During the Japanese War in the reign of Son-jo, the Mings sent a great
army that came east, drove out the enemy and restored peace. At that
time the general of the Mings informed his Korean Majesty that the
victory was due to the help of Kwan, the God of War. "This being
the case," said he, "you ought not to continue without temples in
which to express your gratitude to him." So they built him houses of
worship and offered him sacrifice. The Temples built were one to the
south and one to the east of the city. In examining sites for these
they could not agree on the one to the south. Some wanted it nearer
the wall and some farther away. At that time an official, called Yi
Hang-bok, was in charge of the conference. On a certain day when Yi
was at home a military officer called and wished to see him. Ordering
him in he found him a great strapping fellow, splendidly built. His
request was that Yi should send out all his retainers till he talked
to him privately. They were sent out, and then the stranger gave his
message. After he had finished, he said good-bye and left.
Yi had at that time an old friend stopping with him. The friend
went out with the servants when they were asked to leave, and now
he came back again. When he came in he noticed that the face of the
master had a very peculiar expression, and he asked him the reason of
it. Yi made no reply at first, but later told his friend that a very
extraordinary thing had happened. The military man who had come and
called was none other than a messenger of the God of War. His coming,
too, was on account of their not yet having decided in regard to the
site for the Temple. "He came," said Yi, "to show me where it ought
to be. He urged that it was not a matter for time only, but for the
eternities to come. If we do not get it right the God of War will
find no peace. I told him in reply that I would do my best. Was this
not strange?"
The friend who heard this was greatly exercised, but Yi warned him
not to repeat it to any one. Yi used all his efforts, and at last
the building was placed on the approved site, where it now stands.
Im Bang.