The Making of a Rebel: An Lushan’s Ascent to Power

An Lushan, a general of Sogdian and Turkic descent, rose to prominence during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (712–756). His military successes against the Khitan and other northern tribes earned him imperial favor, and he was appointed military governor of three key frontier provinces—Pinglu, Fanyang, and Hedong. This unprecedented concentration of power laid the groundwork for rebellion.

By 755, An Lushan commanded a personal army of 150,000 soldiers, bolstered by 8,000 adopted sons known as the “Father-Son Army.” These adoptions were not familial but strategic—a means to secure loyalty through privileges and military rank. His forces, though officially 150,000, were often exaggerated to 200,000 to intimidate opponents.

The Rebellion Erupts: Blood and Terror in Luoyang and Chang’an

In December 755, An Lushan launched his revolt, citing grievances against the Tang court’s corruption, particularly the influence of Chancellor Yang Guozhong. His forces swiftly captured Luoyang, where he declared himself emperor of the new “Great Yan” dynasty in early 756.

The fall of Chang’an, the Tang capital, followed in July 756. An’s lieutenant, Sun Xiaozhe, unleashed a reign of terror in the city. Mass executions turned Chang’an into a “city of blood,” alienating the populace. Meanwhile, An Lushan, now nearly blind from a worsening eye disease, grew increasingly paranoid and brutal. He ordered the torture and execution of officials like Yingchuan’s governor Xue Yuan and his deputy Pang Jian, freezing them to death on the icy Luo River.

The Tyrant’s Downfall: Conspiracy in the Palace

An Lushan’s cruelty extended to his inner circle. His favored eunuch, Li Zhuer, and chief minister Yan Zhuang endured daily beatings. Desperate, they conspired with An’s neglected eldest son, An Qingxu, who feared being passed over for succession in favor of a younger half-brother.

On the night of January 29, 757, Li Zhuer stabbed the blind emperor in his bedchamber. An Lushan died cursing his “household traitors,” and his body was hastily buried under the palace. Yan Zhuang staged a political transition, declaring An Qingxu the new emperor, but the regime’s cohesion unraveled.

The Tang Counterattack and Shi Siming’s Betrayal

The Tang, under Emperor Suzong, rallied with 150,000 troops and Uyghur mercenaries. By late 757, they recaptured Chang’an and Luoyang. An Qingxu fled to Ye (modern Hebei), while Shi Siming—An Lushan’s former ally—surrendered to the Tang with 130,000 soldiers.

Yet Tang mistrust of defectors proved fatal. When officials like Li Guangbi plotted to assassinate Shi Siming, he rebelled again in 759, killing An Qingxu and proclaiming himself the new Yan emperor. Shi’s reign mirrored An’s: erratic violence, succession disputes, and failed alliances with the Uyghurs, who ultimately backed the Tang.

The War’s End: A Dynasty Broken

Shi Siming’s assassination in 761 by his son Shi Chaoyi prolonged the conflict until 763. The Tang, aided by Uyghur cavalry, finally crushed the rebellion, but at staggering cost. The empire lost two-thirds of its population, and regional warlords gained unprecedented autonomy, hastening the dynasty’s decline.

Legacy of Chaos: Why the An Shi Rebellion Mattered

The nine-year An Shi Rebellion (755–763) marked the Tang Dynasty’s irreversible weakening. Three critical lessons emerged:

1. The Perils of Overcentralized Power: An Lushan’s control of three provinces exposed flaws in the jiedushi (military governor) system.
2. The Cost of Vengeance: Tang’s harsh treatment of defectors prolonged the war. Leniency might have ended the rebellion sooner.
3. The Rise of Regionalism: Post-rebellion, warlords like Li Huaixian ruled semi-independently, foreshadowing the Five Dynasties period.

Historians debate whether the Tang could have survived intact with wiser policies. What remains undisputed is that An Lushan’s revolt reshaped China, proving that even the mightiest empires are vulnerable to ambition, cruelty, and the knives of those they trust most.