490 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
inclined to examine themselves on their conduct, or actively sought advice
from their advisors and put it into practice. That was to return to the root of
the matter.
“Though I am entrusted with the responsibility for ruling the people on
behalf of Heaven, I carry it out together with grand councilors because I
cannot do it by myself. I want you to tell me honestly whether or not the
state is well governed and if the people are enjoying themselves. I intend
to eliminate natural disasters by promoting goodness, while correcting
m i s t a k e s. ”25th Day (Muja)
Pak Kyŏng, inspector-general, and others submitted a memorial to the king:
“One thing that cannot be prevented is the anger of Heaven, and one thing
that cannot be ignored is the suspicion of people. If you know how to dis-
pel the suspicion of people, you will also be able to dispel the anger of
Heaven.
“On the twenty- second of this month when Your Majesty paid a royal
visit to places outside [the palace],^32 there was fierce thunder and lightning
and hail day after day. This is a sign sent by the benevolent Heaven asking
you to examine yourself and rectify mistakes you may have committed.
“We believe that even in the flourishing ages when two emperors [Yao
and Shun] and three kings [Yu, Tang, and Wen] reigned, the rulers con-
ducted themselves according to rules and principles as well as times and
seasons so that there was nothing inappropriate or unreasonable about their
conduct. So everyone said, ‘How constant the heart of our king is! How
consistent his words are!’ Hence, their words and conduct and governance
became the model for posterity. When there was flood or drought once in a
while, or when natural disasters such as thunder and lightning occurred,
they examined themselves and asked others about their mistakes, trying to
change their conduct with fear and anxiety until the strange natural phe-
nomena dissipated. So they turned misfortune into fortune, weakness into
strength, and eventually made their dynasties last forever.
“After the Han and Wei Dynasties, the rulers failed to cultivate them-
selves and turned their public office responsible for spreading virtue into a
private place to satisfy their personal desires and avarice. So they did not- It refers to the King’s excursion to Pine Tree Pavilion and Yongsan.