In late 9th-century imperial China, the Tang dynasty court no longer had effective control of its empire, and the national capital Chang’an was sacked by Huang Chao’s anti-government army. Li Keyong, a Shatuo chieftain loyal to the Tang cause, led his troops to suppress the rebellion. His 13 generals—essentially all adopted sons—helped expel Huang from Chang’an, although a rift between some of them became more and more apparent in the process. Following the victory, Li Keyong accepted an invitation for a banquet at military governor Zhu Wen’s territory of Bianliang, unaware that it was a trap to assassinate him.