14 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
reign of King Kojong,^60 and it took ninety-nine years to recover them all.
The king promoted Hwanjo to grand master for central appearance [rank 3b]
and appointed him minister of the Bureau of Prisons (sabokkyŏng). In addi-
tion, he bestowed on him a house in the capital and had him reside in it
thereafter.
At that time, Japanese marauders invaded Yanggwang Province,^61 and
the government reinforced the security of the capital city. Serving as the
director of the Directorate for Armaments (Kun’gigam), Hwanjo became
the military commander (pyŏngmasa) of Sŏgang. Thereafter, he was pro-
moted twice in rapid succession, to grand master for transmitting discus-
sions (t’ongŭi taebu; rank 3b) and then to grand master for following
righteousness (Chŏngsun taebu; rank 3a), and also appointed supreme gen-
eral (sang changgun) of the Thousand Bull Guard (Ch’ŏnuwi).^62
In the spring of the twenty-first year (1361) of Zhizheng, Hwanjo, who
was grand master for glorious happiness (yŏngnok taebu; rank 2b) and
director of the Directorate for Palace Buildings (p’an Changjakkam sa) at
the time, was newly appointed myriarch (manho) of Sakbang Province^63
and concurrently military commander of the border region. The Censorate
(Ŏsadae), however, was opposed to his appointment and in a memorial sub-
mitted to the king stated: “Yi [Hwanjo] is originally a man of the Northeast
Border and also chiliarchHall of that region. Therefore, it is not advisable to
appoint him the military commander of the border and have him defend the
region.”
The king, however, refused to take the advice; furthermore, he held a
banquet for Hwanjo at Holjŏkch’ŏng Hall [in the royal palace] and enter-
tained him very generously. The officials of the Chancellery (Munhasŏng)
and the Security Council (Chungch’uwŏn)^64 also treated him with respect
and saw him off outside Hoebin Gate.^65 After he had already departed, the
government promoted him to minister of Revenue (hobu sangsŏ). Not long
after he arrived at the northern border, Hwanjo submitted an urgent report- Kojong (1213–1259) is the 23rd king of Koryŏ.
- An old name for Ch’ungch’ŏng Province.
- One of the six military divisions established in early Koryŏ. The Thousand Bull Guard,
however, was mainly charged with state ceremonies. (Ki-baik, Lee, 117) - An old name for Kangwŏn Provinces.
- The officials of the Chancellery are called chaesin, and those of the Security Council,
ch’usin. - One of many palace gates in Kaesŏng, the capital of Koryŏ. It was located in the
south wall.