Heo Yeop (許曄, December 29, 1517 – February 4, 1580) was a mid-Joseon scholar-official and Neo-Confucian scholar. His courtesy name was Taehwi (太輝), his pen name was Chodang (草堂), and his family seat was Yangcheon (陽川). He studied under Na Sik (羅湜), Yi Yeo (李畬), Seo Gyeongdeok, and Lee Hwang, and pri
Born 1517Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM
Details
Born
1517
Born
December 29, 1517
Died
February 4, 1580
Nationality
Joseon
Career
Passed the 1546 regular civil service examination, Vice Lecturer, Sagadoseo, Chief Censor, Vice Tutor, Grand Academician, Drafting Official, Vice Director of the Office of Royal Secretariat and Assistant Royal Lecturer, Magistrate of Samcheok, Special Envoy Deputy for Congratulatory Mission, Grand Secretary, Vice Chief Censor, Vice Director of the Office of Special Advisers, Governor of Gyeongsang Province, Vice Chief of the Central Military Office
Heo Yeop (許曄, December 29, 1517 – February 4, 1580) was a mid-Joseonscholar-official and Neo-Confucian scholar. His courtesy name was Taehwi (太輝), his pen name was Chodang (草堂), and his family seat was Yangcheon (陽川). He studied under Na Sik (羅湜), Yi Yeo (李畬), Seo Gyeongdeok, and Lee Hwang, and privately revered Lee Eonjeok. After passing the jinsa examination, he passed the 1546 (1st year of Myeongjong) regular civil service examination with top honors and took office during the reign of Myeongjong. When the court split into factions, he joined the Easterners.
After passing the civil service examination, he became Vice Lecturer in 1551, and in 1553 he took part in Sagadoseo. While serving as Chief Censor, he was dismissed for accepting bribes. In 1559 he became Vice Tutor (弼善), in 1560 Grand Academician, and in 1562 Drafting Official (知製敎) before becoming Vice Director of the Office of Royal Secretariat and Assistant Royal Lecturer.
While serving as a royal lecturer in 1562, he argued for the innocence of Yun Geunsu, Gu Sudam (具壽聃), Heo Ja, and others, and was dismissed again. He was reinstated in early 1563 and soon took up the post of Magistrate of Samcheok in the sixth month of that year, but was dismissed again because his blunt remarks caused problems. He was later reinstated and, in 1568 (1st year of Seonjo), after serving as Deputy Envoy for the congratulatory mission to the Ming dynasty, he rose to Grand Director of the Office of Censors and proposed the implementation of the village compact (鄕約). In 1575, when the factional strife between the Easterners and Westerners began with the Eulhae dispute, he joined the Easterners. He later served as Vice Director of the Hyangyo Academy (副提學) and then became Governor of Gyeongsang Province, but he resigned due to illness and was transferred to the post of Vice Chief of the Central Military Office. Because of his integrity he was recorded among the Incorruptible Officials, but he was also impeached over matters of wealth.
He made tofu with the clear spring water of Chodang in Gangneung, which became the origin of Chodang tofu. He was the father of , , , and , and was ten generations older than of Euiseong. His posthumous name was Mungan (文簡).
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He was the great-grandson of Heo Chang (許菖), Seonggyungwan Jeonjeok and posthumously appointed Vice Minister of the Royal Secretariat. His grandfather was Heo Dam (許聃), Superintendent of Geumhwasa and posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel. His father was Heo Han (許澣), who served as Bubongsa of the Gunjagam and was posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel. His mother was of the Seong clan, the daughter of Seong Hui (成喜), Magistrate of the Doneungbu.
He was the father of Heo Gyun, Heo Seong, Heo Bong, and Heo Nanseolheon, and was also the father-in-law of Woo Seong-jeon. From an early age he was clever and precocious. According to No Susin, at seven or eight years old his filial and fraternal devotion was exceptional, and when he went to his teachers he advanced remarkably without needing to be urged repeatedly.
Education
As a child he studied the Xiaoxue and Jinsilu under Na Sik (羅湜). He then tried to seek out Hoejae (晦齋) Lee Eonjeok (李彦迪) but failed, and instead obtained and read the Simgyeongbuju (心經附註), which Lee Eonjeok had lectured to Injong. Next, Yi Yeo (李畬) of Jincheon (鎭川), who was well versed in mathematics and had deep knowledge of the Book of Changes, was sought out, and he learned mathematics and the Book of Changes from him. Later he went to Songdo, where he studied under Hwadam Seo Gyeongdeok. Seo Gyeongdeok showed him special favor, and in his later years, when he was seriously ill, he recited to him orally six essays including "On Principle and Qi" (原理氣). It is said that he recorded each of Seo Gyeongdeok's oral teachings. While under Seo Gyeongdeok in 1540 (35th year of Jungjong), he passed the jinsa examination, and in 1546 he passed the civil service examination. After Seo Gyeongdeok's death, he went to Toegye Lee Hwang at Dosan in Andong and studied briefly under him as well.
Later, when Seo Gyeongdeok became critically ill, he summoned Heo Yeop and recited to him orally the "Principle and Qi" and other works, passing them on to him.
Official career
Passing the examination and early official career
After Myeongjong ascended the throne, he passed the 1546 (1st year of Myeongjong) regular civil service examination with top honors and rose to Chief Censor after serving as Junior Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. Yun Chunnyeon (尹春年), his maternal cousin once removed (a great-grandson of his grandmother's family) and a nephew of Yun Won-hyeong, was a powerful figure as a first cousin once removed of Yun Won-hyeong and Queen Munjeong, but Heo Yeop kept his distance from him.
