Anais da Dinastia Tang, Volume 34

《Zizhi Tongjian》Volume 218, Tang Annals XXXIV, begins from the fifth month of the year Renzhao Tuntan and ends in the ninth month, less than one full year. Under Emperor Suzong, the Filial and Martial, Virtuous, Great, Sagely, and Greatly Proclaiming Filial Emperor, first part, first year of Zhide (Bingshen, 756 AD). 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. Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhang Ji recommended the Governor of Yiling, Prince of Guo Li Ju, as brave and resourceful. Emperor Xuanzong summoned the Prince of Wu Li Zhi to be Grand Coachman, appointed Li Ju as Governor of Chenliu and Qiao Commandery and Military Commissioner of Henan, and also put him in command of 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 Yi tribesman from Zangke. On the Wuchen day, Li Ju led his troops from Lantian and rushed toward Nanyang. When the rebels heard this, they lifted the siege and fled. Linghu Chao again led troops to attack Yongqiu. He had an old acquaintance with Zhang Xun; below the city walls they exchanged greetings as usual, and he took the opportunity to persuade Zhang Xun, saying: "The situation under Heaven is already lost. For whom are you, sir, defending this precarious city?" Zhang Xun replied: "You, sir, have always prided yourself on loyalty and righteousness. In today's actions, where is your loyalty and righteousness?" Linghu Chao withdrew in shame. Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi returned to Changshan. Shi Siming gathered several tens of thousands of scattered troops and followed behind them. Guo Ziyi selected elite cavalry to challenge in turns. After three days, they reached Xingtang. The rebel troops were exhausted and thus retreated. Guo Ziyi seized the opportunity to pursue and defeated them again at the Sha River. Cai Xide arrived at Luoyang. An Lushan sent another 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 reinforce Shi Siming, totaling over fifty thousand men, of which Tongluo and Yeluhe troops made up one-fifth. Guo Ziyi reached Hengyang; Shi Siming followed. Guo Ziyi dug deep moats and built high ramparts to wait. When the rebels came, he held firm; when they retreated, he pursued. By day he displayed his forces to intimidate; by night he attacked their camps, giving the rebels no rest. After several days, Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi discussed: "The rebels are exhausted; we can give battle." On the Renwu day, they fought at Jiashan, inflicting a great defeat on the rebels, cutting off forty thousand heads and capturing over a thousand men. Shi Siming fell from his horse, fled barefoot with disheveled hair, and at dusk returned to camp leaning on a broken spear; he fled to Boling. Li Guangbi immediately besieged it, and the army's prestige soared. Consequently, over ten commanderies in Hebei killed their rebel-appointed defenders and surrendered. The road to Yuyang was cut off again. Those traveling to and from the rebels could only sneak through lightly, and many were captured by government troops. The officers and soldiers whose families were in Yuyang were all shaken. An Lushan was greatly alarmed. He summoned Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang and berated them: "You urged me to rebel for years, saying it was foolproof. Now, for months, we cannot advance through Tong Pass, the northern route is cut, and government forces are converging from all sides. All I hold are a few prefectures like Bian and Zheng. Where is the foolproof plan? Don't come to see me again!" Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang were terrified and did not dare appear for several days. Tian Qianzhen arrived from below the pass and, on behalf of the two, advised An Lushan: "Since ancient times, when emperors and kings undertake great enterprises, there are both victories and defeats. How can it be accomplished in one stroke? Now, although the government's strongholds are many, they are newly recruited rabble, unseasoned in battle. How can they withstand our elite troops from Jibei? Why worry deeply? Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang are founding ministers. If Your Majesty suddenly casts them aside, when the other generals hear of it, who will not be fearful inside? If those above and below are estranged, I privately fear for Your Majesty." An Lushan said happily: "Ahao, you can relieve my worries." He immediately summoned Gao Shang and Yan Zhuang, held a feast with copious drinking, sang himself to encourage the drinking, and treated them as before. Ahao was Tian Qianzhen's childhood name. An Lushan discussed abandoning Luoyang and fleeing back to Fanyang, but the plan was undecided. At that time, everyone in the realm believed Yang Guozhong was arrogant and had provoked chaos, and they all hated him. Moreover, since An Lushan had raised his troops under the pretext of executing Yang Guozhong, Wang Sili secretly urged Geshu Han to submit a memorial requesting