Post by ajk on Dec 14, 2012 22:48:32 GMT -5
From what we've seen so far, you fully expect Bidam to just cut the little twerp into pieces. His cherished book, torn up and folded into paper cubes, page by page. And then Chunchu pushes it by asking, "Who are you, stinky?" So Bidam throws him onto a nearby mattress and starts pounding on him with his scabbard. Yeom Jong comes in and tries to stop him but one good scabbard-shot sends him staggering. Chunchu begs forgiveness, over and over again...
..and now he's undoing the damage he did, unfolding pages one at a time. Bidam asks Yeom Jong who the twerp is--actually he asks, "Who's the nut?" Yeom Jong answers that he's a noble. Chunchu turns from his work and looks at Bidam...and the two actually smile at each other! The same kind of goofy smile they exchanged back at the casino. But then Bidam casually says, "Smooth out every one." Back to work, twerp.
Bidam and Yeom Jong step outside into the night, and Yeom Jong tells Bidam that the twerp is Cheonmyeong's son. "That wimpy whiner's a royal?" And then Bidam quickly concludes that Chunchu was the one who wanted Munno dead to get the book. No, Yeom Jong says; "I just let him look at it." He says he didn't agree with Munno's decision to give the book to Yushin; felt it should go to Chunchu instead. So he was the one who had him killed, just for that? Has to be more to this story....
Anyway, the two go back inside and find Chunchu sleeping, the work half-done. Bidam pokes at him with his sword--back to work, twerp. Looks like he's unfolded fifty or sixty pages so far...and he's actually put them back in order, as he tells a surprised Bidam. "You memorized the order?" Apparently so; the pages aren't numbered (Seriously?) but they're as they were before they were separated. So the twerp is no idiot, how about that.
Now Bidam and Yeom Jong are outside, in the nearby woods. Bidam has the chest, so apparently the book is intact again, and it looks like he's about to leave. But he puts his sword to Yeom Jong's throat; he did come there to dish out some justice, remember. Yeom Jong tells him, "We're in this together" because it wasn't just a little dart that killed Munno, it was Munno being distracted by having to fight his disciple. "We both killed Munno, see?" It's an absurd claim, but he's being so obnoxious and insistent about it that it's got Bidam rattled. He knocks Yeom Jong down and starts kicking him like crazy, furious and screaming. But the sword is still in his hand, unused. Yeom Jong insists, "There are things you don't know. That book is mine as much as Munno's! Who do you think paid for his nomadic lifestyle for twenty years? Whose cash was that?" Heyyyy....now THERE'S a new wrinkle. "He went to China, Goguryeo, Baekje--whose men went with him? Who paid for those trips, huh? You tell me it's Munno's book? It's MINE! And he wants to give it to some Yushin nobody's ever heard of?" And then he tells Bidam he runs a spy network. He dies and the network crumbles; "I live and the spies help YOU." Help what? Help put Chunchu on the throne! "He's the one, no doubt. Even Mishil's considering him." Uh-oh, he was making a good argument but now there's that look in Munno's eye. He raises the sword and slashes! Yeom Jong recoils; not a fatal blow but it's but a nasty cut across his face, below his left eye, enough to leave a very visible scar. "Every time that scar hurts," Bidam says angrily, "every time you look in the mirror, remember: Betray me, you die. Run away, you die. And that wimp will NEVER sit on the throne." Yeom Jong is left crying and whining on the ground as Bidam picks up the chest and walks away, thinking, "Mishil consider HIM? That little twerp? What's my mother up to now, I wonder."
Seorabeol: Something's going on; some of the capital Hwarang are gathered. Yushin's reading aloud from a scroll. Promotions! Jukbang and Seolji are named DF sergeants. Jukbang? Really? Yanggil, of Alcheon's Rising Phoenix Guards, is named lieutenant (we've seen him before with Alcheon, so this one is probably overdue). Wolya is named a trainee instructor, reporting to Alcheon. Then Yushin announces that the Hwarang will be assuming the role of guarding the palace and the royals. "We expect your best," he tells them. Wolya is going to train them for this.
Seokpum is complaining to Chilsuk...or maybe just reporting to him, about Wolya. His father commanded Manno Fortress, Seokpum says, and maybe Kim Seohyeon knew Wolya from there when he was governing that county. Still, Chilsuk wonders if there's more here than is on the surface (smart guy), so he tells Seokpum and the annoying Hwarang, who's also there, to keep watch over the training activities.
Deokman is questioning Yongchun about domestic affairs. Specifically, why Shilla is still short on food even after King Jinheung expanded its territory. Much of the newer land isn't good farmland, Yongchun tells her. "And earth that is rich in one season produces half as much the next."
Now Deokman, with Yushin and Alcheon, are at a local ironworks, looking over the busy production...Flashback to a previously unseen conversation between Deokman and Wolchun the monk. "Ultimately," he explains to her, "everything depends on the quality of a nation's iron production." And Jinheung oversaw significant improvement in the quality of Shilla's iron weaponry. She asks about iron weapons compared to iron tools, and he replies that the iron in Shilla's swords is much stronger. Iron tools, he says, "can barely till the soil."...Okay, we can all see what's coming, can't we. Deokman is standing there thinking, putting two and two together. "We can't afford to use this iron for tools, can we?", she asks Yushin, who immediately tells her no. Alcheon scoffs at him! "At least think about it before you answer." But Alcheon has no answer of his own. It does draw a better answer from Yushin, though; "We must find a way to increase tool production without affecting the armory." Unspoken: Do that, and maybe that un-tillable land can start to produce food.
