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Wang Ch'ung-hŭi

Wang Ch'ung-hŭi (; d. 1182/3) or Wang Hyŏn-hŭi () was a Goryeo Royal Prince as the fourth son of King Injong and Queen Gongye. He was also a Buddhist monk under the name National Preceptor Wongyeong and seungtong Jeungse.

Biography

Early life and relatives

Although the exact date when Ch'ung-hÅ­i was born is unknown, seeing that his brothers were born in 1131 (Wang Ho) and 1144 (Wang T'ak), Ch'ung-hÅ­i was born after 1131 but before 1144 as the fourth son of King Injong of Goryeo and Queen Gongye from the Jangheung Im clan. He had four brothers (Uijong, Daeryeong, Myeongjong, Sinjong) and four sisters (Seunggyeong, Deoknyeong, Changrak, Yeonghwa).

During Uijong's reign

In 1148 (Uijong's 2nd year reign), Ch'ung-hÅ­i went to Heungwang Temple () as a monk and received the name Jeungse () from his eldest brother, who was the king. In there, Ch'ung-hÅ­i befriended and often played together with his great-grandfather's grandson, Wang Chang (). However, there was a rumor spread that the two of them were planning a treason in 1155 and Uijong then revoked Wang Chang's title, but did not punish Ch'ung-hÅ­i as Ch'ung-hÅ­i was his full brother.

In 1157, Ch'ung-hŭi was one of the 200 monks who joined Uijong in performed the "Gibokjae" () at Mokchin Hall (). Then, in 1167, a banquet was held at Cheongnyeongjae (), many people (including Ch'ung-hŭi) were invited and enjoyed this, even monk Gakye ()–Yejong's eldest illegitimate son and some servants attended this banquet and drank, floated a boat in Jungmijeong Pond () and played till night.

During Myeongjong's reign

In 1177 (Myeongjong's 7th year reign), a monk from Heungwangsa Temple reported that: "Monk Ch'ung-hÅ­i was secretly plotting to rebel with several monks there" (). Following this, Ch'ung-hÅ­i's servants were interrogated, but all charges were not found and they were all released then.

Meanwhile, in 1180, Ch'ung-hŭi's mother, the queen dowager became seriously ill and his older brother–the king summoned him to take care of their mother. In the palace, Ch'ung-hŭi had a promiscuous relationship (even affair) with the court ladies and even with the princess. As the bad rumors about Ch'ung-hŭi spread to the outside of the palace, officer Ch'oe Sŏn () reported Ch'ung-hŭi's promiscuous behavior to the king and suggested that Ch'ung-hŭi sent out of the palace.

However, Myeongjong who heard this, greatly surprised and said: "Woah, unexpectedly you (referring to Ch'oe) are trying to separate our brotherhood relationship" () while dismissed Ch'oe not long after this from his position. Seeing this issue, the officers did not dare to do anything or even impeach Ch'ung-hÅ­i and the court ministers were all attached to Ch'ung-hÅ­i and offered bribes for him.

Death and later life

In 1182/3, Ch'ung-hÅ­i died and received the name Wongyeong () as his honorary posthumous name. Upon knowing this, Myeongjong deliberately didn't disclose this fact since he feared that their mother would be grieved and her ill would get worse if she couldn't withstand this. After several months, she slowly learned that her beloved son died and thought that many jealous generals had killed Ch'ung-hÅ­i. She also became very angry and eventually fell ill before she died not long after that.

Legacy

To commemorate Ch'ung-hÅ­i, a monument () was erected at Heunggyo Temple (), but didn't maintained in the nowadays and no records left about that.

Notes

References