After that, he served as Director of the Jangheunggo (長興庫直長), Junior Secretary in the Ministry of Rites, Junior Secretary in the Ministry of Works, and Junior Secretary in the Ministry of War. In 1550 he was promoted to Tongseonrang (通善郞) and served as Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel and Drafting Official (通善郞行吏曹佐郞知製敎), becoming a compiler of the Chunchugwan, and soon took part as one of the editors of the Veritable Records of Jungjong. Next, as Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel and Drafting Official (行吏曹佐郞知製敎), he concurrently served as a Chronicler of the Chunchugwan and took part in compiling the Veritable Records of Injong. In 1551 he passed through the post of Vice Lecturer in the Hongmungwan, and by special order received the rank of Jeolchung Janggun (折衝將軍), a senior third-rank military title, and became a Drafting Official (知製敎).
In 1553 (8th year of Myeongjong) he became Senior Secretary of the Saganwon. At that time, his maternal cousin Yun Chunnyeon recommended Yi Gam (李戡) to high posts in the Ministry of Personnel and the State Council, but Heo Yeop rebuked him and sent him away. Because of this, Yun Chunnyeon held a grudge against him and searched for material to denounce him, but achieved nothing.
In 1553 he served as Examiner (檢詳) and Secretary (舍人) in the State Council before being selected for Sagadoseo. Later, while serving as Junior Censor (掌令) of the Saheonbu, his house caught fire and he sold off family property to rebuild it. That same year he was impeached by both censorial offices for accepting bribes and was dismissed. In 1554 he suffered the death of his mother, and in 1557 he completed the three years of mourning.
After completing the three years of mourning in 1557, he returned to the Saheonbu, but when Kim Yeobu (金汝孚) and Kim Hongdo (金弘度) split into factions and fought each other, he scolded Kim Yeobu, earning Kim Yeobu's enmity. When Kim Hongdo was driven out, Heo Yeop was labeled a member of his faction and transferred out to the post of Magistrate of Baecheon (白川郡守).
In 1559 he returned as Chief Secretary of the Saheonbu (司憲府執義), but after quarreling with the Grand Censor he was dismissed, then immediately reinstated. Afterward, in 1559 he was appointed Vice Tutor (弼善) of the Sejasigwonwon, and later became Grand Academician of the Seonggyungwan, and in 1560 he was specially promoted to Vice Minister of Rites before again becoming Grand Academician. In 1562, after serving concurrently as Drafting Official, he received a summons from Myeongjong together with Park Gyehyeon (朴啓賢), entered Okchwijeong (玉翠亭), and responded with a regulated verse (律詩). That same year, after serving as Judge of the Seungmunwon (承文院判校), he was promoted to Vice Secretary of the Royal Secretariat (承政院 動副承旨).
Official career
In 1562 he became Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites (禮曹參議) and concurrently held the post of Drafting Official. At that time, during night lectures (夜對) in the royal lecture hall, he proposed to Myeongjong the rehabilitation of Jo Gwang-jo, who had died in the Gimyo Purge. He also argued for the innocence of Yun Geunsu, Gu Sudam (具壽聃), Heo Ja, and others, and was dismissed again.
When he requested the rehabilitation of Jo Gwang-jo and others during the royal lectures, Myeongjong asked how he dared to overturn what his late father had decided and ordered him to bring up other matters. However, he repeatedly and forcefully presented his views, saying, "For example, in recent times Heo Ja (許磁), while in charge of selecting personnel, did not accept bribes, yet slander accumulated and he was banished to a distant place; Gu Sudam (具壽聃) did not look after his own body and devoted himself wholeheartedly to loyalty, yet was executed by royal order. In general, when sentencing someone to death there is a law requiring a second review, but this has not been applied to the great ministers alone, and I do not understand the reason." He thus requested the innocence of Yun Du-su and Gu Sudam, and added, "When a certain man's slave enters the Naesusa (內需司), he can only look up to heaven and sigh, with no way to defend himself; this too cannot be ignored."
The king said the matter could not be discussed, but when he kept repeating the same argument he fell out of Myeongjong's favor, and was impeached by the Saheonbu and Saganwon and dismissed.
In early 1563 he was reinstated, and soon in the sixth month of that year he took up the post of Magistrate of Samcheok (三陟府使), but was dismissed again because his blunt remarks caused problems. He was later reinstated, but in the eighth month he was dismissed again on August 13 because of conflict with Yi Ryang and Yi Gam. Meanwhile, Yi Gam resented Heo Yeop for not recommending him when Heo Yeop had been Junior Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, Heo Yeop's ancestral household happened to burn down, and when he began rebuilding it, Yi Gam found some suspicious traces and pressed Heo Yeop with them. Grand Censor Yun Chunnyeon believed this and tried to impeach Heo Yeop, but someone said to Yun Chunnyeon, "What Heo Yeop is building is the ancestral household. If you argue on the basis of suspicious traces, what will you do about Han Jiwon (韓智源) and Sim Jeon (沈銓)?" Yun Chunnyeon replied, "Han Jiwon and Sim Jeon are truly guilty, but Heo Yeop enjoys the reputation of the Sarim, so such a thing must not happen." The man then asked, "Then will you only punish those with reputations, and leave alone those who do not even count as Sarim?" Yun Chunnyeon could not answer, and Heo Yeop escaped punishment.
In October 1563 he was nearly impeached together with Yi Ryang, Yi Gam, and others, but Gi Daehang (奇大恒), Vice Director of the Hongmungwan, acting under the instigation of Shim Ui-gyeom, impeached them and he escaped the crisis. Soon after Yi Ryang and the others were exiled, he was reinstated, but Yun Won-hyeong and others, citing his attitude and remarks during the night lectures while he had been a royal lecturer, opposed his appointment to prestigious posts. In 1564 he was appointed Magistrate of Gyeongju (慶州府尹).
