18th Ipchun 1795

For the rest of the week, Yunbok was in a depressive state and tried not to show it. Having said his piece to bolster his spirits, Suk-kwon left it well alone as did Jeong-hyang. Not inclined to touch on a sensitive subject whenever he came by each night, she would sometimes comment on Young-joon's efforts in acquiring the best victuals that he could find as they steadily headed north. Otherwise, she would just work on various maedeup pieces she had started on while he moodily cleaned his sword or listened to the children as they read.

After his failure in his appeal to Yunbok, P'ado elected to wait for he could see the heavy anxiety weighing on his foster father. It was unfilial of him to cause more distress when there was plenty of time to open a dialogue so he kept his peace and made sure to help out with Pokkot when needed. As they passed towns and villages, the sight of yeon gliding about in the sky on clear days brought a yearning for home. This was usually the time when he would engage in the enjoyable activity with his friends, especially yeonssaum (flying kites).

On Daeboreum, bureom and ogokbap made a surprising appearance for their meals. The sight of the food lifted the men's spirits considerably. Hang-yu made a point of selecting every different nut and cracking it. The more the better to ensure assure good health and a good year. Yunbok had not thought there would be any available but Suk-kwon reminded him that supplies were in abundance up in the northern provinces since they did not suffer from drought. Were they near Geyonggido already? So distracted was he that he lost count of the times he was supposed to walk to and fro over the bridge on the night of daribapgi. Everyone in the calvacade went about it in utter seriousness as the locals sang and dance to the music of the dure pungjang.

There had been no further developments along the towns they stopped on the way. He supposed Hong-do was probably well on his way to Hanseong. Perhaps undergoing questioning and such by the Uigeumbu. Aware of his low spirits, Hang-yu tried to cheer him up with interesting anecdotes of his village. Suk-kwon tried now and then to prod at him not to lose hope. Most of their evenings after dinner, he gave short quiet lectures on what was expected of him in his duty. That Suk-kwon could be so optimistic that he would still be carrying out his task was astonishing. Perhaps his master knew something he did not?

There were no long lasting snowstorms after that day. It was as if winter had given its last hard blow of the season and settled down to ebb away. There were only gentle snowfalls every now and then. Days were clear and bright though no less cold. Supplies were getting better after they passed Mungyeong. Soon they were passing the Gangwon province that had suffered the drought. They were near Yeonpung, Yunbok realised as he looked to the mountains on either side. It was Suk-kwon had said. It was a remote region. Did Hong-do's family go with him to Hanseong?

Suk-kwon looked over when he heard the sigh. He stifled an impulse to shake Yunbok. It was so like him. Never could get rid of that pessimistic side. It was a wonder Jeong-hyang had not lose her temper completely if he brought her such a morose face every evening. But she understood him better than any other else. He supposed he was just being too hard on Yunbok. It was not as if he was going around moaning and groaning. However, after today, if his mood did not lighten up, he would truly deliver a well deserved kick.

They crossed a small river in the late afternoon and came within sight of Goesan as dusk was falling. They were greeted by the usual fanfare and proceeded into a bustling town. After the men were settled and dinner was doled out, Suk-kwon informed a surprised Yunbok and Hang-yu that they had the extra duty of escorting a government official, with his family, to Hanseong. The official was to attend the royal procession. It was part of their planned route, he explained. As senior officers, he and Yunbok would have to pay their respects to the official after dinner. Yunbok eyed Suk-kwon suspiciously. He was looking very pleased with himself. That usually meant something was up!

Accordingly, after dinner, they made their way to the seoheon in the north-west corner of the town. It was a modest estate. On par with any other moderate hanok. Given the clear potential of expansion, Yunbok surmised that prudence held back the appointed magistrate. To do more was to call attention to his profligation. A servant showed them to the daecheong. They waited for the master of the house to make an appearance with his guest. Who was this official? Yunbok was more interested in the opulent surroundings than ventured a guess to Suk-kwon's question. He had no interest to know which laggard had decided to take advantage of his rank to hijack a company of troops as his escort.

