History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 590: The Most Powerful Country in the Universe - Goryeo

Yao Yuanfu reminded Feng Hui that the barbarians knew that we had been cut off from food and water, and had traveled thousands of miles, with old soldiers exhausted. He pretended to reconcile but was actually stalling for time. When it was night, he would launch a surprise attack on us and annihilate us in one fell swoop.

Feng Hui also saw through Tuoba Yanchao's trick, but they occupied a strategic location that was easy to defend but difficult to attack. What should we do?
Yao Yuanfu analyzed: "Although the barbarians have many people, they lack elite troops, and they are all lined up against the mountains, just wanting to delay time, and are not ready for battle. Moreover, their infantry in front of the formation has no killing power against cavalry. I am going to lead the cavalry to attack their positions. If I win, I will raise the yellow flag to signal, and then you can lead the whole army to charge, and we can capture them in one battle!"

Feng Hui agreed. As expected, Tuoba Yanchao was defeated and fled in disgrace.

Feng Hui and Yao Yuanfu successfully entered Lingzhou.

As a result, peace and stability were restored in the Northwest.

The threats from the southwest and northwest were dealt with promptly and properly, and did not escalate further, which also contributed to Shi Chonggui's arrogance.

The Later Jin Dynasty had been exhausted by years of natural disasters and two large-scale wars against the Liao Dynasty. In fact, it was on the brink of collapse and was urgently seeking a way to break the deadlock and reach a peace agreement with the Khitan while maintaining national sovereignty.

With a God's perspective, we can easily give a reasonable answer: to instigate internal struggles within the Khitan, to help Empress Dowager Shulü gain the initiative, and to suppress Yelu Deguang who advocated "anti-Jin".

However, Shi Chonggui suddenly had an idea: he wanted to open up a second battlefield to force peace. In his view, the Later Jin Dynasty had two consecutive victories and was on the verge of collapse, so how could the Khitan, who had lost two consecutive games, feel comfortable? Yelu Deguang would inevitably face huge domestic political pressure, so as long as the Later Jin Dynasty continued to add fuel to the fire, the Khitan political situation would inevitably experience a major earthquake.

In theory, it seems to be fine, but...how do we implement it?
Shi Chonggui smiled wickedly and showed everyone his secret weapon - Goryeo.

This is a magical country built by a magical nation on a magical land.

In the fourth year of Zhenming of the Later Liang Dynasty (918), Wang Jian, the founder of the Former Shu Dynasty and the "Thief King", died in southwestern China; in the same year, in northeastern China, another man named Wang Jian was supported by his subordinates to replace the King of Silla and changed the country's name to "Goryeo".

To give a brief introduction, this "Goryeo" regime is also called "Wang's Goryeo" and has nothing to do with the historical "Goguryeo".

The "Goguryeo" regime appeared in China's Western Han Dynasty (around 37 BC) and was destroyed by the Tang army during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (668). The main part of the Goguryeo regime was incorporated into the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

More than two hundred years later, Wang Jian, like the warlords in the late Tang Dynasty, was supported by his subordinates to seize power, proclaimed himself king, and changed the country's name to "Goryeo", riding on the popularity of "Goguryeo". Just like in the Central Plains, any warlord with the surname Li who engaged in separatism or established a country would inevitably change the country's name to "Tang", and those with the surname Liu would change the country's name to "Han".

Therefore, the relationship between "Korea" and "Goguryeo" is like the relationship between the Han Dynasty (Liu Bang) and the Later Han Dynasty (Liu Zhiyuan), and the Tang Dynasty (Li Yuan) and the Later Tang Dynasty (Li Cunxu). Wang Jian, the founding king of Goryeo, was also wise and brave. He usurped power in 918, annexed Silla in 935, and destroyed Baekje in 936, unifying the central and southern parts of today's Korean Peninsula. Although this tiny area is only half a province in China, and there is only one Youzhou Lulong Army, but on this magical land, the move of Taizu Wang Jian to unify half of the peninsula is already a great achievement that shook the world. He is simply the Qin Emperor and Han Wu, the highest quality male in the universe.

According to historical records, "King Jian of Goryeo used his army to defeat Silla and Baekje, and then all the eastern barbarian countries annexed him, with two capitals, six prefectures, nine military governorates, and 120 counties."

In 936 AD, King Jian of Goryeo conquered the Korean Peninsula. In the same year, a major event also took place in China: Shi Jingtang founded a country and proclaimed himself emperor.

Wang Jian of Goryeo sent someone to secretly tell Shi Jingtang that he was a relative of the King of Bohai. The Khitans destroyed the Bohai Kingdom and the king was captured. I am willing to unite with the Later Jin Dynasty to attack the Khitan from the north and south to restore the Bohai Kingdom and avenge my relatives!
During the period of Shi Jingtang, under the pressure of the actual situation, he pursued a "pro-Liao policy" and did not have enough strength to challenge the status of Khitan overlord. As for the proposal of Goryeo Wang Jian, Shi Jingtang simply ignored it and did not make any response.

Now, the ambitious Shi Chonggui thought of this dusty past.

The Khitan had been ready to attack the Central Plains since the time of Yelü Abaoji. The reason they maintained rational restraint throughout the Later Liang and Later Tang periods was largely because they were hindered by the Bohai Kingdom and worried about a fire in their backyard. The reason they dared to invade the Central Plains in the late Later Tang period was because they annexed the Bohai Kingdom and solved their worries.

If Wang Jian of Goryeo could send troops to the Korean Peninsula, cross the Yalu River with high morale and confidence, it would certainly tie up the Khitan's energy.

Coincidentally, King Jian of Goryeo died, and his son Wang Wu took charge of state affairs and sent envoys to express condolences to the Later Jin Dynasty.

Shi Chonggui was full of confidence and immediately sent senior official Guo Renyu to visit Goryeo. Ostensibly, the visit was to attend Wang Jian's funeral and to enthrone Wang Wu as the King of Goryeo. In reality, the visit was to take the opportunity to discuss with Wang Wu the military action of the two countries to attack Khitan.

According to the previous description of Wang Jian of Goryeo, the Goryeo people were strong in military and prosperous in economy, and the whole country was filled with hatred towards the Khitans. As long as the Celestial Empire nodded, they would immediately deal a heavy blow to the Khitans, and at least restore the Bohai Kingdom. As for whether the Khitans could be eliminated in one fell swoop, it depended on whether the Celestial Empire had enough mercy and kindness.

Guo Renyu came to Goryeo with great expectations and was warmly received by Wang Wu. After a comprehensive inspection of Goryeo's strengths and weaknesses, Guo Renyu brought Shi Chonggui a detailed investigation and evaluation report, which can be summarized in two words: What a fucking bullshit!
First of all, the Goryeo Kingdom was not at all like what Wang Jian had boasted before, with strong soldiers and horses, and sufficient food and grass... With their strength, let alone fighting the Khitan, the Central Plains could have sent two village chiefs to destroy their country.

The Koreans brag without thinking, they are narrow-minded and arrogant. This bad habit has lasted for more than a thousand years and has not been changed until today.

Wang Jian of Goryeo exaggerated about Shi Jingtang, of course, not just for the sake of talking nonsense. Like most barbarians, he exaggerated his own strength and loyalty to the Celestial Empire to defraud rewards. He falsely reported performance, fooled shareholders and social hot money, raised stock prices, cashed out at high prices, and cut leeks.

Secondly, Wang Wu was like a clay Buddha crossing the river, unable to protect himself. Even if he really wanted to fight against the stone with an egg, his orders would be difficult to implement.

(End of this chapter)