A Warrior’s Rise in the Tang Empire

Pugu Huai’en emerged as one of the most complex military figures during the Tang Dynasty’s tumultuous An Lushan Rebellion (755-763 AD). Born into the Tiele tribe—a subgroup of the Turkic peoples—his ethnic background shaped both his military brilliance and eventual downfall. The Old Book of Tang describes him as “skilled in combat, knowledgeable about tribal affairs, and possessing commanding talent,” qualities that propelled his early career under renowned generals like Wang Zhongsi and An Sishun.

His uncompromising character became legendary when he executed his own son, Pugu Bin, for surrendering in battle—a brutal demonstration of discipline that terrified his troops into unwavering bravery. Yet this same rigidity made him notorious; historical records note he “argued fiercely with superiors when disagreeing, even cursing commanding officers,” a temperament that would later fuel his rebellion.

The Pinnacle of Service: Crushing the An Lushan Rebellion

Pugu’s military contributions during the An Lushan Rebellion were monumental:

1. Imperial Endorsement
He joined Guo Ziyi in supporting Emperor Suzong’s claim to the throne at Lingwu—a critical political maneuver when the emperor had merely 2,000 troops.

2. Diplomatic Masterstroke
Leveraging his tribal connections, Pugu negotiated the Tang-Uighur alliance, even marrying his daughter to the future Khan Dengli. This brought 100,000 elite cavalrymen to crush the rebellion.

3. Battlefield Dominance
As third-in-command after Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi, Pugu spearheaded decisive campaigns across Hebei. His son Pugu Yang earned the nickname “Belligerent General” for combat ferocity that surpassed even his father’s.

The Unraveling: How a Loyalist Became a “Rebel”

Pugu’s fall resulted from toxic political dynamics:

1. Imperial Distrust
After Khan Dengli humiliated Tang officials—including flogging imperial envoys to death—Emperor Daizong grew suspicious of Pugu’s Uighur ties. Despite Pugu’s mediation efforts, the emperor issued an iron pardon certificate (tiequan), revealing deepening paranoia.

2. Political Sabotage
Rivals like Xin Yunjing (governor of Taiyuan) and eunuch Luo Fengxian accused Pugu of:
– Harboring rebel commanders to maintain personal power
– Colluding with Uighurs for a coup
No evidence substantiated these claims, yet the smear campaign succeeded.

A telling incident occurred when Luo Fengxian, Pugu’s sworn brother, fled after Pugu’s mother admonished him. This became “proof” of Pugu’s treachery.

The Heartbreaking Rebellion

In 764 AD, cornered by accusations, Pugu launched his doomed revolt:

– His son Pugu Yang was murdered by mutinous troops exploiting ethnic tensions between Han and Tiele soldiers
– His 80-year-old mother chased him with a sword, screaming “I’ll kill this traitor for the state!” before surrendering to Tang forces
– Pugu died suddenly during his campaign, possibly from stress-induced illness

Emperor Daizong’s poignant verdict—”Pugu didn’t rebel; he was misled by others”—captured the tragedy. Even in rebellion, the emperor refused to label him traitor, preserving his Lingyan Pavilion portrait among Tang heroes.

Legacy: The Cracks in Tang’s Foundation

Pugu’s story exposes systemic failures:

1. Eroded Trust
The An Lushan Rebellion shattered confidence between emperors and generals, Han and tribal allies, even sworn brothers.

2. Ethnic Tensions
Despite the Tang’s multiethnic ethos, Pugu’s Tiele identity made him perpetually “suspect”—a pattern recurring with other non-Han generals.

3. Precedent for Warlordism
His alleged “soft treatment” of rebel commanders foreshadowed the later warlord (jiedushi) problem that crippled the Tang.

As Qing historian Zhao Yi noted, later accounts whitewashed Xin Yunjing’s role—proof of historians wrestling with this uncomfortable truth. Pugu’s tragedy wasn’t personal failure, but the collapse of the systems that once made Tang great. His life became a metaphor for the dynasty’s irreversible decline.