170 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
“1. We request that you have those who are concurrently serving the
office below the rank of compiler also record what they have heard and send
their notes to our office.^8
“1. Please allow our office to officially request all the large and small gov-
ernment agencies, both in the capital and local districts, to send to our office
information that is related to important state affairs or the names of those
who deserve to be praised or admonished. Also, please make it a permanent
rule that the Privy Council and the Office for Legislating Laws and Regula-
tions send us their new regulations and ordinances on a monthly basis so that
they can serve as references for the compilation of the history.”
The king granted all the requests.16th Day (Kabo)
The Office of the Inspector-General submitted a memorial to the king:
“From antiquity, the kings were established by the Mandate of Heaven, not
by their worldly background. One can find that out if he reads various his-
tories. Now, Your Majesty, with generosity and magnanimity, received the
Mandate of Heaven at the time when the royal house of the Wang clan
entered their twilight years, and a host of subjects also recommended that
you assume the throne. As a result, those who were part of the confederates
of the previous dynasty, and therefore supposed to perish with their fami-
lies, were all generously pardoned and their lives were spared. Yi Pu and Hŏ
Hae are now forgetful about the great royal favor that saved their lives and
instead instigate the hearts of the people with their wicked words. The
Censorate officials, along with the officers from the Capital Constabulary
Prison, should interrogate them and bring them to justice.”
The king said with a laugh: “There is no need to say that the establish-
ment of the kings has little to do with their background. The current emperor
of Ming used to be an ordinary person but has gained the empire. Why
should I bother myself by the remarks of such people concerning my back-
ground? Furthermore, since those words were accidentally spoken in their
inner room with their wives and concubines, what more is there to interro-
gate?” Then the king had Yi Pu banished to the provinces and Hŏ Hae dis-
charged from office.- The Office of Royal Decrees and State Records.