(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are fictitious.)
Gosh.
- What is wrong? - Master Yi Eon. Look over there.
Oh, my...
If you are a ghost, go away. But if you are human...
Bo Ri?
Gosh.
Bo Ri. You must feel so wronged.
Have you gone mad?
Are you trying to get bewitched by a ghost and end up in trouble?
I do not care if that is her ghost. She was my friend.
Bo Ri!
Bo Ri.
What is that?
It is a goblin fire.
I am busy. Go away.
Gosh. Hot!
- Bo Ri! - Hey, hold on.
- Let go of me. - Bo Ri.
Wait.
- This is not it. - What?
- Gosh. What is wrong with her? - Wait.
What are you doing here?
Hey, kids.
- Gosh. Hey! - Oh, boy.
So you have been pretending to be a ghost to stop people...
from coming here?
Otherwise, we would have died. I really did not have a choice.
That is mulberry juice.
It looks just like blood.
Do you perhaps have a twin sister?
Then do you have a relative who is around the same age as you?
I am an orphan. I do not have any family in this world.
Happy now?
Then who are you guys?
You are not her sisters or brothers.
No! We are family!
- We are family! - We are family!
- We are family! - We do not share blood,
but we are practically a family who grew up together.
We are family.
I see. I am sorry.
You look just like my friend who passed away.
My apologies for my behavior.
By the way, the kids seem sick.
What happened to their eyes?
Their eyes got inflamed while drying medicinal herbs.
- You cannot eat that. - Medicinal herbs?
You will get sick.
- You will get sick. - They seem a bit off too.
We should just go.
We should get going before we end up in trouble.
What was that medicinal herb?
Do not intervene in our business. You should just go...
before you end up in trouble because of people who seem off.
No.
I need an answer.
They rubbed their eyes while drying the medicinal herb.
And their eyes got inflamed.
If your eyes come in contact with aconite,
you will go blind.
Aconite?
Tell me in detail.
How did you all end up like this?
I must know.
(Episode 4, Traveling Incognito)
Come with me.
It is okay. You are safe.
It is my turn now.
When children at public orphanages turn ten,
they are adopted out or sent to become slaves.
The children here...
were sent to Soyang Trading Group before they escaped.
They broke the rules to run away?
They had no choice.
The head of the trading group is a man called Cha Mal Jong.
He colludes with the village officials...
and makes a huge profit by supplying tributes as a proxy.
He then hoards what others need and amasses more wealth.
He is a madman who treats the slave children...
like toys, depending on his mood.
If a child was unable to obey his order or refused to do so,
he would starve the child and even...
allow the child to die.
Why did you not report him?
Joseon law bans slaves from reporting their owners.
Also, Joseon law states an owner can treat slaves however they wish.
Did you not know that?
He could give any punishment he wanted,
and no one questioned him if he said the dead child was frail.
Not one official...
cared about the dead child.
Once they had seen enough,
a few like-minded adults got together...
and started to smuggle the children to bring them here.
That is why...
we spread rumors about ghosts to keep people away.
Still, you cannot live in a mountain in these conditions.
- Are you sick? - The children must see a doctor.
When the ship to Ganghwa Island comes in, I will leave with them.
I heard that...
there is a village for orphans...
and women who have returned after the war.
Women who have come back are there too?
Women who were taken prisoner who could not return home...
and orphans are allowed to stay.
The village leader is a woman who suffered the same fate.
I am here because I heard you have beef.
Cattle slaughtering is banned, and we have no beef.
Do not lie.
I heard rumors that you give beef to the beggars.
I am sure you have some that is meant for...
the Palace kitchens.
I do not even have any for the King, so go away.
She could just say it is not enough.
This should be enough for 70 rolls of hemp cloth.
We shall leave.
We will leave.
We are leaving.
This should keep you going for now.
This is expensive soup.
Because of the cattle disease, there is barely enough for the King.
We cannot let the living starve so they can offer it to the dead.
It is not a lot, but you can all have a little.
- Thank you. - I will enjoy this.
Thank you.
Hand me the baby...
so you can eat.
Hello.
You are so cute.
Are you also a mother?
I heard she was, but she lost her child.
That is why she tries to save children.
What will you do now?
Before the ship comes,
I will get as many kids from the group as possible.
Why not alert the officials?
That is just as good as telling Cha Mal Jong where we are.
