The long river of history flows endlessly, evoking new memories for us. The nomadic people who galloped on horseback and lived in pursuit of water and grass not only maintained their strong and vigorous martial arts style, but also drew on advanced Central Plains civilization to create distinctive dynasties and create brilliant achievements. They were once overlooked, misunderstood, and even forgotten, but now when I look back from a new perspective, I find that regardless of whether their tribal names continue to exist or not, the genes of their grassland civilization have long been implanted in the diverse unity of Chinese civilization, and their ethnic groups have always thrived in the common home of the Chinese people.
In January 907 AD, a grand Tibetan firewood ceremony was held on the northern grasslands to announce the heavens. This was the ceremony of the tribal leaders of the Khitan Alliance. The firewood burned fiercely in the fire, and thick smoke rose to the sky, symbolizing the oath to heaven. After a year of election, Yelv Abaoji officially became the leader of Khitan – Khan. He will take on the significant mission of the rise of Khitan power. Khitan has long been oppressed by strong neighbors, and they long for a powerful leader to appear inside, leading them straight out of weakness. Yelv Abaoji was strong, brave, and strategic. Under his leadership, the Khitan army marched eastward and westward, repeatedly winning. Almost all Khitans have high hopes for the Abao plane, especially in the Diela tribe where it is located. However, no one would have thought that four years later, the biggest challenge faced by the Abao plane would come from within the Khitans. According to the “History of Liao”, a long time ago, a man rode a white horse from the Tu River to the east, and a woman rode a green ox down from the Huang River. The two met at the Mu Ye Mountain in the southwest where the two rivers met, and they became spouses, giving birth to eight sons, which became known as the eight tribes of Khitan. The Khitans had a strong will, but due to their respective camps and dispersed power, they suffered heavy failures when the strong enemy pressed the border. They successively surrendered to the Sui and Tang dynasties, and were also ruled by the Turks and Uyghurs for a long time. However, in the end, they united internally to form the Khitan tribal alliance. They yearned for power, and when the Uyghur Khanate fell and the Tang Dynasty declined, the Khitans finally waited for the best opportunity. Yel ü Abaoji stood out at this time. The Diela tribe, where Yel ü Abaoji was located, was the most powerful among the various tribes of Khitan. Abaoji’s grandfather and uncle had all served as military leaders, and soon Abaoji himself became a military leader. He established his prestige in the war and successively devoured tribes such as Tatars, Shiwei, and Jurchen, becoming the core figure of Khitan’s large-scale external campaigns. Abaoji also attempted to profit from the struggle for power in the Central Plains in order to win the greatest development space for Khitan. In 911 AD, just as Yelv Abao was ambitious to lead the Khitans to dominate the world, a rebellion broke out within the Khitans.
Professor Liu Pujiang from Peking University: The election system of the Khitan Khanate is a very distinctive one, traditionally known as the hereditary system. The hereditary system means that it has both hereditary and electoral factors. Since the Tang Dynasty, the Khitan people, from the Khanate to the petty officials, have all had this hereditary factor. For example, even a small bureaucrat and petty official who looks at warehouses may have been passed down in his family, but he may not necessarily be the legitimate eldest son, just pass it on to whoever is suitable.
As early as 909 AD, the Khitans should have re elected khans, so that the younger brothers of Abaoji, such as Dila, were qualified to become new khans through elections, just like Abaoji. But Abaoji had another plan. He strongly realized that the fundamental reason for the long-term decline of Khitan was the hereditary election system centered on the selection of khans. If the old system could not be fundamentally changed, all Khitan victories would be short-lived. Abaoji made up his mind to abolish the old system and establish hereditary monarchy following the example of the Central Plains dynasties, in order to achieve the concentration and longevity of the highest ruling power.
Professor Liu Pujiang from Peking University: For the stability of this dynasty, the legitimate eldest son inheritance system is definitely beneficial, because after each emperor ascends the throne, he is generally the legitimate eldest son who is the crown prince, and then he has the right to inherit the throne. Others do not have this right, so it is not easy to cause disputes over the throne.
