(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.)
To punish the traitors...
and achieve our great goals,
His Majesty and his 400,000 soldiers...
will come...
and conquer Goryeo.
(Episode 5)
I shall be leaving, then.
After all,
we ended up in this predicament.
Because of you,
Goryeo will now suffer the calamity of war.
Because of just one person.
Those sly Khitan rats are using me.
Those scoundrels...
are turning everyone in Goryeo against me.
I simply wished to right the wrongs in the royal court.
It was all for Goryeo's sake!
(Yang Kyu, Northwest Temporary Government Officer)
However, you cannot deny that you committed an act of treason.
- What? - You must bear the consequences.
You did not do what you did, expecting to be praised.
Palace Head Secretary, do not falter.
War is imminent.
Focus on figuring out a way to win.
As for the rest, you can think about it...
once we win the war.
His Majesty organized this banquet for you.
You must be tired after your long journey.
Make yourselves at home and enjoy the evening.
We are grateful to Prince Daeryangwon for his hospitality,
but we do not think the ministers and officials...
of the two countries should be drinking together now.
We would like to...
offer advice to the Khitan Emperor.
What is it that you would like to tell His Majesty?
The Jurchens are like hyenas by nature.
If your emperor decides to invade Goryeo...
based on their lies,
he will be making a grave mistake...
that will go down in history.
His Majesty...
already looked into it and verified the facts through various channels.
Do not try to conceal facts with your words.
Have some shame.
We can speak with full confidence...
for we are telling you nothing but the truth.
If a coup actually took place in Goryeo,
how could Prince Daeryangwon be sitting on the throne now?
No usurper in history has ever backed down voluntarily...
without seizing the throne...
after launching a coup.
Am I wrong?
Lord Han.
I assure you. This war cannot be justified...
This war cannot be justified.
Goryeo has never once...
betrayed Khitan's trust.
But if your emperor wishes to conquer Goryeo...
just because of the Jurchens' appeals,
how do you think it would be perceived by the other countries?
If war is what we get for respecting Khitan as our suzerain,
what country...
would trust Khitan...
and want to continue their relationship with you?
Goryeo also has...
countless brave soldiers and many generals who are excellent strategists.
What are you getting at?
If the war breaks out,
Khitan will suffer significant losses too.
- Lord Choi! - And what if...
Song attacks you in the middle of the war?
Then what would you do?
Khitan and Goryeo should not be waging war on each other now.
If anything, we should be strengthening our ties...
to keep Song in check.
Please do your best to persuade your emperor.
We truly are telling you this for Khitan's sake.
They must be trying to dissuade the Khitan envoys...
while warning them at the same time.
I commend them for their efforts,
but that will not change anything.
Your Majesty, you must not give up no matter what.
Before the Khitan soldiers cross the Yalu River,
we must try everything we can to stop the war.
Yes, we will try everything in our power.
However, we know who is responsible for this situation.
Khitan is using the Palace Head Secretary's treason...
to justify this war.
So if he is gone,
they can no longer justify the war.
Your Majesty.
What do you mean by that?
I will get rid of Kang Jo.
Your Majesty.
I cannot let every person in Goryeo bleed...
because of one traitor.
That I absolutely cannot tolerate.
Your Majesty, that is a reckless plan.
If things go wrong,
Your Majesty's life will be put in jeopardy too.
I am aware of it.
But at the moment,
it is the only way.
Your Majesty.
Please calm down.
We do not know whether or not Khitan would give up on the war...
even if you were to punish the Palace Head Secretary now.
They were planning to invade us from the get-go.
They were simply waiting to figure out a way to justify it.
So, please give up on your dangerous plan at once.
Your Majesty must stay safe!
Then what about all the work you and the ministers have done so far?
And what about all the efforts you have made...
to squash Khitan's justification for the war?
Was it simply a useless act of desperation?
We did it to delay the war, even by just one day.
If we overcome the hurdles like that one by one,
Khitan might face an internal conflict...
that prevents them from going to war.
We were trying to buy time...
to save the people from the pain of war.
I am doing this for the same reason.
I wish to do whatever it takes to overcome this crisis...
so I can spare my people the pain of war.
Your Majesty.
If Khitan does not care about justifying their attack...
and invades us for no reason,
we will have no choice but to fight.
But if they feel that they need to use a lie to justify it,
I will get rid of the cause first.