I see.
I will go myself.
You will not go to Gongjinchang?
I must see it for myself.
I will go. Tell me if you need anything.
To tell the truth, my mother has also returned after the war.
I want to do all I can to help.
Then...
I do have a favor to ask.
(Soyang Trading Group)
Go to Soyang Trading Group and do something for me.
Toss it.
Here it comes.
- There you go. - I got it.
Are you all seeing this?
Here we go.
- Yes! - Well done.
Now...
What did you just do?
I apologize, sir.
No.
If you have the time to apologize, just get beaten to death.
What do you say to that? Yes?
Look up at me.
Good girl.
Darn you! You foolish girl!
I apologize, sir.
This girl needs more than a beating. She needs a good whipping.
She must be taught a lesson, or she will not take you seriously.
I will take her to the shed and string her up and beat her.
Come with me, you brat.
Okay. You do that.
There is a senior slave called Gwang Soon.
Come along!
She brings the child out of the house,
and I pick them up at the meeting place.
But as you can see, I cannot leave these sick children alone.
Go to the village and bring the children here.
Look. Men who look like servants are all armed with swords.
How closely connected is he with the officials...
that there are sword-carrying thugs?
They are totally crazy.
He is even connected to the magistrate.
How can we bring him in?
We must acquire definite evidence.
Or we do not stand a chance.
They must have a secret account book.
You will not raid them now, will you?
The men from the relay station will still be a long way away.
Take this. Can you get there before the rooster's first cry?
Your friends' safety depends on it.
Here is a yakgwa, your favorite.
Yakgwa.
Not now.
Eat it after you reach the relay station, okay?
Wait.
(Starting point)
(Destination)
Ouch, stingy.
Ouch.
Hello.
Until the men get here,
we must stall and find some evidence.
Would they not suspect something if three strange men were to enter?
We cannot go in as we are.
It is all good now. You are safe now.
Are you hurt?
I am fine.
You must have been scared.
You are safe now.
Sorry for hitting you.
Have a drink.
Drink up.
Join us.
You need to stay here for the time being.
I will come and get you when it is safe outside.
You cannot come out before then.
We do not know what will happen if Cha Mal Jong sees you again.
I know it is cramped, but be patient.
I will.
Stay inside.
Sit.
What are you waiting for? Come out.
He said to come out.
Is it amusing?
Is it?
No. It is killing me.
You are so pretty, it kills me.
Darn it!
Now,
the two of you shall pretend to be lovers.
I would rather be siblings.
Fine. Then say you are siblings.
Are you the same person?
You look like a completely different person.
I do?
Do I look that awkward?
Then...
What about this?
My gosh. How have you been?
Hi there, Gwang Soon.
I have been waiting for you.
- Wait a minute. - Sure.
I was supposed to meet her at the clothing store in the market.
Has everything been good?
Of course. Nothing ever happens here.
Mi Ryeo has not come yet.
What about the child?
There was another problem today, so she is locked up again.
I will bring her later when I come back.
You should get back.
He will get angry again if you are gone for too long.
- See you later. - Sure.
- Follow her. - I shall.
You dropped this.
I see. Thank you.
The secret code is, "I came from Heunhaengi Hill."
I came from Heunhaengi Hill.
I heard there was going to be a feast here,
so I had hoped to make a little spending money.
My gosh, what perfect timing. We are short-staffed right now.
- Let me carry that. - Thank you.
- It is that way. - That way?
- Yes. - What luck.
Let us go as well.
Here you go.
Did you get someone who is skilled?
We hired a carpenter who worked for the palace.
I told him to use...
only the best raw material, so do not worry.
How are we designing the buildings?
He said it would be good to arrange them...
to resemble one of the characters for day, month, or entrance.
Entrance and day seemed too plain,
so I told him to go with month.
I met with other lords,
and the trend of the houses nowadays...
shifted from month to luck.
Oh dear. Is that right?
I did not know of the recent trends. I apologize.
My eldest son will live in this house.
Yes, of course.
I like this better.
I hate complicated things.
I prefer this, Dad.
But this will bring you luck.
Furthermore, how many times have I told you to speak properly?
It is "Father", not "Dad".
Yes, Father.
I will go now.
Over here. Carpenter. We need to talk.
You are a minister's son. How long will you act like a child?
Father, do not worry about me.
You should worry about Tae Seo.
Why are you worried about Tae Seo?
The report from the dead secret inspector was submitted.
What did you say?
Tae Seo always seems to leave loose ends.
Everyone is about to find out that you stole the royal offerings...
because he failed to get rid of a mere secret inspector.
Hey, watch your tongue.
Why should you be careful?
You put the King on his throne.
Father. You are the leader of the noblemen...
and a loyal subject who replaced the throne with a different King.
You have nothing to worry about.
We have failed to locate the account book yet.
It is my guess that the King has gotten the Director involved.
It will be troublesome if the Director acquires the evidence.
Being careful can never hurt.
My gosh. It has been a while since I saw your serious face.
Tae Seo must resent us because he is an illegitimate child.
So he used my title as the Chief State Councilor...
to sweet-talk the officials in the countryside...
to increase his assets.
So even if the account book turns up,
we will not be responsible.
It will prove Tae Seo's illegal activity.
What are you talking about?
Hey!
Oh, no. My lord.
I am so sorry.
If you are sorry, work.
You will even risk your life.
Your determination will save Joseon.
How much longer...
will you put up with your lives as farmers, servants, or slaves?
The world must not be run based on ranks!
In our world, we ought to be rewarded for our hard effort.
We must join hands together...
to create that world.
My lord.
Until we achieve our goal, you must make sacrifices.
Yes. I will.
Do you understand?
Yes, I do.
What are you talking about?
Tae Seo wants nothing but your approval.
"Father, just say the word."
"Father, is this enough?"
"Father. Should I fetch you something?"
Gosh.
You really are scary.
Tae Seo works so hard to gain your approval.
Gosh. I feel awful for Tae Seo now.
Not all brothers are the same.
Listen, Do Soo.
You must brace yourself.
I will, Father. Please do not worry.
My lord.
Do you have pheasants I could pay as tributes?
Pheasants? Of course.
I just received some pheasants from Suam Valley.
How much?
I need 200 rolls of cotton for a pheasant.
Did you say 200 rolls of cotton?
I could buy a horse with that.
How can a pheasant and a horse cost the same?
Then you can get flogged for not paying the tribute.
If you do not want that, you can sell your children.
My gosh. My lord!
Please give me a cheaper price.
My son has been ill for over a month.
I cannot even afford to buy him any medicine.
Gosh. Come on!
My lord!
What are you looking for? Pheasant?
Can you give me a good one?
Right here.
Look. This looks great.
They gave me a pheasant in exchange for my lunch.
So this is how it made its way to the palace.
How can we call this a country?
Everywhere we go, it reeks of corruption.
Seriously. I should leave Joseon when I can.
Seeing how you are loitering around, you must be craving drinks.
You know, this is the hahyangju only the King gets to drink.
What do you say? Would you like a sip?
Do you want a taste?
No, I am good. We sometimes have this drink too.
Of course I know how rare this liquor is.
Gosh. I guess you hold an important position too.
You must have nine lives to have consumed a royal offering.
If you get caught by the Department of Justice,
you will be as good as dead.
Well, I was born a man.
Instead of worrying about the law and living the life of a fool,
I would rather eat everything I want and die a happy man.
Do you not agree, Chil Guk?
Of course, I do.
Forget about the law.
I, Chil Guk, would rather quit pooping than drinking.
What about you, Pal Soon?
I agree, my dear brother.
Here is the thing about the law.
Breaking it gives us the biggest thrill.
My sister is very shy.
How beautiful.
Do you know that you are adorable?
Come inside.
- Gosh. What are you doing? - Come here.
He said "beautiful", right?
- We should go inside. - Okay.
- My gosh. That is a lot. - Goodness.
- Gosh. - Let us go.
This is crazy.
I am seeing ingredients one would see at the royal kitchen.
Exactly. All these royal offerings should have been served to the King.
(Royal offerings: Goods for kings, magistrates, or the palace)
There is more than food. I see hemp clothes too.
Hey, scoundrels.
Come join me in the backyard.
Sure. I will. It is a great day to be out.
- Mal Jong, you are here. - Hey.
Goodness. I always find you guys here.
Keep playing.
Come here.
Sit down.
Pretty girl, you can sit next to me.
All right. Sit there.
Bring us food!
We just met, so please excuse me for being blunt.
If I may, could I ask who your father is?
I should at least know your family before I accept a free meal.
I do not have a father.
