Book IV 285
report, I believe that the provincial military commanders were defeated
because they did not do their best. They shall be punished according to
military discipline. However, I don’t want to have them put to death, and
therefore I will forgive them for the time being. Let the two commanders be
beaten one hundred times with a paddle, and squad commanders (p’aedu)
eighty times with a paddle, and have them pledge that they will render ser-
vice in future battles. On the other hand, the chiliarchs in command of
battleships (yŏngsŏn ch’ŏnho) who failed to participate in the battle shall be
beheaded.”
The king ordered to have a fortress constructed on the West River and the
workers recruited from Left and Right Kyŏnggi Provinces.
14th Day (Chŏngsa)
The Board of Rites presented a memorial: “Since medical science is a way
to save human lives, and criminal jurisprudence an instrument to assist
governance, please let the people who are distinguished in these areas be
employed in the government.” The king granted the request as presented.
The king ordered the Privy Council: “Let the mother whose three sons
passed the civil service examinations be provided with the stipend of rice
based on old precedents.”
15th Day (Muo)
The astrologer reported a lunar eclipse to the king: “A lunar eclipse occurred,
but it was not visible because of dark clouds.”
19th Day (Imsul)
The king visited, incognito, the Octagon Hall in the royal garden because it
was currently being repaired. Finding that the budget for red paint calcu-
lated by the painters appeared to be excessive, the king ordered an official
of the State Finance Commission to personally look into the matter. The
work of repairing and decorating, planting flowers, and carving wood and
stone were all supervised by eunuch Kim Sahaeng.