Chapter 10 : The Birth of a Renowned Doctor [1]
‘This damned bell ringing… I’m still not used to it.’
The sound of the early morning curfew bell irritated **Baek Kang-hyuk**. It reminded him of the alarm that used to blare during his military training as a doctor.
What amazed him was that every time he woke up, **Dolseok** was already standing by the door as if summoned by some unseen force.
And he always had warm water ready.
“Young master, did you wake up?”
“Yeah, leave the water. I’ll wash up myself.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare breakfast.”
“Alright.”
Kang-hyuk smiled contentedly as he got up.
He reached for the pouch he had left out the night before.
‘As expected, it’s gone.’
All the pills he had taken out had returned to the medical bag.
‘How is this even possible?’
Kang-hyuk tilted his head in wonder for a moment but then shrugged it off and stepped outside.
There were many things in life that were pointless to dwell on. He hated wasting time.
-Splash, splash.
Washing his face without soap didn’t feel too bad.
‘So this is what it feels like to be twenty-four… My skin is so smooth.’
His skin felt as soft as it had back in his school days, when he had made quite a few girls tear up with heartbreak.
“Young master, breakfast is ready.”
“Hmm. No, let’s check on **Okseok** first before I eat.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you, young master.”
“You saw him this morning, right? How is he?”
Kang-hyuk didn’t look particularly concerned as he asked. After all, it was likely just an appendectomy, and even in this poor environment, his skills ensured that there wouldn’t be any issues. The medication was also proving quite effective.
“Oh, no medicine had worked until now… but he’s doing very well now. We had to hold him back from getting up and attending to the mistress.”
“Really? He should still avoid working for now.”
“Oh, that boy. Young master, please talk to him.”
Dolseok pointed at **Okseok**, who was sweeping the yard. He did look a bit pale, but otherwise, he seemed fine.
As soon as Okseok made eye contact with Kang-hyuk, he quickly set the broom down.
“Y-young master.”
“You really do look like you’ve recovered. Let me check your stomach.”
“Y-yes.”
Kang-hyuk lifted Okseok’s shirt slightly to check the wound.
‘It’s healed solidly. There will be some scarring, but that can’t be helped.’
Considering the surgery had been performed without proper lighting, it was an acceptable result.
“Looks good. You can start doing light tasks, consider it exercise. And don’t forget to take your medicine.”
Kang-hyuk placed that day’s medicine into Okseok’s palm.
“Two pills in the morning, two in the evening. Swallow them with water.”
“Yes, young master. Thank you.”
“Now, let’s eat.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kang-hyuk returned to his room, leaving **Dolseok** and **Okseok** behind.
As expected, there weren’t many side dishes.
Compared to the meal he had at the **gisaeng** house yesterday, this was quite humble.
‘At least the scorched rice soup is good.’
The servants had wisely prepared the soup, likely knowing that their master had been drinking the night before.
Kang-hyuk found it thoughtful and started eating.
The rest of the meal was the same as the day before—fermented shrimp, young radish kimchi, and soy sauce.
“Excuse me, is anyone here?”
Just as he was chewing the last bit of his meal, a loud voice called out from outside the gate.
‘That voice sounds familiar…’
Kang-hyuk put his chopsticks down and tilted his head.
He hadn’t met many people since arriving here, and even fewer voices were recognizable.
‘Ah, it must be **Makbong**.’
That sturdy, short-tempered man who also wore his heart on his sleeve.
Makbong had shown extraordinary concern for the **pyeonsu**, so it wasn’t surprising that he would come running first thing in the morning.
Since **Dolseok** was **Kang-hyuk’s** personal servant, he had a higher status among the servants, given his commoner background.
Thus, it was another servant who went to open the gate.
“Who’s there?”
“Is, uh… Is Dolseok here?”
“Dolseok? He’s eating right now.”
“Ah… Can you just tell him **Makbong** is here? He’ll know.”
“Alright, wait here.”
