At the beginning of the founding of Goguryeo, the country's name was Zubeng Buyeo. During Wang Mang's new dynasty, Zubeng Buyeo occupied Goguryeo County, Xuantu County, and was renamed "Goguryeo". After the establishment of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Goguryeo continued to annex surrounding border governments and gradually became stronger. In the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, long-term wars in the Central Plains allowed Goguryeo to develop further. When Gao'an, the good king of Goguryeo, came to power, the momentum of outward expansion became more and more powerful. In addition to conquering Baekje in the south and conquering Khitan and Fufu in the north, they also occupied He defeated Xuantu and Lelang, and incorporated the land east of the Liao River into the territory of Goguryeo. The territory of Goguryeo expanded unprecedentedly.
It can be said that more than 90% of the land of Goguryeo belongs to the Central Plains. They have always had a mentality of bullying the real master of the Central Plains. They not only want to take everything of the master as their own, but also fear it. Heart. After the strong rise of the Sui Dynasty, their slave-like uneasiness increased day by day. Although Yang Jian's expedition to Goguryeo did not pay off, Goguryeo also saw the strong attitude of the Sui Dynasty. Especially after Yang Ji regained the northern part of the Liaodong Plain, they could not Avoid falling into panic.
Goguryeo knew that even the arrogant Turkic Khanate had been defeated. They were no match for the Sui Dynasty. If the Sui Dynasty launched a forceful attack, Goguryeo, which had lost the northern part of the Liaodong Plain, would definitely lose.
In order to protect themselves, they did not hesitate to send Ulji Mundeok as envoy to the Eastern Turks, hoping that the Turks could form an offensive and defensive alliance with them. As long as the Turks could contain the Sui army, it would not matter if they surrendered. However, unexpectedly, Ulji Mundeok was killed by the "Northern Traitor" Betrayed and died at the hands of the Sui army.
Just when Goguryeo was extremely frightened, Yang Ji, who was ill-prepared, suddenly withdrew his troops. Immediately afterwards, the Sui Dynasty sent envoys to make peace with them. Since then, peace between the two countries has been restored again.
Not long after, something went wrong in the Sui Dynasty. According to the military information sent by Xi Zuo, Yang Ji had returned to Liangzhou to fight against the powerful Western country Tuyuhun. However, the emperor was very suspicious of him, so he just asked the Liangzhou army to fight. Tuyuhun, Yang Ji's chances of winning were not great at all. Once he failed, the Sui Dynasty would definitely send heavy troops to retaliate against Tuyuhun; and during Yang Ji's period, the Sui Dynasty's military reforms caused the army to rebel.
When the news came, the whole country of Goguryeo rejoiced. They felt that they could do it again. They clamored to regain Mozhou and capture Liaodong, Yanjun, Liucheng, Peiping, and Anle... Some people even suggested forming an alliance with the Tuyuhun, Dong/Tujue, and Sui armies. , together they ruined the Yang family dynasty.
Amid the overwhelming demands and suggestions, high-level officials such as Gao Yuan and Yuan Ziyou gave full play to the adventurous spirit of small countries. They not only gathered troops and supplies to Liaodong, but also learned from Yang Ji's method of using Sumo Mohe to seize the Liaodong Plain. , sent a large number of troops to invade Mozhou with great arrogance in the name of "thieves and bandits".
The defensive stance adopted by the Sui Dynasty during this period further fueled Goguryeo's ambition and self-confidence. It was under this general trend that Gao Yuan proposed Yang Guang's proposal to form an alliance with Liaodong. However, he did mention it, but his mentality was like that of a domestic slave who has become a king. He felt uneasy and uneasy, but also wanted to show off his muscles in front of his old master. He hoped that his old master would recognize his strength, and also wanted to see him. An angry look.
It is precisely because the entire country has this kind of mentality called self-confidence and self-esteem, but actually inferiority, that the current actions of hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the border are possible.
However, unexpectedly, they could not wait for Yang Guang. Yang Ji, the murderer, came with his troops again. This time, Yang Ji's troops had more generals. Moreover, after defeating Tuyuhun, his reputation, record, and combat experience were even better than before. .
