Shi Danai

Shi Danai (史大奈), also known by his former name Ashina Danai (阿史那大奈), was a Turkic prince and the first foreigner to be a general in the Tang army.

Early years His birth date is unknown. The New Book of Tang merely mentions him as "Western Turkic tegin". Text on his death stele was found in Dunhuang Manuscript S.2078, part of a student writing practice sample. According to this text, his father was Shiduo Gongmi Shad, himself a son of Mohe Qaghan. Zhu Zhenhong identified Mohe Qaghan with Bagha Qaghan. His father was identified with Ashina Tong (阿史那統) through a grandson's stele - Shi Siguang (史思光). He took part in the Goguryeo–Sui War from 612 to 614 as well.

These appointments by Emperor Yang soon enraged Shibi Qaghan. In the fall of 615, when Emperor Yang was visiting Yanmen Commandery on the northern frontier, Shibi launched a surprise attack on the area, overrunning most of its Chinese settlements. Warned by Shibi's wife Princess Yicheng — a member of the imperial family who had been well treated by Empress Xiao during an earlier visit — the Emperor, Empress, and their entourage escaped to the commandery seat at present-day Daixian. During this time Ashina Danai moved his forces to Jinyang (太原晉陽) where he served together with Li Yuan.

Under Tang Shi Danai (second to left from bottom-right) as represented in Qing era dice game board.He later joined Li Yuan in his rebellion against the Sui dynasty's region of Guanzhong in July 617. His 500-strong Turkic cavalry was instrumental in defeating Sui general Sang Xianhe (桑顯和) alongside Chai Shao during the Battle of Yinma Spring from an attack on his rear, for which he was rewarded with the honorific title Grand Master for Splendid Happiness . He was bestowed a Chinese surname Shi (史) after Li Yuan entered Chang'an same year.

He was granted Senior Pillar of State title and was enfeoffed Duke of Kang with 3,000 households by the new emperor Gaozu of Tang, after defeat of Xue Ju in 618. In 620 he was commissioned Right Assisting Guard General; first substantive (duty) office in the palace guards. He was instrumental in capturing Dou Jiande and destroying Wang Shichong in 621. In 623, Shi Danai accompanied the Crown Prince Li Jiancheng in defeating Liu Heita. In 629, he was promoted to Grand General of the Right Martial Guard when Ashina Xichun's son Ashina Momo surrendered to Tang. Next year, following the fall of Illig Qaghan in May 630, he was appoint as acting governor of Feng Prefecture, overseeing surrendered Eastern Türk households while his ennoblement retitled to Duke of Dou (竇國公).

After serving as governor of Feng until its abolishment in 637 and died on 14 December 638,

Family He had two sons:

Shi Renbiao (史仁表) married Princess Pu'an (普安公主), the eighth daughter of Taizong of Tang. Shi Renji (史仁基) — served as general of the Jinwu Guards, appointed prefect of Mianzhou (綿州), Huazhou (華州) and Ningzhou (寧州). Enfeoffed Marquis of Leling (樂陵縣開國侯) Shi Siguang (史思光, d. 736) — served as Chamberlain for Petitions (太子通事舍人) and Director of the Imperial Stables Bureau (尚乘直長); later as county magistrate of Yang’an in Jianzhou (簡州陽安縣令), Zhengping in Jiangzhou (絳州正平縣令), and Jincheng in Jingzhao-fu (京兆府金城縣令); he held Left Guard Commandant (左衛率府郎將) and Vice-Commander of the Left Palace Guard (左司禦率府副率), and was appointed Deputy Prefect of Hangzhou (杭州別駕) and of the Anzhou Governor-General’s Office (安州都督府別駕); he bore the honorary rank Senior Grand Master of the Palace (太中大夫), with honours Senior Pillar of State (上柱國); 2nd Marquis of Leling. Married Lady Pang (龐氏), sixth daughter of Pang Tongshan (龐同善), Right Jinwu Grand General and heir to Duke Puguo (濮國公) with whom he had: Shi Yuanyi (史元一) — Assistant Director at the Court of State Ceremonies (鴻臚寺丞) Shi Fu (史孚) — Chamberlain for Petitions (太子通事舍人) and designated heir (嗣子)

In literature and media

Shi Danai is a character in Tale of Tang (說唐), a Qing era novel. He was portrayed by Jiang Diwu in the Chinese TV series Heroes in Sui and Tang Dynasties (2013). He was portrayed by Zhao Qiusheng in the Chinese TV series Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties (2012).