The Great Merchant
Episode 10
Sir, we've searched everywhere to no avail.
She fled from the quarantine camp.
She couldn't have gone far.
- Continue the search! - Yes!
Hong!
This way!
After him!
There's one way to save the boy and save yourself as well.
Tell me what to do. I'll do anything!
Then be my foster daughter.
Don't call me Mother.
I fed you, gave you education, and made you who you are,
and you dare try to run away?
Your birth mother Eunhong died because of Myohyang!
My departed husband told me
to seek your advisement on matters regarding Six Licensed Stores.
And I was asked by Daebang Gang before he passed away
to look after his wife and unborn child.
Let's all welcome the new owner of the silk store.
Minister of Justice has told us a great deal about you.
Just ask if you need our help.
It's a great relief to know that the three lords will be my shield.
But the shield won't come cheap.
Rumor has it that business failures in recent years have drained Daebang Gang's funds...
Those are false rumors fabricated by competition.
Then can you prove your financial capacity?
Absolutely.
We've the Westgate Market Brokers.
I believe Westgate Market Brokers is under investigation for tax embezzlement in Jeju.
It won't be easy to raise slush funds.
Every business has ups and downs.
I'll have the fee for your protection just as soon as I go to Jeju and straighten out the situation.
What do you think?
Let's give her a shot.
Cunning old snakes...
Moonsun!
It's trouble! That punk's here!
Who are you talking about?
The Westgate brat from Jeju!
Please get up.
You're making your father lament from his grave.
It seems that my father's death is doing wonders for your complexion.
I won't allow you to show such disrespect for your departed father as your mother.
My mother?
How old are you?
Age's irrelevant.
Your father's child is growing in my womb,
so you'll have to call me Mother from now on.
Mother?
Okay.
Mother, how could you allow this to happen to my father?
Shouldn't I ask you that question?
Who gave up incriminating evidence to the authorities?
You're the one who put your father in danger by botching things up in Jeju.
Daebang died due to malady of the heart brought on by his own son.
I'll go to Jeju and remedy this situation myself,
so I'd like you to leave Westgate Market Brokers.
Hanyang silk store isn't enough for you?
I don't know who the unborn child's father is,
but it's certain that you're the mother.
He's not even born yet but he already covets what belongs to his brother.
Jeju's a rough place.
Be careful.
If Gang Gaeman's wife is going to Jeju,
this might be a good chance to resume the investigation on Westgate Market Brokers.
I heard you're going to Jeju, sir. I'll assist you.
I want you to stay out of this case.
Why do you want me out of this investigation?
That's...
an order.
Don't ask any questions.
If that's the only reason, I won't obey.
Captain Jeong.
Many sacrifices were made in Jeju so I could bring back that evidence.
Gang Gaeman wasn't the only man you were after when you sent me to Jeju.
This investigation isn't over until we find his backer.
Allow me to come with you, sir.
Very well.
But you'll be my assistant only.
I don't want you directly involved in the investigation.
Is that clear?
I understand.
My baby,
you were born on the Island of Wind.
Wind is strong.
It can both fuel a fire and extinguish it.
I want you to grow up strong like the wind.
That's what Jeju women are.
My baby...
grow up strong and proud.
Hong...
What are you so afraid of that you can't sleep at night?
Hong,
I'll tell you everything.
I'll tell you everything...
My mother...
Why...
Why did you kill my her?
I didn't have the power back then to protect Eunhong.
That's all.
Is that really true?
Eunhong found out that tribute goods were being misappropriated by the local officials,
and informed a man who was on the island in exile.
and Choe Namgu demanded to know her name...
So instead of protecting your friend,
you gave her up.
What did you gain by turning my mother in?
What did you gain?
Yes, I gained everything!
I gained money,
and that money gave me everything I have.
Did that money you got by betraying my mother bring you happiness?
Is there anything in this world sweeter and better than money?
That money gave me everything I wanted.
I changed my destiny with my own hands!
Because of that money...
which caused my mother to die a cruel death...
saddens me.
And...
that I may never be able to forgive you...
breaks my heart.
Forgive me?
I don't need your forgiveness.
I haven't done anything to be forgiven.
Mother...
Mother!
You've just...
severed our seven-year ties.
Magistrate sir, we've a new gisaeng I want you to meet.
You must be mad to come back here on your own accord!
Magistrate,
being sent to the quarantine camp is a death sentence.
I believe death sentence is given only after three trials.
Shut up!
Wait!
But I didn't get a trial, not even once.
You wench!
Assistant Magistrate Choe, what do you say about this?
She came here, knowing she'd be caught.
I'll take care of this.
- Take her! - Yes!
Granny!
What happened? How did they get you?
