My hunch was right.
Bu Kiwon is the one who had General Yang Manchun killed!
He probably still thinks that
Tang will make peace with Goguryeo.
How could a high official of the state fall
for the enemy`s ploy.
Suck a fool!
(Shin Hong)
You`re the only one left now.
The civil officials hope for peace
has been utterly shattered.
Now only you can demolish Goguryeo`s old regime
and built new history on top of it.
Don`t be afraid of being called a traitor right now.
You`ve seen Tang`s duplicitousness.
(Yeon Namseng)
Goguryeo can`t last very long.
To get the country back from them,
you must thoroughly hide your true self as well.
In the end
the last one standing will be the victor.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, an urgen report from Liaodong!
An urgen report?
The Tang army in Yingzhou
has begun its march in Liaodong! (Sa Bugu)
Whatever do you mean?
Are you saying Tang has launched an invasion? (King Bojang)
Yes, Your Majesty!
Explain this, Commissinor Bu.
This has to be a mistake You Majesty.
Our emissary should be in Yingzhou right now (Bu Kiwon)
conveying our desire for friendly relations.
Are you certain this is the report? (Yeon Namgeon)
That Tang has launched an invasion?
There`s no mistake, Supreme Commander!
Your Majesty,
the warriors of Liaodong think only of wars.
This report can`t be correct.
To this day,
there has never been a false urgent report from Liaodong! (Ji Myoncheon)
Are you saing that my emissary failed to carry out my order?
That`s enough!
Send a messenger to Liaodong at once.
and confirm the report!
Yes,Your Majesty!
(Ansi Fort)
General!
-General, -What`s the Tang army`s position?
They are headed toward Shin Fort.
Not Ansi Fort,not Liaodong Fort but Shin Fort?
yes, sir.
-This is what I was afraid of -What do you mean,sir?
Shin is one of the most impenetrable forts of Liaodong region.
But Shin Fort is suffering from a vicious intenal division
between the doves and the hawks.
You mean they`re trying to exploit this internal division? (Gom Mojam)
The enemy has a first-hand knowledge of our weaknesses
because Yeon Namseng is at the spearhead of their invasion!
At one point he was the Supreme Commander of Goguryeo military.
Our general defense position.
each city`s military capacity our munition situation,
he probsbly knows everything like the back of his hands.
Blasted bastard!
If Shin Fort falls,
all the surrounding sities will fall as well.
We have to stop them!
We are in no position to rally reinforcements.
All we can do is pray that Shin Fort will hold up.
Attack!
September 667,
the Tang army initiated a frontal
attack on Liaodong defense line
and succeeded in conquering Shin Fort.
at the heart of Liaodong defenses.
After the conquering of Shin Fort.
The surrounding 16 fort quickly begin to fall.
completely bringing down the west defense line of Liaodong.
In february 668,
the chief commander of Tang army Li Jing orders Xue Rengui
to strike Buyeo Fort, a strategically important fort.
That acted as a supply base at the northern border of Goguryeo.
The fall of buyeo fort cause
some forty surrounding forts to lay down their arms
With the Liaodong defense line hopelessly breached.
Goguryeo suddenly found itself backed against the wall.
And at the heart of this invasion was the man
with wealth of information about Goguryeo Yeon Namseng.
Yeon Namseng?
The Tang advance guard that
brought down Liaodong is Yeon Namseng?
Yes, Your Majesty.
the traitor Yeon Namseng.
Unbelievable!
I knew he had surrendered to Tang,
but this?
Where`s High Commissioner Bu?
Yes, Well, He is feeling under the weather.
He assured us that he would stop this war with diplomacy.
Avoiding me will not absolve him of anything!
-He`s not trying to avoid.... -I will not hear excuses!
We`re in critical crisis.
Put your heads together
and devise a plan to stop the enemy.
You need to smarten up and see what`s really going on.
There`s no foreing power that can give us peace.
True peace can only be preserved through unity.
That`s your opinion general.
Peace can be preserved through diplomacy.
The Tang Chinese could careless about Goguryeo`s peace.
What they want is our destruction!
Don`t you realize that their proposal of peace
are ploys to bring this country down?
-High Commissioner,it`s Shin Sung -Come in.
What did you find out?
Why haven`t we heard back from the emissary
that I sent to Yingzhou?
you said your brother was in Yingzhou.
