Book IX 565spirits of mountains and rivers and appealed it to the Lord on High. In the
memorials submitted to commemorate the New Year in the twenty- ninth
year of the reign of Hongwu, Chosŏn erred once more by including some
frivolous and insulting words. Though those words insinuate provocation
for war and breaking the peace, it is not appropriate to raise an army to seek
retribution only because of such arrogance. Why? In ancient times when the
Zhou dynasty intended to undertake a punitive expedition against Quanrong,^7
there was one^8 who advised against the plan of sending an army to distant
places based on five reasons that were established by the law of the former
king. The reason that I did not raise an army right away has to do with the
aforementioned precedent. Let Yi [Sŏnggye] know about the cause of trouble
and at the same time send to my court the person who drafted the memorial.
Then I will allow the envoys from Chosŏn to return home.’ Such is the
instruction we received from the emperor. Our Ministry of Rites officially
conveys the imperial instruction to your government.”
The king and Queen Hyŏn visited Kwanŭm Cave and offered a sacrifice,
praying to Buddha and returned to the palace the following day.13th Day (Sinch’uk)
Song Munjung,^9 governor of P’unghae Province^10 captured a ship that car-
ried Japanese pirates. Song beheaded the pirates and presented their heads
[to the king], and the king sent General- in- Chief Kim Chŏm to bestow royal
wine and silk upon him.
The king appointed Kim Yakhang as academician of the Security Council
and Kwak Haeryung as general- in- chief.
15th Day (Kyemyo)
The king ordered Kwak Haeryung to escort Kim Yakhang, who had drafted
the controversial memorials submitted to the Chinese emperor, to the Ming- Also known as Dog Rong, it is an ethnic group active in the northwestern part of China
during the Zhou (1046–221 b c) and later dynasties. - Probably Zhai Gong, the son of King Mu of Zhou (r. 976–922 b c or 956–918 b c). He
was opposed to the use of force in settling disturbances. - A military official of late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn. He also served as magistrate
of Naju. - Modern Hwanghae Province.