Financial Policy. Although the Tang court survived the An Lushan Rebellion (755)—a revolt led by a Mongol general who captured the capital and installed himself as the new emperor, but who was assassinated in 757—it was greatly weakened politically as well as economically. The government was divided into quarreling factions. The eunuchs rose in power and competed with the bureaucrats for the control of, and influence on, court politics. The rebellion also interrupted the regular collection of the land tax. The loss of revenue resulted in financial difficulties for the government, which had expanded during Xuangzong's reign in both size and expenditures. To make up for this reduction in revenues, the court initiated a policy in 758 to enforce the traditional government monopoly on the sale of salt. A commissioner of salt and iron...