428 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
Then the king said to Left Chancellor Cho Chun and Right Chancellor
Kim Sahyŏng: “At the end of the previous dynasty, the Astronomical and
Meteorological Observatory claimed that the strength of Songdo had already
declined and submitted numerous memorials, proposing to move the nation’s
capital to Hanyang. In recent days, they recommended Mt. Kyeryong as a
potential site for a new capital. So I mobilized the people for construction
work, causing them hardship. Then someone said that this place [Muak] is
better than others, so I came down to see it personally. Now, Hanu says that
this place is not good and that we had better keep Songdo as the nation’s
capital. So everyone has different opinions, arguing among each other and
deceiving the nation. This happens because no one was called to account for
his opinions. I want you to talk to the officials of the Astronomical and
Meteorological Observatory and let them find the right place for the capital
as soon as possible.”
Ch’oe Yung, director of the Astronomical and Meteorological Observatory,
who concurrently held some other post, along with Yun Sindal and Yu
Hanu, submitted a memorial to the king: “The ideal site for the nation’s
capital in our country is Puso,^38 and the second best is Namgyŏng.”^39 That
night the king stayed at the foot of Mt. Muak.12th Day (Kimyo)
The king invited Royal Preceptor Chach’o into his tent and had a meal
served. Prior to his royal tour, the king sent a man to summon the national
preceptor.The king ordered the grand councilors to submit reports on the prospective
site of the new capital, and Chŏng Tojŏn, director of the State Finance
Commission, made the following proposal:
“1. This place [Muak] is located in the middle of the country and easily
accessible by marine transportation. However, being situated in a valley, it
is not spacious enough to accommodate royal palaces inside and govern-
ment offices, markets, and the Royal Ancestral Shrine outside. Therefore, it
is not an ideal place for the king to rule the country conveniently.
“1. I have not learned the art of geomancy. Since everyone’s opinion is
preoccupied with geomancy, I do not know what to say. According to what- Another name for Kaesŏng. In Koguryŏ, Kaesŏng was called Pusogap.
- In Koryŏ, Hanyang (Seoul) was called Namgyŏng, which means “Southern Capital.”