"Who's there?" "Alert!" "Alert!" " Is this true?" "!" " Yes, sir." "The soldiers have turned the town upside down searching for them, and the people are in a state of panic." "I heard you are pursuing Japanese infiltrators." "What's the current situation?" "We lost them." "They abandoned their horses at the village entrance, so they couldn't be far, but we don't know if they are hiding of if they already got away." "If they got away, they have to be headed toward the capital." "And it shouldn't be hard to trace them if they are on foot." "I can search the village with my men." "Perhaps you and your men can check the roads that lead to the capital." "Take my assistant." "He will be of service." "Yes, sir." "How did it go?" "We found no trace of them." "They didn't go to the capital?" "I don't think they did." "If they were not passing through Jung-eup... this is their destination?" "What could they possibly want here?" "Could it be...?" "!" "What?" "You lost them?" "Forgive me, sir." "We followed them to Jung-eup but..." "Incompetent fools!" "But sir, when we were in Jung-eup where the infiltrators disappeared, we heard that a suspicious man and a woman live there." "Apprehend any and all suspicious men!" "Yes, sir." "Quickly, quickly!" "One, two, three..." "Hustle!" "We haven't got all day!" "Fellow, let me ask you a question." "Yes, sir." "Was there anyone asking you about how many days it took for the grain ships to reach the capital from here?" "Sir, how did you know?" "Let go of me!" "I didn't do anything wrong!" "Are you going to deny making contact with the Japanese intruders?" "What?" "Take them away." "Tae-wo!" "Tae-won!" "Pile it neatly!" "Oh, you made it!" "The ship will be leaving shortly." "Please get on board." "You must be taking a long trip, masters." "Do you mind taking off your hats?" "Is it a problem?" "Afternoon." "You've ordered the arrest of all returned hostages in Soon-chun jurisdiction." "What is going on?" "Japanese spies have infiltrated Jung-eup and Soon-chun through" "Nok-do last night." "What does that have anything to do with arresting the returned hostages?" "It's obvious that the spies are here to make contact with them." "How can you come to that conclusion?" "The spies that fled Jung-eup disappeared around the house of returned hostages Kong Tae-won." "What does that tell you?" "You can't just arrest people without any evidence of a crime." "Evidence?" "You need evidence?" "You'll have it soon." "Magistrate Yi...!" "What's wrong?" "Speak!" "My husband, the soldiers took my husband!" "Stop." "Stubborn bastards..." "Where are they?" "Where are the Japanese?" "Where did you send them?" "I don't know what you're taking about." "They tell me that you're traitor Sahwadong's wife." "Speak!" "Why are the Japanese here?" "Where did you send them?" "Continue the torture until this wench opens her mouth!" "No!" "Don't do this!" "We don't know anything!" "It's the truth!" "Please don't hurt the woman!" "What?" "!" "She just gave birth less than two weeks ago!" "Her body can't take this!" "Then you can talk." "Where are the Japanese?" "What kind of information you reveal to them?" "Did you turn over a map?" "Sir...!" "Did you give away an exposed region for their foray?" "Talk!" "I see you haven't had enough beating." "What are you waiting for?" "Continue the torture!" "Stop!" "What's this?" "I am the magistrate of Jung-eup, Yi Soon-shin." "I've come to take back my innocent people." "Innocent?" "Yes!" "Then you've come to the wrong place." "These are Japanese spies!" "Are they the men you are looking for, Captain?" "How could you inflict such harsh torture on civilians without any evidence against them?" "This was confiscated from the spies." "They admitted to bringing this map from Japan." "How did you predict that they would go to Bup-sang Port?" "I suspected they were not just passing through when I learned that they landed last night and came directly to Jung-eup." "And I became more certain when a thorough inspection of the roads leading out to the capital turned up no trace of their flight." "This is Jung-eup." "What could the Japanese army possibly want from Jung-eup?" "This is the region in Chosun that produces most rice." "That is what the hostages said." "Right, Ogawa?" "Yes, sir." "If this map is accurate, getting to the capital by sea won't be a problem either." "The spies were attempting to go to the capital from Bup-sang Port." "Could they be surveying a route to transport military provisions to the capital?" "That is what the Japanese spies have confessed." "Ogawa, do you really think that Chosun envoys are here to submit