“Oh, come on…”
Even though Makbong was part of a rough troupe, he couldn’t just shout for a nobleman. Doing so would have been considered highly disrespectful and could get him into serious trouble.
Moreover, the high gates and walls of the **Baek** family estate only added to his sense of intimidation.
The **Suwon Baek** family, after all, was a truly impressive household.
Even **Dolseok**, as a servant of such a prestigious family, was far above someone like Makbong in status.
While Makbong waited anxiously outside, Kang-hyuk walked toward the gate.
It was customary for the master of the house to greet guests, and besides, Kang-hyuk had prepared some medicine to give them.
As he approached, he spoke to the servant standing by the gate.
“I know him. Open the gate.”
“Huh? Oh my, young master! I didn’t recognize him, I’m sorry.”
The servant seemed ashamed that Kang-hyuk had to come to the gate himself.
Feeling guilty, he bowed repeatedly in apology.
Kang-hyuk, still not used to such displays, waved his hand dismissively.
“Never mind that. Just open the gate.”
“Yes, right away.”
The servant quickly sprang into action, and the large gate swung open.
Outside, not only **Makbong** but also **Yeon** was standing there.
Though she had her hair tied up in a man’s style, her delicate face was unmistakable.
“Oh, you both came. How’s the **pyeonsu** doing?”
Yeon was the first to bow her head.
“Thanks to you, my lord, he’s doing well now.”
“And the performance?”
This time, Makbong bowed deeply, his guilty conscience from yesterday still weighing on him.
“Yes, I’ll be assisting him with the performance.”
“Good to hear. Here’s today’s medicine.”
Yeon gratefully accepted the medicine.
“Thank you, my lord.”
Makbong, however, looked a bit troubled.
“Uh… Is it possible to get a few more doses of the medicine?”
It was an expected question, and Kang-hyuk already had a prepared answer.
Without changing his expression, he replied.
“That’s difficult. I can only make this much medicine per day.”
“Ah, I see…”
“It’s a rare medicine, the only one of its kind in the world.”
Of course, in truth, the pills were quite common back in his time, but here, his words weren’t untrue.
Upon hearing this, both **Yeon** and **Makbong** looked even more grateful, bowing deeply.
“Yes, thank you so much.”
“Um… If it’s not too much trouble, would you consider coming to today’s performance?”
Yeon cautiously extended an invitation.
Kang-hyuk stroked his chin, feeling the unfamiliar roughness of his stubble.
“Shouldn’t that invitation come from the **governor**?”
“Well, yes, but… who would dare stop you from attending, my lord?”
Yeon glanced at the large courtyard and the numerous servants bustling about.
“True, and since my father is going, I might as well.”
Having connections with influential people was never a bad idea.
“Alright, I’ll see you later.”
“Thank you, my lord. We’ll take our leave now.”
Bowing deeply again, the two retreated, walking backward as they left.
Before they had even left his sight, **Seungmun** called out to Kang-hyuk from behind.
“Who were those two? They don’t seem like reputable people.”
It was true that their clothing and general appearance were shabby.
But Kang-hyuk had a response ready, and as a seasoned speaker, his explanation was smooth.
“They’re the family of a patient I treated at the market yesterday.”
“Yesterday?”
“Yes, speaking of which… Are you going to the **governor’s residence** today?”
“Yes. You refused to go with me, so I’m going alone.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“You will? Hmm.”
**Seungmun** was already fully dressed, his **gat** [1] securely tied with a string made of horsehair and jade, a high-end piece gifted by the king during his time as **Chief Inspector**. He cherished it more than his own life.
“Then hurry and get ready. Not only will the **governor** (third rank) be there, but the **Gyeonggi Province Inspector** (second rank) will also attend. Your hair is a mess. Tidy it up.”
“Yes.”
“Since **Kang-hyuk** is coming along, we’ll need an extra horse. Bring one.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kang-hyuk returned to his room.
Looking in the mirror, he saw his hair had indeed become disheveled overnight.
