Chapter 43

: This time, a Monk [1]
Anesthetics…
He thought of various kinds of medicines, from the primitive ones such as chloroform to the newer ones such as propofol.
‘If he finds one of these, it will be a big win.’
In that case, he would not need to wish for luck or depend on the miraculous patience of the patients anymore.

There are two medicines, called Seomsun and Chooh.


Seomsu and Chooh?

Naturally, they were not English names, and hence were totally strange to him.
Heo Jun continued.

Seomsu is the poison of a toad.


Poison?


Yes.

He mentioned a poison out of the blue, which made Ganghyuk wonder. And then there was another one.

In that case, what is Chooh?


That is a herb used to make a deadly poison.


Deadly posion?


Yes.

Ganghyuk could not think of anything for a moment or so. Anesthesia was used to make a patient numb and static, not to cause harm and pain.
‘I guess if we kill the patient… he or she will stay still and not feel any pain.’
But then why would he bother with the operation when he could just kill the patient? After all, there were other methods to kill people without causing any pain. Hence, he did not need to give them poisonous herbs.

Where are you looking at?


Ah, I was lost because you said that they are poisons.
Gagnhyuk laughed because of embarrassment.
It was Heo Jun who gave the solution, and his prescriptions had been very effective so far, without any side-effects.
‘Yanggyeoksan was quite a good gargle.’
Although it was not better than Benzydamine hydrochloride that he used to use in the hospital, it was a lot better gargle that he could expect without good manufacturing facilities in Joseon.

Hmm… Please go ahead.
Ganghyuk stopped laughing and bent his head. Fortunately, Heo Jun did not take it as an insult. To him, Ganghyuk was a remarkable doctor and a kind of teacher,

Seomsu has been used as a poison. If one takes its overdose, one’s limbs would become stiff and one would die eventually.

From the sound of it, it might be a nerve poison, considering that he used the expression ‘stiff limbs’.
‘Ah, so…’ He remembered a video that his student had shown him once. It was a YouTube video made in a foreign country. YouTube… It had been such a long time since he had thought of it that he had a bit of a tough time remembering how to pronounce it at this point.
‘A girl tried to catch a toad and the poison was splashed into her eyes. She had to then rush to the hospital.’
The eye where the poison was splashed did not move at all. He had felt quite curious about the incident.
While he was remembering this old memory, Heo Jun continued with his explanation.
Chooh is called Odu in China. It is a kind of poison as well. But, it can be used as a medicine, and I have tasted it once.


What? You tasted it?


To know the effects and problems of the herb, the doctor should try it himself.


Heo…

Ganghyuk was moved. Heo Jun was surely a model of sacrifice.
‘I cannot do that ever.’
All he might do would be an animal experiment for testing any new medicine.
Heo Jun smacked his lips as he remembered that time. Given the way he was frowning, it clearly was not a pleasant experience.

Anyway, if you make a powder of it and place it on the tongue, it tastes pungent. Then, it paralyzes and numbs the tongue quickly. I think that is the effect that you want.

Chooh must be a kind of nerve poison as well. They could make a good anesthesia if used properly. Paralysis and anesthesia were not much different after all.

Hmm… I think it will help. Thank you.


I am glad to hear that. Then…


Are you leaving now?

Heo Jun looked at the venue of the Gut. He could see a person over the people’s head, who was probably Yeoni.
She walked on the tightrope without any tools, clearly being a good Eoreumsani.

I am sorry, but I need to go. Even though I got the allowance, it is still tight.


Ok, let’s keep in touch.


When I have an address, I will send a letter.


Yes, Dr. Heo.

After that farewell, Heo Jun left the place, with only a single man following him. He did not have much to carry anyway.
He had saved a village, and yet he was so humble.

Wait a moment!
Ganghyuk suddenly called out Heo Jun.

Yes, Scholar Baik?


You are going quite far. Please take this.

Ganghyuk took out a fan from the sleeve. It was aromatic because it was made of Chinese juniper, and decorated with silver.
It was a splendid and luxurious fan.
Heo Jun could not understand his intention. Considering Ganghyuk’s normal behavior, he might be wanting to use the fan. He was a peculiar person from Heo Jun’s point of view after all.

What do you mean?


Please use it as your travel expense.


This? It is too…

It was a very expensive thing to use as travel expenses. With good negotiation, he could even buy several slaves with it.

It is fine. I really want to give it to you.


No, it is too much.


Not at all. You let me know about the anesthetics, and I think there are many things for me to learn.


Heo…

It would be a lie to say that Heo Jun was not tempted. He did not have anything in Hangyang after all, not even a house to live in.

Take it, please.
Ganghyuk took out another fan from the other sleeve while saying. It was not decorated with silver, but it still looked expensive. Fans were dear and expensive in those days after all.
I have many of these, don’t worry.

Ganghyuk had a different status compared to Heo Jun. He was born in a wealthy noble family, and earned a great deal.
‘It’s not like you take any reward from the patients anyway!’
Doctors could not live without money. Heo Jun could frankly not live much differently even when he started receiving the salary from Naeuiwon. Ganghyuk knew it from having seen the house of Jeong Changgweon, and he could guess how much the salary would be.

Then, I will take it, even though it is too much for me.


