"Tang Taizong in Korea: The Siege of Ansi" Topic

"In the lengthy history of Sino-Korean relations, only two Chinese emperors ever set foot on Korean territory: Sui Yangdi 隋煬帝 (r. 604–17) in the campaign against Koguryŏ (Chin. Gaogouli 高句麗) in 611, and Tang Taizong 唐太宗 (r. 626–49) in a similar effort to subdue the kingdom in 645. No other emperor would, in person, travel to Koguryŏ or one of the successor states Koryŏ 高麗 (918–1392) or Chosŏn 朝鮮 (1392–1910).[1] Yet East Asian historiographical tradition presents these two emperors in quite different ways. Sui Yangdi was cast as the stereotypical bad last ruler of a dynasty; his relentless efforts to conquer Koguryŏ were considered part of the cause of the dynasty's downfall.[2] Tang Taizong had a markedly different reception. He served across East Asia as a model for a great ruler in a multiethnic empire. His Zhenguan 貞觀 reign was synonymous with a long period of peace and stability across Tang China. Rulers and their chosen successors in many East Asian countries studied the Zhenguan zhengyao 貞觀政要, compiled by Wu Jing 吳競 (670–749) in the early years of the eighth century. The book was translated into Khitan, Jurchen, Mongolian and Manchu, and was read in Korea and Japan.[3] Emperor Chongzong 崇宗 (r. 1086–1139) of the Tangut Xia 夏 kingdom in northwestern China tried to recapture some of the glory of Tang Taizong's reign when he proclaimed his own Zhenguan era (1101–03).[4] Difan 帝範, Taizong's advice to his son and heir apparent, was read on the Korean peninsula from the late Koryŏ period onwards, and the Japanese emperors-to-be were given lectures on the text.[5] The study and translations of these texts confirmed Taizong's place in the East Asian world as an exceptional ruler.

Yet Taizong's personal involvement in the campaign against Koguryŏ invites the question if and how that action influenced the image of this emperor in Koryŏ and Chosŏn, and how this may differ from the general consensus across East Asia. Mixed with the conventional praise for this ruler's reign, between the habitual cautions that Taizong's behaviour in his final years did not live up to the high standard of the early years, Koryŏ and Chosŏn literati emphasised the 645 campaign against Koguryŏ in their own way. In their writings, ranging from editorial comments in histories to poetry, they focus strongly on the siege of Ansi 安市 (Chin. Anshi), where the Koguryŏ commander of the fortress successfully withstood a four-month long siege by the imperial army. In this way, Tang Taizong was directly connected to Korea's own history, through Taizong's personal acknowledgement, and the historians' repeated reminders, that the commander of a single fortress in a small kingdom had bested him…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Interesting stuff – thanks!

Together the Sui and the Tang Dynasty's have an interesting history I think.

Happy you like it my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand