The Koguryo Annals of the Samguk Sagi

Introduction
Book 13. Sage King Tongmyong and Bright King Yuri
Book 14. King Great Musin, King Minjung, and King Mobon
Book 15. Great King T’aejo and King Ch’adae
Book 16. King Sindae, King Kogukch’on, and King Sansang
Book 17. King Tongch’on, King Chungch’on, King, Soch’on, King Pongsang, and King Mich’on1
Book 18. King Kogukwon, King Sosurim, King Kogugyang, King Kwangaet’o, and King Changsu
Book 19. Illustrious King Munja, King Anjang, King Anwon, King Yangwon, and King P’yongwon
Book 20. King Yongyang and King Y?ngnyu
Book 21. King Pojang-Part One
Book 22. King Pojang-Part Two
Glossary of Titles and Offices
Weights and Measures
Bibliography

Book 15 Great King T’aejo
Great King T’aejo {also known as King Kukcho [State Founder]}, named Kung, had the childhood name of ?su. He was the son of the Koch’uga Chaesa, King Yuri’s son. His mother, the Queen Dowager, was from Puy?. When King Mobon died, his Crown Prince, being unworthy, was incapable of presiding over the realm so the people of the kingdom welcomed Kung to inherit the throne. Upon his birth he was able to open his eyes to see and, even as a crawling child, he was outstanding. Since he was only seven years old [his mother] the Queen Dowager presided at court behind a screen in his stead.
Year three [55], spring, second month. Ten forts were built in Liaoxi to ward off Han forces. Autumn, eight month. Locusts devastated the crop in the southern region of the realm.
Year four [56], autumn, seventh month. The Eastern Okch?. were attacked and their territory seized, making it into fortified settlements.4 Thus the frontiers of the realm were extended eastward as far as the sea and southward as far as the Sal River.
Year seven [59], summer, fourth month. The King visited Koan pool to watch the fish and caught a white fish with red fins. Autumn, seventh month. There were serious floods in the capital, washing away people’s houses.
Year ten [62], autumn, eighth month. [The King] went hunting in the east, capturing a white deer, while in the southern region of the realm flying locusts ruined the grain harvest.6
Year sixteen [68], autumn, eighth month. Todu, grandson of the [first] King of Kalsa, came to surrender his state; he was appointed to the rank of Ut’ae.

Book 17 King Mich’?n
King Mich’?n {also known as King Hoyang}, named ?lbul {or Ubul}, was the son of Koch’uga Tolgo who was the son of King S?ch’?n. Earlier King Pongsang suspected that his brother Tolgo had a treasonous intent and killed him. His son ?lbul, fearing harm, fled. He first went to the house of a man named ?mmo in Susil village and worked as a laborer. ?mmo did know who he was but made him work strenuously. His house was beside grass and swamps. When frogs cried out loud at night he had ?lbul throw stones into the pond to keep them from making noise and during the day worked him to gather fuel. He was not permitted even a short rest. Unable to overcome this hardship any longer, he left ?mmo’s house after one year. With a man from Tongch’on village called Chaemo he sold salt. Riding a boat to the Amnok area, he unloaded the salt and stayed at the house of a villager in Sasu village, east of the river. There was an old woman in the house who requested some salt and so he gave her some. When she asked for more, he did not give her any. The old woman, angry and resentful, sneaked her straw shoes into the salt. ?lbul, not knowing this, picked up his baggage and went on the road. The old woman followed and uncovering them she reported him to the Amnok magistrate, falsely accusing him of stealing the shoes. The official took salt in the equivalent of the value of the shoes, gave it to the old woman, sentenced him [?lbul] to a flogging on his buttocks, and then released him. Thereupon he became dried and wizened and his clothes became ragged. People who saw him did not know he was a king’s grandson. At this time Prime Minister of State Ch’angjori was planning to depose the King, but first sent Chobul from the northern district, and Sou from the eastern district, and others to look for ?lbul all over. Reaching the banks of the Piryu River they saw a big man in a boat. Although his appearance was haggard, his carriage was unusual. Sou suspected he was ?lbul and bowed to him saying, “Now as the King is without principles, the Prime Minister of State and high officials secretly plot to remove him. Because you, as a royal grandson, your deportment is restrained and humane and love the people, you ought to inherit the dynastic throne. Therefore we have been sent to respectfully welcome you.”