第一章  俊生來到大員港

1

大員(安平)港海灣邊碼頭上，帆檣雲集，各國行商來此設立據點，港埠邊的街道上，洋行林立，鹿皮鹿茸、樟腦、茶葉及蔗糖是這裡的主要交易商品。洋人帶來藥材、香料、珍珠瑪瑙，布疋和金幣銀幣，與當地的西拉雅人及漢人進行交易。

一艘帆船緩緩靠岸，兩名水手把纜繩拋到岸邊，隨即有兩個雜役將它拾起，綁穩在石頭墩柱上。舺舨上的水手架妥橋板，幾名水手陸續將船艙裡成包成綑的貨物扛著走下來。後頭跟著一個手提藥箱的青年俊生(Jansen)，他是道明會的醫生，經過漫長的海上航行，踏上這片陌生的土地。青年身後跟著兩個中年男子，一個蓄著大鬍子的，叫安德魯(Andrew)，是這艘船的大副，另一個穿著長袍，是來此傳教的基督教道明會神父馬修斯(Matthews)。

安德魯指著繁華的港埠說：「俊生，這裡就是大員港，我沒矇你吧？你一定會喜歡這裡的。」

俊生說：「是啊！這裡比我想像的還要熱鬧繁華呢！」

安德魯說：「你想像不到這裡一年多前，還是長滿芒草的沙灣和濕地，一片蠻荒呢！」

俊生說：「難怪這裡的商店，外觀看起來都很新！」

馬修指著不遠處說：「這裡果然有教堂，跟主教說的一樣。」

安德魯說：「是啊，教堂是去年底落成的。神父，不用我陪你去教堂報到吧？」

馬修斯說：「不用，我自己去就行，有空歡迎你們來教會找我。」

安德魯說：「會的。俊生，要不要我陪你到處逛逛？」

俊生說：「不用啦！安德魯，我喜歡自己去逛街。」

安德魯說：「那麼，傍晚你自己去教會斜對面的招待所會合囉，不要走得太遠喔。」

俊生說：「好的。」

俊生朝兩人揮手，帶著愉快的心情，走往繁華的街道。

2

俊生來到一家有著騎樓的漢醫館，看見裡頭有個穿唐裝的漢醫唐雲，一隻手的手指正按住一個病患的手腕，他知道這叫「把脈」，在爪哇島上的巴達維亞城裡，當地的漢醫也使用這種診療方法。病患身上裹著厚皮襖，全身因畏寒而顫抖著。他好奇地走進去，先環視過牆面上的藥櫃和長桌上的幾樣藥材，除了鹿茸，感覺和以前所見大同小異。

