"Master Sul will finally be able to rest in peace." "You have done well." "You must take Yum Moon to the imperial city." "There is no need to take him to the imperial city." "The grand chief was given full authority to suppress pirates from His Majesty." "We must punish him ourselves." "We should have killed him in Sachun waters." "You fools." "Do you really not know why we must take Yum Moon to the imperial city?" "The grand chief has accomplished what the government couldn't." "He defeated the pirate that have bothered the goverment." "His achievement should be known to the nobles in the imperial city and all the people of Shilla." "If his name is known Throughout the country, it will be a big asset to our future business ventures." "I did not suppress pirates in order to earn fame." "That's true, but we have lost Master Sul and countless numbers of our security officers." "Who could blame us for taking a little credit?" "You must know politics in order to do business." "You have garnered power that even the imperial court can't ignore." "I need more time to think about what to do with Yum Moon." "I led a group of merchants to trade with Madam Jami." "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?" "Kill me!" "Jung-hwa, are you inside?" "Let's sit down." "How was your trip to the imperial city?" "His Majesty readily accepted my suggestions." "There will be a new wind blowing in the imperial city." "The nobles corrupt with greed for power and money will be swept away by that wind." "Any news in Chunghae while I was gone?" "Grand Chief Jang suppressed the pirates and captured Head Chief Yum Moon, the leader of pirates." "Is that right?" "But why is there sorrow in your expression?" "Is anything the matter?" "I have a long history with Head Chief Yum Moon." "I had once decided to serve him as my husband." "But the man in your heart is Grand Chief Jang." "Yet you were once going to take Yum Moon as your husband?" "I do not understand." "I can't put into words the long history of the twisted fate between" "Head Chief Yum Moon and me." "I couldn't accept his feelings, but he desperately loved me." "He loved me so much that he was always lonely." "My heart goes out to him." "Jang Bogo did capture Yum Moon alive." "I wished to have Yum Moon kill him, but things have taken a strange turn." "He is your bodyguard." "You brought your uncle?" "You call this a bodyguard?" "Two hundred men like him can't save me from Yum Moon." "But no decent security officers are available to us." "I should be pitied for having a sidekick like you." "Captain." " I have a favor to ask of you." " What is it?" "Could you assign me a bodyguard?" "What nonsense is this?" "It isn't nonsense." "I can't sleep at night." "Whenever I'd fall asleep, Yum Moon would appear in my dreams and say "slay him."" "Yum Moon will never kill you." "Jang Bogo captured him alive." "I need you to go to Chunghae." "Me?" "You're no longer a pirate." "You're a chief merchant of Madam Jami's." "You can go anywhere." " Get him out." " Yes, sir." "Head Chief." " Where are you taking him?" " Shut up!" "I will cut the noisy one's head off first." "Take him away." " Head Chief." " Head Chief!" "I brought him." "Untie him." "Grand Chief." "It's all right." "Untie him and leave us." "Sit." "Would you like a drink?" "Come to think of it... in all the years we've known each other," "we never had a chance to share a drink." "If we hadn't turned into enemies in an instant," "I would have considered you a friend for life." "You asked me to teach you fencing in Chunghae years ago." "You were my first friend ever." "You were the first person to say a friendly word to me, who learned to walk on a pirate ship," "who grew up among rough pirates learning only to wield a sword..." "It was also after I met you that I started to regret my fate," "which made me a pirate." "But there was no way to make right our crossed paths." "Since meeting Lady Jung-hwa, our relationship became even more painful." "The harder I tried to get out, the deeper into a pit I fell." "And the only way to survive in that pit was to kill you." "I also regret that we never had a chance to share a drink sooner." "Don't delay it any longer." "Kill me now." "I will never forget your kind offer of a drink tonight, even when I'm dead." "Long ago..." "When you set me free from Yi Sa-do's camp, you said my life would be more painful than death itself." "It is now your turn to endure that pain." "I had once thought that our fates crossed because we served different masters." "Even when I considered you my enemy," "I felt pity for you, who had to serve Master Yi." "But you tenaciously maintained that tie with Master Yi, when you should have severed it long ago." "You became his lips, and became a cunning merchant." "You became his sword, and took innocent lives." "No matter what words you use to defend yourself," "you are only a pirate, who has left a grudge" "in countless people's hearts." "I will not kill you." "I will pay back my grudge and my hatred toward you" "by letting you live." "Hey, Soon-jong!" "Why do you look so shocked?" "You were all too happy to beat up an innocent man not too long ago." "Why