The Great Merchant
Episide 28
I thought you were smart but you did a foolish thing.
How dare you try to control the Noron ministers behind my back with a worthless piece of paper?
You're mistaken,
I sought the Noron ministers only to serve you better.
To serve me better...
you use the ledger?
That's a convincing excuse.
Hand it over.
I said to hand it over right away!
It's... been stolen.
Do you really think you can fool me again?
It's the truth.
I was going to give it to you after Granny died,
but it was already...
I've heard enough.
You must believe me, Minister.
It's Gang Yuji...
he's trying to get revenge.
Revenge for what?
For Gang Gaeman's death
and framing Gang Yuji for Granny's murder.
What possible reason would I have to send the pages of that ledger to you?
This must be Gang Yuji's scheme to divide you and me.
Please give me a little more time.
I'll find Gang Yuji and bring that ledger to you.
Remember that my patience has reached its limit.
If you take action based on my testimony,
you'll find evidence that will prove Oh Moonsun and Minister Jeong Dong's relationship.
My lord, Hanyang's Minister Jeong's here!
My father?
What brings you here to Jeju?
On the way I noticed composite drawings of Gang Yuji posted all over.
Isn't he the son of Gang Gaeman who disappeared after committing murder?
That's right.
No matter what the circumstances,
you mustn�t defend a man who has committed murder.
You don't need blood on your hands to commit murder.
Inciting and covering up a murder is an equally great crime.
What are you trying to say?
Father, aren't you ashamed?
Are you trying to compare me to a murder?
Think about the people who suffered pain because of you.
I gave my life to our clan and this country!
If someone suffered pain because of it,
it was unavoidable sacrifice for a greater cause!
How can you consider power and wealth to be greater causes?
This country has sustained its strength because of my political power.
You and the clan have lived in luxury because of my power!
Father, it's not too late right now.
You must renounce greed and seek forgiveness.
Get out.
Get out of this room at once!
We must find Gang Yuji and get that ledger.
Don't worry about that.
There's a reward for his capture,
so as long as he's in Jeju, it's a matter of time he's caught.
There's no time. We must hurry.
I know.
But... did Minister Jeong Dong believe you?
if I don't find that ledger immediately, he'll kill me.
He's completely forgotten who paid for his extravagances all these years!
You...
happen to be thinking what I'm thinking?
I've to make a decision.
Whether to give the ledger
or use it to destroy Jeong Dong.
But first we must have that ledger in our hands.
And just in case,
I want you to arrange a way for us to get out of Jeju anytime we have to.
Dongju! Dongju, are you out there?
Now Eastgate has two branch locations in Naju and Gangjin.
Thank you for the good work.
Soon the whole country will know about Eastgate Market Brokers!
Aren't we known?
We'll also be known in Qing China and Russia!
So you mean to say it won't be long before my food captivates the taste buds of Qing Chinese?
Oh no!
What are we to do if people from Qing and Russia come to Jeju for your food?
The itinerant merchants have high expectations for our branches.
So let's not forget our humble beginnings
and do our very best to preserve the quality of our Jeju's specialty products.
Yes, don't worry.
Let's get back to work now, everyone.
- Where did you put the broom? - I don't remember.
Boss Gang came to see you.
He's waiting in the guest room.
Boss Gang!
Surprised?
Where were you all this time?
The authorities are looking for...
"The beacon doesn't shine on its own base. "
I'm still at the abandoned house.
This...
It belonged to your Grandmother.
I should've given it to you sooner,
but my desire for revenge caused a delay.
You're the one who should know what to do with it.
Does this mean you've given up on revenge?
Me?
This is simpler and easier for me.
Boss Gang...
Foreman, we've to go now.
Take care.
Yes, yes!
I, Choe Namgu will show you to all of the hidden jewels of Jeju, Minister!
I'm holding this dinner in your father's honor.
Please come and have a seat.
Minister,
you must be very heartbroken having to send your son away to this distant place.
Not in the least. He's a grown man.
By the way, I'm told the arrogance of the Southerners in Hanyang
is simply revolting to watch these days.
Wouldn't a worthy opponent makes a good fight?
Would it be fun if they were too easy?
An excellent answer!
I believe politics is about serving people.
It's not about power games between ministers and factions.
Magistrate, you're right indeed.
There's more to politics than theory.
Pay no attention to this naive young man's remark.
Minister, you're a man after my own heart! May I pour you another glass?
Here, drink and enjoy the evening!
Here, here. Cheers.
Serve him well.
Good, good.
Can't you walk a little faster?
- Hide! - He was seen at Eastgate.
- Get him this time! Let's hurry. - Yes, sir.
Foreman.
I can't be in Jeju without fearing getting caught now.
I keep telling you that we should get out of here.
I swear you've never listen to me when you're growing up and now.
How can you laugh?
Foreman,
why don't you just tell them that you gave the ledger to Eastgate's forewoman?
No.
You too mustn't give away the whereabouts of that ledger.
You got that?
You're killing me!
I thought it was all over when you gave it away.
