In Joseon, there was no special way to convey common goods except by "Street Peddlers."
They were 'sales experts' who would travel all across the nation.
Brokers were hired as Head Merchants after earnings became lucrative. Qing "International Market" opened in the last 3 years of Joseon.
The Chun Merchant Group, an authorized dealer, began their trading journey of 480 km.
Episode 1
Here, here... and be careful!
Owner Chun Oh Soo Hey! What a nice day. Let's speed it up a bit!
- You have to handle them carefully. - Yes, I understand. I understand.
Hyungnim!
Aigoo!
How long has it been since your last outing?
The preparations are going well, right?
- Of course they are! -Aigoo!
Come on, everyone! Let's wrap this up!
Gil Sang Moon(Chun Family's Merchant Broker)
Bong Sam!
Bong Sam! Bong Sam!
Ah, let me down! Ah!
Chun So Rye(Chun Oh Soo's daughter)Gil So Gae(Gil Sang Moon's son)
You are the son of a peddler,
but you don't like walking or selling.
Then, what do you want to do?
I'd like to just eat and play.
You'd like to just lounge around?
What a wonderful life!
Other kids are not as lucky as I am, Chun Bong Sam(Chun Oh Soo's son)
that's why they were born poor.
I was very blessed, therefore
I was born into a rich family.
It's not as though our family will live in poverty, if I just laze around.
You like working hard and making money, Father,
and so you keep making money.
However, I don't like selling, so I will keep doing nothing.
Wow! My son...
you planned out your life very well.
- Stop saying nonsense and follow me, you rascal.
It hurts, Father!
The Chun's Merchant Family of Gaesung...
The Head Merchant will pay his tribute by delivering an 'honorary speech.'
The 'International Market' which has been shut down for some time,("Chak-Moon-Jhang-Si" is a temporary international market near the border of Joseon and Qing.)
has opened its doors wide after three years.
Now, all the members of the Chun Family Merchant Group
are going to walk around 1,200 li (480 km/298 mi.)
to get to Chaekmoon to sell dried sea cucumber in Qing.
Mountain Songak god, Grandfather of a mountainous range top road
and Grandfather of Syejae-route.
All of our fellow comrades of the Chun Merchant Group;
just as we begin this journey, with our sound mind and body...
Away from any harms.
Please help us have a huge sale and make a large profit,
Please watch over us, especially in terms of a reasonable margin of profit.
Now, the Merchant Group owner:
Please receive a farewell drink!(Chulhangju is a drink for wishing a safe trip)
Hyungnim, please fill it up.
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Merchant Team @ Viki
It tastes good!
My farewell drink is sweet as honey.
Therefore, this business trip will become a successful one, without a doubt.
Are you all ready?
Yes, Head Merchant!
Let's go.
Everyone, let's go!
Let's go! Let's go!
Jiwhaja, let's go! ("Jiwhaja" is a shout to mark time in group singing and dancing)
Go, let's go.
This is very nice...
Head Merchant! Head Merchant!
Head Merchant!
On the hillside road over the village,
Kim Bo Hyeon! Elder Kim Bo Hyeon is there.
Elder Yoo Seo?
Sir, Yoo Seo what brings you out this far?
Kim Bo Hyeon (Chief of Police for Gaesung)I'm here instead, because you don't come to see me.
Surely, we receive a generous amount of taxes from the Chun's Family Merchant Business to the City of Gaesung's Police Bureau.
Earn a vast amount of money.
I will drink to this after, I successfully complete my trading business at the International Market.
We just finished the 'safe passage ceremony' and are headed over to the market.
Until a deal is closed,
we are not allowed to drink alcohol.
Elder, if the Head Merchant ends up taking even a sip of alcohol,
it can be an ominous sign of unsafe passage.
You, bastard! How dare you interrupt when you're nothing but a low peasant merchant!
You interrupted me!
Come on!
Elder, Yoo Soo, the code and conduct of 'street peddlers'
are strict as the national law to us petty vendors.