Jukbang and Godo and Daepoong and Geoksaheun are playing hooky. There's supposed to be a training session at noon, but Jukbang is leading the other three astray--he's so giddy about his promotion that he wants to go and party to celebrate it. Besides, he says, Wolya got his own promotion so he'll cut everybody some slack. "Drink until it comes out of your noses!", he tells them. They happily run through the main street...but then they come upon some sort of commotion at the market. One of the main sellers of grain is upsetting the local people because his grain is priced so high. "We're in the middle of a famine," he says; I can't help it. All of those hungry citizens, it takes the smiles off the DFers' faces. And then in the next moment, the seller is dead! One of the angry citizens has killed him with a hatchet!
Yushin is giving Chunchu another lesson in swordsmanship--still with the wooden practice-stick, and again it's not going well. Then Jukbang and Godo run in and tell Yushin there's been a murder in the market. At the sight of the approaching Jukbang, Chunchu turns to hide his face, and then runs away. (Why?) Yushin follows them back to the market.
Now Chunchu has come running to find Daenambo. Because of Jukbang? No, not any more, at least--he's afraid Bidam will find him. And we do get a glimpse of Bidam, back in his Hwarang uniform. "He's a scary guy," Chunchu tells Daenambo.
Yushin has reached the marketplace. Bojong and Seokpum happen to be there too. The killer is still there, screaming and ranting, and he has a hostage--the dead man's young daughter. Not good. Bojong tells Yushin the situation. Then Bojong and Seokpum distract the man, Yushin steps to the side, grabs a pole that's hanging nearby and swings it at him, and he goes down. Daepoong and Geoksaheun rush forward to grab the hatchet and tie the man up. Well done by everyone--quiet, efficient, exactly what you want.
Now we're in a courtyard somewhere and the man is being tried--a VERY speedy trial. Seohyeon is presiding and apparently will decide his fate. Jukbang explains what he saw. The man admits to what Jukbang described. "I lost control," he says with admirable honesty. But then adds, "he deserved it" because his prices got too high to buy food. "The fields are barren. My children are starving. Kill me," he adds. "By sword or starvation, I'm dead anyway. Kill me." Everyone listening to this is visibly affected.
Bidam has gone to see Deokman. Is that his book? The two of them and Alcheon are looking over volumes of something, but it's not clear whether or not they're from the geographical survey. Yushin comes in and tells Deokman, "Something's not right with the price of grain." Hmmm...so maybe this isn't just a famine issue. "In ten days the price of a sack of beans has gone from 3 to 15 ounces of iron." Yeah, that's not just a famine issue--something else must be going on. But manipulating an entire market for a base commodity like beans? Wow. Bidam volunteers to check out the merchant's guild, and Alcheon says he'll watch over the marketplace for a while. Deokman wants to go to the marketplace too.
And she does--in plainclothes. And with Sohwa, who's going to do some buying. Or at least try. She asks a seller for some barley. "All out," he says abruptly. Umm...what's that big pile of barley right over there in the back? "That's sold," he says. Now that's odd; we saw the same thing before, in the murdered seller's stall--a big stack of grains that he wouldn't sell because he said they were already reserved. They try another stall. Same thing! A big stack of grain in the back, and all of it sold. Deokman nods to Sohwa, who actually offers the seller three ounces of gold for some. That stuns him for a moment...but still he won't budge. He won't sell even a bit of it. Okay, that clinches it--something more coercive is going on here than simply a shortage. As the grain is hauled away, Deokman looks at the man and asks who the buyer is. "What's it to you?", he answers dismissively.
Yeom Jong is back at his desk, sleeping with the cloth over his face again. He should know better. Bidam comes in and lifts the cloth away with his dagger. Yeom Jong opens his eyes and jumps right out of his chair in fright. Bidam says he's come to ask a question. "About price gouging and grain." Very good question--smart guy--and a good person to ask. "Who's doing the gouging? You?"
Yushin and some DFers have gone and checked out a different market. Same thing, they tell Deokman. "They have grain but won't sell." Said it was sold. "We've got to find the buyer." Somebody needs to follow the deliveries. Nobody offers to do it--might be dangerous, considering whoever is doing this must have a lot of power. But Jukbang happens to notice Sohwa looking in his direction, and immediately shoots his hand into the air and volunteers. Deokman is puzzled by this bravery from Jukbang of all people...but then realizes what's going on, and smiles. And accepts his offer.
So he and Godo discreetly tail one of the wagons being delivered. Goes right to Seolwon's house. Not really in secret, either--plain as day. Then Daepoong and Geoksaheun come running up--I guess they were following another delivery--and said that it went to Sooboom's. Who? Some noble; we don't know him. They go off to follow some more deliveries. Just as they leave, Bojong steps out from the house, and looks over the delivery. Lots of sacks, but he expected more. "Buy out as much as you can," he tells the deliverymen. "You'll be well taken care of." And now Seolwon steps out, as the sacks are taken inside.