Before long, a rather short man came into view with a tall figure at the end of the corridor. They bowed in greeting and was invited to sit. Yunbok put himself a little behind Suk-kwon, hoping the magistrate or the official would not throw any questions at him. Distracted, he didn't pay much attention to the conversation as he glanced around beneath the brim of his jeonnip. It was a typical dialogue; how was the journey? How did the men fare? Was there any problems with supplies? So on and so on until his disbelieving ears heard the magistrate address the official.

"And so Danwon, it is fortunate is it not, that you would not be escorted under a pall."

"Indeed. His majesty's magnanimity is deep. Even as I am pardoned, he has also seen to it that others deserve their freedom," Hong-do answered, keeping his eyes on his host as a young officer's head snapped up.

How he longed to whack that bent head that refused to look up. When he saw Suk-kwon, he had immediately looked at his companion. He wanted to laugh and go forward to hug that familiar and yet unusual figure in that dongari. He stifled the urge and had to exert enormous control over his expressions though he noticed the twinkle in Suk-kwon's eyes.

"All except hardened criminals have been granted amnesty. Such is his majesty's benevolence," the magistrate nodded. "When are you setting off?" he asked Suk-kwon.

"At dawn sir. There was a snowstorm last week. We were fortunate to escape it because we started early. Although the melt will come soon, it is hard to predict the weather."

"Yes, there was such an occurrence last week." The magistrate found no fault with the timing. "Since it is an early start, we should retire for the night. If there is no other further issue to discuss," he looked at Suk-kwon expectantly.

Assured there was none, he dismissed the officers but not before he presented packages of candy to them. Yunbok kept his face impassive as he bowed to the two men. The King had pardoned Hong-do. That thought kept whirling around in his mind. Almost in a daze, he followed Suk-kwon out of the seoheon and headed down the street.

"You knew, didn't you?" he said accusingly to his companion when he finally found his voice.

"Not really but I was hoping it is so," Suk-kwon chuckled when Yunbok looked even more put out. "If he is not pardoned, we will simply escort him to Hanseong."

"You could have said we came this way to get him."

"It's to be a surprise. Danwon was not informed either."

"Your idea or..," Yunbok did not think Jeongjo would take the trouble to keep them in the dark out of sentiments.

"Certainly not mine. It's best neither of you have any idea you are to link up earlier than expected. Just a precaution." Suk-kwon grinned and nudged Yunbok. "Had a shock didn't you? I half expected you to faint or something."

"I don't start that easily." Yunbok glared with some annoyance when Suk-kwon chuckled heartily. "I suppose we can start planning out what to do before we reach our final destination." With his worries about Hong-do swept away, he began to think of the paintings they would have to do. What themes would they be? How many?

"That will not be difficult. He is putting up at the seoheon at night so he can summon us on some pretense or other," said Suk-kwon. "He has to brief us, or you rather, on what you have to do. Take the next two weeks to settle on what you need to do because you cannot confer with him in Hanseong. I will provide the schedule for the procession once it is affirmed."

"I'd like to stop by the tavern," Yunbok said, desiring to share this bit of news with Jeong-hyang.

"All right. I'll just make my way back to the minga." Suk-kwon nodded and stopped Yunbok to hand him the package he was swinging. "Here, share mine with the children."

In good spirits, Yunbok went to the tavern. Young-joon was sitting outside, sharing a cup of tea with a couple of fellow travellers. In the midst of conversation, his friend did not see him so he made his way to the guest quarters. He found the children with Jeong-hyang and could not hide his happiness. She was pleased that the clouds hovering over him had lifted. It had been a little difficult dealing with his sombreness though he had tried very hard not to show it. She listened with a knowing smile as he spoke of the official they were going to escort.

"Look what I have," he said as he opened the packages. Wrapped within were large gujeolpan filled with goodies.

"Gwapyeon!" squeaked Pokkot in delight and nibbled at the aengdu-pyeon (candied cherries) Yunbok handed to her.

"There's such a variety of gwajul and there is even tteok," murmured Jeong-hyang as she gazed at the sumptuous array.

"Here." He handed her a japgwabyeong (rice cake stuffed with fruits and nuts) after P'ado had selected his choice. "Eat," he exhorted when she hesitated and was elated when she did. The journey had been hard on her, he knew and to see her enjoying a healthy snack brought much comfort to him.

"Aboji." Instead of eating the choice he had made, P'ado offered it with outmost respect to Yunbok. A little taken aback, Yunbok hesitated. With silent urgings in her heart, Jeong-hyang looked on hopefully and smiled when he accepted the proffered duteotteok. P'ado was equally pleased and cheerfully took the choice Yunbok offered to him.

"Let's keep some for Young-joon," Yunbok said, placing out a few of the snacks onto a clean cloth and the another few onto a second. "These are for Hang-yu, he should have some. This is the seonjang's share, let's pass the rest out among the travellers." He counted carefully and handed out the remainder. "P'adoa, remember to give them to ajoshi." He gave the gujeolpan to the boy. "Let him share out the food with the others. Have a good rest, we move at dawn tomorrow," he said, hugging Jeong-hyang at the door, giving her a peck on her cheek before leaving.

"I don't think the sweets are the reason aboji is so happy," P'ado observed once Yunbok was gone. He knew what it was but did not voice it as Pokkot was about.

"Why? What do you think it is?" the girl said, puzzled, as she licked her fingers to remember the taste of gwapyeon.

"There's enough of that, go and wash your hands," scolded Jeong-hyang lightly and waited until Pokkot was at the corner before shaking her head at P'ado who grimaced as he acknowledged his indiscretion. "Time for bed, it's getting late."

Back at the minga, Hang-yu was delighted to sample the candy Yunbok offered. It had been a long time since he last tasted sweets. Instead of chomping them down at once, he took to nibbling, to Yunbok's amusement, for he was just as dainty as Pokkot. Suk-kwon was not inclined to be so exiguous in his sampling and ate with relish. Talk turned to the remaining route of the march. If the weather continued to be clear, they would pass Suwon before the end of Ipchun. As Hang-yu had never taken part in a Fortress Drill, he confessed he was feeling extremely nervous. What if he did something silly before the King? Suk-kwon laughed at him. It was impossible for the King to spot any such thing as he would be viewing the military exercise from a distance. At that, Hang-yu was relieved.

"That doesn't mean any glaring mistakes will be overlooked by your superior officer," warned Suk-kwon, cutting short Hang-yu's reprieve. "You will have a few days to drill with the rest of the forces. The Fortress Drill generally have the mustered troops separated into two main opposing sides taking turns to attack. There will be a rifle firing demonstration before the troop engagement. Other than that, just pay attention to the orders, watch the flag signals, listen to the drums and gongs. You will be fine unless you are blind and deaf."

"It's too bad you are not commanding a division," Hang-yu said dolefully. "Your presence will inspire confidence," he said with mixed flattery and earnest compliment.

"Haha, if I were, you can expect no harsher task master," chuckled Suk-kwon and looked down as his fingers groped an empty cloth. "Oh, have I finished the last piece? Then to bed."

For once, sleep came easily to Yunbok that night. He got up the next morning feeling he was ready to tackle any task. After breakfast, he proceeded to the seoheon with Suk-kwon. Instead of Hong-do ready to join them in the courtyard, they were instead summoned to his room. As they stepped in, there was only Hong-do and a maid with a small boy. Much to her surprise, Hong-do took hold of the boy and told her to wait outside. As he held the child, Hong-do gestured to them to close the door behind her and beckoned to them to come nearer.

"This is Yeom-rok," he whispered to Yunbok, "I want you to have a look at him at least. My wife is not coming with us. The journey will be difficult for her so she and the children will go to Hanseong in spring." He looked down at the boy who eyed the visitors curiously. "Call ajoshi." He chuckled when the boy burped a milk bubble instead.

