Book IV 323
4th Day (Ŭlsa)
There was heavy fog.
5th Day (Pyŏngo)
Leading various officials, the king celebrated the birthday of the imperial
crown prince [of China] at Kyŏngch’ŏn Monastery.
Yu Kyŏng, left cavalier attendant- in- ordinary, spoke to the king: “Although
I am holding high office thanks to your great favors, I have failed to make
contributions, only wasting the stipend I receive, and I feel ashamed of it. I
would appreciate it very much if you would allow me to resign from my
office. I plan to devote myself to learning Daoist magic.” The king replied,
“It is not a day or two since I knew you, and I have treated you generously,
as everyone says. If you decide to resign suddenly, what will people say
about it? Furthermore, learning Daoist magic requires you to abandon your
king and father. You are now going to risk being disloyal to your king and
unfilial to your father. Then what is the reason that you want to learn Daoist
magic?”
6th Day (Chŏngmi)
The king appointed Chŏng Sinŭi^82 as deputy director of the Security
Council, and Chŏn Paegyŏng^83 as grand master of remonstrance.
- Chŏng Sinŭi (?): an official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. In 1395, when he served
as magistrate of Hansŏng, he visited the Ming court as vice envoy, accompanying Yu Ku, chief
envoy and grand academician of the Office of Royal Decrees and State Records. He was
detained in the Ming court along with Yu Ku for the inappropriate expression of the memorial
submitted to the emperor. He was released to return home the following year, and in 1397, he
was appointed associate director of the Security Council. In 1398, when the First Strife of
Princes took place, he was accused of being a member of Chŏng Tojŏn’s supporters and
exiled. - Chŏn Paegyŏng (?–1412): an official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. Passing the civil
service examination at the end of King Kongmin’s reign, he served as censor and impeached
Chancellor Yi Inim, who abused his power. In 1393, after the Chosŏn dynasty was founded, he
became the grand master of remonstrance, and in1397, minister of war and concurrently paci-
fication commissioner of the Northwest Region. The following year, he became governor of
P’unghae Province and later of Kyŏngsang Province and of Kyŏnggi Province and, finally,
minister of rites.