Original subtitles

Subtitled by KBS America

We waited long enough.

Let's go!

Yes, sir!

Search every inch of this ship! Do not let anyone slip out unnoticed!

Are you happy? Or are you afraid?

Should you jump for joy now that you have your ship to enter the bid

or should you weep in fear that Man Deok will be caught on board?

It must be rather confusing.

So it's our guileful tongue that has Assistant Magistrate Choi acting up like this.

There won't be much East Gate can do once Man Deok is captured.

Why don't you leave East Gate and join me at West Gate?

I can help you.

Shut your month.

It's men like Choi Nam Gu that will be manipulated by your trickery, not me.

Do as you please.

But anyone who refuses me will pay dearly for it.

Sir, there's no one in the cabin!

Shoot...

What is this about a search? Who are you looking for?

Who else but Kim Man Deok?

- We're back, sir! - Good work.

Mom!

Oh, my son, you're back!

Oh, my previous baby!

I guess you'll be the one weeping.

What was the result of the inspection?

Is the ship fit to enter the bid for the contract?

Well, that's...

Magistrate, any more delay will cause a problem with the royal wedding.

Let us proceed with the bidding.

Very well. If both ships qualify, the bidding

for the tribute goods transport contract

will be held tomorrow morning at nine.

I will see you all then at the government office.

- Yes. - Yes.

Shall we, sir?

Yes.

Madam, now we have a chance.

Senior Foreman Go, forgive me for belated compliments.

Congratulations on getting the abalone distribution contract.

It's such a huge responsibility. It's a bit nerve-racking.

Nerve-racking? Why when you have Madam?

She got you a contract that East Gate wouldn't even have dreamed of before she joined you.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you.

Nothing can go wrong if you just listen to Madam and obey what she says.

What are you blathering about?

Am I wrong? I thought Foreman Go relied on you for everything.

Well then.

It's a good thing you left Man Deok at Woodo.

There could've been a huge disaster.

Why were the state guards swarming at the pier anyway?

Moon Seon found out somehow and got the assistant magistrate involved.

I'm sure it wasn't hard for her to find out knowing how cunning she is.

I have to tell you something.

We nearly didn't make it back from Haenam because someone had cut off the sailing rope.

I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect it was the junior foreman.

You mustn't accuse anyone without proof.

Wait for the right time and bring Man Deok back.

But first, tell the gisaeng house cooks that I'd like to see them.

Okay.

Junior Foreman, Junior Foreman Kim, sir!

Why do you have to botch things up

and force a peace-loving man like me to be violent?

I never dreamed Man Deok would convince the skipper to release the ship.

Do you use your mouth for anything other than making excuses?

Shut him up for good.

What?

Give me one more chance. Just once more chance.

I'll do anything you ask. Just give me one more chance to prove myself to you!

I believed in your word and risked losing my job at East Gate for you.

I cannot lose everything I have.

Give me one more chance, and I will give my life for you, my lady!

Your life?

Yes! I'll do anything you ask.

Fine. I'll give you one last chance.

Stop the old woman from helping Foreman Go run East Gate.

Pardon? I don't understand.

Turn the senior foreman against Granny.

So that he won't listen to her anymore.

The warehouse looked half empty.

Check the inventory and see what we need to restock.

Only you'd notice something like that while interrogating a man.

I must be getting close my to delivery date. I feel so heavy...

Who in the world would do this?

Take a guess.

Foreman Kang?

He knows that I was trying to use him to put Man Deok away.

This is a warning a threat to kill me if I toy with him again.

How dare he! You're an expectant mother!

Leave him alone.

It's not wise to provoke him right now.

Thank you for coming.

Welcome.

We heard good things about Jeju deer antlers and came to see if we can buy some.

Dear antlers...

Let me show you what we have. This way, gentlemen.

Thank you.

Unbelievable! About Madam, sir.

Some merchants are looking for deer antlers.

Shouldn't you be handling sales of such high cost items, sir?

She acts like she's the owner. I'm embarrassed to face the employees.

Don't say such things. She's the reason we got the abalones distribution contract.

This is precisely the reason why people are saying she is more capable than you are, sir.

I'm sure you know what they used to say about Kang Kye Man in Hanyang.

He was a mockery of the merchants because he couldn't get out of Madam's shadows.

I'm truly afraid you might suffer the same disgrace, sir.

Sir, a group of merchants came looking for deer antlers, so I made the sale.