Look here, Head Merchant Chun. I'll drop out of this trip this time.
Hyungnim, what are you talking about?
Elder, I will drink it in your honor!
You rascal!
You bastard! Do you wish to die?!
Here!
Elder, Yoo Soo?
Sir, I will gladly accept your drink after my business transaction goes well.
Elder... I will drink on behalf of him.
How dare you! You bastard! Where do you get off... You bastard!
Elder Yoo Soo!
Show mercy, please!
Please, spare our lives! Elder Yoo Soo.
Elder Yoo Soo! Show us mercy! Please ...!
You rascal!
Elder Yoo Soo, please reconsider!
Chun Oh Soo, you bastard.
I came as soon as the rooster crowed at the crack of dawn, because you mere peasant merchants are running rampant in the land of Gaesung.
I came all the way here and was waiting for you
to give you a drink with good intentions.
But you dare to reject my drink?
You completely disrespected me!
You bunch of bastards!
You... you rascal!
Drink.
Gulp that drink down your throat! Now!
I said, "Gulp it down right now!"
Do it! NOW!
This business trip to the International market is something we have been looking forward
to earnestly for 3 years.
Our merchant of Chun's future may well depend on it.
Our livelihood is on the line.
After the international business trip is successfully over,
I will gladly come back to accept the drink. Sir.
Sam Sam! (nickname of Bong Sam)
- Bong Sam! - Bong Sam!
Do you prefer liquor or currency?
Bong Sam, why don't you just stay still?! My childish brat!
Wild ginseng is above [regular] ginseng, but the sea cucumber is even above wild ginseng.
You... who are you?
I am the son of my father;
Merchant Chun named Chun Oh Soo's son,
I'm Chun Bong Sam. Sir.
Bong Sam!
You...
are you a bit slow in the head?
The other day Chinese merchants
came to our house and said...
Compared to the cultivated ginseng, wild ones are higher quality. Nonetheless, sea cucumber ranks the highest even exceeding the wild ginseng.
Instead of the ginseng merchants of Gaesung,
it is us who sell the dried sea cucumbers.
And Merchant Family Chun is the very best!
By far, we are superb. So we're able to pay an astronomical amount in taxes.
So?
If he drank and didn't go to the International market, it would be good for me.
Because it's really hard to walk to Chaekmoon.
However, he couldn't pay taxes due to his failed business.
In which the City of Gaesung would be in ruins due to lack of taxes.
Will you still be fine with that?!
What you say is correct! Gaesung shouldn't become poor!
You are Chun Bong Sam?
You must become the merchant who pays the most taxes in Joseon, when you grow up. Understand?
I don't want to sell things.
Bong Sam.
He's freaking intoxicated! He's drunk!
That cute rascal!
That person never learned to suck up to anyone, did he? After all, it's only one drink.
Hyungnim, you know that money can turn you into an aristocrat or a high ranking official, and even a king in this time and age.
The arrogance of Gaesung's petty vendors is reaching the sky.
So they're getting swelled heads and strutting around. Which means they don't feel the need to suck up to anyone.
The new appointment of the Seonhyecheong will be announced soon.(Seon-hye-cheong-a central municipal court in charge of taxation in late Joseon.)
- I've heard about that, too.- Why do you think that I was passed on as the Secretary of Agriculture twice?
It's because there was a lack of cash endorsements for my campaign lobby. Lack of money! For a fair shot at that position,
I'll need at least 30,000 nyangs.
Didn't you hear what Chun Oh Soo's son said earlier?(Kim Hak Joon: Kim Bo Hyun's half brother.)
Wild ginseng is above regular ginseng, but dried sea cucumber is even higher than wild ginseng.
We have Family Chun Gaekju in our pocket. It's not hard to prepare 30,000 nyang (currency in Joseon).
Hanyang Brokers Market (Hanyang was the ancient name for Seoul)
100 textile rolls of Toju [yellowish hue] silk from Merchant Chang in Andong...
50 rolls of each Jineung silk and Nasuju silk from Merchant Kim in Gwangyang...
