Daeseo 1795
Having spent most of the night recounting his experience to master Bae, his sons, Suk-kwon and then poring over the drawings Pokkot "bestowed" on him when he returned to his room, listening to her happy chatter, Yunbok rose late the next morning. He was not surprised to find he was alone or that there was water ready for his wash. Now if she had been with him on that islet, he doubted both of them would even bother returning to the mainland. That would be most disheartening selfish of them. Washed and dressed, he wondered if he had to go in search of breakfast. As if reading his mind, he heard her at the door.
"I've prepared injeolmi, gotgam, gangjeong and yeot," she said as he ate. Pokkot gazed avidly into the open chanhap, seemingly to be counting. "Is there anything else you want to add?"
"It is enough." He picked up the last jeok. "Did you prepare these too?"
"No but master Bae has given specific instructions that special dishes are to be served as long as we are here," she said as he stared at her. "He desire to make the remainder of our stay as festive as he can make it. Considering that this household was in doldrums, due in no small part to you for the past month, nice food is one way to celebrate."
"Due to me?" he held his hand to his chest in mock horror. "That is biased malignment. I wasn't here presenting them with a gloomy face everyday," he grinned at her "just-you-wait" look. "It is just as well we are leaving tomorrow, it is discourteous to have him putting in too much extravagant expense."
"Paint him something if you're so worried." She covered the chanhap, tapping Pokkot's nose in gentle admonishment.
"That is inadvisable." He fnished the last of the jeok and sipped at sikhye.
"Considering that almost every province has one appearing except down to the south-east, don't you think it's time for a sample to turn up here?" she said and frowned when he shook his head.
"Too much pounding can crack the jeolgu. The sound carries far and near." Obliquely he waved his drink about, as if swirling the liquid before quaffing it.
"That's true," she conceded. She took hold of the soban. "I'll see you by the gates then, the others are at the daecheong. Come along Pokkot, bring the chanhap."
Putting on his coat and tucking away his jwilbuchae, he patted his head again ruefully before making his way to the daecheong to greet Suk-kwon and Iseul. Both positively looked beatific or was it blissful and absorbed in each other though they were trying their best to conceal it. Hiding a grin, he greeted them and made for the gates where Jeong-hyang was already waiting with Pokkot.
It did not take him long to get a gat at the marketplace. Jeong-hyang seemed bent in choosing the best there was however. Every single gat looked the same to him so he hastily pronounced he was satisfied with the one he examined before she could get carried away and paid for it. He pulled her away when she wanted to buy a spare. What would he need a spare for?
Down to the pier they went. They found the old man at the trading pavilion as they had arranged. Suk-kwon handed over a pouch of money as Jeong-hyang presented the chanhap. The old man was extremely pleased and handed over the prime catch of the day he had kept specially for them; crabs. To Yunbok's dismay, he was duely elected custodian of the gift. He tried not to convey his distaste; he was thoroughly sick and tired of anything that resembled a fish, a squid or a crab. It would be sometime before he would readily take to any of them again.
They spent some time chatting with the old man who was disappointed to learn they would be leaving soon. Pehaps if they come to Chinhae again, they would come visit him? He could show them many interesting spots at other islands. They took their leave with assurances and spent the rest of the day picking up any items they felt they needed before returning to the Bae residence. Dinner that night was an extravagance of gucheopbasang that astounded the diners. Yunbok was hard put to find a suitable gift for master Bae. As he sat in his room, he contemplated carefully before making his decision. The next morning, before they set off for Uiryeong, he presented a painting to a delighted master Bae.
"What did you give him?" asked Suk-kwon as they rode out of Chinhae. "He was beaming so widely I'm sure that smile will stay on his face for the rest of the day."
"A landscape painting," Yunbok leaned closer. "From Hyewon." Surprise and worry flitted across Suk-kwon's face. "I told him I acquired it years ago in Hanseong before Hyewon disappeared."
"If he believe that," Suk-kwon was skeptical that the old man would believe such a tale that Yunbok had simply "acquired" a painting that could sell for hundreds of nyang.
"Why not? I never date any of the paintings, no one knows when they are drawn."
"There is a point that," agreed Suk-kwon, turning to check the women behind them anxiously. "I sent off the letter yesterday with promises of good payment at the end of it so it should reach Young-joon long before we get home."
"Then all's well," sighed Yunbok.
