Chapter VIII

Chapter VIII A Hopeless Dilemma

THE eunuch said to Chin See : " His Majesty

desiring again to see the writing of Master

Yang, has commanded me to gather up the

fans. May I have yours also ? "

Chin See began to cry, saying : " Unhappy being

that I am, I thoughtlessly wrote a companion verse

under what the Master had written for me, and now

it proves my death warrant. If His Majesty sees it

there will be no chance of escape. Rather than die

under the arm of the law, I would prefer to take my

own life. When I am dead, may I trust you for the

burial of my body ? Please have pity on me, and see

that my poor remains are not left to the mercy of the

ravens."

The eunuch replied : " Why do you, a literary

secretary, say such things as these ? The Emperor is

kind and ready to take a liberal view of everything.

He would never regard this as a serious offence. Even

though he should be angry I will use my office to

placate him ; follow me."

Chin See then followed the eunuch, who left her

outside the palace while he went in alone. His Majesty

looked at the compositions in order till at last he

came to Chin See's fan, where he found someone else's

verses just below Master Yang's. He wondered what

it could mean and asked the eunuch. The eunuch said

in reply : " Chin See told me that, never dreaming

of your Majesty's asking to see them again, she had

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

boldly written this just below the poem on her fan,

bringing upon herself a sentence of death. Her pur-

pose now is to take her own life, but I urged her not

to do so and brought her here."

The Emperor read what was written and it ran as

follows :

" The rounded fan, like the shining moon,

Calls me back to the light that was dimmed so soon.

I never had thought through my tears and pain.

That a day would come when we'd meet again."

When his Majesty had read it through, he said :

" Chin See must have had some experience in the

past that this refers to. She is highly gifted in her

writing and worthy of praise." He then told the

eunuch to call her.

As she came in she bowed low in the court, and

confessed her favdt.

His Majesty said : " K you teU me the truth I will

forgive your deadly sin. To whom do you refer in

this verse ? "

Chin See bowed again and said : "How can I

dare to hide anj^thing from your Majesty after what

I have done ? Before my home was destroyed,

Master Yang, on his way to the Government examin-

ation, passed in front of our house. Unexpectedly we

saw each other, and on his writing a love song to me,

I composed a reply and sent it by a messenger, pro-

posing marriage. He accepted it and so it was decided

upon. The other day in the Hall of the Fairies, while

in waiting on your Majesty, I saw him again and

knew his face, but he did not see me. Your unworthy

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A Hopeless Dilemma

servant, thinking of what had passed, foolishly wrote

this verse which has found me out. I deserve to die

a hundred deaths."

His Majesty, sorry for her sad experience, said :

" Can you recall the love song that brought about

your engagement of marriage ? "

Chin See then wrote it out and presented it to him.

He said to her : " Though your fault is a grievous

one, still, because you have wonderful ability and are

so greatly loved by the Princess Nan-yang, I forgive

you. Be thankful for my clemency, and give your

whole heart and attention to the service of the

Princess." He then gave her back the fan, which she

received, and after thanking him again she withdrew.

On the same day Prince Wol returned from the

home of Justice Cheung and told the Emperor that

Yang's future was decided, and that he had already

sent his marriage presents.

At this the Empress Dowager was very much dis-

pleased, and said : " Master Yang has already been

advanced to the rank of Minister of State, and must

know the laws and traditions of the Government.

How can he be so determined to have his own way ? "

The Emperor replied : " Yang So-yoo may have

sent his marriage gifts, but that is not the same as

having completed the marriage ceremony. I am

sure that if one reasons with him, he will not fail to

listen." So the next day Minister Yang was sum-

moned to the palace, and he at once appeared.

The Emperor said : "I have a sister who is un-

commonly gifted, and, apart from yourself, I know

of no one who could be a suitable mate for her.

