Patent of appointment making Choe Bu Grand Master of the Silver and Blue Imperial Favor, Signatory Officer of the Privy Council and Right Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary崔傅銀靑光祿大夫簽書樞密院事右散騎常侍官誥
云云。位亞黃扉。地親紫禁。凡所圖機密之政。惟一二臣得與聞。雖以予器使之賢。復千萬選然後授。某官某。德爲人範。世襲儒門。幹局識度之皆兼。得大臣體。文學德行之無缺。有乃祖風。曩提南國廉按之權。迺奮昔日澄淸之志。有劇賊敢圖非望。漸至枝繁。若當時不早爲謀。幾成根固。由爾策先折其銳。故官軍得以易擒。卿實有力而覆爲他功。賞則未聞而反遭橫議。有識所嘆。惟朕亦知。故頃者拔自亞卿之聯。直除三品之秩。西掖獻替。屢陳藥石之言。南臺糾彈。肅振風霜之憲。宣威蓮幕則犬羊莫近我境。典選棘圍則鸞鳳擧集爾門。眞卓爾非常之才。宜待以不次之遇。是用擢置本兵之地。申兼陪乘之榮。躐衆遷升。是亦似乎超授。較卿才望。猶未足以相當。可特授云云。嗚戲。朕自比金。以卿爲之良匠。汝惟作楫。俾予濟于巨川。勉服訓詞。往膺寵命。云云。
And so forth.
The place is next after the ministers, and the ground of it is close to the palace. In all the planning of confidential government, only one or two subjects may take part and hear of it. Though a man be a worthy whom I use according to his vessel, it is given only after a thousand and ten thousand siftings.
So-and-so, holder of such-and-such office, has virtue that makes an example for others, and has carried on a house of Confucian learning generation by generation. Possessing both talent and capacity, discernment and breadth, he has attained the bearing of a great minister; faultless in letters and in virtuous conduct, he has the bearing of his grandfather.
Some time ago, when he held the authority to inspect the southern districts, he gave rein to his old will to clear the age of its filth. Fierce brigands had dared to plot beyond their station, and their branches had grown thick by degrees; had the matter not been planned early at that time, their roots would nearly have hardened. Because by your strategy their keen edge was broken first, the royal army was able to take them with ease. You, my lord, truly exerted yourself, yet the merit became another man's; you never heard of a reward, and met only with unlooked-for slander. This is what those who know sigh over, and I too know of it.
Therefore some time ago I chose him from the ranks of the junior ministers and granted him the third rank directly. Reporting on right and wrong in the Secretariat, he set forth words that were medicine many times over; investigating and impeaching in the Censorate, he solemnly plied a law like hoarfrost. He spread his authority in the field headquarters, and the pack of dogs and sheep could not come near our borders; he took charge of the examinations and selected men, and simurghs and phoenixes gathered at his gate. Here is truly an eminent and uncommon talent, who ought to be received with treatment not bound by seniority.
And so he is chosen and placed in the Privy Council, and together with it is granted the glory of attending the royal carriage. He is raised past the multitude, and this too may seem a leap, but set beside your talent and renown it still falls short of being called a fit match. It may be specially conferred. And so forth.
Ah, I liken myself to iron and take you, my lord, for a good artisan; be you only the oar, and let me cross the great stream. Strive to uphold these words of instruction, and come forward to receive the command of favor. And so forth.