20 rolls of each raw silk and steamed silk...
Don't bother. Get on with it.
It's almost done.
Shin Seok Joo(Shin Family's Head Merchant)
So then, what brings a high status Police Chief of Gaesung for a stroll to Hanyang?
I came to play.
A king of Joseon is in Gyeongbok Palace and a king of merchants is in Yukuijeon.(Yukuijeon was a huge market which had the license to provide six kinds of high demand items to the government)
Head Merchant, your status is quite impressive! Very impressive!
Oh, my! My! Don't mention it... And please come on in.
Here you are. Please enjoy it.
Please pardon our shabby hospitality. We have to make our budget for the month.
I should have escorted you to the 'Pagoda's House.'
I'm not interested in such a gisaeng house.
Eel looks very decadent.
Eel is quite delicious, and so... what brings you here?
I came here to sell a product.
Then, let me see it.
It's not a thing that I can carry in my pocket.
Why don't you buy a 'Merchant Enterprise?'
Merchant Group of Chun.
Do you mean the Merchant Family Chun from Gaesung?
Did Chun Oh Soo put the merchant business up for sale?
I have a brother from my father's concubine, who runs a small business.
Chun Gaekju borrowed money from him, but they haven't paid it back.
Oh, really?
Elder Merchant!
Move over! Move!
Owner! Merchant Chun!
You unpacked here.
Yes! Hyungnim. By the way, how is the road condition?
How is the road condition of Cheon-Do. It's good, right?
Hey! You all... feed me some grains of rice first, then interrogate me with all those questions!
I'm starving to death!
Here, here. This way please.
Quickly sit.
- Hey, Utttong. - Ugh!
All roads are blocked. There is no way to get there.
What... what did you say?
Here... where?
Which bridge is not accessible? Lower or the upper bridge?
It's not just one bridge that was washed away by the flood.
It was raining very heavily.
We'll just head on and pull up our pants!
Let's cross over! Let's go!
No way! Look at yourself?!
You'll sink all the way down to your shoulder, because the water level has risen extremely.
You'll never be able to cross!
Then, it very well might be a bit rough, but
what do you think about the 'Old village road of Doosan?
- The old road to the Village of Doosan?-Yes.
Aigoo, carrying all the baggage and passing the dangerous way?
No! We will all die! It's dangerous!(Byuel-loot-road is a deadly passage often consists of cliffs or a ravine.)
Instead, why don't we go when the flood is under control in two days?
The international market is open only for seven days.
If we waste time in heavy rain waiting for the flood waters to subside and miss this market,
these dried see cucumbers will be crap! All crap!
It has three years of shelf life and it will expire this year.
How can you guys not worry at all like this?! If it becomes discolored and moldy, where do you plan on selling it?
Hyungnim, it's not because we're slacking but that treacherous road has been closed for ten years.
So, how is that going to change our luck?
Merchant Chun, we'll run out of our [inventory] budget if we fail in this current business venture.
Of all the roads we've been through, has there ever been a road that wasn't dangerous?
What you say is right. Let's go!
We'll bravely take our chances by going on that deadly road, and return the wheelbarrow carts.
Yes.
Now, let's go!
Let's go!
Let's go.
Hyungnim!
Hyungnim.
Everyone, stick close! Stick close so your shoes won't get caught! Be careful!
Everyone, be careful!
Oh, So Rye! So Rye!
What... what's wrong, Noona?
Bong Sam.
Merchant Chun!
Bong Sam! Bong Sam!
Bong Sam! Merchant Elder!
- Bong Sam. - Merchant Elder!
- Are you all right? - Noona!
Bong Sam! Father!
Bong Sam!
Bong Sam! Bong Sam!
Oh, they're alive. Alive!
Oh Soo! Merchant Chun! Just hang in there for a bit.
Bring the rope!
- Tie it to the tree. - Hurry.
- Go, go, go. - Be careful!
Father! Bong Sam!
Noona, I am scared! Save me! I'll die!
