The Shatuo Restoration of the Tang Dynasty

The Shatuo were originally a nomadic tribe beyond the northern frontier, once affiliated with the Tubo. Brave and skilled in battle, they always led the charge and never lost. But as time passed, the Tubo grew wary of them and sought to destroy them. The Shatuo fought desperately to break through the Tubo pursuers and sought refuge with the Tang Dynasty.

After submitting to the Tang, they were often sent to the front lines in its campaigns, where they proved invincible. For generations, the Shatuo served the Tang with unwavering loyalty, risking their lives and earning countless military honors. The Shatuo chieftain Li Guochang was appointed a Tang military governor for his service. When Huang Chao's peasant uprising swept through the late Tang, Li Guochang's son Li Keyong led his troops to crush the rebellion and was ennobled as Prince of Jin for his achievements.

Later, Zhu Wen usurped the Tang and founded the Liang. Father and son Li Keyong and Li Cunxu were filled with grief and indignation, vowing to uphold loyalty and righteousness. With their heroic bearing and exceptional strategic acumen, they fought countless battles, ultimately destroying the Liang and restoring the Tang dynasty.

This book begins with the unruly military governors of the late Tang, and follows the Pang Xun mutiny, Huang Chao's uprising, Zhu Wen's usurpation of the Tang, and finally Li Cunxu's destruction of the Liang. The narrative respects history, drawing mainly on historical records from the Old and New History of the Five Dynasties, the Old and New Books of Tang, and the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance. While preserving the essential facts, it adds a touch of artistic invention to bring the characters to life and make the story more vivid. The war scenes in particular are enriched with many details. The story places special emphasis on heroism and patriotism.