What do you think you are doing, ma'am?

Is this a report or an announcement?

Don't you think you should've acquired the senior foreman's permission first?

Do not make this fuss.

But Madam,

the deer antlers in the stockroom were already spoken for by another merchant...

Oh dear, I made a big mistake.

I will speak to the merchants and get them back.

Be clear on this, Madam. You are not the owner of East Gate,

Where is this coming from?

Didn't you hear Madam Oh earlier talking as if you are the real authority of East Gate?

Please pay no heed to her words. She is a very cunning and manipulative girl.

Yes, I know.

But be that as it may, please confer with me first before you make decisions such as this?

To keep things running smoothly, that is.

Of course.

Sir, this tribute goods transport contract must be won under your supervision.

If you let Madam run the show, no one will want to listen to you anymore.

Anyone who refuses me will pay dearly for it

Did you wish to see us?

Yes, I wanted to ask you for a favor.

All we know how to do is cook...

That is the favor I need.

Would you do some cooking for us?

Granny told everyone that you were in the mountains gathering herbs the last few days.

And the bidding is tomorrow at nine.

How is the wage negotiation going with the ship's crew?

They're still talking.

But more importantly, the state guards were after you.

West Gate's doing, no doubt.

Mistress Myo Hyang, Kang Yoo Ji and Moon Seon?

You have a lot of enemies in West Gate, so be careful.

I will. Let's go. We have to get ready for the bidding.

Thank you for coming all this way to help us.

We're not here to help anyone. We just want our money.

We won't be able to do that until we win the tribute goods transport contract.

But it will leave us with nothing paying you daily wage of two nyangs each,

and we have no choice but to forfeit this bid.

So let us lower your wage.

You charlatans!

We brought the ship all the way from Haenam because we were promised our money,

and what? You want to cut our wage?

Forget it! Let us go back, fellows!

What is this?

I'm sure the long ocean travel was physically taxing for all of you.

These are nutritious island foods that will help you restore vigor.

Do you think you can soften us up with food?

Wait. Are you by chance from Samgae Docks in Hanyang?

Yes, I am.

What is this? Can't you see that we're in the middle of a meeting?

Why didn't you talk to me first before you prepared this food?

Then please continue with your discussion.

You see? She hired the gisaeng house cooks without saying a word to you.

And this wage negotiation would not be so difficult if it weren't for Man Deok.

She coaxed them to come here by promising them the 6 months back pay owed by Hwang.

What authority does she have to make such an offer?

Both Madam and Man Deok think they are above you.

We're running out of time and we can't reach an agreement. What do I do?

Let me handle this, sir. I will have it out with the seamen.

All right. Win this tribute goods transport contract for us.

I heard Senior Foreman kicked Madam out of the meeting room.

Really? But they seem to get along so well. What happened?

Oh, Man Deok!

I'm back.

Is there something wrong?

Go on inside. I think the senior foreman and Granny are having an argument.

Watch your tongue!

Smallest rumor will spread like wildfire if it gets out of that door.

Yes, ma'am.

Did you work out the details with the crew?

The bidding is tomorrow.

If you break the agreement, we will report you to the authorities for fraud.

So give us our six months back pay or go to jail. The choice is yours.

Please calm down. I'm sure the senior foreman didn't mean what he said.

You don't know what you're talking about.

He was trying to lower our wage!

He said he would forfeit the bid unless we do.

You clearly told us you'd give us our back pay if you won the tribute goods transport contract.

But your boss is telling us to be quiet and do what we're told.

Please don't be angry.

He wants his profit even if he can't pay us.

If this is how you want it, we will take the ship and go back to Haenam!

Sir, may I have a word with you?

I told you to stay out of the meeting! Did your granny tell you to spy on us?

No, sir. I came to ask you to honor the promise I made to the crew.

It doesn't help either side to lower the bid by cutting their wage.

Then do you have a suggestion?

Please give me authority to make adjustments so no one gets short changed.

It's in their interest to win the bid, too, or they won't get anything out of this.

Senior Foreman, it'll be morning soon.

We cannot hold off making a decision when they won't even budge.

Junior Foreman is right.

We are not in a position to give concessions.

Leave us.

What happened? Senior Foreman won't even listen to me.

Were you in his room?

Yes. He's going to submit the bid at 98,000 nyangs.

We're paying 30,000 nyangs to rent the ship, which is a critical disadvantage.

