Tang Records 33
Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government, Volume 217
Volume 217 [Tang Records 33] From the year Jiawu () to the end of the fourth month of the year Bingshen (), a total of slightly over two years.
Spring, first month, on the day Jihai, An Lushan entered the court for an audience. At that time Yang Guozhong said that An Lushan would certainly rebel, and further stated: "If Your Majesty tries to summon him, he will surely not come." The emperor sent someone to summon him, and upon receiving the order, An Lushan arrived immediately. On the day Gengzi, he had an audience with the emperor at Huaqing Palace, weeping as he said: "Your servant is originally a barbarian; Your Majesty has favored and promoted me to this position, but I am resented by Yang Guozhong, and I fear I will not live much longer!" The emperor took pity on him and bestowed enormous wealth, from then on becoming even more intimate and trusting of An Lushan, and Yang Guozhong's words were no longer heeded. The heir apparent also knew that An Lushan would certainly rebel and spoke to the emperor about it, but the emperor did not follow his advice.
On the day Jiachen, the Taiqing Palace submitted a report saying: "The scholar Li Qi saw the Mysterious Primordial Emperor (Laozi) riding on purple clouds, telling him that the nation's fortunes would continue to prosper."
At the beginning of the Tang dynasty, imperial edicts and decrees were all drafted by talented officials from the Zhongshu and Menxia Provinces. After the Qianfeng era, they began to gather literary men like Yuan Wanqing, Fan Lübing, and others to draft various documents, often waiting at the North Gate for instructions, and people at the time called them the "North Gate Scholars." During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong, Shangguan Zhaorong was specifically in charge of this matter. After the emperor ascended the throne, he established the Hanlin Academy, located near the palace, to attract literary men, and even including monks, Daoists, calligraphers, painters, qin players, chess players, and those skilled in divination and arts—all were placed there, called "Attendants in Waiting." The Minister of Justice Zhang Jun and his younger brother, the Grand Court Director Zhang Ji, both served in the Hanlin Academy. The emperor wanted to appoint An Lushan as Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (Chancellor) and had already ordered Zhang Ji to draft the edict. Yang Guozhong admonished: "Although An Lushan has military merit, he is illiterate; how can he serve as Chancellor! Once the edict is issued, I fear the surrounding barbarians will despise the Tang." The emperor then desisted. On the day Yisi, An Lushan was granted the post of Left Pushe, and one of his sons was given a third-rank office and another a fourth-rank office. On the day Bingwu, the emperor returned to the palace.
An Lushan requested to oversee the Imperial Stables and the Pastoral Offices. On the day Gengshen, An Lushan was appointed as Commissioner of the Imperial Stables and Longyou Pastoral Offices. An Lushan further requested to oversee the Pastoral Superintendency; on the day Renxu, he was also made acting director of the Pastoral Superintendency. An Lushan submitted a memorial recommending the Censor-in-Chief Ji Wen as Vice Minister of Military Affairs and acting Deputy Commissioner of the Imperial Stables, causing Yang Guozhong to detest Ji Wen. An Lushan secretly dispatched trusted followers to select several thousand sturdy horses capable of battle and raised them separately.
Second month, on the day Renshen, the emperor went to the Taiqing Palace to perform the morning offering ceremony, bestowing upon the Sage Ancestor (Laozi) the honorific title "Great Sage Ancestor, High and Supreme Great Way, Golden Que, Mysterious Primordial Great Imperial Thearch." On the day Guiyou, sacrifices were held at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and posthumous titles were conferred: on Gaozu, "Divine Yao, Great Sage, Brilliant Filial Emperor"; on Taizong, "Civil and Martial, Great Sage, Great Extensive Filial Emperor"; on Gaozong, "Heavenly Emperor, Great Sage, Great Vast Filial Emperor"; on Zhongzong, "Filial Harmony, Great Sage, Great Illustrious Filial Emperor"; and on Ruizong, "Mysterious True, Great Sage, Great Prosperous Filial Emperor." This was because successive Han dynasty emperors were all posthumously titled "Filial." On the day Jiaxu, the assembled officials bestowed upon the emperor the honorific title "Kaiyuan, Heavenly and Earthly, Great Sage, Precious Civil, Spirit-Martial, Evidence-Way, Filial-Virtue Emperor." A general amnesty was declared.
On the day Dingchou, Yang Guozhong was promoted to Sikong. On the day Jiashen, the emperor personally presided over the ceremony of investiture at the court.
On the day Jichou, An Lushan submitted a memorial saying: "The generals and soldiers under my command, who campaigned against the Xi, Khitan, Nine Surnames, Tongluo, and others, have many merits. I request that they be promoted beyond the normal regulations and that blank appointment certificates be prepared in advance and given to me to distribute in the army." Consequently, over five hundred men were granted the rank of general, and over two thousand were granted the rank of Commandant of the Interior. An Lushan intended to rebel, so he first used this method to win people's hearts.
Third month, on the day Dingyou, the first day of the month, An Lushan took his leave and returned to Fanyang. The emperor took off his own robe and bestowed it upon him; An Lushan was both surprised and delighted upon receiving it. Fearing that Yang Guozhong would memorialize to keep him, he raced his horse out of the pass. Traveling by boat down the Yellow River, he ordered boatmen to hold towlines on the bank, replacing them every fifteen li, traveling day and night, covering several hundred li each day, and not disembarking even when passing through commanderies and counties. From then on, whenever anyone said that An Lushan would rebel, the emperor would bind them up and send them to An Lushan for disposal. Therefore, everyone knew he was about to rebel, but no one dared to speak of it.
When An Lushan left Chang'an, the emperor ordered Gao Lishi to see him off at Changle Slope. When Gao Lishi returned, the emperor asked: "Was An Lushan satisfied?" Gao Lishi replied: "Judging by his expression, he seemed downcast; it must be that he learned of the original plan to appoint him Chancellor and its cancellation." The emperor told this to Yang Guozhong, who said: "This matter was known to no one else; it must have been Zhang Ji and his brother who told him." The emperor was furious and demoted Zhang Jun to be Prefect of Jian'an, Zhang Ji to be Marshal of Luxi, and Zhang Ji's younger brother, the Admonisher Zhang Shu, to be Prefect of Yichun.
Geshu Han also petitioned for rewards for his subordinate generals. The emperor ordered that the Longyou General of the Ten Garrisons, Tejin, Governor of Huoba Prefecture, and Prince of Yanshan Commandery, Huoba Guiren, be appointed General-in-Chief of the Cavalry; the Heyuan Army Commissioner Wang Sili was additionally granted the title of Tejin; the Lintao Prefect Cheng Ruqiu, the Vice Pacification Commissioner Lu Yang of Fanyang, and the Governor of Gaolan Prefecture Hun Weiming were all granted the title of General of Cloud-Banner; the Longyou Vice Pacification Commissioner Guo Yingyi was made General of the Left Wing of the Feathered Forest. Guo Yingyi was the son of Guo Zhiyun. Geshu Han further submitted a memorial recommending Yan Wu, son of Yan Tingzhi, as Administrative Assistant of the Circuit; Lu Tan of Hedong as Financial Commissioner; Gao Shi, former Magistrate of Fengqiu, as Secretary; and Qu Huan of Anyi as Adjutant.
Cheng Qianli captured Abusi and presented him at the palace gate, where he was beheaded. On the day Jiazi, Cheng Qianli was appointed General-in-Chief of the Golden Guards, and Feng Changqing was made acting Protector of Beiting and Commissioner of Yixi Circuit.
Summer, fourth month, on the day Guisi, An Lushan submitted a memorial reporting a victory against the Xi, capturing their king Li Riyue.
Sixth month, on the day Yichou, the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred, with the sun obscured to the shape of a hook.
