Chapter VI

Chapter VI It is Cloudlet

AFTER meeting with the fairy, Yang no

longer kept company with his friends nor re-

ceived guests. He lived quite by himself in

the park pavilion and gave his thoughts to this one

thing only. When night came he waited for her foot-

steps, and while day dragged on its way he waited

again for the night. He hoped to persuade her to more

frequent visits, but she refused to come often. Thus

his mind became more and more consumed with

thoughts of her.

Some time later two persons came to visit him by

the side entrance of the park. He noticed that the one

in front was his friend Thirteen, while the other was

a stranger whom he saw for the first time. Thirteen

presented the stranger to Master Yang. " This is Pro-

iFessor Too Chin-in," said he, " from the Temple of

the Absolute. He is as well versed in physiognomy

and fortune-telling as were the ancients. He would

like to read your Excellency's face, for which purpose

he has come at great effort."

Yang received him with open-handed welcome. '* I

have heard your honourable name for a long time,"

said he, " but we have never met before. Our coming

thus face to face is beyond my highest hopes and ex-

pectations. Have you ever read our friend Thirteen 's

fortune ? What do you think of it, pray ? "

Thirteen repUed for himself, saying : " The pro-

fessor read my face and greatly praised it. ' Within

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

three years,' said he, ' you will pass the examination

and become a magistrate of the Eight Districts.' This

satisfies me and I know it will come to pass. Brother

Yang, you try once and have him read yours."

" A good man," said Yang, " never asks about

the blessings he has in store, but only of the troubles

that await him, and now you must tell me the whole

truth,"

After Professor Too had examined him for a long

time, he said : " Your eyebrows are different from

those of anyone I have ever seen. You have

almond eyes that are set slantwise across the cheek-

bones. They indicate that you are to rise to the rank

of a minister of state. Your complexion is as though

powdered with rouge, and your face is round like a

gem. Your name will assuredly be known far and wide.

Across your temples and over your face are indications

of great power. Your name, as a military officer, will

encompass the Four Seas. You will be made a peer

when three thousand miles away, and no blemish will

ever tarnish your fair name. One danger only I see,

a strange and undreamed of one. If you had not met

me I am afraid you might have come to an untimely

end."

" A man's good luck ," said Yang, " or evil fortune

all pertain to himself if they pertain to anjrthing. Sick-

ness I accept as something that I cannot of myself

escape. Are there any signs that I am to fall seriously

ill ? "

Professor Too replied : " What I refer to is a

wholly unexpected evil. A bluish colour is evident on

your upper brow, and an unpropitious expression has

got itself fastened on to the rims of your eyelids. Have

It is Cloudlet

you any serving man or maid in your employ whose

origin you are doubtful of ? "

The Master thought, in his heart of the spirit

Chang-yo, and guessed that this must be due to her,

but he suppressed his feelings and replied without a

quaver : '* There is no such person as you suggest."

Then Too said further : " Have you passed an old

grave or anything of the kind that has upset you or

given you a fright ? Or have you had any intercourse

with disembodied spirits in your dreams ? "

" I know nothing of that kind," said the Master.

Here Thirteen broke in to say : " Professor Too's

words never miss the mark to the fraction of a hair.

Think well, Yang, please," but Yang made no reply.

The Professor then went on : "A mortal has his

being from the yang or positive principle in nature,

while a spirit has its from the negative or eum. As it is

impossible to change day for night or night for day, so

the difference between the two remains for ever fixed,

like that of fire and water. Now that I see your Excel-

lency's face, I can read that some spirit has got its

hold upon your body, and that in a few days it will get

into your bones, in which case I fear that nothing can

save your life. When this comes to pass please do not

complain against me or say that I did not tell you."

Master Yang thought to himself : ** Even though

Too's words are true, still Chang-yo and I have long

had to do with each other, and have sworn a solemn

oath to live and die together. Our love increases day by

day, why should she do me harm ? Yang Won of Cho

met a fairy and they were married and shared the same

home, and Nyoo Chon had for wifef a disembodied

spirit, and they had children. If such things happened

97 G

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

in the past, why should I be specially alarmed ? " So

he said to the Professor : " A man's length of life and

good or evil fortime are all decreed and appointed for

him when he is born. I have proofs already of be-

coming a great general and minister of state, with

riches and honour to my name ; how could an evil

spirit upset such a fortune as this ? "

Too replied : " The shortening of life rests with

yourself ; the lengthening of life rests also with

yourself. But this is no concern of mine." So he gave

his sleeves a shake and was gone, the Master no longer

urging him to stay.

