Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 39: Strategic Analysis (Tang III)

Upholding words and deeds.

[...] endure the ten hardships of extreme cold and heat; thus, those of lower rank strive with their very lives.

Shi Siming A prominent leader of the An Lushan Rebellion who eventually declared his own dynasty declared himself the "Great Sage Prince of Yan" original: "Da Sheng Yan Wang". He appointed Zhou Zhi as his Army Commander Xingjun Sima: a high-level military official responsible for logistics and administration. Li Guangbi A legendary Tang general of Khitan descent, renowned for his discipline and tactical brilliance observed:

"Siming has captured Wei Prefecture modern-day Daming County, Hebei but is holding his troops back and refusing to advance. This is a ploy to make us complacent so that he can use his elite forces to catch us unprepared. I request permission to join with the Shuofang Army The premier frontier army of the Tang, known for its combat power to pressure the city of Wei and seek a decisive battle. Having been humbled by his defeat at Mount Jia original: "Jiashan," a battle where Li Guangbi had previously crushed the rebel forces, he will certainly not dare to come out lightly. If we can prolong the engagement and hold our ground, then the city of Ye will fall and An Qingxu An Lushan's son and successor, whom Shi Siming eventually murdered will die. Once that happens, Siming will have no pretext left to lead his masses."

However, the eunuch official Yu Chao'en A powerful court eunuch who frequently interfered in military affairs, often to the detriment of the Tang cause believed this was not feasible, and the plan was halted.

Guo Ziyi One of the most celebrated generals in Chinese history, credited with saving the Tang Dynasty and nine other Regional Commanders Jiedushi: powerful military governors with authority over both civil and military affairs surrounded the city of Ye. They dammed the Zhang River to flood the city walls. An Qingxu held his defense stubbornly, waiting for Shi Siming’s reinforcements. Inside the city, food supplies were completely exhausted. The people were reduced to sifting through horse manure to find undigested grains to eat. Despite this crisis, the Tang officials had no unified command...