Skill With the Bow I

"Here." Nam Gil gave Nam Mu a long rectangular wooden box. "What is it?" Nam Mu gently grabbed the box. Nam Gil didn't say anything. He just indicated for Nam Mu to open the box. Nam Mu was excited to see what was inside. Nam Mu slowly opened the box. He let out a deep gasp. "This... This is really too much!" He looked at Nam Gil with big eyes. Nam Gil just laughed. "You really wanted this one, right?" Nam Mu’s mouth fell open. He nodded looking at the black bow, a black quiver with blood red arrows and thumb ring lying on a blood red silk cloth. The bow was a gakgung, a bow only made in Goryeo. The core of the gakgung consisted of bamboo with a stiffened back to prevent the bow from breaking. To add a pulling strength to the limbs, oak was used at the handle. The belly was made with water buffalo horn which increases the power when pushing the limbs.

The siyahs, the stiffened outer ends of the limbs, were made out of black locust and V-spliced onto the bamboo. The glue to hold a gakgung was usually made from isinglass [1]. This combination of horn which pushes from the belly and sinew that pulls from the back made the gakgung a bow that was all about strength. Nam Mu had seen this bow 2 weeks ago at a blacksmith but he felt that it was too expensive. "Dad, this is too expensive. I can use the bow we've been using in practice." Nam Gil looked offended. "You are the son of Nam Gil! You need to look the part. I can't have you walk around with a practice bow!" Nam Mu laughed before saying thanks. Nam Gil smiled too.

Nam Gil helped him strapped the box on the back of Saja. Nam Gil looked at all the stuff they had packed. "Do you have everything?" They were about to leave for the palace. "This is the 30th time you've asked. I have everything. Mule and Li Jie have also checked and we can always come back to get it. The palace is an hour away." Nam Gil shook his head. "No you can't. Didn't Li Jie tell you that once you enter the palace you can only leave if you fail." "What if we pass everything?" "Then Jin and I will see you during the ranking ceremony." When is that?" Nam Gil shrugged glancing at Li Jie and Mule. They were waiting for Nam Mu. "You'll find out when you get there. The others are waiting. I'll see you soon and don't worry about anything." Nam Mu nodded before getting on Saja. Nam Gil put his hand on his leg. "I'm sure you're going to do great. You just need to do your best. Nobody is going to be mad if it doesn't work out."

Nam Mu knew that Nam Gil really meant those words but Nam Mu was planning on passing everything. He wanted to make Master Pin, Jin and Nam Gil proud. They had put a lot of faith and money in him. Even though they didn't want anything back, Nam Mu still felt indebted to them. “Have fun!” Nam Mu smiled, shaking his head at Nam Gil’s words. “I’ll do my best, Dad. See you soon.” He waved one more time before telling Saja to follow Mule and Li Jie. Nam Gil watched the three of them leave. “I leave them in your care, Jeonha.” Nam Gil let out a relieved breath when he saw three white butterflies land on Nam Mu, Li Jie and Mule’s head. The three didn’t notice anything but Nam Gil did. Nam Gil bowed and finally turned around.

Li Jie and Mule were eyeing the box behind Nam Mu but they didn’t say anything. After a while Nam Mu couldn’t take it anymore. “D… Father bought me the bow and arrows that I wanted.” Li Jie's brows went up. “That’s nice. What about a sword?” Nam Mu shook his head. “Do I really need one?” Li Jie frowned. “Of course you need one! Every young master has one.” “I’m sure you’ll get one some day.” Mule rolled his eyes at Li Jie. “The tests are open for all. The poor and commoners don’t have money to buy swords or bows. It would be weird if they didn’t have some for them to use. You can always buy one later.” Nam Mu felt that Mule was correct.

“Let’s worry when the time comes. We don’t know what will be first. You might start with the literature test.” Mule shrugged. They became quiet after that. Nam Mu and Li Jie were wondering what was going to happen during the tests, while Mule was daydreaming about meeting the women of his dreams there. He had a silly smile on his face. After an hour they arrived at the palace gate. They had come early but there was already a long line with boys and young men waiting to go inside. “I wonder where they are going to house everyone?” Mule looked at the sea of people. “Where should we park the horses?” They looked around and saw that the majority with a horse were on their horse. ”Let’s wait until we’re inside.” 30 minutes later the palace gate was open. A Commander and two Jiangjun (general) with 50 soldiers came into view. They looked at the group with disdain. “The Crown Prince is crazy to do this. Look at them! Some won't be able to lift a sword, let alone draw a bow. Chungho, get them ready.”

The Commander, named Jeong Ho, looked irritated at the people in front of him. The two Jiangjun named Zheng and Dae Seong hummed in agreement. Jeong Ho, Zheng and Dae Seong turned and walked away. The soldiers took four steps to the frond, forcing the boys and young men to take four steps back. The soldier stood in a straight line. One of the soldiers, Chungho, put his hands behind his back. “Form a line behind the soldiers.” He looked at the people sitting on their horses. ”The people with horses will now dismount. Form a line in front of the last soldier.” He pointed to the very last soldier. People started to get off their horses and move towards the soldier. While others were trying to get into a line. It became a chaotic mess. “I will not repeat myself!” The soldier suddenly yelled.

