Subtitled by KBS America
You look as if you've seen a ghost.
You're pallid blue.
I know you're not happy to see me,
but you should hide your feelings if you're going to be a real businesswoman.
Don't you think?
Let's go, Sahn.
I had hoped I would never see you again especially not here.
Why? Am I forbidden to come here?
You can answer better than I can. This is where Granny died.
What do you mean by that?
It's all in the past.
And let's not say things that will only hurt each other.
Your son has grown.
I don't care what you think. But don't make hasty accusations.
I see you've developed a stiff-neck going from having nothing to having East Gate.
Stop.
Let's go.
Come along, Sahn.
Forewoman of East Gate Market Brokers?
She made some money selling white hats, then she hit it big with black hats...
We thought she'd lay low and stay out of sight, but...
You call that an excuse?
Why wasn't I made aware of this?
When she turned to black hats, we didn't think there would be a problem.
Since we owned all the horsehair in Jeju...
Weeds take root in the smallest racks and ultimately grow out of control.
And you thought there wouldn't be a problem?
Forewoman, is it true that the West Gate's witch is back?
Just when I thought life was getting easier...
Why is she here this time?
I don't feel good about this...
I bet it's because she's afraid we might outdo West Gate.
You're right.
She's afraid we're going to take over the Hanyang market so she came to spy on us.
Forewoman.
It's a letter from Lord Kang.
The entire shipment of seafood we sent to Hanyang has become useless.
Useless? You mean perished?
They couldn't even unload them because the peddlers markets were shut down.
The law only protects the licensed merchants, so there isn't much we can do.
This will cause a significant loss to the company.
We can't get full on the first bite.
Head out to Hanyang right now.
And ask Lord Kang to arrange a meeting with the master of the Merchants Guild.
Master of the Merchants Guild?
I remember hearing about him from a traveling merchant.
He leads the traveling merchants of Joseon, so if we can establish a relationship,
we may not need to scale the walls of Hanyang to trade right here from Jeju.
Market street, Hanyang
Sir, please! Please don't do this! Please don't do this!
Then pay what you owe!
Sir...!
What is the meaning of this?
You should know, sir, since you're an officer of the law.
An order was issued by the government for the unlicensed merchants to compensate
the licensed merchants for loss business.
So we've come to collect.
The law says to collect money.
It does not say for you to destroy other people's property.
They are you fellow merchants. How could you be so cruel?
When it comes to survival, nothing is too cruel, sir.
I thought we'd make a fortune selling jewelry in Hanyang, but
that Jeong Dong is killing us!
Did you just say Jeong Dong?
Yes, sir. I've heard before that Minister of Punishments was the muscle behind the
licensed shops, but now he is openly helping them!
We are leaving Hanyang. Start packing.
Yes, sir.
Fighting with merchants in the marketplace?
Have you lost your mind?
What exactly is your relationship with the owner of West Gate Market Brokers?
What?
Is it deep enough for you to persecute the street vendors and blatantly help
the licensed merchants?
Are you accepting bribes from her like everyone says you are?
How dare you accuse me!
Try going out to the market street.
Get out there and see for yourself what you've done by approving the licensed
merchant's petition!
Licensed merchants who pay the state for their right to do business
are suffering because of these peddlers.
Do you see something wrong with ordering reparation for the loss suffered?
The unlicensed who cannot afford to pay are abandoning their homes.
This is a direct result of your order to shut down Newon and Songpa,
so you will have to assume responsibility.
Before you worry about the peddlers,
why don't you realize that your own life is hanging in the balance?
Your Highness, I, Chief of Commerce Control Bureau Jung Hong Soo, appeal to you.
This country is in a state of great economic distress.
This is due to...
East Gate provides Jeju's products, and we pound the pavement
to establish a distribution channel to inland regions?
It would benefit us to have a solid distribution source.
If we combine our strengths and work together we won't be easily brought
down like Songpa Market.
Combine our strength and work together...
