----
[Episode 37]
From the beginning...
There was never a place for me in this grand plan, was there?
Yes. There was never a role for you.
But... you created one.
You killing Poeun...
That will become your role.
What about Lord Poeun?
What happened to Lord Poeun?
Lord Poeun...
He is dead.
Then...
His Majesty...
It must not be a good situation.
Is he alive?
I believe he is safe.
I heard that he will step down from the throne soon.
I am glad.
Why didn't you kill me?
You didn't kill me either.
At Byeokrando last time, and also at the market...
you were more than capable of killing me.
Why do you live your life with a sword?
I want to protect the people who are precious to me.
I want to protect my dream.
I feel the same way.
The one who is precious to me...
Dreams...
About Lord Poeun...
Will you take your revenge?
I won't take any revenge at all.
My dream is...
to return to the time before His Majesty ascended to the throne.
If it wasn't for Lord Poeun...
he wouldn't have taken the throne.
Just... to live a quiet life with His Majesty...
That's all I want.
Unless someone tries to harm us...
I will not fight with anyone.
Miss!
Now we have to hang Poeun's head in the market
and announce that he was a traitor.
Brother!
After we brought the people together and gained their enthusiastic support
I planned to change the country.
But the people's support that we finally gained with the land policy reform
has left with Poeun's death!
But we cannot hang Lord Poeun's head--
What is the use of looking back on a matter that cannot be fixed?
We have to proceed with speed and force.
With the dethronement of the current king and the foundation of a new country.
Is everyone clear?
Poeun has left...
and Yoon Lang has gone missing?
It is over now.
Your Majesty! Jo Joon, Nam Eun, and Jung Do Jeon are here to see you.
Let them in!
Your Majesty, Poeun Jung Mong Joo asserted false crimes with cunning tricks
and received Your Majesty's order to kill innocent people.
He also planned treason.
Therefore, Yi Bang Won, the fifth son of Yi Seong Gye, executed Jung Mong Joo
and prevented treason!
So please hang Jung Mong Joo's head in the market
and announce that he was a traitor!
Please give us your command!
Please give us your command.
Your grace is immeasurable!
When will you take the royal seal?
There is an order to everything...
so please wait.
I never wanted to become king.
Arrest everyone who hangs foul posters!
Yes, sir!
His Majesty commanded to have Traitor Jung Mong Joo's head hung in the market!
If anyone resists the order, he will be considered a traitor.
He will not be able to keep his life. Do you understand?
I can become stronger.
Bang Ji's moves have changed.
He is mimicking Goksan swordsmanship.
Goksan...
Really? It is...
What are you doing here?
Lord Sambong wants everyone to gather!
I believe it's about Young Master Bang Won.
Everyone in the market is asking to have Young Master Bang Won executed!
Is everyone asking him to just sit back and die?
They're going too far.
He is waiting, so let's hurry up!
What are you doing, Trainer Hong? Moo Hyool, hurry up!
Now we have to hurry without hesitating for a moment.
Yeon Hee, you have to spread a rumor to the Sadaebu through Hwasadan.
Please tell me.
The General became furious over Poeun's death
and threw an inkstone at Bang Won, which hurt his head.
You said that the scar was from getting hit by your big brother?
Spread a rumor that it was also done by the General.
Also, after that, the General cried for three days and nights.
Everyone in the family had difficulty sleeping
because of the General's mourning.
- Do you understand? - Yes, sir.
Boon Yi, make sure the rumor spreads as much as possible
through your market contacts.
Emphasize that Yi Bang Won did this on his own.
Why... are we saying that?
A new country will be established now.
Bang Won has to be separated from this process.
The General will become the master of the new country
so he has to be distanced from the killing of Poeun.
We have to create justification even at this cost.
I may be ignorant...
but didn't he do it to survive?
He did it to survive. Is that not justification?
If we were going to do it by force
on the day we got rid of Jo Min Soo from Dohwa Mansion
we could have seized Manwoldae!
Even if it takes time
we have made a lot of effort to convince them
discuss with them, and embrace them!
But...
all of it has come to failure.
