Letter to the Gyeonggi Inspector移京畿巡察使文

The state of things today is that the enemy is in the courtyard before our gate and will move morning or evening, so that the plans to be made on our side may not be put off in the least. Yet the great essentials of fighting and holding come to no more than four heads. The first is army grain; the second, soldiers; the third, walls and moats; the fourth, weapons and implements. These four must be provided and made ready; and further, the harmony of men must surely not be lost, so that soldiers and people alike have hearts that cleave to us in affection; and further, commanders must be found and the charge given to them — only then is there any accomplishment at last. Otherwise, though there be places to bar and hold, it will not profit the business.

Half a year has already passed since this office received its charge. The scheme I would set up goes no further than these four things, yet if one seeks the results accomplished, there is not yet one of them that lets me forget my anxiety. For this reason I grieve and sigh day and night, and constantly seek help from those who hold office. Let this province carry things out with its whole mind.

As for army grain, the land-tax rice and beans of this province were earlier stored in each district to provide against unforeseen need. But the amount comes to no more than nine thousand-odd seok, which is not enough even to supply one month's provisions for a few thousand soldiers. After that the villages were urged besides to contribute righteous grain each of them against unforeseen need, and in the time of the former Governor notices were even drawn up and published; look into this first and carry it out.

The soldiers have been divided into four camps, and Left and Right Defense Commanders appointed to lead them. Since reward and punishment are to rest with the Defense Commanders according as the results accomplished are many or few, impress this upon them particularly. After the autumn harvest is over and farming is idle, the camps will be joined and a grand review held. Only, the matter of the soldiers of the Left, Right, Front, and Rear Camps each wearing a tally has already been made known. The Left Camp has nearly all taken up their tallies, but the soldiers of the other camps have not yet carried it out; make it known to them too and have it carried out.

The business of making arrangements at Namhan mountain fortress was already discussed face to face on an earlier day. Now, looking at the report of Special Commander Gwon Eungwon (權應元) and the others, it says that six pieces of timber for the gun towers lie at the foot of the mountain and have not been hauled up. Give directions under the appropriate head and have them hauled up in good time.

As for weapons and implements, every district is utterly empty of them. This is not a thing to be provided within a few days; preparations must surely be made beforehand in various ways, and only so can they be answered to and used at a sudden pass. The military office earlier distributed arrow shafts to each district and had them made up with all speed; when they are all made, take them again and go on making more. In all remaining matters too impress it fully upon them, and let not a moment be lost.