Book XV 8595th Day (Chŏngch’uk)
The moon approached Saturn. A meteor came out of Polaris (Kujin)^9 to flow
west, and it also came out of the Five Chariots (Ogŏsŏng) to enter the con-
stellation of Auriga (P’algok),^10 and Mars was observed to be in the middle
of the right gate of the Supreme Palace Enclosure (T’aemiwŏn).^11
The king said to Yi Munhwa, chief royal secretary: “Falling ill, I have failed
to attend to the affairs of state for a long time. How long can I leave unat-
tended the numerous things that happen every day? Whenever I think of
this, I feel my condition worsen. Now I want to abdicate the throne to the
crown prince so that I can live out my last days while coping with my illness
without worries. Go and tell the scholar- officials to draft a royal decree and
submit it to me.” Munhwa immediately told Yi Ch’ŏm, minister of per-
sonnel, to draft a royal decree and present it.The king sent Sim Tŏkbu, chief director of the State Finance Commission,
to make an announcement to the Royal Ancestral Shrine on his behalf:
“Although I lack benevolence, I have already been ruling over the people for
seven years, thanks to the virtue and strength of my royal ancestors. Being
old and often ill, I am worried that I am incapable of dealing with numerous
affairs of state from early morning to late evening with due diligence.
Crown Prince Panggwa, being my eldest son, showed benevolence and filial
piety in his conduct from childhood and in addition helped me greatly in
various ways at the beginning of the new dynasty. So I respectfully make
this report, intending to have him take over my throne and continue to offer
sacrifices to the royal ancestors.”
The king also sent Sŏl Changsu, director of the State Finance Commission,
and Kim Ŭlsang, minister of rites, to the Ming capital to report his abdica-
tion to the Chinese government: “Your servant has suffered palsy after- It is located in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure (Chamiwŏn) where ancient people
thought was the seat of the Heavenly Emperor. Ancient Chinese thought that the appearance
of a stray comet near these enclosures, the center of the celestial kingdom, was a bad omen
such as disturbance, war, death of the king or a grand councilor. - Píalgok, literally “Eight Grains,” is a constellation north of the Five Chariots. They are
also close to the Polaris. - One of the three enclosures around the Polaris, lying east and north to the Purple
Forbidden Enclosure.