Treatise on Military Preparedness: Tang Dynasty Military Strategy

Strategic Study of Famous Officials through the Ages: Tang Dynasty, Part 3

"They are numerous but disorganized," [Li Guangbi] said. "They are not to be feared. I guarantee to you all that we shall break them before midday."

He then ordered the troops out for battle. When the appointed time for the engagement arrived, the outcome remained undecided. Guangbi summoned his generals and asked them, "Which part of the rebel formation is the strongest?"

"The northwest corner," they replied.

Guangbi ordered Hao Tingyu to face it. He then asked which was the next strongest point.

"The southeast corner," they replied.

He ordered Lun Weizhen to face it. Guangbi then commanded his generals, saying: "You shall fight while watching my flag. If I wave the flag slowly, I leave it to your discretion to seek the advantage. But if I wave the flag urgently and strike the ground three times, then all ten thousand of you must charge in unison, staking everything on life or death. Any who retreat even a fraction shall be beheaded!"

He then placed a short dagger inside his boot-top man; the leather upper of a boot or a sheath, often used to conceal small weapons and said: "War is a dangerous business. As one of the Three Ducal Ministers Sangong; the highest-ranking civil and military officials in the Imperial court of our state, I cannot allow myself to die at the hands of rebels. If things go poorly and you all fall to the enemy, I shall cut my own throat. I will not allow you to die alone."

The battle resumed, and suddenly Hao Tingyu came galloping back toward the lines. Guangbi, startled and fearing a retreat, ordered his head to be taken for execution.

Tingyu cried out, "My horse was struck by an arrow! It is not that I dare to retreat!"

Guangbi allowed him to change horses and sent him back into the fray. Pugu Huaien original: "僕固懷恩" (Pugu Huaien); a prominent general of Turkic Tiele origin who served the Tang was slightly...