Book V 371
orders in time so that they can discharge their duties properly without vio-
lating the rule. It will make sure that the guards do not move in and out of
their posts recklessly and punish those who violate the rule.
“1. The various royal guards named Sasun, Saŭi, Samak, Sai, and Saong
were additionally established at the end of the previous dynasty, so they
should be abolished. However, since they have their own functions, it seems
to be difficult to eliminate them abruptly. The commanders of these guards
who concurrently hold the responsibilities of other posts, being occupied
with their duties, are unable to attend to their original unit (yŏng) and con-
sequently cannot help being careless in their guard duty.
“Each battalion should now reduce the number of government stipend
recipients, and sasun, the first watch of the royal guard, should consist of 1
commandant, 1 vice commandant, 2 directors, 2 vice directors, 3 secre-
taries (kŭpsa), and 3 vice secretaries (pu kŭpsa). The remaining three rota-
tions and other guard units should be staffed likewise, and the officials and
commanders who are regularly chosen as the chief officer of each rotation
will be required to quit their posts in due time. Once a system such as this
is established, one who has work to do will receive a stipend, and one who
receives the stipend will do what he is supposed to do. As form and content
agree with each other, there will be no conflicts or disorder in running the
system.
“1. At the end of the previous dynasty, young inexperienced people,
eunuchs, artisans, merchants, and various servants and slaves were appointed
to posts with the royal guards. Naturally, many of them were unable to dis-
charge their duty, relying on the power behind them. So they neglected their
work, their stipend was wasted, and royal security became lax. If you allow
these abuses to continue without rectification, a bad example will be set for
posterity at the beginning of the new dynasty.
“Our Three Armies Headquarters and the Board of War will jointly
examine all the personnel engaged in royal guard duties. We will test their
physical condition and talents. If we find them strong and talented and
worthy of their task, we will let them stay at their jobs. However, if they are
found to be unqualified for their jobs, being too young or old or lacking in
talent or belonging to the miscellaneous class or neglectful of their duties,
we will have them all driven out. Likewise, the members of the royal guards
who are minor merit subjects or have studied military arts at the Military
Training Agency or are knowledgeable in calculating years and dates con-
cerning important state affairs, including wars, should be required to have