LEGEND OF
NEVETSECNUAC – THE FISHERMAN’S PRIZE – (SECTION 7)
After Yoansu had
exited his old room, he quietly went over and seated himself across from his
father who’d also had a change of clothing.
Ensa was quick to
rush over with a new pot of tea for them, but the old man pushed it aside and
asked his wife to bring them the wine instead. “This is a time for
celebration!” He scoffed, “why begrudge
us the wine?”
“But husband,” Ensa
countered, “you’d drunk the last of it the day before yesterday in company of Zianko.
There is not a drop of it left in the house!”
“Oh, I forgot.”
Shamefaced Kaimu lowered his head.
Yoansu did not like
hearing of his father’s renewed liaison with that vile, loathsome neighbor. Hadn’t
Zianko been forewarned to stay away? I guess he needed a stronger incentive! Inwardly Yoansu made a note, to take care of
it personally, at first opportunity.
“Oh, I nearly
forgot, I have brought you some, Father.” Yoansu excitedly interjected,
suddenly recalling the rare vintage he’d packed as a special gift for Kaimu.
“Let me go and fetch it for you.” So,
saying, he went to his room, unfastened a large bundle and removed from it two
large jugs of fine wine in very ornate containers, which spoke volumes of their
high cost (worth). He then gingerly
carried them one at a time to the table in the living room. Kaimu opened his eyes wide in happy
anticipation, his mouth already watering and saliva gurgling in his throat; he
absentmindedly licked his lips.
“You can afford
this?”
Gloating, the son simply nodded. “Let me do the honors father.” He then humbly proposed. Upon latter’s consent, Yoansu quickly broke the seal and filled the two cups that Ensa had provided.
“What about you,
mother? Please join us too.” Yoansu would have insisted, but she’d waved a hand
in dismissal, firmly declining the offer; then rushed off, saying she had
multitude of things to do. This put an abrupt end to Yoansu’s scheme of next
inviting Jiense.
As the two men
toasted to each other’s health, and gulped down the wine, Ensa knowing her
husband's greed, had quietly carried off the second jug to a shelf in the
kitchen, to be consumed at a later time.
Kaimu sneered,
seeing this from the corner of his eye, while he had raised the cup to his lip,
but said nothing. As his son filled his
father's cup repeatedly, the other consumed it with eager frequency.
Afraid that her husband would get too drunk and misbehave, therefore scaring off their new daughter-in-law so soon after her arrival, Ensa rushed some tidbits for them to consume; then positioning herself behind her husband's back, gave her son a discrete signal “to slow down with his service!” The son, understanding, affectionately grinned, and nodded his head to her in assent when Kaimu’s attention was diverted to the choice bit of morsel in front of him.
In a very short
span of time that they had conversed, father and son had covered most of what
had transpired in each other's absence.
Yoansu spoke of his
many hardships till he’d finally reached Kuno town.
Contented to staying there and
travelling no further, his first act had been to seek cheap lodgings, then to
gain honest, decent employment. The
first task had been easy enough to attain, but the second had been harder than
imaginable.
As Ensa rushed
about, she could not help but utter a sigh, for her heart broke hearing of her
son's (imagined) endured hardships.
Kaimu ignored Ensa, but the son gave a consoling smile to his mother
without breaking his story.
Wishing to stay on the true moral course,
he’d worn down the soles of his feet trying to gain legitimate employment of
some worth. All he could find, however,
had been the most demeaning jobs, that of which he’d cared not to extrapolate
on.
“I’m proud of you
son.” Ensa at this point coming over had padded her son’s cheek. Encouraged by
this response, Yoansu then sewed a lengthier yarn.
According to him
eventually his perseverance and tenacity had paid off. He’d gained lawful
employment at a reputable teahouse, with still more promising prospects. Before
long he’d furthered his position, with his diligence, and became an assistant
manager. There he’d stayed adding up his
adequate earnings till it amounted to a respectable sum, after which he’d
planned to return home with it.
