Chapter 11: The Birth of a Divine Physician [2] "Scholar Baek?"
The Busa's eyebrows shot up.
There were only two people with the surname Baek here.
Surely he could not be referring to Seungmun.
Then there was only one person left.
Baek Kanghyeok, the notorious good-for-nothing of Suwon.
Kanghyeok was so famous that even the Gyeonggi Gwanchalsa knew of him.
He was the almost only stain on Seungmun, a renowned scholar who had finished a successful official career.
And yet that very Kanghyeok supposedly possessed enough medical skill to save a life.
It was hard to believe.
"Th-that… you mean Baek Kanghyeok?"
The Gwanchalsa, perhaps flustered, ended up blurting out the full name as it was.
No matter that he was the Gwanchalsa, compared with Seungmun he was still somewhat lacking, and he was younger as well, so it was quite the discourtesy.
"Ah, my apologies."
"No, no. Child, Kanghyeok. Was the patient you treated yesterday this Pyeonsu?"
Seungmun was just as surprised, so his words stumbled slightly.
He had just heard the whole story from the gisaeng beside the Busa, which only made his shock greater.
Normally, once someone collapsed like that, it was common sense that they never came back.
Among yangban of the time, there were many who took an interest in medicine, and Seungmun was one of them.
He had read medical texts in his own way and even examined sick servants himself.
From the gisaeng's telling, his son Kanghyeok had been almost like the reincarnation of Hua Tuo or Bian Que.
That left him unable to close his mouth.
The person in question, Kanghyeok, remained utterly calm.
They're making such a fuss over something insignificant.
Back at the hospital, had he not dealt with several patients like this Pyeonsu in a single day?
He rose from his seat and answered as if it were nothing at all.
"Yes, Father. This son did lay hands on him."
"Huh."
Seungmun let out a short sound.
He was surprised, but his face was full of pride.
The Busa and the Gwanchalsa, on the other hand, thought differently.
A gisaeng's words are hardly something to trust.
They were certain it could not have been anything very remarkable.
The Busa in particular, who fancied himself quite knowledgeable in medicine, refused to acknowledge Kanghyeok.
Not a single skilled physician he had ever met had been that young.
But not everyone thought the same.
Most of those who had not been seated in the places of honor were looking at Kanghyeok anew.
Especially the gazes of middle-aged and older men gathered on him.
At that age, most men tended to have one discomfort or another.
Sure enough, after the banquet broke up, quite a few came looking for Kanghyeok.
"It's been a while. The thing is… my lower back has been hurting lately. Is there any way to treat it?"
"On my way here, I twisted my ankle. Could you take a look at it?"
And so on.
Most of them were the sort of yangban who carried some weight in the district.
They could hardly expose themselves out in the street, given the dignity expected of scholar-officials.
Holding the reins of his horse, Kanghyeok replied,
"If you come to my house, I will examine you whenever you like. If there are others around you who are sick, you may bring them as well."
"Oh, is that truly so? Very well. Then I shall come even tomorrow."
"Understood. Then I will take my leave now."
Kanghyeok climbed straight onto the saddle.
It had felt so awkward earlier, but after riding once, he had already grown used to it.
Just as he was about to set off, Yeoni came trotting up, bringing Pyeonsu and Makbong with her.
"My lord, are you leaving now?"
"Yes. I should go home."
"We were unable to offer you any proper thanks… This was something we received as wages from the government office, but please accept this at least."
At Yeoni's words, Makbong let out a grunt and brought forward a chest.
Inside were several sable pelts and deer hides.
They were quite valuable, so even Seungmun, who was ahead of them, burst into a hearty laugh.
"Kanghyeok, accept it. It is the reward for saving a life."
"Ah, yes, Father. Very well, thank you. He is not fully recovered yet, so for the time being come every day."
"Yes, my lord. In fact, after discussing it with Elder Pyeonsu, we were planning to stay here for a while."
"That is good. Very well, then go on in."
"Yes, my lord."
While everyone else was in good spirits, there was one person with a face like sour cabbage.
It was Dolseok, who had to carry the baggage.
He could hardly shove it off onto the servant holding Seungmun's horse reins, so naturally he was the one stuck with it.
"Oh dear."
Even the chest itself was heavy, and Dolseok kept groaning.
Still, since he was strongly built, he managed to keep up without staggering.
After they had ridden for some time, Seungmun turned around.
Perhaps because he was so skilled at riding, even moving his upper body did not disturb him in the slightest.
"By the way, what exactly happened yesterday? According to the gisaeng beside me, he truly died and came back to life."
Kanghyeok simply told it as it was.
"His heart stopped, and he was dying, so I made it beat again."
"Is that truly possible? Can such a thing really be done?"
"If one understands the principle, it is not so difficult, Father."