The Attending Censor and Commissioner South of Yunnan, Li Mi, led an army of seventy thousand to attack Nanzhao. Geluofeng lured them deep into his territory, and upon reaching Taihe City, he closed the gates and refused to give battle. Li Mi's food supplies were exhausted, and seven or eight out of ten soldiers died from miasma, plague, and hunger; he then ordered a retreat. The barbarians pursued them, and Li Mi was captured, with the entire army annihilated. Yang Guozhong concealed this defeat, instead reporting a victory, and further mobilized large numbers of troops from the central plains for an expedition. In total, nearly two hundred thousand died in battle, yet no one dared to speak the truth. The emperor once said to Gao Lishi: "I am now old; I entrust court affairs to the Chancellor and border affairs to the various generals; what more is there to worry about!" Gao Lishi replied: "I have heard that Yunnan has repeatedly lost troops and generals, and moreover, the border generals have too much military power; how will Your Majesty control them! I fear that once disaster erupts, it cannot be remedied; how can one say there is no worry!" The emperor said: "Do not speak of it; I will consider the matter slowly."
Autumn, seventh month, on the day Guichou, Geshu Han submitted a memorial reporting that in the territory of Nine Bends, which they had opened up, they established the two commanderies of Taoyang and Jiaohe and the Spirit-Subduing Army. The Lintao Prefect Cheng Ruqiu was concurrently appointed Prefect of Taoyang and Commissioner of the Spirit-Subduing Army.
Yang Guozhong was wary of Chen Xilie, who repeatedly submitted memorials requesting to resign from his chancellorship. The emperor wanted to replace him with the Vice Minister of Military Affairs Ji Wen, but Yang Guozhong, because Ji Wen was allied with An Lushan, memorialized that this would not do. Furthermore, because the Vice Minister of Civil Office Wei Jiansu was gentle and easy to control, he recommended him. On the day Bingxu, Chen Xilie was appointed Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, relieved of his chancellorship; Wei Jiansu was appointed Minister of Military Affairs and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.
Starting last year, floods and droughts followed one after another, and a great famine occurred in the Guanzhong region. Yang Guozhong, detesting that the mayor of Jingzhao, Li Xian, would not submit to him, blamed the disasters on Li Xian. In the ninth month, he demoted Li Xian to be the governor of Changsha. Li Xian was the son of Li Yi. The emperor was worried that the rain was damaging the crops, so Yang Guozhong presented some fine rice seedlings to the emperor, saying, "Although there is much rain, it does not harm the crops." The emperor believed him. The governor of Fufeng, Fang Guan, reported that there was a flood in his jurisdiction, so Yang Guozhong sent an imperial censor to investigate and prosecute him. That year, no one in the empire dared to report disasters. Gao Lishi was attending at the emperor's side, and the emperor said, "The incessant heavy rain continues; you may speak your mind fully." Gao Lishi replied, "Since Your Majesty entrusted power to the chancellor, rewards and punishments have had no standards, and yin and yang have lost their harmony. How dare Your servant speak!" The emperor remained silent.
Winter, tenth month, on the yiyou day, the emperor went to the Huaqing Palace.
Eleventh month, on the jiwei day, two posts of Palace Attendant Supervisor were established, with the rank of senior third grade.
The governor of Hedong and concurrent commissioner of that circuit, Wei Zhi, was the elder brother of Wei Bin. He was cultured and had a great reputation. Yang Guozhong feared that he might enter the court to become chancellor, so he sent someone to accuse Wei Zhi of embezzling bribes, and had him handed over to the imperial censors for interrogation. Wei Zhi bribed the vice censor-in-chief, Ji Wen, to ask An Lushan for help, but this was again exposed by Yang Guozhong. In the intercalary month, on the renyin day, Wei Zhi was demoted to be the commandant of Guiling, and Ji Wen was demoted to be the senior clerk of Liyang. An Lushan pleaded for Ji Wen's injustice, and also said that Yang Guozhong was slandering him out of jealousy. The emperor did not pursue either side.
On the wuwu day, the emperor returned to the palace.
That year, the Ministry of Revenue reported that throughout the empire there were three hundred and twenty-one commanderies, one thousand five hundred and thirty-eight counties, sixteen thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine townships, a count of nine million sixty-nine thousand one hundred and fifty-four households, and a population of fifty-two million eight hundred eighty thousand four hundred and eighty-eight people.
Spring, first month, the prince of Supi, Xinuluo, left Tubo and came to surrender.
Second month, on the xinhai day, An Lushan sent his deputy general He Qiannian to the court to report affairs, requesting that thirty-two barbarian generals be used to replace Han generals. The emperor ordered that the appointment documents be drawn up immediately and the letters of appointment issued. Wei Xiansu said to Yang Guozhong, "An Lushan has long had treacherous intentions. Now, with this request again, his intent to rebel is already very clear. Tomorrow, Wei Xiansu will strongly remonstrate; if the emperor does not agree, you should then remonstrate." Yang Guozhong agreed.
On the renzi day, Yang Guozhong and Wei Xiansu entered the palace for an audience. The emperor greeted them and said, "Do you suspect that An Lushan has treacherous intentions?" Wei Xiansu then strenuously set forth that there were already signs of An Lushan's rebellion, and that his request could not be granted. The emperor was very displeased. Yang Guozhong hesitated and did not dare to speak. The emperor ultimately agreed to An Lushan's request. A few days later, Yang Guozhong and Wei Xiansu said to the emperor, "Your subjects have a plan to sit and wait for An Lushan's plot to dissolve on its own. Now, if we appoint An Lushan as a participant in the deliberation of court affairs, summon him to court, let Jia Xun be the military governor of Fanyang, Lü Zhihui the military governor of Pinglu, and Yang Guanghui the military governor of Hedong, then his power will naturally be divided." The emperor followed this advice. The edict had already been drafted, but the emperor kept it and did not issue it. Instead, he sent the eunuch envoy Pu Qiuqiong with rare fruits as gifts to An Lushan, secretly observing his movements. Pu Qiuqiong accepted heavy bribes from An Lushan, and upon his return, he greatly praised An Lushan for his utmost loyalty and devotion to the state, saying he had no second thoughts. The emperor said to Yang Guozhong and the others, "An Lushan, We treat him with complete sincerity; he certainly has no different intentions. The two enemy tribes of Khitan and Xi in the northeast must be suppressed and contained by him. We Ourselves can vouch for him; do not worry!" The matter was thus shelved. Jia Xun was a native of Huayuan, and at the time served as the assistant military governor.
The military governor of Longyou and Hexi, Geshu Han, came to court. On the road, he contracted wind illness, so he remained in the capital and stayed at home, not going out.
Third month, on the xinsi day, the emperor ordered the drafting secretary Pei Shiyan to go to Hebei to offer imperial consolation.
Summer, fourth month, An Lushan submitted a report claiming victory over the Xi and Khitan.
On the guisi day, the prince of Supi, Xinuluo, was enfeoffed as the King of Huaiyi, and granted the surname Li and the personal name Zhongxin.
An Lushan returned to Fanyang. Whenever the court sent envoys, he would claim illness and not come out to welcome them, but would display full military readiness before receiving them. When Pei Shiyan arrived in Fanyang, it was over twenty days before he was able to see him, and there was no trace of the ritual of a subject. Yang Guozhong, day and night, sought evidence of An Lushan's rebellion. He sent the mayor of Jingzhao to surround his mansion and arrest An Lushan's retainers, Li Chao and others, sending them to the Censorate prison, where they were secretly killed. An Lushan's son, An Qingzong, had married the imperial clan lady, Princess Rongyi, and was serving in the capital. He secretly reported to An Lushan, who became even more fearful.
Sixth month, the emperor, because of his son's marriage, issued an edict summoning An Lushan to come and observe the ceremony, but An Lushan declined on the grounds of illness and did not come.
