742 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
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The king decided on his pen name as Pine Hut Dweller (Songhŏn kŏsa). The
king said to Yi Munhwa, left royal secretary, “As I have heard, King
Ch’ungsuk of the previous dynasty called himself Dweller (kŏsa) when he
wrote to Kwŏn Han’gong, Lord of Yech’ŏn. I also intend to write to Chŏng
Tojŏn, Count of Ponghwa, using the same title of Dweller, but what pen
name will agree with that title?” Munhwa replied, “What do you think of
the pen name that you used before you ascended the throne?” The king said,
“Good idea.” Thus, the king’s pen name was finally decided as Pine Hut
(Songhŏn).5th Day (Imo)
At night, a meteorite, which was a foot long, shot from the Regulus (Hŏnwŏn)
and fell to the ground.Chŏn Hŭigil was ordered to mine gold in Tanju and Yŏnghŭng.The king appointed Sin Kŭkkong, assistant director of the Security Council,
as pacification commissioner of the Northeast Region, and sent him to
Chŏng Tojŏn, chief pacification mobile inspector of the Northeast Region,
with his letter as well as robes and wine.
The king’s letter was as follows: “Many days have passed since your depar-
ture, so my anxiety about you is growing. When I was about to send Sin, assis-
tant director of the Security Council, to find out how you were doing [in the
distant place], Ch’oe Kŭng happened to arrive, bringing news from you, and
I was very glad and relieved. I send you a set of padded clothes so that you
can avoid cold weather, and I will feel better if you accept it. I also send the
same to assistant grand councilor Yi and provincial military commander Yi,
respectively. I hope you will tell them how I miss them. As for other messages,
Assistant Director Sin [Kŭkkong] will tell you personally. Take care of your-
self against the cold spring weather so that you can successfully carry out
your mission at the borders. Let me stop here. Written by Pine Hut Dweller.”6th Day (Kyemi)
The king inspected the palace walls and ordered dozens of supervisors to
be physically punished with a paddle for failing in their supervision [of