"Goodness. It was the same with Okseok, but you truly possess remarkable skill. I thought you only wandered about uselessly…"
The very best thing would have been for him to begin proper study at once and take the civil service examination.
But Seungmun had long since given up such empty hopes.
He was simply grateful that his son was doing anything at all.
"Father."
"Yes?"
"Starting tomorrow, I plan to see patients in earnest. But doing it in my own room is a bit…"
"Very well. I will have a room prepared for you. Do not worry."
"Thank you."
Seungmun's face was flushed with pride, as if he could not have been prouder of his son.
Dolseok, too, chattered excitedly as though it were his own business.
"Everyone who saw it yesterday will come flocking in. Young master's medical skill is not of this world."
"What do you know, prattling on like that? Just lead the horse."
Though Seungmun scolded Dolseok, he was plainly pleased.
The mood hidden beneath his tone was so good that Dolseok merely grinned.
"Yes, yes, my lord. Hyah! Out of the way!"
After going along that way for some time, Seungmun called Kanghyeok again.
"Kanghyeok."
"Yes, Father."
"It is good that you have deep knowledge of medicine and a strong interest in it. However… you must also pay attention to your civil service studies. Do you understand?"
Kanghyeok had not the slightest intention of studying anything else now.
Back when he had been in the calligraphy club, he had memorized quite a few Chinese characters, but that was all long ago.
Now, about all he could do was write his own name and a few classical poems.
There is no need to stir up trouble.
Judging by how things had gone, the original Kanghyeok must truly have been an utter mess.
Even if he only went through the motions, there would be no real way to stop him.
"Yes, Father."
"Good. Let us hurry."
The moment they arrived home, Seungmun ordered the servants to prepare an empty room in the detached quarters.
Since it was to be used for receiving patients, they did not neglect cleaning and scrubbing it thoroughly.
After Dolseok had finished preparing things to a degree, he called for Kanghyeok.
"Young master, come have a look."
"Alright. Let me see."
With Dolseok leading the way, Kanghyeok headed to the detached quarters.
It was usually only used when guests came, so it now stood empty.
"It is chilly because the floor heating has not been lit yet."
"That's fine."
Kanghyeok strode straight into the room.
There were clear signs that Seungmun had put considerable thought into it.
There were freshly washed cushions, and bedding had been laid out so patients could lie down.
It would never compare to a hospital, but it was about on the level of a rural health clinic.
"Good. This is excellent."
"Thank you, young master."
"Good. Starting tomorrow, we'll do some work here. You should prepare to help as well."
"What? Me too?"
"Yes. Wouldn't it be good for you to learn medical work?"
"Ah…"
Dolseok hesitated a moment, then nodded.
After all, was he not just a servant?
If Kanghyeok said to do it, he had no real way to refuse.
It was not as though it were dangerous work.
And there was certainly no harm in learning it.
"Yes, young master."
"Good. Then go to sleep early. Tomorrow may be difficult."
"Surely they won't come flooding in on the very first day?"
"One never knows."
Back at the hospital, even members of the National Assembly found it hard to book an outpatient appointment with Kanghyeok.
I shouldn't compare it to that time.
That was nonsense.
It was entirely possible that even the patients who had said they would come would not show up.
Still, it was best to prepare thoroughly.
"Tell them to prepare two basins of boiling water tomorrow. If patients come, we may need it."
"You mean boiling water? Understood."
"Good. Then let us really go rest now."
"Yes, young master."
Perhaps because the arm that had carried the chest was aching, Dolseok hurried off to his quarters.
The way he kept rubbing his forearm made it clear he was not feeling very good.
"Dolseok."
At Kanghyeok's quiet call, Dolseok stopped as if he had turned to stone.
He had always been loyal, but after seeing Kanghyeok treat Okseok and Pyeonsu, that loyalty had deepened even more.
"Yes, young master."
"Take this before bed. Your arm will feel much better."
Kanghyeok handed him an anti-inflammatory and an antacid.
Knowing well how precious such medicine was, Dolseok received it respectfully with both hands.
"Thank you, young master!"
"Good. Then I'll see you tomorrow."
After sending Dolseok off, Kanghyeok did not go in right away, but stood blankly staring at the sky.
It was not much different from the place he had originally come from.
Except that there were unusually many stars, and they were brighter.
Could I really be the only one who ended up here like this?
The whole thing was so absurd that he probably was.
Or perhaps not.
Still, there was no harm in checking.
Tomorrow, when the troupe people come, I should have them ask around whether anyone knows anything about the Republic of Korea.
Since they traveled around crowded places, they should know more than most.
Though he did not expect much.
For now, I ought to make a good life for myself here. And see that old man smile a little too.
Kanghyeok looked toward where Seungmun was and let out a sigh.
Whenever he saw that face so identical to his father's, affection welled up even when it had not been there before.
For that, tomorrow was important.
Kanghyeok hurried inside and tried to sleep.
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