the execution of Yang Guozhong. Geshu Han refused. Wang Sili then requested to take thirty cavalrymen to seize Yang Guozhong and kill him at Tong Pass. Geshu Han said: "Then it would be I, Geshu Han, rebelling, not An Lushan." Someone advised Yang Guozhong: "Now, the empire's main forces are in Geshu Han's hands. If he turns his banner westward, would that not be dangerous for you?" Yang Guozhong was greatly frightened, so he memorialized: "The army at Tong Pass is large, but without rear support, if it suffers a setback, the capital would be in danger. Please select three thousand boys from the imperial pastures and train them in the imperial park." Emperor Xuanzong approved and sent military commander Li Fude and others to lead them. He also recruited ten thousand troops to garrison Bashang, placing them under the command of his trusted man Du Qianyun, ostensibly to defend against the rebels but in reality to guard against Geshu Han. When Geshu Han heard this, he also feared being plotted against by Yang Guozhong, so he submitted a memorial requesting that the Bashang troops be placed under the command of Tong Pass. On the Guiwei day of the sixth month, he summoned Du Qianyun to the pass and executed him 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. Emperor Xuanzong sent envoys to urge Geshu Han to advance and recover Shan and Luo. Geshu Han memorialized: "An Lushan has long been experienced in war. Now that he has just rebelled, how could he be unprepared? This is certainly a trap using weak troops to lure us. If we advance, we will fall into his plan. Moreover, the rebels have come from afar and benefit from a quick battle; our government forces hold the defiles and benefit from a protracted defense. The rebels are cruel and have lost popular support; their military situation is daily worsening, and there will be internal changes. We can take advantage of this to capture them without battle. The key is success; why demand speed? Now, the troops summoned from various circuits have not yet assembled; please wait a while." Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi also submitted: "Please allow us to lead troops north to take Fanyang, destroy their lair, detain the rebel partisans' wives and children to induce surrender, and the rebels will surely collapse from within. The main army at Tong Pass should only hold firm to exhaust them; it must not be lightly committed." Yang Guozhong suspected Geshu Han of plotting against him and said to Emperor Xuanzong that the rebels were unprepared and that Geshu Han was delaying, missing the opportunity. Emperor Xuanzong thought this reasonable and repeatedly sent palace envoys to urge him on, one after another. Geshu Han had no choice; he beat his chest and wept bitterly. On the Bingxu day, he led his troops out of the pass. On the Jichou day, they encountered Cui Qianyou's army at the western plain of Lingbao. Cui Qianyou held the defiles and waited, with mountains to the south and the Yellow River to the north, a narrow path seventy li long. On the Gengyin day, government forces engaged Cui Qianyou in battle. Cui Qianyou had laid an ambush in the dangerous terrain. Geshu Han and Tian Liangqiu took a boat to the middle of the river to observe the military situation. Seeing that Cui Qianyou's troops were few, they urged the various forces to advance. Wang Sili and others led fifty thousand elite troops in the vanguard, while Pang Zhong and others led the remaining hundred thousand troops as the rear. Geshu Han took thirty thousand troops to a high position north of the river to observe and beat drums to boost morale. Cui Qianyou deployed no more than ten thousand troops, in groups of five or ten, scattered like stars, some sparse, some dense, some advancing, some retreating. The government troops laughed when they saw this. Cui Qianyou had his elite troops drawn up in strict formation behind. When battle was joined, the rebels lowered their banners as if to flee. The government troops grew slack and unprepared. Soon, the ambush was sprung. The rebels rolled down logs and stones from the heights, killing many soldiers. The road was narrow, and the soldiers were packed together like bundles, unable to wield their spears and halberds. Geshu Han used felt-covered carts pulled by horses as the vanguard, attempting to charge the rebels. After noon, a fierce east wind arose. Cui Qianyou used several dozen wagons of straw to block the felt carts and set them on fire. Smoke and flames filled the air. The government troops could not open their eyes, and mistakenly believed the rebels were in the smoke. They gathered their bows and crossbows and shot wildly, instead killing 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 the southern mountains to attack the government troops from the rear. The government troops, panicked and confused from front to rear, did not know where to defend, and thus suffered a great defeat. Some abandoned their armor and fled into the valleys; others were crushed