do you look so scared to see me?" "Joong-dal, why are you doing this?" "Why?" "Do you have to ask?" "If I were a pirate," "I should be sitting in jail like Yum Moon." "How could I be roaming the streets like this?" " Chun-tae." " Yes?" " Show them." " What?" "What else?" "Show them proof that I'm Madam Jami's chief merchant." "See that?" "If I had my way," "I'd break both of you right here, but I won't." "Why?" "Because I am a chief merchant now." " Let's go, Chun-tae." " Yes, Chief Joong-dal." "That son of a..." "When did he go over to Madam Jami's side?" "That son of a..." "What's going on?" "Head Chief Yum Moon is not locked up in the Chunghae prison." "He's in Jang Bogo's house." " Is he dead?" " He's not dead yet." "Why don't they kill him already?" "I will not kill Yum Moon." "Then what will you do with him?" "How can we appease our grudge if we don't kill him?" "Will you take him to the imperial city?" "He will be branded and sentenced to slavery." "Did you say he will be branded?" "What are you talking about?" "His face will be branded with the character for "thief."" "It is a serious punishment reserved only for traitors." "I sentence you to punishment by branding." "The souls of the innocent lives you took are punishing you." "I only brand your face with the mark," "but your heart should be branded with their sorrows." "Begin." " Head Chief." " Head Chief!" "Head Chief!" "Take Yum Moon to Chunghae Harbor, and appease the grudges of the people he has tortured." "Yes, sir." "You will regret for eternity... that you didn't kill me today!" "I will be sure to put a dagger through your heart!" "2 YEARS LATER:" "YANGZHOU, CHINA" "Shilla merchants from Jiangsu and Shandong are gathering at the Yangzhou Shilla community you built." "It seems expansion is necessary." "I will leave it to your discretion." "I wish to build a temple also." "We will keep memorial tablets of Shilla people who lost their lives overseas." "Yes." "We are selling pottery we brought from Kangjin." "Could they compete with Chinese pottery?" "Sales are increasing due to reasonable prices and good craftsmanship." "Good day, Grand Chief." "Are you having any difficulties?" "Everything is going well, thanks to you." "What is silk going for these days?" "Prices have been dropping, but we have turned a big profit because you opened trade with Japan." "I see." "Help me!" "Take her away." " Find out what's going on." " Yes." "What is going on?" "I paid good money for her." "Mind your own business." "What did you find out?" "It seems slave trading has been taking place recently." "But slave trading has been stopped since we wiped out the pirates." "Who is trading slaves again?" "It seems a Shilla merchant group is involved." " Find out who it is." " Yes, sir." "I must summon a head chiefs' meeting right away." "All right." "Don't be scared." "No one will hurt you now." " What is your name?" " My name is Eu-young." "Shilla merchant groups in Yangzhou have been making big profits trading with Japan since the pirates of the southwestern seas were suppressed two years ago." "With the profit we made," "I will expand the Shilla community in Yangzhou and build temples in Yangzhou and Shandong to look after the welfare of Shilla people in China." "We will abide by your decision." "Master Choon." "It seems you are not satisfied with the profits you make from trading only." "That's absurd." "I have investigated the slave trading in the Yangzhou marketplace." "We found that you were behind the slave trading." "Do you deny it?" "Don't you know that slave trading is banned by order of the grand chief?" "That is..." "Master Choon will be dismissed from the Yangzhou merchant group." "Everyone is to cease trading with Master Choon." "Grand Chief, please forgive me this once." "Grand Chief." "Take him away." "Grand Chief." "Our base in Chunghae will soon be completed." "I will expand our trade activities into Arabia, once the base is completed." "Every merchant is to prepare trade items." "Yes, sir." "This is the silkiest silk you will find." "Naught may endure but mutability." "What do you mean?" "You ignoramus." "It means things have changed a whole lot." "Is this really the same Chunghae I grew up in?" "The place has flourished Because Jang Bogo opened trade with China and Japan." "Yes, Jang Bogo is a better man." "I used to beat him up when he was a slave in Chunghae." "I showed him who was boss." "Where can I find a jewel shop?" "What is he saying?" "You must be tired from the long journey." " Has everything been peaceful?" " Yes." "Are things going well in Yangzhou?" "Yes, what is the status on the construction of our base?" "It has been completed." "You have done well." "But who is that girl?" "She was sold to China as a slave." "Shilla people are still being sold as slaves?" "Master Choon was found trading slaves and was expelled." "The grand chief has decided to adopt her." "But you haven't even married yet." "Then who is her mother?" "Is it Lady Chae-ryung?" "You should get married first." "We built an inn large enough to accommodate hundreds of merchants and a warehouse." "We also built a training facility for security officers." "We have recruited