Origins & Early Life

Su Lie (Chinese: 蘇烈; 591–667), better known by his courtesy name as Su Dingfang (Chinese: 蘇定方), posthumous name Duke Zhuang of Xing (邢莊公), was a military general of the Tang dynasty who succeeded in destroying the Western Turkic Khaganate in 657. He was born in Wuyi (武邑; in modern-day Hengshui, Hebei). Su Dingfang's victory over the Western Turks expanded the western borders of the Tang dynasty to its farthest extent. He was also instrumental in conquering Baekje in 660.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Su Dingfang was born in 591, during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui. Toward the end of the reign of Emperor Wen's son and successor Emperor Yang of Sui, the empire was engulfed in agrarian rebellions, and Su Dingfang's father Su Yong (蘇邕) led a local militia in combating the agrarian rebels. Su Dingfang was then in his teenage years, and often served as part of Su Yong's forward troops. After Su Yong died, Su Dingfang took over the militia and continued to battle the agrarian rebels. According to Su Dingfang's biography in the Old Book of Tang, he was the one who defeated and killed one of the major rebel generals, Zhang Jincheng (張金稱), in battle.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He also defeated another rebel general, Yang Gongqing...

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