King Asin阿莘王

King Asin (阿莘王) was the eldest son of King Chimnyu. At the first he was born in a detached palace at Hanseong, and a divine light shone in the night. When he grew up his will and his spirit were bold and free, and he loved hawks and horses. When the king died he was young in years, and so his uncle Jinsa came to the throne after him. In the eighth year Jinsa died, and then he ascended the throne.

In the second year, in spring, the first month, he paid his respects at the shrine of Dongmyeong, and he made offering to heaven and earth at the southern altar as well. Jinmu was made jwajang, and the affairs of the army and the horses were given into his hands. Mu was the king's own uncle on his mother's side. He was steady and firm and had great plans, and the men of that time bowed to him.

In autumn, the eighth month, the king said to Mu, "Gwanmiseong is the collar and the strong place of our northern border, and now Goguryeo holds it. This I grieve over and regret, and it is for you to set your mind on it and wipe away the shame."

At last he planned to lead ten thousand troops and attack the southern border of Goguryeo. Mu went before the soldiers himself and braved the arrows and the stones, and he meant to take back the five fortresses, Seokhyeon among them, and he first surrounded Gwanmiseong. But the men of Goguryeo held the walls and kept it fast. Mu's grain road did not hold out, and so he led his men back.

In the third year, in spring, the second month, his eldest son Jeonji was set up as crown prince, and there was a great pardon. His younger half brother Hong was made naesin jwapyeong. In autumn, the seventh month, there was a battle with Goguryeo below Sugokseong, and it was lost. Taebaek was seen by day.

In the fourth year, in spring, the second month, a comet appeared in the northwest, and after twenty days it went out.

In autumn, the eighth month, the king commanded Jinmu the jwajang and others to attack Goguryeo. Damdeok, the king of Goguryeo, led seven thousand troops himself and drew them up on the bank of the Pae River and fought to hold them off. The Baekje army was greatly beaten, and eight thousand men died.

In winter, the eleventh month, the king wished to repay the battle of the Pae River, and he led seven thousand men himself and crossed the Han River and halted below Cheongmongnyeong. It happened that a great snow fell and many of the soldiers froze to death, and so he turned the army back and came to Hansanseong and comforted the soldiers.

In the sixth year, in summer, the fifth month, the king made friendship with the country of Wa, and he gave the crown prince Jeonji as a hostage. In autumn, the seventh month, there was a great review south of the Han River.

In the seventh year, in spring, the second month, Jinmu was made byeonggwan jwapyeong and Sadu was made jwajang. In the third month Ssanghyeonseong was built.

In autumn, the eighth month, the king was about to attack Goguryeo, and he went out at the head of the army and came to the stockade north of Hansan. That night a great star fell, and there was a sound within the camp. The king took it very ill, and he stopped there. In the ninth month the people of the capital were gathered and made to practice archery at the western terrace.

In the eighth year, in autumn, the eighth month, the king wished to raid Goguryeo and called up soldiers and horses in great numbers, and the people were worn out by the service and many fled to Silla, so that the households and the people grew fewer.

In the ninth year, in spring, the second month, a comet appeared at Gyu and Nu. In summer, the sixth month, on the first day, a gyeongjin day, the sun was eclipsed.

In the eleventh year, in summer, there was a great drought and the rice shoots were scorched and dried up, and the king made offering at Hoengak himself, and then the rain came. In the fifth month an envoy was sent to the country of Wa to seek great pearls.

In the twelfth year, in spring, the second month, an envoy of the country of Wa came, and the king met him and comforted him with special warmth. In autumn, the seventh month, troops were sent and raided the border of Silla.

In the fourteenth year, in spring, the third month, a white vapor rose west of the royal palace, like a bolt of silk. In autumn, the ninth month, the king died.