[chinaking]

I would like to know more about the history of Tang dynasty. How was it founded? Was it founded by the Lee family?

[General_Zhaoyun]

I'll narrate the whole history of the rebellion and how the Li family founded the Tang dynasty.

Initial Rebellion

The founder of Tang dynasty was Li Yuan (李渊). He was a powerful noble of the landlord class in northwest China (关,陇地主集团). His grandfather, Li Hu (李虎), helped Yuwen Tai (宇文泰) established a kingdom in the central plains (a contributing felllow to Western Wei and Northern Zhou). Because of his meritorious service, he was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Tang (唐国公). In 617 AD, he was appointed by Emperor Sui Yangdi as the governor of Taiyuan (太原留守).

Seeing that the Sui regime was on the verge of collapse amidst the peasant uprising, Li Yuan began to expand his influence and organise his own revolt. He asked his eldest son, Li Jiancheng (李建成) to form as many alliances as possible in Shanxi. He also asked his second son, Li Shimin 李世民 (599 - 649 AD), to recruit the talented people in Taiyuan. A large number of landlords and government officials such as Liu Wenjing (刘文静), the magistrate of Jinyang and his assistant, Pei Ji (裴寂), joined forces with Li Yuan.

Liu Wuzhou (刘武周) started an armed rebellion against Sui. He allied with the Turks and persuaded them to attack Taiyuan. Li Yuan had been seeking chance to expand his military power. He came to meet Wangwei (王威) and Gao Junya (高君雅), both vice-governors of Taiyuan. "Liu Wuzhou revolted against the court. If we don't eliminate him, we will be guilty of dereliction," he said. "If the emperor knows about it, we will be executed along with out clans."

Wang and Gao were sent by Emperor Yang Di to watch Li Yuan. When they heard his remarks, they were worried and sought advice. Li Yuan replied, "We are 1,500 km away from Jiangdu. If we asked Jiangdu to send troops, it will take too much time. Why don't we enlist soldiers here in order to suppress the rebellion?" Wang and Gao agreed.

Li YUan ordered Li Shimin and Liu Wenjing to recruit soldiers. When news spread, many people came to join them. In a few days time, they recruited nearly 10,000 men.

Li Yuan's activities made Wang and Gao increasingly suspicious. They planned to murder Li Yuan in the Jin temple during the ceremony held to pray heaven for rain. However, Liu Shilong (刘世龙), a local official already allied with Li Yuan, learned of the plot. He immediately sent a secret message to Li Yuan.

A pre-emptive srike was made by Li Yuan. One morning in May 617, while he was hadnling public affairs with Wang Wei and Gao Junya, a local army official was brought to the court alleging a revolt had been planned. Li Shimin had already set an ambush outside Taiyuan. Li Yuan deliberately asked Wang Wei to read the complaint first, but the accuser refused, "I'm accusing the vice-governors, only the Duke of Tang can read it".

Feigning ignorance, Lui Yuan took the complaint, which charged Wang Wei and Gao Junya of collaboration with the Turks. It claimed that they were responsible for the Turk invasion. Now, Wang and Gao knew they had fallen into Li Yuan's trap. They shouted, "So this is a plot to murder us". At Liu Wenjin's command, the soldiers jumped out from their ambush and captured the two.

[General_Zhaoyun]

Alliance with Turks against Sui

On the third day of Li Yuan's armed rebellion, several hundred thousand of Turks cavalryman arrived and encircled Taiyuan. As the enemy was stronger, Li Yuan gave orders for a strong defence in the city. In order to confuse the attackers, he had the city gates opened, flags removed from the city walls and the defenders hidden. The Turks seeing the gates open and everything quiet were puzzled and withdrew.

In order to remove the Turk threat, Li Yuan sent Liu Wenjing to see Shibi Khan (始毕可汗) of the Turks. He informed the Khan that they were willing to become his vassal. He also promised that when the capital was conquered, the gold and the silks would belong to them, while the land and the people would belong to Li Yuan. Overjoyed, the Khan agreed to support the rebellion and offered 100 horses.

In order to prevent the Wagang army (瓦岗军 - another rebel army) from entering the central Shaanxi plains, Li Yuan wrote to Li Mi (李蜜), "No one but you is entitled to rule China. I am already over 40 years old, without any ambition to take the country". After reading the letter, Li Mi was overwelmed. "Even th Duke of Tang compliments me: China must be mine in the future." From the on, he never kept watch Li Yuan.

When everything was ready, Li Yuan led 300,000 troops out of Taiyuan on July 617. He marched his troops south, down the Fen river and arrived in a town ,25 km from Huoyi where the Sui army led by General Song Laosheng (宋老生) was stationed. Another Sui contingent was sent to defend Hedong in an attempt to thwart Li Yuan's westward march.