Ever since, Goguryeo felt that he was in trouble again and began to panic again.
Their mentality is actually the same as that of later generations. When faced with the glorious civilization of the Central Plains dynasty, they were both envious and inferior. What was born from this was to take everything in the Central Plains as their own to make up for it. Their humble pride. The difference is that the object Goguryeo faced was the Huanghuang Sui Dynasty, who would attack if they refused and take possession after they finished. But then again, although Goguryeo's mentality is good and bad, Goguryeo's military strength is not only not bad, but also quite powerful.
The Goguryeo army was originally composed of five Goguryeo people. With the expansion of the territory, Xianbei, Mahan, Huqi, Mohe, Fuyu, and Han soldiers also appeared in the army. Up to now, its army is mainly composed of Goguryeo and Mohe people. , Fuyu people and Huhua Han people. In terms of weapons and equipment, the assault cavalry, equipped with both men and horses, was the main force of the Goguryeo army. This type of heavy cavalry is clad with tall iron collars to protect their necks and cheeks. They fight through charges and hand-to-hand combat. Thanks to the rich iron ore resources in Goguryeo, the number of heavy cavalry in Goguryeo was comparable to that of the Sui Dynasty.
In addition, heavy infantry is also one of the important arms of Goguryeo. The most common ones are soldiers wearing douchi and armor, holding spears and square shields; followed by soldiers who wear crowns on their heads, wear armor and carry heavy swords and shields on their shoulders.
Their weapons and equipment are also very complete and diverse. Long weapons include iron spears, iron long knives, and iron mo knives. Short weapons include iron knives, ring-hand knives, triangular iron spurs, three-hook weapons, and so on. [For details, see "History of Goguryeo in China" and "Study on Goguryeo Army and War"]
Faced with such complete and sufficient weapons and equipment and hundreds of thousands of well-trained soldiers in Goguryeo, how dare the Sui Dynasty not pay attention to it? Dare you not regard this as a personal problem?
However, what is ridiculous is that Gao Yuankong had such a powerful army, but he did not have the strong mentality that a king of a great country should have; at the same time, he neither realized that Sui Dynasty was also afraid of him, nor that " "Great Power" is himself. The so-called moral mismatch may be the case.
In the evening, in the magnificent palace of Liaodong City, Gao Yuan, dressed in a luxurious royal robe, sat on the throne and sulked.
Who would have thought that his act of showing off his troops would actually lead to such a sharp counterattack by the Sui Dynasty. This was just the Eastern Route Army led by Yang Ji. If the Sui Emperor personally led the army, what kind of heroic army would they be facing? What kind of difficult battle will we face in the future?
Gao Yuan took a sip of tea and felt depressed and angry.
He felt a little regretful at this moment. He should have adopted Yuan Ziyou's advice from the beginning - Yuan Ziyou advised him not to regard Yu Wenshu and Li Zixiong's defensive stance as weakness. Once the Sui army calmed down, they would definitely retaliate in kind. Pay back; if not done well, even the Dong/Tujue, Nanshiwei, Beishiwei, and Ping tribes who had professed vassalage to the Sui Dynasty would also join the war. When the Khitan was conquered, didn't the Dong/Tujue also join the war? Therefore, everything should be done in moderation and should be stopped as soon as possible, leaving Goguryeo room for peace talks.
Of course, this is just a thought and cannot be taken seriously. Just because retaking the northern part of the Liaodong Plain is the common aspiration of Goguryeo, it is also the interests of the southern faction and the ambition to march into the north. If he had just stopped and stopped when he was ready, wouldn't the Southern faction be greatly disappointed? Under the teasing and ridicule of the northern faction, their loyalty will be greatly reduced.
This situation is not unfounded, but it is actually possible. Why? First of all, after the death of Eulji Mundeok of the Southern faction, most people in the Southern faction believed that it was Yuon's fault. With Tan Yun's testimony, Go Won himself was convinced, but when the Southern faction asked him to investigate the matter thoroughly, Out of consideration for the delicate relationship between the North and the South, he forcibly suppressed the matter, which made the Southerners very disappointed with his "weakness." Secondly, Yuan Ziyou and Yuan Zicheng have great contributions, high prestige and good reputation, and have extraordinary influence between the government and the public.
