Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Infectious Diseases

"When I said I was going to be a court lady, I really wanted to stop you. Looking at you now, fortunately, I didn't do that at that time." Hearing that Jang Geum went to Huimin Department, Deku's daughter-in-law said this out of nowhere. "Speak more clearly, what do you mean?" "Isn't she kicked out at every turn? If she married like an ordinary woman, she would be kicked out too." "If I had married someone back then, I might have had a good life." "But if a woman is kicked out by her husband's family, her life will be over. Look at Jang Geum, from a court lady to an internal medical woman, and even a medical woman from the Huimin Department, she can change as she pleases. Isn't that great?"

Deok-gu's daughter-in-law's sarcasm skills really shouldn't be underestimated, but Jang Geum just smiled and didn't take it seriously.The one next to him was furious. "She's very sad, can't you tell her something else?" "I also said this because I was sad. I said that I paid two stones of rice a year, but how is it now? Not to mention two stones, it's not even two buckets. The salary of the Huimin Bureau is much lower than that of the inner hospital, isn't it? " "Money is so good? You like money that much?" "What about you, you like Jang Jin so much that you can talk back to your mother for her? You like that so much?"

Jang Geum received medical education for women at the Huimin Department, so he is no stranger to this place.In the first year of Taejo's reign, Hyemin Bureau was established following the Goryeo era's Hyemin Bank system, and the name was changed to Hyemin Bureau in 12th year of King Sejo's reign.After the capital was moved to Hanyang, a large number of people were employed in the construction of the capital. Many people were injured during the construction, and even infectious diseases were rampant. It is said that these people received treatment at the Huimin Department.Medical transportation, storage, and treatment of the people, including medical education, are the main tasks of the Huimin Administration.

There are a lot of people here, from Titiao to Chamu* (official servants who were responsible for serving tea and pouring wine in the government office in the Joseon Dynasty, and secretly engaged in search and arrest missions since the late Joseon Dynasty, which is equivalent to today's female criminal police——Translator's Note), all kinds of people. There are all kinds of people.It is said that medical girls who did not perform well in the exam were sent to the Huimin Bureau to be tea mothers, and the medical girls in the Huimin Bureau had the highest status among official prostitutes.People who want to become medical officers must first enroll as medical trainees and receive certain education, so there are many preparatory medical officers here.

The Huimin Agency and the Living Human Agency were established to relieve ordinary people who could not receive the care of the central medical department.According to the literal meaning, the Huimin Department is the government office that bestows favors on the people, and the Living Human Rights Department is the government office that saves people. According to the "Jingguo Dadian", the Huimin Administration is an institution that treats diseases for the common people, while the Living Human Administration is an institution that treats patients in the capital.Many people come to the Huimin Department when they are sick but have no money for medical treatment.In fact, these two agencies are such a mess that they are even called the "Assassination Agency".Why was it given such a notoriety not long after it was established? It can be seen that there are many problems.

When she was trained as a medical woman, Jang Geum didn't realize that the Huimin Administration was not organized, but violations of law and discipline occurred frequently.The medicinal materials that were originally provided free of charge to the people are always missing, and the medicinal material warehouse is full of dust. Before the medical officers obtained the power to independently open pharmacies, they just passed the time and never put their minds on treating diseases for the people.Not only the tea mother, but most of the medical girls are eagerly looking forward to being married by some high-ranking official and taking them home as concubines.Even so, they dared to bully their students, gathered together to form a party for personal gain, and rejected Jang Geum from the first day.

Probably because someone was dating a female physician, the news of Jang Geum's refusal to attend the banquet also spread here, not to mention the news that she practiced medicine without authorization.The medical officers looked at her with absurd and hopeless eyes, and the medical girl showed a deep disgust for Jang Geum.Jang Geum didn't care about this, she justly faced those medical officers who had nothing but authority and decency, and she didn't pay attention to the chattering medical girls at all. Because medical girls are not allowed to do acupuncture without authorization, she had to do chores for medical officers.After much deliberation, Jang Geum gathered some trainees and women who were interested in studying medicine and taught them simple medical skills.Of course, most of them are emergency measures that can be easily operated at home.

For the poor and difficult people, precious medicinal materials or medical books are out of reach, because most of the books are compiled in difficult Chinese characters.Jang Geum explained to everyone in concise and concise language, and also taught them the basics of acupuncture and moxibustion. Zheng Hao stays in Huimin Department every day, just like sticking to his promise, he insists on "always guarding Jang Geum's side".At that time, he was investigating the illegal activities between the medicinal materials dealer and Cui Panshu, so he secretly investigated the payment of medicinal materials to the Huimin Administration.

According to what Zhenghao knew, the drug seed dealer monopolized the monopoly franchise of medicinal materials, while Cui Panshu controlled the drug seed dealer.He found all kinds of excuses to find fault with the medicines brought by medicinal material dealers from all over the country, and either returned them or bought them at low prices.Cui Panshu buys medicinal materials at the lowest price from uncompetitive medicinal material dealers, and resells them to the drug dealers he controls. In the process, he can make several times the huge profits. Naturally, poor people can't afford medicines, so they can only go to Huimin Department, but getting medicine from Huimin Department is more difficult than picking stars from heaven.Regardless of the poor quality of the medicinal materials that entered the Huimin Bureau, and even these inferior medicinal materials were forged by the medical officials to take possession of them.

It is not surprising that Confucian doctors come and go to the Huimin Department, but there are still many people who don't like it.They were afraid that their illegal activities would be exposed, and they were all nervous.Zheng Hao couldn't tell everyone that he came to visit Jang Geum, and the ginseng problem at Sungkyunkwan was still unresolved, so he never wanted to give up the investigation. Jang Geum is busy with his own affairs and doesn't have much time to spend with Zheng Hao.The female doctors are called to attend banquets of all sizes at any time, and she is in charge of seeing patients, educating patients, and even managing medicinal materials, and she is too busy.

At the beginning of the rainy season, Yunbai came. "Have you been kicked out again? It seems that you really have no destiny with the palace." As soon as they met, Yun Bai sneered.Jang Jin was irritated, she was furious and not to be outdone, she said coldly. "Hasn't your lord been kicked out yet? The Dian Medical Superintendent's laws and regulations are too loose, aren't they?" "You don't have to worry about the law of Dian Medical Superintendent. I was kicked out a long time ago." "what?" "I said that it would be better for me to quit drinking than to let me quit the medical supervision, and they let me leave immediately." "My lord, you too... so what are you paying for drinks now? You won't ask me to buy you a bar?" "Damn girl, you have no conscience. In order to make you a medical girl, I will do my best to teach you. Are you not even willing to buy a pot of wine for the master?" "The salaries of the medical women in the Huimin Department are pitifully low, and it is very difficult for me to manage." The master and apprentice joked intimately, and they hadn't laughed so carefreely with each other for a long time.A gust of wind swept across the hot and humid yard with the breath of rain. "It seems to be raining, it seems that the road will not be lonely." "Where are you going?" Only then did Chang Jin realize that Yun Bai was carrying a big burden, as if he was about to travel far away. "I'm going on a trip, and I'll go to Jirisan Mountain to find some medicinal materials." "Leaving Dian Medical Supervisor, are you planning to open a pharmacy now?" "That's a good idea. Please let me use the medicinal materials from the Huimin Department." "Let's go after the rain stops." Jang Jin was worried about his journey in the cloud and rain, so he ignored his joke. "If we leave now, won't the rain stop when we get there?" "This is the rainy season." "After the rainy season, there may be another infectious disease. For the poor people, the medicine at this time is more expensive than at any time. If you want to collect and process the medicine before the rainy season, you must start now. The timing and processing of medicinal materials The method is the most important." "This is the first time I've heard of it." "Every medicine is three-point poisonous. In order to remove the poison, it must go through a careful and meticulous processing procedure. The same medicinal material, prepared with care and unprocessed, has a very different medicinal effect." "Whenever I have a chance, I want to learn from adults." "There is no special method, as long as you use your heart. Spray wine, steam nine times and expose nine times, that is, steam nine times and fry nine times. This process is very important. In addition, it takes a lot of time and thought to remove the grease and finally dry it. The efficacy of the medicine ultimately depends on the method of preparation and processing. The efficacy of out-of-season medicinal materials will definitely be greatly weakened, so no matter how precious they are, they cannot be used." "It would be great if the Huimin Department could have a medical officer like an adult." "Isn't there you?" "There are strict rules on what a medical woman can and cannot do." "Do you think only medical women are like this?" Yun Bai's voice was full of disappointment.He must have encountered something in the Dian Medical Supervisor, that's why he gave up his salary and left in such a state of embarrassment. Looking at the lonely back of Yunbai gradually going away, Jang Geum suddenly thought that maybe freedom is just another word for loneliness, that is the noble and implicit sense of isolation that only those who give up something can have.At this time, the breath of rain is getting thicker and thicker. It was reported that an insider of the Imperial Dining Room committed suicide.Chang Jin was ordered to investigate the truth of the incident, so she entered the palace with Cha Mu. Three years later, Jang Geum came to the Imperial Dining Room again.Walking into the wife's residence where the corpse was parked, Jang Geum tried his best to endure, but his legs were still trembling with hatred. The housemates flocked, and Jang Geum walked into the room without even saying hello. After examining the body, it was found that the insider seemed to have taken highly poisonous drugs.Whether a person who commits suicide chooses to hang himself or throw himself into a lake, he will usually bite his tongue, and taking poison itself is a bit strange.No matter how exquisite the craftsmanship and how good the poison is prepared, it is impossible to die immediately after taking the poison. The sinner who was given the death drug could also walk back to the room and die slowly. The reason why the drug was heated was to enhance the effect of the drug and shorten the time of pain.If the object of death is a military officer or a strong man, the death pill alone cannot kill him, and he has to use a rope to strangle his neck. This kind of thing often happens.It doesn't make sense to choose such a painful method when you want to commit suicide. The tea mother had the same idea. "There are still wounds around the mouth. There are many suspicious places, and the spots on the underwear are also suspicious. They are clearly stained