Saiunkoku Monogatari II Episode 7 – 一心岩をも透す (One’s Zeal Can Cut Through Stone)

Puzzle pieces are coming into place, and now the ‘mysterious’ disease in Koringun is no longer becoming a ‘mystery’. With the help of Kashin’s books, the treatment for this disease is finally within grasp, with some difficulties that will have to be surpassed along the way. But of course, nothing is impossible. Just like the title states, “One’s zeal (or ‘united heart’) can cut through stone”, which means just about anything is possible if one fervently believes in it (and of course, if one does what’s necessary for its realization).

(this is one LENGHTY summary… so beware :P)

Screenshots

Summary

And so the doctors headed by Tou roushi (Doctor Tou) began their search for the cure of the mysterious disease with the help of the books written by the legendary doctor Kashin, a child prodigy of the Ka clan. Known to Eigetsu as ‘Doushu’, he was also the one who adopted him and took care of him through most of his lifetime. Touroushi seems to have found the information regarding the disease, where its symptoms, conditions, time of occurrence, and the like are indicated. He and his apprentices were shocked however, to find out that surgery would be necessary for the treatment of the disease, which no one else but Kashin is known to be capable of.

Touroushi informs Shuurei, Yuushun, Sai Rin, and Kokujun about the disease, telling them that the treatment isn’t quite possible. The cause is said to be a worm which the snow fox is the ‘host’ of, which was spread to wells and rivers through the eggs it laid. As people drank of this worm-infested water, these ‘eggs’ enter their body and eventually grows, causing the development of the disease. Shuurei wonders if there’s any possible medicines that would get rid of this worm, considering other similar diseases, but Touroushi regrets to say that it’s not possible in this case. There’s only one way to treat this disease, to perform surgery on the patients. Kokujun was especially surprised with this, wondering how it will be possible for the person to survive after having his stomach ‘cut’ (and adds his remark that in the case of clothes being ‘slit’, it would still be possible for Shunki to fix it, but then having one’s stomach ‘slit’ is a different story).

Kokujun couldn’t believe that Touroushi was serious about this surgery, knowing that fishes (or other creatures) who have been performed a similar operation are not able to survive afterwards. Touroushi tells them that it’s possible, but then the reason why he told Shuurei earlier that “treatment is not quite possible is because the operation is too advanced, and is especially a dangerous method as well. Only Kashin himself was able to perform this before, and despite the fact that Touroushi witnessed how he did it, it’s not possible for him to perform this operation because his hands are now shaky due to old age. Shuurei wonders if there really is no one else who’s capable of this, and one of the apprentices says that he knows one doctor who can do this, a great doctor whose whereabouts are currently unknown. When Shuurei heard who this person is, she immediately rushes off to find him.

She runs pass Shou Taishi, who notices how much of a busybody she is, before she takes notice that the person she ‘s looking for is coincidentally with Shou Taishi, in the person of You-sensei. You-sensei greets her and asks if she caught a cold or something (remembering the time when she was but a sickly child), and Shuurei was very much delighted to see him right at this moment of need. Shou Taishi seems to have known beforehand that You-sensei will be needed, and thus summoned him to the palace, much to his surprise. Shuurei remembers the time when You-sensei always took care of her when she was little, and couldn’t believe that he is known to be the legendary great doctor.

You-sensei reads Kashin‘s book, and comments on how miraculous people are, that they are able to find means to survive and not give up on life no matter what. When Shuurei asks him if the operation would be possible, he answers without doubt that it is, and gladly accepts her request for this treatment. According to You-sensei, quite a number of apparatus would be necessary for this, since the ones he has will be insufficient. Not only this, he’ll also be needing the help of the other doctors because he certainly won’t be able to perform surgery on all those people by himself (especially at his age), much to the surprise of the other doctors that they will be doing the surgery too. You-sensei thought that all of the other apprentices there will be going to Sa Province and help out the victims as well, but it seems that they are hesitant to do so. Touroushi couldn’t believe that they still have hesitations and gives them a spanking, scolding them that if only he was younger, he’ll certainly do so without any doubts, and commands them to give him their youth so he could go there. He tells them about their great role and value as doctors, which they can truly show in this time of dire need.

