This is a day that historical researchers cannot forget. On the 23rd day of the sixth lunar month in the year 756 AD, just as it was dawn, a sudden commotion broke out in the quiet palace. A group of palace maids rushed out of it, panicking and fleeing in all directions. Originally the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Longji had quietly left the palace and fled Chang’an. The news of Tang Xuanzong’s escape spread widely and quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Chang’an. The ancient city of Chang’an suddenly exploded, and a group of thieves took advantage of the situation to cause chaos. They broke into the imperial palace, smashed open the treasury, gates, and looted gold, silver, and treasures. A group of fugitives led by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty were running on this plain of the Wei River. What shocking event happened, forcing the mighty Tang Emperor to abandon the capital Chang’an and flee in a hurry.
After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, after more than 60 years of hard work and governance by five emperors, including Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan and Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, the Tang Dynasty was strong, economically developed, and socially stable, ushering in a once-in-a-lifetime era of peace and prosperity. During this period, although there was more than a decade of Wu’s dictatorship, there were also threats of Wei’s and Princess Taiping’s two reigns. However, in the eyes of the common people and outsiders, the Tang Dynasty has always been moving forward without stopping. In August 712 AD, at the age of 28, Li Longji ascended to the throne, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, later known as the Empress of the Tang Ming Emperor, ascended to the throne. Tang Ruizong, the grandson of Empress Wu Zetian and the third son of Li Dan, one year later, Li Longji assassinated his aunt Princess Taiping and stabilized his political power, Tang Xuanzong admired his great grandfather and Tang Taizong Li Shimin, who founded the Zhenguan rule, from a young age. This young Kaiyuan emperor was determined to change the politics of Zhongzong, and according to the Zhenguan story, he wanted to continue to push the Li family dynasty towards strength. When used in the case of a wise monarch, almost all words of praise could be applied to Tang Xuanzong during the Kaiyuan period. Tang Xuanzong appointed talented individuals, reorganized officials, reformed finance, land and household inspections, and reformed the military system. He carried out comprehensive reforms in politics, economy, military, and culture. Over the past 30 years, the dynasty’s economy became more prosperous, society was harmonious, border areas were stable, and all directions came to court. Culture flourished and flourished. The Tang Dynasty’s atmosphere erupted, and the Tang Empire entered a peak period of economic and social development. In the face of great achievements, it was difficult for a feudal monarch with unrestricted power to be cautious from beginning to end, Tang Xuanzong also inevitably fell into the cycle of history. With the arrival of the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty as scheduled, this emperor, who had made great contributions, had his human weaknesses, hidden years of preferences, temperament, and his reckless emotions. With the arrival of his later years, they began to flood, all of which led to a national catastrophe that even Tang Xuanzong himself could not have imagined.
Professor Wu Zongguo from Peking University: After four years in Tianbao, Tang Xuanzong’s concern for national affairs at that time was significantly weakened. Of course, there are two factors in between. On the one hand, at that time, the situation on the border and domestically was relatively stable, and the economy, society, and culture were moving forward. Therefore, it gave the impression that there were no contradictions, and the institutional changes had already been completed during the Kaiyuan period, as if there was nothing else to do.
Professor Ning Xin from Beijing Normal University: Then he feels that the world is at peace and nothing is happening. So, this mentality of pursuing pleasure and comfort will slowly breed. Moreover, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang also grew older. As he grew older, he became somewhat tired of politics and everything. There were some changes in the palace, such as the death of his beloved concubine. He was very sad and would give up some external things.
