The Great Merchant
Episode 18
You're right about Kim Pansul and Mu Mengdal being suspicious.
I followed Mu as you asked, he went straight into Westgate.
I guess all we can do now is pray that our fears don't come true.
No.
Our fears will come true.
What?
Something even worse might happen.
What do you mean?
Mu Mengdal...
The junior foreman...
And this isn't what I had imagined.
What do you mean by that?
I thought the tribute goods transport contract would bring the company stability.
But...
Never mind.
Maybe I'm just over thinking this.
We should be working on building internal strength, but we're expanding externally.
Is that what's bothering you?
The staff's overly excited,
that really worries me.
This isn't the only market broker in Jeju! Let's get out of here!
Why are you gentlemen leaving?
Everyone's busy celebrating and no one's helping the customers!
Come join us, Madam!
Mandeok, you too!
I cooked up my best dishes for us!
Drink for the food and drink for the mood!
What's the meaning of this?
Customers are turning around and leaving!
It's okay. They're just small time peddlers.
We got more business than we know what to do with now!
"Just small time peddlers"?
All customers are equally important.
Since when did we discriminate our customers?
Don't be too harsh, Madam.
It's not like we do this every day.
We just bought our own ship and we're happy.
Can't we enjoy ourselves for just one day?
We haven't even been paid for the freight yet.
Oh, that. Money's coming anyway.
It's not going anywhere. Relax!
Here, have another drink.
What's this? [Jeong Dong's estate, Hanyang]
It's black cow hide.
Black cow hides are rare items used only in the royal house.
What's your reason for bringing this?
I intend to use this to shut down Eastgate Market Brokers
and drive Madam out of Jeju.
Continue.
We'll plant the goods in the Eastgate's freight vessel.
The only thing I need you do is to have Kim Ungryeol find them.
Have Kim Ungryeol shut down the company his daughter works for?
Yes, sir.
Then,
would you be able to eliminate the old woman permanently this time?
Don't worry.
I'll take care of everything once I get back to Jeju.
Very well.
I'll make arrangements so that Kim Ungryeol
will inspect Eastgate's tribute transport vessel personally.
Thank you, Minister Jeong.
[Westgate Market Brokers, Jeju Island]
Is this it?
Yes, sir.
She wants me to sneak this on board Eastgate's freight ship?
If all goes according to plan,
We can destroy Eastgate without hurting a hair on your precious Mandeok's head.
Destroy Eastgate by putting prohibited trade items on their ship?
I've to hand it to Mother.
She's a crafty lady.
We've to be here all night, [Jeju Port]
but I'm already getting sleepy.
I've to go take a whizz.
Junior Foreman.
Go get some shuteye.
I'll keep watch for a while.
It's okay.
Okay?
You're falling asleep on the job.
Just catch a short nap.
So you can stay alert for the watch.
Then we'll be back soon.
Then just a few minutes.
We found a good spot and put them on board.
I hope Eastgate will like our little gift.
Good work.
Actually,
I'm under suspicion among my peers at Eastgate.
Please remember that I'm risking my life for you.
Let's go.
[Moonsun's silk store, Hanyang]
Looks like no one's been working since I left Hanyang.
Uncle, I'm going to have to make some personnel changes before I go back to Jeju.
Okay.
I'll do some staff evaluation and fire those who aren't performing.
I'm coming in.
What brings you here?
I must have done something wrong again judging by the look on your face.
I know that you've been talking to my father about Eastgate's freight ship.
Minister Jeong sought my opinion on Eastgate's ability to run the tribute goods transport operation,
and I obliged.
Why don't you share your opinion with me as well?
I told Minister Jeong that Eastgate lacks experience and resources,
so problems are foreseeable.
This meeting you had with my father,
isn't that one of those problems?
What do you mean?
Aren't you plotting a scheme against Eastgate to get back the privileges Westgate lost?
Are you here because you're worried for Eastgate?
My father's the head of the Ministry of Punishments.
