General Introduction (Ch’ongsŏ) 89
order to have the life that you want. Since you already declined three times,
I want you to calm down a little.”
T’aejo replied to the king again: “Why should I decline my post if you allow
me to do only what I can do, such as discussing national crises or repulsing
the enemy from our borders? However, the responsibility I have to bear at
the moment is so heavy that I can hardly manage it. Furthermore, I am suf-
fering from illness. I only desire to recuperate through medical treatment.”
Kongyang refused to grant T’aejo’s request and forced him to arise and
report to duty, but T’aejo remained at home, avoiding his post. He submitted
another memorial to the king: “I have become the target of jealousy across
the whole country because in the Mujin year I stopped the military expedi-
tion against China “I have become the target of jealousy across the whole
country because in the Mujin year I stopped the military expedition against
China with justification and restored the royal house after driving out the
falsely named one [King U]. When Ch’ang was established [as a new king]
and people discussed bringing U in, evidence appeared clearly showing that
Yun I and Yi Ch’o had conspired together. So the Censorate submitted a
memorial on their own, requesting the king to punish the conspirators. How
can I be, then, accused of instigating the Censorate?
“Your Majesty now orders me to persuade the censors, but your order
implies a suspicion that I instigated them. Lacking talent, I am incapable of
discharging the great responsibility placed upon me. So I beseech you to
find a man of talent to replace me.”
After reading the memorial, Kongyang said to His Majesty [King
T’aejong]: “I am surprised by what the chancellor has said in his memorial.
He was the sole reason I could presume to ascend the throne, with my lack
of ability. I have trusted the chancellor like my own father. Why does he try
to abandon me?
“As for Yun I and Yi Ch’o’s alleged co-conspirators in installing Ch’ang
on the throne and bringing U in, I issued a special pardon last year because
the evidence of their involvement proved to be unclear. The chancellor also
found no problem with my decision.
“The Censorate now requests me to punish the offenses that took place
prior to my pardon. Therefore, I had you report the matter to the chancellor,
hoping that he could persuade the Censorate [to withdraw their request].
What did you say to the chancellor, and why is he so resolute in his deter-
mination to resign? If the chancellor resigns, how can I have peace while I
am on the throne?”