Book IV 287Ch’oe Yŏng, attempted to invade Liaoyang and pressured many generals to
cross the Yalu River. Being the commander- in- chief of the Right Army at
that time, I persuaded various generals, saying, “It is not appropriate for a
small kingdom to invade the territory of the Son of Heaven. Furthermore, if
it trespasses the suzerain state, none of our people will be able to survive.”
As a result, various generals came to realize clearly what was right and
wrong. If our army had crossed the river at that time, how could our people
have survived and lived comfortably until now?
“You generals only listened to what I said for a good cause and had your
troops march back and brought peace to the country; and because of that, I
am here today. If your contributions are to be discussed, they must be
rewarded.
“Thirteen people, including Sim Tŏkbu, Count of Ch’ŏngsŏng; Yi Hwa,
Count of Ŭian; Yu Mansu, magistrate of Kaesŏng Magistracy; Ch’oe Yŏngji,
assistant chancellor; and Yi Chiran, assistant grand councilor of the
Chancellery, deserve to be merit subjects first class. Fifteen people, including
Kyŏng Po, former magistrate of Chahye Special Prefecture (Chahyebu);^10
Kyŏng Ŭi,^11 assistant grand councilor of the Chancellery; Yun Sadŏk, right
director of the State Finance Commission; Chŏng Yo, assistant consultative
councilor of the Chancellery; and Pak Yŏngch’ung, associate commissioner
of the Security Council, also knew the cause of righteousness and partici-
pated in the meeting, advancing their views, and therefore they deserve to
be merit subjects second class.
“Ten people, including Ch’oe Tan, former magistrate of Chahye Special
Prefecture; Wang Pin, former magistrate of Kyerim; Kim Ch’ŏnjang, former
second royal secretary; Nam Sŏngni, former magistrate of Kaesŏng; Yi
Chi, former magistrate of Hanyang; Chang Chach’ung, former minister of
works; Ch’oe Yunsu, assistant commander- in- chief; and Hwang Sunsang,
- It was newly established at the end of Koryŏ dynasty. It is presumed to be a local
administrative unit; however, as for its location or function, there is hardly any information
available. - Kyŏng Ŭi (?―1395): a civil official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. His family seat is
Ch’ŏngju. He was the son of Chancellor Kyŏng Pokhŭng. He joined the military expedition
against Liaodong, China in 1388 as deputy director of the Security Council and concurrently
provincial military commissioner of Sŏgyŏng (P’yŏngyang) and vice supreme commander of
the Northwest Region. In 1392, he visited the Ming capital as assistant grand councilor, and in
1393, was appointed merit subject for withdrawing the army in Mujin year (1388), joining
T’aejo who made the decision. Later, he also served as military commissioner of the Northwest
Region and concurrently magistrate of Sŏgyŏng.