Chapter III The Meeting with Kay See

MASTER SO-YOO bade his servant pay for
the drink and rode off on his donkey towards
Chon-jin Bridge. When he passed within
the city walls he was struck by the beauty of the
surrounding scenery, and the crowds of people con-
firmed the reports he had heard of its being a very
busy world. The Nakyang River flowed across the
city like a strip of white silk, and Chon-jin Bridge
spanned its rippling wavelets with archways bearing
down at the extreme ends as a rainbow drinks the
water, or like a green dragon with bent back. The
red ridges of the housetops rose high above the city,
their blue tiles reflecting back the rays of the sun.
Their grateful shadows fell upon the perfumed way.
To So-yoo the city seemed the metropolis of all the
world. Hastening forward till he reached the Chon-jin
Pavilion, So-yoo stopped in front of it, where many
finely caparisoned horses were tied, grooms and
servants bustling about amid noise and confusion.
So-yoo looked up, and from the upper storey of the
pagoda came sounds of music that filled the air, while
the fragrance from rich dresses and silken robes was
wafted on the breeze.

The young master, thinking that the governor of
Ha-nam must be giving a feast, sent his boy to in-
quire. He discovered that the young literati of the
city had brought certain dancing girls with them
and were planning an evening's amusement. So-yoo,

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

somewhat under the influence of wine, with his spirit
awake to youthful adventure, dismounted from his
donkey and went inside the hall. He found there a
dozen or so of young men with a score of pretty girls
sitting gracefully about on the silken matting, with
dainty tables of food and drink placed before them.
Laughter and jesting went on in merry and hilarious
tones. All the dresses were of the finest fabrics and
their appearance very striking.

Master Yang said : "I am a humble literatus
from a remote province on my way to take part in
the Government examination, and when passing
here heard the sound of sweet music. My foolish
heart, unable to go by without a greeting, has set
aside all ceremony and come in as an uninvited guest.
Please forgive me, noble gentlemen."

Noting Yang's handsome face, intelligent bear-
ing, and well-measured words, they arose with one
accord and responded to his salutation, giving him a
place beside them, each announcing his name. Among
them was a certain student No, who said : " Brother
Yang, since you are a scholar on your way to the exami-
nation, though not an invited guest, you are welcome,
and may take part in the entertainment for the day.
We are delighted to have so distinguished a visitor,
and you have no reason in the world to apologise."

Yang's reply was : " I see by your gathering that
it is not one at which to eat and drink only, but one
where verses are written, and where a man may try
his skill of hand at the character. For such an ignora-
mus as I from the obscure confines of Cho to push
my way in here to a seat among you and to a part in
the feast is a very rash and impudent thing."

40

The Chun-jin Pavilion

The Meeting with Kay See

Seeing how humble Yang was, and how apparently
unsophisticated, they all felt for him an undisguised
condescension, and said in reply : " Brother Yang,
your suggestion that we have a trial of skill at the
character is very good, but since you are the late
comer we will let you off if you so desire. You
may write or not just as you please. Have a drink
with us and a pleasant time." So they urged him,
passing the glass and calling on the dancing-girls to
sing.

Yang looked at the dancers assembled and saw
that all twenty of them were persons of striking ap-
pearance. Among them was one specially noticeable,
who sat in a lady-like and modest way, neither play-
ing nor talking. Her face was very beautiful and her
form was most graceful, such as few on earth could
rival. She might have been likened to the merciful
goddess Kwan-se-eum, who sits aloft in her silken
picture. Yang felt his mind moved by her presence,
and forgot all about the feasting and the drink. She
also looked straight at him, and by her expression
seemed to pass him a message of recognition. He
also saw that there were many compositions in verse
piled up before her, so he said to the gentlemen :
" I presume that these compositions are by your
excellencies ; I would like permission to read them."

Before they could reply the dancer herself arose,
brought them and placed them before him.