It doesn't bode well for him to have repeated visits with a merchant,
keep that in mind.
Hongsu came to see you? Why?
He was trying to feel out why you and I were talking about Eastgate's freight ship.
What? How did he find out about that?
Don't be alarmed.
I told him that you were just concerned about a small company handling such important work.
You don't have to worry.
No one will ever find any evidence that you and I are involved in this.
There can be no mistakes.
I know.
[Hanyang Harbor]
Sir!
What is it?
There are items on the ship that shouldn't be there.
Items that shouldn't be there?
These are...
These are black cow beef and hide.
They are not on the manifest of tribute goods for this shipment.
Then why are they on this ship?
Perhaps there's an error on the manifest.
I don't think it's an error.
They were hidden under the tangerine boxes.
We might have missed it if you hadn't ordered us to check each box.
Did you say black cow?
Why did they bring unauthorized goods on board?
I've contacted Jeju
and ordered an investigation on the suspected illegal trade.
This is a serious matter.
It's more than just profit related matter.
What do you mean?
Black cow's only used for national funerals and royal entrees.
If this is an attempt to tamper with the food that goes on the King's table...
That's a bit farfetched.
If as you've said someone was after the King,
why would they use the tribute transport vessel to smuggle the goods?
So you're suggesting...
More like this is a conspiracy against the company running the tribute transport vessel.
A conspiracy?
Yes.
Tribute goods transport service's a lucrative contract and subject of competitors' envy.
And the ship's not being guarded by state guards,
so items could be slipped on board for a set-up.
Assistant Section Chief Jeong has a good point.
And it's likely that the ship's crew had no idea
since none of the items on the manifest were missing.
Nonsense!
However fierce competition might be,
how could these alleged conspirators acquire such rare item?
So that eliminates our list of suspects.
- We'll investigate those with resources... - The Bureau of Commerce Control...
will interrogate the smugglers and get to the bottom of this attempt against the royal family.
Regardless of your exalted position,
you can't give groundless orders before an investigating!
Don't you have anything to say to me?
I heard you assigned Sir Kim Ungryeol to investigate Eastgate Market Brokers.
Is this a safety measure just in case something goes wrong?
You punk!
Or is this all part of a plan?
How dare you!
It's not enough that you humiliate me in front of my peers,
now you're trying to vilify me?
Father, stop this.
You can't hurt innocent people.
You dare continue?
I won't let you bring dishonor to me and this family.
[Eastgate Marker Brokers, Jeju Island]
Arrest the foreman of Eastgate!
- Yes, sir! - What's the meaning of this?
However money crazy,
you've balls using a royal tributes ship to run a smuggling operation?
Assistant Magistrate!
A smuggling operation? That's ridiculous!
They found black cow beef and hide on the tribute ship.
You won't be able to get out of this one.
- Take them away. - Yes, sir!
Black cow?
Sir!
This is a mistake. We did no such thing!
I heard Lord Kim Ungryeol inspected the tribute transport ship himself.
Listen well.
If you don't answer my questions honestly,
you won't get out of here alive.
Yes... Yes, sir.
Did you release black cow goods from this office without permission?
My lord, forgive me.
Just once.
It was late at night, and he said it was urgent...
He promised to bring me the release order later, so I...
Who was this man?
Yes, he was...
the senior foreman of Eastgate Market Brokers who runs the tribute transport ship.
Do you still deny the charge?
No... No, it wasn't me.
Continue the torture until he confesses the truth!
Yes, sir!
How dare you barge in here!
Do you think this is Eastgate's living room?
Magistrate,
I beg you to stop the torture and conduct an investigation.
Senior Foreman Go would never be involved in illegal trade.
That's right.
Black cows are a rare commodity, so only a few people can get their hands on them.
You little punks!
The truth has already been exposed.
Don't waste your time.
Truth has been exposed?
We've a witness. The rancher at the black cow farm has testified against him.
You mean the rancher said Senior Foreman Go received the goods?
