"... After Li Linfu's death, rivalry developed between An Lushan and Yang Guozhong. ... he tried to drive a wedge between the emperor and An Lushan. Realizing that he was in danger, in late 755 An Lushan marched south, seized Luoyang and declared the establishment of a new dynasty. For the next 8 years, the country was plunged into civil war. ..."[2] This was abeenchum's "riches nation in the world", intrigues, murders, conspiracies, and war. I asked abeenchum "How did Yang QuiFei die?" He response was "The empire was on the decline". And this was the decline of the Tang Dynasty.

"The Tang period is often referred to as a golden age in Chinese
culture, and the reign of Xuanzong is accounted its high point. The
poetry written during that reign was later regarded as a model which
all Chinese poets might try to emulate. But could never hope to
surpass. (followed by several pages of writers names and their
poetries. Then followed by several pages of China's relationship
with its neighbors.)..."[1]

Poetry in China made China "riches nation in the world"? That is news
to me.

"...from the 740s Xuanzong had increasingly left the conduct of the
government to Li Linfu, while he first immersed himself in a search
for personal enlightenment and then became infatuated with Yang
GuiFei. ...After gaining the emperor's favor, Yang QuiFei obtained
various court posts for her relatives, including her cousin Yang
Guozhong who became a law officer working for Li Linfu. In 746, Li
Linfu began a series of bloody purges directed against his critics and
Yang Quozhong used the opportunity to advance the interests of the
Yang family. From 749 Yang Guozhong began to intrigue against Li
Linfu himself. When the latter died in 752, Yang Guozhong took his
place as the most powerful figure at court.

.... After Li Linfu's death, rivalry developed between An Lushan and Yang
Guozhong. ... he tried to drive a wedge between the emperor and An
Lushan.

Realizing that he was in danger, in late 755 An Lushan marched south,
seized Luoyang and declared the establishment of a new dynasty. For
the next 8 years, the country was plunged into civil war. ..."[2]

[1]"A Concise History of China", by J.A.G. Roberts, p 63 - .

[2]"A Concise History of China", by J.A.G. Roberts, p 69 - 70

J.A.G. Roberts specializes in the history of China and Japan and is
Principal lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, England..

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