on grass blades or soil, and left after drying for a while." "There is another hypothesis. She went to find a suitable place to hang herself, and then returned to her residence to take the poison, but I always feel that there are some inconsistencies." "It seems to have taken poison, right?" The tea mother took off the silver hairpin, pushed it away from the dead man's mouth and inserted it into the throat. After a while, the silver hairpin gradually turned black. "She took arsenic. The arsenic contains sulfur, which turns black when combined with silver. However, if she had taken the arsenic herself, the corners of her mouth would not be torn." "Someone must have forced it." "Then why is the body not carried away but placed here?" "If the poison is poured by force, there should be at least two people. It should not be that there is not enough strength, but that there is no time." "It must be so, what should we do now?" "You should meet her wife who is close to her first. Maybe she has a grudge with whom, or who she falls in love with is a matter of uncertainty." "I'll also inquire secretly." "By the way! You have stayed in the Imperial Dining Room before, so you must have a lot of acquaintances." Tea mother's voice is very low, you have to put your ear close to her mouth to hear it.She lowered her voice on purpose, for fear that others would hear her. Jang Jin answered very briefly and walked out of the room first.The maids of the Imperial Dining Room were making a fuss around the yard, and when they saw someone coming out, they staggered back in unison. Min Shanggong, Chang Yi, and Ling Lu are all among them, but there is no Liansheng face. "Isn't this Jang Geum? The bitch who cleaned up horse manure in Jeju, why did he come to the palace again?" The road is still the same as before.Jang Geum is delighted that despite the passage of time, there are still things that cannot be changed. "You'd better get out of here, and don't linger here. Don't you know? A palace is not your place." Ling Lu is clearly guilty.But when she looked closely, her voice didn't change, her face was completely pale, and her eyes were vacillating, as if she was being chased by someone. "If you don't let me go, I will go too, but I am still very happy to see you." "It's too presumptuous. A lowly servant girl didn't say respectful words to the female official of the ninth rank? You are still as ignorant as before, talking nonsense." "I'm sorry. The servant girl was so happy that she forgot her duty and caused a catastrophe. Please forgive me." Jang Jin sneered and used exaggerated honorifics, making Lu turn away with displeasure on his face.At this time, Min Sanggong and Changyi, who were overwhelmed by surprise, ran over. "Jang Geum! How long has it been since I saw you?" "We didn't know that you were a medical girl, and we thought you were still working as a servant girl in Jeju." "I'm so happy. Seeing you reminds me of Han Shanggong." Min Shanggong said with a smile, but his eyes were already filled with tears, and it seemed that they were about to overflow.Jang Geum choked up, not knowing what to say. "Have you suffered a lot? Isn't it tiring to be a medical girl?" "Yes, how are you these days?" "Of course, we must live well. Even though the imperial dining room is becoming more and more terrifying day by day..." "Where's Liansheng? Why didn't I see Liansheng?" "Well...she..." "What's the matter? What happened to her?" "There are too many people here, let's find a quiet place." Min Shanggong looked around and took Chang Jin back to his residence. "Recently, the atmosphere in the imperial dining room has become more and more strange. When I'm with you, I have to look at other people's faces." "Look at whose face?" "Look at whose face? If it reaches the ears of Cui Shanggong's mother, nothing good will happen." When I was a noble palace, I disturbed the imperial dining room. Now that I have become the most noble palace, I don't know what will happen. "Recently, the Titiao Shang Palace and the Supreme Shang Palace have turned against each other, and the imperial dining room is in chaos. We live in fear every day and live in fear." "Why did Ti Tiao Shang Gong turn against Supreme Shang Palace? Aren't they very close?" "Don't mention it. Cui Shanggong has been crazily crowding out Titiao Shanggong recently. Ever since Empress Shuyuan has this background, Cui Shanggong simply regards herself as the master of Titiao Shanggong." She is not satisfied with being the number one in the imperial dining room, and even wants to eradicate the master who supports her behind her back.Cui Sanggong's lust for power seems never-ending.There is nothing in the world uglier and more ruthless than the lust for power. "But where did Liansheng go?" "We're all guessing too. Last night, Shang Gong was summoned to call Liansheng away. I asked the girl who lived in the same room as Liansheng, and she said she hadn't come back until this morning." "Why did Ti Tiao Shang Gong take Lian Sheng away?" "Well, I think it's like this..." "Oh, you're here again! I've said it's impossible, absolutely impossible!" Min Shanggong lowered his voice, and Chang Yi interjected while waving his hand. "You child! How do you say it? Just wait and see if I'm right." "Please explain in