686 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
emperor, and the emperor instructed as follows: ‘The kingdom of Chosŏn is
separated from China by mountains and seas, and its customs are different
from ours. Because it was created like that by Heaven and Earth, it became
the state of Eastern Barbarians from the start. Being close to China, those
who rule the country have cultivated good relationships with us by paying
tribute and sending envoys. Therefore, it was natural for them to send us
envoys regularly on special occasions. That they send us an envoy with trib-
ute gifts now, however, is incomprehensible, although it is allegedly intended
to express gratitude to us. I wonder what China has done for Chosŏn lately
to deserve such gratitude? Furthermore, it is impossible to receive the tribute
on an occasion that is inappropriate. If the king [of Chosŏn] wants to stabi-
lize the lives of his people both in the cities and the countryside, he should
exert himself to rule the country quietly without causing trouble on the bor-
ders instead of sending us envoys frequently and making them undertake
arduous trips back and forth.’ This is basically what the emperor said. Since
I convey his message in response to your letter, the king [of Chosŏn] should
take it to heart.”27th Day (Chŏngmi)
Japanese marauders raided Changsangot and burned ten navy vessels.The king ordered Kim Ŭlbo, navy commander of Right Kyŏnggi Province,
and Kang Yang, assistant navy commander of Left Kyŏnggi Province, to
lead out the warships in their provinces as well as those in P’unghae Province
and pursue the Japanese marauders in the Northwest Region. Then he
ordered Ch’oe Yongso, discussant of the Security Council, to see them off
with royal wine.28th Day (Musin)
The king appointed Kim Chu, assistant chancellor, as chief mobile inspector
of the Northwest Region and ordered him to suppress Japanese marauders
by supervising both army and navy troops. He also made him look for a
prospective site for a royal palace in P’yŏngyang.29th Day (Kiyu)
The king sent Kim Chŏnggyŏng, director of the Agriculture Office, to
Chŏlla Province and gave him an instruction as follows: “Navy Myriarch