Bong Sam, you won't die. It's fine. Bong Sam!
Bong Sam!
Hold onto me.
Lower it a bit more!
Hyungnim!
Merchant Chun, are you okay?
I'm fine, Hyungnim.
Bong Sam! Don't move, you rascal!
If you move around, it'll be hard for your father!
Father.
- It's okay. It's okay. - Give me Bong Sam.
Bong Sam! Go up.
Oh Soo! Your hand...
Drag us up!
Father!
Pull!
Father!
Pull us higher!
- Pull harder! -Pull!
- Merchant Elder! - Pull!
- No! - Pull harder!
Bong Sam! Father!
Father!
Oh Soo, are you okay?
No!
- Father! - No!
- Father! - Bong Sam!
- Pull! - Hold on tight!
Father!
You have to endure. Endure!
Oh Soo! Oh Soo, you can't.
We have to live together and die together!
No. No!
Hyungnim!
From now on, the Chun Merchant group
is in your hands!
I entrust you with this!
Oh Soo! You can't, Oh Soo!
Father!
No! Father!
- Oh Soo! - Father!
Bong Sam!
Father!
Oh Soo!
Father!
- Merchant Elder! - Merchant Elder!
Hyungnim, my back joints are cracking back and forth that...
It's making so much noise. I feel like it'll split apart.
- Water... give me some water. - Here's water.
Water, it's water.
Oh my!
Hey Bang Geum! Stop trying to act so weak!
It's because of this caterpillar!
Jo Seong Joon (cowhides' poacher from Songpa)Why fuss over a caterpillar?!
Do you want to get beheaded by a customs border patrol?
Song Man Chi (Jo Seong Joon's blood brother)Hey brother, cut me some slack. To evade the authority,
that's why we're wandering around in this dangerous road
and preparing to fall into a swamp in the blink of an eye and turn into a ghost.
Man Chi...
if you're aware of it, then don't kick back and joke around.
Do you also want to be decapitated?
Oh my! Oh my...
I told you to be quiet!
Do you want to die?!
Ah, Bang Geum! Do you really want your neck to get cut off?
Why do you keep on saying that the caterpillars are crawling all over you?
Let me see. Let me see.
Here...
- I don't think this is a caterpillar...- What?
- Let me take a look.- This is not the shape of a caterpillar, is it?
It's very repulsive. Repulsive!
This... is a dried sea-cucumber, isn't it?
A dried sea-cucumber!
Oh no! What are you doing right now. Hyungnim!
No matter how hungry you are from not eating...
Manchi,
this is a sea-cucumber.
It's dried sea cucumber that's said to be even more precious than wild ginseng.
Heuk-Choong (dried sea cucumber).
A dried sea cucumber?
What is 'Hae-sahm'?
Is that a fruit from a tree?
No... aigoo...
No... what kind of unlucky guy
dropped all of this while going on a dangerous road? All of these precious things...
Father!
- Head Merchant! - Oh!
How did it go?
Hyungnim, the Head Merchant!
Yes, so how did it go? Did you find anything?
I couldn't find anything!
What should we do about this matter? We have to find him tonight.
Everyone scatter and search for him again.
- Let's go. - Ah! Head Merchant!
We can't go in any further!
If you're afraid, then I'll just go by myself.
- All of you stay here. - No!
No way! That road is full of quicksand where if you take even one wrong step, you're finished!
We won't even be able to find your bones!
Hyungnim, we don't even know if Oh Soo is dead or alive in there.
You want us to give up here? I can't do that.
I said you can't! You can't!
I've been on the roads for the longest. Listen to my words!
- Hyungnim! - Aigoo.
In the span of one day,
if we end up losing two principal merchants,
then Chun Merchant Group will be destroyed!
It'll completely fail!
- Oh Soo! - Aigoo...
Chief Merchant Chun!
Man Chi. Man Chi!
What are you doing right now?
You never know. He might carry some money on him.
It was very difficult for me to carry you from there.
I almost sh*t my pants. So, never mind if you have none
but let's share the money if you do have it.
