"Shall I summon So-hong?" "No, don't let anyone in unless I say so." "Here." "It's all right." "I need a drink." "I heard you rendered a great service to Master Sul on the Yuzhou trip." "Thanks to you, I failed miserably." "I thought about our fate as I returned from Yuzhou." "The reason our fates have crossed is not just because we serve different masters." "There must be something else." "But I don't know what that something else is." "I do." "The first time I met you..." "It was at the marketplace in Chunghae." "I was being beaten to death by the son of the Chunghae governor." "Then I saw you displaying your fencing skills at the marketplace, and you taught me fencing in exchange for showing you around Chunghae." "After you left Chunghae, my father and I went to repair a merchant ship in Bikeum at the introduction of Joong-dal, the foreman's son." "But when I realized that the ship we had repaired was a pirate ship," "Father and I were already too deep in the trap." "Shortly after, pirates attacked Chunghae." "Father and I were framed for colluding with pirates." "My father died an unfair death and..." "I have come face to face with death many times." "And I finally learned the identity of the pirates" "who made my life miserable." "I have just learned that your master Yi Do-hyung was the captain of the pirates who attacked Chunghae." "The reason our fates crossed is not because we serve different masters." "It is because your master is Master Yi, who killed my father and threw me into the jaws of death." "I thought nothing could cause Problems as long as we did not see each other, since our masters take different paths." "It was sad to put our good memories behind us, but I thought that was just our fate." "But not anymore." "I must cough up this burning fire inside me" "onto you and Master Yi." "I must have my revenge." "For the miserable years I've lived..." "I'll pay you back for the pain I've endured." "When we meet again..." "You'll be my enemy who killed my father..." "My enemy who threw me into the jaws of death." "I too..." "...curse my fate." "But it's still my fate no matter how I curse it..." "It's still my past no matter how hard I try to erase it." "What am I supposed to do?" "Wine!" "Bring more wine!" "Bring So-hong." " I..." " I said to bring So-hong!" "She's with another guest." "Who is he?" "Who are you?" "Stop there." "You should retire first." "Thank you for your hard work." "I've been doing this all my life, but it must be hard on you." "I'll lock up from tomorrow." "You should retire early." "It's all right." "I heard Goong-bok rendered great service to his group on the Yuzhou trip." "Yes, he predicted the Jie Du Shi's death." "He has that kind of talent?" "He's no fortune teller." "How did he predict a man's death?" "I don't know." "Then he must've been promoted." " No." " No?" " No, he was demoted to coolie." " Why?" "Well..." "I wouldn't know." "Come here." "Just what do you know?" "He scared me." "He will freeze to death out here." "Hey." "Look, young man." "Young man." "Who do we have here?" " This is Chief Yum Moon." " It is." "Soon-jong, we can't leave him here." "Carry him." "What happened to him?" "I thought I was going to die." "He's so tall." "I heard no one could best him in martial arts." "I guess liquor got the best of him." "Who beat him up like this?" "He must be very upset after being fired from his post." "Shouldn't we alert Master Yi?" "I think it's best that we don't, given his current state." "I'll take care of him." "Go and get some rest." "Are you awake?" "Please don't get up." "You were passed out on the street." "I'm sorry to impose on you like this." "You must be upset, but please be strong." "I should leave now." "My lady." "Please forgive me." "Why would you ask for my forgiveness?" "I have wronged you greatly." "It's a grave sin that I can't even talk about." "I'll atone for it for life." "I don't know why you'd say that, but you're my teacher who taught me business." "I'm grateful for all you've done for me." "Please don't say that." "Hurry up." "What?" "We should stop the ship from setting sail." "Why?" "The ship might sink if it sets sail now." "What?" "You must unload the ship now and inspect it." "That is not your concern." "Get back to work." " Captain." " Get back to work!" " What is it?" " It's nothing." "What is it?" "Master, this ship can't set sail." "Why, you..." "Take him away!" "Master." "Why mustn't the ship sail?" "The beams below decks are rotted, and can't support weight." "There are a few cracks in the beams toward the stern, but it wouldn't affect our voyage." "That's not true." "If the ship sails as is, it might sink." "Do you know of what you speak?" "This ship has eight compartments." "Eight compartment walls enforce the ship from bow to aft, preventing the entire ship from getting waterlogged, even if there is a leak." "But if collapsed beams can't support the weight, a ship will sink." " Is that true?" " Well..." "Have a shipbuilder inspect the ship right away." "Yes, sir." " Did you inspect the ship?" " Yes, Master." "What is your assessment?" "The ship requires immediate