The Legend of King Onjo of Paekche
From: http://violet.berkeley.edu/~korea/onjo.html The father of King Onjo, founder of Paekche, was
Chumong. He fled from North Puyô to escape troubles
and went to Cholbon Puyô, whose king had no son but
had three daughters. Knowing that Chumong was
extraordinary, the king presented his second daughter to him
in marriage. Shortly thereafter, the king died and was
succeeded by Chumong. Chumong had two sons, Piryu and Onjo.
When Yuri, a son of Chumong, born
in North Puyô, came to Cholbon Puyô and became
heir to the throne, Piryu and Onjo were afraid of being
rejected by their half brother and travelled south with ten
counselors, including Ogan and Maryô. Many followed
them. Upon reaching Hansan, they climbed Pua Peak (Mount
Samgak) to find a place to settle. When Piryu wished to
settle by the sea, the counselors advised him: "The land
south of the Han borders the Han River to the north, takes
to a high mountain to the east, views a fertile marsh to the
south, and is separated by a great sea to the west. Its
natural fastness is unparalleled, a place fit for your
capital." But Piryu did not listen. He divided the people
and went to Mich'uhol to settle. Onjo set up his capital at
Hanam Wiryesông, made ten counselors his assistants,
and named his country Sipche. This was in the third year of
Hung-chia of Emperor Cheng of the Former Han [18 BC].
Because the land of Mich'uhol was wet and its water
salty, Piryu could not live in comfort; when he returned and
saw Wirye firmly established and its people happy, he died
of shame and remorse. His followers pledged allegiance to
Wirye and joyfully came to submit, hence the country was
named Paekche. Like Koguryô, the ruling family of
Paekche stems from Puyô, which they adopted as their
clan name.
Translated by
Peter H. Lee
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