The Great Merchant
Episode 9
This the pouch I gave Byeolim...
Why did you kill her?
Just serve the new magistrate.
What in heaven's name are you wearing?
We seek postponement of Hong's chignon event until the 49 day mourning period's over.
You collected my abalone just the other day!
Tax-in-kind paid to the King is being pocketed by the corrupted...
Hong tried to send a letter to the Royal court.
You dare petition the King to investigate the local government?
Proceed with the chignon ceremony as planned.
They're taking the top gisaeng of Jeju to her chignon ceremony.
Who does this room belong to?
- Her name? - Her name's Hong.
Hong, no!
Hong! Hong, no!
Granny!
I can't believe you've become a gisaeng.
So you saved her life and made her a gisaeng?
I want her off the gisaeng guild register.
What if her parents are middle class citizens?
Eunhong?
Handoogi diver master should know.
I heard she was sent to the quarantine camp.
Eunhong's the woman the old hag's looking for.
I want you to meet someone.
This is Inspector Jeong Hongsu.
You mean Myohyang's the one who caused Eunhong's death?
Do you know a diver named Eunhong?
- She was a friend of mine. - Then you must remember killing her as well.
The diver master must die.
You said too much to the inspector.
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?
Get this wench out of here right away! This instant!
This the proof you've been looking for.
Use this to put the Assistant Magistrate away.
I'm the one who embezzled the tribute goods!
Hong, that wench...
Granny!
Hong, we must get out of here!
Mistress Myohyang tricked us both to kill us.
Hong!
Granny!
Why are you doing this?
You know your own crime.
How dare you attempt to escape this island?
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.
Yes!
Come on.
Episode 9
What happened to Granny? As least tell me if she's still alive.
Be quiet!
Dong-ah, where have you been?
I was on Mt. Halla gathering medicinal herbs.
It's trouble!
Hong and Granny got caught trying to escape and the town's turned upside down.
What are you saying?
They took your granny to jail, and Hong...
Hong what? What about Hong?
No one knows what's happened to Hong.
Whether she escaped by herself or if she's dead...
That's... impossible.
She's the one who caused the death of the diver master.
You've the nerve to come back here after killing a woman?
It's just as well.
We're going to die anyway, let's get revenge for the diver master before we die!
Stop.
You fools can't even get revenge for yourselves,
get revenge for whom?
Stop this commotion and go to sleep!
Foreman, Assistant Magistrate Choe pulled some strings.
Let's get you out of here.
Assistant Magistrate Choe?
You mean he's been released?
That...
His clerk took the blame for everything.
Choe Namgu's released... Choe Namgu...
Then...
You're burning up.
Guards!
We need a doctor!
Be quiet.
This man's dying.
Yes.
This is where people are placed to die.
So be quiet.
Please! A man's dying!
Guards!
Where is Hong?
You just got out of jail and the first thing you want is a girl?
Tell me what you did with Hong now, or...
I'll make you regret it for the rest of your life.
Hong has left the island to find the inspector.
What do you mean?
Hong left to find Jeong Hongsu?
There's no way she got off this land!
That's why we're hush-hushed about this.
Hong's now a fugitive since she violated the no departure order.
This is a lie!
Hong has no reason to do this.
Go back home now.
I can't help you if you cause anymore problems.
I'm desperately searching for Hong as well.
I'll alert you as soon as I hear anything, so please go home.
Searching?
What?
If she should get caught by the state guards when she's broken the law...
And I don't know if she can reach Hanyang safely since she's traveling alone...
Oh, yes. Hanyang... Hanyang...
That juvenile...
This is the pharmacy?
Yes, that's what I said!
I don't understand. Look, there's no medicine at all!
This is a quarantine camp, not an infirmary.
Why would we have medicine?
Even if Granny was a thorn in her side,
Hong and the mistress have been mother and daughter for the past seven years.
How could she... I don't believe it.