Autumn, seventh month, An Lushan submitted a memorial offering to present three thousand horses, each horse accompanied by two grooms, and sent twenty-two barbarian generals to escort them. The governor of Henan, Da Xi Xun, suspected there was some treachery, and submitted a memorial requesting that "An Lushan be informed that the tribute of horses and carts should wait until winter, and that the government would provide the grooms itself, so as not to trouble his own army." Thereupon, the emperor gradually became aware and began to have suspicions about An Lushan. It happened that Pu Qiuqiong's acceptance of bribes was also exposed. The emperor, using some other matter, had him beaten to death. The emperor sent the eunuch envoy Feng Shenwei with a personal edict to instruct An Lushan, following Da Xi Xun's plan; and also said, "We have recently built a hot spring for you, and in the tenth month We will await you at the Huaqing Palace." When Feng Shenwei reached Fanyang and read out the imperial edict, An Lushan, sitting on his bed, slightly rose but did not bow, and only said, "Is the Sage well?" He also said, "If the horses are not presented, that is fine. In the tenth month, I will certainly go to the capital." He then ordered his attendants to take Feng Shenwei to the guest house and no longer saw him. A few days later, he sent him back, and did not submit a memorial. Feng Shenwei returned to court, and when he saw the emperor, he wept and said, "Your servant almost did not see His Majesty again!"
Eighth month, on the xinmao day, the land and labor taxes for the current year were remitted.
Winter, tenth month, on the gengyin day, the emperor went to the Huaqing Palace.
An Lushan, solely in charge of three circuits, secretly nurtured rebellious intentions for nearly ten years. Because the emperor treated him generously, he wanted to wait until the emperor died before rebelling. It happened that Yang Guozhong and An Lushan were not on good terms, and repeatedly said that An Lushan was about to rebel, but the emperor did not listen. Yang Guozhong repeatedly provoked him with various matters, wanting to make him rebel quickly so that he could gain credibility with the emperor. An Lushan therefore resolved to rebel immediately. He only secretly plotted with the chief clerk and assistant palace steward, Yan Zhuang, the chief secretary and vice director of the Bureau of Revenues, Gao Shang, and the general Ashina Chengqing. The other generals and staff officers did not know, only wondering why, since the eighth month, he had repeatedly rewarded his troops, fed the horses, and sharpened the weapons. It happened that a reporting official returned from the capital. An Lushan forged an imperial edict, gathered all the generals, and showed it to them, saying, "There is a secret edict, ordering An Lushan to lead troops into the court to punish Yang Guozhong. You should all immediately join the army." The crowd was astonished and looked at each other, and no one dared to voice dissent.
Eleventh month, on the jiazi day, An Lushan mobilized his troops and horses from his command, along with the Tongra, Xi, Khitan, and Shiwei, totaling one hundred and fifty thousand men, claiming two hundred thousand, and rebelled at Fanyang. He ordered the assistant military governor of Fanyang, Jia Xun, to guard Fanyang; the assistant military governor of Pinglu, Lü Zhihui, to guard Pinglu; and the separate general Gao Xiuyan to guard Datong. All the generals led their troops and set out that night.
The next morning, An Lushan went out of the southern gate of Jicheng, held a grand military review and swore an oath, using the punishment of Yang Guozhong as his pretext. He posted a notice in the army saying, "Anyone who voices dissent or incites the soldiers shall have his three clans executed!" He then led the troops south. An Lushan rode in an iron chariot, with crack infantry and cavalry, their dust rising for a thousand li, and the sound of drums shaking heaven and earth. At that time, the empire had been at peace for a long time, and the common people for several generations had not seen warfare. Suddenly hearing that Fanyang had raised troops, far and near were shaken. Hebei was entirely under An Lushan's jurisdiction. The prefectures and counties he passed through, upon seeing his forces, collapsed. Some prefects and magistrates opened their gates and went out to welcome him; some abandoned their cities and fled into hiding; some were captured and killed. No one dared to resist. An Lushan first sent his generals He Qiannian and Gao Miao leading twenty Khitan cavalry, claiming they were presenting expert archers, and they rode post horses toward Taiyuan.
On the yichou day, the assistant defender of the Northern Capital, Yang Guanghui, went out of the city to welcome them, and was immediately seized and taken away. Taiyuan reported the matter in detail. The Eastern Surrender City also submitted a memorial reporting An Lushan's rebellion. The emperor still thought it was fabricated by those who hated An Lushan, and did not believe it.
On the day Gengwu, the emperor heard that An Lushan had indeed rebelled, and only then summoned the chief ministers to plan. Yang Guozhong said smugly, “Now only An Lushan alone is rebelling; the officers and soldiers do not want to rebel. Within ten days at most, his head will surely be delivered to the traveling palace.” The emperor considered this correct, but the ministers looked at each other, their faces turning pale. The emperor dispatched the specially appointed courtier Bi Sichen to the Eastern Capital, and the Golden Wu General Cheng Qianli to Hedong, each to select and recruit tens of thousands of men, and to organize and train them locally to resist the rebel forces.
On the day Xinwei, Feng Changqing, the Military Commissioner of Anxi, entered court. The emperor asked him for strategies to punish the bandits. Feng Changqing boasted, “Now there has been peace for a long time, so people flee in fear at the sight of the bandits. However, matters have their proper and rebellious aspects, and situations have opportunities for unexpected changes. I beg to ride swiftly to the Eastern Capital, open the treasuries and storehouses, recruit brave men, and whip my horse across the river. In no more than a few days, I can cut off the rebel’s head and present it beneath the palace gates!” The emperor was greatly pleased.
On the day Renshen, Feng Changqing was appointed Military Commissioner of Fanyang and Pinglu. That very day, Feng Changqing rode by post horse to the Eastern Capital to recruit soldiers. Within ten days, he had enlisted sixty thousand men; he then dismantled the Heyang Bridge and prepared defensive measures.
On the day Jiaxu, An Lushan arrived south of Boling. He Qiannian and others escorted Yang Guanghui to see An Lushan. An Lushan rebuked Yang Guanghui for siding with Yang Guozhong and had him beheaded as a warning. An Lushan sent his subordinate general An Zhongzhi to lead elite troops to garrison Tumen. An Zhongzhi was a man of the Xi tribe, adopted as a son by An Lushan. He also appointed Zhang Xiancheng as acting governor of Boling. Zhang Xiancheng was the son of Zhang Shougui.
When An Lushan reached Haocheng, Yan Gaoqing, the Governor of Changshan, judged that his forces could not resist and went with his Chief Administrator Yuan Lüqian to welcome him. An Lushan immediately bestowed on Yan Gaoqing a gold fish pouch and a purple robe, took his sons and younger brothers as hostages, and ordered him to continue guarding Changshan. He also sent his subordinate general Li Qincou to lead several thousand soldiers to guard the Jingxing Pass, to guard against the various government armies from the west. As Yan Gaoqing returned, pointing to his clothes on the road, he said to Yuan Lüqian, “Why should I wear this?” Yuan Lüqian understood his intent and secretly began plotting with Yan Gaoqing to raise troops against An Lushan. Yan Gaoqing was a great-great-grandson of Yan Silu.
On the day Bingzi, the emperor returned to the palace. He executed the Grand Servant of the Imperial Stud An Qingzong and ordered the Princess Rongyi to commit suicide. He appointed An Sishun, the Military Commissioner of Shuofang, as Minister of Revenue, and An Sishun’s younger brother An Yuanzhen as Grand Servant of the Imperial Stud. He appointed Guo Ziyi, the Right Wing Cavalry Commander of Shuofang and Governor of Jiuyuan, as Military Commissioner of Shuofang, and the Right Wing Feathered Forest General Wang Chengye as Governor of Taiyuan. He established the Military Commissioner of Henan, governing thirteen commanderies including Chenliu, and appointed Weiwei Qing, a man from Yishi named Zhang Jieran, to the post. He appointed Cheng Qianli as Chief Administrator of Luzhou. Commanderies located along the rebel army’s main attack routes began to establish Defense Commissioners.
On the day Dingchou, he appointed Prince Rong Li Wan as Field Marshal, and the Right Golden Wu General Gao Xianzhi as Deputy Field Marshal, to lead the various armies on an eastern campaign. He took money and silk from the inner palace treasuries and recruited one hundred ten thousand soldiers in the capital, calling them the Heavenly Martial Army, all assembled within ten days, all of them market-town youths.
