358 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
“The eighth item was as follows: ‘I already gave you my permission to
change your country name and yet did not hear from you for a long time
after your envoys returned home. You first sent your officials to Prince of
Liao and Prince of Ning to pay your respect, referring to yourself as provi-
sional ruler of Chosŏn. One month later, you finally sent me your man to
express your gratitude by submitting a memorial. So it appears that you
deliberately disregarded the dignity of rank and position by reversing
their order.’
“I looked into this matter, and the truth is as follows: As for the mission
to express gratitude after changing the country name, on the ninth day of
the third month of the twenty- sixth year of the reign of Hongwu, I dis-
patched Yi Yŏm, assistant grand councilor of the Chancellery, to the Chinese
capital, carrying my memorial and tribute gifts. A little after he departed, I
came to learn that Prince of Liao and Prince of Ning had arrived at their
posts after they were enfeoffed. Since our small kingdom shares borders
with Liao and Ning and particularly had great respect for the imperial court
[of China], I felt that it was appropriate for us to pay respect to them. On the
sixth day of the fourth month of the same year, I sent Pak Wŏn, former com-
missioner of the Security Council, and Yu Un, former deputy director of the
Security Council, and others to pay my respect to His Highnesses Prince of
Liao and Prince of Ning. What happened was that Yi Yŏm, whom I men-
tioned before, arrived at the Chinese capital late because he traveled a long
distance to reach the Chinese capital. Besides, his travel was encumbered
by the saddles and other tribute gifts he carried to be presented to the
emperor. So how could our envoys plan to arrive early or late, deliberately
disregarding the dignity of rank and position?
“The ninth item was as follows: ‘Some years ago, King Ch’ang requested
an audience with me, but I did not grant his request. Afterwards, Wang Yo
took over the country and also requested that he be allowed to have an audi-
ence with me, and I refused his request as well. At last, Yo sent his son Sŏk
to my court, but I had him return home. After he returned to Koryŏ, both Yo
and his son acted lawlessly until they committed treason. I believe the
reason they made such requests repeatedly was that they feared China would
send an army to chastise them. So they were anxious to secure my trust in
their favor through their visits.’
“With regard to the matter mentioned above, my humble opinion is this:
Sin Ch’ang and Wang Yo and others of the previous dynasty repeatedly
requested permission to visit your heavenly court, and Yo finally sent his