Book IV 30717th Day (Kimi)
Yi Chi, an envoy on a diplomatic mission to present a memorial to the
Chinese emperor, reached Liaodong but had to return home, as Chinese
authorities denied his entry.Yun Sojong, minister of war and participant in the drafting of proclama-
tions (chijegyo) and associate administrator of the Bureau of State Records,
died. His courtesy name was Hŏnsuk, and his clan seat Musong. He was
a grandson of Yun T’aek, Duke Munjŏng. Being intelligent and good at
studies, he could produce fine poems even before he reached the age of
twenty. His talent was noticed by Yi Chehyŏn,^46 Duke Much’ung, and drew
praise from him. He passed the examination of the National Academy in the
Kyŏngja year (1360), during the reign of King Kongmin, and passed the
civil service examination in the Ŭlsa year (1365), at the age of twenty- one,
winning first place in the second- rank group (ŭlgwa).^47 His essay on policy
matters (taech’aek), which was part of the examination, surpassed those of
his senior competitors in its content. As a result, he became compiler of the
Bureau of State Records and eventually got promoted to the rank of left
fourth censor (chwa chŏngŏn) via various posts.
At that time, Kim Hŭnggyŏng,^48 who was a favorite of the king, arro-
gantly flaunted his power, and eunuch Kim Sahaeng ingratiated himself so
well with the king that he took charge of all public works. These two people
damaged the country and harmed the people. Sojong drafted a memorial to
the king to eliminate them, strongly condemning their irregularities, but his
colleagues who had known his plan in advance accused Sojong of neglecting
his duties under the pretext of illness and had him dismissed. Consequently,
his memorial could not be presented.
- Yi Chehyŏn (1287–1367): a renowned scholar- official of late Koryŏ. He is better known
by his pen names, Ikjae and Yŏgong. He served five kings, from Ch’ungsŏn to King Kongmin,
as either chancellor or grand councilor. He traveled throughout Yuan China and associated
with distinguished Chinese literati, including Yao Sui and Yan Fu. He also served as adminis-
trator of the civil service examination and selected outstanding scholars and officials for public
service; Yi Saek was one of them. - The successful candidates were divided into three groups, kapgwa, ŭlgwa and
pyŏnggwa, depending on their rank in the examination. - Kim Hŭnggyŏng (?–1374): an official of late Koryŏ. He was one of the favorite subjects
of King Kongmin. When King Kongmin was suddenly assassinated, he was impeached for
abusing his power and executed.