As such, Yoansu
took delight in spinning a convincing fabrication and pulling wool over these
foolish but nevertheless much beloved parents.
All this time for
the sake of peace, Kaimu had masked his growing resentment and mounting anger
at this apparent, rather insulting deception. Not at all blinded to his son’s
arrogance and other character flaws as Ensa, he’d detected far too many
irregularities and numerous inconsistencies in his son’s accounts. Only, out of
deference to his wife, he’d kept his tongue.
Yoansu rounding his
story, then had steered the conversation to a point where ceasing the opening,
the chance, he renewed his inquiry about Jiense. But, once more, Kaimu avoided
responding (averted replying) to his son’s question and instead, rather bluntly
shepherded (maneuvered) Yoansu’s attention to yet another topic of
conversation.
Though this further intrigued Yoansu, knowing
his father's stubborn and temperamental nature he consigned himself to
exercising patience. Ensa and Jiense
meanwhile had busied themselves in the kitchen, readying the supper. Jiense had felt quite uncomfortable at first
being inundated under the burning gazes of Yoansu but deeming it to be nothing
more than an idle curiosity on the part of the son, she’d dismissed it
eventually and gave it no further thought.
Finally, the new
daughter-in-law Tufan made her grand entrance, emerging from the room all
refreshed, powdered and rouged- which made her look totally out of place, and
even absurd. Instead of going over to
the womenfolk to offer her help, she accepted the man’s polite invitation and
brazenly set herself at the table between them, to be waited on.
Ensa, the most
understanding mother-in -law, overlooked Tufan's arrogant indiscretion and
thoughtlessness, and bore her no contempt, something that another in her palace
most certainly would not have done.
The storage space
at the side of the kitchen meanwhile had been hastily prepared as the new
designated sleeping quarters for Jiense.
As it were, the entire dwelling consisted of two bedrooms and one big
living room, where they did everything: cooking, eating, entertainment,
reading, weaving, sawing etc. When they
had company, as means of privacy they pulled at the string, which lowered a
straw mat curtain from the ceiling and divided the living room into two,
concealing the kitchen. After further
division, it was the makeshift room at the corner of kitchen that now served as
Jiense’s sleeping quarters at night.
During the day, her bedding would be folded and placed in the old
couple's bedroom for storage.
All the
preparations for dinner completed, the womenfolk sat themselves at the table as
well to consume the rich fare that Ensa and Jiense had done their best to
produce. In this happy atmosphere they
toasted endlessly to their future happiness, harmonious relationships and long
life. Of course, since Jiense was still
considered part of the family, she was included in their celebration at the
dinner table, and even came to share a drink or two with them when they
proposed a toast to the newlyweds. The
exciting sounds of happy chatter and laughter ensued well into the night. Finally,
the young women were allowed to retire, while Ensa seated well off to the side,
stayed up to finish her mending tasks.
In this more
private atmosphere, Kaimu then broached the more delicate subject, the
acquisition of Tufan, with Yoansu.
“You see, in the
same street, at the opposite corner from this teahouse, there was another
business establishment, which had many customers streaming in and out of it all
the time.” Yoansu now, without abandon, relinquished the rest of the
story. “This place livened up at night,
and the most exciting sounds of music, happy chatter and laughter emanated
endlessly from it until dawn. The
vitality of this place kept me both curious and sleepless many a night, despite
my exhausted state.”
“My discreet inquiries revealed that this place was what was known as ‘House of Pleasure’.
 |
| The Rake's Progress - Orgies - (1735) painting by William Hogarth, English painter and artist November 10, 1697 -October 26, 1764. Courtesy of Sir John Soane's Museum, London. A series of engravings depicting Tom Rakewell's life and his descent into madness. Tom marries a rich lady. Stravinsky connection. |
A section of it was reserved
for gamblers.” Yoansu leaning forward in a softer voice added. “And another
section was earmarked (assigned, apportioned) for the customers to pass their
time in the company of loose women, ones that have abandoned all moral conduct
and offer services of the most intimate kind to men for a specified price.”
