Post by TheBo on Aug 5, 2011 10:31:12 GMT -5
Ep.21 – Sat 8/6
All the damos are happy for Song, even Cho-bi. San leaves without saying anything. He just wanted to see how she did.
The other painters are upset and complain to Kang, who explains that the three judges who actually looked at the painting gave Song top marks. Painter Tak demands an explanation from the judges. Song is called out of a flutter of delighted damos to go to the Dowahseo office for Tak’s hissy fit.
Tak and all of Dowahseo say they won’t accept the judgment because she didn’t use color. When Song comes in, the judge says before he answers their questions, Song should explain why she didn’t use color. She tells them about the fouled up colors. Kang yells that she is lying and is told to shut up. Head painter Park says, isn’t it unusual to use only black for a color painting. Another judge comes in and says he’ll explain for her.
He says the painting depicts all the seasons, because none of them can stand alone. Right, Song? She says he flatters her. The other judge says, black represents all the other colors. Turns out Song skillfully conveyed all the colors of autumn with her black and white painting, and these judges wanted to give her first place. One judge was doubtful about a girl competing, but she won him over. The other artists withdraw, defeated.
Jeong and Princess find out what happened and decide Song will be a good bait to get San later; Jeong cautions Princess not to act hastily, and she says she’ll be careful.
Dae-su runs to Dowahseo, where Cho-bi tells him the good news (while casually insulting Song). Cho-bi is a little upset that Dae-su is so happy over the whole thing; she starts to say something to him, but he’s run off. Cho-bi is teased by Song’s friend.
Officer Park tells Song to continue painting the screen, and that the other artists will be watching to see if she slips up. (No pressure, though.) She should be resolute and soldier on, and she promises to do so. Later, she is congratulated by Dae-su and learns San saw the announcement. She promises herself she’ll do well for San’s sake.
San tells his advisors he wants to personally meet with the unlicensed vendors. Sir Chae thinks they are disorganized, but Hong tells him they actually are very organized and have representatives. San has to meet them without the Norons finding out.
Sir Choi, Jeong and Justice Minister Hong meet and discuss what’s up. San doesn’t seem to be up to anything, but they have to be vigilant. Choi demands to know why the blustering Hong cannot control his relative, Inspector Hong. Jeong says he will take care of it personally.
Hong tells Dae-su and the other two guards to prepare for San leaving the palace secretly. Later, in the market, Dae-su follows a suspicious character. The three guards meet and Dae-su makes his report. Elsewhere, San and Hong walk through the marketplace, with the spy behind. The guards tell San they’ll take care of the spy. As they pass, Dae-su jumps out and picks a fight with the spy, pretending to be a buffoon but successfully holding him back.
San meets with the peddlers’ representatives. They are a little frightened, but talks proceed. They “can only dream” of selling legally. San asks for their help in making this dream a reality. San wants a commitment that all the peddlers will pay national taxes if they can trade freely; the representatives agree to this.
Princess learns from an insinuating fellow of her acquaintance (apparently a representative of the merchant clans) that there is a rumor in the marketplace that San will interfere there. Princess dismisses San’s ability to change anything in how the economy is run. He gives her a “token” of their respect.
Lady Hye learns from her court lady, who had been spying on Princess, about the visit.
Later, Princess distributes the bribe to the Noron ministers and threatens them with the Queen’s displeasure if they don’t start pulling their weight.
At Dowahseo, Song is kicked out of class by Mr. Tak for being late (she got the wrong info “somehow”). She leaves as he kvetches, but from a concealed place she listens to the lesson. Later, she is painting the citrons when Mr. Lee comes in, with a black eye. His wife beat him because he isn’t bringing in the bucks; it’s become too difficult to sell his erotic paintings. He advises Song never to marry and live in peace. When she asks for painting criticism, he disavows any talent and says he’ll have to sleep at Dowahseo until his wife calms down.
At the market, Uncle and the reps collect signatures from the peddlers. Hong presents this to San. Now all they need to do is prove collusion between the Norons and the merchant clans. They need records of illegal deals, and must think of a way to get them.
San receives a visit from his younger half brothers, who look like they’re maybe 12 and 10 years old. He promises them that now he can “do something for them.”
