Chancellor who steered diplomacy with the Mongols and was praised as a 'worthy of Haedong'; posthumous title Munjin
| Life | 1201 ~ 1272 |
| Era | 고려 후기 |
| Clan | 인천 이씨 |
Yi Jang-yong (李藏用, 1201-1272) was a late Goryeo civil official from Incheon, originally named In-gi, courtesy name Hyeonbo, pen name Rakheon, and a sixth-generation descendant of Chancellor Yi Ja-yeon. His father Yi Gyeong was a Director of the Privy Council, his grandfather Yi Eung-gu a Palace Gate official, and his great-grandfather Yi Sik a Participant in Government Affairs; his great-great-grandfather Yi Ja-hyo was a cousin of Yi Ja-gyeom. Yi In-ro and others descend from the more distant Yi Ja-sang.
He passed the examination in 1220 and served as Registrar of Seogyeong, then in the Royal Library and as head of the National University and Royal Secretary. He supervised the 1253 examination, selecting 98 graduates, and rose to Vice Director of the Privy Council in 1256, Political Affairs in 1258, Participant in Government Affairs in 1260 and Vice Chancellor in 1262. His eldest son-in-law was Choe Ui, last ruler of the Choe military house, and his second son-in-law Bak Hwi was father of Bak Jeon-ji.
He is best known for diplomacy with the Mongols. When the Mongols demanded King Wonjong's attendance in 1264 and all other ministers hesitated, he alone firmly argued for accepting, and he accompanied the king to Mongolia, where he is said to have been praised as a 'worthy of Haedong'. In 1267 he talked a Mongol envoy out of pressing a demand about Japan and began the compilation of the veritable records of Sinjong, Huijong and Gangjong. He became Munha Sijung in 1268 and proposed a compromise of summering in Gaegyeong and wintering on Ganghwa when his plan for returning to the capital met opposition. Having acquiesced in Im Yeon's deposing of Wonjong, he was dismissed after the king's restoration in 1271 and died the next year at 72, cremated as he wished; the title Munjin was granted in 1275. His Seonga jongpado is lost.
When the Mongols demanded Wonjong's attendance and the ministers hesitated, he alone argued for accepting and carried the point.
In 1267 he is said to have quietly persuaded the Mongol envoy to drop the demand that Japan attend.
He was cremated by his own wish; no tomb was confirmed.
Eldest son-in-law Choe Ui (last of the Choe military rulers); second son-in-law Bak Hwi (father of Bak Jeon-ji).