Choe Chung-heon vs Shi Siming

Choe Chung-heon led a military coup, killing rival generals and seizing control of the Goryeo government. He established a military dictatorship, reducing the king to a figurehead and ruling through puppet monarchs.

Choe Chung-heon created a private military government, the 'Choe family regime,' which controlled Goryeo for four generations. He appointed loyal generals to key posts and sidelined the civil bureaucracy.

Choe Chung-heon purged hundreds of civil officials and scholars who opposed his rule, executing or exiling them. This solidified military dominance over the traditional aristocracy and silenced dissent.

Choe Chung-heon led Goryeo forces in repelling initial Mongol incursions into the Korean peninsula. His military preparations delayed Mongol conquest, though the kingdom eventually became a vassal.

Shi Siming, a fellow general and friend of An Lushan, joined the rebellion from the outset. He commanded forces in the northern theater, securing key territories in Hebei and Shanxi for the Yan dynasty.

After An Lushan's assassination, Shi Siming briefly submitted to the Tang court. He was pardoned and given a military command, but he remained suspicious of Tang intentions and soon rebelled again.

Shi Siming rebelled again, killing An Qingxu and seizing control of the Yan dynasty. He declared himself emperor and continued the war against Tang, proving to be a more capable commander than An Qingxu.

Shi Siming defeated Tang forces at Yancheng (modern Anyang), killing the Tang general Li Guangbi's ally. This victory allowed him to consolidate control over the Yellow River valley and threaten Luoyang.

Shi Siming was assassinated by his son Shi Chaoyi, who feared being replaced as heir. The patricide weakened the Yan dynasty, leading to internal strife and eventual defeat by Tang forces in 763.