--Episode 5-- They say 10 years can change the land.
You guys are living a great life as Song-pa cowhide merchants!
Have you forgotten about the cowhide trafficking you did at Chaek-moon already?
You have forgotten, huh?
Who... are you?
Me?
I'm Chun Bong-Sam.
Who?
Gaeseong!
Chun's Gaekju
Chun Oh-su's son Chun Bong-Sam,
who was left with a doctor.
I'm that Chun Bong-Sam.
Chun. Bong. Sam.
What?
You're really that...
little kid,
Chun's Gaekju Chun Oh-su's son?
Take 20 nyang,
and bring back more money.
Before sunset, bring back exactly 30 nyang.
Isn't that the test you made?
I slapped the chicken owner's back
and tricked the magistrate,
but with what right, do you dare me to kneel?
You cowhide trafficking robbers!
What?
They're Song-pa Stable owners!
Cowhide trafficking? What kind of nonsense are you...
Cowhide trafficking. Yes, I did it.
Pardon?
Oh, yes. Well, you must have had a good reason for doing it.
This isn't...
a place to punish me for the crimes I committed.
If you really want, I can prepare a separate meeting for that.
This place is, Chun Bong-Sam,
to punish you for the crime you committed.
Separated rice and soup.
Separated rice and soup, eh?
Your crime separately.
My crime separately.
Give it a try, you sons of a...
Separated rice and soup, yeah?
You bastard!
You damn bastard.
So, you're going to pay back the appreciation with ingratitude, huh?
Back then, we used 300 nyang on you. 300 nyang!
That's a price of a bull!
Oh, whoa. 300 nyang.
At Chaek-moon Market,
you must have done a great job trafficking cowhide.
Happy. You must have been so happy!
What?
Merchant Song.
What?
You rascal!
Merchant Song!
Find the money that he took from the poultry-man first.
Oh. That's right.
Money you stole comes first.
It's money! Money!
My money! My money!
It's my money I earned!
My money. No one can touch my money. Don't touch it!
Look at that froth in his mouth and his eyes rolled back.
You rascal.
Are you crazy about money?
Are you crazy?
Yeah.
Who in this world isn't crazy about money?
If there is, come out.
Come out!
Because you earned this much of profits,
did you eye on a kisaeng, or what? Huh?
Alright, alright. Wait... wait.
Sir. Sir!
What are you guys doing there?
Take away his money and beat him up!
A noblewoman, who
is my sister's...
from an aristocrat family...
It's money for that money, you rascals.
To free my sister from slavery!
My sister Chun Soh-leh's price as a slave servant!
Don't come near me!
Who are you to put me on a straw mat!
I said don't come, you bastards!
I will immediately leave this stupid Dongmong Agency.
By looking how things are running, it's time to leave!
You little bastards!
Father.
Accept this drink from your foolish daughter.
Father, you didn't come today, huh?
You didn't come to get your memorial dinner
because you didn't want to see your foolish daughter, right?
Mistress.
Why would he come?
He's not a person to come to see his memorial ceremony at an enemy's house.
You don't know what kind of person he is.
He was a great person,
a great leader,
and a very... honorable person.
Just to get this piece of rice cake and a drink,
why would he visit Kim Hak-jun's house?
Father.
I'm sorry.
Even after those 10 years,
I barely got Kim Hak-jun's back garden,
and I got nothing else done.
I couldn't even find Bong-Sam.
Father.
Our Bong-Sam.
Where would Bong-Sam be?
Bong-Sam. Bong-Sam, are you okay? Huh?
Sir!
Then now.
For cowhide trafficking,
how many slaps is it per nyang?
Deadly beaten, no?
Because of that damn bastard's mouth, I'm losing my mind!
How can the Chun's Gaekju son be so low-class?
If your father sees you,
he will deeply lament.
My father...
was beheaded for trafficking opium.
Chun's Gaekju.
Owner Chun Oh-su.
They were once great in Gaeseong.
Swimming through an ocean to find dried sea cucumbers,
he started as a small start-up merchant.
The one who built the best dried sea cucumber gaekju in the land of Chosun.
