The Great Merchant
You'd better go now.
Episode 25
I'm always here for you.
Reach out when things get tough.
Don't try to endure it alone.
It wasn't tough.
Being confined gave me a chance to do some thinking.
Everyone knows the fact that I made no profit by selling wine.
It made me want to show those who incriminated me for the prohibition violation
what business ethics is all about.
I'll help you fight.
Then Moonsun won't be quick to hurt you.
My lord,
I know that Moonsun's capable of hurting anyone who gets in her way.
I'm waiting for her to take the first shot at me.
Then I could really fight her back.
I'm afraid you might get hurt...
But...
I know I'll only be in as much danger as you are.
Don't worry about me.
I'm always going to be right here with you when things get tough.
If you fight, I'll fight too.
Andong ramie's here!
Three bowls of seaweed soup!
Welcome! Right this way!
Welcome!
Forewoman!
Forewoman! You're back!
All of us have been counting the days for your return!
Are you all right?
I was worried when I was incarcerated,
but my strength is renewed seeing how well you're operating the business in my absence.
We worked even harder so it's not noticeable that you're not here.
How are things at the marketplace?
More businesses are closing down, but I can't figure out why.
The tribute goods thing.
That's right.
Those shop owners tip toeing around Westgate,
no longer need to pay more and buy Westgate's merchandise.
Yes.
So it has caused a temporary break in trading.
Wouldn't that be bad for our Eastgate too?
No.
Merchants who are free from monopoly will start to negotiate freely for best deals.
So competition will create better quality goods,
and trading will become active again.
Isn't this what you've always wanted?
What does this mean for Westgate?
What's the meaning of this?
Why haven't you taken the silk and salt you're supposed to take?
You've got some guts thinking you can run a business like this.
Empty this shop immediately!
Oh madam, I'm so sorry!
Please forgive me just this once!
I bet you thought I would say that, right?
What are you trying to start?
Who do you folks thing you are?
What the...
I had to bite the bullet and buy expensive merchandise from Westgate all these while
because of the tribute goods collection
but now that the government office's doing the collecting,
I can buy better product from whomever I want!
You dare talk back to Madam Oh now?
Stop!
Ungrateful people!
Madam asked me to get her some poisonous herbs, so...
But who has ever heard of a wife killing her own husband?
So I thought it was for some other purpose.
Boss!
How are the markets in Hanyang?
With the reopening of Songpa Market,
the licensed fish mart's operating in the red.
Keep sending Eastgate's seafood products to Hanyang.
Yes, sir.
But boss,
Jewelry and accessories aren't only for noblemen and gisaengs in Hanyang,
there's a growing demand for them among the commoners as well.
Is this reliable information?
Moonsun's silk store, Hanyang
I've asked the licensed merchants to meet me here today
that since the reopening of Songpa Market,
our business have been suffering, so we've to devise counter measures.
That should be Madam Oh's job?
Right.
She collected money from us to grease the palms of politicians,
she must get Commerce Control Bureau or Ministry of Punishments protect us.
Now's not the time to lay blame!
Even the newly appointed Chief of CCB's one of Jeong Hongsu's men.
How can we depend on Madam Oh to protect us when she couldn't stop this?
Very well. I'll see what I can do.
By the way, where's Foreman Kim of the rice store?
I had a wonderful day!
Returning from a hunting excursion?
What brings you here?
I've been under a lot of stress lately,
but I had a good time thanks to the hunting trip you arranged.
Then I'll place my trust in you and leave now, my lord.
He's quite a tactful fellow.
He know how to take my position and reputation into consideration.
He didn't even bring up uncomfortable subjects.
Minister,
we're being stifled both in Hanyang and Jeju.
If the Ministry of Punishments could help out the licensed market at least,
we might get a little breathing room...
Sentiment in the court's unfavorable.
This is essentially because Oh Moonsun who controls the Six Licensed Shops
can't either win public favor or control it!
Also,
in the next election for the Six Licensed Shops' daebang,
I might be inclined to support some else.
Minister, please give us a little more time.
I'll send a letter to Moonsun at once.
I got a letter from Jeju's Magistrate Jeong.
Any good news?
Yes.
After he took back the tribute goods collection and ended monopoly,
he says businesses are thriving in Jeju.
So this will mean His Highness's intent to create free competitive market in Jeju
has come to fruition?
If all of this works out in Jeju,
it won't be long before the wind of reform reaches Hanyang.