At that time conditions were bad, it rained incessantly, provisions was low and it was rumoured that the Turks had allied with Liu Wuzhou to attack Taiyuan. Greatly concerned about Taiyuan's safety, Li Yuan wanted to withdraw, but his son, Li Shimin did not agree. Li Shimin said ' If our army marches forward, we will be victorious. If we retreat, the soldiers will desert and the enemy will come and kill us." Li Yuan later decided to march forward.

Fearing that the enemy general Song Laosheng would wait out the attackers inside his defences, Li Yuan sent Li Jaincheng and Li Shimin along with dozens of soldiers to swear at the Sui army.

Song Lao sheng was brave, but not resourceful. When he saw the two Li brothers verbally abused him, he was enraged and led 30,000 soldiers into battle. They organised a formation half a km away from the town. Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin led their men in an attack from the rear. From the back, the attackers shouted 'Song Laosheng had been beheaded". Hearing this, the Sui forces fell into chaos and retreated, crowding back the city gates. Afraid that the Tang forces would enter, the guards closed the city gates, also locking out many Sui soldiers. When Song Laosheng retreated to the wall, he asked the guards to throw down a rope for him to climb up. Before he could climb high enough, the Tang soldiers arrived and hacked him to death.

Huoyi (霍邑) city was finally captured by Li Yuan.

Victorious, Li YUan began to march into central Shaanxi plainst. His daughter, who was later titled the Princess of Pingyang (平阳公主), raised a women army in Er county. Her army grew to include more than 20,00 woemn. As Li Shimin was passing through Weibei on his march to Chang'an, the Princess of Pingyang led more than 10,000 elite forces to join him.

In October 617, Li Yuan laid siege to Chang'an with 200,000 troops. He ordered Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng to attack from two directions. The capital was finally sacked.

Li Yuan made Yang Yong, Yang Di's grandson, the new emperor. But in 618 AD, when Emperor Yang Di was murdered in Jiangdu, Li Yuan desposed the 14 year old puppet emperor and ascended the throne himself, changing Sui to Tang and setting his capital in Chang'an. Li Yuan became Emperor Gao Zu and Tang dynasty was founded.

(My next post : Unification of China eliminating the rebels)

[General_Zhaoyun]

Unification of China (part 1)

In the beginning of the Tang dynasty, there were many warlords throughout China, posing a serious threat to stability. Among the warlords, the most powerful wwere Xue Ju (薛举) and Liu Wuzhou (刘武周). Xue, an extremely rich man, controlled western Gansu. In 617 AD, he rebelled aainst Sui, claiming to be the conqueror of Gansu.

When Li Yuan took Chang'an, Xue Ju sent his forces to invade Jingzhou. Li Shimin, together with Liu Wenjing and Yin Kaishan (殷开山), led their forces to fight Xue's troops. The two oppsoing armies met in Gaozu, (north of today's Wu Country in Shaanxi province), As the invaders had travelled a long way and were eager for battle, Li Shimin made use of geographical advantages and staged a strong defence.

Li Shimin contracted malaria and the military command was entrusted to Liu Wenjing and Yin Kaishan. He repeated warned them, "The enemy has come a long way and wants a quick battle. We must wait patiently. When their provisions run out, then we will attack. Only then can our victory be quaranteed. For now, do not engage them even when provoked."

But when the enemy soldiers challenged, the commanders ignored Li Shimin's warning. They led their forces out, organising a formation southwest of Gaozu without a strong rear guard. Xue orchestrated a surprise attack from behind. The Tang army was crushed, with more than half of soldiers killed.

Li Shimin had to withdraw into Chang'an. After Xue Ju took Gaozu, he planned on assaulting Chang'an, but died of a sudden illness. Xue Rengao (薛仁杲) inherited Xue Ju's position. In September 618, Li Shimin again led a military expedition to Gaozu. He established a strong defence without staging an assault. Both sides squared off for more than 60 days.

When november came, Xue Rengao's troops had depleted their provisions and suffered low morale. Li Shimin thought the opportunity had arrived. He ordered General Liang Shi (梁实) to encamp with a small detachment in Qianshuiyuan. The Xue general, Song Luohou (宋罗睺), was tricked into making an all out attack with his best forces. General Liang made use of the natural defences. Xue's army could not capture the camp after several days of attack.

Li Shimin then sent Pang Yu to set a formation south of Qianshuiyuan. Song Luohou began to attack Pang Yu. At this time, Li Shimin led his main forces in a surprise attack from the north of Qianshuiyuan.

With several thousand casualties, Xue's army fled in despair. Li Shimin led 200 cavalrymen in close pursuit and encircled Xue's headquarters at Zheshu (northeast of today's Jingchuan County, Gansu Province). When evening came, more Tang battalions arrived. The next morning, Xue Rengao had no choice but to open the gates and surrender with all his court officials.