Lady Hye summons Insp. Hong and tells him about Princess’s money-raising activities with the merchant clans. She gives Hong the name of the merchant representative who visited Princess earlier. Hong goes to Uncle with a secret plan. Uncle declares himself ready to die, but Hong assures him he won’t.
Later, the merchant clans’ little army attacks the market of the illegal peddlers, destroying their property and beating them. They “arrest” them. Then the police arrive. The legal merchants are “happy to see them,” so they can arrest the illegal merchants. Insp. Hong, who heads the police raid, says they will also arrest the legal merchants for wreaking havoc, and they do so.
Then Hong raids the house of the head of the merchant clans. This man calls for Jeong’s help. Princess receives word of the raid from her pet police officer. Then she learns that Sir Choi and Jeong were summoned to an emergency meeting with San.
Lady Hye learns from her father that San plans to open up trade to other merchants. Lady Hye says that’s what he must do then; her father is worried about the controversy. At San’s meeting, Sir Choi and the other Norons say the legal merchants pay high taxes for trading privileges, and they’ll rebel. San wants to know why they can’t just reduce the taxes, and spread them out over an increased number of legalized merchants. They might even get more money out of this system. Also, the peddlers will increase competition and prices will go down. Everyone wins. Then he accuses the Norons of artificially propping up the merchant clans. Sir Choi is deeply insulted.
Jeong points out that if peddling is legalized, then all the farmers will come to town to peddle and agriculture will collapse. San believes this is nonsense, as everything will be closely monitored. [Actually, Jeong’s argument makes sense and he should have said so earlier.] Then Insp. Hong comes in with a ledger from the house he raided, showing that the clans fixed prices between them. San asks if the ministers know how they could have accomplished this without help from the court. San says he’ll throw anyone involved out of court service.
The queen advises Yeong-jo that San is causing chaos and should be removed from power. He’s “not ready.” Y-J tells her San’s duty includes correcting chaos, so they should sit back and wait. At a secret Noron meeting, the Queen rags on the incompetency of her cohorts. She believes San will ruin the economy. Jeong tells her she shouldn’t worry too much; San has now provided the opportunity to show how incompetent he is. San won’t know what hit him, says Jeong, he’s flying high now and due for a fall. Leave it to me; San will slit his own throat.
Outside, the queen asks Choi if she should trust Jeong. Choi says Jeong knows it’s his last chance, he’ll do it. Trust him once again. Princess asks Jeong about his plan; he assures her he has one. She tells him to get the head of the merchant clans out of jail.
Meanwhile, the decree is posted and the peddlers celebrate their legal status. They pay their tax and take their licenses. However, the formerly legitimate markets are “ruined.” Their proprietors have been arrested. Sir Choi asks Jeong if he really has a plan, and that worthy merely smiles. Jeong visits a meeting of the merchant clans leaders, who are greatly upset. He sneers at their anger and tells them if they do what he says for ten days, San’s plan will fail.
At the peddler market, Uncle gets a loan to restock from the tavern owner. His friend runs up with news that the merchant clans are threatening to burn all their merchandise in a bonfire. San hears about it too. The merchants refuse to sell anything until San’s decree is lifted.
This enables the ministers to complain to Yeong-jo that San is destroying the economy. They want San removed; they have petitions! Y-J tells them to get out and leave him alone; San is in charge. They yammer on. When Sir Choi sees Jeong, the latter tells him he’s done something futile and should have placed his faith in Jeong. In a few days, San himself will beg the Norons for help. Yeong-jo sits in his office, clearly disturbed.
The burning merchants are arrested. Sir Chae wants San to slow down reform and back off, but San likens the abuses of the market to a pus-filled wound. Eugh. When it is burst, there’s a lot of pain, but then one can heal.
However, after four days of closed shops, salt and grain prices have skyrocketed. Hong assures San that this will correct itself as the peddlers increase their market share. When Uncle goes down to the dock to buy supplies, it seems the supply ship is late. Jeong sees Hong rushing to tell San that all waterways to the capital have been blocked, and only 10 ships can get in with supplies. Also, all other delivery systems have been blockaded.
San rides to the busiest peddler market; they’ve got nothing going on. Looks like no goods; certainly no customers. Jeong spies on San’s disquietude.
