Li Guangyan, Tang Dynasty General

Two stone tomb markers stand in the northwest corner of Shizhao Village in Yuci. Buried here are Li Guangyan, a Tang dynasty general, along with his elder brother and father. This novel is based on his life.

Born into a military family, Li Guangyan was brave, strong, and skilled with a bow, and became a famous general in the mid-Tang period. He served alongside his brother in the Hedong Army and took part in campaigns against Li Huaiguang, Liu Pi, Yang Huilin, and Wang Chengzong. He was successively appointed governor of Dai and Ming Prefectures. In 814, the ninth year of the Yuanhe era, he was promoted to military governor of Zhongwu. The following year, he joined the campaign against Wu Yuanji, the rebel military governor of Huai Xi. He fought the Huai Xi army many times, tying down its main forces and creating the conditions for Li Su's night raid on Cai Prefecture. After the Huai Xi rebellion was put down, he was made Duke of Wuwei Commandery. In 818, the thirteenth year of the Yuanhe era, he became military governor of Yicheng. Along with Tian Hongzheng and others, he was ordered to campaign against Li Shidao, military governor of Pinglu, and repeatedly defeated Pinglu's forces. The following year, he was transferred to the post of military governor of Binning. After Emperor Muzong of Tang ascended the throne, he was granted the title of Shixiang and served as military governor of several circuits, including Fengxiang and Zhongwu. In 822, the second year of the Changqing era, he was ordered to campaign against Wang Tingcou, the rebel warlord of Chengde. With the situation in chaos and success seeming impossible, he declined and returned to his post. After Emperor Jingzong of Tang ascended the throne, he was formally appointed Situ and Shizhong.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.