This happened three centuries ago, during the reign of Injeong, the king of the Li dynasty.
In one Buddhist temple, three young men were learning to read and write. One was named Tae Baek Phun, the second was Jeong Tae Hwa, and the third was simply Choi. And all three were very diligent in their studies.
One day they went out to rest on the lawn behind the temple. We sat, remained silent, breathed some fresh air, and suddenly Jung Tae Hwa said:
“Let’s, friends, today tell each other about what each of us wants to devote our lives to.”
Thae Baek Phun said then:
- You suggested, you start.
Jung Tae Hwa looked at the distant mountains, sighed and began:
“Our country was devastated twice. The people live in poverty. And dignitaries and officials only know how to weave intrigues. So I want to achieve a high position, to help the king change life in the country, so that there are no orphans and destitute people, so that people live in contentment and joy.
Jung Tae Hwa fell silent, looked at Tae Baek Phun, it’s your turn to speak. Thae Baek Phun was silent, and then Choi, the most unlucky of the three, spoke:
“But I don’t need any position or title.” I would like to live in some quiet, beautiful place and read books.
Choi said this, but Tae Baek Phun is silent again. He was silent for a long time, then he said:
- I wish for something completely different. And there is no need to talk about it.
His friends began to persuade him, say and say, Thae Baek Phun could not stand it, he gave in:
“I’m not studying to achieve a high rank.” But I, like you, love my homeland, my people. Thoughts about him do not leave me day or night. The yangbans are to blame for all human troubles. They rob people and deceive them. I want to take everything away from them and give it all to the poor. And destroy them themselves.
“Aren’t you going to become the leader of a band of robbers?” - Choi asked, trembling with fear. “Please don’t ever talk about this again, even as a joke.” Jung Tae Hwa didn’t say anything, he just shook his head, he knew that Tae Baek Phun would do what he said.
Time flies quickly. Twenty years have passed. Chong Tae Hwa passed the exams for the position and was appointed ruler of Hamgyong Province. Choi became a Confucian scholar and, like a dog in a kennel, lived quietly in a remote province. No one has heard anything about Thae Baek Phun.
Choi found out that his classmate was now the ruler of Hamgyong, and decided to visit him, ask for money and at least some position. But Choi, I must tell you, was not distinguished by either firmness or intelligence, although he was called a scientist.
Choi took the bundle and set off. He crossed the Chollen mountain range and soon reached the village of Hweyang.
I went up to the tavern, and there was a big guy there, next to him was a horse under saddle.
The fellow approached Choi, politely greeted him and said:
“My master ordered me to wait for you here.” Get on your horse and let's go.
Choi was surprised and asked:
-Who is your master? And where should you go?
“You’ll find out later, but don’t ask anything now.” Get into the saddle quickly. “The kid said this and helped Choi get on his horse.
They drove and drove, maybe fifty. Here they are waiting for them again with horses. They switched to other horses and rode on. In one day they changed horses several times. It was already getting dark. The kid lit a lantern and drove the horse along the mountain path. And it's narrow. You're about to fall down. They drove and drove, traveling for hundreds of years. And in the morning a large village grew up in front of them. Choi was surprised: “Where does the village come from in this remote gorge?” At the edge of the village they stopped the horses and helped Choi to dismount. They talked among themselves and took Choi to the village. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a person appeared in front of Choi. He is wearing a blue robe with a red belt. On his head is a purple bandage. He is tall, broad-shouldered, smiling, wide-eyed. It's scary to look at. He took Choi by the hand, led him into the house and asked:
“Didn’t you really recognize me?”
Choi took a closer look, and this is his classmate Tae Baek Phun!
Thae Baek Phun arranged a feast in honor of an old friend. They began to remember their youth, tell each other about what they did and how they lived all this time. Tae Baek Phun listened to his friend and said:
“But I became the leader of a gang of robbers and I don’t regret it at all.” I have no desire to bend my back on someone, to live like a dumb creature, a fly or a dog. I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I don’t want to bow to the Yangbans, they ruin the peasants. And I'm not a thief. We don't rob the poor. We take away goods from the yangbans and merchants. We attack the ships that are taking away our goods. And we distribute everything selected to the poor... Do you remember, I once told you about my dream, and you judged me and got scared. Now, having heard that you, my old friend, had left the remote province and set off on a journey, I ordered you to be brought to me. And this is what I want to say. Jung Tae Hwa is no fool. He knows that you are not capable of anything. That’s why he won’t give you either a position or money. Even on the way back. So I advise you not to go to him. I'll give you something and go home.
Choi couldn’t find anything to answer and remained silent. He wanted to quickly leave this place and tell Jung Tae Hwa himself about everything.
As if guessing his friend’s thoughts, Thae Baek Phun said:
“But if you do meet with Jung Tae Hwa, don’t say anything about me.” He won't catch me anyway. If you tell me, don’t blow your head off.
Choi swore not to say a single word about what he saw and heard, and Tae Baek Phun accompanied him to the road. A few days later, Choi was already in the provincial capital and, as soon as he met Jung Tae Hwa, he said:
- Listen, buddy! Do you know what Baek Phun does?
The ruler had long heard that his friend had become the leader of a gang of robbers, but he pretended that he knew nothing: firstly, he was afraid, and secondly, he believed that Thae Baek Phun was right about something - after all, he was an extraordinary person. Therefore, in response to Choi’s words, the ruler said:
- I don’t know anything about him. I haven't heard from him since we broke up. Thae Baek Phun is capable and smart, so he is unlikely to take up an unworthy task.
- You are sure? But I know something completely different. Do you remember how he once said that he wanted to become the leader of a gang? That's what he became. By the way, in your province. On the way here I got lost and ended up in a den of robbers. That's where I met Thae Baek Phun. He threw a feast in my honor and began to boast that in each province he had his own people, several thousand of them. But with him, if you get a few dozen, that’s good. I saw it myself. Listen, buddy! Give me thirty well-armed guys and I'll bring him to you!
Jung Tae Hwa laughed and said:
“Tae Baek Phun may have become the leader of the gang, but he hasn’t done me any harm yet.” In addition, he has great strength. So isn't it better to leave him alone? Otherwise we’ll make noise and achieve nothing. After all, it’s like tickling a sleeping tiger with a straw.
However, Choi stood his ground. After all, if he catches the leader of the robbers, he will certainly receive a high position. And he began to threaten the ruler:
— Do you allow a robber to roam freely through your domain? Don't you want to catch him? What if it causes great damage to our entire state? They will blame you! If you don’t listen to me, you’ll have to complain to Seoul.
There is nothing to do. Ruler Choe gave a thousand liang of silver and about four dozen warriors. But a thousand liang is nothing for Choi!
Choi led the warriors to the very mountains where he had already been once. He ordered to hide, and he headed towards the gorge. Before he had even taken a few steps, he saw a fellow he already knew.
“Our boss ordered you to be brought to him,” the fellow said and helped Choi sit in the saddle.
While they were driving, Choi thought about how his warriors would surround the robber’s den and capture the leader. Daydreaming, he did not notice how they approached the gorge. At this time a shot rang out, and robbers jumped out from all sides. All tall and hefty, they pounced on Choi, pulled him off his horse, tied him up and dragged him to Thae Baek Phun.
- Unscrupulous scoundrel! You still had the audacity to appear before my eyes! - Tae Baek Phun shouted.
And Choi coughed and said as if nothing had happened:
“Why on earth are you being so disrespectful to me?!” After all, we are old friends!
- Old friends?! - the leader of the robbers yelled. “You dare call yourself my friend?” After all, you swore not to tell anyone about me, but you yourself betrayed me, broke your oath. What kind of friend are you after this?
Choi swears that he didn’t do anything like that. Thae Baek Phun then ordered to bring the captured warriors. Choi saw them, threw himself at the feet of Thae Baek Phun, begging for mercy.
“I don’t want to dirty my sword on such a scoundrel,” said the leader of the robbers with a cold smile. - Let them whip you with rods. And roll in all four directions!
They flogged the Confucian, and he emerged from the gorge barely alive. And Thae Baek Phun gathered all the captured warriors, gave each of them twenty liang for the journey and said:
- When you return home, tell the ruler not to listen to such scoundrels.
The warriors left, and Thae Baek Phun ordered his people to pack up everything and leave for another place. And burn the houses.
Choi somehow crawled to his house, and there was no wife or children there. Choi won’t understand, where has everyone gone? I asked the neighbors, then went looking and found it.
He looks - the house is brand new, better than before. The family lives in abundance. Choi began to ask what and how. And the household members give him a letter. It was written by his hand. Sent on his behalf. Here's what the letter says:
“I reached the capital safely, the ruler gave me a lot of valuables, I am sending them to you by express. Buy a new house and everything else. Don’t be stingy.”
Choi read the letter and burst into tears. Only now I realized what kind of person Thae Baek Phun is. If only I could meet him one more time and ask for forgiveness. But no matter how hard Choi tried to find out where his old friend was now, no one could tell him anything.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru