However, Yang Hanlin again tugged at the beauty’s sleeve and said,
"Those in this world who despise ghosts are foolish and cowardly people. When all men die, they must become ghosts, and when ghosts transform, they become men. A man who fears ghosts is a worthless man, and a ghost who avoids men is an unnuminous ghost. In the end, their root is one, so how can the living and the dead be divided? Such is my wish, and such too is my feeling, so my lady, do not betray me."
At this, the beauty said,
"How could this humble concubine ever betray my lord’s gracious affection? My lord loves me because he sees that my brows are dark and my cheeks are red, yet all of this is illusion, not my true form. All of it has been artfully fashioned through uncanny tricks to make the living draw near. If my lord should wish to see my true form, it is nothing more than a few fragments of white bone entwined with green moss. Why would you seek to bring such an ugly and filthy thing near your noble body?"
Hanlin said again,
"The Buddha said, ‘The human body is made of foam, wind, and emptiness.’ Who, then, can know what is true, or discern what is false?"
So saying, he took the beauty’s hand and led her into the bedchamber. The two lay upon the bed and passed the night in delight, and the affection that went back and forth between them was several times deeper than before. Hanlin said to the beauty,
"From now on, come every night, so that we need not long for one another."
At this, the beauty replied,
"Though the paths of men and ghosts differ, when it comes to deep affection, there is no difference between them, and so they naturally respond to one another. Since my lord’s love for me truly springs from utmost sincerity, how could this humble concubine’s heart not be earnest?"
After they spent the night in the pleasures of cloud and rain, dawn brightened in the east, and the beauty rose from her place and stepped out among the flowering trees.
Hanlin leaned on the railing and saw the beauty off, promising to meet again that night, but the beauty gave no answer and hurriedly vanished.
Two Perfected Men Read His Physiognomy
Ever since Yang Hanlin had met the ghost of Zhang Liniang, he neither sought out friends nor received guests, but merely shut himself away quietly in the detached quarters. When day broke, he did little more than yearn for night to come swiftly, so that the celestial maiden might visit him.
Yet because the beauty did not gladly come often, Hanlin’s waiting gradually grew more desperate.
One day, as he was looking toward the side gate of the flower garden, he saw Zheng Shisanlang entering with a stranger.
Scholar Zheng led the man before Hanlin and said,
"This is Perfected Du of Taiji Palace, the Daxing Palace of the Sui dynasty. His arts of physiognomy and divination are equal to those of Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng, the Daoist master of the Tang, and so I have brought him here to read Brother Yang’s features."
Yang Hanlin received Perfected Du with courtesy and said,
"I have long heard of your exalted reputation, and it is an honor to meet you so close at hand. Sir, you must surely have read Brother Zheng’s features already; I hope you will read mine as well."
At this, Scholar Zheng replied,
"Master Du read my features and said, ‘Within three years, you will place first in the civil examinations, and in time you will become governor of eight provinces.’ My divination will surely come true, so I hope you too will have him read yours."
"Since ancient times, worthy men have not asked about fortune, but only about calamity. Sir, I hope you will speak to me plainly."
After studying Hanlin’s features for some time, Perfected Du opened his mouth.
"Yang Hanlin’s two brows differ from those of other men, and his phoenix eyes turn toward his temples, so his office will reach that of the Three Excellencies. His complexion is clear and like a round pearl, so his name will resound throughout the realm. His gait is that of a dragon and his stride that of a tiger; in time he will grasp military authority and display his awe, and he will be enfeoffed as a duke or marquis ten thousand li away. Nothing he undertakes will fail, and yet—alas! Today, here and now, there is an unexpected calamity upon you. Had you not met me, it would have nearly become a grave matter."
At this, Hanlin said with a puzzled expression,
"A man’s good and ill fortune, disasters and blessings, follow of themselves; if one does not seek them, they do not arise. Only illness is difficult to avoid. Is there some sign that I will fall gravely ill?"
Perfected Du answered Hanlin,
"This is truly no ordinary calamity. A blue-green hue has pierced your Tianting, the space between your brows, and a sinister aura has invaded your Mingtang, beneath your two eyes. Is there perhaps in Hanlin’s household some slave or servant whose origins are unclear?"
Hanlin realized inwardly that he was speaking of Zhang Liniang, but because affection came first, he answered without the slightest sign of agitation.
"There is absolutely no such thing."
But Perfected Du asked again,
"If that is so, have you perhaps passed before an old grave and felt your heart suddenly tremble, or have you consorted with a ghost in a dream?"
Hanlin replied,
"There has been no such thing either."
Then Scholar Zheng chimed in.
"Master Du’s words are never wrong, so Brother Yang, think carefully."
Still Hanlin did not answer, so Perfected Du pressed him once more.
"Man is yang qi, and ghosts are yin qi. Thus day and night are opposed, and men and spirits are different, just as water and fire cannot blend. Now, looking at my lord’s face, I am certain there is an air about you of having been beguiled by a ghost. I fear that in a few days the illness will sink into your marrow and your life cannot be saved. When that time comes, I hope you will not resent the physiognomist for failing to tell you."
In his heart, Hanlin thought,
‘Master Du’s words are wondrous indeed, but Zhang Liniang and I firmly swore to spend our days in lasting joy, and our mutual affection deepens by the day. Surely she would never harm me?’
And he said to Perfected Du,
"A man’s long life or short life is fixed from birth. If I truly bear the features of a ministerial general and of riches and honor, how could some uncanny ghost trespass upon me?"
Perfected Du replied,
"Life and death are both my lord’s affairs. What have they to do with me?"
So saying, he shook out his sleeves and went outside. Hanlin also did not try to detain him, but merely sat where he was.
Then Scholar Zheng spoke words of comfort to Hanlin.
"Brother Yang is by nature an auspicious man, and the spirits will aid you, so why should you fear ghosts? Physiognomists sometimes frighten people with idle talk; it is truly hateful."
Scholar Zheng sent word inside and had a wine table brought out, and the two drank all day long until they were greatly drunk, after which each parted from the other.
Only late that night did Hanlin sober up. He burned incense and waited for Liniang.
Yet even until the morning star rose, there was no trace of Liniang.
"The morning star shines so brightly, and still Liniang does not come."
Hanlin sighed and, after putting out the candle, was about to go to bed when suddenly he heard Liniang’s voice, weeping and pleading.
"Because my lord has hidden a talisman from that uncanny Daoist above your head, this humble concubine does not dare go near you. Though I know that this was not my lord’s intention, this too means that the bond between us is departing from my lord’s side."
Hanlin was startled and opened the window to look, but Liniang’s figure was nowhere to be seen, and only a single piece of writing lay upon a stone. He went out at once and took it up, and it was a poem written by Liniang, conveying her reproach to Hanlin.
Long ago, seeking a beautiful bond, I trod upon five-colored clouds; again, with clear wine in my cup, I poured libations on a desolate grave.
Before my deep devotion could be spent, grace was severed first; I do not resent my lord, but resent Lord Zheng.
Hanlin calmed his sorrowful heart and thought quietly on it, finding the matter strange and uncanny.
When he gently touched his head, there was something inside his topknot. Hanlin quickly took out the thing hidden there and unfolded it, and it was a talisman for driving away ghosts.
"That monstrous fellow is ruining my affairs."
Hanlin grew angry, tore up the talisman, and read Liniang’s writing again. Then, having come to a great realization, he muttered to himself,
"Liniang resents Scholar Zheng, so this must surely be a prank by Shisanlang. He may not have done it out of wickedness, but he has ruined another man’s good affair; I shall certainly make him suffer shame."
So saying, he matched the rhymes of Liniang’s poem, composed a poem of his own, and put it into his pouch.
"Though I have composed the poem, to whom should I give it?"
Cold and clear, she drives the wind and mounts wondrous clouds;
Do not say that her fragrant soul is bound to a lonely grave.
In the eastern garden, a hundred flowers bloom, and beneath them lies the moon; wherever this old friend goes, how could he not think of you?
Chunniang Reveals Herself Before Hanlin
Yang Sheng went early the next day to Scholar Zheng’s house, but he had already gone out, so he returned in boredom. He went for three days in a row, yet could not meet him even once. Moreover, Liniang’s shadow too had vanished without a trace, so he wished to go seek her at Zige Pavilion, but it was difficult to make contact with spirits, and he had no means at all. Because of his longing for Liniang, Yang Sheng could not enjoy his food and could not fall asleep.
One day, Zheng Situ and his wife prepared wine and food to console the dejected Hanlin and called him into the inner hall.
"Why has your complexion been so poor lately?"
