The Great Merchant
Then Hong's foster mother Myohyang is the one who caused her birth mother's death?
Episode 8
What else do you know about Eunhong?
Myohyang lost her parents to pestilence,
and Eunhong's parents took her and her two siblings in.
One day, Eunhong learned that Deputy Choe Namgu
was embezzling tribute goods,
and told a man from Hanyang who was exiled on this island about it.
So Choe Namgu came after Eunhong,
but Myohyang betrayed her friend to Choe Namgu and ratted on her.
Wait...
did you say Eunhong's daughter became a gisaeng?
Then that girl's Myohyang's...
That's right.
She became Myohyang's foster daughter.
Granny!
Hong, what are you doing here?
Why did you come here? Do you know how worried I was?
Is this the girl?
Who's she?
An acquaintance from long ago. Let's go now.
Handoogi Diver Master,
please take care then.
Goodbye.
Let's go now.
Hong!
Is that really you, Hong?
I'm Hong, a government gisaeng of Jeju.
Am I the one you're looking for?
The Hong I'm looking for is a friend of mine.
A girl who was always confident and sweet...
She had a dream grander than mine...
It's good to see you again.
Jeong Hongsu and Hong...
know each other?
Hong,
why did you pretend not to notice me?
Were you ashamed of being a gisaeng?
You were in Jeju all along, but we have never met.
It's been seven long years since I last saw you.
In that time I often wondered about you...
whether you had received the letter I sent from Hanyang.
How you're doing.
If I should run into you...
what I would say.
Hong,
I want to know something.
Have you thought about me like I thought about you?
I've been resentful of the cruel ocean that I could never cross again,
but now I'm thankful.
It opened up the path for you to find me.
Why did you turn around and come back when you rode out there in such a hurry?
I've a lot on my mind, please leave.
So you're not going to do something about our problem?
Don't delude yourself.
I'm not your assistant.
I'm the foreman of the Westgate Market Brokers.
If you've a job to do, talk to your men.
An inspector from Hanyang is investigating Westgate Market Brokers.
They're not only after you but your father in Hanyang as well.
Why is everyone so afraid of that one single man Jeong Hongsu?
Do you want to be kicked out of Jeju because of one single man Jeong Hongsu?
Are you done talking?
I'll leave for now for the daebang's sake.
Thinking about a dead friend?
What? What did you just say?
Do you know a diver named Eunhong?
I do. She was dear friend of mine.
Then you must remember killing Eunhong as well.
Why?
Are you afraid someone might hear it?
Get Hong off the gisaeng register and seek atonement.
I don't know what you're talking about.
If that's the case, I'll ask Hong myself.
What she would do if her foster mother turns out to be the one who killed her birth mother.
I don't want to divulge this for Hong's sake.
But if you don't let Hong go,
I'll tell her then.
Give it some thought.
[20 years ago... ]
One of those girls is the squealer who told the man from Hanyang about me, right?
Find out who it was.
I don't know anything...
Do you've a crust on the exiled man from Hanyang as well, Myohyang?
No!
If anyone lies to me to protect the squealer,
I'll punish that person as well.
Myohyang, my man promised me that he would help us.
"My man"?
The truth is,
I haven't had my period in months.
I think I'm pregnant.
I can feel it moving.
I'll remove Hong's name from the gisaeng register.
But...
it requires permission from the government office,
so I need time.
You've 15 days.
I'm sure I don't have to tell you what will happen if you break your word.
I won't.
You've been cooking for the gisaeng house forever.
Why can't you get the japchae to taste right?
My japchae's made with bracken, clams and bellflower roots,
and left to age overnight with mustard seasoning.
If you ask me, your abalone kimchi's the problem.
Problem?
Problem.
Problem?
Stop!
I brought Hong, so let her be the judge.
Okay? Is that fair?
It melts in your mouth, doesn't it?
I think the tang of the mustard will balance out the other rich appetizers.
It's your favorite abalone kimchi.
Isn't it delicious?
Delicious? It's pure salt!
Don't spit it out, or I'll put rocks in your granny's food.
Water.
This is wine!
Auntie!
What are you doing here?
I came to deliver the grocery list to the province clerk.
Where are you going?
To the quarantine camp to see the diver master.
May I come with you and help?
To the quarantine camp?
Excuse me...
Who are you?
Help me up.
Please tell me what you know about the corruption in the local government.
This inspector from Hanyang is here to investigate the abalone tribute collection.