General’s armor during the Liao Dynasty
Abaoji made up his mind to abolish the system of electing khans, but abolishing the original tribal election system would inevitably lead to countless power struggles. Yel ü Abaoji must handle it cautiously. Since Yel ü Abaoji became a Khan, he has been implementing reforms step by step to further concentrate the power of the eight Khitan tribes towards the family. However, even so, Yelv Abaoji dared not rashly disclose his plans for hereditary monarchy. 909 was the year of the Khan’s election, and despite facing many doubts, Yel ü Abaoji still deliberately did not take any action. If he were to immediately implement hereditary monarchy at this time, it would inevitably trigger a huge backlash within the Khitan, with unpredictable political risks. How should he deal with these risks?
Khitan Totem Pillar, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
In the year 911 AD, Yel ü Abaoji had to face the first rebellion directly. His younger brother, Lag, and others conspired to betray him. Abaoji had intelligence beforehand and the conspiracy was stillborn. Abaoji did not take any retaliatory measures against this. He climbed the mountain with Lag and others, swore to pardon the traitor’s crimes, and Abaoji also publicly disclosed his intention to break the old system. The conflict is still intensifying, and Yel ü Abaoji is trying to avoid the Khan election system through procrastination, but Rag and others are unwilling. In 912 AD, Rag and others believed that the selection ceremony for the Khan must be completed this year, and planned to launch an attack on Abaoji on his return from the expedition. Abaoji avoided the risk and returned to his headquarters first, holding a Tibetan firewood selection ceremony, which resulted in his actual re-election. This time, Abaoji still did not take any retaliatory actions, and he constantly tried to compromise, trying to achieve his goals in a peaceful and stable way. However, in 913 AD, the largest rebellion occurred in the Diela tribe. In order to gain the highest power, Rag and others spared no effort in fighting and wanted to kill Abaoji. The rebel forces were strong, and Rag planned to declare himself a Khan. The two sides engaged in a fierce war. After nearly a year of effort, Abaoji finally achieved victory. This time, Abaoji demonstrated the resolute side of the politician, decisively executed core figures such as clan uncles who participated in the rebellion, and also imposed symbolic punishment on his younger brother.
Professor Liu Pujiang from Peking University: After becoming a Khan, Abaoji clearly wanted to pursue this imperial dynasty in the Central Plains. You also wanted to establish this authoritarian monarchy, which was not in line with the political tradition of Khitan. Therefore, these younger brothers rebelled three times, and after the rebellion, Abaoji did not directly execute them. This was also because of the traditional Khitan hereditary election system.
In 915 AD, it was another year of choosing a Khan, and Abaoji was no longer worried about rebellion within the Diela tribe. In addition to the Diela tribe, the Khitan had seven more tribes. When he returned from his expedition to Shiwei, the seven chiefs united to stop Abaoji, condemn and besiege him. Under strong pressure, Abaoji had to hand over the Khan’s banner and no longer serve as the leader of the Khitan. However, while handing over the Khan’s banner and drum, he made a request to establish a Seoul as his own due to the large number of Han people he had received. The seven chiefs agreed to Abaoji’s request. They certainly did not expect that this was the magic weapon for Abaoji to turn defeat into victory. The Han people mentioned by Abaoji mostly came from wars. As the Central Plains dynasty had entered a period of separatism, Abaoji repeatedly attacked and captured a large number of Han people, and there were also some Han people who were unwilling to tolerate the harsh governance of the Central Plains separatist forces and voluntarily surrendered to the Khitans.
This is the Luan River, with a clear and refreshing water that has nurtured many Chinese people. Abaoji was one of them. At the suggestion of Han Yanhui, a Han Chinese, Abaoji built a city near the Luan River, modeled after Youzhou. In his interactions with Han people, Abaoji was deeply influenced by Han culture, and the establishment of hereditary monarchy began with the persuasion of a Han person.
