The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 336

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 336

How am I supposed to become a director of Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital?

Seeing me just moving my lips with a face that couldn’t understand what he was talking about, the Emperor said he had been too hasty and began to explain step by step.

“First, I should talk about the structure of our Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital. All branches of our hospital are directly operated and run by the Imperial Medical Foundation, which is a non-profit corporation.”

I knew that much.

In the case of so-called franchise and network systems, even if they share the same brand, each branch’s clinic director manages individually and pays a fixed amount or percentage to headquarters.

But in the case of Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital, the hospital’s revenue belongs to the foundation headquarters, and each branch’s hospital director receives a salary and performance bonuses.

‘That’s why Hwang Jihun was also transferred to the Changwon branch.’

Of course, the Emperor and his family do take a portion of the profits by having separate for-profit corporations handle services like business consulting, promotion, management, equipment purchasing, and interior design needed for hospital operations.

But in principle, Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital operates according to board decisions.

“The current board composition is roughly like this.”

Hwang Jihun held out his phone.

The board consisted of the Emperor as chairman, one full-time director who also served as secretary-general, around 10 part-time directors, and one auditor.

In practice, the full-time director handles administrative work needed for the corporation, while part-time directors are typically appointed from external personnel or hospital-related individuals.

“Half are relatives, but there are also Korean medicine university professors who advise on treatment and policy, research institution personnel who advise whenever we conduct large-scale research, former government officials, and legal and accounting experts. There would be no problem with you joining, Clinic Director.”

“I see. So if I become a part-time director, would I provide medical consultation?”

I probably wouldn’t freely consult on individual patient cases like I do in my network.

Would I get involved in systems and protocols?

The Emperor answered this question.

“We’d need to improve treatment protocols in line with developments in medicine and Korean medicine. Sometimes there might be consultation requests about research or academic exchange and education among our affiliated directors, and when agenda items like new branch establishment, expansion, reduction, or brand strategy come up in meetings, you could offer opinions.”

Hmm, so I could offer opinions or not.

I fully understood that I could be helpful both as a clinician and as a manager.

“How often do you hold meetings?”

“Once a year, or at most around four times when there’s a lot going on.”

1-4 times a year? Then time-wise, being a part-time director wouldn’t be impossible.

But I was puzzled about why they were making this offer to me.

“Do you want me to help operate in the direction of overseas expansion that you couldn’t complete, Teacher?”

“That’s not it.”

The Emperor shook his head firmly.

“I’m absolutely not asking you to achieve my goals for me. Though I created it, I think it has somewhat left my hands now. If Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital continues to fulfill its role for healthcare even after I die, that would be enough. You just need to make decisions you think are right as a board member at each moment.”

He didn’t want to install his puppet, but rather entrust the hospital to trustworthy people and prepare for the future.

If he really meant I could do as I pleased…

There would be authority but not much responsibility or time consumption.

“Aren’t you trusting me too much? Seongsoo Oriental Medicine Clinic and Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital are also competitors, and there will be points where interests conflict.”

“From a narrow perspective they’re competitors, but I don’t think of it only that way. Your righteous path not only contributed to increasing Korean medicine’s credibility but also expanded globally, growing the overall pie. That’s also what I wanted to achieve when I established Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital. The Imperial Medical Foundation and Seongsoo Network can coexist and learn from each other.”

“…”

“There will be many useful aspects for you too, both socially and economically.”

I had no more words to argue with.

I had only asked because I was worried someone might find fault with it someday, but deep down I agreed with the Emperor’s words.

The Emperor had established dozens of large Korean medicine hospitals by region.

Many private practitioners dislike hospitals because when a large hospital opens nearby, it inevitably draws away patients.

But it’s certain that the entire industry shares the credibility that brands provide.

‘Well, the current Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital is ambiguous, but…’

I acknowledged the Emperor’s contributions and was walking a somewhat similar path myself.

What I could do, should do, and wanted to do as a director at Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital.

And I carefully weighed the economic and non-economic benefits that would come to me personally.

‘Just having the official director title alone wouldn’t be a loss.’

After much consideration, I made my decision.

“Let’s make it happen. I accept.”

Whether the vision the Emperor spoke of would really unfold would depend on what we do going forward.

“Good thinking.”

The Emperor’s stern face brightened considerably, and Hwang Jihun didn’t hide his joy either.

“…Congratulations.”

Hwang Sanghun clapped somewhat bewilderedly.

* * *

When entering and leaving the hospital room, the Emperor’s complexion was noticeably different.

Since he felt this change greatly himself, he said he would be discharged soon after observing his progress for a few days.

In my opinion too, it didn’t seem like there would be symptoms like cerebrovascular blockage in the near future.

“What would you accomplish by staying here? Go down quickly and get to work.”

The Emperor chased Hwang Sanghun away.

Even though he was the one who called him!

According to Hwangseoyeong, he had apparently gathered relatives a few days ago too, but once his condition improved a bit, he decided to do something himself and instantly switched tactics.

Since Hwang Sanghun didn’t particularly want to stay by the Emperor’s side for long either, we took the train together.

“Ah, somehow I ended up becoming a director at Older Brother’s hospital.”

I suddenly remembered long ago, when I had just entered the College of Korean Medicine.

How surprised I was when I heard that my university coworkers Hwang Sanghun and Hwangseoyeong were the third generation of Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital? I thought it was a story completely unrelated to me.

