488 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
Musŏn as assistant military commander to test the new weapons on the enemy.
Joining Sim Tŏkbu, chief military commander, and Na Se, superior military
commander (sang wŏnsu), Ch’oe Musŏn arrived at Chinp’o leading the boats
equipped with gunpowder weapons. Never realizing that Koreans had gun-
powder weapons on their ships, the Japanese marauders gathered all their
ships together and fought back, but Musŏn destroyed them completely by
discharging his cannons. Having lost their ships, the Japanese enemies came
ashore and plundered the inland areas while running away, until they reached
Chŏlla and Kyŏngsang Provinces and finally assembled at Unbong in Chŏlla
Province. At this time, the king [T’aejo], who had become supreme com-
mander of our army, completely wiped them out with the help of other com-
manders. Thereafter, the invasion of Japanese marauders gradually decreased
and some of them voluntarily surrendered themselves to our authorities one
after another, so our people on the seacoasts were able to recover their liveli-
hood. Though this happened due to the help of Heaven granted to our vir-
tuous king, Musŏn’s contributions were no less significant.
Though he was too old to serve in the government at the beginning of the
Chosŏn dynasty, the king appointed him assistant grand councilor- without-
portfolio (kŏmgyo ch’amch’an pusa), taking his contributions into consider-
ation. When he passed away, the king expressed his sorrow and generously
bestowed condolence money. Furthermore, in Sinsa year, the king posthu-
mously promoted him to the position of right state councilor and Great Lord
Yŏngsŏng.
He had a son named Haesan. Once, when he came close to death, he
handed a book to his wife and asked her to give it to his son when he grew
up. She kept the book well and gave it to Haesan when he became fifteen
years old and learned to read. The book was no other than the method for
manufacturing gunpowder. As Haesan mastered the method, he was called
to serve in the government, and he is now vice director of the Directorate of
Armaments.20th Day (Kyemi)
The king returned from his trip to the hot springs.21st Day (Kapsin)
The king ordered the Two Departments to recommend ten officials from
among those who were below the rank of grand master for excellent goodness