唐雲問：「年輕人，你來看診嗎？」

俊生說：「不是，我來自荷蘭。」

唐雲看著俊生手上醫藥箱問：「喔？你是醫生？」

俊生說：「是，這病人看症狀應該是罹患Malaria。」

唐雲感到好奇，移開把脈的手說：「Malaria？那是什麼樣的疾病？」

俊生說：「患者會出現忽冷忽熱的症狀，你們漢醫稱這種疾病為

瘧疾，經由蚊蟲叮咬病患傳播開來，是一種極具傳染性的疾病，在南洋當地相當常見。」

唐雲說：「原來如此，我原以為患者只是氣血虛弱，給他煎服幾

帖補氣血的漢方湯劑，卻沒什麼起色。依你看，這種疾病要如何治療？」

「我的藥箱裡帶著治療Malaria的特效藥奎寧（Quinin），

每日早晚給患者服用一匙奎寧散，兩到三週即可痊癒。」俊生打開藥箱，取出一只玻璃瓶藥散。

唐雲接過玻璃瓶說：「那我就聽你的。」

唐雲吩咐說：「阿里，我把藥散分裝好，待會兒你先讓卡力服用一包，其餘的你帶回去，給卡力按日服用。」

阿里應著：「好的，謝謝唐師父。」

唐雲說：「這瓶藥該給你多少錢呢？年輕人。」

俊生說：「一塊錢銀幣，先不急著給我，等確定有效果吧？改天

我會再過來的。」

唐雲滿意地說：「嗯！很公道。」

3

俊生逛到一家皮革店，見到兩人正在爭執不下。那個銀髮的洋商，似乎在搜購鹿皮；灰髮的應該就是店家。

店家說：「你講不講信用啊？尚皮耶(Champier)，上回你我約定收購價是五張鹿皮一塊金幣，現在卻要跟我買七張鹿皮，便宜都被你給佔盡了，哪有這回事！？」

尚皮耶說：「鹿皮價格隨時在波動，何況最近貨源充裕，我出這個價你不肯賣，別的店家可是搶著賣，你自己想清楚吧？」

店家說：「我不用想，只知道你不守信用，所以我沒打算賣給你。

你請回吧？」

尚皮耶說：「要不然這樣，你我退一步，就六張鹿皮，否則我找別家店去。」

店家不耐煩地揮手說：：「不賣不賣！你們法蘭西商人不講信用，喜歡亂殺價。我寧可賣給日耳曼商人。你請回吧！」

尚皮耶說：「你會後悔的，老頭兒巴魯那。」

尚皮耶轉身走出來，差點撞到俊生。

尚皮耶火氣不小對著俊生說：「年輕人，你走路不帶眼睛啊？」

俊生微笑著沒回答，望著他離去的背影。

巴魯那嘴裡嘟噥著說：「才開市就遇到洋番子，今天恐怕會走衰

運…！」

俊生取下帽子，微笑打招呼：「老闆。」

巴魯那說：「年輕人，有需要買兩件鹿皮衣褲嗎！輕柔保暖又不怕水，我們店的縫製手工很精細的，口碑不錯喔。」

俊生說：「我只是進來看看而已。」

巴魯那說：「那麼你慢慢看，看上哪塊皮料，我請師父幫你量身縫製。」

俊生說：「謝謝你，老闆。」

俊生好奇地流覽著泥牆上掛著的鹿皮料，不時伸手觸摸。

巴魯那說：「我們的鹿皮質料很不錯的，許多洋商買回去穿了，還會回頭來買。」

俊生說：「謝謝，有需要的話，我會告訴你。」

4

入夜後的洋商招待所，掛著幾盞煤油燈，微弱的橙光在牆上投下搖曳的影子。牆角堆放著幾個木箱，貼著泛黃的航運標籤，空氣中飄散著濃郁的鹿肉香與芋頭的淡甜。

風從半開的窗縫中滲入，夾帶著港口的鹹濕氣息與遠處船隻傳來的低沉號角聲。四周零星幾桌客人正低語交談，偶爾發出爽朗的笑聲或酒杯碰撞的清脆響音。

安德魯和俊生坐在角落裡的粗木桌邊，面前擺著兩盤冒著熱氣的餐點。安德魯端起酒杯，輕啜了一口，目光掃過俊生。

「這裡的餐飲，你還喜歡吧？」安德魯微笑著，語調中帶著一絲試探。

「不錯啊！」俊生咬下一口鹿肉，細細咀嚼後點頭。「鹿肉的味道和芋頭還滿搭的。」

「那就好。」安德魯放下酒杯，食指輕敲著桌面。「這裡不比巴達維亞，餐飲的種類較少，挑來挑去，就那幾樣。」

俊生笑了笑，抬眼看向安德魯。「入境隨俗，我不挑食的。」

「這裡的街市，半天大概就逛完了。」安德魯說著，靠回椅背，雙手交疊於胸前。「你可以買兩套鹿皮衣服換穿著，在這裡鹿皮衣服價格很公道。」

俊生微微側頭，像是思索了一下。「嗯，隨身衣服目前還夠換穿，有需要時我會買的。」

「對了。」安德魯的語氣變得正經起來，雙手放回桌上，指尖在木桌粗糙的表面輕輕摩挲。「我們的船隊臨時接到公司通知，裝載貨物後要改往扶桑國去。船隊長格魯特（Groot）要醫務所的馬利歐（Mario）醫生隨行，這趟航程稍長，馬利歐通曉扶桑國語言。」