Tell me everything you know.
I don`t know how this happened either. (Shin Sung)
You don`t know?
You said Yang Manchun`s assassination plan
came from your brother`s head.
How could I tell you anything
when communication has been cut off?
All I could tell you is that changing your stance now
is tantamount to admitting your mistake.
And this is no small mistake.
The country may be on the verge of collapse.
All you can do now is
to some how forge peace with Tang or die trying.
I should continue asserting diplomacy.
when it`s come to this?
Liaodong has already crumbled.
This war can`t be won.
You know that as well as I do.
If we can`t stop them with force of arms.
you have to come foward.
Peace through diplomacy may be the only chance this country has.
You`re right.
I must stop this war if it`s the last thing I do.
(Ansi Fort)
This is because that bastard Yeon Namseng.
I should have killed him when I had the chance...
You`re the one who set him free to do this!.
Bonehead...... What an I wearing a helmet for?
Stupid bonehead!
What happened to the refugees?
We don`t have a suitable place to accomodate them.
especially with shortage of food...
If I`m right,
the Tang army will advance directly to Pyongyang.
We can`t just let them press foward.
General Go Sagae is rallying the remaining forces in Liaodong.
Once an army is assembled,
we will head to Pyongyang to give them aid.
But what abou Liaodong?
Liaodong is not the problem right now.
Pyongyang Fort will soon be in great danger.
What do you mean father?
Shilla will soon launch an all-out attack.
They should be set with the offensive formation by now.
shilla`s Great General Kim Yushin
will command the attack no doubt.
The situation has gone from bad to worse.
How will we protect this country?
(Shin Fort)
What are you talking about?
Many Forts in Liaodong including Ansi are still standing!
You want to leave them behind and move on?
They are no longer a threat to us in our advance.
General Yeon Namseng is right about that.
Besides, the Shilla army is waiting for us. (Li Jing)
we must move to Pyongyang
-and execute a collaboretive attack. -General!
What about the bitter indignation Eperor Taizong was made to suffer. (Xu Rengui)
I can`t go anywhere!
Not until Ansi Fort is redused to rubbles.
and Yang Manchun`s head is dug up from his grave
and hung for display!
Take a step back and look at the big picture.
Only infirior men get caught up in emotion.
and take their eyes off the greater goal.
What? Inferior?
General Yeon! did you just say inferior?
Settle down.
Sir, but this man just called me inferior!
-Look, general Xue -Unbelievable!
We all want to see Ansi Fort fall!
But thiss is a golden opportunuty to destroy Goguryeo.
I`m aware of that,Sir.
But when can we avenge Emperor Taizong if not now?
Like I said before.
I can`t leave like this.
Then you stay behind
and join us later after destroying Ansi.
Pardon me,Sir
I will give you a detachment army.
Can you bring Ansi Fort down?
Revenge was the only thing on my mind.
for the past twenty years.
I will wipe Ansi Fort out without a trace!
Then I shall stay behind as well.
Ansi is unlike any other fort we fought with so far.
I know Ansi like the back of my hands.
You will need me.
General, why did you do this, sir?
Do what?
An army of one million could not breach Ansi Fort.
How could you guarantee them that it will be brought down?
-Why not? You don`t think I can? -No, I don`t
Yang Manchun is dead and gone now.
Nothing`s going to stop me.
The lord of Ansi is none other than Dae Jungsang.
So? You think I`m inferior to Jungsang?
If by chance you should fail .
all your hard work will be for nothing
Why would you take that kind of chance.
-when all is going so well? -Eniugh,enough!
The Khitans are not happy about this either.
-It`s not to late,sir, please... -stop nagging me!
General,
I`m all for climbing the ladder of success.
but you can`t always choose the easy path.
This is to restore Emperor Taizong`s honor.
and comfort his soul.
There are times in life
when you must choose a difficult path.
Anyway, that Namseng certainly has come a long way.
He refuse my every word!
And why in heaven`s name does he want to come along?
What the....
Why, sir?
if we`re stuck in Ansi,
you won`t be able to play an active part in this war.
Join the main force.
I don`t want to lose Ansi Fort to Tang.
There will be nothing left of it
if Xue rengui brings it down by force.
Ansi Fort is indispensable
if I`m to drive out the Tang Chinese in the future.