Later life
In 1567 (22nd year of Myeongjong) he was selected as Chief Secretary of the Seungjeongwon. Next, he proposed the punishment of Yun Won-hyeong, Lee Gi, and others, and offered policy recommendations. "Yun Won-hyeong (尹元衡) and Lee Gi (李芑) deceived the late king and the queens, gathering all the famous scholars and charging them with treason. Although some were released, they were thrown into a single pit. If now they are corrected and punished, and the wronged people are exonerated, harmony can be achieved and disasters will disappear." He then continued, "If one contemplates and savors the writings composed by the former minister Lee Eonjeok, he too will become a teacher. Now, although Lee Hwang (李滉) has resigned due to illness and remains at home, if the court shows him full respect and courtesy, he will surely not dare to refuse to come out. Also, Lee Hang (李恒) and Cho Sik (曺植), who were summoned in the time of Myeongjong, are old, but if they are summoned with sincerity, they too will come out. In the past, although the Cheng brothers and Zhu Xi appeared, they were not employed in the Song dynasty, and this is an eternal regret. Also, Emperor Lizong knew how to honor the Way, yet did not understand what was true and false; what good did that do?" After hearing his remarks, the king summoned Lee Hwang twice to come to court.
He then proposed the employment of illegitimate sons and learned men.
"In the former reign there were men named Yi Jung-ho (李仲虎) and Jang Yun (張崙), illegitimate sons who became famous for their learning and conduct and had many followers. Now Park Hyeong (朴泂) teaches the Sohak (小學), and his followers number hundreds at all times. He became a Dongmong Instructor (童蒙訓導) by recommendation, but because he did not appear for examinations, he is ranked at the very bottom. Nevertheless, he devotes all his strength to teaching and does not neglect instruction. Please grant him a position following the precedents of Yi Jung-ho and Jang Yun."
After King Seonjo ascended the throne, he recommended that the new king invite Lee Hwang with the courtesy due a teacher.
In 1568 (1st year of Seonjo), after serving as Deputy Envoy for the congratulatory mission to the Ming dynasty, he rose to Grand Director of the Office of Censors and proposed the implementation of the village compact (鄕約). When he went to Yeonkyeong as Deputy Envoy, he purchased the Dokseoroku (讀書錄) from a Ming merchant, brought it back, and presented it to Seonjo. By special order of Seonjo, it was printed and distributed. In 1569 he served as Vice Director of the Hongmungwan and Grand Director of the Saganwon.
He made tofu with a distinctively flavored spring water from Gangneung in Gangwon Province, his wife's home region, and the taste of it captivated people. Heo Yeop commercialized this tofu, which became the origin of Chodang tofu. However, when news spread at court that a scholar was engaged in trade, he became a target of attack.
Among those who grew weary of the outspoken remarks and criticism of Yi I, a member of the new Sarim faction in the early years of Seonjo's reign, was Heo Yeop. Among the senior ministers, Heo Yeop and Lee Junggyeong and others angrily declared that Yi I did not know etiquette or fundamentals.1 When Yi I criticized Seo Gyeongdeok as being too inclined toward the Way, and openly rejected Lee Hwang's dualism of principle and qi in favor of monism of qi, Heo Yeop came to loathe Yi I intensely.
After Seonjo ascended the throne, when public opinion arose to rehabilitate Yun Im and Gyerim Gun Yi Yu and to strike their merit awards from the record, his son Heo Bong (許篈) was Junior Censor of the Saheonbu. At that time Heo Yeop told his son Heo Bong, "You must not take part in restoring the reputations of Yun Im and Yi Yu" (若至於任瑠伸雪ㅍ則汝不可參也). Because of this, when public opinion arose to rehabilitate Yun Im and Yi Yu, Heo Bong withdrew and was transferred out.
Joining the Easterners and service as Governor of Gyeongsang
In 1573 (6th year of Seonjo), when he was again Grand Academician of the Seonggyungwan, he raised the issue of the king's failure to inform the Seungjeongwon about his meeting with members of the royal clan. Those around him were startled, but he continued to press the king about not informing the Seungjeongwon. In 1574 he became Grand Director of the Saganwon.
In 1575 (7th year of Seonjo) he again became Grand Director of the Saganwon. That year, while a slave who had killed his master was held in prison and interrogated, he impeached the chief interrogating officer over the method of questioning, which caused controversy, and he was immediately transferred. That same year he became Grand Academician.
In 1575, when factional strife broke out between the Easterners and Westerners, he played an active role as a leader of the Easterners together with Kim Hyowon, Lee Bal, and others. Because he had once studied under Lee Hwang and most of Seo Gyeongdeok's other disciples became Easterners, he too joined the Easterners and served as a vanguard in attacks on the Westerners. He had been a fellow disciple of Park Sun, but their factions diverged and they grew distant. In 1576 he became Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Afterward, he served as Vice Director of the Hyangyo Academy (副提學) and Magistrate of Gyeongju, and in May 1579 he was appointed Governor of Gyeongsang (慶尙道觀察使) concurrently as Commander of Land and Naval Forces (兵馬水軍節度使), but resigned due to illness. While serving as Governor of Gyeongsang, he took part in supplementing and reprinting the Gyeongminpyeon (警民編) compiled by Kim Jeong-guk, and also took part in compiling the Samgang Irinhaengsil (三綱二倫行實).
He also supplemented the article on "the ruler" (君上) that had been omitted from the Gyeongminpyeon, printed several thousand copies, and distributed them to each county and to the neighborhoods (閭巷). He also had the larger counties print their own editions of the Samgang Haengsildo (三綱行實圖) and Iryun Haengsildo (二倫行實圖). He toured the counties of the province, paid respects at the Munmyo, gave stipends to the students (諸生), and personally indicated the direction of their studies. He also judged lawsuits strictly and eradicated the dens of criminals. Further, he removed bad customs together with others, and although rumors spread widely at this time, he paid them no heed.
Retirement and death
In 1579 he took up his post as Governor of Gyeongsang, but after taking the wrong medicine he fell ill. In September 1579 he submitted a petition to resign due to wind disease, but it was returned. In early 1580 he again submitted a resignation petition, was dismissed from his post as Governor of Gyeongsang, and transferred to the post of Vice Chief of the Central Military Office. Afterward, while returning from a journey, he reached Seonsan in North Gyeongsang, where his illness flared up, and on February 4, 1580 (12th year of Seonjo) he died at a guesthouse (客館) in Sangju (尙州), North Gyeongsang Province. He was 63 years old.