Then continuing in a low voice, Yoansu could not resist, in teasing the old
man’ with his elaboration of tantalizing accounts and shocking specifics.
Despite his
mounting interest, Kaimu all through it all had maintained his stiff composure,
and assuming high moral air, now and then, even showed a frown on his face. “I
was appalled! I mean I had heard that
cities contained such places, but I had no idea that this town contained one as
well.”
Yoansu wanted to
roar out loud but playing along, he stifled his laughter. Then feigning
modesty, he quickly added, “But I digress.”
Ensa had cocked her
ears, trying to overhear the soft-spoken words of Yoansu, but to her chagrin,
she’d still missed most of it. Now she
wondered to what “such places” her son was referring.
“Since my curiosity
had been aroused,” the son continued, “I don't know how, but, despite my prior
resolution, one day I found myself in the interior.”
Overlooking his
son’s indiscretions and wanting to ease his mounting apprehension, Kaimu at
this point hastily interjected: “Well, I hope you went to the section where
only the men congregated.” He could not
bring himself however to say, and I hope you are not leading to the fact that
this girl you brought home as your wife came from such a place!
Surmising this, Yoansu
gave a wry smile and shook his head in the negative (from side to side).
Leaning back, he then continued, “There, at first, I remained as an observer,
buying only a drink or two so that I would be inconspicuous, and watched over
their shoulders the strange gambling games they played. These, I later learned, were slap-yurkin,
sondure, and dap-gurken games. Of
course, it was far more sophisticated in form than the kind played in remote
areas. However, over time, I was drawn
to the games and took part in them myself.” Yoansu feigning shame admitted.
“Soon I’d become
addicted and played frequently, always gambling my day's or week's wages, and
even going without food.”
“What an
innocent account.” Kaimu mused. “I could almost believe him.”
“Tisk, tisk, tisk,”
Ensa was heard expressing her disapproval and disappointment as she shook her
head.
“Be quiet, woman!”
Kaimu snapped. “Instead of
eavesdropping, why don't you go to bed?”
Though angered,
she’d restrained her retort and not wishing to break harmony, she’d simply
lowered her head.
Some
things never change! Yoansu shook his head, then throwing a sad look at his mother,
inwardly asked. Why do you put up with his antics (insults)?
“You always provoke
me, making me look (appear) the villain!” Kaimu (surmising this) grumbled
plaintively.
“As I was saying,” Yoansu,
for the sake of peace, quickly resumed his tale. “My addiction to gambling of
course gave me serious concern. But I kept telling myself that one good win was
all I was aiming for; then I would quit, take all my winnings and go home.”
What
a good son! Ensa could not help but praise him
inwardly.
Kaimu averted his
son’s eyes, to hide his skepticism. Yeah right, wolf in sheep’s clothing!
“Well, father, my
fortune came in twofold, in the same night!”
At this point the
old fisherman donned a strange expression and a broad smile across his
face. He then turning to his wife
winked. “Imagine that! Two-fold fortune
must run in this family's stars!”
When Yoansu asked
what he had meant by that, Kaimu waved a hand in dismissal, saying, “Never
mind...Get on with the rest of your story.”
“All right,” Yoansu
conceded, “As I was saying, one night I was on a lucky streak. It was like I couldn't lose, I kept on
winning greater and greater sums.”
Ensa gasped, as if enraptured by the same
anticipatory feeling of this spoken moment.
“In a very short
time I had amassed quite a fortune, and before me was a huge pile of (money)
funds that I could not have earned in ten years of hard work. I became deliriously happy, beyond any
imagination.” Yoansu exhaling reached
for his drink.
“And no one
accosted you! No one tried to steal it from you?” Ensa could not hold back.
Yoansu smirked. “Of
course, there’s always that danger mother, but not if one handles things right.
