2024-12-18 chatgpt  **Title:** Baekje's Expansive Territory in Chinese Historical Records --- **3-Sentence Summary:** Chinese historical texts record Baekje as a powerful state with a vast territory extending across parts of present-day China, including Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu provinces. Accounts mention Baekje's military strength of over a million troops, challenging northern tribes like the Rouran and invading southern regions such as Wu-Yue. The texts suggest that Baekje's dominance stretched far beyond the Korean Peninsula, covering regions in mainland China during its peak. --- **Detailed Summary:** Chinese historical sources detail Baekje’s significant territorial expansion and its influence on the Asian mainland. During the Tang Dynasty, records describe Baekje and Goguryeo as possessing military forces exceeding a million soldiers, with Baekje creating unrest to the north among the Rouran tribes and launching invasions to the south into the Wu-Yue region. These areas correspond to modern-day Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang provinces in China. According to the _Old Tang Book_ ("Gutangshu"), Baekje's northern boundary reached Goguryeo across the Bohai Sea, while its southern boundary extended along the Yangtze River near Yuezhou. Other historical references like _Munwonbigo_ indicate that Baekje controlled vast territories south of the Yangtze River, encompassing regions that belonged to the Yue state. Furthermore, the _Manju Wonyugo_ mentions regions such as Jinzhou and Yizhou as part of Baekje's dominion. A critical military account from the Southern and Northern Dynasties period (499 AD) describes the Northern Wei’s invasion of Baekje with 100,000 cavalry, which was decisively defeated by Baekje’s King Dongseong on the plains. This military feat suggests that Baekje controlled continental plains, as the cavalry could not have crossed Goguryeo’s territory or moved by sea. Following this victory, Baekje expanded its dominance to include Shandong Province and the Huai River basin, cementing its control over southern China during this period. These accounts collectively challenge the perception that Baekje’s influence was confined to the Korean Peninsula, instead revealing a much broader territorial reach on the Asian mainland. --- **Nested Outline:** - **Baekje's Military Power and Influence** - Tang Dynasty records of Baekje and Goguryeo - Military strength exceeded one million troops. - Northern campaigns caused disruption among Rouran tribes. - Southern campaigns targeted Wu-Yue territories. - **Geographic Reach** - Northern limit: Bohai Sea and Goguryeo’s territories. - Southern limit: Yangtze River, Yuezhou region. - Specific areas mentioned in Chinese texts: - Hebei Province - Shandong Province - Jiangsu Province - Anhui Province - Zhejiang Province - **Historical Text References** - _Old Tang Book (Gutangshu)_ - Baekje's northern border reached Goguryeo. - Southern border extended to Yangtze River territories. - _Munwonbigo_ - Baekje controlled regions south of the Yangtze River. - Territories originally part of Yue state. - _Manju Wonyugo_ - Jinzhou, Yizhou, and surrounding areas under Baekje's control. - **Significant Military Conflict** - 499 AD: Northern Wei’s invasion of Baekje - Northern Wei sent 100,000 cavalry. - Baekje’s King Dongseong defeated Wei forces on continental plains. - Evidence that Baekje’s territory included mainland plains. - **Territorial Expansion Post-Victory** - Following the victory over Northern Wei: - Baekje expanded into Shandong Province. - Gained control over Huai River basin and South China. - **Implications of Baekje's Reach** - Challenges the idea of Baekje being confined to the Korean Peninsula. - Reveals extensive territorial control over mainland China. --- **Table Representation:** |**Aspect**|**Details**| |---|---| |**Military Strength**|Over 1 million troops during peak period.| |**Northern Campaigns**|Disrupted Rouran tribes; reached Goguryeo territories.| |**Southern Campaigns**|Invaded Wu-Yue regions; extended to Yangtze River basin.| |**Geographic Scope**|Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang Provinces.| |**Key Historical Texts**|_Old Tang Book_ (_Gutangshu_), _Munwonbigo_, _Manju Wonyugo_.| |**Major Conflict (499 AD)**|Northern Wei's 100,000 cavalry defeated by Baekje King Dongseong.| |**Post-Victory Expansion**|Gained control of Shandong Province and the Huai River basin.| |**Implications**|Baekje's territorial control extended far into mainland China.| ---