About Yang GuoZhong from SACRIFICE - The Sacrifice of Yang GuiFei

Love Duty Destiny treachery Betrayal Sacrifice

Yang Guozhong, was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang dynasty, serving as a chief minister late in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong. His second cousin Yang GuiFei was Emperor Xuanzong's favorite concubine, and he gained Emperor Xuanzong's favor through her. He was considered a gambler, keen with the political scene, although not competent to be chief minister.

Yang Guozhong, as chief minister, was beginning to repeatedly accuse An Lushan of plotting rebellion, claiming that if Emperor Xuanzong summoned An Lushan to the capital, An Lushan would surely not come. Instead, when Emperor Xuanzong summoned An Lushan to the capital, An Lushan came.

Meanwhile, there was a war in the southwest between Tang forces and Nanzhao, which was not going well for Tang, and 200,000 soldiers had died in the conflict. Yang Guozhong, however, was hiding the truth from Emperor Xuanzong and declaring that there had been numerous victories. Emperor Xuanzong's chief eunuch Gao LiShi saw trouble breawing and attempted to warn the Emperor. Emperor Xuanzong began to be concerned, but took no decisive action.

Photo of 3d model from the Huaqing Hot Springs of Yang Guozhong At the time, Yang Guozhong was also hiding a major flood from Emperor Xuanzong. Once, when Emperor Xuanzong was alone with Gao LiShi, he stated, "The rains would not stop. Speak what you will." Gao responded, "Since Your Imperial Majesty trusted all power to [Yang Guozhong], the rewards and punishments are out of hand, and the yin and yang are out of alignment. How would I dare to speak?"

Meanwhile, Yang Guozhong repeatedly tried to provoke An Lushan (also a favorite official of Emperor Xuanzong's) into rebelling, including arresting and executing staff members at An Lushan's mansion in Chang'an. An Lushan finally did rebel.

Yang Guozhong's gross military miscalculation then permitted An Lushan to capture the imperial capital Chang'an. Yang Guozhong suggested fleeing to Chengdu, of which Yang Guozhong was commander. Emperor Xuanzong, keeping the news secret from the people of Chang'an, took the imperial guards to escort him, Yang GuiFei, her family, and his immediate clan members, and exited Chang'an, heading toward Chengdu. Attending him were Yang Guozhong, along with some other officals and generals, some eunuchs and ladies in waiting close to him, including Gao LiShi. While in flight, Yang Guozhong, Yang GuiFei, and many of the Yang family were killed because the army attributed the chaos to them.

Explore the Main Characters:


The Emperor Tang XuanZong	The Princess Yang GuiFei	The Prince Li Mao	The Barbarian An Lushan	The Servant Gao Lishi	The Chief Minister Yang Guozhong	The Poet Li Bai

Also learn a little about the Tang dynasty, it's capital city Chang'An (near Xi'an), or the Huaqing Hot Spring. Also see some Design References we are compiling for the musical.

The Sacrifice of Yang GuiFeiis the story of Emperor Xuanzong (of the prosperous Tang dynasty 618-907 AD) who brings 杨贵妃 Yang GuiFei, one of China’s most beautiful women, into his court as a concubine When they adopt China’s greatest villain, the barbarian An Lushan, their fateful triumvirate creates China’s greatest love story. Producer Toby Simkin optioned the worldwide rights almost immediately after hearing the score in early 2008 “it’s a powerful, sometimes shocking story, filled with a roller coaster of emotions from brutality to sweet and innocent love, building to a climax with The Emperor’s agonizing decision: save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save his dynasty – Richard Daniel’s remarkable score carries the audience through this cavalcade with a fabulous mix of Chinese and Western instruments.” 一个全新电影制作项目即将到来,由屡获大奖的英国团队创作并得到中方支持。电影牺牲》，讲述的是中国历史上最伟大的皇帝遇上中国古代四大美女之，并遭遇中国最大恶人之间的故事。所有这一切构成了中国历史上最伟大的爱情故事 <<牺牲>>. The true story of Yang Gui Fei 杨贵妃, one of the Four Ancient Beauties of China, is famous for her role in the demise of the Tang dynasty. TOBY SIMKIN (Producer) is a theatrical producer who has over 25 years of 1st-class producing or managing experience of entertainment projects with over 120 Broadway/West End shows and tours from Annie to Victor/Victoria in the USA, Canada, UK, Russia, Australia, China and oceans between. From many Tony Award winning productions on Broadway to Olivier Award winning productions on London’s West, Mr. Simkin is a leader in the field of theatrical producing, management and marketing. Mr. Simkin is additionally credited with leading the theatre industry into cyberspace in the early 90's. Mr. Simkin maintains a residence in Shanghai, developing new opportunities for global entertainment where he owns a Chinese corporation - Shen Tu Bin Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd..