800 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
you ask why I was reluctant to release the workers, it was not because I liked
to have them working, but because I had no choice. If so, wasn’t it obviously
wrong that you made an urgent request to release the workers? Why do you
intentionally avoid discussing this mistake of yours?”
At that time, Right Chancellor Kim Sahyŏng was staying home on
leave. So Left Chancellor Cho Chun alone had to respond to the king’s
reproach, but he did not know how to answer. So he only said that he was
responsible.
The king also reproached Yi Chi: “In the memorial you submitted earlier,
you said, ‘If anyone among the grand councilors, literati, and eunuchs dares
to make proposals related to the construction of Buddhist temples, you
should discipline him strictly and drive him out.’ I want to know if you are,
in your remarks, referring to the monasteries that were under construction
at that time or the monasteries to be built in the days ahead. If you referred
to the latter, why have I failed to hear anything about the Hall of Sacred
Buddhist Relics whose construction has been under way for a long time? If
you referred to the temples that were currently under construction, can you
name the person among the grand councilors, literati, and eunuchs who
initially submitted a proposal to build them? Make yourself clearer.”
Yi Chi, out of fear, replied: “Your servant only complied with the order to
submit honest opinions on the affairs of state, following the examples of our
predecessors, and in that regard expressed my view that Buddhism is detri-
mental to governing the state. I neither referred to the matter in the future
nor at the moment. Nor do I know about the person who originally sub-
mitted a proposal to you.”
When Yi Munhwa submitted Yi Chi’s reply, the king laughed and said:
“It is natural that the man was unable to reply properly. You indeed pressed
him hard in your reprimand. Since he will be so worried and become sick if
I keep silent for several days without saying anything, I want you to go back
to him and explain what is in my mind. Having already sincerely sought
honest advice from my subjects, how can I dislike hearing about it and
reproach the person who submitted it? I only felt that the advice I received
did not agree with the current state. of affairs. Nevertheless, punishing a
subject because his advice is wrong is not the right way to seek advice. I
respect and accept all the advice. Therefore, you officials should stop wor-
rying and set your minds at ease. You should not be too cautious or suspi-
cious because I was indignant. If there is anything related to my mistakes
or the interests of the state, speak out about it in my presence. If you are