Intermission, 648–658
49-522: Second campaign, 658–662 Baekje Campaign & Japanese intervention Third campaign, 666–668 The Goguryeo–Tang War occurred from 645 to 668 and was fought between Goguryeo and the Tang dynasty . During the course of the war, the two sides allied with various other states. Goguryeo successfully repulsed the invading Tang armies during the first Tang invasions of 645–648 . After conquering Baekje in 660, Tang and Silla armies invaded Goguryeo from
98-630: A Goguryeo army at the Yalu River but Su Dingfang failed to take Pyongyang. The invasion was called off in February 662 after failing to take Pyongyang for several months and when a subsidiary Tang force led by Pang Xiaotai was defeated by Yeon Gaesomun at the Battle of Sasu . In 666, the Goguryeo dictator Yeon Gaesomun died and an internal struggle between his sons for power broke out. Goguryeo
147-483: A Goguryeo army of 40,000 troops that had been sent to the city to relieve it from the Tang siege. A few days later, Emperor Taizong 's cavalry arrived at Liaodong. On 16 June, the Tang army successfully set Liaodong ablaze with incendiary projectiles and breached its defensive walls, resulting in the fall of Liaodong to the Tang forces. The Tang army marched further to Baiyan ( Paekam ) and arrived there on 27 June. However,
196-548: A Silla army and set off westwards into the Battle of Hwangsanbeol . It comprised 50,000 troops. They marched into Baekje from the eastern border, and crossed through the Sobaek Mountains . General Kim Yusin led the Silla army across the passes of Tanhyon towards Hwangsan Plain, but General Gyebaek could only muster a force of about 5,000 Baekje troops in defense against the advancing Silla army. At Hwangsan Plain,
245-574: A Tang army of 130,000 set out towards Baekje to further relieve Silla. The army led by Admiral Su Dingfang sailed across the Yellow Sea towards and landed on the western coastline of Baekje. The Tang army defeated a Baekje force at the mouth of the Geum River and then sailed up the river towards Sabi , the capital of Baekje. Crown Prince Kim Beopmin , General Kim Yusin , General Kim Pumil, and General Kim Hŭmsun were dispatched with
294-435: A fresh invasion by Tang and Silla in 667, this time aided by Yeon Gaesomun's oldest son. The alliance with Silla also proved to be invaluable, thanks to the ability to attack Goguryeo from opposite directions, and both military and logistical aid from Silla. In early 667, a Tang invasion of Goguryeo was launched with Li Shiji at its head. The Tang army swept away the border fortifications and pressed into Goguryeo's heartland in
343-460: A night assault, which came that very night. Emperor Taizong himself led soldiers to repel the assault, and the Goguryeo forces withdrew within the city again. Meanwhile, Li Daozong was building a dirt mound to the southeast of the city to use as an attack mechanism, and in response, the Ansi defenders added to the height of the wall to the southeast. This process continued for 60 days, and eventually,
392-486: Is senile and incompetent and would surely not be able to stand against you. If you move your army against Ogol instead, it will fall the day that you arrive there, and then all of the cities on the way to Pyongyang will crumble as well. Once you collect the supplies in these cities, march forward, and Pyongyang will not be able to stand. Some other officials also suggested: Zhang Liang is at Beisha. If you order him to rendezvous with us, he will arrive in two days, and with
441-543: Is traditionally rendered in Korean popular accounts as Yang Manchun , even though some Korean historical sources indicated that the name was lost. Li Shiji disagreed, however, arguing that as Geonan was to Ansi's south and that the main Tang food supply was coming from Liaodong, that if he attacked Geonan first, the defenders of Ansi would try to cut his supply lines. Emperor Taizong agreed, and Li Shiji began to siege Ansi. When Emperor Taizong and Li Shiji arrived at Ansi, it
490-578: The Kingdom of Goguryeo , which the Tang court began to consider not long after they had decisively defeated the Göktürks in 628. At the same time, however, Silla was also engaged in open hostilities with Baekje in 642. A year before in 641, King Uija had assumed the throne of Baekje. In 642, King Uija attacked Silla and captured around 40 strongpoints. Meanwhile, in 642, the military dictator Yeon Gaesomun murdered over 180 Goguryeo aristocrats and seized