I thought we had a long way to go abolishing the root of economic evil, licensed monopolies.
Looks like our man Jeong Hongsu's going to come through for us!
Yes!
[Eastgate Market Brokers, Jeju Island]
Demand for accessories imported from Qing China's definitely increasing.
Economy's improving with the reopening of Songpa Market,
so people want to improve the quality of their lives as well.
Increase in demand of items such as accessories and silk is the proof of that.
If we put an item in the market which can replace Qing accessories,
we're certain to do well.
What do you think?
How about pearls?
Will pearls appeal to women of Hanyang?
When I was a gisaeng,
we used to make hairpins and trinkets ourselves with pearls.
I'm sure gisaengs in Hanyang do the same.
If we sell high quality Jeju pearls for such use,
I'm sure we'll have a good response.
Let's collect some samples and test out the market in Hanyang first.
I want you men to go to Hanyang as soon as we've secured enough pearls.
Are you staying behind again, boss?
I need to do some things for the guildmaster.
Go on ahead.
Hurry up!
Come on, girls!
Eastgate wants pearls in a hurry, so give me all you've got.
This is for Mandeok, so let's work really hard.
This must cost a fortune!
You want us to go around gisaeng houses first and check the response?
If the pearls are popular with the gisaengs,
It'll definitely become popular among noblewomen too.
I'm going on this trip, so don't worry about a thing.
Try smelling of gisaeng face powder.
Keep an eye on him for me.
Okay.
But I haven't seen Boss Gang since yesterday.
Yes...
He hasn't told us what he's working on lately,
so we're frustrated too.
[Westgate Market Brokers, Jeju Island]
Eastgate has been buying up all the pearls on the island,
paying the divers in advance!
Eastgate's working with the itinerant merchants,
taking away our Westgate's business in Hanyang and Jeju.
But my men are sitting around doing nothing.
Madam.
It's a letter from Hanyang.
Is it bad news?
Looks like Jeong Dong, in the next election for daebang,
will be supporting Foreman Kim of the rice shop.
If your position is shaken, it'll affect Westgate as well.
Shop owners are starting to refuse our goods.
Something must be done.
I won't sit here and be victimized.
Madam, when I was the gisaeng house's mistress,
I once bought pearls from Japan and sold them to noblewomen.
Yes, I delivered those pearls myself,
and no one suspected anything.
Pearls are abundant in Japan,
so if we purchase large but low quality pearls
and pass them off as Jeju pearls,
we could make a huge profit.
If our cost's less expensive than Jeju pearls,
we might be able to make up our loss from the seafood business.
Can you find me a Japanese merchant?
Yes, ma'am.
Do you remember the merchant from last time?
He happens to be here in Jeju right now.
I'm sorry we're late. Did you wait long?
No, we just arrived.
Did you get my message?
Have a look.
I'd like to purchase more in large quantities.
Tell me how much you'd like to spend,
and I'll get you as many medium quality pearls as I can for that price.
We'll buy as many as you can get.
I'll get you the best goods I can find.
Would one month be enough?
Absolutely.
Smuggling?
Madam Oh's afraid Mandeok will crush Westgate with this pearl business she has got going,
so she's completely stressed out by that.
Keep a close eye on Oh Moonsun.
Inform me when she makes a move.
What are you planning to do?
Knowing too much could hurt you.
Don't ask questions.
I always get hurt anyway with you beating me up.
I know how you're feeling towards Madam Oh.
It wouldn't satisfy you to rip her into pieces right now, but...
it's time for you to find a wife and...
Be quiet.
I'm scared.
Just get the time and date Oh Moonsun is meeting the Japanese merchant.
If you try anything stupid to protect me,
I'll kill you first.
We targeted the gisaengs first like you told us to and pearls are selling out fast.
Orders are pouring in from noblewoman of Hanyang as well.
It's time to release the pearls we've been collecting.
We'll be the only company selling Jeju pearls in Hanyang,
so our pearl business will be smooth sailing!
These are the highest quality pearls,
so let's mark them up three times.
[Jeong Dong's estate, Hanyang]
Fresh deer antlers from Jeju...
And Jeju pearls that we've distributed everywhere in Hanyang.
Was that Oh Moonsum's business?
Yes.
If this pearl business works out, we'll have all the funds we need.
You're working so hard.
Good luck, my man.
I'll do my very best not to let you down, sir.
Minister, Foreman Kim's here to see you.
- Send him in. - Yes, sir.
