A Game for the Throne: The Goryeo Dynasty

By: Quinn Riordan

As the Jin Dynasty retreated and the Goryeo court was forced to deal with the destruction and anger of their people due to the war, the King died due to injuries from battle. The throne is now empty and the people are questioning who will become their new divine ruler, Kim Busik said. 

After hearing this news, the court took little time to mourn, and members immediately began campaigning for their election to the throne. Members such as Yi/Lee Jagyeom, who married into power, Im Wonjun, Prince Po, the former King’s brother, and other court members followed. 

“The members threatened assassinations as a way to eliminate competitors and gain power, showing the green and corruption of the court,” Princess Yeondeok said.

This corruption has led to the public’s resentment, and an uprising resulted.  The anger has pushed some members of the court to call for elections to try to gain the support of the people. Specifically, Princess Yeondeok has called for the creation of a popular election which would allow the citizens to decide the fate of the ruler of the Goryeo Dynasty. 

“The Goryeo Court is taking a progressive leap allowing women, monks, and different religions to run for the throne and hold an election within the court. Why should we not extend this democracy and power to the people, and show that the great Goryeo Dynasty is for people too,” Princess Yeondeok said. 

However, many members disagree with this plan and believe that the throne should be given to members within the court or part of royal blood. They believe that “the court is made up of those made to be in power, the smartest and strongest, and they would be the best rulers for the people,” Prince Po said. 

The conflict between the court members will certainly grow as the election campaigns further develop. As the people’s levels of unhappiness increases, the members of the court will do anything in their power to ensure a win, no matter how unethical.

A Marriage into War

By: Quinn Riordan

Princess Yeondeok married the Emperor Tiazmo of the Jin Dynasty, or the Jurchen people, leading the Goryeo into a war. As the Princess held a bouquet and walked down the aisle with her dad and husband to join together the two dynasties through the marriage, the court grew further divided and conflict seemed imminent.

“The marriage was formed with good intentions, with the hope to unify the two dynasties and create one strong dynasty with the Jurchen people,” Princess Yeondeok said. 

Princess Yeondeok planned the marriage in order to gain access to the Jurchen officials and utilize espionage to gain tactical and military knowledge. However, she worked as a double agent she exchanged information with her new husband and the court. As lies spread, the court became warier of its other members and the multiple assassination attempts were made on Princess Yeondeok. 

As tensions rose, the Goryeo court received an announcement stating “the Jin Dynasty was marching to the border, after they were told about the false peace talks the court planned with the Jurchen.” The Jurchen were well aware of this attack and killed the fake Generals that the Goryeo placed in the meeting. They prevented the horseshoe plan that would move them towards the sea where the Goryeo navy was waiting. Because of this unexpected action, the Goryeo faced heavy losses, and the Jurchen stood undefeated and continued their march to the border. 

Previously, the Jin Dynasty had proposed that the Goryeo Dynasty joined the Jin, with the stipulation that they had to pay them silver and give up land, to create the ultimate dynasty. Princess Yeondeok read these demands to the court, promising to use her position to put court members in high positions on the Jurchen court, allowing them greater power and control. These demands were not accepted by the Goryeo court, and with the Jurchen marching on to the border, the sense of alarm and urgency in the room was palpable.

Directives were hastily made and passed to form an alliance with the Song Dynasty and Japan, to set the border on fire to prevent invasion, draft troops, and move the army to fight. The battle commenced, but the border fires prevented the Jurchen from entering Goryeo land which left the land ravaged with destruction. Many  Goryeon troops died as the Jurchen remained away from the sea routes. The Jurchen withdrew from the front, leaving the Goryeo Dynasty plagued with an uprising, unhappy citizens, destroyed lands, and tensions within the court.