"Mom is 120 over 80."
Thank goodness.
Mom is normal.
Considering her age and the era, this isn't just normal but can be considered very healthy.
If I actually measured others here, quite a few would probably have abnormally high readings.
"Well… considering his age…"
"He'll need to strive harder."
"Exactly. To push blood into each and every small blood vessel… blood pressure needs to be high. The problem is we still don't know how to raise it…"
Ah, I don't mean abnormal in that way.
This is also abnormal, but…
Uh.
So, about blood pressure.
This perception itself…
'Damn… How on earth do I fix all this?'
I don't know.
If it were the old me, my mind would've been blown, and I'd be stunned.
If that piled up, I might've even fainted, right?
But…
The current me is strong.
My mind doesn't shake this easily, that's what I mean.
'No need to persuade anyone, really.'
If I say I'm going to train our dad George… no, make him exercise, who's going to say anything?
Fortunately or not, since our father Joseph's business is doing well, we've essentially opened a branch here, so he'll keep working…
But except for loading and unloading goods, the liquor business doesn't involve much movement.
No, in this era, it's not an exaggeration to say that those in the liquor business are perpetually drunk.
Crazy folks often think wine isn't alcohol, you know?
When I asked why they're drunk then, they said it's the Lord's grace.
"We're going to measure everyone who comes to the hospital now. Ah, Professor Blundell."
"Yeah."
"I made one for you too, Professor. Now, blood bags… no, blood donation, blood donation!"
"Yeah, blood makers. Whatever."
"Um… please don't take from anyone below 110. Conversely, no need to give blood to those with normal blood pressure."
"Ah, right. But…"
Blundell is certainly a smart person.
Not all his ideas are correct.
In fact, he's been wrong a lot.
But the fact that he can recognize problems itself is remarkable.
Stupid people don't even realize something is wrong even in a clearly flawed situation.
'Seeing someone like that exchanging blood… no wonder the concept of blood pressure is bound to be different.'
Watching Blundell nod and say "Okay," I could be sure this gentleman had some understanding of blood pressure.
Even so, he probably thinks higher blood pressure is better…
In a way, it seems inevitable.
He's on the front lines where if blood pressure drops, people die, and if you give the right blood, blood pressure rises and they revive.
In acute situations, it's not entirely wrong.
Since hypertension causing problems is a chronic issue… it'll take quite some time to make him understand that.
"I know about that issue. A big problem will arise soon… Didn't we send official documents through the police?"
"That's right."
Moreover, there are too many problems to focus solely on that.
It's not just a matter of solving one thing only to see another.
These madmen…
As soon as they grasped the concept of blood transfusion, they started doing crazy things.
'The idea that receiving young blood makes you younger… where on earth did that come from?'
It's called blood selling, right?
The act of buying and selling blood.
This is something that existed until quite recently in South Korea, and it frequently occurred in other countries too.
However, as public awareness gradually improved, it's been rapidly decreasing.
Why?
Because, frankly, blood management at the private level can't be done properly.
For one, blood spoils.
Well… our 19th-century friends exchange it fresh, so that might not be a concern, but an even bigger problem is infection.
"We too… aren't free from infection. But we only do it when absolutely necessary, right?"
"That's right. Compared to that…"
"Over there, healthy people receive blood to become even healthier, but if that leads to serious infections, it'll probably die out on its own."
"Yeah, that makes sense. But there is a problem."
"What problem?"
No, if people doing things they shouldn't get into trouble, what's the problem?
I thought that while looking at Blundell.
Then Blundell, for some reason, glanced at Liston before speaking.
"Your subordinates are involved too."
"Huh?"
"Didn't the two of them lead the slaughterhouse gang and clean things up recently?"
"Well, yes."
"What is this all about now?"
"It's… a thing, Mother. Pyeong is more impressive than…"
"Don't say strange things to someone else's mother, just tell me what you were saying."
My head started aching at the thought of having to explain this later.
But… that didn't seem to be the urgent matter right now.
Our guys are involved? What does that mean?
"Ah, aah. Right. The guys who surrendered instead of dying that time… they got absorbed, right?"
"I heard about that."
For some reason, the gang members not only send us pancreases but also money.
At the same time, they're also reporting on their own organization.
"But they're still former enemies, right? If they don't produce results, they'll be killed immediately, that's what it means. So…"
"They're arranging blood… blood selling."
"Yeah. The police probably know too. It was the police who told me."
"No, then they should've told us too."
"Well… the police seem to think you guys ordered it. So they said they should respect that."
"Ah, aah."
Right, of course.