All the apprentices understand Touroushi, telling him they’ll certainly go because they are his apprentices, and Touroushi was touched by their words. The apprentices kneel down before the You-sensei, humbly asking him for their guidance, but were surprised that the first thing You-sensei instructs them to do is go to the kitchen. He explains that they first need to practice the ‘surgery’ on a pig, but worries if they’ll be able to have the necessary ‘tool’ for it. Sai Rin who’s reading Kashin’s book finds out that a ‘thin knife’ (a scalpel) is the tool to be used for this operation, which will allow even doctors with no expertise in handling a knife to cut through human body ‘cleanly’ with its sharpness, and at the same minimizing its effect on the patient’s body. Yuushun asks Sai Rin if development of this tool will be possible, and Sai Rin accepts this ‘challenge’ of making it for her pride as an inventor. You-sensei requests for two-hundred pieces of this scalpel, and Sai Rin asks help from both Yuushun and Shuurei to gather as many well-known swordsmiths as possible within two days. She gives them her advice that there are many renowned swordsmiths in the All-Merchant’s Alliance, then bids them farewell as she still has to do the calculations and design for the said tool.

Shuurei was able to breathe a sigh of relief as the treatment of the disease is finally within their grasp, and also takes in mind You-sensei’s additional request for pharmacists, acupuncturists, and physicians as well. Shuurei then inquires Touroushi regarding the value of what is written in Kashin’s books, who informs her that even thousands of gold won’t be enough to compensate for it, since it’s not something that can’t be bought in exchange for money. This simply means that these books are highly valuable that people would desperately want to obtain them. Shuurei borrows one of these books and asks permission from You-sensei to use his name (for negotiating), who bashfully agrees. Kokujun says that he’ll also write a letter as the head of the Sa Clan to further help out in the negotiation, while Yuushun tells her to leave the Imperial Court matters to him (to ‘tap’ the upper management, according to Yuushun). You-sensei also gives her a word of advice, that having a ‘bond’ will prove to be very important in this ‘bargain’, and Shuurei understood what he meant.

In Sa Province, Kourin is staring by the window, deep in sadness and thoughts of Eigetsu. Ensei sees her, and pledges to Eigetsu that he’ll certainly help out Shuurei, so he should stay alive for the sake of Kourin. Eigetsu on the other hand is still on his way to Sekie, and remembers the time when he asked Yougetsu’s help to bring back Doushu to life, even at the expense of his own life. Yougetsu appears, and bestows Doushu’s soul with his own strength, telling him that this is Eigetsu’s wish and not his own. Yougetsu also says that Eigetsu won’t live long (because of this), and asks Doushu to have the will to live and continue taking care of Eigetsu with the little time he has left. Back to present, Eigetsu hurries on his journey because there’s no more time left for him.

Meanwhile, Ryuuki and Seiran are discussing about the urgent meeting that’s going to be held the following day (with Shuurei perhaps), and Ryuuki comments on how Shuurei seems to be placing all the burden on herself. He also says that even if Shuurei is able to resolve their current crucial matters, he still won’t be at ease since she’ll be going to Sa Province. Seiran agrees, and adds that Shuurei will certainly go no matter what danger befalls her. Ryuuki says that the power bestowed him, he can ask Shuurei not to leave, but then Shuurei wouldn’t want him to do that. Seiran however , thinks that Ryuuki will be more at ease if he says those words to Shuurei, but before Ryuuki can ask what he means by this, a messenger informs him of a request from Yuushun.

That same night, Shuurei arrives in the All-Merchant’s Alliance to negotiate with Kouson all by herself, and Kouson admires her for his courage. Kouson wonders what brought Shuurei to their guild late at night, to which Shuurei says that she’s going to make a bargain with him. She informs him that Sa Province needs physicians, acupuncturists, and pharmacists. In light of this is her request to hire as many of these doctors as possible, who will depart to Sa Province’s Koringun within four days time, and will be contracted to work for a couple of months, regardless of whether the doctor is from Kiyou’s All-Merchant’s Alliance or not. She informs Koushun of a disease in Koringun at present, with which they lack the necessary people for treating the patients. Shuurei assures him that she’ll certainly pay them the amount they’re going to ask.

