Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, left a profound mark in Chinese history with his name. However, there was a period in his life where he was so scared that he almost surrendered to the Turks, an experience that showed his courage and wisdom as a strategist.

1. Li Yuan's Dilemma: Being Scared to the Point of Surrendering to the Turks

In 617 AD, during the late years of the Sui Dynasty, the country was in chaos. Li Yuan rose up against the Sui Dynasty in Taiyuan and established the Tang Guogong Office. However, soon after Li Yuan's rebellion, the Turkic army invaded the south, posing a serious threat to his forces. Facing the powerful Turkic army, Li Yuan's troops were retreating and morale was low. At this crucial moment, Li Yuan was overcome with extreme fear and even considered surrendering to the Turks.

2. Li Yuan's Choice: Boldness and Wisdom Coexisting

However, at this critical juncture, Li Yuan did not choose to surrender. He knew that surrendering to the Turks would not only tarnish his reputation and status but also potentially bring greater disasters to his country and people. Instead, Li Yuan decided to adopt a strategy that could preserve his strength while resisting Turkic aggression.

3. Li Yuan's Strategy: Uniting Forces to Resist the Turks

To counter Turkic aggression, Li Yuan began actively contacting various forces. He sent messengers to Chang'an to request support from the Sui Emperor Yang Guang. Simultaneously, he also contacted other separatist forces in the north, such as Liu Wuzhou and Wang Shichong, to gain their support. Through Li Yuan's efforts, a coalition against the Turks centered around the Tang Guogong Office gradually emerged.

4. Li Yuan's Victory: Successfully Resisting Turkic Aggression

With the support of various forces, Li Yuan's army regained its spirit. They employed flexible strategies and tactics, successfully defeating several main Turkic forces. Finally, in 620 AD, Li Yuan's army crushed the Turkic army in a major battle near Chang'an, successfully defending the Guanzhong region. This victory not only solidified Li Yuan's status but also laid the foundation for the establishment of the Tang Dynasty.

Conclusion: Li Yuan's experience of being scared to the point of surrendering to the Turks demonstrates his courage and wisdom as a strategist. Instead of surrendering in the face of adversity, he united forces and successfully resisted Turkic aggression. This experience marked a turning point in Li Yuan's life and laid the foundation for him to establish the Tang Dynasty.

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