All the damos are happy for Song, even Cho-bi. San leaves without saying anything. He just wanted to see how she did.
The other painters are upset and complain to Kang, who explains that the three judges who actually looked at the painting gave Song top marks. Painter Tak demands an explanation from the judges. Song is called out of a flutter of delighted damos to go to the Dowahseo office for Tak’s hissy fit.
Tak and all of Dowahseo say they won’t accept the judgment because she didn’t use color. When Song comes in, the judge says before he answers their questions, Song should explain why she didn’t use color. She tells them about the fouled up colors. Kang yells that she is lying and is told to shut up. Head painter Park says, isn’t it unusual to use only black for a color painting. Another judge comes in and says he’ll explain for her.
He says the painting depicts all the seasons, because none of them can stand alone. Right, Song? She says he flatters her. The other judge says, black represents all the other colors. Turns out Song skillfully conveyed all the colors of autumn with her black and white painting, and these judges wanted to give her first place. One judge was doubtful about a girl competing, but she won him over. The other artists withdraw, defeated.
Jeong and Princess find out what happened and decide Song will be a good bait to get San later; Jeong cautions Princess not to act hastily, and she says she’ll be careful.
Dae-su runs to Dowahseo, where Cho-bi tells him the good news (while casually insulting Song). Cho-bi is a little upset that Dae-su is so happy over the whole thing; she starts to say something to him, but he’s run off. Cho-bi is teased by Song’s friend.
Officer Park tells Song to continue painting the screen, and that the other artists will be watching to see if she slips up. (No pressure, though.) She should be resolute and soldier on, and she promises to do so. Later, she is congratulated by Dae-su and learns San saw the announcement. She promises herself she’ll do well for San’s sake.
San tells his advisors he wants to personally meet with the unlicensed vendors. Sir Chae thinks they are disorganized, but Hong tells him they actually are very organized and have representatives. San has to meet them without the Norons finding out.
Sir Choi, Jeong and Justice Minister Hong meet and discuss what’s up. San doesn’t seem to be up to anything, but they have to be vigilant. Choi demands to know why the blustering Hong cannot control his relative, Inspector Hong. Jeong says he will take care of it personally.
Hong tells Dae-su and the other two guards to prepare for San leaving the palace secretly. Later, in the market, Dae-su follows a suspicious character. The three guards meet and Dae-su makes his report. Elsewhere, San and Hong walk through the marketplace, with the spy behind. The guards tell San they’ll take care of the spy. As they pass, Dae-su jumps out and picks a fight with the spy, pretending to be a buffoon but successfully holding him back.
San meets with the peddlers’ representatives. They are a little frightened, but talks proceed. They “can only dream” of selling legally. San asks for their help in making this dream a reality. San wants a commitment that all the peddlers will pay national taxes if they can trade freely; the representatives agree to this.
Princess learns from an insinuating fellow of her acquaintance (apparently a representative of the merchant clans) that there is a rumor in the marketplace that San will interfere there. Princess dismisses San’s ability to change anything in how the economy is run. He gives her a “token” of their respect.
Lady Hye learns from her court lady, who had been spying on Princess, about the visit.
Later, Princess distributes the bribe to the Noron ministers and threatens them with the Queen’s displeasure if they don’t start pulling their weight.
At Dowahseo, Song is kicked out of class by Mr. Tak for being late (she got the wrong info “somehow”). She leaves as he kvetches, but from a concealed place she listens to the lesson. Later, she is painting the citrons when Mr. Lee comes in, with a black eye. His wife beat him because he isn’t bringing in the bucks; it’s become too difficult to sell his erotic paintings. He advises Song never to marry and live in peace. When she asks for painting criticism, he disavows any talent and says he’ll have to sleep at Dowahseo until his wife calms down.
At the market, Uncle and the reps collect signatures from the peddlers. Hong presents this to San. Now all they need to do is prove collusion between the Norons and the merchant clans. They need records of illegal deals, and must think of a way to get them.
San receives a visit from his younger half brothers, who look like they’re maybe 12 and 10 years old. He promises them that now he can “do something for them.”