Just gather up all the dried sea-cucumbers only. There is no time for you to be messing around.
He doesn't have any, none at all.
Aish, so unlucky.
Not even some petty cash?
Let me see. Who are you and where do you live?
Songdo... Songdo?
Hey, you! You are from Songdo Imbang (Gaesung community Merchant club)?
Songdo Imbang Merchant Chun.
Man Chi...
what did you just say? What did you say?
No... if it's the Chun Merchant group
which is licensed for trade in the international market...
Chun Merchant group?
Chun Oh Soo...
We have the item.
There is not a load on the packsaddle and the merchant. Does it make sense?
It's a wild pig. It's the fault of a wild pig, I tell you!
Even though we searched like crazy, we couldn't even find a shoe.
So that's why it's a wild pig!
The pig will devour everything, even a hair-tail.
Aigoo! That is the unfortunate fate of us all.
We're born on the road, walk on the road, and then die on the road.
Even if he is the Merchant Boss, how can he escape the fate he was born with?
We have wasted two days already, so I'm really worried about our sales' profit at the "international market."
We'll leave for the market at the break of dawn,
- so prepare. - Yes, Head Merchant.
My father isn't dead! I'll find him and bring him back?
So Rye... So Rye, Bong Sam!
Ahjussi! Our Bong Sam...
- Bong Sam! - Hey, So Rye!
Hyungnim, I don't think we are in the position to rent horses for our travel.
Don't worry about it. We'll be able to get into the International Market during the day with a horse carriage.
I don't get it.
You take care of it since you're the brainy one.
I'll just enjoy 'your' show and eat beef jerky!
Bang Geum! Have some beef jerky, beef jerky.
- There's beef jerky left over? - Yes.
Hey, hey! Where are you going?
Hey! You should answer when an adult asks you a question? Are you deaf?
Yeah you kiddo! Where are you going now wearing that hat? The sun is not even up yet!
Byerook Gae. How do I go to Byerook Gae? Please tell me how to get there.
What are you planning to do there? A small child-
I'm going to find my father! To find my father!
How dare you making that face!
Fine. You can just go straight from there
but I don't think that it's a place you should go. It's really dangerous there.
There are many wild pigs there, so they could just eat you up!
Man Chi.
He looks stubborn.
Father... Father!
Wait!
Wait a minute! Wait, wait!
My father, where is my father?
Hey, what nonsense are you talking about again?
This is my father's.
Where is my father?
No... why do you have that? It was in here, hey!
Why do you have this? Why?
Bong Sam... Bong Sam!
Father!
- Father! Father. - Bong Sam...
Ahjussi and Grandpa
said that the wild pig ate you! It ate all of you up!
Ah, right Bong Sam.
Hey, hey, hey. Be careful! Your father's ribs...
- Father... - Bong Sam. Bong Sam...
Eat this, eat more of this!
This is too modest!
We can't even offer a drink up to the people who saved out Merchant Elder.
Sorry, we are in a hurry to get to the international market.
Where is your hometown?
Songpa of Gyeonggi area.
I know a bit about Songpa. So which head merchant do you work for?
I want to make a big deal with you, Merchant Elder.
All of you go away if you have nothing to say.
Go away! Go away over there!
-Goodness. -Go away! Go away, quickly!
Smuggling cowhide? Are you saying you want to traffic cowhide?
The cowhide is the worst crime of all smugglings.
If you get caught, you'll be beheaded 9 out of 10 times.
Don't think your throat is more scary than the neck?
You have the license to trade in the international market, don't you?
Just let us pretend we are part of your group and enter into the market.
Please, I'll make sure you won't get into trouble.
Please help me.
I'll pretend I didn't hear anything.
Even if I saved your life, it's money in the end.
Money... money...
How much will it take? How about 20% of the profit?
So what is the whole thing worth?
Why would you need to know that, Hyungnim?
Indeed, your wheeling and dealing is different being the head merchant.
I will give you 30% of the profit.