First of all, as added insurance, one should offer a reasonable portion of
one’s winnings to the proprietor of that place, in order to gain his
protection. That will enable you the right to have the ‘so-called’ bodyguards.
This is the unwritten law. It was these bodyguards that escorted my wife and me
most of the way; being relieved of their duty only a short distance from here.
How else do you think we got here in safety, in one piece and with this entire
luggage too?”
I
forgot there’s an honor system among the crooks! Kaimu inwardly scoffed.
Filled with a grand
vision of all that money, Kaimu rubbed his hands together in a jovial
mood. Surely his son must have
brought a good chunk of it with him, home! Why else would he be crowing about
this fact?
In the past proud Kaimu’s long standing policy
had been to reject any sort of help. Co-dependency on anyone, especially on
this “no good son” would have been unthinkable. But then again, things had
changed! Now a pragmatist, “survival” being paramount, he would not scoff at
this present boon opportunity.
Yes, all this talk had to be a prelude to a
great gift. Kaimu had already made up his mind to
accepting the money. That way after a brief visit, Yoansu in good conscience
could return to his chosen lifestyle.
A frightening
thought just then, however, crossed Kaimu’s mind. He knit his brows as the deep
frown etched itself across his face. What
if Yoansu had spent most of the money on a dowry and other worthless stuff for
this woman (Tufan), which her sophisticated kind always craved; not knowing
there was a free wife waiting for him at home?
What if Yoansu’s intent all along had been (was) to dispose of this
burdensome creature on them, knowing their desperation for a grandchild?
Since Kaimu had
quickly shifted his gaze from Jiense’s direction to their son’s room, Ensa,
who’d been idly rocking her body back and forth, noticed this sudden change and
abruptly halted (stayed). She held her
breath in fearful anticipation of the consequences. But Kaimu, displaying
unusual patience and self-control, maintained his composure and continued to
listen.
In all this time Yoansu had been lost in his own private revere, paying no heed to the gravity of ensued silence. After placing his half-emptied cup down, he resumed his narration.
“At another table an old
customer of the house had suffered heavy losses, and was asking for an
extension on his credit, insisting that he was good for it. Being their regular customer, he claimed, no
demanded, they owed him this courtesy. His request, however, was flatly denied
and he was politely asked to take his leave.
Not only did he refuse but also growing indignant, he then raised quite
a row, hurling abuses at the proprietor.
He had lots of supporters, you see, and the proprietor was put in a
bind. On behalf of the gentleman, they
demanded that he be given another chance, one final deal in order to recover
his losses. The gentleman meanwhile reasserted that he felt his luck would
change.”
'What a fool!”
Kaimu interjected hotly.
Yoansu’s face
flushed red, but continued nonetheless, without rebuking or giving any credence
to this rude interruption. “I had picked up my pile and was on my way out, when
his eyes spotted me. Coming right over,
he then very politely introduced himself as Yuksul Wugan then asked to borrow
some of my winnings. I tell you, father,
I was dumbfounded. Not because of his
request, but that such a fine gentleman would condescend in public to ask me
for money.”
“And why not,”
Kaimu at this point exploded. “I hope
you did not lend him a zukon!” Angrily
he added, “Imagine that the gall!”
What
if he’d been wrong, and most of the proposed amount had been squandered on her,
as the means of acquisition/ barter/dowry? Kaimu inwardly asked. It had suddenly
occurred to him, that the gentleman's family name was the same as their new
daughter-in-law.
In response to
Kaimu’s outburst, Yoansu had grimaced and lowered his eyes to conceal his
amusement. After clearing his throat, he resumed his narration. “Now, I
hesitated since he was a stranger and all... I mean, he wasn't family.”
“Quite right,” Ensa
was heard heaving a deep sigh. Their relief, however, was short lived.
“But Mr. Yuksul
Wugan, calling on his friends to bear witness, made me an oath that he would
pay his debt to me in full, plus interest by this time tomorrow or he would
forfeit his daughter to me in its stead.”
I
knew it! Kaimu scoffed
inwardly.
