806 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
were in a small way, and until my life and strength were exhausted, and I have
never been idle in my duty from early in the morning until late at night.
“In the third month, spring of the Pyŏngja year (1396), my father unfor-
tunately fell ill, and unable to nurse him properly, I requested that I be
allowed to resign. In the fourth month, the summer, my father passed away,
and I have tended his grave for three years. Though I was in mourning day
and night, how could I dare to forget Your Majesty even a moment?
“After the mourning for my father was finally finished, I wanted to render
a small service by working at a post either in the capital or the provinces,
and that was to pay back your favor and kindness. On the twenty- first day
of the fifth month, you selected me as administrator of Cheju and, concur-
rently, instructor, and I was even more grateful to receive a great favor from
you and desired to go to my post immediately.
“However, I am concerned that my mother, who is already seventy- five,
is so old and ill that it is hard to predict how many days are left for her. I
have failed to serve her for a long time because I had to tend to my father’s
grave for three years, and under the current circumstances, if I have to leave
her behind in order to serve in a remote place, I will be unable to look after
her day and night and correspond with her as often as I want. Then I will be
worried and miss her, and I am afraid that she will also miss me and her
poor health will grow worse. If this happens, how can I fully devote myself
to my duty?
“According to an old saying, ‘Filial piety leads to loyalty.’ I turn thirty-
eight this year, which indicates that I have many years to serve Your Majesty
but only a few years to serve my old mother. This is the reason I have decided
to tender my resignation.
“Prostrating myself on the ground, I beg you to heed my plea. If you send
me to an inland post instead of the one on an island, changing my appoint-
ment so that the communication between my mother and myself may not be
disrupted, how would I dare avoid the job that you give even if it is such a
lowly one as that of a security guard patrolling the street at night with a
spear or a stick in his hand? Once I have finished serving my mother, how
would I dare to decline your appointment even if I have to serve in a remote
place to the end of my life?
“As I respectfully believe, if you are gracious enough to change my
appointment as I wish, and thereby let it be known that you rule the world
with filial piety, both the relationship between sovereign and subject and the
bond between mother and son can be realized without discord.” The king
allowed him to resign.