Never forgetting about the start-up days,
never deceiving the remaining poor merchants,
he fairly purchased dried sea cucumbers.
He's the one who fed and saved sick people.
Our boss...
would make payments in advance,
and saved people who almost died from hunger.
A great, great person,
is my father!
My, my father.
Oh, oh. Oh.
But you know what? These are...
all lies! All lies!
All lies!
A son doesn't know of his father that much?
I know. I was saying it because I know it.
He's a hypocrite.
Behind the back,
he trafficked opium, and
in front, he acted like a respected gaekju owner.
After calling each other brothers,
he let Gil So-gae's father die!
How can a son doesn't know of his father that much?
Weren't you there at Sammoon, where his head fell apart?
Opium trafficking dealer, Chun Oh-su!
That much.
I think...
I lost it.
What... what else do I need to know?
What!
You rascal!
If a son doesn't acknowledge his father, who else would acknowledge him?
You. What do you know?
You cowhide robber!
Yeah!
I do not know about Merchant Chun that much.
However, Chun's Gaekju was known to be fair and equal.
I offered 9,000 nyang for helping me with cowhide trafficking,
he's a person who rejected right away!
While living in this world poverty,
you get 9,000 nyang by just closing your eyes.
Would a man who rejected that much money do opium trafficking?
I... met your father,
and learned what shamefulness is.
For you,
just for you, Chun Bong-Sam,
didn't walk on the road of shame,
and just for you,
worked to become a great gaekju owner.
He once told me, if I had children,
to look closely into my asleep son's face.
If you have children,
look closely into their faces when they're asleep.
As the world doesn't simply end because of one's death,
making big deals isn't everything in business.
Do you still think that your father was an opium trafficking dealer?
Then, sir...
Then, who killed my father by getting away with opium trafficking...
who is that damn bastard?
I feel bad for Merchant Chun.
I can't believe this fool is his son.
Let's go.
I do not want to see a son disgracing his father anymore!
Sir?
Soh-leh!
You need to stay strong!
Soh-leh, you need to take care of Chun's Gaekju now.
Hurry up and go back to Gaeseong.
And clear out the goods with Mr. Hong.
With that money, rebuild Chun's Gaekju when it's time.
So-Hong!
So-Hong?
Deuk-gae!
So-Hong!
I guess it turned out well?
I thought you were coming back tomorrow.
There was no answer, so I thought you were asleep.
But Deuk-gae is here, that wouldn't be the case...
I was looking at this.
Oh, oh. I see. I see.
"Sami-e-Ru"?
Four types of beauty? Does that apply to a gisaeng concubine?
I am worried that others would criticize,
but I'm thinking about making it into a sign.
I shall boast about my man's calligraphic art.
Wait. Did you already get the wood?
It was delivered from Chunhyang town of Bonghwa in Kyeongsan Province.
Bonghwa in Geumkang? They're the best!
Let me see.
I don't think it was dried up in one or two years.
I told them to bring a dried up one so it won't crack.
Oh. Good job.
Deuk-gae, turn that around.
Front and back. There shouldn't be any difference.
The grain should be different. Grain.
What are you doing? Turn it around.
Hey, hey. What are you doing there? I said turn that around.
You...
So-Hong.
You got a baby who will inherit our gaekju.
Come on in. / Yes.
Here. Follow me.
So-Hong.
If a nobleman and a concubine give birth, the baby is a slave.
If a concubine's son and another concubine give birth, then the baby is poop, no?
So-Hong! Why again?
Just give it up now.
I don't want our kid to become poop of Ahn-dong Kim family.
I don't feel good today.
Please go sleep in the guest room.
My son!
What a great life plan you have!
Now, no more goofing around. Follow me.
Ouch! It hurts, father.
Is everyone ready?
Yes, boss!
Let's go!
For great success!
Sang-moon...
here I come.
Sang-moon!
If the son doesn't acknowledge his father, then who else would acknowledge him?
Your father... for you,
Chung Bong-Sam, for you,
didn't walk on the road of shame,
and for you,
he wanted to become a great gaekju owner.
Father.
Are you okay?
You see. I...
I'm not okay yet.
In here, right in here...