Kouson inquires if the disease is infectious, and Shuurei explains that the disease is not transmitted through direct contact with the infected person, and that the period of contraction has already passed. They already know the treatment of the disease, as well as how to prevent it, and what they simply lack are capable doctors. Kouson questions Sa Province’s capability to pay the big amount of money they’re going to ask, but instead of answering this question, Shuurei first tells him of another request she has in relation to this – a request for swordsmiths who will be making the scalpel for performing the surgery treatment on the patients. All the people in the guild were astounded with the utterance of ‘surgery’, knowing how advance of a technique it is. Shuurei tells them that Sai Rin requested for these swordsmiths, who will be making around two-hundred scalpels within a day, and whose work will commence within three days time.

Kouson questions Shuurei about the ‘surgical treatment’, wondering if they are indeed capable of doing so. Shuurei assures him of this, especially with the legendary doctor You Shukou (You-sensei) who accepted their request for this job. She also informs them that You-sensei is now in the palace, training several apprentices from the best medical division to perform this surgical operation, and one of the elders couldn’t believe that Doctor You is personally training all those people. Shuurei informs them of its implication, that even the doctors who will be hired to go to Koringun will also learn of this technique. The elderly man who is the head of the guild’s Medical Jurisdiction’s division understood how great of an opportunity this is, and immediately agrees to have his apprentices hired for the said job. This man persuades Kouson to accept this request, knowing that the knowledge and technique that will be imparted to them in the course of this job is far more valuable than money (and that it’s something that can’t be exchanged for money). Kouson understands this, but asks Shuurei if the reward that they’ll get in return will be nothing else but this ‘knowledge’ and ‘technique’ of surgery. With this, Shuurei shows them the book written by the legendary doctor Kashin (from the same bloodline as Doctor Kana), and the elderly doctor couldn’t believe his eyes that this is a book written by someone from the esteemed Ka Clan.

Shuurei tells them that she’s going to keep this book first, which will serve as the ‘bind’ of their contract, considering that this book is said to be much superior than thousands of gold, according to Touroushi, where the causes, symptoms, and treatments of various diseases are written. The people in the guild are even more surprised to find out that the book Shuurei has is simply one among the tens of other books written by Kashin, and of course they want to get hold of these books even without asking. Kouson reiterates what he understood from Shuurei’s words, that the terms of the bargain is that they will have the books in return for hiring the doctors to Koringun. Shuurei disagrees, since these books will be needed for treating the people in Koringun, and that each of the doctors who will be hired will certainly have a chance to read what’s contained in these books as well. Shuurei clears this up, telling them that she isn’t placing anything in return for these books, since the necessary funds in return for the doctors they’ll hire can just be at the government’s expense.

Kouson asks her what her intentions are for having them see the contents of the books, and Shuurei explains that what she meant by this is something like, “If you want to know what’s written in these books, then by all means, go to Koringun!” Now if they have any questions during the course of the treatment operation, they can just consult the books on the matter. Not only this, they will also be able to find new treatment methods and medical techniques in the process. Kouson was very much impressed with Shuurei, and realizes that he belittled Shuurei’s capabilities. Kouson has come to understand what Shuurei’s ‘bargaining’ for, that once they are able to realize the great value of these books, she’ll be asking for the financing necessary for the establishment of an edifice for research in return for the ‘vast knowledge’ they’ll get (related to their plans to make Sa Province a ‘research capital’).

Shuurei agrees, knowing that the vast information contained in these books will enable them to establish a center for medical research, attracting various doctors who will be able to continuously find new means for the treatment and prevention of diseases. In line with this, they’re giving the All-Merchant’s Alliance the ‘utmost priority’ to have the right to distribute the medicines that will be produced from the knowledge contained in the books, or even give them the ‘sole right’ for this. The elderly doctor’s eyes was already filled with gleam as Shuurei explains all this, and couldn’t bear the thought of Shuurei giving this right to someone else (when she mentioned, “If the All-Merchant’s Alliance is not interested with this, then I might as well give this opportunity to other merchants”).