"He looks like you, I think." In the light of the candle, Yunbok peered at the boy who looked as all babies do; plump with sweetly round cheeks, though perhaps he looked somewhat on the lean side. "You didn't choose a prune for a wife, did you?" He ducked when Hong-do made to whack him.

"Aigoo, I should have straightened out that tongue of yours even more before I knew who you were."

"Ha, you wouldn't have gotten very far." Yunbok grinned when Hong-do's expression changed. "I know that look, did he ..."

"Arrgh!" Hong-do hastily held the boy away as the other two stifled their laughter and looked down at his wet clothes. "I'll have to change. Here," he pushed the boy at Yunbok, "you can hand him over to the maid." He let go after ensuring Yunbok had a firm hold.

"Really, why give him to me?" Yunbok light tapped the boy's nose as he burped again. "We'll see you outside."

The maid was surprised to see her charge in a stranger's care but understood when Yunbok explained what had happened and hurried off with the boy. Exchanging grins with Suk-kwon, they made their way to the courtyard. The sky grew lighter as they waited.

By the time Hong-do appeared, packs in his hands, dawn was creeping across the sky. Just behind him, Yunbok could see a woman but she came no further and stayed in the daecheong where it was too dark to see her features. The overall impression he received was she was neither too young nor too old. Noticing his gaze, Hong-do coughed. He twitched his eyebrows as he handed his packs over to a servant who lashed them securely on the horse. Was Hong-do afraid he would find out she was a prune after all? Yunbok turned a sly grin on Hong-do and nudged his own horse to follow Suk-kwon out of the gates.

"I'll have to make a stop at the seohwadang to take leave of my host," Hong-do said as he joined them.

"He's at the seohwadang at this hour?" Suk-kwon was surprised at the diligence of the magistrate.

"Something cropped up last night that required his attention." Hong-do nudged his horse nearer to Yunbok. "You're losing that tan of yours."

"I know." Yunbok knew what Hong-do was worried over. "I'll just look a little lighter but not as pale as before."

"True. Keep that hat off on sunny days to get some sun." Hong-do gazed at Yunbok closely. "It's good to see you again." Despite the gloom, the sparkle in those eyes were hard to miss.

"And you too." Yunbok smiled, "It has been difficult for you."

"Ahh, such as it is," Hong-do sighed, fingering his salt and pepper beard. "In hindsight, perhaps I should not have accepted the appointment but I didn't think a drought would happen. Or that it would last for three years."

"Was it political motivations that brought forth the accusations?" Yunbok asked curiously.

"I do not know," admitted Hong-do. "The governor and the byeongsa had a quarrel in the past. The bad blood between them was not unresolved. It does not help that I am on good terms with both which put me in quite a difficult position. I cannot take sides with either man. The appointed wiyusa in the mix made it worst. I do not know what he has against me. Perhaps he does not like it that a Jungin (middle class) is appointed to the post of hyeongam and chose to belittle whatever efforts I made towards the relief of the famine in his report. Or perhaps he dislikes my sitting on the fence for he is a staunch supporter of the governor."

"What did you do that he accused you of abusing your position?' asked Suk-kwon, leaning towards Hong-do to hear the better.

"He accused me of requisitioning garrisoned soldiers for hunting trips and levying rice tax on those who disobeyed." Hong-do looked to either side when the others stared at him. "What?"

"You went on hunting trips?" Suk-kwon said incredulously.

"When the county is suffering from famine?" added Yunbok, half-wondering if Hong-do had been delinquent in his duties although that was hard to believe.

"I did go on hunting trips but I did not requisition soldiers," Hong-do said defensively. "My intent was to augment rations and if nothing else, to forget the woes for a while. Yes, it was foolishness but I couldn't tolerate sitting around doing nothing. Whatever can be done has been tried," he heaved a sigh. "I make no excuses, I should have strove harder but there are limits."

