The rise and fall of historical dynasties, as well as the succession of vivid historical figures, have left deep imprints in the long river of history. Next, the History Encyclopedia editor will take you into the story of Gao Lishi.
In the late years of the Tianbao era, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, he was tired of politics, favored beautiful women, enjoyed listening to sweet words, and was surrounded by a group of petty people like Yang Guozhong. However, Emperor Xuanzong himself fell into a blind confidence and had lost the most basic judgment of the political situation. Once, during a conversation with his closest eunuch Gao Lishi, he said, “I am old now, and all the important and trivial matters in the court are entrusted to the prime ministers. The defense of the border is entrusted to the military generals. What else do I have to worry about now?”
According to the usual thinking, Gao Lishi should follow Xuanzong’s words and praise Xuanzong’s “wise and martial arts” fiercely in order to win Xuanzong’s favor. However, this time, Gao Lishi did not follow Xuanzong’s words. He said, “I heard that the large army that went to suppress the rebellion in Yunnan has failed many times, and the border generals have supported their troops and respected themselves. Your Majesty, how can you control these military governors who hold heavy troops? Your subordinates are worried that once a disaster occurs, it cannot be saved. How can we say that there is no worry?” (“I asked Yunnan how many troops have been lost, and the border generals have been too strong in supporting their troops. Your Majesty, how can you control it? I am afraid that once a disaster occurs, it cannot be saved again. How can we say there is no worry!”)
At this moment, Gao Lishi is also a wise person, able to speak such a truth with full confidence from Xuanzong. Gao Lishi’s so-called “Yunnan Mourning Army” refers to the Jiannan Jiedushi Xianyu Zhongtong, supported by Yang Guozhong, who sent troops to attack the Nanzhao Kingdom in Yunnan in the tenth year of Tianbao, but unexpectedly suffered a great defeat and returned. In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao reign, Li Mi, the Marquis of Jiannan, once again led a large army to attack Nanzhao Kingdom, but unexpectedly the entire army was destroyed. However, in both of these military campaigns, Yang Guozhong reported good news to Emperor Xuanzong, stating that despite the repeated victories of the army, the Manchu civil and military forces dared not reveal the truth.
The so-called ‘excessive support of border generals’ certainly refers to An Lushan. At that time, the country was divided into nine border towns and nine military governors were appointed. And An Lushan alone was in charge of the military governors of three towns. Not only that, but his foster father’s son An Sishun was also in charge of the military governors of one town. Their family accounted for three-quarters of the military governors of the Tang Dynasty. These people held heavy troops, fought fiercely, and had the possibility of rebelling against the court at any time.
Tang Xuanzong sighed deeply upon hearing Gao Lishi’s words. He is already old, his ambition has declined, and he no longer wants to consider such complicated issues. He prefers to live in his own confidence.
Unfortunately, Tang Xuanzong may have lived too long. If he had passed away before the outbreak of the An Lushan Rebellion, he wouldn’t have had to watch the prosperous era of Kaiyuan he had created destroyed, kill his beloved concubine, or watch the people he once trusted rebel against him.
However, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was long-lived.
Soon after, Gao Lishi’s words came true. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang woke up from his dream and bid farewell to the palace with tears.
After the outbreak of the An Lushan Rebellion, what was the fate of Gao Lishi, who dared to speak the truth?
Generally speaking, eunuchs do not have any good products. Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, there have been no powerful eunuchs during the reigns of Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozong, and Empress Wu Zetian. In the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, Gao Lishi was favored by Emperor Xuanzong and gradually developed into a powerful eunuch who dominated the court and the public. In the later years of Emperor Xuanzong’s reign, every submitted memorial from all directions would first be presented to Gao Lishi, and then to the imperial court. He would make his own decisions on minor matters. He was conferred the title of Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Duke of Qi by Emperor Xuanzong. Such grace is rare among eunuchs. But Gao Lishi is not bad. He is different from the arrogant and tyrannical eunuchs of the later Tang Dynasty who specialized in doing bad things.
Gao Lishi’s original surname is Feng, and he came from a poor family. In a rebellion case, he was castrated at a young age and became a eunuch from then on. Li Qianli, the envoy of Lingnan Expedition, saw his intelligence and brought him into the palace. At that time, Wu Zetian was still in power. Wu Zetian saw that he was intelligent, quick witted, and handsome (young and beautiful), and was a fresh meat, so she let him be worshipped by her side. But Wu Zetian didn’t care about him. Once, he made a small mistake and was whipped and kicked out of the palace. Eunuch Gao Yanfu saw that he was pitiful, so he adopted him as his son. So the name Gao Lishi came into being. Gao Yanfu had close ties with Wu Sansi, so Gao Lishi also frequently visited Wu Sansi’s mansion with his adoptive father. After Wu Sansi helped to speak well, Wu Zetian summoned him back to the palace. Due to his cautious and meticulous nature, as well as his ability to understand the emperor’s thoughts, Wu Zetian appointed him as the Palace Attendant, specifically responsible for transmitting imperial edicts.
During the reign of Jinglong, Gao Lishi met Li Longji, the vassal king. It was not clear whether it was Gao Lishi’s insight or chance. After meeting him, Gao Lishi made great efforts to marry Li Longji and serve him wholeheartedly. Quickly gained the trust of Li Longji. After Li Longji launched a coup, Gao Lishi also gained favor and rose to fame from then on.
Gao Lishi was loyal to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, quick witted and cautious, and did not manipulate or interfere too much in court affairs, thus earning the title of “the first virtuous official of all time”. Historians in later generations have mostly given him positive evaluations. The famous historian Li Zhi of the Ming Dynasty once said, “Gao Lishi is truly a loyal minister. Who says there are no eunuchs
In August 760, Gao Lishi was exiled to Qianzhongdao. In 762, he was granted a general amnesty by the imperial court. When he returned to Langzhou, he heard people talking about the news of the capital and learned that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had already passed away. Upon hearing the news, Gao Lishi burst into tears and vomited blood before dying.