"All is well," agreed Suk-kwon. "Let's take it easy on this return trip, I don't want anything to happen to Iseul."
"Of course!" Yunbok was surprised that Suk-kwon would think otherwise. There was no particular urgency to rush home. "Have you thought of names yet?" he grinned, snapping open his jwilbuchae. "When are you going to hold the wedding?"
"Cheoseo. I already consulted for auspicious dates. As for names, I'm still thinking about it."
"Not rascal I hope." Yunbok laughed and ducked when Suk-kwon made a swipe at him with his jwilbuchae.
The journey went by leisurely. When it rained, they stayed at the jumak until the roads were relatively dry. With the coming autumn, the roads and jangsi were more packed than before. It was near end of Daeseo when they reached the outskirts of Uiryeong. They paused to pray briefly at the seonangdang before continuing on. The sight of the jangseung brought smiles to everyone. It was not long before they were in the village. Those who saw them were astonished and quickly surrounded the little group, the children ran off to inform the rest. The sonbaenim had returned! The crowd grew larger that the noise began to stress the horses. Hurriedly, Yunbok dismounted and went to meet the village chief, Yoo Jung, who was hurrying up to him with Chang-sun.
In the meantime, Suk-kwon led the women away, politely telling those who wanted to have a word with him and Jeong-hyang that they needed rest. The paper mill was a welcome sight. They alighted from the horses gratefully. Jeong-hyang entered the house with Pokkot, expecting to see someone there but there was no one in any of the rooms. Had he gone to work in the fields? Unworried, Jeong-hyang brought in the packs Suk-kwon deposited on the porch, directing Pokkot to clear hers which the girl did with alacrity, glad to be home and anxious to check her treasures. In the midst of her unpacking, she heard the sound of hoofs trotting into the courtyard, followed by Yunbok calling to Suk-kwon. Why did he sound so anxious? As she went out to the porch, the tenseness of their postures raised her worry. What had happened? Yunbok turned and saw her.
"P'ado's missing," he said without preamble. "I'm going out to search the hills with master Park."
"Missing! When?" Jeong-hyang's heart seized. Just when she thought everything was finally at peace! "Did not the letter reach Young-joon?"
"Apparently not but we can look into that later. P'ado has been missing since morning. Chang-sun thinks he has wandered off. He hasn't been himself lately," Yunbok said softly. "Stay here, in case he comes back."
He hurried into the house before she could say anything and appeared later with his staff, vanishing down to the creek with Suk-kwon as she looked to the sky. There was hours yet before night fell, she prayed that they would find the boy. Iseul came over, offering encouragement and comfort.
"We didn't see him on the road," said Yunbok as he trotted across the footpath of the creek with Suk-kwon.
"Where do you think he will have gone?" Why did the boy have to go and efface himself in such a manner? Suk-kwon felt as if the fates were flinging one more strife their way as a last laugh. If it was tangible and visible, he would have shaken a fist at it. At the top of the trail, they stopped to get their bearings.
"Chang-sun said they had searched the western side so we ought to go east." Yunbok waved to several figures in the distance who waved back. "Do you want to split up?"
"No, it's better we stay within sight of each other." Suk-kwon patted the ropes around his waist meaningfully. "It will be night in a few hours," he looked at the sky.
They moved off east, calling aloud now and then. If the boy was hurt, he should be able to hear them. If he was unconscious, there was not much they could do. They looked carefully under every thick bush, every undergrowth, climbing up small hillocks to see if they could spot anything. Eventually, they neared the stream that wound down from the Nakdong River. He could not have fallen into the river, could he? They looked up and down, half wondering where to head while looking for any visible signs he was there.
"Down south?" Suk-kwon suggested, shading his eyes from the glare of the setting sun.
"North." Yunbok watched a few birds gliding in the air; they seemed to be circling.
"Why? Oh..," said Suk-kwon, following his gaze. "Isn't this roughly where you found him and his mother?"
"Yes, if he's there, then he came here in search of his past." Yunbok looked up again to pinpoint where the birds were circling and at the terrain. "I don't believe it, he just might have gone to the very spot," he muttered.
The stream dropped below as the ground elevated, becoming rocky and uneven.
"It's somewhere here," he looked over the edge and spotted P'ado at once, huddled on the ledge. "P'ado," he called as Suk-kwon looked over. "P'ado!" Was the boy hurt? But no, he was looking up, squinting against the rays of the sun.
