Marquess Daeryeong
# Marquess Daeryeong

Marquess Daeryeong (Korean: 대령후; Hanja: 大寧侯; b. 1130), personal name Wang Gyeong (Korean: 왕경; Hanja: 王暻) was a Goryeo Royal Prince as the second son of King Injong and Queen Gongye, also the older brother of Myeongjong and Sinjong. His mother always preferred him and wanted to pass the crown prince title to him instead of his brothers, but his father never agreed to it. Due to this, he had conflicts with King Uijong after his ascension.

He was married to Wang On, Duke Gangneung (강릉공 왕온)'s second daughter who was also sister of Queen Janggyeong (Uijong's wife), Queen Uijeong (Myeongjong's wife), and Queen Seonjeong (Sinjong's wife).

## Life

In 1148 (Uijong's 2nd years reign), Wang Gyeong was appointed as a "Marquess" (후, 侯) along with his younger brother–Wang Ho and won many people's trust for his magnanimity. However, his eldest brother–the king, was jealous of their mother's favor towards him and accused him for had a grudge against the king by plotting a conspiracy to take over the throne, along with eunuch Jeong Ham (정함), Jeong Su-gae (정수개), and Yi Bin (이빈), but Wang Gyeong able to proof that he was innocent and didn't want to take over his brother's throne. Since this, Uijong tried to remove those who involved, but at Gim Jon-jun (김존중)'s request, he sent relevant government officers to investigate the facts and the charges were not proven later. Then, he tattooed Su-gae's face and exiled him to Heuksan island while Yi Bin was exiled to Unje county.

Prior to this, Gim had a gap with the queen mother's brother-in-law, Jeong Seo (정서) and her younger brother, Im Geuk-jong (임극정). Jeong Seo, who had a frivolous temperament and has been befriended Wang, was reported to Uijong by Jeong Ham who tried to avoid his own sin. At this time, the king was puzzled since the prime minister Choe Yu-cheong (최유청), Yu Pil (유필), officer Choe Ja-yeong (최자영), Wang Sik (왕식), Gim Yeong-bu (김영부), and Bak So (박소) were also involved in this matter.

In Eosadae (어사대, 御史臺), Jeong Seo secretly reformed a friendship with many members of the royal clan and held a drinking party every night. He even imprisoned Yi Si (이시) with the help of his assistant, Yang Byeok (양벽), Gim Ui-ryeon (김의련), Yu Woo (유우). Meanwhile, they all were forgiven by Uijong, but got rid of Wang Gyeong by abolished his Daeryeong manor (대령부), exiled his servant–Gim Cham (김참) to Hwain along with beaten and exiled Choe Ye (최예).

In Daegan (대간, 臺諫), Wang Gyeong prostrated himself at the palace gate again and demanded punishment for the five men, even the chief minister Choe Yun-ui (최윤의) went straight to the king's residence and had a quarreled. Knowing this, Uijong summoned Yi Bin back to Gaegyeong, exiled Jeong Seo to Dongnae, Yang Byeok to Hoejin, Gim Ui-ryeon to Cheongju, and Gim Cham was moved to Bakdo.

In 1157 (Uijong's 11th years reign), Wang Gyeong was exiled to Cheonan-bu while Jeong Seo was exiled to Geoje-hyeon, Choe Yu-cheong was demoted as a Chungjumoksa (충주목사, 忠州牧使) again, Im Geuk-jeong became Yangjubangeosa (양주방어사, 梁州防禦使), Jeong Seo's brother-in-law–Gim Yi-yeong became Jiseungpyeonggunsa (지승평군사, 知昇平郡事), and Yi Jak-seung became Namhaehyeollyeong (남해현령, 南海縣令). Meanwhile, Choe Ye (최예) was pardoned and able to return to Gaegyeong, which he secretly made a traitor impeach Wang Gyeong, Im Geuk-jeong, and others, also forced the queen dowager to went to the Boje Temple (보제사, 普濟寺). After that, many people were arrested one after another and Marquess Daryeong's servants (include Na-eon (나언, 羅彦), Yu-seong (유성, 有成), and Hwang-ik (황익, 黃益)) were suspected and severely interrogated until they made a false confession. Their family were also beheaded and ministers, officials, royal family elders came to the palace to salute the arrest of the criminal.

## In popular culture

* Portrayed by Kim Kyung-eung in the 2003–2004 KBS TV series Age of Warriors.
