Emperor Yizong of Western Xia
Emperor Yizong (1047–1068), born Li Liangzuo 李諒祚, was the 2nd emperor of the Western Xia (reigned 1048–1067).
| Emperor Yizong of Xia 夏毅宗 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor of the Tanguts | |||||||||||||||||
| Reign | 1048 – January 1068 | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Emperor Jingzong | ||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Emperor Huizong | ||||||||||||||||
| Born | 5 March 1047 | ||||||||||||||||
| Died | January 1068 (aged 20) | ||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Empress Mozang Empress Liang | ||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Father | Li Yuanhao 李元昊 (posthumously honored as Emperor Jingzong) | ||||||||||||||||
| Mother | Lady Mozang 沒藏氏 (posthumously honored as Empress Xuanmuhuiwen) | ||||||||||||||||
After the death of his father, Li Yuanhao, in 1048, Yizong assumed the throne at the age of one, but most of the power laid in the hands of his mother the Dowager Empress. In 1049, the Liao Dynasty attacked Western Xia and forced it to become a vassal state. In 1056, the Dowager was killed and Yizong's uncle, Mozang Epang (沒藏訛龐), became the regent. In 1061, Yizong's uncle and cousin plotted against him, so he had them executed and assumed direct control of Western Xia.
Yizong expanded the central government, adding many offices. He made the armies more efficient and improved his control over faraway states. Yizong began to attack Song Dynasty and raided their villages. He also forced the Turpan leader to surrender. In later years, Yizong began to improve diplomatic relationships with the Song and Liao dynasties. He died suddenly in 1068.
Eras of Emperor Yizong
- Yánsìníngguó (1048–1049)
- Tiānyòuchuíshèng (1050–1052)
- Fúshèngchéngdào (1053–1056)
- Duǒdū (1057–1062)
- Gǒnghuà (1063–1067)
References
The Ageless Chinese by Dun J. Li