The Great Merchant
Episode 11
Please look.
This is my maternal grandfather's name.
And recorded here is his daughter,
my mother.
Please have a look.
Your mother is this man's daughter?
Yes.
Then your mother's name...
is Yi Eunhong?
How do you know my mother's name?
Eunhong's...
your mother?
Please sign right here to confirm that there were no ships scheduled to set sail that day.
You all know that Yi Eunhong was Yi Manbok's daughter, right?
Yeah.
Come up one at a time and put your finger print stamp right here.
- What's your name? - Soondeok.
Right here.
Next. Your name?
Thank you.
My lord,
is there something wrong?
Does this look familiar to you?
My flute!
Why do you have my flute?
Sir, it's Jeong Hongsu.
Sir, there were no ships scheduled to leave the port on the day Hong was arrested.
These are statements by ship owners confirming that the two never made a boarding request,
and petitions signed by divers that Yi Eunhong's indeed Yi Manbok's daughter.
No one will be able to claim that Hong's lying when we present these evidence.
Sir, I've a request.
Go on.
Please release Granny from detainment before the trial tomorrow.
She's old and infirm from long detainment.
What do you mean they've proof?
I heard they went out and gather all kinds of proof.
Where's Assistant Magistrate Choe?
Doesn't he know that I could end up becoming a maidservant?
That's not it.
My Hanyang boss madam wouldn't be looking for you if that were true.
"My Hanyang boss madam"?
Are you jumping ship because things are turning against my favor?
Sis, stop being so difficult and just come with me.
And we'll figure out a solution together.
I worked too hard to come this far.
No one is going to destroy me.
No one is trying to destroy you.
It's karma that's coming back to you.
Karma?
My karma can't be as bad as the one who severed blood ties.
I won't go down alone.
I've put you through so much because of me.
Don't worry.
You don't look too well. What's wrong?
I was with Lord Kim Ungryeol just now.
He had a flute just like mine.
Granny,
you know about this, don't you?
If only I could...
I wanted to take this to the grave.
I guess blood ties aren't to be severed.
Things aren't looking good for Myohyang.
She's not the only one things aren't looking good.
All the evidence that have come to light so far are about Myohyang's fight against Hong.
She'd be hurt if she heard you say that.
There's nothing we can do.
If we get involved, we'll get hurt too.
By the way,
what happened to the man who holds our fate in his hands?
Are you talking about the clerk?
Don't worry. I'm a man who takes care of himself.
So is his family being well taken care of?
How do you know I have his family?
My lord, what's your plan?
Come out of hiding after I've been kicked out?
I'm not the one trying to get you removed!
Hong is!
Sit down.
We're here to figure out a way to help you.
Exiled Lord Kim was nearly lifeless from severe torture,
but Eunhong brought him back to life.
He was on exile?
She had conceived a child by an exiled man,
so she couldn't tell anyone.
She didn't want to burden Lord Kim either.
Was I nothing but a burden to him?
Then what does the flute mean?
It was a symbol of their love.
He abandoned his woman and child, what do you mean symbol of love?
Hong, your mother deeply loved you father.
She didn't want to ruin his future,
so she couldn't tell him that she was carrying his child.
So he went back to Hanyang not knowing about you.
Even if that's true,
why he never once came back to Jeju to find my mother?
Hong,
no matter what,
you must never tell anyone that Lord Kim Ungryeol's your father.
Why not?
If it comes out that he had a lover during his exile time and fathered a child,
both of you will suffer severe consequences.
You can't continue asserting that she was trying to escape the island at this point!
My lord,
So you'd have me removed from position instead?
Why did you create this trouble for yourself in the first place?
If this is how you want it, I won't go down quietly either.
Then what are you going to do?
I guess you forgot about the clerk.
I can easily open his mouth.
Are you threatening me?
This is no time to fight.
We can't let the ship sink in such a small storm.
Mistress.
I think you're the one who can calm this storm.
If Kim Ungryeol's really Hong's father and he's the one who proposed this hearing,
don't you think people will be curious?
Then?
The fairness of the trial could be brought into question,
and it'll give us a chance to remove the thorn in the flesh once and for all.
