Episode 34
10 million nyang...
I just thought of it as inheritance for Yu-su.
Read the letter inside.
How heavy is the weight of my sin for causing such chaos?
Money kills people
but it can also save people.
But Shin Suk-ju's money
made people sick and only killed them.
And now I face death.
The weight of my sin is making my heart heavy.
Please use this money meaningfully
and let it flow well all the way down to Yu-su.
So it is true that he became very ill.
I can't accept his.
Take it.
No way!
It's 10 million nyang!
I can't even bear to put my hand on it.
10 million nyang!
Why would you give this back?
Wealth is something you should feel proud to show in front of the whole world.
That's wealth of real man.
This
This doesn't have any stains from my hands and I didn't earn this myself.
This isn't my money.
Don't say such things!
10 million nyang!
I want this too!
I want to bow down and say thank you.
And keep this for myself.
Bong-Sam.
Just take it.
Sun-dol.
I know how hard the Head Merchant worked for this money.
How would I take it?
How many people do you think sweat and cried for this money?
How many merchants were destroyed?
How many merchants lost their lives because of Head Merchant?
If you think about that, would you be able to take it?
So take it and use it for a good cause.
With this money, you can protect all the citizens, merchants, and our workers.
Yes. Let's save people.
Merchant Gil.
I know things are ruined,
but what are you gonna do?
Just be thankful that we weren't killed by those bandits.
Why are you drinking from the bottle?
Well, you probably really need the drink right now.
Merchant Gil, you'll be going back to selling shrimp now.
And Merchant Maeng, you'll have to hide in Ogwansu.
Shin Suk-ju's money turning into ashes is at least better
than it going to Chun Bong-Sam.
Sir Merchant.
Please receive Sir Head Merchant's inheritance.
The reason I came here risking my life
is that I knew Sir Head Merchant had a big will behind all this.
Even though he's leaving this world,
he wanted to do something meaningful to the people through you.
Sir Merchant.
Please accept his will.
Bong-Sam.
Wol.
Is that what you really think?
Yes.
Alright then.
I'll go to meet Head Merchant.
I'll go and ask how I should use this money.
And if the answer is reasonable,
then,
I'll follow his will.
Let's go, Sun-dol.
Brother, stay and watch over Wol.
Okay.
I was so surprised.
I had no idea!
We really had no idea!
I thought we were really going to die!
I really thought we were going to get stabbed at any second!
Sit down, sit down.
Mama! Bring us some hot soup!
Sir Merchant.
Buy us a drink too.
Yes, you'll need a drink for your upset heart.
Mama! Some pork and a bowl of rice wine!
Let's drink some today.
Great! Let's drink it all in!
Mama! Hurry!
Yes, yes, I'm coming!
Those are Song-pa people!
You managed to escape.
What?
Our fellow workers saved us!
It wasn't easy!
Wow, that's impressive.
I guess you weren't meant to die there.
You disloyal people.
Go about your way.
What?
If I see you one more time, I'm going to kill you all.
It's here, it's here.
Great job, everyone.
It was so cold, wasn't it?
Why aren't you going?
Wol is about to be sold off.
But they're laughing and drinking?
We were tricked!
We were tricked?
Bong-Sam used bandits to save Wol and the money.
He's headed for Hanyang, no doubt.
What?
What happened to Shin Suk-ju's money?
It turned into ashes.
All the money was burnt.
Ashes...
Burnt up into ashes...
Shin Suk-ju's 10 million nyang all became ashes?
What?
Did you just say all of Shin Suk-ju's money burnt up?
Yes, Your Honor.
I heard it through an urgent message from Kim Bo-hyeon.
Uncle.
Maybe he hid it somewhere.
No, no.
Kim Bo-hyeon isn't that brave.
Since when were you so good at reading people?
Do Seung-ji is right.
Kim Bo-hyeon doesn't have the guts to hide 10 million nyang.
You!
How dare you budge into our conversation!
Do Seung-ji.
Sorry.
You said you like Guksadang.
Miss Shaman.
How dare you, Miss Shaman?
Who can stop you?
So free-spirited.
So what can we do about Shin Suk-ju?
Let him go.
He's done evil things!
There's no reason to let him go.
If he ends up dying in the prison, we'll get hated.
They're going to say we failed at getting his money and killed him for no reason.
All that gossip is gonna go towards the Queen.
Do Seung-ji is right.
The money has already become ashes.
There's no reason to arouse talking.
Do as you said.
Yes, Your Honor.
Do Seung-ji.
Go ahead.
What is it?
A person's life doesn't end so easily.
The same with wealth.
There is a birth, a rise and fall,
and then it dies.
Shin Suk-ju's money is ill,
but it isn't dead yet.
I have already scolded you!
These pretty lips of yours.
You only use them for this.
