Yeongjo of Joseon

Yeongjo of Joseon, born Yi Geum on September thirteenth, sixteen ninety-four, was the twenty-first monarch of the Joseon dynasty in Korea. As the second son of King Sukjong and his concubine, Royal Noble Consort Suk, Yeongjo faced significant challenges due to his mother's low-born origins. Before his ascension, he was known as Prince Yeoning, a title that would soon be embroiled in political controversy.

In the year seventeen twenty, shortly after the accession of his elder half-brother, Yi Yun, who became King Gyeongjong, Yeoning was named crown prince. This decision sparked intense debate among the political factions of the time. However, following Gyeongjong's death four years later, Yeongjo ascended to the throne, marking the beginning of a lengthy and impactful reign.

Yeongjo is particularly noted for his relentless efforts to reform the taxation system and his attempts to unify the various political factions through his Tangpyeong policy, which translates to 'Magnificent Harmony.' His reign, lasting nearly fifty-two years, was also marked by the tragic and controversial execution of his only surviving son, Crown Prince Sado, in seventeen sixty-two. Despite this dark chapter, Yeongjo is often remembered positively in Korean history for his commitment to ruling according to Confucian ethics.