and fell into the river and drowned. The clamor shook heaven and earth. The rebels took advantage of their victory to press hard. When the rear troops saw the vanguard defeated, they all scattered on their own. The Hebei troops, seeing this, also scattered. In an instant, both banks were empty. Geshu Han fled with only a hundred or so cavalry under his command, crossing the river west of Shouyang Mountain and entering the pass. Outside the pass, three trenches had been dug earlier, 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 corpses and horses. Only eight thousand or so soldiers managed to enter the pass. On the Xinmao day, Cui Qianyou attacked Tong Pass and captured it. Geshu Han reached the post station west of the pass. He posted notices to gather scattered troops, hoping to hold Tong Pass again. The barbarian general Huobogui Ren and others surrounded the station with over a hundred cavalry. Entering, they said to Geshu Han: "The rebels are coming; please, sir, mount your horse." Geshu Han mounted and left the station. Huobogui Ren and his men kowtowed and said: "You, sir, threw away a great army of two hundred thousand in one battle. With what face will you see the Son of Heaven again? Moreover, have you not seen the fate of Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing? Please, sir, go east." Geshu Han refused and tried to dismount. Huobogui Ren tied his feet to the horse's belly with woolen ropes, seized the other generals who would not comply, and headed east. Just then, the rebel general Tian Qianzhen arrived, and they surrendered. They were all sent together to Luoyang. An Lushan asked Geshu Han: "You used to despise me. Now what?" Geshu Han prostrated himself and replied: "I, your servant, with mortal eyes, could 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 leaves me alive and lets me summon them with a brief letter, they will surrender within days." An Lushan was overjoyed and appointed Geshu Han as Minister of Works and co-Chancellor. He then said to Huobogui Ren: "You betrayed your master, lacking both loyalty and righteousness." He seized and executed him. Geshu Han wrote letters summoning the various generals, but they all replied with rebukes. An Lushan, knowing it was ineffective, imprisoned him in the palace gardens. After the defeat at Tong Pass, the Defense Commissioners of Hedong, Huayin, Fengyi, and Shangluo all abandoned their commanderies and fled, and the garrison troops everywhere scattered. On that day, a subordinate of Geshu Han came to report the emergency, but Emperor Xuanzong did not summon him in time; he only sent Li Fude and others to lead the pasture troops to Tong Pass. By dusk, the beacon fires signaling safety had not been lit, and only then did Emperor Xuanzong become fearful. On the Renchen day, he summoned the chancellors to discuss. Yang Guozhong, who concurrently held the post of Military Commissioner of Jiannan, had, upon hearing of An Lushan's rebellion, secretly ordered his deputy Cui Yuan to prepare supplies for an emergency refuge. Now, he was the first to propose that the emperor go to Shu. Emperor Xuanzong thought it feasible. On the Guisi day, Yang Guozhong assembled all the officials in the court hall, weeping in fear, and asked for strategies. Everyone merely murmured without answering. Yang Guozhong said: "Reports of Lushan's rebellion have been made for ten years, but the court above and below did not believe them. Today's affair is not the fault of the Chancellor." After the court adjourned, commoners and scholars looted and fled, not knowing where to go. The markets and streets were desolate. Yang Guozhong had the ladies of Han and Guo enter the palace and urged the emperor to go to Shu. On the Jiawu day, less than one or two out of ten officials came to court. The emperor ascended the Diligent Governance Tower and issued an edict stating he would personally lead an expedition, but those who heard it did not believe it. He appointed the Metropolitan Governor of Jingzhao Wei Fangjin as Censor-in-Chief and Commissioner for Imperial Stops, the Deputy Metropolitan Governor of Jingzhao, a native of Lingchang named Cui Guangyuan, as Metropolitan Governor and Acting Defender of the Western Capital, and General Bian Lingcheng to be in charge of the palace keys. He also pretended that the Prince of Ying, acting as Military Commissioner of Jiannan, would proceed to his post, and ordered the circuit to prepare supplies. On that day, the emperor moved his ceremonial guards to the Northern Palace. After nightfall, he ordered the Dragon Martial Grand General Chen Xuanli to reorganize the Six Armies, gave generous gifts of money and silk, and selected over nine hundred horses from the imperial stables. Outsiders knew nothing of this. On the Yiyi day at dawn, the emperor, accompanied only by the Imperial Consort Yang and her sisters, the princes, imperial consorts, princesses, imperial grandsons, Yang Guozhong, Wei Jiansu, Wei Fangjin, Chen Xuanli, and close eunuchs and