The full text is 1835 words, and the reading time is about 3 minutes
In people's minds, the most feared by the Tang Empire at that time should be the powerful nomadic Tubo and Turks at that time. However, what really brought down the powerful empire was the Nanzhao State, which had always been unknown. As incredible as it sounds, it's true.
The Tang Empire was the most prosperous and powerful empire in China's ancient history. But in the thirteenth year of Tianbao, a battle fought by the Tang Empire became a disgrace to the entire country. This was the war between the Tang Empire and the little Nanzhao State.
The State of Nanzhao had always been unremarkable, but due to its important and powerful geographical location, both Datang and Tubo were vying to win him over, and in the end, Nanzhao chose Datang, but later, why did the Tang Empire lose at the hands of Nanzhao?
1. The Tang Empire and the Nanzhao State
Nanzhao was originally a small country in the southwest region. In the southwest region, the power of the Nanzhao state was the strongest. His geographical location is also very good, next to the powerful Tubo. The decades-long war between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet also made Nanzhao, which was sandwiched in the middle, a fragrant feast.
Both the Tang Empire and Tibet competed to win over the Nanzhao state. Later, Nanzhao chose Datang, and Datang also helped Nanzhao unify the southwest region and eliminate several small countries. Nanzhao and Datang became allies, which made Tubo also start to think in the long run.
Later, the Tang Dynasty, Nanzhao, and Tubo became the three largest forces at that time. Later, as the Nanzhao state continued to eliminate other small countries, its own power became more and more huge, and at this time, the war between Nanzhao and The Tang Dynasty was inevitable.
And why did the two countries that were originally friendly turn against each other? At that time, one of the stone tablets in Nanzhao recorded in detail the six incriminating evidence of the Tang Dynasty. Let's analyze the dispute between Datang and Nanzhao together.
Reasons for Article 2 and Article 6
The first piece of evidence is that Nanzhao believed that the Tang Dynasty wanted to secretly ally with Tubo and then destroy itself in one fell swoop. But this is actually impossible. Because the forces of Nanzhao, Datang and Tubo are all three-legged.
If Datang really wanted to destroy Nanzhao, he didn't need to ally with Tubo at all. And if this balance of mutual restraint is broken, either side is in danger.
The second reason was that the younger brother of King Nanzhao was exiled by the emperor to the land of the Tang Dynasty, but at that time an official went to the imperial court to cause chaos within the State of Nanzhao. This is actually an act of divisiveness.
The third is that after Nanzhao slowly eliminated several countries in the southwest, it unified the Erhai Sea and began to eliminate and unify the surrounding small countries, and its strength slowly increased, which made the Tang Dynasty feel pressure.
At first, the Tang Dynasty allowed Nanzhao to unify small countries because it wanted to resist Tubo's invasion with him, but now the situation is out of its control. Therefore, in the defeat and annexation of those ethnic minority tribes by Nanzhao, Datang chose to tolerate and take care of them.
Nanzhao believed that this was the tribe he had defeated, and Datang's approach was undoubtedly to see himself unfavorably. The fourth reason is actually that Nanzhao believes that Datang is carrying out invisible suppression of him. Some countries with better relations with the Nanzhao state were squeezed by Datang.
And those who have bad relations, Datang gives unlimited support and power. In Nanzhao's view, this is a naked rejection of him, although Nanzhao's current forces are all helped and supported by Datang, but they cannot turn their faces like this.
This fifth article is Datang's obvious rejection and prevention of Nanzhao. After the annexation and elimination of some small countries, the Nanzhao state became more and more powerful, and the Tang Dynasty had to guard against this ally state in its eyes. Therefore, several city walls were placed near the Southern ZhaoGuo, and many soldiers were stationed.
This move was to take precautionary measures, to protect itself, but the Nanzhao State was not happy. Garrisoning soldiers under their own eyes and setting up camp is not already putting a knife around their necks?
This had long aroused the dissatisfaction of the Nanzhao state, so when the Nanzhao state had no patience anymore, it would definitely launch a war with the Tang Dynasty. The sixth article is actually that Datang taxed the Nanzhao State, which made the Nanzhao State less satisfied.
Because Nanzhao Guo found that the taxes imposed by Datang on itself were different from those of other countries. Nan Zhaogong also believed that such a high cost was actually that Datang was silently suppressing himself, which caused strong dissatisfaction in the Southern Zhao state.
Third, the Nanzhao State and the Tang Dynasty could not avoid war
In fact, from these six reasons, it can be seen that whether it is a reasonable or unreasonable excuse, the Nanzhao State has made up its mind to fight a war with the Tang Dynasty, and they have been cultivating for many years and are very well prepared.
And Nanzhao and Datang really had friction, which is also an opportunity. At that time, the king of Nanzhao went to visit the Taishou in Yunnan according to the old practice, but after the Taishou insulted the king of Nanzhao, he also insulted the king of Nanzhao.
The Nanzhao state could not bear it, and reported the matter to the Tang Dynasty court, but it was not resolved, and in a fit of anger, the king of Nanzhao killed this Taishou. At this point, Nanzhao and Datang officially opened the war mode. This war also made it impossible for Nanzhao and Tubo not to unite to deal with Datang, and in the end, Datang was defeated in a mess.
The Tang Dynasty had already lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers before and after, but the general had been falsely reporting military information in front of the emperor and telling Tang Xuanzong that the war was going well. What is even more bizarre is that the entire imperial court is hiding from Tang Xuanzong. So much so that the flames of war had burned into the house, Tang Xuanzong was still not hurried or unaware.
Perhaps in the eyes of Tang Xuanzong, Datang was still prosperous and prosperous, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, but behind this gorgeous city, it was already in ruins. Later, Gao Lishi really couldn't look at it anymore and told Tang Xuanzong the truth, but unfortunately Tang Xuanzong was old, he began to avoid, and in the end, all these problems were squeezed together, and the Anshi Rebellion broke out.
Reference: Book of Tang