In the twelfth month, on the day Bingxu, Gao Xianzhi led the Flying Cavalry, the Stretched Bow Cavalry, and the newly recruited soldiers, along with border troops stationed in the capital, totaling fifty thousand men, and departed from Chang’an. The emperor dispatched the eunuch, the Palace Gate Attendant General Bian Lingcheng, to supervise his army, which was stationed in Shan Commandery.
On the day Dinghai, An Lushan crossed the Yellow River from Lingchang. He used ropes to connect broken boats, grass, and wood, placing them across the river to block the current; within one night, the ice froze together like a floating bridge, and he then overran Lingchang Commandery. An Lushan’s infantry and cavalry spread across the plains and mountains, no one knew how many there were, and everywhere they passed they slaughtered and destroyed. Zhang Jieran had been in Chenliu only a few days when An Lushan arrived. He issued weapons to the soldiers and had them ascend the walls to defend. The populace was terrified and could not hold the city.
On the day Gengyin, the Governor Guo Na surrendered the city. An Lushan entered the northern city. Hearing that An Qingzong had been killed, he wept and said, “What crime have I committed, that my son should be killed!” At that time, the surrendered officers and soldiers of Chenliu lined the roads, nearly ten thousand men. An Lushan had them all killed to vent his rage. He had Zhang Jieran beheaded at the army gate. He appointed his subordinate general Li Tingwang as Military Commissioner to guard Chenliu.
On the day Renchen, the emperor issued an edict wanting to lead a personal expedition, ordering the armies of Shuofang, Hexi, and Longyou, except for those guarding castles, to all proceed to the marching camp, led personally by their Military Commissioners, with a deadline of twenty days to assemble completely.
Initially, Yan Zhenqing, the Governor of Pingyuan, knew that An Lushan was about to rebel. Taking advantage of several days of rain, he repaired the city walls, dredged the moat, counted the able-bodied men, and filled the granaries. An Lushan considered him a mere scholar and did not take him seriously. When An Lushan rebelled, he sent a document to Yan Zhenqing, ordering him to lead seven thousand soldiers from Pingyuan and Boping to defend the Yellow River ferry. Yan Zhenqing sent Li Ping, the Army Recorder of Pingyuan, by a small road to report to the court. When the emperor first heard of An Lushan’s rebellion, and that all the commanderies and counties north of the Yellow River had surrendered at the sight of his forces, he sighed and said, “Twenty-four commanderies, and not one righteous man among them!” When Li Ping arrived, he was overjoyed and said, “I do not know what Yan Zhenqing looks like, yet he can act like this!” Yan Zhenqing secretly sent trusted retainers carrying proclamations offering rewards for capturing the rebels to the various commanderies, and because of this, many commanderies responded. Yan Zhenqing was the cousin of Yan Gaoqing.
An Lushan led his troops toward Xingyang. The Governor Cui Wupi led soldiers to resist. The soldiers ascending the walls to defend, upon hearing the drums and horns, fell like rain.
On the day Guisi, An Lushan overran Xingyang, killed Cui Wupi, and sent his subordinate general Wu Lingxun to guard it. An Lushan’s prestige grew even greater. He sent his subordinate generals Tian Chengsi, An Zhongzhi, and Zhang Xiaozhong as the vanguard. The soldiers Feng Changqing had recruited were all commoners, untrained, and they were stationed at Wulao to resist the rebel forces. The rebels trampled them with iron cavalry, and the government army was utterly defeated. Feng Changqing gathered the remnants, fought at Kuiyuan, and was defeated again. He fought within the Shangdong Gate and was defeated again.
On the day Dingyou, An Lushan overran the Eastern Capital. The rebel forces shouted as they burst in through the four gates, letting their soldiers loose to kill and plunder. Feng Changqing fought at the Du Ting Inn and was defeated again. He retreated to defend the Xuanren Gate and was defeated again. He then broke through the wall west of the Imperial Park and fled westward.
Da Xi Xun, the Governor of Henan, surrendered to An Lushan. Li Cheng, the Acting Defender of the Eastern Capital, said to Lu Yi, the Censor-in-Chief, “We bear the heavy responsibility of the state. Although we know our strength is insufficient, we must die for the country!” Lu Yi agreed. Li Cheng gathered several hundred remnants, intending to fight, but these soldiers all abandoned Li Cheng and scattered. Li Cheng sat alone in his office. Lu Yi first sent his wife and children, carrying the official seals, by a small road to flee to Chang’an, while he himself, dressed in court robes, sat in the Censorate. All his attendants had scattered. An Lushan stationed at the Imperial Stable sent men to seize Li Cheng, Lu Yi, and the Investigation Judge Jiang Qing, and had them all killed. Lu Yi reviled An Lushan, enumerating his crimes, and turned to the rebel party, saying, “Whoever is a man should know what is right and what is rebellious. I die without losing my integrity; what regret is there!” Li Cheng was a man from Wenshui; Lu Yi was the son of Lu Huaishen; Jiang Qing was the son of Jiang Qinxu. An Lushan appointed his partisan Zhang Wanqing as Governor of Henan.
Feng Changqing led his remnants to Shan Commandery. Dou Tingzhi, the Governor of Shan Commandery, had already fled to Hedong, and the officials and people had all scattered. Feng Changqing said to Gao Xianzhi, “I have been fighting bloodily for days. The rebel forces’ edge is irresistible. Moreover, Tong Pass has no defending troops. If the rebels charge into the pass like wild boars, then Chang’an will be in danger. Shan Commandery cannot be held. It is better to lead the troops and first occupy Tong Pass to resist them.” Gao Xianzhi then led the existing troops westward toward Tong Pass. The rebels soon pursued them. The government army fled in panic, their ranks scattered, men and horses trampling each other, with many dead and wounded. When they reached Tong Pass, they repaired and completed the defensive works. The rebels pursued them but could not breach the defenses and withdrew. An Lushan sent his subordinate general Cui Qianyou to garrison Shan Commandery. The commanderies of Linru, Hongnong, Jiyin, Puyang, and Yunzhong all surrendered to An Lushan. At this time, the court’s summons for troops from the various circuits had not yet arrived, and the people within the passes were terrified. It happened that An Lushan was planning to proclaim himself emperor and stayed in the Eastern Capital without advancing, so the court was able to prepare defenses, and the armies gradually assembled.
An Lushan appointed Zhang Tongwu, the younger brother of Zhang Tongru, as the prefect of Suiyang, and together with Chenliu’s senior administrator Yang Chaozong, led over a thousand Hu cavalry to plunder lands to the east. Most officials in the commanderies and counties surrendered or fled upon seeing their approach, except for the Prince of Dongping, Li Zhi, who was the son of Li Yi, and the governor of Jinan, Li Sui, who raised troops to resist. Those commanderies and counties that did not submit to the rebels all acted under the banner of the Prince of Wu. Jia Ben, the assistant magistrate of Shanfu, led officials and commoners south to attack Suiyang and killed Zhang Tongwu. Li Tingwang, intending to lead troops east to seize territory, heard of this and dared not advance, so he withdrew.
On the Gengzi day, the emperor appointed Prince Yong, Li Lin, as the military commissioner of Shannan, with Jiangling’s senior administrator Yuan Wei as his deputy; and Prince Ying, Li Hong, as the military commissioner of Jiannan, with Shu Commandery’s senior administrator Cui Yuan as his deputy. Neither prince left the capital to assume their posts. Yuan Wei was the son of Yuan Guangyu.
The emperor discussed leading a personal expedition. On the Xinchou day, he issued an edict for the heir apparent to oversee the state, saying to the chancellor: “I have been on the throne for nearly fifty years and am weary of worry and toil. Last autumn, I already intended to pass the throne to the heir apparent; but just as successive floods and droughts occurred, I did not want to leave the lingering calamities to my descendants, so I delayed, waiting for a slight harvest. Unexpectedly, the rebellious Hu suddenly stirred up trouble. I should personally campaign and temporarily let the heir apparent oversee the state. Once the matter is settled, I can rest without care.” Yang Guozhong was greatly alarmed. After the audience, he said to the three ladies, Han, Guo, and Qin: “The heir apparent has long detested our family’s arrogance. If he once gains the empire, my sisters’ and my lives will be in danger!” So they gathered and wept bitterly, sending the three ladies to persuade the imperial consort, asking her to beg for mercy with a mouthful of earth. Thus the matter was shelved.
