CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Guo Ziyi郭子仪

TangHistory × Fiction

A famous general of the Tang Dynasty, who was once convicted for a fire and saved by Li Bai. He served as Deputy Marshal of the Armed Forces, repeatedly defeated rebel troops, recovered the two capitals, and was enfeoffed as a prince.

DIRECT FIGURES
46
RELATION RECORDS
78
SOURCE WORKS
3

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Guo Ziyi, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
MENTORSHIP

Mentorship

Teachers, disciples and transmission

1 figure · 1 record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

12 figures · 21 records
8 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

9 figures · 14 records
5 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

3 figures · 4 records

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Old Book of Tang

A famous general of the Tang Dynasty, who fought alongside Pugu Huai'en many times and was generous and tolerant. Also, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty, military governor of Shuofang, who suppressed many rebellions. Also, a Tang general who achieved many military exploits and recovered the capital.

In fiction · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang

A famous general of the Tang Dynasty, who was convicted for a fire and saved by Li Bai. Also, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty, recommended as military governor of Shuofang, later joined forces with Li Guangbi. Also, a Tang general who won victories in every battle.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    64 profile notes
    29 relations44 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TangappointGuo Ziyi
    • Guo Ziyiruler-subjectEmperor Xuanzong of Tang
    • Emperor Dezong of Tangconfer titleGuo Ziyi
    • Guo Ziyiruler-subjectEmperor Dezong of Tang
    Verified original text · 44
    1. 以郭子仪为灵武太守、朔方节度使

      appoint · Old Book of Tang, 玄宗本纪下

    2. 玄宗幸蜀

      ruler-subject · Old Book of Tang, 郭子仪传

    42 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

    Open work page

  2. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    9 profile notes
    3 relations2 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TangappointGuo Ziyi
    • Guo ZiyibattleShi Siming
    • Guo ZiyidefeatAn Qingxu
    Verified original text · 2
    1. 遂降旨即升郭子仪为朔方节度使

      appoint · Romance of Sui and Tang, 090

    2. 子仪用计,思明露髻跣足,持折枪步行,私自逃去

      defeat · Romance of Sui and Tang, 090

    Open work page

  3. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    60 profile notes
    28 relations43 verified quotations
    • Emperor Dezong of Tangconfer titleGuo Ziyi
    • Guo Ziyiruler-subjectEmperor Dezong of Tang
    • Guo Ziyiruler-subjectEmperor Suzong of Tang
    • Guo ZiyiattackAn Lushan
    Verified original text · 43
    1. 郭子仪为尚父,兼太尉、中书令。

      confer title · New Book of Tang, 德宗顺宗宪宗本纪

    2. 与功臣郭子仪、李光弼等皆赐铁券

      confer title · New Book of Tang, 德宗顺宗宪宗本纪

    41 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

    Open work page

History vs. fiction

In official histories, Guo Ziyi was ennobled and became a prime minister due to his military achievements, while the novel fabricates a plot where Li Bai saves him from punishment for a fire.

  • In official histories such as the Old Book of Tang, Annals of Emperor Daizong, it is recorded that Guo Ziyi pacified the An Lushan Rebellion and resisted the Tibetans through military exploits, with the statement: 'Guo Ziyi reported breaking 100,000 Tibetans, and all officials congratulated.' He successively held the posts of Deputy Marshal of the Imperial Forces and Grand Commandant. However, in the Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Chapter 083, it adopts folk legends, writing: 'Guo Ziyi, grateful for Li Bai's life-saving grace, vowed to repay it like the bird that repaid a kindness.' It claims that Li Bai strongly protected and saved him when he was convicted for a fire, but this is not found in official histories.

Relationship network

36 figures · 297 links
Guo ZiyiGuo ZiyiEmperor Xuanzong of TangEmperor Xuanzong of TangEmperor Dezong of TangEmperor Dezong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangAn LushanAn LushanTuboTuboEmperor DaizongEmperor DaizongYuan ZaiYuan ZaiLi GuangbiLi GuangbiShi SimingShi SimingLi HuaiguangLi HuaiguangPugu Huai'enHun JianLu QiGeshu HanLi MiLi FuguoTian ChengsiShi ChaoyiYu Chao'enFang GuanAn QingxuLi BaozhenDu HongjianLi ZhongchenDu HuangchangChang GunLai TianUyghur KhaganateWang SiliZhang YiLi BaiDiwu QiXue SongPei MianChen Xilie
historyliteraturedual
Open full atlas →

To keep this page fast, the 40 most important records are shown here.View all 78 relationships in the atlas →

Sources: New Book of Tang, 三王鲁辛冯三李曲二卢传; Old Book of Tang, 仆固怀恩梁崇义李怀光传; Romance of Sui and Tang, 083; New Book of Tang, 三郑高权崔传; Old Book of Tang, 代宗本纪; Romance of Sui and Tang, 090; New Book of Tang, 二高伊朱二刘范二王孟赵李任张传; Old Book of Tang, 冯盎阿史那社尔契苾何力黑齿常之李多祚李嗣业白孝德传

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.