Book XI 667
directly, and it was a good idea. I allow you to return home without
interrogation. But tell your king to be careful not to cause trouble hence-
fo r t h .’
“Then the emperor explained how he was able to gain all under heaven
and finally said, ‘The reason your king attained the throne will be the same
as this. Unless Heaven allows and the people follow, how can one attain the
throne only with power?’“
18th Day (Kyŏngja)
Mars stayed in the west of the Supreme Palace Enclosure, near to the First
Western General (Sangjang) by half a ch’ŏk.
19th Day (Sinch’uk)
Mars approached the First Western General.
20th Day (Imin)
The Office of Inspector-General impeached Yang Ch’ŏnsik, former min-
ister of taxation, as well as Sŏl Changsu, chief director of the State Finance
Commission, and Kwŏn Kŭn, Lord of Hwasan.
Earlier, the Chinese emperor sent Niu Niu and other envoys [to Chosŏn]
to summon Chŏng Tojŏn, and Tojŏn did not obey the emperor’s command
by feigning illness. Kŭn spoke to the king: “In composing the [controver-
sial] memorials, I also participated. Please allow me to follow the Ming
envoys to the Chinese capital and give my explanation to the emperor.”
The king, however, did not grant his request because there was no impe-
rial order to send him to the Chinese court. Then Kŭn made the request to
the king once again, and the king said, “You have old parents at home, and
besides, there is no order from the emperor to require your presence at his
court. I can hardly bear to send you over there.” Kŭn said, “If you [volun-
tarily] send me without the order from the emperor, one who failed to go
because of illness can avoid suspicion and I can be also forgiven. On the
other hand, if I go there only after I have received the summons from the
emperor, I am afraid that my penalty will become heavier.” So the king
finally granted his permission.
People at that time generally praised Kŭn, while some of them were crit-
ical of Tojŏn. Hearing the public talk, Tojŏn became jealous and spoke to
the king: “Kŭn is a disciple of Yi Saek, who unsuccessfully tried to accuse