Even if that could put my life in danger, I will not avoid it.
Like you ministers,
I will do my very best to save my people.
Your Majesty.
You may leave now.
Do not tell anyone about this. Leave the palace at once.
Go on.
Your Majesty!
By the way,
why is His Majesty asking for me at this late hour?
His Majesty wishes to discuss an urgent matter with you.
(Geondeokjeon)
How come no one is here?
Where are all the officers and court maids at His Majesty's chambers?
His Majesty told them to leave.
His Majesty wishes to speak with you in private.
You may enter.
I heard Your Majesty asked for me.
Yes, I did.
How may I help you?
- Palace Head Secretary. - Yes, Your Majesty.
From what I know,
you had taken arms against the King...
to carry out a great cause.
I heard that it was...
for the sake of Goryeo without an ounce of ulterior motive.
If that is true,
I have...
a request for you.
What is it, Your Majesty?
For this Goryeo,
sacrifice yourself.
This was all caused by you.
So,
you should take responsibility and end this crisis.
Give up your life voluntarily...
and prove that you are a subject...
devoted to Goryeo.
If that is what Your Majesty wishes,
I will do so.
However, I will not die right here.
If I must die,
I will do so while fighting for Goryeo.
Die under Your Majesty's order,
and I will remain as nothing but a traitor.
I will pretend...
as if this has not happened.
How can I blame Your Majesty for doing this...
to save his people?
This is much better than an incompetent king...
who cannot make any decisions.
Well then.
Good night.
What are you doing over there?
Palace Head Secretary.
Why are you still in the palace?
When will the Khitan envoy return?
He is scheduled to return tomorrow.
Before he leaves,
will he meet with His Majesty again?
Yes.
He will bid farewell to His Majesty before leaving.
Palace Head Secretary.
His Majesty...
He will come to Jungjeon tomorrow.
My apologies, Your Majesty.
Armed eunuchs should have been placed outside of Your Majesty's bedroom.
Either way, it is a relief.
I did not expect the Palace Head Secretary to return without a fight.
Please go to bed, Your Majesty.
The Khitan envoy...
will visit you early tomorrow morning.
In the end...
Nothing succeeded.
Your Majesty.
I failed to punish the traitor...
or die for my people.
Your Majesty.
Thank you for your hospitality in many ways.
Then I shall return now.
All right. Be careful on your way.
And...
please pass this message to your emperor.
Goryeo does not want war.
An envoy will be sent soon to request a reconciliation.
A mobilization order has already been issued.
The request will not be accepted.
Sacrificing both countries' subjects over an unjustifiable war...
is a foolish act.
How can you criticize punishing the traitor...
and setting the authorities right as unjustifiable?
Because Goryeo's emperor and subjects...
keep protecting the traitors...
and dirty the authorities,
it is truly lamentable.
The Khitan emperor...
will lead a large army of 400,000 soldiers...
and cross the Yalu River soon.
After punishing the traitor Kang Jo,
His Majesty...
will demonstrate his power across the lands of Goryeo.
Until then, please be well.
Stop right there.
Take my head...
right here, right now.
I am that traitor Kang Jo.
So behead me at once.
What are you saying?
Bring me a sword.
Here. Pull it out.
Pull it out and behead me.
Do it now.
Why are you hesitating?
The Khitan emperor is breaking war...
for my head, no?
Your emperor is mobilizing...
four hundred thousand soldiers just to cut my head off, no?
So why are you hesitating? Tell me.
- Step back. - Behead me at once.
Take my head right now...
and fulfill the great cause you so wished for.
I am simply an envoy delivering His Majesty's words.
The one who will fulfill...
the great cause is His Majesty himself.
Then...
I will go to Khitan.
Tie me up, and take me.
What?
What was that?
Take me now. I will go without a fight.
Stop spouting nonsense!
Why are you saying it is nonsense?
Answer me.
What are you saying is nonsense?
Tell us now.
Say it clearly before...
the Emperor of Goryeo and his subjects.
What is it that the Khitans want?
Is it me?
Or a war?
Your Majesty Daeryangwon.
Please order him to back down.
I am an envoy who has come on the emperor of Khitan's behalf.
But to look down and threaten me...
is an insult to His Majesty.
Have him back down at once,
and show Your Majesty's loyalty to His Majesty of the Khitan.
Answer the question first.
What is it that the Khitan truly wants?
