Jo Maeng (조맹, 趙孟), who was also known by the name of Ba-woo or Bau (바우, 岩), was born and raised in Pungyang-hyeon (currently Songneung-ri, Jingeon-eup, Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province) and lived in seclusion in a rock cave at the foot of Mt.

From this time on, as he climbed the road to conquer Silla and achieved the unification of the three kingdoms with great ingenuity and bravery, Wang Geon, now King Taejo, gave the name Jo Maeng to Bawoo.

[4] Anti-Catholic in nature, the Jo clan dominated the court when King Heonjeong blamed the Kim clan for being soft on Catholics and launched a persecution, killing hundreds of Catholics, including three French missionary priests.

[5][6] Queen Sinjeong eventually took power as regent when her son Heonjong became king following the untimely death of Crown Prince Hyomyeong.

As soon as news of Cheoljong's death reached Yi Ha-eung through his intricate network of spies in the palace, he and the Pungyang Jo clan took the hereditary royal seal — an object that was considered necessary for a legitimate reign to take place and aristocratic recognition to be received — effectively giving her absolute power to select the successor to the throne.