Baekje Lost its Light

[Narration]
This is the tombstone and its rubbing for a person named Ye from Baekje.

[Tourist]
He must have been a very important person then for his tombstone and the rubbing to be exhibited.

[Narration]
Well…Ye was a general of Baekje. However, after the collapse of Baekje in 660 A.D., he went to China and served as a highly ranked official. So, his tombstone was discovered in China in 2006.

If you look at the inscription on the tombstone, you will find songs of praise that say: "A man from Baekje named Ye was also a General for China and he died at the age of 58. At the will of the Chinese Emperor, his funeral was conducted with the Chinese Emperor’s honor. When he swung his sword it was like stars in the sky and when he pulled his arrow it was like a full moon.” How do you think a general from Baekje was able to hold such a high ranking position in China and be praised even after his death?

[Narration]
It was July 13, 660 A.D., and an alliance between Silla, a kingdom located in the southeastern region of the Korean Peninsula, and China had conquered Baekje’s capital. However, King Uija, the last ruler of Baekje, had miraculously escaped and succeeded in mounting a second defensive campaign in Gongju. He blocked off all the food supply routes to the Silla-China allied troops, and thus, the war situation had changed and Baekje had time on its side. However,

[Soldier 1]
General Ye, what is it that you want at this late hour? The King is already sleeping…. Aagh!
It is treason…

[King Uija]
Who is it?!

[Ye]
Your highness, it is your servant, Ye. Would you serve my knife and die here? Or are you willing to surrender to China?

[King Uija]
You stupid fool! Silla and the Chinese are starving to death! Time is on our side, so why are you committing such a terrible crime?

[Ye]
I don’t think you understand me. Here, take the King!

[King Uija]
Stop! I command that you stop restraining me immediately! I cannot believe this is the collapse of the 700-year-old Baekje Dynasty…

[Narration]
On July 18, King Uija surrendered to the China-Silla alliance. This was the end of the 700-year-old Baekje kingdom. The last king of Baekje was taken as a prisoner of war to China, while the traitor Ye was rewarded with the highest promotions. The evidence for this story is provided by the rubbing of the tombstone that you see before you.