detail so that I can understand." "That's what I think. The promotion of Shang Gong must have brought Lian Sheng to His Highness." "Liansheng is still far from the time to feed the king?" "You, you, as a medical girl, can you only think of these things?" "Look at you, only the mother of the palace wants to know those weird things." "Is there anything weird about it? Lian Sheng received the grace of the King, is there anything weird about that?" "It's not that this matter is weird, mammy, it's weird that you can think of these things." "Liansheng has received the grace of the great king...why did Titiao Shanggong plan such a thing?" "Think about it. With Empress Shuyuan's backing, Cui Shanggong is coveting the position of Titiao Shanggong, so Titiao Shanggong also needs to cultivate a strength that can compete with her, and work hard on Liansheng. Lian grows beautifully. , and loves to be coquettish." "Why do you have to find Liansheng? If it's just for this purpose, you can find someone from among the people, wouldn't that be more reliable?" "There are very few girls in Nurse Shanggong's family, and none of them are of the right age." "No wonder, who else can have revenge on Cui Shanggong like Lian Sheng?" "Of course, of course, your brain has finally opened up." Chang Yi just said something casually, but Min Shanggong doubled his courage as if he was encouraged. Who else can have revenge on Cui Shanggong like Lian Sheng, the meaning of this sentence can be guessed without asking.Ding Shanggong, who was trusted and relied on by Liansheng just like his own grandmother, was killed by them. From a certain point of view, Han Shanggong also replaced Liansheng's mother who had passed away long ago, and his friend Chang Jin who grew up with him also persecuted by them. In an instant, Liansheng lost three of his dearest and most beloved people, and stayed alone, and they were almost everything Liansheng had.Although there is no conclusive evidence to prove that the Cui family killed Han Shanggong and Jang Jin, Lian Sheng already has enough reasons to hate them. "She won't have anything to do with the suicide incident in the imperial dining room, right? I'm worried whether Lian Sheng will be kidnapped." "Ti Tiao Shang Gong took Lian Sheng away in front of all of us, not kidnapping. Anyway, Xin Yi is pitiful enough." "Are you familiar with this wife? I should know the wife in the imperial dining room, but this face is very strange to me. If it is the wife now, it should be the maid who entered the palace with me, right?" "Xun Yu Shanggong noticed her when he went out to find a girl, so he brought her in. She is old and talented, so he became a special wife." "What is something unknown about her that she chooses to commit suicide?" "If there is something unknown, how can we possibly know it." "Is there nothing strange about this time?" "What's strange? Of course there is! How could it not be there?" "Tell me in detail." "Is there anything more strange than the sudden death of a lively and talented child?" "Her personality is very lively?" "Of course, she is smart, capable, and very humane, so she has become a special wife, and we all like her very much. And she is also very chivalrous, and she will not ignore anyone who is pitiful." "Except for one person." "Except for one person? Who?" "Who are you asking? Is there anyone else besides Ling Lu who tortured Xin Yi from morning till night?" "That's right! Ling Lu, a wicked ghost, wants to eat Xinyi when he sees her. Just like he did to you and Liansheng, he always plays tricks on him." Jang Geum nodded, lost in thought.It is not easy for a smart and talented wife to ruin her life overnight and take her own life.However, in the imperial dining room, especially the imperial dining room in the hands of Cui Shanggong, a smart and talented wife may suddenly disappear.Maybe this is an excellent opportunity to expose the treachery and dangers of the Cui family. Chang Jin told the tea mother all these things, and then went to Hong Shuyi. "I heard that you went to the Huimin Department. I was so worried. Now that I can see you, I feel relieved. You should ask me for help. Why did you leave quietly?" Shuyi was very happy and gestured for Jang Geum to get closer. "I had to leave all of a sudden, and I didn't have time to say hello to you. How is your illness?" "It's getting better and better every day. You have done a lot." "Don't dare to be." "Is it completely back now?" "No, it's ridiculous. A wife in the imperial dining room committed suicide. The Huimin Department sent me here, so I came here." "There is such a thing! The maid committed suicide! The maid is not allowed to die in the palace, isn't she?" "I don't know the detailed reason, but there are many suspicious things, and it doesn't seem like suicide." "Suspicious? So, you mean someone killed her first, and then deliberately designed a scene of suicide?" "It's still hard to tell. So, I have something urgent to ask my mother." "Tell me, as long as I know, I will tell you." "Has there been any spell incidents in the palace recently?" "The spell incident... I don't know about it, but I heard that Shuyuan asked the wizard to perform witchcraft in order to have a son." "Witchcraft in the palace?" "She probably wants to give birth to a son before the empress queen gives birth to Yuanzi." "Isn't there already a son of Queen Zhang Jing?" "It seems to want to have a son, and then plan other things. Besides, which concubine doesn't want to have a son under her knees?" Even if the Cui family is obsessed with power, they should not dare to plot such a thing.Han Shanggong dared to fight against them based on strength alone, and tried to defeat them, which is really admirable and makes Jang Geum proud. "It's so presumptuous now. If I give birth to a son, I don't know what will happen. The queen is not jealous, so it is safe now, but there is a limit to patience. A few days ago, I took you to collect Lu and Cha have gone to see the Empress Dowager." "yes?" "She said the taste was very good, so I just casually told the origin of this tea, and what surprised me was that the empress actually knew your name? I heard that you took care of the nanny Shang Gong with all your heart?" "Yes, I just didn't expect the Queen to remember my name." "She seemed to have noticed you when you participated in the most noble palace competition in the Imperial Dining Room. She felt sorry for your talent and said that if you return to the palace, she will definitely take you to meet her." With this overjoyed news, Jang Geum left Shuyi's room.The Empress Dowager was amazed that she still remembered her own name.She still hasn't forgotten the scene of the most noble palace competition, and the mother of thousands of people remembers the pure and fierce challenge she participated in with her master. Jang Geum walked through Shuyi's courtyard and looked up at the sky.Thick dark clouds covered the sky, as if a heavy rain was about to come, and Han Shanggong seemed to be looking down on him on the other side of the dark clouds. Cui Shanggong's face was more gloomy than the cloudy sky.Ling Lu's face was so pale that it glowed blue. "I've been exhorting and exhorting, how did you deal with it like this?" "I have confirmed that she is dead according to Mammy's order, but..." "Are you sure she's dead? Then you mean she came back as a ghost?" "It's clearly dead." "How can a person who died after taking arsenic go back to his residence by himself?" "This... this... I am also wondering about this matter to death. You have told me, no matter what happens, you must confirm with your own eyes that she is dead before you leave. Not only me, but also the other wife gone." "You idiot, I should have seen it since Xinyi found out that you didn't do things thoroughly..." Cui Shanggong pressed his temples, and the back of his words became blurred.She was sitting on pins and needles, restless.Although she was found at the residence, fortunately she was dead.In order to let everyone know of her death, she must have desperately returned to her residence before she died.To be able to have such great strength after taking the poison is no less than Ming Yi in terms of strength. Just hearing this news, Cui Shanggong thought that the nightmare of murdering Mingyi was re-enacted, and was in a state of confusion for a while.Coupled with the fact that Jang Geum just showed up not long ago, it was even more difficult for her to get rid of the creepy mood. She sent Ling Lu to put the cinnabar in the hot pot in the palace, even if it was discovered, she could still find a reason to argue.Cinnabar is a mineral with a very sweet taste. It has sedative and antispasmodic effects after being ground into powder.It is especially effective when you have a high fever or talk nonsense in a trance, when your heart beats violently due to shock, when you have pain in the lower part of the cardia, or when menstrual symptoms are severe.But if it gets hot, it will become poisonous, so it was chosen by Cui Shanggong to put it in the hot pot. When Ling Lu was pouring powder into the food, Xin Yi found out, she perfunctory a few words according to the mother's instructions, but the clever Xin Yi didn't let it go.In order to prevent Ming Yi's story from repeating itself, arsenic was used instead of aconite this time, and he did not forget to tell Ling Lu to confirm that Xin Yi was completely dead before leaving.Ling Lu still messed things up.It is incredible that a person who has taken arsenic can return to his room.The friends in the same room immediately reported to the Yijin Mansion after discovering Xin Yi, and Cui Shanggong didn't even have a chance to intervene. However, what disturbed Cui Sanggong the most was Jang Geum's appearance.I don't know if she learned about her mother from Han Shanggong Even if she didn't know about Mingyi's situation, as long as she was in charge of this matter, she would definitely try her best to find out the truth. First of all, Jang Geum should return to Huimin Department.Thinking of Jang Geum staying in the palace, she would have indigestion if she didn't eat anything. Cui Shanggong thought hard and finally managed to write a letter to Wu Jianhu. Jang Jin met Cha Mu, and reasoned about the incident based on the circumstances of their investigations. "Judging from the stiffness of the body, it seems that it's not Yinshi. It should be the arsenic taken between Haishi and Zishi." "Are you sure it was poisoned?" "No physical evidence was found, but since something suspicious was found during the