass. - Sure.
- Let me pour you a glass. - Here.
General Choi!
May I pour you a drink?
You may. Thank you.
Bring us more food.
Here.
- Let us drink. - Come now.
- Goodness. - It has been so long.
Come here.
What a banquet!
Is it not delicious?
A banquet?
Yes. His Majesty wanted to hold a banquet.
He wants to drink in such a situation?
Examine the men who have prepared the banquet.
- Pardon? - Go now.
Check if there are any suspicious men among them.
Yes, Father.
Now, now.
- Let us drink! - Cheers!
General Ji...
Everything seemed fine.
Are you sure?
Yes. I made a thorough search.
I shall check again.
That is not necessary.
The Director of Defense is watching the dancers.
If there is anyone suspicious,
he will catch them for sure.
Please get some rest.
You are on edge.
Yes.
I have become too irritable.
Are you not going to the banquet?
Are you telling me to drink with His Majesty before me?
Then have a drink with me.
All right.
That...
would be better.
Yes, Father.
General Choi.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Thank you.
For letting me hold a banquet.
Do not mention it. Please enjoy it to your heart's content.
Allow me to pour you a drink.
All right. Please do.
Do not resent me too much.
I am simply trying to stop the war.
This is all for Goryeo's sake.
Of course. I know that.
No matter what others said, you cared about Goryeo greatly.
You were a good general...
who fought against the great Khitans and defended Tongju Fortress.
Had I punished Tak Sa Jung...
as you requested much earlier,
you would not have changed this much.
Had I thought...
more about the soldiers much earlier,
you would not have become a traitor.
I am being honest.
It is all my fault.
So, it is not too late to change your mind.
Stop thinking about handing the King to the enemy country.
Such a plan does not suit you.
Leave the court to the vassals.
Go back to your true duty.
Then,
you can return to being the loyal subject who has protected Tongju Fortress.
And you will be remembered as a good general...
who has stood up for the army.
I promise.
General Choi.
Please.
This is for Goryeo.
Your Majesty, what are you doing right now?
Do I look like a punk who would fall for that kind of smooth talk?
That kind of trick...
only works with a foolish warrior such as this.
Do you understand?
What do you take me for...
that you are trying such a cheap trick?
Do not waste your time and just quietly enjoy your drinks.
Do you understand?
However,
is this boring show the only thing you have prepared?
Is this all you have to show...
General Choi Jil?
No, sir. We have prepared much more.
Please wait a moment.
If it does not impress me again,
I will cut off all of your heads.
Do you understand?
Yes, General.
Drink up.
In a few days,
the Emperor will cross the Yalu River.
Then, I will return to Gaegyeong...
and erect a stone tower on Namdaega Avenue.
I will carve your late brothers' names on that tower...
and have all the people of Gaegyeong...
remember those two boys.
If I say I will do so, even General Choi Jil...
will not stop me.
General Choi Jil...
will die tonight.
No, I bet he is already dead.
What?
What do you mean?
There were soldiers among the dancers.
I think they must have had secret orders from the Emperor.
What?
What are you saying right now?
Why did you not tell me that sooner?
Then, does that mean...
you have betrayed your father right now?
Have you abandoned me...
and chosen the Emperor?
Yes.
That is right.
Father, the ones who killed my brothers were the Khitan soldiers.
- You! - Father!
Father...
How could you do this?
How could you?
You are my son!
Son.
Young.
Young!
Emperor, you jerk!
Your Majesty.
Nice.
There you go!
That is it!
Would you look at that?
That is nice.
- Nice. - There you go.
Gosh, that is impressive.
How nice is this?
Look at that!
- Amazing! - That was impressive!
Impressive, indeed!
Yes. That is what I wanted to see!
Your Majesty. What do you think?
Was that not impressive?
Yes. It was impressive.
I would like to give those dancers a drink.
Yes. Go ahead.
Pour them a drink, and go and get some good rest.
You should get a good night's rest if you are to go to the Yalu River.
- Good job. - Your generosity is boundless.
I will also pour you a drink, Your Majesty.
Yes, go ahead.
You should also fill your glasses.
Let us all drink together one last time.
You must also know...
that my mother died while giving birth to me.
I took a life the moment I was born.
For me, that has been a yoke...
that I have had to carry with me throughout life.
So, I promised myself as I took the throne.
That I would never take a single person's life.
That I would rule this nation without sentencing...
even a single criminal to death.
However, I have decided to abandon that thought.
I have realized...
that there are criminals in this world who never deserve mercy.
If I stay trapped within my own sense of pity,
I cannot accomplish my duties as the emperor.
Now, I will...
become a strong sovereign who is willing to take up a sword...
for the sake of Goryeo.
Hear me, my Imperial Army!
Kill those traitors. Every single one of them!
- Yes, Your Majesty! - Yes, Your Majesty!
(Korea-Khitan War)
His Majesty has punished all the traitors.
Commander, Khitan has issued a requisition.
This time, we will not just defeat them. We will wipe them out.
Are we sure we want to do an all-out pitched battle?
It is reckless to go up against the Khitan army in such a barren field.
It is time we put an end to this once and for all.
I want you to end this war.
(Subtitles are provided by KOCOWA.)