There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 122

I was greatly encouraged by the successful debut of red ginseng.

Fortunately, Grand Prince Ikan, who had taken the red ginseng tonic, seemed to have regained some energy.

“His illness is so deeply rooted that it cannot be cured overnight, but the fact that he, who had been lying down all day, has raised himself up halfway is all thanks to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

I nodded at my cousin Lee Seok-geun’s gratitude.

“What have I done? It’s all thanks to your filial piety and the efforts of the Royal Infirmary. Still, I’m truly relieved that he has regained his strength.”

In reality, it was all thanks to me, but I humbly expressed my modesty.

Lee Seok-geun was deeply moved by my grace and returned.

‘If I do good deeds like this, they will all come back to me.’

Doing good makes my heart feel full.

The Royal Infirmary’s physicians also paid close attention to the efficacy of red ginseng.

Having steamed red ginseng several times to make medicine, they were first captivated by its subtle fragrance.

Moreover, they could confirm that their complexion improved significantly after taking it.

Naturally, they had no choice but to give it a generous evaluation for its efficacy.

“The ‘Shennong Ben Cao Jing’ [an ancient Chinese materia medica] and ‘Ben Cao Meng Quan’ of Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty already praised the efficacy of ginseng, and the ‘Mingyi Bielu’ of the Han Dynasty also treated it as an important medicinal ingredient, so ginseng is truly a divine substance.

And this red ginseng is even more effective.”

“Ginseng is mainly prescribed for people who are emaciated and have cold bodies, and red ginseng seems to be perfect for boosting yang energy.”

I nodded at the Royal Infirmary physicians’ admiration.

However, there were also people who brought up other aspects, not just focusing on these effects.

“At this rate, we can export it to the Great Ming [China under the Ming Dynasty].”

“That’s it!”

I clapped my knee.

The person who said this was Royal Infirmary physician Noh Jung-rye.

‘He’s more quick-witted than I thought.’

Even our Joseon’s [historical Korean kingdom] Royal Infirmary highly values it, so how could the Ming people be any different?

It wouldn’t be strange to believe that it is a panacea that can completely cure diseases, just like in the original history.

“How about including this red ginseng in the upcoming delegation to Ming?”

“Hmm.”

As it was, there were often complaints from the Ming side about white ginseng due to problems such as insects eating it or discoloration during transportation.

‘If it’s dyed red from the beginning, how would they know if it’s discolored or not?’

I decided to put this issue aside for now.

‘It would be more impactful if I brought red ginseng with me when I go to the Ming court.’

The creator himself selling it would be more effective.

At that time, Yoo Hyo-tong scratched his head and said.

“But the number of such thick ginseng is decreasing, so it’s a big problem.”

“Thick ginseng?”

What Yoo Hyo-tong was talking about was the issue of ginseng harvesting.

The demand for ginseng was already high, and harvesting was being done nationwide, but ginseng’s growth was so slow, taking several years, that it was not easy.

However, I was not too worried about that part.

“The ginseng in the north also has thick and large stems. Can’t we just bring that?”

Although Joseon ginseng is said to be the best, there was also a lot of ginseng that the Jurchens [a Tungistic people who lived in Manchuria] in Manchuria dug up and offered.

We could bring as much as we wanted from the border markets along with prickly ash, so there was no need to worry.

And in addition, I was also thinking about creating ginseng fields.

In the late Goryeo period [Korean kingdom, 918-1392], something called ‘myosam’ (苗蔘, ginseng seedlings) already existed.

It was said to be a method of making myosam from ginseng seeds and then transplanting them, and artificial cultivation was already being attempted in this era.

‘Modern ginseng cultivation is done by transplanting 1-year-old ginseng grown from seeds to another place to grow it further, I think…’

I recalled my memories.

‘I don’t know the specific methods, but if I manage the seeds and diligently remove pests, I’ll be halfway there.’

I don’t know exactly, but if I gather people and push them to do it, it will work out.

Also, there was a way to process even ginseng that wasn’t that good for export.

“How about weaving together small ginsengs?”

“Weaving them together?”

The idea was to steam ginsengs the size of seeds and then join them together with glue to create a plate-like shape.

It was a desperate measure to make up for the lack of thick ginseng, but I liked this idea as well.

‘At this rate, there will be enough ginseng supply, right?’

I looked at the Royal Infirmary physicians and rubbed my palms together with satisfaction.

If this succeeds, it would be no different from creating red gold and selling it to Ming.

I also didn’t forget to proceed with the red ginseng business through my business.

‘I need to tell Baek Dal-won to start ginseng cultivation quickly.’

If we take charge of cultivation, production, and distribution, how much money could we rake in?

While I was secretly smiling to myself, the Royal Infirmary officials looked at each other and stepped forward, saying.

“We thought that Your Highness the Crown Prince was only interested in external medicine, but you are also deeply knowledgeable in internal medicine. We are simply in awe.”

“We have misunderstood many things until now. There must be a reason why Your Highness made something like the anatomical chart, right?”

“Of course.”

When I heard those words, I felt like tears would well up in my eyes, exaggerating a bit.

I’m not crazy, and I wouldn’t have told them to do this just to dissect people’s bodies.

I was relieved that the Royal Infirmary officials had cleared up their misunderstanding.

===

The people who praised me were not just the Royal Infirmary physicians.

The progress of red ginseng development was reported to the king, Lee Bang-won.