initial inspection, it is time to submit a re-examination. The re-examination is the responsibility of other tea mothers." "What if we still can't catch the criminal?" "I will investigate until the third or fourth time. All the tea mothers who have investigated must gather together to solicit opinions, and the case can only be closed after a consistent result." "I didn't expect to investigate in such detail." "Murder incidents occurred frequently in the palace, and most of them were suppressed. This kind of situation is rare, and it is considered an exception. It may be too frightening. After the people in the imperial dining room found out that their friends had died, they did not report their own incidents immediately. Master, but notified the Forbidden City. This wife is probably in an embarrassing situation now." "Has anything like this happened before?" "I haven't seen it with my own eyes, but I've only heard about it. The silver hairpin test showed no abnormality, and the suicide case was almost closed, but it was found to be a homicide with eggs and rice." "How can eggs and rice detect murder?" "Mix egg whites and rice, put them into the mouth of the deceased, cover the mouth with paper, and put hot wine lees on top, that's the way. That's the mercury poisoning incident." Using egg whites and rice for the experiment is because mercury reacts with protein. Jang Geum learned a new piece of information, and his eyes sparkled with curiosity. "It's so strange. I really didn't expect the investigation to be so meticulous." "This kind of thing is not common. It usually happens to people with high status. The most common is the death of poor people, but who will seriously investigate?" "That's right. But before entering the palace, didn't the Huimin Bureau say it was a suicide? It was obvious at first glance that it was not a suicide. Why did you inform the Huimin Bureau of such a thing?" "The reason for this notification is that some people must want to suppress this as a suicide. Looking back, we should start the investigation from here. As long as we find out which insider was not at the residence on the night of the accident, the scope of suspects will be narrowed down. " "My wife always shares a room with two people. By interrogating them one by one, you can find out who was not in the residence that night." "It's a bit of a hassle, but a good idea. Check it out now." Before I had time to ask, the tea mother had to go back.The Huimin Bureau came to notify them and asked them to terminate the investigation immediately. Naturally, Jang Geum could not continue to stay in the palace.Maybe someone wanted to hide the matter, so they mobilized the Huimin Department for promotion.Although he was aggrieved, he could not disobey orders and make his own way.It's better to go back first, report what happened in detail, and then ask for a promotion and give him another chance, that's the only way to go. I should go back quickly, but Jang Geum didn't want to leave without saying hello.She was worried about whether Lian Sheng had returned to the imperial dining room.The haunted place is the same as before, every plate is filled with fresh vegetables, the young girls are picking and washing vegetables, and the wife is walking around among them and pointing to something... The red pillars, the emerald green paintings And layers of copper bowls... The scenery in the spacious courtyard is unmistakable. This is the imperial dining room she touched in her dream. Min Sanggong's position is the place where Han Sanggong used to work. Seeing Min Sanggong's back, Jang Geum immediately showed a bright smile on his face.Just the back flap of the repackaged gown that was exposed on the top and bottom of the apron made her heart thump and beat non-stop. Jang Geum forgot the years for a while, she wanted to run to Han Shanggong's side, but her vigorous steps overlapped with Min Shanggong's face looking back, and she stopped quietly in mid-air.Reality is relentless and clear, like a lightning bolt, unfolding dizzyingly before the eyes.When the footsteps fell, Jang Geum lost his center of gravity and staggered a little. "Jang Geum, you're here, what's the matter? Are you dizzy?" "No, the urgent notice requires us to return to the Huimin Department." "Are we leaving now? We have to have a light meal together..." "I will come again soon, is Liansheng back?" Min Shanggong shook his head, and whispered in Jang Jin's ear. "She has indeed received the grace of God." "I'm really sorry that I didn't see Liansheng. If there is anything, you must go to the Huimin Department to inform me." "Okay, you don't have to worry about that. You go." "yes." "Be careful, eh?" The tea mother was waiting for Jang Jin at the entrance of the imperial dining room, and when she saw Jang Jin, she immediately stepped up and walked towards the Huimin Office.Jang Geum ran up and down trying to catch up with her. Suddenly, Jang Jin felt cold on his forehead, and stretched out his palm, she really felt the raindrops.Black clouds rolled, and thunder shook the distant sky.A thunderstorm is finally coming. Jang Geum still wanted to speed up her pace, but suddenly felt the back of her head burn. She wanted to look back, but she was afraid that after looking at it, she would only