Was that a spirit speaking to him? P'ado was sure it was. Perhaps it was his imagination. If so, he had even conjured up master Park. The illusion called again, more loudly. When he made no answer, the illusion withdrew and appeared to throw something at him. It bounced off his head painfully.
"Ouch!" he clapped his hand to the sore spot. "Go away!" he shook his fist. "You're a dream!"
"If you don't haul yourself up here, you'll regret it," said the illusion in annoyance. A rope dropped down. "Get up here!"
He fingered the rope. It felt real. Tugging it, he felt the resistance. Hope surged within, perhaps, it was not a dream. Looking up at the familiar face, he began to climb. Near the top, a wave of dizziness came over him. A hand reached to grab his arm.
"What have you been doing to yourself?" the illusion scolded, exerting a pull with Suk-kwon's aid. Over the edge he went. He sat looking at the two. "Hasn't been eating," remarked Yunbok blandly though he was saddened over the thinness of the boy.
"Tsk, you can lay off the punishment until he put back some meat on him." Suk-kwon peered at the boy who still looked at Yunbok in disbelief.
"Come, omoni and Pokkot are waiting. You gave us and everyone else a scare." Yunbok turned away, winding up the rope and was nearly knocked over when P'ado sprang up and caught him in a crushing embrace.
"Aboji! You're not dead! You're not dead!" howled P'ado, unable to believe he was holding flesh and blood, blubbering in his relief. Tears came to Yunbok's eyes at the boy's spontaneous display of joy. The sight moved Suk-kwon that he turned away, wiping away his own tears.
"This is unseemingly," Yunbok said after a long moment, gently disengaging himself from the boy and coughing. "Behave yourself."
"Well, there's no one here but us," chuckled Suk-kwon when P'ado looked abash. "Come on, the sun will be down soon."
P'ado wished he was a little boy again as he followed them, he would then have the excuse of being carried. What was he thinking? Ruefully, he rubbed at the sore spot on his head as he gazed at Yunbok's back, afraid he was dreaming. Did he not look different somewhat? It gradually dawned on him that the beard was mssing. Why had he taken it off? How was he going to explain it? As they neared the trail leading down to the paper mill, they saw the other searchers who had seen the third person at a distance and knew the missing had been been found. There were exchanges of greetings and good wishes before they headed down to the paper mill.
It gladdened the women's hearts when Pokkot ran to the kitchen to tell of the happy news. Wiping her tears away, Jeong-hyang bent to the task of preparing the evening meal with Iseul and Ae-young who had come up to help. A voice behind her brought her around. She was pleased to see it was P'ado when he greeted her. To her surprise, he caught her in a tight embrace before retreating quickly. She shed tears before controlling herself. Had not he been eating? He felt thin. The happy light in their eyes belied the words they exchanged before he went out to help bring in the packages.
That night, the paper mill was crowded as villagers gathered, bringing along their own food and drinks to share as they listened avidly to the stories Suk-kwon had to tell. The royal procession, the sights of Hanseong, the events at Hwaseong Fortress and of what they had seen in their journey. Several of which were different from those views related from the men who had returned early once the Fortress Drill was over. By the time they called it a night, it was past third watch. The villagers went home, murmuring amongst themselves in wonder.
"There's so much to do and so little time," sighed Jeong-hyang as she lay in her bedding. "Iseul's wedding, meju, sauces, kimchi. I almost wish I'm travelling again."
"At least Chang-sun and P'ado did a good job with the vegetable patch, we need not worry over much for winter," murmured Yunbok, half-alseep.
"Did he say anything?" That was the most urgent answer she was thinking of since their arrival.
"There's hardly any privacy to do that. We have plenty of time. Go to sleep, do."
The next morning, everything was a bustle of activity. Yunbok and Suk-kwon brought the jeotgaldok down to the village pavillion. The villagers were called to share in the jeotgal. The empty dok was brought back to be washed and used for storage purposes. Young-joon came by to ascertain for himself the message sent to him was not an error. Joyous was his reunion with his friend who he had thought lost forever. A grand celebration was called for, which his father agreed to heartily. It was duely held with much extravagance at a dinner party at the Han residence a few days later.
