Yi Gongsu
인물 · 정치·외교 · 1059년 · 37.4639, 126.6486
Yi Gongsu (李公壽, 1059 – 1137) was a civil official and politician of mid-[[Goryeo]] and a member of the [[Incheon Yi clan|Incheon Yi]] clan. His birth name was Su (壽) and his courtesy name was Wonro (元老). His posthumous name was Munchung (文忠). He was the son of Ye (預) and the maternal grandson of [[C
- Personal name
- Su (壽)
- Birth date
- 1059
- Death date
- 1137
- Nationality
- Goryeo
Yi Gongsu (李公壽, 1059 – 1137) was a civil official and politician of mid-Goryeo and a member of the Incheon Yi clan. His birth name was Su (壽) and his courtesy name was Wonro (元老). His posthumous name was Munchung (文忠). He was the son of Ye (預) and the maternal grandson of Choe Yu-seon (崔惟善), who had served as a minister.
He was a member of the same clan as Yi Ja-gyeom and Yi Ja-ui, as well as the mid-Goryeo literary figure Yi In-ro. Choe Chung was his maternal great-grandfather. Although he was a maternal relative of the royal house of Goryeo, beginning with Yejong and Injong, he handled affairs fairly. For his part in suppressing the rebellion of Yi Ja-gyeom, he was recorded as a Meritorious Subject of Chuchung Wisa Dongdeok (推忠衛社同德功臣).
Life
Early years
He was the grandson of Vice Director of the Secretariat Yi Ja-sang. His father was Ye (預), Pyeongjangsa (平章事), and his mother, of the Haeju Choe clan, was the daughter of the Chief Minister of the Secretariat-Chancellery Choe Yu-seon and the granddaughter of Choe Chung. He was a lineal descendant of Yi Ja-yeon, the father-in-law of Munjong. He was a sixth-degree cousin of Yi Ja-gyeom and Yi Ja-ui. Also, Yi In-ro was the great-grandson of his great-uncle Yi Ryu and the son of his cousin Baek-seon.
Career as an official
In 1086, during the reign of Seonjong, he passed the civil service examination and held several posts, including Judge of the Palace Office, before becoming Straight Academician of the Hallim Academy (直翰林院). He then served as Secretary of the Chamber for Provincial Affairs, Drafter in the Office of Remonstrance, Left Remonstrator (左拾遺), and Junior Secretary of the Chief Office, and then became Judge of the Western Capital Governor's Office. When Yejong was at the Western Capital, he was praised for governing the people well. When the king returned to Gaegyeong, he was ordered to accompany him but declined on his own accord.
He then served as Vice Director of the Board of Rites (禮部員外郞), Vice Director of the Board of Punishments, Chief Secretary of the Left, Secretary of the Secretariat, and Vice Censor-in-chief, and then became Vice Minister of the Board of War. While serving as Vice Minister of War for fourteen years, he selected soldiers without the slightest partiality or self-interest, and made no errors. He later held several posts, including Right Counselor of the Office of Remonstrance, Grand Academician and Concurrent Director of the Royal Academy, Right Palace Attendant and Compiler of the National History, and Military Commissioner of the Northwestern Region, before being promoted to Minister of the Board of Works. When Injong ascended the throne, he was selected as Acting Grand Preceptor, Vice Grand Guardian, and Assistant Chancellor (檢校司徒守司空參知政事), and later became Chancellor of the Secretariat-Chancellery (中書侍郎平章事).
Later life
Yi Ja-gyeom then staged a rebellion, but he did not join it and instead took part in suppressing it. In 1126 (Injong 4), after the rebellion of Yi Ja-gyeom was put down, he was appointed Acting Minister of the Board of Personnel and Supervising Compiler of the National History (判吏部事 監修國史). The following year, as Chief Minister of the Secretariat, he served as Chief Examiner (知貢擧) and oversaw the civil service examination, selecting 33 candidates, including Wang Jwa-jae.
In 1130 he consulted with the high ministers of both chancelleries and distributed rice to officials in graded amounts. For his merit in the rebellion of Yi Ja-gyeom, he was recorded as a Meritorious Subject of Chuchung Wisa Dongdeok, was promoted to Kaebu Uidong Samsa (開府儀同三司) and Chief Minister of the Secretariat, and received the title Sangjuguk (上柱國). He later retired from office as Chief Minister. Although he held a position as a royal maternal relative, he never used his power to pursue personal gain. His posthumous name was Munchung (文忠).
Family
- Father: Yi Ye (李預)
- Mother: Haeju Choe clan, daughter of Chief Minister Choe Yu-seon (崔惟善)
- Wife: daughter of Kim Bo-wi (金寶威)
- Second wife: Gangneung Kim clan, daughter of Kim Sang-gi (金上琦)
- Eldest son: Yi Ji-jeo (李之氐)
- Second son: Yi Ji-gan (李之幹)
- Third son: Yi Ji-mu (李之茂)
- Fourth son: Yi Ji-hye (李之惠)
- Fifth son: Yi Ji-ui (李之懿)
- Sixth son: Yi Ji-cheol (李之喆)
- Daughter: married into the family of Kim Yeong-seok (金永錫)
References
- Goryeosa (高麗史)
- Goryeosajeolyo (高麗史節要)
- Dongsa gangmok (東史綱目)
- Daedong unbu gunok (大東韻府群玉)
- Goryeo myeongsin jeon (高麗名臣傳)