404 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
forms a natural fortress. The one who rules over such a land cannot maintain
himself without the Mandate of Heaven. When I observe what Yi So- and- so
is doing, he does not appear to be one who rules the people by following the
orders of the Lord on High. Though I wish to report the matter to him, I fear
that I may disturb his peace too precipitately. So I send a man to report it to
the spirits first, expecting that they in turn will look into the matter and
report it to the Lord on High. If Yi and his people continue to be arrogant
and insulting, I will have no choice but to raise an army to chastise them.’
“Having received this instruction from the emperor, I cannot help feeling
that I certainly do not deserve his warning. My ancestors originally came
from Chosŏn. Yi Han, my twenty- second- generation ancestor, served as
minister of works in the kingdom of Silla. After Silla ended, Yi Kŭnghyu,
Han’s sixth- generation descendant, served in the government of Koryŏ, and
Yi Ansa, Kŭnghyu’s thirteenth- generation descendant, served in the pre-
vious Yuan dynasty. He was my great- great- grandfather. After him, our
family did not serve in the government of Koryŏ. As a war broke out at the
end of Yuan, my father Yi Chach’un took refuge in the eastern region,
taking with him his family, including myself. I served in the army because
I was known to have some knowledge of military affairs, but I failed to rise
to a high rank.
“After King Kongmin of Koryŏ passed away, Sin U usurped the throne
and ruled for sixteen years, and during that time, officials such as Yi Inim,
Im Kyŏnmi, Yŏm Hŭngbang, and others alternately seized power. They
caused such great harm to the people that they paid with their lives. On the
other hand, I became chancellor of the state because I comported myself
cautiously from the beginning and made no mistakes, and thenceforth I
participated in the administration of the government. As for these facts, I
have already submitted them to you through my memorials.
“Yi Inim and your servant [Yi Sŏnggye] do not belong to the same family.
From the day I started governing the state, I tried to correct all the wrongdo-
ings committed by Inim. So he and his followers became resentful, and
eventually Yun I and Yi Ch’o ran across to the suzerain state [China] and
made false reports to you against me. Fortunately, thanks to your good
judgment, those wicked people were brought to justice. However, the mem-
bers of their clique, hiding out both in the capital and the provinces, have
kept on accusing me out of their jealousy until now.
“I also believe that Heaven and men, high and low, are connected by a
single principle. The mind of Your Majesty is actually the mind of the Lord