[Drama Recap] Splendid Politics: Episode 12

Yi Icheom (Jung Woong In) makes an unidentified young man kneel down and snarls out his anger due to his royal bearing smiles even in a severe situation. Hwai (Lee Yeon Hee) stares at Gwanghae (Cha Seung Won) and the treacherous subject by turns.

"Do you really wanna know who I am?" she shouts. She is on the point of saying something when Joo Won comes running.

Princess Jeongmyeong asks him why she is given the nod to be a master craftsman in Hawgidogam, but he just worries about her safety asking if she is hurt without telling her he made the King promise to take responsibility for her, if something happens in organization. He lets her know that the King didn't have a choice because she knows a method of smelting sulfur with steam.
'I have come here. My one-time brother... No matter what the cost, I will snatch precious things away from you by one and one.' she thinks to herself looking at the steaming kiln.
Meanwhile, Yoon Do Ha makes a report of the sulfur miner whom he saw with Hong Joo Won (Seo Kang Joon) in a tavern. Kang Joo Sun (Jo Sung Ha) is in a brown study at the the news.

In a gisaeng (Korean geisha) house, Heo Gyun (Ahn Nae Sang) has a pleasant drinking with Kang In Woo (Han Joo Wan) who's the son of Joo Sun. The fine writer cuts the ground out from under his close friend saying he must suffered caused by a woman. The very famous debauchee pretends that he doesn't have his delicate feelings hurt.

After let all gisaengs out, Heo Gyun asks In Woo for him to meet his father to get a better job position. In Woo also asks him what's going on in Hawgidogam. 

On the other hand, Do Ha continues secret investigation about Hawi.

The King pays a visit to Joo Sun's house all of a sudden saying that he stopped by to see his beautiful garden when he was monitoring the people, but Gwanghae studies immense wealth and power of the man.

"As a matter of fact, I came here to see you. I will be watching you. Can you put in charge of Hawgidogam?" Gwanghae suggests. 

'What do you want, Gwanghae?' Joo Sun thinks to himself staring at the King.

'Are you the person who have tired to reign over the royal throne?' the King also thinks to himself gazing at the double-faced subject.

Meanwhile, Heo Gyun delivers a paper including an investigation about the power behind the Throne to Kim Gae Shi (Kim Yeo Jin) in person. 

In Woo visits the work place of his best friend. 

"I hope you to quit your job in Hawgidogam. I can't understand you are standing by Gwanghae not looking for Princess Jeongmyeong anymore." he seriously says.

"I stay by his side because he is the competent king for the nation now." he speaks with finality and leaves the seat. 

In Woo who concealed of his true feelings about the girl recalls a bitter memory when they were young, an expression of sadness on his face.

Joo Sun instructs Do Ha to make Joo Won and Hwanghae be buried in a grave where they have signed their death warrant. The next day a man put something in a furnace to make a fire green and he hurries off.

Hawi hears that a man working for Yeomchocheong (Gunpowder government office in Hawgidogam) going to Gyeongungung where Queen Inmok (Shin Eun Jung) is under house arrest to collect soil necessary for making gunpowder. She is allowed out and follows them to see her mother, but the unauthorized personnel is restrained by the guards at the entrance although she sees her from a distance. 

Hawi is driven into a corner by the superior because a lot of workers fall senseless in Hawgidogam filled with poisonous gas. 

Gwanghae wants to solve the problem at hand by himself, but Gae Si advises him to focus on what he will accept and reject against the political opponents who have remained bitterly opposed to making gunpowder. The political foes drop in soon without advance notice.     

"Father?" Joo Won states in confusion.

"Be careful in your speech! I came here as the department manager." he orders arrest of his son and the Japanese. The two exchange looks of astonishment.