Book IV 295the state was in extreme disorder and a remedy for it called for. The office
responsible shall hold a ceremony and have these people rewarded.”28th Day (Sinmi)
The king paid a visit to the royal garden.Interpreter Kwak Haeryong, who had accompanied Kim Ipgyŏn in the
imperial birthday embassy, returned and made a report: “When Ipgyŏn
arrived in Baita,^22 the Regional Military Commission (Dusi) of Liaodong
blocked the entry of our mission, saying, “We have an imperial order. From
this day forward, Koreans are not allowed to enter.”The king ordered the construction of a fortress on the West River to be
stopped.29th Day (Imsin)
The senior retired officials of the Chancellery and the Security Council had
a meeting to discuss the report made by Kwak Haeryong.The king issued a royal decree: “Seventy- one people, including Kang Yuin,
former deputy chief director of the State Finance Commission, and Han
Ch’ŏn, magistrate of Kaesŏng, have always supported me since the days
when Sin U usurped the throne and threw the state into extreme disorder
until everyone deliberated on the remedy for it. They convinced the people
of my virtue and promoted my reputation, so they made it possible for me
to reach where I am. Hence, their contributions are not small, either.
Eleven people, including Yu Pangtaek and No Ŭljun, acting deputy direc-
tors of the Security Council, all served as astrologers when I ascended the
throne. They harbored no suspicion in their hearts and did their best to
choose the most auspicious day for my inauguration and recommended that
I ascend the throne. Their contributions also deserve credit. The office
responsible shall hold a ceremony and have them rewarded.The king decreed: “Five hundred ninety- five people, including former min-
isters Kang Ch’ŏnsu and Yi Ch’ŏnu, have sacrificed themselves to protect
- A city in Liaoning, China, located in the middle of Liaodong Peninsula.