vrcanaries Chapter 56 The Impact of the An Lushan Rebellion
Chapter 56 The Impact of the An Lushan Rebellion
Lin Ke let out a long sigh, then added, "The An Lushan Rebellion lasted an astonishingly long time, but its impact did not end with its conclusion."
"It even shook the very foundation of the Tang Dynasty's rule. It can be said that the Tang Dynasty never regained its former glory after that."
"The An Lushan Rebellion seemed to have set a precedent, leading to frequent wars in the Tang Dynasty and the fall of the capital Chang'an six times, with the emperor fleeing nine times."
According to Sima Guang's *Zizhi Tongjian* (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) from the Song Dynasty: "[Thus, calamities and rebellions arose one after another, wars were incessant, the people were plunged into misery, and had no one to turn to for help, for more than two hundred years.]"
"In other words, the An Lushan Rebellion caused social unrest, severely disrupting the peaceful lives of ordinary people, and even forcing them to become homeless, a situation that lasted for over 200 years."
"I'll use the population of the Tang Dynasty as an example to give everyone a more intuitive feel for the cruelty of the An Lushan Rebellion."
"In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty's population peaked at over 5280 million. However, by the time of Emperor Daizong, about a year after the An Lushan Rebellion was quelled, the Tang Dynasty's population had dwindled to only around 1600 million."
"The population has plummeted by more than 3600 million."
First Emperor, Ancestral Dragon: ...Seize the young!? You said seize the young!!
Big Han Liu Zhuzhu: Over thirty million!?
……
"However, this data is exaggerated and inaccurate. But, after all, we were rebuilding during a chaotic period, and the household registration system may not have been perfect. But it is undeniable that the An Lushan Rebellion caused a large number of deaths or displacements."
The *Old Book of Tang*, in the biography of Guo Ziyi, records: "The palaces were burned down, less than one-tenth remained... Human habitation ceased, leaving a desolate landscape for a thousand miles."
Du Fu also wrote: "After the Tianbao era, gardens and houses are overgrown with weeds. In my village of more than a hundred families, we are scattered in different directions due to the chaos of the world."
"This shows how brutal the war was; almost the entire middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River were desolate, and ordinary people were homeless."
"However, the sharp decline in population was only one part of the impact of the An Lushan Rebellion. Other problems included regional warlordism, increased exploitation, the southward shift of the center of gravity, and instability on the frontiers."
The sixth year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty
Upon hearing this, Li Longji broke out in a cold sweat and suddenly fell off the dragon throne.
He never imagined that his actions would lead to so many negative consequences.
He thought that he was just enjoying his old age for a few more years and that there would be absolutely no problems with the government!
Didn't he achieve this great prosperity before?
Even if it's bad, how much can it really lose?
But the plight of the people in Chang'an and Luoyang, and even the tragedy in Suiyang!
This should never have happened!
It was my fault! ...I was wrong!
Li Longji kept muttering to himself, his voice low and full of regret. Perhaps only at this moment did he realize just how wrong he had been.
Those decisions made under the guise of desire ultimately cost the lives of the people and officials, and nearly destroyed the Tang Dynasty.
……
During the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty
At this moment, in the Ganlu Hall, palace maids brought in bowls of medicine, and the ministers sitting on the ground all pounded their chests and drank the medicine without even looking at it.
Li Shimin sat above, looking sullen. The imperial physician beside him stared intently at the emperor, fearing that the emperor might get sick from anger. It was not worth it for such an unfilial descendant.
Imperial Physician: Stare~
Erfeng: ...I was either so angry I died or so scared this imperial physician died!
……
The people of the Tang Dynasty were filled with fear and unease, especially during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, when they were terrified.
What are they doing wrong?
After finally enjoying a few good days, you're telling me war is about to break out??
At that time, their lives will definitely be the least valuable!
Why are their lives so miserable?!