The historical background to help understand Ep. 19
The conquest of the Liaodong peninsula (1388)
Around the same time as the king’s marriage, Ming China demanded the return of Goryeo‘s Northern territory. It was the land that the former king had ordered General Choi Young to retrieve from pro-Mongol forces in 1356. Yi Seong-Gye and his father helped Choi Young’s armies to win the fortress by opening its gate secretly. (ep. 1)
It had been a national project for Goryeo to retrieve the lost territory of ancient Goguryeo kingdom, following the teachings left by the founding father of Goryeo Dynasty, Wang Geon. Therefore, the diplomatic ties between Goryeo and Ming China got worse significantly.
In April 1388, King U and General Choi Young drafted soldiers in the name of a hunt in Haeju. However, during the hunt, they ordered General Yi Seong-Gye to carry out a preemptive strike against the Ming Chinese base in the Liaodong peninsula.
Yi Seong-Gye was shocked and suggested 4 reasons why they should not go to war.
- A smaller nation should not attack a larger nation,
- It is harsh to campaign during summer farming season, as it will result in poor harvest for the populace
- With the bulk of men away in the north, Japanese pirates will have free rein in the South
- Monsoon rain will reduce the effectiveness of the composite bows, our main weapon, and will encourage the spread of infectious diseases in the camp.
But his opinion was dismissed by Choi Young.
Under the command of Choi Young, Yi Seong-Gye and Jo Min-Soo were supposed to move troops toward the Liaodong peninsula. However, King U pleaded with Choi Young not to leave him. So, the old general decided to stay with the king and sent the two generals to the conquest, which became the biggest mistake in his glorious military career.
In April, when the Goryeo troops reached Wihwa isalnd (위화도, 威化島), the northern border island on the Yalu river between Goryeo and Ming China, the decisive moment to change the Korean history forever had come. General Yi Seong-Gye finally decided to return to the capital : The military withdrawal at Wihwa island (위화도회군, 威化島回軍) in May 1388 of the lunar calendar.
It is still a popular conversation topic among modern Koreans. Which side was right? If Yi Seong-Gye had carried out the conquest as Choi Young’s order, what would have happened to the East Asian history? Although the Mongols moved from the Chinese mainland to the northern region, they would have had enough power to overthrow the newly founded Ming China if Goryeo had helped them by their side.
For that reason, some nationalist historians aggressively hate Yi Seong-Gye and call him a traitor to make Korea a weak country. Meanwhile, other historians side with him and blame Choi Young for his reckless conquest plan.
Post time 8-12-2015 10:31 AM
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