Thirteen comforted him, saying : " Brother Yang,

you are by nature a lucky man. The gods are on your

side, why should you fear any spirit ? This contemp-

tible fellow likes to upset people with his miserable

fortune-tellings and sleight-of-hand."

So they drank together, spent the day happily and

then parted. In the evening the Master, recovered

from the effects of the wine, burnt incense and sat in

silence waiting impatiently for Chang-yo to come.

The night passed on into the morning watches, and

there were no signs of her. He beat the table with im-

patient hand, saying : " The day is begiiming to

dawn and yet there is no Chang-yo." He put out the

lights and tried to sleep, when suddenly he heard

someone crying outside his window, and then a voice

speaking which was no other than Chang-yo 's. She

was saying : " The Master wears upon his head a

demoniacal charm, placed there by this woeful pro-

fessor. I dare not approach him. I know it was not

accepted of your own free will, but still it is done now,

and it indicates that our destiny is finished, and this

/■^^ ^-

iif

r^^

■t^'^ '^jT'

Vc ^>

Tt^^

.^i?>r^>-^'c~C;i^i^_^;-

Cloudlet's Meeting with Wildgoose

It is Cloudlet

dire creature has found his delight. My one wish is

that the dear Master may be protected safe and sound

from all harm. I say my last and final farewell."

Yang gave a great start of alarm, opened the door to

see, but there was no trace of her. A piepe of folded

paper only remained on the doorstep. This he

opened and read. Two verses that she had written on

it ran thus :

" To fill our lot as God intends,

We rode the gilded clouds together.

You poured the fragrant wine as friends.

Before my grave upon the heather.

Ere you had time my heart to see.

We're parted wide as gods and men,

I have no fault to find with thee,

But with a man called three and ten."

The Master read it over in a state of woeful aston-

ishment. He felt his head and there under his topknot

was, sure enough, a charm against spirits. He roared

out against it : " This miserable demon of a creature

has upset my plans," so he tore it all to pieces and

flew into a towering rage. He again took up Chang-

yo's letter, read it through, and suddenly recollected,

saying : " This word ' three and ten ' indicates that

her resentment is directed against Thirteen. He's at

the back of this, and while his part may not be the

wicked one that Too's is, he has interfered with what

is good. The rascal ! I'll give him a piece of my mind

when I meet him." Then following the rhyme charac-

ters of Chang-yo's verses, he wrote a reply and put it in

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

his pocket, spying : " I have written my answer, but

by whom shall I send it ? "

It ran thus :

-' You mount the speeding wind,

You ride upon the cloud ;

Don't tell my soul you dwell

In the gruesome, secret shroud.

The hundred flowers that blow.

The moonlight soft and clear,

Are born of you, where will you go.

My soul, my life, my dear ? "

He waited till the morning and then went to pay a

call on Thirteen, but Thirteen had gone for a walk and

was not to be seen. On three successive days he went

again and again, looking for him but failed each time

to find him. Even the very shadow of Thirteen seemed

to have disappeared. He visited Cha-gak PaviUon in

the hope of meeting Chang-yo, but he found that it

was a difficult thing to meet a disembodied spirit at

will. There was no one to whom he could unburden

his heart. Filled with distress, little by little his sleep

failed him andliis desire for food fell away.

Justice Cheung and his wife took note of this and in

their anxiety prepared special dainties, had him called,

and while they talked and partook together the Justice

said : *■ Why is it, Yang my son, that your face looks

so thin and worn these days ? "

Yang replied : " Thirteen and I have been drinking

too much, I expect that is the cause."

Just at this point Thirteen came in and Yang, with

100

It is Cloudlet

anger in his eye, gave him a side glance but said

nothing. Thirteen spoke. " Brother, is it because you

are so taken up with affairs of state that you seem dis-

turbed in heart ? Are you homesick or feeling unwell ?

What is the reason, I wonder, for your dejected looks

and unhappy frame of mind ? "

Yang made an indefinite answer : " A man who is

away from home, knocking about in strange places,

would he not be so ? "

The Justice then remarked : " I hear the servants

say that you have been seen talking to some pretty girl

in the park pavilion. Is that so ? "

Yang replied : '* The park is enclosed, how could

anyone get in there ? The person who said that is

crazy."

" Brother," said Thirteen, " with all your ex-

perience of men and affairs, why do you blush and act

so like a bashful girl ? Although you sent off Too

with such dispatch, I can still see by your face that

there is something you have concealed. I was afraid

that you would ^et yourself bemused and not see the

danger ahead, and so I, unknown to you, placed

Too Jin's charm against evils under your topknot.

