(Episode 26)
I do not think I should leave the Min Clan as they are.
They will never be able to become my subjects.
Get ready.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Do whatever it takes...
to reveal their disloyalty hidden in their mind...
to everyone.
If I do not give them strict orders,
someday they will cover the eyes of the Crown Prince,
and become traitors who manipulate the Royal Court.
Yes, Your Majesty. I will remember that.
Is he going to destroy the Min Clan?
You do not have to exaggerate.
Unlike the emperor of Ming,
he is not going to destroy the whole generation.
Then, who is he going to kill?
Lord Anseong.
Have you heard of...
the Five Lords in Han Dynasty?
Five Lords. Are you talking about the maternal relatives of the king?
Yes. After a young prince took the throne,
he put five uncles from her mother's side in positions of high ranking officials.
From then, the maternal relatives obtained power and disturbed the country.
In the end, one of them made the country perish.
That is the story of the Wang Clan.
The sons of the Min Clan...
are intimidated by the King, so they could not do anything.
How long do you think that will last?
Will they stay the same even after His Majesty passes away?
Will they still be the same after seeing the Crown Prince,
the one they had raised, take the throne?
We have to do it even if we do not want to.
That is the way for us to survive.
Gosh!
We are already enemies of the Min Clan.
When the Crown Prince comes to power,
the Min Clan will not leave us unscathed.
So,
what is it I must do?
His Majesty will soon appoint you Commander of the Right Wing.
(One of the Three Central Armies)
Me?
He will put me in charge of that many soldiers?
That is only natural.
You did so much for His Majesty.
You joined him as soon as he raised an army,
and when he suppressed Jo Sa Eui's revolt,
you were with him.
Still, I do not understand.
He does not seem to think too highly of my family lately.
No, you are mistaken.
Whatever others may say, His Majesty values the Min Clan.
You did not see eye-to-eye for a while...
when he announced the Marriage Office,
but then he saw how you calmed down since.
I believe he is no longer displeased.
- Is that true? - Yes.
Which is why...
if I ever did anything to offend you,
I ask for forgiveness.
- What? - Others might say otherwise,
but I remember what your clan did for us.
I would like you to see that.
I am serious.
Believe me.
I will take that as a yes and offer you a drink.
Is that true?
Yes. I do not know what Lee Sook Beon is up to,
but his attitude suddenly changed.
He said himself that he remembers what our clan did for them.
(Min Mu Ku, Lee Bang Won's brother-in-law)
Why the sudden change?
He was loyal to the King.
Do you think the King is up to something?
Like what?
Something that could give our clan more power.
It could be that he noticed,
and is trying to get on our good side.
If that were true, I would wish for nothing more.
Still, we must be wary for now.
Now is the time to be cautious.
Very well. I understand.
He is going to put Mu Jil in charge of an army.
It looks like the concubine issue got smoothed over.
People tend to think in a way that favors them.
His Majesty would never just let it go.
You do not have to be so anxious all the time.
- What? - Whatever happens on the way,
our time will come eventually.
The older our grandson the Crown Prince becomes,
the more we gain power.
Dear, you could get into trouble for saying that.
Wait and see. I am right.
"At the center of the world, a nation."
"At the center of a nation, a household."
"At the center of a household, yourself."
A nation is at the center of the world.
A household is the center of a nation.
Each person is the center of a household.
Very well done.
We should take a break.
Another break already?
We only just had a break.
Your Highness, let us continue.
His Highness is still young.
Frequent breaks are the way to keep him interested in his studies.
Your Highness. Take a short break.
Then I will visit my younger brothers.
Your Highness, you cannot leave. Your Highness!
Father.
Where are you going?
My tutor let me take a break.
Come with me.
Let me see how much you learned that you deserve a break.
Recite what you memorized today.
Pardon?
I told you to memorize everything.
If you just read, you will forget it all.
Yes. I will recite what I learned.
Mencius said, at the center of the world...
I will start over.
Mencius said...
Crown Prince!
Why do you not do as I say?
I memorized it at first.
Then why can you not recite it now?
My tutor said that if I knew what it meant,
I would not have to struggle to memorize the original text.
Which tutor told you that?
I told you to educate him well.
Instead, did you coddle him and let him do as he pleased?
I deserve to die for it, Your Majesty!
This is what is called a treacherous vassal!
You must study hard to be able to tell them apart from the honest men!
Do you understand?
Yes, Father.
Chief Royal Secretary.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Strip this man of his office.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Eunuch Song.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I clearly told you...
not to let the Crown Prince leave this desk.
Why did you let him?
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
Flog him 30 times!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Twenty-five!
Twenty-six!
Twenty-seven!
Twenty-eight!
Twenty-nine!
Thirty!
Your Majesty. The flogging is complete.
Did you see all that?
Yes. I will really study hard now.
If you really were like that, you would be studying hard already.
Father.
I think that...
you must experience the need to study in person.
Pardon?
Father.
Is the baby doing well?
Yes. The nanny put it to sleep.
I will be blunt.
Please speak, Your Highness.
Do me a favor.
Do not tell anyone how my family mistreated you.
I apologize for what they did to you.
Please do not.
It was all my fault.
I should apologize.
Thank you for saying so.
I will make up for it to you until the day I die.
So please, do not turn against me.
Do not worry, Your Highness.
I am...
grateful that you accepted me.
Good. I trust in you.
Yes. Please trust me.
I called you here because I wanted to express my intentions...
to my most trusted subjects first.
Yes, Your Majesty. Please tell us.
I will abdicate the throne...
to the Crown Prince.
(When the King passes on the throne to the Crown Prince before his death.)
Your Majesty. What do you mean?
That is absurd!
You are still healthy,
so why would you abdicate the throne?
I cannot accept this.
I refuse to accept this!
I also cannot accept this.
I feel the same way.
Even if I die, I refuse to follow your orders.
Your Majesty, please withdraw the abdication of the throne.
- Please withdraw! - Please withdraw!
I have already made my decision.
- Chief Royal Secretary. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Give my orders to the Crown Prince...
and give him the royal seal.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Your Highness. I am okay.
Please calm down.
I am afraid of Father.
He has never been so scary before.
Your Highness.
I want to go to Mother.
Your Highness. If you do that, you will get scolded again.
You must be dignified and overcome it.
Please wipe away your tears and continue your studies.
But...
Please, Your Highness.
All right.
"Mencius said..."
This is the royal command!
His Majesty the King...
has given his royal command for the Crown Prince to ascend to the throne.
Pardon?
Please receive the royal seal and accept His Majesty's command.
Your Highness.
I do not want to. Is this not just another reason to scold me?
Your Highness. This is a royal command.
No. I do not accept!
Your Highness.
- Your Highness! - Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Take good care of it.
Are you really going to leave it here?
It is a royal command.
Yes, I understand.
He announced his abdication?
Yes, Your Highness.
He has already sent the royal seal to the Crown Prince's quarters.
What is going on?
Is there something you know?
I did not know about this.
He knows that the Crown Prince still lacks in many ways,
so why would he abdicate the throne?
I do not think this is His Majesty's real intention.
Then is he trying...
to teach the Crown Prince a lesson?
That could be one of the reasons.
However, that is not everything.
He is definitely...
going after our clan.
- Pardon? - He is testing...
our family's loyalty.
Since you have no flaws,
he is going after my brothers.
Please go and tell my brothers.
This is not His Majesty's real intention,
so they must not have any expectations.
They must not show even the slightest bit of happiness over this.
Yes, Your Highness.
Tell them to stay on their hands and knees in the Palace...
until their hands are weathered and their knees broken.
Tell them to cry out until they can no longer speak.
That is the only way they can live.
Please tell them that. Hurry.
Yes, Your Highness.
Did you relay the royal seal?
I left it in the Crown Prince's quarters.
His Highness hid his hands and ran away.
What?
The young Crown Prince is afraid.
Your Majesty.
With all respect,
is this really your true intention?
Please forgive me for my impudence.
However, as your Chief Royal Secretary,
I must know what your true intentions are...
in order to act wisely. That is why I asked.
If I tell you how I feel,
can you ensure that nobody will find out?
Yes, I promise you.
Since the day you appointed me...
as the Chief Royal Secretary from the fourth royal secretary,
it is something I swore to myself countless times.
The Chief Royal Secretary...
is not simply a messenger who relays the orders of the King.
They must stay by the King's side...
and share in the worries of the King. I am well aware of this fact.
Then I will tell you.
Right State Councilor, stay in the State Council.
When His Majesty's message arrives, send it back and say we cannot accept it.
Yes, My Lord.
As for you, stay in the Three Armies Command...
and prepare for any rebellions that may occur.
Yes, I will do so.
All right. Let us go now.
Yes, sir.
Do you understand?
Until His Majesty takes back the order of abdication,
you must not leave the Palace.
- Yes, Father. - Yes, Father.
You should go now. Hurry.
- Yes, Sir. - Yes, Sir.
Your Majesty, please withdraw the abdication of the throne.
- Please withdraw! - Please withdraw!
Your Majesty. Please accept our plea.
- Accept our plea! - Accept our plea!
Your Majesty.
Please withdraw the abdication of the throne.
- Please withdraw! - Please withdraw!
Your Majesty. Please accept our plea.
- Accept our plea! - Accept our plea!
Your Majesty.
Please withdraw the abdication of the throne.
- Please withdraw! - Please withdraw!
Do not get involved in this.
Just focus on taking care of the Former King Taejo.
However, Your Majesty...
Do that.
That is most important to me.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Did he eat any of the deer meat Lord Cheonghae's son brought him?
He only ate a little and left the rest.
We have been preparing his meals with the delicacies...
from all over the nation.
We have also brought in court ladies skilled in cooking.
He will regain his appetite soon.
All right. Please continue your efforts.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Please withdraw the abdication of the throne.
- Please withdraw! - Please withdraw!
Your Majesty. Please accept our plea.
- Accept our plea! - Accept our plea!
Stop.
It is time for the Abdicated King to go to sleep.
He commands all of you to leave the Palace.
Abdicated King?
How can you say that, Chief Royal Secretary?
He is the Abdicated King now. Please comply with his command.
Now, leave the Palace.
His Majesty needs to sleep. We should stop and leave now.
As soon as the sun rises tomorrow,
we should meet again and plead our request.
Let us do that.
Okay, get up everyone.
Let us.
- Get up. - Okay.
Are you going to stay up all night in here?
I cannot go home under the circumstance.
I am sorry to disturb you.
Let us borrow your room.
You are not disturbing.
There is no such thing between in-laws.
Then, I will get going.
- Okay. Be safe on your way. - I will.
[Kocowa Ver] E26 KBS1 'The King of Tears, Lee Bang-Won' -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-
By the way, the abdication...
might be what His Majesty really wants.
What?
I think it is.
Since Lee Sook Beon knew about it,
he tried to make connections with us again.
Do you really think so?
Yes, I do think so.
But, the Crown Prince is too young.
He has not learned enough.
That is why he is doing it.
Since he cannot trust him, he is descending the throne early...
so that he can become the Abdicated King and support him behind his back.
You might be right.
Lord Yeoseong, are you in there?
Come in.
I heard you are here. I came to pay you respect.
Is there anything you need?
Well, I am fine.
You should leave.
Why are you standing there?
Since you two are here together, I would like to plead again.
Please forgive the mistakes I made in the past.
If you do,
I will be loyal to the Clan of Internal Prince Yeoheung.
Let me ask you one thing. Please give an honest answer.
Is abdication what His Majesty really wants?
Yes, that is what he wants.
He told his close subjects beforehand.
Are you accepting my apology?
We will think about it.
Please do.
It is clear.
Now, the Crown Prince is going to become the King.
Yes, I think so too.
We just need to wait for a few more days.
The subjects will comply with His Majesty's wish...
and accept the Crown Prince as the King.
The Crown Prince is still young.
He is not qualified to become the king yet.
Please withdraw your command.
It might be better for him to learn from the actual experience.
If I help him as the Abdicated King,
he will be able to do it.
Your Majesty.
You should leave now.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Highness.
What are you doing here?
His Majesty called.
Okay. I understand.
I called you to ask something.
Yes, Your Majesty. Please ask.
I am asking you as the King.
You have to tell me honestly with no hidings.
Yes, Your Majesty.
How did the Min Clan treat you?
When they found out you were pregnant,
how did they treat you?
They treated me kindly.
In what ways did they treat you kindly?
They moved me to a better room,
and gave me better clothes and beddings.
They did those.
It is true.
They treated me so well that I was grateful for that.
Then why do you look so haggard?
Anyone can tell that you have been in hardship for long.
It might be...
because it has not been that long since I had the baby.
Okay.
I understand.
Your Majesty, please withdraw the abdication of the throne.
- Please withdraw. - Please withdraw.
Your Majesty. Please accept our plea.
- Accept our plea! - Accept our plea!
Your Majesty, please withdraw the abdication of the throne.
- Please withdraw. - Please withdraw.
It has already been a few days.
If it continues, you might end up taking the throne.
Father will watch you with strict eyes from behind.
In front of you, subjects will ask you many questions.
Can you deal with all of those?
No, I cannot.
I want to do that much later.
Yes. Then you have to be courageous.
You need to take the great seal yourself...
and request Father to withdraw the abdication.
Only that will end this.
What if Father scolds me...
for bringing it to him?
I am scared of Father now.
Do not be scared.
You are the one he loves the most.
You also know that well.
Still, I do not want to do it.
You take it to him, Mother.
- Crown Prince. - I am really scared.
If you do not,
your maternal uncles will get hurt.
Are you okay with that?
What?
I cannot tell you everything,
but His Majesty is trying to test my brothers.
However,
your uncles are not strong-willed, and they will make a mistake.
And then the King...
will give them a terrible punishment.
Why would he do that to them?
He has his reasons.
So...
I need you to be strong.
Before your uncles mess up,
you must finish this task.
That is what I ask of you.
Take the royal seal to the King.
Please...
Save your uncles.
Please withdraw the abdication of the throne.
- Please withdraw! - Please withdraw!
Your Majesty. Please accept our plea.
- Accept our plea. - Accept our plea.
His Highness the Crown Prince.
Your Highness.
(Kangnyeongjeon)
Your Majesty, I have not learned enough,
and I cannot lead this nation.
Please withdraw your command that you will abdicate.
What made you say that?
I thought about it,
and since you gave it to me,
I thought I should return it.
Then will you truly study hard now?
Yes, Father. I will study hard.
Thank you.
And I am sorry.
Father.
His Majesty...
decided not to abdicate.
Cheer for his Majesty!
- Hooray! - Hooray!
Why do you two look like...
you are not pleased at all?
I noticed that you did not even cheer.
- Guards. - Sir!
Escort those two to the Inspection Department.
Yes, sir.
(Where officials were questioned for corruption)
Let me go!
Let go of me!
When we learned you had changed your mind,
only those two were not overjoyed.
We believe that was because...
they were plotting something treacherous.
Min Mu Jil has long thought of using...
the Crown Prince to gain power and influence.
On hearing that Grand Prince Chungnyeong was advanced in his studies,
Min Mu Ku said we do not need a smarter prince than the Crown Prince.
I believe he is planning to harm the other princes!
What do you say we do?
- Have them executed! - Have them executed!
Father!
- Father! - Father...
Mu Ku! Mu Jil...
Mother!
I am sorry.
It was not a big deal, but the ministers protested.
I had no choice.
Do not say that. You did the right thing.
My brothers showed their true colors.
Their disloyalty...
stood out painfully like an awl.
How could you forgive them?
They were allowed to live.
For that, I am grateful.
Thank you for saying so.
I will leave you now.
Must you really...
do this?
I had no choice.
If I let them be, they will become a huge problem.
That is just what you think.
I saw the signs.
Your Majesty.
You are now fighting enemies you cannot see.
Enemies that do not exist.
You create them and cut them down.
Such is the fate of a thief.
One who took from others lives in fear...
that someone will steal from him.
How do you live with the anxiety?
I do not know, but I cannot stop.
What I must do now is to make sure that...
the Crown Prince does not suffer as I did.
Do not cry.
It is not your fault.
Why does...
His Majesty hate my uncles so much?
It is because he is the King.
It is because...
he must stand tall all by himself.
I hate Father.
It will be okay as you get older.
The older you get, your power will grow stronger.
Then with that power,
please save your uncles.
I will, Mother.
I promise you.
All right. Thank you.
You should go to bed now.
You should wake up early...
and greet His Majesty in the morning.
Yes, Mother.
Sleep well.
Your Highness. You are late. Please come out.
I get it. Stop rushing me.
(Crown Prince Lee Je, Lee Bang Won's eldest son)
Your Highness. Did you sleep well?
Can you not tell?
I barely got a wink of sleep.
(Grand Prince Hyoryeong, Lee Bang Won's second son)
Did you drink again?
(Grand Prince Chungnyeong, Lee Bang Won's third son)
Never mind.
Grand Prince Chungnyeong.
Yes, Your Highness.
Mind your own.
Yes, sir.
Father.
Yes. Did you just get here?
Yes. I came to greet you.
It is cold. Why are you outside?
I woke up early.
Did you all sleep well?
- Yes, Father. - Yes, Father.
Crown Prince, did you go to bed after you finished your studies?
Yes.
Then recite it to me.
I did not memorize it.
What?
However, I engraved its meaning in my heart.
When the time comes, it will come out.
Did I not tell you nobody is capable of doing that?
I have never studied like that before,
and Grand Prince Chungnyeong does not study like that either.
Why do you keep telling me to become more like Grand Prince Chungnyeong?
I have my own path.
Crown Prince.
Are you disobeying your father?
I am asking you to acknowledge me.
Crown Prince!
(The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won)
Please sentence Min Mu Ku and Min Mu Jil...
to the death penalty as soon as possible!
I want to get my uncles who are in exile acquitted as soon as possible...
and return a smile to your face, Mother.
Who are you talking about right now?
Do you want to join your uncles too?
I am sorry!
Please punish me!
As the King, please complete the costly sacrifice.
Do it well. That is all you need to do.