Tang Records 34

Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 218, Tang Annals 34: Beginning from the fifth month of the year Rouzhao Tuntan and ending in the ninth month, less than a full year. Under the August Thearch Suzong, Civilized and Martial, Great Saintly, Greatly Proclaiming Filial, the Revered One above, in the first year of Zhide (Bingshen, 756 CE).

On the Dingsi day of the fifth month, Lu Jiong's army was routed and retreated to defend Nanyang; the rebel forces immediately besieged it. The Grand Master of Ceremonies, Zhang Ji, recommended that the Governor of Yiling, Prince of Guo, Li Ju, possessed valor and strategy. Xuanzong summoned the Prince of Wu, Li Zhi, to be Grand Coachman of the Imperial Stud, and appointed Li Ju as Grand Administrator of Chenliu and Qiao commanderies, Military Commissioner of Henan, and placed under his command the Military Commissioner of Lingnan, He Lüguang, the Military Commissioner of Qianzhong, Zhao Guozhen, and the Military Commissioner of Nanyang, Lu Jiong. Zhao Guozhen was originally a man of the Zangke Yi barbarians. On the Wuchen day, Li Ju led his troops from Lantian and hurried to Nanyang. When the rebel forces heard of this, they lifted the siege and fled.

Linghu Chao again led troops to attack Yongqiu. He had a past acquaintance with Zhang Xun, and beneath the city walls they exchanged greetings as usual. Taking the opportunity, he urged Zhang Xun, saying: "The general situation under Heaven is already finished. For whom are you, sir, holding this endangered city?" Zhang Xun replied: "You, sir, have always prided yourself on loyalty and righteousness. Today's action—where is your loyalty and righteousness?" Linghu Chao withdrew in shame.

Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi returned to Changshan. Shi Siming gathered together several tens of thousands of scattered remnants and followed behind them. Guo Ziyi selected elite cavalry to challenge them in turns. After three days, they reached Xingtang. The rebel troops, exhausted, then withdrew. Guo Ziyi seized the momentum to pursue and again defeated them at the Sha River.

Cai Xide arrived at Luoyang. An Lushan again sent twenty thousand infantry and cavalry north to join Shi Siming, and also ordered Niu Tingjie to mobilize over ten thousand troops from Fanyang and other commanderies to assist Shi Siming, totaling over fifty thousand men, of which the Tongluo and Yeluoke troops made up one-fifth. Guo Ziyi reached Hengyang, and Shi Siming followed. Guo Ziyi dug deep moats and built high ramparts to await him. When the rebels came, he held firm; when they withdrew, he pursued. By day he displayed his troops to overawe them; by night he raided their camps, giving the rebels no rest. After several days, Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi consulted: "The rebels are exhausted; we can give battle." On the Renwu day, they engaged at Jiashan, heavily defeating the rebels, beheading forty thousand and capturing over a thousand. Shi Siming fell from his horse, fled barefoot with disheveled hair, and at dusk, leaning on a broken spear, returned to camp. He escaped to Boling. Li Guangbi immediately besieged it, and the army's renown greatly rose. Consequently, over ten commanderies in Hebei killed their rebel-appointed defenders and surrendered. The road to Yuyang was again cut off; rebel messengers could only pass stealthily in small groups, and many were captured by government troops. Officers and soldiers whose families were in Yuyang were all shaken. An Lushan was greatly alarmed, summoned Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang, and berated them: "You urged me to rebel for years, saying it was absolutely safe. Now, for months, we cannot advance past Tongguan; the northern route is already severed; armies are converging from all sides. All I hold are a few prefectures like Bian and Zheng. Where is the absolute safety? Do not come before me again!" Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang were terrified and did not dare see him for several days. Tian Qianzhen came down from the Pass and interceded on their behalf with An Lushan: "Since ancient times, emperors and kings undertaking great enterprises have all had victories and defeats. How could it be accomplished in one stroke! Although the government's armies are numerous around us, they are newly recruited rabble, unseasoned in battle. How can they withstand our elite troops from Jibei? Why must you worry so deeply! Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang are founding ministers. If Your Majesty suddenly abandons them, when the generals hear of it, who will not be fearful inside? If the higher and lower ranks become estranged, I, your servant, privately fear for Your Majesty." An Lushan said happily: "Ahao, you can ease my mind." He immediately summoned Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang, set out wine, and drank heartily, singing himself to urge them on, treating them as before. Ahao was Tian Qianzhen's childhood name. An Lushan discussed abandoning Luoyang and fleeing back to Fanyang, but the plan was not yet decided.