Although it is painful...
the new country has begun with the sword.
Bang Won has to take responsibility for this on his own...
and we have to endure this and move forward.
But, sir...
Bang Won, you must've understood it.
Yes. Of course.
What kind of absurdity is this!
It's correct... that I killed Poeun.
Did you kill him for your own glory and honor?
Did you kill him for your own success?
"Bang Won killed Lord Poeun for his own glory and honor."
Teacher Sambong didn't ask everyone to spread that rumor.
I...
I made the decision on my own and killed Poeun.
This Yi Bang Won murdered Jung Mong Joo
the last remaining loyal subject of Goryeo.
This has nothing to do with General Yi Seong Gye.
That's the rumor he asked us to spread.
There is nothing wrong with it.
Young Master...
If that's the responsibility I have to take...
then I will.
That is how I am different from Sambong or Father.
I won't avoid it.
I am all right. You don't need to worry.
I heard the news.
Such notoriety, such dishonor...
You can absorb it.
Think only about the future.
I plan to.
Boon Yi.
Find out who put up the posters insisting on executing me.
Pardon?
What do you plan to do?
Please don't.
Young Master, please be cautious.
I will only keep them in mind.
From now on, I should at least know who my enemies are.
How long has it been, Young Master?
Young Kyu, I heard you got to use your hand this time.
Pardon?
- Jung Mong Joo. - Oh, yes.
Well done, well done!
When his skull cracked, it felt incredible on your hand, right?
Where is Bang Won?
How...
How... does this make any sense?
Poeun...
How can this be the end of Poeun?
Yes, Teacher...
How could this happen under Heaven's sky?
If you stand here like this, you will be misunderstood.
How dare you!
Do you think you will be safe after doing this to Poeun?
I don't believe I will be safe.
Also, I have never once wished for a safe life.
You...
You will face a more cruel ending than Poeun.
You will greet a more horrendous ending than Poeun!
Yes, that may be so. But...
you will not be around to see it.
You don't have much time left.
Tell them to add Woo Hak Joo to the list to be impeached.
Woo Hak Joo is already included.
You told us to add Lee Jong Hak, Go Hong Soo,
Lee Seung Min, Kim Jin Yang, and Woo Hak Joo.
Did I? Then it's 56 people in total.
They should not still be in Gaegyeong by the time of the coronation...
Are you all right? What's wrong?
No, I'm fine.
I am doing fine.
Are you able to eat?
I should.
I have to bite down and eat.
It must be very difficult for him, although he doesn't show it.
Go on ahead.
- Here, please give us rice and soup. - Yes, please go inside.
Let's go in.
I am fine.
All right.
Lord Sambong.
It's been a long time.
Yeon Hyang.
Court maid!
As you are no longer a young administrator
I am no longer a young court maid either.
What on earth happened?
You have changed a lot.
What has happened to you?
By any chance...
are you a Moomyung?
That is right.
Do you know that your children are looking for you?
He's outside. Your son is outside!
I know. Don't call him in.
Why...
I'd like to speak to you today.
Relax.
She only wants to speak to your master.
- Who? - Our master.
You've gotten faster.
It is good to be young. You have improved.
- If anything is done to him-- - Nothing will.
So relax.
If you fight me here... it may become more dangerous.
Maybe I am not the only one you're fighting.
What is the noise outside?
The one who came to guard me must be saying his greetings.
Nothing will happen.
A new country will begin soon.
Are you against it?
- We are not. - Then why did you stop us?
At first, we were.
Once we learned about your plan
we were excited and we cheered for you.
We even tried to help you.
Until we found out about the fact...
Are you referring to the land distribution reform?
Land distribution, land policy reform...
Whatever the term is, the problem is the private land reform.
You already burnt the land registers.
You've done enough by limiting the tax rate.
Forget the land distribution, sir!
Your organization must have a lot of land.
So it must have had a negative impact on you.
Since there are many people, some may have some land.
But that's not the case for most of them.
- Then why? - It is about or ideology.
People chase profit, and time chases people.
That is our belief.
But in the new country, this great human ambition is denied.
