🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 8 · page 2

Ja-Jo-Mi, astounded by the news, summoned his General, at whom he cast the most violent reproaches and profane oaths (some of these we dare not print as the transcriber of this legend is a pious man).85 “How is it that you told me that the King’s son was dead and now they say that the city is in a state of siege?86 Who is it that is at the head of the troops who are attacking us?”87

“It cannot possibly be the King’s son,” replied the General, humbly.88 “I am positive that he died in that fire--his body is ashes.89 Doubtless it is some daring adventurer who has brought this horde of rogues and robbers upon us.”90

There was no time for further discussion.91 The populace, having read the bamboo messages, arose in revolt.92 They were already advancing toward the Prime Minister’s palace.93 They burst down the doors and swept through the palace like the demon waves of the Yellow Sea.94 Ja-Jo-Mi and his General were seized--the palace set on fire.95 Simultaneously the King made a peaceful entry into the city at the head of his troops and the people turned over to him the usurping Minister and his General.96

Ki-Si called his Commander-in-Chief, San-Syeng.97

“No one shall be put to death.98 It will be sufficient, for the time being, to throw the guilty wretches into prison.”99 Subsequently, he issued orders to the effect that only Ja-Jo-Mi, his General, and their principal adherents, be held as prisoners.100

The new King had barely taken possession of the palace of his fathers than he ordered a reduction in the taxes which were oppressing his people.101 These measures were approved by his Queen who desired that they be even carried further.102

“Who knows,” she said, “if the Mandarins will carry out the orders; perhaps they will continue to persecute the people to their profit?103 You must be assured that everything is going as you wish and dispatch deputies who are charged with seeing that your decrees are observed.”104

The King recognized the wisdom of this idea and ordered San-Syeng to send out in all directions honest and devoted men on this errand.105 This done, the new General left the Capital, wearing the modest clothes he had worn when the King had placed the command of the troops in his hands.106

_Here cometh to a close the seventh stage of our legend.107

VIII108

VIII109

San-Syeng had been a very powerful factor in establishing the legitimate sovereign of Korea on the throne but he did not by any means consider his life work as finished.110 His primary duty was to find his parents and to return to the lovely girl to whom he had given his heart.111 Despite the many adventures through which he had passed, he had never ceased thinking of Yeng-So-Yei.112 He did not suspect that serious events were also taking place in her own little sphere.113

Now it came to pass one morning after San-Syeng’s departure that Yeng-So-Yei found her mother dead in her room.114 The poor young woman was prostrated with grief.115 She refused to be consoled and the solitude in which she lived merely aggravated her anguish.116 And yet a new calamity lay right in her path.117 The populace, rising in revolt against the nobility and tax collectors, were burning and pillaging throughout the village and Yeng-So-Yei just had time enough to dash through a secret gate in the city wall and make her escape into the open country.118

In a short space of time she had lost her mother, her fortune and her home.119 She did not, however, feel entirely cast down.120 “At least San-Syeng is left to me,” was her thought.121

“I shall go to the Capital and hunt for him.”122 In order to carry out her project more easily, she assumed masculine attire and, thus disguised, set out on her journey.123

Now it came to pass that having no notion of the road she should follow, she completely lost her way.124 Moreover, an intense fog settled down upon the fields and earth to make her situation more unpleasant.125 She walked and walked, but to her great despair she met no one, nor could she find the slightest shelter wherein she might escape the dampness.126 Tired, almost unto death, she threw herself down beside a clump of tall bamboo, intending to rest but a few moments, but in spite of her well-meaning resolutions, she was soon fast asleep.127

The grove of bamboo toward which Fate had turned the steps of Yeng-So-Yei was the very one where so many long years before Yeng-Si had given birth to San-Syeng.128 The unfortunate woman who was obliged to abandon her child and to become a nun would often visit the spot which brought back such painful memories; indeed, she seemed to take a keen pleasure in seeing the spot where she had become a mother.129 And the sight thereof would cause her to weep.130

It so happened that one day the nun, returning from her sad pilgrimage, saw a young man, sound asleep, stretched across the narrow footpath.131 At first she was a bit startled and frightened but, conquering her distrust, she gazed curiously at the sleeper.132 “My son would have been about the same age,” she reflected.133 “I will wait until this young man awakes and speak with him.”134 She stood by his prostrate form and it seemed as if she were unable to take her eyes from his face.135 Finally, unable to be patient any longer, and after satisfying herself that no one was watching her, she decided to wake the strange traveler.136

“Pardon my curiosity, sir--but this situation is a strange one.”137

“What situation?” demanded Yeng-So-Yei.138

“How comes it that you are sleeping here on this road?”139

“It comes--because I was very tired.”140

“Where do you live?”141

“At Yen-Yu, but I am on my way to the Capital.”142

“To the Capital?143 But you are not on the right road.”144

“Am I lost?145 Oh, what shall I do?”146

Tears came into the poor girl’s eyes.147 Yeng-Si was moved also.148

“How,” she asked again, “does it happen that you are traveling alone in this way?149 It is hardly safe for you.”150

“I know that, but I am forced to do so for I am an orphan.”151

“Would you like to come with me?”152

“Yes, but I can accept your hospitality for a short time only.153 I must be on my way.”154

At these words, they walked together toward the temple of Ro-Ja.155

Ou-Pung, the sister, consented to take the young traveler in, but made it very plain that it was impossible for her to keep a man about the house for more than two or three days.156

Yeng-So-Yei asked no more than that.157 After she was installed in her room, she went to seek Yeng-Si.158 The latter related the tale of her sad life and this pitiful story so touched the young woman that she wept with her new friend in sympathy.159

The next morning Yeng-Si stopped at the traveler’s room.160 Picking up a ring which she saw lying on the table, she examined it closely and demanded, sharply:161

“Perhaps, I may be a bit inquisitive, but I would be very much obliged to you if you would tell me where you obtained this ring?”162

“It is a keepsake from my best friend.”163

“Where is your best friend?”164

“He has gone to the Capital.165 I want to join him as soon as I can.”166