Prince Wol has already conveyed to you my wishes,

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

but I hear that you decline and offer as an excuse the

fact that you have already sent your marriage gifts to

the house of Justice Cheung. Evidently you have not

thought the matter over carefully. In olden days

when a choice of Imperial daughter-in-law was to be

made, sometimes even a wife was chosen, not to

speak of one simply betrothed. One ancient king

spent a whole life of regret thinking of the women

who refused his conmiand. My idea is that we are

not just the same as the nation at large. We are the

parents of the people, and therefore what binds the

people does not necessarily pertain to us. Even though

you should break oflf your engagement with Justice

Cheung's daughter, she could easily find another

opportxmity. As you have not yet celebrated the

marriage, in what way can you be said to have broken

the law of human deportment ? "

Yang humbly bowed and said in reply : " Your

Imperial Majesty has not only not punished me, but

like a father with his son has kindly and gently

admonished me. I thank you most sincerely for this.

I have nothing to say further except to add that my

circumstances are not like those of others. I am only

a poor literatus from a distant part of the coimtry.

I had not even a lodging when I first entered the

capital. By the kindness of Justice Cheung I escaped

the loneliness that beset me. Not only have I sent the

marriage gifts, but I have taken the place of son-in-

law to Justice Cheung, and also I have already seen

his daughter's face, so that we are as good as husband

and wife. That the marriage ceremony was not already

performed was due simply to the fact that there were

so many affairs of State to see to, and that I have had

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A Hopeless Dilemma

no opportunity to bring my mother up to the city.

Now, fortunately, since the outside States are pacified

and there are no longer fears for the Government,

your humble servant intended to ask a short furlough

to return home to bring his mother, choose a day, and

have the marriage performed, when unexpectedly

your Majesty's commands have come to him and he

is alarmed and knows not what to do. I know that if

I obeyed out of fear of punishment, Cheung's

daughter would guard her honour safe till death, and

never marry elsewhere. But if she should lose her

place as wife would this not be reckoned a flaw in

the reign of your Imperial Majesty ? "

The Emperor replied : " Your ideas are most

correct and good, and yet, if we speak according to

the actual conditions of the case, you and Cheung's

daughter are not really husband and wife. Why should

she not marry elsewhere ? My wish to decide this

marriage with you is not only in order to place you

as a pillar of the State and so reward you, but also to

please the Empress Dowager, who is greatly taken

with your bearing and commanding gifts, and does

not leave me free to act as I might wish."

Still Yang emphatically declined.

The Emperor said : " Marriage is a very import-

ant matter and so cannot be settled by a single con-

ference ; let us have a game of go and help to pass the

time."

His Majesty then ordered a eunuch to bring a go-

board, and they sat down. Emperor and Minister, to

try their skill. Only when the day grew late did they

cease to play,

Yang returned home, and Justice Cheung met him

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

with a very sorrowful countenance. Wiping his eyes

he said : " To-day a command came from the Em-

press Dowager to send back to you your marriage

gifts, so I passed the order on to Cloudlet and they

are now in the park pavilion. If we think of it from

our side, it puts us two old people in a very pitiful

plight. I might bear it, but my old wife is overcome

by it and has been rendered ill, and is now uncon-

scious and unable to recognise her friends."

Greatly upset by this, Yang turned pale and was

unable for an hour or so to say anything in reply. At

last he said : "If they realise the unfairness of this,

and if I memorialise the Government against it with

all my heart, will they not heed ? "

The Justice waved his hand in opposition :

" Master Yang, you have already run counter to the

Imperial orders. If you petition against it I fear for

the results ; you may be severely punished. Your

only way is to submit. Besides, too, under the circum-

stances your living here at the park pavilion will be

embarrassing, so if you can find a suitable place else-

where you had better move."

Yang made no reply but went into the Park Pavil-

ion, and there was Cloudlet with tearful face and

broken voice, who offered him the marriage gifts.

" As you know," said she, " I was ordered by the

young mistress to wait on your lordship. I have been

kindly treated and am grateful to you, but the devils

have been jealous, and men have looked askance at our

happiness, so that all has come to naught ; and the

marriage expectations of the young lady are hope-

lessly ended, I, too, must bid you a long farewell,

and return to my mistress. Is it God, or Mother

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Chin See's Fear : Cloudlet says Farewell

A Hopeless Dilemma

Earth, or devils, or men who have done it ? " Her

sobs and tears were most distressing.