Zheng Situ asked worriedly.
"I suppose it is because I have been drinking too much with Shisanlang day after day."
Just then, Scholar Zheng entered the inner hall. Hanlin saw him, shot him a sidelong glare, and wore a displeased expression.
Then Scholar Zheng came to his side and spoke to him.
"Have you been so absorbed in attaining office of late that your mind is troubled? Or has homesickness become so intense that you have fallen ill? Why is your complexion so pale, and why do you look so lacking in strength?"
At this, Hanlin reluctantly replied,
"How could a body drifting like duckweed be otherwise?"
At that moment, Zheng Situ turned to Hanlin and said,
"I heard from the servants that you met a beauty in the flower garden and spent a pleasant time with her. Is that true?"
Hanlin was flustered and quickly replied,
"The garden lies in a secluded place, and few footsteps come and go. How could a beauty possibly enter it?"
Zheng Sheng said.
"Brother, with your broad-mindedness, why should you be ashamed of keeping company with a woman? The other day, because you were greatly angered, I sent Daoist Master Du away; but seeing your face, I had my suspicions. Out of my concern for you, I hid Daoist Master Du’s ghost-expelling talisman in your topknot, and since you were dead drunk and unaware of it, that night I hid in the eastern garden and watched in secret. Then a certain female ghost came outside your bedchamber, wept, and took her leave before vanishing at once. From this alone, you can see that Daoist Master Du’s talisman is wondrous and that your younger brother’s sincerity was utmost. Yet why, Brother, instead of thinking to thank me, do you harbor anger?"
At this, Hanlin thought it useless to conceal the matter, and he apologized to Situ Zheng, saying.
"As Thirteenth Young Master says, this humble son-in-law’s affair is indeed strange. I shall report it to Father-in-law in detail."
Then, after relating every particular from beginning to end, he asked again.
"I know that Brother Thirteenth Young Master’s concern for this humble son-in-law is utmost, but though that Lady Zhang’s spirit is indeed a ghost, her bearing is vigorous and her heart open and free, so she is not uncanny and would certainly never harm anyone. Moreover, though this humble son-in-law is mediocre, I would not be led astray by a ghost. Yet Brother Thirteenth Young Master has used a talisman to block the lady’s coming and going, and this humble son-in-law cannot help but feel troubled by it."
At this, Situ Zheng burst into loud laughter and said to Hanlin.
"Hanlin Academician Yang’s elegance and bearing are just like Song Yu of old (a literary man of Chu), so it seems likely that you know the method of summoning ghosts. I am not teasing you, so listen carefully.
When I was young, I happened to meet an extraordinary man and learned how to summon ghosts. I would like to call one here and comfort your heart. I wish to hear what you think of it."
Hanlin answered.
"Shao Weng (the name of a fangshi) summoned souls, but that method has not been handed down. This humble son-in-law cannot believe your words.
At this, Zheng Sheng said.
"Brother Yang summoned the lady’s soul without the trouble of even one word, and your younger brother drove her away with a single talisman. Now that Lord Situ says he will summon a spirit, what doubt can you have?"
Situ also laughed and said.
"If you cannot believe it, look here."
So saying, he raised his fan, struck the folding screen, and said.
"Where is Lady Zhang?"
Then a woman who had been behind the folding screen, holding a radiant smile, came walking out lightly and stood behind the madam. Hanlin raised his eyes and saw that it was unmistakably Lady Zhang, and his mind and body were enraptured as he looked back and forth between Situ and Thirteenth Young Master.
"Father-in-law, is this a dream, or am I awake?"
Situ Zheng and his wife smiled quietly, and Zheng Sheng held his sides and laughed merrily.
The maids standing to either side were also roaring with laughter.
"Then from now on, I shall tell my son-in-law the truth. This girl is neither a celestial maiden nor a ghost, but Chunyun, who serves in my household. Lately, since you were staying alone in the separate residence in the garden, I thought you must be very lonely, so I sent this girl to you to comfort the tedium of lodging away from home. But the young ones played tricks in the middle and teased you. How could it not be amusing?"
Zheng Sheng stopped laughing and said.
"Both times Brother met a beauty, it was all thanks to your younger brother’s matchmaking. Yet instead of remembering that kindness, you bear resentment. Brother, it seems you must be an ungrateful man."
After saying this, he could not hold back his laughter again, and Hanlin laughed along with him and said.