Do Seung-ji.
There's fate of death in you, don't forget that.
Let's go!
The rumors were true.
Hey, Bong-Sam!
What if someone sees?
Even if I get killed, I have to do my duties.
Whether he did it well or not, he was the Head Merchant of Yook-ei-jeon.
He was the Head Merchant that was in charge of the state farm.
We have to keep our respect for the Head Merchant.
Sir Head Merchant.
Merchant Chun is here.
Merchant Chun.
Wil.
Did you meet Wol?
Yes.
The money that you sent me through Wol.
I didn't know what to do with it so I came here.
Lord Ambassador!
How dare you come here!
Who is he?
That incapable one!
He's Gil So-gae that ruined Shin Suk-ju's money!
He mustn't be here because he wants to die.
Let's hear him out.
The money is still alive.
Chun Bong-Sam took it back to Shin Suk-ju.
What?
Darn it!
Uncle! I'll come with you.
This means that shaman girl was right.
Quick, quick!
Stand straight!
Yes, Lord Ambassador!
Why, hello there, governor.
I have to talk with Shin Suk-ju so wait out here.
I have things to settle with him so I'm gonna go first.
Take the governor to the guesthouse.
Yes, Lord Ambassador.
You little!
You want to die?
How dare you put your hand on me!
I did!
Sir!
Let's go inside!
Hurry!
What can I do?
You saw my empty house.
Like you said, when a wealthy man dies,
he is to leave people after him.
But there is nothing to leave for me.
Merchant Chun.
I want to leave evidence that I had a life here.
Leave it for me.
Head Merchant!
That's it!
Give me that!
Lord Ambassador.
Did you want to steal my inheritance that badly?
Steal it?
We are taking it by law for treason.
What?
You said you'll invest my 500,000 nyang for Wonsan.
Before it gets collected by the state, give me my 500,000--
10 million nyang?
Governor!
What are you doing?
Are you really trying to go against the government?
Okay.
Split your money and give me back my portion.
Lord Ambassadors.
According to Merchant Chun,
Wonsan is a mess right now. A mess!
The price for rice went up by 2.5 times in 10 days.
This is why you're accused of treason!
How dare you change the country's laws!
Lord Ambassador!
When the laws are wrong,
the last ones to find out are the government officials.
When the laws are wrong, prices for goods go up.
So the citizens experience it firsthand.
Then the merchants.
And government officials like you know last!
What?
The wind is blowing!
And not just a regular wind.
It's a windstorm!
Why can't you see that?
That's it.
Call in the soldiers.
I'm going to have to hand over this senile merchant to the court.
Yes, sir!
What are you doing?
He's an old man who can't even go to the bathroom.
How can you treat him this way?
What?
Chun Bong-Sam, do you want to get arrested too?
Fine!
Everyone be quiet!
God is punishing me.
I guess I won't be able to leave anything behind.
How disrespectful!
Merchant Chun.
I'm sorry.
If this money went to you,
these guys won't keep you alive.
You will all die too!
Soon!
What?
Stop being foolish.
Even just for one day,
become an official that gives hope to the citizens.
Even just for one day!
Citizens' hope.
In money?
No, no, no.
It's all in a rice bowl.
Sir Head Merchant!
Are you Chun Bong-Sam?
Yes.
I'm Do Seung-ji, Min Young-ik.
I am Chun Bong-Sam, the owner of Chun's Gaekju.
Why do you think Shin Suk-ju gave you his inheritance?
To sell hope.
To sell hope to the citizens.
Hope.
Hope...
You have a great physiognomy.
You're handsome.
We will meet again.
Bong-Sam.
He's the Queen's nephew.
I heard he's a prodigy.
He's receiving a lot of attention from the Queen.
Do Seung-ji.
Min Young-ik.
I don't know why he's giving you attention.
But you should be careful.
Shin Suk-ju is still alive?
Yes, Honorable Mama.
He's meeting Chun Bong-Sam right now.
What?
If I didn't kill Yu-su's mom, it was you.
And since it wasn't me, it must be you.
No.
Anything but that!
Yang-beom.
Go tell Merchant Chun
that I have something to tell him one last time.
Yes, sir.
Mama!
I have to go.
Yu-su's mom.
She taught me that you can't buy someone's heart with money.
That someone's heart is more valuable than tons of gold.
And Merchant Chun.
Money isn't to be earned like a dog and used like a minister.
You taught me that it should be earned justly to be used justly.
I wanted to give you tons of gold.
Yang-beom.
Give it to Merchant Chun.
Yes, sir.
Long time ago,
when I went to Beijing,
I bought this because it was so fascinating.
Here.
This here is Joseon.
Here, look.
Joseon is so small--
and this world is a big place.
This was just a toy to me.
When a generation changes, people change.
And when people change, business changes.