You were the worse for drink and unaware of what I

did. That night I hid myself in the park and took note

of what passed, and, sure enough, some female spirit

came and cried outside your window and then said her

good-bye. She cleared the wall at a bound and was

gone. I know by this that Too Jin's words were true,

and so my faithfulness has saved you. You have not

thanked me for it, however, but on the other hand

have seemed angry. What do you mean by such con-

duct ? "

lOI

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

Yang could no longer conceal the matter, and so

said to the Justice : " Your unworthy son's experience

is indeed a very strange and remarkable one, I shall

tell my honourable father all about it." And so he told

him everything. He said finally : "I know that

Thirteen has done what he did in my interests, but

still the girl Chang-yo, even though you say she is a

disembodied spirit, is firm and substantial in form,

and by no means a piece of nothingness. Her heart is

true and honest, and not at all of evil or deceptive

make-up. She would never, never do one a wrong.

Though I am a contemptible creature, still I am a man

and could not be so taken in by a devil. Thirteen, by

his misplaced charm, has broken into Chang-yo 's life

with me, and so I cannot but feel resentment toward

him."

The Justice clapped his hands and gave a great

laugh : " Yang, my boy," said he, " your taste and

elegance are equal to that of Song-ok [24]. You have

already called up the fairies ; how can you fail to know

the law by which it is done ? I am not joking now

when I say to you that when I was young I met a holy

man, and I learned from him the law by which spirits

are called up, and I shall now for the sake of my son-

in-law call forth Chang-yo, have her forgive your sin,

and comfort your troubled heart. I wonder if this

would suit you ? "

" You are making sport of me," said Yang. "Even

though Song-ok called up the spirit of Lady Yoo, the

law by which he did so has been lost for many genera-

tions ; I cannot believe what you say."

Then Thirteen broke in : " Brother Yang called up

the spirit of Chang-yo without making a single effort,

102

It is Cloudlet

and I drove her away by means of one small charm.

When we think of this it surely proves that there is

such a thing as calling up spirits ; why do you lack

faith so?"

At this moment the Justice struck the screen be-

hind him with his fan and called : " Chang-yo, where

are you ? "

Immediately a maiden stepped forth, her face all

sunshine and wreathed in smiles. She tripped gently

forth and went and stood behind the lady Cheung.

Yang gave one glance at her, and lo ! it was Chang-

yo. He was in a state of inexpressible astonishment

and entirely unable to understand.

The Justice and Thirteen looked at him in a ques-

tioning way, and asked : " Is this a spirit or a living

person ? How can it come forth thus into the broad

lightofday?"

The Justice and the lady Cheung laughed gently,

while Thirteen simply rolled in fits of merriment. All

the servants likewise were convulsed with laughter.

The Justice then went on : " Now I'll tell you, my

son, how it all came about. This girl is neither a dis-

embodied spirit nor a fairy, but Ka See, who was

brought up in our home and whose name is Choon-

oon or Cloudlet. We thought of you living by yourself

in the park pavilion , so lonely, and sent this girl , telling

her to see to your home and to comfort you. This was

a kind thought on the part of us two old people. But

the young folks came in at this point and arranged a

practical joke that has gone beyond all bounds and

limits, and put you to no end of discomfort, and yet a

laughable enough joke in its way."

Thirteen, at last getting himself under control, said :

103

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

" Your meeting the fairy twice was a favour accorded

you by me. You have not been thankful to me as a

go-between, but have, on the other hand, treated me

as an enemy. Evidently you are a man with no grati-

tude of heart."

Here Yang laughed and said : " My father it was

who sent her to me, and Thirteen it was who played

the trick between us ; what possiSle favour have I to

thank him for ? "

Thirteen replied : " I am unmoved by your repri-

mand for the joke. The whole plan of it, and the

directions for the carrying of it out, belong to another

person. I bear only the smallest part in the blame."

Then Yang laughingly looked at the Justice and

said : " Can it be true, did you, my father, play this

joke on me ? "

The Justice said :" By no means . I am already an old ,

grey-headed man. Why should I indulge in the sport

of children ? You have made a mistake in so thinking."

Then Master Yang looked at Thirteen and said :

" If you are not at the back of it I'd like to know

who is ? "

Thirteen made answer : " The sage says, * What

comes forth from me returns to me again.' Think,

brother, where this could come from. Who did you^

once play a trick upon and deceive ? If a man can

become a woman, why can't a woman become a fairy,

or again a fairy become a disembodied spirit ? What

is there so strange about it ? "

Then it was that the Master understood. He laughed

and said to the Justice : " I see it now, I see it now. 1

played a trick once upon the young lady of this house

and she has never forgotten it."