Bong-Sam.
Father.
I miss Bong-Sam so much.
Hey. What is it now?
What are you guys trying to do now?
Song-pa Stable should hire me!
Me, Chun Bong-Sam.
Hire me as your servant.
We got kicked out of Dongmong Agency.
Other than Song-pa Stable, we have nowhere else to go.
What?
These shameless fools!
My salary...
can start off with five bags of rice.
I'm a little bit cheaper. I'm worth only three bags of rice.
Let's agree on enslaving for a year with 15 of it.
You old fool!
You're not even worth a fraction of that!
I...
Just because I respect Chun Oh-su doesn't make me want to take his son in.
No one can have this talent of business that I have.
Indeed!
No one can make a chicken into a phoenix.
So, Bong-Sam can...
Hey. I didn't even finish talking. Where...
He's telling us to follow them. Let's go.
Wow. What a sight they are.
Trying to ruin my eyesight, huh?
Sir. I think they're really trying to leech on us. No?
Or are they trying to steal our cows and sell them?
One step after another. We're following you every step!
Your legs are okay?
Yup.
(Song-pa Stable)
Sister-in-law.
The cow probably has been fed a lot. He's looking really good!
Right?
Wang-bal!
Sir! Are you finally back?
Are you here?
Hello.
Wait.
You said you'll bring back a smart boy...
He's not it, right?
No, we're it.
I'm a little bit smart.
But this guy is extremely smart.
Hey mistress.
You still look handsome!
Very handsome.
Very!
What are these monsters?
You're not trying to let them into our stable, right?
What are they?
Hey, hey!
Do you think life is a joke?
Give it to me.
Hey. You guys are only allowed up to this point.
If you attempt to cross this line, I'll show you what I'll do. Okay?
Sir!
I'm not joking.
Until yesterday, I lived joking around.
But not from today.
Hanyang probably has a plenty of good food. But take this on your way there.
I added some vinegar in rice, so it won't turn bad.
Jeolla Province has the best food.
Your cooking skills are better than any of our cooks.
Jeolla side dishes have strong taste.
Gaeseong food is the best.
Jinju, Jeonju, and Pyeongyang can't beat Gaeseong.
Are you a Gaeseong person?
Do only people from Gaeseong cook Gaeseong food?
Go away.
Go away!
Let's go.
Now, Lord Dae-won-wi from Heungsun cannot win against the Queen.
Oh, no way.
Aging is a really pitiful thing.
Without doing anything, people from various province will say
"You're old, huh?"
"You have no power, eh?"
And they will chase after you with a sword.
You did a good job teaming up
with the Min's of Yeoheung (the clan of Queen Myeongseong).
Are you a fortune teller, or what?
If we mess up, we're left with nothing.
My father once told me that
power and money are like seasons.
There are three hottest days in the beginning of fall.
And there are deadly freezing days in the beginning of spring.
Whether it be power or money, if you reach the highest point,
there are dark days hidden.
Therefore, when you're well off, be more generous and modest.
Be more generous and modest... when you're well off?
Now that Dae-won Group's power has reached the top,
don't you think it'll do nothing but fall down?
Exactly who is your father again?
He's a useless fool who sold his daughter to a kisaeng house.
My family isn't the problem right now.
We waited for 10 years.
We must win against Yook-ei-jeon Head Merchant Shin Suk-ju,
and bust your stepbrother Kim Bo-hyeon. They're more important, no?
(Port of Kangkyeong)
Do you know anything about that woman?
Pardon?
A live person should have traces.
But that woman has no such thing.
What?
A guard from Hwayoon Tower?
I'm Oh Deuk-gae.
I think I've seen you at the kisaeng house, but...
What brings you to my house?
I brought him in.
If you allow it, I wanted him to guard me.
Deuk-gae.
Meaning "earning a dog".
Dogs' natural instincts are like wolves'. So they bite their owners too.
That will never happen. Deuk-gae is not that type of dog.
Sapsal dog, Jindo dog, Poongsan dog that is good at hunting, and a mutt...
He'll do anything.
Am I right? You're going to be a good dog, huh?
A good dog only serves his owner for life.