Let's see which cake looks more scrumptious to eat...
Who are you swindling? Get out of here! [A gisaeng house, Hanyang]
It's the country bumpkins Hanyang has to watch out for.
May I ask where you bought these pearls?
Belongs to a gisaeng from another place.
She said they were Jeju pearls, so I asked how much she paid for them.
They were less than half of what I paid!
If this isn't swindling, what is?
Swindling? These are top quality Jeju...
Look. Size is what counts for pearls and there's hardly any difference.
What makes yours the highest quality?
Take them out of here?
Something isn't right. Please let me...
I said get out of here!
Jeju pearls from another source?
And for half our price?
I don't know how this happened, but it's true.
We spent time promoting Jeju pearls, someone else reap the benefit.
Did you bring those pearls by any chance?
Yes, here.
It's really hard to tell them apart.
One's a Jeju pearl which you got for us,
and the other's a pearl which sells for half the price.
See how it peels easily?
It's low quality pearl with thin nacre.
How could such a large quantity of low quality pearls out there?
Oysters bear more pearls in warmer waters.
I think they might be from the south?
Then... from Japan?
This got to be another of Moonsun's schemes.
She must be trying to recover her losses from the seafood business.
Should tell the magistrate about this?
Too soon to jump to conclusions. Let's do some more digging.
If we're right, this violates business ethics.
Yes.
Besides, these imposter pearls are being passed off as Eastgate's original Jeju pearls.
Ultimately, it'll tarnish the credibility of Jeju pearls on the whole,
so stopping sales.
Then, we'll be stuck with a lot of pearl in the inventory.
What are we to do?
We got to figure out a way to sell our pearls and eliminate the imposter peals too.
Forewomen,
you haven't been eating very much lately.
Are you okay?
Let's send these hats to Andong.
How's the horsehair?
Yes, it's excellent quality.
We've a large order from Tongyoung for horsehair, should I send them?
When we've our own hat workshop?
Tell them to buy the finished hat from us instead.
Would you do that?
The profit margin's a huge difference in making and selling of readymade hats.
Leave enough horsehair for our hat shop and send the rest to Tongyoung.
Please call everyone for a meeting after you clean up the store room.
Okay.
You mean, make pearl accessories?
Yes. Profit margin will be greater than selling the loose pearls.
And low quality pearls will be easily damaged in the setting process.
It'll be easier to set our pearls apart, competing in the form of accessories.
With workmanship,
they may bring in good profit like the Jeju hats.
But what about the labor cost?
Jeju hardly has any jewelry makers,
sending them for production will be costly.
Eun's right.
That's why merchants have always sold loose pearls.
Should I learn jewelry making and do them myself?
Isn't it much easier than weaving hats?
Husband, this is serious!
No, it's actually a good idea.
What?
If we can learn the craft, our problem is solved.
It'll take investment time and money
but if we teach the working people of Jeju another trade,
it'll be worth it.
Since Deokpal's interested...
You really want me to learn pearl setting?
I want you to go out and recruit people who are interested in learning accessory making.
We'll teach them regardless of age and gender.
Dong-ah, find us a master jeweler.
Not someone who'll do the work but some who'll teach us the craft.
Excuse me, sir.
I heard you're the best jewelry maker in Jeju.
You happen to do pearls as well?
Yes, I happen to,
but why do you ask?
We'll be teaching you the skills to make trinkets, hairpins, combs
and other fine accessories using pearls.
I've never worked with pearls before,
I hope I can do this.
This craft requires skill, perseverance and concentration
but can be mastered by anyone with a pair of eyes and hands.
The training's six months, and you'll be paid a stipend during that time.
You're teaching us a trade and paying us too?
But you must focus on your training.
You'll be evaluated on your progress each month and eliminated if you can't keep up.
I'm getting old and too hard to dive, I'll work hard and master this skill!
If successful,
all of you have learned a trade to get you through the rest of your life.
Westgate needs your help with our pearl business.
How will you acquire the goods?
After Kim Mandeok purchased the pearls she needs for tribute goods,
there's hardly enough out there.
There's plenty supply of pearls in the oceans near or afar.
If you would look the other way for us,
there will be even more.
Oceans afar...
So that's it.
Would I be getting something in return?
Naturally.
I'll just have to make sure our naive and ambitious magistrate doesn't find out.
I heard you're starting a new venture.
Yes.
It's accessory business.
Would you like to see it?
I would think Jeju pearls are profitable as they are.