And West Gate is well aware of that.

The only way for us to compete is to sacrifice the 37,000 nyangs of labor cost.

But how do we approach the crew about this,

and why would they work with us when they won't get anything out of this?

Senior Foreman and Junior Foreman are taking care of this, so stay out of it.

98,000 nyangs?

Yes. The crew will not budge, so we won't be able to go any lower than that.

It sounds like Madam wasn't involved in this decision.

Senior Foreman is no longer seeking her advice and making all of the decisions with me.

Good. You may go now.

Are you making fresh rice for the crew?

Why are you wasting precious

white rice on them again?

Just give them some millet rice!

You can't make a decent living

on seamen's wage anywhere.

Do they think they're the only ones

who are desperate for a bowl of rice?

When they're young, they all work

their hands to the bone dreaming

of owning their own ship.

But when they get old,

they find out that life isn't that easy.

And that makes them angry and bitter.

You have to feel sorry for them.

The older they get, they become more desperate for a bowl of rice...

then they are of owning their own ship...

Senior Foreman is leaving. Aren't you going with him?

Let us see him off.

Wait.

I have to talk to him.

Senior Foreman! I must talk to you.

What is it this time?

There's something I'd like to run by you and get your permission on privately.

Go on.

Do you think this is possible?

Yes. It's just a matter of both sides making a concession.

Please trust me on this.

What kind of scheme are you?

You will need everyone's signature for this to be effective at the bidding.

Yes.

Do you wish to join us, Madam?

Please go without me. I will tend to the matters here.

Let's go.

Maybe we should go to Gangjin and look for work there.

It might be faster to search Jeju and find that bastard Captain Hwang.

Isn't this unmilled rice?

It's your pay for bringing the ship to Jeju.

I can cook you a hot meal with this.

But what if I said you can sow this on a field and get back 100 times as much next fall?

What would you do if you can run your own ship with for this one little sack of rice?

Our own ship?

How strange. Man Deok and the old hag aren't here.

Are all bidders present?

Now we will accept the bidding documents.

Review your final proposal carefully and bring it forward.

Please wait a little longer.

What do you think you're doing?

Didn't Man Deok say she'd convince the seamen?

She did. But I don't know if she can make it on time.

She will. Please trust her and give her more time.

The tribute goods transport contract is the field that could give us abundant harvest.

But we're on the verge of losing that field because we lack seeds to sow.

And you, gentlemen, are holding those seeds right now.

So you want to cut our wage to get the contract and share the profit with us?

"Wage" is for the hired hands.

Each of you will become partners in the tribute good transport business

investing three years of your labor.

Partners in tribute goods transport business?

Yes. If we come together and lower the bid, we can beat West Gate and win the contract.

And the profit East Gate earns from this contract will be shared fairly with all of you.

These are not just empty words.

It's a promise the senior foreman of East Gate Market Brokers is making you himself.

Sir, the bidding is about to close. We must hurry.

West Gate is ready to submit the bid.

This is East Gate's bid.

Wait!

Sir, here.

This is East Gate's bid.

The bidding is now declared closed.

Now I will review the documents

and award the contract to the company with a superior proposal.

I have concluded that both companies are equally qualified for the responsibility.

So the contract will be granted to the company with the lowest bid.

Make the announcement.

Yes, Magistrate.

West Gate Market Brokers.

67,800 nyangs.

What's it? This is a 100,000 nyang job. There won't be any profit.

That's insane!

Now for East Gate Market Brokers.

East Gate Marker Brokers has submitted the bid...

at 60,000 nyangs.

The tribute goods transport contract is hereby awarded to East Gate Market Brokers.

Magistrate, sir, this is fraud!

There's no way they can meet this price!

That's right! This is a scam!

Preparation and labor alone will cost over 67,000! And they don't even have a ship!

This is not a scam.

According to their business proposal, their oarsmen will not be paid a wage.

You wench! If this isn't a scam, what is it?

Our ship's crew has agreed to share East Gate's profit from the actual business

instead of taking a wage.

So they will be our business partners, not hired hands.

For the next three years,

East Gate Market Brokers will handle the shipping of all tribute goods of Jeju.

Quickly proceed with the delivery of tribute

goods for the upcoming royal wedding!

Yes, sir.

We lost... We lost! This is an outrage!

How could you let this happen with your eyes wide open?

Quick! Call the physician!

- Yes! - Seo Joo!