What are you now, Mandeok's guardian angel?
Magistrate.
Deliver this to Hanyang's Minister Choe Jegong.
I understand.
You must deliver it to him personally.
Yes, Lord Magistrate.
He's already drunk, but he keeps drinking.
It's as if he's determined to kill himself.
I've tried to stop him but it's no use.
Hurry. Hurry, please help stop him.
I'm afraid he'll hurt himself.
I'm fine.
You're not at all fine.
How could a magistrate violate the prohibition order?
I don't care.
You're giving your enemies an excuse to come after you.
I wish they would find out about this
and throw me out of this office.
My lord...
I'm throwing it all away.
I'm going to take off this onerous uniform,
forget about my clan,
and live the rest of my life seeking pleasures with you.
That's what I'm going to do no matter what you say.
I'm not kidding.
This isn't what I asked for.
I need a few more days.
Didn't I tell you that I won't wait any longer?
Don't worry, Minister.
We're very close to capturing him.
This is the last time, Minister.
I won't make you wait any longer.
This will be the last time.
Don't forget that.
Were you in the magistrate's room?
A gisaeng can't break her habits!
The magistrate's in great emotional pain,
so I came to be his friend.
What? His friend?
He's anguished by his father's transgressions.
Wicked wench.
You sure got a cheeky mouth for a lowly merchant.
Even I, a lowly merchant, can see your son's pain.
How come you can't see it at all?
I gathered you seduced my son with that smooth tongue of yours?
Say what you wish about me.
But please open your eyes and see what you're putting your son through.
Stop.
I won't let you stand in my son's future.
Based on Magistrate Jeong's report [Kim Ungryeol's home, Hanyang]
and your files from Commerce Control Bureau, we've begun an internal investigation.
Do you foresee any progress?
Yes.
We're sifting through the list of merchants and Noron faction members to be subpoenaed.
They won't be able to weasel out of this one.
My man,
the hard work you did at the CCB all those years will finally pay off.
I expected you to be happy.
If I had revealed Jeong Dong's corruption then,
I could've spared Magistrate Jeong the pain...
he's going through now.
You still haven't located Gang Yuji? [Westgate Marker Brokers, Jeju Island]
What if he slips out of Jeju?
How can you be so nonchalant?
What if we find Dongju and put him through the wringer?
Dongju?
Yes, ma'am.
He's got to know where Gang Yuji is.
Do you think he'll talk after what happened to his sister?
Perhaps we can persuade him.
If we offer to get his sisters out of Jeju into the mainland this time,
he might go for it for Myohyang's sake.
Even if he doesn't talk,
can't we use him to lure Gang Yuji out?
Okay.
Junior Foreman, find Dongju.
Yes, ma'am.
Just eat up.
You've got a long road ahead of you.
Just take it.
Take it, Sis.
It took a lot for Seoju to open up her purse.
Two years.
Just hang in there for two years.
I'll visit often, so you just hang on.
Don't get angry.
Yes, Sis.
If it wasn't for Eastgate's forewoman, we might be able to do this.
Take good care of sister.
Stop worrying about others and take care of yourself.
You're not others, you're my sisters.
Don't be crabby. You've no room to talk.
I'm sorry...
I'm off.
Don't worry.
I'll take good care of sister.
This is...
what I used to make for you...
chrysanthemum tea.
Be my foster daughter.
Shut your mouth!
Mother, mother, mother!
You just severed our seven-year ties.
When I first called you mother,
we were drinking chrysanthemum tea.
I don't trust anyone's heart.
And I don't know what changes my heart will have either.
My heard will never change for you, Mother.
Once I finish this cup of tea,
I'm...
going to forget everything.
I'm going to forget everything.
Being your foster daughter...
your cruel relationship with my birth mother...
All of it.
I was...
blinded by greed...
and used everyone around me...
as a tool...
to satisfy it.
And...
what was...
truly valuable...
I couldn't see.
I...
too...
will forget...
everything.
For two person.
You must keep this a secret.
Don't worry.
I've prepared a house on Mt. Jiri for you plus your sisters to settle down and make a living.
What?
I'm offering to send all of you out of Jeju.
Who tried to kill my sister?
Be quiet.
If you obey me and won't talk...
everyone will be fine.
I don't know where Foreman Gang is.
I'm not interested in Gang Yuji's whereabouts.
All we need is to get back the ledger Gang Yuji stole from us.
Depending on your answer,
this knife will decide whether your sisters will live or die so be careful.
I won't press you anymore, so give it a good thought.
Eastgate.
It's in Eastgate's forewoman's possession.
Burn it? What are you saying?
It's as I said.
Is it because of Jeong Hongsu?
It's an object that can only hurt the possessor.
That's why I want to destroy it.
Then, how will Oh Moonsun get her just deserts?
One way or another,
she'll eventually pay the price for her offences
It's so easy for you.
Giving up revenge...
as well as forgiving...
it's so hard for me.
Isn't it time for you to let go now?
If this came into my possession sooner,
what would've happened?
