Post by ajk on Jul 29, 2008 15:05:08 GMT -5
"Discreetly investigate prime minister Shim On." Taejong is speaking privately to former prime minister Yu Jeonghyun, who's now in the inspector general's office. "Twenty years of political career--no one is clean if you dig deep enough." Taejong has it in for Shim--but why?
We see So Sadamori, lord of Tsushima Island, on a ship with two others alongside it. First we see him go to Ikishima Island (so subtitled, but I believe the correct reference is Iki Island, a small Japanese island not far from Tsushima (Ikishima is much farther away)): "Joseon sees us as nothing more than a mob of pirates. Let us not tolerate their humiliation!"...Then on to Hizen Province (a former Japanese coastal province containing the city of Nagasaki): "We cannot betray our brothers; let us unite!"...Then to Matsuura (a coastal community north of Nagasaki): "Let us come together and show them our strength!" He's traveling the western end of Japan, trying to muster support for Tsushima in the building conflict with Joseon (and doing a pretty good job of it, it appears.) (Note: These areas, along with Tsushima, were major bases for the Japanese Wako pirates.)
Sejong reiterates to Yun Hwe that he wants to seek a diplomatic solution even though a war is looming. Yun tells him he'll infiltrate the island and get information as planned, despite the danger. This stresses Sejong: "The throne makes a man turn cruel," he says; Yun wants to enter "a tiger's den" and I can't tell you not to go. Yun points out that if he does go, his absence will be noticed, so "arrangements must be made."
Sejong announces to his ministers that he's sending special assessors to each of the eight provinces to help calm unrest from the famine.
Naval base on the south coast: Yi Chun and Gang Sangin realize that the spies whom Yun Hwe had been training don't seem to be around any more and that Yun Hwe has been assigned to Donglae on the south coast (apparently that's the town where the naval base is) as special assessor to Gyeongsang province. They put the pieces together.
Nighttime: Yun Hwe is sneaking out with his spies, apparently to leave for Tsushima. Gang and a company of soldiers intercept them. Where do you think you're going at this time of night? Busss-ted. Gang orders Yun taken to the local city hall.
So Sadamori tells his council, "We must identify all naval bases in Joseon, so that we can destroy their ships and prevent their attack." So Shun reports that Pyoung Mahngo will be sending "valuable information to us very soon."
Donglae, Gyeongsang Province: Tsushima spies are infiltrating, led by Pyoung Mahngo. But they're spotted! Joseon soldiers give chase. In the local Japanese ethnic village, an intense sword battle breaks out. Gang is informed and he and Yun rush to the scene. Mahngo manages to flee from the battle; So Shun finds him hiding (he must not have been hiding very well!) and leads him to safety. Back in the Japanese village, the spies have been killed. They're identified as residents of the village. As the bodies are examined Yun Hwe spots an envelope lying on the ground. It was dropped by Mahngo in the chaos. Yun opens it up and examines the contents; his eyes just about bug out.
Yun asks Gang, "Are you sure Tsushima is inferior to us?" The information that they had gathered reflects a sophisticated operation, far beyond anything that a bunch of "crude pirates" could have pulled off. And there must be an insider helping them, Yun concludes. He worries that the previous military action against the Japanese pirates, led by Goryeo general Park Wi thirty years earlier, may lead Joseon to underestimate what it faces now.
Gang seems to relent a bit about Yun carrying out the spy mission (which would take place outside of Taejong's military authority). But Yun tells him that he won't do it now anyway because "We have a bigger problem to deal with," namely, what happens if and when Taejong finds out about all of this? Are you going to tell him about it?, he asks Gang. "It is the former king's forte to burn down the house to get rid of a mouse," Yun explains, so he'll likely wipe out the entire village if you report the spies. So what's the answer? Neither of them knows what to do. Then Yun asks gang, "What would you do as a warrior of Joseon?"