I'm here to help, so tell me everything you know.
Assistant Magistrate!
Enter!
The inspector's at the quarantine camp with Hong!
The inspector's at the quarantine camp?
You'll have to eliminate the old diver.
I can't make hasty moves.
The inspector has probably learned everything by now.
People die in the quarantine camp all the time.
They die from diseases and kill each other over food.
Death of an old and sick diver won't even raise an eyebrow.
Would you be willing to repeat everything you just told me to the magistrate?
Yes.
She's tired today, so come back tomorrow.
Who wants to see me?
You gave the inspector too much information.
Is that you, Choe Namgu?
Have you come to commit another crime to cover up your crime?
That wench Hong will be next.
Stop!
How could they do this?
It's Choe Namgu who did this, isn't it? He did this!
Choe Namgu planned all this, right? Get him out!
I'll testify everything I heard from her at the government office.
Hong.
They killed her.
You don't know how much I regret getting you into this dangerous investigation.
Please.
You stay away from this and out of Choe Namgu's sight.
Hong.
Granny, Handoogi Diver Master's dead.
What?
She was fine yesterday, how...
How did this happen?
It's my fault.
I told the inspector about her, and...
Hong, don't get yourself involved in this investigation.
Granny...
She couldn't have just died all of a sudden for no reason.
Just keep silent and do nothing.
Do you understand?
I'm sorry, but I can't do that.
Hong!
Here, here, let's drink!
Eat up!
What are you girls waiting for?
What's the meaning of this?
Mother,
may I ask what you're celebrating in this festive gathering?
Don't beat around the bush and say what you wish to say.
Assistant Magistrate,
you must be happy now that your malfeasance will be buried forever.
What are you talking about?
You've killed the diver master to shut her up, and now she can't expose you.
Are you sure this party's big enough?
You need a bigger celebration than this!
You wench!
How many lives do you think you have?
You're begging to be killed.
You're supposed to protect the people,
but you killed a woman to cover up your crime.
I think the magistrate should know about this. Don't you?
Do you've proof that I killed anyone?
I'll show you what happens to those who speak in haste without any proof.
Men!
Take this wench outside right away. This instant!
Yes!
What's going on here?
I'm teaching a lesson to a gisaeng who has insulted a government official.
Whatever she has done,
treating a fragile woman this way is also unbefitting of a virtuous leader.
This wench accused me of killing someone to cover up malfeasance in tribute collection.
I'll investigate this.
There isn't a need.
The province clerk's in charge of maintaining discipline in government gisaeng house.
Isn't that right?
Yes, sir.
I'll teach her a lesson she won't soon forget.
Jeju local government's still under investigation for possible embezzlement of tribute-in-kind.
She may have a reason for making this accusation,
so I'll take her for questioning.
But when falsity of her accusation is revealed,
I'll have this girl killed to establish discipline in the gisaeng house.
I told you to stay silent.
I just couldn't stand by and watch.
I won't let him get away with what he did.
So trust me and hang in there, I'll find proof somehow.
You get it?
Impossible.
I don't think you understand.
Hong's my woman.
It's you and me that Hong's trying to bring down.
She went around with the inspector and found the diver master in the quarantine camp.
Snap out of it and forget about Hong.
If you lay a finger on Hong,
I'll crush you.
If we let Hong live, she'll crush us both!
I don't know about you,
but I don't intend to die like this.
Do you understand?
Have you found proof to put Assistant Magistrate Choe away?
Not yet.
Take it.
What is it?
It's the proof you've been looking for.
Use this to arrest Choe Namgu.
If I take this, you...
You won't be safe either.
Hong's in danger now.
Dozens of gisaengs have been killed by falling out of favor with Choe Namgu.
If I don't do this, Hong won't make it.
That's why...
I'm giving you this so you can save her.
Wait. Wait, Yuji!
Hong doesn't need to know all the details.
Don't tell her I did this.
Well then...
What do you want?
Arrest this man at once!
Yes!
Take your hands off me! Don't you know who I am?
Let go of me this instant! You've all gone mad!
[Westgate Market Brokers]
What's this?
Offender Gang Yuji, come forth!
Foreman...
Gang Yuji,
you've embezzled tribute goods belonging to the state for trading in Hanyang black market.
I've nothing to say.
Take me swiftly, Inspector sir.
Take him.
Yes!
Foreman!
Why do you look so serious?
You think something like this is going to faze Gang Yuji?