Yan Zhenqing recruited brave warriors and within ten days had gathered over ten thousand men. He exhorted them to rise up and attack An Lushan, weeping as he spoke, and the soldiers were all moved and indignant. An Lushan sent his associate Duan Ziguang with the heads of Li Cheng, Lu Yi, and Jiang Qing to parade them through the prefectures of Hebei to intimidate them. When they reached Pingyuan, on the Renyin day, Yan Zhenqing seized Duan Ziguang and executed him by waist-cutting in public. He then took the three heads, attached bodies made of rushes, placed them in coffins for burial, and held a sacrificial ceremony with weeping to receive mourners. An Lushan sent the maritime transport commissioner Liu Daoxuan to act as the prefect of Jingcheng. Jia Zai, the assistant magistrate of Qingchi, and Mu Ning, a native of Henei and the assistant magistrate of Yanshan, together killed Liu Daoxuan, seizing over fifty boatloads of armor and weapons from his ships. They brought Liu Daoxuan’s head to the senior administrator Li Wei, who arrested Yan Zhuang’s clan and executed them all. That same day, they sent Liu Daoxuan’s head to Pingyuan. Yan Zhenqing summoned Jia Zai, Mu Ning, and Zhang Dan, the assistant magistrate of Qinghe, to Pingyuan to discuss major plans. The prefect of Raoyang, Lu Quancheng, held the city and refused to accept a replacement. The judicial officer of Hejian, Li Huan, killed the administrator Wang Huaizhong, appointed by An Lushan. Li Sui sent the roving general Zi Sijian to cross the Yellow River and kill the governor of Boping, Ma Ji, appointed by An Lushan. Each had several thousand or over ten thousand troops, and they jointly promoted Yan Zhenqing as their alliance leader, reporting all military actions to him. An Lushan sent Zhang Xiancheng to lead ten thousand militiamen from the five commanderies of Shanggu, Boling, Changshan, Zhao, and Wen’an to besiege Raoyang.
When Gao Xianzhi campaigned eastward, the army supervisor Bian Lingcheng repeatedly made requests to him, but Gao Xianzhi mostly refused to comply. Bian Lingcheng entered the court to report, detailing how Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were afraid of the enemy and had retreated, adding: “Feng Changqing used the rebels to shake morale, and Gao Xianzhi abandoned several hundred li of territory in Shan Commandery, while also embezzling and withholding the soldiers’ provisions and rewards.” The emperor was furious. On the Guimao day, he sent Bian Lingcheng with an imperial decree to the army to execute Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing. Initially, after Feng Changqing’s defeat, he sent three messengers to submit memorials describing the rebels’ situation, but the emperor refused to receive them. Feng Changqing then personally rode to the court, but when he reached Weinan, the emperor issued an edict stripping him of his official rank and ordering him back to Gao Xianzhi’s army to serve as a commoner. Feng Changqing drafted a final memorial saying: “After I die, I hope Your Majesty will not underestimate this rebel and will not forget my words.” At that time, court discussions all held that An Lushan was arrogant and rebellious and would soon be beheaded, so Feng Changqing spoke thus. When Bian Lingcheng reached Tong Pass, he first summoned Feng Changqing and showed him the edict. Feng Changqing handed the final memorial to Bian Lingcheng to present to the emperor. After Feng Changqing’s death, his body was wrapped in a reed mat. When Gao Xianzhi returned to his office, Bian Lingcheng, accompanied by over a hundred swordsmen, said to him: “Great Officer, you also have a gracious decree.” Gao Xianzhi quickly descended the steps, and Bian Lingcheng read the edict. Gao Xianzhi said: “I retreated before the enemy; death is deserved. But now, facing heaven above and standing on earth below, to accuse me of embezzling and withholding provisions and rewards is slander.” At that time, the soldiers were all in front, and they shouted loudly that he was wronged, their voices shaking the heavens. Then they executed Gao Xianzhi and ordered the general Li Chengguang to temporarily command his troops.
The military commissioner of Hexi and Longyou, Geshu Han, was at home incapacitated by illness. The emperor relied on his reputation and also knew he had long been at odds with An Lushan, so he summoned him and appointed him as deputy commander-in-chief, leading 80,000 troops to attack An Lushan. He also issued an edict for the empire to advance from all sides and converge on Luoyang. Geshu Han firmly declined on grounds of illness, but the emperor did not consent. He appointed Tian Liangqiu as investigating censor and acting marching adjutant, and Qilang Xiao Xin as administrative assistant. The Hu general Huobogui Ren and others each led their tribes to join, and together with Gao Xianzhi’s former troops, they were said to number 200,000, encamping at Tong Pass. Geshu Han was ill and could not handle affairs, entrusting all military matters to Tian Liangqiu. Tian Liangqiu dared not make decisions alone, so he put Wang Sili in charge of cavalry and Li Chengguang in charge of infantry. The two vied for precedence, and command could not be unified. Geshu Han was strict in enforcing laws but did not care for the soldiers, so the troops became slack and lacked fighting spirit.
An Lushan’s Datong Army commissioner Gao Xiuyan invaded Zhenwu Army, but Shuofang’s military commissioner Guo Ziyi defeated him. Guo Ziyi took advantage of the victory to capture Jingbian Army. The Datong army commander Xue Zhongyi invaded Jingbian Army, and Guo Ziyi sent the left army commander Li Guangbi, the right army commander Gao Jun, the left valiant vanguard commander Pugu Huai’en, and the right valiant vanguard commander Hun Shizhi to meet him. They routed the enemy, burying alive 7,000 cavalry. They then advanced to besiege Yunzhong, sending the separate general Gongsun Qiongyan with 2,000 cavalry to attack Mayi, capturing it and opening the Dongjing Pass.
On the Jiachen day, Guo Ziyi was additionally appointed as imperial censor. Pugu Huai’en was a descendant of Ge Lan Bayan, and his family had served for generations as the commander of Jinwei. Hun Shizhi was the chieftain of the Hun tribe, and his family had served for generations as the commander of Gaolan.
Yan Gaoqing prepared to raise troops; Adjutant Feng Qian, former Zhending Magistrate Jia Shen, Haocheng Assistant Magistrate Cui Anshi, local man Zhai Wande, and Neiqiu Deputy Zhang Tongyou all participated in the planning. He also sent someone to inform Taiyuan Yin Wang Chengye, secretly coordinating with him. Just then, Yan Zhenqing from Pingyuan sent Yan Gaoqing’s nephew Lu Ti to secretly inform Yan Gaoqing, wishing to combine forces to cut off An Lushan’s retreat, thereby delaying his westward invasion plans. At that time, An Lushan had sent his Jinwu General Gao Miao to Youzhou to muster troops, who had not yet returned. Yan Gaoqing, using An Lushan’s authority, summoned Li Qincou, ordering him to lead his troops to the prefectural city to receive rewards. On the bingwu day, at dusk, Li Qincou arrived. Yan Gaoqing sent Yuan Lüqian, Feng Qian, and others with wine, food, and female musicians to entertain him, making Li Qincou and his cohorts thoroughly drunk. They then cut off Li Qincou’s head, seized his armor and weapons, bound all his followers, and the next day beheaded them, completely disbanding the Jingxing garrison. Shortly after, Gao Miao returned from Youzhou and was about to reach Haocheng when Yan Gaoqing sent Feng Qian to capture him. From the south, He Qiannian was reported coming from Dongjing. Cui Anshi and Cui Wande rode swiftly to Liquan Post Station to meet He Qiannian, captured him as well, and sent him to the prefectural city on the same day. He Qiannian said to Yan Gaoqing: “Now the Prefect wishes to serve the royal house. Having made a good start, you should carefully consider the outcome. The soldiers recruited in this commandery are a motley crowd, hard to face the enemy. You should deepen the moats and heighten the walls, not contend with the foe. When the Shuofang army arrives, join forces and advance together. Issue proclamations to Zhao and Wei regions, cut off the strategic points of Yan and Ji, and then the enemy will be captured. For now, you should spread word that ‘Li Guangbi is leading ten thousand infantry and cavalry from Jingxing,’ and then send someone to persuade Zhang Xiancheng: ‘The troops you lead are mostly militia, without strong armor or sharp weapons, and cannot withstand the crack forces from west of the mountains.’ Zhang Xiancheng will surely lift the siege and flee. This is also a clever stratagem.” Yan Gaoqing was delighted, adopted his plan, and Zhang Xiancheng indeed fled, his militia scattering. Yan Gaoqing then sent people into Raoyang City to comfort the officers and soldiers. He ordered Cui Anshi and others to proclaim to the various commanderies: “The great army has already taken Jingxing; it will arrive soon. First, pacify all the commanderies in Hebei. Those who submit first will be rewarded; those who delay will be executed!” Thus, the commanderies in Hebei responded one after another, totaling seventeen commanderies that submitted to the court, with combined forces of over two hundred thousand men. Those still attached to An Lushan were only the six commanderies of Fanyang, Lulong, Miyun, Yuyang, Ji, and Ye.
