40 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
enemy also ruthlessly cut down young children, causing their corpses to form
mountains, and all the areas the invaders had passed through were awash in
blood. They even slaughtered two- or three-year-old girls [as human sacri-
fices]. They first shaved the hair of the victims, slit open their stomachs, and
removed the entrails. Then they filled their stomachs with rice and wine and
presented the bodies as a sacrifice to Heaven. This campaign left the coastal
towns of the three southern provinces desolate and empty. The scale of the
devastation was the greatest of any Japanese invasion.
King U appointed T’aejo supreme mobile inspector (to sunch’alsa) of the
three provinces Yanggwang, Chŏlla, and Kyŏngsang—with orders to subdue
the Japanese enemy. Then he made Assistant Chancellor Pyŏn Annyŏl
supreme commander (to ch’ech’alsa)^101 and T’aejo’s deputy commander.
The king also appointed officials of various departments as military com-
manders and ordered them to assist T’aejo as his aides.
They were: Wang Pongmyŏng and U Innyŏl, assistant chancellors; To
Kilbu, deputy commissioner (usa); Pak Imjong, administrative grand coun-
cilor of the Chancellery; Hong In’gye, assistant consultative discussant; Im
Sŏngmi, deputy commissioner of the Security Council; and Yi W’ŏn’gye,
Lord of Ch’ŏksan. When the marching army arrived in Changdan, a white
rainbow hung across the sun. A fortuneteller said, “This is a good sign for
us, indicating our victory.”
The Japanese invaders went into Sangju^102 and feasted for six days,
and burned government warehouses. Then they passed by Kyŏngsanbu
(Sŏngju)^103 and encamped at Sagŭnnae Post Station.
Nine military commanders of our army, including Pae Kŭngnyŏm, the
supreme commander of three provinces (samdo wonsu), were defeated, and
Pak Sugyŏng and Pae Ŏn were among those killed in battle. A total of five
hundred soldiers died. The power of the enemy forces grew each day,
enabling them to capture Hamyang Fortress and head for Namwon. Then
they burned the district of Unbong and established their camp at Inwŏl Post
Station, boasting that they would feed their horses at Kŭmsŏng Fortress
near Kwangju and advance north. The people across the country were
gripped with fear after hearing what the Japanese said.- Supreme commander of the Office of the Commander (To ch’ech’alsabu, or To ch’ebu).
See Palais, p. 1186. - A city in North Kyŏngsang Province.
- Modern Sŏngju in North Kyŏngsang Province.