The Great Merchant
Episode 21
Granny,
I'll prevail with money.
I will.
She's traumatized by Granny's death.
How to explain this strange behavior?
She's been eating non-stop!
I can't even count how many bowls she had.
Ladies, there are five travelers inns in the market district that sell soup and rice,
but some places do well and some don't.
Why do you think that is?
Why, because the food's different.
And the place across the street had good food but bad service...
The reason you've been dragging us around trying different restaurants,
is to go into food business?
With you two doing the cooking, people will be fighting for a table.
Doesn't the thought of starting a business scare you after what happened?
I'm scared.
I'm scared of money and people.
But what scares me even more is giving up here like this.
Why this place?
This is the worst place we've tried.
You can't get the government office from the harbor without passing this place.
No better location.
I guess your heart isn't in this business.
If you don't want the food, you can just leave.
This is my analysis of this place I gathered eating here for the past month.
And?
I heard Mu Mengdal's after this place.
What? Who are you?
Why are you poking around my business?
If this is how you're running your business, you might as well hand it over to Mu now.
You're going to go out of business before he takes it from you anyway.
What?
Calm down. Calm down!
I know you took out a loan on this place too.
- What the... - No, no!
Let me run this place for you.
I'll give you 70% of the profit.
70%?
All you've to do is just sit back and watch.
I get a place to sell my product, you get a superior product that will bring more business.
Isn't it be beneficial for both of us?
You think it's easy to run a business?
Don't insult me because I sell soup for a living!
This is the soup we would sell.
First give us a try for a month then decide.
What are we to do now that we've a place to do business?
Our first priority is shedding the old image.
Yes.
I think we should separate ourselves from the other inns by food and other things too.
Merchants usually travel in groups,
so why don't we make ourselves known as the place that offer group benefits?
If we only charge for lodging for large groups and offer food for free,
rumor will spread fast.
Ladies, what special menu can we offer using ingredients unique to Jeju?
How about port and seaweed soup?
You put seaweed in flavorful pork broth and thicken it with buckwheat powder.
Well, it'll be like a party everyday!
We can serve it with tea made from tangerine rind.
Tangerines help relieve motion sickness,
so it'll be perfect for travelers.
Let's start experimenting with pork and seaweed soup recipes.
We've to distinguish ourselves from the competitors in our food and service.
[Jeju Marketplace]
The seaweed's not very good today.
I'll give you a discount.
I can fool the customers but I can't fool my conscience.
I don't mind paying a little more,
so let us be the first to know when you get in good quality goods.
Sure.
Get in line.
Your pork and seaweed soup with tangerine tea!
May I ask where you're traveling from?
I'm from Mokpo, Cheolla.
What are you selling in Jeju?
I came to sell cotton,
but Honam's enjoying a bumper cotton crop due to the good rain they had.
It drove the price way down.
I take it you didn't do too well there.
If I don't make some money here,
I don't know how I'm going to give my father his 60th birthday party.
Leave a few bolts here with us.
We'll pay you enough for the birthday celebration.
What?
We don't charge you for accommodation here if you give us valuable information.
It's for the interesting story you just told, so consider it an even trade.
An outbreak of bandits in Gangwondo is causing the crop prices to soar.
Lack of snow's affecting apple crops in Gyeongsangdo.
This month's payment plus interest.
Exactly thirty nyangs.
You're more capable than most men including me.
I'm sorry, but we're full. Let me take you to the next inn.
Guys!
Hi!
Good to see you.
I was just taking these men to the next inn because we're full.
This way.
- You're here! - Yes, I'm so proud of you!
But are you sending all those customers to another inn?
If you think about it, it's good for us too to have thriving neighbors.
Choksae!
You're the best, Mandeok!
Learn from her, will you?
How... did you make all this money?
You're amazing!
You made more for me the last few months than I saved the entire time I've been in business.
I'm glad I can keep my promise.
From now on, I'll stay out of the management completely.
I'll leave it in your hands for building up.
You and I are both businesswoman.
I thought about this for days before I made the decision.