After Xue's submission, Li Shimin begna to contentrate on Liu Wuzhou. In 617, Liu Wuzhou murdered the governor of Mayi and began a revolt. Relying on Turks forces, he claimed himself to be the emperor. In April 619, Liu Wuzhou launched a largescale campaign against the Tang forces guarding Shanxi. They broke through Tang defences and approached Taiyuan.

Li Yuanji (李元吉), third son of Li Yuan, was stationed in Taiyuan. He spent much of his time there taking pleasure tours of local sights, allowing Taiyuan's defense to lapse. When Liu Wuzhou attacked, the town was unable to offer any resistance. Li Yuanji retreated the very first night to Chang'an with his family. Taiyuan was sacked.

Li Yuan did not know what to do to stop Liu Wuzhuo's forces. He wanted to abandon Shanxi, but Li Shimin disagreed. He argued that Taiyuan could never be given up because it was the birthplace of Tang, a rich area and a key post. He asked to lead a special force to recover the land. Li Yuan granted his request and saw him off in person.

In November 619, Li Shimin crossed the frozen Yellow River and camped at Bobi, facing the Liu Wuzhou's troops under General Song Jingang (宋金刚). Li Shimin held a strong defence, only sending small units to make surprise attacks.

After a five-month standoff, Song Jingang had not been able to engage Tang's main force and his men suffered a gradual loss of spirit. Further complicating matters, his supply line was under repeated surprise attacks by Tang. In April 620, almost out of provisions, Song's men retreated north.

The Tang force pursued, covering more than 100 km in the 1st 24 hours. Dozens of battles were fought during the chase. The next day, they caught Song Jingang's main forces in the Queshu Valley. They completed the victory after 8 battles. By then, Commander Li SHimin had no eaten for 2 days and had not slept for three.

Upon arrival in Jiexiu, Song Jingang led 20,000 men out of the west gate and organised a battle formation. With its line more than 3 km long, Song was determined to stage a final battle. When the two sides were locked in bitter fighting. Li Shimin led 3,000 cavalrymen in an attack against the rear. Song's army was totally decimated. Together with Liu Wuzhou, he escaped, taking refuge with the Turks.

[General_Zhaoyun]

Unification of China (part 2)

The threat to the Shaanxi plains removed, the Tang army marched towards the plains of central China. At this point, there wer only two armed forces, led respectively by Wang Shichong (王世充) and Dou Jiande (窦建德), left in the region. The 22-year-old Li Shimin was appointed commander of an expedition to Henan against Wang Shimin. In April 619, Wang Shichong claimed himself as emperor and named his kingdom "Zheng (郑)".

In July 620, the Tang army attacked Cijian (east of today's Xian coutny, henan province). Wang Shichong's main stronghold in the wesern frontier. Li Shimin led a small unit of calvary to scout. During a rest break, they were surrounded by enemy troops. Thanks to his archery skill, Li Shimin was able to escape.

After Li Shimin's force of 50,000 conquered Cejian, he dispatched a number of contingents to encircle Luoyang while marching his main forces directly to the city. Wang Shichong organised a formation to the northwest of the town, squaring off with the Tang amry across a river.

Wang Shichong wanted to make a truce. He shouted across the river to Li Shimin. "The Sui collapsed, the Tang has established an empire in the Shaanxi plains, I became the emperor in Henan, and never offended the Tang, why do you invade? Shall we make truce?". Li Shimin replied ,' I'm attacking Luoyang on an imperial command. A truce is impossile."

One day on an inspection tour with 500 cavalryman, Li Shimin was encircled by more than 10,000 enemy soldiers. Shan Xiongxin (单雄信), a former general of Zai Rang now under Wang Shichong's command, aimed his halberd towards Li Shimin. At this time, Tang General Wei Chijingde (尉迟敬德) came galloping with a shout and knocked Shan Xiongxin off the horse. He then escorted Li Shimin out of the enemy encirclement.

In February 621, Li Shimin moved his forces to Qingchenggong, near Luoyang. Wang Shichong led 20,000 troops out of town. He established a formation, ready for battle. Li Shimin put his elite Tang calvary on the Beimang Hill. Then he climbed the hill and found Wang Shichong situated in an indefensible position. He thought the time had come to wipe out the enemy.

Li Shimin led his cavalry straight into the enemy position. In the chaotic state of the battle, he lost contact with the Tang soldiers, only being followed by a single man, General Qiu Xinggong (丘行恭). To make matters worse, his horse had been shot and killed. Giving his horse to Li Shimin, General Qiu fought fearlessly on foot with his swords. Together they broke through and rejoined their troops.