palace women, left through the Yanqiu Gate. The princesses, imperial consorts, and imperial grandsons left behind were abandoned. When the emperor passed the Left Treasury, Yang Guozhong requested it be burned, saying: "Do not leave it for the rebels." The emperor 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 burden of my suffering people." On that day, some officials still came to court. When they reached the palace gate, they could still hear the water clock. The three guards stood in orderly formation. When the gate opened, palace women rushed out in confusion. Inside and outside the palace, there was great turmoil, and no one knew where the emperor had gone. Then, princes, dukes, scholars, and commoners fled in all directions. Mountain villagers rushed into the imperial palaces and the mansions of princes and dukes, stealing gold and treasures. Some even rode donkeys into the main hall. They also set fire to the Left Treasury and the Great Storehouse. Cui Guangyuan and Bian Lingcheng led people to put out the fire, recruited people to act as county and district officials to maintain order, killed over ten people, and only then was there slight calm. Cui Guangyuan sent his son east to see An Lushan, and Bian Lingcheng also surrendered the keys. The emperor crossed the Convenient Bridge, and Yang Guozhong sent people to burn it. The emperor said: "Scholars and commoners are each fleeing for their lives to avoid the rebels. Why cut off their path?" He left the Palace Attendant-in-Chief Gao Lishi behind and ordered him to put out the fire and then catch up. The emperor sent the eunuch Wang Luoqing ahead to instruct the commanderies and counties to prepare for imperial stops. At mealtime, they reached the Xianwang Palace in Xianyang. Wang Luoqing and the county magistrate had both fled. When the imperial envoy summoned them, the officials and people did not respond. As noon approached, the emperor had not yet eaten. Yang Guozhong bought some flatbread from the market and presented it. Then the common people vied to offer coarse food, mixed with wheat and beans. The imperial grandsons competed to eat with their hands, finishing it in a moment, but still not full. The emperor paid them all and comforted them. Everyone wept, and the emperor also covered his face and wept. An old man, Guo Congjin, stepped forward and said: "An Lushan harbored treasonous intentions for a long time. Some people came to the palace to denounce his plots, but Your Majesty often had them killed, allowing him to succeed in his wicked rebellion, causing Your Majesty to be displaced. That is why the former kings diligently sought out loyal and good men to broaden their vision and hearing—precisely for this reason. I still remember when Song Jing was Chancellor, he frequently offered frank advice, and the realm relied on him for peace and stability. In recent years, officials in court have avoided speaking out, only flattering to gain favor. Thus, beyond the palace gates, Your Majesty could not know anything. We commoners in the wild would have known early on that today would come, but the palace is deep and strict, and our humble hearts had no way to reach you. If matters had not come to this, how could I, your servant, have seen Your Majesty's face and spoken?" The emperor said: "This is my own lack of insight. Regret is too late!" He comforted and dismissed him. Soon, the Imperial Food Service brought the imperial meal. The emperor ordered it to be given first to his attendants, and then he ate himself. He also ordered the soldiers to scatter to the villages to seek food, agreeing to assemble and depart at the wei hour. Near midnight, they finally reached Jincheng. The county magistrate had also fled. The county's people had all stripped their homes and fled, but food and utensils were left, so the soldiers could provide for themselves. At that time, many of the attendants had fled. The Palace Attendant-in-Chief Yuan Siyi also fled. There were no lamps in the post station. People slept pillowed on each other, and noble and base could no longer be distinguished. Wang Sili arrived from Tong Pass, 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 post, gather scattered troops, and await the eastern campaign. On the Bingshen day, they reached Mawei Station. The officers and soldiers were hungry and exhausted, all filled with anger. Chen Xuanli believed the calamity was caused by Yang Guozhong and wanted to kill him. He informed the Heir Apparent through the eunuch Li Fuguo of the Eastern Palace, but the Heir Apparent had not yet decided. Just then, over twenty Tibetan envoys blocked Yang Guozhong's horse, complaining of having no food. Before Yang Guozhong could answer, the soldiers shouted: "Yang Guozhong is plotting rebellion with the barbarians!" Someone shot at him; the arrow hit his saddle. Yang Guozhong fled into the western gate. The soldiers pursued and killed him, dismembered his body, and stuck his head on a spear, placing it outside the station gate. They