" I intend to petition His Majesty," said Yang,

" and I am sure he will listen. But even though he does

not, when once a young woman has yielded her con-

sent, her following her husband is one of. the first

laws of nature. How can you possibly leave me ? "

Cloudlet replied : " Though I am only of the

lower classes, still I have heard the sayings of the

Sages and am not unaware of the Three Relation-

ships [29] that govern a woman's life. My circum-

stances, however, are peculiar and different from

those of others. I played from earliest years with the

young lady and was brought up with her. All

thoughts of difference in station were dropped, and

we swore a solemn oath to live and die together, to

accept the fortunes of life with the glory and shame

that might come to us. My following the lady is like

the shadow following the body. When once the body

disappears, how can the shadow play a part alone ? "

Yang answered : " Your devotion to your mistress

is most commendable, but your lady's person and

yours are different. While she goes north, south,

east, or west as she chooses, your following her, and

at the same time attempting to render service to

another, would break all the laws that govern a

woman's existence."

Cloudlet said : " Your words prove that you do

not know the mind of my mistress. She has already

decided to remain with her aged parents. When they

die she will preserve her purity, cut off her hair, enter

a monastery and give herself up in prayer to the

Buddha, in the hope that in the life to come she may

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

not be born a woman. I, too, will do just the same as

she. If your lordship intends to see me again, your

marriage gifts must go back to the rooms of my lady.

If not, then to-day marks our parting for life. Since

I have waited on your lordship I have been greatly

loved and favoured, and I can never repay, even in a

hundred years, a thousandth part of all your kind-

ness. It has turned out, however, different from what

we had anticipated, and we are come now to this dire

extremity. My one wish is, that in the life to come

I may be your faithful dog or horse, and may show

my devotion to you. Please, noble Master, may all

blessing and happiness be yours." She turned away

and wept bitterly. A moment later she stepped from

the verandah, bowed twice and entered the women's

apartments.

The Master's heart was greatly disturbed, and all

his thoughts were in confusion. He looked up at the

sky and sighed long and deeply ; he clasped his hands

and drew hopeless gasping breaths, saying : " I must

petition His Majesty with all my heart." So he wrote

out his memorial, which was full of earnestness, and

ran thus :

" The servant of your Imperial Majesty, Yang

So-yoo, bows low and prostrates himself in the

dust as he offers this memorial. In deepest rever-

ence he would say. The Primary Laws [30] are the

foundation stone on which your Imperial Majesty's

Government rests, and marriage is the first of

these laws. If once we lose its right relation all

prosperity for the State ends, confusion and dis-

order must follow. If we fail to exercise care in

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A Hopeless Dilemma

regard to this fundamental matter, the house

affected by it will not long endure. Matters of State

prosperity rest here also. Therefore the Sages, and

the specially enlightened ones, thought carefully of

this in the governing of a country, and regarded the

correct observance of the Primal Laws as the most

important thing of all, and considered that in a well-

ordered house marriage was of greatest importance.

" Your humble servant had already sent his

gifts to the daughter of Justice Cheung, and

already had become a member of his household.

After this had been accomplished, he is, by your

gracious command, unexpectedly and unworthily

chosen as the Imperial son-in-law. At first he was in

doubt, and finally he was reduced to great distress

and fear. He fails to see that the decision of your

Imperial Majesty and the approval of the Govern-

ment is in accord with the established laws of

ceremony. Even though your humble subject had

not sent the required gifts, still his social position is

so inferior and his knowledge so circumscribed,

that these alone would disqualify his being chosen

as the Imperial son-in-law. Also he is already the

son-in-law of Justice Cheung, and though the

whole Six Forms [31] are not yet completed it is the

same as an accomplished marriage. How can Her

Highness the Crown Princess ever bow to one so

low as he, and how can your Majesty let pass so

improper a proceeding without close investigation ;

or permit so grave a breach of form without search-

ing inquiry ? Alas, a secret order has come forth

making null and void that part already accom-

plished and commanding the return of accepted

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

marriage gifts, a thing that your humble servant

could never have dreamed possible. The petitioner

fears that on his account the Goyemment of your

Majesty may suffer permanent loss, and the laws

that rule society will be hopelessly damaged ; that

in high places truth will be forfeited, and that in

low places violence and wrong-doing may result.