Gang and his troops go to the home of Pyoung Dojeon, Mahngo's father. He accuses Dojeon of selling info to Tsushima. It must be you, Gang says; "There is no one else." Pyoung says he's innocent, and as Gang draws his sword and waves it menacingly, he reminds Gang that he's a first deputy commander and an advisor to Taejong on the planned conquest, so Gang had better not lay a hand on him. Gang tells him, "You're a dead man once I find proof." And he and the soldiers leave.
Inside, Dojeon is with Mahngo. "Answer me," the father demands. "Why did you do it?" Seemingly without conscience, Mahngo answers matter-of-factly, "Gambling debt." The son won't even speak Joseonese; he's speaking Japanese, which angers Dojeon and sets off an argument. Mahngo won't accept his Joseonese citizenship; he wants to live as a Japanese. Dojeon tells his son, "You can't live as a Japanese, because I am a traitor. I betrayed my country, caused great pains, and finally settled down here as Joseonese. I can't be a traitor again. I'm too old for that now." Mahngo, frustrated, stomps out.
Flashback to Ep40, Sejong asking Gang Sangin what he thinks of the conquest plan because "I trust your judgment."...Another flashback to Ep40, Taejong first telling Gang, "You're a leader of the military. When will you stop acting like my footservant?" but then saying, "I do need someone who will be my hands and feet."...Flashbacks ending, we see Gang alone in a darkened office. He's weighted down by the conflicting directions he's being pulled in and doesn't know what to do. He sits alone for a long time. We've known him as a warrior; it's strange to see him sitting there thinking like this. Finally, though, his eyes sharpen and his face shows resolve.
Yun Hwe has rushed back to the capital, and in the Hall of Worthies building tells Sejong that Gang has reached the capital ahead of him and presumably reported events to Taejong. Both men are very troubled by the situation...but then Gang walks into the room. "This is my answer." He's brought with him two objects which look like white medals and are identified as "ivory tablet and plum tablet" (the ribbons attached to the medals are colored ivory and plum); they're symbols of military authority and Gang has somehow gotten them from Taejong's possession and brought them to Sejong. He wants to take his orders from Sejong, he says. We see Gim Mun (Jo Malseng's plant) listening from outside the room as Gang explains that many of the residents of the Japanese village have lived there for a long time; some have married Joseonese spouses and have had children. "The spies must be captured at all cost," Gang says, "but I don't want innocent people to die. That is my decision as a warrior." At that moment Yu Jeonghyun, Jo Malseng and a group of soldiers bursts into the room and arrests Gang for high treason. "Only the former king an issue military orders," Jo reminds everyone. Gang is taken away.
"Sangin, that bastard! Why? How could he?" Taejong is shaking with rage.
Nighttime in a courtyard; Gang, tied up, is brought before Taejong. Taejong orders him untied and orders everyone else sent away. Then he takes a sword from Noh Huibong and tosses it at Gang's feet. "Pick up the sword and aim it at my enemy. You have been the sword that protected me from my enemy for the last thirty years. From the day I helped my father found this state to today, my sword has not been dry. If I had to choose one man who put more blood on his sword than I put on mine, it would be you. You eagerly went after my enemy before even had to ask, and you stayed behind on the battlefield even after I was safely out of danger, making sure no one would come after me. You would never betray me--you don't have it in you to betray me. So pick up that sword and strike the man who dare ordered you to betray me!" Silence as they stare at each other. Finally, Gang picks up the sword and offers it back to Taejong. "I was not acting under anyone's orders. I took the symbols of authority to the new king of my own accord, so if my action enrages you, this time you must strike me." Taejong takes the sword back and unsheathes it. "Why? What's the reason? Why have you become defiant toward me as well?" Gang boldly answers, "Must I live my whole life as your footservant?" Taejong, taken aback, asks Gang, "Do you wish to die?" "Death would be a better option. I want to live as a faithful servant of Joseon, not as your footservant. Does that make you so angry?" Obviously it does, because a furious Taejong winds up to strike with the sword...and unwinds. He can't do it. "You lost your last chance," he tells Gang, and walks away.