I thank you for trusting me.
You can be certain I'll return the favor.
[Six years later]
Stop that man!
- Deokpal, stop him! - Hey!
Hey!
You think you can eat and run?
Husband, don't waste your time, strip him!
Strip him? You like stripping too much.
Come here, you little weasel!
What's going on here?
Doctor!
Mandeok, I've to talk to you.
What did you want to discuss?
Well...
I wonder if you could help me find some Joritdae* wild bamboo.
(*Tupe of wild bamboo used for treatment of cancer)
Aren't those found at the foot of Mt. Halla?
Yes, well...
It's for the King and I need them quick,
but I can't find any high grade goods.
For the King?
Yes.
I'm told his chest pain has gotten worse.
So if you hear anything, let me know right away.
Well then...
Please.
If Joritdae... it's used to treat cancer.
He couldn't be...
What was the doctor doing here?
If...
suppose the King's dying.
What would be the first sign one might see?
You can't say things like that!
You could be arrested for high treason.
If the King dies,
Jeju would send specialty products to the palace for the royal funeral.
But what would that be?
Mandeok, stop it.
No, we've to find out.
Dong-ah go to Slim at the gisaeng house and borrow the books in the government library.
Here you go.
Enjoy!
Really delicious.
We're just raking in the money!
If only I had made a better choice six years ago...
You couldn't have made a better choice,
h. u. s. b. a. n. d.
Absolutely, w. i. f. e.
[White hats: Worn during mourning]
White hats are required to be worn for six months.
Dong-ah!
Excuse me.
Has anyone placed a large order of white hats in the last few days?
Someone from Hanyang or out of state?
Why would anyone order white hats when no one has died?
How much money do we have to spare?
We charge less than our competitors,
and after paying rent, food cost and labor,
we end up with not much.
Mangan and Yubong,
go to the government office
and find out if any horses have been sent out to Hanyang from Jeju lately.
Yes, ma'am.
You go to Hanyang and look into what I asked you earlier.
And don't forget to bring back a white hat on your way back from Hanyang.
[Hanyang Marketplace]
- That despicable fool! - That's alright.
We'll just get a new tenant if he can't pay rent anyway.
Don't make a fuss.
Have you heard anything?
About what?
About Mandeok.
Do you still think about that wench?
She's probably somewhere living a worthless life.
I never want to see her face again.
Call Merchant Baek from the fish market.
You look worried.
I fear His Highness's nearing death.
Is that why you requisitioned horses from Jeju?
To prepare for a possible unrest?
The royal grandson's ascension is definite.
Being of the Noron faction,
I fear our family might become a target of political revenge.
I heard that the royal grandson isn't someone who will allow a political war over the past.
I've got nothing else to lose now that I'm handing over my store, I'll speak my mind.
What happened in Songpa markets, you know that someone is selling it cheaper, don't you?
My man, what's the use of bringing that up now?
I heard a disturbing rumor.
Disturbing rumor?
That it's none other than you who allowed the Songpa merchants to run rampant.
Do you have any proof of that?
Leave at once!
You should be grateful that we're paying you for a business which is practically worthless!
Done.
Now we can close up the fish market in Songpa.
But...
I heard that fish markets are cropping up in Newon.
There's a marketplace in Newon?
Merchants are setting up shop wherever goods can be delivered.
So it's not easy to knock down a business like it used to be.
Then something must be done about this.
[Jeong Dong's Estate, Hanyang]
I've heard that a new marketplace is forming in Newon, what happened?
I'm fighting against it, but it's Choe Jebum who's the problem.
He insists that protecting the licensed shops isn't the answer to all
and refutes everything I say.
I need you to stop it.
You know how much loss we're suffering because of these private merchants?
That doesn't sound like a request.
Forgive me, Minister.
I'll take care of it myself.
Please hold back the Commerce Control Bureau while I'm doing it.
Is there any trouble in the royal court?
None. What trouble can there be?
Are you okay?
Yes.
This child doesn't take after you.
What do you mean?
He's sickly and fragile.
