battle decisive victory dynasty prince able subdue rival battle fought strategically important east led siege city seat self declared emperor help east delayed finally arrived brought forces meet new threat army avoided conflict troops exhausted led cavalry charge breaking opposing army capturing seeing choice surrendered states absorbed later executed resulting followers led raising unsuccessful rebellion marked decisive turning point civil wars followed collapse dynasty eventual victory doubt background later reign second emperor dynasty yang reigned dynasty authority began immense material human cost protracted fruitless attempts conquer korean kingdom coupled natural disasters caused unrest provinces successive military failures eroded emperor prestige legitimacy mandate heaven provincial governors yang continued korean campaigns time realized gravity situation late revolts spread abandoned north withdrew remained assassination local governors rose claim power wake yang withdrawal major contenders emerged claiming imperial title time modest titles positioned contenders duke governor northwest modern noble family related dynasty distinguished career obvious candidate throne province possessed excellent natural defences heavily population located near capitals autumn sons led troops south lightning campaign defeated forces tried bar way november troops stormed capital firmly placed major contender empire june proclaimed emperor dynasty series campaigns led talented managed eliminate rivals northwest repel attack taken control expand control northeastern plain modern provinces words historian decide new dynasty remain regional regime succeed uniting country control early major regimes established region controlled based general declared emperor dynasty defeating rebel leader battle absorbing army territories ruled time leader risen revolt base central expanded control south claiming title king like use pre existing administrative apparatus maintain realm campaign march west fresh crushing victory august army men began advance progress swift september troops begun establish ring fortified camps city detachments penetrated south east north triggering central control monks nearby sided defeating detachment army capturing nephew isolated capital territory immediately able defeat repeated attempts break siege supply situation grew steadily worse siege continued winter spring march people reportedly shifting dirt find traces food ate rice mud time hope rescue intervention sent envoys late situation presented councillor offered danger opportunity fell turn intervened saved easy weakened annex state probably design waited april situation critical began marching west relieve siege army huge force reportedly strong earliest sources report men possibly exaggerated army size capabilities time army accompanied similarly large supply train comprising boats news approach generals suggested abandon siege retire west prince refused left army maintain siege rest marched miles east occupied april formed river lined banks steep hills rising south mountains possessed major strategic importance described chinese east west road south bank crossed strategic dilemma army arrived pass found walled town western heights strongly held forces plain miles east pass weeks repeatedly marched offered battle content remain powerful defensive position numerically inferior force easily hold bay prince knew time worked favour day continued brought garrison closer starvation surrender happened able launch strike entire strength army passes available hills near smaller equally given size army alternatives bypass position entirely crossing north south civil officials suggested different strategic approach avoid engagement cross northern bank strike weakening forcing abandon siege casualties plan supported wife adopted opposition generals aside natural disregard military professionals suggestion regarded general opposition attributed sources generals agents ensure remained committed relief true events military historian logistical concerns played major role decision stay huge army utterly dependent proximity canal network supplies addition nature army containing forces rebel leaders defeated past years loyalty doubtful prevented dividing army sending detachments independent missions event month passed prince decided force confrontation reasons unknown suggests possible believed morale men deteriorated likely wish allow exposed army withdraw safety fallen frustrated unexpectedly long resistance time evidently determined exploit opportunity offered tactical situation score crushing victory result rapid absorption domains enemy accept battle sent cavalry raid supply lines positioned troops suggest small force present took bait early morning hours led large army deploying troops battle eastern shore river plan troops come forth deploy battle instead remained strong defensive positions waiting army tire begin withdrawal according rush fall disorganized army usual blueprint employed prevail prince let enemy advance stretching supply lines chose suitable highly position confront avoided direct confrontation instead launching raids opponent supply lines awaiting signs weakness beginning retreat launched attack aiming crushing battlefield success rendered decisive following relentless cavalry pursuit words exploit bring collapse opponent entire regime plan successful apart skirmishes armies cavalry armies maintained noon troops began signs high point saw sent cavalry attack saw assault sent cavalry turn left flank south reacted ordering withdrawal entire army river better defensive position offered eastern valley manoeuvre created confusion lines breaking battle order awaiting opportunity ordered army launch general attack withdrawing attack head remaining cavalry led accompanied elite force black clad black armoured horsemen contemporary chinese military leaders expected prove personal bravery battlefield men example stay rear army ensuing battle bloody decided cavalry broke lines reached eastern planting banners view armies possibly coupled arrival flanking cavalry development caused complete collapse army trapped forces eastern cliffs soldiers fell field subsequent pursuit taken prisoner included wounded captured trying find way cross aftermath victory spelled end hope rescue surrendered june displayed captured generals city walls stark contrast treated defeated rivals soon eliminated sent executed ostensibly allowed retire exile killed way wife senior officials managed escape camp reach safety wanted continue fighting adopted son including influential regarded outcome battle sign possessed divine right rule june formally surrendered ally brother following suit days writes great victory single decisive engagement civil wars separated collapse consolidation authority defeating eliminated strongest rivals brought vital north eastern plain control securing competing factions authority encompassed china new rebellions continued occur years notable occurred late officials rose reaction execution leadership cavalry commander eventual outcome civil war decided rebel leaders overcome defeated june marking end civil war late emperor china ordered erection buddhist monasteries sites seven battles fought civil war gesture illustrated emperor desire bridge heal divisions conflict chose temple equality
Battle of Hulao