Book VI 433relieve the people of their burden, being anxious to gain their support for
now, you should continue to stay in Songdo. However, if you want to estab-
lish a nation that will last forever, there is no better place than here.”Yi Chik, academician of the Security Council said: “Examining the books
on geomancy in relation to moving the nation’s capital, I found that ‘The site
for the royal capital should be a place where myriad streams of water and
countless mountain peaks merge into one great mountain and one great
river.’ This indicates that the place should be a spot where the energy of
mountain ranges gathers, and where the waters of the river are deep and
broad enough to accommodate boats. The books also say, ‘The capital of
the state with land 1,000 li long should be as large as 500 li in all directions,
and the capital of the state with land 500 li long should be as large as 50 li
in all directions.’ This statement indicates that the distance from the capital
to local provinces should be equal in all directions. The secret records
handed down in our country also say that the capital should be located
‘below Mt. Samgak,’ or ‘in the vicinity of the Han River,’ or ‘the capital
[below Mt. Muak.’ These locations indicate right here.
“Finding the right place to move the capital is so important that it cannot
be decided by a few people. It can be done only after following the will of
Heaven and securing the support of the people. The Classic of Documents
says, ‘Consult the tortoise shell, divining stalks, ministers, and officers’^56
[when you have doubts about any great matter]. Therefore, the decision
cannot be made without their assistance.
“Since moving the capital or not depends on time and fortune, how dare
I express my opinion thoughtlessly? Your Majesty is serious about [mov-
ing the capital] and also mindful of public opinion, and that is to follow the
will of Heaven. [However], I also believe that the site of Muak is a little
too small.”
The reluctance shown by various grand councilors in their discussion about
moving the capital displeased the king, who said, “When I return to the
capital [Songdo], I will clear up my doubts at the Daoist Temple of Brilliant
Rec tification.” Then he took his royal carriage to Namgyŏng [Hanyang].
- “The Great Plan.” (Shu Ching, p. 130)