¹After the followers of Eastern Learning were crushed in 1894 (DG 24), they dared not reveal themselves and remained quiescent.²Meanwhile, the third-generation head of Eastern Learning, Son Byeong-hui, who was in exile in Japan, concluded that if Joseon positioned itself to achieve an alliance with Japan, this would be advantageous to Joseon’s modernist reforms and international standing.³Hence, in 1904, he dispatched Yi Yong-gu to Joseon to gather the followers of Eastern Learning and organize them into an association.⁴In response, Eastern Learning adherents everywhere rose up once again, but as their numbers grew, the common folk recalled the violent deeds of the Eastern Learning adherents in 1894 and harbored fear in their hearts.

⁵One day as Hyeong-ryeol was journeying to visit Sangjenim, he discovered that Eastern Learning adherents had gathered in Wonpyeong Village.⁶When Hyeong-ryeol met Sangjenim and informed him of this development, Sangjenim commanded, “Go immediately to Wonpyeong and determine the purpose and thrust of their gathering.”

⁷Carrying out this command, Hyeong-ryeol investigated the gathering and learned that their name was the Jinbo Association, their goal was “Uphold the nation and bring comfort to the people,” and their place of general assembly was Ganggyeong Township in Chungcheongnam-do Province.

⁸Hyeong-ryeol swiftly returned and related this to Sangjenim, who declared, “I will ensure that they use their own wealth for their current movement. I will prevent them from burdening the people as they did in 1894.⁹To set an example, I will be the first to lose everything.”