Chapter 325 An Lushan Rebellion

Wang Zhongsi asked, "Your Highness, do you mean to support the pro-Tang forces in these tribes and eliminate the pro-Tibetan forces among them?"

Li Heng said: "That's half right. The other half is to consume the manpower of Tubo and prevent it from invading the Tang Dynasty in a short period of time."

Gao Xianzhi said: "The Tibetans only have some strength left in the east. In the past two years, the Tibetans and Nanzhao have colluded with each other and have great intentions to invade Jiannan. Should we unite with Jiannan and send troops together?"

Li Heng shook his head and said, "Jiannan is under the jurisdiction of Prince Rong. If he wants to make achievements, he will petition the court to send troops. If he is afraid of trouble, I can't force him."

Gao Xianzhi said: "Then we can only rely on the soldiers in Hexi and Longyou."

Li Heng smiled slightly and said, "Since we are helping the tribes to restore their country, we naturally cannot take the lead."

Gao Xianzhi asked, "Your Highness wants the Pangcheng tribe to take the lead?"

Li Heng said: "Tibet has always done this."

Gao Xianzhi asked, "Are they willing?"

Li Heng said: "It's not up to them. Besides, this is to gain living space for them."

Gao Xianzhi asked, "What are your plans, Your Highness?"

Li Heng said: "The troops will be divided into three groups. One group will go from Dabolü to Yangtong, Qiang and Dangxiang. One group will go from Dafeichuan to Dangxiang and Qiang. The last group will go out of Jishishan to support Sun Boru Subi's surrender."

Gao Xianzhi said: "If the tribes turn against us at the last minute, we will most likely return empty-handed."

"But this risk is worth taking." Li Heng thought, "Besides, the internal political situation in Tubo is chaotic now, and there are many conflicts between the Zamp and the ministers. We just need to make good use of their conflicts, and it won't be that risky. What do you think?"

The generals looked at each other, none of them had any objections, and they said in unison: "Follow your highness' orders!"

"Okay." Li Heng nodded, "Then please discuss the specific tactics."

The generals took orders and offered suggestions.

……

In the autumn of 752, Li Heng sent troops in three directions.

Duan Xueshi was the commander of the western route, commanding 8,000 troops from Anxi Beiting, and 13,000 troops from the Western Regions, the Pangcheng tribe, Xiaobolü and Dabolü, totaling more than 20,000 troops, stationed in Dabolü. When the pro-Tang tribes such as Qiang and Dangxiang took the lead in launching an attack, Duan Xueshi led his troops into the country and cooperated with the pro-Tang tribes to eliminate the pro-Tubo tribes.

The commander of the central route was An Sishun, with Qibi Zhong, Guo Yingyi, the two sons of Lun, An Zhongzhang, An Baoyu and others as deputy generals. He led 30,000 Hexi troops and let Tuoba Shouji, a Dangxiang man who surrendered to the Tang, lead the Dangxiang people, with the slogan of restoring the country, and march straight to the east of the Dangxiang as the vanguard.

The Dangxiang had eight major tribes, namely Xifeng, Feiting, Wangli, Pochao, Yeci, Fangdang, Miqin and Tuoba.

Among them, the Tuoba clan that surrendered to the Tang was the most powerful. Therefore, with Tuoba Shouji as the vanguard, the four Dangxiang tribes surrendered upon hearing the news, leaving only three loyal Tubo tribes. They joined forces with the Tubo army and fought against the Tang army in the Dangxiang territory.

In the east, Li Heng was in charge of the central army, with Gao Xianzhi and Wang Zhongsi as the commanders of the left and right armies, Li Siye as the vanguard, Lai Zhen, Ma Lin, Ma Sui, Li Sheng, Li Chengguang, Bai Xiaode and others as minor generals. He led 30,000 troops in the right part of Long and stationed them at Jishi Mountain.

As for Feng Changqing, Li Heng gave him a secret order, asking him to train elite soldiers and wait for deployment.

Until September in autumn.

On that day, Prince Xinuluo of Subi led more than 20 people and rushed directly to Li Heng’s camp to ask for help.

Li Heng met with the Subi prince Xinolo.

Xi Nuoluo hurriedly reported back, saying, "Your Highness, Prince Shou, Subi and the Tibetan ministers Lang Nie Xi and Mo Dong Cha were planning to assassinate the Tibetan king Tride Zuzan as a gift to the Tang Dynasty. Unfortunately, the plan was exposed, Lang Nie Xi and Mo Dong Cha were killed, and the Tibetan king Tride Zuzan ordered Enlan Dazalugong to lead the army to Subi."

