Emperor Shizong of Liao
Encyclopedia
The Emperor Shizong of Liao (January 29, 919–October 7, 951), born as Yelü Ruan , also known as Wuyu, was the third emperor of Liao dynasty
, reigning from 16 May 947 to 7 October 951. He is the son of Prince Bei
, the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Khitan Empire
. He came to power after the death of his uncle, Emperor Taizong
, who raised him after his father left for China
and the court of the Later Tang Dynasty
.
, had plotted to have her third son, Prince Lihu, ascend to the throne, and sent an army to intercept her grandson. She had denounced Ruan in her campaign to support her son. However, the Khitan nobles, knowing that Prince Lihu was entirely unfit for the throne, refused to support her this time as they did previously with the ascension of Deguang as Emperor Taizong. Fortunately, the strong support the court gave to Ruan’s claim prevented a civil war among the Khitans.
Shizong took to the field in 951 in a successful effort to resist Chinese advances from the south. However, later that year, a mere four years after his ascension as emperor, he was killed by a rebellious nephew who was part of an effort within the imperial clan to usurp the throne.
During his reign, Shizong adopted several reforms that propelled the Liao Dynasty into a feudal society and consolidated power into one central government. However, Shizong was also a drunkard and liked to hunt. On a night in September 951, Shizong was murdered by an officer after a battle. He was only thirty-three, and had reigned for only three years.
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
, reigning from 16 May 947 to 7 October 951. He is the son of Prince Bei
Prince Bei
Prince Bei, fully Yelü Bei , officially Emperor Yizong of Liao , was the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Liao Dynasty. He was declared successor to the first emperor of the Liao Empire in 916, but never succeeded to the throne...
, the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Khitan Empire
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
. He came to power after the death of his uncle, Emperor Taizong
Emperor Taizong of Liao
The Emperor Taizong of Liao , born as Yelü Deguang , was the second emperor of the Khitan Empire .-Succession to the Throne:...
, who raised him after his father left for China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and the court of the Later Tang Dynasty
Later Tang Dynasty
The Later Tang Dynasty was a short-lived dynasty that lasted from 923 to 937 one of the five dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was also the first in a series of three dynasties ruled by the Shatuo Turks...
.
Ascension
Emperor Taizong was on campaign in China when he died in 947. Ruan accompanied him on this campaign, allowing him to quickly gain the support of army leaders. While returning to the capital, his grandmother, the empress dowager YingtianYingtian
Yingtian may refer to:* Empress Dowager Yingtian, Empress Dowager in Liao Dynasty* Yingtian , ancient name of Shangqiu in Song Dynasty* Yingtian , ancient name of Nanjing in Ming Dynasty...
, had plotted to have her third son, Prince Lihu, ascend to the throne, and sent an army to intercept her grandson. She had denounced Ruan in her campaign to support her son. However, the Khitan nobles, knowing that Prince Lihu was entirely unfit for the throne, refused to support her this time as they did previously with the ascension of Deguang as Emperor Taizong. Fortunately, the strong support the court gave to Ruan’s claim prevented a civil war among the Khitans.
Reign
Shizong was known both for his generosity as well as for his martial prowess. This generosity was not extended to either his grandmother or his uncle (Prince Lihu) both of whom were sent far from the capital by Shizong. Both died soon afterward, Prince Lihu in rebellion and Yingtian of old age.Shizong took to the field in 951 in a successful effort to resist Chinese advances from the south. However, later that year, a mere four years after his ascension as emperor, he was killed by a rebellious nephew who was part of an effort within the imperial clan to usurp the throne.
During his reign, Shizong adopted several reforms that propelled the Liao Dynasty into a feudal society and consolidated power into one central government. However, Shizong was also a drunkard and liked to hunt. On a night in September 951, Shizong was murdered by an officer after a battle. He was only thirty-three, and had reigned for only three years.