battle battle fought october armies rival contenders succession dynasty ostensibly loyalist blockaded months decisive battle led troops attack besieging army assembled forces naturally position north town managed surprise forces approach camp react aided secondary cavalry attack rear secured decisive victory forces managed escape army authority shattered followers joined sought refuge rival court consolidated control eventually deposed puppet ruler declared emperor new dynasty power lasted surrender prince 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 summer major contenders emerged claiming imperial title time modest titles powerful seized capital june proclaimed emperor dynasty time leader risen revolt came control king led mixture rebelled peasants soldiers main antagonist general controlled eastern capital remnants administration emperor yang sent city following yang murder general officials elevated yang grandson throne meantime managed gain control surrounding area moved north seized opportunity play rebels offered amnesty high court position march emperor yang assassin base great threatened agreed hoping turn profit gain control event heavily defeated series battles forced withdraw northern feeling threatened growing power facing plots launched coup état august seized power removing opponents barring city men moved confrontation historian comments prove decisive outcome civil war fighting survival capture cement hold importantly victor left possession populous region empire expect receive allegiance smaller armed factions battle facing starvation surrender decided risk open confrontation attempt push break siege selected elite troops cavalry garrison apparently troops participated expeditions rebels command especially order men according keen interest fond unseen powers invoked semi mythical figure founder duke shrine erected duke honour declared duke promised marched confront win remained doomed die apparently desired effect october led army following course marched eastward bypassing forward positions afternoon day army reached walled town miles located south irrigation canal north deep inside enemy territory camp fortress miles east learned sortie selected best men troops numbering left generals charge followed eastward hills north convened council war determine army course action advocated passive cautious stance arguing troops experienced veterans virtually cut retreat river canals presence army fight desperate courage situation described recommended strategy troops lesser authority familiar opposing commanders addition lack supplies constrained seek early decisive engagement forces time afford sit wait provisions utterly exhausted generals disagreed army exhausted force pointing considerable numerical superiority nature army came play aware commanders potentially autonomous commanded personal loyalty subordinates afford better judgement forced agree immediate confrontation decided await attack instead attacking main host remained hills detachment moved plain north established camp camps description formed inverted letter running east mountain turning sharply south plain felt confident superior position gave ample time descend hills try cross canal attack attacked camps troops come aid flanking forces confident naturally defensive layout camp neglected clash armies occurred evening october sent cavalry attack camp plain sent forces hills general aid battle ended quickly arrival night attack diversion drawing attention east cover night sent cavalry forces camp waited night laid bridges canal dawn army crossed deployed battle formation close camps troops caught entirely surprise sight battle ready enemy advancing camps rebel troops tried hastily form battle line unable prevent forces entering time signalled hidden cavalry attack charging north camp horsemen began setting fire sight camp rear going flames army broke fled able escape men rest surrendered according account victory secured soldiers greatly resembled bound displayed rebel troops height battle collapsed aftermath survived authority suffered devastating blow recover followers started quickly master territories east sea south far river remnants army forced seek refuge court hand stood apex power appointed new senior officials finally deposed puppet emperor declared emperor dynasty soon rule cruel costing support unable effectively confront advancing armies early laid siege allied came aid scored decisive victory battle taking captive hope finally surrendered days battle killed way exile
Battle of Yanshi