Kang Peng from the Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: In fact, in Seoul, it is a settled agricultural life that is well integrated with the nomadic life on the grassland. In fact, Abaoji is a relatively open-minded person, and the entire Khitan nobility is actually relatively open-minded. He has an openness and is not exclusive, so he can integrate different cultures well. In the grassland area, you can establish a city, so this is a great innovation for them.
This place has the benefits of salt and iron, and is also suitable for growing grains. Abaoji led his Han and Khitan people to quickly turn it into a prosperous place. The salt and iron from Seoul were also transported to other tribes in Khitan, winning the hearts of the people for Abaoji. He actually controlled the economic lifeline of various Khitan tribes. In less than a year since the establishment of Seoul, the opportunity to achieve ambition has matured. Abaoji sent people to inform the Khitan tribes that I have a salt pond, and all the tribes eat together. I only know the benefits of salt, but I don’t know if I can thank my master for doing this. You should all come and reward me. So all the Khitan tribes came to meet with Abaoji, and while he was drinking heavily, Abaoji’s ambush suddenly broke out, killing all the Khitan tribes. It took nine years to become a Khan and finally break free from the constraints of the old Khitan system. In the year 916 AD, Abaoji officially proclaimed himself emperor and established the country, following the system of the Central Plains dynasty. His country was named Khitan, with the establishment of the Genshin Impact Register and the honorific title of the Great Sage, the Great Tomorrow Emperor. A unified Khitan dynasty quickly emerged. Professor Liu Pujiang from Peking University: The establishment of the Khitan Empire by Yelv Abaoji should be more like the creation of heroes by the times. However, since the 8th and 9th centuries AD, due to the decline of the Turks and Uyghurs on the Mongolian Plateau, a political vacuum has emerged on the Mongolian Plateau. At this time, in this situation, the Khitan Empire has risen. After proclaiming himself emperor and establishing the country, Abaoji began to vigorously carry out internal construction. He sent Han people to build an imperial capital in Linhuang, which the Khitans called the West Tower, later known as the Liao Shangjing. This was an unprecedented initiative of the grassland nomadic ethnic group, indicating that the Khitans were actively absorbing the advanced culture of the Han people.
It is the Khitan script. In 920 AD, Abaoji ordered his ministers to create the Khitan script by adding and subtracting half of the Chinese characters and clerical script. Later, Abaoji’s younger brother, Diela, created the Khitan script in the Uyghur script.
Kang Peng from the Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: An important aspect of Abaoji’s absorption of Chinese culture is the creation of his own characters. He imitated the shape of Chinese characters and created two types of characters, Khitan large characters and Khitan small characters. This actually greatly expanded the scope of Chinese character culture, and is a manifestation of the good combination of Chinese culture and grassland ethnic culture. Abaoji also began legal construction. He adhered to the principle of dividing the feudal domains and Han regions, using the national system to govern the Khitans and the Han system to treat the Han people. In 921 AD, the written law “Law on the Governance of the Khitans and the Barbarians” was formulated. This law not only retained the traditional customs of northern nomadic ethnic groups, but was also deeply influenced by the laws of the Tang Dynasty. The Khitans and other ethnic minorities committed crimes, and according to this law, the Han people were punished according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty. In the same year, Abaoji made a regulation that the prime ministers of the Southern Prefecture should be appointed by the royal family, and in addition, it was previously stipulated that the prime ministers of the Northern Prefecture should be appointed by the Later Clan. As a result, after the original eight Khitan tribes were respectively under the jurisdiction of the Northern and Southern Prefectures, all the prime ministers of the two prefectures were directly appointed by the emperor. The old system of Khitan was eliminated, and the hereditary monarchy of the country was completely consolidated. Abaoji immediately began to expand, and the Khitan iron cavalry successively conquered the Xizu, Wugu, Heiche Shiwei, Tatar, and Ganzhou Uyghurs. Abaoji also attempted to go south and seize the land north of the Yellow River in the Youji region, which was what he hoped to achieve. The prosperous Central Plains and advanced civilization always strongly attracted Abaoji. At this time, the Central Plains Dynasty had already entered the Five Dynasties period. In 916 AD, Abaoji took advantage of the war between King Jin Li Cunxu and Later Liang and incorporated Li Cunxu’s eight military towns located in the north of the mountains. In 922 AD, Abaoji engaged in another major battle with Li Cunxu, but was defeated and expelled for more than a hundred miles. After this major blow, Abaoji realized that the power of the Khitans was not enough to compete with the Central Plains, and he needed stronger national strength to make a comeback. However, the situation did not go as planned. In the same summer of 926 AD, Yelv Abaoji died of illness, and his wish could only be fulfilled by his son Yelv Deguang.