Yan Gaoqing also secretly sent someone to Yuyang to recruit Jia Xun. Ma Sui of Jiaocheng urged Jia Xun, saying: “An Lushan has betrayed imperial grace and rebelled. Though he has taken Luoyang, he will ultimately be destroyed. If you kill those generals who refuse to obey and submit Fanyang to the court, destroying his base, this would be an immortal achievement.” Jia Xun agreed but hesitated to act immediately. A separate general, Niu Rongjian, learned of this and reported it to An Lushan. An Lushan sent his confederate Han Chaoyang to summon Jia Xun. When Han Chaoyang arrived in Yuyang, he called Jia Xun aside to speak privately, then had strongmen strangle him, exterminating his family. He appointed another separate general, Niu Tingjie, to oversee the military affairs of Fanyang. Shi Siming and Li Lijie led ten thousand Fan and Han infantry and cavalry to attack Boling and Changshan. Ma Sui fled into the Western Mountains; a hermit, Xu Yu, hid him, and he escaped death.
Initially, An Lushan personally led his army to attack Tong Pass. When he reached Xin’an and heard of the changes in Hebei, he turned back. Cai Xide led ten thousand men from Henei to attack Changshan from the north.
On the wushen day, Prince Rong Li Wan died and was posthumously given the posthumous name Jinggong Taizi.
That year, the Tsampo Khri-srong-lde-brtsan died, and his son Sad-na-legs succeeded him.
Supreme Emperor Suzong, Wenming Wude Dasheng Daxuan Xiaohuangdi, First Part.
Spring, first month, on the yimao day (first day of the month), An Lushan proclaimed himself Emperor of Great Yan, changed the reign title to Shengwu, appointed Da Xijun as Shizhong, Zhang Tongru as Zhongshuling, and Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang as Zhongshu Shilang.
Li Sui arrived at Suiyang with several tens of thousands of troops. On the bingchen day (second day), the court appointed Li Sui as Henan Jiedushi, appointed former Gaoyao Magistrate Xu Yuan as Suiyang Prefect and Defense Commissioner. A guest from Puyang, Shang Heng, raised troops to attack An Lushan, appointed local man Wang Qiyao as Yaqian Zongguan, captured Jiyin, and killed An Lushan’s general Xing Chaoran.
Yan Gaoqing sent his son Yan Quanming, Jia Shen, and Zhai Wande to take Li Qincou’s head, along with He Qiannian and Gao Miao, to the capital. Zhang Tongyou wept and begged: “My brother Zhang Tongru is trapped among the rebels. Please let me go with Yan Quanming to rescue our clan.” Yan Gaoqing pitied him and agreed. When they reached Taiyuan, Zhang Tongyou wanted to attach himself to Wang Chengye, so he taught Wang Chengye to detain Yan Quanming and the others, alter the memorial, taking more credit for himself and slandering Yan Gaoqing, and sent another envoy to present it. Yan Gaoqing had only been in arms for eight days, and his defenses were not yet complete when Shi Siming and Cai Xide led their troops to the city walls. Yan Gaoqing urgently appealed to Wang Chengye for help. Wang Chengye, having already stolen credit for Yan Gaoqing’s achievement, hoped that Changshan would fall, so he held his troops back and did not rescue him. Yan Gaoqing resisted day and night until his food and arrows were exhausted. On the renxu day (eighth day), the city fell. The rebel soldiers slaughtered over ten thousand people, captured Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian, and sent them to Luoyang. When Wang Chengye’s envoy reached the capital, Xuanzong was very pleased, appointed Wang Chengye as Yulin General-in-Chief, and awarded hundreds of his subordinates official ranks. The court summoned Yan Gaoqing to be Weiwei Qing, but the imperial decree had not yet arrived when Changshan had already fallen.
Yan Gaoqing was taken to Luoyang. An Lushan berated him, saying: “From a Registrar of Fanyang, I recommended you as a Judge, and within a few years promoted you to Prefect. How have I wronged you that you rebel against me?” Yan Gaoqing glared and cursed: “You were originally a Jie slave herding sheep in Yingzhou. The Son of Heaven promoted you to be Jiedushi of three circuits, with boundless favor. How have I wronged you that you rebel? I have been a Tang official for generations; my salary and rank were given by the Tang court. Even if you recommended me, should I follow you in rebellion? I am punishing a rebel for the state, and I hate that I cannot cut you down. How can you call me a rebel? You stinking Jie dog, why don’t you kill me quickly?” An Lushan was enraged, tied him and Yuan Lüqian to the pillars of Zhong Bridge, and had them chopped to death. Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian, to the very end, never stopped cursing. Thirty-odd members of the Yan family were killed by the sword or saw.
After Shi Siming, Li Lijie, and Cai Xide captured Changshan, they led troops to attack the commanderies that had not submitted, slaughtering and destroying everything in their path. Thus, the commanderies of Ye, Guangping, Julu, Zhao, Shanggu, Boling, Wen’an, Weijun, and Xindu were again held by the rebels. Raoyang Prefect Lu Quancheng alone refused to submit; Shi Siming and the others besieged him. Hejian Judicial Officer Li Huan led seven thousand men, and Jingcheng Senior Administrator Li Wei sent his son Li Si with eight thousand men to rescue him, but both were defeated by Shi Siming.
The Emperor ordered Guo Ziyi to lift the siege of Yunzhong, return to Shuofang, and then increase his forces to advance on Dongjing, also selecting a good general to divide his troops and first go out through Jingxing to pacify Hebei. Guo Ziyi recommended Li Guangbi. On the guihai day (ninth day), Li Guangbi was appointed Hedong Jiedushi, and ten thousand Shuofang troops were assigned to him.
On the jiazi day (tenth day), Geshu Han was additionally appointed as Left Puye and Tong Pingshanshi, with his other posts as before.
The Nanyang Jiedushi was established, with Nanyang Prefect Lu Jiong appointed to it, commanding fifty thousand troops from Lingnan, Qianzhong, and Xiangyang, stationed north of Ye County to guard against An Lushan. Lu Jiong submitted a memorial requesting the appointment of Xue Yuan as Yingchuan Prefect and Defense Commissioner, with Pang Jian as his deputy. Xue Yuan was the brother of the consort of the former Crown Prince Li Ying; Pang Jian was the great-great-grandson of Pang Yu. On the yichou day (eleventh day), An Lushan sent his son An Qingxu to attack Tong Pass; Geshu Han repelled him.
On the jisi day (fifteenth day), Yan Zhenqing was additionally appointed as Hubu Shilang and Defense Commissioner of his commandery. Yan Zhenqing appointed Li Wei as his deputy.
