Book XIV 847living in a hut built next to their tombs. In the Sinhae year (1371), he was
called to serve as grand erudite (t’aesang paksa), and when King Kongmin
personally performed sacrifices at the Royal Ancestral Shrine, he made a
musical instrument [for the occasion] based upon the diagram in a book.
Thereafter, he served as bureau section chief of the Board of Rites, fourth
royal counselor of the Office of Royal Decrees, and, finally, second assistant
master of the National Academy.
In the Kabin year (1374), King Kongmin passed away, and an envoy from
the Northern Yuan arrived at the border. Tojŏn said, “Since the former king
already decided to serve the Ming dynasty, it is not appropriate to welcome
the envoy of Yuan. Furthermore, under the circumstances that the Yuan
envoy wants to pardon our transgression after fabricating it, how can we
receive him?” The grand councilor, who was in command at that time,
would not listen to Tojŏn’s argument. Tojŏn, notwithstanding, insisted upon
his opinion. Consequently, he incurred the wrath of the grand councilor and
was demoted and transferred to Hoejin.^51
In the Kapcha year (1384), he visited the Ming capital as secretary of the
imperial birthday embassy led by Chŏng Mongju, and upon returning home
was appointed assistant manager of the National University. In the Chŏngmyo
year (1387), he volunteered to serve in the districts and thus became magis-
trate of Namyang.^52
In the Mujin year (1388) when the king [T’aejo] came into power, he was
appointed chancellor of the National Academy. After submitting proposals
on various government policies, he was promoted to academician of the
Security Council and examination administrator. Then he became supreme
commissioner of ten areas of study (siphak tojejo) and taught Explanations
of Arithmetic (Xiangmin suanfa) and calendrics in the t’aeŭl (taiyi) method
of divination, and also wrote a book of medicine titled The Secrets of Pulse
Diagnosis through Diagrams (Chinmaek togyŏl) while serving as deputy
director of the Office of Royal Decrees. In the Kisa year (1389), along with
Cho Chun and others, Tojŏn proposed the reform of the abusive private
landholding system. After King Kongyang was enthroned, he was promoted
to right director of the State Finance Commission (Samsa usa), appointed
King Kongyang merit subject (Chunghŭng kongsin), and enfeoffed as Lord
Ch’ungŭi.
- Naju, South Chŏlla Province.
- Modern Hwasŏng, Kyŏnggi Province.