Tang Xuanzong once greatly admired Zhang Jiuling for his integrity, integrity, outstanding literary talent, and ability to govern the country. He particularly appreciated Zhang Jiuling’s courage to confront each other head-on and uphold his own views. Tang Xuanzong once told his lower ministers that every time I saw Zhang Jiuling, my spirit was immediately uplifted. However, as the treacherous prime minister Li Linfu gradually gained power, rumors about Zhang Jiuling continued to spread to Tang Xuanzong’s ears. In November of 736 AD, the Central Secretariat ordered Zhang Jiuling to resign from his position as prime minister and be appointed as the right prime minister of the Shangshu. Zhang Jiuling had already prepared to leave Chang’an and Jingzhou before being exiled to Jingzhou. He left behind a poem of gratitude, in which two lines wrote: “The white clouds are in the southern mountains, with a long sigh at dusk. Here, the white clouds refer to the prime minister Li Linfu, but after the prime minister was dismissed, Zhang Jiuling could only sigh that he was powerless against Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.”, If Tang Xuanzong used to have a clear mind, then now he is often surrounded by white clouds. The most famous treacherous minister in the history of the Li Tang royal family, Li Linfu, monopolized power for 16 years, which was not only unique among the prime ministers during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, but also extremely rare throughout the entire history of the Tang Dynasty. The emergence of such powerful officials as Li Linfu was an inevitable result of the evolution of the Tang Dynasty’s prime minister system. 12 years before Li Linfu became prime minister, the prime minister’s institution began to be independent of the three trial system. From then on, prime ministers not only had decision-making power, but also administrative power was increasingly concentrated in the hands of one person. Li Linfu had outstanding administrative talent, helping Tang Xuanzong complete a series of political and military system reforms, suppress land mergers, maintain national stability, and promote economic development. After Zhang Jiuling left, Li Linfu began to play an increasingly important role in front of Tang Xuanzong, who was getting older and neglected in politics.
Professor Liu Houbin from Renmin University of China: Emperor Xuanzong of Tang relied on Li Linfu for his effective solutions to practical problems, such as the selection of officials, financial issues, and border issues. He relied heavily on Li Linfu and indeed managed the court affairs as if they were well-organized. Emperor Xuanzong, because she later resided in the palace, no longer had direct contact with ministers, and the entire bureaucratic and state mechanisms were operating normally, so these officials did what they should do, what they should do, and what they should do; Li Linfu is in charge of the entire government.
But in order to maintain and expand his own power, Li Linfu tried his best to exclude and crack down on those who could threaten him and those who were more talented than him. He also created multiple unjust prisons, killing opponents and using sweet words and swords. This idiom originated from the people at that time. The description of Li Linfu was that Li Linfu would do nothing wrong, and even his son couldn’t help but worry about him. One time, when the father and son traveled to the backyard together, his son pointed to a working man and asked Li Linfu, “Your enemies and enemies are now scattered all over the world. Once a major disaster comes in the future, you probably want to be such a working man.” Li Linfu smiled bitterly and said, “The situation has reached this point, and I have no way back.”. In the year 752 AD, Li Linfu died of illness and his body had not yet been buried. Yang Guozhong immediately falsely accused him of plotting rebellion. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was furious and ordered the theft of the family’s home. He ordered the opening of the coffin, removal of Li Linfu’s body, removal of his official attire, removal of the precious pearl stuffed into her mouth, and then stuffed the body into a coffin used by ordinary hundred surnames. The use of prime minister funeral rituals was not allowed. Good people under the centralized system often did not have a good ending, and how could the fate of treacherous officials be so good? Moreover, it has a long-standing reputation, and more seriously, it is due to the fatigue of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty towards the government, coupled with Li Linfu’s jealousy of the wise, which can lead to a lack of a large number of talents in governing the country.
Professor Wu Zongguo from Peking University: During the Tianbao period of the Kaiyuan era, there was a significant historical lesson in the development of the entire history. That is to say, because you did not pay great attention to cultivating talents and did not pay enough attention to those with certain qualities, only those with political experience like Li Linfu can solve some political problems. However, those who lack theory, historical knowledge, and comprehensive qualities will inevitably result in many policy and measure errors, and in the end, the consequences will be very serious.