also killed his son, the Vice Minister of Revenue Yang Xuan, and the Ladies of Han and Guo. The Censor-in-Chief Wei Fangjin said: "How dare you harm the Chancellor!" The crowd killed him as well. Wei Jiansu, hearing the disturbance, came out and was struck by the mutinous soldiers, blood flowing to the ground. The crowd said: "Do not harm Lord Wei." They rescued him, and he was spared. The soldiers surrounded the station. The emperor, hearing the uproar, asked what was happening outside. His attendants said Yang Guozhong was plotting rebellion. The emperor, leaning on his staff and wearing slippers, came out of the station gate, comforted the soldiers, and ordered them to withdraw. The soldiers did not respond. The emperor sent Gao Lishi to ask. Chen Xuanli replied: "Yang Guozhong plotted rebellion. The Imperial Consort should not attend on Your Majesty. We beg Your Majesty to set aside your affection and execute the law." The emperor said: "I will handle it myself." He entered the gate, leaned on his staff, and stood with head bowed. After a long time, the Metropolitan Recorder of Jingzhao, Wei E, stepped forward and said: "Now, the anger of the multitude 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. The emperor said: "The Imperial Consort has always lived deep in the palace. How could she know of Guozhong's rebellion?" Gao Lishi said: "The Imperial Consort is indeed innocent. But the generals and soldiers have already killed Guozhong, and if the Imperial Consort remains by Your Majesty's side, how can they feel secure? I beg Your Majesty to think deeply. If the soldiers are secure, then Your Majesty will be secure." The emperor then ordered Gao Lishi to take the Imperial Consort to the Buddhist hall and strangle her. Her body was placed in the station courtyard. Chen Xuanli and the others were summoned to enter and view it. Only then did Chen Xuanli and the others remove their helmets and armor, kowtow, and beg forgiveness. The emperor comforted them and ordered them to inform the soldiers. Chen Xuanli and the others shouted "Long live the Emperor!" bowed twice, and withdrew. Only then was the army reorganized and prepared to depart. Wei E was the son of Wei Jiansu. Yang Guozhong's wife, Pei Rou, with his young son Yang Xi, as well as the Lady of Guo and her son Pei Hui, all fled. At Chencang, the county magistrate Xue Jingxian led his officials and soldiers to pursue and execute them. On the Dingyou day, the emperor was about to depart from Mawei. Among the court officials, only Wei Jiansu remained. So he appointed Wei E as Censor-in-Chief and Acting Commissioner for Imperial Stops. The generals and soldiers all said: "Yang Guozhong plotted rebellion, and 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. The emperor's intention was to enter Shu, but he feared contradicting the multitude's will and did not state his destination. Wei E said: "To return to the capital requires preparations to defend against the rebels. Now, with few troops, it is not easy to go east. It would be better to go temporarily to Fufeng and then slowly plan the next move." The emperor asked the crowd. The crowd thought it feasible, so he followed the suggestion. When they set out, the elders blocked the road and begged him to stay, saying: "The palace is Your Majesty's home, and the imperial tombs are Your Majesty's resting place. Now, abandoning these, where are you going?" The emperor reined in his horse for a long time, then ordered the Heir Apparent to stay behind and comfort the elders. The elders then said: "Since the August One refuses to stay, we are willing to lead our sons and younger brothers to follow Your Highness east to destroy the rebels and take Chang'an. If Your Highness and the August One both enter Shu, who will be the master of the Central Plains?" In a moment, the crowd reached several thousand. The Heir Apparent refused, saying: "The August One is braving distant dangers. 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 to report to the August One and then await further instructions." The Heir Apparent wept and spurred his horse to go west. The Prince of Jianning, Li Tan, and Li Fuguo seized the reins and remonstrated: "The rebel barbarian has invaded the palace, and the realm is torn asunder. If we do not follow the people's hearts, how can we restore order? Now, if Your Highness follows the August 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, could you do it? It would be better to gather the troops guarding the northern and western borders, summon Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi from Hebei, and join forces with them to attack the rebels in the east, recover the two capitals, pacify the realm, make the altars of state safe again after danger, and the ancestral temples restored after destruction. Sweep clean the palace to welcome the August One—would that not be the greatest filial piety? Why cling to petty warmth and affection, acting like a child in love!" The Prince of Guangping, Li Chu, also