Chapter 50: The War Drums of Yuyang Resounded Across the Land

　　Upon hearing An Lushan’s proposal, Liu Chengyuan bowed respectfully and replied at once: “I am most grateful for your Lordship’s generous offer. But I must beg your pardon and decline. For one, I still have certain trifles to attend to in the world beyond these walls. And moreover, I’ve grown rather too fond of my rambling, untroubled ways — more at home than with the rigours of military life. I trust your Lordship will forgive my refusal.”　　An Lushan gave a slow, regretful nod, his gaze tinged with disappointment. “If that is your decision, then I shan’t press the matter”, he said. “But should you ever change your mind, know that you’ll be welcomed with open arms. A man of your talents — both in word and deed — would be a rare asset to my ranks in Fanyang.”　　It so happened that the Court had dispatched an emissary, Master Pei Shiyan, a gentleman of the Censorate, to the northern provinces, bearing the Emperor’s seal and charge to observe the conduct of regional governors. Upon his arrival in Fanyang, he sought an audience with An Lushan. An Lushan, however, received the envoy with questionable decorum. Rather than attending to him directly, he had Master Pei shown to a side chamber and bade him wait, while he continued his private conversation with Liu Chengyuan — a man of humble station and no official rank.　　Pei Shiyan, understandably piqued by this breach of protocol, returned to Chang’an in some indignation. There, before His Majesty the Emperor and Chancellor Yang Guozhong, he voiced his complaint: “An Lushan is swollen with pride and presumes far beyond his station. He receives commoners before imperial envoys — a gross affront to the rites owed to the Court.”　　Yang Guozhong, seizing the moment, turned to the Emperor and said,　　”Your Majesty, the Prince of Dongping has grown insolent and defiant. He flouts the dignity of his office and holds the Court in contempt. I beg that a full inquiry be launched into his conduct.” The Emperor, after a pause, gave a silent nod. His consent was granted.　　From that day forward, Chancellor Yang Guozhong grew ever more determined to uncover evidence of An Lushan’s treason. By day and by night, he pressed for a confession, eager to bring the matter before the Emperor. He dispatched the Prefect of Jingzhao to An Lushan’s residence in the capital, where several of his retainers — among them a man named Li Chao — were seized without warning. They were dragged before the Tribunal of the Censorate and cast into the imperial prison, where they were subjected to cruel and relentless interrogations. The aim was not justice, but a confession — one extracted by force and pain, as was all too common in the darker corridors of the law. Yet Li Chao and his companions, though beaten and bloodied, refused to utter a false word against their master. They would not, eve