360 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
and now feel extremely frustrated. As we believe, crops will be harmed
unless weeds are plucked out, and likewise the state will certainly be thrown
into danger unless wicked people are removed. Your Majesty expelled some
of the Wang clan to islands on the sea and others to distant districts, while
having another group of them called back to the capital. We do not under-
stand why you ordered such measures. Why were some of them unlucky
and exiled to islands or distant districts and why were others fortunate
enough to be called back to the capital? According to an old saying, “A
beast driven into a corner harms a man, and a man pushed into predicament
seeks ways to survive.” Furthermore, men like Wang Kang, Wang Kyŏk,
Wang Po, and Wang Sŭnggwi are wicked and treacherous. They surpass
others in devising clever strategies. Even if Your Majesty rewards them
with grace and treats them generously, they will be never satisfied and will
wait for their opportunity, so they undoubtedly will be a source of trouble in
the future. This is exactly why your subjects are worried about the future
and feel uneasy for the safety of Your Majesty, whom they serve.
“We request that Your Majesty watch the world like the sun and moon
and, heeding the admonitions of the Spring and Autumn Annals, order to
have the responsible office relocate the people above mentioned, together
with their wives and younger brothers and nephews, to various islands. If
you thus prevent disasters in advance, it will be extremely fortunate for the
state.” The king did not grant their request.22nd Day (Imjin)
The Censorate and the Board of Punishments jointly submitted a memorial
to the king: “Lord Kongyang and other members of the Wang clan should
be relocated to sea islands.”
The king called the heads of the three offices^29 and instructed them as
follows: “I already gave my order last time. I said, ‘However serious the
matter may be, do not submit a memorial jointly.’ Why do you disregard my
orders?” As for this matter, I told you to think deeply. Why are you in such
a hurry?” They replied, “Though we received your order, we memorialized
jointly because the matter was too serious, and the reason we memorialized
again despite the fact that you ordered us to think deeply was that we wor-
ried that troubles would take place unexpectedly.”- Office of the Censor-General, Office of the Inspector-General, and the Board of
Punishments.