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Kimmei.
75

Now the King of Silla buried King Myöng's bones[1] at the bottom of the stairs of the Northern Hall of his Palace, and gave this Hall the name of To-tang."[2]

Yö-chhyang, finding at last that he was surrounded, attempted to make his way through, but could not. His troops were taken with consternation, and knew not what to do. Now there was a skilful archer, a Miyakko of the Land of Tsukushi. He advanced, bent his bow, and taking aim, shot down one of the bravest of the Silla horsemen. The penetration of the arrow which he shot was such that it went through the bow of the saddle on which he rode, both before and behind, and reached the joining of the armour[3] he had on. Then he went on shooting arrows one after another like rain, more and more fiercely, without any remission, and shot to the ground the troops by whom they were surrounded. By this means Yö-chhyang and his generals were enabled to escape (XIX. 46.) back by a by-road. Yö-chhyang complimented the Kuni no Miyakko on having shot down the troops who had encompassed them, and conferred on him the honorary name of Kurani no Kimi.[4]

Upon this the Silla generals, satisfied that Pèkché was completely worn out, wished at length to take measures for the destruction of the remainder. But there was one general who said:—"This would be a mistake. The Emperor of Japan has frequently attacked our country on account of Imna: much more should we certainly invite upon ourselves future mischief if we should proceed to take steps for the destruction of the Miyake of Pèkché." This project was therefore dropped.

A.D. 555. 16th year, Spring, 2nd month. Yö-chhyang, son of the King of Pèkché, sent Prince Hyé [Prince Hyé was the younger brother of Wi-tök][5] with a message to the Emperor, saying:—"King Syöng-myöng has been slain by brigands" [slain by

  1. ↑ The skull is no doubt meant.
  2. ↑ Tang means hall. To is apparently in allusion to Koto, the King's executioner. The "Tongkam" has also an account of these events. But it makes the King of Pèkché to have been killed in battle.
  3. ↑ The Interlinear Kana has kabuto, helmet, which is manifestly absurd.
  4. ↑ The Knight of the Saddle-bow.
  5. ↑ Wi-tök is the historical name of Yö-chhyang. He was succeeded by his second son, Hyé-chang, who is probably the Prince here referred to.
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