We don't have a place in Hanyang anymore.
But there's only a small market for Jeju's products, and there is the logistics issue...
Nonetheless I'm interested.
I want you to tale the lead on this when we get there.
Pardon?
Pursue this on my behalf.
I sense you're more confident about this than I am. Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
When can we expect the dried seaweed?
It was supposed to be in a few days ago.
It'll be about five days delayed due to the poor weather.
I had requested a shipment of rice on your way back and paid you in advance with
cattle gallstones. Can you tell me why the rice has not arrived yet?
Oh, that... Another merchant will be bringing the rice from Cheolla Province.
Do you know exactly when it will arrive?
I would say about six more days.
If it's coming from Naju, it must already be in transit.
Or it couldn't arrive in six days.
Oh, I'm sure it will get here.
I'm here for the seaweed, so I will leave for Hanyang as soon as I get them.
Very well. I will give you what we have in storage if you'd like.
Is she giving us the seaweed?
I knew she'd be smart being a forewoman but I think she's on to us.
What do we do if she finds out we swiped the cattle gallstone?
We're fine as long as Boss Kang doesn't find out.
She's giving us the seaweed they have stock, so let's just take them and get out of here.
What's Boss doing here in Jeju?
We're dead!
No, we're going to live! Come on!
A ship just came in, so we'd like to take the seaweed and leave.
We have the amount you requested. My men will help you get them to the ship.
That's all right. I'm sure they've got work to do.
Then let me at least accompany you to the port.
Wait a minute. This isn't the way to the port.
You're right.
I've confirmed that no shipment of rice is on an outbound ship from Naju.
What happened?
I knew you were lying when you said Boss Kang ordered seaweed for Hanyang when
the markets in Hanyang have been shut down.
Where are my cattle gallstones?
They're right in here.
Now all we need to do is to shut you up and we will make a fortune.
Why did you do this?
Did you grow tired of the itinerant life you live?
Do you think you can open up a little business for yourself and give your family
a decent life if you make off with this?
I came with you because I'm hoping that you won't make this mistake.
It's not too late, so...
Shut your trap!
Dong Ah!
Boss!
You don't work for me anymore.
And you're going to wish you never met me if I ever see you again.
Foreman...
Don't you want to turn me in or kill me and get your revenge?
But you're the wrong man.
You knew it wasn't me?
We both know who framed you for everything and got away scott free.
You knew. You knew...
Why did you become an itinerant merchant?
To survive.
I was broke and homeless.
Being a merchant was about the only thing I had learned how to do
by unwitting absorption since I was a child.
Do you know why I worked so hard to survive?
For revenge?
I had to survive so I could destroy the woman who did this to me.
Don't you want reprisal for Granny's blood as well?
I am a merchant because this is my path.
Your path?
Trading is about integrity.
Winning the heart of the producer and the consumer?
that is my idea of being a merchant.
I did not realize your capacity for greatness and swore that I would posses you...
I'm embarrassed of myself.
It's all in the past. Let us think only about our work now.
How could the junior foreman neglect the shops like this?
I know what you mean.
Salt, silk, accessories there is no selection!
Madam!
The guild master of the National Merchants Guild is at East Gate Market Brokers!
I think Man Deok is going into seafood business with the itinerant merchants!
Seafood business?
Madam, if Jeju's seafood reach Hanyang, won't the peddlers market thrive again?
I'll find a way to bring the itinerant market on our side.
Do it quickly.
I own the licensed fish market. All sales must go through me.
Yes, Madam.
I heard East Gate Market Brokers is in need of our services.
Yes, I've asked you here in hopes of starting something that no one has done.
A joint venture that incorporates your knowledge and the manpower of our
merchants that travel throughout the country?
I want to create a trade environment where the merchants can freely negotiate
for best deals and the buyers can buy good products at reasonable prices.
What are you asking from us?
To pioneer a market. East Gate will supply the goods.