Boryang is picking out some earrings from among a selection that a merchant has brought her to see. Wait, that's not just a merchant--it's Yeom Jong! Chunchu is helping her pick out a pair that he thinks looks good on her. The merchant has brought some cloth samples, too, and Chunchu expertly picks one out, almost like he's her stylist. And then he spots a piece of porcelain that the seller says is from the Chinese royal house--but Chunchu tells him it's not authentic, and then explains all about grades of porcelain. This totally impresses Boryang and she smiles at him. (Yeah, but if you want children someday then he may not be the one, kiddo!) They're on a porch outside of Seolwon's house, overlooking the local market. Chunchu points out a man who Boryang identifies as the governor of Hansan. His name is Im Yongji; she says "He helped defend Gajam Fortress against the Baekje." And as a reward, he was appointed to the Office of Military Affairs. She's a little disappointed because she had told him his name but he didn't remember it. "True," he answers; "I'm terrible with names and faces." Seolwon and Bojong are passing by, in the marketplace, and are glad to see Chunchu and Boryang smiling together...
...but Seolwon got a bad vibe about Yeom Jong. Back home, he asks Bojong about him. A merchant, also involved in "the gambling house that Misaeng goes to. Been here a few times." Seolwon isn't too pleased to hear that; "Only people we can trust should be allowed in the house." Bojong thinks he's okay, though. But as for Chunchu and Boryang, better news. "Misaeng will mention marriage to them soon," Bojong says.
Nighttime: Grain is being delivered to Hajong's house. Apparently he's not in on any of the funny business, because he's ranting about the high price he's being changed. "Not that I care about price," he says haughtily...and then gives the head man a bag of money. "Keep buying up everything in the market." So he IS in on it. But guess what--Jukbang and Godo are watching.
Jukbang goes back to report to Deokman and Yushin. Sohwa is there too, so he makes a big show out of telling them what he's observed. The nobles are hoarding, they conclude. "And price-gouging," Yushin adds (incorrectly--they're not selling the stuff, at least not yet). And adds, "They're exploiting the common people for profit." (Again wrong--unless the sellers are in cahoots with them, then the sellers are the ones profiting, at least for the moment.) But all the same, something very odd is going on.
Now Deokman is talking to her father about this. There were shortages during Jinheung's reign, she says, but the prices didn't go this high. Her father tells her that back then there were fresh new lands and more opportunities for farmers. So production was better. Still, why are the nobles speculating now? It's not illegal, Jinheung says...and besides, during times of hardship the royal house and the nobles have given grains out of their warehouses to the people. And he adds, "Of all the noble families, none has been more generous to the poor...than Mishil." She asks, "If that's true, then why would she pay such exorbitant prices?" (You sure hope there isn't any plan to poison the royal storehouse grain.)
Chunchu has arrived at his study room. Yushin walks in just as Chunchu sits down. And he's brought news: Deokman has appointed a new tutor for him. Chunchu is fine with that: "You're too candid and stiff for me anyway." So who's the replacement? You don't think...oh, please let it be...YES! In steps Bidam. Chunchu turns and looks, and his eyes just about bug out. "My name is Bidam," he says humbly, betraying no hint to Yushin about his encounters with the twerp. "I'm your new tutor." Yushin introduces him as "leader of the Unknown Guard." Now Chunchu is sucking up to Yushin big-time, trying to get him to stay. Nope, Yushin leaves, and Bidam smiles just a little bit, just enough. And starts dictating ground rules for Chunchu's behavior. Chunchu doesn't like being spoken to this way by a Hwarang, but Bidam tells him, "I even talk to the princess like this." So there. Then they start talking about the grain situation, of all things....
"Pardon my saying so, but you're a rude little thing." Deokman has gone to Mishil and asked about the grain situation. Deokman takes that insult in stride and even laughs, agreeing with her. "Yes, can't argue with that. Sometimes, anyway." Mishil asks, What made you come and ask me of all people?. Deokman tells her it's only because she knows the capital so well. Deokman still can't figure out what's happening. Merchants, she says, know when a famine is coming and they hoard grains to make profit. Nobles distribute food during famines. "There's no profit in speculation for them." So why hoard grains at the expense of the common people?
"For profit, of course." Chunchu acts like he understands. Bidam disagrees, because the nobles wouldn't even make their investment back if they buy the stuff at high prices and then give it away. But then Chunchu, stunningly, nails it: "It comes down to how you measure profit." As in, there are other gains besides immediate monetary gains....
"And what should the suffering masses do then, you think?" Mishil, amazingly, seems to be leading Deokman straight to the answer. "What will the landowners do, and what will the tenant farmers do?" It just isn't clicking, and Mishil seems to be enjoying the silence of Deokman puzzling over her question. But really, she's being awfully nice to her.
Deokman runs back home, finding Yushin waiting for her. She dives into some of the books on her table, and finds a historical reference she was looking for. (We see their contents now; they don't appear to be the geographical survey. Early in King Jinji's reign, it says, and three times so far during Jinpyeong's reign, there were famines. And "With each famine the nobles increased their land and indentured servants." And independent, self-sufficient farms decreased. "When people can't repay their loans," Yushin realizes, "they lose their lands." And this price-gouging...turns self-sufficient farmers into tenant farmers, which are little more than slaves. So this is a pattern of concentration of power by the nobles, Yushin says. "Thereby decreasing the taxes paid to the royal house." Deokman adds, finally getting it: "And the next spring, nobles give food to the poor to curry the people's favor." Yushin asks how she realized all this, and is surprised to hear that Mishil actually gave her the answer.
