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~ Episode 38 ~

These...

Are these...

yours?

But... Who are you?

How old are you?

Who am I?!

Wa...Wait, wait!

Wait...

Listen, wait just a moment!

Speak, let us speak!

- Speak?! You little... - Wait...

I will show you... How dare you?

Are you out of your mind?

- Milord! - Milord?!

You hit me there, again?!

I will make up for it... stop! Stop! Trust me...

Forgive me! I apologize.

Wait! Wait... Wait... Stop!

Who is that moppet?

If you really wish to know who Milord is...

Looking for a quick demise?

Ahh... really.

Aigoo...

Do it properly.

So, who is he?

He... Milord is...

Ahh... Kim Chunchu!

Kim Chunchu?!

And who would that be?

Ahhh... Princess Cheonmyeong's son!

That callow royal?

Well, I cannot say whether he is callow or not,

but he sure is a royal.

Had King Jinji not been dethroned,

he would still be of sacred bone as well.

So?

You're telling me that spurious moppet instigated my master's death,

only to gain possession of the Geography of the Three Kingdoms?!

And I am supposed to believe that?!

Ahh... You're misunderstanding. Lord Chunchu knows nothing.

I just gave it to him to engage in some lectures.

Why?

I do not share your master's beliefs.

The keeper of that book is not Yushin,

but is exactly him, methinks.

Ahh... It's not that...

I just needed a brief respite, that is all.

Milord.

My sincerest apologies.

Hey.

I said call him "Milord," you...

Have a death wish?

You!

How are you going to put this in order again?

It should already be in order.

Did you...

recollect the order all by yourself?

Yes...

Wh...

What is wrong with you?

Now that I have retrieved my book,

all that is left to do...

is slaying you.

Ahh... And how could that be fair?

Wipe off that smile!

Come on...

I did not like that vexatious guffaw of yours from the very start.

Let us see whether you still can laugh...

without your head.

Wa...Wa...Wait!

C...C...Can you really act like this?

We... We are co...complices!

Complices?!

And the mighty Munno would perish because of a meager poisonous shaft?!

He sure would not!

He was engaging in a fierce duel with that prodigious disciple of his!

And, lamentably, he was not able to avoid the shaft, and perished.

Did he not?!

You varlet...

Yes... yes... Yes!

Go ahead!

Slay me, and then take your own life.

You helped me slay Munno.

Otherwise, you could spare my life,

and we could together survive.

Tell me three reasons why I should spare you.

There is something you do not seem to understand, uh?

Does that book belong to Munno?!

No, it belonged to Munno and me!

Where do you think Munno found the support for two decades of wandering?

Whose funds could those have been?!

Also, did Munno travel to Goguryeo, Baekje, Wa and Sui all alone?

I and my associates aided his cause,

providing him with all the material he needed!

So...

Is that Munno's property? Uh?!

It is mine!

- And?! - But...

He suddenly entrusts it all to this minion called Yushin,

how could that not drive me crazy?!

And?!

I said three reasons, you knave!

I lead a group of spies.

Should I perish,

all my ties with those spies all over the area will be severed.

But I could connect you with them instead.

Why?

Hey!

Zounds! Let us make a king together! Uh?

Would people like you and me not be suited for the task?

That one?! Even Mishil set her eyes on him!

There is nothing to doubt!

Why... What is wrong?

You... yourself...

Because he was giving what you thought was yours to someone like Yushin,

you ended up fighting with Munno.

Did you not?!

I cannot vouch for the rest, but you must understand me, right?

You dirty son of a swine!

What on earth are you doing?

Whenever that wound makes you throb with pain.

Whenever you gaze at the mirror, pledge to yourself!

If you betray me, you will die.

If you run away, you will die. And also!

The king we shall together help to the throne...

is not that moppet.

Mishil will support that moppet?!

That spurious, callow kid?!

What is my mother trying to scheme, this time?

I shall hereby proclaim trainees Jukbang and Seolji of the Dragon Flower Guild...

as Daenangdu*.

*6th ranked Nangdu, the middle of Hwarang's three classes (Hwarang/Nangdu/Nangdo)

I also proclaim Yanggil of the Celestial Angels Guild...