urged the Heir Apparent to stay. The elders together surrounded the Heir Apparent's horse, preventing him from leaving. The Heir Apparent then sent Li Chu to gallop and report to the emperor. The emperor held the reins and waited for the Heir Apparent. After a long time, he did not arrive. He sent someone to investigate, and the report came back. The emperor said: "This is Heaven's will!" He then ordered that two thousand troops from the rear army and the horses of the Feilong Stable be given to the Heir Apparent, and he instructed the officers and soldiers: "The Heir Apparent is filial and benevolent; he can take charge of the ancestral temples. You should assist him well." He also instructed the Heir Apparent: "Work hard. Do not worry about me. The various barbarians in the northwest, I have treated generously in the past. You will surely be able to use them." The Heir Apparent only wept and wailed to the south. The emperor also sent the palace women of the Eastern Palace to the Heir Apparent and issued a decree intending to abdicate the throne. The Heir Apparent did not accept. Li Chu and Li Tan were both sons of the Heir Apparent. On the Jihai day, the emperor reached Qishan. Someone said the rebel vanguard was about to arrive. The emperor hurried through and lodged at Fufeng Commandery. The soldiers secretly wavered, and there were often disrespectful remarks. Chen Xuanli could not control them, and the emperor was worried. Just then, the spring tribute of over one hundred thousand bolts of silk from Chengdu reached Fufeng. The emperor ordered it all displayed in the courtyard, summoned the officers and soldiers, and, standing by the railing, addressed them: "In recent times, I have grown old and entrusted matters to the wrong people, causing the rebel barbarian to violate the norms. I must take refuge far away from the enemy's spearhead. I know you all followed me in haste, unable to bid farewell to your parents, wives, and children, and have traveled through hardship to reach here. You have endured great toil, and I am deeply ashamed. The road to Shu is long and dangerous, the commanderies and counties are small, and with so many men and horses, provisions may not be sufficient. Now, I permit you each to return home. I will proceed to Shu alone with my sons, grandsons, and palace attendants, which will be enough to reach it. Today, I take leave of you. You may divide these silks among yourselves to prepare for provisions and supplies. If you return, when you see your parents and the elders of Chang'an, convey my regards and tell them to take good care of themselves!" As he spoke, tears fell and soaked his clothes. Everyone wept and said: "We, your servants, will follow Your Majesty in life and death and dare not have two minds." The emperor said after a long time: "You may stay or go as you wish." From then on, the disrespectful talk ceased. The Heir Apparent, having stayed behind, did not yet know where to go. The Prince of Guangping, Li Chu, said: "It is growing 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 Grand Commissioner of Shuofang Circuit. The officers and officials sent greetings each year, and I roughly 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 among the rebels and may harbor different intentions. Shuofang is close, and its troops and horses are in full strength. Pei Mian is from a renowned family of officials and scholars; he will certainly not have two minds. The rebels have just entered Chang'an and are busy plundering; they have no time to expand their territory. Take this opportunity to go quickly to Shuofang and rely on it, then slowly plan a great rising. This is the best plan." Everyone agreed. When they reached the banks of the Wei River, they encountered defeated troops from Tong Pass. By mistake, they fought, suffering many casualties. Later, they gathered the remaining men, chose a shallow spot in the Wei River, and crossed on horseback. Those without horses returned weeping. The Heir Apparent went north from Fengtian. By the time he reached Xinping, he had traveled over three hundred li in one night. More than half of the soldiers and equipment were lost; only a few hundred remained. The Governor of Xinping, Xue Yu, abandoned the commandery and fled. The Heir Apparent executed him. That same day, they reached Anding. Governor Xu Xu also fled and was executed. On the Gengzi day, the Prince of Ying was appointed as Deputy Grand Commissioner of Jiannan Circuit. On the Xinchou day, the emperor departed from Fufeng and lodged at Chencang. The Heir Apparent reached Wushi. The Governor of Pengyuan, Li Zun, came out to welcome him, offering clothing and dry provisions. At Pengyuan, he recruited several hundred soldiers. That day, he reached Pingliang, inspected the pasture horses, obtained several tens of thousands, and recruited over five hundred more soldiers. The military situation began to revive. On the Renyin day, the emperor reached the San Pass. He divided the accompanying officers and