Korea-Khitan War (고려거란전쟁)

(This drama is based on historical events,)

(but some details may be different from historical facts.)

(Production guidelines were strictly followed when filming with animals.)

Where is your king right now?

He is in the far south.

Why is he there...

when he is desperate to meet me?

Even though he is determined to visit Khitan,

why will he not come to Gaegyeong?

You are ridiculing me until the very end.

You are insulting me with a diplomatic letter...

that will end up being a lie.

Your Majesty!

Lock this man up this instant.

And...

get ready to go to war.

Advance southwards!

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

(Ha Gong Jin, Left Director of State Affairs)

It seems that the Khitan army has decided to advance southwards.

The soldiers in the Khitan army camp are packing to get ready to go to war,

and Khitan's scouts...

are reconnoitering the routes south of Gaegyeong.

(Yang Kyu, Northwest Temporary Government Officer)

They have made...

a foolish decision after all.

We must make a push for Gaegyeong first.

If we do not,

they will destroy every piece of land south of Gaegyeong,

and hundreds of thousands of people could become the enemy's captives.

We will stay where we are.

Officer Yang!

We cannot subdue the Khitan army for they greatly outnumber us.

If we recklessly launch an attack on them and end up failing,

Goryeo will lose all hope.

We will stay where we are...

and stick to the plan.

They will have to cross the Yalu River eventually.

That is when we will attack them.

If they advance southwards...

and hurt the people in the southern regions too,

we must make them pay for that as well. Do you all understand?

- Yes, Officer Yang. - Yes, Officer Yang.

How much more time do you need to ensure the army is fully prepared?

We should be able to start advancing southwards in about 7 to 8 days.

Urge the soldiers to pick up the pace.

Yes, Your Majesty.

What brings you here?

I am here for an audience with His Majesty.

Leave at once.

His Majesty has ordered us not to let you in, Commander.

Your time has come to an end.

From now on, I will lead the Khitan army. Do you understand?

- Empress. - Yes, Your Majesty.

You should go separately from now on.

"Go separately?" What do you mean?

Go to the town where your maternal relatives live.

You will be safe there.

- Your Majesty. - We do not know what could happen...

if you were to come with me.

You could be captured by the Khitan army.

Other regional lords might attack us as well.

No, I refuse.

I cannot do that.

I implore you. Please do it for me.

I...

do not have the strength to protect you.

Your Majesty.

- Court Lady Jung. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Please take good care of my empress.

I am sorry.

Please...

be safe.

Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - You should all...

take off your uniforms too.

Remove the armor too.

We will walk as if we are commoners fleeing the war.

Then no one will recognize us.

Your Majesty, I will protect you.

Then more innocent lives will be lost.

Go on. Take it off at once.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Now.

I will survive.

I will survive and return to Gaegyeong.

Your Majesty, please allow me to carry you on my back.

There is no need. Let us go.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty!

Lead the way.

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

- Are you all right? - Are you all right?

I am all right.

Let us support each other as we cross the river.

Come now.

Are you all right?

I am much obliged, Your Majesty.

Let us make haste.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

That place over there is Gongju.

I will engrave this hardship in my heart...

and overcome it...

at any cost.

(Kim Eun Boo, Provincial Governor of Gongju)

Father looks dispirited.

You are right.

I have never seen him so downhearted before.

Governor Kim, His Majesty is on his way.

- Gosh, Your Majesty. - Your Majesty?

- Are you all right? - I am fine.

Your Majesty. Muster up your strength for just a little longer.

We are nearly there.

Lead the way.

- Take good care of His Majesty. - Understood.

Your Majesty.

The Provincial Governor is here.

Welcome, Your Majesty.

I am the Provincial Governor of Gongju, Kim Eun Boo.

I see.

So you are the Provincial Governor.

It is nice to meet you.

Your Majesty. Why are you in such clothes?

There were some reasons.

(Provincial Governor of Gongju's Government Office)

I cannot remember the last time...

I had a proper meal like this.

You are right.

The Provincial Governor is the only reliable man.

Refrain from drinking.

We must leave soon.

I only had a sniff of it.

That is the least I can do, no?

They are my family.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Right. Thank you all...

for welcoming me.

Sentries have been stationed as far as 50 ri outside.

They will inform us the moment the Khitan soldiers arrive.

So please stay the night.

No. I must leave again.

Your Majesty. Please do stay.

You have walked for days.

If you keep going, you might fall gravely ill.

Please look after yourself.

Prepare a bath and a bedroom at once.

He must relax as soon as possible.

Yes, my lord.

Let us go.

Maybe because he is royalty, he is truly handsome.

If possible,

I would like to attend to him as he bathes.

And when he holds out his hand,

I can spend the night with him.

What was that? You are unbelievable.

How come? It is not bad, is it?

Do you not know that nobody...

can mistreat the woman His Majesty has made love to?

Authority-wise,

she is more powerful than a provincial governor.

Are you saying you will live alone while longing for Gaegyeong...

simply for that power?

Nobody said I would do that forever.

If he does not summon me to the palace,

I will meet another man and marry him.

That is easier said than done.

Who will easily accept a woman...

His Majesty has bedded as his wife?

You will either become the wife of an ignorant and foolish man...

or become a Buddhist nun.

If you understand, fill the tub without a word.

What does that mean?

Let you into His Majesty's chamber?

Did you not say the daughter had been offered...

to the family's important guest since the early days?

And if that guest accepted the daughter,

he and the house head...

would form a strong political bond.

I do know that.

But why would you suggest it first?

Did you not get furious whenever that topic was brought up?

You said selling off a daughter to gain the powerful's favor...

was a disgraceful act.

I no longer think like that.

- Let me in his chamber. - My dear.

Allow me to go inside.

Father is too upright...

to think of such an offering.

Mother.

I would like to help Father.

I want to get chosen by His Majesty...

and give Father a chance to achieve his wish.

Are you...

determined to do it?

Yes.

Please inform the Eunuch in secret.

As it is an old custom,

he will not be opposed to it.

Has your fatigue been relieved?