Walking back home, Taejong is clearly devastated. Sejong and his retinue find him; they're holding the symbols of authority to return to him. Taejong tells Sejong to go away and leave him alone, as a father to a son--"So do not disobey me!"
Taejong is alone at home...Flashback to Ep1, the scene with Taejong and Gang Sangin, showing Gang's loyalty to the king and the king's trust in and concern for Gang...Flashback ending: "Is Sangin the last one? I've lost everything. I have nothing more to lose...So now I have nothing to fear." That last part had an ominous tone about it. Has all of this caused Taejong to snap?
The next day: Park Eun is before Taejong. "Do you know why I called you?" Park is presented with an envelope. Inside is something that stuns him. Taejong asks, "Can you do it? Isn't this the kind of work you do best? You can tell royal inspector Yu Jeonghyun as well. He can stop his investigation of prime minister Shim On." Park can't believe it: "Must you go this route?" Taejong wants no argument: "Should I have your head first?" Then he backs Park into a corner: "Your crime is treason. You may have chosen the new king yourselves, but that does not mean you can control him. From men like Shim On who will go to the extreme to get into the king's good graces to ride his coattails, to men like you who dare think they can dominate the king. They are all the king's enemy. The choice is yours. Will you be the prosecutor who wraps up this important work, or will you accept the punishment of death?" No answer; Park isn't volunteering for the latter. Then he orders Park to go to the tribunal for Gang Sangin's interrogation. And as he leaves, "One more thing. Pick a dupe that will go down with him. Gang Sangin will not break easily."
We see defense minister Park Seup placed under arrest.
Park and Gang are brought into the torture yard and tortured, before Park and Yu. Park Eun tries to get the two to "admit" that Shim On is orchestrating a plot to seize military authority from Taejong. After excruciating torture, Seup tells them what they want to hear, in order to save his life: "Shim On is behind it all."
Wongyeong and Hyobin are sitting together, apparently both on the same side of the issue. Wongyeong works her worry beads in her hand; Hyobin asks, "Isn't there any way to stop him?" No answer.
Queen Soheon (finally we're told her queen name) is visited by her mother, Lady Ahn. Not suprisingly, she's very frightened. "Why is this happening to us?" Don't worry, the queen says; father will be all right. She speaks calmly and she projects reassurance to her mother, but we see her fist clench (which we've never seen before from her).
In the Ming capital: Shim On and his party are preparing to leave. Huang Yan is there to see him off. Shim tells him, "Thank you very much, venerable sir. I will never forget your great help in acquiring the investiture decrees." Smiling broadly, Huang tells him that the emperor merely accepted the king that heaven decreed for Joseon. Then he says, "The new king has always been very diligent and fond of learning, so I can imagine how assiduous he will be in state affairs." Huang is happy as a clam--what a nice guy! And wishes them a safe trip home. This is hardly the obstructionist, egotistical pain in the butt we saw in earlier episodes. Obviously he's very pleased that prince Choongnyeong was chosen to be king (which isn't all that surprising).
Park Eun is right in the face of a suffering Gang Sangin: "It's Shim On, right?" But Gang won't crack, and bravely tells Park, "You should be ashamed of yourself. Are you going to be the former king's puppet forever?" Park promptly orders the torture resumed.
Sejong and Yun Hwe are alone in the Hall of Worthies. Yun, clearly burdened, tells his king, "I have to go. This happened because of me. There's got to be something I can do." Sejong tells him to just go home, but Yun won't: "I can't let him die like this. I'm going to the tribunal." What do you think you can do, the king challenges; "render Gang Sangin's conviction meaningless and die with him? He has wagered his life because he has found something he wants to protect," that is, the ethnic Japanese living in the Japanese village. "And you're trying to render that meaningless." Yun argues, "But he has become a target. If Gang Sangin should die because of this...and if heaven forbid prime minister..." Sejong interrupts him: "It is my duty to protect my subjects, secretary Yun. You are to return to your home and practice prudence and restraint. It is an order as your king. If you attempt to defy this order, be prepared to be punished by death." Sejong has tears in his eyes as he says it, but he lays down the law like we haven't seen him do before.