539-549: The Mangniji . The Mangniji attacked him but could not capture the city, and therefore had to leave him in charge of Ansi. Rather, Geonan [(建安, in modern Yingkou , Liaoning )] has a weak defense force. You should attack Geonan first, and once Geonan falls, Ansi will be in our belly. This is, like the Art of War stated, "Some cities do not need to be attacked." The name of the defending general of Ansi has been lost to history, but
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#1732775416442588-598: The Tang Empire had taken control over the former territories of Baekje and Goguryeo and tried to assert dominion over Silla . Large parts of the Korean Peninsula were occupied by the Tang forces for about a decade. However, the Tang occupation of the Korean Peninsula proved to be logistically difficult due to shortage of supplies which Silla had provided previously. Furthermore, Emperor Gaozong
637-424: The Tang dynasty and Silla between 660 and 663. The war was caused by the ongoing Goguryeo–Tang War in which numerous attacks and raids were made by Baekje and Goguryeo against Silla. King Muyeol of Silla sought help from Emperor Gaozong of Tang , who launched the invasion of Baekje in 660. After the conquest of Baekje later that year, loyalist forces from Baekje with the aid of Yamato allies attempted to resist
686-442: The battle of Mount Zhubi , the Goguryeo fell back on their city of Ansi and the Tang army pursued. Emperor Taizong next prepared to put Ansi under siege, but he had reservations about it. When he discussed the matter with Li Shiji, he stated: I heard that Ansi has strong natural defenses and a strong garrison. Its defending general is also both intelligent and brave. When the Mangniji committed treason, he refused to submit to
735-510: The Chinese emperor for help. In response, Emperor Taizong of Tang sent an army to attack the Goguryeo in 645. This invasion was initially successful with the capture of Liaodong and Baicun Goguryeo cities by the Tang. Following this victory, there was discussion as to whether to march directly to Pyongyang , the Goguryeo capital city, or to face the Goguryeo army in the Liaodong region. After
784-431: The Goguryeo commanders surrendered the city to the Tang army. Afterwards, Emperor Taizong ordered that the city must not be looted and its citizens must not be enslaved. On 18 July, the Tang army arrived at Ansi Fortress . A Goguryeo army, including Mohe troops, were sent to relieve the city. The reinforcing Goguryeo army totaled 150,000 troops. However, Emperor Taizong sent general Li Shiji with 15,000 troops to lure
833-436: The Goguryeo forces. Meanwhile, another Tang force secretly flanked the Goguryeo troops from behind. On 20 July, the two sides met at the Battle of Jupilsan and the Tang army came out victorious. Most of the Goguryeo troops dispersed after their defeat. The remaining Goguryeo troops fled to a nearby hill, but they surrendered the next day after a Tang encirclement. The Tang forces took 36,800 troops captive. Of these prisoners,
882-723: The Goguryeo throne. He placed a puppet king onto the throne after killing the king in 642. These newly formed governments in Baekje and Goguryeo were preparing for war and had established a mutual alliance against Tang and Silla. Emperor Taizong of Tang used Yeon Gaesomun 's murder of King Yeongnyu of Goguryeo as the pretext for his campaign and started preparations for an invasion force in 644. General Li Shiji commanded an army of 60,000 Tang soldiers and an undisclosed number of tribal forces which gathered at Youzhou . Emperor Taizong commanded an armored cavalry of 10,000 strong, which eventually met up and joined general Li Shiji's army during
931-417: The Silla army defeated the Baekje forces of General Gyebaek. The capital of Baekje, Sabi, fell to the forces of Tang and Silla. Around 10,000 Baekje troops were killed in the siege. Baekje was conquered on 18 July 660, when King Uija of Baekje surrendered at Ungjin. The Tang army took the king, crown prince, 93 officials, and 20,000 troops as prisoner. The king and crown prince were sent as hostages to
980-539: The Tang Empire formed a military alliance with Silla . When Goguryeo and Baekje attacked Silla from the north and west respectively, Queen Seondeok of Silla sent an emissary to the Tang Empire to desperately request military assistance. In 650, Emperor Gaozong received a poem, written by Queen Jindeok of Silla, from the princely emissary Kim Chunchu , who would later accede the Silla throne as King Muyeol. In 653, Baekje allied with Yamato Wa . Even though Baekje