Even that reaction was something I hadn’t anticipated.

“This fellow, who does he take after to only do such pretty things?”

Lee Bang-won laughed heartily and stroked his beard.

“It’s all because I take after Abamama (father, your majesty).”

Lee Bang-won was far from being a child who only did pretty things, but the corners of his mouth went up at my words.

“To have brewed red ginseng for his sick uncle, what a beautiful thing. I am truly proud of you.”

His tone was filled with deep warmth.

“It was something I had to do.”

I nodded vigorously and replied.

It was something I had to do, but I had no intention of refusing if Lee Bang-won was moved and gave me a reward.

“I heard that there are some red ginsengs that can be used for chronic diseases and some that can’t, so I’m glad it worked out well.”

I unintentionally used Lee Bang-ui as a kind of promotional test subject, but it seemed to have worked well for my great-uncle.

I had listened to the physicians’ prescriptions in advance, though.

Lee Bang-won also heard that story and turned his head slightly, saying.

“Ahem, the physicians say that if you take red ginseng for a long time, your complexion will improve.”

“Yes, that’s probably why it was effective.”

Even if it was only a temporary improvement, it would be something for Lee Bang-won, who was worried about his brother.

“I heard that Grand Prince Ikan’s weak pulse improved greatly after eating red ginseng.”

“It helps with blood circulation, so that’s probably why.”

Because blood is gathering.

Lee Bang-won, who was listening to my explanation, made a strange sound.

“Euhm, euhm. I see.”

‘Why is he doing that?’

Unlike before, he seemed to be more subtle.

Lee Bang-won opened his mouth with a tone that was more filled with personal desire than warmth, worry, or pride.

“Euhm, then, you see.”

Lee Bang-won asked subtly.

“Wouldn’t it be okay to take it for other things besides illness?”

“Other things?”

I was momentarily bewildered, but I soon instinctively realized what Lee Bang-won was talking about.

“It’s a medicinal ingredient that nourishes yang energy, so wouldn’t it be especially good for men?”

Like father, like son.

‘I never thought I’d hear my father ask for red ginseng to use as a stamina booster.’

“Are you planning to have another child?”

I asked, dumbfounded.

Lee Bang-won turned his head slightly.

“It’s not that…”

‘You already have a child from Concubine Hyo, so what are you going to do?’

Lee Bang-won had fewer children from concubines than other kings.

He was about to turn 40, and his youngest sibling, born not long ago, was his eldest son from a concubine.

‘You had children from the queen in droves, though.’

Perhaps it was largely due to Queen Wongyeong’s nagging.

Anyway, it was a problem because I would probably have to handle it, unless he could handle it himself.

As I covered my head, groaning, Lee Bang-won hurriedly waved his hand.

“Don’t worry. What you’re worried about won’t happen. I’ve been visiting the Queen’s residence often these days.”

Then that’s a different story.

‘If I have another sibling from the same mother, will my mother become a little more gentle?’

Thinking that way, offering red ginseng to my father was something I could do.

I generously ordered the Royal Infirmary to prepare red ginseng.

Of course, I didn’t forget to tell them the precautions.

“But you shouldn’t take it for a long time. If you take it for more than three months, it can have side effects.”

Then Lee Bang-won laughed heartily and patted my back.

“Yes, yes. I know it all. There’s no child like you.”

“It can’t be helped for the sake of family peace. However, it takes a bit of effort to make red ginseng…”

“I’ll make sure to give you enough compensation.”

The two of us looked at each other and smiled wickedly.

At that time, a voice was heard from outside.

“Your Majesty!”

“What’s wrong?”

Lee Bang-won clicked his tongue and asked at the call of the eunuch Noh Hee-bong.

“I told you not to let anyone in because there was an important story…”

‘Was this such an important story?’

I tilted my head and thought.

But before Noh Hee-bong could stop him, someone came in from outside.

It was a person whom a mere eunuch could not dare to stop.

“I heard that the Crown Prince has something called red ginseng…”

As soon as I saw Lee Bang-gwa’s face, I thought.

‘I knew you’d come.’

“Give me… some… too…”

I sighed.

This family is all like this.

“Do you perhaps have someone you want to date?”

Lee Bang-gwa nodded shyly.

I hope it’s not someone I know.

Lee Bang-won’s face hardened with an expression that he knew something.

“Yes… well… I’ll bring it to you.”

I said with a very disgusted expression.

‘I hope the Retired King doesn’t ask for red ginseng when he comes back, either?’

That was highly likely.

The men in this family can’t resist women.

But I understood with a broad mind.

Unless you have both the cold-hearted reason of a modern person and the pure heart of a child like me, it’s hard to overcome these lustful genes.

‘No, rather, I’m glad.’

People can’t resist stamina boosters.

Even if it’s a scary and suspicious medicine, they’ll put it in their mouth if it’s good for stamina.

‘If they feel the effects, it will sell like hotcakes.’

Moreover, if the story that the King and the Retired King are taking red ginseng is heard, the credibility will increase even more.

“I’ll make as much as you want.”

But please avoid having any more siblings and cousins.

‘Well, it’s not like they’re people who would listen if I tried to stop them.’

I rubbed my forehead while looking at the two people who were rejoicing.

It was around the time when the envoys from Ming to discuss the border demarcation and the audience were crossing the Yalu River.

End

ⓒ Pitkong