Emperor Taizong of Liao
Encyclopedia
The Emperor Taizong of Liao (November 25, 902–May 15, 947), born as Yelü Deguang , was the second emperor of the Khitan Empire
(December 11, 927–May 15, 947).
, founder of the Khitan Empire which became the Liao Dynasty
. Though his father named his elder brother, Prince Bei
, as his heir apparent in 916, upon his death, the Empress Dowager Yingtian
favored Deguang because she felt he better embodied the ideals of the steppe. In addition to being the favorite of his mother, he was also favored by the Khitan
nobility. Yēlǜ Déguāng was crowned as emperor following the death of his father in 926.
, which was created from the recently conquered kingdom of Balhae
(known as Bohai in Chinese). However, just to be on the safe side, Taizong maintained surveillance over his elder brother. Prince Bei
slipped into China in 930, but as late as 934, he continued sending intelligence reports to his younger brother despite the welcome he received by Emperor Mingzong
of the Later Tang Dynasty
.
was no more than a puppet state of the Liao. Through this action, Taizong was successful in gaining strategic territory that his father coveted, the Sixteen Prefectures
and along with them, control of the passes that controlled admittance into China Proper
.
Emperor Taizong led another invasion into China in 945 when the Later Jin began to show independence from its Khitan masters. On this first engagement, Taizong barely escaped with his life. However, further pressure the following year led to the collapse of the Later Jin. The Khitan pressed their advantage, and even occupied the Later Jin capital. While much of northern China was occupied by the Khitan, Muzong had second thoughts once facing the challenges of governing a large sedentary population. Khitan forces were forced to pillage, a tactic common among steppe peoples used to intimidate a sedentary enemy. In April, 947, Taizong abandoned the capital and set to return to the Sixteen Prefectures
. He fell ill and died on May 18 during the course of this return journey.
in 947 after fighting a hard and bloody campaign. It was at this time that Taizong changed the dynasty name to Liao. Taizong died in China on this expedition, during which he was accompanied by his nephew.
Taizong reformed the political structures of the Liao dynasty. He set up North and South ministries, dealing with the tribes and the Han respectively. However, there were still many flaws in the government and army structure.
Following Taizong’s death in 947, Prince Bei’s son ascended the throne as Emperor Shizong
despite the opposition of the Empress Dowager Yingtian
.
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...
(December 11, 927–May 15, 947).
Succession to the Throne
He was the second son of AbaojiEmperor Taizu of Liao
The Emperor Taizu of Liao was the first emperor of the Liao Dynasty . His given name was Abaoji . Some sources also suggest that the surname Yelü was adopted during his lifetime, though there is no unanimity on this point....
, founder of the Khitan Empire which became the Liao Dynasty
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...
. Though his father named his elder brother, 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...
, as his heir apparent in 916, upon his death, the Empress Dowager Yingtian
Empress Dowager Yingtian
Empress Dowager Yingtian was empress dowager of the Liao Empire from the time of her husband Abaoji’s death in 926 to her own death in 953...
favored Deguang because she felt he better embodied the ideals of the steppe. In addition to being the favorite of his mother, he was also favored by the Khitan
Khitan people
thumb|250px|Khitans [[Eagle hunting|using eagles to hunt]], painted during the Chinese [[Song Dynasty]].The Khitan people , or Khitai, Kitan, or Kidan, were a nomadic Mongolic people, originally located at Mongolia and Manchuria from the 4th century...
nobility. Yēlǜ Déguāng was crowned as emperor following the death of his father in 926.
Prince Bei
The newly crowned Emperor Taizong allowed his elder brother to retain his title of Prince of DongdanDongdan Kingdom
Dongdan Kingdom was the puppet kingdom established by the Khitan to rule the realm of the Balhae in Eastern Manchuria....
, which was created from the recently conquered kingdom of Balhae
Balhae
Balhae was a Manchurian kingdom established after the fall of Goguryeo. After Goguryeo's capital and southern territories fell to Unified Silla, Dae Jo-yeong, a Mohe general, whose father was Dae Jung-sang, established Jin , later called Balhae.Balhae occupied southern parts of Manchuria and...
(known as Bohai in Chinese). However, just to be on the safe side, Taizong maintained surveillance over his elder brother. 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...
slipped into China in 930, but as late as 934, he continued sending intelligence reports to his younger brother despite the welcome he received by Emperor Mingzong
Mingzong of Later Tang
Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang , personal name Li Siyuan , original name/nickname Miaojilie , name later changed to Li Dan , was emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty from 926 to 933.-Family:...
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...
.
Expansion into Northern China
Emperor Taizong used the intelligence sent by his brother to take advantage of the crumbling Later Tang Dynasty. When Shi Jingtang revolted against the Later Tang, Taizong sent Liao aid. The resulting Later Jin DynastyLater Jin Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
Note that there are four periods of Chinese history using the name "Jin" The Later Jìn was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Shi Jingtang, posthumously known as Gaozu of Later Jin...
was no more than a puppet state of the Liao. Through this action, Taizong was successful in gaining strategic territory that his father coveted, the Sixteen Prefectures
Sixteen Prefectures
The Sixteen Prefectures are a region in northern China stretching from present-day Beijing westward to Datong. In most areas, it is approximately seventy to one hundred miles in width...
and along with them, control of the passes that controlled admittance into China Proper
China proper
China proper or Eighteen Provinces was a term used by Western writers on the Qing Dynasty to express a distinction between the core and frontier regions of China. There is no fixed extent for China proper, as many administrative, cultural, and linguistic shifts have occurred in Chinese history...
.
Emperor Taizong led another invasion into China in 945 when the Later Jin began to show independence from its Khitan masters. On this first engagement, Taizong barely escaped with his life. However, further pressure the following year led to the collapse of the Later Jin. The Khitan pressed their advantage, and even occupied the Later Jin capital. While much of northern China was occupied by the Khitan, Muzong had second thoughts once facing the challenges of governing a large sedentary population. Khitan forces were forced to pillage, a tactic common among steppe peoples used to intimidate a sedentary enemy. In April, 947, Taizong abandoned the capital and set to return to the Sixteen Prefectures
Sixteen Prefectures
The Sixteen Prefectures are a region in northern China stretching from present-day Beijing westward to Datong. In most areas, it is approximately seventy to one hundred miles in width...
. He fell ill and died on May 18 during the course of this return journey.
Raising his Nephew
Taizong raised Prince Bei's son as his own. Taizong’s nephew became the very model of a Khitan prince under Taizong’s tutelage. Taizong was also ambitious like his father, and wanted to expand Khitan's territory. After the defection of a Later Jin general, Taizong was able to conquer the Later Jin DynastyLater Jin Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
Note that there are four periods of Chinese history using the name "Jin" The Later Jìn was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Shi Jingtang, posthumously known as Gaozu of Later Jin...
in 947 after fighting a hard and bloody campaign. It was at this time that Taizong changed the dynasty name to Liao. Taizong died in China on this expedition, during which he was accompanied by his nephew.
Taizong reformed the political structures of the Liao dynasty. He set up North and South ministries, dealing with the tribes and the Han respectively. However, there were still many flaws in the government and army structure.
Following Taizong’s death in 947, Prince Bei’s son ascended the throne as Emperor Shizong
Emperor Shizong of Liao
The Emperor Shizong of Liao , 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...
despite the opposition of the Empress Dowager Yingtian
Yingtian
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...
.