Answer me on behalf of the Emperor.
Stake the Emperor of Khitan's honor...
and tell us clearly.
What is the purpose of this war?
I will...
not answer it.
What?
I will inform His Majesty of everything that has happened here.
That the emperor and the subjects of Goryeo became one...
and insulted His Majesty.
I will report every detail of it.
Please issue a mobilization order.
We will prepare for war.
Hurry up.
Send out a mobilization order to all the provincial governors!
Send word to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works.
Have them support the mobilization order!
- Yes, my lord! - Yes, my lord!
Out of the way!
Palace Head Secretary Kang Jo...
will become the Field Commander...
and lead the 300,000 soldiers of the Goryeo army.
For the position of Field Deputy Commander,
Palace Deputy Secretary Lee Hyun Woon,
and Deputy Minister of Defense Jang Yeon Woo will serve.
For the role of Field Legislator, An So Kwang will serve.
For the role of Left Military Commander, Choi Hyun Min will serve.
For the role of Right Military Commander,
Lee Bang will serve. Please allow these appointments.
Go ahead.
We have left the position of Supervising Commander open.
It is an important position that will be leading the Goryeo army...
along with the Field Commander.
Please name someone you see fit for the position, Your Majesty.
Tell the Field Commander to choose as he sees fit.
Have him name a warrior he likes.
You cannot do so.
Vassals you placed yourself...
must also fight with the Field Commander.
Only then will you get a share of the contribution...
after winning the war against Khitan.
What do you mean by that?
Why must we think about such things at this point?
Your Majesty, if the Field Commander takes all the credit for winning the war,
it will become hard to handle his power even more.
Please prepare for the future.
Please name Choi Sa We, Minister of Punishments,
as the Supervising Commander.
Would that be all right?
If the Field Commander finds out...
He already agreed to this.
Leave the minimum number of soldiers to protect the palace.
Have all of the soldiers residing in Gaegyeong...
move to Tongju Fortress.
I will leave Gaegyeong...
after rallying the troops coming up from other regions.
- Yes, Field Commander. - Yes, Field Commander.
Do you plan to have the main army stationed at Tongju Fortress?
Before Khitan...
gets across the rough mountains...
where the six fortresses are located east of the river,
we must wipe them all out.
Once Khitan gets through that area,
everything from Seogyeong to Gaegyeong are plains.
In a region without a single mountain,
we cannot stop the cavalry of Khitan.
Then, I will now return to Heunghwajin.
You should go after you meet with His Majesty.
He should know which warrior will be facing...
the Khitan army before anyone else.
Yes, I will do so.
Well, then.
This will...
be the last time.
We will be able to meet again...
once the war is over.
I wish you luck.
I wish you luck, sir.
So that is what Heunghwajin is like.
Then, the temporary government officer's role will be very important.
Right. You should get going.
Your Majesty.
Before I go, I have one request.
What is it? Go ahead and tell me.
Please wish...
the Field Commander luck on the battlefield as well.
That will be very encouraging for him.
The Field Commander wants to...
wage this war with you, Your Majesty.
That is why he left a position for you to appoint.
Please put aside your anger about the treasonous act,
and wish him luck in the war.
Then, the Field Commander will risk his life and bring you victory.
I will be going now.
Temporary government officer.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Please fight well.
I beg of you.
Your Majesty, I am your vassal.
You should not beg me for anything but command me to do so.
Give me your command.
Yes. I understand.
Fight well.
Make sure to keep Heunghwajin safe.
Never...
let it fall to the hands of Khitan.
Yes, Your Majesty. I will protect it at all costs.
Yes. I will put my faith in you.
Arguments were made that they were only trying to hide the coup...
and waging war without justification.
However, a man named Kang Jo stepped forward later...
and caused a scene,
saying he would put up his own life.
(Yelu Longxu, the 6th emperor of Khitan)
He has some nerve.
I would like to meet this man.
What is going on with the army?
They are assembling in Dongjing.
Around the time you arrive,
everyone will have assembled there.
It is not that far from Dongjing to Goryeo.
This is the first conquest under my command.
I do not want to be ashamed before my mother's eyes.
Be sure to have everything ready.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
An order of mobilization has been sent out.
Every soldier in this county, including cavalry and foot soldiers,
must report for duty.
The emperor in Gaegyeong...
is really going to war in the end.
How dare you say that?