feel melancholy, so she ran straight forward.The wind and rain blurred her vision, and the figure of the tea mother had disappeared. Lian Sheng, who was full of fear, ran back to the imperial dining room. "Where did you go, why did you come back? Why are you like this?" Seeing that it was Liansheng, Min Shanggong cried out in surprise.Lian Sheng's expression was complicated, mixed with joy and coldness. "Jang Geum came here just now." "What? Who's here?" "Jang Geum came here just now, and just left, didn't you see it when you came back?" Lian Sheng didn't finish listening, turned around and ran out.The raindrops are getting denser and thicker, hitting the cheeks hot.Water is everywhere, blocking footsteps.Walking on the muddy ground, one palace shoe was also thrown away.Lian Sheng lost his balance, fell to the ground, and slid for a long time, until his chin touched the muddy water before he stopped. "Jang Geum!" The rain was getting heavier and heavier, Lian Sheng opened his eyes and tried to look around, but all he could see were raindrops. "Jang Geum!" She cried out heart-piercingly, and all she heard was the cruel sound of rain. "Jang Geum, take me away too, I can't live alone. I can't live alone anymore, take me away too, Jang Geum." Lian Sheng didn't want to stand up, buried his head in his arms and cried bitterly.Thick raindrops beat her back mercilessly. "You should take this knife away. I have always treasured it for you. It was given to you by Han Shanggong. She said it was your most cherished knife... You were kicked out of the palace empty-handed and brought nothing with you. Long Jin! Jang Geum! I miss you!" The sharp raindrops pecked at the back of Liansheng's head like a bird's beak, Liansheng drenched himself in the rain and cried bitterly. It was reported that a plague broke out in the Anseong area of ​​Gyeonggi-do.The East and West Human Rights Administration and the Huimin Administration, which are in charge of infectious diseases, immediately formed a dispatch team of medical officers. Min Zhenghao, a Confucian doctor, was among them and went to Anseong together. Ancheng, which was safe and sound with few natural disasters, has become a hell on earth under the infestation of infectious diseases.Anseong is the place where Confucian scholars must pass through to take the imperial examination. The materials transported to Seoul from Lingnan, Hunan and Chungcheong are all gathered here, and it is also the place where the three major markets gather.There are many people coming and going in Ancheng, and there are many outsiders, and they leave more than just copper coins. For the common people, nothing is more terrifying than infectious diseases.According to the "Records of the Joseon Dynasty", there were 79 infectious diseases during the 200 years of the middle period of Joseon, and there were as many as six times when the death toll exceeded 100,000. Cholera was rampant at the end of Joseon when trade was booming. The infectious diseases that were more rampant in the middle of Joseon can only be found in the history books, such as major epidemics, miasma epidemics, pestilence, epidemic diseases, round trips, seasonal diseases, and seasonal epidemics.Now it is impossible to know the exact name and symptoms of each disease, but it can only be inferred that it is a highly contagious infectious disease with a high mortality rate. The only way for ordinary people to avoid infectious diseases is to run away. In severe cases, it has set a record of 90% of the people in the capital fleeing.This shows that with the medical level and emergency response capabilities at that time, we were really helpless in the face of infectious diseases. The farming people at that time took it for granted that the leaves fell back to their roots.Even if they fled their hometown temporarily to avoid death, most of them would starve to death in the process of wandering in the valley. Those who survived the infectious disease have scars more cruel than death engraved on their hearts.The fear of not knowing when you will get sick, the melancholy of leaving your hometown, the sadness of losing your family, the exhaustion of adapting to a strange land, and endless pain have to be faced one by one.Fleeing in order to survive, but what awaits them is only the miserable years that are worse than death. Rampant infectious diseases made the harvest poor that year, and even pine trees could not escape the palms of the hungry people, which accelerated the death.Extreme hunger eliminated the boundaries between humans and beasts. Some parents left their newborn children and fled for their lives, and some even killed their children to eat meat. Medical officials have to risk their lives to go to the disaster relief, and some people are often infected while caring for patients.Most of the medical officers are pretending from a distance, and it is rare for a medical officer to actively stand up and treat patients. Of course this time is no exception.所有的医疗机关都聚集在汉阳，一旦下面地方发生疫情，要么等死，要么逃亡，两条道路择其一，此外更无他法。地方官衙设有月令医和审药，负责药草的检查和调度，以及医学训练生的教育，但大多有名无实。他们平时只关心药材的调度，只有药材能让他们的腰包鼓涨起来。 派遣队同样令人失望。疫情发生时，惠民署临时搭建病幕，负责患者的治疗和护理，而东西活人署的任务则是埋葬死尸，但他们所做的只是放火。 东西活人署和惠民署医官组成的派遣队形同虚设，他们只不过是来看热闹罢了。当政浩发现这样的事实时，愤怒得浑身发抖。他对派遣队的医官软硬兼施，却没有一个人愿意行动。 他们进入村庄，并不想多救活一个将死之人，却急于放火焚烧村庄，根本就不曾直接治疗过任何一名患者。