Defeated, Wang Shichong retreated to Luoyang. Li Shimin launched a continuous attack from al sides, but Wangs' troop put up a desperate defence. They fought back with catapults, which threw stones 25 kg up to 200 steps and with 8-string bows that fired arrows as far as 500 steps. Over 10 days passed with teh Tang army suffered heavy casualities, but unable to capture Luoyang.

Some of the Tang soldiers were exhausted and wanted to return to Chang'an, General Liu Hongji (刘弘基) also suggested they withdraw. However, Li Shimin confidently said, 'many towns in the central plains were terrified into submission. Only Luoyang remains and it can't last for long. Why should we give it up?" he steadfastly ordered, " We should not return before Luoyang is sacked".

In march luoyang had an extreme shortage of supplies . The civilians had eaten all the tree bark and grass roots. The roads were strewn with corpses. Of more than 30,000 househodls ,only 3000 remained. Luoyang was in imminent danger of collapse.

While Luoyang was besieged, Wang Shichong desperately asked Dou Jiande for help. Liu Bin, counseller to Dou, advised, "if the kingdom of Zheng collapses, our Xia kingdom shall also fall. We should send troops to rescue Zheng. Together we can defeat the Tang. Then we will seek chances to wipe out Zheng and take the whole country before the Tang can regain their strength. " Dou Jiande liked the idea.

To rescue Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande sent 100,000 soldiers to Chenggao (west of today's Xingyang, Henan Province). Now the Tang army faced a new challenge. Tang officials believed if Xian and Zheng joined forces, there would be no hope for the Tang to unite China in the forseeable future. So, Li Shimin left a small part of his army around Luoyang and sent his main forces to fight Dou Jiande.

After Tang army arrived in Wulao, Li Shimin led an elite calvary of 500 east for more than 10 km, setting 3 ambuses along the way. He and Weichi Jinde rode to the Xia army's camp with only 4 horsemen.

When they were about a km away from the camp, they came across a xia patrol. Li Shimin shouted loudly, "I am Li Shimin, the prince of Qin." No sooner were the words said that he killed the patrol leader with an arrow.

Upon hearing the news, Dou Jiande sent his main forces to pursue the Tang amry. Li Shimin pretended to flee, enticing the Xia army into ambushes. The Xia soldiers were defeated and abandoned their armour in their desperate escape.

The two sides held their positions for over a month. Then the Tang received information that Dou was planning a surprise attack against Wulao when the Tang soldiers would be away feeding their horses across the Yellow River. Li Shimin decided to turn the trick against Dou. He led his forces across the river, and deliberately left 1,000 horses on the river bank to confuse the enemy scouts, but that night the men secretly returned to camp.

The next day, Dou Jiande launched an attack with his entire army. He arranged a battle formation around the eastern bank of the Si river. The formation ran for more than 10 km, north to south. Tang soldiers lined up facing the enemy across the river, and sent small contingents to draw the Xia army into actions. By noon, the Xia soldiers had still not engaged the Tang's main force. Tired and thirsty, they sat on the ground.

Li Shimin ordered Yuwen Shiji (宇文士及) to attack the Xia with 300 cavalry troops. He told him, "if the Xia firmly holds their position, retreat at once. If they formation wavers, then you must strike." In the face of attack, the Xia army fell apart. At this moment, the whole Tang army entered the battle. Li Shimin led his main force across the si river directly at the enemy positiohn.

Dou Jiande was holding court with his ministers when the Tang attacked . He hurriedly went into battle. Li Shimin broke through the enemy position and then struck again from the rear. Dou Jiande was injured, fell from his horse and was taken prisoner. After that, Wang Shichong had to surrender.

Soon Dou Jiande was executed.

[General_Zhaoyun]

Unification of China (Part 3)

The Tang government forced his subordinates, Dong Kangmai (董康买), Fan Yuan (范愿) and Liu Heita (刘黑闼) to report in Chang'an. Fan YUan said heavyheartedly, "if we go to Chang'an, we shall certainly be killed." In July 621, they organised another rebellion, electing Liu Heita as their chief. The rebel army defeated Tang forces and recovered the area formerly within Xia's jurisdiction.

Li Shimin commanded his army to put down the rebellion. He faced off with Liu Heita by the Ming river for more than 60 days. Li planned to dam teh Ming river on the upstream and then release the flow to drown Liu Heita forces during the battle.

Liu Heita led 20,000 troops across the river for a decisive battle. When the two sides were in hevy fighting, Li Shimin ordered the dam be removed. Suddently, the river rose and flooded borth banks. More than 10,000 rebel soldiers were killed in battle, several thousands drowned. Liu Heita managed to flee with 200 cavalrymen. Later he organied another rebellion and was again defeated and this time killed . The Tang went on to unify China.