Mishil has told Sejong and Hajong and Misaeng about her conversation with Deokman. They're concerned that it's tipped her off to the whole thing...but Mishil is thoroughly enjoying it all. "Suppose it does," she says with a big smile. "What can she do about it?"
"There's nothing we can do about it." Yushin thinks so, anyway. "We can't stop them spending their own money. We could pass a usury law, but the Council wouldn't pass it." No, Deokman says, they wouldn't..."So we'll fight them on their own ground." She has an idea. Reminding him that she grew up at a trading post and saw expert traders from all over the world, she says, "It's time I made a few deals of my own."
Deokman goes to her father, who like Yushin sees this as unstoppable and almost a periodic tradition among the nobles, and asks for the fiscal authority to use the royal treasury. "I believe I have short- and long-term solutions." Kim Seohyeon and Yongchun are there too...
...and they take her aside and warn her about the opposition she'll face. But she's undeterred. And they tell her that a royal can't directly engage in trade; she'll need an agent. "I have just the man we need," she says with a smile. Yes she does.
"Making money?" Bidam pays Yeom Jong another surprise evening visit, again scaring the bejeezus out of him. Bidam has a job that needs doing, quietly. "Find me some men. Now."
Next day: In the capital market, Yeom Jong has brought an ecstatic seller a whopping 200 sacks of grain. And today's price is even higher than before. But the seller knows that the nobles will buy it all, so he's tickled pink. As Bidam watches from a distance, the deal is completed. Okay...where did all that grain come from? Is this the royal storehouse's grain?
Sejong and Hajong are talking with satisfaction about the chaos building in the grain markets...but now Seokpum and Dukchoong and Bakui arrive with a report about a large quantity of grain suddenly flooding the market. "Has the royal storehouse been opened?", they ask. No, Sejong says; that would require my permission. Whatever it is, Sejong is confident that it can't possibly dent the market significantly enough to matter, so he dismisses the Hwarang without even asking for more details. Oddly foolish of him; he's not a dumb guy. But now Hajong tells him he's heard about a supply increase himself, and not just today. In fact, one seller offered him additional grains just yesterday. "But we're still paying the going rate." As in, if the supply has jumped then maybe we're paying too much. Well now Seojong's taking it a little more seriously.
Bidam reports to Deokman that 1000 sacks of grain have flooded the market and another 1000 will be released soon. Okay, so yes this must be royal storehouse grain. That's the good news; the bad news is that the price still hasn't budged. Deokman isn't fazed. Profit isn't what's driving the nobles, she reminds them; "They want to shut down poor farmers." So they're not going to stop buying just yet..."Until it dawns on them that they've bought too much. For too much." She's smiling broadly, like she's sure it's only a matter of time before this is all over.
Mishil is meeting with the cabal...And in walks Yushin. Mishil sent for him. They want to know if Deokman is selling grain from the royal storehouse. As if it wasn't jarring enough to see Yushin standing there with that group, his answer to their question is even more jarring: "Yes, I understand she's selling from the storehouse. At the current price she's realized a nice profit." Doink! They're all stunned and outraged.
Now the elite Hwarang are hearing about it, and they're getting antsy to sell their own families' hoards before the price drops too far. Some of them are from wealthier families and can ride this out, but others--Seokpum and Bakui in particular speak up--have bought on margin and will be in huge trouble if the price drops any farther. So they run away in a panic to unload their supplies.
It's working. Yushin and Alcheon report that nobles are selling and prices are falling. Now, she says, it's time for Seohyeon to implement "the next phase." What's that? "It's time I took a hand," she says.
Well now look at this odd group: Mishil, Sejong, Seohyeon, Seolwon, Yongchun, and Hajong. Deokman comes in and sits at the head of the table. She says she's acting on the king's behalf, calling this meeting on the grain-market problem. She's immediately challenged about selling royal grain, and readily admits doing it to make a profit. "I'm disappointed," Mishil says. "A shabby little trick." Seolwon scolds her; Sejong scolds her. "I've found my own way to give relief to the poor," she answers with a sly smile.
Seokpum and Dukchoong and Bakui have brought their grains to be sold back into the market. But prices have dropped 40 percent in just the last week or so. OUCH. They're going to take a big hit.
"Business is business." Still smiling, Deokman explains that she's selling the royal grain at a high price and then will restock when the prices fall. "At a tidy profit." And increasing the supply will decrease the price, and stabilize the market. Mishil asks her what she'll do "if the buyers work together and don't sell?" Deokman smiles and says, "They won't survive." As in, they'll never last if they try it. "We'll sell everything if we have to." She's assuming that the royal storehouse has enough of a supply to outlast the ability of the nobles to keep buying at high prices--and it's probably a safe bet. And on top of that, well, "Seohyeon's started selling the military stores." Yikes, now that has to be a whole lot of grain. Mishil and her people are again outraged, but Deokman gets to the heart of the whole problem and challenges them: "Was it really famine that made the prices go up? Or a trick by the nobles to get honest men's farms? I'm not exploiting our people," she tells them, as Mishil smiles, impressed at Deokman's understanding of the situation. "I'm exploiting the nobles." (That's not a wise statement to be making, even if it's true.) Seolwon accuses her of endangering national security by selling the military supplies. "Suppose a war breaks out with Baekje?" But now Deokman fesses up: "In truth, I might or might not sell those. Announcing I might will probably be enough." It was fear and rumor that helped raised the prices; this will be countering that with more rumor and fear. Mishil asks, And what if the nobles won't sell? Again, the sly smile, and Deokman asks, "Do they take the risk?" And then, looking at all of them, asks, "Wouldn't that come at too high a price for all of you?"
