Confucianism Represented by Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋) in Geumhwasa Mongyurok (金華寺夢遊錄)

Abstract

The Geumhwasa Mongyurok is a Korean story that takes place in China and features a multitude of Chinese historical figures. In particular, it can be argued that the exploration of Zhu Yuanzhang emphasizes the unknown author’s Confucian ideological tendencies. Korea has long attached great importance to the teachings of Confucius; hence Korean classical novels typically reflect its core tenets such as the importance of filial piety. Rulers of the past emphasized the use of filial piety to maintain governance, so only those who are filial at home can meet the requirements put forth by monarchs for their most valued subjects. Zhu Yuanzhang stressed that wisdom and talent are not one’s most important traits. Instead he stresses loyalty, emphasizing that only the most loyal of ministers could become the best. Confucianism requires filiality to one’s parents at home and loyalty to one’s ruling monarch. In governing the country, pursuing Confucianism ideology and governing the world through the implementation of upstanding morality is described as rule by virtue . Another core tenet of Confucianism is benevolence, or so-called benevolent love . Zhu Yuanzhang s comments on Ying Zheng reflected Zhu s ideal of opposing hegemonism and his advocation for Confucianism. Zhu also evaluates Xiang Yu-highlighting his ten crimes that appear in the Records of the Grand Historian, a work that came to fruition at a time when society and culture attached great importance to the teachings of Confucius. His criticism of Xiang Yu fully reflects his position of advocating for the Confucian rule of virtue.