Book III 255*
The king ordered Pak Chaan,^50 navy commander of the Left Province, and
Kim Ŭlgwi, navy commander of the Right Province,^51 to lead out the battle-
ships to the sea and capture the Japanese. Chŏng Hŭigye, assistant grand
councilor of the Chancellery, spoke to the king: “Last time, the Privy
Council requested that Sin Yongmu, myriarch of Komallyang, be punished
[for losing his ships to the Japanese], but he is known to be quite fierce and
courageous in battle, and therefore too good to be killed. Chaan now wants
Yongmu to be pardoned so that he can join him in fighting against the
Japanese.” The king pardoned Yongmu and let him do his best to regain his
reputation. Expressing his gratitude to the king, Chanan left, taking Yongmu
with him.
20th Day (Ŭlch’uk)
Chŏng Tojŏn, who visited China to express gratitude, and No Sung^52 and
Cho Inok, who visited China for the New Year embassy, returned from their
trip to the Chinese capital.
Ch’oe Yŏngji arrived in Anju on his way to China. Chŏng Tojŏn met with
him and said, “When I have an audience with the king, he will certainly call
you back. You had better stay here for a while.” Upon returning from China,
and Vermilion Bird on the south. Ghoul Star or Demon Star or Algol belonged to Vermilion
Bird on the south. According to the western astrology, it belongs to the constellation of Perseus.
The Heap of Corpses or Chŏksisŏng is close to the Ghoul Star, and when it shined bright,
or the stars around them were visible in a large number, it was believed that many people
would die.
- Pak Chaan (?–1408): a military official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. In 1389, along
with Pak Wi, he led a military campaign against Japanese marauders and subjugated Tsushima,
burning three hundred enemy ships and bringing back one hundred Korean captives. In 1397,
when he served as military commander of Chŏlla Province, he was sentenced to death but was
saved at the last minute due to the intervention of Prince Chŏngan, later King T’aejong. - “Left and Right” Provinces here indicates the Left and Right Kyŏnggi Provinces.
- No Sung (1337–1414): an official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. Passing the civil
service examination in 1365, he served in various important posts, including censor, inspector-
general, and royal secretary. In 1389, when he was governor of Chŏlla Province, he established
granaries named Tŭksŏngch’ang and Yŏngsanch’ang in Yŏngan (modern Iksan) and Yŏngan
(modern Naju), respectively. Later, he served as magistrate of Kaesŏng Special Capital
Magistracy and governor of Left Kyŏnggi Province.