9 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.
What happened
China (8)
The Khitan Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong killed the prefect Zhao Wenhui and rebelled, taking Yingzhou. (Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Annals 舊唐書 卷6 萬歲通天1年 5月)
The Khitan Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong took Yingzhou and killed the governor Zhao Wenhui. (New Book of Tang (Xin Tangshu), Annals 新唐書 卷004 則天·中宗 萬歲通天1年5月)
A feng sacrifice was held on Mount Song, the Divine Peak, followed by a shan rite at Mount Shaoshi. (New Book of Tang (Xin Tangshu), Annals 新唐書 卷004 則天·中宗 萬歲通天1年12月)
In March 696 (Renyin day), Wang Xiaojie and Lou Shide fight Tubo's Lun Qinling and Zanpo at Mount Suluohan; the Tang army is greatly defeated; Xiaojie is dismissed and made a commoner, and Shide is demoted to supernumerary Sima of Yuanzhou. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 권205 696년 항)
In May 696 (Renzi day), Li Jinzhong, of the Khitan Songmo governorship in Yingzhou, and Sun Wanrong, Governor of Guichengzhou, raise troops, attack and take Yingzhou, and kill its governor Zhao Wenhui. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 권205 696년 항)
In autumn 696, Li Jinzhong calls himself Wushang Khan and holds Yingzhou; Sun Wanrong, as vanguard, sweeps the land, and within ten days his army numbers tens of thousands and besieges Tanzhou, but Zhang Jiejie, Deputy Commander of the Qingbian Army, drives them off. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 권205 696년 항)
In winter 696, Sun Wanrong gathers his remaining men and his strength revives; he sends subordinate generals Luo Wuzheng and He Axiao as vanguard to take Jizhou, kills its governor Lu Baoji and slaughters thousands of officials and people; he attacks Yingzhou again, and Hebei is shaken. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 권205 696년 항)