Did you say, "great"?
The private land reform seals the human ambition to own more land from the root.
That ambition led Goryeo to this state. That private land system!
And? Will you go ahead with the land redistribution?
Land is given based on the number of people
and not even an inch of land can be expanded from what is given.
That's the land distribution!
Because no one can expand their land even by an inch
no one will have their land taken away even by an inch.
We created the idea of private land ownership.
A few hundred years ago
when the land was naturally owned by the king and the country
we created the policy giving ownership over wasteland if it is cultivated.
And?
As a result, with the ambition to own their own land
they ran out to wastelands and cultivated them.
As a result, farmland increased rapidly.
And the country has become more fertile than any other time.
Ambition created a path and achieved prosperity.
What happened to that prosperity? Who became wealthy?
In the end, the noble class and temples took over 70 percent of the land.
The common people were kicked out of their own hometowns
so they starved to death or became slaves like dogs or pigs
and they were slowly dying.
Is this great?
This ambition that chases profit?
People endure a lot and work hard in order to expand their profit.
As a result, the world saw an improvement and took a step forward over time.
It will be different in the future.
The place of the human ambition to chase profit
will be replaced with Confucian ideology.
All of the citizens will become people of virtue.
Therefore, no one will mourn any loss
and no one will steal from others. That's the country I will create!
It seems that you will not give up on it.
Of course not.
Not only the land, but business trades outside and markets inside...
The country will control and manage the ambition that chases these...
so the poison that gushes from ambition will never harm anyone.
I understand very well.
In that case, although we have no power...
we will do our best to stop you.
It must be over. I hope the discussion went well.
See you again.
What happened? Are you all right?
Gil Seon Mi was outside.
We will do our best to stop you.
Yes, someone from Moomyung came.
I will focus even harder on protecting you.
- Bang Ji. - Yes.
Your mother is Moomyung's--
Boon Yi told me she had met Mother.
She said that she abandoned us.
She said that we should not look for her, that we should forget about her.
So I will forget her.
How did it go?
It's a war now.
Keep an eye on Yi Bang Won.
I will.
Also, look for Cheok Sa Gwang, who disappeared.
What's the use of looking at it? I don't know how to read.
- How did it go? - We received it!
Now, let's change the sky!
Of course! We will start from the sky
to the land and the people. We will begin everything anew!
Yes, the day has finally come.
You've worked hard, sir.
The work will start now. Let us begin.
Yes.
"With Prince Jungchang's bewildering illegal actions"
"many people have betrayed him, and the relatives deserted him."
"So he was not able to maintain the country."
"Therefore, Heaven commands dethronement."
So many of our citizens wish for this!
Please, become the father of all of the citizens!
The country finds the man of virtue
and the throne cannot be left unseated for too long.
Please follow the natural order and ascend to the throne!
Please settle the wish of all of the citizens!
Long live the King!
[Taejo Yi Seong Gye (The First King of Joseon)]
The King is being chased away.
Don't say that!
By the way, that Cheok Sa Gwang is keeping quiet.
Everyone was nervous that she would take her revenge.
What could she do on her own anyway?
You're right.
I won't take any revenge at all.
Unless someone tries to hurt us
I won't fight with anyone.
To live quietly with His Majesty...
That's all I wish for.
By the way, what does the girl named Cheok Sa Gwang look like?
Does she look like a scary devil?
No, she doesn't.
For Minister of Security as well as Chief of Royal Security, Nam Eun.
For Minister of the Left as well as Commander of Five Provinces, Jo Joon.
For Minister of the Central Department, Lee Ji Ran.
For Minister of State Affairs, Min Je.
And for Chief of the Personnel, Minister of Finance, Chair of the Assembly
as well as Prime Minister, Jung Do Jeon.
I lack in virtue
so I am afraid that I may not be able to fulfill this responsibility.
But this is the people's wish
so I have accepted Heaven's wish and ascended to the throne.
Therefore, I will take measures for the comfort of everyone's life.
Your grace is immeasurable!
I heard there are many empty seats because many officials have resigned.
Yes, sire.