Everything's in a muddle at Westgate.
State guards have turned the place upside down, and merchants are turning away.
Don't worry.
Westgate Market Brokers won't be destroyed by this.
More importantly, what happened to Hong?
Foreman, this is no time to worry about her!
She's been released.
How did I get out?
The inspector found a ledger with details of Choe Namgu and Foreman Gangs shady dealings.
So they released you.
Then what happened to Foreman Gang and the assistant magistrate?
They're both in confinement.
Hong, stay out of this matter now.
Do you understand?
The merchants are coming!
- Listen, everyone! - What?
[Eastgate Market Brokers]
Westgate Brokers got shut down.
All of the merchants are coming here to get their goods for sale!
Senior Foreman!
Senior Foreman, the merchants are...
Pansul, I want you and Leun to handle the negotiations.
Yes.
Deokpal, make sure the guest rooms are clean so the merchants can rest.
Yes!
Banguan and Yubong, you two are porters.
- Okay! - Yes, Senior Foreman!
Is this Eastgate Market Brokers?
Yes!
- Welcome! - Let me take that for you!
Westgate Brokers embezzled the tribute goods, but it wouldn't be possible
without help from the government office.
The central figure in this crime is Assistant Magistrate Choe Namgu.
Please conduct a thorough investigation.
And please send this to Lord Kim Ungryeol of the Bureau of Commerce Control.
I heard there is a ship which will reach Hanyang before I do.
Yes, I'll deliver it right away.
Your ship will leave port soon.
We've just met but we've to part again...
I'm not going anywhere.
Just remember that I'm here.
Would you take this back?
I don't need this now to remember you.
So hold on to it for me until I get back.
I'll take good care of it until you return.
Arrest Gang Gaeman without delay.
I've secured proof of Westgate Market Broker's criminal dealings.
What will you do not, Minister Jeong?
What does this have anything to do with me?
What if Caption Jeong finds out about your association with Gang Gaeman?
Are you using my son to threaten me?
Think about what it would do to him when he learns the truth about his father.
I speak out of concern for a good man being torn between duty and filial piety.
Turn yourself in before Captain Jeong returns to Hanyang.
I beg you.
Daebang's just fine when we gave him herbs that's supposed to weaken the heart.
Are you sure this is working?
The other day he said his chest felt heavy and he had tightness on his neck and shoulders
Those are signs that his heart is weakening.
It's working.
You're evil.
Isn't Minister Jeong afraid of you?
What makes him think that you'll help him?
Minister Jeong wants to see you.
Even Kim Ungryeol won't suspect the woman who shares his bed.
You would get rid of your own husband for me?
Daebang's planning to give his repository key to his prodigal son in Jeju instead of me.
I can't very well allow the child in my womb to become a beggar, can I?
Daebang Gang's child?
Then his business will naturally become yours.
You're taking the best medicines for the heart but there's no improvement.
I'm so concerned.
It's frustrating.
Nothing's going right.
My lord, you've been cooped up at home for the last few days.
Perhaps some fresh air will help.
Yes, I haven't been out of the house since the attack.
Our baby's pestering me to take him out.
Yes, this is so much better!
I can breathe easier as well.
It's all the worrying that has harmed your health.
The doctor says you've symptoms of heart deterioration as well.
Don't worry.
I wouldn't leave our baby and die.
But I'm afraid that the shock you're about to take might kill you.
The shock I'm about to take?
What do you mean?
The truth is, Captain Jeong's on his way back from Jeju with proof
that will expose your criminal activities.
Your prodigal son's Westgate Market Brokers is on the verge of ruin.
What? What did you say?
My first dream was to work at the silk store, but soon I wanted the silk store for myself.
I do respect your acumen, so I thought I'd just be content where I am,
but I changed my mind when I found out that all you care about is your prodigal son.
You wench!
I know what's going through your head right now.
"How did I end up like this?"
"Where did I go wrong?"
"What mistake did I make?"
Wench... How could you...
Wench...
Your biggest mistake was betraying Granny.
Why did you do it?
If Granny had been around,
I would never have been able to conceive this idea.
How could you... do this to me?
You evil wench...
You wench... how could you...
Yuji...
I'll raise the child in my womb to be the next Merchant Daebang of Hanyang.
Minister Jeong, it's time to make a decision.
Captain Jeong's due to arrive shortly.
Sir!
What is it?
We just receive a report that Daebang Gang has died!
What?