repair." "How dare you!" "How could you be so reckless as a captain who's responsible for his crew and cargo?" "Replace him as the ship's captain and suspend him." "Yes, sir." "How did you know the ship's condition?" "Yon and I were born in a shipyard." "We were playing around ships before we could walk." "Chief, please don't do this." "I'm no longer a chief." "I'm fine." "Don't mind me." "Chief,how can I rest easy when you're doing this?" "Master, there is big trouble." "What is it?" "The ship carrying tax grains to Chang'an sank." "What do you mean?" "It ran aground." " Tax grains?" " They were all lost." "Assess the damage and summon all the chiefs." "What's going on?" "Maybe something happened." "What is going on?" "The ship carrying tax grains sank." "What's all the fuss when a ship sank?" "Out of the way!" "Master Sul Pyong, come out." "What is it?" "We are here to escort you to the fortress on the Minister of Revenue's orders." "Take him." "What are you doing?" "Out of the way." " Father." " Don't worry." " Master." " Father!" "Master!" " Master." " What is it?" "Master Sul was taken by Jiangsu Province troops." "Did you say he was taken?" "Yes, his ship carrying tax grains sank." "This is so frustrating." "Just what is going on?" " Chief." " Yes?" "Why was Master taken by troops?" "Didn't you hear that the ship carrying tax grains sank?" "What does that have to do with us?" "You idiot..." "It's our group's responsibility to transport tax grains from Jiangsu Province." "We're responsible for the lost ship." "Father." "Master!" "Father!" "Master!" "Master." "What happened?" "If we can't deliver tax grains to Chang'an before the due date, our passage rights on the Grand Canal will be forfeited." "This is big trouble." "The foundation of our group is being shaken." "What are you saying?" "We might lose our passage rights on the Grand Canal." "What is that?" "China has two rivers that flows from west to east." "The Yangtze River In the south, and the Yellow River in the north." "Going upstream on the Yellow River, you'll find Chang'an." "Since ancient times, transporting grains and commodities grown in the south to the north was a big task for the government." "So they built the Grand Canal That connects the Yangtze River and the Yellow River." "It's amazing how men can Accomplish such an amazing feat." "If the Grand Canal didn't exist, it would be as if the artery of China were clogged." "And the Sul Pyong merchant group has passage rights on the Grand Canal." "It's a very profitable privilege." "They must make tens of thousands of silver coins on freight charges alone." "So if he has the right, why can't you?" "Our group has only begun trading in China." "We do not have that kind of power yet." "There is no reason why you can't have passage rights when Master Sul does." "I'll help you win the passage rights." "But the Sul Pyong group has been monopolizing the passage rights on the Grand Canal for decades." "I hear his merchant group is in crisis." "If you use his crisis to your advantage, you and I can have passage rights." "Is there a way?" "Give Yum Moon to me." "His venture in Yuzhou has failed, but I was impressed with his business acumen and daring." "He's what you need to catch Master Sul." "Master, you must appoint a new captain, and leave for Chang'an." "Master, it is me, Goong-bok." "Come in." "I decided to put Goong-bok in charge of transporting tax grains to Chang'an." "Master, how could you trust a mere coolie with such an important task?" "He has rendered great service to the group in Yuzhou, but he still lacks experience." "We must safely transport the tax grains as fast as we can." "Of all the chiefs here, Goong-bok knows the most about ships and he excels in martial arts." "I believe he's the right man for the task." "I'll give you a chance to seek revenge for the failure in Yuzhou." "Will you trust and follow me?" "We'll deliver the tax grains By the fifth of next month as promised." "Are the tax grains ready?" "Yes." "He'll be in charge of the transport." "I'm Goong-bok." "Fine, transport five hundred sacks of tax grains." "But a thousand sacks were to be delivered." "What about the rest?" "Another merchant group will transport them." "Another merchant group?" "How have you been, sir?" "Please be seated." "What is the meaning of this?" "A merchant group without passage rights on the Grand Canal can't transport tax grains." "I guess you haven't heard yet." "It is a decree from the Jie Du Shi, putting us in charge of transporting tax grains." "Master Yi's merchant group and yours are to transport equal amounts of tax grains to Chang'an." "Whoever reaches Chang'an first will win the passage rights to the Grand Canal." "What?" "Is this true?" "You approved this competition?" "It is true." "Water that stands still is bound to stagnate." "You have enjoyed exclusive passage rights on the Grand Canal, but your ships carrying tax grains have sunk and arrived late on many occasions." "You're transporting tax grains to the emperor." "Is it not only right to select a merchant who can safely transport the tax grains?" "It couldn't have been easy To change the Jie Du Shi's decision." "I am very impressed." "He will be in charge of transporting tax grains." "The fate of your merchant group rides on this task." "Should you trust it to a man with no experience?" " You know Goong-bok?" " Of course I do." "I saved him from a life of slavery on a horse ranch, only to have him betray me ungratefully." "You'd best be careful." "He might betray you someday." "Who is your captain?" "That would be Chief Yum Moon." "You mean to repeat your failure in Yuzhou?" "Master, you must entrust this task to an experienced chief." "Goong-bok is no match for Madam Jami and Yum Moon." "You do not trust my judgment?" " That's not what I..." " That's enough." "I'll tear down the wealth and power you built with my own hands." "When we meet again..." "You'll be my enemy who killed my father..." "My enemy who threw me into the jaws of death." "Goong-bok, who's in charge of Transporting the tax grains for Master Sul, has a grudge against me." "He'll use any means to win." "You must never let him defeat us." " Do you understand?" " Yes." "My lady, it's Mak-bong." "Come in." "Have you heard?" "Goong-bok will be competing with us for Master Sul." "Yes." "How could this happen?" "I can't betray Goong-bok." "You're on your own on this." "Watch what you say." "He's still immature." "Please forgive him." "I don't feel comfortable with this contest either." "Pardon?" "But since I am working for Madam Jami," "I have to do my best to carry out my responsibility." "Do you understand?" " Answer her." " Yes..." "Please forgive me, Chief." "I only told Goong-bok of the master's identity because Goong-bok and Yon threatened to kill me..." "I'm sorry." "Please forgive me." "I'll do anything you tell me." "I'll give my life to you." "You worked as a foreman at the Chunghae Shipyard?" "Yes..." "I was the foreman." "We must transport tax grains to Chang'an soon." "I'll put you in charge of repair and maintenance of the ship." "I'll give my body and life to do your bidding." "Thank you!" "Goong-bok!" " What brings you here?" " I have a favor to ask you." "I need Jung Yon as my security officer." "Take him." "Putting a coolie in charge of such an important task..." "I just can't understand the master's intentions." "How would a peabrain understand the workings of a genius?" "What did you say?" "Nothing." "It's the plans of the ship that sank." "It has a deep draft, and is not easy to sail during the dry season." "What do you mean by "draft"?" "It's the depth of water a ship draws." "In order to safely navigate a ship during the dry season, you need a narrow ship with a light draft." "It will enable us to safely navigate through shallow water with strong currents." "It's the plans of a ship we're repairing." "We must secure lumber and Complete the repairs as soon as possible." "Chief." "How are the repairs going?" "This is our ship." " Master!" " What is it?" "The ship carrying Shandong wine was seized." "What?" "Who seized the ship?" "Yi Sa-do's troops in Shandong Fanzhen." "Yi Sa-do?" "Yes, his troops have blockaded the Grand Canal." "A blessing in disguise..." "A blessing in disguise..." "I might make a big profit out of this crisis." "Let no one find out that our ship was seized by Yi Sa-do's troops." "Yes." "What brings you here?" "I have a business proposition." "I have no desire to do business with you." "If you don't wish to do business with me," "I'll go talk to Master Sul." "You'll regret it later." "Why don't you tell us what it is first?" "I heard you're competing with Master Sul to transport tax grains." "And?" "What would you do for me if I told you a secret to help you beat Master Sul?" "What tricks are you up to now?" "Madam, you must not lend him your ear." "He only means to cheat you out of money." "You'll regret this." "If you have such a secret," "I'll give you anything you ask for." "I want five thousand silver coins." "You thief." "What could be worth such a large sum of money?" "I heard you'll win the passage rights to the Grand Canal if you win this contest." "If you take into consideration the profit you'll make from the passage rights, five thousand is a paltry sum." "Tell me." "If it is worth it," "I'll give you five thousand silver coins." "Goong-bok!" "Yon!" "Boss." "What brings you here at this late hour?" "I have something important to tell you." "Are you sure about that?" "I heard Master Jo and Du-man talking." "The Grand Canal is blockaded by Yi Sa-do's troops." "If you sail to Chang'an on the Grand Canal, your ship will be seized and you'll lose the tax grains." "Master Jo went to see Yi Do-hyung." "He means to make some money with this information." " Thank you for telling us." " Thank you." "I believe you will win." "I must see Madam Jami's ruin with my own eyes." "What do you think?" "Isn't it a secret that could defeat Master Sul?" "You can't call it that if Master Sul finds out." "He'd never find out." "No merchant group in Yangzhou knows of this." "I doubt even the Jie Du Shi of Jiangsu knows of this." "Fine." "I'll give you five hundred silver coins." "Five hundred?" "I said five