You will be used in great ways.
Thank you.
Sir Head Merchant.
Honorable Mama.
Gae-ddong.
Sir Head Merchant.
My predictions were right.
Guksadang's Mama and Chun Bong-Sam knew each other.
Sir Head Merchant.
Please.
Sir Head Merchant.
Honorable Mama.
Sir Head Merchant!
Sir Head Merchant.
Go ahead now.
Merchant Chun, get going now.
Go out.
Bong-Sam.
What about Sir Head Merchant?
Oh, earlier,
Guksadang's Mama ran in with a pale face.
Is something going on?
Sun-dol.
I think the high and great sun is going to down now.
Huh?
Thank you.
I will not forget your mercy.
It's all meaningless.
Living kindly
is living the most beautifully.
Don't build up misdeeds.
Sin no more.
Honorable Mama.
Get going now.
Hurry, get out.
Yu-su's mom.
In the next life,
be born as my daughter.
I will repay all the debt I owe you.
Sir Head Merchant, receive our bow.
Sir Head Merchant.
Do things that others don't do.
Risk you life for things that are hard for others to do.
Then you will earn many coins.
That's the coin that was in my pocket when I first stepped into Yook-ei-jeon.
Shin Suk-ju!
I warned you to watch your mouth.
Here, grab Shin Suk-ju's hand.
You're blocking merchants who are trying to live.
That's sin.
What?
It's not only water that rots.
Money and culture rot too.
I regarded you as jewel.
He has done nothing wrong.
I should have never seen you.
You will die as a old man, not being able to leave anything behind.
Yang-beom.
The pictures?
Yang-beom.
Has the--
Has the sun set?
The sun is now on the western mountain.
I lived such a busy life.
Life is fleeting.
Why was I so greedy?
Yang-beom.
Has the--
Has the sun set?
The sun went over the mountain now.
Shin Suk-ju.
Shin Suk-ju just died.
Why did you bring in the soldiers so fast?
If we left him, we would've gotten all his money.
Then should we bring in the leftover beans at least?
Beans?
Is Shin Suk-ju's inheritance really only 10 million nyang?
He tried selling them quickly so he wasnâ??t paid well.
Dig up Shin Suk-ju's possessions and look for things he couldn't sell.
Yes, Do Seung-ji.
Shin Suk-ju is dead.
When are you going to find a new Head Merchant for Yook-ei-jeon?
There's someone I have in mind.
Gil So-gae?
No.
Wonsan's merchant Ma Chi-soon.
He's part of Yook-ei-jeon.
The Queen had asked me to decide so I'll meet him.
I am Wonsan's merchant Ma Chi-soon.
What are you doing here?
I came to recommend you a Head Merchant candidate.
Why is that for you to decide?
I lost 500,000 nyang to Shin Suk-ju because of you!
I should at least be given the right to recommend you one!
Sit down.
It's good to have a lot of candidates.
Right?
Merchant Maeng, introduce yourself.
I am Maeng Gu-bum who worked as chief merchant under Shin Suk-ju for 30 years.
You want someone who can't even talk to be Head Merchant?
You want him to mumble, mumble in front of the King?
Disabilities are not flaws.
It's just a little inconvenience.
Look at Shin Suk-ju.
Was there any good thing about him speaking well?
Ambassador.
You've brought a great one.
Lord Ambassador.
Make me Yook-ei-jeon's Head Merchant.
Gil So-gae, you!
You already lost your chance!
Shin Suk-ju's inheritance burning is your fault!
What?
He's not even worth looking at.
He went from Shin Suk-ju to me to Min.
And now he's trying to stick to you.
You fool!
Even a bat is better than you!
Being able to switch lines like that is a skill too.
A huge talent.
I will consider you all.
Move out of the way!
Do Seung-ji is coming through!
Foreign traders!
They're trying to steal Hanyang's rice too!
Move out of the way!
Do you not see Do Seung-ji is coming through?
Do Seung-ji is forming a conspiracy with the foreigners!
Get out of here, foreigners!
Get out! Get out!
Foreigners, get out! Get out!
Get out! Get out!
Sir!
Let's kick them out!
Kick them out!
You!
You fools.
The times have changed. When are you going to throw rocks until?
Be quiet!
Throw them!
Do Seung-ji!
Do Seung-ji, this way.
Get out! Get out!
You evil bastards!
Get out of here!
That's my spot.
Did you send people to throw rocks at me?
What are you saying?
Did you come here this late at night just to joke with me?
You said there's fate of death in me.
I almost died because of those words of yours.
Is that right?
Good thing you didn't die.
Do you want to be my lady?
Do Seung-ji.
If not, become my strategist first.
Is he worth being Yook-ei-jeon's Head Merchant?
You two are Ga-In together.
Ga for house and In for people. Ga-In.