Kang Peng from the Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Abaoji’s important contribution is to establish a system and vigorously absorb Han culture. In terms of absorbing Han culture, a very important point is to create his own writing system, and a very important point is to establish city walls in grassland areas.
In 928 AD, tens of thousands of Khitan cavalry engaged in fierce battles with the Later Tang army in the Central Plains. After repeated battles, Khitan suffered major defeats and few survived. For many years, Khitan did not dare to easily move south. Although the newly appointed Khitan Emperor Yel ü Deguang had shifted his strategic focus to the south, he had to concentrate and wait for opportunities. Not long after, Yel ü Deguang’s opportunity finally arrived, and internal turmoil broke out in the Later Tang Dynasty. The Hedong military governor, Shi Jingtang, who was guarding Taiyuan, sent envoys to seek help from the Khitan army in order to resist the new emperor Li Congke. In order to obtain the help of the Khitan army, Shi Jingtang promised not only to offer gold and silk, but also to cut off the Lulong Road and the northern states of Yanmen Pass as a reward once the task was completed. Not only did Shi Jingtang seek the help of the Khitan, but also the father and son of Zhao Dejun, who supported the army and valued himself. As dynasties changed, Zhao Dejun also wanted to seize power in the Central Plains, hoping that Yelv Deguang would help him become the emperor of the Central Plains. Yel ü Deguang had already agreed to Shi Jingtang, but he saw that Zhao Dejun and his son had a strong military force and also planned to make a promise. Shi Jingtang was very afraid when he heard about Zhao Dejun’s situation, so he quickly sent the important minister Sang Weihan to meet Yel ü Deguang and promised to exhaust the wealth of the whole country to serve the Khitan. Yelv Deguang eventually agreed to abandon Zhao Dejun and fully assist Shi Jingtang.
In September 936 AD, Yel ü Deguang personally led 50000 cavalry, claiming to be 300000, and advanced southward. After arriving in Jinyang, the Khitan army won their first battle and defeated the Later Tang army. In November, under the title of Yel ü Deguang, Shi Jingtang became the Emperor of Later Jin. This was the day when Shi Jingtang made a promise to supply 300000 Khitan silk pieces per year, and officially ceded the jurisdiction of Youzhou and other areas such as Xin, Wu, Yun, Ying, and Shuozhou to the Khitans. In addition, the eleven provinces previously occupied by the Khitans, all sixteen provinces of Youyun in the northern Central Plains bordering on the Khitans were occupied by the Khitans. The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun are located in the north, which is a military stronghold with towering mountains and steep mountains, while the south has many plains suitable for agriculture. For the Central Plains regime, once this area is lost, the north will no longer have any danger to defend. The significance of acquiring the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun for Khitan is even more significant. Not only has it achieved a position of ease in attack and defense in the military, but the prosperous Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, along with its advanced politics, economy, and culture, will make Khitan truly powerful and achieve long-term development. Institute of History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences – Guan Shudong: The Khitans were originally a nomadic people, and their production was unstable. They needed the cooperation of agriculture and handicrafts. Therefore, the vast Han territory of Youyun Sixteen Prefectures should be said to have developed production capacity. Relatively speaking, in the Khitan ruled area, productivity was the most developed and wealth was also the most abundant. Therefore, the Khitan rulers occupied Youyun Sixteen Prefectures, which should be said to have received great economic and financial support. After obtaining the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, Yel ü Deguang organized the local Han regime and incorporated it into the local official system of Khitan. The idea of governing based on customs that had already formed during the Yel ü Abaoji period was strengthened, and the north-south official system was fully established. The naming of officials in the north and south is related to Khitan customs. The Khitan people worship the sun, and the emperor’s imperial edict faces east. The central officials are divided into the north and south, and the two government offices are also located on the north and south sides of the imperial edict. The Khitan system governs the Khitans in the north, while the Han system governs the Han people in the south, and this is also the case in local areas. The Khitans, Xis, and other nomadic tribes on the grasslands all implemented a tribal system, and the Han and Bohai people’s residential areas were established as prefectures and counties according to the Han system.
