In 836, after the death of King Heungdeok
without appointing his successor, there broke out a quarrel
over the succession to the throne between two rival clans;
one clan was composed of Kim Woo-jing and Kim Yang who were
supporting a high official Kim Gyun-jeong; and the other clan
was comprised of Kim Myeong and Kim Yee-hong who were supporting
the nephew of King Heundeok, Kim Jae-ryoong. Kim Gyun-jeong
was killed during the disputes, and Kim Jae-ryoong was throned
King Heegang.(836-838)
After the defeat from the disputes, Kim Woo-jing ran away
to 'Hwang-San-Jin-Gu(a small harbour) with his family in May
837 and escaped to Cheong-Hae-Jin by boat. In 838, Kim Yang
also came to Cheong-Hae-Jin, formed an alliance with Kim Woo-jing,
and depended on Chang Po-go. Under Chang Po-go's protection,
Kim Woo-jing promised Chang that he would marry his daughter
if he became a king later.
On one hand, Kim Myeong tried a coup and killed King Heegang
who he had supported, and then he set himself on the throne
and was ascended King Minae. When Kim Myeong was enthroned
the 44th King Minae, Kim Woo-jing who had escaped to Cheong-Hae-Jin
killed King Minae and was crowned King Sinmoo(839). In recognition
of Chang's contribution to regaining the King's throne, the
King Sinmoo gave Chang Po-go a title, 'Gam-Ui-Gun-Sa'(commander
of the army) and granted 2,000 Sikup (a right to collect tax
from 2,000 households) as a feud.
However, King Sinmoo died suddenly of sickness on July 23,
839 after he was throned 6 months, without having been able
to keep his promise to marry Chang Po-go's daughter. The King's
son, King Moonseong was ascended to the throne and gave Chang
Po-go a title of ‘Jin-Hae-Jang-Gun’(an admiral
of command of the sea). To keep his father's promise, the
King Moonseong tried to marry Chang's daughter, but his wish
was thwarted because the cabinet members opposed the marriage
since Chang Po-go was from low social class. From this incident,
Shilla nobles were afraid of Chang Po-go's revolt and dispatched
Yeom Jang to assassinate Chang. |
Involvement in the Dispute of the Succession to the Throne
in Shilla