He earnestly prays that your High Majesty will

stand by the rock on which the State rests, reverse

the order that has gone forth, and set your humble

servant's heart free."

The Emperor read the memorial and showed it to

the Empress Dowager. The Empress was very angry,

and ordered the arrest of Yang So-yoo, but the

various officers of the Government used their united

efforts against such a proceeding. The Emperor him-

self said : "I think it would be going too far to

arrest him, but the fact that the Empress Dowager is

so angry renders it impossible for me to forgive him

out and out."

Several months went by and the Empress did not

recognise Yang or show any signs of yielding. Justice

Cheung, too, was under a cloud, so that he closed his

doors and saw no one.

At this time the Tibetans, with an army of a

hundred thousand men, made a sudden invasion into

China proper, and took possession of certain cities

and territory. The advanced outposts had come as far

as the Bridge of Wee, so that the capital itself was

in great confusion. The Emperor assembled his

ministers and conferred with them. They replied :

" The soldiers of the capital do not exceed a few

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A Hopeless Dilemma

thousands, and those of the provinces are far away

and out of reach. Your Majesty therefore ought to

leave the capital for a time, make a wide circuit east-

ward, muster all the soldiers from the various districts

and set matters right."

The Emperor could not decide, but said : " Among

all my retainers Yang So-yoo is the most resourceful

in the way of plans and proposals, and has excellent

judgment. I have found him the very soul of wisdom

heretofore. The three States that we returned to order

and submission were brought so by his merit." He

then dismissed the assembly and appealed to the

Empress Dowager. " Let us forgive So-yoo, call him

and ask what plans he would suggest."

So-yoo was called, and said : " In the capital are

the tombs of the Imperial ancestors, and the palaces.

If your Majesty were to turn your back on them, the

people would be greatly disturbed. At such a moment,

if a powerful enemy were to enter the city, it would

be exceedingly hard ever to dislodge them. In the

days of Tai-jong (627-650 a.d.), the Tibetans, along

with the Mohammedan tribes, marshalled a million

men or so and attacked the capital. At that time the

forces in the city were not equal to the present, but

with his cavalry. Prince Kwak Cha-heui drove them

off and defeated them. My powers and gifts are not

in any sense equal to those of Kwak's, but with a few

thousand good soldiers I can settle accounts with

these invaders, and so repay a little the great favours

accorded me by your Imperial Majesty."

The Emperor at once appointed Yang as Generalis-

simo , and allowed him to set out from the barracks with

thirty thousand troops to attack the Tibetan army.

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

Yang said the word of farewell, drew up his army

and encamped near the Bridge of Wee. He drove back

the vaniguard of the enemy, and took prisoner Prince

Choa-won, so that the enemy were thrown into con-

fusion and many troops hid therriselves or ran away.

He followed up this advantage at once and fought

three battles, beating the enemy badly, killing about

thirty thousand men and taking eight thousand horses.

From this place he sent a memorial of his victory to

the Emperor.

His Majesty was greatly pleased, ordered his return,

and appointed for each general gifts according to his

merit.

The message sent by His Excellency ran thus : " I

have heard it said that the Imperial troops are ever to

be depended on. I have heard it also said that troops

who always win think lightly of the enemy, and are

not anxious to take advantage of special moments of

weakness or hunger. This is a mistake. I cannot say

that the enemy is not strong, or that they are not well

equipped in arms. They have rebelled against their

sovereign, and we ought to await only the moment of

their greatest disadvantage to make our final attack.

Their condition grows less favourable for them

daily. It says in the Book of Wars : ' Labour hard to

strike the enemy in the moment of his hardest labour.'

One who fails to conquer then will fail simply

from lack of skill. Already the enemy is broken and

on the run. Their weakness is evident. All the dis-

tricts along the way have abundant provision piled

up for us, so that we have no fear. The wide plains

and broad valleys are at our service, and the enemy

has no place in which to pitch his camp. If we follow

A Hopeless Dilemma

them sharply with fast cavalry we can make them

completely ours. But if your Majesty rests now with

a partial victory our best opportunity will be lost.

To cease from the attack is not good policy in your

servant's opinion. My wish, with your gracious per-

mission, is to set the troops at once in motion, follow

into the enemy's camp, burn them out, and make

sure that not another armed man will cross the

border, or another arrow be shot at us, and so remove

from your Majesty all anxiety."

The Emperor read this memorial and was greatly

struck by the wisdom of it. Hfe advanced Yang to the

rank of Chief Commissioner and Minister of War.

He gave him his own sword, bow and arrows, em-

broidered belt, white flag and gilded battle-axe, and

wrote out a command mustering further troops from

north, east, and west.

Yang So-yoo received this, bowed his thanks

toward the palace, selected a propitious day, made

the necessary sacrifices and then set out. His disposi-

tion of the army was according to the ancient Six

Laws [32], and his arrangement of the camp accord-

ing to the Eight Diagrams [33]. All were under strict

discipline. Like rushing water they went forth and

straight as the splitting bamboo. In a few months the

lost territory was recovered and Yang's main forces

had arrived at the foot of the Chok-sol Mountains. A

strange sign occurred there. A great whirlwind

appeared in front of his horse and broke into the

camp and passed by. On this the Master cast the

horoscope and learned that the enemy would attack

his forces with great vigour, but that in the end he

would be victorious.

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

He pitched his camp under the lee of a mountain,

and scattered about it caltrops and " Spanish riders "

to keep off the enemy. At this time the General was

seated in his tent with a lighted candle before him,

reading certain military dispatches, while the guards

outside had already announced the third watch

of the night. Suddenly a cold wind extinguished the

light of the candle and an eerie chill filled the tent.

At this moment a maiden stepped in upon him from

the upper air, and stood before him with a glittering

double-edged sword in her hand. The General,

guessing her to be an assassin, did not quail before

her, but stood his ground sternly and boldly asked :

" What kind of creature are you, and what is your

intention coming thus into the camp by night ? "

She said in reply : "I am under command of King

Chan-bo of Tibet to have thy head."

The General laughed. " The superior man," said

he, " never fears to die. Take my head, will you not,

and go ? "

Then she threw down her sword, bowed low,

and said in reply : " My noble lord, do not be anxious ;

how could your servant ever dare to cause you fear ? "

The General then raised her up, saying : " You

have come into the camp with a sword girded at your

side, and now you say you will not harm me. Pray,

what is your meaning ? "

" I would like to tell you," said she, " all my past

history, but I cannot do so in a moment."

Then the General asked her to sit down and inquired

of her : " Your ladyship, not fearing the terror of my

forces, has come seeking me. There must be some

beneficent purpose in your mind ; tell me, please."

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A Hopeless Dilemma

The lady made reply : " Though I am called an

assassin, yet really I have no heart for anything of

the kind. I will tell your lordship exactly what my

mind meditates." She got up, lit the lamp again,

and came close to the general and sat down. He

looked at her. Her cloudlike hair was fastened with a

golden pin. She wore a narrow-sleeved outer coat

with a military jacket underneath, embroidered with

stone and bamboo designs. She wore phcenix-tail

shoes and at her belt hung a dragon sword. Her face

was bright like rose petals with dew upon them. She

opened her lips, which were red as the cherry, and

spoke slowly in tones like the oriole, saying : " Your

servant came originally from Yang-joo county,

where for generations we have been subjects of the

Tangs. I lost my parents when young, and became

a disciple of a woman who was a great master in

sword-drill ; she taught me her art. My name is Sim

Nyo-yon, commonly spoken of as the Swallow.

