Book XIV 837Chŏng Tojŏn had four sons. Upon hearing that a disturbance had broken
out, Yu and Yŏng ran to rescue their father but were killed on their way.
Tam, another son, killed himself at home by stabbing himself in the neck.
Earlier, Tam had said to his father, “We cannot help but inform Prince
Chŏngan of today’s incident.” Tojŏn replied, “I have already betrayed Koryŏ.
If I now betray this side and switch to the other, shouldn’t I feel ashamed
when I am alone even if people do not talk about it?”
Yi Mu came out of the room, opening the door, and was hit by a stray
arrow. He said, “I am Yi Mu.” As a foot soldier ran to kill him, Prince
Chŏngan commanded, “Don’t kill him.” Then he provided him with a horse.
Nam Ŭn escaped to hide with his attendants, Ha Kyŏng and Ch’oe Un and
others, and Yi Chik also escaped, disguised as a servant and pretending to
be engaged in extinguishing the fire on the roof. The people in the palace
now saw a massive blaze rising to the sky from the Songhyŏn area. As they
ran to the king to make a report, royal guards made noise, beating drums
and blowing horns.
Yi Ch’ŏnu [the nephew of T’aejo] left his house to proceed to the palace
along with his two attendants. Having noticed him, Ma Ch’ŏnmok [Prince
Chŏngan’s man] followed him as far as the entrance of An’gukbang.^42 He
asked, “Aren’t you Lord Ch’ŏnu?” As Ch’ŏnu did not answer, Ch’ŏnmok
said, “If Your Lordship keeps on going without answering me, you will
have arrows to fear.” Then Ch’ŏnu said, “Are you Rectifier Ma? What busi-
ness do you have with me?” Ch’ŏnmok replied, “Prince Chŏngan is with
other princes here.” Ch’ŏnu raced to Prince Chŏngan and said, “Why didn’t
you tell me about today’s incident earlier?”
Prince Chŏngan sent for Left Chancellor Cho Chun, dispatching Pak P’o
and Min Mujil. Chun hesitated to come, having had a fortune- teller read his
fortune. Then the prince sent Sukbŏn to put pressure on him and proceeded
to greet him at some point on the way.
Chun, accompanied by Kim Sahyŏng, right chancellor, arrived, and many
of his attendants dressed in armor followed him. When they reached the
bridge at the entrance of Kahoebang, soldiers stopped them with their
weapons, saying, “Only two chancellors are allowed to enter.” Chun,
Sahyŏng, and others dismounted from their horses and crossed the bridge
with quick steps.
- Modern An’guk-dong in Seoul.