He suffered a heart attack while on an outing.
Do you know why I haven't told Hong about you yet?
I don't want Hong to know that the woman she loved
and respected as a mother for seven years is actually human trash.
But if you don't keep your promise to remove Hong from the gisaeng register,
I'll have to tell her that you're the one who killed her mother.
Now, what are you going to do?
Have me killed as well?
Choe Namgu isn't here to do your dirty work.
Why are you doing this?
Is that a rhetorical question?
Today's the day you promised to have Hong's name removed.
If you don't deliver on the promise by tonight,
I'll go to the magistrate with Hong and divulge everything.
Understand?
The old hag's trying to destroy me.
What am I supposed to do if you're locked up in here like this?
Shut up!
You're in this mess because you didn't want to return Gang Yuji's money for Hong's virginity!
I don't care about the money anymore.
Just figure out a way to get yourself out.
Why don't you get me out?
Then I'll take care of that old hag for you.
I do have one idea, but...
If I get you out,
you must get that woman and Hong out of my sight for me.
Sure.
I'll kill off both of them for you right away.
Do what you want with the old hag, but...
I want Hong sent to the quarantine camp.
The quarantine camp?
I get it.
You don't want her blood on your hands,
you just want her in the grave for the living.
So what's this idea you have?
Who killed the diver master?
Then... the province clerk?
Is it true that you plotted with Westgate Market Brokers and embezzled tribute goods?
No, Magistrate sir!
I'm innocent!
But punish me if you will.
If tribute goods were misappropriated,
I'm responsible as the official in charge.
What is it?
We caught him getting on a ship to the mainland.
Forgive me!
I'm the one who's been embezzling tribute goods!
Punish me as well for failing to control a subordinate official!
You're not at fault for this man's crime.
I apologize for doubting you.
You bastard!
How dare you exploit the good people of Jeju?
Sir, you'll take care of my family for the rest of their lives as promised, right?
Yeah.
All you've to do is keep your mouth shut.
Take him!
I'll pay them back for this humiliation someday!
But first...
Hong, that wench...
These are pearls!
It's not much, but we want you to have them.
We just want to thank you.
Ladies...
Mother.
It's trouble, Hong!
Assistant Magistrate Choe has been released!
Granny asked me to send you to the port.
I think she's going to get you out of here tonight.
But Assistant Magistrate found out and went after Granny!
He went after Granny?
Go, you've to go now!
Don't worry about me and go somewhere safe for now.
Foolish child...
Go join your mother.
What are you doing in this room?
Do you know where Hong has gone?
What kind of trick are you up to now?
You don't have time for this.
Hong has gone to the port to save you.
The port?
What kind of trick are you up to, I asked?
If you want to see Hong for the last time,
I suggest you go to the port real quick.
Granny!
Hong!
Granny!
Hong, we must get out of here!
What happened? Where's Assistant Magistrate Choe?
We can't stay here. We've to go.
What? But Mother said...
Mistress Myohyang tricked you to kill us both.
Don't move!
Granny, what's going on?
Hong, listen to me carefully!
Your mother's name's Eunhong!
- Mistress Myohyang's the one who... - Granny!
- Let's go! - Hong!
- Why are you doing this? Granny! - Be quiet! I said be quiet!
- Granny! - Be quiet!
Where did you take Hong? Where's Hong?
Hong!
Where did you take Hong? Hong! Hong!
Where are you, Hong? Hong!
Hong! Hong... Where's Hong?
Why are you doing this?
Hong, you wench, you know your crime?
How dare you attempt to escape this island when you're a government gisaeng?
Mother!
Don't call me mother.
I fed you, clothed you, made you who you are,
and you dare attempt to escape?
Guards, take this girl to the quarantine camp right away.
Yes!
Hong and Granny got caught trying to escape, and the whole town was turned upside down!
How can I find Hong and get Granny out?
I think Myohyang and Choe Namgu set them up and made it look like Hong was trying to escape.
Daebang Gang's...
- Gang Gaeman's dead. - Gang Gaeman's dead?
- I'll go to Hanyang. - Yuji's coming.
The silk store belongs to me.
We found Hong at the quarantine camp.
There's no time.
You must find Hong no matter what the cost.
Where has Foreman Gang gone?
The quarantine camp.
Where's the gisaeng named Hong?
We've to leave now!
Those who killed my mother are here on this island.
I'm not going anywhere!
Turn Hong over. I'm done playing nice.
Keep searching!