General Introduction (Ch’ongsŏ) 97
happens, this opportunity should not be lost. If His Lordship becomes
indignant, I will explain and justify the reasons behind our actions.” So it
was agreed that they would move against Mongju while the latter was on
the road. His Majesty ordered Yŏnggyu to go to the former king’s residence
to find a sword and then to the village where Mongju lived. He told him to
wait for Mongju at the entrance of the village. A few people, including Ko
Ryŏ and Yi Pu, joined Yŏnggyu.
Mongju dropped by his house and came out soon. His Majesty was wor-
ried to the point that he left his house to oversee the operation personally.
As he went out of the gate of his residence, he came across his subordinate’s
horse already saddled and ready to go. He jumped on the horse and galloped
to the residence of the former king. He asked if Mongju had passed by, and
they replied that he had not. His Majesty returned to his place after leaving
detailed instructions, again, on the actions to be taken.
It so happened that Yu Wŏn, former Chief Magistrate of Kaesŏng
Magistracy had died, and Mongju, on his way home, dropped by the house
of the bereaved family to pay his respects. So Mongju’s arrival at home was
a little delayed, giving Yŏnggyu and his companions ample time to secure
weapons and prepare for their attack on Mongju.
As Mongju appeared, Yŏnggyu rushed at him but failed to strike. Fending
him off, Mongju whipped his horse and galloped off. Yŏnggyu pursued him
and struck Mongju’s horse on the head. As the horse stumbled, it pitched
Mongju to the ground. Mongju got up and started running, but Ko Yŏ and
others caught up to him and finally killed him.
Yŏngmu went back to His Majesty and reported the result, and His
Majesty in turn went in to tell T’aejo. When he heard what had happened,
T’aejo became furious and struggled to rise from his sick bed. He said to
His Majesty, “Our family has always been known for loyalty and filiality.
Since you have killed a high official recklessly, will the people across the
country believe that I am not behind it? Parents want to teach their children
the classics because they want them to be loyal and filial [to their king and
parents]. Since you dare to disrespect your parent, I feel like poisoning
myself.”
His Majesty replied, “Mongju and his clique tried to destroy our family.
How can we just sit and wait for disaster? I believed I could be more filial to
you by doing that.”
Nevertheless, T’aejo was so furious that even Consort Kang dared not
say anything to him. So His Majesty said to her, “Mother, why do you just