But it could backfire and hurt us all if we bring it up...
Not if we make incorruptible Kim Ungryeol confesses to it himself.
Then...
Yes.
Secrets are made to be exposed,
so everything's in your own hands.
My lord.
It's been a long time.
Do I know you?
Do you remember Eunhong's friend?
Yes, I remember now.
The two of you were the closest friends then.
So how have you fared?
I've become the headmistress of the gisaeng house.
Headmistress of the gisaeng house?
- Then you're Hong's... - I'd rather not talk about Hong.
I don't know what happened between us, I raised her like my own...
My lack of virtue is to blame.
Do you know who Hong's birth mother is?
Actually, My lord,
that's the reason why I came to see you tonight.
Is that right?
I took her in because she was an orphan,
but now she claims Eunhong's her mother.
I'm simply appalled.
Are you saying Hong's lying?
Of course she is.
Eunhong only had one child, and that child is your daughter.
How can there be another child?
Did you just say Eunhong had my daughter?
Didn't you know?
I thought you had taken the child in...
Hong's a clever girl who is very skillful in making up lies.
The truth will be revealed soon enough whatever it may be,
and the perjurer will be punished according to the law.
You can be assured of that.
Of course.
I just didn't want you to be shocked if Hong claims she's Eunhong's daughter.
Well then.
Hong.
What are you so worried about when we can prove you had no intent to leave the island?
Do you remember...
the man who interrogated me seven years ago in Hanyang
when I was arrested for vending without a license, that man?
He said vending without a license was like stealing.
I remember.
It turns out, he's my father.
The fate that had brought us together seven years ago in Hanyang jail,
who would've thought it would bring us together again here today.
And as father and daughter at that...
If... if this is true,
shouldn't you be happy?
I don't know.
I don't know what kind of man he is...
Whether he loved my mother...
If he loved her,
why he never once came back to Jeju to see her?
Why didn't he protect my mother?
I feel frustrated, disappointed,
and a little angry...
And yet,
I keep wanting to see him...
Am I yearning for my father?
Hong,
if he really is your father,
I'm sure he feels the same way.
He'll come to you soon.
Give him some time.
Sir, may I come in?
Yes.
Guards are ready to escort you to Westgate Market Brokers.
Oh yes.
Yes,
I was scheduled to go to Westgate today.
Hong must've left her flute here.
She probably looked for it all night.
That's mine.
Yours?
How could this be...
Mother...
I thought Hong's flute belonged to her departed mother.
She said it was the only item she had which could help her find her father.
Does this mean you're Hong's...
Am I wrong?
No, you're right.
Sir...
I'll go to Westgate instead.
Westgate's new owner, Gang Gaeman's widow,
is not to be taken lightly.
Are you referring to Oh Moonsun?
She's always been involved in every incident we investigated.
I've dismissed the fact because she's young and she's a woman,
but I'm beginning to think it was a mistake.
I know the woman well.
Please let me handle this investigation.
Sir, you must stay by Hong's side.
I...
abandoned her and her mother.
Whatever the circumstance,
your mere presence will give her great strength.
Your report of Gisaeng Hong's attempted escape has been proven false.
Therefore, you're removed from your position as the headmistress of the gisaeng house.
Do you have anything to say?
It had come to my knowledge that Hong was plotting an escape,
and in my attempt to prevent such event, I've led the situation to come to this.
I deserve punishment for failing to raise my child properly.
There is another matter to be heard,
so Myohyang's sentence will be rendered thereafter.
Gisaeng Hong,
you claim you're a commoner's daughter.
Have you found proof to support this claim?
These documents prove that Hong's mother Yi Eunhong was a commoner.
You've established that Yi Eunhong was a commoner.
But how do you intend to prove that Yi Eunhong's is Hong's mother?
I'm the midwife who delivered this child.
Diver Yi Eunhong is indeed this child's mother.
If you were the midwife who delivered the child,
you must know who Hong's father is as well.
Don't you know?
My lord,
this very woman's the one who goaded Hong to leave the gisaeng house.
It's oblivious that she's using a dead woman's name to gain status of a commoner.
I ask that you order her to reveal the father.