I wasn't captured.
I came here on my own.
On your own?
I'm not going to run.
I'm going to find a way to get my name off the gisaeng register like you said.
To prove that your mother wasn't a peasant,
I thought of checking the census register.
I don't think Choe Namgu would allow it.
The census register?
I heard that your mother was a daughter of a merchant named Yi Manbok.
If we can find your grandfather's record that will confirm your mother's status.
And we can get you off the gisaeng register.
I should've tried this before Captain Jeong left...
You must eliminate Hong this time. Do you understand?
We're not talking about a slave whom you own.
You think it's easy to kill a prisoner in jail?
- Assistant Magistrate! - What?
An inspector has arrived from Hanyang.
What? Is it Jeong Hongsu again?
Yes, and he brought someone else with him.
Sir!
Aren't you a cook at the gisaeng house?
There's something I must tell you.
I received word you were coming, but this is sooner than expected.
I'm sure you recognize me.
It's been a long time.
It's a pleasure to see you again.
Magistrate,
I understand the province clerk alone was convicted for misappropriation of tax-in-kind.
Confession was obtained,
and we wrapped up the case by seizing all of his personal property.
Did that wrap-up include imprisonment of gisaeng Hong?
I believe Hong's being detained for attempting to escape the island.
Then you must also be aware that she hasn't been given a fair trial.
This is an official meeting,
are you defending a girl you've personal interest in, Inspector?
I'm inquiring about follow-up details of a case I worked on, Assistant Magistrate.
Well, be that as it may,
it doesn't make you look very good.
The fact that the witness who exposed the tribute goods embezzlement's in jail,
doesn't bode well for you either,
Assistant Magistrate Choe.
Is the gisaeng one of the reasons why you wanted to come to Jeju with me?
I can't deny it, sir.
I thought you cared about nothing but books,
I guess I was worried for nothing.
You know this gisaeng too, sir.
Hong was the girl I was peddling with that day long ago.
The one who was arrested for selling rice.
Hong.
My lord!
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine.
Remember Captain Kim?
He was the one who punished us for peddling without a license.
It's a shame to see you behind bars again.
I heard you violated the no-departure order.
They put me in here without any proof of crime.
If you give me a chance,
I'll prove that I never made an attempt to leave the island.
How do I know that you won't run away?
If I had wanted to run away,
why would I walked in here on my own will?
Magistrate,
she seeks to prove her own innocence.
Perhaps you should give her time to prepare for her trial.
Release a girl who was arrested for attempted escape?
That's ridiculous.
I'll guarantee Hong's compliance.
Very well.
I'll give her time to prove her innocence.
An official hearing will be held five days from today.
Prove your innocence within that time.
And present evidence to show that your birth mother's a middle class commoner.
Only then will your petition be granted.
Thank you, sir.
Magistrate, sir.
If I can prove my innocence,
may I ask what will happen to Mistress Myohyang for setting me up?
She may be prosecuted for calumny.
How do you wish her to be punished?
I beg your pardon?
Hong asked the magistrate to have you removed from the gisaeng house
if she can prove her innocence.
And you allowed her to be released?
She was escorted out not by one, but two Hanyang Commerce Control Bureau agents,
how am I supposed to stop it?
I don't care. You should've stopped them!
Do you even know who the second man is who came with Jeong Hongsu?
It's Kim Ungryeol.
Why?
Does it make your heart go pitter-patter to hear that your old crush's back?
I'm curious to know how he'll react if he finds out what you did.
You loved him so much that you sold out a friend,
do you think he'll be moved or...
do you think he'll hate you for hurting the girl he loved?
Kim Ungryeol couldn't possibly know who Hong is.
What's that out of the blue?
It's not out of the blue.
In fact, it's a very old story.
Assistant Magistrate, just watch.
Things are about to get very interesting.
Are you all right?
Very worried, right?
Dong-ah,
can we find out about the harbor activities on the night Granny and I got arrested?
Acquire testimony from ship captains?
Yes.
We need to find all of the ships that left port that day.
If we can get their statement that no attempt was made to get on board,
this might easily be resolved.
Will it be possible, sir?
Don't worry.
All the vessels that leave the port are required to make a report.
And Jeju's a small island,
I'm sure we'll find people who remember your maternal grandfather where your mother lived.
What?
When it comes to Hong, you don't miss a thing, do you?
What did I do?
You talk about Hong so much that the mere mention of her name makes me gasp!
But you're the one who taught me that we've to help our friends in trouble.
You, really...
Hanyang inspectors are on the case, so I'm sure she doesn't need your help.
Don't poke your nose in where it doesn't belong,
you'll end up causing more trouble.
You're absolutely right, sir.