Dog Oh Deuk-gae will die for his owner.
Find out about So-Hong.
Find out where she's from, who her father is, and
whether she has any siblings.
His Hanyang trip will take about 15 days.
I earned my time by extending it.
Yes.
We must find out what we're missing.
Let's start with Shinmak.
Where I...
left Bong-Sam. That Shinmak.
Starting from that shrine, search more thoroughly.
We can't delay it anymore!
We must find Bong-Sam this time.
Ugh! I feel so suffocated.
What are we supposed to do with those leeches?
They just got themselves settled down there.
But still, they're very fast and efficient.
It doesn't seem like they trick around saying a chicken is a phoenix.
They seem fine.
What did you say?
An ox's horns are out-curved like this.
Arched horns are inflexed like this.
Ox's horns out-curved, arched ones inflexed.
Then, how about the ones in the front?
Oh, they're bulls.
Why don't you study, huh?
We're at Dongmong Agency, and I've never seen you study.
Wake up and study!
Alright.
Made mak, made Bo...
Mak and Bo.
Mak refers to a 6-year-old cow.
What's the most popular one here?
Two-seup. Two-seup and three-seup are the most popular ones.
Two-seup and three-seup meaning two and three years old. Okay?
Why are two- and three-seups the most popular?
That's right.
He was stubborn when he was young.
I mean, he was one of a kind, huh? Smart, too.
Wang-bal.
Yes, sir.
Go get Chun Bong-Sam.
Yes, sir.
Bong-Sam!
Bong-Sam, come over here. Hurry!
Come on, Bong-Sam! Come on!
He's calling you. Hurry! Hurry.
The boss wants us, huh?
Hurry, hurry.
Hey, you oldie. Why are you tagging along?
I'm a freebie.
Just as there's needle along with thr...
Thread! / Thread!
And just as there's soup along with...
Radish kimchi! / Yeah, radish kimchi!
Radish kimchi.
I... don't change my mind once I made the decision.
I know it very well
that you don't like me that much.
Wang-bal.
Yes, sir.
Wang-bal, how many cows do you help to sell a year?
Yes, sir.
It's about 45 cows a year.
Our stable has a standard of 30 cows a year per person.
I sell about 100 cows a year.
Our boss handles 120 cows.
I'll give you 10 days.
Within that time, sell 3 cows.
Then, I'll accept you as our stable family member.
But if you don't make it, move out of our house.
It's 10 days.
10 days.
Three cows in 10 days?
Three cows in 10 days...
Whoa!
Hey!
Boss.
What do I have to do to sell a cow?
It's simple.
Be a whiz.
Desperately, earnestly think about selling cows. Then you'll go crazy.
Once you go crazy,
you'll automatically become a whiz.
I'm not here to joke around.
Do you think I'm a nobleman who likes to make jokes?
Say you were seized by an army group,
and they'll let you go if you sell the cows, but if not,
they'll behead you.
Even then, you can't sell them?
You don't really have to know about cows to sell them.
If you do, that's good.
Your throat is life.
If you don't sell them, you starve to death,
so as your baby will starve to death.
Think like that.
And you'll become desperate.
Then you will be able to sell them all.
Excuse me!
Let me ask you something!
So, anyone...
wants to buy a cow?
Whoa, whoa.
I'm sorry...
I'm sorry.
How many places have we been to already?
If you want to sell cows, you have to go to the cattle market.
But what are you doing?
You fool! You fool!
What kind of customer would be waiting on us?
Huh?
If we open our mouths, they'll know we're rookies.
At a place full of experts,
we won't be able to sell any of our cows!
Let's hurry up and go back to the Hyojeok village.
Follow me.
Do... you really not want to buy a cow?
I'm sorry! He's the idiot of our town.
He's not malicious.
Leave! Leave now!
I'm sorry.
100 pieces to Kwangsan government office.
50 pieces to Jeonju Kim's Gaekju.
Oh, I heard there's a kisaeng queen in Jeonju.
The orders have tripled since last year.
Kwangyang Kim's house, 500 bottles of apricot syrup.
So-gae.
Yes!
Boss. Are you heading out?
Get ready.
You should tag along.