..and now he's undoing the damage he did, unfolding pages one at a time. Bidam asks Yeom Jong who the twerp is--actually he asks, "Who's the nut?" Yeom Jong answers that he's a noble. Chunchu turns from his work and looks at Bidam...and the two actually smile at each other! The same kind of goofy smile they exchanged back at the casino. But then Bidam casually says, "Smooth out every one." Back to work, twerp.
Bidam and Yeom Jong step outside into the night, and Yeom Jong tells Bidam that the twerp is Cheonmyeong's son. "That wimpy whiner's a royal?" And then Bidam quickly concludes that Chunchu was the one who wanted Munno dead to get the book. No, Yeom Jong says; "I just let him look at it." He says he didn't agree with Munno's decision to give the book to Yushin; felt it should go to Chunchu instead. So he was the one who had him killed, just for that? Has to be more to this story....
Anyway, the two go back inside and find Chunchu sleeping, the work half-done. Bidam pokes at him with his sword--back to work, twerp. Looks like he's unfolded fifty or sixty pages so far...and he's actually put them back in order, as he tells a surprised Bidam. "You memorized the order?" Apparently so; the pages aren't numbered (Seriously?) but they're as they were before they were separated. So the twerp is no idiot, how about that.
Now Bidam and Yeom Jong are outside, in the nearby woods. Bidam has the chest, so apparently the book is intact again, and it looks like he's about to leave. But he puts his sword to Yeom Jong's throat; he did come there to dish out some justice, remember. Yeom Jong tells him, "We're in this together" because it wasn't just a little dart that killed Munno, it was Munno being distracted by having to fight his disciple. "We both killed Munno, see?" It's an absurd claim, but he's being so obnoxious and insistent about it that it's got Bidam rattled. He knocks Yeom Jong down and starts kicking him like crazy, furious and screaming. But the sword is still in his hand, unused. Yeom Jong insists, "There are things you don't know. That book is mine as much as Munno's! Who do you think paid for his nomadic lifestyle for twenty years? Whose cash was that?" Heyyyy....now THERE'S a new wrinkle. "He went to China, Goguryeo, Baekje--whose men went with him? Who paid for those trips, huh? You tell me it's Munno's book? It's MINE! And he wants to give it to some Yushin nobody's ever heard of?" And then he tells Bidam he runs a spy network. He dies and the network crumbles; "I live and the spies help YOU." Help what? Help put Chunchu on the throne! "He's the one, no doubt. Even Mishil's considering him." Uh-oh, he was making a good argument but now there's that look in Munno's eye. He raises the sword and slashes! Yeom Jong recoils; not a fatal blow but it's but a nasty cut across his face, below his left eye, enough to leave a very visible scar. "Every time that scar hurts," Bidam says angrily, "every time you look in the mirror, remember: Betray me, you die. Run away, you die. And that wimp will NEVER sit on the throne." Yeom Jong is left crying and whining on the ground as Bidam picks up the chest and walks away, thinking, "Mishil consider HIM? That little twerp? What's my mother up to now, I wonder."
Seorabeol: Something's going on; some of the capital Hwarang are gathered. Yushin's reading aloud from a scroll. Promotions! Jukbang and Seolji are named DF sergeants. Jukbang? Really? Yanggil, of Alcheon's Rising Phoenix Guards, is named lieutenant (we've seen him before with Alcheon, so this one is probably overdue). Wolya is named a trainee instructor, reporting to Alcheon. Then Yushin announces that the Hwarang will be assuming the role of guarding the palace and the royals. "We expect your best," he tells them. Wolya is going to train them for this.
Seokpum is complaining to Chilsuk...or maybe just reporting to him, about Wolya. His father commanded Manno Fortress, Seokpum says, and maybe Kim Seohyeon knew Wolya from there when he was governing that county. Still, Chilsuk wonders if there's more here than is on the surface (smart guy), so he tells Seokpum and the annoying Hwarang, who's also there, to keep watch over the training activities.
Deokman is questioning Yongchun about domestic affairs. Specifically, why Shilla is still short on food even after King Jinheung expanded its territory. Much of the newer land isn't good farmland, Yongchun tells her. "And earth that is rich in one season produces half as much the next."
Now Deokman, with Yushin and Alcheon, are at a local ironworks, looking over the busy production...Flashback to a previously unseen conversation between Deokman and Wolchun the monk. "Ultimately," he explains to her, "everything depends on the quality of a nation's iron production." And Jinheung oversaw significant improvement in the quality of Shilla's iron weaponry. She asks about iron weapons compared to iron tools, and he replies that the iron in Shilla's swords is much stronger. Iron tools, he says, "can barely till the soil."...Okay, we can all see what's coming, can't we. Deokman is standing there thinking, putting two and two together. "We can't afford to use this iron for tools, can we?", she asks Yushin, who immediately tells her no. Alcheon scoffs at him! "At least think about it before you answer." But Alcheon has no answer of his own. It does draw a better answer from Yushin, though; "We must find a way to increase tool production without affecting the armory." Unspoken: Do that, and maybe that un-tillable land can start to produce food.