Second month, on the bingxu day (second day), Li Guangbi was additionally appointed as Weijun Prefect and Hebei Circuit Inspector.
Shi Siming and his forces besieged Raoyang for twenty-nine days without capturing it. Li Guangbi led over ten thousand Fan and Han infantry and cavalry, along with three thousand Taiyuan crossbowmen, out of Jingxing. On the day of Jihai (the fifteenth), they reached Changshan, where three thousand Changshan militia soldiers killed the Hu troops, captured An Siyi, and surrendered the city. Li Guangbi said to An Siyi, “Do you know you deserve death?” An Siyi did not reply. Li Guangbi said, “You have long been in battle. Looking at my troops, can they withstand Shi Siming? Now, devise a plan for me—what should be done? If your strategy is feasible, I will not kill you.” An Siyi said, “Grand Master, your troops have come from afar and are weary. If they suddenly encounter a powerful enemy, I fear they cannot withstand them. It would be better to move the army into the city, prepare defenses early, first assess the outcome, and then deploy. Although the Hu cavalry is elite, they cannot sustain themselves for long. If they gain no advantage, their morale will collapse and their troops will scatter; only then can we plot against them. Shi Siming is now at Raoyang, less than two hundred li from here. Last night, feather dispatches were sent; I estimate his vanguard will arrive by dawn tomorrow, with the main force following. You must not disregard this.” Li Guangbi was pleased, untied his bonds, and immediately moved the army into the city. When Shi Siming heard that Changshan had fallen, he immediately lifted the siege of Raoyang. Before dawn the next day, the vanguard arrived, followed by Shi Siming and the rest, with over twenty thousand cavalry in total, reaching directly beneath the city walls. Li Guangbi sent five thousand infantry out from the east gate to fight, but the rebel troops held the gate and did not retreat. Li Guangbi ordered five hundred crossbowmen on the city walls to shoot in unison, and the rebel troops slightly withdrew. He then deployed one thousand crossbowmen in four units, having them fire arrows continuously, so the rebel troops could not withstand them and withdrew their forces to the north of the road. Li Guangbi sent out five thousand troops to form a spear formation south of the road, arrayed along the Hutuo River. The rebel troops repeatedly charged with cavalry, but Li Guangbi’s soldiers shot them with arrows; more than half of the men and horses were hit, so they retreated, resting briefly while waiting for their infantry. A villager reported that five thousand rebel infantry were hurrying from Raoyang, marching one hundred seventy li day and night, and had reached Fengbi south of Jiumen, where they were estimated to be resting. Li Guangbi sent two thousand each of infantry and cavalry, concealing their flags and drums, to march stealthily along the river. When they reached Fengbi, the rebel troops were eating. Li Guangbi’s troops launched a sudden attack and annihilated them all. When Shi Siming heard of this, he lost his momentum and withdrew into Jiumen. At that time, of the nine counties of Changshan, seven had submitted to the government forces; only Jiumen and Gaocheng were held by the rebels. Li Guangbi sent his lieutenant Zhang Fengzhang with five hundred troops to guard Shiyi, and three hundred troops to guard each of the other counties.
The Emperor appointed Prince Wu, Li Zhi, as the Governor of Lingchang and the Chief Military Commissioner of Henan. Jia Ben had previously arrived at Yongqiu with two thousand troops. Before this, the Governor of Qiao Commandery, Yang Wanshi, had surrendered the commandery to An Lushan and forced Zhang Xun, the Magistrate of Zhenyuan from Hedong, to serve as his Chief Clerk and go west to welcome the rebel troops. Zhang Xun arrived at Zhenyuan, led the officials and people to weep at the temple of Emperor Xuan Yuan, then raised troops to campaign against the rebels. Several thousand officials and people were willing to follow him. Zhang Xun selected one thousand elite troops and went west to Yongqiu, where he joined forces with Jia Ben.
Earlier, the Magistrate of Yongqiu, Linghu Chao, had surrendered the county to the rebels. The rebels appointed him as a general and sent him east to Xiangyi to attack the relief troops from Huaiyang. He defeated them, captured over one hundred prisoners, and imprisoned them in Yongqiu, intending to kill them before going to see Li Tingwang. The Huaiyang troops then killed the guards, and Linghu Chao abandoned his wife and children and fled, so Jia Ben was able to enter Yongqiu. On the day of Gengzi (the sixteenth), Linghu Chao led elite rebel troops to attack Yongqiu. Jia Ben went out to fight, was defeated, and died. Zhang Xun fought fiercely and repelled the rebel troops, then took command of Jia Ben’s forces, proclaiming himself the Vanguard Commander of Prince Wu.
In the third month, on the day of Yimao (the second), Linghu Chao, along with rebel generals Li Huaixian, Yang Chaozong, Xie Yuantong, and others, suddenly arrived at the city with over forty thousand troops. The people were terrified and had no will to hold the city. Zhang Xun said, “The rebel troops are elite and think lightly of us. If we attack them by surprise now, they will surely be panicked and routed. Once their momentum is slightly checked, then the city can be defended.” He then sent one thousand men up the city walls, while he himself led one thousand men, divided into several units, and charged out through the open gates. Zhang Xun led from the front, charging straight into the rebel formation; men and horses gave way, and the rebel troops retreated. The next day, the rebel troops again attacked the city, setting up a hundred stone catapults around the walls; the towers and parapets were all destroyed. Zhang Xun set up wooden palisades on the walls to defend. The rebel troops swarmed up the walls like ants, but Zhang Xun bundled up artemisia, soaked it in oil, lit it, and threw it down, preventing the rebels from climbing. Seizing the opportunity when the rebels were off guard, Zhang Xun sent out troops to attack, sometimes lowering men down the walls at night to raid the rebel camps. This continued for over sixty days, with more than three hundred battles large and small. The officers and soldiers ate in their armor and wrapped their wounds before fighting again, and finally the rebel troops were defeated and fled. Zhang Xun pursued and defeated them, capturing two thousand Hu troops before returning, greatly boosting his military prestige.
Earlier, the Minister of Revenue, An Sishun, knew of An Lushan’s rebellion plot and reported it to the Emperor when he came to court. After An Lushan rebelled, the Emperor did not punish An Sishun because of his prior report. Geshu Han had long had a grudge against him, so he sent someone to forge a letter from An Lushan to An Sishun, intercepted it at the pass, and presented it to the Emperor, along with listing seven charges against An Sishun, requesting his execution. On the day of Bingchen (the third), An Sishun and his younger brother, the Chief Steward of the Imperial Stud, An Yuanzhen, were both executed for this, and their families were exiled to Lingnan. Yang Guozhong could not save them, and from then on began to fear Geshu Han.
Guo Ziyi arrived at Shuofang, further selected elite troops, and on the day of Wuwu (the fifth), advanced to Daizhou.
On the day of Wuchen (the fifteenth), Prince Wu, Li Zhi, attacked Xie Yuantong, drove him away, and was appointed as the Governor of Chenliu and the Military Commissioner of Henan.
On the day of Renwu (the twenty-ninth), Li Guangbi, the Military Commissioner of Hedong, was appointed as the Chief Governor of Fanyang and the Military Commissioner of Hebei, and Yan Zhenqing was appointed as the Surveillance Commissioner of Hebei. Yan Zhenqing appointed Zhang Dan as his Adjutant.