Pretty girl.
Have a drink.
This is...
not hahyangju.
What?
What do you mean?
I smell chamomile, not lotus flowers.
I can also taste ginger and a bitter flavor of red peppers.
This is hansan sogokju, is it not?
You really are a man about town.
If you were a secret royal inspector...
who came here to mess things up,
I was going to kill and bury you,
but you know the taste of hansan sogokju?
Are you really a lowly scoundrel, then?
- He tested me on purpose? - Bring more wine!
I noticed on my way in that you have everything.
Do you trade medicinal herbs as well?
We do not deal with medicinal herbs.
The officer in charge of that is too thorough for my liking.
I cannot be bothered to deal with him.
Oh, is that so?
She definitely said it happened while drying aconite.
(Wine)
Where did you get all this wine from?
Do you make it?
What? Oh, yes.
Pretty one, where are you from?
Help me out.
Does it matter where I am from?
The fact that we met today is more important.
Do you know romance?
- So... - Yes?
All this wine.
Where do you make it?
Oh, way over there in Jinsan.
There is a valley called Baekgwiryeong.
That is where we make it.
What do you make other than wine?
We make wine,
weave hemp cloth, make silver...
Silver? Did he say silver?
Thanks to you, I got it done in no time.
You even helped me carry the clothes.
Not at all. Tell me if you need anything else done.
Just pack me a few yukjeon to go.
Sure.
Where is the child?
In the storage shed.
There is a side door in the backyard of the annex.
I will bring the child to the door, so you can take her with you.
He was looking for a female servant to help make the side dishes.
There is a party today.
Is there? I am a great cook, you see.
Are you? Great. Come with me, then.
- Okay. - Come this way.
How much longer must we do this for?
If I am right,
the boy should be at the relay station by now.
I will keep him occupied. You search the house.
- Okay. - We must find the account book.
See if they keep medicinal herbs somewhere too.
Can you please look only at me?
Okay. I will look only at you.
So,
I believe you said earlier that you make silver.
Silver is not something you can weave.
What were you talking about?
Why do you keep asking questions? This is very suspicious.
What odd taste in women you have.
The guest of honor should not be so late!
I am hosting it for you! You should be on time!
Baekgwiryeong was covered in fog.
But then, the terrain there is quite rough.
But could it have been smoke and not fog?
From the fires?
We have a long way to go. We are just getting started.
Anyway, if your father does not throw a fit, all is well.
I thought the old man would freak out.
Who is this?
Me, you mean?
He is a passing scoundrel. One of us.
"One of us"?
Who is your father, then?
My father is...
"Father"?
He is not "one of us".
He said "father".
What is it? Do you like her?
She is new from the public orphanage.
(Government-run orphanage)
Do not do something that could look bad. It will sour the mood.
There will be no problem.
I talked it out with the official who deals with the orphans...
and made a fake slave trade ledger.
Lie low for a while.
Until we catch the secret inspector.
What? After we killed the one before,
they sent out another one?
My gosh. Must we send out some men again?
I already did.
They must be looking in the wrong area.
This is a tiny village, and once he arrives,
there is no way out.
He is welcome to come by.
Do not kill him. Just catch him.
Why? What use do you have for him?
I need to find out how much he knows.
We can kill him afterwards.
Sure.
I need to go and pee.
Hey, you.
You had better return in 15 minutes.
If you go to pee and do not return for too long,
I would wonder if you went to report us to the magistrate.
There is no point in reporting us to the magistrate.
He is on my payroll.
The fools from his office were here yesterday,
and they ate three meals in a row.
I know that.
However,
there is always a "just in case".
My brother here is not that just or loyal a person.
He is so mean, selfish, and self-centered.
You can take your time.
Hello.
Go on.
Go in.
(Relay Station)
You there.
I have not seen you before.
You over there.
Have some mung bean pancakes. I just made them.
- Look at the color. - Wow.
And it smells divine.
They taste the best when they are warm. Eat up.
Look at that color. My gosh. You have to eat them now. Sit.
What are you doing? Come and eat first.
- Thank you. - Eat up.
My gosh. Is it because we are having a feast?
There are so many new faces. Enjoy.
It is absolutely delicious.
Why is this house so big? This trading group must be huge.
The account book and medicinal herbs.
Medicinal herbs...
Where is the account book?
What are you doing in here?
