Yi Cheom (李詹, 1345 – March 1405) was a man of letters in the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. He was a leading literary authority of his day, a senior official, and a politician.
His courtesy names were Sosuk (小淑) and Jungsuk (中叔), his art name was Ssangmaedang (雙梅堂), and his family seat was Sinpyeong.
In the reign of King Gongmin, he passed the civil service examination and served as an examining editor in the Office of Literary Affairs. In 1375, Chief Royal Secretary Yi In-im abused his power, and a Ming envoy was killed. Yi Cheom impeached Yi In-im, demanding that the Chief Royal Secretary be executed for responsibility in the incident. He was given seventy strokes of the cane and exiled to Hadong in South Gyeongsang Province for ten years. Later, in 1391, during the reign of King Gongyang, he returned to office, but he was again exiled to Hongseong because of his connection to the Kim Jin-yang incident. After the founding of Joseon, in 1398, during the reign of King Taejo, he became Minister of Personnel. In 1402, together with Gwon Geun and Ha Ryun, he compiled the Samguk Saryak (三國史略). He also wrote a novel, Jeosaengjeon (楮生傳), displaying his outstanding literary talent. In addition, he wrote Samguk Dohuseo (三國道后序).
Life
He was born in the first year of King Chungmok's reign in Goryeo (1345).
In the twelfth month of the intercalary year of the 14th year of King Gongmin's reign (1365), at the age of 21, he passed the Jinsa examination in second place, which was administered by Han Cheon (韓蕆). Three years later, in the fourth month of the 17th year of King Gongmin's reign (1368), he placed first in the Yebusi examination, which was administered by the king, with Mogeun Yi Saek serving as a reading examiner.1 King Gongmin painted a carp picture and bestowed it on Yi Cheom, who was first place. Yi Cheom then composed the Eopil Eohwaljangchan (御筆鯉漁圖贊) in celebration. In the seventh month of the intercalary year, he became an examining editor in the Office of Literary Affairs (Yemun Geomyeol, Junior Ninth Rank).
In the first month of the following year, he became a literary compiler in the Office of Literary Affairs. Then, in the seventh month, he became Yemun Gongbong (Junior Seventh Rank), and in the twelfth month he became Right Remonstrator (Woljeongeon) and Jeje-gyo (知製敎), with the rank of Jocheongrang (朝請郞).
In the 20th year of King Gongmin's reign (1371), while serving as Right Remonstrator, he submitted a memorial demanding that the head of Chief Royal Secretary Yi In-im be cut off, to answer for the killing of the Ming envoy. He was rejected2 and, on the grounds that he had impeached a chief minister at the instigation of Yi In-im, he was given seventy strokes of the cane and exiled to Hadong in South Gyeongsang Province for ten years, after which he was pardoned.3 In the seventh month of autumn of the second year of King U's reign, he was appointed Sisen Gyoburyeong (試典敎副令) with the rank of Bongseondaebu, and was able to return.
In the first month of the 14th year of King U's reign (1388), after Yi In-im's faction was purged by Choe Yeong and Yi Seong-gye, he became Yemun Eungyo (藝文應敎) and Naebu Buryeong (內府副令) with the rank of Bongsangdaebu.4 In the second month, he was additionally appointed Seonggyungwan Jikgang (成均直講) concurrently with the Junior Fourth Rank post of Yemun Gwanneunggyo (藝文館應敎). After the Wihwa Island Withdrawal, in the eighth month, he became Munha Sain (門下舍人), Jeje-gyo, and concurrently Chunchugwan Pyeonsugwan (春秋館編修官), with the Senior Junior Fourth Rank of Bongsangdaebu. In the twelfth month, he became Jeolli Chongrang (典理摠郞) and Jinhyeongwan Jikjehak (進賢館直提學) concurrently with Seonggyungwan Jikgang, and was again appointed Jeolli Chongrang and Jeje-gyo with the rank of Bongsangdaebu.