*Highest rank amongst the trainees (Nangdo - the lowest Hwarang class)

as Daedo*.

*8th ranked military instructor

Finally, Wolya Rang shall be our new Sogam*,

so aid Alcheon Rang with utmost zeal.

I shall follow your wishes, Pungwolju.

From here on in, as the Royal Palace Guard,

you shall lead the Royal Guard's frontline.

Also,

I shall reshuffle the ranks so that you will personally protect the royals,

so fulfill your call without blemishes.

Yes.

You will be in charge of training the Royal Palace Guard.

Yes.

Let us go.

Wolya is the son of Manno Fortress's chieftain.

When Lord Seohyeon was still governor of Manno County,

he must have captured his attention, gaining adoption into his clan.

For we lost many men in the war,

even Her Highness gave her consent to induct new trainees...

You are worried that Yushin Rang might be scheming something,

is that it?

Yes!

You needn't worry.

I shall keep a keen eye on those trainees.

Anyhow...

You two must always report on the situation amongst Hwarang and trainees.

- Yes. - Yes!

But, that Bidam...

He still has not inducted anyone.

And he's making no particular movements.

Fine.

Even though King Jinheung greatly expanded our territory,

why are we still facing a shortage of crops?

We might have gained territory,

but over half of it is barren soil,

so we are still lacking adequate farmland.

We are lacking farmland?!

What is more, soil which is cultivated one year...

will lose fertility by the next twelvemonth, further halving cultivable farmland.

Is there any way to reclaim that barren soil?

All that our technology boils down to is how strong the iron we produce is.

Shilla's iron culture made epochal improvements, during King Jinheung's reign.

When it comes to weapons, Shilla is on top.

And further innovations are on the horizon.

Yes.

Is the iron used for weapons different from the one...

you use for farming utensils?

It is quite different indeed.

The iron we use for utensils is not as strong as we would like it to be.

Even digging soil would be cumbersome.

What are you reflecting upon?

I was just waiting for your reproach.

What?

We could not melt that iron and use it to make utensils, could we?

Of course, we cannot.

You are too swiftly refusing to help her.

What would your retort be, then?

May you think of a way to solve our deficiencies,

without impacting the production of weapons.

I must preside over Lord Chunchu's practice, so if you will excuse me...

Anyhow, Yushin Rang...

Are we really allowed to be here?

*1~3pm

Tell me about it. Wolya Rang told us all to gather by the hour of the ram*.

You little varlets, not an inch of courage in you...

What day is today? Uh?

Is it not the day your good old Jukbang became Daenangdu?!

Do we really need to train on a day like this?

Right... Right!

Wolya Rang was promoted himself, so I am sure he will not rebuke us.

Of course!

What day is it again?

- Dae Nang Du! - Say it again?!

Dae! Nang! Du!

Indeed, you dolts!

Your esteemed Daenangdu will treat you today!

Want to drink until your bellies explode, right?

Fine! We have a tryst with the bottle today!

Here! Let us go!

Does it make any sense? Uh?!

Ahh... you...

*One dwe of beans = 400g

Just mere days ago, it was ten rolls of hemp for five dwe* of beans,

but first you start selling that for twenty yesterday,

and today, what, you have no intention of even selling them?

Help me out, will you?

The price of cereals has gone up, what can I do?

I am asking you a favor!

Because of the famine, there are no crops coming in,

how can I do that?

Then, how do you explain that?

What is it you gathered there, then?

Ahhh... I ought to...

How many times did I tell you it was already sold?

I beg you...

My children are starving!

They will all starve to death!

Ahhh... really!

- That is your problem. - Arguing again?

Is the price of cereals that high?

My mother was quite concerned herself.

She said the price has been rising by the day.

Let us leave.

As their new Daenangdu, I feel too abashed to face our people.

Not to mention that something else is expecting us.

Thirty-one!

Thirty-two!

Thirty-three.

Why are you quiet again?

Hit it with strength, counting with me.

I'm counting in my mind.

You must scream it with vehemence to gain vigor,

and gather all your mental strength.

