China: An Lushan (c.703-757), Tang General of Sogdian origin, rebel leader and self-styled Emperor of...

An Lushan (ca. 703-29 January 757), born Aluoshan or Galuoshan, posthumously named Prince La of Yan, was a military leader of Sogdian and Tujue origin during the Tang Dynasty in China. He rose to prominence by defending the northeastern border from the Khitan and other northern threats, while systematically bribing Imperial messengers and envoys to depict him in good terms in their reports. He was summoned to Chang'an, the Tang Dynasty's capital, several times and managed to get the favor of Chancellor Li Linfu and Emperor Xuanzong, who took An Lushan as his son. This allowed An Lushan to get astonishing military power in northeast China. After the death of Li Linfu, his opposition to Yang Guozhong created military tension within the Empire. The promotion of Yang Guozhong to Chancellor precipitated the catastrophic An Shi Rebellion, which lasted from 755 to 763. Viewed as paranoid and dangerous, An Lushan was assassinated by his own son, An Qingxu, in 757, starting political turmoil for the Yan Kingdom which eventually led to its final collapse in 763.