In the sixth month of the first year of King Gongyang's reign (1389), he became Sisahonjiui (試司憲執義) and Jinhyeongwan Jikjehak with the rank of Jungyeondaebu (中顯大夫). In the twelfth month, he was appointed Seonggyungwan Daesaseong (成均大司成) and Jinhyeongwan Jikjehak and Jeje-gyo with the rank of Bongsundaebu (奉順大夫), and then Right Sangsi (右常侍), Bomungak Jikjehak (寶文閣直提學), Jeje-gyo, concurrently Chunchugwan Pyeonsugwan, and Gyeongyeon Gangdokgwan (經筵講讀官), with the rank of Jeongsundaebu (正順大夫).5 In the third month of the second year of King Gongyang's reign (1390), he became Gongjo Pansu (工曹判書) and Bomungak Jikjehak and Jeje-gyo with the rank of Bongikdaebu (奉翊大夫). In the twelfth month, he became Left Deputy Speaker (Jwabudaeeon, 左副代言) of Miljiksa (密直司) with the rank of Jeongsundaebu, and concurrently Gyeongyeon Chamchan-gwan (經筵參贊官), Pan Jongbusa-sa (判宗簿寺事), Sangseoyun (尙瑞尹), Jinhyeongwan Jikjehak, Jeje-gyo, Chunchugwan, and Jihyeongjosa (知兵曹事).6
Yi Cheom presented King Gongyang with nine principles that a ruler must observe, proposing a policy for reviving the Goryeo dynasty. He also lectured on the Zhenguan Zhengyao (貞觀政要) before the king, and compiled and presented the Jeibeom (帝範), a collection of writings on the exemplary conduct of rulers. As Left Deputy Speaker, in the third year of King Gongyang's reign (1391), he went to the hot springs at Pyeongju, where Yi Seong-gye was staying after requesting to resign, bestowed royal wine (gungon, 宮醞), and conveyed a reply refusing to accept his resignation.7 In the twelfth month, he was appointed Chief Royal Secretary (Jisinsa) of Miljiksa, with the rank of Jeongsundaebu, concurrently Gyeongyeon Chamchan-gwan, Pan Jeonuisa-sa (判典儀寺事), Jikjehak of Umungwan (右文館直提學), and Jeje-gyo, and filled the post of Chunchugwan Pyeonsugwan.
In the fourth year of King Gongyang's reign (1392), he served as examiner and selected 99 men, including Yi Maeng-jun. At that time, he is said to have asked to resign, but his request was not granted. In the fourth month, he was identified as a follower of Jeong Mong-ju and exiled to Gyeolseong (結城),8 and in the winter he was pardoned. That year, Goryeo fell.
After that, he stayed in Yeongsan for two years. In the third year of King Taejo's reign (1394), he was implicated in the rebellion of Yi Heung-mu (李興茂) and again exiled to Hapo (合浦). In the tenth month he was pardoned. Yi Cheom lived in Magori, west of Yeongsan county, and planted two plum trees at his house, naming himself Ssangmaedang (雙梅堂).9 On the 24th day of the first month of the fifth year of King Taejo's reign (1396), he was summoned to the capital.
In the seventh month of autumn of the seventh year of King Taejo's reign (1398), he became Jeje-gyo and Jip Hyeonjeon Jikhaksa (集賢殿直學士) with the rank of Gaseondaebu (嘉善大夫), Jeoljeon (吏曹典書), and Seonggyungwan Daesaseong and Gyeongyeon Sigangwan (經筵侍講官). In the tenth month, he became Jungchuwon Hakssa (中樞院學士) and Bomungak Hakssa (寶文閣學士) of Dopyeonguisagi (都評議使司), concurrently Jiyemun Chunchugwan Gyeongyeonsa (知藝文春秋館經筵事) and Seonggyungwan Daesaseong, with the rank of Gajeongdaebu (嘉靖大夫).