As the days grew cooler, they settled back into the familiar old routine. The early rice was harvested, wormwood and sesame chaff scattered on the rice fields, more willow and oak branches were cut for the compost, cabbage and lettuce seeded. The women busied with the preparation of soy sauce, wedding clothing, moving to and fro up the trail between the paper mill and Chang-sun's house. There was barely any time for any dialogue between P'ado and Yunbok as they dealt with the chores and the farm work. There would be time for that later, they knew, so they simply settled down into the usual rhythm. The days seemed to fly and all too soon, it was Cheoseo and the day of Suk-kwon's wedding.
Deciding to forego the initial stages of the marriage rite, Suk-kwon simply put on his ceremonial dress and waited in his house as Chang-sun, the elected sanggaek carried the ham to halmoni Nam who opened it and nodded in approval. Haraboji Yoo began calling out in a loud voice. At that, Suk-kwok appeared and stepped to the courtyard of Yunbok's house to begin the ceremony. When the bride and groom had retired to their room after the ceremony, Jeong-hyang and Ae-young elected to have a small little party of their own in Pokkot's room, since neither she nor Yunbok was inclined to do any "watching".
That left Yunbok and P'ado to sit at the porch and finally have the conversation. It was awkward at first but Yunbok chose to start at the beginning. Of his decision to adopt the orphan. A decision fraught with much misgivings, P'ado knew but compassion overrode the doubts.
"When I come to think of it, aboji. I realized that you are different," P'ado said as he gazed at the night sky. "I have never seen as much familiarity between fathers and sons in the village. Even between old master Han and ajoshi."
"That is true. I realized that myself through the years but it is difficult for me to maintain such a barrier," Yunbok said candidly. "I tried to follow the example set by my foster father but he was somewhat less stern with me than he was with your uncle. His treatment was coloured by the knowledge of what I am. Master Park was no help either, his "lax" attitude is influenced by his travels and experiences of cultures beyond our borders." P'ado chuckled at the vexed tone. "My past has another bearing on it. I have no desire to perpetuate the lies of my childhood on the latter generations. I have been lied to and lived a lie. I do not want to do that to you."
"Aboji, do you think your life is a lie now?"
"I accepted the course I took. The road is clear and free. I can even point to when it begun," Yunbok smiled as he thought of the past. "The moment master Park told me I have to learn to defend myself."
"Ajoshi is truly sagacious. No one would have attempted what he did."
"Indeed he is and yet he is also a mystery. I thought his attitudes would be more inflexible when it came to nurturing the young ones," Yunbok added.
"That being what he is, is also why I was told to stay with him when I turned eleven?"
"Pokkot has come of age. It is time to observe appropriate separation. He can set a better example than I can," Yunbok sighed. "So after spending a long time thinking over the dilemma, what made up your mind?"
"Haraboji Han did, aboji," P'ado said softly. "That night he asked me about the principles and said I failed all of them."
He nodded as Yunbok stared at him in astonishment and repeated what the old man had said to him.
"I was shocked. I never thought I was self-centered, that I was wrong in my opinions. So I went back to my room and thought about it. I have to concede he is right. I have failed in my duty to my father and to you. I did not do my best nor what is right. What did it matter what you are? You are aboji. You have been since the day you rescued omonim and I. Everything you have done has been for me." He got to his knees to bow deeply. "Aboji, I will do my best to meet every expectation."
"I can ask for no more," said Yunbok, pleased with his sincerity.
"Aboji, do you still hate... harabonim?" P'ado said hesitantly, thinking it was not wise to bring up Shin Han-pyeong. Yunbok only smiled.
"We met at your uncle's tomb and made our peace."
"That is a relief." P'ado was happy that the past had been resolved. "There are so many things I wish to know. Will there be more stories to come?"
"This is only the beginning. There are many days before us. We have much to share with you, omoni and I. There is one other matter you have yet to answer however," Yunbok reminded him.
"I will attend hyanggyo come spring," said P'ado, sitting down again.
"Have you given thought of the possibility of a betrothal?"
"Do I decide?" A red flush crept up P'ado's face though Yunbok could not see it clearly in the flickering light from the oil lamp.
"Look at the examples we set," laughed Yunbok as he gestured all around them. "It need not be next year but you should decide if you want to. Unless you want omoni to help. If you want to wait, it is your choice. But be sure, you might not even have a chance by then," he said in warning.
"Aboji, you have sharp eyes," P'ado could not help laughing. "Then perhaps, if omoni could talk to ajumoni Ryang?"
"Aigoo, then I am right. If Ae-young is agreeable, we shall make the arrangements."
"Aboji, if they are agreeable, let me have some time to settle at the hyanggyo?"
"How long?"
"Two to three years?" P'ado said tentatively.
"It is reasonable. Chang-mi is still young, they will not mind," said Yunbok. He decided to raise another matter. "There is something you have overlooked. You did not retrieve the inheritance." Would it matter very much to P'ado?
"Aboji, I do not mind not having it at all. I appreciate his sincerity but I will leave it to the lucky person who discovers it. Who knows it will not be of use to people who need it?" The matter of the money was of no importance to P'ado. Much as he appreciated Hak-sun's efforts, most of it was ill-gotten gains.
I'm sorry, abonim but I'm sure you will not mind I start my family with a clean slate. After all, you died trying to create a better future for me.
"If it is fine with you, we shall it leave it as it is," nodded Yunbok.
The fortune he himself had amassed from the sale of the paintings that had been sent out over the years was considerable. He had no intention of mentioning it to the boy. Through Young-joon, he had invested a part of it in Hansang. All that he had would be divided between P'ado and Pokkot on his passing.
"Aboji, do you intend to..," P'ado grinned as he pretended to finger an imaginary beard.
"I'm not very fond of that, contrary to what you might think. But eventually .. eventually, I'm in no hurry." Such peace. Yunbok had never felt better or the world looked so bright to him.
Usu 1796
The kitchen was a frenetic scene of activity; chimas whirled, feet tromped in and out, steam rose into the air, hands kneaded and shaped, ladles dipped into gamasots, oil sizzled, muffled conversation. At the daecheong, the doors were opened, letting in the cool air of spring. Hands carried dishes to the low table, layered and stacked high with varieties of tteok, cooked food, cakes, fruits and wine. Finally, all was ready. The women gathered to one side of the courtyard while the men stood at the other, looking in.
Young-joon smiled and intoned aloud. The door of the back room slide open. P'ado walked in, freshly washed plaited hair hanging down his back. Bowing to Young-joon and Yunbok, he knelt before the low table and performed the rites as Youn-joon called out the liturgy. Ceremoniously, he untied the daenggi at P'ado's plait. Picking up a comb from the tray offered by Yunbok, he brushed P'ado's hair before twisting it carefully up into a sangtu. Taking the donggot taken from the tray, he inserted it before putting on the manggeon.
Putting the tray aside, Yunbok picked up the gat and presented it to Young-joon who placed it on P'ado's head and tied it. Once he was done, P'ado got up and returned to the back room and emerged later, minus the coloured baeja. He was now dressed in jeogori and durumangi. He knelt once more before the low table and paid homage to the tablet set on it as Young-joon pronounced his transition to manhood. Henceforth, he was Seo Chung-ik, also to be known as Saneung.
Appropriately solemn, Chung-ik bowed to Young-joon before kneeling to bow deeply to Yunbok. Getting up, he went out to the porch and did the same to Jeong-hyang, Suk-kwon, old master Han before greeting those who gathered at the courtyard. His friends, all grinning and cheerful, accompanied him as he went down the trail to the village to pay his respects to the village elders. The women scattered and hurried to prepare and serve the food and drinks to those in the courtyard.
Yunbok invited old master Han, haraboji Yoo and Young-joon to seat themselves at the daecheong as Suk-kwon attended the rest of the guests at the porch and courtyard. Conversations were merry as the food began to arrive and drinks began to flow. When Chung-ik came back with his friends, it became more noisy. Throughout the day and the evening, villagers from the village dropped by, bringing gifts and food to share in the festivity.
Late that night, in his room, Chung-ik kept feeling the topknot and manggeon. It felt a little strange to him and even stranger to be addressed differently. He kept thinking it was someone else's name. Even Pokkot and Changmi seemed extraordinarily more reserved with him than any other times. Was that how it was? He patted himself. He did not feel any different except perhaps more aware of how he should present himself to the others.
Getting up, he opened the window and looked out to the courtyard. Spring. He would be going to the hyanggyo the morrow with Yunbok and would not be home until the harvest season. He would miss home but it would be here when he came back in a few months. Yes, all that mattered, everything he held dear would be here. Smiling, he lightly latched the windows and went to bed.