The Great Merchant
Episode 26
Killing my father...
and ruining my life...
you think you could get away it?
I didn't do anything wrong.
I was just...
trying to survive.
Let's see...
if you can survive this time.
You're under arrest for the murder of a criminal investigation witness.
When I'm finished with the woman,
I'll turn myself in.
Put down your weapon immediately!
Stand aside.
Episode 26
Find him! He couldn't have gone far!
Was Gang Yuji the head of the itinerant merchant you're working with,
Eastgate's forewoman?
There's nothing indicating Eastgate's forewoman was involved in this.
Magistrate, didn't you see Gang Yuji trying to kill me?
No doubt Mandeok talked him into this.
I didn't tell anyone to harm anyone.
Then,
the one who brought Gang Yuji back to Jeju,
not you?
Gang Yuji's a man the law's after regardless of tonight's incident.
Besides, I want to know what are you doing out there in the middle of the night?
Did you call Gang Yuji out there? Or...
The person you should be questioning isn't me,
should be the person harboring Gang Yuji.
That's a matter for me to deal with.
I trust you'll take care of this and go home then.
Are you all right?
Are you here because you're worried?
Or...
What Moonsun said wasn't wrong.
Gang Yuji's indeed a fugitive who committed murder.
Oh, Foreman...
Hang on... hang on in there, Foreman.
Foreman... what am I to do?
Forewoman!
Our foreman's dying. Please help me!
Madam, are you all right?
My goodness, how dare he... where does he think this place is?
Until Gang Yuji's captured,
I don't want Sahn to take one step out of this house.
Not one step.
Our Foreman can't die...
He's okay, right?
The bleeding will stop soon.
But, if you're gone for too long,
won't people become suspicious?
I'll stay with him, please go back.
He lost a lot of blood, we can't relax yet.
I'll stay until his condition's stable.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Then, would you let me go?
I can't let you go.
Hong!
Hong, wake up. Hong!
I'll do it my way! I'll make you mine, just watch!
Just watch me!
Where did you go so early in the morning?
Did you commit a crime? Why are you so startled.
I...
I drank all night drowning my sorrows.
Is that a crime? is it?
Is it?
I should just go kill myself...
We completed the transaction safely, thanks to you.
I'm glad to hear that, but...
you better stop the illegal trade for a while.
Is there a problem with that?
Magistrate Jeong's still somewhat suspicious with the last smuggling case.
Besides, there's been an increased random patrolling around the island.
But aren't those the very things we're paying you to protect us from?
If we get caught continuing to take risks in this dangerous situation,
are you going to assume responsibility?
That's my concern exactly.
Madam, if we cringe in fear over this, will we get anywhere?
Finding a business as easy and profitable as this,
isn't easy.
I understand your point.
I'll take everyone's opinion into consideration.
Then, I shall go now.
Madam.
Is there something you wish to tell me?
Dongju came back with blood on his clothes.
I'm certain Dongju knows the whereabouts of Gang Yuji.
The two were once very close after all.
From now on, I want you to track Dongju's movements.
I got it.
Are you okay?
Your skills have much improved.
Does it look suitable for selling?
Let's send out a parcel on the next shipment.
We're selling them now?
Yes, we're going to sell them now.
I want you to post composite drawings of Gang Yuji throughout the island.
I'll do that.
Also, the smuggling investigation isn't over yet,
so don't take your eyes off of Westgate.
I'll follow your order.
[Kim Ungryeol's residence, Hanyang]
A request that's difficult to comprehend?
From Magistrate Jeong?
That's right.
It's a request to remove pearls from tribute goods list due to deficient harvest.
Didn't the previous magistrates submit that same request more than once?
The problem's that the amount of Jeju pearls being traded in Hanyang
has more than doubled up since last year.
Pearls are rare jewels harvested only in Daemado from what I know.
Then...
do you think these pearls are smuggled from Japan and being sold as Jeju pearls?
There's a trade agreement with Japan, and trading centers have been built for Japanese merchants,
but illegal trading is still a big problem the authorities have failed to controlled.
Then, this is even worse!
It could give Noron faction an excuse to go after Magistrate Jeong.
I'll send a letter to him in Jeju.
Thank goodness you're awake!
What?
You know where Gang Yuji is, don't you?
I haven't seen him in years!
I probably wouldn't even recognize him!
Really? Good then.
Myohyang told me not to let you go anywhere,
so stay right next to me.
You really... why be like that?
Okay, do what you want.
Dongju!
That jerk!
Dongju!
Foreman!
Foreman! Can you walk?
What's the hurry?
Please don't ask.
Your face's plastered all over Jeju!
You've to get out of Jeju as soon as possible.