The doctor said he would grow out of this and not to worry.
I too, gave him everything he could ever need...
Neither of us seem to have raised our sons to our wish.
[Kim Ungryeol's home, Hanyang]
It's already been six years.
How are things in Jeju?
Business is thriving,
so we've paid off much of the debt and all is well, sir.
Mandeok's also healthy and well.
Time heals all wounds.
I'm sure she will be just fine.
You must be tired today, go get some rest.
Thank you, sir.
Sir,
By chance, is the King unwell?
How do you know about the King's health conditions?
Jeju horses were hurriedly requisitioned, and things are unsettled.
Isn't there something happening in the palace.
Is that why you came to Hanyang?
Yes.
Mandeok wanted me to confirm our suspicion with you.
Confirm? For what reason?
I'm not certain, but I think she wants to go into a new business.
I'm sure I don't need to say this,
but you mustn't mention the King's condition to anyone.
The situation's very precarious in the royal court right now.
Don't worry.
I'd like to buy a white hat.
Huh? A white hat?
You must've lost a loved one.
Twenty nyangs.
Here you go.
The market seems rather empty today.
It's like this every day.
Business's so bad I can barely make the rent.
Do you need anything else?
No.
Did you find out? [Mandeok's Inn, Jeju]
Yes. One bundle of bamboo is plenty to make one hat.
But weaving the brim is very difficult,
so labor cost's quite high.
They sell the hat part for 5 nyangs each, and the brim part varies depending on the material.
With material and labor,
it'll cost about 20 nyangs to produce a white hat.
Twenty nyangs...
Twenty nyangs each, so one thousand hats would...
Twenty thousand nyangs.
Yes.
It's a considerable amount...
But why are we researching white hats anyway?
I heard that business was dead at other inns because of this place.
It must be true.
I'll take a bowl of soup and rice here!
Yes, sir!
Who do you think you are coming in here demanding food?
Get out of here this instant!
Is this how you treat all your customers?
Customer? What customer?
That table's reserved.
Reserved? In this hole in the wall?
That table's reserved as well.
If you want to taste our food,
you've to wait for a table.
What would you like to do?
Would you like to wait?
You're that busy, huh?
Well, past's past,
so call me if you ever need a loan.
I'll take this business as collateral any time.
Good. We don't need that man's business.
Dong-ah.
You were right.
Did you confirm it with him?
And the white hat?
Ask me one question at a time.
Here.
How about the hat shops in Hanyang? Did they seem busy?
No, not at all.
The whole city seemed to be in the dark about it.
Good.
No one knows about it.
We're ahead of everyone!
But what's your plan?
Business?
When you say business...
What other kind of business do you want to go into?
White hat business.
But it's not as if the King's dying, why would you?
I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear this.
The King...
is dying.
We've confirmed it with Lord Jeong Hongsu in Hanyang.
The King's dying? Is this true?
Yes.
And I don't want to lose this opportunity.
But we don't have the capital to start a new business.
I know.
But we've been preparing for the past six years.
It's once in a lifetime opportunity.
I support anything Mandeok does.
Here, here! Go for it!
Mandeok can never do wrong with you.
- Choksae. - Yeah?
Are you drunk?
Have you ever seen me not drunk?
Oh, dear!
Well, we'll support you if you think this is a good idea,
but with what money?
Like Eun said, we don't have money growing on a tree,
How can we start a new business?
I'll take care of that, so don't worry.
But I do have one important request.
Don't tell anyone that we're starting this business.
If word gets out that we're anticipating the King's death
and producing white hats,
we'll face serious consequences.
Don't worry about that.
My lips are sealed!
Seek out talented hat makers in neighboring villages
and bring them to meet me.
Sure, I'll do that. Don't worry.
Thank you all for trusting me on this.
You want to borrow my money?
That's right.
I'm Mu Mengdal who had lent money to Eastgate,
you know that, right?
How could I forget?
But past is past.
If you dwell on the past, you can't go forward.
Okay, how much do you need?
Twenty thousand nyangs.
Is it possible?
Why not?
