Book VII 503Taizong of the Tang dynasty, high officials were strongly opposed to his
attempt, and the censorial officials soon joined in protest by submitting a
memorial. The king yielded to their remonstrance.12th Day
The moon approached a star in the Room Lodge.13th Day (Ŭlhae)
The government changed the name of Kaesŏng Magistracy (Kaesŏng pu) to
Kaesŏng Special Capital Magistracy (Kaesŏng yuhusa),^45 and the names of
Yanggwang and Sŏhae Provinces to Ch’ungch’ŏng and P’unghae Provinces,
respectively. It merged Kangnŭng and Kyoju Provinces into one province
and renamed this Kangwŏn Province.
Then it appointed Sŏng Sŏngnin as chief magistrate of Hansŏng (p’an
Hansŏng pusa), Chŏng Sinŭi as second magistrate (pu yun) of Hansŏng, U
Innyŏl as special capital magistrate (yuhu) of Kaesŏng, and No Sung and
Chŏng Namjin as second special capital magistrates (pu yuhu) of Kaesŏng.
The king dispatched Kim Ipgyŏn, assistant grand councilor of the Chan-
cellery, to Nanjing to extend congratulations on the imperial birthday.
The planet Venus was visible during the day.
14th Day (Pyŏngja)
As it was Queen Hyŏn’s birthday, the prisoners both in the capital and local
provinces were released, except those subject to capital punishment.15th Day (Chŏngch’uk)
The king dismissed Cho Rim, assistant grand councilor of the Chancellery.
The censorial offices impeached him for acquiring an excessive amount of
rank land, but the king only dismissed him from office, because he was a
minor merit subject.- As the nation’s capital moved from Kaesŏng to Hanyang (Seoul), Kaesŏng turned into
a sort of auxiliary capital governed by a special magistrate.