soldiers into six armies, ordered the Prince of Ying to proceed first to Jiannan, and the Prince of Shou, Li Mao, and others to lead the six armies forward in turn. On the Bingwu day, the emperor reached Hedi Commandery. Cui Yuan presented a memorial welcoming the emperor, detailing the abundant harvest in Shu and the full strength of its troops and armor. The emperor was greatly pleased and that day appointed Cui Yuan as Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and co-Chancellor, while still retaining his post as Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery. He appointed the Duke of Longxi, Li Yu, as Prince of Hanzhong, Governor of Liangzhou, and Surveillance and Defense Commissioner of Shannan West Circuit. Li Yu was a 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 emperor's temporary location. Earlier, the various barbarian tribes in Hexi, hearing that their Protector-General had all perished with Geshu Han at Tong Pass, vied to set themselves up and attacked each other. In fact, the Protector-General, who had been with Geshu Han on the north bank, had not died, nor had he surrendered to the rebels with Huobogui Ren. The emperor then appointed the Hexi Military Commissioner Zhou Bi as Military Commissioner of Hexi, the Longyou Military Commissioner Peng Yuanzhao as Military Commissioner of Longyou, and sent them together with the Protector-General Sijie Jinming and others to their posts to gather the tribes. He appointed Wang Sili as Commissioner of All Military Affairs at the temporary location. On the Wushen day, a commoner of Fufeng, Kang Jinglong, and others led a group to attack the rebel-appointed Pacification Commissioner Xue Zong, cutting off over two hundred heads. On the Gengxu day, the Magistrate of Chencang, Xue Jingxian, killed the rebel defender, captured Fufeng, and held it. An Lushan had not expected the emperor to suddenly flee west. He sent an envoy to stop Cui Qianyou's troops and keep them at Tong Pass. After ten days, he sent Sun Xiaozhe to lead troops into Chang'an. He appointed Zhang Tongru as Defender of the Western Capital and Cui Guangyuan as Metropolitan Governor. He sent An Zhongshun to lead troops to garrison the imperial park to control Guanzhong. Sun Xiaozhe was favored and trusted by An Lushan and held particular power, often contending with Yan Zhuang for influence. An Lushan ordered him to oversee the generals in Guanzhong, and Zhang Tongru and others were all subordinate to him. Sun Xiaozhe was extravagant and ruthless in killing; the rebel partisans all feared him. An Lushan ordered a search for all officials, eunuchs, and palace women. For every few hundred captured, he sent troops to escort them to Luoyang. Princes, dukes, generals, and chancellors who had followed the imperial entourage, leaving their families in Chang'an, were killed, down to the infants. Chen Xilie, because he had lost favor in his later years and resented the emperor, surrendered to the rebels along with Zhang Jun, Zhang Ji, and others. An Lushan appointed Chen Xilie and Zhang Ji as chancellors, and the remaining court officials were given posts. Thus, the rebels' power and influence grew greatly. They threatened Qian and Long to the west, invaded Jiang and Han to the south, and cut off half of Hedong to the north. However, the rebel generals were all crude and fierce, lacking long-term vision. After capturing Chang'an, they considered themselves successful and indulged in wine day and night, focusing only on pleasure, music, and treasure. They had no further intention of marching west. Thus, the emperor was able to enter Shu safely, and the Heir Apparent's northward journey was not pursued. Li Guangbi besieged Boling but did not capture it. Hearing that Tong Pass had fallen, he lifted the siege and marched south. Shi Siming followed behind. Li Guangbi repelled him and, together with Guo Ziyi, led his troops into Jingxing. He left the Governor of Changshan, Wang Fu, to lead the militia regiments from Jingcheng and Hejian to defend Changshan. The Military Commissioner of Pinglu, Liu Zhengchen, was about to attack Fanyang but had not yet arrived. Shi Siming led troops to intercept him. Liu Zhengchen suffered a great defeat, abandoned his wife and children, and fled. Over seven thousand soldiers died. Earlier, Yan Zhenqing, hearing that Hebei Military Commissioner Li Guangbi had left Jingxing, withdrew his troops to Pingyuan and awaited Li Guangbi's orders. When he heard that Guo and Li had entered Jingxing to the west, Yan Zhenqing resumed managing Hebei military affairs. When the Heir Apparent reached Pingliang a few days later, the Acting Commissioner of Shuofang, Du Hongjian, the Commissioner of Land and Water Transport of the Six Cities, Wei Shaoyou, the Administrative Assistant of the Circuit, Cui Yi, the Assistant for Expenditure and Revenue, Lu Jianjin, and the Assistant for the Salt Ponds, Li Han, discussed together, saying: "Pingliang is a place where troops disperse; it is not a place to station an