宋銭と内大臣

In 1136, Kiyomori learns that Tadamori is illegally trading with Sung and keeps it secret from the Imperial Court. Meanwhile, Fujiwara no Yorinaga, the second son of Tadazane who is known for his all-or-nothing personality, is assigned as the Minister of the Center, which eventually makes the already unstable situation in the Imperial Court worse. Yorinaga finds out about the illegal trading and summons Kiyomori to his place. Kiyomori, however, suggests to Yorinaga for Japan to emulate the prosperous country of Sung, pointing out Japan's wrong political structure.

１１３６年、清盛（松山ケンイチ）は博多にいた。宋から運ばれてきた品々を前に、清盛は忠盛（中井貴一）が朝廷を通さず、密貿易をしていることを知る。一方、朝廷では藤原忠実（國村隼）の子・頼長（山本耕史）が内大臣に就任。頼長は乱れた朝廷を粛清するといきまく。頼長は、ひょんなことから平氏の密貿易を知り、清盛を自らの屋敷に呼びつけ尋問する。清盛は宋銭を見せながら、交易によって国は豊かになると頼長に説く。