Nam Mu looked and saw that a few boys and young men were still sitting on their horse, while making way to the last soldier. Nam Mu notices that they didn’t care if there were people in front of them. Jeong Ho, Zheng and Dae Seong turned to see what was going on. Jeong Ho let out an irritated sigh before walking back. He stood next to the soldier and looked at each person on their horse. “The young masters who are still on their horses, you are hereby dismissed. You have failed.” The seven boys and three young men looked at Jeong Ho in disbelief. “If you can’t take simple orders, you are of no use.” “This is nonsense. Do you know who my father is! Why should I listen to a lowly soldier!” One of the rejected boys was not having it. His father was a Mingong (Commoner Duke[2]). They were direct descendants of the Emperor. Jeong Ho's face turned dark.

“The moment you entered, you and your so-called bloodline meant nothing. Heng! Get them out of here!” Twenty soldiers dressed in red and black lamellar armour came running out of nowhere. They grabbed the horses and led them outside. The boys and young men tried to turn their horses but the soldiers were experts. The horses meekly followed the soldiers out. After leading them away, Heng and his soldiers formed a line blocking them. “I’ll get you for this.” The boy who got angry yelled before leading his horse away. The other followed his lead, yelling profanity and threats.

The others inside now understood that they shouldn’t see everything as a test. They become more respectful. Within 10 minutes there were 10 orderly lines. Jeong Ho and Jiangjun turned again. “March!” The soldiers waited four steps before marching behind Jeong Ho, Zheng and Dae Seong. The boys and young men didn’t hesitate and followed. Heng and his soldiers followed too but after closing the gate, they disappeared in the shadows. The group didn't even notice this. They were busy looking around with their mouths wide open. It was for all of them, even the young masters, the first time inside the palace. They were amazed at the wealth and size of everything.

After walking for nearly an hour they arrived at a large training field. Jeong Ho, Zheng and Dae Seong got seated at the special seating area. The soldier, Chungho, turned. “We’ll be starting with the mugwa. In the next 7 days, you’ll be tested in six subject areas: mokjeon (wooden arrow), cheoljeon (iron arrow), pyeonjeon (split arrow), gisa (fighting on horseback), gichang (spear fighting on horseback), and gyeokgu (sport played on horseback; similar to polo game). The first four subjects among these will be for judging your archery skills. We’ll also have the gichu (shooting dummy targets on horseback with an arrow) and gwanhyeok (target archery [3]).”

He looked at the faces and saw many confused faces. He turned hopelessly towards Jeong Ho. Jeong Ho had already seen this coming. “This is tiring.” He yelled. “I want to see five rows. Go there if you can ride a horse, shoot an arrow and fight with a sword. Over there for only horse riding, over there arrow and over there sword. And over there if you can’t do any!” He pointed at 5 areas around the field. After his words the group began moving again. After a few minutes there were five groups. Nobody was surprised when they saw that group that couldn’t do anything, was the biggest.

Jeong Ho closed his eyes in despair. “This is a total mess. What are we going to do with them! And where is the Crown Prince! This was his great idea.” Dae Seong heaved a deep sigh. “He’s with the King right now. The King and court officials want him to explain why he wants to have every able boy and young man to do these tests. I don’t think he’ll be coming today.” Jeong Ho was not amused. “Why didn’t they question him at the beginning of this insanity!” Zheng coughed.

“In the beginning the notice didn’t mention that they are all eligible. Two days ago special heralds were sent to the slums to recruit commoners and slaves. Most of them even received money to come here.” Jeong Ho clenched his hands. “If he wasn’t the Crown Prince, I would have beaten him to within an inch of his life!” Zheng and Dae Seong rolled their eyes. They all knew that if Jeong Ho started a fight, HE would be the one to die at the hands of the Crown Prince and not the other way round. Zheng quickly changed the subject. "I wonder if seven days are enough?" The others and the soldiers were thinking of the same thing. The number of participants was more than 800, maybe even 1000. They had yet to formally register them all. "Let's start with the registration. We can make a plan then. Zeng and Dae Seong thought that was also the best idea.

If the Crown Prince comes, they can give him a detailed rapport. "This is going to be a very long day." Zheng smiled for the first time. "No, Sir. It's going to be a very long week, maybe even longer." Jeong Ho looked at him with anger before a wicked smile came across his face. "I'll leave the training of the newbies in your hands." Zheng's eyes turned big. "You tyrant!"

[1] swim bladders of fish

[2]nobility from previous dynasties who have kept their positions for a long time but lack any real political power.

[3] Joseon time. Writing in the Mugwa Chongyo (Records of Military Service Exam).