124 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
that are specified in the law as subject to confiscation. Such matters as rein-
stating an official despite his criminal record or dismissing him after for-
giving his crime shall also be decided based solely on The Great Ming Code.
Do not repeat the mistakes of the past, and jails such as the kaguso^52 shall
be abolished.
“1. The laws of land administration shall follow those of the former
dynasty [Koryŏ]. If there is anything that needs to be removed or added, the
official in charge shall report it to higher authorities for approval before he
executes it.
“1. Transporting tribute taxes by ship causes damage to the people of
Kyŏngsang Province, so the practice shall be abolished.
“1. The office concerned submitted a memorial, saying, ‘Fifty-six people,
including U Hyŏnbo, Yi Saek, and Sŏl Changsu, started trouble at the end of
the former dynasty by forming a clique and conspiring to raise a rebellion.
Therefore, they shall be duly punished and made examples to warn future
generations.’ However, I feel sorry for them and intend to preserve their lives.
“In the case of U Hyŏnbo, Yi Saek, Sŏl Changsu, and others, withdraw
the letters of appointment from them, change them to commoner status,
and banish them to coastal regions with no hope of getting an official
post for the rest of their lives. As for U Hongsu,^53 Kang Hoebaek,^54 Yi
Sungin, Cho Ho,^55 Kim Chinyang,^56 Yi Hwak,^57 Yi Chonghak,^58 U- Literally “a place at the intersection,” it was a prison during the Koryŏ dynasty. According
to the History of Koryŏ, it was first established in 1076 during the reign of King Munjong.
Though it was primarily a place to detain prisoners, it also functioned as the criminal court. - U Hongsu (1355–1392): an official of late Koryŏ and the eldest son of U Hyŏnbo, Earl
of Tanyang. He served as inspector-general and associate royal secretary. He was arrested after
Chŏng Mongju was killed, for joining the latter in a conspiracy. He was exiled to Sunch’ŏn,
South Chŏlla Province, and beaten to death by a man sent by Chŏng Tojŏn, who sought to settle
a personal grudge against him and his family. - Kang Hoebaek (1357–1402): an official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. His courtesy
name was Paekbo, and his pen name T’ongjŏng. He served as chief royal secretary, assistant
grand councilor, and inspector-general. He joined censor Kim Chinyang and others, who were
instigated by Chŏng Mongju to impeach Cho Chun and Chŏng Tojŏn. After Chŏng Mongju
was killed, he was exiled to Chinyang. - Cho Ho (?–1410): an official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. In 1383, when he served
as director, he had a fight with a eunuch and was exiled after being flogged. He was recalled to
serve as royal secretary in 1389, during the reign of King Kongyang, but became involved in
the conspiracy of Kim Chŏ and was exiled again. Thereafter, he was exiled a couple more
times and eventually died in the prison. - Kim Chinyang (?–1392): an official of late Koryŏ. He served as right cavalier attendant-
in-ordinary, left cavalier attendant-in-ordinary, and surveillance commissioner of Sŏhae Province.
In 1391, when he became left cavalier attendant-in-ordinary, he impeached the followers of Yi