The Sui Dynasty, causing the greatest war in East Asian history The Sui Dynasty calmed the chaos of the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China and unified the divided Chinese continent after 300 years. By subjugating neighboring countries including the Khitans, it displayed its power as the greatest power in Asia at the time. However, Goguryeo boldly rejected the international order centered around the Sui Dynasty. In response, the Sui Dynasty mobilized 1.13 million troops through thorough preparations and advanced toward Goguryeo in 612. At that time, the battle scale of the ancient West was at most 50,000 to 100,000 troops. The 1 million Sui troops were a military mobilization unprecedented until the 20th century, except for World War I and II. The Battle of Salsu, deciding the fate of the war The Sui Dynasty tried to end the battle quickly using its overwhelming power. However, after defeats at Liaodong Castle, Pyongyang Castle, and Salsu Castle, the 1 million troops withdrew in humiliation. In particular, in the Salsu battle where up to 300,000 separate troops were deployed, only 2,700 sailors survived. This battle is the Salsu Battle by Eulji Mundeok, which is highly praised as the best in the Samguk Sagi. The Salsu Battle is known to have involved building a dam on the Cheongcheon River and then blowing up the dam when the navy crossed the river. Was this tactic actually possible? Goguryeo's Victory Strategy 1 - Cheongya Ipbo Goguryeo, which grew while opposing the powerful Chinese army, developed its own unique strategy. This is the Cheongya Ipbo tactic. Cheongya means 'to empty the fields' and 'ipbo' means 'to firmly defend the castle and resist'. It is a defensive tactic where, when the enemy attacks, they burn down every single grain of rice in their living quarters and enter the castle to block the enemy's local supply. In Western terms, this is similar to the strategy the Russian army used against Napoleon's expeditionary forces. The Russian army lured Napoleon's army deep into Russia, then cut off the supply line and struck the rear of Napoleon's army as they withdrew, causing great damage. Eulji Mundeok also lured the Sui army deep into Goguryeo territory, cut off the supply route, and defeated them with a final blow at Salsu. Goguryeo's Victory Strategy 2 - The Strongest Heavy Cavalry and Bows What kind of weapons did the Goguryeo army use to completely defeat the Sui army, the strongest in the ancient world? In Goguryeo tomb murals, you can see many Goguryeo warriors and horses heavily armed with iron armor. Recently, a set of armor for a warrior and horse appearing in a Goguryeo mural was excavated in the Soksam District of Gyeongju. This is the first time that a complete set of iron armor has been excavated in East Asia. After confirming the existence of Goguryeo iron armor through the discovery of the Soksam District iron armor, the production team restored the Goguryeo iron armor and bow to their original form and tested their power. Many arrowheads have also been discovered in Goguryeo ruins. These arrowheads were so powerful that they were comparable in strength to today's special steel. Such powerful weapons would have been made based on Goguryeo's excellent ironmaking technology. New History Special Episode 18 - War of the Century Part 1, Eulji Mundeok's Battle of Salsu (broadcast on November 14, 2009) http://history.kbs.co.kr/