Granny must've dug up something big enough on her to sever the seven year ties.
I know that Choe Namgu harbored ill will against Hong for revealing his corruption.
But what reason did the mistress have to hurt her?
There was something Granny was investigating in secrecy.
I don't know the details,
but I'm sure that's what turned Myohyang against Hong.
What have I got to do to find Hong and save Granny?
This could be dangerous,
but there is someone who might be able to help.
Who?
Gang Yuji.
Are you really going to Hanyang, sir? [Westgate Market Brokers]
Foreman Gang!
I've come to discuss something with you.
I'm busy, some other time.
It's about Hong.
About Hong?
I'm sure you heard Granny was captured trying to escape the island with Hong?
Get to the point.
Why would Hong and Granny go to Hanyang?
They have no reason.
Hong... has gone after Jeong Hongsu.
Reason or no reason, they're gone! Myohyang said they escaped!
I think Myohyang's the one who put them into this trap.
What?
What did you say?
I think Myohyang and Choe set them up
and made it look like they were trying to escape.
Do you have a death wish?
I don't know what kind of game you're trying to play,
but I won't tolerate it no matter who you are.
I you don't believe me, check for yourself.
Hong was taken by the state guards.
And there were no outbound ships last night.
But Myohyang loves Hong, why would she hurt her?
I'm sure that answer will reveal itself once we find Hong.
Are you absolutely certain that Hong's still in Jeju?
I bet my life on it.
Then do you have an idea where she might be?
Choe Namgu charged Granny of attempted escape and put her in confinement.
So I'm sure Hong was sent somewhere worse.
I'm glad I found you.
I'm on my way to see Hong's grandmother,
won't you join me, sir?
She's not allowed visitors by the magistrate's order, please leave.
But I must see her.
There's a limit to my favors.
If you keep causing trouble, I can't protect Westgate Brokers anymore.
Is that what you want?
Something smells fishy just as I thought it would.
Let's see how well you can hide her.
If she's here on this island, I'll find her.
You'll see.
Look here, Foreman Gang!
Assistant Magistrate Choe.
What's this commotion?
There's no commotion, sir.
I was just asking Foreman Gang to be a bit more circumspect.
What do you mean?
Foreman Gang and Assistant Magistrate Choe arguing in front of the magistrate?
Foreman wanted to see Hong's granny, but Assistant Magistrate Choe wouldn't let him.
Foreman Gang was trying to see the old hag?
He backed off when the magistrate showed up,
but he'll see her one way or another.
What is it now?
I can't find any medicinal herbs around here.
Please let me go into the forest.
You're not going anywhere!
You're trying to turn the entire Jeju into a quarantine camp?
I'm not ill.
I won't take very long.
Get away from us!
You're getting punished for causing the diver master's death.
No, I'm not going to die.
I'm not going to die in here.
Let's see if you get that wish.
Breakfast!
Why are you keeping that old woman alive?
If you don't kill her now, you'll regret it!
You must kill her.
What damage can an old hag behind bars cause?
Our priority right now is stopping Gang Yuji from finding Hong.
Even if Gang Yuji finds Hong,
we can always reason with him.
Hong doesn't know the secret.
But the old woman does.
She knows everything!
Who told you to do something so stupid?
When will you stop blaming me?
What if the old woman tell the magistrate everything about us?
You're a man of high position.
Are you here on a lowly gisaeng mistress's order to kill an old woman?
You're a psychic.
You must know your death's near as well.
You seem to know my fate,
but you're blind to the advent of your own demise.
The evidence that Captain Jeong took back
will put Daebang Gang away for embezzlement.
What do you think Jeong Dong will do then?
He'll dispose of you to cut off any ties with Gang Gaeman.
Silence!
How dare you utter the Minister of Justice's eminent name?
Just wait and see.
Once Gang Gaeman goes down, it'll be your turn.
The guards are refusing the bribe?
Are you telling me now they're defying me?
