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Yang Man-chun is the name given to the Goguryeo
commander of Ansi Castle in the 640s.   Ansi
Castle was located on the Goguryeo-China|Chinese
border, probably not far from modern-day Liaoyang.
 Yang is sometimes credited with saving the
kingdom by his refusal to surrender the castle to
invading Tang Dynasty|Tang forces.  Whether "Yang
Man-chun" was his real name is unclear, since he
is not named in any known source prior to the 17th
century.  This is, however, the name that has come
into general use.

In 642, Yeon Gaesomun killed King Yeongnyu of
Goguryeo and seized military control over the
country.  However, although Yeon had quickly
gained control over the rest of the country, Yang
Man-chun refused to surrender Ansi castle.  After
a lengthy siege and repeated unsuccessful attempts
to storm the fortress, Yeon was forced to withdraw
and allow Yang to keep his position as castle
commander.  This proved to be to his advantage.

In 645, Tang launched one of a series of punitive
winter attacks on Goguryeo.  They seized a number
of border fortresses but were unable to reduce
Ansi Castle.  Learning of the invasion, Goguryeo
sent a force reported at 15,000 to rescue the
fortress, but the force was unable to reach the
castle.   After a protracted siege, the Tang army
retreated with heavy losses.  Yang was rewarded
for his loyal service with 100 rolls of braided
silk.  The siege is related in detail (but without
the commander's name) in the Samguk Sagi, Goguryeo
vol. 9.  

==See also== 
*History of Korea
*List of Korea-related topics
*Three Kingdoms of Korea