Money's all I've got.
But...
You're asking for collateral, right?
Ownership of our traveler's inn.
How about it?
I don't know.
You think this is enough?
It's just a tiny inn.
I guess I'll go elsewhere then.
I didn't say no, did I?
Twenty thousand, right?
Draw up a contract.
I'll pay you back in three months.
Did you hit something big?
Let's just say it's a new business.
Sure.
I'm all for it if you want to borrow my money.
Well then...
You do know, right?
If you fail this time,
you're finished for good.
I know.
I've asked you all to be here because you're the finest hat makers in Jeju.
Do you know how much your talent's worth?
Well, I get one and a half nyangs for a bring at the five day market.
Goodness, Tongyoung Hat Shop pays two.
I'll pay you three times that.
You won't make a profit.
Westgate's always trying to reduce our wages.
I'll make a profit.
Jeju's the best in the country at hat making.
The hats you make
sell for double in Tongyong and four times its cost in Hanyang.
I'm just paying what your talent's really worth.
What our talent's really worth?
But there is one condition.
You must use your talent for me only.
For the next six months,
put all your effort into making hats for me.
And until we're done,
you must tell no one about our project.
If you don't think you can do this, please leave the room now.
You're paying us a fair price.
How difficult could it be to keep it a secret?
Until now, the brim and hate have been sold separately in Jeju.
Now we're going to change that.
If we succeed,
every nobleman in Joseon will wear a hat made in Jeju.
Doesn't that excite you?
Use the best material and make the best hats you possibly can.
I'll double the pay for the person who produces the finest hat.
Divide them into high, mid, and low grade by color and refinement of workmanship.
Enjoy.
Goodness gracious!
What are you doing here?
- Youngcheon! Girls, get out here! - Why you...
Wait, I can't waste salt on this crook.
What are you doing back here?
I came to see how my collateral's doing.
I'm holding this inn as collateral for a loan, didn't you know?
No way.
Mandeok borrowed money from this guy?
I can see that it wasn't for remodeling...
What kind of business are you folks doing with my money?
Can you give me a hint?
It's a hat business.
Other than that, I don't know.
Westgate has all the horsehair in Jeju.
That's a bad business.
I wonder how much this place brings in daily?
That's it! Bad luck, go away!
Ladies, move, move!
She borrowed money to start a new business and she's making hats.
How can she make hats when we own all the horsehair?
Who cares?
Even so, how could you lend her money?
Whose side you're on?
I don't care who it is as long as they make good the loan,
I'm on my own side.
You're a greedy old man.
Be that as it may, I can't have you helping that wench Mandeok.
Don't worry, Assistant Magistrate.
How successful can she be?
Has Mandeok lost her mind?
She hasn't learned her lesson after seeing what happened to Foreman Go?
You took something as collateral, I presume?
That traveler's inn is a hot little business.
The foolish girl will end up losing the inn indulging her greed.
You're incredible, my lord!
Money just sticks to you wherever you go!
Sounds like you're ready to stick to him for his money.
Tell me about it.
She's my sister, but...
Yes.
Have you heard anything back from Yoha on the Royal Music Institute?
Why do you bring up that wench all of a sudden?
You're really giving us all this?
Your skills exceeded my expectations, so I added a little more.
Please keep this confidential as promised.
If all goes well,
I'll also compensate you for keeping your word.
Okay. Let's go.
Mandeok!
I'm glad you're here.
Let's get these boxes on the ship.
Where are you sending them?
To Hanyang.
We're selling all this in Hanyang?
Once you get to Hanyang,
rent the closest warehouse to the marketplace regardless of price.
And?
And when you hear news of the King's death,
go to the hat shop and supply them the highest grade white hats wrapped in silk.
I guess if we're the first to offer the goods when they don't have any white hats in stock,
we'll be able to get a great price.
The best time is right after the owner has met with a courtier.
They'll care more for the quality than the price,
so emphasize that they're Jeju's finest.
Eastgate's products in the royal palace?
We're going to seize the opportunity to let Eastgate's name be known not just in Hanyang,
in the royal palace as well.