They must have strict order from the top.
From Choe Namgu, you mean.
Do you've any idea about the secret the old woman presumably knows?
No one can get a word out of the old woman.
Foreman!
What's the matter with you?
Hanyang... daebang in Hanyang's...
What about the old man? Is he threatening to kick me out again?
He's passed away.
What?
Who passed away?
He's gone. Daebang's gone...
Got to be a mistake...
How could the old man be dead?
Sir, you don't have any time to waste.
I'm going to Hanyang. Get ready.
Just wait and see.
Once Gang Gaeman goes down, it'll be your turn.
Assistant Magistrate!
Enter.
I've bad news.
Daebang Gang of Hanyang has passed away.
What?
Gang Gaeman's dead?
Yes.
How? How did he die so suddenly?
We don't know the details, but he died a sudden death.
A sudden death?
Then I guess Foreman Gang's going to Hanyang.
Yes, he must observe a period of mourning, so he'll be leaving soon.
I'm asking you if he'll fall heir to Daebang's business in Hanyang, you fool!
Oh, that...
Actually, Daebang's young wife will take over the silk store.
Daebang Gang's young wife?
How did this happen?
Uncle, people are watching.
Make sure every detail of the funeral is thoroughly attended to.
Don't worry.
By the way, Yuji will be coming soon. Can you handle it?
What do you mean?
Gang Yuji's the daebang's one and only son.
I'm the owner of the silk store.
Only son?
Gang Gaeman's child is in my womb.
He's nothing but a profligate forsaken by his father.
It's good to see you're well, sir. I've returned from Jeju.
This is the evidence I mentioned in my letter.
What is it?
Is there something wrong?
Gang Gaeman's dead.
Does this mean you're stopping the investigation?
It means the case has wrapped up.
Jeju Magistrate has been ordered to thoroughly investigate the details.
Gang Gaeman may be dead but his backer's still out there.
But this evidence isn't enough to lead us to that backer.
I can't give up like this.
- If we dig deeper, I'm certain that... - Stop!
Sir, do you know how many sacrifices have been made to acquire this ledger?
I do, but that doesn't change anything.
Here's as far as we go.
Move on to other cases.
It's an order.
It's good to be back, Mother and Father.
Have you fared well?
Don't even ask.
Your father was almost interrogated in your absence.
It was truly awful.
Interrogated?
It's just one of those things
that righteous politicians are sometimes made to suffer.
You must be exhausted, get some rest.
Young Master, the rumor's all over town.
Remember that young vixen that Daebang Gang married?
Maksoon?
Yes. They say she's the one who did him in.
- But of course there's no evidence. - That's ridiculous.
It seems people enjoy too much gossip.
Young Master, why are you defending the wench?
[Jeju Government Office]
You look like you've received Gang Gaeman's death notice.
My guess must be right.
I always feared his life would be cut short...
I wonder how Jeong Dong managed to get rid of him?
What makes you think Minister Jeong has anything to do with Gang Gaeman's death?
I know Minister of Justice Jeong Dong very well.
Gang Gaeman became dispensable when he exhausted his use.
I would hate to die with all that money piled up in my barn...
I heard that his young new wife became heir to the silk store.
Do you also know who that is?
His young new wife?
If that child got the silk store,
you should be even more afraid.
What do you mean by that?
Gang Yuji's no match for Maksoon.
And Gang Yuji is your connection into all this.
He's no doubt a thorn in the side for Maksoon,
so that makes your fate as vulnerable as a candle in the wind.
Do you really think I'd be afraid of some merchant dame?
Then just wait.
Wait to hear what happens in Hanyang.
Any way out of this predicament?
I can't go down like this.
Are you suggesting we make a deal?
It's a deal for your life,
so you can't lose.
Gang Gaeman has died a sudden death?
Yes.
Heaven's giving us a golden opportunity.
First Jeong Hongsu arrested Gang Yuji for embezzlement.
