Chapter 203

Chapter 203

In the 21st century, before moving to Yangsan, Hyang didnt even know about medicinal plasters. To be precise, he knew the name but had never actually seen the product.

However, after settling down in Yangsan, Hyang became familiar with medicinal plasters.

This was because medicinal plasters were a staple medicine for the elderly living in the area.

Whenever Hyang went to repair farm tools or fix the electrical facilities at the village hall, he would say with a worried expression:

But why dont you go to the big hospitals in Yangsan City right next door?

Whenever Hyang asked, the elderly peoples answers were similar.

We do go. But its bothersome to travel back and forth.

Well, its not like we have any serious illnesses

Despite their words, the elderly relied heavily on medicines. The familiar medicines Hyang saw every time he visited their homes were digestive medicines, painkillers, medicated patches, and medicinal plasters.

It was inevitable for medicinal plasters to be common in the homes of the elderly. As people age, it is unavoidable for all bodily functions to weaken. In particular, problems with blood circulation were the most common, leading to frequent occurrences of skin diseases, including boils.

It would be better to just go to a dermatologist

Hyang would grumble whenever he saw those elderly people, but he gradually became curious.

So Hyang sought out the traditional medicine clinic that made and sold medicinal plasters to the elderly.

Hyang visited the clinic with a few bottles of good soju and probed the old traditional medicine doctor about medicinal plasters while treating him to a drink.

Why do you make and sell medicinal plasters? Theyre sold at pharmacies, arent they?

They do sell them. But those old folks complain that the efficacy isnt the same as in the past. Thats why I make them myself.

There must be a prescription for medicinal plasters, right?

Ha! This is a different secret method from that!

Could it be that the efficacy is lower?

If the efficacy was lower, would those old hags buy them?

The more Hyang conversed with the doctor, the stronger his curiosity grew, so he scoured the internet.

After obtaining information about medicinal plasters through a few clicks, Hyang showed a surprised expression.

Oh? The origin of this was Western medicine?

According to records about the most famous medicinal plaster, Lee Myeong-raes Medicinal Plaster, it was created by Lee Myeong-rae, a Catholic, by combining the knowledge of herbology learned from a Western priest with traditional Korean medicine. (Note 1)

This unexpected information piqued Hyangs curiosity even more.

In this village, the traditional medicine doctor makes them. Whats the difference?

Hyang kept visiting the doctor and asking about medicinal plasters.

Why do you keep asking about medicinal plasters? Are you going to make and sell them yourself?

When the doctor asked with suspicion, Hyang waved his hands in denial.

Without a medical license, why would I make and sell them and face the consequences? Im just curious because the elderly use them a lot.

The doctor gave a rough answer to Hyangs response.

Ill only tell you two things. Purslane and pine roots.

Could you be more specific

Not transmitted to non-humans!

*

What the hell is not transmitted to non-humans

As Hyang recalled his memories about medicinal plasters, he soon moved to the bookshelf.

Medical books

While searching for medical books, Hyang suddenly hit his forehead.

Idiot! Why should I suffer by looking it up myself?

Hyang, who had a change of thought, immediately visited the Royal Clinic.

Who is the most knowledgeable about medicinal herbs?

At Hyangs question, the royal physicians pointed to one doctor.

Whats his name?

It is Oh Han-byeok.

Alright, Doctor Oh, work with me on something.

Youre welcome to join.

As the research team was further reinforced, the development of medicinal plasters gained even more momentum.

Thanks to this, the final version of the medicinal plaster was unveiled before the year of Musin (1429) had passed.

When it showed good results not only among the patients at Public Medical Service and Relief Center but also among those who came from nearby Hanseong after hearing the rumors, Hyang immediately went to see King Sejong.

It was a success! We must sell this medicine to the people!

All the ministers expressed their agreement with Hyangs proposal.

It would be right to sell it through the royal stores!

Agreed!

Please allow the sale through the royal stores!

When all the ministers agreed and came forward, King Sejong also gave his consent.

In this way, the medicinal plaster began to be sold through the royal stores established nationwide.

The medicinal plaster, named Balgeun-go'[3], meaning to pull out the roots of boils, began to be sold nationwide under the official product name Royal Secret Formula Balgeun-go'[4].

*

Not long after Balgeun-go officially went on sale, its sales began to rise vertically through word of mouth from the people who experienced its efficacy.

Although the price of a soy sauce cup-sized container of the medicinal plaster was quite expensive, equivalent to one doe of white rice, people purchased it without hesitation.

Thats how much boils tormented the people.

The body must be clean to prevent boils from forming!

Following King Sejongs subsequent proclamation, the sales of bino (soap) also naturally increased.

*

The medicinal plaster that began to be sold in this way became a hit product not only in Joseon but also internationally.

It was not only Joseon that suffered from boils.

Boils were quite a troublesome disease in Japan, which suffered from a humid climate, as well as in Ming, where people enjoyed oily foods.

Merchants from Japan and Ming who saw Balgeun-go at the trading posts in Waegwan and Shandong and experienced its efficacy vied to purchase it.

It was not only Ming and Japan. Merchants from Dai Viet and Siam, who frequently visited the trading post in Shandong, also purchased large quantities of Balgeun-go.

This Balgeun-go proved effective in an unexpected place, which was the settlements of the Jurchen people.

There were quite a few Jurchen people who suffered from boils as they spent a lot of time sitting on horse saddles.

*

As Balgeun-go recorded tremendous sales, attempts to replicate it naturally occurred.

However, within Joseon, no one dared to dream of replicating it thanks to the four characters (Royal Secret Formula) and the apricot blossom engraved on the lid.

Therefore, the places that mainly attempted to replicate it were Ming and Japan.

However, the results of those attempts were not very good.

This was because all the characteristicssuch as scent and colorof the ingredients used disappeared during the numerous manufacturing processes required to make the medicinal plaster.

Therefore, they also searched through medical books and tried to manufacture by gathering medicinal ingredients with similar effects, but they failed to create a product with the same efficacy as Balgeun-go.

The reason was that Hyang had played a little trick with the raw materials and manufacturing process.

It was due to a few ingredients that Hyang added based on his memories from the 21st century, in addition to the ingredients recorded in traditional medical books.

*

Through this huge hit product, the royal stores were able to firmly establish their position.

In particular, in the pioneer region of the northeast, the royal stores became the most powerful institution for absorbing the Jurchen people into Joseon.

The fact that they could proudly purchase products such as salt, candy, and Balgeun-go just like the Joseon people as long as they had goodslater moneywas a great shock to the Jurchen people.

There was no need to feel humiliated while receiving charity like before, and there was no need to risk their lives to plunder.

They could simply visit the royal stores with their loyalty certificates and goods and obtain what they needed without discrimination.

Moreover, they could legally obtain these goods by volunteering at the labor support centers or selling the horses, cattle, and sheep they raised.

Finally, as the naturalized Jurchen people received the same identity tags as the Joseon people instead of loyalty certificates, they pledged their loyalty to Joseon.

*

Note 1) Korea Agricultural Policy News. 2017.04.15.

http://www.ikpnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=29703

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