At that time, the whole realm believed Yang Guozhong was arrogant and had provoked the disorder, and everyone hated him. Moreover, because An Lushan had raised his army under the pretext of executing Yang Guozhong, Wang Sili secretly urged Geshu Han to submit a memorial requesting Yang Guozhong's execution. Geshu Han refused. Wang Sili then asked to use thirty cavalrymen to kidnap Yang Guozhong and bring him to Tongguan to be killed. Geshu Han said: "If I do that, it would be I, Geshu Han, who is rebelling, not An Lushan." Someone advised Yang Guozhong: "Now the empire's main army is in Geshu Han's hands. If he turns his banner westward, would that not be dangerous for you?" Yang Guozhong was greatly frightened, and so memorialized: "The Tongguan army is strong, but there is no backup behind; if it suffers a defeat, the capital will be anxious. Please select three thousand recruits from the Imperial Pastures to train within the Imperial Park." Xuanzong approved, and sent the Jiannan army officer Li Fude and others to lead them. He also recruited ten thousand troops to garrison Bashang, appointing his confidant Du Qianyun to lead them, ostensibly to defend against the rebels, but in reality to guard against Geshu Han. When Geshu Han heard of this, he too feared being plotted against by Yang Guozhong, and so memorialized requesting that the Bashang troops be placed under Tongguan's command. On the Guiwei day of the sixth month, he summoned Du Qianyun to the Pass and had him executed on some pretext. Yang Guozhong became even more fearful.

Just then, someone reported that Cui Qianyou was in Shanzhou with fewer than four thousand troops, all weak and unprepared. Xuanzong sent envoys urging Geshu Han to advance and recover Shanzhou and Luoyang. Geshu Han memorialized: "An Lushan has long been experienced in military affairs. Having just rebelled, how could he be unprepared! This must be a ruse using weak troops to lure us. If we advance, we will fall into his trap. Moreover, the rebel troops have come from afar and benefit from a quick battle; the government troops hold strategic passes and benefit from a protracted defense. The rebels are cruel and have lost popular support; their military power daily diminishes, and there will be internal changes. Seizing the opportunity, we can capture them without fighting. The key is success; why must we be hasty! Currently, troops summoned from various circuits have not yet all assembled. Please wait a while." Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi also memorialized: "Please allow us to lead troops north to take Fanyang, destroy their lair, detain the rebels' wives and children to induce surrender, and the rebels will surely collapse from within. The main army at Tongguan should only hold firm to wear them out, and must not venture out rashly." Yang Guozhong suspected Geshu Han of plotting against him, and told Xuanzong that the rebels were indeed unprepared, and that Geshu Han was delaying, missing the opportunity. Xuanzong thought this reasonable, and repeatedly sent palace attendants to urge him on, one after another. Geshu Han had no choice but to beat his breast and weep bitterly. On the Bingxu day, he led the troops out of the Pass.