What made you decide to put in the effort and make accessories out of them?
To show the quality and set them apart from other pearls out there.
I would've wanted to buy it for you if I had seen it at a store.
They will do well.
It's been a while.
You look well.
But then, you're the luckiest girl I know.
Is that right?
You should've lived and died a lowly innkeeper but here you are, a merchant forewoman.
My success's a product of my determination and hard work.
Of course, I've some luck as well.
But... till when do you think you'll be lucky?
I don't believe in luck.
Arrogant wench.
I think I'm someone born with no luck at all.
But...
it's the choices you make which determine your fate more than the luck you're born with.
What?
It's a lesson you taught me well.
I see you still have your silver tongue.
We'll see what happens.
Arrange a secret meeting at Gunip Harbor this time.
Gunip Harbor?
When the Japanese deliver the pearls,
we'll send the entire lot Hanyang and sell them at even lower prices.
We're going to drive Eastgate's pearls completely out of Hanyang this time.
I understand, ma'am.
One more thing.
Find me a bodyguard.
Quietly.
Is this because of Gang Yuji?
I feel as though he's watching me.
Get a guard dog or whatever. I want security here day and night.
I'll take care of it, ma'am.
Did you find out?
They're going to meet with the Japanese merchants tomorrow night at Gunip Harbor.
- Oh Moonsun? - She's going there herself.
Should I report this to the magistrate?
The magistrate?
And give up this perfect chance?
What on earth are you going to do?
Jeong Hongsu will be happy getting Westgate and the Japanese merchants.
Foreman, are you really going to kill...
You can't, Foreman!
Remember.
This stays between you and me.
Stop pacing and sit down! You're making me nervous.
What in the world is Madam Oh doing?
Young Master's taking his medicine. Don't scream!
What's with you?
I just want to know where Madam is.
She's meeting the Japanese merchants, where do you think she is?
I thought he turned over a new leaf when he became an itinerant merchant...
Oh dear, what am I to do?
Are you sick or something? You're talking to yourself.
I've to stop him.
Dongju, you've to stop him Dongju, you've to...
I think they will do well in Hanyang.
We were just on our way to see you.
Were you?
We brought you a few samples. Want to see them?
I'll see them later.
May I ask where you're going right now?
I've been working without rest,
so I thought I'd take a break and go hunting.
Hunting? But it'll be dark soon.
I heard of your troubles with the imposter pearls.
Be mindful of your health.
Boss Gang.
There's trouble!
Aren't you Mr. Kim from Westgate?
Help me!
I think our foreman's going to kill Madam Oh tonight!
What do you mean by that?
Calm down and tell us what's going on.
There's no time to explain!
We've to stop our foreman from doing that tonight!
He said he's going hunting. So...
What's wrong?
My lord, please stop Foreman Gang Yuji.
Gang Yuji?
What's this about?
You mean Gang Yuji's here in Jeju?
Yes.
The truth is, the head of the itinerant merchant group I'm working with is Gang Yuji.
What?
You've been working with Gang Yuji?
Is this really true?
Yes.
Why didn't you tell me this before?
Gang Yuji's surrounded by enemies.
And I had to protect him.
Gang Yuji isn't a man for you to protect.
If we had the rancher's testimony,
you wouldn't have lost Eastgate and avoided other tragedies.
My lord, who knows Foreman Gang might be after Moonsun's life.
You've to stop him right now.
[Gunip Harbor]
My business's thriving thanks to your pearls.
Thanks to you, we're getting a fair price for the pearls we've been trying to rid of.
Here are the goods. Would you like to inspect them?
The guards are assembled!
Move out to Gunip Harbor immediately.
Conduct a thorough search of the vicinity.
Yes, sir!
What's that guy up to now?
Madam!
It's the state guards!
How did this happen?
Junior Foreman, take the crate and get out of here.
Don't be captured. Do you understand?
What are you waiting for? Hurry!
What?
Okay.
- Let's go. - Yes.
Foreman Gang's dying! Please help him!
I'll stay here until his condition's stable.
Where did you go so early in the morning?
Dongju came back with blood on his clothes.
He must know where Foreman Gang is.
Westgate's guards are on the move!
Deliver this to Lord Jeong Dong in Hanyang.
Didn't Oh Moonsun kill the old hag who had the ledger?
Oh Moonsun has been hiding a dagger to stab me with all this time.
The ledger has resurfaced?
It's Yuji.
It's got to be in Gang Yuji's possession!