Kang Peng from the Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: For the Han people within the Liao Dynasty, the Khitan people were very open-minded. If they accepted Khitan culture, they believed that the Han people were actually Khitan people, without much difference. He did not judge which ethnic group you were based on race and blood ties, but rather on culture.
Former Site of Liao’an East Gate, Beijing
This is Beijing. At that time, it was Youzhou, one of the sixteen states of Youyun. Yel ü Deguang elevated Youzhou to Nanjing. After archaeological investigation, it was found that there were some relics on the east, west, north, and south walls of Nanjing, making it the busiest city of the Khitan Dynasty at that time.
Liao Shangjing Site, Balin Left Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
This is Boluo City south of Lindong Town, Balin Left Banner, Inner Mongolia. In history, Yelv Abaoji once built an imperial capital here. Yelv Deguang changed the imperial capital to Shangjing and established Linhuang Prefecture. In Liaoyang City, Liaoning Province, the Khitan Dynasty established Tokyo, Liaoyang Prefecture, and Daming City, Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia. The Khitan Dynasty built Zhongjing, Dading Prefecture, Datong City, Shanxi Province, and the former Yunzhou. The Khitan Dynasty also established Xijing and Datong Prefecture here. Shangjing, Tokyo, Zhongjing, Nanjing, and Xijing, these five cities established by the Khitan Dynasty according to the Han system in different periods, are collectively known as the Five Capitals. Kang Peng, Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Why did the Liao Dynasty ultimately establish the Five Capitals? Apart from the tradition of multi capital system since Tang Dynasty, it was actually more mainly due to its own rule policies based on customs. He wanted to rule different ethnic regions, so at most he was only a ceremonial and symbolic capital. The true political center of the Liao Dynasty was in the Four Seasons Nabo, which means that the political center of the Liao Dynasty was not fixed and migrated with the emperor’s camp.
Dali Lake, Keshiketeng Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Here is Dali Lake in Keshiketen Banner, Inner Mongolia. A large number of fish are raised in the clear water of the lake. People living near the lake have been living on fishing for generations. Every spring, people come to the lake to cast nets to catch fish. The joy of harvest spreads among the green water in the setting sun. It is a vibrant scene. In ancient times, such scenes often appeared in the places where the Khitan people held their bowls during the four seasons. The Khitan monarchs always maintained the nomadic and fishing traditions of their ancestors. Each of the four seasons had different palaces, called the bowl. The bowl had names such as Spring Water, Autumn Mountain, Sitting in Winter, Sitting in Summer, etc. The main activities were hunting geese in spring, fishing, releasing eagles in summer, shooting deer in autumn, and hunting tigers in the east. The Nabo was a place for the emperor’s daily life and political activities. During the Nabo ceremony, most of the aristocrats and ministers of the royal family followed them. During the winter and summer Nabo ceremonies, meetings of officials from the north and south were also held to discuss military and state affairs. In the year 942 AD, another major resolution was formed in the Nabo era. Shi Jingtang passed away, and his successor, Shi Zhonggui, succeeded him. He insisted on writing letters to Liao instead of presenting a memorial, and called himself a grandson instead of a vassal. This action angered Yelv Deguang, who was determined to destroy Later Jin and unify the Central Plains. During the period of over three years from 944 to 947 AD, Yelv Deguang led his army three times southward. In 947 AD, Yel ü Deguang captured Kaifeng and destroyed Later Jin. In February of the same year, Yel ü Deguang donned the imperial crown and purple robe of the Central Plains Emperor, ascended the throne in Kaifeng, and issued an edict to change the country’s name to Daliao and its name to Datong. Having become the emperor of the Central Plains, Yel ü Deguang’s career reached its peak, which had never been imagined by the Khitan people before, and was also a luxury that Yel ü Abaoji dared not have. From then on, the Liao Dynasty officially established control over the Central Plains, and Yel ü Abaoji was revered as the founder of the Liao Dynasty, and Yel ü Deguang was also the Emperor Taizong of the Liao Dynasty. However, this was once again a short-lived glory on the front line. Yel ü Deguang soon tasted the bitter fruit. Although he entered the Central Plains, he had no experience in governing the region. He indulged cavalry and herdsmen in the name of plundering food, grass, and property, arbitrarily plundering people’s property, appointing Khitan tribal leaders and envoys to manage Han territory. These measures were strongly resisted by the people of the Central Plains. Not long after, Yel ü Deguang was unable to establish himself in the Central Plains, forced to retreat north, and died of illness on his way back.
