The Tale of the Patriotic Woman
by Jang Ji-yeon
At that time
Yakan was seventeen years old.
With a face as beautiful as a flower and a neat figure, her clear and outstanding demeanor was truly a beauty that caught people's attention.
The news that the capital of France had fallen and that the king had fled south spread everywhere, so that even children and women knew of it.
Yakan sighed day and night and said.
“Our country has come to this point, what can we do about it?”
She spent the whole day sitting at home thinking of ways to reclaim the country.
It was one day when she had spread out a map of France and was carefully examining various places.
Suddenly, a shout that sounded like an army of thousands came roaring from outside like thunder.
The cries of the villagers mixed together and could be heard from all directions.
Yakan was startled and hurriedly ran outside.
What unfolded before her eyes was a horrific scene.
The British troops were sweeping through the village without order, plundering wealth, raping women, and mercilessly killing people.
Yakan trembled at the sight of such cruelty.
She wanted to take revenge immediately, but there was nothing she could do at that moment.
She quickly went back inside the house to gather necessary clothes and household items, and took weapons and items used for military training with her.
Then, after protecting her parents and putting them on a horse, she hurriedly escaped through the back road to a village called Yogo.
After a few days, news came every day that the Arian Fortress was in danger.
Upon hearing that news, Yakan jumped up, caressed her sword, and said.
“The time has come.
Finally, the time has come.
If I do not save the country, who else will I wait for?”
She immediately approached her parents, knelt down, and said.
“Today, I bid farewell to you, Father and Mother, and wish to leave home.”
I want to go out and achieve great things.
I do not know if I can prevent the country's calamity and save our people, and protect the independence of France.
However, I can no longer remain still.”
Upon hearing these words, the parents were greatly shocked and angry and said.
“Have you gone mad?
You were born a woman and raised in the inner quarters.
How can you say you will go to the battlefield wielding a sword and a gun?
If that task were so easy, countless men in the world would have already done it.
How could we entrust such a task to a young girl like you?
Our wish is for you to stay in this house, serve your elderly parents, and live peacefully.
We do not wish for you to achieve glory on the battlefield.
If something were to go wrong, it would not only become a subject of ridicule for others, but it would also tarnish our family's clear reputation.
Moreover, we have no other children or relatives.
You are our only child; if you leave home, who will take care of our elderly parents?
Be a dutiful daughter. Do not seek to be a hero.”
Then, despite being sad and with tears in her eyes, Yak-an spoke firmly.
“Parents, my mind is already firmly set.
If I can bring peace to the country and the people, I will not regret even if I die a thousand times.
Moreover, this matter is not a private affair of one household, but a matter for all the people.
Even though I am a woman, how can I not be a citizen of France?
If one is born a citizen, one must fulfill that responsibility.
If the country is in danger and I just sit idly by and watch, how can I call myself a citizen?
Today, I can no longer turn back my resolve.
I will definitely go.”
The father was silent for a while after hearing his daughter's words.
It was because he could feel the boiling loyalty and the hot blood within those words.
And he realized that no matter how much he tried to dissuade her, he could not change her resolve.
Finally, he spoke after a deep sigh.
“Even though you are a woman, if you understand the righteousness of loving your country this much,
how can those born as men not feel ashamed?”
“I am now too old to be of any help to the world.”
“So, do as you wish.”
As soon as the father's permission was granted, Yak-an wiped away her flowing tears.
She prepared to leave by equipping herself with clothes and weapons once more, and then bowed deeply before her parents for the last time.
Teardrops like pearls flowed from her eyes.
“If I leave on this journey, I may not be able to see you again.”
“Please consider me as a dead person and do not grieve for too long.”
“I only hope that you both take good care of yourselves and live in peace for a long time.”
The parents swallowed their tears and spoke.
“My daughter, do not worry about us and take care of your path.”
That day, Yak-an finally bid farewell to her parents.
As she stepped out of the house, she did not look back even once and headed straight on her way.
The place she was heading to was the region of Bogo-yu, where General Podarigo was located.
After parting with their daughter, the parents stood by the roadside for a long time, watching her figure fade away.
Two streams of tears flowed down like rain.
Finally, after Yak-an's figure completely disappeared from view, the two old people returned home, holding each other and weeping bitterly.
It was a sight too painful to bear.
The elderly parents only wished for peace in their home,
but in their young daughter's heart, the determination to avenge the country's enemy had already taken deep root.