Free The Story of Hong Gildong by Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Minsoo Kang

darkness fell before they put it up on the gate. That night, Gildong fashioned eight human figures out of straw and cast a magic spell that imbued each of them with a spirit. At once, the eight straw men sprouted arms and began talking loudly as they transformed themselves into eight Gildongs. As they joined their maker in speaking chaotically among themselves, none could tell which among the nine was the true Gildong.
    All the bandits laughed and applauded. “The general possesses marvelous magical skills that not even a supernatural spirit could fathom.”
    Gildong gave each of the eight straw Gildongs five hundred men to command and ordered them to go forth to the eight provinces. After they fitted themselves with traveling clothes and equipment and went on their way, Gildong lay down to rest at Hwalbindang. The straw men themselves could not tell which among them was the true Gildong.
    Meanwhile, the governor of Hamgyeong Province returned from putting out the fire and was met by a soldier in charge of guarding the storehouse, who hurriedly reported to him, “While the citadel was empty, thieves took all the grain and arms in the storehouse and left.”
    The astounded governor immediately mobilized his soldiers and sent them after the criminals, but there was no sign of them anywhere.
    Suddenly, a soldier from the north gate reported to him. “Someone put up a notice on the gate.”
    The governor read it and spoke out. “There is an outlaw by the name of Hong Gildong in Hamgyeong Province. Go forth and apprehend him.” He also sent a report to the central government.
    The king reacted by speaking out. “I will reward whoever catches Hong Gildong.” 61 And he ordered another pronouncement to be put up on all four gates of the capital: “I will grantgreat wealth and the lordship of ten thousand households to whoever captures Gildong.”
    Gildong remained at Hwalbindang while his straw men led bandits in each of the eight provinces. They traveled from one town to another, stealing gift treasures, 62 sending dirt and pebbles flying at their pursuers until they could not see or breathe, and opening up the doors of storehouses to take away grain and riches. Stories of such deeds spread quickly among the people, so that they could hardly sleep at night from anxiety.
    Official reports from all eight provinces arrived at the capital. “The outlaw known as Hong Gildong transports himself by summoning a wind spirit and flying about on a cloud. He has taken treasures from high officials in every town. The situation has become extremely serious, but no one seems capable of catching him. So we beg Your Majesty to investigate this matter and see about apprehending him at last.”
    The king finished reading and became greatly concerned. When he reread the reports more carefully, he realized that the dates and times of the outlaw’s activities were identical in all eight provinces, which worried him even more.
    He let out a sigh and spoke out. “Not even the Supreme King of Cho 63 and Jegal Gongmyeong 64 could match the strength and magical powers of this bandit. What wondrous skills does he possess that he can commit these acts in all eight provinces on the same day and at the same time? This is no ordinary criminal. Who will go forth and arrest this bandit, to relieve the country of its worry and to protect its people from harm?”
    Someone stepped forth from the ranks of court officials and addressed the king. “He is but an insignificant criminal. He may go about the eight provinces causing trouble with magical trickery, but this is no matter for Your Majesty to be concerned about. I may be a person of modest talents, but if you will grant me command over a company of soldiers I will capture Hong Gildong and arrest all the other bandits as well. And so I will allay our country’s anxiety.”
    All those present before the king looked upon the speaker and saw that