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156 book III CHAPTER : OBSERVING THE LAW The Law Is the Order of the King. Not to Observe the Law Is to Disregard His Order. How Can He Who Is a Subject Dare to Disregard It? The magistrate should always keep a copy of The Great Ming Code and a copy of the Comprehensive National Code on his table and be familiar with their provisions and precedents. In this way he can observe the laws, execute orders, and judge cases. He must not do anything that clearly goes against the national law even if it may be sanctioned by the local customs of the district. If the Magistrate, Being Resolute in Keeping What Should Be Kept, Is Neither Shaken in His Heart nor Diverted from His Principles, Base Desires Will Soon Withdraw, and the Law of Nature Will Flow and Prevail. When State Councilor Hŏ Cho served as assistant magistrate of Chŏnju, he carried out his duty most excellently by keeping his integrity clean. Earlier he had made a vow to himself and had placed a hanging board in the office of the yamen that said, “One who violates the law in carrying out his duties will be punished by Heaven.” The Magistrate Must Be Extremely Cautious When He Deals with Matters That Are Prohibited by the National Laws or Included in the Provisions on Punishments . He Should Not Dare to Take the Law into His Own Hands. Every time he discharges his duty, the magistrate must be mindful of the national law and must never do things that transgress the law. If he finds that a mistake was made by his predecessor, he should find a way to correct it by sending him a letter. If his predecessor makes little effort to redress the problem, he should report it to higher authority; he should not allow it to remain as it is. When the law is executed too strictly, it can inadvertently cause inconvenience . The magistrate should sometimes be allowed to be flexible to a certain extent for the sake of the people, and precedents for this among his predecessors will not be lacking. If his intention is indeed honorable, there is no reason that he should necessarily be restricted by the law. However, if he is motivated by selfinterest , the law should never be violated under any circumstance. Flexibility in the execution of the law can be justified to an extent if what the magistrate has done was for the interests and welfare of the people and the magistrate himself 8. An official of the late Koryŏ and early Chosŏn dynasties. His courtesy name was Chungt’ong, and his pen name Kyŏngam. He served as minister of personnel, minister of rites, and second state councilor. He was famous for his integrity and strong character. Public Service 157 is not ashamed of himself, even though he receives punishment for violating the law. The Magistrate Should Neither Be Tempted by Self-Interest nor Succumb to Power, and This Is the Way to Fulfill His Duty. Even if His Superior Exerts Pressure, He Should Be Able to Resist It. The following happened when Yi Myŏngjun was chief of Kosan Post Station. Because the post station was located on the main road, it was always crowded with officials who wanted to use post horses. Furthermore, their demands often exceeded the limit set by the law to such a degree that the personnel working at the post station could not accommodate them. However, Yi Myŏngjun carried out his duty according to the law without bowing to the pressure. Even when the governor asked for more horses, he supplied only the permitted number of them. When the governor continued his demands without listening to his explanation, Yi finally made a report to the royal court to solve the crisis. The court sent a response that Yi was right and the governor was wrong. As a result, the old abuses were straightened out; however, Yi Myŏngjun resigned from his office and returned to his home. The Law Must Be Kept without Change Unless It Is Problematic; Precedents Should Also Be Preserved If They Are Deemed Reasonable. Master Cheng said: “It would not be quite righteous if a man complains about the current laws. When he discusses state affairs, he should do or manage them within the limit of the current laws, and it will be more appropriate. If he can discharge his duty properly only after changing the laws...

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