He looked them over, one by one. Among them
were some fair compositions of an average grade,,
but nothing striking or of special excellence. He said
to himself : " I used to hear that the gifted literati
of Nakyang were masters at the pen, but seeing these

41

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

I count that a false report." He gave back the com-
positions to the fair lady, made a bow to the gentle-
men and said : "A humble countryman like myself
never had a chance to read the writings of the capital
before. Now by good fortune I have had the oppor-
tunity and my heart has been made glad."

The various guests had by this time become quite
exhilarated. They laughed in reply : " Brother, you
have thought only of the beauty of the composition ;
you do not know what beauty of reward goes with it."

Yang made answer : "I have already had special
proof of your kindness, and in the passing of the
glass have been permitted to become an intimate and
sworn friend. Why don't you also tell me what this
beauty of reward is of which you speak ? "

They laughed again and said : " Why should we
not ? There is an old saying that the wisdom of
Nakyang is very great, and that if in the Government
examination our candidate does not come off the
winner he surely will have second place. We all here
are sharers in the matter of literary reputation, and
so cannot act as our own judges. But yonder fair
dancer's family name is Kay Som-wol and her given
name is Moonlight. She is not only the first singer
and dancer of this East Capital, she is a master hand
at the pen, and knows by intuition as the gods do.
All the scholars of Nakyang consult her as to the
probabilities of the examination. She decides and
they pass or fail like the fittings of the tally. Never
is there a mistake in her estimate. Thus have we each
given over to her our compositions to have her point
out their defects, to pronounce on that which specially
meets her approval, and to sing it over for us with

42

The Meeting with Kay See

the harp. She is our judge, and we await her unerring
verdict. Kay See's name is the same as that of the
famous cinnamon tree of the moon, and she will in-
dicate for us the next successful candidate. Won't
you try your hand as well, and is not this a glorious
opportunity ? "

Master No said : " There is beyond this, too, a
still more interesting fact, namely, that the one whose
composition she selects and sings will have Kay See
for his fair companion. We are all friends here and
hopeful candidates. Brother Yang, you are a man
as well as we, and appreciate the joys and delights
of life. Will you not accept the invitation and be a
competitor in this trial of skill ? "

Yang replied : "I have not written for so long a
time, I really do not know what I can do. Has not
Kay See sung you the winner's verses yet ? "

Master Wang replied : " The fair lady has not
once struck the harp or opened her cherry lips. Her
pearly teeth have not parted, nor has a single note
greeted our ears. We have evidently not written up
to her demands, so her heart is unmoved and weighed
down for shame of us."

" Your humble servant," said Yang, " is from the
distant land of Cho and though I have written verses
I am an outsider, and am afraid to venture on a con-
test with you honourable gentlemen."

Wang, however, shouted out : " The Master
Yang is prettier than a girl — ^why is it that he fails
in the spirit of a gallant knight ? The Sage says : ' If
it is a question of good to be done, step not aside
even for your teacher,' and again, ' It is the duty of
the Superior Man [12] to do his best.' I doubt not

43

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

that Master Yang is no hand at the pen. If he were,
why should he be so modest concerning this small
venture ? "

Now although Yang had modestly desired to
decline this unexpected invitation, when he beheld
the fair dancer Kay See he was all awake to the
occasion. There was no power now to restrain him,
so he caught up a sheet of paper that lay on the
matting, selected a pen and wrote three stanzas.
His writing was like a boat on the sea scudding be-
fore the wind, or like a thirsty horse making straight
for a stream of water. The various guests caught the
spirit of the composition so strong and swift, and
seeing how the characters crowded forth from his
pen like flying magic, were all startled and turned
pale.

Yang then threw down the pen, and said to the
guests : "I ought to ask the opinion of you gentle-
men first, but to-day as Kay See is judge and as the
time allowed is passing, with your kind permission
I'll hand it directly to her."