If they disappoint the southern faction again this time, they will most likely seek refuge with Yuan Ziyou under the influence of the Yuan clan, because there is no hope for them here.
The sound of rapid footsteps interrupted the brief silence, but Yuan Ziyou hurriedly walked in from the door, bowed his hands to Gao Yuan and said, "Old minister Yuan Ziyou, please see your Majesty!"
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The Khitan, Xi tribe, Lin tribe, and Goguryeo in the northeast were deeply influenced by the Central Plains dynasty. Their nobles were proud of speaking Chinese, writing Chinese characters, and knowing Chinese rituals. People such as Yuan Ziyou and Gao Yuan paid great attention to the civilization, culture, and etiquette of the Central Plains. Very familiar, and since Goguryeo did not have its own written language, they all used Chinese to record events. Since everyone is proud to know Han civilization, when communicating with each other, the nobles all speak Chinese and practice Han etiquette.
"I'm sorry, please sit down!" Looking at Yuan Ziyou, who had grown white hair due to state affairs, Gao Yuan couldn't help but feel sad in his heart: When he inherited the throne of the king, Goguryeo was in a precarious state, and there was always the disaster of a weak wall. , the danger of civil strife, it was the reuse of the Yuan brothers that stabilized the rule, making Goguryeo as prosperous as it is today, but he never dared to completely trust Yuan Ziyou.
Because this person is too powerful and too shrewd! In particular, Yuanziyou has always taken the well-being of the people of Goguryeo and the army as his own responsibility, and has long been committed to improving people's livelihood, strengthening education, and improving the welfare of soldiers. His reputation in the military and among the people far exceeds his own, and in most places in the north, The people only know Da Dui Lu, but they don't know the king.
Although Yuan Ziyou's actions benefited the country and the people, they sacrificed the Gao family's reputation and cut off his roots!
The so-called "benefit for the army and people of Goguryeo" as mentioned by Yuan Ziyou was nothing more than a roundabout strategy in Gao Yuan's view.
His invitation is real and his loyalty is fake.
When the people of Goguryeo become rich because of Yuanziyou's strategy, Yuanziyou's prestige will rise. When all Goguryeo soldiers and civilians support him, he will lose the support and popularity of the people. At that time, what will he use to govern the world and stabilize the throne? What can we do to unify the peninsula and seize control of the Central Plains?
Let’s not talk about the vision and the outside, but what about the inside? Once the Gao family is completely "emptied out" in the military and among the people, a change of dynasty will definitely take place, and the Yuan family made the change very easily!
But at this moment, no matter how dissatisfied or unhappy Gao Yuan is, he still has to endure it; the top priority must be to work together to resolve the crisis, rather than fighting within.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yuanzi paraded and took his seat. Without waiting for Gao Yuan's inquiry, he said: "Your Majesty, the scouts ahead just sent news that many Sui troops sailed into the Liao River on ships. After the ships anchored, the Sui troops Soldiers and fishermen were driving piles, and judging from each other's postures, they were obviously preparing for the erection of a pontoon bridge."
"So fast?" Gao Yuan frowned and said, "It has only been half a time since the main force of the Sui army arrived at Huaiyuan Town in Yan County; and according to their previous intelligence and Gao Jianwu's news from Zhuo County, the Sui army The required food supplies are all mobilized from other states and counties, and most of them are still on their way north. Even if some of them arrive, it won't be enough to fight a big war!"
Yuan Ziyou glanced at him and said, "Unless Li Zixiong and Yu Wenshu are well prepared, the so-called lack of food is just paralyzing us."
"Well!" Gao Yuan asked again: "What's going on with the Sui army led by Yu Wenshu, Xi Dajing, and Tu Diji?"
