Abu Muslim al-Khurasani vs Su Dingfang

Abu Muslim al-Khurasani emerged as the leader of the Abbasid revolutionary movement in Khorasan. He organized and mobilized a diverse coalition of disaffected groups, including Arabs, Persians, and Shia Muslims, against Umayyad rule.

Abu Muslim's forces, under the command of Qahtaba ibn Shabib, defeated the Umayyad army at the Battle of the Zab in Iraq. This victory led to the fall of the Umayyad Caliphate and the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate.

After the Abbasid victory, Abu Muslim was appointed governor of Khorasan, the heartland of the revolution. He ruled the province with near-autonomous power, building a strong army and administering the region effectively.

Caliph al-Mansur, fearing Abu Muslim's growing power and popularity, lured him to the court and had him executed. This act eliminated a powerful rival but also sparked rebellions in Khorasan and other regions.

Su Dingfang participated in the Tang campaign against the Tuyuhun kingdom. The Tuyuhun were defeated and became a Tang vassal, securing the Tang's western frontier.

Su Dingfang led a Tang army to defeat the Western Turkic Khaganate at the Battle of Irtysh River. The khagan was captured, and the Western Turkic state was destroyed, extending Tang control over Central Asia.

After the conquest of the Western Turks, Su Dingfang suppressed a rebellion led by Ashina Helu, a former Turkic vassal. The rebellion was crushed, and Helu was captured, solidifying Tang control.