In the early period of Tang Dynasty rule, the national strength was strong, and many surrounding regimes and tribes submitted to the Tang Dynasty. However, many vassal states were annexed because of the strength of the Tang Dynasty, and when there was a problem with the Tang Dynasty's rule, some regimes turned their backs on the Tang Dynasty, which is the so-called "strong is dependent, weak is rebellious.". However, among the many vassals of the Tang Dynasty, there was one regime that was the most loyal, and their king led an army to help the Tang Dynasty put down the rebellion, and even gave up the throne to serve the Tang Dynasty.
It is said that in 755, An Lushan raised an army to rebel, and in a very short time occupied Luoyang and Chang'an, Tang Xuanzong Li Longji fled to Shudi, and the crown prince Li Heng came to Lingwu, and the entire Tang Dynasty fell to the brink of extinction. When the news reached the western region, The king of Khotan, Wei Chisheng, could not sit still, and he gathered an army of 5,000 people in the country, intending to personally lead this army to the Central Plains to help the Tang Dynasty quell the rebellion.
Because Of Wei Chisheng's political achievements during his reign, the people in the country did not want him to leave, and "the people of the country will remain victorious." To this end, Wei Chisheng left his young daughter in the country and then rushed to the front. At the same time, Wei Chisheng also asked his younger brother Wei Chiyao to take charge of state affairs. Tang Suzong was very happy to see Wei Chisheng, and immediately ordered Wei Chisheng to be made a special jin and a prison in the palace. During the Tang Dynasty, Wei Chisheng was again made a great general of the Hussars.
So why was Wei Chisheng so loyal to the Tang Dynasty? It turned out that Wei Chisheng's relationship with the Tang Dynasty was very special! As early as the time of Emperor Taizong of Tang, the state of Khotan was annexed to the Tang Dynasty and assisted the Tang Dynasty in its fight against Tubo. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, the Khotanese lieutenant ChiFu Yuxiong defeated the Tubo army and personally entered the dynasty, and was made the governor of the Visha Governorate. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Wei Chisheng, who was then the king of Khotan, personally went to Chang'an to meet and present famous horses and jade.
Tang Xuanzong was very happy, and not only rewarded Wei Chisheng with many gifts, but also made him the general of right Wei Wei and the governor of the Visha Capital, and married the daughter of the clan to Wei Chisheng. After returning to China, Wei Chisheng assisted Gao Xianzhi in fighting in the Western Regions, and made many military achievements, so he was given the title of Guanglu Qing. Wei Chisheng was the son-in-law of the Tang dynasty royal family and was favored by the Tang emperor, so he was very loyal to the Tang Dynasty. There is another reason that is also very important, that is, Wei Chisheng admires the culture of the Central Plains.
After the Anshi Rebellion was settled, it was supposed that Wei Chisheng should return to Khotan and continue to be his own king. However, when Emperor Tang asked him to return to China, Wei Chisheng said that he was willing to stay in Chang'an and "please stay in The Guard." Emperor Tang did not reluctantly, so he made Chi Sheng the Kaifu Yi Tongsan Division, and was made the King of Wudu County, and the hundred households were sealed. In the blink of an eye, Wei Chisheng became the county king of the Tang Dynasty because of the king of Khotan, and truly became a vassal of the Tang Dynasty.
Wei Chisheng also proposed to the Tang emperor that he cede the throne and requested that his younger brother Wei Chiyao be crowned king of Khotan, for which Emperor Tang agreed. The Khotanese Wei Chi were Cypriots, they belonged to the Europa race, and were white in terms of skin color. However, Wei Chisheng's behavior was completely unlike that of a foreigner, and during his time in Chang'an, he "wore a pond view, thick guests, and many scholars and doctors traveled from it", as if he had completely Sinicized.
In the year of Emperor Dezong of Tang, more than thirty years after the Anshi Rebellion, Wei Chiyao wrote to the Tang Dynasty, "In the middle of the country, he will inherit the heir, and now that he has won the victory over the country, please set up his son Rui." He wanted to cede the throne to Wei Chisheng's son, Wei Chirui. Tang Dezong agreed to this, but Wei Chisheng once again resigned, "Yao Jiu conducts state affairs, people are safe; Rui Sheng Jinghua, not accustomed to his customs, can not be dispatched." Since ancient times, it has been brothers and brothers who have competed for power, such as the change of XuanwuMen, and now the Wei Chi brothers have given up their kingdoms to each other, which has been praised by the people of the world.
References: 1. Old Book of Tang; 2. New Book of Tang; 3. Zizhi Tongjian