Report in reply to the Military Commissioner of the Eastern Border on New Year's Day, as above同前東界兵馬使
Dongguk Isangguk Jip (Collected Works of Minister Yi of the Eastern Country) 東國李相國集 · Yi Gyubo · Compiled 1241 (Goryeo, 28th year of King Gojong); revised and enlarged 1251 · 1 passages · 79 Chinese characters · reading time 0.9 min
Dongguk Isangguk Jip (Collected Works of Minister Yi of the Eastern Country) Former Collection, Book 32 The collected writings of Yi Gyubo of Goryeo, gathered and cut in woodblock by his son Yi Ham in 1241 and revised and enlarged by his grandson Yi Ikbae in 1251. It holds poems and rhapsodies, memorials and reports sent up to the king, records written for temples and pagodas, stele and tomb inscriptions, letters and prefaces, and the state letters that passed to and from the Mongols during the invasions. The Lay of King Dongmyeong, which sings the founder of Goguryeo, stands in volume 3 of the first collection, and the daily life of a man who called himself the White Cloud Layman — with his wine, his zither and his verse — fills the later collection. The book closes with the last poem he wrote as his eyes failed and he laid down the brush, and with the dirge and tomb inscription others made for him after his death.
The calendar proclaims the season, and with a cup of pepper-wine we pray for long life. I was just being diligent in praying and praising when you were first to ask after me.
I humbly consider that Your Excellency of such-and-such office is the choice essence of the Pleiades (昴星) and the grand breath of the autumn sky. In the ninefold palace your carriage was pushed forth for you, and you received your share of the weighty authority beyond the gates; for a thousand li your banners fly, and within your tent you turn wondrous stratagems. Meeting now the foremost season of the new year, you abundantly receive the gathering of every blessing.
I, so-and-so, without the ability to order all things, hold a charge that assists heaven. Respectfully I receive your honoring inquiries, and pray the more for your long life.