to Japan?" "Konishi is being much too obsequious to them for me to believe that." "Will the King of Chosun indeed surrender?" "If we should go to war with Chosun, who stands to lose the most?" "It's the lord of Tsushima Yoshitoshi who happens to be Konishi's son-in-law." "They have been raking in a fortune through trades with Chosun and Ming." "A war would quickly put a stop to that." "And they would be seen as traitors in the eyes of Chosun and Ming." "Deceive the Imperial Regent to protect their own interest?" "But Chosun army was pathetically weak when we attacked three years ago." "Perhaps they were intimidated by our strength and decided to yield." "I hope you are right, but I can't trust Konishi." "We will know more when the secret agents return." "But if indeed Konishi is playing some kind of a game... the day that the Imperial Regent finds out about it is the day we go to war." "That's impossible." "How can they march all the way into the capital?" "We have no way of knowing their strength, but we can't rule out the possibility that they are preparing an all-out war." "Hogwash!" "They're just unruly pirates!" "Do you really think that's possible?" "The same unruly pirates rendered the entire Cholla army powerless in 1587." "What if their main army is ten times stronger?" "That's just speculation!" "I think that's what you must find out from the spies." "Well then, I will take my people and go." "Wait!" "Who said they were released?" "There is no proof that they didn't communicate with the Japanese spies!" "There is no proof that they did either." "Constable Kwon!" "You cannot detain peaceable citizens based on suspicion alone." "Release them." "This may develop into a bigger battle than you can imagine." "Then what is one thing that we must protect?" "It's public support." "My man..." "I suppose I should get down on my knees and thank you." "You saved my life after all." "I suppose I should be in tears begging you to forgive me for failing to see the good man you are and offer to return your favor with my life." "My man..." "But what can I do?" "I just can't get myself to do it." "I may have been lucky this time, but who is to say this won't happen again?" "And when it does, they will accuse me again." "They will watch me, accuse me and destroy me." "Tae-won..." "Don't try to tell me that I'm wrong." "I may not be smart, but I'm not dumb either." "I think I was happier when I was being held prisoner in Japan." "At least I had hope then." "My kindhearted wife, a son I hardly got to hold because I was called up for duty..." "I missed them." "I wanted so much to stay alive so I could come back to them." "But when I came back, I was a criminal." "Being born in Chosun is a crime, having been a naval officer is a crime, having been captured while fighting for my country, my struggle to survive, the fact that I am alive, everything is a crime!" "You're right." "You are a criminal." "All of you that were taken hostage and brought back are criminals." "But you are not the only ones that have sinned." "The great crime was committed by this country Chosun when it turned you into criminals." "The military leader who failed to protect his men, the sovereign and the government that failed to protect his people, the neighbors that failed to show compassion..." "They have all committed great crimes." "And if violence should continue and men like you should increase in number, our children will become criminals as well." "But if there is anything you and I could do together, I want to try." "If I can help it, I don't want to turn our children into criminals." "September of 1590, 22nd year of King Sonjo's reign, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his grand army of 200.000 made a triumphant return to Kyoto after crushing the resistance in the Oshu region." "This was over four months after the arrival of Chosun envoys in Japan, and the envoys that were kept waiting had grown anxious and confused." "The surrender delegation has arrived form Chosun, Your Eminence." "The King of Chosun is here?" "His royal subjects are here." "Send them back!" "Your Eminence..." "I did not send for his servants!" "It is not his will." "He was unable to come." "The King of Chosun is confined to his bed with an illness." "He sends his deepest apologies in his letter of surrender, so accept his envoys with tolerance and display your magnanimity." "The King of Chosun sends his greetings." "Take it." "It's for the road to Ming." "It will cost you a hefty sum to lead us to Ming." "For the road to Ming?" "What does he mean?" "The road to Ming for us Japan to deliver our