Book III 26119th Day (Kyesa)
Worried about drought, the king sent Han Sanggyŏng, third royal secretary,
to the Privy Council, conveying his instructions on four matters:
“1. Widows and widowers, orphans, childless older people, those who are old
and sick or incapable of making a living due to illness, and other such persons
shall be exempted from various labor services and provided with relief.
“1. Some of those in the central and local government jails have been
unjustly imprisoned because of false accusations, machinations of cunning
clerks, or lack of clear evidence, and their complaints and resentment have
increased to the point that social peace has been disrupted. All crimes com-
mitted prior to the nineteenth day of the fourth month, except for those
punishable by death, shall be pardoned; and those who were excluded from
regular amnesties despite the fact that the evidence of their crimes still
remains unclear even after repeated interrogations and having already com-
pleted their terms of penal servitude shall all be released.
“1. Rules and regulations are already in place for the central and local
government to evaluate the achievements and failures of individuals in
public service. Detailed reports on all personnel shall be made in accor-
dance with those rules and submitted so that outstanding persons can be
promoted and incompetent people removed.
“1. If you have any good ideas that can benefit the people, make a report
immediately and satisfy my wishes.”
After the king let the officials immediately look into the situation of the
prisoners, it started raining in the early evening.
20th Day (Kabo)
Cho Pak, surveillance commissioner of Yanggwang Province, sent a report:
“Over thirty ships carrying Japanese pirates are moving toward our
s e a c o a s t. ”21st Day (Ŭlmi)
The king appointed Na Se^67 battleship commander (pyŏngsŏn chojŏn
chŏlchesa) of the affected seacoast area, with orders to fight the Japanese,
recruiting brave warriors from among the royal guards.- Na Se (1320–1397): a military official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. The details of
his life and career are not known.