--Episode 23--
It's actually good to see you.
Take this.
You can't accept even one of them?
Then...
In this world-
Is there absolutely nothing that I can give you?
What are you doing?
What if you choke on it?
You can't express your heart,
and I can't express my heart.
We can't hold it in and then show it outside.
I, as well...
I would like to swallow my heart.
But...
my heart is blocked in here.
I can't swallow my heart, nor can I spit it out.
Sir Head Merchant.
Mr. Bong. / Shut your mouth.
My goodness.
I heard you're running for president.
That's right.
If I run for election, does that put you into a difficult situation?
Withdraw from the election.
A man has other things to do aside from love.
I'm not saying it because I don't know that.
I'm not running for president to earn the title.
I need to earn money and regain the stable.
I have to take care of my stable members.
My fellow peddlers who died before me.
It is the least I can do for those people.
It's my duty and responsibility.
Therefore, I have to become the next peddlers association president.
They already have decided that Merchant Gil will be the next president.
Sir Head Merchant will do anything in order to protect Yook-ei-jeon.
If anything bad happens to you, what am I supposed to do?
What am I supposed to do with this baby?
What do you mean?
Sir Head Merchant's baby is what?
What do you mean?
This baby...
This baby is...
Fine.
This baby is...
Here you are.
Sir Head Merchant.
I am seeing you on my way from seeing Guksadang Shrine Honorable Mama.
It's seems like you're here to get fresh air.
But night air is cold.
Alright, let's get going now.
Sir Head Merchant.
Hey, you rude bastard!
How dare you grab me like this?
Sir Head Merchant, mistress is going to fall.
Looking good, eh?
Is it you?
Did you deliver it to her?
For what?
What did you wanted to do after delivering it to her?
This isn't because of the candy.
This is because she and you weren't able to cut it off
and kept it sloppy!
Gae-ddong.
I really like you as a younger sister, but...
never interfere between she and I.
What?
If this happens one more time,
I'm never going to see you again.
Come in quickly!
Sir Head Merchant. / Come here!
Sir Head Merchant!
Sir Head Merchant, you are misunderstanding.
He didn't do anything wrong!
What?
You!
Starting from today,
do not step out of this women's quarters!
Until you deliver the baby,
stay in this room like a painting!
Sir Head Merchant!
Hey!
Why would a painting open its mouth and talk?
You are a painting that I bought with money!
If you're a painting, live like a painting!
Live with your mouth and heart shut!
Mr. Bong.
What are you doing?
You have to go the presidential campaign tomorrow.
Dol-ee.
I can't forget about what that person said to me.
What did she say?
What did the mistress say? She told you not to run for president?
Is there something in the world that you can't even tell me?
What am I supposed to do with this baby...
Fine.
This baby is...
Oh, my!
Are you thinking that it might be your baby?
That doesn't make sense at all.
Does it make sense?
Dol-ee.
Stop thinking about unnecessary things.
Hurry up and prepare for the campaign.
Gil So-gae, come out.
Dear my fellow citizens,
upon this election,
there is no reason for Yook-ei-jeon and Peddlers Association Headquarters to fight.
I know it well.
It is true that Yook-ei-jeon used to stepped down on merchants and abused us.
However, that is in the past.
Look at it.
Yook-ei-jeon Head Merchant is here to congratulate us.
This proves that the times have changed!
Merchant Gil is good at talking, eh?
Dear fellow citizens...
Wait.
Didn't you buy the nobleman status as you work under Sir Head Merchant?
But do you qualify to run for the peddlers association president?
Over there.
Right? He doesn't qualify.
What is he talking about?
He doesn't qualify.
That is why I qualify.
I...
Out of all of the merchants that carry goods on their back,
I worked as a salted seafood seller, the so-called the hardest work, for 8 years.
And now I am at Shin's Major Gaekju as a senior merchant.
So I will get rid of the traditional way of Yook-ei-jeon and Peddlers Association.
Gong-saeng-gong-Jon!
Don't you think I can find the way to let everyone live well?
You're right!
What are you doing?
Oh my goodness.
Whoa, miss.
I was quietly praying for you to come out.
We were thinking about the same thing, I guess.
Are you out of your mind or what?
Are you trying to kill our mistress?
You must deliver this to the mistress.
There are so many rumors everywhere.
But I am not here to solely become the association president.
Dear my fellow citizens,
do you know how much tax we pay to the Peddlers Association?
Starting from license renewal tax,
all sorts of stock trends, street stall tax, and gateway tax.
On top of that, there's federal tax to pay in fall.
It is at least hundreds of nyang for one year.
