Choe Sa-chu

Choe Sa-chu (崔思諏, 1036 – 1115) was a civil official of Goryeo. His family seat was Haeju (海州). His birth name was Choe Sa-sun (思順). His courtesy name was Gaeon (嘉言). He was a grandson of Choe Chung (崔冲), posthumously known as Duke Munheon (文憲公). During the reign of King Sukjong, he rose to the post of Munha sijung (門下侍中). His posthumous name was Chunggyeong (忠景).

Life

From a young age, he devoted himself to study and was skilled at writing. In 1063 (17th year of King Munjong), he passed the civil service examination. The king, considering that Choe Sa-chu was a son of a distinguished family with broad learning and much knowledge, appointed him as a royal attendant (內侍). When the king tested him through discussion, Choe's answers pleased the king, who was delighted.

During the reign of King Seonjong, he was appointed Junjung sogam, Jisangseo hobu sa (殿中少監 知尙書戶部事), and was sent out as Vice Garrison Commander (西京副留守) of Seogyeong. When the royal carriage visited Seogyeong, an envoy of the Liao dynasty, Wang Ding (王鼎), arrived. Choe Sa-chu served as the Liao envoy's escort (館伴). Hearing that Wang Ding sat alone every night writing documents, he used a stratagem to seize the document and presented it to the king. It was a memorial of remonstrance, and in it Wang Ding stated in extreme terms: "The Liao has enjoyed peaceful days for a long time and is not prepared to devote itself to military affairs." It also spoke of the Song's campaign to conquer the Southern Xia. The king, admiring Choe Sa-chu's ability in receiving envoys, personally issued an edict to reward him and ordered him to accompany the royal carriage. Soon after, he was appointed Grand Censor-in-chief (御史大夫), and was transferred to Dongji Jungchuwon sa, Jwasangi sangsi (同知中樞院使 左散騎常侍).

During the reign of King Heonjong, he was appointed Idae sangseo, Jichumilwon sa (吏部尙書 知樞密院事). Afterwards, he was granted the posts of Susagong, Chumilwon sa, Hallim hakssi seungji (守司空 樞密院使 翰林學士承旨). When King Sukjong ascended the throne, he was promoted from Chamji jeongsa (參知政事) to Jungseo sirang pyeongjangsa (中書侍郎平章事), and in 1103 he was additionally granted the title of Su taewi, Pan ibusa (守太尉 判吏部事).

In 1103, Grand General (大將軍) Go Mun-gae (高文盖), Jang Hong-jeom (張洪占), and Yi Gung-je (李弓濟), and General (將軍) Kim Ja-jin (金子珍) secretly plotted rebellion. Choe Sa-chu investigated and punished their crimes, and all were exiled to the southern frontier. For this achievement, he was appointed Munha sijung and was granted the title of Bojeong Gongsin (輔正功臣).

In 1104 (9th year of King Sukjong), he submitted a memorial requesting retirement three times, citing his age as Susutae (守太保). Wi Gye-jeong (魏繼廷) said, "As long as Lord Choe remains in office, we look up to him as the Big Dipper of Mount Tai, and all our decisions on state and military affairs have followed his opinion. If he now wishes to resign because of his age, what will become of the national administration?" At that time, the king held an informal banquet at Sucheun Palace (壽春宮) and summoned Choe Sa-chu to attend. Choe Sa-chu rose and offered the king a cup of wine wishing him long life. King Sukjong personally poured wine for him, held his hand, and said, "If you insist on withdrawing, with whom shall I manage the state? I value worthy people and consider elder statesmen important, and I cannot bear to let you go." Choe answered, "It is the rite that a man retires at seventy. Since I am already old and cannot help the state, I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish to return home." The king then permitted his retirement.