Doctor Goes Back to Joseon - Chapter 37: The Epidemic is Shared [2]

In the end, Kang-hyuk didn’t need to search far.

One by one, patients began arriving in the middle of the night.

They were all people who had been in contact with the initial patient, displaying similar symptoms.

“This is… serious.”

It seemed the patient was quite sociable.

Nearly the entire village had gathered.

The reputation of smallpox, dreaded as it was, lived up to its name.

Its contagiousness surpassed any disease Kang-hyuk had ever encountered.

“What do we do?”

Heo Jun’s voice was strained with worry as he boiled every available herb for Yanggyeoksan.

Seeing the incoming flow of patients, Kang-hyuk realized the medicine would barely suffice.

“We need to seek help.”

“Help? From whom?”

“From Magistrate Kim Yoon-gil and my father.”

“Ah, the two of them…”

They were the leading figures in Suwon.

Obtaining more medicinal ingredients and rice for the patients would not be difficult.

They could also provide manpower for quarantine efforts.

‘Even if that weren’t the case, they need to be informed.’

The outbreak of a disaster could not be concealed.

While it was uncommon, entire villages had been wiped out by smallpox before.

They needed to prepare, no matter what.

If it started spreading to other villages, there would be no way to stop it.

“Who will go?”

Kang-hyuk looked around at the group, now wearing surgical caps.

‘Dolseok and Yeon should stay to assist me. Yeoju has to continue drawing. Heo Jun, of course, must stay.’

After narrowing down his choices, only Makbong remained.

Makbong lowered his head as he felt Kang-hyuk’s gaze settle on him.

He wasn’t known for his speed, but he was loyal to a fault.

“I will run there in one go.”

“Hm.”

Even with his usually stern demeanor, Kang-hyuk couldn’t help but be moved by Makbong’s loyalty.

“Alright. First, we need to ensure your immunity.”

No matter how robust a person was, they were no match for a virus.

Precautions had to be taken before sending him off.

“What exactly is this immunity?”

Heo Jun paused his work on the Yanggyeoksan to ask.

The others were equally curious.

What made Kang-hyuk so unafraid of smallpox that he didn’t bat an eye at the deadly disease?

He had masked and gloved the others and kept them from even approaching the patient.

All they could do was boil water, brew medicine, and prepare gruel.

Meanwhile, Kang-hyuk handled the patient with ease, wearing gloves but moving without hesitation.

To Dolseok, it didn’t seem like Kang-hyuk was being recklessly self-sacrificial.

He wasn’t that kind of person, and his face betrayed no hint of fear.

It was as if he were a sovereign being navigating this desperate situation alone.

“It’s the power to fight smallpox.”

“Power…?”

“Right. Yeon and Makbong, assist Heo Jun. I’m going with Dolseok. Yeoju, keep drawing.”

“Yes.”

Despite the odd instruction, everyone followed Kang-hyuk’s words.

After all, none of them had ever regretted listening to him.

Dolseok whispered under his breath.

“Where are we going, in the middle of the night…?”

“It’s urgent. Did you not see the patients’ condition?”

“I did. Many are on the brink of death.”

“Why are you so calm? People are dying.”

“Smallpox is just something we can’t do anything about.”

It wasn’t calmness but resignation.

Having witnessed death countless times since childhood, it was understandable.

Unlike the 21st century, where the death of a young person or child was rare, this era was different.

There was even a tradition celebrating those who survived to adulthood.

Kang-hyuk felt the bitter weight of the times anew.

“It’s not inevitable. There’s a way.”

“No matter how skilled you are, sir… smallpox…”

“Enough talking, just follow me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dolseok grabbed a torch and followed Kang-hyuk.

The bright moon was a small blessing; at least it wasn’t pitch dark.

“Where are we going?”

“I told you. To find the cow.”

“There are cows nearby.”

“Not just any cow will do.”

Like how something needed for medicine was suddenly scarce, finding an infected cow was difficult.

Similar to animal testing in modern times.

A mouse with cancer was far more valuable than a healthy one.

Right now, a cow with smallpox was worth its weight in gold.

“Can we just take a cow?”

“Why not?”

“It’s… a cow isn’t like a chicken.”

“It’s already sick. If they won’t give it to us, we’ll pay for it.”

“Buying a sick cow?”

“Yes.”

“Why a sick one…?”

“Hold on. We’re here.”

It was a small village, so reaching the house at the edge didn’t take long.

A lone cow stood in a makeshift stable, barely upright.

It was the same cow Kang-hyuk had seen before, teetering as if it would collapse at any moment.

“Ugh, what a filthy beast.”

“It’s sick with smallpox.”

“Smallpox? The cow?”

“Cows can catch it. Not as badly as humans, but still.”

Kang-hyuk raised his voice instead of whispering.

Holding a large torch, there was no way not to be noticed.

“Who’s there?”

An old man stood shakily, holding a sickle, likely mistaking them for robbers.