Did you hear that?
[Jeju Harbor]
Foreman!
Where's Hong?
Hong's in jail...
What did you say?
She turned herself in and now she's filing a petition.
Who's Hong?
She's the gisaeng Foreman Gang's in love with.
No wonder the business's in this shape.
He's preoccupied with a woman.
Let's go.
Who's the snobby woman?
She's the new mistress, but she's no ordinary woman.
The new mistress?
I wonder what our new mistress likes?
Our new mistress...
likes me.
One is a petition to have your name removed
from the gisaeng guild register since you're a commoner's daughter
and the other's an appeal denying the allegation of attempted escape.
Thank you.
My lord,
would you help me so I could see the census register?
Why that?
If I could find a record that my grandfather has a daughter,
perhaps I could prove that I'm a commoner.
Going back and forth from Hanyang to Jeju,
you must be the Commerce Control Bureau's busiest man.
I'll be in the census records room.
I heard about your petition.
You don't have to go through this trouble.
I'll take care of it.
I'll clear your name and I'll make you a commoner.
I'll do it.
You're mine, so it's only fitting that I take care of you.
I'm not yours.
And no matter how hard it is,
even if I fail,
I must get my name removed from the gisaeng register myself.
The owner doesn't care about the business, so everything's in shambles.
Assistant Magistrate Choe's here.
I'm familiar with your name.
I heard there was quite a commotion in Jeju.
It still is.
Two Commerce Control Bureau agents are here from Hanyang.
What are their names?
Kim Ungryeol and Jeong Hongsu.
They're like tenacious barnacles.
The Minister of Justice's quite concerned about what's happening here.
You'll need to resolve the situation swiftly.
Let go of me!
Sir, why do you do this to yourself?
You're drinking in broad daylight!
Sir! Oh, dear!
What's the commotion?
You must've been rejected by that wench Hong again.
You're pathetic.
What did you say?
You can't win a girl's heart by wielding your power.
Then what do I need to do,
my dear smart...
m-o-t-h-e-r?
You need to acquire... what the girl wants.
You've a lot to learn from your mother.
Assistant Magistrate!
Did you really act alone?
Yes...
He may be a criminal,
but should he be subjected to another interrogation for the crime which he has been convicted?
Your crime will be extenuated if you confess the truth yourself.
If I find out that your testimony's untrue,
you'll face heavier punishment.
Are you solely responsible for the crime in question?
That...
I'm responsible for my failure to control a subordinate as well!
Until I ferret out all those involved in this corruption,
I plan to stay here in Jeju...
Assistant Magistrate Choe.
What the girl wants...
What Hong wants...
Right,
did you find out what Hong's looking for?
Yes.
Hong's checking the census register to prove that her mother was a commoner.
Is that right?
Hong.
This probably isn't the only records room in the government office.
These are all new records.
I'll find out where older records are kept.
- Sir, it's Dongju. - Come in.
Jeong Hongsu's at the records room checking the census register.
Kim Ungryeol's on the embezzlement case, and Jeong Hongsu's on Hong's case?
I'm getting squeezed from two directions.
So did he find the record he needs?
I don't think so.
They've been in Mokwan records room all afternoon.
Mokwan records room?
He's searching the wrong place!
Does he really think there's only one records room in this office?
Go to Yeongcheon records room at once
and bring back the census register that contains Eunhong's family records.
Me?
Then do you want me to do it?
Then I'll...
What are you doing here?
Why are you going into the records room?
I... don't know.
This is a facility for official records.
It's off-limits to the public.
Yes, of course.
So why... am I here...
Oh, I was actually just passing through.
I saw you and Hong so lovey-dovey that I didn't want to spoil the mood.
So I quickly turned to hide to give you so privacy, and...
Get out of here.
Yes. Yes, have a good time then.
We'd better hurry.
Sir!
I nearly died.
I was just about to enter the records room when Captain Jeong and Hong showed up
and started berating me with this menacing glare saying the official records are off-limits.
I was scared out of my wits!
Good grief! So where's the census register?
- I couldn't get it. - You fool!
You should've got me to go sooner.
What, you little...
Hong has the census register!
The tribute goods embezzlement case?
Didn't you say your clerk took the fall and it's over?
Kim Ungryeol's digging it up again.
And Jeong Hongsu's on a mission to get Hong exempted from base status.
Everything's a mess.
Getting someone exempted from base status is easier said than done.
That's was my thought too.
I'm afraid they've evidence that will prove the girl's mother was a commoner.
To boot, there's a sly old fox sitting in jail...
I'm stuck between a rock and hard place.
An old fox?
The old woman who raised Hong.
Old woman who raised Hong?
Yes.
I must see this old woman and the gisaeng house headmistress.
