Li Guangbi - After Anshi Rebellion

After Anshi Rebellion

Meanwhile, though, because Li Guangbi feared false accusations from Yu Chao'en and another eunuch, Cheng Yuanzhen, he was refusing to visit Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Daizong. His fears grew after another general, Lai Tian (來瑱), was ordered to commit suicide due to Cheng's accusations. Even when Tufan forces attacked Chang'an in fall 763, causing Emperor Daizong to briefly abandon Chang'an, Li Guangbi refused to come to the aid of the emperor. In order to try to please Li Guangbi, Emperor Daizong had Li Guangbi's stepmother, to whom he was very devoted, brought to Chang'an and treated with great respect, while giving Li Guangbi's brother Li Guangjin (李光進) partial command of the imperial guards and creating Li Guangjin the Duke of Liang, but these actions did not affect Li Guangbi. When Emperor Daizong put him in charge of Luoyang in summer 764, he declined to go to Luoyang, but continued to stay in Xu Prefecture.

Li Guangbi had been well known for his military discipline, but after he repeatedly declined to follow imperial directives, his reputation fell, and many subordinate generals in the region began to disobey Li Guangbi as well, causing him to be embarrassed. He grew ill and died in fall 764. His casket was returned to Chang'an and buried with great honors.

The Song Dynasty historian Ouyang Xiu, in his New Book of Tang, commented about Li Guangbi:

Li Guangbi was of barbarian ancestry, but was calm and capable in defense. When An Lushan rebelled, he took military command, and his strategies could not be rivaled. His rewards and punishments were fair and quick, and his soldiers fought hard under him. This are the characters like the great generals of ancient days. He did not visit his wife's bedchambers during mourning period for his father, and even when he became duke and prince he served his stepmother with great piety. He was also well-versed in Ban Gu's Book of Han. He was no ordinary military man. Yet, fearing accusations, he could not stay faithful, and because of this fear became subject to great suspicions. He sought to be secure, yet put himself in danger. This is like the saying, "One knows how to make strategies for others but not for himself." When he fought earnestly for the empire, the entire realm was impressed with him. When he began to disobey orders, those like Tian Shengong disobeyed him as well, causing him to die in embarrassment. How can this not be a negative example for those with accomplishments? Alas, while LI Guangbi died in humiliation due to his failure to give up authority, but it was true that false accusations lead to great apprehension. It was an unfortunate time.