Li Zhi vs Toghrul Beg

Li Zhi established the Anxi Protectorate to administer the newly conquered territories in Central Asia. This administrative structure governed the Tarim Basin and parts of modern Xinjiang, securing Tang control over the Silk Road trade routes.

Under Li Zhi's reign, Tang forces under Su Dingfang defeated the Western Turkic Khaganate, destroying their power in Central Asia. This victory extended Tang control over the Silk Road and established Chinese hegemony in the region for decades.

Tang forces allied with Silla to conquer the Korean kingdom of Baekje in 660, then Goguryeo in 668. These campaigns brought the Korean Peninsula under Tang suzerainty for a time, marking the greatest territorial extent of the Tang dynasty.

Li Zhi suffered a stroke that impaired his vision and ability to govern. His empress, Wu Zetian, began to handle state affairs, gradually accumulating power. This marked the beginning of her rise to de facto rule, which would later lead to her becoming emperor.

Toghrul Beg led the Seljuk Turks to victory over the Ghaznavid Empire at Dandanaqan in Khorasan. This defeat forced the Ghaznavids to retreat eastward, granting the Seljuks control of Khorasan and establishing their power base in Persia.

Toghrul Beg launched a major raid into Byzantine Anatolia, reaching as far as the city of Manzikert. Although he did not capture the city, the campaign demonstrated Seljuk military strength and foreshadowed future conflicts that would lead to the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.

Toghrul Beg entered Baghdad at the invitation of the Abbasid Caliph al-Qa'im, who sought protection from the Buyid dynasty. Toghrul deposed the Buyid ruler, married the caliph's daughter, and was granted the title 'Sultan', becoming the de facto ruler of the Islamic world.

Toghrul's half-brother Ibrahim Inal rebelled against his authority, allying with the Fatimid Caliphate. Toghrul defeated and executed Ibrahim Inal, consolidating his power and eliminating a major internal threat to Seljuk unity.