I... I can follow along with you, Head Merchant?
It's an... it's an honor!
(Topgol Kisaeng House)
Goodness.
Goodness, Head Merchant!
Oh, sir.
It's been a long while.
Okay.
Oh.
This is our clerk.
My family name is Gil, and first name is So-gae.
Throughout all these years I've known the head merchant,
other than Merchant Meng,
I've never had someone from Shin's Gaekju bow me.
You must treasure this kid a lot.
People in this world usually say the strongest one survives.
I think differently.
While you were with us,
how many servants came and left our gaekju?
Yes, 585 servants came and left.
Goodness!
For 10 years, 585 servants? Almost 600!
Merchant Meng, people must find it hard to please you.
No, sir.
People who leave the house merely because they found the work hard
aren't my people.
It's not that the strongest survives.
One who endures and survives is the strong one.
This fool has endured for 10 years.
So now, he deserves some attention.
Alright. Let's get going.
Hey.
Ugh.
What?
Look at you with fake topknot.
Whether it be fake or real, I should've worn it long time ago.
Follow them and stand in front!
If you endured 10 years,
I endured 27 years.
Since the day I helped him the Yook-ei-jeon Head Merchant position,
it's been 30 years, kissing his butt.
Merchant Meng!
That... that.
So-gae, there's no place for you to come in.
So you shouldn't even think about it.
A new personnel appointment for Sun-hye Board?
What? What do you mean by Sun-hye Board appointment?
As the head chief, I've been taking care of the Board with no problem.
Why would be there an appointment?
You've done a good job for 10 years.
Now, isn't it a good time to pass it on?
And it would be better for us to work together at Yook-ei-jeon.
How about a head government position in Hojo?
No, no. I don't want to work anywhere else than Sun-hye Palace.
Not even a position of prime minister.
So don't even say that!
Oh, man... goodness.
Then, let's see
who are the ones that will protect you to get re-appointed.
Oh. But.
Of course, Woonhyun Palace.
And to its relatives. You will have to spend a lot of money this time.
What?
Are you serious?
About Shin Suk-ju and Kim Bo-hyeon teaming up to steal taxes?
There's a record showing all of his assets and sources.
Even that sort of evidence?
The amount of taxes they stole from Sun-hye Palace,
and the amount they sent Daewon District Kim's house for bribery,
they're all in the record.
Get that record first.
The police will handle the Kim Bo-hyeon and Woonhyun Palace problem.
Let's go.
Oh. Sir!
Sir!
Excuse me. Let me in.
Wait. Wait.
Why would you come here, sir?
Are you in there?
Get off!
What?
Head Merchant!
Sir!
This is Min Kyeom-ho.
I'll come in for a minute.
Sir!
Wait... Wait!
Whoa.
Yook-ei-jeon Head Merchant is here too?
This way. This way!
Why don't you hurry and set the table?
Our boss and master must be very hungry.
Do you think this is the time to bring in the table?
Hey! So-gae...
Sir. Let's just eat.
What's more important than taking care of your meal?
Alright, alright. Set the table.
Come on. Sit, sit.
Come on and sit.
Oh no!
What is this?
Are you okay?
You rascals!
Oh!
Wait, this...
Oh, no. Sir! It's dangerous!
Oh, no... oh no!
Stop. Stop.
You, you... are you trying to burn the whole place down?
How dare you think about pouring the alcohol!
Just pour it!
Oh it's gone now.
Goodness.
Sir. Sir!
Goodness. You suffered a lot...
I'll come visit you soon.
Damn it. Ugh.
Man, oh man...
You can't even manage to eat when I cooked everything for you.
That's why you can't even win against the Queen.
Goodness. Goodness, goodness.
Oh goodness. Really.
Boss.
We can always write up the record again.
Hey. What was your name again?
It's Gil So-gae.
Did you do it on purpose or no?
Well... I was just ordered to guard the front door,
so I just did my duty, Master.
Head Merchant! It's incredible!
Even your servant is so intelligent!
They say having the right people is everything. It's amazing. Amazing!
Indeed, the right people are everything.
You're incredible at hiring people. Incredible!
I was surprised too.
