Book XIII 739rites and ceremonies of the enlightened age. So we cannot help worrying
that it will negatively affect our customs.
“To summon the officials in mourning is to recall and restore them to
their previously occupied posts. If they are men of outstanding talent who
are indispensable for the security of the state, the state cannot afford to lose
them for even a day. If they are also men of war who are capable of fighting
against the enemy, wearing armor, and wielding a sword, they need to be
saved and nurtured for a crisis in the future; therefore, it may be necessary
to recall them to their previously occupied posts, even if they have not ful-
filled their mourning period.
“However, in the glorious dynasty ruled brilliantly by Your Majesty, there
is no lack of talented people who are waiting to be employed. Why do you,
then, recall the ones who are hard- hearted and shameless enough to take off
their mourning robes to seek important posts both in the capital and the
provinces? When we are faced with a crisis, it can be allowed that the offi-
cials in mourning, whether they be civil or military, take off their mourning
robes and return to their posts, circumventing the rites. However, is it appro-
priate to allow them to disregard the rites of mourning in times of peace?
“We request that hereafter no officials, whether they be generals or min-
isters, be recalled and restored to their old posts during their mourning
unless they are urgently needed for affairs of state, and that the military
officials who serve as royal guards be allowed to carry out their duties by
special orders in this exceptional situation. If there is any official who vol-
untarily takes off his mourning dress before he finishes the mourning
period, he should be strictly punished by law. In addition, the practice of
making requests through departments or provinces concerned for the resto-
ration of officials to their previous posts during their mourning should be
prohibited so that officials may be dissuaded from availing themselves of
opportunities and, rather, devote themselves more to the principle of human-
ity.” The king granted the request.
3rd Day (Kyŏngjin)
The Office of the Inspector-General requested that the practice of paying a
stipend to the holders of sinecures and retired officials be abolished.Chŏng Tojŏn, chief pacification and surveillance commissioner of the
Northeast Region, decided the names of prefectures, counties, and districts,