Gao Xianzhi

Gao Xianzhi (died 756) was a general of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. He was ethnic Gaojuli, having been born in Gaojuli (also known as Goguryeo, ancient kingdom in north-eastern China and northern Korea). His father was among the many forced into exile in China after the Goguryeo kingdom was conquered by Tang, and later became a general in the Tang army, serving in Central Asia. At a young age, Gao left his grandmother's home in Gaojuli to follow in his father's footsteps. At the age of 20, he too became a general in Tang's Central Asian campaigns, defending the territory around Kashgar in the Taklamakan Desert.

Defeating a combined attack from Tibetan and Saracen forces in 748, he led his army on a massive counterattack, pursuing the foes across the Hindu Kush and Pamir Mountains.

Gao was defeated by the Abbasid Caliphate at the Battle of Talas in 751, after which time he and Tang lost much of their influence in Central Asia.