The verses read :

" The man from Cho moves west and enters Chin,
He sees the wine pavilion and boldly steps within.
Now who shall pluck the flower from the tree with-
in the moon,
And claim the winner's honour and the fairy's
magic tune ?

The catkins of the willow they float o'er Chun-

jin's stream.
The gem-wrought shades of many ply close out

the sun between ;

44

The Meeting with Kay See

Our ears awake to hear a song of special gift and

grace,
Our eyes behold in silken scenes a gifted fairy's

face.

The flowers of spring are filled with awe and drop
their heads for shame,

They sense her song, they feel her step, the fra-
grance of her name ;

The passing shadows stay their course, unwilled
to steal away.

The lighted halls of gladsomeness proclaim my
winning day."

For a moment Moonlight let her awakened vision
rest on the composition, and then her clear voice
broke forth into singing sweet and compelling. The
cranes stepped forth into the city commons to cheer
her, and the phoenixes made their responses. Flutes
lost their charm, and the harp its store of sweet
melody. The hearers were intoxicated by the music,
and all faces turned pale. Out of contempt they had
compelled Yang to write, but now when his com-
position had become the song that Moonlight sang,
their joy gave place to envy, and they looked at each
other speechless with dismay. To think of giving
Moonlight over to this unknown stranger roused
rebellious feelings. Their desire was to break the
agreement, but such an act of dishonour was hard
to suggest, so they sat gagged and dazed looking at
each other.

Yang saw their ominous faces, and at once got up
and made his farewell : "All unexpectedly I have

45

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

met with so kindly a welcome from you gentlemen,
and have boldly taken part in this happy contest. I
have eaten and drunk of your hospitality, for which
I thank you most heartily. Having still a long way to
go I cannot spend more time with you as I would
like, but must now take my departure. Let us meet
again at the winner's festival on the close of the
Government [13] examination," so he quickly took
his leave, none of the guests detaining him.

When he had passed outside of the pavilion and
was about to mount his donkey, Moonlight came
suddenly out and said to him : " On the south side
of the road you will see a house enclosed by a white
wall with cherry blossoms lining the way ; that's
my home. Go there, please, and wait for me. I shall
come at once." He nodded and started off in the
direction indicated.

Moonlight re-entered the pavilion and said to the
guests : " You gentlemen have highly honoured me,
and have permitted me to sing a song by which my
destined one is made known. What is your wish in
the matter ? "

They could not hide their feelings of disgust, and
said in reply : " Yang is an outsider and not one of
ourselves ; you are not called upon to concern your-
self with him." They talked and discussed, and said
this and that, but came to no conclusion.

Moonlight, with determination written on her
pretty face, replied : " I have no confidence in people
who break faith. You have plenty of music here,
please continue to enjoy yourselves. Kindly excuse
me, I am feeling unwell, and so cannot stay until
the end." She arose and went slowly out. Because

46

The Meeting with Kay See

of the agreement that had been made, and also by
reason of her quiet dignity, they dared not say a
word.

In the meantime Yang had gone to his inn, packed
up his baggage and started in the darkness for Moon-
light's home. She had already arrived, had put in
order the entry hall, lighted the lamps and was wait-
ing. He tied his donkey to a cherry tree and rapped
at the double-panelled gate. At the sound she slipped
on her light shoes and came out quickly. " You
left before I did," said she, " but I am here ahead of
you — how does this happen ? "

Yang replied : " The host awaits the guest, not
the guest the host. I had no heart to be late, but ' my
horse is slow,' as the old saying runs."

They met with great delight as those destined for
each other. She passed him the glass of welcome
and bade him sing. His voice was sweet and such as
to awaken and captivate the soul.

