Book XV 883capital after serving as local officials are often dismissed from their jobs
after only a short time. This is a problem because it goes against the prin-
ciple of encouraging officials to improve the performance of their duties.
From this day forward, those who did outstanding jobs and are ordered to
serve in the royal court as they finish the term of three years should not be
dismissed too quickly, to show how serious the government is in encour-
aging officials for their good works.” The king followed the advice.16th Day (Muja)
A meteor appeared in broad daylight, and it appeared as big as a bottle.18th Day (Kyŏngin)
Dressed with a royal robe and a mortarboard crown with strings of hanging
beads on front and back, and sitting in the Hall of Diligent Government, the
king bestowed a document of investure and a seal (ch’aekbo) upon his royal
wife, Queen Tŏk. He appointed Cho Chun, left chancellor, as commissioner
for presenting noble titles, and Yi Kŏi, assistant grand councilor of the
Chancellery, as vice commissioner for presenting noble titles. The docu-
ment of investure that they wrote was as follows:
“The Book of Changes clarifies the human relationship through the xian
and heng hexagrams,^25 and the Book of Rites recognizes the importance of
the marital relationship by strictly scrutinizing the justification of matri-
mony. The ancient rules of conduct taken into account, which the spouse is
always supposed to observe, the honorable title given her is made and pre-
sented with these words.
“Lady Kim is exceptionally sincere and discreet, dignified and virtuous.
From an early age, she has lived in harmony with her family by observing
the way for unmarried young women, and when she became the wife of the
eldest son [referring to King Chŏngjong himself], she successfully man-
aged the affairs of our great family by carrying out her duties most excel-
lently. When the nothos [Prince Yi Kangsŏk] caused trouble, she assisted
her husband to overcome the crisis. Since she has already proved that she
does not dislike the royal protocol and etiquette, she can help to generate a
good influence on the general custom and the enlightenment of the people.
- These two hexagrams concern the proper conduct of married people.