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Battle of the Gaoliang River

Type Event Region China Time c. 979

Around 979 CE, after destroying Northern Han, Emperor Taizong of Song Zhao Guangyi campaigned north against Liao to recover Yan and Yun;…

Timeline

  1. 979Taiyuan · ShanxiAfter personally campaigning to destroy Northern Han, Song Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi, against the remonstrations of his ministers, turned his forces north to attack Liao, attempting to recover Yan and Yun in one stroke.
  2. c. 979Youzhou · BeijingThe Song army reached the walls of Youzhou (modern Beijing); the siege dragged on, Liao reinforcements were approaching, and the situation gradually turned unfavorable.
  3. c. 979Gaoliang River · BeijingLiao general Yelü Xiuge led reinforcements in a counterattack; the Song army was badly defeated around the Gaoliang River, and the emperor, wounded by an arrow, fled south in a donkey cart, ending the northern campaign in disastrous defeat.

Sources