Leaving the hall, Sejong finds his wife outside waiting for him. Surprising him, she falls to her knees: "My father would never do this. Never...He would never...So please. Protect him, your majesty. Please tell me you can protect him." She's completely rattled and frightened; we've never seen her like this before. But he can't offer her anything and so just keeps walking, leaving her kneeling there as she starts to cry.
Sejong goes to see his father. "Are you here to change my mind?" "I want to protect my servant." "Do you think you can break me?" Sejong answers with apparent sincerity, "Is there a way? If there is, I'd like to request your teaching, father." Unwavering, Taejong tells him, "Only a strong leader can protect his men. And to be a strong leader, you must teach your men absolute loyalty with an iron hand. That is your lesson, my king." Unsatisfied, Sejong asks, "What if I cannot appreciate the lesson and reject it? What then?" Taejong glares and says, slowly, "Then more of your men will be lost."
Nighttime: the torture continues. Confess, Park presses, but Gang, who by now can barely talk, says, "Just me. Won't you end this with me alone. Don't take any more faithful men from the king." With that, he collapses and can't be revived. We can see this wearing down Park, but not so much that he can't get done what he needs. "Get his fingerprint stamp," he orders. They take Gang's hand and apply his fingerprint to a pre-written confession.
Taejong reviews Gang's "confession." He only mutters, "Bastard."
Gang is removed from the torture yard and taken (presumably) back to his cell. Two men are carrying him because he can't walk. They pass by Sejong, who stares at Gang with pity. Gang regains consciousness, and as the two men stare at each other, we hear their thoughts to each other. Gang: "Forgive me for not being able to serve you for a longer time, your majesty." (So he thinks he'll be dead soon.) Sejong: "Your loyalty will always be treasured in my heart. Gang Sangin, you are my faithful servant."
We see So Sadamori, lord of Tsushima Island, on a ship with two others alongside it. First we see him go to Ikishima Island (so subtitled, but I believe the correct reference is Iki Island, a small Japanese island not far from Tsushima (Ikishima is much farther away)): "Joseon sees us as nothing more than a mob of pirates. Let us not tolerate their humiliation!"...Then on to Hizen Province (a former Japanese coastal province containing the city of Nagasaki): "We cannot betray our brothers; let us unite!"...Then to Matsuura (a coastal community north of Nagasaki): "Let us come together and show them our strength!" He's traveling the western end of Japan, trying to muster support for Tsushima in the building conflict with Joseon (and doing a pretty good job of it, it appears.) (Note: These areas, along with Tsushima, were major bases for the Japanese Wako pirates.)
Sejong reiterates to Yun Hwe that he wants to seek a diplomatic solution even though a war is looming. Yun tells him he'll infiltrate the island and get information as planned, despite the danger. This stresses Sejong: "The throne makes a man turn cruel," he says; Yun wants to enter "a tiger's den" and I can't tell you not to go. Yun points out that if he does go, his absence will be noticed, so "arrangements must be made."
Sejong announces to his ministers that he's sending special assessors to each of the eight provinces to help calm unrest from the famine.
Naval base on the south coast: Yi Chun and Gang Sangin realize that the spies whom Yun Hwe had been training don't seem to be around any more and that Yun Hwe has been assigned to Donglae on the south coast (apparently that's the town where the naval base is) as special assessor to Gyeongsang province. They put the pieces together.
Nighttime: Yun Hwe is sneaking out with his spies, apparently to leave for Tsushima. Gang and a company of soldiers intercept them. Where do you think you're going at this time of night? Busss-ted. Gang orders Yun taken to the local city hall.
