Book XI 671royal palaces also constructed, all the public works should be stopped
regardless of their urgency. It will not be too late to construct or repair the
facilities after waiting for a year of good harvest. Furthermore, this year, the
burden of taxes levied upon both public and private lands should be allevi-
ated so that the people can be rewarded for their contributions, and their
livelihood improved.
“1. What military conscripts and people across the country find most
painful is riding on a ship. Since military provisions are now procured
through the profits from catching fish and making salt, the work is very hard
and the supply of provisions not sufficient. For this reason, whenever the
people are called to serve in the navy by turns, entire families often run
away and hide. Henceforth, we request that the navy soldiers be issued pro-
visions as they used to in the past as well as be allowed to keep the profits
from extra salt- making for their expenses. If there is anyone among provin-
cial military commanders or lesser garrison commanders who make for-
tunes by harassing the soldiers to catch fish and make salt, we urge you to
punish him strictly by the law.
“1. Roguish monks travel all over the place, cheating people and causing
trouble. From this day forward, we request that the local government respon-
sible strictly crack down on the vagrant monks who reside in villages beg-
ging for food and doing nothing. Those who have no monk certificates (toch’ŏp)
should be prohibited from practicing Buddhist ministry, and when they vio-
late this law, their parents and their abbot should be punished together.
“1. It may appear really convenient that the soldiers of each province take
turns once a year for their service duty; however, those who come from
distant districts need to both serve their royal guard duty when they come
up to the capital and engage themselves in defending their districts against
the Japanese attacks when they go home, so they virtually have no time for
rest. Earlier, because of the Japanese who had surrendered, they were unable
to attend to their livelihood from winter to summer, spending their time at
sea aboard ships, which was extremely hard. The royal guard duty at the
moment being fortunately carried out by armed soldiers, we request that the
soldiers of each province be exempted from their guard duty and take a
break while raising horses. Then you should order the governors to provide
them with training both in spring and autumn and prepare them militarily.
If there are any disturbances on the borders, it will be quite easy to recruit
them when and where they are needed.
“1. Military training and grain cultivation are essential; neither can be
abandoned, but what is especially important in ruling the state is to produce