The rebellion spanned the reigns of three emperors. The first emperor, Xuanzong, escaped to Sichuan. Xuanzong's army demanded the death of an official, Yang Guozhong, and his cousin, Lady Yang. Emperor Suzong, (3rd or 4th) son of Xuanzong was proclaimed emperor by the accompanying army and eunuchs while another group of local officials and Confucian literati proclaimed another prince at Jinling (today Nanjing).
The rebellion was suppressed during the reign of Daizong by Generals Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi (李光弼). Although the successful at supressing the rebellion, the Tang Dynasty was extremely weakened by the rebellion and in the remaining years of the dynasty, it was troubled by persistent warlordism.