thousand." "I'll give you the rest when we win the contest." "Did you find a way?" " We must travel by land." " By land?" "But we only have a month to reach Chang'an." "How could you make it in a month overland?" "I'll find a new route to Chang'an." "What are your thoughts?" "If we can't sail to Chang'an on the Grand Canal, we should secure another method of transport and other workers as soon as possible." "If the Grand Canal is blockaded, we must travel overland." "I won't travel overland." "Then what route would you take?" "I'll take the sea route." "We'll depart Yangzhou Harbor for the Yellow River." "We'll sail the Yellow River to Chang'an." "Are you out of your mind?" "Master, listen." "He doesn't even know the direction of the wind." "How could you trust him with the fate of our group?" "We have the north wind now." "You can't sail upstream with a headwind." "It is impossible to take the sea route." "I can do it." "Silence!" "How would you sail with a headwind?" "I can." "Please trust me." "Fine." "Do as you wish." " Master!" " No more discussion." "No one must find out we'll be sailing out to sea until the day we leave." "Madam Jami and Yum Moon must believe that we're sailing on the Grand Canal." "Do you understand?" "But, Goong-bok..." "Can you really sail with a headwind?" "Trust me on this." "Chief, it's me, Joong-dal." "Did you look into it?" "They're loading the ship with tax grains now." "They must be taking the Grand Canal route." "I'll leave first to map out a new route to Chang'an." "Chief Jang, please lead the group, as soon as everything is ready." "Yes." "The ship will be all loaded today." "When do we leave?" "It'll be another four days." "Master Yi's group will be leaving shortly." "Should we delay the departure like that?" "If everything goes as planned, we'll arrive in Chang'an five days ahead of them." "Please don't worry." "Father." "What is the progress?" "We'll set sail tomorrow." "What do you predict will be the outcome of this contest?" "Just as you trust Goong-bok, I trust him." " We have returned safely." " Good work." "How is the state of things in Mujinju?" "Still under siege by the rebels." "Any attempts to suppress the rebels?" "The imperial army has made many attempts, but they have failed." "What happened to the silver we hid in Mujinju?" "We brought it." "All right." "What brings you to the harbor?" "A ship from Shilla arrived." "I came to hear news from Shilla." "Are you here to see your ship set sail?" "Yes, I hear your group has decided to travel overland." "It'll take more days to travel by land." "What caused you to make such a decision?" "We have our reasons." "I guess you haven't heard that Yi Sa-do's troops have blockaded the Grand Canal." "I have." "You have?" "Yet you're still taking the waterway?" "We won't sail on the Grand Canal." "We'll sail out to sea and sail to Chang'an along the Yellow River." "But we have a north wind." "Even a little child knows a ship can't sail to the north with a headwind." "How did you come to make such a reckless decision?" "You'll soon find out if it really was a reckless decision." "Hoist the sail!" "What is that sail?" "I have never seen a sail like that." "I haven't either." "What kind of shape is that for a sail?" "How could you sail out to sea with a sail like that?" "What is going on?" "In my youth in Chunghae, I saw a ship from Arabia." "Until then, all the ships I'd seen had square sails that could only sail with a tailwind." "But the ship from Arabia could sail even with a headwind, using winds from three directions with a staysail." "While repairing their ship, I learned to sail using winds from three directions." "Can you really sail with a headwind?" "Yes, we have already completed a test voyage." "We can arrive five days ahead of Master Yi's group, which is traveling overland." "Master, give me your command." "Set sail." "My lady, are you all right?" "I will tell the lieutenant." "You mustn't." "The fate of our merchant group rides on this trip." "The trip must not be halted on my account." "Are you faring well on the rough voyage?" "I was seasick for a while, but I'm getting better." "Please don't worry." "You should go out and get some cold air." "It'll help you feel better." "Are you all right?" "You looked as if you were ready to jump ship." "Yes." " Are we on schedule?" " Yes." "We'll pass this area at daybreak." "This is Yongmi Gorge." "Even bandits avoid this area." "We can save four days if we cut across here." "We'll pass through here." "Yes." "Goong-bok, the headwind has died down." "We'll arrive ahead of schedule." "It's too early to rest easy." "My lady, please wake up." "My lady." "My lady, please wake up!" "My lady." "Please wake up." "Lieutenant." "What is it?" "Lady Chae-ryung has fainted." "What happened?" "She hasn't been feeling well since our departure." "She hasn't eaten anything in three days." "Why didn't you tell us sooner?" "I tried to tell you..." "but she said not to..." "So you let her get to this state?" "What are you going to do?" "Her life will be in danger if we continue on." "We'll sail to the coast and drop anchor right now."