Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 203

203. The Darling of the Capital Police – Monopoly Bureau. (3)

Back in the 21st century, Hyang hadn’t even known what a poultice was until he arrived in Yangsan. He knew the *name*, but had never actually seen one.

However, after settling in Yangsan, poultices became a familiar sight.

They were a common remedy among the elderly residents.

Whenever he helped fix their farming tools or repair electrical equipment at the village hall, Hyang would often say with a concerned expression,

“Why don’t you go to Yangsan City? There are big hospitals there.”

The old people’s answers were always similar.

“I go sometimes. But it’s a hassle to travel back and forth.”

“It’s not like I have a serious illness….”

Even saying that, they relied on medicine. Every time Hyang visited, he’d see digestive aids, headache pills, plasters, and poultices.

Poultices were common in the homes of the elderly. As they aged, their bodily functions inevitably weakened. Blood circulation problems were especially common, leading to skin issues like boils.

“It’d be better to see a dermatologist….”

Hyang grumbled whenever he saw them, but his curiosity grew.

That’s how he found a traditional Korean medicine clinic that made and sold poultices to the elderly.

Hyang visited with a few bottles of good liquor, treated the old doctor to drinks, and inquired about poultices.

“Why do you make and sell poultices? Pharmacies sell them, don’t they?”

“They do. But the old folks complain that the medicine isn’t as effective as the old recipes. So, I make them myself.”

“I guess there’s a specific poultice prescription?”

“Hey! This is a special secret recipe!”

“Could it be that the effect is weaker?”

“If it was weaker, would these old women buy it?”

The more Hyang talked to the doctor, the more curious he became, so he searched online.

After a few clicks, he wore a surprised expression.

“Huh? Was this originally Western medicine?”

According to records about the most famous poultice, ‘Lee Myung-rae Poultice,’ Lee Myung-rae, a Catholic, created it by combining herbal knowledge learned from a Western priest with Korean medicine. (Note 1)

Hyang was even more intrigued.

“In this neighborhood, the herbal medicine doctor makes it. What’s the difference?”

Hyang kept visiting the doctor, asking about poultices.

“Why do you keep asking? Are you going to start making and selling them?”

At the doctor’s suspicious question, Hyang waved his hand.

“What would I do selling them without a medical license? I’m just curious because the elders use them so much.”

The doctor answered vaguely.

“I’ll tell you two things: purslane and pine roots.”

“In more detail….”

“비인부전(非人不傳)! (It is not transmitted to those who are not the right person!) ”

* * *

“What is that *biinbujeon*….”

Recalling his memories of poultices, Hyang went to the bookshelf.

“Medical books….”

While searching, he suddenly hit his forehead.

“You idiot! Why am I making this so difficult?”

Changing his approach, Hyang immediately visited the royal clinic.

“Who knows the most about medicinal herbs?”

The royal physicians pointed to one doctor.

“What’s his name?”

“He is called Oh Han-byeok.”

“Okay, Doctor Oh, let’s work together.”

“Yes?”

And so, Hyang found a doctor and began developing poultices with him.

* * *

The development was, as expected, a series of trial and error.

Selecting and mixing herbs said to be good for boils full of pus, then simmering them into a sticky poultice, was a lot of work.

Female doctors were also brought in to help.

As prototypes were made with different combinations, Hyang prepared for the next step.

“We need clinical trials….”

Hyang, contemplating the appropriate target for testing, recalled a memory from the 21st century.

According to records he’d seen online, Lee Myung-rae had visited a beggar’s den to check the efficacy of his poultice. (Note 1)

Hyang smacked his lips.

“Tsk. I’ll have to use my power. Eunuch! I’m going to Geunjeongjeon [main hall of Gyeongbok Palace]! Prepare!”

Hyang, entering Geunjeongjeon, told Sejong his business. After hearing the details, Sejong asked again.

“You’re asking for permission to experiment with new drugs on patients at the Hyeminseo (혜민서, public clinic) and Hwalinwon (활인원, isolation facility)?”

“Yes, Father.”

Sejong stroked his beard and pondered.

“Boils seem minor, but they are surprisingly serious. It would be good to have a medicine that can easily treat them. But, Crown Prince, this is medicine for people. Are you sure?”

“Theoretically, it’s the answer, but I don’t know in practice, so I need to check.”

Sejong looked back at his ministers.

“What do you think?”

The ministers hesitated.

Medicine was related to people’s lives, so they should oppose the use of new drugs.

However, they couldn’t recklessly oppose it because of Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s case.

If they shouted opposition, they could face poison or indefinite exile like Ryu Jeong-hyeon and his colleagues.

After a long silence, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik spoke.

“If what the Crown Prince said is correct, it would be a great medicine, but the fact that he hasn’t proven its effectiveness is a concern.”

Hyang immediately replied.

“It’s natural that I haven’t proven it. I haven’t even used it on patients yet. Isn’t that why I’m suggesting an experiment?”

“That’s true, but….”

In the end, Sejong had to decide.

After a long silence, he made a decision.

“Okay. The Crown Prince may conduct experiments on patients at the Hyeminseo and Hwalinwon. But! Coercion is not allowed! Experiment only on applicants!”

Hyang bowed deeply.

“I accept the order! Thank you for your grace!”

They began recruiting volunteers from boil patients who visited the Hyeminseo and Hwalinwon.

“Who made the medicine?”

“The Crown Prince made it with the royal physicians.”

“Then, I’ll give it a try. The Crown Prince, who even stopped the god of plague, must be doing something great!”

Unexpectedly, the application rate was very high.

This was due to the smallpox vaccination program Hyang had pushed forward. People who had experienced its effects trusted Hyang.

Thanks to this, Hyang and the royal physicians were able to use the poultice prototypes to check their efficacy.

Fortunately, all the prototypes showed some degree of efficacy.

“Originally, it’s a collection of medicinal herbs with such effects….”

Relieved by the positive results, Hyang began to sort out the most effective combinations.

It started with half doubt and half disbelief, but when positive results came, the royal physicians and female doctors worked enthusiastically. It wasn’t just them.

Some royal physicians volunteered.

“If we can properly treat boils, we can save many lives! Please give us a chance!”

“Welcome.”

As the research team grew, the development gained momentum.

The final version was revealed before the year of Musin (1429) ended.

When good results were obtained not only from patients at the Hyeminseo and Hwalinwon, but also from those who heard rumors and came from near Hanseong [old name for Seoul], Hyang visited Sejong.

“I succeeded! This medicine must be sold to the people!”

All the ministers approved.

“It seems right to sell it through the monopoly bureau!”

“That’s right!”

“Please allow us to sell it through the monopoly bureau!”

When all the ministers agreed, Sejong agreed.

Poultices began to be sold through monopoly bureaus across the country.

The poultice, named ‘Balgeungo (발근고)’ meaning ‘pulling out the roots of boils,’ was sold nationwide with the official product name ‘Royal Secret Recipe Balgeungo (왕실비방발근고).’

* * *

Not long after ‘Balgeungo’ was officially sold, sales rose rapidly due to word of mouth.

The price of the poultice in a soy sauce bowl-sized container was one *doe* [approximately 1.8 liters] of white rice, which was quite expensive, but people bought it without hesitation.

That’s how much boils afflicted the people.

“Boils don’t occur unless the body is clean!”

Sales of *bino* [soap] also rose in response to Sejong’s continued proclamation.

* * *

The poultice became a hit product not only in Joseon but also internationally.

Boils were a problem not only in Joseon.

They were troublesome in Japan, which suffered from humid climates, and in Ming China, which enjoyed greasy food.

Merchants from Japan and Ming, who saw Balgeungo at the Japanese and Shandong trading posts and experienced its effects, rushed to buy it.

It wasn’t just Ming and Japan. Merchants from Daewol (大越, Vietnam) or Siam, who often visited the trading posts in Shandong, also bought Balgeungo in large quantities.

Balgeungo was effective in an unexpected place: the residence of the Jurchen people.

Many Jurchens suffered from boils while sitting in the saddle for long periods.

* * *

As Balgeungo recorded huge sales, attempts to replicate it occurred.

Within Joseon, replication was impossible due to the four letters ‘Royal Secret Recipe’ and the plum blossom engraved on the lid.

Therefore, the main attempts were in Ming and Japan.

However, the results were not good.

The characteristics of the ingredients—scent and color—disappeared during the manufacturing process.

They searched medical books and tried to collect herbs with similar efficacy, but they couldn’t create a product with the same effect as Balgeungo.

Hyang had added some tricks to the ingredients and manufacturing process.

He’d added ingredients based on memories from the 21st century, in addition to those in traditional medical books.

* * *

Through this jackpot product, the monopoly bureau solidified its position.

In the northeastern frontier, the monopoly bureau became the most powerful organization for absorbing the Jurchens into Joseon.

The fact that they could buy goods such as salt, sugar, and Balgeungo in the same way as Joseon people, as long as they had wealth—later money—was a shock to the Jurchens.

There was no need to feel humiliated while receiving favors or risk their lives to plunder.

They could obtain what they needed without discrimination by visiting the monopoly bureau with their certificate of submission and wealth.

This wealth could be legally obtained by applying to the manpower support office or selling horses, cattle, and sheep.

Finally, as they received the same identification card as Joseon people instead of the certificate of submission, the Jurchens swore allegiance to Joseon.

* * *

Note 1) Korean Agricultural Administration. 2017.04.15.

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