Hye of Baekje

2.1. Birth and Early Life

King Hye was born as the second son of King Seong, the 26th ruler of Baekje. His personal name was Gye (계_Gye^Korean, 季_Gye^Japanese), and he was also referred to as King Heon (헌왕_Heonwang^Korean). Although he ascended the throne in 598 CE, historical records indicate he had an earlier public role. The `Nihon Shoki` records his presence in Japan as an envoy in 555 CE. He was sent by his elder brother, King Wideok, to inform the Japanese court of the death of their father, King Seong. This suggests that King Hye was involved in diplomatic affairs well before his enthronement, highlighting his early engagement in the kingdom's foreign relations.

2.2. Royal Lineage and Family Relations

King Hye's family was central to the Baekje royal line. His father was King Seong, and his mother was a concubine from the Yoon clan (延氏). He was the younger brother of King Wideok, who preceded him as the 27th king.

King Hye had several half-brothers who played significant roles in Baekje's relations with Japan:

• Ajwa-Taeja (아좌태자_Ajwa-Taeja^Korean, 阿佐太子_Asa-Taishi^Japanese, 572-645) traveled to Japan in 597 CE. There, he became known as Asa-Taishi and is famously credited with painting a portrait of Prince Shōtoku, a pivotal figure in early Japanese history.
• Imseong-Taeja (임성태자_{Imseong-Taeja}^Korean, 琳聖太子_{Rinshō-taishi}^Japanese, 577-657) also journeyed to Japan in 611 CE, where he was known as Rinshō-taishi. He is recognized as an ancestor of the prominent Ōuchi clan (大内氏) in Japan, further illustrating the deep historical ties between Baekje royalty and Japanese nobility.

King Hye's queen is recorded as Queen Hae (왕후 해씨). Together, they had at least two children:

• A son, Buyeo Seon (扶餘宣) or Buyeo Hyosun (扶餘孝順), who succeeded him as the 29th king of Baekje, known as King Beop (died 600 CE).
• A daughter, Princess Wu Yeong (우영공주_{Wu Yeong Gongju}^Korean, 優永公主_{Yōu Yǒng Gōngzhǔ}^Chinese).

Records from the Japanese `Shinchansungrok` indicate that descendants of King Hye later became Japanese citizens and were granted the title of Baekje Chosin (百濟朝臣_{Baekje Chosin}^Japanese), further solidifying the lasting influence of Baekje's royal family in Japan.

3.1. Accession and Reign Dates

King Hye ascended to the throne in December 598 CE, succeeding his elder brother, King Wideok, who had reigned for 44 years. His own reign was notably short, lasting only until his death in 599 CE. The `Samguk Sagi` briefly notes his accession and his death in his second year on the throne, also recording his posthumous name as Hye.

3.2. Internal Situation of Baekje

During King Hye's rule, Baekje faced a deteriorating internal situation. The kingdom experienced a significant decline in its external commerce and overall influence, which had severe repercussions domestically. This economic downturn and loss of international standing contributed to increased infighting and rivalry among the powerful Baekje nobility. The internal political climate was unstable, with factions vying for power, further weakening the kingdom's ability to respond effectively to external threats.

3.3. Foreign Relations

Baekje's foreign relations during King Hye's reign were largely defined by the aggressive expansion of its neighbors, Silla and Goguryeo, and a diminishing influence in international trade and diplomacy.

The neighboring kingdom of Silla, under the rule of King Jinpyeong (reigned 579-632 CE), made significant inroads into Baekje territory. Silla notably occupied the present-day Seoul area, a strategically vital region that allowed them to establish direct trade routes with China. This expansion by Silla severely impacted Baekje's territorial integrity and economic prosperity.

Concurrently, Goguryeo, led by King Yeongyang (reigned 590-618 CE), asserted its dominance over Baekje's commercial positions along the Yellow Sea coast. This effectively cut off Baekje's access to crucial maritime trade routes, further exacerbating its economic decline.

Baekje's trading outposts in China were also lost following the unification of China under the Sui dynasty (581-618 CE), ruled by Emperor Wen (reigned 581-604 CE). This development further isolated Baekje from lucrative trade networks and diplomatic ties with the powerful Chinese empire.

Furthermore, the political centralization occurring in Japan, under figures like Empress Suiko (reigned 593-628 CE), meant that Japan's growing influence began to outgrow Baekje's traditional sway over the archipelago. This shift in regional power dynamics contributed to Baekje's overall decline in foreign affairs during King Hye's short reign.

4.1. Korean Historical Texts

Korean historical sources offer differing perspectives on King Hye's lineage and reign. The `Samguk Sagi`, a primary historical record of the Three Kingdoms, provides a concise account of King Hye. It records his accession to the throne and his death in the second year of his reign (599 CE), noting his posthumous name as Hye. However, it offers little further detail about his activities or the events of his rule.

In contrast, the `Samguk Yusa`, another important historical collection, contains an account that describes King Hye as the son of King Wideok. This assertion is widely considered to be an error by modern historians, as other sources consistently identify King Hye as King Wideok's younger brother and the son of King Seong. The `Samguk Yusa` also mentions an alternative name for him, King Heon (헌왕_Heonwang^Korean).

4.2. Japanese Historical Texts

Japanese historical chronicles provide unique insights into King Hye, particularly regarding his earlier life and his family's connections to Japan. The `Nihon Shoki` mentions a figure named "Hye" (恵_Hye^Japanese) who appeared as an envoy in 555 CE. According to this record, Hye was sent by King Wideok to inform the Japanese court of the death of King Seong, and he is explicitly identified as King Wideok's younger brother. This account is significant because it places King Hye in a diplomatic role decades before his ascension to the Baekje throne, suggesting a long history of involvement in the kingdom's affairs.

Furthermore, the `Shinchansungrok`, a Japanese genealogical record, contains information regarding King Hye's descendants. It states that some of his progeny eventually became Japanese citizens and were granted the noble title of Baekje Chosin (百濟朝臣_{Baekje Chosin}^Japanese), underscoring the enduring cultural and familial ties between the Baekje royal family and Japanese aristocracy.

4.3. Chinese Historical Texts

Chinese historical documents, particularly the `Sui Shu`, present a notable omission regarding King Hye's reign. The `Sui Shu` details the succession of Baekje monarchs but does not acknowledge King Hye's existence. Instead, it records a direct lineage from King Wideok (referred to as "昌_Chang^Chinese" in the text) to his son, King Beop (referred to as "宣_Seon^Chinese"), and then to King Beop's son, King Mu (referred to as "璋_Jang^Chinese"). This discrepancy suggests that the Chinese court either did not recognize King Hye's brief reign or had incomplete information regarding the Baekje royal succession during this period.