Xue Rengui will not cede easily.
And the greater challeng will be ainning over the warriors of Ansi.
Can you do it?
Can you convince them to cooperate?
If they can see my sincerity,
they will give me a chance.
There`s also the time factor.
All must be done before the main army reaches Pyongyang.
Yes, I know.
I guess the end is near for Pyongyang now.
It will be so painfull to watch it crumble...
I was told there are suspicious military activities in Shilla.
Ahn Fort is even less accessible than Liaodong from here.
We can`t neglect our borders in times like these, but....
Your Majesty, the Supreme Commander seeks your audience.
See him in.
Your Majesty.
the Tang army has begun their southward advance!
They will soon croos the Yalu.
We must deploy an army at once and stop them.
Who will assume this critical task?
General Ji Myoncheon will assume the task.
General Ji?
Your Majesty. I may be an old man now,
but I have spent my entire life on the battlefield.
Grant me a final chance to serve the country.
You have my trust and confidence General Ji,
protect this country against the evil barbarians.
I will obey your royal command, Your Majesty!
Are the reinforcements coming from Liaodong?
I`m afaid not, Your Majesty.
What do you mean?
Your Majesty, the enemy commander Li Jing.
has deployed a large detachment force to Ansi.
It`s likely that a large battle is in progress
at Ansi Fort as well.
If Ansi falls.
Liaodong will fall completely.
Ansi must be protected at all cost!
This is dreafull....
How did this country come to this?
(Ansi Fort)
Keep yourself bundles up alright/
Reinforcements!
We have reinforcements from Liaodong Fort!
-Welcome general. -You have worked hard0
General Dae what`s the situation?
The enemy just retreated to their camp in Mt.Jupil.
Great work General Dae.
I can`t believe you held out this long
against their powerful attacks.
But our problem is just beginning.
We`ve deplited our food supply.
I brought reinforcements but no food supply.
who commands the enemy army?
-Xue Rengui, Sir. -Xue Rengui?
Isn`t he the man that spearheaded the battle
that took Buyeo Fort down?
There`s more shoking news.
Shocking mews?
Yeon Namseng is with him.
-Yeon Namseng? -That`s just as well.
This is our chance to kill that traitor.
But he has intimate knowlege about this fort.
I`m sure he`s figured out that
we have exhausted our food as well.
He hasn`t shown himself yet.
but Namseng will soon come foward and lead the fight.
He knows us too well.
This won`t be easy.
Ten days,ten days!
We`ve attacked themeveryday for ten straight days!
You`re Xue Renghi`s army that
swept through Liaodong region as advance guards of Tang.
How is it that you can`t win a single battle against them?
I guess the reputation isn`t unfounded.
They may be in a weakened state.
but Ansi Fort is still Ansi Fort.
I don`t think we can do this with standard tactics.
What do you mean Khan?
We Khitans know all about Ansi Fort.
And now they have reinforcements as well.
If we are not careful.
the Khitan army will suffer a huge loss.
We`re here to fight and you`re afraid to die?
Please calm down,Sir.
We have to be rational about this.
What are you suggesting
with Ansi Fort right before our eyes?
General,our goal is to render meritous service in this war
and aquire Yinzhou as reward.
We can`t waste our time here in Ansi
when the fall of Goguryeo is in our sight!
I already made my decision.
I will not go anywhere untill Ansi Fort is destroyed!
-Shin hong, -Yes General.
Why haven`t we seen your master?
If he is here to help he should be here!
General Xue is here.
-General Yeon. -What brings you?
Have you devise a plan to bring Ansi Fort down?
I was against going after Ansi from the very beginning.
It`s not too late.
Turn the troops around and join the main army.
-Hongpei, leave us for a while. -Pardon?
But sir, what would you have to hide from me?
Just do as you`re told!
I will be frank and straight foward with you
I assure you I will bring Ansi Fort down
if it`s the last thing I do.
But now that I`m here.
I`m overwhelm by the memory of my past defeat.
emperor Taizong that made me a warrior
and the cruel defeat....
I`m overwhelm with yearning and rage
that I can barely stand still!
It was about the time you were born, joyoung.
Tang Emperor Li Shimin and his army of ona million
was on Mt. Junil much like right now.
General Yang Manchun was here then.
So all I had to do was to risk death
and fight bravely.