‘Hmm… I guess I’ll just comb it up.’
He thought of **Seungmun**’s neatly styled hair.
Not a single strand out of place.
Kang-hyuk’s keen eye had always been sharp, and he quickly styled his hair similarly and put on a **gat**.
Even though he was still a bachelor, at twenty-four, he had to present himself like a proper adult.
When **Seungmun** saw his cleaned-up appearance, he seemed quite satisfied.
“That looks better than before. Now let’s go. The inspector is waiting.”
“Yes, father.”
The servants had already brought the horses out.
Seungmun mounted with ease, and now it was Kang-hyuk’s turn.
Naturally, he had never ridden a horse before.
‘Ah, wait. I did once, in Jeju.’
The horse here was about the same size as the one he had ridden back then.
**Dolseok** rushed over to help him up.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing, young master.”
“Let’s go.”
At **Seungmun**’s command, Dolseok and another servant took the lead.
“Move aside! Make way!”
It was still early in the morning, and with the **Baek** family home located in a relatively isolated area, the streets were empty.
Still, the servants continued to shout, “Make way!” as they led the horses.
Throughout the ride, Kang-hyuk kept turning his head, searching for something.
Thanks to **Dolseok**’s constant talk of the **Suwon Baek** family, Kang-hyuk had long known they were in Suwon.
‘It’s not here… The lack of **Hwaseong** [2] means…’
There was no sign of **Hwaseong Fortress**, meaning this was before **King Jeongjo** had ascended to the throne.
‘So, it’s likely the 16th or 17th century?’
While Kang-hyuk was lost in thought, **Dolseok** continued leading the horses.
“We’ve arrived.”
The courtyard of the **governor’s residence** was already set up with a tightrope, swings, and other performance equipment.
Seungmun headed toward the governor and the **inspector**, while Kang-hyuk took a lower seat.
Even in the lower section, the guests were all at least magistrates or nobles of similar rank.
The event was much larger than expected.
**Gisaengs** were scattered among the guests, serving and attending to them.
Kang-hyuk quietly sat in his seat, watching the troupe.
Soon, the **pyeonsu** appeared, looking as healthy as **Yeon** had said.
“My lord, I humbly greet you.”
“Carry on.”
“I will put on a lively performance.”
With that, the performance began.
It wasn’t much different from yesterday’s show.
In fact, there were fewer curses, making it a bit less entertaining.
Still, **Seungmun** and the other officials seemed to be enjoying themselves.
They were sitting in the prime seats, sipping alcohol and watching the performance.
‘Is it over already?’
As planned, the **pyeonsu** didn’t make many appearances, only showing up at the very end.
When he bowed politely, the **governor of Suwon** addressed him.
“So, I hear you were near death yesterday. How are you now?”
It seemed one of the **gisaengs** had passed on the details.
“I’ve fully recovered.”
“Who saved you? They must have quite the skill.”
The **pyeonsu** swallowed nervously and glanced at Kang-hyuk.
“I apologize for the imposition, but it was *Scholar Baek* over there who saved me.”
It was the moment when the notorious *Baek Kang-hyuk* revealed a new side to everyone present.
***
Footnotes:
[1] A gat is a traditional Korean hat made from horsehair, typically worn by men during the Joseon dynasty. It features a wide brim and a high crown, often secured with a decorative chin strap called gatkkeun. The gat was not just a fashion accessory but also a symbol of social status, with only noblemen, scholars, and officials allowed to wear it. The materials and design could vary depending on the wearer’s rank, with higher-quality gats, like the one described here with a jade string, being reserved for the elite.
[2] Hwaseong refers to Hwaseong Fortress, a historic fortress located in Suwon, South Korea. Built between 1794 and 1796 by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty, the fortress was constructed to protect the city and serve as a military stronghold. It also symbolized the king’s desire to honor his father, Crown Prince Sado, whose tomb is located nearby. Hwaseong Fortress is known for its advanced construction techniques and architectural beauty, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