On the Jichou day, they encountered Cui Qianyou's army west of Lingbao. Cui Qianyou occupied a strategic position and waited, with mountains to the south and the Yellow River to the north, along a narrow path seventy li long. On the Gengyin day, the government army engaged Cui Qianyou. Cui Qianyou had set an ambush in the treacherous terrain. Geshu Han and Tian Liangqiu took a boat to the middle of the river to observe the battle formation. Seeing Cui Qianyou's troops were few, they urged the various armies to advance. Wang Sili and others led fifty thousand elite troops in the front, while Pang Zhong and others led the remaining one hundred thousand as the rear. Geshu Han with thirty thousand troops ascended a high position on the north bank of the river to observe and beat drums to boost morale. Cui Qianyou deployed no more than ten thousand men, in groups of ten or five, scattered like stars, some sparse, some dense, some advancing, some retreating. The government officers seeing this all laughed. Cui Qianyou had arrayed his elite troops in strict order at the rear. After the battle began, the rebels lowered their flags as if about to flee, and the government troops grew careless and unprepared. Soon, the ambush was sprung. The rebels rolled down logs and stones from the heights, killing and wounding many soldiers. The road was narrow, the soldiers crowded together like bundles, unable to wield their spears and halberds. Geshu Han used felt-covered carts drawn by horses as a vanguard, hoping to smash into the rebel lines. Past noon, an east wind sprang up violently. Cui Qianyou used several dozen carts loaded with straw to block the path in front of the felt carts, then set them on fire. Smoke and flames filled the air. The government troops could not open their eyes, and mistaking the smoke for the rebels, they gathered their crossbows and shot wildly, instead killing and wounding each other. By dusk, their arrows were exhausted, and only then did they realize there were no rebels. Cui Qianyou sent elite Tongluo cavalry around from the south mountain to attack the government army's rear. The government army, thrown into confusion from front to rear, did not know where to defend, and thus suffered a great defeat. Some discarded their armor and fled into the valleys; others, crushed together, fell into the river and drowned. The noise shook Heaven and Earth. The rebels, taking advantage of their victory, pressed forward. The rear army, seeing the front defeated, all scattered on their own. The troops on the north bank also scattered upon seeing this, and in an instant, both banks were empty. Geshu Han, along with only a hundred or so cavalry from his personal guard, fled, crossing the Yellow River west of Shouyang Mountain and entering the Pass. Outside the Pass, three trenches had previously been dug, each two zhang wide and one zhang deep. Men and horses fell into them, and they were soon filled. The remaining troops crossed over the bodies and horses. Only a little over eight thousand soldiers managed to enter the Pass. On the Xinmao day, Cui Qianyou attacked Tongguan and captured it. Geshu Han reached the post station west of the Pass and posted notices to gather scattered troops, hoping to hold Tongguan again. The barbarian general Huobai Guiren and others, with over a hundred cavalry, surrounded the station, entered, and said to Geshu Han: "The rebels are coming! Please mount your horse, sir." Geshu Han mounted and rode out of the station. Huobai Guiren and his followers kowtowed and said: "You, sir, with an army of two hundred thousand, lost it in one battle. What face do you have to see the Son of Heaven again? Moreover, have you, sir, not seen the fate of Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing? Please go east, sir." Geshu Han refused and tried to dismount. Huobai Guiren tied his feet to the horse's belly with woolen ropes, and also seized the other generals who would not follow, and took them all eastward. Just then, the rebel general Tian Qianzhen arrived, and they surrendered, being sent together to Luoyang. An Lushan asked Geshu Han: "You always despised me. Now, what do you say?" Geshu Han prostrated himself and replied: "Your servant's mortal eyes did not recognize the sage. Now the realm is not yet pacified. Li Guangbi is in Changshan, Li Zhi is in Dongping, and Lu Jiong is in Nanyang. If Your Majesty keeps your servant, let him use a short letter to summon them, and within days they will all surrender." An Lushan was greatly pleased, and appointed Geshu Han as Minister of Works and Grand Councilor with the same standing. He said to Huobai Guiren: "You betrayed your master; you are disloyal and unrighteous," and had him seized and executed. Geshu Han wrote letters summoning the various generals, but they all replied rebuking him. An Lushan, knowing it was ineffective, imprisoned him within the palace grounds.

After the defeat at Tongguan, the Defense Commissioners of Hedong, Huayin, Fengyi, and Shangluo all abandoned their commanderies and fled, and the defending troops everywhere scattered. That day, an officer from Geshu Han's command came to report the emergency, but Xuanzong did not grant an audience promptly, only sending Li Fude and others to lead the Imperial Pasture troops to Tongguan. By evening, the signal beacons of safety [ping'an huo] did not arrive, and Xuanzong became fearful. On the Renchen day, he summoned the councilors for consultation. Yang Guozhong, who concurrently held the post for Jiannan, had, upon hearing of An Lushan's rebellion, ordered his vice commissioner Cui Yuan to secretly prepare supplies for an emergency flight. Now, he was the first to propose that the Emperor go to Shu. Xuanzong deemed this acceptable. On the Guisi day, Yang Guozhong assembled all officials in the court hall, panicked and weeping, and asked for strategies. Everyone merely murmured without answering. Yang Guozhong said: "People have been reporting An Lushan's rebellious intentions for ten years, but the court above and below would not believe it. Today's affair is not the fault of the Grand Councilor." After the court session dispersed, commoners and officials looted and fled, not knowing where to go. The markets and wards were desolate. Yang Guozhong had the ladies of Han and Guo enter the palace to urge Xuanzong to go to Shu.

On the Jiawu day, fewer than one or two out of ten officials appeared at court. Xuanzong ascended the Qinzheng Tower and issued an edict announcing he would personally lead an expedition, but those who heard it did not believe it. He appointed the Metropolitan Governor of the Capital, Wei Fangjin, as Imperial Censor-in-Chief and concurrently Commissioner for Imperial Halts; the Metropolitan Vice-Governor of the Capital, Lingchang native Cui Guangyuan, as Metropolitan Governor of the Capital and acting Western Capital Defender; and General Bian Lingcheng to be in charge of the palace keys. He also falsely claimed that the Prince of Ying, the Imperial Commissioner of the Jiannan Circuit, was about to proceed to his garrison, and ordered that circuit to prepare supplies. That day, Xuanzong moved his ceremonial guard to the Northern Palace. After nightfall, he ordered the Dragon Wu Generalissimo Chen Xuanli to prepare the Six Armies, bestowed generous gifts of money and silk, and selected over nine hundred horses from the imperial stables. Outsiders knew nothing of this.

At dawn on the Yiwei day, Xuanzong, accompanied only by the Imperial Consort, her sisters, the imperial princes, consorts, princesses, imperial grandsons, Yang Guozhong, Wei Jiansu, Wei Fangjin, Chen Xuanli, and close eunuchs and palace women, left through the Yanqiu Gate. The consorts, princesses, and imperial grandsons who were outside were all abandoned. When Xuanzong passed the Left Treasury, Yang Guozhong requested it be burned, saying: "Do not leave it for the rebels." Xuanzong said sorrowfully: "If the rebels do not get it, they will surely extort it from the people again. Better to give it to them, and not add to the suffering of my people." That day, officials still came to court. When they reached the palace gates, they could still hear the water-clock, and the three ranks of the imperial guard were standing in orderly formation. When the gates were opened, palace women rushed out in disorder. Inside and outside the palace, there was chaos, and no one knew where the Emperor had gone. Consequently, imperial clansmen, nobles, and commoners fled in all directions. Mountain villagers rushed into the palaces and noble residences to steal gold and treasures. Some even rode donkeys into the main halls. They also set fire to the Left Treasury's Grand Storehouse. Cui Guangyuan and Bian Lingcheng led men to put out the fire, then recruited men to act as officials of the capital and counties to maintain order, executing over ten people before things settled somewhat. Cui Guangyuan sent his son east to see An Lushan, and Bian Lingcheng also surrendered the palace keys.

