354 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
caused by Ch’oe Yŏng and Chŏng Mongju, how could my people forgive me
even if you may want to? If I am not so senseless as wood or stone, why
should I dare to cause trouble and bring disaster to myself for no reason,
exhausting my spirit and energy? If I really tried to deceive you, Heaven
and Earth as well as the spirits would look down and see me.
“Let me now respond to your reprimands one by one, explaining the real
situations related to them. The first item (kuan) was as follows: ‘Whenever
the imperial court dispatched generals to defend Liaodong, you also quickly
sent your men to present them with things such as fabric, silk, gold, and
silver under the pretext of paying respect to them. But your real intention
was to lure our generals on the border.’ I conducted an investigation into
this allegation. When our envoys visit the Chinese capital, they are required
to pass through Liaodong without exception. Out of their respect for the
suzerain state, they offered their local products such as fabric [to the offi-
cials in charge] as gifts, which they believed to be common courtesy. If their
gifts were nothing but the signs of their courtesy and respect, how could
they intend to lure your officials?
“The second item was as follows: ‘Recently you sent a man to the quar-
ters of Prince of Qi^27 to pay your respects, but the man you sent falsely
accused his own country in the prince’s presence; I believe he was intended
to spy on our side.’ I conducted an investigation into the above allegation.
When our envoys visit the Chinese capital, they have to pass through the
domain of Prince of Qi. Naturally, they stopped by the residence of His
Highness Prince of Qi and offered gifts they brought in accordance with
propriety. If our envoys made any mistakes in their speech, they were per-
sonal in nature and therefore have nothing to do with their government.
“The third item was as follows: ‘You vowed to keep promises but repeat-
edly broke them after your envoys returned. You lured over 500 Jurchens
and secretly crossed the Yalu River. Is this the way you keep your promise?
Nothing can be more damaging to our relationship than that.’ I conducted
an investigation into the above allegation. Some of our soldiers and people
continued to run away to Liaodong to join the Chinese army or reside there
temporarily. Although we never tried to lure them, they missed their home
so much that they escaped to return to their home and hid out in mountain
valleys. At first, I did not know about it. After receiving a letter from the
Regional Military Commission of Liaodong, however, I arrested 23 people,- Zhu Pu, seventh son of Hongwu Emperor.