So Sadamori tells his council, "We must identify all naval bases in Joseon, so that we can destroy their ships and prevent their attack." So Shun reports that Pyoung Mahngo will be sending "valuable information to us very soon."
Donglae, Gyeongsang Province: Tsushima spies are infiltrating, led by Pyoung Mahngo. But they're spotted! Joseon soldiers give chase. In the local Japanese ethnic village, an intense sword battle breaks out. Gang is informed and he and Yun rush to the scene. Mahngo manages to flee from the battle; So Shun finds him hiding (he must not have been hiding very well!) and leads him to safety. Back in the Japanese village, the spies have been killed. They're identified as residents of the village. As the bodies are examined Yun Hwe spots an envelope lying on the ground. It was dropped by Mahngo in the chaos. Yun opens it up and examines the contents; his eyes just about bug out.
Yun asks Gang, "Are you sure Tsushima is inferior to us?" The information that they had gathered reflects a sophisticated operation, far beyond anything that a bunch of "crude pirates" could have pulled off. And there must be an insider helping them, Yun concludes. He worries that the previous military action against the Japanese pirates, led by Goryeo general Park Wi thirty years earlier, may lead Joseon to underestimate what it faces now.
Gang seems to relent a bit about Yun carrying out the spy mission (which would take place outside of Taejong's military authority). But Yun tells him that he won't do it now anyway because "We have a bigger problem to deal with," namely, what happens if and when Taejong finds out about all of this? Are you going to tell him about it?, he asks Gang. "It is the former king's forte to burn down the house to get rid of a mouse," Yun explains, so he'll likely wipe out the entire village if you report the spies. So what's the answer? Neither of them knows what to do. Then Yun asks gang, "What would you do as a warrior of Joseon?"
Gang and his troops go to the home of Pyoung Dojeon, Mahngo's father. He accuses Dojeon of selling info to Tsushima. It must be you, Gang says; "There is no one else." Pyoung says he's innocent, and as Gang draws his sword and waves it menacingly, he reminds Gang that he's a first deputy commander and an advisor to Taejong on the planned conquest, so Gang had better not lay a hand on him. Gang tells him, "You're a dead man once I find proof." And he and the soldiers leave.
Inside, Dojeon is with Mahngo. "Answer me," the father demands. "Why did you do it?" Seemingly without conscience, Mahngo answers matter-of-factly, "Gambling debt." The son won't even speak Joseonese; he's speaking Japanese, which angers Dojeon and sets off an argument. Mahngo won't accept his Joseonese citizenship; he wants to live as a Japanese. Dojeon tells his son, "You can't live as a Japanese, because I am a traitor. I betrayed my country, caused great pains, and finally settled down here as Joseonese. I can't be a traitor again. I'm too old for that now." Mahngo, frustrated, stomps out.
Flashback to Ep40, Sejong asking Gang Sangin what he thinks of the conquest plan because "I trust your judgment."...Another flashback to Ep40, Taejong first telling Gang, "You're a leader of the military. When will you stop acting like my footservant?" but then saying, "I do need someone who will be my hands and feet."...Flashbacks ending, we see Gang alone in a darkened office. He's weighted down by the conflicting directions he's being pulled in and doesn't know what to do. He sits alone for a long time. We've known him as a warrior; it's strange to see him sitting there thinking like this. Finally, though, his eyes sharpen and his face shows resolve.
Yun Hwe has rushed back to the capital, and in the Hall of Worthies building tells Sejong that Gang has reached the capital ahead of him and presumably reported events to Taejong. Both men are very troubled by the situation...but then Gang walks into the room. "This is my answer." He's brought with him two objects which look like white medals and are identified as "ivory tablet and plum tablet" (the ribbons attached to the medals are colored ivory and plum); they're symbols of military authority and Gang has somehow gotten them from Taejong's possession and brought them to Sejong. He wants to take his orders from Sejong, he says. We see Gim Mun (Jo Malseng's plant) listening from outside the room as Gang explains that many of the residents of the Japanese village have lived there for a long time; some have married Joseonese spouses and have had children. "The spies must be captured at all cost," Gang says, "but I don't want innocent people to die. That is my decision as a warrior." At that moment Yu Jeonghyun, Jo Malseng and a group of soldiers bursts into the room and arrests Gang for high treason. "Only the former king an issue military orders," Jo reminds everyone. Gang is taken away.