more security officers and navigators." "How is the shipbuilding coming along?" "We will have five more ships by next month." "We need strong ships that can sail safely to Arabia." "Don't worry about a thing." "Chunghae shipbuilders are the best in Shilla." "Welcome." "You must be from China." "Welcome." "How many days will you be staying?" "Five days." "I will take extra special care of you if you trade with our group." "Go upstairs and get some rest." "Yes, go upstairs." "Welcome." "He must be Japanese." "Why, there is a bug..." "How many days will you be staying?" "I will be staying three days." "I have a mind to put you in a pigsty, but I'll take pity on you and give you a room." "Go over there." "Not there, here." "Go." "Go over there." "My lady." " Is everything going well?" " Yes." "Merchants from Arabia wish to trade with us." "What do they offer?" "They brought sandalwood, agallochum, and gems." "I will trade with them." "Bring them to my room later." "Yes." "Where have you been all day?" "I went out to meet with Captain Jung." "Why?" "My lady, I asked Captain Jung to get us some skilled security officers." "Why?" "Some merchants were causing trouble at the inn lately." "We need security officers to keep them in line." "Isn't that right, my lady?" "Just be careful so the other guests won't be inconvenienced." "Yes, my lady." "Grand Chief Jang came back from Yangzhou." "He will be holding a meeting with big Japanese merchants at their new headquarters next month." "He asked me to ask you if you'd be attending." " Tell him I will attend." " Yes, my lady." "This is the list of items requested by the Japanese merchants." "They want silk, medicine, spices, and other Western goods." "We must bring more merchandise from Yangzhou to fill their order." "Our merchants in Yangzhou are securing merchandise." "They will be here in time." "What is the recent state of Chunghae Harbor?" "As more merchants ships are coming into Chunghae" "Madam Jami's Dukjin Harbor is seeing significantly less merchants ships." "It must have been a great blow to Madam Jami." "Even her chief merchants have been coming to Chunghae to trade." "Has she tried to thwart us at all?" "I heard that Madam Jami is in the imperial city now." "She must be up to her old tricks again." "Captain." "Come in." "The regent has sent a letter to the grand chief." "What is it?" "His Majesty has requested my presence at the palace." "Truly?" "His Majesty wants to see you?" "Yes." "Only two years ago, you were taken to the imperial city as a criminal." "And now His Majesty requests your presence." "This is amazing." "Grand Chief." "IMPERIAL CITY" "This is the Mujinju governor." "Pay your respects to the inspector general." "My name is Kim Yang." "And this is the minister of the military." "I thought I heard that you were Kim Woo-jing's man." "Have I heard wrong?" "I once had the support of Lord Kim Kyun-jung, the regent's father, but the regent seems to distance himself from me." "I heard you were put in a difficult situation when Kim Woo-jing was appointed regent again." "The governor will be a great asset to you." "But his grandfather is Kim Won-chang, who attempted high treason." "Kim Woo-jing's power grows stronger every day." "It is too dangerous to keep a traitor's descendant near me." "I will find a way to defeat Kim Woo-jing." "Please support the governor." "What is your plan?" "In order to keep Kim Woo-jing in check, we must get rid of a man named Jang Bogo." "Jang Bogo..." "Isn't he the man who was given full authority to suppress pirates by His Majesty years ago?" "You are right." "He is operating a lucrative trade linking Japan and China from Japan." "And he is supporting Kim Woo-jing with the money he makes." "And he is also paying large amounts in taxes." "How will you check a man who finances the imperial household?" "Jang Bogo has broken the law, and amassed wealth by illegitimate methods." "It wouldn't be difficult to incriminate him, if you were willing." "I will discuss it with the chancellor." "Did you find out?" "Yes, Madam Jami has met the inspector general and the minister of the military with the Mujinju governor." "All right." "It seems people still haven't forgotten" "Lord Kim Won-chang's uprising." "It will be a difficult journey if you're to come to the imperial city and stand in the center of power." "What is it?" "Jang Bogo is entering the imperial city." "What business does he have in the imperial city?" "He is to have an audience with the king." "What has the imperial household come to?" "It is absurd for a lowly slave to have an audience with the king." "Look at him." "Look how arrogant he is." "Now we even have to serve slaves?" "Your loyal subject Jang Bogo at your service, Your Majesty." "I should have commended you on your feat of suppressing the pirates, but I was delayed by the opposition of nobles who made an issue of your status." "You have accomplished a grand task in suppressing the pirates of the southwestern seas." "You are most gracious, Your Majesty." "Your Majesty, Jang Bogo has suppressed the pirates, and is conducting large-scale trading in Chunghae." "Is it true that merchants from China, Japan, and