King Gyeongmyeong景明王

King Gyeongmyeong ascended the throne. His name was Seungyeong (昇英), and he was the crown prince of King Sindeok. His mother was Queen Uiseong.

In the first year, in the eighth month, the king's younger brother Wiung, of the rank of ichan, was made sangdaedeung, and Yuryeom, of the rank of daeachan, was made sijung.

In the second year, in spring, the second month, Hyeonseung, of the rank of ilgilchan, revolted and was put to death.

In summer, the sixth month, the hearts of the men under Gung Ye suddenly changed, and they raised up Taejo. Gung Ye fled, and was killed by those beneath him. Taejo ascended the throne and called it his first year.

In autumn, the seventh month, Ajagae, chief of the brigands of Sangju, sent an envoy and surrendered to Taejo.

In the third year, the bowstring held by a clay image at Sacheonwangsa broke of itself, and the dog painted on the wall gave out a sound, as though it were barking. Kim Seong the sangdaedeung was made gakchan, and Eonong the sijung was made sachan. our Taejo moved his capital to Songak-gun.

In the fourth year, in spring, the first month, the king exchanged envoys with Taejo and was on good terms with him. In the second month Yunung, general of Gangju, surrendered to Taejo.

In winter, the tenth month, Gyeon Hwon, lord of Later Baekje, led ten thousand foot and horse, attacked Daeyaseong and took it, and pushed his army on to Jinrye. The king sent Kim Yul, of the rank of achan, to ask Taejo for help, and Taejo ordered his generals to send out troops and save them. When Hwon heard of it he withdrew.

In the fifth year, in spring, the first month, Kim Yul reported to the king. "Last year I went as envoy to Goryeo, and the king of Goryeo asked me this. 'I hear that Silla has three treasures, which are called the sixteen-foot honored image, the nine-storey pagoda, and with them the holy belt. The image and the pagoda are still there, but I do not know whether the holy belt is there even now.' I could not answer him."

When the king heard this he asked his many officials. "What kind of treasure is the holy belt?" There was none who knew. At that time there was a monk of Hwangnyongsa, past ninety years of age, who said. "I once heard of it. The treasure belt is the one that King Jinpyeong the Great wore. It has been handed down through the reigns and is kept in the south storehouse."

The king then had the storehouse opened, but the belt could not be seen, and so a day was chosen, and after fasting and a sacrifice it was seen. It was adorned with gold and jade and was very long, and it was not a thing that an ordinary man could gird on.

Kim Busik comments.

In olden times, to sit in the Bright Hall, to hold the seal by which the state is handed on, and to set out the nine cauldrons was taken for a great deed of an emperor or a king. Yet Lord Han, Han Yu, discussed this and said. "To bring back the hearts of heaven and of men, and to raise the foundation of a great peace, is by no means a thing that three vessels can do." Is not the setting up of the three vessels and the holding of them for weighty a saying of one who boasts?

How much more so with these so-called three treasures of Silla, which also came out of nothing but the extravagance of men's making. For the sake of a country, what need is there of such things?

Mengzi said, "The treasures of a feudal lord are three: land, people, and government." The Chu shu says, "The state of Chu has nothing that it holds for treasure; it holds goodness alone for treasure." A thing like this, carried out within, is enough to make one country good; pushed outward, it is enough to water the whole world. What is there, then, to say of outward things?

Taejo heard what the man of Silla said and asked about it, and no more; he did not hold it a thing to be esteemed.

In the second month the host of Dalgo, a separate tribe of the Malgal, came to raid the northern border. At that time Taejo's general Gyeon-gwon was holding Sakju, and he led his horsemen, struck them and broke them utterly, so that not one horse returned. The king was glad, and sent an envoy with a letter to thank Taejo.

In summer, the fourth month, a great wind in the capital pulled up trees. In autumn, the eighth month, there were locusts, and there was a drought.

In the sixth year, in spring, the first month, Wonbong, general of Haji fortress, and Sunsik, general of Myeongju, surrendered to Taejo. Taejo, mindful of their coming over to him, made Wonbong's own fortress into Sunju, and granted Sunsik the surname Wang (王). In that month Heungsul, general of Jinbo fortress, surrendered to Taejo.

In the seventh year, in autumn, the seventh month, Seongdal, general of Myeongji fortress, and Yangmun, general of Gyeongsan prefecture, and others surrendered to Taejo.

The king sent Kim Rak, sirang of the Changbu, and Kim Yugyeong, noksa chamgun, to attend the court of the Later Tang and offer the products of the land, and Zhuangzong gave them gifts in differing measure.

In the eighth year, in spring, the first month, an envoy was sent to enter the Later Tang and bring tribute. Wang Bonggyu, jiedushi of Cheonju, also sent an envoy to offer the products of the land.

In summer, the sixth month, Kim Ak, josan daebu and sirang of the Changbu, was sent to enter the Later Tang and bring tribute, and Zhuangzong gave him the office of Grand Master for Court Discussion and acting chamberlain of the guard.

In autumn, the eighth month, the king died. His posthumous name was given as Gyeongmyeong (景明), and he was buried north of Hwangboksa. Taejo sent an envoy to mourn and to make offerings.