In front of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, the white clouds that dazzled him were far more than just Li Linfu. It was also during this period that Emperor Xuanzong’s love drama was about to be staged. For over 1000 years, the love story between Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei had been widely sung, and various local dramas were also portraying the peerless love between the imperial concubines. Every drama, without exception, expressed lamentations about this tragic love in the book, leaving the audience deeply saddened. This is the song being performed by the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater in Xi’an – Changsheng Hall. Yang Yuhuan, known as one of the four beautiful women in China, was originally the consort of Prince Shou Li Mao, the son of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Perhaps this 22-year-old woman must be too charming. Otherwise, how could Emperor Xuanzong disregard his reputation as an emperor and the face of his father, openly taking his son’s woman for himself? After Emperor Xuanzong ascended to the throne, he enfeoffed the Wang family as empress and began to dote on her. However, he later neglected his emotional life due to being busy with court affairs. After many years, the empress grew old and had no offspring, and the energetic Emperor Xuanzong moved on to love and fell in love with young and beautiful women. When Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was 53 years old, Empress Wu Huifei, who was 38 years old, unfortunately passed away. The passionate Emperor Xuanzong of Tang felt empty in his heart and needed new emotional support. Therefore, Yang Yuhuan, who had the appearance of sinking fish and falling geese, lightly moved her lotus steps, Charming and charming, he walked towards Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and received Yang Yuhuan, a celestial gift. As he entered old age, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang could be described as an old plum blossom with tender branches, and his youth had returned.
Northern Kunqu Opera Actor – Shao Tianshuai: The emperor dotes on Yang Guifei because she has her beauty. Firstly, she is very beautiful. Secondly, he will prove his love for Yang Guifei in his own way and actions. He does not mean that everyone thinks that women are talented and knowledgeable, but that women need to learn to understand each other.
Tang Xuanzong’s love affair with Yang Guifei was not only released by Yang Yuhuan himself, a once poor and destitute thug who quickly became a key official in the court. He was Yang Yuhuan’s cousin – Yang Guozhong. When Zhang Jiuling left office, he never expected that Yang Guozhong would one day become a cloud that would entangle Tang Xuanzong, and it was also a thick and black cloud. In 752 AD, Yang Guozhong successfully took over the scepter in Li Linfu’s hand. Compared with Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong’s authoritarianism was even greater. He was ruthless towards people and did not listen to him. Those who manipulate are all demoted. The previous treacherous minister died, and the next treacherous minister immediately took over. When a dynasty declines, the so-called talent selection can only be reverse elimination, and the result of survival is that treacherous ministers dominate, The result of treacherous officials leading the way will inevitably be chaos in the world, suffering the people, and the downfall of political power.
Professor Wu Zongguo from Peking University: To be fair, Yang Guozhong was able to enter the court and become an official in Chang’an, which is related to Yang Guifei. However, he was highly valued by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang not because of Yang Guifei, but because of his own talent. What is the reason for this? The talent for financial management is to be good at increasing the country’s income.
At the foot of Mount Li today, a large-scale historical stage play, the Song of Everlasting Sorrow, is performed every day. It is set against the backdrop of the Huaqing Palace ruins of the Tang Dynasty, with the theme of the flourishing Tang culture. Based on the famous works of Bai Juyi, the Song of Everlasting Sorrow is adapted and arranged. The most splendid scene of this dance play is when the noble consort takes a bath. Every autumn and winter during the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei come to the hot spring palace at the foot of Mount Li to bathe, feast, entertain day and night, and sing continuously. Emperor Xuanzong entrusted the power of managing the Tang Dynasty’s rivers and mountains to his loyal minister, Yang Guozhong. He must feel very relieved. With such officials, he could let go of politics and wholeheartedly enjoy his happy old life with his beloved concubine Yang Yuhuan. In order to add more color to the life of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, the imperial relatives and relatives also competed to present food. Therefore, Tang Xuanzong specially appointed food prosecutors, presenting thousands of precious dishes each time. The cost of each dish exhausted the wealth of more than ten middle-class families at that time. Obviously, Tang Xuanzong was not a materialistic person. On this long plank road, Tang Xuanzong’s love expression for Yang Yuhuan also entered a brilliant chapter. Whenever the lychees were ripe, Tang Xuanzong ordered people to supply lychees from Lingnan and send them to Chang’an on a stagecoach. The stagecoach traveled day and night, exhausting one horse to death and another horse continued to run. After three days and three nights, it was delivered to Chang’an City. When opened, the lychees returned to their original color, tasted delicious, and tasted delicious. The delicious lychees made Yang Guifei smile, and the wrinkles on Tang Xuanzong’s face also unfolded. Looking back at Chang’an, the embroidery was piled up, and thousands of doors opened on the mountaintop. Riding on a horse, Lady Hongchen smiled, and no one knew it was lychees, This is a vivid description by Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu of the beautiful scene between these lovers at that time, and also expresses the helplessness of the world. And another great poet, Du Fu, was not so reserved. As he passed by the foot of Mount Li, someone told him that the emperor and his noble consort were feasting and having fun inside. As a result, two contrasting images appeared in the poet’s eyes, and he couldn’t help but feel a mix of sadness and anger. He wrote: “The wine and meat in Zhumen are foul smelling, and the road is frozen to death.”; This is an disharmonious note played by the impoverished poet Du Fu during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. As the highest authority, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, who was not upright in the upper Liang Dynasty and crooked in the lower Liang Dynasty, had already begun to pursue his desires and desires. From the central to local levels, officials of all sizes imitated them for corruption, bribery, and extortion. Under the surface of the prosperous era, the burden of corv é e and taxes on the common people became increasingly heavy.
Professor Ning Xin from Beijing Normal University: Greed for comfort and indulgence has become a prevalent social trend in the late Kaiyuan period. Everyone feels that the world is at peace, they have money, and the social economy has also developed. Therefore, this pursuit is a common trend among people.
Professor Wu Zongguo from Peking University: But as these people gain more and more power, their pursuits also become higher, and their personal desires begin to expand. Being able to achieve their personal goals, my own rights, and my own power have become the highest principles. So in this situation, no country or society is at a loss.
In the book “Zizhi Tongjian” written by the famous historian Sima Guang of the Northern Song Dynasty, he once exclaimed with infinite emotion that the reverence of the emperor for extravagance is enough to show off one’s abilities as a means of great theft. It means that the king showcases his luxurious luxury to the people, and his greatest function is to encourage great thieves to take action. This thief who has been coveting the throne of the Tang Dynasty for many years is the protagonist of the An Lushan Rebellion that swept half of China in the future – An Lushan. Hu Xuan Dance is one of the most popular dances in the Tang Dynasty, which was transmitted to the Central Plains through the Silk Road from the Western Regions. In the Tang Dynasty, An Lushan was definitely a dance star. At the night banquet in the Tang Palace, the most exciting scene was the Hu Xuan dance performed by An Lushan, who weighed over 300 pounds, and the plump Yang Guifei.
Professor Liu Houbin from Renmin University of China: But don’t be fooled by his fat body. He dances very well. He dances Hu Xuan dance hundreds of times and is a strange person with a particularly big belly. Emperor Tang Xuanzong asked him what he has in his belly. With such a big belly, An Zhongshan is particularly good at talking. There is nothing else, only a heart. I am very loyal and loyal, and Emperor Tang Xuanzong likes him very much.
An Lushan, a hybrid from the Sogdian tribe in Yingzhou, was skilled in business when he was young. He possessed a wealth of gold and silver, and as the saying goes, money can make ghosts grind. An Lushan’s most common trick was to bribe the people around Tang Xuanzong with money, making them often praise him in front of the emperor. However, An Lushan still felt that it was not enough. He knew very well that in order to gain the highest level of trust from Tang Xuanzong, he needed to use special means.
Professor Ning Xin from Beijing Normal University: An Lushan is also very good at showing his admiration for Yang Guifei. He neither defeated Xuanzong nor worshipped the Crown Prince, saying that the Hu people only know that they have a mother but not a father.
Researcher at the Institute of History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences – Lei Wen: Yang Guifei was actually nine years younger than An Lushan. After recognizing An Lushan as his godson, he even held a child washing ceremony for him, brought An Lushan to the palace, gave him a bath, and then had many palace maids lift him up and tour the palace.
Starting from Emperor Ruizong of Tang Dynasty, in order to strengthen border defense forces, the Tang Dynasty established military governors in border areas. By 721 AD, the establishment of nine major military governors was basically completed, with their controlled areas demonstrating the nine major military governors of Yang, Pinglu, Hedong, Shufang, Anxi, Beiting, Hexi, Longyou, and Jiannan. In fact, they were equivalent to commanders of nine military regions. By the end of the Tianbao period, with the favor of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Guifei, the ambitious An Lushan had achieved great success all the way, while serving as the military governors of three regions. One person commanded 150000 of the most elite imperial troops, becoming the strongest military force. The military governor.
