434 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
13th Day (Kyŏngjin)
Inspecting the site of the old royal palaces in Namgyŏng and observing the
features of the mountains, the king asked Yun Sindal: “How do you like this
place?” Sindal replied, “In our country, Songgyŏng [Songdo or Kaesŏng] is
the best, and this place is the second best. The only problem is that the low
terrain on the northwest side dries up streams and springs.” Pleased by the
answer, the king said, “No place can be perfect, even including Songgyŏng.
As I examine the terrain of this place, it appears to be good for the royal
capital. Most of all, the rivers here can accommodate boats, and the distance
from the capital to local provinces is even in all directions. So this place
will also be convenient for the people.”
The king also asked Royal Preceptor Chach’o, “What do you think of this
place?” Chach’o replied, “Since the terrain on all four sides is high and the
middle section is flat, this place appears to be good for building the palace.
However, I would like to ask you to make your final decision following the
general opinion.”
The king ordered grand councilors to discuss the matter, and they replied,
“If you really want to move the capital, we recommend this place.” However,
Ha Yun alone said, “The mountainous terrain appears to be fine, but this
place is not good with regard to geomancy.” Following the general opinion
of the officials, the king decided to move the nation’s capital to Hanyang.
Then Yang Wŏnsik, former library clerk, stepped forward and said, “I
already submitted the secret record [on geomancy] in my possession last
time, in response to your order. There is a mountain on the east side of
Kwangsilwŏn in Chŏksŏng,^57 and the residents call it Mt. Kyejok.^58 Taking
a look at it, it corresponds to the description in the secret records.”
The king said, “There being no river to float boats, how can it be the
capital?” Wŏnsik replied, “From Imjin to Changdan, the river is deep
enough to float boats.” The king inspected the construction site for the Royal
Ancestral Shrine, taking a ride in the royal vehicle, and spent the night in
the Nowŏn Post Station fields.The king ordered the Privy Council to mobilize able- bodied people from
the Kyŏngsang, Chŏlla, Ch’ungch’ŏng, Kangwŏn, P’unghae, and Left and- Chŏksŏng is known to be in the modern P’aju area near Mt. Kamak in Kyŏnggi
Province. Kwangsilwŏn is located in Yŏnch’ŏn County in Kyŏnggi Province. - A mountain in Yŏju, Kyŏnggi Province.