Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 39: Research on Strategy

Tang Dynasty, Part 3

The Uyghurs The Huige or Uyghur Khaganate, who were key allies of the Tang during the An Lushan Rebellion launched an assault and killed them all. Li Siye The Tang vanguard commander also led the Uyghurs to emerge from behind the enemy formation, coordinating with the main army to trap the rebels in a pincer attack. From noon until evening literally "from the hour of the Horse to the hour of the Rooster," roughly 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, sixty thousand heads were taken. The rebels subsequently suffered a massive collapse. The remaining masses fled into the city; the pursuit continued into the night, and the sound of the clamor did not cease.

Pugu Huai’en A prominent Tang general of Tiele descent said to Prince Chu of Guangping The supreme commander of the Tang forces and future Emperor Daizong:

Huai'en’s advice was not followed, yet he truly possessed the ability to anticipate the enemy's moves.

“The rebels are abandoning the city and fleeing! I request permission to lead three hundred cavalry to pursue them and capture An Shouzhong, Li Guiren, and the others.”

Chu replied: “General, you are exhausted from the battle. Rest for now and wait until tomorrow to plan for it.”

Huai’en said: “The enemy values divine speed above all else; why wait until tomorrow?”

Chu firmly stopped him. At dawn, spies arrived reporting that Shouzhong, Guiren, along with Zhang Tongru, Tian Qianzhen, and others had all already fled. The main army then entered the Western Capital Chang’an, the primary capital of the Tang Dynasty.

When Zhang Xun The hero of the Siege of Suiyang first began the defense of Suiyang, his troops numbered only ten thousand men, while the inhabitants within the city also numbered several tens of thousands.