Jukbang and Godo and Daepoong and Geoksaheun are playing hooky. There's supposed to be a training session at noon, but Jukbang is leading the other three astray--he's so giddy about his promotion that he wants to go and party to celebrate it. Besides, he says, Wolya got his own promotion so he'll cut everybody some slack. "Drink until it comes out of your noses!", he tells them. They happily run through the main street...but then they come upon some sort of commotion at the market. One of the main sellers of grain is upsetting the local people because his grain is priced so high. "We're in the middle of a famine," he says; I can't help it. All of those hungry citizens, it takes the smiles off the DFers' faces. And then in the next moment, the seller is dead! One of the angry citizens has killed him with a hatchet!
Yushin is giving Chunchu another lesson in swordsmanship--still with the wooden practice-stick, and again it's not going well. Then Jukbang and Godo run in and tell Yushin there's been a murder in the market. At the sight of the approaching Jukbang, Chunchu turns to hide his face, and then runs away. (Why?) Yushin follows them back to the market.
Now Chunchu has come running to find Daenambo. Because of Jukbang? No, not any more, at least--he's afraid Bidam will find him. And we do get a glimpse of Bidam, back in his Hwarang uniform. "He's a scary guy," Chunchu tells Daenambo.
Yushin has reached the marketplace. Bojong and Seokpum happen to be there too. The killer is still there, screaming and ranting, and he has a hostage--the dead man's young daughter. Not good. Bojong tells Yushin the situation. Then Bojong and Seokpum distract the man, Yushin steps to the side, grabs a pole that's hanging nearby and swings it at him, and he goes down. Daepoong and Geoksaheun rush forward to grab the hatchet and tie the man up. Well done by everyone--quiet, efficient, exactly what you want.
Now we're in a courtyard somewhere and the man is being tried--a VERY speedy trial. Seohyeon is presiding and apparently will decide his fate. Jukbang explains what he saw. The man admits to what Jukbang described. "I lost control," he says with admirable honesty. But then adds, "he deserved it" because his prices got too high to buy food. "The fields are barren. My children are starving. Kill me," he adds. "By sword or starvation, I'm dead anyway. Kill me." Everyone listening to this is visibly affected.
Bidam has gone to see Deokman. Is that his book? The two of them and Alcheon are looking over volumes of something, but it's not clear whether or not they're from the geographical survey. Yushin comes in and tells Deokman, "Something's not right with the price of grain." Hmmm...so maybe this isn't just a famine issue. "In ten days the price of a sack of beans has gone from 3 to 15 ounces of iron." Yeah, that's not just a famine issue--something else must be going on. But manipulating an entire market for a base commodity like beans? Wow. Bidam volunteers to check out the merchant's guild, and Alcheon says he'll watch over the marketplace for a while. Deokman wants to go to the marketplace too.
And she does--in plainclothes. And with Sohwa, who's going to do some buying. Or at least try. She asks a seller for some barley. "All out," he says abruptly. Umm...what's that big pile of barley right over there in the back? "That's sold," he says. Now that's odd; we saw the same thing before, in the murdered seller's stall--a big stack of grains that he wouldn't sell because he said they were already reserved. They try another stall. Same thing! A big stack of grain in the back, and all of it sold. Deokman nods to Sohwa, who actually offers the seller three ounces of gold for some. That stuns him for a moment...but still he won't budge. He won't sell even a bit of it. Okay, that clinches it--something more coercive is going on here than simply a shortage. As the grain is hauled away, Deokman looks at the man and asks who the buyer is. "What's it to you?", he answers dismissively.
Yeom Jong is back at his desk, sleeping with the cloth over his face again. He should know better. Bidam comes in and lifts the cloth away with his dagger. Yeom Jong opens his eyes and jumps right out of his chair in fright. Bidam says he's come to ask a question. "About price gouging and grain." Very good question--smart guy--and a good person to ask. "Who's doing the gouging? You?"
Yushin and some DFers have gone and checked out a different market. Same thing, they tell Deokman. "They have grain but won't sell." Said it was sold. "We've got to find the buyer." Somebody needs to follow the deliveries. Nobody offers to do it--might be dangerous, considering whoever is doing this must have a lot of power. But Jukbang happens to notice Sohwa looking in his direction, and immediately shoots his hand into the air and volunteers. Deokman is puzzled by this bravery from Jukbang of all people...but then realizes what's going on, and smiles. And accepts his offer.
So he and Godo discreetly tail one of the wagons being delivered. Goes right to Seolwon's house. Not really in secret, either--plain as day. Then Daepoong and Geoksaheun come running up--I guess they were following another delivery--and said that it went to Sooboom's. Who? Some noble; we don't know him. They go off to follow some more deliveries. Just as they leave, Bojong steps out from the house, and looks over the delivery. Lots of sacks, but he expected more. "Buy out as much as you can," he tells the deliverymen. "You'll be well taken care of." And now Seolwon steps out, as the sacks are taken inside.
