254 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
intended to find talented people who are capable of serving the country. You
also instructed that the candidates who pass the final third stage be sent to
the Board of Personnel, and the Board of Personnel will employ them
according to their talents. The examination administered by the Directorate
of Education (kamsi) will be abolished. So we request that the civil service
examination from this day forward be held only in triennial years such as
Cha, O, Myo, and Yu.”
The king replied, “The civil service examination this year should be held
according to the precedent of the Kiyu year (1369) of the former dynasty,
and the examination administered by the Directorate of Education should
also be held as before.”Sim Hyosaeng^48 sent a report to the king: “Since Japanese marauders are
about to invade our borders, I request you to send military commanders to
various provinces to make preparations for the attack of the Japanese.18th Day (Kyehae)
The king dispatched Count of Ŭian Yi Hwa, military commander of three
provinces, Pak Wi, former assistant grand councilor of the Chancellery, and
Ch’oe Unhae, to Yanggwang Province; Yi Che, Lord Hŭngan, Nam Ŭn,
commissioner of the Security Council, and Yi Chiran, assistant grand coun-
cilor of the Chancellery, to Kyŏngsang Province; and His Majesty [then
Prince Chŏngan] and Chin Ŭlsŏ, former military commander of Chŏnju, to
Chŏlla Province, to prepare for the defense against the Japanese marauders.
The king said, “You cannot see me unless you win your battles and bring
me captives.”19th Day (Kapcha)
Mars (Hyŏnghok) approached Ghoul Star (Yŏgwi) and Heap of Corpses
(Chŏksi).^49- Sim Hyosaeng (1349–1398): an official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. He served as
third and second inspector. In 1394, he had his daughter married to Prince Ŭian Pangsŏk and
became Lord of Pusŏng. However, in 1398 he failed (together with Chŏng Tojŏn and others) to
enthrone his son- in- law and was killed during the First Strife of Princes. - Ancient Chinese astronomers divided the sky into four regions or four symbols, which
comprised of Azure Dragon on the east, Black Tortoise on the north, White Tiger on the west,