Make way! [Hanyang Marketplace]
Move, make way!
Make way!
Look at them.
All these people are bowing their heads to you.
This is the power of money.
Remember that.
Father,
just as you dreamed,
your company in Hanyang has become the biggest in Joseon.
Are you content?
The woman who did this to us...
can't be allowed to live free.
I'll get our revenge...
so you just watch, Father.
Boss!
How long are you going to be here?
Well, who's the one that said we had to go soon...
Let's go.
We must get back within two months.
[Two months later]
Thanks. I'll see you again tomorrow.
This is the second month.
We're here in Hanyang just to make the warehouse owner rich!
How many orders of soup and rice we can buy with two months?
Do you think Mandeok could be wrong about this?
Let's wait a few more days.
My man, what's this commotion about?
His Highness's dead...
Your Highness!
Close your shops!
Why are they closing the shops?
Do you see those people?
- They're from the palace. - What? Really?
The King must have passed away. I'm sure of it.
- It's time. Let's move. - Okay.
[Mandeok's Inn, Jeju]
This is the best quality hat I've ever seen.
I'll pay you double the normal price!
The palace will normally pay double the wholesale price,
but when there is a national mourning, the seller names the price.
I'll sell them for twelve times the wholesale price.
Now you're being unreasonable.
You won't find white hats of this quality anywhere else.
Ten times the wholesale price, you've a deal.
How do you want to be paid?
A promissory note will do. We'll cash it in Haenam.
Done.
Jeju's Eastgate Market Brokers, right?
Okay, let's do business again.
It would be to our pleasure.
I can't imagine how many sacks of rice we can buy with this piece of paper?
Good work, guys. Let's sell the rest of the goods and go.
White hats from Tongyoung as promised. We've got the best quality goods.
I've already acquired all the white hats I need for the palace.
What?
We agreed to supply the white hats in the event of a national mourning!
Words come cheap, fellows.
I need the hats by tomorrow.
How could I wait when I'm the one who'll get flogged if the hats aren't delivered on time?
You know how long we've traveled for this?
Stop.
Who did you buy from?
They were from Jeju.
Have a look yourself.
It's the finest quality and they had the goods right in front of me,
how could I pass up?
What did you pay them with?
We've a problem.
The licensed shops are closed for the mourning, so the peddlers got together and set up market.
Round up the men.
But we're in national mourning.
Jeong Hongsu was assigned to the Royal Coffin Hall Supervisory Council.
This is our chance while he's preoccupied preparing for the funeral.
Okay. I'll get to work.
Get your high quality white hats from Eastgate Market Brokers of Jeju with a huge discount!
Step right up, folks!
- Discount? - Of course!
You might convince me to give you one for free!
We're Eastgate Market Brokers of Jeju!
Get in line, folks! Get in line!
I can buy new clothes, new shoes...
I'm going to have my wife make me japchae.
I'm going to have some chicken!
This is great.
Who are you?
Even animals respect each other's territory,
how dare you do business on ours?
Men!
Get them!
Give it back, my money belt.
Let's go!
Your time has come so pay up.
We still have 15 days left.
Please be a bit more patient and wait.
Dong-ah!
They... they took the note.
This man threatened the junior boss at the market when we were raided.
Threatened him? How?
Give me back the note!
Search his sack at once!
What do you mean you lost it?
When are you going to return my money?
It doesn't look like Mandeok's going to make good on the loan.
What happened to the peddlers market in Songpa?
We can't allow the unlicensed peddlers to cause us anymore damage
- Arrest them all! - Yes, sir!
Lord Jeong's protecting the peddlers!
How can I do business like this?
Peddlers markets in Songpa and Newon are threatening the licensed merchants.
We must put a stop to this.
Round up the peddlers.
Let's take them on once and for all.
Destroy everything!
I'm reporting these men for physical assault and property damage.
But the licensed merchants have assaulted the peddlers as well.
Do you call it assault when the state guards hurt the wrongdoers while restraining them?
Are you trying to play word games with me?