The Treason of Anshi

During Xuanzong's later years, the government started to corrupt and the famous "The Treason of Anshi" occured. 755, An Lushan, taking advantage of Tang's corruption, rose against the government, in an attempt to take it down. The treacherous army soon sacked big cities Luo Yang and Chang'an. Tang Xuanzong escaped to Chengdu. But the army wouldn't advance in the middle because Yang Guifei's brother had connections with the traitors. Because of the hatred the soldiers had towards Yang Guifei, even after the death of her brother, they still wouldn't advance. Xuanzong had no choice but to watch his favourite woman kill herself at the slopes of Mawei village. Yang Guifei thus became the scapegoat of Xuangzong's crimes.

Legend

• RED + Star == The Traitors Route to Chang'an
• Yellow + Snowflake = The government's counter-attack route
• Green+Bird = Xuanzong's escape route to Chengdu

After escaping to Chengdu, the crown prince succeeded the throne at Lin Wu and became Tang Suzong. Suzong ordered generals Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi to counterattack the treacherous army. They successfully retrieved Chang'an and Luo Yang. During the battle, the treacherous army within was in a huge political mess. The head of the army, An Lushan was killed by his son, then his son was killed by general Shi Siming. Shi Siming called himself emperor, then he was also killed by his son. These political turbulences weakened the power of the army. Slowly, the government turned a losing battle into a winning one. AD 763, the treacherous army was defeated for good. This war lasted for 8 years and severely weakened the power of the government. Tang thus walked on a path of destruction.