Volume 30

Page 11

However, as Guangbi again ordered his head to be taken, [Pugu] Huai’en Pugu Huai’en was a prominent Tang general of Tiele descent who fought alongside Li Guangbi stepped forward to engage in a final, decisive battle. Guangbi repeatedly waved his command flag, and all the generals advanced together, prepared to die for the cause. Their battle cries shook the heavens and the earth. The rebel masses suffered a total collapse, and [Shi] Siming and [his son Shi Chao]zhi fled into the distance.

It was said by some that the officers and soldiers within Luoyang were all men of Yan original: "燕人" (Yannian); referring to the northeastern frontier rebels from the region of modern-day Beijing who had been on campaign for a long time and were longing for their homes. They claimed that the morale of the rebels was fracturing from the top down, and that a swift attack would surely break them.

The eunuch Yu Chao’en believed this to be true and repeatedly urged the matter to the throne. Consequently, the Emperor issued an imperial decree commanding Li Guangbi to advance and retake the Eastern Capital Tokyo; the secondary capital city of Luoyang.

Guangbi submitted a memorial arguing that the rebels' momentum was still sharp and that it was not yet time for a reckless advance. However, imperial messengers Zhongshi; eunuch officials serving as liaisons between the Emperor and the military arrived one after another to supervise Guangbi’s departure. Guangbi had no choice but to lead his troops to join Yu Chao’en and the others in the assault on Luoyang.

The forces were arrayed at Mount Mang Mangshan; a strategic range of hills north of Luoyang, famous as a burial ground for royalty and a vital military position. Guangbi positioned his troops according to the rugged terrain, while Huai’en arrayed his forces on the open plain. Guangbi remarked:

“By relying on the rugged terrain, we have the advantage of being able to either advance or retreat. If one is arrayed on the open plain, should the battle turn unfavorable, all will be lost.”

Shi Si...