"It was Father-in-law who sent her, and Brother Zheng only mocked me in the middle. What favor do you claim to have bestowed?"
Zheng Sheng then answered.
"The fault of mocking Brother lies with your younger brother, but there is someone else who devised and directed the scheme, so do not reproach me too much."
Hanlin straightened his expression and asked.
"If Brother Zheng did not contrive this affair, then who played such a prank?"
At this, Zheng Sheng also put on a serious face and answered.
"There is a line in the words of the ancient sages: ‘Ji zhi ji zhi, chu hu er zhe, fan hu er ye.’ That is, what goes out from you returns to you. Hahaha, Brother, think back on the past. If a man can transform into a Daoist priestess, how could an ordinary person not become a celestial maiden or a ghost?"
Then Hanlin was greatly enlightened, and laughing, he asked Situ.
"This humble son-in-law once offended the young lady, so it must be that the young lady has not forgotten her resentment."
Situ Zheng and his wife merely laughed and did not answer his words.
Hanlin turned to Chunyun and said.
"Chun, you are truly a clever and quick-witted girl. But if you wished to serve one man, can it be called a woman’s proper way to deceive him first?"
At this, Chunyun knelt and answered.
"This lowly concubine only heard the general’s command; I did not hear the Son of Heaven’s edict."
Hanlin exclaimed in admiration.
"In ancient times, when King Xiang met the celestial maiden of Mount Wu, it was said that he could not distinguish her becoming cloud in the morning and rain in the evening. Now I, too, could not discern Chunyun becoming a celestial maiden and becoming a ghost. Since a true man cannot debate with rain and cloud, I suppose the art of myriad transformations is attained from this. It has been said since olden times that a strong general has no weak soldiers. If her lieutenant is like this, then without even seeing the commander, I can know well enough that she is rich in stratagems."
At this, everyone laughed merrily, and they brought out the wine table again and drank all day long.
Chunyun, as a new person, took part from the lowest seat, and when the night grew deep, she carried a candle and led Hanlin to the garden.
When they reached the garden, Hanlin, unable to overcome his drunken delight, took Chunyun’s hand and spoke teasingly.
"Are you truly a celestial maiden? Or a ghost? I loved the celestial maiden and loved the ghost as well, so how could I not love you, a true beauty? But the person who made you become a celestial maiden and also a ghost—will she in time become Chang’e of the Moon Palace (the name of an ancient celestial maiden), or a zhenren of the Southern Peak (one who cultivates the doctrines of Daoism)?"
At this, Chunyun answered coquettishly.
"This lowly body committed insolence toward my lord and has many rash sins. I beg you to forgive me with grace as vast as the rivers and seas."
Then Hanlin laughed and said.
"Even when you disguised yourself as a ghost, I loved you deeply. What fault would I find now?"
Chunyun rose and thanked Hanlin, and then she and Hanlin spent that night together in harmony and delight.
Hanlin Academician Yang Passes Through Luoyang
After Yang Shaoyou placed first in the civil service examination and it was decided that he would become the son-in-law of Situ Zheng’s household, he had intended to go down to his hometown that autumn, bring his mother up, and complete the wedding rites. Yet once he entered the Hanlin Academy and became bound to office, he had still not been able to visit his family. When he found a respite and was about to go down to the countryside, many affairs happened to arise in the state.
The Tubo people (Tibetans) repeatedly invaded the frontier, and the three military governors of Hebei, some styling themselves King of Yan and others King of Zhao, joined hands with powerful neighbors and raised troops to make trouble. The Son of Heaven was troubled and was about to send out an army to attack them, so he gathered the civil and military ministers and consulted them, but their opinions were divided.
At this, Hanlin Academician Yang Shaoyou submitted a memorial, saying,
"As in ancient times when Emperor Wu of Han summoned and instructed the King of Nanyue, I report that it would be the best plan first to issue an urgent edict and admonish them with the fortunes of calamity and blessing, and only if they still do not submit in the end, to send out troops and attack them."
The Son of Heaven followed his words and had Shaoyou draft the edict before the throne. Shaoyou bowed low, received the command, and composed and presented it at once. The Son of Heaven was greatly pleased and instructed, "It sets forth fully Our deep grace and stern majesty and is meant to admonish them; the mad rebels will surely be moved of themselves."