In the fourth month of the second year of King Jeongjong's reign (1400), he became Yemun Chunchugwan Hakssa (藝文春秋館學士), Donggi Gyeongyeonsa (同知經筵事), and concurrently Seonggyungwan Daesaseong, with the rank of Gajeongdaebu. In the seventh month, he became Cheomseo Uiheung Samgunbusa (簽書義興三軍府事), Donggi Uijeongbusa (同知議政府事), Jip Hyeonjeon Hakssa (集賢殿學士), Donggi Gyeongyeonsa, and concurrently Seonggyungwan Daesaseong, with the rank of Gajeongdaebu. In the eleventh month, he went to the Ming as a special envoy, and returned to the capital in the third month of the following year. In the seventh month of the first year of King Taejong's reign (1401), he became Gajeongdaebu Yemun Gwanhakssa (藝文館學士) and Donggi Gyeongyeonsa.
In the second year of King Taejong's reign (1402), he became Uijeongbu Chanseong (議政府贊成) (Cheongseongo (淸選考)). Serving as Donggong-geo (同知貢擧), he administered the civil service examination and selected 33 men, including Sin Hyo (申曉). In the seventh month, he became Jagheon Daebu (資憲大夫), Yemun Gwan Daejehak (藝文館大提學), and Ji Gyeongyeon Chunchugwan Sa (知經筵春秋館事). In the ninth month, he became Jagheon Daebu Ji Uijeongbusa (知議政府事), Pan Yejosa (判禮曹事), concurrently Pan Yebinsi-sa (判禮賓寺事), and Ji Gyeongyeon Chunchugwan Sa. In the eleventh month, he went to the Ming as part of a special mission to congratulate the accession of Yongle Emperor, together with Ha Ryun. He brought back the royal seal and investiture of the King of Joseon, granted by the Yongle Emperor, and returned home in the fourth month of the following year.
In the third year of King Taejong's reign (1403), by royal command, he compiled the Samguk Sallyak (三國史畧) together with Ha Ryun and Gwon Geun. In the fourth month, he became Jeonghonjeongdaebu (正憲大夫) with the Senior Second Rank, Ji Uijeongbusa, Pan Gongjosa (判工曹事), Bomungak Daejehak (寶文閣大提學), and Ji Gyeongyeon Chunchugwan Sa. In the sixth month, he became Jeonghonjeongdaebu, Ji Uijeongbusa, Pan Gongjosa, Bomungak Daejehak, and Ji Gyeongyeon Chunchu Seonggyungwan Sa. In the seventh month, he became Jeonghonjeongdaebu, Ji Uijeongbusa, concurrently Pan Gongjosa, Daesahun Daesaheon (司憲府大司憲), Bomungak Daejehak, and Ji Gyeongyeon Chunchu Seonggyungwan Sa.
In the second month of the fourth year of King Taejong's reign (1404), he became Jeonghonjeongdaebu, Yemun Gwan Daejehak, and Ji Gyeongyeon Chunchu Seonggyungwan Sa. In the third month, Pan Gongjosa was added. However, on the 25th day of the fifth month, he was exiled to Wonpyeong (原平).10 At that time, King Taejong is said to have permitted him to choose any place he wished within the bounds of Wonpyeong, in recognition of his merit.11 In the eighth month, Yi Jik, Jo Park, Yi Cheom, and Han I were ordered to teach students at Seonggyungwan.12
In the third month of the fifth year of King Taejong's reign (1405), he died at the age of 61. His posthumous name was Munan (文安).