His works include the Chodangjip (草堂集) and the Jeoneon Wanghaengnok (前言往行錄).
Posthumous
He was buried in Seocho-ri, Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, on the east side of what later became Gyeongbok Girls' Commercial High School, across the expressway. The epitaph was written by No Susin, and the calligraphy was by Han Hobong. The inscription for his spirit stele (神道碑) was written by Nam Eung-un (南應雲). Because Heo Yeop wrote well during his lifetime, together with his eldest son Heo Seong (許筬), second son Heo Bong (許篈), third son Heo Gyun (許筠), and daughter Nanseolheon Heo Chohui, he became well known in the Ming and also in Japan.
He supported the construction of Dosan Seowon and encouraged the spread of Zhu Xi learning, including by proposing the implementation of the village compact. He also supplemented the Gyeongminpyeon compiled by Kim Jeong-guk and took part in compiling the Samgang Oryun Haengsil. He was recorded among the Incorruptible Officials, and was enshrined at the花谷書院 (Hwagok Seowon) in Gaeseong.
In August 1968, because of the development of Gangnam in Seoul, his tomb was moved from Seocho-ri, Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, on the east side of Gyeongbok Girls' Commercial High School, to a family cemetery at 639-2 Maeng-ri, Wonsam-myeon, Yongin County. At the entrance to the cemetery stands a commemorative monument for the transfer, and following the monument up the slope one reaches the family cemetery and his tomb. Among these, the stele with a broken mark is his tombstone.
Chronology
1517, December 29: Born
1546: Passed the regular civil service examination with top honors
1553: Sagadoseo (賜暇讀書)
1553: Dismissed for accepting bribes while serving as Junior Censor of the Saheonbu
1562: Appointed Vice Director (同副承旨) and Assistant Royal Lecturer (參贊官), then dismissed after a controversy over the innocence of Heo Ja and Gu Sudam
1563: Reinstated as Magistrate of Samcheok, then dismissed after making remarks that caused problems
1563: Reinstated again, but dismissed after conflict with powerful officials such as Yi Ryang and Yi Gam, then soon reinstated
1568: Returned from the congratulatory mission to the Ming dynasty and proposed the establishment and implementation of village compacts
1575: Joined the Easterners during the Eulhae dispute
1575: Vice Tutor, Magistrate of Gyeongju
1575, May: Governor of Gyeongsang
1579, September: Submitted a resignation petition, which was returned
1580, early: Resigned as Governor of Gyeongsang and transferred to Vice Chief of the Central Military Office
1580, February 4: Died at a guesthouse in Sangju
Family
Great-great-grandfather: Heo Chu (許樞)
Great-grandfather: Heo Chang (許菖)
Great-grandmother: Yangju Jo (楊州趙氏), daughter of Jo Seon (趙璿), Lord Hanwon (漢原君)
Grandfather: Heo Dam (許聃), Superintendent of Geumhwasa, posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel
Grandmother: Paepyeong Yun (坡平尹氏), daughter of Yun Gyeomgyeom (尹繼謙)
Father: Heo Han (許澣, ? – 1532), Bubongsa of the Gunjagam, posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel
Mother: Changnyeong Seong (昌寧成氏, ? – 1554), daughter of Seong Hui (成熹), Magistrate of the Doneungbu, great-granddaughter of the outer line of Seokbo Gun (石保君), the ninth son of Jeongjong2
Principal wife: Lady Han Ijeong (韓二貞, 1515 – ?), daughter of Han Sukchang (韓叔昌), Lord Seopyeong (西平君)3
Eldest daughter: Heo Muksok (許墨石, 1544 – ?)
Son-in-law: Park Sunwon (朴舜元), served as Superintendent of the Jeonhamsa (典艦司別提)
Daughter-in-law: Jeonju Yi (全州李氏), daughter of Yi Gukheon (李國憲), no children
Daughter-in-law: Uiryeong Nam (宜寧南氏), daughter of Nam Eonsun (南彦純), four sons and four daughters
Concubine's wife: Lady Gangneung Kim (江陵金氏), daughter of Kim Gwangcheol (金光轍), Minister of Rites; descendant of Kim Juwon (金周元), Myeongwon Gunwang (溟源郡王) of Silla
The sixth-generation descendant of Heo Bi (許扉), brother of Heo Yeop's great-great-grandfather Heo Chu, was Heo Mok, the Misu.
Works
Chodangjip (草堂集)
Jeoneon Wanghaengnok (前言往行錄)
Evaluation
He was excellent in writing and literary skill, and together with his sons Heo Seong, Heo Bong, Heo Gyun, and daughter Heo Nanseolheon, he earned fame as one of the "Five Literary Masters of the Heo Clan." He served in office for thirty years, and because of his integrity he was recorded among the Incorruptible Officials. However, there are also dissenting views. In 1559, while serving as Junior Censor of the Saheonbu, he was impeached for accepting bribes. He was also criticized for engaging in commerce as a scholar.
His interpersonal relations were poor, and there are also negative evaluations of him. Regarding Heo Yeop, Yi I wrote in his work Yulgokjip (栗谷集) that his theories contained many contradictions and that he was ignorant of the meaning of texts.4 Lee Hwang, who was also one of his teachers, lamented that had he not had learning, he would have become a good person.4
Miscellaneous
He was friends with No Suseong (盧守成) and was active as a hardline figure among the Easterners.
Relations with Heo Jun, Heo Ja, and Heo Jam
Heo Jun, Heo Ja, Heo Mok, Heo Jeok, and others were his distant kin. Heo Ja, Heo Mok, Heo Jeok, and others were descendants of Heo Bi (許屝), the elder brother of Heo Yeop's great-great-grandfather Heo Chu (許樞).
The grandson of Heo Ryun, the son of Heo Ji (許芝), third son of Heo Bi, was the Heo Jun who wrote the Donguibogam. The grandson of Heo Hun (許薰), second son of Heo Bi, was Heo Ja, and Heo Mok was his fifth-generation descendant. Heo Ja was an eighth-degree cousin of Heo Yeop's father, Heo Han (許澣), and the great-grandson of Heo Ja was Heo Mok. The great-grandson of Heo Hyeong (許馨), the fourth son of Heo Bi, was Heo Jam.