104

It is Cloudlet

The Justice and his wife both laughed, but said

nothing in reply.

Master Yang then turned to Cloudlet and said :

" Cloudlet, you are indeed a bright and clever girl, but

for you to undertake, first of all, to deceive the man

you intend to serve, is hardly the law that governs

husband and wife, is it ? "

Cloudlet knelt down and made her reply : " Your

humble servant heard only the general's orders, not

the commands of her king."

Yang sighed and said : " In olden times fairies in

the morning were clouds and in the evening they

became rain, but. Cloudlet, you became a fairy in the

morning and a disembodied spirit in the evening.

Though clouds and rain differ they were one and the

same fairy, and though the fairy I saw and the spirit

differed they were one and the same Cloudlet [25].

Yang Wang understood it to be one and the same

fairy in the trick of the rain and the clouds. I, too,

understood it to be Cloudlet now, so why talk about

fairy or spirit ? Still when Yang Wang saw a cloud he

didn't call it a cloud but a fairy, and when he saw the

rain he did not call it the rain but his fairy. I, when I

met a fairy, did not call her Cloudlet but a fairy, and

when I met a spirit I did not call it Cloudlet but

a spirit, which shows that I have not yet attained to

Yang Wang ; and also that Cloudlet's power to

change is not equal to that of the ancient fairy. I

have heard it said that a powerful general has no

poor soldiers. Since the soldier is such as this, I can

only guess at the nature of the general whom I have

not seen."

All joined in the universal merry-making, more

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

refreshments were brought in, and they spent the day

in feasting.

Cloudlet, a new person in the company, sat on the

mat and took part. When night had fallen she carried

a lantern and went with her lord to the Park Pavilion.

He, hilarious from wine, took her by the hand and

jokingly said : " Are you truly a fairy or a spirit ? "

Again he added : " Not a fairy, and not a spirit, but a

living person. If I can love a fairy thus, and even a

spirit, how much more a living person. You are not a

fairy, and you are not a spirit ; but she who made you

a fairy, and again she who made you a spirit, surely

possesses the law by which we turn to fairies and

spirits, and will she say that I am but a common man

of earth and not want to keep company with me ? And

will she call this park where I live the dusty world of

men, and not wish to see me ? If she can change you

into a fairy or into a spirit, can't I do just the same and

change you too ? If I turn you into a fairy shall I turn

you into Han-ja who lives in the moon, or if I turn

you into a spirit shall it not be into Chin-chin of

Nam-ak that I turn you ? "

Cloudlet replied : " Your dishonourable wife has

done a bold and terrible thing, and my sins of decep-

tion are without number. Please, my master, will you

ever forgive me ? "

The Master replied : " Even when you changed

into a spirit I did not dislike you. How could I now

bear any fault in mind toward you, my Cloudlet ? "

She arose and bowed her thanks.

After Yang Hallim had won his honours he entered

the office of the graduates, where he had his official

duties assigned him. Till the present he had not yet

io6

It is Cloudlet

visited his mother, whom he greatly desired to see and

bring up to the capital, so that she might be present at

his wedding ; but just at this juncture a mighty event

happened that changed all his plans. The Tibetans

arose in revolt and marched into the western part of

the kingdom. The three governors also of the territory

north of the river, in league with their stronger neigh-

bour, arose likewise, calling themselves the Kings of

Yon, Cho and Wee. The Emperor,in a state of anxiety,

discussed the whole situation with his ministers and

made preparation to send troops to put them down,

but the various officials could not agree on a plan of

action, till at last the graduate Yang So-yoo stepped

forth and said : " In olden times Han Moo-je sum-

moned the king of southern Wol, and remonstrated

with him. Let your Majesty do the same. Have an

imperial order written out and reason with these men.

If after that they do not yield, then let troops go

against them with all the force possible."

The Emperor, pleased with this, commanded So-

yoo immediately to write out such an order. So-yoo

bowed low, took the pen as commanded, and wrote it.

Delighted with him, the Emperor said : " The

form is splendid and preserves our dignity, at the

same time demonstrating our favour. So reasonable is

it, too, that the foolish rebels will be won over I am

sure."

Thus was it sent to the three armies in insurrection.

