In modern history, there are many grievances between China and Japan, however, we must look back at history and understand that the origin of the first exchange of fire between the two countries did not occur in the Sino-Japanese naval battle, nor during the Ming Empire, but in the era of Tang Gaozong of the Tang Empire. At that time, the Korean Peninsula was in a state of triumph, with Goguryeo in the north, Baekje in the southwest, and Silla in the southeast.
In 660, Emperor Gaozong of Tang decided to send the general Su Dingfang to completely eliminate Baekje. However, despite the fall of Baekje, the remnants soon revived, and they revolted against the Tang Dynasty and asked Japan for assistance. At that time, Japan had just completed the Dahua Reform, full of ambitions, and saw that sending troops to support Baekje was a great opportunity to expand its territory. Therefore, it was decided that troops must be sent, and the emperor himself led the army.
However, in 661, the emperor died of illness on the way, and the crown prince Tenchi succeeded to the throne, quickly organizing a water army and determined to support Baekje. Emperor Gaozong of Tang sent the general Liu Renzhuo to lead a naval army to Baekje and engage the Japanese army in a fierce battle at the mouth of the Baekjiang River. The mouth of the Baekjiang River is located at the mouth of the Geumjiang River in present-day South Korea. The size of the Chinese navy is about 10,000 people, while the joint Japanese and Baekje navy has more than 40,000 people, and the Japanese force is about four times that of the Chinese side.
However, the development of the war situation did not go as the Japanese side wanted. The Chinese navy has the upper hand with huge warships, sturdy equipment, and far-sighted tactics. They were condescending, concentrated firepower, and the rocket launch was intensive, making it impossible for the Japanese small ships to withstand it, and for the Chinese giants, the Japanese rocket attack was almost ineffective. During the battle, the Japanese battleship sank, the soldiers suffered heavy casualties, and blood stained the entire mouth of the Baijiang River. In the end, the Great Tang Water Division won a complete victory.
This battle tells us that the strength of a country determines the outcome of a war. At that time, the Great Tang Empire was the most powerful country in Asia, and Japan was only a small country that could not match it. However, Japan is a country that is good at learning, and they learned from their failures, realized the strength of the Great Tang Empire, began to study humbly, and sent Tang envoys to Chang'an to study. History tells us that time changes everything, and the outcome of the naval battles between China and Japan will also change due to changes in national strength. Soon after, in a fierce battle, the Chinese side suffered a crushing defeat, and Chinese soldiers also gave their blood in the battle on the Yellow Sea.