Professor Liu Pujiang from Peking University: I think the reason for this result is that, from two aspects, one is that the Khitan people at that time did not have a high degree of sinicization, and they did not have much interest in the vast Central Plains and agricultural areas they occupied. He did not have the concept of unity, so he did not have much attachment to the Central Plains at that time. Another reason is the policy at that time. After he occupied the Later Jin Dynasty, there were problems with his ruling policies in the Central Plains region, and they did not realize that this agricultural nation ruled in a special way. After Emperor Taizong of Liao, when Emperor Shizong of Liao was in power, the Yelv family was plagued by numerous conflicts. Emperor Shizong of Liao was constantly embroiled in a wave of assassinations, and was assassinated in just five years. Emperor Muzong of Liao not only ignored the government, but also indulged in excessive drinking, leading to a state of political confusion and military decline throughout the country.
Liaozhongjing Site, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
On a night in February 969 AD, Emperor Muzong of Liao was assassinated by six close relatives while hunting. The next emperor of Liao was Emperor Jingzong of Liao, who attempted to change the declining situation of Liao through political reforms. However, he first had to face his biggest flaw, being bedridden for years. To turn the tide, Liao Jingzong needed a good helper. So, who exactly would this person be? This person is the Empress of Liao Jingzong, who is now known as Empress Xiao. Her nickname is Yan Yan, so she is also known as Xiao Yanyan. It is precisely because she has become the most reliable helper of Liao Jingzong. Empress Xiao was a politician who deeply understood the principles of governing the country. Due to her outstanding performance, in 976 AD, Emperor Jingzong of Liao ordered the scholars of the historical museum, as well as the officials of the town. In the future, when writing about Empress Xiao, they should also refer to her as “I Ji Yu” and use it as a standard. The Liao people treated Empress Xiao like the emperor, collectively known as the “Two Sages in the Palace”. According to the “Khitan Annals”, Empress Yan and Yan presided over the court as the female ruler, and the state affairs were in her hands. Empress Xiao became the most important ruler of the Liao Dynasty. Together with Emperor Jingzong of Liao, she worked hard to bring a new atmosphere to the territory of Liao. However, the internal situation has just stabilized, and external crises have quickly descended. At this moment, a brand new and powerful Song Dynasty rose up, and the Song army had completely pacified the south, pointing straight to the north. In 979 AD, when Emperor Taizong of Song personally led a large army to attack Northern Han, a vassal state of Liao, the Liao Dynasty sent troops to assist Northern Han, but suffered a disastrous defeat. In addition to his victory, Emperor Taizong of Song decided to recapture the sixteen provinces of Youyun that had been occupied by Liao in one fell swoop. The great war between Liao and Song was inevitable. Empress Xiao, in the name of Emperor Jingzong of Liao and herself, mobilized troops and generals to engage in a fierce battle with the Song army in Youzhou, and achieved great victories with sorghum, greatly weakening the morale of the Song army. Afterwards, Liao and Song fought against each other, each with victory or defeat, and no one had a certain chance of victory. The Liao Dynasty intensified its internal construction. With the support of Empress Xiao, Emperor Jingzong of Liao carried out a series of reforms, especially by reusing a large number of Han officials, which made the internal politics of the Liao Dynasty more stable. However, a few years later, Emperor Jingzong of Liao passed away, and the state of Liao faced a crisis again.