There's a ship leaving the island with Eastgate's goods.
It's not a good idea.
The ship isn't Eastgate's, but the captain's trustworthy.
I'll be back as soon as I've made arrangements.
- Let's go! - Yes!
Where are you off to in such a hurry?
If you've time to lounge around,
control your siblings.
Westgate's guards are on the move!
This...
deliver it to Minister Jeong Dong in Hanyang.
Are you planning on not leaving?
You can't very well get on Eastgate's ship with me now, can you?
That's true, but...
Whatever happens, those pages must be delivered to Minister Jeong Dong.
Can you promised?
Don't worry.
I'll get on a ship...
What are you doing here?
What are you doing here with armed guards?
I heard Gang Yuji's hiding here, so I came to capture him.
I see you've a habit of meddling into government business.
If you had arrested him first,
I wouldn't have to be here.
Arresting a criminal's a job of the authorities.
Stay here and keep an eye on these people.
Yes, sir.
Did you happen to know that I was coming
and tip off Mandeok to move Gang Yuji to another place?
Watch your tongue.
My life's at stake here.
Why do you claim that Mandeok's hiding Gang Yuji?
Mandeok's the one who brought the itinerant merchants to Jeju...
Don't be absurd.
According to your testimony six years ago,
Gang Yuji killed Mandeok's grandmother.
But why would Mandeok protect Gang Yuji, the killer?
- That... - Or...
did someone else commit the murder?
Oh really... I can't believe you did this.
Myohyang and I will be killed because of you!
What are you going to do?
I'm sorry.
Gang Yuji?
He's gone.
Get him.
How would I know, someone who has fled?
If you don't know where he's going, who does?
If you get him back now,
how good it'll be for us and madam?
No! I'm not a rat!
So you won't help us catch Gang Yuji?
Right, not if my life depended on it.
I practically raised him from small.
How could I?
And he's injured.
Oh, the poor man...
Stop.
I'll clean up this mess, so leave Jeju.
Sis...
And don't come back until I contact you.
Do you understand?
I'm sorry for this...
Dongju...
Dongju!
Did you call her, Lord Magistrate?
Whatever the reason,
if you harbor a fugitive, isn't that a crime?
I hope you'll make an impartial decision as the enforcer of the law.
I'll see you back at the office. Let's go.
What are you doing here?
Have you got anything tell me?
Are you sure you don't know where Gang Yuji is?
I'm sorry.
Even if I do...
I couldn't tell you at the moment.
It's certain Gang Yuji was in that abandoned house.
- Why else would Mandeok be there? - Meet with Assistant Magistrate Choe.
Get Assistant Magistrate Choe,
tell him to inspect the freight ships which are carrying Eastgate's goods.
Sure.
That's the only way for Gang Yuji to leave this island.
I'll be back shortly.
Or did someone else kill Mandeok's grandmother?
No, there's no proof.
Gang Yuji...
Yes, I just need to get Gang Yuji.
It's a good thing Boss Gang didn't show up at the port.
Assistant Magistrate Choe must've caught on.
Why else would he be conducting a surprise inspection?
Dong-ah, just in case,
let's make arrangements for Boss Gang to be on one of our ships carrying our goods.
But where could Boss Gang be?
[Jeong Dong's estate, Hanyang]
Park! Park, are you out there?
Yes, my lord.
Was Steward Oh here?
Not that I'm aware of, but what's wrong?
This is...
It was found tossed inside the front gate on the ground.
He didn't have the guts to bring it himself.
Oh Moonsun's the one who killed the old woman who had the ledger.
Then...
She lied to me and said that the ledger hasn't been found.
Oh Moonsun was hiding it all along to use it against me!
My lord,
perhaps you should call Steward Oh to confirm instead of jumping to conclusions.
Call him at once!
Yes, my lord.
You dare threaten me with this worthless piece of paper to preserve the daebang position?
A misunderstanding, my lord!
Aren't these pages of the ledger which Mandeok's dead grandmother had?
But why do you suspect us of having it in our possession?
That old hag adored Mandeok like her own granddaughter.
So it's possible the ledger was given to Mandeok?
Mandeok's Kim Ungryeol's daughter.
Why on earth would she play this kind of game?
She's... a cunning little wench.
I don't know what plot she's cooking up,
perhaps it has something to do with Lord Jeong Hongsu.
What does Hongsu got anything to do with this?
I hate tell you this,
but she has been enamored with Lord Jeong Hongsu for many years now.
Perhaps she learned about the rift between you and Lord Jeong Hongsu,
and is playing some kind of game...
Do you expect me to believe this?
My lord,
just say the word and I'll go to Jeju right now,
eliminate the girl and bring that ledger back for you.
