The glorious prosperity of Daliao is inseparable from an outstanding woman - Empress Dowager Xiao. With her extraordinary wisdom and courage, she pushed the Liao State to the pinnacle of its heyday.
In the long history of the Liao Dynasty, Xiao Yanyan (953~1009) became the empress dowager with the greatest power with her outstanding political skills and far-reaching influence. In her time, Hanchen Han Derang (941~1011) reached the peak of his official position, and the two monarchs and ministers got along with each other, and jointly created the prosperity of the Khitan people. Although the love story between them is often said in later generations, whether it is true or not, they jointly made an indelible contribution to the prosperity of the Liao State.
Xiao Yanyan, known as Han Ming, has been smart since childhood, loves to read, and has a stubborn personality. Her father, Xiao Siwen, was a fairly Sinicized Khitan nobleman, with profound knowledge and held high-ranking positions. Under the influence of her father, Xiao Yanyan gradually showed extraordinary talent and leadership. She is conscientious, diligent and studious, and is deeply appreciated by her father.
Xiao Siwen once married Yan Yanxu to Han Derang, this Hanchen likes to read Chinese classics since he was a child, has a profound cultural accomplishment, and is famous for a while. However, the course of history is often fraught with uncertainties. In 969, Yelujing of Liao Muzong was assassinated, and Xiao Siwen and others supported Yeluxian, the second son of Shizong, as emperor. In order to repay the merits of the support, Ye Luxian proposed to choose Xiao Yanyan as the concubine. This year, Yan Yan was only 17 years old and began her legendary political career.
Yeluxian is Liao Jingzong, he is weak and often unable to judge the court. The power of the government was gradually transferred to Xiao Yanyan. She worked hard, worked day and night, and was as good as a stream, and won the support of the court. Liao Jingzong was not jealous of this, but was glad to find such a wise and brave queen as his political agent. In 976, Liao Jingzong specially issued an edict to the scholars of the History Museum, deciding that from now on, the words of the Empress should also be called "I", and put Xiao Yanyan in the same position as himself.
Under the leadership of Empress Dowager Xiao, the Liao State ushered in one glorious moment after another. In 979, after the destruction of the Northern Han Dynasty, Song Taizong continued to attack the Liao State in the north, and Han De asked his father to defend the city, and the reinforcements attacked inside and outside, defeating the Song army at the Gaoliang River, and became famous all over the world. In 982, Liao Jingzong died of illness, and before his death, he passed the throne to Yelu Longxu, the son born to Yan Yan, and issued an edict to make Empress Dowager Xiao regent. Since then, Empress Dowager Xiao has led the Liao State to a more brilliant future with extraordinary political wisdom and courage.
Empress Dowager Xiao's trust and reuse of Han Derang reached an unprecedented level. She not only made Han Derang concurrently serve as the privy envoy of the two houses, but also made him the prime minister of the government, which is the only one in the history of the Liao Dynasty. In 1001, Empress Dowager Xiao gave Han Derang the name Dechang, and three years later gave him the surname Yelu, called Yelu Longyun, and was crowned the king of Jin. Although Han Derang's power caused dissatisfaction among some Khitan nobles, Empress Dowager Xiao stood firmly on his side, overriding public opinion and maintaining the stability and prosperity of the country.
With the joint efforts of Empress Dowager Xiao and Han Derang, the Liao Dynasty reached an unprecedented prosperity. They bridged the national contradictions, persuaded the peasants, and repaired the armed forces, so that the Liao State became a rich, powerful and prosperous country. However, despite her great political success, Empress Dowager Xiao's personal life was fraught with controversy. The Song people said that she committed adultery with Han Derang, for which Empress Dowager Xiao also poisoned Han Derang's wife. These rumors undoubtedly brought a certain negative impact on Empress Dowager Xiao, but her historical status and contribution are unquestionable.
In 1004, Empress Dowager Xiao personally led an army south to attack the Song Dynasty, and the two sides confronted each other in Lanzhou. In the end, due to factors such as Song Zhenzong's visit to the front line, the death of Xiao Tzulin, the Liao pioneer general, and the peace negotiations between the two sides, the Liao army retreated. Although the battle was not victorious, Empress Dowager Xiao's military talent and courage were fully reflected. In December 1009, this great female politician passed away, known as the "Empress Dowager Chengtian". Her death marked the end of an era in the Liao Kingdom, but her influence and contributions remained forever in the long history of the Liao Kingdom.
During the reign of Yelu Longxu, the son of Empress Dowager Xiao, the political economy of the Liao Dynasty reached a new peak. He continued to implement the policies of the Empress Dowager Xiao, consolidating and developing the prosperity and stability of the Liao State. Yelu Longxu is the Liao Shengzong, and with his outstanding leadership skills and wisdom in governing the country, he has brought the Liao State to a more brilliant future.
Looking back on the life of Empress Dowager Xiao, we can't help but be impressed by her talent and contributions. With her extraordinary wisdom and courage, she led the Liao Kingdom to the pinnacle of its prosperity. Her historical status and influence are not only reflected in the political arena of Liao, but also in her inspiration and encouragement to later generations of women. She told us that with strong faith and unremitting efforts, women can also shine in the political arena and make outstanding contributions to the prosperity of the country and the nation.