Kouson can’t help but smile in admiration for Shuurei. Shuurei who takes notice of this, says that it looks like she was able impress (or ‘inspire’) him, and shows him yet another ‘trump card’ she has. Shuurei tells him that sooner or later she and Eigetsu will be dismissed as governors once they resolve the matters in Sa Province. Kouson asks her if what she means is that they’ll resign in their position after this is over, and Shuurei tells him it’s likely coming sooner than she thought (referring to Eigetsu’s coming ‘death’, and the lost of one of the governors, as well as the possibility that Shuurei will be taken off her position if she fails to convince the people who believed the rumors being spread by the Jasenkyou). Shuurei knows that constructing the edifice for research will take quite some time, and thus she will have to let the next governor succeed in this matter. He gives him the letter of testimony from Governor Kai, informing Kouson that he will be the next in line to become Sa Province’s governor, who will be succeeding in what they have done so far. The elders in the guild couldn’t believe that the esteemed Kai will be taking this position, and Kouson confirms that the letter is indeed written by Governor Kai. With this, the All-Merchant’s Alliance will be rest assured considering that Governor Kai holds far more credibility than both her and Eigetsu who are inexperienced governors. Shuurei also gives him the testimony from Sa Clan’s head for further ‘proof’.

Just then, a messenger informs Shuurei and Kouson that urgent letters have arrived for them. The one for Kouson is a letter from Sai Shou (in Sa Province), requesting medicines to be dispatched as soon as possible, which he understood to be an extremely urgent matter, considering the red hawk seal inscribed on it. The letter for Shuurei is from Tei Hosa, informing them that the calculated expenses for their plans (for the academic research) have greatly decreased. And finally, to rid the All-Merchant’s Alliance of any hesitation, Shuurei finally shows them her ‘final trump card’ (from Yuushun) – a letter of recommendation from the emperor himself, informing All-Merchant’s Alliance to help out Sa Province for no expense.

Kouson couldn’t believe this, and thinks that Shuurei has most likely waited for this ‘trump card’ and have them agree to their bargain beforehand. Shuurei tells them that this is actually a good thing, since she can say that they made the decision and agreed to the bargain even before this letter came (in order words, the All-Merchant’s Alliance won’t seem as if they were ‘forced’ to make a decision simply because of the letter). And well, given that they already agreed to the bargain beforehand, Shuurei tells them that they’ll certainly pay the necessary expenses, and says that she’ll be really happy if she can give them a discount. Shuurei doesn’t stop at this and prods them that perhaps they would want to agree to help out for free, as a means to demonstrate their “love and service to people”. All the people were astounded and laughed at the thought that Kouson has been ‘tricked’ by Shuurei, and one of them comments that Shuurei is “taking advantage of everything she can take advantage of” (describing how ‘ruthless’ she is).

The members of the guild tells Kouson to just agree with the former suggestion (giving them discount) since the labor expenses will still reasonable after they give them that ‘bargain’, and the head of the Medical Jurisdiction Division couldn’t contain his happiness and immediately heads to the Imperial Palace to witness the ‘surgery’. Kouson was left with no choice and finally agrees to prepare everything they requested for, requesting Shuurei to treat it as though they haven’t seen that letter from the emperor. Kouson guarantees that it’ll take them less than half a month to send all they need to Koringun, much to Shuurei’s surprise because they only requested them to take one month (this is already the ‘discount’ given by Kouson to Shuurei). Kouson tells her that a government official is different from a merchant, in that ‘timeliness’ (or ‘promptness’) is the very principle of a merchant (and says that they have their own ‘means’ to achieve that). And it is also a principle of the All-Merchant’s Alliance to do their utmost to provide satisfaction for their customers in fulfilling their requests, and protect their reputation. With this, Shuurei gives them their trust and leaves the matter to them. It was already morning when Shuurei finished the negotiation, and the next step (and biggest responsibility left) would be to discuss the matter with the emperor.