places as far away as Arabia gather at Chunghae to trade?" "Yes, Your Majesty." "Your Majesty, Jang Bogo has brought precious jewels from Arabia to present to you." "You may approach." "The nobles are as corrupt as they can be." "Rotten flesh can never become new flesh again." "I mean to forsake those corrupt nobles, and reinstate integrity to Shilla's imperial household." "I shall enlist your aid." "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I was once a slave." "How could such a lowly man come to your aid?" "I appoint Jang Bogo as consul of the Chunghae military base, and give him the authority to draft 10,000 soldiers." "Command your troops to thwart any pirates, and make Chunghae the center of commerce." "I will support you." "I will carry out your command with my heart and soul." "Consul of Chunghae Base?" "Consul?" "I have never heard of such a title." "Is there such a title?" "Jang Bogo was born a slave who can't have government posts." "That must be why His Majesty gave him such a title." "Chunghae is no longer under my jurisdiction." "His Majesty has presented Jang Bogo with the Emperor's Sword, and given him the authority to draft 10,000 soldiers." "How could he even give military power to a lowly slave?" "This is the Emperor's Sword?" "Lowly slaves from Chunghae entered the imperial city, and you were appointed consul of Chunghae Base." "No one can slight us for being slaves any longer." "His Majesty has made a very difficult decision." "It must have been an unimaginable decision, considering the conservative mindset of the imperial household." "You will come across many enemies who will try to thwart you." "You can no longer concentrate on business." "You must fight your political enemies as well." "The best way to serve His Majesty is to build" "Chunghae into the largest city of commerce." "Grand Chief." "Come in." "Do you recognize me?" "I am the deputy commander for the Mujinju governor." "What are you doing in the imperial city?" "The governor is also visiting the imperial city." "It is a letter from the governor." "Why did you ask to see me?" "Do you remember I asked you to indulge me in a match of archery when opportunity permitted?" "Yes." "Would you?" "You are an amazing archer, just as I have heard." "What do you think?" "Shall we say it was a draw?" "Your skills far exceed those of mine." "You are too kind." "I heard that His Majesty has appointed you consul of Chunghae Base." "His Majesty has torn down the limits of status, and appointed you as a consul." "You will face strong opposition from the nobles." "I expect as much." "If you'd join forces with me, I will become your eyes, and help you fend off your enemies, since you're ignorant when it comes to politics." "What do you want from me?" "You have great wealth and the authority to draft 10,000 soldiers." "Support me with your power." "I will not involve myself in the politics of the imperial city." "But you are already supporting Lord Kim Woo-jing." "You are mistaken." "The regent looks after me, but I have done nothing for him." "If you are looking for a supporter... you'd best pay a visit to Madam Jami." "I am certain her ambition will suit your needs." "Father!" "Father." "My lady!" "What's the fuss?" "Talk." "Did you hear?" "The world has turned upside down." "What are you talking about?" "Grand Chief Jang had an audience with the king and..." "He was given the title of consul, and the authority to draft 10,000 soldiers." "He will be governing Chunghae now." "Father." "Does this make sense?" "But Goong-bok's..." "I mean, Grand Chief Jang's status doesn't allow him to take such a post." "That's why I said the world has turned upside down." "This must be the most unconventional event in the history of Shilla." "Grand Chief Jang..." "I mean, Consul Jang, congratulations." "Congratulations." "Congratulations." "There are mountains of work to be done, in order to meet His Majesty's expectations." "I need your help." "You can count on it." "I will gladly be at your beck and call." "Now that you have taken on such an important responsibility, you must find a wife as well." "In order for a man to accomplish great things, he must find order in his life, and have a family." "You have found order in your life..." "It's time to start a family." "You shouldn't make Chae-ryung wait any longer." "I'm sure Master Sul will finally be able to rest in peace when you marry Chae-ryung." "I heard you had an audience with the king, and were given a great responsibility." "Congratulations." "If we had maintained our relationship, you might never have accomplished" "such a great feat." "I am glad I abandoned my feelings for you." "Why would you say such things when my heart has not changed one bit?" "No, in order for you to accomplish great things, you must not be bound by personal feelings." "You are no longer the man I once held in my heart." "You are now the man who must do great things for the starving people of Chunghae, and for the oppressed people of Shilla." "I couldn't wish for anything else, if I can be of any help to you even from a distance." "Again, my congratulations to you." "Get moving, you punk." "Untie him." "Yes, sir."