In other words, you two will become a family together.
If you become the Head Merchant, what would you do first?
I will negotiate with the foreigners.
Yook-ei-jeon has already dried up of money.
There's not even enough money to fill in the government's privy purse.
So you are going to make a deal with the Japanese?
The doors have already opened.
Nothing is going to be solved by hiding behind the door.
You have to work with the foreigners to make money for Yook-ei-jeon.
Goods to be sold to Japan, goods to be bought from Japan.
If Yook-ei-jeon controls that,
you will make a lot of profit.
Yook-ei-jeon's Head Merchant, Gil So-gae.
Greetings to the Queen.
Wen Yook-ei-jeon is poor, the royal family becomes poor.
You are to look after Yook-ei-jeon and the royal family well.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What are you doing?
I'm sorry.
My father would have been so happy if he was alive to see this day.
I was buried in the thoughts of my father.
I'm sorry, Your Majesty.
Bong-Sam!
Where were you?
Bong-Sam!
He's sleeping.
Did you hear about Shin Suk-ju?
Today is the funeral, right?
What funeral?
There's no one to take care of his body so he's still lying there.
No way!
Nonsense!
He was accused of being a rebel after he died.
They're accusing him of a crime so they can't clean up his body yet.
What about Mr. Noh?
He's locked up.
Kim Bo-hyeon is trying to find his money so he locked up Noh too.
Good thing it's cold right now but what are they gonna do when it gets hot?
Sir Head Merchant.
The coffin for Sir Head Merchant is here.
We should bring him out now.
We might get killed for cleaning up a sinner's body.
The king of merchants that had all the merchants in the palm of his hands.
But such a pathetic death.
Sir Head Merchant.
Let's go.
I will serve you now.
Leave him.
We'll do it.
No, brother.
I think I'll have to send him away with my own hands.
Only 5 nyang.
Goodbye.
What does that say?
Gil's Gaekju.
Merchant Gil So-gae.
Then does this one say Shin's Gaeju?
Yes. That's why they say this world is a scary place.
Gom-bae, let's take that too.
Okay.
Let's go.
Let's ahead.
Let's go, Sir Head Merchant.
Sir Head Merchant is coming through!
Move out of the way!
Sir Head Merchant is marching!
What is that?
How dare you!
This is Gil So-gae, the new Head Merchant of Yook-ei-jeon!
What a funny sight.
Yook-ei-jeon is ruined now!
Put me down.
You must not be scared of the government.
I am but there are duties a person should fulfill.
How can you treat a Head Merchant this way?
You're the one who received all the gold, not me.
It's obvious that you take care of what you were involved in.
Merchant Chun.
Gil Sang-moon's son Gil So-gae
became the Head Merchant.
Sang-moon must be so happy.
But sorry.
I can't bear to say congratulations to you.
There's no Shin Suk-ju now.
It's just you and me left.
Now it's time for Chun Oh-su's son Chun Bong-Sam and Gil Sang-moon's son Gil So-gae
to hold a war between Song-pa and Yook-ei-jeon.
Do you really think so?
This is not a battle between you and me.
This is a battle between Joseon and Japan.
A battle for commercial supremacy.
Let's go.
That arrogant little fool.
Move out of the way!
Sir Head Merchant coming through!
Move out of the way!
If Yook-ei-jeon falls, foreigners will come in all the way to Jongno.
How will mere merchants stop them?
We have to find a way.
Do you know what that solution is?
What's the point of being Joseon's wealthiest man?
Being placed into a 5-nyang coffin.
You can't take a single nyang with you when you go.
No, brother.
He gave us insight that's greater than what's in books.
Money has to flow.
If it doesn't flow, it's not money.
I will not forget what he has taught me.
Goodbye.
Take after Shin Suk-ju
and become Yook-ei-jeon's Head Merchant.
And become the king of all merchants.
You must.
Merchant Maeng, are you there?
Did you call, Sir Head Merchant?
Find a grave spot in Bokmyeok.
A good place that can look down on Yook-ei-jeon.
I'm going to move my father's grave.
Yes, Sir Head Merchant.
Gil So-gae moved his father Gil Sang-moon's grave today.
Father.
Look down over there.
That's Yook-ei-jeon.
Do you see?
Aren't you proud of your son?
Say you're proud of me.
I became Yook-ei-jeon's Head Merchant as you wished.
And I repaid the grudge you had for Chun Oh-su.
Say you're proud of me.
Was it you?
The one who made my father like that...
Gil So-gae...
Gil So-gae, it was you?
Will you be my ally or enemy?
What happened between you and the Head Merchant?
Only your owner's heart is precious and mine isn't?
Let me borrow your rice.
We have to get them.
I can risk my life for Chun Bong-Sam.
I'm going to kill Bong-Sam.
Did you kill my wife?