You?
One must enter the tigers den to catch the tiger.
I heard about what happened.
Please don't worry.
I won't leave you and Hong in this situation now that I know.
You won't leave us in this situation?
I'll get them to drop the charges against Hong for attempted escape.
If you like,
I'll find a way to get her exempted from base status as well.
You must want something in return.
I'd like you and Hong to come work for Westgate Market Brokers once you're freed.
Not bad.
You want me, the woman who never gave you approval, to come under you.
You've got balls. I'll give you that.
But you still don't know how to judge who you're dealing with.
Hong would never want your money to buy her remission of punishment.
That's not how I raised her.
If you don't need my help,
then... I'll see you next time.
Things will get more complicated if Granny and the inspectors are allowed to meet.
That old woman knows exactly how things work in Westgate and the silk store.
Then we should silence the woman.
Now isn't the time for hasty moves.
Best option we have right now is to send the inspectors back to Hanyang.
I'll meet the headmistress.
It's not here.
I checked over and over, but it's not here.
If you look at the dates, there's one volume missing.
Someone must've gotten to it before we did.
The headmistress.
It's not going to help for you to go there.
If we don't get that record,
you'll be sent back to the gisaeng house even if you're proven innocent.
Then Myohyang will have control over your life again.
I've to face this head on.
I'll find another way.
What do you want?
Um...
Foreman Gang wants to see Hong at the bonfire...
alone.
Must you go?
There's something I must sort out with him.
I'll go with you.
It was Yuji who gave me the records ledger against Westgate.
Yuji's love for you...
is genuine.
That's why I don't want you to go alone.
What did you wish to see me about?
About the same subject which got Jeju buzzing.
Hong,
won't you change your mind?
If you marry me,
I can get you out of the gisaeng register right now.
Captain Jeong told me that you were the one who turned over the evidence which saved me.
The price I paid was my father's death.
Isn't that enough to win your heart?
Then...
how about this?
It's the census register with records of your grandfather and mother.
My lord!
It's yours if you will be mine.
If you refuse... I'll burn it.
What'll it be?
I came here to discuss how we might send the Commerce Control Bureau agents back.
Westgate and the local government are in a fix because of Kim Ungryeol.
Getting rid of that thorn in the flesh was Daebang Gang's life-long wish as well.
By chance, do you know Hong?
If you're talking about the gisaeng who stirred up Jeju,
yes, I do.
Then are you also aware that Kim Ungryeol's her father?
Kim Ungryeol is Hong's father?
Then...
An exiled offender slept with a local woman while serving his sentence.
And Hong's that proof.
I can't make that promise.
Okay, I understand.
No!
Let go! No!
I risked everything because I wanted you!
There's only one thing I want in this world and that's you!
Like it or not, you're mine!
I thought your feelings for me were genuine when I heard you turned over the evidence.
But now I can see you were just being the reckless child that you are.
If Jeong Hongsu hadn't shown up,
would you be pushing me away like this?
Can you honestly say that you had no feelings for me when you gave me your ribbon?
Don't use his name in vain.
This is the real census register.
I don't know either...
whether these feelings are genuine or just childish fancy.
I don't know.
You figure it out.
A man serving banishment sentence violated the law and slept with a local woman?
Kim Ungryeol's probably oblivious to the fact.
I had no idea Hong is Eunhong's daughter until recently.
This all came to light when her granny showed up.
I didn't know Eunhong was with Kim Ungryeol's child,
but I had no idea that it was Hong.
Hong wants to claim her identity,
and Kim Ungryeol's defending her.
It's an extraordinary quirk of fate.
If I had known about this 20 years ago,
I would never have let it come to this.
If only I had gotten rid of her then...
It's not too late.
Then...
what should I do?
Should I expose everything?
All you two have to do is sit back and watch.
Blood ties will make them restless for each other.
Sir, are you in?
Come in.
I found it!
This will prove my identity.
Please look.
This is my maternal grandfather's name.
And this is his daughter,
my mother.
Please have a look.
This is your mother?
Yes.
You mean your mother's name is...
Yi Eunhong?
How do you know my mother's name?
Eunhong's...
Eunhong is...
Your mother?
There were no ships scheduled to leave the port on the day Hong was arrested.
These are sworn statements of divers who confirm Yi Eunhong's Yi Manbok's daughter.
I worked too hard to come this far. No one's going to bring me down.
I'm not going down alone.
Gisaeng Hong's asserting she's a commoner's daughter.
I'm the midwife who delivered this girl.
Then you must know who Hong's father is as well.
She's using a dead woman to get herself exempted from base status.
If that's true, she will be punished for deceiving the state!
Magistrate!
My father's dead.