The Annals of King T\'aejo. Founder of Korea\'s Choson Dynasty - Byonghyon Choi

378 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o

summoned various commanders- in- chief and said, “Last time, I told you to

practice troop disposition. If there is anyone who failed to practice it or

carry out my order, he shall be punished.”

The king said to Tojŏn, “In ancient times, people hunted animals for sac-

rifices at the Royal Ancestral Shrine. I also intend to hunt animals this

spring and offer them first as the sacrifice at the Royal Ancestral Shrine.

What do you think of the idea?” Tojŏn replied, “There is nothing wrong

with offering hunted animals for sacrifice. However, since the day of the

great sacrificial ceremony (taehyang)^59 is already past, it seems advisable to

offer them at the regular ceremonies held in the middle of the month

(mangje).” The king found his advice sensible.

The king appointed Yi Cho,^60 former vice magistrate [of Hanyang], as

supreme general and had him take over the army, which used be com-

manded by the late Prince Chinan.^61 Cho was the son of Wŏn’gye, [the

king’s stepbrother] Prince Wansan.

12th Day (Sinhae)

When the king returned from Sumip’o to Such’ang Palace, officials of each

department welcomed him at Sungin Gate. The king stayed a while in

Such’ang Palace and returned to his royal quarters in the evening.

13th Day (Imja)

The king paid a visit to Such’ang Palace.

Second Inspector Pak Sin came from Suwŏn and reported to the king, pre-

senting the depositions of the individuals involved in the conspiracy against

the king. The king called in two chancellors and had them discuss the

his long life, including minister of rites and of punishments, pacification commissioner of

Kilchu Circuit, minister of war, and magistrate of Hansŏng. In 1415, he retired as second state

councilor and died at the age of 94.

59. Tae hya ng refers to the great sacrificial ceremonies held at the Royal Ancestral Shrine
    on one of the first ten days of the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth lunar months of the year.


60. Yi Cho (?–1408): he was the eldest son of Yi Wŏn’gye, T’aejo’s stepbrother. While
    serving as supreme commander, he was impeached for abusing his power, including raping the
    wife of the administrator of Hanyang, and stripped of his office. However, he continued to
    behave lawlessly and was eventually exiled to Yangju and later Onjin.


61. T’aejo’s eldest son, Yi Pangu, who died at an early age.