98 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
watch and not defend me?” Then her facial expression changed, and she said
to T’aejo, “You have always prided yourself in being general-in-chief. What
makes you so surprised and afraid?”
His Majesty said he would get his people together to prepare for any
mishap. He immediately called Chang Sagil^196 and others and made them
guard the residence of T’aejo, mobilizing the soldiers under their command.
The following day, T’aejo was compelled to call Hwang Hŭisŏk and reluc-
tantly inform him, “Mongju and his cohorts have been executed for con-
spiring with the criminals and prodding the Censorate to accuse innocent,
loyal people secretly. I must have Cho Chun, Nam Ŭn, and others, who were
falsely accused, called back to defend themselves before the Censorate. You
go and take my message to the king.”
Both doubtful and afraid, Hŭisŏk just respectfully watched T’aejo,
without a word. Yi Che, who was standing next to him, reproached him
severely, prompting Hŭisŏk to enter the palace and convey T’aejo’s message
to the king. Kongyang said, “I cannot allow the Censorate to be confronted
by the accused. I will have the members of the Censorate involved in this
incident driven out to the province. Therefore, I want you to refrain from
discussing the matter any further.”
At that time, T’aejo’s health, due to his anger, deteriorated so seriously
that he could hardly speak. His Majesty [Pangwŏn, later King T’aejong]
said, “The situation has become critical.” Then he secretly sent Yi Chabun^197
to inform Cho Chun and Nam Ŭn of the current situation as well as his
intention to bring them back [from exile]. Also discussing the matter with
the former king [Panggwa, later King Chŏngjong], Yi Hwa, Yi Che, and
others, His Majesty had the former king go and talk with King Kongyang.
He said, “If you do not want to interrogate and punish the Mongju clique,
we request that you punish us.”
Kongyang reluctantly ordered that the censors be confined in the Capital
Constabulary Prison and said, “Since they are to be banished, it is not
necessary to interrogate them.” However, a little later, he ordered Pae
Kŭngnyŏm, director of the State Finance Commission; Kim Chu, assistant- Chang Sagil (?–1418): a military official of early Chosŏn. He served as deputy direc-
tors of the Security Council and assistant grand councilor of the Chancellery. He joined T’aejo
in the military campaign against Liaodong and repulsed Japanese invaders on many occasions.
He became the dynasty-founding merit subject first class for his role in enthroning T’aejo. - A military general of the late Koryŏ. Little is known about him except that he served
as a member of the royal guards.