Book XI 647
He wishes to fulfill his duty to serve the great nation
And avows to pay tribute for thousands of generations.
Traveling on a Diplomatic Mission
Having received the royal order to depart as an envoy,
I bid farewell to my parents and traveled a long distance.
How can I complain about the fatigue of horse- riding?
My only concern is that I may fail in my mission.
Wide open is the palace gate of the great nation,
But the post road I am traveling never ends.
I wish that I could spread my loyalty and sincerity on it,
And that the emperor could notice it even a little.
Arriving at the Capital Carrying the Royal Orders
As the sage ruler rises like a dragon and pacifies the world,
People from distant lands pay tribute to him, crossing mountains
and seas.
His palace, filled with auspicious energy, stands magnificently,
And the splendid culture shows the greatness of his rule.
As the morning mist clears, the sun shines on the imperial banner,
And the wind from heaven makes incense burn fragrantly.
Favored and honored by His Majesty, his servant from a small
kingdom
Attends on him in his august presence, standing in the red palace yard.
Passing by Western Capital [P’yŏngyang]
A thousand- year- old kingdom ruled by Jizi is laid along the sea,
And the legacy of his Eight Prohibitions^15 is still alive.
The distant hills and mountains surround the plain,
And the long river flows swiftly, encircling old villages.
- They are the laws promulgated by Kija [Jizi] and enforced in the kingdom of Old
Chosŏn. However, only three among the Eight Prohibitions are handed down. The first is that
one who commits homicide is put to death; second, one who physically harmed others should
compensate them with grain; and third, one who steals the property of others should be made
a slave of the person or the house that he tried to rob.