Professor Liu Houbin from Renmin University of China: During the Tianbao period, the military governors in border areas accounted for more than half of the total number of troops in the Tang Dynasty. The total number of military governors was even more than double that of the central government. An Lushan himself also served as the commander of the three major military regions and the military governors of the three counties.
Professor Wu Zongguo from Peking University: And there is only one Central Guard Army in the central government, which is the Emperor’s Guard Army, which is only 70000 to 80000. These people are also some common people who lack training and combat effectiveness, so this creates a situation where the outside is heavy and the inside is light. So, from the perspective of ancient Chinese history, this is the so-called trend of the tail not falling off, which is the great taboo of military strategists. The greatest taboo of governing a country.
This is an event that happened in the late years of Tianbao. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had entered his old age and was already immersed in the court, indulging in pleasure and pursuing immortality. One day, Emperor Xuanzong had a conversation with his most trusted eunuch, Gao Lishi. Emperor Xuanzong said that as he grew old, he had arranged for others to do everything, so he had nothing to worry about. Gao Lishi said that he heard that the recent war in Yunnan has resulted in the loss of many imperial troops, and the border generals generally have too many mercenaries. His Majesty is worried that if there is an accident, there will be no rescue. How can he say that he is not worried? Gao Lishi’s words became a prophecy, as the An Lushan Rebellion was brewing not far ahead and was about to erupt. On the ninth day of the eleventh lunar month in 755 AD, An Lushan, his fellow villager Shi Siming, and a group of local generals rebelled in Fanyang under the pretext of suppressing the rebel Yang Guozhong. The An Lushan Rebellion, which lasted for 7 and a half years, began. An Lushan led 150000 rebels and set off from Fanyang on a massive road of burning, killing, and looting, heading straight to the throne of Chang’an in the capital city. An Lushan’s army marched southwest and first captured Xingyang. After more than a decade, Tokyo’s Luoyang was captured. Yangcheng was lost, and the Tang army retreated to Tongguan. On the first day of the first lunar month in 756 AD, the rebel leader An Lushan summoned the world in the Longpao of Luoyang, Tokyo, the hometown of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and established the Yan Empire. He proclaimed himself Emperor Dayan and changed his reign name to Shengwu. In June 756 AD, An Lushan attacked Tongguan, Tang Xuanzong did not expect that the 200000 soldiers stationed in Tongguan would also be on the verge of collapse. Tongguan fell, and An Lushan’s troops pointed directly at Chang’an. In just over half a year, An Lushan easily occupied the capital of Chang’an, which had been occupied by the Tang Empire for 100 years. In the early morning of June 13, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, accompanied by his sisters Yang Guifei, some of the emperor’s sons and grandchildren, as well as the prime ministers Yang Guozhong and Wei Jiansu, rushed out of the capital and retreated to Sichuan under the protection of the imperial guards gathered by Chen Xuanli, the general of Longwu. The whole city was shaken by the emperor’s escape. Scholars in the capital fled to the countryside valley for refuge. The escape team stretched for 200 miles from east to west. The palace ladies and concubines who escaped from the imperial palace hid in the east and cried. The gold and silver treasures of the generals and ministers’ family were scattered everywhere. Many people followed Tang Xuanzong all the way west. They believed that the place where the emperor went was the safest place. In the 200 mile long escape team, the poet Du Fu also shared the fate of all the exiles. This poet, who lived with hardships throughout his life, once fell into despair and could not move forward during his escape. Maweipo, a small place that was difficult to find even on maps at that time, was recorded in history due to the An Lushan Rebellion. After Tang Xuanzong’s escape from Chang’an, the soldiers traveled westward to Maweipo. A mutiny occurred among the soldiers, who surrounded the emperor’s resting post station. They dared not challenge the emperor, but instead sprayed their anger at Yang Guozhong. Yang Guozhong was dead, and the chaotic soldiers searched everywhere, killing almost all of Yang’s followers. Next, they pointed their final anger towards Tang Xuanzong’s favorite. There was no history. The book records how Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Yuhuan treated this life and death separation. Perhaps tears accompanied them, or perhaps those beautiful memories that passed away. He was intoxicating but heartbreaking, After spending 16 years with Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, the most beautiful woman in the Tang Dynasty, 38 year old Yang Yuhuan, hanged herself on Maweipo. This woman, who was favored by 3000 people, began to become complex and multifaceted from the moment he sacrificed his life for Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, leaving an indescribable topic for future generations.
