- Stopping a Cholera Epidemic
- 1 In the summer of 1909, cholera was raging throughout Cheongju and Na-ju counties, causing panic.
- 2 Sahng-jeh-nim said, “The disease has broken out in both the north and south. Many lives will be lost.” He wrote:
- 勅令怪疾神將
胡不犯帝王將相之家
犯此無辜蒼生之家乎
- 3 I give a royal decree to the spirits in charge of plagues. Why is it you violate the houses of such innocent people, but do not enter the houses of the king and the high officials?
- 4 He then burned the paper. “I will take on the burden of this disease.” He ordered Hyung-yul to quickly prepare five sets of new clothes. Sahng-jeh-nim put on each set, suffered diarrhea, and discarded the clothes.
- 5 He then said, “This disease is so severe it would surely kill all the weak.” Soon after this, the epidemic ceased.
- (JSD Dojeon 10,23)