tributes." "We require Chosun's cooperation." "Tributes...?" "This lack of respect and decorum is unacceptable!" "He is trying to make you feel at ease." "He is a man of good humor." "Look at him." "Humor?" "Thank you, Your Eminence." "But I accept your gift not as a diplomat of Chosun but as a friend visiting a home of another friend." "A friend?" "!" "Yes, Your Eminence." "Your open and friendly manner in which you offer your gift may be taken with great insult from the position of an envoy representing a sovereign state." "But friends can forgo formalities, so it would be acceptable." "What?" "!" "How dare you refer to His Eminence the Imperial Regent as a friend!" "Your Majesty, I am constantly amazed by your masterful persuasion, feel trust and confidence of a friend from you." "After all, what is more important to a man than friendship and camaraderie?" "There are times when we the daimyos, feel such closeness with you as well." "You are always warm and kind like a trusted friend." "And that is why you have our absolute loyalty." "Now that you have shown the same warmth to the envoys of Chosun they will give you absolute loyalty as well." "Friends?" "Absolute loyalty?" "The man is absolutely rude!" "How could such a boorish man be the Imperial Regent?" "Perhaps it was done with intent." "We've seen the great army he leads and the countless daimyos under him." "It takes more than just brute force to suppress such a large number of men." "Could he really be planning an attack on Chosun like the monks that came with us had wanted?" "If that huge army should attack Chosun all at once..." "That's my concern as well." "He brought a child to run around and cause disruption, but not one of his retainers said a word." "That's not possible without absolute reverence." "Behind that humorous facade may be a shrewd man with countless tricks." "I guess the gods are still on your side." "Is it because you are a Christian?" "Yasuharu!" "I wonder." "Will the gods really side with you or the Imperial Regent?" "Your Majesty, six months have passed since the envoys left for Japan, and we have not heard from." "We must assume that something has gone wrong." "Yes, Your Majesty." "Arrogance and effrontery of the Japanese is no secret." "Diplomatic relations was a bad idea from the start." "Do you think so?" "Your Majesty, we must seek reprisal." "Reprisal?" "That is absurd!" "Are you suggesting that we attack Japan?" "Reprisal..." "It's a good word." "So what is your secret plan?" "If you want reprisal, you must have a plan." "Your Majesty..." "Your Majesty, to discuss reprisal with mere suspicion is premature in my opinion." "Then do you suggest that we do nothing and just wait for the envoys to return?" "Your Majesty..." "Your Majesty, if I may speak, the envoy's delayed return is a concern only because the country is in a state of confusion." "Since the invasion of 1587 Japanese sightings have not ceased throughout the country." "We do not know then they will strike again, therefore I urge you to dispatch competent military leaders to the lower three provinces and strengthen our coast." "Very well." "It is a good suggestion." "Ministry of Military, organizes defense committee and bring competent military leaders forward." "Minister Yu and the Left Minister will lend you a hand." "I'm sure it wouldn't hurt you to check out the warriors if you're going to devise your secret plan." "We will do our best not to disappoint you, Your Majesty." "Conquer Tsushima Island?" "All I need is an army of twenty thousand men." "The Japanese army is armed with guns like these." "Don't they look weak?" "I can't imagine these things having much fire power." "You've seen our cannons." "Their greatest weakness is the time it takes for the projectile to reach the target." "On the other hand, arrows are fast and accurate since they don't need to be ignited, and they are powerful enough to pierce through an armor." "Yes." "Arrows played a great role in our victory against Nitanggae in 1583." "The jurchen army five times greater in number succumbed to the power of our arrows, and our troops in the six camps at the time were not even elite troops." "All I need is an elite army of twenty thousand well-trained archers and..." "Spearmen experienced in close combat." "If we can stop an army five times our size with ordinary soldiers, specially trained elite soldiers can handle twice that number." "So it shouldn't be too hard to suppress an army of two hundred thousand." "I'm impressed." "I'm really impressed!" "You are indeed the greatest warrior in Chosun!" "I just hope you get your break soon so you can