Cho and Wee at once laid aside their claims to king-

ship, submitted, and sent humble memorials confess-

ing their sins. Along with these came ten thousand

horses and a thousand rolls of silk as tribute. Only

the King of Yon refused. His district was far distant

107

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

from the capital, and he had under his command many

well -trained troops.

The Emperor announced that the submission of

Cho and Wee was due entirely to the merits of Yang

So-yoo, and he wrote out the following edict :

" About a hundred years ago the three districts

to the north of the river, each separated by wide

stretches of territory, and trusting in its trained

forces, raised an insurrection. The Emperor,

Tok-chong, marshalled an army of a hundred

thousand men and ordered his two best generals

to the front. But they failed entirely to obtain

the required submission. Now, however, by one

word, written by Yang So-yoo, we have brought

two armies of rebellion to terms, in which not a

single soldier was killed or a person injured. The

power of the Emperor has been demonstrated to a

distance of ten thousand li. We view this with

deepest gratitude, and send herewith five thousand

rolls of silk and fifty horses to express out highest

favour."

He desired to raise his rank, but Yang So-yoo went

into the imperial presence, thanked his Majesty , and

declined the favour, saying : " The striking off of a

draft of an imperial order is the duty of a minister ;

the submission of the two armies is due to your

imperial prestige. What merit have I ever won to

receive such bountiful gifts as these ? There remains

still one army unyielded. I regret that I have not been

able to draw the sword and wipe out this disgrace.

How could your humble subject receive promotion

io8

It is Cloudlet

with pleasure under such circumstances ? My office

now is sufficiently high to display any merits that I

have. Nothing would be gained by its being higher.

As victory or defeat are not dependent on the number

of troops engaged, I wish that I might have a single

company of soldiers, and with the backing of your

imperial presence go out to settle the matter with Yon

for life or death. Thus would I make some little

return for the ten thousand favours that your Majesty

has conferred upon me."

The Emperor gladly welcomed the suggestion, and

asked the opinion of the ministers assembled. They

replied : " Three armies in league with each other were

against us, and now two have submitted. Mad little

Yon will be like a piece of meat ready for the boiling

pot, or an ant caught in a hole. Before the imperial

troops he will be but a dried twig, or a decayed piece

of wood ready to be broken. Let the imperial army

try all other means before striking. Let Yang So-yoo

be put in command, to try his skill for better or for

•^oTse. If after that Yon does not yield, then make the

attack."

The Emperor, deeming this wise, ordered Yang So-

yoo to start for Yon with all the insignia of power,

flags, drums and battle-axes, but his commands were

to use persuasion first. So Yang So-yoo set out on his

way after having said good-bye to Justice Cheung.

On parting, the Justice said to him : " Men are

wicked in these far distant places, and rebellion

against the state is a matter of everyday occurrence.

I feel that you, a scholar, are going into danger. If

some unforeseen misfortune should overtake you, it

would not only be your old father-in-law who would

109

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

be left desolate, but the whole house. I am old and

out of the question, so I no longer have a share in the

affairs of state. My desire is to send a memorial object-

ing to your going."

" Please do not do that," said Yang in reply, " and

don't be over anxious. These far-off peoples sometimes

take advantage of a disturbed state of affairs in the

government to rise up, but with the Emperor so great

and powerful, and the Government so enUghtened,

there is no such fear. Also the two states of Cho and

Wee have yielded. Why should we be anxious about

the little isolated kingdom of Yon ? "

" The Emperor's commands," said the Justice,

" are supreme, and the matter is already decided, so I

have nothing more to say. Only be careful of your-

self, and let not His Imperial Majesty have any

cause for shame."

The lady of the house wept over his going, and in

parting said : " Since we have won so noble a son we

have tasted the joys and delights of old age. Alas for

my feelings now as you start off for this distant region!

To go and return quickly is my one wish for you."

Yang withdrew, betook himself to the park

pavilion, and made ready for his journey. Cloudlet

shed pearly tears over him, saying : " When my lord

went daily to his duties in the palace, your hvunble

wife loved to rise early, make neat his room, bring

dress and official robes ; while you looked on with

kindly eyes upon her, and delayed your steps as

though you foimd it hard to go. Now you are starting

for a thoiisand miles distant. What word of love

could answer under such a circumstance as this ? "

The Hallim replied laughing : " The man of

It IS Cloudlet

affairs who enters upon a mighty question of the

state, impelled by the commands of his Emperor,

thinks naught of life or death. All the minor affairs of

the day disappear from his vision. You, Cloudlet, bear

up bravely now. Don't be anxious or mar your pretty

face. Serve your mistress well and in a little, if all goes

right, I'll finish what I have to do, win great renown,

and come back with flying colours and a gold seal

like a grain measure hanging at my belt. Be patient

and wait for me."