Did you think the government office would punish a man without proof of guilt?
That can't be...
We won't be long. It'll just be a moment...
Senior Foreman!
Are you alright?
What are you doing here?
I don't know what to say...
Don't say things like that.
How could this be your fault?
Sir, I promise you we'll get to the truth,
so don't worry.
They've a witness.
They won't believe us no matter what we say.
We're going to talk to that rancher who testified against you.
The kids are doing everything they can for you and Eastgate,
so don't lose your strength.
Thank you, and I'm sorry for all this...
I'm to blame for everything.
If I had been more prudent...
I'm worried what this will do to the company.
Please take care of Eastgate, Madam.
Don't worry.
This old woman will keep Eastgate safe until the day you return.
[Bureau of Commerce Control, Hanyang]
What brings you here?
I heard you're going to Jeju.
Yes.
I'm going to conduct an investigation on the black cowhide smuggling case.
There's got to be more to this case than meets the eye.
Mandeok?
No, Eastgate's Senior Foreman Go? He wouldn't commit this kind of crime.
Don't worry.
I'll conduct a thorough investigation and expose the truth.
Be very careful, sir.
Thanks.
[Black Cow Ranch, Jeju Island]
What the heck!
I made one little mistake and there's no end.
Get out of here before I throw you out!
Go ahead and throw us out.
But you'll have to answer our questions before you do.
Do you know how much work I've got piled up being hauled in and out of the government office?
We won't take too much of your time.
Are you certain it was Eastgate's Senior Foreman who came to you that night?
Gosh!
How many times have I to tell you?
He said he would send the release order later
and to come to Eastgate if there's any problems.
Are you sure it was Eastgate's Senior Foreman?
Was it the same man an you saw at the government office?
What?
Well, that's...
Let me call a sketch artist.
You can describe the facial features of the man who took the goods.
How can I remember the man I saw once in the dark?
You mean you testified against a man you don't even recognize?
Someone was posing as Senior Foreman Go!
He said to me he was the senior foreman of Eastgate Market Brokers!
Stop harassing me and get out of here!
A man's life is at stake.
Think back and give us the details of the man who came to you that night.
We'll make certain that no harm comes to you.
Junior Foreman!
What have they done to you!
What happened to the senior foreman?
He's going to be exiled.
Exiled?
Oh, no! This can't be happening!
Oh, no! No! What are we to do?
Oh, the poor man!
Did you have a good trip to Hanyang, ma'am?
Collect on Eastgate's promissory note without delay.
I'll get on it at once.
No one will ever find out about your involvement.
You catch on quick.
You can't survive in lending business without keen eye and sharp wit.
The rancher who testified against the senior foreman said he doesn't remember the man's face.
Perhaps we can request a second investigation.
It's not an easy matter.
The rancher won't change his testimony first of all.
Deokpal and those who were guarding the ship that night could also be implicated and harmed.
I hate to suspect one of our own especially at a time like this, but...
The junior foreman?
Yes.
If we trace the junior foreman's whereabouts the night before the ship set sail,
who knows we might find some clues which will help us.
If there is a reason to be suspicious,
we must look into it whether it's an outsider or one of our own.
I'll help anyway I can.
Okay.
Madam! Madam! There's trouble!
What's the meaning of this?
You're going to have to pay me back the loan at once.
The note isn't due yet.
Let's not do this out here. Come inside.
Actually, the note's due today.
How could this be...
Don't know?
We agreed on an open note to be paid back on the day that I decide.
I won't demand repayment from you people since the senior foreman's in custody, but...
You'll have to leave this property at once.
Where are we supposed to go?
Any items belonging to this company must be left untouched.
- Look here! - Everyone!
I've terrible news!
Officer Kim, what brings you here?
That... the senior foreman...
is dead!
This can't be happening!
Granny!
Oh! Why is this happening to us?
Oh, no! This can't be real!
How are things at Eastgate?
I'm sure it's as somber as a funeral house.
I wonder how Mandeok's taking all this.
