[Episode 32]
Sir, sir!
It's bad. Come quick.
Why? What is it?
It's just... I was...
I took his pulse wrong.
He's...
Sir.
This can't be happening.
Sir.
Tetanus.
Tetanus again.
A Joseon doctor has performed surgery?
Yes. Number Twelve? Thirteen? One of those.
Identify yourself.
Joseon, by the look of him.
You cannot enter here.
Who are you?
Oh, no, tetanus?
There's nothing we can do, sir...
Prep for surgery.
What?
I'm operating again.
I have to cut it out before the tetanus spreads.
But sir...
We failed to prepare against tetanus.
This time we'll boil all the instruments first.
After they're sterilized we'll use new disinfectant herbs.
The combination should be effective.
Are you insane?
Look at the state he's in.
Yes, but there's still time.
We still have a chance before necrosis sets in.
So hurry.
Wake up.
Hurrying won't help.
Surgery?
Even I can tell...
No, I'm right about this.
It will work.
Sir... sir.
The necrosis is too deep.
Our anti-syphilitic couldn't reach it.
If we can't operate, what else is there?
Of course, that's it.
There's nothing we can do?
How many times do I have to say it?
My lord.
My lord, moxibustion.
The anti-syphilitic and moxibustion will do it.
Jinyong.
Both we and the Qing are enduring unprecedented cold.
Even in the rooms, the patients' affected areas are hardened.
But my lord, combining the treatments?
You've heard of mulberry moxibustion.
You use mulberry charcoal to treat the infected area.
Let's try it. We'll use the moxibustion in place of the anti-syphilitic.
That way...
That way we'll prepare the way for the anti-syphilitic to go deeper.
My lord.
Yes, it's possible.
Prepare the moxibustion.
And raise the temperature in the patient's room.
Yes, my lord.
Master.
Say something.
It was risky enough operating to scrape the sequestrum away.
But operating again?
Is that any way to treat tetanus?
It's nuts. He's completely lost it.
Yes, so it would seem.
Right? I'm right, right?
Scrape away the infection?
Before it can spread?
What? What's so funny?
Go tell him to stop.
What for? I knew he would do this.
What?
This disease has haunted him for 3 long years.
He won't lose another patient to it,
not if he has to walk 100 miles.
Don't you see that?
Master.
Tetanus.
I understand you have a tetanus patient here?
The scabbed area indicates the onset of tetanus.
Initial, then intermediate and advanced.
A white encrustation.
Indicating the onset of tetanus.
It can be removed.
Thus halting the spread of infection.
There's still time.
What?
One of them surgically removed the sequestrum?
Just so.
An itinerant doctor from Joseon by the name of Baek.
The one that delivered the marshal's baby?
By cutting open the mother?
There's no doubt he's the same man.
Surgery... surgery...
The Joseon chief physician is using an anti-syphilitic.
So he is, your lordship.
It never occurred to any of you.
We have one more day to find a cure.
Her Grace can't wait longer than that.
She's getting worse. Get some clematis root.
We're ready.
This has to work, it has to...
I won't lose another one.
I will not fail again.
Disinfectant.
Where are you headed at this hour?
Just a little incognito traveling.
It's cold, Sire.
All the more reason.
I worry how our people are enduring the cold.
Sire, I worry about your safety when you travel incognito.
I have my guards.
Don't worry.
I swear. The Seafood Palace at this our?
You're killing me. Cause you gotta, that's why.
What?
You gotta keep goin', see.
Cause the owner lady is sweet on you.
The owner? Don't be ridiculous.
I'm too old for all that.
C'mon, you keep saying that.
You reek of old single fart.
I smell? Me?
Look at you.
First you catch her eye, see.
Then slowly... slowly you give her the smolder.
Slow?
Never mind, we gotta get there first.
C'mon, c'mon, you.
Wha..?
- How many? - Two.
Two? This way. Next?
Look at me.
To burn my hand like this...
I picked this up at the herbalist.
