The Follow-up Letter to the Prime Minister Nineteen Days After the First
Letter
Harn, Yuh (768A.D.-824A.D.)
February 16th
Honorable Prime Minister,
I am Yuh Harn. The mayor of my hometown recommended me as a candidate for the
advanced exam and I have passed it. Nineteen days ago, I wrote you a letter to
request a job and attached my literary essays. However, I have not received your
reply. I am concerned that I may have annoyed you, but do not dare to leave the
capital in the hope that you might reply. I do not know what to do. Therefore, I
again risk blame in order to complete what I need to say and explicitly request
your response.
I have heard that when one is trapped in water or fire, he will call for
someone to rescue him, in anticipation that people who are not even related to
him would provide assistance. Even if the onlooker is his enemy, the person in
peril will still call loudly as long as he knows that his enemy does not wish
him dead. If someone nearby hears the cry and sees him in danger, he will
attempt a rescue even though the victim is not a relative. Even if the victim is an
enemy, the spectator will run fast, exhaust his strength, and wet his hands and
feet or burn his hair to perform the rescue. All this he will do without any
hesitation if he does not wish death upon the endangered person. This is because
the danger is imminent and the situation is pitiful indeed.
I have studied hard and followed moral principles for many years. I am so
foolish that no matter whether this journey is bumpy or smooth, I continue to
pursue my dreams. Therefore, I am trapped in the hardship of hunger and poverty
just like someone caught in water or fire. Due to the imminent danger, I raise
my voice and cry desperately. Now you have heard my voice. Will you come to
rescue me or remain in a safe place and leave me unrescued? Suppose someone
comes to speak to you, saying, "Even though there is a way to save the person
who is drowning in water or burning in fire, some people will not rescue him." Do you think such people are kind? If not, my situation should be
pitiful enough to move a kind person like you to help me. Someone may say, "Your
words are true; the Prime Minister understands your situation. However, the
timing is not right. What can we do?" In my opinion, this is only his excuse.
The truth is that he considers me not talented enough to deserve your
recommendation. As for job opportunities, they are created by the one in power
instead of the god of fortune.
Five or six years ago, common people were recommended by the Prime Minister
to the emperor. Is there any difference between now and then? Now even a
governor or mayor can recommend someone to be a local judge, no matter whether
he has held a government position or not. Can a prime minister, the one whom the
emperor respects, say he is unable to recommend people? In ancient times, some
prime ministers selected people for government positions even from a band of
robbers or managers of warehouses. Low as I am, at least I am better than these
people. Because my mind is focused on a job, my words may be harsh and my judgment
may be in error. I hope you will be
sympathetic with my situation.