598 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
of Hongwu to Tojŏn, supervisor (chejogwan) of ritual ceremonies and
director of the State Finance Commission, for proofreading. The memorial
was drafted by Chŏng T’ak, chancellor of the National Academy, and it was
composed on the fourteenth day of the intercalary ninth month of the
twenty- eighth year of the reign of Hongwu. Tojŏn at that time, however, was
too busy to read it because he was in the middle of organizing the ritual
ceremonies related to moving the tablets of royal ancestors to the newly
built royal shrine. So Indo asked Chŏng Ch’ong, vice supervisor and assis-
tant grand councilor of the Chancellery, and Kwŏn Kŭn, deputy director of
the Office of Royal Decrees, to proofread the memorial. The Privy Council,
in its report included with this deposition made by Indo, says that it is accu-
rate and believes that it is all true.
“Thinking about the matter the report is based on, I am ignorant about
classics and histories, and all our officials are also limited in their learning
because they live far from China and the language they use is so dif-
ferent that they have failed to master the proper ways of producing memo-
rials and diplomatic documents. How, then, would they dare to insult you on
pur pose?
“As you instructed, I send Chŏng T’ak, who drafted the memorial, Kwŏn
Kŭn, who revised it, and No Indo, who requested Kwŏn Kŭn to revise it,
to the imperial capital under the escort of Yi Ŭlsu, director of the Court
of Interpreters. I will leave them at your disposal. However, since Chŏng
Tojŏn had little to do with the memorial drafted by Chŏng T’ak and is also
suffering from abdominal bloating and beriberi, I am unable to send him
to you.
“Speaking of your order requiring us to send you the family members
of Yu Ku and others who are now detained in China, we have never been
negligent in our duty since our small kingdom started serving the suzer-
ain state. Nevertheless, our New Year embassy, Yu Ku and others, are
forced to stay in China and, further, their family members are soon
required to join them. Our people across the country are all surprised and
scared by what is happening, and the family members of our envoys are
extremely distressed and saddened to leave their home. I very much feel
sorry for them.
“Following your order, I sent Chŏng T’ak and Kim Yakhang and others
who drafted the controversial memorials to the imperial capital so that they
can be at your disposal. Prostrating myself to the ground, I beg Your Majesty
to generously forgive them and let our people have hope.”