"A title...?"
To be honest, what would Liston know about such things?
If I'm being frank, it would be foolish to discuss matters like titles and such with Liston.
Anyway, the person who would know best among the people I know is probably Lord Damien...
But then again, how would it look if I went to His Grace the Duke to talk about people bringing up the idea of a title for me?
If I said something like that, what would happen...?
It might seem like I'm making a request, and it certainly wouldn't look like a purely innocent consultation.
"Yes, Director. What should I do?"
"I won't ask how on earth you even heard about this..."
So, we went to see the Director.
The Director clicked his tongue a few times, then started by patting Liston on the shoulder.
It was definitely not a gesture of praise.
He patted him so hard it made a 'pang pang' sound.
Of course, since Liston showed no sign of pain, it was a bit confusing, but after hearing him say he didn't even want to know, it became clear.
I was worried he might just leave like that, but fortunately, I've become quite an important person at this hospital by now.
"Professor Pyeong. You... it's true that your standing is rising tremendously."
Given the situation, the Director continued with a serious expression.
Even the formidable Liston was quiet for once.
It seemed something had happened between the two of them.
Well, even if that weren't the case, the Director was quite a reliable person in these matters.
If he weren't a wise man, could he have risen to this position despite not being from a particularly great background?
We just quietly listened to him.
"Actually, I didn't mention it properly before, but ever since the anesthesia, there has been interest in you from many quarters. Not all of it was favorable... there were many hostile fellows too. Well, I suppose that's to be expected. Different race and all."
"I understand."
"Glad to hear you say that. I blocked a lot of it at my level. Well, anyway, since you're with Liston, physical harassment would have been difficult, right? The fortunate thing is that right after that, you operated on Lord Damien. You even caught the Princess's attention. With that, well, the worry about harassment lessened even more."
"That's good."
I at least interjected with brief responses like that.
Maybe it's because I'm a product of Confucian culture, but I feel a bit sorry if I just stay silent while an elder is talking.
I once wondered if it might be disliked due to cultural differences, but it seems no elder dislikes polite behavior.
Look at this.
The look in his eyes is different when he looks at Liston compared to when he looks at me.
"Sigh."
The Director deliberately sighed while looking at Liston, then continued.
"This time, it's diabetes. Diabetes... well, it's not like there aren't any among the prisoners, but those guys are all gang bosses or heavy hitters, right?"
"Ah... Yes. That's what I heard."
"Right. I must say, I think you're quite remarkable too. I heard you're not even particularly good at fighting, yet you thought of making those bastards drink urine... Anyway, among ordinary people, diabetic patients are mostly well-off individuals."
"Hmm. I suppose that would be the case."
I nodded repeatedly.
Partly to show I was engaged, but more so because I genuinely agreed.
In the 21st century, diabetes has rather become a disease that occurs more often among those without much means, but for most of human history, wasn't it essentially a rich man's disease?
Even in Joseon, it was something only the yangban aristocrats or the royal family contracted, a disease far removed from the common people.
Well... Joseon was a barren land, and people starving to death was too common, so in a way, it's natural.
Of course, now it's the 19th century, an era that has become much more prosperous due to the Industrial Revolution, but it's not an era where that prosperity is distributed equally, or where there's even an attempt to do so.
It's not like Marx turned cynical for no reason.
Communists don't just emerge spontaneously for no reason.
"Your reputation will begin to spread among them. No. It's probably already widely known. If the Prime Minister really said such a thing, then well... it's pretty much a done deal."
"Hmm, so should I accept the title?"
That doesn't mean I'm going to become a communist, though.
I've already seen the future, haven't I?
It fails, their so-called equality is just empty words.
Humans seem to be designed from the start to do nothing if they receive equal distribution regardless of effort, hardship, talent, or anything else?
And a title, of all things.
A British Empire noble?
A hereditary peerage would be something I wouldn't dare dream of, but still, this isn't an ordinary matter...
"A title is out of the question."
"It's not possible?"
My expectations had been swelling up, and then the Director said no.
I wondered if this gentleman was perhaps jealous, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"A noble of the British Empire... it's an immense position. You know that, right?"
"Yes, of course. It's immense."
You don't even need to limit it to the British Empire.
European nobles are nobles wherever you go.
Even though the rule of law is taking deep root, if you look at actual case law, the moment a noble gets involved, judges tend to make strange rulings.
"There are that many people who want it... and those who already hold titles also engage in immense checks and balances against each other. Even Lord Jamie and Lord Damien's thoughts might differ."
"Ah..."
"Well, the two have similar political views, so perhaps they might take you under their wing. However, because those two are nobles with powerful influence, they also have many enemies. The moment you are perceived as aligned with them, you'd also be making that many enemies..."
"Then it doesn't seem like a good idea?"
"That's right, it's not. There could be immense social hindrances. It would be a huge problem."
"Ah, I see. I should refuse this, then."
I understand perfectly.
It's a poisoned chalice, this is.
What it means is... well, it's like being singled out as the president's pick for a young association chairman.
Then you'd earn the dislike of numerous senior professors and end up not making it anyway.