The cowhides are worth 10,000 nyang. I don't know the current price at the international market,
but they should sell for at least three times.
If three times, then it is 30,000 nyang?
You are right! 30,000 nyang!
Let's stop talking about this matter.
No...
It is 30,000 nyang!
It's not that I don't trust you
30,000 nyang is a large sum of money.
Here, here. As promised, this is a promissory note putting Chun Merchant as collateral.
Let's see.
Collateral being the Chun Merchant,
I feel a bit uncomfortable not having the owner present.
The Merchant Elder and me are no different than real brothers.
This is the owners seal, so
worry about the collateral.
The person who will take my cowhides is probably waiting for me at the international market.
I will give you silver as soon as I turn them over to that person.
If we buy the pu-erh tea with the silver,
then we will be able to double the profit.
Are you interested in that?
If it looks delicious, then try to not be polite and just take it in one bite.
If we get 30 percent of 30,000 nyangs, our profit margin is 9,000 nyangs.
If we buy puerh tea from Yunnan and sell it in Hanyang, we could make 18,000 nyangs.
18,000 nyangs might be huge!
Since our hyungnim's heart is wavering as if it's dancing.
Whether money comes from digging up gold or digging up poop, money is money!
Does the money smell like poop, if you earn it from an illegal exchange?
Even if we earn it dirtily, we can just spend it wisely.
Hyngnim, I am a very timid person; therefore, I cannot do the illegal exchange.
I'm nervous just thinking about it in case my neck gets cut off.
Let's just get ready to go.
Oh Soo, I really want to get into Yukuijeon.
I want to hang up the signboard of our Chun Merchant Group in the middle of Jongno in Hanyang at the Yukuijeon.
I want to become the one who presents goods to the palace and does business with the King.
I absolutely want to become that kind of Yukuijeon Merchant.
To do that, 18,000 nyangs, I really need that money.
We must bribe officers in Shunghaechung and Hojo.
Hyungnim, as long as I am the owner of the Merchant Chun, there won't be a reason for us to sell at Yukuijeon.
What is Yukuijeon, really?
Isn't it like kissing the ass of the bloody-eyed Kim Bo Hyeon just to try to earn some money,
and obtaining rank by indulging the government officials?
If we have to kiss, then we should!
Is it only once or twice that us lowly merchants have kissed up the noble's asses?
Aren't you tired of being the low-level merchant?
Hyungnim, there is no easy way to make money in this world.
Bit by snake, pursued by mountain animals, and the bandits are going nuts with the knives.
Let's not try to go back to the street peddling that we spent our lives on,
but let's end it in our generation.
18,000 Nyang... We only need 18,000 nyang.
We can go into the Yukuijeon with that much money. Don't you even covet that money?
I covet it, I highly covet it. Why wouldn't I want that money?
If I close my eyes once, then the 18,000 nyang will just fall down.
That's why!
That's why, that's why I can't do it!
If you earn that much by trafficking once, will a dried sea cucumber even come into our eyes?
Would I then want to walk 1,200km until my toes will spill bloody puss?
What can we teach to our children?
We're merchants who risk little and earn lots.
I'll pretend that I didn't hear it.
40 percent. I'll give you 40 percent of the profit.
40 percent? Look, Merchant Chun.
Hyungnim, don't shake me anymore.
You arrogant bastard!
Man Chi!
No... th-that...
Aigoo, Merchant Elder...
Is this person crazy? To a person with broken ribs?
To a person who doesn't know grace like you, I'll just smash your head!
Man Chi!
Do not stop me! I did save him,
even if I killed him, he couldn't say even a word.
No, Man Chi!
You escape so well.
Are you okay?
Oh, fine.
Stop, Man Chi! Get yourself together!
Aish!
Don't stop me! I've gone completely crazy.
I'm going to just crush all of you.
Catch him!
Come! I told you to come!
Uttong!
Let's go.
Catch them! It fell off.
How impressive. You could catch a ghost with your knife skills.
Didn't you know? We learn martial arts from when we're about that age.