She said : " I am yours from to-day, and shall
tell you my whole heart in the hope that you will
condescend to take pity on me. I am originally from
So-joo. My father was a secretary of that county,
but unfortunately he fell ill and died away from
home. Because we were poor, and his station far
distant, he was buried without the required forms.
Having lost his protecting arm, my step-mother sold
me as a dancing-girl for one hundred yang. I accepted
the disgrace, stifled my resentful soul, and did my
best to be faithful, praying to God, who has had
pity on me, so that to-day I have met my lord and
can look again upon the light of sun and moon. Be-
fore the approaches of my home is the main roadway

47

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

that leads to the market square. There is no cessa-
tion to the sound of traffic that passes day and night.
None come or go without resting there. Thus for
four or five years I have had a chance to study
thousands of passers-by, and yet never has one passed
by who is equal to my master. We have met and now
my hopes are realised. Unworthy as I am, I would
gladly become your serving-maid to prepare your
food and do your bidding. What is your thought
toward me, please ? "

Yang comforted her with many kind words and
expressions of appreciation : "I am drawn to you,"
said he, " as truly and as deeply as you are drawn to
me, but I am only a poor scholar with an old mother
depending on me. I should like nothing better than
to grow old with you as husband and wife, but I am
not yet sure of my mother's wishes, and I am afraid
you would be unwilling to have her choose you as
my secondary wife, with some unknown stranger
to take first place. Even though you had no objection
to it yourself, I am sure there is no one your superior
or even your equal. This is my perplexity."

Moonlight said in reply : " Why do you say so ?
There is no one in the world just now equal to thee,
my master. I need not say to you that you are to win
the first place in the coming examination, and in a
little you are to carry the seal of a minister of state,
and the insignia of a great general's authority. All
the world will desire to follow you ; who am I that
I should expect to have you to myself ? Please, my
lord, when you are married to some maiden of high
degree and you receive your mother under your
faithful care, kindly remember me. Assuredly I shall

48

The Meeting with Kay See

keep myself pure for thee only, and shall be at thy
commands alone."

" Some time ago," said Yang, " I went through
Wha-joo city and caught by chance a passing glimpse
of one, Commissioner Chin's daughter. Her beauty
and her talents were not unlike those of yourself.
Now, alas, she is gone, not to be seen again I fear.
Where would you suggest then that I find your equal
or superior ? "

" The person you refer to," said Moonlight, " is
undoubtedly the daughter of Commissioner Chin,
whose name is Cha-bong. When he was formerly
magistrate of our county his daughter and I were
bosom friends. She is a surpassing mystery of love-
liness, like Princess Tak-moon [14]. But there is no
use in thinking of her ; let your jthoughts go else-
where, I pray you."

Yang said : " It is an old undertsanding that not
many special marvels* of beauty are born into the
world at one and the same time. Now we have the
maiden Moonlight and Chin See, two who have
known and seen each other. I am afraid that the
powers of heaven and earth are exhausted and that
no more such are living."

Moonlight laughed, and said : " Your words are
like those of the tadpole in the well. I'll tell you who
there are among us dancing girls of special beauty.
There are said to be three, Sim Oh-kyon, the Swallow,
who lives in Kang-nam ; Chok Kyong-hong, the
Wildgoose, who lives in Ha-pook ; and Kay Som-
wol, Moonlight of Nakyang. I am Moonlight, and
though I have won a name out of all proportion to
my merits. Swallow and Wildgoose are truly the

49 D

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

greatest beauties living. Why do you say that there
are no more such in the world ? "

Yang answered : " My opinion is that those two
are unfairly and unjustly given a place and name
equal to yours."

