King Muryeong武寧王

King Muryeong (武寧王) was named Sama (斯摩), and he was the second son of King Modae. He was eight cheok in height, his brows and eyes were like a painting, and he was benevolent and kind, generous and deep, so that the hearts of the people turned to him and clung to him. Modae had been on the throne twenty-three years when he died, and Muryeong ascended the throne.

In spring, the first month, Jakga the jwapyeong held Garimseong and rebelled. The king led his soldiers and horses to Uduseong and ordered Haemyeong the hansol to attack him. Jakga came out and surrendered, and the king beheaded him and threw him into the Baekgang.

Kim Busik comments.

The Chunqiu says, "A subject must not even hold the mind to do such a thing, and if he holds that mind he must surely be put to death." A great evil and a great villain such as Jakga is one whom heaven and earth do not suffer. He was not charged at once, and when it came to this he knew himself that he could hardly escape, and only after he plotted rebellion was he put to death. It was late.

In winter, the eleventh month, U Yeong the dalsol was sent with five thousand troops to fall upon Sugokseong of Goguryeo.

In the second year, in spring, the people were hungry and there was pestilence as well. In winter, the eleventh month, troops were sent to raid the border of Goguryeo.

In the third year, in autumn, the ninth month, Malgal burned the palisade at Masu and went forward to attack Gomokseong. The king sent five thousand troops, and they struck them and drove them off. In winter no ice formed.

In the sixth year, in spring, there was a great pestilence. From the third month to the fifth month no rain fell, and the streams and the ponds dried up. The people were hungry, and the granaries were opened to relieve and save them. In autumn, the seventh month, Malgal came and raided, broke Gomokseong, and killed or carried off more than six hundred people.

In the seventh year, in summer, the fifth month, two palisades were set up south of Gomokseong, and Jangnyeongseong was built as well, to make ready against Malgal. In winter, the tenth month, Goro, a general of Goguryeo, plotted with Malgal and meant to attack Hanseong, and he went forward and camped below Hoengak. The king sent out his army, fought them and drove them off.

In the tenth year, in spring, the first month, an order came down to make the dikes whole and firm, and to drive those within and without who ate without working back to farming.

In the twelfth year, in summer, the fourth month, an envoy was sent into Liang with tribute.

In autumn, the ninth month, Goguryeo fell upon Gabulseong and took it, and moved its troops on and broke Wonsanseong, and those they killed and plundered were very many. The king led three thousand brave horsemen and fought north of the Wicheon. The men of Goguryeo saw that the king's troops were few and made light of them and set no battle line. The king brought out a surprise plan, struck hard, and broke them greatly.

In the sixteenth year, in spring, the third month, on the first day, a mujin day, the sun was eclipsed.

In the twenty-first year, in summer, the fifth month, there was a great flood. In autumn, the eighth month, locusts harmed the grain. The people were hungry, and nine hundred households fled into Silla.

In winter, the eleventh month, an envoy was sent into Liang with tribute. Before this the country had been broken by Goguryeo and had been weak for years, and now it sent up a memorial that said, "Goguryeo has been broken again and again, and friendly dealings have begun with them, so that this is a strong country once more."

In the twelfth month Gaozu invested the king by edict and said, "Yeoyung, acting commander of all military affairs of Baekje, grand general who guards the east and king of Baekje, has kept his vassal watch beyond the sea and has cultivated tribute and office from afar, and his sincerity has come through to me, and I hold it fair. It is right to follow the old statutes and to give this glorious command, and he may be made commissioner bearing the tally, commander of all military affairs of Baekje, and grand general who calms the east."

In the twenty-second year, in autumn, the ninth month, the king hunted on the plain of Hosan. In winter, the tenth month, the earth shook.

In the twenty-third year, in spring, the second month, the king went to Hanseong and ordered Inu the jwapyeong and Sao the dalsol and others to call up the people of the districts north of the Han River who were fifteen years old and upward, and to build Ssanghyeonseong. In the third month he came back from Hanseong. In summer, the fifth month, the king died. He was given the posthumous name Muryeong (武寧).