Book XIII 747
18th Day (Ŭlmi)
The Office of the Inspector-General impeached Hwang Chaejung, keeper of
the palace keys (sayak), for embezzling fine ramie cloth, which was supposed
to be used for the dharma assembly at Chich’ŏn Monastery, a prayer meeting
to prevent celestial catastrophes. He switched the ramie with coarse hemp
fabric. The inspectors requested that he be interrogated and his appointment
withdrawn. The king only granted that he be suspended.
Inspector-General Yi Chik and others submitted a memorial to the king:
“We believe that the purpose of establishing offices and dividing responsi-
bilities among them is to charge the officials with certain duties and have
them produce results. At the moment when the dynasty is newly founded,
the old sinecures should not all be allowed to remain. We request that all the
supernumerary sinecures be completely eliminated except those among the
merit subjects and retired senior officials who have rendered services to you
for your enthronement, or the officials of the Astronomical and Meteorological
Observatory or the Palace Medical Office who are essential to the govern-
ment.” The king granted the request.
20th Day (Chŏngyu)
The king inspected the palace walls.
21st Day (Musul)
The king paid a visit to Kwangju and inspected the newly cast bell.
The king had eunuch Cho Sun recalled to the palace.
23rd Day (Kyŏngja)
The king inspected the city walls.
Inspector Pak Sin and others submitted a memorial to the king:
“According to the memorial submitted by the inspector-general, Hwang
Chaejung, keeper of the palace keys, replaced the fine ramie cloth that was to
be used for the dharma assembly to pray for the prevention of celestial catas-
trophes with coarse hemp gnawed by rats. Though the inspectors urged you