The Great Merchant
Episode 20
You raised Oh Moonsun and you know all about Jeong Dong's shady dealings.
I said I don't know!
What's the meaning of this?
No.
You know.
You do know!
Are you okay, Granny?
Episode 20
The ledger I asked you to give to Lord Kim Ungryeol in Hanyang,
what happened to it?
I was captured by Daebang Gang then,
I had asked Moonsun to deliver instead...
What?
Moonsun said she was afraid of getting caught by Steward Oh, she destroyed it.
What's wrong?
So it's her.
It's Moonsun.
She kept that ledger all this time,
and Foreman Gang saw it.
[Jeju Harbor]
Father!
Why have you come all the way to Jeju?
The man I sent here to investigate a crime turned out to be a tainted.
I had to personally investigate Jeju's corruption between the local government and merchants.
You seem to come to life whenever you're in Jeju.
Welcome, Minister Jeong! I'm sorry we're late.
My lord, you must be exhausted from the long journey in this dreadful fog.
I'll be at your service quietly but completely to make sure that your stay is comfortable.
How can I be comfortable with people who don't know their place running rampant?
Let's go.
We're keeping a close eye on the woman as you ordered, sir.
You should go with him.
I'm fine.
What's this?
It's the money chest and key that Foreman Go left behind.
To a Merchant foreman, a money chest is his life.
But Foreman Go died having lost everything in it...
I shall keep it safe.
I wonder if Foreman Go knew this would happen to Eastgate?
Yes, did you see Lord Kim Ungryeol off?
Yes.
Right, the Minister of Board of Punishments is here in Jeju.
What did you say?
The Minister of Board of Punishments is here?
Yes. What's wrong?
Nothing.
How could you let this happen?
How could you give the contract to a company I've never heard of, forcing me to all the way?
I'm sorry.
If you had given the contract to a company like Westgate with maritime experience,
this never would've happened!
The Bureau of Commerce Control chief is to assume responsibly and resign,
so just wrap up the case and move on.
Didn't you come to Jeju to investigate corruption between the local government and the merchants?
You must re-examine the black cow case if that's true.
You work for the Board of Punishments,
why are you so interested in this case?
This is about rectifying the wrong,
does it matter which department I work for?
There won't be a re-examination.
Government servants can't dwell on one case.
Right and wrong must be set apart because we're government servants.
I won't stop this investigation.
I want the family register you took from Mandeok.
Why should I do that?
I destroyed Mandeok with that piece of paper
and made Kim Ungryeol resigned from his post.
What makes you think I'll give that up?
Then I guess I've no choice.
I'll have to pay a visit to Minister Jeong Dong.
I'll ask him if he's interested in a certain ledger.
Ledger?
Did I suddenly got your attention with the ledger?
I've a feeling Minister Jeong will be very interested in that ledger.
When he finds out that you've a book with details of all his shady dealings,
what do you think he'll do?
Anyway...
I already got my use out of it.
How did she find out I've the ledger?
How?
It's gone!
What are you looking for?
You look pale as a ghost.
The book. The book!
When did it get into the old hag's hands?
What kind of book?
The ledger with records of all the grease money Daebang Gang paid Minister Jeong Dong.
You mean the ledger the daebang and Jeong Dong was looking for,
you had it all this time?
If Jeong Dong finds out I had that ledger,
we could lose our business in Hanyang and Westgate,
including our lives.
Then...
we must get it back from the old woman.
Yes, we've to get it back.
And then...
she must be killed.
No one but I must know about that book, do you understand?
Father putting my name on that piece of paper,
I never dreamed it would put my father in such predicament.
Keep it in your heart.
Then you will never lose it again.
Moonsun couldn't have just returned it to you,
how did you get it back?
I'll tell you about it some other time.
When will they re-examine the case?
They haven't approved it yet, but I'll continue to push for it.
Thank you, Lord Jeong.
Where should I take you?