安德魯說話時，目光始終盯著俊生的表情，像是在等待他露出不悅或失望的神色。但俊生只是微笑著點了點頭。「沒關係，我還滿喜歡這裡的。」

「那麼。」安德魯將身體微微前傾，雙手撐在桌面上，語氣放緩卻堅定。「你就先在這裡的醫務所待著。船隊長和所方打過招呼，他們會安排你的工作。半年後我們就會回來。」

「明天你就可以去醫務所報到。」

俊生放下餐叉，眼中閃過一絲感激。「好的。」

兩人默默地吃完餐點，安德魯起身拍了拍俊生的肩膀，笑道：「好好休息，明天見。」

俊生也微笑回應，目送安德魯離去。隨著煤油燈光的搖曳，陰影將他的身影拉得細長，漸漸消失在門口的黑暗中。

5

風和日麗的上午，湛藍的天空像被海風吹拭得澄明透亮。安平港埠的商店街上，人聲鼎沸，商賈攤販的吆喝聲此起彼落。魚腥混著青草香的鹹潤氣味，隨著微風在空氣中飄散。小販攤位上堆著新鮮的牡蠣、乾魚和麻繩捆成的中藥材，色彩鮮明如畫。

俊生手提藤皮藥箱，步伐穩健而輕快地穿行在人群中，衣袖微微掀起海風的涼意。

遠處，一個穿著粗布短衫的年輕人，皮膚黝黑、眼神澄澈，正揮著手臂，急切地喊著：「俊生師父！俊生師父！」

俊生微微一愣，停下腳步，循聲望去。

阿里喘著氣跑近，額頭滲出細密的汗珠，卻掩不住臉上的喜悅：「我是阿里，昨天我們在唐師父的醫館見過。」

俊生眉宇舒展，恍然大悟似地點頭：「啊，我想起來了。你朋友情況如何？」

「卡力服用你給的藥後，今天早上已經能下床走動了。」阿里說這話時，語氣裡透著感激，雙手在胸前不自覺地緊握又放開，像是壓抑著雀躍。

俊生微笑，神情溫和：「那就好。」

阿里又往前一步，像是想把這份好消息更清楚地傳達：「卡力要我請你來我們赤崁社。我們赤崁社和附近幾個村社有許多人罹患各種疾病，需要你來診治。」

俊生的眉梢微微挑起，神情轉為嚴肅：「喔？這樣的話，我得多準備些藥物。我先去趟醫務所補充。」

阿里露出一抹興奮的笑容，從腰間解下掛著的小布袋，晃了晃，裡面傳出錢幣碰撞的叮噹聲：「卡力有想到這個，叫我帶錢來，還說要陪你去採購藥物。」

俊生點點頭，語氣輕快：「那我們走吧？你帶路。」

「醫生，我駕牛車來。」阿里指了指街旁一輛簡陋的牛車，車架以木板粗製而成，卻頗為穩固。「你上我的牛車，這樣快些。」

俊生笑著說：「好啊。」

阿里主動接過藤皮藥箱，小心翼翼地將它擱在牛車後頭，再伸出一隻粗糙而結實的手，扶著俊生上車。

「小心點，這階梯有點滑。」阿里提醒道，聲音帶著一絲謹慎。

俊生坐穩後，阿里跳上牛車前端，手中長鞭輕輕一揮：「駕！」

牛車晃動著，緩緩穿過街道。輪子碾過青石板，發出沉悶的咯吱聲，混雜著遠處漁夫的喊叫聲與海鷗的鳴叫。

「阿里，你剛才提到的那些人，症狀都類似嗎？」俊生側過身，望著阿里的背影問道。

「不太一樣，有些是發熱咳嗽，有些是皮膚潰爛，還有人頭暈無力……但越來越多人倒下，村裡的老人說是瘟疫來了。」阿里的聲音壓低了，像是在說著某種不祥的秘密。

俊生的目光變得深沉，手指無意識地敲著膝蓋，彷彿在思索什麼：「這情況不容小覷，我得盡快調配好藥物，還要再帶些清瘟散和消毒用的草藥。」

阿里用力點了點頭，目光中閃爍著一絲希望與信任：「醫生，我們都仰賴你了。」

Chapter 1: Jansen Arrives at Tayouan Harbor

1
At the quay of Tayouan (Anping) Harbor, masts crowded the bay. Traders from various countries had established outposts here. Along the harbor streets, Western trading houses stood in rows. Deerskin, deer antlers, camphor, tea, and sugar were the main trade goods. Foreign merchants brought medicines, spices, pearls, agate, fabrics, and silver and gold coins to trade with the local Siraya people and Han settlers.

