Is “Wang Sili secretly advised Geshu Han to seize and kill Yang Guozhong” true?
The Old Book of Tang, Biography of Wang Sili, records that during the An Lushan Rebellion, Sili advised Geshu Han at Tong Pass to execute Yang Guozhong, 'and further requested to seize him with thirty cavalrymen, carrying him horizontally to Tong Pass to kill him. Han said, "This would be my rebellion, not related to Lushan's affair."' Chapter 90 of Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties basically follows the historical record, writing that Wang Sili suggested beheading Yang Guozhong, saying, 'I am willing to use thirty cavalrymen to seize Yang Guozhong and bring him to Tong Pass to behead him.' Geshu Han refused for fear of causing a rebellion, which is indeed historical fact.
In the official history, Wang Sili advised Geshu Han at Tong Pass to submit a memorial to the emperor to execute Yang Guozhong and offered to seize him with thirty cavalrymen; the novel faithfully dramatizes this.
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