Who knew he had it in him?
Huh? Who?
Him.
Seeing how he misses Apprentice Baek...
...he must be a man of deep feeling.
What's so deep about that?
Him, he cries just from standing around the house.
Really?
You saw him. If you haven't, you oughta.
Look here, cry, cry, cry, all the time.
Sad, cry. Happy, cry.
His eyes never dry.
A fountain, this guy, a fountain.
You're too much.
Talkin' behind my back.
Sir.
Hello.
When did you get here?
Long enough to hear you carrying on.
That's not what...
Not what? An insult?
Thanks to you now I can get on with my life.
I swear, look at him.
Talk about petty.
A man, see, he laughs stuff like that off.
What?
So I should just take it while you dish it out, huh?
Stop it.
Yes, stop, at your age.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon.
C'mon and see what I can dish out.
Sure, sure you can dish it out.
With your mouth.
This from the phony man?
Put your guts where your mouth is, let's go.
What?
I'll do it.
- I'm fine. - I'm not.
Stop.
This is it, today's the day.
C'mere.
It's you or me, pal.
Ten years of it, every day, e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y...
One glance from a babydoll...
...and the old farts are at it tooth and nail.
People, I'm tellin' ya.
You, you there. Over here.
Coming, coming.
The finest in the land, favored by the King.
Soup, sir?
Please.
By the king, you said?
I haven't seen him myself, but that's what I hear.
So he ignores his duties for a bowl of soup?
Listen to you.
Let me know if you need anything.
"Need?"
Here, here.
You're too kind, I'm sure.
Not at all, let's dig in.
Thank you.
Mm, yum.
How's life treating you?
Ugh, same ole, same ole.
It was never easy. But it's getting colder and I'm tired and hungry.
You know how it hurts working in the cold?
If you don't, don't tell me.
Us poor folks, we can't afford to eat, much less get sick.
What about the clinic?
Pssh, rich folks to the front.
Poor folks get nothin'.
Oh?
But I heard the hospital funds the clinic.
Uh-huh, not in this country.
You must not be from around here.
Me? I live in a white tower.
That explains that pretty white skin of yours.
Just like a girl's.
Such a cutie.
But a white tower's not a palace.
The King don't see, smell or hear nothin'.
Oops, listen to me.
So what? He's not here.
I've said the same myself.
You and me, brother.
Here, a drink.
It wouldn't kill the King to knock back a few.
It's all bad, flip it this way, that way.
We all know it, but not him, oh, no.
At least I know to wait till it cools off.
Another drink.
Must be nice, look at you.
Lemme touch.
Sure.
Cutie.
Your Highness, are you tired?
No. Not now.
Are you going out?
No.
Then it's time for bed?
Yes, I suppose, I have to.
No.
I can't.
Your Highness.
Tell me what it is.
Lady Kwak, listen, I heard something...
Your Highness, not a word to anyone.
Eunso, is it true?
Doctor Baek is alive?
Not for sure, but we're looking into it.
Then he may be alive?
Your Highness, we don't know anything yet.
Not a word to anyone until we know for sure.
My lady.
Nothing from my brother yet?
Nothing, my lady.
You're doing fine. Hang in there a bit longer.
My lord, we'll look after him. Try to get some rest.
My lord.
No. I want to be here.
Sir. How is he?
Nothing new yet.
But his lordship is working hard.
He's with the patient now.
It's his chance to win imperial favor.
He doesn't want to lose it.
Be that as it may, a patient's life is at stake.
We're all worried about that.
Sir, it is time to view the results.
Come along.
The imperial physicians.
Step forward and report.
Already? But the deadline is today, as in, tonight.
Not this morning.
They're here, they're here.
They're here to see the patients.
Well? Is he better?
What's that?
A Joseon doctor performed surgery?
Yes, there's no question.
And the patient? Did he recover?
Soldiers aren't allowed in.
That's all I know.
My lord, my lord.
My lord, the imperials are here.