It must be demanding to hold many positions
but please fulfill the duties.
Yes, we will rush and create a name for the country
and also repair the law.
When do you plan to hold the national civil service exam?
Among the many new country's systems you came up with
the selection of government officials through a civil exam is my favorite.
Is that so?
The noble class and military officers who took the government posts
without talent, without exam...
All of them will have to start again.
Your command is only fair.
Without a concern for family or background
if people learn that everyone is given a fair chance to take a government post
I believe it will be very helpful in regaining the people's support for us.
Yes, sire. I will accelerate the process.
Taxes collected from the farmland cannot exceed 30 du per gyeol.
- Calculate the tax based on that. - Yes, sir.
The essence of the legal reform
lies in how to control the officials' greed and raise public interest.
Don't forget that even for a moment.
Adopt the system that clearly defines the roles.
Yes, sir.
How is the progress with the civil service exam?
I sent a message to each local authority.
Also, I sent a message to Chancellor of Sungkyunkwan
and even local schools in each area.
Yes, we have to notify as many people as possible
and make sure that more people take the exam.
As for the newly established military exam
make sure that more people know about it.
Yes. You don't need to worry.
- Is this it? - Yes. I only brought a part of it.
Is this the record of Shilla?
I took them out of Bomoongak.
I will give you more people, so make sure to review this in detail.
But will we really be able to find a trace of Moomyung from these?
Yeom Jong who raised a strife with Bi Dam
was a wealthy merchant who traded with not only Baekje and Goguryeo
but also the Sui Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty.
In later years, he was also deeply involved in politics.
I'm sure he must have a trace left in history.
Also, keep an eye out for the mark of Moomyung.
Yes, I will.
Is this it?
As you said, I reviewed their knowledge
personal character, and reputation with friends
and narrowed down the list to a few.
These talents will be the pillars of our new organization.
What's important is a spirit that doesn't surrender to any power
and an upright character that will not be corrupted.
Yes, I am reviewing them in detail from that perspective.
Also, make sure to help the Queen Majesty going forward.
Her Majesty?
I have already spoken to His Majesty.
Also, be prepared to take charge of guarding her from Hwasadan.
- Be her friend... - Friend...
I understand. Don't worry.
Sir, but...
What do you plan to do about your relationship with Young Master Bang Won?
His private soldiers have increased
and the contact network in the market has gotten bigger.
He still receives funds from the Min Family.
Moreover, His Majesty also doesn't see Young Master Bang Won...
Because His Majesty is much more upright than I am.
That's why I am more worried.
Would it be impossible for you to take him under your wing?
Even if you die...
Even if you had to die, you just want to prove that you were right!
Your selfishness to do whatever you please!
Killing Poeun...
That will become your role.
That wouldn't be so bad.
My dear, Lord Ha Ryoon is here.
Don't look at me that way.
As a Confucian scholar, I worried a lot about serving two masters.
It's not that.
I am just surprised that Teacher Sambong let you take a government post.
Since you murdered Lord Poeun
all of the officials have resigned
and all the seats are empty!
It is true.
And His Majesty is still upset at you, sire.
On the other hand, I heard Lord Sambong now has four titles.
Since he received one more today...
I believe it's five.
One more today?
He took control of Dodang, finance and even personnel...
If he takes control of the military
it will be Sambong's world.
The posts that he wanted to leave for Poeun, he took them for himself.
That will not happen.
When the Sadaebu who resigned come back
His Majesty will break up the authority.
Everyone thinks that way...
But it won't happen that way.
It won't happen that way?
I can read Teacher Sambong's thoughts.
What?
The Confucius scholars you asked me to check...
Seven, eight out of ten have gone missing.
They have gone missing?
Even their families don't know where they are.
Didn't they go back to their hometowns?
They were not in their hometowns.
Then where did they go?
Those Confucius scholars?
They're the ones who hung up the posters to punish His Highness, right?
Yes. So I went out and got them...
They were circulating things like this!
This is a map.
Tongsung Valley...
Do we have people in Tongsung Valley?
There aren't many people in Tongsung Valley
so there isn't much to report.
