298 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
“Deeply moved by your kindness, I have tried to be sincerer in dis-
charging my duties toward you as the chief of your vassal state, but it unex-
pectedly happened that Your Majesty sternly reprimanded me for my failure
to serve you properly, and I am completely at a loss and afraid.
“Your Majesty is benevolent like the heavens and the earth that make all
things grow, and generous like parents who love their children. If you will
be so kind and gracious as to allow us access to your country once again,
we will never neglect to pay tribute every year and wish you good health
evermore.”Collecting the payment for the horses, Cho Im and others returned from
Liaodong, China.5th Day (Muin)
The government started the construction of the walls of the capital.6th Day (Kimyo)
Jupiter entered the constellation of Aquarius.The king secretly paid a visit to the top of Mt. Namsan and inspected the
construction sites for the walls of the capital. Later, as he moved around the
royal garden, Yi Mindo, minister of rites, spoke to the king: “I am afraid
that the construction of the walls cannot be completed easily.” The king
asked, “Why is that?” Mindo replied, “Since the officials in charge are neg-
ligent in supervising the work, and the workers lazy in carrying out their
work, we are simply wasting manpower, without results. In my opinion, the
weather will be freezing anytime soon, and the construction will fall short
of completion.” Believing that Mindo was honest in what he said, the king
bestowed upon him 30 sŏk of rice and beans along with a set of robes.7th Day (Kyŏngjin)
The king ordered Ch’oe I,^26 fourth royal secretary, to go out to observe the
construction supervisors working on the walls of the capital, to see if they- Ch’oe I (1356–1426): an official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. In 1390, during the
reign of King Kongyang, he served as second inspector and, during the Chosŏn dynasty,
inspector-general and minister of works and minister of punishments, via various posts,
including fourth and third royal secretary.