Moonlight replied : " Ok-kyon, Swallow, lives
so far away from me that I have never met her, but
all who have come from the south are unstinted in
their praises. I am sure she has no unfair reputation.
Wildgoose I know and love like a sister. I'll tell you
about her. She is the daughter of the Yang clan of Pa-
joo, who lost her parents early in life and lived with
her aunt. From her girlhood days a rumour went forth
through all the north land of her beauty, so that
thousands of golden yang were offered for her. Go-
betweens crowded her gateway like a swarm of bees.
Wildgoose spoke to her aunt about it, and had them
driven away. Said they to the aunt : ' Your pretty
niece has driven us away and will consent to no one.
What sort of person does she desire in order to be
satisfied ? Does she want to be wife of a minister, or
of a provincial governor, or is she to be given to some
noted literatus or writer of renown ? ' "

" Wildgoose replied for herself, saying : * If there
be as in the days of the Chin Kingdom someone
like Sa An-sok, I'll follow him and be the companion
of a minister of state ; or if as in the days of the
Three Kingdoms someone like Choo Kong-keun,
I'll follow him and be the wife of a noted governor ;
or if there be someone like Yee Tai-baik [15], doctor
of the Hallim, great in letters, I'll follow him ; or
if he be like Sa Ma-chang, who sang the phoenix
song in the days of Han Moo-je [16], I'll follow him.

50

The Meeting with Kay See

Where my heart goes I will go, but who can tell in
advance where this shall be ? '

" Then the various go-betweens laughed loudly
and took their departure. Wildgoose said to herself :
* How could an imprisoned girl from an obscure
part of the country with no experience of the world
ever be expected to select a noted lord for husband ?
But a dancer like me is one who shares the festal
season with the rare and gifted, and talks to them
face to face. She even opens the door to princes and
nobles. She learns to distinguish the high-born
from the mediocre, and becomes an expert in assay-
ing human worth. She can sense the bamboo from
the Tai, or jade ornaments from Namjon ; how
should she be anxious about whom to choose ? ' So
she yielded herself up as a dancing-girl in order that
she might attach herself to one great and renowned,
but in all these years she has found nothing but an
empty reputation.

" Last year the noted literati from the twelve
counties of Shantung north of the river held a great
feast in the capital and had dancing and music. At
this time Wildgoose sang the Yea-sang Kok (The
Rainbow Robes of the Fairy). She was like the wild
bird itself in grace of motion and matchless beauty.
All the dancers of the day dropped their heads be-
fore her. When the feast was over she went away
by herself to the top of Tong-jak Tower, walked
back and forth under the light of the moon, thinking
over the writings of the ancient sages, her heart full
of loneliness and sorrow, sighing to herself over past
events that had broken in upon her fragrant way.
All who saw her revered her grace and gazed with

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

wonder at her loveliness. When Wildgoose and I
played together in the Sang-kok Monastery and
told our hopes one to the other, she said to me : * If
we two meet a master whom we like let's recommend
each other. As we serve the same husband we shall
pass our happy days without faults or failings.'

" I agreed, and now that I have met with my
destined lord I naturally think of Wildgoose, who
is at present in the palace of the governor of Shan-
tung. Alas, as the ancients said, there are many devils
to interfere with what is sweet and good. The wives
of the governor are surrounded with riches and
honour, but this is not what Wildgoose wishes."
And Moonlight sighed and added : " Would that I
could meet my fairest companion and tell her."

Yang said in reply : " There are many gifted
ones among the dancers, and yet why should a
daughter of the gentry have to take a second place to
them ? "

Moonlight answered : " Among those I know
■ there is no one who equals Chin See. How could I
dare propose a name to my lord not her equal ? Still
I have frequently heard the people of the capital say
that there is no one like Justice Cheung's daughter.
For beauty of face and nobility of heart she is re-
garded as first of all. I have not seen her myself, but
there is no question that her name is well won. When
my lord reaches the capital please think of this. Seek
her out if possible, and learn if this be so."

But the time had come to part, and Moonlight
said in haste : " You must not stay longer. The
various guests were fiercely angry with you and will
be so still. There may be danger ; go quickly, please.

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The Meeting with Kay See

We shall meet and have many happy days together,
why should I be sad ? "

The master spoke his greetings : " Your words
are like gold and jewels to me, and shall be written
on my heart," and in tears they parted.

53