Military Preparedness Manual, Volume 39

Compiled by Mao Yuanyi, styled Fangfeng

Strategic Studies

Tang Dynasty, Part 3

Discussion with Guo Long; testing at Ye; speaking of his mastery in occupation.

...Tian Qianzhen, Zhang Zhongzhi, and Ashina Chengqing—there are only a few such men. Now, if we order Li Guangbi to lead his forces from Taiyuan A strategic base in modern Shanxi province. out through the Jingxing Pass, and order Guo Ziyi to lead his forces from Fengyi to enter Hedong The region "East of the River," modern Shanxi., then the rebel generals Shi Siming and Zhang Zhongzhi will not dare to leave Fanyang and Changshan. Meanwhile, the rebel generals An Shouzhong and Tian Qianzhen will not dare to leave Chang'an.

In this way, our two armies will pin down those four major rebel generals. The only one left truly following An Lushan's personal command would be Ashina Chengqing. I pray that Your Majesty will command Guo Ziyi not to capture Huayin, so that the road between the two capitals Referring to the Western Capital, Chang'an, and the Eastern Capital, Luoyang. remains open and unobstructed. Your Majesty should station your main army at Fufeng, and in coordination with Ziyi and Guangbi, launch alternating strikes against them.

If they move to save their "head" Their forward positions or leadership., then we shall strike their "tail" Their rear or supply lines.. If they move to save their tail, we shall strike their head. This will force the rebels to march back and forth over thousands of miles, becoming exhausted by constant movement. We shall always use our ease to wait for their weariness A reference to the Art of War strategy of yi yi dai lao, staying rested while the enemy tires themselves out.. When the rebels advance, we avoid their sharp edge; when they retreat, we take advantage of their exhaustion. We should not focus on attacking their cities, nor should we block their roads.

Next spring, I suggest Your Majesty appoint Prince Jianning Li Tan (d. 757), the third son of Emperor Suzong, known for his military talent. as the Military Governor of Fanyang. He should march north along the frontier to join forces with Li Guangbi...