1029-611: The Tang empire. The territory of Baekje was annexed by the Tang, which established five military administrations to control the region instead of Silla, which they painfully accepted. In a final effort, General Gwisil Boksin led the resistance against Tang occupation of Baekje. He requested military assistance from their Yamato allies. In 661, Empress Saimei (who previously reigned as Empress Kōgyoku ) and Prince Naka no Ōe prepared for battle and sent Prince Buyeo Pung of Baekje, who had been in Yamato Wa for over 30 years, to aid
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#17327754164421078-460: The Tang fleet throughout the course of two days, they were eventually worn down by the Tang fleet and were destroyed in a decisive counterattack. During the engagement, General Echi no Takutsu was slain. Prince Buyeo Pung of Baekje and a few of his men fled to Goguryeo. The natives rebelled and besieged Liu Renyuan in the capital until Liu Rengui could bring in reinforcements. A stalemate ensued with Baekje holding some cities while Silla and
1127-447: The Tang forces sent 3,500 officers and chieftains to China, executed 3,300 Mohe troops, and eventually released the rest of the ordinary Goguryeo soldiers. However, the Tang army could not breach into the city of Ansi , which was defended by the forces of Yang Manchun . Tang troops attacked the fortress as many as six or seven times per day, but the defenders repulsed them each time. After weeks passed, Emperor Taizong considered abandoning
1176-471: The Tang occupied others. In the autumn of 663, a combined Tang-Silla army marched for Chuyu, the capital of the rebels. Chuyu was captured on 14 October and the rebellion was vanquished. Ansi Fortress 40°46′50″N 122°46′41″E / 40.78056°N 122.77806°E / 40.78056; 122.77806 Ansi City ( Chinese : 安市城 ; Goguryeo : 安寸忽; Korean : 안시성 ; Hanja : 安市城 ), also known as Ansi Fortress ,
1225-478: The Tang occupied others. In the autumn of 663, a combined Tang-Silla army marched for Chuyu, the capital of the rebels. Chuyu was captured on 14 October and the rebellion was vanquished. In the summer of 661, Su Dingfang led an army of 44,000 across the sea and laid siege to Pyongyang while another Tang army under Qibi Heli advanced overland. The Tang army was 350,000 strong and Silla was only requested to provide supplies during this expedition. Qibi Heli defeated
1274-640: The Tang–Silla alliance first conquer Baekje, breaking up the Goguryeo–Baekje alliance, and then attack Goguryeo. In 660, the Tang Empire and the Silla Kingdom sent their allied armies to conquer Baekje . The Baekje capital Sabi fell to the forces of Tang and Silla. Baekje was conquered on 18 July 660, when King Uija of Baekje surrendered at Ungjin . The Tang army took the king, the crown prince, 93 officials, and 20,000 troops as prisoners. The king and
1323-533: The armies in those two cities will attack our rear. It will be more secure to first capture Ansi and Geonan, and then march deep into Goguryeo territory. Emperor Taizong agreed with Zhangsun and did not head toward Ogol. As the siege continued, on an occasion, when Emperor Taizong heard the sounds of chickens and pigs coming out of the city, he opined to Li Shiji that it must be that the Goguryeo defenders were preparing an assault and were slaughtering animals beforehand to feast on them. Li Shiji therefore prepared for
1372-636: The city at the Baekgang River . As the Yamato fleet engaged the Tang fleet, they were attacked by the Tang fleet and were destroyed. In 663, the Baekje resistance and Yamato forces were annihilated by the Tang and Silla forces at the Battle of Baekgang . Subsequently, Prince Buyeo Pung of Baekje and his remaining men fled to Goguryeo. The natives rebelled and besieged Liu Renyuan in the capital until Liu Rengui could bring in reinforcements. A stalemate ensued, with Baekje holding some cities while Silla and
1421-468: The crown prince were sent as hostages to the Tang Empire. The Tang Empire annexed the territory and established five military administrations to control the region instead of Silla, which was painfully accepted. In a final effort, general Gwisil Boksin led continued resistance against Tang occupation of Baekje. He requested military assistance from Yamato allies. The Nihongi Chronicles notes that during his pleas for Yamato assistance, Prince Buyeo Pung