But this time I`m more daunted by the responsibility.
of having to protect the city than the enemy itself.
Father...
I`m sure General Yang felt the same way.
But he never let his fear or pressure show.
The general said he fought for the paople.
He said it was the paople that led the bttle to victory
and that we must fight for the
I`d like to know.
How was this tiny fort able to
stop an army of one million?
it was an incredible battle.
There was not one citizen in this fort
who didn`t take part in the battle
among them was a women in her last month of pregnancy as well.
Let`s go! Hurry!
attack!
Climb the wall!Climb the wal!
Attack from the dirt hill! attack from the dirt hilll!
Keep them back!
The hill will soon crumble!
Don`t give up!
Get them of the wall!
Now! Release the water! Open the channel!
It`s happening!
The hill is crumbling!
The Tang army is going down!
Oh!, No!
-Retreat! -Retreat!
Tens of thousands of Tang soldiers
were buried alive under the dirt hill.
It was like being in living hell.
I can still hear my men screaming for help.
I must bring Ansi Fort down.
and comfort the souls of countless Tang soldiers
buried deep under this soil!
General Yeon, help me.
You know more about Ansi Fort than any of us.
How can we bring the city down?
Pleaase tell me how.
Both soldiers and civilians will fight
to the death to protect Ansi Fort.
It`s not a city that can be breached with cannons and ladders.
That`s why I`ve put my pride aside, and come to you
Help me, General.
Ansi can`t be breached.
Turn the troops around and join the main force.
Are you refusing to help me?
Very well.
I don`t need your help.
I will destroy Ansi Fort with or without you.
You just watch!
General,
did you wish to see me?
I want you to keep a close eye on Yeon Namseng from now on.
Too many things just don`t add up.
He may be helping us now, but blood is thicker than water.
Goguryeo bastards just can`t be trusted.
Watch his every moe,Commander Li.
I will sir.
You want to enter the city?
Xue Rengui is getting ready. To launch another massive attack.
Ansi fort has already suffered enough loss.
But this is much too dangerous
I will make a quick trip tonight.
If you insist, I shall come with you.
-What happened? -It`s confirmed, sir.
-Yeon Namseng entered the fort. -Bastard!
Have you fared well?
I have come to see General Dae Jungsang the Lord of Ansi.
It`s good to see you,general.
What brings you?
First allow me to pay my respects to General Yang Manchun.
That`s absurd! You`re shameless!
I must see the general. Please take me the shrine.
I thought you would at least abide by your father`s dying wishes.
Yeon Gaesomun asked me to look after you before he died.
but you have force me to bring you under arrest!
You`re not the only one who`s ashamed before your father.
I,too, won`t be able to hold my head up.
to my friend in the next world! What has become of you,Namseng?
I thought I would get the chance to prove myself to you.
But you left so soon...
Please forgive me for failing to protect you.
when you were alive.
And watch me from up above as I rebuid this country.
What?
Yeon Namseng entered Ansi Fort?
Yes,general.
He was seen entering the city gates.
Has he been deceiving us?
He couldn`t betray us
when Goguryeo is on a sure path to ruin.
I can`t figure him out.
He`s done too much for us to betray us now.
Go on. Why are you here?
This country has bee beleaguered by famine
for the past seven years.
The soldiers have little to eat.
and moral`s at it`s worst with General Yang Manchun`s death.
If you`re here to worry about us go back.
All of us are prepared to shed every last drop of blood for the city
Don`t shed your blood in vain!
there`s a way to deliver this country from doom.
You talk of deliverence after putting the country in this peril?
Yo`re unbelievable!
I know the strenght of Tang army better than you do.
And there`s no way Goguryeo can win this war.
Open the gates and surrender.
How dare you!
If Ansi Fort falls into their hands.
Goguryeo will never be revived!
Shut your insidious mouth! You`re to blame for all of this!
I`ll destroy Bu Kiwon and the guleful retainers.
that ruined this country! Then at the right time
I will drive the Tang Chinese out of this soil.
Now do you understand?
I will use Tang to remove the guileful retainers of Goguryeo.
and when the Chinese have depleted their use.
I will destroy them as well!
This is the only way to save this country right now.
Think about it carefully.
It`s no worth a moment of thought.
Ansi fort will share its fate with Goguryeo.
