The Words of the Chang Family
|
|
The Words of the Chang Family |
Princess Pyonggang appears in Korean historical records
Thanks to the assistance of Princess Pyonggang, her husband who once had been called "Idiot Ondal," became a great military general contributing much to the expansion of Koguryo (BC 37-668) territory over Manchuria.
The youngest daughter of King Pyonggang, who reigned in the sixth century, the princess was a blubberer in her childhood.
In his efforts to eliminate her crying habit, the king frequently told a joke that he would marry Princess Pyonggang to "Idiot Ondal" if she kept crying. When she grew up and was a 16-year-old lady, she was no longer a cry-baby but instead possessed a graceful manner and fair countenance to which everybody felt attracted.
The king looked for a becoming match to mate his daughter and selected a man called Koh as a strong candidate for his son-in-law.
One day, he told his daughter his opinion, but the princess made a strong protest against it.
She said, "Father, why do you change your mind? You used to say that you would marry me to Idiot Ondal."
It is understood that even an ordinary man must be faithful to his words not to speak of the sovereign whose words should be obeyed throughout the nation. I cannot accord to your wish," she continued.
Whenever the king mentioned "Idiot Ondal" in his jokes, the princess wondered who he could be. Her nurse explained that Ondal was an ugly and idiotic beggar who had a good heart and supported his mother.
It can be assumed that Princess Pyonggang, sick of people around the palace who exercised every possible means to win fame and wealth, was deeply moved by Ondal's life story. Angry about her request, the king chided, "Do you mean not to follow my decision? If you do not obey my order, you are not my daughter. I have no wish to live with a girl who is not my daughter. You should leave the palace." For several days, the queen tried to persuade her daughter to marry Koh but failed.
The strongly determined princess preferred leaving the palace to marrying Koh. She left her life in the palace with a lot of jewels given her by the queen in her pocket in order to search for Ondal. She managed to find the hut of Ondal located on a hillside after wandering for a couple of days. Although the princess confessed the whole story with a sincere heart to Ondal and his old mother, they, at first, did not believe it and rather thought that she was an old fox in the form of a woman. But later, they were persuaded by the princess and Ondal wed her in a humble ceremony. She sold off some of jewels given by the queen and bought a house, rice fields, cows and other household necessities. The couple led so happy a life that their neighbors thought that Ondal was rewarded for his honest behavior and gentle heart.
One day, Princess Pyonggang gave some money to her husband and asked him to buy a horse in the market. She advised him to select a horse disposed of by the court. She took care of the horse her husband bought devotedly and let him go hunting in mountain areas, riding it.
As the horse grew stronger, Ondal developed his horsemanship and archery. His skills were improved to such an extent that nobody was more excellent than he in horsemanship and archery. At that time, the Koguryo court sponsored an annual hunting festival in March. After developing his skills, Ondal participated in the festival and killed more game than any other participant. He was selected as the best hunter during the festival. The king deeply struck with his hunting skill, asked about the personal background of the winner.
Hearing that the excellent warrior was Ondal to whom his beloved daughter got married against his will, the king's heart was full of regrets for what he had done. Meanwhile, Princess Pyonggang knowing about the excellent performance of her husband during the hunting festival, felt that all hard-won and endeavors were repaid.
Several months had passed. Chinese soldiers led by King Wuti of the Late Chou Dynasty invaded the north-east border district of Koguryo.
Ondal decided to dedicate himself to the protection of his fatherland against the foreign attack.
Pleased with his decision, the king named him commanding general of the Koguryo army. His brave action in battlefields enhanced the morale of Koguryo soldiers and helped them beat back the enemy.
In ceremony, King Pyonggang officially called Ondal his son-in-law and appointed him to a high ranking government official position called "Taehyong."
King Pyonggang died after his reign of 32 years and King Yongyang succeeded to the throne.
One day, Ondal met the king and talked about his long-cherished dream of recapturing the land captured by Silla. With the king's consent, he led an attack against Silla.
Every night, princess Pyonggang prayed for his victory on the battlefield. But a messenger from the battlefield informed her of the sad news: Ondal was shot to death by an enemy arrow during a war at Castle Acha. According to him, army soldiers put the dead body in a coffin but it was stuck so fast on the ground that nothing could move it for the funeral. At first, Princess Pyonggang nearly fainted because of the sad news, but she immediately pulled herself together and hastened to the battlefield. She caressed the wooden coffin with her hands and whispered: "Your wife is here at your side. Life and death is beyond our power and decided by the heaven. Please rest in peace." Then a miracle occurred. The coffin began to move as though it had no regrets.