In November of the 14th year of Tianbao reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (AD 755), An Lushan rebelled against the Tang Dynasty. In June of the following year, the rebels captured Tongguan, and Tang Xuanzong fled to Sichuan in a hurry. In July, Prince Hengli succeeded to the throne in Lingwu (now Ningxia), assisting Tang Suzong. When Du Fu heard the news, he settled down in a boat and went to the Suzong court alone. Unfortunately, he was captured by the rebels on the way and sent to Chang 'an, but he was not imprisoned because of his humble position. In the spring of the second year from Tang Suzong to German (AD 757), Du Fu, who was in the occupied area, witnessed the scene of depression in Chang 'an with mixed feelings, so he wrote this masterpiece that will be told for generations.