Doesn't it feel like there will be a big gathering?
Leader!
The officials' meeting has just ended at Jamyunggak.
- This is the list of attendees. - I see.
You can write pretty well now.
You're teaching me well.
Your Highness, please take a look at this.
The Confucius scholars who hung up the posters to say you should be punished
were circulating this every night.
Tongsung Valley...
It is outside of the gate, but it's not too far.
Should I go check?
It is the exam for Confucius scholars, so I don't know why I am nervous.
Do you also feel that way?
I feel the same way.
Since it is the first civil service exam in the new country
it is only natural to be nervous about it.
Lord Sambong skipped meals to prepare for it
so I'm sure it will go well.
I was going to speak to you about that.
Please command me, sire.
You skip meals and don't go home often these days.
I heard that work is all you do.
You have important duties for this country.
It is natural to wear nice clothes and live comfortably.
You should move out of that humble house now.
Officials eat the food that others make, and wear the clothes that others make.
We should never be well-off.
Are you talking about me?
I am not that well-off.
Of course I wasn't!
Now, let's go.
The rest of the way is Tongsung Valley.
There isn't much here.
Warrior, what's going on?
Sire, a minor disturbance has occurred.
Yes, we will resolve the matter soon, so please come later.
What is this about?
It's not a big deal.
If you'd return to the chamber, then we will...
- Sire! - Sire!
Sire!
Please come over here.
What on earth is this?
What's this?
Why would these be on the tree...
- It means resignation. - Resignation?
What does it mean?
It means to take off the hat and hang it up...
It implies resignation from the post.
This is an organized move by the people who are against this country!
Moo Hyool, follow him.
Yes.
- Figure out the situation first. - Yes.
Sir...
most of the Confucian students I was looking for per your order
have gone missing.
They have gone missing?
Wouldn't it be related to the civil service exam?
They live together?
Yes. When we followed the Confucian scholar
there was a big village in the middle of the mountain.
It looked like 300, 400 people.
And more people were arriving.
The ones who are against this country
live together right in front of Gaegyeong...
Boon Yi, report this to Lord Sambong. All of it.
It seems that those who follow Lord Lee Saek and Lord Poeun
did this intentionally.
To refuse the civil service exam!
Were they threatened by someone?
They probably didn't need to be threatened.
Everyone must have been furious anyway.
They are determined to mar and ruin the legitimacy of this country!
The scholars who disappeared didn't even return to their hometown.
They may be gathering somewhere and preparing for something else.
Preparing for something else?
I don't know about that...
but so many people disappeared in such a short period of time.
Where could they be? What could they be doing?
I figured out where they are and what they are doing.
Where are they?
They are in Mount Gwangdeok, west of Gaegyeong.
What are they doing there?
They gathered and formed a village.
What do you mean? Tell us in detail.
A map was circulating among the scholars, so we followed them.
When they reached Tongsung Valley of Mount Gwangdeok...
they took off their scholar hats...
Then they put on straw hats and went to the village.
Scholar's resignation...
It is their protest to show that they don't acknowledge
the government and the royal court.
- We shouldn't let them be. - We have no choice but to let them.
It is not illegal in any sense, so we cannot punish them.
But in this important time, their action is a serious threat.
If the rumor spreads, people will get nervous.
As you saw at the exam site
we cannot guess how it will lead to collective behavior.
What?
As if it wasn't enough that no one showed up to the civil exam
they gathered to live together?
Yes.
I hear the common people are calling the place, "Doomoon-dong".
Doomoon-dong?
It must mean a village with its doors locked.
How dare these bastards...
We cannot overlook them who are right in front of the capital.
It is true.
If they ever conspire with the Wang Family...
it will become uncontrollable.
Let's send the soldiers.
Let's capture everyone!
For what crime?
"For what crime"?
For the crime of humiliating the royal court
and shaking up the national spirit!
They did not make a plea...
They did not submit a foul appeal to His Majesty.
Since the country was founded
it was proclaimed that the country would be ruled by the law and the system.
So we cannot do that.
But if we let them be
more people will gather in Doomoon-dong.