The chancellor?
He's inspecting the outer infirmaries.
What?
You operated yourself?
Yes, sir.
Removing a sequestrum...
...so close to the spine?
And the bleeding? How did you stop it?
With orchid root and sumac.
And disinfectant?
Gleditsia tree, thyme and snow lotus.
Snow lotus. Isn't that for abdominal pain?
Yes, but I've learned it's also an excellent disinfectant.
The sequestrum is completely removed.
But after the operation tetanus set in.
Tetanus? Then the procedure was a failure.
No. I have treated it.
He's still under observation,
but the tetanus has been halted.
Tetanus is dangerous.
What did you do?
I used a two-to-one mixture of herbs to fight the tetanus.
I boiled the instruments.
And a red-hot flame.
And I operated again to remove the infected area.
What?
His pulse?
Weak but steady.
The deep necrosis seems to be in remission.
He's recovering.
They say he's recovering.
It's killing me, how long they going to check his pulse?
Well, your lordship?
So, Lord Yi will be treating Her Grace?
I hope so, but we don't know.
Why?
One of the outer infirmary patients recovered.
His lordship is checking it now.
Really?
What if they have a better treatment?
Hush, you.
Surgery is never better.
Surgery?
Did you say surgery?
Some drifter hacked up a patient.
It can't have worked.
Nurses, nurses.
The chancellor is coming.
Chancellor.
How is his patient?
The sequestra seem to be in remission.
Yes, not cured, but definite signs of improvement.
Not cured, just improving...
Perhaps if you see the patient, Chancellor.
No. There's no need for that.
No need? Why not?
Master, master.
What happened?
Well... well, you see...
Spit it out. You can breathe later.
Well?
Master...
Quiet down.
Her Grace's attending physician has been selected.
Get your things and clear out.
Your Grace, your attending physician.
Your Grace, Yi Myonghwan of Joseon.
What? Who?
Joseon's chief physician, he's treating her.
Why? How?
Our patient hasn't fully recovered from tetanus.
They don't trust us.
I swear, talk about suspicious.
Sonuva, those stupid... ignorant...
Master, wait up!
Difficult, sir?
You see yourself that I treated the sequestrum.
Yes, the sequestrum and the tetanus,
both with surgery.
I can see you're a gifted doctor.
But we are treating the Empress.
You dare not cut into her august person.
And the tetanus still remains.
That's just a matter of time.
If you give me another day...
The deadline was today.
We can't afford to wait.
It's over? Just like that?
The surgeon is in there?
My lady.
You're needed with Her Grace. They're getting started.
All right, I'm on my way.
Out. All of you.
What's going on?
Why are you sending them away?
The trial period is over.
Her Grace has a doctor so we don't need them.
What? And the other patients?
What about those under a doctor's care?
They don't matter.
We don't need them anymore.
What? And my patient?
Where is my patient?
No, it can't be.
Sir.
Wait a moment.
Please.
Doctor.
No. You're not over your tetanus.
You can't go home yet.
But Her Grace has a doctor, they don't need us...
No. Who says so?
We're not done yet.
Her Grace isn't my patient, you are.
And you will be until you have recovered.
Until then you're my patient...
...and I'm your doctor.
Doctor...
Now get on my back.
You can't stay out here in the cold.
Come on.
But...
It's all right. We have to get you inside.
Thank you.
Thank you, doctor.
Nothing to thank me for.
Nothing at all.
Is the treatment going well?
Yes, very well, indeed.
All the imperial doctors are in awe of Lord Yi.
More than a god, he's a...
So, how exactly is he proceeding?
Well, Lord Yi is doing the first step himself.
Then he'll leave instructions for the imperials.
I see. Keep at it.
Need you ask?
Oh, there's an imperial banquet.
We would be honored if you attend.
I knew you could do it.
Not at all.
Don't be modest.
You've shown them what Joseon can do.
And there's more to come.
Pardon?
The Emperor says he's quite pleased.
He said so?