I scratched my head, feeling somewhat awkward.

“It’s a hospital that has nothing to do with me. Old Man is the chairman, and Old Man wants to invite me, so whatever.”

Hwang Sanghun shook his head firmly.

“Older Brother seems happy thinking you’ll support him, but ignore that and really do whatever you want.”

“Yeah. I’ll think hard and vote whenever meetings are held.”

I chuckled softly.

But probably, if Hwang Jihun and Director Jeong Suhwan ever fight over the next chairman position, wouldn’t I end up supporting Hwang Jihun?

According to the organizational chart Hwang Jihun showed me earlier, Director Jeong Suhwan also occupied a position as a non-executive director.

I wonder if everything can flow smoothly.

For now, the Emperor Clinic Director has regained his energy and is actively trying to do something, so he’ll take measures.

“I’ll just do my best as Vice Director.”

“That’s enough, and thank you.”

Mm-hmm, we’re each working hard in our positions.

In the past, I didn’t understand Hwang Sanghun and used to ask about his intentions to open a practice.

But now I knew he was genuinely happy seeing patients as Vice Director, so I didn’t add any more words.

“I thought Old Man would dislike Older Brother working at Our Oriental Medicine Clinic, but it was really unexpected that he liked it.”

“He knows it’s a position too good for me.”

Hwang Sanghun joked, pulling up the corners of his mouth.

No way that could be true.

“Actually, I was surprised too. I thought he’d be furious about you leaving home and wouldn’t even treat you like a grandson, but he seems to have affection. Today was the first time I saw him laugh so much.”

“Really? I thought he was being gentle because I’m an outsider.”

“It’s because it’s you. Usually he’s equally prickly to insiders and outsiders alike.”

Hwang Sanghun told me several unpleasant memories with Old Man.

Stories about getting scolded when he thought he’d receive praise.

Stories about seeing Father get scolded.

Stories about seeing him get angry at other relatives or Secretary, and so on.

Among them, Hwang Sanghun was most displeased at the part where Old Man favored Older Brother.

“I had been curious for a long time about how Old Man treated the lower back pain patient that Father couldn’t cure for so long, but finally my question was resolved.”

Hmm, that must have been a patient whose energy and blood were blocked.

“Why did he say such harsh words? If he had told the Emperor Clinic Director, he would have helped. Wasn’t it because he kept it to himself?”

Hwang Sanghun’s face became horribly distorted.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“I don’t know. His energy and blood might be clean, but his personality is twisted. I don’t want to know.”

That’s also a valid point.

I felt I had defended him enough for receiving the director title, so I just laughed it off.

While chatting, we quickly arrived in Busan.

“Ah! What should I do since I skipped exercise for several days? I’ll take you to the gym!”

When departing, Hwang Sanghun had taken Hwang Jihun’s car.

I had left my car parked in Busan Station parking lot.

I put Hwang Sanghun in my car and moved to the neighborhood.

“No, today is fine… I was sitting for a long time too.”

“Since you were sitting for a long time, you need to exercise even more!”

After dropping him off in front of the gym with safe and comfortable driving.

“Fighting!”

“…Fighting…”

I returned home.

Since I had only gone to take care of business, it wasn’t very late.

“Still, I came back quickly.”

Though there was fatigue from the day trip, it was better in many ways than arriving late.

They’ll probably contact me again when the director appointment procedures are finalized, right?

I entered the master bedroom with a comfortable mind and opened the window.

‘Come to think of it, where did Cheongsori go?’

When I opened the balcony window, I used to see Cheongsori coming and going, but lately I haven’t seen him much.

It’s been quite a while since I returned from Saudi Arabia, so did he go on an expedition somewhere to find spiritual medicine?

It’s awkward to send a signal for something trivial, so should I go to the rear mountain this weekend if he doesn’t come?

Setting aside Cheongsol and Songgol, who are difficult to contact, I sent a message to Kim Ijin.

“She won’t be upset that I’m a bit late, right?”

She must have won a gold medal, and we had promised to have a separate celebration party.

After returning to the country, I had been busy for a while filling in for Hwang Sanghun and Lee Ahreum’s vacation spots.

Since I thought of it, I should contact her right away.

[Do you remember when we talked about a celebration party before?]

[Of course!]

She wasn’t waiting for it, was she?

A reply came in less than a minute.

Kim Ijin didn’t seem busy either since the professional basketball season hadn’t started yet.

I called to set a date before it got too late.

“I’ll show you all the new furniture I got! I even have a meat grilling machine now. What kind of meat do you like?”

– Beef….

“Great, great! Beef!”

Kim Ijin said this weekend would be fine, or if that was difficult for me, she’d keep the next weekend or even the weekend after that free.

She must have been really looking forward to it.

I fixed the date for this weekend with a slightly apologetic heart.

“I’ll pay for everything, so bring anyone you want to bring~! I don’t mind if there are people I don’t know!”

Since it was a party for Kim Ijin, it would be more fun to hang out with Kim Ijin’s friends, right?

Even though they were work colleagues, would Lee Sora and Myeong Seonju come?

Maybe even high school classmates would come.

Just among the friends I knew, I thought of Chaerira, whose arm I had treated before, and Jeong Inseong and Min Juyeon, who were in the same class.

– Yes, thank you.

I prepared plenty of beef in anticipation of the party.

“Hello.”

On the day of our appointment, Kim Ijin showed up alone.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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