Tianbao War
| Tianbao War | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Nanzhao | Tang dynasty | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Geluofeng |
Xianyu Zhongtong Li Mi | ||||||
The Tianbao War (Chinese: 天宝战争)[1][2] occurred between Nanzhao and Tang China in the 8th century.
Background
[edit]In 649, the chieftain of the Mengshe tribe, Xinuluo (細奴邏, Senola), founded the Great Meng (大蒙) and took the title of Qijia Wang (奇嘉王; "Outstanding King"). He acknowledged Tang suzerainty.[3] In the year 737 AD, Xinuluo's son Piluoge (皮羅閣) united the Six Zhaos in succession, establishing a new kingdom called Nanzhao (Southern Zhao). In 738, the Tang granted Piluoge the Chinese-style name Meng Guiyi ("return to righteousness")[4] and the title of "Prince of Yunnan".[5]
Piluoge died in 748, and was succeeded by his son Geluofeng (閣羅鳳). Geluofeng and his wife once visited Tang officials, but the Yunnan governor Zhang Qiantuo (張虔陀) treated them rudely. Zhang also levied unreasonable taxes on them, but Geluofeng mostly refused to pay. Zhang then sent his subordinates to insult Geluofeng, and falsely accused him of treason to the Tang court. Geluofeng was thus resentful and planned to revolt.[2]
War
[edit]In 750, Geluofeng raised an army to capture 32 native counties of Yunnan and killed Zhang Qiantuo. Yang Guozhong (楊國忠), the Tang governor of Xichuan, sent Xianyu Zhongtong (鮮于仲通) to lead 60,000 troops to attack Nanzhao. Nanzhao was defeated step by step. Geluofeng sent envoys to the Tang dynasty to apologize and request peace with Tang, otherwise he would surrender to Tibet, but the Tang dynasty refused. Nanzhao then asked Tibet for help. The Tang army advanced close to the Nanzhao capital, but was defeated. Tibet and Nanzhao thus became brother states.[2]
In 754, Tang general Li Mi (李宓) led an army of 70,000 to attack Nanzhao. When they reached the capital, Geluofeng stayed in the city and refused to fight. Li Mi's army ran out of food, and most soldiers died of disease, malaria, and hunger. Li Mi led the rest of his troops back, but was pursued by the Nanzhao army and his entire army was wiped out. After this defeat, the Tang dynasty no longer had the strength to attack Nanzhao.[1]
Aftermath
[edit]As Tibet suffered heavy losses in many defeats, Tibet imposed excessive taxes and military service on Nanzhao. In 794, Nanzhao launched the Battle of Shenchuan, successfully broke away from Tibet, and restored friendly relation with the Tang dynasty.[1]
Reference
[edit]- ^ a b c d 段玉明 (2018-09-10). "南詔、唐朝、吐蕃的三角關係". Academy of Chinese Studies (in Chinese).
- ^ a b c 邱永志 (2012-02-21). "战争与文化——历史上南诏与唐帝国之间的战争". China Economic History (in Chinese).
- ^ "Nanzhao 南詔 (www.chinaknowledge.de)".
- ^ Wang, Zhenping (2013). Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia: A History of Diplomacy and War. University of Hawaii Press. p. 103.
- ^ Blackmore, M. (1960). "The Rise of Nan-Chao in Yunnan". Journal of Southeast Asian History. 1 (2): 57. doi:10.1017/S0217781100000132.