The woman who's supposed to be dead, why is she still alive?
I too thought she was dead because the departed daebang said he had her killed.
Get rid of the old hag at once!
If Hongsu should ever find out about the incident involving that woman...
Don't worry.
I've this all planned out.
Noron and Soron factions are pitted against one another vying for the new Queen's favor.
There must be no mistakes.
Eastgate's trying to revive itself by exposing the truth behind the black cow case.
And your son's helping a woman named Mandeok who's doing the digging.
So I intend to lend them a hand in uncovering the truth.
Let them revive Eastgate?
Once the case comes up for re-examination, Gang Yuji will be in hot water.
That's when we'll eliminate the woman.
Link the black cow case with the old woman's murder?
Granny and Mandeok's prime suspect has been Gang Yuji all along.
If we kill Granny and pin the murder on Gang Yuji,
you'll be removing a thorn from your side.
And you'll be removing a potential obstacle who can hinder your unborn child's future.
I like the way you think.
If you get the investigation reopened, I'll do the rest.
Why are you being so dense?
Minister Jeong has ordered the case closed,
must you bring this up again?
Eastgate Market Brokers has been a solid, thriving business.
Its closure will have a negative effect on Jeju economy.
What solid business? They were up to their neck in debt.
Minister Jeong's here.
I just toured the marketplace,
but why are there so many closed businesses?
A few businesses have gone under as a result of Eastgate's closure.
Jeju's such a small commercial market that when a major supplier shuts down, the impact's severe.
Oh dear, then the people of Jeju will suffer?
It's regrettable, sir.
Regret won't change anything.
If this is indeed having such negative effect on Jeju economy,
something's got to be done,
Magistrate.
Yes, sir.
Re-examine the black cow case.
What are you waiting for? Re-examine the case!
Yes. As you wish, sir.
Sir!
Where in the world have you been?
At least one person in this house is happy to see me.
You came running out in your socks.
I'd run out barefoot in this situation.
Yoha was just here.
She said that the Minister of Punishments ordered a second examination of the black cow case!
What? What did you say?
If the Board of Punishments get involved in this investigation,
they'll find out that you planted the black cow goods on board Eastgate's ship
in a matter of time.
You must know more about this case than anyone else.
Who do you think is the real culprit?
Sir, we concluded that Foreman Go of Eastgate...
I'm inclined to think it's Gang Yuji of Westgate.
Tribute goods production and delivery's Jeju's biggest and most lucrative business.
And he lost it to Eastgate, so...
I also sensed something strange about Foreman Gang.
Should we bring in Gang Yuji?
I'll give you the order when the right time comes.
I thought you had my back, Assistant Magistrate Choe.
What can I possibly do when Minister Jeong ordered the investigation himself?
What can you do?
You can kill the rancher or kill Jeong Hongsu to protect me!
You'll have to protect yourself this time. Don't come begging me for help!
- Assistant Magistrate Choe! - Silence!
If you want to turn your back on me, go ahead.
Just answer one question.
Tell me when Jeong Hongsu's supposed to bring the rancher
and I'll leave.
When?
At eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
Jeong Hongsu has found the rancher!
Let's go!
You must be hungry, eat up.
Mandeok, I want you to hurry back to the inn now.
I don't have a very good feeling.
There are many people after us.
This place could be dangerous for you.
We don't know Westgate's next move.
I'm sure no one knows that we're here, don't worry.
We'll go to the government office in just a few hours.
So don't worry about us and go back to the inn.
I'll go if you think that's best.
Gang Yuji's on the move to the rancher's hiding place.
This will create a perfect set up.
Did you get what I asked for?
Of course.
I'm sure Gang Yuji has no idea that I have it.
Very well.
Let's move...
Are you okay?
I'll go alone, so you just...
Uncle, I'll do this myself.
Granny will need someone to talk to before she says goodbye to this world.
But you're due to give birth anytime now, let me handle this.
