Eulji Mundeok Hansi
{{Infobox Korean name|hangul=을지문덕 한시
|hanja=乙支文德漢詩
|rr=Eulji Mundeok Hansi
|mr=Ŭlji Mundŏk Hansi}}
"Eulji Mundeok Hansi" ({{Korean|hangul=『을지문덕 한시』|hanja=『乙支文德漢詩』}}), or "Yeosujang Wujungmunsi"({{Korean|hangul=『여수장우중문시』|hanja=『餘隋將于仲文詩』}}, meaning 'a poem for Sui general Yu Zhongwen') is an ancient Korean poem.{{Cite web |last=김 |first=유영 |date=2007-03-13 |title=한국협상단, 美측에 '을지문덕 한시' 보내 |url=https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20070313/8417317/1 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=The Dong-A Ilbo |language=ko}}
Context
In the second Goguryeo-Sui War, Eulji Mundeok maneuvered the Goguryeo troops so that they engaged the Sui army seven times a day, each time feigning defeat and retreating, leading the Sui army deeper south with the perception of victory. The Sui army eventually advanced to about 20 km from Pyeongyang, the capital of Goguryeo.{{cite book |last1=Kim |first1=Bu Sik |date=1145 |title="을지문덕이 유인전술을 쓰다(612년 06월)", 삼국사기 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/ancient/level.do?levelId=sg_044r_0020_0070 |trans-title="Eulji Mundeok employs luring tactics(June, 612 AD)", Samguk Sagi |language=Korean |location=Book 44 |access-date=2025-03-11 |via=National Institute of Korean History}} However, realizing the advanced hunger and exhaustion of his troops, and perceiving the formidable fortifications of Pyeongyang, Yu Zhongwen realised the looming impossibility of continuing the campaign. To taunt Yu Zhongwen, Eulji wrote the poem in sarcasm and sent it to the enemy general. The Sui army was annihilated at the Battle of Salsu.{{cite book |last1=Kim |first1=Bu Sik |date=1145 |title="을지문덕이 살수에서 대승을 거두다(612년 07월)", 삼국사기 |url=https://db.history.go.kr/ancient/level.do?levelId=sg_044r_0020_0110 |trans-title="Eulji Mundeok wins a decisive victory in Salsu(July, 612 AD)", Samguk Sagi |language=Korean |location=Book 44 |access-date=2025-03-11 |via=National Institute of Korean History}}
Text
The poem reads,
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| Hangul | Hanja | English |
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| 신책구천문 | 神策究天文 | Your divine plans have plumbed the heavens; |
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| 묘산궁지리 | 妙算窮地理 | Your subtle reckoning has spanned the earth; |
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| 전승공기고 | 戰勝功旣高 | You win every battle, your military merit is great; |
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| 지족원운지 | 知足願云止 | Why then not be content and stop the war? |
See also
References
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