Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 408

Episode 408: A short story. (5)

After seeing Sejong’s positive reaction, Hyang began to mention some sensitive areas.

“There are several advantages to creating a hot spring bath like this, but before that, let me explain why the development of hot springs has been slow so far.”

“yes. “I also thought there was something strange.”

While Sejong expressed interest, Hyang lightly cleared his throat and continued his explanation.

“There are many reasons why the people hesitated to develop hot springs, but the biggest reasons are…”

Hyang explained to King Sejong the problems that Kim Jong-seo and Hwang Bo-in had been investigating.

After hearing Hyang’s explanation, Sejong nodded with a serious face.

“I see. That is why the development of hot springs has been slow. Okay… So is there a solution?”

“yes.”

Hyang began to talk about a solution to the problem.

-The first thing to do is to place a doctor and medical maid at the developed hot spring bath. Depending on the size of the hot spring bath, from 1 to 3 members of the National Medical Clinic and medical women are assigned. However, those assigned in this way will be replaced sequentially when regular members are produced from the Medical Center.

-The work of doctors and medical women assigned to hot spring baths is as follows. Patients who visit hot springs are categorized into those who come for treatment of arthritis or neuralgia, those with joint diseases, those with skin disease, and those with leprosy.

-People with joint diseases can enter the same bathhouse as others.

-Patients with varicose veins can use the private bath under the care of doctors and medical women, but patients with varicose veins are prohibited from entering.

Additionally, in villages with hot spring baths, additional personnel from the provincial government or the military are deployed to maintain security.

“…and, in addition, we must properly reveal the efficacy of the hot spring water in the hot spring bath developed in this way and publicize it in the newspaper.”

“Hoo? why?”

“As far as I know, each hot spring water has different efficacy. So, if we make this known well, it will be more useful for people to use hot spring baths.”

“People will travel far to find hot springs that are useful to them. And the people’s vision will become even wider, right?”

Hyang nodded at Sejong’s point.

“yes. I thought about that as well. As such, the roads will continue to be improved and the railway to be installed in the future will be quickly established.”

“I see. “Good chat…”

Even though he nodded, there was some disappointment on Sejong’s face.

“Abama. If there are any parts missing, please let me know. “I will look into that matter and give you an answer as quickly as possible.”

Hyang noticed that there was a problem in Sejong’s expression and quickly added, ‘A/S is available!’

In response to Hyang’s words, Sejong stroked his beard and was silent for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Crown, your opinion is truly a good idea. However, it seems that the response to patient Nazil was a bit inadequate. Isn’t the difficulties of patients suffering from chronic diseases widely known since ancient times? It takes a while to stop those people who are desperate enough to overcome such difficulties to find the hot springs. Of course, I know that Nazil is an incurable disease, but it takes a while.”

‘You know that!’

Hyanghyang, who held back the words that were about to come out automatically at Sejong’s words, let out a long sigh.

“Whoa~. As Abamama also said, Nazil is incurable. “Allowing them to access hot spring baths would actually give them vain hope and deeper despair.”

‘It wasn’t until the mid to late 20th century that a cure came out, but I don’t even know about that! If I had known that, I would have killed the crown prince and started a medicine business and made a lot of money!’

It was a scent that made me scream inside.

Sejong also sighed at the description of the scent.

“Whoa~. I know that part too. But I can’t hide my sadness when I see patients wandering around outside. “It’s unfortunate that you suffer from such a disease, but aren’t you subject to harsh persecution?”

* * *

Until this time, regardless of whether in the East or the West, the perception that leprosy patients were ‘criminals sentenced to death’ was widespread. Therefore, it was common for them to be expelled from their hometown and wander, and if they happened to enter another village, they would be blocked at the entrance and either kicked out or pelted with stones.

The places that received better treatment were a few benevolent monasteries and Italian cities of the Renaissance period. Leprosy patients were allowed to enter the city, but they had to buy anything they touched. (Note 1)

* * *

‘Well, I’m sure future historians will make a fuss about human rights, but for now, this is the only way to go.’

Hyang opened his mouth, savoring his appetite.

“Soja also knew about Abamama’s concerns to some extent, so he thought about it. “What do you think of this plan?”

“okay? “What was it?”

Hyang immediately answered King Sejong’s question.

“Among the remote islands in the South Sea, we select places that are easy for officials and doctors to travel to, relocate the residents to the mainland, and then collect and manage patients with poor health. In this way, we can prevent patients suffering from unjust persecution, enable them to become self-sufficient, and allow doctors and officials to manage them more comfortably.”

Sejong looked slightly embarrassed at Hyang’s words.

“It’s a good plan, but will there be residents as well as officials and lawmakers who will respond to it?”

“In the case of the residents, they do not live together, but rather settle down on the land, so there will be no major problems. Fortunately, there is quite a bit of open land in Hamgil Island and the area to its east, isn’t there? “If that’s not enough, there is Daeseoldo, so it won’t be a big problem.”

“That’s right.”

At Hyang’s words, not only King Sejong but also the ministers nodded. This was because a considerable amount of territory was able to be incorporated into Joseon through the exploration voyages and induction of the Jurchen tribe that had been carried out so far.