"The Sui army in the north retreated to Nanfuyucheng and Duofayue. The main force was concentrated in the Chengzishan camp between the two cities and protruding to the south. The three were at the horns of each other. However, there were many more scouts than before!" Yuan Ziyou said slowly: "Your Majesty, this is a sign before the war is coming. You must be on guard against it!"
Gao Yuan pondered for a long time and then ordered: "Closely monitor the movements of the Sui army. If there is any trouble, report it immediately! At the same time, all cities are strictly ordered to strengthen their vigilance. In addition, withdraw the 'troops' scattered everywhere."
"Here!" Yuan Ziyou quickly nodded in agreement.
"Dad Duilu, where are our second batch of soldiers now?" Gao Yuan asked in a deep voice.
"Yuan Zicheng has led an army of 70,000 people through Taihang City. Now they have entered Qianshan Road. They should be able to arrive within half a month." Yuan Ziyou bowed and said.
Gao Yuan nodded and stopped talking!
"Your Majesty, the heavy rain season in Liaodong has arrived." Yuan Ziyou raised his head and looked at the sky outside, and suddenly said this.
"Huh? What do you mean by Da Dui Lu's words?" Gao Yuan glanced at Yuan Ziyou in confusion.
Yuan Ziyou smiled and said: "I just want to remind the king that if the Liao River surges, the danger of Liao Ze will no longer exist."
The Liao River comes from the north. When it reaches Liaodong County in the Sui Dynasty, it suddenly turns eastward, forming a large swamp called Liaoze on the west bank of the Liaodong Plain that is inaccessible to humans and animals; the water of Liaoze and the river north of Xincheng After the Xiaoliao River merges, it flows into the Liao River in the southwest.
The Goguryeo people retreated from Liaoze, where the pungent and putrid stench rushed straight into their mouths and noses, and they were sure to die if they fell into it. Therefore, the Goguryeo army regarded the large swamp as a natural danger, and there were almost no defenders. However, during heavy rainstorms every year, two to three thousand stone ships can pass. If the Sui army took a boat to go south during this time, it might go directly to the new city area.
"Oh!" Gao Yuan glared at Yuan You coldly, and just said it directly. Speaking in such a roundabout way made him look "mentally retarded".
After being silent for a long time, he thought about the reason why he called Yuan Ziyou here, so he asked: "Dad Duilu, do you think this battle must be fought?"
"Your Majesty, we have reached the point where we must fight." Seeing that he still had illusions about peace talks, Yuan Ziyou couldn't help but sighed secretly, thinking that he had known this, so why did he do it in the first place?
In fact, the Sui Dynasty did not want to fight this war, and whether it was Yang Ji who occupied the northern part of the Liaodong Plain or Pei Ju who was in charge of the negotiations, they all used Sumo Mohe as a gimmick to do things; from this point of view , the Sui Dynasty was simply not ready for a full-scale war with Goguryeo; judging from other clues and strategic deployments, the Sui Dynasty's primary enemy was still the Eastern Turks, which had a border of thousands of miles with the Sui Dynasty.
If Gao Yuan had listened to his advice and accepted the bitter consequences, An An would have given in. The war between the two countries will never come so quickly or so early.
Even if a war does break out in the future, it will only be after the decisive battle between Sui and Tu. By then, Goguryeo will have plenty of opportunities to create opportunities. Even if there is no chance, the Sui they will face in the future will definitely not be as strong as now. However, Gao Yuan just didn't listen.
Yuan Ziyou knew that Gao Yuan was ostensibly trying to regain lost territory, but in fact he was bringing the southern system into the north so that his royal power could be consolidated. This method is actually the same as the original invasion of Liaoxi.
Now the Sui Dynasty and the Sui army were provoked, but when the matter came to a close, Gao Yuanfei gave up again, and even blamed him for taking the lead in the battle. In fact, it is like "taking the crown from a monkey" and "not looking like a human king"!
To be honest, he now felt that it was not a good opportunity to launch a full-scale war. However, the problem was that the Sui army had made it clear that they wanted to fight a big war. How could he not take the lead? Could it be that the Sui army was just allowed to come in?