They say a cow can kill a rat by walking backward.
Today, you made a huge accomplishment. Yeah?
So-gae, you made a huge accomplishment!
Huge accomplishment!
What do you mean a cow can kill a rat by walking backward?
There's no such thing.
You're right. Right.
A cow can't kill a rat by walking backward.
Yeah. It's all because of your intelligence.
Right? Your intelligence.
It's been a long time, brother!
Rivers and mountains have changed since I last saw you.
Whoa. Head Merchant!
It seems like you got in touch with Min Kyeom-ho.
But this isn't time yet.
The days in the fall seem short, but it takes a long time for the sun to set.
The Queen giving birth to a prince should come first.
That's how you can get closer to the Min's of Yeoheung.
If you want to win against me,
there is a way.
Please teach me.
Live longer than I do.
Live as long as you can.
That's winning.
Thank you for giving me a great lesson, Head Merchant!
Look how blessed you are.
Hey, hey.
Just listen still in that position, and don't raise your head.
How modest and beautiful is it to see someone bow down?
Bo-hyeon.
What is this...
There's a lot more.
Get lower. Lower!
Relax your shoulders. Relax your back.
Stop pretending you're a dragon with power.
More! Get flat with your body. Flat!
More! More! More!
Get your damn stomach on the ground!
Yes, I'm happy.
Live like this.
Flat like this.
Live always bowing to Shin Suk-ju.
That's the only way you can survive.
Even after 10 years and 100 years, you will never win against Shin Suk-ju.
You get that?
Goodness. Put more strength into it!
Do it right!
Bong-Sam. I can't do it anymore!
We're supposed to sell cows. What are we doing?
Then get out.
This really isn't it.
Oh wait. I got caught...
Turn around.
You rascals!
Yeah. Ah ha!
No wonder where the rope went...
Huh? Wait...
Who are you guys?
What are you guys doing on someone else's field?
Yes. Hello, sir.
I'm a merchant student named Chun Bong-Sam from Song-pa Stable.
Song-pa Stable?
Yes, yes.
Sir.
Cow. Buy a cow from me. A cow.
What? You crazy-head.
You crazy-heads!
How dare you mock an elder like that?
Get out! Get out, now!
Calm down, calm down...
We didn't mean to make you mad. So relax...
Get out!
I said get out!
Get out!
Oh my. What is this?
Please relax! Relax!
Sir?
This village really needs a cow.
You must buy it.
Your daughter and mistress over there, they're not cows, are they?
For how long are you going to make them plow this field?
Buy a cow.
Oh my... my.
Merchant Meng.
What is this?
I'm trying to give you a prize, okay?
If you did a good job, of course, there should be a prize for it.
Because you made a huge accomplishment, you must get awarded.
A big award.
Grab Gil So-gae, and
shove down the water until his stomach bursts.
Yes.
Merchant Meng.
What did you just say?
A guy whose mind is out of control must get awarded with cold water.
Cold water is the medicine!
Merchant Meng.
All of this. Is it your idea or the Head Merchant's idea?
Why do you ask such thing!
Grab him and make him kneel!
Yes.
Answer me!
Merchant Meng. Are you afraid that I will take over your position?
You're like a puppy.
Afraid?
Afraid, my butt!
Gil So-gae, you!
You put your hands on the Head Merchant's records without permission.
After10 years, you were allowed only up to this much.
Who said to look at the Head Merchant's back?
That's a misunderstanding! I just...
I wanted to know how Head Merchant have so much money.
I just wanted to know how he became the Head Merchant.
I just wanted to learn...
I just wanted to learn!
There are things to learn and not to learn.
What are you guys doing?
Shove him cold water!
Ugh! You can't do this!
You can't do this...
I saved his life...
--The Merchant: Gaekju 2015--
I came here to collect the debt.
Do you not remember me?
What do you mean by debt?
Was it you who ordered them to kill me?
Answer me! Before I burn everything down.
Oh my!
Help me.
What is it?
He's trying to brand the cows!
Will you guys be able to handle it?
Says who?!
How dare you bet precious Chun Bong-Sam's head!
Who is the next Song-pa Stable owner?