If this is true,
you'll be charged for contempt as well!
Magistrate!
My father...
is dead.
I'm just Yi Eunhong's daughter.
If she can't reveal the father,
it's obvious that everything's a lie.
I caution you not to be deceived by her smooth tongue.
My lord,
it took me over twenty years to learn my mother's name.
But how could anyone in this world
speak falsely about the mother she finally found after twenty years?
If she can trample all over the mother who raised her like this,
there's nothing she won't do to be exempted from base status.
Then allow me the chance to expose the truth about my mother's death.
Truth about your mother's death?
See, My lord?
She's cornered, so now she's trying to use Eunhong's accidental death to weasel out of this!
It sounds like you've explicit knowledge about my mother's death.
My lord, I ask that you order her to divulge the details.
What's this girl's accusation? Explain.
How am I supposed to know about your mother's death?
Magistrate, there's no need to go any further with this.
Myohyang's trying to distract the court with an irrelevant issue to get out of punishment!
Assistant Magistrate...
How dare you!
You already committed calumny and you dare do it again in the court of law!
Magistrate, permit me to remove her from this proceeding at once!
What are you waiting for? Take her away at once!
Yes!
You're mistaken if you think I'm going down alone.
Shut your guileful tongue! Remove the woman at once!
You just wait!
I'm not going down alone! Wait and see!
It feels different seeing you here in Jeju.
Are you comfortable where you're staying?
I'm on official business as captain of the Commerce Control Bureau.
If that's the case,
I shall speak to you strictly as owner of Westgate as well, Captain.
Please go on, sir.
The Commerce Control Bureau has secured a ledger that details Westgate's corrupt dealings.
I'm aware.
Then...
do you know who Westgate conspired with?
Wasn't the province clerk arrested for the crime?
It's true that we were connected to this unfortunate incident,
but it stemmed from our effort to obey government authorities.
Westgate was just obeying the clerk,
so you did nothing wrong.
Is that it?
How could we possibly deny wrongdoing?
We admit to and regret our mistakes.
So we've paid the fines imposed upon us without protest.
And I came here personally to rectify poor management.
Then can I expect your full cooperation in this second investigation?
Of course, sir.
I know this is belated, but I'm sincerely sorry for your loss.
You took his life, and you're sorry for my loss.
My father will jump up from his grave.
Watch your words.
I risk Westgate and gave you that ledger so you could protect Hong.
But what are you doing back here after making her go through this terrible ordeal alone?
You don't have to worry about Hong.
Don't string her along when you can't be responsible for her.
What will happen when your parents find out about you and Hong?
Do you think your high and mighty father will stand for it?
Enough!
I won't tolerate any more of your insults!
I won't tolerate anymore of this either.
If anything happens to Hong because of you,
you'll pay.
Thank you for believing me and giving me a chance.
You've been through a terrible ordeal.
Then we'll go now.
Don't just sit there.
They're going to come and get you any moment!
Who would dare come and get me? Who?
The state guards, who else?
- Get out! Leave me alone! - Yes, ma'am.
Oh, that temper...
Your life's over, but you're still hollering!
That mouth of yours. Be quiet! Be quiet.
- Okay. - Be quiet.
This is a disgrace to Jeju gisaengs.
How can you say that when the woman you served for over ten years is getting thrown out?
If you feel so bad for her, why don't you join her?
That wretched wench!
You should clean out the mistress's room.
I'm sure someone will replace her soon.
Let's go, girls.
I'll teach that wench a lesson!
Sir, there's trouble!
The investigator barged into the penitentiary.
Do you expect me to believe that you processed this huge quantity by yourself?
Whether you believe me or not is not my concern.
What did Choe Namgu threaten you with?
I don't know what you're talking about.
With corruption charges and murder of the diver master,
you're looking at death penalty.
You'd trust a man who committed all these crimes and made his subordinate take the fall?
I guess that's your choice.
Do you seriously believe Choe would keep the promises he made you after you're dead?
Let go! I said let go!
Sis!
I'm not going to run away.
Let me have a few words with my sister before I leave.
Make it quick.
Sis, why is this happening to you!
That's a little...