In itself, it will become a symbol of repudiating the new dynasty!
Doomoon-dong...
Doomoon-dong?
As all of the brothers have received the title of Prince
we are very grateful.
Why did Bang Woo and Bang Eui not attend?
Bang Eui is still in Hamju...
and Bang Woo is not doing well, so he is staying in Jebyeok-dong.
Is he still there...
- I will stop by and check. - Sure.
It's been a while, Bang Gan.
How is it going in Hamju?
There is no problem in Hamju.
And the northern region is quiet.
All right. In place of your brothers and I
you've worked very hard.
It's not much at all. Father, you--
I heard you had a big concern over the civil exam and Doomoon-dong.
It have been discussed for days in Dodang
but it is difficult to reach a solution.
They are not scared of Heaven...
What on earth are they doing in front of the city?
With what happened to their respected teacher...
they mean to show that they will do something.
It's been a long time since I saw you.
Yes, Your Highness.
His Majesty seems very concerned over the matter of Doomoon-dong.
Yes, they were the people who should have become the pillars of the country.
So he is very disappointed.
Is there anything I can help with?
- Your Highness? - Yes.
I don't mean it in any other way.
In a way, my immature behavior seems to have been a big cause of this
so I would like to be of help.
I am grateful for your offer to help.
But how would you--
Why don't I try to convince them to return?
I will try to convince them.
The one who killed Poeun
will convince the Confucian scholars and the officials who resigned?
What on earth are you thinking?
How on earth will you convince them?
Please allow me to try it.
Would you really be able to do it?
If I do my best with a sincere heart
will it not bring good results?
Yes. "The one who caused trouble should resolve it."
So I believe it's good for you to take the lead in person.
With our new country, a place like Doomoon-dong should not exist at all.
But I will not be able to convince all of the hundreds of Confucian scholars there.
I will convince those whom I can...
but for those who cannot be convinced at all...
I will not let them stay in Doomoon-dong at least.
If you would do that, it will be more helpful than anything else.
Then I will ask for your favor.
What do you plan to do?
Those who are in Doomoon-dong consider you their enemy!
How could you possibly convince them?
If I do my best with my sincere heart...
My dear!
Is he trying to ease the heart of His Majesty who has grown cold to him?
If the one who killed Poeun can convince them
this will become a symbolic event.
But, how?
Do you have a specific plan?
The intelligent prince wouldn't act without a plan.
With appointments for contributors to founding the country
and the Crown Prince coming up soon
you should ease the mind of His Majesty before that.
It's a westerly wind.
Bang Won will convince them?
Yes. If he can convince them, there won't be anything better.
Even if he can't, it is about showing his effort...
so there won't be any harm done.
Prince Jeongan left to Doomoon-dong today, so please wait.
We will head to the west gate of Doomoon-dong.
You should wait at the east gate.
Yes, sire.
Let's go.
Since His Highness Jeongan is not afraid of difficult, complicated matters
it is worthwhile to be hopeful.
Is he trying to resolve the matter to be forgiven by me?
Please do. If you would do that...
How dare you!
You killed Teacher Poeun! Have you no shame to come here?
Do you think we will hear even a word of your excuse?
I don't make excuses.
Then why on earth are you here?
Set the fire!
What? Set the fire?
What do you mean?
Didn't you say that you'd persuade them?
I will persuade them after I draw them out.
There will be those who come out and those who may burn in the flames.
I will persuade those who come out.
Your Highness!
This is my way and this is my place.
I've slipped in shit ---
how can one rise without stepping in shit?
Father... and you, Sambong...
I shall have power in my own way.
Even if I were to die and come back from the dead, I believe that I shall do it.
I... may find my place in this way.
Don't just stand around! I said set the fire!
Now!
----
[Six Flying Dragons]
How dare you! Aren't you afraid of Heaven?
You are still full of energy.
Your Majesty, His Highness Jinan disappeared!
The rule of the eldest son's succession is broken!
Cheonjibi, you may come in.
He must become the king.
Why don't we appoint Prince Uian as the Crown Prince?
Crown Prince... Crown Prince?