Je state
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Je State (765CE - 819CE) was a Korean kingdom established by the remaining people of Goguryeo against Tang dynasty. Its territory is around Shandong, and it continued for 55 years by four rulers. According to the history books of Tang, Je State had attacked the capital city of Tang dynasty for five times[1], [2]. The Je State had unique systems of law and administration[3].
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[edit] Foundation of Je State
The founder of Je State, Yi Jeonggi(이정기) was born at 732CE in Yeongju, which is currently Joyang (朝陽). It is said that his original name is Yi Heeok(이희옥). The old history book of Tang (舊唐書) says as follows: A soldier from Uighur did on his own way, and nobody could stop him. So, Yi Jeonggi asked of him to have a duel, and eveyone thought that the soldier from Uighur would defeat him. However, Yi Jeonggi stuck him down when the fight started. Because of this duel, Yi Jeonggi became a hero in the army. In 758, a local government official of Yongju, Wang, was dead, and then Yi killed sons of Wang. Thereafter, Yi could gain military power in the area. When there was rebellion in Shandong, the government of Tang sent Yi Jeonggi to suppress the rebellion. Because he suppressed the rebellion in Shandong, he controlled the Shandong area. After that, rebelled in Shandong against Tang government at 765 CE when he was 33 years old. He governed 15 provinces.
[edit] War with Tang
At 781CE, a local governor, Yi Boshin had passed away. Yi Jeonggi wanted a son of Yi Boshin to be the local governor, but the Tang government refused. Thereafter, Yi Jeonggi had a plan to attack Tang dynasty. Yi Jeonggi ordered the administration of Je state to his son, Yi Nab, and then he paid attention to attacking Tang dynasty. The number of soldiers he had was 100,000, but that of Tang was about 50,000 or so. Then Tang made mobilization orders to collect more recruits, so the number of soldiers became about 92,000. Tang had changed the tax system as one-tenth for the war with the Je state. Yi Jeonggi made plans very carefully. He assembled the second troops at Seoju(Suzhou, 徐州), which is a place of strategic importance to enter the capital city of Tang. If supplies to the capital city of Tang was stopped, the army of Tang would be in dire straits. Thus, most of the troops in Tang was assembled to Suzhou because it was very urgent. At first time, it seemed that Tang had an advantage in the war, but Yi Jeonggi could block the Grand Canal and supply to Chang'an, the capital city of Tang. However, Yi Jeonggi had a sort of tumor. So, he died in August of 781CE when he was 49 years old.
[edit] Enthronement to Yi Nab
[edit] List of Sovereigns
- Yi Jeonggi (이정기) 765CE - 781CE
- Yi Nab (이납)
- Yi Sago (이사고)
- Yi Sado (이사도) ? - 819