Boryang is picking out some earrings from among a selection that a merchant has brought her to see. Wait, that's not just a merchant--it's Yeom Jong! Chunchu is helping her pick out a pair that he thinks looks good on her. The merchant has brought some cloth samples, too, and Chunchu expertly picks one out, almost like he's her stylist. And then he spots a piece of porcelain that the seller says is from the Chinese royal house--but Chunchu tells him it's not authentic, and then explains all about grades of porcelain. This totally impresses Boryang and she smiles at him. (Yeah, but if you want children someday then he may not be the one, kiddo!) They're on a porch outside of Seolwon's house, overlooking the local market. Chunchu points out a man who Boryang identifies as the governor of Hansan. His name is Im Yongji; she says "He helped defend Gajam Fortress against the Baekje." And as a reward, he was appointed to the Office of Military Affairs. She's a little disappointed because she had told him his name but he didn't remember it. "True," he answers; "I'm terrible with names and faces." Seolwon and Bojong are passing by, in the marketplace, and are glad to see Chunchu and Boryang smiling together...
...but Seolwon got a bad vibe about Yeom Jong. Back home, he asks Bojong about him. A merchant, also involved in "the gambling house that Misaeng goes to. Been here a few times." Seolwon isn't too pleased to hear that; "Only people we can trust should be allowed in the house." Bojong thinks he's okay, though. But as for Chunchu and Boryang, better news. "Misaeng will mention marriage to them soon," Bojong says.
Nighttime: Grain is being delivered to Hajong's house. Apparently he's not in on any of the funny business, because he's ranting about the high price he's being changed. "Not that I care about price," he says haughtily...and then gives the head man a bag of money. "Keep buying up everything in the market." So he IS in on it. But guess what--Jukbang and Godo are watching.
Jukbang goes back to report to Deokman and Yushin. Sohwa is there too, so he makes a big show out of telling them what he's observed. The nobles are hoarding, they conclude. "And price-gouging," Yushin adds (incorrectly--they're not selling the stuff, at least not yet). And adds, "They're exploiting the common people for profit." (Again wrong--unless the sellers are in cahoots with them, then the sellers are the ones profiting, at least for the moment.) But all the same, something very odd is going on.
Now Deokman is talking to her father about this. There were shortages during Jinheung's reign, she says, but the prices didn't go this high. Her father tells her that back then there were fresh new lands and more opportunities for farmers. So production was better. Still, why are the nobles speculating now? It's not illegal, Jinheung says...and besides, during times of hardship the royal house and the nobles have given grains out of their warehouses to the people. And he adds, "Of all the noble families, none has been more generous to the poor...than Mishil." She asks, "If that's true, then why would she pay such exorbitant prices?" (You sure hope there isn't any plan to poison the royal storehouse grain.)
Chunchu has arrived at his study room. Yushin walks in just as Chunchu sits down. And he's brought news: Deokman has appointed a new tutor for him. Chunchu is fine with that: "You're too candid and stiff for me anyway." So who's the replacement? You don't think...oh, please let it be...YES! In steps Bidam. Chunchu turns and looks, and his eyes just about bug out. "My name is Bidam," he says humbly, betraying no hint to Yushin about his encounters with the twerp. "I'm your new tutor." Yushin introduces him as "leader of the Unknown Guard." Now Chunchu is sucking up to Yushin big-time, trying to get him to stay. Nope, Yushin leaves, and Bidam smiles just a little bit, just enough. And starts dictating ground rules for Chunchu's behavior. Chunchu doesn't like being spoken to this way by a Hwarang, but Bidam tells him, "I even talk to the princess like this." So there. Then they start talking about the grain situation, of all things....
"Pardon my saying so, but you're a rude little thing." Deokman has gone to Mishil and asked about the grain situation. Deokman takes that insult in stride and even laughs, agreeing with her. "Yes, can't argue with that. Sometimes, anyway." Mishil asks, What made you come and ask me of all people?. Deokman tells her it's only because she knows the capital so well. Deokman still can't figure out what's happening. Merchants, she says, know when a famine is coming and they hoard grains to make profit. Nobles distribute food during famines. "There's no profit in speculation for them." So why hoard grains at the expense of the common people?
"For profit, of course." Chunchu acts like he understands. Bidam disagrees, because the nobles wouldn't even make their investment back if they buy the stuff at high prices and then give it away. But then Chunchu, stunningly, nails it: "It comes down to how you measure profit." As in, there are other gains besides immediate monetary gains....
"And what should the suffering masses do then, you think?" Mishil, amazingly, seems to be leading Deokman straight to the answer. "What will the landowners do, and what will the tenant farmers do?" It just isn't clicking, and Mishil seems to be enjoying the silence of Deokman puzzling over her question. But really, she's being awfully nice to her.
Deokman runs back home, finding Yushin waiting for her. She dives into some of the books on her table, and finds a historical reference she was looking for. (We see their contents now; they don't appear to be the geographical survey. Early in King Jinji's reign, it says, and three times so far during Jinpyeong's reign, there were famines. And "With each famine the nobles increased their land and indentured servants." And independent, self-sufficient farms decreased. "When people can't repay their loans," Yushin realizes, "they lose their lands." And this price-gouging...turns self-sufficient farmers into tenant farmers, which are little more than slaves. So this is a pattern of concentration of power by the nobles, Yushin says. "Thereby decreasing the taxes paid to the royal house." Deokman adds, finally getting it: "And the next spring, nobles give food to the poor to curry the people's favor." Yushin asks how she realized all this, and is surprised to hear that Mishil actually gave her the answer.
Mishil has told Sejong and Hajong and Misaeng about her conversation with Deokman. They're concerned that it's tipped her off to the whole thing...but Mishil is thoroughly enjoying it all. "Suppose it does," she says with a big smile. "What can she do about it?"
