Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 239

Joseon (Korea)

Page 18

...envoys were sent for the official investiture. When major events occurred, imperial edicts were issued to the kingdom. Other foreign nations yi: a traditional term for neighboring peoples, often translated as "barbarians" did not dare to hope for such prestigious treatment.

When Seong-gye Yi Seong-gye, known as King Taejo, r. 1392–1398, the founder of the Joseon dynasty first ascended the throne, the High Emperor the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming dynasty allowed it to pass without inquiry. However, in his heart, he detested the act of usurpation. Furthermore, those who transmitted reports incorrectly identified Seong-gye as the son of In-ren Referring to Yi In-im, a powerful official at the end of the previous Goryeo dynasty. Ming records erroneously claimed Yi Seong-gye was his son. Consequently, the Ancestral Injunctions Zu-xun: the foundational legal and moral codes left by the Ming founder for his descendants stated that this father and son had successively assassinated four kings of the Wang clan the ruling house of the Goryeo dynasty.

His successors, during the Yongle, Zhengde, and Jiajing eras reign periods covering 1402 through 1566 CE, submitted repeated petitions to clear their name. They stated that the assassination of King Gongmin was actually committed by the favored official Yun Hong Yun. In-ren then executed Yun and installed U King U, the 32nd King of Goryeo. Once U was established, he dispatched troops to invade Liaodong a strategic border region between China and Korea. The late minister Seong-gye, fearing the Suzerain State the Ming Empire, turned his army back. U then abdicated the throne to his son, Chang.

However, King Gongmin's consort, Lady An, declared that since neither U nor Chang were truly of the Wang bloodline, they were not fit to be enthroned. She subsequently deposed Chang and installed Yao King Gongyang, the final King of Goryeo. When Yao again failed to follow the proper path, the people of the nation requested an imperial decree from the High Emperor to install the late minister [Seong-gye]. Seong-gye provided for Yao in a separate residence for the remainder of his life. Thus, the late minister truly never committed regicide, yet he falsely suffered under this reputation. Furthermore...