Then he immediately sent the edict to the military governors of the Three Jin. Zhao and Wei cast aside their royal titles, accepted the command of the court, submitted memorials begging punishment for their crimes, and sent envoys to offer ten thousand horses and ten thousand bolts of silk as tribute; only the King of Yan, relying on the remoteness of his land and the strength of his troops, did not submit.
Then the Son of Heaven declared that the surrender of the two garrisons was entirely Yang Shaoyou’s merit, and so he issued an edict praising and rewarding him, saying.
"The three military governors of Hebei have each occupied a corner, relied on their strength, and joined hands with their neighbors for almost a hundred years. Emperor Dezong dispatched a hundred thousand great troops and had generals attack them, yet in the end could neither break their strength nor make their hearts submit. Now Yang Shaoyou has made two garrisons surrender with a single written document, without troubling even one soldier and without killing anyone, and has spread the majesty of the sovereign far beyond ten thousand li. We consider this most admirable, and grant three hundred bolts of silk and five thousand horses to show Our intent to reward him."
Afterward, he wished to raise him in office.
However, Shaoyou went before the throne, knocked his head to the ground, refused to accept, and submitted a memorial.
"To draft an edict on behalf of the throne is the duty of a subject, and the submission of the two garrisons is due to Your Majesty’s awe-inspiring authority. What merit has this subject that he should receive such weighty rewards? Moreover, one garrison still resists and throws the frontier into turmoil. This subject laments that he cannot take up sword and grasp spear to wash away fully the nation’s shame. How could I obey the command raising my rank?
In a subject’s devotion of loyalty, there is no barrier of office rank; and victory or defeat in war does not depend on the number of troops. This subject begs to be granted one band of soldiers, to rely on the court’s authority, advance, and settle the matter with the rebels of Yan by death itself, fighting with all my strength to repay even one ten-thousandth of the heavenly grace."
The Son of Heaven admired his intent and asked the great ministers, and they all bowed low and submitted.
"The three garrisons were in a tripod balance (their forces standing opposed like the three legs of a cauldron), but now that two garrisons have already surrendered, the situation of the petty rebel is like that of fish in a cauldron and ants in a hole. If troops are led forth against him, it will surely be like snapping dry twigs and breaking rotten wood. Moreover, the armies of the Son of Heaven first employ strategy and only afterward strike. We humbly report that it would be best to send Yang Shaoyou to admonish them with profit and harm, and if in the end they still do not surrender, then immediately dispatch troops."
The Son of Heaven also thought this right and bestowed upon Yang Shaoyou the imperial baton and axe (the authority over life and death), saying, "Go to Yan and admonish them."
Shaoyou received the command and set out bearing the baton and axe. When he took leave of Situ Zheng, Situ said to him.
"On the frontier, the people’s hearts are fierce and stubborn, and they have defied the court’s commands not just once or twice. Hanlin Academician Yang is entering a dangerous land as a mere scholar. If some unforeseen change should occur, it would be not only this old man’s misfortune, but also the humiliation of the entire nation. Though I am old and cannot take part in the deliberations of the court, I ought to submit a memorial and remonstrate against this."
Hanlin dissuaded his father-in-law and said.
"Father-in-law, pray do not be overly concerned. The people of the borderlands have merely taken advantage of the court’s unsettled state to stir up a brief disturbance. His Majesty is divinely martial, and the court is clear and bright; the two mighty states of Zhao and Wei have already submitted. Why should we worry over a small state like Yan?"
Situ spoke again.
"The Holy Sovereign’s command has already been issued, and your own resolve is likewise set, so this old man has nothing more to say. I only hope that you will be cautious in all things, take care of your body, and remember not to bring dishonor upon the imperial command."
His wife shed tears as she bade him farewell.
"Since obtaining so worthy a gentleman, I have been able to comfort my aging heart, yet now Lord Yang is setting out on a distant road. How do you think my heart feels? I only ask that you return swiftly from your long journey."
Yang Hanlim withdrew and went to the detached hall in the flower garden, where he made ready his traveling gear and was about to depart. Chun-un grasped his robe and said to him,
"When my lord entered duty at the Hanlin Academy, I would rise early to pack your bedding and prepare your court robes for you to wear. My lord would look at me from the corner of his eye and always feel pity for me, often reluctant to leave. Now, as we face a parting of ten thousand li, have you not a single bitter word to say?"
