: Emperor Taizu, responding to the auspicious signs following a period of misrule, acted in accordance with heaven and the will of the people, seizing the opportune moment. He possessed magnanimity and grand vision, moving the capital and establishing stability. He revered heaven and loved his people, alleviating taxes through benevolence, instituting systems for corvée labor, fostering friendly relations between north and south, and bringing peace to the realm. However, he did not promote Confucian scholarship or cultivate a culture of learning. Monks and nuns proliferated among the populace, and Buddhist temples filled the land. This was not the way to establish a dynasty and pass on its legacy.

Emperor Taizong possessed both courage and intelligence, achieving victories in various campaigns. He valued friendship, studied rites and music, suppressed rebels and subjugated foreign tribes, promoted agriculture, and cultivated wasteland. He established a bell to address grievances and set regulations for punishments. He was an outstanding ruler who inherited and upheld the dynasty. However, he indulged in Daoist practices and poetry, captivated by songs and melodies from the Western regions. This was not the way to govern a country or lead its people.

Emperor Seongjong showed compassion for his people and valued agriculture, reconciling distant lands with neighboring ones. He established academies of learning and emphasized systems that promoted integrity among officials. He placed official positions in secret archives and implemented systems to clarify moral principles, cultivating both martial and intellectual pursuits. His reign was peaceful, and he inherited the virtues of his predecessors, making him a wise ruler. However, he exhausted the people's strength by constructing the Pagoda for Commemorating Heaven and depleted the people's wealth through the construction of the Bicheong Palace. This was his shortcoming.

Emperor Injo possessed innate benevolence and filial piety, earning him the title of "Seongdeok." He emphasized the selection of talented officials, established a system for selecting scholars (Jinshi), created positions to advise on state affairs (Gyeonyeon), and issued edicts promoting open communication. He sought out wise individuals, accepted their counsel, lightened taxes and corvée labor, thereby achieving prosperity himself and improving the lives of his people. He was an outstanding ruler who brought stability to the realm. However, he held banquets at Lamsan and followed the outings of his empress dowager. Furthermore, he cast the Guseong Bell, becoming entangled in the influence of monks and nuns. This was a failing on his part.

Emperor Sinjo established order in government, initiated projects, and appointed talented individuals. He established the Hongsa system, set regulations for military and agricultural affairs, and worked diligently on state matters. However, he excessively favored auspicious signs and revered Buddhism. He attributed victories to Buddhist deities and bestowed undeserved positions upon those who offered deer as tribute. How foolish!

Emperor Yeongjo established a training ground for military preparedness and renovated the Confucian Temple (Kongjae) to promote culture and education. He cultivated wasteland, reformed the monetary system, and had well-organized political systems. However, he failed to distinguish between righteous and corrupt individuals, and punishments were not clearly defined. He favored treacherous officials, opened paths for their influence, and established examinations for monks and Daoist priests, embracing both Buddhism and Taoism. How ignorant!

At the beginning of King Gojong's reign, he relied heavily on wise ministers such as Suh Hon-seong and Lee Gyeong-su, who worked together to govern the country. He issued decrees to aid the poor and sought out talented individuals. Until the period of Cheonjiagbo, there were still commendable aspects to his governance. However, after the reign of Cheonjiagbo, a series of construction projects occurred, bandits rose up, and signs of national decline began to appear.

Emperor Heongjong was indulgent and led a dissolute life, entrusting state affairs to powerful officials such as Suh Chung-sa and Chen Gyeong-yeo. The ruler was weak, the ministers were strong, and heaven resented it while the people grew angry. Governance became harsh, punishments excessive, and the people suffered, leading to banditry. This marked a decisive turning point towards national decline. Furthermore, Queen Seondeok, as a female ruler, could not bear the burden, and Chen seized upon this opportunity to transfer the royal lineage of the Lee Dynasty. It is truly regrettable.

Let us further discuss. In the Joseon dynasty, eight emperors reigned, maintaining the royal lineage for over two hundred years. Among them, Emperor Taizu's imperial magnanimity, Emperor Taizong's courage and intelligence, Emperor Seongjong's love for his people, and Emperor Injong's benevolent virtue are worthy of praise. However, Emperor Taizu had three empresses, failing to maintain order in the family due to his infatuation with love. Emperor Taizong had five empresses, finding pleasure at a time when he should have been mourning, thus undermining filial piety. Emperor Seongjong followed the example of Emperor Taizu, having too many empresses. Emperor Injong was swayed by the words of his birth mother, imprisoning and killing his biological mother. The prohibition on marriages between daughters of officials was an indulgence by Emperor Sinjo due to his infatuation with women. Nurturing corrupt ministers and showing them favor was a mistake made by Emperor Yeongjo in favoring treacherous individuals. King Gojong indulged in pleasure, while Emperor Heongjong succumbed to alcohol and debauchery. Is this the way for emperors to cultivate themselves, govern their families, rule the country, and pacify the world?

Among the ministers of the dynasty, Lee Do-seong entrusted himself to a young ruler, while Suh Hon-seong assisted in state affairs. They were similar to Yi Yin and Duke Zhou in their loyalty and devotion, making them worthy of praise. However, wise individuals such as Tao Gan-muk, Tao Seok-bu, Liang Ren-wen, Tao Cheo-jung, Lee Do-gi, Lio Ga-jeong, Kim Yeong-jeok, Cao Yang-han, Yang Gyeong-tong, Wei Chung-hong, Liu Yu-eok, Lee Gong-min, Hwang Ui-hyeon, and Lee Gyeong-su were unable to correct the ruler or establish good customs. It was inevitable that governance would fall short of its ideal. There are those whose arrogance and licentiousness, such as Du Yeong-mu, and whose tyranny, such as Tam I-mong, are beyond words.

Translation Note.