182 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
“1. Those among local yamen clerks of various provinces, including the
ones who served in the present dynasty and whose rank is below grand
master for transmission [rank 3a] or the ones who served in the former
dynasty and whose rank is above grand master for service and assistance
[rank 2b], should be ordered to return to the districts they originally belonged
to, except the ones who passed the civil service examinations or rendered a
great service to the state.
“1. The district magistrates should go out now and then to inspect the
crops of their districts and in the autumn make a detailed report to the gov-
ernor about crop damage so that taxes can be reduced.
“1. Every post station should post the number of horses on the outside
wall after dividing them into three grades. If there is a royal messenger,
horses should be provided to him after checking out the appropriate papers
issued by the authorities. However, except for governors and military com-
missioners, horses should not be provided irresponsibly even if they are
traveling on a royal mission.
“1. The local governments, including provinces, counties, and districts,
should report to the governor on their investigations of prisoners and finally
hand down rulings according to law. The crimes subject to the death pen-
alty should be reported to the Privy Council and dealt with after obtaining
permission from the king.
“1. The sacrifices to Confucius and the guardian deities of local districts
should be performed by the governors and magistrates according to the
season, preparing clean and abundant food for offerings. Officials of all
ranks should offer sacrifices to their ancestors in their family shrines, and
the commoners in the rooms of their houses, and all other obscene sacrifices
are strictly prohibited.
“1. The post-station guesthouse should provide meals to no one but royal
messengers, and even if they are royal messengers and magistrates, they
should not be allowed to have drinking parties or hunting games.
“1. The one who plays the role of chief mourner should stay home and
offer sacrifices to the dead day and night when the corpse remains in the
house.
“1. Every province and district should build or repair inns for travelers,
taking distance into consideration.
“1. Since entertainers and acrobats are not engaged in agriculture, wan-
dering from place to place, they steal or slaughter cows and horses when
they are cold and hungry. The districts in which these people stay should