A sailing ship slowly docked. Two sailors threw ropes ashore, where two dockworkers picked them up and tied them securely to stone pillars. Planks were laid down from the sampan, and several sailors began unloading bundled cargo from the hold. Following behind them was a young man carrying a medical kit—Jansen, a Dominican doctor—who stepped onto this unfamiliar land after a long sea voyage. Two middle-aged men trailed behind him. One, bearded, was Andrew, the ship’s first mate. The other, wearing a long robe, was Father Matthews, a Dominican missionary.

Andrew pointed to the bustling harbor.
“This is Tayouan Harbor, Jansen! I didn’t exaggerate, did I? You’re going to love it here.”
“It’s even livelier than I imagined!” Jansen replied.
“You wouldn’t believe this was all just wild grasslands and marshes barely a year ago,” Andrew said.
“No wonder all the shops look newly built!”
Father Matthews pointed not far ahead. “There’s the church, just like the bishop said.”
Andrew nodded. “Yes, it was completed at the end of last year. Father, you don’t need me to go with you to report in, right?”
“No need,” said Matthews. “I’ll head there myself. You’re welcome to visit anytime.”
“We will. Jansen, want me to show you around?”
“That’s alright, Andrew. I like to explore on my own.”
“Alright then. Meet me at the guesthouse across from the church at sundown. Don’t wander too far.”
“Got it.”
Jansen waved and headed into the bustling streets, his mood light and cheerful.

2
Jansen arrived at a Chinese medical clinic under an arcade. Inside, a Chinese physician in traditional attire, Tang Yun, was pressing his fingers on a patient’s wrist. Jansen recognized this as pulse-taking, a technique also used by Chinese doctors in Batavia on Java Island. The patient, wrapped in a thick fur coat, was shivering from chills.

Jansen walked in, glancing around at the herb cabinets and medicinal items laid on a long table. Aside from deer antlers, everything looked quite familiar.

“Young man, are you here for treatment?” asked Tang Yun.
“No, I’m from the Netherlands.”
Noticing Jansen’s medical box, Tang Yun asked, “Oh? You’re a doctor?”
“Yes. Judging by the symptoms, this patient likely has malaria.”
“Malaria? What kind of illness is that?”
“It causes alternating chills and fever. In Chinese medicine, I believe you call it ‘nüe ji’ (瘧疾). It spreads through mosquito bites and is quite contagious. It’s common in the tropics.”

“I see,” Tang Yun said. “I thought he had weak qi and blood, so I gave him some herbal tonics, but they didn’t help. What’s your treatment?”
“I have quinine in my kit. One spoonful of quinine powder morning and evening for two to three weeks, and he should recover.” Jansen opened his kit and took out a glass jar.
Tang Yun accepted it. “Alright, I’ll follow your suggestion.”
He instructed an assistant, “Ali, I’ll divide the powder into doses. Have Kari take one now, and give the rest to him daily.”
“Yes, thank you, Master Tang.”
Tang Yun turned back to Jansen. “How much for the medicine, young man?”
“One silver coin. No rush—wait and see if it works. I’ll come by again soon.”
“Fair enough,” Tang Yun said with satisfaction.

3
While strolling, Jansen came across a leather shop where two men were arguing. One was a silver-haired foreign merchant—Champier—likely buying deerskin. The gray-haired man was the shopkeeper.

“You going back on your word, Champier?” the shopkeeper snapped. “We agreed last time—five hides per gold coin. Now you want seven? That’s robbery!”
“Prices change,” said Champier. “There’s plenty of supply lately. If you won’t sell at my price, others will.”
“I don’t care. You don’t honor your word, I’m not selling to you. Leave!”
“How about six hides?”
“Still no! You French merchants haggle too much. I’d rather sell to German traders. Get out!”
“You’ll regret this, old man Baru Na.” Champier stormed out, nearly bumping into Jansen.
“Watch where you’re going, boy!” he snapped.
Jansen simply smiled as he watched him walk away.

