King Seongdeok聖德王

King Seongdeok ascended the throne. His name was Heunggwang (興光), and his original name was Yunggi (隆基). It was the same as the name of Xuanzong, and so it was changed in the Xiantian years. He was the second son of King Sinmun, and the younger brother of Hyojo by the same mother. King Hyojo died and had no son, and so the people of the country set him up. When Zetian of Tang heard that Hyojo had died she held the rite of mourning for him and stopped the court for two days, and she sent an envoy to condole and to comfort, and invested the king as King of Silla, and had him succeed as well to his elder brother's titles of general and governor.

In the first year, in the ninth month, a great amnesty was granted. The rank of the civil and military officials was raised by one step, and the taxes of a year were remitted for the several ju and gun. Wonhun, of the rank of achan, was made jungsi. In winter, the tenth month, in Samnyangju acorns changed into chestnuts.

In the second year, in spring, the first month, the king sacrificed in person at the Singung. An envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land.

In autumn, the seventh month, fire broke out at Yeongmyosa. There was a great flood in the capital, and many were drowned. Wonhun the jungsi withdrew, and Wonmun, of the rank of achan, was made jungsi. Envoys of the state of Japan arrived, two hundred and four men in all. Kim Sayang, of the rank of achan, was sent to the court of Tang.

In the third year, in spring, the first month, Ungcheonju presented a golden jicho, a fungus of good omen. In the third month Kim Sayang, who had gone into Tang, came back and presented the Choeseungwanggyeong. In summer, the fifth month, the daughter of Kim Wontae, the sopan who was head of the office of carriages, was taken as queen.

In the fourth year, in spring, the first month, Wonmun the jungsi died, and Sinjeong, of the rank of achan, was made jungsi. In the third month an envoy was sent into Tang with tribute.

In summer, the fifth month, there was a drought. In autumn, the eighth month, wine and food were given to the old. In the ninth month a teaching was sent down forbidding the taking of life. An envoy was sent to Tang to present the products of the land.

In winter, the tenth month, the ju and gun in the east of the country went hungry and many of the people wandered away, and so envoys were sent out to relieve them.

In the fifth year, in spring, the first month, Inpum of the rank of ichan was made sangdaedeung. There was hunger within the country, and the granaries were opened and shared out.

In the third month a multitude of stars flowed to the west. In summer, the fourth month, an envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land.

In autumn, the eighth month, Sinjeong the jungsi was released from office for sickness, and Munnyang, of the rank of daeachan, was made jungsi. An envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land. The grain did not ripen.

In winter, the tenth month, an envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land. In the twelfth month a great amnesty was granted.

In the sixth year, in spring, the first month, many of the people died of hunger, and three doe of millet a day were given to each man, and this went on until the seventh month. In the second month a great amnesty was granted. Seed of the five grains was given to the people, each according to his case. In winter, the twelfth month, an envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land.

In the seventh year, in spring, the first month, Sabeolju presented an auspicious jicho. In the second month the earth shook. In summer, the fourth month, Jinseong trespassed on the moon. A great amnesty was granted.

In the eighth year, in spring, the third month, Cheongju presented a white hawk. In summer, the fifth month, there was a drought. In the sixth month an envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land. In autumn, the eighth month, those guilty of crimes were pardoned.

In the ninth year, in spring, the first month, Cheon'gu fell north of Samnangsa. An envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land. The earth shook. Those guilty of crimes were pardoned.

In the tenth year, in spring, the third month, a great snow fell. In summer, the fifth month, the killing of beasts was forbidden. In winter, the tenth month, the king went round the ju and gun in the south of the country. Munnyang the jungsi died. In the eleventh month the king made the Baekgwanjam (百官箴), the admonition to the hundred officials, and showed it to his many subjects. In the twelfth month an envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land.

In the eleventh year, in spring, the second month, an envoy was sent into Tang with tribute. In the third month Wimun of the rank of ichan was made jungsi. The great Tang sent the envoy Lu Yuanmin, who by command had the king's name changed. In summer, the fourth month, the king went to Onsu. In autumn, the eighth month, the wife of Kim Yusin was raised to lady, and a thousand seok of grain were given to her every year.

In the twelfth year, in spring, the second month, the Jeonsaseo was set up. An envoy was sent into Tang with tribute, and Xuanzong came out to the tower gate and received him.

In winter, the tenth month, Kim Jeongjong, who had gone into Tang as envoy, came back, and an edict was sent down investing the king as General of Agile Cavalry, tejin, acting great general of the Left Awesome Guard, Commissioner Bearing Credentials, great governor of all military affairs of Gyerimju, prefect of Gyerimju, Pillar of State, Duke of the Commandery of Lelang, and King of Silla. In winter, the tenth month, Wimun the jungsi said that he was old and asked to withdraw, and this was allowed. In the twelfth month a great amnesty was granted. Gaeseong was built.

In the thirteenth year, in spring, the first month, Hyojeong of the rank of ichan was made jungsi. In the second month the Sangmunsa was changed to tongmun baksa, and it was given charge of letters and memorials. The king's son Kim Suchung was sent into Tang to serve in the guard, and Xuanzong gave him a house and silk to show his favor, and held a feast for him in the court hall.

In the intercalary second month Bak Yu, of the rank of geupchan, was sent to Tang to give the New Year greeting, and he was given the office of chaosan dafu and supernumerary fengyu and sent back.

In summer there was drought, and many of the people fell sick. In autumn, in the hills of Samnyangju, acorns changed into chestnuts. In winter, the tenth month, Xuanzong of Tang held a feast for the envoys of Silla in the inner hall, and commanded that the ministers and all officials of the fourth rank and above take part in it.

In the fourteenth year, in spring, the third month, Kim Punghu was sent into Tang with tribute. In summer, the fourth month, Cheongju presented a white sparrow. In the fifth month there was a pardon.

In the sixth month there was a great drought, and the king called Ihyo, the lay devotee of Yongmyeongak in Haseoju, and he prayed for rain above the pond of Imcheonsa, and then rain fell for ten days together.

In autumn, the ninth month, Taebaek covered the star Seoja. In winter, the tenth month, a shooting star trespassed on Jamiwon. In the twelfth month a shooting star went from Cheonchang into Taemiwon. Those guilty of crimes were pardoned. The king's son Junggyeong was raised to be crown prince.

In the fifteenth year, in spring, the first month, a shooting star trespassed on the moon, and the moon had no light. In the third month an envoy was sent to Tang to present the products of the land.

Queen Seongjeong was put out, and there were given to her five hundred pil of colored silk, two hundred gyeol of field, ten thousand seok of grain, and one house; the house was Lord Gangsin's old dwelling, which was bought and given to her.

A great wind blew and pulled up trees and sent the tiles flying, and Sungnyejeon was broken. Kim Punghu, the envoy who had gone into Tang to give the New Year greeting, wished to return to his country, and he was given the office of yuanwai lang and sent back.

In summer, the sixth month, there was a drought, and again the lay devotee Ihyo was called to pray, and then rain fell. Those guilty of crimes were pardoned.

In the sixteenth year, in spring, the second month, one doctor of medicine and one doctor of reckoning were appointed. In the third month a new palace was built. In summer, the fourth month, the earth shook. In the sixth month the crown prince Junggyeong died, and his posthumous name was given as Hyosang (孝殤).

In autumn, the ninth month, Suchung the daegam, who had gone into Tang, came back and presented pictures of King Munseon, of the ten wise disciples and of the seventy-two disciples, and these were then placed in the great school.

In the seventeenth year, in spring, the first month, Hyojeong the jungsi withdrew, and Sagong, of the rank of pajinchan, was made jungsi.

In the second month the king went round the ju and gun in the west of the country and comforted them, and he asked in person after those of great age and after the widowers and widows and orphans and the solitary, and gave them goods, each according to his case. In the third month the earth shook.

In summer, the sixth month, lightning struck the pagoda of Hwangnyongsa. A water clock was made for the first time. An envoy was sent into Tang with tribute, and he was given the office of shou zhonglang jiang and sent back.

In winter, the tenth month, a shooting star went from Myo into Gyu, and a crowd of small stars followed after it, and Cheon'gu fell in the northeast. The several fortresses within the district of the governor of Hansanju were built.

In the eighteenth year, in spring, the first month, an envoy was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting. In autumn, the ninth month, lightning struck Mireuksa in Geumma-gun.

In the nineteenth year, in spring, the first month, the earth shook. Inpum the sangdaedeung died, and Baebu, of the rank of daeachan, was made sangdaedeung. In the third month the daughter of Sunwon of the rank of ichan was taken as queen.

In summer, the fourth month, a great rain fell, and the hills came down in thirteen places. Hail fell and hurt the young rice. In the fifth month the office in charge was commanded to bury the bones of the dead. Wansanju presented a white magpie.

In the sixth month the king's consort was invested as queen. In autumn, the seventh month, Ungcheonju presented a white magpie. Locusts harmed the grain. Sagong the jungsi withdrew, and Munnim, of the rank of pajinchan, was made jungsi.