Xuanzong crossed the Convenience Bridge. Yang Guozhong sent men to burn it. Xuanzong said: "Commoners and officials are each fleeing the rebels to save their lives. Why cut off their road?" He kept the Palace Attendant-in-Chief, Gao Lishi, and ordered him to put out the fire and then come. Xuanzong sent the eunuch Wang Luoping ahead to instruct the commanderies and counties to prepare halts. At mealtime, they reached Wangxian Palace in Xianyang. Wang Luoping and the county magistrate had both fled. The imperial envoy summoned them, but the officials and people did not respond. Near noon, Xuanzong had still not eaten. Yang Guozhong bought some flatbread from the market and presented it. Then the common people vied to offer coarse rice, mixed with wheat and beans. The imperial grandsons fought to eat it with their hands; in a short time it was all gone, but they were still not full. Xuanzong paid them all and consoled them. Everyone wept, and Xuanzong also covered his face and wept. An old man, Guo Congjin, stepped forward and said: "An Lushan harbored treasonous intentions for a long time, not just one day. There were those who came to the palace to expose his plots, but Your Majesty often had them killed, allowing him to succeed in his villainy, leading to Your Majesty's flight. This is why the ancient kings sought out loyal and good men to broaden their sight and hearing, precisely for this reason. Your servant still recalls when Song Jing was councilor; he repeatedly offered straightforward advice, and the realm relied on him for peace. In recent years, court officials have considered speaking out taboo, and only sought to please with flattery. Thus, even beyond the palace gates, Your Majesty could not know. We rustic subjects knew long ago that this day would come, but the palace is deep and remote, and our humble thoughts had no way to reach above. If things had not come to this, how could your servant have seen Your Majesty's face and spoken!" Xuanzong said: "This is my lack of discernment. Regret is too late!" After comforting him, he sent him away. Soon, the imperial kitchen sent royal provisions. Xuanzong ordered that they first be given to his attendant officials, and then he ate himself. He also ordered the soldiers to scatter to the villages to find food, agreeing to reassemble and depart at the hour of wei (1-3 PM). Close to midnight, they finally reached Jincheng. The county magistrate had also fled. The county's people had all fled, but their drinking and eating utensils were all there, so the soldiers could provide for themselves. At that time, many of the retinue had fled; the Palace Attendant-in-Chief Yuan Siyi had also fled. The post station had no lamps, and people slept pillowed on each other, unable to distinguish noble from lowly.

Wang Sili arrived from Tongguan, and only then did they learn that Geshu Han had been captured. The court appointed Wang Sili as Military Commissioner of Hexi and Longyou, and immediately ordered him to proceed to his garrison, gather scattered troops, and await the eastern campaign.

On the Bingshen day, they reached Mawei Station. The officers and soldiers were hungry and exhausted, and all were angry. Chen Xuanli believed the calamity was caused by Yang Guozhong, and wanted to kill him. He informed the Heir Apparent through the eunuch of the Eastern Palace, Li Fuguo, but the Heir Apparent had not yet decided. Just then, more than twenty Tibetan envoys blocked Yang Guozhong's horse, complaining that they had no food. Before Yang Guozhong could reply, the soldiers shouted: "Yang Guozhong is plotting rebellion with the barbarians!" Someone shot at him; the arrow struck his saddle. Yang Guozhong fled inside the West Gate. The soldiers pursued and killed him, dismembered his corpse, and hung his head on a spear outside the station gate. They also killed his son, the Vice Minister of the Household Department, Yang Xuan, and the Ladies of Han and Qin. The Imperial Censor-in-Chief Wei Fangjin said: "How dare you harm the Grand Councilor!" The crowd also killed him. Wei Jiansu, hearing the disturbance, came out and was struck by the mutinous soldiers, blood streaming to the ground. Someone said: "Do not harm His Excellency Wei." They rescued him, and he was spared. The soldiers surrounded the station. Xuanzong heard the uproar and asked what was happening outside. Those around him said Yang Guozhong was plotting rebellion. Xuanzong, leaning on his staff and wearing slippers, came out of the station gate, consoled the soldiers, and ordered them to withdraw, but the soldiers did not obey. Xuanzong had Gao Lishi ask them. Chen Xuanli replied: "Yang Guozhong plotted rebellion; the Imperial Consort should not attend upon Your Majesty. We beg Your Majesty to cut off your affection and execute her according to law." Xuanzong said: "I will handle it myself." After entering the gate, he stood leaning on his staff, head bowed. After a long time, the Metropolitan Recorder of the Capital, Wei E, stepped forward and said: "Now the anger of the crowd is hard to oppose; safety or danger hangs in the balance. I beg Your Majesty to decide quickly!" He knocked his head until it bled. Xuanzong said: "The Imperial Consort has always lived deep in the palace; how could she have known of Guozhong's rebellion!" Gao Lishi said: "The Imperial Consort is indeed innocent. But the officers and soldiers have already killed Guozhong, and if the Consort remains by Your Majesty's side, how can they feel secure? I beg Your Majesty to ponder deeply. If the officers and soldiers are secure, then Your Majesty is secure." Xuanzong then ordered Gao Lishi to take the Imperial Consort to the Buddhist chapel and strangle her. Her corpse was placed in the station courtyard. Chen Xuanli and the others were summoned to view it. Only then did Chen Xuanli and the others remove their helmets and armor, kowtow, and plead guilty. Xuanzong consoled them and ordered them to explain matters to the soldiers. Chen Xuanli and the others shouted "Long live the Emperor!" bowed twice, and withdrew. Only then did they organize the ranks and prepare to depart. Wei E was the son of Wei Jiansu. Yang Guozhong's wife, Pei Rou, along with his young son Yang Xi, the Lady of Guo, and her son Pei Hui, all fled. At Chencang, the county magistrate Xue Jingxian led his officers and men in pursuit and executed them.