He passed through the gate, mounted his palan-

quin, and was gone. When he reached the city of

Nakyang he found once more the old landmarks. On

his last journey he had been but a youngster in his

teens, in his student's dress, riding a hobbling

donkey.

A few years only had passed and here he was with

the banners and spears of office going before him,

and he seated in a four-horse palanquin. The magis-

trate of Nakyang hastily repaired the roads, while the

governor of the south of the river respectfully assisted

him on his way. The glory of his progress lightened

the world, while the vanguard of his march shook the

towns like an earthquake. Country folk struggled for

a place to see, and the passers by in the street shouted

out their acclamations. So great was his splendour as

he passed along.

General Yang got his boy servant to make inquiry

first of all as to any news of Moonlight. He went to

her home and inquired but the entrance gates were

locked, and the upper pavilion closely curtained ; only

the cherry blossoms were in bloom, smiling over the

wall. He asked the neighbours, and they answered that

III

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

Moonlight had left the place a year and more ago.

Some gentleman, they said, who was on his way to a

distant part of the country had become betrothed to

her, and after that she pretended to be ill, received no

guests, went to no official feasts, and declined every-

thing. A little later, in a fit of insanity, she threw away

her jewels and head ornaments, donned the garb of a

Taoist priestess, and went visiting the temples in the

mountains. She never came back and no one knew

where she had gone.

The boy returned and told his master, and Yang,

who had been happy in the high expectation of seeing

her, fell into a fit of gloom and sadness. He passed her

home and thought of the happy experiences gone by,

and with disappointed feelings went to a public guest-

house. Their mysterious meeting had now faded away

,into the distance, leaving him sleepless.

The governor sent him a score of dancing-girls to

entertain him, all women of note in their world. As

they sat about in their pretty dresses he recognised

among them some who had been present at the Bridge

Pavilion. They vied with each other in their attempts

to please and win his attention, but he would have

nothing to do with any of them.

He composed these two verses and wrote them on

the wall :

** The rain sweeps by the Bridge Kiosk,

And o'er the catkins fresh and green,

Its music calls me through the dusk.

Back to its flowery silken scene.

112

It is Cloudlet

Behold me now dressed out in state,

Returned to greet my chosen one,

But I have come, alas, too late.

And she, who stirred my heart, is gone."

When he had finished, he tossed aside his pen,

mounted his palanquin and rode away, while all the

dancing folk seeing him thus leave untouched by

their influence held down their heads in shame.

The dancing-girls copied the verses and gave

them to the governor, and he scolded them soundly.

" If you had won General Yang's attention your names

would have been enhanced a hundred -fold," he said.

" But with all your finery you did not even win a glance

from him, and have caused Nakyang to lose face."

He asked them who the General meant by his

reference, and when he learned who it was, he adver-

tised for Moonlight far and wide in the hope of

finding her before the General's return.

Yang finally reached the land of Yon. The people

living in that distant region had never dreamed of the

power or splendour of the capital. Now when they be-

held Yang Hallim he seemed like the fabled unicorn

that steps down upon the earth, or the phoenix that

appears among the clouds. They jostled each other to

get close round his palanquin, and blocked his way

in their desire to see.

The General in his power of execution was like the

swift thunder, and in his readiness to bestow favour

like the spring rain ; so that these rude people were

overcome by his presence, danced and sang with

delight, and said to one another : " His divine Majesty

the Emperor, will indeed spare us."

113 H

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

When Yang met the King of Yon he spoke so boldly

of the power and prestige of His Majesty ; praised

the attitude of the Government, and explained so

fully the difference between submission and oppo-

sition, assistance and resistance, that his words were

as irresistible as the lift of the sea, or the falling of

autumh frosts. The King of Yon, greatly moved and

impressed, was won over. He bowed down to the

earth and confessed his faults, saying : " We, in this

benighted district, are so far away from the great

centre of things, and so out of touch with imperial

blessings and favours, that we dared to offer resistance

to the state. We have made light of life, and have been

ignorant whence our blessings and favours come.

And now having heard the convincing words of your

Excellency, I see that I have done a great wrong. No

more shall such mad thoughts possess me, but I shall

sincerely do the part of a loyal and faithful subject.

Please, on your return, make my statement for me and

let this tributary land find peace instead of war ; and

blessing and life instead of calamity. This indeed

would be for me more than I could expect."