Madam!
I just heard that Foreman Go of Eastgate has died!
Go Seokju's dead?
Oh my! Really became a funeral house!
You got your wish.
This will be the end of Eastgate, my son.
Bring the deceased home, you say?
This place's no longer Eastgate Market Brokers,
it's Mu Mengdal's house now!
He's the senior foreman of Eastgate!
His mourning must be observed here!
I don't want to hear this gibberish, so just pack your bags!
What are you waiting for? Get these people out of here!
Yes, sir!
Stop!
I know you're a coldhearted loan shark,
but how could you be so ruthless when a man's dead?
Stop us if you can.
But we're going to bring back Senior Foreman's body.
Senior Foreman...
Men, I want nothing to go missing, not even a spoon!
Watch carefully!
Yes, sir!
This must be so hard on you.
I heard that the company has been taken over by a creditor too.
Tell me if there's anything I can do to help.
You and Granny can come work for me if you'd like.
Do you really want to help?
Of course.
How about restoring Eastgate back to its original condition?
What do you mean by that?
You can't bring a dead man back to life,
but I'm sure you've the resources to revive a dying business.
I truly wish I could,
but I can't very well go out of business, paying back Eastgate's debt, can I?
But I can take care of you, so I'm asking you to join Westgate.
Aren't you the one behind Mu Mengdal?
I know you're upset,
but I can't have you accusing me and Westgate every time things don't work out.
I just hope you're being truthful.
Because I don't intend to forgive whoever did this.
What are they taking inside?
It's an island custom to share whatever you have with the family of the deceased for consolation.
I think that woman's taking rice cakes, my favorite.
Oh, dear...
I can only imagine what poor Mandeok must be going through.
Oh, dear...
I hope she can put this behind her and get back on her feet soon.
Foreman Go's the dead man, but everyone's worried about Mandeok.
Well, Mandeok does have a lot of friends on this island.
On account of her being such a nosey-parker that she is...
[Eastgate Market Brokers, Jeju]
Inspector, what brings you here from Hanyang?
Why does the compound look so empty?
Senior Foreman Go has passed away.
Foreman Go's dead? What happened?
After being accused and tortured for illegal trade...
Has the case already come to that?
But where's everyone?
Why are there men guarding the gate?
The men at the gate work for a loan shark,
and the staff has gone to Senior Foreman's burial.
I see.
We've to clear the compound as soon as the senior foreman's funeral's over.
Was it necessary to destroy Eastgate?
Are you feeling duped because it looks like you'll never be a senior foreman?
Well, Mandeok's suspicious of me,
and the company's up to its neck in debt,
so I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do...
You're so dense.
As long as Granny's in control,
you can't have Eastgate anyway.
Yes, did you find what I told you to look for?
This will serve as definitive proof that Mandeok's Kim Ungryeol's daughter.
But... Kim Ungryeol's back in Jeju.
Good. That's perfect timing.
As for you, wait for the right time and move into Westgate.
I'll find a decent position for you.
Thank you, madam.
One more thing.
In case anything happens,
remember that the man behind all this is Gang Yuji.
Whatever that means, I understand.
I put up my hair myself.
I see.
I heard about the senior foreman.
Are you here because of the cowhide that was found on the tribute goods transport ship?
Yes.
Good, I'm glad.
Please conduct a thorough investigation.
Okay.
I'll get to the bottom of it, so don't worry.
Thank you.
Are you doing alright?
It breaks my heart to think about the senior foreman,
but I don't believe this is the end for Eastgate.
I'm going to rebuild Eastgate with my own hands.
Spread the rumor that Kim Ungryeol rushed here the moment he heard Eastgate was in trouble.
Kim Ungryeol's here again?
But why do we want the whole world to know when the man's only going to harass us?
That's exactly why.
Eastgate's gaining public sympathy after the senior foreman's death.
What will happen once it becomes know that they have a powerful government official behind them?