On the Dingyou day, Xuanzong was about to depart from Mawei. Among the court officials, only Wei Jiansu remained. He appointed Wei E as Censor-in-Chief and acting Commissioner for Imperial Halts. The officers and soldiers all said: "Yang Guozhong plotted rebellion; his generals and officials are all in Shu. We cannot go there." Some requested to go to He or Long, some to Lingwu, some to Taiyuan, and some advocated returning to the capital. Xuanzong's intention was to enter Shu, but he was concerned about opposing the will of the multitude, so he did not state his destination. Wei E said: "Returning to the capital requires preparations to defend against the rebels. Our troops are few now, and it is not easy to face east. It would be better to go temporarily to Fufeng, and then slowly plan the direction." Xuanzong consulted the crowd, and as they thought it feasible, he followed the advice. When they set out, the elders all blocked the road and begged him to stay, saying: "The palace is Your Majesty's home; the imperial tombs are Your Majesty's resting place. Now you abandon them; where are you going?" Xuanzong reined in his horse for a long time because of this, then ordered the Heir Apparent to stay behind and console the elders. The elders then said: "Since the Most Honored One will not stay, we are willing to lead our sons and younger brothers to follow Your Highness east to destroy the rebels and retake Chang'an. If Your Highness and the Most Honored One both enter Shu, who will be the master for the people of the Central Plains?" In a short time, several thousand people had gathered. The Heir Apparent would not agree, saying: "The Most Honored One is venturing far into danger and difficulty. How can I bear to leave his side day or night? Moreover, I have not yet bid him farewell in person. I should go back and inform the Most Honored One, and then listen to his decision." The Heir Apparent wept and urged his horse westward. The Prince of Jianning, Li Tan, together with Li Fuguo, seized his reins and remonstrated: "The rebel barbarian has invaded the capital; the Four Seas are split asunder. If you do not follow the people's wishes, how can you restore the dynasty? If Your Highness now follows the Most Honored One into Shu, and the rebels burn the plank roads, the Central Plains will be handed over to the rebels on a platter. Once the people's hearts are alienated, they cannot be reunited. Even if you wanted to return here again, could you do it? It would be better to gather the northwestern border troops, summon Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi from Hebei, join forces with them to attack the rebels to the east, recover the two capitals, pacify the Four Seas, make the altars of state safe again after danger, rebuild the ancestral temple after its destruction, and sweep clean the palace to welcome the Most Honored One—would that not be the greatest filial piety! Why must you cling to trivial personal feelings and act like a lovesick child!" The Prince of Guangping, Li Chu, also urged the Heir Apparent to stay. The elders together held the Heir Apparent's horse so that he could not leave. The Heir Apparent then sent Li Chu to gallop and report to Xuanzong. Xuanzong, holding the reins, waited for the Heir Apparent. A long time passed and he did not arrive. He sent men to investigate, and they reported the situation. Xuanzong said: "This is Heaven's will!" He then ordered that two thousand men from the rear army and horses from the Flying Dragon Stables be divided to follow the Heir Apparent, and instructed the officers and soldiers: "The Heir Apparent is benevolent and filial, and can serve the ancestral temple. You must assist him well." He also instructed the Heir Apparent: "Do your best; do not worry about me. I have always treated the various barbarians of the northwest generously; you will surely be able to use them." The Heir Apparent could only weep facing south. Xuanzong also gave the Heir Apparent the women of the Eastern Palace, and declared his intention to abdicate, but the Heir Apparent would not accept. Li Chu and Li Tan were both sons of the Heir Apparent.

