Emperor Jingzong of Liao
Emperor Jingzong of Liao (1 September 948 – 13 October 982), personal name Yelü Xian, courtesy name Xianning, was the fifth emperor of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty.
Emperor Jingzong of Liao 遼景宗 | |||||||||||||
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Emperor of the Liao dynasty | |||||||||||||
Reign | 13 March 969 – 13 October 982 | ||||||||||||
Predecessor | Emperor Muzong | ||||||||||||
Successor | Emperor Shengzong | ||||||||||||
Born | Yelü Xian 1 September 948 | ||||||||||||
Died | 13 October 982 34) | (aged||||||||||||
Empress | Xiao Yanyan | ||||||||||||
Concubine | Consort Bohai (渤海妃) | ||||||||||||
Issue | Yelü Longxu Yelü Longqing Yelü Longyou Yelü Yaoshinu Yelü Guanyinnü Yelü Changshounü Yelü Yanshounü Yelü Shuge | ||||||||||||
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Father | Emperor Shizong | ||||||||||||
Mother | Xiao Sagezhi |
Emperor Jingzong of Liao | |||||||
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Traditional Chinese | 遼景宗 | ||||||
Simplified Chinese | 辽景宗 | ||||||
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Yelü Xian | |||||||
Traditional Chinese | 耶律賢 | ||||||
Simplified Chinese | 耶律贤 | ||||||
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Xianning (courtesy name) | |||||||
Traditional Chinese | 賢寧 | ||||||
Simplified Chinese | 贤宁 | ||||||
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Life
Yelü Xian succeeded Emperor Muzong in 969 after the latter was murdered by his servants during a hunting trip. He had support from both the Khitan and Han Chinese ruling elites.
Emperor Jingzong made several important contributions to the Liao dynasty. He employed Han Chinese officials in his government, appointing one as the Minister of Southern Affairs and the Duke of Qin. This allowed the government to run more efficiently and sped up the transformation of Khitan society into a feudal society. He cracked down on corruption in the government, firing those who were bribed or incompetent. Emperor Jingzong also accepted criticisms willingly. He stopped hunting frequently after an official made a connection between hunting and Emperor Muzong's death, and Emperor Jingzong began to prepare war against his southern neighbours.
Emperor Jingzong's first conflict with the Northern Song dynasty came with the Song invasion of the Northern Han dynasty. However, the Liao reinforcements were destroyed by a Song army, and Song later destroyed Northern Han. The Song army followed up the victory with an attack on Beijing, the Liao dynasty's southern capital. However, the Liao army completely routed the Song army, with Emperor Taizong of Song fleeing the battlefield. Several battles followed, with a stalemate between the Liao and Song dynasties.
Emperor Jingzong's body is weak, many diseases, sometimes unable to stand up to the court, the great national story is mostly handled by his wife Xiao Yanyan.
On 13 October, 982, Emperor Jingzong died on his way back from a hunting trip. He was succeeded by his son Emperor Shengzong, and his wife Xiao Yanyan served as regent.
Family
Consorts and Issue:
- Empress Xiao Chuo (萧绰; 953–1009), Jingzong's second cousin, honoured as Empress Ruizhi (睿智皇后)
- Eldest daughter Yelü Guanyinnü (耶律观音女; 969–1045), the Princess of Qi (齐国公主)
- Married Xiao Jixian (萧继先), a cousin of Xiao Chuo, and had issue (one son, two daughters)
- Eldest son Yelü Longxu (耶律隆绪; 972–1031), later Emperor Shengzong of Liao
- Second son Yelü Longqing (耶律隆庆; 973–1016), honoured as Crown Prince Xiaozhen (孝贞皇太叔)
- Second daughter Yelü Changshounü (耶律长寿女; 975–1017), the Princess of Wei (卫国公主)
- Married Xiao Paiya (萧排押; d. 1023), and had issue (one daughter)
- Third daughter Yelü Yanshounü (耶律延寿女; 976–996), the Princess of Yue (越国公主)
- Married Xiao Hengde (萧恒德; d. 996) in 983, and had issue (one son)
- Third son Yelü Longyou (耶律隆佑; 979–1012), honoured as Prince Xiaojing of Chu (楚孝靖王)
- Fourth son Yelü Zhengge (耶律郑哥)
- Eldest daughter Yelü Guanyinnü (耶律观音女; 969–1045), the Princess of Qi (齐国公主)
- Consort, of Balhae
- Fourth daughter Yelü Shuge (耶律淑哥)
- Married Lu Jun (卢俊) in 980, divorced in 983
- Married Xiao Shennu (萧神奴) in 983
- Fourth daughter Yelü Shuge (耶律淑哥)
Ancestry
Yelü Saladi | |||||||||||||||||||
Yelü Abaoji (872–926) | |||||||||||||||||||
Xiao Yanmujin (d. 933) | |||||||||||||||||||
Yelü Bei (899–937) | |||||||||||||||||||
Shulü Pogu | |||||||||||||||||||
Shulü Ping (879–953) | |||||||||||||||||||
Lady Yelü | |||||||||||||||||||
Emperor Shizong of Liao (919–951) | |||||||||||||||||||
Empress Rouzhen (d. 951) | |||||||||||||||||||
Emperor Jingzong of Liao (948–982) | |||||||||||||||||||
Shulü Shensi | |||||||||||||||||||
Shulü Pogu | |||||||||||||||||||
Xiao Aguzhi | |||||||||||||||||||
Yelü Yundeshi | |||||||||||||||||||
Lady Yelü | |||||||||||||||||||
Xiao Sagezhi (d. 951) | |||||||||||||||||||
Sources
- Toqto'a; et al. (1344). Liao Shi (遼史) [History of Liao] (in Chinese).
- Twitchett, Denis C.; Tietze, Klaus-Peter (1994). "The Liao". In Twitchett, Dennis; Franke, Herbert (eds.). The Cambridge History of China, Volume 6: Alien Regimes and Border States, 907–1368. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 43–153. ISBN 978-0-521-24331-5.
Emperor Jingzong of Liao House of Yelü (916–1125) Born: 948 Died: 982 | ||
Regnal titles | ||
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Preceded by Emperor Muzong |
Emperor of the Liao Dynasty 969–982 |
Succeeded by Emperor Shengzong |