Aren't we and the police, huh, doing this and that together?
"Pyeong-ah…"
"What is this now… gangs and police…?"
"Ah, it's a thing."
"What do you mean 'a thing'?"
"Are you really a doctor?"
Commanding gangs, having the police wary of you…
It's no wonder my parents are looking at me with wide eyes.
"I am a doctor. Anyway, we need to handle our guys on our end."
"Mhmm. Don't say I told you. It seems to bring in quite a bit of money."
"Got it. Don't worry. If I go with hyung-nim [big brother]…"
"Mhmm. They're guys who understand reason well."
Hyung-nim Liston, who had been listening quietly, laughed while touching the knife at his waist.
Looking at that face, I wondered if anyone would even think of resolving things through dialogue.
The slaughterhouse gang guys were the same.
'It'll be resolved nicely.'
What can those weaker than them do?
Moreover, they're probably the guys who were there that day.
Would the guys who witnessed the martial arts master Liston Da-hyeop's skills firsthand disobey and rebel?
That doesn't make sense.
"Alright, then we'll be off for today."
"Yeah, Pyeong. Take good care of your parents."
"You don't need to come tomorrow. We'll handle things ourselves."
"Yeah, yeah. Take them sightseeing in London. There shouldn't be any danger. We cleaned things up before."
"Still, just in case…"
"Haha. With how many police and gang members are in front of this house? Of course, we'll have people escort you."
"That's Liston for you."
Anyway, Liston and Blundell went home.
Alfred and Joseph also left, leaving me with my parents.
"Well… it seems there's quite a bit you didn't mention in your letters…"
"Exactly. Explain quickly. You're not killing people or anything, are you?"
After the three of us were left alone, a long time of explanation was necessary.
It's a reunion after so long, but is this really how it should be…?
But honestly, the nicknames my parents heard about me and the earlier conversation were all suspicious, weren't they?
"Ah… so that's how it is."
"Right? I only focus on saving people."
"Even so… making people drink urine…"
"There's no other way. Not yet."
"Not yet?"
"Yes, someday we'll solve it with blood tests."
"You're not going to make them drink blood, are you?"
"No. Haha."
"Good, good. As expected… you're my son."
Fortunately, as the explanation continued, both of them gradually became convinced.
There was just one point they couldn't accept until the end…
"But why on earth did you spread those rumors about Joseon?"
"I had no choice."
"Even so… it's not like you're unaware of the situation. After China, it's Joseon. The British are already insatiably greedy… if they start coveting our medical technology, what will you do?"
"My relationships with high-ranking people aren't bad, so I'll try to prevent any harm."
"Well… I suppose a country won't fall because of just one person."
"Right."
Actually, the country is probably already on the path to ruin.
The sedo politics (in-law government) must be in full swing.
Next is Heungseon Daewongun.
If there were no variables around, it might be different, but as they say, even China is falling, so what can you do?
'Still… I should avoid accelerating that because of me.'
Our English folks.
They might have flawed personalities, but…
Aren't they incredibly powerful?
If I play my cards right, perhaps they might offer protection.
We might avoid becoming a Japanese colony, that's what I mean…
'Though protection would essentially mean becoming a colony…'
Would being under Britain be better?
If you ask what event in world history caused this, Britain seems to be the culprit.
'I don't know…'
Suddenly, my head throbbed.
It's inevitable since a commoner like me is worrying about such things.
So I decided to do what I always do since coming here: solve the immediate problems first.
"You… why are you looking at me like that?"
"To practice filial piety."
"Who practices filial piety with such scary eyes?"
"I need to be a bit strict sometimes."
"You? To me?"
Father held out his arm to me as I approached.
Certainly… compared to me, who only does doctor stuff, it was a robust arm.
Carrying liquor cases every day, of course.
Physically, I probably couldn't beat him even in ten years.
But it was okay.
"Guys."
"Yes, hyung-nim."
Because there were subordinates waiting outside the door.
"What is this…"
"Let's have him do squats."
"Yes!"
And these were guys who had become experts in 'exercise therapy' for nobles, including Sir Jamie.
"Alright, down on one, up on two."
"What the… whoa."
Elders do it bare-bodied, but our father isn't an elder yet, right?
So I placed a 'barbell'—an iron bar with bells attached to both ends—on his shoulders.
"If you don't do it now, it'll get heavier. One."
"Ugh…"
"That's right."
"That's not right, he just collapsed, son!"
"No talking. Father, you'll lose intra-abdominal pressure."
"What on earth is this!?"
"I'm practicing filial piety, Father."