252 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
my people. I carefully thought about the matter and remembered that in the
ancient times of Kizi we already used Chosŏn as the country name. So I
submitted the name, and you were gracious enough to approve it right away
by bestowing your reply immediately. In addition, you admonished me to
look after my people and encouraged me to produce many offspring. Your
kind words touched me deeply, and I am afraid I am unable to repay your
favor no matter how hard I try. Though you are seated in the middle of the
ninefold imperial palace, you clearly see what is happening ten thousand li
away. That is why you knew I am cautious and loyal and regarded me with
favor, and consequently granted our small kingdom a new country name.
Your servant in charge of your vassal state will do his best in carrying out
his duty towards you, wishing the Son of Heaven his health day and night.”
In addition, the king dispatched Chancellery Scholar Yi Yŏm^45 to China
and returned a golden royal seal to the Chinese authorities, which the
Chinese emperor bestowed during the reign of King Kongmin of Koryŏ.10th Day (Ŭlmyo)
The king ordered to have the morning audience and the markets suspended
and closed for the day to commemorate the anniversary of Mokcho, the
king’s great- great- grandfather.11th Day (Pyŏngjin)
The Office of the Inspector-General memorialized to the king: “Your Maj-
esty issued a royal decree last time and had all the slave litigations stopped
permanently. Nevertheless, the director of the Criminal Administra tion- Yi Yŏm (?–1403): an official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. In 1392, during the reign
of King Kongyang, he was exiled for being drunk and behaving recklessly toward the king.
After T’aejo ascended the throne, he became a minor merit subject and served as assistant
grand councilor. In 1393, he visited the Ming court as an envoy to express gratitude on behalf
of the king, but failing to observe protocol, the Chinese emperor had him beaten and made him
return home on foot. In 1394, he was appointed the director of the Directorate for the
Construction of New Palaces, but was impeached and exiled the following year for frequenting
the royal palace while astride a horse. In 1398, he became the commissioner of the Directorate
for the Construction of New Palaces and later right director of the State Finance Commission.
When the First Strife of Princes broke out, he was charged as a member of Ch’ŏng Tojŏn’s
clique and exiled briefly. In 1400, he often visited T’aejo, who was by then retired, and stayed
in Kyŏngun Palace. Then he was again charged with speaking recklessly before the king and
exiled to Ch’unch’ŏn, where he died. He was invested with the title of Lord of Hoesan and
granted the posthumous title of Chŏnggan.