Book III 2635th Month
1st Day (Ŭlsa)
The king had the royal garden repaired.2nd Day (Pyŏngo)
Ascending Ch’ŏngsimjŏng Pavilion,^70 the king watched a stone fight
(ch’ŏksŏkhŭi).^71
3rd Day (Chŏngmi)
The names of those who passed the examination [administered by the
Kukchagam or the National University]^72 were posted in front of the royal
palace. The examination was supervised by Yu Kyŏng, former chancellor of
the National Academy, and a total of ninety- nine candidates, including Pak
Ansin, passed the examination. The king, however, selected three additional
candidates, citing the health of three royals—i.e. the king and queen and the
crown prince—as the reason.The king ordered to have the letter of appointment for Yu Chŏnghyŏn,
which had been withdrawn, returned to him because his two sons, Ŭi and
Chang, had both passed the examination administered by the National
University.- A pavilion inside Such’ang Palace.
- One of the traditional folk games that used to be very popular, particularly in the
western regions of North Korea. To play the game, people were divided into two groups, and
they threw stones at each other, keeping themselves at a distance over a river or a road. The
play often turned violent and dangerous, but it was believed to be helpful for fostering the
skills and spirits of the people, especially for military purposes. The games were normally
held on New Year’s Day or during the Tano festival. - This was the second examination for civil service, and those who passed it became
literary licentiates or classics licentiates. Since it was administered by Kukchagam, it was
called kamsi.