Chapter 1669: Chapter 1669: Reminiscence by the Han River
The Han River is one of the major rivers within the peninsula, originating from Mount Wutai on the western slopes of the Taibai Mountain Range. It stretches over five hundred kilometers, flows through Hanseong, converges with the Imjin River, and finally merges into Ganghwa Bay. Koreans regard the Han River as their mother river, akin to Chinese people’s sentiment towards the Yellow River. The segment of the Han River flowing through Hanseong is more than sixty kilometers long, with a wide river surface, even at its narrowest point nearing a thousand meters. A highly modernized metropolis with a grand river is its finest complement, a gift from nature. Any riverside city would beautify this heavenly gift gorgeously.
After decades of development, Hanseong, which turned into ruins during the Korean War, is now a highly modernized city, and the banks of the Han River have also transformed into renowned tourist areas. There are many famous landmarks along the Han River, such as the 63 Building, the National Assembly Building, Han River Bridge, and the music fountain, among others. The landscape is truly remarkable with the twinkling lights at night.
Han River Citizens’ Park is equipped with dedicated bicycle lanes, allowing you to cycle while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Han River.
At night, the neon lights along the banks of the Han River, along with the headlights of passing vehicles, decorate the night view of the citizens’ park beautifully. The gentle river water enhances the lovely night scenery, making it even more enchanting. In the gentle night wind, leaning against the railing and looking afar, the gorgeous landscape along the Han River is all in sight.
“I have to say, Hanseong’s night view is quite beautiful,” Luo Ziling couldn’t help but marvel when accompanying Yang Qingyin and Luo Yuqing to the riverside, “Though Koreans can be a bit despicable, their development achievements are quite commendable.”
“This is my second visit to Hanseong,” Yang Qingyin adjusted her long hair blown by the wind and smiled, “Last time, my mom brought Qingye and me here, and we were just in middle school. In the blink of an eye, several years have passed, and everything has become unfamiliar.”
“It’s the first time for both my sister and me,” Luo Yuqing clasped Luo Ziling’s arm, her eyes admiring the night view, “It’s really nice, I should take some photos and post them on social media to prove I’ve been here.”
“Speaking of visiting Hanseong, an amusing story comes to mind,” Luo Ziling pulled over Yang Qingyin, letting both women lean beside him, and said in a lively tone, “Once, Great Grandfather was telling me a story, he mentioned seeing a tale online about an elderly Huaxia person coming to South Korea on a tour. Being unaware of the border procedures, the Korean people scolded him, advising him that it was crucial to abide by Korean laws and not disgrace Huaxia on his first visit to Korea. He was frustrated and immediately retorted, stating it wasn’t his first visit, but before, there was no need for visas and he drove freely here without anyone daring to stop them.”
Hearing this, the two women curiously looked at him, eager to know what happened next.
“That Korean person was astonished, asking how it was possible to enter without a visa and to drive boldly. The elder replied that back then, he was driving a tank, and when he charged into the city of Hanseong, both the Korean and American troops fled away.” Luo Ziling laughed heartily at this point, “In the fifties, our heroic volunteer army marched up to the 37th parallel, occupying Hanseong. At that time, truly, no one dared to challenge them, nor did anyone require them to possess visas or to obey Korean laws. Driving tanks there, how bold and powerful, hahahaha!”
“I figured that’s what it was.” Yang Qingyin smiled as she looked at Luo Ziling, “Actually, your great-grandfather once participated in the Korean War, he had actually been to Hanseong, so mentioning these matters to you probably stirred some sentiments in him.”
“I heard from my mom about Great Grandfather’s past; at the time of the nation’s founding, he should have been a regimental commander. During the latter stages of the Korean War, he was a deputy brigade commander, and he personally involved himself in directing the battle that attacked Hanseong. It seems it was the team he commanded that first breached into Hanseong.”
Ling Ruonan also told him that Ling Jinhua had said when they led the forces to capture Hanseong, the allied forces’ commander, Li Qiwei, left a message on his office wall saying, ‘Commander-in-Chief of the Eighth Group Army of America, hereby respectfully to the Commander-in-Chief of the Huaxia military’, a greeting that hinted at provocation. At that time, upon seeing these words, Ling Jinhua was very angry, vowing to capture Li Qiwei alive.
Unfortunately, later, the volunteer forces had to withdraw from Hanseong due to logistical supply issues.
At this point, Luo Ziling paused, lost in thought as he gazed at the Han River scenery before him.
He clearly understood that although historically Huaxia troops have repeatedly occupied and ruled this peninsula, the last time Huaxia troops garrisoned in Hanseong was likely during the fifties of the previous century. There might never be another such opportunity.
