The An Lushan Rebellion: A Crisis That Shook the Tang Empire

In the mid-8th century, the Tang Dynasty faced its most devastating internal threat—the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763). An Lushan, a military governor of mixed Sogdian and Turkic heritage, commanded vast forces in the northeastern frontier. Exploiting political instability and Emperor Xuanzong’s misplaced trust, he launched a revolt that nearly toppled the dynasty. His initial successes were staggering: the eastern capital Luoyang fell, and his armies severed critical supply routes along the Grand Canal, crippling the Tang economy. Yet, as the rebellion entered its second year, a coalition of Tang loyalists began a remarkable counteroffensive that would redefine the war.

The Pivotal Theater: Shanxi and Guo Ziyi’s Gambit

While An Lushan focused on capturing the twin capitals (Luoyang and Chang’an), he underestimated Shanxi’s strategic importance. The mountainous province, particularly the city of Taiyuan, became the linchpin of Tang resistance. Under the leadership of Guo Ziyi, a seasoned general from the Shuofang garrison, Tang forces repelled An Lushan’s incursions and launched daring counterattacks.

Guo’s strategy was twofold:
1. Securing Supply Lines: By recapturing Mayi and Yanmen, he reopened a vital corridor between Shuofang and Taiyuan, allowing reinforcements and supplies to flow uninterrupted.
2. Opening a Second Front: From Taiyuan, Tang troops crossed the Taihang Mountains via the Jingxing Pass, harassing An Lushan’s heartland in Hebei. This forced the rebel leader to divert resources, weakening his western advance.

The Yan Brothers: A Spark of Defiance in Hebei

As Guo Ziyi tightened the noose from Shanxi, resistance flared in Hebei under the Yan brothers—Yan Gaoqing and Yan Zhenqing. Both were scholar-officials turned military leaders, and their defiance was symbolic. Yan Gaoqing, governor of Changshan (modern Zhengding), controlled the eastern end of the Jingxing Pass, making his rebellion a direct threat to An Lushan’s rear.

Their uprising inspired a domino effect: 17 of Hebei’s 25 prefectures declared for the Tang, isolating An Lushan’s strongholds like Fanyang and Lulong. Though Yan Gaoqing was later captured and executed, his brother Yan Zhenqing continued the fight, proving that An Lushan’s hold on Hebei was fragile.

The Broader Tang Strategy: Encirclement and Exhaustion

By 757, the Tang high command had crystallized a “door-shutting” strategy:
– The Western Door: General Geshu Han held Tong Pass, blocking the path to Chang’an.
– The Northern Door: Li Guangbi (a subordinate of Guo Ziyi) disrupted rebel supply lines in Hebei.
– The Southern Door: At cities like Suiyang and Nanyang, defenders like Zhang Xun and Lu Jiong tied down rebel forces for months, preventing southern expansion.

This multi-front pressure aimed to confine An Lushan’s forces to the North China Plain, where they could be gradually worn down.

The Turning Point: A Tragic Misstep at Tong Pass

Just as the strategy neared success, political interference proved disastrous. Chancellor Yang Guozhong, distrustful of Geshu Han, pressured him to abandon his defensive posture. The resulting Tang defeat at Tong Pass (756) allowed An Lushan’s forces to breach the defenses and sack Chang’an. Emperor Xuanzong fled to Sichuan, and the rebellion entered its bloodiest phase.

Yet, this setback was temporary. The Tang’s decentralized resistance—led by figures like Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi, and the Yan brothers—had already demonstrated that An Lushan’s momentum could be checked.

Legacy: How the Rebellion Reshaped China

The An Lushan Rebellion left enduring marks:
– Military Decentralization: The Tang increasingly relied on regional governors (jiedushi), sowing seeds for future warlordism.
– Cultural Memory: Figures like Yan Zhenqing (later celebrated as a master calligrapher) and Zhang Xun became symbols of loyalty.
– Economic Shifts: The Grand Canal’s disruption accelerated the rise of the Yangtze Delta as China’s new economic core.

Though the Tang survived, it never regained its golden-age glory. The rebellion’s lessons—about the dangers of overcentralization and the importance of regional resilience—echo through Chinese history.

Conclusion: A Rebellion Stopped, but a Dynasty Transformed

The Tang counteroffensive against An Lushan was a masterclass in adaptive warfare. From Guo Ziyi’s mountain campaigns to the Yan brothers’ grassroots resistance, it showcased how decentralized leadership could salvage a crumbling empire. Yet, the cost was staggering: millions perished, and the Tang’s cosmopolitan confidence gave way to a more inward-looking era. For historians, the rebellion remains a case study in how empires fracture—and how they endure.