-General Dae Jungsabg! -You!
What are you doing!
Take this man out and behead him at once!
Whay won`t you listen?
Help me! We can save Goguryeo together!
-Take him at once -Yes, sir.
Stop.
I`m letting uou go this time.
but you will be kiiled if you come back.
General Dae, this is the only chance we have!
-Get him out of here -Yes, sir!
General!General!
Sudol!
Blasted bastard.... (Heuk Sudol)
Are you letting this traitor go?
What do you want?
I should`ve done this long ago. I knew you were a traitor
but how could you come back as an enemy general?
You don`t deserve to live. I`ll put you out of your misery!
Give me a moment of your time.
I know I can get through to you.
Please let me finish what I`ve come here to say.
You and I grew up together
You know how much I love this country.
You vowed loyalty to the Emperor of Tang.sire
There`s nothing I can`t do if it`s to save this country.
The Emperor of Tang has given me his word.
Once Goguryeo is conquered,
He will give me the sovereign power.
I`m asking Liaodong to wait for that day.
And we will drive out the Tang Chinese togrther.
Think about it.
Li Jing`s army is marching to Pyongyang as we speak.
And if Kim Yushin`s Shilla army attack at the same time.
the curent regime doesn`t stand a chance.
This is the only way to save Goguryeo
I`m asking you to persuade General Dae Jungsang.
Is this really in the best interest of Goguryeo?
Is it really for this country and the people?
I don`t dought your love for this country.
but what you want is not what the people of this country want.
Sire, it`s not too late.
Leave Tang and come back to Goguryeo.
You know their military situation
better than any of us.
You will give us great strength in this war.
Come back to Goguryeo.
Are you trying to persuade me?
Sire, think of your father.
-If he were alive... -Stop.
That`s enough!
I believe in myself no matter what anyone says.
But you`re being played by Tang right now.
you will be remembered as the most foolish man.
in Goguryeo`s thousand-year history!
Yes, that is indeed possible.
but if I succeed,
I can ectemd the history of Goguryeo
from thousand years to ten thousand years.
Do what you have to do.
But soon you will realize that I was right.
And when that day comes, don``t hesitate to come to me and lend a hand.
I will leave Ansi Fort untouched for that day.
But if you`re being played by Tang right now.
you will be remembered as the most foolish man
in goguryeo`s thousand-year history!
Excellency, are you alright?
I heard when I was in Ansi that
Li Jing`s army suffered a huge defeat against Pyongyang army.
-Are you certain? -Yes.
In any case they should know by now at the camp.
that we`re missing.
General Ji has accomplished a diffucult task.
Yes.
-Did you send them back? -Yes, Father.
we just received news of victory.
General ji Myongcheon won a huge victory against Li Jing!
Li Jing`s army is helplessly trapped in Geomsan Fort.
General Ji has really come through for us!
What should I....
Nothing`s goiung right! Nothing!
We`re stalemate by Ansy fort.
and general Li`s main force is stalemate by..
What`s his name?
-Ji Myoncheon sir. -Yes Ji Myongcheon!
I`ve never even heard of this man!
Why does this have to be so difficult?
-What the... -General!
General,General Yeon Namseng just returned from Ansi Fort.
Oh?
Commander Li kaigu is bringing him here now.
call all of the commanders together immediately.
Yess, general!
Yeon Namseng...
When I get my hands on you bastard....
I want the truth and nothing but the truth!
Why did you go to Ansi Fort?
What secret information did you give them?
I went to Ansi Fort to urge them to surrender.
Urge them to surrender?
And I didn`t give up any information.
I brought back information.
If I was going to betray you, I wouldn`t have come back.
What`s the situation inside the fort?
I must recommend we abort that we abort this nmission.
Abort?
We may be able to bring Goguryeo down,
but Ansi Fort is impenetrable.
You wenr there to get their surrender.
and now you want me to surrender?
I speak in the best interest of Tang.
Don`t kill your soldiers in vain.
Listen up,men!
We will launch an all-out offensive at first light!
And General Yeon Namseng will spearhead this attack!
No, I will not!
Are you going to defy my order?
You have no authority to issue such orders to me!
What?
I won`t let you ruin this conquest!
If you`re incompetence,
I will assume the right of command!
What?
The right of command, you say?
The right of command?
You....you bastard!
By: robster38