Ta-hong

[Sim Heui-su studied as a young man at the feet of No Su-sin, who was

sent as an exile to a distant island in the sea. Thither he followed

his master and worked at the Sacred Books. He matriculated in 1570

and graduated in 1572. In 1589 he remonstrated with King Son-jo over

the disorders of his reign, and was the means of quelling a great

national disturbance; but he made a faux pas one day when he said

laughingly to a friend--

"These sea-gull waves ride so high,

Who can tame them?"

Those who heard caught at this, and it became a source of unpopularity,

as it indicated an unfavourable opinion of the Court.

In 1592, when the King made his escape to Eui-ju, before the invading

Japanese army, he was the State's Chief Secretary, and after the

return of the King he became Chief Justice. He resigned office, but the

King refused to accept his resignation, saying, "I cannot do without

you." He became chief of the literati and Special Adviser. Afterwards

he became Minister of the Right, then of the Left, at which time

he wrote out ten suggestions for His Majesty to follow. He saw the

wrongs done around the King, and resigned office again and again,

but was constantly recalled.

In 1608 Im Suk-yong, a young candidate writing for his matriculation,

wrote an essay exposing the wrongs of the Court. Sim heard of this, and

took the young man under his protection. The King, reading the essay,

was furiously angry, and ordered the degradation of Im, but Sim said,

"He is with me; I am behind what he wrote and approve; degrade me and

not him," and so the King withdrew his displeasure. He was faithful

of the faithful.

When he was old he went and lived in Tun-san in a little tumble-down

hut, like the poorest of the literati. He called himself "Water-thunder

Muddy-man," a name derived from the Book of Changes.

He died in 1622 at the age of seventy-four, and is recorded as one

of Korea's great patriots.]

The Story

Minister Sim Heui-su was, when young, handsome as polished marble, and

white as the snow, rarely and beautifully formed. When eight years of

age he was already an adept at the character, and a wonder in the eyes

of his people. The boy's nickname was Soondong (the godlike one). From

the passing of his first examination, step by step he advanced,

till at last he became First Minister of the land. When old he was

honoured as the most renowned of all ministers. At seventy he still

held office, and one day, when occupied with the affairs of State,

he suddenly said to those about him, "To-day is my last on earth,

and my farewell wishes to you all are that you may prosper and do

bravely and well."

His associates replied in wonder, "Your Excellency is still strong

and hearty, and able for many years of work; why do you speak so?"

Sim laughingly made answer, "Our span of life is fixed. Why should

I not know? We cannot pass the predestined limit. Please feel no

regret. Use all your efforts to serve His Majesty the King, and make

grateful acknowledgment of his many favours."

Thus he exhorted them, and took his departure. Every one wondered

over this strange announcement. From that day on he returned no more,

it being said that he was ailing.

There was at that time attached to the War Office a young secretary

directly under Sim. Hearing that his master was ill, the young man

went to pay his respects and to make inquiry. Sim called him into

his private room, where all was quiet. Said he, "I am about to die,

and this is a long farewell, so take good care of yourself, and do

your part honourably."

The young man looked, and in Sim's eyes were tears. He said, "Your

Excellency is still vigorous, and even though you are slightly ailing,

there is surely no cause for anxiety. I am at a loss to understand

your tears, and what you mean by saying that you are about to die. I

would like to ask the reason."

Sim smiled and said, "I have never told any person, but since you

ask and there is no longer cause for concealment, I shall tell you

the whole story. When I was young certain things happened in my life

that may make you smile.

"At about sixteen years of age I was said to be a handsome boy and

fair to see. Once in Seoul, when a banquet was in progress and many

dancing-girls and other representatives of good cheer were called,

I went too, with a half-dozen comrades, to see. There was among the

dancing-girls a young woman whose face was very beautiful. She was not

like an earthly person, but like some angelic being. Inquiring as to

her name, some of those seated near said it was Ta-hong (Flower-bud).

"When all was over and the guests had separated, I went home, but

I thought of Ta-hong's pretty face, and recalled her repeatedly,

over and over; seemingly I could not forget her. Ten days or so

later I was returning from my teacher's house along the main street,

carrying my books under my arm, when I suddenly met a pretty girl,

who was beautifully dressed and riding a handsome horse. She alighted

just in front of me, and to my surprise, taking my hand, said,

'Are you not Sim Heui-su?'

"In my astonishment I looked at her and saw that it was Ta-hong. I

said, 'Yes, but how do you know me?' I was not married then, nor had

I my hair done up, and as there were many people in the street looking

on I was very much ashamed. Flower-bud, with a look of gladness in her

face, said to her pony-boy, 'I have something to see to just now; you

return and say to the master that I shall be present at the banquet

to-morrow.' Then we went aside into a neighbouring house and sat

down. She said, 'Did you not on such and such a day go to such and

such a Minister's house and look on at the gathering?' I answered,

'Yes, I did.' 'I saw you,' said she, 'and to me your face was like a

god's. I asked those present who you were, and they said your family

name was Sim and your given-name Heui-su, and that your character

and gifts were very superior. From that day on I longed to meet you,

but as there was no possibility of this I could only think of you. Our

meeting thus is surely of God's appointment.'

