274 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
“When the inspector of Liaodong summoned Tuohuan Buhua, some of
the residents in his jurisdiction did not follow him right away because they
lived there comfortably. So it is far from being true that we forcefully
detained them. They paid no taxes to our country and just kept on living as
they used to. However, since in your imperial instruction you expressed
your wishes that they be sent back to your country, we will order an inves-
tigation and repatriate without exception all those who were reluctant to
return to their homes of origin. In the past, some of our people resided in
Liaodong but often ran away because they missed their homes and relatives
in their country, and they hid out in mountain valleys and other remote
places. We were unaware of what was happening to them until we received
an official letter from the Liaodong government. Consequently, we had
them all arrested and brought in. Since these people were registered on the
military records of the Liaodong administration notwithstanding that they
were originally Koreans, we could not allow them to stay here; we have
already returned them all [to Liaodong]. Furthermore, it is difficult to dis-
tinguish between Jurchens and Koreans among those who escaped [from
Liaodong] and still remain uncaptured, nor do we know where they are
now, since, being on the run, they didn’t turn themselves in. We will send
out men to search for those people and return the escapees to you as soon as
we capture them. Since the situation is so urgent, we decided to make this
report first.
“As for the poor quality of our tribute horses, [which you mentioned in
your imperial instruction,] we believe it mainly had to do with their breed.
Besides, the number of tribute horses was so many that we presume that
some of them could be either weak or slow.
“You also said, ‘Why are the people of Koryŏ anxious to fight?’ We feel
extremely embarrassed and nervous about your reprimand. Even though
I may be foolish, I am not insane to that degree. It is against reason that
one who benefits from your grace and favor would dislike the grace and
favor one receives or that one who reprimands the mistake of others would
imitate it. How can it be possible? If I tell you a lie, Heaven is looking
down on me.
“Though I lack ability, I was the one who first risked his life to stop the
military campaign [against China] and thereby in advance rooted out the
source of conflict between the two countries. My decision originally derived
from my loyalty to the suzerain state, but I had to suffer the complaints and
troubles made by a number of petty people. People such as Yun I, Yi Ch’o,