Person
Gangsu
Head-rank-six Confucian scholar of Silla whose skill at diplomatic letters served Kings Muyeol and Munmu
A native of Jungwongyeong (Chungju), he is said to have been called Gangsu ("strong head") for a bony bump on the back of his skull. He made his name when King Muyeol had him explain a difficult letter brought by a Tang envoy. King Munmu credited his diplomatic letters with a large share in unifying the Three Kingdoms. Calling Buddhism a teaching that leaves the world, he chose Confucian learning, and he is ranked with Seol Chong and Choe Chi-won among Silla’s leading Confucian scholars. He died under King Sinmun, when head-rank-six Confucians were serving the king’s government.