Yes. You'll return home in glory.
Wait, what's this?
They're done already?
Pardon me.
Was there a Joseon doctor here?
Joseon?
Yes.
Ah, I remember.
But they've all left.
They have?
Any idea where he went, where he's staying?
Ugh. Too late.
Where do I look now?
Tusik.
Songha.
I heard you were doing something important.
Where have you been?
Ah, well...
The truth is...
Nothing.
You know me, any excuse to loaf.
Surgery, you say?
Yes, he's from Joseon.
Sheesh, another one.
He was here, now he's gone.
Oh?
I swear, I just want to snoop is all.
You're sure?
I could just ask, sure.
Hey, you there.
- Me? - Me?
- Yeah, you. - Yes?
Not all of you. Just one, chop-chop.
A Joseon girl, I see.
You talking down to me?
You, too, bub.
Huh?
Now you're asking for it.
"Bub?" Did you say "Bub"?
Sir, take it easy.
He's your elder, how dare...
You a doc?
Move it.
Yes, young lady.
Joseon Doctor Taeju at your service.
Shush. I don't need your name.
Taeju, who does she think she is?
This is taking too long. Just one question.
How are you treating Her Grace?
Pushy little...! Who do you think you are?
Me? I'm So Kayong.
Happy? Now tell me.
You, you...
...no...
Are you helping with the treatment?
Still talking down to us. I'll sew your mouth shut...
Sir, sir...
Send for a doctor.
We're doctors.
Well, you are.
Sir.
You went out?
Oh, to the outer infirmaries.
What for?
Well...
Off you go.
Let go of me. Let go.
Off you go.
Just say it, I can walk, you know.
Talk about rude.
Explain yourself. She's from Joseon.
She was making trouble inside.
Still, there are limits.
You're all right? Not hurt at all?
I'm fine.
Well? What's going on?
Oh. You...
We meet again... sir.
So you're a highfalutin... sir.
You know her?
Maybe.
How is he?
Master, his strength is returning.
And his pulse is stabilizing.
By tomorrow the tetanus should be cleared up.
Good. Excellent.
Are you sorry?
It was your chance to go back home.
A chance that won't come again.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.
All the same...
I'm satisfied.
I still get to save my patient.
I can return to Joseon anytime.
But this is my one chance to help him.
That's how I see it.
A fine way to look at it.
Master.
Sir, sir!
Easy.
Don't carry on like that, the patient...
I couldn't stand not knowing how they were treating her.
So I went there.
And? Did you find out?
No. But I met the hottie again.
That hottiest hottie guy.
What?
He's a Joseon highfalutin.
I knew he had brains.
Enough already. That's what I get for asking.
Go make the medicine.
Who was that girl with him though?
She talked Qing real good.
What? What did you just...?
Huh?
Just now. She spoke their language?
A Joseon lady?
Uh-huh. Fluently.
Could it be...?
Wait. What is it?
Nurse... Yongdal...
I'll do it.
It has to be loaded either way.
It's heavy.
Songha.
Listen...
I can't do it.
I can't forget him, can't believe he's dead.
Never, not for the rest of my life.
But I hate to see you beating yourself up over it.
It's my burden to bear. I hate to see you hurt.
I hate to see you hurting because of this.
It stops here, Songha.
I'll pretend I've forgotten him when I'm with you.
I won't, but I'll pretend.
Jinyong.
Do me a favor. Let the pain end, Songha.
No, don't.
I know how useless it would be...
...if I tried to pretend I was over you.
Don't forget him. Don't pretend.
I don't ask that of you.
But Jinyong...
You can't forget him and I can't get over you.
But can't you at least help me?
Can't we at least help each other?
Where is the Joseon medical mission?
Gone.
Gone? When?
Just now.
No.
No, Nurse.
Yongdal!
- Halt. - Let me pass!
Yongdal... Yongdal!
Nurse!
What?
Nothing.
Let me go.
Nurse, it's me.
