The Annals of King T\'aejo. Founder of Korea\'s Choson Dynasty - Byonghyon Choi

General Introduction (Ch’ongsŏ) 45

Yi Saek, Lord of Hansan, composed a complimentary poem to praise
T’a e jo.

Since you cut down the enemy forces as if they were rotten trees,

All the joy running through the country is due to you.

Your loyalty reaches the sky, sweeping away the thick mist

And your majesty is so great that the wind on the sea is hushed.

At the splendid banquet held at Chumuyan,^106 your martial prowess

is sung,

And the portraits of merit subjects are hung in the great hall of

Lingliange.^107

Lying in bed due to being sick, I couldn’t join the people welcoming

the hero.

The best I can do is to make this poem to praise your great achievements.

Kim Kuyong, former left director of the State Finance Commission,
responded to the poem as follows:

Striking down the brunt of the enemy’s attack like lightning,

Everyone felt your strength and leadership.

The august mist spread to push away the poisonous vapors

And the frosty wind helped to add power to your authority.

The island barbarians turned pale when they saw your majestic army

And neighboring countries held their breath and trembled.

Everyone in the court stands in line to praise you, and that’s because

You have rendered service to the country, which will last forever.

Kwŏn Kŭn, libationer (cheju) of the National Academy, also joined
these poets.

The hearts and virtues of the three thousand^108 are all alike,

But the military discipline you brought is solely your achievement.

106. One of the halls that enshrined the portraits of meritorious subjects, which was estab-
     lished by Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty.


107. A famous hall in which Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty ordered to have the
     portraits of 24 dynasty-founding merit subjects established. The merit subjects or meritorious
     ministers are a generic designation of outstanding civil officials and military officials who
     rendered a great service to the establishment of the new dynasty or restoration of the country.


108. They may refer to the three thousand officials of the Zhou dynasty during the reign of
     King Wu.