Book XII 723
king in accordance with the precedents in ancient laws. Building their
shrines and tombs first and purifying the sites where they are found, I have
carried out ancestral rites in all seasons. However, the royal tombs in
Tŏngnŭng and Allŭng are located in Kongju, which is far from here, pre-
venting me from doing my best in performing ancestral rites. Though I
wanted to maintain them in good shape, performing ancestral rites in all
seasons, I have failed in my duty so far, which I feel is very regrettable.
“Extremely conversant with all kinds of learning throughout history and
singularly talented both in literary and martial arts, you created the culture
and institutions representing our age. Hence, I appointed you chief pacifica-
tion mobile inspector of the Northeast Region. Leave now to your new post
and make sure that nothing is amiss in attending to and maintaining the
royal tombs and shrines in terms of ceremonial proprieties. Repair the for-
tress and ramparts so that people can settle down comfortably, and facilitate
people’s coming and going by creating a post station. Clarify the bound-
aries to prevent the districts from having disputes, and regularize the titles
of civil and military offices so that official ranks can be clearly distinguished
one from another.
“All the territories extending from Tanju to Kongju belong to the juris-
diction of concurrent mobile inspector. Submit detailed reports on the
number of resident populations, the quality of military officials in the dis-
trict, and so forth, and when you find ways to improve the lives of the people,
carry them out on you own.
“Ah, ah! To remember and worship ancestors is the duty of a man [the
king]; to receive an order from him and carry it out is the duty of a subject.
Go now and do your duty reverently.”
24th Day (Imin)
Appointing Yi Chiran, assistant grand councilor of the Chancellery, as chief
regional military commander, the king had him accompany the chief paci-
fication mobile inspector [Chŏng Tojŏn] as his deputy.
Kwŏn Kŭn, Lord of Hwasan, submitted the following memorial to the king:
“Despite being foolish and mediocre, for a long time I have been favored
by Your Majesty because I happen to have a little literary skill. During the
previous dynasty, when I was crazy enough to violate the law and my crimes
were much more serious than anyone could have understood, I was fortunate