In the twentieth year, in autumn, the seventh month, two thousand able-bodied men of the Haseulla circuit were called up, and a long wall was built on the northern border. In winter there was no snow.

In the twenty-first year, in spring, the first month, Munnim the jungsi died, and Seonjong of the rank of ichan was made jungsi. In the second month the earth shook in the capital.

In autumn, the eighth month, jeongjeon (丁田) was given to the people for the first time.

In winter, the tenth month, Kim Inil, of the rank of daenama, was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting and to present the products of the land as well. Mobeolgunseong was built, to bar the road of the robbers of Japan.

In the twenty-second year, in spring, the third month, the king sent an envoy into Tang and presented two beautiful women. One was named Pojeong, and her father was Cheonseung of the rank of nama. One was named Jeongwan, and her father was Chunghun of the rank of daesa. They were given clothing and vessels, servants, carts and horses, and they were sent off with full rite and with means for the way. Xuanzong said, "The women are all aunts and sisters of the king. They have gone against the customs of their own land and been parted from those near to them, and I cannot bear to keep them." He gave them rich gifts and sent them back. The stele of Jeongwan says, "In the sixth year of Hyoseong, the first year of Tianbao, she went to Tang." Which of these is right is not known.

In summer, the fourth month, an envoy was sent into Tang and presented one gwaha horse, ox gallstone, ginseng, fine switches of hair, johaju silk, eoaju silk, carved hawk bells, sealskin, gold and silver and other things, and a memorial was sent up, saying.

"The country of your servant lies in a bend of the sea, and its land is set in a far corner. It has never had the treasure of the wanderer beneath the water, and it has always lacked the goods of the Cong people. Yet he dares to take what his own land brings forth and with it to soil the offices of heaven, and with a dull and halting gift to foul the dragon stable. In secret he likens it to the pig of Yan, and dares to match it with the fowl of Chu. He feels deeply the heat in his face, and the trembling sweat grows the more." The earth shook.

In the twenty-third year, in spring, the king's son Seunggyeong was set up as crown prince, and a great amnesty was granted. Ungcheonju presented an auspicious jicho.

In the second month Kim Muhun was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting. When Muhun returned, Xuanzong sent down a letter, saying.

"You have ever received our calendar and brought tribute to the court of the palace, and when I consider what you hold in your heart, it is deeply to be praised. I have also received the several things you sent. They all crossed the blue waves and made their way through grass and thicket, and the things are fine and fair and show your heart deeply. Now I give you a brocade robe, a golden belt, and colored silk and plain silk, two thousand pil together, in answer to your loyal offering. It is fitting that you receive them."

In winter, the twelfth month, an envoy was sent into Tang to present the products of the land. Queen Sodeok died.

In the twenty-fourth year, in spring, the first month, a white rainbow appeared. In the third month snow fell. In summer, the fourth month, hail fell. Seonjong the jungsi withdrew, and Yunchung of the rank of ichan was made jungsi. In winter, the tenth month, the earth shook.

In the twenty-fifth year, in summer, the fourth month, Kim Chungsin was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting. In the fifth month the king's younger brother Kim Heumjil was sent into Tang with tribute, and he was given the office of langjiang and sent back.

In the twenty-sixth year, in spring, the first month, those guilty of crimes were pardoned. An envoy was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting. In summer, the fourth month, Wiwon, of the rank of ilgilchan, was made daeachan, and Daeyang, of the rank of geupchan, was made sachan. In winter, the twelfth month, Yeongchanggung was repaired. Baebu the sangdaedeung said that he was old and asked to withdraw, but it was not allowed, and he was given an armrest and a staff.

In the twenty-seventh year, in autumn, the seventh month, the king's younger brother Kim Sajong was sent into Tang to present the products of the land, and with him a memorial asking that the young men of the country be allowed to enter the Guoxue, the state academy, and by edict this was granted. Sajong was given the office of guoyi, and he stayed on there to serve in the guard. Baebu the sangdaedeung said that he was old and asked to withdraw, and this was allowed. Sagong of the rank of ichan was made sangdaedeung.

In the twenty-eighth year, in spring, the first month, an envoy was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting. In autumn, the ninth month, an envoy was sent into Tang with tribute.

In the twenty-ninth year, in spring, the second month, Jiman, the king's nephew, was sent to the court of Tang, and he presented five small horses, one dog, two thousand nyang of gold, eighty nyang of hair and ten sealskins. Xuanzong gave Jiman the office of taipu qing, and gave him a hundred pil of silk, a purple robe and a fine brocade belt, and had him stay on to serve in the guard.

In winter, the tenth month, an envoy was sent to the court of Tang and presented the products of the land, and Xuanzong gave him goods, each according to his case.

In the thirtieth year, in spring, the second month, Kim Jiryang was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting, and Xuanzong gave him the office of taipu shaoqing as a supernumerary, and gave him sixty pil of silk and let him go back, and sent down an edict, saying.

"The ox gallstone and the gold and silver and the other things you sent, I have looked at your memorial and know them fully. You, with the happy blessing of the two lights, keep good terms with your neighbors in the three Han. In its time your land is called a country of benevolence and right, and age after age it shows works of merit and worth. With letters and with rite and music it makes clear the manner of the gentleman, and offering its loyalty and sending its devotion it labors at the duty owed to a king. Truly it is a guard of the border hedge, and truly it is a model of loyalty and right. How should the fierce customs of far countries be spoken of in the same year with this?

More than this, you love what is right and are diligent in it, and you report your duty with ever greater care. You make a ladder of the mountains and a boat of the sea and do not weary on the long and blocked road, and you offer silk and present treasure as a constant thing year by year. You keep our royal measures and hand down a rule for the many countries, and this earnest loyalty is deeply to be praised.

I rise at dawn and hold my thoughts on it, and I wait for worthy men while still in my night robe. I think of seeing such a man and of being brightly guided by him, and I wait for the time when I shall meet you, and hope that it answers what I lean upon.

Now the envoy has come, and I learn that you are troubled by illness and could not carry out the command. When I think how far apart we are, my care and my labor grow. The season is warm and clear, and I look for your recovery. Now I give you five hundred pil of figured silk and two thousand five hundred pil of plain silk. It is fitting that you receive them at once."

In summer, the fourth month, there was a pardon. Wine and food were given to the old. Three hundred warships of the state of Japan crossed the sea and raided the eastern border of Silla, and the king commanded his generals to send out troops, and they broke them utterly.

In autumn, the ninth month, all the officials were commanded to gather at Jeokmun and to watch the shooting of the cart crossbows.

In the thirty-first year, in winter, the twelfth month, Sagong of the rank of gakgan and the ichan Jeongjong, Yunchung and Sain were each made generals.

In the thirty-second year, in autumn, the seventh month, because the Malgal of Balhae had crossed the sea and come raiding into Dengzhou, Xuanzong of Tang sent Kim Saran, the supernumerary taipu qing, back to his country. He added to the king the office of Commander Unequalled in Honour and commissioner of the Ninghai army, and had him send out troops and strike the southern border of Balhae. It happened that a great snow fell, more than a gil in depth, and the mountain roads were blocked, and more than half of the soldiers died, and they came back without merit. Kim Saran was of the royal house. Earlier, when he had gone to the court, he was respectful and had rite, and so he was kept there to serve in the guard, and now the duty of going beyond the border was laid upon him.

In winter, the twelfth month, Jiryeom, the king's nephew, was sent to the court of Tang to give thanks for the favor. Before this the Emperor had given the king a white parrot, one male and one female, a purple gauze robe with embroidery, vessels inlaid with gold and silver, brocade of auspicious figure, and silk of five colors, more than three hundred rolls in all, and so the king sent up a memorial of thanks.

"Bowing, your servant considers that Your Majesty opened the age with the image of heaven, and that with holy letters and godlike arms you answer the flourishing fortune of a thousand years and bring about the fair omens of all things. Wherever wind and cloud pass through, all receive your utmost virtue, and wherever sun and moon shine, all alike are covered by your deep benevolence.

The land of your servant is shut off by Penglai and Fanghu, yet the love of heaven reaches it from afar. His country is parted from China, yet your bright favor comes even to that dim place. Bowing, he looked upon the writing of jade, and kneeling he opened the box of jade, and it held the rain and dew of the nine heavens and bore the yuan bird and the luan bird of five colors.

The godlike birds that speak well and are wise, the white one and the blue one, are both a marvel, and one of them tells of the pleasures of Chang'an and the other carries the favor of a holy ruler. The colored figures of the silk and the precious inlay of gold and silver dazzle the eye of him who sees them and startle the heart of him who hears of them. If the merit of that loyal offering be traced, it came in truth from the forefathers, yet this uncommon love has been sent down even to the last of their descendants. The small return is like dust and the heavy favor is like a mountain, and when he looks at the edge of his own worth and measures his lot, with what shall he repay it?"