"There's nothing we can do about it." Yushin thinks so, anyway. "We can't stop them spending their own money. We could pass a usury law, but the Council wouldn't pass it." No, Deokman says, they wouldn't..."So we'll fight them on their own ground." She has an idea. Reminding him that she grew up at a trading post and saw expert traders from all over the world, she says, "It's time I made a few deals of my own."
Deokman goes to her father, who like Yushin sees this as unstoppable and almost a periodic tradition among the nobles, and asks for the fiscal authority to use the royal treasury. "I believe I have short- and long-term solutions." Kim Seohyeon and Yongchun are there too...
...and they take her aside and warn her about the opposition she'll face. But she's undeterred. And they tell her that a royal can't directly engage in trade; she'll need an agent. "I have just the man we need," she says with a smile. Yes she does.
"Making money?" Bidam pays Yeom Jong another surprise evening visit, again scaring the bejeezus out of him. Bidam has a job that needs doing, quietly. "Find me some men. Now."
Next day: In the capital market, Yeom Jong has brought an ecstatic seller a whopping 200 sacks of grain. And today's price is even higher than before. But the seller knows that the nobles will buy it all, so he's tickled pink. As Bidam watches from a distance, the deal is completed. Okay...where did all that grain come from? Is this the royal storehouse's grain?
Sejong and Hajong are talking with satisfaction about the chaos building in the grain markets...but now Seokpum and Dukchoong and Bakui arrive with a report about a large quantity of grain suddenly flooding the market. "Has the royal storehouse been opened?", they ask. No, Sejong says; that would require my permission. Whatever it is, Sejong is confident that it can't possibly dent the market significantly enough to matter, so he dismisses the Hwarang without even asking for more details. Oddly foolish of him; he's not a dumb guy. But now Hajong tells him he's heard about a supply increase himself, and not just today. In fact, one seller offered him additional grains just yesterday. "But we're still paying the going rate." As in, if the supply has jumped then maybe we're paying too much. Well now Seojong's taking it a little more seriously.
Bidam reports to Deokman that 1000 sacks of grain have flooded the market and another 1000 will be released soon. Okay, so yes this must be royal storehouse grain. That's the good news; the bad news is that the price still hasn't budged. Deokman isn't fazed. Profit isn't what's driving the nobles, she reminds them; "They want to shut down poor farmers." So they're not going to stop buying just yet..."Until it dawns on them that they've bought too much. For too much." She's smiling broadly, like she's sure it's only a matter of time before this is all over.
Mishil is meeting with the cabal...And in walks Yushin. Mishil sent for him. They want to know if Deokman is selling grain from the royal storehouse. As if it wasn't jarring enough to see Yushin standing there with that group, his answer to their question is even more jarring: "Yes, I understand she's selling from the storehouse. At the current price she's realized a nice profit." Doink! They're all stunned and outraged.
Now the elite Hwarang are hearing about it, and they're getting antsy to sell their own families' hoards before the price drops too far. Some of them are from wealthier families and can ride this out, but others--Seokpum and Bakui in particular speak up--have bought on margin and will be in huge trouble if the price drops any farther. So they run away in a panic to unload their supplies.
It's working. Yushin and Alcheon report that nobles are selling and prices are falling. Now, she says, it's time for Seohyeon to implement "the next phase." What's that? "It's time I took a hand," she says.
Well now look at this odd group: Mishil, Sejong, Seohyeon, Seolwon, Yongchun, and Hajong. Deokman comes in and sits at the head of the table. She says she's acting on the king's behalf, calling this meeting on the grain-market problem. She's immediately challenged about selling royal grain, and readily admits doing it to make a profit. "I'm disappointed," Mishil says. "A shabby little trick." Seolwon scolds her; Sejong scolds her. "I've found my own way to give relief to the poor," she answers with a sly smile.
Seokpum and Dukchoong and Bakui have brought their grains to be sold back into the market. But prices have dropped 40 percent in just the last week or so. OUCH. They're going to take a big hit.
"Business is business." Still smiling, Deokman explains that she's selling the royal grain at a high price and then will restock when the prices fall. "At a tidy profit." And increasing the supply will decrease the price, and stabilize the market. Mishil asks her what she'll do "if the buyers work together and don't sell?" Deokman smiles and says, "They won't survive." As in, they'll never last if they try it. "We'll sell everything if we have to." She's assuming that the royal storehouse has enough of a supply to outlast the ability of the nobles to keep buying at high prices--and it's probably a safe bet. And on top of that, well, "Seohyeon's started selling the military stores." Yikes, now that has to be a whole lot of grain. Mishil and her people are again outraged, but Deokman gets to the heart of the whole problem and challenges them: "Was it really famine that made the prices go up? Or a trick by the nobles to get honest men's farms? I'm not exploiting our people," she tells them, as Mishil smiles, impressed at Deokman's understanding of the situation. "I'm exploiting the nobles." (That's not a wise statement to be making, even if it's true.) Seolwon accuses her of endangering national security by selling the military supplies. "Suppose a war breaks out with Baekje?" But now Deokman fesses up: "In truth, I might or might not sell those. Announcing I might will probably be enough." It was fear and rumor that helped raised the prices; this will be countering that with more rumor and fear. Mishil asks, And what if the nobles won't sell? Again, the sly smile, and Deokman asks, "Do they take the risk?" And then, looking at all of them, asks, "Wouldn't that come at too high a price for all of you?"