His Majesty is not the one starting this war.
It is because Khitan has declared war.
Is it not the role of the court in Gaegyeong...
to stop things like this before they happen?
Chief!
I lost my eldest son in the last war against Khitan!
And do you mean I should send my second son off to war this time?
It is the command of His Majesty.
You should make haste to follow it.
If there is a single man left out from the army registry,
I will report it to the provincial governor...
and have him be severely punished.
Then get a move on.
Darn it!
It is a talisman.
Carry it with you at all times.
Yes, Mother.
Come back to us safe and sound.
Yes, Father. Do not worry.
I will be going now.
- Oh, my dear son! - What will I do without you?
When the provincial governor delivers the mobilization order...
to each county's military post,
the chief and deputy chief of each post...
will assemble the soldiers in their county...
to send them to the battlefield.
Not only the elite soldiers who are part of the central army organization...
and have been given land...
but also the regional armies...
will all be mobilized.
Then, how does Khitan mobilize their army?
Part of the Khitan army, like the Han army,
are peasant soldiers who were mobilized while farming the land.
However, their main forces are...
the soldiers from the Khitan tribes.
Then, when they run out of grass to feed their cattle,
they start to conquer and pillage.
They look like they are ready now.
- Yes, indeed. - Let us get going too.
They do not need training...
for the way they live is like a war.
Then once the Emperor issues orders,
they head over to the rendezvous point right away.
By now,
the entire Khitan army must have come together.
Do not be afraid.
We, too, have a large army that consists of 300,000 soldiers.
They will fight with their lives on the line and will be sure to win.
How did you know that I was afraid?
You seem to have a knack for reading people.
I apologize.
Please consider it your old vassal's mere guess.
Please forgive me.
No, you are right.
To tell you the truth,
I am afraid.
I am visiting the six ministries to encourage the ministers and officers.
But to be frank, I do not even know what to do.
It just...
terrifies me to stay in the palace alone.
That is why I am visiting my ministers.
Perhaps,
I do not have what it takes to sit on the throne.
All I had was the pride that I carry the bloodline of the Dragon.
Turns out, I was an incompetent man.
Your Majesty, I do not think that is true.
Sure, you are not an experienced ruler yet.
However, you are determined and ready...
to do anything for your people.
That is the greatest virtue of an emperor.
Once you gain some experience,
you will become a sage emperor. I trust that it will happen soon.
Thank you very much...
for your kind words.
This reminds me of...
listening to my father's comforting words as a little boy.
Then,
when will we finish assembling all of our soldiers?
It will be done in a few days.
I have been told that the officials in the Ministry of Defense...
went to the countryside to encourage more men to join the army.
I am afraid.
I hope we do not lose a single soldier.
I understand this might sound childish,
but I hope no one gets hurt...
or dies.
(Gongju)
That is the last batch of soldiers.
That was quick, compared to other regions.
It looks like you have trained the local officials well.
They can never be trained.
They are doing this for me for I have been...
treating them amicably while building connections.
Right, I see.
The regions that lie south of Gaegyeong are still ruled by the regional lords.
You cannot expect the imperial court's influence...
to reach these regions by sending a few governors.
Take me for example. Without the local magistrates' cooperation,
I cannot even collect the taxes.
You should stay here for the night since you have come a long way.
No, I cannot.
I cannot waste even a moment at this critical time.
I should return to Gaegyeong right away...
and get ready to go to the Northwest to go to war.
Very well.
Then,
I wish you victory.
Thank you.
I will be leaving, then.
- Come along. - Yes, sir.
Father.
What are you doing here?
I came here to ensure the soldiers' safe departure.
Why would you...
worry about that?
What do you mean, why?
(Lady Kim, later becomes Queen Wonseong)
You know that we all grew up together, like siblings.
They are going to war,
so I should see them off.
Do you think they will be able to return?
Can we truly beat the Khitan rogues?
We cannot predict who will win or lose.
All we can do is fight with all our might.
I hear the new emperor is young and clueless.
Can he truly lead us to victory?
Hush.
- Such insolence. - His Majesty King Seongjong...
fought in the war himself. Is that too much to expect from the new emperor?
That is enough.
Go home at once.
I will.
After I see them off.
You little...
Why have you not gone to bed yet?
I cannot fall asleep.
What about you?
Why are you still awake?
I cannot fall asleep either.
