Chapter 13

: I am a Friend of the Governor of Suwon [1]

I cannot do it well…
The governor whispered with a face as if he was already dead. Ganghyuk did not know that such a high rank official could confess to such a problem.
He looked at him dumbfounded.

Don’t look at me with those eyes.
It was then that Ganghyuk realized that he was being rude, and he hastily made an apology.
I am sorry.


No, not at all. I know it is an indecent thing to talk about in my age.

The Governor was about to leave with a regretful face. He regretted telling about it, thinking that he had lost his face.
But, when he was about to open the door, Ganghyuk pulled his arms. He could understand how urgent he must have felt, having come here secretly without any servants.
‘If I cure him, I will be able to work more easily.’
Of course, he did not have too many restrictions, as he was the Seungmun’s son. However, it would be better if he had more supporters. Actually, the Governor was almost a king in Suwon.

I can indeed help you, sir.


Really, can you do that for me?
The Governor looked at him as if had he met his savior. Then, he started detailing about his situation.

As you know, my wife is in her hometown, Haenam.

It was the first time for him to hear about his personal life, but he could respond to his remarks very well. He had learned the skills to show suitable reactions to various situations when he worked in the hospital as a resident.
He could pretend to be interested in something even though he was not interested in it at all, and he could pretend to know something even when he did not understand the thing at all. He was really good at adulating.

Ah, yes. Of course, I know.


I will tell you a secret story.


Don’t worry, sir. I will not disclose the story to anybody else.


Yes… Well, I got a mistress some time ago. I could not sleep at all at night because I felt so lonely.

Ganghyuk thought that it was natural for a nobleman to have a mistress. Therefore, he did not know why he told this story secretly. It was only later on that he found that the status of women in the 16th and 17th century was much higher than in the late Joseon.
At that time, men came to the women’s home and lived there with her family. Additionally, inheritance was made evenly among sons and daughters.
There were some places where ancestral rites were performed in turn among children. Therefore, many famous female artists such as Shin Saimdang, Song Deokbong, and Heo Nanseolheon could be born.
Anyway, the governor continued his story with caution.

But, this does not work… I did not know about it because I had not used it for a long time.

It could happen anytime, but it seemed that the sense of guilt played its part here.

I see… You must be quite worried.


Yes, that is why I came here.

He could imagine how much he must have hesitated before coming here to see him, who used to be known as a bounder. If it were not for his reputation these days, he would have never thought of coming to him of all people.
Even then, he was not one hundred percent sure.
Heo Yeop had praised Ganghyuk highly, saying that the boil in his back which made him suffer for a long time was gone completely with the latter’s treatment.

It is good choice for you to come here.


Yes, I hope so. What should I do? I can get any herb if you name it.


You don’t need to do that. I will give you a medicine. Please take it.

Ganghyuk searched for his bag, and soon, the Viagra came out.
There were 180 tablets. Even without renewal, it could be used for six months.
Ganghyuk took one of them and gave it to the governor. It seemed that the desire of the chairman beyond the time and place had shown its glory.

You can have one before engaging forth.


Will it work?

The Governor looked at Ganghyuk with a puzzled face, since he could not believe him. It was not the first time for him to visit a doctor. The doctors tried many things such as acupuncture, and asked him to do many things.
They told to eat raw octopus, eels, or even consume the sperm of a young man.
However, nothing worked.
He thought that he would do even more difficult things to get him cured, but he only gave a medicine. He could not trust his treatment fully.
But, Ganghyuk was determined.

Yes, it works. Follow my order unconditionally.


Yes, Okay. Can I try it tonight?


Yes, but please do not take with alcohol. That can get serious.

Viagra was originally developed for blood pressure control. But, it had side-effects of making something agitated rather than lowering one’s blood pressure.
However, if it was taken with a substance to relax the blood vessels, it might lower the blood pressure too much unintentionally.
Therefore, it needed to be taken care of.
Fortunately, the governor was the man of common sense.

Alcohol… I see.


Good. I am looking forward to hearing the good news.


Thank you. If it works, you will have your reward.


Okay, sir.

With that, the governor hurried to leave the room. It seemed like he was ashamed. He was a Grade 3 official after all.
Such a high ranking official came to the clinic without servants or assistants. It showed how much he was worried about his symptoms.
Ganghyuk greeted the back of the Governor as the latter was rushing back home.
Take care, sir.

But, the Governor hurried on his way without turning back. He rode his horse which was tied at the wall and came home.
In his head, there was only one thing: he would do the thing by erecting his ‘thing’.
There were not many people outside as it was near the curfew time. Since there were not many people on the road, he could come home earlier than he had thought.
…

Good evening, sir.

Many servants came out and greeted the master who came home alone late in the evening. But, the governor took off the horse hurriedly as he shouted,
Yes, go and get a bowl of water.


Will you come inside first, sir?


Just give me a bowl of water.

Yes, sir.

Soon, a servant came with a bowl of water, and he swallowed the medicine that Ganghyuk had given him with it.

Sir, it can get stuck in your throat like this.


Do not come near my room.

After giving the brief order, the governor rushed into the room, where his mistress was living. The servants took it granted because they thought he had fallen in love with his mistress. They did not know that he had had such a problem at night.
…

Welcome home, sir.
Ms. Bang, the mistress of the governor, greeted him. Since she used to be a Gisaeng, she was very sociable, which he liked very much.
He felt deeper love for her than even his wife in his hometown. His heart was beating for her, but there was a problem.
He took her as his mistress, but he could not have intercourse up till then. He thus tried to hide his feelings and said with impassive face.

I am a little late.


Give me your clothes.
Saying that, she helped him take off his clothes. There was a kind of erotic mood, but his junior never moved, which made him restless.
‘Nothing happens.’
The governor sat with his mistress while smacking his lips.

Was there anything special?


Nothing, sir. Every day is the same to me. I have arranged your books today.
She had good knowledge of books and painting, which was all she could put to use until now.
The governor laughed,
Did you? You did well.


When you have time, please take a look. En? Your face is red, sir.

But, it was not only the face that had become red at this point; something much more important happened.
The medicine worked!
His little brother became swollen, so much so that he could not sit down comfortably.
‘Yes! Ganghyuk is a really good doctor!’ The governor laughed and rushed to his mistress.

Come here. We can talk later.