Does one really need to make a commotion to find some concentration?

Was it not the other way around, actually?!

Yushin Rang!

Yushin Rang...

Yushin Rang.

There is trouble.

What is the matter?

Someone was slain at the Eastern Market.

What?

Who, and why?

You must hasten there, now!

All right.

I shall brief...

Now!

Let us go.

Let us hasten out of here.

He will come looking for me right away.

Yes, let us go.

What is the matter?

Wow... That's a really daunting specimen.

You will all end up like him!

Stay away!

What happened?

He is holding her hostage, and causing a commotion.

I will slay you all!

Stay away!

I will slay her.

Come any closer and she's dead!

Die this way or that way, it does not matter!

Go ahead!

So... what I was saying...

He was asking for beans, and he would not give them to him,

and after quarreling, he could not control himself,

and with that ax he just...

This way.

Is that the truth?

Yes, it is.

I was so enraged I slew him.

He more than deserved to perish.

The same man who asked ten rolls of hemp for five dwe of beans...

started only giving me three, then two,

and now he was refusing to trade altogether.

The fields are so dry there is nary a healthy weed in sight,

and with nothing to feed my children,

they are starving to death.

May you slay me.

Dying this way or starving to death is no different.

May you slay me!

There is something perplexing about the price of cereals.

That is what led to today's murder at the Eastern Market.

And they killed because of that?

Because of the price of cereals?!

In the last ten days, the same seom* of rice which sold for three nyang**...

*47 gallons (a sack's worth) **Shilla used iron bundles as currency

now sells for fifteen nyang.

Is that not excessive?

Fifteen nyang?!

Yes, it is quite perplexing.

I shall observe the merchant groups' movements.

Do you know any merchant there?

Even without acquaintances, I can always make one now.

I will give it a try.

Do that.

I shall discreetly observe the market myself.

No, let us do this together.

I will head there myself.

I would like to buy some barley.

We have none.

Is this not barley?

I already sold all this.

You sold it all?

Don't act like this.

We only need a little.

I told you it was already all sold!

I shall give you three nyang in gold.

Three nyang in gold?!

I still cannot.

It was already sold.

I am not selling!

Ahh... Take a look, it was all sold!

And who bought it?

And why would you want to learn that?

What is it?

What...

Ahh... You scared me to death!

My heart...

After that day, I have grown fearful of your entrances!

Do not enter like that... Uh?!

There is something I need to ask you...

What is it?

The price of cereals, that is.

Who is jesting around with it?

Is it you?

It was the same at the Western Market.

They all had cereals, but refused to sell.

Saying it was already sold?!

Yes.

I must find who purchased all that.

We need someone to trail where all those goods are headed.

It must be done discreetly...

Who could be suitable for the job?

I will do it!

As the Royal Palace Guard's Daenangdu,

I shall fulfill my call at all cost!

Yes. Go ahead.

- Announce that the cereals are here. - Yes.

Hey... Is that not Lord Seolwon's abode?

Indeed it is.

How many sacks are there?

Jukbang Hyungnim...

So...

Where was that cart headed?

To Lord Supum's abode.

Daenangdu! Daenangdu!

It was headed for Lord Supum's abode, Your Excellency!

Enough?!

Much better.

That is the way.

But it is all going to affluent abodes?!

For starters, let us head to the next abode.

Is this all?

Aigoo... Don't get me started.

Let alone rice,

millet, beans and sorghums are nowhere to be found at the market.

Anyhow, we shall generously reward you,

so buy anything you can find.

Yes, you needn't worry.

- Move them all inside their cellars. - Yes.

We are purchasing all the cereals available.

I leave it to you.

Lord Chunchu is here again?!

Take a look at these ones, are they not wonderful?

Try one, Milady. Try it out.

Yes... You have made a wonderful choice!

How does it look?

I think it would look great on you...

Yes! That one is wondrous!

Then, how about this one?

Round shapes do not suit your visage.

Yes...

This.

This is the one.

Aigoo...

Milord, I knew your discerning eye would strike again.

*Archaic Korean spelling of Persia, from the Chinese Bosi

That just came from Pasa*.