A great feast was held in the palace of Yon, and the

General was offered when he left a hundred talents

of gold and ten of the finest horses as tribute presents.

Yang bowed, but did not receive them, setting out

empty-handed on his way westward toward home.

In ten days or so he passed Hantan, the old capital of

Cho, when suddenly a beautiful lad, riding a superb

horse, appeared just in front of him. He had heard

the calls of the General's out-runners and had

dismounted, standing respectfully by the side of the

way.

It is Cloudlet

The General looked at him and said : " Yonder

horse that that young man rides is a Persian steed,

surely."

As he advanced closer the young rider appeared

strangely beautiful, as an opening flower, or the re-

turning circle of the moon. His graceful form, with

the light that seemed to emanate from him, dazzled

the eyes of the onlooker.

" In all my travels," said Yang, " I never before

saw so handsome a youth as yonder lad. One glimpse

of his beautiful face would tell of his gifts and graces."

He said to the servants : " Invite him to follow us,

will you?"

When the General had retired to his lodgings for

the night, the young man appeared before the door

and was invited in. Yang at once fell a captive to his

spell, and said : " Your handsome face has wholly

won my heart. I wish to take you with me, and so sent

for you. My one fear has been that you might not

respond or wish to follow. Now that you have come I

am greatly delighted and want to know who you are

and your honourable name."

The young man made answer : " Your humble

servant is from the north land, and my surname is

Chok, and given-name, Paik-nan. I have been brought

up in an exiled country, have had no special friends or

teachers to guide me, and so my learning is of a very

shallow nature, attaining to proficiency neither in the

character, nor in the handling of the sword. My

heart only is right adjusted, and means to stand by its

friends, or if need be die for them. Your Excellency's

journey through the north, where all have been

equally impressed by your commanding presence and

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

unexampled favour, has awakened my heart in admir-

ation to a point that knows no bounds. Forgetful of

my low birth and ignorance, I desired to attach myself

to your lordship, to be your faithful bird of the morn-

ing or watch-dog of the night. Now your Excellency,

taking note of this wish of mine, has condescended to

call me, and has done me such an honour as I had

never dreamed. Assuredly the great teacher's kind-

ness bestowed upon a humble pupil is mine to-day."

Yang, greatly delighted, made reply : " The

ancients said, * A similar sound makes like echo, and

like strength does a similar deed.' A beautiful ful-

filment of this is evident in the fact that our hearts

agree."

From this time on Master Chok rode bridle by

bridle in company with the General and lived and

dined with him. They admired the beauties of nature

together, delighted themselves under the soft rays of

the moon, and forgot all about the hardships of the

way.

Again the cavalcade arrived at Nakyang and

crossed the Chon-j in Bridge. Old remembrances came

crowding back on Yang, and he said : " Now that

Moonlight is a so-called priestess, my heart con-

demns me when I think of her wandering over the

hills in order to fulfil her vow, and to wait for my

return. Already I have gone by once with the insignia

of battle-axes and banners accompanying me, but she

was nowhere to be seen. So all our plans have come

to naught, as men's plans do. How can I be other than

sad ? If Moonlight knew of my coming she would not

fail to meet me, but her sweet face is not here. I

expect that if she is not to be found in the Taoist

ii6

It is Cloudlet

Temple, she will be somewhere among the Buddhist

priestesses. How can I send word to her? Alas, if we

do not meet this time, how much of life may pass

before we ever meet again ? "

Just then he raised his eyes toward the distance and

there he saw a young woman with a gem screen hang-

ing before her, leaning gently on the railing of a neigh-

bouring pavilion, evidently watching the chariots and

the horses go by. It was Moonlight.

Yang, pent up with heart longings and desire to see

her face to face, caught sight of her lovely expression

which took a fresh and new grip upon him. He drove

hastily by and the two looked their messages of lively

recognition each toward the other.

When he reached the guest-house Moonlight was

already there, having come by a short and ready road.

She saw him dismount from the chariot and tripped

forth to meet him. First she bowed low. She then

accompanied him into the guest-room, where, in her

joy of soul, she took hold of the border of his robes

and told how happy she was after the sorrows of the

year that had gone. Her tears flowed faster than her

words. She bowed again and congratulated him upon

his safe return. All that had happened during the long

interval since they had said good-bye was told.