Thoughts

It’s great to see that we are serving as witnesses to this great history and technological advancement in the world of Saiunkoku, as we see how this advancement in the field of medical surgery will now be widely known. At first I thought the disease would be of mystical nature (given the ‘fantasy’ elements involved in Saiunkoku), but it’s great to see that it took a ‘realistic route’. And now it’s been found out that a certain worm is causing the disease (hence it’s a ‘parasitic disease’), and I’m thinking it’s most likely caused by a ‘tapeworm’. I got curious and did a little researching on this disease, and found that there’s this certain ‘fox tapeworm’ known as “Echinococcus multilocularis”, causing the fatal disease “alveolar echinococcosis” in humans. It wasn’t mentioned in the anime, but it was stated in the novel that one of the other symptoms of this disease is jaundice (because it attacks the liver), which is also one of the symptomps of this disease. It’s also said that surgery is the most common treatment for this disease, which just proves that this is indeed the disease of the people in Sekie. I just wonder if they have the necessary materials for ‘stitching’ the wound after the surgery… I don’t think they have already invented the kind of special ‘thread’ that disintegrates after a short while, right? o_O (or have they? >.>) In any case, it’s great that the people will be healed through this surgical operation.

You-sensei is such a fun character to watch… seeing those funny expressions he showed (the bewildered expression he had when Touroushi was having his ‘tantrum’ :p), and his bashfulness when Shuurei asked his permission to use his name. It wasn’t by pure coincidence that You-sensei came to the palace… Shou Taishi must certainly have this sense of ‘foreboding’ already that his help will be needed, and so he already summoned him into the palace (and is why we saw them talking to each other way back episode 3)

From this ‘realistic’ aspect (‘medical aspect’), there’s also this ‘fantasy’ and mystical aspect with regards to the resurrection of people through the ‘transfer’ of one’s life-force to another being, exhibited in how Eigetsu and Doushu were brought back to life with the help of Yougetsu. This finally explains what Eigetsu meant before about Doushu having ‘half of his spirit / life’. Up until now, Yougetsu is still a mystery… and it seems that he’s more than a human, for him to be capable of doing this ‘life-force transfer’. Perhaps more of Yougetsu’s background will be shown later on as the story progresses. And, as I’ve stated in my ‘correction’… the “saved three times” in the earlier ‘version’ of my summary is no longer a puzzle, because it’s simply an error in the chinese subs TT___TT

We saw a little glimpse of Kourin in this episode, who’s obviously wallowing in sorrow in thoughts of Eigetsu. Having lost someone she loved in the past (Sa Enjun), and once again facing this same fate with Eigetsu’s coming ‘death’, it must really be painful to Kourin. I do hope that things will turn out for the better, and we’ll see Kourin smiling again (and surprise us with what’s going to happen to Eigetsu). Ensei on the other hand, will also be on his way to help out Shuurei, and go to Koringun as well. Having him by Shuurei’s side will be great (as an advisor for Shuurei, and an additional comic relief as well :p)

It was also nice to have once again seen Ryuuki and Seiran , even for a little while… from what I read, this scene wasn’t in the novel (even that scene with Kourin and Ensei). Instead, the negotiations with Kouson was directly ‘shown’ instead. These ‘shifts’ from character to character (or places to places) that the anime did is a great way of showing the transitions that’s going to happen in the coming episodes… it also makes us know what’s happening in other places from time to time (and see a glimpse of the characters we miss so much).

Shuurei was once again incredible in this episode, and it seems like she’s learning a lot for Yuushu (and his underhandedness / ‘tricks’ ). Thinking of this ‘plan’ to bargain not only for the sake of saving the people in Sa Province who has the disease, but at the same time taking this advantage for the realization of their other plans for Sa Province (of making it a research capital). it’s great to see that Shuurei thought of the ‘copyright’ and ‘royalty’ benefits they’ll get from the medicines. And even more admirable was her overall readiness in this negotiation situation, where she really have sorted out all the ‘trump cards’ she have before bargaining, and with the help of Yuushun comes her ‘final trump’ card from the emperor himself (this is what Yuushun was talking about when he told Shuurei to ‘leave the imperial court matters to him’). And you can that Shuurei has pretty much become a ruthless in terms of bargaining that she didn’t dare let Kouson ‘escape’ her. She already has a ‘merchant-like’ mindset before, but now it’s gone up to a much much higher level :p

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