Siege of Yanmen
615 CE · Yanmen Pass, Dai County, Shanxi · China · Early modern
Shibi Khan led a surprise attack on Emperor Yang of Sui during his northern tour, trapping him in the city of Yanmen Commandery; when reinforcements converged from all over, the Turks lifted the siege and withdrew.
Belligerents
Sui
- Commanders
- Emperor Yang of Sui, Yun Dingxing
- Strength
- Imperial Palace Army and loyalist relief forces of several tens of thousands
Eastern Turks
- Commanders
- Shibi Khan
- Strength
- Turkic cavalry, claimed several hundred thousand, besiege the city
Background
While Emperor Yang of Sui toured the northern frontier, Shibi Khan, resentful of the Sui dynasty's long-standing policy of dividing the Turks, seized the opportunity to launch a raid.
Course of the battle
- Surprise attack and siegeAs Turkic cavalry swept in, Emperor Yang of Sui hastily took refuge in the city of Yanmen to defend it.
- Holding out behind the city wallsCivilian laborers in the city were conscripted to strengthen the defenses, holding off the enemy day and night.
- Reinforcements convergeLoyalist forces arrived from all over to rescue the emperor, and on hearing the news the Turks lifted the siege and returned north.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 615 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Yanmen Pass, Dai County, Shanxi |
| Result | Shibi Khan led a surprise attack on Emperor Yang of Sui during his northern tour, trapping him in the city of Yanmen Commandery; when reinforcements converged from all over, the Turks lifted the siege and withdrew. |
| Winner | No decision |
| Casualties | The siege lasted more than a month; the city ran out of grain and its people suffered, with no exact record of casualties. |
| Territorial change | Sui control over the northern frontier was markedly weakened, and Emperor Yang's prestige suffered. |
Impact
It exposed the hollowness of Sui frontier defenses behind their strong facade, accelerating the rise of anti-Sui forces everywhere.
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