The Tale of Hong Gildong

by Heo Gyun · 2026-08-25

‘Volunteer Army Commander Hong Gil-dong respectfully submits this letter to His Majesty, the King of Yuldo.’

‘A nation cannot be protected by one person for long.’

‘Therefore, King Tang overthrew King Jie of Xia, and King Wu expelled King Zhou of Yin.’

‘These were all acts to rectify a chaotic world for the sake of the people.’

‘Now, leading two hundred thousand volunteer soldiers, I have received the surrender of over seventy fortresses and have arrived here.’

‘If Your Majesty can withstand this great force, then contend with us;’

‘If your power is exhausted, surrender early and follow the will of Heaven.’

Then, he added words of consolation.

‘If you promptly submit the surrender document for the sake of your people, I will bestow upon you a regional official position so that your ancestral shrine and state will not be severed.’

Meanwhile, the King of Yuldo was surprised by the sudden news that an unknown bandit had received the surrender of over seventy districts.

With no one to oppose them wherever they went, they finally threatened the capital city,

Even wise ministers could not devise a plan.

Just then, the declaration arrived, and all the ministers in the court were at a loss as to what to do.

The entire capital was in an uproar.

The ministers discussed.

"Now we cannot withstand the great power of the bandits."

“Do not fight, but firmly defend the capital, and send cavalry to block their supply routes.”

“Then the enemy soldiers will be unable to advance and fight, nor will they have a path to retreat.”

“Within a few months, the enemy commander’s head will be hanging on the city gate.”

Amidst the chaotic discussion, the gatekeeper urgently reported.

“The enemy forces have already set up camp ten li outside the capital.”

The King of Yuldo was greatly enraged, conscripted one hundred thousand elite soldiers, and personally became the commander-in-chief.

He urged the three armies to block the lake and set up camp.

At this time, Gil-dong surveyed the terrain and discussed with his various generals.

"By noon tomorrow, I will capture King Yuldo, so do not disobey military orders."

Then, he gave orders to his generals.

First, he called the Three Heroes.

"You shall lead five thousand soldiers and ambush south of Yanggwan, then await my command and do such and such."

Next, he called Kim In-su, the commander of the rear guard.

"You shall lead twenty thousand soldiers and ambush to the right of Yanggwan, then await my command and do such and such."

He also called Maeng Chung, the left vanguard.

"You shall lead five thousand iron cavalry and fight King Yuldo, then feign defeat."

"Lead the king to flee towards Yanggwan, and when the pursuing army enters the mouth of Yanggwan, do such and such."

Then, he handed over the general's flag and an axe adorned with white feathers.

At dawn the next day, Maeng Chung flung open the camp gate, set up the general's banner in front of the camp, and shouted.

"The wicked King Yuldo dares to defy the will of heaven!"

"If you have the skill to face me, come out quickly and let us contend for supremacy!"

With that, he galloped into the camp gate, showcasing his skill.

Han Seok, the vanguard of the enemy camp, rode out with a mighty roar.

"What kind of thieves are you, that you do not know the majesty of heaven and disturb these peaceful times?"

"Today I will capture you and calm the hearts of the people!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the two generals clashed and fought.

Before a few exchanges had passed, Maeng Chung's sword flashed and cut off Han Seok's head.

Then, he charged back and forth, shouting.

"King Yuldo, do not harm innocent soldiers and quickly come out to surrender to preserve your remaining life!"

King Yuldo, seeing his vanguard defeated, could not contain his rage.

He wore a green battle robe, cloud-patterned armor, and a purple gold helmet.

He held a bangcheon-geuk in his left hand and spurred his steed, stepping forward to the front of the formation.

“Enemy general, cease your idle talk and receive my spear!”

With that, he swiftly charged at Maeng-chung and fought.

After more than ten exchanges, Maeng-chung was defeated and turned his horse's head, heading towards Yang-gwan.

King Yul-do rebuked him.

“Enemy general, do not flee! Dismount and surrender!”

He spurred his horse, chasing Maeng-chung towards Yang-gwan.

The enemy general entered the mouth of the valley, abandoned his weapons, and fled into the mountains.

King Yul-do, suspecting a trick, said,

“Even if you have cunning schemes, how could I be afraid?”

With that, he commanded his soldiers and swiftly pursued them.

At this time, Gil-dong was observing from the watchtower.

Knowing that King Yul-do had entered the mouth of Yang-gwan, he commanded five thousand divine soldiers to join the main army.

They set up an Eight Trigram Formation at the mouth of Yang-gwan, blocking the return path.

As King Yul-do chased the enemy general into the valley, the sound of cannons echoed.

Ambush troops joined from all directions, their momentum like a storm.

King Yul-do realized he had fallen into a trap and was surrounded. Seeing that the situation was dire, he turned his troops and came out.

However, upon reaching the mouth of Yang-gwan, Gil-dong's main army blocked the path, forming a formation, and their shouts to surrender shook heaven and earth.

King Yul-do exerted all his strength to break through the gate of the formation and entered.

Then, suddenly, a great storm arose, and thunder and lightning roared.

They could not distinguish what was close by, and the soldiers were greatly disoriented, not knowing where to go.

Gil-dong commanded his divine soldiers to bind the enemy general and his soldiers all at once.

King Yul-do, not knowing what to do, was greatly startled and tried to break out quickly, but how could he escape the Eight Trigram Formation?

With a single horse and a single spear, he wandered, unable to distinguish east from west.

Gil-dong's voice, commanding his generals to bind them, was as sharp as frost.

King Yul-do looked around and found not a single soldier following him.

Knowing that he could not escape on his own, he could not overcome his indignation and took his own life.