670 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
“1. The requirement that literati officials establish family shrines in their
houses is already in the law. Nevertheless, respecting Buddhism and wor-
shiping spirits, they neglect to build their family shrines and hold ancestral
rites. Henceforth, we request that you make them build their ancestral
shrines in their houses within a certain time period. If some officials still
dare disobey the royal orders and continue their evil practices, please have
the Office of the Inspector-General investigate and discipline them.
“1. The morning audience in the palace, which is held every five days, has
only the ceremony for paying respect to the king and no procedures for lis-
tening to or receiving the reports on state affairs. Besides, the Hall of
Diligent Government is actually a place where state affairs are discussed
and decided; however, since monks are always invited to chant sutras inside
the hall, that goes against the intention of naming the palace “Hall of Dili-
gent Government.” Henceforth, whenever the morning audience is held, we
request that Your Majesty allow the officials from the various departments
and agencies, regardless of rank, to join the meeting if they have impor-
tant state affairs to report and let the reports be discussed and decided on
the spot.
“1. In antiquity the Three Dukes (Sangong)^34 discussed major govern-
ment policies, and the six ministers (liuqing)^35 divided their work of admin-
istration. However, they employed only the right person for the job, rather
than simply filling the posts. The current bureaucratic system, however, is
extremely cumbersome. Starting from the Privy Council at the top down to
various government bureaus, it is so overstaffed with public officials that it
has to increase the posts as much as possible to accommodate them all. It is
like the situation in which nine shepherds take care of ten lambs and ten
people try to carry one bottle. We urge you to eliminate the nonessential
posts and reduce the number of public officials so that the officials can do
their best in discharging their duties, while taking pride in their posts.
“1. Due to public works these days, the people have failed to cultivate
their lands. Since the fortifications of the capital are now completed and the- Grand preceptor (taishi, 太師), grand mentor (taifu, 太傳), and grand guardian
(taibo, 太保). - Ministry of State (Tianguan, 天官, headed by the Chancellor Zhongzai, 冢宰),
Ministry of Civil Administration and Social Welfare (Diguan, 地官, headed by Minister of
Education Situ, 司徒), Ministry of Rites (Chunguan, 春官, headed by Minister of Rites
Zongbo, 宗伯), Ministry of War (Xiguan, 夏官, headed by Minister of War Sima, 司馬),
Ministry of Justice (Qiuguan, 秋官, headed by Minister of Justice Sikou, 司寇), and Ministry
of Works (Dongguan, 冬官, headed by Minister of Works Sikong, 司空).