The township, which provided an answer to the residents’ migration problem, continued.

“And Nazil is not an easily contagious disease, so if officials and lawmakers are careful, there will be no major problems.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong, who had been thinking about Hyang’s words for a moment, looked back at the merchant ship.

“Go and call the doctor.”

“yes.”

The royal doctor arrived a little later, listened to the explanations from Sejong and Hyang, remembered for a moment, and then answered.

“yes. It is impossible to cure Nazill, but fortunately it is not highly contagious. Also, parents’ illnesses are not passed down to their children.”

“Right.”

While Sejong was nodding his head, Hwang Hee intervened.

“It looks like we need to prepare for the Social Democratic Institute.”

King Sejong immediately responded to Hwang Hee’s words.

“Maybe so. “Then, add this agenda and proceed with it.”

“I follow your orders!”

* * *

In this way, the policy on ‘hot spring development’ was officially decided and published in the newspaper.

After reading the notice posted on the wall of the government office, the people gathered in groups of twos and threes and started talking.

“It’s a hot spring development… Should I check to see if there’s a hot spring nearby?”

“Really? “I think I can make some money if I just find it… and I can even get a job.”

According to the information written in the report, when a hot spring bath was built, people were to be selected from nearby residents to work.

Of course, in order to manage the fish baths used by the king and members of the royal family, they had to be supervised by officials dispatched from the royal family. But still, a job with a fixed salary was created.

In addition, it was good news that doctors and medical women would be stationed at hot spring baths. This was because there were still many villages without doctors.

“By the way… Your Majesty the Crown Prince is truly a noble person. “Why do you care so much about lepers?”

“That’s right.”

It was not something an ordinary king would have thought of: housing Nazi patients separately, allowing them to avoid persecution, and at the same time providing an environment in which they could be self-sufficient.

This was a good thing not only for the Nazile patients, but it was also a good thing for ordinary people.

Word that the people were praising King Sejong and himself soon reached Hyang as well. After hearing the story, Hyang smiled bitterly.

“I guess I did my best. Scholars of the future will criticize it as a mammonist policy and a forced migration policy that ignores human rights…”

Although Hyang smiled bitterly, he immediately changed his expression and muttered.

“Is it my business? “Right now is important to me!”

* * *

I didn’t know about incense, but something almost similar happened in history before incense intervened.

December 3, 11th year of King Sejong’s reign (1429).

Park Seo-saeng appealed to King Sejong.

-If you look at the Japanese customs, regardless of age or age, everyone likes to take a bath and keep their bodies clean. Therefore, each large house is equipped with a separate bathroom, and each bathhouse is installed here and there. The system is good and very convenient. When the person making the soup blows on the bowl, people fight to pay money to take a bath, so it is right for Joseon to also install bathhouses in places where there are many people and make them spend money.

At the time, Sejong was attempting to circulate currency, so this was an appeal.

And in the first year of King Munjong (1451), King Munjong gave the following order to Baecheongunsa (白川郡事):

-Do not block the heated bathhouse and allow people to bathe.

Of course, not all bathrooms were open, except for those that could only be used by the king and queen. However, such an order was given because there were several other bathhouses. (Note 2)

As an aside, even in the history after the intervention of the Hyang, Park Seo-saeng proposed various policies to expand national finances, and thanks to this, he rose from a Confucian state to a Hojo. and was later divided into the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

The same was true for leprosy patients.

There was a record that in the first year of King Munjong’s reign, by order of the king, about 100 patients with leprosy were grouped in and treated. (Note 3)

In other words, even in history before Hyang intervened, King Munjong was attempting various efforts to change Joseon.

However, the fact that this fact was not well known was the biggest reason for King Munjong’s short life. King Munjong died before the attempted policies could produce results, and the policies that lost momentum disappeared in vain.

And the tragedy that occurred between King Danjong and King Sejo that followed immediately overshadowed the existence of King Munjong.

* * *

After visiting the hot springs, King Sejong’s health improved a lot. However, because the eye disease still did not show much improvement, the members of the internal medicine clinic had to search medical books.

By continuously examining King Sejong’s condition and searching medical records, the medical doctor was able to inform King Sejong.

“According to medical books and old records, mineral water comes from Chojaeunso in Cheongjumok, and the water is said to be good for the quality of the spear and the eyes. “It would be good for you to stay there for a while and get treatment.”

King Sejong immediately expressed his rejection of Eui’s proposal.

“I have already been to Onsuhyeon for a month. However, leaving the palace again is not an example to the people. “Find another way.”

Hyang’s head began to spin as she listened to Sejong’s words next to her.

‘Cheongju’s Choja Eunso? Rice wine? measure? Is that because the candle there is a Japanese pepper tree candle? That’s it! Chojeong mineral water!’

Hyang realized what the doctor was talking about and immediately joined in the conversation.

* * *

Note 1) Life Human World History. Renaissance edition. Korea Time Life. 1978.

Note 2) ‘Crow’s Nest’ igloo by person interested in history.

http://luckcrow.egloos.com/2534809

Note 3) Health information from Seocho-gu Public Health Center. leprosy item.

https://www.seocho.go.kr/site/sh/07/10702050900002015072310.jsp