Okay, I'll deliver the message.
Let's go.
Deliver my message word for word.
Sis, don't worry! I won't let you down!
It turns out the clerk's family moved into Choe Namgu's house the day before he was arrested.
Have you met the family?
Yes.
His mother's elderly and infirm, and his children are quite young.
They were not aware that the clerk had been arrested,
and Choe Namgu claims he didn't tell them because he was afraid they would be devastated.
He's holding the clerk's family hostage
and claiming to have taken them in out of sympathy.
That's my speculation as well.
I'll secure the safety of the family first then persuade the clerk to confess the truth.
Yes.
We'll have to pay more attention to the safety of the jailed clerk as well.
The investigation has been reopened,
so Choe Namgu will attempt to kill him off.
I understand.
By the way, sir,
Have you had a chance to talk with Hong?
You should go to her.
Captain Jeong Hongsu came to my house and talked to the clerk's family.
This is bound to happen as long as the clerk's alive.
Didn't you know that?
He and I go back a long way, and he's such a good son to his mother...
So you held his mother hostage and thought everything will be fine?
What will you do?
Now that the investigators are on to you, killing him off won't be easy.
That's the reason why I've come to you.
Madam!
How dare you barge in unannounced?
I've come to deliver Mistress Myohyang's message.
Mistress my foot!
You may speak.
"The fact that Assistant Magistrate Choe ordered the killing of the diver master,
and all the illegal activities you committed in collaboration with Westgate over the years... "
Silence!
How dare you attempt to threaten me?
I haven't done anything wrong.
I'm simply delivering a message verbatim as I was told to.
So is that everything?
No, there's a little more.
There's no need to listen to this!
Let us hear what she had to say before she leaves.
- Continue. - Then...
"I remember the details of the past events that will fill the pages of at least two books
if I were to compile them. "
"Now that I've lost everything,
I've nothing to fear. "
"So for old times’ sake,
I'm informing you about my state of mind in advance. "
Go and deliver my message to Myohyang.
If she wants to keep her head intact,
she'd better keep her mouth shut!
Go deliver my message!
Yes.
Why aren't you saying anything?
We've to dispose Myohyang at once!
Calm down.
Myohyang knows too much to make her an enemy.
So we'll just silence her!
If we do that,
we've to kill off Myohyang's siblings, Dongju and Seoju as well.
The clerk, Myohyang,
Dongju and Seoju, how can we say that they all died by accident?
Then what are we supposed to do?
Indulge the woman who's been reduced to maidservant?
I think I'm going to visit the deer ranch to check on the deer antlers I need to send to Hanyang.
What are you talking about?
Isn't the deer ranch in Daejeonghyeon? [Daejeonghyeon: Southwest region of Jeju]
You shouldn't discard anything
until you know what it's worth.
Don't look at me like that.
I'm but a visitor from Hanyang.
What could I have possibly done to help you?
Just tell me why you're here.
Like you said in your message,
you know too much.
So I've come to make a deal.
A deal?
Yes.
I can't reinstate you as the headmistress right away.
But I can get you out of here.
And what am I supposed to give you in return?
The investigators from Hanyang have begun questioning the clerk again.
So you want me to find a way to get rid of him for you.
You've been the headmistress of Jeju government gisaeng house for many years.
I'm sure there are people who owe you favors.
If I were to do this,
how do I know you won't ignore me once this is done?
If you can't trust me,
I'll go.
I suppose things can't get much worse than this.
Fine.
I'll help you.
You won't regret it.
Hong.
What brings you here, My lord?
Please go inside.
I'd like to have a moment with Hong.
Too many people are watching.
Have you always known about Hong and me?
Yes.
Why didn't you let me know?
If I had known about Hong's existence, I would've taken her in.
I'm sure you would've wanted to.
But would your family accept a child you fathered during your time in exile?
All this time I watched her suffer all kinds of misfortune and did nothing.
I've committed an atrocity.
Then would you rather have given the poor girl who grew up without parental love
the guilt of having destroyed her father and his family as well?
But...
Think of how much Eunhong must've cared about you to have kept the child from you.
If that means anything to you, please leave now.
All I ever did was take from her.
