King Pyeongwon平原王

King Pyeongwon's name was Yangseong (陽成), and he was the eldest son of King Yangwon. He had courage and strength, and he was good at riding and at the bow. In the thirteenth year of King Yangwon's reign he was set up as crown prince, and in the fifteenth year the king died and the crown prince ascended the throne.

In the second year, in spring, the second month, the Deposed Emperor of Northern Qi enfeoffed the king as Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Commandant in Charge of the Eastern Yi, Duke of the Commandery of Liaodong, and King of Goguryeo. The king went to Jolbon and made sacrifice at the shrine of the founder. In the third month the king came back from Jolbon, and of the prisoners held in the ju and the commanderies he passed through, all but those guilty of the two capital crimes were pardoned.

In the third year, in summer, the fourth month, strange birds gathered in the palace yard. In the sixth month there was a great flood. In winter, the eleventh month, an envoy was sent to enter Chen and bring tribute.

In the fourth year, in spring, the second month, Emperor Wen of Chen by edict gave the king the title of General Who Quiets the East.

In the fifth year, in summer, there was a great drought, and the king cut down the dishes he always ate and prayed to the mountains and the rivers.

In the sixth year an envoy was sent to enter Northern Qi and bring tribute.

In the seventh year, in spring, the first month, the prince Won was set up as crown prince. An envoy was sent to enter Northern Qi and bring tribute.

In the eighth year, in winter, the twelfth month, an envoy was sent to enter Chen and bring tribute.

In the twelfth year, in winter, the eleventh month, an envoy was sent to enter Chen and bring tribute.

In the thirteenth year, in spring, the second month, an envoy was sent to enter Chen and bring tribute. In autumn, the seventh month, the king hunted on the plain of the Pae river and came back after fifty days. In the eighth month the palace buildings were repaired, but there were locusts and a drought, and the labour was stopped.

In the fifteenth year an envoy was sent to enter Northern Qi and bring tribute.

In the sixteenth year, in spring, the first month, an envoy was sent to enter Chen and bring tribute.

In the nineteenth year the king sent an envoy to enter Zhou and bring tribute, and Gaozu of Zhou made the king Commander with an Office Opened and Ceremonial Equal to the Three Excellencies, Great General, Duke of the Commandery of Liaodong, and King of Goguryeo.

In the twenty-third year, in spring, on the last day of the second month, stars fell like rain. In autumn, the seventh month, frost and hail killed the crops. In winter, the tenth month, the people were hungry, and the king went about comforting them and caring for them. In the twelfth month an envoy was sent to enter Sui and bring tribute, and Gaozu gave the king the titles of Great General and Duke of the Commandery of Liaodong.

In the twenty-fourth year, in spring, the first month, an envoy was sent to enter Sui and bring tribute. In winter, the eleventh month, an envoy was sent to enter Sui and bring tribute.

In the twenty-fifth year, in spring, the first month, an envoy was sent to enter Sui and bring tribute. In the second month an order was sent down to cut back what was not urgent, and envoys were sent to the commanderies and the towns to urge on farming and the raising of silkworms. In summer, the fourth month, an envoy was sent to enter Sui and bring tribute. In winter an envoy was sent to enter Sui and bring tribute.

In the twenty-sixth year, in spring, an envoy was sent to enter Sui and bring tribute. In summer, the fourth month, Emperor Wen of Sui gave a feast for the envoy of Goguryeo in the Daxing Hall.

In the twenty-seventh year, in winter, the twelfth month, an envoy was sent to enter Chen and bring tribute.

In the twenty-eighth year the capital was moved to Janganseong.

In the thirty-second year the king heard that Chen had fallen and was greatly afraid. He put his soldiers in order and stored up grain, and he made it his plan to hold out and defend. Gaozu of Sui sent the king a letter under the imperial seal, rebuking him and saying, "Though you call yourself a vassal at the border, you have not given your sincerity and your loyalty in full." And he said further.

"That one region of yours, though its land is narrow and its people few, cannot be left empty if I should now cast the king out. In the end officers would have to be chosen again and sent there to bring it peace. If the king washes his heart and changes his conduct and follows the law and the rule, then he is a good servant of mine. Why should I be put to the trouble of sending another man of talent?

Does the king hold the breadth of the Liao River to be what the Yangtze is? Does he hold the people of Goguryeo to be more than those of the country of Chen? If I did not keep a heart that embraces and nourishes, and if I called the king to account for his former faults and gave the order to a single general, what great strength would it need? That I speak to him earnestly and show him this is only to grant the king the chance to make himself new."

The king received the letter and was afraid. He was about to present a memorial and beg pardon, but he did not carry it out. The king was on the throne thirty-two years, and in winter, the tenth month, he died. He was called King Pyeongwon (平原王).

The Samguk sagi, volume nineteen.