Book IV 291
strange writing among the rocks of Mt. Chiri and presented it to you, and
what was written in it proved to be true in the Imsin year (1392). So I com-
posed this poem with the title ‘Receiving the Precious Secret Scroll.’
“In the lofty mountains, rocks stood stately like the mountains,
And among the rocks, a mysterious scroll was found, which said,
‘A brave man with wood (mok) and son (cha) in his name will arise.^17
Who will be able to assist him?
One with running (chu) and resemblance (ch’o) in his name is
virtuous,^18
One with being not (pi) and clothing (ŭi) in his name came from
Kŭmsŏng.^19
And one who is referred to as three dedications (chŏn) and three
towns (ŭp)^20
Will come to his aid and make him succeed.
In the newly established capital, the dynasty will continue to thrive
As long as eight hundred years.’
What a precious scroll it was! It was given to our king.
“1. Upon ascending the throne, Your Majesty established law and order,
while making changes together with the people. Many things you have done
deserve to be praised, and among them the following are outstanding:
‘opening channels of communication to secure good opinions and advice,’
‘protecting the privileges of merit subjects,’ ‘regulating the problems of
land administration,’ and ‘establishing rites and music.’
- T’aejo’s surname, Yi (), consists of two characters: mok (木) meaning “tree” and cha
(子) meaning “son.”
- The person referred to here is Cho Chun, one of the foremost merit subjects who
assisted T’aejo. His surname, Cho (趙), consists of two characters: chu (走) meaning “run-
ning” and ch’o (肖) meaning “resemblance.”
- The person referred to here is Pae Kŭngnyŏm, another merit subject who was deeply
trusted by T’aejo. His surname, Pae (裵), consists of two characters: pi (非) meaning “being
not” and ŭi (衣) meaning “clothing.” Kŭmsŏng is an old name of Ŭisŏng, a town in North
Kyŏngsang Province.
- The person referred to here is Chŏng Tojŏn, the author of the poem himself. But the
way he presents is intriguing because the character of his name, Chŏng (鄭), does not have
three dedications or sacrifices and three towns (三奠三邑) as described in the source text.
We know his pen name is Sambong (三峯), which means “Three Summits.” This makes one
wonder if there is any connection between his name and pen name in relation to the reference
he made to himself in the poem.