Hanlim laughed loudly and said,
"When a great man encounters affairs of state and receives a weighty charge, he cannot even look to life or death; how could he freely discuss paltry private feelings? Lady Chun, do not grieve needlessly and mar your flower-like face. Serve the young lady with care and remain well for a while. After I have achieved success, I shall return in high spirits with a golden seal at my waist, so wait for me."
With that, he went out the gate, boarded his carriage, and before long arrived in Luoyang, where the traces of the days he had once passed through remained unchanged.
In the past, he had been a mere sixteen-year-old scholar, riding a small donkey and looking utterly forlorn; yet within a few years he had come bearing the insignia of office and riding in a four-horse carriage. The magistrate of Luoyang bustled about to clear the road, and the prefect of Henan respectfully led the way. Passersby coming and going looked up at him in admiration and envy—how could this not be a magnificent sight?
Hanlim first sent a page to inquire after Gye Seomwol. When the page sought out Seomwol’s house, the main gate was locked layer upon layer, the pleasure house was not open, and only the cherry blossoms were in bloom. He asked the neighbors.
"After Seomwol formed a one-night bond with a lord from a distant region last spring, she made illness her excuse and refused visiting guests, nor would she attend banquets at the government office. Before long, she began pretending to be mad, stripped off all her ornaments, changed into the garments of a female Daoist, and wandered in all directions, viewing mountains and rivers. She has not yet returned, so no one knows which mountain she is on now."
The page returned and reported these circumstances. Hanlim was disheartened, and when he passed by Seomwol’s house, he thought of old traces and old affections, held back tears, and returned to the guesthouse, yet could not sleep that night.
Then the prefect sent several dozen gisaeng to entertain him, all of them renowned beauties of distinction.
With crimson makeup and splendid garments, they competed in loveliness and boasted of their charm, each hoping for a single glance from him. Yet Hanlim had no taste for such pleasures and did not draw near even one of them. The next morning, before departing, he composed a poem and wrote it upon the wall.
As my carriage passes Tianjin, the willow hue is fresh;
The scenery is just the same as spring in days gone by.
How lovely it would be, in the land where the jade envoy’s tally returns,
Yet why is she who urged wine at the banquet nowhere to be seen?
He cast down the brush, mounted his carriage, and went on his way. When all the gisaeng saw him depart into the distance, they could only feel ashamed. They vied with one another to copy out the poem and presented it to the prefect, who scolded them, saying,
"Had any of you received even a single glance from Yang Hanlim, your fame would surely have increased a hundredfold. Yet you failed to please Hanlim’s eyes, so the land of Luoyang has lost its color."
Thereupon, learning the name of the person Hanlim cared for, he posted notices in all directions to seek Seomwol’s whereabouts.
Reuniting with Gye Seomwol at Tianjin Bridge
When Yang Hanlim arrived in the state of Yan, the people of those remote borderlands had never before seen the majestic bearing of the imperial capital. Upon seeing Hanlim’s attire and demeanor, he seemed like a qilin upon the earth and a phoenix amid the clouds, so they all competed to surround his carriage, blocking the road, and there was no one who did not wish to behold him once.
When Yang Hanlim was about to meet with the King of Yan, Hanlim’s majesty was like swift thunder and his grace like spring rain, so the border people all danced and sang, clicking their tongues as they said to one another,
"The Sagely Son of Heaven is going to save us."
When Hanlim met with the King of Yan, he repeatedly spoke of the Son of Heaven’s majesty and decrees, and expounded forcefully on the principles of obedience and rebellion, allegiance and defection. His words surged like the rising sea and were stern as autumn frost, so there was no one who was not moved to admiration and submission.
The King of Yan was suddenly startled and enlightened. Kneeling on the ground, he apologized, saying, "Because these borderlands are distant and remote, the kingly transformation has not reached us. Thus I recklessly defied the court’s command and did not know to turn toward the light and submit. Now that I have heard your clear instruction, I realize my former sins of my own accord. From this day forth, I shall forever restrain my crazed heart and diligently strive to uphold the duty of a subject. I humbly beg that you, Imperial Envoy, return and report to the court, so that this vassal state may gain peace from peril, and calamity may be transformed into blessing."
Afterward, he held a banquet at Byeongnu Palace to see him off, presenting him with one hundred geun of gold and ten fine horses, but Hanlim refused them all and departed the land of Yan.