On the Jihai day, Xuanzong reached Qishan. Someone said the rebel vanguard was about to arrive. Xuanzong hurried past and lodged at Fufeng Commandery. The soldiers secretly harbored intentions to leave or stay, and there were often disrespectful rumors. Chen Xuanli could not control them, and Xuanzong was worried. Just then, Chengdu's tribute of over one hundred thousand bolts of spring silk arrived at Fufeng. Xuanzong ordered them all displayed in the courtyard, summoned the officers and soldiers, and addressed them from the balcony: "Recently I have grown old and decrepit, and entrusted affairs to the wrong men, causing the rebel barbarian to disrupt the norms, forcing me to flee far from his spear-point. I know that you all hastily followed me, unable to bid farewell to your parents, wives, and children, and have trekked here through great hardship. I am deeply ashamed. The road to Shu is long and dangerous; the commanderies and counties are small and narrow. With so many men and horses, perhaps we cannot supply you. Now I grant you permission to each return home. I will go ahead into Shu alone with my sons, grandsons, and palace attendants, which will also be sufficient to get there. Today I say farewell to you. You may divide these silks among yourselves to serve as traveling expenses. If you return, see my parents and the elders of Chang'an, convey my regards, and tell them to take care of themselves!" As he spoke, tears fell and wet his robes. Everyone wept and said: "Your servants will follow Your Majesty in life or death; we dare not have two minds." Xuanzong said after a long time: "I leave it to you to go or stay." From then on, the rumors ceased.

After the Heir Apparent had stayed behind, he did not yet know where to go. The Prince of Guangping, Li Chu, said: "It is getting late; we cannot stop here. Where do you all wish to go?" No one answered. The Prince of Jianning, Li Tan, said: "Your Highness was once the Imperial Commissioner of Shuofang; the generals and officials there send you greetings every year, and I vaguely know their names. Now the troops of Hexi and Longyou have all been defeated and surrendered to the rebels; their fathers, brothers, and sons are mostly in the rebel camp and may harbor different intentions. The Shuofang route is near; their soldiers and horses are in full strength. Pei Mian is from a famous family of officials and will surely have no second thoughts. The rebels have just entered Chang'an and are busy looting; they have no time to expand their territory. Taking advantage of this, we should hurry and go to Shuofang, and then slowly plan for a great uprising. This is the best strategy." Everyone said it was good. They reached the banks of the Wei River, encountered defeated soldiers from Tongguan, mistakenly engaged them in battle, and suffered many casualties. Later, they gathered the remaining troops, chose a shallow spot in the Wei River, and crossed on horseback. Those without horses returned weeping. The Heir Apparent traveled north from Fengtian. When he reached Xinping, he had covered over three hundred li in one night. More than half of his soldiers and equipment were lost; only a few hundred remained. The Grand Administrator of Xinping, Xue Yu, abandoned his commandery and fled. The Heir Apparent executed him. That same day, they reached Anding. The Grand Administrator Xu Jue also fled; he was also executed.

On the Gengzi day, the Acting Military Commissioner of Jiannan, Cui Yuan, was made Vice Imperial Commissioner of Jiannan and other circuits. On the Xinchou day, Xuanzong departed from Fufeng and lodged at Chencang. The Heir Apparent reached Wushi. The Grand Administrator of Pengyuan, Li Zun, came out to welcome him and presented clothes and dried provisions. When they reached Pengyuan, they recruited several hundred soldiers. That day, they arrived at Pingliang. Inspecting the horses of the Imperial Pastures, they obtained several tens of thousands, and also recruited over five hundred soldiers. The army's strength was somewhat revived.

