First campaign in the Goguryeo–Tang War
| First campaign in the Goguryeo–Tang War | |||||||
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| Part of the Goguryeo–Tang War | |||||||
 Map of the first campaign of the Goguryeo–Tang War in 645. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Tang Dynasty |
Goguryeo Mohe |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Emperor Taizong Li Shiji Li Daozong Zhangsun Wuji Zhang Liang Qibi Heli Ashina Simo |
Yeon Gaesomun Yang Manchun Go Jeong-ui Go Yeonsu (POW) Go Hyezin (POW) |
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Goguryeo victory
The first campaign in the Goguryeo–Tang War started when Emperor Taizong (r. 626-649) of the Tang dynasty led a military campaign against Goguryeo in 645 to protect his ally Silla, and punish Generalissimo Yeon Gaesomun for killing King Yeongnyu. The Tang forces were commanded by Emperor Taizong himself, and generals Li Shiji, Li Daozong, and Zhangsun Wuji.
In 645, after capturing multiple Goguryeo fortresses and defeating large armies in his path, Emperor Taizong appeared poised to march on the capital Pyongyang and conquer Goguryeo, but could not overcome the strong defenses at Anshi Fortress, commanded by Yang Manchun, and withdrew after more than 60 days of battle and unsuccessful siege.
King Yeongnyu planned to execute Yeon Gaesomun, one of the great nobles of Goguryeo, because he considered him a threat. However, Yeon Gaesomun received news of the plot and killed the king along with opposing officials. From that point, Yeon Gaesomun held de facto control of Goguryeo through his puppet King Bojang.
In 642, King Uija of Baekje attacked Silla and captured around 40 strongpoints. In 643, Silla's Queen Seondeok requested aid from Tang because her state was under attack by the Goguryeo–Baekje alliance. Emperor Taizong sent the official Xiangli Xuanjiang (相里玄獎) to demand Goguryeo and Baekje cease their attacks on Silla, but Yeon Gaesomun refused.
Emperor Taizong had a personal ambition to defeat Goguryeo and was determined to succeed where Emperor Yang had failed.
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