Emperor Ming’s Visit to Shu and Tang Dynasty’s Li Zhaodao
This is a painting of Emperor Ming’s visit to Shu, which is kept in the Taipei Museum. In great sorrow, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang set foot on the rugged Shu Road, which did not meet the unanimous request of the local people to stay and resist the rebels. This emperor, who once created the prosperous era of Kaiyuan, may have become disillusioned because he lost both his country and his beauty at the same time. Crown Prince Li Heng was left behind by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Li Heng had no intention of following his own course and arrived at Shuofang with his army on the suggestion of not being there. He ascended the throne on July 12th. This is Tang Suzong, who revered Xuanzong as the Supreme Emperor and changed his reign name to the first year of Zhide. For Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, no matter how reluctant and unwilling he was, the accession of Crown Prince Li Heng ended his 44 year reign as an emperor. For Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, this was the end of his political life, but for the Tang Dynasty, the accession of Emperor Suzong became the starting point for judgment and revival. In January of 757 AD, due to the competition for the throne, An Lushan was cruelly killed by his son An Qingxu. This ambitious and scheming person ultimately did not escape the fate of being replaced by his son. On September 13 of the same year, Guo Ziyi led his army from Fengxiang and defeated the rebels in the north of Xiangji Temple in the south of Chang’an City to recapture Chang’an. Guo Ziyi continued to lead his troops to pursue the rebels. On October 16, An Qingxu fled Luoyang and retreated to Xiangzhou. Later, he died of internal strife while fleeing the Turks. Tang Xuanzong, who had fled Chang’an for two years after the recapture of the two capitals of Luoyang and Chang’an, returned with civil and military officials as well as commoners in the capital. Amidst the passage, the elders of Chang’an shed tears of excitement. Some exclaimed that they never expected to see the Holy One again in this lifetime. While celebrating their hard won victory, everyone seemed to have forgiven a series of major mistakes and abandoned their king at a critical moment.
Professor Ning Xin from Beijing Normal University: No one criticizes Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. There is really no one, so when you see it in the Qinzheng Tower, everyone doesn’t say that you, the emperor, have lost a noble consort to the country. Everyone cheers for the Taiping Emperor and remembers the prosperous scene of his time. The common people live and work in peace, and they don’t believe that the An Lushan Rebellion is the reason for Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. People don’t think so.
Things have changed and people have changed, like a spring dream. I have woken up now, but perhaps only memories of the most beautiful things of Tang Xuanzong. Tang Xuanzong yearned day and night for Yang Yuhuan, whose soul had returned to Maweipo. This passionate old man, the current Emperor, couldn’t help but sigh and sigh every time he saw a portrait of his concubine. In the quiet of the night, the desolate Palace of Eternal Life often remembered the beautiful time with his noble concubine, and tears streamed down his face. To this, the poet Bai Juyi’s Song of Eternal Sorrow wrote: On July 7th, in the Palace of Eternal Life, when there was no one whispering in the middle of the night, when there was no one whispering in the middle of the night, in the sky, I wished to be like a bird of wings, and on the earth. For the sake of pruning the branches, it may last for a long time, but this hatred lasts endlessly. Unfortunately, our country and family are fortunate. As generations of literati and scholars continue to recount and talk about the tragic love story between Emperor Tang Ming and Empress Yang, who would be willing to think about how the inappropriate personal love life of the highest authority led to this disaster.