I don't think it matters where we do business as long as there is profit.
If there is no market, we will set one up. Isn't that what we traveling merchants do?
Give me some time.
Business is a commitment, so I must consider carefully.
I will take up lodging elsewhere so I can remain objective.
Of course.
Are you finding it difficult to trust the forewoman?
I can't say that I'm not.
It's a small company run by a woman.
Who knows when it might go out of business?
Madam owner of the West Gate Market Brokers would like to see you, sir.
The owner of West Gate is not to be trusted, sir.
Don't worry. I can handle this.
Sir, quickly! Madam Oh is...
I will be back later, sir.
West Gate is moving faster than I thought.
I was scared out of my wits that you might run into her!
To go East Gate and ask the forewoman to see me. Don't let anyone see you.
You do the same, sir.
If a state guard sees you and recognizes that you're Foreman Kang,
I'm not coming to your rescue.
"Foreman Kang"?
Go to the marketplace and find out which market broker he is the foreman of.
Okay.
These are fine medicinal herbs Qing China.
I need someone to distribute them for me throughout the country.
Customers will flock to you if you sell them at the licensed shops in Hanyang.
Why come to me?
I think it's beneath the itinerant merchants to jump on the peddlers' bandwagon.
So you're offering goods from the licensed market for me to sell instead?
I'm sure you know what that means.
No worries about authorities interfering, and you can get quality goods with ease...
But they're goods from the dirty, corrupted licensed market!
I'd be a shame to sell such products!
If you're not happy with the terms...
Don't waste your time! Partner with the wicked Daebang Kang Kye Man's wife?
I would sooner give up give up this business!
Now leave. Your face powder stinks worse than my feet!
Are you sure Kang Yoo Ji is really the son of Daebang Kang Kye Man of Hanyang?
Do you think everyone is a liar?
Your money stinks. Is there anything else you want to know?
What happens to libertine Kang Yoo Ji if he gets caught by the authorities in Jeju?
I want to pay for the cattle gallstone that my men took from you.
But you're not responsible...
It's my fault that I had a man like that working for me.
I thought you were just pretending to be merchant leader but I guess you really are.
Are you making fun of me?
No, I'm impressed.
West Gate's witch is meeting the guild master. Do you think it'll be all right?
It's the guild master’s decision.
You lost this time.
Boys!
Aye!
What is the meaning of this?
What's your father's name, Boss?
I suspect he is behind the riot at Songpa, too, sir.
They tell me you are a fugitive.
Were you using us to take revenge?
I don't have an excuse to offer, Guild master.
Whatever your reason may be, you will be punished according to the guild rules
for hiding your identity.
Stop!
Step aside.
This man is being punished for breaking the trust of his peers.
I think you are the one who broke Lord Kang's trust.
Don't judge a man by his past. Judge him by the man he is now and what you have seen.
I was inclined to say yes to East Gate's proposal on account of your seemingly
good business ethics, but you've just lost my trust as well.
I, too, do not welcome a partnership that might be attained and discarded on a whim.
Then let us forget that we ever met.
Don't do this.
I'll just leave.
I will take the punishment and leave quietly. Please don't call off this deal.
The honor of the entire merchants guild is at stake!
You know the profit this would bring to the guild.
Very well.
Is the East Gate's forewoman prepared to sever ties with this man?
If yes, I will reconsider the proposal.
Didn't you say that you needed my answer by tomorrow before the goods perish?
I will wait until tomorrow morning for your answer.
My lord,
Don't worry about me.
I was a penniless drifter 7 years ago,
and I climbed my way up to become a merchant boss.
Choose the guild master, not me.
Don't let personal feelings get in the way of doing big things.
Our relationship isn't important at all right now.
You've made important promises to the divers of Jeju.
Look at these!
Divers brought all these seafood!
You said you'd give us good price
for them, so we worked really hard.
Thank you.
Did you make your decision?
Please reconsider.
This concerns the future of Jeju and its divers.
