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How did Taizong defeat the eastern Turks in 630?
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Taizong
The Taizong emperor, detail of a portrait; in the National Palace Museum, Taipei.
In 630, Emperor Taizong successfully defeated the eastern Turks by exploiting internal vulnerabilities within their leadership and the rebellion of their subject peoples.1
Taking advantage of this instability, Chinese forces invaded the Turkish territories, achieving a total victory and capturing the khan. Following this defeat, Taizong was recognized as the supreme sovereign, or "heavenly khan," and many of the surrendered Turks were settled along the Chinese frontier, with some even serving in the Tang dynasty armies. This strategic success allowed the Tang to occupy Mongolia and effectively extend their influence across the region.12