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

95

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

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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

98

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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

99

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."

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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

no

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."

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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.

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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

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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

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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