Then you'll have to renounce Kang Yoo Ji.
I can't do that.
Jeju, the divers, Lord Kang? I can't give up any of them.
I don't understand.
You're responsible for everyone and everything that concerns this company.
How can you do great things if you let petty feelings hold you back?
I have never turned my back on anyone no matter what the circumstance.
That is my idea of faith and loyalty.
You'd give up this business venture for loyalty?
Of course not. I will pioneer the market myself.
It is a great regret that we won't be working together. Have a safe trip back.
What are we going to do with all this?
They're going to go bad soon.
Here's more.
They're so fresh!
How can you laugh?
We promised to buy them, so it's up to you ladies to minimize the loss.
So dry them, cure them, and make the best product you can.
The problem is the divers' wage.
If we continue to pay them what we've been paying...
That's true. If we keep this up, the labor will cost more than the product.
But we can't reduce the wage or skimp on the quality.
Today's small loss will return a big profit, so trust me and hang in there.
But if we keep receiving goods with no where to sell them...
I know it's hard but cheer up.
I told them to trust me and hang in there, but I can't think of a solution.
The truth is I am kind of worried about the divers' wage being so high.
I don't want to cut the wage for bigger profit.
Having high quality goods will bring us more profit in the long run.
My concern right now is moving the perishable goods we have in stock.
If we needed urgent funds, we could turn to Lord Mu Meng Dal,
but who do we turn to now?
That's why I was thinking... about asking Moon Seon for help.
Yeah. Moon Seon will be able to sell the goods for us.
Man Deok...
We can't just sit here and let the goods go bad.
Preservation methods have limitations.
I know. It's a disgrace.
But the only person on this island who can move that much seafood at once...
...is Moon Seon.
I'm so glad Sahn's cough is improving.
Please make sure he gets his medicine on time.
You don't have to worry, madam.
Madam, the forewoman of East Gate is here to see you.
How do you do?
Well. Thank you.
Don't just stand there.
Yes.
I have a favor to ask... as a fellow merchant.
A favor as a fellow merchant?
Let's hear it.
As you know, East Gate's channel of distribution is blocked,
and we've been unable to move our seafood products.
I'll make arrangements for you to get the highest quality seafood available.
You want to pass the goods on to me?
But I need you to promise that you will pay the divers a fair price.
I don't think so.
I'll think about it at quarter of the price.
I guess I shouldn't have come.
I heard your son has a cough.
Try giving him tangerine tea
in the morning and before bed.
You'll see a difference.
Ladies, there's a problem with the folks
that were supposed to sell our goods in
Hanyang, so she can't buy our goods for
a while. So let us each take one step back.
So did you to go West Gate?
Never mind. There's no way
West Gate would help East Gate.
Anyway, what do I do with
the fish I caught this morning?
I'll take the ones you got today at full price.
How will you ever make
money doing business like that?
You've already done more for
us than West Gate ever did.
No, I will pay you for the loss even if I have to sell East Gate.
And if you will be patient, I will find a distribution channel and buy from you again.
I will sell the seafood for you.
Would you be able to find buyers? It's a huge amount...
Absolutely. Jeju seafood products are very popular in Kangjin and Haenam.
But you don't have anyone to work with you.
I've been a traveling merchant for 7 years.
I've been through this kind of thing more than once.
Where there is a will there is a way.
Let's get out there and give it a shot.
They're drying and curing everything?
Yes, sir. They're using the skills they used to produce tribute goods for the royal palace.
Dried tile fish, seaweed, and abalones, sir.
So these are the famous dried abalones sought after by the Qing Chinese!
It's the forewoman's goal to send seafood products of Jeju to all corners of the country.
It's not an impossible dream
since she's already secured a method to preserve the goods.
Oh, how are the divers taking this?
Surprisingly, they're quiet. I was certain they would protest.
How much longer do you intent to stay, sir?
Let's give it a few more days.