Indeed, since ancient times, the entire Liaodong Peninsula has been Huaxia territory. Han established four districts in Liaodong, completely incorporating the northern and southern Korean land under the Great Han’s governance; during the Tang Dynasty, Su Dingfang led tens of thousands of troops across the sea for combat, annihilated Baekje, later the Tang army extinguished Goryeo, coercing Silla into submission by consecutively establishing Xiongjin Governor’s Mansion, Andong Protectorate, and the Governorate General of Jillin on this peninsula.
The seat of the Andong Protectorate was in Pyongyang.
During the Ming and Qing periods, the Central Plains dynasties also garrisoned troops on the peninsula.
It’s a shame that all historic glory has become past, pieces of history. Huaxia’s influence cannot be as great as it once was, never will the splendor of all subjugated tribes return; all the magnificence has become bygone. Remembering the past, all can only sigh with regret.
Noticing Luo Ziling suddenly becoming quiet, Luo Yuqing appeared quite surprised.
“Ziling, what are you thinking?”
“I’m contemplating,” Luo Ziling sighed deeply, “During the Prosperous Tang, Su Dingfang led tens of thousands of troops across the sea to invade Baekje, eventually destroying it and capturing its king, the entire process only lasted ten days. At that time, Han People were the super rulers of this land, no one could contend with the Celestial Empire. Sixty years ago, we also set foot here, our troops once stationed here, but now we can only stand here as tourists appreciating the scenery. Recalling the previous prowess and splendor, it’s inevitably sad.”
“Indeed, it certainly evokes sadness.” Yang Qingyin nodded.
She fully understood Luo Ziling’s thoughts at this moment; she herself felt a bit melancholic.
Many tourists visiting Vladivostok in Russia, upon seeing remnants of Ming Dynasty monuments and the Huaxia writing on these monuments, experience similar sentiments—a heavy sense of loss.
Luo Yuqing, not well-versed in history, upon hearing Luo Ziling’s words, couldn’t help but say, “Are you not fooling me? In Tang Dynasty, tens of thousands of troops could cross seas and fight? Destroy a nation within ten days? You’re not fabricating history, right? Nowadays, Huaxia’s navy trying to deploy tens of thousands of troops overseas isn’t easy, right? During the Tang Dynasty, navigation technology lagged much behind now, and they didn’t have large-tonnage battleships, how could they deploy tens of thousands of troops across the sea to the opposite coast?”
“Go back and read some history books,” Luo Ziling was a bit annoyed, “You can ask Qingyin if it really happened!”
Luo Yuqing glanced at Yang Qingyin, still looking somewhat incredulous.
Girls mostly don’t like history, knowing little about it; such events which aren’t detailed in history textbooks, they might not be aware of—unless they’re like Yang Qingyin, a girl majoring in history.
“Everything Ziling mentioned are real historical events, indeed quite marvelous,” Yang Qingyin smiled, “Back then, Su Dingfang indeed led tens of thousands of army across the sea to attack Baekje, spending only ten days to destroy Baekje, capturing its king alive. It seems later Liu Rengui, who defeated the Japanese fleet near Baijiang village, in this battle was demoted due to the capsizing of a ship carrying supplies, later returning to the military with no rank, and eventually became a Prime Minister after meritorious service. Before Kaiyuan of the Tang dynasty, the Great Tang army was indeed an invincible force, much more formidable than the American army today. Back then, truly anyone who offended the Powerful Han, no matter how far, would be eradicated. Gaochang Kingdom merely blocked other nations’ tribute path, prompting an angry Emperor Taizong of Tang to send Hou Junji to lead the attack. Hou Junji led his troops across the desert, unexpectedly appearing under Gaochang City, scaring its king, Jumong Tae, to death. Yes, Jumong Tae was scared to death by the sudden appearance of the Tang army. These weren’t myths or legends but actual history. That time, over twenty-five thousand Great Tang Anxi military could command nearly four million square kilometers of Anxi Protectorate. The earlier mentioned Su Dingfang, who consecutively led the army to destroy Baekje, Western Turkic Khaganate, and Pamir Mountains, had remarkable achievements; however, few remember his name partly because there were too many famous generals at that time. Also, it was Su Dingfang who led the army to quell Western Turkic Khaganate’s rebellion; his ten thousand infantry and cavalry mixed force was once encircled by the Western Turkic Khaganate leader Ashina Helu’s hundred thousand cavalry.”
“What happened afterwards?” History ignoramus Luo Yuqing was intrigued too.
“Ashina Helu escaped with only thirty-six riders, eventually captured alive.” Luo Ziling answered for Yang Qingyin.
“Ah!” Luo Yuqing was utterly stunned, appearing incredulous.
Watching Luo Yuqing’s stupefaction, Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin exchanged a smile.
Talking about these matters made them feel shared sentiments, mutual resonance.
Perhaps, this is also one of the reasons why Luo Ziling feels much more connected to Yang Qingyin than to Ouyang Feifei.