Heo Ja was a ninth-degree relative, Heo Jam was a tenth-degree relative, and Heo Jun was a tenth-degree relative. In the Joseon period, when relatives within the tenth degree were regarded as kin and collective punishment was applied to relatives of the twelfth and fourteenth degrees, they were considered fairly close relatives.
Heo Yeop (許曄, December 29, 1517 – February 4, 1580) was a mid-Joseonscholar-official and Neo-Confucian scholar. His courtesy name was Taehwi (太輝), his pen name was Chodang (草堂), and his family seat was Yangcheon (陽川). He studied under Na Sik (羅湜), Yi Yeo (李畬), Seo Gyeongdeok, and Lee Hwang, and privately revered Lee Eonjeok. After passing the jinsa examination, he passed the 1546 (1st year of Myeongjong) regular civil service examination with top honors and took office during the reign of Myeongjong. When the court split into factions, he joined the Easterners.
After passing the civil service examination, he became Vice Lecturer in 1551, and in 1553 he took part in Sagadoseo. While serving as Chief Censor, he was dismissed for accepting bribes. In 1559 he became Vice Tutor (弼善), in 1560 Grand Academician, and in 1562 Drafting Official (知製敎) before becoming Vice Director of the Office of Royal Secretariat and Assistant Royal Lecturer.
While serving as a royal lecturer in 1562, he argued for the innocence of Yun Geunsu, Gu Sudam (具壽聃), Heo Ja, and others, and was dismissed again. He was reinstated in early 1563 and soon took up the post of Magistrate of Samcheok in the sixth month of that year, but was dismissed again because his blunt remarks caused problems. He was later reinstated and, in 1568 (1st year of Seonjo), after serving as Deputy Envoy for the congratulatory mission to the Ming dynasty, he rose to Grand Director of the Office of Censors and proposed the implementation of the village compact (鄕約). In 1575, when the factional strife between the Easterners and Westerners began with the Eulhae dispute, he joined the Easterners. He later served as Vice Director of the Hyangyo Academy (副提學) and then became Governor of Gyeongsang Province, but he resigned due to illness and was transferred to the post of Vice Chief of the Central Military Office. Because of his integrity he was recorded among the Incorruptible Officials, but he was also impeached over matters of wealth.
He made tofu with the clear spring water of Chodang in , which became the origin of . He was the father of , , , and , and was ten generations older than of Euiseong. His posthumous name was Mungan (文簡).
He was the great-grandson of Heo Chang (許菖), Seonggyungwan Jeonjeok and posthumously appointed Vice Minister of the Royal Secretariat. His grandfather was Heo Dam (許聃), Superintendent of Geumhwasa and posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel. His father was Heo Han (許澣), who served as Bubongsa of the Gunjagam and was posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel. His mother was of the Seong clan, the daughter of Seong Hui (成喜), Magistrate of the Doneungbu.
He was the father of Heo Gyun, Heo Seong, Heo Bong, and Heo Nanseolheon, and was also the father-in-law of Woo Seong-jeon. From an early age he was clever and precocious. According to No Susin, at seven or eight years old his filial and fraternal devotion was exceptional, and when he went to his teachers he advanced remarkably without needing to be urged repeatedly.
Education
As a child he studied the Xiaoxue and Jinsilu under Na Sik (羅湜). He then tried to seek out Hoejae (晦齋) Lee Eonjeok (李彦迪) but failed, and instead obtained and read the Simgyeongbuju (心經附註), which Lee Eonjeok had lectured to Injong. Next, Yi Yeo (李畬) of Jincheon (鎭川), who was well versed in mathematics and had deep knowledge of the Book of Changes, was sought out, and he learned mathematics and the Book of Changes from him. Later he went to Songdo, where he studied under Hwadam Seo Gyeongdeok. Seo Gyeongdeok showed him special favor, and in his later years, when he was seriously ill, he recited to him orally six essays including "On Principle and Qi" (原理氣). It is said that he recorded each of Seo Gyeongdeok's oral teachings. While under Seo Gyeongdeok in 1540 (35th year of Jungjong), he passed the jinsa examination, and in 1546 he passed the civil service examination. After Seo Gyeongdeok's death, he went to Toegye Lee Hwang at Dosan in Andong and studied briefly under him as well.
Later, when Seo Gyeongdeok became critically ill, he summoned Heo Yeop and recited to him orally the "Principle and Qi" and other works, passing them on to him.
Official career
Passing the examination and early official career
After Myeongjong ascended the throne, he passed the 1546 (1st year of Myeongjong) regular civil service examination with top honors and rose to Chief Censor after serving as Junior Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. Yun Chunnyeon (尹春年), his maternal cousin once removed (a great-grandson of his grandmother's family) and a nephew of Yun Won-hyeong, was a powerful figure as a first cousin once removed of Yun Won-hyeong and Queen Munjeong, but Heo Yeop kept his distance from him.
After that, he served as Director of the Jangheunggo (長興庫直長), Junior Secretary in the Ministry of Rites, Junior Secretary in the Ministry of Works, and Junior Secretary in the Ministry of War. In 1550 he was promoted to Tongseonrang (通善郞) and served as Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel and Drafting Official (通善郞行吏曹佐郞知製敎), becoming a compiler of the Chunchugwan, and soon took part as one of the editors of the Veritable Records of Jungjong. Next, as Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel and Drafting Official (行吏曹佐郞知製敎), he concurrently served as a Chronicler of the Chunchugwan and took part in compiling the Veritable Records of Injong. In 1551 he passed through the post of Vice Lecturer in the Hongmungwan, and by special order received the rank of Jeolchung Janggun (折衝將軍), a senior third-rank military title, and became a Drafting Official (知製敎).
