82 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
gained His Majesty’s favor. If a subject acts recklessly, seeking only riches
and glory, he can bring about misfortune and resentment from others. Duke
Zhao,16 4 therefore, was worried when everything went too well for him
while serving in the government, and Cai Ze^165 said that one must retire
from his office once his mission is accomplished. Furthermore, the post of
chancellor in our country, in fact, corresponds to that of minister of state
(zongzai) during the Zhou dynasty. It is difficult to rule the country prop-
erly, but it is even more difficult to harmonize yin and yang.
“Reflecting on myself, I am small-minded and deficient in learning. Much
worse, I had to serve a king who was not a member of the royal house and
yet dared to invade China. Consequently, both men and the spirits were so
outraged that the state was greatly imperiled. So I at last turned our armies
around and with the support of fellow commanders stopped our military
campaign and marched back. As I upheld the command of the Son of
Heaven, the clique^166 that had usurped the throne through deception, fell
into ruin by itself, and the royal Wang house could then be restored.
“This happened through the intervention of the royal ancestors, not
because of my efforts. Nevertheless, I was rewarded with special favors
from Your Majesty, including lands and titles as well as the power to take
charge of state affairs. However, I have failed to give you any help in ruling
the state and therefore, have been constantly concerned about my inability
to carry out my job.
“This spring Yun I and Yi Ch’o secretly traveled to China and nearly put
our country in grave danger by deceiving the Son of Heaven and requesting
that he dispatch his prince to Korea at the head of his imperial army. Kim
Chongyŏn, who had masterminded the treachery, fled in fear. This incident
is a grave matter related to the security of the royal house, not to the security
or personal interest of your servant.
“In these circumstances, some people deliberately sheltered and released
the suspects, having contact with them to plot against the government. This
conspiracy probably has to do with the grace and benefits Your Majesty
bestowed on me, to a certain extent, and I feel extremely sorry and nervous
whenever I come to think of it.- A state councilor of the Zhou dynasty.
- A grand minister of the state of Qin during the Warring States period.
- It refers to King U and King Ch’ang, who were suspected of being sired by monk
Sin Ton.