Will Goryeo not be in shambles by the time this child is born?
I keep feeling anxious.
You need not be concerned.
Our army has many great warriors.
From what I know,
Commander Kang is also a skilled warrior.
So, the fate of Goryeo...
lies in the hands of a traitor?
The predicament we are in is truly lamentable.
We must beg the man who assassinated the Emperor...
to please lead us to victory.
We will now go to war.
The entire army is now ready.
How do you plan to fight?
With the main forces,
I plan to set up an encampment...
at Samsuchae in front of the Tongju Fortress.
Before the enemy forces cross the Chongchon River...
and arrive in Seogyeong,
we will wipe them out.
Very well.
I wish you victory.
Yes, Your Majesty.
We should leave now.
One moment.
I heard the Emperor's Axe should be bestowed...
upon a warrior going to war.
Take this.
You must win.
Win and save our people.
If you save the people of Goryeo,
your sin of assassinating one former emperor...
will all be forgiven.
Your Majesty.
No one will ever call you a traitor again,
and I will...
never call you a rebel again.
Truly,
I will consider you a loyal subject of Goryeo...
and a hero who saved Goryeo.
So please...
fight well.
Yes,
Your Majesty.
(Tongdeokmun)
Charge forth!
- Charge forth! - Giddyap!
- Giddyap!
Make haste into the fortress!
- Hurry! - Make haste!
Do not leave anything behind.
Take everything made of iron.
Take everything and anything that will benefit our enemy.
What are you doing? Stop at once.
You cannot avoid this enemy by hiding in the mountains.
Head into the fortress now.
- Oh, no. - What now?
Trust me.
Heunghwajin will not fall to the enemy.
I promise you.
Please do as I say. Hurry.
- Let us go. - It is an order.
- Goodness. - Go down.
Now then, please hurry.
All right. It is better than getting killed.
- Let us go. - Good grief.
(Heunghwajin)
Goodness.
I cannot believe this.
Do not despair.
Good grief.
Inform the private houses inside the fortress...
to give them a room.
If there are not enough,
put up tents for them to sleep in.
Understood.
How much fuel do we have saved?
(Oil producing fire)
All warehouses have been filled. But I am not sure if that is enough.
Collect all the irons brought in by the people...
and prepare to make iron mold.
- Understood. - Sir!
Sir!
The Khitan soldiers have reached the Yalu River.
A Khitan envoy is requesting to meet the adjutant.
- Giddyap! - Giddyap!
Giddyap!
Look.
Over there.
You have permission. Proceed.
We meet again.
Yes. We meet again.
His Majesty has advised...
the Goryeo generals guarding Heunghwajin to surrender.
If you willingly open the fortress gates and welcome His Majesty,
His Majesty will show mercy...
and keep you all alive.
We appreciate the kindness but must refuse.
Then...
none of those in Heunghwajin will survive.
Then all of the Khitan soldiers will be completely destroyed.
All right.
I wish you good luck.
Giddyap!
Let us go.
Close the gates!
Go back to your station!
Get ready for the battle!
Station yourself close to the walls.
Get inside the fortress tents! Hurry!
- Giddyap! - Giddyap!
So this is Goryeo's land.
Who do you think will get the news of victory first?
I will leave it to the Spearhead Commander.
Do not let anyone live.
Show them what will happen if they do not surrender.
Yes, Your Majesty.
March forth!
The lights! Put out the lights!
Put out the lights!
Stand as close to the fortress walls as possible!
Cho Rong!
When did you leave?
The temporary government officer told us to stay near the fortress walls.
Save us, the merciful Buddha.
Do not be frightened!
The enemy cannot climb over our fortress walls!
Before the Khitans' dead bodies...
pile up higher than our walls,
none of their soldiers...
will be able to climb over Heunghwajin's walls.
Understood?
- Yes! - Yes!
Here it comes.
- One hundred bo! - We are short of 100 bo!
Twelve more support!
- Twelve more support! - Twelve more support!
Pull!
- Ready to fire! - Ready to fire!
Fire.
Fire!
(Korea-Khitan War)
Do not give them any spare time. Keep attacking.
Make sure the Goryeo soldiers cannot eat or sleep.
All soldiers, fire!
- Attack! - Attack!
Can Heunghwajin withstand it?
They will go down in the end.
Heunghwajin is on the line.
They need support.
(Subtitles are provided by KOCOWA.)