Book VI 431
Since Kyerim and Wansan are located very far from the center, how could
you rule the state from such remote places? P’yŏngyang is also not suitable
as the nation’s capital because it is too far north.
“1. Since Your Majesty has recently ascended the throne, succeeding the
previous dynasty that had collapsed, the livelihood of the people is not yet
quite settled, and the foundation of the state is far from being secure.
Therefore, it is important to calm things down and give people a break and,
further, to examine the seasonal changes while observing how things turn
out among the people, finally moving the capital after choosing an auspi-
cious time. Then everything will be fine and the rule of the Chosŏn dynasty
will last forever, and my descendants also will thrive.
“1. The people who argue the pros and cons of the site for the new capital
do not base their claims on their knowledge of the truth but rather on what
the ancients have said. What I said also derived from the experiences of the
people who preceded me. Then how can you trust the words of those who
practice geomancy and distrust the words of a scholar? I earnestly request
that Your Majesty think deeply and find out what you can best do under the
present circumstances, and after that you can try fortune- telling. Then
nothing will go wrong, whatever you choose to do.”
Sŏng Sŏngnin, assistant chancellor, said: “One can say that this place
[Kaesŏng] is good because mountains and rivers gather here and it is there-
fore accessible by marine transportation. However, the site [where the pal-
aces are to be constructed] is too steep and narrow, and the mountain behind
too small, so it is not appropriate for the royal capital. Even a great nation
such as China had only a few places for an imperial capital. How, then, can
it be easy to find good places in a small country such as ours? Because some
of the mountains and rivers in Puso [Kaesŏng] are not in the ideal location,
the ancient sages used to say that the king should stay both in the left and
right areas of Puso, alternately.
“It would be fortunate if you made this place a royal quarters for inspec-
tion, while constructing the main palace in Puso. How can it be that Puso is
only for the Wang clan, not for the kings who come after them? Besides, it
would not be too late to move the capital after giving the people a break for
a couple of years.”
Chŏng Ch’ong, Chancellery scholar said: “Since ancient times, it has been a
difficult task to find a place to set up the nation’s capital. Even a great nation