Soji Maripgan照知麻立干

Soji Maripgan ascended the throne. He was the eldest son of King Jabi. His mother was of the Kim clan, the daughter of Misaheun of the rank of seobulhan, and his queen was Lady Seonhye, the daughter of Naesuk of the rank of ibeolchan. From his childhood Soji was filial, and he was modest and respectful and kept himself in order, so that all people followed him.

In the first year there was a great amnesty, and one grade of office was given to all the officials.

In the second year, in spring, the second month, he sacrificed at the shrine of the founder. In summer, the fifth month, there was drought in the capital. In winter, the tenth month, the people went hungry, so the grain of the granaries was brought out and shared with them. In the eleventh month the Malgal raided the northern border.

In the third year, in spring, the second month, he went to Biyeolseong, comforted the soldiers and gave out war coats. In the third month Goguryeo together with the Malgal came into the northern border and took seven fortresses, Homyeong and the others, and they pushed their troops as far as Mijilbu. The Silla troops, with the help of troops from Baekje and Gaya, divided the roads and held them off. The enemy were beaten and drew back, and they were pursued and broken west of Iha, and more than a thousand heads were cut off.

In the fourth year, in spring, the second month, a great wind blew and trees were torn up. There was a fire at the south gate of Geumseong. In summer, the fourth month, rain fell for a long time, so the officers in charge within and without were ordered to look into the prisoners. In the fifth month the Wa (倭人) raided the border.

In the fifth year, in summer, the fourth month, there was a great flood. In autumn, the seventh month, there was a great flood. In winter, the tenth month, he went to the borders of Ilseon, comforted the people who had met with disaster, and gave out grain, each according to his degree. In the eleventh month it thundered, and a great pestilence went through the capital.

In the sixth year, in spring, the first month, Oham was made ibeolchan. In the third month Saturn trespassed on the moon, and hail fell. In autumn, the seventh month, Goguryeo raided the northern border, and the Silla troops together with Baekje struck them below Mosanseong and broke them badly.

In the seventh year, in spring, the second month, Gubeolseong was built. In summer, the fourth month, he sacrificed in person at the shrine of the founder, and twenty more households were set to guard the shrine. In the fifth month Baekje came as an envoy.

In the eighth year, in spring, the first month, Siljuk of the rank of ichan was appointed general. Three thousand able men from the borders of Ilseon were called up, and the two fortresses of Samnyeon and Gulsan were built anew. In the second month Naesuk was made ibeolchan and given part in the government of the state. In summer, the fourth month, the Wa (倭人) crossed the border. In autumn, the eighth month, there was a great review south of Nangsan.

In the ninth year, in spring, the second month, the Singung (神宮) was set up at Nael (奈乙), and Nael is the place where the founder was first born. In the third month post stations, the uyeok (郵驛), were set up for the first time in the four directions, and the office in charge was ordered to mend and put in order the official roads. In autumn, the seventh month, Wolseong was put in order. In winter, the tenth month, it thundered.

In the tenth year, in spring, the first month, the king moved and lived at Wolseong. In the second month he went to Ilseon commandery, comforted the widowers, the widows, the orphans and the old without children, and gave out grain, each according to his degree. In the third month, as he came back from Ilseon, of the prisoners in the jails of the provinces and commanderies he had passed through, all but those held for the two great crimes were let go. In summer, the sixth month, Dongyang presented a turtle with six eyes, and under its belly there were letters. In autumn, the seventh month, Donaseong was built.

In the eleventh year, in spring, the first month, the people who ate without working were driven back to farming. In autumn, the ninth month, Goguryeo fell upon the northern border and came as far as Gwahyeon. In winter, the tenth month, they took Hosanseong.

In the twelfth year, in spring, the second month, Biraseong was built anew. In the third month a dragon appeared in the well of Chura. A market was opened in the capital for the first time, so that the goods of the four directions might pass through.

In the fourteenth year, in spring and summer, there was drought. The king blamed himself and cut down the dishes he was used to eating.

In the fifteenth year, in spring, the third month, Modae (牟大), the king of Baekje, sent an envoy asking a marriage, and the king sent the daughter of the ichan Beolbiji. In autumn, the seventh month, the two garrisons of Imhae and Jangnyeong were set up in readiness against the Wa raiders (倭賊).

In the sixteenth year, in summer, the fourth month, there was a great flood. In autumn, the seventh month, the general Siljuk and the others fought Goguryeo in the field of Salsu, but they did not win, and they drew back and held Gyeonaseong. The Goguryeo troops surrounded it, and Modae, the king of Baekje, sent three thousand troops to the rescue and lifted the siege.

In the seventeenth year, in spring, the first month, the king sacrificed in person at the Singung. In autumn, the eighth month, Goguryeo surrounded Chiyangseong in Baekje, and Baekje asked to be rescued. The king ordered the general Deokji to lead troops and rescue it, and the host of Goguryeo broke apart. The king of Baekje sent an envoy to give thanks.

In the eighteenth year, in spring, the second month, the state of Gaya sent a white pheasant, and its tail was five cheok long. In the third month the palace buildings were made over. In summer, the fifth month, heavy rain fell and the water of Alcheon rose, and more than two hundred houses were washed away and sunk. In autumn, the seventh month, Goguryeo came and attacked Usanseong, and the general Siljuk went out and struck them and broke them on the bank of Iha. In the eighth month he went to the southern field and looked at the crops.

In the nineteenth year, in summer, the fourth month, the Wa (倭人) crossed the border. In autumn, the seventh month, there was drought and locusts swarmed. The officials were ordered each to put forward one man of ability fit to govern the people. In the eighth month Goguryeo attacked Usanseong and took it.

In the twenty-second year, in spring, the third month, the Wa (倭人) attacked Jangbongjin and took it. In summer, the fourth month, a violent wind blew and trees were torn up. A dragon appeared in the well of Geumseong. A yellow fog closed the capital in on all four sides.

In autumn, the ninth month, the king went to Nari commandery. A man of that district, Paro, had a daughter named Byeokhwa (碧花). She was sixteen years old, and she was truly the fairest in the land. Her father dressed her in silk, set her in a palanquin, covered it with colored silk and presented her to the king. The king thought that food had been sent, and he opened it and looked, and there was a quiet young girl. He thought it strange and did not take her in.

After he came back to the palace his thoughts would not leave her, and two or three times he went out in secret and came to her house and lay with her. On the way he passed through Gota commandery and stayed the night at the house of an old woman, and he asked her, "What manner of ruler do people these days take the king to be?"

The old woman answered, "Many take him for a sage, but I alone doubt it. Why is that? I have heard quietly that the king changes his clothes and comes to be near the girl of Nari. When a dragon puts on the clothes of a fish, he is caught by the fisherman. Now the king holds the seat of ten thousand chariots, and he does not keep himself careful and weighty. If this is a sage, then who is not a sage?"

The king heard it and was greatly ashamed, and he brought the girl in secretly and put her in a room apart, and she came to bear him a son. In winter, the eleventh month, the king died.