The Fall of a Reformer and the Spark of Rebellion
Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Dezong of Tang initially displayed great vigor but lacked political acumen, often relying on biased advice. He appointed Yang Yan as Prime Minister, who harbored a deep grudge against the capable financial reformer Liu Yan for past disciplinary actions. Yang Yan systematically slandered Liu Yan to the Emperor, leading to Liu’s demotion to Zhongzhou and eventual execution on false charges of treason, marking the tragic end of a loyal servant.
Dezong attempted to win public favor by abolishing regional tributes, refusing birthday gifts, and strictly enforcing sumptuary laws on officials’ properties and attire. He even revived the grand court assembly, dormant since the An-Shi Rebellion, to discuss state affairs. However, his most ambitious and disastrous goal was to dismantle the power of the regional military governors (Jiedushi), who had become hereditary warlords. In 781 AD, when Li Weiyue sought to inherit the Chengde governorship from his father, Dezong refused, insisting on central appointment. This triggered a coalition of rebellious governors: Li Zhengji (Ziqing), Tian Yue (Weibo), Liang Chongyi (Shannan East), and later Li Na. Despite initial military successes where rebel leaders like Li Weiyue were killed by their own subordinates, Dezong’s stinginess with rewards and land grants alienated key generals like Zhu Tao and Wang Wujun. Feeling betrayed, these commanders joined forces with Tian Yue and Li Na, proclaiming themselves kings. The powerful general Li Xilie also declared himself King of Jianxing and urged the others to make him emperor, launching an assault on the capital.
The Jingyuan Mutiny and the Flight to Fengtian
The crisis deepened when Dezong ordered the Jingyuan Jiedushi Yao Lingyan to lead 5,000 troops to relieve the besieged General Geshu Yao in Xiangyang. As the soldiers marched through Chang’an in cold rain, hungry and exhausted, they expected generous rewards. Instead, they were offered only coarse rice and vegetables. Enraged by the perceived insult, the troops mutinied, crying, “We risk our lives for him, yet we cannot even eat meat!” Ignoring Yao Lingyan’s pleas, they stormed into Chang’an, looting the imperial treasury.
Panic struck the palace. With the imperial guard vanished, Emperor Dezong fled north to Fengtian (modern Qianxian) with his family and a few loyalists. The mutineers, now joined by common thieves, plundered the capital. Yao Lingyan, seeing the chaos, proposed installing Zhu Ci, the older brother of the rebel king Zhu Tao, as the new ruler. Zhu Ci, who had been living under house arrest in Chang’an, eagerly accepted, proclaiming himself Emperor of the short-lived Qin dynasty and marching on Fengtian to eliminate Dezong.
The Rescue and the Fracture of Loyalty
Just as Zhu Ci’s forces approached Fengtian, they were intercepted by Li Huaiguang, a general of Mohe descent who had rushed to protect the Emperor. Li Huaiguang’s arrival forced Zhu Ci to retreat to Chang’an. However, Li Huaiguang, proud of his salvation of the throne, demanded an immediate audience with Dezong to denounce the corrupt ministers Lu Qi and Zhao Zan. Advised by Lu Qi to delay the meeting until Chang’an was retaken, Dezong refused to see Li Huaiguang, offering only the dismissal of the hated ministers. This slight deeply offended Li Huaiguang, sowing the seeds of future betrayal.
Meanwhile, the situation in the east remained dire, with multiple rebel kings threatening the empire. Scholar Lu Zhi boldly advised Dezong that the widespread rebellion stemmed from the Emperor’s own mishandling of affairs and lack of generosity. He suggested issuing an “Edict of Self-Reflection” (Zuiji Zhao) to accept responsibility and pacify the rebels.
The Edict of Self-Reflection
Taking Lu Zhi’s advice, Dezong issued a remarkable edict humbling himself before the nation. He confessed his ignorance of farming hardships and military sufferings, acknowledging that the devastation of the land and the flight of the people were his sole fault. He renounced his grandiose titles and declared that the rebellions of Li Xilie, Tian Yue, Li Na, and Wang Wujun were caused by his errors, thereby absolving them of guilt and offering a full pardon.
The edict worked miraculously in the east. Tian Yue, Li Na, and Wang Wujun renounced their royal titles and submitted to the throne. Zhu Tao also eventually surrendered. However, Li Xilie refused to yield, proclaiming himself emperor and continuing the fight.
Betrayal, Recovery, and a Sorrowful Return
In the west, the resentful Li Huaiguang, feeling mistrusted by the appointment of General Li Sheng as supreme commander, defected and allied with Zhu Ci. He attacked Tang forces and threatened Fengtian, forcing Dezong to flee further to Liangzhou (modern Hanzhong). General Li Sheng, however, held the line, defending against Li Huaiguang while meticulously preparing to retake Chang’an.
Zhu Ci’s regime quickly crumbled due to internal disunity. Li Sheng launched a decisive attack, recapturing Chang’an. Zhu Ci fled but was killed by his own subordinates. After nine months of exile, Dezong returned to a ruined capital, weeping at the destruction and the loss of many imperial clan members. Li Huaiguang, regretting his rebellion, attempted to submit, but his troops killed the imperial envoy sent to negotiate. Besieged and hopeless, Li Huaiguang committed suicide. Dezong, showing clemency, blamed only the leader and spared the Shuofang army. Shortly after, Li Xilie was defeated and poisoned by his own men, finally bringing an end to the tumultuous crisis.
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