Magistrate's Office, Jeju Island
Hanyang appears to have a surplus of Jeju pearls.
How could that be?
Wasn't it yesterday you met with the divers on your worries over poor pearl harvest?
What have you seen with Westgate?
There hasn't been any suspicious movement.
They only keep buying Dangyuja tangerines,
but I haven't noticed them being sold.
Why are they buying Dangyuja tangerines?
To treat Oh Moonsun's son's cough disorder,
but the quantity's excessive.
Continue to keep a close eye on Westgate.
Find out specifically where those Dangyujas are coming from.
I got it.
Dangyujas...
Oh dear...
Look at what Dongju has done to us? Geez!
We've been reduced to brewing Sahn's tea all day.
It has been a while.
What brings you to Westgate, sir?
I've been searching high and low for an investment opportunity,
and I came to see if Westgate has anything going on.
An investment opportunity?
Why?
Has Westgate got a good deal that you can hook me up with?
Look here!
Our Westgate would never need your investment.
Never say never.
Money goes round and round...
and it gets stuck sometimes.
I know you're in hot water,
you should know who and whom not to deal with.
Are you accusing me of calling him in now?
Shameless...
The new magistrate set a limit on interest I can charge on loans,
it's killing me.
Oh geez!
I miss the good old days...
I really hope things will turn around for you.
The merchants brought the proceeds of the sale.
How are the sale on the pearls?
They can barely sell them at cost as they were made into accessories.
Doesn't this mean we've to close down the pearl workshop?
We can't do that.
Forewoman, If you think of the labor cost,
isn't shutting it down saving money?
We recruited the craft workers, we promised them work and pay.
We can't close it down just because loss's projected.
But what if prices go down even further?
Is the pearl prices still dropping?
It's getting worse.
Not only in Hanyang, an oversupply of pearls all over.
The ledger has resurfaced?
Lower your voice.
Some pages of the ledger were delivered to Minister Jeong Dong.
How could that be?
You said Granny didn't have it when she died.
Got to be Mandeok.
No.
If Mandeok had it,
she would've turned it over to Kim Ungryeol.
Then who could it be?
To dispel Minister Jeong Dong's suspicion, we've find the food quickly.
It's Yuji.
Must be in Gang Yuji's possession!
Yes, how did you explain this to Minister Jeong Dong?
I told him Granny must've given it to Mandeok,
he wasn't completely convinced.
Even convinced,
Minister Jeong Dong will still try to destroy us.
Then, what are we to do now?
First we've to find Gang Yuji,
get the ledger back and buy time.
And we must gather funds just in case.
Just in case of what?
If we can't find the ledger,
get away from Minister Jeong Dong and live in hiding.
And we've Jeong Hongsu breathing down our necks on top of that...
What do you mean by breathing down our necks?
Jeong Hongsu thinks I was the one behind Granny's murder.
- You're back? - I trust you've been well.
I'm going to get some rest now.
What can I do for you?
I want you to contact the Japanese merchants.
How can you trust me after what Dongju did?
Besides, didn't you say we would stop buying pearls?
If this last deal goes well,
I won't hold your brother's actions against you.
Very well.
I'll contact them at once.
Have them bring the largest parcel they possibly can this time.
I want the price to be lower since it's a larger quantity.
Don't worry.
But...
Magistrate Jeong Hongsu is keeping an eye on me,
I need you to complete this transaction on my behalf.
I understand. I'll take care of the deal.
I got a letter from Lord Kim Ungreol.
I guess you haven't told him about the pearl workshop.
It's not a firmly established business yet,
so I didn't want to worry him.
Yes.
However there is no change for pearl harvesting in Jeju,
but I heard that supply of Jeju pearls on the mainland have more than doubled.
I wonder if they weren't smuggled and distributed.
That's my suspicion as well...
I'm sorry.
My lord...
When you defended Gang Yuji,
made me feel like you were pushing me out.
It's certainly not like that.
I know.
I know, but it's hard not to react.
I know your position as an enforcer of the law.
But I couldn't put Boss Gang in harm's way.
I know.
I'm sure there will be times in our future when our thoughts differ,
choosing different paths.
But no matter what happens,
your place in my heart will never change.
We've received information from Eastgate about a smuggling deal that's taking place.
- Move out immediately! - Yes, sir!
Make way!
That was a wonderful business relationship.
I'm sorry to see it end.
I'm sure we'll have a chance to work together again.
Well then...
- It's smugglers! Arrest them! - Yes, sir!
Where are you going in such a hurry?
Madam! Madam! There's trouble!
What is it?
The magistrate's here with his guards!
What brings you here, Lord Magistrate?
I've come to investigate Westgate for smuggling.