Forewoman Kim Man Deok of East Gate... She's an intriguing merchant!
Licensed merchants conspiring
with Noron faction?
On what grounds would you
submit such a report to the King?
His Highness was so dumbfounded
that he asked who wrote it and never spoke of it again!
Do you know how mortified we were?
How could you allow your son to do this, Minister Jeong?
Say something, Minister!
What can I say?
Minister.
Please stop!
I informed the King what he should be informed of and stated my belief.
As a servant of the state, I was simply doing my duty.
But if this has hindered your future, Father, I will assume the responsibility.
How?
You say I am a problem for you, so I will resign to a less important post.
I will give you a word of advice not as your father but as a political senior.
Give up the fantasy that a word from your mouth will change the world.
It's a delusion.
If you hold on to that delusion you will destroy yourself and your family.
Be that as it may, a man's belief does not change.
Be well, Father.
You acted in haste.
His Highness is steadfast about his desire for reform.
As his servant, how could I sit on my hands and do nothing?
You're right.
But His Highness is not ready to act yet.
Reform does not happen overnight.
It happens over time, step by step, like flowing water.
That is true reform.
His Highness is biding his time.
His Highness showed great interest in your report.
But he said to approach the matter with great caution since haste could
exacerbate the situation.
So I bring you a secret order from the King.
I'm prepared, sir.
But first I must ask.
Do you think it is possible to reform the policies, stifle evil practices,
open up free trade and create balance?
The world is already there, sir. It's only the law that lags behind.
Prove to the King that what you have is more than just youthful passion.
Here, you go!
Okay. Now we're off to Haenam.
Lord Kang,
Yes. Is there more to load?
I'm curious. How did you become an itinerant merchant?
Well, I guess you have to do whatever it takes to survive.
Anyway, I like you much better now than I did before.
What made you change your mind?
I wanted to know more about your character.
I couldn't find a merchant in Jeju who is more trusted
and who handles better quality product than you do.
And we merchants of the guild only deal with the best.
That goes for our people as well.
Thank you.
This joint venture will benefit us in many ways as well.
As for you, Kang Yoo Ji.
Yes, Guild master.
I've done some checking into your past.
And I've seen the effort you've made despite being ousted from the guild,
so I will dispel my negative notions about you.
Thank you, sir.
Would you come back to work and be a merchant unlike your father?
Yes, sir.
But from now on, any business I'm involved in will be for the forewoman of East Gate.
It is in return for the faith and loyalty she has shown me.
What is the reason?
If the guild master changed his mind, there must be a reason!
Why can't you answer my question?
Madam, there is a man here to see you.
I will see no one today.
But he says he's the junior boss of the itinerant merchants.
I've come to sell you a very special product.
To be more specific, it's not a product but very useful information.
Don't work too hard, fellows! Thank you!
Now it's time for us to show you what we are worth.
You have my complete confidence, sir. Have a safe trip.
Thank you.
Information?
What's the use when the itinerant merchants and East Gate have already joined hands?
There is a merchant boss in my group who was acting curiously,
so I did some checking on him, and he turns out to have close relations to you.
Would you recall if I told you if he is Daebang Kang's son and your stepson?
This whole deal with East Gate was consummated because of him.
Kang Yoo Ji? Kang Yoo Ji is a merchant boss?
You mean he is here in Jeju right now?
Forewoman!
Provincial magistrate...
What about the provincial magistrate?
A new provincial magistrate has been appointed to Jeju!
Welcome, Lord Magistrate.
Lead the way.
Subtitled by KBS America
The government office will inspect all tribute goods from now on.
I intend to keep a close eye on you and the new magistrate.
Seafood prices have taken a nose dive in Jemulpo area.
I've even sent a letter that there is a surplus of seafood products in Hanyang!
The ship has already set sail. How could you tell me this now?
What do you know about my father's death?
Madam requested poisonous herbs, so...
She cannot be forgiven.
I will not let her get away
with what she's done!