Good! Please let me know when you reach there.


I will. Thank you.
Heo Jun left after showing his gratitude.
When he turned around, the play was at its end, and things had become much quieter. The governor had given the people alcohol to enjoy themselves.
‘He is a very generous indeed.’ In Ganghyuk’s opinion, the governor read people’s mind well and comforted them. Of course, he would go somewhere and enjoy himself after the party as well.
‘I must take some rest as well.’
Ganghyuk did not have a good sleep in the last fifteen days. Any normal person would have collapsed by now from all that exertion even if they did no contract smallpox. Hence, he went to the inn and booked the largest room. After getting inside, he made up his bed and lied down.

Wow, it’s finally over!

He was very tired, so his eyes closed automatically and he fell asleep while taking the noise on the hill as a lullaby.
…
An unknown amount of time passed by until somebody finally woke him up by shaking his body.

Sir, sir.


Eo?


Ugh! You are alive. You slept without any movement, so I thought you had passed away.
Dolseok murmured while emitting an alcohol smell.
Ganghyuk could see the sunshine behind of him. Given the brightness, it must be afternoon.
‘Where is my bag? Ah, here it is.’
He held it fast as usual. As long as it was there, he had nothing to worry about.

What is the fuss?
Ganghyuk scratched his head while getting up, only to find that there was something on his head-it was a letter.

What is it?


The governor left it behind.


Did he already leave?


Already? He left last night. You slept for a full day.

A full day…
Ganghyuk felt very pleasant after the nap, which was not at all short in fact.

Then, my father?


He left with the governor. He told me that he had to take care of the house. He had left the place for too long.


Why didn’t you wake me up?


Those two told me not to bother you. You slept like a dead man.

Ganghyuk could only shake his head at the joke of Dolseok.

Give me the letter.


Yes, sir.

Ganghyuk opened the letter slowly. He had learned some letters from Heo Jun and Yeoju by now, so he could read the letter quite well.
But, he could not understand everything.
Roughly speaking, the governor had praised his medical skills in it.
‘There is a reward, as well.’
When he looked out of the room, he could find carriages full of herbs- the governor had apparently given all of the left-over herbs to Ganghyuk.
The cow was also brought by the governor, so the reward was quite huge indeed.
‘Most importantly, the biggest reward is that I learned and successfully replicated Jenner’s vaccination.’
Ganghyuk looked at Yeoju, who was roaming around the cow. On her waist was a big book, which had all the records of the smallpox treatment.
She drew paintings regarding how to collect pus, how to inject it, and how to put it in the nose. It was really convenient that she drew and wrote everything without reminders.
‘Really good!’
Once Ganghyuk had gotten up, Yeoni, Yeoju, and Makbong came to meet him.

Did you have a good sleep?
Yeoju greeted him.

You need more Taekyeon.
Yeoni greeted him with a joke.

The hostess reserved your food, sir.
Finally, Makbong greeted him with an obscene greeting.

Have you taken a good rest?


Yes, we ate a cow yesterday. You should have some.

Yeoni smacked her lips as if she could not forget the taste. Ganghyuk knew the origin of the beef, so he was sure in not wanting to taste it.
‘If they knew that it was from the cow stricken by smallpox, they would all freak out.’
Ganghyuk had gone there alone to change the cows after all. He did not want to through a wet blanket on them, as they were satisfied with the beef that they had had.
It would be like the skull water of Wonhyo.

Yes, I should have…
Ganghyuk murmured without sincerity.

I would like to have some food now.


Yes, sir. Here it is.
At the moment, the hostess served him some soup and rice. It was the soup that Makbong had asked with special request.

Wow! What is this? It is full of meat…
It seemed to have half rice and half meat.
In response, Makbong only winked while twisting his waist a little.
‘Fellow, he did not play the swing. He played the hostess.’
Thinking of that, he felt a little uncomfortable.
‘But, it tastes really good.’ He could have it all because he had a good sleep last night. Thus, he emptied the bowl quickly.
…

Let’s go.


Yes, sir.
Dolseok answered quickly, then asked with a face that seemed to be wishing for something.

Sir…


What?


Would you like to go home directly?


Yes, I intend to. Why? Do you have somewhere to go?

Yeoni answered at this moment,
In the party, I heard that a famous monk was near here.


Monk?


Yes, he is said to develop himself physically and mentally in Mt. Geumgang. It is not easy to listen to his preaches. He is called a living Buddha.


Heo… Preachings of a living Buddha?
He was not interested in it at all, but it seemed that all of them wanted to go there.
‘Well…’
As a matter of fact, there was nothing special for him to do. He did not have to hurry or anything. He had received a reward, which could cover the travel expenses. Furthermore, he wanted to see another town as well.
It seemed that there would be no harm in realizing the wishes of the servants.

Ok. Let’s go then.
Ganghyuk said while moving toward the horses.

Wow, you are so generous, sir!
Dolseok held the reigns with an excited face.
At this point, Makbong suddenly patted his stomach,
I am still full…I ate a lot yesterday.


What? The cow from yesterday?


Yes, sir.


Did you enjoy your soup, too?


Yes, thanks to somebody.
He meant Makbong, but Dolseok answered.

Yes, I reserved some before the party.


What?


I set aside some beef for you to taste.