The world in 781 AD — what happened that year

12 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.

What happened

Li Xilie attacked Xiangyang and killed Liang Chongyi. (Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Annals 舊唐書卷12 建中2年 8月)
Tian Yue, Military Governor of Weibo, rebelled. (New Book of Tang (Xin Tangshu), Annals 新唐書卷007 德宗·順宗·憲宗建中2年1月)
Liang Chongyi of the Shannan East Circuit was pacified and executed. (New Book of Tang (Xin Tangshu), Annals 新唐書卷007 德宗·順宗·憲宗建中2年8月)
Tian Yue leads tens of thousands of troops and besieges Linming, together with Zhang Pi. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 資治通鑑卷226)
Ma Sui, Li Baozhen and Li Sheng crush Tian Yue at Linming, and his army is routed. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 資治通鑑卷227)
Li Xilie defeats Liang Chongyi, who throws himself into a well with his wife and dies. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 資治通鑑卷227)
At Xuzhou, Liu Qia, Qu Huan and Li Cheng crush the troops of Zi-Qing and Weibo. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 資治通鑑卷227)

His younger brother, Prince Sawara, is made crown prince. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第36 「壬辰。立皇弟早良親王」)
Fujiwara no Oguromaro, inspector of Mutsu, completes his punitive campaign, returns to court, and receives Senior Third Rank. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第36 「辛亥。陸奥按察使正四」)
Retired Emperor Kōnin dies, aged 73. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第36 「丁未。太上天皇崩。春」)

Charles spends Easter in Rome; Pope Hadrian baptizes his son Pippin, anoints him king, and also anoints Ludovicus and crowns him. Pippin becomes king of Italy and Ludovicus king of Aquitaine (Royal Frankish Annals ARF(Einhard판) a.781, Kurze 1895 p.57)

When envoys of the pope and the king, agreed upon at Rome, persuade Tassilo, the Duke of Bavaria comes to the king at Worms, swears, and gives 12 hostages; but he soon breaks his promise. The king spends winter, Christmas and Easter at Carisiacus (Royal Frankish Annals ARF(Einhard판) a.781, Kurze 1895 p.59)