1470-406: The dirt mound got so high that from it, one could easily see inside the city. Li Daozong had his officer Fu Fu'ai ( 傅伏愛 ) take position on the dirt mound. Suddenly, the mound had a partial collapse and fell onto the city walls, and the walls collapsed as well. At this moment, Fu, for reasons unexplained in history, left his position, and the Goguryeo forces took the opportunity to attack and capture
1519-453: The dirt mound, and instead used it as part of the defensive bulwarks . Emperor Taizong, in anger, executed Fu in public and ordered a heavy assault on the dirt mound, but could not capture it within three days. Li Daozong bared his feet and begged punishment, but Emperor Taizong pardoned him. Meanwhile, winter was approaching, and the grass was drying up. Also, the food supplies were running out. On October 13, 645, Emperor Taizong ordered
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1568-488: The empire, we have to give you all we have. We hope that you, Son of Heaven, can quickly complete your task so that we can again meet our families. The people of Ansi, in order to protect their families, are fighting so hard that it is difficult to capture it immediately. However, as we had commanded more than 100,000 Goguryeo men and yet collapsed at your banner, the people of Goguryeo have already lost morale. The defending general of Ogol [(烏骨, in modern Dandong , Liaoning )]
1617-548: The entire Goguryeo state in fear, we can then capture Ogol, cross the Yalu River, and attack Pyongyang, and we will be easily successful. Emperor Taizong was inclined to accept these proposals, but Zhangsun opposed, stating: The nature of a campaign commanded by a Son of Heaven is different from the nature of a campaign commanded by a mere general. Right now, there are still more than 100,000 barbarian soldiers at Geonan and Sinseong [(新城, in modern Fushun)]. If we attack Ogol,
1666-798: The expedition. A fleet of 500 ships also transported an additional 40,000 conscripted soldiers and 3,000 military gentlemen (volunteers from the elite of Chang'an and Luoyang ). This fleet sailed from the Liaodong Peninsula to the Korean Peninsula . In April 645, general Li Shiji 's army departed from Yincheng (present-day Chaoyang ). On 1 May, they crossed the Liao River into Goguryeo territory. On 16 May, they laid siege to Gaimou (Kaemo), which fell after only 11 days, capturing 20,000 people and confiscating 100,000 shi (6 million liters) of grain. Afterwards, general Li Shiji 's army advanced to Liaodong (Ryotong). On 7 June, they crushed
1715-422: The north and south in 661, but were forced to withdraw in 662. In 666, Yeon Gaesomun died and Goguryeo became plagued by violent dissension, numerous defections , and widespread demoralization . The Tang–Silla alliance mounted a fresh invasion in the following year, aided by the defector Yeon Namsaeng . In late 668, exhausted from numerous military attacks and suffering from internal political chaos, Goguryeo and
1764-433: The occupation of their kingdom until the two allied forces were destroyed in 663. The Silla kingdom had formed a military alliance with the Tang empire under Emperor Gaozong's reign. When Goguryeo and Baekje attacked Silla from the north and west respectively, Queen Seondeok of Silla sent an emissary to the Tang empire to request military assistance. In 650, Emperor Gaozong received a poem, written by Queen Seondeok, from
1813-534: The princely emissary Kim Chunchu (who would later accede the Silla throne as King Muyeol). Baekje had allied with Yamato Wa in 653. Even though Baekje was allied with Goguryeo, the Han River valley separated the two states and was a hindrance in coming to each other's aid in time of war. King Muyeol assumed the Silla throne in 654. Between 655 and 659, the border of Silla was harassed by Baekje and Goguryeo; Silla therefore requested assistance from Tang. In 660,
1862-538: The remnants of Baekje army succumbed to the numerically superior armies of the Tang dynasty and Silla. The war marked the end of the Three Kingdoms of Korea period which had lasted since 57 BC. It also triggered the Silla–Tang War during which the Silla Kingdom and the Tang Empire fought over the spoils they had gained. Silla had made numerous requests to the Tang court for military assistance against
1911-406: The resistance. In 662, they sent an expedition to assist General Gwisil Boksin . A year later, 27,000 Yamato troops were sent as reinforcements. The Tang fleet, comprising 170 ships, advanced towards Chuyu and encircled the city at Baekgang River. In 663 at the battle of Baekgang , the Baekje resistance and Yamato forces were annihilated by the Tang and Silla forces. As the Yamato fleet engaged
