726 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
Indo, and others, I informed the authorities of the Hanlin Academy of the
sad news so that it could be conveyed to the emperor. As a result, I was able
to return home with the letter from the emperor, who expressed his deepest
sympathy [with regard to the queen’s death]. That was a special favor
unprecedented in our history. Whenever I talked with Hanlin academicians,
I spoke of Your Majesty’s sincerity in serving our suzerain and praised your
momentous decision to turn your army around and march back to the cap -
ital in the year Mujin (1388). The emperor must have been well aware of
this, as you can tell from the kind words in his letter. The officials and
people across the land, without exception, were overjoyed to hear about the
emperor’s remarks. This was one of the many good things that happened in
your reign.
“The New Year’s felicitations submitted to the emperor in the Pyŏngja
year [1396] were revised by myself alone, and I defended Chŏng Tojŏn
against the allegation that he was involved in revising [the controversial
memorial]. Consequently, the emperor’s instruction and the letter from the
Ministry of Rites, which I brought with me, did not reiterate the demand
that Tojŏn be sent to the Chinese court. Though I was a little- known scholar
from a country across the sea, I was privileged to join the Hanlin academi-
cians and compose poems every day in the Hall of Literary Profundity in
obedience to the emperor’s order and also had the honor of receiving the
work of the emperor, written by himself. So I helped our Chosŏn enhance
its good reputation among the Chinese and in neighboring countries as well.
Though this was originally made possible because your sincerity in serving
China was so great that everyone was impressed by it, how can I not be
pleased with my role in bringing this about?
“In the future, it will be said of me, ‘He did not bring embarrassment to
his king when he served as an envoy and therefore he provided some minor
assistance when the dynasty was newly founded.’
“Prostrating myself on the ground before you, I sincerely beseech Your
Majesty to forgive me for transgressing propriety by promoting myself and
to take pity on your subject who is making such a fool of himself. I will feel
most fortunate if you add my name to the bottom of the list of minor merit
subjects. Your servant Kŭn is so nervous and ashamed of the boldness of his
request that he is in a cold sweat.”
The king ordered the Privy Council to discuss Kŭn’s memorial and
submit a report to him. He then allowed Kŭn and Sŏl Changsu, director of
the State Finance Commission, to be included on the list of minor merit