Book II 169
“Being a man with no virtue, I was unable to resist the general opinion of
the people and ascended the throne reluctantly. Thus, I am so nervous and
worried that I feel like I am falling into water. Nevertheless, I am hopeful
that the officials of both the central and local governments will make up for
the lack of my ability and assist me in discharging my duty so as to govern
the nation well.
“Since a general is in command of troops, myriad lives depend on him,
and since a local magistrate governs the people, the fortune of a district
depends on him. How can you establish rules and order and make accom-
plishments unless you encourage or discourage the people through rewards
or punishments?
If there is any official of high or low rank who is in charge of either sol-
diers or people and wins a battle by devising an outstanding strategy,
repulses a powerful enemy by fighting hard, or makes the lives of people
comfortable by governing the district well and handling the lawsuits justly,
write down his name and report to me. I will employ him, bypassing the
regular system of ranks.
“Anyone who breaks military discipline or runs away when he sees the
enemy or willfully neglects his duty for personal gain or acts recklessly
while having no respect for his office must be punished. If he is senior rank
2 or above, hold him in custody and make a report. If he is junior rank 2 or
below, punish him directly, using your judgment, so that the people may
know that I am determined to reward without fail those who render service
to the state and punish without fail those who violate the law. Besides, as for
the measures designed to help the people, you look into the precedents and
implement them as best you can.
14th Day (Imjin)
The Office of Royal Decrees and State Records, in a memorial to the king,
proposed three things:
“1. Whenever you carry out state affairs or have an audience with offi-
cials in the palace throne hall, please allow historiographers to sit on the
left and right and take notes regardless of whether the matters are large
or small.
Kangnŭng-do, incorporating P’yŏngch’ang County which was under the jurisdiction of
Ch’ungju in modern North Ch’ungch’ŏng Province. (Sinjŭng Tongguk yŏjisŭngnam. V, p.477)