Is it Minister Jeong?
Did he fear I might chicken out and tell you to take care of this instead?
Lead the way.
Who are you? Get out of our way!
We must protect the rancher.
Come on! I'll kill you all.
I gave you what you want so now give me what's mine.
What would that be?
Don't you have something to give me?
The ledger.
You wasted a trip. I don't have it.
How can you take such poor care of an item you can use to destroy the Minister of Punishments?
Sir, let's get out of here!
Fine.
If you don't have it, I'm in fact relieved.
Since you and I are the only two people who knows the contents of that ledger,
one of us has to die.
If you make money your source of pleasure, you're guaranteed to be miserable.
I'm not here to chit chat.
I need you gone to make Mandeok powerless.
I was always overshadowed by her talents growing up.
No one told her to go out and sell things, but she was such a natural.
I wanted you to see your capacity for yourself.
I hoped that you'd want what you can possess and grow from there.
If you wanted me to grow, then why?
Why did you never once give me a warm hug?
I wanted you to love me.
I was a child longing for her dead mother and thirsting for affection.
But you only cared for Mandeok.
You didn't want my love.
You wanted what Mandeok had.
One who thrived on taking what doesn't belong to her,
that's the kind of girl you were.
I don't want to hear that.
I struggled to get your attention any which way I can.
But I soon found out that it's easier for bad girls to stay bad then try to change.
No matter what terrible things I did,
"Yes, that's just the way I am"
I could forgive myself by saying that.
Why?
Why didn't you ever try to change me?
You're the reason why I am this way.
I guess...
we were destined to hurt one another.
Madam,
I guess this is where this ill-fated relationship will have to end.
Help me...
Help...
Moonsun?
Moonsun!
- My baby... - What?
My baby!
Hang on. You've to hand on!
Tell your niece...
that money's like a floating cloud.
There's no need to rejoice when gained...
no need to despair when lost.
Moonsun, push. Harder. Harder!
You did it!
The baby's out!
It's a boy, right?
Is it a boy?
Give him to me. Let me have my son.
The baby isn't crying.
Stay here, I'll run and get Granny.
Don't panic and stay put.
You're a mom now, okay?
I'll be right back.
Moonsun!
You...
Uncle, get me a doctor. A doctor!
What's wrong?
The baby...
The baby isn't crying.
No, I can walk.
Granny?
It's over.
The witness's dead, so now there is no way to expose the truth.
We should've been more careful.
We should've anticipated Westgate's move.
I'm more worried about Mandeok.
Granny, Moonsun's...
Granny...
Granny!
Mandeok...
Granny, who did this?
Who did this to you?
I'm sorry.
For the burden I'm leaving you...
Granny...
Being a merchant...
the road you've chosen...
will test you again and again.
But remember.
You must win your patron hearts.
A true merchant sells her earnestness.
That's a true merchant...
Granny.
Granny!
Mandeok!
Granny...
Granny!
Granny! Open your eyes, granny.
Granny!
The black cow case has wrapped up,
so Westgate will regain its commercial power in Jeju.
What's the meaning of this?
Arrest this dagger's owner, Gang Yuji, immediately.
Mandeok's grandmother has just been murdered.
Gang Yuji?
Isn't he a childhood friend of yours?
Why do you assume he's the killer?
This dagger belongs to Gang Yuji.
I suspect he killed the rancher to foil the second investigation of the black cow case,
and killed Granny during a heated argument while he was there to talk to Mandeok.
Sir, this is indeed Gang Yuji's dagger.
It has a unique handle, and I've seen it in Gang's possession.
Not only Mandeok's grandmother, he killed the rancher,
so he'll flee.
We've to move fast.
Oh! Sir, Sir! Sir! Sir!
Sir, you've to run! Now!
Seoju, if this about the rancher,
no one will suspect us, so don't worry.
The rancher? I'm talking about Mandeok's granny!
What do you mean?