Official career history
- Goryeo, 7th month of the intercalary year, 17th year of King Gongmin's reign (1368) - Examining editor of the Office of Literary Affairs (Junior Ninth Rank)
- First month, 18th year of King Gongmin's reign (1369) - Literary compiler of the Office of Literary Affairs
- 7th month, 18th year of King Gongmin's reign - Yemun Gongbong (Junior Seventh Rank)
- 12th month, 18th year of King Gongmin's reign - Jocheongrang, Right Remonstrator, Jeje-gyo
- 20th year of King Gongmin's reign (1371) - Jojeongrang, Ji Chunju Sa (知春州事), concurrently Gwonnong Bangeo Sa (勸農防禦使)
- 12th month, 23rd year of King Gongmin's reign (1374) - Seungbongrang (承奉郞), Left Remonstrator, Jeje-gyo
- Summer, 4th month, 1st year of King U's reign (1375) - Bongjikrang (奉直郞), Right Heonnap (右獻納)
- 6th month, 1st year of King U's reign - Left Heonnap, Jeje-gyo, Jageum Eodae (紫金魚袋)
- 7th month of autumn, 10th year of King U's reign (1384) - Bongseondaebu, Sijeon Gyoburyeong
- First month, 14th year of King U's reign (1388) - Bongsangdaebu, Naebu Buryeong, Yemun Eungyo
- 2nd month, 14th year of King U's reign - Junior Fourth Rank Yemun Gwanneunggyo, concurrently Seonggyungwan Jikgang
- 8th month, 14th year of King U's reign - Junior Fourth Rank Bongsangdaebu, Munha Sain, Jeje-gyo, concurrently Chunchugwan Pyeonsugwan
- 12th month, 14th year of King U's reign - Bongsangdaebu, Jeolli Chongrang, Jinhyeongwan Jikjehak, concurrently Seonggyungwan Jikgang; Bongsangdaebu, Jeolli Chongrang, Jeje-gyo
- In the sixth month of the first year of King Gongyang's reign (1389) - Jungyeondaebu, Sisa Heonjipui (試司憲執義), Jinhyeongwan Jikjehak
- In the twelfth month of the first year of King Gongyang's reign - Bongsundaebu, Seonggyungwan Daesaseong, Jinhyeongwan Jikjehak, Jeje-gyo; Jeongsundaebu, Right Sangsi, Bomungak Jikjehak, Jeje-gyo, concurrently Chunchugwan Pyeonsugwan, Gyeongyeon Gangdokgwan
- In the third month of the second year of King Gongyang's reign (1390) - Bongikdaebu, Gongjo Pansu, Bomungak Jikjehak, Jeje-gyo
- In the twelfth month of the second year of King Gongyang's reign - Jeongsundaebu, Miljiksa Jwabudaeeon, Gyeongyeon Chamchan-gwan, concurrently Pan Jongbusa-sa, Sangseoyun, Jinhyeongwan Jikjehak, Jeje-gyo, Chunchugwan, Jiyeonghojosa
- In the twelfth month of the third year of King Gongyang's reign (1391) - Jeongsundaebu, Miljiksa Jisinsa, Gyeongyeon Chamchan-gwan, concurrently Pan Jeonuisa-sa, Umungwan Jikjehak, Jeje-gyo, filling the post of Chunchugwan Pyeonsugwan
- 7th month of autumn, 7th year of King Taejo's reign of Joseon (1398) - Gaseondaebu, Jeoljeon Jip Hyeonjeon Jiksaksa, Jeje-gyo; Seonggyungwan Daesaseong and Gyeongyeon Sigangwan
- 10th month, 7th year of King Taejo's reign - Gajeongdaebu, Jungchuwon Hakssa, Dopyeonguisagi, Bomungak Hakssa, Ji Yemun Chunchugwan Gyeongyeonsa, concurrently Seonggyungwan Daesaseong
Anecdotes
- When Sin Don was in power, Yi Geum-gang (李金剛), a member of Sin Don's faction, was appointed Sajae, and the censor did not sign his appointment document. Sin Don asked Yi Cheom, "Why did you not sign Geum-gang's appointment document?" Yi Cheom replied, "How could I sign it? My father and grandfather both served as Yeongdongjeong, so it is enough for me to have risen to Jeongeon." Sin Don remained silent. Later he was demoted to Jitongju Sa, and then reinstated as Jeongeon.13
Appearances in works
Notes
This article contains content based on the Global World Encyclopedia, distributed under the GFDL or CC-SA license by Daum Communications (now Kakao).
Notes