You're right!
Yeah, he is right!
You're right!
Why is he bringing up taxes all of sudden?
Let's hear what he says.
However, how much money do you take home?
You all carry the goods on your back until you break your back.
Because you don't have enough money,
you are out on the street trying to survive.
How much money do you take home?
Hardly two or three straw bags of rice?
Or four or five straw bags of rice?
I can't even take two bags with me.
I had no way to support my family, so I couldn't get married.
I don't take anything at all.
That's right.
The money we earned as we gave up on marriage and health.
That money you earned...
About two third of that money goes to the government.
The remaining one-third of our money,
do we spend that on ourselves well?
We lend money for the goods if someone needs it.
We pay for medical bills if there are sick fellow merchants.
We pay money for our senior merchants who are too old to go out and sell the goods,
so they won't starve to death.
Are you using that money well?
Everyone, do you use that money well?
Hey, fellow citizens!
I feel like we are paying too much tax to the peddlers association!
I think it's way too much!
It's too much!
I feel like I pay too much of tax for our stable.
However, we must pay them.
Because we're citizens of Chosun and this country's peddlers.
However, I am worried.
If our money is being used properly by our King.
If the money is spent well for us.
Therefore,
this Chun Bong-Sam is here to make that patron transparent to us.
Everyone.
In this world, if three things are kept clean and pure,
we can all eat well and live well.
First, the way we use money.
Second, water.
And lastly, our hearts.
Dear fellow citizens!
All of us here-
everybody together-
created Peddlers Association to live well.
We started calling each other "fellows" because we want everyone to live well!
This Chun Bong-Sam will ensure
that the usage of money, water, and hearts are kept clean and pure.
The concern that you all have,
and the concern that I have,
I will throw all of them away!
Chun Bong-Sam.
Chun Bong-Sam!
He is damned daring, huh?
What did he say with his damned mouth?
We eat up people's tax?
That Chun Bong-Sam guy talks well. Why are you so angry about that?
Lord, but still,
Birds of a feather flock together.
Head Merchant Shin is right.
Birds of a feather must flock together!
Even though our relationship became awkward, we are in the same boat.
Why are you siding with that crazy bastard?
Oh, wow.
You have an extreme anger inside, huh?
Before you give off sparks to me, I must leave.
Enjoy the meal.
Lord.
Lord!
Oh, man.
What should I do?
Chun Bong-Sam that bastard-
he is declaring a war against Yook-ei-jeon!
Flame is just like power and business.
When you first hear about the fire, you must extinguish it.
Once the fire spreads to firewood and houses,
it's impossible to extinguish it!
How are you going to extinguish it?
Lord, you are right.
We need to take care of him early on.
Wouldn't it be good to get rid of him?
Head Merchant Shin, let's get rid of Chun Bong-Sam.
I think that's a good idea.
I would like to cast my vote in getting rid of him.
Head Merchant Shin, tell us what you think.
Sir Head Merchant.
But, there is no justification.
Hey, hey!
Why do we need justification to kill one cattle merchant?
The whole country has its attention to this association presidential election.
Just to get rid of Chun Bong-Sam,
we might be messing with a beehive.
Then, Head Merchant Shin, you take care of the business with Chun Bong-Sam.
Say something.
I feel like indigestion I had for 10 years went away!
For the first time, I was satisfied.
While we were there, everyone was yelling "Chun Bong-Sam!"
We had good energy from people and everyone started cheering for us.
Really? Is that so? Chun Bong-Sam?
Why do you look unhappy?
Oh.
I'm just worried that we might have pushed too hard on it.
Kim Bo-hyeon and Shin Suk-ju were there. I think we hit the nail on the head too hard.
If we were worried about that,
then we shouldn't have even thought about this election in first place.
That's right. Man-chi is right on that.
Hey, the purpose of me running is what I said today.
What else would I say then?
Okay.
How is the tax I pay is being used?
Why can't I borrow money from Peddlers Association for business?
Why do they tell me that they have no money to spend?
Those are what people want to know.
Yeah, you are right.
Don't worry.
I'm going to straighten things out this time.
That's right.
Let's give ourselves an applause.
Chun Bong-Sam!
Hey, hey. / Chun Bong-Sam!
What?
I saw it with my own eyes.
It was clearly him.
The cripple who is always next to Chun Bong-Sam.
Damn it!
Why?
Did you get a love letter stating that he loves you or something?
No, sir.
Move!
I know that this will put you in a difficult situation.
But, I can't help but to ask you this.
The baby in your stomach is...
by any chance...
by any chance my baby?
A father and his son are connected by a heavenly fate as strong as an iron.