"Right, it's fortunate you're wise. If you refuse like that, while some might find it a pity, you'll likely gain the goodwill of many people, that is, people with considerable power."
"That makes sense."
"Actually, even if Lord Jamie brought it up, it's probably just testing the waters. If you actually ended up receiving it, it would cause difficulties. Just let it slip casually in front of him."
"How should I refuse?"
"Just... say you don't think you've achieved sufficient merit yet. That you're not up to the task, something like that. He'll understand. Even though Lord Jamie acts impulsively at times, he's actually a smart man. A man of action, too."
"Well... he didn't become a Duke for no reason, I suppose."
Of course, he probably inherited the Dukedom...
But still, the position makes the man, doesn't it?
And originally, to inherit it, you'd have to be the most outstanding among all those numerous siblings.
It's not like I know the details, but when I went before to help with Lord Jamie's daughter-in-law's childbirth, it seemed quite complicated.
They were fighting amongst themselves...
Knock knock knock.
Since we had started talking with the Director, I took the opportunity to discuss a few more things.
This gentleman is quite busy too.
And I've been really busy with this diabetes thing and all.
I also need to make this diabetes treatment more systematic going forward.
First, we decided to work things out with the police to use that convict sommelier fellow.
If the development period gets too long and too many different 'juices' are provided, it might raise suspicion, so that's a bit worrying...
"Just find other guys for that."
"Using convicts?"
"No, I think skilled workers would be best."
"You mean give it to ordinary people?"
"We'll pay them, won't that work?"
"Ah... Is that so?"
The urine is sterilized, after all, right?
Would drinking urine be harmful to your health?
I'm not sure.
I'm not sure, but...
'Where do ordinary workers work?'
Arsenic.
Lead.
Mercury.
White phosphorus.
Damn... Wouldn't drinking urine be better than handling that stuff?
Isn't this welfare and improvement of working conditions?
"That's a brilliant idea."
"Alright, I'll look into setting an appropriate price."
It's probably difficult to have such productive conversations with Liston.
- Just grab someone and bring them, whatever.
It's obvious he'd say that.
- What about the Apache guys? They're similar to convicts.
- Oh?
I might be slightly tempted, but still, for having them drink it continuously and discerning the taste, this is the best method.
Of course, since we can't keep going like this forever, I did commission chemists.
To find an easy way to detect sugar in urine.
The money we'll make from diabetes treatment will be enormous, so the cost for subsequent development should be nothing, right?
Knock knock knock.
While we were having such an important conversation, someone knocked on the door again.
Who could it be?
Who would dare, with the Director, Liston, and me, the sorcerer from Joseon, all here... Who dares?
"Ah, noisy. Who is it?"
Even the Director sounded annoyed.
Unlike the 21st century, contacting the Director wasn't that easy, so it was understandable.
"It's me! Colin..."
But it was someone I knew.
Moreover, he's originally a cautious fellow, isn't he?
For a guy who knows pretty much everything to come here and call out urgently, it seemed something was wrong.
"If a patient is sick, tell them to wait a little."
However, instead of getting flustered, the Director reprimanded him with a stern face.
He had reason to.
In this era, a patient being sick is, well...
They're just sick anyway?
Even if you try to treat them quickly, would they live?
No one in this era, neither patient nor doctor, had that kind of certainty.
Even among nobles, there were many who, when they fell ill, wouldn't call a doctor and just endure it with dignity until they passed.
"But the patient is my brother!"
"Ah, is that so? Then come in."
But family is different.
Let's set aside the question of whether it's really a good idea to give them VIP treatment and intervene like this.
'I'm here, so things will be different, right?'
I can make it flow differently from a typical 19th-century scenario.
If he's really in too much pain to leave alone, I can assess the situation, right?
Anyway, at the invitation to enter, Colin rushed in with a clatter.
The Director, Liston, and I looked at him.
His face was much more tense than usual.
It's understandable, since it's his brother.
"He's my closest brother; it seems there was a battle recently."
"A battle...? Isn't he a sailor?"
"Yes."
"But is he alive?"
The direction of the conversation might seem a bit strange, but...
In this era, if you get injured on a ship, you usually die, so it's not that odd.
"Yes, he injured his nose."
"His nose... Then we must cut it off!"
The moment amputation was mentioned, Liston started talking excitedly.
"I think it's already been cut off, sir."
"Then isn't it over?"
But when he heard that the amputation was already done, he immediately became sullen.
"No, no. I'm saying his nose was cut off!"
"So? It's over."
"But haven't you repaired someone's jaw before?"
As reconstruction was mentioned, he still seemed uninterested.
He just likes cutting things.
He'd be perfect for cancer surgery.
Me?
I'm a bit different.
Of course, I have my areas of interest too...
But everyone is such a mess, so I can't just focus on that.
"Where is he?"
"Ah, yes. He's at home right now... But if you tell him to come, he'll come right away."
"Then tell him to come. I'll see him myself."
"Thank you, Professor!"
Besides, it's Colin.
The one who eats poop after picking out beans, drinks urine, and does all sorts of things.
And it seems like he'll have to continue doing so in the future.
It would be good to have him owe me a favor on this occasion.