Prior to this, a guest from Qinghe named Li E, in his early twenties, came on behalf of the commandery’s people to request reinforcements from Yan Zhenqing, saying: “You were the first to champion the great cause, and all the commanderies north of the Yellow River look to you as their Great Wall. Now Qinghe is your western neighbor; in times of national peace, the court gathered the money and silk of Jianghuai and Henan there to supply the northern army, calling it the ‘Northern Depot of the Empire.’ At present, it has over three million bolts of cloth, more than eight hundred thousand bolts of silk, over three hundred thousand strings of cash, and more than three hundred thousand hu of grain. In the past, when campaigning against Močuo, armor and weapons were all stored in the Qinghe depot, and now there are over five hundred thousand pieces. With seventy thousand households and over one hundred thousand people, I privately estimate its wealth is enough to be three times that of Pingyuan, and its military strength enough to be twice as powerful. If you truly can provide troops, pacify it, and hold it, using these two commanderies as your heart and vitals, then all the other commanderies, like limbs, will have no choice but to obey your commands.” Yan Zhenqing said: “The troops of Pingyuan have only just been assembled and are not yet trained. I fear even self-defense is insufficient—how can I spare thought for neighboring commanderies? Even so, if I grant your request, what then would be done?” Li E said: “Qinghe sent me with a mission to you, not because it lacks strength and seeks to borrow your army to test the rebels, but rather to observe the righteousness of a great worthy. Now, looking up to your intent, I see no decisive words or settled expression—how dare I rashly speak of what should be done?” Yan Zhenqing, considering him extraordinary, wanted to give him troops. But the majority thought Li E was young, underestimated the enemy, and would only scatter their forces, achieving nothing. Yan Zhenqing reluctantly declined him. Li E returned to his lodging and again wrote a letter to persuade Yan Zhenqing, arguing: “Qinghe has left the rebels and submitted to the court, offering grain, cloth, and weapons to aid your army, yet you do not accept it and instead doubt it. After I turn my carriage back, Qinghe cannot stand alone; it will surely attach itself to someone and become your formidable enemy to the west—will you not regret it?” Yan Zhenqing was greatly startled and immediately went to his lodging, lending him six thousand troops. He escorted them to the border, shook hands, and bid farewell. Yan Zhenqing asked: “The troops have already set out; may I now hear what you intend to do?” Li E said: “I hear that the court has dispatched Cheng Qianli with one hundred thousand elite troops to emerge from the Kuo Pass to attack the rebels, but the rebels hold the strategic points and resist, preventing their advance. Now we should lead our troops to first attack Wei Commandery, capture An Lushan’s appointed prefect Yuan Taizhi, restore the former prefect Sima Chui to his post, and make him our host in the southwest. Then divide our forces to open the Kuo Pass, release Cheng Qianli’s army, and take the opportunity to campaign against the commanderies and counties north of Ji and Ye up to Youling that have not yet submitted. Pingyuan and Qinghe, leading all the allied forces, can combine one hundred thousand troops, press south toward Mengjin, and divide forces along the river to hold key strategic points, controlling their escape route north. I estimate that the imperial army’s eastern campaign is no less than two hundred thousand troops, and the righteous troops of Henan advancing westward are no fewer than one hundred thousand. You need only submit a memorial to the court, fortify your positions, and avoid battle; in no more than a month, the rebel forces will certainly have internal collapse and mutual betrayal.” Yan Zhenqing said: “Excellent!” He ordered the recorder of the staff, Li Zejiao, and the magistrate of Pingyuan, Fan Donghui, to lead their troops, combining with four thousand troops from Qinghe and one thousand from Boping, and encamped southwest of Tangyi. Yuan Taizhi sent his subordinate general Bai Sigong and others to lead more than twenty thousand troops to meet them in battle. The troops of the three commanderies fought with all their might for an entire day, inflicting a great defeat on the Wei army, cutting off over ten thousand heads, capturing more than one thousand prisoners, seizing one thousand horses, and a great quantity of military supplies. Yuan Taizhi fled to Ji Commandery. Thus, they captured Wei Commandery, and their military prestige rose greatly.
At that time, the Grand Administrator of Beihai, He L an Jinming, also raised troops. Yan Zhenqing wrote to summon him to join forces. He L an Jinming led five thousand infantry and cavalry across the Yellow River. Yan Zhenqing drew up his troops to welcome him; they bowed to each other and wept on horseback, their sorrow moving the ranks. He L an Jinming camped south of Pingyuan city to rest his men and horses. Yan Zhenqing consulted him on every matter, and from then on, military authority gradually shifted into He L an Jinming’s hands, but Yan Zhenqing did not resent this. Yan Zhenqing ceded the credit for the victory at Tangyi to He L an Jinming, who reported the situation, making decisions as he saw fit. An imperial edict appointed He L an Jinming as the Pacification Commissioner of Hebei, promoted Li Zejiao and Fan Donghui slightly in rank, and recorded no merit for those from Qinghe and Boping who had rendered service. He L an Jinming attacked Xin Du Commandery but could not capture it for a long time. The recorder of the staff, Diwu Qi from Chang’an, advised He L an Jinming to recruit brave men with heavy rewards in gold and silk, and thus the commandery fell.
Li Guangbi and Shi Siming were locked in stalemate for over forty days. Shi Siming cut off the supply route of Changshan. Within the city, fodder was scarce, and horses ate bedding and straw mats. Li Guangbi used five hundred carts to fetch hay from Shiyi; the cart drivers all wore armor, and one thousand crossbowmen guarded them, advancing in a square formation, so the rebels could not seize the hay. Cai Xide led troops to attack Shiyi, but Zhang Fengzhang repelled him. Li Guangbi sent an envoy to Guo Ziyi to report the emergency. Guo Ziyi led his troops out of Jingxing Pass. In summer, on the renchen day (the ninth day) of the fourth month, they reached Changshan and joined forces with Li Guangbi, totaling over one hundred thousand Fan and Han infantry and cavalry. On the jiawu day (the eleventh day), Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi fought with Shi Siming and others south of Jiumen City. Shi Siming suffered a great defeat. Lieutenant General Hun Zhen shot and killed Li Lijie. Hun Zhen was the son of Hun Shizhi. Shi Siming gathered his shattered remnants and fled to Zhao Commandery, while Cai Xide fled to Julu. Shi Siming went from Zhao Commandery to Boling, but by then Boling had already surrendered to the imperial army, so Shi Siming massacred all the commandery officials. The people of Hebei, suffering from the rebels’ cruelty, formed encampments everywhere—sometimes as many as twenty thousand, sometimes as few as ten thousand—each banding together to resist the rebels. When Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi’s armies arrived, they vied to come out and serve. On the gengzi day (the seventeenth day), they attacked Zhao Commandery; within a day, the city surrendered. The soldiers plundered extensively, but Li Guangbi sat at the city gate, confiscated the loot, and returned it all to the people, who were overjoyed. Guo Ziyi captured four thousand prisoners alive and released them all, executing An Lushan’s appointed prefect, Guo Xianqiu. Li Guangbi advanced to besiege Boling but could not take it after ten days, so he withdrew his troops to Hengyang to forage for food.
Yang Guozhong asked the Left Remonstrator Zhang Hao of Boping and Xiao Xin about men among the scholar-officials who could serve as generals. Zhang Hao and Xiao Xin recommended the Left Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, Lai Tian of Yongshou. On the bingwu day (the twenty-third day), Lai Tian was appointed Grand Administrator of Yingchuan. The rebels attacked repeatedly, but Lai Tian defeated them many times, and he was given the additional title of Defense Commissioner of the commandery. People called him “Lai the Crusher.”
An Lushan sent the Pinglu Military Commissioner Lü Zhihui to lure the Deputy Grand Protector of Andong, Ma Lingcha, and then killed him. The Pinglu Mobile Commissioner Liu Kenu of Wuzhi, the Vanguard Commissioner Dong Qin, and the Andong general Wang Xuanzhi plotted together to kill Lü Zhihui. They sent an envoy across the sea to contact Yan Zhenqing, requesting to attack Fanyang as a service. Yan Zhenqing sent his administrative assistant Jia Zai to bring grain and soldiers’ clothing to support them. Yan Zhenqing had only one son at the time, Yan Po, who was just over ten years old, and he sent him to Liu Kenu as a hostage. When the court heard of this, it appointed Liu Kenu as the Pinglu Military Commissioner, bestowing on him the name Zhengchen; Wang Xuanzhi became the Deputy Grand Protector of Andong, and Dong Qin became the Pinglu Military Commissioner’s Army Commander.
The Nanyang Military Commissioner Lu Jiong established a palisade camp south of the Zhi River. The rebel generals under An Lushan, Wu Lingxun and Bi Sichen, attacked him.