Abstract

This study explores how the perception of Emperor Han Wendi and Emperor Han Wudi in Joseon changed after the ascension of King Hyojong in the 17th century, with historical contexts. The Joseon Dynasty was pursuing the Rule of Right based on Neo-Confucianism as an ideological foundation, and the universal evaluation of Han Dynasty affairs and the emperor was based on this ideal. In Confucian elites Commentary on History, Han Wendi was a symbol of a moral monarch of virtue and benevolence. Wudi, on the other hand, was seen as a despotic monarch who, in contrast to Wendi, sought to achieve ‘Rich Nation, Strong Army’. Joseon elites also agreed with these characterizations and used them appropriately in real-world politics. This can be seen in the case of the late Goryeo Yi Gok, as well as in the cases of Yi I, Yun Seon-Do, and others. In the 17th century, Joseon was in a period of reformation, when various theories of state management emerged to rebuild the country's infrastructure after the two great wars. king Hyojong judged Wudi as superior to Wendi due to his subjugation of Xiongnu. Sanrim such as Song Si-yeol and Yi Yu-tae accepted and affirmed the king's remarks as the king's vengeance against the Qing Dynasty. The emergence of recognition of Han Wudi’s work symbolizes the conflict between the ideals of the Rule of Right and the reality of having to implement statistic policies. Through this, we can see how the different values of ‘the Rule of Right’ and ‘the Rule of Might’, ‘Rich Nation, Strong Army’ and ‘Proper Governance’ were accepted in reality.

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