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The story of this orphaned peasant, who advanced from slavery to “shake all under heaven and earth” is richly told in the novel “Court of the Lion” by Eleanor Cooney and Daniel Altieri. The events of the rebellion
are discussed by the characters in Taklamakan, though not directly portrayed. As the Tibetan forces begin to probe north again, taking advantage of Chinese trouble at home, the T’ang ministers, emissaries and garrison generals
come into conflict with the major Tibetan characters.
Chief among the Chinese T’ang characters is the figure of Wan Han Lo, Chinese emissary to the City-State of Khotan. Prevented from returning to China by the Tibetan incursion,
Wan Han Lo retreats to Khotan where he broods over the prospect of long exile from his homeland.
 Wan Han Lo is surprised by the arrival of Rana Tenpai, an
official emissary from Tibet to the Kingdom of Khotan.
Rana finds a strong ally within Tando’s caravan, and together they confront the old Chinese minister in an attempt to shift the loyalties of Khotan into the Tibetan camp.
Map of the Tang Empire.
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