I can't say with certainty that
I'd use it for my own greed?
You would've tried your hardest not to.
No!
- Moonsun! - Let go! Let go of me!
We'll lose everything without that!
It's too late. It's too late!
- Let go! - Snap out of it, Moonsun.
You did this on purpose.
You want me to die, is that it?
You shouldn't have had it in the first place.
It's mine.
- I made it myself! - What are you doing, Oh Moonsun!
This wouldn't happen if it weren't for you.
Take your niece out of here before she gets hurt.
Moonsun.
I won't go down like this without a fight.
You'll see.
Let me tend to your bed tonight.
Where are the servants?
I'm sorry...
That's all right.
Father.
I'm your son.
Whatever happens,
I'll be right by your side.
Moonsun.
Call Lord Mu Mengdal first thing in the morning.
And sell off everything you can.
Tell Minister Jeong Dong the ledger was destroyed and beg for mercy...
We'll be asking for death.
Do as I say.
Okay.
Uncle.
We can start over.
Yes.
I only need Sahn and you.
Then...
I can start over anywhere.
Yes, don't worry.
I'll make arrangements for us to leave by tomorrow night at the latest.
I wanted to have a chat with you.
With a knife at my throat?
A murderer and a magistrate...
You and I...
it's ironic, isn't it?
Are you here to turn yourself in?
The ledger Mandeok's Granny had,
do you know about it?
All kinds of records of Noron faction's corruption
and details of attempted murder of the former King were written in that book.
Are you saying that you have it?
I had it.
To take revenge on Oh Moonsun...
I used it...
to threaten your father.
But...
I couldn't figure out what to do next.
So I gave it to Mandeok.
And she burned it.
Burned it?
That's Mandeok for you.
Be happy.
With Mandeok.
Turn yourself in.
You'll be granted lenience.
My crimes don't deserve lenience.
So...
the punishment...
if you allow me...
can I choose?
I'll never come back to Jeju again.
And...
And I'll never see the woman I love again.
I'll die alone as a drifter.
Yuji.
It's my final request.
If sweet potato crops succeed,
it'll help greatly when there is shortage of food.
Sure will.
Yuji came to see me.
He has probably left Jeju by now.
Is that so?
You're here?
What's all this?
Merchandise being sent to Hanyang.
Despite all the rumors,
I guess you're still strong since Westgate has businesses in Hanyang.
Yes, of course.
Hurry up.
What do you wish to see me about?
Shall we get right down to business?
Land deeds, house titles...
These are your properties.
How much of gold can I borrow on these?
Gold...
I don't have much in my possession right now,
- so if it's a note... - A note won't do.
I need gold before the end of the day.
That urgent?
If can't, I'll go somewhere else.
Don't be so impatient.
I'll see what I can do.
I'll be waiting.
They're starting to liquidate their merchandise?
And I'm told a money lender named Mu Mengdal's rounding up gold
at Oh Moonsun's request.
Gold?
She's going to deceive me and go into hiding...
Minister, should I get the boys ready?
Oh Moonsun can't be allowed to leave Jeju.
Okay, Minister.
Minister,
what brings you here... at this late hour?
What about you? Where are you going at this late hour?
Go?
It's stuffy, I came out for some air.
I'll get right to the point.
Give me what I came for immediately!
Didn't I say I'll have it for you?
It's coming, so give me some time.
You're lying to me again!
Go! Hurry, uncle!
Stop them!
What about my mother?
Let's go.
I heard you opened up Eastgate branches in Naju and Gangjin.
Yes.
Like your childhood dream,
I guess it won't be long before Jeju's goods will be sold in faraway Qing and Russia.
You remembered that?
There's not one thing I can forget about you.
Do you remember what I said the other night when I was drunk?
Yes.
I wasn't kidding.
I know.
Someday I'll let go all of it and live my life with you.
My lord, what do you...
My lord!
My lord, please help us!
Minister Jeong Dong's trying to kill Moonsun!
The ledger's gone.
Until when do you intend to deceive me?
Mandeok burned it.
If you don't believe me, ask her yourself.
I've heard enough.
Down that sword at once!
Why did you bring this child here?
I'll tell you about it later.
Would you watch him for now?
Don't worry. I'll take care of him.
Where are you going?
Moonsun's in danger.
Step aside.
This is none of your business!
Are you trying to hurt Oh Moonsun to cover up your own crimes?
I said step aside!
I can't do that!
You leave me no choice.
- Hold him back. - Yes, sir!
Please believe me.
I don't have the ledger.
You wench, you're still lying to me to the end!
Moonsun, quickly run!
What's wrong?
Nothing. Let's hurry.
- My lord! - Hongsu!
Hongsu. Hongsu!
Young master...
Young Master Hongsu!
Don't call my son's name!
- Doctor! Get a doctor! - Yes! Yes, Minister!
Father...
Hongsu, hang on.
Just hang on!
Hang on, Hongsu!
Forgive... Please forgive me, Father...
Hongsu. Hongsu!
Hongsu...
Hongsu. Hongsu!