672 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
sufficient grain for the people. We request that henceforth what is nones-
sential be absolutely eliminated, from the expenditures for worshiping
Buddha and the spirits as well as from various benefits and awards granted
by the king, thereby increasing savings to prepare for any contingency.
“1. Forests and streams are the natural resources for people across the
country to enjoy. However, some powerful individuals occupy them for
their own self- interest as they please, and this is against justice. We request
that henceforth all the local districts and counties be ordered to conduct a
survey on the forests and streams in their jurisdictions, and if there is any-
one who occupies them unlawfully, they should report the names of those
individuals to the Office of the Inspector-General. Then the Office of the
Inspector-General should stop their abuses by punishing them after con-
ducting investigations. If any magistrate fails to report on those individuals,
because of the favors they want to seek from them or because of their fear
of their power, we request that they be also punished in just the same way as
the accused are punished.” The king granted the requests and gave orders to
carry them out.26th Day (Musin)
Sitting on the throne in the Hall of Diligent Government, the king received
the greetings from the officials. Rakaon, the chieftain of the surrendered
Japanese, stood in the line of the Eastern File [civil officials] a little behind
the head official of rank 8, and the envoys from Thailand stood in the line
of the Western File [military officials] a little behind the head official of
rank 8. The king bestowed Rakaon with a silk robe, a ramie robe, a cap, a
silver belt, and a pair of men’s wooden- sole deerskin boots, and each of his
twelve subordinates with a ramie robe.27th Day (Kiyu)
The king appointed Yi Munhwa as second royal secretary; No Sŏkchu as
fifth royal secretary and, concurrently, magistrate of the Office of Personnel
Appointments and Royal Seals; Rakaon, the chieftain of the surrendered
Japanese, as manifestly expedient general; and his eight subordinates,
including Tojiro, as director (sajŏng) and deputy director (pu sajŏng),
respectively.The king officially appointed court ladies.