"I replied laughingly, 'I, too, felt just the same towards you.'

"Then Ta-hong said, 'We cannot meet here; let's go to my aunt's home in

the next ward, where it's quiet, and talk there.' We went to the aunt's

home. It was neat and clean and somewhat isolated, and apparently

the aunt loved Flower-bud with all the devotion of a mother. From

that day forth we plighted our troth together. Flower-bud had never

had a lover; I was her first and only choice. She said, however,

'This plan of ours cannot be consummated to-day; let us separate for

the present and make plans for our union in the future.' I asked her

how we could do so, and she replied, 'I have sworn my soul to you,

and it is decided for ever, but you have your parents to think of,

and you have not yet had a wife chosen, so there will be no chance

of their advising you to have a second wife as my social standing

would require for me. As I reflect upon your ability and chances for

promotion, I see you already a Minister of State. Let us separate

just now, and I'll keep myself for you till the time when you win

the first place at the Examination and have your three days of public

rejoicing. Then we'll meet once more. Let us make a compact never to be

broken. So then, until you have won your honours, do not think of me,

please. Do not be anxious, either, lest I should be taken from you,

for I have a plan by which to hide myself away in safety. Know that

on the day when you win your honours we shall meet again.'

"On this we clasped hands and spoke our farewells as though we

parted easily. Where she was going I did not ask, but simply came

home with a distressed and burdened heart, feeling that I had lost

everything. On my return I found that my parents, who had missed me,

were in a terrible state of consternation, but so delighted were they

at my safe return that they scarcely asked where I had been. I did

not tell them either, but gave another excuse.

"At first I could not desist from thoughts of Ta-hong. After a long

time only was I able to regain my composure. From that time forth with

all my might I went at my lessons. Day and night I pegged away, not for

the sake of the Examination, but for the sake of once more meeting her.

"In two years or so my parents appointed my marriage. I did not

dare to refuse, had to accept, but had no heart in it, and no joy in

their choice.

"My gift for study was very marked, and by diligence I grew to be

superior to all my competitors. It was five years after my farewell

to Ta-hong that I won my honours. I was still but a youngster, and

all the world rejoiced in my success. But my joy was in the secret

understanding that the time had come for me to meet Ta-hong. On

the first day of my graduation honours I expected to meet her, but

did not. The second day passed, but I saw nothing of her, and the

third day was passing and no word had reached me. My heart was so

disturbed that I found not the slightest joy in the honours of the

occasion. Evening was falling, when my father said to me, 'I have a

friend of my younger days, who now lives in Chang-eui ward, and you

must go and call on him this evening before the three days are over,'

and so, there being no help for it, I went to pay my call. As I was

returning the sun had gone down and it was dark, and just as I was

passing a high gateway, I heard the Sillai call. [3] It was the home

of an old Minister, a man whom I did not know, but he being a high

noble there was nothing for me to do but to dismount and enter. Here

I found the master himself, an old gentleman, who put me through

my humble exercises, and then ordered me gently to come up and sit

beside him. He talked to me very kindly, and entertained me with

all sorts of refreshments. Then he lifted his glass and inquired,

'Would you like to meet a very beautiful person?' I did not know what

he meant, and so asked, 'What beautiful person?' The old man said,

'The most beautiful in the world to you. She has long been a member

of my household.' Then he ordered a servant to call her. When she

came it was my lost Ta-hong. I was startled, delighted, surprised,

and speechless almost. 'How do you come here?' I gasped.

"She laughed and said, 'Is this not within the three days of your

public celebration, and according to the agreement by which we parted?'

"The old man said, 'She is a wonderful woman. Her thoughts are high

and noble, and her history is quite unique. I will tell it to you. I

am an old man of eighty, and my wife and I have had no children,

but on a certain day this young girl came to us saying, "May I have

the place of slave with you, to wait on you and do your bidding?"

"'In surprise I asked the reason for this strange request, and she

said, "I am not running away from any master, so do not mistrust me."

"'Still, I did not wish to take her in, and told her so, but she begged

so persuasively that I yielded and let her stay, appointed her work to

do, and watched her behaviour. She became a slave of her own accord,

and simply lived to please us, preparing our meals during the day,

and caring for our rooms for the night; responding to calls; ever

ready to do our bidding; faithful beyond compare. We feeble old folks,

often ill, found her a source of comfort and cheer unheard of, making

life perfect peace and joy. Her needle, too, was exceedingly skilful,

and according to the seasons she prepared all that we needed. Naturally

we loved and pitied her more than I can say. My wife thought more of

her than ever mother did of a daughter. During the day she was always

at hand, and at night she slept by her side. At one time I asked her

quietly concerning her past history. She said she was originally the

child of a free-man, but that her parents had died when she was very

young, and, having no place to go to, an old woman of the village

had taken her in and brought her up. "Being so young," said she,

"I was safe from harm. At last I met a young master with whom I

plighted a hundred years of troth, a beautiful boy, none was ever

like him. I determined to meet him again, but only after he had won

his honours in the arena. If I had remained at the home of the old

mother I could not have kept myself safe, and preserved my honour;

I would have been helpless; so I came here for safety and to serve

you. It is a plan by which to hide myself for a year or so, and then

when he wins I shall ask your leave to go."

