<h2 class="label">XLIX</h2>
<h2 class="main">WHO DECIDES, GOD OR THE KING?</h2></div>
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<p class="par first">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.”</p>
<p class="par">So they argued, each that he was right, without ever
coming to an agreement.</p>
<p class="par">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.</p>
<p class="par">The next day, when the record of promotions <span class="pagenum">[<SPAN name="xd21e3096" href="#xd21e3096" name=
"xd21e3096">224</SPAN>]</span>was placed before the King, he read how B
had been advanced, but not one word was there about A.</p>
<p class="par">King Tai-jong made inquiry, and when he knew the
circumstances he gave a sudden start of wonder and remained long in
deep thought.</p>
<p class="par signed"><span class="sc">Yi Ryuk.</span> <span class="pagenum">[<SPAN name="xd21e3104" href="#xd21e3104" name=
"xd21e3104">225</SPAN>]</span></p>
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<div id="ch50" class="div1 chapter"><span class="pagenum">[<SPAN href="#xd21e665">Contents</SPAN>]</span>
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