In 1553 (8th year of Myeongjong) he became Senior Secretary of the Saganwon. At that time, his maternal cousin Yun Chunnyeon recommended Yi Gam (李戡) to high posts in the Ministry of Personnel and the State Council, but Heo Yeop rebuked him and sent him away. Because of this, Yun Chunnyeon held a grudge against him and searched for material to denounce him, but achieved nothing.
In 1553 he served as Examiner (檢詳) and Secretary (舍人) in the State Council before being selected for Sagadoseo. Later, while serving as Junior Censor (掌令) of the Saheonbu, his house caught fire and he sold off family property to rebuild it. That same year he was impeached by both censorial offices for accepting bribes and was dismissed. In 1554 he suffered the death of his mother, and in 1557 he completed the three years of mourning.
After completing the three years of mourning in 1557, he returned to the Saheonbu, but when Kim Yeobu (金汝孚) and Kim Hongdo (金弘度) split into factions and fought each other, he scolded Kim Yeobu, earning Kim Yeobu's enmity. When Kim Hongdo was driven out, Heo Yeop was labeled a member of his faction and transferred out to the post of Magistrate of Baecheon (白川郡守).
In 1559 he returned as Chief Secretary of the Saheonbu (司憲府執義), but after quarreling with the Grand Censor he was dismissed, then immediately reinstated. Afterward, in 1559 he was appointed Vice Tutor (弼善) of the Sejasigwonwon, and later became Grand Academician of the Seonggyungwan, and in 1560 he was specially promoted to Vice Minister of Rites before again becoming Grand Academician. In 1562, after serving concurrently as Drafting Official, he received a summons from Myeongjong together with Park Gyehyeon (朴啓賢), entered Okchwijeong (玉翠亭), and responded with a regulated verse (律詩). That same year, after serving as Judge of the Seungmunwon (承文院判校), he was promoted to Vice Secretary of the Royal Secretariat (承政院 動副承旨).
Official career
In 1562 he became Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites (禮曹參議) and concurrently held the post of Drafting Official. At that time, during night lectures (夜對) in the royal lecture hall, he proposed to Myeongjong the rehabilitation of Jo Gwang-jo, who had died in the Gimyo Purge. He also argued for the innocence of Yun Geunsu, Gu Sudam (具壽聃), Heo Ja, and others, and was dismissed again.
When he requested the rehabilitation of Jo Gwang-jo and others during the royal lectures, Myeongjong asked how he dared to overturn what his late father had decided and ordered him to bring up other matters. However, he repeatedly and forcefully presented his views, saying, "For example, in recent times Heo Ja (許磁), while in charge of selecting personnel, did not accept bribes, yet slander accumulated and he was banished to a distant place; Gu Sudam (具壽聃) did not look after his own body and devoted himself wholeheartedly to loyalty, yet was executed by royal order. In general, when sentencing someone to death there is a law requiring a second review, but this has not been applied to the great ministers alone, and I do not understand the reason." He thus requested the innocence of Yun Du-su and Gu Sudam, and added, "When a certain man's slave enters the Naesusa (內需司), he can only look up to heaven and sigh, with no way to defend himself; this too cannot be ignored."
The king said the matter could not be discussed, but when he kept repeating the same argument he fell out of Myeongjong's favor, and was impeached by the Saheonbu and Saganwon and dismissed.
In early 1563 he was reinstated, and soon in the sixth month of that year he took up the post of Magistrate of Samcheok (三陟府使), but was dismissed again because his blunt remarks caused problems. He was later reinstated, but in the eighth month he was dismissed again on August 13 because of conflict with Yi Ryang and Yi Gam. Meanwhile, Yi Gam resented Heo Yeop for not recommending him when Heo Yeop had been Junior Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, Heo Yeop's ancestral household happened to burn down, and when he began rebuilding it, Yi Gam found some suspicious traces and pressed Heo Yeop with them. Grand Censor Yun Chunnyeon believed this and tried to impeach Heo Yeop, but someone said to Yun Chunnyeon, "What Heo Yeop is building is the ancestral household. If you argue on the basis of suspicious traces, what will you do about Han Jiwon (韓智源) and Sim Jeon (沈銓)?" Yun Chunnyeon replied, "Han Jiwon and Sim Jeon are truly guilty, but Heo Yeop enjoys the reputation of the Sarim, so such a thing must not happen." The man then asked, "Then will you only punish those with reputations, and leave alone those who do not even count as Sarim?" Yun Chunnyeon could not answer, and Heo Yeop escaped punishment.
In October 1563 he was nearly impeached together with Yi Ryang, Yi Gam, and others, but Gi Daehang (奇大恒), Vice Director of the Hongmungwan, acting under the instigation of Shim Ui-gyeom, impeached them and he escaped the crisis. Soon after Yi Ryang and the others were exiled, he was reinstated, but Yun Won-hyeong and others, citing his attitude and remarks during the night lectures while he had been a royal lecturer, opposed his appointment to prestigious posts. In 1564 he was appointed Magistrate of Gyeongju (慶州府尹).
Later life
In 1567 (22nd year of Myeongjong) he was selected as Chief Secretary of the Seungjeongwon. Next, he proposed the punishment of Yun Won-hyeong, Lee Gi, and others, and offered policy recommendations. "Yun Won-hyeong (尹元衡) and Lee Gi (李芑) deceived the late king and the queens, gathering all the famous scholars and charging them with treason. Although some were released, they were thrown into a single pit. If now they are corrected and punished, and the wronged people are exonerated, harmony can be achieved and disasters will disappear." He then continued, "If one contemplates and savors the writings composed by the former minister Lee Eonjeok, he too will become a teacher. Now, although Lee Hwang (李滉) has resigned due to illness and remains at home, if the court shows him full respect and courtesy, he will surely not dare to refuse to come out. Also, Lee Hang (李恒) and Cho Sik (曺植), who were summoned in the time of Myeongjong, are old, but if they are summoned with sincerity, they too will come out. In the past, although the Cheng brothers and Zhu Xi appeared, they were not employed in the Song dynasty, and this is an eternal regret. Also, Emperor Lizong knew how to honor the Way, yet did not understand what was true and false; what good did that do?" After hearing his remarks, the king summoned Lee Hwang twice to come to court.