"'I then asked who the person was with whom she had made this contract,

and she told me your name. I am so old that I no longer think of taking

wives and concubines, but she called herself my concubine so as to

be safe, and thus the years have passed. We watched the Examination

reports, but till this time your name was absent. Through it all

she expressed not a single word of anxiety, but kept up heart saying

that before long your name would appear. So confident was she that

not a shadow of disappointment was in her face. This time on looking

over the list I found your name, and told her. She heard it without

any special manifestation of joy, saying she knew it would come. She

also said, "When we parted I promised to meet him before the three

days of public celebration were over, and now I must make good my

promise." So she climbed to the upper pavilion to watch the public

way. But this ward being somewhat remote she did not see you going

by on the first day, nor on the second. This morning she went again,

saying, "He will surely pass to-day"; and so it came about. She said,

"He is coming; call him in."

"'I am an old man and have read much history, and have heard of many

famous women. There are many examples of devotion that move the heart,

but I never saw so faithful a life nor one so devoted to another. God

taking note of this has brought all her purposes to pass. And now,

not to let this moment of joy go by, you must stay with me to-night.'

"When I met Ta-hong I was most happy, especially as I heard of her

years of faithfulness. As to the invitation I declined it, saying I

could not think, even though we had so agreed, of taking away one who

waited in attendance upon His Excellency. But the old man laughed,

saying, 'She is not mine. I simply let her be called my concubine in

name lest my nephews or some younger members of the clan should steal

her away. She is first of all a faithful woman: I have not known her

like before.'

"The old man then had the horse sent back and the servants, also a

letter to my parents saying that I would stay the night. He ordered the

servants to prepare a room, to put in beautiful screens and embroidered

matting, to hang up lights and to decorate as for a bridegroom. Thus

he celebrated our meeting.

"Next morning I bade good-bye, and went and told my parents all about

my meeting with Ta-hong and what had happened. They gave consent that

I should have her, and she was brought and made a member of our family,

really my only wife.

"Her life and behaviour being beyond that of the ordinary, in serving

those above her and in helping those below, she fulfilled all the

requirements of the ancient code. Her work, too, was faithfully done,

and her gifts in the way of music and chess were most exceptional. I

loved her as I never can tell.

"A little later I went as magistrate to Keumsan county in Chulla

Province, and Ta-hong went with me. We were there for two years. She

declined our too frequent happy times together, saying that it

interfered with efficiency and duty. One day, all unexpectedly, she

came to me and requested that we should have a little quiet time,

with no others present, as she had something special to tell me. I

asked her what it was, and she said to me, 'I am going to die, for

my span of life is finished; so let us be glad once more and forget

all the sorrows of the world.' I wondered when I heard this. I could

not think it true, and asked her how she could tell beforehand that

she was going to die. She said, 'I know, there is no mistake about it.'

"In four or five days she fell ill, but not seriously, and yet a day or

two later she died. She said to me when dying, 'Our life is ordered,

God decides it all. While I lived I gave myself to you, and you most

kindly responded in return. I have no regrets. As I die I ask only

that my body be buried where it may rest by the side of my master

when he passes away, so that when we meet in the regions beyond I

shall be with you once again.' When she had so said she died.

"Her face was beautiful, not like the face of the dead, but like the

face of the living. I was plunged into deepest grief, prepared her

body with my own hands for burial. Our custom is that when a second

wife dies she is not buried with the family, but I made some excuse

and had her interred in our family site in the county of Ko-yang. I

did so to carry out her wishes. When I came as far as Keum-chang on

my sad journey, I wrote a verse--

'O beautiful Bud, of the beautiful Flower,

We bear thy form on the willow bier;

Whither has gone thy sweet perfumed soul?

The rains fall on us

To tell us of thy tears and of thy faithful way.'

"I wrote this as a love tribute to my faithful Ta-hong. After her

death, whenever anything serious was to happen in my home, she always

came to tell me beforehand, and never was there a mistake in her

announcements. For several years it has continued thus, till a few

days ago she appeared in a dream saying, 'Master, the time of your

departure has come, and we are to meet again. I am now making ready

for your glad reception.'

"For this reason I have bidden all my associates farewell. Last night

she came once more and said to me, 'To-morrow is your day.' We wept

together in the dream as we met and talked. In the morning, when I

awoke, marks of tears were still upon my cheeks. This is not because

I fear to die, but because I have seen my Ta-hong. Now that you

have asked me I have told you all. Tell it to no one." So Sim died,

as was foretold, on the day following. Strange, indeed!

Im Bang.