Gao Xianzhi was a Tang general of Korean descent. He was known as a great commander during his lifetime. He is most well known for taking part in multiple military expeditions. He was the commander of the Tang forces during the Battle of Talas, fighting against forces of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Background
Gao Xianzhi was the son of Go Sagye, a general from Goguryeo which was vanquished by a Tang-Silla alliance in 668 AD. Go Sagye was captured by Tang forces and later surrendered, and there, he was given a post in their army. Gao Xianzhi was born during his duty in Tang's western regions. Unlike most soldiers of his day, historical records say Gao Xianzhi was not muscular or extraordinarily strong like other army officers; his father always worried about his son's poor health. However, he demonstrated great courage from an early age; he possessed skills in cavalry and archery.
Career
Gao Xianzhi started his military career in Central Asia. Many states in Central Asia had switched their allegiance to the rising Tibetan power. In 747, Gao Xianzhi led an expeditionary force of about 10,000 troops to attack Bolor Minor, a leading Kashmir state whose king had married a Tibetan princess. Gao Xianzhi marched from the Tang Central Asian headquarters at Kucha across the Pamirs and the Murghab River, successfully capturing Bolor Minor's capital and its king and queen before the arrival of Tibetan reinforcements. Gao reported his victory directly to the Tang court, without going through the Proconsul's office at Kucha. His direct superior reprimanded him, but the Tang court was impressed, recalled Fumeng Lingcha, and appointed Gao as his successor. In 750, Gao led an expedition against the city-state of Shi, whose king was brought to the Tang capital and publicly executed.