Three years after learning the science of the sword,

^ learned also that of metamorphosis — to ride the

winds, to follow the lightnings, and in an instant to

travel a thousand li. Several of us were taught, and

we were all about alike in our sword skill, but when

the teacher had some special enemy to destroy or

some wicked person to kill, she invariably sent one

of the others to do it. She never sent me. I was angry

at this, and asked : ' We all alike have followed our

teacher and have been taught the same lessons, yet I

alone have made no return to you for your kindness.

Is it because my skill is poor and I could not be

trusted to carry out the will of my mistress that you

fail to send me ? '

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

" The teacher then said : * You are not of our race.

Later you will hear the truth and be made perfect. If

I were to send you as I do the others, to kill and to

destroy, it would for ever mar your virtue. For this

reason I do not send you.'

" I asked again, saying : ' If that be so, then of

what use is my practising sword drill ? '

" The teacher replied : ' Your appointed mate lives

in the Tang kingdom, and he is a great and noted

lord. You are in a foreign land and there is no other

way by which you can meet him. By means of my

teaching you this insignificant craft you may come

face to face with your special affinity. In your search

you will enter a military camp of a million men, and

among the swords and spears you will find him. The

Emperor of the Tangs, I know, is to send a great

general against the Tibetans, and King Chan-bo has

issued a proclamation calling for assassins who are

ready to destroy this appointed leader. Do not miss

the opportunity to descend from the hills. Go at

once to Tibet and show your skill with the swords-

men of that country. On the one side you can save

them from the danger that the Tangs threaten, and

on the other you can meet your Master.'

" I received the commands of my teacher and went

at once to Tibet, tore off the notice that I found on

the city gate, and carried it to the king. He called me

and allowed me to try my skill with others. In a few

minutes I had struck off the top-knots of more than

ten persons. The king was greatly delighted and

chose me, saying : * When you bring me the head

of the general of the Tangs, I will make you my

queen.' Now that I have met your Excellency I find

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A Hopeless Dilemma

that my teacher's words have come true, and my

desire is to join those who wait on you and share a

part in your life. Will you consent ? "

The General, greatly surprised and delighted,

answered : " Your ladyship has already spared this

head of mine that was doomed, and now you wish to

serve me. How shall I repay you ? My wish is to bind

you to me by the endless contract of marriage."

Thus they plighted their troth. Around the tent the

glitter of swords and spears served for candle light,

and the sound of cymbals for the festal harp. This

marriage hall within the warlike enclosure was a

happier one than was ever that of shimmering silks

or embroidered screens.

From this day forth the General fell a victim to

the fair one and took no account of officers or men.

Days passed thus, when Sim the Swallow said : " A

military camp is no place for women. I fear that I

shall hinder the movement of the troops, so I must

The General replied : " But your ladyship is not a

common woman ; I hope that you will stay and

teach me some special craft or science that pertains

to war so as to defeat these rebels. Why should you

leave me ? "

" Your lordship," said Swallow, " does not need

me, but with your power will easily destroy the

haunts of the rebel. Why should you fear ? Though

I came forth by order of my superior, yet I have not

said my farewell to her, so I shall go back to my

teacher in the hills and await your return to the

capital. By and by I shall meet you there."

The General asked : " After you are gone, in case

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

Chan-bo sends another assassin, how shall I defend

myself ? "

Swallow said : " Though there are many assassins

they are not my equals, and if your lordship accepts

me as your devoted one all danger is dispelled."

She then felt at her belt, drew forth a jewel, and gave

it to him, saying : " The name of this is Myo-ye-wan,

a pin that King Chan-bo wore in his head-dress.

Please send a messenger to him with it saying I shall

return no more."

The General inquired further : " Have you no

other matters to suggest ? "

Swallow said : " On your way ahead you will pass

a place called Pan-sa-gok where good drinking-

water will fail you. Make all haste to dig wells when

there, so that the soldiers may not die of thirst."

He desired to ask further questions, but Swallow

gave a leap into the air and was gone . The General then

called his officers to him and told them of her coming.

With one accord they said : " Your Excellency's

luck is like that of the gods, and your power to

affright the rebels is by means of angels who come

to help you."

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