What was the detailed battle process of the Battle of Tianmenling? What impact does it have on history?

There were two events in the Battle of Tianmen Ridge. One was the battle between the Khitan general Li Kaigu and Sumo Mohe chief Da Zuorong in Tianmen Ridge in 698. The result was Sumo Mohe's victory.

The bloody battle at Tianmen Ridge

Since the Southern and Northern Dynasties, a large number of Mohe tribes have moved to the interior, especially Youzhou and Lulong. According to the records of "Customs of Northern Tibet": During the Kaihuang reign of the Sui Dynasty, a war broke out between Sumo Mohe and Goguryeo, and the Sumo tribe was defeated. In order to avoid the war disaster in Goguryeo, Chief Tudiji led nearly 20,000 Mohe people from eight tribes including Yalai, Kuletu, Yuejimeng, Yueyu, Buhurai, Puxi and Bubukuoli to abandon Buyu City (today's Jilin Province). Jilin City, Liaoning Province) moved to Liucheng in western Liaoning (now southeast of Ningfuxin City, Liaoning Province). During the Wude period of the early Tang Dynasty, the Sumo Mohe Usugu tribe moved inland to Shenzhou in western Liaoning (today's Jianchang, Liaoning Province). In 628, another Sumo Mohe Chousi Ling tribe moved inland to Lizhou in western Liaoning (now Funing, Hebei Province). After the Tang Dynasty destroyed Goguryeo, there was a large-scale forced migration. Therefore, a large number of Sumo Mohe and Baishan Mohe who had surrendered to Goguryeo were driven to the Yingzhou area, and the Bohai family was among them. During the rebellion in Yingzhou, Qiqi Zhongxiang and the Mohe chief Qi Sibiyu and the remaining Korean tribes fled eastward, crossed the Liao River, secured the northeastern part of Taibai Mountain, blocked the Aolou River, and solidified the tree wall. After the rebellion in Yingzhou was put down, Qi Qi Zhongxiang and Qi Si Bi Yu petitioned the Tang court for forgiveness, and Wu Zetian named Qi Qi Zhong Xiang the Duke of Zhen Guo and Qi Si Bi Yu the title Duke Xu. However, Wu Yizong and others went on a killing spree against the Khitan troops who had already laid down their weapons. "They all thought they were rebels and cut them alive for their courage." In the Mid-Autumn Festival of 697, Li Kaigu, the Khitan general who surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, asked Wu Zetian to express his loyalty and wipe out the Mohe tribe that had been attached to the rebels. Wu Zetian was overjoyed and "conferred upon him official titles and entrusted him with special expeditions." Li Kaigu lived up to his sacred mandate and defeated Qisbyu's tribe in less than a month. Chief Qisbyu was captured by the Tang army and executed, and his head was presented to the Tang court. Qiqi Zhongxiang died of illness, and Qiqi Zhongxiang's son Zuorong led his troops to escape. Li Kaigu led his army in pursuit. When they passed Tianmen Ridge, Zuorong used Korean and Mohe troops to resist Li Kaigu, but Li Kaigu failed and fled back.

Battle results

Zuorong won the battle of Tianmen Ridge. Because this battle took place shortly after Da Zuorong passed through Tianmen Ridge during his escape eastward. Therefore, it is known as the "Battle of Tianmenling" in history.

Influence and follow-up

In the Battle of Tianmen Ridge, Zuorong's tribe defeated the Tang Dynasty's pursuers and became attached to the Turks. The Turks blocked the way of Wang's expedition, and Wu Zetian was unable to conquer Zuorong. Zuorong relied on the fact that the place was remote and difficult to conquer, and established a political power. He claimed to be the king of Zhen, and sent envoys to make friends with the Turks. The area was five thousand miles away, with more than 100,000 households and tens of thousands of victorious soldiers.

During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong, Zhang Xingji, the imperial censor, was sent to comfort him, and Zuorong sent his son to serve in the Tang Dynasty.

During the reign of Emperor Ruizhong, Zuorong accepted the appointment of the Tang Dynasty as General Zuo Xiaowei and Prince of Bohai County. He made the area under his control the Huhan Prefecture and the governor of the Huhan Prefecture. Since then, we have gone to Mohe, which is called Bohai.