Book VI 437precincts (Naejesŏgwŏn)^62 and established the Flourishing Fortune Ware-
house (Pokhŭnggo).
24th Day (Sinmyo)
The king paid a visit to Ch’ŏngsimjŏng Pavilion and ordered Han Sanggyŏng,
chief royal secretary, to present a lecture on the Extended Meaning of the
Great Learning.The Privy Council submitted a memorial to the king: “Left Chancellor Cho
Chun and Right Chancellor Kim Sahyŏng present their views as follows:
Since the days of old, when kings rose to the throne, founding new dynas-
ties with the Mandate of Heaven, they always settled the people by estab-
lishing their royal capital. Therefore, Yao established his capital in Pingyang,
Xia in Anyi, Shang in Bo, Zhou in Fenggao, Han in Xianyang, and Tang in
Chang’an. Some of them chose their royal capital in the land in which they
rose to power, and others chose it mainly for the sake of convenience, but
they all made the capital their power base in order to rule the whole
cou nt r y.
“Since the reign of Tan’gun, our country has been either united or divided,
and capitals were chosen regardless. After unifying the whole country, the
previous dynasty established its capital in Songak, and it lasted for almost
five hundred years until its fortune ran out.
“Endowed with great virtue and distinguished for contributions, Your
Majesty received the Mandate of Heaven and became the ruler of the
kingdom. Since you already established new laws so that the dynasty can
last forever, you should also lay the foundation for thousands of generations
to come by establishing a new capital.
“Surrounded by mountains and rivers both from inside and outside,
Hanyang has been famous from the days of old for its outstanding terrain
features. Situated in the middle of the country, the distance between
Hanyang and local provinces in all directions is even, and it can be reached
by river and road. Hence, we believe that it is the will of Heaven as well
as the people to establish the capital right there.” The king granted the
request.- Sakra is an Indian god who can be compared to the Daoist Jade Emperor, who rules the
universe. Koreans called him Chaesŏkch’ŏn or Chaesŏk Hwanin and worshiped him mainly in
connection with their prayers for the country.