Levirate Bonds
Was this even allowed?
The day after, Seo Jun announced to the tribesmen that he would permit the Xiaoyuezhi to join them. The expressions of the older Xiaoyuezhi members darkened slightly, yet none voiced active opposition. Deep down, they too were weary—body and soul—from their long years of hardship.
With their future course thus decided, Seo Jun ordered the bodies of the fallen fortress soldiers to be loaded onto the wagons the Qiang had abandoned. At first he had intended to take only the remains of Seo Jeong, Seo Pyeong, and Governor’s son Jang Jin, but with the Xiaoyuezhi now joining them and so many supply wagons left behind by the Qiang, he realized that by stacking the corpses carefully they could carry everyone.
The work of moving the dead continued until past noon. At last Seo Jun and his party left the ruined husk of Yishuse, carrying only painful memories. Seo Jun led at the front; Na-Pa and her people followed in a long column, the many wagons trailing behind them like a line of ants heading toward Shuofang.
Two days later, when the wagons—piled high with corpses—rolled through the western gate of the city, Shuofang County erupted into chaos.
“Aigoo!!! Dolsoe’s father!! Where are you going like this!!!”
“Makdol!!! You fool!!”
As Seo Jun guided the wagons toward the governor’s residence, word that he had recovered the bodies of the soldiers slain at Yishuse spread like wildfire through every corner of the county.
“Aigoo! Aigoo!”
“How could you leave us like this!!!”
Countless citizens poured into the streets upon hearing the news, following the wagons toward the governor’s residence while weeping bitterly.
When Seo Jun dismounted before the residence, Jang Jung and Dan Hoe—who had been waiting anxiously after hearing of his return—hurried forward.
“My lord Governor! Military Advisor!”
“You have done well. You have accomplished something truly great…”
Even in these lawless times, failing to recover the dead and hold proper funerals left an eternal wound in the hearts of the bereaved. The Qiang had seized the fortress, and the governor’s office had seen no way to retrieve the bodies. They had already resigned themselves to never laying their loved ones to rest—until Seo Jun made it possible.
Because this was a public occasion, Seo Jun offered them a measured, respectful bow. He was becoming a man who carried the weight of many eyes. Henceforth countless people would watch and judge him, so it was only prudent to observe every courtesy when others were present.
“Thanks to you, we can at last give Jin a proper funeral. Recommending you as Xiaolian was one of the finest decisions of my life. Thank you, truly. White Dragon.”
Jang Jung grasped Seo Jun’s hands in both of his and stroked the back of them.
For several days, Shuofang County echoed with ceaseless weeping. Funerals were held in nearly every other household, and the entire city felt like one vast, somber funeral hall.
When the rites finally ended, Seo Jun—looking somewhat haggard—quietly summoned Seol Ryeon and Yi Hyeon. The three of them sat around a table in his chambers. Both women regarded him with trembling, anxious faces.
They shook. They understood that Seo Jun was about to render a decision regarding their future relationship.
Until now, the forbidden nature of their bond had been shielded by the presence of Seo Jeong and Seo Pyeong. With those protective barriers gone, a new definition of their relationship was required.
“Mother, Aunt… no—Harin, Okryeong. I intend to take you both as my wives.”
After a brief pause to collect his thoughts, Seo Jun stated his resolve with quiet finality. Tears of joy welled in the women’s eyes as they heard the unwavering affection in his voice.
In the customs of the age, a widow typically lived out her days in chastity or remarried. Yet in these chaotic times, remaining alone without protection was nearly impossible. They had feared Seo Jun might cast them aside; hearing him declare that he would keep them by his side for life filled them with overwhelming relief and happiness.
“For now it will be difficult to openly declare you my legitimate wives. Nevertheless, you are and will always remain my wives. Once I possess the power to disregard others’ opinions, I will proudly announce it to the world. Until then, I ask that you endure and wait.”
“Yes. I understand, my husband~”
“Yes~ Husband~”
Seo Jun knew their relationship would never be easily accepted by society, so he proceeded with caution. At this early stage of establishing himself in Luoyang, any scandal could prove disastrous.
‘Still, I must tell Dan Suk.’
Regardless of others, he needed to inform Dan Hoe and Po Han beforehand. Since he would continue working closely with them, it was best to make the situation clear and seek their understanding.
‘I wonder what kind of scolding I’ll receive from Dan Suk?’
He was somewhat concerned about how the Confucian scholar Dan Hoe would react. Even if the man grew angry, Seo Jun would not change his decision—but he hoped for at least a measure of understanding.
Dan Hoe’s residence—
“You must be exhausted from conducting the funerals. Thanks to you, much of Shuofang’s grief has been eased.”
Dan Hoe poured steaming tea into Seo Jun’s cup and praised his efforts. The people’s resentment toward the governor’s office had noticeably lessened because of Seo Jun’s deeds.
“I had to recover my father’s and uncle’s bodies as well. I’m simply glad I could bring the others home too.”
“Accepting the Xiaoyuezhi was the right choice. When you eventually go to Luoyang, you will need many hands to assist you. This was well done.”
Though saddened by recent events, Dan Hoe was pleased that Seo Jun’s other affairs were progressing smoothly. The final question, however, was not easy for him to voice.
“Ahem~ Do not misunderstand what I am about to ask. What do you intend to do with your stepmother and aunt? If they are to live alone, we must find them a residence. If they are to remarry, we should seek suitable matches.”
Seo Jun realized the moment he had been waiting for had arrived. He had planned to broach the subject himself, but Dan Hoe had spoken first. Taking a short breath, he gathered his answer.
“Ahem! Ahem! I intend to take both of them in.”
“Is that so? You mean to support them? It will not be easy—will you manage?”
Seo Jun had meant he would take them as wives, but Dan Hoe interpreted it as simply providing for his elders.
“Not merely support them, Uncle. I mean to take them as my wives.”
“Hm? Hm… hm!!! What did you say?!!!!”
Dan Hoe’s eyes blinked rapidly as he struggled to comprehend. Seo Jun lowered his head slightly, bracing for the coming outburst.
“How… how could you conceive of such a virtuous notion? When did you study the histories and even the Zuo Commentary?!”
“Pardon?”
Dan Hoe gazed at Seo Jun with unmistakable approval. Seo Jun, who had been prepared for a furious rebuke, could only stare in bewilderment.
“You intend levirate marriage, do you not? Taking your stepmother as wife is called ‘jeung,’ and taking your aunt is called ‘bo.’ Neither violates propriety. I never imagined your sense of duty toward your stepmother and aunt would be so profound in these troubled times.”
Levirate marriage—taking the widow of a deceased kinsman as one’s own wife—was also known as sugyehon or chwisuhon. Among the Central Plains aristocracy it had gradually faded as Confucianism and monogamy took hold, yet it remained common among frontier tribes and local powerful clans. A man who cast out his kinsman’s widow without marrying her was often reviled. Surprisingly, the practice occurred most frequently within the imperial household itself, where succeeding emperors routinely took former consorts of the previous emperor as their own concubines.
‘Was this even allowed?’
Seo Jun’s mind went momentarily blank as he listened to Dan Hoe’s explanation.