He then proposed the employment of illegitimate sons and learned men.
"In the former reign there were men named Yi Jung-ho (李仲虎) and Jang Yun (張崙), illegitimate sons who became famous for their learning and conduct and had many followers. Now Park Hyeong (朴泂) teaches the Sohak (小學), and his followers number hundreds at all times. He became a Dongmong Instructor (童蒙訓導) by recommendation, but because he did not appear for examinations, he is ranked at the very bottom. Nevertheless, he devotes all his strength to teaching and does not neglect instruction. Please grant him a position following the precedents of Yi Jung-ho and Jang Yun."
After King Seonjo ascended the throne, he recommended that the new king invite Lee Hwang with the courtesy due a teacher.
In 1568 (1st year of Seonjo), after serving as Deputy Envoy for the congratulatory mission to the Ming dynasty, he rose to Grand Director of the Office of Censors and proposed the implementation of the village compact (鄕約). When he went to Yeonkyeong as Deputy Envoy, he purchased the Dokseoroku (讀書錄) from a Ming merchant, brought it back, and presented it to Seonjo. By special order of Seonjo, it was printed and distributed. In 1569 he served as Vice Director of the Hongmungwan and Grand Director of the Saganwon.
He made tofu with a distinctively flavored spring water from Gangneung in Gangwon Province, his wife's home region, and the taste of it captivated people. Heo Yeop commercialized this tofu, which became the origin of Chodang tofu. However, when news spread at court that a scholar was engaged in trade, he became a target of attack.
Among those who grew weary of the outspoken remarks and criticism of Yi I, a member of the new Sarim faction in the early years of Seonjo's reign, was Heo Yeop. Among the senior ministers, Heo Yeop and Lee Junggyeong and others angrily declared that Yi I did not know etiquette or fundamentals.1 When Yi I criticized Seo Gyeongdeok as being too inclined toward the Way, and openly rejected Lee Hwang's dualism of principle and qi in favor of monism of qi, Heo Yeop came to loathe Yi I intensely.
After Seonjo ascended the throne, when public opinion arose to rehabilitate Yun Im and Gyerim Gun Yi Yu and to strike their merit awards from the record, his son Heo Bong (許篈) was Junior Censor of the Saheonbu. At that time Heo Yeop told his son Heo Bong, "You must not take part in restoring the reputations of Yun Im and Yi Yu" (若至於任瑠伸雪ㅍ則汝不可參也). Because of this, when public opinion arose to rehabilitate Yun Im and Yi Yu, Heo Bong withdrew and was transferred out.
Joining the Easterners and service as Governor of Gyeongsang
In 1573 (6th year of Seonjo), when he was again Grand Academician of the Seonggyungwan, he raised the issue of the king's failure to inform the Seungjeongwon about his meeting with members of the royal clan. Those around him were startled, but he continued to press the king about not informing the Seungjeongwon. In 1574 he became Grand Director of the Saganwon.
In 1575 (7th year of Seonjo) he again became Grand Director of the Saganwon. That year, while a slave who had killed his master was held in prison and interrogated, he impeached the chief interrogating officer over the method of questioning, which caused controversy, and he was immediately transferred. That same year he became Grand Academician.
In 1575, when factional strife broke out between the Easterners and Westerners, he played an active role as a leader of the Easterners together with Kim Hyowon, Lee Bal, and others. Because he had once studied under Lee Hwang and most of Seo Gyeongdeok's other disciples became Easterners, he too joined the Easterners and served as a vanguard in attacks on the Westerners. He had been a fellow disciple of Park Sun, but their factions diverged and they grew distant. In 1576 he became Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Afterward, he served as Vice Director of the Hyangyo Academy (副提學) and Magistrate of Gyeongju, and in May 1579 he was appointed Governor of Gyeongsang (慶尙道觀察使) concurrently as Commander of Land and Naval Forces (兵馬水軍節度使), but resigned due to illness. While serving as Governor of Gyeongsang, he took part in supplementing and reprinting the Gyeongminpyeon (警民編) compiled by Kim Jeong-guk, and also took part in compiling the Samgang Irinhaengsil (三綱二倫行實).
He also supplemented the article on "the ruler" (君上) that had been omitted from the Gyeongminpyeon, printed several thousand copies, and distributed them to each county and to the neighborhoods (閭巷). He also had the larger counties print their own editions of the Samgang Haengsildo (三綱行實圖) and Iryun Haengsildo (二倫行實圖). He toured the counties of the province, paid respects at the Munmyo, gave stipends to the students (諸生), and personally indicated the direction of their studies. He also judged lawsuits strictly and eradicated the dens of criminals. Further, he removed bad customs together with others, and although rumors spread widely at this time, he paid them no heed.
Retirement and death
In 1579 he took up his post as Governor of Gyeongsang, but after taking the wrong medicine he fell ill. In September 1579 he submitted a petition to resign due to wind disease, but it was returned. In early 1580 he again submitted a resignation petition, was dismissed from his post as Governor of Gyeongsang, and transferred to the post of Vice Chief of the Central Military Office. Afterward, while returning from a journey, he reached Seonsan in North Gyeongsang, where his illness flared up, and on February 4, 1580 (12th year of Seonjo) he died at a guesthouse (客館) in Sangju (尙州), North Gyeongsang Province. He was 63 years old.
His works include the Chodangjip (草堂集) and the Jeoneon Wanghaengnok (前言往行錄).
Posthumous
He was buried in Seocho-ri, Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, on the east side of what later became Gyeongbok Girls' Commercial High School, across the expressway. The epitaph was written by No Susin, and the calligraphy was by Han Hobong. The inscription for his spirit stele (神道碑) was written by Nam Eung-un (南應雲). Because Heo Yeop wrote well during his lifetime, together with his eldest son Heo Seong (許筬), second son Heo Bong (許篈), third son Heo Gyun (許筠), and daughter Nanseolheon Heo Chohui, he became well known in the Ming and also in Japan.
