su dingfang was a commander from south-central hebei who, earlier in his career as an officer, was responsible for leading the attack against the military camp of illig qaghan, qaghan of the eastern turks. he also gained military experience as a leader of a regional militia during the civil war fought between the transition from sui to tang. su was a general with military experience in central asia, and was familiar with the culture of the steppes. he had been in contact with military leaders from the region. he was one of nine multi-ethnic commanders invited by emperor gaozong to a military event in 655. the turkic general ashina zhong, second cousin of ashina she'er, was another commander in attendance.