The Last Light of the Tianbao Era

Shen Yanzhi unexpectedly transmigrates as the son of a military clerk. When he first arrives in Chang’an, he senses the currents beneath the so-called golden age: border troops are being supplied with adulterated grain, officials are corrupt, and An Lushan, military governor of Fanyang, is growing increasingly ambitious. Starting from the bottom, Shen uses modern knowledge to help his father avoid disaster and make a living in a trading house. Along the way, he meets Du Fu and witnesses the court’s corruption: Yang Guozhong’s relatives monopolize power, while Li Linfu frames his political enemies. His investigations along the frontier confirm that An Lushan is secretly stockpiling weapons and plotting rebellion.

Shen tries to get word of the danger to farsighted men such as Pei Kuan and Guo Ziyi, but court factionalism and Xuanzong’s poor judgment repeatedly thwart him. As the fourteenth year of the Tianbao era approaches, signs grow ever clearer that An Lushan will raise an army under the pretext of “punishing Yang Guozhong.” Shen risks his life to deliver military intelligence, but it is still shelved. At last, drums at Yuyang shatter the song and dance, and the An Lushan Rebellion breaks out. He leads refugees through the encirclement and, in the early days of the war, helps Tang forces relay intelligence and rescue civilians. As the fading light of the High Tang gives way to collapse, he stands alongside Du Fu, Guo Ziyi, and others to preserve a glimmer of hope in the chaos.