Historical Overview Section

The Shatuo Turks were a relatively small but exceptionally influential Turkic military people who emerged as a major power in northern China during the 9th and 10th centuries. Originally from the Central Asian steppe, they became closely associated with the Tang dynasty, serving as highly valued cavalry and frontier troops. They fought for the Tang against the Tibetans, Uyghurs and various Chinese rebels, including providing important support during the An Lushan Rebellion. Their warriors were noted for mobility, archery and aggressive campaigning.

Their great rise came under Li Guochang and especially his son Li Keyong, who commanded a powerful Shatuo army based in Shanxi. In the 880s they became one of the principal forces fighting the enormous Huang Chao rebellion, helping to recapture Chang'an and restore the Tang emperor. They subsequently became bitter rivals of Zhu Wen and the Later Liang, fighting a series of wars for control of northern China after the Tang finally collapsed in 907.

Li Keyong's son Li Cunxu finally defeated the Later Liang in 923 and established the Later Tang, claiming to be restoring the legitimate Tang dynasty. The Shatuo military tradition remained central to the new regime, which combined Turkic cavalry forces with large Chinese armies. Later Tang also fought against the Former Shu and other Chinese states before collapsing in 936.

The Shatuo then produced two further major regimes: the Later Jin (936–947) and Later Han (947–951), while the related Northern Han survived in Shanxi until 979. Their most important external relationship was with the Khitan Liao dynasty. Initially useful allies against their Chinese rivals, the Khitans became increasingly dominant: the Later Jin actually surrendered the strategically vital Sixteen Prefectures to the Khitans in return for military assistance. Northern Han subsequently survived largely under Khitan protection until the Song conquest.

In military terms, the Shatuo were essentially a steppe-derived warrior elite that successfully transformed itself into the ruling military aristocracy of northern China. Their principal enemies included the Tibetans, Uyghurs, Huang Chao's rebels, Later Liang, rival Chinese warlords and eventually the Khitans; their most important allies were the Tang dynasty, various Turkic and steppe groups, and at times the Khitan Liao. Their success rested heavily on excellent cavalry forces, experienced frontier commanders and their ability to combine steppe warfare with the resources and siege capabilities of Chinese armies.

Using the army in ADLG

  • hint 1
  • hint 2

Useful Links

User-contributed links about this army. Add links in this format:

as an example

  • Shat-o Turks Army usage statistics from the ADLG ranking site

Army Lists

Sample army lists for this army
177 Shat-o Turks Perry Codgers 2026
Brilliant
3 Heavy Cavalry Heavy cavalry bow Elite 13 39
2 Light Horse Light cavalry bow Elite 7 14
2 Medium Cavalry Medium cavalry bow ------ 9 18
2 Tribal Auxiliaries Javelinmen ------ 7 14
1 Tribal Archers Light infantry bow ---- 4 4
==
Included Competent Mongol Ally
Heavy Cavalry Heavy cavalry bow Elite 13 26
1 Heavy Cavalry (Gen) Heavy cavalry bow Elite 13 13
2 Medium Cavalry Medium cavalry bow Elite 11 22
2 Dismounted Horsemen Light infantry bow ------ 4 8
2 Light Horse Light cavalry bow Elite 7 14
==
Ordinary Included
4 Light Horse Light cavalry bow Elite 7