Guo Ziyi

Lore & Background

Guo Ziyi was born into a middle-class civil servant family in Hua Prefecture (present-day Hua County, Shaanxi). Described as handsome and over 1.9 meters tall, he entered political life through military examinations, passing in 749. Around 735, he was saved from court martial by the poet Li Bai. He quickly rose to become a jiedushi (regional military governor). During the An Lushan rebellion, he won his first victory at the Battle of Qingbi by luring rebels onto plains before Tong Pass. In 756, he delayed a force of 100,000 rebels under Shi Siming with only 10,000 men until reinforcements arrived, inflicting 10,000 casualties.

Reader's Guide

Guo Ziyi's significance lies in his decisive role in suppressing the An Lushan rebellion, which had destabilized the Tang dynasty. After the capital Chang'an fell in 756, he retook it with 15,000 men against 10,000 rebels, leading Emperor Suzong to declare, 'This may be my country, but it is recreated by your hand.' His victories contributed to infighting among rebels, including the killing of An Lushan by his son. Despite later demotion due to imperial concern over his popularity, he was reinstated when troops demanded him. After the rebellion, he faced the Tibetan Empire, which had betrayed peace treaties. His legacy includes being depicted in the Wu Shuang Pu and deified as the God of Wealth and Happiness. Church of the East Christians, such as the Bactrian Priest Yisi, assisted him militarily during the rebellion.

Did You Know?

• Guo Ziyi was saved from court martial around 735 by the poet Li Bai.
• He passed the military examinations in 749, unlike other family members who took literary exams.
• Emperor Suzong said to him, 'This may be my country, but it is recreated by your hand.'
• Church of the East Christians, including Bactrian Priest Yisi, helped him crush the An Lushan rebellion.