Because of your distinct features,

you must avoid flamboyant and saturated tints.

If we hasten, I might get to wear it at the Harvest Moon festival.

Right.

Remarkable! Your acumen is remarkable.

It is imperial porcelain from the Sui.

But it's not authentic.

- You were fooled. - What?

It cost me quite the sum?!

Countless figures are carved on Mount Qianfo's rock face.

And that is because the soil there is perfect for sculpture.

Only pots made with Mount Qianfo's terracotta are sent to the Sui imperial family.

Yes, I will bear it in mind.

How could one be so eloquent...

Who did you say that fellow was?

*Shilla's name for area which included the Hwanghae, Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces

He is the governor of Hansan Prefecture*.

Did you say his name was... Kim Ikmun?!

No.

Kim Ikmun is the governor of Haseulla Prefecture*,

*Area which Shilla conquered from Goguryeo, extending from Uljin to Gangneung

*17th ranked Shilla courtier

while that fellow is Yichan* Im Yongji.

Im Yongji...

Meseems I have never heard such name before...

I mentioned him quite a few times?!

He joined the campaign when Baekje attacked Gajam Fortress,

and his meritorious service gained him a high-ranking post...

in the Board of Military Affairs.

I don't know how one could forget what people say with such ease.

Tell me about it.

I wonder why I can never seem to connect names with faces.

Myself, I cannot remember what I drank at the inn...

I certainly have no problem recalling what kind of relish I was served with,

but as for drinks...

Looks like that peculiarity might be pestering us both!

Tell me about it, Milord!

Here... Here... Choose one more time.

Who is that merchant he met?

He does not make a great impression.

He is this merchant from the gambler's den Uncle Misaeng frequents.

It looks he's engaged in some trading as well.

He came here a few times.

You must never allow entrance to people whose provenience you are not sure of.

Since he knows Uncle Misaeng well, I would not worry.

Is Lord Chunchu coming every day?

Yes.

Would it not be because of Boryang?!

Uncle Misaeng might mention conjugal ties very soon.

What?!

Twenty nyang?!

For one sack?

You varlet...

Did you not ask fourteen nyang just a few days ago?

Aigoo... Milord, do not say that.

If you buy directly at the market, they will all ask around twenty-two nyang.

Is that so?

The price might further rise, so it does not concern me, but...

Here.

Yes... My gratitude.

You must continue buying any cereals you find at the market.

Of course I will!

Go, go... Hasten...

Lord Hajong is buying as well.

Those nobles are making a clean sweep, all right.

Even if their clan might be numerous, what is the point of buying all that?

Looks like they eat a lot, then?! Right?

You...

Stop with that egotism of yours! You are no longer the old Godo...

Daenangdu!

You are His Excellency Jukbang's second-in-command,

so act like one, you dolt. Understood?

But, seeing all that rice strangely makes me happy?!

Godo...

You foolish dolt...

You little...

Yushin Rang!

Yushin Rang!

Your Excellency!

Daenangdu Jukbang completed his mission and safely made his return.

Did you find out?

Yes!

Daenangdu Jukbang shall now report on his findings...

at the market, regarding the price fluctuations of cereals.

Just say it.

Y...Yes.

For starters, what the merchants said was right.

They indeed sold them all.

And to whom?

Who bought all those cereals?

Yes. Lord Sueulbu, Lord Seolwon, Lord Hajong, Lord Sejong...

It was all bought by lords, lords and other lords.

All at quite the hefty price.

They are hoarding to speculate.

By ensuring prices escalate.

But...

But, why...

Why do they keep buying at such hefty rates?

Ehhh... Your Highness.

Is that not obvious?

The higher the buying price, the worse prices will escalate.

Yes.

They are using our people to make huge profits.

I am aware of that.

Then?!

There is something I am still doubtful about.

Doubtful?!

Yes.

What is it?

Even during King Jinheung's reign, people experienced scanty harvests.

But prices never escalated this much.

According to my investigation,

this has only been repeating itself since King Jinji's reign.

It cannot be compared with King Jinheung's reign.

Back then, we were blessed with plentiful land.