No matter how painful it is for you,
please...
please tell me the truth.
Please forgive me, sir.
You!
Do you know how much I cared about you?
Do you know how much I cared?
I've treated you like a treasure.
That person didn't do anything wrong.
I'm the one who said...
You damned woman!
Please forgive me, sir.
It seems like if I die one day,
you will go to that bastard with my son on the day I die.
Sir, how could you say that?
Shut up!
Damn it!
Mistress!
Sir Head Merchant.
Get out.
Sir Head Merchant, I am the one to blame.
I told you to get out! Now!
I'm the one who brought this letter, so kill me!
Move out of the way.
You should write a letter.
Bring pen and paper!
Now!
Oh my goodness!
Why do you scare me so much?
Why are you here?
If you sent the letter, wouldn't you want a response to it?
What the.
Why is she getting mad at me?
How could you ask such a ridiculous question?
If you die while you fight against Sir Head Merchant,
I will die after you.
What will happen to the unborn child if his mother dies?
That is what I meant.
Please do not ever have such a despicable thought again.
I feel sinful, so I can't even raise my head and look up to the sky.
It's not it, right?
I told you so.
How could a classy woman bear your child and stay next to Sir Head Merchant?
You're right.
I could've watched your speech if you weren't so worried!
Sir Head Merchant, did you want to see me?
Chun Bong-Sam...
Kill him.
Why?
You don't think you can do it?
Do you still have debt owed to Chun Bong-Sam?
No, that's not it.
Why did you change your mind all of sudden?
Hey, you rude bastard!
Why do you need to know that?
I'm sorry.
Just kill him.
Saying that he qualifies to be the association president,
and that he passed Poongdeungryeong,
peddlers are cheering for him.
So put him in a disgraceful position and make him die as people criticize.
That is how,
once you become the association president,
people that were cheering for Chun Bong-Sam side will look up to you.
I will take care of it.
Kill him... Kill Chun Bong-Sam this time.
Merchant Maeng.
Why do you think Shin Suk-ju changed his mind?
How would I know that?
But I can tell that you know everything.
Tell me the truth.
You rude bastard! What an arrogant bastard!
Do you think I'm your friend or what?
Wait, you are getting angry at me?
How dare you speak to me like that?
What is it?
He wants to kill Bong-Sam just so I can become the association president?
Something isn't right.
It's the aftermath, you foolish bastard.
Shin Suk-ju is worried about the aftermath upon his death.
He is worried that he will lose his baby to Chun Bong-Sam.
He is worried that he will lose Shin's Major Gaekju.
Mr. Bong! Mr. Bong!
What?
Merchant Chang and Merchant Hwang are here.
Oh!
Head Cattle Broker Chun, come over here.
What brings you here?
I came here to see if you need any help with your campaign.
Oh, this...
I'm disappointed.
There are 10 votes in our Yangpyeong.
Why haven't you visited us?
Well, thank you very much, Sir Merchant Hwang.
Thank you, Sir Merchant Chang.
Alright, come on in.
You guys wait here.
Let's go.
Yes.
Have a seat. / Have a seat.
If we're getting free meals at Song-pa Stable,
aren't we violating the election rules?
If you feel uneasy about it, put down come coins and eat.
Every coin means a lot to us anyway.
Wait, doesn't that indicate Kyeonggi Province Peddlers Office?
Out of the red ones and green ones,
which color indicates Head Cattle Broker Chun's votes?
The red ones.
Out of 36 peddlers offices,
the north and the east voted for Head Cattle Broker Chun,
the south and the west for Merchant Gil.
Because Head Cattle Broker Chun opened up Bukgwan Road,
northern part of Kyeonggi has voted for him.
That's how the votes are split, eh?
It's the money.
It's not common to see a person who doesn't fall in front of money.
What do you mean?
The other side is spending lots of money.
A few days ago, Merchant Gil donated a big amount of money in Yangpyeong.
That is why our votes for Head Cattle Broker Chun went to Merchant Gil.
What?
Those people lack backbone, huh?
It's as expected.
This election is a war against money.
This isn't a battle against Merchant Gil and Sir Head Merchant.
It's a battle between Yook-ei-jeon money and Chun Bong-Sam.
Honorable Mama.
Guksadang Shrine Honorable Mama.
So, who will win this election?
Because Merchant Gil's luck is expanding,
if there is no unexpected change, then Merchant Gil will win.
What if there is an unexpected change?
Before that, spend more money.
Hey, hey.
Did you lose your shaman senses? Why are you so effortless?
Please tell us more details about it.