If we didn't, then how could we carry the heavy loads of dried sea cucumbers on our backs?
Let go!
They definitely stay here.
Hello?
Anyone here?
We are here. Come here quickly.
Ah, Merchant Elder. W-who are those people? That one is naked.
Ah! Hurry, hurry and take this off.
We are unfortunate to fall among thieves.
Huh...
Woah.
T-this is expensive cowhide.
Flies are buzzing about since the International Market has opened.
No...
What kind of bandit would just leave behind this expensive cowhide and go?
Why are you asking me that? Ask that of the bandits.
Do you have a license to trade in the international market, by any chance?
Let's say I do.
I'll give you 30 percent of the profit. 30 percent.
No, that's not it. Business isn't done that way.
Benefiting other and then pursuing my own interests.
Isn't that basic to business?
Benefiting other and then pursuing my own interests.
So, how much do you want me to give you again?!
Before the deal, let's introduce ourselves.
I'm Jo Seong Joon from Songpa.
I'm Kim Hak Joon from Merchant Hwanjeon.
Hwanjeon: A brokerage for moneylenders
Kim Hak Joon from Ganggyeong?
K-Kim Hak Joon?
You're that Kim Hak Joon?
Even, you bunch of smuggling bandits have learned of my revered status. Huh?
That's great. You will do well.
I'll get 90 percent of the profit.
Huh?
W-what?!
That's a highway robbery! You jerk! You're the type that'd devour a chick without even plucking the feathers first!
Hey, you bandit! A bastard!
Ah, ah!
It's actually you... that smuggle cowhides! You bunch of crooks!
Should I take you directly to the customs agent, with all of you being tied like this? I'm the only authority and you're my under jurisdiction.
(Soo-Geum-Gwan-National Customs and Border Protection Officer.)
Take 90 percent of the profit.
N-no, Hyungnim. You can't!
That's how business is done.
There're people like you who carry around baggage until your backs break only to eat leftover crumbs,
and then there are people like me who are only satisfied after eating to my heart's content.
In this world, the winner takes it all anyway.
Stop right there.
I'm Merchant Kim Hak Joon from Joseon.
Your tradesmen's cargo seem to be larger than the manifest that was sent by the nation of Joseon.
Open it!
My Lord, oh goodness! It's only problematic if the manifesto showed less items than what's listed.
There's no issue with having a big load? Right, Sir?
What?!
I told you to open it.
Yes, yes, yes. Open the baggage!
Do it gently, gently.
We've asked them to come here.
It's been a long time, Customs Officer.
Merchant Kim, You have more agricultural items than before. Is that correct?
(Ho-Bue-Qing's Government Office) Elder Yoo Soo from Gaesung sent too many prized items to the Qing's Administrative Office.
We'll gladly send it back, if it really wasn't listed under the manifest.
Why put a stop to a beautiful sentiment as this? After all, that's a very cordial gesture.
Let them pass.
Yes. Yes.
Pass.
Let's go!
Now, hurry and quickly follow!
Now...
Congratulations. All three your necks fell off and then became attached again.
I'll give you 50 percent of the profit.
Isn't it 90 percent of the profit? Have you changed your mind after the matter was settled?
Now the boot's on the other feet.
We already arrived at Chaekmoon, so what's there to be disappointed about?
What?! This... this...
I'll receive the other 40 percent in time.
Qing Chaekmoon ("International Market")
-Come. Quickly come. -Ah, Hyungnim.
- Come this way. Aigoo. - Put that over there.
-Come quickly! -Come this way.
Here.
You mean, we trade these 8 dried sea cucumbers
for goods, and then return to Gaesung to sell them.
You're going to give a prize to whoever makes the most profit out of us three, right?
Yes.
What's the reward?
I'll grant one of your wishes.
Oh.
Look at this rascal.
Hey, Son. Is your wish to get married to So Rye early?
Ah, ah... why are you telling someone else's wishes?
This rascal.
Orabeonni! Ah, seriously...
So Rye! Let's go together!
