Gyebaek (계백)

Gye Baek

Episode 23

I saw you meet Kim Eui a few nights ago.

Why did you meet such a dangerous man?

Do you think I met Kim Eui because I like him?

We have received countless petitions asking you to punish Commissioner Eun Go.

She did all of this to protect you.

What do you mean?

You're here in this place because she met Kim Eui and compromised with the nobles.

His Majesty gave orders for us to arrest Commissioner Eun Go!

Scoundrels! Touch her and die.

Don't be reckless.

- Arrest the Commissioner! - Yes, sir!

Episode 23

She managed to expand her influence in such a short time! Impudent wench!

Your Majesty, we haven't found any evidence that indicates the Commissioner accepted the bribes directly.

But such allegations against her uncle were found to be true.

The nobles allowed her to have power over them and to influence the Noble Assembly!

It's as if the Sataek family has emerged yet again!

Guard!

Your Majesty?

Arrest everyone from the Mok family and seize all the nobles who offered the bribes!

Yes, Your Majesty!

Seize everyone!

Why are you doing this?

- Get him! - Yes, sir!

I've done nothing wrong! I only followed the orders given by Commissioner Eun Go!

I only did what I was told!

So this is how it unfolds! I knew this would happen to Eun Go!

I didn't like it when she compromised with the nobles.

This all happened because she was trying to save Gye Baek.

She should have looked for another way! How could she have made this mess!

In any case, Miss Eun Go is our comrade and she is the woman Gye Baek loves.

We must find a way to save her.

I want to save her too! I just hated it when she wanted to work with the nobles!

The punishment for the crime of corruption is 100 strokes of the cane and exile to an island.

She would not be able to survive the punishment.

If they also accuse her of turning a blind eye to crime, she may receive the death penalty too.

There is no evidence that she accepted the bribes.

If she denies knowing about her uncle's actions, she will only be guilty by association.

If we go this route, there will be a way to save her.

- You're right. - Are you discussing how to save Commissioner Eun Go?

Your Highness!

The two of you are His Highness' trusted advisors!

How dare you defend such a woman!

The Commissioner used her relationship with His Highness to wield power!

I saw her ask His Highness to appoint someone from the Sataek family as the Prime Minister!

Are you telling me that this isn't a crime?

If such a woman is allowed to be around His Highness, she will surely cause his downfall!

- Your Highness, please calm down. - Please do not be so angry.

No, I will not stand for this.

I have already met His Majesty to ask him to give her the harshest punishment under the law.

Do not meddle in this matter.

You may be His Highness' trusted advisors, but I will not forgive you if you do!

Your Majesty...

What brings you here?

I was the one who watched the Mok household.

I know the situation better than anyone.

Commissioner Eun Go has done nothing wrong.

Her crime is simply that she's related to Lord Mok.

Are you suggesting that I am accusing her of this crime despite my knowledge of her innocence?

- Your Majesty... - This is not your business.

I am going to be personally involved in the investigation.

Your Majesty, I beg you!

Please forgive Commissioner Eun Go!

You must owe her a debt seeing how desperate you are to save her.

Did you ask her to meet with the nobles?

Did you ask her to try and achieve a favorable vote for you at the Noble Assembly?

Your Majesty, I did no such thing.

But if I am the cause of this, I will take full responsibility.

I will give my resignation and leave. Please forgive the Commissioner.

I don't want to hear it!

The investigation will yield the truth. I will make my decision then.

Leave me.

- Your Majesty. - Are you here to say the same thing as Gye Baek?

Please be lenient in your punishment.

The Commissioner is a loyal subject who helped us defeat the Sataek family.

Even if she is guilty, it would not be right to give her a harsh punishment.

Is it not a king's duty to point out the mistakes of his vassals but render mercy as well?

Is that the only reason you are defending her?

I know how you feel about her.

But that is precisely why she felt confident in flaunting her power and influence.

You are also responsible for everything that has happened.

Your Majesty...

It is my opinion that if we allow this to continue, the Mok family will become the new Sataek family.

Undesirable weeds must be pulled out by the roots!

Eun Go...

Your Highness...

His Majesty will be interrogating you. He is furious and I cannot change his mind.

You must insist that you knew nothing of your uncle's crimes. That is the only way you will avoid execution.

Your Highness, I can't do that.