In 982 AD, Yel ü Longxu, the eldest son of Liao Jingzong, ascended to the throne, which is the historical Liao Shengzong. At that time, Liao Shengzong was only 12 years old, and his mother Xiao Yanyan was ordered to assist the young master, known as Empress Dowager Xiao. At the beginning of her regency, Empress Dowager Xiao was very worried about the proliferation of powerful supporters of the royal family, posing a huge threat to the throne of Liao Shengzong. Upon receiving the news of Liao Jingzong’s death, Emperor Song Taizong made preparations for a major war again. Empress Dowager Xiao then ordered Yel ü Xiezhen and Han Derang to participate in the decision-making process, and Han Derang was appointed to be in charge of the palace guard, thus basically controlling the palace guard. He gained great power both inside and outside the court. In 986 AD, the Liao army defeated the last large-scale attack of the Northern Song Dynasty, completely freeing themselves from the threat of the Song Dynasty. The rule of Empress Dowager Xiao and Emperor Shengzong of Liao was as stable as a rock.
Han Kuangsi’s Tomb Inscription at the Liao Shangjing Museum
In the process of the development of the Khitan Dynasty, some Han officials played an important role. The Han family in Yutian, Jizhou, was the most representative family. Initially, Han Zhigu was only a private servant accompanying Empress Abaoji. Due to his deep appreciation by Abaoji, he became the highest official in managing Han affairs within the Khitan Empire. Han Kuangsi, the son of Han Zhigu, was highly valued by Emperor Jingzong and gained his own territory. Han Derang, the son of Han Kuangsi, was also deeply trusted by Emperor Jingzong. As a Han, he was deeply aware of the governance methods of the Central Plains and used advanced management methods to govern the Liao Dynasty, repeatedly making contributions. Empress Xiao not only valued and trusted Han Derang, but also made great contributions. Han Derang was also attracted by his unique charm. According to “The History of Liao”, Han Derang was known for his intelligence, strategy, Meiji style, and his love for making achievements, all of which were appreciated by Empress Dowager Xiao. As a Han Chinese, Han Derang’s influence on the Confucian culture of the Han ethnic group has greatly attracted Empress Dowager Xiao and even the entire Khitan people.
Institute of History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences – Guan Shudong: After the mid to late Liao Dynasty, many Khitans also believed in the culture of Confucianism. From their names, it can be seen that many Khitans used some Confucian classic characters to take their Chinese names. The Liao Dynasty prohibited Khitans from engaging in this, which is the imperial examination, but many other Khitan nobles also actively studied Chinese culture and even took the risk of breaking the law to participate in the imperial examination. Han Derang was able to enter and exit Empress Dowager Xiao’s tent without any hesitation, and together with Empress Dowager Xiao, they handled government affairs. With Han Derang’s advice and leadership, Empress Dowager Xiao further implemented an enlightened policy, implementing the standard of selecting current officials regardless of Han ethnicity, uniting Khitan nobles and Han officials, establishing a system of imperial examinations and selecting officials, encouraging farmers to plant mulberry trees, and promoting economic and trade. From then on, Liao became even stronger, and Han Derang contributed all his intelligence. In 1004 AD, Empress Dowager Xiao granted Han Derang the surname Yelv and recognized him as a member of the royal family. From then on, the Han family’s status as a slave was changed and she became a member of the Khitan nobility.
