222 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
members of the Wang clan to live on Kanghwa and Kŏje Islands, providing
them with provisions, and that kind of generosity is unprecedented since the
days of Han and Wei among the rulers who founded new dynasties.
“If Your Majesty had an ambition to steal the kingdom from the begin-
ning, how could you discuss the ways of restoring the Wang clan, risking
your life when you decided to turn your army around and march back home
at the Yalu River? In the winter of the Kisa year [1389] when the imperial
edict^97 arrived, how could you be willing to establish the legitimate heir
among the royal family so that he could restore the royal Wang clan? What
made you anxious to set up early a young prince who had just had a capping
ceremony and solidify the foundation of the state? What made you hold
royal lectures and present to the king the Essentials of the Government of
the Zhenguan Period^98 and let renowned scholars give lectures on it every
morning and evening? Why did you organize discussion meetings, inviting
many scholars to the eastern hall of the crown prince, presenting the
Extended Meaning of the Great Learning, and letting them give lectures on
the ways of daily governing the state? How many times did you ask for per-
missions to resign as chancellor and retire to your home for rest after dis-
tributing all your houses and lands to your sons and sons-in-law? In the
autumn of the previous year, how could you eagerly suggest that the crown
prince pay a visit to China and have an audience with the emperor?
“The utmost loyalty and sincerity of Your Majesty toward the Wang clan
were what Heaven looked down upon, and the whole kingdom knows about
it. Nevertheless, the member of the Wang clan, still bewildered and per-
suaded by the clique of slanderers, was unable to treat you properly, unlike
King Zhao of Yan or King Xiang of Qi,^99 who with courtesy and honorthe Shang dynasty, King Wu of Zhou spared the life of Weizi and let him rule the land
of Song.- King Ch’ang, son of King U, ascended the throne when his father was deposed after Yi
Sŏnggye (T’aejo) marched back home with his army from Wihwa Island. In the 9th month of
1389, he intended to pay a visit to the Ming court to obtain recognition as the new king of
Koryŏ, but his mother, Lady Yi, dissuaded him from making the trip for the reason that he was
too young. A little later in the same month, an imperial letter from the Ming China arrived. In
his letter, the emperor strongly criticized the chaotic situation of Koryŏ regarding the succes-
sion to the throne and expressed his reservation concerning the visit of King Ch’ang.
Consequently, King Ch’ang could not pay a visit to the Ming court to see the emperor. - A book of statecraft from the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty (618–917)
compiled by Wu Jing, who worked in the Historiographic Institute (Guoshiguan). - The States of Yan and Qi during the Warring States period were main enemies. Taking
advantage of the succession crisis within Yan, Qi invaded and practically conquered the whole