People migrated to our newly conquered lands,

they partook in all that territory,

and were even exempted from levies.

That is why several farmers sustained themselves.

But...

now is not the case, so it must be my fault.

That is not true, Sire.

It's not that...

I am just curious about the excessive speculations of the nobles.

Market speculation is not a crime.

They are using their funds as they wish,

why would it be otherwise?

Whenever a shortage of crops afflicts us,

not only does the royal family hand out relief crops,

but the same goes for the nobles.

For the last few decades,

if there was anyone who handed out more relief crops than anyone else,

that was Mishil.

That is what I am doubtful about.

She is going to give all that free of compensation,

so why would they keep accepting such exacting prices?!

Yushin Rang...

Yushin...

Ahh... People should be on time.

Can the Pungwolju leave his quarters unattended?

You were already here.

Indeed. You are late.

Under Her Highness's orders,

we decided to change your tutor.

Is that so?

Then again, you were much too foolishly honest to suit someone like me.

So, who would my new tutor be?

Yes.

What are you waiting for?

Come in at once.

I am the new tutor you were entrusted to, Bidam.

Th...Th...That...

As the Gukseon's disciple,

Bidam Rang now leads the Nameless Guild.

I... Yushin Rang.

We... We should do this, right? We have grown fond of each other.

Your tutelage might bring plenty more benefits to me,

so why don't we... continue...

I entrust him to you.

Don't you fret.

W...W...Wait.

Third!

No paper folding with your books.

Fourth.

You must never run away.

And...

Here, fifth.

But!

Why do you always address me with such contempt?

Me?!

I addressed Her Highness the same way.

Fifth.

Fifth!

Ehh... I forgot...

Ahh!

By the way,

is the princess still investigating the price fluctuations?

Is that how you address your aunt?

You said that's how you were addressing her!

Then again...

I guess.

Still.

What?

Seems like speculation drove up those prices?!

And?

Why could the nobles be acting like that?

You will pardon my insolence,

but Your Highness can be truly impertinent.

Yes, I do admit to displaying such traits, from time to time.

How could you insinuate against me with such inquiries,

of all people?

Well... Curiosity drove my inquiries,

and as Your Highness would be the most likely source of information,

well... that is why.

By any chance, did it cause you discomfort?

Should I leave?

Ahh... Certainly not.

What was your inquiry, again?

Yes.

Whenever merchants suspect the advent of a famine,

they hoard goods and later sell them when prices escalate,

speculating to make huge profits.

But in the case of nobles,

should the famine cause shortages,

they would have to hand out crops free of compensation anyway,

so any profit would be insignificant,

and may even force them to incur a heavy loss.

Yes.

That would be the case.

So, why...

would they speculate and cause prices to escalate,

forcing even more suffering upon our people?

And why would our people suffer?

Why did the nobles do that?

Ahhh... It must have been to make profits!

Ahh... They said it's not that.

Any profit would be minimal, and it wouldn't justify such expenditures.

And that is because...

What would you know anyway?!

You are only measuring assets into the equation,

so it is natural you would not know why.

What is that supposed to mean?

Crops...

Iron, uh?!

Gold...

Does only that bring you profits?

Why would our people suffer?

With prices escalating, they will not be able to purchase crops,

so would that not imperil their survival?

And what will those famished and impoverished people do?

What?

That...

That...

Amongst those people, you will find tenants...

and even those who own their land.

What would they do, respectively?

Your Highness.

What are you looking for?

It's this.

It was this.

Years ravaged by famine were the autumn of King Jinji's second year (577),

the seventh month of his third year (578),

*King Jinpyeong 6th (584) to Queen Seondeok 2nd (633)

the second year of Geonbok* (585),

the thirteenth (596) and the twenty-eighth (611).

For each famine the amount of land and slaves...

under the nobles' control dramatically increased.

And self-sustained farming was supplanted.

Exactly that.

Then, the reason those nobles keep buying cereals...

Yes.

Usury is the answer.

Should those people fail to pay back their loans,

they would eventually lose possession of their lands,

and be forced into tenancy.

And in the case of tenants,

they would become slaves for those nobles.