"How many went for want?" With five thousand living in a remote mountainous region as Yeonpung, Suk-kwon did not think most would be able recoup much crop with each succeeding disastrous year.

"Three thousand and more were starving. There is just not enough from the public grain provision even though I appealed for more aid. My own contributions were only able to succor only two hundred or so," Hong-do said wearily, wishing he could forget the desperate countenances of the people he was charged to care for.

"Did you not bring the situation to the King's attention?" Yunbok was puzzled that Hong-do did not seem to have made such an attempt.

"He has to go through the proper ministry. Remember what I told you?" Suk-kwon chided as Yunbok looked abash at having forgotten about it, so used was he to thinking Hong-do had the King's favor that he could have easy access. "But that's all behind us now. This year would see the end of this paucity."

"Truly, that is to be hoped for," murmured Yunbok as Hong-do nodded in agreement.

"Master Danwon," said Suk-kwon, thinking he should quickly set the wheels of their mission on track. "During these two weeks of travel, we should discuss how he should aid you in your task. It is not a good idea for you to confer with him in Hanseong. We have to limit any close contact while we're there."

"Yes, it can be done easily." Hong-do stopped when they reached the main gates of the seohwadang. "Wait here, I'll be back soon." He dismounted as Suk-kwon grabbed hold of the horse's reins and disappeared into the main building.

"What do you think?" Yunbok said quietly after looking around to make sure no one was about. At such an early hour, the street outside the seohwadang was deserted. The soldiers who would usually be outside were in the main building, out of the cold, but he made sure in any case.

"He should have kept to his paintings and literary gatherings. I gather he could not pass up the promotion." Suk-kwon cocked his head and put up a hand as Yunbok took umbrage at that last statement, "I know. It was a great honour he was given a post that usually goes to a yangban official. He may have felt confident as he had been steadily promoted up the ranks by the King for his excellent work in the tasks he was given, notably his assistance with the royal portrait. He did very well as chalbang. He probably thought hyeongam was just as manageable but there is a difference between taking care of horses and people."

"I doubt he would do such a good job if he was still chalbang these last three years," scoffed Yun-bok. "Horses have to eat and it is still not just the animals."

"Yes but horses are able to eat stuff that people would not."

"But they eat alot more than people," pointed out Yunbok. "You are right in one aspect; he should have just kept to what he is really good at. There're two other reasons to consider as to why he accepted the post."

"That is?"

"Better salary to support a growing family. Yeonpung is far enough from Hanseong to offer a retreat from the stress in Hanseong," said Yunbok.

It was a valid argument, Suk-kwon conceded. They fell silent as a figure exited the main building. Puffing a little, Hong-do mounted his horse.

"That's that. Let's be off," he said, pulling the cheek flaps of his pungcha about his face. He followed the other two to the northern gates. To his surprise, there were no troops to be seen as they rode through the gates. "Where are the soldiers?" he glanced behind them.

"They went on ahead. It's too cold to ask them to hang about. We can catch up easily on our horses." Suk-kwon pointed to the distance and kicked his horse into a trot. Before long, they had caught up to the company. The travellers waved as they trotted past. Hang-yu gestured that all was well when the two officers took up their usual positions. Hong-do opted to ride between them.


Korean Words

aengdu-pyeon - candied cherries

bureom - a collection of nuts; walnut, chestnut, peanut, etc

chalbang - county station master

duteotteok - sweet rice cake with fillings

gwapyeon - jelly

gwajul - traditional Korean cookie made of glutinous rice coated with rice

japgwabyeong - rice cake stuffed with fruits and nuts

Jungin - middle class (docs, translators, astronomers, mathematicicans, painters, petty officials, etc)

ogokbap - steamed rice with millet, foxtail millet, red beans and soybeans

yeon - kite

yeonssaum - kite fighting


Author note :

Kim Hongdo was 48 years of age when he finally sired a son. The amyeong for his son was Yeom-rok which meant 'the son that was sired when his father was hyeongam of Yeonpung'.