154 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
passed away without an heir, and Sin U, the son of the wicked monk Sin
Ton, usurped the throne. U was dissolute and tyrannical, killing people as
he pleased. In the Mujin year (1388), he recklessly raised an army to invade
China, a nation stronger than us, and many generals, for good reason,
refused to follow his orders and marched back. U finally admitted his mis-
take and abdicated from the throne in favor of his son Ch’ang.
“Thus it happened that the royal line of the Wang clan was severed for
sixteen years. Under the circumstances, Wang Yo, Great Lord Chŏngch’ang,
was selected among the members of the royal family to rule the state tem-
porarily. However, he also turned out to be so ignorant and confused that he
failed to do his duty to the king. Forgetful of the grand design for the country
and blinded by petty interests, he considered his interests first, while
neglecting those who were loyal to him. The land administration was thrown
into disarray and the national treasury emptied to pay for the profligate
lifestyles of his children and sons-in-law. He not only shunned men of integ-
rity but also tried to harm them by falsely accusing them. On the other hand,
he bestowed favors on sycophants, always employing and promoting them.
There were no rules in the way he dispensed rewards and punishments, and
being so extravagant in his spending, he caused damage to the people. Only
listening to women and eunuchs, he expelled those who spoke out. As the
people complained and the gods became indignant, strange things often
took place and inauspicious omens occurred without end.
“Pae Kŭngnyŏm, left chancellor; Cho Chun, right chancellor; Kim
Sahyŏng, Chŏng Tojŏn, Yi Che, Lord of Hŭngan, Yi Hwa, Count of Ŭian,
assistant chancellors; Chŏng Hŭigye and Yi Chiran, assistant grand coun-
cilors of the Chancellery; Nam Ŭn, commissioner of the Security Council;
Chang Sagil, administrative commissioner of the Security Council; Chŏng
Ch’ong, senior secretary of the Security Council; Cho Inok, assistant director
of the Security Council; Nam Chae, academician of the Security Council;
Cho Pak, minister of rites; O Mong’ŭl and Chŏng T’ak, generals-in-chief;
and others understood the changes in the will of Heaven and the hearts of
the people. So they stood up for the sake of the people and state and recom-
mended me to the throne, and they and I were able to make great achieve-
ments together. The great contributions they made cannot be forgotten until
the Yellow River becomes dry and the great Mount Tai is leveled.^145- The source text literally reads: “The Yellow River shrinks like a belt and Mount Tai
like a flint stone.”