I couldn't even stop her death that I essentially caused.
And you want me to turn my back on Hong as well?
I can't do that.
Frankly, it's not my concern what happens to you or your family.
But I can't allow Hong to become an offender's daughter and suffer for the rest of her life.
Please leave at once, sir
There is something I must give her as her father.
Won't you let me give it to her in person?
So, did it go well?
Of course.
Jail Guard Kim wouldn't hesitate to drink poison if my sister told him to.
Now the clerk is as good as dead.
Are you really going to get her out?
Do I look like a liar to you?
Well... that's not it.
Madam!
Kim Ungryeol... is going to give it to her.
Give what to whom?
He said,
"There is something I must give Hong as her father. "
Good.
Once we get that item in our possession, Kim Ungryeol will be in our hands.
And soon your sister will be reinstated as headmistress of the gisaeng house.
R... really?
The object Kim Ungryeol wants to give Hong has to be something important.
Perhaps it'll prove that they are father and daughter.
Follow Hong.
We must get that item in our hands.
Don't worry, Madam.
I'll get it for you if it's the last thing I do!
Deokpal, take Mangwan and Yubong
and organize the inventory by tomorrow.
Yes, sir.
I want you to get a room ready for Granny to stay.
Is she going to be staying with us?
She'll need a comfortable room to rest and recuperate after being detained for so long.
Wouldn't she be better off resting at a home than at a place of business?
I've asked her to stay here because
it'll be easier for us to work together.
Are you hiring her to work here at Eastgate Market Brokers?
I intend to have her as our business advisor.
No, sir.
She has too many enemies in the government office.
Who knows what kind of problem it'll cause us to have her here?
Junior Foreman's right, sir.
I think you should reconsider.
Granny's an experienced merchant who learned about business in Hanyang.
She'll be a valuable asset to us.
Senior Foreman.
I've already made my decision.
Where did Dongju disappear to this time?
He's probably somewhere drinking again, upset over Myohyang.
How about Hong?
Is she still staying at the government office?
Why are you asking me about the girl who ruined my sister's life?
- That hurts my feelings. - Be quiet!
No one told your sister to lie.
Cut the rubbish and get a room ready for Hong to stay.
What? You're bringing Hong here? Why?
What do you mean why?
I'm the one who put up her hair, so that makes me her husband.
It's only right that I take her in.
Um, there's a possibility she may not come, so can I do the cleaning when she gets here.
Just clean the room. I want it immaculate!
Love is a wretched disease...
When Hong rejects him, he's going to be shattered.
I wish he'd give me those jade rings, it's going to get tossed out anyway.
- Where are we going? - You'll know when we get there.
My lord, where are we going and why are we running?
We're going to see the man you need to see.
The man I need to see?
Let's hurry.
You two go that way.
You go around the back.
Seoju said you were passed out drunk.
This is an odd behavior for a drunken man.
Sir, I've an urgent business.
I really must go.
What's the urgent business?
That...
Why are you following Hong and Jeong Hongsu?
Who put you up to this?
And where are those two going?
I'll tell you everything later.
If I lose them, Madam Oh will...
Madam Oh?
Who is following us?
The people who are after you and your father.
I'll take care of them.
Go inside and see your father.
But...
It's okay. Go quick.
That way! What are you waiting for? Follow them!
Yes!
You can't go in there right now.
Let go of me or I'll kill you.
Sir, please wait a few minutes.
Just until the father and daughter start crying their guts out.
Father and daughter?
We need to secure proof that Kim Ungryeol and Hong are father and daughter.
That's the reason Madam Oh had me follow Hong.
Just wait a few minutes.
That's not my concern.
Where are you hiding Hong?
I thought hiding things is your forte.
I asked you a question!
You're Eunhong and my daughter.
I've confirmed the clerk's death.
We need to know the cause of death.
You'd cut the dead man into pieces to be satisfied?
I thought this case was over with the clerk's death.
Policy reform without my knowledge?
Maksoon? Maksoon, is that you?
Your son has fallen for a former gisaeng and become a mockery of Jeju.
I urge you to quickly find him a suitable maiden to marry.
If I can't have him, you can't have him either.