By edict a feast was held for Jiryeom in the inner hall, and bundles of silk were given to him.

In the thirty-third year, in spring, the first month, all the officials were commanded to come in person to the north gate and to make their report and answer there. Kim Chungsin, the supernumerary general of the Left Guard of the Army, who had gone into Tang to serve in the guard, sent up a memorial, saying.

"The command of going forward and of halting that your servant received was this. Your servant was to hold the tally, troops and horses were to be sent out from his own country to strike and destroy the Malgal, and if there were anything to report he was to report it as it came. Since your servant received the holy will, he has sworn to give his life.

At that time Kim Hyobang, the man who was to take your servant's place, died, and so your servant was kept here to serve in the guard. The king of your servant's country, holding that your servant has long attended the court of heaven, has sent as envoy his nephew Jiryeom to take your servant's place. Now he has already arrived, and your servant should return at once.

Your servant has ever thought of the command of going forward and of halting that he received before, and he has not forgotten it by night or by day. Your Majesty set up an ordinance before this, adding to Heunggwang, the king of your servant's country, the office of great commissioner of the Ninghai army, and giving him banner and tally, that he might strike the cruel and the fierce. Where the majesty of the Emperor is carried and comes, though it be far it is still near, and when the ruler has a command, how should the subject not hold it in reverence?

Those crawling barbarian captives, by reckoning, have already repented of the harm they did. Yet in rooting out evil one must work at the root, and in spreading the law it must be made new. Therefore in the right of sending out an army three victories are held dear, and the trouble of letting the enemy go is left to many generations.

Bowing, your servant begs that Your Majesty, when he returns to his country, will lend him the title of deputy envoy, so that he may carry the whole will of heaven and spread it once more in the far borderlands. Not only will this anger be roused the more, but the men of arms also will surely take heart, and they will overturn the nest and the burrow of the enemy and make this wild corner quiet. So the small loyalty of your servant will be spread abroad, and it will become a great gain to the state.

That your servants may ride the raft again over the blue sea and offer the victory at the red gate, giving the merit of a hair and answering the gift of rain and dew, is what your servant hopes for.

Bowing, your servant prays that Your Majesty will take thought for it." The Emperor allowed it.

In summer, the fourth month, the great minister Kim Dangaldan was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting. The Emperor feasted him and received him in the inner hall, and gave him the office of weiwei shaoqing, and gave him a red bordered robe, a plain silver belt and sixty pil of silk.

Earlier, when the king's nephew Jiryeom was sent to give thanks for the favor, he presented two small horses, three dogs, five hundred nyang of gold, twenty nyang of silver, sixty pil of cloth, twenty nyang of ox gallstone, two hundred geun of ginseng, a hundred nyang of hair and sixteen sealskins. Now Jiryeom was given the office of honglu shaoqing as a supernumerary.

In the thirty-fourth year, in spring, the first month, Hyeonghok trespassed on the moon. Kim Uichung was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting. In the second month Kim Yeong, the deputy envoy, died in Tang, and he was given after his death the office of guanglu shaoqing. When Uichung returned, by command the land south of the Paegang was given.

In the thirty-fifth year, in summer, the sixth month, an envoy was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting, and with him a memorial was sent to give thanks, saying.

"Bowing, your servant has received the gracious command giving him the land south of the Paegang. Your servant was born and lives at the end of the sea, and he has bathed in the teaching of the holy court. Though he has made a red and unmixed heart his mind, he has no merit that can be offered, and though he has made loyalty and uprightness his work, his labor is not enough to be rewarded.

Your Majesty has sent down the favor of rain and dew and has opened a decree like the sun and the moon, giving your servant soil and widening the dwelling places of his country, so that now there is a season for breaking the ground and opening it, and farming and the raising of silkworms have their place. Your servant receives the meaning of the silken words and bears the depth of the honor and the love, and though his bones were ground to powder and his body worn away, there is no way to repay it."

In winter, the eleventh month, his cousin Kim Sang, of the rank of daeachan, was sent to the court of Tang, and he died on the road. The Emperor grieved deeply for him and gave him after his death the office of weiwei qing. The ichan Yunchung, Sain and Yeongsul were sent to look at the lie of the land of the two ju of Pyeongyang and Udu. A dog climbed the drum tower of Jaeseong and barked for three days.

In the thirty-sixth year, in spring, the second month, Kim Pojil, of the rank of sachan, was sent into Tang to give the New Year greeting and to present the products of the land as well. The king died. His posthumous name was given as Seongdeok (聖德), and he was buried south of Igeosa.

Samguk sagi, book eight.