Return to Africa to become a tycoon

Chapter 9: A Liar or a Miracle?

"He's not a doctor, he's a fraud!"

Federico despises charlatans who use the guise of a doctor to commit fraud.

After all, he is a doctor himself and cannot tolerate the word "doctor" being tarnished by fraudsters.

Moreover, this fraudster not only tarnished the reputation of doctors, but also attempted to murder so many people, which is simply unforgivable.

What's even more unforgivable is that the press actually associated him with "doctor"—giving him the title of a deadly healer.

Deadly?

Is that a doctor?

He's clearly a liar!

"Yes, that guy is a fraudster who uses the guise of a doctor to scam people."

Alessandro immediately agreed:

"And that's why I've come to visit you, sir. He claims he can cure syphilis. Is that even possible?"

"it's out of the question."

Federico's tone was extremely certain:

"Syphilis is incurable. At most, mercury therapy can be used to relieve symptoms, but its side effects far outweigh its therapeutic effects."

This is common knowledge—after all, the disease has been spreading in Europe for hundreds of years.

Alessandro continued to ask:

"I'd like to know if any new treatments or drugs have been invented in the UK or Germany recently that can cure syphilis?"

"No!"

Federico's answer was very straightforward:

"I can tell you with certainty—no one can cure syphilis. If someone were to invent a cure, it would be a sensation throughout Europe, and we wouldn't be left out, especially here in Genoa."

Genoa is Italy's largest port.

If such news were to appear, it would definitely be sent here immediately.

Then, Federico pondered for a moment and said to Alessandro:

"Your Honor, if you need help, I can help you diagnose those poor people and testify in court."

The reason the Baron is so enthusiastic is because the whole of Genoa is talking about the "Deadly Doctor" case.

If he could testify in court and send that devil to prison, he would become famous.

Reputation...who doesn't like that?

Moreover, this time it's to rid the people of a scourge!

"Really?"

Alessandro's face lit up with joy:

"I was just about to go to the port hospital to question those who were scammed. If Your Excellency has the time, we can go together."

Federico immediately agreed.

……

The port hospital, though called a hospital, was really just a "humanitarian care" facility. The patients who came here were either dockworkers from the nearby slums or sailors from various countries.

The hospital only had a few doctors, whose skill levels varied greatly; frankly, all they could do was prescribe some medicine. Patients admitted here, after drinking those "miracle potions," were left to their fate.

In fact, these days, Western medicine is pretty much like this—except for surgery, which is still relatively reliable, most of the other treatments are various kinds of magical potions that leave people to "leave it to fate."

After being rescued, Hyde and the others were taken to a large ward, but they did not resign themselves to fate.

After being admitted to the hospital, the doctors discovered that they were all infected with malaria, so they used quinine.

Thanks to the large-scale cultivation of cinchona trees by the Dutch in the Dutch East Indies, the price of quinine, which once sold for exorbitant prices, has just been driven down.

Because no medical fees were paid, besides Tom taking care of them, only one nurse would occasionally come to check on them.

"Nurse, how am I?

Hyde, whose high fever had subsided, still sounded somewhat weak—after all, he had been running a high fever for the past few days.

"Sir, your fever has subsided and your symptoms are lessening. You will recover soon."

That's not what I asked!

"Tom, Tom..."

Hyde struggled to sit up, staring at Tom who had just run over:

"Where's the doctor? Where is he?"

"He's been arrested by the police, First Mate! They say he's a fraud and that he tried to murder you! First Mate!"

Tom's answer surprised Hyde—it was so noisy back then that he had no idea what was going on.

"A scam? That's unlikely, I feel, I feel..."

Hyde frowned. Although he didn't know the specifics of his body's condition, he could clearly feel the changes in his body and even sense a different kind of relaxation.

Just then, a voice came from the side:

"Hyde, you know what? I feel like he might have cured me."

Hyde was still weak after several days of high fever, and he only responded softly:

"What?"

Hyde turned his head and looked at old Conrad in surprise—only to see old Conrad stretching out his hand and gesturing towards the ceiling, his expression full of astonishment.

"My God, I think I've witnessed a miracle!"

As he spoke, he kept gesturing with his hands to indicate the name:

"I mean, the sky, the sky has stopped spinning..."

Conrad, who had been infected with syphilis for over twenty years, was once the gunnery officer on a ship. But starting seven or eight years ago, his condition worsened, and he became mentally unstable, spending his days drinking alcohol.

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, talking to himself:

"My God, I'm so lucky! The ceiling is back to normal, it's stopped spinning... My syphilis is really cured! My God, this is a miracle!"

Upon hearing what old Conrad said, the nurse immediately retorted:

"Sir, that's impossible. No one can cure syphilis. That guy is a fraud!"

The nurse's righteous and stern words made Conrad stand up abruptly and loudly retort:

"I'm really healed, it truly is a miracle!"

Hyde looked down at his newly repaired arm, then at the nurse:

"He really cured us! Where are the doctors? Where are our doctors?"

"First mate, he might be in jail."

Tom's answer immediately infuriated Hyde and the others. They shouted that they wanted to see the doctor, and some even shouted that they wanted to see the British consul—after all, they were all British.

Just as they were shouting, Alessandro and Federico walked in. Seeing the group of menacing sailors, Alessandro stepped forward:

"Gentlemen, I am the presiding judge in this case. I am here to help you. We have already sent the swindler who deceived you to prison..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hyde loudly questioned:

"Your Honor, where is our doctor? Why are you arresting him? We need him!"

"Yes, that's right, we need our doctors!"

Looking at this group of menacing people, Federico couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy—what a bunch of pathetic fools, don't they realize they've been deceived?

As a gentleman, he decided to awaken these poor people.

"Gentlemen, you've been fooled! He's a fraud! No one in this world can cure syphilis!"

I'm a doctor, and I know that perfectly well!

When emphasizing his identity, Federico further stressed:

"Gentlemen, please remain rational—you must believe that there are no miracles in this world!"