On the Renyin day, Xuanzong reached the San Pass. He divided the escorting officers and soldiers into six armies, ordered the Prince of Ying to proceed ahead to Jiannan, and the Prince of Shou, Li Mao, and others to lead the six armies forward in order.

On the Bingwu day, Xuanzong reached Hedi Commandery. Cui Yuan submitted a memorial welcoming the imperial carriage, detailing the abundant harvest in Shu and the full strength of its armor and troops. Xuanzong was greatly pleased, and that day appointed Cui Yuan as Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Councilor with the same standing, while retaining his post as Chief Administrator of Shu Commandery. He appointed the Duke of Longxi, Li Yu, as Prince of Hanzhong, Governor of Liangzhou, and Inspector and Defense Commissioner of Shannan West Circuit. Li Yu was the younger brother of Li Jin. Wang Sili arrived at Pingliang. Hearing that the various barbarian tribes in Hexi were in revolt, he returned to the imperial encampment. Earlier, when the various barbarian tribes of Hexi heard that their Protector-General had all followed Geshu Han and been lost at Tongguan, they vied to set up their own leaders and attacked each other. In fact, the Protector-General had followed Geshu Han on the north bank and had not died, nor had he surrendered to the rebels with Huobai Guiren. Xuanzong then appointed the Hexi Military Commissioner, Zhou Mi, as Military Commissioner of Hexi, and the Longyou Military Commissioner, Peng Yuanhui, as Military Commissioner of Longyou, and sent them, along with the Protector-General Sijie Jinming and others, to proceed to their garrisons and gather the tribes. He appointed Wang Sili as the Commander of the Imperial Encampment's Troops.

On the Wushen day, Kang Jinglong of Fufeng and others led their own followers to attack the rebel-appointed Pacification Commissioner, Xue Zong, beheading over two hundred men. On the Gengxu day, the Magistrate of Chencang, Xue Jingxian, killed the rebel defender, captured Fufeng, and held it.

An Lushan had not expected Xuanzong to suddenly flee west. He sent envoys to stop Cui Qianyou's troops and keep them at Tongguan. After ten days, he sent Sun Xiaozhe to lead troops into Chang'an. He appointed Zhang Tongru as Western Capital Defender and Cui Guangyuan as Metropolitan Governor of the Capital. He sent An Zhongshun to lead troops to garrison the Imperial Park to secure Guanzhong. Sun Xiaozhe was favored by An Lushan and was especially powerful, often contending for authority with Yan Zhuang. An Lushan ordered him to oversee the generals of Guanzhong; Zhang Tongru and others were all under his control. Sun Xiaozhe was extravagant and decisive in killing; the rebel party all feared him. An Lushan ordered the arrest of all officials, eunuchs, palace women, etc. Whenever several hundred were captured, they were sent under guard to Luoyang. Of the princes, dukes, generals, and councilors who had followed the imperial carriage, those whose families remained in Chang'an were killed, down to the infants. Chen Xilie, because he had lost favor in his later years and resented Xuanzong, along with Zhang Jun and Zhang Ji, all surrendered to the rebels. An Lushan made Chen Xilie and Zhang Ji councilors. The remaining court officials were all given posts. Consequently, the rebels' power and influence grew greatly. To the west, they threatened Qian and Long; to the south, they invaded Jiang and Han; to the north, they cut off half of Hedong. But the rebel generals were all crude and fierce, lacking far-reaching plans. After capturing Chang'an, they considered themselves successful, indulged in wine and pleasure day and night, and concerned themselves only with sensual pleasures, wealth, and treasures, having no further intention of advancing westward. Thus, Xuanzong was able to enter Shu safely, and the Heir Apparent's northern journey was not pursued.

Li Guangbi besieged Boling but could not capture it. Hearing of the loss of Tongguan, he lifted the siege and went south. Shi Siming followed behind. Li Guangbi drove him back, and together with Guo Ziyi, led his troops into the Jingxing Pass. They left the Grand Administrator of Changshan, Wang Fu, to lead the militia from Jingcheng and Hejian to defend Changshan. The Military Commissioner of