Emperor Gaozong of Tang

Emperor Gaozong's general Su Dingfang defeated the Western Turkic Khaganate, bringing Central Asia under Tang control. This established Tang hegemony over the Silk Road and extended the empire's influence to the Caspian Sea.

Emperor Gaozong suffered a stroke that left him partially incapacitated. His wife, Empress Wu Zetian, began to take an active role in governance, eventually becoming the de facto ruler. This marked the beginning of Wu Zetian's rise to power.

Tang and Silla forces defeated a combined Baekje-Yamato Japanese fleet at the Battle of Baekgang in Korea. This victory secured Tang control over the Korean peninsula and ended Japanese ambitions in Korea for centuries.

Emperor Gaozong, with the help of the Silla kingdom, conquered the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. This victory expanded Tang territory into Manchuria and Korea, establishing a Tang protectorate over the region.