With the gradual decline of centralization in the late Tang Dynasty, the system of military governors (fanzhen) emerged as an important military organization to maintain border security. These fanzhen possessed relatively independent armies, and the strength of their troops was directly related to the political and military balances of the time. This article will explore the detailed data on the troop strength of various fanzhen in the late Tang Dynasty, revealing the distribution and role of these military forces on the periphery of the empire.

Firstly, the fanzhen in the late Tang Dynasty can be roughly divided into two categories: border fanzhen, responsible for defending against foreign invaders; and inland fanzhen, primarily maintaining internal security and stability. Border fanzhen such as Youzhou, Shuofang, and Longyou, due to their location on the border, tended to have stronger troop strength to cope with external threats. However, inland fanzhen like Huainan and Jiannan, although having relatively fewer troops, were crucial forces in maintaining local stability.

According to historical records, some powerful fanzhen in the late Tang Dynasty had troops numbering in the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands. For example, Li Keyong's Shatuo army in Youzhou had tens of thousands of cavalry, while Tian Chengsi's army in Weibo was rumored to have a hundred thousand soldiers. While these troop strength figures are difficult to accurately verify, they reflect the significant military power of the fanzhen.

It is worth noting that the strength of fanzhen troops was not fixed. As wars became frequent and political struggles intensified, the troop strength of various fanzhen also changed. Sometimes, to gain more control, fanzhen would engage in wars, leading to the depletion and reorganization of their troops. In addition, the central government's control over the fanzhen also affected their troop strength.

Apart from quantity, the quality of fanzhen troops was also an important factor. There were many elite units in the fanzhen armies of the late Tang Dynasty, such as the Shence and Xuanwu armies, which were well-equipped and well-trained, serving as important supports for the fanzhen's strength. However, due to constant warfare and financial difficulties, many fanzhen armies also suffered from low morale and insufficient combat effectiveness.

In conclusion, although detailed data on the troop strength of the fanzhen in the late Tang Dynasty is difficult to confirm, we can still glimpse the general outlines of their military power through historical documents. These military forces distributed on the periphery of the empire not only influenced the wars and politics of the time but also profoundly shaped the historical trajectory of the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The study of fanzhen troop strength provides a valuable perspective for understanding the complex and changing political and military landscape of this period.

　　Disclaimer: The above content is sourced from the internet and the copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement of your original copyright, please inform us and we will delete the relevant content as soon as possible.