Yes. Ever since King Jinji's reign,

nobles supplanted farming landowners,

expanded their territory, and raised tenant levies.

As a result, collection of levies for the royal family increasingly faltered.

Instead, the ensuing spring would see them hand out relief crops,

in an attempt to influence public sentiment.

But... how did you find out?

Actually...

Lady Mishil was the one who helped me understand.

What?

What?!

Princess Deokman?!

Then, did you just tell her?

I did not give her any answer, just another question.

Anyhow, did you not lead her to the answer with such query?

And should she even learn of it, what could she possibly do?

Indeed!

I am buying goods with my own funds, who could ever stop me?

Still... Sister.

Did you not tell her on purpose, curious of her reaction?

But there is no way to stop that.

And neither can we stop them from buying goods with their own funds.

Usury should be stopped with an ordinance,

but the Council of Nobles would never approve it.

Yes, an ordinance would not solve it.

What?

We shall contend speculation with speculation of our own.

I grew up in a trading post amidst the Taklamakan Desert's dunes.

Only the world's finest traders assembled there.

Shilla might be renowned for its trading prowess,

but it could never compare with it.

Let us fight trading with trading.

But there is no way to stop the nobles from speculating.

Yes, how could we stop them from using their own funds?!

Not to mention that this practice is deeply rooted in the past.

We can stop that with this country's own funds.

The royal family's?!

How could that work?

Sire.

Accord me plenipotentiary authority.

Both in the short and long term,

there is a way to solve this.

There will be staunch opposition.

Your Highness.

I, myself, engaged in hoarding.

And that is not the reason I tell you this,

but the nobles' opposition will surpass your every imagination.

Should we not release relief crops instead?

Relief crops were handed out during every famine,

but people ended up abandoning their fields to become tenants,

or losing their means of sustenance.

I need your support.

However,

a courtier could not possibly enter the market firsthand,

and a representative of some sort would be needed.

Yes.

I have a suitable candidate in mind.

Made some profit?

Ahh... Again with your entrances...

Ahh... Those slothful poltroons, cannot even clean the brushes...

Are you a wraith or something? Give me some signs you're coming in.

It is hard enough as it is, don't add to my quandaries.

Look at all this pallor.

I need something to be done, with utmost discretion.

Gather a few men suitable for the task.

Now.

- Two hundred seom. - What?!

Two hundred?!

This way... here.

Providence blesses me.

Even finding a dozen is already a feat, but two hundred?!

But, tell me. Where did you find all these crops?

No need to know.

I hear today's quotation is around the twenty-five nyang?!

Yes.

You shall make even more, from here on in.

Aigoo... I would be blessed if you did so.

Those nobles keep buying with no end,

I am glad I met you.

I bid you welcome!

I brought the crops as promised.

Here you are.

Five thousand nyang.

Let us go.

May you enjoy a safe return.

Complaining about escalating prices will do them no good.

It will only help spread the word,

and make those prices further escalate, on the contrary.

Yes.

Your Excellency. May I enter?

Come on in.

What brings you here?

The situation at the market is perplexing.

Ehhh... Again with that?

"Prices are spuriously reaching the sky..."

Like that?!

It's not that. Too many cereals are being sold at the market.

I was perturbed, so I wondered if you knew anything on the matter.

Yes, my father also told me to find out.

Did they open the royal family's cellars?

Open the cellars?!

Would they release relief crops without my consent?

And those are relief crops to be distributed to our people,

why would you find them at the market?

Ehh... It's not that, I am sure.

No distribution spots were sanctioned, either.

So fret you not, you may leave.

But...

It does indeed seem like there might be an oversaturation of goods.

Anyhow, we keep purchasing at the selling price...

Even yesterday, they wondered if we wanted more.

It is thirty nyang per sack.

It indeed is costly.

Is it not more than twice the price of a few days past?

Still, should we not keep buying even more?

How are things proceeding?

Over a thousand seom have been released into the market.

We plan to add another thousand soon.

But prices are still stable?

For how long will nobles continue to buy?

If profit was all they were going after, they would have stopped already.

However...

As their purpose is supplanting self-sufficient farming,

they will continue buying.