Eun Go!

My uncle and the rest of my relatives returned to Sabi because of me.

Even if they are guilty, it is my duty to defend and protect them.

I cannot ignore them just because I want to live.

But your life is in jeopardy!

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Are you sure about this?

No. I will save you.

I swear it.

Hear me, Commissioner Eun Go.

I had high regard for your talents and appointed you Commissioner of the City Prefecture.

But you grew greedy for power and engaged in power dealings with the nobles.

You shirked your duties!

This is considered high treason.

- Do you acknowledge this? - Yes, Your Majesty!

I am responsible for everything. I will accept my due punishment!

- You acknowledge all the accusations? - Yes.

So please! I beg you to let my family go!

My family lost their honor because of a made up charge.

Everything was taken away from them but their lives! Please!

Please consider this in your judgment!

I will take full responsibility for everything!

You will take full responsibility?

Yes, Your Majesty!

That cannot be allowed.

This is evidence that members of the Mok family received bribes from the nobles.

You are one of the Crown Prince's advisors, but you used that power recklessly.

If I allow this to continue, you will bring harm to the Crown Prince when he takes over the throne.

- Your Majesty! - I will use you as an example to others.

Record the Commissioner's confession and carry out the punishment against the Mok family!

Yes, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! Please have mercy on the Mok family!

Your Majesty!

- What happened? - Miss Eun Go's uncle was executed.

What?

The rest of the Mok family has been exiled. They can never set foot in Sabi again.

This isn't good. Our trade clan isn't going to be safe either.

Who is responsible for this trade clan?

I am the manager here.

Because the Chief of your trade clan is guilty of accepting bribes, the fine is three times the accepted amount.

This trade clan is hereby closed and disbanded. You will all leave Sabi at once.

Carry it out!

I said it hurts! Stop touching me!

I feel like my back's breaking!

That needle is too small to be effective!

What are you saying? I can't even turn my head!

It really hurts...!

Fix him in one shot!

That's why I called the physician! Acupuncture will...

Why are you holding a sword?

- That's not a needle, that's a sword! - That's a needle!

- This needle does make it better faster. - Wait! Wait...

Wow, I feel better already! It doesn't hurt anymore. You can go now.

- But you just said your back felt like it was broken! - Yes, well, it did.

But once I saw the needle... Wait, that's a sword.

My bones decided to bond together so now my back isn't broken anymore.

So I don't acupuncture anymore. Physician, you may leave.

Are you sure? You should still get acupuncture...

That's not acupuncture! You're going to stab me with that sword!

When I shouted, that hurt. So go. Go and take that box of swords with you.

Go! Run if you can!

Why did you bring a swordsman? I need a physician!

- Sir Dokgae! - What is it now?

You know the man we spied on? He was arrested! They took his entire family in too!

That means we did our job well!

That's right! I'm sure he was a corrupt nobleman!

I'm sure we did exactly what we were meant to do!

Does that mean we're going to be appointed officials?

How foolish you are. You should dream bigger!

We won't be just any officials, but Royal Investigators because nobles fear us!

That means we'll be in the money!

We'll be rich!

- Finally, we can make an honest living! - That's right!

- Wait, we have a problem. - What?

- Brother Gye Baek told us to watch the money. - That's right.

But I think we're missing some.

Maybe you're missing some brains. Missing what?

Sir Dokgae, did you...?

Wait! Daesu, when you come closer, my back hurts again!

I'm going to go and look for the physician.

Just stay here and go to sleep. Oh, my back.

That hurts. My back really hurts.

Wait wait, what is it? I'm not well, you know.

- Be gentle. - Shake him!

Shake him well!

What... what's that...?

What is that? Who does it belong to?

Did you drop it?

Government officials? That's the end of that.

Miss...

Miss...

Are you happy now?

Are you satisfied now that my family has paid the price?

Miss...

I'm so upset with you.

You did this because you didn't doubt my innocence?

But if I had been in your shoes, I would never have done this to you.

Even if you and your family were guilty,

I would have tried to save you first!

Please forgive me, Miss...

This is all my fault.

It's too late.

It's all over already.

No! I'll get you out of there.

Get me out of here?

You destroyed my family and my trade clan.

I've lost everything! How am I supposed to live?

If I lose you, I'll die too.

I feel like I'm having a nightmare.