1960-466: The scene of a major siege and battle between the Goguryeo and Tang dynasty China in 645 CE. The Goguryeo controlled an area that covered the north part of the Korean Peninsula, most of Liaoyang and Jilin province in modern China and part of what is now Primorsky Krai in Russia. They neighboured Silla to the south and China to the west. In 643 CE , the Goguryeo attacked Silla who then appealed to
2009-400: The siege of Ansi to advance deeper into Goguryeo, but Ansi was deemed to pose too great of a threat to abandon during the expedition. Eventually, the Tang staked everything on the construction of a huge mound, but it was captured and successfully held by the defenders despite three days of frantic assaults by Tang troops. Facing worsened conditions for the Tang army due to cold weather (winter
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2058-576: The spring of 668. Tang and Silla forces besieged and conquered Pyongyang on 22 October and the Tang annexed Goguryeo. Over 200,000 prisoners were taken by the Tang forces and sent to Chang'an . In 669, the Tang government established the Protectorate General to Pacify the East to control the former territories of Goguryeo . A subordinate office was placed in Baekje . By the end of the war,
2107-462: Was a Goguryeo fortified city in present-day Liaoning province, China . The city was founded in early 4th century after Goguryeo conquered the area, and received its name from a Han dynasty prefecture of the same name. The ruins of the city are identified with a site at Yingchengzi ( 营城子 ), 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi) to the southeast of Haicheng . Ansi was a major city of the Goguryeo and
2156-412: Was ailing, so Empress Wu took a pacifist policy, and the Tang Empire was diverting resources towards other priorities. This situation favored Silla, because soon Silla would have to forcibly resist the imposition of Chinese rule over the entire peninsula. War was imminent between Silla and Tang. Baekje%E2%80%93Tang War The Baekje–Tang War was fought between Baekje and the allied forces of
2205-460: Was allied with Goguryeo, the Han River valley separated the two states and was a hindrance in coming to each other's aid in time of war. King Muyeol assumed the Silla throne in 654. Between 655 and 659, the border of Silla was harassed by Baekje and Goguryeo; Silla therefore requested assistance from Tang. In 658, Emperor Gaozong sent an army to attack Goguryeo but was unable to overcome Goguryeo's stalwart defenses. King Muyeol suggested to Tang that
2254-509: Was approaching) and diminishing provisions, Emperor Taizong was compelled to order a withdrawal from Goguryeo on October 13. He left behind an extravagant gift for the commander of Ansi Fortress. Tang Taizong's retreat was difficult and many of his soldiers died. Taizong himself tended to the injuries of the Göktürk generals Qibi Heli and Ashina Simo , who were both wounded during the campaign against Goguryeo. Under Emperor Gaozong 's reign,
2303-432: Was conferred the cap of shiki given the younger sister of Komoshi Oho no Omi to wed. Emperor Tenji of Japan sent Ajimasa Sawi no Muraji of Lower Daisen Rank, and Takutsu Hada no Miyakko, in command of four thousand men to escort Prince Buyeo Pung back to his country where General Gwisil Boksin met and entrusted the governance of the land to the prince. The Tang fleet, comprising 170 ships, advanced towards Chuyu and encircled
2352-464: Was said that the Ansi defenders, upon seeing the banner of the Tang emperor, began to yell insults from the walls. Emperor Taizong was insulted, and Li Shiji received permission to slaughter the city's male inhabitants when it fell—which led to the Ansi defenders fighting even harder. Li Shiji was unable to capture the city for some time. Go Yeonsu and Go Hyezin, who had by now accepted Tang titles, suggested: Since we, your slaves, have now submitted to
2401-405: Was weakened by the succession struggle among his sons and younger brother. His eldest son (and successor) defected to Tang and his younger brother defected to Silla. The violent dissension resulting from Yeon Gaesomun's death proved to be the primary reason for the Tang–Silla triumph, thanks to the division, defections, and widespread demoralization it caused. Yeon Gaesomun's death paved the way for
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