Treatise on Military Preparedness: Tang Dynasty Military Strategy

Study of Military Strategy

Page 53

[The power of] Shi Siming was not something that could be ignored. The imperial command moved the army into treacherous terrain. [Pugu] Huai’en again attempted to stop the advance, but Shi Siming took advantage of the army's unsettled state and pressed them hard. The government army suffered a crushing defeat. Referring to the reigns of Emperors Suzong and Daizong The "government army" (Guanjun) refers to the official Tang military forces fighting the rebels.

Later, [Pugu] Huai’en Once a loyal Tang general, Pugu Huai’en eventually rebelled after being accused of treason by rival court officials. allied with the Uyghur original: "回紇" (Huihe); a powerful Turkic nomadic confederation and Tibetan original: "吐蕃" (Tubo); the Tibetan Empire was a major rival to the Tang at this time forces to advance and threaten Fengtian. The various generals pleaded for permission to engage in battle, but Guo Ziyi One of the most celebrated generals in Chinese history, credited with saving the Tang Dynasty said:

"The invaders have penetrated deep into our territory and their advantage lies in a swift battle. We must strengthen our defenses and wait for them. They will surely take our caution for cowardice and grow careless; only then can we crush them. If we rush into battle and meet with misfortune, the morale of the masses will crumble. Anyone who dares speak of battle shall be executed."

Shortly thereafter, he led his troops out under the cover of night and arrayed them south of Qianling The joint mausoleum of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian. The invaders had initially assumed that Guo Ziyi was unprepared and intended to ambush him. However, when they suddenly caught sight of the great army in formation, they were struck with terror and amazement. Consequently, they retreated without a fight.

Li Baozhen, noting the unrest in the Shandong region, observed that Shangdang was a vital military crossroads. However, following the chaos of war, the land was barren and the people were impoverished, leaving no resources to support the army. He then registered the population, decreeing that for every three adult males Ding; an adult male subject to labor and tax obligations, one strong man would be selected for service, while the others would be exempted from their...