After the Anshi Rebellion, the Tang Empire fell into the predicament of internal and external troubles and faced unprecedented tests. However, what is amazing is that Datang has been able to endure for 150 years, what kind of miracle is this?
History is like a picture scroll, showing prosperity and vicissitudes, glory and decline. The Anshi Rebellion was undoubtedly a huge blow to the glorious period of the Tang Dynasty, the empire was in danger, and the country's situation was once shaky. However, one can't help but wonder why Datang can stand tall in such a grim situation?
In 755 AD, the Anshi Rebellion broke out, and the Tang Dynasty entered a period of decline. In 763, Tubo captured Chang'an, and Emperor Zong of the Tang Dynasty fled. At this time, the emperor had only one thought in his heart - his teacher, the elderly Guo Ziyi. Although this founding hero was repeatedly belittled, his loyalty to the Tang Dynasty has never changed in the slightest.
The moment she received the edict, Guo Ziyi stood up without hesitation. He knew that there were only 4,000 people in his hands, and the recovery of Chang'an was almost a dream. But this old man did not hesitate at all, and with his wit and clever tactics, he succeeded in arousing the fear of the enemy, and finally easily recaptured the ravaged capital with only 3,000 troops.
Compared with Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi and Fugu Huaien also gradually became resentful after Anshi, and they watched the infighting and decay of the imperial court, and only disappointment and despair remained in their hearts. However, Guo Ziyi has never let go of his love for the Tang Dynasty, and he has always firmly believed that the dynasty will get back on track.
In 779, he once again went into battle and single-handedly drove out the attack of the combined forces of the Tibetans and the Hui. The loyalty of sacrificing one's life for the country in times of crisis inspired the birth of all Tang Dynasty lords. It was these strong men who stood up one after another that allowed the dynasty to continue in the catastrophe.
In 781, Dejong attempted to regain the Heshuo region by cutting down the feudal domain, a move that completely angered the feudal forces. The rebellion of the two kings and four emperors was about to break out, and the imperial court was once again in turmoil. The Jingyuan Mutiny made Tang Dezong run again, and the envoys of various parts of the country called the king and the emperor, and the Central Plains became a chaotic situation again.
When he was cornered, Li Sheng, the king of Xiping County, stepped forward. He united the army of Zhulu and captured Chang'an in one fell swoop. After quelling the rebellion in the south, he led his army to attack Tibet in the north. In the Battle of Shazhou in 835, Li Sheng was not afraid of death and personally charged into battle. His bravery instilled great confidence in the Tang army, which eventually annihilated the 50,000 Tibetan army.
Then his two right-hand men Ma Sui and Hun Alkali also made great achievements one after another, so that a Tang Dynasty whose combat effectiveness was at a low point was able to confront Tubo. Li Sheng's life can be called a rare brave general in the late stage of the decline of the Tang Dynasty.
Generations of emperors followed, and in 813, Tang Xianzong ascended the throne. This ambitious and determined monarch was not willing to allow his rule to be confined to the Heshuo region. He was determined to cut down the feudal domain and restore the empire to its heyday. Xianzong took the recovery of Huaixi as a breakthrough, but the successive campaigns were fruitless.
Finally, on the recommendation of the courtiers, he appointed Li Yu, the eighth son of Li Sheng, the king of Li Xiping County, as the commander. The brave and warlike prince devised a bold and efficient battle plan to capture Huaixi in one fell swoop.
The news of Kenjong's victory spread all over the world, and all the feudal towns were terrified. This resolute and ambitious emperor made them dare not act rashly. It is precisely because of Tang Xianzong's tough posture that this territory can be maintained and will not collapse prematurely. However, his sudden death ended Datang's hope of reproducing the prosperity of Tianbao.
In 848, after hearing about the former glory of the Tang Dynasty in Hexi, Zhang Yichao resolutely decided to recover his homeland. When the good news of his class's triumph reached Chang'an, Datang was already in its last years.
The government and the opposition are all tolerated by Zhang Yichao's righteous actions, but they also understand the hope of being unable to return to heaven. In the end, it was wiped out in the Huangchao Rebellion and became a memory of history. But why can this miserable Datang survive for nearly 150 years?
After Anshi, Datang adopted a laissez-faire policy towards the three towns of Heshuo. These powerful feudal towns were superficially subservient, but enjoyed a great deal of autonomy at the local level. Tian Chengsi and others also recognized the status of the Tang Dynasty's Son of Heaven on the surface, and did not dare to make a mistake. However, the Tang Dynasty, which was in ruins, was also unable to annex this territory. An eerie balance is formed between the two armies.
In 775, Wei Botian annexed Zhaoyi Jiedu to envoy Xiangzhou, and the government and the opposition were furious. Datang could no longer tolerate it and mobilized the army of Eight Towns to crusade against Wei Bo. Tian Chengsi realized that he had touched the bottom line of Datang, and immediately asked for guilt to retire.
Although this turmoil subsided, it also showed that the bottom line of Tang Dynasty rule was **. Both sides know that they can only contain each other and cannot try to break through the existing pattern. And so this delicate balance was maintained.
In 781, Li Deyu's ambition to restore his father's generation was met with a crushing defeat. Hell-bent on weakening the three towns of Heshuo, he was once again reduced to a defeated general in the rebellion of the two emperors and four kings. The lesson of defeat made the Tang Emperor realize that he could not rashly touch the iron wall of the hard state of the feudal town.
Although nominally still subservient to the Son of Heaven, the three towns of Heshuo had already formed an independent kingdom. And the Tang Dynasty also habitually avoided conflicts with them, which allowed the decaying empire to survive.
The repeated rebellion of the two emperors and four kings made the people of the government and the wilderness panic. However, what really shook the foundation of the Tang Dynasty was the difficulties of the eunuchs and traitors such as Guo Ziyi and Li Yu. Guo Ziyi was degraded three times, and Li Yu also died under the false accusation of the traitorous party. Loyalty has been repeatedly struck, and a lifelong passion has been drained. But even so, it can't stop the warriors who are loyal to the country from standing up and doing their duty for the Tang Dynasty.
The turbulence of court politics may have caused frequent changes of honor and disgrace among the ruling class. But for the people, all they hope for is the peace and tranquility that they have not seen for a long time. The realistic choice is often the lesser of two evils. The people under the rule of the Tang Dynasty can still live and work in peace and contentment, but it is better than the troubled times when the warlords were fighting. Therefore, although the imperial power has been completely hollowed out, the symbolic meaning of the emperor name of the Tang Dynasty is still there, which is also the tacit consensus of most people.
As a once glorious empire, the process of the demise of the Tang Dynasty was particularly slow. From the outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion in 755 to the destruction of the Later Liang in 907, it took 152 years. If it weren't for the reincarnation of the heroes who loyally defended the country, Datang would have died early.
It is true that Datang suffered a great loss of vitality after the catastrophe, and its national strength is no longer what it used to be. However, it also gained valuable time to recuperate. In the past 152 years, the emperors of the Tang Dynasty and the government and the opposition have been diligently handling national affairs, which has also made a dynasty that has survived to this day.
When the last country in the long river of history changed hands, the people of the Tang Dynasty could not help but recall the peaceful and prosperous times and glorious years brought by their ancestors. Datang is not only guilty of merit and crime, but also an extraordinary legend.