Li Heng frowned upon hearing this. In history, Tridezubtsen was killed by Langniexi and Modongcha, but because of his influence, Tridezubtsen survived.

It all started with Romania.

Historically, Trisong Detsen was killed mainly because of his promotion of Buddhism and his struggle for power with ministers. However, because his Buddhist subordinate Lumangkedun died in battle ahead of time, Trisong Detsen became more vigilant and began to plan to target key figures a few years earlier. He also had an epiphany in advance and figured out a way to integrate Buddhism and Bon.

Li Heng figured out the key points in an instant and stood up and said, "The Tang Dynasty will protect any of its friends. Since Tubo provoked us first, we cannot be blamed. Listen to my order, send troops to Suobei and help Suobei repel Tubo."

"Yes!" The generals took the order and left the tent together!
With Prince Subi leading the way, the Tang army easily advanced to Subi and confronted the Tubo army.

From early autumn to early winter, the Tang army won victory after victory. After mid-winter, the Tang army switched from offense to defense and held out until the spring of 753.

In early spring of 753, the Tang army continued its offensive and continued fighting until March. By then, the Tang army had basically wiped out all the anti-Tang forces in the Subi, Dangxiang, and Qiang tribes, dealt a heavy blow to Tubo, and supported pro-Tang forces in these areas.

At this point, Li Heng slowed down his offensive and entered the stage of consolidating the results of victory.

……

At the same time, in March 753, Li Longji summoned An Lushan to Beijing, but An Lushan claimed to be ill and did not come.

In April, Li Longji arranged a marriage for An Lushan's eldest son, An Qingzong, and ordered An Lushan to come to the ceremony, but An Lushan still declined on the grounds of illness.

In the same month, An Lushan summoned civil and military officials to discuss matters.

Yan Zhuang, an active rebel, was the first to speak up: "Marshal, now is the best opportunity. If we wait a few more months, Prince Shou will lead the Northwest Army to withdraw from Tubo, and our battle will become even more difficult."

An Lushan asked, "How is the health of the Prince Shou?"

Yan Zhuang took out a few prescriptions and said, "This is the medicine that Prince Shou has been taking recently. I'm afraid he won't have much time left."

An Lushan was still a little hesitant.

Gao Shang then said, "Even if Prince Shou is healthy, there is no need to be afraid. He is now attacking Tubo with all his strength. By the time he returns to help us, we will have taken over half of the Tang Dynasty. By then, we will have Hedong and Hebei. Even if Prince Shou is a military genius, he can only watch and sigh."

Yan Zhuang followed up with, "The nobles in Hebei have paid a lot of money to support the military commander over the years. If the commander does not make progress, I'm afraid it will chill their hearts."

"That's right!" Gao Shang echoed, "Jie Shuai is the God of Light, the Son of Heaven, you should obey the will of heaven."

An Lushan stood up, paced back and forth, thought for a long time, slammed the table, and said: "Heaven's will cannot be violated. If this is the case, let's do it!"

The civil and military officials were delighted when they heard this and said, "General Jie is wise!"

In May 753, An Lushan launched a rebellion.

An Lushan arranged Fanyang Jiedushi Deputy Envoy Jia Xun to guard Fanyang, Pinglu Jiedushi Deputy Envoy Lü Zhihai to guard Pinglu, and Gao Xiuyan to guard Datong Army in order to stabilize the rear.

Then, he sent generals He Qiannian and Gao Miao with 50 light cavalry, claiming that they were going to Chang'an to present a sharpshooter to Li Longji. When passing through Taiyuan, Yang Guozhong's confidant, Taiyuan Yin Yang Guanghui, came out of the city to greet them. He Qiannian and Gao Miao led the light cavalry to kidnap Yang Guanghui.

On May 753, , An Lushan led the main forces of the three towns, the soldiers of the Six Hu States, the Khitan, Xi, and Shiwei tribes, claiming to be an army of , and launched an attack in Fan Yang and marched south in the name of clearing the court and attacking Yang Guozhong.

An Lushan rode a tall horse, looking energetic. The rebel army was huge and powerful. Wherever they passed, flags covered the sky, dust flew, and the sound of war drums and horse hooves shook the earth.

The rebels set out from Fanyang, passed Shanggu and Dingzhou, and went to Boling.

When he arrived at Boling, An Lushan met Yang Guanghui who was being escorted there, and killed Yang Guanghui as a sacrifice.

(End of this chapter)