Geochilbu居柒夫

Geochilbu's surname was Kim, and he was a fifth-generation descendant of King Naemul. His grandfather was Ingsuk the gakgan, and his father was Mullyeok of the rank of ichan.

When Geochilbu was young he was not to be held down, and he had a far purpose. He shaved his head and became a monk, and he traveled about the four quarters and looked at them. Then he wished to spy out Goguryeo, and he went into its borders. He heard that the dharma master Hyeryang had opened a hall and was preaching the sutras, and so he went there and listened to the preaching.

One day Hyeryang asked him, "Where have you come from?"

He answered, "I am a man of Silla."

That evening the master called him and saw him and took his hand and said quietly, "I have known many men, and looking at your face I am sure you are no common sort. Have you not some other mind in you?"

He answered, "I was born in a corner of the world and have not heard of the way and its reason. I heard of the master's virtue and fame, and I came and bowed low and drew near. I beg that the master will not turn me away, but will finish the waking of this dull head."

The master said, "This old monk is not quick, and yet even I can see what you are. Small as this country is, it cannot be said that there is no one here who knows a man. I am afraid you will be taken, and so I tell you quietly. You had better go back at once."

Geochilbu was about to go back, and the master said again, "I read in your face the jaw of a swallow and the eye of a hawk. You will surely be a general one day. If you come with an army, do not bring harm upon me."

Geochilbu said, "If it is as the master says, then should I not keep good terms with the master, there is the bright sun."

So he came back to his country and returned to what he had been and took office, and he rose to the rank of daeachan.

In the sixth year of King Jinheung the Great, the year eulchuk, he took the will of the court and gathered the men of letters and compiled the history of the country, and his office was raised to pajinchan.

In the twelfth year, the year sinmi, the king commanded Geochilbu and eight generals — Gujin the daegakchan, Bitae the gakchan, Tamji the japchan, Biseo the japchan, Nobu the pajinchan, Seoryeokbu the pajinchan, Bichabu the daeachan and Mijinbu the achan — to invade Goguryeo together with Baekje. The men of Baekje first attacked Pyongyang and broke it, and Geochilbu and the rest rode the victory and took the ten commanderies beyond Jungnyeong and within Gohyeon.

When it came to this, the dharma master Hyeryang led his followers out to the roadside. Geochilbu got down from his horse, saluted and bowed with the courtesy of the army, and came forward and said, "In the old days, when I was wandering and studying, I had the master's kindness and kept my life. Now we have met again beyond all looking for it, and I do not know how to repay you."

He answered, "The government of our country is in disorder now, and its fall is not many days off. I beg that you will take me to your honored land."

So Geochilbu put him in the same carriage and came back and brought him before the king, and the king made him seungtong. Then for the first time the Hundred Seats preaching assembly and the Eight Prohibitions were set up.

In the first year of King Jinji, the year byeongsin, Geochilbu became sangdaedeung and took upon himself the affairs of the army and the state. He grew old and ended his days at home, at the age of seventy-eight.