Betrayal: The Fall of the Tang Dynasty

A fake adoption sparked a civil war that killed thirty-six million people.

In 755, the Tang Dynasty was the peak of civilization. The Emperor and

his consort, Yang Guifei, ceremonially adopted a general named An Lushan as their

son. Huge mistake. On December 16, An Lushan betrayed his new parents

and launched a rebellion that tore China apart. The death toll rivaled World War II,

leading to brutal sieges where defenders resorted to cannibalism just to survive. An Lushan was eventually

assassinated by his own biological son, but the damage was done.

The Golden Age collapsed, proving the biggest threat to an empire isn't always an army at the gates,