{"id":3716,"date":"2019-11-20T17:19:56","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T21:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=3716"},"modified":"2022-03-11T14:26:36","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T18:26:36","slug":"sui-and-tang-dynasties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/sui-and-tang-dynasties\/","title":{"rendered":"Sui and Tang Dynasties: Lessons from Critical Battles (Sun Tzu)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Was the transition between the Sui and Tang dynasties smooth? What can we learn from how the Tang ruler wiped out rebel Sui armies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ll cover the fight between the Sui and Tang dynasties and what the Tang army can teach us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Sui and Tang Dynasties: Knowing When to Fight<\/strong>
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At the beginning of the new Tang dynasty (618 to 905 C.E.), the founding ruler wanted to wipe out rebel armies from the former Sui dynasty still on the attack. When the ruler and a fellow warrior scouted the rebel army, they saw they were at a disadvantage sizewise. The warrior cautioned that attacking the rebels head on would be impossible. He suggested fortifying their position to tire them out and deplete their resources. The rebels expended much energy to instigate a battle with the Tang and ran out of food by nightfall. When they started to retreat, the Tang army followed and overpowered them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lessons from the Battle of Sui and Tang dynasties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What can this story about the Sui and Tang dynasties teach us? If strategic, psychological warfare does not lead to an early solution, then you may be called upon to physically attack enemy forces. Attacks should be on enemy forces only<\/strong>, not territories, cities, or civilians.<\/strong> 
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Wearing the Enemy Down<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In the anecdote about the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Tang wore the Sui down. In addition to manipulating a strong enemy into carelessness, forcing the enemy to exert energy will create opportunities of advantage for you<\/strong>.
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Wearing the Enemy Down<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In addition to manipulating a strong enemy into carelessness, forcing the enemy to exert energy will create opportunities of advantage for you<\/strong>.
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Strategize your efforts so they are geared toward controlling your opponent\u2019s momentum. These tactics include surprise attacks, retreating when they advance, advancing when they retreat, and maneuvering them in different directions.
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For example, you might strike a certain portion of the enemy\u2019s forces to push them down a particular path in defense. When their energy shifts to take up this defense, switch your assault to the enemy troops in the opposite direction. Switching attack positions forces your opponent\u2019s defense to hustle down another path to defend against your advance. 
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Moving them back and forth by forcing them to react to conflict, rather than allowing them to initiate conflict, will keep them on their toes and tire them out, as in the story of the <\/strong>Sui and Tang dynasties.<\/strong> 
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In addition to manipulating a strong enemy into carelessness, forcing the enemy to exert energy will create opportunities of advantage for you<\/strong>.
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Strategize your efforts so they are geared toward controlling your opponent\u2019s momentum. These tactics include surprise attacks, retreating when they advance, advancing when they retreat, and maneuvering them in different directions.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you might strike a certain portion of the enemy\u2019s forces to push them down a particular path in defense. When their energy shifts to take up this defense, switch your assault to the enemy troops in the opposite direction. Switching attack positions forces your opponent\u2019s defense to hustle down another path to defend against your advance. 
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As in the story of the Sui and Tang dynasties, moving the enemy back and forth by forcing them to react to conflict, rather than allowing them to initiate conflict, will keep them on their toes and tire them out.<\/strong> 
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Preparation Is Key<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prepare ahead of time to avoid catastrophe in the field. Sun Tzu says<\/a> six months are required to prepare the materials for an attack, including weapons and shelters, to avoid malfunctions and casualties. Don\u2019t rush into battle without first ensuring that you\u2019re adequately prepared. If you fight from a place of anger and don\u2019t take time to prepare, you will be sending your troops to their deaths. 
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A strategic siege is one where your forces are still strong, your resources still ample, and your casualties are nil. This was the case for the Tang in the battle story of the Sui and Tang dynasties.
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The Rules for Approaching Enemy Forces<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the story of the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Sui dynasty force was much larger than the Tang. But if all traits are equal between you and your enemy, there are rules for how to proceed. 
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If you have ten times the troops, you should surround the enemy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n