Baru Na muttered, “First customer of the day is a foreign scoundrel—bad omen…”
Jansen took off his hat politely. “Hello, sir.”
“Looking for deerskin clothes? Soft, warm, water-resistant. Our tailoring’s top notch!”
“I’m just browsing.”
“Take your time. If you like a piece, I’ll have the master tailor fit it for you.”
“Thanks.”
Jansen browsed the hanging hides, touching them occasionally.
“Our deerskin’s excellent. Many foreigners return for more,” said Baru Na.
“Thanks. If I need something, I’ll let you know.”

4
At night, the merchant guesthouse was dimly lit by a few kerosene lamps, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Crates stacked in corners bore yellowed shipping labels. The aroma of venison and the mild sweetness of taro filled the air.

A salty breeze crept in through a half-open window, mixed with the distant horn of ships. Nearby guests chatted quietly, laughter and the clinking of glasses breaking the stillness.

Andrew and Jansen sat at a rough wooden table in the corner. Two steaming plates sat before them. Andrew took a sip of wine, glancing at Jansen.

“How’s the food here?” Andrew asked.
“Not bad!” Jansen nodded, chewing on venison. “The flavor pairs well with the taro.”
“Good to hear. Not as diverse as Batavia, though. Limited options here.”
“I’m not picky,” Jansen said with a smile. “When in Rome…”
“You’ve probably seen most of the town in half a day. Get yourself a couple deerskin outfits—they’re fairly priced here.”
“I’ve got enough clothes for now. I’ll buy some later if needed.”

Andrew’s tone grew serious. “Our fleet just got orders to head to Fusang (Japan) after loading cargo. Doctor Mario will go, since he speaks the language.”
He watched Jansen’s reaction closely, but Jansen simply smiled and nodded.
“I’m fine with that. I like it here.”
“Alright then.” Andrew leaned forward. “You’ll stay at the local clinic. The captain has already arranged it. We’ll return in six months.”
“You can report to the clinic tomorrow.”
Jansen set down his fork, his eyes warm with gratitude. “Thank you.”
They finished their meal in silence. As Andrew stood and patted Jansen’s shoulder, he said, “Get some rest. See you tomorrow.”
Jansen smiled back, watching him fade into the shadows beyond the swaying lamplight.

5
The next morning was bright and breezy, the sky a clear blue. On Anping’s harbor street, vendors shouted over the din of the crowd. The scent of fish and grass mixed in the air. Stalls overflowed with oysters, dried fish, and bundles of herbs.

Carrying his rattan medical box, Jansen walked with ease, his sleeves fluttering in the sea breeze.
From a distance, a dark-skinned young man in a rough tunic waved and called out, “Doctor Jansen! Doctor Jansen!”

Jansen paused, turning toward the voice.
Ali ran up, sweating but smiling brightly. “I’m Ali! We met at Master Tang’s clinic yesterday.”
Jansen’s face lit up. “Ah, I remember. How’s your friend?”
“After taking your medicine, Kari was up and walking this morning.” Ali’s hands fidgeted with joy.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Jansen said gently.
“Kari asked me to invite you to our Chihkan village. Many people there are sick—we need your help.”
Jansen’s brow furrowed slightly. “In that case, I need to restock my medicine. Let me go to the clinic first.”
Ali beamed and jingled a small pouch. “Kari thought of that—he gave me money and said he’d help you buy supplies.”
“Alright,” Jansen said with a nod. “Lead the way.”
“I brought a cart!” Ali pointed to a crude but sturdy ox cart. “It’ll be faster.”
“Sounds good,” Jansen said.
Ali took the rattan box and placed it carefully on the cart, then offered a rough hand to help Jansen up.
“Careful—the steps are slippery.”
Once seated, Ali climbed aboard, flicked his whip, and shouted, “Hyah!”

The cart creaked over the stone road.
“Ali, do the villagers all show the same symptoms?”
“Not really. Some have fevers and coughs, others have skin sores or dizziness. But more people keep falling sick. The elders say it’s a plague.”
Jansen’s eyes darkened in thought, fingers tapping his knee. “This could be serious. I’ll need to prepare fever medicine and disinfecting herbs.”
Ali nodded firmly, hope and trust in his gaze. “Doctor, we’re counting on you.”
The cart rumbled on, through the lively market, heading toward the clinic.