Professor Ning Xin from Beijing Normal University: I don’t think the attitude of Emperor Xuanzong towards royal affairs in the later period is directly related to his relationship with Yang Guifei. I don’t think it’s directly related. It’s not because a woman he likes appeared and she gave up the court. What if someone else did not appear with Yang Guifei, or if there were no such people? Is he still striving for excellence? So this kind of emotional life will not determine his attitude towards handling national affairs, but is still related to himself. He becomes tired and relaxed, hoping to satisfy his personality and psychology of seeking more pleasure and comfort.
Professor Wu Zongguo from Peking University: Many people associate the An Lushan Rebellion with Yang Guifei, which is a complete repetition of an ancient saying that beauty is a disaster. It is a taboo for those who respect it and an excuse for Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. If a man messes up politics, women should take responsibility. What logic is this?
In March 761 AD, the fate of An Lushan once again fell on the rebel general Shi Siming. Similarly, for the sake of the throne, Shi Chaoyi cruelly killed his father Shi Siming. In 763 AD, Shi Chaoyi was forced to commit suicide while attempting to throw himself into the Khitan to the north. Thus, the An Lushan Rebellion, which lasted for 7 years and 2 months, finally came to an end. In the first 6 months before the An Lushan Rebellion was completely quelled, the first protagonist of this war, Tang Xuanzong, passed away in a state of melancholy. This king, who created a prosperous era and brought it into a chaotic era, ultimately failed to see the day when Li Tang returned to peace and lay in a hospital bed. What did Tang Xuanzong, who was on his way to death, think of at the last moment? The people of Jiangshan Guifei are unaware, but it is comforting to note that among the six main characters in this play, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was the only one who died peacefully. The other five characters in this play, Yang Guifei, Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, An Lushan, and Shi Siming, whether they were the protagonist, antagonist, or supporting role, all died tragically and did not end well. The An Lushan Rebellion once again proves that the internal turmoil of the nation has never been victorious, and there are only comprehensive injuries. The An Lushan Rebellion tells us that the arrival of a prosperous city requires the efforts of several generations. Although it flourishes and declines, it is easy to attract it.
Professor Wu Zongguo from Peking University: After the An Lushan Rebellion, it sparked a lot of thinking among politicians and thinkers at that time, and had a profound impact on various aspects of political system, ideology, and culture. I think one particularly important point here is that this kind of thinking about the lack of morality at that time had a profound impact.
After this war, the population of the Tang Dynasty sharply decreased, the economy declined, internal feudal lords were divided, and external border troubles continued to intensify. Tubo was ambitious and repeatedly harassed, occupying large areas of Tang Dynasty land. It should be noted that after the An Lushan Rebellion, the prosperous Tang Dynasty had gone forever. The mentality of the Tang people has become less uplifting and confident, and the debate between Yi and Xia has become a heavy topic since then. The hearts of non Chinese people are bound to be different, and it has become a consensus among the court and the public. The influence of this mentality is very profound, and the past prosperity has become a memory, and the poetry of the prosperous Tang Dynasty can no longer be sung. After this shocking war, the heavily damaged Tang Dynasty once again embarked on a new round of reconstruction.
90 Seconds of History: The Ganlu Transformation
Emperor Wenzong attempted to salvage the unfavorable situation caused by his father Mu Zong’s reign. A plan to eliminate eunuchs was to be implemented after they had carefully planned it. On November 21, 835 AD, during the early morning court, General Han Yue of Jin Wu reported that sweet dew had fallen from the pomegranate tree in the courtyard. Therefore, Emperor Wenzong ordered eunuchs Qiu Shiliang, Yu Hongzhi, and others to investigate. At this time, Han Yue and others had already ambushed Jin Wu’s soldiers, and as soon as the eunuchs arrived, they were all caught. However, when Qiu Shiliang and others saw Han Yue and others panicked, they discovered that armed soldiers had been ambushed behind the scenes, causing a great uproar. Startled and rushing out, they fled to the main hall and held Emperor Wenzong hostage with lightning speed. Qiu Shiliang immediately dispatched divine troops to massacre Chang’an City. After the eunuch’s massacre, the court was almost wiped out, and this event was called the Ganlu Incident, The feudal system, factional struggles, and eunuch dictatorship together formed a destructive force that pushed the trapped Tang Dynasty step by step into the abyss of destruction.