"Sangin, that bastard! Why? How could he?" Taejong is shaking with rage.
Nighttime in a courtyard; Gang, tied up, is brought before Taejong. Taejong orders him untied and orders everyone else sent away. Then he takes a sword from Noh Huibong and tosses it at Gang's feet. "Pick up the sword and aim it at my enemy. You have been the sword that protected me from my enemy for the last thirty years. From the day I helped my father found this state to today, my sword has not been dry. If I had to choose one man who put more blood on his sword than I put on mine, it would be you. You eagerly went after my enemy before even had to ask, and you stayed behind on the battlefield even after I was safely out of danger, making sure no one would come after me. You would never betray me--you don't have it in you to betray me. So pick up that sword and strike the man who dare ordered you to betray me!" Silence as they stare at each other. Finally, Gang picks up the sword and offers it back to Taejong. "I was not acting under anyone's orders. I took the symbols of authority to the new king of my own accord, so if my action enrages you, this time you must strike me." Taejong takes the sword back and unsheathes it. "Why? What's the reason? Why have you become defiant toward me as well?" Gang boldly answers, "Must I live my whole life as your footservant?" Taejong, taken aback, asks Gang, "Do you wish to die?" "Death would be a better option. I want to live as a faithful servant of Joseon, not as your footservant. Does that make you so angry?" Obviously it does, because a furious Taejong winds up to strike with the sword...and unwinds. He can't do it. "You lost your last chance," he tells Gang, and walks away.
Walking back home, Taejong is clearly devastated. Sejong and his retinue find him; they're holding the symbols of authority to return to him. Taejong tells Sejong to go away and leave him alone, as a father to a son--"So do not disobey me!"
Taejong is alone at home...Flashback to Ep1, the scene with Taejong and Gang Sangin, showing Gang's loyalty to the king and the king's trust in and concern for Gang...Flashback ending: "Is Sangin the last one? I've lost everything. I have nothing more to lose...So now I have nothing to fear." That last part had an ominous tone about it. Has all of this caused Taejong to snap?
The next day: Park Eun is before Taejong. "Do you know why I called you?" Park is presented with an envelope. Inside is something that stuns him. Taejong asks, "Can you do it? Isn't this the kind of work you do best? You can tell royal inspector Yu Jeonghyun as well. He can stop his investigation of prime minister Shim On." Park can't believe it: "Must you go this route?" Taejong wants no argument: "Should I have your head first?" Then he backs Park into a corner: "Your crime is treason. You may have chosen the new king yourselves, but that does not mean you can control him. From men like Shim On who will go to the extreme to get into the king's good graces to ride his coattails, to men like you who dare think they can dominate the king. They are all the king's enemy. The choice is yours. Will you be the prosecutor who wraps up this important work, or will you accept the punishment of death?" No answer; Park isn't volunteering for the latter. Then he orders Park to go to the tribunal for Gang Sangin's interrogation. And as he leaves, "One more thing. Pick a dupe that will go down with him. Gang Sangin will not break easily."
We see defense minister Park Seup placed under arrest.
Park and Gang are brought into the torture yard and tortured, before Park and Yu. Park Eun tries to get the two to "admit" that Shim On is orchestrating a plot to seize military authority from Taejong. After excruciating torture, Seup tells them what they want to hear, in order to save his life: "Shim On is behind it all."
Wongyeong and Hyobin are sitting together, apparently both on the same side of the issue. Wongyeong works her worry beads in her hand; Hyobin asks, "Isn't there any way to stop him?" No answer.