He supported the construction of Dosan Seowon and encouraged the spread of Zhu Xi learning, including by proposing the implementation of the village compact. He also supplemented the Gyeongminpyeon compiled by Kim Jeong-guk and took part in compiling the Samgang Oryun Haengsil. He was recorded among the Incorruptible Officials, and was enshrined at the花谷書院 (Hwagok Seowon) in Gaeseong.
In August 1968, because of the development of Gangnam in Seoul, his tomb was moved from Seocho-ri, Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, on the east side of Gyeongbok Girls' Commercial High School, to a family cemetery at 639-2 Maeng-ri, Wonsam-myeon, Yongin County. At the entrance to the cemetery stands a commemorative monument for the transfer, and following the monument up the slope one reaches the family cemetery and his tomb. Among these, the stele with a broken mark is his tombstone.
Chronology
1517, December 29: Born
1546: Passed the regular civil service examination with top honors
1553: Sagadoseo (賜暇讀書)
1553: Dismissed for accepting bribes while serving as Junior Censor of the Saheonbu
1562: Appointed Vice Director (同副承旨) and Assistant Royal Lecturer (參贊官), then dismissed after a controversy over the innocence of Heo Ja and Gu Sudam
1563: Reinstated as Magistrate of Samcheok, then dismissed after making remarks that caused problems
1563: Reinstated again, but dismissed after conflict with powerful officials such as Yi Ryang and Yi Gam, then soon reinstated
1568: Returned from the congratulatory mission to the Ming dynasty and proposed the establishment and implementation of village compacts
1575: Joined the Easterners during the Eulhae dispute
1575: Vice Tutor, Magistrate of Gyeongju
1575, May: Governor of Gyeongsang
1579, September: Submitted a resignation petition, which was returned
1580, early: Resigned as Governor of Gyeongsang and transferred to Vice Chief of the Central Military Office
1580, February 4: Died at a guesthouse in Sangju
Family
Great-great-grandfather: Heo Chu (許樞)
Great-grandfather: Heo Chang (許菖)
Great-grandmother: Yangju Jo (楊州趙氏), daughter of Jo Seon (趙璿), Lord Hanwon (漢原君)
Grandfather: Heo Dam (許聃), Superintendent of Geumhwasa, posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel
Grandmother: Paepyeong Yun (坡平尹氏), daughter of Yun Gyeomgyeom (尹繼謙)
Father: Heo Han (許澣, ? – 1532), Bubongsa of the Gunjagam, posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel
Mother: Changnyeong Seong (昌寧成氏, ? – 1554), daughter of Seong Hui (成熹), Magistrate of the Doneungbu, great-granddaughter of the outer line of Seokbo Gun (石保君), the ninth son of Jeongjong2
Principal wife: Lady Han Ijeong (韓二貞, 1515 – ?), daughter of Han Sukchang (韓叔昌), Lord Seopyeong (西平君)3
Eldest daughter: Heo Muksok (許墨石, 1544 – ?)
Son-in-law: Park Sunwon (朴舜元), served as Superintendent of the Jeonhamsa (典艦司別提)
Daughter-in-law: Jeonju Yi (全州李氏), daughter of Yi Gukheon (李國憲), no children
Daughter-in-law: Uiryeong Nam (宜寧南氏), daughter of Nam Eonsun (南彦純), four sons and four daughters
Concubine's wife: Lady Gangneung Kim (江陵金氏), daughter of Kim Gwangcheol (金光轍), Minister of Rites; descendant of Kim Juwon (金周元), Myeongwon Gunwang (溟源郡王) of Silla
The sixth-generation descendant of Heo Bi (許扉), brother of Heo Yeop's great-great-grandfather Heo Chu, was Heo Mok, the Misu.
Works
Chodangjip (草堂集)
Jeoneon Wanghaengnok (前言往行錄)
Evaluation
He was excellent in writing and literary skill, and together with his sons Heo Seong, Heo Bong, Heo Gyun, and daughter Heo Nanseolheon, he earned fame as one of the "Five Literary Masters of the Heo Clan." He served in office for thirty years, and because of his integrity he was recorded among the Incorruptible Officials. However, there are also dissenting views. In 1559, while serving as Junior Censor of the Saheonbu, he was impeached for accepting bribes. He was also criticized for engaging in commerce as a scholar.
His interpersonal relations were poor, and there are also negative evaluations of him. Regarding Heo Yeop, Yi I wrote in his work Yulgokjip (栗谷集) that his theories contained many contradictions and that he was ignorant of the meaning of texts.4 Lee Hwang, who was also one of his teachers, lamented that had he not had learning, he would have become a good person.4
Miscellaneous
He was friends with No Suseong (盧守成) and was active as a hardline figure among the Easterners.
Relations with Heo Jun, Heo Ja, and Heo Jam
Heo Jun, Heo Ja, Heo Mok, Heo Jeok, and others were his distant kin. Heo Ja, Heo Mok, Heo Jeok, and others were descendants of Heo Bi (許屝), the elder brother of Heo Yeop's great-great-grandfather Heo Chu (許樞).
The grandson of Heo Ryun, the son of Heo Ji (許芝), third son of Heo Bi, was the Heo Jun who wrote the Donguibogam. The grandson of Heo Hun (許薰), second son of Heo Bi, was Heo Ja, and Heo Mok was his fifth-generation descendant. Heo Ja was an eighth-degree cousin of Heo Yeop's father, Heo Han (許澣), and the great-grandson of Heo Ja was Heo Mok. The great-grandson of Heo Hyeong (許馨), the fourth son of Heo Bi, was Heo Jam.
Heo Ja was a ninth-degree relative, Heo Jam was a tenth-degree relative, and Heo Jun was a tenth-degree relative. In the Joseon period, when relatives within the tenth degree were regarded as kin and collective punishment was applied to relatives of the twelfth and fourteenth degrees, they were considered fairly close relatives.