Kang Peng, Institute of History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Although the Han family in Yutian is Han by blood, they have already become Khitanized in their cultural and lifestyle habits. This has enabled the Yutian Han family to integrate well into the Khitan ethnic group or bring Han culture into the Khitan culture, establishing a good connection. The Han family in Yutian is actually a microcosm of the combination of Han culture, Khitan culture, or grassland culture. In the year 1004 AD, after her strong national strength, Empress Dowager Xiao attempted to develop southward. She led a large army of water to invade the Song Dynasty, accompanied by Han Derang. The Liao army successively captured Suicheng, Dingzhou, and other places, with troops under the city of Chanzhou. However, due to the lessons of Yelv Deguang, none of them, whether Empress Dowager Xiao, Emperor Shengzong of Liao, or Han Derang, had the intention of annihilating the Song Dynasty. They only wanted to achieve reconciliation with the Song Dynasty under favorable circumstances. In the end, Empress Dowager Xiao achieved her goal. After the great war, the two countries of Liao and Song signed the Chanyuan Alliance, in which they agreed that Song would give the Liao Dynasty 100000 taels of silver and 200000 pieces of silk each year to defend each other’s borders and not interfere with each other. The alliance of Chanyuan ended the endless war between the two sides, and the two sides officially called each other the Southern and Northern Dynasties, becoming a brotherly nation, thus ushering in the heyday of the Liao Dynasty.
Kang Peng, Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Empress Dowager Chengtian played an important role in the issue of the Song Peace War, reflecting her military talent. In the early days of Emperor Shengzong of Liao, she resisted Emperor Yongxi’s Northern Expedition, and at the same time, she led her army southward in Tonghe, forcing Emperor Zhenzong of Song to reach the Treaty of Chanyuan, resulting in a long-term peace situation between Song and Liao. In fact, she sought peace through war.
In the year 1009 AD, Empress Dowager Xiao passed away and was buried in Yiwulu Mountain. Empress Dowager Xiao can be regarded as one of the most legendary women in Chinese history, leading her to prosperity, benefiting the people of the region, and making positive contributions to the integration of the Chinese nation. After Empress Dowager Xiao’s death, Emperor Shengzong of Liao continued to treat Han Derang with kindness and bestowed upon him the name Longyun. Han Derang fell seriously ill when he returned from Emperor Shengzong’s eastward expedition to Goryeo, and even Emperor Shengzong and the Empress personally served soup and medicine. After his death, Emperor Shengzong, along with the empress, kings, and princesses, were all subdued and mourned. His funeral followed the specifications of Empress Dowager Chengtian. When the hearse was activated, Emperor Shengzong personally pulled it and wept, and it was finally buried next to Empress Dowager Xiao’s tomb. At this time, the loyalty and filial piety etiquette that Han people have always respected has fully integrated into the thoughts of Emperor Shengzong of Liao. Through the efforts of several generations including Yel ü Abaoji, Yel ü Deguang, and Empress Dowager Xiao, advanced Central Plains culture ultimately took root and sprouted in Khitan. Continuous economic connections, political influence, and cultural identity promoted the true integration of various ethnic groups, and a truly powerful country – Da Liao – was prominently displayed in Chinese history.
90 seconds in history: Big Stone Heading Westward
In 1124 AD, Yelv Dashi led 200 iron cavalry to leave Tianzuo Emperor overnight. The east and south were his familiar homeland, but he could no longer go back. Although the northwest was a strange land, he had no choice but to go back. Only that was the power of the Liao Dynasty. He left his familiar homeland and headed west. He wanted to save the Liao Dynasty and make a difficult and rebellious journey with an uncertain future. This was once again a rare expedition. The vast desert with fertile fields, cold and steep snow mountains, countless neighbors, rivers, and mountains all became a way to conquer and restore the empire. The belief established by the spirit of strength and indomitability supported Yelv Dashi’s drive to travel far. After losing his eastern territory, Yelv Dashi miraculously established a powerful new dynasty in the west that could rival the original Liao Dynasty.