Queen Soheon (finally we're told her queen name) is visited by her mother, Lady Ahn. Not suprisingly, she's very frightened. "Why is this happening to us?" Don't worry, the queen says; father will be all right. She speaks calmly and she projects reassurance to her mother, but we see her fist clench (which we've never seen before from her).
In the Ming capital: Shim On and his party are preparing to leave. Huang Yan is there to see him off. Shim tells him, "Thank you very much, venerable sir. I will never forget your great help in acquiring the investiture decrees." Smiling broadly, Huang tells him that the emperor merely accepted the king that heaven decreed for Joseon. Then he says, "The new king has always been very diligent and fond of learning, so I can imagine how assiduous he will be in state affairs." Huang is happy as a clam--what a nice guy! And wishes them a safe trip home. This is hardly the obstructionist, egotistical pain in the butt we saw in earlier episodes. Obviously he's very pleased that prince Choongnyeong was chosen to be king (which isn't all that surprising).
Park Eun is right in the face of a suffering Gang Sangin: "It's Shim On, right?" But Gang won't crack, and bravely tells Park, "You should be ashamed of yourself. Are you going to be the former king's puppet forever?" Park promptly orders the torture resumed.
Sejong and Yun Hwe are alone in the Hall of Worthies. Yun, clearly burdened, tells his king, "I have to go. This happened because of me. There's got to be something I can do." Sejong tells him to just go home, but Yun won't: "I can't let him die like this. I'm going to the tribunal." What do you think you can do, the king challenges; "render Gang Sangin's conviction meaningless and die with him? He has wagered his life because he has found something he wants to protect," that is, the ethnic Japanese living in the Japanese village. "And you're trying to render that meaningless." Yun argues, "But he has become a target. If Gang Sangin should die because of this...and if heaven forbid prime minister..." Sejong interrupts him: "It is my duty to protect my subjects, secretary Yun. You are to return to your home and practice prudence and restraint. It is an order as your king. If you attempt to defy this order, be prepared to be punished by death." Sejong has tears in his eyes as he says it, but he lays down the law like we haven't seen him do before.
Leaving the hall, Sejong finds his wife outside waiting for him. Surprising him, she falls to her knees: "My father would never do this. Never...He would never...So please. Protect him, your majesty. Please tell me you can protect him." She's completely rattled and frightened; we've never seen her like this before. But he can't offer her anything and so just keeps walking, leaving her kneeling there as she starts to cry.
Sejong goes to see his father. "Are you here to change my mind?" "I want to protect my servant." "Do you think you can break me?" Sejong answers with apparent sincerity, "Is there a way? If there is, I'd like to request your teaching, father." Unwavering, Taejong tells him, "Only a strong leader can protect his men. And to be a strong leader, you must teach your men absolute loyalty with an iron hand. That is your lesson, my king." Unsatisfied, Sejong asks, "What if I cannot appreciate the lesson and reject it? What then?" Taejong glares and says, slowly, "Then more of your men will be lost."
Nighttime: the torture continues. Confess, Park presses, but Gang, who by now can barely talk, says, "Just me. Won't you end this with me alone. Don't take any more faithful men from the king." With that, he collapses and can't be revived. We can see this wearing down Park, but not so much that he can't get done what he needs. "Get his fingerprint stamp," he orders. They take Gang's hand and apply his fingerprint to a pre-written confession.
Taejong reviews Gang's "confession." He only mutters, "Bastard."
Gang is removed from the torture yard and taken (presumably) back to his cell. Two men are carrying him because he can't walk. They pass by Sejong, who stares at Gang with pity. Gang regains consciousness, and as the two men stare at each other, we hear their thoughts to each other. Gang: "Forgive me for not being able to serve you for a longer time, your majesty." (So he thinks he'll be dead soon.) Sejong: "Your loyalty will always be treasured in my heart. Gang Sangin, you are my faithful servant."