Book XIV 827office; and the provincial military commanders who have failed to learn the
Diagram of Troop Dispositions, all beaten with a paddle.”
Earlier, Chŏng Tojŏn and Nam Ŭn had an audience with the king almost
every day and recommended that our forces attack Liaodong, China. This
was why military officers and officials were required to learn the Diagram
of Troop Dispositions as fast as they could. Sometime earlier than this, Cho
Chun, left chancellor, requested leave and stayed home, and Tojŏn and Ŭn
visited him at his house and said, “Since attacking Liaodong is already
decided, we want Your Honor not to mention it again.”
Cho Chun replied, “Occupying the senior seat among dynasty- founding
merit subjects, how can I betray His Majesty? Since His Majesty ascended
the throne and relocated the nation’s capital, the people have had to suffer
because of construction work and have never gotten a chance to enjoy his
grace and benevolence. Under the circumstances in which their resentments
rise to the extreme and provisions for them are lacking, how can you have
things accomplished by leading them out [on a military campaign]?
He said to Tojŏn again, “If I undertake this military expedition with Your
Honor, leading the people from various provinces, would they, who have
hated us for a long time, be willing to follow our orders? I am afraid that I
will bring myself to ruin and the country as well even before we reach
Liaodong. My condition is so bad now that I can hardly get out of bed. I
would like to ask you to take my message to the king. As soon as I feel a little
better, I will personally present him with my opinion.” Later, Cho Chun
remonstrated with the king assiduously, and the king followed his advice.The king visited Hŭngch’ŏn Monastery and watched the Buddhist prayer
ceremony conducted for the spirit of Queen Sindŏk.10th Day (Kyech’uk)
Kim Kyun, Lord of Kyerim, died. He was a native of Kyerim. In the Kyŏngja
year (1360) of King Kongmin’s reign, he passed the National Academy
examination. However, failing to pass the civil service examination, he
belonged to the inner circle of officials attending the king and made friends
with Cho Chun. When Chun took power, Kyun finally rose to minister of
justice via various posts. At the beginning when our dynasty was founded,
Chun allied himself with Kyun and recommended him to be made Iktae
[Respectfully-Assisting] merit subject and later promoted to assistant director