realize your ambition." "I did not expect this invitation." "You will be very busy in the near future organizing a defense committee and selecting new military leaders, and so will I." "Let us enjoy what little time we have before we get busy." "Pardon?" "Adviser Shin is here?" "My goodness!" "How could I have forgotten?" "I invited you forgetting that I had a previous engagement." "That is quite all right." "We can do this another time." "No, no." "Please stay if you don't mind the company." "You already know these gentlemen." "Bring them in." "Yes, my lord." "Let us drink, General Won!" ""General", sir?" "It is inappropriate." "No, it's about time someone gave you the recognition you deserve." "Right, Minister Chung?" "Don't be modest." "These high ministers are going to make you a general!" "Don't be so mulish." "Drink!" "I must decline." "I am truly disappointed, Minister of Military." "I believe personnel decisions are made in the Ministry of Military." "What are those decision based on?" "Is it based on the warrior's merits or on the recommendations of a smooth-talking minister?" "I thought you were different, but I guess no one is immune to corruption in the royal court!" "I knew you would come here again." "I thought you would investigate Nok-do once more time as well." "The Japanese chose a sea route to transport the military provisions." "If a commercial vessel can travel through, it wouldn't be hard for a warship to advance to the capital either..." "This cannot be the first time Japanese spies landed on this beach." "They may already know our waters like the back of their hand." "Do you think it's possible for the Cholla Navy to stop the enemy alone if they should declare a war?" "If we fail to protect the waters of Cholla, they will gain access to the capital." "Can we stop them?" "Oh, you're here." "When are you going to throw that wench out of your house?" "Stop that!" "Is your husband set on having mistress when he can hardly make ends meet?" "I don't know how he can live with that awful wench." "But then, you're just as awful as that..." "What are you going to do?" "Hit me?" "Are you sure?" "Are you sure that woman is traitor Sahwadong's wife?" "Why would the soldiers take her if she wasn't?" "We have to do something about this." "I was waiting for her to leave this village on her own, but that's it." "My husband died in battle serving the navy because of that wench's husband!" "You're not the only one who lost a loved one." "The Japanese had turned the whole province into ashes." "We can't let her stay here." "A little more!" "Push!" "Push!" "My lady..." "My lady..." "The baby is..." "What's wrong with the baby?" "The poor thing didn't even get to see the world..." "My baby... you're exhausted from making your way out into the world." "But you should still say hello." "Madam is worried about you." "You have to say, "Hi, I'm just fine", like a good little baby." "My lady..." "He's so quiet..." "My baby..." "He's just sleeping so I can't rest..." "I think he's going to be a good little boy..." "Lord, I wish I never knew you..." "Everyone that new me has left me." "The mother that gave birth to me, the mother that raised me, the man that made eternal ties with me..." "All of them have left me..." "And now I want to leave this world..." "I will accept the punishment you impose upon me..." "Where is that wench!" "Get out here, you wench!" "Where is she?" "What do you want with her?" "Stay out of it!" "This is not your business!" "Find her!" "What is the meaning of this?" "!" "You don't have to be concerned, Madam." "I asked you a question." "This is the wife of that bastard Sahwadong." "She deserves this." "Yes, we have to teach her a lesson." "Are you intent on killing her?" "There is no reason not to." "My husband came back from the navy a cold corpse." "If it weren't for her husband..." "Yes, we have to teach her a lesson." "Go a head." "Kill her." "That may be the best." "What's wrong?" "Shell I call the guards to fetch you some weapons?" "Kill her if you wish, but..." "I want the one who can stand naked before the armed Japanese without cowering to come forth and kill this woman." "If you can live and die alone without opening your heart to anyone after being abducted and taken to a foreign land far away, you can cast the stone." "If you can choose death when they are offering to send you back home to Chosun, to the family you love and the friends that you miss, you can cast the stone as well." "I am taking this woman with me." "If you try to hurt her again, you will not be forgiven!" "If you still wish to kill her, you must kill me first."