Book VIII 509
their abodes and always move from one place to another. However, their
number has now decreased by 80 to 90 percent compared to the old days.
“If your government tries to take a different course of action by sending
an army, we are afraid that the routes of communication and exchange will
be severed. According to an old saying, “A thief may be a petty person, but
his cleverness can surpass that of a superior man.” So it happens that the
schemes and contrivances of those lawless people cannot be surpassed even
by sages.
“Hence, we urge you to give us a little more time and trust us with the
task of what we have been doing all along to eradicate those thieves. Then
they will certainly disappear, and the friendship between the two countries
will be twice strengthened. We will search out male and female captives
and repatriate them as soon as we find them and never be so bold as to have
them stay here in confinement.
“Your envoy Kim Chŏksŏn, minister of revenue, visited us escorting two
copies of the Tripitaka. His ship arrived on the eighth day of the third month
of this year with your precious letter. Bowing to the letter, I read it and felt
that the gracious friendship your country had shown us was boundless as
the sea. Since the splendid religion makes our mountains and rivers more
shining, I have no ways to express my gratitude. Entrusting your gift to the
monks from two temples, I wish your country and people peace and pros-
perity. I also received the gifts including the paints [ch’aesaek?], which I
heard that you searched out in your capital, and that Minister Kim brought
with him. At this time, I send you Sougu, chamberlain of Shiragaki, in
advance to express my heartfelt gratitude, and it will be fortunate if you pay
attention to it. Now is the summer season. Let me close my words by sin-
cerely hoping that you will take care of your health for the sake of your
cou nt r y.”
11th Day (Imin)
The moon approached the Heart Lodge.
A man from Hyugashu of Japan came and presented a local product.
The king ordered the officials, including Chŏng Tojŏn, deputy chief director
of the State Finance Commission, Nam Chae, left director of the State
Finance Commission, Nam Ŭn, assistant grand councilor of the Chancellery,