I'm so glad the royal wedding went well.

I was afraid the goods for the wedding may not arrive on time from Jeju.

West Gate Market Brokers has always come through for the state so I was not worried.

Actually, sir, it was the East Gate Market Brokers that brought the tribute goods.

That can't be!

According to the crew members of the freight ship,

East Gate beat West Gate on the open bid and won the contract.

Where is Steward Oh? I am humiliated!

And what was Moon Seon doing while this was happening?

Well, sir...

A woman is but a woman.

She'll be even more useless once she gives birth to her child.

This can't go on.

Bring me names of rising merchants in Hanyang that might be of service to me.

Yes, my lord.

When Minister of Justice finds out about this, he will surely discard us.

Maybe you should write him a letter of apology and turn him around.

No, I will go see him personally.

I need to sit face to face to assuage him.

Did you say Captain Hwang owes money to loan shark Mu Meng Dal?

Call him.

All right.

Madam, it's Myo Hyang.

How do you feel?

What brings you?

I heard you are going to Hanyang.

I thought I'd tell you a funny story before you go to lighten your step.

I hope you're not wasting my time. Go on.

When I was a young gisaeng, there was an incident where a deputy was

caught smuggling ten sheets of cowhide and died after receiving 100 lashes.

A man was killed for stealing cowhide?

They must not have been ordinary cowhide.

That's right. Have you ever heard of black cows?

Black cows?

Jeju black cow hides are sacred objects used in royal funerals offered only to the King.

That's why they are raised on the government ranch.

Stealing them is bad enough, but if anyone is caught selling them in the black market...

There will be something far worse than lashes for the offender.

I got the arrow you left under my sheets.

Why do you shoot arrows, my son?

Does a man need a reason to want to become stronger?

After all this training to sharpen your skills, why do you aim your arrow at your mother?

You should know that I am not your enemy.

We're going to have to join hands on this one.

And Why would I want to do that?

I have an idea that won't harm a hair on your precious Man Deok's head

and completely destroy East Gate. Don't tell me it doesn't interest you.

Completely destroy East Gate?

Madam, Mu Meng Dal is here.

I've come to meet the owner.

I am the owner.

My name is Mu Meng Dal.

I'm interested in Captain Hwang's ship that is being used as the tribute transport vessel.

I heard Hwang received a loan from you with the ship as collateral.

Yes, but may I ask why you are interested in my business?

What I'm about to propose will bring

you bigger profit than your lending business.

Are you interested?

Well, this is not costing me anything, so please do indulge me.

Sell Captain Hwang's ship to East Gate for half its worth.

Half its worth? Do you know how much money we're talking about?

I will pay you the other half.

If you're successful in talking them into buying the ship, that is.

It's a winning proposition for you.

I don't care where the money comes from as long as I get paid.

Since you're set on doing this, your generosity will be much obliged.

That's right, that's right.

Skipper Jang, you're back! I was just

cooking your favorite fish soup for you.

I hope you have some millet wine, too. Let us start with that.

Gulp, gulp.

Good work, fellows.

Welcome back. You must be exhausted. Please come inside.

Yes.

Captain Hwang!

What? Captain Hwang? You bastard!

How dare you skip out on us without paying us!

Mercy, fellows! Mercy!

Where is he?

You bastard!

Stop!

Please stop!

If you hurt him, you won't get the money he owes you.

What is this commotion?

I thought I was throwing you to the dogs.... but this is too boring.

Who are you to provoke this despicable fight?

My! Such fearsome glare on a little old woman!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mu Meng Dal.

I've come to collect a debt.

I've already told your people that we will pay you when we get paid from the government.

I'm not talking about your debt, sir. I'm talking about his debt.

Should we continue this out here?

This man says he will be collecting monthly fees for the ship he rented out to you.

Yes, but the unpaid wages issue must be resolved first.

You won't take one step out of this place until you give us our money!

Please...

I get the picture.

I understand East Gate is doing some work for the government with the rented vessel.

How about this?

It would benefit you if you can buy the ship at a bargain price,

and Captain Hwang can pay off his debt with the proceeds of the sale.

Senior Foreman, won't you buy my ship?

We do not have the resources to purchase a freight vessel at this time.

At what price are you willing to let it go?

The 100,000 nyang loan plus 50,000 delayed interest; 150,000 nyangs will do for me.

