Who Decides, God or the King?

King Tai-jong was having a rest in Heung-yang Palace, while outside two eunuchs were talking together over the law that governs the affairs of men, as to whether it is man or God. A said, "Riches and honour are all in the king's hand." B said, "Nothing of the kind; every atom of wealth and every degree of promotion are all ordered of God. Even the king himself has no part in it and no power."

太宗王が興陽宮で休んでいると、外で二人の宦官が、人の世の事を治める理とは人のものか天のものかについて語り合っていた。甲は言った。「富も栄誉も、すべて王のお手の内にある。」乙は言った。「とんでもない。富のひとかけら、昇進のひと段に至るまで、すべて天が定めるのだ。王ご自身でさえ、それには何の関わりも力もお持ちでない。」

So they argued, each that he was right, without ever coming to an agreement.

こうして二人は、それぞれ自分が正しいと言い張り、決して折り合わなかった。

The King, overhearing what was said, wrote a secret despatch, saying, "Raise the Bearer of this letter one degree in rank." He sealed it and commanded A to take it to Se-jong, who was then in charge of this office. A made his bow and departed, but just when he was about to leave the palace enclosure a furious pain took him in the stomach, so that he begged B to take his place and go into the city.

王はそのやりとりを耳にされ、密書をしたためられた。「この書状を持参した者を、一段昇進させよ。」それに封をし、当時その役所を預かっていた世宗のもとへ持っていくよう甲に命じた。甲は拝礼して出ていったが、ちょうど宮殿の囲いを出ようとしたとき、腹にひどい痛みが起こったので、乙に代わりに都へ行ってくれと頼んだ。

The next day, when the record of promotions was placed before the King, he read how B had been advanced, but not one word was there about A.

翌日、昇進の記録が王の御前に差し出されると、王は乙が昇進したことを読まれたが、甲については一言もなかった。

King Tai-jong made inquiry, and when he knew the circumstances he gave a sudden start of wonder and remained long in deep thought.

太宗王がお尋ねになり、事情を知ると、はっと驚かれ、長いあいだ深く考え込まれた。

Yi Ryuk.

李陸(イ・リュク)