It will be useless to use a mediocre amount of money.
When you spend money,
you need to spend a lot to kill the opponent's spirits.
What else do you want?
Honorable Mama, you are right.
People are like that-
when his opponent has ten times more than he does,
he can just cuss him out.
But if the opponent has 100 times, he gets scared.
If the opponent has 1,000 times, he kisses up to the opponent.
If the opponent has 10,000 times,
then-
he would crawl to the opponent and be his servant, all on his own.
Alright.
Let's spend more.
Let's spend more money.
Merchant Gil, how much have you spent so far?
I spent 30,000 nyang this past month.
Well, that's not bad.
Now, there is one more campaign until the election is over.
Until that campaign,
I am planning to spend 300,000 nyang.
300,000 nyang?
Do you think they would be happy with these rice cakes alone?
Our opponent is spending a huge amount of money.
These rice cakes aren't for Yangju Peddlers Office.
We prepared this for the senior merchants,
who live in a shelter because they can't sell goods anymore.
Shelter, my butt. It's a place of aged spirits.
It would be nice if money falls from the sky.
So we can spend lots of money on our campaign.
If I had such money, then I would use it to regain our Song-pa Stable.
Let's go. Because it's wintertime, sun sets early.
Let's go!
Ma'am!
Give us some warm bowls of soup!
We're busy people!
Bong-Sam.
Are you on your way to Yangju Peddlers Office?
Whoa, these are all goods?
Whoa, you have such spectacular goods!
If someone sees this, they'll think you guys are all merchants on a business trip.
You are working very hard acting like a nobleman, eh?
You're a robber who went around and stole Song-pa Stable promissory note.
Does Mr. Bong know that, too?
A robber!
What do you mean?
A robber?
What do you mean he stole our stable promissory note?
Then, how about you, Merchant Song?
Oh, no.
You got your thing down there robbed.
You don't have self-pride, huh?
You crawled back into Song-pa Stable?
What?
Why are you doing this?
Let this go!
Do you think I would ever let this go?
Sir, let it go!
I will go after him and crush him instead.
Gom-bae.
Let this go.
Let's talk.
Is that true?
Is it true that you stole our stable promissory note?
What is so bad about biting on something that has already been stolen?
There are so many suspicious things about you.
What's important to you right now should be your campaign, not the past, no?
Fine.
We have Man-chi as a witness, so we will take care of that slowly.
So-gae.
Spending money on peddlers offices violates election rules.
Don't you know that?
It doesn't matter what method you use. A battle is about winning.
After you lose, whatever you say becomes an excuse.
A loser's pathetic excuses.
So-gae.
Hey, everyone!
Like Merchant Song over there, if a person loses his thing down there,
would he have to pee while he stands up or sits down?
Merchant Maeng wants to know.
What did you say?
You rascals!
Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!
The ones who bow down to Shin Suk-ju.
I will beat you two up right now!
Don't do it, sir!
This is to bribe the peddlers office!
These are goods to bribe Yangju Peddlers Office!
You violated the election law!
You must step down from your campaign!
Head Cattle Broker Chun!
These goods are to bribe Yangju Peddlers Office!
I have the proof!
What is he talking about?
What are you all doing?
Merchant Maeng!
Hey, guys! Come over here and take this.
Take their belongings! Now!
We need to let everyone know about this. Hurry!
Sun-dol.
Sun-dol!
Sun-dol.
Sun-dol!
Come here! Help!
Sir Head Cattle Broker!
Here is Honorable Mama.
Okay. Hey, Gae-ddong.
You acted as if you'd never see me.
Alright, let's go in.
Hurry.
Here.
Have a seat.
The doctors said that he will lose his sight.
Gae-ddong, please help.
If a merchant loses his sight, how can he sell goods?
Exorcism won't help.
Have you visited Doctor Yang?
Yeah.
I've seen this before when I used to sell salted seafood.
A kid fell from a rooftop and hit back of his head, and lost his sight.
Then? Then what happened?
Humans, beasts, and trees are all the same.
They need to heal by themselves.
Medicine is just to help healing.
Then, what should we do?
Put clay and wrap him with fabric, so that no light will shine through.
You need to let his eyes rest, so they will heal by themselves.
It's going to be hard to find, but abalone peel will help him heal.
Go now!
Okay.
Clay and abalone peel.
Bong-Sam.
Sun-dol.
So, can you come to your senses?
How are you feeling?
My ears are perfectly fine, so you don't have to yell at me.
My ears are ringing.
Okay. My bad.
How are your eyes?
I should be alright just like Honorable Mama said.
Don't you have electoral campaign today?
