Predecessor Emperor Muzong Name Emperor of Successor Emperor Shengzong Died 982 AD, Xi'an, China Grandparents Yelu Bei | Empress Xiao Yanyan Parents Emperor Shizong of Liao | |
Reign 13 March 969 – 13 October 982 Born 1 September 948 ( 948-09-01 ) Issue Yelu Longxu (Emperor Shengzong), son
Yelu Longqing (耶律隆慶), son
Yelu Longyou (耶律隆祐), son
Yelu Yaoshinu (耶律藥師奴), son
Yelu Guanyinnu (耶律觀音女), daughter
Yelu Changshounu (耶律長壽女), daughter
Yelu Yanshounu (耶律延壽女), daughter
Yelu Shuge (耶律淑哥), daughter | ||
Grandchildren Emperor Xingzong of Liao Great grandchildren Emperor Daozong of Liao Imperial Concubine Consort Bohai (渤海妃) Children Emperor Shengzong 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.
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.
On October 13, 982, Emperor Jingzong died on his way back from a hunting trip.