尚未咽气就随房子一起被大火包围的人不计其数。 政浩不忍亲眼目睹这一切，只好想办法把重症患者隔离开来。可是医官们仍然忙于抽身，无奈之下政浩只得请求首令*（高丽和朝鲜时代由中央派往各州、府、郡、县的地方官——译者注）派来的士兵和患者家属的帮助，才把重症患者聚集到一个村庄。这个被疏散的村庄用草绳团团围住，到处都有士兵把守，滴水不进，连影子都出入不得。 野火般蔓延的疫情在某种程度上得到了控制，政浩去邻村观察情况。走进村庄，迎接政浩的是尚未退去的梅雨季节的潮湿气息和皮肤灼烧的味道，以及动物们痛苦的哀鸣。村庄中间升腾着火焰，气势汹汹的火把仿佛要燃烧天空。 着火的地方传来人的惨叫和动物咆哮的声音。政浩循声来到一处深邃的所在，展现在眼前的一幕让他哑然失色，不知说什么才好。 二十几个男人有的伤了头部，有的伤了鼻子，有的伤了耳朵，一个个血迹班驳地倒在地上。其中有人睁着眼睛，难以辨别生者与死者。 一眼就能看出他们不是因传染病而受伤，到处都是打过群架的痕迹。斧头、镰刀、木棍还在地上滚动，都是打群架的证明。 政浩急忙来到一个正在呻吟的男人面前，查看他的伤势。那人眼睛流血，但幸好没有受内伤，只是伤了表皮。除此之外没有外伤，但他仍然不能活动，看来是骨折了。政浩把男人扶了起来，给他进行应急处理，又让他倚着草屋的土墙。男人唠唠叨叨地讲起事情的经过。 “我们村里的医员手头正好有治这种传染病的特效药，邻村的男人们蜂拥而来要抢我们的药，于是就打成了这个样子。” “治疗传染病的特效药？到底是什么？” “我不知道叫什么名字，不过我这里还藏了一些没被抢走。” 男人在腰间摸索了一会儿，拿出了药材，原来是用藿香和陈皮等制成的回生散，这是一种用于治疗因霍乱引起的腹痛、呕吐、腹泻等症状的药材。这里倒是有患者表现出相似的症状，服用之后不知道能不能立即停止呕吐和腹泻，不过对于急性传染病不起作用。 “这是从哪儿弄来的？” “从村里医员那里买来的。” “医员在哪儿？” “不知道，已经逃跑了吧。” “医员把药白白分给村里人？” “哪是白给呀，给他三升米还得求情才能得到。哎，就为这个，两个村子的人打得头破血流，他怎么能白白送给我们呢。” “医员家住哪儿？” “你去了也是白去……” 嘴上这么说，男人还是详细告诉了政浩去医员家的路。按照男人说的路线，政浩一直向上走，走到一棵柿子树然后向左拐，看见一座枸橘篱笆围起来的房子，那就是医员的家了。 医员果然不在，一位年迈的老人拄着弯曲的拐杖，坐在地板上望着远处的群山。老人眼睛里血泪模糊，牙齿都掉光了，好象马上就要跟这破旧的地板一起毁灭了，看来他并没有染上传染病。 “老人家，这里是医员府上吗？” 问了好几遍，老人只是呆呆地望着远方。他不像是耳聋，仿佛受到严重打击不会说话了。说不定医员把年迈的父亲抛在家里，带着自己的家眷逃跑了。 “医员去了哪里？” 老人仍然不作回答。政浩心里着急，但他还是背着老人往下走。他把老人托付给身强力壮者，约好一会儿再来给他治病。 想到其他村里说不定也有类似的事情发生，政浩心里更急了。 "grown ups!" 政浩正想转身走开，老人突然把他叫住了。 “他到山上去了。” "what did you say?" “他可能躲在村子后面的山洞里。” 政浩向老人道了谢，向山上走去，这时候天已经渐渐黑了。政浩稍微犹豫了一下，先禀告派遣队或首令，然后带几名士兵一起出来好象更为妥当，不过那样的话就要过夜了。 政浩的思绪朝着派遣队所在的村庄，脚步却不由自主地走在了山路上。他只想向医员打听回生散的来历。虽说他是医员，却也不应该事先预备那么多回生散。声称回生散是治疗传染病的特效药并从中骗取暴利的肯定另有其人。 在这惨不忍睹的人间地狱，竟然有人只顾满足一己私欲，这样的人绝对不能轻易放过，一定要把他们抓出来严加治罪，趁此机会也可以抚慰老百姓每逢传染病来袭就被惑世诬民的巫术蒙骗的脆弱心灵。 政浩决心已定，向山里走去。 天还没有完全黑透，政浩找到了老人所说的山洞。尽管用树枝做装饰，却还是十分破旧，一眼就看得出来。 政浩担心医员有同伙，便拔出短刀走进洞里，除了医员一家，里面连个影子都没有。女人正在给孩子喂奶，医员疲惫地把头靠在洞穴壁上。看见他把老父亲抛在家里，独自躲在这里给孩子喂奶，一种厌恶感油然而生。 听见脚步声，医员猛然抬起头来。 "Who are you?" “朝廷派来的儒医。” “你怎么找到这里的？” “这个你不用管，你声称是特效药卖给村民的回生散是从哪儿来的？” 医员瞪大眼睛盯着政浩，女人惊恐万分地缓缓后退，一边后退一边让孩子叼住乳头，紧紧地搂住孩子。为了躲避吵吵嚷嚷向他求药的邻村村民跑进山洞，却被朝廷派来的儒医发现，医员有点儿惊慌失措了。 “我没想欺骗他们。有人威胁我说这是治疗传染病的特效药，我不得不买。” “谁？是谁威胁你？” “这我也不知道，有个自称惠民署的人带着六个彪形大汉。” “惠民署的人？竟敢打出惠民署的牌子。那群人里就没有一个你认识的人？” “里面有个在邑城卖药材的人，他也卖人参，在周围一带臭名远扬。听说他凭借暴力压迫远近的药材商，低价收购药材，然后高价卖给汉阳的药种商，从中谋取暴利。” “我到哪里才能找到这个人呢？” “怎么说呢，平常在邑城的药材店就能看见他，但是现在我不敢说……” 医员突然没了自信，含糊其辞，大概是害怕那人报复自己。在天黑之前一定要赶到那里，政浩匆忙离开了洞穴。他突然想起一句话不能不说，便责怪道。 “身为医员却把自己的父亲扔下不管，只想自己活命，你对那些衣不裹体的百姓还能好到哪儿去？” 政浩说完就离开了山洞，一路奔跑。光线越来越暗，但还能勉强看见前面的路。 到达邑城药店的时候，已经过了酉时。在紧闭的大门前，政浩稍微迟疑片刻。原以为这个凭借暴力胡作非为的家伙不会逃跑，看来是高估他了。 政浩白跑一趟。当务之急是回到搭建病幕的村庄，如果自己不在，派遣队和首令不可能尽心照顾患者。政浩正准备转身回去，药店后面的草屋里却亮起了灯。他将信将疑地走进院子，叫出了主人。 "anyone there?" 门开了，一个性格暴躁的男人探出头来。 "Who is it?" “请问这里是药店老板的府上吗？” “今天关门。” “您是药店老板吗？” "yes." 政浩不再多说，冲过去就把男人拖了出来。尽管男人虎背熊腰，却也抗拒不了内禁卫从事官的敏捷身手。 政浩很快就把男人制服了，双手牢牢地束在身后。 “你这恶毒的家伙，竟敢以暴力榨取百姓的血汗。我料你也没有胆量策划这件事，谁是主使？” “妈的！我也不知道！” “非把你带到义禁府才肯开口吗？” 目无王法胡作非为的家伙一听说义禁府，顿时蔫了。 “我只是负责从崔判述商社取药卖掉。” “崔判述，是他指使你的？” 又是崔判述！不把国家的金钱和权力全部掌握在自己手中，看来他不会满足。只要有他一天，朝廷和百姓就永无宁日。这次绝对马虎不得！想到这里，政浩的心扑通扑通跳个不停。 “快把崔判述商社的非法勾当统统说出来！” “药材送往汉阳药种商，但不能随便卖，只能卖给崔判述商社指定的地方。不能讨价还价，给多少拿多少。药材低价买进，趁现在这种时候以昂贵的价格卖出去。” “从什么时候开始？” “已经很久了，我们只是按他的指示办事，谁也没想过反抗。” “你知道中间跑腿的人是谁吗？” “那个人在铜丘贩卖药材，身边总跟着一个叫弼斗的男人，还有个身强力壮的壮丁。” 没有必要再听下去了。政浩把男人交给官衙，自己依旧回到派遣队所在的村庄，后面的事情暂且交给他们，现在必须立刻回宫禀告大王。政浩决定既不上诉也不揭发，直接向大王禀告崔判述的滔天罪行，请求大王严厉惩处。 梅雨季节尚未结束，夜空里没有月亮也没有星星，周围是淋雨木炭一样黝黑而光滑的黑暗。路两旁的水田里，青蛙高声鸣叫，吵得人耳朵火辣辣的。 稀稀落落的民房被大火烧过，有的没了房顶，有的只剩下岌岌可危的轮廓，张着漆黑的大嘴。阴森森的夜，好象随时都会有鬼魂站在面前。 突然，几个影子从拐角处的破屋子里跳了出来。 "who?" 政浩迅速退后一步，大声喝道。几个影子拔刀在手，悄无声息地缩短着与政浩之间的距离。一、二、三、四、五……政浩独自对付五个人，似乎有些吃力。 在伸手不见五指的黑暗中，白色的刀刃闪闪发光。政浩凝神于刀尖，竭尽全力保护自己。然而政浩只有一把短刀，要对付五个挥舞长刀的精壮男子实在力不从心，左肩和肋骨火烧般疼痛，身体也不听使唤了。就在他感觉自己动作松散的瞬间，一个尖锐的东西刺进了他的内脏。 长刀刺入的部位是那样地冰冷，又是那样地空洞，政浩不由自主地紧紧抱住伤处，短刀掉落在地，膝盖也弯了下来。 政浩趴倒在地上，痉挛般地向上耸动两下，然后就一动不动了。这时，一个黑影走上前来，翻咸鱼似的把政浩的身体翻了个遍。 "do you died?" 低沉阴险的声音撕扯着黑暗。 “没有呼吸了，要不要再砍几刀？” “把他扔到那边，自己就完了。扔过去！” 几个影子冲上来，抓住四肢把政浩的身体挪到了废屋后面。这栋连围墙也没有的房子怎么可能躲过火灾，支撑到现在呢？只是所有称得上门的地方都破碎不堪，已经里外莫辨了。一只老猫偷窥着院子里发生的一切，然后箭一般地跑开了。 几个黑影把政浩扔进张着大嘴的房子，悠然自得地离去。他们刚走，一直在房顶窥视的老猫悄悄地溜下来。不知道它什么时候又领来了几只，现在总共是三只猫了。 队伍到达邑城，看到集市便停了下来。率领队伍的指挥者下令稍事休息，趁着问路也好润润嗓子。他们找到一家小酒馆，看见空座就随便脱了鞋子乱坐一通。惠民署又派出一支由医官和医女组成的后备队，长今亦在其中。 “老板娘！来点儿水！” “再端点儿洗脚水来！” “干脆每人来碗清清爽爽的米酒！” 眼看着老板娘一个人忙来忙去不得清闲，医官们还是催促她要这要那。 “怎么温乎乎的？这也叫酒吗？” 听见有人叫喊，回头看去，一个医官摇晃着酒杯怒目而视，他在惠民署也是折磨医女最凶的。 “这是刚刚从井水里拿出来的。” “什么？这么说是我吹毛求疵了？你这臭女人，你把惠民署医官当成什么了……” 医官把酒杯摔到老板娘面前。幸好酒杯只是摔在了地上，米酒却溅了老板娘满头满脸。 “既来之，则安之。安安静静休息一会儿走人不就完了，为什么扔酒，怪可惜的？” 一个背朝这边吃饭的客人在冷嘲热讽。声音听上去有点儿熟悉，长今伸长脖子注视着男人的背影。 "What... what?" “既然有力气向无辜的老板娘摔酒杯，为什么不把力气用来救治百姓呢？” “哎，你这家伙！” 医官站起身来，那男人也转身做出迎接的姿势。那人正是云白。医官正要冲上去，其他医官都赶忙把他劝住了。这时候有人认出了云白。 “这不是典医监的郑云白大人吗？” 云白大声咳嗽了一声，算是回答。 “你呀你，闯大祸了，还不赶快向大人谢罪。” 医官知道事情不妙，极不情愿地请求云白原谅。云白咳嗽的声音更大了，最后咳嗽着离开了酒馆。 "grown ups!" 云白看见长今并没有流露出惊讶。 “没想到在这里遇见大人，真不敢相信。您真是郑云白大人吗？” “别吵，我耳朵都热了。” “您不是说去智异山吗，怎么在这里？” “山上没有酒，我喉咙干了就下山了。” “您是要回汉阳吗？” “不是，我听说这附近有传染病蔓延，就急忙赶来了。虽然朝廷派了派遣队，可他们除了放火还能做什么？” 长今满怀崇敬地注视着云白。这里的人们纷纷逃跑，而云白却不避艰险特意前来，长今不禁为他的人品所折服，心头一热。 “不要拿这种目光看人，怪肉麻的，大夏天的直起鸡皮疙瘩。” 就这样，长今和云白一路同行到传染病猖獗的村庄。空气湿热，压抑着胸口，不过有了云白同行，长今并没有感觉吃力。 雨过天晴之后的山野，整洁干净仿佛刚刚清扫过，恶劣天气中的阴郁潮湿的树木翠绿清新，仿佛蜕了一层老皮。终于见到阳光的花儿散发出浓郁的香气，令人头痛。草鞋草的黄花遍地都是，每迈一步都会踩到。 “这种草到处都有，名字却叫龙牙草或仙鹤草，是不是有些过分？” 长今想起医书上面不懂的问题，随口问道。 “新芽刚刚萌发的时候，形状像龙的牙齿，所以叫龙牙草，仙鹤衔来的草吃过之后可以止鼻血，所以叫仙鹤草。人们都相信是神仙派来的仙鹤。” “您看吧，龙是想象中的动物，谁见过龙的牙齿？而且仙鹤也很难见到，何况又是神仙派来的仙鹤，真是太夸张了。” “既然你这么不满，就给它取个象样的名字吧。” “草鞋草最合适了。” “你知道它为什么叫草鞋草吗？” “不是因为它像草鞋一样随处可见吗？” “如果拿它拌野菜，吃起来味同嚼蜡，就像咀嚼煮过的草鞋，所以叫草鞋草。” “尽管不好吃，可这种草这么常见，却能添饱百姓的肚子，做止血剂效果也很显著，这难道不是值得感恩的事吗？” “是啊，药材的价值不在于它有多珍贵，最重要的是其药效如何。可那些小人之流竟然以稀有程度衡量药材的价值，春天里漫山遍野的荠菜不是可以强胃健肝而且明目清心吗？山竹不是可以降压降热而且还能治疗消渴症和慢性肝炎吗？不过，问题