" When you left me," said she, " I was invited to

the gatherings of the princes, and feasts of the nobil-

ity. Invitations came from north, south, east and west,

till I was wearied out. At last I cut off my hair with my

own hands to escape dishonour, and then pretended

that I was smitten with a dangerous illness. I threw

away all my pretty ornaments, put on the dress of a

priestess, made my escape from the busy city and

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

went and lived in the mountains. From the guests

who came to visit the temples, and from others of the

city and the capital who were studying Taoism, I

learned news of your lordship. Early last spring I

heard that you had memorialised the Emperor and

had gone forth as his special envoy. I knew that you

passed the city, but the distance was too great foi: me

to return. All I could do was to look toward the

distant kingdom of Yon and let my tears fall. The

magistrate, knowing that I had become a priestess

because of you, showed me what you had written on

the walls of the monastery, saying : ' General Yang,

with direct orders from His Majesty the Emperor,

came by this way. Many dancing-girls welcomed his

coming, but because his lordship did not see you, he

was greatly disappointed and would have nothing to

do with any of them. In his disappointment he wrote

this on the wall and left. How was it that you of all

others should be off there in the hills and so cause my

entertainment of the envoy to be a failure ? '

" And thus desirous of showing you all respect, he

apologised for his hard treatment in the past, earn-

estly desiring me to come back to my home in the

city to await your return. I was delighted to do so.

Then it was that I first realised that I, an insignificant

woman, had a certain value attaching to my person. I

waited alone in the Chon-jin Pavilion hoping for

your coming. Will not the many dancing-girls of the

city and the crowds of the streets, every one of them,

envy my place of honour and the glory that comes to

me ?

" I have already learned that you won the ktoago

(examination), and that you were made a hallim (a

ii8

It is Cloudlet

literary senator), but I have wondered whether you

were married or not."

Yang replied : " I am already engaged to the

daughter of Justice Cheung, but the ceremony has

not yet been celebrated. The superior attainments of

the lady are already known to me, and she is exactly

what you foretold . My pretty go-between has loaded me

with obligations greater than the mountains of Tai."

They renewed their former happy acquaintance

and he tarried for several days. Because of Moon-

light's presence the young man Chok did not call.

Once the servant-boy came in in great alarm to say

to the master : " Your humble servant has noticed

that the young gentleman Chok is not a good man. I

saw him in the women's quarters joking and playing

with Moonlight. Moonlight is in the service of your

lordship, how could she be treated thus familiarly ? "

The Hallim made reply : " Master Chok would

never do such a thing as this, and I have all confi-

dence in Moonlight too ; you have been mistaken."

The boy was very angry and went out. In a little he

came again and spoke : " Your lordship said that my

report was nonsense. The two now are holding hands

and enjoying themselves together. If you will please

come out and see for yourself you will know whether

my story is correct or not."

Yang went out and looked toward the servants'

quarters, and there the two were leaning over the wall

talking and laughing together, fondling each other's

hands and having a very amusing time.

Desiring to hear what they were saying, Yang went

closer, but master Chok hearing the sound of foot-

falls took alarm and ran away. Moonlight looked back

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

at the master, and an unexpected blush of shame

covered her face.

Yang asked gently : " Moonlight, my dear, are you

specially acquainted with master Chok ? "

Moonlight replied : " We are not relatives, he and

I, but I dearly love his sister and we were talking

about her. I am, as you know, only a dancing-girl, so

that my eyes and ears are steeped in the ways of the

world, and I am not afraid of men. By holding hands

and jesting, and whispering as I have done, I have

raised a doubt in my kind master's mind. My shame is

so great for it that I really desire to die."

Yang said : " I have no doubts of you at all, so do

not be in the least disturbed."

He thought to himself : " Chok is a young man,

and his being caught thus by me will make him feel

ashamed. I must call him and assure him that I am

not disturbed," So he sent for his boy to come, but he

was nowhere to be found. With great regret he said :

" In olden time King Cho-jang made them all break

off their hat-strings in order to quiet their fears ; now

I, in my aimless peering about, have disappointed my

friend and have lost me my lovely scholar. What shall

I do about it ? " He made the servants seek high and

low, inside and outside the walls for Chok.

That night he talked over the past with Moonlight

and said how they were indeed destined for each other.

They drank and were happy till the hours grew late.

Then they put out the lights and slept. When the east

began to lighten he awoke and saw Moonlight doing

up her hair before the mirror. He looked at her with

tenderest interest and then gave a start and looked

again. The delicate eyebrows, the bright eyes, the

120

It is Cloudlet

wavy hair like a cloud over the temples, the rosy-

tinted cheeks, the lithe graceful form, the white com-

plexion— all were Moonlight's, and yet it was not she.

Alarm and doubt overcame him so that he dared not

speak.

121