Book XIV 843Sŏkchu replied, “The dynasty- founding merit subjects, including Chŏng
Tojŏn and Nam Ŭn and others who conspired to harm the princes and other
members of the royal family. Their treasonous attempt was discovered, and
their offenses surpassed their contributions, so they have already all been
executed. The individuals who were forced to join the traitors under threat
shall not be punished.”
As the royal decree, handwritten by Pyŏn Chungnyang, was presented,
the king got up, assisted by the maids, and placed his signature and seal on
it. Having finished this, he returned to lie down on the bed. His illness being
extremely serious, he tried to vomit but couldn’t. He said, “I feel as if some-
thing has gotten stuck in my throat and does not go down.”
Prince Chŏngan ordered Kim Kyŏm, foreman of the Weapons Bureau, to
open the Military Weapons Storehouse (Kun’gigo), take out suits of armor
and spears, and distribute them to over a hundred musketeers (hwat’onggun).
His security forces were thus strengthened somewhat.
An armored soldier named Sin Yongbong went into the palace to deliver
the words of Prince Chŏngan. He said, “Prince Hŭngan and Prince Muan
have returned to their homes. Why don’t Prince Ŭian [Yi Hwa, T’aejo’s
stepbrother] and the others come out?” The various princes just stared at
each other and kept silent. After the messenger pressed them again, Hwa
and the other princes all came out, but Sim Chong [T’aejo’s son- in- law]^45
ran away through a sluice gate. Chŏng Sinŭi kept lingering but eventually
emerged, unable to resist the pressure any longer.
Because the Privy Council requested the king to release Pangsŏk, the
king said to him, “Since the arrangements were already made, what harm
would there be if you go out?” Pangsŏk bade farewell to the king, sobbing.
Consort Hyŏn, his wife, wept loudly, pulling his sleeve, so he had to shake
her off to go out. At first, they decided to banish Pangsŏk to a distant place.
However, as he went out the west gate of the city wall, Yi Kŏi, Yi Paekkyŏng,
Cho Pak, and others consulted with the Privy Council and sent a man to kill
him on his way.
The Privy Council also requested that Pangbŏn be sent out. The king said
to Pangbŏn, “Though nothing could be done for the crown prince, the worst
that can happen to you is that you will be sent into exile to a distant district.”
When Pangbŏn was about to depart, passing through the south gate of the
city wall, Prince Chŏngan dismounted from his horse and went inside the
- He married Princess Kyŏngsŏn, the second daughter of T’aejo.