Begging the King to Return to the Capital Soon and Answer the Hopes of All請。車駕早還京都以答四方顒望之心狀
京城收復已久而。車駕尙未還都人心之顒佇日甚卽今賊兵屯據海邊無渡海之意衝東擊西勢益鴟張而諸將䇿應未免稽緩且。啓請往復於數千里之外動經數月因失事機者亦多臣之愚意。六宮雖暫駐西路。車駕則早還漢都以答四方萬姓之心又經理東南毋失機會則其於中興大計係關非輕蓋進取之事進一步則得一步退一步則失一步自古而然伏望。朝廷毋以此賊暫退而益思長遠之慮以毖後患不勝祈祝之至濫陳瞽說惶恐無已
It is long since the capital was retaken, yet the royal carriage has not returned to the city, and the people's longing and waiting grows keener by the day. The enemy troops are now camped and entrenched along the coast with no mind to cross the sea; they stab in the east and strike in the west, and their strength runs wilder, while the several generals cannot help being slow and late in answering them. Moreover reports and petitions must travel back and forth over thousands of li, so that months pass over the least thing, and much opportunity is lost by it.
In my foolish view, though the six palaces (六宮, the royal household) stay a while yet on the western road, if the royal carriage would return early to Hanyang and answer the hearts of the myriad people of the four quarters, and would further take the southeast in hand and not let the opportunity slip, what it would mean for the great design of restoration would be no light thing. In general, in the business of advancing and taking, a step forward gains a step and a step back loses a step; so it has been from of old.
I prostrate myself and beg that the court not set its mind at ease because this enemy has withdrawn for a time, but look further ahead still and guard against the troubles to come. I cannot master my pleading heart. Presumptuously I have set out these dark words, and my awe is without bound.
Interlinear notes 1
七月
The seventh month.