You cannot be in here. You need to leave.
I got lost while looking for the toilet.
Oh my goodness.
I am here. Yes. This is it. Relay station.
I am late.
Hey. I am very late.
- Wait. Hold on. I am coming. - Oh no.
- Oh no. I remember now. - Coming. Wait.
I have brought a letter.
What? Get lost.
(Relay Station)
Please keep it down.
Help me.
My gosh.
Are you all right?
Master.
What happened?
Master. Why did you come here?
I was searching the house and heard you scream.
That is what led me here.
There is no time for this.
If you are seen anywhere around here...
You are dead.
Gosh.
Oh no. What now?
What did I say?
As I said, if he does not return in 15 minutes,
he is a rat.
Honest truth, you had my heart,
Pal Soon.
Tell me what is going on.
Explain yourself.
Sorry about that.
This is a misunderstanding.
We did not go into your shed to steal. He got lost...
- and stepped on a trap... - He got lost,
but he went into someone else's storage shed.
It was all because I was careless.
Your shed was so grand and beautiful,
that I wanted to take a look. I apologize.
Sorry about that.
How dare you continue to act like you are a nobleman?
Are you really with the saheonbu?
Hey. Drag them away...
and search them.
- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.
(Ra Yi Eon)
Letter.
Wake up! Everyone wake up!
- Why you... - Master.
He is my husband.
You are driving me mad. I cannot stand it.
You keep failing the state exam but have not learned your lesson.
You said you would live in a temple and study,
but you are visiting banquets and drinking again?
When will you grow up?
You have inherited so much from Father including farms and fields.
How long will you live like this?
- I just cannot stand it. - Wait.
Wait.
I was wrong. I am sorry.
I am going to kill you.
- Die. - Wait.
What is that?
(Relay Station)
Enough!
Are you really this man's wife?
Yes, I am.
I wish I were not.
You do not know how much it kills me to have a husband like him.
Actually,
it may be better for me...
if you just kill him right now.
I am so sick of him.
I wish he were gone.
What are you doing?
Sit.
If you two really are husband and wife,
kiss.
Pardon?
Either kiss...
or shout, "The king is a donkey's behind!"
Your choice.
Pardon?
Do it.
What do you say?
Why is he hesitating?
It would be his first kiss.
Would it not be better to say the king is... You know?
The king...
The king is a donkey's...
Even if you have no desire to succeed,
how could you insult the king?
In front of all these people.
What if someone reports you?
You will be arrested for contempt and face the gravest punishment!
The soldiers will be here soon. Hang in there.
And you are making a mistake too.
I understand that my husband wronged you first.
But how could you be so reckless?
I am sure you know that we must not even joke...
about the King.
You know no shame, woman.
You have no problem kissing a man in front of others.
Are you always that promiscuous?
No, I am not.
But...
So what if I am?
I see.
Then how about this?
If you kiss me,
I will release everyone here.
Watch your tongue!
I do not care what you think about the King.
But do not insult my wife.
You guys cannot be married.
Have you ever seen any married couples kissing?
And she said she was sick of him, that she would not mind...
if he were dead.
But they kissed in front of everyone here.
It is as ridiculous as eating a meal in the outhouse.
Who are you?
Answer me.
Who on earth are you?
Allow us to share a kiss.
Or let her die on my sword.
If you can make a decision, I will let the rest of you live.
- Let us go! - Go!
Let us settle this, man to man.
What do you say? That would be grander, would it not?
Step back.
Lift your sword.
I do not wish to.
Your Highness.
If we wield a sword, we will have to use it...
against someone at some point.
I am happy with just my kitchen knife.
I will go with this.
It is no time to show off. Get the sword now.
Grab the sword.
Master.
Master, grab the sword.
(No animals were harmed during the filming.)
(Staff ensured child actors' safety in the filming of this episode.)
(Special appearance by Lee Jun Hyuk)
(Secret Royal Inspector & Joy)
One day in your life, you will have to protect yourself...
and what is valuable around you.
Perhaps, the mastermind I am looking for...
may be closer than I thought.
You must stop him no matter what.
- If you cannot stop him... - Must I kill him?
Great bait will catch big fish.
Your Majesty...
I told you to stop that.
Do you want to join us to Ganghwa Island?
Yes. I want to go with you.
How sad.
That girl is the secret inspector's weakness.
Do whatever it takes to catch them!