And, suddenly, they will come to a realization.

That they bought too much, at too high a price.

Your Highness.

Were you looking for me?

Right... We had something to ask you.

Is Her Highness selling crops from the royal cellars, by any chance?

Inordinate amounts of cereals are sweltering the market.

Yes.

I've heard that selling crops from the royal cellars...

right as prices are escalating this much would significantly benefit them.

Then, is the royal family using this chance to make profits?

Does it make any sense?

They are selling crops from the royal cellars?!

And they are selling the entire lot at that.

- I really... - Then...

Would not prices start falling?

I will have to hasten and tell my father to sell all our emergency crops.

But if you sell them, the price will further drop.

He's right. We must resist.

We will risk a hefty loss, otherwise.

It might be different for affluent clans such as yours,

but as for us,

should the price of cereals further drop,

we will be forced to give up on our land.

Right.

We purchased beyond limit to gain those farmers' lands,

but the more we hesitate, the more exacting our loss.

Let us make a move.

The nobles have started selling.

Yes, prices are starting to fall.

Good.

Execute our next plan with Lord Seohyeon.

Yes.

Then, I shall now play my part.

I shall preside over this meeting regarding crop prices in His Majesty's stead.

Should anyone wish to voice their opinions on the matter, go ahead.

Your Highness.

By any chance, did you open the royal cellars?

Yes.

Not for free relief crops, but to trade them at the market?!

Prices escalate, and you sell?

You disappoint me.

Is that not a much too shallow subterfuge?

How can the royal family use our people to make a profit?

Is it even admissible?

Those are emergency crops used to relieve our people...

during a famine's shortages.

How could you use relief crops for trading?

I am also gathering relief crops in my own way.

I wish to sell my cereals back.

But not at the price you bought them for.

With the volume we're dealing with now,

the price has started falling.

How much?

It used to be twenty-five nyang for a sack,

but now...

Ahhh... Even fifteen nyang is being generous!

I bought from you just a few days past for twenty nyang per sack!

But, now it's fifteen nyang?!

Does it make any sense?

Yes.

If you want to call it trading, go ahead.

The royal family sold at hefty prices,

and should prices fall,

they shall once again buy.

Then, the profits will be huge, I trust.

Also, as the amount of crops sold at the market is on the rise...

Prices will fall,

and the market will stabilize?!

But should the buyers unify in their refusal to sell?

Then...

What will you do?

You will not endure for long.

I plan to...

sell everything, down to emergency military supplies.

Lord Seohyeon will have already started by now.

You are selling military supplies?!

How could you engage in such...

Prices continue to escalate, and you sell relief crops and military supplies?!

Do you truly believe...

this is going to solve it all?

Think nobody thought of that before?

Did a shortage create those price fluctuations at the market?

Was it not a subterfuge by the nobles to gain ownership of self-sustained farming lands?

I did not use my people to make a profit,

I merely used the nobles.

But military supplies are a matter of national defense.

Can you take responsibility for this?

Should a conflict with Baekje ensue in the meantime...

In truth, I might or might not sell those.

Say what?

You might not?!

Yes.

I could merely announce publicly that I will.

Only announce it?!

Why did prices rise?

It was not due to a shortage,

but because of the fear of one,

moving everyone to buy in a raged frenzy.

The same goes for this.

Even without selling those military supplies,

mere hearsay regarding the matter...

will move people to frantically sell, afraid prices will drop.

And they will do that indeed.

And should the nobles still refuse to sell, leaving prices as they are?

Will they?

Will they be able to...

resist the urge?

For that to happen,

did you not all buy at too high a price?!

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~ On The Next Episode Of ~ QUEEN ~*~ SEONDEOK

They are attempting to stage the first restoration meeting since that day.

About the profits you made.

How are you going to invest those funds?

You create a secret society within a bigger organization.

Piltan and Wangyun seem to be on your side.

They only took crops and utensils Her Highness provided,

and they escaped.

From the morrow, countless people in our country will...

How can a woman rule us all?!

confabulate on something they...

How can we be sure of that?

have never heard before.

It is finally starting.

A female ruler.

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