Now the actual owner of Westgate Gang Gaeman's dead.
Yes, Assistant Foreman's right.
While Gang Yuji's away in Hanyang for the mourning,
we've to get back commercial supremacy from Westgate.
Are you suggesting that I go to Foreman Gang and spy on him?
Why not?
Yes, you can say you want to help him in his absence while he's in Hanyang.
Swindle a man who just lost his father?
What do you take me for?
Sir, we can't look at this that way.
We're just seizing the opportunity to get back what was ours in the first place.
Never mind.
I must talk to Dong-ah, so leave us.
I'm sorry for causing you concern when you're busy as it is, sir.
Lives are far more important than money.
If Gang Yuji leaves for Hanyang,
our chance of saving Granny and Hong will get slimmer.
We've to find out where Hong is before he leaves.
How?
My lord!
What happened to what you promised?
What did I promise?
I'm not the only one who will die if the truth about Eunhong's exposed.
Something more important came up, so set that aside for now.
Our lives are at stake.
What could be more important?
Set it aside for now, I said.
How did it go? Hey, how did it go? [Eastgate Market Brokers, Jeju Island]
Did you guys work out a plan to crush Westgate Market Brokers?
A plan? No, we just got chewed out.
Why?
This kind of opportunity will never come again!
He should be worried about running this business for heaven sakes!
But all he cares about is a jailed old woman and a missing gisaeng.
Who knows what's going to become of this business.
Hong was once our family, so he's naturally concerned about her.
After all, what's more important, money or lives?
Yes!
Money's more important to me than human lives!
Please don't get upset, Assistant Foreman.
This kid's an idiot.
Right, Eun?
Yes, Assistant Foreman.
Deokpal doesn't know what he's talking about.
I do know what I'm talking about!
Hong's life is more important than money.
Be quiet, boy!
What would you know when you haven't had to beg for a cup of water in your life?
- Just get out of here! - Stop it, Mom! What did I do?
What have that old hag said to coax Choe Namgu?
Something's got to be done!
What brings the gisaeng mistress Myohyang to this treacherous place?
Why are you trying to kill that girl?
Who's trying to kill whom?
That's ridiculous. Get out of my way!
Why?
Don't you just love sending perfectly healthy people to the quarantine camp to die?
If you want her dead, stab her with a knife or something.
Don't just leave!
Myohyang was here to see you.
How are you related?
You're going to die anyway, just tell me.
She's my foster mother.
Foster mother?
She had always treated me like a real daughter,
but then she set me up and sent me here.
I still don't understand why.
Now I remember.
You became Myohyang's foster daughter seven years ago...
right, you're girl who got tricked?
And you're...
You must've done something to irk the Westgate Market Brokers too?
You still don't get it, do you?
The no departure order didn't apply to you because you were from the mainland.
Myohyang set you up to make you a gisaeng.
No, you're wrong. You're wrong.
Mother would never...
What's this? How dare you barge in here?
I found Hong at the quarantine camp.
What?
Why Hong?
Why would Hong be in the quarantine camp?
No idea.
But Hong could die if you don't act quickly.
There's no time to waste. You've to act now, Foreman Gang!
Drink it.
You're drinking like a fish.
How do you know if I didn't put poison in here?
I trust you.
Fool. Why trust me when you don't know me?
Myohyang did this to you because you're so naive.
Yeah, sleep.
Your body will just have to fight the blight on its own.
- Is the boat ready? - Yes.
Listen up.
We've one objective.
Find Hong no matter what it takes.
- Is that clear? - Aye!
Dongju!
Where are you all going?
We're going to the dreadful quarantine camp.
Seoju, you can keep this horse if I die.
Then am I supposed to wish that he dies?
Granny...
Now tell me, where did Foreman Gang go with his men?
The quarantine camp.
Where are you going?
Why is she in such a hurry?
Anyway, I guess I don't have to wish for Dongju's death now.