Kang-hyuk and Dolseok were imposing figures, after all.

“Are you the owner?”

“Y-yes.”

The old man’s hand holding the sickle trembled.

“We’re here for the cow.”

“The cow? No way, you thief.”

The owner waved his sickle, but from a distance where it was ineffective.

“Watch your words. Do you know who you’re speaking to?”

Dolseok, angered, swung his torch in retaliation.

Sparks flew wildly.

“Dolseok, stop. You’re making him misunderstand.”

“But, sir, he called you a thief.”

“Good job. But let me handle this.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dolseok stood aside, holding the torch obediently.

In the firelight, Kang-hyuk’s noble features were clear, indicating his status.

“Apologies for coming at this hour. The situation is dire. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

“Even so, you can’t take the cow.”

“I’m not asking for it for free. You’ll be compensated.”

If he could curb the smallpox outbreak, even Magistrate Kim Yoon-gil would commend him later.

Not that he needed such recognition, being wealthy himself.

Kang-hyuk drew out a fan from his sleeve.

Fans were valuable enough to be used as currency among the noble class.

One of his fans, inlaid with silver, was especially extravagant.

The old man’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You’re giving me that?”

“Yes. Oh, except this one.”

Kang-hyuk withdrew the silver-inlaid fan.

Even for a cow, that was too much.

Though the old man looked a bit disappointed, the offer was still enticing.

Kang-hyuk sealed the deal.

“I don’t even plan on keeping the cow. I won’t kill it. If it survives, I’ll return it.”

“And I can keep the fan?”

“Yes, that’s yours.”

“Huh.”

It was such a good offer that the old man grew suspicious.

“What do you need it for?”

It was frustrating how the man kept questioning his intentions when he was trying to do a good deed.

‘Should I just knock him out?’

After all, he’d been practicing Taekkyeon under Heo Jun.

He was confident he could take down an old man with one move.

‘No, that’s not right.’

He couldn’t come here to heal people and start a fight.

“What do I need it for?”

“Y-yes.”

The old man took a step back, sensing a slight tension.

“What else would a doctor use a cow for? To heal people.”

“My cow doesn’t even produce ox bezoar. It’s just sick.”

“That’s why it’s useful. Now, hurry up and hand it over. I’ll give you the fan.”

Tired of the exchange, Kang-hyuk tossed the fan to the old man.

He dropped the sickle and snatched it up, surprisingly quick for someone who had been trembling.

“Alright. You can have it.”

“Great. Dolseok, let’s take the cow.”

“Yes, sir. But as the old man said, it’s…”

“This is medicine. Stop talking and let’s go.”

“It’s your money, so I won’t argue, but… this pus, really…”

“The more pus, the better.”

“Ugh.”

Dolseok shook his head as he led the cow.

Fortunately, it walked better than expected.

Had it collapsed on the way, even Dolseok would have complained.

Meanwhile, Kang-hyuk gazed lovingly at the pus-dripping wounds.

Enough to seem peculiar to an onlooker.

‘This is the cure. Inject the pus.’

Unwanted bacteria would also enter, but antibiotics could handle that.

He had enough for sixty doses, and they were replenished daily, so he wasn’t worried.

It was more than enough.

‘If not for this cow… I’d have to use variolation on humans.’

This cow would save an entire village.

Kang-hyuk patted it gently.

Though the cow, unfamiliar with him, quivered in fear.

“We’re here, sir.”

No one inside the building was asleep.

There were too many patients, and even the rooms normally in use were occupied.

Those who managed to lie down weren’t resting easy.

Groans of pain seeped out constantly.

“Why did you bring a cow?”

Heo Jun paused his work to ask, now brewing another medicine.

The smell and color were subtly different from before.

“This cow can give us immunity. What’s that medicine?”

“It’s Seonbang Hwalmyeong-eum, for treating pustules.”

“Ah.”

It might even have some antiviral effects.

It could be worth trying on patients without complications.

Kang-hyuk nodded in satisfaction.

Simultaneously, he drew pus from the cow’s wound into a syringe.

“Good. Now, everyone, let’s take a shot.”

Dolseok, hearing the word “shot,” tensed.

“A shot? But I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Not a beating, an injection.”

“With that thick needle? I’d rather not… Ack.”

Kang-hyuk administered the shot to Dolseok’s thick arm.

He soon relaxed, finding it less painful than expected.

“This will give you immunity. Next, Makbong.”

“Oh… yes.”

“You have a long journey ahead, so take it quickly.”

“Yes, sir. Ugh.”

Kang-hyuk administered injections to Yeon, Yeoju, and finally Heo Jun.

“Good. In a few days, it’ll be effective. Until then, don’t approach the patients. Makbong.”

“Yes?”

“Keep your gloves on until you arrive. Don’t touch your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.”

He reiterated the warnings he’d given before.

“Understood.”

“Good. Now go gather herbs and people. I’ll do what I can here.”

“Yes, sir.”