Hurry up and get your last campaign ready!
Okay.
I'll leave after I put some clay on your eyes.
Hey, others can do that, too.
That's better.
Bong-Sam.
Hurry up and leave.
Go and get elected as the next association president.
Okay?
Okay.
I got it.
Okay.
Please help him.
I'm leaving.
Today is the last day of the campaign.
My name is Chun Bong-Sam,
and I would like to tell you about the meaning of my name "Bong-Sam".
Bong means acceptance.
Sam means the number three.
My name means to accept three things.
My father, who was a Gaeseong merchant, named me so.
Gaeseong merchants have three things to obey.
Distribution, respect, and behavior.
First, distribution is about distributing the goods continuously,
and as a merchant, develop a new business path.
Second,
respect means protecting your business credibility like your life.
-Yeah, credibility. -Trading is about credibility.
Lastly, behavior refers to the way merchants treat their customers.
Treat them politely with big hearts.
Obey these three things.
That is why my father named me "Bong-Sam".
That's right.
The most important thing in this world is the foundation.
If Peddlers Association obeys these three things,
our association can run properly.
If the association runs properly,
we can escape from suffering and starvation.
The times you have to wake up in the middle of the night,
the times you sigh out of concern and anxiety,
and the times you starve as your belly touches your backbone.
That damned poverty!
Let's get rid of it.
There's only one way to get rid of it.
If the basics and the roots are applied to Peddlers Association,
we can get rid of our concern, anxiety, and poverty.
I, Chun Bong-Sam, will risk my life to achieve that goal!
How?
Why in the world is Chun Bong-Sam still alive?
It's easy to get rid of him.
However, I need justification to put him into a disgraceful position.
Are you saying we're safe even if you lose the election?
Even if Chun Bong-Sam wins against me this time,
he can't be the next association president.
Your demand will be fulfilled no matter what.
You look nervous.
About Sun-dol.
I'm worried about Sun-dol.
You're not nervous about the outcome of your campaign?
My father once told me this.
Jin-in-sa, dae-cheon-myeong.
Jin-in-sa refers to a person's effort that is made with his or her heart.
Dae-cheon-myeong refers to the time you wait after you made that effort.
When a person makes the biggest effort that one can,
he should politely wait for the heavens to help him.
He said that is "Jin-in-sa, dae-cheon-myeong".
I don't want you to get elected.
You know what?
Yeah.
I want to get elected.
No.
I must get elected.
Mr. Bong!
They completed with counting the votes.
Really? / Yeah.
Here in Kyeonggi Province,
there are 36 offices.
Gwacheon and Song-pa, where the candidates are from, do not get to vote.
So 34 offices get 10 votes each.
Dongmong Agency gets 5 votes.
Out of 345 total votes,
Candidate Gil So-gae received 112 votes,
Candidate Chun Bong-Sam received 233 votes.
Chun Bong-Sam is elected as the next association president.
Chun Bong-Sam!
Thank you!
Chun Bong-Sam!
Thank you!
Alright, okay.
Oh, our Head Cattle Broker Chun, congratulations!
Congratulations!
Alright!
Silence, silence!
Tomorrow, after the spiritual rites,
our Mr. Bong represents all of the peddlers offices in the land of Chosun!
Hey, stop it!
Let's clap our hands!
Alright, alright. Mr. Association President.
Give us your thoughts and feelings.
Oh, what would I...
I am very shy!
Come on!
Fine, fine.
Well, I can't really see people back there.
I should get on top of this and speak.
Okay, everyone.
Everyone worked really hard today.
Now that we received a positive outcome,
let's drink this and get tipsy.
Let's drink it up!
Alright, very good!
To association president Chun Bong-Sam!
Let's all drink!
Cheers to Chun Bong-Sam!
Cheers!
Chun Bong-Sam!
Hooray!
What brings you here?
Our office received an anonymous letter.
We got a letter stating that Song-pa Stable trafficked cowhide.
An anonymous letter!
Let's go!
Yes, sir.
We found cowhide!
It's cowhide!
Tie him up!
Yes, sir.
What is this?
Sir!
Our stable isn't a place to traffic cowhide.
Gil So-gae.
Call Gil So-gae for me!
This is a setup!
Sir!
This is false accusation.
Gil So-gae.
Call Gil So-gae for me!
--The Merchant: Gaekju 2015--
You can go ahead and kill Song-pa men.
We must save Bong-Sam.
Are you trying to bribe with money?
Confess and go peacefully.
Because you caused this trouble, save him!
You still don't get it?
I don't want to die, Lord Ambassador.
I can't let you go like this.