If Foreman Gang finds her, the situation will get out of control.
What if Foreman Gang gets her to Granny and she learns about the past?
I do.
I'll put an end to this once and for all.
Are you going to kill them?
If they resist the authorities, I'll have no choice.
Let's go.
I told you to come quietly, but you didn't listen.
Hold them back, and I'll overlook your arrogance this time.
Help him.
Thank you. I owe you my life.
Who's Granny?
You were calling out for her all night.
She's the woman who raised me.
Didn't you say Myohyang was your foster mother?
Yes. Granny raised me in the early years before I met my mother.
How did you end up here anyway?
Myohyang did this to you, didn't she?
What happened?
Granny said my birth mother was a middle class commoner,
and was trying to get me removed from the gisaeng register.
But my mother, she...
Old habits die hard...
She'd rather get rid of you than giving you away.
So what's the story with your birth mother?
She died after giving birth to me.
Do you know a diver named Eunhong by chance?
Eunhong?
Did you just say Eunhong?
You mean you're Eunhong's daughter?
The heck with them, I'm going to the camp!
Do you know my mother?
Talk about twist of fate!
Twist of fate? What do you mean by that?
Your birth mother Eunhong died because of Myohyang.
What do you mean by that?
No, you're making a mistake.
I swear to you, Eunhong died because of Myohyang.
Breathe!
Breathe.
Breathe!
Breathe.
- Breathe. - Hong!
Hong! Hong, where are you?
Hong, answer me! Hong, where are you?
Hong!
Hong...
Hong!
Mother...
Hong!
Hong, wake up. Hong...
Hong!
Hong...
Where is the gisaeng, Hong?
Did you ask me for permission before you put her in here?
Why are you asking me that question?
Sir, Foreman Gang just took the wench out of here.
What?
On whose authority did you release a diseased from quarantine?
Well, it was the foreman of Westgate Market Brokers, so...
Which way did they go?
Towards the harbor...
We're going to the harbor.
- Arrest Foreman Gang as well! - Aye!
Stand aside.
There isn't a place on Jeju which's safe for you right now.
You've to leave.
No, I can't leave.
Don't be stubborn.
You always wanted to get out of here when you were young.
There's something I must do here.
If it's about Granny, don't worry. I'll send her to you. I promise.
No, I don't need anything from you. Just let me go!
Sir, the state guards are here!
Let go! Those who killed my mother are on this island.
What?
Those who killed my birth mother are here on Jeju.
I'm not going anywhere!
Don't you know that you'll die for not leaving?
Let go!
This is the only way I can save you.
- Get aboard! -Yes!
- Search every inch of this boat. - Yes!
Turn Hong over.
Hong?
I'm on my way to Hanyang for my father's funeral.
I've let you get away with many things, but not this.
I suggest you stop this offensive behavior and get off this ship.
I guess there's no reasoning with you.
Continue the search!
Get off this boat at once!
Stand aside!
I'm carrying out the magistrate's order!
No!
You leave me no choice.
- Arrest this man! - Aye!
Where did you hide her?
If you're done with your business...
please leave my boat.
It's trouble! That punk's here!
I'll go to Jeju and take care of this myself.
Jeju's a rough place, be careful.
Gang Gaeman's wife will be coming from Hanyang.
Gang Gaeman's wife...
An inspector's here from Hanyang.
What did you gain by turning my mother in?
I gained money and everything I've now!
You've just severed out seven-year ties.
Hong asked me to remove you from the headmistress's seat if her innocence's proven.
She seeks to prove her own innocence.
Perhaps you can give her some time before the hearing.
Acquire testimony from the ship captains?
Would you help so I can research my birth records?
Do you also know that Hong's father's Kim Ungryeol?
A man serving a banishment sentence violated the law and slept with a local woman?
This is the census register with records of your mother and your maternal grandfather.
I'll give this to you, so be with me.