Battle of Maeso Fortress

Silla defeated the 200,000-strong Tang army of Li Jinxing camped at Maeso Fortress, capturing some 30,000 horses.

In the Silla–Tang War, begun in 670, Silla retook Sabi in 671 and set up Soburi province. In 674 Tang stripped King Munmu of his titles, proclaimed his brother Kim In-mun king of Silla and sent Liu Rengui to invade; in the second month of 675 Silla was defeated at Chiljung Fortress (Jeokseong, Paju).

In the ninth month the Tang general Li Jinxing, of Malgal descent, camped at Maeso Fortress with 200,000 men. On the 29th Silla attacked and drove them off, capturing 30,380 warhorses and as many weapons. Around the same time a Tang force under Xue Rengui was beaten at Cheonseong. Silla went on to win all eighteen battles, large and small, and the Tang army never again penetrated deep into the peninsula.

Maeso Fortress is usually identified with the Daejeon-ri fortress at Yeoncheon, though Yangju and other sites have been proposed. With Gibeolpo the next year, it decided the war.