Lady Hye summons Insp. Hong and tells him about Princess’s money-raising activities with the merchant clans. She gives Hong the name of the merchant representative who visited Princess earlier. Hong goes to Uncle with a secret plan. Uncle declares himself ready to die, but Hong assures him he won’t.
Later, the merchant clans’ little army attacks the market of the illegal peddlers, destroying their property and beating them. They “arrest” them. Then the police arrive. The legal merchants are “happy to see them,” so they can arrest the illegal merchants. Insp. Hong, who heads the police raid, says they will also arrest the legal merchants for wreaking havoc, and they do so.
Then Hong raids the house of the head of the merchant clans. This man calls for Jeong’s help. Princess receives word of the raid from her pet police officer. Then she learns that Sir Choi and Jeong were summoned to an emergency meeting with San.
Lady Hye learns from her father that San plans to open up trade to other merchants. Lady Hye says that’s what he must do then; her father is worried about the controversy. At San’s meeting, Sir Choi and the other Norons say the legal merchants pay high taxes for trading privileges, and they’ll rebel. San wants to know why they can’t just reduce the taxes, and spread them out over an increased number of legalized merchants. They might even get more money out of this system. Also, the peddlers will increase competition and prices will go down. Everyone wins. Then he accuses the Norons of artificially propping up the merchant clans. Sir Choi is deeply insulted.
Jeong points out that if peddling is legalized, then all the farmers will come to town to peddle and agriculture will collapse. San believes this is nonsense, as everything will be closely monitored. [Actually, Jeong’s argument makes sense and he should have said so earlier.] Then Insp. Hong comes in with a ledger from the house he raided, showing that the clans fixed prices between them. San asks if the ministers know how they could have accomplished this without help from the court. San says he’ll throw anyone involved out of court service.
The queen advises Yeong-jo that San is causing chaos and should be removed from power. He’s “not ready.” Y-J tells her San’s duty includes correcting chaos, so they should sit back and wait. At a secret Noron meeting, the Queen rags on the incompetency of her cohorts. She believes San will ruin the economy. Jeong tells her she shouldn’t worry too much; San has now provided the opportunity to show how incompetent he is. San won’t know what hit him, says Jeong, he’s flying high now and due for a fall. Leave it to me; San will slit his own throat.
Outside, the queen asks Choi if she should trust Jeong. Choi says Jeong knows it’s his last chance, he’ll do it. Trust him once again. Princess asks Jeong about his plan; he assures her he has one. She tells him to get the head of the merchant clans out of jail.
Meanwhile, the decree is posted and the peddlers celebrate their legal status. They pay their tax and take their licenses. However, the formerly legitimate markets are “ruined.” Their proprietors have been arrested. Sir Choi asks Jeong if he really has a plan, and that worthy merely smiles. Jeong visits a meeting of the merchant clans leaders, who are greatly upset. He sneers at their anger and tells them if they do what he says for ten days, San’s plan will fail.
At the peddler market, Uncle gets a loan to restock from the tavern owner. His friend runs up with news that the merchant clans are threatening to burn all their merchandise in a bonfire. San hears about it too. The merchants refuse to sell anything until San’s decree is lifted.
This enables the ministers to complain to Yeong-jo that San is destroying the economy. They want San removed; they have petitions! Y-J tells them to get out and leave him alone; San is in charge. They yammer on. When Sir Choi sees Jeong, the latter tells him he’s done something futile and should have placed his faith in Jeong. In a few days, San himself will beg the Norons for help. Yeong-jo sits in his office, clearly disturbed.
The burning merchants are arrested. Sir Chae wants San to slow down reform and back off, but San likens the abuses of the market to a pus-filled wound. Eugh. When it is burst, there’s a lot of pain, but then one can heal.
However, after four days of closed shops, salt and grain prices have skyrocketed. Hong assures San that this will correct itself as the peddlers increase their market share. When Uncle goes down to the dock to buy supplies, it seems the supply ship is late. Jeong sees Hong rushing to tell San that all waterways to the capital have been blocked, and only 10 ships can get in with supplies. Also, all other delivery systems have been blockaded.
San rides to the busiest peddler market; they’ve got nothing going on. Looks like no goods; certainly no customers. Jeong spies on San’s disquietude.