Eastgate got both the abalone distribution
and tribute transport contract through its powerful connections,
I'll make sure that the whole island will think that way.
It's vital that this rumor reaches the magistrate.
So tell Yoha to work on Assistant Magistrate Choe.
Don't worry.
No one will believe a word Kim Ungryeol says when we get done.
Yes, yes.
Why does the food taste like this?
Salty on one, bland on another. Some kind of shock treatment?
My lord, does it really matter what the food taste like when you're drinking?
The best appetizer with a drink is having someone to badmouth.
That's true.
I heard Sir Kim Ungryeol's here again in Jeju.
News travels fast.
There's a rumor all over town that Kim Ungryeol's the one
who got the abalone distribution and tribute goods transport contract for Eastgate.
Really?
Kim Ungryeol did indeed zealously defend Eastgate.
Some people even make bets trying to figure out
why a man came all the way from Hanyang would do such favors for Eastgate.
Is that right?
You can't conclude that Go Seokju took the black cow goods based on one rancher's testimony.
And now that the suspect has died during interrogation...
Cowhide was found on the tribute goods' ship,
what more do you need?
Sir, you wish to see me?
Hello... again.
Bring the inspector the black cow hide case file.
There's a rumor that you're Eastgate's...
no, no,
specifically Mandeok's guardian angel.
That you're the reason why Eastgate got all the government con...
Assistant Magistrate Choe!
Are you using a groundless rumor as an excuse to malign me?
Gentlemen, please.
I won't let a groundless rumor stop me from doing my job,
so I expect your full cooperation.
Oh, how kind!
You're cleaning up the place for us when you're getting kicked out!
Don't back us into a corner.
I know we owe you money, but aren't you being unreasonable?
I let you have the funeral service because I'm a compassionate man,
but you've to leave today.
Men, start loading up the merchandise.
We're taking it to the marketplace for liquidation!
Yes, sir!
No, you can't do this! Stop!
No, stop!
No, stop! We'll be out on the streets if you do this!
I beg you!
Please give us an extension on the loan.
Not a chance!
We've lost our leader, but we don't want to lose our company.
Wouldn't it benefit you if we rebuild our business and pay you back?
Everyone in your position say the same thing.
"I promise to pay you back. "
But I've to protect my own interest,
so I can't give you an extension.
I never break a promise.
I don't believe in promises.
I only believe in money.
I want all of you gone by the time I get back from liquidating this merchandise!
Oh, this is the end for us! It's over!
You all know the situation, so I'll make this short.
Leave the company as soon as you find a place to go.
We can't give up like this.
It's already over. Let it go.
Junior Foreman, please help the staff find new jobs so they've a place to go.
Yes, Madam.
We just got this job and now this!
We never have any luck...
The company, goods, everything's gone,
why stay behind in misery?
I've been waiting for you.
For me?
The night Deokpal and Mangan were on watch duty,
I heard you had filled in for them.
And there's a witness who saw strange men loading things up on the ship.
W... w... what do you mean?
It was me. I saw you letting them on the ship!
Don't lie to us anymore.
Who were those men who brought the cargo on board that night?
I only let them on board because they said an authorized tribute item had been left out.
Who was it?
Foreman Gang Yuji of Westgate.
Was it Foreman Gang Yuji?
Yes, Foreman Gang!
Why didn't you tell us this before?
We must go to the authorities at once and clear Eastgate's name!
Do you want me dead as well?
What good would it do to go to the authorities?
Senior Foreman's already dead anyway, and Gang Yuji will deny it all!
Are you the one who planted the illegal trade items on our ship?
Right, it was me.
How?
How could you do such a thing and be completely shameless.
Our senior foreman's dead because of you,
and the Eastgate people lost their home!
Eastgate's gone now, so you don't have anywhere to go either.
Why don't you let me take care of you now?
I'd rather jump into the ocean, than being with you.
Do what you will.
But don't forget.
Whoever you choose to go to will end up just like Eastgate.
I, Gang Yuji, will make sure of it.