Oh, sir!
I know Mandeok has hurt you,
why did you've to go and kill her granny?
Are you behind all this?
Did you put the black cow goods in the tangerine crates and have me plant them in Eastgate's ship
then manipulate me to kill the rancher when they reopened the investigation?
Yes.
And you're the one who killed Granny too.
When Eastgate crumbled,
you expected her to come begging for help,
but you were mad as hell when Mandeok said she'd never forgive you.
Then Granny kept questioning you about the black cow case,
so you killed her in spite.
Is this what you came to Jeju for in the first place?
I wasn't content in dominating the silk market in Hanyang.
I wanted Westgate to seize monopoly of all seafood products in Jeju.
Also, in order to make sure Westgate gain monopoly of Jeju's seafood market,
I needed to destroy Eastgate and make sure it stays destroyed.
Is this the way you destroyed my father too?
What do you use your ears for?
I told you that he died from a heart disease.
Search the building and find Gang Yuji!
Yes, sir!
If you refuse to tell the truth, fine.
You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth and everything served to you on a silver platter,
so you could never understand how I feel.
There's nothing I wouldn't do for money.
But I didn't kill my husband.
You can't fool me again!
What's the meaning of this?
State guards are outside waiting to arrest you.
If I scream, your life's over.
Uncle, we can't kill him inside this house.
Follow him.
Follow and kill him before he gets arrested.
Okay.
Dead or alive, I'll make sure he can never set foot on Jeju again.
You must quickly leave Jeju.
I'm sorry...
I'm broke and this is all I have...
It'll last you a few days.
Be safe. Please be safe.
I'll take care of everything here.
Get on board now. You must hurry.
My son,
these are Westgate's warehouse keys and signet.
My son, you're the true owner of Westgate Market Brokers.
Grow up proud.
You'll never suffer pain and misery because of money like I did.
Yuji has fled the island,
and they wrapped up the case, indicting him for all the crimes.
I don't think Foreman Gang's connected to these crimes.
No, it's him.
I saw him arguing with Granny the other day.
I think Yuji was one of the men who attacked us when we were bring the rancher back.
He was with us when Granny was killed.
Yes.
Foreman Gang was set up just like Hwasoon of the silk store.
What are you going to do about our money?
We want our money!
Show some respect! Light an incense for the deceased before you start yelping about debt!
If you've money to hold a funeral, pay off your debt first.
We scraped everything we've for this.
Take a look around. Does this look like a normal funeral to you?
You brought us here from Haenam promising us money,
now what are we supposed to do?
This is hardly the place to carry on a debt collection!
I'll pay off that debt when the mourning's over.
No, my lord.
I'll deal with this.
When are you going to pay us?
Just as you kept your promise,
I'll keep my promise to share the profits from the tribute goods transportation service.
But I've nothing to give you right now.
So I'll pay you back your wages within five years with interest starting today.
Give us your trust.
Don't I need to get back on my feet so I can repay you?
Please think beyond the new immediate and help me.
I guess we've no choice if we're going to get our money.
Can you give us your word you'll pay us within five years?
You've our word.
Five years from today.
Five years...
Does money mean that much to you?
If you love money so much, put it in your mouth and eat it.
If you like the filthy taste, eat it.
A merchant without ethics is no better than a thief.
Stealing with your tongue's worse than stealing with your hands.
Principled merchants are rare.
But principled merchants are beautiful.
Granny, what's money?
Why does it create so much pain and turn this world into a scary place?
Have you finally come to realize that?
Money's human greed.
You must fear money, or you'll become a slave to it.
You must truly understand its power and learn to fear it in order to learn how to use it.
Learn how to use money?
Don't work to acquire money, work to acquire people.
Well, now that you've learned to fear money,
you'll gain the sight to properly use it.
Fear it.
And rise above it.
And use it to realize your dream.
Go forward to a bigger world!
Granny,
I'll prevail with money.
I will.