I'm right here! I'm here!
Enough. Take him away.
No, Yongdal.
Nurse!
Move, move!
Nurse...
Let's go.
Why the palace all of a sudden?
Just, you know, in case.
Just in case? Of what?
Never you mind. Come along.
Your Highness.
Your Highness, Your Highness.
Sire, Her Royal Highness.
Enter.
Sire.
What brings you here?
What?
Sukhwi, what was that?
So, Your Majesty, if the doctor that treated Ko Juman...
...were still alive...
What?
No, I'm not saying he is, but IF he is.
If.
Could you... pardon him?
Time has passed.
No. Never.
Lord Ko was like my own flesh and blood.
He ran away to escape punishment.
Shall I pardon such a man?
But why do you ask?
I understood he died in a storm.
Is he alive somewhere?
No, Your Majesty. He couldn't be.
He's dead. There's no question.
What now?
His Majesty is still furious.
He couldn't come home even if he were alive.
Shall I go there?
When nothing else works, you do what you got to do.
What? What you have to do?
Do what?
Nothing.
It's the cold. I'm rambling.
Wait here.
Officer Mah, do you understand her?
No.
But I'm betting my life totters on the edge of darkness.
What? You mean, a eunuch?
Oh, no... Your Highness!
A eunuch?
You knew her?
I see. So you did.
That's why you want to get back.
Listen...
What can I say? Cheer up. A better day will come.
You're right. Thanks.
At least I've got you.
We're off to Fujian Province.
I'll buy dumplings on the way.
The biggest they've got, King Dumplings.
You think so?
What are all these people doing here?
What do you want?
That's him. He can cure sequestra.
Doctor, please, help me.
We've all got it.
They kicked us out...
What?
Please, help us.
Doctor, please...
What is this?
Master.
Take them in.
But, Master, Fujian Province.
It will still be there tomorrow.
The patients are here. So is their doctor.
Master.
Well? What are you doing?
Kayong, take their names.
Yes, your lordship.
My lordship?
She got carried away.
Let's get to work.
What first, Doctor Baek?
Master.
First, water.
Yes, doctor.
What do you all want?
Are you all sick or what?
Look, this isn't a fancy clinic or anything...
Just think of it as a good deed. It'll all come back to you.
Right, form a line.
We'll get to you, no line-jumpers.
You, I'm not going to let it slide because you're sick.
Line up, go on.
I swear.
No, I'm right.
Look here.
You just make the incision and insert the herbs.
No, look, there's pus.
It must be removed.
You sound like Kayong.
Looking down on me now?
Oh, sir, I would never, I look up to you...
All the way up from your nose?
Master.
I'm right. Do as you're told.
No, sir. It must be removed.
Listen to you.
Well? What do you want?
Who are you? Well?
What is it?
Well? What do you want?
- Master. - What is all this?
Master, we in trouble again?
Is there a Doctor Baek here?
Yes. I'm Baek Kwanghyon.
Kwanghyon.
Baek.
Explain yourselves.
What is this? Tell us what you want.
Come quietly.
Move out.
Where are we going?
You'll see.
But that's...
Where exactly? The imperial physicians..?
Not... the imperial palace?
Move out.
He has arrived.
Why here? Where are they taking me?
As ordered, sir.
Come.
His Imperial Majesty.
Sire, the doctor from Joseon.
The Emperor?
Then this...
He told the physicians to get out.
Please give me five days.
You must leave me to it.
Please move out.
Save her or die.
The pharmacy guild? Jinyong?
You're resigning? What is this?
What is going on?
They're going to Jinyong's clinic.
Find a way.
This must be stopped.
A traveling pharmacy that flaunts the law.
What? The inquisitors are after us?
On His Majesty's orders.
Today's the third day, you know that right?
There are two days remaining. Please bring food to my grave if I die.
You're going to think about food when you're dead too?
Sir, sir, it's bad.
Her Grace... she...
Your life, you said?
I'll never forgive you or Joseon.