An Lushan, a Hu man of mixed ancestry from Yingzhou, began his career as a broker at a frontier market. With his ferocity and cunning, he joined the army and became the sworn son of Zhang Shougui. He won favor with Hu dances and courted the powerful with lavish bribes, steadily climbing the ranks amid political infighting and bloody power struggles. In time, he took control as military governor of Fanyang, Pinglu, and Hedong, becoming the most powerful frontier commander in the Tang empire. In Hebei, he won the people’s hearts by reducing corvee labor and taxes while secretly building up his strength. His ambition grew ever hotter, and a cataclysm destined to shatter the golden age was already quietly taking shape in his heart...