Look at them, just look at them!
Father, you promised. Whatever it is, you'll grant it.
What is your wish?
Ah, a gold carriage pulled by 4 horses.
I'm going to do business riding on a carriage, not by walking!
Anyway, we should recognize how ambitious Bong Sam is.
By the way, is it safe for you to give that much to the children?
One dried sea cucumber is worth one red ginseng root.
It's time they learn how to do business.
Well, handling goods...
That's all about business.
Oh, we should go out quickly as well. Brokers from Beijing came in.
Let's go.
Oh. Look at that rascal, look.
Woah.
These are good enough to be sold to brokers?
Our dried sea cucumbers!
How prettily firm they are!
That bastard! Catch that person!
Catch that person!
-Father! -Ahjussi!
Hey! Hey! Move!
Catch the thief!
Catch the thief! Catch him!
Catch him! Catch the thief!
Catch him!
Catch the thief!
Why does this happen in our village?
Look here, Merchant Kim!
You followed me to this International Market to remind me of my debt?
My debt!
I'll pay it back by the due date. Don't worry!
How are you going to pay it back in 15 days? You have not paid it back for three years.
The International Marker opened after 3 years.
I will pay you back in silver in this spot as soon as my deal is secured!
This, this. It seems you don't know that the price
of dried sea cucumber has dropped.
What do you mean the price has plummeted? It was supposed to be used for Her Highness' Xu's birthday celebration!
One of the prized gift item that were to be delivered to the Emperor's Palace,
I was told that there is no need to purchase it anymore, since it contains dried sea cucumber.
A present to the emperor?
Where is the trade of dried sea cucumber in Joseon that the Chun Merchant Group doesn't know about?
It's only a matter of time before Chun Merchant Group attempts to enter a bid to open at Yeugijeon.
I will purchase all the commodity that's right here.
It's a celebratory gift. I'll teach you a lesson.
You plotted something. You bastard!
Merchant Kim!
It doesn't matter if this is just playing money game; nevertheless,
there is the "Ssangdo" (Code of ethics for the merchants)! Not to mention, integrity, class and a kindheartedness.
You dirty scoundrel who rips off the innocent merchants!
You owe me 54,920 nyangs, including the interest.
Since you can't pay it back, I have no choice but to meet Chun Oh Soo.
Can I just tell Chun Oh Soo to hand over the Chun Merchant Group?
Look here.
Even if I can't enter the Gaesung's main branch,
Baeugae branch and Byungnando common goods' mercantile,
it is worth at least 300,000 nyangs in current market!
You're going to swallow everything up because of that measly 30,000 nyang?
That, that. As expected, merchants
only know how to carry loadsbut lack in arithmetic skills.
The face value doesn't determine the final price.
Right now, currently, immediately, who is more in a rush?
That decides the cost, isn't that so?
1 year...
just give me 1 more year.
If you give me an extension of one more year, I'll definitely pay it back.
Please.
Opium. Raw opium.
Are you telling me to smuggle opium right now?
Opium smuggling carries out the capital punishment of beheading, once I'm arrested and caught by a customs border agent.
Often times, the tradesmen freeze to death, get swept by a landslide or are stabbed by a gang of bandits.
You even get ripped an eaten alive by a hungry tiger, if you have the worst of luck.
And risking your life as such is a merchant's job.
Why? You don't like opium?
Fine. If you don't want to, then I have no choice.
You have 3 choices.
I can't hand over the Chun Merchant Group.
I can't traffic opium.
What's the last choice?
Head Merchant Gil.
This...
Kill me with that knife
and take this. That's the remaining 3rd option.
Fine.
I'll kill you.
That is opium. Catch him!
They said I'm trafficking opium, trafficking opium!
No matter how much you like money, this is too far. You're not even a human anymore, you're not a human anymore!
N-no!
It's the price of slashing one person's neck.
My father has never sold such a thing
Shin Seok Joo? Shin Seok Joo is going?
What?
You have to earn a lot of money.
You... have you ever seen hell?
Father!