An Lushan, Chinese general (b. 703)

An Lushan, born on February 19, 703, and deceased on January 29, 757, was a highly influential general during China's illustrious Tang Dynasty. He is principally remembered as the instigator of one of the most devastating conflicts in Chinese history, the An Lushan Rebellion, which profoundly altered the trajectory of the Tang empire and initiated its decline.

Origins and Ascent to Military Prominence

An Lushan's background was multicultural, identifying him as being of Sogdian and Göktürk heritage, at least by adoption. Sogdians were an East Iranian people renowned for their mercantile activities along the Silk Road, while Göktürks were powerful Turkic nomadic groups who frequently interacted, both peacefully and militarily, with the Tang empire. This dual heritage likely provided An Lushan with valuable linguistic skills and cultural understanding, assets that proved instrumental in his military and political ascent.

He rose to considerable military prominence by effectively defending the vital northeastern frontiers of the Tang empire against persistent threats, notably from the nomadic Khitans and other border tribes. His strategic acumen and success in securing these volatile regions earned him significant recognition and solidified his reputation as a formidable and indispensable military commander.

Gaining Imperial Favor and Amassing Power

An Lushan's growing influence did not go unnoticed in Chang'an, the magnificent Tang capital, which was then the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world. He was summoned to the imperial court on multiple occasions, where he demonstrated a remarkable ability to cultivate favor with key figures within the Tang hierarchy. He skillfully ingratiated himself with Chancellor Li Linfu, a powerful and politically astute statesman, and, more critically, with Emperor Xuanzong of Tang himself. Emperor Xuanzong, who had initially presided over a golden age of prosperity known as the "Kaiyuan Reign," gradually became less attentive to governmental affairs, allowing powerful figures like Li Linfu and later An Lushan to accumulate significant influence.

This shrewd political maneuvering and the deep trust he managed to garner from the emperor allowed An Lushan to amass unprecedented military power in northeastern China. He was appointed as a *jiedushi* (military governor) over three crucial frontier commands: Fanyang, Pinglu, and Hedong. This concentration of authority, granting him command over a vast army estimated to be around 200,000 soldiers, provided him with a virtually autonomous regional power base, a highly unusual and dangerous consolidation of power in the Tang system.

Escalating Rivalries and the Catalyst for Rebellion

The political landscape within the Tang court shifted dramatically after the death of Chancellor Li Linfu in 752. An Lushan's primary rival emerged in the person of Yang Guozhong, the new chancellor and cousin of Emperor Xuanzong's beloved imperial consort, Yang Guifei. Yang Guozhong harbored deep suspicions about An Lushan's loyalty and actively sought to undermine his influence, often through subtle and overt provocations. This escalating animosity, coupled with An Lushan's existing rivalry with General Geshu Han, another prominent Tang commander stationed in the northwest, created intense military and political tensions that permeated the entire empire. These internal feuds significantly weakened the central government's control and inadvertently provided An Lushan with a pretext for his inevitable revolt.

The An Lushan Rebellion and the Proclamation of Yan

After approximately eight to nine years of meticulous preparation, during which he consolidated his forces, accumulated vast resources, and strengthened his regional power base in the northeast, An Lushan launched his monumental rebellion in December 755 (which falls within the calendar year 755 CE). This audacious act of defiance plunged the Tang Dynasty into a catastrophic civil war that would devastate China for eight long years. Upon successfully seizing the vital city of Luoyang, the secondary capital of the Tang empire, An Lushan formally proclaimed himself the emperor of a new dynasty, which he named Yan. This declaration directly challenged the legitimacy of the Tang imperial house and marked the devastating beginning of one of the most destructive and impactful conflicts in Chinese history, profoundly reshaping the socio-political landscape of the empire.

Who was An Lushan?
An Lushan was a prominent general of Sogdian and Göktürk descent in the Tang Dynasty, principally known for instigating the An Lushan Rebellion, a catastrophic civil war that severely weakened the Tang empire.
What was the An Lushan Rebellion?
The An Lushan Rebellion was a devastating civil war that began in 755 CE when An Lushan proclaimed himself emperor of the Yan Dynasty, challenging the Tang imperial house. Lasting eight years, it led to immense loss of life and significantly impacted China's political, economic, and social structure.
How did An Lushan gain significant military power?
An Lushan gained military prominence by successfully defending the Tang's northeastern frontiers from nomadic groups. He then skillfully cultivated favor with Chancellor Li Linfu and Emperor Xuanzong, leading to his appointment as *jiedushi* (military governor) over three key frontier commands, giving him control over a vast army.
What role did rivalries play in the outbreak of the rebellion?
Following Chancellor Li Linfu's death, An Lushan's deep-seated rivalry with the new chancellor, Yang Guozhong, escalated. Yang Guozhong's suspicions and attempts to undermine An Lushan's power, coupled with tensions with General Geshu Han, created political instability that ultimately fueled An Lushan's decision to launch his rebellion.