Emperor Tianzuo of Liao

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Emperor Tianzuo of Liao (5 June 1075 – 1128 or 1156), personal name Yelü Yanxi, courtesy name Yanning, was the ninth and last emperor of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China. He succeeded his grandfather, Emperor Daozong, in 1101 and reigned until the fall of the Liao dynasty in 1125.

Jin invasion[]

During the reign of Emperor Tianzuo, the Jurchen tribes led by Aguda established the Jin dynasty in 1115. Aguda formed the Alliance Conducted at Sea with the Han-led Northern Song dynasty against the Liao dynasty, and began to establish authority over former Liao territory in Mongolia. Emperor Tianzuo, however, proved incompetent in dealing with the Jurchen threat, and in 1115 a coup was attempted by Liao generals to install his uncle Yelü Chun to the throne but was thwarted. The Jurchens advanced from Manchuria in 1117, and captured the Liao supreme capital in 1120, then its central capital in 1122.^[2]

Another coup was attempted in 1121 to install Emperor Tianzuo's son, the prince of Jin, on the throne, but was again thwarted. The prince was executed, and most of the coup participants defected to the Jin dynasty.^[3] In 1122, Emperor Tianzuo fled from the Liao southern capital (present-day Beijing) to the western regions. His uncle Yelü Chun then formed the short-lived Northern Liao dynasty in the southern capital, but died soon afterwards, and the southern capital was conquered by the Jurchens at the end of 1122 or early 1123.

End of the Liao dynasty[]

After the end of the Northern Liao dynasty, a general Yelü Dashi rejoined Emperor Tianzuo. In 1123, the Jurchens captured Emperor Tianzuo's palace at Qingzhong (south of present-day Hohhot), capturing members of his family. Emperor Tianzuo fled to Western Xia and sought refuge there. Later, Emperor Tianzuo expressed his intention to attack the Jurchens, but Yelü Dashi withheld his support, considering it folly as the Jurchens were too strong. In 1124, Yelü Dashi fled to the west with a band of his followers, and established the Western Liao dynasty. In 1125, Emperor Tianzuo was captured by the Jin dynasty, ending the Liao dynasty.^[4]

Death[]

In 1156, in an act of humiliation, the Jin emperor who at the time was the Prince of Hailing ordered him and the former Emperor Qinzong of Song to compete in a match of polo. Emperor Qinzong was weak and frail, and thus quickly fell off the horse. Yelü Yanxi was more familiar with horse riding, and tried to escape, but was shot to death by Jurchen archers.

Titles[]

• Prince of Liang (1081–1084)
• Prince of Yan (1084–1101)
• Emperor of Jian (1101–1125)
• Prince of Haibin (1125)

Harem[]

• Empress Xiao Duolilan (皇后 蕭奪里懶) – No issue.
• Defei Xiao Shigu (德妃 蕭師姑)
  • 3rd son Yelü Talu, the Prince of Yan (耶律撻魯 燕國王)
• Wenfei Xiao Sese (文妃 蕭瑟瑟)
  • 1st son Yelü Aoluwo, the Prince of Jin (耶律敖盧斡 晉王)
  • 3rd daughter Yelü Yuliyan, the Princess of Shu State (耶律余里衍 蜀國公主)
• Yuanfei Xiao Guige (元妃 蕭貴哥)
  • 2nd son Yelü Yali, the Prince of Liang (耶律雅里 梁王)
  • 6th son Yelü Ning, the Prince of Xu (耶律寧 許王)
• Zhaorong, of the Zhao clan (昭容 赵氏)
  • 4th son Yelü Xinilie, the Prince of Zhao (耶律習泥烈 趙王)
• Unknown
  • 5th son Yelü Ding, the Prince of Qin (耶律定 秦王)
  • 1st daughter – unnamed
  • 2nd daughter Yelü Guyu (耶律骨欲)
  • 4th daughter Yelü Woliyan (耶律斡里衍)
  • 5th daughter Yelü Da'aoye (耶律大奥野)
  • 6th daughter Yelü Ci'aoye (耶律次奥野)

References[]

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