The ship is worth 300,000 nyangs, but I will let it go for 200? no, 150,000 nyangs.

You would be willing to sell your ship for 150,000 nyangs?

Sir, if we buy a ship, we can continue reaping profits beyond the three year contract.

I will loan you the money if you'd like? since you have a well established credit.

Sir, we get paid a monthly operating fund from the state.

You can pay him back with that money.

50,000 nyang interest on a 100,000 nyang loan...

That's an exorbitant loan!

Oh boy, I'm going to be here all night!

Do whatever you wish.

Wait. Would you give us time to consider?

Senior Foreman, why are you counting your eggs before they hatch?

It's too risky.

If I don't hear from you by tomorrow, I will go somewhere else.

Let us discuss this.

No. I will think about this alone.

Jeong Dong's estate, Hanyang

I'm sorry to have disappointed you with both

the abalone contract and the transport contract.

I gave you plenty of chances. I want you to leave this house.

I said leave! You dare refuse?

I will leave.

But first, may I ask you a few questions about

you and Madam Kim the former palace matron?

Madam Kim?

I once overheard a conversation between her and another former palace matron years ago...

...that you had tampered with the King's meal...

Silence! You have a death wish!

How dare you attempt to vilify me!

We are on the same boat, my lord.

I'm not trying to dig up the past.

I'm trying to tell you that Madam Kim now works for East Gate Market Brokers.

What?

But there's no need to be alarmed.

I already have a plan to take care of this situation.

Young Master, you're home.

Where is my father going in such a hurry?

Oh, the owner of the silk store was here just now.

And as soon as she left, he...

Owner of the silk store? You mean Moon Seon?

What did she want with my father?

I'm not sure, but they were saying something about a tribute goods transport ship.

Palace Matron Kim is alive?

How could a woman that died twenty years ago still be alive?

I thought Kang Kye Man had taken care of her... but she's alive.

How could this have happened?

If she comes back here and dredge up the past...

Then our safety cannot be guaranteed.

You know how many people were killed as a result of that incident!

No, we cannot let that come up again.

Let us find the woman and get rid of her.

It shouldn't be a difficult task.

We cannot act in haste.

Minister Jeong is right. This is not the right time.

Weakened by the royal wedding,

the Westerners are zealously watching us, looking for an excuse to strike us.

If Kim Eung Ryeol should get wind of this, nothing good can come from it.

Then what do you suggest?

We can't kill her and we can't keep her alive.

I'm sure Moon Seon has some kind of a plan or she wouldn't have come to me with this.

Let's just observe what happens for now.

Sir, I'm hope I'm not bothering you visiting like this unannounced.

No, I've been meaning to talk to you about Jeju. Sit down.

About Jeju, sir?

I'm sure you heard about East Gate acquiring the tribute goods transport contract.

Yes.

I heard from one of the crewmen when I went to the port for inspection

that Man Deok played a crucial role in winning the contract.

Did you know about that?

Is that right?

I worry about her all the time, but I guess she's doing all right.

Oh, did you want to talk to me about something specific?

No, sir.

That way! All the way in!

All the way!

Have you given it some thought?

If you're low on funds, I wouldn't want you to overextend yourself.

Let's go.

Wait.

Do we have anything left to discuss?

Let's do it. I will buy the ship.

But I wouldn't want you to overextend yourself on account of me.

Are you sure you want to do this?

Don't worry. East Gate is not completely without resources.

You made a very wise purchase.

You won't regret it.

Thank you. Let us have dinner sometime.

Well then.

He must've signed the contract.

Things are moving too fast...

Dong Ah, I want you to quietly follow that man.

Okay.

Kim Pan Sul and Mu Meng Dal were acting suspicious, so I followed Mu as you asked,

and he went straight to the West Gate Market Brokers building.

I guess all we can do now is to pray that our fears don't come true.

No, our fears will come true.

What?

Actually, there's a good chance that something even worse will happen.

Subtitled by KBS America

What is this?

Black cow hide.

I will use this to close down East Gate for good, and drive Madam out of Jeju.

Go get some shuteye. I'll keep watch for a while.

What is it?

There are items on this ship that should not be here.

This is...

Black cow beef and hide, sir.

Arrest those illegally trading black cow and get to the bottom of their operation!

Arrest the senior foreman of East Gate Market Brokers!

Collect on the promissory note now.

You're going to have to pay me back the loan at once.

Something terrible has happened!

The senior foreman is dead!