Book II 225
outstanding generals, I will exert myself to the utmost to repay your life-
saving virtue and benevolence bestowed upon me.”
The king denied the request, sending down his royal decree.
17th Day (Kyehae)
The king dispatched Assistant Chancellor U Innyŏl to the imperial capital
to submit his memorial to the emperor, along with thirty tribute horses, in
order to express his gratitude for his graces. The memorial read as follows:
“Cho Rim, an envoy of your vassal state, returned from the Ming capital,
and I respectfully received the letter from the Ministry of Rites, which car-
ried the imperial instruction. Your admonition, as well as your permission
for the provisional rule granted me, was so sincere and moving that I am
overwhelmed by gratitude along with all my people.
“The way of the emperor, reaching far and wide, has nothing it does not
affect, and his admonition is manifest in the proclamation of his sacred
plan. The warm affection in your admonition will be engraved on my mind
and will never be forgotten.
“As I think quietly, our small kingdom has had various incidents since the
death of King Kongmin. Whenever they happened, however, your servant
only set his mind to serving the suzerain state without changing his loyalty.
As the crises [in our country] grew worse and critical, the people eagerly
recommended that I be elevated to the throne, which I took rather reluctantly.
I was so worried that I felt like walking on thin ice across a pond. I only
wished that my humble thought could reach the gate of your imperial palace,
but I hardly imagined that I would receive your special message through my
envoy returning from your court. You instructed me to follow the will of
Heaven, admonished me not to cause troubles, and said to bring happiness to
the country and secure long-lasting peace through visits and exchanges. Even
if parents teach their child, the affection they show to their child cannot be
compared to yours. I was so impressed that I only shed tears.
“This happened because I was fortunate enough to serve Your Imperial
Majesty, who is magnanimously generous and virtuous, distributing his
benevolence and benefits to everything on the earth, and I became just one
of those recipients.
“I pledge that I will never be idle and abandon my duty recklessly. I will
carefully maintain the fief I was entrusted with, and I wholeheartedly wish
you long life and prosperity.”