“I remained silent,
partly out of shock. I had never heard
of such a thing; I mean, throwing one’s own child into the barter as easily as
that! Not something a respectable family
would do surely, yet he did not look to be one from a poor family.”
Ensa shook her
head, echoing her husband’s silent disapproval.
“Still hesitant, I
sought to get away, to ponder on the concern.
But his friends, by then encircling me rushed forth with persuasive
arguments to hasten my decision. They assured me that I had no reason to fear
any loss, saying that he was as good as his word and that his daughter, a rare
beauty, should be more than enough collateral. Therefore, I was a fool to even
be hesitating.”
“Aiyyyahh, I’ve
never heard such a thing!” Ensa could not hold her peace, while Kaimu's face
darkened.
“So enticed, I
complied with his wishes and loaned him the required sum.” Yoansu quickly
added.
“So, they
bamboozled (hoodwinked) you into giving them the money… But not the entire
tally (tot), I hope?” Kaimu grumbled.
“No, only a small
portion of it was spent on that.” Yoansu lied.
“Well after I loaned him the amount, I made my
way through the crowds and left the premises quickly, disappointing all those
that tried to persuade me to stay and to participate in the game, or at least
watch to see how Mr.Yuksul Wugan fared. You see, father, I remembered your good
advice that the best time to quit anything was while the going was still
good. That's why I sought to leave
prematurely. I could not trust myself to
remain objective and not be coerced back into another game.”
“In another words,
you kept your wits about you.” Kaimu ejected sternly, not at all impressed.
“That night, I am
ashamed to say, I entertained fanciful thoughts,” Yoansu blushed, admitting
this: “I’d hoped he would lose still more and be unable to cover his debt. Then
I would gain myself a wife. It did not
matter if she was ugly, a wife was a wife!”
Kaimu appeared
saddened and seemingly agitated. He rose from his seat and giving an excuse of
needing to relieve himself, he darted outside.
Even Ensa had
guessed the rest. “Imagine; losing
good money for a wife when there was no need for it! But how was he to know?”
“What a worthless
son I have!” Kaimu grumbled under the blanket of stars. His mind then reverting
to Jiense, his eyes upturned to the sky, he hissed. “So, my good fortune was a
sham. The Gods have had a good joke and
are now laughing at me; he ground his teeth anew as he went about doing his
business.
When he returned
with a blank expression, his wife surmising his thoughts remained fearful lest
her foolhardy husband unleash his terrible temper and ruin this otherwise
joyous union.
Yoansu had also
sensed that something was amiss but chose instead to disregard it. Besides, he
was thoroughly enjoying himself and he thought himself to be quite clever with
his rather convincing spun yarn. But how could he be an offspring of such a
gullible pair? During that respite
(brief interval), he’d once more inwardly questioned himself, as he’d done
dozens of times… even though his arrogant self knew the answer all too well.
Nevertheless,
ironically, he was bound to them out of filial piety and love. He was the prisoner of his affections, and
the deep bond of love that existed between him and more precisely his mother- which
could never be disputed or broken! Thus far, he’d been the invisible force of
protection that had enabled them their long, relatively untroubled life.
Admittedly, his was a dangerous line of work. But he shuddered to think what
might have befallen his parents, had he not taken this recourse. If only this proud
fool of a father knew how much he owed his son! One day, Yoansu made self-promise,
when in private and away from Ensa’s hearing range, he will let him know! Then
let him be so smug!
Yoansu with
indifference had watched Kaimu walk across the room with a lowered face, fetch
his chewing herbs (contained in a pouch) and then begrudgingly settle himself
in the chair across from his son. He popped a dried piece into his mouth and
offered the same to Yoansu.
Yoansu never liked
the bitter taste anyhow; he simply shook his head.
“Suit yourself.”
Kaimu shrugged, accepting the spittoon that his wife had provided for him.
“Well, let’s hear the rest of it.” He intoned
with cold irony as he leaned back.
(END OF SECTION 7)
