Woman!
Damn.
Don't.
We'll leave.
Mom.
Bang Won.
- Brother. - Brother.
Mother.
Bang Beon.
(Episode 2)
No one is chasing us now.
It must have been only the soldiers we have met.
It seems so.
How fortunate it is.
It is.
If I were chasing someone, I would not have done so.
I would have sent more soldiers, chasing as if my life depended on it.
The man Choi Yeong...
he doesn't know how to do it.
Bang Won.
Yes, Mother.
Let us go to Gaegyeong.
What would we do fleeing to Dongbukmyeon?
Let us go to Gaegyeong.
Let us help your father, however meager our power may be.
(Lady Han, Lee Bang Won's birth mother)
Yes, Mother.
(Gaegyeong, current Gaesong)
You damn traitors.
Make way!
I'm sorry, General...
for what happened.
What will happen now?
General Lee Seong Gye.
Will you become the king?
That...
will be heaven's decision.
Escort him.
- Yes, Sir. - Yes, Sir.
General!
Your Majesty!
General!
General...
Let's leave the palace now.
If we occupy the royal palace with the force of the sword,
it will make us traitors.
Let's cherish our cause.
Father.
What is it?
Mother is here.
What did you say?
In fact, both mothers are here.
And Bang Won, too.
All our little siblings are here.
All are safe.
Bang Won ran to Pocheon.
He escaped with all the family.
Father.
Yes.
Welcome.
My Lord.
You did great.
Did you get hurt?
I'm fine.
Father.
Thank you.
Father.
1388 was the 14th year of reign by King Woo of Goryeo.
Lee Seong Gye returned his army from Wihwado and captured Gaegyeong.
The fate of Goryeo fluctuated.
The family of Lee Seong Gye, as leaders of the turbulent shift,
took their first step into the turbulent times.
It is like a dream...
that we are all safe.
We owe it to you.
You did it.
No.
Heaven helped us.
Heaven did.
My Lord, have you eaten?
Then, let us all have breakfast together.
I'm sorry.
I must go back to the camp.
Please listen to her.
We are reunited after barely escaping death.
We can't just see each other and go separate ways again.
(Gaegyeong, Lee Seong Gye's mansion)
My Lord, before it gets cold...
Father, I'm hungry.
You have to begin.
Yes.
Let's eat.
My Lord.
You should eat, too.
(Gaegyeong, Military camp of the retreated army)
Son.
Wait a little longer.
It's almost done.
Father.
What meat is this?
(Lee Ji Ran, Backup Force General, a sworn brother of Lee Seong Gye)
A wild dog roaming around.
So, I caught it with a club.
You fought so hard that you have grown haggard.
I wanted to feed you.
Father.
Take a look.
The soldiers only eat boiled barley.
We can't sit here...
and eat meat by ourselves.
Son, what about it?
We'll save the military provisions, which is a good thing.
Ochre.
Haven't you seen my Ochre?
No.
I wonder why it takes so long for the rice to boil.
Ochre.
So, it wasn't a wild dog?
You all have suffered so much for the sudden turn of events.
We are all here in one piece, and I cannot wish for more.
But harder times are coming.
In those times, never forget that we are flesh and blood, one family.
If you don't forget that,
you can overcome anything.
- Yes, Father. - Yes, Father.
I must return to the camp.
Come along.
- Yes, Father. - Yes, Father.
Father.
I will go with you.
I will do what I can to help you.
I cannot command soldiers like my brothers, but...
No, take a rest and go to work.
Father?
You have been away for a few days.
Go and do your job at the government.
Father.
Do as I tell you.
Father.
Why don't you give Bang Won some responsibilities?
Bang Won is a family, too.
He must want to do his part.
Leave him be.
I don't want to involve Bang Won in this business.
But...
Let us be the only ones who use the sword and shed blood.
Bang Won will walk on a different path from us.
He is growing partial day by day.
You!
Watch your language.
You know it too well, don't you?
Bang Won passed the state examination.
Ever since that day, he has always had special treatment.
The moment he came back with the red certificate,
he ceased to be one of the children.
He was the distinguished guest.
Why do you always see it that way?
How should I see it, then?
Do I have to see it differently when it is so obvious?
- You! - Brother.
I will talk to him.
He has some feelings against a smart little brother.
What a fool.
The city has not yet recovered from last night's battle.
No, it will take a few days.
There is so much to do, but Father doesn't let me help.
Please do not feel bad.
It's for you.
Father really cares for you.
Think about it.
Strictly speaking, Father is a general who has disobeyed the king's order.
The soldiers occupying the city are, in fact, the group of traitors.
You are a government official. How can you take part in it?
Please be patient.
He will call you someday.
You don't destroy enemies with your sword in these times.
You destroy them with your pen.
What is it, My Lord?
You seem to be always far ahead of me.
I'm only thinking a bit ahead.
But when we walk,
I always keep pace with you.
How do you feel?
The child must have been surprised.
All is fine.
The child will be born in turbulent times and must overcome a small disturbance.
Please stop worrying.
The child will grow up well in good health this time.
We have already lost two infants.
It can't happen again.
I bid you farewell now.
For a while, come back to Father's mansion after work.
I will. Be careful.
Yes, My Lord.
(Gaegyeong, Military camp of the retreated army)
Sambong.
Master Poeun.
General, great work.
Welcome.
I have been waiting for you.
How are you?
Fine.
It must have been great labor.
You have made a tough decision.
I cannot say that it wasn't tough.
But seeing the two of you is a breath of fresh air for me.
Now, what should we do?
Please tell me.
We need the king's message in writing.
It must recognize the legitimacy of the retreat...
and exile Choi Yeong quickly.
But shouldn't we pacify the Gaegyeong people first?
Dozens of houses were burnt down because of the battle.
And many walls have collapsed.
We must rebuild them first.
From what I heard, we must do both.
And then, how should we move forward?
As you have decided,
you must answer to the fervent wish of the people.
You must quickly eradicate the misdeeds of the influential families...
and set the collapsed institutions right.
It will not be an easy task.
Reform cannot be achieved at once.
Now, you must withstand the most difficult political affairs.
I will withstand.
As long as the two of you stand by me,
I will withstand anything and overcome anything.
I give you my word.
It's a lot.
I have brought all the documents...
that have been postponed since the last time we met.
I apologize for it.
Don't.
Go home now.
I will approve them before I leave.
Thank you, My Lord.
What on earth is he thinking, returning to the government office?
- Farewell, then. - Yes, let's go.
Everyone tried to read me all day.
They looked fearful and avoided me.
Naturally, My Lord.
It must have been hard for you.
It is not hard.
It is frustrating.
Father keeps me at bay deliberately,
but people simply see me as the son of General Lee Seong Gye.
Even when I am wearing the official uniform,
they see me in armor, wearing a sword.
So?
What do they want?
They request a written message from you.
A written message?
What are the details?
Here they are.
I see.
I will do everything they want.
What can a powerless king do?
Your Majesty.
I hereby reinstate all the generals dismissed because of the retreat.
I appoint Jo Min Su as Left Prime Minister...
and Lee Seong Gye as Right Prime Minister.
I send treacherous Choi Yeong in exile to Gobonghyeon.
I am sorry, General Choi Yeong.
I should have listened to you.
Is everyone here?
Yes, Your Majesty.
These are all the eunuchs in the palace.
Are you prepared?
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Good.
Never expect to stay alive.
Today, you shall...
slaughter all the traitors...
and die as heroes.
And I shall...
make your surviving families live in splendor for generations.
Do you understand?
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
We shall go.
Shall we leave His Majesty be?
What do you mean?
Shouldn't we take some measure?
We should either dethrone or decapitate him.
What?
How disloyal!
Murdering the king?
Brother.
If there is a source of trouble, we must get rid of it when we have power.
What?
Brother.
Don't make Father a traitor.
Father had no choice but to retreat to prevent the ravages of war.
His Majesty recognized it and promoted him to Right Prime Minister.
Brother.
Please face reality.
That is just an external cause.
Do you think His Majesty sees Father as a loyal subject in his heart?
What?
Hello.
What are you doing here, Bang Won?
I was home after work and decided to visit you.
Welcome.
Let's go inside.
So?
How are our mothers?
They were going to bed.
By the way...
who is guarding the palace?
The palace?
There are no troops guarding it.
No one?
No.
If the soldiers who retreated should surround the palace,
the people will see us as threatening His Majesty.
But shouldn't you leave a minimum force there?
What do you know about it?
Have you ever managed soldiers?
Why do you have to be so hostile?
It is just a question.
Brother, I didn't mean it.
If His Majesty should...
Stop it!
Mencius said that it is human trouble...
to enjoy patronizing others.
Do not patronize your big brothers and go to your darn cozy bed.
Brother.
Bang Won.
Don't worry and go home.
Without Choi Yeong, His Majesty cannot plot anything.
It is time to go round to inspect the soldiers.
Of course.
Bang Won, go home.
My Lord.
- Oh. - What brought you here?
What luck!
How many men do you manage, Yeong Gyu?
About 50 officers and soldiers.
Bring them all and follow me.
Yes, My Lord.
I can do it myself.
I can do it.
It is not hard work.
All is ready now.
Good night, Mother.
Thank you.
A surprise attack!
Stop them!
Finish them off quickly!
We must kill Lee Seong Gye.
Stop them!
They must not approach the ladies' abode!
Mother.
My Lady.
What happened?
I thought it was over.
Not yet, I suppose.
Please stay here.
You must never come out.
What will you do?
You should come here, too.
Take them down!
No.
Drop your swords.
Now!
My Lord.
Yeong Mu, did you get hurt?
No.
And the family?
They are safe.
Your Majesty.
What brings you here at this hour?
Do tell me, please.
What is this royal visit for?
Can you not see?
I am here to destroy the traitor myself.
The traitor?
Choi Yeong is the traitor.
The one who lives here...
removed the traitor and saved you and the people from war.
This is the house of General Lee Seong Gye.
Quit the disgusting nonsense!
Do you think your tongue can reverse the loyal subject and the traitor?
Who will believe and follow you?
Yours is a family of traitors.
Your Majesty!
You are sinners of high treason who disobeyed the royal order and returned.
You are murderers who butchered the innocent soldiers of this city!
I shall...
never forgive you.
Your Majesty.
One day, I shall annihilate every member of your family.
I shall slaughter your father.
I shall slaughter your mother.
I shall slaughter all your siblings.
I shall tear them apart, beat them, and starve them to death.
Your Majesty.
Never forget.
I shall exterminate your family no matter what happens.
What are you waiting for?
We shall leave!
It was good of you.
It was good of you to hold back.
If you had used the sword, it would have finished our family.
I feel foreboding.
I feel as if this battle will not end.
It will not end before one of the two dies.
What?
Has His Majesty been to my house, too?
And then, to my house?
Yes.
Seeing your houses empty,
he attacked General Lee Seong Gye's home.
Damn it.
Is he a stray cat?
He is a king!
What a base thing to do!
His Majesty is foolish...
and drives us to a single path.
General, we can stand by no longer.
Let's make a decision.
What will you do?
I will follow your decision.
Brother.
Yes.
I have a question.
Must a subject serve the king when the king tries to kill him?
Well.
I'm not sure what to say.
Don't overthink it.
We should go there and kill him now.
I agree.
How can this happen?
Father has not harmed His Majesty at all.
If he had intended to...
Enough!
You cannot say such disloyal words against His Majesty.
Brother.
Yes.
Hold your tongue for now.
Father will take care of it.
He will not take care of it.
He cannot do anything because of the petty cause!
In the meantime,
all the family could have been butchered.
Silence!
How dare you speak ill of Father?
You may criticize His Majesty, but not Father!
Do you understand?
Am I wrong?
Father made all our family risk their lives.
And must I remain silent?
Bang Gan.
Brother.
What are you doing?
You must be out of your right mind.
I see.
Come.
What are you doing?
Father.
Who are you aiming at with your sword?
Is your brother a Japanese raider?
Is your little brother a red turban?
Do you dare destroy your own flesh and blood?
Will you kill your brother?
- I'm sorry, Father. - I'm sorry, Father.
Listen carefully, all of you.
From this moment,
anyone who pulls out a sword against his own flesh and blood...
will be killed by my sword.
Do you understand?
Yes, Father.
Please mount the horse, Your Majesty.
Why should I?
This is the royal palace.
This is my home. And where should I go?
We received an order to escort you to Ganghwado.
An order by whom?
Lee Seong Gye?
I shall not go.
What if I shall not?
Your Majesty, please follow the order.
Otherwise, Your Majesty may suffer greater trouble.
Are you intimidating me?
Your Majesty, please take care of yourself.
You sound as if you care for me.
Your Majesty, I am your subject.
Your Majesty.
Yes.
I see.
We shall go.
It was in June 1388 by the lunar calendar.
King Woo made a failed attempt to kill the generals who led the retreat.
He was dethroned and sent to Ganghwado in exile.
Then the nine-year-old son of King Woo...
was enthroned.
He is King Chang, the 33rd king of Goryeo.
Tell me.
Isn't this absurd?
King Woo's son is crowned.
His father was ousted.
How can he be the next king?
What will happen to our family now?
When the young king is grown up,
he must seek revenge for his father.
We are sorry.
We did not expect General Jo Min Su to take such a stance.
He colluded with Lord Lee Saek...
and supported Crown Prince Chang to the throne against our expectations.
We could not find a cause to reverse his advocacy.
A royal primogeniture succession...
we could not oppose it.
What would you do now?
The fate of our family stands on the precipice.
What would you do now?
I feel insecure with the two only.
Sambong and Poeun do not suffice.
I agree.
The two have a certain political power,
but I doubt whether it is enough to get through these difficult times.
What shall we do?
We must gather more people for Father, I suppose.
We must mobilize our family resources and bring in talents.
We must invite scholars and tacticians...
so that they can aid Father.
Yes.
You are right.
I will make my move now.
If your Yeoheung Min clan...
and our Goksan Kang clan join hands,
we can achieve anything.
Drink this.
I wanted to drink with you.
Thank you.
You saved our family twice.
It was not my power.
It would have been impossible unless heaven helped me.
Father.
Yes.
I have a question.
Say it.
What is your intent?
In Seogyeong, I saw a phrase.
"Heaven's mandate knows no bound."
If you gain the people's heart,
you can become the king, no matter who you are.
Father.
Are you prepared for that?
Do you intend to found a new dynasty?
Yes, I do.
If that is the way for the people,
if that is the heaven's will,
I intend to do so.
Then, move forward now.
Please break away from the fight over causes...
and make it happen at once.
Why are you so impatient?
The Japanese raiders are violating our people even now.
And the noble families...
exploit the people.
Do we have time to hesitate?
No.
What is the true reason for your impatience?
Say it.
I am afraid.
Of what?
Of your failure.
When I left Dongbukmyeon and came to Gaegyeong,
the first thing I saw was death.
There was a family of traitors whose men were all beheaded...
and dumped in the city.
Then came terrible wails.
All the women...
were taken as slaves.
Fear was engraved in me...
and is still in my heart.
Father.
Yes.
I want to help you.
Let me help you.
I want to do my share as a member of the family.
Bang Won.
Yes, Father.
The path I tread is...
not a pretty one.
Left Prime Minister Jo Min Su colluded with Lee In Im's faction...
to take people's land by force.
When Lee In Im's faction was punished,
he feared for his punishment...
and returned the land to the rightful owners voluntarily.
But today, after regaining power,
he took the land forcibly again.
That is his misdeed.
General Lee Seong Gye.
Did you investigate me secretly?
How clean are you?
Tell me!
At times, you must eliminate your political enemy ruthlessly.
At times, you must slaughter your former comrade on this path.
You know his loyal and lofty heart,
but must sacrifice him for a greater cause.
Eat your Seong Gye Soup!
Consider the meat inside...
Lee Seong Gye, who killed General Choi Yeong.
Chew on it.
Seong Gye Soup, it's tasty and refreshing.
Seong Gye Soup!
In return,
the path will ask you to tolerate ridicule and criticism.
I...
I do not want you to walk the path.
I want you to get away from the path...
and enjoy your happiness.
Father.
Will you do it for me?
Yes.
I will do it.
(Lady Song, Lee Bang Won's mother-in-law)
You can go in.
My Lord.
Another son.
I will protect and look after him this time.
I will.
We will.
(Hwangryeobu, King Woo's place of exile)
(Kim Jeo, a Goryeo military officer, Jeong Deuk Hu, a Goryeo aristocrat)
With that,
kill Lee Seong Gye.
If you destroy him,
I shall make you enjoy wealth and honor for generations.
How is that?
Will you try for me?
Yes, Your Majesty.
We will risk our lives to do it successfully.
Good.
Then, visit Kwak Chung Bo and make a plan with him.
I believe he is trustworthy.
Go to Lee Seong Gye's house before the day of the Buddhist festival.
You kill him.
Kwak Chung Bo should have soldiers outside to cover you.
Yes, Your Majesty.
But must it happen inside Lee Seong Gye's house?
According to my intelligence, it is the easiest way.
Lee Seong Gye's house is very crowded right now.
The Goksang Kang clan and the Yeoheung Min clan invited...
dozens of guests.
All sorts of people are swarming in that house now.
On the day of the Buddhist festival, Palgwanhoi, won't it be more hectic?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Go now.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.
(Kwak Chung Bo's house)
I will see you on the day before Palgwanhoi, then.
Yes.
(Gaegyeong, Lee Seong Gye's mansion)
I will be back soon.
Lord Lee.
Minister of Protocol.
You are working late.
I have more responsibilities as many officials have resigned recently.
What is it?
I came to you after much thought.
I have a message to send to Lord Lee Seong Gye's home.
What?
It must have been infiltrated by an assassin by now.
Pardon?
If His Majesty is an obstacle, we must remove His Majesty first.
You are the seed of trouble.
You are the one who makes our family traitors.
When one recklessly dethrones and enthrones kings, what do we call him?
We call him a traitor!
We are not insurgents who butcher the people.
We are only forced to eliminate political enemies...
for the great work.
Who are the ones behind you?
Are they your guests?
Father!